Contemporary Romance published by Samantha Young 18 Aug 20
In a very short time, Samantha Young has become a favorite author. Her Hart’s Boardwalk series is also a favorite, and will be so for a very long time to come.
We finally get Emery and Jack’s story. They’ve been dancing around one another for nine years, so in this book we visit them from the beginning to present day, when Jack’s family life is about to explode. He hopes it will set him free so he and Emery can finally be together. But Emery has a lot of issues with love. Everyone in her life who was supposed to love her has abandoned her, leaving her alone, shy, and skittish. We also get to see how the ladies of Hartwell come together to join forces to become the close-knit friends they’ve been throughout the series.
When all of Jack’s secrets come out, they are doozies, that’s for sure. His father is one mean and evil POS, I’m very happy it’s Jack who finally sticks it to the old man. While Jack’s family begins to live and breathe again, though, it’s Emery who suffers and second guesses her relationship with this man she loves. It’s lovely to see her become the more confident woman she should have been all her life, to stand up for herself and what she believes in. When she confronts the town bitch, you can’t help but cheer along with her girlfriends at the outcome.
However, it’s Jack who is on the losing end when it comes to Emery. Though their lives will be forever entwined, Emery needs someone who will put her first. Jack realizes his missteps when it comes to her and he wants to make things right, but Emery can’t give him the space to break her heart again. But, oh how I love Jack. He never gives up, he changes, and goes after what he’s wanted all along once he met Em all those years ago. Seeing him showing his regret and remorse through Emery’s eyes is so well done – he has the most expressive eyes ever.
It’s terrific to see all the previous characters in the series, their friendships still going strong. And when Cooper finally knows why his friendship with Jack was sacrificed in the hell that has been Jack’s life, their reunion is heart felt and so very emotional. I don’t know if there will be more books in this series – I hope there are! – but if not, I’m so very anxious to see what Ms. Young will give readers next. I will fervently hope I love whatever that is as much as I’ve loved Hart’s Boardwalk.
Grade: A
Summary:
Nine years ago, Emery Saunders moved to Hartwell to start her life over as a bookstore owner. Her inability to trust people made it hard for her to find a place in the small community until Jessica Lawson moved to town and befriended the shy beauty.
But there was one person in Hartwell who tried to befriend Emery long before Jessica arrived…Jack Devlin has his secrets. One of them is that he fell hard for Emery the moment she appeared in Hartwell. Another is that his father blackmailed him into covering up a dark family tragedy. It forced Jack to sever his relationships to protect the people he cared about. Yet, staying away from Emery has not been easy throughout the years and he hasn’t always succeeded. When Jack’s mixed signals hurt Emery once again, she puts him out of her heart for good.
Until the Devlin family secret is finally revealed, freeing Jack from his father’s machinations. What Jack wants more than anything is to repair his relationships, starting with Emery.
However, Emery isn’t ready to forgive and Jack’s not ready to give up.
And when the town’s latest scandal ties Jack and Emery together, Jack is not above using their new reality to prove to Emery once and for all that their love is worthy of the legend of Hart’s Boardwalk.
No excerpt available.
Other books in this series:
