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The One Real Thing (Hart's Boardwalk Book 1) Kindle Edition
Welcome to Hartwell, a quiet seaside escape where uncovering old secrets could lead one woman to discover the meaning of a love that lasts…
While Doctor Jessica Huntington engages with the inmates at the women’s correctional facility where she works, she’s always careful to avoid emotional attachments in her personal life. Loss and betrayal taught her that lesson long ago. But when she comes across a set of old love letters in the prison’s library and visits the picturesque town of Hartwell to deliver them to their intended recipient, she finds herself unable to resist the town’s charm—and her attraction to the sexy owner of a local bar proves equally hard to deny.
Since his divorce from his unfaithful ex-wife, Cooper Lawson has focused on what really matters: his family and the boardwalk pub they’ve owned for generations. But the first time Jessica steps into his bar, Cooper is beyond tempted to risk his heart on her.
Yet as their attraction grows hotter and Jessica remains stubbornly closed off, he begins to realize it will take more than just passion to convince her there’s only one real thing in life worth fighting for….
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherBerkley
- Publication dateSeptember 6, 2016
- File size1.2 MB
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“Young has done it again. Sexy chemistry and gut-wrenching emotions kept me turning the pages!”—Kristen Proby, New York Times Bestselling Author
Praise for New York Times bestselling author Samantha Young
“A really sexy book...Highly recommend this one.”—USA Today
“[Samantha Young’s] enchanting couples and delicious romances make her books an autobuy.”—Smexy Books
“Smart and sexy, Young writes stories that stay with you long after you flip that last page.”—Under the Covers
“Charismatic characters, witty dialogue, blazing-hot sex scenes, and real-life issues make this book an easy one to devour.”—Fresh Fiction
“The one thing you can count on from Ms. Young is some of the best, steamy, sexual chemistry.”—Fiction Vixen
About the Author
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Jessica
One of my favorite feelings in the whole world is that moment I step inside a hot shower after having been caught outside in cold, lashing rain. The transformation from clothes-soaked-to-the-skin misery to soothing warmth is unlike any other. I love the resultant goose bumps and the way my whole body relaxes under the stream of warm water. In that pure, simple moment all accumulated worries just wash away with the rain.
The moment I met Cooper Lawson felt exactly like that hot shower after a very long, cold storm.
The day hadn't started out all sunshine and clear skies. It was a little gray outside and there were definite clouds, but I still hadn't been prepared for the sudden deluge of rain that flooded from the heavens as I was walking along the boardwalk in the seaside city of Hartwell.
My eyes darted for the closest available shelter and I dashed toward it-a closed bar that had an awning. Soaked within seconds, blinded by rain, and irritated by the icky feeling of my clothes sticking to my skin, I wasn't really paying much attention to anything else but getting to the awning. That was why I ran smack into a hard, masculine body.
If the man's arms hadn't reached out to catch me I would have bounced right onto my ass.
I pushed my soaked hair out of my eyes and looked up in apology at the person I had so rudely collided with.
Warm blue eyes met mine. Blue, blue eyes. Like the Aegean Sea that surrounded Santorini. I'd vacationed there a few years back and the water there was the bluest I'd ever seen.
Once I was able to drag my gaze from the startling color of those eyes, I took in the face they were set upon. Rugged, masculine.
My eyes drifted over his broad shoulders and my head tipped back to take in his face because the guy was well over six feet tall. The hands that were still on my biceps, steadying me, were big, long fingered, and callused against my bare skin.
Despite the cold, I felt my body flush with the heat of awareness and I stepped out of the stranger's hold.
"Sorry," I said, slicking my wet hair back, grinning apologetically. "That rain came out of nowhere."
He gave a brief nod as he pushed his wet dark hair back from his forehead. The blue flannel shirt he wore over a white T-shirt was soaked through, too, and I suddenly found myself staring at the way the T-shirt clung to his torso.
There wasn't an ounce of fat on him.
I thought I heard a chortle of laughter and my eyes flew to his face, startled-and horrified at the thought of being caught ogling. There was no smirk or smile on his lips, however, although there was definitely amusement in those magnificent eyes of his. Without saying a word he reached out for the door to the quaint building and pushed. The door swung open and he stepped inside what was an empty and decidedly closed bar.
Oh.
Okay for some, I thought, staring glumly out at the way the rain pounded the boardwalk, turning the boards slick and slippery. I wondered how long I'd be stuck there.
"You can wait out there if you want. Or not."
The deep voice brought my head back around. The blue-eyed, rugged, flannel guy was staring at me.
I peered past him at the empty bar, unsure if he was allowed to be in there. "Are you sure it's alright?"
He merely nodded, not giving me the explanation I sought for why it was alright.
I stared back at the rain and then back into the dry bar.
Stay out here shivering in the rain or step inside an empty bar with a strange man?
The stranger noted my indecision and somehow he managed to laugh at me without moving his mouth.
It was the laughter-filled eyes that decided me.
I nodded and strode past him. Water dripped onto the hardwood floors, but since there was already a puddle forming around the blue-eyed, rugged, flannel guy's feet I didn't let it bother me too much.
His boots squeaked and squished on the floor as he passed me; the momentary flare of heat from his body as he brushed by caused a delicious shiver to ripple down my spine.
"Tea? Coffee? Hot cocoa?" he called out without looking back.
He was about to disappear through a door that had Staff Only written on it, giving me little time to decide. "Hot cocoa," I blurted out.
I took a seat at a nearby table, grimacing at the squish of my clothes as I sat. I was definitely going to leave a butt-shaped puddle there when I stood up.
The door behind me banged open again and I turned around to see BRF (blue-eyed, rugged, flannel) Guy coming toward me with a white towel in his hand. He handed it to me without a word.
"Thanks," I said, bemused when he just nodded and headed back through the Staff Only door. "A man of few words," I murmured.
His monosyllabic nature was kind of refreshing, actually. I knew a lot of men who loved the sound of their own voice.
I wrapped the towel around the ends of my blond hair and squeezed the water out of it. Once I had rung as much of the water from my hair as I could, I swiped the towel over my cheeks, only to gasp in horror at the black stains left on it.
Fumbling through my purse for my compact, I flushed with embarrassment when I saw my reflection. I had scary black-smeared eyes and mascara streaks down my cheeks.
No wonder BRF Guy had been laughing at me.
I used the towel to scrub off the mascara, then, completely mortified, I slammed my compact shut. I now had no makeup on, I was flushed red like a teenager, and my hair was flat and wet.
The bar guy wasn't exactly my type. Still, he was definitely attractive in his rough-around-the-edges way and, well, it was just never nice to feel like a sloppy mess in front of a man with eyes that piercing.
The door behind me banged open again and BRF Guy strode in with two steaming mugs in his hands.
As soon as he put one into mine, goose bumps rose up my arm at the delicious rush of heat against my chilled skin. "Thank you."
He nodded and slipped into the seat across from me. I studied him as he braced an ankle over his knee and sipped at his coffee. He was casual, completely relaxed, despite the fact that his clothes were wet. And like me he was wearing jeans. Wet denim felt nasty against bare skin-a man-made chafe monster.
"Do you work here?" I said after a really long few minutes of silence passed between us.
He didn't seem bothered by the silence. In fact, he seemed completely at ease in the company of a stranger.
He nodded.
"You're a bartender here?"
"I own the place."
I looked around at the bar. It was traditional dcor with dark walnut everywhere-the long bar, the tables and chairs, even the floor. The lights of three large brass chandeliers broke up the darkness, while wall-mounted green library lamps along the back wall gave the booths there a cozy, almost romantic vibe. There was a small stage near the front door and just across from the booths were three stairs that led up onto a raised dais where two pool tables sat. Two huge flat-screen televisions, one above the bar and one above the pool tables, made me think it was part sports bar.
There was a large jukebox, beside the stage, that was currently silent.
"Nice place."
BRF Guy nodded.
"What's the bar called?"
"Cooper's."
"Are you Cooper?"
His eyes smiled. "Are you a detective?"
"A doctor, actually."
I was pretty sure I saw a flicker of interest. "Really?"
"Really."
"Smart lady."
"I'd hope so." I grinned.
Laughter danced in his eyes as he raised his mug for another sip.
Weirdly, I found myself settling into a comfortable silence with him. We sipped at our hot drinks as a lovely easiness fell between us. I couldn't remember the last time I'd felt that kind of calm contentedness with anyone, let alone a stranger.
A little slice of peace.
Finally, as I came to the end of my cocoa, BRF Guy / possibly Cooper spoke. "You're not from Hartwell."
"No, I'm not."
"What brings you to Hart's Boardwalk, Doc?"
I realized then how much I liked the sound of his voice. It was deep with a little huskiness in it.
I thought about his question before responding. What had brought me there was complicated.
"At the moment the rain brought me here," I said coyly. "I'm kind of glad it did."
He put his mug down on the table and stared at me for a long beat. I returned his perusal, my cheeks warming under the heat of his regard. Suddenly he reached across the table, offering me his hand. "Cooper Lawson."
I smiled and placed my small hand in his. "Jessica Huntington."
"Nice to meet you, Doc."
Two
Jessica
Two Weeks Earlier Women's Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility Wilmington, Delaware
"You know, if you go running into any more doors I'm giving you a vision test," I said dryly as I applied antiseptic to Mary Jo's cut lip.
She glowered at me but didn't respond, which was unusual. If only she'd use that kind of restraint with the other inmates she might stop running into so many "doors."
I dropped my cotton swab and took off my latex gloves. "Nothing more I can do here. You can sit in the ward for a half hour with ice on your eye. It should take some of the swelling down." I strode over to the small freezer in my clinic and took out an ice pack.
When I turned back to Mary Jo she was squinting at me with her good eye.
"How come you don't talk to us like we're trash? That older bitch speaks to us like we're trash."
I ignored her reference to my colleague, Dr. Whitaker, who worked part-time at the prison infirmary. She didn't peer down her nose at just the inmates; she considered everyone beneath her. And despite the fact that I was the primary physician and worked the most hours, she still consistently tried to tell me how to do my job. "Maybe because I don't think you're trash," I said, slapping the ice pack into Mary Jo's hand. I guided her hand over her eye.
"How come?"
I heard the suspicion in her voice.
Working as a prison doctor for the last two years had taught me a few things. One of those things was that most of the female inmates were suspicious of absolutely everyone and their motives.
"How come I don't think you're trash?"
"Yeah."
I turned away to put the cotton swabs I'd used in the medical trash. The answer to that question was like the deepest root of a solid twenty-one-year-old tree-buried too far down to unearth it now without toppling the entire tree. "Mistakes don't make you trash." I pasted a bright smile on my face as I turned back to her. "You're good to go." I knocked on the glass pane of my door and the guard on duty, Pamela, nodded and strode over. She opened the door. "Doc?"
"Let Mary Jo sit in the ward for about a half hour with this ice on her eye, and then she's good to go."
"Sure thing. Come on, Mary Jo." Pamela ushered her out.
Once I was alone in my office again I sat down at my computer to update Mary Jo's record. I was just finishing up when there was a knock at my door.
Fatima marched in. Six foot one, proud, and physically fit, Fatima was like a warrior queen in a prison guard uniform. She was also a riot. I grinned. "What brings you here?"
She pulled a face and waved a dusty leather-bound book at me. "These girls have been watching too many movies." She sat down on my desk and flipped the book open.
Well, look at that.
The middle of the pages had been carved into, and sitting hidden in the hole was a makeshift shank. "That's a new way to hide a weapon."
"In Jane Austen," Fatima huffed. "They defiled Mr. Darcy for this shit. Don't they know that man is fine? No shank hole should be defiling such a gentleman."
I chuckled. "I don't think they care about how much of a gentleman Mr. Darcy is."
"See, that there is the problem. Instead of using library books to hide weapons, they should be educating themselves. No wonder they cut the freaking library budget."
"I heard they did that." I knew how much getting the women into the library, for reading groups and to teach them computer skills, meant to Fatima. "I'm sorry."
She sighed heavily. "Shit, I knew it was coming. I'll just make do with what I got. Anyhow, how was your date last night?"
"I told you it wasn't a date." Andrew and I didn't date.
She shook her head in disappointment. "You need your head checked. So does this idiot you're hooking up with. Nothing sweeter than coming home to your man after a long day at work."
I looked at the gold wedding band she was subconsciously touching. "That's not what you said last week when you were complaining about Derek forgetting to do the laundry, or the week before, when his idea of doing food shopping consisted of buying a year's supply of beer and Cheetos."
Fatima scowled at me. "Do you remember absolutely everything?"
"Pretty much."
"It's annoying."
"Noted." I laughed.
"Okay, so I want to kill Derek as much as I want to make sweet love to the man, but it's nice living with my best friend. You should get yourself one and kick that Dr. Commitment-Phobe to the curb."
"I told you, I like not being in a relationship."
She grunted at me like she didn't believe me, but the truth was I did like keeping things casual. I'd never had a serious relationship in my life. I came and went as I pleased. I made all the decisions in my life and got to live each day my way.
And on the days I got a little "fris-frisky" I had Andrew on speed dial.
"I'm setting you up." Fatima got up from the desk with determination. "How do you feel about chocolate?" She winked at me.
Laughing, I shook my head. "Chocolate is very nice, but right now I am happy with my casual dose of vanilla."
Product details
- ASIN : B0191WS0K4
- Publisher : Berkley
- Accessibility : Learn more
- Publication date : September 6, 2016
- Language : English
- File size : 1.2 MB
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 382 pages
- ISBN-13 : 978-1101991688
- Page Flip : Enabled
- Book 1 of 4 : Hart'S Boardwalk
- Best Sellers Rank: #196,111 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #1,800 in Sisters Fiction
- #2,904 in Women's Friendship Fiction
- #3,228 in Women's Domestic Life Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Samantha is a New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, #1 Amazon bestselling author, and a Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee. Samantha has written over 60 books and is published in 31 countries. She writes emotional and angsty romance, often set where she resides—in her beloved home country Scotland. Samantha splits her time between her family, writing and chasing after two very mischievous cavoodles.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find this book to be a great read by Samantha Young, with an interesting plot and Cooper and Jessica's story receiving particular praise. The book receives positive feedback for its character development, with one customer highlighting the steamy chemistry between Cooper and Jessica, and its strong start to a new series. Customers appreciate the romance, with one noting it's filled with friendships and love, and the emotional depth of the story. The book's visual quality is praised for painting a great picture, and customers enjoy the atmosphere, with one specifically mentioning the lovely town of Hartwell.
AI Generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers love this story, particularly Cooper and Jessica's narrative, and find the plot interesting with a nice flow.
"I am a huge Samantha Young fan. I loved this story! The storyline is just superb, from the beginning to the end...." Read more
"...Samantha Young wrote an emotional and compelling story that deals with all kinds of relationships...." Read more
"Another great story by Samantha Young!..." Read more
"As usual, Samantha Young is a great storyteller but the "great reveal" left me wanting more...." Read more
Customers love the characters in the book, particularly the hero Cooper, with one customer highlighting the steamy chemistry between Cooper and Jessica.
"...The One Real Thing is made up of such a wonderful group of characters and the quaint, lovely town of Hartwell...." Read more
"...It's a compelling small town series with unique characters from all walks of life...." Read more
"...The characters are all interconnected, so you need to read the books in order...." Read more
"...There were a lot of fun characters introduced in this story, so I expect this will carry on like the ODS series, which is why we didn't get a whole..." Read more
Customers praise the book as a strong start to a new series, with one customer noting it will keep readers hooked from beginning to end.
"...He was real, responsible, strong, with a fatal flaw. He likes to be the hero. I loved Jessica as well...." Read more
"...TORT was a fantastic start to what I know is going to be an amazing series" Read more
"...I look forward to reading the next book in this series. Another great series from a great author!" Read more
"Samantha Young has a great start in her new Hart's Boardwalk Series with The One Real Thing...." Read more
Customers enjoy the romance in the book, describing it as a sweet love story and small town romance, with one customer noting it's filled with friendships and love.
"...Young wrote an emotional and compelling story that deals with all kinds of relationships...." Read more
"...These characters were very likeable, and well-written...." Read more
"...On Dublin Street books, but at the center it still has that great Samantha Young romance. The One Real Thing took me a while to get into...." Read more
"...Overall this is definitely Samantha Young's great writing style, enjoyed it a lot and can't wait to read Bailey's story, Every Little Thing, just..." Read more
Customers appreciate the emotional depth of the book, with one customer noting how it touches the heart and soul.
"...Samantha Young wrote an emotional and compelling story that deals with all kinds of relationships...." Read more
"...I related to Jessica in a very personal way, and she made me believe that no matter your age or circumstances, it's never too late to pursue your..." Read more
"...and didn't really kick in until their breakup, but then it all became so touching and I was really rooting for them to overcome all obstacles and be..." Read more
"...It is a sweet love story with loads of passion!..." Read more
Customers enjoy the atmosphere of the book, with one mentioning the interesting town filled with people, while another appreciates getting to know the characters Jess and Coop.
"...The fictional Hartwell, Delaware sounds like the perfect place to take a vacation to in the summer...." Read more
"...I love the small town atmosphere with the variety of characters. I will admit, Jessica was not my favorite character...." Read more
"...up of such a wonderful group of characters and the quaint, lovely town of Hartwell. You’ll fall in love with everything about this story...." Read more
"The One Real Thing was a great introduction to the people of Hart’s Boardwalk...." Read more
Customers appreciate the visual quality of the book, noting that it paints a great picture and really enjoys the background.
"...It all begins when she meets Cooper, the local bar owner. The sexy, gorgeous, recently divorced Cooper Lawson...." Read more
"...While Cooper and Jessica are interesting characters with rich backgrounds, it was hard for me to fully invest in either of them, particularly with..." Read more
"Another great story by Samantha Young! She brings such vivid imagery to the town of Hartwell that I find I want it to be a real town and exactly..." Read more
"...Real Thing is made up of such a wonderful group of characters and the quaint, lovely town of Hartwell...." Read more
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Amazing book by Samantha Young!!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2016Format: KindleVerified PurchaseSamantha Young has a great start in her new Hart's Boardwalk Series with The One Real Thing. It's a compelling small town series with unique characters from all walks of life. They are either natives to Hartwell, Delaware or transplants drawn to this small peaceful seaside community. Life in Hartwell revolves around the boardwalk.
Dr. Jessica Huntington didn't know she was stuck in her own life. As the head doctor of the Women's Correctional and Rehabilitation Facilty, she's seen everything. She chose this job over more prestigious jobs because she wanted to be a real doctor and help those in need with compassion, integrity, and equality. Her personal life is void. She has a friends with benefits relationship with a busy prestigious surgeon. Their relationship is anything but a real relationship. Their encounters are scheduled. There are no surprises. Jessica likes it that way. She doesn't want the commitment and involvement that comes with a true relationship.
When Jessica finds three letters in the binder of a discarded prison library book, it is a life changing event. These three letters date back to 1972. They are from an inmate that died shortly after the letters were written. The content of these letters is compelling. Jessica was touched by the heartfelt sincerity in those written words. A woman's quest for forgiveness and declaration of love. Jessica knows she must find the recipient of these undelivered letters.
Jessica's quest to deliver the letters leads her to Hart's Boardwalk and Cooper Lawson in Hartwell, Delaware. One spontaneous moment in the rain leads her to finding everything she was missing in life. Staying at the local inn introduces her to real heart of the town.
A three week vacation changes her life. She will confront her own past and insecurities.
She will make the choice to become more than a doctor, she will become a part of a community that involves being in real relationships. She will become a confidant, friend, and lover. She will set new goals in her life and still be the kind of doctor she intended to be. Most of all she will learn to love herself.
Cooper Lawson has lived in Hartwell all his life. He has recently went through a very nasty divorce that cost him more than his marriage. He's bitter but moving on. In the past six months he has become the town player. He's not interested in becoming involved again, he just wants to run his bar. When he meets Dr. Jessica Huntington the tables turn. He has finally met a woman that touches his soul. A woman that he can respect. A woman he can build a life with. The only problem is that she lives in Wilmington. Can he convince her that Hartwell needs her as much as he does?
Samantha Young wrote an emotional and compelling story that deals with all kinds of relationships. People from all walks of life coming together to make a real home and community. The best part was Cooper and Jessica finding each other. A mature romance dealing with real life. I can't wait for the next walk on Hart's Boardwalk.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2016Have you ever walked into someone's house for the first time and just felt so at home? It feels so comfortable that you just want to stay. This is what happens to Jessica when she visits the seaside town called Hartwell, everything about it just feels so right. The people, the buildings and the warm feeling in her chest lulls her into a wonderful sense of security so she books a room at the local inn and immerses herself into Hartwell.
Jessica did have a reason for her visit, to hand deliver some 40 year old unposted letters to one of the local residents but that was just the catalyst for her journey. She had no idea just how life changing this holiday would be for her. It all begins when she meets Cooper, the local bar owner. The sexy, gorgeous, recently divorced Cooper Lawson.
There is definitely an instant attraction between Cooper & Jessica, she is like a breath of fresh air and she seems to awaken something in him, something he hasn't felt in a long time. He knows that he is risking his heart, the more time he spends with her but he just can't help himself and maybe she is worth the risk. Jessica has never felt what she is feeling for Cooper, there is no harm in having a sexy holiday fling right? However, she wasn't prepared for just how deep and fast the feelings between them would develop.
'Even dressing had become erotic to me. It was like Cooper had awakened something in my blood, and just the whisper of my fingers across my skin, the brush of fabric as it touched my body, set off memories of his mouth, his hands, him thrusting inside of me. Oh boy.'
Jessica has a secret from her past that she is ashamed of. She has nightmares about it and now it is affecting her relationship with Cooper. He wants her to be open and honest with him, he needs it to move forward because it will prove to him that she completely trusts him. Jessica is convinced that opening herself up like that to anyone will only end in heartache for her. She is also learning that when you live in a small town, everyone seems to know your business - even your most private. There are other people with their own personal agendas who are determined to interfere in her happiness too. Maybe coming to Hartwell was a mistake?
This was a fabulous start to this new series from Samantha, I cannot wait to read more about the people of Hartwell :-)
Top reviews from other countries
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AURÉLIEReviewed in France on May 1, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Ptiteaurel - The Lovely Teacher Addictions
Il y a très longtemps que j'ai cette saga dans ma bibliothèque et comme je vais lire le troisième tome début mai, il était évident que j'allais découvrir les précédents personnages . Mais pourquoi ai je attendu autant de temps pour lire ce premier tome qui est juste génial ? Je me suis régalée avec cette small Town romance qui pose les bases . Hartwell est une ville côtière apaisante et douce avec des personnages super attachants .
Jessica Huntington est une jeune femme de 33 ans qui travaille en tant que docteur dans un centre pénitencier. Elle n'a pas forcément un vue très épanouie mais elle ne s'en rendra réellement compte que quand elle arrivera à Hartwell. Elle a un sex friend Andrew avec qui elle passe quelques moments sympathiques. Elle n'a plus de famille et son seul meilleur ami habite très loin de chez elle . Elle travaille énormément et elle ne prend pas de temps pour elle . En découvrant une série de quatre lettres dans un livre à la prison, elle est très touchée par l'histoire de Sarah et décide d'aller remettre les lettres à George. En arrivant pour trois semaines de vacances , elle ne s'attendait pas à découvrir une telle ville . Sa vie va prendre un nouveau tournant et elle prendra conscience de certaines choses .
Pendant son séjour , elle va résider dans l'auberge de Bailey Hartwell , qui est une bouffée d'oxygène et qui connaît la ville comme sa poche . Elle fait partie des membres fondateurs de la ville même si les commerçants doivent faire face aux attaques répétés du richissime Ian Devlin qui veut racheter les commerces en bord de mer. Les commerçants sont soudés et dans cette petite ville tout se sait très vite. L'arrivée de Jessica ne passera pas inaperçu et elle sera très bien accueillie. J'ai adoré ce personnage car elle est très intéressante et on sent qu'elle cache quelque chose qui l'a meurtrie. On a quelques indices mais on va aussi assister à la remise en question de sa vie , de ses choix de carrière. Elle trouvera en Bailey une amie sans failles mais elle sera aussi sous le charme de Cooper . Ce dernier va aussi la bousculer dans le sens où il suscitera de vives émotions en elle . Andrew va sans conteste souffrir de la comparaison mais pourra t'elle remettre en cause toute une vie après trois semaines passées en sa compagnie ?
Cooper Lawson est le héros de 36 ans de cet tome et nous sommes sous le charme dès qu'il entre en scène . Il tient d'une main de maître le bar du coin . Il est très à l'écoute des autres qui le lui rendent bien. On le sent intrigué dès l'arrivée de Jessica et il ne reculera devant rien pour tenter de la percer à jour . Il est clair sur son passé amoureux et il est évident que son ex femme Dana Kellerman est une sacrée épine qu'il tente d'enlever de son pied . Il a été meurtrie par cette rupture et il n'est pas prêt de faire confiance de nouveau . Il prend du bon temps avec les femmes de passage mais on sent qu'avec Jessica ça pourrait être autre chose . J'ai aussi adoré son empathie et le lien qu'il a su tisser avec les autres habitants . On a cette atmosphère familiale géniale et on a envie de savoir s'il parviendra à se faire une place dans la vie de Jessica .
Bref, j'ai dévoré ce premier tome en quelques heures et je ne vais pas tarder à lire le tome 2 pour en savoir plus sur Bailey et un autre personnage qu'on a découvert dans ce tome . J'ai adoré l'ambiance apaisante de cette ville et même si on sait que certaines tensions restent présentes on ne doute pas que l'amour et l'amitié sauront faire face à toute éventuelle nouvelle épreuve. Fondez pour The One Real Thing qui est une romance parfaite pour un excellent moment de lecture .
- SathyaReviewed in India on May 10, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
I brought this book in deal..The quality of the product is good..The story was awesome but I felt the story line was quite slow..but it's worth it...Fell in love with cooper💚
- MLM 66Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 11, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely quality..! brilliant first book in this new series!! 5*+
It's been almost 12 months since Samantha Young has released anything so the first book in this new series has been a long anticipated wait and after the fabulous Dublin Street series you have to wonder if it's going to be as good after all she has set the bar high.
Well no need to worry because The One Real Thing is everything you'd expect. The standard is set high yet again, no simple storyline here, there are so many levels and the intrigue starts from the very beginning when Jessica comes across some letters and those letters leads her to a Boardwalk town called Hartwell.
Jessica likes and feels conected to the town immediately , the characters play a big part too and she soon realises that she's been missing out on all of the above.
We soon become aware that Jessica is hiding from her past, that becomes very apparent when she bumps into Conner you know she's holding back and then you have Conner who's having to deal with his crazy Ex... this is just for starters.
The letters are intended for George and there's even a connection there with Conner which causes a bit of a disagreement but it's brushed aside for the moment along with the letters.
As the storyline continues we get little bits of information but it's never quite enough, you are dying to know what has really gone on with Jessica and her family.
The emotion kicks in around 41% it's when Jessica is on the beach and she calls her friend Matthew and it's at that moment when you realise something bigger has happened but we can only try and guess and this is why it's such an intriguing read.
Aside from Jessica and Conner you have all the other wonderful characters, all have secrets or stories to tell some more than others and this makes it so exciting because we've been well and truly teased.
There are a lot of moments that really grab you, this whole thing with Conner's once best friend Jack for one, Bailey and Tom...umm !! Emery...quiet Emery surprising us with her announcement of her inheritance and then there's Vaughn it is so interesting and of course let's not forget the letters and George that's what started all of this...like I said so much intrigue.
I haven't mentioned Jacks father yet... Ian Devlin, he's a nasty piece of work and it didn't take him long to get his claws into Jessica and because of him it put a wedge between Jessica and Coopers relationship of course Cooper had no idea the real reason but Vaughn came to the rescue.
So Jessica is hiding out and with George now back in town she decides to do what she came for, deliver the letters to him and this is another one of those moments, very emotional but one that was needed.
Along with Cat's ( Conners sister) words playing on a loop in Jessica's head and some gentle persuasion from George she decides to tell the truth to Conner... what had she got to loose.!
It was a tense and anxious time but Conner was there imediatly, it was a beautiful moment and a relief that finally Jessica had gotten everything off her chest and shared it with the man she loved all was good except they still had something else to deal with.
Ian Devlin was everyone's nightmare, he had his sights set on Conner's Bar, Jessica however had a plan and called a meeting with all the "neighbours" this was another one of those moments when we get another piece of information I'm talking about Emery of course anyway we have it all to come I'm sure but in the mean time the problem that is Ian Devlin was swiftly dealt with.
This is going to be one hell of a brilliant series and reading the teaser from Bailey's story Every Little Thing proves that, of course Vaughn came to the rescue yet again, it's already been said that he just seems to show up out of nowhere but this is Bailey we're talking about.
I have to say I can't wait to find out what went wrong with Bailey and Tom.. I have it on Pre-order.!
Thank you Samantha Young..
- HebbieReviewed in Germany on September 12, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars She did it again!
Oh how I love Samantha Young! This new series got fast to my heArt! All characters, Even the side characters, are easy to Be loved. I felt with jess and coop and even shed some tears... I like that this is going to Be a series and can't wait for the next one, which is about Bailey...I highly recomment this book, but Be assured - you need a free weekend, because I couldn't stop reading ;)
- Cliente AmazonReviewed in Spain on July 4, 2021
3.0 out of 5 stars Not impressed
Not impressed with this series at all. The fact that it's told in two diferent points of view it's something that I always apreciate, but not here. The male POV it is in third person and the female in first person, what the heck? It's so confusing