The One Real Thing (Hart’s Boardwalk #1) by Samantha Young
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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….
The One Real Thing is Samantha Young’s eagerly anticipated introduction into her new Hart’s Boardwalk series. It’s a charming small town romance set in an idyllic town full of characters who are begging for their stories to be told. In short, post reading I can confidently say, be prepared to loose your heart in Hartwell.
For Jessica Huntington, Hartwell is the perfect location when she finds herself at a crossroads in her life. Working as a Doctor in a women’s prison, she is lead to Hartwell when she discovers some letters embedded in one of the library books. Intrigued and taken with it’s tragically romantic undertones, she embarks to deliver the letters to their intended recipient. Once in Hartwell however, the letters take a back seat when she becomes enamoured with he town and it’s residents.
Along with the town’s attractions comes Cooper Lawson. His interest in Jessica goes beyond that of mysterious tourist, and his unashamed pursuit of her made me a fan almost instantly. It’s a sweet relationship that progressively blossoms, but it’s Jessica’s past that contributes to the dramatic element of the story.
It in some ways it reminded me of Kristen Ashley’s Colorado Mountain series. Samantha cleverly weaves snippets of some residents story into proceedings. Combined with the ever present community spirit, it succeeds in hooking the reader into the next potential book whilst still be immersed in the present one.
The One Real Thing was a delightful reading experience and another string to Samantha Young’s bow. The town, it’s residents and it’s author guarantee that i’ll be visiting again soon.
Samantha Young is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the On Dublin Street series, including Moonlight on Nightingale Way, Echoes of Scotland Street, and Fall from India Place, as well as the standalone novel Hero. She resides in Scotland.
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