LOVING YOU by Samantha Chase: Review

Loving You by Samantha Chase
Series: The Donovans: Sweetbriar Ridge #1
Published by Chasing Romance Inc.
Publication Date: September 19, 2023
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 290
Source: Review Tour
Format: eARC
Goodreads
Buy Online: Amazon ♥ B&N ♥ Kobo ♥ Apple  ♥ Google

Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely mine.

He was never planning on staying in Sweetbriar Ridge. Then the perfect woman fell into his arms.

Not everyone in Sweetbriar Ridge is as sweet as the town name would suggest. But single mom Jade Mackenzie is up to the challenge of winning over the town if that’s what it takes to make her new shop a success. After all, this is just the latest in a long string of battles she’s had to face. Since she’s given up on men-all of them except for her son-she can throw all her energy into the new business. Or so she thought until the most charming and too-good-looking-for-his-own-good man walked into her shop. And she literally falls into his arms.
Levi Donovan knows how to charm his way through life; winning people over is just what he does. But no amount of charm can save him when he’s at the center of a scandal that costs him his position at a prestigious ad agency. With no other choice, he’s forced to return home to Sweetbriar Ridge, the small town he left behind the first chance he got. When he meets the owner of the new coffeehouse, he starts to think that small towns aren’t so bad. And when he finds out Jade needs a little help promoting her new business, Levi makes it his mission to help her make the shop a success. That’s just what a good friend does.

No matter how hard she tries to resist, Jade can’t help but be swept away by Levi’s good looks and the sweet way he interacts with her son. But Levi isn’t staying, and getting attached would be a mistake. Levi always swore he would never settle in Sweetbriar Ridge, but could loving Jade be reason enough to stay?

 

Review

This is such a cute and sweet story, a great start to the series and I enjoyed everything about it, from the bookstore to the plans Levi set in motion for the revitalization of Sweetbriar as well as the growth of Levi and Jade’s relationship. 

Levi Donovan has enjoyed success in his career for a while now but one indiscretion costs him everything and his only resort is to return to the hometown he left as soon as he could.

Jade Mackenzie is gambling her future on the success of her new business venture and is determined to focus all her energies there exclusively. At least until Levi hits the town limits and she is tempted to mix business with pleasure, even temporarily. 

I really liked the low-level angst in the story and the fact that the drama in their relationship was mostly from external sources. Levi was immature and annoying at the beginning of the story, but as it progressed, he revealed a different side to him that was endearing and made me root for him.

Both Levi and Jade’s family drama made them wary of forming new connections but the attraction between them was undeniable and irresistible. While they were not looking for anything long-term or permanent, they were honest enough with each other to pursue a different kind of relationship when things changed.

 I loved the extended family around the couple and I’m looking forward to reading additional stories about the Donovan siblings.

 

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