More than Neighbors by Shannon Stacey is the first book in the delightful new Blackberry Bay 
series. It was beautifully written and a wonderful book to read if you love series with small towns. The storyline was realistic, and the characters were believable. It was so easy to connect with the characters and to feel their every emotion. The main characters were perfect for each other and I loved seeing Cam’s affection for Sophie growing. He wasn’t used to being around children but his kindness to Sophie showed what a big heart he had. Meredith’s warmth and loving family were unknown to Cam, but he was able to learn and grow into a better person.
Cam Maguire inherited a cottage in Blackberry Bay from Carolina Archambault, his unknown paternal grandmother. He evades his parents and decides to spend the summer there working long distance and looking for answers to his past. He never knew who his biological father was, so he had a lot of questions. As he reads through Carolina’s journals, he comes to admire her and the love she had for life. The small town of Blackberry Bay started to grow on him, but he knows his life is in New York City working for Maguire family businesses. Meeting Meredith and Sophie makes him realize how cold and distant his childhood was. Discovering the life Carolina lead and spending time with Meredith and Sophie had him craving a life with a loving family, but his parents kept pressuring him to return to New York City. Uncertain of Meredith’s feelings and thinking she only wanted a summer fling; he plans on selling the cottage and he returns to the city only to be miserable with the life he returned to.
Hoping to build a new life, widowed Meredith Price has moved back to her hometown, Blackberry Bay, with her daughter Sophie. Meredith hopes that living near her parents and making new friends will help Sophie come out of the shell she has withdrawn into after losing her father. After being widowed for two years, she never expected to be attracted to the next-door neighbor. She wasn’t sure if she was ready for another man in her life even a temporary one. She tries to keep him at a distance, so she and Sophie won’t get hurt when he leaves town, but she is drawn towards him. They avoid talking about their feelings, but he has become a part of their daily life and she keeps hoping he will choose to stay in Blackberry Bay. When he leaves and returns to the city, she is heartbroken but tries to be cheerful for Sophies’ sake.
This was a wonderful book and I fell in love with Blackberry Bay and the people in the town. This book does an excellent job showing the warmth, kindness, and generosity of people in small towns. It leads us into the next book in the series and I can’t wait for it!
Book Info:
Publication: July 1st 2020 | Harlequin Special Edition | Blackberry Bay #1
The only thing they have in common is a property line!
He’s trying to uncover his past.
She’s hoping for a brighter future.
Cam Maguire is in Blackberry Bay to unravel a family secret. Meredith Price has moved next door with her daughter. He’s unattached. She’s a widowed single mom. He’s owned by a cat. She’s definitely team canine. All these neighbors have in common is a property line. One they cross…over and over. And Cam thought he knew what he wanted—until his family’s secret changes everything.
