REVIEW: The One Real Thing by Samantha Young

 
The One Real Thing by Samantha Young: Jessica avoids close relationships. While she’s not fulfilled in her work at the women’s prison, she takes comfort in treating all of her patients well. She doesn’t have close friends besides one friend from childhood and insists she doesn’t have time for a committed relationship. Jessica is an avid reader and finds letters hidden in a book from a former inmate through unexpected circumstances. She’s drawn into this woman’s life and she decides to head to Hartwell to pass the letters on.

Cooper is happy to be divorced with no plans of getting into another relationship any time soon. He enjoys running his bar on the boardwalk and spending time with his sister and nephew. He loves his life in this tight-knit community and has a great set of friends.

There is an immediate attraction and sense of ease between Cooper and Jessica from their first encounter. Cooper is used to women coming to him, but Jessica is different. For once, he’s tempted to chase after someone he wants.

“I can practically hear your mind whirring,” Cooper murmured, sounding amused.
“It is not,” I argued. “I’m too tired for whirring.”
“Right.” He shot me a look out of the corner of his eye. “Tired? After that kiss?”
I narrowed my gaze. “Aren’t we cocky?”

Jessica soon finds herself as a part of this community as she makes fast friends with others along with boardwalk. After all work and no play, Jessica finds that this vacation was just what she needed. The slower pace of life is welcoming and gives her a chance to reevaluate some things. The friendship with and burgeoning attraction to Cooper complicates her vacation plans.

“Are you mad?” Jess said.
“Who cares if she’s mad?” Cooper huffed.
Jess frowned at him. “I care.”
At that Cat gave her a smile. “Did I mention lately that I like you?”

The One Real Thing is engaging and at times, surprising. Samantha Young delivered drama, anticipation, and heat while keeping to the themes of second chances, forgiveness, trust, and sacrifice. Ms. Young provided great characters in an interesting town. The One Real Thing is a great start to a new series that is a bit of a departure from the On Dublin Street series. Fans of K.A. Tucker and Joss Wood will enjoy The One Real Thing.

Book Info:

Expected publication: September 6th 2016 | Berkley | Hart’s Boardwalk #1

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….