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robinlovesreading's review against another edition
4.0
Jackson Koch and Dani Brown have some things in common. For starters, they have both lost their marriage mates in death. Further, they each have a child, he with three-year-old Kate, and her son, Jeremy is fourteen. They live in the same building and Dani watches over Kate while Jackson tends bar at night.
Jackson has had it rough. He lost his wife and his job as a miner in a very close span of time and he is doing his best to be there for Kate, even if being a bartender is far from his dream job. Dani is struggling. She is working at cleaning houses, taking classes, caring for Jeremy and his dream of baseball, and, as mentioned, watching little Kate.
Jackson is the perfect guy who spots a situation that he just feels impelled to rectify. Can he be there for Dani as more than a friend? Especially when it comes to Jeremy? Meanwhile, will Dani be able to accept growing feelings for Jackson without losing her hard-won independence?
Hold on Tight is the third book in the Bridgeport Social Club series. In each story, relationships thrived between deserving couples. One thing I really like about this story, and the trio of books in the series, is the fact that there are children in each story. That is something that always warms my heart. Friendship and community also play huge roles.
I have read each book in the series, and enjoy the continuity of characters, especially with their situations and growth. This is definitely a character-driven story, with a slow burn romance, and it is quite fulfilling. This is especially so because it is quite an emotional read that I would gladly recommend.
Although part of a series, this story can serve well as a standalone novel.
Many thanks to Blackstone Publishing and to NetGalley, as well as Edelweiss, for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
Jackson has had it rough. He lost his wife and his job as a miner in a very close span of time and he is doing his best to be there for Kate, even if being a bartender is far from his dream job. Dani is struggling. She is working at cleaning houses, taking classes, caring for Jeremy and his dream of baseball, and, as mentioned, watching little Kate.
Jackson is the perfect guy who spots a situation that he just feels impelled to rectify. Can he be there for Dani as more than a friend? Especially when it comes to Jeremy? Meanwhile, will Dani be able to accept growing feelings for Jackson without losing her hard-won independence?
Hold on Tight is the third book in the Bridgeport Social Club series. In each story, relationships thrived between deserving couples. One thing I really like about this story, and the trio of books in the series, is the fact that there are children in each story. That is something that always warms my heart. Friendship and community also play huge roles.
I have read each book in the series, and enjoy the continuity of characters, especially with their situations and growth. This is definitely a character-driven story, with a slow burn romance, and it is quite fulfilling. This is especially so because it is quite an emotional read that I would gladly recommend.
Although part of a series, this story can serve well as a standalone novel.
Many thanks to Blackstone Publishing and to NetGalley, as well as Edelweiss, for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
ohthesheenanigans's review against another edition
3.0
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5 Stars)
Title: Hold On Tight
Author(s): Shelley Shepard Gray
Character(s):
― Danielle "Dani" Brown: 33 years old, Blonde, Brown Eyed
― Jackson Koch: Blonde, Blue Eyed
Setting: Bridgeport, Ohio
Tag(s): Romance, Contemporary
Content Rating: PG
POV: Third Person
Smexy Level: Subtle
Favorite Quote(s):
― “You hold onto me, and I’ll help you. Hold on tight.”
Overall Opinion:
This heartwarming novel tells the story of a single mother struggling to make ends meet and when her widow neighbor who can occasionally babysits for catches on, he comes up with a plan to help her during the financial woes. Finding love again can be difficult for anyone and author is able to convey that in her words. A cute, romance about two single parents finding love again.
janjanjukebox's review against another edition
4.0
There are some continuity issues but I really enjoyed this story and I hope there are more.
kristi518's review against another edition
5.0
As a fan of Shelley Shepard Gray's books let me start with a bit of a disclaimer. If you are expecting this book to be a squeaky clean read like her Amish books are, it's not. There's a teensy bit of language and this book has some heat in the romance department. If you don't like those elements then take a pass on this book. However, if you don't mind some language and heat then be sure to pick up a copy of this book because it's a really great read.
Let's talk about the characters in this book. They are very realistic and down to earth. I like that in a story. When the characters are easy to relate to it makes the book more entertaining. Dani and Jackson are both realistic characters and ones that readers can empathize with and wish the best for. Add in characters from the previous books in the series and some new ones to this story and it was like hanging out with friends. It was so easy to forget these were fictional characters.
As with all of her books, SSG has a writing style that captivates readers from beginning to end. This book was effortless to read and had me wanting to pack my bags and visit Bridgeport. Which may be a problem because it's a fictional place so unless she writes more books set there it looks like I won't be going for any visits. (Please write more books that are set there!) I love the little poker tidbits at the beginning of each chapter. I think they added to the charm of the story and just gave the book a little more charm.
If you like contemporary fiction then you must add this book to your tbr list. It is part of a series but I think stands well on its own so it isn't necessary to read the other books before this one. I've read them though and highly recommend them as well. This book is a great weekend read or vacation read. Just be sure to clear a bit of time because once you start this book it will be difficult to put down! Happy reading!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.
Let's talk about the characters in this book. They are very realistic and down to earth. I like that in a story. When the characters are easy to relate to it makes the book more entertaining. Dani and Jackson are both realistic characters and ones that readers can empathize with and wish the best for. Add in characters from the previous books in the series and some new ones to this story and it was like hanging out with friends. It was so easy to forget these were fictional characters.
As with all of her books, SSG has a writing style that captivates readers from beginning to end. This book was effortless to read and had me wanting to pack my bags and visit Bridgeport. Which may be a problem because it's a fictional place so unless she writes more books set there it looks like I won't be going for any visits. (Please write more books that are set there!) I love the little poker tidbits at the beginning of each chapter. I think they added to the charm of the story and just gave the book a little more charm.
If you like contemporary fiction then you must add this book to your tbr list. It is part of a series but I think stands well on its own so it isn't necessary to read the other books before this one. I've read them though and highly recommend them as well. This book is a great weekend read or vacation read. Just be sure to clear a bit of time because once you start this book it will be difficult to put down! Happy reading!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.
annarella's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book I read by this author and will not surely be the last.
It's engaging, entertaining, and well written.
I appreciated the cast of characters, the plot, and the setting.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this ARC
It's engaging, entertaining, and well written.
I appreciated the cast of characters, the plot, and the setting.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this ARC
yeahorneighreviews's review against another edition
4.0
This heartfelt story is about two widowed, single parents just trying to get by and make the best life for their child. Jackson is trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life after losing his wife and career, but with the help of Dani, at least he doesn't have to worry about someone to watch over his 3 year old daughter. Dani is trying to get back on her feet after the sudden loss of her husband and discovering they weren't as financially stable as she thought. Her 14 year old son adores all things baseball, but she's burning her candle to the ground between babysitting, a cleaning job and taking classes. Can Jackson and Dani figure out a happy medium, especially when they start to develop feelings for one another? I enjoyed this light-hearted story and will be going back to read the first two books in the series!
annarella's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book I read by this author and will not surely be the last.
It's engaging, entertaining, and well written.
I appreciated the cast of characters, the plot, and the setting.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this ARC
It's engaging, entertaining, and well written.
I appreciated the cast of characters, the plot, and the setting.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this ARC
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