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jenafyre's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing, heart warming, and wonderful. An amazing second chance live story surrounded by all of the people that we have come to know and love from the small town of Blessings, Georgia. This book can be read as a stand alone. But be sure to read the other amazing stories in this wonderful series.
hugbandit7's review against another edition
5.0
I know I say this on every review in this series, but I LOVE Blessings and want to live there myself!
This small town has seen its share of ups and downs with the various residents. In this installment, a tragedy breaks apart a young couple with dire consequences. They were in high school and I'm sure we all remember how we were at that age - thought we were invincible and knew it all. Fast forward 20 years and Aidan comes back to town to clear up his grandfather's estate and discovers more than he bargained for - a son. This has a huge impact on Aidan and Phoebe, his former girlfriend and his son's mother. Do they try and rekindle a relationship? Do they become friends for their son's sake?
I can't imagine the emotional rollercoaster that Aidan, Phoebe, and Lee are on when the truth comes out. The author does a wonderful job of describing the varying emotions, actions, and reactions of the characters. I think the townsfolk area also rooting for the two especially once the truth about the crime that broke them apart is exposed.
We are also introduced to a new character, Daniel, that comes to town as a temp worker, but with hints to a deeper story. I can't wait for that story!
This is a wonderful series but start at book 1 so that you can follow the different characters of the town and their story.
This small town has seen its share of ups and downs with the various residents. In this installment, a tragedy breaks apart a young couple with dire consequences. They were in high school and I'm sure we all remember how we were at that age - thought we were invincible and knew it all. Fast forward 20 years and Aidan comes back to town to clear up his grandfather's estate and discovers more than he bargained for - a son. This has a huge impact on Aidan and Phoebe, his former girlfriend and his son's mother. Do they try and rekindle a relationship? Do they become friends for their son's sake?
I can't imagine the emotional rollercoaster that Aidan, Phoebe, and Lee are on when the truth comes out. The author does a wonderful job of describing the varying emotions, actions, and reactions of the characters. I think the townsfolk area also rooting for the two especially once the truth about the crime that broke them apart is exposed.
We are also introduced to a new character, Daniel, that comes to town as a temp worker, but with hints to a deeper story. I can't wait for that story!
This is a wonderful series but start at book 1 so that you can follow the different characters of the town and their story.
lindscodycats's review against another edition
3.0
I received an ARC from Netgalley. I've liked every book in the Blessings series and this one was a joy also. Aiden and Phoebe were a couple who went through a horrible time before finding their way back to each other. Love the small town vibes and the way Sharon Sala leads into another forthcoming book with Dan Amos and Alice hopefully.
jasmyn9's review against another edition
2.0
I have really enjoyed books by Sharon Sala in the past, but this one just didn't work as well for me. The beginning starts off with a high-adrenaline fire at the store Aiden's father runs. And so begins a very sad and upsetting story as the fire spreads to kill he girlfriend's father in the shop next door. While this was a horrible tragedy, the fallout of the town's emotions set the stage and conflict between our couple in such a detailed way that made me feel so much for these two.
But then we get back to "now" and things didn't go as well as I had hoped. While I'm not a huge fan of the secret-baby, there are times that it is both appropriate and believable that will not lead me to dislike the heroine. Unfortunately, this book did not do well in that area. Not only did Phoebe not tell Aiden about her son (for 19 years), but the whole town knew, including his grandfather, and no one seemed to think it might be a good thing to let him know. I instantly disliked all of them. That is not a cool thing to do to someone.
Aiden's reaction to finding out about his son, Lee, was a very underplayed. I wanted him to go through the stages of grief and anger. He lost an entire childhood with his son, and he seemed to just be a little annoyed about it. Lee also didn't quite act like I expected a nineteen-year-old to. I kept thinking that he was much younger because of the phrases he used and some of his behaviors.
There were some really good spots woven amongst this, and if you enjoy the secret-baby stories, then this will be a great read for you. The mystery of who set the fire threads through the story, and I enjoyed how it came to its conclusion and the way the town reacted once the truth finally came out.
*I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book*
But then we get back to "now" and things didn't go as well as I had hoped. While I'm not a huge fan of the secret-baby, there are times that it is both appropriate and believable that will not lead me to dislike the heroine. Unfortunately, this book did not do well in that area. Not only did Phoebe not tell Aiden about her son (for 19 years), but the whole town knew, including his grandfather, and no one seemed to think it might be a good thing to let him know. I instantly disliked all of them. That is not a cool thing to do to someone.
Aiden's reaction to finding out about his son, Lee, was a very underplayed. I wanted him to go through the stages of grief and anger. He lost an entire childhood with his son, and he seemed to just be a little annoyed about it. Lee also didn't quite act like I expected a nineteen-year-old to. I kept thinking that he was much younger because of the phrases he used and some of his behaviors.
There were some really good spots woven amongst this, and if you enjoy the secret-baby stories, then this will be a great read for you. The mystery of who set the fire threads through the story, and I enjoyed how it came to its conclusion and the way the town reacted once the truth finally came out.
*I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book*
tita_noir's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
robinlovesreading's review against another edition
5.0
Please see all of my reviews on my blog at www.robinlovesreading.blogspot.com.
4.5 Stars
While this is my first visit to Blessings, Georgia, it certainly was a fun one. Aidan Payne and Phoebe Ritter were a happy teenage couple until a devastating fire broke up the young love. Their father's businesses were destroyed by fire, and Phoebe's father lost his life. Aidan's mother was dying of cancer, and it was rumored that Aidan's father started the fire for an insurance payout. When Phoebe in turn blamed Aidan's father, and then when his mother died, Aidan and his father left town with their heads hanging in shame. Their love seems lost forever.
Fast forward twenty years later and Aidan returns to Blessings after his grandfather dies. He is in town settling his grandfather's estate and he soon discovers that he is a father to a nineteen-year-old son, Phoebe's son. He is a father. While initially hurt, Aidan has never forgotten Phoebe. He not only now wants a relationship with their son, Lee, but with Phoebe as well. And, she has never lost her feelings for Aidan.
What a wonderful book! The story was truly fantastic. I felt a rush of joy while reading this book. At points, I had a lump in my throat the size of a golf ball. Beyond the sentimentality of the story, there is a bit of mystery involved. The person responsible for that awful fire two decades ago had never been caught, and that had that had to be addressed. In all, the story was quick and delightful and I read it in just one brief sitting. I could not put this book down. While this is book six in the series, it did quite well as a standalone.
Many thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
4.5 Stars
While this is my first visit to Blessings, Georgia, it certainly was a fun one. Aidan Payne and Phoebe Ritter were a happy teenage couple until a devastating fire broke up the young love. Their father's businesses were destroyed by fire, and Phoebe's father lost his life. Aidan's mother was dying of cancer, and it was rumored that Aidan's father started the fire for an insurance payout. When Phoebe in turn blamed Aidan's father, and then when his mother died, Aidan and his father left town with their heads hanging in shame. Their love seems lost forever.
Fast forward twenty years later and Aidan returns to Blessings after his grandfather dies. He is in town settling his grandfather's estate and he soon discovers that he is a father to a nineteen-year-old son, Phoebe's son. He is a father. While initially hurt, Aidan has never forgotten Phoebe. He not only now wants a relationship with their son, Lee, but with Phoebe as well. And, she has never lost her feelings for Aidan.
What a wonderful book! The story was truly fantastic. I felt a rush of joy while reading this book. At points, I had a lump in my throat the size of a golf ball. Beyond the sentimentality of the story, there is a bit of mystery involved. The person responsible for that awful fire two decades ago had never been caught, and that had that had to be addressed. In all, the story was quick and delightful and I read it in just one brief sitting. I could not put this book down. While this is book six in the series, it did quite well as a standalone.
Many thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
jbrooxd's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first Blessings, Georgia book I have read, and it was delightful. I loved the main characters and their story. Some side stories likely tie into previous books, but I didn't need to have read those to enjoy this completely on its own. The author did introduce a couple characters who might be the focus of a future book. I enjoyed this so much I now have to track down the rest of the series. (Some language)
leanner's review against another edition
5.0
I love this town and characters that Sharon has brought to life. This story is a stand alone but you'll want to go back and learn about all the others and their back stories. A second chance for two high school sweethearts that were torn apart in tragic circumstances. This was a sweet romance and yet a log of angst to get through, you will really want them to happen. Can the past tear them apart or is everything about to come full circle? I loved it and can't wait for more.
swanwhisperer's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0