Tags
A Girl Like You, Contemporary Romance, Cover Reveal, Fly Girl Book Review, In Case You Didn't Know, Inkslinger PR, Magnolia Sound Series, Pre-Order, Prequel, Release Day, Remind Me, samantha chase, Sunkissed Days, Teaser, Wickedcoolflight
Sam Westbrook has always been the family hell-raiser, but as an adult he’s
enjoyed not being under the constant watchful eye of his family. That was until
his great-grandfather passed away. Forced to move to the small coastal town of
Magnolia Sound, Sam can’t escape the reputation that has followed him since his
teenage years. But he’ll have to do it to get his inheritance.
Shelby Abbott was always the good girl – it’s what happens when you’re the
pastor’s daughter in a small town. Now, she’s ready to leave that image behind.
For years she’s heard about wild Sam Westbrook, but she never though she
would be the one to catch his eye. And being the center of Sam’s attention isn’t
something Shelby ever prepared for.
Sam’s time in Magnolia Sound has an expiration date and Shelby’s not sure
she’s the kind of girl who can be just another one of his flings. But Sam’s ready to
make some changes. And a girl like her is just who he needs.
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Fly Girl’s Review:
Ok, I think this review may go off the rails, so bear with me. I’ve been super busy with some family health issues, so although I’ve had the e-book for several weeks, I ended up listening to it on Audible. I love Audible for this reason, I can still get some work for the blog done while I work or take care of others. About the book though. I’m not sure what happened with this one, but it was not my favorite of the Magnolia Sound books so far…It may have been the narrator was a woman and I think since it was Sam Westbrook’s story I was expecting a man.
It has a plot I love…the need to be redeemed in the eyes of the community and Sam Westbrook’s character does a great job of showing the emotional toll the views of others take on a person. The reactions and in your head talk is about what I felt like until I realized it was alright not to be liked by everyone, as long as you did the best you could to be a good citizen. Although Sam screwed up early in life, he is proving himself to the community in this period.
Shelby on the other hand doesn’t really have much character growth if you ask me. Her parents seem to be the biggest issue for her, and Yes, she ends up standing up to her folks, but I felt like there could have been some views of how she dealt with all the talk around town while she and Sam were out and about together. That stuff is only mentioned, not explored. However, Samantha does explore the relationship between Shelby and her parents who are “Church Flock” keepers…basically the minister and the minister’s wife. Her parents are overbearing, subtly controlling and willing to do anything to keep her from being with Sam.
We really only see one moment where she stands up to her parents and it is short lived. I’d have like to see more of that continue after she discovers how much she loves Sam. Finally, the resolution between Sam and the church never happens and I feel that was also a missed opportunity to really solidify Sam’s journey.
Wow, I know that was a lot to take and I’m normally not this critical, but I guess the Church involvement didn’t feel finished, so I think it would have been better to give Shelby’s parents a different lifestyle. This one is such a volatile topic in real life, if you start it, you need to finish it or it feels like the argument is still open. This whole review pretty much sums up why I’m only giving it a 3.5 of 5 rating. The positives are we get to learn more about Mason and Sam’s Mom, both of which I’m hoping will have books of their own. They both are great play makers in the series and deserve a HEA.
3.5 of 5 propellers
Check out the other titles in the Magnolia Sound series!!!
Remind Me / Sunkissed Days / In Case You Didn’t Know (July 23rd)
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Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than forty titles under her belt! When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina.