Feature and Giveaway: As Dust Dances by Samantha Young

Once upon a time Skylar Finch was the lead singer of a hugely successful American pop-rock band. But fame made her miserable. When years of living a lie suddenly ended in tragedy, Skylar fell off the map.

Eighteen months later she’s sleeping in a tent in a cemetery in Glasgow, making just enough money to eat by busking on the streets. She manages to avoid recognition, but not the attention of one of Glasgow’s ambitious A&R executives.

Killian O’Dea works at Skyscraper Records, Scotland’s most successful record label. Raised by his uncle and owner of the label, Killian’s upbringing would have been devoid of affection entirely if it wasn’t for his loving sister. Killian is unflinchingly determined to bring the label more success than ever, and the young homeless woman who busks on Buchanan Street is going to help him do that. Her music speaks to him in a way he refuses to over-analyze. All he knows is that if it can touch his dark soul, it’ll set everyone else’s alight.

Skylar makes it clear that she doesn’t want to sign with him. But when she experiences the dangerous reality of a woman sleeping rough, Skylar has no one else but Killian to turn to. An undeniable connection forms between them. But Skylar doesn’t want the career Killian is trying to forge for her, and when her past comes back to haunt her Killian will be faced with a decision that could ruin him. He must either free Skylar from his selfish machinations and destroy everything he’s ever worked for, or lose a woman who has come to mean more to him than he ever thought possible…

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Feature and Giveaway: The Fragile Ordinary by Samantha Young

I am Comet Caldwell.

And I sort of, kind of, absolutely hate my name.

People expect extraordinary things from a girl named Comet. That she’ll be effortlessly cool and light up a room the way a comet blazes across the sky.

But from the shyness that makes her book-character friends more appealing than real people to the parents whose indifference hurts more than an open wound, Comet has never wanted to be the center of attention. She can’t wait to graduate from her high school in Edinburgh, Scotland, where the only place she ever feels truly herself is on her anonymous poetry blog. But surely that will change once she leaves to attend university somewhere far, far away.

When new student Tobias King blazes in from America and shakes up the school, Comet thinks she’s got the bad boy figured out. Until they’re thrown together for a class assignment and begin to form an unlikely connection. Everything shifts in Comet’s ordinary world. Tobias has a dark past and runs with a tough crowd—and none of them are happy about his interest in Comet. Targeted by bullies and thrown into the spotlight, Comet and Tobias can go their separate ways…or take a risk on something extraordinary.

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Feature and Giveaway: The Impossible Vastness of Us by Samantha Young

“I know how to watch my back. I’m the only one that ever has.”

India Maxwell hasn’t just moved across the country—she’s plummeted to the bottom rung of the social ladder. It’s taken years to cover the mess of her home life with a veneer of popularity. Now she’s living in one of Boston’s wealthiest neighborhoods with her mom’s fiancé and his daughter, Eloise. Thanks to her soon-to-be stepsister’s clique of friends, including Eloise’s gorgeous, arrogant boyfriend Finn, India feels like the one thing she hoped never to be seen as again: trash.

But India’s not alone in struggling to control the secrets of her past. Eloise and Finn, the school’s golden couple, aren’t all they seem to be. In fact, everyone’s life is infinitely more complex than it first appears. And as India grows closer to Finn and befriends Eloise, threatening the facades that hold them together, what’s left are truths that are brutal, beautiful, and big enough to change them forever…

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My Favorite Things Event with Samantha Young

Samantha Young is the New York Times,  USA Today  and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of adult contemporary romances, including the On Dublin Street series and Hero, as well as the New Adult duology Into the Deep and Out of the Shallows.  Every Little Thing, the second book in her new Hart’s Boardwalk series, will be published by Berkley in March 2017. Before turning to contemporary fiction, she wrote several young adult paranormal and fantasy series, including the amazon bestselling Tale of Lunarmorte trilogy. Samantha’s debut YA contemporary novel The Impossible Vastness of Us will be published by Harlequin TEEN in ebook & hardback June 2017

Samantha has been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award 2012 for Best Author and Best Romance for On Dublin Street, Best Romance 2014 for Before Jamaica Lane, and Best Romance 2015 for Hero. On Dublin Street, a #1 bestseller in Germany, was the Bronze Award Winner in the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2013, Before Jamaica Lane the Gold Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2014 and Echoes of Scotland Street the Bronze Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2015.

Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.

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ARC Review: The One Real Thing by Samantha Young

I have to admit that I was really excited to start this book. I have enjoyed everything I have read from Samantha Young, and it has been awhile since I have read anything from her. The One Real Thing kicks off her new Hart's Boardwalk series, so I couldn't wait to see what she had in store for us. But I have to say that while I liked this one I didn't love it. I did enjoy this world she is setting up though, and I am interested to read more in the series down the line. 

Jessica Huntington is a doctor that works at a correctional facility. She doesn't get emotionally attached as she prefers to avoid it after being betrayed in the past. But when she comes across some letters in the prison library, she sets out to visit Hartwell and deliver the letters to the intended recipient. There she meets local bar owner, Cooper Lawson. Cooper has also been betrayed in the past and has been focused on his family and his pub. But both Cooper and Jessica find themselves drawn to one another. While Cooper is determined to explore their connection, Jessica is determined to remain as detached as possible. But can Cooper show her that what they could have together is real and worth taking a chance on?

Part of my problem here was the characters. While I really liked Cooper, I struggled with Jessica. She was annoying to me much of the time and I never felt like I could connect with her. I was rooting for these two to get together, but I struggled with their connection if I am honest. I think a lot of that had to do with Jessica, as Cooper was great. I just never felt invested in her or their relationship like I should have.

The other big issue I had here besides the characters was some of the story itself. It felt like something was missing and much of the time I was a bit bored. There wasn't a lot to captivate me and make me want to read this story. There didn't seem to be a lot of depth, despite the potential for it with their pasts, and I just was disappointed that we didn't get to dig any deeper with these two. Communication was an issue here, and I felt that played a huge part in the lack of depth here. It just got frustrating as the story continued and I think that these two needed to talk more about things in order for me to have felt any connection forming between these two. Without that, the bond they were supposed to be forming fell pretty flat. As I said though, I did like the setup of the town and some of the characters that were introduced here and I would be interested in getting to know them better. I just struggled with this one, and wanted more.

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

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Feature and Giveaway: The One Real Thing by Samantha Young

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...

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RFTC I've Got a Secret Event with Author Samantha Young

Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author from Stirlingshire, Scotland. She's been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award 2012 for Best Author and Best Romance for her international bestseller ON DUBLIN STREET, Best Romance 2014 for BEFORE JAMAICA LANE, and Best Romance 2015 for HERO. ON DUBLIN STREET is Samantha's first adult contemporary romance series and has sold in twenty-nine countries.

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ARC Review: One King's Way by Samantha Young

I have loved the On Dublin Street by Samantha Young and I was really sad for it to come to an end. So when I heard she was releasing another story in the series, I was so excited to get more in this world! I love the characters and I just never have been ready for the series to end. But I have to say this wasn't my favorite, and unfortunately I didn't feel like this one lived up to the standards that I have come to have for a book with Samantha Young's name on it. This novella is a standalone though, so if you haven't read any of the previous books you are okay to start here. 

Craig Lanaghan doesn't believe in love and only does one night stands. But he also doesn't lie to women, and he makes sure that they know the deal before hooking up. He is committed to taking care of his mom and sisters though and those are the only women that he cares about a long term connection with. Until he meets Rain Alexander. When she walks into the bar he works at, Craig is immediately drawn to her and he knows that she is different. But Rain isn't the type to do one night stands, and she isn't interested in a player like Craig no matter how attracted to him she is. But Rain keeps returning to the bar Craig works at, determined to get revenge for her sister on a man that frequents the bar. But while waiting for him to show up, she can't help but find herself more interested in Craig with the more time they spend together. But just as she is finally allowing herself to take the risk with Craig and things start to progress, she finds herself forced to choose between her future with Craig and her loyalty to her sister. 

I liked Craig and I thought that he was a good guy. There were a few things that he did I didn't agree with, but for the most part I thought that he was easy to root for. I have to say that Rain was the one I had more issues with her though. She drove me nuts throughout this story, and I really didn't like a lot of the decisions she made. These two had a ton of chemistry, but I didn't really feel like their relationship was one of an equal partnership. It felt pretty one-sided at times, and I thought that the compromising here was definitely one way vs. mutual. 

The other thing for me was that this story didn't seem to flow as well as Samantha Young's books usually do. This one felt rushed and choppy, it was hard to get into the story with how disjointed it was. It almost seemed as though this novella was simply meant to continue the series for those that weren't ready to let go, without giving much thought to the actual story. It seemed to be mostly filler without much depth or substance. The revenge part of this story was poorly executed and seemed to almost be an afterthought. Rain didn't really do much about it and when she did there were no real plans or well thought out actions. It was just a bit of a mess. While I wanted more in this series, this one was pretty disappointing for me.

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Moonlight on Nightingale Way by Samantha Young

Moonlight on Nightingale Way is the sixth and final book in the On Dublin Street series by Samantha Young. Each book can be read as standalones, but I would recommend reading in order to get full enjoyment as the characters are interconnected. I was really excited about this story after meeting Logan in Echoes of Scotland Street, and I couldn't wait to get to know him better. I have to say that this might be my favorite of this series! I really enjoyed it and I am sad that the series is now over. 

After two years of serving time, Logan is ready to start over. Everything is looking up for him with a new job, apartment and plenty of women to keep him company. But his next door neighbor Grace doesn't appreciate his playboy ways and the two of them clash. Grace left behind her manipulative family for her group of friends, and she loves her job. But with Logan constantly interrupting her work with his conquests, her once perfect life has turned into one annoying situation after another. But when Logan's world is flipped upside down, Grace is there for him when he needs someone the most. Soon the two of them are learning that they aren't as bad as they once thought the other was, and they find themselves becoming friends. Just when it looks like they might have something between them, Grace's past threatens everything. 

I loved these characters! What started off as enemies that couldn't stand each other, quickly changed to a tentative friendship that I couldn't get enough of! These two annoyed one another and had a ton of tension between them, but they were also really attracted to one another and you could tell it was going to be explosive when they finally figured things out. Logan and Grace were pretty much opposites, but I really enjoyed seeing how well they worked together. They were great as friends, and the way that they supported one another was great. Logan was protective of Grace and looked out for her and Grace was sweet and kind and was exactly what Logan needed when his life changed so drastically. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and the ending of this series is definitely bittersweet for me. While I loved this book and was glad that it finished on a high note, I am sad that this is the last book. This was definitely one of my favorites of the series, if not my favorite, and I think that readers will really enjoy getting to know Logan and Grace. I highly recommend this series, and I love Samantha Young's writing style. If you are looking for a great contemporary romance story, you really can't go wrong with any of her books. I am looking forward to seeing what Samantha Young writes next.

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

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RFTC Hall Pass Event with Samantha Young

Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author from Stirlingshire, Scotland. She's been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award 2012 for Best Author and Best Romance for her international bestseller ON DUBLIN STREET and Best Romance 2014 for BEFORE JAMAICA LANE. ON DUBLIN STREET is Samantha's first adult contemporary romance series and has sold in twenty-eight countries.

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ARC Review: Hero by Samantha Young

Hero was everything that I've come to love and expect in a Samantha Young novel. I was chained to my Kindle all day reading this one and did not want to put down. So, so good. In the last few years I've had my fill on millionaire/billionaire heroes but I just couldn't get enough of Hero and more importantly Caine and Alexa.

Caine was charming (at times), brash and just so damn sexy. I found myself wanting to know what made him tick and I couldn't help but get all giddy like Alexa did whenever he smiled or laughed. There were at times he was harsh but I couldn't get enough. I just knew that below that tough and gruff exterior lied a man that was charming and just afraid of letting anyone get close.

If I'm honest, there were a few times that Alexa kind of annoyed me. She loves so fiercely but she lets the ones that she loves kind of walk allover her. Don't get me wrong, most of the time she stands up for herself especially when it came to Caine and his treatment towards her but those few times she didn't I just wanted to shake some sense in her. Honestly, there were times that I just wanted to give her a hug because she definitely needed it. She's dealt with a lot in her life and with people not choosing her that you can't help but hurt for her.

The chemistry between Caine and Alexa was sexy and explosive. These two were HOT together. I really enjoyed watching these two together. I liked that their relationship started off kind of rocky and we were able to see these two butt heads more than once. I just loved the sparks that was between them and was evident to everyone around them but themselves.

There were so many aspects to this story that I loved outside of Caine and Alexa and Henry, Caine's best friend was one of them. He was a charming flirt and I couldn't help but smile whenever he would show up. The same goes for Effie. I loved Effie.

Hero was hot, sexy and oh so very good. I highly recommend this book. Believe me, you will want to read this one.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Echoes of Scotland Street by Samantha Young

Echoes of Scotland Street is the fifth book in Samantha Young's On Dublin Street series, and is the story of Cole Walker and Shannon MacLeod. I really enjoyed this book and could not have loved Cole more. He was amazing, and I could not get enough of his character. I did have a few issues with Shannon though, and that is why I couldn't give this one five stars. But I am really excited to see what is in store for Shannon's brother Logan next.

Shannon has always had bad luck with men, but her last boyfriend was the worst. He hurt her in unimaginable ways and also hurt her family. After having her world shattered, Shannon decides to start over and do away with bad boys for good. When she returns to the place that she once found comfort in, she ends up homeless and jobless until she stumbles upon a job at a tattoo shop. There one of the employees Rae also offers her a place to live. But when Shannon comes face to face with her boss, he also happens to be Cole the one guy she regrets walking away from years before. Cole is determined to get to know the girl that he once met years ago, but Shannon continues to push him away thinking that he is just another charming bad boy. But as Shannon gets to know Cole better, she starts to realize that she was wrong about Cole and thinks it might be time to give him a chance. But with Shannon's past, can Cole win her trust and have a real shot at a future with her?

I absolutely adored Cole. He could not have been more perfect. He was sweet and kind, and really determined when it came to winning Shannon's trust. He gave her so many chances, and was able to easily forgive her when she made countless mistakes. I loved his ability to see beyond the front that she put up, and he was the only one able to truly bring down her walls. He was great for her, and it was clear that he was exactly what she had needed. Shannon was hard for me to like though, and I never was able to fully warm up to her. She was judgmental and made a lot of assumptions, often assuming the worst in people. She had no reason to think what she did about Cole, and she repeatedly thought the worst of him. I hated that she constantly took one step forward and two steps back. Cole didn't deserve everything that she put him through and honestly I felt he deserved better. I thought that they had chemistry and I liked that they had met as teenagers, but I really thought that Cole was far better for Shannon than she was for him.

My other big issue with this book is that the secondary characters sort of took over the story a lot of the time, and I found myself finding it hard to care about Cole and Shannon's relationship because of it. It was great to get glimpses of the previous characters and to meet some new ones, and I really loved Cole and Shannon's relationships with the friends they worked with. But I just felt like it focused too much on others, and I really just found it hard to keep all of the characters straight while also trying to get over Shannon's many issues. I think that Cole definitely made this book worth the read, and I really wanted to see Shannon turn things around and win me over. Unfortunately I just never was able to really find any common ground with her, and I thought that her character was weak and unlikable. I am curious about her brother's book next though, and I look forward to seeing what happens for him after everything he has been through.

**ARC Provided by Penguin Group Berkley/Signet**

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ARC Review: Fall From India Place by Samantha Young

Whenever I see any book by Samantha Young, I jump at the chance to read it! I absolutely loved “Before Jamaica Lane (On Dublin Street, #3)” and the novella “Castle Hill (On Dublin Street, #2.5) “so I had high hopes for “Fall from India”. One of the many reasons that I like Young is that she really gets into the heart and soul of her women characters. She breaks down their emotions and all the complexities. She also really gets to the heart of relationships.

In Hannah’s story, she is now all grown up! In the previous books she was still fairly young and played a smaller character but this is definitely her story! She is all grown up and a working professional. She loves teaching and volunteering her time to help adults struggling to read. I loved that Young stayed true to Hannah’s character. In the previous books she seemed like a sweet young lady and had a very wonderful relationship with Cole. (I’m hoping his story is next!)

True to Young’s style many of the characters from the previous books make an appearance in Hannah’s story which makes sense since they are all a sort of family. Now, if all these wonderful things above… why a three star? So I love that many of Hannah’s story is about her finding herself and who she is. However… for pretty much all her life after her “relationship” with Marco she is affected by him. She is basically (emotionally) on hold. When Marco reappears in her life he becomes her main focus again. Also, I liked Marco but I thought him and Hannah had an uneven relationship. He leaves, comes back he wants her after years of being apart… Although Hannah resists him, she gives into her feelings.

Overall, this was a fun book and anyone that has followed the series will be happy to read Hannah and Marco’s story. It’s also a great coming up age story, seeing Hannah become an adult was gratifying. Although the romance was not as chemistry driven as Young’s previous books I was happy to see that Hannah got her happily-ever-after.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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