Great summer read!
This book is about love, loss and being able to begin again. Sam comes to Boston for the summer for work. Ethan does not make a great first impression when Sam asks him to take her picture. Can Sam and Ethan get past a bad first impression? Can Sam move on after the loss of her husband? Will Ethan and Sam find common ground since both have lost a spouse?

Advanced copy read for honest review.

I am no stranger to grief and although I have never lost a partner, I have lost close family members and it cripples you and defines your life for years to come and nothing but time heals.
I related to the protagonist Sam so much that even at her most stubborn, MOST frustrating, I could not stay mad at her. This was not your average light at heart chick lit, romance. This was a book where the main character is dealing with the loss of the love of her life in the most tragic of ways and is punishing herself for his death by forfeiting any love and happiness in her life. Of course she faces obstacles in that department when her job temporaily transfers her to Boston and she meets a man she likes.

This book was hair pulling but beautiful at the same time. Sam is a complex character and you want to yell at her, tell her to stop doing these things and sabotaging herself but at the same time you get it. She's hurting. Grief isn't something that somebody just snaps out of. My therapist told me that if it still hurts than you are grieving and that is the realest thing that anybody has ever told me. Life isn't something so minisucle that you snap away (haha) it's a life and people mean a lot to us.

This book made me want to travel to Boston and Provincetown as well! I am TERRIFIED of whales but the way the author played up whale watching sounded gorgeous and uh, hello. I am from Long Island, I grew up on seafood. I'm ready to book my trip now.

What I loved most though was the friendship. From London to Provincetown. Harry and Barney were amazing friends who also took NO shit from Sam. Lexi was adorable and reminds me of my very talkative 7 year old. Bridget is that friend that supports you but is also like girl, get it together. This is a lovely book. And I admit, I haven't read chick lit for awhile. I just had a rocky breakup, I wasn't ready for ANY romance. I've been sticking to murder mysteries and thrillers. But this was lovely and I'm back on my romance.

Thanks very much to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC. Please check out my blog for more reviews:
http://aelilyreads.home.blog

Well, the first chapter erupted off the page in a short, sharp burst of emotion, and the book unfolds from there into a delightful Bostonian adventure. Cooke writes confidently and reading one of her books feels like you are being navigated by a dear friend. The cover is beautiful, the characters wonderfully drawn and engaging, and I really enjoyed this hot summer read. Grab yours now from a master writer.

Delightful summer read. Two people that have similar past hurts find a second chance at love.

Will review on Amazon under name of Connie

Thanks for granting me access to this book

I’ve read all of Victoria Cooke’s novels so I knew I would love this book, but it was even better than I had anticipated!

Another enjoyable summer read! My first book by Victoria Cooke but surely not my last.

This novel tells the story of Sam who lost the love her life 8 years ago in a motorcycle accident and has vowed to a life of celibacy at her young age to honor him. A move to London, a new job and a trip to work in the states for 3 months and in walks Ethan. Sam is not ready to let go of Kev but she is ready to make some new friends while she works in the Boston office for the summer.

One of my favorite things about the book was the weekends set in Cape Cod! A perfect summer beach location to envision while following Sam as she tortures herself for living. The author’s writing, including a bit of humor and a lot of heartbreaking moments draws you in and keeps you turning the pages to find out what happens.

A perfect novel for the summer and for those that love a second chance at life!

A lovely, heartwarming read. It deals very sympathetically with loss.

When Sam is seconded to the Boston office, the last thing she expects is to fall in love, both with the area, new friends and another man. She feels guilty for having these feelings, that she is betraying her late husband. Ethan is nursing a sore heart too from the loss of his wife years earlier. For the sake of their happiness, can they make a future together?

Thank you to HQ and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review.

This book was so beautiful, full of emotion, humour and very real and down to earth. I adored Sam and Ethan, I could see where Sam was coming from and could understand her pain, but Ethan is so amazing you hurt with them both. Such a lovely read that deals with loss and moving on so well. This is my first book by Victoria Cooke but I’m off to find the rest now. Highly recommended read.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

8 years on from the tragic accident that took her husband, Sam still hasn't really moved on. Well in some respects she has but in others such as even considering dating she refuses to do anything that may sully the memory of Kev.

As a slight workaholic she is desperate to get the 3 month placement in Boston, but when she's finally gets there things don't exactly work out as planned.

It is the new friendships with Barney as and Harry that make things start to improve out in the States. But as a reader it was the rather rude stranger which she then keeps having encounters with that kept me glued to the book.

I loved discovering the laid back life in Boston, and also the ideas for the campaign she's is working on in her job.

The whole book had a wonderful vibe to it, and just kept me wanting more.

I loved the location, the writing, the backstories, the humour and they way that Sam and Ethan developed over the summer.

It truly was an enjoyable summer to remember, and I would love to one day return to this setting and see how all the characters stories have developed - yet again from a Victoria Cooke book I would quite like a sequel!!

Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

A summer read based around learning to love again after the loss of a husband. Sam has to try to come to terms with allowing herself to love again. The ways the story is told flows well with key flashbacks to explain past experiences allows you to understand Sams’ journey fo find herself and love
My copy was provided free for an honest review.

Having read and enjoyed all of Victoria Cooke's books, I knew I was in for a treat. What I didn't know was how much of a treat. Wow! This story slapped me in the face at the start, had me totally 'team Sam', wanted to be besties with Barney and Harry and – as for Ethan – pass me a cold flannel.
The Boston/Cape Cod settings are painted beautifully. I had the mad urge to kayak (never going to happen), or at least wander along the beach and have my face painted by a true cutie. The characters are so believable, even the arsey ones, I gulped the book down faster than a fancy cocktail.
Writing a romance isn't easy. Been there, done that, rinse and repeat. But the author brings an authenticity and warmth that will melt the most cynical of hearts. It's delightful, delicious and full of fabulous lines. 'Mum?' My voice wobbles. The sight of her is a number-twelve bowling ball heading for a strike and I'm the centre pin. I loved it. Best one yet!

Sam is still mourning her husband Kev, seven years after he died in a motorbike accident. She moved from the Cotswolds to London to juice up her life (well, her professional life) but she hasn't moved on romantically. She's wanted to go to the US and finally, finally gets the chance to work in Boston. Things don't go so well there for her but when she goes to Provincetown, she meets Ethan. Oh sigh. You know Sam's going to warm up to the possibility of love, don't you? Ethan's very different from Kev, which is a good thing and the two of them do a nice dance. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For fans of the second chance at love romance.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed reading this book, it’s cute and heartwarming. I didn’t want to put it down. This is the perfect story of moving on after a bereavement, the characters are extremely likeable and overall this was a lovely read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Since her husband’s death, Sam has build herself an enjoyable life surrounded by good friends and her beloved cat. She loves her job and when she gets sent to the firms Boston office for the summer she imagines she’ll enjoy a change of scenery. What she doesn’t expect is to meet someone else, and while no one can take her husbands place, Sam begins to wonder if she might have another chance at happiness. The beauty of Cape Cod plays a starring role in this uplifting story of second chances

Thanks again to NetGalley and HQ Digital for allowing me to read this novel early!

An absolutely joy from start to finish. We begin with Sam’s traumatic experience of losing her husband in a motorbike accident before the story jumps forward seven years. Sam is hell bent on staying single, to forever preserve the memory of her husband, Kev and hasn’t so much as looked at a man. After the accident Sam upped and left the Cotswolds to start afresh in London focusing completely on her marketing career at Pink Apple. Only having a handful of friends Sam has been desperate to try and get onto the business chance of a lifetime – spending three months in Boston, Massachusetts promoting a new brand of trainer.

After years of trying she finally gets accepted and flys off to Boston. It isn’t all she has hoped for to beginning with, bumping into one very rude American who refuses to take her picture and being surrounding by men who won’t listen to her fresh ideas in the boardroom. It’s takes a visit out to Provincetown where she meets Barney and Harry to start getting her life on the right track. And there she also meets Ethan. Be still my beating heart! What a guy. Rough around the edges but hot, hot, hot! We journey through Sam’s emotions as she is desperate to keep Kev’s memories alive and also adamant not to betray him or their wedding vows. Does she ever learn to let go and start to live a little? Does she let go of the past and look towards the future finally? Have a read and see!

After having gone through a traumatic sudden death myself my emotions completely mirrored Sam’s and at times I found myself sobbing. Victoria’s manages to put into words grief in such a way that I have struggled with many times. She does it so perfectly that I’ve written down parts of the novel that really moved me and spoke to me to help me through my grief journey. I am so glad I’ve read this book and finally found a way to describe my grief and all I can do is thank Victoria Cooke for her brilliant way and also her sympathetic way of handling such raw emotions. It takes a lot to get me into a blubbering mess but this novel certainly did but in such a good way. I absolutely loved every moment of it.

I want to visit Boston. Victoria’s descriptions were so clear I feel as if I’ve visited there myself already. I could feel the sun beating down on me on the gorgeous beaches and the chill of the air later in winter.

An emotional read, but worth every second. Thank you so much for writing this novel Victoria Cooke.

I honestly can not find a bad thing to say about this book. I loved it from start to finish. Read it in a day and a half. Such detail and full embodiment of characters. You will get suck into this book and not want to put it down.

This book was very cute and heartwarming. A good beachy romancy read, which is what I love! Didn't want to put it down, and actually read it in one sitting on a sunny summer day. Loved this book!

Oh my goodness, I started reading this yesterday afternoon, didn’t go out because of this book, got to 2.34am and decided to go to sleep. Awoke at 6am with the dog, started reading it again. Just finished it. This is FAB!! All I can say is ‘film..film...film!’

I loved this story. I adored grieving Sam. She’s such a wonderful character and I just wanted to hug her. Ethan is so hunky, delightful and moody, When I read his story of Nicole and Lexi I was in a fluster. Loved the story. Loved the ending when he gets on the bus to be with her. It’s emotional, touching and funny, Sam and Ethan’s banter at the start is hilarious.

Victoria Cooke - you are one of my fav authors!

I need to go lie down now :-)

A comfy cozy read. Touching and emotional at times. Really enjoyed the layout of the book with the flashbacks and such.

Nice job on the setting, much different than the usual Cotswolds setting. It worked well here.

Great read to curl up with a cup of tea.

A nice summer read that kept me hooked till the last page.
I liked the cast of characters, the setting and the plot.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.