The One Real Thing (Hart's Boardwalk)

The One Real Thing by Samantha Young

This is only my second book from Young and what I've come to realize is that her love stories are truly beautiful.

In this we meet Jessica, a doctor who works at a female correctional center. She's content in her current friends-with-benefits arrangement as it means she can keep her emotional distance and that suits her to a tee. Vacation plans change and she decides, for a few reasons, to visit the picturesque town of Hartwell. It's there she realizes how empty her life really is: she finds peace, makes close friendships, and meets the deliciously dirty-talking publican, Cooper.

Her time in Hartwell has Jess questioning the direction her life has taken and where it's going and she begins to wonder if she can have it all. Unfortunately, Jessica is determined to keep herself closed off and to hide her secrets from all and this determination may come to cost her dearly.

This book really did it for me on every level. Cooper I freaking LOVED. He wasn't your typical nice guy, but he wasn't a bad boy either; he was just real and authentic and someone so easy to relate to. He loves and falls hard and equally, can cut people when pushed too far. The attraction and chemistry between Cooper and Jess is palpable from their first meeting and Jess is made of stronger stuff than I am, as I wouldn't have been able to stop from throwing myself at him!

I'm just so in love with Hartwell and its perfectly imperfect inhabitants. There are secrets galore in this book and I don't doubt we'll have more to discover in the books that follow. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book in this series!

*arc received from NetGalley in exchange for honest review.

**Reviewed by Melinda for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.

Sadly this was really underwhelming for me. <i>The One Real Thing</i> just didn’t have the magic that Ms. Young’s Dublin Street series does. I don’t know if it was the charm to this American reader but I preferred the international setting. I found the setting for the Hart’s Boardwalk series kind of boring.

Jessica Huntington is a doctor at a Women’s correction facility. After discovering some old love letters at the prison she decides to take her vacation to the town of Hartwell so she can deliver the letters. This was part of my issue with the story because Jessica’s workplace and her dark past didn’t mesh with the idyllic town of Hartwell. The story was really, really, sweet and throwing in the darkness felt odd to me.

Cooper Lawson owns a pub in Hartwell and is immediately taken with Jessica upon her arrival. Cooper has been burned by a cheating ex and isn’t really interested in pursuing anyone until Jessica. I found Cooper and Jessica to be a very bland couple. I just didn’t feel the fire or passion between them and Jessica dragging her secret out until the end of the book made me lose interest. While her secret was incredibly sad and dark I would have preferred a reveal earlier.

Now I know it sound likes I hated this book but I didn’t. It flowed really well and I enjoyed several of the side characters. I will continue on to book two because Bailey and Vaughn really intrigued me. I think they are going to be fiery and passionate so I am looking forward to it.

*copy received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

I’m obsessed with small town love stories… and I was incredibly excited when I read the summary of this story because I was hoping to find a new series to fall in love with… and I absolutely did!

Doctor Jessica Huntington has spent her life trying to make amends for her past and she just happens to be doing it in a women’s correctional facility. She’s a talented doctor but she’s been feeling incredibly unfulfilled lately. She happens upon letters that a former inmate had written to her long lost love and after reading she can’t seem to get them out of her head, so she decides to use her upcoming three weeks of vacation to head to the seaside town of Hartwell and give the letters to the rightful owner. She never expects to fall in love with both the town and its occupants.
Cooper Lawson hasn’t had an easy time of it lately… he’s putting his cheating ex and his ex-best-friend behind him and focusing on the things that are important. His bar… his family… and his friends. Then a mysterious blonde shows up in front of his bar in the pouring rain and he can’t seem to get her out of his head.

As Cooper and Jessica get to know each other, their feelings can’t be denied and as Cooper opens up more and more, Jess keeps her secrets until she has no choice but to either tell Cooper everything or give him and the new life she has always desired, up for good.

So I just have to say this up front… Samantha Young can write steam and chemistry. Jessica and Cooper had it in spades and I was so excited to completely fall for these two as a couple!

I mention above that Jessica seems to be trying to outrun her past, and make up for something in her past, and Young has wondering and trying to figure out what it is that tore her away from her family leaving her with only the one friend who she can lean on for anything. And let me just say that you will get no clues until she’s good and ready to spill either… so in a way it’s incredibly frustrating because you see the effect that it has had on her life. She’s isolated herself and while she had relationships they were all very superficial. Even the ones she makes in Hartwell, because despite the deep connections she’s making, she refuses to share everything about herself with them. And that grates on Cooper more than anything because of his history with his ex-wife Dana.

Young has created some pretty amazing characters here… from Bailey, the inn keeper to Vaughn who owns the fancy boardwalk hotel to Emery and Dahlia, and yes… even Jack Devlin. I can’t wait to learn more about each and every one of them. But our main characters in this story are Cooper and Jessica and I completely fell for them both. Cooper…. My lord you guys. He’s sexy. He’s a bar owner & bartender. He’s determined to make whatever is brewing between him and Jessica work and I absolutely fell for him and his strong, silent demeanor.

Jessica on the other hand is a bit harder to feel out, mostly because you know she’s keeping this secret and you have no clue what it might be, but by the end I can safely say that I was very happy that things worked out as they had. Now you’re probably wondering why I only gave this four stars if I loved it as much as I did. I think I was a bit disappointed that Jessica let things go as far as she did without thinking she would ever have to tell Cooper what had happened. I honestly don’t know what she thought was going to happen and I also don’t know why she thought he would blame her… yes he had a certain reaction to something early on, but even when I heard the story the only thing I could think was “that’s it?” Anyway, a minor issue for me in an otherwise totally enjoyable read that I couldn’t put down.

I will definitely say that fans of Jill Shalvis and her contemporary romances are going to absolutely love this series! I honestly can’t wait for book two to arrive. I’ve got some guesses as to who is going to be hooking up with who, but I’m excited to read the stories!

The Only Real Thing is a beautifully written love story of finding love where you least expect it. This story is the start of a new series that has pulled me in from the start to the last words written.

Jessica and Cooper had both been hurt in the past, different reasons. One is known immediately, one not.

Jessica comes to Hartwell to deliver letters she had found in a book at the correctional facility she works at. She wasn't expecting to find love and happiness on the boardwalk.

Cooper is instantly smitten and knows she's the real deal and does everything he can to convince her to stay.

Everything in this story did it for me. From its characters to its storyline, just beautifully done. It just gave me all the feels.

I can't wait for more. Bailey and Vaughn are next and its sure to be a great one!

Story 5
Sex 5
Overall 5

Reviewed by Shay from Mommys a Book Whore

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley

I honestly cannot believe how talented Samantha Young is. Her books have become a favorite of mine. Whenever I recommend a romance, she truly is my go to author. I have loved anything and everything that she has written and this book is no different.

Samantha writes beautiful romances that have a touch of grittiness to them. The characters are so lovable I struggle to leave the world once the book is finished. I absolutely loved the characters in this book, Jessica & Cooper are amazing. Their personalities are relatable and I personally loved that this was not a billionaire romance story.

Honestly, this is one of the few advanced reader copies that I have received that I will have to purchase. This is truly beautiful. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.

For those of you who wonder if this is as good as the "On Dublin Street" series, it is.

Samantha Young’s writing has always been impeccable. I can read through her books and never find an inconsistency or error. You can tell she puts her heart and soul into each book and strives to make them perfect. That is why I love to read her stories, because I know going in she’s given it her all.

The concept for The One Real Thing and the background for the story were amazing. Small town embracing someone new, charming her, and drawing her into their way of life. It had the makings of a unforgettable story. It started off with this amazing scene that grabbed me and pulled me into the story.

Unfortunately once the story progressed I had a hard time staying focused on it. It was strange for me because I liked the storyline and the characters but, I found myself easily distracted from them. It took me a lot longer than usual to read the book because of it. I can’t really pinpoint anything in particular I didn’t like, it just didn’t hold the same kind of wow factor that a lot of her books have for me in the past.

The One Real Thing was a very well written book with fantastic characters and a great storyline. I think this book will do well with her readers it just wasn’t the right book for me.

This review was written by Marie for a guest review post on Ever After Book Reviews blog:

5 Stars

Samantha Young is a tremendous writer. Everything she writes is beautiful, real and emotionally charged. Every one of her books has drawn me in and hooked me. So when I found out she had a new series, I jumped on the opportunity…quickly.

In The One Real Thing, Jessica, a quiet, introverted doctor, is working in a women’s correctional facility, where she finds a collection of unsent letters written by a previous inmate 40 years ago. Moved, Jessica seeks to find the rightful recipient of the letters and travels to a quaint little town of Hartwell. Here, she feels a sense of comfort and very quickly finds herself falling in love with the small community. She also finds a man that catches her attention – Cooper.

From here, the book really picks up. Cooper and Jessica have tremendous chemistry and their friendship develops beautifully. Over a few back and forths, their relationship blossoms and it’s wonderful. They have a very tender and sweet relationship that very quickly becomes quite steamy!

This is a very emotionally charged book that tests the strength of love and proves that laying it all out on the table is always very much worth the effort.

***I read and reviewed a paperback copy of the book gifted to the blog, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. All conclusions reached are my own***

The One Real Thing is Samantha Young's debut into a new series focused around a quiet seaside town in Delaware. The story follows Dr. Jessica Huntington to the town in hopes of giving truth to a man who has been without it for too long. Jessica works as a Doctor for prison inmates and while working she finds a series of letters from a past inmate who has passed away. Reading the letters, she learns the tragic past of the inmate and her one true love, and her heart breaks for the couple. She decides that the man needs to know what really happened, and is saddened that these letters were never sent to him. So she uses her vacation to go the small town of Hartwell and personally deliver the letters.

But Hartwell isn't just a tourist town, it's a town with a romantic history, and it's said that if you're destined to meet your own true love, it will happen on the boardwalk. For Jessica her world changes once she arrives in Hartwell and meets it's residents, making friends with almost everyone she comes across. And then there's Cooper, the bar owner with a chip on his shoulder about relationships. He wanted nothing to do with another relationship, not with the way his marriage ended, but Cooper just can't seem to get the sexy Doctor off of his mind and he's determined to make her give him a chance.

This story was equal amounts of sexy and sweet, and I loved the mix of emotions that was involved in it. There are many small town romances out there and it's something that I've read over and over again, so honestly it takes something extra special now for me to actually love it and not just enjoy it some. Well Ms. Young definitely put that extra dose of special into this story and I loved every minute of it. I can't even point one one reason why I liked it so much, it was just everything. The characters, the small town charm, the sexiness thrown in, even the bit of thrill brought on with the towns douche-bags. I just loved all of it!

Cooper, though, he was a big reason why I liked this book so much. He may have been burned in the past, and that certainly held him back some, but he never let his past hurts keep him from finding a future. The way he went after Jessica and made her realize that life had so much more to offer than just being content was swoon worthy. I already want to re-read this book just for him.

Overall, this book was amazing and something I will strongly recommend. The mix of characters kept me intrigued and I already can't wait for the next book to see what's going to happen with town and people.

It's official: I have a new favorite Samantha Young book! From the moment I started The One Real Thing, I had a feeling that it would be special and, from start to finished, it exceeded my expectations which, as a huge fan of this author, were incredibly high. I’ve loved every book this author has written but there was something about The One Real Thing that tugged on my emotions and left me with a sense of contentment. The setting…the storyline…the characters…everything comes together flawlessly in one heartfelt, enchanting tale about fate, love, and belonging. The One Real Thing is a scorchingly sexy, heart-meltingly sweet romance that’s impossible to put down once you get started.

Samantha Young has the ability of making you feel like you've known a character forever within moments of being introduced to them and that’s exactly how I felt when I met protagonists, Jessica Huntington and Cooper Lawson. Whenever I read a book, I tend to gravitate towards one protagonist more than the other, although that didn’t seem to be the case with The One Real Thing. Perhaps this was because both of their backstories were equally compelling, although it could also be that their personas were so similar. Both Jessica and Cooper are hardworking, confident, and independent individuals, previously content in their lack of romantic attachments, yet also feeling that something’s missing in their lives. It’s fate that brings them together, but it’s their undeniably potent chemistry that convinces these two former commitment-phobes to take a chance on romance.

What I loved about this couple’s dynamic (and the book in general) is that there’s a perfect balance between serious and lighthearted. We get all of Cooper and Jessica’s deepest darkest secrets and we get the fun, flirtatious rapport they share. Yes, there are moments of gut-wrenching angst, but there’s also overwhelming sexual tension and no-holds-barred passion. I laughed. I teared up. And I enjoyed every single sentence of the book. With its combination of inviting characters, a swoon-worthy romance, and a narrative that keeps you on your toes, The One Real Thing is a brilliant start to Samantha Young’s Hart’s Boardwalk series.

There's nothing quite like the feeling of starting a new series by an author you love. Each page of the book is rife with possibilities. I was drawn to the stories of the supporting characters just as much as I was to Jessica and Cooper's story because they are as mysterious as they are intriguing. I felt like Jessica did as she met each new inhabitant of Hartwell, wishing to become better acquainted with them and curious to unveil their secrets. If this series had twenty books in store, I'd happily devour every single one, especially if they’re as beautifully written as The One Real Thing.

*complimentary copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

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….

Review:

I have to say I love Samantha Young's books. I always lose myself in her books, I get hooked on the characters and what is happening with them.

I could not put this book down once I started reading it. I was so entranced with everyone, but mostly Jess. I wanted to know her whole story from the beginning and once I found out the whole tragic past. That Jess would go out of her way to find a person from a letter 40 years later shows what a caring person she is. Speaking of the letters, I bawled like a baby reading Sara's letters to George. Actually, I cried a few times during this book, but I also felt a wide range of emotions reading the book so I know I emotional attached to the characters and story. I could go on about the story and relay every part, but I won't. What I will say that it is a well-rounded, complete and beautifully written story. Ms. Young did a good job of setting up future stories with the cast of side characters in this book. I really want to know Emery's story!! I see she is not next, but Bailey and Vaughn are that should be full of sexual tension if this book is any indication.

4Stars

*I Received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.*

The One Real Thing,  Samantha Young

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:  Romance.

Like thousands of readers I got sucked in to the magic of Samantha's romances by way of the wonderful Joss and Braden, and their book is still one of my all time favourites. Though that became a series it felt very much a stand alone romance, where this one feels much more about the Boardwalk people rather than just Jess and Cooper.
They’re a great couple but didn’t dominate the book, they got a little lost for me among the other present and  future characters.

Its still a great read though, still a tender and well thought out romance, with some mysteries, to puzzle out, such as what is Jess hiding ( I didn’t expect that!) and of course Cooper and his family issues.
I really enjoyed their story but it wasn’t the keep-me-glued-to-the-page sort that ODS was, where I just had to know how Joss and Braden would make it through. That one was a real tearjerker, where this is just one that has some sad parts and some happy ones, fun to read but not that angsty or emotional – and I do so love A and E in a read!
I kind of missed that and never felt really intensely connected to Jess and Coop, I knew of course they’d work through somehow, that's the point of romance reads after all – the HEA, but I never really got the feeling they might not make it, that they really were struggling, that there was a chance it wouldn’t work out.

Who really intrigued me from the first mention of them were Bailey and Vaughn...wow- the ST between those two jumps of the page! I Really, Really want to read their story, need to know just why they are so sharp with each other, and how Tom fits in. There doesn’t seem to be any real feeling between him and Bailey in contrast to her and Vaughn. 
Then there’s the mystery of Emery, why is she so quiet, and of course we only scratched the surface of Dahlia. And Jack, former BF to Cooper til he betrayed him so badly – will he be in later reads? I hope so, he’s got a family background ripe with blackmail and collusion.

So though the romance between Jess and Cooper was very good, it wasn’t great for me, but...its also brought in characters and a setting that's a terrific and tantalising intro to a new series so its still a good read.

Samantha's romance writing style very much reminds me of Karina Halle’s contemporary romances, another favourite author who often features the UK in her settings – great for us Brits who like to recognise places in stories. It makes them feel more real, even if its only a place we “know” about via news, web, tv etc.
This book isn’t a UK one, sadly :-( We’ve some great piers – UK boardwalks – and I’d have loved it to be set on one of those.

Stars: Four, a great intro to a new series, and I really want the Bailey/Vaughn story soon. there must be one for them mustn’t there?

ARC supplied by Netgalley and publisher 

“if you’re destined for true love, you’ll find it on the boardwalk.”

This book was adorable. Samantha Young has a perfect understanding of what a love story should be!

From the first page, I knew I was going to like this book. It had a smart heroine and a handsome hero who had a heart of gold.

When Jessica Huntington, the women's prison doctor, finds letters concealed in a book, she decides to read them. The letters are written by an inmate forty years ago. The woman was writing them to a man named George and explaining the reasons for leaving him and marrying someone else. In just a few letters, this woman put into words all her feelings for George. Jessica can't stop thinking about the heartache this couple had and she decides she wants to see George and give him the letters. After all, she has a vacation coming up and Hartwell sounds like a beautiful town to visit. Jessica soon discovers that the town is not the only thing which appeals to her, the owner of the bar is making her rethink her whole life.

“And for the first time in a very long time I wanted everything with a man.”

Cooper Lawson has learned from his past mistakes and he won't dismiss the feeling that he has a true connection with Jessica. He's attracted to her not only because she is beautiful and smart but because he can sense she is lonely and he wants to change that. He's determined to make her feel welcome and to make her smile more often. He also likes how she seems to fit just right in Hartwell. He hopes she will want to stay and be part of the town.

“The piece of the puzzle that had been missing … he’d found it.”

After finishing this book, I was ready to pack my bags and move to this beautiful town of Hartwell. As someone who lives close to the beach and find it quite peaceful, I was able to relate to Jessica. She was lonely and she needed help from a few people to discover the truth. I love how she opened up to the town and their people. She was also able to help many without realizing it. I wasn't crazy about pushing Cooper away but I can forgive her.

“I’m in this for the long haul, Doc.”

Cooper was everything a leading man should be. He was gracious, funny, sweet but also opened up about his feelings and he was assertive. He knew what he wanted and was ready to fight for it. He had me constantly swooning.

“you’ve made your mark. You made your mark on me.”

I'm super excited to read about the rest of the characters...there are so many I like and I want to see them happy stat!

“The piece of the puzzle that had been missing … he’d found it.”

Cliffhanger: No

4.5/5 Fangs

Working in a prison is certainly not a ‘pie’ job. However - Jessica chose this to give herself the chance to go home each day knowing that the work she did mattered to someone. Submersed in her job, Jessica spent very little time doing anything for sheer pleasure. Spontaneity wasn’t a word that Jessica would ever use to describe herself. Then an unexpected turn of events sends Jessica on a quest she never could have expected.

Letters…..it all started 40 yrs ago with letters written to someone dear that were hidden from prying eyes. Determined to find the rightful ’owner’, Jessica heads to the quaint town of Hartwell for a little rest and relaxation. As she settles in, a rain storm sends Jessica straight into the arms of fate. Well - actually its in the arms of Cooper Lawson.

For Cooper - life in Hartwell is a family affair. Generations of families have stayed in the quaint seaside town to raise their families. The pub that Cooper runs has been in his family for years. Jaded from a marriage that fell apart, Cooper never expected to settle down anytime soon. Then a storm helped push Jessica through the doors of his bar. An immediate attraction left Cooper realizing he couldn’t ignore what he felt for Jessica. The only problem……Jessica wasn’t planning on staying in Hartwell.

The One Real Thing led me on quite a journey. One that left me uncertain of exactly how to rate the book. There were times that the story seems stagnant and a bit boring. A lot of ‘been there, done that’. Other times - I was pulled into the story behind the letters, the attraction that Cooper had for Jessica, and the quaint towns folk that made for an interesting lot of secondary characters. So I found myself going back and forth over how to rate this one.

Hartwell definitely has quite the appeal for future books. After all - we are introduced to some very interesting folks in the town. Hopefully - the rest of the series picks up a bit more ‘meat to its bones’ and doesn’t fall into a plot that is convenient. Does that mean I disliked the book? Certainly NOT! Will I read more of the series?? Absolutely!! I really enjoy Samantha Young’s writing style, and it would be a treat to dive into all of her works. So - I will be patiently waiting to see where the lovely folks of Hartwell are headed with the next book!!

I loved Samantha Young's On Dublin Street series and, since it ended, I've been waiting to see what she would give us next. I've been excited about The One Real Thing since I first read the blurb. I'm such a sucker for small town settings and this one sounded magical and romantic. And you know what? It was.

I was totally wrapped up in this book from the first few pages. I loved Jessica. Her reasons for going to Hartwell might've been unconventional, but I enjoyed seeing how she and her life changed as a result of this trip. I know all about finding "home" in a place you never expected and about giving your life a little kickstart, so I felt like I really got her. And, let's be honest, I fell in love with pretty much everything about Hartwell, myself. From its romantic legend to its colorful characters to the setting in general, I adored it. I understood why Jessica did, too. Of course, Cooper played a part in that, even if Jessica didn't want to admit it in the beginning. He was so swoony. I'm not sure how Jessica was able to resist him as long as she did. But, that said, I loved how natural things were between them. Their chemistry was intense from the very start, but I still liked that they got to know each other and just ... became more.

All that said, there were a lot of secrets being kept in this book. Neither Jessica nor Cooper were exactly forthcoming when it came to the messier parts of their pasts. To some extent, I got it. But there was always a part of me screaming internally because I didn't want to see them screw things up in the present over their pasts. With those secrets came plenty of twists, too. I'm not often legitimately surprised in romance novels, but I was here.

I enjoyed this book so much. It was sexy and swoony as all get out. The small seaside town won me over – and so did most of its residents – and I can't wait to see more from both in the coming novels in this series. I'm already looking forward to Every Little Thing... Bailey and Vaughn FTW. Something tells me I might enjoy their story EVEN more. This was such a strong start to a great new series from a beloved author. I hope you'll pick this one up.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

4 Small Town Love Stars
I love Samantha Young. I will admit that I cried sad tears when her On Dublin Street series ended. I could have read tons more books in that series, but I was beyond excited and happy for The One Real Thing.

The One Real Thing is a standalone and it’s completely different from the On Dublin Street series. I feel like The One Real Thing is a bit tamer and more chick lit, but it still has the steam I crave for in any Samantha Young read.

Jessica isn’t an ordinary doctor. She was once a surgeon but now she’s the doctor at a women’s prison. She chooses to help people more than make the big bucks as a world class surgeon. Jessica is a good and sweet person. I loved that she is a doctor and I also love that she has a big heart. When she finds some old letters in one of the prison books and decides to take a three vacation to find the person the letters were written for.

She ends up taking a vacation in a small town. I love small town books. I think secretly because I want to live in a small town or that I’m a mega fan of Gilmore Girls. I love that everyone is in your business and I love all the quirky people.

Cooper owns the local pub on the boardwalk. He’s a simple man. He loves his pub and he loves his town. He has a sister he loves as well and his friends are his family. When he notices tourist Jessica, he realizes he wants her, even if she is a little flaky at first.

I love Cooper’s reaction to first meeting Jessica. It’s adorable and cute and I love it when the Hero pursues the Heroine. This is a meaty book so there’s plenty of character development and chemistry between the two main characters.

Of course, Cooper has a past, like a needy ex-wife and Jessica is a little closed off because of her past. I love the slow build between Jessica and Cooper. I felt like I could connect to the characters and the small town.

I found The One Real Thing refreshing, light and a little different from Samantha Young’s previous books. I like the new direction and I hope the next book is about Vaughn and Baily because I have a secret crush on him. Fingers crossed!

An ARC was provided

Young wrote an incredibly heartwarming and beautiful story that featured two well-developed characters, a magical, small beach town, and a slew of wonderful secondary characters. They say Hartwell is filled with magic and fate, and you get the same sense of feeling about THE ONE REAL THING. I fell in love with it all, instantly, and felt the romance not only in the story but in the way the words wrapped around you. They created an intricately woven love story not only between Jessica and Cooper, but between the town and its people, and the subjects of the long-lost love letters.

Jessica and Cooper are two peas in a pod; both un-wanting of attachments and open about what they want. But underneath that persona that Jessica carries around is a lot of blindness. Blindness about her life, about what she wants, and who she desires to be. Hartwell becomes not only the place to resurrect a decades past, long-forgotten romance, but a place to find new ones. Each supporting character is so vibrant and welcoming that it created a really warm novel in every aspect. Cooper, strong and forward, was a great yang to Jessica's yin. He complemented her well while also having the uncanny ability to help her bloom. Their love was amazing to bear witness to, and I fell in love with them just as I did with everyone else.

Young's writing and storytelling continue to get better with each book even when you swear she can't keep topping herself. Her skilled writing made THE ONE REAL THING what it is. It captivated me with the magical (and I don't mean actual magic) nature of the town, the people, and the slow, beautiful love that built between Jessica and Cooper. It had passion and beauty in every facet. I haven't had words to express the reason for my loving this book and I still don't think I do. (I am also ridiculously excited for the next installment because of the couple it features). There is no reason to not pick up this great story today; I'm positive you'll fall in love with its beauty and get wrapped up in the storytelling from the very first page.

The One Real Thing starts off with an intriguing story--a tragic story of unrequited love that Jessica discovers in some old letters hidden in a library book at the Women’s Correctional Facility where she is a doctor. On impulse, she decides to take her vacation in the hometown of the now deceased author of the letters, with the intention of taking the letters to their original intended recipient. I wanted a little more of this story, and was disappointed that it was all but abandoned once Jessica arrived in Hartwell.

There are so many characters that inhabit Hart’s Boardwalk. Most are interesting, engaging, funny, loyal, hard working, friendly, and charming--a few are a little more mysterious than others. I did enjoy all the characters, even the villains. There’s so much about them I need to know (why, Jack, why?). Much like her impulsive decision to travel to Hartwell, Jessica continues to impulsively make big life decisions and jump to conclusions, but she’s still a very likeable character. The various relationships move at warp speed, but the book moves slowly. In fact, the story really started to drag. Ms. Young does an excellent job conveying emotions of the characters; the chemistry between Cooper and Jessica was apparent from the very start. The storyline involving Cooper’s ex-wife worked at the beginning, and was useful for certain plot purposes, however, it continued on far too long. I could have lived with all of these minor issues, and really enjoyed this book, if not for the major conflict. The surrounding melodrama and hysteria didn't work for me, at all. I found myself rolling my eyes so hard, not something I've ever done while reading one of Ms. Young’s books in the past. I found that entire plot thread unbelievable, overwrought, and frankly, ridiculous.

Having read and loved Ms. Young's On Dublin Street series, I know she can, and will, do much better than this.

Review copy provided for an honest review.

Thank you to BERKLEY and Netgalley for providing a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Samantha Young kicks off the Hart’s Boardwalk series with her latest release, The One Real Thing. We’re introduced to a host of new characters in this installment, and I think we’re in for a treat over the next several books. Hart’s Boardwalk was as much of a character as any of the people in this series. You do have to stretch your imagination and let go to believe a place like this exists – we have gorgeous people living and/or working on this boardwalk (most of them single,) and they’ve all found success at a rather young age. But if you can do that, I think you’ll enjoy this read. Jessica and Cooper were likable enough characters, but I would have liked to feel more of a pull between them. On the upside, I love the way they fit into their little community, and they had great chemistry with their friends and family.

I did have a few issues with this one – I had a hard time respecting Jessica after she made the decision to leave her job with no notice, and once again, we have the hero who has made mistakes, but there was ‘a very good reason’ behind them. Just once I’d like Samantha Young to write a hero who lost it, made a colossal mistake without good intentions behind it, but learned his lesson and grew from it.

All of the characters in this series have that kindness about them that I’ve come to expect and enjoy from this author, and for me, this is the strongest book of hers I’ve read since On Dublin Street. I have been hoping to once again find the magic created with that book, and I feel like I got a glimpse of it with The One Real Thing. That, coupled with the heat between Bailey and Vaughn, makes me hopeful for the upcoming books in this series. Overall, this was a decent read, and it has me excited for the next installment!

This review was originally posted at Badass Book Reviews.

Reading a Samantha Young book is like coming home. There’s nothing quite as welcoming as picking up one of her books, knowing she’ll deliver on a swoony romance that will pack you in the feels. The One Real Thing was no different. Samantha Young delivers an achingly touching read.

Samantha Young is one of my go-to writers. Her On Dublin Street series and Hero are some of my favorite titles, ones that I have reread countless times, so when I heard she was writing a new series, I was over the moon. And she didn’t disappoint.

Jessica has only been existing and not living her life. Just going through the motions, being a the head doctor at a women’s correctional facility. Until she finds letters from an inmate, written years ago. The letters touch Jessica in a way she wasn’t expecting. And it’s because of those letters that she goes to this small boardwalk town to deliver the letters that were never sent.

But while there, Jessica gets a lot more than she ever thought.

She meets people, people who fight their way through the wall she’s built up. She sees life in a different light. She starts to live. And as she starts to live, she starts to slowly open up. She lets people in, people like Cooper.

Cooper has been put through the ringer by an ex-wife that doesn’t like not getting what she wants. But Cooper won’t let one failed relationship keep him from pursuing a relationship with Jessica.

But in order for their relationship to work completely, Jessica has to be honest about her past and stop running from all the good that life has to offer.

This was a great introduction to a new series, with a whole cast of lively characters. Small towns always are the best towns and I can’t wait to see more of it as the series goes on. Especially for the next book (an enemies to lovers)!!

I was drawn into this book immediately. I mean, a doctor in a women's prison finds decades old love letters and travels to a small seaside town to return them to their rightful owner, stumbling upon love along the way? That is not only up my alley, but it's basically exactly where I live. Meaning, this book was a sure thing for me and I was sucked into it almost immediately.

Then...I sort of lost my way in the middle a bit. There's a lot of exposition, a lot of characters introduced, and a lot of set-up for the continuation of the series, and I sometimes felt like the main points of this story got buried in all that. I loved the relationship between Jessica and Cooper, though I didn't always feel connected to it emotionally—and I'm not sure if it's because there were so many wonderful new relationships forged here, or if I found myself too drawn to the lovable secondary characters (Bailey and Vaughn, sparking all over the place). So, while I found their story interesting and fun to read, I didn't really feel it on a deep emotional level.

At least, not until very late in the game. Because while the middle may have dragged a bit, the ending brought me right back into the story and I was completely on board. So, perhaps a little uneven in its pacing, but still a wonderful story that more than delivered in the end.

I am excited to get peeks at where Cooper and Jessica go from here, and learn more about the other wonderful characters that were introduced in this story. Hart's Boardwalk is a quirky, fascinating place, and I really feel like there's a foundation for a really fantastic series here. I can't wait to see the adventures Ms. Young has in store for us! - 3.5 Stars

I have so many conflicted feelings right now because I love Samantha Young’s books a whole lot, Before Jamaica Lane will forever be in my heart as one of the best books of all time, her writing always takes me to the places she describes and my heart fall for the people in that world but this time I was not swept away like I have been in the past and I feel so sad about it.

Okay so I would like to start with the things that I liked, I liked the setting of the book a lot, I liked several characters if not most of them and the main male character was so well written.

What I did not like was the main female character and I think that caused me to not enjoy the book fully, she kept getting on my nerves and sometimes that’s good because it helps me connect with a character but in her case it was just so annoying. There was a particular part of the plot that felt out of place for me, I’m not going to be specific here because of spoilers but I felt very uncomfortable by it because the characters that this particular twist involved never gave any inkling as to have that kind of behavior in them, I don’t understand where that was coming from, like I can understand their feelings but not their actions.

The fact that I didn’t absolutely loved this book doesn’t mean I’m not going to continue on with the series, on the contrary, I’m very much looking forward to next one I think is going to be so so good.

Rating: 4.5

The One Real Thing is the first installment of Samantha Young’s new series, Hart's Boardwalk.

Dr. Jessica Hunting works at the Woman’s Correctional facility. She knows to never attach her personal life with the inmate’s, but all that changes when she comes across of several old love letters inside the prison’s library. Unable to forget about the letters, she takes a journey to Hartwell to deliver them to the recipient and soon finds her charmed not just by the town, but the sexy owner of the local bar.

Chemistry flows between Jessica and Cooper, but she’s reluctant to open herself up even when their attraction keeps on growing.



Cooper will have to convince her that there’s only one real thing worth flighting for…

Samantha Young did a wonderful job with the pace of the story and chemistry between the main characters. I love the charm of the small town, Hartwell and the secondary characters who showed up from time to time. Unfortunately, I felt like certain part of the story seemed to lose momentum and then pick up again. Overall, I believe that Ms. Young written a fantastic plot and I love the all the characters she’s created.

I look forward to her next installment and I’m hoping it’ll be about Tremaine and Bailey! 



Reviewed on Behalf of Once Upon An Alpha

**ARC for Honest Review**

This story was AMAZING, INTENSE and MIND BLOWING! and that is putting it lightly. I love the whole feel of the town and how she got there. At first I thought this story has so much heart break how can I deal and that was just from the letters and legend of the Boardwalk! I looooove Jess and Coop’s relationship even when they are fighting it is THAT GOOD! I was cracking up laughing when she was on his back like a monkey. Also I was scared history would repeat itself and they wouldn’t get their HEA! I can not get over Bailey and Vaughn either I AM BEYOND!!!! excited for their story like NO LIE! I am wide eyed and drooling for MARCH! lol My heart was breaking when Jess finally opened up and told Coop the story. It sucks when you are trying to hold yourself together but when you fall in love you have to consider your person’s feelings too but how can you when you are barely holding on! It was so intense like just WOW! I wonder if Jack and Coop will ever be friends and who Emery will end up with and Dahlia and I want to know more about Ivy. LOVED this story so much and I love how Samantha Young pulls you in and doesn’t let you go until the very last sentence of the book! GAH! more more more lol i need novellas extra scenes WHATEVER! lol This series is going to be the BOMB DOT COM! love love love <3

“If you’re destined for true love, you’ll find it on the boardwalk”

The One Real Thing is such a moving and romantic story, I could not put the book down. I was sucked in from the very beginning... from the moment when she found the “vintage copy of Pride and Prejudice”…

“The moment I met Cooper Lawson felt exactly like that hot shower after a very long, cold storm.“

It is the first book I read by Samantha Young, and did not know what to expect. I found her writing flawless and her attention to details mesmerising. Jessica and Cooper’s love story captivates you and the atmosphere of the small town of Hartwell makes you feel even closer to the characters. Despite Jessica and Cooper being the two main characters, as a reader you felt drawn to the other characters and wanted to learn more about them. SY created successfully this family feeling, this feeling that easily makes you feel like you could belong to Hartwell.

Cooper ***SWOON** The chemistry between him and Jessica was off the charts!

“you are inside me and always will be”

The one real thing was an enjoyable, intense, hot and steamy read that put a smile on my face.

The One Real Thing by Samantha Young is the first book in her brand new Hart's Boardwalk series. Told in dual POV with a happy ending, it is a beautiful story of love overcoming a dark past and troubling insecurities and a town coming together to best the bad guys.

This story focuses on Cooper, the local bar owner, and a visitor in town, Jessica, who is looking to reconnect some old letters to their intended recipient. What Jessica finds is a small town that feels like home and friends she never knew she needed and learns she can't live without.

Cooper has been burned before but he is pretty down to earth and doesn't let one persons mistakes taint his view (too much) of other people in his life. Jessica has been through hell and it doesn't show. She has had so many years to bury her past that it's only on the anniversary of her sister's passing that she can't keep it all blocked away. Unfortunately that coincides with her time at Hart's Boardwalk and Coopers arms and she starts to shut down again.

This was such an engaging and beautiful story. A great introduction to Hartwell and all of it's inhabitants and I'm so excited to see that Bailey and Vaughn's story is next in the series.

Samantha Young never disappoints. She has this way of making me utterly adore her characters, so when I heard that she was writing a brand new series I jumped at the chance to read it. It was perfect timing for me because I was craving a feel good love story!

When Dr. Jessica Huntington finds some letters hidden in a book in the women's correctional institute she works at they draw her to a seaside town, and little does she know she's about to run into Cooper Lawson. Not only does she run into the super sexy bar owner, but she seems to hit it off with everyone in the town and before she knows it she feels at home.

Young didn't just make Jessica fall in love with this close knit seaside town, but she made me fall as well. There is such an alluring aspect to this story, with all the elements that come into play. The characters, boardwalk, and the beach just make everything so romantic! I was so enchanted by this book every step of the way, as the people of Hartwell say, “if you’re destined for true love, you’ll find it on the boardwalk.”

A fantastic and enthralling start to a brand new series for Young.

Now give me more! *grabby hands*

✦Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: THE ONE REAL THING by Samantha Young [...]
Publication Date: September 6, 2016
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 4 Stars

REVIEW:
The One Real Thing was a great start to Samantha Young's new romance series, The Hart's Boardwalk Series. I'm hooked and will be grabbing each book as they come out. Each book in this series will be standalones about different couples in this little seaside town Smanatha Young has created. The details and descriptions made me feel like I was in Hartwell and interacting with all the people who lived there. I loved Jessica and Cooper together. The romance was slow building, but steamy and the storyline drew me into the characters lives. I love this new town with unique and interesting characters. The One Real Thing was a beautifully written love story. I can't wait to visit Hartwell again when the next book comes out.

*Review copy provided by Penguin in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! I have other books by Samantha Young that were a hit for me so this should have not come as a surprise that I loved this one too!
I loved the mystery and behind Jessica and her family as well as her choice of work and the ease of Copper even though he was dealing with past issues(ex-wife) as well.
The small little town of Heartwell made me want to go seek it out and live there! I loved all the characters int is (with he exception of a few)( and all the mystery behind some of the characters. Everyone was was well developed weather it be a side character or a main one and the chemistry between Coop and Jessica? outstanding(pun for those who read the book intended).
I will def be re-reading this one and hope that this is not a stand alone! I am obsessed with this town and the people in it and want to know more!

I thought the reason why Jessica ends up in Hartwell was unique and had me crying right from the first letter. While on vacation she becomes close to several store owners on the boardwalk, including Cooper. Jessica reevaluates her life after seeing how close knit the community is. Samantha Young’s writing is beautiful and brilliant. Jessica is strong and resilient. Cooper is successful, hot and has some mouth. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.

AUDIO BOOK REVIEW: To start, the narrators for The One Real Thing were wonderful. Factor in these great voices, Jessica and Cooper were great characters, ones that I really fell for. Jessica frustrated me a bit on her lack of trust for other people, especially Cooper at times. I wanted to scream, "JUST FREAKING TELL US YOUR SECRET!!" The supporting cast was fun and I can't wait for all of them to get their own books, well I hope they get their own books. This was an ARC.

I was lucky enough to win this book from Goodreads and really enjoyed it. There are quite a few loveable characters, a beautiful setting and of course a shady underhanded villain. The story centers on Jessica who is hiding a dark secret under her charming lovable exterior and it keeps coming between her and a happily ever after- will she ever be able to truly become one of the residents of Heartwell without truly letting them in?

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

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

The One Real Thing was good it was interesting but I didn't completely care about the feelings or emotions of our h/h or believe that they were adults.

They were too young minded and not unaware of the depth it takes to be a part of this journey.

Still the idea was interesting and it was good and it was unique because not a lot of authors go where Young went in this installment to her Boardwalk series.

I wanted more seriousness and less silliness. It didn't need as much comedy and fall back puns to fill the space because this could have been much more intense than it was as a personal exploration. I wanted more humanity, more soul.

It had that potential to go there but it didn't quite plant the seed and make it grow but its there as an under current.

3 Stars

- Krissys Bookshelf Reviews

Disclaimer: Received a print copy in exchange for an honest review

I love Samantha Young's stories. I cannot get enough of her characters that she creates. Jessica and Cooper drew me right in from the beginning. I loved the journey that these characters take throughout the story!

The writer who wrote the hit series "On Dublin Street Series "Samantha Young does it again !! , this book opens a new series of books (Hart's Boardwalk) which I have no doubt will be successful series also. The book is highly recommended !!

As always Samantha nailed it!
Loved Jessica and Cooper story!
I always feel this connection to Samantha's characters,she can give them so much depth,there's no way you won't fall in love with them!
Can't wait for the next stories in the series!