* * * 1/2
Hartwell, Delaware—the perfect place to get away from it all, and find what you never knew you needed…
Bailey Hartwell has many reasons to feel content—her successful business, a close circle of friends, and her steady boyfriend…even if their romance feels staid after ten years without a serious commitment. The only challenge in her life comes in the form of sexy businessman Vaughn Tremaine. She thinks the ex-New Yorker acts superior and that he considers her a small-town nobody. But when Bailey’s blindsided by a betrayal, she’s shocked to discover Vaughn is actually a decent guy.
Vaughn admires Bailey’s free spirit, independence, and loyalty. As his passion for her has grown, his antagonism toward her has only worsened. Every little thing Bailey does seduces him. But when Vaughn’s painful emotional past makes him walk away in fear he will hurt her, it opens an old wound in Bailey, and she uncharacteristically retreats.
Once Vaughn begins to realize he’s made the biggest mistake of his life, he has no choice but to fight like he’s never fought before to convince Bailey that the love they’ve found together only comes around once in a lifetime.
Source: advance e-galley provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
I'm partial to the enemies-to-friends trope so jumping into the latest offering from Samantha Young was time well spent for me. She brings us back to the friendly town of Hartwell, where everyone knows everyone and they all look out for each other. Bailey being a descendent of the town's founding family feels a special protectiveness towards her home and isn't afraid to stand up to those who might tamper with its integrity and history. That includes going head-to-head with Vaughn Tremain, a successful businessman who has made his residence in Hartwell. The locals' first impression of him was when purchased hotel property along the boardwalk - a highly coveted tourist attraction. Even though he has respected the much-loved aesthetics of the boardwalk thus far, many of the residents still view him as an outsider, a snooty, rich businessman who looks down on the townies. Their opinion of him isn't aided by the fact that he and Bailey who runs the longstanding family inn, are constantly at odds.
A story like this can only be good if the players are evenly matched and they certainly are here. Bailey and Vaughn trade barbs and insults so easily it's like watching a fun and intense tennis match. There's an advantage to being older and wiser in this romance because you know what you're willing to compromise on and what's not up for negotiation. I enjoyed how Bailey would get so riled up by Vaughn that she'd sometimes back herself into a corner thanks to those inadvertent sexual innuendos. Vaughn doesn't escape unscathed either. Every interaction they have only makes him realize that no other woman lights his fire the way she does.
My fondness for them as a couple is a turnaround because I wasn't all that keen on Bailey in the first book (The One Real Thing) where I found her personality to be rather nosey and intrusive sometimes. In this book, she readily admits to her shortcomings in that area and that she's working on respecting people's spaces as evidenced by her growing friendship with Emery, the painfully shy and quiet coffee shop owner. Every Little Thing shows her as a thoughtful and loyal friend with a big heart who always wants to look after others.
I think Young stepped it up here and I'm sure it's because these two characters gave her plenty of material at her disposal. Bailey and Vaughn have this playful and heated chemistry that translates well when they do come together, especially in the bedroom. As far as he goes, Vaughn is not so much the alpha-male as he is a genuinely decent guy. One of my favourite aspects of his particular storyline is his relationship with his father, something I pleasantly surprised by.
Every Little Thing has the humour, sexual tension and good feels that'll wrap around you quite nicely. It might even tempt you to seek out a quiet getaway in a place like Hartwell. Add it to your TBR list now!
~ Bel
To celebrate the release of Every Little Thing, there's a special giveaway where you can win one set of Samantha Young's other series, On Dublin Street. Yes, you could win all 6 books in the series and they're seriously good! Open internationally - good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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