Sarah HeggerBesprekingen

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

Lucy Flint ran away from home 9 years ago and left a mess behind. When she returns to her hometown, it appears that no one is happy and everyone is still holding a grudge, including her parents. The only thing that seems to be keeping Lucy together is a person she keeps calling on the phone in Seattle named Mads. As the book progresses, it's revealed why Lucy ran away and what she's been up to since.

I actually liked the way the author portrayed Lucy's path to redemption but was annoyed that we never found out what's wrong with her father and why he was such a bastard other than he was "sick and getting worse." It was a sweet romance but I wouldn't say it was the main theme of the book.

Overall, I liked the book but was a bit frustrated with too many and yet not enough details. Worth a read though, I think.

Its a good book, interesting plot and well developed characters.
An arranged marriage except the bride goes missing and the independent sister gets to take the brides place. Some humor too, i enjoyed.

I didn't like the hero at all, he doesn't think he's good enough for her but I just didn't like him.

I FLOVED [b:Positively Pippa|32018234|Positively Pippa (Ghost Falls, #1)|Sarah Hegger|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1474646438s/32018234.jpg|52657660] so I was really looking forward to this second in the series. I have a couple things to get out of the way first. Yes, that's a lot of knit on the cover. Also yes, the models look significantly younger than the characters, who are in their early 30s. And also yes I really love how Sarah Hegger does multi-dimensional worlds and characters. And finally, my final qualifier before I go spoiler-y is that this book does not warn me in any way that some of it would be so....serious. The subject matter that was quite serious was stalking, and that's in the blurb, and it's pretty clear for the outset that's what Bella will be dealing with.
So, Bella is working on coming out of her shell and stepping up her game on life, she's making new friends, attempting to date some, and get over her life-long crush and love on Nate, who is Matt's (who is like a mega-hero if you like the sweet type) younger brother from Positively Pippa. We already know Nate is attractive and reformed, but still a little wild and not up to settling down. But he's also steady. His reasons and background on this are already clear from the prior book, once again, but it's all retold in a shorter version here as well. It's easy to see why the Evans boys are a little screwy on relationships and underestimate their self-worth.

Bella starts out in the beginning of this book dating another man, Adam, who is obsessive and winds up stalking her. The stalking escalated quickly, but I do not feel it was dealt with in a trite manner in any sense. If I found disbelief with anything on this particular plot line it was that Bella was believed and warned immediately. Nate is the sheriff, formerly of the unit dealing with special victims so I guess it all works out there. The stalking doesn't only escalate quickly it wraps up completely, no loose ends - very tidily. Not necessary, I have to say, once again. it didn't detract from the book, but it kind of did. Heavy spoiler Bella was kidnapped and almost sliced so ends up traumatized. And I just thought was this heavy of a plot twist worth it? these plot points did give Nate time to show his true character and the depth of his love so it worked. I thought Bella was a great character with relatable struggles, so that worked. What else worked? These characters. We saw our old favorites and they continue to be wonderfully drawn...

What didn't? The relationship felt a little too casual to me the whole time. And Bella is being stalked so some moments with him and bella felt to me like "timing dude!" In other words predatory. But he is a bit of a predatory character, frankly--not in a disgusting way just in a "yep, I'll get what I want way." This REALLY wouldn't have worked if Bella and Nate hadn't known one another for 27 years. But they did so it was fine. Fine. Not great. Just fine.

Post-traumatic even under spoiler above...I was worried the author would gloss over the issue, they love each other, HEA. She didn't. I will continue to wonder if that takes away from the book, but certainly glad it wasn't treated as trite. overall, this doesn't even come close to Positively Pippa for me, it was a solid 3 trending to 3.5. The main reason for this was the relationship tension wasn't tightly woven. It was more off/on again which was kind of crazy-making.

**10/5 noticed this one is on sale for $0.99 from Kobo, if anyone's interested! I liked it!!

This book is a romance between 30-somethings that reads like a romance between 30 year olds, including their doubts and families…novel of all novelties.

Matt and Pippa. Their families. I mean, here we have established human beings, a little lost for different reasons (one Hollywood-style ejected, one suffocated by his familial obligations in the small town because: life) But they LOVE and CARE for their families. And they have struggles with their families. It’s like they are 30-somethings without a whole lotta drama (well, an emotionally manipulative mother I suppose) and they don’t even try to invent it! Conflict, absolutely. Life-changing decisions, sure. But this book is generally free of the invented drama that plagues romance.

The slight spoiler: breakup is done quickly, mutually, and maturely, and even with a good bit regret. Their quest to get back together is a bit more fraught with lack of communication, which I found a bit disappointing.

One of the only more manipulative plot developments was on Phi’s (Pippa's beloved Grandma) stroke, but it was interesting in that it healed Pippa’s family and solidified Pippa’s decision, but created a bit of a rift and conflict between the couple

The only issue I had with this book were probably the last 2-3 chapters. It was so full of life and love, it was warm, but then it came time to wrap up all the subplots. Eh, this was less successful than how sucked into the family dynamic I was, how charming the characters were, etc. In fact, it’s a series so I guess I don’t see why it was necessary to rush all the subplots to conclusion in the very end of the book. Ultimately and unfortunately, it was clicking in 5 star territory for me before that. Minor characters were given more prominence than necessary to the central plot in the last few pages, and it was one of the most disappointing declarations of love I’ve read. Credit where it’s due, that was probably quite consistent with Matt’s character.

Good sex scenes, some chuckling from me...it's still a solid 4-star. If you don't want to get caught up in a lot of focus on family-related & career subplot, skip it. For me, it just made these characters more flawed, relatable, and lovable.

I don't usually do content warnings because I'm not organized and end up not doing them justice.

But this book is fully of abusive family members and those with addiction problems. And umm, I didn't particularly care what it did with class.

The odd thing is that I loved it-the rich secondary characters and the full town dynamic. I loved that the hero (Eric) was a super dickhead and that Blythe had ended her cyclical, unfulfilling relationship with him. I couldn't wait to see Eric pay his dues and deserve Blythe. And Blythe getting what she had earned and deserved in so many ways.

If it sounds like a complex set up, that's because it was. Eric and Blythe have a long history-and though Blythe has known her feelings run deeper where Eric is concerned, she's also done. The opening scenes are well done, the morning after a booty call and she wakes up and tells him briefly, again, that they are through. He's annoyed, doesn't believe her and goes about his day. He continues to act like such an entitled dick for probably more than 50% of the book. She means it this time, though, for her own good and the good of her younger siblings.

"Let me speak of my darling Eric instead. Commitment issues are so passe, don't you find?"

See, Eric could never, would never, publicly claim Blythe. And there's no reason for it other than her clothes in high school, she's thought of as a bitch, and she's from an infamously rough family. I mean, I guess Eric finds that to be a reason. And he continues not to claim her, and she refuses to take anything from him for fear of the gold-digging label. That first half of the book is really Eric coming to terms with the after of Blythe, and its culmination is GLORIOUS. The break up a month after the break up made me weepy.

But there's a catch. Because at 70% I began hating this book. The class divide wasn't just money, it was a divide of 'good and bad' and those who were the "have-nots" were the exception if they got out and stayed straight and successful. In this book, the working poor often looked like they were also terrible people, unable to maintain a moral compass in the face of economic pressures.

But there was more. Blythe's brother Brett was released from prison. As much as I want to believe in rehabilitation, I also believe in a victim's rights. Nah, I'm not talking about the legal angle. I'm talking about the man you love refraining from telling you you are wrong about someone who went to prison a couple years prior for breaking your arm.

"I really don't want to fight with you about this. I know how much he triggers you, but I think you're wrong about Brett." I can see what Hegger was going for here, but I would've rather it not come from a paternal and wrong-minded action on behalf of the hero. There was GOOD stuff surrounding the abuse and the abuser, but there's also this. And this undermined it. Not to mention, the heroine just kept being wrong. About everyone. And I'm exhausted for her.

In the end, I'm not sure I was convinced Eric had earned her. And I'm not convinced that some of the dynamics didn't suffer based on outsider value judgments. Boy, did this end up wrong for me.

2.5 stars.

Becoming Bella by Sarah Hegger
Ghost Falls #2

From first page to last I was engaged. I could not put this book down. The plot, location, characters and story pulled me in and made me want to join the people described. I love a book that makes me feel, think, care and leaves me wanting to read the next book in the series because I just have to find out who will have their story told next. There are so many characters I want to know more about and I am eager to find out if it will be Daniel or Simon or Gaby or one of the Evans siblings that still has not found their special someone. It was a great cast of characters with so much going for it!

Bella has loved Nate for decades and finally has decided to move on not only from him but by creating something new. She is ready to stand up for herself, better define herself, make her business into what her vision of it truly is, make some new friends and oh so much more. Little did she know that one of the ten items on her to-do list for Christmas would land her with a stalker – a nasty sicko psycho creepy – though very handsome guy. This is not your typical holiday romance but it is a romance and a very good one. There might be triggers if stalking, kidnapping and potential torture is not your thing but it is a small portion of a story that it works within. I don’t want to say more BUT will say I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thank NetGalley and Kensington Books-Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars½

Releasing Henry by Sarah Hegger
Sir Arthur Legacy #5

Have you ever read a book and found yourself immersed in and almost part of the story? That is what happened to me while reading the story of Alya and Henry. Why? Well, there was much that correlated with and paralleled my own story. In what ways you ask? Well…I married and moved to a foreign country, a country where the native tongue was not my own, where food was different, where culture was very different and where I was and will always be considered “ajnabeeyee” - or – foreign. Miscommunication can happen easily and in a marriage of two dissimilar cultures both husband and wife must want the marriage to work and then make sure that there is open honest communication and trust and commitment. As Alya and Henry found out…it is not always easy and pain can and will occur if for any reason one or more of these needed aspects of marriage are missing.

This is a story of a man who has suffered much and in so doing has changed in many ways but who has also managed to retain his honor. It is a story of a woman raised in Cairo who leaves but is unsure of what her future holds in store for her. It is a story of love that grows and a relationship that needs to be nurtured. It is also a story of pain of some sort for just about everyone in the story. And, it is a story of family – a strong family that starred in the previous four books and emerged again in the finale of the series strong and loving and all that family should be.

I loved this book for many reasons. I moved from California to the Middle East when I married and so understand Alya perhaps better than some might who read this book. It hits home in so many ways…both my home of birth and the one I moved to and now live in (Lebanon). And, the truths in this story are many if the reader is willing to see them and one of the most compelling is that no matter what their ethnicity or religious beliefs people are much the same and both good or bad and ugly spirited are found in throughout history and all cultures.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books-Lyrical Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Roger’s Bride by Sarah Hegger
Sir Arthur’s Legacy Series #4

Roger may have been Kathryn’s choice for her sister to marry but sometimes things don’t quite go as planned. When her sister runs away Roger & Kathryn pursue her and on their trip see one another in a new light. Kathryn is leery of marriage after seeing her parents’ life together but Roger persuades her in innumerable ways to take a chance on him as a husband.

I loved the dialogue, Roger and Kathryn together, the way someone gets their comeuppance and everything about this book. It made me smile and feel and care and not want the story to finish. I have read a few of the books in the series and hope to find the others to read in the future. I wonder who will have their story told next and am eager to find out – perhaps Henry?

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC. This is my honest review.

4.5 Stars½

Wow…just WOW! What a wonderful story!

Two people not expecting much find so much more than expected in this story of an arranged marriage. William, a younger son, wants land and marries Alice to get it. He brings wealth and charm to begin his new life in charge of the demesne that comes with marrying Alice. Alice, married three times already, has few positive expectations for marriage but sincerely desires a child and as a good daughter does as her father requests.

William is a charmer. He is a wonderful book boyfriend and just what Alice and Tarnwych needs. He begins to see and set to rights the things that have not been taken care of and in so doing brings out the best in his wife, his lands and the people who inhabit them. Alice has been raised in such a way that she is rather clueless and almost more monastic than worldly but William sees something in her, a spark, that he encourages and eventually manages to turn into a burning flame.

There are hurdles to jump, evil to overcome, love to find and a happily ever after to pursue – great story! This is the first book by this author that I have read but it will definitely not be my last!

Thank you to Net Galley and Kensington Books for the copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is another enjoyable novel in the Willow Park series. The characters are likable and well developed. I loved the alpha geek hero! The story is well written and paced with moments of humor. I enjoyed seeing how the other Hunter brothers are doing since their respective books. I would love to see a continuation of Josh's story in a novella or another book. I can't wait to read more by Ms. Hegger. Highly recommend.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

An awesome read! Holly Partridge has been taking care of her sisters for as long as she can remember. Now with her sister off her meds and missing, Holly finds herself facing the one man she never wanted to see again. Josh Hunter has a reputation. One he's earned in the past but is trying to change. But when Holly Partridge comes barreling back into Willow Park and Josh's life, that's not the easiest thing to do. This is a wonderful story of the stresses of caring for your family and the effects that responsibility can have on the rest of your life. I would definitely recommend this one!

Excellent book! Very different from anything I've read lately and it grabbed me from the very beginning. This is a new to me author and it appears this is her first venture into contemporary work. Well, from my point of view, job well done. I will definitely be looking for more from this author.

This is a story of a young woman who hasn't lived her life the best way she could have. She has a lot to atone for and she is back in Willow Park to not only help her mother care for her father, but to apologize to the people she has hurt most in her life.

I think this one should go on everyone's must read list. I highly recommend it.

A great story! This is a very well thought out and well written book. Centering on bi-polar disease, this novel is not a light read. It is deep, emotional and gripping. The characters are relatable and multifaceted with everyday family issues and secrets along with deeper seated personal issues. The emotions of the main characters are intense and, at times, dramatic. I loved how Josh was portrayed. Ms Hegger's books have become a welcome departure from the standard romance novel. I highly recommend this one as well as Nobody's Angel. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

ARC received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this complicated romance. There really was a whole lot of story packed into this novel. I really do like the fact that this series isn't afraid to touch upon difficult subjects, including mental illness in this book. I do wish that the story focused on the romance between Holly and Josh a bit more than it did. This book really felt like it was more about Holly's family issues than anything else but I did enjoy the overall story.

Holly is the oldest of four sisters and has always held the role of protector. In fact she has almost raised her two youngest sisters, Portia and Emma, along with help from her sister, Grace. When Portia disappears from their home in London, Canada, Holly goes to Chicago to find her. Portia is mentally ill and has not been taking her medication so Holly has a lot to worry about and only one clue....Josh.

Josh is attractive and he knows it. He tries hard to be a good person and not take advantage of anyone. When he runs into Holly, he is shocked and is quickly pulled into her quest to find her sister. The pair soon develop feelings for each other but Holly isn't sure that she can fit a relationship into her life along with all the responsibilities that she has in caring for her sisters.

I really liked the story and all of the characters but felt that the romance took a back seat to the drama involving Holly's sisters. At times, Holly's sisters seemed like stronger characters than Holly since their needs really took over the book. I really wanted more romance in this story. I didn't feel the chemistry between Josh and Holly that I had hoped for. I actually think that the pair were more interesting before they found Holly's sister. Of course, they never seemed to be alone together after that happened. As each sister appeared on the page, the chemistry seemed to weaken. I wanted their actions to show what they felt for each other instead of needing to be told.

I did enjoy reading this book quite a bit. This is the second book in the Willow Park series but it can definitely be read as a stand alone novel. The only thing that this book shares with the first is the setting and a few of the characters. I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as the first book in the series but it was certainly a worthwhile read. I would recommend this book and found it to be a very easy to read and entertaining story. I plan to continue reading this series and look forward to other works by Sarah Hegger.

I received an advance reader edition of this book from Kensington Books - Zebra via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review.

Wow! Fabulous! This is a very well thought out and well written book. The characters are relatable and multifaceted. Although there are a few lines of humor, this story is not a light read. It is deep and emotional. Almost every character seemed to have some kind of issue but none as publicly displayed as Lucy's. I believe this is the best written novel I have read so far this year. Ms. Hegger's descriptions of the bitter Chicago winter are very realistic. I felt as if I were right there too. If you are looking for more than sunshine and lollipops, I highly recommend this book. I can't wait to read Josh's story.

ARC received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Lovely entertaining book with strong characters. I consider it an easy reading medieval romance with funny moments.
I like Sir Guy, the mysterious warrior and loyal husband. He didn't talk much, but he acted like a hero.
Also, I love Lady Helena’s volcanic and stubborn temper and the provocations she had to face.
This is a story worth reading. Once you've started won’t let the book down.
This is my first book by Sarah Hegger, but won’t be the last. Thank you for the great reading!

“Time to be wooed. Wooed with honeyed words and sweeter touches. Delightful tingles spread to Beatrice’s fingertips, rushed back again, and pooled in her stomach.”

Sweet Bea follows a young Lady Beatrice on her journey to London to warn her father of false charges set against him and at the same time falling more in love with Garrett, a man who is hell-bent on getting revenge for what Lady Beatrice’s father had done in the past with the means of turning the man’s youngest daughter into a whore like his mother had been forced to do to keep them fed. And later in the story, his intentions change to something more than he ever would have thought about.

Lady Beatrice was spoiled and naïve, but she was also kind and would not leave anyone behind. On her way to London, she gave coins to poor women and their children, rescued a whore from cruel men, and aided a young boy. She was willing to put herself in danger numerous times to help someone else. She is an admirable character.

Garret, I wasn’t so sure about him. I honestly didn’t like him, but I am forgiving of his character. He’s flawed like a real person and that alone is admirable to say the least. I did enjoy Tom and Ivy.

Overall, Sweet Bea is a journey of a story. I would give this book four out of five stars.

4.5 stars.