A GIRL LIKE YOU (Magnolia Sound #2) by Samantha Chase-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 11, 2019

Sam Westbrook has always been the family hell-raiser, but as an adult he’s enjoyed not being under the constant watchful eye of his family. That was until his great-grandfather passed away. Forced to move to the small coastal town of Magnolia Sound, Sam can’t escape the reputation that has followed him since his teenage years. But he’ll have to do it to get his inheritance.

Shelby Abbott was always the good girl – it’s what happens when you’re the pastor’s daughter in a small town. Now, she’s ready to leave that image behind. For years she’s heard about wild Sam Westbrook, but she never though she would be the one to catch his eye. And being the center of Sam’s attention ins’t something Shelby ever prepared for.

Sam’s time in Magnolia Sound has an expiration date and Shelby’s not sure she’s the kind of girl who can be just another one of his flings. But Sam’s ready to make some changes. And a girl like her is just who he needs.

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REVIEW: A GIRL LIKE YOU is the second instalment in Samantha Chase’s contemporary, adult MAGNOLIA SOUND romance series focusing on the Westbrook family of Magnolia Sound, North Carolina. This is town bad-boy and landscaper, and librarian / pastor’s daughter Shelby Abbott’s story line. A GIRL LIKE YOU can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Shelby and Sam) A GIRL LIKE YOU follows Sam Westbrook, in the aftermath of his great grandfather Ezekiel’s death, and the subsequent inheritance of Ezekiel Coleman’s landscaping business. When Hurricane Amelia destroyed a large portion of Magnolia Sound, Sam Westbrook found himself working diligently for the business, of which, he wanted nothing to do. A caveat of his great grandfather’s will forced our hero to remain in Magnolia Sound for one year otherwise he loses the business to his cousin Mason. Meeting Shelby Abbott found Sam focusing on a possible future in Magnolia Sound, but a future that began to crumble before it all began. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Shelby and Sam, and the potential fall-out as sins from the past try desperately to push Sam out of Shelby’s life.

Sam Westbrook no longer lived or worked in Magnolia Sound. A lifetime of sins, boyhood pranks, and teenaged misbehaving had not endured our hero to the people of Magnolia Sound. Memories ran deep, forgiveness came at a price, a price that would force Sam to walk away from the woman he loved. Shelby Abbott is the preacher’s daughter, and thusly she found herself oft-times focusing on the loneliness of doing good, all the time, Meeting Sam Westbrook stirred something deep within our story line heroine, something she hadn’t felt in a very long time.

The relationship between Sam and Shelby is one of immediate attraction but Sam doesn’t recognize our heroine the first time they meet. Believing she wasn’t worthy of Sam’s playboy reputation, Shelby once again begins to withdrawal into herself until she discovers that Sam’s attraction is a palpable as hers. The $ex scenes fade to black and are mostly implied.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Sam’s twin sister Mallory and her fiancé Jake (Remind Me #1); their cousin Mason Bishop; Sam and Mallory’s mother Susannah Coleman and her boyfriend Colton ; Shelby’s parents Steve and Caroline Abbott; her best friend and co-worker Laney as well as an assortment of small-minded townies who do not forgive or forget very easily.

A GIRL LIKE YOU is a story of condemnation and forgiveness; family and friendship; struggle, acceptance, and love. The premise is sweet and entertaining; the romance is charming and engaging; the characters are likable, colorful and energetic. A GIRL LIKE YOU is a delightful story readers are sure to enjoy.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

Sunkissed Days
Remind Me
A Girl Like You

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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New York Times and USA Today Bestseller/contemporary romance writer Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan’s Return, in November 2011. Although she waited until she was in her 40’s to publish for the first time, writing has been a lifelong passion. Her motivation to take that step was her students: teaching creative writing to elementary age students all the way up through high school and encouraging those students to follow their writing dreams gave Samantha the confidence to take that step as well.

When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading contemporary romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in NorthCarolina.