Tag Archives: The Donovans

Charm Me (The Donovans 4) by Samantha Chase-review tour

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Charm Me (The Donovans 4) by Samantha Chase-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 23, 2023

There isn’t anyone in Laurel Bay he hasn’t been able to charm.
But charming a baby is a whole different story.

Life has never been better for Jamie Donovan. Always has been. And now that it’s his turn to take charge of the family pub, he truly feels like everything in his life is just the way it’s supposed to be. Or it was until an early morning knock on his door ended with a baby on his doorstep. The man who can normally charm his way out of any situation doesn’t know the first thing about taking care of a baby and running a business. And so he turns to his siblings for help.

And once they tell him their solution, he wishes he’d never asked for help.

Fallon Murphy has always prided herself on being good with people. In all her life, she’s only met one person she hasn’t been able to get along with. Unfortunately, their parents are best friends and avoiding him just wasn’t a choice. When his sister calls stating an emergency, the last thing Fallon expects is to find an abandoned baby – one that belong to Jamie. As much as she’d love nothing more than to see Jamie fail at something, she would never put an innocent child at risk.

They’re rivals.
Sworn enemies.
And now…roommates.
Can one small baby help turn adversaries into lovers? Or maybe even…a family?

•••••

REVIEW:CHARM ME is the fourth instalment in Samantha Chase’s contemporary, adult THE DONOVANS romance series. This is bartender Jamie Donovan, and Fallon Murphy’s story line. CHARM ME can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary..

Told from dual third person perspectives (Jamie and Fallon) CHARM ME follows in the wake of a baby left on Jamie Donovan’s front step. Jamie Donovan and Fallon Murphy do not get along having fought with one another all of their lives but a surprise baby means Jamie is desperate for help, and his sister Ryleigh knows just the person to help Jamie at home. Fallon Murphy has a degree in early childhood education but is struggling to keep or find a job. Never suspecting she would be set up, Fallon comes to face to face with her childhood turn adult nemesis Jamie Donovan, the man with whom she will fall in love. As Jamie struggles to raise his infant son on his own, Fallon will discover that growing close to the child means growing close to the man who could break her heart. What ensues is the building relationship between Fallon and Jamie, and the potential fall-out when the child’s mother returns, and demons from the past push Fallon out of Jamie’s life.

The relationship between Jamie and Fallon is an enemies to frenemies to friends to lovers, a quick succession from nanny to lover but a succession that is about to pull one another apart when Jamie’s inability to compromise threatens our story line heroine. Fallon is wary of Jamie’s need for, and his complete turn around and love for our heroine, a turn around that is about to backfire when all is said and done. There are no $ex scenes, all is implied.

The secondary and supporting characters include the return of Liam and Tessa, Ryleigh and Ryker, Patrick, , Arianna and Will, and their parents Kate and Shane Donovan, and uncle Ronan, as well as Fallon’s mother Caroline, and Jamie’s ex girlfriend Jenn.

CHARM ME is a story of misunderstanding and miscommunication, family and friendships, relationships and love. The premise is emotional and entertaining; the romance is subtle and passionate; the characters are struggling yet determined.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Dare Me
Tempt Me
Save Me

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

 

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Twitter / Website / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Bookbub /

Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance that’s hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than seventy titles under her belt – including THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2017! She’s a Disney enthusiast who still happily listens to 80’s rock. When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 30 years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

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SAVE ME (The Donovans 3) by Samantha Chase -Review Tour

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SAVE ME (The Donovans 3) by Samantha Chase -Review tour

 

 

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Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3DgM8va

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 31, 2023

Pretending to date the town’s bad boy seemed like a good idea.
But who knew that being bad could feel so good…

Ryleigh Donovan has been unsuccessfully dodging her mother’s matchmaking attempts for far too long. In an act of desperation, she finds the one guy in her small town who is guaranteed to shock everyone to be her fake boyfriend. It doesn’t need to be for long, she just needs to buy herself enough time to recover from her mother’s last disastrous fix-up. It’s really a fool-proof plan. But when a few staged kisses lead to some very real feelings, she realizes she might be in over her head.

Ryker Masella has been patiently waiting for the perfect opportunity to get Ryleigh to take him—and his numerous attempts at asking her out—seriously. When she grabs him and kisses him in front of her family to prove a point, he’s more than on board. But when she proposes a fake—and temporary—relationship, he’s 100% on board. After all, she might be all about pretending, but he sees it as a way for Ryleigh to truly see the real him.

Fake flirting and orchestrated dates quickly bring on real feelings. For Ryker, they’ve always been there and he’ll be as patient as he needs to be. She might have asked him to save her from her family, but what he wants is to save her from herself.

•••••••

REVIEW: SAVE ME is the third instalment in Samantha Chase’s contemporary adult THE DONOVANS romance series. This is web designer Ryleigh Donovan, and tattoo artist Ryker Masella’s story line. SAVE ME can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Ryleigh and Ryker) SAVE ME follows the building romance and relationship between web designer Ryleigh Donovan, and tattoo artist Ryker Masella. Ryker Masella has lusted after Ryleigh Donovan for as long as he can remember but Ryleigh continues to shoot down our story line hero, a tattooed, long haired bad boy with no apparent prospects on the horizon. With every attempt to get to know Ryleigh, Ryker finds himself on the outside looking in until a fight with her mother, sends Ryleigh into the arms of our story line hero. In an effort to stop her mother from the continuous interference in her lack of a love life, Ryleigh makes Ryker an offer he cannot refuse-a fake relationship that quickly turns into something more for Ryker Masella. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Ryleigh and Ryker, and the potential fall-out as lies by omission threaten the building love between our story line couple.

Ryker Masella keeps secret his true identity; his famous past and present, and his desire for our story line heroine. Ryleigh Donovan is tired of her mother’s constant need to set her up with a steady stream of ‘suitable’ men, men Ryleigh has no interest in, or attraction to in the face of the ongoing interference. A fake relationship with Ryker is but the first step in stopping Ryleigh’s mother but the reality of the situation pushes mother and daughter in separate directions. There are no $ex scenes, everything is implied.

Once again, the Donovan siblings are front and center: Liam and Tessa, Patrick, Jamie, Arianna, Arianna and Will, and their parents Kate and Shane Donovan, and uncle Ronan.

SAVE ME is a story of family and relationships but more so on dysfunctional family dynamics. Kate Donovan, the family matriarch, is unable to let go or cut the proverbial cord. Her constant interference in her children’s lives is driving a wedge between members of the family, so much so, that some, including our story liner heroine begin to distance themselves from the mother they love. Often unlikeable, Kate Donovan struggles to stay out of her children’s lives.The premise is engaging and inviting; the characters are dynamic; the romance is passionate and seductive.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Dare Me
Tempt Me

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

 

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Twitter / Website / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Bookbub /

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 North Carolina.

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Tempt Me (The Donovans 2) by Samantha Chase-review

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Tempt Me (The Donovans 2) by Samantha Chase-review

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /Google Play /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 7, 2022

He hates the holidays. She lives for them. Let the games begin.
A small town, grumpy/sunshine romance from NY Times Best Selling Author Samantha Chase

Six months ago, Liam Donovan met the world’s cheeriest, most upbeat woman at a wedding.
It was the longest two days of his life.
Now she’s his next door neighbor.
Talk about awkward.

Tessa Sullivan believes in always looking at the bright side. Unfortunately, her new neighbor is the most negative man on the planet and seems to have made it his mission to ruin her good mood on a daily basis. She loves to sing, she loves to smile, but more than anything, she loves to decorate for the holidays. The fact that this seems to bug her new neighbor is simply a perk.

After twelve years in the Marines, Liam is more than ready to come home and start the next phase of his life. He’s starting a business, reconnecting with his mildly over-bearing family, and loves the fact that he’s finally got a place of his own. If only his neighbor’s decorations would stay on her side of the property. There isn’t one thing about Tessa that tempts him…until there is. Now she’s all he can think about.

Being friends makes sense.
Becoming lovers was inevitable.
But having Tessa be his forever is more than tempting.

••••••

REVIEW: TEMPT ME is the third instalment in Samantha Chases’s contemporary adult THE DONOVANS romance series. This is former US Marine turned contractor Liam Donovan, and music teacher Tessa Sullivan’s story line. TEMPT ME can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Liam and Tessa) TEMPT ME follows the building romance and relationship between former US Marine turned contractor Liam Donovan, and music teacher Tessa Sullivan.Tessa Sullivan is a widow, having married her best friend prior to his death but Tessa struggles to move forward, constantly living in the past where life was easier and calm. Her new neighbor, former US Marine Liam Donovan was about to become the bane of Tessa’s existence as Liam’s grumpy attitude was harshing on Tessa’s perpetually happy outlook until their relationship turns from frenemies to lovers, a relationship that will struggle with ghosts from the past. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Tessa and Liam, and the potential fall out as Tessa struggles between head and heart, and Liam feels like a third wheel in Tessa’s life.

The relationship between Tessa and Liam begins acrimoniously as Liam struggles to accept Tessa’s always positive outlook on life. Liam’s relationship with his siblings is fraught with jealousy and misunderstanding, and their issues begin to affect both his personal and professional life. Tessa has yet to realize her inability to let go may push Liam out of her life but a one on one with someone else shows Tessa that letting go doesn’t me forgetting the past. There are no $ex scenes, everything is implied.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Liam’s siblings Patrick, Rhyllie, Jamie and Arianna, Arianna’s fiance Will, and their parents Kate and Shane Donovan, and uncle Ronan. The siblings continue to have a love -hate relationship with one another, fraught with jealousy, misunderstanding and heartache but the parents attitude is a one-eighty from the first two instalments, more empathetic and compassionate towards their adult children.

TEMPT ME is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love; a story of grief and acceptance, understanding and love. The premise is entertaining and captivating; the romance is sweet and passionate; the characters are emotional, charismatic but struggling to be.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one DARE ME

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

 

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Twitter / Website / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Bookbub /

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 North Carolina.

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Dare Me (The Donovans 1) by Samantha Chase-review tour

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Dare Me (The Donovans 1) by Samantha Chase-review tour

 

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play /Apple /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 4, 2022

One year ago, Arianna Donovan and Will Jameson met on a dare and spent a perfect 24 together before going their separate ways. She thought they would stay in touch, but he disappeared without a word.

Arianna thought she’d moved on. But when Will shows up at a family dinner with her older—and very protective—brother, she’s angry and confused. How could he possibly forget to mention that he was friends with her brother? No one knows about their past and Arianna wants to keep things that way. No matter how tempting Will is.

When he walked away a year ago, Will thought it was for the best. Staying away from Arianna was the smart thing to do, especially with how protective her older brother—his friend and fellow soldier—can be. Time and distance will work wonders when you’re trying to stay away from someone. Now that he’s seen her again, he forgets all about doing the smart thing. He’ll just have to first convince her to let go of her anger and give him another chance.

Will isn’t above playing the nostalgia card, and when he challenges Arianna to a sexy game of truth or dare, she can’t resist. Neither one is ready to tell the world what they’re doing, but how long can they possibly keep things a secret when there are Donovans ready to meddle around every corner?

•••••

REVIEW:DARE ME is the first instalment in Samantha Chase’s contemporary, adult THE DONOVANS romance series. This is twenty-three year old, radiation therapist Arianna Donovan, and thirty-two year old architect Will Jameson’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives DARE ME follows the second chance relationship, of a sorts, between twenty-three year old, radiation therapist Arianna Donovan, and thirty-two year old architect Will Jameson. Approximately one year earlier, Arianna Donovan met Will Jameson in San Francisco, twenty-four hours before returning home to Laurel Bay, North Carolina. Believing she had found her soul mate, Arianna tried desperately to convince Will they were meant to be, with the hopes of a long distance relationship in their future but Arianna had no idea that Will knew exactly who she was, and he wasn’t willing to cross the line with his ‘best friend’s’ little sister. Fast forward to present day wherein Arianna is considering leaving Laurel Bay, in search of her own independence away from her suffocating family but Arianna is blindsided when the man she has never forgotten has taken a job working for her brother Liam. All does not go well as Arianna’s family sets a plan into motion to set up Will with Arianna’s older sister Ryleigh, a plan that forces Will into a fake relationship with someone he doesn’t want. What ensues is the rebuilding friendship but secret relationship between Will and Arianna, and the potential fall out when the Donovan family uncover the truth.

The relationship between Arianna and Will is a rekindling relationship that struggles in the face of secrets and lies, and the ongoing interference from the Donovan clan. The Donovan family is controlling and obnoxious, constantly getting involved in one another’s lives, involvement that is pushing away their youngest daughter. The parents try to control their daughters’s lives; the brothers are a constant source of heart ache and intrusion. The family tries desperately to keep the siblings under control but everyone refuses to help our story line heroine when she first returned to Laurel Bay. There are no $ex scenes-everything is implied.

We are introduced to the over protective, over bearing and often irritating Donovan siblings: Liam, Patrick, Ryleigh and Jamie; their unpleasant parents Kate and Shane Donovan, and uncle Ronan.

DARE ME is a story of family, relationships, friendships and love. The premise is entertaining but I struggled with the Donovan family dynamic and their overwhelming need to interfere and control which made my reading experience difficult and anxiety-filled affecting the overall enjoyment. DARE ME is a well written story line but the character’s attitudes, personalities and presentation were problematic for this reader. 

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Twitter / Website / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Bookbub /

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 North Carolina.

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