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…
Jessica is only in Hartwell for a few weeks, but quickly finds a peace in the small seaside town that she has never felt before. Cooper’s whole life has been spent in Hartwell, including a failed marriage. Jessica and Cooper have an instant spark. Though neither is looking for a relationship, there might be enough chemistry between them to push them both to take a risk.

Jessica is hiding from her past though, and after Cooper’s heart was broken in his first marriage, he isn’t crazy about risking it on more secrets. I couldn’t quite get a grasp about what Jessica might be hiding, that’s how closely guarded her secret is. Until it was revealed, I was just as worried as Cooper about what she might be hiding. Her reason for coming to town seems just as contemptuous when the connection to Cooper is revealed.

Cooper is one of those leading men that just makes you swoon. He wants a family, he wants stability, and the reasons he doesn’t have either is heartbreaking. He is a protector and caretaker, and his relationship with his nephew is precious. He has a bit of baggage after his marriage, but has made it clear to his ex that he doesn’t want her back, if only she’d listen.

I loved the small, seaside town that serves as a backdrop, as well as the variety of colorful side characters that make up the community. Because many of the characters grew up together, they function as a tight knit group, almost family. Even those who haven’t been on the Boardwalk long have carved out their niche and made a place for themselves (even if that niche is filled with tension).

There were times the pace of this book felt like it needed a push. With all the details about the town, and the people, at times Jessica and Cooper almost seemed like side characters themselves. I am generally a fast reader, and this book took me several days longer than my average. It was worth it in the end, but definitely wasn’t a fast read.

This is one of those books that beautifully sets up a series. I feel like I know that community inside and out, the friendships, the rivalries, and the mysteries. While at times it was a challenge, I am so invested in the group of characters that I want to read more from Hart’s Boardwalk.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.


It felt slow paced and long, and I honestly felt myself wanting to skim and just figure out her big past secret and get to the end drama. It was not poorly written, but perhaps the point of view changes added to my detachment a bit (Jessica was first person and Cooper was third person). It had a lot of unique qualities and character dynamics. There were various issues going on plot wise between their pasts and situations going on with the town and side characters.

Maybe it was just my mood or timing since I usually enjoy Samantha Young's work, but I just did not get pulled in to Cooper and Jessica's love story like I had hoped to. But it did have some sweet themes of finding a home and peace, trust, healing, and redemption. It does work as an introduction to a new series because it did make me intrigued by the upcoming stories and secrets that are hinted at.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.