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Briar Mountain #1
Trusting Heart
“Don’t let an opportunity to be happy pass you by…”—Momma C
Briar Mountain is home to a large University, a thriving small town, and the Thorpe family.
Abigail Thorpe lives for comfort and books. She doesn't have many dating opportunities, so when her crush from high school reappears in her life after a disastrous blind date, she doesn't ask why.
Noah Bradley is a lifesaver. Literally. He’s an EMT. He’s also divorced and just letting life pass him by. One night will change all of that.
Both have secrets they think they need to hide. They want to tell their stories but don't know how. Deciding to play a game of twenty questions to get to know each other on a deeper level, will they make it through before outside forces tear them apart? Will they be stronger together?
What happens when they get to twenty?
Trusting Heart is book 1 in the Briar Mountain Series. A steamy romance with lots of heart and heat.
Briar Mountain is home to a large University, a thriving small town, and the Thorpe family.
Abigail Thorpe lives for comfort and books. She doesn't have many dating opportunities, so when her crush from high school reappears in her life after a disastrous blind date, she doesn't ask why.
Noah Bradley is a lifesaver. Literally. He’s an EMT. He’s also divorced and just letting life pass him by. One night will change all of that.
Both have secrets they think they need to hide. They want to tell their stories but don't know how. Deciding to play a game of twenty questions to get to know each other on a deeper level, will they make it through before outside forces tear them apart? Will they be stronger together?
What happens when they get to twenty?
Trusting Heart is book 1 in the Briar Mountain Series. A steamy romance with lots of heart and heat.
- GenresSecond ChanceRomance
382 pages, ebook
First published February 27, 2023
38 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 23, 2023
Great start of a series
Welcome to Briar Mountain! Where your neighbors might gossip, but they also protect your secrets. Abigail had a crush on Noah since high school, but he was dating the mean girl. Years later, he is everywhere and she enjoys the attention, but he needs to get over the hurt of his past and learn to trust again. While they get to know each other in a deeper way, the secrets they keep start to surface and not everyone is happy about the new couple.
I loved that both characters are mature and come from good families. They don't rush into a relationship, but also don't make unnecessary drama.
I'm very excited for the rest of the series and getting to know more about the Thorpe sisters.
Welcome to Briar Mountain! Where your neighbors might gossip, but they also protect your secrets. Abigail had a crush on Noah since high school, but he was dating the mean girl. Years later, he is everywhere and she enjoys the attention, but he needs to get over the hurt of his past and learn to trust again. While they get to know each other in a deeper way, the secrets they keep start to surface and not everyone is happy about the new couple.
I loved that both characters are mature and come from good families. They don't rush into a relationship, but also don't make unnecessary drama.
I'm very excited for the rest of the series and getting to know more about the Thorpe sisters.
March 10, 2023
great debut novel
I enjoyed this debut novel very much. The author has set the stage for the rest of the series with the Thorpe sisters. I look forward to reading the rest of this series once published. Congratulations CM Smith.
I enjoyed this debut novel very much. The author has set the stage for the rest of the series with the Thorpe sisters. I look forward to reading the rest of this series once published. Congratulations CM Smith.
March 2, 2023
Fabulous new author who will become a 1-click!!
CM Smith is a brand new author who I am so happy to have found! When you read this, you will think she has been publishing for years.
Trusting Heart is Book 1 of the Briar Mountain Series, and it is wonderful! You quickly become enamored with Abigail. You feel her joy, her embarrassment (oh what we say when on medication), and her love for her family. You get wrapped up in the town secret/not secret and can’t wait for Noah to figure it out. You will find yourself falling in love with all the Thorpe girls. And I’m not sure if there are words for Momma C or Prof Mom, however I would like one of them to adopt me. I could not put the book down. From the disastrous first date that Noah literally saved her from to the impromptu wedding and the twenty questions in between. This is a must-read and I can’t wait for Book 2!
CM Smith is a brand new author who I am so happy to have found! When you read this, you will think she has been publishing for years.
Trusting Heart is Book 1 of the Briar Mountain Series, and it is wonderful! You quickly become enamored with Abigail. You feel her joy, her embarrassment (oh what we say when on medication), and her love for her family. You get wrapped up in the town secret/not secret and can’t wait for Noah to figure it out. You will find yourself falling in love with all the Thorpe girls. And I’m not sure if there are words for Momma C or Prof Mom, however I would like one of them to adopt me. I could not put the book down. From the disastrous first date that Noah literally saved her from to the impromptu wedding and the twenty questions in between. This is a must-read and I can’t wait for Book 2!
March 8, 2023
Loved it!
For her first book, CM Smith smashed it out of the park! I related to Abs - she is my spirit animal - and completely adored Noah. Their meet-cute is adorable! I love how they play twenty questions to get to know each other. And I can't wait to learn more about the Thorpe sisters and see who they fall for!
For her first book, CM Smith smashed it out of the park! I related to Abs - she is my spirit animal - and completely adored Noah. Their meet-cute is adorable! I love how they play twenty questions to get to know each other. And I can't wait to learn more about the Thorpe sisters and see who they fall for!
March 4, 2023
I can’t believe this was the author’s first published novel. I loved Abagail and Noah. The promise of a mortifying meet cute caught my attention, it did not disappoint and I am so glad I decided to read this. I loved the banter, especially the text messages. The entire story is relatable. The relationship seems to advance at a realistic pace and the spicy parts are perfect. I love small town romance, especially family series and love the twist that this story is about sisters instead of brothers! Already eager for the next book!
March 16, 2023
I was very excited to read this book and it exceeded my expectations! I really enjoyed getting to know the town of Briar Mountain and the people who live there. Abigail and Noah are just the sweetest and represent relationship goals for all of us. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
March 13, 2023
This is a fantastic story from debut author. Trusting Heart is the first book in the Briar Mountain series and I could not put it down.
Abigail and Noah’s story sets up a wonderful small town which will lead to hopefully many new romance stories.
The main characters have a very brief history and when they encounter each other as adults, albeit by way of a very embarrassing allergic reaction, sparks fly.
Abigail writes romance but really doesn’t think that it will happen for her and Noah is still recovering from the wrong relationship. I really enjoyed the way these two got to know each other by employing a long game of 20 questions. Noah is a devoted, sexy and sweet hero who ensures Abigail believes he is in it for the long haul.
There is a slight mystery throughout the story that provides excellent tension. I was on the edge of my seat as things went down in the story.
The town of Briar Mountain is charming and filled with quirky and lovely people. The Thorpe family are a wonderful family to centre around and I eagerly await the next instalment.
Highly recommend CM Smith’s debut story if you enjoy small town romance filled with lots of meddling family and an overall sense of love and acceptance.
Abigail and Noah’s story sets up a wonderful small town which will lead to hopefully many new romance stories.
The main characters have a very brief history and when they encounter each other as adults, albeit by way of a very embarrassing allergic reaction, sparks fly.
Abigail writes romance but really doesn’t think that it will happen for her and Noah is still recovering from the wrong relationship. I really enjoyed the way these two got to know each other by employing a long game of 20 questions. Noah is a devoted, sexy and sweet hero who ensures Abigail believes he is in it for the long haul.
There is a slight mystery throughout the story that provides excellent tension. I was on the edge of my seat as things went down in the story.
The town of Briar Mountain is charming and filled with quirky and lovely people. The Thorpe family are a wonderful family to centre around and I eagerly await the next instalment.
Highly recommend CM Smith’s debut story if you enjoy small town romance filled with lots of meddling family and an overall sense of love and acceptance.
December 8, 2024
This is Abigail and Noah's story and these two are really likeable characters, they’re very real and relatable but wow, does Ms Smith put them through some drama. Of course, the drama gives us a very interesting story with an ex, a high school mean girl, determined to get back the man she feels belongs to her.
It's a slow burn romance as they take their time getting to know one another before rushing the intimacy, this brings great conversation and through text messaging, a writing point that illuminates so much about both of them, throughout the story.
With some other sub plots with all the sisters having other minor stories going on, that we get varying degrees of exposure to, mainly Vic's history coming back to bite and very much playing into the main drama in the story.
It's easy to read, plenty of heat between these two as they steam up the pages, and overall, an enjoyable story.
It's a slow burn romance as they take their time getting to know one another before rushing the intimacy, this brings great conversation and through text messaging, a writing point that illuminates so much about both of them, throughout the story.
With some other sub plots with all the sisters having other minor stories going on, that we get varying degrees of exposure to, mainly Vic's history coming back to bite and very much playing into the main drama in the story.
It's easy to read, plenty of heat between these two as they steam up the pages, and overall, an enjoyable story.
March 26, 2024
Let me start by saying this was my first novel by C.M Smith, and I don’t know why I haven’t read anything by her before. I found her due to her being an author at a signing event I am going to, so I decided to try a novel by her and it did not disappoint.
This books focuses on Noah, an EMT living in Briar mountain whom is still single after his divorce. Noah enjoys spending time with his mother and works hard. Abigail, is a romance author whom is single and has returned to Briar Mountain. After a date gone wrong Abigail meets Noah, whom she realizes she has known since high school.
Noah’s personality is so sweet, and caring. This novel encompasses love, finding ones’s self, finding love after divorce, and also a suspense twist. This was very hard to put down and I read this novel in less than a day.
This books focuses on Noah, an EMT living in Briar mountain whom is still single after his divorce. Noah enjoys spending time with his mother and works hard. Abigail, is a romance author whom is single and has returned to Briar Mountain. After a date gone wrong Abigail meets Noah, whom she realizes she has known since high school.
Noah’s personality is so sweet, and caring. This novel encompasses love, finding ones’s self, finding love after divorce, and also a suspense twist. This was very hard to put down and I read this novel in less than a day.
May 17, 2023
Abigail and Noah- friends to lovers, second chance
Abigail, the sweet and quirky romance author, had a sorta rough time in high school due to having a large port wine birthmark on her arm. She was bullied mercilessly by Noah’s girlfriend and future ex wife. Noah, the charming and sexy EMT, has always regretted not stepping in and stopping the bullying of Abigail. Somehow years pass without them running into each other in their small town and once they have their meet cute it never stops. They fall into a pretty fast paced friendship to lovers scenario with ex-wife drama. Pretty well developed storyline, a little slow in spots, some scenes are a little far fetched/unrealistic but plenty of spice and a great HEA.
Abigail, the sweet and quirky romance author, had a sorta rough time in high school due to having a large port wine birthmark on her arm. She was bullied mercilessly by Noah’s girlfriend and future ex wife. Noah, the charming and sexy EMT, has always regretted not stepping in and stopping the bullying of Abigail. Somehow years pass without them running into each other in their small town and once they have their meet cute it never stops. They fall into a pretty fast paced friendship to lovers scenario with ex-wife drama. Pretty well developed storyline, a little slow in spots, some scenes are a little far fetched/unrealistic but plenty of spice and a great HEA.
February 21, 2024
What an AWESOME story. The author did a fabulous job of developing the characters of Noah and Abigail quickly where you felt connected from basically the beginning of the book. I LOVED LOVED LOVED Abigail's personality. She had been through a lot and took life in stride and had a sense of humor that made me laugh out loud many times. In many romance books it seems the hero has the spotlight shined on him but I honestly feel like Abigail is the hero of the story. She's strong and funny and has such a great take on life and she helps the hero realize that even though he made some bad choices it didn't mean he was a bad person. I love the fact that this story was reality based. Escapism is great but so is just a great small town romance next door. Loved it!
February 12, 2025
Trusting Heart by CM smith
A live story between a EMT and smut author. The story follows them as they navigate challenges in their relationship and deal with people from their past. 2 very small things I didn’t love.
1-You get to see a 3rd persons point of view one time, I would of liked to have more of that, or none at all. It left me wanting to know more of their point of views.
2- When I finished the book it almost felt like I could walk away and not read the rest of the series at all and be satisfied. It laid ground work for the future books, while making reading them not a priority.
Light spice.
4⭐️
3🌶️
A live story between a EMT and smut author. The story follows them as they navigate challenges in their relationship and deal with people from their past. 2 very small things I didn’t love.
1-You get to see a 3rd persons point of view one time, I would of liked to have more of that, or none at all. It left me wanting to know more of their point of views.
2- When I finished the book it almost felt like I could walk away and not read the rest of the series at all and be satisfied. It laid ground work for the future books, while making reading them not a priority.
Light spice.
4⭐️
3🌶️
January 10, 2026
DNF
I really tried to like this book. I kept reading when the romance was boring as hell. I kept reading when the characters were shallowly written and the dialog was highly repetitive.
I finally gave up reading when the antagonist had a public meltdown written like a preteen Disney Channel movie.
This writing is childish, mostly unskilled, and the book was full of typos and errors I try to to support smaller indie authors, but this book highlights the reasons i often find myself sticking with more mainstream romance authors.
I really tried to like this book. I kept reading when the romance was boring as hell. I kept reading when the characters were shallowly written and the dialog was highly repetitive.
I finally gave up reading when the antagonist had a public meltdown written like a preteen Disney Channel movie.
This writing is childish, mostly unskilled, and the book was full of typos and errors I try to to support smaller indie authors, but this book highlights the reasons i often find myself sticking with more mainstream romance authors.
Read
February 6, 2024WOW!!
I loved Noah and Abigail!! Noah was in a bad marriage and after his divorce and he's quite content in his life until Abigail needs to be rescued. Abigail is out on an awful date when she has an allergic reaction and Noah is an EMT and saves her. After that they start seeing each other all over town when they haven't seen each other in years. So they decide to start dating and fall in love but some people aren't happy with that and will do anything to keep them apart.
I loved Noah and Abigail!! Noah was in a bad marriage and after his divorce and he's quite content in his life until Abigail needs to be rescued. Abigail is out on an awful date when she has an allergic reaction and Noah is an EMT and saves her. After that they start seeing each other all over town when they haven't seen each other in years. So they decide to start dating and fall in love but some people aren't happy with that and will do anything to keep them apart.
May 30, 2024
Fantastic Debut Novel!
Trusting Heart was such a fantastic book! I was hooked from the very beginning. I love CM Smith’s style of writing. She creates such great characters and adds the perfect balance of humor, spice and suspense with a beautiful love story.
The characters are my favorite part of this book. I love Abigail! Her personality is such an inspiration. Even with everything she’s been through in her life, she keeps a positive attitude and stays true to herself. Noah is the perfect hero for her. He’s charming and sexy, and while I initially wanted to be mad at him for not stepping in when they knew each other in school, I love the man he became.
The side characters are fantastic. I love both of their mothers and I’m fully invested in the sisters and the men who will (hopefully!) be their matches in future books. I can’t wait to read more from this series!
Well done, Ms. Smith! I’m a huge fan!
Trusting Heart was such a fantastic book! I was hooked from the very beginning. I love CM Smith’s style of writing. She creates such great characters and adds the perfect balance of humor, spice and suspense with a beautiful love story.
The characters are my favorite part of this book. I love Abigail! Her personality is such an inspiration. Even with everything she’s been through in her life, she keeps a positive attitude and stays true to herself. Noah is the perfect hero for her. He’s charming and sexy, and while I initially wanted to be mad at him for not stepping in when they knew each other in school, I love the man he became.
The side characters are fantastic. I love both of their mothers and I’m fully invested in the sisters and the men who will (hopefully!) be their matches in future books. I can’t wait to read more from this series!
Well done, Ms. Smith! I’m a huge fan!
April 24, 2023
The book is romance novel that involves two people with secrets who decide to play a game of twenty questions to get to know each other better.
The story is set in a small town with a university and explores themes such as second chances and the fear of opening up to others.
Its a a heartwarming and engaging book, and keeps you gripped.. it made my weekend
The story is set in a small town with a university and explores themes such as second chances and the fear of opening up to others.
Its a a heartwarming and engaging book, and keeps you gripped.. it made my weekend
June 28, 2023
I couldn't put this down.
This story is so good. The banter between the characters was fantastic and had me laughing at times.
I love the relationship between the sister and can't wait to read their stories.
Noah might have just jumped up the ranks in book boyfriends.
To anyone that enjoys small town romance you need to read this.
This story is so good. The banter between the characters was fantastic and had me laughing at times.
I love the relationship between the sister and can't wait to read their stories.
Noah might have just jumped up the ranks in book boyfriends.
To anyone that enjoys small town romance you need to read this.
November 24, 2024
Abigail and Noah’s story is very very sweet! I really do enjoy the details that go into their love and also the back story. Noah is a strong person for owning up to something Laura did, even if he didn’t need too. He is a very determined man.
If you want some spice, it’s there!!!! 😬
Total gentleman taking his time, but lord man making a woman wait ugh!!!
If you want some spice, it’s there!!!! 😬
Total gentleman taking his time, but lord man making a woman wait ugh!!!
January 3, 2024
I’m hooked already after the first book of what I’m sure is a great series. Loved the town, the characters and their story. I didn’t want to put this book down and read every chance I could. Binge reads are always the best and I look forward to more.
March 12, 2023
First book from this author and will always buy anything she publishes. Small town second chance you can't go wrong reading this.
February 20, 2024
Loved it. R. A
Love the big loving family. The support and all. This is a must read. You have some action. To keep you hooked.
Love the big loving family. The support and all. This is a must read. You have some action. To keep you hooked.
Read
July 7, 2025this is a novella that starts right off with action right away the whole thing is pretty much action-packed it starts off where someone Witnesses a crime and then as my title sit there on the Run it's a good story I enjoyed it. it's a short story so if you need something short it will definitely fill this this spot.
October 31, 2024
New author to me, and I didn't know what to expect as I've been in a book slump and ive spent the last few weeks re reading old favourites. But boy, am I glad I started this book. Within the first chapter, I fell in love with the writing and the characters.
It just got better and better, I couldn't read it fast enough but didn't want it to end either.
I can say I've found a new favourite author and I'm off right now to read book 2
It just got better and better, I couldn't read it fast enough but didn't want it to end either.
I can say I've found a new favourite author and I'm off right now to read book 2
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews