Eastern Standard

by Sierra Spencer

"Maybe he loved me because he wanted to add a piece of sunshine to endless midnights."Olivia met the love of her life in a bar off 2nd Ave. on the Upper East Side. She lost him on the same street nine blocks down. Olivia thinks she might find some closure in the town where he grew up; the only problem with that is no one in Connor Bay wants anything to do with her. The standard in a New England small town is much different than in New York, and Olivia finds herself struggling with what version of herself she wants to be.An accident sent Olivia's life veering off course. Can her late husband's hometown set it right again? Maybe with a little help from his best friend.

Genres: Romance, Found Family

322 pages, Paperback

Published January 5, 2024

Reviews

[Lacy Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreakingly beautiful. So many raw and emotional moments make up this story of love, loss, grief and finding yourself again. Liv was strong and weak simultaneously. I found myself comparing our journeys through loss, grief and finding love again. It really resonated with me and it’s such magnolious read.

[Shafira · Rating 4 out of 5]

This small-town tale is packed with familiar tropes that will tug at your heartstrings. But what truly sets it apart is the depth of emotion and authenticity that permeates every page.

My heart aches and my breath catches as I witness the characters navigate through themes of grief and anxiety. The development of Liv, especially after the loss of her husband, is particularly noteworthy. But this book isn't just about sorrow; it's also a beautiful story about finding love after loss and cherishing the preciousness of time.

I'm a sucker for slow burns, unrequited crushes, small-town settings, husbands' best friends falling first, secret relationships, and love after loss.

This book ticks all those boxes and more, making it a must-read for any contemporary romance enthusiast seeking a healthy dose of emotion and heart.

Thank you to @goodgirlspr and @sierraspencer for this amazing advance reader copy. ♡

[Yves V.H. [Slow reading] · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the idea that each chapter is based on a Taylor Swift song, and even the plot of that current chapter is what the song is about. But even so, I cannot connect with the characters. There were some parts when I am confused if Liv was only reliving the moment or if it's currently happening. She does get lost in her thoughts a lot and I guess that's one of the reasons why it could be a bit confusing.
It was fast-paced, and I have no problem with that; I think it was perfect for the book. I also think that the story could have developed more, I feel like there is something missing but I just couldn't pin it.
💎 Recieved a eARC but all thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily 

[Noelle Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

i ate this arc UP tbh. the plot and progression of the storyline was so so good. i do feel like the physical side of the mc’s relationship was very rushed. there wasn’t much build up leading up to when they started that aspect of their relationship. i loved the mmc and his need to make sure the fmc was doing things for herself (and the way he supported her workaholic tendencies? swoon). also donald is the cutest and i love him very much. the short chapters were a huge bonus as well. absolutely loved this book and can’t wait for the official release!!

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ “It should have been Liv and I and I don’t know how to get over it.” 🫠

Liv and her husband, Davis, had a whirlwind romance and got married very soon after meeting. 6 months later, he passed & she moves to his small hometown to help his parents with their failing diner. In the midst of grief and trying to learn as much as she can about her late husband and his past, his past literally comes back to haunt her in the form of his best friend, Whit. Whit sticks around to help her win over the town that has a bad taste in their mouth about Olivia but his secrets get harder to hold in as they spend more time together.

This book is for the swifties and the girlies who love a man obsessed 🥹 it was deeply emotional but the characters felt so real because of it. The grief that Liv is going through in this book absolutely broke my heart. She and her late husband hadn’t known each other long so she holds a lot of guilt around his passing and puts her whole self into trying to make his parents lives easier now that he’s gone, but they (especially his mom) resist her at every turn.

Whit is an absolute dreamboat - the piningggg got me so good. I loved that we had the flashbacks and a few “before” chapters to see what really went down on the night Liv and Davis met, along with the voicemails to make everything make more sense. It was interesting to see her journey because we could clearly see as the story went on how truly wrong her and Davis were for each other, but that she still loved him so deeply. Davis did not deserve Whit as a friend but I’m so glad him & Liv got to have each other 😭

Microtropes & moments I loved:
Caretaking
The cool ranch Doritos debacle & grocery store encounter
The bar bathroom 🥵
Hotpie 🐶
His favorite color 😭❤️
Donald, the sun tea & his old man wisdom
Alll the Taylor Swift references 🫶🏻

Tropes:
Slow burn
Unrequited crush
Small town
Husbands best friend
He falls first
Secret relationship
Love after loss

[Micronova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eastern Standard-
My rating is 4.5 stars.

This is the only book I’ve ever read by Sierra Spencer and I absolutely loved it. It was a quick, page turner, for me. I think there’s a term for it, unputdownable.

The story line was deeply developed, as were the characters. The pacing was flawless, details were revealed in layers, transitioning us through the events of the book with ease. Olivia’s journey with grief, acceptance and rediscovery of herself was breathtaking. She had lost pieces of herself with Davis, without even realizing it. I really resonated with her realization that she could have more than one great love in life. I was heartbroken for Whit when we learn about night that Liv met Davis and then to learn that it wasn’t the first time Davis had done something like that!!! Whit was a better friend than Davis deserved. He was so, so patient with Liv and the fact that he ultimately just wanted her to choose herself, says a lot about him. The support characters added to the complexity of the story. Everyone needs a best friend like Eric and I appreciated Marjorie’s perspective on grief. I was happy with the ending but, man, I wanted something…more.

I came into this read with zero expectations but came away knowing that I just read something profound. The subject of grief was handled so well and I appreciated seeing grief from the different character perspectives. The banter was so, so good and the found family vibe runs strong in the story. (One of my favorite tropes.) I’m definitely planning on checking out more of Sierra Spencer’s novels.

I received an advance reader copy and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Isabela Wilder · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, thank you so much Sierra for the PR package ARC! It was an absolute dream to receive! Comes out on Jan 5, 2024!!

This book had me absolutely hooked from the very first word. I started reading it around 11 last night and had to force myself to go to sleep around 1.

Not gonna lie, was a bit nervous for this book because dead spouses make me so sad and then their best friend on top of that?!!! But Sierra wrote it so well. She also depicted the grief and anxiety of losing someone so beautifully. As much as I wanted to yell at Olivia sometimes I realised how much I so relate to her in her grief and life (there’s no way she’s not a Type 3!!!). And Marjorie!! As much as I want to dislike her for being so rude and out-of-pocket with Olivia, it’s so hard to fault her. Levi is also so sweet, even though we didn’t get to know him very well you can just tell that he has such a sweet and kind heart. Everyone’s just sad and that’s okay, but we also need to remember to not let their sadness excuse behaviour but only explain it.

I loved the characters (Whit is green flag after green flag after green flag- EXCEPT for his one red flag in dog-earing book pages!! but I suppose that can be overlooked), the character development, the structure of the book and story.

I felt all the emotions (cried in the first 50 pages and then somehow held it together until the last 10). I really felt for Olivia (I’ve never been married but have lost someone in an almost similar heart capacity), so seeing her deal with her grief in very similar ways to me was a bit healing- knowing that it’s okay to have good days even in the midst of the bad and to also learn (no matter how slow hahahah) that it’s okay to choose ourselves.

It was all done so so so well. I so recommend.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I just wanted to thank Sierra for being so kind and sending me of all people, a copy of her book. It means so much to me. For starters I just want to say this concept/trope was a first. I can’t say I’ve ever read a book about a widow, and let’s just say I loved it so much. The transparency following the grief and loss of a loved one felt so raw and real that even though it’s sad to think about, helped make me feel like I was in our fmc, Olivia’s, shoes. I enjoyed the journey of finding love after loss and the constant reminders that time is fleeting and to live life to the fullest. Whitt, my man, you are a dream, at 6’2 with a backwards hat (swoon). The spice was tasteful and immaculate, at one point I was kicking my legs like a little school girl, you had me at “good girl”. All in all this book was a great, fast paced read and I really enjoyed it.
4.5 stars from me. 🫶🏻

[Swati · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐
This book was such an emotional rollercoaster. And I loved it so much! Olivia had gone through so much grief, I felt so bad for her. This book made me cry and I didn't know I needed it .Olivia and Davis were a good match but she and whit , they are soulmates 🫶🏻
And now about Keating Whitaker, i loved him so so much. He's everything I love in a fictional man. He was such a good friend to Davis more than Davis deserved. Seeing how he went after everything whit wanted.
I'm just happy whit and liv got their happy ending 🥹🫶🏻

Thankyou so much sierra Spencer and good girls PR for the ARC and this is my honest review 💌

[Piscesbooknerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book wow did a beautiful job at depicting grief. Reading about Olivia’s story was very impactful seeing how she dealt with everything that was going on with her. It was really beautiful to see her and Whit together as well.

[Cindy Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who deals with grief this book was very comforting, definitely one of those books that I won’t ever forget.

[Sie ACL Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad Gilmore Girls soundtracked by Taylor Swift.
If you are a fan of either and are okay with loss of a loved one then this book is for you!

I cried quite a few times while reading Eastern Standard (the voicemails!!!). But thankfully I also smiled, laughed, blushed and had an overall good time reading. All emotions were balanced perfectly and the loss and grief of a loved one was handled with care.

“You’re not supposed to
look directly into the sun,
but I couldn’t help staring
at Olivia.”

My heart broke little by little for Liv throughout the whole book but Whit stitched it back together by the end with his love for her.

”I loved Davis, and I loved how much he loved me. But I love Whit and how much we love each other.”

I absolutely loved Eastern Standard and it easily made its way on to my Top 23 books of 2023 list.
4.5/5 🌟

Thank you Good Girls PR and Sierra Spencer for the e-ARC 💙

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

I'm emotional.

This really tugged at my heartstrings. This made me laugh, it made me smile, it made me giddy, and it had me crying every time I "listened" to another voicemail from Whit.

I knew I was going to love this the moment it started. Automatically we are swept into a world full of Gilmore Girls lore and Taylor Swift references. Olivia is grieving her husband and trying to move on in the place he grew up. But everyone knows who Olivia is in this small town. No one said she'd be welcomed there.

She finally meets her husband's best friend, Whit. Her guilt continues to consume her because this is someone who she should have known but never got the chance to meet. Until now.

Let me tell you. I absolutely LOVED Whit and I loved Olivia. Two people, struggling and grieving. They both just want to move on an survive this terrible tragedy. Olivia and her thoughts just had me so emotional. You could feel her pain and it really had me sitting her anxious for her.

Whit and his story had me GONE. I mean, talk about having the most emotional and guilt driven thoughts. I truly felt for this guy. He's always been overlooked and the "second option" but damn, he'd be my first choice. I'd pick him. He is literally the definition of a green flag. The way he communicates is EVERYTHING.

Not only did this story have such an emotionally driven plot, it was full of love too. Maybe not from everyone but it was there. I loved that Olivia had Eric, her bestie from work. But let's be real, he's not just her coworker, he's her best friend - friend soulmate, if you will. And I loved that for her.

Olivia had Donald, the elder neighbor who lost his wife, can sometimes be grumpy, but has a good heart. I love this friendship that formed. He was kind of giving me Luke Danes but elderly and I was here for it.

Olivia had her new pup and OH HOW LORELAI GILMORE WAS THAT?!

Even Daisy, Whit's sister, was full of love. I loved how much she was there for both her brother and Olivia.

And Olivia had Whit. I loved watching these two grieve together and love together. I loved seeing their journey. It was heartfelt and it was raw and it was indeed, very emotional. I just wanted to reach in and hug them both.

Thank you Sierra for not making us wait 100 years for Olivia to be honest about her feelings. That bar scene...thank you.

Whit and his mouth will have you drooling. BUT as passionate as this man is, he has A HEART OF GOLD and ugh, I fell.

Sierra did a PHENOMINAL job writing this. I loved the setting, I loved the town vibes, I loved ALL the references (Even the Harvey Specter one). When the characters cried, I cried. When the characters laughed, I laughed. You just couldn't help but feel all the emotions radiating off the pages.

I genuinely loved this and I couldn't get enough of these two. Whit is PERFECT (expect the fact that he's a Red Sox fan, sorry but I can't let that go) and I loved him the moment he made the sarcastic "cool ranch Doritos" comment. I couldn't put this down and am really sad it's over.

If you are looking for an emotional but also really cute love story...this is it! ALSO, THAT COVER IS UH YES PLEASE

Thank you so much to Sierra Spencer and GoodGirls PR for the ARC copy!

[Kimberly Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️-Thank you Good Girls PR for an e-arc of eastern standard.

You’ve heard of brother’s best friend and best friend’s brother, but what about dead husband’s best friend? eastern standard is a beautiful exploration of grief and learning that moving on is not a linear experience for any those who may be affected by loss.

This book follow Liv, whose husband (that she married less than a week after meeting (in a dive bar on the east side) and was married to for six months) has died in a tragic accident. Our story picks up three months after his death where Liv has relocated to his small hometown of Connor Bay to help his parents with their struggling family diner. The only problem? Her mother in law hates her and in a small town like Connor Bay the opinions of the locals is all that matters. Liv is stuck in her grief, but all this starts to change when the man 110% written by woman-Keating Whitaker-returns home to Connor Bay from his medical residency to run their small town clinic. The only problem, he’s Liv’s dead husband’s best friend. A will they, wont they, should they, can they for the ages.

I particularly loved the way the characters acted out of character at times. I felt that it was so real to the human experience. The littering of Taylor Swift references was a nice touch. This book made me happy and somber simultaneously, sometimes within the same page. Sierra Spencer did a spectacular job in her depiction of grief, from all different perspectives. The grieving widow, the grieving mom, the grieving best friend and the grieving town. She did a great job of making me root for Liv and Whit despite it being uncomfortable. And I’m normally not a third act break up girlie, but the book was perfectly paced. Loved it!

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒅𝒅 𝒂 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒎𝒊𝒅𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔.”

𝑶𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒂 𝒎𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒃𝒂𝒓 𝒐𝒇𝒇 2𝒏𝒅 𝑨𝒗𝒆. 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑼𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝑬𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝑺𝒊𝒅𝒆. 𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒔 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏. 𝑶𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒂 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒘 𝒖𝒑, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒎 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒓 𝑩𝒂𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒐 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒉𝒆𝒓. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝒀𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑶𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒂 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒈𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆.

𝑨𝒏 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑶𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒂’𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒗𝒆𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒇𝒇 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆. 𝑪𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒔𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒅’𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒔𝒆𝒕 𝒊𝒕 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏? 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅.

Okay, I don’t even know where to start. This was the first novel I read by @sierraspencerbooks and she hit it out of the park for me. This book was emotional, vulnerable, and funny at the same time. The story flowed smoothly and kept me wanting more. Honestly, I read it in two sittings, one of those being about 200 pages. I just could not put it down. I loved the Gilmore Girls small town vibes. I caught myself smiling, blushing, and doing leg kicks multiple times, BUT my heart was also aching for all that Olivia and Whit had gone through and were still going through. Plus, I decided I need a Dais and Eric in my life.

Initially, I gave this four stars, however, days later I’m still thinking about it and I think that makes it a five star read in my mind. If you love a good contemporary romance novel, check this one out!

🖤 guy falls first
🖤 friends to lovers
🖤 small town
🖤 secret relationship

[Lori Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eastern Standard was my first book by Sierra Spencer. This is out of the norm for me as I normally prefer closed door, however, the synopsis pulled me in.

What I loved:

This was a relatively quick read, with short chapters - which I love a short chapter!

There were plenty of characters for everyone to love. I enjoyed the retired, 70 year old neighbor, Donald; one of the first people to befriend Olivia in Connor Bay. Daisy, the MC Whit’s sister, who befriends Olivia and always seemed to have her best interest. And Hotpie, a 4 year old golden retriever pup, Olivia adopts from a shelter. 🐾 I’m a sucker for a four-legged friend!

What I didn’t love:

This was a little too insta love for me. There were a couple of swoony moments, but I felt like there could have been more build up to the spice. There was just something missing - more lust than love.

Overall, this was a cute, fast paced read. I’d definitely say give this a go if you enjoy a small town romance with some spice.

Thank you to the author and Good Girls PR for the gifted copy.

[book_nerd13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally wanted to read this book simply because it was advertised as Gilmore girls. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. This book is so incredibly deep, and deals with a different kind of grief that I usually don’t read.

Sierra handled the hard topics beautifully. I love the small town which definitely gives Gilmore girl vibes. Olivia is such a strong character going through all she had, and I seriously wanted to give her a giant hug.

It’s incredibly easy to get lost in this book, with all the feels, and it’s such a quick read, but I enjoyed every second!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small town
Widow
Ex's best friend

Spice: 🌶🌶

This is my first time reading a book by Sierra Spencer, She definitely is one heck of a writer, and I would pick up any book by her after reading Eastern Standard. This was an emotional read. Olivia was great, but Whit stole the show for me, lol. This one battles loss, love, and finding oneself.

[Erika [The Smut Files] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Good Girls PR for the E-Arc of Eastern Standard!

Well, two words - emotional damage.

Eastern Standard by Sierra Spencer was an emotional rollercoaster following Olivia's move to the small town of Connor Bay after the death of her husband. Her non-traditional start of the relationship with her husband created a lot of tension and complicated feelings surrounding the grief of losing someone she loved dearly.

When finding safety and solace in her husband's best friend, and the town golden boy Whit, it forces Olivia to evaluate her feelings, wants, and to truly decide what will make her happy.

Spencer explored this complicated topic through well developed characters, riveting storyline, and witty banter. I truly felt Olivia's emotions throughout the book.

*Late husband's best friend
*Small town romance
*Found family

5/5 Stars
2/5 Spice

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this book broke my heart into a million pieces and then put it all back together again 🥰 I read it in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down 💙 I was nervous to read it because of the grief aspect but I’m so glad I did!! It was such a comforting read and I know I’ll be thinking about this book for a long time 🫶🏼

Whit was such a walking green flag of a man. He’s compassionate, caring and patient with Olivia while she worked through the grief of losing her husband, Whit’s best friend. I really felt for Olivia in this book. She went through the trauma of losing her husband after only 6 months of marriage and then was stuck in a town where everyone despised her. I love that she embarked on a journey of healing and self discovery and opened herself up to new beginnings.

Found family played a massive part in this book. Olivia’s best friend Eric was such a sweetheart. He was always there when she needed him 💕 The perfect bestie 🥰 Omg when Olivia found voicemails from Whit on her husband’s phone talking about her, I simply melted 🫠🫠

Tropes include:
💙found family
💙friends to lovers
💙small town
💙secret relationship
💙cinnamon roll mmc

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Mikaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC and my rating is definitely a 5/5! The book was sweet, spicy, and the plot was everything I hoped for and more.

Olivia is grieving and moves to Connor Bay to help the process and find some closure. It doesn’t help that the whole town blames her for her husbands death and thinks if he had stayed in Connor Bay none of this would have happened. Enter Whit, her husbands childhood best friend. He is going through the same grieving process and does everything he can to help Olivia win the town over. Whit has his own secret of course and it quickly comes to a head when Olivia starts to have feelings toward him even though she feels that she shouldn’t. Both of them need each other in more ways than one 🤭. The question is can they do that, but also help win the town over for Olivia’s sake and possibly save it in the process.

This book had me kicking my feet, blushing, and crying sometimes all in the same chapter.
Also don’t get me started on Hotpie 🥺 the cutest little character.

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️
Sweetness:🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬

[Raquel Rodrigues · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You're not supposed to look directly into the sun, but i coulnd't help staring at Olivia."

"Davis and i were a great right place, right time love story, but Whit and i were one for the ages."

"Forever love was about making room for each other. It was work functions and dinners at home. It was early mornings and late nights. More than anything, it was an overwhelming and unmistakable feelng of being home."

"Some days were better than the others. Grief was like that. It demanded to be felt no matter how long ado it started. Just because you learn to live with it doesn't mean that what happened before wasn't real."

✨ arc ✨

4,5 🌟

This book was a rollercoaster of emotions, and I loved how the author portrayed feelings like grief and loss in such a genuine and palpable way.

The story of the two main characters is impressive, and I enjoyed witnessing their growth throughout the book.

Olivia and Whit are just perfect for each other, and no one can convince me otherwise! ♥

The theme of 'grief' was handled with care, and the fact that we could experience the perspective of various characters made everything more real.

For Swifties: the chapters are based on Taylor Swift songs, and each chapter's story reflects what the song expresses

This was my first book by Sierra Spencer, but I'm sure it won't be the last

Thank you, Sierra Spencer and Good Girls PR for the ARC.

Read this if you like:
• slow burn
• small town
• he falls first
• husband best friend
• secret relationship
• Taylor Swift references

[Chloe Dearman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ratings: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶.75/5

Let me just start by saying this book literally left me speechless. Eastern Standard by Sierra Spencer is a contemporary, small-town romance telling the story of Olivia Carrington. Newly widowed Olivia moves to Connor Bay from New York in order to help her late-husband’s family keep their diner afloat. However, her in-laws pretty much want nothing to do with her, and in turn have made the whole town reject her. In the process of doing this, we also see her struggle with her grief. Not long into the book, her late-husband’s best friend shows up to town and quickly becomes her biggest ally. But what happens, and how will she mentally handle her quickening attraction to her dead husband’s best friend Keating Whitaker?
So this book had me feeling everything. From giggling out loud over banter to straight sobbing over Olivia’s grief and struggles, Sierra Spencer pulled so many emotions out of me over the course of this book. She shows flashbacks of Olivia and Davis’s marriage, how they met and how Olivia keeps having these memories while she’s trying to deal with her day-to-day life. The way this book is written, we are not simply reading about her grief, we are grieving with her. And on top of Olivia dealing with all of that, she also has to deal with the whole town disliking her on top of it. She’s constantly seeking approval and validation, something I myself know I do and quite frequently struggle with, so it’s super easy to relate to her and her journey. There were also so many phenomenal side characters that I absolutely fell in love with. I loved her relationship with pawpaw Donald. He is the little cynical grandpa Liv didn’t know she needed, and he always had her best interest at heart. And the little twists and turns that Sierra kept throwing in the book literally had me gasping. She thought out every detail and in a way secretly made this a second-chance romance. You’ll have to read to understand, because that was one of my favorite aspects of the book and I refuse to spoil it.
Now the spice. SWEET BABY JESUS, this author knows how to write a good smut scene! This is some of the best spice I have read in a WHILE. The only reason I give it 3.75 out of 5 instead of 4 is because I was salty there wasn’t more of it. All I’m gonna say is Whit is now on the top book boyfriends list.
Overall, this book was absolutely breathtaking. There were so many tears, and it was so beautifully written. You can tell this author has been through it for sure with the in depth understanding and portrayal of the grieving process. This is by far one of the best books I’ve ever read, and some good spice I was in NEED of. I was so invested in this book and I can only imagine all the ways I am about to hype this up. Thank you for this ARC and this PHENOMENAL read!!


*Potential Spoilers. Read quotes at own risk*

“My dead husband’s life long best friend was the man I’d ogled in the diner with Eric three days ago and then again just now. I was going to be sick.”

“Keating Whitaker was more than just my husband’s best friend. He was my salvation”

“My favorite thing is that this town is small, and the stars demand that you remember that. No matter what, you are not the biggest thing in the universe. Your best friend dying doesn’t change the fact that the sun will rise and set tomorrow like clockwork. Even though you feel like the world has tilted off its axis, it hasn’t because the stars are still where they’ve always been.”

“I was going to fight for her, and I didn’t care who knew.”

“We don’t get a say in the people we fall in love with, Olivia.”

“But life didn’t stop because one person’s did.”

[Elaine Francisca · Rating 4 out of 5]

ᴇᴀꜱᴛᴇʀɴ ꜱᴛᴀɴᴅᴀʀᴅ by Sierra Spencer

Arc Review

⬥︎ There's nothing better than diving into a book with no expectations and it turning out to be better than you expected.

⬥︎ On this journey we meet Liv (Olivia) who has just lost her husband, and in an attempt to get to know him better, temporarily moves to his hometown, Connor Bay. When she arrives in town, she isn't welcomed, but without knowing what to do with her life, she stays there.

⬥︎ Whit was Davis' best friend who had just returned to the city after finishing is residency hand was surprised to know that Olivia was living there.

⬥︎ I know what you're thinking, maybe not, but I'll tell you what I thought, "This can't be happening" and of course I judged Liv and Whit a bit because I could see where the story was going.

⬥︎ But as I read on, I realised that perhaps not everything is as it seems. The truth is that Liv and Davis knew very little about each other, and although they had a sweeping love, in the long run their relationship wasn't going to work out.

⬥︎ I loved the way grief was approached in this book, we realised that there is more than one way to grieve and that it differs from person to person. And that there's no set time to do it.

⬥︎ Liv is a character we can easily identify with, even if we haven't been through what she has. We can see where the desire to be close to her dead husband comes from, we can see the sense of guilt and loss, and at the same time the desire to feel something other than a huge emptiness inside her.

⬥︎ I loved getting to know Whit! His way of mourning was to leave voice mail to Davis where he poured his heart out and told him everything he felt and though about him, which otherwise he wouldn't have had the courage to do.

⬥︎ The way Liv and Whit's relationship came about was natural. I liked the way the two of them felt comfortable enough from the start to talk about their fears and insecurities. I loved the fact that Whit understood that Liv needed time to organise her thoughts, and to take things slowly.

⬥︎ The fact that the book has two points of view helped me understand the different versions of Davis, and I realised how much he and Olivia didn't make sense. And at the same time it made me question the kind of friendship he had with Whit.

⬥︎ Although I really enjoyed the book, I feel that Olivia should have had THE conversation with Marjorie before the last few chapters. And that Whit should have taken longer to forgive Olivia ahah (I'm petty like that).
And lastly I think we deserved an epilogue.

⬥︎ "𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘹𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘌𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘥"

⬥︎ I'd like to thank Goog Girls Pr Marketing and the author, Sierra Spencer, for providing this e-arc.

[Jessica Marksbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Sierra Spencer and Good Girls PR for an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review :)

This is my first introduction to Sierra Spencer and it was such a sweet introduction to her writing, I enjoyed this book immensely.

Our main characters are Olivia (Liv) and Whit. Liv just moved to her late husband's (Davis) small town in a rushed escape from her New York City apartment and all the memories of her whirlwind romance, to help Davis's families dying diner. But the town and her in-laws are anything but welcoming, in her time of grief, she's alone and unwelcome. In her searching to learn about her husband's past, in walks one of the most handsome men she's ever seen. He just also happens to be her late husband's best friend, Whit.

This book is a beautiful depiction of grief, survivals guilt and trying to find a way to keep living and acceptance that there's no right time to move on, you just have to be ready. Whit's patience, kindness and absolute obsession with Liv was a wonderful counter balance and lightness to the grief that we felt through Liv. Liv's grief is so layered and then tangled with guilt that she even begins to lose herself. She puts everything aside, including her own identity, to try and make her in-laws lives easier.

As the story progresses, Sierra hand feeds you small pieces of the story from the past that really helps develop the pacing and transition us through the book with ease. As much as this is a love story, this is also a self-love story. We get to witness Olivia's journey through grief, acceptance and rediscovery of herself. The discoveries of how Davis truly was, of Whit's own struggles and their intertwined story is written so well, Sierra's character development with all her characters is fantastic.

This book will make you emotional, you will cry with the characters, you will feel for their struggles, and your heart will break. But you will also be put back together. I came into this book with no expectations and came out with a smile. Sierra handled the topic of grief so well. I highly recommend this book, it's so much more than a small town romance.

[Violet Springs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eastern Standard is a poignant picture of loss, love, and the struggle for closure. Olivia found love in a bar on the Upper East Side but tragically lost her beloved on the same street, mere blocks away. Grieving and seeking closure, Olivia decides to visit the town her late husband called home, hoping to find solace and answers in Connor Bay. However, she encounters resistance and a cold reception from the locals, revealing a stark contrast between the standards of a small New England town and the bustling city life she's accustomed to.

Navigating the intricacies of her grief and the shattered pieces of her life, Olivia struggles to reconcile the versions of herself—striving to find a sense of identity in a place where she feels unwelcome. An unexpected accident altered the course of Olivia's life, and she hopes that her late husband's hometown might offer a chance at setting things right, perhaps with the assistance of his best friend.

It is a touching exploration of loss, resilience, and the quest for closure in the face of tragedy. The evocative narrative of a character grappling with profound grief and the search for a semblance of normalcy after a devastating accident altered her life trajectory. The contrast between the vibrant energy of NYC and the reserved nature of a small town seems to be a central theme, underscoring Olivia's struggle to adapt and reconcile her identity in a place that feels inherently foreign to her. Spencer skillfully captures the emotional complexities of Olivia's journey, inviting readers to empathize with her grief and the challenges she faces in the quest for healing.

Despite the town's initial rejection, the prospect of revisiting her late husband's hometown hints at a poignant exploration of memories, connections, and the possibility of finding unexpected support, perhaps through the lens of her husband's best friend. It promises a heartfelt narrative exploring themes of loss, self-discovery, and the resilience of the human spirit. Sierra Spencer seems to craft a compelling and emotionally resonant story that delves into the intricacies of grief, hope, and the journey toward acceptance and renewal

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia Carrington had a whirlwind romance with her husband, but a tragic accident changes everything in the blink of an eye. Now widowed, Olivia hopes to find closure and regain control of her own life by relocating to Connor Bay. Her reception in her husband’s small, New England hometown is anything but welcoming. That is until her husband’s best friend, Keating “Whit” Whitaker sparks something in her she wasn’t sure she’d find again. Olivia is struggling and isn’t entirely sure that pursuing a relationship with her husband’s best friend is the best course of action, but it may just be the key to finding happiness. After all, you can’t choose who you fall in love with.

This was a super fast read that follows Olivia’s life and relationships in the aftermath of her husband’s death. Eastern Standard authentically captured how messy and imperfect grief and the grieving process can be. Olivia struggles with nightmares, managing her feelings, and navigating strained relationships with her in laws. She tries so hard to fit everyone else’s expectations for her and it takes a long time for Olivia to put her own happiness first. I loved that she had a good support system from old and new friends, and learns how to fit into a small town on her own terms. I enjoyed that she was a bit flawed and broken, but showed strength, resilience, and grace over time. I also liked that she realized the importance of taking a second chance on love even though it was a scary and uncertain prospect. Whit is such a swoon-worthy cinnamon roll, and I liked how his character was supportive of Olivia. I felt like he was willing to give her whatever she needed to be ok. Now, Whit may be a cinnamon roll in the streets…but in the sheets (or the bar bathroom) that is not the case. The spice was hot and Olivia and Whit have undeniable chemistry together. Overall, a really enjoyable small town romance that has the added layer of having some raw emotions as a result of dealing with grief from loss.

Eastern Standard was provided as an ARC copy, and this review is my honest opinion and is provided voluntarily.

[Elizabeth Keeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eastern Standard by Sierra Spencer presents a compelling narrative steeped in emotions and tangled relationships. Olivia Carrington's whirlwind romance with Davis, culminating in a tragic loss, sets the stage for a heartfelt exploration of grief, guilt, and unexpected connections. The small-town setting of Connor Bay, Massachusetts, serves as a complex backdrop where Olivia faces the backlash of a community that blames her for Davis's untimely death. Spencer adeptly portrays Olivia's struggle with being ostracized, showcasing the raw emotions and complexities of navigating grief in a hostile environment.

Enter Keating Whitaker, Davis's best friend, who has come back to the town that raised him ready to take on the family doctor practice. The rekindling of old emotions and the emergence of new challenges as Keating tries to support Olivia amidst the town's animosity creates a palpable tension that keeps readers engaged. The exploration of conflicting emotions—Olivia's grief for her late husband and her developing feelings for his best friend—adds depth to the storyline. Spencer delicately navigates the complexities of these emotions, allowing readers to empathize with Olivia's internal struggles. I really felt for Olivia as she only wanted to help her dead husband's parents save their livelihood. However, she was met with obstacles at every turn. The gradual unveiling of Olivia's emotional turmoil and her evolution through the grieving process is both realistic and poignant.

In conclusion, I gave the book 5 stars as I developed an emotional connection with the characters. I felt Olivia’s grief and I felt Keating’s feelings run so deep for Olivia and his lost friend. Keating really had me with his dirty talk and the use of the phrase “good girl.” The exploration of forgiveness, healing, and unexpected connections makes this story a compelling read for those seeking an emotionally rich and thought-provoking story.

[Emi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eastern Standard by Sierra Spencer in my books is definitely a five star read. I loved how the author was able to write in a way that I was able to feel the female MC’s emotions and actions in a physical level. To be quite honest reading this book did make me cry. I just felt like I was resonating with the character so much that anytime that she was going through a a grieving or going through a major obstacle in her life, I just felt like I was really feeling her’s feeling.
I feel like the author did a very great job in writing what grievance accepting and moving on is in real life and I really did love that aspect of the book. The two main characters really did have chemistry. I did not feel like the main characters had a forced level of intimacy like I felt like they already had it from the beginning like it wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t forced it went really smoothly.
I really did love the male character. I felt like he was the biggest green flag I have ever seen in a book because he wasn’t an asshole. He wasn’t anything that would make me think something is wrong with him. From the very beginning, I really did like him. He was a perfect boyfriend, honestly. For the female MC I really did love her because she is very strong headed honestly. Because if I was in her shoes and I was being treated the way that she was in the book I wouldn’t be as strong as her I would’ve left from the very beginning honestly. Especially if like my mother-in-law of my deceased husband, in a hypothetical situation was treating me like garbage I wouldn’t be able to take it like how the main character in this book is so I really do admire her strong willingness for that.
All in all, I really do give this book a five star rating. I really did love it. It made me cry. I made me giggle. I loved it. I couldn’t even put it down as soon as I started reading it. Honestly, I can’t wait to read more from this author, as I move forward.

Rate: 5 ⭐️

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, despite what my start date would have you all believe -- I added it to my currently reading list the day I downloaded it but didn't have time to start it then -- this was a really quick read and I didn't want to put it down! It was unexpected in the best way because I wasn't sure if the grief would be too much for me since I'm usually a happy romance reader, but it was perfect, heartwarming and just really well done. I always like when a book goes back and shows memories of the past, especially since we wouldn't really know anything about Liv and Davis as a couple if we didn't have them. Whit is just the best MMC: gorgeous, sweet, supportive, what's not to love?? He's clearly in love with her from the start and I am here for it. Also Liv's reaction to him before she even knew who he was just shows where the chemistry is going to go from the jump. I was definitely a little confused in the beginning of the book but as the story went on the flashbacks and present interactions between Liv and Whit pieced everything together for me. The voicemails were crucial and a little bit heartbreaking. This story definitely takes you through some emotions, happy, sad, silly and heavy, but all of them make it just that much better. As for the side characters: Donald is the best! Eric is great too but I love that Liv connects with Donald early on when she's feeling completely alone and he's the first real connection she makes in the town of Connor Bay, which honestly had me mad how the rest of the town treated her. I don't want to give any spoilers so I'm going to stop here but this is a great read!!

*Husband's Best Friend (but like not in a bad way)
*He Falls First and Hard
*Small Town Romance
*Grief/Loss

4.5 stars!

I'm so happy to have received an eARC which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own! Eastern Standard went live yesterday, so definitely go check it out!