Finding Eva

Highland Creek Series #1

by Marie Garner

Eva Matthews hates chaos. She worked hard as a high school teacher and prided herself on the life she had made. After a secret from her past sent her well-ordered existence spiraling out of control, all she wanted was answers. Her search led her to Highland Creek and into the arms of the elusive Aaron Sawyer.

Aaron was born a fixer. Every injured person or animal from miles around was treated to his personal attention, and he thrived on putting out fires as the local lawyer at Highland Creek. He never found a problem he couldn’t solve until Eva and although misconceptions led to instant dislike, he couldn’t stop himself from trying to heal her battered soul.

Although Eva is more than willing to engage in a summer fling, she isn’t interested in seeking Aaron’s help or complicating her life with anything long-term. How can the man who lives to fix things stay away? Could Aaron and Eva turn a summer fling into a serious relationship?

Genres: New Adult

ebook

First published June 13, 2014

About the author

Marie Garner hails from North Carolina, and has had her nose in a book for as long as she can remember. Story ideas have been floating around in her head for as long as she can remember when she finally decided to write them down. She is an avid football fan, often found rooting on her Washington Redskins or her alma mater NC State. She has taught for the past 7 years, with a short break to earn her Masters degree. She loves London, having lived there for a year, and loves taking all those crazy ideas to make stories you enjoy!

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eva Matthews thought her life was all in control, that is until she finds out the mother she thought dead was alive and now has left her a house. Eva is left reeling, twenty years she thought her mother had died and now that she knows she only recently passed, she wants answers.

It doesn't help that the Lawyer involved is incredibly handsome and very judgmental on their first meeting. Aaron Sawyer realizes he owes Eva an apology, he knows there is something there between them and despite Eva's brush off, he pans to help get her the answers she needs to move on. Aaron wants more than a summer fling, but when Eva makes an assumption everything turns upside down again.

Sweet story. The initial meeting with Eva and Aaron is fantastic, sets the pace for the whole story. I felt for Eva, she is grappling with an unknown and the answers are not as easy as she hoped. Exciting new series by Marie Garner, look forward to more.

[Medavis66 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! I ran the entire gamut of emotions with this one - thrilled, mad as Hell, elated, stupendous, upset, excited, and I could go on. I wanted to hug Aaron and the entire Sawyer family. I wanted to slap Eva a couple of times, but overall really liked her. I didn't like Gwen's situation, but think it will resolve the right way now that I've read the end of this book. The family dynamics of this book are great. I will read this series all the way through. Let's get all those Sawyer kids happy ( and Eva's step-siblings, too!).

ARC provided in exchange for honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Finding Eva was recommended to me, but man I don't know why. This book was kind of a train wreck for me. The writing, the pace, the story all were just not good. The storyline moved at lightning speed. Even for insta love this was quick. And never really felt like love. I mean it just would not have worked out, not with Eva not trusting Aaron at all, but I will get to that in a minute. The storyline was just bam bam bam with no development or time to really process/react to anything that happened. One page someone is super angry, the next they are fine and it is fixed. One page there is an issue, the next paragraph it is fixed. It just didn't work. I never was really engaged with the story as there wasn't time to be. Everything was instantaneous and just...not good. Because of the lightning pace I also didn't feel like the characters and story was really developed. I never cared for anyone or anything that happened, except I would get annoyed with Eva cause she is an idiot/has anger issues. That and the physical contact scenes (kissing, making out, sex) felt very awkward to me. The word choices for me were not right. It did not work for me, so I didn't even have that. I quickly started skimming those sections as just did not like the way they were written.

So besides the writing what else? Well Eva. I didn't get her. She would be happy fine, then instantly super angry over nothing. Or overhear something and instantly assume it was about her and bad and be instantly super angry! Then two seconds later she would find out she was wrong and oops...sorry! No worries everything is fine. It was just...I didn't get it. One scene in particular that comes to mind - When Aaron takes Eva to dinner for the first time. They get there and the waitress takes their drink order and says she will be right back with the food. Cue Eva instantly being super pissed at Aaron because she didn't order any food! This is a place that is family style and just brings out the food, no menu to order from, and man is Eva pissed. It was just such an over the top instant reaction I didn't get it. Why would she be sooooo angry that she didn't get to order food? I can see maybe slightly annoyed, but to be nuclear pissed off? Okay...why exactly? She didn't make any sense. Then pretty quick once the food got there and she tasted how amazing it was everything was fine. *bangs head against desk* Really I didn't get her. Or one of my favorite lines:

"What the fuck was his brother talking about him trying to help?"

Yes, because having someone try to help you should make you instantly pissed off. How dare he try and help!! Really Aaron's attempts at helping didn't really seem like helping most of the time, but still that is the way it was supposed to be perceived so...how dare he! Aaron's supposed need to help people (which I never really saw in this book) was a bit strange. There is one scene where crazy stalker Marcia who just doesn't get that Aaron doesn't want to be with her anymore starts crying in Aaron's office. What does Aaron do? Let's her cry on his shoulder literally. Why? I have no idea. He couldn't just leave her sitting there crying and not comfort her...okay. I don't know. It was just strange to me especially after reading about him trying to get away from her. Neither of them make any sense.

The whole ending...not very good either. **slight spoilers ahead** Eva still doesn't trust Aaron, and I am not sure why. How in the world will this relationship work when every two seconds Eva overhears something Aaron says to one of his sisters and thinks it is about her and something terrible? How will that work? He keeps telling her he loves her and wants to be with her forever, and yet she doesn't trust him or know if he would want her around after the summer. Yeah, cause you always make plans to be in a long distance relationship with people you don't really like that much. That and when Aaron finds her packing up why would he be sooo pissed that she is trying to turn their relationship into a summer fling if that is what he wanted?! He even asks her to move there to be with him, so yeah hold on to the 'he doesn't want me this was nothing more than a summer fling for him' idea cause he sure keeps acting like that. Man she was sooooo stupid at the end! I was just like give up Aaron, find someone else. Who would want to be with this quick to anger over nothing, not trusting, just mess of a lady? Annoying.

The one part I did like in the book was when Eva's bff Gwen went off on Eva about how she was being all poor me whiny complaining when she, Gwen, had real issues she is trying to deal with and Eva hasn't really been there for her. I was just like yes! Way to go Gwen! Maybe now something will change! But no, Gwen apologizes and Eva kept being her same stupid whiny self. I mean she keeps going on about how she wants to know why her biological mom left her, poor her, but she has the freaking letter that explains it, she just doesn't read it. So stop going on about this when you can easily find out! Stop complaining poor you! Ugh. Yes, if you couldn't tell Eva annoyed me.

So overall this book was just not good. The story moved way too quickly, never letting you really connect with the characters. The characters weren't in love, they had a physical attraction. It was just kind of a mess for me. I honestly don't understand how there are so many amazing reviews for this book.

This review was originally posted to Jen in Bookland

[Becky]

What an amazing debut novel by Marie Garner. I liked the writing style that she has. I would have never would have believed this was her debut novel if I haven’t read it somewhere. I found it to be a captivating story. I kept reading it until I finished it. If I didn’t have to eat or sleep I think I would have finished it all in one day.
You go through your whole life thinking one thing and then all of a sudden out of the blue you get a letter in the mail and then you find your whole life is turned upside down. You found out, for your entire life you have been lied to by the two people you loved and trusted the most. All in the mean time you keep asking yourself why. That is exactly what happened to Eva.
I absolutely loved the characters in this book. I think Aaron is every woman’s dream. He is a fixer and he is very passionate. I found him to be very sexy. Now Eva on the other hand, there were times when I really liked her and then again there were times when she annoyed the heck out of me. She was always jumping to conclusions without hearing the truth to what she walked in on. With the wild thoughts running through her head she always ended up making stupid mistakes. She also had a caring side to her as well. She could be your best friend and shoulder to cry on or she could just tell you what she thought. The secondary characters in this were fantastic. I absolutely loved Aaron’s brothers and Eva’s best friend Gwen. She seemed like she would fun to hang out with.
“If he really knew that all I thought about was having him slam me on that desk throughout his whole apology, he’d probably have me arrested.” This is one of the things I loved about Eva, all of her dirty thoughts about Aaron.
Eva Matthews is a high school teacher who thought her life was normal. She was very proud of herself on what she has accomplished in her life. Then one day her life turned upside down when she received a letter from an attorney about her mother. Her mother, she thought was dead for the past twenty years. She had no idea to what was going on. That is when she met Aaron Sawyer. At first she thought he was cocky and couldn’t stand to be around him. That is what she wanted him to think. From their very first meeting she was instantly attracted to him.
Aaron Sawyer was an attorney in a small town. He was always trying to help someone. There was only one person in his life he couldn’t help and that was Eva. She always wanted to do things on her own. After all these years of knowing Elizabeth he always thought her daughter neglected her. He never knew the real story. On his and Eva’s first meeting he couldn’t stand her and after dealing with her for a few weeks he couldn’t get this girl out of his head. He drove his family nuts by always talking about her. He finally broke down her walls and got to her heart. He would do anything he could not too loose her.
Hopefully we will find out what happens next in Aaron and Eva’s story while reading Bryan and Stella’s story, Saving Stella. So far I have loved the start to this series and can’t wait to read more. You did a wonderful job Marie Garner. I look forward to reading more of your work.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complimentary copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Eva has spent her life believing that her mother had died, long ago. So when she finds out she has been living a lie, and her mother had just recently died, leaving Eva her entire estate, she must come to terms with her past, and figure out how to go about her future. Eva isn’t interested in staying in small town Highland Creek, but will a summer fling keep her there? Will the secrets of her past threaten the love of the family she has always known?

Aaron is a lawyer in Highland Creek, tasked to help execute the estate of Elizabeth Matthews, Eva’s biological mother. Aaron assumes that since Elizabeth had spent her life alone, Eva had abandoned her mother, choosing instead to spend her life with her father. Of course things aren’t what they seem and Eva had no idea her mother was still alive. At first Aaron is rude to Eva, however after speaking with his mother (who was a friend to Elizabeth) about the situation, Aaron begins to understand the situation a little better and decides that he wants to get to know Eva a little better. But is Aaron willing to let Eva go at the end of the summer, when she needs to return to her teaching position in the city?

As Eva begins to go through her mother’s belongings, she finds herself not only getting closer to the woman who had given birth to her, but to Aaron as well. What originally begins as a summer fling, something to take her mind off the task of dealing with her mother’s estate, soon develops into something far more, and leaves her wondering if maybe she belongs in Highland Creek after all.

Finding Eva is a moving story of finding oneself after having lived a lie for so long, and the journey it takes to get there. Eva not only had to come to terms with the lies told to her, but she also needed to understand why her mother had made the choices she had. In the end, she understands why her mother made the ultimate sacrifice, and Eva finds the love of her life as well. Finding Eva is well written and engaging, with characters that are well developed and relatable. It is a feel good story filled with the drama and challenges of small town life and finding out things aren’t always black and white.

Finding Eva is a quick read, perfect for the beach or vacation. If you like love stories, this four star book will be one for you. It was a little predictable, but it is sweet and you couldn’t help but fall a little bit for the characters. This is the first book in the series and I look forward to more from Ms. Garner.

[N Swaffar · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆☆☆☆4☆☆☆☆

Finding Eva is twirlwind romance of two strangers meeting, because of one person that they were both connected to.

Eva is a teacher and Aaron is a lawyer, who meets by chance after Eva biological mother dies. For years Eva believed that her mother was dead, she never knew her mom was alive and well, until recent death. Eva was forced to visit her mom’s home to take care of her inheritance, that her mother left for her after she passed. A beautiful house and money, that Aaron as a lawyer and her mother’s friend had to take care of.

Their first meeting was far from perfect. Aaron believing Eva abandoned her mom and now just showing up for her inheritance, makes him sick. Aaron was a jerk on their first meeting, because he didn’t know any better. He thought Eva was only coming for the money and the house, but he was wrong.

Even with the bad first impression, they couldn’t deny the connection they felt for each other. Before they could get pass the first meeting, things had to be resolved and forgiveness had to happen. It didn’t take long for them to get together, after that day. The attraction they had for each other was very consuming, it was like love at first sight.



Aaron is a very straight forward person, so he told Eva about how he felt right away. From then on their love came hard and fast, so did their sex life. These two were on each other like bunnies, they couldn’t keep their hands off each other after their first time. Even though sex was turned down a notch in this book, it was still sexy and tasteful.

I loved Aaron’s character. He knew what he wanted from the beginning, he didn’t play games at all. He went straight for what he wanted and got Eva. Getting her to stay was his goal for the summer. All Eva wanted to do was figure out her mom’s past to find herself, but what she didn’t expect was to find love.

Will Aaron convince Eva that what they shared is so much more than a summer fling?
Or will Eva fun home and forget everything as she planned?

[Mandie Foxylutely · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review

3.75 stars

This is the debut novel of Marie Garner and it is a sweet and romantic read.

Eva is shocked to find out her biological Mom has died and left her a house in Highland Creek. What is even more of a shock is that Eva has always been lead to believe her Mom died over twenty years ago. This brings family secrets out in the open and Eva is definitely looking for answers. When she arrives at the house she is confronted by hot and angry Aaron Sawyer, throwing all kinds of accusations at her. This dear reader is the start of a gorgeous but complicating relationship!

Eva was annoyed that Aaron had jumped to conclusions before he even thought to ask but then she ended up doing a whole lot of jumping to conclusions herself throughout the book. However these were the parts that added a little twist and angst to the love story, which kept you wondering is this a summer fling or are they in it for the long haul?

I really liked both Eva and Aaron. She was a sassy little thing who didn’t let anybody get one over on her and he was one sexilicious lawyer who loved to sort everything for everyone. The chemistry between the pair was super-hot and passionate.

I found Eva’s best friend Gwen a bit of a doormat and she frustrated me no end. She finds her husband having sex with his secretary and he has the gall to tell his wife to get out while he finishes, yet she still wants to stay with this man? WTF? Be good to see what happens to Gwen in the next book – will she finally be rid of her husband and get with Connor?

I loved the family connections from both Eva and Aaron and when they all got together it was heart-warming.

For a debut this had everything going for it, likeable characters, good erotic hotness, angst driven storylines and a believable romance. I now need more of these sexy Sawyer brothers!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding Eva is a unique story about Eva. Eva has a pretty normal existence. She has been raised by her dad and her step mom after being told that her birth mom has past aways 20 years ago. Then Eva gets a phone call from a lawyer that her mom has JUST passed away, and she has left Eva her home and other possessions.

Eva is in shock. How could her mom really be alive all this time? How come no one has told her the truth? Eva questions everything she has ever known to be true.

Eva meets with the lawyer (who happens to be a hotty) and immediately gets off on the wrong foot. Well, Aaron (hotty) puts his foot in his mouth when it comes to Eva. He oversteps his bounds and tells Eva how he feels. He did to know the real relationship between Eva and her mom and he thinks Eva only care about getting her inheritance.

Aaron knows he was wrong. Not only was her wrong, but her REALLY wants to make things right with Eva. He wants to get to know her. He feels a spark that he has not felt in a long time. Eva doesn't want to start anything with Aaron knowing she is only visiting where he lives. Her home is elsewhere. Eva's original plan was to clean and sell the house after spending the summer there. She has no interest in moving there.

Eva's whole life is in turmoil. She doesn't know anything anymore. Her mom was alive. Her dad lied to her for 20 years. She is in a strange town, falling in love with someone who was suppose to be a fling. She is really having to find herself all over again.

I loved this book. It was a great story about someone who found herself and a whole lot more when she didn't even know what she was looking for it!

[Drue DePompei-Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding Eva was a wonderful read. I fell in love with Aaron and Eva immediately.

Eva finds out that the mother she thought had been dead for most of her life actually just passed recently and she has left Eva her estate. Rightfully ticked off at this news Eva heads out to hopefully get some answers and to check out what her mother has left her. Insert one hunky attorney, Aaron just cannot believe that his life long neighbor is gone and worse that she had a child who has only now shown up to claim the money. Aaron and Eva's first encounter doesn't go to well when Aaron just can't keep his feelings in check and then the most gorgeous woman he has ever seen stands right up to him and puts him in his place. Which is off her property.

Then to top it all off, his mother puts the smackdown on him as well for being an ass to Eva. As Aaron sets out to make amends, he becomes more and more enthralled with Eva. And then she's gone.

Back home Eva is miserable, but she can't get past what she heard Aaron say and saw Aaron do, walking into her house and finding him sitting on the couch was the last thing she expected.

Another series to keep an eye on readers. I absolutely loved the entire Sawyer family unit, and I can see a great series ahead. Next up Bryan Sawyer.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review

Eva has everything she wants in life, except for a man. A job she loves, a wonderful close knit family & great friends. A startling revelation appears in the form of a letter, from a Highland Creek lawyer, stating she was left a house & trust from her biological mother, who had died a month prior rather than the 20 years she'd been led to believe. Learning that her mother had lived only 2 hours from her for 20 years, Eva feels angry and abandoned. With her parents, she feels betrayed. Eva travels to her mother's home planning to get the house ready to sell so she can head back home. She gets off to a bad start with Aaron, the hot lawyer... his parents happen to live next door. They have amazing chemistry, despite the awful first impression and it doesn't take long till they can't get enough of each other... even if it's only for the short time she will be in town.

Emotional struggles, love and "hot monkey sex" make this contemporary romance a please to read! I was sad when it ended, but yea, it's a series! So excited for the next book!

[Mary Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eva's world was tilted off its axis when she finds out her biological mother that she believes died 20 years ago recently passed away and left her an inheritance. Her parents, Dad and Step-Mom, have always said she died which is why she left her but now, she isn't sure what to believe. As she embarks on a journey to try to find out why her mother gave her up to her Dad, Eva meets Aaron, a cocky and arrogant attorney who handled Elizabeth's (her Mom) estate. Of course, Aaron really isn't that cocky and arrogant but his initial reaction to Eva and the fact that she never visited her Mom sets him down the wrong path causing a first meeting that goes horribly wrong … but totally fun to read … and the chemistry in that first encounter is off the charts! Once misunderstandings are ironed out, can these 2 stubborn individuals find a way to building a relationship? The fun is in the ride and we get to enjoy the ups and downs while meeting both their families along the way. Loved all of Aaron's brothers and how he leans on them for advice. Kelly, the 4 year old niece, will melt your heart too! Looking forward to brother Steve's story.

[Heather Way · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eva received a letter in the mail stating that her biological mother passed away and she had inherited her home and cash. Eva is dun-founded and upset because she thought her mother died years ago. After school let out she drives to go and settle her mother's estate.
Meeting Aaron the lawyer of the estate. He passed judgement with out knowing the story and they started off on a rocky way. After his mother explained her relationship with her mother. Aaron did the right thing and apologized. He knew he was attracted to her but he let his mouth get a hold of him.
Now that he apologized he asked her out. But Eva declined stating she wasn't going to be here long. This book offered so much love, romance, tons of drama, and some amazing characters I want to get to know. And If you want some sizzling hot sex. You will get that too!! I can't wait to Read about Gwen's ( Eva's best friend) story after her loser husband is ditched (at least I hope he gets ditched lol) I loved Eva but she was a bit insecure. And I totally loved Aaron he was all alpha plus he knew what he wanted!!

[Kinga · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was unbelievably sweet. There were a few things that got my nerves itching but the story played out good.

We have Eva, who inherits a house from the woman who gave birth to her and the woman she thought was dead for the last twenty years.
We have Aaron, the late mother's lawyer who accuses Eva of things at their first meeting.

Their love story was kind of fast paced in the first few pages but then the serious stuff got the attention. Aaron was definitely not the type of man I expected of reading about. He surprised me and impressed em, which is good because I'm usually very picky about my male characters.

I loved the side characters too. The next installment is going to be Bryan/Stella and since I'm not very familiar about Bryan I'm quite curious. I foresee a Gwen/Conner in the future and I already know that I'm going to love them!

[Sophia Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Marie Garner's first novel, and what a great start.

This story is based on Eva and Aaron, and their story to finding each other.

Eva had a pretty simple existence, she had her life all planned out, until she receives a letter from her "past" and it throws her life into chaos. Who can she trust, when the person who is meant to look out for her, guide her, has been lying to her...

Enter saviour Aaron.. and things start to take a turn for the better...

I don't like spoilers, and I am not going to put anymore in here, but read this book, its a great start by this author, and I will definitely be reading the next one.


reviewed on behalf of D&S Bookblog - arc given for honest review.

[Moon Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received it in exchange of an honest review! I loved loved loved this book! I was so hooked, i finished it in a day! Well written, with a classic girl meet small town boy story, this book is full of sexiness, emotions, chemistry and so many great characters you won't be safe from falling in love with it! It was a pure pleasure! Now i can't wait to read what happens next!!!! "En resume", Marie Garner did it! She delivered what promises to be a greatly sweet and addictive series!!! Two thumbs up!!

[Moon Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received it in exchange of an honest review! I loved loved loved this book! I was so hooked, i finished it in a day! Well written, with a classic girl meet small town boy story, this book is full of sexiness, emotions, chemistry and so many great characters you won't be safe from falling in love with it! It was a pure pleasure! Now i can't wait to read what happens next!!!! "En resume", Marie Garner did it! She delivered what promises to be a greatly sweet and addictive series!!! Two thumbs up!!

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

** I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.**

'Finding Eva' was a good romance novel. I liked how the story was told. The characters were really good. I thing Eva was a good lead and represented how real women deal with certain circumstances. The story line was well thought out and written as such. This novel is a great debut for author Marie Garner. She did an amazing job. I look forward to reading more books in this series. A good add to your tbr list. Recommended read.

[Ursula · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible book. The dialogue made me check multiple times if this really was a book about adults or about high-scholars. It annoyed me that the main character Eva pretty much ignored her best friends needs at times because she wanted to get laid.
The frequent use of the word bitch to describe someone’s ex wife and the simplistic way the issue of cheating was dealt with was irritating to say the least.

[Maari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very sweet, quick read, that has more depth than most books this length. It reminds us that things are not always as they seem & life can open our eyes to help us realize that sometimes when we believe that we are lost, we are just on a detour to where we are meant to be! :) I look forward to reading more from Ms. Garner.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! Eva finds out that she has been lied to all her life and she goes to discover who her mother was, having very little memories of her. I liked the relationship between her and Aaron, but I especially loved the secondary characters. They really made the book, and I can't wait to read the next one.

[Brenda Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story!! Loved the characters!! Can't wait for the next one!!!! Great DEBUT NOVEL FROM MARIE GARNER!!!

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll be back to write my review :)

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this book! It is the perfect mix of sweet, sassy, and steamy. I will definitely be looking for more from Garner and would love another series.!

[Josephine · Rating 1 out of 5]

The heroine is a total jerk and the hero is clueless. Awkward conversations and didn't see the chemistry at all. DNF.

[Anne Jolin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait for the rest of the books in this series! and anything else from Marie Garner! She is amazing and I adored this book!

[Talltree]

Not liking the authors style, even in sample. Not for me.