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For the Thrill of It
When inspiration becomes real life, will you fight for love?
Willow
Writing thrillers is the name of the game. Usually, the storylines come easily, but my latest book is uninspired. Needing a change of scenery, I do something I promised myself I wouldn’t; I go to Grind Time, perching myself in front of the hottest distraction in Bluebell Falls, the mononymous Oakley.
When I overhear some juicy details about his mysterious past, I decide the distracting man may be the key to ending my writer’s block and finishing this book.
To my surprise, my books have come to life, and I can’t help but wonder if this thrilling adventure is more than I bargained for.
Oakley
Leaving the only job I ever wanted wasn’t something I did lightly, but when you’ve seen what I have, it feels like the only choice. Now, I’m serving coffee and paninis to the residents of Bluebell Falls, with one in particular always on my mind.
Ever since Grind Time’s opening week, Willow Hutton has avoided me, but all of that changes when she walks through the doors and overhears parts of my previous life that I wanted to keep hidden.
When my past comes back with a vengeance, maybe this time, with a little help, I’ll finally slay my demons and my last case will be left behind for good.
Can they survive the darkness together, or will their fresh start be over before it truly begins in Bluebell Falls?
For the Thrill of It is the second book in the Bluebell Falls series. Each book is a standalone, ending in an HEA, and should be read in order.
Willow
Writing thrillers is the name of the game. Usually, the storylines come easily, but my latest book is uninspired. Needing a change of scenery, I do something I promised myself I wouldn’t; I go to Grind Time, perching myself in front of the hottest distraction in Bluebell Falls, the mononymous Oakley.
When I overhear some juicy details about his mysterious past, I decide the distracting man may be the key to ending my writer’s block and finishing this book.
To my surprise, my books have come to life, and I can’t help but wonder if this thrilling adventure is more than I bargained for.
Oakley
Leaving the only job I ever wanted wasn’t something I did lightly, but when you’ve seen what I have, it feels like the only choice. Now, I’m serving coffee and paninis to the residents of Bluebell Falls, with one in particular always on my mind.
Ever since Grind Time’s opening week, Willow Hutton has avoided me, but all of that changes when she walks through the doors and overhears parts of my previous life that I wanted to keep hidden.
When my past comes back with a vengeance, maybe this time, with a little help, I’ll finally slay my demons and my last case will be left behind for good.
Can they survive the darkness together, or will their fresh start be over before it truly begins in Bluebell Falls?
For the Thrill of It is the second book in the Bluebell Falls series. Each book is a standalone, ending in an HEA, and should be read in order.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2024
17 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
April 28, 2024
This is my first book by this author and it won’t be my last. It did take me a couple of chapters to get into it but I enjoyed it.
What to expect:
🩵 Small Town
🩵 Romantic Suspense
🩵 Mental Health Rep
🩵 Spicy
🩵 Top Tier Banter
🩵 Characters in Their 30’s
🩵 Hidden Identity
🩵 Ex-US Marshall
This book is about Willow and Oakley. They want to prove to each other that they are perfect for each other, are meant for each other and can help each other.
Oakley is an ex-US Marshall, he now lives in a small town called Bluebell Falls and owns a small coffee shop called Grind Time. He struggles with demons from his past, demons that lurk from his old life and they refuse to leave him alone. He lives a life of darkness, apart from one shining light is the local beauty who he gets the chance to see every day lately at the coffee shop when she comes in and writes.
Willow is an author, she writes thrillers and she’s currently struggling with writer's block. In an attempt to try and resolve it, she decides to go to the local coffee shop in town, Grind Time. However, usually, she tries to avoid the place because she seems to get distracted by the eye candy that owns the business, Oakley.
Oakley agrees to help Willow with her writer's block and help her with her storyline. The more time they spend together, the closer they get and the harder it is to fight off this undeniable attraction they have for each other which brings them together and leads them to have some extremely hot and heavy nights together.
However, Willow discovers Oakley has a dark secret and past… Oakley has demons that lurk in his past and they’ve decided to reappear and it's with a vengeance.
The chemistry between these two is intense and so good. These two have something beautiful and special. Their banter is top tier and their connection is pure, I couldn’t help but root for these to be together. I loved how they both wanted to be supportive of one another. Their character development and growth, individual and as a couple was evident. Their physical attraction grew into such a strong and real intimate relationship and love. It’s breathtaking to read.
I also loved Willow and her relationship with her siblings. It was entertaining and had me laughing and it just made me smile and feel good throughout the story.
All in all, this book took me on a roller coaster ride. It was emotional, beautiful, heartfelt, heartbreaking, somewhat painful and of course, I can’t forget spicy! It grabbed hold of my heart, I’m so glad I pushed through and kept reading at the beginning because it turned out being an absolutely beautiful and thought provoking love story that will stay with me for a long time.
5 STARS!
What to expect:
🩵 Small Town
🩵 Romantic Suspense
🩵 Mental Health Rep
🩵 Spicy
🩵 Top Tier Banter
🩵 Characters in Their 30’s
🩵 Hidden Identity
🩵 Ex-US Marshall
This book is about Willow and Oakley. They want to prove to each other that they are perfect for each other, are meant for each other and can help each other.
Oakley is an ex-US Marshall, he now lives in a small town called Bluebell Falls and owns a small coffee shop called Grind Time. He struggles with demons from his past, demons that lurk from his old life and they refuse to leave him alone. He lives a life of darkness, apart from one shining light is the local beauty who he gets the chance to see every day lately at the coffee shop when she comes in and writes.
Willow is an author, she writes thrillers and she’s currently struggling with writer's block. In an attempt to try and resolve it, she decides to go to the local coffee shop in town, Grind Time. However, usually, she tries to avoid the place because she seems to get distracted by the eye candy that owns the business, Oakley.
Oakley agrees to help Willow with her writer's block and help her with her storyline. The more time they spend together, the closer they get and the harder it is to fight off this undeniable attraction they have for each other which brings them together and leads them to have some extremely hot and heavy nights together.
However, Willow discovers Oakley has a dark secret and past… Oakley has demons that lurk in his past and they’ve decided to reappear and it's with a vengeance.
The chemistry between these two is intense and so good. These two have something beautiful and special. Their banter is top tier and their connection is pure, I couldn’t help but root for these to be together. I loved how they both wanted to be supportive of one another. Their character development and growth, individual and as a couple was evident. Their physical attraction grew into such a strong and real intimate relationship and love. It’s breathtaking to read.
I also loved Willow and her relationship with her siblings. It was entertaining and had me laughing and it just made me smile and feel good throughout the story.
All in all, this book took me on a roller coaster ride. It was emotional, beautiful, heartfelt, heartbreaking, somewhat painful and of course, I can’t forget spicy! It grabbed hold of my heart, I’m so glad I pushed through and kept reading at the beginning because it turned out being an absolutely beautiful and thought provoking love story that will stay with me for a long time.
5 STARS!
April 26, 2024
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When Willow Hutton gets writers block working on her latest thriller, she decides to hit up the local coffee shop, Grind Time, which she usually avoids because of its deliciously distracting shop owner Oakley. She loses her writers block but discovers a secret about Oakley’s past. When his past comes roaring back, will Willow and Oakley be able to conquer his demons or will he be forced to leave Bluebell Falls and start over somewhere else? This is the 2nd book in the Bluebell Falls series!
☕️Small town romance
📖Romantic suspense
☕️Coffee shop owner x Author
📖Hidden identity
☕️Banter
📖Characters in their 30s
☕️Mental health rep
📖SPICE (incl. bøndágë)
🌶️🌶️🌶️
I thought this story was so unique. As a true crime fan, I love that the author really got into the criminal aspect that comes along with this story and I wasn’t left wanting more details. There was instant attraction between Willow & Oakley but the more they spent time together, the deeper their relationship got and I loved watching their journey together and also exploring the topic of mental health and how it can effect relationships and intimacy. Without giving any spoilers I loved the ending and thought it set up perfectly for the next book.
The main thing keeping me from giving this 5 stars was I felt the conflict between the 2 characters was resolved rather easily and there wasn’t as deep of a conversation surrounding that as I was hoping for.
🖤 Thank you to Samantha M Thomas and The Author Agency for the e-ARC of For The Thrill of It in exchange for my honest review! 🖤
When Willow Hutton gets writers block working on her latest thriller, she decides to hit up the local coffee shop, Grind Time, which she usually avoids because of its deliciously distracting shop owner Oakley. She loses her writers block but discovers a secret about Oakley’s past. When his past comes roaring back, will Willow and Oakley be able to conquer his demons or will he be forced to leave Bluebell Falls and start over somewhere else? This is the 2nd book in the Bluebell Falls series!
☕️Small town romance
📖Romantic suspense
☕️Coffee shop owner x Author
📖Hidden identity
☕️Banter
📖Characters in their 30s
☕️Mental health rep
📖SPICE (incl. bøndágë)
🌶️🌶️🌶️
I thought this story was so unique. As a true crime fan, I love that the author really got into the criminal aspect that comes along with this story and I wasn’t left wanting more details. There was instant attraction between Willow & Oakley but the more they spent time together, the deeper their relationship got and I loved watching their journey together and also exploring the topic of mental health and how it can effect relationships and intimacy. Without giving any spoilers I loved the ending and thought it set up perfectly for the next book.
The main thing keeping me from giving this 5 stars was I felt the conflict between the 2 characters was resolved rather easily and there wasn’t as deep of a conversation surrounding that as I was hoping for.
🖤 Thank you to Samantha M Thomas and The Author Agency for the e-ARC of For The Thrill of It in exchange for my honest review! 🖤
May 4, 2024
For The Thrill Of It is book 2 in Samantha M Thomas’s Bluebell Falls series. This is a standalone, however you should definitely read book 1, Second First Impressions first - there is a lot of back story in that book to help set this one up.
Willow is an author that writes Thrillers, where she secretly kills off all of the annoying people in the small town she calls home, Bluebell Falls.
Oakley is an ex-US Marshall, turned coffee shop owner who is trying to keep a low profile and avoid anyone finding out about his past life.
Willow is struggling with severe writers block, so she decides to change up her environment and begins working at Grind Time, the coffee shop that Oakley owns. She finds out that Oakley has a past and uses him as inspiration for her current book.
I loved how Willow asks Oakley if she can use him as inspiration and to run ideas by once she finds out about his past. Oakley is a little hesitant, but I’m so glad he opened up to the idea. His support of her writing is the sweetest. Letting her work in the shop, bringing her coffee and panini’s without disturbing her. He made several mentions that he didn’t know how these things worked (writing novels) - but wanted to support her in any way he possibly could.
I literally squealed when she went up to his apartment for the first time and realized he had a bookshelf just for her novels that she had written. Like, WHAT!?!? If that doesn’t defrost your cold black heart, I don’t know what will.
This was a romantic suspense novel and there suspense was suspenseful. I was literally having a panic attack. The mental health representation was a great part of this story as well. The work Oakley did as a US Marshall left him broken and the fact that he wasn’t ashamed of talking to a therapist was great to see.
This book is about to be my entire personality [until book 3 comes out - which I hope is soon]
Willow is an author that writes Thrillers, where she secretly kills off all of the annoying people in the small town she calls home, Bluebell Falls.
Oakley is an ex-US Marshall, turned coffee shop owner who is trying to keep a low profile and avoid anyone finding out about his past life.
Willow is struggling with severe writers block, so she decides to change up her environment and begins working at Grind Time, the coffee shop that Oakley owns. She finds out that Oakley has a past and uses him as inspiration for her current book.
I loved how Willow asks Oakley if she can use him as inspiration and to run ideas by once she finds out about his past. Oakley is a little hesitant, but I’m so glad he opened up to the idea. His support of her writing is the sweetest. Letting her work in the shop, bringing her coffee and panini’s without disturbing her. He made several mentions that he didn’t know how these things worked (writing novels) - but wanted to support her in any way he possibly could.
I literally squealed when she went up to his apartment for the first time and realized he had a bookshelf just for her novels that she had written. Like, WHAT!?!? If that doesn’t defrost your cold black heart, I don’t know what will.
This was a romantic suspense novel and there suspense was suspenseful. I was literally having a panic attack. The mental health representation was a great part of this story as well. The work Oakley did as a US Marshall left him broken and the fact that he wasn’t ashamed of talking to a therapist was great to see.
This book is about to be my entire personality [until book 3 comes out - which I hope is soon]
April 22, 2024
4/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶️
I have never read anything by the author and was intrigued after reading the blurb. This book started like a Criminal Minds episode and I ate it up. The characters were both in such different places in their lives but drawn together nonetheless.
Oakley and Willow prove to each other that they are perfect together and can really help each other. Willow helps Oakley overcome some challenges he’s having after leaving his previous career. Oakley gives Willow ideas for her newest book. The spice was great - Oakley was a pro at getting Willow out of her own head. Willow navigates small towns and their gossip hilariously (I loved how she handled the busybodies in her book).
This book was unique because the last 20% was not the “main event/plot twist” but it was the aftermath and how the town and family handled everything. It felt like an extended epilogue and I really enjoyed seeing more of the “end”.
3/5 🌶️
I have never read anything by the author and was intrigued after reading the blurb. This book started like a Criminal Minds episode and I ate it up. The characters were both in such different places in their lives but drawn together nonetheless.
Oakley and Willow prove to each other that they are perfect together and can really help each other. Willow helps Oakley overcome some challenges he’s having after leaving his previous career. Oakley gives Willow ideas for her newest book. The spice was great - Oakley was a pro at getting Willow out of her own head. Willow navigates small towns and their gossip hilariously (I loved how she handled the busybodies in her book).
This book was unique because the last 20% was not the “main event/plot twist” but it was the aftermath and how the town and family handled everything. It felt like an extended epilogue and I really enjoyed seeing more of the “end”.
May 4, 2024
FOR THE THRILL OF IT by Samantha M. Thomas is book Two in the Bluebell Falls. This is the story of Oakley and Willow. Willow is an author who is having writers block this leads her to get out and work at the Grind Time. Oakley is a former US Marshall who is dealing with darkness in his life. Oakley owns the Grind Time but that isn't his lightening his life. Only the Willow seems to be doing that from the moment he sees her. Enjoyed this book.
May 2, 2024
RATING: 4.5/5
I enjoyed reading “For the Thrill of It.” I loved the suspense aspect of the story and how it tied in with Willow being a writer. Oakley’s past that impacted his current mental health was written well. I felt his pain and anguish as he told his story—Willow’s bubbly personality balanced well with Oakley’s. The story has enough excitement and spice to keep my interest to the end.
I enjoyed reading “For the Thrill of It.” I loved the suspense aspect of the story and how it tied in with Willow being a writer. Oakley’s past that impacted his current mental health was written well. I felt his pain and anguish as he told his story—Willow’s bubbly personality balanced well with Oakley’s. The story has enough excitement and spice to keep my interest to the end.
May 3, 2024
I couldn’t stop reading this!
It started out sweet and a little awkward with Willow and Oakley ogling each other in turn, blushing, a little stammering and such, and just evolved into a really beautiful, emotional, and sexy story.
The chemistry between the two main characters is so good! I love the banter between them, and how sweet and supportive they are of one another. Their journey from physical attraction to real intimacy is so beautiful. I felt everything: happiness, angst, sorrow, anxiety, fear, relief, and happiness again with the resolution of the story.
One thing I also love is the dynamic between Willow and her siblings— it had me smiling and laughing multiple times. They remind me a lot of my own family and as I was reading I felt like I actually knew Ledger , Rina , and Lennox in real life . That’s the mark of good writing and great world building.
This is a small town romance you definitely want to read!
It started out sweet and a little awkward with Willow and Oakley ogling each other in turn, blushing, a little stammering and such, and just evolved into a really beautiful, emotional, and sexy story.
The chemistry between the two main characters is so good! I love the banter between them, and how sweet and supportive they are of one another. Their journey from physical attraction to real intimacy is so beautiful. I felt everything: happiness, angst, sorrow, anxiety, fear, relief, and happiness again with the resolution of the story.
One thing I also love is the dynamic between Willow and her siblings— it had me smiling and laughing multiple times. They remind me a lot of my own family and as I was reading I felt like I actually knew Ledger , Rina , and Lennox in real life . That’s the mark of good writing and great world building.
This is a small town romance you definitely want to read!
May 5, 2024
I love a good thriller and a good romance and this book combined the two perfectly.
Willow is a thriller writer and is working on her next book in her hometown of Bluebell Falls. Not much happens here in this little town except small town gossip. Oakley came here after his career abruptly ended with the US Marshalls. He just wants to put the past behind him and run his coffee shop in the small town he now calls home. All that changes when his final case that was never solved comes back to haunt him. His old partner has discovered that the serial suspect has changed his tactics and is now hunting Oakley. Not only is his worried about getting back into the line of fire with the one suspect that was constantly evading him but he can't stand the thought of trouble coming to this small town full of people he has come to care for, especially Willow. The two try to keep each other at arms link but their mutual attraction makes that impossible.
Oakley and Willow's love story is so special. They really do bring out the best in each other and I love how the author didn't just end the story with the murders being solved, but she followed the characters in the aftermath and showed how they dealt with it which made the story even better for me. I will definitely be reading more from this series.
Willow is a thriller writer and is working on her next book in her hometown of Bluebell Falls. Not much happens here in this little town except small town gossip. Oakley came here after his career abruptly ended with the US Marshalls. He just wants to put the past behind him and run his coffee shop in the small town he now calls home. All that changes when his final case that was never solved comes back to haunt him. His old partner has discovered that the serial suspect has changed his tactics and is now hunting Oakley. Not only is his worried about getting back into the line of fire with the one suspect that was constantly evading him but he can't stand the thought of trouble coming to this small town full of people he has come to care for, especially Willow. The two try to keep each other at arms link but their mutual attraction makes that impossible.
Oakley and Willow's love story is so special. They really do bring out the best in each other and I love how the author didn't just end the story with the murders being solved, but she followed the characters in the aftermath and showed how they dealt with it which made the story even better for me. I will definitely be reading more from this series.
May 4, 2024
4.5⭐️
Tropes i love:
☕️: small town romance
☕️: mental health rep
☕️: fun banter
☕️: suspenseful
Willow and Oakley are so cute. I loved how Willow tries to avoid Grind Time because Oakley was such a distraction while she was trying to write. Little did she know, Oakley had eyes for her too.
I loved how supportive he was of her writing career. He opened himself up to be vulnerable to help her out of her mental writers block and took care of her when she was in the writing zone.
Watching Oakley’s journey with his anxiety and panic attacks was endearing. He felt not worthy and getting to read his internal thoughts/struggles was very relatable. Seeing him work through things and take responsibility for his actions was attractive.
Willow was a badass. Being a writer is no easy feat. I love that she is nosy and eavesdrops because i am totally like that! I loved how patient she was with Oakley and his mental health. She just wanted him as is and it was beautiful to see how she helped him.
I can’t wait to read more about this family and town. Samantha is an amazing writer and I’m excited to see what’s next in Bluebell Falls with Rina, Lennox, Arlo, and the busy bodies in town!
*arc provided for honest view.
Tropes i love:
☕️: small town romance
☕️: mental health rep
☕️: fun banter
☕️: suspenseful
Willow and Oakley are so cute. I loved how Willow tries to avoid Grind Time because Oakley was such a distraction while she was trying to write. Little did she know, Oakley had eyes for her too.
I loved how supportive he was of her writing career. He opened himself up to be vulnerable to help her out of her mental writers block and took care of her when she was in the writing zone.
Watching Oakley’s journey with his anxiety and panic attacks was endearing. He felt not worthy and getting to read his internal thoughts/struggles was very relatable. Seeing him work through things and take responsibility for his actions was attractive.
Willow was a badass. Being a writer is no easy feat. I love that she is nosy and eavesdrops because i am totally like that! I loved how patient she was with Oakley and his mental health. She just wanted him as is and it was beautiful to see how she helped him.
I can’t wait to read more about this family and town. Samantha is an amazing writer and I’m excited to see what’s next in Bluebell Falls with Rina, Lennox, Arlo, and the busy bodies in town!
*arc provided for honest view.
May 7, 2024
Get ready for a heart-pounding romance with a twist of suspense in the second installment of the Bluebell Falls series! Returning to the charming town we fell in love with, this time we're in for an adrenaline rush. Meet Willow and Oakley, familiar faces from book one. Willow, a writer struggling to finish her next novel, seeks solace and inspiration in the cozy atmosphere of Oakley's coffee shop.
Little does she know, Oakley harbors a mysterious past as a former agent, unbeknownst to the townsfolk. When a stranger arrives, whispering cryptic words to Oakley, Willow's curiosity leads her to eavesdrop and uncover Oakley's hidden identity. Now, Oakley's past comes knocking, threatening the peace of Bluebell Falls. Can he confront his demons and protect the town he loves?
As Willow delves deeper into Oakley's secrets, she finds herself drawn to him in unexpected ways. Will their budding romance withstand the dangers lurking in Oakley's past? Can Willow find the inspiration she needs to finish her book amidst the chaos? And will the suspenseful twists and turns of Oakley's case bring them closer together?
With the warmth of the Hutton family, steamy romance, and a nail-biting finale, this novel has it all. Don't miss out on the thrill ride that is "Bluebell Falls: Secrets Unveiled." Trust me, you won't be able to put it down!
Little does she know, Oakley harbors a mysterious past as a former agent, unbeknownst to the townsfolk. When a stranger arrives, whispering cryptic words to Oakley, Willow's curiosity leads her to eavesdrop and uncover Oakley's hidden identity. Now, Oakley's past comes knocking, threatening the peace of Bluebell Falls. Can he confront his demons and protect the town he loves?
As Willow delves deeper into Oakley's secrets, she finds herself drawn to him in unexpected ways. Will their budding romance withstand the dangers lurking in Oakley's past? Can Willow find the inspiration she needs to finish her book amidst the chaos? And will the suspenseful twists and turns of Oakley's case bring them closer together?
With the warmth of the Hutton family, steamy romance, and a nail-biting finale, this novel has it all. Don't miss out on the thrill ride that is "Bluebell Falls: Secrets Unveiled." Trust me, you won't be able to put it down!
April 23, 2024
Suspense and Spiciness, just the way I like it !
Oakley is ex US Marshall, living in a small town running a coffee shop. James is battling demons from his old life, those demons just won’t leave him alone. But the one shining light is the local beauty, sitting herself in his shop daily trying to write.
Willow, the local author, is banging her head against the wall trying to come up with a new story, her eves dropping one day leads to a new discovery not only for a plot but for the hottie that is Oakley !
Agreeing to help Willow with her story line,leads to hot and heavy nights ! 🌶️
Oakleys demons come back with a vengeance, this time he hopes to take that demon down once and for all .
Great read, loved both the characters strengths and weakness for each other ❤️
Why you will love this book…
💕Small Town
🔥Romantic Suspense
💕Spicy
🔥Hidden Identity
💕Banter Galore
🔥Characters in their 30s
💕Mental Health Rep
Oakley is ex US Marshall, living in a small town running a coffee shop. James is battling demons from his old life, those demons just won’t leave him alone. But the one shining light is the local beauty, sitting herself in his shop daily trying to write.
Willow, the local author, is banging her head against the wall trying to come up with a new story, her eves dropping one day leads to a new discovery not only for a plot but for the hottie that is Oakley !
Agreeing to help Willow with her story line,leads to hot and heavy nights ! 🌶️
Oakleys demons come back with a vengeance, this time he hopes to take that demon down once and for all .
Great read, loved both the characters strengths and weakness for each other ❤️
Why you will love this book…
💕Small Town
🔥Romantic Suspense
💕Spicy
🔥Hidden Identity
💕Banter Galore
🔥Characters in their 30s
💕Mental Health Rep
April 30, 2024
'For the Thrill of It' seems like a simple small-town romance about Willow, a suspense author, and Oakley, the mysterious cafe owner, but the story is so much more! To be honest, I'd say it's one of my favorite small-town romance stories.
Oakley is definitely book boyfriend material (after he gets some therapy) and Willow is delightfully lovable - even after she makes some seriously stupid choices. The spice in 'For the Thrill of It' is deliciously hot and this book is absolutely more than meets the eye. I hadn't previously read any books from this author, and didn't read book one in this series, yet never felt like I was missing context.
💕Small Town
🔥Romantic Suspense
💕Spicy
🔥Hidden Identity
💕Banter Galore
🔥Characters in their 30s
💕Mental Health Rep
Oakley is definitely book boyfriend material (after he gets some therapy) and Willow is delightfully lovable - even after she makes some seriously stupid choices. The spice in 'For the Thrill of It' is deliciously hot and this book is absolutely more than meets the eye. I hadn't previously read any books from this author, and didn't read book one in this series, yet never felt like I was missing context.
💕Small Town
🔥Romantic Suspense
💕Spicy
🔥Hidden Identity
💕Banter Galore
🔥Characters in their 30s
💕Mental Health Rep
May 1, 2024
4/5
Wow, what a good book. I feel like everyday I read a book from a different author and I love it!! And I have to say it was such an interesting and intriguing read. And I'm so glad I was being part of this beautiful adventure for the ARC.
The main character Willow & Oakley are just so cute together and I love the way they pull each other up in life and everything! The way they can archive literally anything as a couple is definitely #POWERCOUPLE!!! I love that my babe Oakley is so supportive towards Willow's book and even helped her. I'm so glad that I read this book , it was phenomenal! The atmosphere in this book was spectacular and I loved everything the author wrote.
Thank you to the author for the book and thank you for the ARC.
Wow, what a good book. I feel like everyday I read a book from a different author and I love it!! And I have to say it was such an interesting and intriguing read. And I'm so glad I was being part of this beautiful adventure for the ARC.
The main character Willow & Oakley are just so cute together and I love the way they pull each other up in life and everything! The way they can archive literally anything as a couple is definitely #POWERCOUPLE!!! I love that my babe Oakley is so supportive towards Willow's book and even helped her. I'm so glad that I read this book , it was phenomenal! The atmosphere in this book was spectacular and I loved everything the author wrote.
Thank you to the author for the book and thank you for the ARC.
May 6, 2024
I got to read the first book of this series and really looked forward to reading “For the Thrill of It”. Samantha did not disappoint with this contemporary romance!
Her series is a bit of a slow burn, but well worth sticking it out til the end. I loved the connection that Oakley and Willow shared, their chemistry was off the charts and the spice was HOT. Oakley had a way to him that really made those scenes extra steamy. The romantic suspense aspect of the book was something I DEVOURED the crappp out of and Samantha did an incredible job making it seem very organic to the storyline itself. I always loved how she wrote this small town series to feel very family oriented and gives the small town feel. I can’t wait to see which sibling will be next in the series!
Her series is a bit of a slow burn, but well worth sticking it out til the end. I loved the connection that Oakley and Willow shared, their chemistry was off the charts and the spice was HOT. Oakley had a way to him that really made those scenes extra steamy. The romantic suspense aspect of the book was something I DEVOURED the crappp out of and Samantha did an incredible job making it seem very organic to the storyline itself. I always loved how she wrote this small town series to feel very family oriented and gives the small town feel. I can’t wait to see which sibling will be next in the series!
May 2, 2024
For The Thrill Of It by Samantha M. Thomas
This is the second book in the Bluebell Falls series and can easily be read as a stand-alone.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️ 🌶️.5
Romantic Suspense. Small Town. Mental Health Rep. Hidden Identity.
Can they survive the darkness together, or will their fresh start be over before it truly begins in Bluebell Falls?
I absolutely loved this book. I’ve read some of Samantha’s previous work (the vacation) and devoured them, so I knew this one would be just as good.
The chemistry between Willow & Oakley was beautifully written. A soft caring mmc with a filthy mouth, yes please!
Make sure you add this to your TBR!
This is the second book in the Bluebell Falls series and can easily be read as a stand-alone.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️ 🌶️.5
Romantic Suspense. Small Town. Mental Health Rep. Hidden Identity.
Can they survive the darkness together, or will their fresh start be over before it truly begins in Bluebell Falls?
I absolutely loved this book. I’ve read some of Samantha’s previous work (the vacation) and devoured them, so I knew this one would be just as good.
The chemistry between Willow & Oakley was beautifully written. A soft caring mmc with a filthy mouth, yes please!
Make sure you add this to your TBR!
May 10, 2024
I've had the absolute pleasure of heading back to Bluebell Falls.
This time, it was all about our favourite thriller Author Willow, and Coffee Shop Owner Oakley.
This book had everything, spice, suspense, angst, and did I say spice. I have no idea how I kept a straight face in the coffee shop reading this, especially chapter 10.
The twists and turn will keep you guessing, and the emotions it will pull from you will have you grabbing tissues.
If you love small town romances, this series is one you want to be reading.
I can't wait to head back to see how Rina and Lennox are doing.
This time, it was all about our favourite thriller Author Willow, and Coffee Shop Owner Oakley.
This book had everything, spice, suspense, angst, and did I say spice. I have no idea how I kept a straight face in the coffee shop reading this, especially chapter 10.
The twists and turn will keep you guessing, and the emotions it will pull from you will have you grabbing tissues.
If you love small town romances, this series is one you want to be reading.
I can't wait to head back to see how Rina and Lennox are doing.
May 13, 2024
This book was just ... wow!! A thriller and a spicy romance book about a person writing a romance book in it - literally what more could you want?!
This is the second book in the series following on from Ledger and Ainsley's book which I also loved. It's so nice to follow the stories through the family of brothers and sisters and find out more about them individually. I absolutely cannot wait for Lennox's and Rina's books. Samantha has set the tone so you're hooked and need to find out what happens with them throughout these last two books so I'm fully invested in this series!!!
This is the second book in the series following on from Ledger and Ainsley's book which I also loved. It's so nice to follow the stories through the family of brothers and sisters and find out more about them individually. I absolutely cannot wait for Lennox's and Rina's books. Samantha has set the tone so you're hooked and need to find out what happens with them throughout these last two books so I'm fully invested in this series!!!
May 2, 2024
Loved Oakley and Willow! Found it so hard to put this book down! Had a little bit of intrigue mixed in with the romance. Oakley and Willow had a great connection. And Oakley has such a dirty talking mouth.
Oakley pretty much keeps to himself and owns the local coffee shop. Willow is a writer who is having a case of writer’s block so has been coming to the coffee shop for a change in scenery. She has had a crush on Oakley for some time.
Oakley pretty much keeps to himself and owns the local coffee shop. Willow is a writer who is having a case of writer’s block so has been coming to the coffee shop for a change in scenery. She has had a crush on Oakley for some time.
May 3, 2024
Thriller meets romance??? Sign me up!! I loved that aspect so much! I went into this book “blind” and thought it was only a romance. I am knocking 1 star off because for me PERSONALLY, the book was a little long. I could’ve done without some of the “fluff.” Overall, it was a great spicy read, and I love the cozy small town vibes with the suspenseful twist! I felt a lot of different emotions while reading this book, which I also loved!!!! 🩵
May 4, 2024
For the Thrill of It was such a good read. I enjoyed seeing how the chemistry between Oakley and Willow unfolded and the spice in between. The support they have for one another was really cute too. It was an easy read with some mystery to it which was enjoyable. Oakley has a past that he tried to hide away from, but it came creeping back into his life. Willow was there every step of the way, and I love that. If you’re into spice, romance and a little mystery, this book is for you.
May 3, 2024
@samanthamthomasauthor being one of my favourite authors now, it's always a pleasure to be able to read and review her books, so I'm eternally grateful she sent me the ARC for this book too, and here's my honest review!!
Like her other books that are also my favourite, this one too gives cozy feels and there's romance and spice, but also something different and so SO interesting --- the suspense and adventure and as the title suggests, the thrill, of uncovering secrets and catching the bad guy!
Also, I love how the secrets were not hidden and stretched to a point of annoyance between the MCs and their healthy communication is something I always look forward to in my books too!
They have their vulnerabilities, their haunting pasts, but they also know when it's time to seek help and not let that part of their life crumble the good bits!
And now the Easter eggs!! I was excited to read Arlo and Marina's story from book 1 itself, but now the Jr. Mr. Hutton has made such a space in my head, I can't wait to know what Lennox's actual story has in stores for us!😍😭❤️
TROPES!💓
-Romantic Suspense
-Small Town
-Author x Coffee Shop Owner
-Hidden Identity
-Characters in their 30s
-Mental Health Rep
-Interconnected Standalone with HEA
-Spicy
-Dual POV
Like her other books that are also my favourite, this one too gives cozy feels and there's romance and spice, but also something different and so SO interesting --- the suspense and adventure and as the title suggests, the thrill, of uncovering secrets and catching the bad guy!
Also, I love how the secrets were not hidden and stretched to a point of annoyance between the MCs and their healthy communication is something I always look forward to in my books too!
They have their vulnerabilities, their haunting pasts, but they also know when it's time to seek help and not let that part of their life crumble the good bits!
And now the Easter eggs!! I was excited to read Arlo and Marina's story from book 1 itself, but now the Jr. Mr. Hutton has made such a space in my head, I can't wait to know what Lennox's actual story has in stores for us!😍😭❤️
TROPES!💓
-Romantic Suspense
-Small Town
-Author x Coffee Shop Owner
-Hidden Identity
-Characters in their 30s
-Mental Health Rep
-Interconnected Standalone with HEA
-Spicy
-Dual POV
May 4, 2024
I was excited about the second book in this series & it definitely did not disappoint this reader. I was drawn into the story from the beginning to the very last page. I very much enjoy the authors way of writing. I enjoyed reading about Oakley & Willow. These characters will definitely stay with me for awhile.
May 5, 2024
This is the first book I have read by this author and I very much enjoyed it. It is the second book in a series, but I read it as a standalone and was able to follow along quite easily. I really loved both Willow and Oakley and enjoyed the suspenseful element as well. I wasn’t expecting that when I first started to read, but it made the story very interesting and quite the page turner. Thank you to Samantha M. Thomas and The Author Agency for the ARC of this romantic mystery.
May 4, 2024
Willow and Oakley are on the ride of their life. Which includes physical and emotional roller coaster ride. I have never read this author before and I was very intrigued by this story. I enjoyed everything about it.
May 1, 2024
*Thank you for the ARC!*
Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🔥🔥🔥
Angst:😱😱
OW/OM drama: None
Cheating: No
HEA/HFN: HEA
POV: 1st dual
This is my favorite book of Samantha's so far! I really wish more people knew about her because she is a fantastic author!
I really loved both characters. The story was suspenseful and romantic. Oakly was a mystery for majority of the book which added a very interesting element to the book. There was no OW/OM drama which was nice!
What I liked:
- MMC was not a playboy!
- Loved the character development
-very interesting plot! I really liked how the FMC was an author. I thought it added a really unique spin to the story.
-there was a lot of mystery. Between not knowing all of Oakly's trauma and the serial killer, there was a lot going on. It was enough to keep me interested and invested the entire book
-LENNY!! My heart broke for him. I hope we get his book soon, but with the way it is setup at the end I have a feeling we'll read about Rina next....
Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🔥🔥🔥
Angst:😱😱
OW/OM drama: None
Cheating: No
HEA/HFN: HEA
POV: 1st dual
This is my favorite book of Samantha's so far! I really wish more people knew about her because she is a fantastic author!
I really loved both characters. The story was suspenseful and romantic. Oakly was a mystery for majority of the book which added a very interesting element to the book. There was no OW/OM drama which was nice!
What I liked:
- MMC was not a playboy!
- Loved the character development
-very interesting plot! I really liked how the FMC was an author. I thought it added a really unique spin to the story.
-there was a lot of mystery. Between not knowing all of Oakly's trauma and the serial killer, there was a lot going on. It was enough to keep me interested and invested the entire book
-LENNY!! My heart broke for him. I hope we get his book soon, but with the way it is setup at the end I have a feeling we'll read about Rina next....
May 6, 2024
Thriller meets Romance and I was absolutely here for it 😍😍!!!!
I don't typically read a ton of thrillers,no love the idea of them, they just don't draw me in the same way other books do. I do, however, watch A LOT of TV shows of that nature 👀😬.
I absolutely enjoyed this read. Oakley is 🥵🥵 and the way he interacts with Willow will make you 🫠. I loved the way they supported each other. Speaking of support, I absolutely love her family so much. I look forward to reading more of their stories.
I don't typically read a ton of thrillers,no love the idea of them, they just don't draw me in the same way other books do. I do, however, watch A LOT of TV shows of that nature 👀😬.
I absolutely enjoyed this read. Oakley is 🥵🥵 and the way he interacts with Willow will make you 🫠. I loved the way they supported each other. Speaking of support, I absolutely love her family so much. I look forward to reading more of their stories.
April 29, 2024
Samantha Thomas is a new author to me and I'm so glad I picked up this book!
It was a bit of a slow start, but slow in the way that I really got to know the characters and their quirks and it kept baiting me to want to know what was going to happen next.
There was suspense. There was spice. There was a character with anxiety. There was small town drama. And there was a HEA.
What an enjoyable story!
It was a bit of a slow start, but slow in the way that I really got to know the characters and their quirks and it kept baiting me to want to know what was going to happen next.
There was suspense. There was spice. There was a character with anxiety. There was small town drama. And there was a HEA.
What an enjoyable story!
May 4, 2024
I love some fantastic banter! This book does not disappoint! What to expect:
💕Small Town
🔥Romantic Suspense
💕Spicy
🔥Hidden Identity
💕Banter Galore
🔥Characters in their 30s
💕Mental Health Rep
💕Small Town
🔥Romantic Suspense
💕Spicy
🔥Hidden Identity
💕Banter Galore
🔥Characters in their 30s
💕Mental Health Rep
May 6, 2024
Full review to come, but y’all don’t want to miss this one!! 🫠
Okay, so I’ve read all of Samantha M Thomas’s books and this one is by far my favorite!!! They all are so good, but Samantha threw in romantic suspense elements in this book and she SLAYED it. It isn’t thriller-y, as in you know who’s causing chaos the whole time, but suspenseful in the best of ways. For The Thrill of It is a top book of 2024 for me and I’ll shout my praises from mountaintops.
Okay, so I’ve read all of Samantha M Thomas’s books and this one is by far my favorite!!! They all are so good, but Samantha threw in romantic suspense elements in this book and she SLAYED it. It isn’t thriller-y, as in you know who’s causing chaos the whole time, but suspenseful in the best of ways. For The Thrill of It is a top book of 2024 for me and I’ll shout my praises from mountaintops.
May 19, 2024
Small town romance with a little twist. I really liked Oakley and liked him and Willow together. I love their relationship once they get past the awkwardness, they’re perfect for each other. I’m pretty sure I felt every emotion possible and one point or another in this book. I couldn’t put it down
I received an arc copy and am leaving this review voluntarily
I received an arc copy and am leaving this review voluntarily
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