First Touch

Chance Encounters #2

by Amber Cassidy

“I know all about damage, Sunshine. Nothing can scare me away. Not even your fears.”

First Touch

Thea Wolfe dreams of a fairytale life. From the outside, she has the perfect career as a Children’s Librarian in the small town of New Hope and always has a smile on her face. She doesn’t let anyone see how the darkest event of her past holds her back every single day.

Jesse Callahan is ex-Special Forces and undercover for the Army Criminal Investigations Unit. His job is to lay low and make nice with the AWOL soldier who led him to New Hope and the group of extremists hell-bent on sticking it to the government. While integrating into their circle, he spots a beautiful woman and is immediately drawn to her.

When fate intervenes, Thea’s side gig at the local bar gets her closer to her unattainable crush than she’d ever imagined. Unfortunately, she wants to get to know the green-eyed man who keeps showing up in her life just as much as she wants him to stay away.

Jesse realizes quickly that this radiant woman is someone he wants to know outside of his undercover persona, but he would be risking his career by telling her the truth. The army is all he has left after experiencing so much loss in his life, but not taking a chance on her would destroy him.

Despite his duty, he doesn’t stay away and learns that their lives are far more intertwined than they realized.



*This novel is intended for adults. It contains explicit sexual content, and mentions of sexual assault, domestic violence, and physical violence.*

Genres: Military Fiction, Romance, Small Town Romance

384 pages, Paperback

Published March 12, 2024

Reviews

[Lilliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was literally the perfect romantic suspense book. This couple has my heart.

[Kim Bunleut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Amber Cassidy. You done did it. You're on my favorite Authors list!
I thought I loved "First Sight" But love this book just as much ! I am honestly not one to read books in a series.. but I've never jumped into a second book so fast after finishing the first one.

I've said it about Nathan and Callie before, and I will say it again with Jesse and Thea. I wanted to hug them all so badly! I wanted to take all their demons away. I wanted to hurt whoever hurt Thea, and I wanted to squeeze the crap out of Jesse and tell him it will all be okay!

Besides the fact that the relationships are just a tad bit rushed. I love their relationship in general! Thea, our sweet sunshine was such a strong character. Battling her inner demons but trying to become stronger for herself and Jesse. Ugh. Obsessed!

[Shae · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We fell in love quickly, but I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life. I want a family with you. I want all of my new memories to be made with you. I only want a future with you in it. Please, will you marry me?”

Ooohhhhh this books gonna hold a special place in my heart. I absolutely loved reading this one and watching Jesse and Thea fall in love, witnessing both of them overcome their trauma made my heart so full

This book was miles better than the first book and I’m sooo excited for Sheriff Malec’s book

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 star read

I think for a lot of people they may like this book even better than the first because it was more of a slow burn story with a more realistic timeline. For some reason for me personally it felt a little too slow and I wanted the two main characters to get together sooner.

Overall I really did enjoy this book I think Callie and Nathan's story was just PEAK for me and nothing can top it so in comparison Thea and Jesse's story is ultimately a lower rating

[zayns wife · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s like a breath of fresh air after reading all these shitty books. I genuinely liked reading this. The angst, the trauma, emotions, falling, love, bro it was portrayed so well. Jesse and Thea are my babies. I’m definitely re reading this book again.

Jesse, the man you are.

Bro, he was so smitten, so in love, it was perfect. Two broken people finding eachother and fixing what they didn’t break. Honestly so beautiful.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an intriguing romantic suspense novel. I loved how we would see certain crucial moments from both Thea & Jesse’s perspectives. The story captivated me from the start, and by the time I reached the last half, I simply couldn't put it down. There were lots of unexpected twists and turns that kept this interesting. I look forward to reading more books in this series.

[Abby Westling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great premise for the story! I really enjoyed the how the relationship between Thea and Jesse. They both felt like they were very multilayered characters on their own but their chance encounter, seemed to just fit. The pacing of this book seemed to flow better than the first book. I’m real curious about Sheriff Malec so I will be reading the third!

[Karly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is def my fav of the series. I haven’t read the 3rd yet but it could pass end up being my fav. I loved Jesse so much and he was SOO patient with Thea he was the perfect match for her and I loved to see her progress with him throughout the book. I would rate this one 4.5 ⭐️ but that not an option.

[Erin Barbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars !!

I loved this read. I feel it was better than the first as far as story flow goes. Jesse the MAN that you are and Thea, oh sweet Thea. I loved their story and I’m excited for the next book!

[Anna Ruggiero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly love this author. Both books in this series are so good. They’re spicy and sweet all while giving me anxiety. Definitely should make this your next read!

3.5/5 🌶️
5/5 ⭐️

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved

[BELLA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me when characters have ptsd and anxiety 😔😔😔

Me when ptsd and anxiety are well written and accurate💃🕺🏼💃🕺🏼

[Kate Wisenbaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5– 2.9🌶️

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet sweet book. I loved it. I loved every second of it. Their romance was top tier y’all.

[Brandy Sue Bliss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read

I loved this book so much. I loved how Thea fought so hard to overcome everything, and Jessie loved her through the whole book!

[Brittany Colello · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had a little rough time on this one, felt so slow as she worked through her touching problems, just wasn't as action packed and dull, unlike First Sight.

[Aoife · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Tippiest · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Roos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifull, thea and jesse AAAAAAAAW

[Alicia Deguercy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute. Finished it in one day and I loved it !

[Ivona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want him....

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

“If I have to wait for years to see all her wounds healed, then so be it. It doesn’t matter, because, in the end, it will all be worth it.”

[Maggie Forte · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was recommended to me on tiktok, and after reading the first book in the series, I circled back.

Cute love story, decent writing, and a relatively careful exploration of trauma and PTSD, which I appreciated.

[Lira · Rating 3 out of 5]

“𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒅𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒆, 𝑺𝒖𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒆. 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒚. 𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔."

This is the second book I've read by Amber Cassidy and once again she pulled me right in! Her writing is sharp, her pacing tight, and the tension (romantic and otherwise) is absolutely on point!

In First Touch, we meet Jesse, an undercover agent dropped into the sleepy town of New Hope to investigate a dangerous extremist group. Sounds like a simple mission... until he crosses paths with Thea, the town’s quiet librarian with secrets even darker than her bookshelves.

What starts as subtle suspicion quickly spirals into homemade bombs, shady break-ins, tangled emotions, and stolen glances that threaten to burn the whole operation down 🔥😳

Thea is the kind of heroine I love smart, scarred, and stronger than she realizes. Jesse? Broody, relentless, and way too focused on his job… until feelings (and maybe Thea's eyes 👀) start messing with his game plan...

I will say, the story sometimes got a little too stuck in the back-and-forth between their feelings. I found myself craving more of the undercover danger and less of the emotional repetition. Some parts echoed the vibe of the author’s previous book a little too closely, like she’s sticking to a formula that mostly works but could use a twist.

Still, I’m glad I read it!

If you’re into romantic suspense with damaged characters, high stakes, and a slow-burn romance that simmers while the world threatens to explode around them this one’s for you!

[Nicole Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best friends sister. Enough said!!!

[Lauren mcallister · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS ONE!!! Cant wait for the sheriffs story!