Here with Me

by Emily Mayer

I, Posey Matthews, have fallen from grace in an utterly spectacular fashion.
The fall landed me in Beacon Hill and straight into the path of Ford Calhoun.

I was the perfect daughter with a practiced smile for every occasion. My father held me up as a beacon of morality to his entire church. Until one mistake cost me everything. I don’t regret it though, not even on my worst days. And I have had a lot of worst days recently.

When my Aunt Madge offers me a job and a place to stay, I pack up the remnants of our life and head to Beacon Hill, Georgia. The happiest weeks of my life were spent here with her every summer growing up, and as soon as she wraps me in her arms, I know we’re home.

It feels like the entire town has welcomed us with open arms. Well except my new coworker. Ford Calhoun is dangerous. He says one thing with his words, but his actions are saying something very different. I don’t know which to trust. But Ford is wearing down my resolve with every glimpse of his soft side, and I’m beginning to think he might be a risk worth taking.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

394 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 19, 2024

About the author

Emily Mayer is a best-selling author and a book lover with a capital L. When she isn’t writing, you can usually find her in the kitchen burning dinner with a book in her hand or tucked away in one of her favorite reading spots promising "just five more minutes." In addition to books, Emily is addicted to coffee, dogs, and cat videos. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and dog, both of whom are very good boys.

Reviews

[James McRay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was enjoyable, but a fairly down-the-line contemporary romance. I’ve enjoyed a couple other Mayer books, including the first book in this series, Pretend With Me, mostly because of some excellent single POV writing. It’s just great to ride along with the FMC as she unwraps the cinnamon roll stuffing of the initial brushoff grumpy, MMC, and Here with Me is no exception.

There are also some great found-family elements to this book that were as delightful as the romance. Basically, the whole town adopts Posey and her toddler daughter, so when Posey’s wacko religious parents—who disowned Posey when she became pregnant—show up wanting custody of their grandchild? Yep, nope, Beacon Hill isn’t having it. They all have Posey and Hazel’s back, especially the MMC love interest, Ford. That’s really the highlight of the romance storyline.

This book gets a 3.5/5 recommendation, however I suggest another book from Mayer's library if this is your first look at the author. Of the four Mayer books I have read, Everything Girl is my favorite.

Cheers.

[Laur Laur · Rating 3 out of 5]

This took a bit to get going, it felt kind of clunky at first, but baby Hazel was adorable and gets all three stars. I think the author did a good job of portraying the joy and despair of single-motherhood.

What I didn't understand at all was the h's immediate dislike of the H, solely it seemed because he was not overtly friendly. As an introvert myself who has struggled with shyness, I was pretty shocked at the mean thoughts she had towards him. I hope that's not what people think upon meeting me when I don't have much to say! There was some irony on the h thinking don't judge a book by its cover - he's super hot, therefore he should be super outgoing? She totally judged him on their first introduction.

After that it rolled along, you don't realize how sheltered she was until she starts making friends and doing "normal" things. Her parents were awful, kinda worst case stereotyped horrible churchy people.

Not bad, but not on par with some of this author's other fantastic books.

[Tracyridenour92gmail.Com · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!

I loved Posey and Ford!! Posey just moved to town with her daughter. She needed a fresh start. Things were very hard for her being a single mother and she was used to doing everything all by herself. She was raised in a very strict Christian home and her father was a preacher. Her and Ford were getting very close and he just adored her daughter. One day her parents showed up and she realised what it was like to be part of a community that was more of a family.

[slfeissner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Didn’t Want it to End!!!

I loved everything about Posey and Ford’s story, and I wasn’t ready for it to end. Fantastic characters, found family, a wonderful small town full of supportive, loving people, and the most heartwarming, beautiful love story.

Ms. Mayer is a gifted author who made me feel so many different emotions while reading. I love the humor she interjects here and there throughout the story.

This is one of my favorite reads this year! I want more!

[Bookgyrl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one a lot better than the first in this series. Posey and Ford are really nice main characters and of course Hazel is a sweetie. Loved to read this book. I did think they were going a bit fast when they finally got to dating. Overall a very nice story!
Look forward to a next one in this series as I like the characters in Beacon Hill.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a little bit of everything going on, single mom, dog dad, grumpy hero, a woman starting over after heartbreak and religious trauma, that finds a supportive community, friends and a new family in Beacon Hill. Great book!

[Butterfly914 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5. Overall, I like this book. It was low angst, sweet read. I loved the FMC’s daughter. I felt that she was written into the story very well. And I love the relationship between the daughter and the MMC.

[Cynthia A Sonnen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Winner!

Just reread this book and had to leave a review. Such a great story about making a family with those you love and who love you versus the one you're born into. Love the daughter, great-aunt, and the hero's family.

[Marcy Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the new characters and how the whole town was brought back into this book. The flow was amazing. Finish this book in less than a week.

[The Forgetful Readerholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this book and everything by Emily Mayer! I can see that I will definitely be rereading this in the future!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure how I missed the release of this one! Adorable as always.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story!!! Posey is a single mom who moves with her child to be closer to her aunt in a small town of Georgia. She starts to work for a construction company and gets closer to a grumpy, but sexy, co-worker.

This is a story of a woman starting again after heartbreak and religious trauma, that finds a supportive community, friends and a new family in Beacon Hill.

It's told from the FMC POV, it's a slow burn romance, but we get to see these characters getting to know each other well, breaking their defenses, becoming friends and more. It's very well paced by the author, who also throws in great side characters, a cute 2 years old and a little dog with big personality in the mix.

It's full of heart and a great tale of finding family and love when you need it the most.