Where I Found You by Betsy St. Amant is the first book in the Magnolia Bay Series, and I love, love, love it! It’s filled with some of my favorite tropes like forced proximity, second chance romance, and enemies to more. Throw in a long-standing family feud and a treasure hunt, and you’ve got the recipe for a perfect romance.
I absolutely adored the characters! Neither Noah nor Elisa had an easy childhood. Elisa felt as if she could never show emotion, and Noah never felt as if he belonged. It was only during the summers that Noah spent with his grandpa that he felt truly loved and accepted for who he was. One magical summer, Noah and Elisa had a secret romance – secret because of the family feud between the Herberts (Noah) and the Bergerons (Elisa). Their romance ended badly when Elisa’s dad found out, but now that Noah is back, they’re getting a second chance.
Though things start out badly when Noah and Elisa meet again, they’re forced to work together on a treasure hunt set up by Noah’s late grandfather. If they worked together and solved the puzzle, they would receive an inheritance. Noah’s would be in addition to his already inherited inn, but Elisa was completely taken off guard since their families have been feuding forever. Of course, Grandpa knew what he was doing, forcing the two to work together. The banter between Noah and Elisa is really entertaining! I loved seeing the sparks fly as the two began to rekindle their romance.
The side characters are well-written and totally entertaining! There are Elisa’s friends, one of whom owns the diner in which she works. You will love her! There’s a character that you’ll meet at the coffee shop, and if you visit, you’ll want to know what the “weather” is before you order. That was seriously one of my favorite parts of the story! The characters make me extremely excited for the next two books. I’m sure when I reach the end of them, I’ll miss them!
Another outstanding aspect of Where I Found You is the amount of faith that the author shares. She shares it in such a natural way. The scriptures and the hymns really moved me and had me in tears at times.
I highly recommend Where I Found You! I just don’t even have enough words to say how much I loved it! It has amazing characters, swoony romance, a well-paced, fun plot, and a strong Christian message. 5 HUGE stars!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.