From beloved author Betsy St. Amant comes an enemies to more, Hatfields and McCoys swoon-worthy contemporary romance set in a small beach town that reminds us that true love is worth fighting for.
Noah Hebert recently inherited the Blue Pirogue Inn—along with all its problems. He needs money to keep his beloved childhood home from being shut down by his family’s longtime nemesis, Isaac Bergeron. So when Noah’s lawyer approaches him about an additional segment of his late grandfather’s will, it’s just in the nick of time. But even from beyond the grave, his grandfather is up to his usual games. In order to receive the last portion of inheritance, Noah must follow the clues. But there’s one condition…
Magnolia Blossom Cafe manager Elisa Bergeron is shocked to discover an acquaintance from the local Puzzlers Club left her something in his will—and even more surprised to discover they are clues to a portion of his estate. When she learns she must work with introverted inn-owner Noah Hebert to solve the puzzle, she’s torn. Growing up in the middle of a multi-generational feud between their families, she’s been taught by her father Isaac that Heberts can’t be trusted.
When these two exes must work together to save their future, will love get a second chance or will the longstanding family feud claim another generation?
Betsy St. Amant Haddox is the author of almost thirty romance novels and novellas. She resides in north Louisiana with her hubby, two teenagers, and one furry schnauzer-toddler. Betsy has a bachelor of arts in communication and loves teaching and speaking on the craft of writing. When she’s not suffering through a CrossFit workout or baby talking her dog, she can usually be found in the vicinity of an iced coffee. She writes frequently for iBelieve, a devotional site for women, and offers author coaching and editing services through Storyside LLC.
Elisa Bergeron and Noah Hebert are no strangers to disappointment and revenge. Can they focus on the value of leaving a legacy, increasing their faith, mending family disharmony and learn to forgive? With “more baggage than an airport” this may prove difficult.
St. Amant makes the magic happen by breaking down the barriers between the Heberts and the Bergerons; a “family feud, multi-generations thick”. I found myself eagerly flipping pages to see if characters who’ve spent so long guarding themselves against ‘the enemy’ would succumb to the vulnerability of forced proximity. The issues with the Blue Pirogue Inn and Grandpa Gilbert’s clever treasure hunt force the feuding younger generation to rely on each other and discover a depth of feeling that they couldn’t ignore.
I love the tension and passion that define this trope and was in awe of St. Amant’s ability to craft such a bumpy transformation process. Will they or won’t they? The back and forth of overcoming prejudices and preconceptions with ensuring emotional safety while balancing external conflict, made this such a satisfying read. Second chances resonate with so many of us; especially now that our world is bent on cancel culture and making snap judgements. The world needs more of these books that emphasize redemption and the value of looking beyond first impressions and living authentically.
Prepare for a binge-read and for goodness sake, don’t start this one on an empty stomach!
I was gifted this copy by Sunrise Publishing and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Where I Found You is such a fun book with wonderful, well developed characters in a great plot. It hits all the emotions from light-hearted, happy, teasing to frustration, anger, love, and inspiration. Noah and Elisa had a sweet summer when they were 18 but that was twelve years ago. They are from opposing, feuding families but Noah's grandfather has thrown them together into a crazy treasure hunt in his will. The Louisiana small town setting with realistic characters who know each other makes such a rich backdrop. The ending left me with a smile on my face. I received a copy in exchange for an honest review from the publisher and these are my thoughts,
I devoured this book and not just for the beignets!
The feud between the two families drew me into the story and left me cheering for reconciliation.
Delia and Gilbert were such great characters. I enjoyed that they both had a sense of humor but also had wisdom from the Scriptures to impart to the "younger generation".
Noah and Elisa were also wonderful characters. Noah at first was so grumpy but you could tell that he had a softer side. Elisa used flirting to protect herself but cared deeply for those around her.
There were so many scripture references throughout the book, which I enjoyed!
Thanks so much to the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.
This is a fantastic beginning to what promises to be an amazing series of books.
I’m always amazed at the journey a skilled author can take the reader on, beginning at one point and then before you know it everything has changed. Noah and Elisa’s relationship does a complete 180 within 375 pages.
But theirs wasn’t the only transformative relationship. The power of faith and of transparent communication abounds within these pages. Even if you don’t feel broken, you’ll feel healed by the time you turn the last page.
And that’s what top quality fiction does. It moves the reader along, hits directly in all the feels, and leaves you better for having read the story.
I feel so blessed to have been given an advance copy of Where I Found You from the publisher. My review was not solicited and the opinions expressed are my own. Highly recommended!
Story Enjoyment Rating 9/10 Christian Faith Rating 3/3 "Where I Found You" by Betsy St. Amant is a Christian contemporary romance novel that follows Noah and Alyssa, childhood sweethearts from families involved in a generations-long feud. They were separated due to this conflict after a summer romance. Years later, Noah returns to manage an inn he inherited from his grandfather and, facing financial difficulties, is presented with a treasure hunt by the solicitor that might provide the necessary funds. However, to participate, he must work with Elisa, who is now working in a cafe and is initially uncomfortable with his presence. The narrative follows their journey as they work together on the treasure hunt, and in the process, uncover past secrets and the reasons behind their families' issues, as well as their own broken relationship. The book contains romance, character development, secrets, a puzzle, and a solid amount of Christian faith. Overall, I found the book to be upbeat with twists and turns, successfully maintaining my interest throughout. The characters struggle to find their way back to faith, and there are themes of forgiveness and dealing with emotional baggage. This is definitely a Christian fiction book with a good amount of Christian content. The romance includes descriptive kissing but nothing more steamy. I would like to read the other books in this series and some more by this publisher because I was encouraged by the level of Christian content in this book.
I adored this Romeo and Juliet take with the added adventure in searching for the hidden treasure.
For this reader it was clear that there was still unresolved feelings between Noah and Elisa and that it was only the family feud keeping them apart. I enjoyed seeing how they grew closer while they were following the puzzle clues. I did feel a bit frustrated with Elisa’s meddling father.
I wished there were a bit more detail about how the land feud started as I felt I was left with some questions still about how that fight started.
Elisa’s journey to step out on her own path vs her father’s demands and Noah’s fight to rewrite his family’s legacy to own he felt proud of was great growing areas for these characters.
I enjoyed all the friendships in this story, the relationship development and forgiveness plot, but I have to be honest to say that I saw something there between Linc and Zoey and can’t wait to read that story!
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*
Welcome to Magnolia Bay - a small town in Louisiana where beignets are fresh, family feuds last centuries, hurts and betrayals abound but forgiveness and love triumph. I enjoyed being immersed in this cute southern town still struggling to rebuild after a devastating hurricane. Though there were many secondary characters, I loved meeting each and every one of them; the author did an excellent job creating unique and memorable characters whom I am sure will be featured in the next books of the series.
Eliza, with her passive-aggressive approach to life and flirting for manipulation, was a bit unlikable at first but she matured as the story progressed. Nate was quite lovable with his strengths and weaknesses on full display. I loved his loyalty, compassion, and insight and loved watching his spiritual journey as he found himself, God, and family. Their banter was fantastic and the treasure hunt added an element of intrigue and pure fun.
If you enjoy inspirational contemporary romance, you will definitely enjoy this one. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Sunrise Publishing via JustRead Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.
Where I Found You is a delightful beginning to what promises to be an entertaining series. A Romeo and Juliet type story involving Noah and Elisa and their feuding families, it’s also about second chances and making changes. Add in a bit of mystery as Noah and Elisa work together to complete a treasure hunt, and we have a book that is compelling, fast-paced, emotional, and heartwarming. I look forward to returning to Magnolia Bay for book 2.
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.
Adored author Betsy St. Amant has written a charming, second chance, enemies to lovers, close proximity, swoony romance that readers will absolutely adore. Readers will immediately fall for Elisa Bergeron and Noah Hebert as they are thrown together after 12 years of not seeing each other in order to solve a puzzle linked to a decade long feud between their families. Not too different from the Montigues and Capulets, Elisa and Noah have to figure out if they can let their romance blossom once again, or let their families get in the way. An absolutely delightful and sweet story that readers will absolutely not want to put down!
Series: Magnolia Bay Genre: contemporary, romance Publisher: Sunrise Publishing Publication date: February 25, 2025 Number of pages: 375
Books in the series: 1-Where I Found You 2-No Place Like Home (coming May 2025) 3-Meant for Me (coming August 2025)
Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, authors, and others, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR borrowed from Deseret Bookshelf, OR pre-ordered/purchased for review, including Audible. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
4.5 stars Sweet and delightful! Elisa Bergeron and Noah Hebert have a checkered past, a sweet romantic summer when they were 18, and the rest of it was being on opposite sides of a decades old family feud. The feelings don't seem to have left either of them. Noah is in town as he recently inherited the Blue Pirogue Inn from his Grandpa. An unexpected last minute surprise to the will is that Noah has to partner together to try solve his Grandpa's clues with Elisa. His Grandpa seems to be directing his life from the grave. Great.
Elisa Bergeron is the manager at the Magnolia Blossom Cafe owned by Miss Delia, the town "mama". I loved all the characters and I could not stop turning pages. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
In fact I was thinking about it days later. Loved this multilayered story of second chances and some swoony kisses. The reader is still left wondering (until the end) if Eliza and Noah will end up together despite all that is against them. I loved going along on the journey with them. I am so looking forward to Magnolia Bay #2!!
Thank you to Sunrise Publishing for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.
I just loved the plot of this story and the characters. Betsy St. Amant never fails to draw me into her world. This is an interesting second chance/ family feud type of story. Elisa Bergson, a chef and Noah Henry who is renovating an inn have a history together. The author skillfully crafted an up and own road for these two always keeping the reader guessing how it was going to resolve. I wasn't sure about the 'treasure hunt' but after learning how some people LOVE puzzles and figuring them out then it all came together. The story contains revenge, preconceptions, revenge honest feelings and returning to faith. I am so looking forward to the next in this series. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed ate only my honest opinion.
What a delightful read. I devoured this novel. I couldn't put it down because the storyline drew me straight in. Where I Found You has it all: a family feud, enemies to more, relatable characters, a treasure hunt, a second chance, and forced proximity. St. Amant wove spiritual truths into this story. I must admit that Noah's grandfather was clever in coming up with the treasure hunt for Noah and Elisa. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was such a wonderful story with all the best tropes! Forbidden romance, second chances, lovers to enemies to lovers again, forced proximity, plus a mystery, a town that knows all about the family feud, and a ticking clock on an inheritance. It was the perfect mix.
Noah returns home to save his family’s inn, but things aren’t looking good. The finances are bad, and now the inn has failed an inspection. His chances of saving the family legacy are fading fast. His childhood was full of secrets and sadness, but the inn and his grandfather were always the best parts of his life. Noah will do anything to keep those memories alive.
Then he runs into Elisa. They once had a deep love, but family feuds and things left unsaid ended their relationship. When they see each other again after 12 years, the tension is high. It would be easier to stay away, fix the inn, and move on. But when his grandfather’s will forces them to work together to solve a puzzle that could unlock money for both of them, they have no choice but to team up.
The quicker they solve the puzzle, the quicker they both get what they need: Elisa for the café and Noah for the inn. But as they work together, old feelings come back. Some of those feelings help them, while others make things harder, like the way they were separated before and the families that kept them apart. Can they solve the mystery and figure out if there’s still something between them? And after all this time, will their families finally let them be together?
I received a complimentary copy of this book, and this review reflects my honest opinion.
Cute start to a contemporary romance series set in Louisiana. There is a feud that's been going on for decades between the Herbert and Bergeron families.
Noah Herbert returns to Magnolia Bay after inheriting his grandfather's inn. Noah and manager of the Magnolia Blossom Cafe Elisa Bergeron were a hot item 12 years prior.
Lots of fun chemistry between the two of them and a nice set of characters in their friend group I hope to see the upcoming books in the series.
A fast paced rom-com with lots of plot twists, quirky secondary characters, and a darling leading duo. Plus, there is some great Biblical teaching about faith, family, and forgiveness. Double plus, it also references The Count of Monte Cristo, which I love. Triple plus, they eat bignets! A delightful book to snuggle up with and read straight through.
Noah is back in Magnolia Bay to fix up the inn his grandfather left him, not to rehash the past. But when a meeting at the local cafe not only discloses that the inn has black mould which he can't afford to fix, but also throws him together with Elisa again, facing the past may cease to be optional. And when a subsequent meeting with his grandfather's lawyer informs him that he's been left something more - something that can only be found through a treasure hunt, conducted jointly with Elisa - he faces the fact that there may indeed be an answer to his money woes, but it will require him to face up to what he left. But the problems that separated them before are still present... Can a treasure hunt unearth more than one type of treasure, or will this be a dead end?
A story that is at once amusing and deeply moving. Noah and Elisa have a summer of history in their past, but the painful end is enough to deter anyone from trying again - except that ignoring what's between them is almost impossible. The need to work together to uncover the clues left by Noah's grandfather is a great touch and adds the fun of a mystery to solve. And as for the old feud, well, it adds interest in various ways, as well as a great message. And the inspirational part of the book is definitely well done - the message is clear but far from preachy. The result is an delightful read with characters that felt real and I enjoyed getting to know, an interesting setting with great secondary characters, an inspiring message, and a very satisfying ending. Hoping to revisit Magnolia Bay again soon! Highly recommended.
Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.
I just finished my first book by Betsy St. Amant, and I’m officially a huge fan! 🥰 When I first saw this series from Sunrise Publishing, I was immediately drawn in by the fun covers—but what was inside completely stole my heart. I tend to go in blind rather than reading blurbs, so I had no idea I was about to dive into a Hatfields & McCoys-style family feud, an enemies-to-more romance, and a second-chance love story all wrapped into one!
From the very first page, I was hooked. Noah and Elisa’s journey was both fun and emotional, filled with tension, history, and undeniable chemistry. I loved watching them work together to solve their unexpected inheritance mystery while navigating the weight of their families’ long-standing feud. The story had just the right amount of swoon, humor, and heartfelt moments—and the faith elements were woven in so beautifully. The scene where Noah is reminded that his greatest treasure is his faith through his grandpa’s words and a song? That one really hit home. ✨
This book took me on such a beautiful journey, and I cannot wait for the next one in the series! If you love a story with mystery, romance, family drama, and strong faith themes, this one’s for you!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
This was such a sweet mix of slow-burn, second chance, and forbidden love!
Noah Herbert returns to Magnolia Bay on the heels of his eccentric, puzzle-loving grandfather’s death after being willed his inn, the Blue Pirogue. It’s been twelve summers since he’s been there. Twelve summers since the decades-long Herbert/Bergeron family feud pushed him away from the woman he loved—Elisa Bergeron.
Those years and the circumstances that made him leave have hardened him to Magnolia Bay and the Bergeron—including Elisa. So when his grandfather’s attorney alerts him to an additional inheritance only to be obtained through a treasure hunt with Elisa, he’s less than thrilled. Will the forced proximity threaten the walls he’s built?
There are layers to this story that made it so enjoyable. It took me a bit to get into it but once I was about halfway through, I was all in! Both MCs were written with depth and compelling backstories—and the were characters to root for! I loved the elements of faith, forgiveness, reconciliation, and found family. I’m looking forward to Cade and Linc’s stories coming later this year!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Heberts and Bergerons do NOT get along. This is what Noah Hebert and Elisa Bergeron have been taught from the time they can remember. They have not seen each other since a summer fling when they were 18 that did not end well. Now Noah's uncle has died and left his inn to Noah, and he is dependent on Elisa's father to approve the inn's inspection. To make matters more complicated, Noah's lawyer has approached him with an additional stipulation to his uncle's will...which will require him to work with Elisa to solve a puzzle in order to gain the remaining inheritance. Can Noah and Elisa put aside their past and work together? How will Elisa's father react? Will Noah and Elisa find love again? First they have to figure out what they want for themselves and how to stand up for what they believe in. This was a great story about forgiveness, redemption, and healing. I can't wait to read the rest of this series! I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Where I Found You was a delightful feel-good read. A wonderful start to a small-town trilogy. Betsy did a beautiful job of bringing Magnolia Bay to life in the form of Noah and Elisa’s story. A story of healing old wounds and breathing in the fresh air of a bright future. It’s a story full of reminders and encouragement as Noah and Elisa both discover that God loves us as we are, where we are. All we have to do is believe in him and he will light our paths. For Noah and Elisa that just might lead to a path intertwined together as they navigate through an age-old family feud and prejudices in a small town where word runs faster than a speedboat. So, grab a blanket and a good of joe and settle in for a read that is sure to bring a warm smile to your face.
This is a fun small-town romance. Noah and Elisa have a history, but that is all in the past, or so they think. They are forced to work together to receive an inheritance. I especially enjoyed the treasure hunt aspect of this book. This is a fun story of forgiveness and learning to work together. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you are looking for a lighthearted sweet romance, I think you will enjoy this story.
Where I Find You is absolutely delightful. Sweet but smoldering romance with compelling plot and characters, paired with a scavenger hunt that elevates this story out of the mundane and into the next level. I very much enjoyed it and couldn't pre-order book #2 fast enough. Well done!
I love a story with hope. Noah and Elisa had to navigate a lot of family expectations and setbacks. I enjoyed how Biblical truths were woven into their character development. The puzzles were a clever addition, and a bunch of interesting secondary characters rounded out the story well.
Fun romance with likable characters mixed up with a good old fashioned treasure hunt. Easy and enjoyable read. Looking forward to reading the next one in the series. The series.
“What if it was here, but isn’t anymore?” Elisa’s eyes widened with horror. “What if the clue was found by someone else first? These cards had to be stashed months and months ago, right?” “That, or maybe Grandpa arranged for August to plant them after he...you know. After.” Noah busied himself with a crack in one of the concrete book spines until the pressure in his throat eased. Man, that needed to stop happening."