Seeing You (The Donovans

The Donovans: Sweetbriar Ridge #4

by Samantha Chase

A Small Town, Second Chance, Enemies to Lovers standalone romance by New York Times bestselling author, Samantha Chase

She walked away and spent years wondering what could have been.
He’s hated her from the moment she walked away from their future.
They thought they needed closure. But maybe what they need is a second chance.

Billie Donovan was so close to having it all. But years ago, she was forced to walk away from Marcus Calloway, choosing her family over their shared future. Since then, she’s accepted that she’s just not meant to have the happy ending she’s seen all her siblings find. Her family is happy and that’s all that’s ever mattered. But when Marcus walks back into her life, Billie is forced to finally face the choices she made all those years ago.

But not before she smashes a muffin in his face when he unexpectedly walks into her bakery.

Marcus has spent years hating the woman he once vowed to love forever, and he felt righteous in that anger because she tore their world apart. When he’s forced to return to Sweetbriar Ridge to help care for his ailing father, he’s shocked to find Billie running the local bakery. They had been a financial dynamic duo all those years ago—building an empire that would guarantee them a life of luxury. So why was she just a lowly baker?

A question that earned him a face full of muffin.

They both swore they needed closure, but what should have been a simple conversation awakened old passions. Suddenly, Marcus isn’t as eager to leave Sweetbriar Ridge, and Billie must decide if she’s prepared to give her heart to a man who doesn’t always see who she really is.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Enemies To Lovers, Second Chance Romance, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance, Contemporary

316 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2025

About the author

Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance that’s hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than seventy titles under her belt – including THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2017! She’s a Disney enthusiast who still happily listens to 80’s rock. When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 30 years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

Reviews

[Heather Adores Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐
Genre ~ contemporary romance
Series ~ The Donovans: Sweetbriar Ridge #4
Others in the series ~ the whole series
Setting ~ Virginia
Publication date ~ January 28, 2025
Publisher ~ Dreamscape Media
Est Page Count ~ 300 (16 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 7 hours 51 minutes
Narrator ~ Carly Robins
POV ~ dual 3rd
Featuring ~ small town, enemies to lovers, second chance, no steamage

Billie & Marcus broke up 10 years ago, but now he's back in town to deal with a family issue. He can't believe it when he sees Billie working at Books & Beans. He seems quite appalled by it since he still can't believe she walked away from her high paying job in finance...and him.

Wow, Marcus was a real douche and it takes him practically the whole book to get his douchiness in check. I'm not just talking with Billie, he wasn't great with his family either. He just goes about things in the wrong way IMO. I never warmed up to him one bit, not even with the grand gesture, and was hoping she would never give him a chance.

We're quite familiar with Billie from the previous installments and know she's a real sweetheart that just wants to help take care of her family. But when will it be time for her to settle down and fall in love?

Overall, I wasn't a super big fan because of Marcus mostly, and somewhat of Billie's part in what went down back in the day. I would, however, be super interested in tasting some of Billie's delectable baked goods since everyone raves about them.

Narration notes:
I am a broken record, but I really wish there was a male narrator even though she does a really good job with male tones.

Series notes:
Best to read in order as all siblings are heavily involved in each installment.

Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ X

[Trio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samantha Chase's books always leave me with a smile on my face, and I thoroughly enjoyed Seeing You.

I've found you can read the books in this series in any order, Chase does such a lovely job of filling us in on all the characters in her universes, and it's the same with this one. I've read several Donovan stories and I've loved them all.

The audio version of Seeing You is nicely performed by Carly Robins.

an audiobook copy of Seeing You was provided by Dreamscape Media, via NetGalley, for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Summary: A second chance romance...Donovan style

My Review: Seeing You by Samantha Chase is book #4 in The Donovans: Sweetbriar Ridge series.

About the Book: "She walked away and spent years wondering what could have been. He’s hated her from the moment she walked away from their future. They thought they needed closure. But maybe what they need is a second chance."

In My Own Words: A second chance romance where two lovers reunite after 10 years

Question: Is it possible to heal from a broken heart?

About the Characters:

Marcus - > Stubborn, opinionated, rigid, career-oriented, adversarial, childish, "numb and going through the motions"

Billie - > Family-oriented, focused, hopeful, strong, connected

The Donovan Family - > Loyal, funny, protective, supportive

About the Conflict: The push and pull between the lead couple was ongoing. It served as a heavy weight in the waiting. Choices and decisions, partner expectations, poor communication, and more were a part of their journey. It worked.

About the Narration: This novel was narrated by Carly Robins. Carly is always an exceptional narrator. She knows how to inflect emotion and express character sentiment so well.

My Final Say: This is another wonderful installment from the Sweetbriar Ridge series. All of the Donovan stories are charming. The family connection is real. Marcus and Billie's story dealt with very realistic issues. As a bonus, I loved seeing and hearing about all of the other family members updates.

Other: I love this series!

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Audiobook: Yes
Narration: +

Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Dreamscape Media), and to NetGalley. Thank you so very much for granting access to an audio ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. I am grateful for the opportunity to review this work.

[Julie Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are back in Sweetbriar Ridge for the fourth book in the Donovan’s series. Billie and Marcus are reunited, and this is their second chance journey.

Marcus has returned home to help his family and is surprised to find Billie is running the local bakery. Billie is equally surprised as she is finally in a good place after she and Marcus fell apart years ago.

The story and the characters had me hooked early, I enjoyed the story and did not want to put it down. While the characters are stubborn, their families are supportive, and emotions do run high throughout. Will they find their way back?

Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in this impressive series, and this is Billie and Marcus’ journey.
Marcus and Billie were childhood sweethearts, until she broke his heart and chose her family over her future with him. When Marcus returns home when his family needs him, he is surprised to see Billie running the local bakery. Billie has accepted that a HEA is not on the cards for her, and thinks that she and Marcus need closure, but things do not go to plan.
This is a well written story which has family, friendships, emotions, secrets, grumpy /sunshine, opposites attract, enemies / lovers, second chances, humor, witty banter, redemption, healing, and love, which leads to an entertaining, and spicy, small town romance.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Kayla Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I’m not walking away, Billie. Not without a fight. I let you leave once, and I regret that I didn’t come and fight for us.”

I have mixed feelings about this book! Yes, it was cute and the main characters got their HEA but it was lacking for me. I felt like Marcus was so surface level and had no depth to him. I loved Billie, I thought she was so likable! Overall this was a cute audiobook and if you’re looking for a small town romance then you should check this out. This is the 4th book in this series but it can be read as a standalone.

Tropes:
🍪Small Town
🍪Second Chance
🍪Enemies To Lovers
🍪Secret Millionaire

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoilers included:

Overall, 3 stars. This is the first book I've read of this series, Samantha Chase did a good job of setting up the book, so I didn't feel lost learning about the side characters. I really like Billie as the FMC and how she was brave enough to leave a relationship and a job that wasn't fulfilling her anymore. Billie's priorities were to her family and her passion of baking rather than status or material things. I didn't care much for Marcus, he was just so shallow and narrowminded throughout the whole book. It was very hard for me to believe that he had such a strong change of heart that he convinced her whole family to help him craft a plan. Hmmm, color me skeptical.

Format: audiobook

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advance audiobook.

[rachelscourtofbooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

So this was my first DNF of the year...

I hate Marcus and nominate him as the worst book boyfriend ever. He is ignorant of Billy, an absolute ass toward his father and brother and personifies everything I don't ever want in a man.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one from Samantha Chase that you just HAVE TO LOVE!!

Billie Donovan has finally settled into her life. She co-owns Books and Beans and is finally in a happy place in her life!
Although, at times, she still feels a bit sad that she missed out on the happiness that her sisters have found…the love, the life, and the babies. But, she knows that she did find her true love once…in Marcus (not Hudson, as noted in the book blurb…)
She and Marcus met when they were young. They had great plans and dreams! And they were together for a long time… But when Marcus’ Mom got sick, well, his whole life changed…and Billie no longer felt like she was a part of it…

But that was a long time ago, and she really hasn’t seen him since…
So, when he turns up one day at her store, well, tempers flare, and feelings arise that haven’t been felt for quite some time…

As usual, Samantha Chase writes books that make you WANT the main characters to PLEASE…work it out!

As we meet the family members and friends, we come to form a bond with all of them. And, we get a glimpse into the happiness, as well as the craziness, of raising kids…and family life! 😬❤️😉

Can we ever truly get a second chance on love? Can we move on from the past? Check this one out to see the story of Billie and Marcus…and their whole, big, crazy family!

4 big ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

#SeeingYou by #SamanthaChase and narrated nicely by #CarlyRobins!
Of note…this is book #4 in the series, but can be read alone…

*** IT RELEASES TODAY, 1/28/25, SO LOOK 👀 FOR IT ON SHELVES NOW!! ***

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for an ARC of the audiobook! I was lucky enough to get a copy yesterday as a preview!!

As for me… You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads.
Insta: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seeing You is the fourth book in The Donovans series, but can be read and enjoyed as a standalone novel. However, after reading this book, I can't wait to dive into the previous books in this series.

From the moment I picked up this book I was instantly hooked. You see, Marcus Calloway is the kind of guy you hate, but can't help but love. He's stubborn, career-driven, and lives a life of regret. His biggest regret is losing Billie Donovan. Billie loved Marcus fiercely and only walked away because she felt as though she had no choice. Now, when Billie's life is finally in a good place, Marcus comes storming back into her world and turns everything upside down.

Despite the 10 years that separated them, the chemistry and love burned hotter than ever between Marcus and Billie. If only they didn't share a history full of hurt and complications. Marcus and Billie's story is definitely one filled with angst and frustration, but their journey to happily ever after is worth each obstacle standing in their way.

Seeing You took me by surprise in the best possible and Marcus and Billie's story definitely hits the marks! If you're a fan of second-chance romances with hate-to-love vibes, small-town goodness, and steam, you won't want to miss Seeing You.

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Taylor song: If This Was A Movie

“Come back to me like you would before you said “it’s not that easy”

Seeing You is a sweet fade-to-black romance featuring Billie, a former finance professional who moves back to her hometown and becomes a local baker, and Marcus, her childhood best friend and boyfriend of 10 years, who stayed behind when Billie headed back to Sweetbriar Ridge.

This story was very cute and enjoyable. By no means the pinnacle of romance books but fun nonetheless. The narration did a great job, and I thought the small town setting was really fun! I would’ve liked to have seen more depth in the characters’ stories and more background info or flashbacks from their relationship.

Marcus was kind of a red flag for a lot of the book, but I think his turn around mostly redeems him - though I would’ve liked that to be a little more fleshed out too.

All that being said, I enjoyed this book for what it was, and I’m very tempted to read the other books in the series now. I’m wondering if reading them first would have enhanced my reading experience for this book, though it can definitely be read as a standalone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for the honest review!

[itsallaboutbooksandmacarons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so I started this audiobook and honestly, I was so mad at first. The characters were making all the wrong moves, and I was just sitting there thinking, "Why are you doing this to yourselves?!" But then, as the story picked up, something clicked. Watching them both grow and actually start dealing with their baggage—made me realize why they deserved that second chance. The way they started opening up to each other? It was so real and raw.

By the end, I was totally hooked. The chemistry between them was chef’s kiss and honestly, I was a little bit melted. It’s crazy how a good second-chance romance can make you feel all the feels. They weren’t perfect, but that’s what made it even better. It was like watching them learn to trust each other again, and that felt pretty amazing.

[Lisa Hambridge (lisamareebooks1109) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love a second chance romance. This book definitely hit the right notes, Marcus and Billie had been a couple, but circumstances resulted in Billie and Marcus going their separate ways, but they are brought together when Marcus arrives in town to help his brother after their father's health declines. The book was brilliantly written, the characters were amazing, and I loved the plot, which definitely had emotional moments, Billie and Marcus' relationship development was so enjoyable.

Thank you to Samantha for the ARC.

[Farah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good second chance romance and Seeing You didn't disappoint. I loved reading about Marcus and Billie and their backstory, with the author treating us to glimpses of what went wrong in the past. Marcus seemed a bit immature in his thinking and it was refreshing to see him realize how things could have been different if he'd changed his ways. Thankfully there was a happy ever after and I found myself with a huge grin on my face after reading the epilogue! I am really enjoying this series and can't wait for the next in the series.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was able to listen to an ARC copy and Oh my gosh! 5 big stars. I absolutely loved this book and listened to it in one sitting! It was so cute and funny and I loved all the characters. I didn’t know this was a series and has other books and I’m going to read the other 3!
I loved the characters and the couples in this book. It’s a second chance love story. Thank you so much for the ARC copy of this book!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love the Donovan family, and loved Billie and Marcus.

Billie and Marcus were high school sweethearts, but Billie realized she was not happy where her life was. She moved back home, ending the relationship she thought would last forever.

Marcus…well, he had a lot of growing up to do. He was self-centered and thought financial success was the be all end all. But I loved how his family stepped up to teach him what matters most.

[Erin Trump · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so incredibly angsty.
Billie & Marcus have an emotional past, and have both changed, but they both still have unresolved feelings. So when Marcus comes back to town, the opportunity for closure seems to be needed.
There are a lot of emotions, a lot of angst & frustrations, hurt feelings, and self reflection.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a NO for me.
I found the mmc absolutely annoying. He was a walking red flag. 🚩
He wants everything his way, is condescending to the fmc, wants her to live life his way, … and he’s a snob who cares about money way too much.
Thanks??? To @netgalley & publisher for my audio ARC.

[Shannon Mayhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book but there was nothing memorable about it.

[Arceli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book rtc

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The anticipation of Marcus dropping the ball on Billie a second time was really close, I was rooting for him to figured himself out so they could have a great ending. I am deeply invested in this series, it has the drama and tension I love.


Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for an ALC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read with Billie and Marcus in the staring roles. After a tumultuous past, Billie and Marcus reunite but the journey is rocky with neither side willing to bend. With the great family support maybe they can find their way. Who knows? ❤️

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had missed a couple books in the series, but I didn’t feel a bit lost. This author is way less spicy than I typically read, but a good story is a good story. I’m not usually a fan of second chance stories, but it seems like that’s been changing. This one was really well done. Billie finally gets her chance. She’s always the one looking after everyone else. Marcus couldn’t get away from Sweetbriar fast enough, but it’s looking a lot better now.

[Meg Napier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seeing You was a fun, distracting read--as in just what the doctor ordered to forget about other things for a bit! Samantha Chase has been chronicling the (large!) Donovan family from Sweetbriar Ridge, Virginia for a few years now, but you do not need to have read all or any of the previous novels to enjoy the story of Billie Donovan and her head-in-the-sand former fiancé Marcus Calloway. He likes the good life in the city and refused to listen when Billie spoke of yearnings for a different pace. And so she left. When circumstances bring them together again ten years later, his head is still stuck way too deeply in the sand for any real rapprochement -- even though the physical attraction between them is a sizzling as ever. The delightful cast of secondary characters and the delicious descriptions of the pastries baked daily in Billie's shop will keep you smiling and yearning to pay a visit to this lovely town. The narration of the audiobook was perfect. And this is a romance, so don't worry overly much about Marcus's obstinacy! I am grateful to NetGalley for a copy of this audiobook.

[Samantha]

Releasing January 28, 2025

Pre-order today on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and Kobo!
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[Patti Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samantha Chase has done it again! I absolutely loved Seeing You, the fourth book in her The Donovans: Sweetbriar Ridge series! I can honestly say that Seeing You is an incredible second chance love story, which filled me with a rollercoaster of emotions, I was hooked from the first few pages, and it was impossible to put it down. Seeing You had my interest from the start, and I fell in love. I loved every moment on every page. Samantha Chase continues to deliver the incredibly written love stories that I LOVE to read and is a must-rush author for me. I love a second chance love story, the Sweetbriar Ridge setting, and the amazing characters, they feel like family! Samantha Chase does not disappoint her readers with all the feels in Seeing You and has once again delivered an amazing story filled with everything that I have come to love about and expect from her books. Who does not love hot sexy men, strong, passionate females, big loving families, and caring friends, who always support each other? Seeing You is a second chance love story between Billie Donovan, baker for Books and Beans and her former fiancée Marcus Calloway, financial planner from Washington, DC. Billie and Marcus have not seen or talked to one another since Billie returned to Sweetbriar Ridge. Marcus is in town to help his brother, Max, with his father and their childhood home. Marcus has been estranged from his father because he believes that his father did not get his mother the proper treatment before she died. I love Billie and Marcus’s first interaction with each other at Books and Beans, it was one of my favorite parts of the book. Billie is not impressed with his ego and everything he was doing, especially when he kept misjudging her. Conversation between Billie and Marcus are unnatural at first, with Marcus insulting Billie’s choice to be a baker instead of a financial guru, eventually it begins to flow easily, and I love that they share secrets with each other that they have not shared with anyone before. I love it when Billie explains that she wrote Marcus a letter detailing why she left, but unfortunately, he never read it because it got thrown away after his outburst when he learned that Billie left. I love the chemistry between them. As Billie and Marcus spend time together with Marcus buying sweet treats for his father things change between them. I love the heart-to-heart conversations that take place in Seeing You, especially the one between Marcus and his father, when he reveals to Marcus that his mother did not want to endure any more cancer treatments. An unexpected plot twist puts Billie and Marcus’s relationship in jeopardy once again, and it changes things between them. I love the changes that Marcus and Billie are willing to make to have a life together. I love that plot twist is so wonderfully resolved. I was so happy that Marcus and Billie finally admitted their true feelings for one another once again and what Marcus does to get back together with Billie. I love the ending of their love stories and all the surprises that are revealed. I especially love Marcus’s proposal, where it takes place and the significance of the engagement ring, and their happily ever after. I especially love the surprise gift that Marcus leaves at Billie’s mother’s house on their wedding day and its significance. I love all the changes that Marcus and Billie make in their lives to have a future with one another. Another favorite part is the epilogue, and the surprise that is disclosed. It is the perfect ending of their love story. I love that Ashlynn and Chloe are pregnant at the same time. Seeing You was an amazing love story; I am so glad that Marcus and Billie got the happily ever after. I loved all the surprises that filled the pages of this love story. I love how Samantha Chase always manages to create the "perfect" heroine, who is a strong, sassy woman on her own, to balance out the sexy, swoon worthy man. Samantha Chase continues to deliver all that and so much more. I am not sure how she does it, but Samantha Chase has once again given her readers another remarkable book. Seeing You is filled with all the heartbreaking and heartwarming moments, plot twists, and surprises that I have come to love and expect in a Samantha Chase love story, I especially loved the poignant and bittersweet moments that filled this page turner. I love that she writes her stories from the perspective of the main characters. I love getting inside their minds and knowing their thoughts and how they really feel. I love all the characters in this series. I loved catching up with the Donovan siblings and their spouses, it felt like a family reunion, I enjoy all the interactions among the Donovan siblings, it feels like real family love and makes me laugh at their teasing and the descriptions of the Sweetbriar Ridge in Seeing You. Who does not love family and friends that always have each other’s backs? Love how the book hints as to who will be next to fall in love in the series. I cannot wait to read the other stories in The Donovans: Sweetbriar Ridge series. Highly recommend this beautifully written love story. Received an advanced copy from the author. 

[Aimee Waldron · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/1.5 🌶️

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊:
🔥Small Town
🔥Second Chance Romance
🔥Family Drama
🔥Return to home town
🔥Grumpy/Sunshine
🔥Fade to Black

ARC REVIEW - Book 4 in The Donovans Series (Sweetbriar Ridge)– Thank you to The Author Agency and Samantha Chase for this opportunity.

Samantha Chase is a new to me author and I am so excited that I have found her and her beautiful series from Sweetbriar Ridge. While I jumped into Book 4, I don’t feel like I have missed anything. Samantha Chase does a great job of keeping you connected to the entire family in this series but not being redundant with information.

In Seeing You, our FMC, Billie Donovan is a bakery co-owner (Books & Beans) and the single one in her immediate family. She is co owner with her sister in law Jade and loves every day that she gets to feed the residents of her small town. Billie came home almost 10 years ago after her long time romance with Marcus Calloway ended abruptly in Washington DC. While she regrets nothing, she still cannot help but think about Marcus every now and then because his father comes into the bake shop at least once a month.

Then we meet our GRUMPY MMC, Marcus Calloway when he comes into town to talk with his brother and dad because his dad’s health is failing. It has been over 10 years since he has been in Sweetbriar Ridge. Marcus was always adamant that he would never live in this “hick town”. Marcus and his father have not seen eye to eye after the death of his mother and the implosion of his relationship with Billie. The animosity leads to an epic fight on the front porch of his father’s house with his brother, Max.

What we find out is that Marcus has built up his walls to protect his heart from ever getting hurt again. He poured himself into being the BEST financial advisor he could be. Being back in Sweetbriar Ridge has triggered all those feelings from the past.
Marcus, Max, and their dad have dinner and Marcus tries brownies from Books & Beans and loved them. He tells himself that he would marry the sweet angel that made them. Little does he know that the sweet angel was his ex-fiancé Billie Donovan.

Marcus goes into bakery the next morning and was surprised by what he saw – Billie Donovan. Did she give up their lavish lifestyle for BAKING – GASP! Unfortunately he doesn’t keep his thoughts to himself and proceeds to insult Billie in the shop. Billie lets him know exactly what she thinks of his thoughts - she smashed her banana chocolate chip muffin in his face.

The story continues to unravel all the past hurts for both Billie and Marcus. What we come to learn is that Marcus continues to hold onto all the materialistic items in life while Billie has found her zen with helping her family and baking. The problem is that they both continue to have a hole in their hearts that can only be filled by each other. How they get to that conclusion is the best part of this book. The push and pull between these two as they navigate their way through the second phase of their relationship and trying to make it work again.

I love how this family had Billie’s back in her journey back to Marcus. They continued to remind her that she needs to thing of herself more often and hold fast to what brings her joy. Billie is the ultimate giver and finds it hard to take anything for herself. Marcus remains narrow minded and only focused on making money – how could she waste all of her financial talent on this small town.
I love how Billie maintains her strong will throughout the book and never once wavering to keep the guy. Marcus does have a couple of epiphany moments and realizes that he really does need to change his ways if he is truly going to get his girl.

I cannot wait to start at the beginning of this series and get to know the rest of the Donovan family!
Enjoy Reading my friends! Peace ☮️ and Love ❤️

I was provided an ARC to this book by Samantha Chase and @TheAuthorAgency

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

SEEING YOU is the fourth instalment in Samantha Chase’s contemporary, adult SWEETBRIAR RIDGE: THE DONOVANS romance series-a spin off from the author’s THE DONOVANS series. This is financial advisor Marcus Calloway, and bakery owner Billie Donovan’s story line. SEEING YOU can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Billie and Marcus) SEEING YOU follows the rekindling but contemptuous relationship between financial advisor Marcus Calloway, and bakery owner Billie Donovan. Billie and Marcus were teenaged sweethearts, both successful financial advisors in DC, but ten years earlier, Billie walked away from a future with Marcus, returning home to Sweetbriar Ridge, in the hopes of finding some peace and happiness with her life. Fast forward to present day, Marcus returns to Sweetbriar Ridge in the face of his father’s age and illness, coming up close and personal with the woman he once loved, only to receive a face full of muffin from an angry Billie Donovan when he suggests working as a baker was beneath her education and status. Desperate to convince our heroine she should leave town and return with him, Marcus finds himself the villain in a town where all of the support goes to the woman he once loved.

The world building focuses on the back and forth between our story line couple. Billie wants to stay in Sweetbriar Ridge where she is happy and has established her own business but Billie wants her own happily ever after and she doesn’t see it with Marcus, in the his stakes world of finance. Marcus is a snob; likes expensive things and often looks down on those he consider beneath his worth, and in this, most of the people in Sweetbriar Ridge, consider Marcus a non-entity, and would prefer he left for good.

The relationship between Marcus and Billie is one of second chances; a rekindling romance that continues to struggle with dual futures, dual aims, dual beliefs, and constant misunderstanding and misdirection. Marcus wants Billie to move back to DC but Billie has found peace in small town living. There are no $ex scenes, everything is implied.

The secondary and supporting characters include several of the previous story line couples and characters including; Billie’s siblings Levi and his wife Jade, Ashlyn, and Chloe; who all have our heroine’s best interests at heart, and their parents Marie, and estranged father Ronan;and Marcus’ brother Max, and their father John.

SEEING YOU is a story of struggle, assumptions and acceptance, forgiveness and love. The premise is inviting and emotional; the romance struggles in the face of different views and expectations; the characters are dynamic and determined.


copy supplied for review

[Macy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A second chance, small town story about love, an invasive mostly from a place of love, but very controlling and a bit annoying family who know no boundaries, and only keep secrets when it suits them. So I have two very different thoughts/opinions of this book. As a continuation of the series, it is on brand with a lovely happily ever after we knew was coming. Billie Donovan was a financial wizard, living a big city life with the man she wanted to have a family and grow old with. That is until he ceased to hear a word she uttered and always thought he knew better. He made unilateral decisions about their life without a single concern about what she wanted. When she realized this would be the rest of her life and it went against everything she held close to her heart and mind, she packed up and left. While she is living her best life with her family, friends and is finally happy in her career, she longs for her own family and all it entails. When years later, Hudson goes home to help his family he shockingly bumps into her in her place of business. Rather than leaving or at the very least, saying hello and being a decent human being, he lets her have it by verbally attacking her with all of the years of rage he built up having blamed her for in his words, giving up on his version of success and living a pitiful​, less than life. He mocks everything about her while trying to add a healthy dose of shame for what she gave up. So of course they get together and do the yes/no thing again and again until she grows a spine and decides enough is enough and he hasn’t changed a bit regardless of his words. And then cut to the chase, voila, HEA. So here is my other issue as mentioned above. In the story, for the most part Hudson is doing what he did seemed sweet and aawww. And her family and friends being in on it, again in a fake world, for most, awww. I absorbed it differently. To me, he did not change at all, the spine she grew disintegrated and everyone else was in charge of her life and she just went along with it. Seemed contrary to everything she left him for. This gave me a big case of the “icks”. I was hoping it would of course lead to a happy ending, but with her having a say in it. She didn't, hence my rating. Pretty sure I’m in the minority, but for me, this isn’t the sweet story it professes to be. HEA should be about both people getting what they want and need in equal measure. Partnership. The only thing that changed about Hudson was his location. Everything else was all about him. So depending on your POV this may or may not be for you.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first time reading/listening to a Samantha Chase book, but I've been meaning to check her out for awhile. I even have a book checked out on Hoopla at the moment (Irresistible Love) that I'm planning to listen to. I also really like the narrator Carly Robbins (although I think most of her work I've listened to has been under her pseudonym). All of that being said, this book didn't totally work for me and was a bit of a mixed bag, although your mileage may vary.

So some of the elements I liked: Some of the bickering between the former couple was a lot of fun and the side characters were great. I was able to follow this as a stand alone even though this is the fourth book in the series. I bet people who've read all the books up to this one will enjoy all the character updates. And I legitimately laughed out loud during the scene where the FMC and MMC run into each other when she's with her nephew.

As for what didn't work for me: This book both felt rushed and chaotic, but also dragged and was boring. None of the steps forward in the plot felt earned. It sometimes felt nonsensical. Like in one scene they're talking and then in the next scene they're fighting and then in the next scene they're sleeping together, repeat. It didn't feel like there was character growth.

(SPOILER) Also, I did not find the resolution to be remotely romantic and instead found it to be super problematic. I'm sure others will disagree, but I just don't find it romantic when someone buys someone a house that they're previously unaware of. I cannot imagine not playing a role in the decision of where I live. That's insanity. And he renovated the kitchen without her input!!!! A professional baker! Seriously? Not a fan.

Another pet peeve of mine, which I've seen in other books, is how conversations are had. There's so much unnecessary detail that adds nothing to the story and my adhd is not a fan. I don't like hearing every day chit chat in my stories. I want everything to matter. There was literally a conversation at one point about where to go eat and who should drive that added nothing to the story. I don't care that the cafe has good burgers or that one brother should drive over the other because of how their cars are parked.

Carly Robins did a good job with her narration, although I'm also not a fan of one narrator for dual POVs. Hire a dude for the MMC! Still love her though.

Anyway, this is by no means a bad book and others will enjoy it. It's just not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher!