LandED: Safe Harbor Series, Book 1

by Maria Tandy

As a full-time single dad to my seven-year-old daughter and a devoted math teacher leading a robotics team, love isn't a priority.

My focus is keeping my daughter, who has Asperger's, safe and dealing with my ex-wife's refusal to sign divorce papers.

Natalia Pagán, my new coworker from Puerto Rico, is beautiful and sweet. Just like me, she is recently divorced and a single mom as well. Which means she is not looking for someone new, especially someone with lots of baggage like grumpy me. I know that Natalia is completely off-limits.

But as fate would have it, we are forced to share a work space together because of the principal. I keep telling myself to stay away from Natalia, but I can’t stop thinking about her. I even find myself doing nice things, like carrying her heavy mail to her classroom or scheduling playdates for our girls.

Acting on my impulses feels wrong, especially since I'm still married. What kind of jerk would I be if I acted on the impulse to kiss her while knowing that I'm still married? The worst kind of jerk.

Actually, I'm worse than that because I didn't stop with a kiss, and now I can't stay away. She makes me feel like myself again. She reminds me what it's like to want something just for me. She's everything I ever needed but nothing I ever imagined. I should have had the strength to resist her from the start, and I did—I decided that if I were rude to her from the get-go, she would never be interested in me. Yet she's everything I need.

Now, I realize I can't keep pretending to be someone I'm not.

Audible Audio

Published October 10, 2024

About the author

María Tandy are two teacher friends that decided to write together.
María is a sassy Puerto Rican that loves Romance and enjoys reading in her free time. She is a Spanish teacher by day and a writer by night. She has a fantastic husband that is better than any book boyfriend, three amazing kids, and three furbabies.
Tandy is a saucy Alabama girl who loves all things science in the writing duo. When not in the classroom you can find her in a garden, spoiling her furbabies, or curled up reading.

Find us on Social Media
@MariaTandyAuthor

Reviews

[Angela Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect amount of sweet and spicy. I loved this beach town romance and the diversity these authors used when creating the characters and their love story. Can’t wait to read the next one in this series!

[Mildred · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my First ARC review and I am more than happy with LandED such as heartwarming story about another chance at love with difficulties of being parents and daily working lives. I absolutely enjoyed reading it!
LandED was an incredible story! Natalia, a single mom, relocates from Puerto Rico to Alabama to start anew. Meanwhile, Liam, a single dad, is dedicated to supporting his daughter Merritt, who has Asperger's. I thoroughly enjoyed the steamy scenes, and I appreciated the opportunity to learn about Natalia's culture through the story. The author's thoughtful inclusion of cultural elements added depth and richness to the narrative.

[Jeannette Serrano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waooo

Desde y ales digo que si están buscando un libro que te haga sentir de todo como por ejemplo: amor, risas, enojo y sobre todos escenas muy pero muy candentes, pues este libro si o si lo necesitas en tu estantería. Natalia es una madre soltera que tristemente su corazón se encuentra roto y a causa de eso por el bien de su princesa y de ella toma una decisión en ajelarse de recuerdos o de personas que le han hecho sufrir. Así que sin pensarlo mucho se mudó a Alabama a empezar una nueva vida junto a su hija, sin imaginar lo que se iba a encontar. Liam (el novio que muchas deseamos jajajaja) es un maestro demaciado peleón. Como Natalia, él también es un padre soltero y está pasando por un proceso dificil por eso aveces es un peleón, pero no cabe duda que es un hombre con un bello corazón. Natalia & Liam tienen una química única pero junto son una bomba. El amor que Liam le brinda a Natialia es un amor que muchas deseamos. El lazo que ambos protagonistas tienen con sus hijas es tan hermoso que te saca más de una sonrisa. Es una historia sumamente hermosa que nos muestra que nunca esta de más de darnos una segunda oportunidad. Ambos pasaron por problemas que en nuestra vida cotidiana vemos y cabe recalcar que las autoras trabajaron todo eso de una manera increíble. Otra cosa y no menos importante es que esas escenas spicy fuerooooo ufff....sin palabras jajaja.

100%Recomiendo este libro.
Ya pronto doy inicio con el segundo libro de la serie que es Grounded porque si o si necesito saber que pasará con Bianca y Zack.

[Katie Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Book Review✨

{Book 90 of 2024}
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🇵🇷 Puerto Rico ➡️ Alabama 🇺🇸

This book was such a sweet story of two people finding their way to each other. But that prologue {IFYKYK} Bottom line… she’s better than me 🥴 From the moment I met this single dad trying to protect his daughter while stuck in a never-ending divorce battle and this single mom recovering from the heartbreak of a cheating husband, I was in a constant desire for them to find a happy ending. 😫💔 Liam and Natalia, I just couldn’t help rooting for them! 🔥 And their sweet girls— the most precious friendship—bridging language and culture. It was the sweetest thing! 👯‍♀️

As an educator, I loved the focus on their careers as teachers 👩‍🏫 and soooo many of the school scenes and scenarios hit WAY too close to home! {No, not THAT scene 😵‍💫} Besides THAT one, they’re SUPER relatable! 💪🏼😳😜

This book is the perfect book for hopeless romantics that believe in second chances ❤️ Between the sweet romance of these two, plus their constant focus on their little girls, this one is going to get you GOOD. 💔

Excited to start the next book in this series— #GroundED COMING SOON!!! 📖

@mariatandyauthor ❤️

#bookstagram #StreetTeam #Landed #SafeHarborSeries #educatorfiction

[Katherine Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natalia’s and Liam’s story was heartwarming and so cute!

They’re both recently divorced single parents who work at the same school and happen to live in the same apartment complex.
It was nice to see how their acquaintance became friendship and their friendship was the foundation of their relationship. How they both supported each other on their struggle and difficulties with their daughters and their ex partners.
The only negative thing I have to say is that after 80% the book felt like it was dragging so it was a little hard to push through the rest of the book.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it possible to rate a book higher than 5/5 stars because “Landed” by Maria Tandy deserves the highest rating I can give! I am so glad I got to meet them recently an author chat hosted by two of my friends. They are some of the sweetest people and absolutely love that they are both teachers also! If you love a good romance with plenty of spice, I would definitely recommend this book! The writing is phenomenal and the story is neither dragged out or rushed. I binged read about 90% of the book before taking a break which just shows how invested I was in the characters stories. Definitely add it to your TBR list today!

[Paloma Chianel🌸 · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing steamy small town romance that will leave you turning page after page.🌸Focosued on portraying in the most beautiful and funniest ways, the blended family portray that we see nowadays more often and the importance of a second chance at love because everybody deserves it.✨

This book was funny, and who doesn’t love a Single dad/ single mom trope with a little rivalry at first.✨ Really enjoy it and as a fellow “boricua” born and raised and still living in the island of Puerto Rico, I couldn’t relate more with Natalia Pagan in this story.

[Elizabeth Trejo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me encantó este libro
La mezcla perfecta de romance, segundas oportunidades, spicy, amistad, y la cultura latina presente, en donde se sintieron tan reales las situaciones conforme van avanzando en la historia

Liam es maravilloso, el toque perfecto de un grumpy sexy papá “soltero?”😅
Me identifiqué con Natalia en muchos aspectos de su vida! Ame las primeras líneas porque soy yo todos los días como mamá 😅😅

En fin, una gran lectura que no podía dejar de leer y que recomendaré por siempre

Gracias María y Tandy por estos personajes tan increíbles !

[Audrey Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

*This review was done as an ARC*

LandED by Maria Tandy is definitely worth the read. This book gave great background information on certain aspects of the characters lives (and just generally places they went) that I appreciated it. Furthermore, as someone who is a part of a blended family with a step sibling on the Autism Spectrum, it was amazing to see how accurately the authors portray an endgame blended family with one parent who has a child on the spectrum.

Not only that, but I never thought a teacher/teacher relationship would go well in a book, but I was proven wrong. It was amazing and stupid cute. I cannot wait for this book to be released so others can enjoy it as well! Mark your calendars: May 21st 😉

(I also can’t wait for the next in the series)

[Lindsay Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the authors for the ARC of this book!

This story follows Liam and Natalia, both divorced single parents. I liked the couple’s story and relationship, but honestly the stars of the book were Sophia and Merritt. Their friendship was amazing to watch grow!

The story was good, however predictable. The side characters were all fun and really brought some light moments into the book.

[Sharon Llerena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new and refreshing story that will keep you captivated from start to finish!!! María and Tandy did a good job of bringing the story of Natalia and Liam. This story has spicy a little spanglish, humor, tenderness, romance in short, it has everything a reader is looking for in a good romance story. I can't wait for the second part!!

[Amanda Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulled me in from the beginning. It gave great detail of all of the characters. I also really enjoyed how Sofia and Merritt ended up becoming friends and being able to understand each other. The love story between Natalia and Liam is perfect. I definitely recommend reading this book.

[Amanda Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!!!

[Maggie T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I was selected as an ARC reader for this book! What a great story about a second chance romance!!! My emotions were on an absolute roller coaster cheering for these 2! The problems they dealt with were real life issues and the authors handled them so well. What a sweet love story. I also LOVED the story of their daughter’s friendship! SO sweet!!!! This is a must read!!!!

[McKinsey Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A southern romance meets Puerto Rican flair. You will love the heat in this book.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review
What a fun and amazing love story. Liam and Natalia's story was everything. I love that they both had hardships and loss and we're able to come together and find love. The banter between the friends was funny and felt real.
Cannot wait for Bianca and Zack's story.

[Linzie (book.clubbin.besties) Mullins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this love story… two single parents… and teachers!? Like… sign me UP!!! The school portions of this book are spot on… and I love the trip they take to NOLA!! But, my favorite part was how real the relationships are portrayed in Maria Tandy’s writing. The beauty in their imagery and their raw relationship connections are reason enough to pick up this book. You will laugh, cry, be angry, and happy all through this book… it’s a rollercoaster everyone should ride!

[Nicole Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Absolutely loved this story.
Two Single Parents with a precious little girl each
Natalia finds her husband cheating in a motel, Liam’s ex struggled after the unplanned pregnancy and her mental health led her down a sad road of drugs and alcohol.
Natalia moves from Puerto Rico to start offer and mets the grumpy math teacher who wears punny math shirts. Throughout the book the sweetest and steamiest love story unfurls. Love at first has nothing on these two! The way Liam loves and DEVOURS Natalia will definitely get heartbeat revving 😉😉. His absolute devotion to loving her and expressing that to her was blissful.
Hottest scene - Under the Desk in the classroom (That’s all I’m Saying!)
Im sure we all want a piece of “Mr.Liam / The Webster”.
The support they show and other and the bond that their daughters build was so precious.
This would be a re-read no problem!
I can not wait for the series to continue because Liam’s friends are hot AF and come on - Natalia’s friends are a RIOT!
So glad I was able to get a sneak peek on this book!
WELL DONE!

Favorite Lines from the Book
“She makes me feel like myself again. She reminds me what its like to want something just for me.”

“The rhythmic sound of the waves kissing the shore serves as a soothing backdrop to whispered promises and stolen glances exchanged beneath the starlit sky”

“He doesn’t sound like he is in the best mood, but the huskiness and drawl of his voices calls to me. oh that voice. He could be a romance novel narrator”

“Im such a pervert. I literally just conjured so many fantasies of this main in the span of minutes. I never thought these things about Carlos”

“Ive never been kissed like this, never experienced a connection so intense and all consuming. Its a revelation, a moment of pure bliss that eclipses everything that came before. In Natalias arms I find myself reborn, my heart soaring on wings of desire as I surrender to the magic of her kiss”

“ At Night, I’m going to spin you under the stars while we dance in the surf along the shoreline. At Night, you are the going to shine brighter than the moon and I will be the moth attracted to your flame”

[Juniper Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5
Spicy: 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️/ 5

This book was such a heartfelt ride!

Liam, the grumpy math teacher, is going through a drawn-out divorce, trying to focus on his daughter with Asperger’s. Natalie, the new art teacher, is also adjusting to her new life after divorcing her cheating ex, with her daughter and the move to Alabama, her priority. Even though Liam’s initial encounters with Natalie are filled with tension, they can’t help but be drawn to each other. As their daughters form an instant bond, so do Liam and Natalie, despite their best efforts to avoid it.

This is a beautiful story about finding love again after messy divorces and navigating the hardships of co-parenting and mental health issues. It shows how kindness, empathy, and love can triumph through adversity.

The text message exchanges between Natalie and her girlfriends had me cracking up! I can’t wait to read Karen’s story; she’s hilarious and such a standout character.

Corrie Beard did a fantastic job narrating all the characters—definitely a performance worth listening to! Recommend adding to your TBR.

Fave scene: The steamy moment at the school after Liam’s divorce is final—so 🔥and hilarious 🤣!

[The Library Lass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!!! I particularly liked the chemistry and family dynamics with Natalia and Liam, our main characters, and their daughters. It was well written and felt authentic. Honestly, everything about this book felt authentic. It gave the same warm, cuddly feelings as a good Hallmark movie (plus some spice). Every single character felt fully developed and someone I truly grew to care about as the book progressed. I especially enjoyed Merritt, Liam’s daughter who has Asperger’s. The way she was portrayed felt very authentic and casual, it never felt forced. There were a few times though where it felt like a KultureCity commercial ( to be fair, they are an amazing organization) with how much they were mentioned, but as a whole I thought it was one of the best portrayals of Asperger’s in girls I’ve experienced. I can’t speak on the spice, as it is not my area of expertise, but if it is anything like the rest of the book I know it won’t disappoint. This is a book that is definitely worth checking out.

[SamTheDesiBookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me smiling or blushing the whole time, either from how cute and adorable Merriet and Sofia are or from the intensity between Liam and Natalie.

This book is about a divorcee and a soon to be divorced with a daughter each and an unexpected yet quick, strong attraction between them that makes it harder for both of them to resist. Reading this book after I read the GroundEd didn't affect the book's rating as this was a delicious treat as well.

But more than all that, I loved the bond that Merriet and Sofia had throughout the book, it was so cute and adorable that even I made them "My Girls".

I love how the authors have made these books so beautifully as both book's contents happens quite parallelly. It's so amazing as I compare both the books side by side as I read. Such talented individuals. It only proves how much of a skilled and talented authors they both are.

[Brenda | BookaholicHaBits · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una historia con la cual te identificas!

Esta ha sido una historia que aunque yo no he pasado por divorcio ni tengo hijos, me pude identificar. Es una historia sencilla de entender y hermosa. Esta historia habla de aspectos cotidianos del proceso de divorcio y de post divorcio cuando hay niños de por medio y quieres dar lo mejor de ti! Me gusto la química entre los personajes y el spicie... was spiced! El único punto negativo que encontré fue que a veces me sentí que se repetía la preocupación de Liam mucho, pero fuera de eso, el libro es 100% recomendable!

[Janett L · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a wild ride. It starts with a bang, and it keeps on going. All the fun banter between the characters are fantastic. It does have some hard triggers. But it was a great read. I am ready to read book two.

[Yarelis Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

✈️Después de presenciar a su esposo siéndole infiel Natalia decide mudarse de Puerto Rico a Alabama con su hija para comenzar de cero. Ahí conoce a Liam, su vecino y compañero de trabajo. El está pasando por un divorcio y tiene una niña con neurodiversidad de la misma edad que la hija de Natalia.

✈️ Me encantó la dinámica de Liam y Natalia. Ambos están pasando por una ruptura dolorosa y están a cargo de sus hijas, por lo cual deben intentar ser fuertes , sin importar lo que les esté pasando. El apoyo que encuentran en el otro fue hermoso.

✈️ La sensibilidad con la que se toca el tema de abuso de sustancias es algo que debo recalcar. Muchas veces en los libros lo pintan de una forma pero aquí vemos la lucha que la ex esposa de Liam tenía y como por su hija intentaba mejorar.