A Little Faith

Men of Ocean Beach #1

by Emma James

Powerful. Unique Cast of Characters. True Friendship. Laugh. Cry. Bite Your Lip. A Surprise Read.

The name's Retro Cooper. A night out at Joe's Bar in Ocean Beach turns into a major epiphany for me. Tragedy had blocked my mind from the girl I once loved—for six years! The girl was wiped from my memory and now the woman she’d become was standing right in front of me, and I had another woman in my arms.

Birdie was simply stunning, and she was with another guy! (insert curse word) They say love is worth waiting for and this beautiful woman had been waiting for me. I had six years to make up. I had a second chance to claim.

I’m ready to show her I was worth waiting for.

A Little Faith is a story that will pull you in and won’t stop surprising you. From tragedy comes grief. This brotherhood of men will band together using humor and tough love to break down each others’ walls. They will show the power of true friendship, love, and self-discovery.

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Drama, Fiction, Humor

288 pages, Paperback

First published October 9, 2014

About the author

Emma James writes page-turning stories with strong female leads and men who will keep you up at night.

She writes in multi-genre and loves to keep the reader guessing with all the twists and turns found on her pages.

Her homemade curries are as spicy as the love that will always rise from the ashes in her stories.

The devil sitting on her right shoulder whispers dark romance ideas in her ear and the angel on her left shoulder will coax out all the feels, tears and laughter to sprinkle over the pages.


You can find Emma:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emmajamesauthor

BOOKBUB: https://bit.ly/2J4THac

Twitter : @emmajamesbooks

Newsletter Sign Up : http://bit.ly/1OgHLh6

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmajamesau...

Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/2rB7NIf

Emma James' Sisterhood Closed Group : http://bit.ly/1J5groi

Pinterest : https://www.pinterest.com/authoremmaj...

Reviews

[Flo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 break my heart why don't you? STARS

“Too many people don't stop to smell the roses. I do. Life is too short.”

This is by far the hardest review I had to write. I can't tell you anything without giving away the big elephant in the room that determines the outcome of every freaking action and relationship in this book. And you know what, said elephant...and/or event that dominates this whole book takes place at the end of the first chapter.

When I read it my jaw hit the ground. To say I didn't see it coming is the understatement of the century and even telling you something happens won't prepare you for the actual event. Trust me.

I thought the blurb was pretty vague but intriguing and let me tell you the blurb writer did a good job all things considered. This is one of those books you want to go in blind and just let the story unfold.

Suffice it to say, I actually really liked A Little Faith. It's unique. And that's not just a phrase. The way Ms. James set up all the characters, bound them together with one big event and let all their lives play out in the aftermath is actually really amazing.

“What actually happened on that island? I have so many stories I've missed out on. I only played one story over and over in my head. It was only one chapter when there are so many more.”

So, I'm going to try and set it all up a little. Faith is a almost twenty-one year old girl on a mission. She is on her way to San Diego to visit a group of men...they are old 'friends' and she is there to learn about past events and make some amends for not being there when they needed her most.

Puh...that wasn't so bad, I guess. Still, hard being vague. LOL

Said big thing happened when Faith was fifteen and it changed her life and the lives of Harley, Keanu, Text, Levi and Retro forever. It took her a long time to face the reality but now she is here and ready.

And that is all you are going to get from me. READ THE FREAKING BOOK!

“I turn to my window again and look down on San Diego as it gets bigger. The sky is so blue; it looks like a beautiful, sunny day.
It's a day for new beginnings and moving forward.”

A Little Faith is not a love story like we read it all of the time. In fact for the longest time I had no idea if there was even any kind of love interest and/or relationship planned for this series. For all intents and purposes the main characters have bigger problems than messy love lives.

This is also not a standalone. As the story unfolds little by little we learn more about the past and each character gets a bit of healing time and closure in the meantime. Mostly because Faith is a bit of a catalyst who forced them to talk and get things out in the open they had buried deep before.

Now the funny thing is...reading all the things I told you so far you might think this is a dark read with a lot of heartbreak and angst. It is in a fact a very balanced read with a lot of humour and heart felt moments. Wonderfully written, amazing characters and very addictive. I just never wanted to stop...only thing that kept me from reading this in one sitting was my busy real life. Ugh.

Only thing left for me to say is thank you to the author for gifting me this special ARC I so carelessly managed not to read until now. I'm deeply sorry for taking so long and I promise it won't be long before I pick up the next book....cause that cliffy was a bit evil...*throws fist in the air*


**ARC very kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Emma James · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This book came as a complete surprise and kept me glued to the pages."

"Brilliant. Emotional."

A LITTLE FAITH
US: http://amzn.to/2COYf0z
UK: http://amzn.to/1LntFZt
AUS: http://amzn.to/2ulskla
CA: http://amzn.to/1KOdBoF

[Michel Reinhard (Saucy Southern Readers) · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** 6 Star Review ***

*** Spoiler Free Review ***
Wow ! Wow ! Wow! A Little Faith by Emma James was astonishing! This book came as a complete surprise and kept me glued to the pages. The characters jumped out of the pages and pulled me into their world. They made me experience their lives. They shared their lives with an open honesty and generous hearts. They made me admire their strength, courage, generosity, and dedication to one another. Their lives were fractured by one horrific event. They faced adversity with an eloquent spirit. They were not left untouched. They carry their scars with grace. They deal with their nightmares by depending on one another. They don’t allow this horrific event to defeat them. They allow that moment in time to define the remarkable men they are today. They will always be haunted by the memories but will move forward in life with a positive attitude. They will allow these memories to define the men they have become today. They are remarkable.

The synopsis for this book tells very little about the story itself. It is enough to intrigue the reader without giving away the meat of this story. Five men share a deep bond that will keep their lives linked together forever. It is a story of a living life to it’s fullest. It is a story of letting go of the past and embracing new beginnings. It is a story of having A Little Faith.

A Little Faith is not your typical romance that features one couple. It features six extraordinary men. They are all leading characters in their own right. They all have their own story to tell and it intertwines together. As their story unfolds , other characters are introduced into their circle. The reader will meet three exceptional women and one steely man that is honored to be their friend. Lost love will be found once again. The possibilities of new love are on the horizon. New friends are coming into their lives. They will all experience the true meaning of love and friendship.

Each man has their cross to bare. Each carries their cross differently. They use humor, silence, and over protectiveness to deflect their pain. They lean on on another. They will always have each other’s back no matter what happens in life.

Emma James did a brilliant job writing this book. A Little Faith is a story with multiple layers. Each chapter is written from a different character’s POV. The story flows beautifully. This story illustrates the past and the present with perfection. Each character is vibrant. The prologue had me hooked within the first few paragraphs. I was mesmerized and could not put the book down. Some would say it ended on a cliffhanger but I would define it as an intermission. The complete story is going to unfold in several books. The Men of Ocean Beach are demanding their story be told thoroughly. They are demanding that they all get their happily ever after together.

I was captivated by their story. I became invested in each character. When I finished the last page of A Little Faith I had to immediately download Hope Is Lost, the second book in the Men of Ocean Beach series.

A Little Faith by Emma James is phenomenal.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, I fully admit that I'm a lover of hot guy pics and can't pass up a hot guy on a book cover. So when I saw the picture below as promotion for the book, well...color me intrigued by all those hot guys. ;)



I'll be completely honest and say that the blurb didn't really tell me much about what this book was about. *blushing* I was completely drawn in by the dream casting pic. And I totally fell for Slade at first sight and he became the guy I was rooting for. He was also the only guy that was not listed in the description so I figured, by process of elimination, he's going to be the hero, the love interest of the heroine. Wrong. Nope, he was into a secondary character, the sister of Retro. I was beyond disappointed because a) he's hot, b) he's former military (which is hot), c) he's alpha (again...hot!), and d) that pic is just plain hot!

I won't go into to details and spoil it, but there's a traumatic event in the beginning of the book that changes the lives of Faith, Harley, Levi, Keanu, Retro and Jace aka Text. Each one of them has dealt with it in their own way and six years later, they're still coping. Each guy has secrets and slowly, over the course of the book, they reveal those to Faith as they all begin to heal.

Since Slade was ruled out of the romantic running, I started looking for a backup guy. All the guys were/are attracted to Faith but two really stuck out as possible relationships to me...Text and Harley. And I'm rooting for Harley. Don't get me wrong, Text seems like a great guy, but I love the way Faith is with Harley and the way he is with her. I think they'd be great together.

My biggest issue with the book was the ending. The book was going along just fine and all of a sudden, it stops with at To Be Continued and I really hate that. It had the worst cliffhanger ever!

My only other issue with the book was the cover. It just didn't work for me and I didn't feel like it represented the book as well as it could have.

So, my final rating is a 4 overall. The story was good but the cliffhanger really bothered me.

[katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Little Faith is a story with strong direction, well defined characters - outlined with a marvellously written story line and a story driven by a solid plot .

It's filled with love, heartache , friendship and faith.

This story is so realistic - a mixture of heartfelt moments , laugh out loud scenes and such a surreal mix off realism. It will draw you into the pages and into the lives of the characters from Ocean Beach.

Initially to start the first chapter is a tad slowish - the chatter and POV from Chance's perspective is a little slower to roll - but this is needed. I realized after reading and hitting that moment within the story, It gives insight into his character and thoughts as the story flows it makes perfect sense. THis is certainly not a bad thing - the story line keeps you engrossed and hooked till the very last page.

The characters are flawed, real and imperfect. We see a bond between friends that span over the years, a connection and scars within, that need to be healed and answers that need fulfilling.

We see friendships build, love bloom and romance surface. But most of all friendships growing and an understanding between them all.

Emma James paints a vivid picture within her story, both emotionally and physically. As a reader I can see and feel a bond within the characters. Giving the story line depth and definition.

I laughed, I sniffled and my heart was torn reading this story – each and every character having their own story to tell.

Ocean Beach is written from each characters POV – this gives us insight into the minds and thoughts of each character. Once again this gives the story depth – on a different level with each and every one.

This contemporary romance is a journey of remembering, healing and moving forward. Healing scars that are not only on the surface, but scars within.

The sex scenes are smoking and dam sizzling very well written and tantalizing.

The boys of Ocean Beach are all heart throbs, I loved each and every one.


Emma James has written a wonderful debut novel I look forward to more of Ocean Beach and each of the characters stories.

A Little Faith was Un - put - down - able, heart warming, full of faith - despite the heartache and Unforgettable.

[Kristin Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Editorial Review.

This book is written very much differently than other books. There are multiple POVs, giving the reader a broader perspective on what's going on in the lives of these friends. It works because there is so much going on, and the story is progressing. You are going to eventually get a separate story from each character. However, with what this group is going through, and holy cow it is a lot, the reader needs to see how each individual is coping and moving on...or not moving on.

The prologue...yeah, that was really hard to get through emotionally. Let's leave it at that.

The first part of the book is mostly between Faith and Harley, with a little bit of POVs from the rest of the gang. And wow, character development was amazing. Each character was so unique, so lovable, and you just felt like you were there with them.

The end of the book was mostly Retro and Birdie's story, which was really sad and totally unexpected!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It had all the aspects one wants in a story--love, friendship, loss, regret, pain, happiness, in encompassed it all.

[Brandee (un)Conventional Bookworms · Rating 5 out of 5]

**4.5 Fantastic Debut Stars**

Oh, there's so much I want to say about A Little Faith. And yet there's so much I can't say because to do so would spoil the experience. This story begins with a shock...the tear your heart out kind of shock. I was immediately riveted.

This is such an original story. From its unique cast of characters, whom I'm already so invested in, the multiple POV narration, to the tragic incident that shaped them all into the people they've become - A Little Faith is fascinating. The story revolves around this group of guys that are so close, they're like brothers. And they've suffered this horrific event and it's brought them closer in some ways but divided them in others. And Faith is the person who keeps them together and can hopefully put them back together. We learn how the tragedy has affected them emotionally and physically...at least some of them. I think we've barely scratched the surface though.

I like the diversity of characters Ms. James incorporated. These guys and girls are not perfect - they have flaws and scars, both visible and not. And the event that rocked their world was so realistic...and their issues resulting from it are as well. It all felt so organic and true.

I really like how Ms. James tied together the act of having faith and the re-arrival of Faith into the guys' lives. Keanu, Levi, Retro, Harley, and Jase (Text) all took on roles in each others' lives and put up different kinds of walls to help them cope. And then there's Faith, who has also struggled to move forward. Now that she's on the path, she's on a mission to help all the guys heal and move on. At its heart, A Little Faith is a story of second chances, friendship, and healing.

Obviously, the emotions evoked are enormous. From the beginning shock to the ending, I was flipping through pages, anxious to see what was uncovered next. There are only a couple of things keeping this from being a 5 Bookworm read for me. First, I felt there were places where the prose didn't have enough variation in sentence length which made it choppy and interrupted the flow. And second, there were places where the detail, whether in prose or dialog, was repetitive. But the story itself was one I was so engrossed in. Overall, I'm so very impressed with Ms. James' debut. I'm kinda over the moon about it. And I can't wait until December, when I can get my hands on the next installment, Hope is Lost.

**I received an advanced copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.** Thank you, thank you, Emma for sharing this story with me!

[Debb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is one of survival, strength and moving forward.
The characters are fun loving and complex, they draw you into their lives.
Once there you want, no! you need to know more about them.
I was drawn to the emotional pull these characters have, not only about them selves but for each other.
I was surprised by plot twists that had me not liking the author, but quickly realized it was what brings this book together.
What i loved was this story has consumed me in ways i can not explain, and has left me wanting more.

[Trisha ❊ Devoured Words · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow... I'm hooked. I can't wait for the next book.

Review to come!

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, great debut Emma. Love, laughter, tears, friendship, the POV's were fabulous. Cant wait for next installment :)

[Escape Reality with Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chance and his friends Keanu, Levi, Retro have just graduated from college and decide to embark on a 2 week surfing break for the summer as a treat to themselves for all of their hard work. Also along on their holiday is their other friend Harley’s little brother Jase who is just about the start college. On their tenth night, the guys are celebrating at a club when 2 terrorist bombing attacks occur, one inside the club and one outside the front door.

Chance is killed in the explosion, leaving his parents and his 15 year old sister Faith to try to deal with the devastation of their loss and pick up the pieces of their shattered hearts and move forward with their lives. After the funeral, Faith cuts herself off from everyone including all of the Chance’s friends.

6 years later and Faith decides it is finally time to let go of the past and spread Chance’s ashes at sea in San Diego, a request he made prior to going on the holiday should anything happen to him. Chance’s friend Harley, who wasn’t on the trip, lives in San Diego and he makes plans with her parents to pick her up from the airport. Not knowing what she looks like after having not spoken to her since the funeral, he feels an instant pull towards her as soon as he sees her at the airport. Knowing that Chance’s other friends are also going to be attracted to the beautiful woman she has grown up to be, Harley vows to be her silent protector amongst them.

When Faith catches up with Chance’s friends, she is shocked at how much she has missed out on after her shutting herself down to deal with Chance’s death.

Chance’s friends have all been dealing with their own issues after the bombings and A Little Faith is their story of reliving the horror from the night and what they’ve all had to endure.

The story is in various POV’s of Faith and each friend and changes from each POV so flawlessly that you feel like you are sitting there with each person as part of their story is told.

A Little Faith is heartbreaking, devastating, shocking and heart-warming and I have fallen in love with every character from Ocean Beach.

I’m not an emotional reader by any means but the first 10% of this story really rocked me due to the reality of the situation and the devastation left behind from these heartless terrorist attacks. My heart broke for another soul lost to an act of terrorism.

Congratulations on such an amazing story Emma!

This is one Series I will be hanging out for and I cannot wait for the next story to be told.

I was given a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Tanya.

[Jaime Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mind blowing, have the tissues ready

A surf vacation before "real life" starts changed the lives of six people forever.
Faith loses her brother Chance in a bombing and deals with the death in her own way.
Now it is time to honor his wished and have his ashes scattered.
She makes the trip to San Diego to meet up with Chance's best friends Harley, Keanu, Levi, Retro and Jase"text".
Faith is finding that while she was morning her brother, life went on everyone and she feels the guilt of not being there for them as they are dealing with the after math of the bombing too.
Harley is dealing with the guilt of not being there when it happened and being the strong one for everyone.
Keanu has scars of his own fin the bombing and hiding behind his joking.
Levi has scars and is hiding behind his work and joking than dealing with it.
Retro didn't have the burns or severed arm but he had head injuries and he ended up blocking out the love of his life Birdie who put her life on hold until he could remember her.
Jase aka Text hasn't spoken in six years. The guilt, the things he saw, and the things he is feeling has him afraid to speak.
We are transported into the healing process of this family as they relive that day that destroyed them and changed their lives forever.


This book has it all anger, tears, emotion, laughter, a bond that no one can explain. Emma James has blown my mind, and this is a must read. You will not regret reading this book.

The only downfall from this book is we have to wait until December to continue into the healing process of these friends/family.

[Sarez Tomoan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you only read one book this year then let this book be it. It's a story of strength, courage, survival, love and friendship. Bound by unbreakable ties and scars that they all bear scars from, the Ocean Beach gang all have their own burdens to carry and their own tale to tell. It's a tale that you want-no need- to hear.
From the very first chapter my heart broke and mended itself countless times as I followed this amazingly beautiful story. It had a little bit of everything - I laughed as well as cried and I enjoyed every minute of this story.
The characters came alive on the pages and I lived every moment alongside them all. Lovable and flawed by the end I felt as though I knew each if them personally. That I had seen a part of their souls.

This book goes above and beyond a romance novel. There is a depth to the story and characters that is often missing in todays books. Told in the first person with multiple POVs the story unfolded and flowed effortlessly, allowing me a personal insight into the characters state of mind.

Emma James has nailed it. If this is how she writes her debut novel I can't wait to see her next work. I cannot wait to read the next installment of the Ocean Beach series.

[Kirsty Dallas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way Emma has brought these men together and forged a friendship as tight as brothers. I adore their individual strength and humor, and I love that they aren’t perfect, not just emotionally, but physically. Even though the story is written with more than two alternating POV’s, I never got ‘lost’ or confused with the dialogue and story. I actually had a chuckle at one stage when I was comparing this book series to a much cooler version of Melrose Place! Without the diva's and posers of course. Okay, I actually never watched Melrose Place, which according to reliable sources was a little devious and dramalicious. The Ocean Beach Series isn't anything like that, instead it is like a breath of fresh air, a seaside community with a group of characters that make you melt one moment and laugh your ass off the next. Nothing like Melrose. LOL

That ending though... LEVI WHAT???? GAH!!!!! You can be assured I'm hanging out for the next book and I want in on this ARC business again Emma!

Well done and congratulations on your debut novel, you've outdone yourself.

Kirsty Dallas

[Alizon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say enough how much I thoroughly loved this book. I was all set for a lighthearted read as I started out, but things definitely took an unexpected twist.

This book uses several POVs to tell the story of a group of friends, but you don't get the same information over and over. Each person has something new to share to the story, giving you the full picture, and Faith is the tie that binds them all together for this journey.

This isn't your typical contemporary romance. You get the story first and foremost, and then you get to see Retro and Birdie's interactions. I loved this aspect of how the author chose to lead us down the path into the world of these friends. Each heartbreaking, laugh out loud, or awww moment kept me turning the pages, begging for more.

I honestly cannot wait to see what else Ms. James has in store for this series!

[Lena Dublin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book…ooohhhh this book. A Little Faith is the debut novel by Emma James. It is the first book in her Ocean Beach series that revolves around Faith, her adrenaline junkie brother and his amazing friends. This is one of the best bunch of characters that I have come across in awhile. The story was told from several points of view helping the reader become more vested in the story. It made for an amazing read!

If you are looking for a book that will make you feel. This is it. I had to read this book in short intervals because it had me in tears. Along with the tears there were also plenty of laughs. I loved these characters. Strong, vulnerable, supportive and protective who wouldn’t want to be a part of that kind of family? I am very much looking forward to reading the second book that will be released this month.

[Books Laid Bare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of those stories that takes great pleasure in sinking its claws in nice and early and never letting go.
The book and the story it depicts is completely fascinating.
Centred on a group of guys and the one woman that is central to their world, the story gives us insight into their lives and loves following the impact of a tragedy felt by the whole group.
We see that much like real life, we are all products of the event we experience in our lives and it is those experiences that shapes them and much of their friendship, it has forced them to re-evaluate the bonds between them, the dynamics of the group, it strengthens their resolve together but all the while slightly masking the fact that not everything is peachy!
The inferences and intimations made make me feel that each of these guys has a lot to give... and I can’t wait to hear the full story from each and every one of them.
The book itself is told from a number of points of view a writing style that I really enjoy, it adds realism and keeps you attentive.
Each of the guys, was exactly who I would have written if I had been tasked to write the story myself, they held their pain openly and yet retained the real crux of the issue within them, they were all good at showing just enough – enough to silence the critics and questioners but not enough to raise even more questions, they each handled it all in a different way and that was fascinating to read. This gave the story the realism it deserved after all what man wears his whole heart on his sleeve. Because if he does indeed exist he is a very rare breed and I would like to meet him!
This is ultimately a story of friendship, loss and learning to heal. And with Faith in the driving seat she is determined to be the woman to break down their walls... Faith is pivotal to the group, she is the glue that holds them firm, and more importantly the catalyst to their recovery. Loved Her!!
The way the author binds these guys together and makes them and their lives completely realistic is a stroke of genius, the fact their lives are laid bare was refreshing – they exhibit all the traits that you would expect to hear from a group of men that have been touched by something so tragic. They are humorous, gregarious and each has an inner strength that when multiplied throughout the group takes them to a whole new ball park.
Great debut novel and I am really looking forward to book two later in the year.

[Nickea Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ran across this book by chance and was immedialtey swept away by the blurd and the sample that had been presented. But what i got from this book was such much more.
Emma James will be one author that i watch out for in 2015.

What I thought I would be reading was a story about a girl going to reconnect with old friends after a terrible tradgey and maybe a little bit of falling in love and hopefully a lot of sex. Lol. But what I got was a book with five different POVs, awesome characters, hot guys, deep issues, and a new book boyfriend! Yes...this book had it all. Everything is so well connected and written. You couldnt help but fall in love with the characters and the stories.

Faith is going to reconnect with her brother's five best friends after losing him on a vaction. Faith being so wrapped up over her own feelings of losing her brother never thought what it would be like for his friends who were right there with him that day that everything went totally wrong. Harley the only one of the boys who didnt go on the trip is left to deal with the devistation of a vaction he missed out on. Harley had never expressed to Faith what the other boys had been dealing with because he was protecting his best friends little sister. But in going out to complete her brothers finial wishes she must confront the things in her life that she left fall to the sides. The story then opens up to even more characters. Levi, Keanu, Text, Retro and even Bridie. All these charaters added different things to the story that made everything come together so well. At some points i was hoping certain charaters would act a certain way or say something that i totally wasnt expecting. It all made for one interesting story.

The interesting thing is with all these different characeters there are bound to be more books. I think I read something about there being 5 books and 2 novellas and I can not wait to see how this story unfolds completely because there is so much more that needs to happen. I'm waiting for Text (my new BBF favorite)to finially open up.

A Little Faith is going to take you on an emotional ride. Its full of heartbreak and sad moments but there is also a lot of laughter and its easy to fall inlove with the brotherly bond that all the boys have. So yes i'll give this book 5 stars. Yes i would recommend it to anyone. And hell yes i will be reading the next book in this series!

[Karen Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faith had hung around her older brother, Chance and his friends, for as long as she could remember. They never seemed to mind the little girl who idolized her brother following them places; in fact they were very cool with it. When Faith was 11 years old and her brother Chance went off to college, it was hard, but even if her brother wasn’t home, his friends would return home on break and stop in to see her. She always felt close to them.
When a tragedy strikes while the guys are on vacation, Faith at 15 years old closes herself off from friends and even her parents. The grief of losing her brother too painful to deal with, she couldn’t even visit with his friends, it was just too painful. Her brother had spoken in the past about his wish to be cremated and his remains brought to San Diego. He loved to surf while spending time with his friends and he wanted his ashes to be released into the waves. But the thought of losing another part of her brother was too painful for Faith, so her parents decided they would wait until Faith was stronger and ready to finally let Chance go.
It was 6 years after the death of her brother that Faith felt strong enough to grant Chance’s final wish. She made arrangements to stay with his best friend, who was more than happy to visit with the girl he had always referred to as short stuff. For six years Faith had closed herself off from Chance’s friends, and soon after her arrival, she realizes his 5 friends are still struggling with the past. They paint smiles on their faces, joking around with everyone but occasionally some of the horror of that night surfaces. Faith is ashamed for not being there for these amazing men, for not helping them with the pain and the survivor’s guilt they have. The guilt they have that their friend is no longer here with them. Faith is determined to help each of them emotionally recover, to go on and lead happy lives. To find someone they love, like they deserve to be loved, to just be happy. This is what her brother would really want her to do for them, and she has made it her mission to accomplish this, for Chance.
OMG, what a fantastic read! Such an original idea, and great story, that pulls you in and makes you read the whole book in one night! Outstanding descriptions of the guys and I loved them all, especially Text. This is an incredible debut book from a very talented lady. 5 stars

[Brittany Renea -Britt's-Literary-Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

***4.5 Stars

Where do I start?
This is one of those books where you can’t say much about the plot because there are so many unforeseen twists and turns along the way…you just don’t want to ruin it. From the very beginning I was completely blindsided! I honestly wasn’t expecting to have such a strong reaction within the first few chapters of this book. It was insta- love for me! If you've read my reviews in the past, you know how important it is for me to FEEL something for the characters. Well, I certainly felt enough for Harley, Retro, Keanu, Levi and Text to be reduced to a sobbing mess 5% in.

I adore these boys! Every. Single. One. They're so sweet and each one has a distinct personality. Oh, and I can't forget one of the best parts: they are ridiculously sexy, with their bodies shaped by spending their days riding the surf in sunny San Diego!

I'm Team Text all the way! That boy completely melted my heart. Emma totally mastered something that's very difficult to manage with a character like him (I can't tell you what because I don't want to give anything away). You'll know what I mean when you read it.

Faith is such a sweetheart and an extraordinarily strong woman. Her relationship with these boys is sweet, honest and unconditional. The connections between them are beautifully written. I can’t wait to see where their journey takes them next.

The only reason I didn’t give this books 5 stars was because there were a few things I felt were a bit repetitive. It wasn’t enough of an issue to make me want to put it down though. So, if you're looking for an amazing journey filled with intense drama, heartbreak, love, friendship and second chances...this is definitely the book for you.

*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

[Amazeballs Book Addicts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, A Little Faith is an amazing read! I love this book. It's one of those books that will pull at your heart string and stick with you after you have finished reading.

I was hooked right from the beginning. The beginning had me a little teary eyed. Chance, Retro, Levi, and Jase go a vacation to celebrate graduation. Jase is Harley's younger brother and he goes in place of Harley. Faith is Chance's younger sister and she is too young to go with them. Tragedy strikes while they are on vacation.

Six years later Faith reconnects with the boys. All of them have been affected differently by the events that happened. Also other people in their lives have been affected too. A Little Faith is a journey into their lives.

All of the characters are well written. They all have their happy and sad times. This story is unique because we get many different POVs. The different POVs helps get us into the characters heads. I loved the multiple POVs.

A Little Faith is definitely a book you should one click. It's a drop everything and read now book. I can't wait to read more in the Ocean Beach series in book two, Hope Is Lost.

A copy was given for a review.

[Rebecca Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Received A Complimentary Copy Of This Book From The Author/Publisher In Exchange For An A Honest Review!

First I want to say is it December yet because I want no I need the next book in this series. The wait is going to be unbearable.

I read this book from beginning to end without putting it down. My husband came home at 4 am from work to find me just finishing this book and crying tears of sadness, pain, and happiness.

This story is about how one horrific bombing accident affected the lives of 6 people.

Faith, Harley, Jase (Text), Keanu, Retro, and Levi have all been affected by this event in some way. Some mask their pain and emotions with laughter or attitude. Others may retreat into themselves cutting off ties to their friends. Whatever it is they do it's slowly eating them alive.

Faith is ready to follow through with the request that is asked of her but before she does that can she possibly help her friends heal in the process. Maybe even find away to heal herself.

Follow these friends on their emotional journey of heart ache, pain, and healing. A truly wonderful read that brought tears to my eyes more than once. Congrats on such a fantabulous debut book Emma James.

[Sassy Lit Chic Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED A Little Faith! The synopsis grabbed my attention, but once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down until I reached the end! Now I will be impatiently waiting for the next book to be released in December! The story revolves around six guys who have been friends since they were kids. A situation takes place that changes them. Years later, they are all still suffering to some degree or another. They have come together to complete a task that each one has promised to make sure that the task would be completed. This was a refreshing book to read because of the unique plot and multiple points of view. The points of view are necessary for this story because each one of the guys has had a different experience that needed to be told. You can’t help liking each one of the guys; they are a tight group, all are good looking, and they have similar interests in extreme sports. In the more recent years they have banded together even more as they work through the unrest they are all dealing with. I was caught by surprise with the ending…I wasn't expecting that to happen! I would highly recommend A Little Faith to all readers – you won’t be disappointed. I look forward to the next book as well as other books from Emma James

[Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this book on a search to find some reading material that was different and I am so glad I found this author.

From the opening chapter to the last page this book kept my attention. I turned page after page to find out what was going to happen to Faith, Harley, Retro, Text and Keanu.

Emma James provides us with an adult contemporary romance series of five books and one novella with a difference. Her writing style is different to what I am used to but I loved it.

This series is not about boy meets girl in each book and then a HEA. There is more—much more—going on.

These books are about a brotherhood of guys who will make you feel a whole range of emotions, and all of the characters are strongly involved in each sequel.

It was an inspiring read and the message you get as a reader is that despite what life throws at you there is always a way back.

Straight on to book 2.

[Jemina Venter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gorgeous & unique story from debut Aussie author Emma James! The characters have beautiful & sometimes complex relationships with each other drawn from a highly emotional, high-impact event at the beginning of the novel.

Having been used to only 1 or 2 POVs in other novels, I was hesitant about the multiple voices speaking out in A Little Faith. I’m happily surprised that Emma has made this work so very well & I really loved hearing from so many characters voices.

The boys! Oh the Ocean Beach boys! I gotta say that Jase (aka Text) is my leading book-boyfriend in this series so far, closely followed by Keanu!

You gotta check out A Little Faith – it’s funny, it’ll make you cry, you’ll have all the feels! <3
I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series!

[Donna Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book as an ARC for an honest review.

Emma James sends you on a very emotional roller coaster during her debut novel A Litlle Faith. Without spoiling it for everyone 6 years after Faiths heart is ripped out she must be strong.

I had so many laughs and tears reading this book and for a debut novel Emma has done a great job. I even read it in a day could not put it down. I am so looking forward to Hope is Lost releasing in December.

Over all I give it a 4.5 out of 5 only cause my housework was negated by reading this and trust me I have a lot of it.

A Little Faith releasing 9th October. Please read and help this new Aussie author.

[Philomena Callan Cheekypee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one in the series. These books are based around Faith and five friends- Harley, Levi, Jace, Retro and Keanu.

I'm not going to say much about the storyline except to say that this is the story of what happens with these characters after a traumatic event. Told from multiple point of view we get a great picture of how all the characters thought and felt.

This is a really great debut novel. After that whopper of a cliffhanger I hope we won't be waiting long for next book. Loved it.

[Lee-anna Dunk · Rating 5 out of 5]

The feels

Oh wow . This book had me hooked from the very start i had to put it down a few times because it was so raw and emotional it made me ugly cry at times. A little faith is one of those books that will stay with you long after you finish reading . It has the reader wanting more so much more. The characters are so real every emotion that one person can go through amungst the tragedy of loosing a loved one hits you like a gale force wind and touches you deeply. When you loose one of your best friends and brother due to something so shocking and the aftermath of it all , the friends who are left broken bloody and mentally scared but who survived and now live with there injuries in one way or another still holding on to their greif six years later come together with faith to finaly let go of her brothers ashes . Sets off a series of events that will brake them but bring them closure and finely set them free of the guilt they have been holding on to because they survived.
I highly recommend this book emma james is an amazing author 5 star read from me and i can not wait to read more in the ocean beach series.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW....just WOW! Grab a box of tissues before you dive into this book. (Also it ends on a cliffhanger and you WILL get book 2 as soon as you finish this one).

The book starts with Chance and we see he is a hero....but then we fast forward 6 years and his sister Faith is finally ready to see his best friends and finally lay Chance to rest.

This book is told from the perspective of all of the different characters. Each is flawed in a way that makes them so real and all still have so much pain they carry around on a daily basis and still can't heal. Maybe Faith is the missing piece because she does get them to start opening up. Jase refuses to talk and from what we got from the first chapter and even what Retro briefly explained I think I know why...but of course we don't get into that, but my interest is very peeked by this.

I seriously love every since one of these characters and I need for all of them to heal and you can see that starting in this book and seriously the pain they all go through has to wiping away tears throughout this entire book. But you also see so much love and understand and compassion and friendship that while tragedy struck it also formed a bond between these characters that can never be broken.

Pick up this book and start this series today!

[⚜️XAR the Bookwyrm · Rating 2 out of 5]

FTC DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM THE AUTHOR THROUGH THE QUIRKY BLIND DATE WITH A BOOK FACEBOOK GROUP. I VOLUNTARILY OFFER MY HONEST REVIEW OF THE BOOK, THOUGH IT IS NOT EXPECTED OF ME! RECEIPT OF THIS BOOK IN THIS MANNER DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR THE CONTENT OF MY REVIEW!

This is really more of a 1.5 star read for me, as I really hated the alternating points of view and cliffhanger ending! It did move me to tears on a few occasions, which helped me to round up my rating, but I mainly found it to be a New Adult angst ridden mess of a story. The one romance that was in the story really wasn't a romance as there was no wooing of anyone whatsoever. That was more of an insta-passion, insta-love situation, which made little sense to me. I had a hard time connecting to any of the characters and really don't care if they all get their HEAs or not at this point. This is not a book I can recommend or a series I can continue with.