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Jilted by the one woman he’s ever loved, small town sheriff Guy Lawson vows never to let himself be so vulnerable. But when the woman who broke his heart returns to Cedar Bend, he is forced to uphold an old promise he made long ago…

After two years of running from her father’s death, Zamya “Mya” Daniels is ready to win back the man she loves. Except Guy doesn’t believe in second chances. When Mya sets out to repair their broken relationship, Guy’s guarded heart is helpless against his body’s desires.

Will their old bond be enough to save their love—or will they come to accept that some things just aren’t meant to last?

204 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 28, 2016

162 people are currently reading
384 people want to read

About the author

Lena Hart

92 books323 followers
Lena Hart is an author of sensual romances with alpha heroes and smart, sexy heroines. She's a proud member of Romance Writers of America, busy writing more happily ever afters. A Florida-native, Lena currently lives in New York City with her two calico kitties, Duchess and Daisy. When she is not writing, she's reading, researching, or conferring with her muse.

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5 stars
57 (34%)
4 stars
50 (30%)
3 stars
44 (26%)
2 stars
11 (6%)
1 star
2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
Profile Image for MARQUETTA.
1,201 reviews140 followers
August 2, 2017
Did not like the heroine or hero. I am not a fan of older man/younger woman romances. Wish I'd known this before I started reading. Mya is 21 at the start of the book. Guy is 30. I remember being 21. I was an idiot. Mya is an idiot. Self-centered. Just dumb. Emotionally immature. She leaves Guy and moves to London. Two years later she returns to Cedar Bend ready to reclaim her man. Bitch what!?!?!? She is shocked that Guy isn't falling at her feet. She thinks that saying Im sorry will make him get over that she left him in the dead of night. AND WAS GONE FOR TWO YEARS! They had no chemistry. Guy came off more as a caregiver than a lover. Like he was her godfather or something. And what kind of man is Guy that he wants to marry a woman who has not experienced life? Don't you want someone on your maturity level? I get the impression he started dating her when she was 18. Gross. This is why I hate small town romances.
Profile Image for Karen's Bookshelf.
470 reviews
April 30, 2018
Zamya is hoping for a second chance at happily-ever-after but Guy, the one she left behind two years ago, is not interested. To bad his heart or Zamya is not completely convinced that’s true. How long can Guy fight his feelings , and will Zamya continue fight for his love?
Something Old is a second chance love story where the hero and heroine have to figure out if past transgressions are forgivable and if them having a future together worth it. There is a little drama and some hot love scenes as well as likable characters. Overall this was a sweet romance and a pretty good read.
Profile Image for Vania Nunes.
2,357 reviews52 followers
February 20, 2018
I love book covers with brides. This always brings me to something romantic (obviously) and funny.
This series called my attention for the cover (firstly), for the title (all superstition about the wedding day) and the blurb.

Here we have a couple in love.
But still, Mya was confused.
She had lost her father not long ago. Sheriff Marvin Daniels died on duty.
Guy Gregory Lawson, Deputy, was very much in love with her and wanted to take care of her. But Mya needed to meet herself first, so one morning, while he's sleping, she ran away, leaving only a note.

Wounded, Guy let her go.

Two years later, Mya felt ready to be a couple with Guy.
She travels from London (where her mother lived) back to Cedar Bend, Virginia. But her arrival was not welcome.

Among the many confusions she faces, Mya discovers that the man she loves (yes, she always knew she loved him) is now the interim sheriff, and he does not look happy to see her again.

Not to mention that the mayor wants to marry his youngest daughter with Guy.

Guy never stopped loving Mya.
He was nine years older than her and always respected her. He had her father as his mentor. But he did not want to let her go back into his life and then leave, leaving his heart broken.

Guy's mother, Gloria, always liked Mya and was helping the couple stay together.
But there was a secret between them that no one in the city knew, and that would soon be discovered, when a house - literally - fell over their heads...

A fun, romantic book.
A couple who loves each other a lot, but who fight all the time (both have their reasons).
Best scene? The arrival of Mya to Cedar Bend. From there the reader understands why all confusion.
5 stars

Profile Image for **Elle**Bee**Double U**.
2,207 reviews24 followers
July 22, 2016
**I received a complimentary copy for an honest review**

What was suppose to be the best day of Guy's life has turned into a nightmare. When he discovers his wife has run away from him on their wedding night he knows life will never be the same for him.

Mya has lived with the protection of her father and then her boyfriend all her life. With her father's sudden death she can't help but feel trapped with her grief and trying to start a new life with her husband. To try and discover herself and deal with the grief she leaves Guy in hopes of returning without the pressure of a new life and family and grief.

I really wanted to like Guy and Mya's characters, but I just couldn't. Mya was so sheltered during her life, that when it came to "putting on the big girl panties" she ran away. Without talking to Guy or anything, and then 2 years later she expected him to welcome her with open arms? She had to know that Guy (her husband) was also grieving the loss of her father as well. He was like one to Guy, but instead of being there for him as well she walked out.
Guy was a big hypocrite at times during this book. He complained that Mya didn't talk to him about her secrets and made mention to the fact she was years younger than him, so she must be immature. But the minute he overhears a phone call he runs out instead of asking her about it and letting her explain...
Overall it was a good story, but I just couldn't like how these characters acted and treated each other.
57 reviews
November 10, 2018
Let me start with saying that this book has no triggers or taboos or any offending situations for that matter. The writing albeit not great, wasn't terrible.
My problem with the book was the plot.
Also I couldn't really feel the emotions of the characters.
The story was to fast paced, unrealistic and short.
Profile Image for Authoress Nikqua.
486 reviews7 followers
August 31, 2017
Omggg!! Mya&&Guy❤❤👏

I could not put this book down!! This was a true love story and I enjoyed it. You have found a new reader in me!! This book was everything and it kept me entertained. I dropped some tears as well. Miss Lena, this first book in this series was everything! I love Guy and Mya!!!!
Profile Image for JigsawGirl.
4,198 reviews
May 2, 2020
This book was really fast paced. Also what did these people look like? Mya's skin was rosewood and Guy had green eyes. There wasn't enough information about them where I felt like I could make any connection with them. I could not form a picture in my mind of what they looked like. If there descriptions were in the book, were they in the same area or did they pop up in different sections? I had to Google rosewood. It said rosewood was a dark orange-brown-red color. Ummmm..ok.

I felt like there were many loose threads left that needed to be pulled together and tightened. Mya's father was the sheriff and he died. I didn't find out how until much later in the book, and at that point, did it really matter?

Guy was older than Mya, but he refused to talk to her after she reached out. So, who was the adult here? Mya was young when her father died and was still fairly young when she returned. Which is part of why her ridiculous expectations were so ridiculous.

At least I have to give Mya the fact that she was consistent in what she wanted throughout the book after she left. Guy was all over the place when she came back. Yet, he say still and did nothing for the entire time she was gone.

Guy behaved more like he was Mya's age. I understand him being upset with her, but the way he treated her was completely disrespectful. I honestly could not bring myself to like either one of them.

I felt there was no buildup to their relationship, therefore there was nothing to draw me to either one. There was nothing to make me cheer for them to get back together.

The whole issue with the major and his daughter. Was any of it necessary? What was the point of the conversation with Mya? What happened after that? The situation faded into nothing. It went absolutely no where.

I really wanted to like this book. It made me feel like a few ideas were thrown into a hat. Some were pulled out and they had to be used to make some kind of mildly cohesive story that was rushed through. When I first started reading this book I was thinking it was ok, a 3 star book. The more I read, the fewer stars I could give it. I settled on 2 because the author did have to put some work into the book, and the basic idea was interesting.

This seems to be the first book in a series, but I don't remember any memorable characters from this book that stood out enough for me to want to read about them in another book. But, I will read book 2 because I already paid for it.
Profile Image for Margaret Watkins.
3,570 reviews88 followers
November 22, 2017
A second chances romance with a bit of a difference, Something Old is reasonably well written with a good flow of language and grammar, which is always a blessing. However, I believe that this book would appeal to a younger readership as the characters are fairly immature and continually jump to conclusions. Mya's disappearance from Guy's life speaks of an irrational response to difficult circumstances. One can understand her grief, but not the way in which she handled it. Guy on the other hand, was thinking like a guy and appears to not to have had an inkling of the trauma Mya had gone through. I was glad that they eventually worked their differences out. Although this book is part of a series, it is a standalone and does have a positive ending. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
Profile Image for T Van.
1,625 reviews37 followers
April 8, 2018
Surprisingly Run-of-the-Mill

I liked the story, of a second chance at love. But...for one thing, I enjoy reading about interracial characters and multicultural couples. With these two, I got a single reference to smooth brown skin for the woman...nothing definitive for the man. Representation, matters. I know it doesn't sell as well, but, I wanted more.

Similarly, it's a shame when small town romances confuse a close environment, with a simplistic plot. This story could be a classic romance, in terms of its facile use of "the big misunderstanding," and the "show hatred to resist mutual attraction," tropes. The whole affair could have "played bigger," as a life coach once said.

I felt like the author was stifled into producing a comfortable, beige story that wouldn't confront a single boundary. And that makes me sad.
Profile Image for Trimaze.
221 reviews2 followers
December 22, 2017
Something Old, the first book in Lena Hart's Brides of Cedar Bend, is a great start to the series. It is a well written second chance romance set in a small town.

I loved the characters and their interaction with each other. Their emotions were easily felt and believable. I'm glad I had the opportunity to read and review this book, I really enjoyed it. I will definitely be reading the rest of this entertaining series.

"I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review."
Profile Image for Selina Durio.
2,524 reviews12 followers
August 21, 2017
Very enjoyable!

His was a very enjoyable, light read. Zamya ( what a fantastic name) is you young and grieving. She makes a decision that can change her life forever. Guy is older and more established, but he also makes a decision that changes his life forever. Together, or apart, they need each other to make it right
881 reviews3 followers
December 20, 2017
This is a second chance romance in a small town. Mya & Guy have a quick wedding and that night she disappears 2 years later she returns wanting to win Guy's love back. The story is engaging and kept my interest until the end. I can recommend this to anyone who likes romance in a small town with drama. I received this book as a gift and voluntarily give this review
2,371 reviews13 followers
April 29, 2018
5 stars
I purchased Brides of Cedar Bend book 1 Something Old by Lena Hart and this review was given freely.
Guy and Mya's second chance at love is a rocky one with Mya taking a 2 year break from their secret marriage. Arguments, some violence, a self-serving Mayor, and an accident provide obstacles and drama.
Contains raw emotions with a hint of violence.
125 reviews
August 2, 2017
Loved this book. The chemistry between Guy and Mya is hot and so is the sense of loss, betrayal and hurt. Enjoyed getting to know them and how the story unfolded. Guy's mother was a great secondary character. Great source of humor and insight. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Ava Smith-forrest.
876 reviews2 followers
July 5, 2017
Good read

Thumbs up for something old. Mya was to young to know she could tell the man she loved she wasn't ready for marriage and Guy was to eager to take her father's place.
Profile Image for Anita Davis.
Author 16 books42 followers
July 7, 2017
Good read!

I liked Guy, but at the same time I wanted to beat him up. Lol. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Profile Image for Stacey Williams.
123 reviews6 followers
August 30, 2017
Okay this is my 1st time reading a book from this author, and I am very impressed! I loved Guy and Mya story ! Great Job!!!
Profile Image for Brandy.
755 reviews6 followers
December 29, 2017
Loved

This storyline was amazing and had me in tears. It's Heartfelt and full of Suspense. I Highly Recommend this book for over 18 due to content.
Profile Image for Tigger.
1,497 reviews7 followers
March 3, 2018
Just did not whole my attention

I will try another book by this author
147 reviews
March 10, 2018
Sweet

A very sweet afternoon read. A bit predictable but still a sweet read. I recommend the book as a nice afternoon read.
397 reviews2 followers
March 27, 2019
Easy read, enjoyable story line. They were questions that were left unanswere for me.
2,480 reviews
March 15, 2024
This was a wonderful love story about Guy and Mia getting their second chance.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Felicia.
Author 5 books104 followers
April 28, 2016
I’m truly torn over this one. My emotions were all over the place.

I enjoyed the book – good plot, well-written, good flow and progression. But even though I was sympathetic to their plight, Mya and Guy did not work for me. I love stories about brides, and second chance romances, but for me, the couple had no chemistry. I do not doubt they had affection for each other, but the relationship felt forced, as though they were doing what they thought they were supposed to be doing…at least part of the time. Their internal thoughts were quite telling…as they told themselves how they SHOULD feel, and how they WOULD feel.

Getting together after the death of Mya’s father was definitely a mistake. I don’t hold her as much responsible for that as I do Guy. She was barely 21, with no knowledge of anything outside her own little world. Her dad’s advice was sound, and she should have heeded it FIRST. Guy, on the other hand was 30, and should have known better. Yes, he wanted to protect her and be there for her, but his good intentions helped lead to disaster. I had to remind myself that he was NOT 21 most of the time, even though he could act like a petulant child.

Mya also reminded me of a child. Losing the father who had devoted his life to her after her mother walked away when Mya was SIX, what does she do? Run straight to the mother she hasn’t seen in fifteen years. I understood it…partially. Still in mourning for one parent, she needed the comfort and security of the remaining parent. It just didn’t feel genuine to me. Not having seen Mya interact with her father, I don’t know what “happy” Mya looked like, but, any and all conversations or references to her mother (and consequently, her stepfather) seemed critical and disjointed.

I do agree with Guy on one point – I felt Mya was selfish. After RUNNING away, she returns and actually expects to pick up where they left off…after SHE RAN away without even a goodbye. Who does that? Selfish people. Guy had his moments of selfishness and possessiveness too, showing that he could go from stone cold iceberg to enraged jealous husband in a heartbeat. Whatever, Guy! LOL!

As Guy’s mom, Gloria nailed it! She was bossy, mouthy, nosy, meddlesome…and awesome! She loved both Guy and Mya fiercely and was never without a trick or two up her sleeve. While we didn’t get to see as much of him as I’d liked, it was Damian whom I felt was the most genuine person in the story. He was who he was…nothing more or less. He was Mya’s (and Guy’s) friend, and simply wanted them happy, and felt they should be together. (Okay, I didn’t feel that part.) We only had her for one scene, but poor Sophie and her meltdown were spot on. I felt her panic and frustration. Mya seemed like a piece of cardboard next to her - stiff. Hoping for the best for Sophie, despite her jackass daddy. I believe these three characters resonated with me because they were HONEST…good or bad. They said what they felt – nothing was held back. Mya and Guy could have used a good dose of honesty from the beginning, instead of talking (or not talking) in circles.

I didn’t make a full connection with “Something Old”, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t recommend it. Every person doesn’t connect with every book, and that’s okay. However, I am definitely looking forward to Damian’s story.
Profile Image for Ally.
253 reviews16 followers
March 31, 2016
What can I say? Lena has done it again! Loved the story and the characters were definitely believable! I guess I have a bit of an unforgiving spirit because I don't think Guy held out long enough! LOL! Well maybe not but she took him for granted and with love, especially true love you don't do that! Yes I know she was young, hell I was married at 21 and had a baby by 22 so I do feel her being overwhelmed. And to lose your father too, I can definitely relate. But you don't cut and run, you own your commitments! I was on her side until I found out they were married and she left him on their wedding night! Because of her "age" I'll cut her a little slack but my heart ached for Guy! I had my issues with Guy too but he gets a pass because like my Grannie would say, "If a cow jumped the fence once, he'll do it again!". He didn't give her a chance to explain but Deja Vu is a bitch and although he'd took her back and was starting to believe in a future for them again, his heart hadn't mended yet before he found out about Cambridge! I fault Mya for that! She should've told him and explained that she only did it to please her mother but she had no plans on leaving him again. Yes I understand she was trying to build a relationship with her mother but if she hadn't been there all that time, she had no right to play "mother"! I feel she played on Mya's vulnerable state like Guy did when he rushed to get married. They both only saw their side of the coin and didn't think about her feelings. Although Guy was in love with her and like a typical man, he was in protection mode! Her mother was just plan old selfish! To her defense she didn't know they were married but I feel even if she knew she wouldn't have cared! I'm just happy Gloria made Guy see where he made a mistake! That's what mothers do! :)

Lena, love your work and loving the Brides of Cedar Bend Series already! Can't wait for Something New!

Forever a fan!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Natalya | TheIslandReader.
283 reviews11 followers
July 31, 2016
Something old. Something new. Something borrowed. Something blue.

Something tells me these are going to be the titles of the books in Cedar’s Bend series by Lena Hart. I’ve recently discovered Lena Hart and grew to be a fan so I’m definitely interested in her newer work.

I have never been more annoyed with a character as I was with Mya. She was very young when she and Guy got married and boy did it show. Even though two years had passed when she went back home, in many ways she was still pretty immature. Homegirl just thought she would drive back into town and all would be well? Guy was supposed to forgive her asap and they would be the cutest couple? Mya’s ass was delusional for the majority of this book.

Guy had his faults as well but I was able to sympathize with him more. If the love of my life left as abruptly as Mya did, I would have a few issues to work through too. I considered him to be very generous in how he dealt with her sudden reappearance though his stubborn streak went on a bit too long; to the point where it almost cost some irreparable damage.

In Something Old, Guy and Mya had to learn about the power of forgiveness and how many relationships are destroyed by miscommunication. In the end, they both realized what was most important: each other.

Something Old by Lena Hart is a quick and fun read. As a fan of small town romances, I’ll keep an eye out for future installments as I wouldn’t mind taking another trip to Cedar’s Bend.
Profile Image for Kim.
Author 23 books268 followers
April 24, 2016
I am a sucker for small-town romances and that's exactly what you get in Something Old, the first book of Lena Hart's Brides of Cedar Bend series. Mya and Guy are about to reunite, but it doesn't go the way Mya had hoped. Which shouldn't have been that big of a surprise when she left him on their wedding night--even if her reasons for leaving made sense--she was grieving the untimely death of her father and she felt cornered, even if she loved Guy more than she loved life itself. Now two years have passed and she's back--but can she convince Guy to pick up where they left off?

Something Old is a second chance at love story that revolves around two very stubborn people. Both Mya and Guy want things their way--she wants him to forgive and forget (and I think she expects it a little too easily considering what happened) and Guy wishes she'd leave again so he could get on with his life without her (even though we all know that isn't what he really wants at all). It's fun and frustrating watching the two of them, especially when it's obvious that they both love one another. I really enjoyed this story--my only complaints are that Guy gave in a little too easily for me--he should have made Mya work harder to win his trust and forgiveness again--and Mya's reasons for staying away as long as she did didn't really feel convincing. Still, they were fated to be together and their love story was charming.

Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Mary.
340 reviews51 followers
July 11, 2016
Having just buried her father, the sheriff, Mya finds herself in bed with his deputy, Guy Lawson. In a moment of panic, she gathers her belongings and leaves the country... for two years.

On Mya's return to Cedar Bend, where her father had raised her, she is pulled over for speeding and it turns out the tags on her car are not only expired, but the registration is not valid. She begs the officer to let her off with a warning and then proceeds to tell the officer that deputy Lawson would not be very pleased if they took her in to be booked. By now Deputy Lawson is now Sheriff Lawson, and he tells the officer to bring her in but not book her. When asked who she is, Sheriff Lawson informs the officer that Mya is his wife.

It turns out that Mya does not have a place to stay, so Guy's mother (who has no knowledge of the marriage) convinces him to let Mya stay with her. While Mya and Guy are trying to sort out their feelings for each other. Guy ends up in the hospital and Mya reveals the secret marriage.

It's kind of a feel good story, and I read it from start to finish without setting the book down once. This is the first story in the Brides of Cedar Bend. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I received an Advance Reader's Copy for my honest opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mspraise50.
1,597 reviews65 followers
April 21, 2016
This is Mya and Guy's story. They have always loved each other but marriage came too soon for Mya on the back of losing her father, she was grieving and was not ready for the commitment that marriage brings. However, instead of discussing this with Guy and getting him to understand where she was at she leaves him without an explanation and breaks his heart and damages his trust in her.

This story is about second chances. I loved that the author made the story honest and Mya shares her true feeling with Guy from the very beginning. I was very happy to see that this was a story about a couple dealing with their issues and finding each again. I am glad there were no past partners trying to ruin everything for them. This was a couple like all couples working through their barriers to find that place of love and trust again.

I would definitely recommend this story as a good read.
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