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True North #4
Bountiful
No last names. No life stories. Those were the rules.
Once upon a time a cocky, copper-haired tourist sauntered into Zara's bar. And even though she knew better, Zara indulged in a cure for the small-town blues. It was supposed to be an uncomplicated fling—a few sizzling weeks before he went back to his life, and she moved on.
Until an accidental pregnancy changed her life.
Two years later, she's made peace with the notion that Dave No-Last-Name will never be found. Until one summer day when he walks into her coffee shop, leveling her with the same hot smile that always renders her defenseless.
Dave Beringer has never forgotten the intense month he spent with prickly Zara. Their nights together were the first true intimacy he'd ever experienced. But the discovery of his child is the shock of a lifetime, and his ugly past puts relationships and family out of reach.
Or does it? Vermont's countryside has a way of nurturing...
315 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2017
1263 people are currently reading
7064 people want to read
About the author
Sarina Bowen
105 books18.8k followers
Sarina Bowen is the 24-time USA Today bestselling and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary fiction, including: The Five Year Lie, the True North series, and the Brooklyn Hockey series. She's the co-author of Him/Us and the WAGs series with Elle Kennedy. And more!
You can find a complete reading order list of Sarina's books on her website. Or see what's coming next from Sarina, and sign up for her newsletter so you don't miss a new book or a deal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,303 reviews
May 21, 2018
4 stars!!!
Bountiful is the fourth book in Sarina Bowen’s ‘True North’ series, but also has a tie-in with her ‘Brooklyn Bruisers’ series. I’ve enjoyed both of these series, so I was especially excited to read this book!
Zara and Dave meet one night in Zara’s bar. They have a few weeks of a steamy, no strings, summer romance, but that’s all it is or will ever be. Dave has to get back to his life, and Zara goes back to hers. When she finds out she’s pregnant weeks later, she doesn’t know how to get ahold of Dave, so she goes at it alone.
Two years later, Dave comes back to Zara’s place in Vermont to visit. He is in for the shock of his life. It’s an adjustment, but now that he’s a dad, he’s got to get used to it. It’s also an adjustment for Zara. She’s used to it being just her, and now, she’s getting used to Dave being around again.
Zara is a strong and independent woman. Heroines that are strong and take no crap are my favorites. Dave is also fantastic. I loved seeing him with Nicole, and seeing his feelings for Zara start to turn into something real and tangible.
I adore all of Sarina’s books, and this series, which I’ve done completely on audio, has a special place for me. I’ve enjoyed them all and I can’t wait to read more!
Bountiful is the fourth book in Sarina Bowen’s ‘True North’ series, but also has a tie-in with her ‘Brooklyn Bruisers’ series. I’ve enjoyed both of these series, so I was especially excited to read this book!
Zara and Dave meet one night in Zara’s bar. They have a few weeks of a steamy, no strings, summer romance, but that’s all it is or will ever be. Dave has to get back to his life, and Zara goes back to hers. When she finds out she’s pregnant weeks later, she doesn’t know how to get ahold of Dave, so she goes at it alone.
Nobody could make me feel inferior without my permission. I’d made my peace with single motherhood, and it didn’t matter what anyone said behind my back.
Two years later, Dave comes back to Zara’s place in Vermont to visit. He is in for the shock of his life. It’s an adjustment, but now that he’s a dad, he’s got to get used to it. It’s also an adjustment for Zara. She’s used to it being just her, and now, she’s getting used to Dave being around again.
Zara is a strong and independent woman. Heroines that are strong and take no crap are my favorites. Dave is also fantastic. I loved seeing him with Nicole, and seeing his feelings for Zara start to turn into something real and tangible.
“You’re it for me. I don’t care if there are gonna be earaches and lots of days missing you. I’ll take it, because you’re the best there is.”
I adore all of Sarina’s books, and this series, which I’ve done completely on audio, has a special place for me. I’ve enjoyed them all and I can’t wait to read more!
March 5, 2024
I think the one word that sums it all up is - ROMANTIC!!!!!
This book was all kinds of romantic. Although every romance novel is ultimately a romantic story, nevertheless there are some stories that are just the epitome of romance - and Bountiful was exactly that. Granted Vermont sounded already so much more romantic than Brooklyn, but the author managed to connect her Brooklyn Bruisers with my most favorite family in Vermont, the Shipley's!!!
But getting back to why I absolutely adored this book!!
It was super romantic!!!
I loved the hero ♡♡♡
It had a strong and feisty heroine
Add a cute as a button kid
Cameos of my favorite Shipley - GRUMPY GRIFF
Beautiful story - enough said!!!
Let's start with ROMANTIC side of this book that took me by surprise and made me fall in love with this story heads over heel.
Even though the couple had fun in bed, the love-story on its own was slow burn, with lots of time for them to connect and to get to know each other. Dave and Zara connected in a way that felt profound and their relationship was build on mutual trust and friendship. After all they had years to catch up and to make sure that whatever they once had was not just a summer fling.
Dave was imperfectly perfect. He was a hockey player with a softer side. And OMG!!!! Whenever he opened his mouth in that dominant way, just to let her know how he liked it in the bathroom - I swooned!!! Truly, he obviously knew how to make a woman happy, but his subtle way was exactly what I liked. He was far from domineering or obnoxiously crude. In fact he was the opposite. Whenever Dave was around his daughter, I swooned some more. Give me a rough and tumble hockey player, adorably unsure of what to do with a toddler and you got me smiling so hard my face hurt!!!! In a word, Dave was AWESOME!!!
Every hero needs a feisty and strong heroine, and Dave picked a great one. Not only was Zara not shy about her sexuality, she enjoyed a guy as well as the next girl, but she also knew where her limit had to be. History was easily repeated and Zara tried her best to keep that from happening. While she was fantastically capable of running a bar, meeting Dave changed her life in a way she couldn't have foreseen. And she did her best. Actually she did more than that. She was a one-woman powerhouse!!!!
Dave and Zara's kid was cute as a button, and whenever Daddy and daughter were together my ovaries exploded!!!!!
BANG - and I was a goner!!!
OMG - I adored all of Grumpy Griff's cameos. He was even more grumpy than I remember. That being said, he is still my favorite character, but honestly Dave is easily my second favorite guy in this series. The rest of the Shipley's said hello as well, and I was reminded why I loved this series so much. Family value is a HUGE part of this series and the Shipley's are the perfect example on how to do it. ♡♡♡
In essence Bountiful was a love-story that moved and touched me, made me laugh, and just altogether made me happy. From beginning to end I was enthralled, captivated and enchanted by Dave and Zara. They balanced each other out, gave one another what they needed, and filled the empty hole in their life.
If you are looking for a feel - good romance with a honestly to god gorgeous love-story that is romantic as well as sexy - this is the book for you!!!!!!
This book was all kinds of romantic. Although every romance novel is ultimately a romantic story, nevertheless there are some stories that are just the epitome of romance - and Bountiful was exactly that. Granted Vermont sounded already so much more romantic than Brooklyn, but the author managed to connect her Brooklyn Bruisers with my most favorite family in Vermont, the Shipley's!!!
But getting back to why I absolutely adored this book!!
It was super romantic!!!
I loved the hero ♡♡♡
It had a strong and feisty heroine
Add a cute as a button kid
Cameos of my favorite Shipley - GRUMPY GRIFF
Beautiful story - enough said!!!
Let's start with ROMANTIC side of this book that took me by surprise and made me fall in love with this story heads over heel.
Even though the couple had fun in bed, the love-story on its own was slow burn, with lots of time for them to connect and to get to know each other. Dave and Zara connected in a way that felt profound and their relationship was build on mutual trust and friendship. After all they had years to catch up and to make sure that whatever they once had was not just a summer fling.
Dave was imperfectly perfect. He was a hockey player with a softer side. And OMG!!!! Whenever he opened his mouth in that dominant way, just to let her know how he liked it in the bathroom - I swooned!!! Truly, he obviously knew how to make a woman happy, but his subtle way was exactly what I liked. He was far from domineering or obnoxiously crude. In fact he was the opposite. Whenever Dave was around his daughter, I swooned some more. Give me a rough and tumble hockey player, adorably unsure of what to do with a toddler and you got me smiling so hard my face hurt!!!! In a word, Dave was AWESOME!!!
Every hero needs a feisty and strong heroine, and Dave picked a great one. Not only was Zara not shy about her sexuality, she enjoyed a guy as well as the next girl, but she also knew where her limit had to be. History was easily repeated and Zara tried her best to keep that from happening. While she was fantastically capable of running a bar, meeting Dave changed her life in a way she couldn't have foreseen. And she did her best. Actually she did more than that. She was a one-woman powerhouse!!!!
Dave and Zara's kid was cute as a button, and whenever Daddy and daughter were together my ovaries exploded!!!!!
BANG - and I was a goner!!!
OMG - I adored all of Grumpy Griff's cameos. He was even more grumpy than I remember. That being said, he is still my favorite character, but honestly Dave is easily my second favorite guy in this series. The rest of the Shipley's said hello as well, and I was reminded why I loved this series so much. Family value is a HUGE part of this series and the Shipley's are the perfect example on how to do it. ♡♡♡
In essence Bountiful was a love-story that moved and touched me, made me laugh, and just altogether made me happy. From beginning to end I was enthralled, captivated and enchanted by Dave and Zara. They balanced each other out, gave one another what they needed, and filled the empty hole in their life.
If you are looking for a feel - good romance with a honestly to god gorgeous love-story that is romantic as well as sexy - this is the book for you!!!!!!
February 16, 2019
Title: ➳ ❤- Bountiful
Series ➳ True North Series #4
Author: ➳ Sarina Bowen
Publication: ➳ October 20th 2017
💖💖💖💖
🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥
---------------------------- Enjoy ----------------------
ღ So I found myself new Author to L💕ve🔥💋. This my 1st book by Sarina Bowen & trust me will not be my last one
Bountiful is a standalone, & good thing to cuz I didn’t read any of the other books in this series
Zara Rossi. & Dave Beringer had very steamy start. They have a few weeks of a steamy, no strings, summer fling . And I say no strings I meant, Cuz they really didn’t share much personal info.
So you can only imagine when Zara realized that Dave not only left his father’s watch behind on that last steamy day but also Lil present also
Zara & Dave come from different places & two different backgrounds, & both are carrying their own emotional scars.
What I find funny at times is how both have a different approach to romantic relationships.
Zara share some of her shady pass with Dave. I think that’s about only thing she share with him about herself. Well Dave was just as bad he never shared the fact that he is hockey player for The Brooklyn Bruisers
So two years later, Dave comes back to Vermont to vacation with some of his team mates. He is in for the shock of his life. When he finally runs into Zara again ….
I enjoyed so much taking this journey with Zara & Dave …Their up & down & how they learn about each other .. It was fun 👀 them grow together
I hope you do too
📚 Hope you enjoy this read & also always keep in mind this is just my opinion
----------- Happy Reading -----------
💕 ✎Paulette Review ❤💕 ☕☕
Series ➳ True North Series #4
Author: ➳ Sarina Bowen
Publication: ➳ October 20th 2017
💖💖💖💖
🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥
---------------------------- Enjoy ----------------------
ღ So I found myself new Author to L💕ve🔥💋. This my 1st book by Sarina Bowen & trust me will not be my last one
Bountiful is a standalone, & good thing to cuz I didn’t read any of the other books in this series
Zara Rossi. & Dave Beringer had very steamy start. They have a few weeks of a steamy, no strings, summer fling . And I say no strings I meant, Cuz they really didn’t share much personal info.
So you can only imagine when Zara realized that Dave not only left his father’s watch behind on that last steamy day but also Lil present also
Zara & Dave come from different places & two different backgrounds, & both are carrying their own emotional scars.
What I find funny at times is how both have a different approach to romantic relationships.
Zara share some of her shady pass with Dave. I think that’s about only thing she share with him about herself. Well Dave was just as bad he never shared the fact that he is hockey player for The Brooklyn Bruisers
So two years later, Dave comes back to Vermont to vacation with some of his team mates. He is in for the shock of his life. When he finally runs into Zara again ….
I enjoyed so much taking this journey with Zara & Dave …Their up & down & how they learn about each other .. It was fun 👀 them grow together
I hope you do too
📚 Hope you enjoy this read & also always keep in mind this is just my opinion
----------- Happy Reading -----------
💕 ✎Paulette Review ❤💕 ☕☕
July 13, 2018
Good enough.
Strangely, I'm reading this series out of order. It's the library's fault. I blame them for everything.
Like cats, they are pure evil...
(I'm just kidding, Library, please don't revoke my card. I would be lost without you.)
This book's heroine is the girl who was kinda slut-shamed in the first book of the series. She got preggo from some dude who was passing through town and now it's two years later and he's back. It's a good thing that he is happens to have red-hair, just like her daughter, so he immediately believes the kid is his. So, he's passing on his soulless status.
Kid, you don't want my soul. It's in "extremely used" condition.
As a hockey player, Dave is a man-whore, but that's okay. She's a girl-whore. Wait. That's not an expression. A guy can be a man-whore, or a player, but a girl is just a whore, right? Yeah. That's fair. But, hey, our girl-whore is being redeemed, so she hasn't had sex in those two years. I'm sure Dave hasn't either....
Yeah, right. Hockey player. He's been fucking his way across the country for the past two years, but he always remembered fucking her because she was special. So, he came back to fuck her again, and guess what?
Not exactly what he was hoping for.
But, it turns pretty cute and I did enjoy the story. I liked both of them and it was fun to see the couple from the first book. I'm going to read one of the middle couple's book next.
Strangely, I'm reading this series out of order. It's the library's fault. I blame them for everything.
Like cats, they are pure evil...
(I'm just kidding, Library, please don't revoke my card. I would be lost without you.)
This book's heroine is the girl who was kinda slut-shamed in the first book of the series. She got preggo from some dude who was passing through town and now it's two years later and he's back. It's a good thing that he is happens to have red-hair, just like her daughter, so he immediately believes the kid is his. So, he's passing on his soulless status.
Kid, you don't want my soul. It's in "extremely used" condition.
As a hockey player, Dave is a man-whore, but that's okay. She's a girl-whore. Wait. That's not an expression. A guy can be a man-whore, or a player, but a girl is just a whore, right? Yeah. That's fair. But, hey, our girl-whore is being redeemed, so she hasn't had sex in those two years. I'm sure Dave hasn't either....
Yeah, right. Hockey player. He's been fucking his way across the country for the past two years, but he always remembered fucking her because she was special. So, he came back to fuck her again, and guess what?
Not exactly what he was hoping for.
But, it turns pretty cute and I did enjoy the story. I liked both of them and it was fun to see the couple from the first book. I'm going to read one of the middle couple's book next.
August 29, 2022
4.5 Who Are We Really Stars
* * * *1/2 Spoiler Free
When do we know who we are...What slot do we fit in...And more importantly...When do we finally figure out we create our own slot... our own path, not the leftover from our families or past assumptions...
In Bountiful by Sarina Bowen, both main characters have to fight the preconceived notions of who they are and what they are due...How they are the Masters of their own Destiny's. The lessons learned are important... and in the end wonderful.
We have met Zara before in the other True North books. She is a determined person, a bit tough but likable. We have already seen she has lived a life and held strong. In this book, everything comes together.
Zara and Griffin Shipley had a friends w/benefits thing going and then it was gone. Griff being a stand-up guy explained to Zara, his head just wasn't in the right place for it to develop into anything else...and Zara knew deep down she thought... maybe it would.
As she is recovering from this "break-up", Zara keeps on keeping on. She is the bartender at the main place in town and stays focused on making due. As she is adjusting to her new normal, Zara's eyes catch a man quietly sitting in the back of the bar. She has seen him before with his friends recently but also clocks him as a tourist, not local.
As the evening wears on, the man observes a lot going on...sees this strong sensual woman handle rough men and put them in their place...and also notes a glimpse of sadness when seeing a man chat up a new fresh face...
Dave Beringer of the Brooklyn Bruisers Hockey Team has seen and experienced much in his life. He has loved this game and what it has provided him fully. Especially after his painful childhood with a father who was abusive. David looked out for his sister and now the two of them have overcome much.....But deep down David has made peace with the idea of never having a family... how could he...risking the possibility of repeating the lessons learned from "dear ole' dad."
David decides to move from the table to the bar to be closer to Zara... and Zara is not opposed to the idea. She has been taking glances his way and by the end of the night, she has decided she deserves a bit of Zara fun...
After taking a few security precautions to make sure she would be safe with David, Zara takes him to her loft above the bar. It is there both of them experience more than what was expected... granted terrific sex... but also a bit of a mental connection, too.
However, Zara being prickly Zara, laid out the ground rules with David knowing he would be leaving in a few weeks...
No personal information...
No telltale stuff that can get messy...
Just some fun and games and then goodbye...
Both Zara and David pretty much stick to amazing sex and good times... but feelings are sneaky and they can creep up on a person...A gathering with local friends can make this feel like more...a night looking at the stars can touch the soul...
But time stops for no one and both thinking each wants a clean-cut off...don't share the type of feelings they are starting to have... David, no last name... goes off and Zara lets him.
Then life gets sneaky and David, No Last Name leaves a bigger impact then Zara and he expected. Zara is pregnant and now all those precautions to not be involved have not much of a trail to track down. After her brother tried and time goes by, Zara has resolved herself to be a single mum and not look at the entrance of the bar anymore.
Two years go by and David is back in Vermont. He never forgot the time he spent with Zara... in fact, they played like an endless loop in his head. One of the first things he does is go back to the bar to see if she is there... and he receives the oddest vibe...He is told she doesn't work there anymore. When his travel partner comes back from a bakery to the car, he tells David he needs to go in there...
David walks in and there is Zara... she turns to see him and then dashes out the back...One of the many brothers of Zara's comes up to David, looking him over with an ugly face...
The Brother sees Big man...
With Red Copper Hair...
Zara's kid is a copper top...and she has refused to say who the dad was...
Well, there you have it...David learns he is a dad and sort of freaks for a hot minute... thinking of all the reasons why he shouldn't be...but then when he talks with his sister and it sinks in...He gets his head on straight.
Zara at first doesn't know how to handle all of this... she was used to the jeers and looks of being a single mom who refused to talk about the dad...But now he was here... and she was going to deal with it... there was no running away...
This story was the perfect marriage of two people who find themselves together for more than one reason. The marriage of the Brooklyn Bruisers series with the Truth North series worked so well... it was the best of both worlds.
Bittersweet (True North, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Steadfast (True North, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Keepsake (True North #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Bountiful (True North #4)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Speakeasy (True North, #5)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Fireworks (True North, #6)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Heatland (True North, #7)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Waylaid (True North, #8)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And because it is part of the Brooklyn Bruisers series
Rookie Move (Brooklyn Bruisers, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Hard Hitter (Brooklyn Bruisers #2)
Pipe Dreams (Brooklyn Bruisers, #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Brooklynaire (Brooklyn, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Overnight Sensation (Brooklyn, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Superfan (Brooklyn, #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
What's the Best Surprise....
Why opening my kindle and there plain as day...
Is my Bountiful ARC!!
Whoopeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!
●•●•●•●•●•●•●•
Will update as more information surfaces...
But for now, Ms. Bowen has given us this:
"True North #4, Zara's book."
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * *1/2 Spoiler Free
When do we know who we are...What slot do we fit in...And more importantly...When do we finally figure out we create our own slot... our own path, not the leftover from our families or past assumptions...
In Bountiful by Sarina Bowen, both main characters have to fight the preconceived notions of who they are and what they are due...How they are the Masters of their own Destiny's. The lessons learned are important... and in the end wonderful.
We have met Zara before in the other True North books. She is a determined person, a bit tough but likable. We have already seen she has lived a life and held strong. In this book, everything comes together.
Zara and Griffin Shipley had a friends w/benefits thing going and then it was gone. Griff being a stand-up guy explained to Zara, his head just wasn't in the right place for it to develop into anything else...and Zara knew deep down she thought... maybe it would.
As she is recovering from this "break-up", Zara keeps on keeping on. She is the bartender at the main place in town and stays focused on making due. As she is adjusting to her new normal, Zara's eyes catch a man quietly sitting in the back of the bar. She has seen him before with his friends recently but also clocks him as a tourist, not local.
As the evening wears on, the man observes a lot going on...sees this strong sensual woman handle rough men and put them in their place...and also notes a glimpse of sadness when seeing a man chat up a new fresh face...
Dave Beringer of the Brooklyn Bruisers Hockey Team has seen and experienced much in his life. He has loved this game and what it has provided him fully. Especially after his painful childhood with a father who was abusive. David looked out for his sister and now the two of them have overcome much.....But deep down David has made peace with the idea of never having a family... how could he...risking the possibility of repeating the lessons learned from "dear ole' dad."
David decides to move from the table to the bar to be closer to Zara... and Zara is not opposed to the idea. She has been taking glances his way and by the end of the night, she has decided she deserves a bit of Zara fun...
After taking a few security precautions to make sure she would be safe with David, Zara takes him to her loft above the bar. It is there both of them experience more than what was expected... granted terrific sex... but also a bit of a mental connection, too.
However, Zara being prickly Zara, laid out the ground rules with David knowing he would be leaving in a few weeks...
No personal information...
No telltale stuff that can get messy...
Just some fun and games and then goodbye...
Both Zara and David pretty much stick to amazing sex and good times... but feelings are sneaky and they can creep up on a person...A gathering with local friends can make this feel like more...a night looking at the stars can touch the soul...
But time stops for no one and both thinking each wants a clean-cut off...don't share the type of feelings they are starting to have... David, no last name... goes off and Zara lets him.
Then life gets sneaky and David, No Last Name leaves a bigger impact then Zara and he expected. Zara is pregnant and now all those precautions to not be involved have not much of a trail to track down. After her brother tried and time goes by, Zara has resolved herself to be a single mum and not look at the entrance of the bar anymore.
Two years go by and David is back in Vermont. He never forgot the time he spent with Zara... in fact, they played like an endless loop in his head. One of the first things he does is go back to the bar to see if she is there... and he receives the oddest vibe...He is told she doesn't work there anymore. When his travel partner comes back from a bakery to the car, he tells David he needs to go in there...
David walks in and there is Zara... she turns to see him and then dashes out the back...One of the many brothers of Zara's comes up to David, looking him over with an ugly face...
The Brother sees Big man...
With Red Copper Hair...
Zara's kid is a copper top...and she has refused to say who the dad was...
Well, there you have it...David learns he is a dad and sort of freaks for a hot minute... thinking of all the reasons why he shouldn't be...but then when he talks with his sister and it sinks in...He gets his head on straight.
Zara at first doesn't know how to handle all of this... she was used to the jeers and looks of being a single mom who refused to talk about the dad...But now he was here... and she was going to deal with it... there was no running away...
This story was the perfect marriage of two people who find themselves together for more than one reason. The marriage of the Brooklyn Bruisers series with the Truth North series worked so well... it was the best of both worlds.
Bittersweet (True North, #1)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Steadfast (True North, #2)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Keepsake (True North #3) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Bountiful (True North #4) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Speakeasy (True North, #5)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Fireworks (True North, #6)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Heatland (True North, #7)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Waylaid (True North, #8)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And because it is part of the Brooklyn Bruisers series
Rookie Move (Brooklyn Bruisers, #1)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Hard Hitter (Brooklyn Bruisers #2) Pipe Dreams (Brooklyn Bruisers, #3)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Brooklynaire (Brooklyn, #1)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Overnight Sensation (Brooklyn, #2)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Superfan (Brooklyn, #3)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
What's the Best Surprise....
Why opening my kindle and there plain as day...
Is my Bountiful ARC!!
Whoopeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!
●•●•●•●•●•●•●•
Will update as more information surfaces...
But for now, Ms. Bowen has given us this:
"True North #4, Zara's book."
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
October 12, 2017
4 stars!
“The truth was that men didn’t date people like me. I was the girl they “hung out with” as Dave had put it last night. The bartender was a good time and fun in bed, but not a forever girl.”
Sarina Bowen always writes the best romance! Bountiful is about bartender Zara and a sexy ginger named Dave. One summer for an entire month the two had a steamy fling, but then he left and he left something behind. Two years later Zara is a single mother and hasn’t been able to find Dave to tell him he’s the father.
Then one day, Dave shows up and Zara tells him he’s a father. But Dave’s past makes him doubt his parenting abilities and Zara doesn’t trust that he will stick around. The two have to work together to see if they can reach common ground.
“Nobody could make me feel inferior without my permission. I’d made my peace with single motherhood, and it didn’t matter what anyone said behind my back.”
From the moment I opened up the book I fell in love with Zara and Dave. I love prickly heroines and Zara was awesome. Dave was equally awesome, every barb Zara threw his way he shrugged off and smiled. I wouldn’t say baby romances are my favorite subgenre, but I enjoy them and the angst they deliver all the same. Plus I think Bowen did an amazing job writing the parent/child dynamic and Nicole was just beyond adorable.
This book starts off with a bang, and then slows down in pacing a little bit near the middle. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I am so glad Zara got her own story and it was worth the wait. I just want to stay forever in the True North world and never leave. I hope we get more books in this world.
Sarina Bowen is an author I always recommend, she never disappoints. This is the book this fall that you want to curl up with a blanket and enjoy a heartwarming story.
“The Milky Way and Zara. My favorite two things about Vermont.”
ARC provided by the publisher via netgalley. All/any quotes in this review came from an advance unedited copy and may be subject to change in the final product.
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“The truth was that men didn’t date people like me. I was the girl they “hung out with” as Dave had put it last night. The bartender was a good time and fun in bed, but not a forever girl.”
Sarina Bowen always writes the best romance! Bountiful is about bartender Zara and a sexy ginger named Dave. One summer for an entire month the two had a steamy fling, but then he left and he left something behind. Two years later Zara is a single mother and hasn’t been able to find Dave to tell him he’s the father.
Then one day, Dave shows up and Zara tells him he’s a father. But Dave’s past makes him doubt his parenting abilities and Zara doesn’t trust that he will stick around. The two have to work together to see if they can reach common ground.
“Nobody could make me feel inferior without my permission. I’d made my peace with single motherhood, and it didn’t matter what anyone said behind my back.”
From the moment I opened up the book I fell in love with Zara and Dave. I love prickly heroines and Zara was awesome. Dave was equally awesome, every barb Zara threw his way he shrugged off and smiled. I wouldn’t say baby romances are my favorite subgenre, but I enjoy them and the angst they deliver all the same. Plus I think Bowen did an amazing job writing the parent/child dynamic and Nicole was just beyond adorable.
This book starts off with a bang, and then slows down in pacing a little bit near the middle. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I am so glad Zara got her own story and it was worth the wait. I just want to stay forever in the True North world and never leave. I hope we get more books in this world.
Sarina Bowen is an author I always recommend, she never disappoints. This is the book this fall that you want to curl up with a blanket and enjoy a heartwarming story.
“The Milky Way and Zara. My favorite two things about Vermont.”
ARC provided by the publisher via netgalley. All/any quotes in this review came from an advance unedited copy and may be subject to change in the final product.
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October 22, 2017
4-4.5 Stars
I really enjoyed this story and I loved the characters and all the supporting characters as well.
The reason for not gifting a 5 star rating for such an enjoyable read is that I just really wanted a bit more UMPH in the ending. If I had read as an arc I would have begged for a change in the ending. These characters deserved some magic or emotion just more.
I really enjoyed this story and I loved the characters and all the supporting characters as well.
The reason for not gifting a 5 star rating for such an enjoyable read is that I just really wanted a bit more UMPH in the ending. If I had read as an arc I would have begged for a change in the ending. These characters deserved some magic or emotion just more.
October 20, 2017
Review @ Vanilla & Spice Books
✮✮✮ 4.5 STARS ✮✮✮
In this installment of the True North series we get to know the prickly bartender and Griff's ex-lover Zara who we met in the previous books. She got knocked up and until now we didn't know who the father of her unborn child was. Suffice it to say that I was more than ready to get her story.
There was a chance that I wouldn't like Zara - she could be pretty guarded and standoff-ish but she was that for a good reason. She was never unlikable and over the course of the story you can see her rough edges become softer but never smooth out completely.
I’d spent a long time feeling like the girl who had less than everyone else. I hadn’t known it would ache just as much to feel blessed.
She still is in her head very often, analyzing a situation and expecting the worst but Dave is a good influence. Zara's little girl means everything to her, she's a fantastic mother and it was lovely to see how she started to trust Dave with the most important person in her life.
Oh and Dave with the toddler? Goodbye ovaries. Damn!
“I’ll take a turn getting yelled at,” I told her, scooping Nicole out of her arms. “You relax for a minute.” Maybe find some ear plugs. Nicole howled at me when I took her. She opened her mouth so wide I could see her tonsils rattling as she cried. Like the baby on The Simpsons, except cuter.
Dave's attraction to Zara is instant and he isn't turned off by her distant demeanor. In fact, he doesn't intend to have a relationship with her at the start so it's just as well that they don't share a lot of details about their lives and enjoy each other's company.
When he comes back two years later and starts to develop feelings for Zara he doesn't take offense either, no, he considers it a challenge to win the beautiful mother of his daughter over. I loved that he took it all in good humor, he was a really good, levelheaded man who took responsibility and wanted to do right by his daughter and her mother. It didn't hurt that he was a sexy, bossy beast in bed.
“You bring out a different kind of horny in me— the kind that wants to buy furniture as well as fuck on it. The kind that would rather be a patient man. Because you’re worth it, honey.”
Sarina Bowen lets us say hello again to the whole Shipley gang and I got some serious MM vibes from Griff's brother Kieran and the new full-time employee in Zara and Audrey's coffee shop, Roderick. Zara's big family also leaves a lasting impression, especially her twin brother Benito, who I loved! Seems like there is a story too.
Starting one of Sarina Bowen's True North books is always a little bit like coming home. I get this warm fuzzy feeling of familiarity and the characters feel more like friends than fictional. OK, saying that is even weird for me but what I'm trying to say is that they feel real. But these books always feel like a late summer evening, when the temperatures are already a bit crisp and you cuddle up in a comforter and have a glass of cider with friends and easy conversation.
Bountiful is a a super sweet story, very low in the angst department with wonderful characters and the promise of more. There is humor and the author's signature descriptive writing style which I absolutely adore. There aren't many authors who can go into detailed description about nature and landscape with beautiful prose. So now I can't wait to see what Ms. Bowen has for us in store next!
October 21, 2017
***IT'S ALIVE***
It’s not really a sacrifice…
I think there’s a little switch in my brain that got turned on when I had kids. This switch made me think about my kids wants and needs before my own. Sure, I’ll give up alcohol for the health and well-being of my child. OK, I don’t really need a new e-reader when I could buy my boys new laptops. That overseas holiday we’ve been thinking of taking, who needs that when you can spend the same amount to watch your son play in the Nationals for baseball? For about two seconds you consider resenting these little hellions who forget to say thank you, but then, you just don’t. There’s no question, you just do it. It’s not really a sacrifice.
In Bountiful we meet Zara and Dave. Dave’s on holidays in Vermont and sees Zara and is instantly attracted to the beautiful, strong and determined woman. The more he gets to know her, the more time he wants to spend with her talking and doing other stuff. She’s not an easy woman to flirt with, but he’s kind of enjoying the challenge.
Zara is having a bit of a rough trot. She’s made some silly decisions in her life and she’s feeling regret, disappointment and loneliness. When Dave comes into her life, she decides to use him to make herself feel better for a little while. Mutual attraction and the knowledge that there’s an end date in sight, makes it even more appealing.
Life can change in the blink of an eye.
Babies change your focus. All your regrets and worries seem piddly when there’s this little person who relies on you for everything. Nicole became the focus of Zara's existence. When Dave comes back and realises there's a new person in his life, his focus changes completely.
I am a sucker for a bloke holding a baby. There was no problem for me picturing Dave and Nicole together. I just said to hubby the other day I miss seeing one of the boys (when they were babies) on his hip. There is nothing better than daddy and baby snuggled up napping together. I still get mushy-gushy when I pull out the photos of snuggle times.
I really enjoyed reading Bountiful. The characters, storyline and love story kept my attention from start to finish. I’ll be honest, I was thinking 4 stars throughout the whole story but the ending bumped it up to a solid 5 stars. It was refreshing to have a hero that obviously had his priorities straight. Sarina Bowen really showed her skill in that ending scene. I had no hesitations or doubts believing that this couple would make it and that their future was together. The storyline flowed well, the intimate scenes were steamy and the conflict and emotional scenes were never OTT.
Another great instalment to the True North series and I really hope Sarina Bowen treats us to a few more.
Stacey is Sassy, received a complimentary copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.
It’s not really a sacrifice…
I think there’s a little switch in my brain that got turned on when I had kids. This switch made me think about my kids wants and needs before my own. Sure, I’ll give up alcohol for the health and well-being of my child. OK, I don’t really need a new e-reader when I could buy my boys new laptops. That overseas holiday we’ve been thinking of taking, who needs that when you can spend the same amount to watch your son play in the Nationals for baseball? For about two seconds you consider resenting these little hellions who forget to say thank you, but then, you just don’t. There’s no question, you just do it. It’s not really a sacrifice.
In Bountiful we meet Zara and Dave. Dave’s on holidays in Vermont and sees Zara and is instantly attracted to the beautiful, strong and determined woman. The more he gets to know her, the more time he wants to spend with her talking and doing other stuff. She’s not an easy woman to flirt with, but he’s kind of enjoying the challenge.
Zara is having a bit of a rough trot. She’s made some silly decisions in her life and she’s feeling regret, disappointment and loneliness. When Dave comes into her life, she decides to use him to make herself feel better for a little while. Mutual attraction and the knowledge that there’s an end date in sight, makes it even more appealing.
Life can change in the blink of an eye.
Babies change your focus. All your regrets and worries seem piddly when there’s this little person who relies on you for everything. Nicole became the focus of Zara's existence. When Dave comes back and realises there's a new person in his life, his focus changes completely.
I am a sucker for a bloke holding a baby. There was no problem for me picturing Dave and Nicole together. I just said to hubby the other day I miss seeing one of the boys (when they were babies) on his hip. There is nothing better than daddy and baby snuggled up napping together. I still get mushy-gushy when I pull out the photos of snuggle times.
I really enjoyed reading Bountiful. The characters, storyline and love story kept my attention from start to finish. I’ll be honest, I was thinking 4 stars throughout the whole story but the ending bumped it up to a solid 5 stars. It was refreshing to have a hero that obviously had his priorities straight. Sarina Bowen really showed her skill in that ending scene. I had no hesitations or doubts believing that this couple would make it and that their future was together. The storyline flowed well, the intimate scenes were steamy and the conflict and emotional scenes were never OTT.
Another great instalment to the True North series and I really hope Sarina Bowen treats us to a few more.
Stacey is Sassy, received a complimentary copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.
October 16, 2017
4.5 Stars
Bountiful is up there as one of my faves from Sarina Bowen’s True North series and this time around she has subtly blended it with her Brooklyn Bruisers and taken us back to Vermont for an engaging romance, filled with heart and a couple to cheer on from the moment you meet them. There’s no middle ground when it comes to me and a surprise! you’re a dad, story, you win or you lose and and this was a winner.
If you’re familiar with the True North series, Zara Rossi will be no stranger, and Keepsake saw her knocked for six by the arrival of a handsome man with copper coloured hair—funnily enough the same shade as her baby daughter, Nicole. There was a story there to be told.
“I was her dirty little secret, apparently. Best. Thing. Ever.”
And tell it Sarina does, taking us right back to the summer when NHL player Dave Beringer spent several sex-fuelled weeks in Vermont with Zara and who, unknowingly, left her with a permanent reminder the passionate nights they shared. Which is where the crossover comes into play, because if you’ve read the Brooklyn Bruisers series, you’ll have briefly met Dave, although we were never privy to his hair colour or first name.
“…she liked me as just a guy in her bar. I didn’t have to be that star and impress her.
This is what made Bountiful the story it was, it remained true to its rural setting and family-centric roots and Dave was simply a guy getting his head round the fact that he returned to see the woman who rocked his world, only to discover an adorable tiny little version of them both toddling around. And whilst Zara has her moments, because she’s guarded and can run a little hot and cold, I did love her honesty and the fact that the situation is what it is, she wants her daughter to get to know her dad all whilst fighting with her own heart and the fact that he will once again have to leave at the end of the summer.
“Our days of wild sex together are over.”
This was actually a very simple story, but it was the heart and emotion it holds as Zara and Dave get to really know one another, along with those little moments that just make you melt as he steps up to the mark as a dad, and the wonder of what the future has in store, that prove that when executed right, even the simplest of stories can bring the most enjoyable of reading experiences. And, with an abundance of single characters including Zara’s brothers, Dave’s sister, more Shipley’s, a baker, and a particular Bruisers player who I loved, my spidey senses have detected a few future possibilities, irrespective of series, that I really hope Sarina will run with.
“With you and me, it’s never just a kiss.”
Bountiful is up there as one of my faves from Sarina Bowen’s True North series and this time around she has subtly blended it with her Brooklyn Bruisers and taken us back to Vermont for an engaging romance, filled with heart and a couple to cheer on from the moment you meet them. There’s no middle ground when it comes to me and a surprise! you’re a dad, story, you win or you lose and and this was a winner.
If you’re familiar with the True North series, Zara Rossi will be no stranger, and Keepsake saw her knocked for six by the arrival of a handsome man with copper coloured hair—funnily enough the same shade as her baby daughter, Nicole. There was a story there to be told.
“I was her dirty little secret, apparently. Best. Thing. Ever.”
And tell it Sarina does, taking us right back to the summer when NHL player Dave Beringer spent several sex-fuelled weeks in Vermont with Zara and who, unknowingly, left her with a permanent reminder the passionate nights they shared. Which is where the crossover comes into play, because if you’ve read the Brooklyn Bruisers series, you’ll have briefly met Dave, although we were never privy to his hair colour or first name.
“…she liked me as just a guy in her bar. I didn’t have to be that star and impress her.
This is what made Bountiful the story it was, it remained true to its rural setting and family-centric roots and Dave was simply a guy getting his head round the fact that he returned to see the woman who rocked his world, only to discover an adorable tiny little version of them both toddling around. And whilst Zara has her moments, because she’s guarded and can run a little hot and cold, I did love her honesty and the fact that the situation is what it is, she wants her daughter to get to know her dad all whilst fighting with her own heart and the fact that he will once again have to leave at the end of the summer.
“Our days of wild sex together are over.”
This was actually a very simple story, but it was the heart and emotion it holds as Zara and Dave get to really know one another, along with those little moments that just make you melt as he steps up to the mark as a dad, and the wonder of what the future has in store, that prove that when executed right, even the simplest of stories can bring the most enjoyable of reading experiences. And, with an abundance of single characters including Zara’s brothers, Dave’s sister, more Shipley’s, a baker, and a particular Bruisers player who I loved, my spidey senses have detected a few future possibilities, irrespective of series, that I really hope Sarina will run with.
“With you and me, it’s never just a kiss.”
October 20, 2017
Goodness, Gracious, I am in LOVE with these two!!!
BOUNTIFUL, by Sarina Bowen was a lovely, romantic tale of two people who were there for a romp in the hay, but in reality were there for the long haul, and I am smitten with Dave Beringer and his down to earth philosophy on life.
This book was refreshing and light-and considering the context and the trope, you would think we would be getting into the heavy stuff, but Bowen is a master at her craft and constructed a well thought out story, with all the feels as well as the goods to back it up.
Being a professional Hockey Player and having summers off must be glorious. Vacationing in Vermont is even better. Good food, yummy beer and lovely ladies. Well, one in particular. Zara. She works at a local pub and has just been cast aside by another man when Dave and her engage in a month long tryst that really takes over their summer activities. Despite it being just a "casual" thing, both Dave and Zara cannot get the other out of their minds. The summer they spent together, under the stars was anything but casual.
Fast forward two years later. Zara has a 15 month old baby girl named Nicole. And yepppppersss, you guessed it, she belongs to Dave. When out of the blue Dave comes back to town on another summer holiday, he finds out that he is in fact, a baby daddy. Zara did her best looking for him after he left town years earlier, but she never knew his last name. I was worried how he was going to take it. The news about him being a father, but in fine fashion, Bowen created a MAN. A man who takes care of the people in his life, who don't freak out (even though he has reason to) and he mans-up and takes care of his girl. Well, girls. There has always been something special between our two mains, and you really get to see it when Dave steps up and Zara lets him in. There is no drama, unless you count Zara's over bearing brothers, which is just plain funny. But with Zara and Dave, they are mature, they know what is important, and even though you would assume that this relationship could never work, they came together as a team, cohesively, and like a well oiled machine. That's not to say there weren't any set-backs, because there always is, but they conquered it together and it was amazing!
One of the things I loved most about this book was the support systems that both Dave and Zara had. Dave had his awesome teammates who he vacationed with and who were a sounding board for him during the initial shock of finding out he as a Dad. For Zara, it was her amazing family. Her wonderful brothers and mother-as well as the whole Shipley clan! (Which I loved hearing about BTW)
At first I didn't know if this would work, but Bowen made it soar and I loved it so much and I wish I could go back and read it again.
There is a lot of potential for more books in this series. We were introduced to a new character that I think may make an appearance in the next installment of the True North Series, and I cannot wait to see what happens next.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
**reviewed by Jess for joandisalovebooks blog**
BOUNTIFUL, by Sarina Bowen was a lovely, romantic tale of two people who were there for a romp in the hay, but in reality were there for the long haul, and I am smitten with Dave Beringer and his down to earth philosophy on life.
This book was refreshing and light-and considering the context and the trope, you would think we would be getting into the heavy stuff, but Bowen is a master at her craft and constructed a well thought out story, with all the feels as well as the goods to back it up.
Being a professional Hockey Player and having summers off must be glorious. Vacationing in Vermont is even better. Good food, yummy beer and lovely ladies. Well, one in particular. Zara. She works at a local pub and has just been cast aside by another man when Dave and her engage in a month long tryst that really takes over their summer activities. Despite it being just a "casual" thing, both Dave and Zara cannot get the other out of their minds. The summer they spent together, under the stars was anything but casual.
Fast forward two years later. Zara has a 15 month old baby girl named Nicole. And yepppppersss, you guessed it, she belongs to Dave. When out of the blue Dave comes back to town on another summer holiday, he finds out that he is in fact, a baby daddy. Zara did her best looking for him after he left town years earlier, but she never knew his last name. I was worried how he was going to take it. The news about him being a father, but in fine fashion, Bowen created a MAN. A man who takes care of the people in his life, who don't freak out (even though he has reason to) and he mans-up and takes care of his girl. Well, girls. There has always been something special between our two mains, and you really get to see it when Dave steps up and Zara lets him in. There is no drama, unless you count Zara's over bearing brothers, which is just plain funny. But with Zara and Dave, they are mature, they know what is important, and even though you would assume that this relationship could never work, they came together as a team, cohesively, and like a well oiled machine. That's not to say there weren't any set-backs, because there always is, but they conquered it together and it was amazing!
One of the things I loved most about this book was the support systems that both Dave and Zara had. Dave had his awesome teammates who he vacationed with and who were a sounding board for him during the initial shock of finding out he as a Dad. For Zara, it was her amazing family. Her wonderful brothers and mother-as well as the whole Shipley clan! (Which I loved hearing about BTW)
At first I didn't know if this would work, but Bowen made it soar and I loved it so much and I wish I could go back and read it again.
There is a lot of potential for more books in this series. We were introduced to a new character that I think may make an appearance in the next installment of the True North Series, and I cannot wait to see what happens next.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
**reviewed by Jess for joandisalovebooks blog**
Read
March 2, 2024EXCERPT TIME!
“Are you okay?” he asked. He didn’t wait for an answer. He pushed inside the apartment and pulled me to his chest.
Strong arms locked around me. The door thunked closed.
My nose met the V of skin where his top button was undone. I took a deep, steadying breath of him. He was warm and solid and I exhaled with shameless gratitude. The shaking didn’t stop, though. It actually got worse for a second, as if my subconscious allowed itself to come fully unhinged in the safety of his arms.
He made a noise of distress, deep in his throat, and held me even more tightly. He kissed the top of my head. Then he did it again. Big hands smoothed their way down my arms, bringing much-needed warmth to my chilly limbs. “Are you okay?” he whispered gently. His hands swept up my back, until one wide palm cupped the back of my neck. “Are you hurt anywhere?”
I shook my head, but then his fingers skimmed my bruised neck and I flinched.
Dave tilted my head to see what had probably become a bruise. He made a hissing sound, and his fingers became more gentle as he probed the area. “Are you sure we shouldn’t get you checked out?”
“No need,” I choked out. I wasn’t really injured. Just terrified.
His thumb traced my roughened skin. Then he bent down and placed his mouth over the hurt spot. I whimpered as soft lips comforted that spot. Unbidden, my hands dug into his shirt. And I turned my head a fraction of a degree to give him better access.
He let out a sound that was half groan, half growl, and I felt it everywhere. I turned my face again, this time to find his mouth with mine. And we came together in a way that felt completely inevitable, our lips sealing together just right on the first try. “Oh,” I breathed against his mouth, parting my lips. And then his tongue stroked against mine. He tasted like man and warmth and everything I’d ever needed.
Yes. This. Finally.
I rose to my toes and wrapped my arms around him, leaning into all that solid weight. My poor, terrified heart had a better reason to race now. It was impossible to fear for my life when I was kissing the most intoxicating man who’d ever walked into it.
And he didn’t miss a beat, folding me closer to his body, those strong hands dipping down to my ass, yanking me against him. His kiss was fierce and desperate. Seconds later, he turned us around, pressing my back against the door. He cupped my chin in one hand and held it there, kissing me with great focus and fire, while his other hand wandered my curves, cupping my breast, slipping down over my hip.
All the restraint I’d shown these past few weeks flew right out the window. Gone. I undid the top button of his shirt before abandoning that tedious work to caress his stomach instead. He groaned and I moaned and everything was a heated blur.
He lifted my dress.
I tugged at his belt.
His mouth found my throat.
My fingers fumbled to unzip his fly. And then his cock lay in my hand, hard and heavy.
“Fuck,” he cursed. Then I heard a tearing sound—stitches giving way. A second later my panties fell off, and thick fingers forked between my legs, finding slickness. Yes. I bore down on that sweet friction and whimpered as my body lit up everywhere.
He took my mouth in another hard kiss.
Artlessly, I hooked a leg around his hip. He tugged on the fabric of my dress, lifting it further. Then finally he lifted me off the ground by my hips.
Oh, yes please.
My legs closed around him as my back connected with the door again. I panted into his mouth as we struggled to align ourselves for what we both needed. But it wasn’t easy. Desperation and coordination didn’t always go together.
They had earlier tonight, though, when Dave had yanked me into the car right before that truck could—
I shuddered in his arms.
“Hey, I got you,” he ground out...
Get yours at Amazon | iBooks | Kobo | Nook | Google
“Are you okay?” he asked. He didn’t wait for an answer. He pushed inside the apartment and pulled me to his chest.
Strong arms locked around me. The door thunked closed.
My nose met the V of skin where his top button was undone. I took a deep, steadying breath of him. He was warm and solid and I exhaled with shameless gratitude. The shaking didn’t stop, though. It actually got worse for a second, as if my subconscious allowed itself to come fully unhinged in the safety of his arms.
He made a noise of distress, deep in his throat, and held me even more tightly. He kissed the top of my head. Then he did it again. Big hands smoothed their way down my arms, bringing much-needed warmth to my chilly limbs. “Are you okay?” he whispered gently. His hands swept up my back, until one wide palm cupped the back of my neck. “Are you hurt anywhere?”
I shook my head, but then his fingers skimmed my bruised neck and I flinched.
Dave tilted my head to see what had probably become a bruise. He made a hissing sound, and his fingers became more gentle as he probed the area. “Are you sure we shouldn’t get you checked out?”
“No need,” I choked out. I wasn’t really injured. Just terrified.
His thumb traced my roughened skin. Then he bent down and placed his mouth over the hurt spot. I whimpered as soft lips comforted that spot. Unbidden, my hands dug into his shirt. And I turned my head a fraction of a degree to give him better access.
He let out a sound that was half groan, half growl, and I felt it everywhere. I turned my face again, this time to find his mouth with mine. And we came together in a way that felt completely inevitable, our lips sealing together just right on the first try. “Oh,” I breathed against his mouth, parting my lips. And then his tongue stroked against mine. He tasted like man and warmth and everything I’d ever needed.
Yes. This. Finally.
I rose to my toes and wrapped my arms around him, leaning into all that solid weight. My poor, terrified heart had a better reason to race now. It was impossible to fear for my life when I was kissing the most intoxicating man who’d ever walked into it.
And he didn’t miss a beat, folding me closer to his body, those strong hands dipping down to my ass, yanking me against him. His kiss was fierce and desperate. Seconds later, he turned us around, pressing my back against the door. He cupped my chin in one hand and held it there, kissing me with great focus and fire, while his other hand wandered my curves, cupping my breast, slipping down over my hip.
All the restraint I’d shown these past few weeks flew right out the window. Gone. I undid the top button of his shirt before abandoning that tedious work to caress his stomach instead. He groaned and I moaned and everything was a heated blur.
He lifted my dress.
I tugged at his belt.
His mouth found my throat.
My fingers fumbled to unzip his fly. And then his cock lay in my hand, hard and heavy.
“Fuck,” he cursed. Then I heard a tearing sound—stitches giving way. A second later my panties fell off, and thick fingers forked between my legs, finding slickness. Yes. I bore down on that sweet friction and whimpered as my body lit up everywhere.
He took my mouth in another hard kiss.
Artlessly, I hooked a leg around his hip. He tugged on the fabric of my dress, lifting it further. Then finally he lifted me off the ground by my hips.
Oh, yes please.
My legs closed around him as my back connected with the door again. I panted into his mouth as we struggled to align ourselves for what we both needed. But it wasn’t easy. Desperation and coordination didn’t always go together.
They had earlier tonight, though, when Dave had yanked me into the car right before that truck could—
I shuddered in his arms.
“Hey, I got you,” he ground out...
Get yours at Amazon | iBooks | Kobo | Nook | Google
Read
March 21, 2024I'm in the minority here because many of my GR friends liked this one and that is fine but I can't ever get past a 2nd chance trope when the MMC moves on to OW during separations while FMC stays frozen. Nope. Not happening. If he is able to have sex with others, then heroine never meant anything to him in the first place and they don't deserve a 2nd chance. Harsh? Yes. Stick it in your pants buddy and then perhaps I can get on board with 2nd chance tropes.
As for heroine's FWB relationship with previous Hero & her being besties now with his heroine, can we stick a cork on this one too?
And to top it off, we have an MMC who acted disinterested in his own kid (not counting last few pages)! Who does that in romance-landia? UGH!
As for heroine's FWB relationship with previous Hero & her being besties now with his heroine, can we stick a cork on this one too?
And to top it off, we have an MMC who acted disinterested in his own kid (not counting last few pages)! Who does that in romance-landia? UGH!
October 20, 2017
I think the cat’s out of the bag when it comes to my obsession with SB. A friend recently referred to her as my writer goddess so… yeah, we’ve got a thing happening one-sided though it may be. When I pick up one of her books I sort of go into this weird trance-y vacuum where I get completely subsumed by it and lose touch with reality.
That didn’t happen here.
Bountiful is good, don’t let me lie to you. It’s in keeping with the overall tone of the True North series, meaning it’s weighted heavier on the NA side of romance. That felt apropos for this couple since they both have somewhat difficult pasts that haunt them to varying degrees. The crossover aspects with the Brooklyn Bruisers was fun and I loved catching up with Griff, Audrey and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Shipley’s! They make this series for me with their Vermontyness and welcoming vibes. If I ever get to Vermont I’ll be sorely disappointed if there’s not some Shipleyness smacking me in the face.
Bountiful is Zara’s book. Zara is sort of this bad girl bartender that once had a fling with Griff but then had a child by some mysterious guy and ended up becoming besties with Audrey and opening a coffee shop with her. Along the way, she became less wild but she never divulged who the father was. We find out it was one of the Bruisers, Dave Berington, when he comes back to Vermont two years later.
What I love so much about SB’s writes is her ability to craft relatable characters. She creates female characters that I can usually identity with and male characters that are typically salt of the earth and have me adding them to my book boyfriend list with a quickness.
Dave and Zara are no different, though her pessimism was long and drawn out for my tastes. Their backgrounds help contextualize why they behave the way they do, plus we get the benefit of both of their perspectives. However, what rang as contrived was the push/pull that Zara keeps engaging in. Why incessantly question the veracity of Dave’s statements when his actions are in keeping with his statements? Wouldn’t you want to at least try for the brass ring if for no other reason than your daughter? Regardless, I liked both of these characters and all the baby stuff was cute which ordinarily isn’t my cuppa so kudos to SB for that.
Their relationship is realistically developed but I never felt it, that X-factor. There’s no spark, no razzle dazzle that I’ve come to associate with SB’s writes. They have sexual chemistry and I honestly don’t even have trouble believing in their longevity, but their romance didn’t move me.
I found myself more invested in the secondary characters which should come as a surprise to exactly no one. Because Griff.
Imagine my delight when it started to look like the original grump might have a Mini Me in Kieran. Why is Kieran so grumpy, though? And why did he get even grumpier when he found out Zara and Audrey hired Roderick at the coffee shop? I don’t want to put the wagon before the horse here but I’ve been thinking for awhile now that one of those cousins was going to take this series to MMRomancelandia…
I’m also now consumed by Zara’s brothers! What the hell did she do to destroy Benito’s one chance at love when they were 18? And what about that case???? And what’s the deal with Alec? BAH!
So, like I said initially, there was good stuff here and it goes without saying that I’ll read the next one, but this one didn’t turn my innards to melty goo.
Recommend to realistic romance fans who like their romance without frills and with babies.
An ARC was provided.
That didn’t happen here.
Bountiful is good, don’t let me lie to you. It’s in keeping with the overall tone of the True North series, meaning it’s weighted heavier on the NA side of romance. That felt apropos for this couple since they both have somewhat difficult pasts that haunt them to varying degrees. The crossover aspects with the Brooklyn Bruisers was fun and I loved catching up with Griff, Audrey and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Shipley’s! They make this series for me with their Vermontyness and welcoming vibes. If I ever get to Vermont I’ll be sorely disappointed if there’s not some Shipleyness smacking me in the face.
Bountiful is Zara’s book. Zara is sort of this bad girl bartender that once had a fling with Griff but then had a child by some mysterious guy and ended up becoming besties with Audrey and opening a coffee shop with her. Along the way, she became less wild but she never divulged who the father was. We find out it was one of the Bruisers, Dave Berington, when he comes back to Vermont two years later.
What I love so much about SB’s writes is her ability to craft relatable characters. She creates female characters that I can usually identity with and male characters that are typically salt of the earth and have me adding them to my book boyfriend list with a quickness.
Dave and Zara are no different, though her pessimism was long and drawn out for my tastes. Their backgrounds help contextualize why they behave the way they do, plus we get the benefit of both of their perspectives. However, what rang as contrived was the push/pull that Zara keeps engaging in. Why incessantly question the veracity of Dave’s statements when his actions are in keeping with his statements? Wouldn’t you want to at least try for the brass ring if for no other reason than your daughter? Regardless, I liked both of these characters and all the baby stuff was cute which ordinarily isn’t my cuppa so kudos to SB for that.
Their relationship is realistically developed but I never felt it, that X-factor. There’s no spark, no razzle dazzle that I’ve come to associate with SB’s writes. They have sexual chemistry and I honestly don’t even have trouble believing in their longevity, but their romance didn’t move me.
I found myself more invested in the secondary characters which should come as a surprise to exactly no one. Because Griff.
Imagine my delight when it started to look like the original grump might have a Mini Me in Kieran. Why is Kieran so grumpy, though? And why did he get even grumpier when he found out Zara and Audrey hired Roderick at the coffee shop? I don’t want to put the wagon before the horse here but I’ve been thinking for awhile now that one of those cousins was going to take this series to MMRomancelandia…
I’m also now consumed by Zara’s brothers! What the hell did she do to destroy Benito’s one chance at love when they were 18? And what about that case???? And what’s the deal with Alec? BAH!
So, like I said initially, there was good stuff here and it goes without saying that I’ll read the next one, but this one didn’t turn my innards to melty goo.
Recommend to realistic romance fans who like their romance without frills and with babies.
An ARC was provided.
February 19, 2019
***4- "Don't think!... Just feel!!!" stars***
“With you and me, it’s never just a kiss.”
This was a lovely reading!!! I did enjoy it a lot!!!
Vermont seems a nice place to live and our heroes were wonderful characters...
To be totally honest with you, this book made me crave all the secondary characters's stories in here, especially Zara's brothers's stories!!!!
If you haven't read any book of this series, i was in the same place and i can assure you that this book can be read as a standalone....
My only possible problem is that i'm not very sure that i would love to read the first book, because i saw lots of this couple in here, but i'm dying to read all the other books!!!
Well, before two years, Dave and some of his teammates went for vacations on Vermont and there, he met Zara, a bartender on the local bar and they hit it off!!!
Well, their "relationship" was just physical and they didn't get themselves in more words than the necessary!!! They were just... f**king!!!
And then the time passed and Dave left behind Zara and Vermont...
But he might have forgotten something his behind....
“I was her dirty little secret, apparently. Best. Thing. Ever.”
Two years after, Dave is returning back on Vermont and he is seeking Zara to the bar, but she is not there anymore...
And then, bang, he accintentally bumped into her, but she was so different than the woman he was remembering... And then, Zara dropped off the bomb...
They were having a fifteen months daughter together!!!
Well, what will happen with these two??? They is a future when they are in different places in life????
Will Dave accept the role of the father???
Will Zara let him in with arms wide open???
"I could not be someone's father. What an insane idea."
Well, to be totally honest with you, Zara and Dave were lacking passion in my eyes most of the thimes, but i can not say that they weren't good together, when they wanted it!!!
In the beginning, their time together was soooo superficial... and their were both like that!!!
After two years, Dave was still thinking with his d*ck, but Zara had grown up because of her daughter and i liked that change...
There were also feelings between them, but for their own reasons, they were keeping them hidden...
They both had issues that were connecting with their parents and it was difficult for them to just let go and be with the other...
I really liked how they turned up as the pages were passing by!!! But what i liked more was how Dave was warming up in Nicole's presence!!!
“Looks like you’re stuck with me,” I told her. “I don’t know whether to congratulate you or apologize.”
“You’re it for me. I don’t care if there are gonna be earaches and lots of days missing you. I’ll take it, because you’re the best there is.”
As i told you in the beginning, i'm very curious about the other couples too!!!
Especially about grumpy Alec and easygoing Benito, Zara's brothers!!!! Can't wait to read their stories!!!
***I want to thank Sarina Bowen for providing me a copy of this book***
“With you and me, it’s never just a kiss.”
This was a lovely reading!!! I did enjoy it a lot!!!
Vermont seems a nice place to live and our heroes were wonderful characters...
To be totally honest with you, this book made me crave all the secondary characters's stories in here, especially Zara's brothers's stories!!!!
If you haven't read any book of this series, i was in the same place and i can assure you that this book can be read as a standalone....
My only possible problem is that i'm not very sure that i would love to read the first book, because i saw lots of this couple in here, but i'm dying to read all the other books!!!
Well, before two years, Dave and some of his teammates went for vacations on Vermont and there, he met Zara, a bartender on the local bar and they hit it off!!!
Well, their "relationship" was just physical and they didn't get themselves in more words than the necessary!!! They were just... f**king!!!
And then the time passed and Dave left behind Zara and Vermont...
But he might have forgotten something his behind....
“I was her dirty little secret, apparently. Best. Thing. Ever.”
Two years after, Dave is returning back on Vermont and he is seeking Zara to the bar, but she is not there anymore...
And then, bang, he accintentally bumped into her, but she was so different than the woman he was remembering... And then, Zara dropped off the bomb...
They were having a fifteen months daughter together!!!
Well, what will happen with these two??? They is a future when they are in different places in life????
Will Dave accept the role of the father???
Will Zara let him in with arms wide open???
"I could not be someone's father. What an insane idea."
Well, to be totally honest with you, Zara and Dave were lacking passion in my eyes most of the thimes, but i can not say that they weren't good together, when they wanted it!!!
In the beginning, their time together was soooo superficial... and their were both like that!!!
After two years, Dave was still thinking with his d*ck, but Zara had grown up because of her daughter and i liked that change...
There were also feelings between them, but for their own reasons, they were keeping them hidden...
They both had issues that were connecting with their parents and it was difficult for them to just let go and be with the other...
I really liked how they turned up as the pages were passing by!!! But what i liked more was how Dave was warming up in Nicole's presence!!!
“Looks like you’re stuck with me,” I told her. “I don’t know whether to congratulate you or apologize.”
“You’re it for me. I don’t care if there are gonna be earaches and lots of days missing you. I’ll take it, because you’re the best there is.”
As i told you in the beginning, i'm very curious about the other couples too!!!
Especially about grumpy Alec and easygoing Benito, Zara's brothers!!!! Can't wait to read their stories!!!
***I want to thank Sarina Bowen for providing me a copy of this book***
February 21, 2019
Bountiful by Sarina Bowen is book 4 in the True North series but it's my first and this author is a first for me to.
I haven't read a book about ice hockey players in along time and this one made me realise how much I missed the ice hockey alpha male 😉.
It's a book about how one thing/night changes lives and how people deal with them and really look at what's important.
It's sweet (but not in a sicky way) , fun with plenty of naughtiness if a romance book is what your looking for then I recommend this one .
I haven't read a book about ice hockey players in along time and this one made me realise how much I missed the ice hockey alpha male 😉.
It's a book about how one thing/night changes lives and how people deal with them and really look at what's important.
It's sweet (but not in a sicky way) , fun with plenty of naughtiness if a romance book is what your looking for then I recommend this one .
October 4, 2017
5 BABY MAMA STARS
STOP what you are doing, yup, just stop and start reading Bountiful! Bountiful is a standalone and is part of the True North series. If you haven’t read this series, you can read them out of order. I usually don’t suggest this, but I loved this book so much, you can read Bountiful first!
This is Zara and Dave��s story.
It’s a single mama book and no wonder I picked this up right? Sarina Bowen + Single Parent = Happy Times ME!
The moment I started this book I devoured it. I was consumed with this light-hearted, warm-hearted and endearing-hearted read. Bountiful is sweet, addictive and will give you the tingles when you are done. I read it in one sitting and I was in such A GOOD mood when I finished.
Dave has six weeks off and he spends it in Vermont. He finds Zara and they start a cute, racy and intense summer fling. Both want no strings, no broken hearts and no last names. When Dave goes back home, he leaves something behind (that he didn’t realize).
Zara is pregnant! It’s two years later and well... everything happens.
I loved everything about this book. I loved the characters, the pacing and the relationships. I loved Zara, even though she was a tough cookie, she’s a single mom so that kind of comes with a territory. Her baby, Nicole is 15 months and I felt like Sarina Bowen wrote the book for me, because I have a 15-month baby! So I related to this book a lot.
Dave is now a dad, the only thing is he’s never been around babies nor does he know how to take care of them. I really liked Dave and I liked he had a complicated childhood. I love his interaction with Nicole and really that was the star of the book. He was everything I wanted and more.
The thing I really liked about this story was that it was really realistic and there weren’t any plot holes. Also, Sarina created enough tension to keep me interested, but not pulling my hair out.
I can’t gush how much I loved reading this book and the author did an amazing job. Oh and props for the moms who nurse past the 12-month mark (me), it’s not weird, it’s normal and that’s okay.
An ARC was provided
Bittersweet #1 REVIEW | AMAZON - B&N - iBOOKS - KOBO - GOOGLE
Steadfast #2 AMAZON | REVIEW
Keepsake #3 AMAZON | REVIEW
Bountiful #4 http://amzn.to/2fKunJa
STOP what you are doing, yup, just stop and start reading Bountiful! Bountiful is a standalone and is part of the True North series. If you haven’t read this series, you can read them out of order. I usually don’t suggest this, but I loved this book so much, you can read Bountiful first!
This is Zara and Dave��s story.
It’s a single mama book and no wonder I picked this up right? Sarina Bowen + Single Parent = Happy Times ME!
The moment I started this book I devoured it. I was consumed with this light-hearted, warm-hearted and endearing-hearted read. Bountiful is sweet, addictive and will give you the tingles when you are done. I read it in one sitting and I was in such A GOOD mood when I finished.
Dave has six weeks off and he spends it in Vermont. He finds Zara and they start a cute, racy and intense summer fling. Both want no strings, no broken hearts and no last names. When Dave goes back home, he leaves something behind (that he didn’t realize).
Zara is pregnant! It’s two years later and well... everything happens.
I loved everything about this book. I loved the characters, the pacing and the relationships. I loved Zara, even though she was a tough cookie, she’s a single mom so that kind of comes with a territory. Her baby, Nicole is 15 months and I felt like Sarina Bowen wrote the book for me, because I have a 15-month baby! So I related to this book a lot.
Dave is now a dad, the only thing is he’s never been around babies nor does he know how to take care of them. I really liked Dave and I liked he had a complicated childhood. I love his interaction with Nicole and really that was the star of the book. He was everything I wanted and more.
The thing I really liked about this story was that it was really realistic and there weren’t any plot holes. Also, Sarina created enough tension to keep me interested, but not pulling my hair out.
I can’t gush how much I loved reading this book and the author did an amazing job. Oh and props for the moms who nurse past the 12-month mark (me), it’s not weird, it’s normal and that’s okay.
An ARC was provided
Bittersweet #1 REVIEW | AMAZON - B&N - iBOOKS - KOBO - GOOGLE
Steadfast #2 AMAZON | REVIEW
Keepsake #3 AMAZON | REVIEW
Bountiful #4 http://amzn.to/2fKunJa
August 26, 2025
I'm ultimately not a fan of the single Dad books, even when they're well done like this one. There's a few plot holes and it felt like some of the magic from earlier in the series has gone missing. I think I have high standards since this series started out so strong. They get less interesting as I continue reading. they're still good, but not great. The found family/small town Vermont thing is what keeps me reading.
October 20, 2017
🍐 🍐 🍐 🍎 🍏 🍎 🍐 🍐 🍐
We all remember Zara from the previous books - she runs the bar in town - and she became best friends with Audrey from book #1.
This book starts two years ago. When, after flirting with him for almost a month, Zara finally spends a night with handsome bar-client Dave.
There's this huge attraction between them, but until a few months ago, Zara was half in love with Griffin (from book #1). And Dave? He doesn't really look as if he'd fit in here - in this little Vermont town - with his expensive clothes and the rich-guy watch.
What Zara doesn't know - Dave is a famous hockey player.
(He's been seen around Sarina's hockey series!!)
And what Zara also doesn't know? When he leaves, once his summer vacation in Vermont is over - he'll leave behind a little 9-months gift.
Fast forward two years .... poor Dave is about to find out he's a daddy....
But his career is not over yet - his life is in New York! And he's not a family person - he never had that growing up and he wasn't planning on having it now - or ever ....
But his two Vermont girls are reallllly hard to resist.
What will happen to Zara & Dave?
Will there be a Happily Ever After?
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT! ☺
══════════════════════════
Eeep - I was so glad when I found out that this series was not over yet!
I loved Griffin and the other guys ... and now here's finally Zara's story.
We were always wondering who her baby daddy is....and now we know. Only he doesn't yet!
This was such an sweet romance.
Adorable, sexy, funny.
Serious too.
Zara is afraid to be left again. She doesn't want herself or her daughter to wait for a man/dad to come back home - just like Zara and her mom waited around for her dad to come back.
And Dave's life growing up wasn't the best - he still has nightmares. That's why he never wanted to fall in love and have a family. But now here's his ready-made family. What to do? He still has a few years of professional hockey in him... in Brooklyn!
I just loved this book. The baby and daddy moments! Ugh! ♥♥♥
I love the whole atmosphere - Vermont and the apple and pear orchards. The food! The people - the Shipleys - Zara's brothers - everybody!
I want this series to be on Netflix one day!
And I also hope that this was not the last book - there are SO many more stories to be told! I want Benito next and Kieran and Alec and Bess and ugh - allll of them!
♡
♡
♡
♡
🍐 🍐 🍐 🍎 🍏 🍎 🍐 🍐 🍐
We all remember Zara from the previous books - she runs the bar in town - and she became best friends with Audrey from book #1.
This book starts two years ago. When, after flirting with him for almost a month, Zara finally spends a night with handsome bar-client Dave.
There's this huge attraction between them, but until a few months ago, Zara was half in love with Griffin (from book #1). And Dave? He doesn't really look as if he'd fit in here - in this little Vermont town - with his expensive clothes and the rich-guy watch.
What Zara doesn't know - Dave is a famous hockey player.
(He's been seen around Sarina's hockey series!!)
And what Zara also doesn't know? When he leaves, once his summer vacation in Vermont is over - he'll leave behind a little 9-months gift.
Fast forward two years .... poor Dave is about to find out he's a daddy....
But his career is not over yet - his life is in New York! And he's not a family person - he never had that growing up and he wasn't planning on having it now - or ever ....
But his two Vermont girls are reallllly hard to resist.
What will happen to Zara & Dave?
Will there be a Happily Ever After?
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT! ☺
══════════════════════════
Eeep - I was so glad when I found out that this series was not over yet!
I loved Griffin and the other guys ... and now here's finally Zara's story.
We were always wondering who her baby daddy is....and now we know. Only he doesn't yet!
This was such an sweet romance.
Adorable, sexy, funny.
Serious too.
Zara is afraid to be left again. She doesn't want herself or her daughter to wait for a man/dad to come back home - just like Zara and her mom waited around for her dad to come back.
And Dave's life growing up wasn't the best - he still has nightmares. That's why he never wanted to fall in love and have a family. But now here's his ready-made family. What to do? He still has a few years of professional hockey in him... in Brooklyn!
I just loved this book. The baby and daddy moments! Ugh! ♥♥♥
I love the whole atmosphere - Vermont and the apple and pear orchards. The food! The people - the Shipleys - Zara's brothers - everybody!
I want this series to be on Netflix one day!
And I also hope that this was not the last book - there are SO many more stories to be told! I want Benito next and Kieran and Alec and Bess and ugh - allll of them!
BOUNTIFUL was such an adorable love story!
But is this hockey hottie ready for his happily ever after in Vermont? Run to your nearest amazon to find out!!! ☺
♡
♡
♡
♡
🍐 🍐 🍐 🍎 🍏 🍎 🍐 🍐 🍐
May 17, 2018
Loved it so much!
I love Sarina’s books. It’s no fluke she’s one of my top authors and no brainer one-clicks. Her books are simply amazing, the plot, the characters, the beautiful writing. I loved Dave and Zara’s story so much, this might be my favorite book in this series. Both of them were amazing characters but Zara was extra special. I’m ridiculously invested in these characters, both the Bruisers and the Vermont gang and can’t wait to see what the future holds for them. May and Alec’s book is sitting pretty in my kindle so I think I’ll start there. Absolutely recommend!!!
Also, I have to say that the audiobook narration on this one is freaking fantastic. I’m a huge Teddy Hamilton fan, but I’m completely in love with Seraphina Valentine’s voice. Great narration!
I love Sarina’s books. It’s no fluke she’s one of my top authors and no brainer one-clicks. Her books are simply amazing, the plot, the characters, the beautiful writing. I loved Dave and Zara’s story so much, this might be my favorite book in this series. Both of them were amazing characters but Zara was extra special. I’m ridiculously invested in these characters, both the Bruisers and the Vermont gang and can’t wait to see what the future holds for them. May and Alec’s book is sitting pretty in my kindle so I think I’ll start there. Absolutely recommend!!!
Also, I have to say that the audiobook narration on this one is freaking fantastic. I’m a huge Teddy Hamilton fan, but I’m completely in love with Seraphina Valentine’s voice. Great narration!
September 9, 2025
Bountiful is Wonderful
Bountiful is a standalone, you can read it whithout having read the first three books in the series, but it is better if you have. First of all, because Sarina Bowen does an amazing job of developing the secondary characters in each book. We have glimpses of Zara in all three books, so if you read them in order, you are somewhat familiar with her background story without actually knowing anything specific.
The first twist comes in a very nice crossover with the Brooklyn Bruisers Series. There is also no need to read that series first, but it is very cool for those who have. Dave plays Hockey for the Bruisers, so it is a very smooth way to link both series. I liked it very much.
The story is beautifully written, is witty and heartfelt. It is a second chance romance with a surprise baby in the mix. I am not a fan of the surprise baby trope, but Bountiful works for me. I actually love it. I think it’s wonderful and very much worth it.
It is a very emotional story. Zara and Dave come from different places and backgrounds, but deep down they both have emotional scars that have influenced their approach to romantic relationships. Zara is tough as nails on the outside, but insecure and vulnerable on the inside. Dave believes he is destined to be alone, so he doesn’t do relationships. But despite their reservations, they develop a bond that will forever link them. They will have to figure out if they are willing to risk their hearts and embrace the love they feel for each other, or keep pretending they are fine with the way they have been living their lives.
One of the things I love about Sarina Bowen’s books is that you get lost in the story but at the same time appreciate the writing. I enjoy reading her because I can’t help but admire her talent, how she creates a world you want to be a part of, and characters you want to be friends with. All I think about when I read this series is that I want to live in Vermont, or at the very least, visit.
Bountiful is a standalone, you can read it whithout having read the first three books in the series, but it is better if you have. First of all, because Sarina Bowen does an amazing job of developing the secondary characters in each book. We have glimpses of Zara in all three books, so if you read them in order, you are somewhat familiar with her background story without actually knowing anything specific.
The first twist comes in a very nice crossover with the Brooklyn Bruisers Series. There is also no need to read that series first, but it is very cool for those who have. Dave plays Hockey for the Bruisers, so it is a very smooth way to link both series. I liked it very much.
The story is beautifully written, is witty and heartfelt. It is a second chance romance with a surprise baby in the mix. I am not a fan of the surprise baby trope, but Bountiful works for me. I actually love it. I think it’s wonderful and very much worth it.
It is a very emotional story. Zara and Dave come from different places and backgrounds, but deep down they both have emotional scars that have influenced their approach to romantic relationships. Zara is tough as nails on the outside, but insecure and vulnerable on the inside. Dave believes he is destined to be alone, so he doesn’t do relationships. But despite their reservations, they develop a bond that will forever link them. They will have to figure out if they are willing to risk their hearts and embrace the love they feel for each other, or keep pretending they are fine with the way they have been living their lives.
One of the things I love about Sarina Bowen’s books is that you get lost in the story but at the same time appreciate the writing. I enjoy reading her because I can’t help but admire her talent, how she creates a world you want to be a part of, and characters you want to be friends with. All I think about when I read this series is that I want to live in Vermont, or at the very least, visit.
November 9, 2017
★5 STARS★
I’m guilty as charged when it comes to the crime of gushing about Sarina Bowen’s novels, but hey, who can blame me? As is the case Bountiful, I’m extremely enthused by Sarina’s terrific storylines and wonderful characters, and don’t even get me started on the fact this is a cross over between two of her series’. Throw away the key I say, I’m ready to do the hard time.
Zara is a character who (truth be told) seemed slightly hard faced when we were briefly introduced to her in the earlier novels in the series. She’s the snippy manager of the local watering hole and had been harbouring a case of the unrequited feels. It quickly becomes apparent there’s a feeling of being unsettled in her life. The object of her previous affections has moved on and is getting married and in turn it’s forced her to evaluate herself and what she sees for herself in her future.
If Dave Beringer were less of a man he’d be intimidated by the cantankerous owner of the bar he loves to frequent in his ice hockey off season. It’s not just the beer that brings him back time after time, but the woman behind the bar he can’t seem to quench his thirst for. There’s an obvious attraction between them and their back and forth banter is a hit with me in and out of the sheets. What should have been a summer “romance” leaves a lasting impression on both of them in more ways than one.
A shock to the system is putting it mildly, but it’s also the making of them both. I revelled in their personal development as well as the realistic progression of their relationship. I’ve enjoyed this series so much and consider this addition to the series a feel good bounty of swoon!
I’m guilty as charged when it comes to the crime of gushing about Sarina Bowen’s novels, but hey, who can blame me? As is the case Bountiful, I’m extremely enthused by Sarina’s terrific storylines and wonderful characters, and don’t even get me started on the fact this is a cross over between two of her series’. Throw away the key I say, I’m ready to do the hard time.
Zara is a character who (truth be told) seemed slightly hard faced when we were briefly introduced to her in the earlier novels in the series. She’s the snippy manager of the local watering hole and had been harbouring a case of the unrequited feels. It quickly becomes apparent there’s a feeling of being unsettled in her life. The object of her previous affections has moved on and is getting married and in turn it’s forced her to evaluate herself and what she sees for herself in her future.
If Dave Beringer were less of a man he’d be intimidated by the cantankerous owner of the bar he loves to frequent in his ice hockey off season. It’s not just the beer that brings him back time after time, but the woman behind the bar he can’t seem to quench his thirst for. There’s an obvious attraction between them and their back and forth banter is a hit with me in and out of the sheets. What should have been a summer “romance” leaves a lasting impression on both of them in more ways than one.
A shock to the system is putting it mildly, but it’s also the making of them both. I revelled in their personal development as well as the realistic progression of their relationship. I’ve enjoyed this series so much and consider this addition to the series a feel good bounty of swoon!
October 26, 2017
Title: Bountiful
Series: True North #4
Author: Sarina Bowen
Release date: October 20, 2017
Cliffhanger: No
HEA
I've been a loyal reader of the True North series since book one, so I was already eager to read Zara's story. Hearing that Sarina made this a crossover book with characters from her Brooklyn Bruisers series was just an added bonus.
Zara has been known around town as the hook-up girl for as long as she could remember. The one that was perfect for some casual fun, but forgotten when the "right" girl came along. Easily discarded. She wasn't ashamed of her aversion to long term relationships, but admittedly Griff's rejection of her when Audrey came to town burned her pride and left her feeling raw. Her father's abandonment of her as a child was the leading cause of her desire to keep things casual with men. Why leave herself open to having her heart shattered, and her trust broken like her mother?
My mother had never given up on him, though. Never asked for a divorce. Never stopped hoping he’d show up and tell us we meant the world to him. Spoiler alert: he never did.
But after so many years of being publicly shamed and disrespected, after unmistakably being shown that she wasn't worth more than a good time, it was becoming a bitter pill to swallow. It was at a weak and vulnerable moment when she and Dave began their fling. A fling that she'd soon discover, would turn out to have a very permanent consequence for her after he left a month later.
Their daughter.
I must admit, the way she pushed any hint of intimacy or tenderness away when Dave attempted it was a bit off putting for me. On one hand, she claimed that she wanted to be free to do what she wanted sexually without being judged, but on the other it clearly wasn't making her happy to do so. She would gripe over not being good enough for them, but she was the one who was afraid to risk her heart.
Single parenthood was never in her plans, but her little girl made all the town gossip and daily struggle worth every minute. Wild Zara was no more, now she just struggled to provide for her daughter and give her the best life possible. Her rough edges, and prickly personality were softening and making her more open. Just when she had come to peace with never finding Dave again, and looking for him in crowds, he walked through the door again. But how would he react to the news that he is the father? He may have shown hints that he cared for her, and would have been open to more, but a family? He made it clear that he was the furthest thing from a family man.
Dave had a rough childhood as well, and one that didn't shed a positive light on romance or raising a family.
"The Beringers don’t do parenthood.” A terrific understatement. My mother overdosed on cocaine when I was five. Then my father beat the crap out of me for nine more years, until people started to notice. He lost custody of Bess and me. We lived with our indifferent but nonviolent grandparents until Bess graduated from high school.
But if anyone could have made him want more, it would have been Zara. She was tough, fiery, and never ceased to make him smile. Coming back to Vermont, he never expected the bomb that she dropped, but he bravely stepped up to the plate and got to know his daughter. He wasn't entirely comfortable around kids...all right, not at all. It scared the living daylights out of him. But it was so sweet to see him adjusting to the idea of being a father, and finding joy in the little things.
“Looks like you’re stuck with me,” I told her. “I don’t know whether to congratulate you or apologize.”
As he formed an attachment to his daughter, he was rediscovering what he lost with Zara, and proving to her family that he intended to take care of his girls.
Bountiful was a sweet and sexy single parent romance, with a wonderful set of secondary characters. Zara's brother Benito was so sweet, and the potential for his second chance romance has me so curious!! I would love to learn more about his job in town, and how he lost his first love as a teen. Dave's sister Bess was another intriguing and strong new character who I would love to read more about.
Overall, this story did not disappoint. I enjoyed seeing these two shed their fear of commitment and intimacy together, and form a strong family bond. It was so heartwarming to see them find the love that they deserved.
I’d spent a long time feeling like the girl who had less than everyone else. I hadn’t known it would ache just as much to feel blessed.
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February 22, 2018
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
I absolutely loved this book! I had heard good things about Sarina Bowen but hadn't had the chance to read any of her work before this book. I can now see that I have been missing out and have a lot of catching up to do. This was a book that held my attention and never let go. I could not stop listening and finished the book in just a day and a half. I was totally swept away by this amazing romance.
It is really hard to put into words my love for this book but I am going to do my best. I fell in love with these characters from the very start. As the book progressed, I loved them more and more. Dave and Zara just seemed to work well together. I loved the chemistry between them at the start of the story and thought that the awkwardness when they met again felt real. They just seem to be good for each other.
This story starts out with Dave on vacation in Vermont where he meets Zara at the bar she runs. They have a fling over the course of a month but don't share details about themselves. Two years later when Dave returns for another vacation, he learns that he has a daughter. I am not always a fan of the secret baby trope but this works perfectly because Zara tried to find Dave but couldn't. She never makes any attempt to hide the baby from Dave. Dave is floored by the news but quickly adapts and learns that the things he wants in life may be different than he had originally thought.
It was so wonderful to watch Dave and Zara fall in love. The chemistry between them was always off the charts but watching them really get to know each other and care for their daughter together was great. Zara is not used to having Dave's help and doesn't want to owe anyone anything while Dave wants to take care of things. Some of Zara's family are not thrilled with Dave since he hasn't been around but he never backs down and keeps his focus on Zara and their daughter, Nicole.
This was the first time that I have listened to Teddy Hamilton and Seraphine Valentine's narration. I love romances that use two narrators and I thought that both of these narrators did a great job with their characters. There are a lot of emotions in this book and a few steamy moments and everything flowed flawlessly. I thought that they both did a great job with the different character voices. They both had very pleasant voices that made it easy to listen for hours at a time.
I highly recommend this book to fans of contemporary romances. This incredibly romantic story had all the things I was looking for when I decided to read it. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Dave was a hockey player which only made things better since I love a good sport romance. This is the fourth book in the True North series and also fits into the Brooklyn Bruisers series but I had no problems reading it as a stand alone. Of course, I do want to read all of the other books now!
I received a review copy of this audiobook from Blackstone Audio, Inc. via Audiobook Jukebox.
Initial Thoughts
This was an amazing book! I am floored by how much I ended up enjoying it. It was romantic and the characters were fantastic. I actually stayed up way past my bedtime because I had to see how it was going to end. I am someone that typically only listens to audiobooks while I am at work or doing a boring task around the house so the fact that I was sitting in a chair listening to this book while I should have been asleep is a huge deal. It just doesn't happen very often. The narrators were both fantastic. I can't believe that I haven't read Sarina Bowen before now but I can't wait to read more of her work very soon.
I absolutely loved this book! I had heard good things about Sarina Bowen but hadn't had the chance to read any of her work before this book. I can now see that I have been missing out and have a lot of catching up to do. This was a book that held my attention and never let go. I could not stop listening and finished the book in just a day and a half. I was totally swept away by this amazing romance.
It is really hard to put into words my love for this book but I am going to do my best. I fell in love with these characters from the very start. As the book progressed, I loved them more and more. Dave and Zara just seemed to work well together. I loved the chemistry between them at the start of the story and thought that the awkwardness when they met again felt real. They just seem to be good for each other.
This story starts out with Dave on vacation in Vermont where he meets Zara at the bar she runs. They have a fling over the course of a month but don't share details about themselves. Two years later when Dave returns for another vacation, he learns that he has a daughter. I am not always a fan of the secret baby trope but this works perfectly because Zara tried to find Dave but couldn't. She never makes any attempt to hide the baby from Dave. Dave is floored by the news but quickly adapts and learns that the things he wants in life may be different than he had originally thought.
It was so wonderful to watch Dave and Zara fall in love. The chemistry between them was always off the charts but watching them really get to know each other and care for their daughter together was great. Zara is not used to having Dave's help and doesn't want to owe anyone anything while Dave wants to take care of things. Some of Zara's family are not thrilled with Dave since he hasn't been around but he never backs down and keeps his focus on Zara and their daughter, Nicole.
This was the first time that I have listened to Teddy Hamilton and Seraphine Valentine's narration. I love romances that use two narrators and I thought that both of these narrators did a great job with their characters. There are a lot of emotions in this book and a few steamy moments and everything flowed flawlessly. I thought that they both did a great job with the different character voices. They both had very pleasant voices that made it easy to listen for hours at a time.
I highly recommend this book to fans of contemporary romances. This incredibly romantic story had all the things I was looking for when I decided to read it. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Dave was a hockey player which only made things better since I love a good sport romance. This is the fourth book in the True North series and also fits into the Brooklyn Bruisers series but I had no problems reading it as a stand alone. Of course, I do want to read all of the other books now!
I received a review copy of this audiobook from Blackstone Audio, Inc. via Audiobook Jukebox.
Initial Thoughts
This was an amazing book! I am floored by how much I ended up enjoying it. It was romantic and the characters were fantastic. I actually stayed up way past my bedtime because I had to see how it was going to end. I am someone that typically only listens to audiobooks while I am at work or doing a boring task around the house so the fact that I was sitting in a chair listening to this book while I should have been asleep is a huge deal. It just doesn't happen very often. The narrators were both fantastic. I can't believe that I haven't read Sarina Bowen before now but I can't wait to read more of her work very soon.
October 25, 2018
It was just ok.
The heroine owned her sexuality she wasn't a shy little virgin, and people from her town called her slutty Zara.. There's nothing wrong with women who enjoy sex. So I don't know why we women are called names just because we enjoy sex but men are called studs when they are manwhores? Like this hero there was way too many references of how he liked women, how he had sex with lots of women, I was ready to scream yes I got it. This just proved my point he was a stud while the heroine got called a slut. *smh*
This heroine also had a friends with benefits with the hero in book 1 and now she's best friends with his heroine, This was before she met the hero.
Is it bad I kinda half expected for him to say right away that he wanted to meet his child? But he doesn't.. His reaction wasn't what I expected, he was speechless and then his first words were "I'll call my lawyer for a paternity test." I guess is the right reaction but come on this is fiction, I kinda wanted him to say I want to meet her right now, I wanted him to fall in love with his redhead little girl. He wasn't that father, you know the one who falls in love with his baby once he meets her/him for the first time, No his relationship with her took time, I actually felt like he didn't really wanted to be her father.
I also needed clear confirmation if they were both celibate but I'm sure she was, she was the only one taking care of their daughter with the help of her family, he was a hockey player who was a manwhore before meeting her, he also said something that led me to believe he wasn't celibate. I also felt no chemistry between them.
"You must be desperate.”
“I am.” I rested my chin on her arm. “But not the way you mean. I’m a big boy, Z. I can go a couple of months without sex, if I know I’m going to see you again.” Her expression softened. “Of course, now that you’re here, I’m suddenly dying."
<====See this is what I'm talking about, after their month's hook up he knew he wasn't going to see her again when he left so it led me to believe he wasn't celibate.
It is what it is, nothing new here right?
There was a couple of things that I liked, her family, his sister and his team mates, I was wondering about them and I've come to find out that they have their own books. Don't know if reading them since the majority of them are second chances.
The heroine owned her sexuality she wasn't a shy little virgin, and people from her town called her slutty Zara.. There's nothing wrong with women who enjoy sex. So I don't know why we women are called names just because we enjoy sex but men are called studs when they are manwhores? Like this hero there was way too many references of how he liked women, how he had sex with lots of women, I was ready to scream yes I got it. This just proved my point he was a stud while the heroine got called a slut. *smh*
This heroine also had a friends with benefits with the hero in book 1 and now she's best friends with his heroine, This was before she met the hero.
Is it bad I kinda half expected for him to say right away that he wanted to meet his child? But he doesn't.. His reaction wasn't what I expected, he was speechless and then his first words were "I'll call my lawyer for a paternity test." I guess is the right reaction but come on this is fiction, I kinda wanted him to say I want to meet her right now, I wanted him to fall in love with his redhead little girl. He wasn't that father, you know the one who falls in love with his baby once he meets her/him for the first time, No his relationship with her took time, I actually felt like he didn't really wanted to be her father.
I also needed clear confirmation if they were both celibate but I'm sure she was, she was the only one taking care of their daughter with the help of her family, he was a hockey player who was a manwhore before meeting her, he also said something that led me to believe he wasn't celibate. I also felt no chemistry between them.
"You must be desperate.”
“I am.” I rested my chin on her arm. “But not the way you mean. I’m a big boy, Z. I can go a couple of months without sex, if I know I’m going to see you again.” Her expression softened. “Of course, now that you’re here, I’m suddenly dying."
<====See this is what I'm talking about, after their month's hook up he knew he wasn't going to see her again when he left so it led me to believe he wasn't celibate.
It is what it is, nothing new here right?
There was a couple of things that I liked, her family, his sister and his team mates, I was wondering about them and I've come to find out that they have their own books. Don't know if reading them since the majority of them are second chances.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2017
This series!!! People, I love this town, I love these characters, you must read it. Sarina Bowen has met all my expectations, and I am hopeful she will continue the True North series for years to come.
I guess we could call this one a surprise baby, but us readers have known about it for a while. Zara, that we’ve known and grown to like has been mentioned in all three previous books. If I remember the timeline correctly she was still pregnant in the last book. We get to go back to conception if you will and learn how Zara came to be in the predicament during BITTERSWEET. We got hints before, but no real details. Then book jumps two years in BOUNTIFUL. We have adorable and standout baby Nicole, who pulled at all my mommy heartstrings. Zara’s character has grown a lot, as motherhood tends to do to us. Our priorities are realigned, and things that used to be important, seem trivial.
But DAVE!!! He’s like a surprise present in this book. We get a sort of cross over from Sarina’s Ivy League and Brooklyn Bruisers series, and that was SO COOL. We get cameos from characters from other series and plenty of Audrey and Griff too. I loved how Dave embraced his fatherhood even if it was a shock to his life.
Two worlds collide and it’s perfect. I loved it, and dare say BOUNTIFUL is the best True North book to date.
November 6, 2017
Sarina Bowen’s True North series is consistently refreshing. All the books take place in the same sleepy Vermont farming town. While they involve interconnecting characters, each book is a standalone with a distinctly different feel. Bountiful is like a warm fuzzy blanket. It’s a cozy romance featuring a bartender/barista/baker, a baby, and a babe.
I used to think of Zara as the hardened bartender who got knocked up: baby daddy unknown. This book shows that she is so much more. I actually enjoyed her prickly edges in the beginning of the story, but I really connected with her humble yet strong maternal side. I loved her journey.
Oh, my aching ovaries! Give me a hunky hockey player snuggling with a baby, and I’m a goner. Dave may be a bit slow to clue in to the blessings right in front of him, but he’s a genuinely good man with an easygoing nature.
Bountiful reminds me of the old school romances that first attracted me to the genre. There’s realistic conflict without angst, and plenty of tender, loving moments. Well done.
Recommended for fans of:
Single moms
Coffee shops
Gingers
Pears
I used to think of Zara as the hardened bartender who got knocked up: baby daddy unknown. This book shows that she is so much more. I actually enjoyed her prickly edges in the beginning of the story, but I really connected with her humble yet strong maternal side. I loved her journey.
Oh, my aching ovaries! Give me a hunky hockey player snuggling with a baby, and I’m a goner. Dave may be a bit slow to clue in to the blessings right in front of him, but he’s a genuinely good man with an easygoing nature.
Bountiful reminds me of the old school romances that first attracted me to the genre. There’s realistic conflict without angst, and plenty of tender, loving moments. Well done.
Recommended for fans of:
Single moms
Coffee shops
Gingers
Pears
**ARC received in exchange for an honest review.**
December 5, 2024
Ngl I loved the premise of this helloooooo I am a sucker for “second chance” slash “omg we thought we would never see each other again” but I don’t think this was executed very well. I feel like a lot of stuff was just thrown in there briefly
April 17, 2020
accidental pregnancy with two-year separation...
really sweet !!
I loved the characters and the storyline...
really sweet !!
I loved the characters and the storyline...
October 20, 2017
This was absolutely FANTASTIC! Once I picked it up, I could not put it down. I loved watching these amazing characters come together. I love when a story really makes me feel and this book just gave me so much and I felt so full. The perfect mix of emotion, love, and heat!
I can't begin to tell you how excited I was to read this, I’ve been looking forward to Zara’s story since the first book, Bittersweet. The beginning was awesome - a seriously incredible way to kick of a story. Explosive is a good word. Everything around me faded away as I got to know Zara and Dave and it was absolutely perfect. These two had an unconventional start and I loved their off the charts chemistry and how they really got under each other's skin. Zara was so tough and in charge but so guarded. I was pretty much loving Dave from the start with his commanding attitude and strong presence. He was such a good guy and I really loved his walls coming down bit by bit, it had me so full of emotion watching him truly open up. Zara was amazing as well. I loved how she softened as a mom, how she'd grown and changed but still guarded her heart. How everything unfolded was exciting and fun but sweet and sexy, filled with moments of tension and and so much feeling.
The writing was spot on. I absolutely loved how the details were presented. It had a wonderful flow. I was so pulled in and filled with anticipation as I learned Dave and Zara’s histories and watched them fall in love. It had excellent development. I was thrilled when the timeline started so we really got to see Zara from the beginning. I loved all the secondary characters and getting updates from other characters in previous stories in this series. I also adored the connection to the hockey series, The Brooklyn Bruisers, and seeing Dave's teammates. That was was a fun addition. I liked the bit of drama that Zara's family brought to the table as well, it added just the right amount of tension. I loved Dave's sister and his relationship with her. I adored the baby… seriously, those daddy-child moments were the most precious things ever.
Bountiful was exciting and entertaining with some seriously awesome heat mixed in. It was just a wonderful story about these slightly broken people healing and coming together and falling in love and embracing the future and letting go of the past. It was AMAZING and hands down my favorite in the series so far! I loved this and the ending, man, it was exactly what I wanted. Absolutely perfect!
Complimentary copy received for honest review.
I can't begin to tell you how excited I was to read this, I’ve been looking forward to Zara’s story since the first book, Bittersweet. The beginning was awesome - a seriously incredible way to kick of a story. Explosive is a good word. Everything around me faded away as I got to know Zara and Dave and it was absolutely perfect. These two had an unconventional start and I loved their off the charts chemistry and how they really got under each other's skin. Zara was so tough and in charge but so guarded. I was pretty much loving Dave from the start with his commanding attitude and strong presence. He was such a good guy and I really loved his walls coming down bit by bit, it had me so full of emotion watching him truly open up. Zara was amazing as well. I loved how she softened as a mom, how she'd grown and changed but still guarded her heart. How everything unfolded was exciting and fun but sweet and sexy, filled with moments of tension and and so much feeling.
The writing was spot on. I absolutely loved how the details were presented. It had a wonderful flow. I was so pulled in and filled with anticipation as I learned Dave and Zara’s histories and watched them fall in love. It had excellent development. I was thrilled when the timeline started so we really got to see Zara from the beginning. I loved all the secondary characters and getting updates from other characters in previous stories in this series. I also adored the connection to the hockey series, The Brooklyn Bruisers, and seeing Dave's teammates. That was was a fun addition. I liked the bit of drama that Zara's family brought to the table as well, it added just the right amount of tension. I loved Dave's sister and his relationship with her. I adored the baby… seriously, those daddy-child moments were the most precious things ever.
Bountiful was exciting and entertaining with some seriously awesome heat mixed in. It was just a wonderful story about these slightly broken people healing and coming together and falling in love and embracing the future and letting go of the past. It was AMAZING and hands down my favorite in the series so far! I loved this and the ending, man, it was exactly what I wanted. Absolutely perfect!
Complimentary copy received for honest review.
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