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Sarah #1
Searching for Sarah
The first in a three book series called Searching for Sarah. Come meet Sarah and begin her journey....
Sarah Keller is convinced that her Mr. Right is stuck in traffic…in another country…on another planet. ‘Thirty-one and still single’ isn’t how she wants to be introduced by her dad. That’s why she’s on five dating websites, posing as anything from an avid gardener to a crazed thrill seeker.
Sam Turner is a single dad, workaholic, who owns his own company. Long-term relationships have never worked out for him. That’s why he needs a nanny.
When a mutual friend suggests Sarah take the job temporarily, everything changes for them both. Sarah begins falling for the man who meets almost none of her online criteria. And when strange things start happening—things that jeopardize the safety of Sarah, Sam is the last person she would imagine is hiding something.
Sarah Keller is convinced that her Mr. Right is stuck in traffic…in another country…on another planet. ‘Thirty-one and still single’ isn’t how she wants to be introduced by her dad. That’s why she’s on five dating websites, posing as anything from an avid gardener to a crazed thrill seeker.
Sam Turner is a single dad, workaholic, who owns his own company. Long-term relationships have never worked out for him. That’s why he needs a nanny.
When a mutual friend suggests Sarah take the job temporarily, everything changes for them both. Sarah begins falling for the man who meets almost none of her online criteria. And when strange things start happening—things that jeopardize the safety of Sarah, Sam is the last person she would imagine is hiding something.
240 pages, Paperback
Published April 27, 2017
About the author
Julieann Dove
19 books853 followersJulieann lives in Virginia, yet longs to live everywhere else. It doesn’t come as a surprise that along with her gypsy soul, comes an active imagination. That’s why she loves to write and invent worlds and people, so that she can formulate their happily ever after. Hobbies include cooking new recipes, sewing, and spending time with her cute boyfriend/husband and eight fabulous children. Vacations happen in Nantucket or the Carolina beaches—anywhere there is inspiration for her next book. One day she hopes to travel to Italy, drive one of those little cars around the countryside, and speak the language fluently!
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 6, 2017
beta read, looking forward to book 2
March 27, 2017
Thank you to Net Galley and CrushStar Multimedia for an ARC of this title. I was happily going along with this book, really enjoying it...but the ending? I'm going to warn you now, that it literally leaves you hanging...I don't mind series...but I don't like feeling like I've just watched a mid season finale of a TV show and have to wait for it to pick right back up. I'd have liked some closure. That said...if you know this ahead of time...it's a very good book. I enjoyed the characters, that there was some mystery to it, and I enjoyed the plot...romance, but not sappy. I'm giving this a 3 only because I stayed up until 1a reading, and wouldn't have, had I known it ended so abruptly. For all other things review related, I'd give it a 4.
May 26, 2017
Fair warning: this book ends on a cliffhanger… but what a ride!!
Searching for Sarah is written with a great voice and a great sense of humor. The characters are multi-faceted, and the plot is really layered. Sarah, our heroine, is a delightfully eclectic character with whom readers will instantly relate, even if they haven’t had her particular woes. Sam is nearly Sarah’s polar opposite, but the chemistry between them is off the charts! And then there’s Andrew… everything Sarah’s looking for in a guy … but the spark isn’t there for her. Not with Sam brooding and smoldering and grinning and kissing her on a regular basis. (I can’t say I blame her)
There’s also a hint of a suspense between the lines of this romance, and boy does it pack a wallop when it comes to fruition! Hence the cliffhanger … and I’m itching to find out more about the next book in the series. Because honestly? I don’t know how I want it to play out. Which, to me, is the mark of good writing.
Bottom Line: Searching for Sarah is a compelling start to this new series from Julieann Dove. Readers will be engaged from the beginning and – while they may question some of Sarah’s (and Sam’s) choices – they will be invested in finding out what happens between them. Well written with touches of humor and the right amount of sizzle, Sarah’s story is a great way to spend a weekend!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
see my review at Reading Is My SuperPower
Searching for Sarah is written with a great voice and a great sense of humor. The characters are multi-faceted, and the plot is really layered. Sarah, our heroine, is a delightfully eclectic character with whom readers will instantly relate, even if they haven’t had her particular woes. Sam is nearly Sarah’s polar opposite, but the chemistry between them is off the charts! And then there’s Andrew… everything Sarah’s looking for in a guy … but the spark isn’t there for her. Not with Sam brooding and smoldering and grinning and kissing her on a regular basis. (I can’t say I blame her)
There’s also a hint of a suspense between the lines of this romance, and boy does it pack a wallop when it comes to fruition! Hence the cliffhanger … and I’m itching to find out more about the next book in the series. Because honestly? I don’t know how I want it to play out. Which, to me, is the mark of good writing.
Bottom Line: Searching for Sarah is a compelling start to this new series from Julieann Dove. Readers will be engaged from the beginning and – while they may question some of Sarah’s (and Sam’s) choices – they will be invested in finding out what happens between them. Well written with touches of humor and the right amount of sizzle, Sarah’s story is a great way to spend a weekend!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
see my review at Reading Is My SuperPower
May 3, 2017
I liked Sarah as a main character, she was relatable and real. The story on the whole was very enjoyable, but I didn't like the way the story ended - it seems to just stop. I know there's going to be another book, but the ending felt hurried. I hope to read the next book whenever it releases, hopefully it'll be soon.
I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.
I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.
July 24, 2017
Oh my did I end up really loving this book! I thought the beginning hooked me so easily, and I loved following Sarah Keller and her searching-for-Mr.Right-ways. She was so likeable yet with several flaws, which made her easier to relate to. The romance that begins to brew between her and Sam Turner had me so curious. They are two very different people, but I felt the sparks leaping from the page. Things almost got a little rushed for me toward the end until … the plot twist. Oh my word did I not see that coming! And now I am itching to get my hands on book two in this series! Highly recommend Searching For Sarah for women’s fiction fans!
I received a review copy
I received a review copy
May 29, 2017
Searching for Sarah is a bit of an enigma. It's an incredibly engaging, quick read, and I found myself swept into Sarah's story. In fact, after a couple chapters, I was so engaged in the book that I read the rest of it in one sitting. (I would say there's an above average number of typos and instances of awkward wording, though, and they did detract from the story.)
In spite of the engaging nature of the book, I struggled to get behind Sarah as a main character. She is 32-years-old, but she acts more like she's 22. She dates a string of losers, and when she meets Sam, a man with a house, a good job, and a daughter, she immediately disqualifies him as a romantic prospect because she imagined figuring out adulthood with her Mr. Right, rather than being with someone who already has a stable life. I get having to give up on some of your romantic dreams (hello, 35-year-old single here!), but I simply couldn't understand Sarah's thought process.
Also, while I suppose this is technically a "clean" read, there are a few minor curse words, some sensual (and unnecessarily descriptive) kisses, and, most troubling to me, Sarah has a very casual attitude toward sex ... basically. It's clear she normally sleeps with (and often moves in with) her boyfriends, but she says that once she finds "the one," she wants to wait until her wedding night. Not only did I once again not understand Sarah's thought process, but I wished I would have known about these content issues before reading the book.
Content problems aside, I really think Searching for Sarah doesn't quite know what it wants to be. Is it a romance? Is it a family drama? For 3/4 of the novel, it's clearly a romance, but then it suddenly veers into family drama territory. There's a twist at that point that seemed to come so far out of left field that I found it virtually unbelievable, and it set events in motion that will continue into the next book.
And here's the thing: even though I've had many more negative than positive things to say about Searching for Sarah, I am interested in reading the sequel. As I said at the beginning of the review, it's incredibly engaging, and I want to know what happens with Sarah and Sam. But I also don't think I can recommend the book to others. 2-1/2 stars.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for review. I was not requried to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
In spite of the engaging nature of the book, I struggled to get behind Sarah as a main character. She is 32-years-old, but she acts more like she's 22. She dates a string of losers, and when she meets Sam, a man with a house, a good job, and a daughter, she immediately disqualifies him as a romantic prospect because she imagined figuring out adulthood with her Mr. Right, rather than being with someone who already has a stable life. I get having to give up on some of your romantic dreams (hello, 35-year-old single here!), but I simply couldn't understand Sarah's thought process.
Also, while I suppose this is technically a "clean" read, there are a few minor curse words, some sensual (and unnecessarily descriptive) kisses, and, most troubling to me, Sarah has a very casual attitude toward sex ... basically. It's clear she normally sleeps with (and often moves in with) her boyfriends, but she says that once she finds "the one," she wants to wait until her wedding night. Not only did I once again not understand Sarah's thought process, but I wished I would have known about these content issues before reading the book.
Content problems aside, I really think Searching for Sarah doesn't quite know what it wants to be. Is it a romance? Is it a family drama? For 3/4 of the novel, it's clearly a romance, but then it suddenly veers into family drama territory. There's a twist at that point that seemed to come so far out of left field that I found it virtually unbelievable, and it set events in motion that will continue into the next book.
And here's the thing: even though I've had many more negative than positive things to say about Searching for Sarah, I am interested in reading the sequel. As I said at the beginning of the review, it's incredibly engaging, and I want to know what happens with Sarah and Sam. But I also don't think I can recommend the book to others. 2-1/2 stars.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for review. I was not requried to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
April 27, 2017
3.5 stars
At the age of 31, Sarah Keller can't seem to stick with a career and hasn't had any luck finding Mr. Right. After being introduced by an acquaintance to Sam Turner, she becomes a live-in nanny to the great-niece he is now raising. Despite a sizable age difference between Sam and Sarah, a mutual attraction develops between the two. Sarah will have to decide whether to continue searching for her ideal future husband or open her eyes to the possibility that her future is right in front of her.
Sarah is truly a relatable character for all of us that still hadn't figured everything out by the time we turned 30. Humor was used well throughout the book and I enjoyed Sarah's interactions with other characters. I really loved the book but was disappointed by the ending.
My main problem with the ending is that it felt so rushed. It felt like there was too much going on in the last few chapters. I wouldn't have minded extra chapters so the ending could flow as well as the rest of the book. This is the first book in a series and the book finishes with a storyline that I assume will be picked up in the next book.
I received a free copy of the ebook in exchange for a fair and honest review.
At the age of 31, Sarah Keller can't seem to stick with a career and hasn't had any luck finding Mr. Right. After being introduced by an acquaintance to Sam Turner, she becomes a live-in nanny to the great-niece he is now raising. Despite a sizable age difference between Sam and Sarah, a mutual attraction develops between the two. Sarah will have to decide whether to continue searching for her ideal future husband or open her eyes to the possibility that her future is right in front of her.
Sarah is truly a relatable character for all of us that still hadn't figured everything out by the time we turned 30. Humor was used well throughout the book and I enjoyed Sarah's interactions with other characters. I really loved the book but was disappointed by the ending.
My main problem with the ending is that it felt so rushed. It felt like there was too much going on in the last few chapters. I wouldn't have minded extra chapters so the ending could flow as well as the rest of the book. This is the first book in a series and the book finishes with a storyline that I assume will be picked up in the next book.
I received a free copy of the ebook in exchange for a fair and honest review.
July 31, 2017
I enjoyed this book and will be reading the second. It was funny and well written. The reason, that I gave it four and not five stars, is that is that the two main characters became quite frustrating and the ending was very abrupt (there are cliffhangers and then there is ending in the middle of a story line.)
I will be reading the second because I do want my closure.
I received this complimentary copy, in exchange for my honest review.
I will be reading the second because I do want my closure.
I received this complimentary copy, in exchange for my honest review.
May 21, 2017
I really liked this story. It jumped right into the storyline which some people may not like but it didn't bother me. I thought the characters were well developed and I could honestly feel her struggle being the caregiver and the pull to find her own life (and love). I was rooting for her and Sam to get together and I thought it all happened pretty organically. I didn't feel like it was two strangers pushed together- but more a gradual build. My only disappointment was the ending. It ended so suddenly and abruptly I wondered if I was missing something- or perhaps pages of the book? I later came to find out that this was book 1...so I guess that explains it but I think there could have been a less obtrusive way to end book 1. I look forward to the next one as I am totally hanging! ( I also want to mention that the cover is insanely adorable!)
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review.
June 28, 2017
Searching for Sarah follows a down-on-her-luck law student who needs a place to live immediately. She soon finds herself caring for little Sophie in exchange for a rent free room and thoroughly entangled in a bizarre set of relationships. The story was very complex with surprising twists.
May 6, 2017
I liked Sarah, the main character. She was real and likable. The story was enjoyable as well. As a whole I enjoyed the book. However the ending, just sort of happened. There wasn't a gradual slope to the ending, it just stopped. I know there is another installment coming and I am looking forward to that. Hopefully it'll explain the ending in this book because it left me feeling like, "wait, what?"
It is a good book, worth the read, just be forewarned about the ending - but at least there is another book on the way!
For my full review, go to:
http://bookjunkiemom.blogspot.com/201...
It is a good book, worth the read, just be forewarned about the ending - but at least there is another book on the way!
For my full review, go to:
http://bookjunkiemom.blogspot.com/201...
May 7, 2017
On the whole I enjoyed this book and the characters. I felt it dragged a bit in the middle because of Sarah's indecision about everything, however, it picked up again quickly and I was thoroughly engrossed in the story when I turned the page for the next chapter and it wasn't there!!! A very abrupt ending but there is another book to pick up the story so I am looking forward to reading that when it's released, hopefully not too long to wait for it.
June 6, 2017
I think I'm still searching for Sarah
I got into the book, everything unravels and then moments later, wham, it ended, leaving a lot of plot points unanswered. I can appreciate a good cliffhanger, but only when it makes sense in the story and isn't just an arbitrary ending point. If you need to know how something ends, hold off on reading this book till the sequel's out. I'd rate it PG-13.
I got into the book, everything unravels and then moments later, wham, it ended, leaving a lot of plot points unanswered. I can appreciate a good cliffhanger, but only when it makes sense in the story and isn't just an arbitrary ending point. If you need to know how something ends, hold off on reading this book till the sequel's out. I'd rate it PG-13.
July 7, 2017
I wasn't sure about Sarah's relationship choice. I felt that she was swept up a little bit too easily with Sam Turner; from being in an avoidance mindset and set standards, to being enthralled by him. I liked how she encouraged her friend at the restaurant. I got a copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 5, 2023
Sarah’s looking for her match. Endless relationships shattered. Enter Sam and his great niece. A job at his house and watching the little girl. He’s older. It can’t work. What a cliffhanger at the end.
July 5, 2017
This was a good story with a twist at the end. I felt it was a cliffhanger ending though and was not warned about it or I would not have read it. I really want to read book #2 though to find out how it works out because it was a good story line.
I was given a copy to read from Chick Lit Plus to Read and Review if I chose to do so. I was not compensated for this review.
I was given a copy to read from Chick Lit Plus to Read and Review if I chose to do so. I was not compensated for this review.
April 28, 2017
Sarah is 31 and single - she has tried everything on dating websites but to no avail - surely there must be someone for her out there!
Sam is a workaholic and so needs a nanny for his child and when he is introduced to Sarah by a mutual friend he takes her on and unbelievably the sparks start to fly - on paper they should never be matched - nothing about Sam matches her online profiles......and they are pretty varied......can she really find love in the most unlikely place
I really enjoyed this book which ended rather suddenly but then there are two more books to come so looking forward to them
Sam is a workaholic and so needs a nanny for his child and when he is introduced to Sarah by a mutual friend he takes her on and unbelievably the sparks start to fly - on paper they should never be matched - nothing about Sam matches her online profiles......and they are pretty varied......can she really find love in the most unlikely place
I really enjoyed this book which ended rather suddenly but then there are two more books to come so looking forward to them
May 2, 2017
I felt like the book just jumped right into things and it took me a minute to get into the groove. I felt like I missed reading the first chapter or two, but once I got going, I got caught up in things and enjoyed it. Sarah is over thirty and hasn't been lucky in love yet. With her determined, yet cheerful, attitude about her situation, she is a very likable character. Sarah is also an old soul. With a fractured background, she's got a lot of experience to draw on, yet she still seems to hold back her true self. I love the bits of humor infused throughout, as Sarah emerges into the woman she's meant to be.
Sarah finds herself in dire straits and ends up moving in with a much older man to basically nanny his young daughter. I love the bond that forms between these two little ladies almost immediately. I also love a good romance. An undeniable attraction begins to smolder between Sarah and Sam and she has to come to terms with sacrificing some life-long romance dreams or choosing another potential suitor.
The characters feel refreshingly unique and the strands of emotion floating through the pages snagged different pieces of my heart. My mommy heart twitched more than once, as did my friend heart. For all of Sarah's efforts, she appears to be lonely and lacking in friends. She also seems to give relationship her all, which leads to a trampled heart.
About 3/4 of the way through, the plot picks up in a way that caught me off guard. Events happen very quickly and a thread that I hadn't caught onto surfaced and left me reeling. I was stunned when it just ended...on a cliffhanger, no less. That ending--gah!! Things almost moved too quickly, but I'm hoping it will all be resolved in the later books. I thought I knew exactly how things were going to end and now I'm completely stumped. I definitely want to continue on with the series to find out what happens.
Content: mild language; mild+ romance (kissing, innuendo, talk of cheating/affairs).
*I received a copy through the tour host which didn't affect my opinion. A favorable review was not required and all thoughts are my own.*
Sarah finds herself in dire straits and ends up moving in with a much older man to basically nanny his young daughter. I love the bond that forms between these two little ladies almost immediately. I also love a good romance. An undeniable attraction begins to smolder between Sarah and Sam and she has to come to terms with sacrificing some life-long romance dreams or choosing another potential suitor.
The characters feel refreshingly unique and the strands of emotion floating through the pages snagged different pieces of my heart. My mommy heart twitched more than once, as did my friend heart. For all of Sarah's efforts, she appears to be lonely and lacking in friends. She also seems to give relationship her all, which leads to a trampled heart.
About 3/4 of the way through, the plot picks up in a way that caught me off guard. Events happen very quickly and a thread that I hadn't caught onto surfaced and left me reeling. I was stunned when it just ended...on a cliffhanger, no less. That ending--gah!! Things almost moved too quickly, but I'm hoping it will all be resolved in the later books. I thought I knew exactly how things were going to end and now I'm completely stumped. I definitely want to continue on with the series to find out what happens.
Content: mild language; mild+ romance (kissing, innuendo, talk of cheating/affairs).
*I received a copy through the tour host which didn't affect my opinion. A favorable review was not required and all thoughts are my own.*
January 8, 2018
I would say maybe more like 3.5 stars for this. I am interested in the sequel though. The final couple plot twists really hooked me.
This is about Sarah, a thirty-something who has had a long list of relationships that have gone nowhere. She really wants to meet someone and settle down.
After a friend of a friend has to move away, Sarah gets the job as live-in nanny for an older man named Sam. She will live in his house and take care of his three-year-old. Desperate for somewhere to live, she agrees.
As can be expected, she starts to fall for Sam. But what about their age difference? And who is it that he's always yelling on the phone with? What's his secret?
This was a decent book. Like I said, it really picked up toward the end. I found Sarah's attitude toward dating ridiculous. She could literally never shut up about how she needed to find "the one" and her problem was always scaring them away by talking about marriage and kids too soon (like, the second or third date). It just got really old, really fast.
And while I appreciate that she didn't fall in love with Sam the second he opened the door, like plenty of novels I've read recently, I just wanted to scream at her every time she told him "I'm sure we can find a woman for you too. Anyone would be blind not to like you." Really now?
Overall, I think maybe the author just put a little too much build up. We could probably just cut some of the middle chapters and move some of book 2 into this one (though I've not read that one yet so I can't say for certain).
This is about Sarah, a thirty-something who has had a long list of relationships that have gone nowhere. She really wants to meet someone and settle down.
After a friend of a friend has to move away, Sarah gets the job as live-in nanny for an older man named Sam. She will live in his house and take care of his three-year-old. Desperate for somewhere to live, she agrees.
As can be expected, she starts to fall for Sam. But what about their age difference? And who is it that he's always yelling on the phone with? What's his secret?
This was a decent book. Like I said, it really picked up toward the end. I found Sarah's attitude toward dating ridiculous. She could literally never shut up about how she needed to find "the one" and her problem was always scaring them away by talking about marriage and kids too soon (like, the second or third date). It just got really old, really fast.
And while I appreciate that she didn't fall in love with Sam the second he opened the door, like plenty of novels I've read recently, I just wanted to scream at her every time she told him "I'm sure we can find a woman for you too. Anyone would be blind not to like you." Really now?
Overall, I think maybe the author just put a little too much build up. We could probably just cut some of the middle chapters and move some of book 2 into this one (though I've not read that one yet so I can't say for certain).
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