The First Time

A Time for Love #2

by Amelia Stone

Jamy Rodgers is buried under a crushing weight of anxiety, even on the best of days. So when her best friend asks her to be the maid of honor at her dream wedding, she panics. A speech? A formal dress? Being on display for a hundred people for an entire day? There just isn't enough head space to compute all the ways this could go horribly, humiliatingly wrong.

Especially when the best man is her longtime the bride's twin brother, Sam Whitfield. He dropped out of her life when he moved away six years ago, hurting her deeply. And she's just not sure she can get over that.

Sam has been living in another country, and dating a woman he doesn't love, for way too long. Now he’s decided to move back home, just in time for his sister’s wedding. He's excited for the opportunity to make a fresh start.

Especially when starting over means reconnecting with his sister's best friend, who he's had a crush on for as long as he can remember. But there's a lot of history - and a lot of hurt - standing between him and the woman he's always wanted. If he can just get Jamy to forgive him, then the journey to happily ever after should be smooth sailing, right?

But forgiveness turns out to be the easy part. The real battle lies in falling in love - with each other, and with themselves.

144 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 4, 2017

About the author

Independent author of contemporary romance

Reviews

[Melanie (mells_view) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good read.

A pretty good second chance romance. More of a missed opportunity/miscommunication past instead of an actual romance, but still really good.

Jamy has a bit of anxiety, and some hang ups on other things which brings some angst into the relationship. Sam has a few flaws of his own, but when push comes to shove he comes through. There are some hot bits, and funny bits. All in all a good read.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love In The Time Of Anxiety

I'm worried that Amelia Stone is stalking me because this is twice in a row (first time being Desire) that her main female character has me saying "me af" pretty much on a loop while reading the story. Jamy is smart and creative and generous (not necessarily me) but she's also dealing with anxiety (totally me!). Sometimes she deals with it better than other times (definitely me) and it affects her life in major and minor ways (yup). Stone makes it all so real and so readable and I'm addicted to her words.

Then there's Sam. Not the typical romance hero - you know, the dark, brooding 6'3" muscle-bound billionaire with the rocket in his pants - Sam is handsome and fit, but not especially tall or endowed in a statistically improbably way. And he's a ginger. Jamy loves him like crazy because he's smart and fearless and patient. I love him because he's got a bit of a dominant streak and a filthy mouth.

Anyone else stumble over the name "Jamy"? Every time I read it on the page, I heard it in my head as "jammy," which made me think of jam and sandwiches and then, for some reason, jambalaya. It was all quite distracting and made me hungry. I could have finished the book in half the time except for all the snacks I had to stop for.

[Anna Hauser · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised that I got to revisit this group of friends in the second book. I did not realize that this series would do that. I enjoyed getting to know the main characters from the first book a little better as well as developing the characters in the friend group.

Jamy felt the most real of the bunch because I can identify with some of the issues she is trying to work through. I understand that these are short, fast-paced stories, but I really wish this one was a little bit longer because I found it hard to imagine and enjoy the romance. It felt very rushed. The main characters of this book felt like they had extreme character traits that also made it hard to see the two as a good, believable couple.

I do hope that the next book continues with this group of friends, but further develops the couples that have already been introduced.

[Raelene Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The hardest part about ending a book is not getting to find out what comes after the happy ending. This book gave me the after story of Hannah and Brian from One More Time, that I normally would have been left wondering about.

As for the main characters in this story-Jamy and Sam. I struggled with a love hate relationship with Jamy...I loved that she wasn’t perfect in every way but I hated how much she seemed to hate herself. She’s the kind of person I couldn’t be around ever I’m real life so it made it a struggle to read her parts at times. Sam is a sweet guy, Hannah’s twin, who is all in without put a second thought.

What I love about Amelia’s books is the glimpse of the story from the male point of view...even if it seems a bit far fetched sometimes.

[Alicia Frangos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I liked the first book a little more, I continued powering through and again, was able to relate to many parts of the story. The main character Jamy fought through her own personal insecurities throughout the entirety of the book, and as a female who has fought insecurity issue, I was easily able to put myself in her shoes. I am not really anxiety ridden as Jamyvis, so it was interesting to get into the head of someone who is, so to speak. It was also great to see how the main characters of the first story had developed and were sprinkled throughout this story. This was another quick and easy read that I was able to finish in just a few hours.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this whole three-book (so far) series back to back. They're all quick, comfy reads with enough heat to keep things interesting. There is some conflict and angst at time, sure; fortunately it's of the "this could happen in real life" variety and not the "oh my these characters are being so unrealistically dumb" variety. I appreciate that not all the heroines are tall and slim and lovely and porcelain pale. I also appreciate that the writing style and editing rarely interrupt the flow of my reading, which often happens when I pick up short romances.

[Lacey Mcbride Tibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book of the series continued with the conclusion of the love story from the last book and a new love story of two of their close friends. The main female character, Jamy, was very relatable with her insecurities and neuroses, and we got to see a more carnal relationship than in the first book...but there were not as many "juicy" moments in this one. It was a little slower paced but it was a great read that left me wanting for the next addition in the series!

[Lauren Bottoms · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book more than the first in the series, the characters seemed to have more depth and the story wasn't as predictable. You can't help but to fall in love with their story and the added twist of mental health and coping with anxieties was a bonus for me. I'm anxious to read the next in the series- I think I know where we're going!

[Jenn Hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed his book. I’ve never been a big fan of anything less than a muscled up beefcake in the books I read but I can definitely say this time the slim freckled hottie won my heart. I would love to see where their story goes in the future.

[Cassie zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great "Sequel"

I loved this book. There was a nice twist to it which I hadn't expected! The characters are great and the storyline is very believable. Looking forward to reading the next book.

[Francesca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite of the series! Amelia Stone has a way with making you fall in love with even the characters you would loathe in person! My heart kept beating fast through most of this book! She writes in a way where you can almost hear the characters and see them! Definitely a must read!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great steamy read. Short and to the point, but really draws you in.

[Kat Kaye Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never before have I so connected with a character in a book before. Jamy is brilliantly written, and her and Sam's story is incredible! Loved this SO much!

[Carollee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love that this picked up right after the first book. I like the characters and that this is such an easy story to read. Just enough romance and smut to keep it interesting.

[Danielle Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the relationship developing between the two main characters. Jamy is full of anxiety and insecure about who she is. She struggles to let Sam in. Little by little Jamy learns to love herself and begins to let Sam into her heart. I recommend this book for those looking for a couple who beat the odds together!

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamy is the character every anxiety ridden girl needs. She spoke to me in so many ways, making me feel like I am actually doing okay in life. I am not the only one who has all these feeling. I am not alone.

Amelia gave her the perfect counterpoint in Sam. He's real and relatable, and he's perfect for Jamy.


I don't think I've been this enthralled in my book on a commute ever. I didn't even notice I was at the train station until everyone was getting off the bus! Highly recommend.

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say that I liked the first book better. I liked this enough to keep reading it though. I liked Sam and Jamy but I felt there wasn't as that much character growth from either of them. The characters were believable which is what kept me reading. I can commiserate with Jamy and her anxiety and self-esteem issues; I just felt she didn't come out as strong as she could have.

[Steffie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I love Jamy's character. she was very relatable with her insecurities. The book ended so quickly, I hope the author continues the series.

[Erin Bonaffini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Relatable characters. Great at showing how different personalities can work in a relationship. A few hot love scenes but mostly about the characters feelings and emotions.