Somebody to Love

Ryker Falls #1

by Wendy Vella

He was the bad boy no one trusted

Bailey’s burned out and not sure what leads her back to Ryker Falls, but has a feeling it’s got something to do with closure. Bad boy Joe Trainer was once her soulmate, but she isn’t sure she has a soul anymore. Finding he’s made something of his life is a shock, as he’d been on a one-way trip to hell when she left. This new Joe is sexy and enticing, but she knows all too well there’s a devil underneath the urbane exterior.

She was the good girl who never broke the rules

When Joe’s childhood friend, Bailey Jones, returns to Ryker Falls his life suddenly shifts from settled to off-center. Once they’d been closer than anyone ever guessed. Now, they’re chilly strangers. But Joe’s not letting his stubborn, sexy-as-hell ex-best friend stay closed off. He lost her once through his own stupidity, this time he’s never letting her go. Joe knows he doesn’t deserve a second chance, but he’s never played by the rules before so he’s not starting now. Game on.

BOOKS IN THE SERIES
Somebody To Love
From This Moment
Love Me Tender
Only Just Begun
Hold Me Close

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Second Chance, Friends To Lovers, Small Town Romance, Amazon, Contemporary Romance

363 pages, ebook

First published December 20, 2017

About the author

Wendy Vella is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of historical romances filled with mystery, intrigue, unconventional heroines, and dashing heroes.

Connect with Wendy in her Facebook reader group facebook.com/groups/wendyvellareaders or sign up for her reader newsletter at WendyVella.com to get goodies, exclusive excerpts and behind-the-scenes peeks.


Wendy also writes small town contemporary romances under the name Lani Blake.

Reviews

[Katie]

I didn’t like the H. He didn’t listen to no because with perseverance, it became a yes. Or he’d not listen to her concerns as he wanted something. She’d just escaped a controlling relationship, which made what he was doing especially bad. I’d be enjoying the story and then would find myself cringing.

The author acknowledges this is wrong as she would have the h would call him out on it, as do side characters and the H would apologise but explain that he loses his head over her because he feels such a strong connection. However, it continues and nothing really changes in the end. Overall, it was quite a toxic match.

[Birgit · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad plot as such, but for me, the characters were acting quite wooden sometimes; furthermore, a male protagonist who does not accept "no" from the female protagonist and invades her personal space against her will is not cute or manly, but a predator. His behaviour in particular (regarding telling the truth, or his relation to another woman) are not something I would find recommendable in a relationship. Both protagonists were so much outside of what I find to be acceptable or realistic behaviour.

[Stacey Carr]

I unfortunately had to DNF this one. I am all about trying new authors and new books so I do that as often as I can. This one just wasn't for me. I felt like the relationship between Joe & Bailey was superficial and pushed on the reader. At 50% into the story, I was still trying to understand the dynamic of their relationship and whether or not it was organic (it didn't seem like it). I also wasn't that into the writing. I felt it was jumbled and trying to follow along was difficult.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (3/1/2023)! 🎁


💝 ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 💝

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet book with drama and action and heat and suspense. I loved it and can’t wait to read the rest of the series. I’m in love with the Trainer family!

[Isha Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

My familiarity with Ms. Vella's historical works made me a bit apprehensive about her contemporary works. In my mind I thought separating regency from modern day would prove difficult, but Somebody to Love was a pleasant surprise. In fact I think I love her contemporary work more. When the teenage bad boy matures into the man with a plan, the once stable footing of young love becomes topsy turvy. Can the girl that lost her way, find home in the arms of her first love? Bailey and Joe are true to live examples of sentiment and second chance. A poem composed with the heart as it's captive audience.

[Em__Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

As youths, Joe Trainer and Bailey Jones declared themselves “friends for life”. This friendship sadly did not stand the test of time when Bailey, at the age of 13, moved away when her parents separated.

Fast forward 15 years and Bailey is back in Ryker Falls. Having lived a suffocating existence as a concert pianist under the firm control of her grandfather, an accident offers Bailey the opportunity to take stock and decide she no longer wants her current life. She embarks on a journey to discover both herself and determine what she really wants from life.

Bailey is an interesting character in the sense that she may have led a pampered life but she has been so sheltered that she never learned basic life skills. As the book progresses, she grows in confidence the more she is able to take control of her own life, the money she’s earned and the skills she’s gained.

The one thing she cannot seem to control is Joe and her feelings for him. Joe is happy to see his old friend back in town. He has been back in Ryker Falls for years and has built a life and future for himself after a very rocky start involving an abusive parent and himself running off the rails in his teenage years.

Joe’s feelings for Bailey have progressed beyond friendship but he is struggling to get the ever-skittish Bailey to talk to him and spend time with him. She is wary of someone else having control of her life and destiny.

Added to this stop-start relationship, there’s the mystery of who is trying to cause physical harm to Bailey.

I found the pace of the book quite slow for the first half, especially the beginning where the author felt it necessary to introduce us to many of the townsfolk in the first 10%. The pace definitely picked up in the latter half of the book. Not only did Bailey relax enough to open up about her former life and what happened to her, but we saw a lot more action with a killer on the loose. Joe and Bailey’s journey was presented in an emotional manner but the issues and problems that arose for other characters and the mystery element were dealt with quickly and in a matter-of-fact way. I found this somewhat disconcerting, especially the ease with which some characters had a change of heart.

Even with the suspense element, I found this to be an overall light read.

I received an advance review copy of this book.

[Chalice · Rating 4 out of 5]

The couple: Joe and Bailey

Romance trope: second chance
Series: Ryker Falls
Length: 363 pages

Plot: Bailey is back in Ryker Falls after fifteen years and of course the first person she runs into is the boy - now man - who used to be her best friend. Joe has never forgotten Bailey and now she's back. He won't let her slip away so easily this time, but she's got walls around her after having escaped the strict rule of her grandfather. Joe and Bailey have plenty of chances for miscommunication but once they get on the same page, they find that the friendship of long ago is changing into an enduring love.

Commentary: I loved this one - so sweet! I did get frustrated with the push/pull, especially with how Bailey was constantly pulling away and Joe was constantly getting mad in return. I think that both of them needed to calm down and try to put themselves in the other's shoes. There was one point where Bailey was sad because she thought that all she and Joe did was misunderstand each other and get mad, and she wasn't wrong. Obviously, a crisis made it easier for them to overlook some of that and decide they were end game after all.

Next book in the series: From This Moment

[S. Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I was given an opportunity to read Somebody To Love in return for an honest review.

This was my first Contemporary written by Wendy Vella ~ she has quickly become one of my favorite Historical Romance authors and I now must add her to another genre!

Somebody To Love had me from the beginning! Not quite a second chance romance, but close – the two main characters knew one another during a time that their age gap would have been awkward for “love”, but Ms. Vella did a beautiful job of creating a backstory around friendship that shaped them and the relationship they would later get the opportunity to explore.

Joe Trainer is a sexy, reformed bad boy with many layers. It was beautiful to read what an impact Bailey had on him throughout his life and the lengths he went to in order to keep a part of her close.

Bailey Jones is a world-renowned pianist with a life most would envy, but little by little we the readers learn it isn’t everything it’s cracked up to be. Bailey is trapped in her own life and finds refuge in Ryker Falls; the home she misses where the only two people she has ever considered friends still live. Unfortunately, she isn’t looking forward to seeing Joe Trainer.

Joe doesn’t plan to let Bailey go without a fight this time, but does she have anything to offer? Bailey has been shut off from emotion for so long she’s afraid that if she opens herself up she will have her heart broken by Joe again and this time in a potentially more devastating way.

Ms. Vella has created a world of engaging characters that pull you in and make you a part of it! Somebody To Love is filled with strong characters, a wonderful plot with enough twists to leave you guessing and the Happily Ever After we all crave! I look forward to reading the next in the series!!

[Pelusa Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have a long lost love, second chance used to be best friend story Bailey returns to Ryker Falls a place that she had been for the first 13 years of her life, she leaves and does not have the best life. She is closed off and even though she is with a friend Maggie she doesn't let people in. Then Joe comes and he was the bad boy but a friend and now he is all grown up and made something of himself and wondering about Bailey and even though she tries to push him away he will not let that happe

[Mo ♡]

DNF
I got more then halfway through BUT it was just so boring, the characters were so annoying and I was forcing myself to continue it.
Until I realised that I literally have free will 💀 and I can stop whenever i want. So I probably won't be continuing this series unfortunately. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Kathryn Munsell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story!

Friendship, love, mystery, danger and did I say love? Wonderful characters that were well described and seemed to blend so well together.

[Allurah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really tempted to DNF this book a few times and I'm not sure why I finished it. I didn't like the MMC much and I really started to hate him when he never listened when the FMC said no. She tried so hard to push herself out of her comfort zone and learn to stand up for herself and set boundaries, and he ignored them and pushed past them every damn time. He was so disrespectful and when he started to get physically pushy when she said no, my skin just crawled.

What do you call a man who hears a woman say no and he pushes ahead anyway, ignoring her boundaries and her distress? Definitely NOT an MMC I want to read at the very least and definitely not an author I'll read again if consent means nothing to them.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story. Emotional and heart warming. Unfortunately this kind of thing happens in the real world. Loved it. Book 2 here I come.

[Feija · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️ I loved this book!!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to the series!
A love story, that started years ago, when they were just teenagers, a mystery, that had me guessing till the end and the typical good writing of Lani Blake. What more could I ask for?

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

BaileyJones and Joe Trainer became friends as children from backgrounds. Bailey rich and Joe poor so no one knew of their friendship. Separated from each other when she was thirteen, he was sixteen. Then fifteen years later she comes back town and Joe is there too. Great story and Great read!😀😁

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was a lot in life Joe couldn’t stomach like grocery shopping, brussel sprouts.Bit asked Joe if he was ok and he told her he just wanted a guy’s shampoo. Joe studied the tiny woman standing at his side. He’d only ever known her as bit but she was actually Mrs. Rosemary Yardley. Bailey Jones had made an impression in his life the two years she was in it. But it had been fifteen years years and it was time to let her go. Then he realized it was Bailey and she realized it was Joe and said hello. He still remembered the last words she had said to him. Bailey had been the best friend he ever had and at thirteen Bailey understood him better than anyone.She had been the one person who believed in him. She had tired eyes now. He asked if she was here for a vacation and she said yes but she wasn’t sure for how long yet. They were strangers now. Of all the scenarios he had thought about this day if it ever came. It hadn’t played out like this. Joe thought they’d laugh, discuss the past like old friends. Instead they were uncomfortable with each other. Joe said he knew she was in Boston by Maggie who was proud of her famous friend. Bailey said once famous that now she didn’t do that now. Joe shot her a puzzled look and saw that she wasn’t as composed as she seemed. Her eyes were darker, a sure sign she was emotional. Joe remembered that and so much more. Now she was a twenty eight year old beautiful woman. Joe said he heard she was wooing crowds. Bailey said no not for months. She also said she was taking a break. His friend Fin came up to him after Bailey had thanked him for his help. They had been friends for awhile, both had pasts that were best left behind. Joe had a feeling his life was about to be flipped on its head after leaving the store. Bailey tried to regroup after she left the store. She was no longer the thirteen year old girl who thought the sun rose and set because of joe. Friends for life he had said but eventually she’d realized how foolish she was to believe him. Maggie had kept in touch with her childhood friend Maggie by writing a letter each week. She had never asked about Joe because no one knew what they meant to each other. A year ago, her life had derailed and she’d been unsettled ever since. Three months ago she packed her things and took to the road but in her heart she knew she was heading here. Joe’s inner peace had been shattered two days ago when he found Bailey on the grocery store. Joe had open and now owned a bar. He bought the place five years ago and ran it.
I loved this romantic read. I loved that Bailey found the strength to get out from under her grandfather. This was well written I rooted for Bailey and Joe from the minute they ran into each other in the store and even more so when she stuck up for Joe, each holding back how they really felt for each other. I loved the mystery and intrigue in this book. I loved that Joe’s and bailey’s connection was still there with sexual heat thrown in. there was a lot to this book: romance, danger, a controlling grandfather, drama , murder, ex fiances, intrigue, fame, villain, bad boy turned good, abuse, and soulmates. This had my attention from beginning to end. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I highly recommend it.

[Mrs Barbara Cunliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Well what a great book, a first for me , never read anything by this author before. Would definitely recommend her.

[Cheri innis · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely story

I loved this story! It was like a lifetime of living in a shortened version of a book. I truly enjoyed the suspense, laughter, love story . Thank you, can’t wait to read more

[Colleen Pascavage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book.

Different series then the last series but filled with the same amount of suspense. Non stop reading. Look forward to the rest of the series!

[Mrs Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

After having read kkost of Wendy's books which are set in my favourite era I was a little wary of reading something set in current day. What a very pleasant surprise I got from this book, I couldn't put it down! Suspense, Murder, And a wonderful storyline which I'm looking forward to continuing on with in the other Ryker Falls books!

[KateZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find I'm getting picky in my old age. Although it's probably more that I've read so many romance books since I started 3 years ago.

So it is rare for me to give 5 stars unless the writing and storyline are excellent. In this case they both were. The book was very easy to read and the story just flowed. I quickly became invested in wondering what happened when Joe and Bailey were younger.

The ending was tidied up a little too easy but still a great read.

[Brooke · Rating 1 out of 5]

Somebody to Love was a big miss for me. Usually I try to have at least one positive thing to say about a book even if I didn't like it but this one is just a no all around. The writing was weird and stilted at times, the characters were not developed well, and the pacing was so boring. The H Joe was a pushy and sometimes mean guy who would not take no for an answer. Bailey, the h, was a pushover, whiny, and way too naive.

[Marissa Chavez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bailey + Joe = ❤

After fifteen years apart Bailey and Joe were together again. I loved how he didn't give up on her when she clearly wasn't ready for a relationship. Their story was so beautifully written. I loved everything about it. Can't wait to read more all the Trainer 's. I loved getting to know about his family.

[Pauline|that alt mom · Rating 1 out of 5]

I will not be finishing this book. I don’t care about the characters, or their stories. I found the ark ting to be quite confusing at times. Like, why end a chapter of your continuing the scene with the same characters, in the same location, just seconds later. I didn’t like Joe’s behavior after their first kiss, his flirting is also pretty terrible.

[Cindy Boesl · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok and I see why it didn’t have all great reviews. Glad I read this one last instead of first. I might not have continued.

Epilogue didn’t mention what happened to her grandfather or if he released her money. That’s disappointing when that topic was a pretty big issue thru the book.

[IsaRay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan, especially the writing style was distracting. In a real-life conversation between 2 people, you don't say the other person's first name in every sentence. Comical when you read some conversations out loud. Fought to read it out, ending very predictable.

[sandy dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryker community

I have enjoyed reading this book and the characters are wonderful thanks, onto the next book in the series. First time reading this authors book a little suspense will keep you on your toes.

[Mrs MJH Compton-Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good story, had a job to put this one down, good one Wendy TY.