So This is Love

Miami Stories #1

by Brooke St. James

Abigail Spencer loved her job. She was a marine biologist who maintained some of Miami's most spectacular ponds and aquariums. She had the opportunity to travel around the city, meeting new people and working in beautiful locations. So, even though it was just another day at the office when she suddenly met the man of her dreams, she wasn't in an office at all. Every girl imagines meeting her prince charming. It's doubtful, however, that any of these fantasies include it happening when they're soaked with sweat and knee-deep in pond scum. Fate can be funny that way.

Genres: Romance, Christian Romance, Contemporary, Clean Romance, Christian, Christian Fiction, Fiction

227 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 9, 2018

About the author

Brooke St. James is a USA Today bestselling author and Amazon Kindle All-Star. She writes contemporary romance novels with Christian and inspirational themes and happy endings. She was born and raised in south Louisiana but has had the opportunity to travel and live throughout the U.S. An avid reader, writer, audio book addict, and fan of all things artistic, Brooke constantly has her hands in some creative activity. She's currently back home in Louisiana enjoying life with her husband, children, and two lazy dogs.

To find out more about Brooke visit her Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/brookesaintj...

Her Official website at:
http://www.brookesaintjames.com/

Follow her on Twitter or Instagram:
@brooke_stjames

To join her mailing list or for specific inquiries:
brookesaintjames@gmail.com

Listen to her audiobooks on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@BrookeStJames

Reviews

[Baylie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started off good but it lacked substance and ended very abruptly! Still enjoyed her writing tho.

[Tiffany Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sigh . . . I'm verklempt!

What a great book! The main characters' backgrounds are refreshingly original. So many romances are formulaic or copycats of other books out there. Additionally, the chemistry between Ash and Abigail is so strong it's practically tangible. This book is the perfect mix of sweet and spicy. Read it!

[Rebecca Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good as always!

I couldn't put it down. I am always so excited to read Brooke's books that even if I am in the middle of another book I immediately switch. She never disappoints.

[Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Unexpected Romance

This is a beautiful unexpected romance to begin this new journey with more love and family and friends find their way to their own love stories with charming and heartwarming characters too.

[Donna Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swoon!

I loved this story! I loved the characters, I loved the relationship these two had and I especially enjoyed their chemistry. This story had me smiling and even laughing. I can't wait for more in the series but I'm not sure they will top this one.

[Sue Stinnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making Music

This is an absolutely beautiful love story. It is funny, quirky and of so romantic! I really didn't want to see it end. It was that good!

[B. D. Mann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must differ with the vast majority of reviewers who awarded 5-stars for this work, but I must call it as I see it. “So This is Love” is my first exposure to Brooke St. James. I applaud the author’s clean, Christian oriented approach. I appreciated the fact that Abigail and Ash experienced a strong mutual physical attraction, and both agreed to postpone acting on that attraction until after marriage. Also, the non-preachy way Ms. St. James acknowledged the role God plays in our lives was very appealing. The scene where a ring is discovered in the mouth of a fish is original and exceptionally well done. I was fascinated with all I learned about Koi fish. However, I found the first half of the book to be boring. I found myself nodding off and having to re-read passages. The story was too low in angst for my taste. The resulting lack of depth is a significant detraction. At least three times the author refers to “seeing” Ash play when the correct term is “hear” Ash play. We do not attend recitals and concerts to “see” musicians; we go to “listen” to them. The author also sites “Tightening the bow strings.” The bow does not have strings; it has hair. The author’s editors should have caught these and other errors. “So This is Love” is a credible work that I can recommend to my friends, especially in light of all the 5-star awards from so many reviewers. I plan to read the remaining books in this series.

[Coco.V]

💝 FREE on Amazon today (12/5/2018)!💝

Blurb:
Abigail Spencer loved her job. She was a marine biologist who maintained some of Miami's most spectacular ponds and aquariums. She had the opportunity to travel around the city, meeting new people and working in beautiful locations. So, even though it was just another day at the office when she suddenly met the man of her dreams, she wasn't in an office at all.

Every girl imagines meeting her prince charming. It's doubtful, however, that any of these fantasies include it happening when they're soaked with sweat and knee-deep in pond scum.

Fate can be funny that way.

[Toni Shiloh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has one of the best engagement scenes I have ever read! I'll give it 5 stars for that alone.

[Candace Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swoon...

Another sweet story from Brooke StJames. I loved hearing Ash’s thoughts throughout the book, so touching to see how much he loved Abigail.

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

So sweet and so relatable. James always writes good Christian romance. I love how it’s clean but still packed with romance. I’m excited for the new book in this series!

[Lucinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars.
Cute read. Not much conflict at all, but the characters were likable.

[Mei Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievable!

Can Brooke St James writing get better and better??? YES! YES! And YES! I am one of her fans from her earlier writings. I loved her beginning books then and I love her new books now. And this one was the absolute best! The sweet, pure love expressed between Abigail and Ash was so touching and I loved, LOVED the way he proposed!! Ms. St James creates the most interesting and intriguing settings and situations. And you know she has experienced them herself because they are so well-developed and described. This story continues to prove her writing is unbelievable!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story

I love all of Brooke St. James' books. She has this unique ability to write so many different kinds of love stories, with so many different kinds of characters but give you the same giddy happy feeling when reading them. I also love how her books don't have any drama. I loved this particular story & look forward to the others in the series.

[Jaycee Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aw!

Ash and Abigail are adorable (and that’s a lot of alliteration). I enjoyed their low-drama, high-cute-factor relationship. A very simple, quick, happy story that sets the scene for more to come with their friends. A great start to a new series!

[Heavenly Readings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hola, lectores celestiales. Un gusto saludarles y proceder a compartirles mi reseña de esta lectura de ficción "cristiana" o más bien sería un casi libro "clean". Comienzo con la sinopsis que es sobre una joven bióloga marina llamada Abigail que ama su trabajo como parte del mantenimiento de acuarios y estanques de peces. En uno de sus recorridos de trabajo debe ocuparse de un estanque en una casa que está rentando una famosa chelista, y ahí conoce a uno de los trabajadores de mudanza con quien hace una instantánea conexión romántica y sucede lo mismo con el hombre que responde al nombre de Ash. Pues bien, esa es la trama. La historia es sencilla, rápida y cursilona. Lo más notable y diferente para mí, fueron los trabajos opuestos de la pareja romántica. En general, el libro me ha parecido que pasa sin pena ni gloria y se parece a muchos en el aspecto del amor rápido, conexión instantánea, atracción física, y en el cual Dios solo queda como una mera mención y un personaje extra que alguien principal. La atracción mutua entre la pareja, da como resultado en algunas escenas de besos muy descriptivas, lo cual no me desagrada pero tampoco me agrada mucho. Prefiero ver la conexión espiritual verdadera de los personajes con Dios, que con ellos mismos. Finalmente, no puedo contar este libro en mis favoritos ya que el amor de pareja me pareció muy superficial y forzado sin tomar en cuenta a Dios para nada en sus decisiones. Esto es todo, gracias por su atención.

ENG>
Hello, heavenly readers. A pleasure to greet you and proceed to share with you my review of this "Christian" fiction read or rather it would be a almost a "clean" book. I begin with the synopsis which is about a young marine biologist named Abigail who loves her job as part of maintaining aquariums and fish ponds. On one of her work tours she has to take care of a pond in a house that a famous cellist is renting, and there she meets one of the movers with whom she makes an instant romantic connection and the same thing happens with the man who answers to the name of Ash. Well, that's the plot. The story is simple, quick and cheesy. Most notable and different for me, were the opposing jobs of the romantic couple. Overall, the book seemed to me to pass by without much fanfare and resembles many other books in the aspect of quick love, instant connection, physical attraction, and in which God only remains as a mere mention and an extra character rather than a main one. The mutual physical attraction between the couple results in some very descriptive kissing scenes, which I don't dislike but I don't really like either. I'd rather see the characters' true spiritual connection to God than to each other. Finally, I can't count this book in my favorites as I found the couple love very superficial and forced without taking God into account at all in their decisions. That's all, thank you for your attention.

[Maria Borres · Rating 5 out of 5]

So breathlessly exhilarating, I’m so in love with this book ♥️💕❤️

Five bright stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for this amazing book 👍
This is my first time with this author... (and won’t be the last) wow! how talented she is ... well defined main characters... unique storyline... never did I even imagine that a fish love story could captivate one’s fantasy about a romantic couple brought to real life !!!
By nature I’m into classical music by the immortal composers, and sure enough after introduction to Ashley Winter’s musical genius, I just could not put down this book until I reached the Epilogue! HEA, yay ♥️ 🌺❤️
Abigail happens to be my favorite name, so it’s inevitable that my interest of this book was straightforward... hitting the dots, anticipating the meeting of two destined lovers beyond one’s imagination! I love the way they met, so filled with shy amorous interactions... no doubt about, it... love at first sight was unabashedly at play... I’m tickled to the bones... I knew Ash and Abby were destined to meet, clearly their stars were aligned before they even first meet!
Shedding tears is a clear sign how a magical love story has touched my heart...tears of awe🥲admiration and exhilaration... the author’s magical talent did it all ... who won’t cry over Ash’s surprise composition “My Darling Abigail” in his cello? Who would ever dream about a musical genius falling in love at first sight over a Marine Biologist? It seems like world’s apart, like opposite attracts, maybe? Well, truth be told, you can find it all in the phenomenal book... gather your romantic hearts together and pick up a copy of this book, and you’ll see what I mean ... who knows? You might also find a beautiful diamond ring 💍 inside a fish hood 🐠 yay 👍♥️ Wedding Bells come a ringinggg 👩‍❤️‍👩✨💥🎺✝️

[Vernice Hippolyte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and Unsuspecting

This was a beautiful read. It was an easy read to. I liked that you could imagine the chatacters' distinct personalities with Brooke's vivid descriptions. The descriptions about marine biology matter were so direct and believable, I am sure there was little creative license. St.Peter's fish brought me back to my trip to Israel too. Ash makes you fall in love with the joy of genuine and true pursuit by the guy. Its a beautiful and unique meeting. I liked that I was unable to suspect how the story would unfold. Pleasantly surprised and enjoyable. The descriptions reminded me too of my days working the South Beach - Ocean's Ave strip👍Only dislikes were toward the latter end of the book with a bit repetitive expressions of how they felt for each other. You'd anticipate some particular climax but there was none there. Not that that was bad but the repetition was a bit drawn out. Other than that, I think its a great alternative for young adults and grown folk who are believers in the Lord and can appreciate true romantic connections without the usual genre's obsession with overly seductive scenes. I hope my eventual true- life love story is just as miraculous, driven and passionately, yet patiently exciting❤

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, sooooo bored!!!

This is probably THE most boring and non-enjoyable romance I have ever read. Just a whole lot of plodding along, the characters get together easily, the main girl seems INCREDIBLY stupid at the beginning -- seriously, it was insanely obvious who Ash was from the start. Everything felt forced in that regard, while in the meantime there was no real conflict.

There was NO romantic tension whatsoever, there was a lot more telling than showing, and the author spent way way WAY too much time on boring scenes that didn't really do much.

And the whole time, I kept asking "Why?" Like, where did these professions even come from? Sorry, but smelly fish ponds are not particularly romantic and we spent an inordinate amount of time learning about her job. Bored bored bored. It sounded more like the author wanted to show off her own knowledge of fish tanks than anything else. The cellist was a neater profession, but going through the backstory of Ash in an awkward fill-in chapter was jarring. And, again, kinda boring.

I often skimmed through huge passages, and still managed to not really miss anything.

Definitely would not recommend this one.

[Carol Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brooke St. James writes safe and refreshing stories. I read a ton of romance books from tons of different authors and one common denominator with more than half are the constant curse words and the too many sex scenes. With Brookes books you don't really get any of either. It's refreshing and the focal point is more on the story itself and not making porn. James books are low in angst, some even have no angst at all. If it's written well then that can be a good thing but personally I think it gets a little boring. I need a little angst in some way to give the book a little depth. I mean the heroine doesn't need to be kidnapped or anything so drastic (but I do love when that happens and she is rescued by her man #love) but some angst in some way goes a long way. That's the only reason I rated this book a 4 and not a 5. The characters were really great. I loved the plot and the attention to detail in regards to all the fish was on point. But, I did get bored about 60% in. I will be reading more Brooke books. I love her books and can't wait to see what she gives us next.

[ANNBOOKSHELF · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contemporary romance with spin - humor, humble, gifts and romance with spice or religion.

Mr. Ashley Winters a famous Cellist that looks like a QC model. Gives meaning to not judge a book by its cover. He a man of many talents and only person gets truly see n know him . Abigail is daddy little girl with a love of nature, fishing and it brought her towards a career as a marine biologist. A unprompted assignment puts her face to face with Ash, whom she thinks is a mover. It cute, funny and the romance and description of a kiss is spectacularly written, brings new meaning to anticipation and savor the moment. There is a spin on religion how Abigail lost her belief and how she feels and how she goes there - no over hearing of aggressive just keeping it simple n real. Religious or not you will still enjoy this romance. Violence 0, sex1 kisses so moving - well written.
Mystery re reviews n opinion checkout my blog: my2centsbookreviews.com thanks

[Destiny Ciera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not ready for it to end

Once again, ms.st James has done it. This is such a sweet and endearing story. I absolutely loved both characters and their chemistry was spectacular! St. James always does such a great job at her character personalities, dialogue and depth. I always KNOW why they are in love with each other. I hate reading romance where I feel like they don't know each other well enough to be truly in love but St. James books have a way of exploring the characters in depth and giving them interactions that allow them to really find that depth in each other without making it drag out too much. This was written so perfevtly. I absolutely loved every single moment of their first encounter. By far the best character introduction I've ever read. I fell in love with them both and everything after that was just bonus. I got this free on kindle unlimited but I will be buying it because it is definitely one to read again.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Brooke St. James' books and am excited to read the Miami Stories series. So This is Love was a good beginning as we are introduced to Ashley, a renowned and handsome cellist and Abigail, a marine biologist who meets "Ash" when she is servicing the koi pond at his Airbnb. Their connection is immediate and, thanks to their amazing openness and honesty, there is very little conflict or angst--just a sweet love story with lots of attraction and sparks. I enjoyed reading it and look forward to the rest of the series!

[Richard Goodrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abigail Spencer is a marine biologist who works to help clients maintain their fish. She's called out to clean up koi ponds at a bed and breakfast. Shortly after her arrival, she sees a gorgeous man she takes to be a mover.

This Clean & Wholesome Romance is enchanting. After their initial encounter, it's charming neither of the main characters is comfortable talking with the other until they are. Comfort leads to kissing. Kissing leads to a captivating end.

Entertaining. Funny. Happily Ever After. Romantic. Tragic. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story

I love all of Ms. St. James’ books so far. Love the Christian values and the sweet romance. The only reason I’m giving 4 stars is that there are quite a few edits needed where words are spelled incorrectly or the wrong spelling of the word is used. (Where instead of were is seen frequently)

[Sara Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finally, we have a clean romance with the perfect amount of Christian faith and chastity before marriage and what happens? It’s crammed into a short story. I was very disappointed to have time glossed and skipped over by “a month later” and to be TOLD how the characters connected instead of reading it for myself.

[Vibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely romance

This is a wonderful story about the beautiful love that develops between the hero and the heroine. Watching their relationship development was so sweet and touching. None of the usual complication tropes, just pure romance. I can't stop smiling now, sigh... lol...

[Amy Barber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet quick read

Started it before bed, finished before getting out the next morning. Loved the characters, real,down to earth people with interesting professions. The Bible,prayer and God references weren't overwhelming but they played a significant tools of that's not your thing. Very sweet and innocent read.

[Joyce A. Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love is the Answer!

Once again St.James comes up with an unusual plot with a twist included. Abigail's profession deals with fish and their habitat. She cleans ponds and fish tanks. Ash is definitely drawn to her honesty and wit. He is a musical genius who plays classical crll

[Judith Seale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book!!!!

This is a very interesting book. The story line is so refreshing to follow. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. Brooke St James is a very good writer.