Starting Again: A Shady Piers Romance

Shady Piers Clean Romance #4

by Alicia Best

After he completes an unjust jail sentence, Blake Sullivan attempts to make a fresh start, but finds that unsympathetic locals aren't so forgiving and he is made to feel a pariah

Delia Cain is struggling to get her dream bakery business off the ground, so she generously offers Blake some minimum wage work to help her out, whilst also giving him some faith back in himself.

But when an incident sparks Delia to question her trust in Blake, his hopes that he might have found something real to treasure are deeply questioned, giving him but little hope for a future he dared to dream.

And then, out of the blue. . .

The Shady Piers Romance series novellas are 'clean and sweet' contemporary romances with happily ever after endings and no cliffhangers, that can be read as standalone novels, all set in Shady Piers, Maine.

158 pages, Paperback

Published August 3, 2018

About the author

I'm thrilled to be sharing my writing with you, bringing romances like I love to read. Good, heartwarming tales where there's a happy ever after ending, at least there is when we finally get there!

On this journey, our heroes and heroines will overcome every day challenges and as far as I'm concerned, love will conquer all. To start with, we'll focus on Shady Piers, a wonderful seaside town up in Maine. As beautiful a spot as you could imagine, with warm balmy summers and snowy frozen winters, so that in all seasons there's something going on!

If you haven’t already, I have a free book for you when you sign ups for my newsletter ion my website, introducing Meredith and Logan in 'Happy Returns', with all their trials and tribulations in Shady Piers.

What will become of them?

As for me, I'm from Florida originally and now live up by Seneca Lake in Upstate New York. My man and I have three dogs; two horses and simply love it up here. I love Nicholas Sparks, Elizabethtown, Carly Simon, Love Actually and, well, anything romantic.

I hope you'll enjoy my stories too don't forget that free book to get you started.

Reviews

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another winner from Alicia. She has a way with words that captures you right from the start. I love this story, with Delia, Blake and even Dom. (Hoping there’s a book in Dom’s future!)

I enjoy Alicia’s books because they are true, matters of the heart, that everyone can understand.

Disclaimer:I received an advance copy of this book and I voluntarily wrote an honest review

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Alicia Best writes clean romance books. But don’t be deceived! That does not mean that this book is “cheesy” and/or full of “fluff.” There is a lot of suspense and action in her new book, Starting Again.

This is the fourth book in Alicia Best’s Shady Piers series. However, it is not necessary to read these books in any order.

Starting Again is about an ex-con who has just been released from prison and a woman who is estranged from her family.

In the Prologue, after three years, Blake Sullivan has just been released from prison. Even though he was falsely arrested, no one in the small town of Shady Piers, Maine, will give him a chance or a job.

Delia Cain, on the other hand, has a new up-and-coming bakery that is taking up her entire life, day and night. When Blake comes in for a job, he immediately admits he is an ex-con who knows nothing about baking. In spite of that, Delia listens to her gut and hires him.

Because of their backgrounds, Delia and Blake, both, have trouble communicating with other people. This causes them to treat each other carefully and with some suspicion. However, they eventually learn to trust and respect each other.

Meanwhile, Blake has a run in with an old friend of his who may have been responsible for his false arrest. Delia also has a problem. Her issue is with one member of her estranged family who is in some sort of trouble. Delia and Blake must work together to unravel these twisted problems that, somehow, seem to be connected.

Even though this book is short, the characters are three dimensional and realistic. The conflicts are complex with lots of suspense and action.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting Again is a clean romance book about second chances, intellectual honesty and the rediscovery of family ties. 
The core of the story is the emotional journey of the two protagonists, each of them being in a pivotal phase of their life. 
Blake is a kind and generous soul facing the challenge of building himself a new life after spending a few years in jail covering for a friend. He is a good man at heart, but, of this, he must first convince himself. The descriptions of his thoughts and emotions are beautiful and touching
Delia is sweet, generous and capable. She may at times appear to be naive, even though what she actually does is believe in the people she cares for, even when she understands the risks involved.
Her story is probably not very realistic, but it nonetheless provides a good background for highlighting her personality and gives the author the chance to make her character vibrant and captivating.
Overall, Blake and Delia's story is beautiful and moving and leaves the reader happy, and longing for many more soulful, heart warming stories from the same gifted author. 
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. Opinions and comments are solely my own.

[Maria Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novella deals with a lot of difficult things. Family estrangement, addiction, drug dealing, jail time being major players. Because of that, it isn't a hugely happy or feel good story. There is romance but so much of the story is dealing with all the negative things that it is definitely not a light read. But it does have a happy ending and shows that even with difficult situations, people can start again and make a better life. Families can be reunited. Addiction can be overcome. People can find happiness. I was a little frustrated that it took so long for the major players to involve the police when they knew dealing was going on. An anonymous tip might have gotten Patrick busted early on.

I received an advance copy of this book and I voluntarily wrote an honest review.

Sex: no
Language: yes
Violence: yes

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella length story is a sweet romance. Alicia Best is a very good writer and she tackles several issues in this short story, including drug addiction, too much pride, second chances, difficult family relationships, and having faith.
Delia owns a bakery and is struggling to keep up with the business all by herself. She hires Blake to assist her in her bakery, the day he gets out of jail. Blake is determined to change his life on his own and is surprised that Delia is willing to give him a chance. Along the way, we find out why Blake was in jail, what happened between Delia and her family, how Delia's brother is involved in everything, and of course, Delia and Blake fall in love. This is a positive and uplifting, sweet romance.

I received an advance copy of this book and I voluntarily wrote an honest review

[Tracie Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book for a fair and unbiased opinion. Starting Again is the fourth book in the Shady Piers Clean Romance Series. My only complaint about this book was it was too short! I was quickly swept into the lives of Blake and Delia and quite honestly, I didn’t want to leave. The main protagonist Blake was released from prison for a crime he didn’t commit at the start of the book. The author was able to make us feel how lost he was, and the pain he felt. Like all good stories, the main characters have some roadblocks that life throws at them, and Best tosses in a major twist that totally made my jaw drop. I really enjoyed my visit to Shady Piers, I can’t wait to go back again.

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blake is just getting out of prison after serving three years for a crime he didn't commit. He is trying to start over even though he knows it will be hard. Delia owns a bakery and is struggling to do everything herself. When she puts a help wanted sign in her window and Blake ask for the job, their story begins. It won't be easy because there's always some evil at work when people are trying to do good in their lives. Will Delia and Blake be able to make their way through all these problems? This is another in the Shady peers series and they just keep getting better.

I received an advance copy of this book
and I voluntarily wrote an honest review

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of hope lost, and then found again. Blake and Delia meet at a low point in his life. An accident derailed his career as a Marine before it really got started. His downward spiral afterwards ended up costing him his freedom. Fresh from prison, he is looking for a job and a new start. Delia gives Blake a job despite his past. Over time, they both reveal past hurts and their estrangements from family. As they draw closer to each other, a dangerous leftover from the past comes back to terrorize them. To confront the danger, they must trust each other. Truly a sweet gem of a story!

I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read several books by this author and was always please with the story line. This book Starting Over was a very good read. Even if you haven’t read any other of the other books in the series this can be a stand alone. The author captures amazing characteristics in each person. In this story, it could be a very difficult subject but she does an amazing job of writing about something that could happen in your backyard.

The story revolves around two people; Delia, a bakery owner and Blake, a man who was just released from prison. When Delia offers Blake a job at the bakery little did she suspect that they would become close friends and tell each other of their troubled past

[Lcr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting again is not your traditional sweet romance despite the HEA. This rather short book deals with some heavy topics such as prison, drugs and estrangement so the romance is rather incidental. However, this is a good, well written book with strong main characters. I personally feel as if this book could have been a little longer to give Blake and Delia more time to get know each other through their interactions in the bakery. I did enjoy this book and definitely recommend it but if you want a nice, easy, fluffy read then this is not the book for you.
I received an advance copy of this book and I voluntarily wrote an honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy stories that have little nuggets of wisdom and this story is no exception. One of the main characters, Delia, said "I believe that there's a reason for everything. And I think we were all meant to meet one another, to help bring light back into each other's lives."

Blake, an ex-con, is definately in need of some light, the question is whether he will allow Delia to bring light back into his life.

The story is a quick read, but the author still managed to develop characters that I instantly fell in love with.

I have received an advanced copy of this book and I voluntarily wrote an honest view.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blake Sullivan was just released from prison after spending 3 years on a drug dealing conviction when he took the rap for his "friend" Pat. No one will hire him in Shady Piers until he responds to a job opening at Delia's bakery. I loved that she gave him a chance without assuming he would just steal from her. But I don't understand why he would stay with Pat when he's the reason he went to jail and that he wouldn't consider that Pat would go after Delia in retaliation. Delia and Blake are both estranged from their families and have to find a way to heal and bridge the gap while dealing with drug dealer Pat and his vicious retribution.

[Misty Goan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short sweet amazing romance that was well written and an interesting storyline. It is a enjoyable reminder that even with difficult situations, people can start again and make a better life. Delia is a bakery owner that gives Blake who was recently released from prison for a crime he didn't commit a job when noone else would.  They quickly bond over discussion of their past and a romance blooms. However, danger engulfs them as Blake's past seems to come back to haunt him causing him to stepup and protect the women he has fallin for. A good feel good story. I voluntarily reviewed this standalone ARC.

[Gail B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an adced copy of this bookand I voluntarily wrote an honest review:

I read Starting Again, couldn't stop until it was finished. What a story, so much trouble for one young man, who just came out of jail. Blake took the blame for selling drugs, that his best friend Pat really stole. Even though she doesn't know him, Dell a women with problems of her own, hires Blake to work in her bakery. The turn of events at the end of the book, was a real shocker.You won't want to miss reading this book!

Beth

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story deals with a young woman who is estranged from her family. She is working hard to get her bakery established. She hires a young man who is fresh out of prison and ready to take any job that is honest. The two become friends and slowly learn more about the hurts of the past and problems with the present. But the old problems just won’t stay in the past. This is a sweet, clean story. The storyline is a good one, but didn’t reach my emotions as much as the previous books in this series did. (I received an advance copy of this book
and I voluntarily wrote an honest review.)

[Johnna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel at home in Shady Piers. I've read all the books in the series so far, and wouldn't mind at all living there. It's a community where people support one another, other people fall in love, and although the people who live there may not get along all the time, are there for each other when the chips are down. Reading Blake and Delia's story tugged at my heart. Mistakes from our pasts tend to follow us well into the future sometimes. Finding people who see beyond our pasts is always a blessing. Lovely story!

[Lori R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shady Piers in Maine is a place to heal and to grow. This story, Starting Again is about Blake Sullivan. It is not only a story about drugs, alcohol, and prison but it is more a story about redemption, forgiveness, and starting over. The relationship between Blake and Delia Cane is unusual. They are like two lost souls who have finally found each other and can only heal and grow stronger together. It was really interesting to see how their lives were all connected three years ago. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting Again a clean romance about real world problems! ~Ashley @Carolina Chic’s Read

This emotional journey of Blake who has just released from prison for a crime he didn’t commit and trying to build his life again. Delia is a bakery owner who has had family issues and needs help and hires Blake to help her. These too start a friendship that helps to bind them together when disaster darkens the bakery’s door step. A great quick read with a beautiful story of two lost souls that find each other! Cannot wait to read more!

[Marichus Real · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blake needs a new start after being locked for three years in prison for something he didn’t do it. Unfortunately, he has no hope to find a job.
Delia needs some help with her business. Now she has a lot of clients and it is impossible for her to do everything in time.
A very emotional story about second opportunities in life. The book is very well-written. It is full of twists and turns which make the book impossible to put aside.
I just love it.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book.

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sweet romance with some suspense touched my heart as Blake returns to Shady Piers after his incarceration. Turning his back on his family, Blake finds work at Delia's bakery. The two main characters are opposite in every way, and yet together they make a good team. Not everyone is happy with the status quo and when the past comes knocking at their door, old anger and hurtful feelings emerge. I enjoyed this second chance romance and the conclusion of the story came with a happy ending. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed all the books in the Shady Piers series. This story addresses many issues of substance abuse so it is a somewhat heavier read than the first three books in the series. I enjoyed the book and could not put it down. The story is compelling and believable. The characters are well written. This is a great story of Delia, a small town baker who takes a chance and hires Blake, an ex-con. I think you will enjoy it.

[Nan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alicia Best has a knack for making characters instantly sympathetic, and it is especially apparent in Starting Again. When Blake got out of jail and desperately needed work he came across Delia’s Help Wanted sign that she had just put up. Minutes later he was working for her and gradually they learned about each other and dealt with the drama of Blake’s past. I received an advance copy of this book and chose to leave an honest review.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another sweet romance set in Shady Piers. Loved the main characters, Delia & Blake. They are both very good people who have had some problems in the past. Ms. Best writes about serious issues very well and manages to make you really care about her characters. While the books in this series are short you really feel wrung out by the end. Get your hankie out and settle in for a quick, sweet read.
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Divya Ramji · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this beautiful love story and admire the lead characters motivation. I like reading the Shady Piers stories in general. They are nicely written, short clean and sweet romances wherein the main characters have been through some traumatic experiences. They can be read independently and don't have cliffhangers. I received an ARC of the book from the author and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

[Krissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read from this author and this will not be my last. Although this was a short read I really enjoyed it. I loved the fact that Delia didn’t judge Blake based on his past. Second chances at love and life are the best. The only negative that I can say about this book is that it ended to soon... I wanted to continue living in this book... :).
I received an advance copy of this book
and I voluntarily wrote an honest review.

[Janet Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Romance
This story is about forgiveness and redemption on a family level. It is a pretty good story with a decent plot. The characters seem realistic, too. I'm not at all sure about the ease with which the family healed, I should think it would take years to fix. Anyway, another good episode in the Shady Piers Romance series. I received this book for free and this is my honest review.

[Vicki Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a continuing book of Shady Piers Series. Although this was a Novella length, it was a pretty loaded story. Amazing the amount of things that transpired in so few pages. Delia and Blake both have lost family (and friends) issues, but they are able to find that special person that will listen, share and care in each other. A relatively clean book that I would recommend for older teens and adults.
I received an ARC copy of this book. However, this is my voluntary review with my own thoughts and opinions.
Vicki from Wyoming

[Penny Leidecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Blake gets out of prison, Delia is the only person that will give him a job. Will this be his chance at redemption? I really enjoyed this visit back to ShadyPiers, Maine and I hope to read more of this series. If you are looking for beautifully written stories that have love and faith at their roots, this is a perfect read for you.

[Jan Tomalis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Blake and Delia is fairly short but is packed with a little of everything that makes a great book! This book has suspense, romance, great character development and a plot that keeps you turning the pages. I highly recommend this Shady Piers book!

I received an advance copy of this book and I voluntarily wrote an honest review.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this romance that is full of characters with personal and family issues they must overcome before enabling them to “Start Again”.

I received an advance copy of this book and I voluntarily wrote an honest review