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Belfast #1
Love and Karma
Can Riley run from Karma and start over in Belfast? Or will Karma ruin the one thing she really wants . . . love?
Riley Nash has had more than her share of failure lately. Bring fired from her dream job was not a good day. Ruining her best friend, Heidi’s wedding? Maybe not her greatest moment. So moving to Belfast, Maine, seems like her best chance of starting over. Except for one thing. Karma. Karma can follow you across the country it turns out. When Heidi, her ex-best friend shows up, ready to destroy everything, including her new romance with Mac, Riley will have to make the decision to run, or fight for what she really wants.
Will Mac fall for Heidi, and give her the perfect revenge? Or will Mac stay true to Riley and help her break her cycle of bad karma?
Riley Nash has had more than her share of failure lately. Bring fired from her dream job was not a good day. Ruining her best friend, Heidi’s wedding? Maybe not her greatest moment. So moving to Belfast, Maine, seems like her best chance of starting over. Except for one thing. Karma. Karma can follow you across the country it turns out. When Heidi, her ex-best friend shows up, ready to destroy everything, including her new romance with Mac, Riley will have to make the decision to run, or fight for what she really wants.
Will Mac fall for Heidi, and give her the perfect revenge? Or will Mac stay true to Riley and help her break her cycle of bad karma?
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 6, 2019
33 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Shannon Guymon
56 books238 followersI live in the Rocky Mountains with my husband and children and love my home when it’s not snowing. I’m the author of 37 books so far. I also write YA Paranormal Romance under my pen name, Katie Lee O’Guinn. I enjoy the outdoors, reading and being with my family. To find out the latest on my books, check out my blog. You can purchase all of my books at Amazon.com. I’m also a huge supporter of Operation Underground Railroad. Check out their website to learn more.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 10, 2019
Y'all, Ms. Guymon is back! I was so excited when I found out she had a new series coming up and jumped at the chance to read this first installment in the new Belfast series. Ms. Guymon is the Queen at writing small-town romance. I don't know how she does it, but by the end of the book I was ready to pack up and head for Belfast, Maine. She really created a fun atmosphere and great location. I've traveled through Main a few times and so it was easy to picture this charming seaside town.
Riley Nash is a likable character. I liked that she has a positive outlook on things, even when things are not going her way. She is a fighter and stands up for those around her. She is also brave, I can't imagine packing up and moving across the country all by myself. Riley makes it seem fun though! I enjoyed the supporting cast and how things play out. A touch of drama, betrayal and romance! There were some fun side characters that I hope get their own books in the future. I look forward to returning to Belfast again and again!
Overall, this was a fun read. Kept me engaged and turning the pages. I thought it was well written and the characters were well developed. Good balance of lightheartedness, romance and enough drama to keep you on your toes! Great job, Ms. Guymon!
Content
Romance: Clean, just kissing
Language: None
Violence: None
Series: Belfast, Book One
*Eligible for a 2019 Swoony Award for Contemporary Romance https://bit.ly/2Wv6dXk
Riley Nash is a likable character. I liked that she has a positive outlook on things, even when things are not going her way. She is a fighter and stands up for those around her. She is also brave, I can't imagine packing up and moving across the country all by myself. Riley makes it seem fun though! I enjoyed the supporting cast and how things play out. A touch of drama, betrayal and romance! There were some fun side characters that I hope get their own books in the future. I look forward to returning to Belfast again and again!
Overall, this was a fun read. Kept me engaged and turning the pages. I thought it was well written and the characters were well developed. Good balance of lightheartedness, romance and enough drama to keep you on your toes! Great job, Ms. Guymon!
Content
Romance: Clean, just kissing
Language: None
Violence: None
Series: Belfast, Book One
*Eligible for a 2019 Swoony Award for Contemporary Romance https://bit.ly/2Wv6dXk
unfinished
February 17, 2020I made it about a third before I quit reading. There are two things that made it hard for me to engage with the story and I'm not sure which was the bigger contributor to my ending.
The first is that there is a family of designated bad guys in Belfast, Maine and they're pretty one-sided. I got to thinking about it and I think the problem is that I can't see either the father or daughter going home at night and saying "I'm a good person because..." Criminals, politicians (but I repeat myself), and car salesmen can all complete that sentence but I can't imagine what this family I can't remember the name of would say.
The second is that the author undermines her main character a lot. Like a lot, a lot. The biggest example I can think of is in her first night alone (in a house she intends to renovate) and she hears scratching above her bed. Her immediate conclusion? Ghosts and/or kid-eating clowns. And she spends the next day asking around this very small town for an exorcist. Because that's how you remove scratching in your attic. More subtly is her interactions with the creepy guy she left in Arizona. He calls her insisting that he loves her and that she should give them a chance. She spends the entire conversation telling him he can't be in love because he doesn't know her. And then trying to define love so that he'll understand. We know enough about him that any reasonable adult woman would be telling him to back off, lose her number, and possibly warning that she'd seek a restraining order if he approached her in the future.
Other sympathetic characters are undermined in similar ways, like the new bestie in Belfast who has been pining over a guy in the face of him treating her like crap. It's an obvious setup for him being told something by the bad guys that disgusts him but she just takes it and has for years. She doesn't stand up for herself by calling out his bad behavior. And she doesn't make a push for communication to work out what he's thinking. It's all weak "poor-me" and "I can't believe he'd treat me that way."
I probably could have made it through with either one of those issues. The description is solid and I kind of wanted to visit Belfast to see if it stacks up. And I liked other aspects of our MC because she had gumption and took on challenges in the face of setbacks. I also liked her tough talk about taking on the bad guys and that she seemed to be making plans for actually doing so. But both paper-thin bad guys and undermining by the author pulled me to a halt.
No rating on this one for . . . reasons. It's complicated. Which is why there's a link...
The first is that there is a family of designated bad guys in Belfast, Maine and they're pretty one-sided. I got to thinking about it and I think the problem is that I can't see either the father or daughter going home at night and saying "I'm a good person because..." Criminals, politicians (but I repeat myself), and car salesmen can all complete that sentence but I can't imagine what this family I can't remember the name of would say.
The second is that the author undermines her main character a lot. Like a lot, a lot. The biggest example I can think of is in her first night alone (in a house she intends to renovate) and she hears scratching above her bed. Her immediate conclusion? Ghosts and/or kid-eating clowns. And she spends the next day asking around this very small town for an exorcist. Because that's how you remove scratching in your attic. More subtly is her interactions with the creepy guy she left in Arizona. He calls her insisting that he loves her and that she should give them a chance. She spends the entire conversation telling him he can't be in love because he doesn't know her. And then trying to define love so that he'll understand. We know enough about him that any reasonable adult woman would be telling him to back off, lose her number, and possibly warning that she'd seek a restraining order if he approached her in the future.
Other sympathetic characters are undermined in similar ways, like the new bestie in Belfast who has been pining over a guy in the face of him treating her like crap. It's an obvious setup for him being told something by the bad guys that disgusts him but she just takes it and has for years. She doesn't stand up for herself by calling out his bad behavior. And she doesn't make a push for communication to work out what he's thinking. It's all weak "poor-me" and "I can't believe he'd treat me that way."
I probably could have made it through with either one of those issues. The description is solid and I kind of wanted to visit Belfast to see if it stacks up. And I liked other aspects of our MC because she had gumption and took on challenges in the face of setbacks. I also liked her tough talk about taking on the bad guys and that she seemed to be making plans for actually doing so. But both paper-thin bad guys and undermining by the author pulled me to a halt.
No rating on this one for . . . reasons. It's complicated. Which is why there's a link...
November 13, 2019
After losing her job and her best friend, Riley Nash is in desperate need of a fresh start. When an opportunity arises to move to Belfast, Maine to renovate a house her stepdad inherited, she jumps at the chance. Maybe the break away will help her get her life back on track.
Once she arrives in Belfast she discovers that the job is bigger than she thought it would be. But with all the HGTV shows she's watched, she refuses to back down from the challenge. If anything, she's looking forward to bringing the old home back to life.
While working on the house, Riley quickly falls in love with the small town and doesn't want to leave. She's made some amazing friends, fell in love with a house that she wants to renovate for herself and has started dating the handsome Mac. Her soul finally feels complete and at peace. She's not only living life but she's loving it too.
But when the town bullies and her ex-best friend, Heidi, start doing everything in their power to ruin her happiness, Riley has to decide whether to run away or stay and fight for what makes her happy. With her family and new friends behind her, there's only one option. She loves who she's become and she's not going to let anyone bring her down.
*dreamy sigh*
You. Guys! I absolutely loved Love and Karma! Once I started it, I didn't want to put it down! I laughed out loud, got frustrated at times and found myself letting out little dreamy sighs. Riley and Mac were cute and I adored them! Although, Mac was ticking me off for a little bit. I kinda knew what he was up to, but that didn't make me too happy at the time. Haha.
Y'all I am super excited for this series! I am already in love with Belfast, Maine and can't wait for the next book to be released! This is going to be a fun series... I can already tell!
It should come as no surprise when I say, Ms. Guymon has done it again! I have missed her books and did a happy dance when I saw her new release! I'm alreadynot so patiently waiting for her next book! If you haven't read anything by her then you are definitely missing out!
And what review of mine would be complete without my casting?! I'm kind of in love with these two. What do you think?
Once she arrives in Belfast she discovers that the job is bigger than she thought it would be. But with all the HGTV shows she's watched, she refuses to back down from the challenge. If anything, she's looking forward to bringing the old home back to life.
While working on the house, Riley quickly falls in love with the small town and doesn't want to leave. She's made some amazing friends, fell in love with a house that she wants to renovate for herself and has started dating the handsome Mac. Her soul finally feels complete and at peace. She's not only living life but she's loving it too.
But when the town bullies and her ex-best friend, Heidi, start doing everything in their power to ruin her happiness, Riley has to decide whether to run away or stay and fight for what makes her happy. With her family and new friends behind her, there's only one option. She loves who she's become and she's not going to let anyone bring her down.
*dreamy sigh*
You. Guys! I absolutely loved Love and Karma! Once I started it, I didn't want to put it down! I laughed out loud, got frustrated at times and found myself letting out little dreamy sighs. Riley and Mac were cute and I adored them! Although, Mac was ticking me off for a little bit. I kinda knew what he was up to, but that didn't make me too happy at the time. Haha.
Y'all I am super excited for this series! I am already in love with Belfast, Maine and can't wait for the next book to be released! This is going to be a fun series... I can already tell!
It should come as no surprise when I say, Ms. Guymon has done it again! I have missed her books and did a happy dance when I saw her new release! I'm already
And what review of mine would be complete without my casting?! I'm kind of in love with these two. What do you think?
February 19, 2019
I'm torn! Do I want to live in Fircrest or Belfast? Riley has worked so hard for her career and loses it all in the blink of an eye. A timely opportunity transplants her from sunny Arizona to coastal Maine and the change couldn't be better for her. Until the worst of her drama moves in right behind her.
Riley is the kind of character that you can really get behind. She's positive, makes the best of situations, and is adorable, but drama seems to follow her where ever she goes. If I'm telling the truth, I don't like drama, so I guess I'll choose to live in Fircrest, but Maine! I'm so intrigued! I honestly couldn't believe how much drama poor Riley and this gorgeous, charming town of Belfast has to endure. And I couldn't believe that Riley's best friend, Heidi, turned out to be such a demon, but in true Riley fashion, she makes the best of things, even in the faces of stoic (and toxic) residents of Belfast.
Shannon Guymon has created a great new town, full of potential romances and stories, and I'm excited to see where everyone will end up. I've never visited Maine before, but I'm having a blast visualizing this setting and I'm firmly planted in the middle of Belfast, more particularly Darby's, and I'm gaining a new group of beloved character friends. Bring on Book 2!
Content: mild romance
Riley is the kind of character that you can really get behind. She's positive, makes the best of situations, and is adorable, but drama seems to follow her where ever she goes. If I'm telling the truth, I don't like drama, so I guess I'll choose to live in Fircrest, but Maine! I'm so intrigued! I honestly couldn't believe how much drama poor Riley and this gorgeous, charming town of Belfast has to endure. And I couldn't believe that Riley's best friend, Heidi, turned out to be such a demon, but in true Riley fashion, she makes the best of things, even in the faces of stoic (and toxic) residents of Belfast.
Shannon Guymon has created a great new town, full of potential romances and stories, and I'm excited to see where everyone will end up. I've never visited Maine before, but I'm having a blast visualizing this setting and I'm firmly planted in the middle of Belfast, more particularly Darby's, and I'm gaining a new group of beloved character friends. Bring on Book 2!
Content: mild romance
February 19, 2019
Drama!!
I'm excited to see a new book and the beginning of a new series by this author! This book was DRAMA. Friend drama, relationship drama, family drama, community drama. The romance part really felt secondary to all the other things going on. The author definitely created a community in this book and I felt like I was right there in the middle of it all. It was a bit crazy. But good crazy with memorable characters and plenty of stories yet to be told.
I'm excited to see a new book and the beginning of a new series by this author! This book was DRAMA. Friend drama, relationship drama, family drama, community drama. The romance part really felt secondary to all the other things going on. The author definitely created a community in this book and I felt like I was right there in the middle of it all. It was a bit crazy. But good crazy with memorable characters and plenty of stories yet to be told.
February 21, 2019
On my way to Belfast!!!
Ok ok, I'm not really going to Belfast, but after reading this book I'd love too! Riley lost her job thanks to the good old boy club, her best friend because of her idiot fiancee, and she has a chance to leave Arizona and start over by fixing up her step dad's house he inherited. Surprisingly she falls in love with the quirky small coastal town and most the towns people, especially Mac. He and Greer help her with the remodel on the house and Mac grabs her heart. She meets her new best friend Avery and her brother Donovan at their family owned pub, a long with Crystal, who I don't like and her mean dad the Mayor, who set out to ruin Riley! But Riley isn't ready to give up, until a few unexpected people show up from her past! Her ex best friend now wants Riley's dream house and her dream man....Mac. Will she walk away from the .man, the town, and the house she's grown to love? Or will she stay and fight for it all?? Oh my gosh I loved this book, you guys Ms. Guymon is back!!!! She's created a wonderful new awesome cast of characters and small town that I'd love to visit and get to know 😃😃😃 this book is full of fun, love, intrigue, and romance, and a few people I'm sure we're going to be hearing a lot about in books to come and I can't wait. This book is clean.
Ok ok, I'm not really going to Belfast, but after reading this book I'd love too! Riley lost her job thanks to the good old boy club, her best friend because of her idiot fiancee, and she has a chance to leave Arizona and start over by fixing up her step dad's house he inherited. Surprisingly she falls in love with the quirky small coastal town and most the towns people, especially Mac. He and Greer help her with the remodel on the house and Mac grabs her heart. She meets her new best friend Avery and her brother Donovan at their family owned pub, a long with Crystal, who I don't like and her mean dad the Mayor, who set out to ruin Riley! But Riley isn't ready to give up, until a few unexpected people show up from her past! Her ex best friend now wants Riley's dream house and her dream man....Mac. Will she walk away from the .man, the town, and the house she's grown to love? Or will she stay and fight for it all?? Oh my gosh I loved this book, you guys Ms. Guymon is back!!!! She's created a wonderful new awesome cast of characters and small town that I'd love to visit and get to know 😃😃😃 this book is full of fun, love, intrigue, and romance, and a few people I'm sure we're going to be hearing a lot about in books to come and I can't wait. This book is clean.
March 22, 2019
I actually won this book and I was so excited to get to read it! I am thrilled Shannon Guymon is back on the writing scene! Love and Karma, although not my most favorite read of hers, was an enjoyable read. I loved the introduction to the town and people of Belfast and I can’t wait to hear more of their stories. I felt a little frustration with Riley at times. She seemed a little immature and also ready to give up too quickly sometimes. But other moments, she seemed ready to take on the world and to have learned some good things. There was this odd mixture of immaturity and yet maturity in her. I was all on board with Mac, Riley’s love interest, to begin with, but his behavior for a good portion of the book was not cool in my book, no matter what the reasoning for it was. I felt his actions and behavior were a little too easily accepted at the end. I know there are more books to come, so maybe some of that will work itself out. I very much enjoyed Ms. Guymon’s different series set in Fircrest and I am now definitely looking forward to more time in Belfast.
March 25, 2019
Lots of drama in this book! I loved Riley; everything came tumbling around her and none of it was her fault. She is definitely a fighter! I fell in love with most of the people in Belfast - I can't wait to read future stories in this series. Honestly, Mac didn't completely win me over in this book... I'm hoping their story is continued in future books.
Source: Amazon.com
Source: Amazon.com
February 18, 2019
Yes
This was a well written fun tale of finding silver linings. I look forward to the next one and hope to see Donavan and Greer find their Happily ever after!
This was a well written fun tale of finding silver linings. I look forward to the next one and hope to see Donavan and Greer find their Happily ever after!
December 9, 2019
The heroine is childish - actually the entire book is a little immature. I reread this again, because the 2nd one looked good, and I couldn't remember this story. Now I remember why - I blocked it out. I'm halfway through the 2nd, and having a hard time finishing.
September 1, 2020
So dumb
I am sorry. This story was so dumb. The dialogue was awful. The conversation to a new girl were just silly. The whole town opens up to her and tells her all their secrets the first time they see her. Umm no. I didn't like this book at all
I am sorry. This story was so dumb. The dialogue was awful. The conversation to a new girl were just silly. The whole town opens up to her and tells her all their secrets the first time they see her. Umm no. I didn't like this book at all
June 24, 2019
Really enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed this fast paced story and all the many characters. I look forward to the next in the series. This is a sweet, clean romance.
I really enjoyed this fast paced story and all the many characters. I look forward to the next in the series. This is a sweet, clean romance.
July 9, 2019
Great angst
I love your sense of community. I love flawed characters. And impossible situations. And I really love main characters that get along with their parents.
I love your sense of community. I love flawed characters. And impossible situations. And I really love main characters that get along with their parents.
February 22, 2020
Meh
This book was almost painful to read at times, as it was so full of "teenage" drama and blatant miscommunication. Yikes.
This book was almost painful to read at times, as it was so full of "teenage" drama and blatant miscommunication. Yikes.
June 22, 2021
I wanted to really like this book, but I'm so torn
I'm struggling to know how to rate this one because of the mixed feelings it gave me. From the very beginning, I had a hard time. First it was Riley's mom. The girl had just been unfairly fired and her mom seemed disappointed that she was sad about it. Let her be a little angry about the injustice, for crying out loud! You dont have to be all rainbows and sunshine all the time. Let yourself grieve. Then, Riley always talked about how they weren't in high school anymore, but the entire story was worse than high school. I've never lived in a small town though, so I can't say for sure. I found it difficult to believe that what seemed like the entire state of Arizona packed up and moved for one person. It didn't seem realistic. And another thing, how were so many people blind to Crystal's meanness? Because of her looks? I don't get it. All the men in the book were idiots except Jack. Jasper... don't get me started on his over the top utter cluelessness. Greer was a total idiot! The lack of communication there was annoying. And yet I still felt bad for him when Avery moved on and hope he finds his HEA. And finally, what was up with the whole Mac and Heidi thing?! Sure he explained at the end, but I didn't feel like Riley and Mac had a strong enough relationship in the first place for everyone to feel warranted in telling her she was being unreasonable about the situation. He'd given her almost no reason to trust in his secretive actions. He was an idiot like Greer. And then to joke about Heidi and him immediately after making things right was really in poor taste. It wasn't even close to funny.
I did like how Riley tried to be positive (even if it was unrealistic at times. See my comments above about allowing yourself to feel emotions) and never backed down. I liked how she wan't afraid to move ahead and work for change. She was amazingly forgiving and gained some new friendships because of it. She was kind, especially to Greer toward the end. It was clean. IDK. I may read it again at some point to see if my feelings change.
I'm struggling to know how to rate this one because of the mixed feelings it gave me. From the very beginning, I had a hard time. First it was Riley's mom. The girl had just been unfairly fired and her mom seemed disappointed that she was sad about it. Let her be a little angry about the injustice, for crying out loud! You dont have to be all rainbows and sunshine all the time. Let yourself grieve. Then, Riley always talked about how they weren't in high school anymore, but the entire story was worse than high school. I've never lived in a small town though, so I can't say for sure. I found it difficult to believe that what seemed like the entire state of Arizona packed up and moved for one person. It didn't seem realistic. And another thing, how were so many people blind to Crystal's meanness? Because of her looks? I don't get it. All the men in the book were idiots except Jack. Jasper... don't get me started on his over the top utter cluelessness. Greer was a total idiot! The lack of communication there was annoying. And yet I still felt bad for him when Avery moved on and hope he finds his HEA. And finally, what was up with the whole Mac and Heidi thing?! Sure he explained at the end, but I didn't feel like Riley and Mac had a strong enough relationship in the first place for everyone to feel warranted in telling her she was being unreasonable about the situation. He'd given her almost no reason to trust in his secretive actions. He was an idiot like Greer. And then to joke about Heidi and him immediately after making things right was really in poor taste. It wasn't even close to funny.
I did like how Riley tried to be positive (even if it was unrealistic at times. See my comments above about allowing yourself to feel emotions) and never backed down. I liked how she wan't afraid to move ahead and work for change. She was amazingly forgiving and gained some new friendships because of it. She was kind, especially to Greer toward the end. It was clean. IDK. I may read it again at some point to see if my feelings change.
February 26, 2019
Get ready to Swoon and fall in love!!
Eeek I have been waiting a long time for this author to write another book, and this one was well worth the wait! I couldn't put this book down. It kept me captivated from the first page to the last.
I love how every book this author writes makes you feel like you're part of the story. I laughed, cried, yelled, sighed, and swooned throughout this whole book. I fell in love with the setting and characters!!
Riley and Mac's chemistry was completely swoonworthy.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to smile, laugh, and swoon.
This book sure left me smiling!! Can't wait for more in the series!!
Eeek I have been waiting a long time for this author to write another book, and this one was well worth the wait! I couldn't put this book down. It kept me captivated from the first page to the last.
I love how every book this author writes makes you feel like you're part of the story. I laughed, cried, yelled, sighed, and swooned throughout this whole book. I fell in love with the setting and characters!!
Riley and Mac's chemistry was completely swoonworthy.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to smile, laugh, and swoon.
This book sure left me smiling!! Can't wait for more in the series!!
February 25, 2019
Dreamy sigh I love the town of Belfast as much as I did Fircrest! I can see that this is going to be another awesome series and I am already starting to wonder who is going end up with whom in my head! Riley is the best and I can see her doing great things for this town! Her and Mac make such a great couldn’t and this is a good opener for a new series. I am so glad this Author is back after a break from writing! Her books are still amazing! I can’t wait for more in the series!
June 17, 2019
A book with a lot of drama. A job loss and an ex best friend, take Riley to Belfast Maine. Riley instantly falls in love with the East coast and this might have something to do with a tall handsome stranger, who she insists saved her life.
March 1, 2019
Excellent story! Great setting, memorable characters, surprise twists.
May 27, 2019
Fun read
I really want to take a trip to Maine and meet the friendly people that live along the coast. Fun romantic novel
I really want to take a trip to Maine and meet the friendly people that live along the coast. Fun romantic novel
April 23, 2020
Heartfelt amidst a beautiful intriguing setting.
February 27, 2019
New series taking place in Maine, with new people to like, dislike, and fall in love with and oh the drama. All the things that made her last series so fun! I feel like I'm seeing an old friend again. She was one of the first authors I ever read on my kindle. She's back and I’m so exited!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews