Finley and the Foster Brother

Love in Ocean Grove #1

by Anna Catherine Field

When a social worker and a truancy officer show up at Finley Rhodes' cottage in Ocean Grove she knows her life is about to change forever.

She just didn't realize how much.

At sixteen, she'd grown up fast, having the responsibility of taking care of her mentally ill mother, holding down a job to pay the bills and dropping out of school to do both. When her case manager tells her she's being placed in foster care, Finley never expected her new  home to be in the exclusive gated community and she certainly never thought she'd attend The Academy, a school for the privileged and elite. But the biggest surprise comes from down the hall.

Her new foster brother, Chase Powell.

Chase Powell grew up in the shadow of his famous model mother, living a life of fame and excess. After a dangerous accident Chase is sent to live with his grandmother in Ocean Grove, where he settles into a life of normalcy and routine.

Until Finley moves in.

Late night talks, a game of truth, and revelations about their fears bring these two closer together, but it’s not like they can ever be more than friends and even if they could, does Finely worries that her whole life can be taken from her once again. What’s the point of falling in love?

Finley and the Foster Brother is a standalone novel from Love in Ocean Grove, a series of books about swoony, first-time love and toe-curling kisses for readers of all ages.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Young Adult, Mental Health, Friends To Lovers, Ebooks, Young Adult Romance

166 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 18, 2019

Reviews

[Mandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story! It was light and fun! I immediately loved Finley from the start! She’s had an eventful and drama filled life! She’s sassy and she knows what she wants!

[Lenni Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got an add for this book on BookBub once and then I spent every day after waiting for it to come out. The author did not disappoint! I enjoyed the characters and reading more about the foster system.

I want to be a foster parent when I grow up, so when I saw this book it was right up my alley. Kids like Finley are who I cannot wait to help and encourage. This book just confirmed all my feelings of wanting to be a foster parent. Plus, this theme is important and I’m disappointed it’s not represented more in today’s teen books.

Although the ending felt a bit rushed and wonky, I'm satisfied with my purchase and very happy I found this book. I would recommend it to all the cheesy romance lovers.

[Kate McMurry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, G-rated, YA, romantic drama

Finley, a 16-year-old junior, has been caring for her mother for some time now as her mother sinks deeper and deeper into an unspecified mental illness which involves the symptoms of delusion and depression. They live in a fictional beach town called Ocean Grove, in an unspecified region of the United States, which I’m guessing is California. Since her mother is unable to continue her usual source of income, creating expensive, hand-crafted jewelry, Finley walks dogs to support them, but it isn't nearly enough money, and she and her mother are starving-poor. Her mother was raised in a wealthy family and years ago inherited a valuable beachfront cottage in a ritzy part of town. However, a while back she was forced to sell the cottage, both because she could not afford to maintain it, and to obtain money on which to live. Fortunately, Finley's mother managed to retain the legal right for her and Finley to live in a mother-in-law apartment behind the cottage.

One day while walking a group of dogs on the beach in front of her home, Finley has a Meet Cute with a gorgeous teenage boy around her age who is jogging down the beach. One of the dogs she has allowed to run free races over to the boy, leaps on him, and knocks him down. As Finley attempts to pull the dog off the boy, she trips and falls, landing, alongside the dog, on top of the boy. Fortunately, he proves to be a good-natured guy who, instead of getting angry, offers a friendly smile, pats the dog, and shares quick-witted quips with Finley. However, when it becomes apparent to Finley, due to the boy's pricey haircut, designer exercise clothing, and fancy watch, that he's one of the ultra-rich who live in a gated community farther down the beach, she rapidly parts company from him without exchanging introductions. She has no interest in having anything to do with a person she assumes must be a spoiled, rich kid.

Soon after, Finley's mother's condition deteriorates to such an extent that Finley simply stops going to school, without informing anyone in authority, in order to stay home and care for her mother. Because she is required by law to attend school, not long afterward a truant officer and a social worker show up at her door. Her mother is remanded for an indefinite, government-funded stay at a residential, mental institution, and Finley is temporarily placed in a group home. Then, a few days later, Finley is shocked to learn that she is being transferred to a temporary foster placement in a magnificent mansion in the elite, gated community near her own home. Not only that, the mansion is owned by a stately, elderly woman who turns out to be the grandmother of the handsome boy Finley met on the beach, who is living with her. Finley learns that he is a 17-year-old senior named Chase, and she is to attend, along with Chase, an expensive private school, paid for by Chase’s grandmother, rather than the public school where she has previously been a student. Finley and Chase are informed by the social worker and his grandmother that they absolutely must not become romantically involved or Finley will have to return to the group home. Unfortunately, this proves to be an extremely difficult prohibition to obey, because the mental, emotional and physical attraction between the two of them is mutual and intense.

This is an utterly satisfying, classic romance plot of "forbidden love." As a result of this particular type of romantic conflict, this story takes the form of a G-rated version of a "slow burn" romance as the two teenagers gradually move from strangers, to friends, to falling in love. In spite of the book containing no more than kissing, there is tremendous sexual chemistry between these two extremely sympathetic protagonists.

In short, this terrific romance, which is suitable for all ages, is well plotted, beautifully written, and offers a satisfying, complete resolution of both the romance and the difficult situation with Finley's mother in order to produce a well-motivated HEA (happily-ever-after) ending.

I consider this book a "keeper," and I have been eagerly seeking out other YA romance novels by this talented author.

I rate this book as follows:

Heroine: 5 stars
Hero: 5 stars
Subcharacters: 5 stars
Setting: 5 stars
Romance Plot: 5 stars
Family Drama Plots: 4 stars
Writing: 5 stars
Overall: 5 stars

[☆Joycedale☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story. Nothing spectacular though.

[Pascale’s*ARC,Unwind,Read,Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reading this author’s work and I was instantly drawn into it. Similar in style to Cookie O’Gorman, Judy Corry, and Julia Keanini, I’ve definitely added another name to my must-read authors list. Clean romance, no swearing. Great, original storyline, really enjoyable characters, fast pacing, nothing to skip over, down-to-earth... Highly recommended.

[☠︎︎༒︎✞︎ ѕℓιм ☠︎︎༒︎✞︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good

https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2019...

****Not so many spoilers; but there’s a few in this review*****

So this book was good in the beginning then after a while, I got bored, and stop reading it... But in the end I wanted to finish it & see what happens next; & that I did...

For one I was glad that Finley finally wanted to go back into playing basketball again. & that her mom gotten better once the medication kicked in; & finally got to go home to her daughter. It’s a lot you go through as a foster kid, you have to take care yourself when time is rough; & often thinks no one LOVES or CARES about you at all because you never got that.... but I like how Finley finally realize that Chase and even Mrs. Beverly loved her (Finley) & opened her home to her (Finley) not only that but to her mother too, she could’ve said no even when it was Chase suggestion...

But I was glad that Mrs. Beverly didn’t have a problem with it (Finley & Chase being together); though I think that newsletter got out due to Veronica, I still think she had something to do with that picture you never know. Because she wanted Chase so bad & he didn’t even want her even before Finley came to live with him as his foster sister. I don’t understand how females come off as desperate when it comes to a guy & throw themselves at that guy who doesn’t even want them. I was wishing Veronica would’ve let the bitter hate she had for Finley go... plus I was also glad that Finley had her basketball friends & more so Lucy... but I realize who Lucy was 🤣 she the actual girl in the next book... which I am glad I didn’t even read before I read this book; that would’ve suck.... but I was glad she was there for Finley when she ran from Chase; but also glad that in the end Chase and Finley got to be together 🖤


Btw: I can’t wait to read Lucy story because I was saying that I want a story with Lucy not realizing she is the Lucy from the second book to this series🤣

[SheReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for YA Books Central.

A heartwarming tale of first love.

The Story:
Finley hasn't had it easy. Her mentally ill mother can't care for her in a way a mother should, forcing Finley to drop out of school to support them. When a truancy officer shows up at her home, life as she knows it will never be the same. Her mom needs help, but in order for her to get that help Finley has to go into the foster system, moving across town to live in a mcmansion with a stern older lady and her too-handsome and too-off limits grandson.
What follows is a sweet story of two people who need each other more than either of them realized.

What I loved:
There's something very endearing about these two and everything they go through for each other. As soon as Finley moves in, they fall into an easy friendship, pretending it's that of brother and sister - supporting each other at sporting events, riding to school in the same car, and eating dinner together every night. It's very normal in a way neither kid has ever experienced before. They're both learning how to be a family after their parents let them down.
Chase is just as sweet as can be, always looking out for Finley and keeping her true reason for being there a secret. There's little not to like about these two.

What was just okay:
There isn't a ton of drama. Everything is resolved very easily after it happens. Even Chase's old model fling showing up is nothing more than a cursory appearance that means nothing. I loved this story and wanted more. I wanted to feel as if the characters would have done anything for each other, that they had this passionate love rather than a like.

Final Verdict:
A story that will appeal to all fans of YA romance with great characters and an easy, engaging writing style. My only question when I finished this was 'when can I get the next book?".

[Kanwarpal Singh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finley is living with her mentally ill mother can't care for her in a way a mother should, forcing Finley to drop out of school to support them through various random job to survive at bare minimal with not even a basic necessities getting fulfilled. When a foster posting officer shows up at her home, life as she knows it will never be the same. Her mom needs help, but in order for her to get that help Finley has to go into the foster system, moving across town to live in a mansion with a stern older lady and her too-handsome and too-off limits grandson. Chase is just as sweet as can be, he came from a background of model mother and have everything he wanted but after his mother accident things changes and he had to live with his grandmother where Finley is living as a foster child. He always looking out for Finley and keeping her true reason for being there a secret.

They fall into an easy friendship, pretending it's that of brother and sister - supporting each other at sporting events, riding to school in the same car, and eating dinner together every night. It's very normal in a way neither kid has ever experienced before. They're both learning how to be a family after their parents let them down.

What follows is a sweet story of two people who need each other more than either of them realized.

Chase's old model fling showing up is nothing more than a passing clown appearance that means nothing. I wanted to feel as if the characters would have done anything for each other, than they had this passionate love rather than just a liking towards each other. Although a forbidden romance but not as a they were real siblings but foster siblings can't be categorised under incest romance formally

[Starri Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story revolves around Finley and Chase, two who seem to be from completely different worlds.
Finley is trying to best to keep her head above water, taking on a lot at 16 but she’s doing her best to do everything she can to pay the bills and make sure her and her mom don’t lose their house but everything comes crumbling down when truancy officers show up to see what she hasn’t been at school and everything she thought she had control over came crumbling down faster than she could keep up. Before she knows it, she’s in a foster home with a boy who couldn’t be any more different from her and transferred to a school that makes her feel so out of place.
Chase, looks cool, calm, and collected on the outside. But no one really knows what he struggles with, or why he ended up living with his mother, they only seem to care about who his mother is. Then one day his grandma tells him she’s taking a foster kid, they both expected a child not a 16 year old girl. Now his grandma lays down rules which seems pretty easy to follow.
But of course as Chase and Finley really get to know one another things shift but they have to keep up the facade that he told the school. Finley is finally beginning to trust someone other than herself and feel safe but what happens when you finally listen to your own heart, and everything you know can be ripped away from you in a blink of an eye. This story is just about “forbidden” love, it’s about how even how the people that seem to have it all together have their own fair share of dark secrets. Chase is falling to Finley but is afraid of what could happen. Can Finley and Chase put aside everything else they have going on and make things work? Or were they doomed from the start?

[Karen Voitik · Rating 5 out of 5]

>Book Review – Finley and the Foster Brother
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 1st in the Love in the Ocean Grove series and ends in an HEA. Finley is a high school dropout trying to earn a living while taking care of her mentally ill mother. When DCFS finds out, she is sent to a foster home. Chase is staying with his grandma because his mom is too famous to want him around. Chase’s grandma decides to foster Finley. Of course Chase and Finley now go to school together and eventually fall for each other.
>I thought it was funny when Chase tells everyone Finley is his step sister. He is unable to date her then, without it looking weird. The book has all the details of a high school young adult story. There is snarky high school girls, young love and jealousy. Chase is a bit blind when it comes to how some of the popular girls act towards him, but the story is really sweet.
>This book is appropriate for a young (16+) adult audience. I am giving this book 5 stars. There is a lot more to this book than just a love story. How parents can cause issues in their children’s lives and how children deal with everything is touched upon.

[Siobhan Yilmaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's so much I could say about this book - all good btw. First of all, it's lovely to read about the struggles of normal everyday people and mental health.
Finley is a normal girl who has to deal with her mother who has become more and more withdrawn from the world, while bills pile up and school work gets forgotten. Eventually, something has to give and unfortunately, Finley ends up in foster care. This isn't a horrible passed about from home to home story - Finley gets the best home possible and is extremely lucky, not that she appreciates it when all she worries about is her old life and wanting it back.
Chase has troubles and is living with his grandmother to straighten his life out. He meets Finley and the two end up helping each other through the changes.
The story is wonderfully written. It's neither too dark or too peppy, but right on the button of explaining situations from every angle.

[Lisa Maher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finley and Chase are two completely different people, yet they are drawn to each other in ways that they don't understand at first. Chase comes from an upper class family and a bit of fame. Finley from a poor family that barely is hanging on. When their worlds collide, they realize that they are not so different after all. I loved this first book in the Love in Ocean Grove series! It is a completely clean young adult book that will draw readers in from the first words and leave you wanting more when it is over. I love how real and how easy to relate to these characters are. Even when things are completely falling apart, they both have an inner strength to push the other to do better, and in the process find something that they weren't expecting. Anna Catherine Field is a brilliant author and I cannot wait for the next installment in this series.

[Kim Slye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, Clean Romance

I’ve come to love this author and her ability to write an engaging, sweet and clean romance! I know now that this was her first book, but I learned about the series through a later book and have read them all in backwards order! Now I get to read going forward.
Finley and Chase couldn’t come from more different worlds. Finley a foster child with a certifiably crazy mother who made ends meet by walking dogs. Chase, a handsome athlete with a crooked smile, lives with his grandmother in a mansion and attends the exclusive Academy, but he was abandoned by his super model mother. Then Finley is placed with Chase’s grandmother. They both have trust issues, but slowly discover they are better figuring things out together.
Enjoy the read!

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anna Catherine Field's characters are always endearing and her stories endearing and this one is no different. Finley and Chase were instantly likeable. I loved how much both of them had grown by the end of the book. Ms. Field's characters usually always have an obstacle to overcome or find themselves in situations so relatable to young adults. Oftentimes situations that peoples can't fix for them, yet through friends and family they always seem to prevail. In a world where there is so much "ugly" it's refreshing to read a book like Finley and the Foster Brother. I'm sure it gives a little hope to those in similar situations as well. Good read!

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so this is a great “teen” love story — and I am NOT a teen. But it’s really so much more. The characters come alive right off the pages. And their struggles and fears and strengths and accomplishments are so true to life. I may be way beyond my teen years but I’m not ashamed to say I absolutely loved this story and will definitely be reading more by this author. In fact, I hope to perhaps find some cameo appearances/updates on Finley and Chase in future books of this series.

Anna Catherine Field is a very talented author and the narration was also extremely enjoyable on the audible version of this book!

[Amber Lambda · Rating 4 out of 5]

From reading a lot of manga with “non-related-brotherly” figures being the romantic interest, I was really excited to see a novel with this trope. Plus the forbidden love from teens of seemingly two different social worlds? Yes, please!

Finley and Chase were really sweet as they learned to open up and face different aspects of their life together, and I enjoyed seeing that character development. Lucy and Ms. Beverly were also fun. To me things wrapped up a little too easily and the rich students at the academy seemed a bit cliche, but overall this was a cute, light read. I especially appreciated it being a clean YA story!

[ضحى الحداد · Rating 3 out of 5]

I needed a short sweet book to ease my mood and this was exactly what I needed
The story is about Finely, she was placed in foster system after discovering that her mother is incapable of taking care of her, so she got fostered by a sweet old lady and welcomes her in her home, then she discovers that she has to share the house with Chase, the Lady's grandson, who is very sweet and their relationship starts

the book is extremely sweet, nothing dramatic happens and the ending is very happy that will make you smile, if you want something new and original this one was not it but I liked it just the same

[J.Bautista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Despite being a romance between two high schoolers, it was not shallow like the other books I've read from this genre. Most books I've read with characters in high school focus on "love" being defined as feelings of butterflies in your stomach and always thinking about the other person. This story has actual substance where Chase and Finley get to know each other and end up falling for each other because of it.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, quick read

I was in the mood for a light, YA book and picked this one because it is part of the reading is sweet KU challenge. This is a new author to me and I really enjoyed the book. I liked the character development. Chase and Findley had an instant attraction to each other, but the author doesn’t rush the relationship. They get to know each other slowly and earn each other’s trust.

[Gwendalyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

An overall okay book. I was planning on giving it a 3-star rating until the very end (last 3 or so chapters) where I felt the plot moved a bit to fast. I hate when the problem (which has been building up for 85% of the book, gets resolved I’m hardly anytime. I also didn’t really like how one character (cough, Chase’s grandmother, cough) solves basically the entire problem with hardly any effort on her part. Good build up until that point though. 2 stars.

[T.O. Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been looking for a clean, sweet romance to sink my teeth into, and this book was EVERYTHING I was looking for!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5 stars

I absolutely LOVED this book! Finley and Chase were absolutely adorable. Their love was sweet and innocent. This entire book was extremely heartfelt. I read it in a matter of hours and couldn't put it down.

This book has been added to my favorites, and I'm really hoping it will be available in paperback soon so I can add it to my bookshelf!

[Genni Piatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book! Finley and Chase both have huge hearts and I enjoyed seeing the two of them grow closer together and face their hardships. I loved that the story dealt with the foster system and mental illness. It was extremely well written and a pleasure to read. I'm so ready to read Lucy's story when it comes out.

[katy (taylor's version) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Man, Finley is so annoying. When Finley got mad at Chase for saying that she wasn’t his type I was just—- he said that BECAUSE they both agreed to lie about being in a relationship. They agreed! But she’s upset about what he said even though IT WAS CLEARLY A LIE, and a lie they agreed on telling! I just can’t.

[Carol Kidd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this cute book

First love and sadness you have to get thru to get where you want to be in life. Love the story. Sadness when there's a illness in a family member, where the child have to take care of their sick parent. Where you would give up things that's important to you, just to take care of where they can't. You have to read for yourself to find out. Fantastic read.

[Grace O'Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super Cute!!!

Finley & Chase are super adorable and sooo cute!!! This book melted my heart and gave me so many swoon vibes. I actually loved this book, but I have never read the author before so that was a surprise. Definitely going to read more by this author. Overall, excellent book!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great fluffy story. It was a very quick read. I love this book with everything I have. Its a mix of forbidden love, strangers to lovers, and love at first sight. It touches all the feels. I will forever recommend this book for anyone who want to get over a book hangover and just wants a quick fluffy read.

[whimsical reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 it’s a bit rushed and choppy? I’m not sure how else to describe it. The second half was much better. Chase is sweet. It was very short but I think I’ll read the next one.

Content: foster care, drinking, mentally unstable mom.

Personal opinion I would not have two kids at the same age, not related in the house together for a long time. :)

[Michelle Boyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet story. I really enjoyed watching Finley and Chase grow together, learning from each other’s experiences. I also enjoyed the fact that Veronica did not “win” at all in the book. She rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning so I took joy and seeing her not get her way ever!

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finley and the Foster Brother: Young Adult Sweet Romance (Love in Ocean Grove Book 1) by Anna Catherine Field is a great story to read. I really enjoyed reading this start to a brand new series and can not wait to get to book number two. I recommend this story to all.

[Ashley Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book.
I enjoyed how similar they were and yet different.
Would not have picked this book but if it hadn’t been for a reading challenge and I am really glad that I did. Can’t wait to read Lucy’s story.