Still reeling from the tragic deaths of his wife and daughter, Matt Tyler trudges through life, caring for his young son, managing his cantankerous father, and working as much as he can. Despite his best efforts, bills are piling up and his vindictive in-laws seem determined to take Luke away from him.
Things change when he stumbles upon Sammie Morgan—with a car that won’t run and her mother’s ashes in the backseat. Best friends growing up, Matt and Sammie have spent years apart following very different paths. Now they’ve both run out of options. Without a dime in her pocket, Sammie has nowhere to go. And Matt lacks the stable home life he needs to fight his former in-laws.
Their hasty solution? A marriage of convenience.
But how convenient will this reintroduction be if it means Matt and Sammie have to relive the most painful parts of their past?
Nancee is a retired addiction counselor & nurse who worked to support her coffee and reading habit. A terrible insomniac, her nights are spent writing magical realism, paranormal and contemporary romances with a serrated edge. She puts the fun in dysfunctional and is a known book hoarder. You can find all of her books here: https://books2read.com/ap/xXAODR/Nanc...
If you've read my other books, David Patterson in The Redemption of Emma Devine was a single dad who, while he had his moments as a parent, pretty much had control of the situation raising his daughter.
In this book... poor Matt Tyler. Living with his cantankerous father, dealing with a traumatized son and fighting the in-laws from hell. He needs help!
In the sixth novel of the Pine Bluff series, Matt Tyler has been through hell. He lost his wife and child in a severe car accident, leaving him as a single parent of a young son. His work as mechanic doesn't pay the bills, and his former father-in-law is threatening to usurp custody of Matt's son.
Enter Matt's childhood friend, Sammie. Sammie's got her own issues, including the recent death of her mentally ill mother. But her kind heart wants to help Matt out of a bind. When she starts living with Matt, his son, Luke, and his feisty father, Pa, she brings some light to the grieving family.
I enjoyed sweet moments between Matt and Luke, like this one:
"Girls are like flowers--kinda the same but different. And you need to handle 'em gently."
"What kind of flower was Mommy?"
Memories of Karen flashed like a newsreel--laughing at the dinner table, crying when Elizabeth started school, and holed up in a dark room not talking.
"Mommy was an orchid. She was beautiful but had to be handled with care."
"What about Sammie?"
"Hmm, I think Sammie's a sunflower. She's strong and a survivor."
*sings "Sunflower" by Post Malone & Swae Lee*
I also enjoyed the realism related to Luke's fear of riding in a car. I just want to hug that little guy.
Though this is a standalone, it helps to know the history of Pine Bluff residents from prior books in the series. Book five featured Jinx, the sister of Matt's deceased wife, and Jinx's family dysfunction plays a small role in this story as well. And it's hilarious to see naughty boy Dylan (from the first book) play a preacher for a wedding.
The Reintroduction of Sammie Morgan is book six in the Pine Bluff series. It can be read as a standalone. Matt melted my heart. He's strong character that has a lot going on. He's single dad and also has his own dad to worry about. He's father in law is not very nice and likes to cause drama. Sammie was best friends with Matt before. They went down different paths and now she's back in town. She wasn't planning on staying very long but her car broke down and she doesn't have much money. Her and Matt hatch a plan that will help her and him. I was a little worried that their plan was not the best thing to do. Sammie is good for Matt and his son, Luke. I really liked her interaction with Luke. I loved Sammie and Matt together. 4 1/2 Stars!
Nancee Cain writes about love with baggage, flawed people with relatably screwed up pasts; the Reintroduction of Sammie Morgan is the most recent in the Pine Bluff series and really drives home just how precious love is - old love, first love, second chance - baggage or not! Loved this book, took me away, made me cheer for love all over again.
An excellent and emotional story . Life can change in an instant . Secrets are revealed . Feelings are shared. Obstacles are overcome. Join Sammie , Tyler , Luke and Pa, as they navigate life after loss . Welcome back to Pine Bluff . Nancee Cain has away of drawing you into her stories,wanting to fight for the good people and take down the bad ones. I truly love her words and worlds . I recommend this book and the series to everyone. 5 stars
The Reintroduction of Sammie Morgan has got to be my favorite book is this series. It's emotional, heart-wrenching, swoony and deals with some very real issues. The Reintroduction of Sammie Morgan captivates you from the very beginning. You'll fall head over heels for these characters, Pa has a special place in my heart. I highly recommend TRoSM
There's just something about Nancee Cain's characters that are so realistic, like they could be any one of us, which makes them so easy to imprint on for me, and Sammie & Matt are no exception. Matt is drowning in his life, after the death of his wife & daughter, with the bills piling up & in-laws who want to take his son away. He comes across Sammie in a broken down car, with her mother's ashes in the backseat, and she has nowhere to go. They used to be best friends growing up, but life set them on different paths, however, Matt decides to enlist her help with his in laws since he needs help, and she needs help, so a marriage of convenience becomes the answer. But, will it really stay convenient if they have to face their demons? Man this was an emotional story for real with angst levels that were almost too much at times. And yet, there was well placed humor to give me a break so I didn't have to put the book down to take a breather, which had me ready to give the amazing Nancee Cain a standing ovation to be honest. Obviously, these two have a big chance at love if they get past those painful past demons, face the bumps in the road head on, and just learn to actually be a couple. I guess the question becomes are they willing though? You'll have to one click this baby in order to get those answers! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Nobody mixes absolutely heartbreaking angst with laugh out loud funny and swoon-worthy romance like Nancee Cain. Sammie and Matt's love story is just one more example of that. The story is a mix of romance tropes - friends to lovers, first crush, second chance, single dad, small town romance, marriage of convenience, pretty much a big bag of lots and lots of love. And if you've read the book, you'll get that reference. This couple will absolutely break your heart as they face their pasts and learn to be a couple. Nancee Cain takes the angst just to the edge of too much, then brings it all into perspective with some perfectly timed wit and humor. Add in the love story between these two and you have another great read in a series of great reads. An added bonus for those who are familiar with the series - we get lots of catching up with Dylan in this one, plus one of the funniest weddings I've ever read! Each book in the series can be read as a standalone, but once you've discovered the world of Pine Bluff, you can't stop at just one. This sixth in the series is another fantastic addition to the series, and I have two more friends to revisit from time to time.
So I have read all the books in this series so far....they can be read as stand alones but we did meet Matt in earlier books. I was worried about this one since I knew he lost his wife and daughter in a car accident....having my own young daughters I was worried it would be too much for me. But I should have known Nancee would write A story that wasn't centered around the loss but had a beautiful story about healing. Matt was barely getting by when Sammie walked back into his life. Sammie was so strong and the way she was able to put everyones life back on the right path was amazing! You should definetly buy this book you won't regret it. Well done Nancee on yet again another great book in the series!
I really enjoyed this addition to the Pine Bluff series. It's a real emotional roller coaster dealing with many difficult situations. Ms Cain has done a stirling job of drawing out those painful emotions and bringing them to life for the reader in a way you can really relate to. There is a lot going on in this story, from heartbreak to fun, grief to love and everything in between. This was my favourite in the series so far.
Every new addition to the Pine Bluff series is my favorite. This latest installment is no exception...... It has all the feels, emotions and even a side of laughter here and there. Perfect summer or anytime read!
I started and finished The Reintroduction of Sammie Morgan (Sam, Sammie, Samantha or Mrs. Tyler) in one day. This book went where I did not see it going. I was touched, laughed (love Pa) and cried for Luke.
I received a copy from the author for review purposes.
Nancee Cain is exceptional at creating fun, romantic, and emotional stories. This story was a great addition to the Pine Bluff series. I loved it lots and lots!
Loved Sammie and Matt! This book jumps right in and brings these two friends back together after years apart. Little by little we get to know them as they become reacquainted once again. Best friends growing up who manage to still back each other up and defend their family, while trying to shed their pasts that seem to haunt them. It’s so much fun to wander through Pine Bluff and meet up with old friends, like Dylan and Jennifer. They all remind us of the old friends we’ve come to know along this journey. Pick up a copy of Sammie’s book and find out if friendship will lead to love.
The latest book in the Pine Bluff Series is my favorite! I thoroughly enjoyed the love story of Sammie and Matt with all the ups and downs expected when two people know they are right for each other but have to fight to prove it to their families. Nancee is one of my very favorite contemporary romance writers!
Another emotional, heart warming addition to the amazing Pine Bluff series. Matt is not in a good place- dealing with the lost of his wife, Karen and Daughter, carrying Karen's secret close to his heart, protecting and raising his son, Luke, who his ex- father-in-law threatens to sue for custody of, living with his ill-tempered father and trying to pay the bills. Enter Sammie, his best friend from childhood who has returned to Pine Bluff. When her car breaks down Matt helps her out and soon Sammie is helping Matt work through his problems. Compassion. love and hope shine once again in this beautifully written story. Dylan, Jennifer and Jinx from previous stories play key roles in I highly recommend reading this entire series, each book deals with real life issues and will stay in your heart long after reading them.
Nancee Cain's Pine Bluff series totally rocks. Her romance stories have a theme in which readers can also identify possible problems in their lives and others. I am not a romance reader, but hers feel different to me. Sure there are all the factors that make a romance novel come to life, but there is also the human factor. She has a way of making it more than romance, it is life. It is realistic. Her language is up-to-date. Next up is book 7. Then I will read the other 3 paranormal angel ones. I know I won't be disappointed. Her work is something not to be missed. (This one might be my favorite)
Matt is trying his best to be a single father, but everything seems to be falling apart until Sammie comes back into his life. Their story is one of my favorites in this series because it's sad but sweet at the same time. Its beautifully written and very detailed so that you feel like you are seeing everything happen right in front of you. I definitely recommend this series as well as this book to everyone.
Another wonderful addition to the series. Matt is lost and depressed after the loss of his wife and daughter. Then he meets up with Sammie Morgan his shadow from his younger years. There is a lot of sorrow and anger, depression and anxiety,love and laughter in this book I am looking forward to more I think pa and Luke are wonderful characters. Looking forward to reading more about them.
I don't know how Nancee Cain does it, every book in the Pine Bluff series has been amazing and only get better with each new one. I feel the emotions that are happening and it's like I right there with each person. This is a great book in a wonderful series and I'm looking forward to the next book.
I thought this was a nice, light, entertaining read. It was well-written and most of the characters were fleshed out well. I liked that the main characters had flaws but were still likable. This was the first in the series that I've read but will probably read the one with Dylan--he was a fun side character.
An inspiring story of damaging secrets and second chance love. Matt and Sammie were friends in school but he chooses someone else. Years later they meet again and he is widowed and in trouble with his in-laws. To keep from losing his son they marry but will they rekindle their friendship from their youth. But when secrets start coming to light who will survive the backlash?
Wow. You go in this book thinking one thing and come out on the other side with a totally different view. I love Matt. He's something else. And Sammie is incredible. Great read. Now onto the last book from the Pine Bluff series!!
It's been only a few months since Matt Tyler's wife and daughter died. He's not exactly come to terms with losing them, but he knows he now has to settle and reinforce a stable environment for his son Luke. But it is hard to do when his in-laws are determined to make Matt out to be and unfit parent and the bills and debt just keep stacking against him. Throw in the fact he's also now attempting to take care of his father after he suffered a stroke, and everything just seems to be piling against Matt.
Sammie Morgan left Pine Bluff years ago, leaving behind her best friend without a word. But now fate seems to have brought Sammie and Matt back face to face. For Sammie this may be her second chance to finally get Matt to see beyond their friendship to the woman she's grown into. For Matt, Sammie may just be the light at the end of the tunnel that he needs to keep fighting.
Both Matt and Sammie have lost so much throughout their lives and they are both hurt and afraid to put their hearts back on the line. But in the end both Matt and Sammie could be what the other needs to heal from their troubling pasts.
I absolutely love Nancee Cain and her books. Each Pine Bluff story seems to have a character(s) that have been hurt, abused, or traumatized in some way. But even when the person may feel like they are nothing but a broke soul there is always someone out there to love and help you heal to see beyond the broken and cracked pieces.
Matt Tyler is still grieving for his wife and daughter. They both died in a tragic car accident almost a year ago. His son Luke survived the accident although he sustained many injuries, both physical and mental.
Matt works as a mechanic and lives with his father and son in his childhood home. Matt has been a great father to Luke. But, is now struggling to raise him on his own. He wants to bring him up in the same manner his late wife would have approved of. Matt's major roadblock is his father-in-law James Howell who has never liked him. Mr. Howell blames Matt for the death of his daughter and granddaughter. He believes Matt is an unfit father and that Luke is not being raised in a good environment. Matt's father (Pa) has been known to drink quite a bit. Mr. Howell will stop at nothing to ensure that he and his wife get custody of Luke.
Sammie Morgan was a childhood friend of Matt's. They were best friends growing up but, they had lost touch since she moved away with her Mother. After Sammy's mother passed away, Sammie brought her mother's ashes back to the town where her father was buried. Sammie's car breaks down and Matt comes to her rescue. Sammie is flat broke and offers to cook and clean for Matt and his family in exchange for getting her car repaired. The two friends talk and catch up. Sammie soon realizes what a predicament Matt is in. When Mr. Howell confronts them, to Matt surprise she calmly explains that Matt is her fiancée. Matt plays along and soon the bogus engagement develops into reality. Sammie is like a ray of sunshine in the Tyler household. She takes great care of Matt, Luke, and Pa. Sammie soon becomes a beloved member of the family. This story touched my heart and I thoroughly enjoyed the many twists and turns.
Cain has a talent for weaving humor with pain. She addresses a wide range of social problems in her books. Although this can be read as a stand-alone book, I highly recommend reading the entire Pine Bluff series by Nancee Cain.
I absolutely love how real and raw these characters are. There’s just so much emotion I can’t help but root for every character. I really enjoyed the story filled with pain, sorrow, love and joy.
Sammie and Matt are just meant to be. Another great addition to the Pine Bluff's series. Love the connection they have and how they need each other to overcome their situations.