Somebody to Love

Blessings, Georgia #11

by Sharon Sala

Welcome to Blessings, Georgia! Whether you've lived here your whole life, you're returning after years of being away, or you're new in town, you're sure to find the love in a small town happy ending you're looking for.

Fifteen years ago, a family member stole the money Hunt Knox had saved for college, while three of his siblings and his father hid the truth and told him to get over it. Betrayed by their lies and thievery, Hunt joined the army and wound up flying Apache helicopters in Iraq. Now, he's a chopper pilot for an oil company in Houston, Texas, his father has been dead for six years, and he's finally returning home to Blessings at his mother's dying request.

Ava Ridley, the little girl Hunt's mother used to babysit, has grown up and is a nurse at his mother's bedside when he arrives. Ava is overjoyed to see him. She had a huge crush on him when she was young. And as the two spend more time together, Ava's crush grows to be even more.

Through secrets, lies, family betrayal, and difficult choices, Hunt's not sure he and Ava can make it together in Blessings. But everybody loves somebody, and Hunt isn't willing to lose the one person who makes their small town feel like his forever home.

Grab some sweet tea and sit awhile: This sweet contemporary romance has family betrayal, childhood crushes, a veteran hero, and a second chance to get everything right.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Chick Lit, Audiobook, Mystery

303 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 23, 2021

About the author

Biography



Sharon Sala is a Native Oklahoman and still lives within a two hour drive of where she was born.
First published in 1991, she is a New York Times/USA Today, best-selling author with a 135 plus books published in seven different genres, including Romantic suspense, Mystery, Young Adult, Western, Fiction, Women’s Fiction and Non-Fiction.

Industry Awards include:
Eight-time RITA finalist. (Romance Industry award)
The Janet Dailey Award.
Five-time Career Achievement winner from RT Magazine.
Five time winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award.
Five time winner of the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence.
Heart of Excellence Award.,
Booksellers Best Award.
Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award RITA, presented by RWA.
Centennial Award from RWA for recognition of her 100th published novel.

Reviews

[Elle G. Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Rating: 5 stars
Genre Small Town | Southern Romance | Wholesome

Review Snapshot : Sharon Sala writes the most incredibly UPLIFTING romances! This book was exactly what I needed, and I fell in love with the story just as fast as these characters fell in love with each other.

︙︙︙︙︙︙︙︙︙

All it took was one book from Sharon Sala and I become obsessed with her storytelling. I have continuously loved every word, every relationship, the people within the town, and even the fictional place of Blessings, Georgia. It’s been so easy to become enamored with this world and if it were real, I would choose to live there. There’s just something so amazing about the people who reside in it and the way they help each other out in times of need that make it seem like an idyllic place to live. This series is one of my favorites in the entire world and I highly recommend it to those who enjoy a more wholesome romance (less cussing, and fade to black sex scenes).

There’s no need for me to rehash the entire plot because it’s not needed for a book like this, but I will say that fans of insta love and long-lasting connections (with a little family drama thrown in) will probably enjoy this book (and series) as much as I do. It’s hands down one of my favorites and whenever I’m in a rut I know I can count on Sala to take me out of it. Knox and Ava are an amazing couple, and readers will easily fall in love with them just like I did. You’ll also find (if you’ve read other books in the series) that familiar faces make appearances too. It’s like coming home to an old friend.

𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for a arc copy for a honest review.

Somebody To Love is first the book by Sharon Sala that I have read by this author. I love the storyline between Ava and Hunt, some would say it was Instant love but I feel if it’s done well that’s what I like. I hate when it seem’s for the couple to take forever to get together now that drives me crazy. I gave it 4 stars

Happy Reading
Lisa

[Janine · Rating 1 out of 5]

There were things here I just couldn’t reconcile. The H/h, although having a past history, fell into insta-love and a marriage commitment in about two weeks. There were frequent references to faith and belief in God and an afterlife, but no apparent problem with a fast move towards a sexual relationship.

There were a lot of side stories going on, including a weird violent episode with an ex-boyfriend, that didn’t go anywhere. Why did he approach her in such a violent manner out of the blue? Why did he bring his pregnant wife to this town? What did any of that have to do with the story?

The family with the two sons who planned the robbery; why was that a side story? Although I understand the parents not accepting their choice to engage in crime and insisting on them facing the consequences of their actions - how could they so easily dismiss them as gone from their lives. Seemingly good riddance. Was there no chance for future redemption? They were just stupid kids. Wasn’t there a chance prison and the unexpected death of the father would be a possible catalyst for change? The mother implied she would move and not even tell them where she was going. It is possible to love someone and yet hold them accountable for their actions. Apparently they were beyond redemption in her eyes.

The story of the reason for the stolen money that was the basis of H’s departure from the family didn’t make any sense. The dad killed a man and dumped his body in the bayou. But he wasn’t actually dead?? And he had never reappeared so they were unaware he wasn’t dead??

I don’t think I will ever read this author again.

[Linda Langford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story! Great hero!

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I think of where I would like to be, it is a small community like the one in Blessings, GA. A community, while not without its challenges, comes together to support its fellow citizen and help improve everyone's life. This book is no different.

The romance between Hunt and Ava is revived from their childhood, at least on Ava's part. Hunt is several years older and while he watched out for her, he never saw her in a romantic light until now. Their romance seems quick, but they have a lot of history together and sometimes that is all you need to create a forever relationship.

While the romance is the main focus of the story, there are several subplots including Hunt's relationship with his family, some troubled youth and their family, and the normal town happenings.

I enjoy this series and this book was no different. I did feel like something was a little off with the writing in this particular book but nothing I can put my finger on. Perhaps part of it was due to repetitive text, some of the characters seemed a little flat, and the development of the relationship between Hunt and Ava seemed just a little too quick despite their history.

The sense of community is what keeps bringing me back to this series. They don't hesitate to look out for each other and help wherever possible.

We give this book 4 paws up.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hunter returns to his hometown after the death of his mother, the only person he bothered to keep in contact with after his father and siblings steal his future from him. He promised her he would take care of everything she wished for in her will. It’s nothing drastic, but it still lands him back in a place he thought he’d never want to be again and in the sights of Ava, a girl 4 years his junior who always had a thing for him.

Turns out she still does.

Thoughts

This book is…interesting, I guess is a way to put it. The story itself is quite busy and hops around to multiple viewpoints of different people within the family and around the town, which is fine. It keeps things interesting if the author can keep it together, which she more or less did. I can keep up with everyone involved despite not reading the previous books to figure out who all these people are on a more personal level. The busy plot is fine too, for the most part. I felt like this book was a little rough around the edges and perhaps hastily written is some places, but overall it’s okay. What truly threw me off genuinely liking this book comes down to the writing style.

I have to confess the writing style wasn’t for me. How to explain...I feel like the comprehension level was down around a junior high level, which is fine. But the author has this thing where she tells you something and then whacks you over the head with that info repeatedly like you’re the naughty kid in class who refuses to pay attention, which is often a trait found in kid’s books. We, the adult reader, general are capable of understanding what was said the first time.

It basically feels like the author was saying: the mom of the family died, they live in Georgia, the mom died, they live in the South, the family stole from Hunt, the mom died, Hunt flies helicopters, they live in the south, Ava has a massive crush on him, the mom died, etc. I got it, okay!!! This book would be at least 30 pages shorter if all those repetitive details were pulled out of it. It’s like every character has to remind you of the same details at least 5 times each. At least. I should have counted…pretty sure many of them are higher than that.

Also, there are some inconsistencies in the writing. For example, the author shifts to Ava point of view and has her call Hunter to see how he’s doing. They are talking on the phone but Hunter smiled. “I’m fine-“. Maybe this is part of the writing style that didn’t pop up until 22% of the way through the book, but it really bugs me and I didn’t notice it in previous phone calls between the siblings. How does she know he smiled when they are on the phone in different houses and it’s from her point of view? It’s like there was a shift in writing. It could have been “I’m fine-", a smile evident in his voice. But it wasn’t and suddenly you are getting everyone’s point of view in a tiny space of writing which is supposed to be from one person's point of view. It happens again on the day of the funeral, minus the phone part. From there on out, I noticed it several more times.

How do I explain the next part of the writing that bothers me…it’s like the author has to tell you every thing that’s happening. Everything. It’s not smoothly done either. Paraphrasing here but this is a rough example of something that happened in the book and how the writing felt to me. ‘Ava decided to eat popcorn as a snack. She put the popcorn bag into the microwave to pop the popcorn.’ It’s just…not smooth and it’s telling you what she told you step by step. I mean, I was paraphrasing and that was a bit of an exaggeration, but it’s still an example of how the writing is in this book. You can see why I believe the comprehension level and writing style is geared towards a younger audience than the content is meant for.

Another tiny issue I had was the romance. It started off well enough, but I feel like after Hunter warned Ava away he immediately kind of went “well I told her and she’s still in to me so I guess I’ll just go with the flow and kinda lead her on,” which is 100% not what is supposed to be happening, I’m sure, but just an interpretation of what I was reading that came across my brain. I’m sure the author just meant to fast forward the romance since it only really started 20% of the way through the book, but somehow still felt like it started abruptly. The romance itself, well I feel as though this is one of the rushed bits where romantic conversations were hastily plunked in certain places. The result is kind of a sappy feel and the nagging idea that the author is trying to show you the most perfect romance imaginable for these two love birds. If you don’t like sappy, maybe this book isn’t for you.

Moving on…

All the negative aside, I feel like I should tell you again what I did like for this book to earn the rating it did. The sole thing I really liked was, Hunter. There is a good man. Hunter is just trying to do right by his mother, not stir up the hornets’ nest that is his family and their ‘betrayal’, and get back to his life elsewhere. The romance was just kind of icing on the cake, that he could find someone to love while all of this was going on. Ava was fine, I guess. I don’t have any complaints about her really . The other characters served their purpose too, I guess. So it really just the writing style and the hastily put together feeling of the book that bothered me. It is just so disappointing because I think with some tweaks to the writing style, it would be a good read to me.


In Conclusion

The writing style is just not my cup of tea. I find the comprehension level too low to make up for the hammering the nail till it’s dead style of written delivery for all the info involved in this book. I liked the premise, the storyline, and the main character Hunter, but even those things combined could not save this book from the dislike I had for the writing style.

I’m not sure if this is the author’s usual style but friends have tried to assure me this is not the norm with this author, so maybe one day I’ll try another one of her books.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that Sala's storytelling style really lends itself more to small town romance than it does to romantic suspense. Here's to hoping for a lovely stroll down Blessings lane. It's my go-to place for a nice and easy read.

2.5 stars. This was what I’ve come to expect from Sharon Sala. It was filled with drama, some small town and some action-y. It was also sappy sweet and completely devoid of OP drama. The H didn’t come across as a tomcat, and that was good too. Overall this was an easy way to pass the time.

[Emily Higgins]

Hunt Knox returned to Blessings, GA because his mother is dying. He stays after his mother dies because she asked him to refurbish her house for sale. Hunt becomes reacquainted with Ava, a young woman his mother babysat when Ava was young. Will their friendship grow into love?

[Mary-Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Normally I'm generous enough to give books I didn't like two stars because ultimately they were still okay. However, I was beyond disappointed in the latest Sharon Sala's Blessing's Georgia novel and can't even say it was okay. I have read others in the series and enjoyed the blossoming romance and the charm of the small town, but this book felt like the author phoned it in and suffered from lazy writing. To begin with, this is supposed to be a romance, and to have the couple express their unwatering love for each other in the first half of the book left the second half without any romance. There was no build or developing love between the two. It just was without question. Then, near the end, when a tragedy struck them, it felt like it was thrown in to extend the novel and add drama. At the same time, the big secret that was tearing apart the family was revealed 70% of the way through the book. With the couple nearly engaged already, the last 30% of the book felt irrelevant (which seemed to be why she threw in "the tragedy"). It felt like a desperate attempt to extend the novel and add conflict to the couple.

Having read this series before, I know the town and the residents are a big part of the novels. However, in this novel which already had multiple members of a family that were slightly developed, to throw in another family and their drama to show the generous side of the town and how wonderful everyone is, felt completely unnecessary. There were four other characters already established who could have experienced some dramatic event without introducing more in the last half of the book. Not to mention how she introduced another new character and potential love interest for the one sibling in the last 10% of the book. Why? Nothing was going to be adequately developed in that time and at that point, I had long since stopped caring.

Sala's writing style never bothered me before, so I don't know if I never noticed certain things before, or if this book is an exception, but there seemed to be a lot of filler. Aside from the above mentioned examples where it seemed like situations were included for extra drama or make the book longer, I saw a lot of sections where the author showed every mundane detail of their life leading nowhere. There were sections detailing the morning routine of the character and then they go to work but nothing else happens of consequence. Then the main character is estranged from his four siblings. When he does something spectacular, a scene was written with each of those siblings finding out he did something spectacular. The same story was told three or four times and each scenario was only a few paragraphs. It was repetitive and not necessary. There are snippets throughout the book bouncing between each sibling and what they're doing. The book could have done without one sibling or found a way to make the situations more significant.

I had been excited to read this book but struggled to get through it. It had no romance and was boggled down with unnecessary scenes and characters. In all honestly, this book felt like it was written to fulfill a contract and not a true example of what I've come to expect with this series. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Jade aka MrsTosh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hunt Knox returns to Blessing after his mother is diagnosed with terminal cancer, he manages to see her for a few minutes before she passes away. He left 15 years ago after a falling out when his family stole some money he was saving for college. Feeling betrayed by his family he leaves and joins the army. Arriving back in town secrets around the money start to be revealed. He has only kept in touch with his Mum, his youngest sister Birdie and an old family friend Ava. She has had a crush on Hunt Knox since she was a kid, he was her hero. Their friendship starts to blossom, and Ava tells Knox how she has felt about him.

I did like the story and the characters are all quite complex. I found the Ava situation a bit odd, she confesses her love to him and them they are talking about moving back to him house back in Houston and are in love and have always been. Just seemed a little bit too sweet and quick for me. This is a new to me author but I would definitely read other books by her.

My rating scale
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Absolutely loved it! Gave me a warm fuzzy feeling or made me cry. And took me on an emotional rollercoaster.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Really liked it. Will read more by the author and other books in the series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - It was just okay, didn’t move me, but don’t feel like I wasted me time reading it either.
⭐️⭐️ - Didn’t like this book and probably won’t read other in the series.
⭐️ - I did not care for this book at all and feel like I wasted my time reading it

[Mum · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was reasonably good. The transition from one character to the next was dreadful. It jumped around from character to another after two paragraphs. She needs a very good editor because I truly enjoy her stories and her older ones had better flow and a clearer overall goal.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Returning to the Blessings, Georgia world is like visiting a special magical place where the residents wave, greet you by name, and look after you when you're down. In this latest, a runaway comes home to fulfill his dying mother's last request and discovers a little girl with a crush has grown up. Comfy southern small town romance at it's best.

Somebody to Love is the eleventh of the series of standalone romances that can be read out of order, but are enjoyed more when read as a connected series.

Margaret Knox is dying and is setting her life in order with a desire to right a long-time wrong so she sends for Hunt, the son who left and never came back after his family betrayed him. Hunt is there in time to reassure her that he will execute her will and keep his promise to her. He ignores his four younger siblings who are part of the betrayal of stealing his college money and closing ranks to hide who did it. He will bury his mother, fix up her house to sell, divide up the money and get out of Blessings as fast as he can. He's lived a lifetime since he left as an Army combat helicopter pilot and now flying chopper service to the oil rigs. The plan is good until he lays eyes on his mom's perky, cute nurse and he realizes that little Ava Ridley has grown up and just the sight of her soothes him down to his soul.

Ava had a crush on Hunt Knox since she was a kid. He was always her hero against skinned knees, bullies, and tough homework. She never stopped missing him when he left town and her heart twists to see that nothing has been the same since for the Knox family who let him go and are standoffish even now. What happened? She's always wondered. But, she wonders more what will happen because this adult version of Hunt still has her heart and he doesn't push her away when she takes a risk and lets him see it.

Somebody to Love is a heartwarming story that has some sadness to balance out the sweet and romantic. The focus of the story is on Hunt and Ava's romance and the Knox family secret, but like with past books, there are other side stories going on around the town. Some of the stories are lovely while at least one, breaks the reader's heart. The town rallies to the Knox family and others in need.

I'm a low-angst fan for the most part and this series continues to be a go to when I want uncomplicated, straight-forward romance with the conflict mostly being either that of a character's personal issue or the conflict is from without. Hunt and Ava fall in love quickly and deeply. It's a little far fetched, but I was happy to swallow the little blue pill. Their romance is one of the story threads along with each Knox sibling, and another situation involving another family's tragedy and a fire for one of the town businesses. Ruby and Peanut get to work rallying the town for that.

The Knox family mystery was driving me nuts with curiosity and I liked the way the author built the suspense and revealed it in a lovely scene. My heart was brimming over when the truth came out. I had my suspicions and I was partly right. Hunt was an amazing guy through it all and Ava was a solid support showing how well they are as a couple already.

All in all, it was another comfy visit to Blessings and spending time with the people at all the familiar places and I was well-satisfied with the new romance pair and the family stories that unfolded. Those who want gently-paced heartwarming contemporary romance should definitely try this series.

My thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Donna Repsher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to have my request for an advanced reader copy of Sharon Sala's eleventh Blessings, Georgia novel, Somebody to Love, granted. It's a series I've been following from its outset and have thoroughly enjoyed, but I liked this latest novel a tad less than some of the previous ones for several reasons, and am giving it a 4-star rating.

The hero in this novel is Hunter (Hunt) Knox, who left Blessings at 18, never looked back and for good reason. He had been saving up for college for years, and amassed $8,000 to pay for it, but when he was ready to leave, he discovered that it was missing. None of his 4 siblings would own up to stealing it, and when he approached his father, he was rather callously told to "do something else." He joined the military, became a helicopter pilot, and stayed in the service for 7 years--until a helicopter crash and his injuries sidelined him. When healed, he got word that his mother was dying, and that she wanted him home. He reached her hospital bedside just in time, to let her know that he would honor the promise she requested of him. None of his siblings even spoke to him, nor had they really kept in touch or known where he was and what he was doing during his absence from Blessings. Hunt did manage to notice the pretty nurse at his mother's bedside. It was Ava Ridley, who grew up with him and his siblings and who had turned into a lovely young woman. He didn't really recognize her at first. What he didn't know was that she'd had a childhood crush on him, and that those feelings never left her even when he left town.

Hunt's siblings were shocked to learn that their mother had appointed Hunt as the executor of her estate, and that he was expected to make repairs on the family home and get it ready to sell. Once sold, Hunt was to receive a lump sum of $8,000 off the top, and be repaid for any home improvement expenses he incurred for during the renovation. The remainder was to be split 5 ways.

I liked the slow reveal of the secret of Hunt's missing money, and I especially liked the spirituality that Ms. Sala wove into this story. As someone who follows her posts on social media, her relationship with spirit is an intrinsic part of her nature, and I loved the way she threaded it into this heartwarming novel.

There are so many other characters and subplots in this novel that it felt as though Ms. Sala managed to include every character in town. Followers of this series will recognize many of them, and new characters are added as well. For this reader, much of what transpires in these subplots with the secondary characters seemed like a lot of unnecessary padding--but while the subplots were interesting in and of themselves, had they not been part of this novel, I doubt I would have missed them.

My only other problem was with the two main characters, Hunt and Ava--both quite likable. They went from Hunt not even recognizing Ava to "I've loved you forever," in just one week. Rather than all of the aforementioned subplots, I wish Ms. Sala had given theses two characters a little more time to get to know one another, and for Hunt to catch up with Ava's "I've loved you forever" at a more extended, leisurely and believable pace.

All in all, I will continue following this charming, heartwarming, and addictive series. While each Blessings novel can be read as a standalone, I'd recommend reading these novels in the order they were written since so many characters in the previous novels reappear in this one.

As stated, I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars: I am really enjoying the Blessings, Georgia series. These are clean and sweet romances that occur in a small town in Georgia. They are usually second chance or new beginnings stories that end with a happily ever after. In this story, Hunter Knox returns home to Blessings after being gone for fifteen years. When someone in his family steals his college money, he joins the army instead and now lives in Texas flying helicopters for an oil company. Only his mother knows where he has been and what he has been doing, so when she is dying, he returns to say good-bye and grant her last request, which is to be the executor of her estate. He comes face to face with his four siblings, the youngest not knowing why he left all those years ago. He also meets up with Ava Ridley, a girl that his mother provided childcare for when they were growing up. She was like a little sister to him, but she always hoped that he would see her as more than a friend.

One of the reasons I enjoy these books is because they are all about community. Even though each book is about different characters, the townspeople that I have grown to know and love usually make an appearance in the story. There is also more than one story going on, but the romance is the main one. Sharon Sala throws some roadblocks in, has some angst and something happening where the town has to come together to support others, which always makes me smile. I really liked Hunt's character. He has been burned by his own family and rather than wanting revenge, or to cause hurt, he comes to do what his mother wants before he moves on with his life. Of course, that isn't going to fly in Blessings and things happen to assist in some reconciliations. Secrets are revealed and family forgives, but it is an interesting ride to that point. Overall, these are sweet, clean and enjoyable romances with a Happily Ever After and this one was one that I recommend. You do not need to read or listen to these books in order, but I have and enjoyed the progression of these stories. Amy Rubinate narrates this series and I have come to enjoy her sweet, expressive voice. She does a nice job with this book and I will continue to listen to this series.

[Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somebody to Love by Sharon Sala was an interesting read. The story was not a ordinary one, which made it interesting. This is part of a series and even though it can be read as standalone, there were times where you wondered about the other stories that must have come before this one.

Hunt Knox on the day he was to leave for college found out someone had stolen 8,000 dollars from him. He was leaving for college and now he didn’t have the ability to pay for it, despite the year of working every type of job he could. A member of his family had stolen all his money. He was never told who or why, but to basically get over it. Hunt left that day and didn’t return until when his mother was dying. He returned as he promised and had a chance to say goodbye before she died.

Now Hunt is faced with fixing up his mom’s house, dealing with his siblings and Ava Ridley. She has been in love with him since she was very small. Now Hunt has one more hurdle, falling in love with Ava. The truth will come out and nothing will be quite the same.

Somebody to love by Sharon Sala was good read.

[Sonya Wasden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 11th book in the Blessings, GA series from Ms. Sala. I liked the story between Ava and Hunt. It was a little confusing when a second family story was introduced that didn't have a big connection to the main story but because of the small town, it touched on some of the same people in town.

Hunt had been betrayed by several of his family members when he was 18 years old and he had left town. Now, all these years later, he is back to keep a promise he made to his dying mother and then he is out of there again, never to return. Because this betrayal involved all but one of his siblings, he has no respect or desire to have a relationship with them. As time moves through he story, there are opportunities for healing and love to be renewed.

Ava has been in love with Hunt Knox since she was a young girl. She was devastated when he left town so suddenly without saying goodbye. She was only 13 years old when he left but she had never really had a lasting relationship with anyone because they never measured up to Hunt Knox. Now, he was back and she wanted more than friendship.

This story had lots of facets; love, betrayal, backstabbing, romance, danger, secrets and undying love. I liked the story but I didn't love it but I did like the small town feel of the story and how they came together in a crisis to support and help when someone was in need. There was a little bit of foul language and some sex scenes that were not really graphic and were mostly behind closed doors or fade to black scenes.

I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunt Knox is back in town because his mother is dying and he's calling his siblings to account for the fact that someone stole his college fund all those years ago. He joined the military and became a helicopter pilot but is resentment has lingered. Ava, who has been caring for his mother, has had a crush on Hunt for years and now that he's in town, well, you know what's going to happen. This winds a family secret into a love story between two people with issues in their background. Luckily, they live in Blessings, a small town where people help each other. This would have benefited from another edit to smooth out some of the rough edges and repetition but you know what- it's a good read with an HEA. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. One for a snowy day.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful visit to Blessings, GA!

Hunt Knox returns to Blessings, a place he left as a teenager under difficult circumstances. He is back because his mother is dying, and her last wish was for him to come back and settle her estate. At her bedside his brothers and sisters form a unit that excludes Hunt. His only advocate is Ava, a woman who’d known the family for years, and had a crush on Hunt all that time.

After his mom passes, Hunt begins renovating the house, and is still at odds with his siblings. No one will confess who was responsible for stealing Hunt’s college fund years ago, leading to Hunt leaving home and joining the Army. Hunt and Ava begin their relationship and quickly fall in love. There is drama and heartache, along with the revelation behind the theft, and a tease to a future relationship for more than one of the Knox sibs..

Every book in this series is like a visit to a beloved home town. The author weaves characters in masterfully throughout the series, but in a way that each could still be read as a standalone.. Every time I finish one I start looking forward to the next..

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

[Penelope Marzec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complex small-town romance with a myriad of interacting characters from the town. The romance was fairly straight forward since the heroine loved the hero since she was a child. However, the hero’s estrangement from his family was a huge part of the plot. This added a considerable amount of suspense, which I enjoyed. All in all, the book moved along quickly, was very well-done, and deserving of all five stars.

[Lindap · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.50 / 3 Stars

***HOOPLA audio***

This story felt a bit pollyanna-is to me. For as much as Hunt went through, from having his college money stolen by a family member, going to war, being shot down....you'd think he'd be portrayed as a bad ass. However there were times I felt he was just too sappy. Not saying a guy can't have a tender spot, but I was hoping for a more alpha guy. Maybe that's just me. Also Hunt and Ava came to the realization of their feelings for each other and the "I love you" came at the approximate half-way point. Sort of took away the romantic build up.

Still, it was a decent story, well written, and the narration was good.

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A modern day romance set in Blessings, Georgia featuring Hunter Knox and Ava Ridley. Hunt has returned to Blessings at the request of his dying mother. Ava is someone he knew growing up who is a grown up now. The book was a quick easy read.

[Marie Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a good time reading about the people in Blessings,GA.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hunt Knox abruptly left fifteen years ago after a family betrayal. His mother is dying, and he has returned to honour her last wishes. Upon his return he re-meets Ava Ridley whom his mother used to babysit. But now she is his mother's nurse.

[Leanna Hiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series! Blessings sounds like a great place to live. Everyone that lives there is so supportive of their neighbors. Great read. Ava and Hunt were meant to be together. Ava had loved Hunt since she was a child.

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

Somebody to Love returns us to Blessings, Georgia for another taste of this unique small town, and for answers to finally be found for one man who left fifteen years ago after a family betrayal changed the course of his life. One of the things that I enjoy about this series is that although you get a more solid understanding of this town, the community, and its residents if you’ve followed along from the beginning – it is a series of standalone romances that you could, if you wanted, just pick up a book here and there and not feel like you’ve missed important details.

For Hunt, returning home is a bittersweet trip, one he’d rather not be taking for he swore to never return after his siblings and his father closed ranks and wouldn’t tell him who had stolen a large amount of money he’d saved up for college. He left, joined the military as a helicopter pilot, and never looked back aside from keeping in touch with his mother. Now his mother is dying and he’s returning to be with her before death steals the one person he cares about from him. His reassurances that he will be the executor for her will, that he can follow her instructions to the letter seem to give his mother some final peace. In an abstract way, he was aware of the nurse at his mother’s bedside, he was after all focused on his mother. But soon he came to realize that he knew this woman or he had known the child she once was.

Long ago Ava had a serious childhood crush on Hunt but he wouldn’t have noticed back then and soon he would leave town so that crush went nowhere. Now with Hunt back at his mother’s bedside, and dealing with her wishes Ava has to admit that her crush never went away, and the man Hunt has become is even more than she remembered. But once he’s fulfilled those wishes for his mother Hunt has no intention of staying in Blessings. Anything between them wouldn’t stand a chance, right? But that doesn’t stop the feelings that Ava has, very adult feelings that she has every intention of acting on now.

Somebody to Love was a story that captured my imagination and my emotions quite easily. While there were things that I wish had been developed a bit more, it’s not my story to write only to read and enjoy. Hunter does get answers, I don’t know if he really got closure but answers. Family betrayal is a hard situation for anyone no matter the reasons. It had shaped Hunt into the man he is now, who knows what he might have been had he been able to go to college and chose a different path in life. That will always remain unanswered for Hunter. There were moments of deep emotional impact in this romance, times when I chuckled out loud, got intensely angry, or tried my best to keep tears at bay. There are sub-stories going on in Somebody to Love, events in town that impact everyone including Ava and Hunter.

In all, I enjoyed my time in this world once again, and look forward to the Christmas release later this year.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

[Gerri · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is between okay and I liked it. I believe many older authors are using ghost writers and unfortunately SS is one of them.

Hunter was a great guy who was doing right by his mother's wishes and tries to keep peace with his siblings who have lied to him.

I feel the romance between Hunter and Ava was way too fast. There is 4 or 5 years between them and when they were younger Ave was in love with Hunter who had no idea. When this came too light and Hunter admitted he had no idea he also pointed out to Ava that even if he knew she was jail bate. Fifteen years later and poor Ava hasn't moved on.

What was the point of Ava's ex-boyfriend showing up out of the blue and then leaving town when Hunter steps in. That made no sense. Then to top that off, the ex and his pregnant wife are on their way home to Atlanta, and show up in the ER where Ava works because the baby is in distress.

Something that really bothered me was the storyline regarding the Hollis boys and his parents. The twin brothers are 19, struggled in school and still working on graduation. Due to their age if they did not get their diplomas this year they would not have been able to return. They knew they weren't going to graduate so they decide to rob a man and leave town. The police get wind of this and set up to be there and arrest them. This is small town USA where everyone knows each other and they couldn't have talked to these boys to let them see what they were doing is wrong. I really disliked this whole storyline and it really ticked me off.

Then the parents come to the jail and I know being a parent how upset and disappointed you would be but they are still your kids. This mother showed that she only loves conditionally. How could she not care what happens to her sons and turn her back on them so easily? This mother was a selfish cold hearted woman who I did not like at all. Then the accident the dad had was unnecessary.

To top this storyline off the whole town of Blessings pulls together giving this mother tons of money so that she can move back to West Virginia and be with family. The amount of money she got was over the top. Then for the cherry, she has a yard sale for the things she's not bringing with her. Hello, after everything others did for you, you couldn't donate or give these items to someone in need.

The storyline regarding the Knox family and the stolen money could have been believable except for the part of the ex-boyfriend. Without giving anything away here, what kind of parents are living in Blessings? First you have the Hollis mother and then you have the Knox father. Did Junior and Ray not see Emma's ex boyfriend after the incident? With all the gossip in this town there would have been talk about the ex boyfriend and Junior, Ray or the father never heard anything? And then what Hunter reveals. Unbelievable.

The beginning of this series was very good but along the way the writing changed and the storylines were not as good. If you did anything legally or morally wrong in Blessings there was no forgiveness or second chances. You were either put in prison or killed off. I am glad that my library has all of these books otherwise I would have stopped reading them several books back.

[Stephanie Panach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hunt Knox hasn't been back to Blessings, Georgia since the day his siblings stole money and his future plans from him without explanation why. When he finds out his mother is dying from lung cancer, he returns home and finds her on her death bed. He stays in town to keep a promise to his mother that he'll fix up her house so that it can be sold. Being home brings up a lot of drama with his four siblings - and a connection with his childhood friend Ava. Hunt is decidedly different from when he was a teenager in Blessings, but he is still pretty much a hero in every sense of the word. He went to war, flew helicopters, and was shot down and injured.

Ava is an Emergency Room nurse at the small town hospital who has been through her own life drama - but still sparkles and shines. She was in love with Hunt from an early age - and when he comes back to town she takes a chance to see if the feelings she still has for him are there and can be mutual.

I liked this book a lot - I have only read a few of the other stories set in Blessings - but they are always sweet and homey, but deal with real issues for very real people. There aren't a lot of billionaire alphas in Blessings, but there are good people who help each other. There were three things that kept this from being a four star read for me: (1) Ava and Hunt come together and decide to get married after like three dates. I know they were very close growing up - but they've been apart 15 years. They definitely fit each other - but damn. That's fast. (2) The book lost a little focus in telling some of the other stories of what was happening around town. So, as a result, (3) it felt a little long. Like I got to the 75% mark and the major mystery was resolved and Ava and Hunt were engaged. What more could there be? The additional drama didn't feel necessary to the plot - but maybe more towards the overall story of Blessings as a community?

Overall - I recommend this as a sweet, emotional romance. I will give a content warning for loss of a parent (both from cancer and suddenly) and pregnancy loss/stillbirth .

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

[Liz · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have enjoyed the other books in this series, and thought this would be the same featuring the close bonds in a southern small town in Georgia. And it certainly proceeded that way. Unfortunately a smaller story within the main story left me with a very bad taste in my mouth.
Spoiler alert maybe since this does reveal more of the novel.


The main story is the return of an elder son to Blessings, Georgia, after the death of his mother in response to a promise he had made her. He left town many many years ago after a family betrayal, joined the military and lived through that service. Of course, his return opens old scars. A lot of the rest is working things out, but in the middle of this the author introduces a small story about two teens, failing in school and wanting to run away. They make a poor decision to rob the local pharmacy, planning to knock out the owner and take his day’s deposit and steal his car. Foiled by someone overhearing their plan and the local police are there and waiting for them. And this is where for me it goes wrong....kids are just over 18, so will be tried as adults and will be sent to prison. Ok punishment yes, but first offense stopped before occurred! And both parents and community essentially wipe them out despite the knowledge of what would be extremely likely to happen to two pretty naive teens in an adult prison! Really! I know it is only a story but that the author directs all our sympathy to the parents (who cannot hold up their heads due to the shame of it all and plan to leave the area). All I can say, is if possible I would give this book a negative 5 stars and plan to take the author off my list.

[Flora · Rating 3 out of 5]

If only every town is like Blessings, Georgia where people try to take care of each other! I enjoyed reading about the community life there and it was nice to see that some of the characters from the previous titles of the series are back. Peanut! I will always remember this character because of his name which doesn't go very well with his career. Ha!

I was somewhat disappointed with the main male character and the way he was portrayed. Also, his dialogue didn't seem to quite fit him at times as a tough pilot who has gone through war. However, I didn't mind how fearless the female character was in pursuing the guy she has loved all her life!

I was surprised at the spiritual elements – especially at the messages from the dead. It's out of the blue and didn't seem to fit somehow.

Overall, the storylines in this title did not really appeal to me. Not quite the Sharon Sala I love but I hope she will be back with the next book in the series soon!

[Patty G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite in the series, I had to keep reminding myself it’s fiction!! I can’t imagine anyone falling in love and getting married within two weeks!! I get that Ava always loved Hunter, but!!! And I kept thinking Ava’s old boyfriend was going to show up (like Ruby’s ex), and do something to her. I was glad he didn’t and was surprised when he showed up at the hospital with his pregnant wife.?-Lastly, their dad was a real a$$. But if he didn’t kill that “tall guy”, how did they NOT know that he was still alive in small town Blessings? And why didn’t he press charges? Anyway, I pushed through because I love how Ruby, Peanut, Dan and others showed up. Now I’m on to the next book😎……