I knew Mia was in trouble the moment she came running back to Haven Brook—the home she swore she would never return to. It wasn’t just the terrified look in her eye or the constant watching over her shoulder that told me she needed my help.
It was the way my body felt every time I was around her. The urge to protect her while trying to fight the electricity that sizzled between us when we touched. But she wasn’t mine to touch, and her being on the run was a harsh reminder of why.
It was a race against time as she tried to escape the clutches of her abusive and controlling husband, and we were quickly running out of it. I knew that I had to do everything I could to save Mia, the only problem was that she wasn’t mine to save. I learned that the hard way the first time she left and took my heart with her.
Samantha lives in the southwest with her husband and two children, where she enjoys writing, drinking iced coffee, and watching the greatest show of all time—Friends. With over 30 books published, Samantha enjoys writing across several different genres, from steamy romantic suspense to laugh-out-loud spicy romantic comedies. She also has a sweet spot for holiday stories, so grab a blanket and get ready to binge some of the sweetest—yet spicy—holiday romance your heart can handle!
Samantha loves connecting with her readers, so here’s a list of where you can find her:
Debut novelist, Samantha Baca left us in absolute awe in ‘Til Death Do Us Part. This read held us on the edge of our seats with suspense, all the while capturing our hearts. We were engulfed by the terrifying journey Mia faces, as she races to escape an abusive relationship. Entranced by fear, her instincts bring her back to her hometown where she is reunited with her high school crush Chase. As the two begin to explore their renewed desire, danger comes knocking at their door! A definite page turner, and must read!
We look forward to further works!
Thank you to Samantha Baca for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I kept saying that I would never read ebooks until I started reading 'Til Death Do Us Part. The book has a captivating start and gives you the chills from the very first lines when you find the heroine running for her life from her abusive husband. 'Til Death Do Us Part is a book that drags you in, makes you fall in love with the characters and keeps you sitting on the edge of your seat with its thrilling and suspenseful scenes and the startlingly smart moves of the creepy husband. More than once I caught myself reaching for the tissue (maybe because of the relatable protagonist). You will enjoy the rebirth of childhood affection turn into love and the romance and lust scenes as well. Wait for another surprise as the ending chapter brings another twist to the story.
‘Til Death Do Us Part by Samantha Baca was my first book by this author, but definitely not my last. This romantic suspense tells the story of Mia Johnson. Mia escaped the demons from her hometown only to find new ones. At first she believed Damian is what happily ever after dreams were made off. But slowly she discovered a new terror. When she escapes and goes back home, she is reunited with Chase. The man who has wanted her for a long time and now offers comfort and safety. But when her past catches up to her, will she be able to escape again? ‘Til Death Do Us Part by Samantha Baca is an emotional, suspenseful and angsty read. I am excited to read more from this new to me author in the future!
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog. Happy reading!
'Til Death Do Us Part is my first novel by Samantha Baca, and I really enjoyed it! Intense, and a rollercoaster ride of emotions, this story had me on the edge of my seat, waiting with bated breath for what would happen next, cheering for Mia and Chase with each obstacle they faced. And the cast of secondary characters was charming, foils for the main characters, and true testaments to the importance and value of friendship. And let's not forget the villain; he was charming, smarmy, unhinged, and intriguing. I would have loved a bit more about him, and maybe about Mia and his Uncle Ronnie. On the run from a husband who isn't glad that she is out of his grasp, Mia does the only thing she can and returns home, even as she knows that it won't be anything like she remembers. People change, she's changed, and, all she wants is a place to lie low, to regroup, to try and find who she is, without a constant overbearing shadow. Friends from her youth step in, one of them someone that she used to have a huge crush on, and for a while, she feels like she can breath a bit better. But nothing lasts forever, and tension runs high as mind games, physical acts, and phone calls from unknown numbers burst her safety bubble. A story of strength, of trust, of learning how to rely on yourself and on others, 'Til Death Do Us Part takes the reader on a journey of love, of hate, of fear, and of freedom. P. S. Everyone needs a Jade in their lives! I hope to perhaps find out more about her and Noah at some point!
4 Stars Review by Elizabeth Late Night Reviewer Up All Night with Books Blog
‘Til Death Do Us Part is Samantha Baca’s debut novel and it was great! Romantic Suspense usually is not my thing to read but when I read the blurb for this book, I knew I had to read it.
After a nasty fight, Mia decides to finally leave her abusive husband but that does not come without consequences. Unfortunately, Mia does not have many friends and the ones she has lives in the city she resides in with her husband. So the only thing she can do it run as far away as she can so he cannot find her. Thank goodness she never went into detail about her life when she was younger so she runs to the only place she knows, home. But is home really better than what she is leaving behind?
‘Til Death Do Us Part is filled with a rollercoaster of emotions. One minute you laugh, cry, scream, and wonder what the heck is going to happen next. I can say Mia deserves way better than her husband that’s for sure. Mia was not a difficult character to connect with and you could not help but love her.
I’m sure I could ramble on but I’m not. Be sure to one-click this beauty.
**ARC received in exchange for an honest review***
I have to say that I am not always a huge fan of suspenseful romance novels because it makes my anxiety go a bit crazy. So, when I first started reading, I was a bit skeptical. But here's the thing about this book...yes, it is suspenseful, but not in a way that made me anxious the entire time. I read the first couple chapters from Mia's point of view and got the backstory. Then, it has a chapter from THE VILLIAN. Of course, I had to read that one. Then, it's back to Mia. My point is that each chapter ropes you in just a little bit more, and before I knew it, I was halfway through the book without having to put it down due to my anxiety. The story is well thought out and the characters really suck you in. I finished it in a little over a day and have already recommended it to a few. 5 Stars.
This story was a thriller! There were a lot of twists and turns throughout that left you flipping the pages to see what was going to happen next. Just when you think you can breathe a sigh of relief you’re holding your breath again. I’m all for a strong female lead and Mia throws some serious punches! I would’ve loved a little more backstory on Mia’s relationship with Chase, but I think all the characters and relationships flowed really well. Go grab your wine and get yourself a copy.
This is a great book with a very well written storyline! She hooks you in the first chapter and keeps the suspense going throughout the book. There are a few twists that I didn’t see coming. I don’t have a lot of time to read an actual book(I listen to a lot of audiobooks), but this one had me wanting to make any time I could to find out what happened next. After finishing the book I can’t stop thinking about it and wish I had more to read!
Oh man, grabs you right from the start! Couldn't put it down until the end! One thing I absolutely loved is a view point from every character especially the bad guy, to read it from his perspective makes it so much more edge of your seat , wanna grab and shake them! Tissues recommended!!
Kept me on the edge of my seat throughout and left me waiting for more each time I had to set it down. This book portrayed a woman who has been through so much and was destined for better and deserved so much more! I enjoyed following her journey from beginning to end!
Samantha is a friend I made in a book club who has gone on to write the stuff book clubs are made to enjoy! A story that keeps you invested--I read it in a day. Who needs to pause for food when you're devouring a captivating tale?
I read that this book is the author's debut, and I have to say- I am impressed! The plot really flowed, the looming threat of Damian kept the suspense ratcheted tight, and it had a perfect amount of description without going overboard.
I loved the dynamic between Mia and the charming Chase. It was sweet but still sexy.
My favorite line comes after Mia denies that there is a relationship between them. Chase replies "Shhh... you're just hangry." I legitimately laughed out loud.
I couldn't put this book down. The decision to have it written not just from dual POV's (Mia and Chase), but to add some chapters in from Damian's POV as well was brilliant. I loved his chapters. There is a real heart-pounding fear when someone is hunting you, intending you harm. It was captured well here.
Definitely recommended for fans of romantic suspense!
Samantha Baca’s ‘Til Death Do Us Part was an enjoyable read and my first from this author.
As a domestic abuse survivor myself, I think Baca did a great job with this story, especially with such difficult subject matter. The opening scene was especially powerful and had me hooked from the first page to the last.
Mia's marriage is a sham. Her husband, Damian is an abusive drunk. He warns her that her only escape is death. There are some upsetting scenes of marital violence in this story, as well as a lot of hope, as Mia runs back to her home town and her high school friends. I enjoyed the story, full of tense moments and unexpected twists.
Absolutely loved this book!! It grabbed my attention and kept it the whole time. Stayed up until 3 am one morning just to finish it. Such a great mix of a little of everything. I would definitely a must read ❤️
I was immediately sucked in to this book, and I just wanted to keep reading. I love how each chapter is read from a different character’s point of view, as it makes you not want to put the book down. Great job, Samantha!
Mia is the epitome of perfection. She's is strong and with the manipulation she experienced, her finding herself and Chase while working through the terror and trauma up till the last breathtaking minute... I couldn't put this book down. Absolutely deserved all the stars!
Great plot but so many other things at play here to merit giving this book 3 stars. The most important was that the book felt so rushed. At first I felt like it was going at a good pace but by the middle, I felt like the author rushed just to finish. Editing seemed to even go downhill. The problem is when you rush, there are so many feels you miss out on that help create a wholesome story and give it depth. The chemistry between the two main characters just wasn’t there because there wasn’t a build up to them actually being together. Maybe if the book dug a little deeper on their shared history instead of just telling us they had a crush on one another. Also, Chase went from having a crush on Mia because of “teenage hormones” and the fact that she was “always around during childhood” to suddenly being in love with her? The reader was left to just believe it instead of being “shown” the transition or the evolution of their feelings. For example, if we could have read the dialogue between Chase and Noah about Chase’s feelings for Mia, that would have helped the reader see Chase’s feelings for Mia were transitioning from physical attraction to more. What we got instead was Chase implying he’d had conversations with Noah. This could have been a 5 star book if only it did more than TELL a story. A great book, for me, is al about the journey and not the destination. This one went from Point A, Point B, The End. Also, what happened with Ronnie? I inferred that maybe Damien put Ronnie’s body in the driver’s seat and that’s how the media believed Damien had been killed? I would have enjoyed an explanation on that one.
This had the promise of being a really good book, but there seems to be missing so much of the story. There’s very little of a backstory between Mia and Damian, questions that were left unanswered (like, what happened to Damian’s uncle?), and the ending had me scratching my head. I avoid spoilers, but let’s just say there is a “twist” that made no sense in the grand scheme of things. This has the bones of a good story but falls short for so many reasons.
So I liked the story overall...however I didn't feel a loving connection like at all with Chase. Noah felt much more of the perfect love interest and then he was made to be a man whore...which we already knew Chase was. It gave me the ick when he's starving to meet this girl cuz of their interactions on the phone and then he ghosts her. Let's be real the man is just about the lust. He never indicated being understanding or feeling anything above a desire to be in bed with her. He ex was a total creep, however I feel like the uncle or social media or something would've gone ham on the fact that he assaulted his wife in broad daylight. Like literally with the world nowadays nobody recorded him? His uncle doesn't pry much and did his mistress deliberately try to get pregnant off of him. Who knows. Loose ends galore, side issue with the nephew who didn't speak like a kid was pretty unnecessary.
Also what was the weird everything hangs loose on her hips thing? 🫠Weird thing to fixate. All in all more backstory maybe, less inta lust then calling it being in love and just wish the MC was NOT Chase if anything Jade would've made a perfect choice as a love interest for him since he had such a huge head.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Mia’s husband is abusive and controlling, and when she flee’s, she finds refuge in her hometown. She knows that Damian is after her, tracking her and will stop at nothing to find her. Her childhood friends understand what she’s going through, and are there to protect her and get her back on her feet.
This is a friends to lovers story with a twist. Mia always had a crush on Chase and he had one on her too. They never expressed their feelings for each other and Mia moved away and moved on with her life. She married Damian, an asshole of a guy, and when he abused her to the point that she couldn’t take it anymore, she left. He continuously seeked her out until he found out where she was. Meanwhile, Chase and Mia reconnected again and even though Mia was hesitant, she fell for Chase. This book sort of reminded me of Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks and my first book, Reparable Heart mixed into one. It was nice to see a happy ending and I would recommend this book to anyone who likes heartfelt and steaminess wrapped into a single book.
This booked gripped me from the first page. Lots of drama (TW of DV), but she escapes very quickly. The book moved at a good pace, and dual stories were balanced really well. I loved the first 85%. It was only when things try to conclude it moved a bit too quickly for my liking and the ending was a not as strong as the start. Jodie was a secondary character, and I understand we get her story in her own book, but feel like there could have been more scenes between them. Its almost though, she arrived, and immediately Mia went to Chase's. Mia's relationship with Chase was interesting and I feel the dynamics of exploring a new relationship given her history was slightly off, and needed more detail, a bit more back history would have been nice and her growth as a character for exploring the old crush given her last 5 years. The scenes about the clothes was really interesting. I don't feel that had been concluded ... who moved them! Its worth reading and I can see a lot of promise with this author and cannot wait to read future work from them.
Til Death Do Us Part is book #1 in the Haven Brook series. I love all the spicy holiday romance stories with a touch of suspense by Ms. Baca, but WOW! This story had my full attention from the start. Mia has had enough of her abusive husband, Damien, and leaves for her hometown in Colorado (Haven Brook). She gains the protection of her childhood friends (Noah and Chase) who help get her on her feet. I really loved that the author gave us the POV of Mia, husband Damien, and friend Chase. Ms. Baca sends us on a journey filled with intrigue, heartbreak, and passion that leads to the HEA we were hoping to find. I can't wait for the rest of this series!!
The narration was great! Henry Schrader is a new narrator to me and is definitely on my watch list. Being able to voice every character in this story could not have been an easy feat. Hope to hear more from him. 5/5 stars!!
I will start by saying I won this book in a giveaway, so this is my first Samantha Baca book, but it definitely won’t be my last! This is one of those books I absolutely couldn’t put down. It was full of action, leaving me on edge and needing to know what happens next! I went from fear to hope throughout the story. I love the chemistry between Mia and Chase and the soft side of Chase made me fall completely in love with him! One of the reasons I need to go with four stars is I would’ve loved to have seen more of Mia and Chase, past and present. I also loved to see their friendships with Noah and Jade. Plus Chase’s brother’s story is heartbreaking. I’m looking forward to hearing more about all of them! Even without looking, I know their stories are coming. This book is incredible and left me crying in the end. I loved it and definitely recommend it! Now on to book two.
I just did not believe in this relationship at all. They didn’t even properly interact until 40% of the way into the book? And you read about her husband having sex with another woman way before Mia and Chase did? And when they finally did it was veeeerryyy anticlimactic. And there were so many things introduced into the storyline that never played out (like what happened to the dirty cops hired to stalk her? Or the uncle). I could have done without the abusive husbands point of view and instead had much more of Mia and Chase’s point of view. It’s like their relationship materialized out of nowhere. Like I assumed her and Noah would have a romantic relationship more than her and Chase would.
Ok first off WOW!!!! Talk about keeping you on the edge of your seat til the very end! I absolutely loved EVERYTHING about this book and if I could give it 10 stars I would.
Mia and Chase truly make this story amazing! She returns back to her home town after running away from her husband (no spoilers) and Chase along with their friend Noah helps her take back some of her independence and protect while she's there...the flirty banter between Chase and Mia doesn't hurt either ☺️.
Oh and by the way, Chase is 🔥🔥🔥🔥!! The way he is with Mia and what he says to her when they're alone is swoon worthy..
If you're looking for a great romantic suspense book, then this is it! Can't wait to dive into book #2
This was my first Samantha Baca book and she is now a member of my favored authors club! I was hooked from the very beginning, Mia escaping her abusive husband and running back to her childhood hometown. Baca kept me on edge wondering when Damian was going to find Mia and punish her for running away, but at the same time I enjoyed the romance long time deserved between Mia and Chase. There are a few things I did hope for, maybe more history on Mia & Chase, also I'm still confused on the ending, who turned off the alarm and moved Mia's clothes?! Hopefully more of these answers will come in the following books in the series....