What do you get when a single mom saves a musician from a killer bee?
Sophia
When I was eighteen, I fell in love, but he didn’t love me back. The day he found out about my pregnancy, I found out about his fiancée.
He warned if I ever told anyone, he would destroy me. So I kept the pregnancy a secret and disappeared.
Being scorned has left me jaded, but it’s also made me stronger. All my love and attention is focused on raising my daughter.
There isn’t room in our lives, or in my heart, for anyone else... until a chance encounter with Easton Blackwood changes everything.
Easton
Music has always been my one true love, but when a stunningly beautiful woman saves me from a killer bee, it just might be love at first sight.
One minute she’s slapping me with her flip-flop and the next we’re naked in my bed. With every kiss, every touch, I have no doubt Sophia could be the one, until she dashes from my bed without a trace.
After weeks of our time together replaying in my mind, she appears back in my life, with a confession that sends my world into a tailspin.
She thinks the bomb she’s dropped will send me running, but she’s wrong. The last guy might have done that, but I’ll fight for her, for our love, for our family. And I’ll stop at nothing to protect what’s mine.
Nikki Ash resides in South Florida where she is an English teacher and mom by day and a writer by night. When she’s not writing, you can find her with a book in her hand. From the Boxcar Children to Wuthering Heights to the latest Single Parent Romance, she has lived and breathed every type of book.
Reading is like breathing in, writing is like breathing out. - Pam Allyn
While reading and writing are her passions, her two children are her entire world. You can probably find them at a Disney park before you would find them at home on the weekends!
I wasn’t captivated by neither the characters nor the plot. Even the heroine’s 6 y.o. daughter didn’t manage to touch deeply my heart.
Feelings of protecting and caring were obvious but nothing more. No deep feelings or emotions, I couldn’t feel the mc’s connection or love. Also, the execution of the side-story with the heroine’s ex boyfriend was very poor.
The following ratings are out of 5: Romance: 🖤💙❤️💖 Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥 Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📔 World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌍 Character development: 😄😮🙂🥰 Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙 Narration type: Dual Narration
The heroine:Sophia - she got pregnant at a young age and on the same day she found out she was pregnant, she also found out that her boyfriend got engaged to someone else. He wanted her to get an abortion, but she refused, and he wanted nothing to do with the child. He threatened her not to ruin what he had going with his engagement to the mayor’s daughter. Sophia left town and works as a bartender at a strip joint and is a senior in college. She wants to be a lawyer, so plans on law school after she gets her bachelor's degree.
The Hero:Easton - he is a rock star who was in a five year relationship with his high school sweetheart but they broke up a few years ago because she wasn’t honest with him. He ended up writing his most famous song called “Liars” after that relationship. He hasn’t been in a real relationship since then.
The Story: Sophia meets Easton in central park and doesn’t recognize him. They spend the night together and it isn’t long before Sophia discovers she is pregnant again. Her daughter, Kendall is now six years old. Sophia tells Easton about the pregnancy and though she expects the same reaction as she got the first time, but he reacts differently and wants to be in her life and the baby’s life.
The story is good, I like the relationship between the fiercely independent female and the rockstar. Though I think the way she is so worried about the secret she is carrying about the father of her daughter is justified. Sure, he threatened to take the daughter if Sophia ruined his relationship, but I am not sure how her getting press for dating a rockstar would do that or make the deadbeat go after revenge somehow.
This audiobook was told in dual points of view via dual narration and was narrated by Lee Daniels and Theo Sinclair. I like Lee Daniels, she has a soft, feminine voice which is very pleasant. I am not as fond of Theo Sinclair; his voice isn’t as deep as I like for a romantic male lead.
I'm really enjoying these stories where the h is a single mom, and the H falls in love with all of them. This was syrupy sweet and I inhaled this like a sugar addict. I don't usually read a lot of musician/rockstar books because I don't like overly cocky/asshole guys lol, but Easton was soulful, thoughtful, and sexy as all get out. He was a huge cinnamon roll but still protective and a wonderful caretaker for Sophia and Kendell. He also realized he might have a pregancy/breeding kink. 🤣🤣
"Let the wooing commence." This line is perfect for describing this entire book. What starts as "A Chance Encounter" between two strangers could result in a lifetime of happiness.
There are times when I sit down to write a review, I have no words to describe how amazing the book is without spoiling the book for others. This is one of those times. Nikki Ash is one of my favorite authors. When I pick up one of her books I know I will get an incredible romance with a swoon worthy hero, and usually a strong independent heroine.
These characters quickly became everything to me. Sophia is a woman who no matter how hard life has screwed her keeps giving it her all and doing everything she possibly can to provide for her daughter and give her a better life then she herself had. She tries to stay out of the public eye to make sure she can keep her daughter safe. Then she meets Easton, a famous singer who turns her whole life upside down.
There are so many incredible characters in this book. So many that I would love to see have their own spin off book. My favorite character of all though was probably Kendall. She was just the cutest little girl. I absolutely loved how hard Easton worked to woo Sophia.
This is a book you will not want to put down. I actually ended up staying up 2.5 hours later than I should have just so i could finish this book.
If your looking for an emotional gripping, steamy and sweet story then you will love A CHANCE ENCOUNTER! I couldn’t put it down, I read this treasure in one sitting. Men like Easton are the reason I read romance books. He’s definitely the perfect book boyfriend. It’s mesmerizing characters like Easton and Sophia that make me smile and draw me into a story. They will consume you with their touching and engaging romance. I not only enjoyed the romantic aspects of this beautiful book but also the incredible friendship between Sophia and Naomi. If your like me and enjoy a book with all the FEELS you will be addicted to Easton, Sophia and Kendall’s heartwarming story. I was really looking forward to reading this book and was saddened when it was ending…but now I can’t WAIT to read Camden’s story!!!
MEMORABLE and OUTSTANDING!! Another true testament to Nikki’s EPIC storytelling talents. Nikki I know how hard you work to give us your best and A CHANCE ENCOUNTER is clearly proof of your hard work. Congratulations luv you have touched my soul once again👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
A Chance Encounter was such a super cute and sweet read. Sophia is a girl that has been let down by others time and time again in her life. She has done the best she can for her daughter, but when a chance encounter brings a super swoony man into her life, she grabs at the momentary happiness, but soon finds out that history is repeating itself. With no name to go on, this single mom soon finds herself pregnant and alone again.
No one does single parent romances like Nikki Ash - never a let down. First of all, loved this storyline and the meet cute in this story was just fabulous! I've seen the "pictures with a stranger" photos online and Nikki used that as a wonderful launch for their relationship. The story moved quickly and had characters you just fell in love with. Sophia has not had the easiest life, but she is trying to do the best she can for herself and her daughter. Easton is truly the man she deserves, she just needs to get to the point where she believes it too.
en si no fue malo lo que me molesto es que todo fue muy rápido, pero al mismo tiempo fue cute y la historia me gusto (teniendo en cuenta que no tienen mucho desarrollo en si) la última parte fue todo re rápido wtf hermana de que hablas pero he leído libros más falopa que se yo
lo que si voy a decir es que me saltee casi todas las escenas donde tenían sexo porque eran más secas que un desierto, así que si esperan algo muy hot no lo van a encontrar aca, pero es muy cute!!!!!
la historia no es nada wow, no tiene mucho desarrollo de personajes y todo pasaba muy rápido PERO de última es una lectura decente para pasar el rato, i mean tiene el trope de madre soltera, yo feliz
OMG this was so good!!! How have I only read 2 Nikki Ash books because honestly she writes some fantastic heroines who are relatable. Loved the writing and characters. Loved the slow burn, sexual tension. I caught myself laughing out loud at some banter.
((ARC provided for free in exchange for a honest review all opinions are my own.))
Sophia When I was eighteen, I fell in love, but he didn’t love me back. The day he found out about my pregnancy, I found out about his fiancée.
He warned if I ever told anyone, he would destroy me. So I kept the pregnancy a secret and disappeared.
Being scorned has left me jaded, but it’s also made me stronger. All my love and attention is focused on raising my daughter.
There isn’t room in our lives, or in my heart, for anyone else... until a chance encounter with Easton Blackwood changes everything.
Easton
Music has always been my one true love, but when a stunningly beautiful woman saves me from a killer bee, it just might be love at first sight.
One minute she’s slapping me with her flip-flop and the next we’re naked in my bed. With every kiss, every touch, I have no doubt Sophia could be the one, until she dashes from my bed without a trace.
After weeks of our time together replaying in my mind, she appears back in my life, with a confession that sends my world into a tailspin.
She thinks the bomb she’s dropped will send me running, but she’s wrong. The last guy might have done that, but I’ll fight for her, for our love, for our family. And I’ll stop at nothing to protect what’s mine.
I must really like dem a holes because this guy was so squishy sweet it was nauseating 😂 he helps her with everything. Buys her a house, buys new furniture, loves her kid, adopts said kid, makes lots of monaayyyy, etc.
There is literally no angst and not that much drama in this book so.if that's what you're looking for, here ya go! It just was a little too perfect how everything worked out 🤔 life is never this perfect 😂
But I finished and feel like a ate a big bag of puffed up marshmallows
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I needed this audiobook. After finishing Love & Lyrics series, I was obsessed with Easton and Sophia, just from the glimpses we get along the whole series.
They did not disappoint me at all.
Easton was everything! Sophia was a true mother, always putting her baby girl in the first place. And to see how little Kendall was as a child was really sweet.
Their meet cute was funny and their chemistry out of the charts, and I loved how it all worked out for them.
I love second chance books,they have ups and downs and they just melt my heart and I would recommend this book to any one who likes these type of books. Spice: 🌶🌶🌶,stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Poor, struggling but independent single mom + famous rockstar who falls hard and desperately wants to solve all her problems. The caregiving and wooing in this 😍. Was it realistic? No. Did I gobble it up anyway? YES. Wish fulfillment at its finest. 😂
troche za szybko sie to uczucie miedzy nimi rozwinęło jak dla mnie i chciałabym troche więcej akcji ale poza tym super cute i mega mnie wciągnęło dlatego 4⭐️
After every Nikki Ash story, I ask myself the same question- why can’t we all be loved like a Nikki Ash hero loves?! A Chance Encounter is another pitch perfect, heartfelt, swoony and sweet love story. No one quite captures the tenderness and patience of love quite like Nikki Ash. This story is brimming with charm and emotive charisma, with just the right balance of gentle chemistry and addictive heat.
I’ll admit, rockstar stories aren’t always my favorite. Something about the heroes wallowing in their own excess, privilege, and self-destructive. But leave it to Nikki to deliver a Rockstar hero that is epically dreamy. Easton is grounded, he’s humble, he’s family centered and thoughtful. He’s a man that hasn’t been consumed by his fame- a man of integrity, with an open heart, even though it’s been broken. He loves his music, but it’s not until he meets the hesitant Sophia that he realizes he’s missing a purpose. And Sophia is so relatable - a stoic but sassy mom on the run from her past, with a fiery resolve but gentle heart. She’s easy to love but slow to give trust, and Easton wants her trust. Their “chance encounter” hook-up is out of character for both of them, but it turns out to be unforgettable, in more ways than one.
What has always charmed me about Nikki’s stories so much is how she focuses on building her characters up, unifying them in unbreakable ways, so that the looming obstacles don’t rip them apart but rather allow them to stand together, strong and sure. The love between her characters always feels so steady and pure, rather than the fragile, barely there thread it sometimes feels in romantic narratives. The result is that we really get to marvel at the chemistry and evolving emotional connection of her characters, we get to see them fall together rather than apart. And Easton and Sophia fall together SO sweetly. I’m such a sucker for a damsel in distress who finds safety in her hero but ALSO finds her own strength and self-assurance to find her demons. She’s not stronger because of Easton, she’s strong because Easton provides the emotional safety for her to blossom, and that’s such a beautiful thing. And I just LOVE a Nikki Ash leading man- even this rock god Easton has all the traits of a Nikki Ash hero- patient, devoted, emotionally available, deeply besotted, honest and true. Easton dives straight in, with an open heart, and my heart and panties were melting with love for this mean. And him with Sophia’s daughter?! I’m a goner. Totally gone. This is the man who loves like we all deserve to be loved- what a beautiful depiction Nikki creates.
I’m so excited that we’ll get some second generation stories in this world- these characters have captured my heart, and I can’t wait to rock with them for years to come!
With the men that Sophie had in her life she definitely had trust issues so when music singer, Easton, had a night with her she leaves him alone in bed. She is a strong woman putting her daughter first so when something good might come be the real thing she just doesn’t trust the man who seems like the real deal.
This was a sweet romance that made my heart smile. Kendall was so sweet and I loved the interaction between all of them. I have become of fan of this author’s work and this book is another great addition to her work.
This was such a sweet, accidental pregnancy romance featuring a famous singer and single mom. I adored this. Had such a smile on my face the entire time I read it!
Easton Blackwood is my new Book Boyfriend I devoured this book, it was that good. **spoiler free review** Sofie Davis is someone I can truly admire. She had it really rough growing up, then at 18 she's with a guy who had pretty empty words. But what I admire about her the most is she never depended on anyone. She barely had to nickles to rub together but she always made sure she tok care of everything and everyone that was important to her. THEN she meets Easton Blackwood, He's sex on a stick wearing a beanie. There's instant attraction between them, but Sofie has walls up. Let me just say Easton is a knight riding in on horse to save the day
Right from the start as Sophia swoops in to save Easton you could feel the chemistry. A Chance Encounter is a Insta-lust that leads to a surprise pregnancy and I freaking loved every moment of it.
I’ve said it before that I ADORE it when the MMC states his feelings and doesn’t pressure or guilt the FMC for not being right there with him, and Easton is strong & loyal enough to know that good things come to those who wait. He’s also right there read to step up to all challenges that come up when with someone who has been emotionally abused in past relationships. Easton is confident, strong (emotionally and physically) and ready to be there so naturally you know I am swoooning over him.
Nikki Ash did a wonderful job again and y’all should be ready to read this!!
A Chance Encounter by N. Ash is a full-length, stand-alone. A complex read that had em in suspense from start til the last page. A slow burn that gives all the feels. Sophia is a single mom, a college student, a bartender and she has her hands full. A single night brings her together with Easton, the rockstar on top of his world. And never forgot about her. I'm a huge fan of oops baby stories and this is a good one. A slow burn with characters easily to connect with and a great storyline, I give stars.
Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author and publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. A positive review is not required.
Trigger Warning: abortion (mentioned), and the threat of violence and harm by an abuser
POV: dual multi-POV of Sophia and Easton
Main Characters (MCs): Sophia Davies | Easton Blackwater Sophia: strong, determined, closed-off (after traumatic experience), hard-headed, funny, intelligent, resourceful Easton: loyal even after betrayal, funny, kind, honest, considerate, allergic to bee stings (!)
Character vs. Plot Driven A Chance Encounter has strong characters deciding the direction of the story. Sophia and Easton's varying life experiences, layered personalities, and mature outlooks move the story and focus on internal growth as a couple organically and naturally.
Flawed MCs with different outlooks Both MC's lives are 180-degrees from each other. Sophia came from a lower-middle-class family and had a rough life - with an unsupportive mother and an MIA father. She had to grow up a lot faster and earn her way through life with certain unforeseen circumstances and being with someone she initially thought was "the one." Easton has the proper emotional and mental support from both their father (Sean), mother (Alice) and sister (Nicole). Betrayed by someone he loved, he got a huge "reality check." He wants relationships to be honest and trustworthy. Because of these varied life experiences, the reactions to trust and "disclosures" are different. Sophia's past "honesty" got her into trouble that she fought "tooth-and-nail" to survive as a single parent to her daughter and had to move across the country for their safety. For Easton, betrayal came in the form of a broken engagement that later will shape how he wants his future relationship will be. He was more open to relationships but now requires total honesty from his "would-be partner." When Easton learned that there were secrets between them, one would think that he would start pressuring Sophia to disclose all of them. BUT Easton did not! He instead took on a more positive approach to the relationship: with love, patience, empathy, and unyielding support. He does come into some epic, alpha moments, especially nearing the end, wherein he had to stand up to Sophia's past!
Amazing supporting cast! A good book needs terrific support to ensure any MC will succeed and shine in the story. This book has got of them. A few notable ones from Easton's side are his mother, Alice, and his sister, Nicole, while from Sophia's is her daughter, Kendall, and BFF/cousin, Naomi. I know that Easton's side was skeptical of Sophia, but I am happy that they immediately realized Sophia was no "gold-digger" and is a great gal! The supporting characters ensured Easton and Sophia had "space" to learn about each other and grow their relationship.
Overall, A Chance Encounter's theme is simple and easy to read. I appreciate the flawed characters who grow instead of hindering their progress due to internal doubt and trauma. Both Sophia and Easton complemented each other as individuals and partners in the end. I love the message of healing, soulmates/love-at-first-sight, and the "protector" factors in the story. The angst level is enough to be a page-turner but not deep enough for me, which may be why I feel that something was still missing. I wanted something more complex than it should be. The external conflicts like the past threats haunting the MCs were great starting points to something bigger but not explored or visited by the author. Nonetheless, I still recommend this book to second-chance, single-parent tropes as it teaches hope, redemption, and perseverance.
Super Sweet Cinnamon Roll, Golden Retriever book boyfriend
Easton is absolutely book boyfriend perfection. Seriously. He brings the swoon. All of it. I cannot stress enough how absolutely perfect he is literally from the moment of their meet cute until the last page. Like I don’t think this guy has one single flaw.
Sophia has been burned. First by her father abandoning her, then by the awful father of her first child. So while she is absolutely insecure, and more than once she starts to unravel, it’s not in that “damn this author for writing such awful characters” way, but rather “wow, she wrote her so believably”. And Easton knows just how to handle her and hold her together and reassure her. Or step back and give her space so she can figure things out herself, which was the right choice.
That being said…. I still wanted to shake her. She was so dead set on “keeping her secret” that she was being an idiot. And I’m not sure who started telling women that being strong and independent meant pushing everyone away, refusing all help, and doing everything on your own, but they are evil liars who set us up to fail. No one is meant to do it all on their own. That’s literally the reason women have breakdowns. But I get that she was young and terrified when the ex threatened her. Easton pretty much summed it up:
“She’s so beautiful. So special. And in a lot of ways, despite her age, she’s young, naïve. She’s sheltered her and her daughter from the world.”
So while I was frustrated a bit, it was believable behavior on her part. Not that TSTL type character that gets me to quit every time.
Over all, this is a super sweet (as is cinnamon roll, NOT clean romance sweet) read with two people who have a chance meet cute, unexpected pregnancy, and an all-in guy who is dead set determined to woo his baby momma.
single mum? accidental pregnancy? musician? OH SIGN ME UP!!! I flew through this book, it was all so fast paced so the romance was too but that’s to be expected with the fast pace of everything else, but I enjoyed this book so much! the plot was gripping and had me so nervous with all the back and forth! as for sophias character, she went through so much hardship to come out happy and on top of the world by the end which I loved for her, we see her go from a one man gang, doing everything by herself not being able to fully trust anyone to opening up to someone and finding love for the first time in her life, had me giggling and smiling so much! as for easton, why is he the definition of golden retriever but still mess with her and find out what’s up, because he was so cuddly and fluffy with Sophia and kendall, but anyone that crosses them, immediate sh*t List!! i love that he immediately took in Kendall and loved her as if she were his own, it was so sweet to read about! overall, a great and easy read with a beautiful love story!
Wonderful, perfect, and contains the best book boyfriend ever!!
A Chance Encounter is one of those books that checks off every box for reading perfection! A story that flowed, has wonderful characters, low angst, amazing secondary characters, an adorable child who offers the perfect comedy relief, and chemistry through the roof. It's the kind of book that you don't want to end.
Sophia Davis has been burned by men her entire life, so when Easton Blackwood comes along and actually steps up her trust is nil. No matter how hard he tries to break down her walls, she really wants to believe, but trusting someone is hard. She's a total firecracker and continually pushes him away and while that might be some of the attraction to him, it also entails so much more.
Easton is super swoony and basically the perfect man. He's attentive, giving, and caring. If he didn't live in the spotlight, where the paparazzi has access to his life and he lives on the road, he would be perfect for Sophia, but that trust I was talking about, the last man who broke her down...well, he shattered her by pushing her into the shadows and living life out of them is terrifying.
Everything from their meet-cute is charming and steamy and continues that way to the very end. I loved this book and was thrilled that the Blackwoods will continue with a new generation.