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Under The Maple Tree
What happens when a sassy barista, a sexy firefighter, and a drug dealing ex-boyfriend cross paths? Now throw in a decades-old kidnapping, and everything may go up in smoke…
Sasha Patterson has worked for years to get her life together, and the pieces of her future are finally falling into place. She’s staying sober and has saved enough to purchase Beach Brew, the small coastal café she has worked at since she got clean. But the shadows of her past are still there, waiting to sneak in, and they may reach further than even Sasha realized.
When Blake Ryan, the sexy new firefighter in town, walks into the café, he threatens to undo it all by recognizing Sasha, or at least who he insists Sasha was—Paige Knight, the red-headed, freckled five-year-old who disappeared from his neighborhood twenty years ago.
The scar on Sasha’s forehead says it all. But how can she take the word of a stranger over her
own memories? Blake must be mistaken. Sasha wasn’t kidnapped and needs to prove it to him,
but how far is she willing to go, and what will she discover while she tries?
Sasha Patterson has worked for years to get her life together, and the pieces of her future are finally falling into place. She’s staying sober and has saved enough to purchase Beach Brew, the small coastal café she has worked at since she got clean. But the shadows of her past are still there, waiting to sneak in, and they may reach further than even Sasha realized.
When Blake Ryan, the sexy new firefighter in town, walks into the café, he threatens to undo it all by recognizing Sasha, or at least who he insists Sasha was—Paige Knight, the red-headed, freckled five-year-old who disappeared from his neighborhood twenty years ago.
The scar on Sasha’s forehead says it all. But how can she take the word of a stranger over her
own memories? Blake must be mistaken. Sasha wasn’t kidnapped and needs to prove it to him,
but how far is she willing to go, and what will she discover while she tries?
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 5, 2022
2 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 9, 2022
Sasha is a sassy barista, who owns her own small coastal café, and she has worded hard to get her life back on track. Blake is a sexy firefighter, and when he walks into the café one day, he recognizes Sasha, but calls her another name, and says she was a 5-year-old who disappeared from his neighbourhood years before. Can this mystery be unravelled? This is a well written story which is an emotional roller coaster, with heartbreak, twists, surprises, intrigue, and romance, which leads to a sweet and heartwarming page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 6, 2022
This book was such a comfortable read, sweet and heartwarming (Blake was just making me both blush and drool), yet it also had its own heartbreaks and twists. Even from the very beginning, I was gripped due to the first quite surprising opening scene. As it progressed and the plot unfolded even more, so many facts and surprises just appeared and shook me, making the read even more enjoyable! Blake and Sasha had a beautiful relationship and I could only hope to have one like theirs (Blake’s so romantic please-). I’m so happy to have read this book and it’s an must have on your shelf, especially for those days where you just want to curl up with a comfy yet wowing book!
August 23, 2022
Under the maple tree is Sasha and Blake’s story. It starts when a handsome stranger walks into Sasha’s coffee shop and calls her another woman’s name. This book is full of twists and turns that you don’t see coming. There are a few tw about suicide and drug abuse but they are kept pretty light. I couldn’t put this book down it had me hooked from the very beginning and I finished it fairly quick. Would definitely recommend this book if you like romance but not the typical they meet, fall in love and happily ever after. This romance is complicated but isn’t that real life? Under the Maple tree was an emotional roller coaster that I didn’t want to get off!
September 5, 2022
4.5 stars
I really enjoyed Sasha and Blake’s story. The drama unfolded rather quickly with Blake realizing Sasha is actually someone from his past who was kidnapped. The pace was steady and nothing was dragged out, for which I was thankful. By 14% in, I already deduced who kidnapped Sasha, but there were some twists later on that I wasn’t expecting. Blake and Sasha have great chemistry. I love how Blake becomes a stalwart protector for Sasha. He allowed her the space to reconcile who she is without being overbearing. There were a couple hot and heavy moments, but otherwise it was a closed-door, no spice kind of romance.
I really enjoyed Sasha and Blake’s story. The drama unfolded rather quickly with Blake realizing Sasha is actually someone from his past who was kidnapped. The pace was steady and nothing was dragged out, for which I was thankful. By 14% in, I already deduced who kidnapped Sasha, but there were some twists later on that I wasn’t expecting. Blake and Sasha have great chemistry. I love how Blake becomes a stalwart protector for Sasha. He allowed her the space to reconcile who she is without being overbearing. There were a couple hot and heavy moments, but otherwise it was a closed-door, no spice kind of romance.
September 5, 2022
Firefighter Blake, recently moves to a new town where he meets Sasha, the local barista. As soon as he lays eyes on her, he immediately believes Sasha is his long lost childhood friend, Paige. But it can’t be? They were only children when Paige was kidnapped and this isn’t the first time he thinks he finds Paige. It’s probably his brain playing games on him yet again.
The drama unfolds quickly after another encounter between Blake and Sasha, when he finally realizes she really is Paige. He stops at nothing to find the truth and it’s a really difficult situation to put her through. I mean how would you feel if you found out your whole family life was lie and you weren’t you you really thought you were?The story unravels with so many unexpected twists and turns throughout, I was on the edge of my seat. At the same time a strong undeniable chemistry between Blake and Sasha also unfolds and their story also unfolds.
A page turner, I really enjoyed this this fast and easy read. Categorized as a romance fiction, there was a lot of suspense with references to deep topics like mental health and addiction. Ironically this fast easy read is not a light hearted one - suicide, depression, trauma, addiction, and family loss. There is never a dull moment reading with lots going on in this fast paced novel.
Read this is you like:
- a page turner, easy read
- suspense novels
- romance novels
- to be kept on your toes
- romance novels without all the steam and spice
- dual POV
- topics on mental health and addiction
The drama unfolds quickly after another encounter between Blake and Sasha, when he finally realizes she really is Paige. He stops at nothing to find the truth and it’s a really difficult situation to put her through. I mean how would you feel if you found out your whole family life was lie and you weren’t you you really thought you were?The story unravels with so many unexpected twists and turns throughout, I was on the edge of my seat. At the same time a strong undeniable chemistry between Blake and Sasha also unfolds and their story also unfolds.
A page turner, I really enjoyed this this fast and easy read. Categorized as a romance fiction, there was a lot of suspense with references to deep topics like mental health and addiction. Ironically this fast easy read is not a light hearted one - suicide, depression, trauma, addiction, and family loss. There is never a dull moment reading with lots going on in this fast paced novel.
Read this is you like:
- a page turner, easy read
- suspense novels
- romance novels
- to be kept on your toes
- romance novels without all the steam and spice
- dual POV
- topics on mental health and addiction
September 4, 2022
Right from the first page, this book grabbed my attention. I could not imagine being in Sasha’s shoes, learning that she was stolen from her biological family nearly twenty years ago. She feels not only hurt and confused, but also guilty for the trouble and pain her situation has inflicted on two families. Her biological family lost their daughter and sister all those years ago and has suffered emotional pain throughout that time. The family Sasha thought was hers for almost two decades is now under suspicion and suffering great emotional pain too. Poor Sasha is in the middle, in denial and wondering what happened to her life. Blake, the firefighter who rescued her and her family, is the one who recognizes her and makes the call to police which starts the implosion of Sasha’s life. Despite that fact, Blake is the only one she trusts, the one she goes to for support as this situation spirals. Blake’s role in her life comes full circle. They were friends as youngsters and they have become friends again, though something deeper than friendship is on the horizon. Sasha will need all of his strength and support during the investigation of her disappearance and the aftermath.
This book is heartwrenching, rather twisty and absolutely riveting. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book is heartwrenching, rather twisty and absolutely riveting. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 28, 2022
In Under the Maple Tree, we get to follow a rollercoaster of events and emotions with Blake and Sasha. It starts out at the coffee shop that Sasha works at with a handsome stranger calling out to her with a different woman's name. We get sucked in pretty quickly with the mystery of events leading up to that event and after. Blake quickly becomes Sasha protector and a sweet romance buds throughout. This is a no spice/closed door type of romance, but still a few steamy moments and very good for the heart. Throughout the novel, the author has many twists and unexpected surprises for her readers. It is well written and heart felt. There are some topics that may be triggers such at suicide, overdose, etc. Please be aware of them before you read. I liked that the book had dual POV but I was slightly thrown off at first because they still say their names or she a lot to describe feelings or what they are doing. It doesn't quite seem like we are seeing through their eyes and feeling what they are feeling fully. I loved the the relationship between the characters and seeing how they worked to the startling events that shook their lives. I definitely recommend this book and will be reading more of Manda's books.
Rating 4.5☆
Rating 4.5☆
September 6, 2022
The synopsis for Under The Maple Tree was so well written, I just knew I had to read this book. A barista, firefighter, bad boy ex-boyfriend AND a decades-old kidnapping? Interest peaked.
Sasha and Blake’s story has to be one of my favorites. Told in alternating POV, I felt like I got both sides of several scenes as some overlapping occurred and that really helped me to bond with each character individually. Not only did the story unravel very quickly, the new twist completely caught me off guard each time. I could NOT stop reading until I was finished. As always once a great book ends you’re left wanting more! I can’t wait to see what Manda writes next!!
*I was fortunate enough to have received an ARC of Under the Maple Tree and all reviews are my honest opinion*
Sasha and Blake’s story has to be one of my favorites. Told in alternating POV, I felt like I got both sides of several scenes as some overlapping occurred and that really helped me to bond with each character individually. Not only did the story unravel very quickly, the new twist completely caught me off guard each time. I could NOT stop reading until I was finished. As always once a great book ends you’re left wanting more! I can’t wait to see what Manda writes next!!
*I was fortunate enough to have received an ARC of Under the Maple Tree and all reviews are my honest opinion*
September 8, 2022
I very much enjoyed reading this book. It always left me at the edge of my seat at the end of every chapter. It kept me reading. The plot itself is a great one. Sasha, a coffee shop employee with a hard past meets a strangely familiar firefighter who just started at the fire station near by. After a chance meeting at said coffee shop, Sasha’s life as she knew it began crumbling.
I very much admire that even though her identity is somewhat confusing, she’s no one other than herself throughout the entire book and she has no problems standing up for herself. Blake is my new favorite book boyfriend, he’s always making sure she’s okay and making sure that she knows she has his support. The vibe is mystery romance which I enjoy a lot. It’s a cleaner romance than I usually read 😉 but I very much enjoyed the book none the less. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a mystery that keeps getting wilder as you read.
I very much admire that even though her identity is somewhat confusing, she’s no one other than herself throughout the entire book and she has no problems standing up for herself. Blake is my new favorite book boyfriend, he’s always making sure she’s okay and making sure that she knows she has his support. The vibe is mystery romance which I enjoy a lot. It’s a cleaner romance than I usually read 😉 but I very much enjoyed the book none the less. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a mystery that keeps getting wilder as you read.
September 8, 2022
This is part of A Beach Brew Novel following And There You Were. I love Mandan’s writing style and this book surely didn’t disappoint. Character development was great and I felt like I was right there with Sasha and Blake at the Beach Brew. I was drawn in so fast, turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. Please check the trigger warnings though.
Sasha is clean and almost ready to buy the cafe she’s worked at since being sober. One day a handsome firefighter walks in and calls her a different name. He’s determined that she’s the girl that disappeared 20 years ago. They soon develop a feelings for each other and try to prove she is or she isn’t that little girl all grown up. But what happens when her ex boyfriend Greg and prior dealer shows up?
This book was so emotional and full of drama, suspense, twists and turns, self discovery, healing, chemistry and so much more. Can’t wait to read more from Manda.
Sasha is clean and almost ready to buy the cafe she’s worked at since being sober. One day a handsome firefighter walks in and calls her a different name. He’s determined that she’s the girl that disappeared 20 years ago. They soon develop a feelings for each other and try to prove she is or she isn’t that little girl all grown up. But what happens when her ex boyfriend Greg and prior dealer shows up?
This book was so emotional and full of drama, suspense, twists and turns, self discovery, healing, chemistry and so much more. Can’t wait to read more from Manda.
September 13, 2022
I loved this story! Read it in two days. Sasha is just my kind of FMC, strong,capable, but human and vulnerable too. Blake is every woman’s dream MC. The storyline was captivating and kept me reading, well past bedtime. I love Manda’s books and can’t wait to read more from her!
If you like a good plot, and slow-burn romance, this one’s for you.
If you like a good plot, and slow-burn romance, this one’s for you.
September 5, 2022
I really enjoyed this book by Manda Mazanec!!! Does Blake really know Sasha from the past? Such a sweet romance with amazing characters!!! I look forward to reading more books by this author!!! Read and enjoy!!!
September 4, 2022
This was pretty good. There were a few things I didn't care for, but overall, I liked most of it. I liked Sasha and Blake together, and liked how everything wrapped up for them.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 22, 2022
A very difficult situation is put forth for Sasha, so heart wrenching, but so strengthening too.
Positive thoughts:
I loved how Sasha represented the strength of getting through being an addict. She refused to take any meds even when she broke her leg. It's amazing how the nurse in the hospital didn't understand why, it may seem like a simple thing, taking pain meds, but not for an addict that's been clean for years. It takes strength and will power, and I loved seeing that in Sasha.
Blake was the perfect support for her and her family. And a true gentleman, he never advanced or took advantage of a vulnerable situation.
Negative thoughts:
Sasha's brother got on my nerves a bit, but like I say, that's because of good writing. No one reacts the same way and Porter simply rejected that his sister didn't even remember him. He did not react well to that and his reactions were quite infuriating for me.
Overall:
It may seem hard at first when we see Sasha not accepting the truth and her biological family, it may seem cruel to the family who has waited and suffered two decades for her loss. But the family she was with never treated her wrong, they loved her and she felt right. Real life is like that, and I felt this book had very real vibs, nothing too far out or fantasy like.
It was a quick, clean (behind closed doors) read with lots of chemistry, strong emotions, difficult topics and lots of suspense.
TW: abduction, addiction, murder
This novel can be read as a stand alone.
Romance: 2/5
Chemistry: 4/5
Foul language: 4/5
Suspense: 4/5
Spice: 0/5 (it's a clean romance yall!)
Cry factor: 1/5
Humor: 0/5
Tropes:
- Firefighter & Barista
- Dual POV
- Best friends sister/twin
- Addiction
- Abduction
I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Positive thoughts:
I loved how Sasha represented the strength of getting through being an addict. She refused to take any meds even when she broke her leg. It's amazing how the nurse in the hospital didn't understand why, it may seem like a simple thing, taking pain meds, but not for an addict that's been clean for years. It takes strength and will power, and I loved seeing that in Sasha.
Blake was the perfect support for her and her family. And a true gentleman, he never advanced or took advantage of a vulnerable situation.
Negative thoughts:
Sasha's brother got on my nerves a bit, but like I say, that's because of good writing. No one reacts the same way and Porter simply rejected that his sister didn't even remember him. He did not react well to that and his reactions were quite infuriating for me.
Overall:
It may seem hard at first when we see Sasha not accepting the truth and her biological family, it may seem cruel to the family who has waited and suffered two decades for her loss. But the family she was with never treated her wrong, they loved her and she felt right. Real life is like that, and I felt this book had very real vibs, nothing too far out or fantasy like.
It was a quick, clean (behind closed doors) read with lots of chemistry, strong emotions, difficult topics and lots of suspense.
TW: abduction, addiction, murder
This novel can be read as a stand alone.
Romance: 2/5
Chemistry: 4/5
Foul language: 4/5
Suspense: 4/5
Spice: 0/5 (it's a clean romance yall!)
Cry factor: 1/5
Humor: 0/5
Tropes:
- Firefighter & Barista
- Dual POV
- Best friends sister/twin
- Addiction
- Abduction
I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 8, 2023
This novel offers you exactly what the synopsis told you: a sassy two-decades kidnaped barista, a sexy two-decades-drowned-in-guilt firefighter, and a drug dealer ex-boyfriend. How does all this mix? Well, you will have to read to know. But it’s not all that it seems. Even when you think you have all the cards, you don’t know the details, and the details are important.
How a girl kidnaped two decades ago is still safe and sound? How this guy is related to her? What does she do when she discovers that she was assembling a puzzle with the pieces backward, when a supposed stranger flipped the first one and it’s not what she thought it was? She needs proof to reconfirm her story, but the proofs... One by one they deny what she knew and lead her to a different doubt. So now she must find the real pieces and find out what happened, without much time to digest the new information, because after the first one, the pieces fall into a domino effect.
And what better companion for that than Blake? He’s all that is good in life. Protector, supportive. Because he becomes a shield, Sasha can breathe and think and analyze everything that happens. Because he supports her in making her own decisions, Sasha doesn't feel trapped by pleasing others or fulfilling their demands. Because he is willing to be there for her, things happen and sparks fly 😏
But they have a lot to do and they don't have a lot of time, but that doesn't stop them from stealing a moment from time to time. In fact, with the help of friends, the patience of family, and the law doing its job, it hardly seems so bad to be living another life.
How a girl kidnaped two decades ago is still safe and sound? How this guy is related to her? What does she do when she discovers that she was assembling a puzzle with the pieces backward, when a supposed stranger flipped the first one and it’s not what she thought it was? She needs proof to reconfirm her story, but the proofs... One by one they deny what she knew and lead her to a different doubt. So now she must find the real pieces and find out what happened, without much time to digest the new information, because after the first one, the pieces fall into a domino effect.
And what better companion for that than Blake? He’s all that is good in life. Protector, supportive. Because he becomes a shield, Sasha can breathe and think and analyze everything that happens. Because he supports her in making her own decisions, Sasha doesn't feel trapped by pleasing others or fulfilling their demands. Because he is willing to be there for her, things happen and sparks fly 😏
But they have a lot to do and they don't have a lot of time, but that doesn't stop them from stealing a moment from time to time. In fact, with the help of friends, the patience of family, and the law doing its job, it hardly seems so bad to be living another life.
December 9, 2022
There was so much going on in this book, and I was here for it all. I had no idea how it was going to play out. The evidence and mystery sprinkled throughout was so intriguing, and around every turn, there was always more to uncover. All the while, Sasha and Blake’s love story was unfolding. Blake’s devotion to protecting Sasha was so endearing. I loved how he’d drop everything to save her, hold her, make her feel seen and heard. He was so painfully patient.
Sasha was a strong heroine with several acknowledged faults and a past she couldn’t seem to escape, but she was always unapologetically herself. Despite her independence, even she couldn’t deny that she needed Blake. And it took a while for her to understand just how much he needed her.
“If I break, it’s not your job to hold me together.” ~ Sasha
“What if, when I hold you together, you’re actually holding me together?” ~ Blake
Under the Maple Tree was unlike any story I’ve read before, and I loved it. It had a little of everything: mystery, action, sweet romance (slow burn, closed door), and unbreakable family bonds. It showcased the struggles of mental health and addiction, and the different ways people try to deal, survive, and overcome.
Sasha was a strong heroine with several acknowledged faults and a past she couldn’t seem to escape, but she was always unapologetically herself. Despite her independence, even she couldn’t deny that she needed Blake. And it took a while for her to understand just how much he needed her.
“If I break, it’s not your job to hold me together.” ~ Sasha
“What if, when I hold you together, you’re actually holding me together?” ~ Blake
Under the Maple Tree was unlike any story I’ve read before, and I loved it. It had a little of everything: mystery, action, sweet romance (slow burn, closed door), and unbreakable family bonds. It showcased the struggles of mental health and addiction, and the different ways people try to deal, survive, and overcome.
December 5, 2023
Such a moving and powerful story that has the right amounts of complexity, mystery, romance, and heart. You won't want to put it down once you start, I promise you that! As always, Manda wrote an amazing book. Not only proud of my fellow sister Marine but amazed by her many talents that we are blessed to enjoy!! S/F
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews