Whatever It Takes

Saratoga Falls Love Story #1

by Lindsey Pogue, Scarlet St. James

Four years ago, I thought my life was pretty normal for a teenager. Three years ago, my world was shattered, and now I’m just trying to hold the pieces together. But regret and anger aren’t so easy to ignore.

I just need to catch my breath … For it all to go away …

I thought I might finally be ready to move on from that horrible night, but then he decided to come back.

He can’t come back … he’ll ruin me completely.

One horror-filled night changes the course of Samantha’s seemingly normal life. She’s ruined everything. Despite her determination to keep the family ranch up and running, her guilt makes it impossible to completely move on or forget.

Sam takes comfort in her quirky, endearing friends as she tries to balance between the girl she was and the woman she wants to become. Just when she thinks she’s finally making amends with her past, someone she never thought she’d see again returns, and Sam’s life is once again turned upside down. Both her head and her heart want different things, so she’s lost when, once again, she’s forced to make a decision that will inevitably change her life.

Nothing But Trouble is my new adult series following the journey of three friends—Sam, Mac, and Nick—as they struggle with life, love, grief, and the unwavering power of friendship. With a sprinkle of romance, a dash of comedy, and a flooding of heart, Nothing But Trouble is a series that will hopefully make you laugh as much as you might cry. Whatever It Takes, book one of the series, is Sam’s story. Mac’s story will be released next winter.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, New Adult, Second Chance, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Friends To Lovers

362 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 18, 2016

About the author

“[Lindsey] mastered what it is to be human, and the connections we build with one another.” - Goodreads Reviewer

Lindsey Pogue is a genre-bending survival romance author, best known for her soul-stirring Savage North Chronicles. With a master’s in history and her passion for apocalyptic landscapes, Lindsey weaves epic adventures where humanity shines brightest in the darkest of times. Her weather-ravaged worlds defy genre boundaries, inviting readers to escape the ordinary and discover the boundless strength of the human spirit.

When Lindsey's not plotting her next storyline or dreaming up new, brooding characters, she's wrapped in blankets, watching action flicks with her own leading man. She and her husband live in Northern California with their rescue cats, Beast and Blue.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “[Lindsey] mastered what it is to be human, and the connections we build with one another.” - Amazon (Author Unpublished)

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "Lindsey Pogue is a master storyteller!" -Tome Tender Book Reviews

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "Lindsey Pogue does it again!! I absolutely love her writing style."



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Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

RATING 4.5 STARS

Whatever It Takes is book one in the Nothing But Trouble series by Lindsey Pogue. This book was generously provided to me in exchange for an honest review by the author.

One second is all it takes to forever change the course of your life. This was a lesson Samantha wished she had never learned. They were decisions she had made that led her to this point. It was all her fault.

Sam and Josh Reilly had been in love. But Josh had to get out of Saratoga Falls. He couldn’t stay. So he had enlisted in the army. Sam swore she would wait for him. Their love would be strong enough, right? But she was just a kid and the more time that went by, the harder it was to hang on. And then she met Mike. She knew everyone thought he was bad for her, but she was swept away. Until she found out. That was the night that everything changed.



Now, three years later, she is fighting to keep her head above water. She is living on the ranch with her step mother, fighting every day to keep a roof over their heads. Her two best friends, Mac and Nick are what keep her sane. But sometimes it’s just all too much. Sometimes she has to find her own ways to find relief from all the pain she keeps bottled up inside.



Josh never thought he would have to come back to Saratoga Falls. His life here was something he would rather forget. His abusive, alcoholic father has passed away and Josh has come back to sell the house that holds nothing but bad memories for him. He hasn’t signed his re-enlistment papers yet but as soon as he gets the house fixed up and sold, he’s leaving. He knows eventually he will have to come face to face with Sam. But their first meeting is nothing if not awkward. He wished he could have the old Sam back. So, he just concentrates on getting the house ready as fast as he can. It takes an alcohol infused camping trip to finally open up the gates to all the thoughts and feelings both he and Sam have been bottling up.



“Everything that happened between Sam and me is a mess of wrongs I wish I could right, or misguided turns that sent us in circles only to both end up here, confused and, if I’m honest with myself, alone.”



This is a brand new series and a brand new direction for Lindsey Pogue’s writing, and I loved it. These characters are real and flawed and so easy to love. Sam’s two best friends are amazing and I love the way they all support one another. Of course, there has to be the town mean girl, Bethany. And I even found it in my heart to care somehow for Sam’s step mother. Sam is forced to jump right from being a teen ager to an adult weighed down with responsibility. After three years of hiding everything away, Sam is finally forced to deal with her pain. Will she perhaps, be given a second chance at happiness? Will she ever be able to forgive herself for what happened? This book is told from both Josh and Sam’s point of views so we are allowed into both of their heads. I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to book two which will be Mac’s (Machaela’s) story.

[Danielle's · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this audiobook. It’s probably the best one I’ve listened to. The story had me hooked and I didn’t want to put it down. The story is more than a romance. I liked the world created around the characters. I’ll be honest, if I’d of known the details of the story before I began I’m not sure I would have picked this book to read. The execution of the story is what made it good for me. Highly recommend.

Sam is broken. With the loss of her father and an unhappy home, she’s struggling to move on with her life. Her relationship with her stepmother is unhealthy but the only thing she has.

Riley’s father has passed recently and he’s returning to his home town. When he left he didn’t realise how bad Sams life has spiralled. Although the turns in events put these too on uncomfortable ground. To make a future both need to overcome their demons.

This is a second chance romance. It’s set in a cowboy town. It deals with difficult topics. The romance is about more than attraction.

5 out of 5.

*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life growing up wasn’t easy for Sam, sure she had a loving father and lived in a world she loved, until her widowed father found love again and well, two is company, and three is a crowd. Sam also thought she had found the love of her life, someone to trust in, believe in and give herself to, but he needed to get away, and the military was his escape. But nothing could shred her soul more than the night she lost her father in the accident she survived and the daily dose of guilt and sense of loss comes from within and from her bitter stepmother.

Damaged, alone and trying so hard to re-pay an emotional debt she never owed, Sam struggles to keep her father’s dream of horse ranching alive. Is it worth always failing in the eyes of her step mother? Those eyes that blame her for her father’s death? Even her friends cannot put joy into her life, and then it happened, Reilly came home, but unlike fairy tale romances, they did not have a happy ever after as soon as their eyes met. They had real life uneasiness, real life awkwardness and real life fear of opening up.

For Sam, it is just another facet of her over-burdened life, secret pain, secret love, secret guilt and another heart-wrenching secret she keeps to herself. How much pain can one young woman carry? How much guilt? How can the boy she loved return as a man and break down her walls? Everyone has secrets, but healing cannot begin until the wounds are cleansed. Is love strong enough to heal the past?

Prepare yourself for real human characters, filled with self-doubt, flawed and worn down by life long before their time. Whatever It Takes has been given the perfect title by Lindsey Pogue, because this tale of loss, love and guilt is a story of doing whatever it takes to learn to live again. Ms. Pogue takes a simple backdrop, a ranch, and a small town and from it creates a breathing world that will wrench your soul from your body. There is darkness, a little quirkiness and there is love, peeking just around the corner for two souls in need of each other, of a do over at a chance for happiness and inner redemption. Beautifully written, like watching lives unfold from a one-way mirror, one day, one mistake and one joy at a time.

I received this review copy from Lindsey Pogue in exchange for my honest review.

Series: Nothing But Trouble - Book 1
Publication Date: January 18, 2016
Publisher: Lindsey Pogue
Genre: New Adult
Print Length: 314 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars without a doubt!!!

Amazing story! Filled with romance, laughter e, mostly, the importance of second chances and the constant search for happiness.
Beautiful book. I receive this one via the website Instafreebia. I did not know the author e this was my first by her. I was also lucky to be able to get the second book on the series also for free on this website.

This is a light and cool read. Great story, I found myself smiling a lot while reading, and the finale was great, it gave me so much peace and seeing how Sam was getting better really made me happy. I loved reading this.

-
2nd read: I'm still completely in love with this story and with the characters! Love, love, love this book!!! <3

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I hear or see the words 'Don't judge a book by a cover' I know this should apply to me, because I absolutely do judge a book cover. That's not to say that I still don't buy the book but if it's got a nasty taste of cheese then I am sort of put off by it.
I found this book in an email and I was struck by the way it reminded me of the 90's, of those days when it was acceptable to bugger off down the lane, lay in a field and watch the clouds. I suppose you could do it now, but the 90's seemed to be the era to do that kind of stuff.

In fact the whole book to me had the 90's feel even though it was quite modern.

Sam's relationships have all ended badly one way or another. At first it was the love of her life Reilly, who after suffering abuse from his father at home, decides to leave to join the army. Then it's her father, who after picking her up, end ups up crashing the car and is killed.

4 years later and Sam is still struggling to come to terms with it all and to make matters worse she is trying to make a horse ranch work with her stepmother who blames her for her fathers death. It is whilst she is struggling that Reilly re-enters her life, stirring up all different kinds of emotions. Not least of all guilt, that she didn't wait for Reilly.

Reilly has come back home to take care of his house that his father left him upon his death. He really doesn't want to be back, it stirs many a bad memory up and thinks of he can do it up and sell it on quickly he can be out of there. However things don't go to plan and old feelings are sparked up again.

I have to admit that whilst the story had promise, I didn't love it. I know it was supposed to draw the reader to the angst and tension but it was an overdose and I kept waiting for it to end. It was too much for me and it killed it.

I would probably read more from this author but for me it would be a way to pass the time not one that I'd think ooh, there's this book I want to read.

Happy Reading :-)

[Tracey]

A warm, heartfelt story about the best of friends in the worst of times. Rich with love, pain, and promise, this a story that will take you through the ringer and leave you smiling.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/9/2019)! 🎁

[Lorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 STARS!!!

Ugh. There’s just something about an awesome YA/NA romance!!!!! This book brings to mind my absolute favorite YA/NA stories – anything by Colleen Hoover, Bully from Penelope Douglas, Wild Reckless from Ginger Scott, Love Always, Kate by Nichole D. King, Righteous by Kim Lehman, and the list goes on….

The story totally captured my attention. I just loved it to pieces. If you liked any one of the books from the laundry list above, I suggest you pick this one up ASAP.

And, I totally love the cover too!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I confess that second chance romances are my favourite kinds of story. I love the journey characters travel to overcome hardships that force them apart. Whatever It Takes (#1 in the ‘Nothing but Trouble’ series) is a sweet and heart-warming second chance romance that will remind you to live each and every day to its fullest.

The story centres on the relationship between Sam and Josh Reilly. At seventeen Sam is in love with ‘Reilly’. He is her best friend, lover and future everything. But, like any good second chance romance, the hero and heroine are separated and Sam’s struggle to find her way back to Reilly is nothing short of heartbreaking. Her Papa once tells her: “You love like it’s air you need to breathe. It’s what makes you special, but it’s also what will give you the most heartache.”

Lindsey Pogue creates a story around real hopes and dreams. I was captured by the writer’s attention to detail, sweeping me up into the small country town of Saratoga Falls. This was about people living with the consequences of their mistakes. I felt like these were characters I wanted to get to know. Sam and Reilly’s friends – Mac and Nick play pivotal roles in this story and I hope we get to see more of them throughout the series.
This was one of those stories that kept me up until the wee hours totally ignoring the fact that I had to get up for work the next day. Fortunately, this is the first novel I have read by Lindsey Pogue and I’m excited that she has many other stories for me to devour into the early morning.

[Lindsey Pogue]

**AUTHOR'S REVIEW** This story isn't magical or wrapped in a package with a pretty bow. It's more real to life than anything I've written in the past. While there are some darker themes, there is also light, laughter, and love sprinkled throughout because that's what life is, right? Life is hard and I wanted this story--no, this series--to reflect that. This story has changed a lot over the years (I initially wrote it in high school, though it's changed drastically since), but the essence has always been the same. Threads of love, friendship, loss, and self-discovery still run deeply through. Anyone who works with at-risk youth witnesses the darkness in people's lives that is real but often glossed over. I wanted to write something that felt true to life, without being a clinical story about growing up, broken.

[E-Reader Addict · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shoulda gotten more intel on this one before I started listening.

I’m not generally a fan of the young adult/new adult genre, and this one was chock full of all the usual schmaltzy, melodramatic angst present in these stories, compliments of repetitive inner thoughts and loads of miscommunication/non communication. I’m not sure the female narrator was a help either - even things that would have been humorous came off as dramatic.

There’s also the added drag of past and present timelines that jumped around (present, three years ago, present, four years ago). It made for a choppy listening experience.

[Jessica Austin Gudmundson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. Some hard subject matter that is well.handled with sweetness to lighten it. Really well edited too. looking forward to the next in the series.

[Lily D · Rating 1 out of 5]

WHAT A DRAAAAAAAG

[Nadara · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a minute to connect with the characters in this book, but once I did, I was hooked. Overall, I enjoyed getting to know Sam and Reilly, learning about their pasts and their struggles, and watching them find their way back to each other.

There was one thing I expected to happen that never did, though. I thought at some point they would discuss the night that Reilly showed up and Mike broke up with Sam. It seemed like they both thought the other one was at fault- Sam thought Reilly hurt her and Reilly thought Sam hurt him. I guess they both hurt each other, but they didn’t talk about that night specifically or resolve it. I sort of thought them talking about it would lead them back to each other.

Even though it didn’t happen that way exactly, they still found their way back to each other and that’s what counts. I really enjoyed their chemistry and watching them both struggle to keep their distance. And their constant run-ins were extremely entertaining.

I’m about to start the next book!

[Katherine Paschal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam has been isolated since the night her life fell apart 4 years ago. She works hard to keep her father's ranch running, avoids her emotionally unavailable stepmom, puts up a happy front with her two best friends, but on the inside is an emotional wreck who uses pain as an outlet. When Reilly comes home to sell his father's wreck of a home, he and Sam have so much history that has never been resolved. The question is if their feelings are strong enough to overcome the demons.

Wow, this was an emotional read. We have a character who is so emotionally damaged that just the distant idea of being happy makes her skittish. I for some reason expected a light-hearted read, with some fun and romance, but that was not this book at all. Instead it was a touching, gut wrenching book filled with heartbreak but also with hope and a glimmer of future potential. When I saw that this was the first in a series I was really stressed that this would be some sort of terrible gut-wrenching emotional cliff hanger, but I was happy to be wrong. The book wraps up with an ending that I love with a hint of the conflict that the second book will be about. I really enjoy this type of story, where each book is an independent story with it's own characters but they tie together.

I can honestly say that I was not a super huge fan of Sam when the book first started. She started off making some terrible decisions that colored her in a negative light in my eyes when I was getting the back story. But I did like that she grew as a character throughout the book, realizing that the emotions she felt were ok and that she could experience happiness with out the guilt or doom that previously came. I still feel like she made a terrible choice in her actions towards Reilly in the past, something that would have changed her whole life if she had not done her actions, but oh well. Reilly on the other hand I had a soft spot for. He was fairly straightforward and I loved how he laid out his feelings and intentions to Sam first, without needing anything in return. He was kind of dreamy, regardless of everything.

This is my first book by this author, but it wont be my last. I can't wait to read the second book with Mac's story with the steamy new guy and I already have her other series, The Ending, on my wishlist because it sounds right up my alley.

I received this title from the author in return for my honest review

[Jennifer G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read The Ending Series that "The Lindsey's" (Lindsey Fairleigh and Lindsey Pogue) collaborated on. Totally fell in love with the series, but had never read anything by either lady as a solo author. When the opportunity came up to read a book by Lindsey Pogue I jumped at the chance, but wasn't sure what to expect. She is a fantastic writer, extremely talented. Whatever It Takes is a beautiful book about second chances. Set on a horse ranch in small Saratoga Falls, Lindsey perfectly creates a realistic story; one that is both painful and hopeful, and so touching.

The two main characters Sam and Reilly narrate the book. They found love in high school, but their relationship fell apart when Reilly enlisted in the Army. Sam went on to another relationship that ended with Reilly's interference. Unfortunately, the night her relationship ended also led to disastrous results and a death. Sam is left heartbroken, guilt-ridden, intent on punishing herself, angry, and unable to move on.

When Reilly comes back to fix up his family home after his father's death, the two are brought together again in their small town and same set of friends. Both have unresolved feelings; anger, hurt, distrust, but underneath their love is still there. Memories of their shared past are sprinkled throughout the book, so we get to understand exactly how deep their feeling for each other went, but also why they broke up, why it's so hard to let go of past hurts and move ahead together.

There is a supporting cast of Allison, Sam's step-mother, her cousin Nick, best friend Mac plus the shadow's of both Sam and Reilly's dads. All characters play key roles in the story and add layers to the book. But the focus never really strays from the main two. Sam and Reilly are two broken souls. Sam is the more broken of the two, but both have been shaped by pain. They are beautiful together, but it may not be possible. Sam has got to let go of her pain and guilt. Until she stops punishing herself, there's no true hope for a lasting relationship. The book reflects real life though; there's no quick, easy fix for damaged souls. Lindsey has woven together a book of pure emotion, beautiful and raw, worthy of reading. Looking forward to Mac's story!

[Lynda Dickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four years ago, Reilly joined the army to escape his abusive father. His only regret is that he had to leave Sam behind after only just starting their relationship. A year later, Reilly returns for an unexpected visit, which indirectly results in Sam's father dying in a car crash. Sam blames herself for her father's death, and so does her step-mother Allison. Now, wracked by guilt, Sam struggles to keep their horse ranch afloat, with the help of her cousin Nick. When Reilly returns home to sell his father's farm, old memories resurface. Will Sam and Reilly rekindle the romance they began four years ago? Or are old hurts too hard to overcome?

The story is told from the points-of-view of Sam and Reilly, with flashbacks to what happened on that fateful night three years ago, as well as flashbacks to four years ago when Reilly left town. Their alternating viewpoints switch faster and faster towards the end - even during the same scene - giving us two distinct takes on a situation and providing a sense of urgency. Unfortunately, the author takes too long to reveal the characters' innermost thoughts and fears, so that we don't feel connected until near the end. Some aspects of the story are glossed over, especially Sam's coping mechanism. Being a New Adult book, both this aspect and the sexual encounters could be more explicit. In addition, there are quite a few editing errors and awkwardly structured sentences. The author provides a lot of detail in the narrative which, while not strictly necessary, sets the scene and provides atmosphere and a great sense of place. We get a good introduction to Mac and Nick, who will be the focus of subsequent books. While Sam's story is complete, the book ends with a teaser to Mac's story, which is coming soon.

Warnings: coarse language, sex scenes, child abuse, excessive alcohol consumption, self-harm.

3.5 stars

I received this book in return for an honest review.

Full blog post (4 April): https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...

[Cary Morton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book directly from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Whatever It Takes is the first contemporary new adult romance I’ve read by Lindsey Pogue, but certainly not the first book of hers I’ve delved into. I wasn’t initially sure how I was going to feel about a change of genres from the author because some authors simply don’t write well in several genres, so while excited to read another book by a favorite author of mine, I went into this book with a healthy dose of trepidation.

Luckily, it was unwarranted. This was a solid romance read. The characters were full of depth and likable, the narrative was well-written and only contained a few typos (though to be fair, I got this book as an ARC pre-publication, so there’s a chance those typos are probably fixed by now). The pace was steady, the sentence structure flowed well… I have nothing to complain about. It was a good book.

If I had to pick out one thing I questioned about this all around well-balanced read, it would be the ending. I don’t know what I was expecting (okay, that’s a lie, I was expecting the usual trope-y romance ending where the couple got married and had a pregnancy prolog)—and for a while that seemed like what I was getting… but it wasn’t real clear. The book ended with a strange extra scene between Mac and Sam that was obviously meant as a teaser for the second book in the series, but to me, it felt a little out of place. It wasn’t a big deal.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I wasn’t sure I’d like it. I’m a huge romance reader, so when an author switches from dystopian to a flat out romance genre book, I’m a little nervous that it isn’t going to meet my expectations, but I liked it. It turned out well, it met my overall expectations, and I’m happy that I read it. I did knock it down 1 star because of the strange vague ending but don’t let that discourage you. If you like contemporary new adult romance, I recommend you give this a try.

[JenMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to thank the author for allowing me to read this book. I fully enjoyed it.

What Ever It Takes is a nice light romantic read, following Sam and Riley.
Sam is a woman with a scarred heart. After her father's death, she blamed herself for the wrongs in her life. Not able to handle the guilt and constant blame from her stepmother, Sam took her own means of punishment, even if it was painful. Trying the best she can to keep the family ranch going with her stepmother as well as trying to avoid her past. Riley.
After receiving notice of his father's death, Riley returns home from the Army to finalize the sale of his father's house. Hoping to avoid his ex girlfriend, Sam.
Fate, however has other plans.
In Whatever It Takes, you follow memories and events that lead Sam and Riley to come to a more forgiving conclusion of their relationship.
I fully enjoyed this novel. It was fun, light and a quick read. It made me laugh and smile, which is hard to find in a book.
Character breakdown.
You learn a lot from Sam's side of the story. I enjoyed the growth of this character as she learns to forgive and forget. To learn that hurting herself (either physical or mental) was not the best to help her pain. Not only did she learn to forgive herself, she learned to move on and try again in love.
Riley is your typical soldier. In control and organized. However when he and Sam are thrown back together, you see the hesitation. Hurt from Sam's breakup with him and her standoffish temperament around him. Riley is on the verge or reenlisting when he realizes he still loves Sam. Torn between retirement and reenlistment, he has to decide what is best for his broken heart.

All in all, it was such an enjoyable read. I will possibly read this again in the future. If you are looking for a light read, this is a good book to try.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 1 in St James' Saratoga Falls Love Story series and a beautifully written and dual narrated romance for the ages. Our main characters are Sam and Josh Reilly. Know going in that Josh will go by both his first and last names so don't let that confuse you. Also there is also a lot of back and forth from past to present tense going on so if listening to this as an audio be aware of that as well. I really am glad for the dual narration to help separate and distinguish these characters. I loved that both were broken in real and deep ways and while their love for each other in the past was real, the mistakes that were made by them both are understandable. I loved the friend group and dynamic they had and that growth while slow and painful did happen, so I loved the HEA we were provided and the teaser for Mac's book to come! Captivating storyline and great characters, this book was a great, heart jerker of a read / listen and I hope to get more in this series soon!

This book was given to me for free at my request and I voluntarily provided this review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read.

[iva · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️
good book, i enjoyed reading it and it even made me want to cry a little bit. i really liked the different perspectives of the plot, how the parties involved (sam & reilly) were both hurting because of the other. although i understand why sam felt the way she did with her dad’s passing, reilly leaving and being left with a step mother who she barely talked to, i didn’t think it was fair to blame it on reilly leaving and then saying he could’ve stayed in Saratoga even though he had to deal with his abusive father. i don’t think it was fair but eventually sam and reilly got their happy ending and solved their issues.

now the other party involved (sam & her step mother, allison) they were both grieving and never had the chance to have a good relationship between them even when sam’s dad was alive. allison had hidden traumas sam didn’t know about and it all lead her up to believe she was hated by her awful step-mother, but they too got closure and solved their issues and now they’re building those steps to a good relationship.

[Boxy Frown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out the full review at Miss Boxy Frown.

This review is criminally late, but I promise that is not a reflection of the captivating story told in Whatever it Takes.

This second chance new adult romance is as always beautifully written by Lindsey Pogue, messy and complicated in the way real life is, and enthralling, the way true love is. Sam isn't perfect, and is perfect because of that; in fact sometimes she frustrated me to no end and I realized it was because I liked her and wanted her to make different choices. That in itself is very telling of how much I was pulled in to the story, and how realistic the storytelling is here. What a great read, especially if you are a fan of the new adult genre!

[Jodee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book caught my attention first with what the cover. The picture of the girl laying on her back with her hands over her face I think it's an old cover. But that is why I got this book.

I'mvery happy I did because this story was great. Once I started I had to keep reading. I felt Sam's pain all through the book. I wanted to know what was going to happen next, was anyone going to be able to help her? Then enter Josh Reilly. He made this story even better. I loved Mac and Nick and the family-friendship they all have. They are friends but they take care of each other like family which makes this story work so well,

I can't wait to read about Mac and Nick. I eill definitely be recommending this story to friends. I know it's a YARD book but it's a good quick, wonderful summer read.

[Tara Adler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death causes a lot of issues afterwards

At first I was wondering what Sam did that was so bad, that her dad was so disappointed by. Turns out it was just that she was lying about seeing this guy who turns out was a real jerk cheating on her with multiple people. Sam feels guilty that she broke up with her first true love for him and that her dad has to drive down the mountain to come pick her up. It’s storming and horrible conditions and when a tree appears in the road it changes everything for Sam. Then the one guy who she’s furious with but never stopped loving comes back to town and every memory is tainted with ones from the past. Sam and Riley find their way back to each other but it’s not without some serious grieving and hard work.

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first solo book of many from this amazing author. Whatever it Takes is a well written novel with fun characters that keep you entertained throughout! The main character has to fight through tragedy to figure out what she wants with her life. She has to let go of the past in order to have a future worth living for. There are serious life issues that all the characters struggle with, which makes the book that much more realistic! But there still enough lighthearted fun to keep the story and characters fun. With more books in the series to come, it’s ok to get attached to the characters knowing you’ll be hearing more from them soon!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam was raised on a horse breeding farm. A tragic accident caused her father’s death. Already a rocky relationship with her step-mother, it only gets worse. Both are grieving the loss of the man, but can’t seem to be there for each other. Reilly grew up on the farm next door, and hightailed it out of town to join the military as soon as he could. Now he is back. Reilly’s father died, and he needs to clear up the estate matters. Sam and Reilly get to know each other again, and their relationship ignites. Good story line, with well developed characters. I recommend reading the series in order, but not required.

I received a free copy of this audiobook, and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished listening to an audio version this book gifted to me from the author through Story Origin. It is presented with dual narrators. I really enjoyed the female's presentation. The male just didn't have the right voice for these young men characters. His voice is low and sexy (ahem), but, in my opinion, not for this book. 4 stars for the narrators.
This book is written with a dual POV. Josh and Sam. I loved being in the heads of these two main characters. As teens and as young adults, they both have their troubles. Abuse. Young love. Separation. Loss. Guilt. Responsibility. A second chance romance full of real feels. Had me listening into the night.

[Pheebz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 : A story of love and coming of age.
We meet the crew Sam, Mac and Nick and their various love interest and friends; We see the dynamics of this group. I feel for Sam as she remembers her granddad and that fateful night. This is not just a romance it is a coming of age story. Friends, family, regrets, hardships, bad choices are made. Yet somehow they know they will get by with a little help from your friends. This was a fun ride back to becoming a young adult and the hardships of the real world.

[Jan Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whatever it Takes by Lindsey Pogue is a wonderful love story. The title was so fitting. The journey Sam and Josh took to find love was so good. The author wrote incredible imagery, sweet emotions, and realistic characters. Lauren Sweet and James Cavenaugh were magical bringing the characters to life. I really enjoyed this listen. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review. This was my first listen by the author, and I will definitely be adding her to my list to listen to again.

[Warfie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stuff Your Earbuds Find!

A very chalk full story of second time romance, battling grief and guilt, as well as coming to terms with oneself and how they go about dealing with it. If you plan on reading this, do be warned that there are some scenes containing triggering events such as self harm. It was not something that I was expecting to have as much detail to it, but there was.

Overall, the characters were written in a way that kept me interested in the story all the way through, even if I felt like I was missing some details here and there (that is totally up to reader error).