The Truest Thing

<i> ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review. </i><br /><br />It takes a while to collect my thoughts on how much I love <i>The Truest Thing</i>. I've a read a lot of romance stories that stirred my heart and soul and this book will forever be close to my heart. At two o'clock in the morning, I have a book hangover and I don't know what to read next.<br /><br />Among the heroines in Hartwell Boardwalk series, Emery Saunders is my favorite and I'm DYING to read her story ever since this series began. She's a bookstore cafe owner and Bailey's opposite -- introvert, shy and awkward. People don't know how to interact with her because she's a conservative and quiet woman. Behind the shyness is a lonely lady who grew up in a wealthy family but she neither feels the love and affection from them. Moving to Hartwell is a fresh start until she meets Jack Devlin, the guy whom she had a crush on. <br /><br />Everyone thinks Jack Devlin is bad news. His family has a horrible reputation in town for all the shadiness, blackmailing and other antagonistic stuff they did. Admittedly, Jack made a lot of mistakes that torn bridges. That includes betraying his best friend, Cooper Lawson and hurting the woman he likes for nine years. He did it to protect the people he cared from his father and brothers. Something awful happened that forced him to work for his father and do the dirty deeds. He is an anti-hero and often misunderstood. Still, the guy has goodness in his heart especially for Emery.<br /><br />Jack and Emery have a FANTASTIC character development. Once you get to know Emery, she is full of surprises. She's quite mysterious but she's fierce, classy and witty. I'm so proud of her being braver and more confident about herself. I love how she sees goodness in Jack and taught him a lot when it comes to forgiveness, love and trust. It's impossible to hate her. I love her so much and I'm emotional she found a family in Hartwell when her own kin failed her. I'll protect her at all cost.<br /><br />As for Jack, my goodness. He's the sweetest! He's so head over heels with Emery and HE. HAD. TO. WORK. FOR. IT. He GROVELED to regain her trust. He's affectionate, attentive and patient. I'm living for the slowburn / crush-to-lovers romance stories like this. It's top tier and I can't stop fangirling! These characters had a rough journey and the epilogue is dreamlike. Beautiful and heartwarming. I SWOONED HARD.<br /><br />Without a doubt, Samantha Young writes blissful and emotionally driven stories. She outdone herself with <i>The Truest Thing</i> and I couldn't ask for more. Years of waiting for this book is worthwhile.<br /><br />My Playlist for The Truest Thing:<br />1. Sunrise - Norah Jones<br />2. Crush - Yuna ft. Usher<br />3. Terrified - Katharine McPhee ft. Zachary Levi<br />4. Need You Now - Lady Antebellum<br />5. Come Inside of My Heart - IV of Spades<br />6. I Knew You Were Trouble - Taylor Swift<br />7. Unwell - Matchbox 20<br />8. The Reason - Hoobastank <br /> <br />—————————————<br /><br />I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR YEARS!! EMERY AND JACK WILL FINALLY HAVE A BOOK OMFGGGGGGG ???❤️

What do we know about Jack Devlin? He is the son of Ian Devlin, probably the most disliked businessman in town. He used to be best friend’s with Cooper until he totally broke bro code in the worst way imaginable. He is known to be a player, never short of female attention. We have seen glimpses of the real Jack, the good things he has done that people don’t see. Above all of that, is the way he reacts to and looks at Emery, the shy bookstore owner.<br /><br />Emery moved to town nine years ago, opening a bookstore that also serves coffee. Since moving to Hartwell, she has slowly found a wonderful circle of friendship with Jess, Bailey, Dahlia &amp; Ivy and she could not have asked for a better ‘family.’ However, she is terribly shy and any interaction with men has her blushing like a lobster. Moreso with men she finds attractive. Men like Jack Devlin. <br /><br /><b> <i>‘Every time he threw that sexy, wickedly boyish smile my way, I melted.’</i> </b><br /><br />I am happy to tell you that we finally get all the gritty details around what happened all those years ago that ended Jack and Cooper’s friendship. The version of Jack that Cooper knew is not the one people know now. In fact he is the complete opposite, living a life so far removed from what he even anticipated. However, there is a dark secret behind that which just shows the strength of Jack’s true character. <br /><br />Jack has made so many sacrifices for the people who are dear to him, at the expense of his own happiness. There have been moments of light for him though, brought to him by ‘sunrise’ - his nickname for Emery. What people haven’t noticed is the connection between Jack and Emery. She is the woman he truly wants but can’t have. He knows this but every now and again he shares hidden moments with her. She probably knows more about him than anyone..<br /><br /><b> <i>‘Someone saw through it all to the truth. And not just anyone. Emery. It was a relief that Jack didn’t want to feel.’</i> </b><br /><br />This story, for me, felt like it had two parts. The first half fills in the past 9 years and a major part of the plot with secondary characters is the main focus. In the second half is where Emery and Jack’s love story has the opportunity to develop. Emery knows that Jack is a good man, she sees him so differently to anyone else. She may be quite introverted but she has quite the backbone and her self worth is the reason she knows she cannot be with Jack. <br /><br />Emery wants that epic love, with a man who puts her first and makes her feel like a priority. If Jack thinks he is that guy, he is sorely mistaken. Actions speak louder than words and his have not told a great story the last few years. She is happy to offer him friendship but there is nothing more than that for them. Jack is not on board with this and he wants to prove to Emery that he is a man she can count on to be her truest thing.<br /><br /><b> <i>‘You are so fucking adorable,’ Jack said softly. Our eyes met and his turned smoky, and hot. ‘And beautiful. And kind. And naive. And wise. You’re every contradiction under the sun… and I can’t stop thinking about you.’</i> </b><br /><br />I have been anticipating this story since I read the second book in this series and it gave me everything I wanted and more. Honestly, so much happens it felt like this was 1,000 pages long but it was over before I was ready to let it go. Emery and Jack’s story was so worth the wait!<br /><br /><b> <i>‘I feel like I’ve been left here to wait for you for nine years.’</i> </b>

<b>3 STARS</b><br><blockquote> <b> <i><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1380397315i/766520.png" width="50" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy">She was pure temptation. He couldn’t have her. But, fuck, did he want her.</i> </b> </blockquote><br>I adore all things Samantha Young and I've absolutely adored her Hart's Boardwalk series. But while I did ultimately enjoy this one, it certainly wasn't my favorite in the series. <br><br>Jack and Emery's story is not an easy one. It spans years and is riddled with dark secrets, betrayal, and pain. Emery was a character I wasn't sure that I'd love at first. She's painfully shy, timid, and blushes with a stiff wind. But there's just something about her that you can't help but click with. She's a very complex character with so many layers that get peeled back with each new chapter. <br><br>The second she sets foot in the small town and locks eyes with Jack, they have an indescribable connection. She's a young girl with plenty of secrets who struggles to make connections but with more years that she spends in the charming small town, the more that changes. She makes friends. She forms strong connection with the town and the people. But her connection with Jack only gets more and more complicated.<br><br>Jack is a tortured characters with some dark secrets in his past and some debilitating demons in his present. And while I liked him at first, that connection began to wane as the story progressed. While I understood (somewhat) the reasons for some of the decisions he made, I also hated them. I hated them so much that I had a hard time moving past them and struggled with how Emery could. Even though Emery does make him work for it in the end, some of these betrayals were almost too much for me. Their constant back and forth, I want her but I can't have her also became too much. It wore me out. There's just so much drama on top of drama happening here, that the relationship issues with these two became too much for me.<br><br>I feel conflicted because while I did have issues, I also enjoyed it. I loved Emery, and even though Jack wasn't perfect, he did have his incredible moments too. His feelings for Emery were so deep and there was so much emotion packed into this. I just could have done without some of the decisions with women he made. Le sigh.<br><br>While it wasn't my favorite in the series, it was still an enjoyable read. I do adore this series and look forward to more. <br><br><i>ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review</i><br><br><b>Find me on:<br><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DirtyGirlRomance?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1436986543i/15525717.png" width="40" height="40" alt="Follow me on facebook" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DirtyGrlRomance" target="twitter" rel="nofollow noopener"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1436986543i/15525718.png" width="40" height="40" alt="Follow Me on Twitter" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"></a> <a href="http://www.dirtygirlromance.com" target="blog" rel="nofollow noopener"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1436986543i/15525719.png" width="40" height="40" alt="blog" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"></a><br><a href="http://dirtygirlromance.com" target="blog" rel="nofollow noopener"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1530810453i/25928532._SX540_.png" width="400" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"></a></b>

<img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1592896330i/29692387._SX540_.jpg" width="296" height="219" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1573574648i/28440481.png" width="296" height="47" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1573566687i/28439819.png" width="296" height="114" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br><b>Emery and Jack.</b><br><br>We all remember them.<br><br>She's the quiet and super shy coffee shop / book store owner billionaire heiress. And he is the son of the town's villain.<br><br>In the first part of the book we go back to when Emery arrived in town almost a decade ago. We see how she met Jack and how they kind of fell for each other instantly. But we also see how it's not really happening for them through the years. Jack is too deep into dirty business with his family and he doesn't want to drag Emery into it.<br><br>And then we're finally in the here and now ...<br> <br><b>What will happen with Emery &amp; Jack? <br>Will we get our happily ever after? <br>READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT! ☺<br><br> ══════════════════<br><br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1573566687i/28439817.png" width="296" height="86" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1573574648i/28440480.png" width="296" height="77" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br> <br>Finally Emery &amp; Jack's story!</b><br><br>We were waiting for them to finally get their happily ever after for what seems like centuries!<br> <br>And their story was beautiful!<br><br>But also so very heartbreaking and sad - especially in all the back-in-time moments. It was just never their time. Ugh. So sad. But now they can finally try it for reals - but destiny has some more obstacles available first. LOL. Poor Jemery. Emerack??? ☺<br> <br>It takes them a long while to get that happily ever after - 9 years - but we'll get there!<br><br>And the reader has an amazing time watching them fight for that happy end!<br> <br>I didn't really love-love the whole back and forth through the years. It was just too long. And then in the end I wanted them together so much faster, but they were still a bit too stupid to get it right.<br>I wanted to slap them both a few times. But I still loved reading this so much!<br> <br>I love that this is a mature series. Those couples are all in their thirties .... we don't have any immature 21-year-olds running around. ☺<br> <br>I also loved that we got to see all the other people in town again. And I SO need more stories for some of them - even the new generation. I see an amazing enemies-to-lovers story coming in 20 years!<br> <br>Beautiful series!<br> <br><b>THE TRUEST THING was a sweet &amp; heartbreaking &amp; sparky kinda-2nd-3rd-chance-love-story! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Jack - this one is MINE!</b><br> <br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1573549060i/28438349.jpg" width="258" height="45" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><a href="https://amzn.to/3ayByQd" rel="nofollow noopener"> <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1573548581i/28438331.jpg" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </a>?<a href="https://amzn.to/37NYHN2" rel="nofollow noopener"> <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1573548581i/28438332.jpg" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </a>?<a href="https://amzn.to/3hNOWTK" rel="nofollow noopener"> <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1573548581i/28438333.jpg" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </a><br><a href="https://getbook.at/Harts4" rel="nofollow noopener"> <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1573548581i/28438334.jpg" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </a><br><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/BJsBookBlog" rel="nofollow noopener"> <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1573565061i/28439634.png" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </a><br><a href="https://twitter.com/BJsBookBlog" rel="nofollow noopener"> <img alt="Smokin Hot Book Blog" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1573565061i/28439630.png" width="40" height="40" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/BJsBookBlog/posts/?ref=page_internal" rel="nofollow noopener"> <img alt="Smokin Hot Book Blog" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1573565061i/28439632.png" width="40" height="40" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </a> <a href="https://instagram.com/BJsBookBlog" rel="nofollow noopener"> <img alt="Smokin Hot Book Blog" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1573565061i/28439629.png" width="40" height="40" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </a> <a href="mailto:[email protected]" rel="nofollow noopener"> <img alt="Smokin Hot Book Blog" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1573565061i/28439633.png" width="40" height="40" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </a> <a href="https://www.BJsBookBlog.com" rel="nofollow noopener"> <img alt="Smokin Hot Book Blog" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1573565061i/28439631.png" width="40" height="40" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </a>

&lt;3 5 STARS &lt;3<br><br>I spend my day on the beach reading this.It was sweet with the great amount of drama! Emery and Jack’s story is intense, emotional,sweet and heartwarming!I was so intrigued and excited to see how their story will unravel!<br><br>Emery is shy and sweet.Jack is protective, and it was hard for him what he went through, he wanted Emery from the beginning!I liked their moments together they were intense.They have a great banter!<br><br>I love this series and this one was exactly what I needed! <br><br> <a href="http://readmore-sleepless.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow noopener"> <br> <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1472313906i/20179654.png" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </a><br><div> <br><a href="http://readmore-sleepless.blogspot.co.za/" rel="nofollow noopener"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1472313906i/20179655.png" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Read-More-Sleep-Less-Blog-602369879814135/" rel="nofollow noopener"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1472313906i/20179656.png" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"></a><a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/pavlinaxristina" rel="nofollow noopener"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1472313906i/20179657.png" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"></a><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/1/115628737676724756157/posts" rel="nofollow noopener"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1472313906i/20179658.png" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"></a><a href="mailto:[email protected]" rel="nofollow noopener"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1472313906i/20179659.png" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </a> </div>

While I ultimately liked this book, there's a part of me that's saying "I waited 4 years for THIS?".<br /><br />Emery and Jack were a couple I wanted a book for since the first book in the series, and while I am glad Young wrote it, it felt all over the place and ultimately unsatisfying. There were great moments and some excellent steamy ones as well. I just found myself putting the book down and walking away for long periods of time.

4 Stars!<br>(ARC provided by author)<br><br><a href="https://app.photobucket.com/u/Macaya5/p/492ca1ea-80c2-4bef-bbcf-66a622e20fdb" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"> <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1597766916i/29984839._SY540_.jpg" alt="CC13927D_1C85_4396_B0E7_E1281FC45D20" width="365" height="365" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </a><br><br>Nine years ago Emery Saunders moved to the small tourist beach town called Hartwell in Delaware's Cape Region to start over and follow her dreams of opening up a bookstore cafe. For so long the quiet, shy bookworm was lonely as she tried to figure out where she fit in her community. Then she finds the people who accept her just as she is. She's grateful for the friendships she's made, but hasn't had luck in the romance department. The one man she found irresistible was also the black sheep of the town. Jack Devlin is gorgeous with the kindest eyes she's ever seen, but questionable character. She isn't quite sure what to think of him. He was a bit of a mystery, and full of mixed signals. She tires of the push and pull between them, and is done letting him toy with her emotions.<br><br><a href="https://app.photobucket.com/u/Macaya5/p/23d2f768-a93d-477b-9c75-398d05c0029d" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"> <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1597778841i/29985488._SY540_.jpg" alt="2183C52C_A74B_49B2_9167_956579E8FC97" width="365" height="365" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </a><br><br>Jack Devlin's life is full of secrets, drama and chaos. He's tried to break away from his toxic family, but eventually gets sucked back in. The only bright spot in his life is Emery. She's sunshine and goodness. He wanted her from the moment he first laid eyes on her, but she could never be his. Through the years he's tried to stay away from her, and severed relationships to protect those he cares about most. That didn't change the fact she was still all he could see. As time passed it became harder to ignore his feelings. He hardly recognized the angry person he'd become, but when everything is out in the open will love conquer all? Can Jack convince Emery to trust him with her heart?<br><br><a href="https://app.photobucket.com/u/Macaya5/p/c7869063-7ab1-476e-b9af-7e94c908d88a" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"> <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1597778841i/29985489._SY540_.jpg" alt="0A97855E_6A56_49AB_A915_9E454DBBACC9" width="365" height="365" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </a><br><br>The Truest Thing, A Hart's Boardwalk novel by Samantha Young is an emotional, captivating friends to lovers romance full of angst, heartbreak, scandal, forgiveness, and love. A tortured hero and his beauty with trust issues. We follow their story from the past when they first meet all the way to the present as questions are answered, and secrets and truths are revealed. Their journey was rocky and full of obstacles, but beautiful. I really loved this couple and also the friendships in this series!<br><br><a href="https://app.photobucket.com/u/Macaya5/p/182e65ff-b8c6-437e-bbcd-155f1dfb698d" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"> <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1589868082i/29501397._SX540_.jpg" alt="708800B6-901E-4A2B-8B1A-C8DCD774F259_zpsqkbfrd0n" width="365" height="200" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </a><br><br><br>***NOW AVAILABLE***<br><a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://amzn.to/3iPO2G2">https://amzn.to/3iPO2G2</a>

First of all I recently found this author and I devoured her previous books in this series and another one but this one..... Grrrrr.<br /><br />It's best to read the series in order as this book is about Jack and Emery and their story and events that lead to Jack being the person he is today happen in the previous books.<br /><br />I got to say Jack is very dislikeable in the previous books he does some awful things.<br />In this book the author tries to redeem him, excusing his previous behaviour with lots of bad family history and angst.<br /><br />He's not very likeable.<br /><br />Emery is very shy but she think she loves Jack and several times they almost start things and then don't, during which time he kisses her on several occasions only then to be seen kissing a tourist or sleeping with another woman.<br /><br />Emery says "I’d watched in painful longing as he made his way through a smorgasbord of female tourists".<br /><br />So called Hero is a huge man-whore and he uses his charms to help his cause for thwarting his families schemes and this paints him as a baddy.<br /><br />Emery came across to me as a weak heroine and she is a doormat.<br />Let's have him walk all over her and oh let's have him do it again and again.<br /><br />He continues his man-whore ways and she isn't dating in all the years the story spans across.<br />I wished she'd have had at least some relationships, whether Jack witnessed it or not preferably for him to see her happy with someone else.<br /><br />Pushing away from Hero. Push/pull constantly.<br />Each chapter is X amount of years previously until it comes up to present day.<br /><br />Hero is seen kissing another woman, which the heroine witnesses and she sees him with his arm around a different woman.<br />There is local gossip of him with another woman at a hotel so although no intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine, except for a passionate kiss.<br /><br />I honestly almost gave up and if I'd realised the book was about him I may not have read it.<br /><br />Some Hero's actions are beyond redemption, at least to get his HEA with the heroine.<br /><br />There was also no condom used and it's never a good sign when you need to discuss STD testing.<br />"I feel like I’ve been left here to wait for you for nine years. And I know it’s not that simple,” she hurried to add. “I know you had your reasons and a part of me even understands them. But you’ve never prioritized me, Jack. And maybe you didn’t owe me that. But that’s what I’m looking for. I’m looking for a guy who hasn’t used other women to push me away, to remind me of what we’re not … so many women”—her eyes glistened with hurt that killed him—“that I had to ask Jessica to test me.”"<br /><br />Dual POV.<br /><br />Sorry to rate this one less starts but his behaviour really annoyed me.<br /><br />HEA.<br />Epilogue.<br />Breadcrumbs dropped for future books in series.

<b><i> “She was his and he was hers, and he felt that deep in his fucking soul.” </i><br><br>5 stars!</b><br><br>Oh, so beautiful! A love story full of heartache, romance and so much swoon, this book sucked me in and didn’t let go, and I loved every heart-clutching moment of it!<br><br>Jack and Emery’s story has been building quietly through the series, and I dove into this book with so much excitement, desperate to see what would unfold between the shy, quiet bookstore owner and the bad-guy-with-a-heart who is so much more than what he seems. And this book was <i>everything</i> that I was hoping it would be!<br><br>This book takes us right back to the beginning where Jack and Emery first met. Before the events of the other books in the series, we get to see that first moment of connection, and follow them through the years as their lives twist and change and they keep sharing epic moments that may be brief but that mean so much. Things that were only ever hinted at, and that carry so much emotion that work to that shape a unique dynamic that is fascinating and frustrating, but beautifully heartfelt. <br><br>Jack and Emery care for each other so much, but due to circumstances beyond his control, he has had to keep his distance. Well, things have now changed, and Jack finds himself in a position to mend the wrongs from his past and reclaim his life. <br><br><blockquote> <i>He was thirty-eight years old and having to build a new life for himself, start over, and Emery Saunders was the one thing he wanted in his life more than anything.</i> </blockquote><br>It’s so freaking exciting and I was reading with this great sense of anticipation for all that was to come. It’s like we get to see Jack unveiled, and oh holy Lord, what an unveiling it is! Completely different from the man we though we knew, we finally get to the heart of this complex character who is, down to his soul, a good guy who is deeply protective of the people he cares about. From his ex-best-friend, Cooper, to the friends that he has wronged, he has a lot of amends to make, but his priority is to finally claim the woman that he has loved all along. <br><br><blockquote> <i>She was his and he was hers, and he felt that deep in his fucking soul.</i> </blockquote><br>Emery has changed and grown a lot throughout this series, and I loved getting to see those changes up close as we revisit her past and watch her become the woman that we now know. From a cripplingly shy almost-recluse, to a member of the girl-posse, she has secrets of her own and issues from the past that she’s dealing with, but she has a quiet strength about her that is wonderful to see. She has been there for Jack in ways that nobody knows about, and she’s put herself out there for him, but can she truly forgive him for the past, and is she ready for all that he is offering? <br><br>It’s a dramatic and somewhat angsty ride for these two as they figure it all out. There is some back and forth, and there’s a whole lot of emotion as they deal with their pasts, the reality of their present, and everything standing in the way of their future. I did get a bit frustrated, but their love story is beautifully written - I could feel the emotion between these two, and even though they have their difficulties, I loved seeing how drawn they are to each other, how deeply connected they are, and how much they clearly mean to each other. Their relationship is heartfelt and super passionate, and I adored Jack’s persistence in fighting for his girl. And I love how their story played out. Freaking swoooooooon!<br><br><blockquote> <i>“No matter what happens, there is nothing in this world that could tear me away from you. God, Emery, don’t you know by now that I fucking </i>live<i> for you? I don’t care what that says about me. It’s how I feel.”</i> </blockquote><br>And even with all of that swoon, one of my favourite parts of this book was watching Jack and Cooper reconnect. The relationship between these two had me in tears at one point, and seeing Jack slowly brought back into the fold was so incredibly special. <br><br>This book reads like the final in the series with closure provided for all of our couples , as well as some of the singles that we’ve met along the way, and an epilogue set years into the future which paints a beautifully happy ending that left me grinning madly and feeling immensely satisfied. I’m hoping it’s not the last we’ll see of this crew, but if it is, it’s a beautiful finish.<br><br>A fantastic read, I loved this book so much. 5 stars!<br><br><i>An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.</i><br><br><a href="http://www.escapistbookblog.com" rel="nofollow noopener"> <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1515300979i/24851027._SX540_.png" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </a>

It’s been a long time coming for Emery and Jack. When they were first introduced in the Hart’s Boardwalk series, I knew I need their romance asap. It’s been a few years, but The Truest Thing is finally here and it was just as angsty and tortured like I expected! Though book three, Things We Never Said, is still my favorite of the series, I’m so glad we get to read this much awaited story and would highly recommend it for longtime fans of the series.<br /><br />Emery moved to the small boardwalk town of Hartwell nine years ago to open a bookstore/coffee shop. She was insanely shy around others and never made any friends, at least not until the heroine from book one moved in, but from the moment she met Jack, a local resident, there was something there between them. Unfortunately, the town player who never wanted to settle down and the new shy, awkward resident meant that neither could come forward and act on their chemistry. To make matters worse, a few years later Jack turned his back on his friends and the community to work with his evil, heartless father. But through it all, Emery saw who Jack was deep down and never stopped rooting for him.<br /><br />Usually, this kind of dynamic – the town manwhore hero and the shy virgin heroine – doesn’t work for me. It’s not my favorite thing to read in romances, but somehow Samantha Young made it work. I never really hated Jack for all the hurtful things he did, though I do feel like he could’ve groveled a bit more to Emery. Emery didn’t come across as a pushover and I was rooting for her to find her inner strength and go after what she wanted. I enjoyed the way these two characters finally were able to be together, though it’s certainly not an easy road. The nine years they’ve known each other have been fraught with drama, hurt, and heartache, but we all know that Jack and Emery are everything to each other.<br /><br />I love this cast of characters Samantha Young has created and am so sad to say goodbye to them. I love the small town community and the setting of Hartwell, which is brought to life through the author’s writing. For anyone who has been waiting for Emery and Jack, wait no more. It’s an angsty, emotional, and steamy final book to the series!