Feature book: Ready for You

Ready for You by Samantha Leigh
Series: Valentine Bay #1
Subgenre: small town romance
Release date: 9 Feb 2023
Publisher: self-published
Format: ebook and print
Length: 339 pages
RRP: $4.99 (ebook); $27.49 (print)
It was meant to be a fake relationship. A fake engagement. A fake wedding. The whole town is involved, all to put off an unwanted ex.
Emily Jones has been in town for six weeks. She escaped her ex-fiancé who had been cheating on her and the wedding was called off three days before the event. A devastated Emily left the city and Tyler behind. But like a bad smell, Tyler turns up in Valentine Bay most apologetic and claims to want her back (we do eventually find out the reason but luckily Emily is strong enough to tell him to go jump). He sends her flowers and starts sexting her. He appears in places around the town to make sure she knows he is still there.
Josh Ford is a paramedic. He had been transitioning from the Bay life to city life. He has been adamant he is not interested in a love life as he has had some bad experiences. The first one was when his mother died, and his father has shown how the love of your life should be mourned but this is probably not the best example given nothing has changed in the house for fifteen years. Josh has also lost what he believed was the love of his life, his childhood sweetheart Maggie. He has been revisiting their places and hasn’t been in a good place. Enter Emily.
Within two meetings, Josh and Emily are engaged and marrying in three weeks. It is a sham to get rid of Tyler, Emily’s ex. The whole town is backing them and setting up for the wedding. Behind closed doors, Emily and Josh are having amazing sex and both denying there will be any impact later when the pretence is over.
And when it breaks apart, both Josh and Emily are broken because they are still attracted to each other. Like all good romances, this couple are able to find their way to each other. Yes, Josh feels he needs to get Maggie’s approval. Yes, Emily feels she needs to move on. But one thing that makes a big impact on what happens next is Josh’s dad, Jack. But with everyone already involved, Josh and Emily are able to find that HEA.
There are moments in the story are joyous, however, there are moments that may bring a tear to your eye and break your heart. Not looking at you Josh. Not looking at your father. All the trails lead to that important HEA.
reviewed by Heather
A review copy of this book was provided by the author.