From New York Times Bestselling author Shannon Stacey comes an emotionally powerful story of community, fresh starts, and secrets. The only thing they have in common is a property line! He’s trying to uncover his past. She’s hoping for a brighter future. Cam Maguire is in Blackberry Bay to unravel a family secret. Meredith Price has moved next door with her daughter. He’s unattached. She’s a … daughter. He’s unattached. She’s a widowed single mom. He’s owned by a cat. She’s definitely team canine. All these neighbors have in common is a property line. One they cross…over and over. And Cam thought he knew what he wanted–until his family’s secret changes everything.
From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
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Meredith, her six year old daughter Sophie and their tiny dog, Oscar have left California to start a new life in Blackberry Bay, New Hampshire. Meredith’s life had been on hold for two years since her husband died and she decided to return to the town that she grew up in. When she first meets her next door neighbor she’s surprised that it wasn’t the elderly woman that the realtor told her lived there. Instead it was a good looking man her age that she immediately had problems with. Cam’s grandmother left the house to him and he was spending the summer there to clean up the house and put it up for sale. His very controlling parents were unhappy that he wasn’t in New York taking care of his important job at his father’s company. He is impressed by Meredith and her daughter and even though Meredith isn’t happy with him, Sophie really likes him and wants to spend time with him. Will Meredith and Cam have their happily ever after or continue to fight like her dog and his cat? Give this light summer read a chance to find out the answer to that question.
This entire series is full of small town charm and wonderful people.
Moving to a new place with her daughter, she wants a new start. It’s not easy starting it all again.
And then there is her very hot neighbor. He is there to clean out his grandma’s house and keeps on talking to her, even though she could not be more distant. But when even her daughter warms up to him, she has no choice but to open her heart. She is reluctant at first, but the more time they spend together, the feelings start to form.
I loved the storyline, it’s just the sweetest story of second chances, living again, and letting go. The writing style wasn’t my favorite though, I had a hard time connecting to it.
rating
received from NetGalley
Sweet summer romance between a guy who’s trying to work through his secret past and a widowed single mom…with an adorable 6yo. There’s also a judgmental cat named Eleanor.
Great HEA
A perfect story to escape into. A smooth and sweet romance of two adults who have seen life, experienced pain and loss, and success and are open and willing to see the possibilities that the future might hold.
I enjoyed this story, it felt so natural, so calm and peaceful, and beautiful. There are sorrow and pain regarding the loss, an aspect that gives the tale great depth, yet mainly there are all the gleeful days of summer on a lakeside that shines like sunrays. I could hear the windchimes making a racket, the birds singing, see the kid with her dog in a hammock enjoying the summer days…
Cam Maguire and Meredith Price have a connection, the attraction might be instant but the relationship takes time to develop. I liked how they interacted with the people in town and with each other. There were respect and maturity, it felt real, with true emotions, and their drama but it was created by the situations in life and solved with real solutions without dwelling in angst.
More Than Neighbors is just what the world needs right now, it’s uplifting, cheerful, joy-filled tale. And as a book one in a new series it delivers a great platform to build on, promising there’s more to come and I can’t wait!
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
More Than Neighbors is just what the doctor ordered during the crazy times we live in. It’s a small town, feel-good romance that wonderfully blends sweet romance, witty banter, and low angst. I suppose Cam and Meredith’s love story could be thought of as enemies to lovers, but these two don’t really feel like enemies to me. They push each other’s buttons certainly, but that just makes for some snarky fun between them as they make their way to becoming something more. After all, attraction and anger are just different kinds of passion, which leaves the door open for love. I love that it’s not all about the couple, much as I enjoyed them. We also get Meredith’s daughter and even their pets as they grow into a family. This is my first read by Shannon Stacey, and as the beginning of a series, it’s a good place to start. I’ll definitely be reading more by this author.
This is a predictable but a really fun-tastic read because it’s light, humorous at times and romantic. Meredith Price and her precocious six year old have moved to Blackberry Bay for a new start after the death of her beloved husband two years before. There she meets her new workaholic neighbor Cam Maguire and the sparks begin. Meredith isn’t sure that she is ready for a new relationship and Cam is certain that he doesn’t. Nevertheless, the antics of little Sophie keeps pulling the two together, along with the fact that his cat loves to tease her dog. Meredith goes from wanting to build a fence to being amenable to sharing his hammock. The journey from reluctance to love is a light-hearted one that is filled with romantic moments and just what you would expect from a lovely story like this one. Fans of romance will enjoy this new book in a new series.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
More Than Neighbors, by Shannon Stacey, is available at booksellers on 6-16-2020. This is Ms Stacey’s debut book in the new Blackberry Bay series. It’s my first experience with the authors work and I must say I liked it very much. The main characters are very well fleshed out and the secondary characters are inviting and involved in the plot, not just hanging around. There were quite a few ups and downs in the story and it felt like real life. There’s loss, grief, love, life changing decisions to be made. Family, good and bad, are at the heart of this journey. His, hers, the one they want to create. Life in a small tourist town sounds pretty good in these pages. Wonder who’s next? Happy reading
#ShannonStacey #MoreThanNeighbors #BlackberryBay #Netgalley #HarlequinSpecialEdition
More than Neighbors by Shannon Stacey is about two people who never saw the other coming. Cam Maguire is back to learn more about his past. Meredith Price is back home looking for a fresh start for her and her daughter. They seem to have nothing in common, right? But one thing neither can deny is their chemistry. Their journey was sweet and delightful. More Than Neighbors by Shannon Stacey is my first read by this author, but definitely not my last.
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
I’m a huge fan of Shannon Stacey and she has been an auto-buy author for me since I read Exclusively Yours. I was super excited to read Ms. Stacey’s first Special Edition, and really enjoyed More Than Neighbors.
Meredith Price has moved back to Blackberry Bay with her daughter Sophie to be closer to her parents following her husband’s death. Cam Maguire has come to Blackberry Bay for the summer to learn about the biological grandmother he never met following her death and Meredith and Sophie are his new neighbors. I cracked up that Meredith and Cam didn’t hit it off initially, even though they seemed to be attracted to one another from the first. I loved Meredith’s mom kept pushing them together and even Sophie seemed to want Cam to be with them as much as possible from the moment they met.
More Than Neighbors had a bit of a slow-burn that absolutely worked for me, especially as Meredith hadn’t really dated since her husband passed away, and Cam is only in town for the summer. Neither Cam nor Meredith rushed into a relationship or even a fling, yet they seemed to end up together quite a bit. I loved that while they got off to a bit of a rough start, Meredith and Cam really stepped up to help each other out when needed. Their chemistry grew the more they were around one another and I fell for them as a couple after their very first kiss.
More Than Neighbors is the perfect read for fans of heart-felt contemporary romances. Shannon Stacey writes the best small-town romances, and I can’t wait to visit Blackberry Bay again soon.
Rating: 4 Stars (B)
Review copy provided by publisher
I totally enjoyed Cam and Meredith’s story in more More than Neighbors by the delightful Shannon Stacey, book one in her Blackberry Bay series. Cam Maguire is in Blackberry Bay to find out more about his past and the grandmother he never knew but who left him his cottage. Meredith Price returned to Blackberry Bay to be closer to her parents and get a new start on life for her and her daughter. It just so happened they share a property line being next door to each other. Cam is unattached and a workaholic by family standards. She’s a widowed single mom owned by a small dog. He’s been adopted by his grandmother’s cat. Meredith’s young daughter, Sophie, has found a friend in Cam and is always crossing over to his yard and his hammock. It’s the perfect place to cuddle up with her dog and read a good book. Though Meredith and Cam are totally different, almost opposites, the one thing they share besides the property line is a strong attraction. Cam thought he had all he ever wanted until Blackberry Bay convinced him he could have more.
There are a number of things in this story that stood out. Meredith’s love for Sophie along with her encouragement of reading and making new friends before school started. Her daughter’s affection for Cam was contagious. Cam’s lack of knowledge of his biological father and grandmother made him question who he was. Cam’s grandmother’s journals shed much light on her as a caring and loving person who was cheated of being a true grandmother and ever meeting Cam. The love shared between Cam, Meredith, and Sophie. Cam making critical decisions that affected not only him but also Meredith, Sophie, and the status of his cottage without input from the ladies.
Ms. Stacey wrote a wonderful, heartwarming story, filled with chemistry, life challenges, amusing banter, and charming characters that is definitely not to be missed. I highly recommend More than Neighbors to other readers and look forward to her next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
When I get the chance to review a book my one of my favorite authors for a blog tour, I jump on it and count my blessings. Add to it the story being a small town romance and I’m all in. Thankfully, I loved this story and I’m looking forward to reading more about the denizens of this town.
Something I appreciate in this story is the fact that Meredith deceased husband was a great guy and wonderful dad. Too often the deceased spouse in a book like this is portrayed in a less than kind light. Or, once the widow starts to fall in love again, they start to remember the deceased spouse in another light. I’m glad the author decided to show that you can love your first spouse and still fall in love again. It doesn’t have to be one or the other.
Cam is hilarious, the way he tries to hold back but can’t help but fall in love with Meredith’s little girl, Sophie. It’s not that he has a dislike for children, he just hasn’t ever had the opportunity to interact with kids very often. Some people are just naturals with kids, and Cam is one of them. It’s adorable. Of course, it also goes a long way of softening Meredith to him. But that’s not his intent. All of the relationships in this story really happen quite organically. Cam and Meredith as well as Cam and Sophie.
This is a beautiful story of finding love again. Not only that, but Meredith and Cam also learn to follow their hearts instead of overthinking everything and trying to make everyone happy to their own detriment. Added bonus, I was swept into the scenery and felt like I got to spend some time at a seaside cottage while I was reading this book.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
3.75 stars—MORE THAN NEIGHBORS is the first instalment in Shannon Stacey’s contemporary, adult BLACKBERRY BAY romance series. This is single mother/widow Meredith Price, and businessman Calvin ‘Cam’ Maguire’s story line.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Cam and Meredith) MORE THAN NEIGHBORS follows the acrimonious relationship between single mother/widow Meredith Price, and businessman Calvin ‘Cam’ Maguire’. Approximately two years earlier Meredith Price’s husband died leaving her a widow and single mother to four year old Sophie. With no reason to remain in California, Meredith packed their bags, and along with her daughter returned to her home town of Blackberry Bay, New Hampshire where she will come face to face with her new neighbor Cam Maguire. Meredith had no idea her neighbor Carolina had passed away leaving her estate to her grandson Cam Maguire but Cam is a stranger to Blackberry Bay, a stranger who is searching for his roots in his grandmother’s home. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Cam and Meredith, and the fall-out as Cam’s time in Blackberry Bay comes to a close.
Cam Maguire lives in New York, working for his father’s firm but struggles to find his place in the family. With the passing of his paternal grandmother, a woman Cam never knew, our hero found himself in Blackberry Bay searching for the truth about his family history. Meredith Price had hoped her move to Blackberry Bay came with the peace and solitude she was hoping to preserve but Meredith and Cam butted heads from the beginning, a friction that barely veiled a palpable sexual attraction that Meredith struggled to accept or ignore. The $ex scenes are passionate but mostly implied.
We are introduced to Meredith’s daughter Sophie, a smart child who is immediately taken with Cam Maguire, as well as Meredith’s parents Neal and Erin Lane, her high school friend Reyna, Carolina’s friend Tess Weaver, and Cam’s parents Melissa and Calvin Maguire.
MORE THAN NEIGHBORS is a story of love, loss and second chances; a story of family, friendships, and moving forward. The premise is captivating; the romance is sweet and spicy; the characters are independent, colorful, and energetic.
Meredith is trying to start life in her hometown with her daughter and a cute puppy after suffering a lot from the loss of her husband. Now she needs to build a new home for herself and Sophie. She never imagined that she would come across a sullen and ironic neighbor who insists that the cat that torments Meredith’s dog is not his..
But Sophie and these fun pets will end up bringing this unlikely couple closer and make the reader laugh out loud. I love books with cute, witty kids and fun, rebellious pets too. This book has everything I like: romance, children, pets, humor, a light dose of drama and a beautiful ending.
I loved the way the writer gradually approached the couple. The point of conflict surprised me and I loved the way it all worked out.
I was so excited to see a new Shannon Stacey book available! I loved this tale of finding a new start in life.
Meredith has just moved back to her hometown of Blackberry Bay after losing her husband. Her life has changed dramatically since her husband passed away and Blackberry Bay can provide an easier lifestyle, old friends and family nearby for her young daughter. She’s really not looking for a relationship, but when her new neighbor makes an appearance, he awakens thoughts of taking the next step in her new life with a fling.
Cam knows he’s not going to be staying in Blackberry Bay. He’s there to settle the estate of his grandmother, a grandmother he didn’t know he had. This story is very touching and my heart felt a bit squishy for Cam (and even his mother) at times as the story of his unknown grandmother is revealed. And having the lovely Meredith and her daughter next door soothes him as he learns more about his background. There’s some nice banter between Meredith and Cam early on in the story and a nice build-up to their budding relationship which I loved about this story. Nothing felt rushed, and I really liked Cam’s journey of finding just where he wants to be.
I really enjoyed this story of resolving the past and moving forward. There are some really touching moments in the story, especially between Cam and Meredith as she deals with another step away from her old life. I adored the short but impactful scenes between Cam and his mother and Sophie and Elinor added some nice splashes of humor throughout.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It has Shannon Stacey’s easy-going writing, two great love interests, and a very happy and heart-warming story. So much to love about More than Neighbors.
Meredith Price decided her best course of action was to return to her roots. So she purchased a home in Blackberry Bay, sold her home in California, packed up and started a cross-country journey with her daughter Sophie. Her husband died two years previously and the move to be closer to her parents was the right choice for her and Sophie. Fortunately her husband had left her well-off so Meredith was free to do as she pleased. What she hadn’t expected when she and Sophie got to their new home was to be attracted to her nextdoor neighbor. They met over a cat meets dog dispute, his deceased grandmother’s cat Elinor and Sophie’s little Bichon Frise Oscar. Sophie was sure the two would become friends as she was sure Mr. Maguire, Cam would be her friend. Cam told Meredith he was just there for the summer so she knew she should ignore her attraction to him. Easier said than done.
To say Cam Maguire was surprised by the contents of the letter he received from the attorney in Blackberry Bay would not at all fit his feelings. He was shocked. His grandmother, Carolina Archambault, the grandmother he never knew he had, died and left him her cottage in Blackberry Bay. His life and his job in the lucrative family business was in New York City but he knew in his heart he had to go to Blackberry Bay to learn about her and the father he never knew. He decided to spend the summer there, working remotely, while he settled the estate. Carolina’s journals, which he had discovered amongst the many things collected in the cottage, were a god sent window into his grandmother’s life. He had only been in Blackberry Bay a couple of weeks when his new neighbor arrived. He never expected to fall for Meredith Price and her adorable daughter Sophie, but fall he did. He had to fight his feelings because he knew he had to go back to New York City at the end of summer. Could he ignore his feelings and go back?
More Than Neighbors by Stacey Shannon is the first book in her Blackberry Bay series. Shannon Stacey is a favorite author of mine so I was excited to read this story. Ms. Stacey has written a heartwarming story with charming characters and a storyline that had me anxious to see how Meredith and Cam could manage a Happily Ever After. I always enjoy stories with kids and pets. In this story Sophie is super cute. I loved how she tried to teacher her dog Oscar to read. I also loved how Cam, who never had a pet, found himself talking to his grandmother’s stubborn cat Elinor a lot. This was a fun story to read and I look forward to more Blackberry Bay stories.
Shannon Stacey’s “More than Neighbors” was a sweet and heartwarming novel featuring likeable characters, an engaging plot with touches of humor and mystery, and a charming small-town New England setting rich with future story possibilities. Main characters Cam and Meredith seemed to have very little in common at first, but I enjoyed watching them get to know each other and slowly come to realize just how perfect they were for each other. Cam’s friendship with Meredith’s daughter Sophie was also adorable, and I loved how patient Cam was with Sophie and how he fell in love with her just as much as he did with her mother.
Meredith and Sophie had a tough time after the death of Sophie’s father, Devin, but I really appreciated that Meredith was open to dating and possibly finding love again. I also appreciated that no “big secret” came out about her late husband after his death to make him look bad and Cam look better by comparison. I believe it’s possible to love more than one person over the course of a lifetime, and a truly loving spouse, as Devin seems to have been, wouldn’t want Meredith to be alone forever. Meredith’s grieving process and choice to move on with her life was handled well IMO, and I didn’t feel that her relationship with Cam moved too fast or was happening before she was truly ready for it.
Overall, I recommend “More than Neighbors” for all fans of contemporary romance and look forward to reading future books set in the charming town of Blackberry Bay.
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
Meredith’s looking to start over with her daughter after having lost her husband a few years previous. Cam is in town because he inherited a cottage from his grandmother. Will these two neighbors who like to snark at each other find love with each other? Or does their fling’s expiration date mean anything permanent is off the table?
I confess sweet (read, clean) romances are not usually my thing, but I ended up enjoying this one. Cam and Meredith are a couple of wonderful characters individually, and together are even better. Coupled with the small town backdrop, one adorable little girl and two furry friends, I found this a feelgood, lighthearted read.
I so enjoyed More than Neighbors. It’s a light and sweet, “enemies” to lovers story. I wouldn’t really call them enemies-they just pushed each others buttons. I liked the characters, the little town, the plot, and their pets (feisty cat Elinor almost steals the story). I’m a sucker for anyone going through relatives’ old journals and learning about their family and this was a unique storyline. Cam’s mothers revelation near the end of the story was icing on the cake for me. Shannon Stacey gives us a pure feel good romance, wonderful banter, light conflict, and a must have happy ending.
I absolutely loved everything about More than Neighbors and the town of Blackberry Bay. From the characters to the quaint little town, Shannon Stacey drew you into the lives of Meredith and Sophie from the first page. Meredith is a widow at the ripe old age of 30 and she’s decided to move back to her hometown of Blackberry Bay. She grew up there but hadn’t been back for years since she moved to California and married her college sweetheart. When he passed away, she wanted a new start for her and her six-year-old daughter Sophie.
Cam Maguire felt like he was living in a timewarp. On one hand, he was still working for his father, albeit remotely, for their corporation in New York. On the other hand, he was living in a cottage in Blackberry Bay that once belonged to his paternal grandmother. A grandmother he didn’t know even existed. He’s joined only by Elinor, his grandmother’s finicky cat, in the small cottage by the bay and his summer of discovery stretches before him to remind him how lonely he truly is. Until Meredith arrives next door.
Cam and Meredith have sparks from the first time they meet and there’s no denying it. Whether Sophie and her dog Oscar are swinging in his hammock reading books, or Cam is accompanying them to the library and for ice cream, the two of them can’t seem to keep their eyes off each other. Meredith is torn by her desire to find someone new. She loves her husband, but at thirty, she knows she’s too young to stay single forever. Cam is torn about how to be what Meredith and Sophie need when he doesn’t even live in Blackberry Bay and there’s no way he’d ask them to move to New York. He wonders if he’d be able to be the step-dad Sophie needs after losing her own father, a man she will always remember.
I loved the maturity of this romance, meaning I think the author did a nice job with keeping the overreacting to a minimum by making sure the characters communicated their needs and desires (For the most part. Sure there was conflict, but it wasn’t over the top ridiculous).
The secondary cast of characters in this book leaves the door wide open for many more novels in the Blackberry Bay series and I can’t wait to read Reyna’s story. If you’re looking for a new series to start that’s full of laughter, love, and a wonderful town I’d love to live in, you definitely want to grab More than Neighbors by Shannon Stacey!