Declan James has been Brockton Point’s most ineligible bachelor–happy with his short-term relationships and focusing on his business. But now that his closest friends have found their happily-ever-afters, he can’t help but wonder what that might be like. And then Sophia Strombi shows up on his doorstep. Sophia’s life is–well there’s no other word for it–a mess. She’s grateful to have some … have some work at her brother’s best friend’s bar and a place to stay. Since she’s working hard to get her life back on track, she’s desperately trying to ignore the fact her boss makes her heart pound in a good way. Wait–no. That’s not good at all.
Besides, she has a huge secret she’s keeping from everyone–one that’s a life-changer.
Each book in the Love Unexpected series is STANDALONE:
* Let It Be Me
* Never Expected You
* Story of Us
more
There are some authors who know just where to strike to make a s direct connection with readers. Jody Holford is one of those authors. Story of Us stole my heart. Sophia and Declan are a beautiful mess in need of emotional healing. With baggage a mile wide and faith a yard back, hope seems not to be in their corner. Until fate sets it’s sights on forever with these two wary hearts. Their journey feels a bit like walking on broken glass, the pain is instant, the damage seems brutal, but the comeback is worth all the misery endured.
One of the things I’ve come to love the most about Jody Holford’s books is that she consistently delivers more than a love story. I mean, the love story is there – don’t get me wrong – and it is lovely. But the threads of the story weave a more complicated tapestry of richly layered family dynamics, friendships, and really…just this whole package of warm, engaging relationships.
But also? That lovely, lovely romance.
And this one was a bit of a surprise for me. Things didn’t play out the way I expected them to and Ms. Holford delivered a couple of noteworthy surprises – and definitely not in a bad way. I loved the way the storyline twisted, and I loved the way the characters responded to that. I absolutely adored Declan. I love a reformed bad boy, and Declan was truly the best kind of hero! I loved the role he played in Sophia’s story arc which was touching, and compelling in its own right. These two were completely adorable, their chemistry apparent from nearly the very beginning, but it was the deeper layers of their relationship that really resonated with me.
In all? Hands down my favorite book in this series. Story of Us was heartwarming, romantic, and emotional. It was a wonderful blend of playful humor and heartfelt emotion. I lost my heart completely to Declan and Sophia, and loved every minute of their story, and definitely recommend! ~ 4.5 Stars
Once again Jody Holford gives us an incredible story that is not only a sweet romance but a story that touches on family dynamics and the impact they have on each of us. Declan and Sophia are such an interesting couple and you can’t help but cheer for them every step of the way. Declan is the proverbial bachelor type never having a long term relationship but now he’s feeling like something is missing from his life. Sophia left town years ago, leaving the stronghold of her family and working hard to make it on her own terms. Circumstances has her returning to her hometown but she refuses to give in to the demands of her father. Could these two be exactly what the other needs?
This is a great read and one I think everyone will enjoy. I definitely recommend it.
Story of Us is such a wonderful read. I highly enjoyed this one. Sophia is back home after trying to live her own life outside the family business. She has a lot of bridges to mend within her family. I love her strength throughout everything in this one. She is one strong and stubborn cookie with a huge heart. You will absolutely love Sophia’s connection with Declan. Declan may be her brothers best friend but the electricity they give off is felt as you read this. I love Declan so much. He is sweet and caring. He is someone you want in your corner. He is so protective of Sophia even though she can handle them herself. Even with the drama along the way I love how Declan stands up for Sophia when it comes down to her family. This is such a wonderful story of coming home and starting over again. THis has to be my favorite book of this series. I love that you can read this as a stand alone too. Jody Holford gives you an amazing love story. Go one click this one.
This is a new author for me, and Story About Us was an awesome surprise! Declan is the Pub owner of On Dec in Brockton Point, when Sophia lands on his doorstep looking for a job, he all but falls over himself when seeing his best friends little sister who has been gone for 10 years, and she’s cautiously wanting to be closer to her very Italian family, but there are complications with her relationship between her and her family, so she’s shown up unannounced and not ready to reveal she’s back in town. It’s an instant attraction between Declan and Sophia, which makes this story so darn interesting. Declan doesn’t do relationships, but lately he’s been realizing he isn’t getting any younger, so when he starts talking to Sophia about being his new manager of the Pub, he starts feeling things that he’s never felt before. Sophia has just left a bad relationship, so the last thing she wants or needs is getting involved, but things are different now that she’s returned, which changes everything. Loved the chemistry between these two, Sophia’s secret and family situation only makes Declan want to take care of her more, so watching that relationship grow was something pretty special. Really enjoyed the other characters in this story, Adam was a great best friend. There were a lot of funny situations in this book, which I adore in a book. Love going through the full range of emotions when reading a book, and this book definitely has that. Well worth the read, enjoyed it very much! Will definitely be reading more books from this author.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book
I loved the first two books in this series but Declan and Sophia’s story is on a whole other level!
Dec is so funny and charming. Watching him fall to his knees for Sophia was beautiful to watch. He went from being a bit of a player to being one of the swooniest heros I’ve read in a long time. Sophia is smart and fiercely independent. It was heartbreaking to watch her family turn away from her for just being herself but her strength was palpable.
I was immediately connected to these two and was rooting for them from the very beginning. I love this series so much and I can’t wait to see what’s up next.
*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*
Like the rest of the series this is a very warm story. Declan and Sophia build a relationship on a solid foundation looking to the future. They are both aware of the reasons why their relationship shouldn’t work but know that they are meant to be together and are determined to see it through in a mature way. Sophia is also dealing with family drama which makes her life extremely stressful. Declan makes a sexy and totally adorable boyfriend and is able to win over Sophia and her family.
Enjoyed it
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Dual POVs
Part of a series: Love Unexpected
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I look forward to reading more from this author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from NetGalley.
This is a sweet little book. I won’t ever re-read it, but don’t think I wasted my time reading it once.
Sophia Strombi never thought she would return home with her head held in her hands. Her pride though has her getting a job with longtime friend of the brother Declan James. Declan doesn’t understand what is going on with Sophia or her need to keep it a secret she has returned home, but something about Sophia has Declan wanting to protect her. What will happen when secrets are revealed and how will her close knit family handle her being back?
I liked this a lot. It had a mixture of sweet, heartache, and slow burn romance. I wanted to smack Sophia’s family initially but you got who they were and they did redeem themselves as the story went on. Declan was swoon worthy. wonderful read. Highly recommend.
I liked this book, right up until the 90% mark. The writing flowed well, and I thought that Dec and Sophia were great together. I knocked it down from 5 stars to 4 because of the lack of heat. I don’t need 20 page long intimate scenes, but to be lead right up to it, and then move on is not my thing. I was still enjoying Dec stepping up to be the guy that he didn’t have to be, and although Sophia was a little immature, I liked them together. When the crap hits the fan, and Sophia treats Dec the way she does, I honestly almost quit reading there. That knocked it down to 3 stars for me. To accuse him of treating her the way her family had been treating her was completely uncalled for, in my opinion. He had done nothing but show her that she wasn’t alone. Dec was the only one that had been there for her. I finished, because I wanted to see how it ended. The HEA was sweet, and although I felt like Sophia owed Dec an apology as well (he didn’t get one), it still ended up being a good ending.
I reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
When Sophia Strombi left Brockton Point, she left to experience life and become her own person, but in doing that she instantly became the black sheep of the family, just because she didn’t follow their rule of staying in the family business and living her life as they dictated to her.
But now she is back and with a big secret, but rather than going back home and being swallowed up by her overwhelming family, she gets a job at her brother’s best friends Declan‘s pub and is trying to start again. But nothing goes quite to plan.
This is the first book I have read in Jody Holford Love Unexpected series, and I have to say that I’m totally impressed by the book. And though I struggled with some of the characters in this book, mainly Marcus to tell you the truth, I really enjoyed Sophia and Declan’s characters.
Overall a good story and one story that you can enjoy as a stand-alone like I have done, or apart of the whole series. The book is well written and although it delves into family drama, its light-hearted and a total beach read.
Declan James was happy with his life. He owned his own pub/bar, On Dec. Life was good and he was single. He had been thinking that it might be time to settle down when the found the right woman. He had never done long-term relationships but his friends were happy in their relationships/marriages and he wanted that same kind of happiness for himself. He wasn’t in a rush but now that he was in his early thirties, owned his own home ad business, it seemed like the right time.
Sophia Strombi left home at 18 to make her own way. She was a strong-willed Italian family who wasn’t happy with her decision to leave and not work in the family business. She went to college, got her degrees, was successful in business, was engaged and then her world feel apart. Now she had returned home for support and love and place to recover. She had a secret that, when discovered, would change her life and the lives of those around her.
Declan was a catch for any woman and Sophia had crushed on him as a teenager but now they were both grown adults and there was chemistry between them. Was it worth the risk if them being together ultimately ruined a friendship? Would her family and his friends accept them as a couple or were they doomed before they started?
This was a beautiful, sweet romance with lots of emotion and drama. My one complaint is the continual use of the f-word. I felt that it detracted from the story rather than enhanced it. Unfortunately, for that reason I wouldn’t feel comfortable recommended this book to my friends. I did appreciate that the sex scenes were descriptive and were mostly behind fade to black.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.