Nine years ago, Emery Saunders moved to Hartwell to start her life over as a bookstore owner. Her inability to trust people made it hard for her to find a place in the small community until Jessica Lawson moved to town and befriended the shy beauty.
But there was one person in Hartwell who tried to befriend Emery long before Jessica arrived… is that he fell hard for Emery the moment she appeared in Hartwell. Another is that his father blackmailed him into covering up a dark family tragedy. It forced Jack to sever his relationships to protect the people he cared about. Yet, staying away from Emery has not been easy throughout the years and he hasn’t always succeeded. When Jack’s mixed signals hurt Emery once again, she puts him out of her heart for good.
Until the Devlin family secret is finally revealed, freeing Jack from his father’s machinations. What Jack wants more than anything is to repair his relationships, starting with Emery.
However, Emery isn’t ready to forgive and Jack’s not ready to give up.
And when the town’s latest scandal ties Jack and Emery together, Jack is not above using their new reality to prove to Emery once and for all that their love is worthy of the legend of Hart’s Boardwalk.
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Rating~ 3.75 stars
After reading the first book in the Hart’s boardwalk series, I had wanted Emery’s book (you can see that in my review for the first book) so I was pretty excited for that. Less so when I realised who the Hero was, I’d forgotten who Jack was and what he done but because this was Emery’s book I wanted to go in with a completely open mindset.
Emery Saunders is the shy and sweetheart of a woman, who opened a bookstore in Hartwell nine years ago. There she met Iris (the pizzeria owner), who would be her sole friend in that town for years to come till the arrival of Jess which helps her be a bit more social. Jack Devlin, nine years ago when he met Emery was completely taken by her. Due to circumstances not under his control and his father blackmailing him, Jack became person non grata in the town. The town turned against him when they saw that he was exactly like his evil father and brother EVEN THOUGH FOR YEARS he was the BEST guy (but let me not get ahead). Jack makes some very bad choices, makes unforgivable mistakes. He is an all around miserable person, doing the wrong things for the right reasons for the past ~5 years. All to protect his mother and sister.
In the present everything is now in open, Jack and Emery finally have a chance to give their attraction a go EXCEPT because of Jack’s behaviour while understandable has made Emery loose trust in him, he hurt her quite badly and she’s not ready to take that chance again. And from there on is where we actually get more of Jack and Emery spending time together, being friends and Emery learning to trust Jack again. And of course Jack doesn’t has to be a jerk anymore and is free to show his love and be with Emery like he’d wanted for nine years. I really liked that part, I was glad that Emery hadn’t just said cool now we can be together the end. She makes him work for it.
I loved Emery! Jack is also likeable. I did like them together, Emery and Jack had good chemistry. Some of their earlier scenes had much more sweetness than the later scenes but they were still cute.
Quibbles: I think the thing that affected my enjoyment was there was just too much going on, in the past as well as the present. From Jack’s reasons for behaving the way he did, from the way he actually behaved to Emery’s past & trauma. The whole gun scene, court cases, the small mindedness of small town people, the pregnancy etc etc. It was too much. Also I hated the whole Jack Dana/Vanessa/random tourists thing. Jack and Cooper are best friends again, just like that. I found the whole Cooper forgiving Jack just a bit too sudden, I’m not saying he’s wrong to do so just that it happened like in a snap, regardless of his reasons Jack behaved horribly. He does something that’s awful and he does deliberately. I can understand that perhaps he saw no other option ( I don’t agree that there wasn’t) I don’t know I wanted more then just that. While I’m glad for Jack’s sake but at the same time the town and Cooper just become buddy buddy with Jack in what seems like a matter of mins. The town is so fickle tbh. Also for some reason the whole Hart boardwalk legend isn’t a part of this story. It mentioned but not there as much.
I enjoyed seeing the other couples in the series in the book here, we also get some little teases of the budding relationships in Hartwell. I was glad to see Emery finally standing up for herself, demanding more people around her and not letting people be mean to her. I was happy that she finally got the happy ending she deserved and Jack didn’t have to spend his whole life working for his father. Emery had family and friends and she wasn’t the little poor rich girl anymore.
Overall, despite my quibbles I did enjoy this one. Not as much as I’d hoped too but this was engrossing nonetheless and Samantha Young did a good job in keeping the reader invested in the couple. This book does make you feel a range of emotions. Anyone looking for a small town romance with drama, angst and a time coming relationship and HEA will enjoy this one.
*ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I was so ready for this final book in the Hart’s Boardwalk series. I needed Jack and Emery’s story. Especially Emery. And the author did not disappoint. I loved the way she did the story though. How we went back in time, and the first few chapters started with when they’d first seen each other and met, nine years before. And then the next chapters followed not only these two through the years up till the present time, but it was a perfect way for us to also get a refresher of the other couples and just how really everyone all tied together in this little town. And really this book didn’t just give us Emery and Jack’s story, but we got to know how Cooper’s sister’s story would go, as well as other characters that we’d heard of, and if you’re like me, you’d wondered if they’d get their own books.
Emery’s past was not what I’d expected, and it totally was what made her the person we knew. And then Jack. Even though I’d had the inkling that maybe he wasn’t as bad as he’d seemed to everyone, that maybe he’d done things for a good reason that he was hiding or unable to tell everyone. So it was definitely nice seeing Jack get his redemption and do his best to earn his way back into Emery’s heart after all that he’d put her through in the past. Even if he meant well in how he did things, he still hurt her and caused her lack of trust. I won’t say where the book ends up, what that latest scandal is, because I honestly didn’t see it coming until that one night when it all fell into place. And while I will give this a 5 star rating on all sites, here on my blog, I had to knock it down to 4.5 because of how stubborn Emery was at the end, so far past where I think she should have been. Anyone reading my reviews for a while knows that is something that does always bother me.
A wonderful way to end the series though, loved the epilogue, and sad to see these characters chapters wrapped up, even if the author did it in such a perfect way.
Final Score – 4 Stars
It’s taken me a little over a week to get my thoughts in order about this book. And while it was both frustrating and addictive to read, I can’t believe this is the first book of this series that I’ve read! Who does that? Me apparently. Ugh! Where have I been hiding? I’ve read a lot of romance books over the years and just a week after reading this – in which I’ve read another ARC – THIS book is still the one I’m thinking about. Constantly. I blame it on Jack. A little on Emery. And a whole lot on Samantha Young.
I’ve read just about every book and/or series she’s put out – except this one, but I will correct that error soon! – and I should know by now how she operates. This book has not only got me in Book Hangover, but I’ve got the feels as well. It’s ALL Jack’s fault. No man – who’s both deliciously good and bad at the same time – should make me swoon!
Each time I put it down, I had to give myself a 10-15 minute break to just calm down- and those we A LOT of breaks I took – because of how she writes her characters and their emotional turmoils. Jack and Emery. Lord, I don’t know if I would have waited for him. He was definitely a complex character – but I loved that even when he was doing wrong, he struggled to find the balance of right to compound it.
I won’t say much more, cause really I could go one about every detail of this book – and spoil it for you – but I won’t. I’ll just say if you haven’t read The Truest Thing or the Hart’s Boardwalk series … do so NOW. Immediately. I just spent nearly $50 buying the first three (3) books of the series. And I will be buying this one as well.
Samantha Young has done it again. I thought I wouldn’t love a series more than The Dublin Street Series. This one does come pretty close though.
*** I received an exclusive ARC of this book ***
Finally this is the book that we have all been waiting for, at long last we get to read about Hart’s Boardwalk’s most unlikely couple of Jack Devlin and Emery Saunders. It’s been a long time coming but OMG it was so worth the wait. Jack belongs to the most ruthless and wealthy family in the area that will stop at nothing to get what they want, while Emery is a quiet woman full of mystery that runs the bookstore on the boardwalk. Their attraction to each other has been smouldering under the surface for so many years and this book finally reveals all of their secrets and to why they have been kept apart from each for so long.
My anticipation was extremely high for this book, so putting my worries aside I found that once I got started I just could not put this book down, it’s story absolutely pulled me right into it, and as I turned each page I became more and more invested into their story. I loved every part of it from the angst, the drama and that the hope of the love that Emery and Jack shared for each other was finally becoming true.
Samantha Young is a truly talented writer that knows how to take her readers on an emotional road trip, hitting you hard with the pitfalls of love and heart break. I laughed and I cried for all that she put her characters through, and I love her writing even more for being able to make me care about the lives of two fictional characters in her story.
Another brilliant addition to this already wonderful series and maybe my favourite one of them to date.
“I’ve known from the moment I talked to Jack Devlin that his kiss would be the kind I’d waited for my entire life.”
“You’re every contradiction under the sun…and I can’t stop thinking about you.”
The Truest Thing follows the epic love story of Jack and Emery. When Emery moved to Hartwell 9 years ago, she was looking for a fresh start and for the opportunity to make her dreams come true. The one thing she didn’t plan for was Jack. Not only is Jack a ladies man, but he’s a man filled with secrets. These secrets will force Jack to pay the ultimate price and give up any hope of winning Emery’s heart….For 9 years, Jack and Emery try to fight the feelings they feel towards each other. It always seems the moment they take a step forward, life makes them take leaps back. Will Jack ever be able to break free from the secrets that hold him hostage? Will Emery and Jack finally get their chance? There’s only one way to find out…
The Truest Thing is the fourth book in the Hart’s Boardwalk Series and it sucks you in from the very first page. From the very first encounter of Jack & Emery, I just knew their story was going to be special and that it was going to take my emotions for a wild ride. And man did this book ever deliver!
When we first meet up with our two main characters, the sparks are instant. They have a little slow-burn vibe going on, but you can tell these two are destined for more. As the years go by, it just never was the right time for Jack and Emery. Emery was so painfully shy and wasn’t at all prepared to handle a guy like Jack. And Jack, well he had a good heart and it was in the right place, but man, did he make some terrible decisions. He made me absolutely crazy!! Again, I knew he was doing what he thought was right, but that didn’t stop me from wanting to reach through my kindle and slap him! As you’ve might have guessed, Emery and Jack’s road to happily ever after was not an easy one at all. They had 9 years of mixed signals and scorching hot foreplay. I loved all the will they/won’t they moments. The push and pull between Jack and Emery was off the charts and it kept me coming back for more. Their struggles pulled at my heart and left me hanging on each and every word.
The Truest Thing is a story of redemption and second chances. It’s a story of secrets and friendships. It’s a story of forgiveness and unforgettable love. It’s a story that will make you rage and consume you and hopefully, make you fall head over heels for all of the characters. The Truest Thing was a terrific read from beginning to end and I just enjoyed every single moment of Jack and Emery’s story. I think this book is a wonderful addition to the Hart’s Boardwalk series and I look forward to the next adventure this author has in store for us.
5 stars!
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!
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 everything that I was hoping it would be!
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
“She was his and he was hers, and he felt that deep in his fucking soul.”
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?
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!
“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 live for you? I don’t care what that says about me. It’s how I feel.”
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.
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.
A fantastic read, I loved this book so much. 5 stars!
Jack and Emery’s story in FINALLY here! I have been eagerly anticipating this story for what feels like forever. The Truest Thing is Hart’s Boardwalk book #4 and tells the story of Jack Devlin and Emery Saunders. I fell in love with Emery when she was introduced in the first book in the series and was befriended by Jessica. She is beautiful, smart, quirky and fun. She is shy and reserved and I loved everything about her. We finally get to know why she is so shy and what brought her to Hartwell in the first place. Jack is a Devlin and we know from previous books in the series that he is harbouring some deep secrets. Previously Jack was a mystery and I was intrigued by him and what he was hiding and I wanted to know what lies beneath the real Jack Devlin. I knew there had to be more to him than we’ve been led to believe. Very few people know the real him and the the majority of the people in Hartwell think he is bad news. His family has an awful reputation and that has always been trickled down to him. Not that he is completely innocent, as he has definitely made his fair share of mistakes. My heart broke for him. He is so in love with Emery. He doesn’t know how to make amends for his part in covering up his families secrets and he will do anything to gain Emery’s trust and her heart back. He is incredibly patient, kind and loving. The connection between them is so unique and beautiful. Emery taught a lot to Jack in terms of love and forgiveness and he taught her bravery and self-confidence. They truly bring out the very best in each other. This is without a doubt one of the most beautiful second chance love stories I have ever read. It is filled with emotional scene after emotional scene and the raw beauty behind their story is one that will stay with me for a very long time to come. The book is written in past and present. The flashback scenes were perfectly balanced with the present day and were not over done in my opinion. Emery and Jack share a love story so beautiful, so tragic and so intense I was in no way prepared for the emotions I would feel for them. They will forever hold a spot in my heart. Aside from the love I have for Emery and Jack I have irrevocably fallen in love with the town of Hartwell, Delaware. Samantha Young has developed a town filled with secrets, history and charm. Her descriptive writing makes it feel so real and a place I would take my family on vacation to if it truly existed. For me this book is hands down a top read of 2020. If you love an emotional, contemporary romance with light suspense this is the book for you!
*ARC received in exchange of an honest review.
The Truest Thing is the fourth title in the Hart’s Boardwalk series by Samantha Young.
I’m coming to this series late so thoroughly appreciated the chronology of events that happened in the small town of Hartwell leading to Jack and Emery’s story. It certainly kindled an interest in the couples that have gone before, who I now MUST go back and read.
To say that I was upset with Jack is an understatement, he treated many people dreadfully. The reasons for doing so become clear as the book progresses and, in my eyes, he redeems himself beautifully.
Emery proves to be much stronger and resilient than anyone in town, especially Jack, believes and certainly makes him work for their HEA.
I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Hartwell and will visit again soon to catch up with the stories I’ve missed.
This is the books fans of the series have been waiting on for years! I think anyone who has read any of the previous book in the series are going to be 100% satisfied with this love story. It has everything you want from a romance novel and you won’t want to put it down.
Emery and Jack have been Hart’s Boardwalk’s long time enigma of a couple. Everyone knows they are attracted to each other, but everything in life keeps them apart. This book starts well before the timeline of the other books, to when Emery and Jack first meet, before Jack betrays Coop, before Jack starts working for his father. As the story unfolds we really get to know Emery, about her past, why she is so painfully shy, and watch her develop into someone who can stand up for herself. She has secrets, Jack knows some of them, but as she slowly starts to acclimate she finds her own place in the world and builds her own life and family that she can trust. Jack on the other hand has been led down a path he was trying to avoid. When we meet him, he’s not a bad guy, but as the book progresses we come to learn that he’s been made to work for his father who has questionable morals and tactics when it comes to business and getting what he wants. Eventually Jack is in the position to be out from under his father’s control, and he has to make amends with all of the people he has hurt over the years, especially Emery.
The Truest Thing answers a lot of questions that we’ve had about Jack and his family, why he did the things he did in the previous books, and what the heck is going on with him and Emery. Their relationship is extremely slow burn as something always happens to keep them apart. There is so much heartbreak and emotion in this book. If you want passion, angst, and heartache this book is for you. I could not put it down, and it is a decent length. I read it in about 12 hours because it was that good.
If you are a fan of the previous books in the series, this is a must read. I’m having a hard time putting into words what I feel about this book because the emotions were so raw and intense. I don’t know how Samantha Young does it but she has this magical ability to suck you in and you don’t want to let go of her characters. I’m so invested in the people she writes and what happens to them. I’m so happy that Emery and Jack have finally gotten their story and it is amazing!
I feel like I had been waiting forever for Emery and Jack’s story. The wait was worth it! Emery and Jack pull you in from the start, learning how they meet, and what has happened between them over the years to lead us to where they are at now. Samantha Young has a way of creating characters that you connect with and feel all their emotions, rooting from them to figure it out and yet at times yelling at that them ,why????? The Truest Thing is an amazing story that takes you on a wild, endless, rollercoaster of emotions with many twists and turns. You’ll be on the edge of your seat, waiting to see what happens between Emery and Jack. Jack and Emery both have pasts and families that have impacted who they are and what they have done, but can these two figure it out or will their time have run out? Read this book, you will not be able to put it down!
Ahh! Emery and Jack…I knew there was much more to them. Not just as a couple, but as an individual as well. This is the fourth book in the Hart’s Boardwalk series. Each book follows a different couple, but everyone in the “group” is in all the books. Although it is not necessary to read them in order, I feel it is beneficial. Emery is the shy bookstore owner and Jack is the black sheep of his family. But when these two meet eyes with one another for the first time, there is an instant connection. But, of course nothing can be easy. These two did the dance for years! Trust does not come easily to Emery. But through the years she starts letting people into her life. She has a great group of friends who all look out for one another. Then there’s Jack. Oh, Jack my heart hurt for you. I knew there had to be a reason for the things he’d done. But the one thing that never changed were his feelings for Emery. This book is full of so many emotions. Sadness, betrayal, forgiveness, hatred, happiness and love; even a bit of suspense. And as a reader I felt much of right along with them. Samantha has a great way of making you feel like you’re part of the book. I mean one minute I’m so happy and then the next I have tears in my eyes. I loved this book and I love this series. You will too!
Emery and Jack are finally here. I waited a lot to read about them and I totally loved it. Emery was perfect, a little shy but at the end she finally got the family she always wanted.
Jack was amazing too, both of them intrigued me and I was glad to read about his past and why he pushed everyone close to him away.
We can read about the previous couples too and I loved reading about Jess & Cooper, Bailey & Vaughn and Delilah and Michael and all their HEA’s.
The Truest Thing by Samantha Young was an emotional and yet also touching and charming romance. Emery needed a fresh start when she moved to Hartwell all those years ago. She is quiet and awkward around people, but she does not trust easy. Jack fell for Emery almost immediately but has not had an easy time winning her over. Family drama interferes and wedges between them. But he is now ready to show her the man he is and what they can be together. He was determined, caring and protective. Their journey may not have been an easy one, but it was worth every second of it!
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
I’ve been waiting for Jack and Emery’s story for a long time and it did not disappoint! I really loved The Truest Thing. Samantha did a wonderful job of articulating Jack and Emery’s journeys from when they first met to present day. I was so engrossed in the book. There was so much more to these two from when we first meet them in The One Real Thing and I loved getting the whole story. The Truest Thing was filled with awesome characters, storyline, writing, and emotions. I also loved this friend group. Reading about everyone from the previous three books and seeing them living their lives was fantastic. Though make no mistake about it, this read is about Jack and Emery and we get it all. I didn’t want it to end but I couldn’t wait to see how it all plays out. Kudos to Samantha for making a wonderful dynamic like she always does with her stories. I am excited to see what she has up her sleeves next!
I was looking forward to reading Emery’s and Jack‘s story. I‘ve been waiting years for their book so my excitement was pretty high. The beginning was incredibly emotional and definitely broke my heart. I fell in love with these characters all over again. Emery and Jack share an unique bond that lasted for years. However, there are circumstances that keep them apart. I was pretty excited to finally get an answer on all the nagging questions on why Jack slept with his best friends wive and started working for his cruel father. The reasons were understandable because Jack is a sweetheart and rather suffers alone than let anyone else get caught up in his family drama. Unfortunately that meant the loss of his best friend and an epic love. I really understood Jack‘s reasoning, however the whole plot felt a bit overdramatise. Jack‘s family problems reached a level of ridiculousness which felt like watching a soap opera. Everything that happened with Ian was extreme but in the end solved very easily. Then the next drama follows and so on… I am a bit disappointed because it was just too much drama which didn’t feel authentic anymore because it‘s rather hilarious considering everything that happened within a few chapters.
The romance between Emery and Jack was undeniably epic and everything I hoped for. But again the reasons why the stayed apart for so many years felt overdramatic as well. I completely understand Emery‘s feelings but at one point in the story I was just a bit exhausted by her trust issues. Jack was a sweetheart, even though I wished he would keep his pants closed (sorry Jack!)
The Flashbacks were amazing and reminded me why I fell in love with Hartwell and his residents. It was fantastic to see the other couples and their special moments.
The second part of the book was great as well, even though I would have liked to see them together without using a certain trope. Poor Jess btw, I am so happy for her! It was great how Jack finally started to be himself again and not the hateful person his father created. His friendship with Cooper was awesome!
My feelings for this book are really mixed. Maybe my expectations after so many years were a bit too high and therefore I felt a bit disappointed in the end… Jack‘s family plot was too dramatic for my taste and the problems between him and Emery felt dragged out. The balance of this book was a bit strange, especially the end was anti-climatic. I really loved the end and the epilogue but it was a bit fast. As much as I wanted to love this book, I was rather disappointed. Therefore I can only give it 3.5 stars because the story was like a soap opera. Nonetheless, I love these characters, so the epilogue was utterly beautiful and i really hope to get more books about Hartwell.
I received this ARC in exchange of an honest review and I’d like to thank Samantha Young and her PA for their trust and for allowing me to read this book.
I was looking forward reading Emery and Jack’s story since the previous volumes because I knew that this shy young woman and this anti hero were going to offer us nice surprises. Once again, I had a great time with our heroes but also the previous heroes that I enjoyed seeing back.
The plot of this novel will obviouslygo through the plot of the previous tomes as we jump back 9 years ago to be able to have a more complete look at the story of Emery Saunders. I loved this 29-year-old heroine who will gradually open up to others and have this group of friends as eclectic as they are extraordinary. Whether it is Jessica, Bailey, Iris, Ivy or even Dahlia, all will be there to support each other. Even if it is better to have read the previous books in order to understand all the ins and outs, you can still understand the story of our heroine. Relocating to Hartwell was hands down the best decision of her life and she was able to ket go of her past to move forward. She was very discreet about her past life but also about her feelings and only a few characters will learn what she feels for our hero. Emery is probably hiding herself in her bookstore which also acts as a café, but she’s decided not to get her heart broken by this man everyone now hates in this small coastal town. Dramas have often been at the heart of this small town and she wants a man who looks at her like her friends’ husbands do, she wants a man who will make her his priority and whom she can totally trust.
She made the mistake of trusting Jack, but we won’tbe fooled again. She will alwayshave good advice to give him but she must draw a line between her and Jack who has rejected all his close friends and who had betrayed his best friend Cooper. She knows how to see thru him despite the appearance he gives out but despite the revelation that will take place, she no longer wants to be humiliated as she has already been before. She can rely on her friends to try to introduce her to some men, but her deep shyness could be one of the many obstacles in this quest. It’s also clear that if Emery is prompted to give up on this man, her heart absolutely disagrees. How many more times can she be disappointed and how many more times will her heart be broken before she can truly let him go. A new twist may further complicate the situation and emotions will again be strained.
Jack Devlin is known as the big wolf within the small community of Hartwell. He is Ian’s son and his radical change of attitude has not made people happy. His ambivalent attitude not only raised doubts but also wreaked havoc. Whoever was Cooper Lawson’s best friend he betrayed him in the worst way and he’s not ready to make amends. Thanks to the chapters written from his point of view, we know what he really thinks and who he is deeply but that doesn’t erase the pain he will cause to many characters. He certainly wants to protect them from his family’s shenanigans but in doing so, he will sacrifice himself in some way. I loved discovering Jack’s character because he is certainly going to be very awkward but he will try to fix his past mistakes. He will also have to face the consequences of his actions and keep his head held high. Will he be worthy of Emery? This is the question that many characters will ask themselves, but I want to believe in him and in his forgiveness and redemption.
Thus , I won’t tell you more, but I once again had a great time with this book series that I still love so much. I love Samantha Young’s writing and this series that takes place in a small town is really a great one. To get reacquainted with old characters is really very enjoyable and I liked seeing these heroines again since they made our hearts beat so much.
At last we get Jack and Emery’s story! I loved the small glimpses we got for both of them in the previous books and I could not wait! I was so intrigued about these two!
Trying to figure out how the town ‘bad boy’ and the gentle bookstore owner had a connection. Wow I was not disappointed! An emotional slow burn story that had me swooning for Jack, laughing and also feeling very anxious about what was happening!! Fabulous writing as always. Thanks Sam, I adored this series!!
4.5 stars-THE TRUEST THING is the fourth instalment in Samantha Young’s contemporary, adult HART’S BOARDWALK romance series focusing on the men and women of Hartwell, Delaware- a spin off from the author’s ON DUBLIN STREET SERIES. This is businessman Jack Devlin, and bookstore owner Emery Saunders’ story line. THE TRUEST THING can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.
Told from first person perspectives (Emery ) and third person (Jack) using present day and memories from the past THE TRUEST THING focuses on nine years and the building but contemptuous relationship between businessman Jack Devlin, and bookstore owner Emery Saunders. Nine years earlier, heiress Emery Saunders moved to Hartwell, Delaware in an effort to escape her past. Shy and withdrawn, Emery struggled to make friends and meet people but her mutual attraction with local businessman Jack Devlin was often fraught with issues of trust, and Jack’s inability to commit to their friendship or anything permanent. A scandal would rock the small town of Hartwell, Delaware throwing Jack into the lion’s den, forcing Emery to reconsider their friendship, a friendship that had more ups and downs than a hotel elevator . Years would pass as our couple battled their attraction, Jack’s need to run, and the ongoing and often heart breaking and numerous scandals that continue to plague Jack and the Devlin family but all along Emery knew there was more to the story than the gossip revealed. Fast forward to present day wherein a night of passion would leave a heart broken Emery, once again reeling, when Jack disappears without a trace. Unable to move forward without looking back, Emery pushes Jack out of her life only to discover that life was about to change for everyone involved. What ensues is the back and forth, push and pull, yin and yang relationship between Jack and Emery, and the potential fall-out as the Devlin family secrets implode, and Emery is willing to sacrifice her own happily ever after if it means never having to suffer the pain of Jack’s rejection, ever again.
Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of familiar secondary and supporting characters including Cooper Lawson and Jessica Huntington (The One Real Thing #1), Bailey and Vaughn (Every Little Thing #2) , Boston detective Michael Sullivan, and metalsmith / jewellery designer Dahlia McGuire (Things We Never Said #3) Iris and Ira and their daughter Ivy, who own the local Italian eatery; Cooper’s ex-wife Dana Kellerman, Sheriff Jeff King and the embattled Devlin family including father Ian Devlin, mother Rosalie, his brother Kerr, and sister Rebecca.
THE TRUEST THING is an intricate story of fractured family dynamics; of power, greed, money and control; of friendships, relationships, communication and trust. An emotional, haunting and intriguing premise, THE TRUEST THING invites the read in and never lets go. The characters are broken and tragic; the romance is passionate, raw and heart breaking.
The Truest Thing is the book we’ve been waiting for in the Hart’s Boardwalk series. It is such an amazing fantastical read that you will not want to put down. This is finally Jack and Emery’s book that we have been waiting for. All your questions will be answered about Jack in this one and you will see him so differently. Emery the shy bookstore owner will keep you on your toes. I love the connection between Emery and Jack. You feel their attraction build more and more over 9 years. When everything comes out in the open you see such a different Emery and Jack that you will just fall in love with. I couldn’t put this one down and didn’t want it to end. I love Jack and Emery so much.
Whoa I wasn’t expecting the angst! A few times I wanted to throw my kindle at the wall because of Jack. I’m glad that Emory developed a backbone and stood up for herself in the situations that were to come. I’m also glad everything worked out in the end.
I love this cover.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.