The One Real Thing (Hart's Boardwalk #1) by Samantha Young

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Piatkus (6 Sept. 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0349412588
• ISBN-13: 978-0349412580
• Welcome to Hartwell, a quiet seaside escape where uncovering old secrets could lead one woman to discover the meaning of a love that lasts…
  
  While Doctor Jessica Huntington engages with the inmates at the women’s correctional facility where she works, she’s always careful to avoid emotional attachments in her personal life. Loss and betrayal taught her that lesson long ago. But when she comes across a set of old love letters in the prison’s library and visits the picturesque town of Hartwell to deliver them to their intended recipient, she finds herself unable to resist the town’s charm—and her attraction to the sexy owner of a local bar proves equally hard to deny.
  
  Since his divorce from his unfaithful ex-wife, Cooper Lawson has focused on what really matters: his family and the boardwalk pub they’ve owned for generations. But the first time Jessica steps into his bar, Cooper is beyond tempted to risk his heart on her. Yet as their attraction grows hotter and Jessica remains stubbornly closed off, he begins to realize it will take more than just passion to convince her there’s only one real thing in life worth fighting for…

Cover:  I find this such a pretty cover.  The colours of it are just stunning.

I love Samantha Young's books.  She's one of my favourite contemporary romance authors.  Her On Dublin Street series is fantastic, and the stand alone novel Hero is one of my all time favourites.

So I was really excited for The One Real Thing- the first book in a new series.

And I wasn't disappointed.

Another beautiful story- with characters you can really root for, beautiful setting, and a romance with substance.

On paper Jessica and Cooper don't make sense- a doctor and a bar owner.  But they have an amazing chemistry, and more in common than anyone would think.  I loved them together, and while it wasn't always easy, and they had to overcome a fair few issues to get their HEA, I always rooted for them.

The other characters we meet along the way, the residents of Hart's Boardwalk are so charming and endearing that you just can't but love them!  I'm looking forward to seeing more of them.

Over all, I loved this book from start to finish- and highly recommend Samantha Young fans picking this one up, or anyone that enjoys a good contemporary romance.

4.5/5 stars.