Very sweet story of how opposites attract. Great quick read. The author made the characters come alive. Only downside is that all that talk about food made me crave sweets!

Returning to Darling, VT had offered Willow Dunaway a greater peace than she had initially expected. Her natural foods café, The Purple Pig, was an incredible success with locals and tourists alike, and Willow was considering expanding the space. Her friends Lauren and Hannah were close by, and she felt a greater sense of acceptance than ever before.

With two small boys to care for, firefighter Ethan Gallagher has had no time to mourn the death of his wife Lisa. He feels guilty about asking his family for help with Connor and Ronan, and is worried about not spending enough time with the boys. When Connor’s soccer ball rolls over towards Willow, Ethan is less than polite, openly showing his disdain for her rabbit food, her nose stud, and the pink stripe in her hair.

I really liked Willow. I loved her energy, her dedication to health and inner serenity, and her wonderful choices in hair colors! She and Ethan are so different on the surface, and yet they complement each other well. Connor and Ronan are sweet boys, and the entire Gallagher family is warm and accepting. As I expected, Willow and Ethan began a relationship, though there were events I didn’t anticipate! This is a solid story with strong family and community ties, and I’m looking forward to see what the future holds for Ethan and Willow.

4.5 stars.

Someone to Love is a great addition to Donna Alward's Darling, VT series and, with a brooding, widowed single dad, and a quirky, free-spirited heroine who is harbouring her own painful secrets, it's an emotional one.

"He is a grumpy shit, you know. But he has such a good reason. And he’s got a good heart underneath."

Ethan and Willow are two people who are certainly not looking for any type of relationship, let alone love. He is still grieving the loss of his wife and trying to juggle his job as a firefighter with raising his sons, and she is focussed on putting the past behind her and running a successful cafe. And, whilst their chemistry is tenuous at the start to say the least, circumstances see them spending time together and slowly but surely they lower their guards, largely thanks to Ethan's two adorable little boys, Connor and Ronan.

"We’re all just people trying to muddle through as best we can."

Both Ethan and Willow are characters who you get to know and warm to as their story unfolds, and they're as frustrating as they are loveable. But when they do cross over that line from friends to more, the passion is really unleashed.

"I’m going to take you into your bedroom. I’m going to kiss every square inch of your body. And when you can hardly take anymore, I’m going to be inside you. Fair warning."

This story took a path that wasn't entirely unpredictable for me, but I have to give props to Donna Alward for taking it the route she did because there are elements that are likely to split reader opinion. Me? I'm in the camp that is pleased she did because I felt wholly conflicted: I empathised with both characters yet at the same time I was equally furious with them, and when emotions like that are pulled from me, you'll get no complaints.

"Darling was, simply, home."

This is another series I can't get enough of. Visiting Darling is like wrapping yourself up in a fluffy snuggly blanket. And I'm off to wrap myself up in Rory and Oaklee.

Am I the only one who gets confused by series titles that are incredibly similar? The book before Someone to Love is Somebody Like You. I can't keep them straight. It really doesn't matter though, as the minute I finished the first, I requested the second, and read it the next day.



Here's the summary, from Amazon:

SOME WISHES DO COME TRUE

Ethan Gallagher is a firefighter in Darling, Vermont, who followed tradition and pledged his love on the Kissing Bridge to ensure lifelong happiness. A few years later, he’s a widower with two rambunctious boys who no longer believes in magic. But even he has to admit that free-spirited Willow Dunaway fills him with wonder…and an attraction he cannot deny.

Willow’s come back to Darling a different girl than the one who left after high school. Overcoming her past and owning her own business has made her into a strong, independent woman. Single dad Ethan appeals to her in a way she didn’t expect, even though settling down is the last thing on her mind. But after fire destroys the local food bank, the town rallies, and a fling between Ethan and Willow leads to unintended consequences. Can they find a way out of their heartbreak to make a home in each other’s hearts?

"Unintended consequences" sounds like so much drama! Phrases like this pop up in summaries all the time and then when you read the book you think "well that's putting it too strongly, no?" but in this case, it's accurate. This is one of those books (and authors) who you know what to expect. You have an idea of the level of drama/scandal/real issues. I wasn't expecting this one to take the turn it did. That said, I'm all for variety, and even tho it directly touches on a touchy (and political) subject, I felt it was well done and handled with respect and empathy. I expect there are people who will hate it. (Sorry to be vague, but it's a pretty big spoiler.)

Willow has come back to Darling after time away. She's been through a lot and she's found inner peace. She's pretty stereotypical on the surface, with her yoga and meditation and organic food, but she has to work to maintain the zen. She's the best explanation of yoga practice that I've heard. She's prone to working too hard and taking on too much, but she's rarely annoying or in your face with it. Ethan is a grumpy jerk. His wife died a couple years ago and he's struggling as much now as ever. His grief has dissipated but he's not sure who he is without his wife or the constant grief. He's ready to move on and feels out of place. He takes this out on Willow, at first, because she's so settled and calm. I love seeing him overcome that inclination to lash out. That said, he's not perfect and not even perfect in his imperfectness, if you follow.

Their romance is fairly slow, even if the attraction is sudden. It felt natural, but never easy. Willow and Ethan both have reasons to resist and they do. I'm not certain that the resolution is one that people will love, but I felt it was handled very realistically, as opposed to in a fairy tale (Ethan is not the brother to rescue Willow when the crisis finally happens and he's not suddenly by her side as a white knight.) I was happy with the resolution and the resulting happily ever after, even if I was surprised by the route it took. I'm very happy that I have the next book waiting on my Kindle.

Someone to Love is out today, March 7th.

4 Heartfelt Stars

Someone to Love was an emotional and heartwarming read.

After reading the first book Somebody Like You in the Darling, VT series, I couldn't wait to read Ethan's story in Someone to Love. And I can honestly say I was not disappointed.

The storyline was beautifully written and brought out all the feels.

I loved Willow, she had a beautiful, thoughtful and caring heart. I admired how she took charge of her life after battling with her inner demons to come out stronger and sure of herself and not allowing other people's opinion of her and her life choices hurt her.

In the beginning, Ethan's character was not very likable. I found him grumpy, rude and judgemental towards Willow. I wanted to reach into my kindle and smack him on more than one occasion lol
But the more I heard from him the more my heart went out to him, I knew his actions and words were said because he was still grieving his late wife and scared of the feelings Willow was making him feel.

These two touched my heart with their story, I loved watching them slowly open up their hearts to let the other in, and I loved Willow with Ethan's adorable little boys, they truly made my heart swoon.

Someone to Love was an emotional rollercoaster of a read and a wonderful addition to the Darling, VT series.
Each book can be read as a standalone, and I highly recommend them all.

*A big thank you to the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts*

This is only the second book I have read by Donna Alward and while I enjoyed it, it just couldn't compete with how much I loved the first book in the series, Somebody Like You. I shouldn't compare them because they are totally different stories but it happens. Ethan and Willow are complete and total opposites so at times honestly it's tough to even like Ethan. Granted, Willow is very much a free spirit, which I'm sure could be difficult for someone as rule driven as Ethan is, it does make you wonder where the attraction comes into play. But then again, Ethan has his own issues to deal with such as raising his two little boys since his wife's death. All in all, this is a great small town romance with plenty of heart. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in this series even though I wish it was Hannah's story.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I can’t wait to read more! The chemistry that emerges between the main characters, Ethan and Willow, pulls at your heartstrings. Both Ethan and Willow have had losses in their lives, but want to find a way to make a relationship work. A surprise arises that throws their tentative balance off, and it takes a shock to help them realize what they don’t want to lose. Ethan’s family and two sons are an important part of the story, and I hope there are other stories about the rest of Ethan’s family coming soon

I have reviewed "Someone To Love" by Donna Alward for ReaderToReader.com where it will remain on site indefinitely. If there are any questions or concerns, please contact Vickie Denney at:
Vickie@ReaderToReader.com. The link to their site is listed below.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
After a sad and lonely childhood, Willow Dunaway finds the happiness she's always craved. Considered a bit eccentric, Willow practices Yoga and Zen and believes in living in the moment. She opens a cafe called The Purple Pig in the little town of Darling, VT, known for its famous kissing bridge where it's purported that the one you kiss there will be the love of your life.

Willow knows this omen is accurate when her best friend, Laurel, who kissed Aiden Gallagher when they were both five, reclaimed their feelings and recently married. Marriage is the furthest thing from Willow's mind for she is overworked with her new business, and extra time is a priceless commodity.

Then she is introduced to Ethan Gallagher, Aiden's brother and Laurel's brother-in-law. The two clash from the first moment. Ethan is taken aback by Willow's pink streaked hair, nose ring, and tattoo, believing she is not someone he'd ever consider romantically. Willow senses Ethan, a firefighter, to be uptight and snooty. He is a conservative being widower raising two boys on his own, but when Willow meets his kids, she is completely besotted. She never thought much about having a family, but something about these two rambunctious youngsters warms her heart. Soon, she comes to see Ethan for the outstanding dad and person he is, changing her attitude.

Once Ethan watches Willow interact with his sons, he discovers her judged her unfairly. Under her glittery facade, she proves to be a loving, caring, and compassionate woman. The two enjoy each other's company and realize what they have could be real. With Ethan's wounds still raw after losing his wife and Willow learning to deal with her past, they are both hesitant to commit.

"Somebody to Love," book #2 in the Darling, VT series, a touching tale of love and loss is a fun and easy read.

The Skinny
Darling, Vermont is known for their famous Kissing Bridge. Local legend says that a kiss on the bridge brings everlasting love, and it is perpetuated by the city and local businesses for tourism. Despite that, Darling is a fairly small town…with the traditional small town mindset.

Aiden Gallagher and Laurel Stone were photographed on the Kissing Bridge when they were five years old, dressed for a relative’s wedding. Ten years later, they date in high school…until word gets around to Laurel about a bet Aiden made in the locker room. Their break-up scene is still whispered about to this day, and Laurel still carries this anger and almost hatred for him. Now that she is back home and rebuilding her new life – alone – there is now avoiding him. Especially after her business is robbed and near destroyed…twice.

And now the entire town wants the two of them to pose and model for an updated Kissing Bridge photo for their rebranding.

The Players
Laurel Stone – a recent divorcé who has moved back home and revitalized the town’s garden center
Willow – Laurel’s longtime friend from high school; she owns a local restaurant
Aiden Gallagher – local police officer whom Laurel dated briefly in high school
George – a homeless man that Aiden tries to befriend; Laurel hires him at the garden center

The Quote
A date with Laurel Stone. Damn. They’d gone on a date before that had ended with him perilously close to losing his head and his virginity.

The Highs and Lows
--The Setting. The setting in Darling, Vermont is adorable. First of all, the name. Darling! It sounds like a great place to live, a charming place. A place you would want to live. Not only that, it is famous for this Kissing Bridge legend. And of course, in an innocent act by two children at a wedding captured and capitalized on, the love interests in the book are famously photographed on said bridge. Darling is a small town, which makes sense that it thrives on its tourism campaigns.
--Laurel and Aiden’s History. The Kissing Bridge when they were five. The talk of the town when they were sixteen. The very personal and bone deep feelings – on both sides of the spectrum. For a long time, Laurel continued to bring up and harp on their history, and I thought the ship was sinking fast.
--Laurel’s Inability to Trust. She has been with two men in her life: Aiden and her ex-husband. And I understand her fears about mistrust and lies and deception. The weird headspace a woman can get it after a break-up was so relatable, but I was also so angsty for her to move on. Everyone could see the potential but her.
Laurel’s Marriage. Everybody in town is whispering about it. One of Aiden’s siblings even openly comments on it – and doesn’t realize Laurel is standing there. The reason for her divorce is shocking, and it follows her around town like a dark cloud.
--The Lesson About George. George is a homeless man that hangs around Darling and takes off every once in a while. Aiden tries to befriend him, but it is hard to put aside the fact that he is a cop. Laurel has much more success with George and I was so proud of her for doing what she does for George, and for not letting anyone change her mind or sway her belief in George. It was a beautiful moment of compassion.
--Pacing. The pacing of the book was perfect. For a while I started to get angsty and trying to hurry Laurel along. There was moment I thought she took a step back, and so did she.
Willow. She is a phenomenal friend, but she’s hiding something. And I want to know what it is.

The Take-Away
This book just made me feel good. Feel good about people and their hearts and life in general.

Recommendation – Buy, Borrow or Skip?
Buy it! It is such a good read with some heartfelt moments – especially those expressed for George, which warmed my heart.

My Rating:

4.5

Favorite Quotes:

He blinked back tears, wondering at the odd sensation of grieving for his actual grief. Because the absence of heartbreak had to mean he was moving on. It was a sad, complicated feeling.

I can’t fix the whole world, Ethan. But maybe I can do something about my little corner of it. Imagine what would happen if we all did that? The world would be filled with happy little corners.

We can just be… In the moment. It’s really the only way to live. We can’t change the past, Ethan. And we can’t predict the future. But sitting in front of the fire with you is a very nice now to be in.

You give good advice. Except to yourself.

My Review:

Someone To Love picks up one month after Somebody Like You, with the same characters but featuring a different couple. Each book could stand alone, but honestly, you will want to read them both. I adored and was intrigued by Willow from the very first mention of her in the first book. I knew she was haunted by something troublesome and I was anxious to learn her secrets. I also admired her greatly and coveted her joy, self-ease, and serenity. I wanted to be Willow, but without the pesky painful past. Ethan took longer for me to warm up to, he was broody and snappish as he continued to be mired in grief, and he was a cranky bastard to my sweet Willow, but he could not totally repel her sweet charms and her sparkle prevailed. Ethan was lucky Willow was patient; I would have set his hair on fire. The storyline for Someone to Love was angsty, heart-squeezing, and full of feels. The writing was thoughtful, emotive, insightful, and relevant. My eyes stung and my throat closed up a few times, which is a testament to the high quality of Ms. Alward’s word skills. It is my fervent hope that she is currently locked away in her writing cave and pounding out book three… I’d like to think so anyway.

I loved the characters and story line. The family relationship between different family members makes this a special book

Do opposites attract or do they just seem to be opposites? That is a question that Ethan and Willow have to answer when an unexpected attraction pops up between the two. Both are struggling with events from their past. One of my favorite things about this book is how Alward used Yoga as a big part of Willow's recovery. In a world where pills seem to be the answer to everything using meditation and relaxation as a big part of the cure is great to see. I loved Willow and how strong she was and how she realized that while she was recovering she was also marching in place and not going forward. A really nice story with great characters.

Someone to Love by Donna Alward is a 2017 St. Martin’s Press publication.

This contemporary romance got off to a solid start, but sadly, faltered around the midway point and never fully recovered.

Willow Dunaway has returned to Darling, Vermont after going through some hard times. She now runs her own business and lives a free-spirited life, facing challenges as they happen and taking advantage of opportunities as they arrive.

Ethan Gallagher is a single dad with a high pressure job, coping with grief. When he meets Willow, he is not exactly impressed with her pink highlights and nose ring, but as it turns out, Willow is his sister’s best friend and the two wind up crossing paths quite often.

The more time they spend together, the two complete opposites begin to forge a bond, but will their differences and painful pasts come between their budding romance?


I really tried to get into this book, but it just didn’t work for me. I usually like the ‘opposites attract’ trope, because it can be pretty funny or fiery at times, but this one fell flat. I liked Willow in the beginning, but in my opinion, she pulled an unforgivable stunt with Ethan that wasn’t fair to him at all. To be honest, I understood the psychology behind the decision, but still didn't agree with it, although I did try to empathize with Willow.

Ethan on the other hand, loosened up some, but remained a little aloof throughout, so the chemistry was erratic and shallow. The ending was rushed through, robbing me of any inspirational feelings of hope or a sigh worthy HEA.

This is not the best effort by this author, in my opinion, but, it was passable enough for a quick afternoon escape.

2 stars

A wonderful read, back with friends and family, the heart break and emotional rollercoaster of grieving takes each of the main characters into trying to redefine how to live with themselves while falling fast for each other.
A beautiful read, I can't wait to revisit when the next book comes along.

Channeling fears, angst and heartbreak – realization is that in building that protective wall you are preventing many wonderful experiences – such as really falling in love. Perfect way to describe Ethan and Willow the stars of SOMEONE TO LOVE by Donna Alward.

Two badly damaged souls that found a means to allay any future pain – but does it really? Living in a cocoon as a safe harbor so to speak but every once in a while life interrupts that calm. This is how Ethan and Willow see themselves.

If you open your eyes to possibilities the rewards just might exceed your expectations. But you have to be willing to face the risk. This is what Donna Alward hopes for her wondrous stars Ethan and Willow.

Life doesn’t happen on schedule. You can’t plan everything. Entering into a relationship with preconceived limits or expected levels just doesn’t work. The heart wants to – no needs to be involved. That’s the important lesson that both Ethan and Willow have to face. Their attraction they find to their mutual surprise is indeed mutual. But the rules of engaging the heart – well those just may get in the way of something truly amazing. The humble folks of Darling VT are the fabulous supporting cast in the story of widower Ethan, his two young sons and Willow a free spirit survivor. Ethan gets rather sage advice from his father that hits home. Willow decides to give herself a break thanks to the support of her best friends Laurel. Taking a chance – that’s what it is all about.

I loved the first book of the Darling VT series – knew I would since I’m such a huge fan of Donna Alward. But SOMEONE TO LOVE brought this lovely series to an entirely different level. SOMEONE TO LOVE combined all the best elements of a love story. You know the ones that leave an indelible impression.

SOMEONE TO LOVE by Donna Alward is going to preside in my mind and heart for a very long time as is Ethan and Willow. Donna Alward introduced us to two people who capture our hearts and make us realize that no one is perfect and we all carry our personal baggage around. But it’s what we do with our lives that counts. Beautiful story – beautiful characters – sexy, sassy and smart – and here’s to a really beautiful series by one of the best Donna Alward.

This story is about Ethan, a firefighter who is a widow with 2 young boys and a loving, boisterous, overbearing family. Willow is a woman back home after years away. She's a woman who owns an organic foods café, does yoga, has a nose ring and a pink streak in her hair and, no family.. Two totally different people who are extremely attracted to each other, want the same thing but, have many of the same fears. This was a beautifully poignant story about two people looking for permanent love yet, believing that they will never find it. I truly did not want this book to end!