Beautiful story
That I loved so much that t took a longer lunch break to read the book

I give it a five stars

Jody Holford's Love Unexpected series is so much fun to read! After I really enjoyed the first two books I was excited to read about Declan and Sophia.

After seeing a couple of his friends fall in love, Declan feels like he's ready to find the one for him. It was fun seeing him in that frame of mind from the get go. Especially since he struggles with should it be Sophia from the first time they reconnect in the very beginning of the book.

While Sophia wasn't blameless in her struggles to connect with her family, I really felt for her when she described how hard it was to fit in. She works hard, loves her family, and is hoping they will not judge her for wanting something different for herself than being part of the family business.

The Story of Us strikes the perfect balance of friendship, romance, and personal growth. I hope there is more to come from this wonderful series!

Sophia has returned to her home town after a bad break-up. Her boss was also her boyfriend and when things went bad she lost everything that was keeping her away from home. Sophia may have moved back to town, but she’s not ready to face her family just yet. Declan is a friend of her brothers and a long term crush. She needs a job but what she finds is a place to call home.

Declan is ready to settle down, the problem is he’s only had short term relationships for so long he’s afraid nobody will take him seriously. His business has been a big part of his life for so long he hasn’t had time for anyone special. Sophia is more than his friend's little sister. He knows she could be more than a fling, but Declan may get more than he bargained for.

*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jody Holford has become one of my favorite authors to read these days. So cute and wonderful, it's a great read for over a weekend.

this is totally a me thing, and i know it doesn't bother others, and i know that this stuff really happens and life is messy and there are many ways to love. but

(and this is probably a spoiler)

stories that have main characters pregnant with not the hero's baby aren't my particular jam.

(end spoiler)

and as soon as i realized this was the secret that sophia was keeping in the story of us i had a super hard time staying with this. and i swear it's something i wish i could just get over. i don't know why it just doesn't do it for me.

there is so much to like here. declan is like a perfect dreamboat, and he has been one throughout the series. so, of course, he would love sophia and her secret. he's that kind of guy. and while i didn't fully understand where sophia was coming from at times, it's true that her family dynamics were complicated and fed into a lot of her issues. these characters are fully realized and i did like them together a lot. i just...in the end, it's more that this type of story isn't for me. and usually if i'm aware of it from the get-go i don't request them. but because it was supposed to be a twist, it's not immediately obvious, so i'm sorry about that. i usually love this author, it's just this particular story didn't work for me for #reasons.

**the story of us will publish on march 18, 2019. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/entangled publishing (amara) in exchange for my honest review.

Story of Us is book 3 in the Love Unexpected series. I have been impatiently waiting to get my hands on Declan's story and it was even better than I had hoped. 

Declan is a known player. He usually only spends one night with a woman and that's always been enough for him. After his friend, Adam, marries Megan, Declan starts to want a real relationship. He doesn't expect to feel such a magnetic pull from Sophia, especially since they've known each other for years and she's his other best friend's little sister. 

Sophia just returned to Brockton Point after leaving 10 years ago. Her personal life has fallen to pieces and her relationship with her family is strained, but she's hopeful that coming home was the right thing to do. She's had a crush on Declan since she was a teenager and she tells herself that she'll get over it when she takes a job at his bar. Will things between them work out in the end?

This book was so good. The chemistry between these two is spicy and while there is quite the drama surrounding Sophia's relationship with her family, it made the story seem more real. I loved seeing appearances of characters from the other books and really like how their frienship plays a big role in each story as well. I can't wait to see what happens next.

This is a new author for me and i was quite impressed by the writing and characters, it is book three in a series and was a love at first sight story. Entertaining.

I received a copy and I am voluntarily leaving my own honest opinion

Sophia was more of a flee- the - town-she- was- born- in and- gobble-life up- whole girl. Sophia went to the back door of On Dec - a popular Brakton Point pub. Declan/Dec came up behind her and said he was freezing and needed to get in his bar. Than Declan realized it was Sophia. She threw her arms around him and realized how much she needed a hug when he put his arms around her. Being held close to Declan felt like she’d fallen into an alternate universe where everything negative simply fell away. Most days Sophia felt like she didn’t belong anywhere, but when it came to promotions and marketing , her confidence soared. For a moment Sophia was transported back in time to when she wanted to be one of the girls Declan helped on the back of his bike, when Declan asked why she was at his bar she said she was there for a job. Sophia wasn’t in a rush to go home to her parents house and hear them say they had been right. Declan had a mental list of life rules . Top of the list was not hooking up with any females that were related to his buddies. Declan only had a few close pals and his best friend was an only child. Sophia was as off limits as a woman could get for him. Than Declan asked Sophia what she wanted and she answered she wanted to work at his bar. There were many other questions he wanted to ask her like who broke her heart. Declan hadn’t seen Sophia since she was about eighteen. He didn’t remember her being so straightforward and full of fire. Or sexy. Without even trying Sophia was sexier than any one he’d ever met. Sophia said she needed a job and Declan said her family owned the longest-running successful business in town and her father had always wanted her there. But Sophia didn’t want to work there. For months Declan knew he’d been coming to terms with the fact he’d outgrown casual hookups and string free relationships. Declan hadn’t been on a date in four months. Declan had a fire burning in his gut because of Sophia and it was something he hadn’t felt before. But Declan was going into business with her older brother Marcus. The last thing Declan needed was to complicate his twenty plus year friendship with Marcus and the new business venture they were embarking on. Sophia said she didn’t want to go to her parents yet and tell them she had lost her job and fiance all in one day. Or that she hadn’t noticed her fiance was stealing money from her. Anger went through Declan at the thought of someone hurting Sophia or using her. On Dec was Declan’s pride and joy. Sophia had been gone ten years. Declan hired Sophia and when she said she was going to the inn to get a room he offered his guest room and wouldn’t take no. Sophia moved in to Declan’s home until she could find her own place. Declan and Marcus had come up with a craft beer recipe and Declan was ready to test it on people. Sophia had no desire-or room- to feed the sparks that fired through her body when she and Declan were in the same room. Sophia went to talk to her parents after being back for a couple of days but it didn’t go well and she left. Than Marcus went to Declan’s and punched him in the face and soon left. Sophia felt horrible when she came back and seen the bruising on Declan’s face as it started to show - from her brother Marcus. Sophia eventually let Declan know she was pregnant by her ex.
I loved this story- it’s a great romance with some angst shot in. I loved Declan and Sophia together and how they interacted together. I loved how protective Declan became of Sophia right away. I also loved how Declan put her first even before hsi long friendship with Marcus and before they were really involved with each other. I loved seeing Sophia grow and learn to trust again. I loved how even after Declan messed up Sophia forgave him. This was an easy fun book to read. I hope to be reading more from this author. I loved the pace and plot and have a new favorite. I didn’t want to put this down. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I highly recommend it.

I loved this book. Declan and Sophia were two amazing characters that had me rooting for them from beginning to end. Sophia is home after being away for ten years. She has a secret and has always felt like the disappointment in her family. She wants to mend fences, but her family is stubborn and they all make it difficult. When she applies for a job at Declan's bar, she believes this is the first step in proving she isn't a complete mess up. Declan has been changing over the last year. He used to be ok with the one night stand and no commitment, but now he wants it all, and when he sees Sophe again after ten years, he knows she is the one.
Sophia gave him a run for his money. She didn't trust easily, after her ex ended up being scum and the way her family treated her, she built some tall walls around herself. He wasn't going to give up so easily though. Their banter and their friendship were wonderful. I also liked how he stood up for her, against his friend (also her brother), her father, and her ex. There were a few times that I was upset with her (her reaction when her ex showed up being one of them), but I hoped that she would wake up and smell the roses. I also didn't like how everything with her family was resolved. I was glad it was resolved, I just wish it was done in a different way.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

Story of Us is a complicated story of romance, life and all that can happen. Declan and Sophia fit together but family, friendship and past events keep that from being a smooth ride for either of them. Declan best friend’s little sister has returned home and needs a job. That is nopart of the book description and the beginning chapter of the story. From there the story takes twists and turns that are not expected from how the book begins. It is still a growing-but-once-small-town romance but not as predictable as first thought.

Jody Holford gives a realistic look at family expectations, disappointments, growing up and overcoming your reputation. Truly in life comes both the good, the bad and the I wish I had been smarter moments which is how Sophia is feeling at the beginning. I was interested in seeing how Declan and she grew emotionally in the story. I also liked hot the reformed “bad boy” had changed; not for Sophia but earlier for himself. While there are lots of supporting characters, they are not difficult to keep straight. Plus, the friends’ cooking challenge was a hoot. Fun read once you get past Sophia’s stifling family issues.

.

This is a seriously swoony read – a brother’s best friend romance with a great twist, and a determined romantic hero that will sweep you off your feet!

This is the third book in the Love Unexpected series, but it is my first read by this author. The characters from the previous books are a part of this story, but the book can easily read this as a standalone.

Sophia left her home town and her controlling family ten years ago to attend college and make something of herself, following her dreams rather than working in her family’s restaurant. She’s achieved a lot, but a recent relationship breakdown has left her life a mess, and she’s returning home to get herself together. That starts with a job and somewhere to stay, and she finds both when she arrives at On Dec, the pub run by Declan James, best friend to her older brother, who is only too happy to help her out.

Dec was once known as a player, but all that has recently changed. He’s watched his best friends find their HEAs and settle with family, and he’s keen to find that for himself. So when little Sophia Strombi shows up on his doorstep looking all grown up, his instant attraction to her sparks something inside of him and he is suddenly all too keen to explore his feelings.

Sophie crushed on Declan as a teenager, and he’s even more gorgeous than she remembers. At first she can’t quite comprehend his attention, and though he doesn’t want to frighten her off, he’s right out there with his intentions.
The chemistry between these two is electric, but Sophie is in a really difficult situation having just come out of a relationship and dealing with all sorts of personal issues. She doesn’t feel ready to explore anything with Declan, and doesn’t make it easy on him. But that just gives him perfect opportunity to woo her like a champ, and he proceeds to do exactly that.
He’s sweet and swoony and beautifully supportive, and as Sophie opens up to him and shares all that’s going on with her, he continues to have her back without question, and it made me fall even harder for him! He’s everything you could possibly want in a man, and the romance is just gorgeous!
They have their hurdles, but everything between them progresses naturally, and I loved watching it happen. It moves quickly, but the feels are definitely there, they are passionate with each other but strangely the sex scenes are fade to black, though we do get to see them basking in the afterglow.

But while Sophie is enjoying Declan, she still has serious issues with her family to confront, as well as figuring out her life going forward. There are arguments, realisations and a whole lot of confrontations as it all gets sorted out and this story is as much about her journey as it is about the romance, and both unfold alongside each other really nicely.

There is a happy ending and the book ends in a great place, with an epilogue which finishes off the story really sweetly.

Such a sweet read, I really enjoyed it.

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.

Book Review

<b>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 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.</b>

I adore Declan and how he falls headfirst into love with Sophia. How he’s willing to put his heart on the line.... with everything that could go wrong. If I had to be a team I’d be Team Declan.

It took a little longer to warm up to Sophia, there were definitely reasons why she didn’t think she deserved or wanted to be in a relationship with Declan. She was stubborn, independent and willing to do things solo. She also seemed to take for granted what Declan was offering.

Another thing I loved about this story was the friendships and the depth of characters.

<b>**Thanks to the author and netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.** </b>

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.

Family and love!

Sophia left town when she was 18 to become her own person! She comes from an Italian family and they all expected that she would stay and work in her parents’ restaurant. But Sophia had other ideas, so she left, put herself through college for business and got a good job and boyfriend. Well, she did the first things, but she and her boyfriend breakup and she loses her job. She decides to return home quietly, get herself situated and then let her family know she’s back. She doesn’t want her family to know she’s returned for fear that they will once again pressure her to work for her parents’ restaurant.

Declan is Sophia’s brother’s best friend. He is looking for someone to help him with the business side of his business while he runs the bar “On Dec”. He is stunned to find Sophia is back, but he wants to help her with her situations, as well as seeing her as his! He knows he shouldn’t fall for his employee as well as his best friend’s sister, but he can’t help himself! Now he needs to prove he’s ready to escape the reputation of being a player!

The instant love Declan feels is a bit of a stretch. But he is a sweetheart helping Sophia with all the situations she has to deal with and especially with her family situations. I also found it hard to believe that a close family would shun Sophia so much because she chose her own path. I think Sophia also needs to grow up and face her demons with confidence and maturity.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book and I am providing my honest review.

Awesome book to read!

Sophia Strombi has finally moved back to her hometown because she lost her job and fiancé and wanted to mends fences with her family. Sophia needed a job and On Dec owned by Declan James needed a manger for his bar. Sophia wasn’t sure about working for her brother’s best friend but when Declan hired Sophia, things started to change because Declan had dated around and Sophia wasn’t sure what she wanted. And she needed to straighten out her relationship with her family first.

Not many times can an author surprise me with something totally out of left field but Jody Holford has taken a different direction from a regular romance of boy meets girl to something very different and unique making it an awesome romance to read. I would give it 4 ½ stars if I could!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It is a sweet and sad kind of story and I enjoyed reading it a lot. Dec and Sophe are both great characters. Sophia is an independent and stubborn woman who doesn't like it when others tell her what to do. She had left home right after school and has been living on her own since then. It is something not acceptable in her family and that has caused her family to be disappointed in her. Now, she is back in her home town. Ready to pick up the pieces of her life but also scared of how her family will take her return.
Declan has known Sophia's family all his life. He knows that they are conservative and can be overbearing at times. He is best friends with her brother so when she shows up at his bar he is a little taken aback. On one hand he doesn't want to lose Marcus as a friend and on the other hand, he sees that Sophia needs him more. She brings out his protective side and soon things get more complicated and more dramatic.
It's well-written, has an interesting storyline, it's quite romantic too, all in all, a great read if you are looking for a good contemporary romance fiction to read.

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

Last man standing! Declan James, owner of On Deck, his friends have all found love and Dec is feeling a little left out and lonely. Feels like maybe he's missing something. That something walks through the door in the form of Sophie Strombi who needs a job. Sophia left town 10 years ago, determined not to fall into and under the family business and her over bearing father's thumb. Her brother and Declan are best friends. Sophie put herself through college, got a good job and was in a relationship that crashed and burned, along with her job. Feeling like she needed to head home, that's what she does and seeks out Dec for a job. She also needs a place to live, so Dec offers her that as well. Not ready to face her family yet she's flying under the radar. Declan needs someone to take over the management office, never-ending paperwork and Sophie is the perfect fit and her degree in business and marketing and the easy fit for Dec's business works perfectly. Declan is very supportive of her and doesn't press her to face her family yet. When she finally does, it doesn't end well and she knew it wouldn't; she's never going to work for the restaurant or her father. Just because her sisters and brother do, Sophie has always been the one who needs to spread her wings and not follow suit.
Her family is stereotypical Italian in the story, which was a little bothersome to me in the way they were presented. The other factor in the story is that her brother and Declan have been working together on a beer that they want to start marketing and selling. The conflict with Sophie puts a rift between the two guys. Meanwhile we get to see the characters from the previous books, who all like Sophie and she's warmly welcomed. Dec is known as the forever single guy. Sophie has it in her head that Dec is a manwhore and yet the chemistry between the two is flammable. I enjoyed the banter and candor between the two. There's enough tension caused by her family that adds to the story, maybe a little too much, but again that's my feeling. It doesn't take away but neither does it add.
There is a wicked twist in the story as well, which I thought Declan handled pretty well.
I loved Declan in the previous books, all the characters and storylines were fantastic which sucked me right in to read this one. But for me, this book fell short. Late in the book it seemed that both characters personalites did a complete 180, I felt like a was reading a different book. I loved this series so much and it was great seeing Declan fall hard, but I just needed more. I expected a little more based on the previous books and stellar writing. Jody writes a great story always, this was just a miss for me.
3.5 stars

arc from NetGalley and Entangled for an honest review.

Story of Us by Jody Holford is Book 3 of the Love Unexpected series. While this book is part of a series it can be read as a standalone. This was the first of the series I had read and I had no issues following along.

So much sweetness in this one ya’ll...beware of cavities j/k. Honestly this read was spot-on perfection. Nailed it Ms. Holford...

Please note that an ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review of which this is both honest and completely voluntary.