I really enjoyed the concept of this story, it's something pretty unique that I haven't seen too much of before! However, I think it could have been improved by being about 50 pages shorter, or maybe by putting those 50 pages toward something other than Hannah's repetitive self-doubt/hesitations. There was minimal conflict in this story, and most of the time it felt like Hannah dragging her feet was the only thing stopping them from being happy, and that got very annoying to read. (Also wow, pot calling the kettle black when she told Wes he should talk to a therapist. She wasn't wrong, but this story would have gone way differently if everyone had a good therapy session, holy crap!)

Wes was amazing, Everly was so adorable, and I loved all of the side characters! I really just wanted to see more of everyone being happy and together!

Your average run of the mill new adult romance. If I had read it years ago I would’ve loved it. But alas I’ve read so many books like this one

4.5-Star for Decidedly By Chance
This is the first book I read by Stina Lindenblatt & it definitely won't be my last, I actually purchased the other 4 books in the By The Bay series after reading Decidedly By Chance. I didn't expect it but was not only hooked but more or less blown away with this read, absolutely loved it. If you looking for sweet, with heart, some angst, a cutie pie definitely one-click & read this one. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Wes is totally swoon-worthy!
While I did receive an advance copy from the author via NetGalley, I am voluntarily leaving my own voluntary, unsolicited opinion with my review.

This was a sweet read with one of my favourite tropes- single parent hero/heroines!!! Wes and Hannah start off as friends- and the progression was nice. Wes was adorable and patient in his love for Hannah, and him and Everly are so cute :') The secondary characters were also really likeable and I'm definitely considering checking out the other books in the series! That being said, there was nothing "standout" in this book, for me.

Great job on Decidedly by Chance Stina Lindenblatt! I was so very excited when this landed on my kindle.

Decidedly by Chance was a heartfelt, emotional single parent romance that I found hard to put down. A man who never intended to be a father is raising his 3 year old niece following an accident that took both her parents lives and a woman whose childhood went from a mother who abandoned her to foster families who were less than stellar become temporary roommates when her apartment is flooded.

Hannah’s childhood was awful but she worked hard and is now a pediatric nurse and decided to start a family on her own through insemination. Now 15 weeks pregnant, her body is changing, her hormones are raging, and her apartment is flooded. After staying with her best friend and her husband whose bedroom activities aren’t exactly quiet she agrees to move in with Wes, her friend who is guardian to his 3 year old niece and in the process of adopting. All of their friends and even the people in Wes’ condo building can see how much these two make one another happy and make life better but they are both in denial and it takes them awhile to figure things out.

First off, I loved Wes and his relationship with his niece, Everly. He was patient and kind and was doing everything he could to help her understand that her parents weren’t coming back even if it wasn’t quite sinking in. As a workaholic his life was turned upside down when he became her guardian, but she is the only family he has left and he will do anything he needs to do to give her the life his brother and sister in law would have wanted for her. Wes was also a good friend to everyone and while for a time he considered dating Hannah now that his life revolves around Everly it isn’t the right time, but he offers her the spare room in his condo and the more time he spends with her even doing mundane things like cooking or cleaning makes him realize how much he really likes her.

Hannah was a bit of a tough nut to crack and I really don’t blame her. Growing up feeling unloved and unwanted she built a tough shell around her heart and hasn’t let anyone in with the exception of her friend Emma who she met in foster care. She is nervous but excited about having her “little bean” and while she is tempted by her sexy roommate she knows it is not a good idea because Wes never intended to settle down and while Everly has changed his life somewhat she doesn’t trust that he’s ready to part with his bachelor ways.

Wes, Hannah, and Everly fell into an easy routine that made sense to them and it was easy to see that while Everly loved her uncle she was missing a mother figure. As a pediatric nurse Hannah had a way with children and she was not only good with Everly but she helped Wes to understand that he was doing a good job and that at the age of three is was going to take time for Everly to realize that her parents were not coming back. Hannah became someone Wes could voice his concerns and frustrations to, and Wes became someone Hannah could share her life in foster care with while making it known he was doing the right thing by providing Everly a home and family she deserved. They had a special bond and friendship and while it did progress to more, it happened over time which made it all the more special.

Filled with emotion, friendship, and such a sense of joy and happiness, I thoroughly enjoyed Decidedly By Chance.

I really enjoyed these two characters. He was willing to do whatever it took for the woman he loves. These two characters were open with each other and were always there for each other. I always enjoy this author and know her stories are going to be sweet.

This was my first experience reading this author's work and I was pleasantly surprised. This was a sweet, heartwarming read with likeable characters and adorable kids. It can be read as a standalone because I didn't read the other books in this series and had no problem, but on the other hand, I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the previous books and gotten to know the other characters. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.

I absolutely love stories like these. These characters stole my heart. “Sting Lindenblatt” is nailing it with this series. Love them all. These characters romance pulled at all my heartstrings in a way that only fantastic romance stories can do. It’s heartwarming, sweet, romantic, with plenty of drama and romance. Books like this are why I love reading!!

Sweet story. Interesting characters, different premise. Overall an fun read. I would certainly look up the other books by this author.

Feedback given for honest review.
Hannah and Wes have an unusual friendship. Hannah is pregnant and Wes is raising his niece. They experience the journey of running from love and being scared to trust but love does conquer all.

This is an enjoyable and slightly emotional read. The characters are well developed and their feelings are tangible. If you are in the mood for a romance that twists and turns in many directions, then pick up a copy of Decidedly By Chance.

This is the fifth book from the By the Bay series and it can be enjoyed as a standalone. However, books 1-4 are definitely worth reading.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

5 STARS for Decidedly by Chance - author Stina Lindenblatt

ARC received from the author & Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own & have not been influenced in any way.

Love - love - LOVED this BOOK !! There is “no chance “ you will not love this as well as it’s not your typical romantic comedy!

Wes & Hannah take a lot of detours - one way streets & sharp hairpin turns to find their HEA. In the same circle of friends these two have had some chemistry building for sometime but never acted on it having somewhat decided to remain strictly in the “friend zone “

Former playboy & workaholic Wes is seeking to adopt his 3 year old ( adorable ) niece after his brother & sister in law are killed in a tragic accident. Hannah’s past being raised in the foster care system leaves her with the lasting impression that she can only rely on herself and love is not something given freely - it’s just something she never experienced as a child.

This book had everything I look for in a great romantic read ...

Amazing ( yet somewhat flawed ) characters
Sizzling chemistry
Laugh out loud humor & some really great dialog
Awesome secondary characters
Terrific plot
Of course an awesome HEA

I loved that Wes realized Hannah was “the one “ before she was aware of it herself & was willing to prove to her he would be in their relationship for the long haul.

This author writes amazing heartfelt stories & I can’t wait to check out more of her backlist.

Great read - highly recommend this book & author !!!

I really enjoyed this book. Even though it was kind of predictable, I still enjoyed it. I loved Wes and Everly together. Their chemistry was hot and they were easy to root for. I'll definitely read more from this author.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 Stars
Stina Lindenblatt knows how to craft a story. I have been reading her for a while now. This particular series has had me happy with all of the characters and storylines. Decidedly By Chance is the fifth entry of this series. and I was captivated.

Our main characters are at this point where decisions are being made. Our gal has decided to take on Motherhood on her own. She just had the whole sperm donner thing happen and she is on her way. The fella who becomes important to her life is someone she has known through their mutual friends who overlap.

There have been some sparks but kept hidden. Circumstances put them together and they have needs which each can provide...he is a new guardian of his 3 year old niece, she has her apartment flooded and the friends all push her to stay with him.

Lots happen and love blooms.

I have been given this book for an honest review. I have enjoyed reading this series and this latest book did not disappoint. Following Wes and Hannah through their journey and relationship was enjoyable and tear jerking at times. I loved the relationship they have with each other and Everly. Well worth a read

What a great story!
This is my first book by this author and it did not disappoint. I loved it from the beginning to the end. These characters were very lovable and I wish I could read more. Hannah and Wes have always had chemistry since they met two years ago. He hid it and she was oblivious to it. His brother and sister-in-law die and he becomes an insta father to his 3 year old niece. Hannah becomes a mother thanks to a turkey baster. Fast forward and now they all live together.

I was able to read this book on its own with no issues.
I highly recommend it!

Such a great “feel good” story!

Hannah has a lot to overcome - a father who abandoned his family and a mother who basically ignored her child and then died - then being bounced around in the foster care system, all elements that would certainly effect any young girl growing up.

But Hannah beats those negative odds, becoming a pediatric nurse and wanting to start a family of her own...which she did on her own.

Wes just recently became guardian of his three-year-old niece after his brother and sister-in-law were tragically killed in an accident. And although he’s known Hannah for a couple of years, he doesn’t have the opportunity to spend much time with her until a pipe breaks on her apartment and he offers his guest room to her.

And so begins the story of Hannah and Wes.

It’s a bumpy road, with Hannah never having experienced a stable relationship or home life, but Wes is persistent and constant in showing her he’s there for the long haul.

While there’s humor in this story, there is also sadness, for Everly (Wes’s niece), Wes and Hannah. But healing comes with time and, maybe a happy ending for all three?

Read this wonderful, heartwarming story and find out!

Thank you NetGalley and Stina Lindenblatt for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Decidedly By Chance is the fifth book in Stina Lindenblatt's By The Bay series. We met both Wes and Hannah in the previous books. You could probably read this as a standalone but I definitely recommend reading the series in order!

I have loved all of the books in this series and this is no exception. I honestly loved everything about this one. I enjoyed both Wes and Hannah's characters and their development, both separately and together. I loved this story-line and how neither character was exactly what the other expected.

Definitely pick this one up ASAP and read the other books in the series. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Hannah decided she wanted a baby and went to the sperm bank and then she became pregnant. She didn’t need a man in her life to have a child. Hannah’s best friend was Emma and she was also pregnant. The traditional way to have a child was a dream, but it wasn’t always reality. At least not for Hannah. Hannah’s mother had went through several men. When Hannah was six her mother ran off with a man to go to Vegas, and left Hannah alone. Her mother nor the man never returned, something to do with a drug deal gone wrong. Hannah was moved to foster car, where she was bounced from foster home to foster home. Eventually there was a nice family who wanted to adopt Hannah. But before the adoption could go through something went wrong and Hannah was shot back into the system. Than she met Emma who had similar troubles. Both of the girls had dreamed of one day finding someone who loved them like they deserved. Emma got lucky and was married to Travis. But Hannah wasn’t so lucky. All of Hannah’s and Emma’s friends had babies or little kids of their own. Except wes who was a workaholic and confirmed bachelor. Hannah hadn’t seen wes in several months. Hannah was waiting for Emma to come out of the bathroom when she heard wes’s voice. Her heart stumbled , that was new whenever she saw Wes and she didn’t know why. Hannah was a pediatric nurse. Than Hannah talked to the little girl with Wes. Wes introduced his three year old niece Everly to Hannah and Emma. Everly’s parents had died in an accident five months ago and Wes now was Everly’s guardian. Emma is also secretly Dr. Lovejoy who writes a now popular sex and relationship column for a local paper. Hannah had been attracted to Hanah and still was since the first time he met her two years ago. Everly was struggling with were never coming back. The therapist they were seeing was trying to help Everly distinguish between reality and her version of reality. Hannah said she loved Christmas as she didn’t have much of it growing up, so she made up for lost time. Everly was the only close family Wes had now and Wes was adopting Everly . Hannah had always liked Wes as a casual friend, but for the first time she was seeing a different side of him. Wes never intended to get married or end up in a permanent relationship with a woman. Every since wes became Everly’s guardian he’d cut down on his work hours while he struggled to figure out how to parent a three year old, his brother had made it look so easy. He still had no idea what he was doing. Wes asked Hannah to dinner with him and Everly and she said yes, when she got home her apartment was flooded . She stayed with Emma and Travis at first but being alone and they were very loving toward each other… She didn’t have anyone to love on. Than Wes offered for her to come stay with him and Everly until she found a new place. So hannah took him up on his offer.
I loved this book. It was such a touching read. I loved Wes and hannah together. I love dhow Wes grew to love Little Bean and Hannah. My heart broke for Everly and Hannah’s sad childhood hannah had endured. I loved Hannah’s and Emma’s relationship as well as the other women and men in her life. I loved the relationships wes had with his friends also. Everly added a lot to this book. I didn’t want to put this book down. I love the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I highly recommend it.