Having read The Bookstore on the Beach by Brenda Novak, I anticipated an emotional read and Novak delivered. She writes a heartbreaking complicated love story that includes struggles and redemption and always ends with a happy ending.

I love her rich, believable characters as much as I do her heartfelt original tales. Novak’s trademark includes (1) a varied cast of characters with each one facing at least one life-changing decision and (2) multigenerational stories which flow cohesively. She crafts characters you care about and willingly follow on their journey as they conquer their conflicts. Mack Amos was my favourite character in this book and I was happy that Novak included a prequel novella to this story to answer any questions I had about Mack and Natasha’s romance history.

Novak packs so much into her books. She incorporates multiple subplots with paternity issues, medical emergencies, and difficult relationships. In a recent interview, Novak shared that she’s what is called a ‘pantser’ (someone who doesn’t plot) and that she starts with the conflict and then decides which characters would be most challenged by that conflict. The plot grows out of her conflict. I can’t imagine how she was able to tie all this together with so much going on, but with this being her 61st book, I’m not surprised. She’s truly a gifted storyteller.

If you are open to a multi-generational contemporary romance book set in a small town and dealing with dysfunctional families with issues this is the book for you!

This may be book 8 of the Silver Springs series, but I had no difficulties enjoying it as a stand alone.

Publishes June 29, 2021.

I was gifted this novel by Brenda Novak, Mira Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Review (3.5 stars): This is the 8th book of the Silver Springs series by Brenda Novak and also blends in Whiskey Creek. We’re back in Silver Springs and all our favorite other characters, but this could easily be read as a standalone book.

Dr. Natasha “Tash” Gray is newly divorced, a single mom to Lucas, and a bankrupt pediatrician after a series of rapid-free blows in Natasha’s life. She moves to Silver Springs to start over where she’s renting a house, starting a new job, and where no one will judge her on her past. With so many obstacles, she must rely on Mack, her once-upon-a-time stepbrother, to help her make the move and get settled.

Not only is Mack one of the Amos brothers, who helped raise and educate her after her mother failed her, but Tash’s been in love with him for more than 15 years. Tash is desperate to keep Mack at arms length, not just because he’s already broken her heart, but because that one night long age could have resulted is something (or someone) very precious. Can Tash and Mack open themselves up to love?

Note: I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is my own. #WhenIFoundYou #NetGalley

You can read this as a stand alone. I will say that some secrets get revealed in this book that started in the Whiskey Creek series but they are explained in this book enough that you don't need to have read those books to know what happened. This book is about Mack and Natasha who are both from Whiskey Creek. They both find new starts with each other in Silver Springs. Though it does take some time to get to that point with some secrets and some heartache before the happily ever after. I am leaving this review voluntarily after being sent a free book.

When I Found You is a fantastic love story. I really enjoyed this one. I love Mack and just how he is with Lucas and Natasha. You feel for Mack and his love for Natasha. There is such a pull between them that you just see those sparks fly. Natasha has not had it easy and she is so strong. I love how she is with her son and how she picks herself back up after everything. This is such a sweet read as Mack and Natasha try to navigate their love. I love the family bond Mack has with his brothers. The little added additions in this one will keep you on your toes. Go one click this one.

Dr,. Natasha Gray is newly arrived in Silver Springs leaving a disastrous end to her pediatric practice through no fault of her own. She can't help but feel guilty however, and her ex-husband used that time too ask for a divorce. She complied easily she never could love him the way love should be. Her heart was taken many years ago. She must build a new life with her six year old son Lucas.
Mack Amos is making the move possible, as her ex-husband and the failed practice took just about every dime She had. His father was married to Nataha's mother and the five Amos brothers always took care of Natasha to make up for the total lack of any guidance or care from her mother. Natasha however didn't think of Mack as a brother even though throughout their lives Mack kept her at arms length, mostly. It's not easy having to be a school nurse when she worked so hard to become a doctor but she is grateful to at least have a job. Now if only Mack would leave it's really hard being around him so much as he insists he help fix up the place that was much more run down and in greater disrepair than the photos showed. Mack is fast becoming Lucas's best friend. The ease in which he gets along with Lucas and starts to love him surprises Mack. Complication after complication happen as the story unfolds as Natasha and Mack figure out where they stand with each other. Then something happens that threatens even the tenuous relationship they are developing. Thank you NetGalley, Brenda Novak and Harlequin Books S.A. I really enjoyed reading this story it is my first of Silver Springs or Whiskey Creek but I'm intrigued to read many more. Good read is my honest opinion.

A sweet story from Silver Springs that get you in all the feels ;) A well written and gripping story from Brenda Novak.

A classic Brenda Novak book that is a great beach read! The perfect book to relax on a rainy day! I can't wait for more.

When I Found You, states that it is a Silver Springs novel. Seems to also be part of the Whiskey Creek series also. I thought that both series were finished so it was a nice to surprise. Natasha is so lucky to have Mack in her life and there for her when she needs him. Now more than ever with everything falling apart. I hope to read more from both of the series again in the near future.

When I Found You
A Silver Springs Novel
by Brenda Novak
HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada)
MIRA
Romance | Women's Fiction
Pub Date 29 Jun 2021 | Archive Date Not set

Thanks to Harlequin/Mira and NetGalley for the ARC. This is a great book to read while you are sitting by the pool or at the beach. I found it a good read!

4 star

This is perfect book to read while you're sitting by the pool or at the beach! 5 stars for this one!

Here we meet Natasha, a newly divorced, single mom to Kellen, who's lost all she worked hard for. Starting over is never easy, and having Mack Amos basically come to her rescue to help her out isn't making it any easier on her heart. She's worked hard to forget that night they shared, now with him around, will she be able to protect her heart again?

Mack has always had feelings for Tash, as he calls her, and he's always been there to help her so when she gets divorced, he's there to help her move. He and his brothers took her in and helped her out when her own mother wasn't there to do it. His brothers want him not to get involved with her, but will he have the strength to stay away?

I really enjoyed this story, make sure to grab it asap!

3 stars

Natasha "Tash" has been in love with Mack since she was 16. The only problem was that he was 25 and his dad was married to her mom. Mack resisted her advances, knowing that it was wrong on many levels. Despite their parents' divorce, Tash and Mack (and his brothers) have stayed in touch. Then, there was that one night 7 years ago.

Fast forward 16 years. Tash is now a pediatrician who lost her practice due to a dangerous nurse. Mack is 41 and never married, helping his brothers run an auto body shop. Mack has often wondered if Tash's son Lucas is actually his. The kid's age matches up with that one night when he gave in to his attraction for Tash. They were both adults by then. Unfortunately, she ended up marrying someone else and having her son, Lucus.

Mack is finally in a place where he can act on his feelings for Tash, but she's recovering from the loss of her business and an idiot ex-husband. After all these years of pining for Mack, Tash is nowhere near ready for a relationship.

This book has too many subplots. There's the issue of Tash's nurse, Lucas's paternity, other family drama, Tash and Mack's parents and their dysfunctional relationship, an attempted murder, another paternity issue, and so much more. Too many things going on.

It also got repetitive at times - repeatedly referring back to Tash's feelings for Mack when she was 16, how he couldn't/wouldn't act on them. It rehashed the whole scenario of Tash's nurse and her murderous actions.

Spoilers ahead:

My biggest issue with the book was with Mack. He was a good guy overall, but a few of his actions gave me the willies. Tash was sick with a wicked stomach flu and her skeevy ex-husband called. Mack took it upon himself to take the ex-husband's contact info from Tash's phone without her permission. There were other times when he read her text messages as well. Also, while she was sick, he helped her take a bath. I was disappointed that he used that time to feel her up. I think the scene would have been much more tender if he had simply helped her bathe, without making any moves. It would have shown a deeper level of care, in my opinion. Then, after she was feeling better, he told her he wanted to make love to her. Her response was "it's just sex, right?" Tash wasn't ready to get back into a relationship. So, instead of being honest with her and telling her he actually wanted more, he gave in. It just didn't sit well with me.

All in all, it was an okay read. I've read others of Brenda Novak's novels and they are sweet and simple. I'd read others.

Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this digital ARC in return for an honest review.

This is a second chance romance. Mack and Natasha have been circling around each other for years. When Natasha’s world implodes Mac steps up and helps. This story has a lot of emotional moments. There is also a secondary story going on too. I fell right into the storyline and finished the book fairly quick. To top it off there’s a cute kid too. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Fans of Brenda Novak will know what I mean when I say this book is Silver Springs meets Whiskey Creek. Natasha is starting over in Silver Springs, but someone else wants a new start too--Mack Amos, one of the Amos brothers from Whiskey Creek. While the story of how Natasha got to this point doesn't really ring true, I liked her and her son.

Those familiar with the Whiskey Creek series will remember that when the Amos patriarch was released from prison, he returned home with a wife in tow--and that wife had a daughter, Natasha. Mack's feelings about Natasha weren't brotherly then and certainly aren't now-over 10 years after the Whiskey Creek books.

Both Mack and Natasha have been through some rough times lately, but I loved watching them move to happily ever after. Like the other Whiskey Creek books, the extended cast plays an important part. Mild Spoiler: The big Whiskey Creek secret comes out. Still, I think you could enjoy the book even if you never met any of the Whiskey Creek characters.

I'd like to thank the publisher for making a review copy available via NetGalley. Grade: B.

To be published 6/29/21

Buckle up for this story. I liked how Novak did a cross over and connected Whiskey Creek with Silver Springs. I felt sorry for Natasha. She jumped from one calamity to another with hardly any rest. Mack had my attention from the first sentence. He is dreamy and I loved the heat and intensity between he and Natasha. I was disappointed in the outcome of a crucial test. I loved how the author included a novella at the end which explains an important night in the history of Mack and Natasha. Novak never disappoints with her books and I was totally Immersed in it all afternoon.

When I first started to read this I didn’t realize it was a part of a series. With that being said it was a good read as a stand-alone and I didn’t think I was missing anything.

I did not realize when I started to read this book that it was part of a series but I had no problem with reading it as a standalone.
This is a story about Natasha and Mack and their complicated relationship. With many obstacles to get around and past feelings and complications to work out, it felt like a real life since all relationships have smooth and rocky portions. It's a story about starting over again.
The character, Natasha, had me frustrated at times. I found myself confused about how she would stand up to Mack and keep herself closed off to him but she would not stand up to her ex-husband or his parents. Natasha came across as a strong person at times but then she would allow herself to be disrespected and "walked on". Natasha was a rule follower but then at other times she would be a law-breaker. There seemed to be a conflict of personality with just one person. I couldn't figure out if I liked Natasha or not.
The general plot to the story was a good one and it was an easy read. I did finish the book and was happy with the ending but I didn't enjoy this one as much as I have other Brenda Novak stories.

Thanks to Harlequin - Trade Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Another Amazing Silver Springs novel, this one about Natasha and Mack. A romance with a twist of murder mystery. Natasha moved to Silver Springs with her son after an acrimonious divorce and a scandal that ruined her pediatric practice. Mack helped Natasha move into her new home in Silver Springs and old feelings were sparked. Natasha had so much to deal with starting a new job, having to unpack after the move and dealing with her ex she didn't feel like she had the time or effort to start a new relationship. Mack was also dealing with family problems that come up and he left town to help his family out. Will Mack and Natasha have a chance at a relationship or is there too much bad history between them? Or will family issues keep them apart? There are many twists and turns in this book that will make you keep turning the pages.

Fans of Brenda Novak will be excited to know that When I Found You brings together Silver Springs and Whiskey Creek seamlessly! I was pleasantly surprised to revisit the Amos Brothers along with the family at New Horizons. When I Found You could easily be read as a stand-alone -- and I'm not typically one to recommend that when a series (much less two!) is involved. The story is one of family, forgiveness, and -- of course -- love! Highly recommended for both new and old fans of Novak!

I see I'm in the minority with my review as others have loved it. Shortly after I started this book, I realized it was not for me. The cover intrigued me but I only got to 40% before throwing in the towel. I did not connect with any of the characters at all. I received a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

When I Found You by Brenda Novak Part of the Silver Springs and Whiskey Creek series. Family drama with the Amos brothers, this time centered around Mack and their stepsister, Natasha. Enjoyable romance with reliable characters.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.