Another wonderful visit to Sweet Briar, this time to follow a member of the town as he might have found his soul mate on the side of the road. This series is a branch off of the Donavon family series which also means we get to see characters from the original series pop into this book and while there are Donavon relatives that have stories in the series this series encompasses the entire town. This story takes the instalove damsel in distress story and makes it even better. I think it is so relatable as many of us can't quite figure out where we are supposed to be or what we are supposed to be doing until we stumble into the right situation or person while others of us have their lives planned out for years and start checking off goal points as they go. However, as they say you can plan all you want, but life will come along and laugh at you! A sweet romance story in a small town that will have you swooning with delight. The books are fantastic, but I like the audiobook version as the narrator really helps bring the characters and their emotions to life for the listener. The only problem I have with the book is that I finished it too quickly so now I am back to waiting for the author to write another!

4.5⭐
Genre ~ contemporary romance
Series ~ The Donovans: Sweetbriar Ridge
Others in the series
Setting ~ Virginia
Publication date ~ April 23, 2024
Page Count ~ audio exclusive for now, book will not come out until 2025
Audio length ~ 8 hours 8 minutes
Narrator ~ Carly Robins
POV ~ dual 3rd
Featuring ~ small town, strangers to roommates, roommates to lovers, workplace romance, insta-love, no steamage

Devin & MacKenzie meet when her classic car breaks down on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, in a storm to boot. Devin just so happens to be the best mechanic in town, so he can't help but offer his services to a damsel in distress.

Side note ~ I do have to mention that her GPS didn't seem to be working because the route doesn't make a whole lot of sense. She's going from New York to Oregon, but ends up in Virginia. Perhaps taking the scenic route?

Due to a festival there isn't a room to rent in the whole town, so MacKenzie reluctantly accepts Devin's offer of his spare room. Not because he's creepy, but she doesn't want to be a burden due to her unresolved mommy issues. But the room, or the labor for her car, doesn't come for free as she'll be working in his shop at the front desk.

Per usual with this series we have full on small town vibes and outsider, MacKenzie, is welcomed with open arms by all. I love that there was a festival everyone was looking forward to attending. I'm not big on festivals, but even I would like to go to it, minus the ferris wheel as I'm not a fan of those, give me a roller coaster any day.

Anyway, a smidgen of no communication, as usual, but overall I liked both of them separately and as a couple. They were both so sweet. His grand gesture might have been one of the most adorable ones I've read.

Narration notes:
Carly narrates all of Samantha's books, so my ears are settled with the fact that I'll never get a second narrator for the male parts. She does a great job, though, so that's good at least.

Series notes:
This one is a little different in this series because neither character is a Donovan, but it takes place in Sweetbriar Ridge, so we still interact with some of the Donovans. It's unnumbered and is best read between Teasing You and Wanting You.

*Thanks to the author, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*

Mackenzie and Devin are a fun couple. I liked watching them negotiate their respect for each other versus their attraction. The narrator did fantastic job. She is always excellent with characters who are in a funny but exasperating situation.

This book was so stinking sweet! I have really enjoyed this series so far, but this one might be my favorite right now. Devin is the most swoon worthy guy. Mackenzie is such a sweetheart deep down who just needs someone to care for her after having so many life dramas hit her.

Mackenzie is on a road trip to escape her dead end job and a cheating boyfriend when her car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, She's in luck when Devin, the mechanic, stops to offer his assistance. The only problem is that the small town of Sweetbrair Ridge, where Devin lives and works, has no available hotel rooms and non nearby. She's forced to accept his offer to stay in his guest room while he fixes her car. To help with paying for the car and him letting her stay with him, she takes a job as his office assistant. Naturally the small town of Sweetbriar Ridge fully bring Mackenzie into their fold and she and Devin can't fight their attraction for long.

I just really felt so at home with this story. The openness and acceptance of this small town of a stranger was so wholesome. I love how they all look after each other and want something good for one of their own. Devin and Mackenzie are both such sweet, caring people and they really made me swoon. I would say this is a very light hearted, quick read and have your heart feeling so warm and cozy.

"Finding You" by Samantha Chase is a story that captures your heart with its fate-like connections and the beauty of small-town life. The story begins with a chance meeting between Mackenzie, whose car breaks down on the side of the road as she is on her way to Oregon to meet her estranged mother following the death of her father and Devin, the sweet, kind-hearted mechanic who comes to her rescue.

One of the highlights of experiencing this story was through the audiobook, narrated flawlessly by Carly Robins. She is an exceptional voice talent who breathed life into every scene. She helped by drawing me into Mackenzie and Devin's journey..

The love between Mackenzie and Devin and their hesitance to part ways despite MacKenzies plan adds a bit of realism to their relationship. The author's depiction of small-town life is so vivid, painting a picture of a community where everyone knows each other and where new friendships can thrive. The book's setting and atmosphere lend it a cozy, feel-good quality that would translate perfectly to the screen, making it a story that feels tailor-made for a full-length movie on the Hallmark Channel,if your a fan of a good hallmark movie like I am.

While "Finding You" is part of a series, it stands strongly on its own. So if you are new to Samantha Chase's books or have read any of her other books, this story is sure to be one to read if you love sweet romance and small town love stories.

Another great addition to the to the Donovans series. I love the world building in Sweetbriar Ridge series. I love listening to Carly Robins' narration because she does such an amazing job of conveying the love and angst at the heart of these stories.

Mackenzie and Devin's story is so sweet, and I loved seeing how they grew closer to each other. I'm not usually a fan of instalove, but it worked for this story. If you're looking for a small town romance, this one is for you.

Such a sweet book, instalove, small town, new love, new beginnings, just perfectly sweet.

You have Devin Maxwell, a friend of the Donovans, who is committed, helpful, "knight in armor", classy. And MacKenzie Holland, strong-willed, independent, is missing those "roots" that you get from a solid family and friends. She has lost her father, never really knew her mother, caught her boyfriend cheating on her on her grandmother's table, just all of the things that make you question what you did wrong and give you all the incentives to pack up and move. Her precious car broke down and that is where Devin's and MacKenzie's story takes off.

Finding You is book 2.5 in the Donovans series, but works perfectly well as a standalone, which is how I came into the series. I have not listened/read the others but it was perfectly fine without knowing the actions of books 1 and 2.

spice level; 1

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Valentine PR for the ARL <3

Finding You is part of the The Donovans: Sweetbriar Ridge romance series. When MacKenzie’s car breaks down on her cross country trip Devin, the local auto mechanic in Sweetbriar Ridge, is the one who comes to her rescue. The attraction between the two is instant and as MacKenzie waits for Devin to fix her car the pair fall for each other. Will her attraction to Devin be enough to keep MacKenzie in Sweetbriar Ridge or will she continue on her cross country journey in search of answers she’s not sure she really wants?

I was instantly hooked but his book and pulled into the small town feel of Sweetbriar Ridge. Devin is the perfect leading man with his sweet caring side mixed with his good looks and small town charm. I loved MacKenzie and Devin together and really enjoyed seeing their relationship unfold. I can’t think of a thing I would have changed in this book. I was pulled in from the very beginning and found it hard to put this down and not just keep reading. I will definitely be revisiting this series to see what else is going on in Sweetbriar Ridge. If you are a small town romance fan, give this book and series a try!

Samantha Chase knows how to engage all the feelings! Mackenzie is off to find her mother. Abandoned at a young age, she is on a mission now that her father has passed away. New York to Oregon is a long trip and part way there, her mustang gives out. Lucky for her, Devin is passing her. Devin is a mechanic. He loves his cars, runs his shop and is passing Mackenzie on the side of the road.Dispatching one of his tow trucks is no trouble at all, plus he will get to work on the classic car! But there is more to it than this. He is smitten with Mackenzie. She has no where to go, and it's going to be a while getting the car fixed, so taking a chance, she agrees to stay with Devin and work at the garage while waiting. And our story begins. This is what I love about Chase's books. Easy to read, and just as easy to fall in love, her small town romances are low angst and packed with love. There is some baggage both sides contend with, and there is the wonderful small town gossip which for me is always intriguing! It's amazing how quick the flow of gossip can travel. Loved these two and think it's a great addition to the Donovans: Sweetbriar Ridge series. Can't wait for more.

Carly Robins is a favorite and she as always brings the story alive. Her ability to give each of the characters a different voice and personality is phenomenal. She finds the sound that best fits each one, and whether old or young, male or female, accent or not, she nails it. I love her portayal of this small town and look forward to seeing what she brings next.

MacKenzie has just left her cheating boyfriend and she has a vague destination idea of somewhere in Oregon. That's the last place she heard her long-estranged mother was located. But her classic Mustang dies about an hour from Sweetbriar Ridge. Luckily, she meets a kind, generous man, Devin, who happens to be a great mechanic who would love to get his hands on her car. When she can't find a place to stay, Devin not only lets her stay in his guest room, but he gives her a job.

Sweet love story, where the entire town welcomes a newcomer. Sex is behind closed doors. Too bad there aren't more Devins in this world.

I listened to the audio version of the book. The narrator was great.

Absolutely loved it to the core. Right from the starting till the very end, I ate each and every chapter!! Cuz the characters were so good and the writing as usual so beautiful ❤️ loved it.

3.5/5
A cute little small town romance. I kind of wish I had read the first stories. But on its own it was a quick sweet read.
Narrators were great

Tropes:
Girl passing through town
Her car breaks down, he’s the mechanic who tows it
Forced proximity/temporary roommates/he gives her a job
Small town
Found family
Friends to ❤️

I always enjoy a Samantha Chase book. She gives an easy read with some angst, characters you can like, and a new HEA. Finding You did not disappoint. While I'm not a fan of the miscommunication trope I think it was vital to this story since it was a quirk for both characters. They even acknowledged they weren't communicating well. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and the narrator did a good job.

Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and the author for this audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Part of a series spun off of a series, spun off of a series.... Completely works as a stand alone.

Mackenzie packs her things and heads off for a fresh start. Not long after she begins her trek from New York to Oregon, her classic Mustang breaks down. Devin Maxwell, the owner of the auto shop in Sweetbriar Ridge, comes across her stranded on the side of the road. He is a saint- he offers to tow the car, offers her a job while he fixes it, and even allows her to stay in his guest room when all of the local rooms are booked. This is a romance novel, so of course their quasi-forced proximity leads to love, lol.

In case you are unfamiliar with this series, this is fluff. Both Mackenzie and Devin are very sweet and I like them together. However, being fluff, you have to suspend reality at times. Like why Mackenzie would be anywhere near Virginia when traveling from New York to Oregon. (Devin is on a return road trip, but they are not that far out of Sweetbriar Ridge- close enough to dispatch one of his tow trucks.)

I do feel this series would be enhanced by embracing the town. Throw a group of old busy bodies for some comedic relief. I love series when they are Stars Hallow-ish.

Carly Robbins narrates. While I have no complaints, I always hope for a second narrator for the male's POV. Maybe if I mention it enough times, someone will listen.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is my second listen of Samantha Chase's novels this year, and I'm quickly coming to love them! Thanks to Dreamscape Media for the ALC copy of this one. These are my honest thoughts!

I love the little town of Sweetbriar and all of the couples within this community!

This book focuses on MacKenzie, a girl on the run, hoping to find some connection to her family. Instead, she gets stranded and finds a place to grow roots. Enter Devin, the hunky, sweet, spicyyy mmc who rescues MacKenzie from the side of the road, gave her a place to stay, helped her fix up her car in exchange for MacKenzie helping in the office of his mechanic shop. They both found the one they're meant to be with, and in such a short time!

I loved the adventure and the little bit of devious behavior in this one! When MacKenzie's car gets fixed too quickly, Devin tells her it isn't finished yet. Then, when it is ready, MacKenzie wiggles some parts loose to buy herself some more time.

These two have adventures together, laugh together, and really connect. What I like most about these stories is that they're a QUICK listen. Definitely not the most original, but I vibe with the characters, town, and am excited to see what comes next for Sweetbriar Ridge!

Thank you to Dreamscape Media, Chasing Romance, Inc and NetGalley for this alc in exchange for an honest review.

In this small town romance, we have Mackenzie who is traveling to find a new life venture. When her car breaks down along the way, Mechanic Devin comes to save the day. Her car needs more work than she realized and he offers her a place to stay until the car is ready to be driven. Can the two resist temptation in such close proximity?

I found this story to be light hearted and a cute listen. It had all the major tropes compiled into one. I did find Mackenzie's character to be off balance. I found it surprising how easily she messaged her estranged mom and how quick she was ready to up and leave to try to get to know her. I did love Devin's character. I found him wholesome and very sweet to her and the members of the small town.

The narration was done beautifully and she made it very easy to be immersed into the storyline. 5/5 on the audio itself!

Back in Sweetbriar Ridge, Devin is the only mechanic in town and MacKenzie is on a cross-country road trip when her car breaks down. Devin comes to the rescue in more ways than one when she has no where to stay while her car gets fixed. Devin introduces her to people in Sweetbriar Ridge, has her working at his car shop, and spends most evenings with her. The longer than MacKenzie is in town, the more she falls in love with the place.

This was such a sweet story and I love how the characters from the previous books set in Sweetbriar Ridge are involved in this one too. There is obviously chemistry between Devin and MacKenzie but MacKenzie is dealing with some problems herself that try to stand in the way of her pursuing something with Devin. Overall, this was such a sweet, slow burn romance!

Finding You, from The Donovan’s of Sweetbriar Ridge series, is a sweet, cosy and swoon-worthy read.

Travelling across country to find the mother who left her as a child, and after the loss of her father, Mackenzie breaks down and is rescued by mechanic Devon. Trapped in town while waiting for repairs, Mackenzie and Devon become close, leaving Mackenzie to question her next move in her search for her mother.

I loved the small town vibes of this story. Both Mackenzie and Devon were thoughtful, warm and interesting characters. I really enjoyed the meddling friend groups, and the constant breakdowns of Mackenzies car while Mackenzie and Devon dance around what needs to be said. This was a lovely escapist read, and while I’ve really enjoyed some of Samantha Chase’s books I’m not familiar with this series. I’m looking forward to picking up the earlier books now! The audio narration was bright and engaging, and the different character voices really helped to bring them to life.

I’d highly recommend this read for anyone looking for a sweet, low stakes, small town romance with loveable characters (with shared bookish interest!).

Thank you Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

Devin and MacKenzie are thrown together in this cute small town romance that had me smiling throughout as I listened. The narration was fantastic and kept me enthralled. Our two characters were sweet together and though I'm not a huge fan of instalove, I did enjoy their love story, especially with the strong found family trope running hot.