Seeing You is the 4th book in The Donovans: Sweetbriar Ridge series. This is a second chance enemies to lovers story. This book is about Marcus Calloway and Billie Donovan and is told from both of their points of view.

Billie and Marcus were set to be married and she took off right before their wedding, to help her family. Now years later Marcus is back in his hometown which he swore he would never return to, and he doesn’t take seeing Billie well.

They still have a ton of feelings for each other, but they also don't want to change their lives for the other. Can Marcus and Billie get their happy ending? Can Marcus realize there is more to life than money?

I liked this book, but there were times Marcus was shallow and I was like dude you’re a grown adult. I feel him talking to others he realized he had a lot of growing to do.

I'm excited to see what happens next in this series.

Oh boy, this is the story I have been waiting for in this series and it does not disappoint! We are finally getting the story behind Billie's prickly stance on men and it's a doozy! A clear case for why communication is not only a key component to relationships, but why solid listening skills are vital to any relationship's ability to thrive! Wonderful weaving of multiple stories into one well thought out plot to make an outstanding romance with a nice slice of spice and a happily ever after to make you swoon! If you haven't started this series, I do recommend that you start at the beginning, so you get more entertainment as well as a solid grasp of the characters. The Sweetbriar series is a spinoff of the Donovan Series which if you haven't read that series is really the best place to start for maximum enjoyment, but not completely necessary to enjoy this spinoff series, but why wouldn't you want to extend your reading pleasure. I will say that if you are an audiobook fan like I am, then you absolutely must listen to this book. The narrator really brings the characters to life, enhancing not only the emotions that the characters feel, but also the events that unfurl in the book. I can't wait to see what happens next in the lives of these characters!!!

Samantha Chase’s Seeing You is a heartfelt and emotionally rich romance that explores the challenges of timing, commitment, and personal growth in relationships. The novel beautifully captures the struggles of two individuals at different points in their journey—one eager to move forward, the other hesitant to take the next step.

What makes this story particularly compelling is its honest portrayal of emotional conflict. Chase does an excellent job of delving into the male protagonist’s perspective, allowing readers to witness his internal battle as he tries to reconcile his fears with his feelings. This adds a refreshing depth to the story, as romance novels often focus more on the female character’s emotional journey.

Beyond the central romance, Seeing You also emphasizes the importance of family, showcasing the strong bonds that shape and support the characters. These family dynamics add warmth and authenticity, making the story even more relatable.

With her signature blend of heartfelt emotion and engaging storytelling, Samantha Chase delivers a romance that feels deeply personal and universally resonant. Readers who have ever struggled with the complexities of love and timing will find Seeing You both touching and unforgettable.

Verdict: A poignant, relatable romance that tugs at the heartstrings while offering a thoughtful exploration of personal growth and commitment. A must-read for contemporary romance fans.

The anticipation of Marcus dropping the ball on Billie a second time was really close, I was rooting for him to figured himself out so they could have a great ending. I am deeply invested in this series, it has the drama and tension I love.

Thank you so much to Dreamscape Media LLC for the ALC via NetGalley! These are my honest thoughts!

I don't know why, but Billie's story made me SO EMOTIONAL. I've loved the Donovans and Sweetbriar Ridge, and this story was such a beautiful cherry on top of the Donovan siblings cake. Billie always felt like a character that was more, and her story did not disappoint!

I loved returning to Sweetbriar Ridge and getting all of the "updates" on the family and friends in this community. Marcus returning to town and maybe hints of a lil spinoff series featuring his brother? Super excited for that!

Billie ended up being so much more than I could have imagined. Her story and her convictions into discovering who she wanted to be and holding to that, despite facing the love of her life coming back to town and wanting her to go with him? Inspiring.

Marcus's character arc was so satisfying. The grand gesture from him at the end speaks VOLUMES.

Read if you love:
- Small town
- Second chance
- Small town girl vs big city guy
- Siblings support and meddling
- Big families
- Family drama
- Caring for a sick parent

4 solid stars!

“I’m not walking away, Billie. Not without a fight. I let you leave once, and I regret that I didn’t come and fight for us.”

I have mixed feelings about this book! Yes, it was cute and the main characters got their HEA but it was lacking for me. I felt like Marcus was so surface level and had no depth to him. I loved Billie, I thought she was so likable! Overall this was a cute audiobook and if you’re looking for a small town romance then you should check this out. This is the 4th book in this series but it can be read as a standalone.

Tropes:
🍪Small Town
🍪Second Chance
🍪Enemies To Lovers
🍪Secret Millionaire

Thank you Net Galley for the advanced copy of this audiobook. The Donovan family series never disappoints. Carly Robins narrates the story so well that you feel a true connection to the family. It’s just a feel good small town big family story vibe. Have to say this one did have me mad at the MMC and wanted the MFC to be stronger but in the end the MMC character development came through. Also caught the lead up for the next book development in the epilogue.

This charming novel will captivate readers who delight in the allure of small-town settings, where the echoes of past loves linger and the possibility of second chances hangs in the air. It is a tale that speaks to the heart, exploring the complexities of relationships and the enduring power of love. As the story unfolds, readers will be drawn into the lives of characters who must confront their past mistakes and learn to forgive, both themselves and others. The journey towards rediscovering love is not always easy, but it is a journey that is ultimately rewarding, reminding us that sometimes, the most beautiful love stories are those that have been given a second chance to bloom. With its heartwarming blend of romance, humor, and emotional depth, this book is a must-read for anyone who believes in the transformative power of love.

This is book 4 in the Donovans: Sweetbriar Ridge series.
This dont have to be read in order but if you dont you will miss the side characters in each the book.

This one follows Billie Donovan which I've always loved her in the other books and her ex comes back to town walked Hudson Callaway. I have never rooted against a loves interest more than this one. I think Billie deserves better and he was not it for me. He was a a** the whole book and wanted it his way and got mad about everything she has done and with his family also. Then you get the 3rd act lets make up. I was rooting for a freak accident. so unfortunately this is my least favorite of the series cause again Billie deserves better!!

Thank you Netgalley for this Audio Arc in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I will be interested in book 5 when that comes out. This all in all is such a cute closed door romance series.

Seeing You was a fun, distracting read--as in just what the doctor ordered to forget about other things for a bit! Samantha Chase has been chronicling the (large!) Donovan family from Sweetbriar Ridge, Virginia for a few years now, but you do not need to have read all or any of the previous novels to enjoy the story of Billie Donovan and her head-in-the-sand former fiancé Marcus Calloway. He likes the good life in the city and refused to listen when Billie spoke of yearnings for a different pace. And so she left. When circumstances bring them together again ten years later, his head is still stuck way too deeply in the sand for any real rapprochement -- even though the physical attraction between them is a sizzling as ever. The delightful cast of secondary characters and the delicious descriptions of the pastries baked daily in Billie's shop will keep you smiling and yearning to pay a visit to this lovely town. The narration of the audiobook was perfect. And this is a romance, so don't worry overly much about Marcus's obstinacy!

Seeing You (The Donovans: Sweetbriar Ridge #4) is financial advisor Marcus Calloway and bakery owner Billie Donovan’s second chance at love. Sometimes we need closure or sometimes we just need a second chance……..
Carly Robins did a great hon bringing the characters and their story to life. She was spot on with the love and the emotions that run through this book.
Marcus and Billie were a couple a few years ago in fact they both though they were each others future until Billie walked away from the world of finance and went back home to Sweetbriar Ridge to open a bakery. Max hasn’t seen her since she walked away but now he is home trying to sort his fathers house out and when he is sent to the bakery for his fathers weekly treat he can’t believe who he comes face to face with.
This is a beautifully written love story that ticked all my boxes. The characters touched my heart and their journey captivated from the first chapter to the last line. Seeing You can be read and enjoyed as a standalone but I’m sure one visit to Sweetbriar Ridge will never be enough and you will want more from the Donovans.

Back in Sweetbriar Ridge for the fourth installment of the Donovan’s series! 🎉 Billie and Marcus are getting a second chance at love, and I can’t wait to see how their journey unfolds. With Billie running the local bakery and Marcus returning home, the sparks are sure to fly! Will they overcome their past and find their way back to each other? 💖 Huge thanks to the author for the advanced copy—this story had me hooked from the start!

📚🎧Audio & eBook Review🎧📚

I had the privilege of reading this story as an ARC and listening to it as an ALC. Both formats were sent to me at a bit of a last minute situation, but I persevered and here I am not too far off from release day (January 28Th), so obviously I’m #winning! LOL

However, Seeing You isn’t #winning by too much.

Le sigh … Marcus Marcus Marcus, what am I to do with you?! Do I like you or do I want to slap you silly? #twichy I mean #JesusTakeTheWheel for the love of all that is holy! LOL <<< I laugh because, seeeeeeriously?! I was tested kids! Thank goodness I read and listened sorta simultaneously because one would not have happened after the first go around. #sorrynotsorry

#RealTalk: “Conflict” like the one that Marcus and Billie faced is not uncommon. It’s realistic and relatable and true to life. I like my fiction to be realistic. However, and this is a huge however, if conflict such as this is a main source of contention throughout most of the story, you don’t leave enough room for growth outside of the conflict unless you write the next Great American Novel. Feel me? Because that “room” wasn’t created, you end up with a story where one or both main characters are not easily liked, the reader could care less about the outcome of their journey and a story that causes too much twitchiness. BTW, I’m the reader in this scenario. #sendhelp

I will never understand why stories like these are written. Honestly, why? I mostly listened to this story, and I really learned to love third person narration due to Carly’s exceptional performances with Samatha’s stories, so that part was no hardship, but I chose to listen more than read so I could scream profanities whenever Marcus continuously acted a fool and showed his complete lack of growupness. It’s a word. I just made it up. Hush. His character and his storyline took a lot of the joy that Billie brought to the story, and I’m really bummed about that. But it’s done, so enough about that and I shall see you guys on the next Samantha Chase release! :)

ARC provided via Samantha Chase's review team and ALC provided by Dreamscape Media via Netgalley for an honest review.

🎧Narration: Carly Robins ~ 4.5 STARS
📚Story: 2 STARS *sigh*

I have read all of the books in this series, and of course I am a huge fan of Samantha Chase. Seeing You brought us Billie Donovan’s story. She’s always putting others needs before her own, but when she puts herself first, she lost the love of her life - Marcus. When we meet Marcus, he is the epitome of cantankerous! He’s probably my least favorite male lead in a book because he’s so off-putting. But with the magic that the author weaves throughout the story, Marcus sees the light and where he went wrong all those years ago.

The fourth book in the The Donovans series which shows strong women supporting each other and having love find them. Billie and Marcus are childhook sweethearts that were close to marriage once but something was not quite right. Marcus has returned home to help his family and is surprised to find Billie is running the local bakery. Billie is equally surprised as she is finally in a good place after she and Marcus fell apart years ago. The story and the characters had me hooked early, I enjoyed the story and did not want to put it down. While the characters are stubborn, their families are supportive, and emotions do run high throughout. Enjoyed the characters the story line and the women being there for each other. Thank you to negalley the author and publisher for the opportunity.

Book 4 in the The Donovans: Sweetbriar Ridge series. Would work as a stand alone, but recommend reading other books in the connected series. Series is a spinoff from The Donovans series, which is also a spinoff of Magnolia Sound.

A second chance romance for Billie, the last single Donovan sibling.

This was painful. Marcus might be the worse book boyfriend that ever existed. Well, not likely as he isn't abusive. Just stubborn, dumb, and an all around idiot.

This book was entirely Billie trying to tell Marcus why she made her choices and that she is happy. And Marcus not understanding why she doesn't want to be a corporate shark. Literally the entire plot.

I've enjoyed Samantha Chase's work in the past, but these last couple have been rough.

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

Samantha Chase does a great job writing simple realistic romance stories. This was a fun story that quickly had me engrossed. The narrator was excellent.

I want to start off stating that if you love romantic books this is one to check out. The narrator of the book really made you feel like you were listening to several people speaking even though it was just one person. I felt the real connection between characters and felt compelled to keep listening to see what ends up happening.

With small town folks there is always lots of people who know what is going on. With the love story of Billy and Marcus that was an understatement.
When Billy decides to leave Marcus on their wedding day, to go back home to try to find her happiness, you never imagined Marcus ever returning to their small town. Marcus is so fool of himself and arrogant that he can't understand how Billy can leave their more extravagant life in DC for this small town place.

Things start changing when he spends more time there and with her and just maybe he isn't as happy as he thinks. I felt that the author must have written this book off of a true store because it felt like this could have happened in real life. Samantha had me laughing and angry at times during readying this book because of how real the characters felt.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️

I have never wanted to barter an MMC over the head so much in my life. I have a feeling this man was based off most of the fellas in my life because they too listen but don’t actually HEAR ME!! 🤬🤬🤬

The fact that Marcus seriously thought she hid a CHILD from him, oh that had me fumming!

Even with all that, this is so much fun. The remediation on Marcus part had me swooning for him. And the names he picked for the dogs 🥹 stop it.

Marcus and Billy have been broken up for 10 years but when Marcus farther needs help around the house, he return to the small town he said he would never set foot in again.

Billy, finance expert turned baker, has had trouble finding the big love since her split from Marcus, but when Marcus waltzed into Books and Beans, Billy not quite sure she got the closer she always wanted.

So what happens when these two swear they can’t be together but they can’t stay away!

Such an amazing book.

Absolutely Banger

DNF at 80%. Which is very unlike me because at this point you may as well just finish the book, right?
I found myself drifting out of focus with this one, and while it's not a bad book, it just didn't grip me. I didn't love the MMC, and was actually hoping they didn't end up back together.
The narration was one of the best parts of this, and what kept me listening for as long as I did