Member Reviews
This was such an enjoyable read! I love small town romance trope and this story was amazing. Samantha Young is one of my favorite authors and I have enjoyed all of her books. Her characters are mature and her stories always a fresh breath of air!
I've been 'currently reading' this book for two years now. I kept thinking I'd pick it back up, but I haven't, so I'm walking away from it. Aside from the fact that I feel like I've read this story dozens of times before, this just isn't an author I want to support.
DNF @ 31%.
Ever since I got glimpses of Bailey and Vaughn's interactions in The One Real Thing, I've been wondering what the combination of her fire and his ice would great. Turns out it creates a lot of steamy encounters, a lot of denial, and lot of interesting conflict. Both Bailey and Vaughn have deep seated hurts from previous parts of their lives and it's these hurts that impede their abilities to like or trust each other. And yet...and yet they do find ways to let their guards down, only to have them flying up again and again. It's through desperation to avoid what's happening to them and the explanations that their friends and family members demand that the true stories of Bailey and Vaughn's hearts come out and once that happens, we all know it's only a matter of time until their hearts will find each other. Their sparks when they resisted and when they didn't resist (!!) kept this novel moving quickly.
Not only was the story of Bailey and Vaughn interesting, the secondary characters have been woven in so well, that I'm very much looking forward to knowing what their back stories are and who their love interests will be.
*link will be added when review is live*
I requested this one back in the day as I had every intention of reading it. However, its been years and I still haven't gotten around to it and while I feel guilty at not reviewing a book I think that I need to admit to myself that I won't be reading this one anytime soon....if at all.
Samantha Young can do no wrong in my eyes! I think I may have even liked this one better than the first book. I loved it!!
Every Little Thing is the second installment of the Hart’s Boardwalk series by Samantha Young.
Bailey Hartwell has a great life. Her business is increasing, surrounded by a great group of friends and a steady boyfriend, even if it’s been ten years, without a ring in sight. Everything is simple, until Vaughn Tremaine comes to Boardwalk. Bailey believes that he think she’s a nobody in this small town of her’s, but when she gets blindsided by betrayal, Bailey finds out Vaughn isn’t the jerk she thought he was. As they spend time together, Bailey thought she was healing because she was able to find love with Vaughn.
Until, her tore her heart as he walked away. Bailey isn’t just left wounded by Vaughn, but also from the betrayal she suffered from.
Will Vaughn be able to push a side his fear and help heal Bailey or is he too late?
Enemies-to-lovers stories are my weakness and Samantha Young did an outstanding job with portraying Bailey and Vaughn’s relationship. In additional, the backstory is emotional and I feel like a lot of people will be reaching for a box of tissues. For me, there was no barrier regarding which character I liked best. Both of them held my heart and I look forward to more installments in the Hart’s Boardwalk series!
4 stars!
Every Little Thing is the second book in Samantha Young’s Harts Boardwalk series. This series has a very “small town” feel to it, in that all the character live in the same town of Hartwell, Delaware. The characters are business owners, friends, and neighbors who all rub elbows with one another on a consistent basis. I was not a huge fan of the first book in this series, The One Real Thing. Thankfully, this book was markedly better than it’s predecessor.
We met Vaughn Tremaine and Bailey Hartwell in the first book and I could not wait for their story. They were sworn enemies who you knew had such an unbelievable attraction to one another that it was bound to eventually explode. The dynamic between Vaughn and Bailey set up what was sure to be an awesome enemies-to-lovers book! Unfortunately, this book will not go down as my favorite enemies-to lovers book, but it was good.
I love the characters of Bailey and Vaughn. Bailey is the type of woman that every woman wants to have as a best friend. She is loyal, steadfast, committed, and devoted to those she loves. Vaughn is also a devoted and committed man, but he has some serious commitment issues, which keep him from taking what he wants (which is most definitely Bailey).
This book frustrated me to the point that I almost walked away from it. There is a slow build-up to this relationship, a one-night stand, and then a period of separation. This absolutely did not work for me at all and was almost a deal breaker. Thankfully, when Vaughn finally gets his issues under control and actually makes an adult decision, the romance between Vaughn and Bailey was good enough to repair the damage that is done with Vaughn’s abandonment.
Overall, this is a book that I really enjoyed. My advice is to stick with it even when you might want to throw your Kindle against the nearest wall. These are two characters that were meant to be together, the frustrating part is how long it takes them to get there!!
I'd been waiting to get my hands on Bailey and Vaughn's story since first being introduced to them and their antagonistic ways in The One Real Thing. I have a thing for antagonistic romances and I had pretty high hopes for theirs. Of course, Samantha Young delivered. But then, I shouldn't have expected anything else from her. There's a reason she's one of my favorite, auto-read authors.
Samantha gave good enemy to lovers with Bailey and Vaughn. I thoroughly enjoyed the progression of their relationship throughout this book — bumps and all, and even when it gave me FEELS. There were plenty of bumps in their relationship, so there was also a fair bit of angst. It wasn't overdone though. It felt real to them and their story. Between her past and his stance on relationships, there was plenty to overcome. I was totally sucked in to the story, the swoons and the sexy times. I just loved it all!
If you love small town romances, with their quirky characters, nosy neighbors and chill vibe, you need to be reading Samantha's Hart's Boardwalk series. You won't be disappointed. I know I'm already anxiously waiting on the next book in this series!
FAVORITE QUOTES
"I bet you've thought about it. Fucking the hostile Princess of the Boardwalk into submission."
"Alright, fine, sex with Vaughn was goddamn mind-blowing. Hate sex: who knew?"
Samantha Young is one of my go-to romance author's. Every Little Thing was what I anticipated and more enjoyable then the previous installment. The romance was swooning and the character's memorable. I look forward to the next installment.
What is it about Samantha Young’s books??!!! What is it that keeps me coming back for more? I’m usually not a fan of small-town books, but this series has me hooked to this little town and these characters.
à la Mode St. » fashion
One ice, one fire, but both stubborn as hell.
à la Mode St. » fashionVaugh is the suit who strolled into the small town and built a giant hotel. And Bailey is the Princess of the small town who hates everything he stands for. We see the animosity between these two in the first book and continues, deliciously, into their book.
Bailey is the owner of the inn on the boardwalk. She is the glue that helps keep the town running. I love this small town where everyone knows everyone (even though I would hate to live somewhere like this in real life. Lol). I love the side characters and group of girls (it’s very similar to a Kristen Ashley posse. Love).
In the first book, Bailey has a long-term boyfriend (which is why I didn’t think Vaughn would end up with her), but he cheats on her at the beginning of this book in the worst way. After a scare at her inn, Vaughn comes to her rescue, they have a connection, and things LIGHT UP!!! The sparks fly and it…is…on like donkey kong. Oh, god. The sex in this book is scorching. When Vaughn takes control, Jennifer, I mean, Bailey combusts.
Vaughn pushes her away for good reason. He knows he is a player and his heart has been broken in the past. He eventually finds his way back, and I love that Bailey is so strong that she doesn’t let him stay away for long. They can’t stay away from each other. The boardwalk brings them back together. I love this whole magical, legendary story of this boardwalk that I can get lost in.
à la Mode St. » fashion
”Fuck me, Vaughn.” The raw plea fell easily, naturally from my lips. He gave me an arrogant grin. “In my own time.”
à la Mode St. » fashionSamantha, stop teasing me with Emery’s story! She is basically me wrapped up in a character. I need her life, her story, her book, her man! Who is it gonna be?! Gimme.
Years ago I created the rule I have to read 3 books in a series before I stop reading it. It's a good thing I did too, otherwise I would have missed out on a great book.
While I struggled to read and ended up skimming the first book in this series, I devoured this book. Bailey and Vaughn have quickly become my favorite of Young's couples.
All through the first book the animosity between these two was palpable. So getting to watch them fall in love and fight it, was full of all sorts of awesomeness. Then when you add in the issues that stem from both of their pasts and the threat that Bailey faces from a local enemy, well it all makes for a freaking amazing book. There's also more going on between one of the characters who is on the fringes, and all of the main characters then we know and I can't wait to find out what that thing is.
If you love small town romances between two people who love each other, but also hate each other, well then you won't want to miss this book.
Grade: B+
I was very excited to read in advance the second book in the Hart's Boardwalk series. I was especially excited to read how Bailey and Vaughn's animosity to each other turns into love. I have read so many books where the main character gets cheated on and does nothing but runs away and cries. Even though that is an honest reaction from someone, I loved how Bailey handled the whole situation. She's vulnerable but she's also strong and won't let anyone push her over and that is such a great quality to see in a woman.
Can't wait for more books to come out in this series.
“Vaughn’s hard words cut through my musings. He looked fierce. Determined. Like a protector. An unexpected protector.
And then that’s when it hit me.
Maybe I didn’t want to rescue Vaughn. Maybe… holy hell…
Did I want Vaughn to save me?”
Every Little Thing is the second book in the Hart’s Boardwalk series. Book 1, The One Real Thing was a little slow but, it built up the story and painted the picture of the colorful characters from this little town, Hartwell. The reigning princess (not literally) of Hartwell is Bailey Hartwell. She’s the local you want on your good side. Feisty but loyal and funny, Bailey usually opens her arms to newcomers but Vaughn Termaine gets a very different kind of welcome.
Kindle/BN
Vaughn is a very successful businessman that has made Hartwell his home and the new site of his latest hotel. Bailey and Vaughn get off on the wrong foot on their first encounter and that leads to months of antagonism from the both of them. She pushes, he pulls and they fall into this pattern that awakens a fire in them they didn’t know they needed.
What I really liked about Every Little Thing is how well Young depicted the love-hate relationship between Vaughn and Bailey. I find that many times this troupe can become tedious, there’s only so much playground antics I can take, but this was done so well! Bailey comes alive under the teasing of Vaughn and his stoic side seems to slide under her presence. Their romance drives the story but there’s also plenty of side stories and colorful characters to keep you in suspense.
Hartwell may seem like a sleepy, small town but don’t let that appearance fool you. There’s more to come in this small-town series and I can’t wait.
Despite my issues with The One Real Thing, I wanted to read EVERY LITTLE THING because I really liked Bailey and Vaughn. Young created a decent backstory for this couple in first book and I couldn't wait to see where their relationship went, as it was seemingly full of animosity and unspoken attraction.
I have to be honest—up to this point, this series has left me feeling entirely underwhelmed and disappointed, particularly with the execution of the premises of both novels. Every Little Thing had some of what its predecessor didn't—good romantic chemistry that wasn't forced. But, unfortunately, it also had cliches built on top of cliches—the rich, mercurial alpha male who addresses every person he comes in contact with Ms. This or Mr. That; a heated sexual encounter to alleviate some of the sexual tension that ended in him shutting the relationship down before it even started due to his fear commitment, the little sister who is such a caricature she didn't feel real.
Bailey and Vaughn's inevitable hook-up was teased quite a bit in the first book, so I was dying to see what event finally pushed them into admitting that they liked each other. As the owner of a quaint bed and breakfast, Bailey is highly respected in the small, quaint coastal Delaware town in which she lives. But once businessman Vaughn Tremaine moved into town and built a luxury hotel smack dab in the heart of downtown, it was war. There was great sexual tension between these two business enemies and on top of that Bailey had a long-term boyfriend.
The romantic tension was cut too soon with Bailey and Vaughn hooking up early on in the novel and then playing cat-and-mouse for more than half the novel, for a rather flimsy reason. Young has done this before in a sense with Joss in On Dublin Street, and it worked. Joss was understandably scared to commit to Braden due to the trauma she suffered losing her parents and best friend. The author gives us a somewhat similar set-up for Vaughn, which is meant to give us explanation for his reasons for staying out of relationships. But the difference here is that I didn't feel emotionally attached to Vaughn, which is due to a lack of character development. Suffice it to say, I didn't like the unnecessary angst in this book, which really stinks because I liked this couple.
Samantha Young has written some novels with great romantic chemistry, witty dialogue with a conversational flow, and interesting plot lines with depth. But for me the Hart's Boardwalk series has seriously lacked a good dose of those key elements, which I personally need at least some of each to truly enjoy the book. I've given this series two books to try and hook me. Sadly, I'm going to bow out after this one. Judging from where this one ended, I'm not that interested in reading about the next couple (Emery and a mystery man I won't reveal). The numerous mentions in the first two books of how shy Emery is and how she blushes so deeply when a man looks her way wasn't subtle and I don't think I want to read more recitations of those things.
Audiobook Comments:
I switched back and forth between the book and the audiobook. I really liked Angelica Lee and Tad Branson's performances in the audiobook. There wasn't anything about their voices that distracted from the book, which is a positive. If you're looking to buy this one to listen to, feel safe to purchase because the narrators are good.
* Thanks to Berkley for sending me the book and audiobook for review.
Every Little Thing is a second book in Youngs new series Hart’s Boardwalk. It’s an enemies to lovers story with a bit of angst. Normally I love my enemies to lovers so much, this was not my favorite. Nor was it my favorite of Young.
I admit, I was excited about her new book because I really enjoyed her other series – so maybe I set my bar a bit too high.
The story follows Bailey, who is pretty much the proclaimed princess of Hartwell and Vaughn, a newcomer to Hartwell, who has built a hotel on the boardwalk but not before Bailey gave him a run for his money. The attraction was instant, but Bailey was dating someone and truly believed that Vaughn hated her.
This book was riddled with too many cliches. Seriously, when Bailey had the big break up moment with her boyfriend, you kind of feel what is going to happen coming. I found myself irritated, like come on… How many times we have seen this happen when a woman tries to spice up her failing sex life by showing up at her boyfriends half naked under a coat only to discover he is already well into another dessert. Like, really? Really?
I really loved Vaughn, and maybe that was what made this book enjoyable because I hated Bailey. I found her frustrating, irritating, and immature. I liked everyone in this book BUT her. The secondary characters were amazing. Bailey just kept making stupid decisions at every turn.
Also, what is with the loose ends? Bailey gets attacked in her hotel room and she thinks she knows who it is and there is an investigation, but nothing happens after the cops show up at her place. It’s like everything was forgotten after her and Vaughn get their dirty out of the way. Honestly, the entire scene felt like a cliche set up and there was no follow through after Bailey explodes her frustration vocally in the store and muddles the investigation. Ugh and her background story? That felt random, it felt like it came out randomly just to add more angst and drama to the story. It was unnecessary and it made my head spin. The reasons she couldn’t commit and trust? Hello, you just came out of a long term relationship where apparently this wasn’t an issue.
My thoughts are jumbled. I wanted to enjoy this. I didn’t. It felt frustrating.
Will I read more of this series? Of course. Dahlia’s and Emery’s stories look so promising.
I seriously cannot get enough of the town of Hartwell and this amazing cast of characters. I loved Bailey and Vaughn's story. I loved all their sexual tension and chemistry, their awesome banter, and all the emotion. It was all so fantastic, I couldn't get enough!
Bailey and Vaughn, these two people were so awesome. There is just this off the charts animosity between the two and I loved their bickering and barbs. Sometimes that banter was mean spirited but other times it's just snarky and fun. I loved, loved, loved watching these two come together as their barriers break down and they start to open up. They were complicated and closed off and in denial and that denial just made it so fun to read.
There is drama and angst, as well as some super fun entertaining moments. A lot of emotion, a whole bunch of heat, and a ton of love. It was all woven together so wonderfully. The writing was fantastic! I loved all the details and descriptions and the awesome build. I loved seeing the vulnerability and the struggle as Bailey and Vaughn let their defenses down. I loved Vaughn, it's those quieter ones that hold back that always get me. I thought they had great character development, I loved learning their histories which very much shaped who they were. But that connection they had and that back and forth animosity, with their enemies-to-lovers vibe, it was perfect! I am thrilled how it all played out.
I am loving Hartwell and all of their friends. I love the updates on where everyone is at now. It's a web of awesomeness! Emery is fantastic and I can't wait for her story. She is such a mystery but seeing her open up a bit with her friends is amazing. I loved insight into Dahlia's life as well. There's a heck of a story there. I love the subtlety of how things were introduced with her, in this mysterious and intriguing way, hooking you, making you want more. I love how the bad guy portion continues and Bailey’s sister gets thrown into the mix and she provided her own level of tension and stress. All of it was just so great!
It was an awesome read with fantastic characters. I just feel like it is such a full story, filled with so much depth and so many layers and it'd laid out so well. 5 amazing I-can't-get-enough-of-this-series stars!
4 Boardwalk Stars
Bailey and Vaughn have had this explosive relationship since day one when Vaughn built his hotel on the Bailey’s beloved boardwalk. They have this back and forth verbal spar, the face that Bailey has no filter makes things even more interesting. They both fight their attraction but eventually like all good things they both give into it. This is extreme angst with intense and explosive attraction done flawlessly. I loved the secondary characters this is always a must for me. I can't wait for Devlin's story, I know there is something brilliant there!
Oh these characters!!! Samantha Young does it again with phenomenal characters. I love this little town; I love all the townies. I want to go to Hart's Boardwalk. And stay there.
In Every Little Thing we finally get Vaughn and Bailey's story. All the feistiness I loved about Bailey is back in full swing in this book putting Vaughn in his place. Brooding, mysterious Vaughn finally lets his guard down and we get to see this relationship blossom. Young includes plenty of small town drama and lots of hot sex. Although these books don't have a lot of angst, these characters have won me over. The town of Hartwell has won me over. I have thoroughly loved these books and can't wait to see who the next one is about! Dahlia! Tell me it's Dahlia!