Title:  Seeing You (The Donovans: Sweetbriar Ridge #4)

Author:  Samantha Case

Published:  January 28, 2025

Source:  KU

Type:  ebook

Blurb: 

A Small Town, Second Chance, Enemies to Lovers standalone romance by New York Times bestselling author, Samantha Chase.

She walked away and spent years wondering what could have been.
He’s hated her from the moment she walked away from their future.
They thought they needed closure. But maybe what they need is a second chance.

Billie Donovan was so close to having it all. But years ago, she was forced to walk away from Marcus Calloway, choosing her family over their shared future. Since then, she’s accepted that she’s just not meant to have the happy ending she’s seen all her siblings find. Her family is happy and that’s all that’s ever mattered. But when Marcus walks back into her life, Billie is forced to finally face the choices she made all those years ago.

But not before she smashes a muffin in his face when he unexpectedly walks into her bakery.

Marcus has spent years hating the woman he once vowed to love forever, and he felt righteous in that anger because she tore their world apart. When he’s forced to return to Sweetbriar Ridge to help care for his ailing father, he’s shocked to find Billie running the local bakery. They had been a financial dynamic duo all those years ago—building an empire that would guarantee them a life of luxury. So why was she just a lowly baker?

A question that earned him a face full of muffin.

They both swore they needed closure, but what should have been a simple conversation awakened old passions. Suddenly, Marcus isn’t as eager to leave Sweetbriar Ridge, and Billie must decide if she’s prepared to give her heart to a man who doesn’t always see who she really is.

Check it on Amazon & Goodreads

My experience with Samantha Chase is rather mixed. I have books I loved and a few that I had trouble getting into. “Seeing You” is one of the best. It has all the things I love in a cozy romance and more. We have the small-town setting, a loud family and a solid group of friends.

Billie Donovan once had everything she wanted—until she was forced to walk away from Marcus Calloway, choosing her family over their shared future. Now, years later, she runs a bakery in Sweetbriar Ridge, content with her life but still haunted by the past. When Marcus returns to town to care for his ailing father, he is shocked to find Billie working at “Books & Beans”, a far cry from the ambitious financial empire they once dreamed of building together. Their reunion is anything but smooth—Billie greets Marcus with a muffin to the face, setting the tone for their fiery interactions. As they navigate unresolved feelings and lingering resentment, they must decide whether closure is truly what they need—or if their love deserves a second chance.

Characters and Themes

Billie is a strong, independent woman who prioritizes her family’s happiness over her own. Her journey toward self-acceptance and love is both relatable and inspiring. Marcus, on the other hand, struggles with bitterness and regret, making him a flawed but ultimately redeemable character. His transformation throughout the novel adds depth to his personality. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their emotional conflicts make their romance compelling. The small-town setting enhances the story, with meddling family members and nosy neighbors adding humor and warmth.

The novel explores themes of second chances, forgiveness, and self-worth. Billie’s sacrifice for her family highlights the complexities of duty versus personal happiness, while Marcus’s struggle with resentment underscores the difficulty of letting go of the past. The story also emphasizes the importance of communication and understanding in relationships, showing how love can endure despite years of separation.

Samantha Chase’s writing is engaging and emotionally charged, blending humor with heartfelt moments. The dual third-person perspective allows readers to fully grasp both Billie and Marcus’s emotions, making their journey feel authentic. The pacing keeps the reader invested, with well-crafted dialogue and vivid descriptions that bring Sweetbriar Ridge to life.

Cover Review: this is a clasic cover for a romance book. I appreciate that it is aligned with the other books in the series and it follows the same color palette. I like covers with actual people on them more that the illustrated ones, so that’s another bonus. It’s ok.

Conclusion

“Seeing You” is a touching and emotionally satisfying romance that captures the essence of love, regret, and redemption. With its well-developed characters, engaging plot, and heartfelt storytelling, it’s a must-read for fans of second-chance romance. The author masterfully crafts a story that is both bittersweet and uplifting, leaving readers with a sense of hope and warmth.

Have you read any book by Samantha Chase? What’s your overall opinion? I’ve read so far 4 books by her, one of which I’ve DNFed unfortunately. I’d say I still have mixed feelings, but I plan on reading more of her stories. Most of them fill your heart with joy and warmth 😊

Until next time, happy reading!

 About The Author 

Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance that’s hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than seventy titles under her belt – including THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2017! She’s a Disney enthusiast who still happily listens to 80’s rock. When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 30 years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.