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Adair Family #5
Only You
Once upon a time, Monroe Sinclair was Brodan Adair’s best friend, but now he’s a stranger and one of Hollywood’s leading men…
It took Monroe Sinclair eighteen years to return home to Ardnoch after a fateful night that devastated her friendship with Brodan Adair. She fled her unrequited love for him, as well as her difficult family life, and tried not to look behind her. Only a daughter’s guilt could lure her back to the Highlands and the assumption that Brodan Adair rarely ever sets foot in their hometown. She can handle seeing the rest of the Adairs so long as she can avoid her ex-best friend and the only man she’s ever loved.
Nothing is more important to Brodan than family, and only his demons have the power to keep him from them. For years, acting was something he was lucky enough to be good at, yet it wasn’t his priority—Ardnoch and his siblings were. But when a ghost from his past returned out of the blue, Brodan tried to outrun its haunting, taking him further and further from home. When exhaustion finally forces him back to the family fold, the last thing he wants is to encounter another ghost. But that’s exactly what Monroe Sinclair has been to him.
When a promise to his nephew obliges Brodan to work with Monroe, it forces them to face their past. The explosive connection that has always existed between them resurrects truths long buried. Yet, just when they might be on the brink of a second chance, the ghost from Brodan’s past finally catches up to him and threatens not just their happiness, but their very lives.
It took Monroe Sinclair eighteen years to return home to Ardnoch after a fateful night that devastated her friendship with Brodan Adair. She fled her unrequited love for him, as well as her difficult family life, and tried not to look behind her. Only a daughter’s guilt could lure her back to the Highlands and the assumption that Brodan Adair rarely ever sets foot in their hometown. She can handle seeing the rest of the Adairs so long as she can avoid her ex-best friend and the only man she’s ever loved.
Nothing is more important to Brodan than family, and only his demons have the power to keep him from them. For years, acting was something he was lucky enough to be good at, yet it wasn’t his priority—Ardnoch and his siblings were. But when a ghost from his past returned out of the blue, Brodan tried to outrun its haunting, taking him further and further from home. When exhaustion finally forces him back to the family fold, the last thing he wants is to encounter another ghost. But that’s exactly what Monroe Sinclair has been to him.
When a promise to his nephew obliges Brodan to work with Monroe, it forces them to face their past. The explosive connection that has always existed between them resurrects truths long buried. Yet, just when they might be on the brink of a second chance, the ghost from Brodan’s past finally catches up to him and threatens not just their happiness, but their very lives.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 21, 2023
About the author
Samantha Young
104 books27.2k followersSamantha is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author and a Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee. Samantha has written over 60 books and is published in 31 countries. She writes emotional and angsty romance, often set where she resides—in her beloved home country Scotland. Samantha splits her time between her family, writing and chasing after two very mischievous cavapoos.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 510 reviews
March 1, 2023
im quite pleased with this ending to the series.
this particular installment is a little bit different from the previous books. its not romantic suspense like the others but just a plain old fashion sweet romance. and i will never not love a second chance x childhood sweethearts trope combo, so this one was exactly my cup of tea.
plus, the bonus extended epilogue wraps up the story of all 5 adair siblings perfectly. so its a very nice conclusion to an entertaining series!
↠ 3.5 stars
this particular installment is a little bit different from the previous books. its not romantic suspense like the others but just a plain old fashion sweet romance. and i will never not love a second chance x childhood sweethearts trope combo, so this one was exactly my cup of tea.
plus, the bonus extended epilogue wraps up the story of all 5 adair siblings perfectly. so its a very nice conclusion to an entertaining series!
↠ 3.5 stars
February 23, 2023
1.75 🌟
dnf around 75%?
it seems my good luck with books has run out, only lasted 2 books 😒 and how is it that in the span of a few days i've come across two love interests who fucked around on the fmc 😭 is a loyal mmc too much to ask for these days ? but unlike saving 6, at least here, the heroine didn’t save herself for him, thank god
if anyone says brodan deserved a better heroine. FUCK THAT SHIT!!!! SHE was the one who deserved better
brodan was truly a sorry excuse of a love interest who was just so fucking immature and CRUEL. i genuinely cried at the way he treated monroe sometimes. idcccc what he thought monroe did or didn’t do, it was still inexcusable. if i were monroe i wouldn’t have forgiven his ass no matter what 🤷🏻♀️ and she definitely gave him a chance and forgive way too quickly. there were talks of groveling but we get a whole bunch of nothing
anywayy I was SOO EXCITED for sloane and walker’s book (beyond the thistles which releases may 2 I believe?). a single mom romance aka the best trope ever! i should’ve known from the beginning that i wouldn’t like this book when i was more invested in them than the main couple 🫠 however i’m hella skeptical now bc sloane has a major crush on walker who is clueless and it was confirmed he wasn’t celibate after meeting her so idk if i want it as much now…
safety:
- no cheating
- no sharing
- minor(?) details about foreplay with ow from when they were teenagers
- he slept around during their teenage yrs and she had one shitty bf she lost her virginity to
- during separation, neither were celibate
- he had very regular, very casual sex but nothing really serious
- she had some casual sex in college and two serious boyfriends who ended up being complete trash
- she has been celibate for a while (at least a few yrs but prob more like 7 yrs? ) but no specification of how long it’s been for him
- ow drama bc of his fuck buddies and the fmc not trusting him
(specifics & spoilers)
at 14 yrs old:
- monroe realizes she loves him more than a friend
- brodan has been seen kissing another girl multiple times
around 15 yrs old:
- he’s been messing around with that same girl and eventually has sex with her. this ow wants to be gf/bf but he just wants casual. she gets mad about that and also about the fact that he’s messing around with other girls. she ends up picking a fight with him and the fmc defends him 😒😒😒 (undeserved imo. i would’ve just let his slutty ass get beaten but that’s just me)
- he has feelings for her but is choosing to ignore them and blatantly tells her that he never wants a gf 🙄 🫠 i hate my life. this is why childhood friends to lovers sucks 99.999% of the time
around 16 yrs old :
- he is still continuing his casual hookups and she had a boyfriend but recently broke up with him (he just didn’t make her feel the things the mmc did)
- she had sex with the bf like 4 times (i mean as she should) but OFC it all just had to be sooo bad that she was almost turned off by sex forever
- he’s jealous that she had sex with the bf 💀💀💀💀 the fucking audacity
- now bc her bf wasn’t into foreplay, we’re getting details about how the mmc is just “sooo giving” and all that does for other girls before he fucks them. i’m getting sick to my stomach now
- she’s getting turned on by those details and wants him to “show her” what he described
- before “showing her,” he makes her promise that nothing changes between them and they’d still be just friends after
- he insists that if he wanted anything serious with anyone, it would be with her but after what his dad went through with losing his wife, he doesn’t want that kind of pain so his life will just be a “series of causal fucks”
- this somehow gives her hope and she agrees to forget about the whole thing while deciding to wait for him to overcome his trauma
around 18-19 yrs old ?:
- when he comes to visit her(they go to diff universities) she admits that she’s in love with him and he lies about having a serious girlfriend to make her stop waiting for him
- he’s been ignoring her for weeks now even knowing she has abandonment issues and his brother tells the fmc that he brought a girl over to meet their family. we later find out that it was just casual and he ended things shortly after
- damn ok. after learning about the other girl and how brodan has been ignoring her, she feels hella betrayed and starts drinking with the mmc’s brother. they talk and drink and somehow end up having sex but she doesn’t know how bc they’re both beyond drunk and it was all a blur. brodan walks in on them and beats the shit out of his brother and accidentally hurts her in the process. she runs away in shame and feels horrible for coming between brothers
in the present (37 yrs old):
- he was attracted to the girl (fmc from the previous book, be with you) his brother was falling in love with but after she and the brother got together, he just “psychological made the switch that she was off limits.” gross. i even remember from the last book that his brother had to call him to warn him that they were dating to make sure he doesn’t get too upset…
- apparently he was attracted to his brother’s girlfriend bc she reminded him of the fmc but he insists it was platonic and just a fluke bc of how quickly he got over it
- he mentions that’s he’s had fuck buddies over the years but the thought of getting together with them now feels empty. hbu eat shit 🥺 am i supposed to be impressed
- she mentions going through the world’s longest dry spell
- so after she left town, she had casual sex that left her empty bc she was pining and no one compared to the mmc. then she dated a man for four years who ended up cheating on her. after that, she dated around a little but nothing serious and a few years later, she had another shitty relationship. and NOW she’s been single for seven fucking years and probably celibate for just as long 💀🤡 for fucks sake WHY CANT THE WOMAN FOR ONCE!!! BE HAPPY DURING THE SEPARATION AND HAVE GOOD RELATIONSHIP EXPERIENCES IM SO SICK OF THIS BS
- omfg her shitty ex was abusive towards her just like her dad was 😭 this girl cannot catch a break i swear
- he gets a message from a former fuck buddy/co star and he briefly considers it but his mind goes to the fmc
- he’s fucked multiple of his co-stars and many other gorgeous women who she saw pictures of bc he’s famous. god this is why i hate actors as love interests, they're major sluts
- he is helping her and a few other teachers with a school musical but IGNORES HER LIKE AN OVERGROWN IMMATURE MANCHILD AND OPENLY FLIRTS WITH ONE OF THE TEACHERS
- when she calls him out for being an unprofessional dick for ignoring her and flirting with a teacher in front of the kids, he accuses her of being jealous bc the other teacher is young and she’s a “middle-aged spinster” and continues to flirt
- when he comes over to her house bc he’s concerned about her living situation, they end up having angry sex which apparently is the “best orgasm of her life” but HE 😭😭😭 asks her how he compares to his brother and straight up leaves
- brief mention of him being involved in an orgy a few years ago which he had no recollection of 🤢🤢🤢 but it’s all good bc he was tested 🙄
- they both admit that when they fucked other people, they sometimes imagined each other. he even tells her of the last time he thought of her during sex with another woman: a year ago on her birthday bc he misssed her….how…romantic 🥺 i’m blushing
- he is still “friends” with his fuck buddies and receives sex invitations from them even after he is in a relationship with the fmc 🫠 he rejects them but doesn’t realize why it’s a problem to stay in contact w them until the fmc sees the texts and calls him out on it
dnf around 75%?
it seems my good luck with books has run out, only lasted 2 books 😒 and how is it that in the span of a few days i've come across two love interests who fucked around on the fmc 😭 is a loyal mmc too much to ask for these days ? but unlike saving 6, at least here, the heroine didn’t save herself for him, thank god
if anyone says brodan deserved a better heroine. FUCK THAT SHIT!!!! SHE was the one who deserved better
brodan was truly a sorry excuse of a love interest who was just so fucking immature and CRUEL. i genuinely cried at the way he treated monroe sometimes. idcccc what he thought monroe did or didn’t do, it was still inexcusable. if i were monroe i wouldn’t have forgiven his ass no matter what 🤷🏻♀️ and she definitely gave him a chance and forgive way too quickly. there were talks of groveling but we get a whole bunch of nothing
anywayy I was SOO EXCITED for sloane and walker’s book (beyond the thistles which releases may 2 I believe?). a single mom romance aka the best trope ever! i should’ve known from the beginning that i wouldn’t like this book when i was more invested in them than the main couple 🫠 however i’m hella skeptical now bc sloane has a major crush on walker who is clueless and it was confirmed he wasn’t celibate after meeting her so idk if i want it as much now…
safety:
- no cheating
- no sharing
- minor(?) details about foreplay with ow from when they were teenagers
- he slept around during their teenage yrs and she had one shitty bf she lost her virginity to
- during separation, neither were celibate
- he had very regular, very casual sex but nothing really serious
- she had some casual sex in college and two serious boyfriends who ended up being complete trash
- she has been celibate for a while (at least a few yrs but prob more like 7 yrs? ) but no specification of how long it’s been for him
- ow drama bc of his fuck buddies and the fmc not trusting him
(specifics & spoilers)
at 14 yrs old:
- monroe realizes she loves him more than a friend
- brodan has been seen kissing another girl multiple times
around 15 yrs old:
- he’s been messing around with that same girl and eventually has sex with her. this ow wants to be gf/bf but he just wants casual. she gets mad about that and also about the fact that he’s messing around with other girls. she ends up picking a fight with him and the fmc defends him 😒😒😒 (undeserved imo. i would’ve just let his slutty ass get beaten but that’s just me)
- he has feelings for her but is choosing to ignore them and blatantly tells her that he never wants a gf 🙄 🫠 i hate my life. this is why childhood friends to lovers sucks 99.999% of the time
around 16 yrs old :
- he is still continuing his casual hookups and she had a boyfriend but recently broke up with him (he just didn’t make her feel the things the mmc did)
- she had sex with the bf like 4 times (i mean as she should) but OFC it all just had to be sooo bad that she was almost turned off by sex forever
- he’s jealous that she had sex with the bf 💀💀💀💀 the fucking audacity
- now bc her bf wasn’t into foreplay, we’re getting details about how the mmc is just “sooo giving” and all that does for other girls before he fucks them. i’m getting sick to my stomach now
- she’s getting turned on by those details and wants him to “show her” what he described
- before “showing her,” he makes her promise that nothing changes between them and they’d still be just friends after
- he insists that if he wanted anything serious with anyone, it would be with her but after what his dad went through with losing his wife, he doesn’t want that kind of pain so his life will just be a “series of causal fucks”
- this somehow gives her hope and she agrees to forget about the whole thing while deciding to wait for him to overcome his trauma
around 18-19 yrs old ?:
- when he comes to visit her(they go to diff universities) she admits that she’s in love with him and he lies about having a serious girlfriend to make her stop waiting for him
- he’s been ignoring her for weeks now even knowing she has abandonment issues and his brother tells the fmc that he brought a girl over to meet their family. we later find out that it was just casual and he ended things shortly after
- damn ok. after learning about the other girl and how brodan has been ignoring her, she feels hella betrayed and starts drinking with the mmc’s brother. they talk and drink and somehow end up having sex but she doesn’t know how bc they’re both beyond drunk and it was all a blur. brodan walks in on them and beats the shit out of his brother and accidentally hurts her in the process. she runs away in shame and feels horrible for coming between brothers
in the present (37 yrs old):
- he was attracted to the girl (fmc from the previous book, be with you) his brother was falling in love with but after she and the brother got together, he just “psychological made the switch that she was off limits.” gross. i even remember from the last book that his brother had to call him to warn him that they were dating to make sure he doesn’t get too upset…
- apparently he was attracted to his brother’s girlfriend bc she reminded him of the fmc but he insists it was platonic and just a fluke bc of how quickly he got over it
- he mentions that’s he’s had fuck buddies over the years but the thought of getting together with them now feels empty. hbu eat shit 🥺 am i supposed to be impressed
- she mentions going through the world’s longest dry spell
- so after she left town, she had casual sex that left her empty bc she was pining and no one compared to the mmc. then she dated a man for four years who ended up cheating on her. after that, she dated around a little but nothing serious and a few years later, she had another shitty relationship. and NOW she’s been single for seven fucking years and probably celibate for just as long 💀🤡 for fucks sake WHY CANT THE WOMAN FOR ONCE!!! BE HAPPY DURING THE SEPARATION AND HAVE GOOD RELATIONSHIP EXPERIENCES IM SO SICK OF THIS BS
- omfg her shitty ex was abusive towards her just like her dad was 😭 this girl cannot catch a break i swear
- he gets a message from a former fuck buddy/co star and he briefly considers it but his mind goes to the fmc
- he’s fucked multiple of his co-stars and many other gorgeous women who she saw pictures of bc he’s famous. god this is why i hate actors as love interests, they're major sluts
- he is helping her and a few other teachers with a school musical but IGNORES HER LIKE AN OVERGROWN IMMATURE MANCHILD AND OPENLY FLIRTS WITH ONE OF THE TEACHERS
- when she calls him out for being an unprofessional dick for ignoring her and flirting with a teacher in front of the kids, he accuses her of being jealous bc the other teacher is young and she’s a “middle-aged spinster” and continues to flirt
- when he comes over to her house bc he’s concerned about her living situation, they end up having angry sex which apparently is the “best orgasm of her life” but HE 😭😭😭 asks her how he compares to his brother and straight up leaves
- brief mention of him being involved in an orgy a few years ago which he had no recollection of 🤢🤢🤢 but it’s all good bc he was tested 🙄
- they both admit that when they fucked other people, they sometimes imagined each other. he even tells her of the last time he thought of her during sex with another woman: a year ago on her birthday bc he misssed her….how…romantic 🥺 i’m blushing
- he is still “friends” with his fuck buddies and receives sex invitations from them even after he is in a relationship with the fmc 🫠 he rejects them but doesn’t realize why it’s a problem to stay in contact w them until the fmc sees the texts and calls him out on it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2024
5 stars!
There's a reason I'll read anything Samantha Young writes, because every once in a while she will write a book that's so deliciously angsty and perfect and it just hits you in the feels. This is the fifth book in a series and can be read as a standalone but obviously you get more if you read the four books before this one. After books 3 and 4 were three star reads, I wasn't as excited to read this one but read lots of reviews loving it so I gave it a chance and I am so glad I did.
Only You is the second chance romance between Monroe and Brodan. The two pined for each other as teenagers, but when Monroe made a mistake, they were separated for almost twenty years. Now, Monroe and Brodan have moved back to their small Scottish village, and the two cannot seem to forgive one another for past mistakes.
When I tell you this hit my angsty spot, I am not exaggerating. I devoured this book and was genuinely sad it was over even though it's almost 400 pages. If there's one thing Samantha Young does well, it's angst and pining. I wish more of her recent books were like this one. One of my favorites of 2024 and I will be reading the spinoff series asap!
There's a reason I'll read anything Samantha Young writes, because every once in a while she will write a book that's so deliciously angsty and perfect and it just hits you in the feels. This is the fifth book in a series and can be read as a standalone but obviously you get more if you read the four books before this one. After books 3 and 4 were three star reads, I wasn't as excited to read this one but read lots of reviews loving it so I gave it a chance and I am so glad I did.
Only You is the second chance romance between Monroe and Brodan. The two pined for each other as teenagers, but when Monroe made a mistake, they were separated for almost twenty years. Now, Monroe and Brodan have moved back to their small Scottish village, and the two cannot seem to forgive one another for past mistakes.
When I tell you this hit my angsty spot, I am not exaggerating. I devoured this book and was genuinely sad it was over even though it's almost 400 pages. If there's one thing Samantha Young does well, it's angst and pining. I wish more of her recent books were like this one. One of my favorites of 2024 and I will be reading the spinoff series asap!
Read
January 5, 2023Read the first two chapters (the chapters are from the unedited draft so please excuse any minor errors) of Only You!
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February 19, 2024
Bittersweet ending to the Adair series.
-Brodan and Monroe were fine as a couple but not memorable unfortunately. I felt the same way about this book as I did about Arran's book. It was just ok. Given the established sordid history between our hero and heroine here, I didn't love all the jumping back and forth from present day to past in the first 30%. I felt too much time was wasted on flashbacks just to kick start the story and seeing these two duck and dodge each other for quite some time after that. Time is wasted where we should have seen our couple start to slowly reconnect instead. Because of this the pacing wasn't great and it hurt the emotional connection and reconciliation for me. This should have been slow burn but it felt clunky instead.
-Brodan was an immature dick for much too long. He was such an unlikable prick in this. I usually don't mind asshole heroes but I need self awareness behind it or agency to balance it out. Here it did the hero no favors especially considering how his behavior affected his little nephew Lewis in the process. The heroine Monroe is Lewis's grade school teacher and Lewis worships his Uncle Brodan so when circumstances have Brodan in Monroe's orbit again, Lewis sees his Uncle being openly hostile and rude to his favorite teacher and he reacts to that. That part bothered me and made me uncomfortable. To be honest Brodan lost that edge that he had in the previous books for me. He was technically the wronged party yes but I needed him to get his shit together and grow up especially when he saw how it was affecting his nephew. He knew he was being mean and going too far but does nothing about it for a while. It just made him look unattractive and childish. I mean ignoring and being openly rude to the heroine is one thing but humiliating her at her place of work in front of her students and colleagues?
You wanna write your hero as an asshole, fine but when it involves kids that's when I have issues. Brodan Adair was my favorite Adair sibling next to Thane and I was anticipating his book for awhile now but he underwhelmed me and let me down in this I'm sorry to say. He definitely works his way back to earning Monroe's trust and there is some groveling but even so I just wasn't really feeling him. Like once I lose interest in you my eyes glaze over and I'm no longer invested. That's how I felt here. And the fact that his family was aware of how he was treating Roe but didn't confront him except for Arran I thought was kind of lame and asinine. Monroe grew up with the Adair siblings and friends with all of them. His own bodyguard had to set him straight for fucks sake. He obviously had his own demons to face but I didn't love how it took a while for him to actually do something.
-Monroe & Arran. We finally get to see the how and what that lead to the hero and heroine's estrangement and it's exactly what I expected and I'm kind of...underwhelmed? There's more explained as to why Monroe never heard from Brodan after that day but yeah. It is what it is and it helped that it wasn't a huge cloud over them once they get together but I didn't love the explanation either way.
-This goes back to the pacing issue for me but when you have your hero and heroine estranged for 18 years, you expect their "coming together" moment to be explosive and work is put in to get there. Here there really was no working for it before acting on their feelings and it felt so random and premature. Their first kiss in this literally comes out of nowhere. Before this kiss they talk a grand total of two times, both times are ugly and hostile with the hero being cruel and nasty to her. After all the flashbacks that takes up so much page time, present day adult Brodan refuses to talk to her for months when he finds out she's moved back to town and then is openly cruel to her but the heroine decides to just kiss him? WHAT? Really? A kiss that leads to sex mind you. I get hate sex and I normally love heated moments when a couple is angry and they just let their real feelings pour out but here this wasn't even that. It was just way too soon and made no sense because there was zero build up to it. There's zero apologies up till this point, zero real conversations, zero acknowledgement or emotional connection. Nothing. They've only talked twice after nearly 20 years of estrangement where the hero barely acknowledges her existence and tells everyone she's "nobody" to him. So yes I had a problem with this. They don't reconcile after this obviously since it happens early on but my issue was not only the timing but *who* initiated the kiss given the context. Why is the heroine initiating things?? It would have at least made a little more sense if the hero initiated the kiss considering what an awful asshole he's being to her. Monroe is supposedly really hurt and angry with Brodan at this point (rightfully so) but she's suddenly grabbing his face and kissing him while he's yelling in her face?
I WAS SO CONFUSED.
-The jealousy thing. This is my 5th book by Samantha Young so I know her writing quirks by now. She loves to write her heroines jealous and territorial. It's her thing and I'm not a fan. The ultimatums, the narrowed stares and crossed arms, huffy sniping, looking through phones, etc. just isn't my thing. It feels very immature, OTT extreme and toxic. It's literally giving this kind of vibes...
It ruins moments for me because it happens so frequently that it's hard to ignore with the heroes always rushing to soothe the heroine's insecurities. And it's not just the heroines, it's every woman. It's absurd. In every book, whenever another woman breathes around the man she's interested in or it's discovered they had a history together, the ladies just morph into insecure teenagers who demand answers or always hurt and wanting explanations. It feels like grade school for me. Hell even a secondary character in this, single mom Sloane who is crushing on Brodan's bodyguard Walker starts doing it when she sees a woman with him at a market fair. Sloane goes from sweet and soft spoken to huffy and indignant over why he's got a mysterious woman on his arm. Why? It's annoying and takes me out of scenes to see adult women acting this way. As for the heroine here, I get Monroe's insecurities due to Brodan's career as a famous Hollywood actor but having your partner constantly trying to reassure you that adoring fans aren't after him and he needs to delete old flames from his phone just feels gross to me. Here it makes a little more sense given the hero's career and history but in every book I've read in this series it's always a problem no matter the heroine or story. I hate it.
October 23, 2023
This was my least favorite book in the series. I was just not feeling their chemistry much and I don’t think the hero groveled enough being a complete and total douchebag to the heroine in the beginning.
And seriously, what is it with every single one of these books in the series having an evil villain who either kidnaps or try to kill the heroine?
******************************
I have no expectations here tbh. Only doing this because I don’t want to leave the series unfinished 🎧🎧🎧🎧
And seriously, what is it with every single one of these books in the series having an evil villain who either kidnaps or try to kill the heroine?
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I have no expectations here tbh. Only doing this because I don’t want to leave the series unfinished 🎧🎧🎧🎧
February 21, 2023
4.5 Stars!
(ARC provided by author)
After years away, Monroe Sinclair reluctantly returns to her small hometown in the Highlands to take a teaching position, and care for family. Ardnoch held memories of her difficult childhood and heartbreak. Anyone she'd ever loved had disappointed her, but at least she wouldn't have to face her old crush and ex-best friend. Brodan Adair was now a famous Hollywood movie star that rarely came home. They'd been inseparable since they were five, until everything fell apart. She was forced to get over him and move on, and had tried to accept she no longer held a place in his heart. Then he returns and throws her world into chaos. The kind, protective boy she'd loved since she was twelve was now like a stranger to her. They shared a long complicated history, but now were practically enemies. Will she be able to avoid him, or will their connection prove too hard to ignore?
Brodan Adair was a talented actor and one of five siblings from a close family that grew up in a village in Scotland. Home was a castle in the Highlands. He's exhausted and misses his family, so he returns home to Ardnoch to rest and unwind. Then a ghost from the past stirs up old feelings he'd rather forget. Monroe had always made him feel too much. He hasn't seen her in almost eighteen years, and isn't prepared to reconnect. This beautiful woman was once his best friend, but seeing her again was painful. Would he finally confront his feelings and risk it all for love?
Only You by Samantha Young is the fifth and final book in the Adair Family series. This was an emotional friends to lovers romance full of suspense, heartbreak, and beautiful connections. It's a fabulous story about trust, love, and second chances. I loved this series so much, and am excited for Beyond the Thistles that will be the first book in the authors new Highlands series that takes place in Ardnoch. I need more of this world and the Scottish Highlands! <333
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YYSLDBF?...
(ARC provided by author)
After years away, Monroe Sinclair reluctantly returns to her small hometown in the Highlands to take a teaching position, and care for family. Ardnoch held memories of her difficult childhood and heartbreak. Anyone she'd ever loved had disappointed her, but at least she wouldn't have to face her old crush and ex-best friend. Brodan Adair was now a famous Hollywood movie star that rarely came home. They'd been inseparable since they were five, until everything fell apart. She was forced to get over him and move on, and had tried to accept she no longer held a place in his heart. Then he returns and throws her world into chaos. The kind, protective boy she'd loved since she was twelve was now like a stranger to her. They shared a long complicated history, but now were practically enemies. Will she be able to avoid him, or will their connection prove too hard to ignore?
Brodan Adair was a talented actor and one of five siblings from a close family that grew up in a village in Scotland. Home was a castle in the Highlands. He's exhausted and misses his family, so he returns home to Ardnoch to rest and unwind. Then a ghost from the past stirs up old feelings he'd rather forget. Monroe had always made him feel too much. He hasn't seen her in almost eighteen years, and isn't prepared to reconnect. This beautiful woman was once his best friend, but seeing her again was painful. Would he finally confront his feelings and risk it all for love?
Only You by Samantha Young is the fifth and final book in the Adair Family series. This was an emotional friends to lovers romance full of suspense, heartbreak, and beautiful connections. It's a fabulous story about trust, love, and second chances. I loved this series so much, and am excited for Beyond the Thistles that will be the first book in the authors new Highlands series that takes place in Ardnoch. I need more of this world and the Scottish Highlands! <333
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February 18, 2023The Adair Family Series has held me captive from book one and Only You, the final book in the series, is truly the best yet. Epically romantic with fiery chemistry and scorching spice, this is a book you cannot miss. Because even more than an epic romance, Samantha Young gives us a story of healing, found family, and forgiving yourself, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Scottish Highlands.
February 21, 2023
Monroe + Brodan
They used to be the bestest of friends from age five until 19.
But things happened - like Monroe falling in love with Brodan and so much more.
Brodan left their small town to become a famous Hollywood star and Monroe left too.
And now we all hate each other.
But Monroe is back to care for her grumpy and ungrateful mother. And guess who's back too? Brodan is tired of Hollywood. He needs to be with family for a while - or forever.
They never stopped caring for each other - but they also haven't stopped hating each other...
Let the fun times begin...
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Oy! The final story in this amazing series!
(Don't worry - we're not leaving this world yet. We already meet the darlings from the first book in the Highlands Trilogy in this book - a lot!)
I loved reading this.
Even though I hate going back in time in books. No idea why I hate it. Probably because I want my people to get their happily ever after now and to not dig around in their pasts so much and so often.
But then as soon as I start reading, I always love those back-in-time chapters. I just hate the ideo of them. I know - I'm weird.
Anyhoo - I loved this story. I love this whole family and the location and just everything.
We get a super adorable and heartbreaking second chancy thing here. Not really second chance, because they were never really a couple. I hated how those two wasted so many years. They're 37 now! They could've celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary soon! Ugh. But we get this second chance - even if it takes them a while ... and we love being witness to everything! All the grumpy and adorable and heartbreaking and sweet and exciting and sparky and sexy and dangerous moments.
Like I already said in my reviews for the first books - I could totally imagine this as an amazing Netflix show. We already basically 'see' everything Sam writes about. She describes everything so beautifully. The people, the places... everything. I really need to see this on the screen!
From the covers to the final words ... this series is just beautiful!
ONLY YOU was the perfect Adair finale!
An adorable and funny and sweet and heartbreaking and sexy love story full of love and loss and family and hope and just everything good!
Run to your nearest bookdealer for your own Brodan - this one is MINE!
💜
💜
February 24, 2023
3.5⭑
Tropes;
Childhood friends to lovers
Second chance (sorta?)
Small town romance
Dual POV
The first 50% of this book was sooooo good - past & present chapters, lots of angst & tension, some painful scenes (which I love lmao) and then as soon as they become friends again I sorta got bored?
Brodan & Monroe have been best friends since they were 5 years old however when they are 18/19 they have a massive falling out and don’t talk until 18 years later. Because they fell out, they didn’t quite like each other in the present chapters.
I think Monroe forgave him way to easily for how mean he was during their present chapters & he did not do enough grovelling for how he treated her.
I thought the first spicy scene was completely unnecessary and out of character for Monroe - it happened mid argument after he had just said something AWFUL to her earlier that day and then he said something even worse after they had sex. I thought Monroe would’ve had more self control and tell him to gtfo.
I didn’t feel like there was much character development for Brodan and the author made Monroe seem so weak even though I think she should’ve been written to have so much more strength.
3 stars goes to the first half of the book and .5 stars to all the little crumbs of the characters from the earlier books in the series.
The extended epilogue for each couple was super cute and appreciated.
Adair Family Series
#1 - Here With Me - 4⭑
#2 - There With You - 4.5⭑
#3 - Always You - 4.75⭑
#4 - Be With Me - 4.25⭑
#5 - Only You - 3.5⭑
Tropes;
Childhood friends to lovers
Second chance (sorta?)
Small town romance
Dual POV
The first 50% of this book was sooooo good - past & present chapters, lots of angst & tension, some painful scenes (which I love lmao) and then as soon as they become friends again I sorta got bored?
Brodan & Monroe have been best friends since they were 5 years old however when they are 18/19 they have a massive falling out and don’t talk until 18 years later. Because they fell out, they didn’t quite like each other in the present chapters.
I think Monroe forgave him way to easily for how mean he was during their present chapters & he did not do enough grovelling for how he treated her.
I thought the first spicy scene was completely unnecessary and out of character for Monroe - it happened mid argument after he had just said something AWFUL to her earlier that day and then he said something even worse after they had sex. I thought Monroe would’ve had more self control and tell him to gtfo.
I didn’t feel like there was much character development for Brodan and the author made Monroe seem so weak even though I think she should’ve been written to have so much more strength.
3 stars goes to the first half of the book and .5 stars to all the little crumbs of the characters from the earlier books in the series.
The extended epilogue for each couple was super cute and appreciated.
Adair Family Series
#1 - Here With Me - 4⭑
#2 - There With You - 4.5⭑
#3 - Always You - 4.75⭑
#4 - Be With Me - 4.25⭑
#5 - Only You - 3.5⭑
March 17, 2023
5 'Nothing but love and trust' Stars!
Today I am back with the final installment of one of my favorite series that I started back in 2021. If you are familiar with Samantha Young, you probably know about the Adair Family series which has now come to an end with Only You, the love story of Brodan Adair and his childhood best friend / first love Monroe Sinclair.
Of course, Samantha did such an outstanding job! She gave this couple such a beautiful love story. It has that second chance feel that I love and, even though Brodan was such an a** at the start, I adored how he amended his past friendship with Roe. Also, can we talk about the amazing chemistry all these couples have? I do love a good dose of steam! And with this series, we also have a bit of suspense which always keeps things interesting. So sad to say goodbye but also happy because Samantha is writing a spin-off series, so YAY!!
Today I am back with the final installment of one of my favorite series that I started back in 2021. If you are familiar with Samantha Young, you probably know about the Adair Family series which has now come to an end with Only You, the love story of Brodan Adair and his childhood best friend / first love Monroe Sinclair.
Of course, Samantha did such an outstanding job! She gave this couple such a beautiful love story. It has that second chance feel that I love and, even though Brodan was such an a** at the start, I adored how he amended his past friendship with Roe. Also, can we talk about the amazing chemistry all these couples have? I do love a good dose of steam! And with this series, we also have a bit of suspense which always keeps things interesting. So sad to say goodbye but also happy because Samantha is writing a spin-off series, so YAY!!
February 15, 2023
Only Young is book 5 of the “Adair Family” series by author Samantha Young. It is a standalone contemporary romance. Dual POV with a HEA.
Tropes:
✔️ best friends to enemies to lovers
✔️ Scottish hero
✔️ small town
✔️ forced proximity
Hollywood star Brodan Adair had loved Monroe Sinclair since they were children. Not wanting to risk their friendship, he resigned himself to keep their relationship platonic.
He never considered the series of events that would make him lose Monroe and stay away from his family and home for almost two decades.
The exhaustion of running from his haunted past have made him come home while back helping her mother. And because of a promise to his nephew he must interact with the only woman who’s stirred an intense love-hate passion. Will they be able to figure out a way to get past all the hurt?
There was so much pain and confusion between Brodan and Monroe, but mostly there was a lot of misplaced anger on Brodan’s part that was hard to witness. Although I hurt for both of them, I was angry at Brodan and his behavior and I just couldn’t imagine forgiving him for his treatment of her.
As the story progresses and each layer is revealed Brodan realizes that the emptiness he was running from can be filled with love, for his family and Monroe. He still has to atone for his unbecoming conduct and accept that they lost so much time.
They had so much history, so much to unpack, but Brodan was determined to win her back and it was a heartbreaking and heartwarming story to behold filled with sweetness, honesty, playfulness and of course some serious passion.
I loved having the entire Adair family helping them out and spending time with them. Samantha finished the series in a spectacular fashion giving us a truly happy ever after with the promise of more in a spin off series!
By the numbers quick review:
★ Hero: 👤👤👤👤
★ Heroine: 👤👤👤👤👤
★ Plot: 📚📚📚📚📚
★ Romance/heartache/angst/longing: 💕💕💕💕💕
★ Sexiness: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Overall: 4.5
★ I received an ARC of this title from the author via Valentine PR. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title.
★See all my book edits on Instagram
Tropes:
✔️ best friends to enemies to lovers
✔️ Scottish hero
✔️ small town
✔️ forced proximity
Hollywood star Brodan Adair had loved Monroe Sinclair since they were children. Not wanting to risk their friendship, he resigned himself to keep their relationship platonic.
He never considered the series of events that would make him lose Monroe and stay away from his family and home for almost two decades.
The exhaustion of running from his haunted past have made him come home while back helping her mother. And because of a promise to his nephew he must interact with the only woman who’s stirred an intense love-hate passion. Will they be able to figure out a way to get past all the hurt?
There was so much pain and confusion between Brodan and Monroe, but mostly there was a lot of misplaced anger on Brodan’s part that was hard to witness. Although I hurt for both of them, I was angry at Brodan and his behavior and I just couldn’t imagine forgiving him for his treatment of her.
“I loved you once in a way I have never loved anyone.”
Emotion stung my nose and thickened my throat.
“But I love the boy I left behind. I don’t love the man. I could never love someone who has treated me as you’ve treated me.”
As the story progresses and each layer is revealed Brodan realizes that the emptiness he was running from can be filled with love, for his family and Monroe. He still has to atone for his unbecoming conduct and accept that they lost so much time.
“You’ve always been mine to take care of. And today is the day I stop failing at it.”
They had so much history, so much to unpack, but Brodan was determined to win her back and it was a heartbreaking and heartwarming story to behold filled with sweetness, honesty, playfulness and of course some serious passion.
“I have loved you most of my life, and I know with a certainty that awes and terrifies me in equal measure…that I will love you until my last breath. Maybe even then.”
I loved having the entire Adair family helping them out and spending time with them. Samantha finished the series in a spectacular fashion giving us a truly happy ever after with the promise of more in a spin off series!
By the numbers quick review:
★ Hero: 👤👤👤👤
★ Heroine: 👤👤👤👤👤
★ Plot: 📚📚📚📚📚
★ Romance/heartache/angst/longing: 💕💕💕💕💕
★ Sexiness: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Overall: 4.5
★ I received an ARC of this title from the author via Valentine PR. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title.
★See all my book edits on Instagram
February 21, 2023
I know I’ve mentioned this before but someone call Netflix and pitch this series.
There is something absolutely hypnotic about this series set in the beautiful Scottish Highlands.
The Adair family is going to captivate you.
I was really to be swept away immediately and to be honest, I was kinda confused at first. Hear me out, this was literally me when I was reading the book… “I don’t know what to think of Brodan, he’s an ass but oh look at the Scottish highlands!”.
But in all honesty, Even with the mystery and ‘the drama’, there is a sense of tranquility reading about the “setting of the book”...I guess that's the magic of Samantha Young's writing.
This book was so well written..from the pace to the storyline to the characters themselves, Samantha Young has given us a page turner. Only You is everything we want in a contemporary romance..it is a little dramatic, has just the right touch of suspense and intrigue and the romance is passionate and emotional.
Only You is a second chance, emotional, steamy, friends to lovers romantic suspense set in the Scottish Highlands.
The Adair family is going to captivate you.
I was really to be swept away immediately and to be honest, I was kinda confused at first. Hear me out, this was literally me when I was reading the book… “I don’t know what to think of Brodan, he’s an ass but oh look at the Scottish highlands!”.
But in all honesty, Even with the mystery and ‘the drama’, there is a sense of tranquility reading about the “setting of the book”...I guess that's the magic of Samantha Young's writing.
This book was so well written..from the pace to the storyline to the characters themselves, Samantha Young has given us a page turner. Only You is everything we want in a contemporary romance..it is a little dramatic, has just the right touch of suspense and intrigue and the romance is passionate and emotional.
Only You is a second chance, emotional, steamy, friends to lovers romantic suspense set in the Scottish Highlands.
Want to read
February 20, 2023ANYONE HAS SAFETY INFO?!? I think they are separated for 18 years. But ow/OM drama? Cheating? Others?
March 6, 2023
I’m just looking at these 4-5 star reviews and wondering how those readers found anything about this book enjoyable.
Brodyn Adair is truly the worst hero I’ve read to date. Period. The things he said to Monroe, the heroine and his ex childhood best friend were out of control and beyond forgiveness.
Sometimes authors write these books in which the hero hates the heroine so deeply and then they have to overcome it and blah blah blah. This was so bad. As in, not poorly written by any means, but actual emotional abuse.
He was mentally abusive, he put her through hell and for what? Actually no reason other than a stupid letter she never got? That was the reason he called her a spinster and used her childhood trauma and abuse against her?
Her recognized he was doing and said over and over that he would stop and his bodyguard had to physically get involved because Brodan was towering over her and calling her names telling her no one wanted her in town. Knowing her parents abused her by the wag because they were childhood friends.
He admitted he used her as a punching bag and she did as well.
The book has scenes from the past and present. Both of them include Monroe being emotionally abused and gaslit by Broden.
I can’t believe this is a romance novel I really can’t.
I just had to watch a woman who had a terrible childhood throw herself at a man who was constantly name calling her and slut shaming her while he did the exact same thing.
I don’t want to see this trope where the man is a giant loser crybaby and hates the heroine in such a pathetic way.
Examples:
“I’ll say this once and only once,” Walker warned. “If I ever hear you intimidate or talk to a woman like that again, I don’t care if you fire me, I will knock your teeth out myself.” It was like he’d punched me. Indignation stole my breath. “I wasn’t intimidating Monroe.” Was I?
“You should never have come back here. No one wants you here.” True torment flashed in her eyes, and suddenly I remembered her parents. All the pain they’d caused. All the hurt they probably still inflicted upon her. My thoughtless jibe suddenly took on a monstrous quality. What the fuck was wrong with me?
The Epilogue brings you back to every couple and where they are now. Unfortunately by the time I got there I was already still reeling from the POS that is Brodan Adair.
Weirdly, in book 1 the author has Lachlan who’s around 40 calling an only 28 year old Robyn cruel names because she’s single. It took me a long time to get over that enough to give Robyn and Lachlan a chance.
Then the books went on and they were all great. Samantha Young I’ve noticed, has a tendency to write really awful men. Her heroes say extremely derogatory things to women that I personally would never put up with from a man. So book 1 has Lachlan age shaming Robyn and here we are again full circle in book 5 with the hero, resident asshole Brodan Adair, calling the heroine a “spinster”. Dude she’s 37. In real life I’ve never met a person who thinks it’s anything but normal that a 28 year old woman is single and 37 is also a fairly average age to be single. This is America so perhaps their small Scottish village is different, but then again this is a book and the author has the internet so… what’s going on with men calling women spinsters? Why is this on the authors mind so much? For her to write it in two of her books? Is it internalized age fear?
But seriously I mean it’s 2023 I’ve never met a person in their 30s who’s been that worried about being a spinster 😂😂
Brodyn Adair is truly the worst hero I’ve read to date. Period. The things he said to Monroe, the heroine and his ex childhood best friend were out of control and beyond forgiveness.
Sometimes authors write these books in which the hero hates the heroine so deeply and then they have to overcome it and blah blah blah. This was so bad. As in, not poorly written by any means, but actual emotional abuse.
He was mentally abusive, he put her through hell and for what? Actually no reason other than a stupid letter she never got? That was the reason he called her a spinster and used her childhood trauma and abuse against her?
Her recognized he was doing and said over and over that he would stop and his bodyguard had to physically get involved because Brodan was towering over her and calling her names telling her no one wanted her in town. Knowing her parents abused her by the wag because they were childhood friends.
He admitted he used her as a punching bag and she did as well.
The book has scenes from the past and present. Both of them include Monroe being emotionally abused and gaslit by Broden.
I can’t believe this is a romance novel I really can’t.
I just had to watch a woman who had a terrible childhood throw herself at a man who was constantly name calling her and slut shaming her while he did the exact same thing.
I don’t want to see this trope where the man is a giant loser crybaby and hates the heroine in such a pathetic way.
Examples:
“I’ll say this once and only once,” Walker warned. “If I ever hear you intimidate or talk to a woman like that again, I don’t care if you fire me, I will knock your teeth out myself.” It was like he’d punched me. Indignation stole my breath. “I wasn’t intimidating Monroe.” Was I?
“You should never have come back here. No one wants you here.” True torment flashed in her eyes, and suddenly I remembered her parents. All the pain they’d caused. All the hurt they probably still inflicted upon her. My thoughtless jibe suddenly took on a monstrous quality. What the fuck was wrong with me?
The Epilogue brings you back to every couple and where they are now. Unfortunately by the time I got there I was already still reeling from the POS that is Brodan Adair.
Weirdly, in book 1 the author has Lachlan who’s around 40 calling an only 28 year old Robyn cruel names because she’s single. It took me a long time to get over that enough to give Robyn and Lachlan a chance.
Then the books went on and they were all great. Samantha Young I’ve noticed, has a tendency to write really awful men. Her heroes say extremely derogatory things to women that I personally would never put up with from a man. So book 1 has Lachlan age shaming Robyn and here we are again full circle in book 5 with the hero, resident asshole Brodan Adair, calling the heroine a “spinster”. Dude she’s 37. In real life I’ve never met a person who thinks it’s anything but normal that a 28 year old woman is single and 37 is also a fairly average age to be single. This is America so perhaps their small Scottish village is different, but then again this is a book and the author has the internet so… what’s going on with men calling women spinsters? Why is this on the authors mind so much? For her to write it in two of her books? Is it internalized age fear?
But seriously I mean it’s 2023 I’ve never met a person in their 30s who’s been that worried about being a spinster 😂😂
February 28, 2023
I wasn't sure if I would like this story at all, considering who the main characters are and the event mentioned in the previous books. I wondered how the author would manage to bring their characters closer to us so that we could love them and manage the whole situation between them, but I should not have doubted that Samantha Young knows what she is doing very well, as always. A great ending to the series. I'm going to miss all the characters and this world, and I'm happy to hear this series is going to have a spin-off.
March 17, 2023
2 1/2 "Brodan was an ass." Stars.
The title sums it up. I never forgave him and I thought Monroe deserved better. Sam- the author- did try hard to change my mind, but I guess I hold grudges. Lots and lots of people are going to love this book. I just didn't like Brodan. I thought he was selfish and immature and didn't see a fundamental change. 🥺
The title sums it up. I never forgave him and I thought Monroe deserved better. Sam- the author- did try hard to change my mind, but I guess I hold grudges. Lots and lots of people are going to love this book. I just didn't like Brodan. I thought he was selfish and immature and didn't see a fundamental change. 🥺
March 13, 2024
This was legit the perfect ending to this series. We had our HEA for Bro and Roe who had been teasing us almost since the first book. We had all of the other Adairs and their families in the best epilogue EVER. We met Walker who is the MC in the next series which I am looking forward to, and we had second chance which I think by now you know I LOVE. I loved the time jumps and the different POVs. It gave us such a good timeline of their relationship and how things changed in each of their eyes.
Brodan has hit rock bottom. He is literally too exhausted to work. His ex BF who slept with his brother is in this small town and he keeps running into her. And every time he interacts with her, he hates himself afterwards because he is being outright MEAN to her. He pours himself into spending time with his family and asking his bodyguard, Walker, for help on all future decisions until he figures out what he wants to do. Of course one of those decisions happens to be working with said ex BF. The same ex BF who he secretly loved all those years ago, but he was just too scared to act on it because he knew his life would be ruined if something ever happened to her. After they finally have a conversation about this massive misunderstanding that took place 18 years ago between them, Bro has a realization. He can't do life without Roe, but is it too late? Has he treated her so poorly that she won't be able to forgive him? There is only one way to find out. He will have to put his heart on the line to get her to hopefully give him hers as well.
Monroe has had a hard life. Her dad was abusive, and when he left somehow her mom took over. Her only solace was her BF Brodan and his family. He always knew what to say and how to make her feel. It wasn't until he started hooking up girls that she fully realized how much she cared for him. I had SUCH a hard time reading her POV when they were younger because UGH did she put her heart out there and get completely crushed because Bro was too scared. Now she is back in her hometown trying to help her ungrateful mom out and keeps bumping into Brodan who acts like she doesn't exist. She finds herself working alongside him and his nephew for a school play and almost quits because of how he is treating her but finds their chemistry is still there. He is truly horrible to her and she makes the decision to cut him out of her life. But then something changes. Her mom tells her a horrible secret that is devastating to Roe and who is there to help her through it? Brodan. The same Brodan who is now telling her how much he loves her, and how he has always loved her. He wants to date her and woe her and show her that he can be the man she needs him to be. But is she willing to let him in after how many times he has hurt her and shut her down?
Ugh yall this BOOK!!! If you haven't read this series, I highly recommend picking it up from book 1. As they say these are standalones but you understand so much more if you read them in order. I am planning on diving into her new series very soon :) Let me know what you think!
Brodan has hit rock bottom. He is literally too exhausted to work. His ex BF who slept with his brother is in this small town and he keeps running into her. And every time he interacts with her, he hates himself afterwards because he is being outright MEAN to her. He pours himself into spending time with his family and asking his bodyguard, Walker, for help on all future decisions until he figures out what he wants to do. Of course one of those decisions happens to be working with said ex BF. The same ex BF who he secretly loved all those years ago, but he was just too scared to act on it because he knew his life would be ruined if something ever happened to her. After they finally have a conversation about this massive misunderstanding that took place 18 years ago between them, Bro has a realization. He can't do life without Roe, but is it too late? Has he treated her so poorly that she won't be able to forgive him? There is only one way to find out. He will have to put his heart on the line to get her to hopefully give him hers as well.
Monroe has had a hard life. Her dad was abusive, and when he left somehow her mom took over. Her only solace was her BF Brodan and his family. He always knew what to say and how to make her feel. It wasn't until he started hooking up girls that she fully realized how much she cared for him. I had SUCH a hard time reading her POV when they were younger because UGH did she put her heart out there and get completely crushed because Bro was too scared. Now she is back in her hometown trying to help her ungrateful mom out and keeps bumping into Brodan who acts like she doesn't exist. She finds herself working alongside him and his nephew for a school play and almost quits because of how he is treating her but finds their chemistry is still there. He is truly horrible to her and she makes the decision to cut him out of her life. But then something changes. Her mom tells her a horrible secret that is devastating to Roe and who is there to help her through it? Brodan. The same Brodan who is now telling her how much he loves her, and how he has always loved her. He wants to date her and woe her and show her that he can be the man she needs him to be. But is she willing to let him in after how many times he has hurt her and shut her down?
Ugh yall this BOOK!!! If you haven't read this series, I highly recommend picking it up from book 1. As they say these are standalones but you understand so much more if you read them in order. I am planning on diving into her new series very soon :) Let me know what you think!
February 26, 2023
Only You is the finale in the "Adair Family" series and it was so bittersweet to go on the journey with this one but boy I couldn't put this one down. I just loved it so much. It was so interesting to see how Samantha Young would handle this story and it was quite different in how it played out then I expected, but this author definitely knows how to write her angst. I really enjoyed the style in which we get our final brother's book.
In Only You, we have a story about Brodan our hero, and Monroe, our heroine of the story. In this book we have Brodan and Monroe who were childhood best friends, and they did fall in love with each other but when misunderstandings occur, they have to find a way with each other again. But there are many misunderstandings between them on what kept them apart. In the first 1/3 of the story, we do experience some flashbooks in the story, but then we are constantly in the present line of their story where they work on rebuilding their relationship. Its not easy for either Brodan or Monroe, as they need to rebuild bridges of trust and openness and that does take time.
In Only You, this story just so quickly captivated my heart. I had so much fun with this one here. It was so interesting seeing how these two reconnected. It does get really angsty for the first half of the story, Brodan is angry and depressed, and takes it out on Monroe for a while and its really hard to see especially with how vulnerable she is. But then we have lots of groveling in the second half of the story so he does make up for it. What I really loved about the way this author writes groveling is how SINCERE they are. Its where whether the hero or the heroine hurts the other, and they take the time and take action to prove themselves. I also respect that she doesn't do the big stuff, just soft quiet moments of firm action to prove that they are changed and striving to be better. Its so relatable to real life and I just love how she makes this aspect just come alive!
If you are a fan of the family times, then this series is most definitely for you. I just love the way the family dynamics is written and as a plus we have a family epilogue which was super great! I really appreciated how the author really brought the series to a close, but gave us this beautiful teaser for the start of her new series and I am so excited for it and I need this book...NOW!!!
Overall I found Only You to be a captivating, stunning romance that really swept me away into the wild lands of Scotland and delivered on prime emotion, stunning sensuality and such a picturesque atmosphere to have you falling in love!
In Only You, we have a story about Brodan our hero, and Monroe, our heroine of the story. In this book we have Brodan and Monroe who were childhood best friends, and they did fall in love with each other but when misunderstandings occur, they have to find a way with each other again. But there are many misunderstandings between them on what kept them apart. In the first 1/3 of the story, we do experience some flashbooks in the story, but then we are constantly in the present line of their story where they work on rebuilding their relationship. Its not easy for either Brodan or Monroe, as they need to rebuild bridges of trust and openness and that does take time.
In Only You, this story just so quickly captivated my heart. I had so much fun with this one here. It was so interesting seeing how these two reconnected. It does get really angsty for the first half of the story, Brodan is angry and depressed, and takes it out on Monroe for a while and its really hard to see especially with how vulnerable she is. But then we have lots of groveling in the second half of the story so he does make up for it. What I really loved about the way this author writes groveling is how SINCERE they are. Its where whether the hero or the heroine hurts the other, and they take the time and take action to prove themselves. I also respect that she doesn't do the big stuff, just soft quiet moments of firm action to prove that they are changed and striving to be better. Its so relatable to real life and I just love how she makes this aspect just come alive!
If you are a fan of the family times, then this series is most definitely for you. I just love the way the family dynamics is written and as a plus we have a family epilogue which was super great! I really appreciated how the author really brought the series to a close, but gave us this beautiful teaser for the start of her new series and I am so excited for it and I need this book...NOW!!!
Overall I found Only You to be a captivating, stunning romance that really swept me away into the wild lands of Scotland and delivered on prime emotion, stunning sensuality and such a picturesque atmosphere to have you falling in love!
March 25, 2024
★ 3 stars ★
📖 what is it about?
Monroe Sinclair has loved her ex-best friend, Brodan Adair, since she was younger. Sadly, due to a misunderstanding, they are no longer in each other's lives.
Monroe is now back home to help her mom and while she's there, she's taken up the position as a teacher at the school. She is in hopes to not see the Brodan while she's there but her hopes are crushed when she bumps into him, and he completely ignores her.
Brodan thinks Monroe abandoned him when he needed her the most. He's back home now and wants nothing to do with her but when his nephew asks for his help in a school play, he is forced to spend time with Monroe.
💭my thoughts
When I read the blurb of this book I was very excited to dive in. The ex-best friend trope is one of my favourite tropes to read, however, this one didn't reach up to my expectations. The way that Brodan treated Monroe got me so angry, I wanted to reach into the pages of my kindle and slap him. The things he would say!!!! and do!!!! ABSOLUTELY NOT!
Also, I think Monroe forgave Brodan too quickly. I needed more grovelling from him!
My Ratings
Heroine: 3/5 🩷
Hero: 3/5 💙
Story: 2/5 📚
Steam: 3/5 ❤️🔥
Pace: 3/5 ⌛️
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
📜Favorite quote[s]:
“But I love the boy I left behind. I don’t love the man. I could never love someone who has treated me as you’ve treated me.” – Monroe
💜Tropes:
⏵ Ex-best friends
⏵ Small Town Romance
⏵ Friends to Enemies to Lovers
📚Series or Standalone:
Standalone Series – this is book #5 of The Adair Family Series (different couples in each book.)
🎧 or 📖: I read this book on my Kindle.
🤔 Would I recommend:
Yes. While it didn't do it for me - you might like/love it!
📖 what is it about?
Monroe Sinclair has loved her ex-best friend, Brodan Adair, since she was younger. Sadly, due to a misunderstanding, they are no longer in each other's lives.
Monroe is now back home to help her mom and while she's there, she's taken up the position as a teacher at the school. She is in hopes to not see the Brodan while she's there but her hopes are crushed when she bumps into him, and he completely ignores her.
Brodan thinks Monroe abandoned him when he needed her the most. He's back home now and wants nothing to do with her but when his nephew asks for his help in a school play, he is forced to spend time with Monroe.
💭my thoughts
When I read the blurb of this book I was very excited to dive in. The ex-best friend trope is one of my favourite tropes to read, however, this one didn't reach up to my expectations. The way that Brodan treated Monroe got me so angry, I wanted to reach into the pages of my kindle and slap him. The things he would say!!!! and do!!!! ABSOLUTELY NOT!
Also, I think Monroe forgave Brodan too quickly. I needed more grovelling from him!
My Ratings
Heroine: 3/5 🩷
Hero: 3/5 💙
Story: 2/5 📚
Steam: 3/5 ❤️🔥
Pace: 3/5 ⌛️
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
📜Favorite quote[s]:
“But I love the boy I left behind. I don’t love the man. I could never love someone who has treated me as you’ve treated me.” – Monroe
💜Tropes:
⏵ Ex-best friends
⏵ Small Town Romance
⏵ Friends to Enemies to Lovers
📚Series or Standalone:
Standalone Series – this is book #5 of The Adair Family Series (different couples in each book.)
🎧 or 📖: I read this book on my Kindle.
🤔 Would I recommend:
Yes. While it didn't do it for me - you might like/love it!
April 10, 2023
You we’re all I had.
I wasn’t all you had.
You weren’t the one who was abandoned, Brodan.
In my complete honest opinion, the last book of the series usually ends up being my least favorite…except for Sam’s books. This one was an absolute roller coaster, and to once again be completely honest, I hated Brodan through most of it…. Don’t worry, that hate didn’t last long.
I. Loved. Monroe.
She overcame so much moving back in Ardnoch, but at the same time, was tethered by so much hurt being back home. I loved how she finally mustered enough fury to stand her ground with Brodan and at the same time, let her heart open back up to him.
This one made my heart ache something fierce. Both of them went through so much to end up happy.
I am going to miss this family SO MUCH, but we get a hefty epilogue to put our hearts at ease and show us that the Adair and Galbraith families are healthy and happy. With the series being finished, I absolutely can’t wait to see what Sam has in store for us with the new spin off series!! I’m so happy that we got so much interaction with the new set of main characters and will be anxiously waiting for Beyond the Thistles to hit my Kindle soon!
I wasn’t all you had.
You weren’t the one who was abandoned, Brodan.
In my complete honest opinion, the last book of the series usually ends up being my least favorite…except for Sam’s books. This one was an absolute roller coaster, and to once again be completely honest, I hated Brodan through most of it…. Don’t worry, that hate didn’t last long.
I. Loved. Monroe.
She overcame so much moving back in Ardnoch, but at the same time, was tethered by so much hurt being back home. I loved how she finally mustered enough fury to stand her ground with Brodan and at the same time, let her heart open back up to him.
This one made my heart ache something fierce. Both of them went through so much to end up happy.
I am going to miss this family SO MUCH, but we get a hefty epilogue to put our hearts at ease and show us that the Adair and Galbraith families are healthy and happy. With the series being finished, I absolutely can’t wait to see what Sam has in store for us with the new spin off series!! I’m so happy that we got so much interaction with the new set of main characters and will be anxiously waiting for Beyond the Thistles to hit my Kindle soon!
February 11, 2023
4.5 stars!
The fifth and final book in the Adair Family series, this is a heartwrenching friends-to-lovers, almost-second-chance romance that really brings the feels, as movie star Brodan Adair returns home to the Scottish highlands, and the childhood best friend that he left behind.
Brodan and Monroe became best friends as children. They were as close as could be, and Brodan and his family were there for Monroe during very hard times in her life. They crushed on each other, but couldn’t quite get the timing right, and when Monroe fell hard for her best friend, only to be brutally rejected, she made a drunken mistake which shattered their friendship, and sent them both running. It’s now 18 years later, and both have returned to the small village of Ardnoch – she for family reasons, he due to exhaustion and needing to reconnect with his family - and they’re coming face to face for the first time.
There’s a world of hurt between these two. There’s so much emotion from the past, and so much confusion about their current feelings for each other, and Brodan makes it devastatingly clear that he wants nothing to do with his ex-best friend. It’s brutal and sad, and God, I was angry! My heart ached for both of them at what was still such an obviously painful situation.
But slowly things begin to change. They begin to reveal pieces of their lives, and of the past, and of course, things are not what they seem to be. And almost too late, Brodan realises that what he wants has been there right in front of him, all along. But he has a lot to make up for to prove that he deserves another chance with the woman he’s always loved.
I’ve got to admit, I was so very unhappy with the way things unfolded between these two in the first part of the book. Seriously unhappy. There was a lot they needed to wade through in order to find their way back to each other (and win me over), and it was a gorgeously emotional ride as they did just that!
Brodan is a man determined to right his wrongs and get his girl, and he does it in grand style – with honesty, sweet actions, and heartfelt declarations, putting himself out there to prove himself and to win earn his way back into Monroe’s heart.
It’s almost like a book in two parts – first all of the murky, angsty stuff, and then the glorious reconciliation where these two old friends find themselves together once again and finally acting on the feelings that they’ve had for each other for so long. It’s got a lighter, more romantic feel to it, and I was right on board as they figured it all out.
There’s a playfulness to them together, and of course it’s passionate, and the emotion between these two is really captured my heart. They both have fears, and they recognise that they’re going to have to bravely put their hearts on the line, but they’re there for each other, working through it all, and their love story is beautiful.
The whole Adair family is there supporting both of them while they work through all of their issues. Monroe is welcomed back into the family fold without question, and I loved that so much time is spent with the characters that I loved from previous books. There’s wonderful story progression for each of the couples, and it’s gorgeous seeing all of them together.
The earlier books in the series contained an element of suspense, and in this book it’s kind of randomly thrown in there towards the end. It seemed a bit of overkill and unrealistic given what has already gone down with the other members of the family, and didn’t feel necessary to Brodan and Monroe’s story, but that was the only ‘meh’ moment for me. Otherwise, I was content to bask in the glow of this beautiful love story as two soulmates found their way back to each other with all of the emotion and swoon that I was hoping for.
I have loved this series. Intense, dramatic and emotional, with swoony, passionate romance, it’s everything that I love about Samantha Young’s writing. I have fallen for each member of the Adair family one by one, and was overjoyed at the epilogue which gave us a peek into each of the couple’s lives. It was a wonderful finish to all of their stories, and I’m so excited that Brodan and Monroe’s friends, Walker and Sloane, will be getting their own book in the spin-off Beyond the Thistles, first book in theHighlands Series, where I’m sure we’ll get to see the Adairs again.
Loved this one – 4.5 stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
The fifth and final book in the Adair Family series, this is a heartwrenching friends-to-lovers, almost-second-chance romance that really brings the feels, as movie star Brodan Adair returns home to the Scottish highlands, and the childhood best friend that he left behind.
Brodan and Monroe became best friends as children. They were as close as could be, and Brodan and his family were there for Monroe during very hard times in her life. They crushed on each other, but couldn’t quite get the timing right, and when Monroe fell hard for her best friend, only to be brutally rejected, she made a drunken mistake which shattered their friendship, and sent them both running. It’s now 18 years later, and both have returned to the small village of Ardnoch – she for family reasons, he due to exhaustion and needing to reconnect with his family - and they’re coming face to face for the first time.
There’s a world of hurt between these two. There’s so much emotion from the past, and so much confusion about their current feelings for each other, and Brodan makes it devastatingly clear that he wants nothing to do with his ex-best friend. It’s brutal and sad, and God, I was angry! My heart ached for both of them at what was still such an obviously painful situation.
“I loved you once in a way I have never loved anyone.”
Emotion stung my nose and thickened my throat.
“But I love the boy I left behind. I don’t love the man. I could never love someone who has treated me as you’ve treated me.”
Fuck, that hurt.
But slowly things begin to change. They begin to reveal pieces of their lives, and of the past, and of course, things are not what they seem to be. And almost too late, Brodan realises that what he wants has been there right in front of him, all along. But he has a lot to make up for to prove that he deserves another chance with the woman he’s always loved.
“I’m not yours to take care of.”
There was a moment of silence and then I felt his heat score along my back. His breath tickled my ear as he leaned in, scattering goose bumps down my spine. “You’ve always been mine to take care of. And today is the day I stop failing at it.”
I’ve got to admit, I was so very unhappy with the way things unfolded between these two in the first part of the book. Seriously unhappy. There was a lot they needed to wade through in order to find their way back to each other (and win me over), and it was a gorgeously emotional ride as they did just that!
“We are not the same people we were back then, and we’re holding on to the love between two kids who don’t exist anymore.”
“I don’t believe that,” he whispered.
Brodan is a man determined to right his wrongs and get his girl, and he does it in grand style – with honesty, sweet actions, and heartfelt declarations, putting himself out there to prove himself and to win earn his way back into Monroe’s heart.
“I can accept friendship…but if we’re going to be honest with each other from now on, I should tell you I intend to make you fall back in love with me.”
It’s almost like a book in two parts – first all of the murky, angsty stuff, and then the glorious reconciliation where these two old friends find themselves together once again and finally acting on the feelings that they’ve had for each other for so long. It’s got a lighter, more romantic feel to it, and I was right on board as they figured it all out.
“If I can give you anything, it will just be friendship, Brodan,” I’d said, my voice shaking.
… “We both know that’s bullshit. It will always be more than friendship between us. Let’s finally stop lying about that.”
There’s a playfulness to them together, and of course it’s passionate, and the emotion between these two is really captured my heart. They both have fears, and they recognise that they’re going to have to bravely put their hearts on the line, but they’re there for each other, working through it all, and their love story is beautiful.
“Are you scared, Brodan?”
The fear tightened like a fist around my throat, and I could only nod.
“Me too,” she admitted.
Then she moved in my arms, turning to straddle me. Cupping my nape in her hands, she whispered, “I want to hold on, though. Will you hold on with me?”
In answer, I wrapped my arms around and pulled her close, buying her face in the crook of her neck. I’d hold on for fucking forever now.
The whole Adair family is there supporting both of them while they work through all of their issues. Monroe is welcomed back into the family fold without question, and I loved that so much time is spent with the characters that I loved from previous books. There’s wonderful story progression for each of the couples, and it’s gorgeous seeing all of them together.
The earlier books in the series contained an element of suspense, and in this book it’s kind of randomly thrown in there towards the end. It seemed a bit of overkill and unrealistic given what has already gone down with the other members of the family, and didn’t feel necessary to Brodan and Monroe’s story, but that was the only ‘meh’ moment for me. Otherwise, I was content to bask in the glow of this beautiful love story as two soulmates found their way back to each other with all of the emotion and swoon that I was hoping for.
“I have loved you most of my life, and I know with a certainty that awes and terrifies me in equal measure…that I will love you until my last breath. Maybe even then.”
I have loved this series. Intense, dramatic and emotional, with swoony, passionate romance, it’s everything that I love about Samantha Young’s writing. I have fallen for each member of the Adair family one by one, and was overjoyed at the epilogue which gave us a peek into each of the couple’s lives. It was a wonderful finish to all of their stories, and I’m so excited that Brodan and Monroe’s friends, Walker and Sloane, will be getting their own book in the spin-off Beyond the Thistles, first book in theHighlands Series, where I’m sure we’ll get to see the Adairs again.
Loved this one – 4.5 stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 23, 2023
“I know that when I put my mind to something, I rarely fail. Prepare yourself, Monroe Sinclair, because I’m putting my mind to making up for the last eighteen years so we don’t spend the next eighteen without each other.”
This series is so freaking good and each and every couple had their own share of issues to deal with. Brodan & Monroe shared a complicated relationship ever since the beginning and I loved how they were able to start afresh after all those old wounds. I connected with Monroe the same way as I could connect with Robyn from book one. Her situation was really tough and the things Brodan put her through in the beginning were so bad and it made me cry whenever her pov was expressed. Her entire life was so freaking sorrowful and I was so glad that she finally got the love and family she deserved to have in the Adairs. Brodan was an ass but I started to like him after he tried to make amends. I loved how Monroe didn't cave to his apologies straight away though because he had a lot to make up for. Both of them were at fault but Brodan was more to blame and should've been held accountable for his actions, which I'm glad Monroe did! She certainly wasn't a doormat and could stand strong on her own. Also I am so excited to know that Walker and Sloane have their own book, I'm going to read that one straight away because their crumbs had me in a chokehold! Overall, the book was fantastic. It was emotional and at the same time very heartwarming. The extra epilogue with all the couples was really touching and I really enjoyed reading this book!
This series is so freaking good and each and every couple had their own share of issues to deal with. Brodan & Monroe shared a complicated relationship ever since the beginning and I loved how they were able to start afresh after all those old wounds. I connected with Monroe the same way as I could connect with Robyn from book one. Her situation was really tough and the things Brodan put her through in the beginning were so bad and it made me cry whenever her pov was expressed. Her entire life was so freaking sorrowful and I was so glad that she finally got the love and family she deserved to have in the Adairs. Brodan was an ass but I started to like him after he tried to make amends. I loved how Monroe didn't cave to his apologies straight away though because he had a lot to make up for. Both of them were at fault but Brodan was more to blame and should've been held accountable for his actions, which I'm glad Monroe did! She certainly wasn't a doormat and could stand strong on her own. Also I am so excited to know that Walker and Sloane have their own book, I'm going to read that one straight away because their crumbs had me in a chokehold! Overall, the book was fantastic. It was emotional and at the same time very heartwarming. The extra epilogue with all the couples was really touching and I really enjoyed reading this book!
February 21, 2023
Only You is the fifth book in the Adair Family series but can be read and enjoyed as a standalone novel. That being said, I truly recommend reading all of the books in this series, not just because of spoilers, but so you can get full enjoyment of this series.
Only You follows the story of Brodan and Monroe. Brodan and Monroe we once the best of friends until one fateful night destroyed everything. It will be eighteen long years before these two are reunited and the sparks are still stronger than ever. You see, there is a lot of pain and heartache between Brodan and Monroe, but when the air finally gets cleared, all bets are off. Brodan is in for the most important fight of his life and nothing will stop him from getting what he wants.
Monroe and Brodan’s story is one filled with heartache and the most delicious angst. You could tell just how much these two meant to each other, but let fear lead them into horrible decision-making. You see, Monroe has had quite a tough life and the only thing she really had going for her was Brodan. But, Brodan was too stubborn to see what was in front of him and only succeeded in pushing Monroe away. The push and pull between Brodan and Monroe tugged at my heartstrings, and I just couldn’t wait for the air to be cleared. I knew that once Brodan got over himself and opened his eyes, things would never be the same. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed.
Only You is a beautiful and heartbreaking second-chance romance that will tug at readers’ hearts and leave them wanting more. This story is filled with pain, heartbreak, misunderstandings, delicious angst, and suspense. I loved the unexpected twists this author threw at our beloved characters. There was never a dull moment, I was certainly glued to the pages.
I enjoyed everything about this book from beginning to end and had the best time getting lost in Brodan and Monroe’s story. And while I’m sad that the Adair Family series has come to end, the author did a stellar job wrapping up this incredible series.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
Only You follows the story of Brodan and Monroe. Brodan and Monroe we once the best of friends until one fateful night destroyed everything. It will be eighteen long years before these two are reunited and the sparks are still stronger than ever. You see, there is a lot of pain and heartache between Brodan and Monroe, but when the air finally gets cleared, all bets are off. Brodan is in for the most important fight of his life and nothing will stop him from getting what he wants.
Monroe and Brodan’s story is one filled with heartache and the most delicious angst. You could tell just how much these two meant to each other, but let fear lead them into horrible decision-making. You see, Monroe has had quite a tough life and the only thing she really had going for her was Brodan. But, Brodan was too stubborn to see what was in front of him and only succeeded in pushing Monroe away. The push and pull between Brodan and Monroe tugged at my heartstrings, and I just couldn’t wait for the air to be cleared. I knew that once Brodan got over himself and opened his eyes, things would never be the same. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed.
Only You is a beautiful and heartbreaking second-chance romance that will tug at readers’ hearts and leave them wanting more. This story is filled with pain, heartbreak, misunderstandings, delicious angst, and suspense. I loved the unexpected twists this author threw at our beloved characters. There was never a dull moment, I was certainly glued to the pages.
I enjoyed everything about this book from beginning to end and had the best time getting lost in Brodan and Monroe’s story. And while I’m sad that the Adair Family series has come to end, the author did a stellar job wrapping up this incredible series.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
January 5, 2024
Feels like this one went through some major rewrites from what was originally planned. Some of the story was awkward incorporating the characters past book antics, like Brodan’s out of control partying in Book 1 and their past miscommunications after the incident with Arran and Monroe. While the angst was A+ in the first half, once we find out that Monroe really never did anything to deserve being put down on all the time, Brodan’s intense cold shoulder felt wildly unnecessarily cruel instead of heartbreaking. I think I would have preferred if Monroe actually pushed Brodan away in the past, but this book was determined to make Monroe completely unwavering in her devotion to Brodan “deep down” even when she was upset with him. For whatever reason.
February 16, 2023
***ARC Provided by the Author***
4.5 Stars
I can't lie, I'm a little sad to say goodbye to the Adair family, but seeing them all happy definitely helped take some of the sting away of this being the last book in the series (that and I already can't wait for the next story that was teased in this one.)
All that said, this book is all about Monroe and Brodan, about what happened in their pasts, about who they are now, and about figuring out a way to make them work in the present.
This book was constructed incredibly well. You are able to put past hurts behind you as a reader as Brodan and Monroe do it in the story...thanks to the talent of the author.
The characters are perfect, you are angry at them at the same time your heart breaks for them. The pacing is also strong and it allows the reader to be as invested as the characters are in what happens to them and the ways they find to move on from it to find their happy endings.
I also loved the way this tied up the stories of the entire family and characters from previous books.
I enjoyed and recommend this title.
4.5 Stars
I can't lie, I'm a little sad to say goodbye to the Adair family, but seeing them all happy definitely helped take some of the sting away of this being the last book in the series (that and I already can't wait for the next story that was teased in this one.)
All that said, this book is all about Monroe and Brodan, about what happened in their pasts, about who they are now, and about figuring out a way to make them work in the present.
This book was constructed incredibly well. You are able to put past hurts behind you as a reader as Brodan and Monroe do it in the story...thanks to the talent of the author.
The characters are perfect, you are angry at them at the same time your heart breaks for them. The pacing is also strong and it allows the reader to be as invested as the characters are in what happens to them and the ways they find to move on from it to find their happy endings.
I also loved the way this tied up the stories of the entire family and characters from previous books.
I enjoyed and recommend this title.
May 17, 2023
3.25 stars
February 10, 2023
This book has plenty of heartbreak and turmoil throughout the entire book. Monroe and Brodan are childhood best friends until something in their past pushed them apart for 18 years. They both make their way back to their hometown of Ardnoch where they finally see each other again after all those years apart. And instead of being happy there is only hostility between these two. And this hostility is brutal. I felt so bad for Monroe when Brodan’s hatred was pointed towards her. It was hard to read at some points because of how bad he treated her. There is so much history between these two that it takes them awhile to get back to each other. Once they finally get to a point where they can be together it just seemed like there was always something trying to force them apart.
This is the first book I’ve read in this series and I am really interested to go back and read the other sibling’s stories because there is a whole lot of drama in this family and I am here for it!
This is the first book I’ve read in this series and I am really interested to go back and read the other sibling’s stories because there is a whole lot of drama in this family and I am here for it!
March 6, 2023
I’m so sad to see this series go😭
Unfortunately, for me it was a meh ending. Hear my heart breaking.
I had so much hope for Brodan and Monroe. They were serving my favorite trope, second chance. It was all too much. Brodan acted like a complete jerk. That was the part that threw me off. I felt sooooo bad for Monroe.
Fortunately everyone and I mean everyone told his ass that he was being a completely dick, which made me really happy.
Once he started behaving like a decent person and showed how much he actually cared about Monroe I started liking them but that first part completely changed my perspective of them, therefore making this book a 3 star read.
Casting this aside, I really, really recommend this series because it’s amazing.
Unfortunately, for me it was a meh ending. Hear my heart breaking.
I had so much hope for Brodan and Monroe. They were serving my favorite trope, second chance. It was all too much. Brodan acted like a complete jerk. That was the part that threw me off. I felt sooooo bad for Monroe.
Fortunately everyone and I mean everyone told his ass that he was being a completely dick, which made me really happy.
Once he started behaving like a decent person and showed how much he actually cared about Monroe I started liking them but that first part completely changed my perspective of them, therefore making this book a 3 star read.
Casting this aside, I really, really recommend this series because it’s amazing.
July 8, 2023
*ARC Given to Blog for Honest Review*
5 “Sunset” “eighteen years” “Brodan Adair” Kisses
Oh…my…goodness. I seriously don’t even know where to start with how much I loved this book. I’ve been desperate to get my hands on Only You basically since Here With Me, the first book in the Adair Family Series – Brodan has always been very illusive and I was dying to know his and Monroe’s full story…but I think waiting for it has only made me learn to savor and appreciate their story more, because that’s exactly what I did with Only You. Now…on to the important business…if you have no idea who the Adair Family is and what they heck I’m talking about – we must fix that pronto. Only You is the fifth book in the Adair Family Series – the first four books are Here With Me , There with You , Always You and Be With Me . Each book can be read as a standalone given it’s about a different couple (one of the Adair Family siblings) but I highly recommend reading them in order because each book builds off the other and there might be some slight spoilers. Plus with each book you get to know and understand the character more and it just helps you fall more in love with the family overall. Not to mention it’s one of my favorite series of all time, the writing is amazing, the stores are romantic-suspense perfection and the characters are *chef’s kiss* Just saying…
Monroe Sinclair…you know those people that are just too good for this world? That just exude kindness…don’t have a mean bone in their body…just pure sweethearts…that’s Monroe. She is just one of those characters that I instantly liked and the more I got to know her, the more I fell in love with her spirit and her heart. She is just wonderful…and good gracious can she just not catch a break with both hands wide open. Her parents are absolute crap – the fact that she is a beautiful soul from the inside out is due in no part to anything they contributed – but despite that, she is the best daughter she can be. She’s smart, she’s funny, she’s got this spit-fire sass to her that I loved when it came out (she is a redhead!)…and on top of all of that, she is a teacher and a fantastic one at that. She’s so devoted to all her students and you can truly see the impact she has on them. I could truly go on for hours singing this woman’s praises, I may or may not have a huge girl crush on her (spoiler alert – I totally do)…but I’m not the only one who knows how amazing Monroe is. A certain Adair has known his whole life just how perfect she is for him.
Brodan Adair…the Adair men are a naturally broody breed. It’s like ingrained in their DNA and given that Brodan is my 4th Adair men, I think that makes me a (self-professed) expert on the matter. Each of them have their demons that plague them and they love to carry the weight of those demons on those beautiful strong shoulders…but damn do they look sexy doing it. I knew whatever happened to Brodan was going to be a lot…but getting the full story really helped me understand so much about him. I have been dying to get into this man’s brain from the second I knew of his existence – there is just something about him that I needed to know all of his secrets and my brain wouldn’t let it go until I had the chance. It was so beyond worth the wait. I will say…Brodan is not a perfect character – none of the Adair men (or Mac for that matter) are…they fuck up, they have moments where I want to smack them or yell at them, but oddly enough, I think it makes me appreciate them more because they own their mistakes and they atone for them. There were a few moments, especially towards the beginning with the way Brodan treated Monroe that I was really concerned…but I loved seeing the shift and change in him.
Monroe and Brodan are…my ultimate kryptonite – a couple with history! Mountains of it…they’ve been best friends since they were children, grew up together and have so much shared history that just cannot be replicated. I love love love their history – we get a few moments and a flashback here or there and I lived for them – it really illustrates their relationship and what shaped them, which only made me love them more. Unfortunately…there is some bad stuff that does come with that history…the events that lead to them being apart for 18 years…and understanding that is also a huge part to understanding the hurt that was the reason for that separation. It was everything I needed to get that whole story and seeing how it transformed Bro and Roe was so healing and just necessary. Even with almost two decades and loads of emotions between these two, at the very heart of it, they were the same people that fell in love with each other as teenagers. You cannot diminish the bond that they shared and the fact that they never let go of that relationship despite the distance and hurt that lay between them speaks volumes to the strength of that love. Watching them undue years of anger and mistrust and frustration was far from easy but the result of what they had when they were finally allowed to be together was absolutely breathtaking.
Samantha Young has completely and totally blown me away with what she has done with these characters and series overall. There is simply no way to perfectly encapsulate the amazingness with what she has done…I’m at a loss for words to truly do it justice. I know to expect brilliance when it comes to Samantha, she has created some of my favorite books and she’s proven it through the entirety of this series but I love the detail and the effort that she put into The Adairs, it’s absolutely wonderful. I am and always have been a lover of series books, they are just my favorite – I love getting to see the characters I originally fell in love with continue to grow and expand in other stories while also learning new characters and being able to fall in love with them as well and this is something that Samantha has truly perfected with The Adair Family. They are so entwined in each others lives and it’s such a beautiful thing to experience, it’s part of what made me love the series even more. That, and them poking fun at the age gaps (which I love so very much) and the family craziness – it all makes the family more endearing and loveable and just one more thing that I couldn’t get enough of. I also love that she made me fall in love with Ardnoch – this tiny little village just feels like home and was impossible not to love just as much as the characters because it is them. It is where they grew up, it is part of who they are and shaped them and it is now their home forever.
The ending was perfect….I knew not to get to comfortable towards the end because Samantha always has something up her sleeve – and she did! I liked what it did for the story and how it challenged Brodan and Monroe, it worked really well overall. I was over the moon when we got the epilogue – it was so perfectly Roe and Bro and made me so happy….and then things got so much better. Better than I ever knew they could…there’s a bonus second epilogue with scenes from all of the Adairs and OOOOOOOOOOMFG. I seriously wanted to cry I was so happy with everything I was reading – it was just sheer bliss and everything I didn’t know I wanted from all of them. I couldn’t dream of a better way to end the Adair Family Series then with that epilogue – I could hug Samantha, I’m truly so happy with what she did with them. And I’m even happier to know this isn’t the end of Ardnoch – I love that we are going to continue on with other characters but staying in Ardnoch (any excuse to stay in Scotland and I’ll take it!). I also loved getting to know Walker and Sloane in Only You, it only makes me even more excited to get my hands on Beyond the Thistles! #TakeMeToArdnoch
5 “Sunset” “eighteen years” “Brodan Adair” Kisses
Oh…my…goodness. I seriously don’t even know where to start with how much I loved this book. I’ve been desperate to get my hands on Only You basically since Here With Me, the first book in the Adair Family Series – Brodan has always been very illusive and I was dying to know his and Monroe’s full story…but I think waiting for it has only made me learn to savor and appreciate their story more, because that’s exactly what I did with Only You. Now…on to the important business…if you have no idea who the Adair Family is and what they heck I’m talking about – we must fix that pronto. Only You is the fifth book in the Adair Family Series – the first four books are Here With Me , There with You , Always You and Be With Me . Each book can be read as a standalone given it’s about a different couple (one of the Adair Family siblings) but I highly recommend reading them in order because each book builds off the other and there might be some slight spoilers. Plus with each book you get to know and understand the character more and it just helps you fall more in love with the family overall. Not to mention it’s one of my favorite series of all time, the writing is amazing, the stores are romantic-suspense perfection and the characters are *chef’s kiss* Just saying…
Monroe Sinclair…you know those people that are just too good for this world? That just exude kindness…don’t have a mean bone in their body…just pure sweethearts…that’s Monroe. She is just one of those characters that I instantly liked and the more I got to know her, the more I fell in love with her spirit and her heart. She is just wonderful…and good gracious can she just not catch a break with both hands wide open. Her parents are absolute crap – the fact that she is a beautiful soul from the inside out is due in no part to anything they contributed – but despite that, she is the best daughter she can be. She’s smart, she’s funny, she’s got this spit-fire sass to her that I loved when it came out (she is a redhead!)…and on top of all of that, she is a teacher and a fantastic one at that. She’s so devoted to all her students and you can truly see the impact she has on them. I could truly go on for hours singing this woman’s praises, I may or may not have a huge girl crush on her (spoiler alert – I totally do)…but I’m not the only one who knows how amazing Monroe is. A certain Adair has known his whole life just how perfect she is for him.
‘Once upon a time, Monroe Sinclair was so vital to me, I would have protected her against anyone who tried to hurt her, no matter what it took to make her safe and happy.
How was it possible that I could be the source of so much of her pain?’
Brodan Adair…the Adair men are a naturally broody breed. It’s like ingrained in their DNA and given that Brodan is my 4th Adair men, I think that makes me a (self-professed) expert on the matter. Each of them have their demons that plague them and they love to carry the weight of those demons on those beautiful strong shoulders…but damn do they look sexy doing it. I knew whatever happened to Brodan was going to be a lot…but getting the full story really helped me understand so much about him. I have been dying to get into this man’s brain from the second I knew of his existence – there is just something about him that I needed to know all of his secrets and my brain wouldn’t let it go until I had the chance. It was so beyond worth the wait. I will say…Brodan is not a perfect character – none of the Adair men (or Mac for that matter) are…they fuck up, they have moments where I want to smack them or yell at them, but oddly enough, I think it makes me appreciate them more because they own their mistakes and they atone for them. There were a few moments, especially towards the beginning with the way Brodan treated Monroe that I was really concerned…but I loved seeing the shift and change in him.
‘Those pale eyes locked onto mine. “I’m not judging you, Sunset.”
The nickname tore through me. “Brodan—”
“I should have been taking care of you,” he said with gruff self-reproach.
I stiffened. “I take care of myself. And anyway”—I turned to the closet—“I’m not yours to take care of.”
There was a moment of silence and then I felt his heat score along my back. His breath tickled my ear as he leaned in, scattering goose bumps down my spine. “You’ve always been mine to take care of. And today is the day I stop failing at it.”’
Monroe and Brodan are…my ultimate kryptonite – a couple with history! Mountains of it…they’ve been best friends since they were children, grew up together and have so much shared history that just cannot be replicated. I love love love their history – we get a few moments and a flashback here or there and I lived for them – it really illustrates their relationship and what shaped them, which only made me love them more. Unfortunately…there is some bad stuff that does come with that history…the events that lead to them being apart for 18 years…and understanding that is also a huge part to understanding the hurt that was the reason for that separation. It was everything I needed to get that whole story and seeing how it transformed Bro and Roe was so healing and just necessary. Even with almost two decades and loads of emotions between these two, at the very heart of it, they were the same people that fell in love with each other as teenagers. You cannot diminish the bond that they shared and the fact that they never let go of that relationship despite the distance and hurt that lay between them speaks volumes to the strength of that love. Watching them undue years of anger and mistrust and frustration was far from easy but the result of what they had when they were finally allowed to be together was absolutely breathtaking.
“Ever since that day, I couldn’t separate loving you from wanting you. And I knew that if I gave into those feelings, you would become everything to me. Because you just fit, Roe. You fit me. I refuse to be that scared wee boy who didn’t realize what you meant to me … you were already everything to me. You always will be. Eighteen years apart just numbed the empty ache you left behind. But now you’re here, in front of me, and I know that you’re my missing piece. No one will ever fit me like you do. No one.”
Samantha Young has completely and totally blown me away with what she has done with these characters and series overall. There is simply no way to perfectly encapsulate the amazingness with what she has done…I’m at a loss for words to truly do it justice. I know to expect brilliance when it comes to Samantha, she has created some of my favorite books and she’s proven it through the entirety of this series but I love the detail and the effort that she put into The Adairs, it’s absolutely wonderful. I am and always have been a lover of series books, they are just my favorite – I love getting to see the characters I originally fell in love with continue to grow and expand in other stories while also learning new characters and being able to fall in love with them as well and this is something that Samantha has truly perfected with The Adair Family. They are so entwined in each others lives and it’s such a beautiful thing to experience, it’s part of what made me love the series even more. That, and them poking fun at the age gaps (which I love so very much) and the family craziness – it all makes the family more endearing and loveable and just one more thing that I couldn’t get enough of. I also love that she made me fall in love with Ardnoch – this tiny little village just feels like home and was impossible not to love just as much as the characters because it is them. It is where they grew up, it is part of who they are and shaped them and it is now their home forever.
“I won’t push. But I want you to promise to come to me the moment you’re ready to face it.”
I looked away, staring out at the water. “Let’s not make any promises to each other.”
Feeling his cool fingers touch my chin, I allowed him to turn my face back to his. “We have a problem here, Sunset. Because I want to make all our promises to each other.”
The ending was perfect….I knew not to get to comfortable towards the end because Samantha always has something up her sleeve – and she did! I liked what it did for the story and how it challenged Brodan and Monroe, it worked really well overall. I was over the moon when we got the epilogue – it was so perfectly Roe and Bro and made me so happy….and then things got so much better. Better than I ever knew they could…there’s a bonus second epilogue with scenes from all of the Adairs and OOOOOOOOOOMFG. I seriously wanted to cry I was so happy with everything I was reading – it was just sheer bliss and everything I didn’t know I wanted from all of them. I couldn’t dream of a better way to end the Adair Family Series then with that epilogue – I could hug Samantha, I’m truly so happy with what she did with them. And I’m even happier to know this isn’t the end of Ardnoch – I love that we are going to continue on with other characters but staying in Ardnoch (any excuse to stay in Scotland and I’ll take it!). I also loved getting to know Walker and Sloane in Only You, it only makes me even more excited to get my hands on Beyond the Thistles! #TakeMeToArdnoch
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