This is just the perfect kind of book to snuggle up with after a busy day Christmas shopping and gift wrapping. It has the right pace for this time of year - the romance isn't one of those instantly in love kinds and it builds slowly over the course of the story. And the main characters are perfect together - one who is reserved and shy and one who is strong and determined. They balance each other so well, while helping each other see things in themselves that they thought were absent.

Harriet is such a great main character. I loved that she was challenging herself to do one new thing each day in order to get past her dependence on others and the safety of the same old thing. To me this shows bravery beyond belief - to put oneself out there like that and to give all kinds of things a try just because you find them hard or terrifying. 

And Ethan, at first he seems so full of himself, but I realize that it's more like how he describes that he's learned to turn off his emotions so that he can be a better doctor. Treat the patients symptoms and don't get attached so he can do his job to the best of his abilities. Sadly, he's taught himself too well how to shut out emotions and it's affected his personal life dramatically.

The best part of the story is watching Harriet go from shy and reserved to strong and confident. All thanks to Challenge Harriet and meeting Ethan. These two things in combination help Harriet get past her stuttering, her need to hide in the background and let go of the past.

The setting is Manhattan during the Christmas season, so it also has that extra element of the holidays and all of the cheer and love that comes with the holiday. I think given that Harriet will be alone for Christmas and not with her family when she is obviously in need and want of a "forever family", like the rescue dogs she fosters, it also adds an extra emotional charge to the story.

You won't be disappointed with the latest book in the From Manhattan With Love series. It can definitely be read as a standalone, just as they all can. It's the perfect season to pick up this book an begin your Manhattan journey.

this is my 1st time reading sarah morgan book. I thought its standalone but oh, she more than I thought. I love the way story.  I hope i read all her book

Moonlight over Manhattan 
(From Manhattan with Love Book 6)
Author: Sarah Morgan
Publisher: Harlequin 
Release date: 28th Nov 2017
Page count: 384pp

'Do one thing every day that scares you.' Eleanor Roosevelt.
These words from a noteworthy woman in history are words that have included the heroine of this, Moonlight over Manhattan, the sixth book in the Manhattan series.
When I first read Sarah Morgan, it was a series set in the U.K. with nurses and doctors (Lakeside Rescue) and I fell in love. I was gutted when she rolled up that series to start her next one; Snow Crystal series. 
It won't be as good, I thought. I was wrong. It was better.
In fact, with every new series Morgan starts, she weaves intricate stories, characters and settings together, until the reader is once again - addicted.
In this continuing Manhattan series, ‘Moonlight over Manhattan’, Morgan deals with the ‘other’ twin Harriet, now living alone with numerous fostered pets after her sister Fliss finds love and moved permanently to The Hamptons, running the other half of their dog walking business. Their brother Daniel found love with Molly and is getting married - and Harriet is alone.
“Here lies Harriet, who knew a lot about hair balls, but not a whole lot about the other kind.”
Yep, she’s single, determined to try dating, which is not her forte, all a part of ‘Challenge Harriet’ or ‘Things Harriet Knight Wouldn’t Normally Do.’
Each day she sets a goal to try something new; which is why she sprains her ankle falling out of a bathroom window desperate to escape the date from hell.
She meets a dashing doctor at the ER who she can’t shake out of her head.
What she doesn’t expect is to meet that doctor again as part of a dog walking job.
Regular client Debra has had to fly off to take care of her daughter Karen who’s been involved in a car accident. The only problem, is what to do with her dog Madi?
The answer seems obvious - get her brother Ethan to look after the dog with Harriet on walking duties.
Ethan - a familiar face from the ER.
This is my favourite in the series so far I think.
Partly because starting with a brief reference to a book by gold medal winning skier Tyler O’Neil, that Morgan fans will recognise from another series and smile at, we get to find out more about those other characters.
Also, because Harriet literally blooms.
Bullied for most of her childhood, she hasn’t stammered in quite a few years until she’s shouted at by Ethan, but she is no timid wallflower despite being shy.
She has fight, courage and compassion.
I also loved the antics of the dogs in this one  and enjoyed reading about them. The dogs are another set of characters in the books, just as alive as the humans.
The comedy, the emotion, the romance and the heartache is all here, as well as tonnes of Christmas warmth.
Another fantastic festive feast!
5/5

Magic...this series has had me captivated.  Harriet and Ethan's story was so great, and I loved the snowy Manhattan setting.  I also really loved the inclusion of the dog in the story, and how Ethan came to really care for it.  This was a great story, I can't wait for more!

A sparkling, sweet holiday love story. Sarah Morgan is a pro. I always know that I will get a satisfying romance that leaves me feeling happy and warm. Sarah Morgan's books are also super popular with our library patrons too. The colorful covers grab their attention and the sweet stories keep them coming back for more. I

I thoroughly enjoyed this addition to Morgan's From Manhattan With Love Series. I really warmed up to Harriet in this one, after not finding her that captivating previously. I liked the way she was determined to try to come out of her shell a little. I loved Madi, and her owner's brother, Ethan, who was charged with babysitting the dog. He was a little rough around the edges at first, but I grew to like him quickly.

The storyline in this one was sweet and entertaining, and I liked seeing Harriet and Ethan get to know and develop feelings for one another. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Moonlight Over Manhattan is a satisfying, undemanding story that delivers on both the romance and the Christmas spirit!This is a heartwarming, uplifting story of overcoming fears to face challenges head on and growing in confidence as a result. I just loved this romance, it was so good, exactly what I needed!

A quick and easy, feel good romance! This was my first book by Ms. Morgan, but I’m anxious to read thebotherd in this fun, swoony series!

Another sweet, feel-good read from Sarah Morgan--this time with dogs and Dr. Hot!

I really liked Harriet's character--her love of dogs and her determination to do something every day that she was afraid to from Thanksgiving to Christmas ("Challenge Harriet") was inspirational. It would have been so much easier for her to keep doing what she'd always been doing, so props to her for stepping waaaay outside her comfort zone each and every day. (That first scene with the Great Date Escape--OMG, too, too funny! And a great place to start.) 

Though they don't seem to have much in common at first, Ethan was definitely a great match for her--it just took him 90+% of the book to realize it. I loved how Harriet seemed to know him even better than he knew himself at times, and how she really made him work for their HEA in the end--again, it would have been so much easier to take the path of least resistance, but even when it could mean never seeing him again, she does the right thing. Go, Harriet!

Moonlight Over Manhattan does pull in a few characters from the rest of the series (especially those from Holiday In The Hamptons and New York, Actually , since they star Harriet's siblings) but it absolutely works as a standalone as well. There's also an appearance from many of the characters from the O'Neil Brothers series that is extra fun if you've read those books (and if you haven't, watch out, because that setting is unbelievably tempting! TBR piles, watch out...) but won't leave you out in the cold if you haven't had a chance to yet.

Rating: 4 stars / A-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Moonlight Over Manhattan is the second Christmas story in this series, and it seems I adore those the most. Maybe it’s the time of the year, or just the way the author writes holiday inspired novels that tug on my heart strings – whatever the reason, this novel was wonderful.

Moonlight Over Manhattan was exactly what I needed.

A sweet and heart-felt story about finding love during the most festive time of the year. In this sixth installment, Harriet finally finds her HEA. This book, more than others, is a slow burn, friends to lover story that focuses on friendship, self awareness, and two characters that couldn’t be more different if they tried.

Harriet, the second half of a twin that successfully owns and operates a dog walking business in Manhattan, is for the first time without her twin sister Felicity. Felicity found her perfect guy in the last book and decides to spend her first Christmas as a couple – by visiting his family. Harriet, not someone that broods, decides that it would be the perfect time to work on herself, to challenge herself one day at a time. All the things that are hard for her, like dating, talking to strangers and finding the confidence that her twin sister had in surplus, would be checked off the list.

While on such a quest, Harriet comes across Ethan Black, a brooding, and brilliant ER doctor. Ethan, the very opposite of Harriet, is as self confident and assured as Harriet is compassionate and sensitive. She has a way with dogs that Ethan finds complexing but also admiring. When Ethan is being charged with the care for his sisters high-strung dog, he is out of his depth and in need of professional help. By taking over, Harriet slowly and unconsciously works herself into his pragmatic heart and changes Ethan’s workaholic life for the better.

The problem is that dear Ethan boycotts himself by not accepting what is happening. His decision to help Harriet with her challenges, teaching her to conquer her fears and hangups, allows him to rationalize his feelings and chalk them off as just friendship and compassion towards a friend in need.

This drove me nuts!!!!

I really enjoyed those two characters together. By being such complete opposites, they complete each others without realizing. Harriets loving, caring and nurturing personality fills parts of Ethan’s life in surprising ways. He comes to enjoy and crave her homemaking abilities. Suddenly there is someone to come home to, a reason to do something else than just work. And Harriet suddenly had someone that saw her as the individual that she longed to be. A person that likes her with all her flaws and shortcomings.

But Ethan’s persistence in regards to his non existent feelings took some of the enjoyment out of the book. He didn’t believe in love until the very end of the book. That’s hard to swallow. There was no doubt that he enjoyed Harriets company and he genuinely liked her, as well as felt a good amount of attraction towards her. But I just wish he came around much sooner. They were such a sweet couple. I would have loved to see them interact as a couple for more than just a few chapters.

Nevertheless I really enjoyed this novel, it’s been my second favorite after Miracle on 5th Avenue (From Manhattan with Love #3) ( which I haven’t reviewed yet – shame on me).

So far, all of the authors novels have been sweet, sexy and compassionate. The author has the habit of including lot’s of adorable four legged supporting characters – which is for many readers a deciding factor and added bonus. So, if you love wholesome and heart-warming stories – give this series a try – I’m sure you wan’t regret it.

This is my first book by Sarah Morgan and won't be my last. She's a great author and I didn't want this story to end. I will definitely go back and read the other books in this series.

Moonlight Over Manhattan is the sixth book in this series.  It can easily be read as a stand alone book.  This is Harriet and Ethan;s story.  I'll admit that this whole series has kind of been hit or miss for me.  This one  was pretty much a miss. I finished the book, but it really felt like it took forever to get to the HEA.

The main characters were what were the major part of the miss for me. Harriet, who is the goody-goody, naive twin, now finds herself on her own after her twin sister found love and moved out.  She has challenged herself to do something difficult every day.  For Harriet, it seems everything is a challenge and that got a bit old after a while.  Ethan was kind just plain boring.  He is a great ER doctor, but outside of the hospital, he didn't really leap off the pages.  I honestly didn't feel the chemistry between this couple.  Even their HEA declaration was pretty lackluster.  Honestly, I felt like Ethan and Susan had more chemistry and they were just co-workers and friends.  

I have seen good reviews for the book, so you will probably want to judge for yourself.  It just wasn't for me.

This was the first book I have read by Sarah Morgan and I will say, I am hooked! I loved this story and the characters. Great, contemporary romance that is perfect for this time of year! 

Thank  you to Netgalley and Harlequin Books for the ARC.

Harriet is the shy one of the Knight siblings, having struggled with a stutter when she was young she was used to her brother and sister running interference in high-stress situations. Now that Harriet’s brother and sister have found love, she’s sort of left alone. Not that she begrudges that, Harriet’s thrilled they’ve found love and happiness, but it has made her step back and take stock of her own life, and finds she’s led a sheltered, closed-off existence. With a determination to take life by the horns, she embarks on an experiment: Challenge Harriet: Do the opposite of what the old Harriet would do, and come out of her shell. I admired Harriet’s courage; doing the last thing she’d want to ever do every day, trying to live life with gusto.

Dr. Ethan Black puts Harriet’s experiment to the test; bringing on high-tension situations for a variety of reasons, at first because he’s intimidating and quite a jerk, and then for other, more pleasant reasons.

I just loved this romance! The book description makes the story sound all light-hearted, and superficial fun, but Moonlight Over Manhattan was wonderfully full of emotions! Harriet and Ethan were lovely, well-formed characters that I grew attached to. I wanted nothing but happiness for them; together, of course! This was my first Sarah Morgan, but it won’t be my last!

A copy was kindly provided by HQN via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This review is also posted at The Readers Den.

Moonlight Over Manhattan is a delightful read that is not without its dark and serious moments. Harriet is struggling with the consequences of mental abuse that have undermined her sense of self while Ethan believes himself incapable of real emotions after having to turn them off to manage the stress of trauma medicine.

Harriet’s brother and twin sister have protected her from both their father and life in general for too long, but with both of them falling in love, Harriet knows she needs to learn how to fend for herself. She goes about this in a way that is both strange and yet strangely courageous as she tackles things that intimidate her by attempting something she would not do each day until Christmas from online dating to wearing high heels.

It’s those two elements that land her in Ethan’s emergency room on a busy night in which she appears as a pool of calm, but then she’s gone. She makes enough of an impression to linger in Ethan’s mind.

It’s coincidence, though not as great as you might think with Fliss and Harriet’s-dog walking company dominating half of Manhattan, that she’s called in to help Ethan care for his sister’s dog when she has an emergency trip out of town.

This much you can gather from the book description. However, the description fails to capture a crisis-filled second meeting that leaves Harriet fiercely defending the needs of Madi (the dog) despite having all her fears of being unable to survive on her own thrown in her face.

Both Harriet and Ethan are decent people to start out with, but they grow on the page as they learn more about each other and themselves than many do in a lifetime. While they appear very different on the surface, both of them are observant, caring people who are not consciously aware of the difference they make. Madi helps in this by throwing the confident, controlled Ethan so far out of his element that he has to solicit Harriet’s expertise out of desperation.

I loved how Harriet pushes herself to become self-sufficient, and how that effort grows to include her true mate rather than having him fill the gap left by her siblings’ life changes. It speaks to the strength of Sarah Morgan’s characters that I thought I’d already read Daniel’s story (Harriet’s brother) when he appeared in this one because I know him so well from the previous book I’d read. The characters I met in this book are much the same. I wanted some closure with the instant friend Harriet meets in the very beginning, even though circumstances made it unlikely they would meet again, but Natalie was such a bright spot I hope she shows up something else.

This is not a clean read. There is on-screen sex though not with explicit detail, but it has that kind of feel, focusing more on the people, their lives, and overcoming the shadows they carry from the past. I felt like I was there with them for both the high points and the low ones.

There are quite a few chuckles; heartfelt moments for animal lovers; and deeper, wrenching times when both their pasts come up to haunt them and attempt to disrupt any chance they have of a true relationship. Ultimately, it’s as sweet a Christmas story as it can be with a complexity that makes it feel real.

P.S. I received this title from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Favorite Quotes: She took a cautious sip ad closed her eyes. "How could anyone not like it? This is a hug in a mug. Comfort in a cup."

"Because you're irritable, shouty and you think you know it all."

 Lately I've not been loving romance novels. I was scared that my disappointment would find its way to Sarah Morgan's latest, but THANK GOD! it was fabulous. It was really beyond fabulous.

Sarah's books are like the stars in the sky, the are sparkly little things that bring joy into a dark world. 

Harriet and Ethan are just wonderful. Am I gushing? Of course, I am. This is a Sarah Morgan book and it just made my day, and reminded me that there are still some good romances out there.

Harriet is such an fabulous character. I love how good she is. How could she not be, she's a dog walker. But she's more than that, she cares about people. That is the same for ER doctor, Ethan.

Both characters have their flaws; Harriet has issues with strangers and stutters, Ethan is an overworked ER doctor with a failed marriage.

The strengths each character possesses helps the other grow. Without Ethan, Harriet wouldn't gain the courage to step beyond her comfort zones. I loved her "Challenge Harriet." it is something many of us could grow from. (Though maybe not climbing out restaurant windows because of a bad date) Ethan learns how to bring his "human" side out and start feeling again. I especially loved how he came to care for his sister's dog, Madie.

Of course the O'Neill's are back, and it is nice to have a brief visit with them in this book as well. I love Snow Crystal. I always find myself longing to visit this fictional destination when its featured in one of Sarah's books.

This is must read book for romance lovers and a perfect read for the Christmas season.

Loved this rom com with Harriet the dog-walker and Ethan the guy with the sterile, modern bachelor pad. They crossed paths more than once – and in totally meet-cute ways. I liked that Harriet could be a bit self deprecating without being annoying about it, and that she was well aware of both her strengths and her shortcomings. It was refreshing to get to know a character who made no apologies for herself while still recognizing she could be happier if she changed a few things here and there.

Ethan made a great foil for Harriet. He ostensibly had it all together, but underneath he knew he really needed to make some adjustments in life, too.

I had fun watching Harriet and Ethan together, figuring out themselves and each other … and one another together.

I loved this book, plain and simple. I laughed and swooned a lot, I felt with our heroine and I really really hoped for this magical HEA - and the author delivered. A wonderful, very christmassy and very amazing and wonderful story that kept me glued to my reader. I just had to know what happened next and if the two of them would fall in love and overcome their obstacles. Those obstacles might not have been that huge from the outside but, as they are rather personal, from the inside it looked very different.

Getting to know Harriet and witnessing her warmth and her loving nature, seeing Ethan rediscover his heart and his feelings, I was so happy to see Harriet grow stronger and more secure of herself. She takes her life into her own hands but she still manages to care for others and to be there for them.
Okay, I might have wanted to kick Ethan the one or the other time but, well, let's just say that he is able to learn rather quickly and - considering his former relationships- I forgave him in the end.
The characters are authentic and real, it is very easy to take them into your heart and to feel with them. Harriet hasn't had an easy childhood but she didn't become bitter or hard but stayed warm and supportive. It is good to see how much she cares for her brother and sister and how close those three are but it is even better to see her spread her wings, gaining confidence and finding her own way.
Family is important to both of them and even though their families and their dynamics are completely different they are a very important part of their lives and a big support.

Warm, witty and very much in the spirit of the season, I really loved this book and will definitely read it again, probably next Christmas.

I was given a free digital copy of this book from Netgalley and Harlequin for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book. It was just the kind of Christmasy romance I was looking for. Harriet has decided to challenge herself to be more social and outgoing and she has even been trying online dating, with disastrous results. She is also gearing up to spend Christmas by herself, for the first time, since her sister and brother will be busy. Harriet is a dog walker and as a favour to a client she decides to help her client’s brother, Ethan, who is temporarily looking after the dog for his sister. Surprising them both it turns out Harriet and Ethan have previously met as he is an ER doctor and Harriet had gone to the hospital with a sprained ankle not long before. When she realizes who he is she also finds out that he is definitely not a dog person. As they spend more time together and learn more about each other their romance begins. This is a very heartwarming story. Harriet is a wonderful character. She is kind, quirky, funny, and optimistic. Ethan is a workaholic who begins to realize there is more to life. This book was lovely to read and I recommend it to anyone who wants to read a nice Christmas story with romance and optimism

With her brother Daniel and Molly Parker planning their wedding (New York, Actually) and her twin Fliss and Seth Carlyle settling into newly-wed bliss (Holiday in the Hamptons), Harriet Knight’s life is changing. She has decided that it is time for her to overcome her shyness and step out from the protection with which her siblings surrounded her. The holidays seem a good time to begin her self-improvement program, so she has declared the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas a time when each day she will challenge herself to do one thing on her list of Things Harriet Knight Wouldn’t Normally Do. Online dating is one of those things, but thirty minutes into her third bad date, she is doing another of those things—climbing out the window of the ladies’ room with the help of her new best friend, the loquacious Natalie the waitress. Unfortunately, the jump landing Harriet’s escape requires leads to a twisted ankle, which forces her to visit the emergency room, another thing Harriet doesn’t normally do.

Dr. Ethan Black is the attending physician in the emergency room. His father and his grandfather are primary care physicians, and his mother is a pediatrician—all happily practicing in upstate New York. But Ethan prefers the city and the excitement of leading a team in a busy trauma center. Harriet is not his usual patient. Her smile, her gratitude, and her normalcy all make her different from his usual emergencies. He thinks she is lovely and interesting, but Ethan is not looking for romance. He never expects to see Harriet again.

Is he ever wrong! When his sister Karen has to leave town because of a family emergency, she asks Ethan to dog-sit. He is not happy with the idea, but he loves his sister and his niece and can’t refuse the favor. Karen promises that Madi the dog will be no trouble and that with her regular dog-walker showing up twice a day to walk Madi, Ethan will have little to do. To his shock, he returns home the first day of life with Madi to discover the dog, who doesn’t cope well with change and loneliness, has trashed his apartment. Dr. Hot loses his cool, shouting his frustration and making Madi cower and Harriet, who arrived on the scene just before Ethan, stammer, a humiliation that sends her fleeing with Madi.

Abject apologies smooth things over, and when Ethan pleads with Harriet to become his live-in dog-sitter, she agrees, although not without reservations. The workaholic doctor discovers how pleasant it is to come home to Harriet’s serene, nurturing presence. She even nurses him through a bout with the flu. Harriet is cautious, but she finds Ethan irresistible. Soon romance is blooming amid the December chill. But Ethan, with a failed marriage behind him for which he blames himself and the demands of his job, is convinced that he cannot be what Harriet needs. Harriet, scarred from her relationship with a verbally and emotionally abusive father, will not allow herself to settle for less than a full commitment. The situation looks dire, but with a little help from their friends and family, these lovers may overcome the obstacles.

This is the sixth book in Morgan’s From Manhattan With Love series, and it is another winner. Harriet is a dear--genuinely sweet, vulnerable, and innocent to a rare degree. It is easy to root for her to gain self-confidence, to become more of a risk-taker, and to find the kind of happiness her siblings have found. Ethan is a bit more difficult because he will not allow himself to become emotionally open, but his love for his family and his friendship with his colleague Susan give hints of the caring man he is beneath the image he has constructed. His fears may be better hidden than Harriet’s, but they are no less a force in his life.

Morgan has a gift for creating characters who have depth and believability. She does it again in what appears to be the final book in an excellent series. I loved Harriet before I started the book, and I learned to love Ethan. Fans of the series will be pleased that Daniel and Fliss are a natural part of the story without taking attention away from the central romance. Ethan’s friend Susan is a scene-stealer and a wonderful addition to the book. And the conclusion left me smiling as I wiped a tear from my eye.

If you like contemporary romance that is sweet and sensual and with enough Christmas trimmings to make it a satisfying holiday read, you should add this one to your TBR. I’m always sad to bid farewell to a Sarah Morgan series, but I look forward to How to Keep a Secret, a multi-generational story set on Martha’s Vineyard and scheduled for release on July 10, 2018.

4.5 Stars at The Romance Dish