After reading the other books leading up to Peyton's story, it took so long to get here - and it was so worth the wait. Peyton has led a fairly charmed life, and we don't really love her in the previous books since she ended up dating her (ex) best friend's (ex) boyfriend. Peyton loses her best friend in that situation, and when she's diagnosed with breast cancer, she also loses the boyfriend. Her brother is her biggest supporter, and convinces her to document her cancer journey.

The book they've worked on together is now published, and it's time to promote it. Enter Mitch. He's all business (most of the time) and he's depending on this book to help him succeed. Overall his character is pretty stiff, but Peyton starts to soften him and make him seem more human.

I really enjoyed the dynamic between these two. I felt the book was a little slower than the previous two books, but it was also more emotional and I can appreciate that. I think this completed this series nicely and I would recommend reading all three books.

Review will be posted in the next few days at Romance Reviews Today: http://romrevtoday.com/

THE WONDER OF NOW – Jamie Beck
Sanctuary Sound, Book 3
Montlake Romance
ISBN: 978-1542044325
September 2019
Contemporary Romance

Europe & United States – Present Day

Peyton Prescott is a breast cancer survivor, and with the help of her brother, Logan, wrote a book about her experiences. The publisher sends Peyton on a book tour to Europe with the publisher’s PR expert, Mitch Mathis, coordinating everything as they travel. Peyton is feeling doubts about the tour, which is unlike how she felt before her diagnosis when she was carefree and gregarious. She can’t expect Mitch to help allay her fears as he is pretty much involved in his own personal issues. Mitch’s mother demands his attention, even though he has his own life to lead. Now he has to juggle his business and personal life. As they travel, Mitch and Peyton get to know one another better, and an attraction builds, but she isn’t ready yet to get involved with a man, let alone making love. Her breasts are gone. How can any man find her attractive?

THE WONDER OF NOW is a poignant tale of a woman who has survived cancer, but emotionally she is still scarred by what happened. Logan forced Peyton to keep a journal of her thoughts and feelings during the time she did her treatment. With the photos that he took of her, they put it all into a book that has become a bestseller. Peyton didn’t want to go on the tour, but the publisher insists it will sell more books as it brings awareness to fighting cancer. When Peyton was diagnosed, her perfect life fell apart, including her boyfriend, Todd, walking out on her. As it happens, Todd had earlier come between Peyton and her best friend, Claire, as he was then dating Claire and dumped her for Peyton. Claire is now engaged to Logan (their story is in THE WONDER OF US, out now), and while it has been mentioned throughout the series, in THE WONDER OF NOW, the reunion between the two former best friends is barely addressed.

Mitch, for his part, has been saddled with an overbearing mother who thinks she knows what is best for him. He’d prefer to stand on his own two feet—and can, but he can’t abandon the woman who raised him. As the attraction between Mitch and Peyton develops, his mother learns about it and tries to dissuade him from going any further. What if Peyton’s cancer reoccurs? They come from different backgrounds, so how can their relationship be sustained? Will Mitch reject his mother’s interference?

THE WONDER OF NOW will tug at your heart as it fills you with sympathy for Peyton. But she doesn’t want you to feel sorry for her. She wants to move on past her pain, though it’s admittedly hard to do. Peyton and Mitch are perfect for one another, but they have a long and winding path before they can find a future together. This is a beautiful and emotional tale that you won’t want miss, so pick up a copy of THE WONDER OF NOW today.

Patti Fischer

The Wonder of Now is the third book in Jamie Beck's Sanctuary Sound series. The books in the series are connected by the fact that the heroines were childhood friends. This story is about surviving, friendship, love and hope.

Peyton's story is a difficult one to read. She shares her battle with breast cancer, from her dark times and her hopeful times and everything in between in her memoir. She is such a strong character and its heartbreaking when she lets her insecurities get the best of her, and she can't see her own strength. Mitch was a great compliment to Peyton and his focus and encouragement helped her through some tough spots during the book tour. Their slow built love story was perfectly paced, realistic, heart-warming and a relationship to admire.

The Wonder of Now, and the other books in the series, are just overall beautiful reads. Realistic stories of women who deal with personal growth, heartbreaks, hardships, and sickness. Jamie Beck's Sanctuary Sound is a must-read Womans contemporary fictions series.

I was excited to read this book. I've read the other in the series and really enjoyed them. Peyton's story is that of her journey of recovery after breast cancer, chemo and radiation. Part of her recovery was writing about her experience. The book takes you on her book tour with Mitchell, who is promoting the book.
It was a very interesting concept for the plot. At times I felt it was pretty slow going, which is why I didn't give it 5 stars. It didn't really pick up for me till about 60% of the way through the book. At that point I was totally invested in the story and the relationship struggles of Peyton and Mitchell. I also enjoyed the incite into book publishing and promoting.
Peyton's emotional up and downs of wondering if her cancer would come back and whether or not it was right for her to love someone was a huge part of the book. That could be a possible trigger for some.
I was given a copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is the third book in the series, and is undoubtedly the richer for having read them in order. I knew that Peyton's book would be coming, but it was even better than I could have hoped. It definitely requires tissues – but is at its heart, a very uplifting and hopeful book.

Peyton and Logan's book about her cancer journey is about to be released and she is going to have to do some tours and readings... even though she really doesn't want anything much more to do with it. Her trip to Europe with publicist Mitch is going to challenge her stamina and her resolve to do the right thing, and then she meets him... and it is going to be even more difficult as he is everything she never thought she could want again. Very aware of her less than before body, and her vulnerable state of mind, she refuses to acknowledge the chemistry between them, but I think we all know how effective that will be!

I loved this book for the honesty, the value of family, the healing of old wounds, and the promise of a much brighter future for them both. Highly recommend this series to you.

A touching book of hope, heartache, happiness and love after breast cancer. Peyton Prescott seemed so real to me in this book with everything she had gone through, her emotions, her fears and trying to make new dreams. I especially liked the message of hope for the person going through cancer and to the family and friends supporting that person. I think this series and this book in particular are one one of Jamie Beck's best ones. She really touched on Peyton's raw emotions about the cancer returning, about a physical relationship with Mitch, and about what she was going to do next. I also liked how Peyton redeemed her character in this book and finally forgave herself for what she had done to her best friend in the previous book. There was hope for their new relationship. While reading this book I could not help thinking of my sister who is a breast cancer survivor too. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review. Beautiful story.

The Wonder of Now is book three in the Sanctuary Sound series, and I couldn’t wait the read it since I’ve loved the first two books. When I received an invitation from the publisher, via Net-Galley, I immediately accepted the chance to read and review an advance reader copy. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

I met the heroine in the first two books, and because I had information regarding her character, that had me intrigued. I delved in right away and was immediately captured with this compelling romance. The writing is smooth and flows beautifully, making The Wonder of Now an engaging, and at times, emotional reading experience.

Peyton Prescott went through life never taking it seriously. Then she received the news that she had breast cancer. The man she thought she loved, ghosted her. She’d willing destroyed a life-long friendship for that heel.

Now she’s cancer free and has finished the memoir she wrote with her brother’s help. She’s scheduled for a European tour and meets her publicist. Mitch Mathis is driven to ensure Peyton’s book is a huge success. Peyton dreads the ordeal, knowing it will keep her cancer journey the main focus, when what she really wants, is move on with her life.

One thing she didn’t count on, nor does she want––an attraction to a man––and certainly not one as rigidly structured and goal driven as Mitch is. Will he win their tug of war, or will she?

I’m normally not fond of romances where the main characters are at odds with each other, but Peyton and Mitch are perfect together, a true opposites attract couple. Her zest for life is exactly what Mitch needs. He’s far too responsible and needs to learn to relax. The relationship between Peyton and Mitch is intense, and the attraction is combustible. I thoroughly enjoyed watching them fall in love.

Peyton’s character has matured beyond what I would have ever imagined since the first book. She’s learned her actions have consequences, and sometimes, life deals you a tough hand. Now that she’s cancer free, she must find a new way. I relished her journey to finding fulfillment again.

Mitch is an interesting hero. He had to take on the care of his sister and mother as a teenager, so he’s never learned to play. At first, he finds Peyton irritating, although extremely attractive. He doesn’t understand her, and I loved watching him soften and relax as he spends time with Peyton.

If you enjoy romances with complex characters and an original plot, then you will enjoy The Wonder of Now. While this can be read as a stand-alone novel, I highly recommend reading the other books in the series. Happy reading!

I've been looking forward to reading Peyton's story through her own eyes/feelings. Both Steffi, Claire, and Logan have their own stories about her, so I was intrigued to know more. Watching her walk a different path after her illness was eye-opening. She was no longer like her former self. She also had fears, doubts, and insecurities- opening her illness and life stories up for strangers to love, hate and pick apart. Mitch was a good person for Peyton to have around. He pushed her to go outside her "new" confort zone, and she helped him try to enjoy the moments and to not be so rigid. I really enjoyed this series.

After reading the first two books in this series, and not really liking them at all, I wasn't sure I wanted to read Peyton's story. I'm so glad that I didn't skip this story. Peyton and Mitch's book is the best of this series.

Peyton is recovering from breast cancer but her actions against her friend made me think there wasn't going to be any redemption for her. I felt for her because her fear and anxiety over her cancer journey was palpable but I never thought I'd care if she got her HEA. I was wrong. This look into Peyton's mind was just what I needed in order to embrace her character and root for her to find love and a complete remission. I loved Mitch. He's so committed to his family and he's Peyton's perfect opposite so they complement each other.

I was going to give up on this series but now I'm really excited to see it continue.

It takes a skilled author to redeem a vilified character, and this book is classic Jamie Beck...THANK GOODNESS. Book one in this series (The Memory of You) fell completely flat for me so I was concerned for the rest of the series. Thank goodness books two and three were exactly what I expect from Ms. Beck - which is a multi-book series with complex characters whose relationships are messy. These are not books meant to be read as standalones - as with all relationships, there is a story to tell and you need to read book to watch the story unfold of life-long friends Steffi, Claire, and Peyton.

For Peyton Prescot, the ire of her friends was well earned, having stolen the boyfriend of best friend Claire. Nevermind the asshat pursued Peyton...once she found out the “Todd” she was falling in love with was the same “Todd” Claire was in a serious relationship with, she should have walked away. When Todd then walked away from Peyton after she was diagnosed with breast cancer it seemed, at the time, karma was exacting her revenge.

Now Peyton is one year out from her last cancer treatment. She’s healed, she’s feeling healthy, and she has apologized to Claire (repeatedly) for her actions. (FYI, that took place in book 2 - The Promise of Us - of the Sanctuary Sound series). Now it’s time for her to embark on a publicity tour to promote the book she wrote with her brother Logan - a well known photo-journalist - documenting her cancer treatment. It’s a project Peyton was cajoled into and still has very mixed feelings about. All she can hope is for the book to help those affected by cancer and that the proceeds will fund research to find a cure.

Travelling with Peyton on this trip through Europe is PR guru, Mitchell Mathis. Having recently started his own PR firm, there’s a lot riding on the success of Peyton and Logan’s book, and unfortunately Peyton doesn’t always make things easy for him. He’s basically the opposite of Peyton: serious, reserved, and all business all the time. But as they go from city to city, Mitch learns to lighten up and Peyton finds the strength to tell her story.

With characters whose layers need to be peeled back and complicated relationships all around, this heartbreaking story pulls the reader in and doesn’t let go until the very last page. This series began with Peyton being persona non grata, and ended with her forgiveness. I loved how she never made excuses for herself, never tried to rationalize her choice. She knew she what she did was wrong, asked for forgiveness, and let Claire set the rules for their new relationship. My favorite thing about this series (well, in books two and three) is that everyone was allowed to have their feelings - people were angry, people were sad, and nothing was swept under the rug. It’s only when feeling the full force of the negative feelings that you can experience the joy of everyone being healed. And it was wonderful to watch the relationships between Steffi, Claire, and Peyton come full circle.

At its core, The Wonder of Now is about moving on after you’ve made a colossal mistake. It’s about doing the hard work to get over your issues (which, surprise surprise, was my big issue with book one - Steffi had major issues and the reader never got to see her doing the hard work). Ms. Beck is one of the most adept authors at exploring relationships - the good, the bad, the ugly. And not just ones between a hero and heroine. There’s plenty of mess to wade through with other relationships. Basically, I love all of it!

I’m excited to see what Jamie Beck writes next. It’s clear book one in this series was a fluke. I’m always up for complicated and messy relationships, and Ms. Beck delivers that time and time again.

* thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I first heard about this book in the @Booksparks #FRC2019 Lineup and I knew I had to read this.

Peyton and Mitch’s story in The Wonder of Now by Jamie Beck, is book three in her Sanctuary Sound series. I love opposites attract tropes and this one gave me all the feels. Peyton writes a memoir about her surviving cancer battles and goes on an European book tour promoting her reflections during her treatment and recovery. Her brother Logan talked her into this publication and took the photos of her cancer journey. Mitch Mathis is there for only business and has laser sharp focus to make sure this book is a success! Will Mitch and Peyton ever see eye to eye - or will a heart to heart ensue instead.

I LOVED his book. It tackled difficult topics with sensitivity. I love how wonderful this story is and as a nurse who once worked with cancer patients, this story really tugged at my heartstrings and all the emotions with it . This is definitely a "keep tissue nearby" read. I truly loved Beck's writing style and it really drew me in to this lovely story. thoroughly enjoyable read.

I loved the complexity of the characters Jamie Beck wrote about and the chemistry build up was amazing with wonderful dialogue, and banter, which made this one of my favorite reads this year for me. I highly recommend this read and glad it made the list for the Booksparks Fall reading challenge 2019.

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake Romance for the copy of this book for my voluntary and objective review.

The Wonder of Now by Jamie Beck is a beautifully written, heartwarming story. Peyton is a breast cancer survivor who's journey is detailed in a book of photos taken by her brother along with her notes. Mitchell is from the publisher and has been tasked with guiding Peyton on the European tour and journey.

While this book covers a heavy topic it does so beautifully. The story is heartbreaking. You can’t help but fall in love with the characters and be invested in their story. This series is so wonderfully written.

Wow this book has so many feelings. Heartbreaking, uplifting, laughing, loving, anger, loyalty and forgiveness. A amazing book to close up these Three friends love stories. Peyton is a strong independent woman who needs no man. She won’t put someone else through her struggles but when she meets Mitch those walls she has built up and starting to crack. The upright publicist on her European book tour who has walls of his own.
Love can mend all things if you let it. Live your best life now and don’t let your fear hold you back. Peyton and Mitch ❤️ learn, love, grow together through this book.
A must read book and series.
I received a advanced copy for a voluntary honest review by the Author.

The Wonder of Now is both heartbreaking and uplifting as Peyton and Mitch both deal with painful pasts and uncertain futures. Their story is well-written and I love Mitch's unwavering support of Peyton. This is my favorite book of the series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary Advance Reading Copy from NetGalley.

Finding love after breast cancer. Peyton is on a book tour, promoting her new book, a memoir of fighting breast cancer that her brother helped with. Meeting her publicist, Mitch while on tour, fighting off the mutual attraction. They both have previous relationship betrayals that make them leery of going forward.

This is a book that I had a heard time putting it down, read in one day. Loved Peyton, a strong woman but still afraid what the future will bring her. Mitch had his heart broken once and at first is afraid to open his heart again, plus has dealt with cancer first hand with his dad.

This book is the third book in the series but can be read as a stand alone. A great epilogue with the Lilac Lane League all together. I highly recommend this book along with the rest of the series. I read this book through my kindle unlimited.

WOW!!! This story definitely has all the feels!! I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Peyton and Mitch’s story in The Wonder of Now by the talented Jamie Beck, book three in her Sanctuary Sound series. This opposites attract love story looks at the struggles and fears a person surviving cancer battles, especially as Peyton goes on an European book tour promoting her reflections during her treatment and recovery. Her brother Logan talked her into this publication and took the photos of her cancer journey. Ms. Beck tackled difficult topics with sensitivity and this incredible story tugged at my heartstrings and emotions and is one of my top reads this year. Warning: keep tissue nearby as you read this story.

Peyton is a free spirit who would love to return to her pre-cancer carefree ways. Mitch is a PR genius who is accompanying Peyton on the European book tour. While Peyton wants to revisit some her favorite travel-writing locations Mitch wants to use any free time rehearsing for the tour. Peyton wants to do her book readings from the heart, Mitch wants them rehearsed. Peyton wants to answer possible questions as they are asked, Mitch wants her to anticipate the questions and prepare answers. Mitch lives by his rules for success, one of which is not to get involved with someone he is working with. It has been a while since Peyton finds herself attracted to a man, let alone feel the tingles from touching or kissing him. Let’s just say their chemistry is off the charts. These two opposites learn how to compromise and cope with their differences. Peyton and Mitch also learned more about themselves as they connect and challenge each other. When bad news affects them, they need to work together to save their love instead of allowing it to rip them apart.

Ms. Beck writes to the soul; the soul of her characters as well as the readers. This wonderful and amazing tale was emotional, and moving, filled with sexual chemistry, wonderful dialogue, and endearing characters that is must read. I totally loved Peyton and Mitch and didn’t want to put this book down. I highly recommend Wonder of Now to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Arrival To Earth. In this satisfying conclusion to Jamie Beck's Sanctuary Sound series, we get the book we've been waiting about a year for - Peyton's story. And as she has done with each book in this series, Beck does an excellent job of showing the central traumas - in this case, both characters having differing experiences with cancer - in all their complexities. Truly an excellent work, but you're going to want to read at minimum Book 2 to really get everything from this one. Very much recommended.

This is an absolutely lovely story that deals with the really heavy subject matter of breast cancer with such finesse that one is both enlightened and uplifted - all while taking the journey of falling in love!

Peyton would be a very hard character for any author to unravel. She was the villain of previous books because she stole the man her best friend was hopelessly in love with. And, she selfishly did it full knowing the devastation and hurt she was causing. Fast forward a few years and she has experienced the grief of losing that same man when he left her after learning she has stage four breast cancer. She has endured all the horrible consequences of both with no one but her brother by her side. And, she is now on a world-wide book tour to promote the book the two of them made together of her experience.

As the reader follows Peyton on her journey, Ms. Beck does an incredible job of helping the reader understand the nuances, fears, insecurities and bravery that accompany the fight with this dreaded disease. It is both heart-breaking and enlightening.

There were times I had a really hard time with Peyton's choices - especially in the love area - but I could never judge her because I have never been in her shoes. Would I have reacted as her? I don't know.

Mitch is also a very layered and wonderful study in familial duty vs self. He is a fabulous character and, like Peyton, one where judgement could never be passed whether his decisions are correct or not because one understands where those choices come from.

The ending was just a bit cliche' but it doesn't undermine the overall loveliness of the journey and of the result!

Logan Prescott has documented every step of his sister Peyton’s cancer journey from diagnosis to treatment to surgery. Peyton has added her feelings, fears and despair to the emotional memoir. Her goal for the book is to raise money for cancer research. Logan was Peyton’s lifeline during her two year battle—and she must take a huge step without him.
Peyton’s PR person, Mitch Mathis, is going to accompany her the European book tour. Peyton understands the importance of the tour on several levels. She needs the good press generated by her author speaking engagements to ensure book sales and she needs to move forward with her life.
Peyton and Mitch are total opposites; at first glance they do not seem to have anything in common. Before her diagnosis, Peyton travelled all over the world and was a well-known blogger. Mitch is a workaholic and appeared to be more concern with texting, hitting the best seller list and working than in Peyton or the tour.
I liked that Jamie Beck presented Peyton has a flawed character. She was not perfect before her surgery- she made mistakes and hurt people she loved- or after it. The author did a superb job including Peyton’s insecurities about her body image. As a cancer survivor, this resonated with me. You are not the same after cancer—your body has changed, you have scars, you dread having your mammogram and you wonder about stray cancer cells. I loved that Peyton grew stronger, more self-confident as she realizes sharing her story has positive effect on her readers.
Jamie Beck explored both Mitch and Peyton’s strengths and weakness. I wasn’t a fan of Mitch until he admitted that he was too busy to read her book—which devastated Peyton. This story choice allowed the readers to discover the reasons why Mitch could not read Peyton’s story and allowed the author to show a compassionate, caring side to the workaholic PR man. Peyton struggled with reliving her experience on tour.
This is one of my favorite quotes:
Thanks for giving up weeks of your life to walk me through my first – and last—European book tour. For making me take responsibility for this work when all I wanted to run from it. I might not write another book as long as I live, but somehow doing all of this has made me feel a little stronger than when we started. More like a survivor, than a victim. You have made this experience memorable Mitch.

The Wonder of Now holds a special place on my keeper shelf. I loved the characters, identified with their struggles and enjoyed reading their journey. Jamie Beck’s descriptive writing allows the reader to imagine the sights and taste the food in Italy and France. The honest conversations between Logan, Peyton and Mitch bring the reader into the story immediately. Peyton’s step by step journey towards recovery kept me reading. Loved the romance that developed between Mitch and Peyton-it was perfectly paced and poignant.
I highly recommend The Wonder of Now-it’s got all the feels. It’s an emotional, heartbreaking story which showcases the importance of family, the power of forgiveness, the struggles of recovery and –most of all-hope for the future.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily reviewing it.