Meredith Price is starting a new life for herself and her daughter Sophie after the death of her husband. She has bought a quaint little house on the water in her hometown, Blackberry Bay so she could be close to her parents. They are settling in nicely until Meredith finds out that the house next door has a new owner, and it is not the sweet little old lady that use to live there.

Cam Maguire is in Blackberry Bay to settle his late grandmothers’ estate as quickly as he can so he can head back to New York to his job and his life. He never knew his grandmother, so he is intent on finding out more about his family before he sells the property. Everything is going well until he meets his new neighbors Meredith and Sophie.

Trying to maintain their distance is not as easy as Cam and Meredith think it will be. Little Sophie is determined to make a new friend in Cam and he can’t resist the little girl. Soon it becomes outings, dinners, and trips to the library as a group. Can Cam walk away from this adorable little girl and the attraction he feels for Meredith before it is too late? Can Meredith handle losing yet another man in her life and a father figure for Sophie?

I love this feel good romance set in a small quaint town. The characters were so beautifully written, and it tugs at your heart strings from page one. This is the first book in the series, and I cannot wait to see who the next book will be about and catch up with Cam, Meredith and Sophie again. Thank you so much to the author Shannon Stacey, Harlequin and NetGalley for an advanced copy to read and review.

More than Neighbors by Shannon Stacey is the first book in the new contemporary romance Blackberry Bay series. This first book of the series features Cam Maguire and Meredith Price changing the point of view between them in a heartwarming, sweet romance.

Meredith grew up in Blackberry Bay but had moved across the country and gotten married to the love of her life. After several happy years together in which they had their daughter though Meredith lost her husband. Now after a couple years of mourning Meredith has decided that the best place for her and her daughter was the place she grew up and after having purchased a lakeside home she made the journey across country.

As soon as Meredith and her daughter arrive in the charming small town they come across their new neighbor, Cam Maguire. Cam has found himself pulled into the small town after the death of a grandmother he never knew he had. Quickly Cam and Meredith find themselves spending more and more time together as the sparks begin to fly between the couple.

More than Neighbors was such a lovely beginning to this new romance series bringing readers into the quaint little town of Blackberry Bay. The story took it’s time building a solid friendship before turning it into more and really reflected a more mature couple along the way. It was incredibly heartwarming to watch not only the lead couple falling into love but also pulling in Meredith’s daughter and even the pets of both characters to form a wonderful family. A great read from start to finish.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

This is a predictable but a really fun-tastic read because it’s light, humorous at times and romantic. Meredith Price and her precocious six year old have moved to Blackberry Bay for a new start after the death of her beloved husband two years before. There she meets her new workaholic neighbor Cam Maguire and the sparks begin. Meredith isn’t sure that she is ready for a new relationship and Cam is certain that he doesn’t. Nevertheless, the antics of little Sophie keeps pulling the two together, along with the fact that his cat loves to tease her dog. Meredith goes from wanting to build a fence to being amenable to sharing his hammock. The journey from reluctance to love is a light-hearted one that is filled with romantic moments and just what you would expect from a lovely story like this one. Fans of romance will enjoy this new book in a new series.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

This was such a super sweet hometown romance. I can’t remember if I have ever read something by Shannon Stacey before but I will definitely be continuing on with this series. There was no major lack of communication between the main characters and the side characters were developed enough that I can’t wait to get into their books too.

Meredith is trying to get some sort of peace and normal home life for her and her daughter so she came home to Blackberry Bay. Meredith is obviously a strong character having gone what she has at such a young age and raising a daughter alone. She falls into one of the obvious mom traps of not doing something for herself. I love that this book takes place over a whole summer and not just weeks and the relationship with Cam is slow and steady. She doesn’t just leap in, she considers it all because its not just her heart that would be breaking but her daughters as well. I liked how Shannon Stacey didn’t make her husband out to be evil in anyway either she left it up to Meredith to have two different kinds of great loves in her life.

Cam was complicated but in a people actually have this sort of problem in their lives. He came to Blackberry Bay to find out more about his “family” than to make friends. However with an insistent little girl next door, and a very grumpy cat how can he resist the charms of the bay. I enjoyed him going back through times while reading his grandmothers journals. I think him learning about his blood family is making him evolve into a whole new man, or maybe it’s the bay. I really enjoyed all of his interactions in the bay with everyone. I’m not sure I would’ve enjoyed the corporate Cam as much.

Shannon Stacey launches her new Blackberry Bay, small-town series with the charming More than Neighbors. This is such an enjoyable story, set in a lakeside town that Stacey brings to vibrant life. Cam and Meredith are relatable, well-developed characters who captured my interest and pulled me into their lives. Both are dealing with life-altering events that Stacey explores with care while keeping the overall tone of the story upbeat. I enjoyed watching Meredith find a new place for herself in her hometown, reconnect with childhood friends, and form new, adult relationships. She's evolving out of the initial grief following her husband's death and testing the waters of opening her heart again to the possibilities of love. I appreciate the time Stacey gives her to accept the desire she feels for Cam without taking away from her love for her late husband. I'm a pushover for relationships that evolve from prickly neighbors to backyard cookouts to unlikely, enduring love. So sigh-worthy.

Raised by cold, distant parents, Cam's life revolves around business and not much else. His journey to discover his secret connection to Blackberry Bay, both poignant and heartfelt, introduces him to a different way of life, one to which he is, quite surprisingly, adapting. Some might even say, appreciating. I love how he keeps insisting Elinor, the cat he inherits from the grandmother he never knew, isn't his pet (she so is). Watching Cam open his heart to love, laughter, and new possibilities was pure pleasure.

Six-year-old Sophie is adorable, authentic, and important to the story. I delighted in the simple pleasures she introduces to Cam's life, like getting his first library card and learning how to lick an ice cream cone to keep it from dripping. She's a charmer and Cam (who has never been around children) falls as hard for Sophie as he does for her mom. Round out the story with a yappy dog, an imperious cat, a collection of interesting townsfolk (more books!), and a surprising twist near the end, and you have the makings of just the kind of summer read that makes my heart happy.

If you're looking for a heartwarming, feel-good romance, with snappy banter, sweet emotion, and a happy, hopeful vibe, add Shannon Stacey's More than Neighbors to your summer reading list.

*ARC received for fair and unbiased review

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

More Than Neighbors, by Shannon Stacey, is available at booksellers on 6-16-2020. This is Ms Stacey's debut book in the new Blackberry Bay series. It's my first experience with the authors work and I must say I liked it very much. The main characters are very well fleshed out and the secondary characters are inviting and involved in the plot, not just hanging around. There were quite a few ups and downs in the story and it felt like real life. There's loss, grief, love, life changing decisions to be made. Family, good and bad, are at the heart of this journey. His, hers, the one they want to create. Life in a small tourist town sounds pretty good in these pages. Wonder who's next? Happy reading

#ShannonStacey #MoreThanNeighbors #BlackberryBay #Netgalley #HarlequinSpecialEdition

More than Neighbors by Shannon Stacey is about two people who never saw the other coming.
Cam Maguire is back to learn more about his past. Meredith Price is back home looking for a fresh start for her and her daughter. They seem to have nothing in common, right? But one thing neither can deny is their chemistry. Their journey was sweet and delightful. More Than Neighbors by Shannon Stacey is my first read by this author, but definitely not my last.

Happy reading!

Heat Factor: It’s a little more heart-centered than...pants-centered
Character Chemistry: The chemistry and connection is obvious from the first page with these two
Plot: Meredith is a wealthy widowed mother who moves back home to Blackberry Bay with her young daughter to start over. Cam has been living in his newly discovered (and deceased) birth grandmother’s lake house and is uncovering his origins when he starts to enjoy being drawn closer to his neighbor and her daughter.
Overall: This book was a cover to cover hit. Real characters, great setting, magnetic chemistry, and perfect pace.

I absolutely love lake/resort romance novels (I love them, and then I want to move to a lake and live in an idyllic little resort town, and then I think about not being close to a Costco and I feel suddenly very bummed)--and this one was such a delight.

Meredith is a beautiful, young widow with a six year old daughter. When they find their life without her husband has begun to echo in ways that aren’t helping her daughter heal, she moves to her hometown of Blackberry Bay, New Hampshire.

Cam moves into his birth-grandmother’s lakeside cottage when he learns that his parentage isn’t quite as straightforward as he thought. As he sifts through things, he learns more about who he is.

What I like about this book is that both characters are realistically messy. I love that they have understandable tiffs that are resolved in ways that are understandable. I love that Meredith feels like a real mom, and I love that her daughter is relatable. I love that the steamy bits were part of the story but didn’t overshadow the plot. I love the little kernels the author left for the next book.

Ultimately, I feel like the clearest sign I’ve read a good romance novel is the size of my sigh at the end, and this one felt great.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report. (6/15)

More Than Neighbors was a cute quick romance. Two years after being widowed, Meredith has moved back to her home town with her 6 year old daughter Sophie. Cam is their "annoying" next door neighbor for the summer. He is in town to take care of his biological grandmother's estate. I enjoyed it.

I enjoyed the characters, Elinor the cat.. Meredith and Cam fit well together. They were a couple that you want to root for. I also appreciated that Sophie sounded like a 6 year old little girl. As much as I enjoyed the romance between Meredith and Cam, I enjoyed another aspect of the book a bit more. I loved watching Cam learn about the grandmother and father that he never met through reading Carolina's journals. We get a glimpse of some of those entries and I thought it really enhanced the story. I definitely recommend this one.

I totally enjoyed Cam and Meredith’s story in more More than Neighbors by the delightful Shannon Stacey, book one in her Blackberry Bay series. Cam Maguire is in Blackberry Bay to find out more about his past and the grandmother he never knew but who left him his cottage. Meredith Price returned to Blackberry Bay to be closer to her parents and get a new start on life for her and her daughter. It just so happened they share a property line being next door to each other. Cam is unattached and a workaholic by family standards. She’s a widowed single mom owned by a small dog. He’s been adopted by his grandmother’s cat. Meredith’s young daughter, Sophie, has found a friend in Cam and is always crossing over to his yard and his hammock. It’s the perfect place to cuddle up with her dog and read a good book. Though Meredith and Cam are totally different, almost opposites, the one thing they share besides the property line is a strong attraction. Cam thought he had all he ever wanted until Blackberry Bay convinced him he could have more.

There are a number of things in this story that stood out. Meredith’s love for Sophie along with her encouragement of reading and making new friends before school started. Her daughter’s affection for Cam was contagious. Cam’s lack of knowledge of his biological father and grandmother made him question who he was. Cam’s grandmother’s journals shed much light on her as a caring and loving person who was cheated of being a true grandmother and ever meeting Cam. The love shared between Cam, Meredith, and Sophie. Cam making critical decisions that affected not only him but also Meredith, Sophie, and the status of his cottage without input from the ladies.

Ms. Stacey wrote a wonderful, heartwarming story, filled with chemistry, life challenges, amusing banter, and charming characters that is definitely not to be missed. I highly recommend More than Neighbors to other readers and look forward to her next book in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Meredith has suffered the tragic loss of her husband. Cam is the son of a man he Neve knew. His grandmother leaves him her house and he goes to settle the estate. Meredith moves in next door. They begin bickering from the beginning. They try to fight their attraction, but it just doesn't work out that way.
This is an excellent romance. Sweet with a little juicy thrown in.

When I get the chance to review a book my one of my favorite authors for a blog tour, I jump on it and count my blessings. Add to it the story being a small town romance and I’m all in. Thankfully, I loved this story and I’m looking forward to reading more about the denizens of this town.

Something I appreciate in this story is the fact that Meredith deceased husband was a great guy and wonderful dad. Too often the deceased spouse in a book like this is portrayed in a less than kind light. Or, once the widow starts to fall in love again, they start to remember the deceased spouse in another light. I’m glad the author decided to show that you can love your first spouse and still fall in love again. It doesn’t have to be one or the other.

Cam is hilarious, the way he tries to hold back but can’t help but fall in love with Meredith’s little girl, Sophie. It’s not that he has a dislike for children, he just hasn’t ever had the opportunity to interact with kids very often. Some people are just naturals with kids, and Cam is one of them. It’s adorable. Of course, it also goes a long way of softening Meredith to him. But that’s not his intent. All of the relationships in this story really happen quite organically. Cam and Meredith as well as Cam and Sophie.

This is a beautiful story of finding love again. Not only that, but Meredith and Cam also learn to follow their hearts instead of overthinking everything and trying to make everyone happy to their own detriment. Added bonus, I was swept into the scenery and felt like I got to spend some time at a seaside cottage while I was reading this book.

A fun and lighthearted story that's sure to bring a smile to your face. There's a single mom, a quirky cat, a small dog, and a starchy businessman. When you put then all together discord ensues.

They seem to be as different as night and day, but the town of BlackBerry Bay works it's magic on this lovely couple. They each learn to be more accepting and open to new experiences which benefits everyone. A great beach read for summer 2020!

I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

I was so excited to see a new Shannon Stacey book available! I loved this tale of finding a new start in life.

Meredith has just moved back to her hometown of Blackberry Bay after losing her husband. Her life has changed dramatically since her husband passed away and Blackberry Bay can provide an easier lifestyle, old friends and family nearby for her young daughter. She's really not looking for a relationship, but when her new neighbor makes an appearance, he awakens thoughts of taking the next step in her new life with a fling.

Cam knows he's not going to be staying in Blackberry Bay. He's there to settle the estate of his grandmother, a grandmother he didn't know he had. This story is very touching and my heart felt a bit squishy for Cam (and even his mother) at times as the story of his unknown grandmother is revealed. And having the lovely Meredith and her daughter next door soothes him as he learns more about his background. There's some nice banter between Meredith and Cam early on in the story and a nice build-up to their budding relationship which I loved about this story. Nothing felt rushed, and I really liked Cam's journey of finding just where he wants to be.

I really enjoyed this story of resolving the past and moving forward. There are some really touching moments in the story, especially between Cam and Meredith as she deals with another step away from her old life. I adored the short but impactful scenes between Cam and his mother and Sophie and Elinor added some nice splashes of humor throughout.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It has Shannon Stacey's easy-going writing, two great love interests, and a very happy and heart-warming story. So much to love about More than Neighbors.

An ARC was provided. This is my honest review.

Every romantic soul thinks of the words “you had me at hello” and sighs. It’s unavoidable. Falling in love with Cam, Meredith and Sophie in MORE THAN NEIGHBORS by Shannon Stacey is equally unavoidable. Kismet.

From the very onset I realized that the storyline of MORE THAN NEIGHBORS was going to be just plain awesome. Scene by scene Shannon Stacey captured my heart and interest as page by page I realized these three were fated to be some of my favorite characters. They took hold of my heart almost immediately and grew with every wondrous line of conversation.

I am a words person. Shannon Stacey is a words master. Never more apparent than in MORE THAN NEIGHBORS.

Anyone as addicted to books and reading as I instantly feel a kinship with young Sophie. At only six Sophie has weathered great sadness at the sudden death of her dad. Kids are resilient but there is always that element of fragility that can easily hide beneath their charm and easy smile.

Cam is a soft centered hard candy. Best description I could think of. Cam grew up knowing his parentage was in question but coped with it. Now in Blackberry Bay Cam has the chance to learn something about the father and grandmother he never knew. Cam inherited Carolina his paternal grandmother’s home. His immediate plan is to use it as a summer escape from work and such. But in his heart Cam would love to find out more about who he is. Why his biological father chose to relinquish all rights to the family who raised him as their own. This short visit to the grandmother’s house might give him some clarity.

Meredith and Sophie have just moved to Blackberry Bay. This will be their new home. Meredith grew up there. So it’s a return to roots for her. Meredith’s parents are in Blackberry Bay and along with that community Meredith feels this is the place for Sophie and her to find their smile.

As I read and sometimes re-read young six year Sophie’s dialog it conjured up images and memories of conversations with children and grandchildren. Lost count of times my mind recalled similar conversations. And needless to say made me laugh out loud.

The folks you will meet in MORE THAN NEIGHBORS are so honest and loving you almost wish there was such a wondrous community like Blackberry Bay. You quickly realize that it is the characters that provide the dimension of caring thanks to the talented pen and creativity of Shannon Stacey. MORE THAN NEIGHBORS checks off lots of boxes when you are deciding on a good beach read. Shannon Stacey is going to make lots of new fans and her readers are going to close their book with a smile of their face. Can’t ask for more.

Meredith is trying to start life in her hometown with her daughter and a cute puppy after suffering a lot from the loss of her husband. Now she needs to build a new home for herself and Sophie. She never imagined that she would come across a sullen and ironic neighbor who insists that the cat that torments Meredith's dog is not his..

But Sophie and these fun pets will end up bringing this unlikely couple closer and make the reader laugh out loud. I love books with cute, witty kids and fun, rebellious pets too. This book has everything I like: romance, children, pets, humor, a light dose of drama and a beautiful ending.
I loved the way the writer gradually approached the couple. The point of conflict surprised me and I loved the way it all worked out.

This is one of my favorite romances I have read this year. I absolutely adore romances set in small towns so it isn’t really a surprise that I loved this one as much as I did. Meredith and Cam’s relationship was perfectly paced and I was eagerly anticipating them turning their friendship into more. I’m also not usually a huge fan of kids in books but I found Meredith’s daughter, Sophie, to be very authentically written. Sophie was also just a fun addition to the story and wasn’t too heavily used as a plot device which I find sometimes happens with kid characters.

Also, the setting of Blackberry Bay was so picturesque and Stacey did such an incredible job of making the town come to life. Another aspect of the story that I really enjoyed was Cam trying to come to terms with a family he never really knew he had. This was also really well done and it brought a lot of depth to his character. I’m so excited that there are more books coming in this series and I can’t wait to see more of the town (and the characters) in the future.

I loved this sweet story that made me smile, root for the characters and wish to live in a small town like the one described in the book.
I had a lot of fun and appreciated the well crafted plot that kept me hooked, the fleshed out and likable cast of characters, both humans and pets.
The romance is sweet and you cannot help rooting for the characters and waiting for their HEA.
It's the perfect heartwarming story and I will surely read others from this author and I truly enjoyed this one.
It's highly recommended if you want to smile.
Many thanks to Harlequin Special Edition and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Sometimes you just want a story you can enjoy. You want a little bit of escape. If you want reality, there's a whole bunch of it outside the window...and none of it is pretty, or simple.

Cam and Meredith are this story. They are fun, there is the simplicity of a small town romance, which are sometimes the best kind. And, there's not a lot of drama. Not to say the story is boring, it isn't at all...but it's easy, and it's smooth, and it's 2 people who have a connection and want to see where it goes.

I liked both of the characters, I liked the depth added to the story by both of their backgrounds and especially Cam's. I thought it not only was interesting but gave a reason to want to see what happened next that was more than just the romance.

Overall, I enjoyed and recommend this title.

I adored this story and was invested after just a couple chapters. Both Meredith and Cam have issues they have to get through and they don't always see eye to eye at the beginning, but the way Stacey writes the slow build of their relationship was just lovely. I really enjoyed the way she crafted her location of Blackberry Bay, and how that location was seen by each character and their perspective. Nothing about the relationship or story felt hurried and the internal struggles that each of them experiences were so relatable and authentic.

I can be picky sometimes when it comes to contemporary fiction, but I loved the setting and characters in this book and definitely look forward to reading further books in the series and seeing what happens with some of the secondary characters we were introduced to in this book.