Emmaline Ryan loves helping out with her family's animal rescue in her spare time. Her childhood friend and secret crush, Garrett Coleman, graduated at the top of his veterinary class but is now only known as the Hot Doc for the shirtless videos he does to promote animal rescue. He is glad for the rescues he helped, but now, he wants to find a job at a place that wants him for his ability with animals, not the Hot Doc promotions they want to use to drum up business. In between visiting potential practices, Garrett heads home to Magnolia Sound. Hearing that Emma is single again, Garrett can't wait for the chance to ask her out. Can the two find a happily ever after together?

This is the eighth book in a series about Magnolia Sound, but it can easily be read as a standalone. The story has everything you would expect from a small town romance, and I am a sucker for childhood friends becoming more as adults. When I saw Samantha Chase authored this book, I knew I had to check it out, and it did not let me down. The story was sweet.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an audio ARC of this book.

I liked this book, but I have to admit that the narrator made it for me - I thought she did an incredible job and was very pleasant to hear.

This is book 8 in this series and I have to admit that I’ve only listened to about half of them so far. It’s no problem to listen out of order - you’ll still understand what’s going on.

Emmaline had been divorced for three years from her deadbeat ex-husband and he left her a ton of debt. And he has gone AWOL - even the lawyer can’t find him.

Garrett is a veterinarian who makes YouTube videos shirtless and he has earned a loyal social media following. The only problem is now he thinks no one respects him for his brain - only for his attraction to the ladies. He has been in love with Emmaline since he was a child, but he can’t live in the same city with her and her husband as it’s too painful. Now that she’s divorced, he plans to spend more time visiting family at home. But can they overcome all the issues they have? Her ex; her debt; his absent father; his lack of a job; etc.

This was a cute story that is worth a listen. I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated above are mine without biases.

This is a cute, second chance romance. The plot was missing angst though. You know right from the beginning that both characters really like each other and nothing really stood in the way of them being together.

Im new to the world of audiobooks so this is only the 2nd audiobook I’ve listened to. I worried I wouldn’t be able to stay focused on it while I listened but this narrator was great and helped keep me hooked.

I love a good romance and I mean… combine a hot veterinarian and an adorable dog shelter in need of help with childhood friends turned lovers and you’ve got yourself a pretty great romance combo. Mix in the family drama that this book also had and its a pretty great story. I’d recommend this book to anyone who loves the friends to lovers trope and books about cute dogs.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the audiobook of the title. All opinions remain my own as always.

Emmaline Ryan is a smart girl that unfortunately married the wrong man. After getting married, he changed and destroyed her self esteem and then left with their money and leaving her with the debt. She has been working hard to pay off all of the debt. She doesn't have much of a social life as her friends are all happily married. An old friend, Garrett comes back in town after he graduates from Vet School. They had been very close growing up. She had been a great friend to him and helped him with his schoolwork as he had learning disabilities. Garrett had been in love with Emma since her was 8 years old but he never told her. When she sees Garrett after all this time, she is attracted to him and impressed with his incredible body. They realize their attraction to each other but are afraid to pursue it as Garrett will be leaving town once he accepts a position with a Vet Clinic. This is a great story of two people exploring a relationship and career choices.

I loved this book! Emma and Garrett were once friends but life took them in opposite directions. When their paths cross again, sparks start to fly, thanks to the help of a few cute four legged friends! This book has romance AND animals, what could be better! Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for a copy of this book for an honest review.

by: Samantha Chase

Summary: Emmaline Ryan the good girl who helps everyone. She may have has some hangups after an abusive relationship with her ex- husband who left her in debt. She try's to help her mom and stepdad, who needs back surgery. The town does its best to volunteer at her family's pet rescue, but what she really needs is a miracle to get all the pups adopted. Enter Garrett Coleman, the Hot, Sexy Vet, internet sensation who is touring vet clinics getting animals adopted with his shirtless videos, and Emma's childhood best friend.

Garrett met Emmaline, the girl of his dreams, when he was in elementary school, she was his tutor and he spent his time crushing hard on Emma, but never told her. He is only back in Magnolia Sound for the weekend, but he makes plans to run into Emma while on his visit, and plans to ask her out on a date. Then next thing Garrett knows Emma is literally running into him in the grocery store the first night in.

When Garrett and Emma get that date he tells her he leaves first thing next week to tour his pick of new vet clinics, but he’d give anything for these clinics to appreciate how good his veterinary skills are, not just how good he looks without a shirt on. Emma knows she can not ask him to promote Happy Tails after his declaration, and is glad her shyness didn't get her to ask sooner.

The following Sunday Garrett shows up to Happy Tails just in time for Axel, Emmas favorite rescue dog, Axel, to slip the fence into the new area on the property and the oncoming storm to open up. Running into the barn they find Axel and Garrett kisses Emma! But Axel wanted into the mix too and they stop kissing. Giving Emma the time to question how Garrett wants her. Weeks pass and after a few visits to vet clinics Garrett surprises Emmaline by showing up on her doorstep for a weekend visit. While home for the weekend Garrett unexpectedly runs into the last person he ever expected to see, his father. He drops some very unexpected news which could change Garretts and Emmas plans.

Review: I did request this ARC audiobook from Netgally. I really enjoyed Since you've been gone. It is the 8th book in the series, but I was able to keep up with the characters without reading the earlier books. I enjoyed Garrett and Emma's story, giving this story a solid 4. I do have a special place for a friends to lovers romance as I was friends with my husband before we were married as well, and this story does not disappoint.

How can you make a cute romcom even cuter? Add a dog shelter full of adorable pups and a hot veterinarian. Since You’ve Been Gone is a fun second chance romance read, the perfect summer read!

When Garrett comes home to Magnolia Sound, he encounters Emma, the girl he was friends with throughout their schools years, and who he had a crush on the whole time.

I truly loved the romantic tension and the build up between Garrett and Emma. And once the two are together its even cuter and more swoon worthy.

What I really liked - versus the last couple romances I’ve listened to, Emma didn’t feel the need to drop the “L” word immediately.

There was some light steam, but overall this was a fun, light read. Since You’ve Been Gone is the 8th book in the Magnolia Sound series, but it worked as a standalone for me.

I listened to Since You’ve Been Gone as an audiobook, and Carly Robins was such a great narrator.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audio review copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first book by this author. I loved it very much. Like I said in my goodreads review, I loved how they *spoiler* were together until the end but it was still able to keep you hooked without giving you that predictable break up and make up ending.

This book was fantastic. Garrett is a veterinarian with his life planned out. He has multiple job offers and is thoroughly researching the best fit. When he is asked to come home home for the weekend he is reluctant but agrees. His one regret is in his hometown and hasn’t seen him in years. They used to be best friends, but when she got married, he couldn’t act like everything was okay. If he can loosen up a little, he just might get what he has always wanted.

Emmaline/Emma doesn’t have enough hours in a day. Trying to did herself out of the hole her ex left her in takes everything out of her. When she literally bumps into Garrett, her best childhood friend, her life gets pushed off it’s axis. She has always found him attractive but believed she was in the friend zone.

I really liked how this story unfolded. They each had baggage, some self imposed, that they needed to work through. Communication is key, but when you feel like you are letting the one who means the most to you down, it is hard to be completely honest. Just when they think their happiness is in the bag, one of them gets news that will change everything.

Garrett is sweet, understanding, determined, yet unsure. Emma is strong, independent, hard working, yet stubborn. When they work together they are great but when one falters it threatens to destroy them. I loved how one of them really stepped up to prove that he/she wasn’t going to lose his/her happiness

The narrator did a wonderful job of conveying emotion for each character. While I generally enjoy listening to duet style audiobooks, I did enjoy this as well. A wonderful story told by a wonderful narrator.

A great book that I highly recommend. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

Received this audiobook copy on NetGalley. Thank you to Samantha Chase and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to give an honest review.

"Since You've Been Gone" was a cute, romantic love story about childhood friends turn lovers. Emmaline and Garrett's love is something that people would only dream of. Emma was always the shy, pushover growing up. Now divorced, she knew she could no longer be that person anymore. It has only caused her to be in an insane amount of debt and regret no thanks to her ex. Especially when it comes to saving her family's pet rescue "Happy Tails". Garrett on the other hand, knew that Emma was the girl of his dreams since he was eight years old - except he never told her. Emma was the one who got away but now that he's a social media star nicknamed "Hot Doc" and "Sexy Vet". His new found fame has forced him to come back to Magnolia to visit his family when he crosses paths with Emma after years of not seeing her. He knows that this is the last chance for him to tell her how he feels but will she feel the same? Unfortunately, he's not the only one who comes back to town. He's faced with issues from his past that can potentially jeopardize his possible future with Emma.

This was super cute, and I loved them as a couple! It was a fairly quick listen and Samantha did a great job in describing how deep Emma and Garretts bond truly is.

I just reviewed Since You've Been Gone by Samantha Chase. #SinceYouveBeenGone #NetGalley
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I really liked this story, but then I love stories that include dogs. The story was light and easy. If looking for a book with a dog living theme and a happy ending, this is the book for you

This one was really cute! I really enjoyed the audio! I hope there will be a sequel! This Is one of my favorite tropes and I cant wait to read more by this author.

Emma and Garrett were best friends growing up. In high school, there was a hint of something more between them—until Emma's possessive junior-year boyfriend chased Garrett off. Now Emma's divorced, and Garrett's a vet visiting family in his home town. Will Emma and Garrett get a second chance at love?

This is a sweet small-town romance where family plays a strong supporting role. Emma and Garrett both have issues with avoiding confrontation, which makes it difficult for them to communicate sometimes. But this commonality also forces them to learn to stick up for themselves, and it's nice to see the characters evolve in this way.

Samantha Chase continually does an amazing job bringing characters and towns to life while telling stories that involve the reader and keep the pages turning. That's certainly true in this book. I enjoyed the narration as well.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the audio ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Small town girl Emmaline is trying to find ways to help her family's dog rescue "Happy Tails". When a old friend/"Hot Doc" vet Garrett comes into town, Emma considers asking this social media influencer for a little help. The two literally run into each other at the grocery store and then they can't stay away. When everything seems to be falling into place, Garrett's "dying" and long absent father stirs up some family drama by showing back up in town. Will their new love survive the ups and downs through the "ruff" ride?

I liked this book but was secretly was hoping for a little more steam during the romance scenes, definitely more Hallmark channel movie. This light and heart happy read ties up every thing in a loving happy bow. If you're worried about reading any of the other "Magnolia Sound" books first don't, this is a great read alone. I had no idea I was starting on #8!

Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Stars

Narration: I love this audiobook company for narration. The narrators are always great. This narrator had a good voice to distinguish between characters and a voice that kept me interested, while be able to follow along!

The book was okay. I didn’t really feel the romantic connection between the characters. I saw this was an 8th book in this series so maybe I would have liked it reading it in order? It can read as a stand alone I just found I didn’t really care about the story.

This was so good!! Everything you want out of a good romance. Childhood friends to the one who got away to lovers. Mutual pining. Right person, wrong time

I really wanted to like this book. I like romance and pets! The novel is well-written, but the plot wasn’t very interesting. There wasn’t a build to the romance and Em while kind was closed off. I would definitely try another book by this author, but this one wasn’t for me.

I enjoyed an advanced copy of this audio book from the publisher upon request.

I have read many books by this author and this new installment in the Magnolia Bay series did not disappoint. Garrett and Emma’s story had its ups and downs and I was truly surprised by some of the events in the story that turned everyone’s world upside down. This can be read as a stand-alone book.

I loved this story! Garret and Emma are so cute and I just love them. I am going to have to go back and read the rest of the series.