Ryleigh Donovan has been trying to stop her mom from setting her up with every acceptable man she comes across in their family business. So she does the only thing she can do, grab the first man her mom would find inappropriate and kiss him in front of everyone to prove she doesn't need to be fixed up. Only- WOW! let the sparks fly when she kisses Ryker, who has been asking out Ryleigh more than once and she's been ignoring his attempts. Ryleigh plans a series of fake dates, and means nothing kisses, only to want to real date him and oh those kisses. Only Ryker has some things he's been hiding from everyone. Will Ryleigh still like him when she finds out?

I know this is part of a series, but you definitely do not need to read them to enjoy this story. Ryleigh is such an enjoyable character, One who is very relatable. Ryker is also a layered character, you can't help but like him as well. It was a quick listen because I didn't put it down once started, If you love Romance stories with a plot and not very described love scenes, This is the book for you.

I actually read and listened to the audiobook of this book and like I said on my review of the book, it was perfect!

This is the first book I’ve read in the Donovan Family Series by Samantha Chase but it certainly won’t be the last. I love me a good fake dating trope and “Save Me” did not disappoint.

This book centers around Ryleigh, one of five Donovan siblings. Her mom is constantly meddling in her love life and setting her up on dates. Let’s just say they aren’t with men that Ryleigh would choose to date for herself.

When Ryker, a bearded tattoo artist, who has been asking Ryleigh out for awhile, agrees to fake date Ryleigh to get her mom off her back, the book really heats up. We all know what happens in fake romance tropes and how the fake romance becomes real, but I love their storyline. I especially appreciate that it is the man in the story who is really fighting for their romance and vulnerable. A nice change.

Also, I love Carly Robbins as a narrator so definitely a positive to be read by her.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me an ARC of “Save Me” by Samantha Chase in exchange for an honest review,

Good if you like lots of steam, but you don’t want it to be graphic. Good for a fake dating fix. Wouldn’t necessarily be my first recommendation for the trope.

Thank you Samantha Chase, NetGalley, and Dreamscape Media for my audio advanced review copy. My opinions are my own.

Plot - 4
Writing and Editing - 3
Character Development - 3
Narration - 4
Personal Bias - 2
Final Score - 3.2

Third full length novel in the enjoyable Donovans series by Samantha Chase. This is also my personal favorite so far. The Donovans own a pub in Laurel Bay, NC and have five grown children (the characters ready for romance). They are loving, traditional and mom especially likes to meddle in their love lives. The eldest daughter Ryleigh is especially fed up with her mother’s continual set ups. After the latest disaster lead to harsh words with mom and a glorious exit from the pub she knows something needs to change. Ryker Masella is scruffy, bearded and has tattoos. He is the opposite of who Ryleigh sees herself dating. He has been trying to flirt with her and ask her out for six months and she continually shoots him down. (He appears in the previous book.)

To stop her moms meddling she suggests and he willingly agrees to be her fake boyfriend. But there isn’t anything fake about their attraction for each other. This is loving, fun and sexy. I enjoy books where the man is already smitten and is waiting for the woman’s feelings to catch up. Ryleigh is slow to show an interest in learning about Ryker. She recognizes his kindness but it takes a sibling to make her realize she doesn’t know what he does for a living. Chase can write both open and closed door romances. I prefer her open door like this one. She shows they have chemistry and are sizzling for each other many times other without getting into specific details.

I’ve had issues with the moms character especially in the previous book. She made food controlling and body shaming comments. I appreciate that she isn’t that way in this book is even apologetic for some of her actions. It makes me feel that Chase listened to her readers or planned for it all along. And in a redeeming moment she may have been a bigger manipulator than anyone knew.

Carly Robins continues her excellent narration of the series. I especially cracked up every time she says Ryleigh’s catch phrase of dammit. The character usually is saying it to herself and narrators' subtle emphasis is a delight. She does a great job with the other characters as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Save Me sends the heart into freefall mode. From funny to flirty to frustrating, Ryker and Ryleigh prove hard to resist. Chase delivers a candy coated classic that turns deep emotion into mesmerizing romance.

Ryleigh is tired of her mothers match making skills so she decides to “date” the bad boy of the town, Ryker. Ryleigh has always known Ryker as the bad boy with lots of tattoos and he has always hit on her and tried to ask her out. She thinks that dating him will get her mom off her back but the more time they spend together, Ryleigh doesn’t want it to end.

This fake dating troupe is the fourth book in the Donovan Series and I have loved getting to know the Donovan family. I think the closed-door love scenes between Ryleigh and Ryker were sweet and I love an opposites attract troupe.

Ryker and Ryleigh were preciously real! Ryleigh felt like she wasn’t good enough and constantly felt inferior, so when Ryker did everything he could to show her that she was anything but, it made my heart so happy! I LOVE the huge Donovan family and their chaotic yet cohesive dynamic! I, also, NEED a story about Ryleigh’s baby brother, Jamie!!

You can never go wrong with a story by this author, and this latest addition to the Donovans series, is just as wonderful as the previous stories.
This time Ryleigh Donovan gets her story.
Raleigh is a talented website creator and no matter what she says, it seems her mother is determined in matchmaking. All her mother’s choices are awful candidates. Ryleigh does have an eye for a mysterious man who frequents the family pub . A man totally opposite to her mother’s list of “perfect” candidates.
That man is Ryker Masella. Unbeknown to everyone, Ryker is a well known and respected tattoo artist. He visits the pub regularly in hopes to watching Ryleigh from afar.
When Ryleigh proposes to have a fake relationship with Ryker in hopes of getting her mother off her back, Ryker readily agrees. Hoping that make believe becomes real.
This was a sweet, touching and perfect addition to the series. This listener is looking forward to more stories in the series.
The narrator was excellent in her delivery and kept the listener engaging from beginning to end.
I was entrusted a copy of this audiobook by Netgalley and Dreamscape. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Thank you, Net Galley for an audio ARC of Save Me by Samantha Chase. This is the third installment of The Donovans series. These can be read, each, as a standalone. This is in the fake dating trope. Easy read!

Save Me by Samantha Chase
Narrated by Carly Robins
Format: audiobook 🎧
Pub. Date: Jan. 31/23

Ryleigh Donovan is from a large, caring, family. Sometimes a bit too caring when it comes to her mom. Ryleigh is single and enjoys it however her mom is determined to set her up with the right man much to Ryleigh’s dismay. Therefore Ryleigh takes things into her own hands and approaches local ‘bad boy’ Ryker to be her fake boyfriend. Needless to say, Ryker who has had a crush on Ryleigh for months, goes along with the plan with the hope she will see him as more than a temporary match.

I loved the narration by Carly Robins. She brings life to the stories she narrates. So this was a lighthearted, fun, listen. Although it was enjoyable, with interesting characters and family dynamics, it remained superficial. I missed the opportunity to learn more about the characters and there was no conflict or tension that often makes the reader more vested in the story. Still if you are looking for a light listen/read give this one a try.

Many thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook and provide a review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook version of this book. Everything I write is my own personal thoughts, feelings, and opinions. I am in no way affiliated with or compensated foe my review.

This was a fun clean romance that was easy to read. Ryleigh is at the point where she is dodging her mothers attempts at matchmaking. Ryleigh wants to find or not find love on her own. Ryker is new to town and for the six months he has been in town he has had his eyes set on Ryleigh. One night Ryleigh looses her keys while she had a heated argument with her mother again. She is about to call for an Uber when Ryker overhears what's going on. From there things escalated quickly and the entire fake dating is set in motion.

Ryleigh does website design for work while Ryker is a famous tattoo artist but he has not told her what he does because he feels like he shouldn't have to tell her she should take interest in him and ask him. Her family knows what he does and it slips in conversation. From there Ryleigh looks him up then tracks him down while he is at a tattoo convention.

As all love stories go they end up proclaiming their love for one another and end up engaged at the end. I would defiantly read this book again!

This book was such a fun read or in my case listen. I love fake relationship stories. What captured my attention about the book was that this was a small town, fake relationship story. I will read anything that falls into either of those categories so when you have both of them together it's even better.

Book Details:
Third person POV. I typically read and listen to books that alternate between point of view either in first or third person. So it took me a little while to get used to the omniscient third person.

Tropes: small town, fake relationship

Steam Level:
Closed door with minimal details of kissing, hands wandering, emotional development.

Plot and Characters:
The storyline moved quickly. There's not a ton of backstory that needs to be given before you get to the point. You meet both of the main characters right away. The opening chapter starts with a horrible date that the FMC is on so we see from the start what she's dealing with. That gives you some drama and a hook to get your attention. The FMC is completely relatable. The MMC is mysterious, gives bad boy vibes, yet has a soft side. He is the perfect leading man for a fake relationship story. The side characters bring family drama and fantastic banter.


Audiobook Production Feedback:
I enjoyed the narrator. The was this was a new narrator for me and one I will listen to again.

The only con that really sticks out is the chapters are not labeled with anything other than the book title so when it exits without saving your progress, you have no idea what chapter you are on. I listen to in advance listener copy so this might be something that is changed for the final production.

Quick Summary: A charm offensive romance

My Review: Save Me by Samantha Chase was another Donavan family treasure. This installment told the story of Ryleigh and Ryker. Their romance was a slow burn that blossomed into a fiery passion. Could their forever be found after a partnership of convenience?

About the Characters:
Ryleigh: Insecure, feisty, competent, playful, spunky, supportive, and loving

Ryker: Fierce, passionate, loyal, sexy, talented, charming, committed, and patient

About the Family: The Donovan clan is always full of surprises. The antics of the matriarch are humorous and purposed. She always seems to have a plan, even though it's not always obvious. I loved being able to check in with the siblings to see how their relationships were progressing. Liam is my guy. I'm excited to read about his HEA. Will his heart be Tessa? What happened between them???

Favorite Scenes: The family dinner with Mom and Dad, the girls night and the inevitable confrontation, the love confessions, the first kiss and their first real kiss

My Final Say: While the love story of the youngest member of the Donovan family was pretty mild, in terms of conflict, it was still solid. I am captivated by this family. The adventures they have had always pull me in. I totally recommend this entire series.

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Series: Yes
Status/Level: 🌶

Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley, who provided access to an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review. The words I have shared are my own.