A second chance romance and finding family combined with a mystery. Sean and Amelie are a delightful couple who deserve more than they have. A DNA test leads to a threat to Amelie's life but all will (not a spoiler given the genre) work out. A bit implausible but a good read for a snowy day.

With everything in the world as hectic and anxiety-inducing as it is, Heartbeat was the contemporary romance that I needed to lift my spirits. Filled with heartwarming and, swoony elements this book had me invested from the first page.

I’ve been a fan of Sharon Sala for years and I’ve commented before how much I like her quiet romances. But when I was reading Heartbeat I realize exactly what I liked about her books.

They all take place in a small town, Blessings, Georgia, for instance, or in this case, Jubilee, Kentucky. I realize that what I love the most about this author is the setting, the backdrop, the “where” in the who, what, where, when and why. Her descriptions of these small towns are so precise, when you’re reading her books, you’re there, you’re on Pope Mountain, you’re in the town of Jubilee, you’ve walked past the carved bear into the arts and craft section of town. You taste the pastries from Annie’s bakery and you’re surrounded by the town folk at the church hall.

I loved the story. Amalie and Sean met when they were nine years old. They were separated, and didn’t find each other for another 20 years. She had no family, she was an orphan, and Sean came from an extended family so large that they took up an entire mountain.

Not only did they find each other, but she found her father, and together everyone solved the mystery of her birth, they discovered who tried to kill her father, they even figured out who set fire to his business in South America.

For such a lot of action, and so much mystery, it’s balanced beautifully with a quiet, love story, and a new family for Amalie.

I received an advanced reading, copy from SourceBooks, all opinions are my own.

Ms. Sala writes compelling romantic suspense tales that suck the reader into the action and romance. This one takes us back to Jubilee and Pope Mountain. From the moment Amalie Lincoln visited Jubilee on vacation and looked upon Pope Mountain she felt at home. When she met Sean Hope IT consultant, and he turned out to be her childhood knight in shining armor it was like a cherry on top. When things seem to be too good to be true you know the other shoe is sure to drop.
Almost like a separate story, a billionaire signs up at an Ancestry.com equivalent to see if he has any long-lost relatives. His current wife is not happy with the situation and shows colors that he has never seen before. So, he has a PI look into her. In the meantime, his helicopter with him supposedly on-board crashes over Jubilee. Now the threads begin to come together.
Sean and Amalie's relationship nets Amalie a whole lot of new friends and relationships amongst the extended Pope family. Also, the latent talent for foresight that seems to have awakened by her accident that almost took her life is awake and working overtime. Could it be that Sean and Amalie were connected in a previous life?
Also, the search for family through her ancestry trace has yielded results. A father she had been cruelly stolen from at birth. What a tale of conspiracy and murder.
The story is compelling and will keep you turning the pages. I loved the nice touch of paranormal to add to the romantic suspense.

Heartbeat is the next addition in the fabulous Jubilee, Kentucky series by Sharon Sala. Every book is like a visit with a favorite family. We met Sean Pope in book two so it was great to see this quiet steady man get his won story. Having been through so much as a child of an abusive man, he is the perfect person understand and accept Amalie Lincoln. They had a childhood encounter but never expected to meet again. What a wonderful story.

While the helicopter crash at the beginning seems to be the main mystery in this story, it takes several twisty turns. Then there is a bit of mystic taking place which enriches this story even more. Plus I love how Ms. Sala always ties up all loose ends in her books so that you know exactly what happens to every guilty person as well as the romantic interest.

It makes you wish that you were somehow related to the Popes and could always have family to watch your back. Perhaps it serves to remind us to love, accept and support those in our family. A captivating read from beginning to end. Readers will love becoming part of Pope Mountain.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have been a fan of Sharon Sala since I read Sweet Baby back in the 1990's. I reread it (and Tallchief) at least a few times a year. I do wish Ms. Sala would give us another classic like those two, but her style has changed since those early days. I still enjoy most of her books and some of the new ones are better than others. This one was one of the better ones. I really loved the main characters, Sean and Amalie, they made a good couple and there wasn't a waiver in their feelings for each other - which is quite refreshing in a book these days. I think my biggest complaint is that there are so many characters and storylines that it is very difficult to keep them all straight. I think it was easier to keep stories straight when you were reading a physical book, but it is more difficult to reference back in a digital copy and I think that is something to keep in mind for all authors. That said, this story really is pretty good and a strong 4 stars. Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy.

I don’t feel like it is fair for me to give adequate feedback or a rating since I DNF’d it. I loved the cover but I did not realize it was a book 3 of the Jubilee books plus the multiple third person POV’s really threw me off. I gave it a try but it was just not for me.

I’ve read most of the blessings books and enjoyed them. Sometimes I feel like reading a hallmark type story, and these are definitely that with a happy ending. This story had suspense in the middle that kept me engaged and crime investigations. I felt like it went on too long in the end but I still enjoyed the book. A little turned off by the “psychics” always mentioned, but this is fiction so 🤷‍♀️. Recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

You can’t go wrong with a Sharon Sala book. I loved returning to Jubilee, Kentucky and the Pope family. Lot of suspense and Romance. I loved it.

Heartbeat, is a very fast pace book. Accidents after accident. Murder after murder. Talk about a page turner. There never was a dull chapter. I loved reading this book.

How many times have you opened a book and recognized an element of familiarity. Then shaking your head thinking perhaps it is coincidence. Then as you read on you know the direction you are heading. Finally the ah ha moments. Exactly. You all know what I am talking about.

So I opened HEARTBEAT by Sharon Sala on my reader. I love this talented author. Wasn’t sure when I had downloaded it but just knew this was my next book to review. Then the magic began. The story begins to unfold, and I realize - I know these people. See that is the great genius of author Sharon Sala. She doesn’t just create characters; she gives birth to people on paper. Folks that become familiar and dear to the reader. Such is definitely the case with HEARTBEAT. Fated to be a dog-eared book for sure.

It is a story of greed, avarice, deceit, and ultimately joy and love. But the beginning starts off with a loud bang. Literally. A helicopter crashes and lands smack dab in the center of a school yard. The danger immediate to get faculty and kids out quickly and safely. The urgency is palatable. And that is the scene Sharon Sala deftly creates as her opening salvo for this newest jewel.

We’ve visited Jubilee in prior books and therefore got a chance to catch up with some favorite characters. The Pope family along with two others that have inhabited this area around the mountains for generations. The stories are legendary, at least in their small part of the world. Filled with amazing folk that settled this land, made it their own and prospered beyond belief.

As you follow the new beginnings for Amalie and her Sean, Sharon Sala regaled us with a tale about a huge family that will capture your heart along with your imagination. It is very evident that Sharon Sala has a gift which is not a pun, one you will get while reading this extraordinary story of mountain folks with a vast history. A history that evolves right before our eyes. Every so often you think the story has come to an end, but then a new enlightenment appears, and you realize you are off to another discovery. Brilliant if you ask me. Pure enjoyment. Not to be missed.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Amalie decides to move and visiting the place on vacation. She opens her own business and meets a man who will change her life in many ways. This book was an enjoyable read.

I have been a fan of Sharon Sala's books for years and her latest, Heartbeat, is another great example of her storytelling. It is the third book in the Jubilee series and the story stands alone but to really get the most out of it, I recommend reading the two prior books in the series. This was Sean Pope's story. He is the quiet son. The one that never causes any problems unless someone he cares about is threatened and that happened for the first time when he was in grade school. Classmates were picking on a girl that he had a crush on and came to her rescue. They lost touch with each other when she suddenly moved away. Now it is years later and Amalie Lincoln has reentered his life once again. Amalie has had a difficult life. Entered into the foster system from birth, she has been shuffled around until she aged out, attended college and started a career for herself in accounting. When a freak accident changes the trajectory of her life, she takes a vacation to Jubilee and decides to make a lifechanging decision and reboot her life in this quaint mountain town. When she calls for tech support and Sean walks in, they are both surprised. Their relationship is a wonderful second chance love story with a bit of suspense weaved in. Fans of Sala's Blessings series are going to love this book and fictional town. Heartbeat was full of laughter, love and second chances. It was told from multiple POV and I highly recommend it.

Returning to Jubilee, Kentucky and Pope Mountain. Amalie is drawn to Pope Mountain after a horrible car accident only to find what she has lost. ARC from NetGalley

Part of Jubilee series. I recommend reading whole series, though it can stand alone. I loved this installment of the series. It gave me all the feels.

Amalie Lincoln grew up in foster care and never adopted. She managed to finish college and work as a CPA. On the way to work she is in an accident; by the time she recovers her job is gone and everyone she knew has moved on.
The visits Jubilee, Kentucky for a vacation and falls in love with the town. She makes plans to move there an open her own office.
Sean Pope works with security and computer set-ups. When they meet they seem to know each other. When they finally put the pieces together and become close.
Seems Amalie's father didn't know she was alive and he's in trouble after an attempt on his life. He is working on finding the culprit and getting in touch with Amalie.
I just loved touching base with the Pope Mountain family. The book contains suspense, mystery and love. Great read

Another Great Novel and Series by Sharon Sala. Her creativity is never ending. I loved this group of characters. As she winds through this story and through the series itself. A few predictable moments but than a twists would slid in keeping it engaging. I hope she continues with this family journey, beyond her usual 3 book series. As she has drawn us into this family’s five Generation history on Pope Mountain.

I was very happy to see this novel I loved the last one so much.
This has been a fantastic series! Ive enjoyed every minute of it.
I always love a Kentucky setting in a book. For me, it's like coming home. Kentucky was my home for many years.
“Fate is a trickster. We rarely see what’s coming, and it’s almost always something we didn’t expect. Today has been a day of shock and of surprises,
and you might be the biggest one of all.”
I love Sean's character. He's so down to earth especially towards Amalie. Amalie has really been through it for sure and certain. She's a brave young lady and a long stronger than I could ever be.
I love what he says to her.
"Bullshit." and don’t ever say or think that about me again. What I see in you is way beyond skin deep. You’re new to this town. We’re new to each other as adults. But we have history, lady. I’ve been holding onto you since before bubble gum. All I see… all I will ever see… is a woman of substance who makes me weak in the knees. You’re in charge. Lights on. Lights off. All I want is you in my arms.”.
Isn't that the sweetest thang? I sure thought so!
This was the best one so far. I didn't want it to end at all.
I do think that all of the characters don't need their own chapter but it did flow smoothly enough.
One point of view would have been even enough this was really the only thing that I didn't like.
I'm still giving this one 5 stars though. I wish the Pope family were my family.
In a way, they were.
I highly recommend.
My thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Wonderful story!

I think this was my favorite book by this author yet, and that’s saying a lot because I think I’ve read them all. Amalie and Sean’s story started in grade school and for a long while, ended there as well. Neither of them had great childhoods, but at least Sean had a loving mother and 3 great brothers, while Amalie grew up alone.

When a series of coincidences bring them back together, the story grows to explain everything. It is a beautiful, sweet story and I’m looking forward to the next Pope Mountain book, probably focused on one of the two remaining single brothers, Wiley or BJ.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Heartbeat by Sharon Sala (Jubilee, Kentucky #3) 3.5 stars

In this book we meet Sean Pope, IT consultant and computer geek. He meets a new client, Amalie Lincoln, who is setting up her CPA office in downtown Jubilee. It is instant attraction and a sense of déjà vu. It turns out they met when they were children and what ensues is a lovely romance. Throw in a mystery about Amalie’s background that endangers her and you have some suspenseful moments. This is a book that follow a familiar roadmap that provides an enjoyable read. I look forward to Wiley’s story (Left Behind) July 2024.

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this ARC.