Small town romance is becoming one of my favorite tropes and Samantha Chase does it absolutely right.

Ashlyn is the kind of girl who doesn’t take things too seriously and likes to have fun in life. She is sassy and spunky. She is outspoken and has an opinion on everything. Not to mention she’s a little stubborn as well. That is until her life has hit a point that the bottom just fell. She is a fantastic hairdresser, but has just lost her job from the only salon in town. And then to make things worse, she just happens to flash the new firefighter. But to make matters worse this is not the first time that this has happened with that particular person.

Reid Baylor is a career firefighter who’s trying to work his way up the ranks. He is great and dedicated to what he does. When he learns of an opening in his hometown fire company that could truly allow him to rise the ranks it only felt natural for him to return home and try to pursue this opportunity. Things are looking up for Reid and then he runs into the one girl who he’s never been able to get off of his mind.

Teasing You is a fantastic second chance story. We see a side of Ashlynn that you would not expect to see. Reid is truly a perfect gentleman and a charmer. This was a great story of reconnection. We also get all those wonderful small town things that make a small town, romance and entertaining read. Sweetbriar Ridge is a colorful town and the people in it are very entertaining. Samantha Chase teases us in all the right ways with Teasing You

"Teasing You" is another installment in the Donovans series, and I enjoyed reconnecting with characters I've encountered before. In this story, Ashlynn meets her match in Reid, someone she knew as a teenager, who hadn't left a good impression back then.

But as their paths keep crossing in the present, they're left with no other choice than to face the past.

This enemies-to-lovers romance is sweet, but not as romantic as other installments in the story have been. I found Reid's grand gesture to be in bad taste, so it didn't endear him to me.

But the foundation was laid for Ashlynn's twin Chloe to meet her special someone, so I'm hoping she's the focus of the next installment in this series.

Thank you to Samantha Chase, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

Teasing You (The Donovans: Sweetbriar Ridge #2) was a great read by Samantha Chase. Ashlynn Donovan has hit rock bottom in her life. She lost her job, doesn't have any prospects on the horizon, and accidentally flashed the new firefighter, Reid, in town. Reid is persistent and isn't ready to let her get away again. Reid always wanted to return to Sweetbriar Ridge since it is the only place he is connected to, after moving around from place to place.He jumps at a chance to fill an opening at the fire department in Sweetbriar Ridge. He sees Ashlynn again and wants to prove to her that he's the man for her. Ashlynn is suspected of arson at her former workplace and Reid sees his dream of being a fire inspector be put on the line. I enjoyed reading this book and cant wait to read more by the author.

I absolutely adore Samantha Chase and the Donavon series. Each story is original, combustible closed door romance. Reid and Ashlyn had a history with chemistry and find that way for a sweet and fabulous love story. Carly Robbins is a treat to listen too.

🎧🎧AUDIOBOOK REVIEW🎧🎧

I don't know when was the last time I did not enjoy a Samantha Chase romance, and this story did not break my streak! AND, let just say that Carly Robbins has not only become one of my favorite female voices to have in my ears, but has also managed to make me think twice about my *one-narrator* policy! (if you're wondering, they're not my fave and I tend to stay clear of them lol) I mean it could just be her, so we shall see when I try it with other narrators but either way, Samantha did good in picking this talented lady to be her main audiobook narrator!

The only point I'd like to mention aside from what I already have (lol) is why it's a 4-STAR experience. That falls squarely on Ashlynn's shoulders. The choices that Samantha made for her personality and growth made me twitchy for most of the story and I spent a whole lot of time say "seriously?" out loud while I listened! LOL Maybe I'm just too old for adults not adulting correctly, but that REALLY makes me twitchy LOL I like strong characters and I also like them to fit the age-group they're supposed to be in. Feel me?

BUT, it's fine. I still adored the story and I love Carly as a narrator, so there's that!

Ashlynn Donavon is full of sass, she’s reactive, and opinionated.
Reid is wanting to move up in his career, and when there’s a possible opportunity in his hometown, he jumps at the chance.
When he runs back into Ashlynn, things start out awkward.
I enjoyed watching their relationship grow, from crushed as a kid, to mild annoyance, to maybe friends, and then more.
This book was full of hurdles, and dealing with past trauma, but it was sweet, and full of family and love.

This was a cute romance with some humor tossed in. I really love small towns and the aspect that one person in a small town can make such a big impact and a big deal of things. It seems so unreal until you experience small town life. Plus, the male lead is a firefighter and that’s a fantasy I think many of us can agree on.

🌀Synopsis
Ashlynn is down on her luck, it seems. She lost her job and now the guy she ran away from years ago, Reid, is back in town. She’s not surprised to find she still has feelings for him but she does try to press them down and ignore them. Not Reid though. Reid is all in and makes it very clear how he feels.
When Ashlynn is accused of a crime, Reid and Ashlynn come together to try to figure out what could have happened. They also find a way for Ashlynn to move forward into her own career.

This book was such a sweet read/listen. I went between both while working and lounging. It was a super quick read. It's part of the Donovan series. Small town, second chance romance. The spice level was sweet, not super hot.
I love the Donovan family. Chase did a wonderful job with these characters. They're all so different but all so lovable. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next, and which sister it's going to be.
The storyline was well thought of and well executed. There was no part of me that wanted to stop reading this or anything I didn't enjoy.

I will be recommending this sweet romance.

Teasing You is the second book in Samantha Chase’s Sweetbriar Ridge series. Reid Baylor is returning to Sweetbriar Ridge to attend his high school friend’s engagement party. Reid’s family moved often while he was growing up due to his father’s job, but of all the places he has lived, he has always had a soft spot for this small town.

Reid has been working as a firefighter in a city only a bit over an hour away so heads to Sweetbriar Ridge after work but plans to stay the night. Arriving at the party, the first person he encounters is none other than Ashlynn Donovan, who he had greatly embarrassed when they were in high school. She was none too happy to see Reid at the party, perhaps less happy when he relocated to Sweetbriar Ridge fire department, and even less so when he rented the apartment directly above hers. But, perhaps, that all changed when he became her alibi when she was accused of a crime. And that is only the start of the story!

This is a well plotted story with a circuitous plot. As with all Ms. Chase’s novels, the characters are well described and the location a lovely setting, this series in the mountains. I very much enjoy this series and this book and I do recommend it!

This book like almost all of Samantha Chase's books are just so sweet. I adore this book and the author. the narration was spot on. I highly recommend this one.

Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape for this ALC in exchange for an honest review!

This story was overall very okay. I didn’t have any excitement or strong emotions reading it. It’s not a bad story by any means, I just didn’t feel invested. It feels like something that’s been done before.

I think the narrator did a good job, but I might have enjoyed listening to this more if it were dual narration. There wasn’t a depth to the listening experience.

Maybe pick this up if you’re a fan of a really simple small town, Hallmark movie vibe romance.

2 stars!

This is another enjoyable romance by Samantha Chase. I have enjoyed the other books in the Donovans series, and this one was great too! Carly Robins did an amazing job, as always, with the narration. When I hear her voice, it immediately brings me back into the Donovans, and it makes me so happy!

Back to Sweetbriar Ridge a cute small town. Ashlynn and Reid's story is so sweet but also laced with some drama. I fell in love with this town and characters in book one.

Ashlynn is a sassy, outspoken girl. She lets loose that's for sure lol the humour with her kept me going.

Reid is just dreamy. Being called back to a small town because he felt that's where he belonged and he sure did. His goals and drive is commendable.

It was a tad insta lovey for me I felt like. With their past circumstances I hope for a little more push back lol but overall such a sweet story. I loved getting to know this town more and all the other characters involved as well. Patiently waiting for the next one...

🎧 The narration was great. I do wish there had been dual narrators to add even more elements to the story, however Carly Robins did a great job!

Super cute, fade to black romance! If you love romance but aren’t a fan of *details* I highly recommend! This is a second chance, hometown, firefighter romance. Reid returns to his home town for a job when he is reintroduced to Ashlynn, his high school crush. Of course Ashlynn has to go and embarrass herself in front of him in almost the same way she had before.

Not by her choosing, Ashlynn puts herself and Reid in a horrible situation that jeopardizes her life and his career. I think Reid had to do a little too much groveling to rectify his “wrongs” in the situation. I think that Reid handled the situation probably better than most anyone would, all things considered. But alas, I am not Reid and Ms. Chase did an amazing job of tying everything together and ending the story with a HEA.

A charming second chance story!

Ashlynn and Reid are the perfect example of right place, wrong time. They begin under a bit of enemies to more vibes stemming from their high school days, then they form a genuine friendship.

It took me some time to warm up to Ashlynn, but I'm so glad I did, cuz her character growth was worth waiting for. I wanted to shake some sense into Reid a time or two, but what character thinks rationally all the time?

I enjoyed the small town rally around it's newest firefighter and the sassy hairdresser wrongly accused of a crime.

The audiobook for Teasing You put me through all the feels and I loved every moment. I can't wait for more in the Sweetbriar Ridge series of The Donovans!

Tropes:
Frenemies to ❤️
Small town
Mystery/drama
Embarrassing past
Firefighter golden retriever hero
Feisty twin heroine

1🌶️

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for gifting me this ALC of the audiobook to review.

I love romance books but alas this one was a bit underwhelming for me. I would even say that my standards are pretty low, as long as the main characters don’t exhibit “red flag behaviour” and there is a bit of chemistry, a slightly compelling story, likeable characters or just nice vibes, I am happy.

Sadly, this book did not succeed in ticking any of these boxes for me, apart from the fact that there was no obvious “red flag behaviour”. The book is set in a small town, but unfortunately, there is no cosy small-town feeling to the book at all. The only thing that let the readers know that this book is in fact set in a small town was by mentioning that it was a small town and the fact that gossip spread widely. None of this adds any cosy vibes and the way everyone is in each other's business without actually supporting one another seems more toxic than anything.

I felt that there was no chemistry between the love interests. They meet again, and have a bit of an awkward encounter, the MMC decides he in fact likes the FMC and pursues her for a day or so, they get together, and that’s it in terms of romantic pursuit - there’s no sexual tension whatsoever. The fact that they knew each other in high school does not strengthen the believability of their connection either, because it is only mentioned that everyone always thought that the FMC was hot, therefore the MMC also thinks she is hot.

One of the reasons for the lack of chemistry between the characters might also be because the description of the characters was pretty shallow as well. We know what they do for work, we know the names of their best friends and maybe what they look like (but not sure because I never remember and don’t pay attention to physical descriptions of characters).

I already mentioned that the romantic story was lacklustre. The additional storyline of the Arsen allegation just made me angry, because that is just not how investigations work and had I read this as a book, not an audiobook, I would have skipped this part of the book entirely because it was not just aggravating and a little anxiety-inducing, but also very predictable. The MMC’s handling of the situation did not make me believe in this relationship any more than I previously did either. Then there is another small subplot about the FMC’s family. I feel like I was missing some parts of the story because this is the only book I have read in this series. This part of the story felt very shallow as a result.

In terms of the audiobook, the narrator wasn’t bad, but this book could have definitely profited from a dual narration.

Reid & Ashlynn
* ARC Review
*3.5 rounding up
-He falls first
- Second Chance
-Fireman MMC
-Suspenseful plot
-Low steam / spice
-Dual POV / single narration audio

Reid and Ashlynn went to high school ten years ago but Reid moved for his firefighter job. He was used to moving as a child, but nothing quite felt like home besides Sweetbriar Ridge. An opportunity arises where he is able to move back and take a promotion. Of course this would happen when Ashlynn is going through some drama of her own- and is accused of arson when the salon she previously worked at catches fire.

Ashlynn was a bit on the dramatic side. I felt like she overreacted on multiple occasions. Events that should have been deemed as humorous she made a big deal of and held grudges. She was hot headed.

Reid was a sweetheart, but a touch on the pushover side. He needed to stand up to Ashlynn and balance her some. He came across like he lacked some self esteem, but he was so enamored by her.

The mystery in the plot was somewhat predictable, but that's ok. The romance was sweet, no real spice I recall. A touch on the insta-love side once feelings were shared.

While listed as a standalone, I'm not sure that is the case. It would be beneficial to read book one first. I had both ebook and audio, but chose not to listen to much. Carly Robins does an amazing job but to no fault of hers, a dual pov narration desperately needs a second male narrator.

I received an advance copy of this book for free and am leaving a review voluntarily. Many thanks to publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review early. Thank you to Valentine PR for ebook and Netgalley for audio.

This is a great listen. Carly Tobins did an amazing job with the narration. She gave the characters perfect voice, emotion and personality.

Ashlynn has run into some bad luck…she is not having a good day. And to top it off she flashes her HS crush. She is fiesty, very outspoken and is determined to prove she’s innocent.

Reid is back in town in town, after being away, to work at the fire station . He hasn’t had the best life growing up but he is a hard working, kind man that protects others.

Ashlynn and Reid reconnect - they have amazing chemistry, banter, overall dialogue and determinations. I love their conversations and Ryan helps bring a little calm to Ashlynn. They work well together very well..although there is some drama and doubt along the way…they work through the tough times and come out even better.

This is a great series to read or listen to.

This series by Samantha chase is easily becoming a comfort and a favorite and the narrator was so perfectly picked out! I love the family dynamic and how comforting the characters and their stories are. Second chance is a fave trope of mine and I love a firefighter hero. Carly Robbin’s did a perfect job bringing the story to life!