What a gorgeous gorgeous book! The beautiful cover stood out right away but the story kept me reading the whole thing in just a few sittings. I loved Sophia’s character I could relate so much to her and also who doesn’t want a sexy EMT worker to sweep them off their feet haha! But of course there is no simple story in this book and tings get complicated fast…with a messy ex and a lot on her plate both professionally and personally we see if true love really does prevail.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

I very much enjoyed this book. The writing was great and the characters were well developed. I hope to read more from this author in the future.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved that the heroine is a charge nurse and the hero is a paramedic—it kept the story fast-paced and full of energy. She’s tough, stands up for herself, and protects the people she cares about, which made me root for her from the start. I also loved how her daughter played such a strong and meaningful role in the relationship—it added so much heart to the story. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but I’ll just say this: I’d definitely pick up another book by this author!

This was a great book and I loved the nurse / paramedic story line . I hope to read more by this author soon. The cover drew me to the book then reading the story line drew me in even more . Highly recommend
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the arc

Cari Blake’s debut is an easy, engaging contemporary romance set between a busy metro ER and the vineyards of New Zealand. Sophia Mitchell, an emergency nurse and single mom, has survived a toxic marriage and a brutal divorce. She’s not looking for love—especially not with a charming New Zealand paramedic who keeps showing up with coffee and kind words.

The ER scenes are vivid and clearly drawn from real-life experience—some of the best parts of the book. Once the story heads to New Zealand, the sense of place is equally strong. Jack’s “hidden identity” subplot could have been solved with one adult conversation, but his backstory gives enough weight to (mostly) justify the secrecy. I was willing to suspend a little disbelief for the sake of the story. He’s a cinnamon roll through and through, especially with Sophia’s delightfully sassy and unexpectedly insightful teen daughter, Madison.

The ex-husband’s petty manipulations add tension without hijacking the romance, and the book never loses sight of its core: a guarded woman learning to trust again. The characters are simple, the beats predictable—but that’s part of its charm. It’s an easy, satisfying read with a strong sense of place, and I’ll be picking up the next book in the series.

this book dives into your heart and has a good swim around in there! its absorbing right from the moment we start reading.
the ED setting we meet our main character in felt totally relatable and realistic to much of what we truly see our healthcare workers going through. you could feel what it was like for her. Sophia is a great character to get to know and her daughter also. but Sophia has had it tough and is trying to rebuild much of her life and self whilst keeping it together for her patients and most importantly her daughter. her ex was a toxic and the brutal split didn't help matters. shes now built that hurt made wall around her heart. she cant afford to let anyone in ever again, only her daughter has that key and that space.
until Jack. paramedic Jack who wins her not on sight but on sound when she hears him over the radio. Jack feels special. and makes her feel special. what does she do now?
from the time in the ED to then moving on to New Zealand Cari gives such vivid descriptions and sense of place. i felt so amongst it all and like i could really view the scenes around me.
when the truths about Jack come out i could see it from both sides but was full with angst as the conversations that needed to be had weren't happening. but even then, i could see why not especially given what both had in their past. i think its so easy from the outside to scream "just talk!" but we all have reasons we so often dont. and i can guarantee in every argument, or breakup between both family, friends, or ourselves lol. the cause is so easily just have the conversation. and its never that easy, even when it stupidly is from the outside. non of us can be relied upon to be rational adults when hurting or have been hurt.
working for, working with, working out relationships can be hard work. but thats hard work in a good way when you find something worth working for. because you can no longer be all in selfish, you go against almost everything that makes people only care for themselves first and foremost and you realise compromise, sharing, change and allowing needs to happen. but it doesn't have to feel hard, and it shouldn't. it should all feel worth it and in parts seamless to do. this book took you right into those parts of things but with a beautifully told love story. oh and we also got to go to New Zealand which is a dream of mind ill never reach so any chance to be there in books or film is a win for me.
we also have two people that have had to build protection around themselves or hide parts of themselves to live a life they want or deserve.
and a certain bloke that can frankly shove off.
a well built book that had me engaged and invested all the way through. with heart and charm both in the plot and characters i was right there rooting for them. i cared what happened to them and how they might fair.
a gorgeous time was had with this book. i cant wait to see more if im lucky enough from this author.

This was an entertaining read that I finished in a few hours.
A well written story that kept me hooked from the very beginning.
The characters draw you in and keeps you flipping the pages.
They are realistic and very well developed.
I really enjoyed the writing style. I found myself hooked, turning the pages.

ER Charge Nurse Sophia Mitchell survived a marriage that changed when her husband became controlling towards both her and their teen daughter, Madison. There are still issues with her ex, but she is her own woman once again. Her job is stressful, but she works with an excellent staff of doctors and support personnel. Recently, paramedic Jack McKenzie has lightened the ER atmosphere with his charming accent and the coffee he brings for Sophia. When a friendship develops between them, is this her chance at an honest relationship? Jack is falling for Sophia, but he hasn’t been truthful with her as he is not simply Jack the paramedic from New Zealand, he is the heir to the billion-dollar McKenzie Wine Corporation. He knows that he should tell her of his family, but a previous relationship ended when the woman’s only interest was his money, not him. When he asks her and her daughter to accompany him to his home country, time is running out on his deadline to explain about his family. Will she be upset that he hadn’t told her earlier? Will she realize that Jack has always wanted to be seen as Jack and not the heir to his family’s business? The characters were amazing, her strength dealing with her ex and Jack stepping up to protect them from her ex. I can’t wait to read the second book in this series! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Under Southern Stars by Cari Blake is a heartfelt and captivating romance that kept me completely engaged. Sophia and Jack’s story is full of emotion, tension, and the beauty of second chances, set against both the chaos of the ER and the stunning landscapes of New Zealand. I truly enjoyed this book and rated it five stars.

Thank you to Cari Blake, Victory Editing, and Netgalley for the ARC. My review is voluntary and the opinions are mine.

I love romances. This was one of the best I have read in a while. The characters of Sophia and Jack were interesting in the careers. Their path to HEA was not smooth, but that real. Add in the characters of Sophia's daughter Madison and all of Jack's family to bring some entertainment value. I look forward to reading the next book by this fantastic author!

Under The Northern Lights by Cari Blake ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

New author for me and absolutely forever fan.

What an incredible romance involving every day challenges. Work, ex's, new "friendship" , families, finding the perfect balance.
Loved that Sophia and Jack stood up for each other when Jack's parents weren't happy with Jack's life choices.

I'm excited that there will be more books in the future. I look forward to reading them all.

Thank you Netgallery and publishers for the advanced copy for my honest opinion.

This was my first Cari Blake novel and she has a new fan!

This was such a real, emotional, relatable romance between Sophia and Jack. Sophia, a newly divorced single-mom who is an ER nurse. Jack, a man trying to breakaway from his rich family and establish his own way as an EMT. The start of their relationship was so realistic. Slowly getting to know more about each other each time the get the chance to see each other over the newest emergency. They run into so many ups and downs just like any relationship.

I honestly loved that this was not an unrealistic relationship. This is a real romance, sticking together through the thick and thin and at times not knowing if it will work out or not.

Thank you Netgalley and Cari Blake for the ARC edition of this story. All thoughts and opinions are my own.