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*Thanks to Booksparks for the free book.

The sweet story of Claire, a sheltered interior designer dealing with PTSD from gun violence, and Logan, an adventurous travel photographer hoping to break Claire out of her mundane life.

Claire loves her simple, safe life in Sanctuary Sound. She values her family and her safety over all else, largely because she was shot in the hip by a mass shooter several years ago. This left her with the need for a cane, nerve damage, and a fear of risk-taking. When Logan, Claire’s childhood crush and brother to her arch enemy, comes back to town to take care of his sister dealing with breast cancer, he takes an interest in Claire and wants to help her out of her comfort zone.

This is such a sweet, mild romance, y’all! As you know, I don’t read a ton of romance novels, but I really enjoyed this one. Very light on sex, this book focuses most heavily on Claire and Logan’s personal growth and deep themes like taking risks, female friendships, and forgiveness. There isn’t too much flippant dialogue (a complaint I often have of romances), and the alternating POV is great for character development of both Claire and Logan. This story is just so sweet, but it also delves into very serious topics that make the novel so rich and multi-dimensional. It’s perfect for romance newbies and even audiences that aren’t keen on romance.

I love her books. The are great reads. It was a well written love story.

3/5 stars

This book was a nice and sweet slow burn. I liked Logan, I adored Claire but I REALLY liked them when they were together. Something about one being so extroverted and the other being introverted made for some great conversations, revelations and super sweet chemistry. Logan made Claire take risks she hadn't been willing to do after her tragedy. She helped Logan see the world from her perspective and safety net. They both brought so much personality and compassion to the table, it was easy to fall in love with them and root for a relationship between the two.

I enjoyed all of the side characters for the most part. The battle between Claire and Peyton became a little juvenile after a while but they seemed to come to an understanding by the end of the book.

I find Jamie Beck's writing style to be extremely detailed and descriptive. It's done very well but may not be for everyone. At times it slowed the book down and took away from the momentum of the story.

This was a safe read. It had funny moments, heartwarming moments, tragic/traumatic moments and many more emotions all packed into one novel. I enjoyed the story line and the personal growth of Claire in particular. I can't wait to dive into Peyton's book!

I received this book from Netgalley as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't hate this book the way I did Steffi's, but this wasn't that much better for me. I don't know if perhaps I can't gel with the author or the characters just aren't relate-able but something is amiss.

I liked Clair in book number one and I really thought that even with her past trauma we'd still be able to see her strength come through. Claire is definitely the most relate-able of characters due to her insecurities, fears, and relationship dynamics. I got where she was coming from, but the author just wrote her a little too weak for me.

Logan is a character that I just cannot vibe with. I think he was a great brother and support to his sister. His parents are awful people and you could see that he was looking for someone, anyone to understand him and keep him grounded while letting him be free. My issue was his inability to understand that people are entitled to their feelings. Especially, seeing as his parents were so inflexible in that department.

Peyton, I still hate her so I won't be reading her book. I don't care what happens to her. I don't know if both she and her brother are a product of their upbringing and the selfishness is something the reader is supposed to understand and empathize with, but that didn't work for me. People don't change because it's what will make you happy.

I did like that Logan pushed Claire to brave the outside of her comfort zone. She fought hard against him, but in the end she was better for it.

I don't condemn her parents for their smothering personalities because I've never nearly lost my child to a terrorist attack and had to see her rebuild her life and find new dreams. That's a family that needed to seek therapy and I think that's where the author loses me.

Do a little more research and identify resources for her characters. I always feel that there is something missing that is vital to the development of the characters.

So again, this is the end of the line for me because I like Steffi's brother but I just loathe Peyton and I don't wish to see anymore of her, her family nor Steffi.

Cute

Cute read. Love all the characters. Love them finding there new norms. Can’t wait to read book 3 now! Cute cute cute.

Claire and her best friend have a start up business in their hometown. Prior to this, her dream to was to be a professional tennis player but a bullet wound ended all of those dreams for her. Ever since that traumatic event, Claire has been more reserved and play it safe. When her long time crush Logan comes back to town, she wants so badly to take a chance on love, but believes that Logan is too much of an adventurous womanizer to ever be interested in someone like Claire. Though Logan tries to prove himself to Claire, will she be able to let her guard down enough to let him in and see the man for what he really is?

This book was a fun read. To be honest, I found Claire to be a bit whiny and I didn't enjoy how much her family and some friends babied her. I also wish that she would have been a little bit more forgiving when it came to Logan's sister, but I understand why it was hard for her. I am loving that this series is following the lives of all three friends - so after I finished the first book with Steffi, I was able to learn more about Claire but still see bits and pieces of Steffi's life. Overall, I am very much so enjoying this series and can't wait to dive into the next one.

See my full review of this title on my blog: Books Under the Blanket (with a flashlight): https://booksundertheblanket.com/the-perspective-of-living-in-the-moment/
Live on Mar 5, 2023

• was like honestly fine 
• logan was pretty cute and i liked how he and claire interacted (most of the time?) 
• i feel like logan was a little pushy sometimes but also claire really needed it 
• i like that the author touched on claire's disability and her trauma from being shot and how her a lot of claire's paranoia stemmed from her parents' paranoia 
• honestly claire's parents are really cute if really overbearing 
• claire's best friend is so good and so nice i really liked her and i like that claire makes amends with her old friend 

This is the second book in the Sanctuary Sound series and I can't believe I'm just now discovering this author and series!

This series is set in a sleepy little town in Connecticut but don't let that description deceive you.  The town has a lot going for it including some strong (aka wealthy) families that have made a mark on the town and created an atmosphere that brings everyone in the town together.  There are many times where I read that certain characters were loved, well regarded, and respected which reflects a tight-knit community as well.  Claire was a rising tennis star in her youth until a tragic event turned her world upside down.  She fought hard to get to where she is now and had the love and support of her family and friends.  But even friends can turn on you as she discovered with her friend Peyton.  But perhaps Claire will realize that Peyton did her a favor in the end.

This book hits on many truths that we all experience in life.  Friendships will be tested, love will open our eyes, and maturity will create new experiences.  Claire has been wrapped in bubble wrap ever since the tragic accident and it is very obvious how her parents still treat her like a small child and discourage her from experiencing life.  I think is primarily her mother and it is to be expected as she nearly lost her only child and it would be devastating should anything happen to Claire.  I wondered if Claire would stand up to her parents and spread her wings a bit more to experience life and the world around her.  Thankfully she has the assistance of Logan, Peyton's brother and Claire's longtime crush.  Granted, her relationship with Logan isn't perfect as they are opposites but as they say, opposites attract.  Plus they realize that they balance each other out.  It takes time for this realization, but it does happen.

I felt for Peyton as she is going through treatments for breast cancer.  As a survivor, I know how hard it can be to live through that experience.  It isn't one that I would wish on anyone.  I think it humbled Peyton as well and she understood some of what Claire experienced during their teens.

This is also a story about forgiveness.  While many times we might think that a person's actions are unforgivable, it is hard to hold onto that much hatred.

Overall I enjoyed this story and my feelings for the different characters evolved as they did throughout the journey.  We give this 4 paws up.