I enjoyed Neve and Leo’s story. They had so many awkward moments in the beginning and it felt really honest and real. Their best friends were both awesome side characters. It was spicier than I expected and at times, I felt like their conversations and banter were glossed over in favour of writing more naked business. I liked all the Canadianisms in the book - that was fun.
I’ll give this one a 3.5 stars. It was well written and enjoyable.

A cute small town romance with sweet sweet small towners, a grumpy anxious lumberjack kind of a man and a sunshiney designer who says suggestive things without intention!!

When they meet each other because of a project, his grumpy and recluse vibes doesnt deter Neve from makingg conversations.. but little does she know that he feels a lot more than he shows.

This story is pure, loving and spicy in all the right ways and I loved how the man was vocal about what he felt apart from a few times. His love language is all 5 in its own way and oh I fell in love with Leo. He reminded me so much of my man that I had to text him and tell him how much he means to me.

The character growth was so good and I just cant wait for the second book tbh!

Tender, loving, sweet (and spicy!!)

What an incredibly beautiful love story. Leo and Neve show us what WORKING at loving someone looks like. Falling in love, choosing the other person, admitting our faults ...all of this made for a wonderful romance. Written in dual first person POV, I loved seeing both Leo and Neve fall in love with each other, choose each other, and make themselves the best they could be.

This was not my first Cristina Santos novel, but it is absolutely my favourite.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Victory Editing Co-Op and Cristina for the ARC opportunity.

This was such a lovely easing into a new series from Cristina! Meeting the idyllic town of Balsam Bay in Nova Scotia and watching one of its newest members fall for someone born and raised there was so enjoyable, and I just wanted to be there.

Neve is an interior designer, something her family doesn't understand or seem to place much value in, but she's busy with multiple projects all while dealing with her endometriosis symptoms. One new project is with Leo, a new-to-town carpenter with social anxiety that can be pretty debilitating at times, especially around Neve at first. They clash, as she doesn't get him or like him very much when he seems standoffish, but when he's finally able to show her who he really is they grow to friendly and then more.

Their love story felt gentle. Not because they didn't each have baggage and trauma to deal with that affected their relationship (because they did and it did), and not because it wasn't spicy (it was). It's more that the falling wasn't dramatic, or quick, or jarring. Instead, they way they discovered their other half and cared for one another was comfortable and comforting, like when you stand at the edge of the water, close your eyes, and listen to the waves lapping against the shore, feeling you're exactly where you're meant to be in that moment and trying to soak it all in.

This first venture to Balsam Bay is soft and tender, embracing you and welcoming you in while you read it. I look forward to returning, with the next book set up perfectly (proud brag to say I wondered pretty early if those two characters would be the ones!) and the third hinted at as well. Well done, Cristina, and congrats on such a lovely fourth book! Thank you, again, for the ARC; it's always a pleasure to read your stories and get to share them with others.

🪻ARC Review🌷 5/4 Release

🌟Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
💧Drip-o-Meter: 💦💦💦
💗Something I Loved: About this book? Most everything. No, but really… Cristina always writes the most captivating and interesting characters, ones who feel entirely real and who charm to the point that it’s impossible to not root for and fall in love with them. Neve and Leo are no different. Their personalities shine through the page, their pasts give them depth, and their chemistry… absolutely addicting.
🫤Something I Would Have Changed: Well that third act breakup really hurt my feelings. I wouldn’t change it…. I’m just identifying my newest need for therapy. 🤣
🥰Favorite Moment: Mothers Day… just everything about it *clutches chest* 🌧️🥧But also Leo’s response to Aunt Flo. The overall sentiment wasn’t necessarily new (any good book boyfriend better respond similarly) but his approach was one of my favorites yet 🍰 #letthemeatcake
🌶️Spiciest Scene: I think it’s probably chapter 26. But chapter 21 also has a special place in my… nethers, I guess? Heart’s not the right term (that’s reserved for the spice in chapter 34). Let’s just say there wasn’t a bit of disappointment with the spice. Not a bit. 🥵
📚Standalone vs. Series: Book 1 in Cristina’s new #BalsamBay series. Literally frothing at the mouth for book 2.
📖Would I Recommend: Absolutely. I’ll read anything Cristina writes, but I do have my favorites and this one is now up there. I absolutely loved the characters (main and secondary) and the setting (does it really rain that much in Nova Scotia and if so, who wants to marry me so I can become a citizen? 🇨🇦), and can’t wait to keep inhaling this series. It definitely had me shedding a few tears but Cristina’s humor truly tickles me and I also cackled numerous times, especially at Neve and her unconscious innuendos. Jeepers this was a banger and I’m so grateful to Cristina for always trusting me with her ARCs.
💬Tropes: Workplace Romance, Forced Proximity, Divorced FMC, Social Anxiety Rep, Small Coastal Town

Book Review
From Away by Cristina Santos

What Its Got
✅ Canadian content
✅ nosy neighbours
✅ small town
✅ home renovation
✅ lumberjack
✅ east coast Vibes
✅ 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

MCs
Leo- from away, tea drinker, carpenter, socially anxious mess
Neve- Designer, coffee lover, local businesswoman

Thoughts
I want to move to Balsam Bay- I want Matt to make me lattes, I want to go drinking with Billie. I want a friendship like Pete and Leo… I want Neve to decorate my house.
And I wouldnt say no to Leo in my bed.
The dialogue had me smiling at myself, and
I wont be looking at tables the same way anymore…

Overall
A feel good read that will leave you craving a latte and a lumberjack

Thanks to the author and netgalley for my digital ARC in return for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own.

A lighthearted yet emotional romance with a solid start to a series of interconnected standalones.

Leo is the newer guy in town, having recently moved to Balsam Bay to escape the memories that haunt him in Toronto. Neve has lived here all her life, never wanting to leave the small town, despite her slightly strained relationship with her family. The two meet when they're both hired for a renovation job for Leo's best friend, Darcy. Leo's social anxiety comes off as animosity to Neve, making their work relationship less than ideal. It's only after an Easter spent with her family that Leo begins to slowly open up to Neve, who is hesitant to get involved in any capacity other than professional. Slowly, but surely, the two let each other in - but will the ghosts of their pasts get the better of them?

This was a sweet read, with emotional hits at the right parts followed with silly things to make you laugh and lift your spirit after. I think Cristina Santos did an amazing job of what social anxiety can feel like: overthinking any thing you could possibly say wrong that you end up not even saying anything at all, questioning if this one little thing has messed up an entire situation, etc. As someone with an anxiety disorder, I can relate to Leo. I think Neve is a fiercely independent character, partially from her family life and partially from her previous marriage. Reading how these two learned to let their walls done was such a pleasure.

I do think there are some parts that definitely could be addressed! I would have loved more information on both main character's pasts: Leo's relationships with his father and Helen, as well as Neve's relationship with her ex-husband. I think even just a little more background could have added a lot of depth into why these two had a hard time opening up. I also would have loved to see a resolution between Neve and her mother, but maybe that will be in another book in the series.

I would recommend this to fans of small town romance who are looking for a heartfelt story with anxiety rep, found family, and fun side characters. Oh, also this had a hefty amount of spice without overdoing it!

"From Away" follows Leo, a carpenter and a dream boyfriend and Neve, a designer, as their relationship goes from intolerance to steamy romance. There are sparks between them from the very beginning with slight miscommunication and forced proximity.

I laughed every time Neve used funny innuendos and I liked her because she is a very strong, independent woman. I also liked that both of them are Swifties.

I didn't like her family and they always annoyed me when I read about them. They constantly disrespect her and have no idea how hurt she is because of that. Meanwhile, Leo shows her respect and love and his emotional side, everything she needs.

Overall, I give this book 4 stars.

Leo moved to Balsam Bay for a fresh start but adjusting to small town life hasn’t been easy. He prefers working alone so collaborating with Neve is a big change. She has a reputation to uphold as a respected interior designer. The more their paths cross the more Leo and Neve find themselves drawn together.

A spicy workplace romance with relatable, mature characters and a dual pov. What’s not to love. In the first half you get to know the characters and their stories. As a woman I relate to Neves struggles with being taken seriously in the workplace.

I appreciate the authors eye for detail. Including a playlist, glossary, cute illustrations and paragraph division.

I wish there wasn’t a third act breakup but it makes sense with the characters history. I’ll read anything that Cristina Santos writes and you should too!

Read this if you like
💜Workplace romance
🔥Spice
📖Dual pov
🫶🏼Friends with benefits

Leo moved to Balsam Bay for a fresh start but adjusting to small town life hasn’t been easy. He prefers working alone so collaborating with Neve is a big change. She has a reputation to uphold as a respected interior designer. The more their paths cross the more Leo and Neve find themselves drawn together.

A spicy workplace romance with relatable, mature characters and a dual pov. What’s not to love. In the first half you get to know the characters and their stories. As a woman I relate to Neves struggles with being taken seriously in the workplace.

I appreciate the authors eye for detail. Including a playlist, glossary, cute illustrations and paragraph division.

I wish there wasn’t a third act breakup but it makes sense with the characters history. I’ll read anything that Cristina Santos writes and you should too!

Read this if you like
💜Workplace romance
🔥Spice
📖Dual pov
🫶🏼Friends with benefits

Gruff & grumpy Leo looks like a lumberjack and is a man of few word but once he opens up, you can tell he is much more than his appearance and attitude would suggest. Neve is a no-nonsense woman who knows what she wants and what she doesn't want so when Leo comes into her life, she doesn't know what to think except she can't keep her mind off of him. The chemistry between these two was wonderful and the spicy scenes were immaculate. I actually didn't even know if this book would be spicy considering the cover doesn't really give much away, but when Leo starts talking, whoooo boy, I knew we were in for a special treat. That man delivers in all aspects. This was a wonderful spicy romance and I can't wait to read about the couple in the next book in this series!

Also? The fact that he sets up a tab to pay for her coffee addiction is my love language <3

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Pre thoughts
-cozy novel set in Nova Scotia

Post thoughts
- The touque to separate the chapters is adorable
- From the beginning I have a feeling this is going to be a 5 star read
- This book is making me want to move to Nova Scotia
- Love the internal monologue of the MMC
- The innuendos are hilarious
- Neve is a strong woman and sets her boundaries, which Leo respects
- The communication between the two is impeccable
- The nicknames for each other a too cute
- Great pacing
- The MMC works through his emotional baggage quite well.
- Absolutely loved the epilogue

Overall:
I would recommend this to people who like small town romance with a good plot and a sprinkling of spice thought the book.

Stars 4.5/5 rounded to 5
Spice score 2.5/5

Tropes
- small town
- Cozy
- Dual pov
- Slow burn
- Third act break up
- Groveling

Thank you victory editing, netgallery and Christina santos for the opportunity to review this arc. the thoughts and opinions are my own xx
I will be sharing my review on instagram, fable and Goodreads.

I loved every minute with these two, even the uncomfortable ones.

Neve is so sure of herself despite having to defend her career at every turn to her family. She knows who she is and she isn't willing to compromise that and for that alone I loved her. Neve is also fiercely loyal... to both her friends and her coffee addiction.

Leo, oh my heart. This soft, complicated man who is struggling to overcome his demons, seems to know what he wants only to have to fight his doubts. He's the character we get the most growth from and the vulnerability in that was so beautifully written. He is so damn worth being patient for.

Their chemistry, *fans face*, right from the jump you can feel the tension in the air, like on a humid summer day when you know a storm is coming. Except when the storm comes for these two, wow! They are HOT! But it's not just their physical chemistry that Santos covers, Leo and Neve just work. She's there for his quiet moments and he's there for her pain filled ones. You truly believe that they'll stick by one another through all the things, good or bad.

The east coast vibes were spectacular, I could practically smell the sea air, my finger hovered over flights to Nova Scotia more than once.

I was also wondering what I needed to renovate in my home because Neve had me itching to paint something. The design stuff was like watching a cozy HGTV show without the corny jokes.

Speaking of jokes, I laughed out loud more times than I can remember. Neve in particular is hilarious, even when she's not intending to be.

From Away is one of those books I'll think about when I hear a gull cry or wave crash. The kind of book that when you finish, you sigh because everything seems right in the world.

It's such a good start to the series and I cannot wait to see what Santos has in store for us because there are so many side characters I am desperate for more of!