First Time in Forever

I discovered Sarah Morgan through her Snow Crystal trilogy and was delighted to receive this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I was sure I would not be disappointed and I was right!
The story is about Emily, Ryan and Lizzy and how Emily and Ryan overcome their demons. Emily has her 6yr old niece Lizzy thrust upon her following her famous half sister's death and takes her to Puffin island off the coast of Maine to hide from reporters. There she meets Ryan and the attraction is instant. But, because of dreadful incidents in their childhoods, they find it difficult to form a relationship, particularly Emily. The book is all about their dilemma and Lizzy's innocent interference. It is also about the wonderful residents of the island and their amazing support for each other. I laughed, I cried and I got very frustrated! Not with the book, but the characters! Was very sorry when it ended, but it was a real feel good ending and made me very happy 😊. At the end of the book is short excerpt from the next Puffin Island book and I, for one, can't wait to get back to the island and follow the story of Zachary and Brittany!

As usual Sarah Morgan's writing in First Time In Forever is perfect. It enables you to put yourself exactly where you need to be with her descriptions. To see the characters how they are meant to be seen and how they are feeling, and to be able to just relax and allow the words to comfort you, excite you, devastate you. She is a skilled, honest and passionate writer and every new book she brings out proves that she's now more than on top of her game. Her mind is a deep sea of undiscovered treasure and this is why she excites me greatly.

First Time In Forever is a magical book about love, family, hurt and pride. Set in a picturesque seaside village where everyone knows each other and looks after each other has you wishing it was real and you lived there. Heroine Emily is a shy, and very closed off. Life frightens her and her new situation as being full-time guardian to her niece Lizzie has her in full-blown panic. Seeing her warm towards life and Lizzie, and even towards herself is brilliant and I enjoyed her journey greatly. I will say though that's found a few things rushed and it made no sense to me at all. I won't say which because I don't want to give away spoilers, but it should have been an exciting time in the book but for me fell flat. It is an incredible book though and the plot is deep, and exciting.

I do have to admit that I am getting more excited for a new release from Sarah Morgan than anybody else. And, I know after this series she will be wearing my number one author crown. From this one book at the beginning of a series I can assure you that this series may just better her last.

4.5/5

Go and buy this now, that is my advice to romance lovers out there.

This story is about Emily and Ryan, both have had traumatic experiences when they were younger and neither one of them wanted to be parent and Emily in particular did not want to love anyone ever again because it causes too much heartache.

Emily's life is mundane until one day she receives a phone call telling her that her half sister had died and that she was now the guardian to her 6 year old niece. That in itself is hard for Emily but throw in the fact that her half sister was a famous actress who died in a plane crash with her supposed older lover and the paparazzi are out for any information about Juliet (her niece) they can get and Emily has to do something drastic and leave her home and go and stay in her friend Brittany's cottage on Puffin Island in order to protect her, the main problem however is that Emily hates the water so the ferry trip to the cottage is traumatic enough but to live on the island is also torture for her as the cottage is close to the beach and the sea, throw in the fact that she does not know Juliet or how to talk to a grieving child, she feels she can not cope. So when she lands on the island she phones her friend Skylar and talks to her about her fears, Skylar says that one day she will think that this change of course in her life will be the best thing that even happened to her that she just had to wait and see - Emily does not agree.

Ryan notices that the light is on in his friend Brittany's cottage and knowing that she is away on an archeological dig and that she does not rent it out, he is worried that someone is there. Then he hears from Brittany and she asks him to keep an eye on her friend Emily because she is the one staying at the cottage, she told him that Emily would deny his help but he had to protect her. So the next day he calls round only to have the door nearly shut in his face by Emily. However Ryan is persistent and knows that he has to help his friend - the only problem is that he was instantly attracted to the green eyed woman and knows that is not how Brittany would want him helping her friend.

Emily has no idea who the man is at her door and is prepared to protect her niece any way she can, so she keeps the door nearly shut while talking to him, when she finds out that Ryan is a friend of Brittany's she relaxes slightly but she still does not invite him in, she does however feel the pull of attraction to him and knows that he could be trouble with a capital T to her hormones and that she does not allow. It takes time but Emily learns to trust Ryan with her secrets and throw in the lovable 'Lizzy' and Ryan does not stand a chance of not wanting to help.

This story is very well thought out and written, it keeps you turning the pages and I myself was unable to put it down. I loved all the characters and you could imagine yourself in the setting too as everything was described beautifully - I now what to live on Puffin Island. Now I am counting down to July as I can not wait for Brittany and Skylars stories to be told. Thank you Sarah Morgan for holding my attention and giving us this beautiful love story.

Rating: 4.5/5

What a delightful story in a beautiful setting this is - simple heartwarmingly beautiful! It has engaging characters, a great plot with plenty of twists and turns to keep you reading and beautiful scenery - add a great author and you know you’ve got a winning combination and a book to enjoy.

Emily’s had her life turned upside down, back to front and inside out. First her long term boyfriend dumped her, then her famous film star half sister is killed in a plane crash and then she found out that her sister had appointed Emily the guardian of her six year old daughter, Juliet Elizabeth, even though they had never even met! Not only that but the press are trying to get photos of Juliet to the extent that one photographer broke into the child’s bedroom and scared her. In an effort to give Juliet time to grieve for her mum, for the two of them to get to know each other and to come to terms with the changes in their lives, Emily takes Juliet to her friend Brittany’s cottage on Puffin Island. The first thing they decide is to call Juliet Lizzie, to try to put off any paparazzi on their trail. Not a bad set of ideas, you’d think, but Emily has a traumatic experience in her past that makes her terrified of the sea - even the sound of it can bring on a panic attack! How will she cope living in a beach side cottage?

Brittany calls a close friend and neighbour, Ryan, to ask him to keep an eye on Emily. He’s had more experience than most of bringing up children, taking responsibility for his three younger siblings when their parents were killed and he was only thirteen years old. He is determined not to have any such responsibilities again and strives to keep his freedom. Despite this, following serious injuries, he has returned to the island, recovered and now it helping regenerate the island’s marina and harbour. He goes to call on Emily and is instantly attracted to her. Can he resist temptation? What about the child with her? He guesses there’s more to learn about why Emily is on the island but does he really want to get involved?

A great tale of people learning to cope with dramatic tragedies and changes in their lives. The community of Puffin Island are resilient, and their role in the story really enhance the whole saga. I’m looking forward to reading future books in this series and meeting more of them again! I’ll also be looking out for more books by this author as I have no hesitation in highly recommending this book.

This novel is based on Puffin Island, which sounds like a delightful little island that feeds on tourists during the summer months but also has a very tight knit community ready to help out a fellow islander when it trouble.

Emily arrives on the island with her niece Juliet as she is looking for a place to hid out from the prying eyes of the press. She hasn't a clue what to do when it comes to looking after children and her life is made even more complicated when Ryan Cooper turns up on her door one morning. The attraction is instant, but, determined not to let herself get hurt again, she will not let Ryan get to her.....until she realises he has already done that!

The characters in this book are lovely, and Emily, Ryan and Juliet (or Lizzie as she later becomes) really get under the skin of the reader. Morgan has created characters that everyone can sympathise with in some way and I was really touched by the kindness of the other characters with slightly lesser parts to play in the story.

The relationship between Emily and Ryan is really captured well - it's steamy and hot, yet it's kept under control for the sake of the child, and the reader - Morgan isn't known for her '50 shades of gray' style writing, more for the everyday passion that most readers can relate to.

I have to say I loved this book and couldn't put it down. There was plenty of drama and heart warming moments, and although it also had it's cheesy and predictable moments, it ended well. I would certainly recommend it - it's a perfect holiday read or even just a novel to cheer you up on a grey day. There will be a sequel out in July as well so best get reading this one sharpish!

As a massive fan of Sarah Morgan it was with much excitement that I dived into First Time in Forever. I'd been hearing endless good things about this novel from other bloggers and boy, oh, boy were they right!
I fell hopelessly in love with this novel. It was perfect in every way and for me, romance at its best.
First up you've got the setting. WOW. Puffin Island is a magical place that Sarah Morgan brings to life so brilliantly through her writing. I could envisage this delightful place so clearly and I would love nothing more than to be on that beach by the sea right now. Sigh...
The other thing that really made this novel stand out for me were the lead characters. Emily and Ryan's chemistry was fantastic and I desperately wanted them to work things out and get together. They are realistic characters, each with problems of their own, but their relationship with one another will draw you so deep into the story that you're unable to climb out. And I'm more than ok with that - this was a story that I just never wanted to leave. Also, I nearly forgot to mention that I think I'm a little bit in love with Ryan. Shh, don't tell anyone.
Such a magical, sunny, delight of a story, Sarah Morgan is fast becoming one of the Queens of Romance novels! I love her. If you're looking for an escape then there's no better place to find yourself than on Puffin Island with these wonderful characters...

Firstly a massive thank you to Cara at Harlequin for sending me a copy of this gorgeous new book to read and review. Last year I fell head over heels for Sarah’s writing when I read her Snow Crystal trilogy and it wasn’t only her writing that had me hooked it was her men too! When Cara e-mailed me about a brand new series starring three friends and a gorgeous island I was desperate to read it!
This is the first novel in Sarah’s new Puffin Island series and it’s all about main character Emily and her return to the island.
I was so happy to find myself immersed back into Sarah’s writing. Puffin Island is brought to life through Sarah’s description of it and I loved how well I felt I knew the island after reading about it – everything from the harbour master to the ice cream shop!
Emily’s story is tinged with sadness due to the circumstances that bring her back to the island. Fortunately the island feels like a safe haven for Emily and I loved the protective community feel that immediately enveloped her and Lizzy. Emily is on edge and up tight and feeling all round stressed out and that transfers to you as you begin the book making you feel a complete empathy toward her in the beginning. I was so rooting for Emily and for everything to work out for her and Lizzy in the end. Ryan has been drafted in to look out for Emily while she stays on the island and he is a beautiful although not entirely welome distraction. Ahh I loved him. Seriously! Everything I’ve come to expect from Sarah’s book boyfriends was embodied in Ryan. His own family circumstances set him apart as this really kind and caring guy that is under the surface of his “will avoid marriage and commitment at all costs” exterior. I loved that he just couldn’t help himself but get to know more about Emily and help her in any way he could. Throughout the book I was anticipating something going wrong with the relationship between Ryan and Emily or something happening to Lizzy but I was kept constantly on my toes as the plot took twists and turns throughout the book. I can definitely recommend this for existing fans of Sarah and for anyone who has yet to read one of her books – I am converted!
I was approved for a review copy of Playing By The Greek’s Rules which is a Puffin Island novella which introduces you to the characters you can expect to see in the novels in the series, make sure you check it out too it’s a short, hot read!

In First Time in Forever (Puffin Island #1) by Sarah Morgan, Emily keeps her emotions under tight lock and key. It's safer that way. When she suddenly finds herself guardian to a young niece she's never met before, her life takes a dramatic change. She doesn't want this responsibility, doesn't feel she has anything to offer young Lizzie. Tragedy at a very young age still haunts Emily, and this holds her back, haunting her and keeping her closed off from most people. Despite all this, it seems Emily is going to do whatever she needs to to keep Lizzie safe. She escapes to Puffin Island to do this, and to figure out what comes next. Small town and surrounded by the ocean, Puffin Island doesn't seem like it should be what Emily needs...

Ryan is back on Puffin Island, a place he couldn't wait to escape from after too much responsibility at a young age. But tragedy in his life brings him back home. Running his business keeps him busy, and he has no intention of ever settling down. His carefree life and lack of relationship commitment suit him just fine. But when he agrees to check on Emily for a mutual friend, he doesn't expect the undeniable attraction to her. Ryan finds himself drawn to Emily, wanting to know her secrets, wanting to help her.

On Puffin Island, Ryan and Emily can't help but run into each other, and they start spending more time together, along with little Lizzie. Even as Emily works through her inner turmoil, the time she spends with Ryan makes her feel like she's never felt. In some ways he's good for her, but in other ways he's not. He's made it clear he's not looking for a relationship, and Emily has more than just herself to think about now. Ryan enjoys spending time with Emily and Lizzie, but he resists any hint of commitment, even when his heart is telling him otherwise. Will Emily and Lizzie find security and their future on Puffin Island? And how will Ryan fit into it, if at all?

First Time in Forever is a great start to a new series by Sarah Morgan. I love the setting she's chosen! The ocean and small town island life really called to me through this book. With her vivid descriptions, it was easy to smell the salt air and hear the surf, and Sarah took me there. There is so much going on, just like in real life, and Sarah weaves it all together expertly and believably.

The main characters are realistic with many layers that are slowly peeled away. They both have their flaws and their pasts which helps bring them to life. Emily has many fears and insecurities, and even though she claims not to be able to give Lizzie what she needs, her actions show otherwise, whether or not Emily can see this. I loved the growth Emily showed in First Time in Forever, and watching her come into herself and find peace with her life was such an emotional journey. Ryan has had his share of pain too, and it's led him to where he is today. Will he be able to move past that? I really liked the connection between Emily and Ryan, how it played out, and where they took it. At times a fun, humorous journey, at other times serious and heart aching, it was realistic and easy to lose myself in their world.

I love all the secondary characters we meet in First Time in Forever. Lizzie is a strong secondary character who features prominently in the plot, and there are numerous other characters I am looking forward to seeing more of in future Puffin Island books. I really liked Ryan's family, especially his grandmother and how they were worked so well into the plot.

Learning to trust yourself, being able to trust others, and taking a shoulder to lean on is something both Emily and Ryan struggle to do, and their whole journey, not just the romantic one, makes First Time in Forever a great read. Entertaining and entrancing, I'd recommend First Time in Forever to any romance reader.

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Thank you so much to Mills & Boon and Net Galley for this review copy. This is my honest review.

I had been looking forward to reading this book from the moment it had been announced, and First Time in Forever didn't disappoint.

Emily and her niece Lizzy have only known each other for 3 days, and you meet them on their approach to Puffin Island. It had been a rough few weeks for Emily, with her half sister dieing, her boyfriend dumping her, and now the paparazzi, are looking for her niece.

Refuge comes in the form of a cottage on Puffin Island that her best friend Brittany owns. Brittany asks Ryan to look in on Emily as an extra form of protection for the girls, as they come to grips with the situation they find themselves in.

Puffin Island is in Maine, and is a small seaside town that relies heavily on tourism, and sounds like a wonderful place to visit. And I would love to see the puffins.

Due to secrets in Emily's past she is finding all of this very hard to take in, but in time she becomes part of the Island community.

Lizzy is a lovely 6 year old girl, that I enjoyed reading about. Ryan is the potential love interest, despite him being a bit of a "love them and leave them type". The scenes between Ryan and Emily are wonderfully tender.

Really enjoyed this book, and I am looking forward to returning to Puffin Island in the next book in the trilogy.

This is the first book in - a - brand - NEW - SERIES!!!

As the cover tells us, this is book 1 in the new Puffin Island series, and it does NOT disappoint. I was hoping that I could fall as easily in love with these characters as much as the ones from her Snow Crystal Trilogy, and I can happily report that I fell hard for them, and very easily. Having finished reading this over a week ago now, I can still find myself stopping and thinking about Emily and Ryan, and little Lizzy.

When Emily first arrives back on Puffin Island, its not for the pleasure of a holiday or to reminisce about her teen years. Rather Emily is faced with the reality of looking after her sister's daughter for the rest of her life. But, she needs to lay low, because reporters are eager to find the location of Lizzy who's real name is ....(top secret!) and the reason they are after her is also (top secret!).

Emily is really unsure of who she can trust, and who could blame her, I really felt for Emily in all this and have to say that she coped brilliantly and much better than I ever would in her situation. She realises in time that Ryan - the least likely to fall for a woman with a child - is not only someone she can trust, but perhaps someone that she can live her life with...perhaps.

People on Puffin Island are so lovely, and I wish I could live there too! They rally around for Emily when she needs them the most, yet she never has to ask. They look after their own, and Emily is one of three 'young girls' that used to spend their summers there. In this book we meet Emily, and in the next book, we meet.... another.

I think this book is a beautiful spring read that definitely got me in the mood for summer and love. And I can't think why it wouldn't be packed in your suitcase in paperback or on your kindle to read on the beach/airplane ride to somewhere hot, gorgeous, and full of Ryan inspired beach gods!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, and just couldn't put it down, I can't wait for book 2!!

When Emily Donovan’s sister, who was a famous actress, died tragically young she is stunned to learn that she has been nominated as a guardian to her young niece Juliette, a girl she has never met. Emily is single, she had never been close to her half-sister, and the father of her niece had never been revealed. It dawned on her that she is the only family her niece has left and she realises that, despite heartbreaking and haunting secrets from the past and deep personal misgivings, she must step up and shoulder the responsibility. There is literally no one else.

But first she must take her niece to somewhere safe. Young, vulnerable Juliette Fox has already been terrified by the attention of a despicable paparazzi invasion of her home in the wake of her mother’s untimely death. They flee to the island home of Emily’s close friend; a place where she has always felt loved and secure. The house is remote and Emily already knows that the local community is very supportive. Puffin Island seems to be the safest location to start a new life, to learn to become a mother and to protect her niece.

Full of insecurities and daunted by what will surely lie ahead, Emily is soon visited by Ryan Cooper who has been asked to ‘keep an eye’ on the new island residents by the only people who know where Emily and Juliette have relocated to. Juliette, who has been renamed Lizzy to throw the paparazzi off the track, becomes enchanted by Ryan’s dog and a firm friendship ensues. Emily has no intentions to seek out male friendship but she soon realises it is too late as she feels a fizz of attraction for Ryan, one that is most definitely returned. With both parties keen to keep romance at bay, Emily and Lizzy soon blend in with the locals. But are they safe or will their secret location be discovered?

Sarah Morgan is truly the queen of the modern romance genre just like Nicholas Sparks is her male equivalent. She weaves truths, vulnerability and magic into her storytelling that hold the reader spellbound. Her dialogue sparkles with humour and her characterisation seamlessly envelopes the reader with warmth, credibility and respect. These characters become welcomed friends who you really care about. Sarah has an awesome talent for this genre and I feel very excited by the fact that ‘First Time in Forever’ is the first of a new series of books: The Puffin Island Trilogy. I’ll be waiting with bated breath for the next two novels, another delightful ‘fix’ that every avid reader will know about in their heart.

My thanks to Netgalley and Publisher Mills and Boon for my copy of this gorgeous novel in return for an honest review. I absolutely loved it.

4 - "Feelings are the hardest thing in life to control." Stars!

I am starting to get a little author crush on Sarah Morgan, I fell in love with her writing style and easy going story telling after reading her 2014 novel Maybe The Christmas, so when the opportunity presented itself to read the first book in her new Puffin Island series, it was a total no-brainer.

First Time in Forever is the perfect beginning, three friends Emily, Brittany and Skylar have used Brittany’s grandmothers beach home Castaway Cottage over the years and for each of them it has become something of a refuge, all for their own reasons, and each of them have their own stories as to why. This book is Emily’s, and the story is wholly her own, but it also sets the scene, introduces the islanders and gives you the background for everything else along the way.

Ryan Cooper has spent a large part of his life being responsible for others, he isn’t interested in taking that role on anymore, life is his for the living, and no responsibilities, attachments or expectations are wanted in the mix anymore. That is until Emily arrives on the Island, with a young child in tow, he can sense her unease, her emotional detachment and her overall fear of the whole situation she is in, and the honorable man in him wants to help, it doesn’t hurt that he is sex-on-a-stick hot, charming to a fault and gets along with pretty much everyone he crosses paths with.

”I see you Emily Donovan. I’m standing here, looking right at you, so you can damn well stop hiding.”

This is one of those books I just get absorbed in, I loved the main story, I loved all the little side stories that ran through it as well, you are literally getting to know the Island and its inhabitants as Emily and Ryan work out what they actually want from each other.

A brilliant start to what I expect is going to be an extremely memorable series. Brittany and Zach are reunited on the Island in the next book in the series; Some Kind of Wonderful which is due in July 2015, so not too long for this eager reader to wait!

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, it was my pleasure to provide the above honest review.