First Time in Forever (Puffin Island, #1)

by Sarah Morgan

‘Sarah creates such a sizzling dynamic on the page . . . I can't recommend this book and author enough. You won't regret it!’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A fabulously delightful book . . . Highly recommended! A brilliant read’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Full of wonderful emotion, true love, children and the compulsory canine friend’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Loved every word! Sarah Morgan knows how to build a world that totally captivates you’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘It has it all, loveable characters, a gripping storyline and the gorgeous setting of Puffin Island . . . First time in forever is a definite must read!’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Happily-Ever-After isn’t on Emily Donovan’s agenda…

Emily’s been too swept up in a challenging year of firsts, from becoming a stand-in mum to her niece Lizzy to moving to remote but beautiful Puffin Island, to think about love.

But that’s before charismatic local yacht club owner Ryan Cooper kisses her…

Ryan knows Emily has a complicated past that she’s struggling to face. So he makes it his mission to help her unwind and enjoy the chemistry they share.

Can the welcoming community of Puffin Island work their magic on Emily and get her to take her biggest leap of trust yet —putting her heart in someone else’s hands?

Fall in love with the Puffin Island series from the number one Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah Morgan. Perfect if you love:

❤️Small town romance
❤️Single parent romance
❤️Found family

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Praise for Sarah Morgan

‘I love Sarah’s novels because they are a burst of pure happiness’ Cathy Kelly

‘Sarah Morgan has the ultimate golden touch for me – no other author makes me lose myself in a world like she does’ Laura Jane Williams

‘Sarah’s writing speaks straight to my heart’ Cathy Bramley

• ISBN13: 9781474013208
• Publish Date: 24 February 2015 (first published 1 January 2015)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Imprint: Mills & Boon
• Format: eBook (EPUB)
• Pages: 416
• Language: English
• URL: https://millsandboon.co.uk

Reviews

[Cocktails and Books]

3.5 Cocktails

Emily Donovan finds herself in a role she never thought she'd be in when she's suddenly thrust into the role of caregiver to the six year old niece she didn't know she had. She runs off to Puffin Island with her niece hoping to find a place where she can hide out and figure out what she's going to do next. She doesn't anticipate Ryan Cooper sticking to her like glue or that the close knit community would welcome her and Lizzy with open arms . But this island community becomes the place for her to let go of her fears and finally feel free.

I was hard not to like Emily, even at first when she was stiff and closed off. She was taking on things she was in no way prepared for but did anyway, so it endeared her to me. And as she grew more comfortable, confident and letting people in, the real Emily started to come out. Someone who was loving, caring and fun. Someone who was willing to try and overcome her fears in order to show her niece she could fight her fear. And I really liked her with Ryan. He challenged her, most of the time when she didn't want the challenge, but that often made her self reflect and understand she needed a change.

It was hard not to fall for Ryan's charm. He was pushy, but he had a way of using that charm and wit to get what he wanted or, in Emily's case, to take up the challenge she posed. Despite professing to be a confirmed bachelor and not wanting much to do with kids, Ryan had a hard time staying away from both Emily and Lizzy. It was lovely to watch him fall for both the girls, even as he insisted he was just keeping his promise to a friend.

FIRST TIME IN FOREVER is a perfect beach read and a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

[kimbacaffeinate]

Coffee dates with First Time in Forever

First date: We meet Emily and Lizzie her niece as they make their way on the ferry to Puffin Island. Emily has an overwhelming fear of water and is very unsure of her new role as Emily’s stand-in Mom. Morgan allowed me to connect to both of them and I am anxious to see what develops. Enter Ryan Cooper. He owes Brit a favor and when she asks him to check in on her friend staying at the Castaway Cottage he agrees. She isn't his type and the kid should be an instant warning but he cannot help getting involved. She is frightened by Ryan and yet drawn to him.

Second date: Ryan instinctively knows Emily is hiding something but there is no denying the chemistry between them. It was fun unraveling their secrets and getting to know the characters, the island and the town folks. Emily kept folks at arm’s length but here on the island she is finding it hard, especially with Ryan who awakens things in her. Morgan takes time to flesh out the characters, sharing their backstory and giving the reader a sense of what makes them tick. She allowed me to connect and become caught-up in their story. Lizzie is adorable and I dare you not to fall for her. From Ryan’s grandmother to the ice cream shop Morgan brings the island to life. Skylar one of Emily’s best friends visits and we see some chemistry between her and Ryan’s friends. When and if these two tango it should be delicious. Skylar has a tendency to speak her mind and the banter was hilarious. Morgan also hinted at what direction Brit’s story will take and it looks like a second chance romance.

Third date: Watching Ryan and Emily tango gave me the warm fuzzes. The island is transforming Emily and she is slowly breaking out of her shell. The romance developed slowly and was not without obstacles as each realizes what they wanted is not what they need at all. Danger, a fright and a little angst surround our final date but it was not overly done. A meddling grandma and townsfolk added to the charm and endeared me to the island.

Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer

[Leah]

If Sarah Morgan’s GoodReads page is to be believed (and why wouldn’t it be?) she’s the author of over 300 works. Which is actually impressive. Not many people can say they’ve written over 300 books and that those books have been published, too. Most of those are Mills & Boon novels, but over the past year or so she’s started a couple of Chick Lit series, the first being the O’Neil Brothers trilogy (which I haven’t read) and her latest being her Puffin Bay trilogy. I’ve heard nothing but good things about Sarah’s books, but it’s been hard to get the chance to read her books, so I dived in to First Time In Forever hoping for a fabulous read.

At times, recenly, I sort of feel my love for Chick Lit is waning as my love for Young Adult, New Adult and Crime rises. Because a lot of Chick Lit is same old, same old. But First Time In Forever was refreshing and really quite fabulous. Anyone know reads my reviews regularly will know that I LOVE the idea of going and living on an island, one where you’re part of a community, and everyone has your back, but it’s also peaceful and quiet and Puffin Island sounds PERFECT. I would dearly love to go and meet the puffins, and live on this island with all of those wonderful people we get to meet in First Time In Forever.

Another plot I really love is when someone unexpectedly becomes a mother, which is what happens to Emily after her sister dies in a plane crash. I love seeing people navigate their way in something entirely new and alien, and Emily does it well, although her fright does sometimes take her over (and when you learn why she’s so frightened you can understand why). Thankfully Emily isn’t alone in trying to raise Lizzy, as she has the delectable Ryan at hand, who made a promise to Emily’s best friend Brittany to look out for Emily and Lizzy, and Ryan is, of course, delicious, meaning the tension and chemistry between him and Emily is somewhat off the scale. YAY! I love off the charts chemistry and Emily and Ryan were somehow perfect for each other, despite not really knowing each other (at first).

I really loved First Time In Forever – the setting was so, so perfect and I’m looking forward to more books set there, and especially learning Brittany and Skylar’s stories (and I’ve already found them their perfect partners) in the next couple of books. If Sarah can somehow manage to wangle me an invite to Puffin Island, I’d be there like a shot. :) The book was just so delightful. I loved Emily and Ryan, Lizzy was the cutest little girl you could ever wish to care for, and the entire community of Puffin Island just made me wish it was an actual place I could go live, especially to go and have some of Lisa’s ice cream. I love ice cream. And islands with puffins attached to it. And I can’t wait for the second Puffin Island book, it can’t come soon enough.