First Time in Forever is the new series by the best selling author Sarah Morgan and I was lucky enough to receive a copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
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!
