You and Only You (Blessings, Georgia, 1)

I could not put this book down! I was so sadden when it was over. I have loved these characters and pray for more books to come!

I have read all of the Blessings series by Sharon Sala. Not one book was disappointing. Ms. Sala is an amazing author who keeps you coming back for more of her books!

I read book #2 in this series about 5 years ago and loved it. Why it’s taken me this long to get back into the series is anyone’s guess, but I definitely won’t be going as long between books from now on. Also, it’s highly unlike me to read a series out of order. Not sure exactly what I was thinking, but I do remember reading the first chapter of this book and never getting back to it. I think listening to the audio this time helped me get over whatever hump prevented me from reading past the first chapter before.While this book is ultimately about a romance between LilyAnn and Mike, the town and some of it's residents play a large role as secondary characters. It's more along the lines of how the Virgin River series (Robyn Carr) plays out or the Harmony series by Jodi Thomas. Multi-characters and storylines that eventually converge or connect in small ways to the main romance/characters. In the end, you and only You was a fun read, mixing together some surprising suspense, quirky characters, and a friends-to-lovers romance.

Although I'm not from a small town, I know small town romances have become popular and I've read and enjoyed a lot of them. I also am drawn to books about long-time friends or acquaintances who fall in love, so the book blurb drew me in. LilyAnne and Mike grew up next door to each other and have always been best friends. Although their parents no longer live in their childhood homes, Lily and Mike inherited the houses when their parents moved away (his) or one died and the other remarried, then moved away (hers). Lily was the most popular girl in high school and the girlfriend of the most popular boy. Her boyfriend joined the service right after high school, then died in Iraq, and Lily never moved on emotionally after his death. She fell into a slump, let herself go, and has just been spinning her wheels for years. All of this happened prior to the beginning of the story. Mike has been in love with her forever and has been waiting and hoping for her to notice him as more than a friend. A new guy T.J. Lachlan comes to town and draws Lily's attention right away because some of his mannerisms and actions remind her of her dead first love. She decides to lose weight and reinvent herself to attract his interest. Mike becomes discouraged when he realizes she may be interested in someone else, we start learning that T.J. has a very dark side, and the local beauty shop employees decide to meddle to try to bring Mike and Lily together. There are a series of misunderstandings and miscommunication between Mike and Lily, Lily acquires a stalker, and it all culminates in an interesting and violent encounter between Lily and her stalker. While I enjoyed the unexpected but admirable way Lily handled the climatic stalker encounter, I wasn't that impressed with this book. The premise was interesting, but for most of the book I thought Lily was too wimpy and clueless, and I was impatient with Mike (who was a nice guy) for being TOO nice and not just letting Lily know how he felt. That's why I only gave the book 3 stars.

Loved the story& was excited to be able to continue reading your books. I wish they were all free to read.

Mike and LilyAnn's story was wonderful! Mike was the most patient man ever. He loved her and it didn't matter how long she grieved, he would wait patiently by. Wow, did he ever! Loved Ruby to pieces. She was the lifes blood of the town.

I just couldn't get into the town or the characters. I thought the main character was annoying, so I didn't really care to find out what happens to her.

Sharon Sala has entrapped me within this series. Blessings, Georgia is one of those fictional towns that I would gladly live in if it were only real. This town is filled with well meaning, charming, and delightful characters that readers feel like they befriend along the way. Having read the newer books in the series I knew I had to go back and see where everything started and I am pleased to announce that I am just as love with these stories from the beginning as I am with the later ones. It's not too often where readers can find stories that leave an imprint on their lives but this one (and the later books) are. This is a gorgeous series, one that every contemporary romance should read (especially if you enjoy "cleaner" romances, and I honestly cannot recommend it enough.

Everything in the town of Blessings comes alive and you want to know what happens.

It is the same story as curl up and dye.I feel cheated

brilliant

I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I like the characters and how the author slips in characters for future stories.

A good story about a high school beauty who grows up fat. She lives next door to Mike who has always loved her, but she considers him to be her 'friend.'