Just One Time (Beaumont Creek Book 1) by Samantha Baca – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

Just One Time by Samantha Baca
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Abby has just turned forty and finds herself feeling depressed because her life is not what she expected it to be at this point. In her mind she should be happily married to a man who loves and adores her and have beautiful children they dote on. Whenever Abby sees others living the life she feels that she should have by now she cannot help but feel a bit envious. Of course, Abby’s mom harps at her constantly about having a baby and getting married so that does not help. She feels overwhelming sadness about running out of time to have a baby and it consumes her thoughts until she gets a brilliant idea that involves her best friend Nate.

Nate and Abby have been best friends since childhood and are practically inseparable. They tell each other everything and always have each other’s backs. When Abby confides her feelings to Nate about wanting a baby, he is more than happy to help. They agree that as best friends they will be great parents and decide to take the next step in their friendship. Nate and Abby decide that rather than do costly fertility procedures that they will conceive a baby the old-fashioned way. Wary of how this will affect their friendship they discuss taking things slow but that all changes with one moment of intense passion that sparks between them.

That one moment of passion turns into several more nights of passion between them. Neither Nate nor Abby expected this to happen and are taking it one day at a time. Each finds themselves falling in love with the other, but fear of rejection stops them from discussing their feelings. When Abby becomes pregnant it is unexpected and the timing is horrible. She has recently started dating a man that her mom set her up with. Abby’s parents are unaware of the turn that Nate and Abby’s relationship took or that Abby is pregnant. What will become of Nate and Abby’s friendship? Can they ever be more than friends?

I adored this book and was surprised by the style of the author’s writing. It was not at all what I expected from a friends to lovers romance book. The relationship between Abby and Nate was unique and to be admired. They were so close that they were able to let their guard down with one another, although this was a bit reluctantly and ill-timed in Abby’s case at times. I actually laughed out loud numerous times, even during some of the steamy sex scenes. (My husband actually looked at me a few times and asked what was so funny, but we were in mixed company, so I was unable to read the parts to him that I was chuckling at.) All I will say is that they were a bit unusual and not typical of a romantic or passionate moment. For me, I felt that they were realistic and raw which made me want to read all that much more. Abby had some moments during her pregnancy that I am sure many women can relate with and Nate was a trooper through them all.

I loved this book, but I think my favorite part was when Abby told off her sister’s ex husband. I nearly peed myself laughing at what she said to him. I might have to keep Abby’s words in mind the next time someone gets on my bad side, lol. I loved this book and cannot begin to say enough good things about this author’s writing style. It was romance, passion, friendship, love, angst, and a smidge of jealousy with a side of wit and humor thrown in. I loved it and cannot wait to read more by this author.

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