First Time in Forever (Puffin Island, 1)

Ryan is avoiding family, having raised one. Emily is avoiding everything, because she had the worst family. Then her sister dies, and she has to protect Lizzie! She is so far out of her comfort zone, she would need a spaceship to get back. But Ryan, on a request from a friend reaches out to take care of her. The attraction is electric, and both of them struggle against it, but in the end, they give in to love. Powerful emotions told so well that you reel along with them. Really a great story! Enjoy!

For The First Time In Forever is the first in the new Puffin Island series from author Sarah Morgan and kicks of the series with a heart warming and emotional start. I loved everything about it from the small town feel to the main characters’s histories and what leads them to cross paths at this moment in their lives. Raising a child and living on a small town island. Two things Emily Donovon never would have pictured for herself. Yet, here she was, on Puffin Island now raising her six-year-old niece….and not really adjusting well. Her adjustment could be because she was trying to keep her semi-famous niece out of the spotlight while simultaneously trying to avoid a panic attack with every glance at the ocean thanks to a traumatic event from her childhood. Yeah, because avoiding ocean views while living on an island was easy to do. But this island had been a place of solace though her younger years and there was no better place to rebuild and restart than here. An added distraction she didn’t need was one like Ryan Cooper. Handsome, charming good with kids, smart, kind…and not on the menu. She had sworn off men the minute she broke up with her serious boyfriend a month ago and it was solidified when took on parenthood. That would prove to be easier said than done when Ryan is there every time she turns around, willing to lend her a helping hand and a shoulder to lean on… Ryan Cooper can spot a woman with baggage a mile away. He had plenty of his own to know that look. He saw it every day when he looked in the mirror. He had promised his childhood friend that he would help her friend and the new guest on Puffin Island, and, because he wouldn’t dare say no to his friend, he was doing just that. It should have been a whole lot easier than it was turning out to be. He swore off having kids of his own years ago, and in turn dating a woman with children. He had been down the child rearing route before and now he just wants his freedom to come and go as he pleases. Unfortunately, every time he looked at Emily, those reasons flew out the window like an island summer breeze. This favor would soon turn from a favor for a friend into a possibly life changing relationship…. Each suffering from a less than picture perfect childhood and plenty of emotional damage, Ryan and Emily couldn’t have been more perfect for one another. Of course, it will take a whole lot longer for them to realize it. Will they give love and new beginning a chance to blossom on Puffin Island? This book was just so wonderful and well-rounded. There was a bit of mystery to both Emily and Ryan that lingered on and made me curious. There was sexual attraction and heat between them that made me swoon. There was a soft side to Ryan that made me melt. There was a vulnerable side to Emily that made my heart ache. There was a sense of community with the secondary characters that made me appreciate each and every one of them. I loved that I was able to feel so many different feelings and emotions as I dove into this story. I truly felt as though I was a visitor on Puffin Island, enjoying visits with friends. The best part, however, were the interactions between Ryan and Emily and their relationship as it builds. Neither one wants it, but neither one can deny the pull they feel. The heat builds at a delicious pace with quiet moments and stolen kisses and before they realize it, into something much more potent. I don’t blame Emily…there ’s no way any woman could stay away from someone like Ryan! Talk about the whole package…yum. Together they make a well-balanced couple and even with a few stumbles along the way, manage to make it work in the end. If you’re looking for an afternoon escape with a really good book, this should be on your list. I know I enjoyed my stay on Puffin Island and am looking forward to a return trip in the future! Thank you, Ms. Morgan, for a fabulous read!

What did I think?? It was Fantastic.... I'm pretty sure I ignored the hubby and kids for a whole day to read this book!! Thank goodness my hubby understands my book obsession I will not repeat what the book blurb says. Emily is obviously going through some crap not so great background on top of becoming guardian for her niece is a lot to take on. Insert Puffin Island.. can I just move there?? She comes there to get away from it all. She stays at her friend Brittany's house, Brittany asks Ryan to check on her. HELLOOO Ryan!! He's all macho man. However he doesn't realize he is also a protector. You see it in the book but he doesn't realize he's even doing it half the time. It's just a need he has to solve other peoples problems. I did not see any character flaws in this book, they evolved so nicely. Every book I read by Sarah Morgan just gets better and better. I will definitely be coming back to Puffin Island every chance I get!

Have you ever moved in your mind to the location in the story you were reading because the setting felt so real? That is how I felt about First Time in Forever. I was there on Puffin Island experiencing life. Sarah Morgan allowed me to experience life on the Island - the bonds that are formed between the islanders, friends and family; how they take care of one another and go the extra step for each other. As I watched Emily overcome her fears and grow as a new parent; emotionally, as a person with a lot of emotional baggage, I was able to empathize with her. Emily, Lizzy and Ryan were all connected through their processes of healing. It was enjoyable to watch as each one of them developed relationships on new levels. I am struggling a little to write this review, only because I do not want to give too much of the story away, but on the flip side, I would LOVE to expand on the details. Please, read the book and experience Puffin Island, its beauty and the bonds of friends and family. It is a sanctuary, ready to restore you.

Sarah Morgan has always been one of my favorites. I enjoy her stories and this was no exception. If you want a good summer romance this is it.

I really loved Sarah Morgan’s previous romance-trilogy, so I was excited when I read that she would be releasing another trilogy this year. And it would be set on an island!! Small-town romance is my favorite kind of romance, and I love a story that is situated on an island because it makes the community-vibe stronger. So how did this one go? Well, I was absolutely LOVING it as well!! In the beginning, I didn’t know whether I could warm up to Emily. Emily discovered that she has become a guardian for her 6-year-old niece and she didn’t know if she could handle the responsibility. She didn’t know if she could provide the love and emotional attachment that the kid needed – her ex-boyfriend accused her of being cold and unfeeling. Worse, she came to Puffin Island in order to protect Lizzy from intrusive paparazzo, but she is terrified of sea! So Emily in that first few chapters for me felt a little bit of a mess. Which is weird, because I would be seriously freaked out if I was in her position too!! I can’t see myself taking care of a child – I definitely don’t have that ‘motherly’ vibe. So maybe I was projecting myself in Emily, and I knew it would be hard for one to warm up to me as well. But as the story went along, I became very proud of Emily. Despite the fact that she kept saying that she didn’t know what to do with Lizzy, it was clear that she wanted her niece to be safe and sound. Emily could be a tiger in protecting Lizzy and she was willing to overcome her fear to make sure that Lizzy got the best childhood experience. That made me admire her so much!! There was a reason why Emily became as distant as she was – and I was glad that her secret was revealed in the middle of the book. One thing I dislike from romance is when the hero or heroine keeps a secret that drags along until almost the final chapter. It didn’t happen here which made me very happy. Instead, the reveal helped Emily to move forward and to heal and to embrace being Lizzy’s one and only family. There was one very significant moment between Emily and Lizzy that made me all teary eyed – right there on a public train (that I use for commuting to work). Now, Ryan, gosh I loved him too! What can I say, when a hero is being sweet to kids and very good with them, I just melt. Ryan was really great with Lizzy (and Emily too!); despite him refusing to be in a committed relationship because he said that he wanted his freedom, it was clear that family kept him grounded. So I loved that he finally recognized his shortcomings. All in all, this was a VERY GREAT start of a series. I loved the feel of the tight-knit community and the secondary characters that rounded up the town. I seriously can’t WAIT to read about Brittany and her ex-husband, Zach, in the second book. I mean, second-chance romance, people!! That is like, my kryptonite!

Contemporary romance with protected sex. The first full length book in the series of 3 best friends. We met Brittany in "Playing By The Greek's Rules". The Harlequin prequel. This is Emily's story. She's a neurotic mess. Her half sister, whom she was never close to has died & left her custody of her daughter. Emily has issues. Too many issues for me to like her as a heroine. Ryan also has some issues. His parents died in an accident when he was 13 & he took on helping his grandma raise them. Now, he has no interest in having a family. I did like this story, although I didn't love it as much as "Playing By The Greek's Rules". There was a bit too much melodrama. Towards the end it started to drag for me. I think it might have been better if it was a shorter story. This book also sets up the next 2 stories. We meet Sky, the 3rd friend & Alec her romantic nemesis. We also meet Zack, Brittany's ex husband & future sparring partner. There's also the potential for 3 other stories to come out of this series. The cover is good, but I imagined Ryan as a little more beefy than the guy on the cover.

A sad story that ended in enduring love. We are more often than not unaware the things that go on in people’s lives that have disastrous effects on young children. Some people are not meant to have children because they have no idea how to be A parent, it’s all about them and the children suffer unbelievably. Sarah Morgan has A way of making everything come out right! Read it, you’ll be glad you did!

Wow! There's throw-away Chick Lit and then there's the great quality stuff, which makes you take notice of the author and hunt out more of the same. The depth and back-story Sarah Morgan has given to the characters and the electricity between Ryan and Emily had me gripped and frankly, feeling hot... This is the first Sarah Morgan book I've read and I'm so pleased I have others to enjoy. I'm ordering the next as I write! Emily is suddenly thrust into a world of parenthood in a location she desperately wants to leave and doesn't know where to start with this unwanted new life. Ryan is so attracted to Emily but for his own reasons, doesn't want to attach himself to a family. Their chemistry, their clear liking and respect for each other and their shared concern for Lizzy takes us on a wonderful escape as fears crash and burn in the face of such an inevitable surrender. How Sarah creates such a sizzling dynamic on the page is sheer genius - though beware; it does make you want your very own Ryan. I can't recommend this book and author enough. You won't regret it!

Great Story and so easy to read. You fall in the love with the characters almost straight away! A beautiful story!

Facile da leggere e abbastanza intrigante. Nulla di insolito Saran Morgan scrive i tipici romanzi dove tutto finisce bene. Insomma una fiaba che in realtà difficilmente può capitare

I like a lot Sarah Morgan. This is the kind of book that you read without too much thinking, in the night when you are tired after work. I liked it, it's quite intertaining and well written altough very predictable!

Never read anything by this author before,but the book came up as recommended so thought I'd give it a whirl. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, it held my attention and made me want to read on. Good bits: lovely location - Sun,sea and sex! Nice community spirit. A lovely tale about love, loss and trust. FABULOUSLY described male central character who has a few commitment issues. Looking forward to the next book, surprised to find its a Mills and Boon! Bad bits: Poor Skylar seemed to get abandoned at the lobster party and barely got mentioned!