**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

Finding Love is Allison’s debut novel. I really enjoyed the story. I admit that at first, I didn’t feel like I was fully “into it.” I was wrong. (Yes, I mentally said that in my Ron White voice. LOL) I had to put the book down so I could adult for awhile and I realized I couldn’t stop thinking about the characters. I wanted to get back to it so I could see what happened next. I had become fully invested in Seth, Abbey, and Brian. Maybe it’s just me, but I think sometimes the best stories are the ones that sneak up on you. They burrow inside your bookworm heart and stay with you until you’ve seen the story through.

This story is one of those. These characters grabbed onto me. I wanted to hug Abbey and throat punch her ex, Chris, for everything he put her and their son, Brian, through. Abbey suffered emotionally and mentally due to her ex-husband’s callousness and my heart broke for her. Thankfully, her son is a sweet young man and he takes after his Mom. He adores her and detests what his Dad did to her, to them. (Yes, I changed it to just say HER son, because in all honesty, she raised him. She nurtured him, took care of him, taught him how to love, how to be a good kid, and how to treat others. His Father was never around, he never took the time to be a Dad. In all honesty, they were better off without him and life was about to get a whole lot better for them.)

Enter Seth. Seth and Abbey lock eyes while she’s out shopping with a friend. Abbey has finally decided, with some urging from her friend, Sarah, that she needs to find herself again. She lost her way due to the actions of her ex and needs to start living. Neither Seth nor Abbey act on their obvious connection, but fate steps in and says, “Wait a minute here. You two are not following my plan for you. I will not be thwarted.” Later in the week, they’re both out with their respective friends and see each other again. This time fate gives Seth the push he needs to introduce himself and so it begins. *I can just picture the Foreigner song, “I’ve been waiting for a girl like you,” running through Seth’s head. Yes, I’ve aged myself with this song shout out, but I don’t care. 😉 It’s a classic and so perfectly fits the situation.* Seth has also been unlucky in love and was deeply hurt in the past. Abbey is exactly who he needs and so is Brian. He needs them, just as they need him.

Seth runs a security company with his friend, Chase. Seth is a great guy. I have to say, I kept waiting for some flaw to appear like a bad pimple or there to be a huge misunderstanding that would separate them. There wasn’t and I was pleasantly surprised by that. The book didn’t need it. There was plenty going on with Seth and Abbey each finding a way to work through their own personal baggage, decide that they’re starting something special, make sure Brian was okay with the status change, and yeah, keep that jerk, Chris, away from them. It sounds like all this would be overwhelming, making the reader feel like too much is going on, but I never felt that way. In my opinion, everything flowed together nicely. The ending…it about killed me though. While it’s not a cliffhanger, per se, there is one big issue left unresolved. I actually breathed a huge sigh of relief because once I finished the book, I immediately did a search on the author, and then did a happy dance upon seeing that book two, Needing Your Love, will be released on November 5th. I have to know what happens with Sean (Seth’s friend) and Tracey (Abbey’s friend), because they got together in this book, but by the end, things weren’t all rainbows and sunshine with them anymore. Sean wanted more and Tracey feels unable to give it, regardless of how much she likes him. I will be jumping on that story as soon as it’s released. I have to know what happens next.

I’m eager to see Allison grow as an author, to find her voice, her style, and embrace it. I definitely plan on being along for the ride and hope to see you there. I have a feeling it’s going to be a fun journey.

**4.5 out of 5 Hearts from Cariad Books.**

Reviewed By Elizabeth Neal