MADE FOR US is the first book in author Samantha Chase's new series about the Shaughnessy family. The first two chapters are fast-paced and contain the right amount of emotion, drama and dialogue. These elements drew me into the story immediately because they set the stage for the emotional conflict within the novel and provided insight into the characters of Aidan and Zoe. Both Aidan and Zoe have suffered the loss of a parent and they handle their losses very differently. Aidan can't move past his grief and although Zoe misses her mother deeply, she has accepted her death and is ready to move forward.

The character of Aidan Shaughnessey resonated with me. Kudos to Samantha Chase for creating a hero who is a bit rough around the edges, very demanding and controlling. Aidan doesn't possess the qualities found in a typical romance novel hero, but he's an awesome real-life hero with real-life issues! The oldest of six children, Aidan loves his family. He is a successful contractor and thrives on routine and wants every thing to be the same ALL of the time. Change is not Aidan's friend. That's why is was so much fun to see Aidan fall for Zoe!

Zoe Dalton was not what Aidan expected. The honest conversations between the couple are superbly crafted. Zoe went toe-to-toe with Aidan and didn't give in to his demands. She wanted Aidan to respect her as a woman, decorator and friend. Loved how the author compared and contrasted the simmering passion between Aiden and Zoe with the hurricane moving towards the North Carolina coast. The scene where Zoe figures out that Aidan was helping himself to her Oreos was hilarious and the scene where Aidan wakes Zoe up to tell her about the storm damage was heartbreaking.

I was invested in the characters and read the last few chapters of the novel in an afternoon. Samantha Chase could have written a formula romance novel to start off her new series -- death , grief and destruction are not what a reader expects in a contemporary romance. I am so pleased she chose to tell Aidan and Zoe's story that at times was passionate, exasperating and heartbreaking. It sets the stage for the new series perfectly with its elegant prose and honest dialogue. MADE FOR US contains a few neat, unexpected plot twists which adds to the story's authenticity. I loved how the storm and flower images are subtly tucked into the story line. Will Aidan see the signs his Mother is sending him?

Book Summary

Can't make time for love? The Shaughnessy brothers have spent the years since their mother's untimely death taking care of each other and trying to make their father proud. Oldest son Aidan is hard-working, handsome, successful-and still single. Sure, he'd like to have his own family someday, but who has the time?

She'll show him how to find it Zoe Dalton, a stunning designer Aidan meets on one of his construction jobs, has the beauty and heart to make Aidan realize how much he could be missing. But it's not easy to break down walls you've spent years building up. Now there's a major storm bearing down on the North Carolina coast, and it could be catalyst enough to force Aidan and Zoe into some major decisions of the heart.

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