The Start of Something Good (Stay Book 1)

Sometimes family isn’t made up of blood and sometimes home isn’t a place, but a person. And sometimes hopes turn into dreams one never dared to dream when a soul finds its other half. Mia is a big city gal with big city ambitions to build her PR firm and right an old wrong she holds close to her heart. Ethan is a combat vet with far more scars than just the physical, but his family’s ranch in the mountains and the rescue horses there may hold the balm his soul needs. These two are about as far apart as opposites can be, yet beneath their initial vehement dislike for each other, something draws them together.Probst has been a go-to author for me for quite sometime, so it was a no-brainer when I had the opportunity to read an early copy of this book, and it was every bit as great as I anticipated it would be. This book wraps around the reader like a warm, cozy blanket gently carrying her on a delightful, heartfelt journey. With a damaged hero in need of mending, a strong, determined heroine with a cause, a troubled teen in need of guidance and acceptance and a lovelorn chicken (yes, you read that right, a chicken) this book has a little of everything. From humor to heat, to heart to healing to finding home, Ethan and Mia's story is an absolute must-read and sure to please.*I reviewed this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and promised to give an honest review.Mia Thrush is making a name for herself as the owner of a PR firm in Manhattan. When a client, who is running for mayor, asks her for a special favor with his 18 year old daughter, Mia is quick to say no. She knows he lost his wife just a year ago and Chloe, his daughter, is having a difficult time with the loss of her mother. It doesn’t make any difference to Mia that Chloe might get kicked out of college unless she does community service at a ranch. Spending her summer at a ranch with horses, is not in Mia’s to do list, but she finally relents.Ethan Bishop was in Special Forces. Coming home to his sisters ranch was not in his plan.. however, after a failed mission where he got hurt, he needs to escape from everyone and everything. The last thing he needs is a prissy stuck up woman from Manhattan. They are like oil and vinegar, but unbeknownst to either one, they both have internal scars. So even if they have crazy chemistry, they are both really too stubborn to admit it. I loved this book as I love every book Jennifer writes!

...but too much of the book focussed on sexual prowess. Cheapened it for me. Seems like these days writers are intent on being too explicit in this area.

This book follows the story of Ethan and Mia as they come to terms with their pasts and dreams for the future. Ethan has been hurt and is coming to terms with what really matters in his life. His relationship with his sisters was well-written and is full of love and banter. He also is a bit of a wounded bear when it comes to attitude at the beginning and it was fun to watch him slowly come around. Mia is a headstrong city girl and loves it. Her reaction to being sent to the country was priceless - and I'd imagine quite accurate for someone who self-declared hated the idea of anything other than city life. When Ethan and Mia first meet it was an explosion of bad first impressions. Eventually they do come around as they share a common goal/job: keeping Chloe Lake out of trouble and completing her service hours.Probst has a way of weaving humor into the story that helps it keep flowing. Mia's encounters with animals - especially the rooster - had me cracking up. It was Ethan's awareness of his limitations that was the most heartbreaking - knowing he could never fit into Mia's "real" world and dealing with what that would mean for them. Chloe was a great character as well - one that kept both Mia and Ethan on their toes for various reasons. Her character may have shown the most growth throughout the book and that in turn forced Mia to look at her "perfect" life and see if that's still the future she wants.From troubled pasts to a hopeful future, this book had everything you need in a fulfilling romance. I thought this was a great start to the series - I can't wait for Ophelia and Harper's stories!

The title definitely says it all. This is just the beginning of another amazing seriesWe meet Mia Thrush a woman on a mission to right wrongs and to be as successful as she can. She owns her own PR firm but when a client asks her to go above and beyond she wants to say no but what she never expects is to meet the broody Ethan Bishop.Ethan Bishop is a man coming home not willingly but hopefully to ground himself once again. A Special Forces and Hollywood Bodyguard tries to find himself by being surrounded by family.When Mia & Ethan meet unexpectedly the banter between the two is off the charts. We watch as they have to come together and help out Chloe Lake a young girl just trying to find her way, but along the way you see how Mia & Ethan fall easily into each other’s lives.You will meet many people & animals throughout their story that will have you laughing out loud. You will also get to know Ethan’s sisters Ophelia & Harper who have only Ethan’s best interest at heart, but when you see the words “The End” you will close the book with a smile on your and face and the words I can’t wait for more.

Ethan Bishop has demons and they plague his dreams making them into nightmares but the thing that saves him is not just Mia Thrush but also the reality that life is what you make of it. I fell in love with Ethan long before I got drawn into Mia’s personality. He’s bruised inside but he can heal only if he lets himself. The way he gets a ‘broken’ horse to finally see his own potential mirrors his own journey. It was one of the best symmetry symbolism that I’ve read in a story. I was so hooked on this book, although it did take me a bit of time to get to that point.Mia, I couldn’t quite work her out at first, her personality felt prickly but as the story progresses and her connection with Chloe and her father Jonathan Lake, I got to see more of her. She’s not the person she portrays, there is definitely more to her and I was rooting for her to connect properly with Ethan. I did roll my eyes when they said ‘it’s just sex’ and only ‘till you go home’, because I knew they were falling for each other. Can I just say it broke me, when Ethan let her go to pursue the dream she wants. He let her go and I never thought that he would. I did love the ending though and the mention of Ophelia and Kyle. That sets up an interesting read in the next book, that’s for sure!Completely recommend!4 stars!

Jennifer does it again. As soon as you open one of her books you are transported to the lushness of the Hudson Valley in upstate New York.I thoroughly enjoyed Mia and Ethan's journey. As always all the major and minor characters have you rooting for them and wanting to be a part of their lives. I am really looking forward to the next book in the series.

I would recommend it to ladies who are not upset by sexual attraction references a good read very good story line. Really enjoyed it. It's the first time I have read a book by this author but look forward to my next. ***

This book was a very good read i didn’t want to put i down

A good read, came up on a suggestion list from Amazon

Great story , shut out the world sit back and enjoy this read leaves you wanting the story to continue

Fairly basic plot but couldn’t put it down nevertheless

A lovely read can't wait for the second book

Accidental buy

Jennifer Probst is a one click buy for me, or in this case a pre-order. She manages to write romance novels with mature characters that have lived and have the scars to show for it. Yet, the steaminess is always off the charts. The title definitely says it all... ‘The Start of Something Good’ is just that ... a wonderful beginning to a new series by this talented author.This is Ethan Bishop and Mia Thrush’s story. Ethan is a former Special Forces and bodyguard, that has suffered serious injuries both physically and psychologically. He has returned home to the family ranch and B & B to recover and has become a recluse.Mia is a dynamic chick, a PR agent... working to get her client elected to be the NYC major. She goes to the B & B for the summer with her client’s troubled daughter Chloe. When Mia & Ethan meet unexpectedly the banter between the two is off the charts. We watch as they work together to help Chloe find her way and along the way Mia & Ethan fall easily into each other’s lives...This is a Funny & Sexy story with Wonderful characters and not to mention a crazy chicken. As much as I enjoyed Ethan and Mia and their passion and banter I enjoyed the other characters too. Great start to a new series.I look forward to book 2.

The Start of Something Good is definitely a fantastic start to Jennifer Probst’s newest STAY series. It’s fun, engaging and emotional.Jennifer, once again writes a story with the perfect balance of family saga, and steamy romance.Once I started my copy, I seriously could not put it down until I turned the last page. So good! ❤️🙌🏼📕I want to thank Net Galley and Monte Lake Romance for my readers advanced e-copy, for an honest review . They made my day.If you are looking for the perfect summer read, one that will have you blushing in the most wonderful way, I highly recommend treating yourself to a copy of today. You’ll fall in love with both Mia and Ethan, plus a silly little chicken named Hei Hei.

It’s a pretty good story, not terribly exciting or dramatic or drawn out but still pretty darned good somehow, guess that’s what good writing gets you! I laughed and found it to be refreshing and just a fun read. Recommend for sure.

I loved this book. More than just a romance, it was full of life as it grows and evolves and becomes whole.

I wanted a cute romantic novel and that’s what I got. I very much enjoyed the story and finished the book almost in one setting. Can’t wait to read the next one in this series.

What a great read. Lots of spice with added drama. Good job. Look forward to reading the next instalment. Thanks.