Made for Us Samantha Chase

Zoe Dalton has been  tasked with an impossible job. A difficult client has already fired her predecessor. Zoe wonders what she is in for as she drives to the construction site to meet the client Aidan Shaughnessy, the owner of Shaughnessy Construction.

"I take it that this is a test to determine if I can see that the problem is in the details. Let me assure you, Mr. Shaughnessy, that I do. I have a real problem with craftsman who rush through a job and put out shoddy work. I think the homeowner deserves a house that has been put together perfectly. And for the finishes and decorating," she said as she stood a bit taller, "we want the potential buyers to come in here and not only want to buy this house, but to want their own to look as perfect as the model. If not better."

He quirked a dark brow at her. As much as Aiden hated to admit it, he was impressed. And he wasn't impressed easily. Zoe Dalton had not only seen everything he'd wanted her to see, but she had even picked up on an issue or two that has escaped him.

Not a easy thing to do.

Aiden continued to stand there and look at her, so Zoe figured she'd better nudge him along."Are we ready to hit the upstairs? I have a list of problems with the staircase."

And in that moment Aidan Shaughnessy thought he might have met his match.

The first two chapters of author Samantha Chase's Made for Us are fast-paced and contain the right amount of emotion, drama and dialogue. I was drawn into the story immediately because these pages 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. Aidan's mother died sixteen years ago and he is still grieving for her. Zoe moved from Arizona to North Carolina six months ago after her mother's death. Aidan can't move forward and although Zoe thinks of her mother often and feels her loss, she has accepted her death . 

Samantha Chase has created a different hero in Made For Us. Aidan is brusque, very demanding and controlling. He doesn’t have the qualities found in a typical romance novel hero, he’s not the charming , billionaire business man who drives a Mercedes. Aidan is a down to earth hero with every day issues! He is a successful contractor who thrives on routine and stresses out when things do not go as planned. 

Kudos to Samantha Chase for writing a exceptional love story. I am glad that she chose to write Aidan and Zoe’s story instead of the typical formula romance novel to start off her new series. Death , grief and destruction are not what a reader expects in a contemporary romance--these elements work in this story and set it apart from a typical read. Samantha Chase writes a strong female character in this novel and it was so refreshing to read. Loved how the author balanced Aidan and Zoe’s passionate love story with the threat of the storm moving towards their town. 

Made for Us sets the stage for the new series perfectly with its elegant prose and sincere dialogue. It contains several surprising plot twists which adds to the story's authenticity. 

I am looking forward to the second Shaughnessy Brother book!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman 

ARC from Sourcebooks
Graphics from Samantha Chase.