The Nearness of You

The Thorntons, Book 1

By: Iris Morland

Narrated by: Heather Costa, Jeffrey Kafer

Length: 5 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

The last thing Sara Flannigan needs is a man in her life. When she returns to her hometown, she vows to create a happy life for her son and to rebuild her life after a painful divorce. Yet when she meets her son’s new doctor, she can’t deny the spark of attraction that heats between them.

The problem? He’s Harrison Thornton, the oldest son of the illustrious Thornton family. His family would never accept a woman like Sara, a woman who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. She tries to ignore the whispers of her past, but she soon realizes secrets can never stay hidden for long. Especially from the man claiming her wounded heart.

Growing up in the rich and powerful Thornton family, Harrison has lived a charmed life. A renowned physician, the last thing he expects is to desire the mother of one of his patients. Sara is beautiful and intelligent, and she’s completely devoted to her son, something that only deepens his attraction to her. He doesn't want a single night of passion, though: He wants forever. Yet there are forces at work and people determined to tear them apart. Even Sara turns from him, certain she's unworthy.

Harrison refuses to let Sara slip away, and soon, he’s fighting the greatest battle of all: the battle to win the heart of the woman he loves.

©2017 Iris Morland (P)2019 Iris Morland

Emotional

This is a heartfelt love story. Great characters with an emotional storyline. Fantastic performance from both narrators.

Can they overcome their pasts to find lasting love?

The Nearness of You is the first book in The Thorntons series. Sara hasn’t had the easiest of lives, but she’s a fighter. When she notices her son is having symptoms of his cancer possibly returning, she takes him to the doctor. Harrison is his doctor, from a wealthy family with everything he could have ever needed, yet still wanting more. Immediately, Sara and Harrison hit it off, but can they overcome their pasts and reputations to find lasting love?

This book is so sweet and really makes you think about the blessings you have in your own life. Sara and Harrison were amazing together, and I loved that their love rang so true. Sara was such a fighter for everyone else around her, had a caring and giving nature, but when it came to her own self, she was scared to reach for her own happiness. Harrison was wealthy, but cared more about the character of those he surrounded himself with, and I loved how willingly he was able to fall for Sara! Together, they had quite a few obstacles to overcome, but the ending of this book was absolutely perfect! There is quite a bit of small town drama that goes on in this book, but really, it just drew me in that much more! I loved having the duel narrators, as they really brought both characters to life that much more for me! They did an amazing job with their characters, the emotions felt, and I often felt like they were talking to me, not just to their selves. I loved this book! I love this series, too!

Great Read

The Nearness of You: The Thorntons, Book One was a great read by Iris Moreland. Sara has returned to her hometown to create a happy life for her and her son. Now that she is rebuilding after her divorce, she isn't looking for the comfort of a man. She can't deny that she is attracted to her son's doctor, Harrison. But she knows that his family will never accept her. I absolutely loved reading Sara and Harrison's story. Heather Costa and Jeffrey Kafer did a great job of narrating the characters. I can't wait to read more by Iris Morland.

Cute series

first, let me talk about the narration. I'm not an expert on audio books, I've only listened to make a dozen, so I've not heard these two before, but I liked them. the part that was unusual to me was they didn't intermingle their parts. he did a chapter, she did a chapter. every other book I've listened to with dual narration, the male did the lead man part and the female did the woman lead part. so it was different for me to hear it done this way. I didn't love it, but didn't hate it either.

the story itself I liked. I read it before I listened to it. it's a good start for the series, you get introduced to most of the characters that you'll get to know better as the series goes on, but it's not done in an overwhelming manner like I've seen before. it's not my favorite book of the series, but important in my opinion to lay the ground work

good story

Sara Flanders recently divorced, returns home but her rumors from high school, continue to haunt her. Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks. Her son seen by the local pediatric oncologist, the single, handsome, rich Dr. Harrison Thornton. Will her insecurities keep her from happiness?
Heather Costa and Jeffrey Kafer tell the story with emotion. 🎧audiobookobsessionreviewer🎧

Sweet and Sexy!

This was my first Iris Morland's book and won't be my last. This is the first book in The Thorntons Series, a small town story. This is a great introduction to this Series. Sara and Harrison's story is sweet and sexy. Sara's son is adorable. I loved this story, the characters (maybe not all characters), the storyline, and the happy ending. Heather Costa and Jeffrey Kafer did a great job with the narration. I love their voices together. I enjoyed listening to this audiobook, and can't wait for the next book in the Series. #AudiobookObsession

Loved it!

I really enjoyed this story when I originally read it. Going back and listening did nothing but remind me just how much I like these characters!

Sara is strong and independent. She is picking herself back up after yet another rough time in her life, but she is determined to give her son the life she always wanted. I love her resilience! At times, she is a bit too independent, but I loved watching her learn to lean on those around her who love her.

Harrison is pretty close to perfect. He sees Sara for who she really is and is all in from the beginning. I love his persistence and determination. He works hard to prove to Sara that he is exactly what she needs with the help of an adorable little boy. I love that he values Sara and her son and refuses to let anyone change his mind no matter the cost.

This is a great series opener, because I am fully invested in ALL the characters. I can't wait to listen to more of this series!

The narration for this book was great as well. I enjoyed listening and will definitely check out more from these narrators!

Sweet small town romance

Sara Flannigan wasn't really looking for love when she took her son to his oncology appointment. She was just praying that he was still cancer free. The oncologist just happened to be Harrison Thornton, one of the hottest guys in town, and charming too. She tries to deny her attraction to Harrison because he is from the wealthy Thornton family and she is from a poor family. Regardless of the naysayers, they try to make a go of it. Can their love survive a meddling mother, and a jerk of an ex-husband? I love this series of books! So happy to finally have one on audio.

Sweet but cliched

Sweet but pretty stereotypical & cliched story. Still enjoyable, but nothing really out of the ordinary.

I should mention, I was disappointed with the narration. It was pretty stilted and detracted from the book overall.

loving someone out of your league...

Sara Flannigan and Harrison Thornton couldn't be more wrong for each other. After all, she grew up poor, with an alcoholic mother, basically raising her younger sister, and living with the stigma of being the HS slut. Harrison, was in college when she was in HS but Sara was aware of the eldest Thornton, and his wealthy family. Now she's back home, 10 yrs later, with her 1st grader who's a cancer survivor, and his pediatric oncologist is the dashing Dr. Harrison Thornton. The chemistry between Sara and Harrison is palpable but can the relationship even get off the ground with the town against them? This is a well written story, with a meddling, manipulative mother who is intent on destroying the relationship...will it survive or will Sara give up? Throw in Sara's tool of an ex and you have the right amount of angst. Good story...looking forward to more.