Great beginning

I’m reviewing the audio edition. This is the start of a new series.
Levi who has a history with this town, has returned only because he had no choice. His ex has cost him almost everything but he was able to prove he is the father and maintain custody of his daughter. While trying to put his life back together, he meets Arlo. Arlo is a newcomer to Stillwater and facing discrimination from some of the town elders. As Levi and Arlo get more acquainted, Levi’s daughters art interests opens the issue there is no art instruction available in Stillwater. So many things come out not only about Arlo but also about the original reason Levi left town. There are great secondary characters and the main characters are so likable. This is a heartwarming little town story and a great beginning to a new series. The narration by John Solo gave the characters personality. He made it easy to picture the surroundings and emotions going on in the story.

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Wonderful beginning to a sweet, new series

This is a wonderful beginning to a sweet, new series from Ana Ashley. I have previously read Ana's Chester Falls series, and this one feels a little more 'grown up' to me, and not just for the age of the MCs. It may be just me, but it felt like there was a little more harshness and angst, not too much, but it just felt like Arlo and Levi had to fight a little harder against homophobes, small-minded neighbors, and circumstances. Stillwater didn't feel quite as welcoming to newcomers as Chester Falls, but I think that made it feel more realistic and it made the ending and HEA more rewarding. I loved how Arlo and Levi fought back and how the town eventually stood up too. I loved the comic relief the children brought, too, especially regarding the snake.

The narration was ok for most of the voices, and the emotions were there, but I did have some trouble distinguishing between Levi's and Arlo's voices.

I received a free copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

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Great start to a new series

I was happy to read that there is a new series by Ana Ashley, because I really like her wonderful writing style.
This time the story is about Levi and Arlo. Levi left the town of Stillwater after memorable events and never really wanted to return. But things don't always go as planned in life, so he returns to his hometown with his little daughter. Arlo has decided to stay in Stillwater after a long trip, but he is not really welcome by some of the inhabitants. Yet the artist is very likeable and wants to get something going with his art. It doesn't fail that Levi and Arlo meet and a sweet romance develops.
The story features loveable main characters and secondary characters and I can very well imagine that it is the same in a small town as it is in Stillwater. I liked the beginning of the new series.

John Solo also does a good job of giving the various characters different personalities with his voice and intonations. John Solo brought the book to life and it was a pleasure to follow along with the happenings in Stillwater.

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Wonderful intro to the series

This was a quick read/listen, full of sweetness. The characters were all wonderful, not just the 2 MCs. The story was wonderful and held my attention from start to finish. It's one of those that make you constantly smile. Though it wasn't too OTT fluffy. The 2 MCs had wonderful chemistry and despite the shortness of the story it wasnt rushed and their relationship developed at a perfect rate. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone that likes light, no angst, low steam, very sweet reads.

Narration = 4 stars

John like always brought the story to life expressing all the emotions. He did a fabulous job with the side characters voices. Especially the little girl. I just wish the 2 MCs voices were more distinct.

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Welcome to Stillwater.

I originally read this sweet story as part of a giveaway and prequel to the Dads of Stillwater series.
As a matter of fact it’s the book about the first couple in the series, Arlo and Levi.
Arlo is a newcomer in town, whereas Levi is coming back, a bit bruised by life, to a city where he swore he would never come back, with her sweet baby girl. They are both outsiders and as soon as they meet sparks fly and they form a sort of instant united front.

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Small town struggles

Every now and then I enjoy a story where the small town isn't friendly and welcoming to newcomers or anyone the townspeople consider "different". I've know enough small towns where that is definitely the way things are in real life. For Levi and Arlo, that's definitely the case with Stillwater. Levi has returned with his young daughter after a long battle with his ex- and Arlo is a new arrival trying to settle in and just live his life as an artist. The town isn't welcoming either the returning Levi or the new Arlo but they manage to find each other through Levi's daughter and a wonderful romance develops. Loved these two characters, felt for their struggles with their fellow townspeople. This is one of my favorite John Solo performances. He gets Levi and Arlo just right and also perfectly captures the other characters in town I loved to despise.

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Sweet novella

Newcomer is a prequel novella to the Dads of Stillwater and features characters linked with Chester Falls.
Levi and Arlo were cute together, especially since Levi was understandably wary about starting a relationship having being burned before.
I really liked how they supported each other.

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A wonderful story to start the Stillwater series

So happy to have Arlo and Levi's story after getting to know them throughout the rest of the series. (This book was released after Breakthrough)
Both men face hardship when in Stillwater. Levi is returning to town after fleeing when he was fifteen and is now back with his daughter after being forced to leave his life by a conniving ex. People in town gossip about his return but don't know the truth of why he left. Arlo is relatively new in town and trying to get his art into the local craft market but is continuously denied by the board, which happens to be made up of those who don't like anyone different, out of towners or those who identify as LGBT+.
This is a sweet and fairly low angst romance with a bit of drama that comes from those who think they are better than everyone else. Small town drama that keeps the gossip mongers going. Levi and Arlo are brought even closer together by Ava, Levi's daughter, a delightful little one who loves Arlo's art and the joy it brings. It also introduces us to a lot of the people who will be getting their own stories in the future as well as the strong friendships that exist and are built between them and within the community.

John Solo gives a wonderful performance, providing the soothing voices for both men as well along with the rest of the characters. I found it very easy to fall into the story and loved it from start to finish.

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