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The Maryland Shores #1
Letting Go
Alternate-cover Second Edition can be found here
What must you let go to find true love?
When Maren Mitchell lost her husband, she felt adrift in choppy waters. She adjusts course as she’s not one to ever act quickly.
The handsome, decisive surgeon Steve Kramer devoted decades to advancing his medical career, but his personal life sailed past him...until Maren corners his curiosity. He encourages her to become a co-worker, but will she become more?
The intensity that fills Steve’s days drives Maren to anxious uncertainty. He's nothing like she's used to, making her quiver all right...as his impassioned first mate on his boat and as a skeptical observer off of it.
Will a left-brained, logical man and a creative, cautious woman get tangled in their differences and past hurts...or surrender what they must to live fuller lives and forge a future together, especially through regional terror and personal panic?
What must you let go to find true love?
When Maren Mitchell lost her husband, she felt adrift in choppy waters. She adjusts course as she’s not one to ever act quickly.
The handsome, decisive surgeon Steve Kramer devoted decades to advancing his medical career, but his personal life sailed past him...until Maren corners his curiosity. He encourages her to become a co-worker, but will she become more?
The intensity that fills Steve’s days drives Maren to anxious uncertainty. He's nothing like she's used to, making her quiver all right...as his impassioned first mate on his boat and as a skeptical observer off of it.
Will a left-brained, logical man and a creative, cautious woman get tangled in their differences and past hurts...or surrender what they must to live fuller lives and forge a future together, especially through regional terror and personal panic?
- GenresFiction
316 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
13 people are currently reading
731 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Monroe
2 books74 followersLauren Monroe is a novelist residing on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. A native of Pittsburgh, she grew up around boats and beautiful scenery in Western Maryland, later moving to the Washington, D.C. suburbs before settling across the Bay Bridge.
Various experiences shape her writing including marriage, family, friendships, a graduate degree in the social sciences, and her career paths.
In her spare time, the author enjoys reading fiction and non-fiction, boating, swimming, biking, good food, and travel.
The Maryland Shores has two books in the series, with Second Chances: Book Two launching spring 2015.
Letting Go: Book One of The Maryland Shores women's fiction series was published in 2014, and a second edition appeared April 2015.
Read more at
www.laurenmonroenovels.com and www.facebook.com/lauren.monroe.novels
Various experiences shape her writing including marriage, family, friendships, a graduate degree in the social sciences, and her career paths.
In her spare time, the author enjoys reading fiction and non-fiction, boating, swimming, biking, good food, and travel.
The Maryland Shores has two books in the series, with Second Chances: Book Two launching spring 2015.
Letting Go: Book One of The Maryland Shores women's fiction series was published in 2014, and a second edition appeared April 2015.
Read more at
www.laurenmonroenovels.com and www.facebook.com/lauren.monroe.novels
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 24, 2015
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for reading and posting my honest review.
I had no prior association with or knowledge of this author or her work.
The story is about Maren Mitchell a young mother who becomes a widow as the result of an auto accident.
Maren is struggling, but resilient and stronger than she knows. She meets a charismatic doctor, Steve Kramer, when he removed her son, Dylan's appendix.
The story follows Maren as she deals with her stress and anxiety over the loss of her husband as well as the emergency surgery of her son.
It is so easy to become acutely interested in the characters and want to continue reading without stopping until reaching the end of the story.
I really enjoyed following along with Maren & Steve's budding friendship as it leads to a more serious relationship.
This is a very realistic romance. Both adults have some baggage and there is a child involved. The story is very well written and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a true to life romance rather than a young adult candy coated sappy love story.
I look forward to reading more from this author especially in this series.
I had no prior association with or knowledge of this author or her work.
The story is about Maren Mitchell a young mother who becomes a widow as the result of an auto accident.
Maren is struggling, but resilient and stronger than she knows. She meets a charismatic doctor, Steve Kramer, when he removed her son, Dylan's appendix.
The story follows Maren as she deals with her stress and anxiety over the loss of her husband as well as the emergency surgery of her son.
It is so easy to become acutely interested in the characters and want to continue reading without stopping until reaching the end of the story.
I really enjoyed following along with Maren & Steve's budding friendship as it leads to a more serious relationship.
This is a very realistic romance. Both adults have some baggage and there is a child involved. The story is very well written and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a true to life romance rather than a young adult candy coated sappy love story.
I look forward to reading more from this author especially in this series.
February 7, 2014
This story flowed well with multidimensional characters. Working, single mom struggling with too much worry and stress. She finds love again after husband died. Humorous and sexy in parts. A generally nice feel-good read. Lauren Monroe
July 31, 2014
Maren Mitchell's husband had died and she is left alone to raise her son on her own. She has sent in her resume to the Marketing Dept. at West Riverside Hospital Center. But, what was she thinking? Is she ready to change jobs and start at something new and different in her life.
Her son, Dylan, has an appendicitis attack and is taken to the hospital where Dr. Steve Kramer performs the operation and helps Dylan recouperate in the hospital and they become like friends too. Maren is taken with Dr. Kramer and he is easy to talk to. As a matter of fact, he finally gives her the push she needs to accept the new job at the hospital.
Maren and Steve Kramer start dating and soon become involved romantically with each other. Will Steve help Maren get past her husband's death and will he like her son in the picture also?
I simply loved this book. The characters are people I would personally like to know.
I won this book through the Goodreads Giveaway. I want to thank them and Lauren Monroe for such a great novel.
Her son, Dylan, has an appendicitis attack and is taken to the hospital where Dr. Steve Kramer performs the operation and helps Dylan recouperate in the hospital and they become like friends too. Maren is taken with Dr. Kramer and he is easy to talk to. As a matter of fact, he finally gives her the push she needs to accept the new job at the hospital.
Maren and Steve Kramer start dating and soon become involved romantically with each other. Will Steve help Maren get past her husband's death and will he like her son in the picture also?
I simply loved this book. The characters are people I would personally like to know.
I won this book through the Goodreads Giveaway. I want to thank them and Lauren Monroe for such a great novel.
November 4, 2014
Thoroughly delightful read about a widow trying to raise her son, working, starting a new relationship and trying to move on in her life. Characters totally relatable and a nice light read that held my interest because the main character was so relatable. I live in Maryland and did win this book on this site but I only try to win books that I feel I can enjoy and this did not disappoint. Many references to place and events here in the Maryland area like the Chespeake Bay, Washington Redskins, Baltimore Ravens and the Burgh rivalry not that far away. I had to chuckle out loud how when the heroine was visiting someone and their Sunday dinner was choreographed around the Redskins football game which is exactly how it was done at our house!!! Lots more local references that I enjoyed but the main story of someone trying to move on in their life was something we all could relate to. First book of a series and you totally want the main character to succeed and be happy again.
June 11, 2014
Letting Go: The Maryland Shores is a fun summer read if you're game for the Maryland setting, want to feel you're boating on the Chesapeake Bay and wish to experience a little romance.
I really enjoyed the characters, especially Maren, the heroine of this novel who overcomes her fears to try her luck at love again. We all need to read/hear that lesson from time to time.
If you are from Pittsburgh or Western Pennsylvania, you will get a little added treat, which makes this particularly fun!
I really enjoyed the characters, especially Maren, the heroine of this novel who overcomes her fears to try her luck at love again. We all need to read/hear that lesson from time to time.
If you are from Pittsburgh or Western Pennsylvania, you will get a little added treat, which makes this particularly fun!
July 11, 2014
I loved Letting Go by Lauren Monroe. The characters were believable and the story was such a good read. Her descriptions of the Chesapeake area made you feel you were there. Can't wait for Book Two.
January 6, 2015
First read this last year; then bought the paperback with this new cover, which I really like. I have also purchased "Letting Go: The Maryland Shores" by Lauren Monroe for two other women as gifts -- birthday and holiday.
I liked it at first read last January, and again in the fall when I read it over a second time. Characters are warm, easy to like. It's funny, on target with working mom balance, and it has the right amount of sex-appeal but leaves some to the imagination. I liked how Maren, the main character, seemed grounded and dealt with self-doubt, that most of us can relate to.
She grew into being more assertive over time, especially with Steve, the male character she fell in love with. Steve thinks a lot of himself but isn't that common for a lot of doctors/surgeons? It wasn't off-putting but added to the banter in the book.
Steve and his friend seemed real to me, how they bantered and fixated over football and fishing. Remembering post-9/11 tension and the DC sniper days, the author wove these well into the plot and it all seemed very accurate.
I could picture being on the water with the nautical/boating scenes. The interaction with families and children added to the character's lives in a pleasant, sometimes humorous way. I hope the second book in series picks up the lives of these characters.
I liked it at first read last January, and again in the fall when I read it over a second time. Characters are warm, easy to like. It's funny, on target with working mom balance, and it has the right amount of sex-appeal but leaves some to the imagination. I liked how Maren, the main character, seemed grounded and dealt with self-doubt, that most of us can relate to.
She grew into being more assertive over time, especially with Steve, the male character she fell in love with. Steve thinks a lot of himself but isn't that common for a lot of doctors/surgeons? It wasn't off-putting but added to the banter in the book.
Steve and his friend seemed real to me, how they bantered and fixated over football and fishing. Remembering post-9/11 tension and the DC sniper days, the author wove these well into the plot and it all seemed very accurate.
I could picture being on the water with the nautical/boating scenes. The interaction with families and children added to the character's lives in a pleasant, sometimes humorous way. I hope the second book in series picks up the lives of these characters.
September 1, 2015
Letting Go is a love story with a few twists and turns to keep it interesting and an interesting story with good character development.
October 2, 2016
I am new to Goodreads. A friend told me about this contemporary women's novel saying that if I'm from Pittsburgh I'd probably like it. She was absolutely right. It's set in the beginning of this century and I love how the author refers to real life events we can relate to, namely 9/11 and that fear, which the main character seems to have succumb to. She works through so much (no spoilers) and seems ready when she meets the man who finds her irrestistible. I liked the family as a back drop to this story, her child, and friends. The Chesapeake scenery added appeal here. I found it to be authentic since I've spent many vacations on the shore. The author wove in Pittsburgh elements that I was thankful for. It made it all the more fun to read and definitely I followed by reading Second Chances: Book Two, which follows. Thank you, Lauren Monroe.
November 30, 2016
This is a delightful read from a newer novelist. Letting Go has everything. Death of a spouse, betrayal by a long time girlfriend, football, single parenting, 9/11 terrorism, shootings, a cancer scare, dating after the loss of a love, and more. The characters are real and charming. You will love each and every one. The book reads fast and the story keeps you moving right along.
This is the first book I have read by this author, Lauren Monroe, but it won't be the last. I have already started the next book in the series.
This is the first book I have read by this author, Lauren Monroe, but it won't be the last. I have already started the next book in the series.
January 25, 2019
Amazing book that you can get lost in. Totally wished I had one afternoon to read this all in one sitting. Love how Lauren shared what the couple was feeling. They are just like anyone if us. Thank you for writing such an amazing book. I can't wait to read the next one. I now want to visit the East coast.
February 12, 2018
I loved Maren and Steve's story. It was believable and heartwarming. If you like water, sailing, Chesapeake, or just a great story, read this!
This was my first book by Lauren Monroe and I can't wait to read more! She is a wonderful author with great stories.
This was my first book by Lauren Monroe and I can't wait to read more! She is a wonderful author with great stories.
October 7, 2016
I first read this last year. Read it after reading Second Chances, the second in series. Wishing I had started with the first -- not that it was really necessary -- but Letting Go gives you the story of the characters that gets continued in sequel.
Here, you've got a very Maryland themed book right down to mentions of the Baltimore Ravens, the Smith Island cakes on the eastern shore and the Chesapeake blue crabs. Hero Steve delights us and his lady Maren out on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. If you like that type of scenery and you want a feel-good, escape for a few hours worth of reading and romantic plot, this series is for you. It is along the lines of a Mariah Stewart or Sheryll Woods or Nora Roberts perhaps. Somewhat predictable but the fun is how you get there.
Here, you've got a very Maryland themed book right down to mentions of the Baltimore Ravens, the Smith Island cakes on the eastern shore and the Chesapeake blue crabs. Hero Steve delights us and his lady Maren out on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. If you like that type of scenery and you want a feel-good, escape for a few hours worth of reading and romantic plot, this series is for you. It is along the lines of a Mariah Stewart or Sheryll Woods or Nora Roberts perhaps. Somewhat predictable but the fun is how you get there.
November 18, 2016
A heartwarming romance story.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews