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Those Two Words (Sutton Bay Book 1) Kindle Edition
Johanna Thomas always knew she would return home when she was ready, because that’s where she left her heart. Walking away from Patrick wasn’t easy, but she knew it was for the best. Now back in town, she wants to prove to herself and Patrick that she deserves to be here. He isn’t the same man he was before, but it’s hard not to fall for this version when she sees the love he has for his little girl.
They try to put the past behind them and work together as friends. But how can they, when old feelings have never disappeared, and they still look at each other like that?
Is this their second chance, or has too much time and heartbreak happened for them to make it work?
Those Two Words is book #1 in the Sutton Bay series. A series of interconnected standalone stories set in coastal New England, with lots of feelings, swoon and spice!
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateAugust 22, 2024
- File size2888 KB
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Product details
- ASIN : B0D1R5STFS
- Publication date : August 22, 2024
- Language : English
- File size : 2888 KB
- Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 364 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #126,845 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #2,796 in Small Town Romance eBooks
- #6,142 in Contemporary Romance Fiction
- #17,300 in Contemporary Romance (Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Ronnie Mathews is an Indie Romance Author, who lives in North England with her husband and their black Labrador, Jake. She loves to write small town, swoon-worthy stories with lots of feels and plenty of delicious spice. If she isn't writing or reading, you'll find her in the kitchen or out with friends and family trying to balance being an ambivert!
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book heartfelt and uplifting. They describe the love story as beautifully complicated, swoon-worthy, and one of the best romances of 2024. The spicy scenes are balanced with tender moments. Readers praise the well-written and well-crafted debut.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book's content heartfelt and uplifting. They appreciate that it handles the topics of mental health, depression, loss, and anxiety tactfully. Readers also mention that the book is nostalgic and can be a source of healing.
"...crafted debut that captures the intricacies of love, the challenges of mental health, and the power of community...." Read more
"...If you're looking for a romance that’s both heartfelt and steamy, this one is worth picking up." Read more
"...It’s well written, well rounded, perfectly detailed, emotional, funny, has the perfect amount of spice (the mouth on the two of them 🫠) and I..." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's romance. They find the love story complex and a masterclass in the power of love. The narrative is poignant and uplifting, with a relatable story that captures the challenges of mental health. The book is described as one of the best romances of 2024.
"...Those Two Words is a beautifully crafted debut that captures the intricacies of love, the challenges of mental health, and the power of community...." Read more
"...Two Words by Ronnie Mathews caught my attention with its unique background story, making me reconsider...." Read more
"...Patrick and Johanna are beautifully written, relatable, raw and may or may not have you shedding a few tears...." Read more
Customers find the book has a good balance of spicy scenes and tender moments.
"...teasing that showcase their chemistry, and the spicy scenes are perfectly balanced with tender, heartfelt moments filled with nostalgia...." Read more
"...And of course, the spice was absolutely delicious! If you're looking for a romance that’s both heartfelt and steamy, this one is worth picking up." Read more
"...well rounded, perfectly detailed, emotional, funny, has the perfect amount of spice (the mouth on the two of them 🫠) and I honestly couldn’t put..." Read more
Customers enjoy the writing quality of the book. They find it well-written, detailed, and emotional. The book is described as a beautifully crafted debut that captures the intricacies of love.
"...Do I even have to answer that? HECK YES! Those Two Words is a beautifully crafted debut that captures the intricacies of love, the challenges of..." Read more
"...It’s well written, well rounded, perfectly detailed, emotional, funny, has the perfect amount of spice (the mouth on the two of them 🫠) and I..." Read more
"3.5 ⭐️ Available on KU This was an ok read for me and that’s ok...." Read more
Reviews with images
Take me to Sutton Bay!!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2024This book was TOO. GOOD. Now, I’m sure you’re wondering, ‘Is that even possible?’ Oh yes, my friend, it is. This book is meeting your soulmate and feeling seen for the first time good. It’s slipping into a pair of jeans that makes your butt look fantastic and taking a sip of a perfectly made iced coffee good. It’s drinking wine, eating cheese, and laughing until you cry with your best friend good. And it’s even (wait for it) snuggling a pile of kittens good. Yup, kittens—this book is THAT good.
The story begins with Patrick and Johanna, childhood best friends who grew up together, sharing a love of jigsaw puzzles, grilled cheese sandwiches, and, secretly, each other. They spend years dancing around their feelings, always joined at the hip and caring deeply for one another, but never getting together. After college, Patrick and Johanna finally admit their feelings and share one incredible night together. Shortly after, several tragic events put their lives on diverging paths. Johanna silently and suddenly moves away from Sutton Bay, leaving Patrick reeling, heartbroken, and confused.
Patrick quietly mourns the loss of his best friend and the love of his life. One night, he drowns his sorrows at a bar and ends up having a one-night stand. Several weeks later, Patrick learns he’s going to be a dad. Fast forward six years, and Patrick’s heart has never healed, but his daughter, Lottie, has given him something to live for. He’s embraced the challenges of being a single parent, and his relationship with Lottie is swoon-worthy. Patrick is the ultimate girl-dad. He glues tiny tiaras on toy dinosaurs, organizes princess birthday parties, and even learns how to braid Lottie’s hair perfectly. He’s also taken over managing Our Place, the restaurant his and Johanna’s parents opened when they were kids. Unfortunately, the restaurant is struggling, and Our Place is on the verge of going out of business or, worse, being sold. Patrick is desperate to turn things around and keep the one piece of his childhood he has left close to his heart.
Johanna returns to Sutton Bay after six years to reconnect with her roots and help Patrick save the restaurant. Patrick doesn’t know Johanna is coming home, and when she walks through the restaurant’s front door, they are both overwhelmed with trepidation and, at the same time, fond memories of the love they never lost. Throughout the story, we learn that Johanna battles with anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. Her return to Sutton Bay is difficult, opening and healing old wounds, mending broken friendships, and desperately longing to reunite with Patrick. Johanna deals with her mental health in ways that add depth to her character and make her relatable to anyone who’s faced similar challenges.
Patrick and Johanna’s love story is beautifully complicated and a masterclass in the power of second chances. As Johanna navigates her return to Sutton Bay and the things that forced her to leave, the way Patrick forgives and supports her is nothing short of incredible. He’s not just a love interest; he’s a partner who understands her struggles and stands by her side. Johanna and Patrick’s banter is delightful, filled with playful teasing that showcase their chemistry, and the spicy scenes are perfectly balanced with tender, heartfelt moments filled with nostalgia. Their shared history and mutual pining come together perfectly and make each one of their interactions feel significant. Johanna and Patrick’s relationship is a testament to the fact that love can be both a refuge and a catalyst for healing.
My thoughts about Those Two Words are best summed up by cobbling together some of the messages I sent Ronnie at 4AM (after reading all night and sobbing uncontrollably).
Holy crap. The angst. The guilt. The things left unsaid. Jo’s struggles with anxiety, panic, and depression. THE BANTER. Chef’s kiss.
And just…Patrick.
He’s adorable and caring and sexy and broody and the perfect girl dad—I’M IN LOVE.
5⭐ — ‘All Time Favorite’ list status unlocked. Steal my sleep and my tears. I’ll take it for a fantastic story.
Bravo, my friend, you done good. SO GOOD.
Would I recommend it?
Do I even have to answer that? HECK YES! Those Two Words is a beautifully crafted debut that captures the intricacies of love, the challenges of mental health, and the power of community. Ronnie Mathews has created a story that invites readers to reflect on their own journey with love, loss, and mental health. The narrative is both poignant and uplifting. Those two things, combined with a love story of epic proportions, have earned this book a prized spot on my bookshelf—forever. So yeah, don’t think about it, just go buy this book. It comes out on August 22, 2024. Your heart will never be the same.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2024I’m usually not into second-chance romances, but Those Two Words by Ronnie Mathews caught my attention with its unique background story, making me reconsider. Ronnie’s care in portraying Johanna’s anxiety really stood out to me. Unlike some books that use anxiety as a convenient plot device, this one felt genuine and thoughtfully handled. And of course, the spice was absolutely delicious! If you're looking for a romance that’s both heartfelt and steamy, this one is worth picking up.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2024Those Two Words is a story about childhood friends turned lovers, who after 6 years apart are thrust together again and have to decide if they can give each other a second chance or if their shot at love has passed them by. Needing to work together to save their family run restaurant has tensions high after so much time apart, but once truths are revealed about the past there’s no stopping the chemistry between these two.
Patrick and Johanna are beautifully written, relatable, raw and may or may not have you shedding a few tears. Matthews handles the topic of mental health, depression, loss and anxiety tactfully, respectfully and with care. I can see a lot of people relating to Johanna and appreciating how Matthews details her struggles, accomplishments and her journey with anxiety/depression.
I just really loved this book, that’s it, that simple, it was just damned good. It’s well written, well rounded, perfectly detailed, emotional, funny, has the perfect amount of spice (the mouth on the two of them 🫠) and I honestly couldn’t put it down. This was a top second chance romance for me, I loved Patrick, Johanna and Sutton Bay so much! I can’t freaking wait for the rest of this series - the trail of breadcrumbs Matthews leaves you with for future books and characters has me on the edge of my seat for the next book!
- Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 20243.5 ⭐️
Available on KU
This was an ok read for me and that’s ok.
I want to read the next one and I hope it’s about Graham and Quinn.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2024These Two Words is book one in the series and was a good read. Johanna and Patrick were best friends since childhood. In college, they spend a night together but Johanna ends up leaving for six years with no contact. Now she's back in Sutton Bay and the two have to work together in hopes of saving the family restaurant that both Patrick and Johanna's family own. Patrick and Johanna's journey back to each other wasn't easy and was emotional but they were perfect for each other. The chemistry and connection was great! Lottie, Patrick's daughter was adorable.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2024This book is a warm hug wrapped in a cozy blanket. The prologue set the stage so perfectly and did such an amazing job setting the stage for Patrick and Johanna’s lifelong friendship.
When Johanna leaves town without a word and leaves Patrick to pick up the pieces after a family tragedy, it looks like there’s no chance the friendship can be saved. But years later when Jo comes home, they realize that they are nowhere close to being done with each other.
Patrick is the hot single dad we love to read about. His relationship with his daughter will melt you into a puddle. And speaking of Lottie! That sweet girl was the most fun to read! Her sassy little personality and the way she is the center of her whole families universe is the most wholesome!
Johanna was so refreshing to read. A strong FMC who also deals with anxiety. The emotional weight she carried to protect her loved ones was so relatable.
I loved Patrick’s and Johanna’s relationship from beginning to end and I think YOU are going to love it, too!
This book is a warm hug wrapped in a cozy blanket. The prologue set the stage so perfectly and did such an amazing job setting the stage for Patrick and Johanna’s lifelong friendship.
When Johanna leaves town without a word and leaves Patrick to pick up the pieces after a family tragedy, it looks like there’s no chance the friendship can be saved. But years later when Jo comes home, they realize that they are nowhere close to being done with each other.
Patrick is the hot single dad we love to read about. His relationship with his daughter will melt you into a puddle. And speaking of Lottie! That sweet girl was the most fun to read! Her sassy little personality and the way she is the center of her whole families universe is the most wholesome!
Johanna was so refreshing to read. A strong FMC who also deals with anxiety. The emotional weight she carried to protect her loved ones was so relatable.
I loved Patrick’s and Johanna’s relationship from beginning to end and I think YOU are going to love it, too!
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
- Caroline RohemReviewed in Brazil on August 24, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars 4 5 stars
I devoured this book in a day. Johanna and Patrick are incredible characters. Johanna is a strong woman despite everything she’s been through. Patrick is the perfect example of a man in love, who only breathes when the heroine is near.
Their reconnection was done perfectly, and I think Ronnie managed to introduce more serious themes without making it too heavy for the reader, yet still being informative.
I’ll definitely read more of what she writes.
- EllenReviewed in Germany on September 21, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE!
I REALLY want to talk about this book.
Those Two Words felt like a chrisp fall morning🍂 I loved Jo as a character, i loved her even more when she chose herself over everything💕
Pat,her childhood bestfriend is one of the most caring, loving and REAL character i had the pleasure to get to know in this book.
The story was sweet, loving, heartwarming and breaking all in one!💕
Please read this book, you will enjoy it!🌊💕🦞
- Scandi ReadsReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 27, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Oh wow!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars
❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥 3/5 spice
Patrick and Johanna were childhood best friends. But maybe there always had been more there? It all ends after they share one passionate night together, sweat words and promises being made. But then Johanna just ups and leaves town, not looking back. Now, six years later Johanna’s returned and they have to work together to try and save their family restaurant. None of them are the same anymore, but is there still feelings there? Would this be their right place right time? Or has too much time, distance, hurt and heartache happened? And where is that missing puzzle piece???
Oh WOW! That this is a debut novel is blowing my MIND!!
This was such an emotional read to me. I could feel all of the hurt and the heartache through the pages. But also the love and happiness in these two characters. The humour is so clever and good. I really love the inner monologues. That is some of my favourites with reading. I just cant believe that this is your first book Ronnie! Well done! You’ve been such a good girl ;)
Patrick is so swoonie and hot, and i just melt when he calls Jo Love. I love a good nickname, and this one just fits so well with the whole story. His emotions really gets to me. And I am dy!ng from him teaching him self to braid 😭
Johanna is such a strong character. And I really feel all her hurt, hope, longing and happiness in her. The amount of loss she has experienced and how she’s coped with it feels so real and I just want to squeeze her and tell her that it will all be alright, but she has her lighthouse in the stormy bay to do that♥️
Princess Lottie was absolutely perfect. She’s such a cutie 🥰
I loved this whole universe, and i cant wait to return to it. I NEED more Booth, but also Graham!! But seriously Booth 👀😮💨
🧩 Singel Dad
🦞 Childhood Friends to Lovers
🧩 Mental Health Rep
🦞 Second Cance
🧩 Family owned Restaurant
🦞 Small Town Romance
- ReemaReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 25, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars I'm still thinking about this book
I loved everything about this book. I was expecting to enjoy it but ended up LOVING IT. From Sutton Bay, the family
dynamics, the dialogue, the angst, the spice. My gosh.
I loved Patrick and Jo. I loved the brothers and I am excited to see
who the next book is about. I thought the way mental health and panic attacks were written was detailed and
accurate (to me anyway)
So good.!! And for someone who doesn't enjoy spice,that pool table chapter is seared in my memory forever
- Sam WebbReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 21, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Debut Perfection!
HOW is this a debut!?
If you like small town, second chance, single dad romances then Pick. This. Up!!
Childhood best friends, Johanna & Patrick have an incredible friendship from pretty much day 1 because of their close parents, that eventually grows into more. After a night together Yoyo suddenly leaves. During a time where they both needed someone.
But now the family restaurant needs help, so she returns home.
Ronnies writing of the struggles of anxiety was done so with care & understanding. A lot of people will relate to this so please check triggers.
Every small moment, the support, the memories, the lookout, the photographs, the pining, the relationships & side characters. The puzzles. I adored all of it. Special shout out to Lottie, this feisty little princess was incredible.
The connection these two share is beautiful and rare. These two were true soulmates, it was like their hearts were never apart. My favourite thing about this was the ‘no third act break up’. The way these two looked at the time they spent apart. Not as time wasted but as time taken for themselves, to grow & heal.. like it was exactly where they needed to be. Stunning.
Daddy Pat delivered with the spice too. But the Love in this was so much more (he does make you sweat though)
I finished this snotty & teary. Easy 5 star! I hope everyone grabs this and devours it, I didnt want to put it down and inhaled it in almost one go. I cannot wait for book 2, more so if I can guess who the MCs are!