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Previous reviewers saw this book as a funny, lighthearted romp. Maybe we were reading two different books, because this is not at all what I read.

Truthfully, from the cover and the title, you would get the impression that this is police/romance kind of book, with everything good and bad that that entails, and this is exactly the kind of book that it was.

This seems to be a second book of a series, even though I didn't read the first book. This is a fairly standard romance plot - Ruth comes home, but it is with great reluctance, as she does not want to face a certain person; a person who she used to be sweethearts with, but they had broken up, a person who is now town sheriff. Ruth hopes for the best, that she will not have to see him too much, but, as this is a romance novel, we are fairly assured that that "is not going to happen", and, true to our expectations, Ruth bumps into Sam everywhere. She has to learn to face what happened, and what will happen, between them... This a fairly standard plot, and although the characters were well drawn and the plot was good and well developed, it never turned into a great read for me, and here's why.

First of all, the romance between the h/h was simply not believable to me. It didn't seem real to me that they had been so deeply in love as teen-agers, and, although they had now spent so many years apart, neither of them has changed, they can meet again and it is just like it was? CAN one turn the clock back like that? Also, the romance that they had as teen-agers seemed to be too, too overwhelmingly "storybook romance" to be believable to me. Maybe I just knew the wrong kind of boys, but I don't remember any teenage boys of my acquaintance acting even remotely similar to Sam (at that age). He seems to remember every detail of their time together, every detail about how she reacts, what her fears are - my goodness! are there really people like that? I seem to remember teen-age boys being a bit self-centered - like, he would remember every detail of what *he* wanted, he felt etc. but about her? So, this sort of jerked me out of the story.

But the main problem that I had with this book was that it was so sad. Yes, the romance was beautiful (if a bit too beautiful to be realistic), but the main characters were the only ones who got even a remotely happy ending. I hope that I am not giving anything away about the story by saying that nobody else has a happy ending, I'll just leave it at that.

For those of you who like a larger-than-life romance, and don't mind a more somber background tone, this book will please. As for me, what shall I say, perhaps its just not my cup of tea.

Former Delta Force soldier Sam Mendenhall is the Shelbyville, Michigan constable. His work is relatively quiet as he takes care of the 1245 year round residents and the additional "summer folks". However, lately he has learned how inadequate his service skills are involving petty thefts as someone has successfully stolen a flag from the post office and old curtains from a home amidst other items.

Beth Simon has come home from California to convert the family home to a bed and breakfast and to leave behind her violent former business partner Danny. Beth and Sam were high school sweethearts, but that was then and this is now. When they meet for the first time in years, the attraction remains hot. As they begin to overcome their doubts about the other, Danny starts to stalk Beth. When Sam realizes the danger confronting his now beloved, he knows his military skills are more than adequate, but Beth fears for her heart more than her life.

SAY IT AGAIN SAM is an intriguing second chance at love tale with a pinch of a mystery (the thefts) and a touch of suspense (Danny's rising hostile and erratic behavior). The story line mostly focuses on the relationship (somewhat the past but mostly the present) between the likable lead couple. Fans of contemporary romances will want to read this fine tale.

Harriet Klausner

What an absolute hoot! SAY IT AGAIN, SAM is touching, humorous, and entertaining - can it get any better? Perhaps longer and a little hotter!

Beth Simon returns to the area where she spent her youthful, carefree summers. She comes home to the Victorian mansion along the shores of Heart Lake, Michigan. She comes back to heal and to move ahead. She comes home to discover Sam Mendenhall -- her best friend, her high school lover - Sam Mendenhall, the boy that broke her heart -- is currently residing in Shelbyville.

Ex-Delta Force warrior, Sam Mendenhall, has come home to Michigan to heal and reevaluate his life. Presently, he flutters away his days acting as Shelbyville, Michigan's local rent-a-cop; filling hours until . . . until he learns Beth Simon has returned. The girl of his youth - his first and only love - Beth Simon, the girl that broke his heart -- has returned to Shelbyville.

Shelbyville is humming with small town chaos. What started as a series of petty, mysterious robberies suddenly turns very serious. Someone is out to hurt Beth Simon and Sam Mendenhall has no other choice then to offer protection. Soon Sam and Beth pick up where they left off sixteen years ago; suddenly nothing can stand in the way of their love.

SAY IT AGAIN, SAM is a treat. This reader enjoyed the humor along with the romantic suspense. Sam and Beth are fun people. Definitely an entertaining page turner! Mary McBride shows delightful wit spinning this tale of rekindled love. Grade: B+

This review is based on an Advanced Reading Copy.

Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.

This is my first book by this author and I was not disapointed. This was a fun story that was highly entertaining. The romance was sweet and the characters loveable.

The supporting characters were wonderful and I liked the small town that was going on.

I thought the suspense could have been worked a little more. It was not that hard to figure out who did what. But there is the element of suspense that adds a little extra spice to the story line.

I do recommend this story for a light fun read.

For a very short book it took me a very long time to finish it. I got lots of laundry done, watched some TV, anyways the story was sweet and a nice mystery but the main female character just didn't have a backbone for 30 year old person. I almost wished they would not get together. I would pass.

The book is an okay read but there are so many mistakes in it. Misspelled words, inappropriate punctuation and even the wrong words written. It gets worse the more you read and can be quite distracting.