Dear Sam by Beth Carter follows veterinarian Sam Jennings in the town of Tranquil, where his fiancée, Gabby, leaves weeks before their wedding after accusing him of putting his veterinary practice first. As Sam tries to rebuild his life, new neighbor Faith Donovan starts Cookie Queen, a baking business, and accepts a job writing an anonymous advice column for The Tranquil Press under the name Evie. Their growing friendship becomes complicated when Dallas Adams, Faith’s former boyfriend, returns to town and opens a rival veterinary clinic across from Sam’s. Sam begins reading Evie’s column for guidance as he faces changes in his business and growing feelings for Faith, unaware that the woman offering him advice is living next door and keeping her connection to the column secret.

Beth Carter’s Dear Sam is a delightful small-town romantic comedy that is pure fun to follow. Chemistry is present in small moments, which comes through during a backyard dinner when Faith shivers after their fingers touch over a wineglass. The spark suits this romance perfectly, since Carter keeps Sam’s life as a veterinarian present as Faith arrives with a life of her own. The author has a gift for creating visual moments. At the Holmes farm, Sam crosses toward a faded red barn where straw covers the floor as Carol watches through a window during a difficult calf delivery. Glamour Pets has a memorable look, with a flowing waterfall beside a fireplace shifting from blue to green. Readers seeking affectionate small-town love stories should put Dear Sam on their reading list.

Dear Sam by Beth Carter follows Dr. Sam Jennings, a small‑town veterinarian whose life is upended when his fiancée disappears two months before their wedding, leaving behind only a brief note and an empty house. As he buries himself in caring for his animal patients and tries to ignore the growing threat of a flashy new rival clinic across the street, his new neighbor Faith Donovan quietly builds her Cookie Queen business and anonymously pens a local advice column. When Sam begins writing in to the column for guidance and unknowingly shares his heart with Faith’s alter ego, their paths start to cross in ways neither expects, leading to a gentle, slow‑burn journey of second chances, small‑town support, and a romance that grows out of everyday moments rather than grand gestures.

Dear Sam by Beth Carter is a warm and steady romance that leans into the familiar rhythms of small‑town life. It’s a character‑driven story that gives readers time to settle in and get to know Sam and Faith through their routines, worries, and small personal triumphs. Sam’s determination to move forward feels genuine, and Faith’s creativity and resilience add a homely, comforting tone to the book. The dual viewpoints make it easy to follow both Sam and Faith, and you get to know them at a steady pace that suits the story. The small‑town setting adds a familiar backdrop, with neighbors and friends who each bring their own presence to the pages. This steady, character‑focused romance builds gradually, with enough warmth and everyday detail to keep you turning the pages. The characters feel real, each with their own strengths and flaws, and the story keeps its attention on their personal journeys. A lovely read for anyone who enjoys slow‑build relationships and small‑town stories with a gentle, uplifting tone.

In Dear Sam by Beth Carter, Sam Jennings—Tranquil’s favorite veterinarian—is devastated when his fiancée leaves him two months before their expensive wedding. He’s left floundering and confused by her cryptic note claiming he loved his animals more than he loved her. Just as he channels all his passion into his vet practice, a shiny new rival opens across the street and starts luring Sam’s customers away. Facing emotional and financial ruin, the heartbroken vet has nowhere left to turn. Faith Donovan is new to Tranquil, moving in next door to Sam and launching her baking business. They seem destined for the friend zone despite their obvious mutual attraction. But when Faith becomes the advice columnist for the local newspaper, she writes under a pen name, and Sam has no idea he’s pouring out his troubles to the girl next door.

Dear Sam is a clever friends-to-lovers romance with a charming girl-next-door arc. The dual narration offers insight into both characters’ struggles. I loved Sam’s portrayal as a genuinely nice guy without the usual ego issues found in macho romances. It made him feel more realistic and easier to sympathize with as both his love life and his business hit major roadblocks. Faith is independent and gutsy, and Beth Carter makes her relatable. I appreciated how the author crafted Faith as self-sufficient and capable, not in desperate need of a man to fulfill her goals. This is a clean, wholesome, happily ever after romance with all the ingredients for a perfect summer read. Beth Carter’s cozy descriptions of the little town of Tranquil give it an old-world charm and innocence that made me want to live there.

Beth Carter’s Dear Sam opens with a small-town veterinarian, Sam, discovering that his fiancée, Gabby, has walked out on him just when they are preparing for their wedding. He tries to understand why, makes excuses, and hopes she will eventually come back. But reality slowly sinks in: she has ghosted him; she has gone. So, he turns his focus on his work, tending to the animals that are more loyal than humans. Meanwhile, Faith moves in next door and starts a cookie business, eventually becoming “Evie,” the town’s new anonymous advice columnist. Things get worse for Sam when a new vet named Dallas arrives and steals Sam’s clients. He happens to be Faith’s ex and is a flashy person. Faith helps Sam fight back. Along the way, Sam writes to "Evie" for love advice, unaware he is writing to Faith, and what follows are revelations and a twist that no one will see coming.

Beth Carter’s book had more than I'd hoped for. In addition to the complex characters, it has heart, humor, and a twisty plot. Sam is kind and most often appears to be absolutely clueless. The banter with his loyal staff and three goofy friends augments the humor and injects life into the story. Dear Sam cleverly captures small-town drama while delivering a captivating tale about second chances. The author plants questions in your mind regarding why Gabby left, making you want to know if she will come back, then brings in Faith and increases the tension. Faith’s secret identity is a device that keeps the suspense growing until everything finally blows up. The steady pacing makes it more like a slice-of-life story, with baking scenes and pet emergencies filling the gaps. It is a delightful read from start to finish.