All kinds of adorable and just the low angst read I was in the mood for, this made for a great introduction to Olivia’s work. The grumpalicious hero paired with a sunshiney heroine made for a fun dynamic, and the story deftly tackles heavier subjects while maintaining a light and easy feel. It’s got small town romance vibes and enemies to lovers friction – plus a forbidden relationship. I loved that the storyline was so unique, and how these characters had to work out their differences before they could begin to heal themselves. It was sexy and swoony in equal measure, and peeling back the layers of this broken hero was so immensely satisfying. It reads quickly, works well as a series starter, and has me wanting to read more from Olivia. A solid 4/low 5-star read the whole way through, this easygoing grumpy/sunshine romance was a win.
The story follows Lorelei, a woman who loves roller coasters – even though one almost killed her. She’s worked at a theme park for years, and continues to do so even after a mysterious equipment malfunction left her with severe injuries to her hip. Lorelei is in the middle of a lawsuit against the roller coaster’s manufacturer, and she’s hoping that will give her some answers about what happened. But when the coaster designer himself comes to consult at the park, it stirs up a lot of trouble. Emory is moody, rude, and assumes that Lorelei is just suing him for the money. The two dislike each other, and spending time together is a surefire way to complicate the lawsuit. But as Emory gets to know Lorelei better, he realizes how much the accident has impacted her life – and Lorelei realizes that Emory just might have a heart buried underneath his rough exterior after all.
I’m new to Olivia’s work, so I had no idea what to expect going in, and I was very pleasantly surprised. It’s a light and easy read in a lot of ways, but there’s plenty of depth hidden beneath the surface. The storyline is also unlike any I’ve read before, which is always a major win for me. Sure, it plays up the tropes and I can tell that future love stories in this series of interconnected standalones will continue to do so, but it also felt fresh and different. The characters were lovable, the situations were understandable, and the friction made for some heat. It’s actually a little steamy! I loved getting to know Emory better, and there are some swoony moments that really worked. He’s the perfect kind of grump on the outside, with a marshmallow heart on the inside. Paired with the upbeat and resilient Lorelei, he was easy to love. I also appreciated how Lorelei’s injury was handled, and how there was great representation of her aches and limitations – it’s not glossed over. I’m definitely excited to read more from the series, though I do have concerns about a few of the potential couples (two hoes who are sleeping around while pining after each other, a hero who is emotionally cheating on his girlfriend, etc), but I love the overall cast of characters and the small town feel. It was really charming, and that pushes this from 4 to 5 stars for me.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3GSqddY
Blurb:
The moment we meet, it’s all downhill.
My job is providing happiness and smiles at Honeywood Fun Park, and Emory Dawson is the frown our park didn’t ask for.
When our star roller coaster malfunctions with me on board, the manufacturer’s heir and lead engineer, Emory, vows to renovate the attraction. So instead of having a fun summer season as Marketing Manager for Honeywood, I’m now saddled with playing host.
Wonderful.
Emory is the opposite of a good time. He’s the grump that won’t stop grumping, and our arguments escalate quicker than my heart rate after a roller coaster’s fall.
He knows I can see right through his broody gaze and big ideas. Repairing the coaster? More like overhauling his own company’s reputation, regardless of whether it helps our local theme park.
But when our firm handshakes start lingering too long, or when his muscled thighs rest against mine under the table, I’m thrown for a loop.
Most roller coasters are fun, but I’d like to get off this emotional one, please.
All Downhill With You is a stand-alone romantic comedy. This book is an enemies-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine romance with laugh-out-loud theme park moments, a cozy small town, and sizzling spice!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3GSqddY
About the Author:
Julie Olivia writes stories filled with quippy banter, saucy bedroom scenes, and nose-snort laughs that will give you warm fuzzies in your soul. She likes thick blankets, really fast roller coasters, lemon-filled donuts, and imagining cozy towns with tight-knit friend groups and lots of dirty talking men.
She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband who has a swoon-worthy low voice and their cat, Tina, whose meows are not swoony one bit.
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Bookbub: https://bit.ly/2NbH7Jy
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