There’s a lot to love about a cinnamon roll sweetheart who falls hard and fast for his girl – this hero was GREAT! As a longtime fan of Score’s work, I was excited to dive into this and see how her style changes for a more “traditional” romance audience. This still has the same small town feel and found family vibe as many of her other romances, with a more laidback tone and slightly less heat. Still pretty steamy at times (our sweet cinnamon roll hero definitely has a possessive streak), but the overall tone is less angsty and more lighthearted overall. It’s also not first person perspective, which I didn’t even notice until I was about halfway through. And the length is about 100 pages shorter than other books I’ve read by Score, which was honestly just right for the story. This was maybe missing that bit of sizzle that I love about Score’s books, but the slow burn romance, inclusivity, and community aspect definitely made this a very solid read, and I ended up bingeing it in one sitting.
The story follows Maggie, a social media star who makes a living by flipping houses and documenting the process for her followers. She’s never in one place for long, so she’s never set down roots anywhere – and never really plans to either. But when Maggie buys a giant, rundown mansion, she sees the potential in her biggest project yet. And the sexy, smitten landscaper she hires for the job certainly makes sticking around a little easier. Silas is hit with a zap of connection the moment he meets Maggie (his future wife, if you ask him), and the good-natured, hometown guy is determined to convince Maggie that they’re meant to be. As they spend time working on the project of a lifetime, Silas and Maggie build a relationship that just might be made to last.
The renovation aspect of this reminded me of one of my old favorites from Score, Mr. Fixer Upper, but that’s where most of the similarities end. This hero is kind, caring, easygoing, and confident in their connection. Yeah, it’s a little ridiculous that Silas is so head-over-heels right away, but you’ve gotta love a committed man. And he never once wavers – which is exactly what this broken heroine needs in her life. The sense of community and cast of characters definitely made this a richer read, and it’s got a lot more going on that “just” the romance, though that’s absolutely the focal point. There’s a diverse group of characters, which enhances the found family vibe. I loved the slow burn that built on an instant connection, and the steamy scenes were certainly fan-worthy. Silas may be a nice guy, but he can still get a little dirty. What really won me over though is the build in intimacy and level of depth that develops over time, which is what makes this such a fulfilling read. It was a touch too slow here or there, but this was a great, low angst, small town story.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/35UHm8i
Blurb:
Can these opposites turn up the heat… without burning down the house?
House-flipping sensation and YouTube star Maggie Nichols can’t wait to dig into her next challenge. Arriving in tiny Kinship, Idaho, with only a cot and a coffeemaker, Maggie is prepared to restore a crumbling Victorian mansion in four months or less. She has her to-do lists, her blueprints, and her team. What she doesn’t have is time for sexy, laid-back landscaper Silas Wright.
The man takes flirtation to a whole new level. And he does it shirtless…sometimes pants-less. He and his service school-dropout dog are impressively persistent. But she’s not interested in putting down roots. Not when fans tune in to watch her travel the country turning dilapidated houses into dream homes. A short-term fling on the other hand could fit nicely into her calendar. After all, Maggie remembers what fun is like. Vaguely.
As their summer gets downright steamy, Silas manages to demolish the emotional walls she’s spent years building, sending Maggie into a panic. He’s the wrench in her carefully constructed plans. With the end of the project looming, she has a decision to make. But how can she stay when her entire career is built on moving on?
Amazon: https://amzn.to/35UHm8i
About the Author:
Lucy Score is a Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon bestselling author. Small town contemporary rom-coms are her lady jam and she enjoys delivering the feels with a huge side of happily ever after.
Her books have been translated into several languages, making readers around the world snort laugh, swoon, and sob. Lucy lives in Pennsylvania with the devastatingly handsome Mr. Lucy and their horrible cat.
In her spare time she enjoys sleeping, drinking copious amounts of coffee, and reading all the romance novels in the universe.
Follow Jeeves on social media!
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
Jeeves Reads Romance 