So bingeable, with a hero who is the sweetest man underneath his frosty exterior, this made for the perfect introduction to this small town series. Yes, I skipped right to the book with the tropes I was most interested in, lol, and I have no regrets. It’s clear that the series is tied together enough that each book will have readers intrigued about future installments, but the books will also read as standalones with no trouble at all. I loved getting to know the characters, and the hero ended up being even better than anticipated – a man whose past hurts lead him to make an intimidating first impression, but who is actually loyal and loving underneath it all. I absolutely melted at the (plentiful) scenes with him caring for the heroine’s newborn baby, and the scenes with him showing extreme competence in the kitchen were just as addictive. The romance builds quickly once they get past the initial friction, and that made for an easygoing, devourable story. It’s engaging enough to hold your interest the whole way through, yet laidback enough to feel low angst and tender.
The story follows Memphis, a former heiress who has just arrived in a small, rustic town, hoping to make a new life for herself. While she once lead a very different life, the birth of her son – only two months ago – has vastly changed Memphis’ perspective on things. Penniless and alone, overwhelmed and trying her best, Memphis is disheartened when she discovers that her new landlord is a sexy grump of a man who clearly doesn’t want her around. Memphis has not only invaded Knox’s home, but also his workplace, and it’s not long before the two come face-to-face again and again. But Knox is determined to keep Memphis at arm’s length, and Memphis is determined to prove that she can make it on her own – so the tension that simmers between them is clearly just bottled up irritation… right?
I’m pretty new to Perry’s work, as my only experience with her writing is a Christmas novella or two. But I’ve been intrigued by this series for awhile now, so I decided to choose my first full-length novel from her wisely. And that ended up being a great strategy, because this was the kind of romance that hits all the right notes for me. We’ve got an endearing, swoonworthy hero; a resilient heroine who stands up for herself when necessary; a unique, dynamic setting; and a touch of suspense to keep things interesting. It’s the kind of read that’s a little tougher to describe – it’s not a rom com, it’s not overly angsty, but it’s compelling with a hint of emotion. There’s a touch of spice, but the focus is on the emotional connection. And the length was perfect for bingeing in one sitting. So this was a great re-introduction to Perry’s work, and it’s got me excited to read more from the author.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3uf9Z98
Audio Note:
The audio is excellent! It’s dual narration, featuring my personal favorite narrator, Jason Clarke. He gives a great performance with his deep and gravelly voice, as does Maxine Mitchell. I would say that this is more Memphis’ story than Knox’s, but there’s plenty of chapters from each’s perspective. The tone works well in the audio format, and the runtime is ideal for a single day – just over 8 hours. You could start this at the beginning of the workday and be done before you clock out for the day, which is a definite bonus. There’s only a few steamy scenes, and the story is a slowish burn overall, so not too much time is devoted to that. I think that the book is absolutely enhanced by the audio performances, so I enthusiastically recommend the format.
Audiobook: https://amzn.to/3FfbRoF
Blurb:
From USA Today bestselling author Devney Perry comes a small town, neighbors to lovers romance.
Memphis Ward arrives in Quincy, Montana, on the fifth worst day of her life. She needs a shower. She needs a snack. She needs some sanity. Because moving across the country with her newborn baby is by far the craziest thing she’s ever done.
But maybe it takes a little crazy to build a good life. If putting the past behind her requires a thousand miles and a new town, she’ll do it if it means a better future for her son. Even if it requires setting aside the glamour of her former life. Even if it requires working as a housekeeper at The Eloise Inn and living in an apartment above a garage.
It’s there, on the fifth worst day of her life, that she meets the handsomest man she’s ever laid eyes on. Knox Eden is a beautiful, sinful dream, a chef and her temporary landlord. With his sharp, stubbled jaw and tattooed arms, he’s raw and rugged and everything she’s never had—and never will. Because after the first worst day of her life, Memphis learned a good life requires giving up on her dreams too. And a man like Knox Eden will only ever be a dream.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3uf9Z98
About the Author:
Devney is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author. Born and raised in Montana, she loves writing books set in her treasured home state. After working in the technology industry for nearly a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to enjoy a slower pace at home with her family. Writing one book, let alone many, was not something she ever expected to do. But now that she’s discovered her true passion for writing romance, she has no plans to ever stop.
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