I guess I’m glad that I read the second book in this series first, lol, because I probably wouldn’t have continued on if I had started with this one. The two books are very, very different – this one is much more suspense-focused, so much so that it overtakes the romance. And the romance itself is of the f-buddies/no feelings variety, which is one of my least favorites. The hero is also kind of a jerk at the beginning (and not the fun kind), which is a bummer. I didn’t love the way the relationship developed, and I didn’t love that so much time was spent on things OTHER than the romance, so this ended up being a disappointing read for me. The good news is that the second book in this series was great, so all hope is not lost for The Edens.
The story follows Winslow and Griffin, two strangers who meet and spend one steamy night together. It was just supposed to be a one night stand – Winslow recently got out of a long-term relationship and Griffin has neither the time nor motivation for a relationship – but things don’t go quite as planned. Turns out, Winslow is the new police chief in Griffin’s small town, and the sudden death of a local brings them back together. While neither one is interested in a relationship, Winslow and Griffin can’t seem to keep their hands off each other. What starts as just sex slowly shifts into something altogether different, and this non-couple will have to figure out what to do with that.
Let me start by saying that I really loved Juniper Hill, the second book in this series. It was one of my first reads by Perry, and I specifically started there because the tropes were a better fit for me. I decided to go back to the beginning with Indigo Ridge and a trope that often works for me, but this one progressed in a way that I didn’t love. We’re told of Winslow and Griffin’s steamy night together, but none of the chemistry was shown. And then SEVERAL of the hookups that follow fade to black. It was really jarring to hear how hot these two were for each other but not actually SEE any of it, just the tension that arises from those unwelcome feelings. I also didn’t love that they kept feelings out of the equation for so long, or that it (somehow) also had an undercurrent of instalove vibes. The second half worked better for me, with some nice relationship development going on. Still a ton of suspense though, which was so different from Juniper Hill that I simply didn’t expect it. I wasn’t overly invested in the murder/suicide mystery, and that was a major part of the book. So this was a pretty lackluster read all-around for me, but I know that future books in the series are more up my alley.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ZvGoH8
Audio Note:
The audio was great! I love Jason Clarke, so that was a major plus for me. I also like Vanessa Edwin, so no complaints there. It’s dual narration, and the format works well for the story. The runtime is also short enough to binge in a single day, so that is a bonus. This is not at all a slow burn, but there’s actually only minimal spice, despite the fact that Winslow and Griffin fall into bed together time and time again. So you could probably listen to this during the workday, if you wanted. Suspense lovers might have a better time with the plot, and the audio was all good.
Audiobook: https://amzn.to/3Xafcvu
Blurb:
From USA Today Bestselling Author Devney Perry comes a small town, enemies to lovers romance.
Winslow Covington believes in life, liberty and the letter of the law. As Quincy, Montana’s new chief of police, she’s determined to prove herself to the community and show them she didn’t earn her position because her grandfather is the mayor.
According to her pops, all she has to do is earn favor with the Edens. But winning over the town’s founding family might have been easier if not for her one-night stand with their oldest son. In her defense, it was her first night in town and she didn’t realize that the rugged and charming man who wooed her into bed was Quincy royalty.
Sleeping with Griffin Eden was a huge mistake, one she’s trying to forget. He’s insufferable, arrogant and keeps reminding everyone that she’s an outsider. Winslow does her best to avoid Griffin, but when a woman is found dead on Eden property, the two of them have no choice but to cross paths.
As clues to the murderer lead to one of Quincy’s own, Griffin realizes Winslow is more than he gave her credit for. Beautiful and intelligent, she proves hard to resist. For him. And the killer.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ZvGoH8
The series continues with Juniper Hill!
I may not have loved Griffin, but his brother’s story was GREAT.
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.
Read the audiobook review here
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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