Caught up in the SWOONS, I had the biggest smile on my face when I turned the final page of this tender romance. I’ve been meaning to try this new-to-me author for a while now, and this was the perfect place to begin. It kicks off the start of something new, developing a great small town feel and community vibe. I kinda loved that these two have been neighbors for a few years, but they never really knew each other until an anonymous online interaction breaks down their walls in an unexpected way. There was no deception, no secrets, no messiness revolving around their online communication, which I loved. And I also loved the gruff, secretly sweet single dad at the heart of it, who has spent the last few years slowly mending the emotional damage done by his ex-wife. He’s had zero interest in women since she left, so this romance takes awhile to start building. It’s the kind of book that gets better with every page, pulling me in a little deeper with every intimate moment. I loved it!
The story follows Wren, a woman who lives next door to a grumpy single dad. While Wren knows Holden has his reasons for being so closed off, that doesn’t mean he’s not infuriating sometimes. Wren does everything she can to rile him up, but the man still never cracks a smile. So when Wren discovers that the man she’s developed an online friendship with is actually her neighbor, well… it changes everything between them. Those messages may have been platonic, but they also broke down some walls around Holden’s heart. Connected in a way that neither anticipated, Holden slowly comes to realize that if any woman is going to get past his defenses completely, it’ll be Wren. And that’s a shock to the system.
I’ve been waiting for the perfect tropes to try out this author, and I’m so glad I started here. Vulnerable, secretly sweet heroes get me every time, and I loved the neighbors element. Holden is also SUCH a great dad, and that kicked up the swoon factor to a whole other level. Sexy, tattooed, sweet with his daughter, and celibate? Yeah, that’s a compelling combination. It’s a quiet, feel good romance that dances around some heavier subjects without ever getting weighed down by them. The focus on the emotional connection was greatly appreciated. It’s a sexy book without any spice, and that worked for these characters. They had plenty of chemistry and connection even without the heat, and I actually liked the slower pace. Sometimes I just want to read a tender love story that will make me smile, and this absolutely accomplished that. It ended up being a very solid read, and I’m excited to read more love stories set in this small town.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3S90x2O
Blurb:
Wren Daniels is in over her head.
Between organizing a charity auction and trying to renovate a cabin she can’t afford, she’s barely keeping her head above water. The only bright spot is her new friend she met on an anonymous dating app four months ago. That is, until she discovers he’s the last person she would have expected—her grumpy neighbor who she’s never gotten along with.
Holden Blankenship likes his life just the way it is.
After his wife left him, he spent years putting his life back together. Now he’s got his daughter who is the light of his world, his family, and surprisingly, an anonymous friend. But when his anonymous friend turns out to be his neighbor who drives him crazy, he’s not sure what to make of it. Especially when her contractor backs out of her cabin renovation project and he finds himself offering to help her. Now Wren is getting under his skin in a completely different way and turning all his carefully laid plans upside down.
As Wren continues to show up for Holden and Holden keeps proving to Wren that he’s not really as standoffish as he seems, the lines between friendship and more start to blur.
Their relationship may have gotten off to an unusual start, but some of the best things in life are just a little off the beaten path.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3S90x2O
About the Author:
Madison Wright is a rom-com writer living her own happily ever after in Nashville, TN! After falling in love with reading at a young age, she always dreamed of being an author.
Madison spends most of her time with her head in a book—whether that be in the car, at the grocery store, or in her reading chair. When she’s not reading, she’s probably watching The Office, buying excessive amounts of chocolate, or spending time with her husband and dog.
Follow Madison on Instagram @authormadisonwright
Follow Jeeves on social media!
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
Jeeves Reads Romance 