eARC PROVIDED BY JANNIE
UK RELEASE DATE – 23 JULY 2024
Soft & Slow Romance
“That’s what he felt like, seeing her.”
This is a good romance for anyone seeking main characters that are not in their 20s. With both main characters in their 40s, it was enjoyable to see characters with more responsibility and sense of self. A major bonus being that the characters are more straightforward and there is less miscommunication and nervous energy that goes around in circles.
The characters chemistry was good. I liked the build up of their chemistry and their dialogue, I would have loved however to have more scenes focusing on the two main characters involving the cooking and the playful nature of it (all personal preference). I would have loved for more scenes to showcase the sparks between them and just really highlight the romance between them, but the scenes we did get I enjoyed.
I enjoyed the set up of the plot and how the story and the characters developed with it. I thought that the majority of the story flowed nicely, the pacing allowed for the story to be an easy read. I think the ideas and themes of grief in the story worked well and are reflected well in the characterisation and character motivations.
The only things that hold me back a little bit is the fact that there were different things and sub-plots happening in the story, and I just wanted them to be expanded or to go somewhere with more purpose. I would have loved seeing more of the main female character’s job and what was happening there, how that impacted her and the side characters, and just an overall greater development of things outside the slow burn of the romance. I think because I enjoyed the cooking aspect of the book so much I just wanted more out of it.
Book Synopsis
Willa Lieu-Endicott moved from California to the Pacific Northwest to start over. Since her husband’s death, she’s been struggling to get back her old career as a cookbook ghostwriter. Unfortunately, her latest project—ghostwriting for a viral cooking sensation known more for his washboard abs than his meals—has her stuck.
Until she meets her new neighbor.
Hudson Daws, the handyman next door, lives on a farm with his parents and two adult children. He’s the opposite of everything she’s ever known. His happily chaotic life includes biker barbecues, an escape artist dog, and adorably menacing goats. He’s also got a sinfully sexy smile and a rumbling bass voice that makes her shiver. He inspires her.
From their first meeting, the two fall into an escalating cycle of favors, paybacks…and attraction, even though Willa’s trying to keep her distance.
They both have their own pasts to deal with. Now, they just have to figure out if they have a future.
- partner death (off page), grief, mental illness, chronic illness ↩︎
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