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Townsend Harbor #2
Brewbies
Darby Dunwell is not—as her name might suggest—a Bond Girl, though she’s been blessed with the body of one. An east coast, ivy-league, trust fund kid, she flees a life of expectation, elocution, and executive board rooms to follow her one true love: Coffee. Isn't the Washington Coast the Mecca for all things brew related? The deeply eccentric seaside tourist hamlet of Townsend Harbor throws its doors wide open for her sex-positive, bikini-themed coffee shop named Brewbies. Her grand opening is an unmitigated success, until the county sheriff saunters in to shut her down.
Compulsive rule-follower Sheriff Ethan Townsend is known for helping old ladies across the road, breaking up bar fights, and keeping the sleepy town safe from the flood of seasonal tourists. One-night stands, not so much. After having his heart publicly stomped on, he no longer bothers to ask the name of the woman he’s going to forget in the morning. A policy he regrets when the woman who blew his mind turns out to be his nemesis. Not only is Darby’s salacious coffee shop causing traffic incidents on the Coastal Highway, its proprietress keeps making his life–among other things–as hard as possible.
Darby finds herself embroiled in a feud she never wanted with the cop who is as tight assed as his trousers suggest. But even as their animosity sizzles and the town begins to take sides, Ethan can’t seem to keep his eyes off Darby’s double D’s.
Compulsive rule-follower Sheriff Ethan Townsend is known for helping old ladies across the road, breaking up bar fights, and keeping the sleepy town safe from the flood of seasonal tourists. One-night stands, not so much. After having his heart publicly stomped on, he no longer bothers to ask the name of the woman he’s going to forget in the morning. A policy he regrets when the woman who blew his mind turns out to be his nemesis. Not only is Darby’s salacious coffee shop causing traffic incidents on the Coastal Highway, its proprietress keeps making his life–among other things–as hard as possible.
Darby finds herself embroiled in a feud she never wanted with the cop who is as tight assed as his trousers suggest. But even as their animosity sizzles and the town begins to take sides, Ethan can’t seem to keep his eyes off Darby’s double D’s.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 20, 2023
329 people are currently reading
1089 people want to read
About the author
Kerrigan Byrne
71 books5,027 followersIf you're anything like me, the best night is one spent with a brawny highlander, a mysterious werewolf, a conflicted vampire, or a hot-headed Irishman. My stories span the spectrum of romantic fiction from historical, to paranormal, to romantic suspense. But I can always promise my readers one thing: memorable and sexy Celtic heroes who are guaranteed to heat your blood before they steal your heart. Lose yourself in the enchanted Celtic Isles, you never know who, or what, will find you...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 324 reviews
February 1, 2025
Brewbies by Kerrigan Byrne and Cynthia St Aubin
Townsend Harbor series #2. Contemporary romance. Can be read as a stand-alone but better of having read the first book.
Darby Dunwell had a sizzling hot one-night stand she can’t quite forget. But she follows her plans and opens her coffee shop in Townsend Harbor. It’s a sex-positive, bikini-themed shop names Brewbies and has a successful opening. Until the sheriff serves her papers from an old obscure law shutting her down. Darby finds herself in the middle of a feud with the man she’s been unable to forget. There has to be a way to keep her shop open.
Sheriff Ethan Townsend is a rule follower. After getting his heart stomped by a hometown woman, he’s been going out of town to meet women who know the rules: no ties, no commitment. When the new coffee shop opens it’s the talk of the town and everyone complains to Ethan to fix the problem. He didn’t expect the owner to be the woman he can’t forget from a few months back. They had an amazing night and then she disappeared. He had intended to do the same thing but there was just something special about her that he couldn’t forget. Now he doesn’t want her to leave. But how does he manage the complaints about her salacious coffee shop?
A few twists and complications to keep it interesting. A good cause that she doesn’t promote outright but more tongue-in-cheek with slightly outlandish promo. I loved her wanting to be known for something other than a disease.
It took a bit to warm up to Ethan. He certainly wasn’t likable in the first book but we didn’t get his perspective really all that much either. Here we do and he’ll grow on you.
Amusing, sexy and fun.
4.5
Townsend Harbor series #2. Contemporary romance. Can be read as a stand-alone but better of having read the first book.
Darby Dunwell had a sizzling hot one-night stand she can’t quite forget. But she follows her plans and opens her coffee shop in Townsend Harbor. It’s a sex-positive, bikini-themed shop names Brewbies and has a successful opening. Until the sheriff serves her papers from an old obscure law shutting her down. Darby finds herself in the middle of a feud with the man she’s been unable to forget. There has to be a way to keep her shop open.
Sheriff Ethan Townsend is a rule follower. After getting his heart stomped by a hometown woman, he’s been going out of town to meet women who know the rules: no ties, no commitment. When the new coffee shop opens it’s the talk of the town and everyone complains to Ethan to fix the problem. He didn’t expect the owner to be the woman he can’t forget from a few months back. They had an amazing night and then she disappeared. He had intended to do the same thing but there was just something special about her that he couldn’t forget. Now he doesn’t want her to leave. But how does he manage the complaints about her salacious coffee shop?
A few twists and complications to keep it interesting. A good cause that she doesn’t promote outright but more tongue-in-cheek with slightly outlandish promo. I loved her wanting to be known for something other than a disease.
It took a bit to warm up to Ethan. He certainly wasn’t likable in the first book but we didn’t get his perspective really all that much either. Here we do and he’ll grow on you.
Amusing, sexy and fun.
4.5
did-not-finish
June 25, 2023DNF at 6%.
I just don't enjoy instalust and this starts off with a one night stand that kinda grosses me out.
I just don't enjoy instalust and this starts off with a one night stand that kinda grosses me out.
October 1, 2023
3.5 Stars
There are some fun things to like in this story and then there are some things that were just a little on the eh side and sounded a bit preachy. But overall it is a mostly fun story about our very tightly wound sheriff and the woman who unravels him.
Darby and Ethan had a smokey one night stand a few months ago, in Canada. They both have thought about each other so much over that time, but neither was ready to run into the other in the small town of Townsend where Ethan is the Sheriff. And Darby never imagined when she saw the man she had the best sexual experience of her life with that he would be handing her papers to shut down her business.
Ethan always does the right thing...always. He is just the messenger to the petition put together by some of the concerned citizens of Townsend who have a few problems with the Bikini clad Darby selling drinks with sexy names to match the very sexy barista. To be fair they are a bit on the racy side. Ethan is struggling with his conscience. He wants the land she is sitting on, so if Darby leaves he can buy it back, but it isn't right to shut someone down due to some of the town zealots. Still, it is hard to think when he is around Darby.
They might be trying to avoid each other. However in a little town you are bound to run into each other an poor Ethan seems to be running into her everywhere. He has never wanted anything so much in his life as the beautiful Darby. But to get her he is going to have to step out of the life his been living and take some chances.
Overall, this is a pretty cute story. Darby is different, she dresses like a pin up girl and is adorable while doing it. But, not everyone is out against you in the world when you are different and she seemed to have decent sized chip on her shoulder that was irritating at times. Still overall I liked all of the interactions between her and Ethan.
I was also fun spending a little time with some of the other characters from Townsend we saw in Nevermore Bookstore. Seeing Cady and Fawkes was cute and I look forward to Gemma's book and hope we see the super hot aerialist friend of Darby's again.
There are some fun things to like in this story and then there are some things that were just a little on the eh side and sounded a bit preachy. But overall it is a mostly fun story about our very tightly wound sheriff and the woman who unravels him.
Darby and Ethan had a smokey one night stand a few months ago, in Canada. They both have thought about each other so much over that time, but neither was ready to run into the other in the small town of Townsend where Ethan is the Sheriff. And Darby never imagined when she saw the man she had the best sexual experience of her life with that he would be handing her papers to shut down her business.
Ethan always does the right thing...always. He is just the messenger to the petition put together by some of the concerned citizens of Townsend who have a few problems with the Bikini clad Darby selling drinks with sexy names to match the very sexy barista. To be fair they are a bit on the racy side. Ethan is struggling with his conscience. He wants the land she is sitting on, so if Darby leaves he can buy it back, but it isn't right to shut someone down due to some of the town zealots. Still, it is hard to think when he is around Darby.
“It’s complicated.” Kiki slid him the side-eye and shook her head. “Christ, sheriff, when life hands you lemonade, you’re not supposed to turn it back into lemons.”
They might be trying to avoid each other. However in a little town you are bound to run into each other an poor Ethan seems to be running into her everywhere. He has never wanted anything so much in his life as the beautiful Darby. But to get her he is going to have to step out of the life his been living and take some chances.
“You can’t spend one more second worrying what other people think about your choices… At the end of the day, it’s you who has to live with them.”
Overall, this is a pretty cute story. Darby is different, she dresses like a pin up girl and is adorable while doing it. But, not everyone is out against you in the world when you are different and she seemed to have decent sized chip on her shoulder that was irritating at times. Still overall I liked all of the interactions between her and Ethan.
I was also fun spending a little time with some of the other characters from Townsend we saw in Nevermore Bookstore. Seeing Cady and Fawkes was cute and I look forward to Gemma's book and hope we see the super hot aerialist friend of Darby's again.
July 8, 2024
2.5 stars. This was a quick read, but it really didn’t hold my attention and I kept finding myself thinking about other things and forgetting what I was reading. The characters just lacked something and found this to be an insta-lust trope.
June 29, 2023
Sheriff Ethan Townsend didn’t have a simple time of things in Nevermore Bookstore, the first standalone romance in the Townsend Harbor. In Brewbies, we get to know him better. While it isn’t necessary to read the first book, you will appreciate getting to know the characters and small town.
Darby Dunwell, a trust fund kid, abandoned her expected path for her passions. She runs Brewbies, a coffee shop out of her RV, and has set up shop on the outskirts of Townsend Harbor. Her grand opening is a hit! That is until the sheriff serves her papers. Papers that will shut her down in seven days.
I loved Darby. She is over-the-top, dresses vintage and isn’t afraid to embrace her best life. Except maybe for friendships. Her marketing was fantastic, and I was drooling and laughing over the coffee offered.
I loved the meet as it set the tone between Ethan & Darby. The chemistry between them is sizzling hot, but both are going to have to open up, trust, and heal from past issues. He follows the rules, and she likes to color outside the lines. It was magic.
The townies are up in arms about Darby’s risqué-themed coffee shop and invoke an old town law. Darby investigates why the town wants her gone. Ethan has competition for town Sheriff and is still angry at his mother for selling the property he wanted. In-between their romance develops with plenty of heat and tender moments.
The local ladies rally to help Darby, but she has some ideas of her own. We will see familiar characters, attend the local book club and hang out at the carnival. Filled with humor and character growth, I had a good time and look forward to the next book. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Darby Dunwell, a trust fund kid, abandoned her expected path for her passions. She runs Brewbies, a coffee shop out of her RV, and has set up shop on the outskirts of Townsend Harbor. Her grand opening is a hit! That is until the sheriff serves her papers. Papers that will shut her down in seven days.
I loved Darby. She is over-the-top, dresses vintage and isn’t afraid to embrace her best life. Except maybe for friendships. Her marketing was fantastic, and I was drooling and laughing over the coffee offered.
I loved the meet as it set the tone between Ethan & Darby. The chemistry between them is sizzling hot, but both are going to have to open up, trust, and heal from past issues. He follows the rules, and she likes to color outside the lines. It was magic.
The townies are up in arms about Darby’s risqué-themed coffee shop and invoke an old town law. Darby investigates why the town wants her gone. Ethan has competition for town Sheriff and is still angry at his mother for selling the property he wanted. In-between their romance develops with plenty of heat and tender moments.
The local ladies rally to help Darby, but she has some ideas of her own. We will see familiar characters, attend the local book club and hang out at the carnival. Filled with humor and character growth, I had a good time and look forward to the next book. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
November 13, 2023
This was a fun read. I really love the town and the quirky residents that live there. Ethan surprised me this time around as the author showed me what he was really made of and what caused him to make the decisions he did. I absolutely loved Darby. She was what I wish I could be. She embraced all her desires and didn’t let others dictate her actions. Her love of all things vintage totally won me over.
While there were a lot of times this couple’s relationship was not the sole focus of the story, when they were together they set my kindle on fire. This was a fast paced story that was relatively low angst with just a bump here and there to keep me questioning how things were going to work out.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
While there were a lot of times this couple’s relationship was not the sole focus of the story, when they were together they set my kindle on fire. This was a fast paced story that was relatively low angst with just a bump here and there to keep me questioning how things were going to work out.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
July 30, 2024
A one night stand turned enemies to lovers small town romance that was sizzlingly HOT and STEAMY and had a surprisingly delightful amount of emotional depth! Great on audio narrated by two of my favs, Teddy Hamilton and Stella Hunter. I loved how the FMC, Darby uses her pinup girl looks and pink hair to mask her inner bravery as a breast cancer survivor and her chemistry with Sherrif, Ethan was off the charts. My new favorite in the series and definitely an entertaining worthwhile listen!
June 20, 2023
We are back in Townsend Harbor for the second book in the series (which can easily be read as a stand alone), and this one might be even more fun than the first!
Darby is a breast cancer survivor who travels the country in her airstream while serving coffee out of it with highly suggestive names in a bikini top. Her coffee stand is called Brewbies, and while it is a hit with some of the off the wall characters of Townsend Harbor, there are others who sign a petition to have her closed down for inappropriateness. Enter the sheriff who serves her papers to shut down, and just happens to be her amazing one night stand from weeks earlier whose name she never bothered to learn.
Duddly do right sheriff, Ethan, is still reeling from losing his girlfriend to another guy, and from learning that his family isn't the squeaky clean and proper leaders that the town has always thought them to be. But Ethan has a darker side especially when it comes to women, and he can't stop thinking about the one woman he shouldn't want.
First off, the quirky characters that I loved most about this town are all back in spades, from the older ladies with their outspoken love of adult toys to the knitting store owner who makes coozies for the aformentioned adult toys in her shop. Even the straight and narrow folk of the town have some secrets in their closets and turn out to be not as they appear. I absolutely love the interactions between all these amazing folk, and am dying to read more about them and their crazy lives.
But let me tell you, the steam and spice in this book is to die for. Ethan and Darby are everything I want in a romance, and their pull toward each other is just the insta-lust that I live for.
I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed this book, and can't wait to read more!
Thank you to Cynthia St Aubin for providing me with an ARC of this book.
Darby is a breast cancer survivor who travels the country in her airstream while serving coffee out of it with highly suggestive names in a bikini top. Her coffee stand is called Brewbies, and while it is a hit with some of the off the wall characters of Townsend Harbor, there are others who sign a petition to have her closed down for inappropriateness. Enter the sheriff who serves her papers to shut down, and just happens to be her amazing one night stand from weeks earlier whose name she never bothered to learn.
Duddly do right sheriff, Ethan, is still reeling from losing his girlfriend to another guy, and from learning that his family isn't the squeaky clean and proper leaders that the town has always thought them to be. But Ethan has a darker side especially when it comes to women, and he can't stop thinking about the one woman he shouldn't want.
First off, the quirky characters that I loved most about this town are all back in spades, from the older ladies with their outspoken love of adult toys to the knitting store owner who makes coozies for the aformentioned adult toys in her shop. Even the straight and narrow folk of the town have some secrets in their closets and turn out to be not as they appear. I absolutely love the interactions between all these amazing folk, and am dying to read more about them and their crazy lives.
But let me tell you, the steam and spice in this book is to die for. Ethan and Darby are everything I want in a romance, and their pull toward each other is just the insta-lust that I live for.
I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed this book, and can't wait to read more!
Thank you to Cynthia St Aubin for providing me with an ARC of this book.
September 27, 2023
This rating is for two reasons:
1) This book hits you over the head with mentions of patriarchy, mansplaining, etc. Darby legitimately has accused Ethan of a million things at 26% in (all related to patriarchy, etc) but she comes across as an absolute idiot. She makes fun of his profession (he’s a cop, and cops are untrustworthy and awful now), she yells at him that its his fault the town residents want her to leave (he has nothing to do with it), and she blames him when SHE gets hit by a deer while riding her bike. She makes no sense! And every page is covered with mentions of feminism and being free and not needing a man, but let’s be honest, she serves coffee in a bikini to help her sales. This isn’t exactly peak feminism to me.
2) If it wasn’t obvious from all the mentions in point one, Darby is insufferable. I love independent heroines, but I don’t love them loudly proclaiming on every page that they don’t need a man (for anything, really), etc etc. She was argumentative, childish, stubborn, and dull.
So yeah, this was pretty bad and Darby bothered me enough for a 1 star rating.
1) This book hits you over the head with mentions of patriarchy, mansplaining, etc. Darby legitimately has accused Ethan of a million things at 26% in (all related to patriarchy, etc) but she comes across as an absolute idiot. She makes fun of his profession (he’s a cop, and cops are untrustworthy and awful now), she yells at him that its his fault the town residents want her to leave (he has nothing to do with it), and she blames him when SHE gets hit by a deer while riding her bike. She makes no sense! And every page is covered with mentions of feminism and being free and not needing a man, but let’s be honest, she serves coffee in a bikini to help her sales. This isn’t exactly peak feminism to me.
2) If it wasn’t obvious from all the mentions in point one, Darby is insufferable. I love independent heroines, but I don’t love them loudly proclaiming on every page that they don’t need a man (for anything, really), etc etc. She was argumentative, childish, stubborn, and dull.
So yeah, this was pretty bad and Darby bothered me enough for a 1 star rating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2024
Let me preface this review with this, I feel so bad rating books a one star because I know the author put in their blood sweat and tears and I acknowledge their hard work. Maybe this book just wasn’t for me, but I absolutely hated it and wish I just called it as a DNF.
Mh biggest gripe with this book is the fact that we have a female main character who is a bad ass (confident, hard working small business owner, and breast cancer survivor) and you made her only personality trait sex. That’s it. Everything she says is innuendo or straight up sexual. She can’t have a serious conversation without talking about her boobs or her sexuality. Also, she’s trying to save her business (which is a bikini coffee shop) and how does she do it? She brings a sexually provocative carnival to town? Gtfo.
I know this makes me sound prude, but I love a well written smutty book or dark romance, but this was neither.
The character of Darby deserved so much more.
I listened to the audio and the only saving grace that got me through it was Teddy Hamilton narrating the male character, whatever his name is.
Ughhh
Mh biggest gripe with this book is the fact that we have a female main character who is a bad ass (confident, hard working small business owner, and breast cancer survivor) and you made her only personality trait sex. That’s it. Everything she says is innuendo or straight up sexual. She can’t have a serious conversation without talking about her boobs or her sexuality. Also, she’s trying to save her business (which is a bikini coffee shop) and how does she do it? She brings a sexually provocative carnival to town? Gtfo.
I know this makes me sound prude, but I love a well written smutty book or dark romance, but this was neither.
The character of Darby deserved so much more.
I listened to the audio and the only saving grace that got me through it was Teddy Hamilton narrating the male character, whatever his name is.
Ughhh
June 20, 2023
Two and a half stars.
I love all my of KB’s books. I enjoyed CTA Tales From the Alpha Art Gallery. I am sorry to say that I think they both write better separately than they do together. It hurts my heart to say this, but I was so disappointed with the second book in the Port Townsend series. To me the main characters had absolutely no chemistry together. The entire story seemed forced and trying too hard. The h and H weren’t at all like-able. I have no objection to the language used ( have a dirty mouth myself) but hers was too much and too forced. I know these authors were going for humor, but after a while it just got tired.
H was angry and certainly had a right to be because of past things that happened to him, but I didn’t find him sympathetic whatsoever.
The whole story just tried too hard to be inclusive and funny… and wasn’t.
But I am still a fan of both authors. I just think they need to keep their storytelling separate.
I love all my of KB’s books. I enjoyed CTA Tales From the Alpha Art Gallery. I am sorry to say that I think they both write better separately than they do together. It hurts my heart to say this, but I was so disappointed with the second book in the Port Townsend series. To me the main characters had absolutely no chemistry together. The entire story seemed forced and trying too hard. The h and H weren’t at all like-able. I have no objection to the language used ( have a dirty mouth myself) but hers was too much and too forced. I know these authors were going for humor, but after a while it just got tired.
H was angry and certainly had a right to be because of past things that happened to him, but I didn’t find him sympathetic whatsoever.
The whole story just tried too hard to be inclusive and funny… and wasn’t.
But I am still a fan of both authors. I just think they need to keep their storytelling separate.
June 2, 2023
Darby Dunwell is a newcomer to Townsend Harbor – a small, picturesque tourist town in Washington. She stirs up trouble with the townies by opening a risqué-themed coffee shop. Darby never imagined running into her one-night stand there… Or that he would serve her papers to shut down her business. Darby intends to fight him and the other closed-minded prudes in town. However, she first needs to keep her hands off her sexy yet rule-abiding nemesis. Can Darby win the townspeople’s acceptance? Or will she gain more than what she bargained for?
Sheriff Ethan Townsend takes his duty to his hometown seriously. To keep his private life from becoming public knowledge, he travels out-of-state to satisfy his carnal needs. Ethan is shocked to discover that his one-night stand is the owner of the sexual-themed coffee shop in town. He knew that Darby would bring trouble. However, Ethan finds he is unable to resist her brand of trouble. He feels conflicted between his civic duty to his townspeople and his growing sexual attraction to Darby. Which will Ethan choose?
Darby is, hands down, a wonderful role-model for women. She is not only a breast cancer survivor, but she is also a woman who refuses to take crap from anyone, especially men. Darby proves that she can handle almost anything that comes her way. What I love the most about Darby is how comfortable she is with her sexuality. She uses her natural endowed assets to their best advantage because Darby knows sex sells.
Ethan did not leave a very favorable impression on me in the first story. I am glad he managed to redeem himself in this book. He is a man who likes to follow a strict moral code. It was something hammered into Ethan since childhood because of his social standing. I like how Darby’s presence shook up his boring, orderly life. She introduced fun and naughtiness.
BREWBIES is the second book in Kerrigan Byrne and Cynthia St. Aubin’s comedic, contemporary romance series, TOWNSEND HARBOR. The story can easily stand alone; however, I suggest starting with the prior book first. Again, Myrtle and Vee made the story so entertaining and fun. Their antics never failed to make me laugh (until I literally had tears in my eyes). I so want to aspire to be like them when I reach their ages (my sons would say I am well on my way). I cannot wait for more of their escapades in further books! I like how Cady and Fox, the couple from the first book, play roles in the story’s plot.
Now I want Gemma’s book! Possibly her with a certain hot, tatted, ex-con turn carnival worker named Gabe. Hint. Hint. Hint.
Sheriff Ethan Townsend takes his duty to his hometown seriously. To keep his private life from becoming public knowledge, he travels out-of-state to satisfy his carnal needs. Ethan is shocked to discover that his one-night stand is the owner of the sexual-themed coffee shop in town. He knew that Darby would bring trouble. However, Ethan finds he is unable to resist her brand of trouble. He feels conflicted between his civic duty to his townspeople and his growing sexual attraction to Darby. Which will Ethan choose?
Darby is, hands down, a wonderful role-model for women. She is not only a breast cancer survivor, but she is also a woman who refuses to take crap from anyone, especially men. Darby proves that she can handle almost anything that comes her way. What I love the most about Darby is how comfortable she is with her sexuality. She uses her natural endowed assets to their best advantage because Darby knows sex sells.
Ethan did not leave a very favorable impression on me in the first story. I am glad he managed to redeem himself in this book. He is a man who likes to follow a strict moral code. It was something hammered into Ethan since childhood because of his social standing. I like how Darby’s presence shook up his boring, orderly life. She introduced fun and naughtiness.
BREWBIES is the second book in Kerrigan Byrne and Cynthia St. Aubin’s comedic, contemporary romance series, TOWNSEND HARBOR. The story can easily stand alone; however, I suggest starting with the prior book first. Again, Myrtle and Vee made the story so entertaining and fun. Their antics never failed to make me laugh (until I literally had tears in my eyes). I so want to aspire to be like them when I reach their ages (my sons would say I am well on my way). I cannot wait for more of their escapades in further books! I like how Cady and Fox, the couple from the first book, play roles in the story’s plot.
Now I want Gemma’s book! Possibly her with a certain hot, tatted, ex-con turn carnival worker named Gabe. Hint. Hint. Hint.
June 20, 2023
As much as I was not in like with Ethan, I wanted to hear Darby's story. I wanted to see just who the woman was behind the suggestive coffee bar on wheels. I mean, it takes gumption and serious attitude to run a shop with the name she's graced it with, and the matching menu that it sells.....and that's okay! You know why? She's an empowered woman...she stands on her own two feet, and takes life by the horns, and if what she does brings a chuckle, a gaffaw, or outrageous flirtations, all the better...because she has a story, and while it wasn't always roses and rainbows, she's still here telling it in her own way. I couldn't help but respect her.
Watching Ethan walk that line between what's good for the community and what he wants, what he needs, is TENSE...and seeing him realize so many things he never really understood was fantastic, well, for us...but it was heart-stopping for him. I say, GOOD...he needed it, and the outcome of it all was OVER THE TOP (or is that over the BIGTOP?)!
A story that reads as hot as the caffeine infused drinks that feature, if you like RomComs and don't mind getting a little hot under the collar, or even going collarless entirely, don't miss this release (unintentional innuendo!)!
**ecopy received for review; opinions are my own
Watching Ethan walk that line between what's good for the community and what he wants, what he needs, is TENSE...and seeing him realize so many things he never really understood was fantastic, well, for us...but it was heart-stopping for him. I say, GOOD...he needed it, and the outcome of it all was OVER THE TOP (or is that over the BIGTOP?)!
A story that reads as hot as the caffeine infused drinks that feature, if you like RomComs and don't mind getting a little hot under the collar, or even going collarless entirely, don't miss this release (unintentional innuendo!)!
**ecopy received for review; opinions are my own
April 29, 2025
I mean if Teddy narrates it I’m gonna listen to it, but it was just okay. Truly the sheriff was better in this than he was in the first and I enjoyed Darby’s story (although I did wish we had more detail on her back story). I don’t know I just feel like the whole thing was pretty surface level and there was a lot of missed opportunities for some deeper dives into everything.
May 30, 2023
This is the second Townsend Harbor book and I love this town and its people! Poor Sheriff Ethan lost a lot in the first book. He is strongly attracted to a newcomer, Darby, who is a bikini-clad barista. That woman pulls him in all directions as he tries to keep his personal life separate from his public life. And Darby is enjoying the war except for the fact Ethan served a notice to shut her business down. Such a fun story!
Read
April 30, 2025dnf at 54% - not even our bae Teddy Hamilton could keep me interested in this one. So boring but also somehow equally annoying, I just did not care about any of it, so I'm done.
Want to read
June 13, 2023Thank you Kerrigan Byrne and Cynthia St. Aubin for the eARC!
review to come after I’ve finished!
review to come after I’ve finished!
August 20, 2024
The only reason I give this a star is because I did manage to force myself to finish listening to it. I love the thought of a cafe called Brewbies and the idea behind it but that's the only thing I liked about this book.
I didn't like Darby, she was a bitch to anyone who didn't think the way she did, even though that's exactly what she doesn't like about other people. She thinks her intelligence makes her superior to other people and throws it out there to try and make others see that. Darby comes across as a narrow minded, intelligent brat who takes offense to everything. If any character says something she perceives as a slight she instantly attacks. I can understand being defensive because of your past experiences, but she is purposely obtuse and combative when Ethan says anything she doesn't want to hear. She even accused him of mansplaining to her when she asked what was happening. It's not mansplaining when you ask for an explanation, that's just answering the question. Sh even blames him for an accident she's in, even though it never would have happened if she had been so stubborn and stuck up and refused Ethan's offer to drive her home during a storm.
And Ethan. It felt like his character wasn't fully thought out and developed. Like he was just there to be a punching bag for Darby to make herself feel more enlightened and better. The fact that she is consistently rude to him, even when he is just doing his job, and he still keeps going back to her is absurd to me. On top of that, Ethan doesnt even come across as a good person, he just comes across as a mediocre person.
Neither character is likeable and the whole thing just felt like a crappy attempt from the author to write crappy dom/brat smut.
This book just wasn't good, but I forced myself to finish it so that could fully explain why it isn't good to me.
I didn't like Darby, she was a bitch to anyone who didn't think the way she did, even though that's exactly what she doesn't like about other people. She thinks her intelligence makes her superior to other people and throws it out there to try and make others see that. Darby comes across as a narrow minded, intelligent brat who takes offense to everything. If any character says something she perceives as a slight she instantly attacks. I can understand being defensive because of your past experiences, but she is purposely obtuse and combative when Ethan says anything she doesn't want to hear. She even accused him of mansplaining to her when she asked what was happening. It's not mansplaining when you ask for an explanation, that's just answering the question. Sh even blames him for an accident she's in, even though it never would have happened if she had been so stubborn and stuck up and refused Ethan's offer to drive her home during a storm.
And Ethan. It felt like his character wasn't fully thought out and developed. Like he was just there to be a punching bag for Darby to make herself feel more enlightened and better. The fact that she is consistently rude to him, even when he is just doing his job, and he still keeps going back to her is absurd to me. On top of that, Ethan doesnt even come across as a good person, he just comes across as a mediocre person.
Neither character is likeable and the whole thing just felt like a crappy attempt from the author to write crappy dom/brat smut.
This book just wasn't good, but I forced myself to finish it so that could fully explain why it isn't good to me.
June 20, 2023
Rom Com, with a touch of Elmore Leonard
Having read nearly every book Ms. Byrne has written, I’m always amazed at how easily she pivots from one style to another - romance to thriller, supernatural fantasy to Victorian historical. Here she and coauthor Cynthia St. Aubin give us the strong second installment in the Townshend Harbor series, which marks Byrne’s first foray into contemporary rom coms.
I mention this because the fun Byrne had writing this gushes from every page. As a fan, seeing this joyful entrance into a new genre made me so happy, both for us, her readers, and for her. This book is two extremely talented writers having a blast together, and having pure fun creating. It’s the chocolate cake you have for dessert on a Friday, and look forward to all week. Having just come off a definitely joyless pandemic, their timing couldn’t be better.
The Townshend Harbor series has a party mix of small-town characters. There is a wonderful range of age and diversity, and honest representation of various illnesses and conditions that readers will identify with, making for real and refreshing modern romance. Characterizations are concise yet evocative, immediately pitching readers into the story, a hallmark of Byrne’s writing.
Ethan & Darby’s relationship is a joy to watch unfold. Seeing the quick sketch we got of Ethan in book one fleshed out more thoroughly is rewarding. He is the definition of tortured male, trying to be who he was born to be while still being true to himself. Ethan is drawn inexplicably to Darby, with her in-your-face pink hair and business built on personal tragedy, which thrills yet confounds him, leading to snarky banter and great literal and figurative fireworks.
Brewbies is worth reading just for the writing - it’s worth the price of admission just for Darby’s hysterical coffee drink names - but it does have a plot, and while not as complex as that of the first book, it’s still very engaging. But really, the characters are what you’re here for, and what you’ll enthusiastically return for in book three.
Having read nearly every book Ms. Byrne has written, I’m always amazed at how easily she pivots from one style to another - romance to thriller, supernatural fantasy to Victorian historical. Here she and coauthor Cynthia St. Aubin give us the strong second installment in the Townshend Harbor series, which marks Byrne’s first foray into contemporary rom coms.
I mention this because the fun Byrne had writing this gushes from every page. As a fan, seeing this joyful entrance into a new genre made me so happy, both for us, her readers, and for her. This book is two extremely talented writers having a blast together, and having pure fun creating. It’s the chocolate cake you have for dessert on a Friday, and look forward to all week. Having just come off a definitely joyless pandemic, their timing couldn’t be better.
The Townshend Harbor series has a party mix of small-town characters. There is a wonderful range of age and diversity, and honest representation of various illnesses and conditions that readers will identify with, making for real and refreshing modern romance. Characterizations are concise yet evocative, immediately pitching readers into the story, a hallmark of Byrne’s writing.
Ethan & Darby’s relationship is a joy to watch unfold. Seeing the quick sketch we got of Ethan in book one fleshed out more thoroughly is rewarding. He is the definition of tortured male, trying to be who he was born to be while still being true to himself. Ethan is drawn inexplicably to Darby, with her in-your-face pink hair and business built on personal tragedy, which thrills yet confounds him, leading to snarky banter and great literal and figurative fireworks.
Brewbies is worth reading just for the writing - it’s worth the price of admission just for Darby’s hysterical coffee drink names - but it does have a plot, and while not as complex as that of the first book, it’s still very engaging. But really, the characters are what you’re here for, and what you’ll enthusiastically return for in book three.
June 19, 2023
Sexy, entertaining, romantic, with so many laugh out loud moments as well as sexual innuendo, and plenty of secrets that the folks of Townsend Harbor are keeping, kept me reading long into the night. Loving this one just as much as I did the first in this fantastic series!
Ethan Townsend is still getting over losing his girlfriend to someone else. With him being an elected county sheriff and the towns favored son, it gave him zero room to be a man in his community without gossip getting out, so he crosses an international border to avoid recognition. All to find a woman. Tense and edgy, he was ready to be reckless for once in his life and hoping to kill all thoughts of his ex. And then he saw her full of an arsenal of weaponized sensuality! She was trouble with a capital T!
Darby Dunwell is a breast cancer survivor who has just purchased some property and is serving coffee out of her vintage camper turned coffee truck called “Brewbies”. Townsend Harbor’s first and only sex positive, body-positive, bikini wearing, barista with a Las Vegas neon blinking sign. Where her coffee came with highly suggestive names and plenty of flavor. But while this new stand is a hit with some of the folks of Town Harbor, there are others who have already signed a petition to have her closed down.
When the sheriff goes to serve papers to shut down the new coffee truck in town, he finds his amazing one night stand from weeks ago staring back at him!
These two bring it with all the sizzle and the heat to die for. Their sizzling connection and insta-lust is everything you will want in a romance. I loved these two and this series just keeps getting better and better! You don’t want to pass this one up!!
I received an early copy and this is my honest review.
Ethan Townsend is still getting over losing his girlfriend to someone else. With him being an elected county sheriff and the towns favored son, it gave him zero room to be a man in his community without gossip getting out, so he crosses an international border to avoid recognition. All to find a woman. Tense and edgy, he was ready to be reckless for once in his life and hoping to kill all thoughts of his ex. And then he saw her full of an arsenal of weaponized sensuality! She was trouble with a capital T!
Darby Dunwell is a breast cancer survivor who has just purchased some property and is serving coffee out of her vintage camper turned coffee truck called “Brewbies”. Townsend Harbor’s first and only sex positive, body-positive, bikini wearing, barista with a Las Vegas neon blinking sign. Where her coffee came with highly suggestive names and plenty of flavor. But while this new stand is a hit with some of the folks of Town Harbor, there are others who have already signed a petition to have her closed down.
When the sheriff goes to serve papers to shut down the new coffee truck in town, he finds his amazing one night stand from weeks ago staring back at him!
These two bring it with all the sizzle and the heat to die for. Their sizzling connection and insta-lust is everything you will want in a romance. I loved these two and this series just keeps getting better and better! You don’t want to pass this one up!!
I received an early copy and this is my honest review.
June 21, 2023
What happens when you take a sassy coffee-camper owner and mix her with a straight-laced county sheriff? Delightful chaos.
In this second installment of the Townsend Harbor series we get to see a different side to Ethan Townsend - this side isn’t as happy as he appears about the role everyone expects of him. And the one person who could possibly shakeup his world is Darby Dunwell. The pinup owner of the sex-positive, bikini-themed coffee camper that his been sent to shut down. And the foam to this coffee - Darby is also, what was supposed to be, his anonymous one night stand.
This book was filled with everything that anyone could ever want - laughter, sarcasm, steamy scenes that almost melt your e-reader, and coffee. Plus the pack of side characters that we feel in love with in the first book are back and as hilarious as ever. Highly recommend this installment of the Townsend Harbor series.
I received this book from the publisher/author at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.
In this second installment of the Townsend Harbor series we get to see a different side to Ethan Townsend - this side isn’t as happy as he appears about the role everyone expects of him. And the one person who could possibly shakeup his world is Darby Dunwell. The pinup owner of the sex-positive, bikini-themed coffee camper that his been sent to shut down. And the foam to this coffee - Darby is also, what was supposed to be, his anonymous one night stand.
This book was filled with everything that anyone could ever want - laughter, sarcasm, steamy scenes that almost melt your e-reader, and coffee. Plus the pack of side characters that we feel in love with in the first book are back and as hilarious as ever. Highly recommend this installment of the Townsend Harbor series.
I received this book from the publisher/author at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.
August 25, 2023
(4.5 stars)
I am a little delayed with my review on this gem thanks to a cross-country move but I'm here to crow about Brewbies and official petition for all the Townsend HEAs. Kerrigan and Cynthia have created a small town that I might actually want to live in! It was such a joy to be back in Townsend Harbor with our favorite troublemakers and an introduction to someone new that fits just right even if the town, or rather the prodigal son, doesn't realize it for a bit.
Darby is a force to be reckoned with. Bright pink hair,
I'm mildly obsessed with Ethan. I'll admit, I spent all of Nevermore Bookstore thinking about our dear Sheriff and rabidly awaited his time to shine.
It was hella cute and the perfect amount of spice for Darby and Ethan. My only complaint is we didn't get to spend as much time with their HEA. I wished it was longer to allow the angst to simmer a bit longer. Ethan has spent so long masking and I really wanted to see him all undone another time or two. Spicily. Have I mentioned that I adore Ethan? And Darby.
I loved getting to see the other sides of Caryn and Roy. The townie shenanigans to help Darby had me howling and demanding my spouse read and suffer... I mean... enjoy the second hand embarrassment (on behalf of Ethan).
If you are looking for a small town romance with a kick ass heroine, golden boy with a possessive side, beloved side characters making false reports, and hysterical R-rated drink names then Brewbies is the book for you.
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I am a little delayed with my review on this gem thanks to a cross-country move but I'm here to crow about Brewbies and official petition for all the Townsend HEAs. Kerrigan and Cynthia have created a small town that I might actually want to live in! It was such a joy to be back in Townsend Harbor with our favorite troublemakers and an introduction to someone new that fits just right even if the town, or rather the prodigal son, doesn't realize it for a bit.
Darby is a force to be reckoned with. Bright pink hair,
I'm mildly obsessed with Ethan. I'll admit, I spent all of Nevermore Bookstore thinking about our dear Sheriff and rabidly awaited his time to shine.
It was hella cute and the perfect amount of spice for Darby and Ethan. My only complaint is we didn't get to spend as much time with their HEA. I wished it was longer to allow the angst to simmer a bit longer. Ethan has spent so long masking and I really wanted to see him all undone another time or two. Spicily. Have I mentioned that I adore Ethan? And Darby.
I loved getting to see the other sides of Caryn and Roy. The townie shenanigans to help Darby had me howling and demanding my spouse read and suffer... I mean... enjoy the second hand embarrassment (on behalf of Ethan).
If you are looking for a small town romance with a kick ass heroine, golden boy with a possessive side, beloved side characters making false reports, and hysterical R-rated drink names then Brewbies is the book for you.
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 19, 2023
Brewbies by Kerrigan Byrne & Cynthia St. Aubin is Book 2 of Townsend Harbor is the story of Sheriff Ethan Townsend and Darby Dunwell. Ethan and Darby had a one night stand thinking to never see each other again. But then Darby landed in Townsend Harbor where Ethan is the Sheriff and known to be a rule following no nonsense person. Darby is leaving her rich / privilege life to start her own business which leads her to Townsend Harbor. Darby has a trailer where is selling coffee with a bikini theme going on. Which has the locals upset which of course means Ethan has to be involved and starts their fun war of sorts. Enjoyed their story.
June 21, 2023
Darby has overcome sickness in her life and she now lives life the way she wants! She gives back and also supports those around her. She’s trying to find her place in Townsend Harbor. Enter Ethan Townsend. There is an attraction and chemistry between these two. She gets under his skin! Ha! But Ethan is the kind of man who wants to do the right thing. Even if it’s difficult. Darby brings out something in him, but she’s a safe space for him, even if he doesn’t realize it. I enjoyed their interactions and watching Darby pissing him off! I liked the version of him he was with her. They were good for each other and I didn’t want their story to be over!!
December 1, 2024
I needed a distraction and I knew the humor in this book would do the trick. Darby and Sheriff Ethan Townsend promised lots of fun from the opening chapter. You meet the sheriff in book one, and quite honestly do not know how to feel about him. In this book, you get a better idea of him and he is quite the sexy do-gooding grump! He met his match in Darby and I love watching her turn his world inside out.
The characters in this world are just the best! Give me more!!!
The characters in this world are just the best! Give me more!!!
September 11, 2025
The synopsis for this book should have read:
Potential MAGA Sheriff is incensed that the one night stand he initially thought was super super hot, is actually a badass, much smarter than him, female business owner that's taken over his old family land-and it's his and he will cry about it for the whole ass book. *baby crying noises*
I hated hearing Teddy Hamilton read for this boring, misogynistic, greater-than-thou, asshole.
Potential MAGA Sheriff is incensed that the one night stand he initially thought was super super hot, is actually a badass, much smarter than him, female business owner that's taken over his old family land-and it's his and he will cry about it for the whole ass book. *baby crying noises*
I hated hearing Teddy Hamilton read for this boring, misogynistic, greater-than-thou, asshole.
October 31, 2024
Narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Stella Hunter. Sherrif Ethan Townsend finally comes out of his shell and gets his HEA. The heroine is very cool, someone I’d love to hang out with. This book hit me just right in the feels and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Bought from audible
Bought from audible
April 9, 2025
In my opinion these books are criminally underrated. The quirky small town vibes totally make it for me. The banter. The spice. The interesting characters. Just a delicious escapist folly. Deeply invested in this series.
September 21, 2023
This was more entertaining than book 1, however it still had some "eh" bits. Overall enjoyable but I'm not motivated to continue reading the series.
November 15, 2023
The Dutch are the tallest people in the world. Not the Danes. 😤 *looks over at my giant Dutch children* 😂
3.5.
3.5.
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