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Cherry Blossom Lake #2
Charm Me
Call me cocky, but it’s a fact women fall at my feet. So why does this one want to kick me in the junk?
Might be my work for her uncle’s legal defense.
Or the dubious ways I earned my millions.
Or the scandal that cost my career. Or hell.
Maybe it’s just that I’m not a nice guy.
A fact I’m regretting once Lucy storms in and gets me rethinking my rule on dating single moms.
She’s funny and smart and so sexy it shouldn’t be legal.
Take it from a disbarred lawyer.
One desperate to dodge this desire sparking like frayed wires in a champagne flute of kerosene.
A few stolen kisses and I’m suddenly starved for a simple life on this sweet lake, but that’s absurd.
Guys like me don’t belong in small towns.
Towns this charming, this good, this…pure. It should be easy staying chaste with Lucy, since our encounters include a precocious pre-teen, one misguided bat, and a goat who won’t take no for an answer.
But nothing’s easy with a woman born to boss five grumpy brothers.
Big as they are, those guys don’t scare me.
Not like my feelings for Luce and her daughter.
Those have me quaking in my Gucci loafers.
So does this big-ass secret bearing down like a toxic tsunami.
A laugh-out-loud, enemies-to-lovers rom-com about a single mom and the bad boy millionaire she swears she’ll never fall for (spoiler: she does).
Might be my work for her uncle’s legal defense.
Or the dubious ways I earned my millions.
Or the scandal that cost my career. Or hell.
Maybe it’s just that I’m not a nice guy.
A fact I’m regretting once Lucy storms in and gets me rethinking my rule on dating single moms.
She’s funny and smart and so sexy it shouldn’t be legal.
Take it from a disbarred lawyer.
One desperate to dodge this desire sparking like frayed wires in a champagne flute of kerosene.
A few stolen kisses and I’m suddenly starved for a simple life on this sweet lake, but that’s absurd.
Guys like me don’t belong in small towns.
Towns this charming, this good, this…pure. It should be easy staying chaste with Lucy, since our encounters include a precocious pre-teen, one misguided bat, and a goat who won’t take no for an answer.
But nothing’s easy with a woman born to boss five grumpy brothers.
Big as they are, those guys don’t scare me.
Not like my feelings for Luce and her daughter.
Those have me quaking in my Gucci loafers.
So does this big-ass secret bearing down like a toxic tsunami.
A laugh-out-loud, enemies-to-lovers rom-com about a single mom and the bad boy millionaire she swears she’ll never fall for (spoiler: she does).
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 5, 2024
189 people are currently reading
262 people want to read
About the author
Tawna Fenske
73 books1,616 followersWhen Tawna Fenske finished her English lit degree at 22, she celebrated by filling a giant trash bag full of romance novels and dragging it everywhere until she’d read them all. Now she’s a RITA Award finalist, USA Today bestselling author who writes humorous fiction, risqué romance, and heartwarming love stories with a quirky twist. Publishers Weekly has praised Tawna’s offbeat romances with multiple starred reviews and noted, “There’s something wonderfully relaxing about being immersed in a story filled with over-the-top characters in undeniably relatable situations. Heartache and humor go hand in hand.”
Tawna lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband, step-kids, and a menagerie of ill-behaved pets. She loves hiking, snowshoeing, standup paddleboarding, and inventing excuses to sip wine on her back porch. She can peel a banana with her toes and loses an average of twenty pairs of eyeglasses per year. To find out more about Tawna and her books, visit www.tawnafenske.com.
Tawna lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband, step-kids, and a menagerie of ill-behaved pets. She loves hiking, snowshoeing, standup paddleboarding, and inventing excuses to sip wine on her back porch. She can peel a banana with her toes and loses an average of twenty pairs of eyeglasses per year. To find out more about Tawna and her books, visit www.tawnafenske.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
January 24, 2024
I have always loved the books from this author, Tawna Fenske, but I think she has hit it out of the park with this one. I was fully engaged with this story from the first chapter, and it only got better as it went along.
The setting in this new series is charming all by itself. I enjoy the combination of lake & ocean shores and the way that the two are mingled together. I also really like that the setting is more of a smaller town with a bit of unusual growth going on along Cherry Blossom Lake. It makes a great setup for the characters and their interactions both with people close to them and those in the local community.
As for the characters in this book I was hooked immediately by Peter and Lucy and their interactions with each other. They are definitely the type of people where you can just visualize the friction going off between them. On the more complex side of things the author does an amazing job of writing each of their perspectives through the story. It helps to shape who they are, how the interact with others, and how they handle things in their lives. Being able to understand the deeper motivations and actions by each character, and how those played with and against each other was a big part of my enjoyment of the story. That is not something easily done in romance or many genres of writing but it is something that was done with smooth excellence here.
I have really been enjoying the storyline that is playing out among the Spencer-King family, and there is no shortage of this here. If you read the first book in the series – Try Me, I think you’ll really enjoy this as a next installment. However, even if you haven’t read the first book, Charm Me is an excellent read as a standalone. The fact that there isn’t just romance but a little bit of mystery and intrigue mixed in was an extra bonus for me when reading this book.
The character that steals the show here is Lucy’s daughter Harper. If you’ve never encountered a kid like her, trust me on this…they do truly exist. The fun and enjoyment she contributes to this story is outstanding and very much reminds me of my own step daughter. Her character is written in such an easy way that I can’t even imagine the story without her.
All in all I highly recommend this book. There is a great storyline, super characters, and some really great steam & heat too. I’ve already read it twice and I’m sure I will be reading it again. Maybe before the next installment in the series comes along which won’t be soon enough!!
The setting in this new series is charming all by itself. I enjoy the combination of lake & ocean shores and the way that the two are mingled together. I also really like that the setting is more of a smaller town with a bit of unusual growth going on along Cherry Blossom Lake. It makes a great setup for the characters and their interactions both with people close to them and those in the local community.
As for the characters in this book I was hooked immediately by Peter and Lucy and their interactions with each other. They are definitely the type of people where you can just visualize the friction going off between them. On the more complex side of things the author does an amazing job of writing each of their perspectives through the story. It helps to shape who they are, how the interact with others, and how they handle things in their lives. Being able to understand the deeper motivations and actions by each character, and how those played with and against each other was a big part of my enjoyment of the story. That is not something easily done in romance or many genres of writing but it is something that was done with smooth excellence here.
I have really been enjoying the storyline that is playing out among the Spencer-King family, and there is no shortage of this here. If you read the first book in the series – Try Me, I think you’ll really enjoy this as a next installment. However, even if you haven’t read the first book, Charm Me is an excellent read as a standalone. The fact that there isn’t just romance but a little bit of mystery and intrigue mixed in was an extra bonus for me when reading this book.
The character that steals the show here is Lucy’s daughter Harper. If you’ve never encountered a kid like her, trust me on this…they do truly exist. The fun and enjoyment she contributes to this story is outstanding and very much reminds me of my own step daughter. Her character is written in such an easy way that I can’t even imagine the story without her.
All in all I highly recommend this book. There is a great storyline, super characters, and some really great steam & heat too. I’ve already read it twice and I’m sure I will be reading it again. Maybe before the next installment in the series comes along which won’t be soon enough!!
January 4, 2024
Book two in this series follows Lucy as she finds her HEA with Peter. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV. Though it can be read as a standalone, there are underlying plot points of mystery that begin in book one and continue in this book. Charm Me ends in a swoony HEA.
In the beginning of the book, Peter thinks he has it all together. It doesn’t take long for Lucy to prove that idea wrong. He has some baggage he needs to address, and Lucy helps him find it. Lucy is a wonderful heroine. She is strong, sassy, kind, and confident. She has the solid support of her family. I love her relationship with her brothers. It felt so real to life. Her daughter, Harper, had me laughing through the whole book. I loved that kid! I especially loved the relationship that Peter formed with her. Peter has a protective nature and does what he thinks he needs to do to protect those he loves. I really liked the instant attraction between him and Lucy. I also liked the heat between them and the adult way they handle their relationship. I love how observant Peter is and how he takes Lucy’s desires into account. I love how Lucy challenges Peter to be better and to keep open communication.
Steamy, funny, small-town goodness with a touch of mystery. This was the perfect first read of 2024.
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an advance reader copy of the book.
In the beginning of the book, Peter thinks he has it all together. It doesn’t take long for Lucy to prove that idea wrong. He has some baggage he needs to address, and Lucy helps him find it. Lucy is a wonderful heroine. She is strong, sassy, kind, and confident. She has the solid support of her family. I love her relationship with her brothers. It felt so real to life. Her daughter, Harper, had me laughing through the whole book. I loved that kid! I especially loved the relationship that Peter formed with her. Peter has a protective nature and does what he thinks he needs to do to protect those he loves. I really liked the instant attraction between him and Lucy. I also liked the heat between them and the adult way they handle their relationship. I love how observant Peter is and how he takes Lucy’s desires into account. I love how Lucy challenges Peter to be better and to keep open communication.
Steamy, funny, small-town goodness with a touch of mystery. This was the perfect first read of 2024.
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an advance reader copy of the book.
January 3, 2024
Charm Me by Tawna Fenske, book two in the Cherry Blossom Lake series, set in an idyllic setting called Cherry Blossom Lake, follows Peter and Lucy in an enemies-to-lovers. opposites-attract, whirlwind romance. Lucy, a divorced single mom, raising her 12-year-old daughter Harper, is the only girl among her close-knit five siblings. She works in her brother’s Jake’s bait shop as well as a fraud investigator for a local bank when one day Peter walks in to the bait shop. Peter's a disgraced and disbarred lawyer-turned-private investigator brought in by Lucy's uncle Owen’s legal team to clear his name in an ongoing family dispute with the siblings. After meeting Lucy on his first day in town, at the bait shop, Peter's all in. Immediately, the sparks fly, but both have major trust issues, and have built strong walls around themselves that will be difficult to knock down. Together they address their deep-seated old wounds and grow as individuals and as a couple.
Lucy pulled no punches as was a strong, intelligent woman who loved her family and handled her jerk of an ex-husband with grace. Harper was a joy, lighting up every moment she appears. Her quips added not only depth, but much needed humor. I highly recommend Charm Me to other readers and I look forward to the next story in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Lucy pulled no punches as was a strong, intelligent woman who loved her family and handled her jerk of an ex-husband with grace. Harper was a joy, lighting up every moment she appears. Her quips added not only depth, but much needed humor. I highly recommend Charm Me to other readers and I look forward to the next story in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
December 23, 2023
Messy sweet love
This story was the just the perfect amount of humor, steam, love and spice. The author paints such phenomenal pictures with her words, breathing life into the story as it unfolds. It is so rich and vibrant I felt like I was there with the characters feeling their feelings and experiencing the good and bad parts of the tale. At the center of the story and the series are the core values of family bonds and loyalty and I loved how those core beliefs played out here. Lucy is a single mom to 12 yo Harper and a fraud investigator for a bank. Lucy’s family drama, in addition to a jerk of an ex-husband, relates to her uncle stealing her family land and selling it off piece by piece to the rich. Her uncle has now been accused of arson to cover up the evidence of the actual plan for the family land. Peter is a disbarred attorney who now works as a high priced private investigator. Lucy’s uncle’s attorney has hired Peter to prove the uncle’s innocence which is what brings Peter to town. From the first moment Peter and Lucy meet, sparks fly and every moment that they spend together their connection grows and deepens. They are both wounded souls that really need healing but they both have a lot of protective barriers for each other to break through before they can get to their HEA together. While this is an insta-lust story, it’s not an inst-love story. The author did a phenomenal job allowing this enemies to lovers, forbidden romance to develop organically. And Harper was such a great addition to the story. She may be the most three dimensional child I’ve read in a romance book. Her quips about swearing leading to … made me snort laugh every time. The story was well written with three dimensional characters who grow with sweet moments, steam, laughs, and big ol’ messy families and pasts. I am ready for the next love story in the series.
This story was the just the perfect amount of humor, steam, love and spice. The author paints such phenomenal pictures with her words, breathing life into the story as it unfolds. It is so rich and vibrant I felt like I was there with the characters feeling their feelings and experiencing the good and bad parts of the tale. At the center of the story and the series are the core values of family bonds and loyalty and I loved how those core beliefs played out here. Lucy is a single mom to 12 yo Harper and a fraud investigator for a bank. Lucy’s family drama, in addition to a jerk of an ex-husband, relates to her uncle stealing her family land and selling it off piece by piece to the rich. Her uncle has now been accused of arson to cover up the evidence of the actual plan for the family land. Peter is a disbarred attorney who now works as a high priced private investigator. Lucy’s uncle’s attorney has hired Peter to prove the uncle’s innocence which is what brings Peter to town. From the first moment Peter and Lucy meet, sparks fly and every moment that they spend together their connection grows and deepens. They are both wounded souls that really need healing but they both have a lot of protective barriers for each other to break through before they can get to their HEA together. While this is an insta-lust story, it’s not an inst-love story. The author did a phenomenal job allowing this enemies to lovers, forbidden romance to develop organically. And Harper was such a great addition to the story. She may be the most three dimensional child I’ve read in a romance book. Her quips about swearing leading to … made me snort laugh every time. The story was well written with three dimensional characters who grow with sweet moments, steam, laughs, and big ol’ messy families and pasts. I am ready for the next love story in the series.
December 25, 2023
I can always count on Tawna Fenske for a book that will make me laugh and smile. “Charm Me” is a flirty, charming and laugh out loud small-town romance that I loved reading.
Lucy lives in the small town of Cherry Blossom Lake with her witty daughter, Harper. While working at the bate shop, a new customer named Peter. Peter is a former lawyer turned private investigator who is town hired by her uncle who may or may not have anything to due with an arson charge and the on-going family dispute of over land. The two instantly clash but underneath is an attraction neither was expecting.
I loved this story so much. I was smiling throughout the whole story and laughed out so many times. Lucy is a certified baddie taking care of her daughter on her own and making sure she is a happy kid. I love how close she is with her brothers and her whole family. Harper is such a hilarious kid and brought so much to the story. Peter is a good guy who came across as caring and protective without being overbearing about. He’s a genuine guy and that was my favorite thing about him. I loved how close he was with her sister, Sam. I really hope we get more from her in future books. Lucy and Peter were great together. I loved their banter and the back-and-forth witty conversations they had. The story and conversations were relatable and realistic and this has become one of my favorite Tawna Fenske books.
Lucy lives in the small town of Cherry Blossom Lake with her witty daughter, Harper. While working at the bate shop, a new customer named Peter. Peter is a former lawyer turned private investigator who is town hired by her uncle who may or may not have anything to due with an arson charge and the on-going family dispute of over land. The two instantly clash but underneath is an attraction neither was expecting.
I loved this story so much. I was smiling throughout the whole story and laughed out so many times. Lucy is a certified baddie taking care of her daughter on her own and making sure she is a happy kid. I love how close she is with her brothers and her whole family. Harper is such a hilarious kid and brought so much to the story. Peter is a good guy who came across as caring and protective without being overbearing about. He’s a genuine guy and that was my favorite thing about him. I loved how close he was with her sister, Sam. I really hope we get more from her in future books. Lucy and Peter were great together. I loved their banter and the back-and-forth witty conversations they had. The story and conversations were relatable and realistic and this has become one of my favorite Tawna Fenske books.
January 5, 2024
A little something for everyone! This story starts out with a mystery vibe, that unfolds into so much more. Lucy is a sassy, strong and fierce single parent, who wants nothing to do with Peter, the man hired by her uncle as a PI.
I loved Peter from the start, and his true character shines throughout the entire story, despite what Lucy believes. When their paths keep crossing, the friendship and heat that grows between them is so genuine and sweet.
I love Lucy's family, but her daughter Harper stole my heart with every scene! A delightful romance in a small town, with an underlying mystery at play, you can't go wrong with this book. I really loved that it referenced so many city/places in Oregon that I've been to!!!
I loved Peter from the start, and his true character shines throughout the entire story, despite what Lucy believes. When their paths keep crossing, the friendship and heat that grows between them is so genuine and sweet.
I love Lucy's family, but her daughter Harper stole my heart with every scene! A delightful romance in a small town, with an underlying mystery at play, you can't go wrong with this book. I really loved that it referenced so many city/places in Oregon that I've been to!!!
December 11, 2023
Capturing the small-town appeal that this author writes so well, Charm Me hit all the right spots. Set in an idyllic lake/bay-side area called Cherry Blossom Lake, the book follows Peter and Lucy in a opposites-attract whirlwind romance supported by excellent dialogue and really likeable characters. The setting, along with the characters, support the charm of the Cherry Blossom Lake and Fenske's strong, witty dialogue with just the right amount of humour made for excellent reading.
Peter's a disgraced (and disbarred) lawyer-turned-private investigator brought in by Lucy's uncle to shadily prove his innocence of an arson charge that's wrapped around a family dispute. After meeting Lucy on his first day in town, Peter's all in. The problem? He's working for the enemy. Their chemistry is hot and heavy, there's some great build up and steam and I loved the dynamic of a hotshot former lawyer brought to his knees by a take-no-nonsense single mum. As for Peter, he was a winner for me: smart, confident and protective without being a huge douche canoe, uplifting and supporting Lucy without letting his ego get in the way (much lol). Lucy was equally fabulous. She pulled no punches and was a strong, intelligent woman who loved her family and handled her jerk of an ex-husband with grace. Harper, her daughter, was terrific, too, and I loved her quips throughout the book. The book tackles the challenges their relationship faces while building a solid connection with the characters that had me hooked.
I haven't read the first book in this series (it's on my TBR and I'm getting to it soon) and while some of the names confused me at first, Charm Me held up just fine as a standalone. There's an over-arching plot that I assume kicked off in Book 1, but the author does a great job giving readers the gist of it without overwhelming this book's relationship.
Tawna Fenske has a way of making her characters take the moral highroad in a way that avoids the cheese factor and leaves your heart feeling happy at the end. While this can sometimes frustrate me (I'm more of of a set fire to everything and dance in the ashes kind of woman), one of the things I love about this author is how she has a strong moral compass that really comes through in her writing. Her stories reflect complex choices and relationships that don't always have straight forward solutions and even though I find her characters can make a simple situation more complicated, I like that she doesn't take the well-trodden path that most other authors probably would, i.e. just write what's going to easily satisfy readers. I find this makes her plot lines a little more complex and memorable and results in her being on my one-click author list. Charm Me is a great example of this and I loved it.
Peter's a disgraced (and disbarred) lawyer-turned-private investigator brought in by Lucy's uncle to shadily prove his innocence of an arson charge that's wrapped around a family dispute. After meeting Lucy on his first day in town, Peter's all in. The problem? He's working for the enemy. Their chemistry is hot and heavy, there's some great build up and steam and I loved the dynamic of a hotshot former lawyer brought to his knees by a take-no-nonsense single mum. As for Peter, he was a winner for me: smart, confident and protective without being a huge douche canoe, uplifting and supporting Lucy without letting his ego get in the way (much lol). Lucy was equally fabulous. She pulled no punches and was a strong, intelligent woman who loved her family and handled her jerk of an ex-husband with grace. Harper, her daughter, was terrific, too, and I loved her quips throughout the book. The book tackles the challenges their relationship faces while building a solid connection with the characters that had me hooked.
I haven't read the first book in this series (it's on my TBR and I'm getting to it soon) and while some of the names confused me at first, Charm Me held up just fine as a standalone. There's an over-arching plot that I assume kicked off in Book 1, but the author does a great job giving readers the gist of it without overwhelming this book's relationship.
Tawna Fenske has a way of making her characters take the moral highroad in a way that avoids the cheese factor and leaves your heart feeling happy at the end. While this can sometimes frustrate me (I'm more of of a set fire to everything and dance in the ashes kind of woman), one of the things I love about this author is how she has a strong moral compass that really comes through in her writing. Her stories reflect complex choices and relationships that don't always have straight forward solutions and even though I find her characters can make a simple situation more complicated, I like that she doesn't take the well-trodden path that most other authors probably would, i.e. just write what's going to easily satisfy readers. I find this makes her plot lines a little more complex and memorable and results in her being on my one-click author list. Charm Me is a great example of this and I loved it.
January 3, 2024
CHARM ME is the second instalment in Tawna Fenske’s contemporary, adult CHERRY BLOSSOM LAKE erotic, romance series focusing on the Spencer-King siblings. This is thirty-two year old, former attorney turned private investigator Peter Marcus, and thirty year old single mother/bank fraud investigator Lucy Spencer-King’s story line. CHARM ME can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Peter and Lucy) CHARM ME follows in the wake of the ongoing investigation into a possible case of arson, and a family destroyed by greed and avarice. Peter Marcus, disbarred attorney turn investigator has been hired to disprove a case of arson, and the ensuing fraud against the Spencer -King family but Peter never expected to fall for Lucy Spencer-King, a single mother who is experiencing some issues of her own. As Peter digs deeper into the possibilities, he will find himself struggling between head and heart, whether to help Lucy and her family, or walk away knowing the information he has, can change the future for everyone involved. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Peter and Lucy, and the potential fall-out misunderstanding and hurt feelings threaten our story line couple.
The world building continues to focus on the investigation into the possible arson, and defrauding the Spencer-King family, and Peter’s own issues of swooping in and saving the people he loves.
The relationship between Peter and Lucy begins acrimoniously as Lucy is suspicious of Peter’s intent. Lucy is a single mother whose ex is all but absent from their daughter’s life, and Peter finds himself falling for a woman, and willing to go above and beyond to make things right. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are reintroduced to Lucy’s siblings: Jake and Cassidy (Try Me 1), Kaleb, Lucy’s twin Mason, Parker, Cassidy’s sister Zoe Brooks, as well as Lucy’s daughter Harper, her ex Wyatt, Lucy’s cousin Hazel, and Peter’s sister Samantha Marcus.
CHARM ME is a story of family, relationships, friendships and love. The premise is endearing and captivating; the romance is seductive and passionate; the characters are charismatic and determined.
www.thereadingcafe.com
copy supplied for review
Told from dual first person perspectives (Peter and Lucy) CHARM ME follows in the wake of the ongoing investigation into a possible case of arson, and a family destroyed by greed and avarice. Peter Marcus, disbarred attorney turn investigator has been hired to disprove a case of arson, and the ensuing fraud against the Spencer -King family but Peter never expected to fall for Lucy Spencer-King, a single mother who is experiencing some issues of her own. As Peter digs deeper into the possibilities, he will find himself struggling between head and heart, whether to help Lucy and her family, or walk away knowing the information he has, can change the future for everyone involved. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Peter and Lucy, and the potential fall-out misunderstanding and hurt feelings threaten our story line couple.
The world building continues to focus on the investigation into the possible arson, and defrauding the Spencer-King family, and Peter’s own issues of swooping in and saving the people he loves.
The relationship between Peter and Lucy begins acrimoniously as Lucy is suspicious of Peter’s intent. Lucy is a single mother whose ex is all but absent from their daughter’s life, and Peter finds himself falling for a woman, and willing to go above and beyond to make things right. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are reintroduced to Lucy’s siblings: Jake and Cassidy (Try Me 1), Kaleb, Lucy’s twin Mason, Parker, Cassidy’s sister Zoe Brooks, as well as Lucy’s daughter Harper, her ex Wyatt, Lucy’s cousin Hazel, and Peter’s sister Samantha Marcus.
CHARM ME is a story of family, relationships, friendships and love. The premise is endearing and captivating; the romance is seductive and passionate; the characters are charismatic and determined.
www.thereadingcafe.com
copy supplied for review
January 5, 2024
Did I love book 2 even more than
Try Me
? I just might have...
Charm Me had me LOLing so many times! The banter between Peter and Lucy is top notch, and the snark of preteen Harper (Lucy's daughter) is freaking legendary. And Peter's legalese versions of Taylor Swift lyrics? There may have been some snort laughing at that point--but there were no witnesses, so I don't have to admit it, right? ;)
Beyond the many, many, many LOL moments, though, there is also a really good story here. Rich and charming (and not just a little bit smarmy at the beginning) Peter is hiding a whole lot of self loathing and guilt behind his pretty boy exterior. (Seriously, Peter's redemption arc here is top notch--he did not come off in a great light in the beginning) And Lucy's shotgun adjacent wedding (her in-laws and ex were too classy for an *actual* shotgun wedding, I'm sure) and disastrous marriage have left her slow to trust and wary of losing her power again. They both have a lot to work through before they can get to their HEA--fortunately, neither of them is afraid to work hard.
Though admittedly they both needed a bit of a kick in the pants to do the *right* kind of work here, they do eventually do it.
As always, the secondary characters who help them along the way are gold--besides Harper, there's Peter's sister (PLEASE tell me she's getting a book too!), all of Lucy's brothers, her future SIL Cassidy, and Cassidy's sister Zoe (her book is next! YES!!!). Close knit and found family stories are among some of my favorite kind, and this series has both in spades.
Charm Me is the second in the series, and though it could work as a standalone you'll have a better understanding of what initially makes Peter "the enemy" if you've read the first book.
(But the first book is awesome anyway--you should read it for that fact alone. You're welcome.)
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
Charm Me had me LOLing so many times! The banter between Peter and Lucy is top notch, and the snark of preteen Harper (Lucy's daughter) is freaking legendary. And Peter's legalese versions of Taylor Swift lyrics? There may have been some snort laughing at that point--but there were no witnesses, so I don't have to admit it, right? ;)
Beyond the many, many, many LOL moments, though, there is also a really good story here. Rich and charming (and not just a little bit smarmy at the beginning) Peter is hiding a whole lot of self loathing and guilt behind his pretty boy exterior. (Seriously, Peter's redemption arc here is top notch--he did not come off in a great light in the beginning) And Lucy's shotgun adjacent wedding (her in-laws and ex were too classy for an *actual* shotgun wedding, I'm sure) and disastrous marriage have left her slow to trust and wary of losing her power again. They both have a lot to work through before they can get to their HEA--fortunately, neither of them is afraid to work hard.
Though admittedly they both needed a bit of a kick in the pants to do the *right* kind of work here, they do eventually do it.
As always, the secondary characters who help them along the way are gold--besides Harper, there's Peter's sister (PLEASE tell me she's getting a book too!), all of Lucy's brothers, her future SIL Cassidy, and Cassidy's sister Zoe (her book is next! YES!!!). Close knit and found family stories are among some of my favorite kind, and this series has both in spades.
Charm Me is the second in the series, and though it could work as a standalone you'll have a better understanding of what initially makes Peter "the enemy" if you've read the first book.
(But the first book is awesome anyway--you should read it for that fact alone. You're welcome.)
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
December 17, 2023
Well, I was certainly charmed! I have read over 40 of Tawna Fenske’s books since first discovering her in 2018, including all of her rom-com series books. Just when I didn’t think I could love her or her characters more, along comes her Cherry Blossom Lake series about the Spencer-King siblings.
Charm Me, an enemies-to-lovers story, is the second book in the series, but can be read as a stand-alone (please read the first, Try Me—you can thank me later). It focuses on Lucy, the only girl among her close-knit five siblings. Lucy is a single mom, raising her 12-year-old daughter (and frequent scene stealer) Harper. She’s getting by, working in her brother Jake’s bait shop and working as a fraud investigator for a local bank when one day Peter walks in to the bait shop. Here we go!
Peter is a PI (and former, disbarred lawyer) who’s been hired by the siblings’ smarmy Uncle Owen’s (introduced in Try Me) legal team to clear his name in an ongoing family dispute with the siblings. Even in the bait shop, sparks fly, but both have huge trust issues, and the walls they’ve built around themselves are so strong that yes, it takes most of the book to tear them down. However, together they address their deep-seated old wounds and grow as individuals and as a couple.
The dialogue and situations in Tawna’s books are always realistic, whether it’s hilarious banter or tackling serious subjects, including arson, drug abuse or the death of loved ones. She handles even the most heartbreaking subjects with a deft and compassionate hand. Much like in her Ponderosa Resort and Juniper Ridge series’, the primary characters, and secondary characters (usually other siblings or family members), are three-dimensional characters, and we get to know (and in my case, love) them well, warts and all. I’m already counting the days until Book Three, Hold Me, comes out in Spring 2024. I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book and am happy to provide this honest review.
Charm Me, an enemies-to-lovers story, is the second book in the series, but can be read as a stand-alone (please read the first, Try Me—you can thank me later). It focuses on Lucy, the only girl among her close-knit five siblings. Lucy is a single mom, raising her 12-year-old daughter (and frequent scene stealer) Harper. She’s getting by, working in her brother Jake’s bait shop and working as a fraud investigator for a local bank when one day Peter walks in to the bait shop. Here we go!
Peter is a PI (and former, disbarred lawyer) who’s been hired by the siblings’ smarmy Uncle Owen’s (introduced in Try Me) legal team to clear his name in an ongoing family dispute with the siblings. Even in the bait shop, sparks fly, but both have huge trust issues, and the walls they’ve built around themselves are so strong that yes, it takes most of the book to tear them down. However, together they address their deep-seated old wounds and grow as individuals and as a couple.
The dialogue and situations in Tawna’s books are always realistic, whether it’s hilarious banter or tackling serious subjects, including arson, drug abuse or the death of loved ones. She handles even the most heartbreaking subjects with a deft and compassionate hand. Much like in her Ponderosa Resort and Juniper Ridge series’, the primary characters, and secondary characters (usually other siblings or family members), are three-dimensional characters, and we get to know (and in my case, love) them well, warts and all. I’m already counting the days until Book Three, Hold Me, comes out in Spring 2024. I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book and am happy to provide this honest review.
January 7, 2024
Charm Me is the second book set within the Cherry Blossom Lake Series. The romance reads well alone, but some of the events may be better understood by reading the series in order. Lucy and Peter should be enemies, but neither can resist the pull to one another. As they get to know each other more, they begin to see beyond the facade and walls, but can they trust each other enough to be confident in their love, or will their actions and beliefs continue to land them on opposite sides?
Wow, this book was wonderful! I loved reading Lucy and Peter’s romance! There were so many emotions, so many expressions of love and loyalty, and I adored this book from the beginning to the end. I giggled, I cried, and I swooned! Lucy was such a strong character, so sure of herself and her beliefs, ruthless when it came to protecting her family, and I loved her strength and her vulnerability. Peter, though, man oh man, what a character! I loved that he was equally ruthless, felt like he didn’t have a heart and that Lucy just came in like a wrecking ball, ruining his icy facade. He was passionate, he felt undeserving of love, and while he worked for her enemy, he felt conflicted about what he should be fighting for. And we can’t forget to talk about Lucy’s daughter, Harper, because she was a hoot and added a great dynamic to the storyline, too! You guys, there’s a lot that goes on in this book, a lot of tough decisions that the characters need to make, and times when I was thinking “why are you doing this?!” But it’s all worth it in the end, with some surprising twists and turns and serious gestures and self-reflections. The ending was beautiful to read! I loved this book and I am so excited to see what’s going to happen next in this series!
Wow, this book was wonderful! I loved reading Lucy and Peter’s romance! There were so many emotions, so many expressions of love and loyalty, and I adored this book from the beginning to the end. I giggled, I cried, and I swooned! Lucy was such a strong character, so sure of herself and her beliefs, ruthless when it came to protecting her family, and I loved her strength and her vulnerability. Peter, though, man oh man, what a character! I loved that he was equally ruthless, felt like he didn’t have a heart and that Lucy just came in like a wrecking ball, ruining his icy facade. He was passionate, he felt undeserving of love, and while he worked for her enemy, he felt conflicted about what he should be fighting for. And we can’t forget to talk about Lucy’s daughter, Harper, because she was a hoot and added a great dynamic to the storyline, too! You guys, there’s a lot that goes on in this book, a lot of tough decisions that the characters need to make, and times when I was thinking “why are you doing this?!” But it’s all worth it in the end, with some surprising twists and turns and serious gestures and self-reflections. The ending was beautiful to read! I loved this book and I am so excited to see what’s going to happen next in this series!
March 24, 2024
2.5
Look I like Tawna Fenske, but this is not what I'd recommend as an intro. I realized pretty quickly this was not the first in the series, I'm shocked it's only the second- purely from the ridiculous number of side characters/references. You've got what'shername... Lucy as a main character- with 5 brothers, the brother's girlfriend, the brother's girlfriend's sister, another brother's first mate, their cousin- every single one is set up to be a protagonist.
That's not even tagging in Peter's sister. Which thank fuck there was only one of. Or Lucy's daughter.
The key was to not bother trying to keep them straight and eventually you could remember who was who-ish.
Factor in the traumatic backstory for Peter(which for me, didn't fully track but whatever) and the third act break up and it def lost me a bit
Plus the quips of like... mini rants- about feminism, able-ism, sexism- it's weird, because we're on the same side/page here. But in book it felt... placed? Like someone read it as a comment somewhere on social media and thought ooooh that's a good point.
It's been a while since I've read tawna fenske, so maybe I'm remembering the writing better than it was- but the humor has a natural flow where that did not
I just. Feels mean saying it, but I don't want to read the first one. Which must be about the brother, and the girlfriend who works for someone famous(?) with the sister suffering from an autoimmune disease(apparently the girlfriend sacrificed a lot to care for her, and spent every page she appeared on reminding the sister of everything she can't do because shes still sick). I'm assuming in that book they have actual personalities(and now somewhat cynically probably a 3rd act break up)
Look I like Tawna Fenske, but this is not what I'd recommend as an intro. I realized pretty quickly this was not the first in the series, I'm shocked it's only the second- purely from the ridiculous number of side characters/references. You've got what'shername... Lucy as a main character- with 5 brothers, the brother's girlfriend, the brother's girlfriend's sister, another brother's first mate, their cousin- every single one is set up to be a protagonist.
That's not even tagging in Peter's sister. Which thank fuck there was only one of. Or Lucy's daughter.
The key was to not bother trying to keep them straight and eventually you could remember who was who-ish.
Factor in the traumatic backstory for Peter(which for me, didn't fully track but whatever) and the third act break up and it def lost me a bit
Plus the quips of like... mini rants- about feminism, able-ism, sexism- it's weird, because we're on the same side/page here. But in book it felt... placed? Like someone read it as a comment somewhere on social media and thought ooooh that's a good point.
It's been a while since I've read tawna fenske, so maybe I'm remembering the writing better than it was- but the humor has a natural flow where that did not
I just. Feels mean saying it, but I don't want to read the first one. Which must be about the brother, and the girlfriend who works for someone famous(?) with the sister suffering from an autoimmune disease(apparently the girlfriend sacrificed a lot to care for her, and spent every page she appeared on reminding the sister of everything she can't do because shes still sick). I'm assuming in that book they have actual personalities(and now somewhat cynically probably a 3rd act break up)
December 30, 2023
Lucy is a mystery he wants to unravel, a woman he'd spend a lifetime chasing... but he is the last man she wants chasing her anywhere. His ego took a little hit when she turned him down flat, he knows the chemistry is there, so what's the issue? Why won't she give him the time of day? Could it maybe be that he is working for the enemy?
With it's expertly penned words, many laugh out loud moments, and characters that you can't help but love... it's easy to say that Charm Me is the perfect romance reading escape. The moment I started this one I just had this feeling I was going to love it, and boy I was I right. The tension brewing between these two enemies was easily felt, but so were their very evident sparks too. They tried hard to stay in their opposing corners, but with every heated encounter they had you could see their resistance slipping and that firework moment vastly approaching. (and I did a little happy dance when that moment finally came!!!)
I absolutely loved this newest installment to the Cherry Blossom Lake series, it had me laughing and swooning like a fool the whole way through. Nobody does romance or quirky characters quite like Ms. Fenske, she just has this special knack for creating happily ever after's that are unlike any others and that linger in the heart long after the last page comes... their one of kind reads for sure! Highly recommend you get your hands on this one, these characters will have your heart the moment you meet them!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
With it's expertly penned words, many laugh out loud moments, and characters that you can't help but love... it's easy to say that Charm Me is the perfect romance reading escape. The moment I started this one I just had this feeling I was going to love it, and boy I was I right. The tension brewing between these two enemies was easily felt, but so were their very evident sparks too. They tried hard to stay in their opposing corners, but with every heated encounter they had you could see their resistance slipping and that firework moment vastly approaching. (and I did a little happy dance when that moment finally came!!!)
I absolutely loved this newest installment to the Cherry Blossom Lake series, it had me laughing and swooning like a fool the whole way through. Nobody does romance or quirky characters quite like Ms. Fenske, she just has this special knack for creating happily ever after's that are unlike any others and that linger in the heart long after the last page comes... their one of kind reads for sure! Highly recommend you get your hands on this one, these characters will have your heart the moment you meet them!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
January 21, 2024
I’ve been looking forward to this book and seeing if we can solve the mystery we were left with in the previous story. I have to say Lucy is a great character and she knows so much about so many things but since she was married, had a baby and now divorced with a 12 year old daughter she has a dream that unfortunately is unfulfilled. She meets Peter Marcus who comes into the bait shop and the zingers start. These two banter like no one else. She knows exactly who he is when he walks in but that doesn’t stop her from putting him in his place. I’d love to have been there in person to watch this. Who knew through the course of Peter working for her Uncle’s lawyers that he might have a change of heart and want to be with her and her daughter. I loved so many things about this story from Peter helping right more than one wrong, especially a big one for Lucy, Hazel turning a new leaf (that one totally surprised me), Peter’s sister Sam, and of course Lucy and her brothers. I totally loved how everything came together in this and Peter didn’t have to fall on the sword with the attorney’s and possibly lose his PI license and Lucy didn’t have to inadvertently throw Peter under the bus with information she had because Hazel took care of that for everyone. I love Peter’s grand gesture in the end and giving Lucy the opportunity to follow one of her dreams and the news about the mother was also something I wasn’t expecting. I am beyond thrilled at how this book ended and so excited that Zoe’s book is next. I am however concerned that we haven’t seen the last of the evil Uncle Owen and his cronies and I want more on the mother situation. Can’t wait for the next book!
January 21, 2024
I’ve been looking forward to this book and seeing if we can solve the mystery we were left with in the previous story. I have to say Lucy is a great character and she knows so much about so many things but since she was married, had a baby and now divorced with a 12 year old daughter she has a dream that unfortunately is unfulfilled. She meets Peter Marcus who comes into the bait shop and the zingers start. These two banter like no one else. She knows exactly who he is when he walks in but that doesn’t stop her from putting him in his place. I’d love to have been there in person to watch this. Who knew through the course of Peter working for her Uncle’s lawyers that he might have a change of heart and want to be with her and her daughter. I loved so many things about this story from Peter helping right more than one wrong, especially a big one for Lucy, Hazel turning a new leaf (that one totally surprised me), Peter’s sister Sam, and of course Lucy and her brothers. I totally loved how everything came together in this and Peter didn’t have to fall on the sword with the attorney’s and possibly lose his PI license and Lucy didn’t have to inadvertently throw Peter under the bus with information she had because Hazel took care of that for everyone. I love Peter��s grand gesture in the end and giving Lucy the opportunity to follow one of her dreams and the news about the mother was also something I wasn’t expecting. I am beyond thrilled at how this book ended and so excited that Zoe’s book is next. I am however concerned that we haven’t seen the last of the evil Uncle Owen and his cronies and I want more on the mother situation. Can’t wait for the next book!
January 6, 2024
Peter walks into Lucy's life pretending that he wants fishing equipment only to find out information about her uncle, Owen, and his legal defense. When she agrees to go on a "date" with him and needing a bat removed from her house, both of their lives change as they know it.
In the beginning Peter thinks he has it all together, he has women falling at his feet and he has a big ego. Only as he gets to know Lucy, he realizes that maybe that isn't the case, and he has baggage that needs to be addressed. She is a strong woman who knows what she wants and works hard. She has the support of her family.
I loved the relationship she had with her brothers, especially her twin. I loved her daughter she is hilarious and always has a come back. I loved how quickly she was able to form a relationship with Peter and how he was with her from the beginning. The relationship Peter has with his younger sister, Sam. Charm Me is a sweet book full of love, family, second chances, and trouble. The characters in this book are close and it is obvious how they can pick on each other but yet drop everything to help each other even if it includes cleaning out gutters full of crap. Literally. This is a great read, and I think it would be a good book to curl up in front of the fireplace with on a cold snowy day. I highly recommend.
Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review from Tawna Fenske.
In the beginning Peter thinks he has it all together, he has women falling at his feet and he has a big ego. Only as he gets to know Lucy, he realizes that maybe that isn't the case, and he has baggage that needs to be addressed. She is a strong woman who knows what she wants and works hard. She has the support of her family.
I loved the relationship she had with her brothers, especially her twin. I loved her daughter she is hilarious and always has a come back. I loved how quickly she was able to form a relationship with Peter and how he was with her from the beginning. The relationship Peter has with his younger sister, Sam. Charm Me is a sweet book full of love, family, second chances, and trouble. The characters in this book are close and it is obvious how they can pick on each other but yet drop everything to help each other even if it includes cleaning out gutters full of crap. Literally. This is a great read, and I think it would be a good book to curl up in front of the fireplace with on a cold snowy day. I highly recommend.
Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review from Tawna Fenske.
January 8, 2024
Do you like your romance spicy with a dollop of humour? Then this is the read for you. You can't really go wrong with a romance from this author. The stories may be set in a small town but these are the kind of small towns that you'd want to visit. Their inclusive, friendly and care about each other but they'll also royally take the P out of you when you mess up.
Large families are always chock full of characters Lucy and Peter are prime examples. With alternating POV you get to see what's happening internally with these two. Lucy is such a great mum - she WNATS her child to have a relationship with their daughter but he is just such a waste of space! Peter tries so hard to be the flashy, playboy lawyer but that inner good guy just keeps slipping out!
Lucy is a strong character on her own but with her family she is unstoppable. She could have been a Stepford Wife but she refused to have her child involved in such a loveless environment. Love trumps money where Lucy is concerned. Peter has his own issues with money and his protectiveness is endearing.
Harper is a complete delight. She has everyone in the family wrapped around her finger and the "bad ideas" that she makes up when someone accidentally swears near her get more hilarious. Her instant rapport with Peter and his automatic protectiveness of her just takes your breath away. These two show why you have to COMMUNICATE with your partner!
Large families are always chock full of characters Lucy and Peter are prime examples. With alternating POV you get to see what's happening internally with these two. Lucy is such a great mum - she WNATS her child to have a relationship with their daughter but he is just such a waste of space! Peter tries so hard to be the flashy, playboy lawyer but that inner good guy just keeps slipping out!
Lucy is a strong character on her own but with her family she is unstoppable. She could have been a Stepford Wife but she refused to have her child involved in such a loveless environment. Love trumps money where Lucy is concerned. Peter has his own issues with money and his protectiveness is endearing.
Harper is a complete delight. She has everyone in the family wrapped around her finger and the "bad ideas" that she makes up when someone accidentally swears near her get more hilarious. Her instant rapport with Peter and his automatic protectiveness of her just takes your breath away. These two show why you have to COMMUNICATE with your partner!
December 21, 2023
If you're a fan of contemporary small town romance, then Cherry Blossom Lake is the place to go! Charm Me was the second book in the series revolving around the Spencer-King family. Lucy is a single divorced mother and the only girl in the Spencer-King family. When a smarmy former lawyer turned P.I. walks into her brother's bait shop and starts putting the moves on her, she knows just how to put him in in place. Peter Marcus is a man at a crossroads of his life and he doesn't even know it. He's been hired but Lucy's smarmy uncle to make sure that no evidence of a crime has been found against him but Peter has been around his type too long. He knows a bad egg when he sees one because he has been looking at one in the mirror every morning. Lucy is sunshiny smart and Peter is immediately drawn to her. Lucy's daughter is a joy. She lights up every moment she appears on the pages. Charm Me is the perfect rom com and I don't say that lightly. There is angst but it doesn't consume the reader. There is laughter, tears, tension and love. Everything about this series calls to me. Maybe it is the times we're living in but I relished every moment that I got lost in the pages of this series. Charm Me was told from dual POV and stands alone however, I cannot wait for the next book to come!
January 8, 2024
Thanks to the author for the eARC.
Charm Me
by Tawna Fenske
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (0-5)
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥 (0-5)
What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 Steamy romcom fun inside a book cover that’s so beautiful and cute.
🤩 100% captivated by Fenske’s descriptions and characterization.
🤩 Opposites attract—country girl and city boy.
🤩 And, single mom Lucy has already fallen for a rich, swanky, city guy once—never again.
🤩 Unwanted physical attraction.
🤩 Fantastic and fun enemies-to-lovers type banter.
🤩 Here’s a taste: “ . . . I need to get home and feed my twelve-year-old daughter, so how about you march that perfect a$$ out of here before I tell you what I really think about men with more money and ego than brainpower?” . . . “So.” My smile spreads slow and warm, like honey on toast. “You think I have a perfect a$$?”
🤩 When Lucy has to call Peter for his help at her house.
🤩 12-year-old Harper is hilarious! And so are the other side characters, including great family members.
🤩 So much family fun, even goat yoga!
🤩 Gosh, these two are so steamy hot together with all that built up tension.
🤩 Tawna Fenske (at least in this series) is the queen of a swoony grand gesture.
What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About:
💫 I’m greedy for some steamy goodness after the time apart, more than just a little tease of it.
Charm Me
by Tawna Fenske
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (0-5)
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥 (0-5)
What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 Steamy romcom fun inside a book cover that’s so beautiful and cute.
🤩 100% captivated by Fenske’s descriptions and characterization.
🤩 Opposites attract—country girl and city boy.
🤩 And, single mom Lucy has already fallen for a rich, swanky, city guy once—never again.
🤩 Unwanted physical attraction.
🤩 Fantastic and fun enemies-to-lovers type banter.
🤩 Here’s a taste: “ . . . I need to get home and feed my twelve-year-old daughter, so how about you march that perfect a$$ out of here before I tell you what I really think about men with more money and ego than brainpower?” . . . “So.” My smile spreads slow and warm, like honey on toast. “You think I have a perfect a$$?”
🤩 When Lucy has to call Peter for his help at her house.
🤩 12-year-old Harper is hilarious! And so are the other side characters, including great family members.
🤩 So much family fun, even goat yoga!
🤩 Gosh, these two are so steamy hot together with all that built up tension.
🤩 Tawna Fenske (at least in this series) is the queen of a swoony grand gesture.
What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About:
💫 I’m greedy for some steamy goodness after the time apart, more than just a little tease of it.
December 27, 2023
Lucy and her family were still trying to prove that their Uncle Owen Spencer burned down their grandfather’s cabin so no one could find the map their grandfather had written how he wanted his property split up when he died. It is so hard to understand how greedy people can be, especially since Uncle Owen took all the land and started selling it off for high end development and making him rich! Peter was a private investigator who used to be an attorney and had gotten into some trouble. Owen’s attorneys hired Peter to investigate the fire, and made it abundantly clear he was supposed to find something to clear Owen no matter what it took. I think when Peter first met Lucy he fell in love with her even as he acted like a rich jerk! I loved watching Lucy and Peter get to know each and Lucy’s adorable 12 year old daughter Harper. I loved Harper and her quirky personality. Poor Peter had guilt problems and always wanted to sacrifice for those he loved. There were other factors going on that made the story exciting. I strongly encourage you to read the book. I was given a copy and voluntarily wrote a review.
January 5, 2024
When Peter comes strolling into town he is there to decide if he wants to take a job, but when he meets Lucy he isn’t prepared for the things she makes him feel. While Peter does come off as pretentious, cocky, and one of those wealthy elite snobs Lucy isn’t impressed with him at all and isn’t afraid to hold back her opinion of him. She leaves him stunned and even more intrigued by her, but his job that may have him working with her corrupt uncle really puts a damper on things and having an ex husband that Peter reminds Lucy of she knows she should stay away. The banter between these two is hilarious and kept me engaged in their push and pull, but their chemistry together really glued me in. In the first book we learned a lot about the Spencer-King family and the atrocities their uncle was capable of so, will Peter continue to push his moral compass to the side for the sake of money or will he become the stand up man we know is underneath his facade? This series is becoming a favorite of mine because the closeness of the siblings is comforting and the suspense in each one keeps you on the edge. Peter may be a little hard to read at times and come off like someone you might want to throat punch, but the change we see him go through is worth all his cockiness and I can’t wait to see where we go from here..
January 6, 2024
Welcome back to Cherry Blossom Lake!
Looks like dear old uncle might have an ace up his sleeve
I was willing to bet the farm uncle was guilty after meeting him in Try Me
I also knew it wouldn't be easy to prove it. He was a crafty character
Now it looks like he might get away with it thanks to the very very efficient PI he hired
Meet Peter a very good, very tenacious disbarred lawyer turned private detective. He knows how the game is played
He hears what they are not saying and is willing to take a look
His first stop?
The bait shop
His first stumble?
Lucy
Lucy is a fiercely independent single mom who sees through Peter immediately.
She knows he is the enemy but ...
She can play both sides without getting involved right?
The romantic tension and chemistry between Peter and Lucy...
Hades level hot. The back-and-forth banter was both witty and heartwarming. They fit.
Lucy was front and center honest with Peter
She didn't hold back
Really liked Sam and hope she gets her own story
Harper was the perfect addition to bring these two together
Can not wait to see Cal fall under Zoe's spell
This had all the small-town charm I expected with an easy-to-follow storyline.
A solid cast of characters that will steal your heart.
Just enough twists and turns to keep me guessing
Rounded out with a melt-your-heart HEA
Looks like dear old uncle might have an ace up his sleeve
I was willing to bet the farm uncle was guilty after meeting him in Try Me
I also knew it wouldn't be easy to prove it. He was a crafty character
Now it looks like he might get away with it thanks to the very very efficient PI he hired
Meet Peter a very good, very tenacious disbarred lawyer turned private detective. He knows how the game is played
He hears what they are not saying and is willing to take a look
His first stop?
The bait shop
His first stumble?
Lucy
Lucy is a fiercely independent single mom who sees through Peter immediately.
She knows he is the enemy but ...
She can play both sides without getting involved right?
The romantic tension and chemistry between Peter and Lucy...
Hades level hot. The back-and-forth banter was both witty and heartwarming. They fit.
Lucy was front and center honest with Peter
She didn't hold back
Really liked Sam and hope she gets her own story
Harper was the perfect addition to bring these two together
Can not wait to see Cal fall under Zoe's spell
This had all the small-town charm I expected with an easy-to-follow storyline.
A solid cast of characters that will steal your heart.
Just enough twists and turns to keep me guessing
Rounded out with a melt-your-heart HEA
January 6, 2024
Try as they might to not like each other, Peter and Lucy fail miserably at this, and we are here to enjoy it.
Peter is hired by Lucy's uncle's legal team in their attempt to bury any evidence of said uncle's wrongdoing. Sucks for them that, despite his reputation, Peter has a conscience. That same conscience actually earned him the reputation, but I'll leave the details for you to find out.
Lucy is none too impressed by Peter's fancy clothes and car, nor the job he's hired to do. She is, however, determined to find out what she can in order to help her family's case against her nefarious uncle. If that means she has to flirt a bit with the handsome private investigator?
In this book, we see even more of the Spencer-King siblings, which is a delight, as they are a tight-knit family, despite some of them living/working far away. They are there for each other.
The story also goes beyond the budding romance and the family's legal dealings, really fleshing out the characters and their backstories. These help shape the characters and explains their actions.
A wonderfully entertaining and satisfying read!
Peter is hired by Lucy's uncle's legal team in their attempt to bury any evidence of said uncle's wrongdoing. Sucks for them that, despite his reputation, Peter has a conscience. That same conscience actually earned him the reputation, but I'll leave the details for you to find out.
Lucy is none too impressed by Peter's fancy clothes and car, nor the job he's hired to do. She is, however, determined to find out what she can in order to help her family's case against her nefarious uncle. If that means she has to flirt a bit with the handsome private investigator?
In this book, we see even more of the Spencer-King siblings, which is a delight, as they are a tight-knit family, despite some of them living/working far away. They are there for each other.
The story also goes beyond the budding romance and the family's legal dealings, really fleshing out the characters and their backstories. These help shape the characters and explains their actions.
A wonderfully entertaining and satisfying read!
January 12, 2024
"And as much as I love a good Michelin-starred meal, I need to get home and feed my twelve-year-old daughter, so how about you march that perfect a$$ out of here before I tell you what I really think about men with more money and ego than brainpower?"
I stare at Lucy, digesting her words. Watching the rise and fall of her chest as she breaths. I'm thrown off my stride, that's true. But they didn't call me The Assassin for nothing. "So." My smile spreads slow and warm, like honey on toast. "You think I have a perfect a$$?"
Lucy has had experience with wealthy, entitled men - and she is NOT impressed with Peter Marcus. Well, maybe she's a little impressed. But not because he's wealthy and entitled. He's handsome. And smart. But unfortunately, working for her uncle. Who has totally screwed over her family.
Peter wasn't expecting Lucy. He is leaving his options open on whose side he is on here. He'll get to the bottom of what Lucy's uncle has done, even if it isn't what the client wants.
I love this series. This book is my fav so far. I love these characters so much!
I stare at Lucy, digesting her words. Watching the rise and fall of her chest as she breaths. I'm thrown off my stride, that's true. But they didn't call me The Assassin for nothing. "So." My smile spreads slow and warm, like honey on toast. "You think I have a perfect a$$?"
Lucy has had experience with wealthy, entitled men - and she is NOT impressed with Peter Marcus. Well, maybe she's a little impressed. But not because he's wealthy and entitled. He's handsome. And smart. But unfortunately, working for her uncle. Who has totally screwed over her family.
Peter wasn't expecting Lucy. He is leaving his options open on whose side he is on here. He'll get to the bottom of what Lucy's uncle has done, even if it isn't what the client wants.
I love this series. This book is my fav so far. I love these characters so much!
December 11, 2023
Peter is a PI who is working with Owen Spencer’s legal team to show that Spencer had nothing to do with the fire of his father’s old shack. Lucy Spencer King and her family know that their Uncle Owen disregarded his father’s wishes that the land be divided between all the grandchildren. Peter meets Lucy at her brother’s bait shop and they feel an immediate attraction for each other even though they are on opposite sides. Lucy is not initially enamored by Peter who reminds her of her rich ex husband and how he has treated their daughter by often not showing when he has made plans. As Peter and Lucy become closer, they both need to deal with old wounds to be together. There is laughter and tears in this story with great characters. The problems that the characters are going through are very real and you find yourself cheering them on. I highly recommend this book! This is a HEA that is part of a series but can be read alone. I love that this author can make me tearful and then gave me laughing out loud!
September 11, 2025
This is the second book in the series. The couple in the book are Lucy and Peter. Lucy as a daugher from a previous married Harper.
Lucy works at her brother's bait shop and investages fraud for a bank. Peter is a former lawyer but now is a PI. Problem is he has been hired to clear Lucy's uncle that has been charged with steal the family's land that should have went to Lucy and her siblings. Major tension. He finds her at the shop when he is driving past. He is attracted to her right away. Problem is its a small town and she knows exactly who he is.. doesn't go well. lol
They are thrown together a whole bunch of time, food testing, helping with bats in Harper's bedroom.
Feeling are changing to the point that it doesn't matter what is happening with the case.
One of my favourite scene are the goat yoga with Peter's sister Sam.
One night while they were along all of the truth and secrets come out.
He also helps her with her ex husband and a client from the bank.... she isn't happy about it.
With all of the stuff going bad they get their happy ending they deserve.
Lucy works at her brother's bait shop and investages fraud for a bank. Peter is a former lawyer but now is a PI. Problem is he has been hired to clear Lucy's uncle that has been charged with steal the family's land that should have went to Lucy and her siblings. Major tension. He finds her at the shop when he is driving past. He is attracted to her right away. Problem is its a small town and she knows exactly who he is.. doesn't go well. lol
They are thrown together a whole bunch of time, food testing, helping with bats in Harper's bedroom.
Feeling are changing to the point that it doesn't matter what is happening with the case.
One of my favourite scene are the goat yoga with Peter's sister Sam.
One night while they were along all of the truth and secrets come out.
He also helps her with her ex husband and a client from the bank.... she isn't happy about it.
With all of the stuff going bad they get their happy ending they deserve.
December 11, 2023
Oh my your going to love this one. Peter has been hired by the enemy Owen s defense team as a PI in hopes to well get the slimy bugger off on the charges ( please read book one first as they are interconnected) well that was till he stoped in at the local bait shop and saw Lucy behind the counter.
Lucy is finishing work up for the say before getting her daughter when he walks in all smug and wearing more kin money on him and having a "I'm a prick" type car too boot come walking in.
As you imagine not the best first meet but it's everything from there forward that will make you swoon to Peter's redemption story of love or the fact this is a love story that well packs a punch so to say. But either way the two make some great reading and well Harper (Lucy's daughter ) is quite interesting in how she's got a big roll in this one too
I can't wait for more from cherry blossom lane to come
Lucy is finishing work up for the say before getting her daughter when he walks in all smug and wearing more kin money on him and having a "I'm a prick" type car too boot come walking in.
As you imagine not the best first meet but it's everything from there forward that will make you swoon to Peter's redemption story of love or the fact this is a love story that well packs a punch so to say. But either way the two make some great reading and well Harper (Lucy's daughter ) is quite interesting in how she's got a big roll in this one too
I can't wait for more from cherry blossom lane to come
January 5, 2024
The humor is out of control in the latest Cherry Blossom Lake book...and yes, it definitely did "Charm Me"! I honestly can't decide if the banter between Peter and Lucy or the bevy of one-liners from her pre-teen daughter, Harper, brought me more grins and giggles. I believe Harper won by a hair.
If you haven't already read Try Me, go pick that one up first and read it. While each is a stand-alone in regards to the couple and their romance, there is an overlapping family feud that directly affects Peter and Lucy's relationship.
Lucy is this smart and strong single mom, with just as much sass as Harper. She goes toe to toe with Peter, who has got some mystery to his past (which makes him even more intriguing) from their first encounter. Tawna Fenske writes great characters, who engage me in the story from page one, but always surprise me along the way. Charm Me is just another example of why she continues to be on the top of my favorite author list.
If you haven't already read Try Me, go pick that one up first and read it. While each is a stand-alone in regards to the couple and their romance, there is an overlapping family feud that directly affects Peter and Lucy's relationship.
Lucy is this smart and strong single mom, with just as much sass as Harper. She goes toe to toe with Peter, who has got some mystery to his past (which makes him even more intriguing) from their first encounter. Tawna Fenske writes great characters, who engage me in the story from page one, but always surprise me along the way. Charm Me is just another example of why she continues to be on the top of my favorite author list.
January 4, 2024
Favorite Quotes:
I have zero interest in a man like that. Someone suave and self-assured with a body built to singe the panties off unsuspecting women.
“The birds on your back deck got a feast from my failed attempts.” He grabs two slices of bacon. “You haven’t lived until you’ve watched two seagulls fight over a pancake shaped like a penis.” “You made a penis pancake?” “Not intentionally.” He serves himself a heart-shaped one. “It was supposed to be an airplane.”
My Review:
I reveled in this one as the writing sparkled with clever humor, authentic and delightfully quirky characters, and interesting storylines that kept me invested and engaged throughout. I always enjoy reading Ms. Fenske’s multi-textured and frisky romantic comedies, and this one shines like a glitter ball and is undoubtedly her best yet.
I have zero interest in a man like that. Someone suave and self-assured with a body built to singe the panties off unsuspecting women.
“The birds on your back deck got a feast from my failed attempts.” He grabs two slices of bacon. “You haven’t lived until you’ve watched two seagulls fight over a pancake shaped like a penis.” “You made a penis pancake?” “Not intentionally.” He serves himself a heart-shaped one. “It was supposed to be an airplane.”
My Review:
I reveled in this one as the writing sparkled with clever humor, authentic and delightfully quirky characters, and interesting storylines that kept me invested and engaged throughout. I always enjoy reading Ms. Fenske’s multi-textured and frisky romantic comedies, and this one shines like a glitter ball and is undoubtedly her best yet.
January 4, 2024
After Peter was no longer able to practice law, he has found a new career as a private investigator. His latest investigation brings him to Cherry Blossom Lake where he meets Lucy. Under other circumstances his feelings for her would be welcome but since she is the niece of the man he has been hired to help they now find themselves on opposite sides.
Lucy is devoted to her daughter Lucy and will do anything for those she cares about. She is working two jobs to make ends meet and one of those jobs has the skill set to allow her to try and uncover the truth about her uncle and the recent events, but she is less than happy to find out about Peter’s agenda.
The interactions between them are entertaining, the romance is heartwarming, and their journey has all the feels both when it comes to the past and the present.
Lucy is devoted to her daughter Lucy and will do anything for those she cares about. She is working two jobs to make ends meet and one of those jobs has the skill set to allow her to try and uncover the truth about her uncle and the recent events, but she is less than happy to find out about Peter’s agenda.
The interactions between them are entertaining, the romance is heartwarming, and their journey has all the feels both when it comes to the past and the present.
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