The Appleton House

by Nicole Castro

This romantic novella has adult language, sexual content, and is told from the male perspective.
Master carpenter Ashe Whitaker is excited to work on the historic bed and breakfast, The Appleton House, but the owner’s daughter proves to be a distraction. Finding out that fun-loving Perry is engaged is only a minor set-back. He’s been an idiot fiancé before and knows just what seeds of doubt to plant in order to get her into his bed. Ashe knows Perry wants him and exposes her sinfully shameless side. But Ashe’s forever-a-bachelor reputation is in jeopardy when Perry threatens to nail down his heart instead of being just another notch in his tool belt.

87 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 25, 2013

About the author

Nicole writes contemporary romance novellas and historical romance novels. She is known for her "real talk" in her writing, evoking emotion with thoughts people really have.

Reviews

[Jalpa Williby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. We got the hot macho man and the somewhat Ms. Perfect as the lead female. Initially, he just wants to bang her with no emotions attached. I liked how his feelings change toward her as the book progresses. I also enjoyed how he helps her come out of her shell and helps her find herself.

[Marlena Smith-Burris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella is about Ashe, who won the bid to remodel the bathroom of the Appleton House. Ashe is the type of guy that always gets what he wants, including women, especially women. He’s arrogant and even refers to himself as a jerk. This new remodeling gig is a dream job, complete with room and board. He has the pleasure of meeting his employer’s two attractive daughters. One of which that is still in high school, but that doesn’t stop her from attempting to seduce Ashe. The second daughter, Perry, is older and has caught the attention of the new guest. To his surprise, she is engaged but he quickly realizes that her fiance may not be the man she really wants or needs. Ashe, in his usual egotistical manner, thinks he’s the man to satisfy her womanly needs. Only Perry turns out to be more, and mean more, than he anticipated. He is left with a tough decision regarding this engaged beauty, to act on feelings or not.

I adored this book! It’s a quick, enjoyable read. The storyline flows and the characters are dynamic. I especially like the chemistry between Ashe and Perry. Ashe comes off as an arrogant typical male, but we get to see his softer side too, which is heartwarming. Perry is a spunky, honest, and caring young lady that also melts your heart. Put the two together and you have quite the match. This story is full of passion that will leave you wanting more. I would definitely give The Appleton House 5 stars. It’s deserving in every way!

[BooksandBeyondFiftyShades · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashe Whitaker is a single good looking repair man who has a phobia of relationships. You see, he's "been there" and "done that" and has no desire to do that again. Ashe is good with his hands and other parts of his 6'5" anatomy.

Ashe comes to work at the Appleton House Bed and Breakfast, renovating an old bathroom.Perry Appleton is the control freak that runs the quaint B&B.

Perry's engaged to Jordan, who's rich and handsome and everything that Perry needs in life. That is until Ashe catches her in a weak moment and asks questions that Perry should be asking herself.

Perry doesn't know if Jordan is "the one" or not but she is starting to consider other options. Unable to control her desires, she sleeps with Ashe. Then Ashe and Jordan meet, Ashe asks permission to sleep with Perry. Except Jordan doesn't know it already happened.

Will Perry and Jordan's love last or will Ashe be the end of them?

Nicole writes a good story that had me rooting for the underdog. The Appleton House has intrigue, sexual suspense and laughs all rolled into one.

Nicole's style brings the characters to life and puts you living in their shoes throughout the entire book.

I will definitely be looking for more books written by Nicole.

The next book in this series is The Disintegrated House: Book 2 of the House collection.
Find it on Amazon at: http://amzn.com/B00JKOWGV8

[G.G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to start. Ok. I won this novella in a Rafflecopter.
First, I wasn't planning on reading it before the other books that are in line (and waiting…waiting… and still waiting), but I couldn't sleep and turning the lights on to read the physical book I'm currently reading was out of the question. So I figured since it was short, less then 100 pages, I could just give it a shot. Well… I think it gave ME the shot. Once I started it, I couldn't put it down. Oh, it doesn’t have a super intriguing story, with mysteries or murder, nope. It doesn't have steaming sex, although there is some. Uh-huh, nope, I think it was the POV and reading the romance from the eyes of the male protagonist that did it for me. In my opinion, Nicole Castro nailed him perfectly. It was easy to picture him. It felt natural to be in his head. Ashe is not the perfect gentleman. He is very human and does also exactly what I would imagine a man in his 'shoes' would do. In fact, I think I loved the book because it was so natural. Everything happens naturally.

I usually stay away from novellas. I don't regret having read this cute story. The main characters were well fleshed, and the best? It doesn't end with a cliffhanger!
Nicely done.

[Amber Haynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

In conjunction with NerdGirl... This story was given to me by the author for an honest review.

I have to say that this was a compelling story. I was a little leery because the book is written from the male perspective and the author is female. I am happy to report that she (the author) NAILED it! Reading this story from the male perspective was very intriguing. This story line was right on the money. Very interesting, loveable, and funny characters. The plot itself was so imaginative and captivating. She brings a woman’s and mans fantasies to live and meshes them beautifully with reality. Not at all a raunchy type of book. The sexy scenes were done with elegance. Ashe is a sexy, hardworking, muscle bound man. Add in Miss Appleton and you have your typical “good girl” who needs to sow some wild oats that she didn’t even know she had! And come on let’s be honest here… What girl doesn’t have some wild oats that need to be tended to??  The only down fall I have with this book is I would like more. More dramatic twists toward the end of the book. I enjoyed the story and truly believe you would too!

[Mageslayerprime · Rating 5 out of 5]

So unique to have a woman write from the male point of view but this worked so incredibly well. Every character was real and well written. You cannot help but feel for each of their situations and by the end you are happy for them. It was a quick read but you get so much story out of it. Absolutely loved it.

[Kirby Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicole Castro has become a favorite over the course of a month. I stayed up until 3am, dead tired, because I had to finish this book. I loved it!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

check out full review: www.The-Book-Ends.com



The Appleton House

Master carpenter Ashe Whitaker is excited to work on the historic bed and breakfast, The Appleton House, but the owner’s daughter proves to be a distraction. Finding out that fun-loving Perry is engaged is only a minor set-back. He’s been an idiot fiancé before and knows just what seeds of doubt to plant in order to get her into his bed. Ashe knows Perry wants him and exposes her sinfully shameless side. But Ashe’s forever-a-bachelor reputation is in jeopardy when Perry threatens to nail down his heart instead of being just another notch in his tool belt.

Anne's Review

**** 4 stars ****

When I first received this book from Ms Nicole Castro, I saw the cover and I must admit, I judged it. I thought, "sexy cover... must be another raunchy Fabio style kind of book," but I was totally wrong. I enjoyed the book. It was different. Being that it was written in the male's ( Ashe ) perspective. It was difficult getting used to, but a few pages in, Ashe got me laughing. The lead guy was ridiculously HOT and pretty funny. He is 6'5" and muscles all over and really really handy with his hands; on the job and off the job. If all handymen looked like him, then I bet all the husbands in the world would make sure they fix everything in the house rather than hire somebody. Ashe is pretty much the fantasy, blue collared handyman that you see in movies. I can honestly say that I really did enjoy this book. The story was pretty easy, but a bit predictable. You have a gorgeous playboy, add a "good," girl and what do you get? The cover pretty much explains it all. The entire build up of the story was lacking. It was fun reading about Ashe and Perry getting to, "know," each other but last 2 chapters of the book were a little too predictable. I guess I was waiting for something dramatic to happen, but it didn't. I guess it was not that type of book. But other than that, I liked it. It was a fun easy read and the sexy scenes weren't too raunchy for me. It was just enough.



Appleton Bed and Breakfast

Characters:

**The age of the main leads weren't really specified in the book but while I was reading, I pictured them both in the mid thirties.

( for photos check out www.The-Book-Ends.com )

Ashe Whitaker

( Who is the perfect bad boy and walking sex god? Mr. Alexander Skarsgard. A Swedish actor best known for his role as vampire Eric Northman on the HBO series True Blood. He may be an inch shorter than Ashe but I think if this was a movie, He could play the lead guy perfectly. Ashe may have been at some fault knowing that Perry was engaged but at least he helped her figure out what she really wanted before making such a huge decision. )



Perry Appleton

( Perry is your typical rich little good girl that has never done anything crazy and wild in her life. She is engaged to her college sweetheart who is the total opposite of Ashe. She is doubting her future and Ashe became the catalyst of her actions. The whole cheating thing was pretty messed up but like Ashe said, if Perry was really happy in the first place, she would have ran the other way. The photo above is Amy Adams and I see her as Perry. She is sweet and has that innocent look. Amy Adams is an american actress known for her role in the movie Enchanted. )


more on the review: www.The-Book-Ends.com

[Amber Proud · Rating 4 out of 5]

**This book was provided by the author to Nerd Girl in exchange for an honest review**

I have to say that this was a compelling story. I was a little leery because the book is written from the male perspective and the author is female. I am happy to report that she (the author) NAILED it! Reading this story from the male perspective was very intriguing. This story line was right on the money. Very interesting, loveable, and funny characters. The plot itself was so imaginative and captivating. She brings a woman’s and mans fantasies to live and meshes them beautifully with reality. Not at all a raunchy type of book. The sexy scenes were done with elegance. Ashe is a sexy, hardworking, muscle bound man. Add in Miss Appleton and you have your typical “good girl” who needs to sow some wild oats that she didn’t even know she had! And come on let’s be honest here… What girl doesn’t have some wild oats that need to be tended to?? The only down fall I have with this book is I would like more. More dramatic twists toward the end of the book. I enjoyed the story and truly believe you would too! (less)

[Blushing Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 I wish it was longer stars.

The Appleton House is a sexy read written in the male POV (which I love). Nicole Castro does a great job telling the story through Ashe's eyes and it is both funny and raunchy (again, I love this). I knew going in this was a short story and would be a quick read, but I still wanted more. Nicole does a great job getting you right into the story and keeping the pace going quick so you never feel like you are skipping chapters. What I was missing was the slow build ups and getting to better understand the characters.

While I am not a huge fan of the some of the story line from The Appleton House, I was able to enjoy this story and get an enjoyable story. Nicole Castro does a great job hooking you in right away and then keeping you engaged until the end.

If you are in the mood for a quick read, that is HOT and told from a male POV then The Appleton House is the story for you!

[iloveladyporn · Rating 4 out of 5]

If your looking for a quick, well round, Hot read you need to grab this book!
Ashe is a bit of a douche but Perry get's him and knows just how to handle him. I didn't really see this turning out well and given it was a short story I didn't think it would be so well rounded and not rushed! Lots of hot sweaty sex.
Fantastic Ending.