He wants me to write what I know, but I don't know anything about love... Yet.Welcome to my life, where pygmy goats have a seat at the dinner table, my writing career is on the rocks, and I've just been arrested for stalking a celebrity... who also happens to be my long-lost brother.
Enter Travis Wilson, a wounded veteran as irresistibly handsome as he is complicated. We strike up a I'll help him pick up the pieces of his shattered dreams, and he'll help me learn to write chemistry that sizzles.
Between motorcycle rides, drama at the ballet recital, and brainstorming new career options by the lake, we're writing our own rom-com—and it's getting messier by the chapter.
But here's the the more we try to focus on our bargain, the more we realize the best chemistry can't be written; it has to be lived.
So what's a girl to do when he's teaching me everything I need to know about chemistry and love, but I still can't figure out if love is in the cards for us?
Write What You Know is the fourth book in the Love in Charlotte Oaks series, where you'll find families as sweet as the tea, hot veterans who've returned home to find true love, and a beloved pet goat who has the habit of coming in clutch to save the day.
Jess Mastorakos writes sweet military romance books that feature heroes with heart and the strong women they love. She is a proud Marine wife and mama of four. She loves her coffee in a glitter tumbler and planning with an erasable pen.
Get a free novella from her San Diego Marines series, Forever with You, at the link below!
Travis & Aurora were such a sweet pair. Their initial meeting was great, then with Travis' injury it was interesting watching how both of their worlds changed in fairly drastic ways. Travis teaching Aurora about romantic chemistry for the book she's writing was amazing (the tension!) but it should be made clear that this is a clean romance. I've really enjoyed the series so far and will continue reading 💕
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I absolutely adore anything and everything Jess Mastorakos has written. I was tempted to make a sarcastic joke about how I actually hated this one but I just couldn't do it because it was just so good. The chemistry between Rory and Travis was amazing, which was great because he was supposed to be helping her with chemistry for her romcom books after all. Then Gertie. That goat is a menace but is just such a staple of the Charlotte Oaks series at that this point.
I love that this story can be read as a standalone but is so connected with the rest of the series. You can read this one by itself but if you've read the other books, you get to see characters you've come to know and love again. Also, there's little Easter eggs from other books the author has written. It wouldn't confuse the reader if you haven't read the other series, but if you have, you're like hey! I know that person!
Jess Mastorakos is one of my autobuy/auto-read authors. Any time she has a new book, I'm reading it. I highly encourage her books to anyone who likes clean, sweet romances.
Travis & Aurora’s story was long awaited for, and it really is sweet!
Our wounded veteran and our struggling rom-com writer (who’s never had a boyfriend or been kissed—love this trope, but the way!) find love while combating the loss of their own dreams.
I loved returning to Charlotte Oaks and hanging out with the Wilson & Cole families! There was a little something that felt missing for me, but it’s still a lovely story. 😊
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone (though be forewarned that this book contains spoilers to some of the events in As the Crow Flies as it occurs during the ending & right after where As the Crow Flies ends & the spoilers are discussed in this book)
– this is told from Travis & Aurora (Rory)’s points of view
– Travis was in an accident that badly hurt his legs
Review:
I have been loving the Love in Charlotte Oaks series so much! I’m excited to see who else & how others will be getting their stories in this series! But back to this book…
It was so fun to get to know Aurora (or as we knew her in As the Crow Flies – the ‘stalker’ that everyone in town created their own story about) and why she did what she did in As the Crow Flies. I loved getting to know what kind of person she was from her own inner thoughts and the person that Travis learned she was. I loved the flirting/chemistry lessons these two had in order for Aurora to be able to better write it into her books. I loved how protective Aurora’s dad was of her and how our two main families from this series welcomed them both into the fold after learning Aurora’s true intentions in town. I loved getting to really know Travis and his cop brother a bit more in this book as well. I love their family’s strong connections and desire for everyone to be happy and safe.
Summary:
Aurora came to Charlotte Oaks to find her long lost brother, but keeps putting it off and instead watching him from afar after she discovered his famous identity. Travis was the only Charlotte Oak resident to walk straight up to get an answer as to what Aurora’s intentions are towards the star which Aurora respected, especially after some residents go a little too far in their protectiveness. Now the secret is out and Aurora is welcome to a seat at the same table as her brother, but isn’t sure where her own life is headed. After her past books have tanked in ratings and reviews, she’s not sure she should follow her heart in writing the stories that bring her joy or drop them in favor of being just an author’s assistant. Travis is the one to convince Aurora to give writing romances another shot, but he wants her to write what she knows. At the moment, she doesn’t really know much about how to show good chemistry between her characters…
Travis thought that he would be in the Marines for life, but after a training accident his plans crumble before his eyes. And beyond moving back home, he has no idea what he should do now that being an active Marine is no longer in the cards for him. When Aurora comes up with a few ideas that spark something in Travis as a possible new path, he is determined to pay her back for her help. With her own dreams falling apart, Travis wants to help breathe new life into them and make it so much more possible for her. Which means Travis offers to show Aurora real life examples of chemistry and flirting so that she can better describe them in her books. Which may not have been the best idea on his part. Not when Travis has begun the process of falling for her before they’ve even gotten started…
4.5⭐️s. Super cute and funny. If was a great light romcom. Enjoyed the writing, and as in all of Jess Mastorakos’ books, this was really well done. Loved the characters and their friends/family supporting and accepting them.
I've loved all the books in this series but this one was my favorite.
Travis Wilson is a sniper who planned to be a career Marine until a training accident maimed his leg. The injury was severe enough that he was given a medical discharge thus ending his career plans. He returned to his hometown of Charlotte Oaks, Tennessee, to regroup and re-plan his future.
Aurora St. John arrived in the town searching for her brother, country music star, Riley Conrad. Rumors abounded throughout the town about the blonde, always dressed in black, woman hiding behind trees and bushes spying on Riley.
Riley and Aurora's parents had given him up for adoption at birth because they were too young and they wouldn't be able to properly care for him. They later married and Aurora is 5 years younger than Riley.. Their father is a career Marine and their mother died of cancer a few years ago. They had always hoped to find Riley. A home DNA kit finally gave them the necessary link to find Riley. Aurora made that her mission.
Aurora has never had a boyfriend or even a kiss. She's a writer and self-publisher of her rom-com books which do not sell well. So she's sticking to her day job as an assistant to a group of successful authors. She can work remotely while stalking Riley.
Travis didn't have a plan B for his retirement since it came about 20 years sooner than planned. He doesn't know what type of business would work best for him. Aurora can't successfully write about romance since she's never experienced it. The solution? They will help each other. (And does she ever learn about romance!)
It wouldn't be a Charlotte Oaks story without Gertie, the pygmy goat, getting into the act. She's ably assisted by Phoebe, Travis' niece.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via BookFunnel. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
As always, Jess really delivers on a story with heart and soul and laughter ( and Marines and a goat). This explores when all your goals and expectations get sucker punched and your whole life gets rearranged. Travis was going to be a lifer in the Marines until a training exercise goes bad. Rorie or Aurora as he likes to call her, is like her name bringing light and color to the darkness he finds himself in. She’s a romance writer who doesn’t know how to romance and he’s a Marine who has to reinvent himself. The characters, the story, the family support and yes even Gertie the goat are all awesome and needed to help Travis and Aurora figure out they belong together. Clean.
I love Jess Mastorakos’ books! After reading As the Crow Flies, I couldn’t wait to get Rory’s story. Spoiler alert: if you haven’t read that book, then you absolutely need to read it before reading this or you’ll get some major spoilers. Also, stop reading my review right here and go read it. :)
Aurora “Rory” is famed country music star Riley Conrad’s biological little sister. When she first came to Charlotte Oaks, everyone thought she was a stalker because she didn’t tell Riley who she was right away. She finally spills her secret to Travis Wilson, who makes her a deal in exchange for her secret. Besides trying to establish a relationship with her brother, Rory’s worried about her writing career. She wants to write romcoms, but just doesn’t understand how to write chemistry between the characters.
Travis is a marine whose world has been turned upside down after an accident ruined his military career. Now he’s home in Charlotte Oaks trying to find his place. When he meets Rory, he feels like he can definitely help her with her writing. Travis gives Aurora lessons in chemistry she’ll never forget. Aurora in turn helps Travis find a new career. With the help of a stubborn little goat and the usual Charlotte Oaks meddlers, Travis and Aurora find there might be more to their friendship, and that spark between them.
This was such a cute story! I loved the never been kissed/never had a boyfriend trope. It was completely believable. Rory’s such a sweet character and I loved those chemistry lessons with Travis. I loved their relationship and how they helped each other. Travis has some personal setbacks, but I loved how he overcame them. Gertie is such a sassy little goat and ends up stealing the show like she always does. I loved seeing all the Cole and Wilson families again and catching up with familiar characters. Now I can’t wait for Adam’s story!
Highly recommend this sweet, cute romcom! It can be read as a standalone, but will provide major spoilers for previous books if read out of order. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author, but also purchased a copy in KU. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.
Ahh, this was just so cute. I have been eagerly waiting for this book and I loved it. Write What You Know is the fourth book in Jess Mastorakos’ Love in Charlotte Oaks series. This book features Travis and Rory, Aurora, and it was sweet to read about them falling in love. I loved both Travis and Rory, they were both working through different things. You don’t know Travis that well so it was cool to get to know him and Rory was a new character. I really liked how they connected with each other first before they fell in love. Their relationship was cute, especially the way that they helped each other reach their goals. I felt for them both as they tried to figure out their lives and what the future would hold. The plot was interesting and I loved reading about Travis and Rory working together to help each other out. They had to overcome some big hills. The side characters were fun and I really adore the families that Mastorakos created. The siblings and friend relationships are some of the best parts of this book. Write What You Know is a sweet romantic comedy. It has a dashing hero, a determined writer and a small town that draws you in. I would definitely recommend Write What You Know.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
'"Hey," I said, turning back to Travis when she took her seat again. "You're pretty wise for a guy who lives off peach cobbler and motorcycle rides."
He chuckled, revealing that one-dimpled grin I found so enticing. "What can I say? I've got layers."'
I have really enjoyed this Charlotte Oaks book series! The characters are quirky and I am guaranteed to have a good time while reading!
Wins all around!
The teaser for book 4 was so strong in book 3 that I had been counting down the days to get this book and once I got it, devour it I did! I loved seeing so many of the previous characters in this book-it really adds to the family and community dynamic. This book shares a lot more of the family characters and each book I fall a little more in love with them!
This book was heartfelt and flirty. The flirting/chemistry lessons were hilarious. I loved seeing these two characters work together to make all of their dreams come true. I also loved that they could see the other person for who they were without everything they "did" or thought they wanted to be known for.
This book is a super fun read! If you need a refreshing book to escape for a day or two in-this is the book you need!
Thanks to the author for the copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content: military accident, starting over, believing in a dream, lots of family, small town, the craziest goat (IYKYK), and kisses.
There's just something about a book by Jess Mastorakos. Somehow her books suck me in. I started this book on Saturday in the late afternoon and finished it Sunday morning. I loved it so much!
This one is Travis and Aurora's story. He's a marine, at least at the beginning. He gets in an accident one day and that ends his career. That leaves him a little lost as to what to do next. I loved the way Aurora is able to help him with this. These two just work so well together.
Aurora or Rorie was a stalker. Well, sort of. She just wanted to learn about her famous brother without him knowing about it. But she's also an author. I loved the way Travis teachers her how to make her books better. And how he teachers her that writing what she knows is the best way to do that.
And don't forget Gertie! I love the way she is always there shoving (quite literally) these two together. Gertie always makes me laugh. There are also plenty of characters from the rest of the series. And I love them all.
I can't wait to read the next book set in Charlotte Oaks!
I was sent a copy of Write What You Know by the author. All opinions are my own.
I love Jess Mastorakos and all of her sweet love stories!
Her Charlotte Oaks series has been filled with love, laughter and lots of heart. Aurora and Travis's story was no different!
I loved getting to know Travis in this story. The brooding, motorcycle driving Wilson brother has a heart of gold and such a intelligent, detailed outlook on life and everyone around him. I loved rooting for him as he built a new life for himself outside of the military. Watching him flirt with Aurora under the guise of helping her write was the icing on the cake!
Aurora was a cute character too! I loved that she came into the Wilson/Cole clan as Riley's younger sister and found a true home in the midst of their loving family. I loved seeing her refine her writing and grow in her confidence overall! She and Travis were such a sweet pairing and I also loved the first boyfriend, never been kissed trope!
Such a cute story and I really enjoyed reading it. There were a few times were I felt like the story was rushed or skipped ahead too quickly, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment while reading!
I just love this series! Charlotte Oaks is a unique small town with characters that stand out (they feel like you know them) and a goat that gets up to all sorts of mischief!
Travis is a great guy and when his lifelong dream of being a marine comes to an end, he has to reevaluate and decide what to do next. Aurora has struggles of her own. As a romcom writer, she’s not cutting it. The way Travis steps in and helps, and vice versa, is adorable. These two have awesome chemistry and I completely fell in love with them.
If you want to read the most swoony scenes and get caught up in wonderful romance, enjoy supportive family and friends, and laugh out loud at some animal antics, read this book! I highly recommend anything written by Jess - she’s an amazing author.
This is my honest review, and even though I received an advance copy, I had to buy the paperback so I can read it again and again!
I love coming back to visit Charlotte Oaks and the Cole/Wilson families. I love the antics of Charlotte, the pygmy goat and are thankful I don’t have to put up with them. Travis Wilson never plans to leave the Marines before retirement but a training exercise gone wrong changes those plans. Aurora, Riley’s sister, (You need to read Book 3 to get her story) is a failing novelist. Actually Aurora writing about romance would be about as successful as me writing about a biker gang, just not enough knowledge). Two unlikely comrades, Aurora and Travis, find themselves working together. This results in humor, romance and a few surprise twists and turns. I really enjoyed this book and hope we return to Charlotte Oaks soon.
Kisses only. Hopefully this book is not autobiographical and the author isn’t referring to her own works when saying they are flops and complaining about bad reviews. I liked Travis. I felt like we got to know him pretty well but I feel with Aurora there was a disconnect. She wears all black and seems super shy but she was a former popular kid and cheerleader? She somehow has written dozen of books but has no clue about good writing techniques (and Rom com means comedy mixed in with romance not comedy all the time even in place of romance).
The hardest thing for me about this read was the random time skips without any indicator that time skips. There is the opening scene followed by a two week skip, a month skip, a six week skip, etc.
In Write what you Know the fourth book in the Love In Charlotte Oaks Jess Mastorakos does it again. Another laugh out rom com with a Marine hero. I thought Riley Conrad would be my favorite hero in this series, but then I met Marine Staff Sergeant Travis Wilson. Who just happens to have the one Marine MOS that’s weakness for me in a romance hero. A slight bad boy Marine with a heart of gold.
And Aurora St John is my favorite heroine and the one I relate to the most as a fellow Marine brat the daughter of lifer Marine. And of course, I could relate to what she said about growing up because I have said something similar. And Rory as she’s called by everyone, but Travis writes rom coms and that’s currently my hobby.
To me Write what you know is the realistic book I’ve read that Jess has written. And Gertie the goat is starting to grow on me.
I love loving families, romance, and small town dynamics. This book has them all. We met Aurora in the past book of the series, as well as career-minded Marine Travis. This time, we see their dreams shattered. Travis will no longer be an active duty Marine, and Aurora's romance stories are falling flat, probably because she's never actually been kissed. Gertie the goat figures prominently in the storyline, along with all their families and friends. As they work on their individual futures, we get to watch them also work on their future as a couple. Sweet romance with a beautiful, satisfying ending.
Did I devour this today? Yes. Yes I did👏🏻 I have absolutely loved this series and this book was another great addition. I love Travis & Aurora🖤 I love how he sees her and always encourages her. I love how she supports him and wants the very best for him. They are adorable and the perfect, unexpected compliment to each other 🫠 and let me just tell you, I cannot wait for the next book! Adam and Paisley?! I’m sure sparks will fly🙌🏻
This was such a wonderful read! Lots of special moments especially when we learn the real reason for Aurora’s writer’s block and the deal that is made to turn it all around. These two characters were amazing and this book had it all- humor, friendship, tender moments, new beginnings and a HEA! I love how this book ties with others in the series but can also stand alone. FANTASTIC READ- I highly recommend!
I enjoyed being back in Charlotte Oaks again. We finally find out who Riley's stalker is - his sister (Aurora) whom he knew nothing about.
This book is about Travis and Aurora, and how they fell in love. I love the banter that went on between them. They helped each other work through their problems. This is a great read. You won't be disappointed.
I received a free ARC, and this is my honest opinion.
I enjoyed the story although it seemed to take awhile to see the character development. The families were always such great support and what can you say about Gertie the goat! What caused me to only give it 4 stars was the writing style. It takes place in Tennessee, yes it’s in the south. But shortening words in an attempt to constantly remind me of this was annoying; wanna, gonna, kinda, sharin’, likin’, etc. Not necessary.
What does an author do when her readers say her books are lacking emotions when they are supposed to be romantic comedies? She enlists the help of a hunky military veteran to teach her about chemistry and give her kissing lessons. Aurora is the down on her luck author and Travis is the hunky veteran. Will they be able to help each other out without falling in love?
Since this story was a DNF, I won’t be giving it a star rating. I sped read this one, skipping ahead to see if it grabbed me more later, but just wasn’t loving it so I moved on. The heroine seemed immature but sweet and I prefer stronger heroines who know what they want rather than waffle over decisions and romance. Sweet and clean, a strong family thread and I liked that the hero was military and then grappling with an accident that changed his career path.
I really enjoyed this latest installment in the Charlotte Oaks series. I love the way the Coles and the Wilsons step in to welcome newcomers, the antics of Gertie the goat, and the familiarity of the businesses in the town and the town people. I enjoyed Travis and Aurora's story and the way their gifts complemented each other. Looking forward to the next book!
This story was adorable! I loved how much Travis and Rory helped each other become better versions of themselves. It seemed to all fall into place so naturally. The chemistry somehow was funny and meaningful at the same time. I've enjoyed this series a lot and I'm happy to see there are more books coming. It's been something different from this author, while still being tied to the Marines.
Jess Mastorakos knows her marines. Write What You Know is a great story about finding new dreams and goals when trajedy strikes. Full of love and family. It is great to read about families and communities that bring out the best in each other. I can't wait for the next book in the Charlotte Oaks Series.
It has been a while since I read the previous books in this series, so it was hard to remember all the names and characters. I do like the people and the town. This plot of finding Aurora's adopted brother was different and could have been more developed, but it was very tangential to the romance.
I love how this tough Marine is helping to write a swoony romcom book. I love how they make each other better. Also Jess laces her stories with a bit of witty humor. Plus who doesn’t love a match making goat?