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Willow Creek #6
No Excuses
Roxie Greene is happy being the grumpy recluse everyone avoids. She likes being alone. But the production on her lavender farm is ramping up and business is booming. Even she realizes she needs help. She doesn't expect the help that shows up to be River Montgomery. He's arrogant. He's not used to manual labor. He's disconcerting. And a flirt.
But the ad has been up for six months and he's the only one who's responded.
She does everything she can to keep him at a distance. Like grumble at him and feed him fried baloney sandwiches for dinner.
He does everything he can to make her smile.
An opposites attract, grumpy heroine vs. golden retriever hero, age gap romance.
But the ad has been up for six months and he's the only one who's responded.
She does everything she can to keep him at a distance. Like grumble at him and feed him fried baloney sandwiches for dinner.
He does everything he can to make her smile.
An opposites attract, grumpy heroine vs. golden retriever hero, age gap romance.
- GenresRomance
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2024
4 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Jenelle
37 books299 followersI write steamy small town romance (Willow Creek series), paranormal romantasy (Sons & Daughters of Lir) and Victorian era historical romance (Wainwright Sisters) with heat and heart.
I'm a 2X HOLT Award Winning Author (2023, No Regrets- Best First Book; 2025, No Excuses - Best Short Contemporary) who's had characters begging me to tell their love story since I was thirteen years old. I'm finally letting them have a voice.
I wrote my first story, about a giant who befriended a lady bug when I was in the second grade.
I live on a peaceful farm with my spouse and love nothing more than sitting on my porch with a glass of wine and plotting.
You can subscribe to my newsletter via my author website, ANDREAJENELLEROMANCE at https://andreajenelleromance.com/ or see what I'm up to on Instagram and TikTok via my handle @authorandreajenelle
I'm a 2X HOLT Award Winning Author (2023, No Regrets- Best First Book; 2025, No Excuses - Best Short Contemporary) who's had characters begging me to tell their love story since I was thirteen years old. I'm finally letting them have a voice.
I wrote my first story, about a giant who befriended a lady bug when I was in the second grade.
I live on a peaceful farm with my spouse and love nothing more than sitting on my porch with a glass of wine and plotting.
You can subscribe to my newsletter via my author website, ANDREAJENELLEROMANCE at https://andreajenelleromance.com/ or see what I'm up to on Instagram and TikTok via my handle @authorandreajenelle
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
March 31, 2024
I read this in about 4 hours. I could not put it down. When I heard this book was featuring Roxie I was really excited. She's mentioned in other Willow Creek books but the fact this book is her story (along with River) was awesome. I loved learning why Roxie is the way she is and same with River.
This book had me laughing from the very first page. I did tear up at one point but I laughed so much. The banter between our two stubborn MCs was hilarious. The spice was the perfect amount in this book.
I also loved how relatable the characters were. Not only were they facing their own struggles both internal and external, but they helped each other get through them. Just another amazing book in this series.
This book had me laughing from the very first page. I did tear up at one point but I laughed so much. The banter between our two stubborn MCs was hilarious. The spice was the perfect amount in this book.
I also loved how relatable the characters were. Not only were they facing their own struggles both internal and external, but they helped each other get through them. Just another amazing book in this series.
April 2, 2024
⭐4.5
🌶️3
Willow Creek is full of so many loveable characters and I am so glad we got a book with Roxie. If you have been reading through the series and you read the previous book, No Doubts, you might of heard of her through the grapevine as she is Farrah's half sister. We are under the assumption that Roxie doesn't like Farrah simply because she exists. This book is more than just about the romance, it's about healing from your past and opening your heart to everything you may have closed it off to before. I also really like that we touched on topics like endometriosis and being raw with one's emotions.
This book follows River and Roxie. River is looking for something to pass the time. He's an ex baseball player that lost his career due to a shoulder injury and during his healing process he didn't make the best of decisions. River sees that Roxie is looking for help on her farm and responds to the ad. We learn Roxie is feisty and full of attitude and she believes river to be arrogant, incapable of doing manual labor, but she is desperate for the help. River really proves his worth throughout the story even suffering through multiple fried baloney sandwiches.
But that ending. Oh my gosh. Absolutely cute, was literally sobbing because ahhhh. I knew the ending was going to be chefs kiss just based on previous books. Perfection.
Tropes
GrumpyxSunshine
Age Gap
small town
opposites attract
cowboy/farm
Thank you so much for the arc, I love this series so much!
🌶️3
Willow Creek is full of so many loveable characters and I am so glad we got a book with Roxie. If you have been reading through the series and you read the previous book, No Doubts, you might of heard of her through the grapevine as she is Farrah's half sister. We are under the assumption that Roxie doesn't like Farrah simply because she exists. This book is more than just about the romance, it's about healing from your past and opening your heart to everything you may have closed it off to before. I also really like that we touched on topics like endometriosis and being raw with one's emotions.
This book follows River and Roxie. River is looking for something to pass the time. He's an ex baseball player that lost his career due to a shoulder injury and during his healing process he didn't make the best of decisions. River sees that Roxie is looking for help on her farm and responds to the ad. We learn Roxie is feisty and full of attitude and she believes river to be arrogant, incapable of doing manual labor, but she is desperate for the help. River really proves his worth throughout the story even suffering through multiple fried baloney sandwiches.
But that ending. Oh my gosh. Absolutely cute, was literally sobbing because ahhhh. I knew the ending was going to be chefs kiss just based on previous books. Perfection.
Tropes
GrumpyxSunshine
Age Gap
small town
opposites attract
cowboy/farm
Thank you so much for the arc, I love this series so much!
May 15, 2024
4 1/2 ⭐️
No Excuses is book 6 in the Willow Creek series by Andrea Jenelle. It can be read as a standalone. I will be going back to read the other books! I adored this book about River and Roxie. I loved the writing style and how it flowed.
The banter and the innuendos were so fun to read! I laughed out loud many times, swooned with River’s words and ways. And the spicy chemistry… fire! 🔥🥵 The ending was perfection! I cried and had to reread it a couple of times. 🥰🥹
What to expect:
🪻Small Town
🪻Reverse Age Gap
🪻Grumpy heroine vs. golden retriever
🪻Dual POVs
🪻Open Door Romance
Thank you to BookSirens for the free advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
No Excuses is book 6 in the Willow Creek series by Andrea Jenelle. It can be read as a standalone. I will be going back to read the other books! I adored this book about River and Roxie. I loved the writing style and how it flowed.
The banter and the innuendos were so fun to read! I laughed out loud many times, swooned with River’s words and ways. And the spicy chemistry… fire! 🔥🥵 The ending was perfection! I cried and had to reread it a couple of times. 🥰🥹
What to expect:
🪻Small Town
🪻Reverse Age Gap
🪻Grumpy heroine vs. golden retriever
🪻Dual POVs
🪻Open Door Romance
Thank you to BookSirens for the free advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 29, 2024
This is my first time reading a book by this author and it did not disappoint.
The story features a grumpy divorcee with a troubled past and a former professional athlete who is a bright light, recently recovering from an addiction to painkillers due to career-ending injuries.
This book is dual perspectives, the open-door scenes are both steamy and engaging.
I thoroughly enjoyed the characters’ instant chemistry which to me felt genuine, as did their hesitance to act on it. I appreciated how they needed to grow individually before truly connecting.
This book is a must read. Can’t wait to read the other books this author has written.
The story features a grumpy divorcee with a troubled past and a former professional athlete who is a bright light, recently recovering from an addiction to painkillers due to career-ending injuries.
This book is dual perspectives, the open-door scenes are both steamy and engaging.
I thoroughly enjoyed the characters’ instant chemistry which to me felt genuine, as did their hesitance to act on it. I appreciated how they needed to grow individually before truly connecting.
This book is a must read. Can’t wait to read the other books this author has written.
May 3, 2024
Now that we’re at book 6 in the Willow Creek series I feel like it’s my second home And this is definitely enjoy coming back to again and again!
We met the grumpy, and reclusive Roxie Greene in the last book and now she is meeting her match in No Excuses! Giving up on love and romance… And men in general, she isn’t hopeful that her new farmhand is going to A) Stick around and B) Be of much use!
Being more than just a pretty face, River Montgomery, finds himself at Roxie’s Farm trying to find himself again after an injury has taken away his baseball career. he’s determined to show her. He’s more than his appearance and if she lets him, he plans on opening up her heart again!
This was such a fun, reverse, grumpy, sunshine pairing! Their banter was spot on and so much fun to read. I loved how these characters felt and how much they had to work on their relationship, but themselves in order to come to a place together and find their HEA.
Along with this delicious and spicy romance, No Excuses was full of fun cameos and appearances of the rest of the Willow Creek gang is friendships in relationships continue to develop with this group of people. It really is like coming home again!
That being said, this book can easily be read as a standalone, but be warned. You might end up with five more books on your TBR as you want to catch up on everyone else’s romances!
We met the grumpy, and reclusive Roxie Greene in the last book and now she is meeting her match in No Excuses! Giving up on love and romance… And men in general, she isn’t hopeful that her new farmhand is going to A) Stick around and B) Be of much use!
Being more than just a pretty face, River Montgomery, finds himself at Roxie’s Farm trying to find himself again after an injury has taken away his baseball career. he’s determined to show her. He’s more than his appearance and if she lets him, he plans on opening up her heart again!
This was such a fun, reverse, grumpy, sunshine pairing! Their banter was spot on and so much fun to read. I loved how these characters felt and how much they had to work on their relationship, but themselves in order to come to a place together and find their HEA.
Along with this delicious and spicy romance, No Excuses was full of fun cameos and appearances of the rest of the Willow Creek gang is friendships in relationships continue to develop with this group of people. It really is like coming home again!
That being said, this book can easily be read as a standalone, but be warned. You might end up with five more books on your TBR as you want to catch up on everyone else’s romances!
April 15, 2024
The Willow Creek series has my whole heart, and No Excuses, Book 6, is no exception. I actually don’t know how it is possible, but Andrea’s writing just keeps getting better with each book, with her lyrical, poetic writing style and vivid descriptions making for a read that just continues to flow and captivate. I honestly couldn’t put it down and I read it in one afternoon!
This is a book about healing, opening yourself up to love and all life has to offer, accepting that the past doesn’t necessarily have to define the future. How through learning to love and accept yourself, we can open ourselves up to all the possibilities that life has to offer, especially hot shirtless men who cuddle baby goats 😉 – I am just going to go and swoon for a moment!!! River is just a completely green flag man and he can have my whole heart (maybe leaving some for the other Willow Creek men – I can’t be selfish! 😉)
Raw emotions and topics are expressed throughout this book, including endometriosis, miscarriage and addiction. I love how Andrea doesn’t shy away from the tough topics and conversations. This makes her characters incredibly three dimensional, making them feel relatable and real for us as the reader.
"You’re not going to let yourself love me because you don’t love yourself."
The ending. Oh my goodness that ending. No spoilers but it was like something out of a 90s-00s rom-com (think Notting Hill, Love Actually, Made of Honour, just to name a few!) It was absolute perfection and I think I reread it about 10 times, falling in love even more each time!
I laughed, I cried, I fell in love with our MCs and their story. I loved how they both healed parts of each other, and in turn were able to love and respect themselves more. Roxie and her relationship with Farrah was such a highlight for me – Roxie is SO misunderstood and I love her growth over the course of this book.
“You’re so scared you can’t see past the bars of your cage.”
With tropes of reverse grumpy vs sunshine and age gap, small town workplace romance (at a farm, you know ropes are involved!), and a golden retriever MMC, you will not be disappointed! Combining this with the tension, the heat and the banter, this book is just absolutely exceptional!
Thank you Andrea for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a book about healing, opening yourself up to love and all life has to offer, accepting that the past doesn’t necessarily have to define the future. How through learning to love and accept yourself, we can open ourselves up to all the possibilities that life has to offer, especially hot shirtless men who cuddle baby goats 😉 – I am just going to go and swoon for a moment!!! River is just a completely green flag man and he can have my whole heart (maybe leaving some for the other Willow Creek men – I can’t be selfish! 😉)
Raw emotions and topics are expressed throughout this book, including endometriosis, miscarriage and addiction. I love how Andrea doesn’t shy away from the tough topics and conversations. This makes her characters incredibly three dimensional, making them feel relatable and real for us as the reader.
"You’re not going to let yourself love me because you don’t love yourself."
The ending. Oh my goodness that ending. No spoilers but it was like something out of a 90s-00s rom-com (think Notting Hill, Love Actually, Made of Honour, just to name a few!) It was absolute perfection and I think I reread it about 10 times, falling in love even more each time!
I laughed, I cried, I fell in love with our MCs and their story. I loved how they both healed parts of each other, and in turn were able to love and respect themselves more. Roxie and her relationship with Farrah was such a highlight for me – Roxie is SO misunderstood and I love her growth over the course of this book.
“You’re so scared you can’t see past the bars of your cage.”
With tropes of reverse grumpy vs sunshine and age gap, small town workplace romance (at a farm, you know ropes are involved!), and a golden retriever MMC, you will not be disappointed! Combining this with the tension, the heat and the banter, this book is just absolutely exceptional!
Thank you Andrea for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
January 3, 2025
This is a semi quick and very cute read! I received it as an ARC. It’s the first book I’ve read this series, and I do have to say I didn’t feel like there was anything that I missed or was confused by. So I believe you can read it as a standalone rather than in order.
With how much dialogue there was in the book, I do have to say that there were a lot of times I was confused on who was speaking because I felt there were parts missing on who was talking. So River could’ve been the one speaking, and I thought it was somebody else for several lines of dialogue before I figured it out. This obviously made the reading go a little bit slower than I anticipated. There were other parts that were a little confusing because like I felt there was a chapter or two where words were missing in a sentence or there was a typo.
This also was a dual POV, and there were many times that I also had to slow down to figure out who the perspective was about because there were times that they both would be the POV in one chapter. I would have liked to see a little more clarification. Overall, I really liked River and Roxy. I do think Roxy‘s perspective changed a little quickly in the story, quicker than I would’ve liked, but I do like that we were able to see some growth.
With how much dialogue there was in the book, I do have to say that there were a lot of times I was confused on who was speaking because I felt there were parts missing on who was talking. So River could’ve been the one speaking, and I thought it was somebody else for several lines of dialogue before I figured it out. This obviously made the reading go a little bit slower than I anticipated. There were other parts that were a little confusing because like I felt there was a chapter or two where words were missing in a sentence or there was a typo.
This also was a dual POV, and there were many times that I also had to slow down to figure out who the perspective was about because there were times that they both would be the POV in one chapter. I would have liked to see a little more clarification. Overall, I really liked River and Roxy. I do think Roxy‘s perspective changed a little quickly in the story, quicker than I would’ve liked, but I do like that we were able to see some growth.
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May 9, 2024ARC RTC
March 31, 2024
Another amazing story from Andrea Jenelle. I thoroughly enjoy the Willow Creek series. Roxie and River’s story did not disappoint. Grumpy sunshine is a favorite trope of mine, and even better in this where it was reversed. Do yourself a favor and get your hands on No Excuses ASAP.
April 19, 2024
This was a cute little story! I loved the Hea! Small town romances are my favorite
March 31, 2024
Normally I don’t go for books with this cover or sweet romance. But I can def say I legit stayed up till 3am JUST to finish this book because I was hooked! I loved it. Classic boy meets girl, girl has had trauma. Boy falls for girl, girl falls for boy but refuses to say it. Said boy leaves then the girl gets super upset and in the end he comes back. I loved this whole book!! Def gotta rethink my cover choices at times lol. But most def worth the read and it will make u wanna stay up late just to finish it :)
June 21, 2024
There are No Excuses to not read this book! I typically read Historical Romance and have read and enjoyed the author's HR novels so I was excited to leave my comfort zone and dive into her contemporary world. I am so glad I took the plunge!
I loved the reversed roles of her being grumpy and him being sunshine. Roxie had legitimate reasons for keeping herself closed off that really tugged at my heart. River acted as the golden retriever but had his own past demons to fight. Both of them had their worlds turned upside down but together their worlds were righted once again.
River had to work so hard to convince Roxie to let down her walls and live a little. I love how he was right beside her every step of the way, easing her way back into life outside her farm. Roxie, unknowingly, was giving River a new lease on life with purpose and direction. River saw what Roxie needed so easily and his approach to pushing her out of her comfort zone with banter, loyalty, patience and companionship was portrayed so beautifully. The awakening and growth of both the MC's was such a fun ride. Their obvious attraction sizzled! There was nothing subtle in the way River made his attraction known and what he'd like to do to and with her.
This is book 6 in the Willow Creek Series but I feel it can be read out of order like I did. If you like a strong-spirited heroine and a provocative, hot-blooded hero then this is the book for you. It's fast-paced and easy to read with lovable, relatable characters. Character driven romances are what I like best and this one checked all my boxes. I look forward to reading the other books in this series knowing I can count on the author no matter what genre I read of hers.
I was gifted an ebook from the author with no expectations (Thank you!) All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I loved the reversed roles of her being grumpy and him being sunshine. Roxie had legitimate reasons for keeping herself closed off that really tugged at my heart. River acted as the golden retriever but had his own past demons to fight. Both of them had their worlds turned upside down but together their worlds were righted once again.
River had to work so hard to convince Roxie to let down her walls and live a little. I love how he was right beside her every step of the way, easing her way back into life outside her farm. Roxie, unknowingly, was giving River a new lease on life with purpose and direction. River saw what Roxie needed so easily and his approach to pushing her out of her comfort zone with banter, loyalty, patience and companionship was portrayed so beautifully. The awakening and growth of both the MC's was such a fun ride. Their obvious attraction sizzled! There was nothing subtle in the way River made his attraction known and what he'd like to do to and with her.
This is book 6 in the Willow Creek Series but I feel it can be read out of order like I did. If you like a strong-spirited heroine and a provocative, hot-blooded hero then this is the book for you. It's fast-paced and easy to read with lovable, relatable characters. Character driven romances are what I like best and this one checked all my boxes. I look forward to reading the other books in this series knowing I can count on the author no matter what genre I read of hers.
I was gifted an ebook from the author with no expectations (Thank you!) All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 29, 2024
4.5 rounded up to 5 stars!
Roxie Greene is a grumpy reclusive lavender farmer. When her ad for a farm hand is finally answered by a River Montgomery, an ex-pro baseball player who's an undeniable flirt she begrudgingly takes him on. And soon Roxie cannot deny her attraction for the younger man, who is the only one who can see past her defences.
Every time I start a Willow Creek novel it feels like coming home. That moment we are always longing to capture once lost. It always finds me within the pages of an Andrea Jenelle novel.
I felt an instant connection with the wary and guarded Roxie. There were so many aspects of her character that made me feel seen in more ways than one. I am definitely a fellow grump. I loved how Andrea used the reverse grumpy/sunshine trope here. Again, it made me love and root for Roxie even more.
River, what can I say about this hunk of a man, who immediately saw past Roxie's defences from the moment they met. How even though he had big/past accomplishments under his belt, he was adrift and needed to find his own way and place. How he needed to be given an opportunity to work hard and become good at something new after having lost his dream and career in the majors.
As always, there is something about Andrea Jenelle's writing that calls to me as a reader. There is a gritty/realness to her characters which makes them feel more real than other contemporary romances I read. Anyone who knows me, knows how I can struggle with contemporary romance. How it needs to be just fictional enough, but be balanced out with a realism that gives that HEA butterfly feeling. I love how her characters are flawed and how finding their person doesn't fix those flaws, but helps them overcome them/deal/cope with them. And the ending scene in this book brought me to tears.
So definitely read this book if you love grumpy/sunshine, age gap & opposites attract!
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Roxie Greene is a grumpy reclusive lavender farmer. When her ad for a farm hand is finally answered by a River Montgomery, an ex-pro baseball player who's an undeniable flirt she begrudgingly takes him on. And soon Roxie cannot deny her attraction for the younger man, who is the only one who can see past her defences.
Every time I start a Willow Creek novel it feels like coming home. That moment we are always longing to capture once lost. It always finds me within the pages of an Andrea Jenelle novel.
I felt an instant connection with the wary and guarded Roxie. There were so many aspects of her character that made me feel seen in more ways than one. I am definitely a fellow grump. I loved how Andrea used the reverse grumpy/sunshine trope here. Again, it made me love and root for Roxie even more.
River, what can I say about this hunk of a man, who immediately saw past Roxie's defences from the moment they met. How even though he had big/past accomplishments under his belt, he was adrift and needed to find his own way and place. How he needed to be given an opportunity to work hard and become good at something new after having lost his dream and career in the majors.
As always, there is something about Andrea Jenelle's writing that calls to me as a reader. There is a gritty/realness to her characters which makes them feel more real than other contemporary romances I read. Anyone who knows me, knows how I can struggle with contemporary romance. How it needs to be just fictional enough, but be balanced out with a realism that gives that HEA butterfly feeling. I love how her characters are flawed and how finding their person doesn't fix those flaws, but helps them overcome them/deal/cope with them. And the ending scene in this book brought me to tears.
So definitely read this book if you love grumpy/sunshine, age gap & opposites attract!
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
May 24, 2024
This is the first book I have read in the Willow Creek series and it had me interested from the start. I felt invested in both Roxie and River's characters, and I enjoyed seeing how they grew as people throughout the book. I felt that their connection was real and honest which was evident in the way they talked to each other and obviously through their intimate moments. My only negative for this book is that I felt that Roxie changed her tune maybe too quickly. Roxie started out as a known grump and a set in her ways type of woman. I know love can do crazy things to a person, but I felt like she changed her whole self too quickly after meeting River.
I liked the setting of the novel and the addition of the side characters. I believe they each have their own storyline in the previous Willow Creek books. As I said I have not read Jenelle's previous books and I don't think that hindered my experience reading this book too much, however, it might be beneficial to read the books in order to get a better picture of all the side characters mentioned in No Excuses.
A small note on the writing. With so much dialogue, which by the way I love in a book, sometimes I felt confused as to who was speaking as there was no 'she said', 'he said' or sometimes no spaces between two different people talking. I would have to pay particular attention to these areas in the book so that I knew who was talking. This made the reading of the book a little slower than I would have normally read it. Also, the books point of view changed from River to Roxie in the middle of chapters. This was also a little confusing and I would have liked the POV to stay the same throughout the chapter and just change at the beginning of the chapters like most other books do.
I liked the setting of the novel and the addition of the side characters. I believe they each have their own storyline in the previous Willow Creek books. As I said I have not read Jenelle's previous books and I don't think that hindered my experience reading this book too much, however, it might be beneficial to read the books in order to get a better picture of all the side characters mentioned in No Excuses.
A small note on the writing. With so much dialogue, which by the way I love in a book, sometimes I felt confused as to who was speaking as there was no 'she said', 'he said' or sometimes no spaces between two different people talking. I would have to pay particular attention to these areas in the book so that I knew who was talking. This made the reading of the book a little slower than I would have normally read it. Also, the books point of view changed from River to Roxie in the middle of chapters. This was also a little confusing and I would have liked the POV to stay the same throughout the chapter and just change at the beginning of the chapters like most other books do.
May 1, 2024
No Excuses is a steamy small-town reverse grumpy-sunshine romance that can be read as a standalone or as part of a series of interconnected romance books occurring in the same town (Willow Creek). I received an ARC through Booksirens (Big thank you to the author! All thoughts and opinions are my own, etc.) and read it as a standalone. It's written in past tense with dual POV.
No Excuses sucked me in from the start, and I didn't feel as though I was missing much without having read the previous books. However, I do see how having the extra context with all the character names that were thrown around could have made for an even better experience. Loved the fact that the older one and the grump of the story is the FMC! I have a soft spot for golden retriever boys and River delivered on that front. He's charming and refreshing while Roxie is the rain to his sunshine, just with a gooey marshmallow center underneath.
Writing is all right; minor technical issues. The formatting is not ideal; I'm not sure if that will be changed by release. But it's not a big issue. The only real complaint I have and the reason it didn't get 5 stars from me is the pacing. I tend to prefer a longer slow-burn book, especially in the context of a grumpy sunshine, and this isn't that. Roxie warms up to River pretty quickly for someone who has the kind of reputation around town that she does. But if you like small-town contemporaries and are looking for something quick and steamy, this ought to be right up your alley!
“So you do have dreams about me. Too bad you’ll never get close enough to act on them.” “They’re not dreams, Trix. They’re more like nightmares.”
No Excuses sucked me in from the start, and I didn't feel as though I was missing much without having read the previous books. However, I do see how having the extra context with all the character names that were thrown around could have made for an even better experience. Loved the fact that the older one and the grump of the story is the FMC! I have a soft spot for golden retriever boys and River delivered on that front. He's charming and refreshing while Roxie is the rain to his sunshine, just with a gooey marshmallow center underneath.
Writing is all right; minor technical issues. The formatting is not ideal; I'm not sure if that will be changed by release. But it's not a big issue. The only real complaint I have and the reason it didn't get 5 stars from me is the pacing. I tend to prefer a longer slow-burn book, especially in the context of a grumpy sunshine, and this isn't that. Roxie warms up to River pretty quickly for someone who has the kind of reputation around town that she does. But if you like small-town contemporaries and are looking for something quick and steamy, this ought to be right up your alley!
May 14, 2024
Roxie, the female lead, is quirky and rough around the edges with a deep emotional history. Through this character's lived experiences, the author lends a compassionate and realistic view of romance within the context of modern day issues including the impact of things like endometriosis and infertility. Set on a farm, she creates a backdrop for healing empowerment and, of course, steamy romance. It surprised me (in a good way!) to come across the mention of menstruation and endometriosis in her storyline. These are such common occurrences but often it's simply unmentioned in every other novel being published. The author uses these topics as a catalyst to further demonstrate the genuine caring that River, the hero's love interest, can provide. The author also provides a heartwarming peripheral storyline of female friendships and the power of overcoming barriers. Overall, I thought this novel was a great combination of steamy romance and heartwarming moments for healing. I think I would have liked to have heard a little bit more about how Roxie's dysfunctional relationship with her mother was impacted moving forwards since it was featured a few times within the storyline. If you are looking for a steamy romance with a storyline with relatable nuances, then I definitely recommend this novel for you. I hope that this isn't the last that we hear of this loveable group of characters.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 17, 2024
No Excuses by Andrea Jenelle is a captivating addition to a steamy small-town series that I thoroughly enjoyed. The story revolves around Roxie Greene and River Montgomery, whose dynamic is both endearing and intense.
Roxie, with her tough exterior and no-nonsense attitude, instantly drew me in. Her journey and emotional barriers felt real and compelling. River, on the other hand, brought a refreshing energy to the story. His unwavering determination to break through Roxie's defenses and his own path to redemption were beautifully portrayed. I loved the contrast between his golden retriever-like optimism and her grumpy demeanor.
I must say that the age gap romance trope was handled with sensitivity and added depth to their relationship. Their interactions were filled with tension and genuine moments of connection that kept me hooked from start to finish. I especially liked how the book balanced humor with heartfelt moments, making the characters' growth feel authentic.
What stood out to me was the way the author depicted the setting of the lavender farm, adding a unique and calming backdrop to their turbulent journey. The supporting characters also added richness to the narrative, making the small town feel like a character in itself.
Overall, No Excuses is a delightful and touching read that I highly recommend. It’s a story about healing, trust, and finding love in the most unexpected places. I can't wait to see what Andrea brings next in this series!
Roxie, with her tough exterior and no-nonsense attitude, instantly drew me in. Her journey and emotional barriers felt real and compelling. River, on the other hand, brought a refreshing energy to the story. His unwavering determination to break through Roxie's defenses and his own path to redemption were beautifully portrayed. I loved the contrast between his golden retriever-like optimism and her grumpy demeanor.
I must say that the age gap romance trope was handled with sensitivity and added depth to their relationship. Their interactions were filled with tension and genuine moments of connection that kept me hooked from start to finish. I especially liked how the book balanced humor with heartfelt moments, making the characters' growth feel authentic.
What stood out to me was the way the author depicted the setting of the lavender farm, adding a unique and calming backdrop to their turbulent journey. The supporting characters also added richness to the narrative, making the small town feel like a character in itself.
Overall, No Excuses is a delightful and touching read that I highly recommend. It’s a story about healing, trust, and finding love in the most unexpected places. I can't wait to see what Andrea brings next in this series!
April 7, 2024
4.5⭐️ rounded to 5
I absolutely loved this story! It gave the perfect hallmark movie feel, especially with the ending!
River feels he’s a washed up ball player after multiple shoulder surgeries and not sure where he fits in outside of the spotlight. Roxie has been hardened by a failed marriage, social anxiety, and self-esteem issues, throwing herself into running her farm.
When River shows up to work on her farm, little do either of them know they are just what they need for one another. River is a decade younger than Roxie and she doesn’t want to let herself get involved while he’s falling fast and hard for her. He’s the perfect gentleman and wants to care for her, while she constantly pushes him away to avoid heartache, only for both to hurt.
The constant banter had me laughing and then the smexy banter makes you clench. It starts right off the bat and continues throughout! River has some dirty talking that is matched by Roxie and the spice is spicing once the tension gets you hot and bothered leading up to it. I love how they challenge each other at every turn and make each other better in the end.
The ending is so swoon worthy!! I can’t wait for more of these two to pop up in the next books because I want more already!
My only con was the change of POVs in the middle of the chapters. I had to constantly remind myself who was in view. This took me out of the story quite a bit at times. This is more of a reader peeve of mine than against the story itself.
Thanks Andrea for the chance to ARC for you. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I absolutely loved this story! It gave the perfect hallmark movie feel, especially with the ending!
River feels he’s a washed up ball player after multiple shoulder surgeries and not sure where he fits in outside of the spotlight. Roxie has been hardened by a failed marriage, social anxiety, and self-esteem issues, throwing herself into running her farm.
When River shows up to work on her farm, little do either of them know they are just what they need for one another. River is a decade younger than Roxie and she doesn’t want to let herself get involved while he’s falling fast and hard for her. He’s the perfect gentleman and wants to care for her, while she constantly pushes him away to avoid heartache, only for both to hurt.
The constant banter had me laughing and then the smexy banter makes you clench. It starts right off the bat and continues throughout! River has some dirty talking that is matched by Roxie and the spice is spicing once the tension gets you hot and bothered leading up to it. I love how they challenge each other at every turn and make each other better in the end.
The ending is so swoon worthy!! I can’t wait for more of these two to pop up in the next books because I want more already!
My only con was the change of POVs in the middle of the chapters. I had to constantly remind myself who was in view. This took me out of the story quite a bit at times. This is more of a reader peeve of mine than against the story itself.
Thanks Andrea for the chance to ARC for you. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 5, 2024
River was a major league baseball player until the last few years. He was injured and his life got really rocky. He needed a fresh start and moved into Willow Creek with his Aunt and family. He becomes stir crazy and needed something to do with his hands.
Roxie is a recluse who lives on the outskirts of town. She's strong, brisk, and independent and runs a successfully lavender farm. She was looking for extra set of hands to help out but nothing else. She loves her alone time and hates peopling.
He offers her, his service and it's all downhill from there. This grumpy (Roxie) x Sunshine (River) romance was perfect. From their banter, intimate and hard conversations, down to their smexy time. Which I would give it 2.5🌶️.
There is a ADHD rep and emotional/mental abuse rep.. As well as off page talks miscarriage/infertility. BUT with all the bad there is also healing of past traumas in both FMC and MMC. And learning to love yourself.
I really love how Andrea writes the MMCs in her books. They are always green flagged men with rough backgrounds. They tend to be very knowledgeable and can be open and talk to their counterparts. I find this very appealing.
No wonder the FMCs fall in love with these men from Willow Creek What's not to love about a manly man, who can throw you over their shoulder, therapist. Consensually, of course.
Roxie is a recluse who lives on the outskirts of town. She's strong, brisk, and independent and runs a successfully lavender farm. She was looking for extra set of hands to help out but nothing else. She loves her alone time and hates peopling.
He offers her, his service and it's all downhill from there. This grumpy (Roxie) x Sunshine (River) romance was perfect. From their banter, intimate and hard conversations, down to their smexy time. Which I would give it 2.5🌶️.
There is a ADHD rep and emotional/mental abuse rep.. As well as off page talks miscarriage/infertility. BUT with all the bad there is also healing of past traumas in both FMC and MMC. And learning to love yourself.
I really love how Andrea writes the MMCs in her books. They are always green flagged men with rough backgrounds. They tend to be very knowledgeable and can be open and talk to their counterparts. I find this very appealing.
No wonder the FMCs fall in love with these men from Willow Creek What's not to love about a manly man, who can throw you over their shoulder, therapist. Consensually, of course.
April 4, 2024
🤍Book Review🤍
📖 No Excuses By Andrea Jenelle 📖
Overall rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
My thoughts ~ who knew the Banter between a baseball player turned farm hand and a hard to get rancher would be so funny. I was hooked from the moment river Montgomery said “I’ve never had anyone complain when they were screaming it in my ear.” From then on this was a tractor ride FULL of banter and a ropes length full of tension building & burning between them.
River is a 28 year old ex- Baseball player who returned to the town of Willow creek to stay with his aunt until he could get life back on track, he’s a bit mysterious and you slowly learn more as you read. His life lead him to see an ad that brings him right to Roxie’s door step.
Roxie is a 40 year old who has a past that she would like to stay berried, she keeps to herself on her farm and is a very independent woman who is firm with her ways….. until she meets river and he slowly started breaking down those barriers one challenge at a time 😉
Quotes ~
“I don’t want to cuddle up on the steps with her because it would be like hugging a cactus”
“She drives me crazy in the best and worst of ways.”
“ are you asking me to take your for a test drive, Rhinestone?”
📖 No Excuses By Andrea Jenelle 📖
Overall rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
My thoughts ~ who knew the Banter between a baseball player turned farm hand and a hard to get rancher would be so funny. I was hooked from the moment river Montgomery said “I’ve never had anyone complain when they were screaming it in my ear.” From then on this was a tractor ride FULL of banter and a ropes length full of tension building & burning between them.
River is a 28 year old ex- Baseball player who returned to the town of Willow creek to stay with his aunt until he could get life back on track, he’s a bit mysterious and you slowly learn more as you read. His life lead him to see an ad that brings him right to Roxie’s door step.
Roxie is a 40 year old who has a past that she would like to stay berried, she keeps to herself on her farm and is a very independent woman who is firm with her ways….. until she meets river and he slowly started breaking down those barriers one challenge at a time 😉
Quotes ~
“I don’t want to cuddle up on the steps with her because it would be like hugging a cactus”
“She drives me crazy in the best and worst of ways.”
“ are you asking me to take your for a test drive, Rhinestone?”
April 28, 2024
Andrea Jenelle was a new to me author prior to reading No Excuses. So, I read this as a standalone, but I am going back to read the rest of the series.
As much as I enjoy sports romance, I always find it interesting when an athlete retires. They always seem to still be in shape and care about nutrition, and happy to be away from the spotlight. River is no different, except he has no idea what to do with himself since his shoulder is beyond repair and he can no longer be a pitcher. That’s what led him to be a farmhand for Roxie. They had so much banter, they challenged one another, and the attraction was undeniable. But, Roxie was tough as nails from being brought up by tough mom that had no idea how to parent and being left broken hearted by the only man she loved all because she could not keep a pregnancy to term.
The author had very real circumstances with all her relatable characters. River was somewhat lost without baseball for a while and Roxie felt alone in the world. How they came together and how patient River was taking one day at a time to not scare Roxie away was very heartwarming. But then like everything in life, change happens, and you can only hope they don’t let their love for each other get away.
I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
As much as I enjoy sports romance, I always find it interesting when an athlete retires. They always seem to still be in shape and care about nutrition, and happy to be away from the spotlight. River is no different, except he has no idea what to do with himself since his shoulder is beyond repair and he can no longer be a pitcher. That’s what led him to be a farmhand for Roxie. They had so much banter, they challenged one another, and the attraction was undeniable. But, Roxie was tough as nails from being brought up by tough mom that had no idea how to parent and being left broken hearted by the only man she loved all because she could not keep a pregnancy to term.
The author had very real circumstances with all her relatable characters. River was somewhat lost without baseball for a while and Roxie felt alone in the world. How they came together and how patient River was taking one day at a time to not scare Roxie away was very heartwarming. But then like everything in life, change happens, and you can only hope they don’t let their love for each other get away.
I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
May 16, 2024
"No Excuses" by Andrea Jenelle is a heartwarming story of unexpected love between two strikingly different characters. Roxie Greene, a content recluse running a successful lavender farm, enjoys her solitude until she's forced to hire River Montgomery. After six months of searching, River is her only option, even though he's the last person she thinks she needs—arrogant, inexperienced with manual labor, and annoyingly flirtatious. However, his unwavering effort to make Roxie smile adds a captivating charm to their dynamic.
The novel shines with its deep character development, turning their initial friction into a blend of humor, warmth, and emotional richness. Roxie's simple meals and gruff demeanor reflect her guarded heart, while River's persistence and charm slowly uncover the tenderness beneath her tough exterior. The pacing of their relationship is beautifully handled, letting readers savor every moment of their growing connection.
Set against the peaceful backdrop of a lavender farm, this story beautifully explores how love can heal and transform. With its mix of heartfelt moments and delightful humor, this book is a must-read for fans of opposites-attract romances. It's a touching and enchanting journey that will leave you smiling long after the last page.
The novel shines with its deep character development, turning their initial friction into a blend of humor, warmth, and emotional richness. Roxie's simple meals and gruff demeanor reflect her guarded heart, while River's persistence and charm slowly uncover the tenderness beneath her tough exterior. The pacing of their relationship is beautifully handled, letting readers savor every moment of their growing connection.
Set against the peaceful backdrop of a lavender farm, this story beautifully explores how love can heal and transform. With its mix of heartfelt moments and delightful humor, this book is a must-read for fans of opposites-attract romances. It's a touching and enchanting journey that will leave you smiling long after the last page.
May 20, 2024
Andrea Jenelle has written a beautiful story as part of a series that does work as a stand alone novel. She writes beautiful characters, a solid storyline and hits on some favorite tropes.
Roxie Greene give no cares about those around her because she is used to getting her hopes dashed and her expectations shattered. And she expects no different from River Montgomery either. So she treats him poorly. Roxie has simply been hurt too many times to trust him at face value. At 40 she has lost too much to trust anyone.
When everyone warned him about signing up to be Roxie's farmhand, he assumed they were exaggerating but he soon learns they were not. River is just trying to recover from the depths, struggle, pain and addiction that destroyed him. At twenty-eight, but he has learned that life is short and you have to do what you can to make it sweet. And as a result he wants to take the broken pieces of Roxie and put them back together.
Will River gain Roxie's trust and help her heal or will he push too hard and cause her world to shatter further? Will the feelings that she does have allow her to trust or will she second guess herself again (and again)!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Roxie Greene give no cares about those around her because she is used to getting her hopes dashed and her expectations shattered. And she expects no different from River Montgomery either. So she treats him poorly. Roxie has simply been hurt too many times to trust him at face value. At 40 she has lost too much to trust anyone.
When everyone warned him about signing up to be Roxie's farmhand, he assumed they were exaggerating but he soon learns they were not. River is just trying to recover from the depths, struggle, pain and addiction that destroyed him. At twenty-eight, but he has learned that life is short and you have to do what you can to make it sweet. And as a result he wants to take the broken pieces of Roxie and put them back together.
Will River gain Roxie's trust and help her heal or will he push too hard and cause her world to shatter further? Will the feelings that she does have allow her to trust or will she second guess herself again (and again)!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 23, 2024
No Excuses is aptly titled. After a harsh divorce, Roxie has an arsenal of excuses to keep herself (and her sensitive feelings) protected from harm. River is the opposite. He’s trying to create connections and rebuild his world after a shattering incident. Put these two people together, and you’ve got a classic grumpy/sunshine romance.
Jenelle loves to play with the aspects of this well-loved romance trope, including saluting it in the nicknames Roxie and River have for one another. I liked that each reacted in completely different ways to the pain and loss in their past, yet both need to let go of those past experiences to move forward effectively into the future. And both need to go back to people and places they’d severed contact with to heal their past pain.
I also appreciated that Jenelle directly addresses the boss/employee situation that River and Roxie are in. Making River financially independent and working for Roxie to find new purpose in life removed a lot of the uncomfortable factors of building a relationship that can potentially affect your livelihood and income.
So you if you love the grumpy/sunshine trope and enjoy a small-town romance, No Excuses is a moving read, nicely executed by Jenelle, that will warm your heart.
Jenelle loves to play with the aspects of this well-loved romance trope, including saluting it in the nicknames Roxie and River have for one another. I liked that each reacted in completely different ways to the pain and loss in their past, yet both need to let go of those past experiences to move forward effectively into the future. And both need to go back to people and places they’d severed contact with to heal their past pain.
I also appreciated that Jenelle directly addresses the boss/employee situation that River and Roxie are in. Making River financially independent and working for Roxie to find new purpose in life removed a lot of the uncomfortable factors of building a relationship that can potentially affect your livelihood and income.
So you if you love the grumpy/sunshine trope and enjoy a small-town romance, No Excuses is a moving read, nicely executed by Jenelle, that will warm your heart.
April 17, 2024
If you are looking for a small town spicy romance book, this is for you. I still cant' stop thinking about the "strip rummy" scene. Talk about steamy! If you like the grumpy/sunshine trope, this book is for you. In this story, the FMC, Roxie is the grump farm owner who has had a bad hand dealt to her in life. She feels like the outcast in her hometown that no one wants to deal with. Enters the FMC who is the sunshine that Roxie needs in her life, River aka "Rhinestone", Roxie's nickname for him. River offers to work for Roxie and help around the farm which Roxie begrudgingly accepts but she doesn't think he will hack it and will leave like everyone else. I really wanted to love this book but I felt that I didn't do this book the justice it deserved. I did not know it was part of a series and so having never read any of the other books, I kind of felt disconnected from the characters. There were many characters introduced that there was a backstory that I'm sure I would have learned about had I previously read the other books. So this weighed heavy on why I scored the book low. I may need to go back and try to read from the beginning.
May 27, 2024
“I know the real River Montgomery. Does he mean I know the guy that’s not always perfect? The guy that’s broken and unsure behind the cocky grin? The guy that uses snark as armor?”
“I don’t know why I keep bending over backwards for her. I don’t think she appreciates it. But I still grabbed some fresh coffee for her and put it in the passenger side cupholder. And I have the radio turned to a classic rock station. And one of my hoodies is laying across the back seat in case she’s cold.”
River is a former athlete grappling with self-doubt, trying to rebuild and redefine his life after multiple shoulder surgeries. Roxie is a tough cookie; she runs a farm and doesn't hesitate to greet trespassers with a bee-bee gun. She is an introvert, hardened by a past bad marriage and tough divorce, and has built up barriers to protect herself. When River shows up to work on her farm, they may find what they need in each other.
I enjoy the grumpy/sunshine trope and small-town romances. "No Excuses" was a delightful, well-written read. It’s like Taming the Shrewd, but even better.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
“I don’t know why I keep bending over backwards for her. I don’t think she appreciates it. But I still grabbed some fresh coffee for her and put it in the passenger side cupholder. And I have the radio turned to a classic rock station. And one of my hoodies is laying across the back seat in case she’s cold.”
River is a former athlete grappling with self-doubt, trying to rebuild and redefine his life after multiple shoulder surgeries. Roxie is a tough cookie; she runs a farm and doesn't hesitate to greet trespassers with a bee-bee gun. She is an introvert, hardened by a past bad marriage and tough divorce, and has built up barriers to protect herself. When River shows up to work on her farm, they may find what they need in each other.
I enjoy the grumpy/sunshine trope and small-town romances. "No Excuses" was a delightful, well-written read. It’s like Taming the Shrewd, but even better.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 30, 2024
This was such a wonderful read! We have been briefly introduced to Roxie before but being able to have this book about her and why she is the way she is was definitely needed. River was an added character that was completely necessary in this process, he was able to be patient with her, he peeled back her layers one by one, slowly and gently. Seeing the way their relationship blossomed and how she eventually learned to open up and allow herself to be loved is not something I will soon forget. I felt like I was able to really connect with Roxie because her mannerisms and personality are similar to mine, so this book hit home for me in a different way than it may other readers.
I like how Roxie is quick witted, sarcastic, has a truckers mouth, and is hard working. Going for what she wants instead of letting her past define her future. Definitely read this book! You will not at all be disappointed!
The spicy scenes too are quite wonderful but I feel like they were kind of thrown in there awkwardly and didn't quite fit at the exact point in time that they were added. But they were good, definitely thigh quivering material!
I like how Roxie is quick witted, sarcastic, has a truckers mouth, and is hard working. Going for what she wants instead of letting her past define her future. Definitely read this book! You will not at all be disappointed!
The spicy scenes too are quite wonderful but I feel like they were kind of thrown in there awkwardly and didn't quite fit at the exact point in time that they were added. But they were good, definitely thigh quivering material!
December 25, 2024
This is my first time reading something by this author. The story is a delightful exploration of opposites attracting, and combines humor, heart, and a slow-burn romance in the idyllic setting of a lavender farm. The grumpy-sunshine dynamic between Roxie and River is the highlight of the story, and it’s executed with charm and tenderness.
Roxie is reluctant to let anyone into her life, let alone an annoyingly charismatic young man such as River. River balances her grumpiness well with his persistent optimism. He’s not just a flirt; he’s thoughtful, persistent, and disarmingly sincere. Their personalities genuinely challenge and complement each other in a most endearing way. Roxie’s snarky humor and River’s unyielding cheerfulness create a dynamic that is as entertaining as it is heartfelt. Their interactions are filled with witty banter, awkward moments, and surprising tenderness.
If you’re in the mood for a cozy, feel-good romance with a grumpy heroine and an irresistible hero, then you've come to the right place.
I received a complimentary copy from BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Roxie is reluctant to let anyone into her life, let alone an annoyingly charismatic young man such as River. River balances her grumpiness well with his persistent optimism. He’s not just a flirt; he’s thoughtful, persistent, and disarmingly sincere. Their personalities genuinely challenge and complement each other in a most endearing way. Roxie’s snarky humor and River’s unyielding cheerfulness create a dynamic that is as entertaining as it is heartfelt. Their interactions are filled with witty banter, awkward moments, and surprising tenderness.
If you’re in the mood for a cozy, feel-good romance with a grumpy heroine and an irresistible hero, then you've come to the right place.
I received a complimentary copy from BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving my review.
April 25, 2024
After a long spell of disappointments and heartache, lavender farmer and adopter of misfit animals Roxie has pushed people away and meets attempts to interact with her with flat out misanthropy.
Recovering drug addict River is a former professional baseball player who suffered a career ending injury and is trying to determine what his next career path should be.
Roxie reluctantly hires River as her ranch hand, and she assumes he’ll leave as soon as a better opportunity arises.
Desperately attracted to each other, can the optimistic River break through Roxie’s thorny demeanor and convince her to take another chance on love or will her guarded heart keep him, her half-sister and the residents of their close knit community at arm’s length?
I really enjoyed this book in the Willow Creek series. I wondered just how Andrea Jenelle was going to humanize Roxie, who’s been so over the top hateful to most everyone, but she pulled it off.
I was fortunate to have received an advance reader copy from the author and booksirens and I’m pleased to share my honest review.
Recovering drug addict River is a former professional baseball player who suffered a career ending injury and is trying to determine what his next career path should be.
Roxie reluctantly hires River as her ranch hand, and she assumes he’ll leave as soon as a better opportunity arises.
Desperately attracted to each other, can the optimistic River break through Roxie’s thorny demeanor and convince her to take another chance on love or will her guarded heart keep him, her half-sister and the residents of their close knit community at arm’s length?
I really enjoyed this book in the Willow Creek series. I wondered just how Andrea Jenelle was going to humanize Roxie, who’s been so over the top hateful to most everyone, but she pulled it off.
I was fortunate to have received an advance reader copy from the author and booksirens and I’m pleased to share my honest review.
April 27, 2024
No Excuses was a good book, but that is all it was for me.
I did enjoy the banter between Roxie and River. They knew how to give and take which made me laugh. I also was rooting for them. Both had been through some things, her with a marriage that ended with heartache due to miscarriage and him with the loss of his career, but they both were trying to figure out what they wanted in life.
I would have given 1 more star if the story itself moved at a different pace. The beginning felt like it was rushed through. We go from them meeting and not liking each other, to them hiding their feelings from each other however we didn't get to see how they got there. I would have liked to see a bit more of story giving us a reason on why they started falling for each other.
Otherwise the book had good points of a romance. We had the 2 main characters dealing with tough things, falling for each other, and then choosing each other.
I did receive this as an advance review copy for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
I did enjoy the banter between Roxie and River. They knew how to give and take which made me laugh. I also was rooting for them. Both had been through some things, her with a marriage that ended with heartache due to miscarriage and him with the loss of his career, but they both were trying to figure out what they wanted in life.
I would have given 1 more star if the story itself moved at a different pace. The beginning felt like it was rushed through. We go from them meeting and not liking each other, to them hiding their feelings from each other however we didn't get to see how they got there. I would have liked to see a bit more of story giving us a reason on why they started falling for each other.
Otherwise the book had good points of a romance. We had the 2 main characters dealing with tough things, falling for each other, and then choosing each other.
I did receive this as an advance review copy for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
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