Doing the Math: A Small-Town Romance

by Shae Sanders

In Peachtree Hollow, change rustles in the breeze with the arrival of accountant Dia Fontaine. She's completely out of her element among the cows, corn fields, and dirt roads, but for the sake of her career, she's determined to do the job she was hired to deep dive into the finances of a local family farm. Once she gets their books together, she's on the first thing smoking back to Atlanta. Unless she falls prey to the town's charms...

Melvin Hayes, Jr.--he prefers Vin--is the eldest son and reluctant heir to Hayes Homestead Haven. He yearns for a life beyond his father's legacy, and awaits a quick sale that will allow him to cash out and leave Peachtree Hollow in his rearview mirror. Until Ms. Dia shows up...

They seem so different on the surface. But shared passion and tenderness cultivate a profound closeness they never saw coming. And as the seeds of romance begin to sprout, Dia and Vin find themselves harvesting unexpected truths about family, business, and the mysterious depths of their own hearts.

Genres: Romance, Small Town Romance, African American Romance

310 pages, Paperback

Published January 30, 2024

About the author

Just a girl who loves black love. Reading it, writing it, and living it.

Reviews

[Toya Davis-Stokley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Shae’s, so I knew I would enjoy this book. However, I didn’t know I would love this story! ❤ I felt like I was transported to Peachtree Hollow and sat on the sidelines while everything went down. You just felt like you were part of the story, one of the townsfolk if you will.

Dia loved her occupation, her job, not so much. She wanted different, better, more. So, when she is sent to this country town, her expectations aren’t high, but she will do the best job she can for the company. She quickly learns that being in the country may be just the different she needs.

Vin loved his family and the town where he grew up. However, he felt stifled there, and wanted more of what life had to offer. He wanted out of the farming business more than anything, but when a beautiful accountant stumbles into town, there may be more reason that one to stay.

I enjoyed watching Dia and Vin get to know each other, doing away with the assumptions, and getting to the real. Their chemistry was almost immediate, but the connection and love that grew between them was adorable! Vin was a true country boy/gentleman that had me swooning at all his sweet gestures. 😍 Dia, although a city girl, quickly acclimated to country life, as she had a feeling of home there, that she hadn’t felt in a long time. It didn’t hurt that she had fine ass Vin chasing her either.

Mr. Hayes was something else! 😤 I was disappointed in him for the decision that he made, and who he decided to do business with. But I loved how Dia became so invested and jumped in to help save the people who had become family to her. Dia’s friends were hilarious, and I loved the text messages.

I smiled throughout this entire read. It made me think of my southern roots and realize how underappreciated the lives of farmers are. Great job Shae!! 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really great story. It was just the perfect time for me to read this. And though it may not 100% be a 5 star book, it gave me 5 star feels. I absolutely loved both Vin and Dia. Their banter, their open conversations, and their ability to call each other out when the other wanted to clam up was beautiful. There was a lot of room for the miscommunication trope, but I am sooo glad the author did not go there. I also love me a county boy. Give me a cowboy, rancher, or farmer any day. I'll take him! Vin was an absolutely romatic charmer. Add in a smart career driven city girl, and you have a perfect fish out of water story. The town and the townspeople were big bonuses. I loved it! Happy reading!

[Dahyana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dia x Vin

This was Hallmark but make it black. In this story, we meet Vin and Dia. Dia, a city girl accountant, was sent on an assignment to Peachtree Hollow, a small town outside of Atlanta to a family farm. She's a numbers girl and a math nerd at heart was all about her job. But she then met Melvin Jr. A sexy, bearded country, farm boy. The attraction was there and it was instant. But both Vin and Dia were frustrating. Dia wanted Vin, but she was hot and cold. One moment she was all on him, flirting hardcore, next she was giving him the cold shoulder. I get she's got a job to do, but it's very annoying. Vin was also frustrating in a different way. I wanted him to take a hint. I don't know if it was maturity or him being a simp. It doesn't matter how many times he gets the colder shoulder from Dia, he is still there, pursuing her. Spoiler Alert: She missed his birthday…intentionally… yet he was still after her, still trying to love on her. But they meshed well together. Both were dealing with past hurt in their own ways
All this said, I still enjoyed this story. The black small town, the black farmers…it was cute. 
4.3⭐️

[Qiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shae started 2024 off right with this book. I would categorize it as a slow burn, but the chemistry is definitely there between the characters from the beginning. The characters were enjoyable, even the ones that were created to irritate readers. There's even a slight comedic element "Oh, now y'all niggas see me sitting here?", making this the perfect read for me. Vin had me screaming my man, my man, my man the entire book. And I loved Dia's group chat with her friends. Easily a five-star read for me.

Click to read the entire review: https://www.hopefulheartbreakers.com/...

[WellReadRuby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely one of the more sweeter romances from Shae and I was pleasantly surprised. I love a hallmark romance book! City girl and country boy romance will always be a vibe!
Dia comes to town to help Vin’s father with the books for their farm. What should’ve been a quick job for Dia became a closer look into what she’s been missing and for Vin a look at what forever can be. Now there’s no drama like country drama where everyone will know your business in the next hour lol. This book while sweet had an underlying situation at play that Dia had no idea she was triggering old feelings of trauma not healed for herself and for Vin and his family. I’m soo glad Dia got out of her own way and that Vin didn’t give up on her because our girl was playing so much! Once everything was out in the open I loved the unity that transpired and that Dia and Vin could get their happily ever after! I will say again don’t let the sweetness fool you it is a journey to their HEA lol. Overall this was good real for small town romance.


I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Meekilovesbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is super cute and nerdy. City girl meets country boy, and the story was reminisce of the show Queen Sugar. I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style, and the characters were well-rounded. Vin and Dia overcame the miscommunication and were able to embrace love.

[KayReads__ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this story! Vin was huge BDE!! I also loved the found family trope too!

['The Book Queen' · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow start, a nice ending

The story had a real slow start and lagged a bit in the middle. A slow burn small town story with a family dynamics issue, and a farm in the mix. Don't get me wrong, there were some steamy moments too. The smart girl and her cowboy story was cute. I liked the happy ending.

[Q. Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

That country-loving!

"You can take the girl out of the country but cannot take the country out of the girl." Dia may have lived in Atlanta but her roots were in the deep south state of Mississippi. They started to shine through when she had an assignment to take on at the Hayes Family Homestead. Her assignment brought more than a paycheck it introduced her to the love of her life. Insert Vin he was the osh kosh-wearing man that she didn't realize she needed in her life. He did for her more than any other man she recently met or dated. Vin lived a simple but fulfilling life. It seemed like he was just a farmer who ran a lucrative farm that fed the whole town however he was much more than that. He was a frugal man that was establishing his own roots for his future. He was also a protector, provider, and romantic. He wine and dined Dia as she deserved. Dia needed someone to genuinely love her besides her friends. I am still not 100% sure what was up with her family because they were very distant. When her mom told her that calling once a month was sufficient it hurt my feelings. Although Mr. Hayes, Vin, and Silas were still healing from Mrs. Hayes' death they possessed a strong family unit. Dia got to experience and bask in a true family dynamic. It was the love that she yearned for from her parents. Mr. Hayes may have been gruff but he was an exemplary father figure.

This is one of those reads that gives you all of the ins and outs of a small country town. You have the common town folk that stay in everyone's business. And the ones that always had an opinion about an issue. Therefore, the little town of Peachtree Hollow had more going on than met the naked eye. The Hayes Family Homestead did as well. So grab your copy today you will be intrigued about all that happens in between the pages of this book.

[Lisette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swoon!

Full disclosure...
I received this book as an ARC, but I'm just finishing it AFTER the release day, which I really try not to ever do.
However, life happens.
Now, if you want to read a really sweet, romantic story about 2 people that seemingly have nothing in common, finding love in the most unexpected way. This here should be your next read. Dia and Vin were such layered people. The buildup and so beautifully crafted. The writing was so detailed that I could see, hear and smell that country life with the fresh air and animals.
There was so much to love about Little Melvin. His heart was so big and pure. My Little(Big) Oshkosh ♥️
Whew, he kept me swooning. I really can't say enough about this story. It was not at all what I expected but exactly what I needed.
Definitely recommend this sweet read.

[Tayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so freaking cute, I can't even stand it. I'm a city girl but something about small towns just makes me smile. The references to how Black farmers have historically been treated gave me Queen Sugar vibes in the best way.

Dia and Vin couldn't have been more different, but their dynamic and chemistry was palpable from the jump. They both had their preconceptions about each other, but they were able to work through them. They could both be a little irritating at times, but it was obvious they were both dealing with some stuff from their past. Vin seemed to come around more quickly than Dia, but I loved that she was open to new experiences with him. Her interactions with the bunny and Rainbow were very cute and funny.

I would have liked a little bit more explanation about Dia's relationship with her parents because it was a little odd. The limited interactions she had with them made me curious what happened that they were kind of detached.

I received an ARC from the author for an honest review.

[SheBeC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started off a lil slow for me, but once it picked up I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[(Adri)ana | TenPieceLemonPepper · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was basically a hallmark movie in Black. with hella spice. i just love everything Shae Sanders writes.

that damn Vin! 😍🥵

[Whit · Rating 4 out of 5]

A laugh out loud page turner featuring a city lady and a country man. It also includes family drama, spicy sex, ex-girlfriend conflict, and big city investors trying to cheat black farmers out of their land.

Dia is an accountant, sent by her job to go over the books, before Vin's father secretly sells the farm because his sons refuse to work on it any longer.

However, Dia uncovers some information that could be dangerous for the entire Hayes family.

[Selena Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A city girl accountant and a farmer meet in a small town. The rest is history!

Dia & Vin are SO cute.

They both made assumptions about each other until spending time together proved there was more than meets the eye. Of course they faced challenges while building their relationship but honey that love went deep. It ran hot 🥵

Will be finding my farmer after this. Updates to come 🫶🏾 shout out to NCAT (gotta rep for the Carolinas)

[THEVIBE_BRARIAN (Britny) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need a Vin!

I loved this story! It was so relatable and easy to read. It’s definitely romantic, but not over sappy and of course just a bit of family drama. I definitely like Shae’s writing style and I will be reading more of her work.

[Kristal Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doing the math

This was a cute story and I enjoyed it from beginning to end. Both Dia and Vin had some preconceived notions about each other based on where they came from, but they couldn’t fight their attraction to one another. I enjoyed seeing them connect and get to know each other, but I was tired of Dia being so wishy washy about her feelings for Vin. They both were scared but he seemed more willing to lean into his feelings for her and didn’t hesitate to show her. This was a good read and I’m glad they got there happily ever after.

[Maya McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book! I loved the realness of these two characters. I loved Vin & Dia’s personality. Both characters had me swooning one minute then giggling the next. lol This was such a good book, I’m sad to see it end. I look forward to reading more from this author 🤍

[Lakesha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC. This book gave me Hallmark movies, but black. I’m still trying to figure out how I feel about that. What I like about the book: it was sweet, the relationship was believable, and I loved the small town setting. What didn’t I like? It gave Hallmark movie vibe, family drama/trauma was thrown in but not unpacked enough, especially with Dia, and the ending was tied up to neatly and quickly. All in all, it was an okay read for me. 3.5

[Natashia Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doing the Math: A Small Town Romance- Shae Sanders

I enjoyed this one. This was my first book that I read by this author and I was excited that this story was a little different than the others I have consumed.

This story gave me Queen Sugar vibes with a twist. The main point was that we shined a light on black farmers and I think that was an important aspect of this story. The fact that this farm had been in the family for years and how they fought to keep it black owned was very important to me. I loved that she highlighted the community aspect of this small town and I think many times we don't appreciate ownership and community like we should. I loved that about this book.

I would recommend this story for others to enjoy because the love was giving, and I enjoyed their connection. If I had to rate this by stars, I'd give this 4.25 stars. I enjoyed this and what it stood for.

The MMC is a farmer but he was more than that. He was highly intelligent, and college educated. I was happy to read that about him. I loved that he didn't lie and beat around the bush. He had manners and was being honest about how he felt. He knew what he wanted more than what he had and he worked hard towards that.

The MFC was an accountant in every sense of the word. If the math wasn't mathin, then it made no sense. I loved that she was analytical and loved what she did as a career. She may not have loved where she worked but the core of her was a numbers chick. I loved that she was amazed at the homestead life and it gave her a sense of nostalgia from when she was young spending time with her grandparents.

[DOMINIQUE Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

City Girl loves a Country Boy

Dia Fontaine is an accountant living in Atlanta. When she gets placed on assignment at a farm in Peachtree Hollow she is not enthusiastic. She meets the owner Melvin Hayes Sr. After years of doing the books himself he enlists the help of Dia’s agency to get him straight. Before she can leave the owner’s son, VIN, pulls up and Dia instantly likes what she sees in if he is wearing overalls.

Melvin “Vin” Hayes Jr is a hardworking farm man. His life has been about working on the family farm. Finally ready to branch out, he is preparing a new house to move in to. While on a visit to the farm he meets Dia, the accountant from the city and is instantly attracted even if she is wearing Red Bottoms and makeup to work at a farm.

The attraction between the two are evident but can Dia avoid the attraction and get her job done without leaving a good thing. This was a slow burn but when the characters finally act on their feeling the 🔥 is on high. I really loved Vin and his country boy ways. He was the perfect mix of hard and soft. Strong man who works with his hands and does manual labor but soft when it comes to the people he cares for. Whether it ways standing up to the people in the town about the way they talk about his family or standing up to his father about his feelings for Dia and their relationship Vin was the absolute star of this book. “A farm boy with that grass-fed beef” 😜

[Jaleesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doing the Math was such a good read!!! Shae had me ready to pack my bags and head to somebody’s small town so I could fall in love. Dia, an accountant from Atlanta, gets an assignment to help with the books at the Hayes family farm in Peachtree Hollow, GA. She’s feeling a bit stagnant in her career but she’s a team player so she heads on down. She definitely wasn’t expecting to meet Melvin Hayes Jr. via Vin, a fine ass farmer who has a few secrets of his own.

This was absolutely a slow burn, like we knew Dia and Vin were headed towards a collision but they definitely took their time. The side characters were fun, even though some of them were annoying. I thought this would be an opposites attract story but it turns out Dia and Vin had more in common than expected. This was definitely different from Shae but I enjoyed her take on these two. The chemistry was there, the spice was spicy and overall she gave us a well rounded story. I kinda hope we get to visit Peachtree Hollow again.

Thanks to Shae Sanders for the ARC, all thoughts and feelings are my own!!

[TellsOfABibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vin was a hardworking gentleman. He was respectful, honest and just overall a good man. Dia was a feisty smart woman that was good with numbers. She’s a city girl. He’s a country boy. On the outside looking in they was different with different beliefs but once they got to know eachother they really was alike in ways. Once they discovered that things started blossom. Vin was so romantic. He was overprotective of Dia and it was so cute 🥰. Dia was a city girl but she felt at home despite what others thought. I also felt bad for her and how her family operated. It shows why she was the way she was which annoyed me at times but I do get it. But boy did this small town had some secrets with them. It seemed like communication was absence.
Just learning the history behind the farm made me actually want to visit one. Overall I enjoyed this story. It was different from what Shae usually writes but she definitely delivered. Thank you Shae for this eArc.

[book.tot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melvin Jr. is the eldest son of the aging widower Melvin Hayes Sr., owner of Hayes Homestead Haven – a farm. Being the eldest, his father envisions passing on the business to him, but he has no interest in it. Vin is ready for more. Life beyond working on a farm. This leads Big Melvin to seek help in organizing the farms’ finances in preparation for a sale.

Accountant Dia Fontaine loved living in the city. Her goal of advancing in her career causes her to take the assignment of Hayes Homestead Haven. Because she’s good with numbers, she knows that working hard now will create more chances for her to move up in the future.
What she hadn’t anticipated was being attracted to the owners’ son.

I got so invested in this story and the small-town dynamics only made it funnier. The townhall meetings took me out. How do you get upset at a farmer for running out of food to supply when he is allowing people to pay when they can. Nah, they all could kiss it, respectfully lmao.

[Mrs Book Bae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so cute 😍

I love me a good small town romance and really enjoyed this one because it was a black small town romance.

I really liked this author's writing style and how realistic she made her characters feel. Dia and Vin were so cute and it was obvious when they met how attracted they were to each other.

She was hired to work on his family's farm as an accountant and eventhough this small town wasn't anything like where Dia was from she easily fell in love with the town and eventually the farmer's son.

Vin was such a good man,he was attentive, a great communicator, handsome as hell and was so good to Dia. His character was my fave I seriously adored him.

Dia was working through her feelings and she got on my nerves with how she went about things but all in all she came to her senses.

If you like small town romances and black love this one's for you.

[Genel F · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5.
I really didn’t know what to expect with this book but I really enjoyed it.
Small town, opposite attract and I might throw in slow burn. There wasn’t a ton of action happening in this story, it took a minute to heat up for me.
I appreciated that Dia wasn’t running back to Atlanta every weekend ands and truly embraced Peachtree Hollow. She was on assignment, too investigate and correct the books for a small town farm. I truly loved the farm element. I can’t recall many settings. She was all in, walking around the farm, witnessing the birth of the animals, markets, festivals you name it. She was all in.
Vin was a southern gentleman from beginning to end. He took Dia under his wing and made her fall in love with the community that made him.

I did wish there would have been more details in the weeks that passed and more of a conflict. The issues that did come up, came at the very end and it didnt really have a climax.

[Jacquie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vin is a MAN okay! That “Ciara prayer” kind of man! He would give Dia anything she wanted. You need space? Cool but I’m waiting. You in your feelings today? Fine let’s talk about it. Vin knew what he wanted and was standing on business about it! He was listening and catering to his woman in every way.

Now Dia worked my nerves but also tugged at my heart. Her story almost made me cry toward the end. Peachtree Hollow, the place and the people, were just what she needed and I love how she embraced it. It felt cathartic for her to blow into town, save the homestead with her hoe ways, and helped the Hayes boys heal their minty wounds.

The city girl falls in love with the country boy and his tiny town of meddling old ladies, an ornery daddy, a town rallying together. It had all the best elements of small town romance and I devoured it!

[Jerrica (Mrsmar10Reads) Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dia, an accountant from Atlanta is sent to a small farming town to reconcile the books of The Hayes Family. She's tired of being sent to these "backwoods" places but she's got goals so she'll tow the line. Was she wasn't expecting was an ornery employer and his fine son. Vin - Melvin Jr. wasn't expecting the likes of Ms. Dia either! She immediately had him smitten and becoming a total simp. Can the country boy get the city girl and keep her because that's what he wants.

Doing the Math was a good read. The characters, main and secondary were entertaining and fun. I loved the whole opposites attract aspect because it made the relationship growth between Vin and Dia interesting. All in all, a good book about family, healing, and finding where you're supposed to be.

[Carissa G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed "Doing the Math: A Small-Town Romance" ...this is my first time reading about a black farmer/cowboy but I loved this trope! Dia and Vin's romance was all over them from their first time meeting. Predicable in a sense that you could tell these two would end up together from the beginning but there was so much that went on in between them meeting and actually making it official. Not going to lie, there were times they both drove me crazy, like Vin with the Birthday Party and Dia with not wanting to become official until after she completed her job (I mean I understood, but girl that man was FINE FINE and she seemed like she was okay with him possibly getting away!

[Darcy J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I didn't get surprised anymore. Nothing was new. Nothing was exciting. There was no shine, no sparkle. Life passed by with no fanfare, and that was that. But then she showed up."

It's like a Hallmark movie, meets Girlfriends, meets Yellowstone, meets Sweet Magnolias and I enjoyed it!

• Loved how open and honest Vin was with Dia
• Ms. Ida loving the town mess was entertaining
• Dia friends had to grow on me
• I want to go to the Harvest Parade
• Pops pissed me off a lot. A Boomer for sure!
• Vin and Dia were hot and steamy!
• I laughed A LOT!
• "F*ck that laptop, my man is here. My man, my man, my man!"