What do you think?
Rate this book
Juniper Ridge #6
Show Off
I wish I didn’t know how one heartbreak can smash your world to bits.
And really I wish I didn’t suspect it’s why there’s an edge to Lana’s sunshine smile. Hell, I wish I didn’t think of Lana at all.I’m busy busting ass to be the best—and yeah, grumpiest—chef around. There’s a reason I keep people at a distance. My evenings blur with butter and basil and helping my brother. Trying to forget how he wound up in a wheelchair. We’ve got our routine, and there’s no room for sweet smiles or blue eyes or… why is it so damn hot in here? The thing is, Lana spins stories as a PR goddess. I’m all for icing cookies, but sugarcoating the truth? Never. Directness is best, even if it means awkward dessert dates that are definitely not dates, and embarrassing chats with my dog. But one truth I’m terrified to face? I’m nuts for Lana. And the fallout could blow up our lives like a mug cake microwaved in a tin cup.
Lighthearted, grumpy-soft-for-sunshine steamy romance about a surly chef and the sunshiny little sister of a big, messy, loving family.
And really I wish I didn’t suspect it’s why there’s an edge to Lana’s sunshine smile. Hell, I wish I didn’t think of Lana at all.I’m busy busting ass to be the best—and yeah, grumpiest—chef around. There’s a reason I keep people at a distance. My evenings blur with butter and basil and helping my brother. Trying to forget how he wound up in a wheelchair. We’ve got our routine, and there’s no room for sweet smiles or blue eyes or… why is it so damn hot in here? The thing is, Lana spins stories as a PR goddess. I’m all for icing cookies, but sugarcoating the truth? Never. Directness is best, even if it means awkward dessert dates that are definitely not dates, and embarrassing chats with my dog. But one truth I’m terrified to face? I’m nuts for Lana. And the fallout could blow up our lives like a mug cake microwaved in a tin cup.
Lighthearted, grumpy-soft-for-sunshine steamy romance about a surly chef and the sunshiny little sister of a big, messy, loving family.
- GenresRomanceContemporary
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 7, 2024
34 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Tawna Fenske
73 books1,612 followersWhen Tawna Fenske finished her English lit degree at 22, she celebrated by filling a giant trash bag full of romance novels and dragging it everywhere until she’d read them all. Now she’s a RITA Award finalist, USA Today bestselling author who writes humorous fiction, risqué romance, and heartwarming love stories with a quirky twist. Publishers Weekly has praised Tawna’s offbeat romances with multiple starred reviews and noted, “There’s something wonderfully relaxing about being immersed in a story filled with over-the-top characters in undeniably relatable situations. Heartache and humor go hand in hand.”
Tawna lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband, step-kids, and a menagerie of ill-behaved pets. She loves hiking, snowshoeing, standup paddleboarding, and inventing excuses to sip wine on her back porch. She can peel a banana with her toes and loses an average of twenty pairs of eyeglasses per year. To find out more about Tawna and her books, visit www.tawnafenske.com.
Tawna lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband, step-kids, and a menagerie of ill-behaved pets. She loves hiking, snowshoeing, standup paddleboarding, and inventing excuses to sip wine on her back porch. She can peel a banana with her toes and loses an average of twenty pairs of eyeglasses per year. To find out more about Tawna and her books, visit www.tawnafenske.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
June 7, 2024
SHOW OFF is the sixth and final instalment in Tawna Fenske’s contemporary, adult JUNIPER RIDGE erotic, romance series. This is chef Dal Yang, and twenty-seven year old, PR director Lana Judson’s story line. SHOW OFF can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Juniper Ridge is a cross over from the author’s Ponderosa Resort Series.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Lana and Dal) SHOW OFF follows the building but struggling relationship between our story line couple. Dal Yang is a professional chef who prefers to keep his private life private but when a reality show is filmed at Juniper Ridge, Dal finds himself front and center of a PR nightmare, and pulls away from everyone concerned. Lana Judson’s family owns land in Juniper Ridge, and the reality show is part of the family’s lifestyle but a memoir is about to reveal secrets from the past, forcing Lana’s parents to address that which nobody knew. Meanwhile, Lana’s attraction to Dal is met with some resistance from our story line hero, and his need to protect Lana from the Hollywood gossip, threatens the growing love between our story line couple. What ensues is the building relationship between Lana and Dal, and the potential fall-out as Lana struggles with secrets from the past, and Dal’s need to step in and defend the woman he loves.
The world building follows several paths including secrets from the past for both Lana and Dal. Dal lost his parents in a car accident that paralyzed his older brother Ji-Hoon. Having always blamed himself for what happened, Dal struggles to move forward, accepting that guilt comes at a cost. Lana’s own secrets are about to reveal a family struggling in the face of Hollywood gossip and paparazzi nightmares.
The relationship between Lana and Dal is one of unrequited love. Dal doesn’t like the business of ‘spin doctors’ or media influencers that change the narrative to meet their client’s demands, and in this Dal struggles with Lana’s job, a job that is necessary in the family to which she belongs. As Lana and Dal’s relationship begins to grow, Dal is about to destroy any hope of his own happily ever after. The $ex scenes are passionate and seductive.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and familiar secondary and supporting characters including most of the previous story line couples. We are introduced to Dal’s brother Ji-Hoon, as well as their uncle Korain.
SHOW OFF is a story of family and relationships, secrets and lies, acceptance and love. The premise is entertaining and emotional; the romance is suggestive; the characters are dynamic, charismatic and desperate.
copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
Told from dual first person perspectives (Lana and Dal) SHOW OFF follows the building but struggling relationship between our story line couple. Dal Yang is a professional chef who prefers to keep his private life private but when a reality show is filmed at Juniper Ridge, Dal finds himself front and center of a PR nightmare, and pulls away from everyone concerned. Lana Judson’s family owns land in Juniper Ridge, and the reality show is part of the family’s lifestyle but a memoir is about to reveal secrets from the past, forcing Lana’s parents to address that which nobody knew. Meanwhile, Lana’s attraction to Dal is met with some resistance from our story line hero, and his need to protect Lana from the Hollywood gossip, threatens the growing love between our story line couple. What ensues is the building relationship between Lana and Dal, and the potential fall-out as Lana struggles with secrets from the past, and Dal’s need to step in and defend the woman he loves.
The world building follows several paths including secrets from the past for both Lana and Dal. Dal lost his parents in a car accident that paralyzed his older brother Ji-Hoon. Having always blamed himself for what happened, Dal struggles to move forward, accepting that guilt comes at a cost. Lana’s own secrets are about to reveal a family struggling in the face of Hollywood gossip and paparazzi nightmares.
The relationship between Lana and Dal is one of unrequited love. Dal doesn’t like the business of ‘spin doctors’ or media influencers that change the narrative to meet their client’s demands, and in this Dal struggles with Lana’s job, a job that is necessary in the family to which she belongs. As Lana and Dal’s relationship begins to grow, Dal is about to destroy any hope of his own happily ever after. The $ex scenes are passionate and seductive.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and familiar secondary and supporting characters including most of the previous story line couples. We are introduced to Dal’s brother Ji-Hoon, as well as their uncle Korain.
SHOW OFF is a story of family and relationships, secrets and lies, acceptance and love. The premise is entertaining and emotional; the romance is suggestive; the characters are dynamic, charismatic and desperate.
copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
June 19, 2024
Show Off is the final book in the Juniper Ridge series that follows the Judson siblings as they build a sustainable community and film it as a reality television show.
Reading Show Off is bittersweet and means we will say goodbye to the Judson's. But never say never. We thought that about the Ponderosa Resort series, and yet we see Chef Sean fill in for Chef Dal as he and Lana travel through Oregon tasting chowder for the upcoming Best of Oregon Competition.
After Dal's brother, Ji-Hoon, secretly enters Dal's curry chowder in the Best of Oregon Competition, and it wins, Dal is asked to help judge next year's competition entries. Because of his bluntness, Lana goes with him to help soften his words. As the Juniper Ridge PR representative, she schedules all of the judgings for Dal and helps him comment to the contestants on his thoughts about their entry.
Both Lana and Dal are smitten with each other and have been for some time. However, both are afraid to act on it thinking the other isn't interested. Several incidents occur, the garden scene and the chowder competition, to throw them together in situations where they cannot ignore their desires.
I have to admit that two incidents made me laugh so hard in this book. The first was the garden scene. Total misinterpretation of events that are laugh out loud funny. The second is chapter 5, where Lana and Dal visit one of the chowder entrants to taste and judge. I nearly peed my pants laughing so hard these two disagreeing on how to handle a situation. I felt so sorry for poor Jimmy, the waiter. Read the chapter and tell me you don't laugh.
So many balls are being juggled in this story. Lana is dealing with PR for Juniper Ridge, Dal and her mother's upcoming memoir. She is keeping a secret from her siblings. She opens up to Dal about the secret, and it ends up biting her in the booty.
Dal is dealing with guilt thinking he caused the accident that killed his parents. When his Uncle Korain shows up, unannounced, and tells him information he found when cleaning out some things, he is stunned. But when Korain drops a huge bomb on him and Ji-Hoon, he has to walk away and think things through. He turns to Lana as him support.
Lana and Dal are complete opposites, and yet they work. She softens his brusqueness and he encourages her to speak the truth. She eats pre-packaged potato products (chips, potato fingers, shoestring potatoes, etc.) whereas he makes everything from scratch. They just work.
Reading Show Off is bittersweet and means we will say goodbye to the Judson's. But never say never. We thought that about the Ponderosa Resort series, and yet we see Chef Sean fill in for Chef Dal as he and Lana travel through Oregon tasting chowder for the upcoming Best of Oregon Competition.
After Dal's brother, Ji-Hoon, secretly enters Dal's curry chowder in the Best of Oregon Competition, and it wins, Dal is asked to help judge next year's competition entries. Because of his bluntness, Lana goes with him to help soften his words. As the Juniper Ridge PR representative, she schedules all of the judgings for Dal and helps him comment to the contestants on his thoughts about their entry.
Both Lana and Dal are smitten with each other and have been for some time. However, both are afraid to act on it thinking the other isn't interested. Several incidents occur, the garden scene and the chowder competition, to throw them together in situations where they cannot ignore their desires.
I have to admit that two incidents made me laugh so hard in this book. The first was the garden scene. Total misinterpretation of events that are laugh out loud funny. The second is chapter 5, where Lana and Dal visit one of the chowder entrants to taste and judge. I nearly peed my pants laughing so hard these two disagreeing on how to handle a situation. I felt so sorry for poor Jimmy, the waiter. Read the chapter and tell me you don't laugh.
So many balls are being juggled in this story. Lana is dealing with PR for Juniper Ridge, Dal and her mother's upcoming memoir. She is keeping a secret from her siblings. She opens up to Dal about the secret, and it ends up biting her in the booty.
Dal is dealing with guilt thinking he caused the accident that killed his parents. When his Uncle Korain shows up, unannounced, and tells him information he found when cleaning out some things, he is stunned. But when Korain drops a huge bomb on him and Ji-Hoon, he has to walk away and think things through. He turns to Lana as him support.
Lana and Dal are complete opposites, and yet they work. She softens his brusqueness and he encourages her to speak the truth. She eats pre-packaged potato products (chips, potato fingers, shoestring potatoes, etc.) whereas he makes everything from scratch. They just work.
July 30, 2024
I have to admit that at first, I wasn’t sure I would warm up to Dal given his grumpiness at the start of this book. Boy howdy, was I ever wrong about that! I have enjoyed the whole Juniper Ridge series and the way that this final story came together almost seemed like getting the cherry on top at the end, instead of the beginning. Hooray for Juniper Ridge – but I’m sorry to see you go.
One of the things that I loved about this book was not just the great cast of characters (which seem to be a constant in Tawna’s books) but the wonderful interactions between them as well. This book is strong on the family message (with both the male & female leads). I don’t think until someone reads this book they can truly appreciate the intricacies of the relationships and situations being shared in the book. One of the things that Tawna always seems to excel at is blending real life scenarios, humor, and difficult real life topics into her work. This helps to make her reads a standout because even as fun as they are to read, there is always more substance to the stories & situations than you often expect in a romance read. To me that is always an excellent selling point!! If a book is too predictable, I have trouble staying engaged for the entire read. That was never the case with this book. I have already read it twice and still feel like I’m learning from the characters and their situations as the story progresses to the conclusion, but especially with Dal and Lana.
Also, if you happen to love food a book with a chef is always something fun to enjoy (or fantasize over….). The fact that Dal is a Korean chef makes for interesting items you may have to stop & lookup like I did. If only there was somewhere nearby to get those actual items, darn it!
Since this is the last book in the series I think I will just have to put this into my re-read list. It was too much fun and something I will miss reading from. Thank goodness there have been some cameos over at Cherry Blossom Lake.
One of the things that I loved about this book was not just the great cast of characters (which seem to be a constant in Tawna’s books) but the wonderful interactions between them as well. This book is strong on the family message (with both the male & female leads). I don’t think until someone reads this book they can truly appreciate the intricacies of the relationships and situations being shared in the book. One of the things that Tawna always seems to excel at is blending real life scenarios, humor, and difficult real life topics into her work. This helps to make her reads a standout because even as fun as they are to read, there is always more substance to the stories & situations than you often expect in a romance read. To me that is always an excellent selling point!! If a book is too predictable, I have trouble staying engaged for the entire read. That was never the case with this book. I have already read it twice and still feel like I’m learning from the characters and their situations as the story progresses to the conclusion, but especially with Dal and Lana.
Also, if you happen to love food a book with a chef is always something fun to enjoy (or fantasize over….). The fact that Dal is a Korean chef makes for interesting items you may have to stop & lookup like I did. If only there was somewhere nearby to get those actual items, darn it!
Since this is the last book in the series I think I will just have to put this into my re-read list. It was too much fun and something I will miss reading from. Thank goodness there have been some cameos over at Cherry Blossom Lake.
June 12, 2024
Show Off is the final book in the Juniper Ridge Series which focuses on the last single sibling standing, and the baby of the family, Lana. This book can be read as a standalone, but knowing who the siblings are and their significant others makes it more fun. I love the sibling banter between them and their ability to love completely no matter what.
Lana and her family have been in the public eye since they were children. She is great at PR so she wanted to create a community for her family that is safe and where everyone is basically family. Juniper Ridge is also where they film the residents and visitors to make a live TV show. So she uses her PR genius to ensure that Juniper Ridge and its residents receives positive press.
Dal is a celebrity chef, who just so happens to be very grumpy and has a tendency to blunt out everything that comes to mind. He like Lana grew up in the spotlight, he as the child of a Korean sauce empire. He has rules to being in the spotlight but that doesn't mean he enjoys it. When he was a child he and his brother were in a tragic accident which has also shaped the man he has become.
Since Dal moved to Juniper Ridge, he and Lana have been crushing on each other. They just haven't acted on it yet. When a new ARC starts for the show, and they are traveling together things start changing between them. Lana goes on the road with him to also ensure that he is received in a positive light and keep him from doing anything rash.
I really enjoyed watching these two fall for each other, their chemistry is easy and entertaining with that slow burn. They were able to work through their issues together and put their secrets and heartache behind them with their family standing next to them every step of the way. I really enjoyed this story and laughed a few times and will miss the Juniper Ridge characters.
Received ARC in exchange for a voluntary honest review.
Lana and her family have been in the public eye since they were children. She is great at PR so she wanted to create a community for her family that is safe and where everyone is basically family. Juniper Ridge is also where they film the residents and visitors to make a live TV show. So she uses her PR genius to ensure that Juniper Ridge and its residents receives positive press.
Dal is a celebrity chef, who just so happens to be very grumpy and has a tendency to blunt out everything that comes to mind. He like Lana grew up in the spotlight, he as the child of a Korean sauce empire. He has rules to being in the spotlight but that doesn't mean he enjoys it. When he was a child he and his brother were in a tragic accident which has also shaped the man he has become.
Since Dal moved to Juniper Ridge, he and Lana have been crushing on each other. They just haven't acted on it yet. When a new ARC starts for the show, and they are traveling together things start changing between them. Lana goes on the road with him to also ensure that he is received in a positive light and keep him from doing anything rash.
I really enjoyed watching these two fall for each other, their chemistry is easy and entertaining with that slow burn. They were able to work through their issues together and put their secrets and heartache behind them with their family standing next to them every step of the way. I really enjoyed this story and laughed a few times and will miss the Juniper Ridge characters.
Received ARC in exchange for a voluntary honest review.
June 29, 2024
What a perfect book to end this wonderful Juniper Ridge series. I’d like to say this author saved the best for last. I really liked Lana and Dal and their encounter in the garden at the beginning of the book, too hot for words. I love Dal’s dog Mouse and Lana’s mugs with all their unique sayings. I liked that we learned about Lana’s origin story which led her into PR and even at a young age she was taking care of her family. We also learn a lot more about Dal as well, especially when his uncle comes to town. I still love the confessionals as part of these books. Throughout this story these two were definitely a firecracker ready to explode with their chemistry. I enjoyed our trip to Cherry Blossom Lake and of course seeing all the siblings interact is always one of my favorite parts. Unfortunately, with Lana’s mother promoting her book she was dragged into an interview which went south pretty quick and Dal, being who he is thought he was helping the situation when in truth, he made it worse. One of my favorite scenes which also broke my heart was when Lana was heading back to her cabin after the interview and Colleen and Patti were right there for her, with baked goods of course. Baked goods make everything better. Then her ‘siblings’ show up to be there for her. In turn, when Dal gets back to his cabin his uncle gives him some information that totally changes things for Dal as well. They both got news that was very upsetting to them both, but Lana wants time away from Dal at the moment. My all-time favorite part of this book was at the end when Dal arranged to have his friends help him with his grand gesture to Lana and the potatoes was a perfect ending. I would definitely love someone doing that for me. Loved how everything came together, as we knew it would, and everyone was beyond happy when this story ended. This is a series I will re-read again and again. Wonderful ending to this great series!!!
May 15, 2024
Love, mistakes, and potatoes
I loved, loved this book and these characters. Lana and Dal just crawled right into my chest and made themselves at home. I think they might live there now. At first glance Lana and Dal seem complete opposites, grumpy-sunshine, brutal honesty-PR spinner but at their hearts they are so very similar. They are real, relatable people who have flaws, but are really just trying to do their best as messy humans trying to protect themselves and the people they love. Lana and her five famous siblings have started a reality type show, Juniper Ridge a self-sustaining community at a former cult compound where the community members live and work while being filmed. Lana is the PR rep for the show, the last unmarried sibling, and sunshine personified. Dal is a chef on the show who works in Serenade, the Town’s restaurant and helps care for his paralyzed brother out of love and guilt. He is epitome of grumpiness. There is attraction between Lana and Dal but neither acts on it until season 2 starts and Dal becomes more of a storyline and the chowder tasting tour begins. I was feeling all the feels with this one as they both dealt with their painful pasts, unpacked their baggage, opened their hearts, and took leaps of faith. As always with this author’s books, the story was well written and included engaging dialogue, three dimensional characters who grow, and a captivating storyline. One of my favorite parts of this series has been the way the confessionals at the start of each chapter combine humor with hints about the topic of the upcoming chapter. It’s such a great method to advance the story while leaning into the reality aspect of Juniper Ridge. I am sad that it is the end of the series but glad I can revisit Juniper Ridge and the Judsons with a reread whenever I want.
I loved, loved this book and these characters. Lana and Dal just crawled right into my chest and made themselves at home. I think they might live there now. At first glance Lana and Dal seem complete opposites, grumpy-sunshine, brutal honesty-PR spinner but at their hearts they are so very similar. They are real, relatable people who have flaws, but are really just trying to do their best as messy humans trying to protect themselves and the people they love. Lana and her five famous siblings have started a reality type show, Juniper Ridge a self-sustaining community at a former cult compound where the community members live and work while being filmed. Lana is the PR rep for the show, the last unmarried sibling, and sunshine personified. Dal is a chef on the show who works in Serenade, the Town’s restaurant and helps care for his paralyzed brother out of love and guilt. He is epitome of grumpiness. There is attraction between Lana and Dal but neither acts on it until season 2 starts and Dal becomes more of a storyline and the chowder tasting tour begins. I was feeling all the feels with this one as they both dealt with their painful pasts, unpacked their baggage, opened their hearts, and took leaps of faith. As always with this author’s books, the story was well written and included engaging dialogue, three dimensional characters who grow, and a captivating storyline. One of my favorite parts of this series has been the way the confessionals at the start of each chapter combine humor with hints about the topic of the upcoming chapter. It’s such a great method to advance the story while leaning into the reality aspect of Juniper Ridge. I am sad that it is the end of the series but glad I can revisit Juniper Ridge and the Judsons with a reread whenever I want.
June 10, 2024
This final book in the Juniper Ridge series focuses on the youngest sibling, Lana. As with all books in this series, it can be read as a standalone, but you'll have much more fun if you're also familiar with the other books in the series. I know they're all on my TBR list!
From a young age, Lana has learned that life in the spotlight can be difficult, and that it can be good to create a diversion. It's one of the reasons she went into PR and makes it her mission to ensure positive press for Juniper Ridge and its inhabitants. Meanwhile, she has been carrying a massive secret with her.
Dal is the celebrity chef of the Serenade restaurant, albeit a very grumpy one. Having grown up in the spotlight as the child of a Korean sauce empire doesn't mean he enjoys the limelight. The fallout from a tragic accident when he was a child has also left its marks.
Since moving to Juniper Ridge, Dal and Lana have been crushing on each other, but haven't dared act on it. Yet. When it's decided that a new storyline will focus more on Dal, Lana takes it upon herself to ensure both Dal and Juniper Ridge are presented in the most positive light. This means they spend much more time together than before and of course, this allows sparks to fly.
Their chemistry and connection are so easy to read and entertaining, even with the somewhat slow burn and cockblocking. But Dal's protective instincts rear their not-so-convenient head, and Dal's hang-ups about 'spin doctors' and his own guilt over his family tragedy mean that he'll need to come to terms with the reality of what happened and his role in it all - both in the past as well as in his current relationship with Lana.
All in all, this story is highly entertaining, steamy in all the right spots and a lovely conclusion to a great series.
From a young age, Lana has learned that life in the spotlight can be difficult, and that it can be good to create a diversion. It's one of the reasons she went into PR and makes it her mission to ensure positive press for Juniper Ridge and its inhabitants. Meanwhile, she has been carrying a massive secret with her.
Dal is the celebrity chef of the Serenade restaurant, albeit a very grumpy one. Having grown up in the spotlight as the child of a Korean sauce empire doesn't mean he enjoys the limelight. The fallout from a tragic accident when he was a child has also left its marks.
Since moving to Juniper Ridge, Dal and Lana have been crushing on each other, but haven't dared act on it. Yet. When it's decided that a new storyline will focus more on Dal, Lana takes it upon herself to ensure both Dal and Juniper Ridge are presented in the most positive light. This means they spend much more time together than before and of course, this allows sparks to fly.
Their chemistry and connection are so easy to read and entertaining, even with the somewhat slow burn and cockblocking. But Dal's protective instincts rear their not-so-convenient head, and Dal's hang-ups about 'spin doctors' and his own guilt over his family tragedy mean that he'll need to come to terms with the reality of what happened and his role in it all - both in the past as well as in his current relationship with Lana.
All in all, this story is highly entertaining, steamy in all the right spots and a lovely conclusion to a great series.
May 21, 2024
This is the final book in the Juniper Ridge series and the youngest Judson, Lana, finally gets her HEA. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV. I will admit I am a little slow at realizing the clever significance of the Judson sibling names as it took me till this book for it to click. The men are all named after classic screen idols: Dean, Gable, Cooper. The women are all named after classic screen sirens: Lauren, Marilyn, and Lana. I don’t know why it took me so long to see that.
I loved Lana and her sensitivity to others as well as her ability to read a room. Dal is the grumpy chef with six-pack abs and a soft heart under his crusty exterior. They are perfect for each other, and they each have a unique ability to understand the other in a way no one else can. I adored Dal’s protective instincts toward Lana, even though he takes it too far at times. I loved Lana’s ability to stand up for herself when it mattered. I really appreciated the relationship she has with her father and how it becomes stronger. Dal and Lana both have secrets. How those secrets are handled is a central theme to the book, and sometimes a cause of conflict.
Steamy moments, laugh-out-loud scenes, and emotional bonding between the two main characters as well as with secondary characters made this book a very enjoyable read. I am sad to see the Juniper Ridge series end, but I know we will probably see some of these characters pop up again in other books down the road.
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an advance reader copy of the book.
I loved Lana and her sensitivity to others as well as her ability to read a room. Dal is the grumpy chef with six-pack abs and a soft heart under his crusty exterior. They are perfect for each other, and they each have a unique ability to understand the other in a way no one else can. I adored Dal’s protective instincts toward Lana, even though he takes it too far at times. I loved Lana’s ability to stand up for herself when it mattered. I really appreciated the relationship she has with her father and how it becomes stronger. Dal and Lana both have secrets. How those secrets are handled is a central theme to the book, and sometimes a cause of conflict.
Steamy moments, laugh-out-loud scenes, and emotional bonding between the two main characters as well as with secondary characters made this book a very enjoyable read. I am sad to see the Juniper Ridge series end, but I know we will probably see some of these characters pop up again in other books down the road.
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an advance reader copy of the book.
May 24, 2024
Okay, while I’m sad that Show Off is the final installment of the Juniper Ridge series, this story, focusing on Lana, the youngest Judson and family PR guru (which includes keeping some family secrets), and Dal, the “grumpy” chef of Serenade, the onsite restaurant, who harbors secrets and guilt all his own, was everything I hoped it would be, and more.
One thing I love about this series, and many of Tawna’s books, is the dual POV, where the chapters alternate between the two main characters. We see the good, the bad, and sometimes the ugly while also seeing how Lana and Dal navigate family secrets and drama (some things can’t be “spun,” no matter how good a PR pro you are), miscommunication, personal growth, falling in love on their way to their HEA (which here includes a very hefty helping of all things potatoes!).
All the characters, which include the entire Judson family, Dal’s brother, and uncle, and oh yes, cameos from characters I loved in both the Ponderosa Ranch and Cherry Blossom Lake series, are so well-developed and multi-dimensional that they truly jump off the page. The dialogue sparkles with humor and emotion. I laughed out loud, but also teared up in parts. I’ll miss the Judsons, but am glad that there’s still a book or two to come from Cherry Blossom Lake! I am happily, and voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an advance reader copy of the book.
One thing I love about this series, and many of Tawna’s books, is the dual POV, where the chapters alternate between the two main characters. We see the good, the bad, and sometimes the ugly while also seeing how Lana and Dal navigate family secrets and drama (some things can’t be “spun,” no matter how good a PR pro you are), miscommunication, personal growth, falling in love on their way to their HEA (which here includes a very hefty helping of all things potatoes!).
All the characters, which include the entire Judson family, Dal’s brother, and uncle, and oh yes, cameos from characters I loved in both the Ponderosa Ranch and Cherry Blossom Lake series, are so well-developed and multi-dimensional that they truly jump off the page. The dialogue sparkles with humor and emotion. I laughed out loud, but also teared up in parts. I’ll miss the Judsons, but am glad that there’s still a book or two to come from Cherry Blossom Lake! I am happily, and voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an advance reader copy of the book.
May 31, 2024
Ever since I discovered this series, I’ve loved each book and I’m not ready for it to end! “Show Off” is a flirty, sweet and bantered filled grumpy/sunshine romance that I devoured in one sitting.
Lana Judson is the youngest sibling and is all the PR guru of the family. She can spin anything and loves a challenge. Dal is the grumpy head chef of the restaurant at Juniper Ridge and works hard to be the best at what he does. The two are complete opposites personality wise but as they spend time together, the attraction they have for each other is hotter than anything Dal cooks in the kitchen.
Oh my gosh, I just loved Lana and Dal so much. Grumpy/sunshine is my cat nip in romances and these two were perfect. Lana is such a sweet woman who loves her family and her career in PR. She can spin anything into a positive light. And boy do I love a grumpy MMC and Dal was the perfect grump. He had me laughing more than once at his grumpy ways and I could see that sweet guy underneath he was hiding. I loved how Lana and Dal interacted, the banter and chemistry were so good. The teasing up until they gave into their feelings had me turning the pages because Juniper Ridge always snuck something in to keep interrupting them. I loved how close Dal was with his brother, it was like how Lana is with her siblings. The ending was so perfect and I loved the mentions from some of Tawna’s other series. I’m sad the series is over but I will be going back for a re-read.
Lana Judson is the youngest sibling and is all the PR guru of the family. She can spin anything and loves a challenge. Dal is the grumpy head chef of the restaurant at Juniper Ridge and works hard to be the best at what he does. The two are complete opposites personality wise but as they spend time together, the attraction they have for each other is hotter than anything Dal cooks in the kitchen.
Oh my gosh, I just loved Lana and Dal so much. Grumpy/sunshine is my cat nip in romances and these two were perfect. Lana is such a sweet woman who loves her family and her career in PR. She can spin anything into a positive light. And boy do I love a grumpy MMC and Dal was the perfect grump. He had me laughing more than once at his grumpy ways and I could see that sweet guy underneath he was hiding. I loved how Lana and Dal interacted, the banter and chemistry were so good. The teasing up until they gave into their feelings had me turning the pages because Juniper Ridge always snuck something in to keep interrupting them. I loved how close Dal was with his brother, it was like how Lana is with her siblings. The ending was so perfect and I loved the mentions from some of Tawna’s other series. I’m sad the series is over but I will be going back for a re-read.
June 7, 2024
Lana and Dal's story is a grumpy/sunshine romance with a whole lot of family drama thrown in there for flavor. Oh, and he's a chef--so maybe don't read this while you're hungry? Especially if you're a particular fan of potatoes and/or Nutter Butter cookies ;)
Ms Fenske did a great job of balancing this story's rom com aspects with more serious topics--neither Lana nor Dal had a completely "normal" upbringing, and that definitely had an effect on the choices that they have made with their lives. I really enjoyed watching them open up to each other as the story progressed, and the way their families inserted themselves into just about every situation was a lot of fun too. (The morning after walk when they ran into just about every single one of Lana's siblings was laugh out loud funny.) Dal's grand gesture was--literally--chef's kiss. Honestly, more GGs should involve food--the fact that they don't is an oversight, surely?
Show Off is the final story in the author's Juniper Ridge series, and though it could be read as a standalone, seeing all of Lana's siblings here and getting hints at some of the things that happened in their stories will likely inspire you to add their books to your TBR before you've even put this one down. You've been warned!
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Ms Fenske did a great job of balancing this story's rom com aspects with more serious topics--neither Lana nor Dal had a completely "normal" upbringing, and that definitely had an effect on the choices that they have made with their lives. I really enjoyed watching them open up to each other as the story progressed, and the way their families inserted themselves into just about every situation was a lot of fun too. (The morning after walk when they ran into just about every single one of Lana's siblings was laugh out loud funny.) Dal's grand gesture was--literally--chef's kiss. Honestly, more GGs should involve food--the fact that they don't is an oversight, surely?
Show Off is the final story in the author's Juniper Ridge series, and though it could be read as a standalone, seeing all of Lana's siblings here and getting hints at some of the things that happened in their stories will likely inspire you to add their books to your TBR before you've even put this one down. You've been warned!
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
May 24, 2024
This is an entertaining book that’s hard to put down. It can be read as a standalone, but I’d recommend reading the other books in the series first for background. This book is about Lana, the youngest Judson sibling. Lana handles PR for her family, including for their reality tv community and the siblings’ movie star parents. Dal is the chef at Juniper Falls’ restaurant. Dal caught the public’s interest at the end of the show’s last season, when he grumpily yelled at a customer on camera. Dal’s older brother works with him in the restaurant. Dal's brother is in a wheelchair after the traumatic accident that killed the brothers’ parents. The brothers’ uncle arrives from Korea for an unexpected visit, and Dal has to deal with some new information about his family. At the same time, Lana’s parents show up in Juniper Falls just as some of their secrets may be disclosed. This book has several plot twists, great supporting characters, and heat along the way to an extremely swoony HEA. There are well-written dual points of view, plus some interesting bits of Korean culture. Dal and Lana both face several challenging issues as their relationship develops. Very highly recommended romance! I received an advance copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 15, 2024
I'm quite sad that the Juniper Ridge series has come to an end but Show Off was the perfect way to end this family series! Lana Judson is the baby of the Judson family. She is sunshine and sweetness and she knows how to keep this family's PR on the right track. Dal Yang is the head chef of Juniper Ridge's restaurant and unbeknownst to either one, they have captured the other's eye. The problem? Dal is one cranky hot guy and Lana is positivity personified! So these two opposites get thrown together to judge a chowder competition and as they spend more time together, they find out that opposites really do attract. The supporting characters in Show Off are fantastic. The story stands alone but since each of the Judson siblings has a story, I recommend reading those as well. There's a lot of depth in Show Off that I am not going to get into because that's a part of the story's charm. So if you're a fan of contemporary romance and you like some steam in your story, Show Off is the perfect book to read on a sunny afternoon or a chilly evening. It was told from dual POV and is loaded with all the wittiness that I love from a Tawna Fenske book.
May 22, 2024
I first heard about Tawna Fenske in August of 2015 when her book "About That Fling" was featured as a "Kindle First." I have fallen in love with the way that she tells a story. Her characters are fun, and even ones you may not like at first tend to grow on you. Since then, I have read anything that I have found by Tawna.
Since reading “Show Time,” I couldn’t wait to finally read Lana Judson’s story. Although she is the “baby” of the family, I found myself identifying with the fact that she is the “family fixer.” I figured that her story would deal with an issue that is not easily “fixed.” I couldn’t have been more correct.
Just like all Tawna Fenske books, I could not put this book down. A few of the things about Lana that I wondered about definitely answered. I also liked how you got to see more of their parents in this book. While I am a bit saddened that this appears to be the last book in the series, I do look forward to seeming some of the characters potentially pop up in Cherry Blossom Lake series!
**A received an advanced reader copy for my honest review**
Since reading “Show Time,” I couldn’t wait to finally read Lana Judson’s story. Although she is the “baby” of the family, I found myself identifying with the fact that she is the “family fixer.” I figured that her story would deal with an issue that is not easily “fixed.” I couldn’t have been more correct.
Just like all Tawna Fenske books, I could not put this book down. A few of the things about Lana that I wondered about definitely answered. I also liked how you got to see more of their parents in this book. While I am a bit saddened that this appears to be the last book in the series, I do look forward to seeming some of the characters potentially pop up in Cherry Blossom Lake series!
**A received an advanced reader copy for my honest review**
June 6, 2024
The Juniper Ridge series is now complete and I. Am. Sad! I loved this series and the quirky characters, all encased in their little planned community. While I don't love reality tv, I feel like I got a glimpse of it within the pages of these stories...and I did love that!
Lana and Dal were an interesting couple, seemingly very different, since she's all perky and bright while he's a cursing, growly grump. Of course, he's not like that underneath it all...he's got a huge heart that includes his love and guilt over his brother, and suprisingly, an attration to little miss sunshine.
Lana has her own secrets and hidden side, as well. So why wouldn't they be perfect for each other, and lift each other up. Only, Dal might like to solve her problems while Lana is used to doing it all on her own...in her own way.
Secrets are revealed, of course, but in the end, Lana and Dal get their HEA! So, even as we close the door on this series, there's always the chance that these characters will pop up somewhere else...at least, I hope so! 5 big stars!!
Lana and Dal were an interesting couple, seemingly very different, since she's all perky and bright while he's a cursing, growly grump. Of course, he's not like that underneath it all...he's got a huge heart that includes his love and guilt over his brother, and suprisingly, an attration to little miss sunshine.
Lana has her own secrets and hidden side, as well. So why wouldn't they be perfect for each other, and lift each other up. Only, Dal might like to solve her problems while Lana is used to doing it all on her own...in her own way.
Secrets are revealed, of course, but in the end, Lana and Dal get their HEA! So, even as we close the door on this series, there's always the chance that these characters will pop up somewhere else...at least, I hope so! 5 big stars!!
May 16, 2024
You can’t help but love Juniper Ridge and all the people living there. Lana was the youngest of the Judson siblings, and the only one still single. Lana was the PR guru of the family and great at it. She had a slight crush on Dal, but she never did anything about it. Dal was the chef at their restaurant with his brother helping out. His brother was in a wheel chair but had such a great personality, especially compared to his brother Dal. It was sad about Dal’s past and how he took on a lot of guilt from it. I think that is what made him a little more grouchy. The man sure was intense about being honest which got him into trouble at times. Some of that trouble was funny. I was happy to see that Lana and Dal were thrown together, and you could feel the sparks flying between the two. Lana trusted Dal with a very important secret that may have got them into trouble. I have loved this series and strongly encourage you to read the book.
June 1, 2024
He sets down his wine and stares. "I don't know whether to shake you or hug you or bake you au gratin potatoes with gruyere and bacon."
"Those are my options?"
His mouth quirks. "You had something else in mind?"
DO I say it? "I'd take that belly rub."
He laughs and the tension breaks. Or not.
Lana couldn't help but have a major crush on the handsome, grumpy chef, Dal Yang. She tries to deny to herself and her siblings, but no one, not even her, is buying it. He's charming, even when he's trying not to be.
Dal doesn't get close to people. He's tried it and it doesn't work out. He's thinking of reconsidering his stance the more he gets to know Lana Judson. She's definitely one of a kind, and very hard to resist.
I love Dal's backstory. It adds a lot to the book!
I have adored the Juniper Ridge series SO much! I do not want it to be over!! This is a great addition, for sure!
"Those are my options?"
His mouth quirks. "You had something else in mind?"
DO I say it? "I'd take that belly rub."
He laughs and the tension breaks. Or not.
Lana couldn't help but have a major crush on the handsome, grumpy chef, Dal Yang. She tries to deny to herself and her siblings, but no one, not even her, is buying it. He's charming, even when he's trying not to be.
Dal doesn't get close to people. He's tried it and it doesn't work out. He's thinking of reconsidering his stance the more he gets to know Lana Judson. She's definitely one of a kind, and very hard to resist.
I love Dal's backstory. It adds a lot to the book!
I have adored the Juniper Ridge series SO much! I do not want it to be over!! This is a great addition, for sure!
May 25, 2024
4.5 stars - What a beautiful ending to the series!
I've enjoyed the journey to Juniper Ridge with each book in the series, but this one definitely hit my heart on a different level. There's plenty humor and steam, so no worries on that front, but the emotional and family ties will send you reeling once secrets are revealed.
Superb banter between Lana and Dal, but their emotional connection is what kept me riveted to the page. The author threw me for several loops with all the plot twists, but I loved seeing how everything came together at the end, especially with the other characters we've come to know and love.
I've enjoyed the journey to Juniper Ridge with each book in the series, but this one definitely hit my heart on a different level. There's plenty humor and steam, so no worries on that front, but the emotional and family ties will send you reeling once secrets are revealed.
Superb banter between Lana and Dal, but their emotional connection is what kept me riveted to the page. The author threw me for several loops with all the plot twists, but I loved seeing how everything came together at the end, especially with the other characters we've come to know and love.
May 27, 2024
Show Off is a wonderful finale to the Juniper Ridge series. This is Lana's book. She is the youngest of the Judson siblings and holding onto a family secret. She is the fixer and you feel the weight she carries for her family. Dal is a grumpy chef who carries his own family tragedy. This this wonderful pull between Dal and Lana you will love. Hang onto your seats as all the truths come out for Dsl and Lana. You feel the moment the heavy is lifted from Dal and Lana. There is a wonderful balance with the sweet, the heavy, the laugh out loud and sexy moments that will keep you glued to the pages. I loved every moment of this one. You need to one click this today.
June 8, 2024
Favorite Quotes:
Cassidy looks from Dal to me. “I don’t know what’s happening, but I just got a contact high from the pheromones.”
I know I’m supposed to respect her as my co-parent and Soph’s stepmom, but sometimes I want to grab that woman by the hair and just drag her around like a ragdoll and then punch her in the face and spit on her crotch as I tell her she’s nothing but a cheap, trashy excuse for a— what?
My Review:
This was a delight to read from start to finish. I adored these characters, as I have all the previous couples featured in this quirky community. Lana and Dal are well-matched in every way. She has a passion for food, and potatoes in particular, and he is a creative chef primed to indulge her like no other can. Both are well-crafted with authentic foibles and idiosyncrasies. Tawna Fenske just gets better and better with each new tale.
Cassidy looks from Dal to me. “I don’t know what’s happening, but I just got a contact high from the pheromones.”
I know I’m supposed to respect her as my co-parent and Soph’s stepmom, but sometimes I want to grab that woman by the hair and just drag her around like a ragdoll and then punch her in the face and spit on her crotch as I tell her she’s nothing but a cheap, trashy excuse for a— what?
My Review:
This was a delight to read from start to finish. I adored these characters, as I have all the previous couples featured in this quirky community. Lana and Dal are well-matched in every way. She has a passion for food, and potatoes in particular, and he is a creative chef primed to indulge her like no other can. Both are well-crafted with authentic foibles and idiosyncrasies. Tawna Fenske just gets better and better with each new tale.
May 15, 2024
What a great end to a series!
Lana is the last Judson standing-she is the only one not married. She’s very interested in Dal, the chef at the Juniper Ridge restaurant. But Dal is grumpy and a whole lot of blunt.
Dal hates secrets and is brutally honest. Lana’s job is to spin things in a positive light….and she has a big secret. Will the two be able to overcome their differences?
I love this series. The characters are also so well-developed. There is always humor to go with the romance. A great read!
Lana is the last Judson standing-she is the only one not married. She’s very interested in Dal, the chef at the Juniper Ridge restaurant. But Dal is grumpy and a whole lot of blunt.
Dal hates secrets and is brutally honest. Lana’s job is to spin things in a positive light….and she has a big secret. Will the two be able to overcome their differences?
I love this series. The characters are also so well-developed. There is always humor to go with the romance. A great read!
May 21, 2024
ok I totally came into this series backwards . yes it can be read as a standalone but like all series best read in order to know the other hidden back stories.
buy wow this one not only made me laugh( as it should it's a rom com) but it made me feel. yes some of it was confusing to read ( chapter script of characters) but once I got going it made everything right when reading.
don't worry no cliffhanger for you so you get your hea plus a bonus one too. so grab this book and give it a read ( raiting or review too for our girl) and see how much your gonna love it
buy wow this one not only made me laugh( as it should it's a rom com) but it made me feel. yes some of it was confusing to read ( chapter script of characters) but once I got going it made everything right when reading.
don't worry no cliffhanger for you so you get your hea plus a bonus one too. so grab this book and give it a read ( raiting or review too for our girl) and see how much your gonna love it
May 23, 2024
This is the last book in this chapter and I loved the story of Lana and how she was different, but that did not matter to her family. Dal, was on the edge all the time for his grumpiness and his take no prisoners attitude. Different points of view for different people, things to consider all the time. Doubling down on lists, motorboating, removing pieces of clothing without taking off your shirt, "nutmeg and love". Everyone is always running. Love this family.
I voluntarily reviewed this book.
I voluntarily reviewed this book.
May 28, 2024
But wait, there’s more (drama)!
The final book in the Judson family saga starts off great, in true Tawna Fenske fashion, with a misunderstanding for the ages that had me LOL! I loved Lana and Dal - both on their own and together - and I truly enjoyed seeing them grow closer, despite their personal hang-ups and general snafus along the way. And while I’m sad that this is (probably?) the end of this series, now that all the Judson siblings have found their HEA, I feel like this story, with all the drama worthy of an Academy Award, is quite a fitting finale for this showbiz family.
The final book in the Judson family saga starts off great, in true Tawna Fenske fashion, with a misunderstanding for the ages that had me LOL! I loved Lana and Dal - both on their own and together - and I truly enjoyed seeing them grow closer, despite their personal hang-ups and general snafus along the way. And while I’m sad that this is (probably?) the end of this series, now that all the Judson siblings have found their HEA, I feel like this story, with all the drama worthy of an Academy Award, is quite a fitting finale for this showbiz family.
June 8, 2024
This was the final trip to Jupiter Ridge and what a way to end a series. Every book in this series was wonderful and entertaining. This time we got the baby of the family Lauren’s story. Lauren was attracted to Dal, the grumpy chef who worked at her family’s reality show town. Watching these two fall for each other was enjoyable and hot. Both of them overcoming their childhoods and family secrets was great. Love seeing all of Lauren’s siblings some more too. I would highly recommend this series, every book was great and all are standalones.
June 10, 2024
SHOW OFF is a fantastic wrap-up of the series! Tawna Fenske's tried and true romance recipe lands perfectly on the palate. Love, heat, and hilarity are all there, blended together in a fresh new dish guaranteed to satisfy her growing legion of readers. And Dal is just the grumpy chef to bring on the yum factor—he's perfect for Lana. Bonus: Includes potatoes galore and an adorable doggo. I'll miss the Juniper Ridge gang, but I know whatever Fenske has in store for her readers next will be just as good. She never disappoints.
October 24, 2024
Dal thinks Lana is all sunshine and doesn't realize what a great gal Lana is. Lana is in PR mode most of the time and rarely lets herself let her guard down. When these two both let their guards down, they realize they have a lot in common and are good for each other. This was a really good book and I had a hard time putting it down. This book revealed secrets that Lana thought only she knew and showed how close her family really is. Dal learned more about his past. They both learned to support each other! Loved this book and series!!
May 21, 2024
This is the 6th book in the Juniper Ridge series and the first book in this series that I have read from this author. Lana and Dal were great characters and their story line had all the feels: interest, truths, secrets, feelings of being at fault, family ties, forgiveness, and love. I love the author for the laughter she brings out in me when I read her books. For me, I find myself relating to her characters.
June 2, 2024
Sadly, this is the last of the Juniper Ridge series. Lana and Dal's story was just as great as her siblings' stories.
His belief that honesty should be the only policy clashes with PR job to put a positive spin on things. Add in a secret she's had to keep for years and they have some obstacles to get past.
I'm sad to let see the Judson family go, but I look forward to what Tawna has in store for us in the future.
His belief that honesty should be the only policy clashes with PR job to put a positive spin on things. Add in a secret she's had to keep for years and they have some obstacles to get past.
I'm sad to let see the Judson family go, but I look forward to what Tawna has in store for us in the future.
June 6, 2024
Show Off is now officially my favorite book of the series. Not only are Lana and Dal a terrific grumpy/sunshine combination, but I particularly enjoyed the tension between truth and kindness in the book. Everyone has to balance those two things, and it is hard to get it right every time. They have very good conversations about the balance. Also, Lana and Dal have more things in common than are obvious at first. I loved them as a couple, and I loved getting to see all the Judson kids with HEAs.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews