Tropes: Age Gap; Grumpy vs. Sunshine; Single Dad; Starting Over
Alaric is a driven astrophysicist who’s only in Willow Creek so he can finish his book and give his twin daughters the chance to reconnect with their aunt.
He doesn’t have time for the incovenient attraction aroused by the sassy, always glass half full niece of his eccentric innkeeper.
Farrah is in Willow Creek because it’s her last resort. She’s putting her life back together in the wake of the pandemic and she thinks her aunt’s houseguest is arrogant and annoying.
A meet cute in the rain sets the stage for the barely banked bonfire raging as a backdrop to every one of their interactions.
I 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
So thankful to be part of the ARC team and receive a copy of this book!
I'm a sucker for the grumpy/sunshine trope. Both Alaric and Farrah are dealing with loss and starting over in a new place - Alaric is a widower, and Farrah lost her mom to the pandemic, along with her job and boyfriend. I love their connection and growth throughout, and you really learn to love the characters. Definitely my favorite in the series so far!
It could be read as a standalone, but characters from previous books pop up. It's well worth it to read the others as well.
I am so grateful to be a part of Andrea’s Willow screen Wantons and a permanent ARC reader, with No Doubts, book 5 in the Willow Creek series being absolutely no exception. This incredible five star small town romance has left me aching for book 6, with tropes including age gap, grumpy v sunshine, fresh start/starting over, single dad, anywhere but the bed, and of course found family. I love how the characters from the previous 4 books appear throughout (and Zane is running for mayor, what!, still up to his matchmaking ways with Blake jumping on the bandwagon!).
Alaric is a widower and father of two young girls, reconnecting with his sister in law whilst still trying to come to terms with his last moments with his wife, and his plans after he finishes his book.
Farrah lost everything in the pandemic. Her job, boyfriend, mother, and place to live. Willow Creek is the completion of her mother’s last wish and her last resort. Her half ownership of the town’s B&B along with an aunt she never really knew allows her time to plan her next steps.
Their chemistry is undeniable and definitely electric! Yet will their internal battles, struggles with their own losses, scandalous town secrets and lives outside of Willow Creek stop them from giving in to the forces at hand pushing them together?
We have two new faces to Willow Creek and I am obsessed! I cannot get enough of Andrea’s writing. It is not only her poetic and descriptive writing that makes you feel as though you are actually in Willow Creek, but it is the declarations of love, the banter, the setting, and all of the SPICE. I inhale each of her books like there is no tomorrow. Zane, Trevor and Dex are my forever favourites but Alaric is right up there and is definitely being added to the book boyfriends list! The whole “Professor” vibe was so good and he was definitely a dark horse 👀👀👀!!!!
The emotional and mental growth of the characters, witnessed over the course of this book is just so tender and beautiful; highlighting the internal struggles both characters face, and how together they are able to begin to mend and begin to repair parts of each other they long thought broken.
This whole series needs to be on your TBR, especially if you love contemporary romance!
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Favourite Quotes:
💕“Not every relationship ends in a happily-ever-after.” “No, not all of them. But ours should.”💕
“You belong wherever you decide you want to belong.”🥰
“Eyes on me, Tink.”👀👀
“You showed me that home is where you make it. The place that you find parts of yourself you lost along the way somewhere. The place you find the people who will stand beside you no matter what. That place is here for me. I want it to be that place for you too.”🏠
“It means I had no idea the woman cursing in the rain was going to steal my heart and my sanity. I’ll do anything. Beg, steal or borrow. As long as you follow. All my doubts are gone. I’m right where I’m meant to be.”☔️
"I felt exactly how much I offended your modesty when I landed on top of you.”
The way I laughed so hard, kicked my feet in the air, slid out of my chair, and cried so many times reading this book. I don't know what kind of magic was added to the pages of this book, but it was one of the best reading experiences. Dare I say one of the best reads I had this year? My last read wrecked me in a way I wasn't ready for and picking this book up felt like becoming whole again. I loved it!
Our two MCs both have very wounded pasts and are battling their own struggles and we get to go along their journeys as they move past that. The characters were very relatable in the decisions they were faced with and I loved reading how it was all unfolding it came to a close. I loved the inclusion of Alaric being a single dad and that the girls were constantly implemented throughout. Showing that love can be found after losing your spouse and that children can be accepting of it brought me back to how accepting my nephew was for my brother. I teared up with how smart those girls were with their attitude towards everything. Moving on after tragedy and finding those that accept you finding love again is absolutely beautiful.
As a girl OBSESSED with Once Upon a Time I love that Alaric referred to himself as Captain Hook. Because yes that man is giving all the viiiiibes and TINK was so good for Farrah's personality.
There is a chapter where Farrah is sick and Alaric makes her soup and takes care of her and calls in the forces to help her out with her responsibilities while she's recovering and it was the sweetest thing.
He shakes his head in reproach. “No, Tink. Once in a night full of lovemaking is not enough. You shouldn’t ever lower your expectations like that and settle for less than the dicking down you deserve.”
Tropes: 📖 Age Gap 📖 Single Dad 📖 Small Town 📖 Found Family 📖 Starting Over 📖 Grumpy/Sunshine
I am seriously so happy to be apart of this arc team and I look forward to the next story.
You know when I started reading this one I was so confused because I didn't remember them from the previous books so at first I didn't see the connection but once I started reading I realized they were both transplants to Willow Creek and where their connections were coming from. This two right here had me laughing aloud with their antics. We have Mr. Grumpy Alaric who is a widower and moved to Willow Creek so his daughters could reconnect with their aunt. After loosing his wife Alaric's main focus is being the best dad he can be and the last thing he needs is a distraction. However that's hard to accomplish when said distraction is living under the same roof.
Farrah lost her mom due to the pandemic. Her job is none existing due to layoffs and her relationship ended due to her boyfriend being unfaithful. She decides a fresh start is needed and heads over to Willow Creek to help her estranged aunt run Sweet Pea's Bed and Breakfast.
If you love 💫 Single Dad 💫 Small Town 💫 Starting Over 💫 Opposites Attract
Type: Contemporary Romance Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Spice: 🌶️🌶️ Stand Alone or Series: Tropes: Grumpy/Sunshine, Age Gap TWs: Just a couple
💋naj_ana_reads💋 Mood Reader TikTok l Instagram l Goodreads l Amazon l Audiable Reviews
I absolutely loved the aspect of this book.. I was given the opportunity to read this as An ARC and I devoured it. I loved that it was a small town romance. The scenes where well laid out and Farrah and Alaric were the perfect Match for grumpy -sunshine. If I am reading an age gap this is the age gap I like to read! I loved the references to the pop culture. It made it easy to relate to some scenes very well.. this was a medium burn in my opinion with some sexual tension mixed in. The spice level when it hit was a 3 for me and I love that because it doesn’t take away from the plot or the characters at all! My only complaint is that I wanted more of the book I didn’t want it to end!
I Absolutely Loved this story. Andrea Jenelle is such a phenomenal storyteller & this story had me invested from the first to the last page. She’s one of my Favorite Authors and I was super excited for this story.
Alaric & Farrah were the characters in this story and we are back in Willow Creek. There was chemistry, some spice & then the romance. I love a small town romance story. It’s just a beautiful story as a whole and as the reader you feel you are actually in this town, with these characters, and you are completely invested in them. I didn’t want to put this book down and loved it from the first to the last page. It definitely had all the feels.
I had the privilege of being on the ARC team for this book. I had already read a previous book by this author without any thought of ever being part of her ARC team. This book oh this book, you start reading this sweet little romance story of two people that you know are going to end up falling in love in a cute Barbie and Ken type of way. Farrah and Alaric meet and initially dislike each other..normal enemies to lovers scene. All cute and cottage like story…And then Bam you land on page 98, and away goes the sweet little town romance…and a whole lot of hot spicy sex happening with very and I do mean very clear visual. Run do not walk to read this book. It was amazing. I read it in less than 48 hours cause I could not put it down .
I received this as an ARC for an honest review. I fell in love with this book early on. It keeps you wanting to turn the page. The banter that Farrah and Alaric had from their first meeting had me smiling. And there is some SPICE if that is what you are looking for. When I saw the cover I thought, “Aww, this is going to be a small town sweet romance story.” Butttt… Alaric is a dirty talking and backing it up Professor! Yum!
We all have an auto buy author (or two) Andrea Jenelle is definetly one of mine. This whole series is amazing beyond words! No Doubts is a grumpy/sunshine, age gap, single dad romance. I also think the way Farrah and Arik met is the cutest meet cute ever.
No Doubts is book 5 of the Willow Creek series. It can be read as a standalone but all the books in this series is sooooo good and you will definitely fall in love with them all.
Alaric and Farrah both are struggling with loss and are starting over. Alaric is a widower and Farrah lost everything in the pandemic. They both end up in Willow Creek for a new start.
I loved the banter between the characters and the spicy was definitely there. Their connection was unmatched and I was here for it all from the start.
Think small town, grumpy/sunshine, Hallmark movie vibes…just spicier!
This is a cute, small-town, spicy story between 2 people with a 12-year age gap. Farrah and Alaric are in different phases in their lives but both have their struggles and once they meet they can’t help but get involved. I liked their interactions, there was humour and wittiness and chemistry. Tbh, I expected a bit more spiciness because the professor had promised a lot 😉 This book is part of a series and even though the presence of other characters is not overwhelming, I suppose it would be a better experience for those having read the previous books. There were some inconsistencies and things that felt strange, like for example Farrah’s good relationship with Taren that appears out of nowhere. I think the pacing was a bit off at some points. I also felt the end was slightly rushed and I didn’t exactly understand her attitude and annoyance in the end.
-Dual 1st person POV -Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Overall: 3.5/5 ⭐️ for me and I will read more of the author’s book if I get the chance.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Why does the thought of someone trying to take care of you make you so mad?”
And she knocks it out of the park yet again. This book has everything we love wrapped in one, single dad, a stubborn fmc with a spicy mouth, found family, connection that’s off the charts. Willow creek is one of my favorite places to be and this book was no exception it’s my favorite of the willow creek series!
When offered the opportunity for a free copy of the book, I jumped at the chance.
Overall, it was a good story. The plot and the sex scenes were fantastic! It was difficult to read at times, however. The writing seems a bit disorganized and most of the metaphors are very strange. I did notice a few inconsistencies, as well. That said, I would recommend it to anyone that enjoys a good story and a happily ever after.
I'm not sure how Andrea keeps making them better and better in this series but this was so cute and definitely the spiciest of the Willow Creek Series!
*Age Gap *Grumpy/Sunshine *Starting Over *Single Dad *Smalltown I absolutely loved this book.. I loved seeing Farrah's sassiness come out when she was with Alaric. They both let their walls down after their pasts. If you enjoy any of these tropes then you should read this book.
AMAZING!! This book had me laughing, crying, and on edge of my seat at times!!! I LOVE the willow creek series!! This book was sooo SOO good!! I loved this love story of Alaric and Farrah!! Highly recommended!! I couldn’t put this book down! Once I started I had to finish!!!! ❤️
I really enjoyed this enemies to lovers smalltown romance with its added single dad, close/forced proximity, grumpy-sunshine tropes and somewhat „Cinderella“ vibes, twists, mystery, plenty of banter and bickering, dirty talk, hot love scenes and very likable protagonists who are still suffering from their past. The chemistry between them crackles from the start and they are a great match. I adored the spirited twins and to meet again with the sympathetic, meddling characters from the previous books.
After some major disappointments and the death of her mother, Farrah Caldwell travels to Willow Creek to fulfil her mother's last wish and accept her inheritance, half of a bed and breakfast, but is met with hostility from the small town's residents and her co-owning Great Aunt. She has no intention of staying, just saving enough to return to New York. As soon as she arrives, she meets an arrogant, grumpy man with his daughters who turns out to be a guest at her boarding house and although she can't stand him, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to him. Widowed physics professor Dr Alaric St Simon has travelled from Seattle to Willow Creek with his lively daughters to spend some time near his sister-in-law Sarah, whom they haven't seen for years, and to finish work on his book. He's had little personal life since his wife's death and no interest in women until he meets Farrah, who attracts him and challenges him again and again...
If you like your small town romance novel with lovable characters, humor, verbal sparring and heat, you are sure to enjoy this book!
I received a free ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.
What a great read for anyone who loves the Hallmark love stories!
No Doubts is book 5 in the Willow Creek Series but can 100% be read alone, though I highly recommend reading the others so you can fall in love with all the characters!
This is a story of self discovery and self worth, an opportunity to let go of the past with regrets and guilt, a chance to love again after tragedy, and finding family and friends where one feels alone.
Andrea has a writing that is so poetic and the way she blends in pop culture references as metaphors and one liners is my favorite thing about reading her work.
So much of myself is in Farrah: accident prone, hot mess, independent, and also struggle in taking compliments. I love her optimism and lady boss attitude and knows what she wants. Alaric is the grumpy to her sunshine and I love his devotion to his daughters and his willingness to keep the memories of their mom alive, despite the way their marriage ended. He feels he isn’t allowed to be happy because of the past. She feels she doesn’t belong anywhere because of hers. What is meant to be spice and stringless, easily becomes a bond they can’t deny. Together they break away the tough layers and open their hearts to each other.
Alaric has Clark Kent daddy vibes and once the spice hits (a moderate burn), it’s full of bossy control and thigh clinching moments! There’s no skimping in the spice department here folks! Anywhere but the bed is the big trope here and I’m all for it! Each moment and feel of “home” is great. The ending is that perfect moment and gives you the feels.
Thanks Andrea for having me on your team and the play by play with you I enjoy while reading!!
No Doubts by Andrea Jenelle. I extend thanks to the author and publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy that was gifted to me.
There is "No Doubt" there is something brewing just below the surface between the two main characters Farah and Alaric. They couldn't be any more different but maybe that's part of the allure, because opposites either attract or repel each other like oil and water. The author has done a very nice job of creating her characters and using good descriptive details to paint them, right down to describing their physical reactions.
Both characters hail from the big city with this story is set in a small community. Having lived for 20 years in a small town, I can relate to the small town dynamics that exist in the small town of Willow Creek. For those who haven't endured this experience, the author does an admirable job of setting the difficult scene. This is integral to the plot.
While the spice level of this book is probably a 4 which I isn’t my my normal reading, it didn't feel like a forced distraction that takes away from the storyline. The story does a good job of realistically looking at hurdles that impact relationships rather then glossing over them in the traditional happily ever after. This is a well written novel that I would recommend.
Farrah and Alaric’s story was funny, sexy, poignant, sweet, and sometimes exasperating - mostly in the way other characters pre-judged Farrah for the “sins” of her mother and grandmother. From the first page, Farrah’s voice and point of view are immediately endearing, wry, and hilariously filthy. This was a book I devoured in every available waking moment over the course of a busy day. It was time well spent.
This was my first time reading the work of Andrea Jenelle and I’m truly happy to have stumbled upon this beautifully written slice of complicated life. Farrah’s vulnerability and dogged determination is the perfect foil for Alaric’s extremely capable, Henry Cavill-esque with a smattering of Khal Drogo vibe.
The twins are a treat: precocious but not unnaturally so, boundary-pushing but never malicious, simply appropriately mature eight year olds.
The reader can’t help but root for Farrah and Alaric to wake up and decide to go for their happily ever after despite protestations from both.
The town of Willow Creek itself is something of a character as well, its denizens are quirky and interesting in their own ways, even those who come off rather poorly.
I was privileged to receive an advance reader copy from the author and booksirens and it’s my honor to share my honest review.
My Thoughts~ oooo baby was this a good one. This is the Fifth Book and most filthy book in The Willow Creek series and I devoured it never stops getting better as the books and series goes on. This is a series and they are all interconnected but they can all be read as stand alone. The tension between Farrah and Aric was as steamy as the shower scene 😉 I love how adorable the relationship between him and his kiddos was as well as their relationship they built with Farrah. It was a slow burn but the candle was lit the whole time if you know what I mean. I just can’t get over how great of characters both of them were. Probably my favorite set so far 😍
I can’t wait to see what’s next in store from Andrea as her books never disappoint and always keep my on my toes wanting more 🤍
Quotes
“Just remember you asked me to stalk you, Tink.”
“Just because you don’t like facing the truth doesn’t mean it isn’t true.”
*No Doubts* was everything I hoped for and more! As a fan of small-town romances, I was thrilled to dive into this story, especially with the added charm of the single parent trope. The setting of Willow Creek came alive, and I could easily picture the close-knit community that surrounds the characters.
Alaric, the driven astrophysicist, completely won me over. He’s a perfect blend of gentleman and control freak, and his dynamic with Farrah had me laughing out loud. Their antics brought a delightful energy to the story, making their connection feel both genuine and entertaining. The love and trauma woven throughout the narrative added depth, particularly as Farrah and Alaric navigated their own paths to healing.
Andrea Jenelle did an amazing job crafting this tale. The chemistry between Alaric and Farrah is palpable, and their journey of starting over is both heartwarming and relatable.
If you're looking for a book that you can't put down, filled with humor, heart, and a touch of romance, *No Doubts* is a must-read! Highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good grumpy vs. sunshine dynamic with a side of age gap romance.
No Doubts is a contemporary romance centered around the interactions between "Mr. McGrumpypants" Alaric, a 42-year-old astrophysicist, and Farrah, a 30-year-old city girl who's inherited a B and B. The story explores their growing attraction despite their initial differences and the challenges they face, including the dynamics of being a single dad while they both grieve major losses and find themselves in the same small town, the perfect backdrop to a Hallmark movie.
To be transparent, I typically do not read contemporary romance novels, but the sarcastic, fiercely independent personality of Farrah coupled with the driven, overly protective Alaric drew me in. Their back and forth banter and wild sexual tension sealed it for me. This book has just the right amount of spice. It's an easy read that left me satisfied while interested in the rest of the Willow Creek series.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of the ARC team.
THINGS JUST GOT BETTER & BETTER at Willow Creek. I have a thing for UNCLE turned Single dad romance (especially if it involves nieces) but with the mix of enemies to lovers (was it tho), damn the GOODNESS TAKES UP A NOTCH!
I may need to take down stars from previous books cos this one, is the best one yet. OPPOSITE attract, bed & breakfast (imagine Stars Hollow Gilmore Girls), age 30-40 (im so thankful for this age genre, i need a break from NA), ASTROPHYSICT MMC ( i loveeeeeee HOT nerds, cos im such superficial)
The CHEMISTRY is so SPICY-ing, 🌶️especially when nerdy MMC is a beast in bed. LET ME TELL YOU, i ate this up. And salivateeeeeeee🤤
Come on, By this time Andrea can’t do no wrong ( yes, i go for first name basis from now on!)
🎶Jewel-Break Me is on a loop in my head while i was reading this!
P/s Thanks for this freebie. Andrea Jenelle! Opinions are my own, don’t worry, I’m not bias, (maybe a lil bit 🤣)
Farrah is a woman who lost everything during the pandemic, her job, her boyfriend, and her mother. Her last resort is to help run the Bed and Breakfast in a small town she half owns with her cranky old aunt thanks to her mom.
Alaric is a widow and the father to twin girls. He is reconnecting the girls with their aunt on their moms side while trying to finish a book.
Both end up in Willow Creek. At the same Bed & Breakfast. From the first interaction, the chemistry between Farrah and Alaric is undeniable. But they are both fighting their own internal battles along with each whatever force is pushing them together.
This is my favorite of the Willow Creek series. The banter, the characters, the spice, and the growth in characters are all written so well. I love how the internal struggles of the characters are written and explored.
This was my first book from Andrea!!! She reached out to see if I would be interested in her book she just released and I JUUUMMMPPPEEED! Thank you, Andrea.
Big city girl, down on her luck and pretty much lost everything, moves to a small town in search of something.... Big city boy with kids moves to small town, to write a book, and connect with estranged loved ones.
They both move to the town of Willow Creek. Cue... meet cute, or two!
This was a fun and fast read with the game of cat and mouse. Alaric (MMC) is bossy with Dom tendencies and Farrah (FMC) is willing to go toe to toe with him. There is a lot of banter, a bit of an age gap, and emotional growth and healing between both characters.
I like the side characters and the fact they all have their own stories; I will continue the other books of her series.
Great small- town/single dad romance. Farrah has returned to her mother’s roots, broke and smarting from her boyfriend's cheating, to claim half of the local B & B her mother left to her. There are some great characters in the story, including her irascible aunt who controls the other ‘half’ of the inheritance. I loved the character of Alaric – the grumpy professor with hidden (naughty!) depths who is staying at the B & B with his cute twin daughters. I really enjoyed the development of the relationship between Farrah & Alaric – especially the push/pull enemies-to- lovers vibe between them. I loved that feisty Farrah didn’t realise she wanted to be dominated until hunky Alaric tells her what to do – although she maintains her independence outside of the bedroom! A good romantic read and I will definitely be seeking more novels by this author.
In No Doubts, Andrea Jenelle delivers a heartfelt small-town romance that beautifully intertwines themes of healing, unexpected love, and starting over.
The story follows Alaric, a dedicated astrophysicist and single father of twin daughters, who retreats to Willow Creek to finish his book and help his daughters reconnect with their aunt. His plans are disrupted when he meets Farrah, the optimistic and resilient niece of his eccentric innkeeper. Their initial interactions are marked by witty banter and undeniable chemistry, setting the stage for a compelling grumpy-sunshine dynamic.
Jenelle's writing shines in her portrayal of complex characters navigating personal growth and emotional vulnerability.
For fans of age-gap romances with emotionally rich storytelling, No Doubts is a must-read that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next installment!