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Cricket Creek #7

Sweet Harmony

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Cricket Creek, Kentucky, is no Nashville—it’s a sweet, small town outside the big-city limelight. But here, two headstrong country music stars will need to rely on their Southern roots and explosive chemistry to top the charts together.
 
When Cat Carson drops her record label and signs with an independent label based in Cricket Creek, it’s a huge upset in the music world. But the residents of Cricket Creek are thrilled to have a real country music star in their midst. Everyone except Jeff Greenfield, that is—a local rising star himself, who’s been asked to record a duet with the stunning beauty.
 
Jeff grew up on a farm, but his smooth, soulful country style is starting to get him noticed outside Cricket Creek. And while a duet with Cat Carson could send his career skyrocketing, he doesn’t want to lose touch with his roots—or lose his head. Because sparks are flying every time he and Cat hit the studio. And it’s more than a little distracting....

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 7, 2014

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About the author

Luann McLane

43 books303 followers

LuAnn McLane writes sexy contemporary romance with a touch of sass and humor. Published in 2003, her novels have appeared on bestselling lists including USA Today, Nielsen BookScan, Barnes and Noble and Amazon. Her books have been featured selections for Rhapsody and Doubleday Book clubs. A love of country music led her to a collaboration with superstar Wynonna Judd with the novel Restless Heart. A member of RWA, she conducts workshops on a local and national level and connects with readers on social media. She divides her time between Kentucky, Florida and Arizona and when she isn’t writing or reading, she enjoys cooking, beachcombing and spending time with friends and family.

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5 stars
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27 (13%)
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly.
2,318 reviews97 followers
December 28, 2014
My review cross-posted from Wit and Sin: http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2014/12...

Sweet Harmony is a fresh, fun romance that’ll leave you smiling. Author LuAnn McLane’s seventh Cricket Creek novel is a refreshingly honest, joyful read.

Cat is bright, cheeky, and talented. You almost want to hate her because she’s so fabulous, but she’s just so nice that you can’t. I love heroes and heroines that make you wish they were real so you could have them as a friend, and Cat definitely fits the bill. She’s funny and klutzy and altogether endearing. She’s made it to the top as a pop country star, but now she wants to take her career in a different direction. There are those in the business who don’t think Cat’s music is “real country,” and Jeff is one of them. He’s a rising country music star in his own right, and he doesn’t want to jeopardize his integrity by going along with his label’s suggestion that he do a duet with Cat. I loved the push-pull between these two as Jeff learned to respect Cat’s talent and overcome his bias. Both musically and romantically, these two fit one another. It’s not a smooth road to happily ever after, as one might expect when business mixes with pleasure, but of course every bump in the road is worth it in the end. I will admit that I had a bit of trouble with some things near the end that I fear I can’t write about without spoiling the book. Suffice it to say that Cat makes some decisions that seemingly come out of nowhere and I would have liked it if there had been a bit more development toward the end instead of it feeling rushed.

All of the Cricket Creek books I’ve read have had a secondary romance in them, and Sweet Harmony is no exception. I absolutely love reunion romances and the one between separated spouses Pete and Maria was truly stunning. I adore all the secondary romances in the Cricket Creek series, but Pete and Maria’s may just be my favorite. Their love story added even more depth to the overarching plot.

I’m a fan of both modern and classic country, so the music industry plotline was every bit as interesting to me as the romances. That being said, even if you’re not into country music this book should delight. Simply put, Ms. McLane’s Cricket Creek series is lovely to read and Sweet Harmony is no exception. I adored Cat, Jeff, and their friends and I can’t wait to journey back to this sweet Southern town!


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Profile Image for Joanne.
189 reviews7 followers
March 10, 2015
I received Sweet Harmony by LuAnne McLane as a Christmas Gift. This book is part of a series, but I haven’t read any of the others. Set in Kentucky, LuAnne McLane accurately depicts small town live and the desire of many with sights set on life in a big city. The author makes it easy to follow for those that are new to her series. Luann provides the reader with a quick insight into the characters; their history or who they are and what role they play in the story.

Readers who appreciate country music will love the country music overtones in this book. When a country/pop sensation moves to town, after ditching her big city record label for more musical control, things start to get out of hand for a local boy. I believe those who have read earlier books in this series will love the returning characters and embrace the new ones in this addition to a sweet romantic series. As I’m not a fan of this style of music, the constant song and music references felt a bit much for me and I tend to think in song lyrics and the alternation of the names was a bit overdone.

Sweet Harmony is centered on Cat Carson and Jeff Greenfield (country music stars who are thrown together from the moment Cat pulls into Cricket Creek from Nashville). Their chemistry intense right from the start so watching them fight it makes for a fast paced story line. You won’t want to put the book down! A second set of characters also become a strong part of the story, Maria and Pete, attempt to reconnect and learn to trust and love each other again.

I completely enjoyed Sweet Harmony by LuAnne McLane. It was a fun, sweet, romantic read perfect for sitting by the pool or for reading on a cool rainy fall afternoon with a cup of cocoa. As usual Cricket Creek did not fail to welcome you to their small, sweet southern town complete with quirky and interesting characters. I read mysteries and, on occasion romance, for enjoyment and as an escape from some of the harshness of life. This is a sweet romance which builds slowly making it enjoyable. In that context, this book was a good one. I appreciated this book so much that I’m looking forward to the next book by LuAnn McLane.
Profile Image for Carrie.
147 reviews1 follower
November 29, 2017
Cat Carson, a well known country singer, moves to Cricket Creek and moves in to the cabin next door to Jeff Greenfield. Jeff happens to save her from an attacking suitcase and falls into a pattern of coming to her rescue. When circumstances bring them together to sing, they discover their voices pair amazingly together.

A fast, yet exciting read. Memorable characters.

Goodreads Giveaway Winner.
Profile Image for Paris Szkop.
9 reviews
June 23, 2022
This was my first Cricket Creek novel and I fell in love with the small town and the main characters, Cat and Jeff. A perfect contemporary romance full of passion, excitement, and lust. I recommend this book to someone looking for an easy read. I’ll definitely be buying more Cricket Creek novels.
748 reviews
April 27, 2020
Cricket Creek #7 - Had It - Read It- 2014
Profile Image for Dona A.
85 reviews2 followers
April 25, 2022
I love Jeff Greenfield! The way he carries himself as a character is so amazing. Cat Carson is such an amazing main character and her energy is lovely.
605 reviews3 followers
February 21, 2024
I like a romance as must as the next gal, but do the women have to be so bloody ditzy? Even smart women could get a man, I'll bet.
Profile Image for Deb Lester.
614 reviews27 followers
October 16, 2014
Cricket Creek, Kentucky, is the setting for the seventh book in the Cricket Creek series, Sweet Harmony by LuAnn McLane. Readers will love the country music overtones in this book, as well as, the charming small town setting and robust characters. When a country/pop sensation moves to town, after ditching her big city record label for more musical control, things start to get out of hand for a local boy. Fans of the series will love the returning characters and embrace the new ones in this addition to a sweet romantic series.

What I liked:

Well, first of all I am a Kentucky girl and reading books set in my home state is always a pleasure. LuAnn McLane obviously knows a lot about small town life and big city dreams. These two ideas combine to make Sweet Harmony a great addition to this well written series. I love all of the nuances and enchanting little tidbits that make Cricket Creek so special. The small town flavor of this book is one of the things that makes it enjoyable. Readers will want to come to Kentucky just to find out if McLane's rendition of a Kentucky hometown is on the level or not and let me just say... it's spot on!

I am not always a big fan of celebrities somehow falling off the beaten track to become locals, but McLane tempers that to an extent in this book, by having Cat sign with a local small town record label. Great things often come from humble beginnings and liked the way that McLane is going with this. Cat is a great character in herself. She may be a famous singer but isn't full of herself. She wanted more control over her career and the music she was making. She could have stayed in Nashville and worked for the machine, making a ton of money, but she choose a different path. I liked her a lot. She was klutzy and sweet and she knew what she wanted out of life.

Jeff was a bit more of a stickler. He didn't say he didn't like Cat's music but he didn't say he liked it either when they met. He was not a fan of Cat's rise to success. His own career as a traditional country musician was a much harder fight and he thought Cat's breezy songs were not heart felt and real. He did however have a soft spot for Cat as a person. In fact he was very attracted to her from the first and when they have to work together on a song, he has a hard time reconciling how he feels about working with her with his attraction to her. I liked him better as the story progressed but I did want to beat him over the head now and then...LOL!

I'm not sure the story was completely realistic, but it wasn't out of the realm of possibility either. It was a sweet romance that builds slowly and allows the reader to enjoy the time these two spend together. I thought Cat and Jeff made a good couple once he was willing to accept that they could make a go of things despite both being in the music business. Like I said he was a little hard to convince, but what man isn't?

What I didn't like:

I'm still not convinced that celebrities and locals make a good fit in most instances, but I in this novel McLane makes it work. Most of us read for escape and this was a good one.

Bottom Line:

I loved the setting of course, being from Kentucky myself. The small town aspects of the book were a joy to read and reminded me of small towns I've been in myself over the years. Cat was a great heroine, strong minded, a little clumsy and very tender hearted. Jeff was a harder sell for me, but in the end he grew on me and I thought they made a good couple. A good addition to this excellent series.
Profile Image for Barb Lie.
2,092 reviews4 followers
October 9, 2014
Sweet Harmony by LuAnn McLane is the 7th book in her wonderful Cricket Creek series. Cat Carson is our heroine, and she was such a fun one at that. Cat is a country/pop music star, who moves to Cricket Creek to get away from the limelight, and live in a small town that will allow her to write her music. Cat left her record label, feeling they were holding her back from where she wanted her music to go, and signed with Cricket Creek’s own record label.

We meet Cat as she is arrives at her new home. Cat is sort of accident prone, and of course, as she tries to pull out the luggage, she falls with the heavy luggage landing on her legs. Enter our hero, Jeff Greenfield, a dimpled hunk who comes to her rescue. Jeff, is a country boy, who has lived all his life in Cricket Creek. He too is a singer, and is the front man on a band with his friends. As Jeff helps Cat to her cabin, things start off on the wrong foot. Jeff knows who Cat is, and hints to her that he doesn’t like her music.

What follows is a nice slow to build romance, which I do enjoy, that finds Cat and Jeff constantly running into each other, especially after a few accidents that Cat always manages to find herself in. As I said before, Cat was such a great heroine, and brought so much humor to this light hearted romance. Jeff does his best to avoid Cat, as he doesn’t want to get involved with her. Hard to do, when he begins to fall hard, but refuses to admit it. There were times early on I wanted to smack Jeff a few times, but in time he does get better.

We get to meet many of the people at Cricket Creek; Mia, Cat’s friend, who had her story, and was instrumental in getting Cat to move to Cricket Creek; Maria, who will manage Cat, is a well known song writer, who has also returned to Cricket Creek and will have her own romance with her ex in this story; Snake, one of Jeff’s bandmates and Pete, the bar restaurant owner, who is Maria’s ex. Great secondary characters, but the focus is all on Cat and Jeff, as we watch them fall hard for each other, and work out a way to be able to work together in the music industry.

LuAnn McLane writes a wonderful series in a small town, and allows us to see most of them through each book in this series. If you enjoy sweet lighthearted romances, that had some great sexy scenes; a great couple and secondary characters, with a music themed background, then Sweet Harmony is perfect for you.

Barb
The Reading Cafe
Profile Image for Ellie.
688 reviews15 followers
February 1, 2015
Sweet Harmony, Cricket Creek #7, by Luann McLane
Grade: B

“In other words, kiss my Southern sass?”

Cat Carson is finally taking control of her career after a long legal battle with her record label and her first stop is Cricket Creek, Kentucky. With a new label, Cat is trying to get back to her roots and find who she really is as a singer as well as gain some credit from her fellow musicians. What Cat didn’t expect was her neighbor and fellow musician Jeff Greenfield to shake up her world. When the label suggests a duet between Jeff and Cat sparks fly and the two find themselves fighting the chemistry between them.

Jeff Greenfield grew up in Cricket Creek and is happy to be back and making his music his way. Jeff isn’t happy about doing a duet with Cat and even less thrilled when it’s suggested to two become a group. Fighting his attraction to Cat, Jeff struggles to make his band happy, his label happy and even Cat happy and losing at all three. Jeff must make a choice of following his dreams for his music or following his heart towards Cat.

I am a big fan of the Cricket Creek series and was so excited to get Jeff’s story. This book leaves the world of baseball and moves towards Cricket Creeks thriving music scene and shows a fun new side to the small Kentucky town. What makes Sweet Harmony so fun is the Jeff and Cat’s music and references to popular songs. I found myself stopping to go online and listen to lyrics that fit so well with what was going on between Cat and Jeff.

Cat is a great heroine and my favorite of all the Cricket Creek ladies. I like that Cat is confident in herself and even though she is a big country star she isn’t perfect and doesn’t try to be. Jeff is a great balance for Cat and their relationship seemed very fun. There are some of the classic miscommunication problems that happen in romance novels but it wasn’t so bad that the story was ruined and Jeff and Cat’s chemistry made up for it.

Like all Cricket Creek novels there was a great side story that I liked just as much as Cat and Jeff. Maria and Pete were married before but still have feelings for one another and are finally acting on them now that Maria is back in Cricket Creek. These two are really great and their story went beautifully with Cat and Jeff.

I can’t wait to see what happens in Cricket Creek next!
190 reviews15 followers
October 14, 2014
Welcome to Cricket Creek, Kentucky, the not so sleepy anymore little town that is suddenly experiencing a boom in celebrities. Cat Carson, pop country star, has just freed herself from a controlling record company that had her doing things that made her increasingly uncomfortable in pursuit of more record sales. Cricket Creek and the little cabin her friend Mia found for her looks like the ideal place to get her head out of the fog of what people expect her to be and discover what she really wants, including the more traditional country music she wants to explore.

Jeff Greenfield rescues Cat from the attack of the killer suitcase on her first evening in CC, and sparks fly immediately. But when Jeff, an up and coming traditional country music performer disses her breezy songs, Cat feels an understandable ire. How dare he judge her and her music when he can't even name one of her hits, this farmboy with killer dimples and a drawl that makes her all melty? Jeff wants to kick himself for the horrible first impression, but can he help it if he thinks her quick rise to frothy pop country success was too easy? He had to put off his ambitions to help save the family farm, and now that he's got one hit under his belt and his high school band back together, his sophomore song is stalling...and nothing is coming easy for him.

So when their shared record company suggests they rerelease the song as a duet - with Cat - he's not happy. But their chemistry when performing together is undeniable, as is their growing connection when away from the mic. Can Jeff and his band make a success on their own and finally win a spot as the opening act for their country legend idol, or should he take a shot at making sweet harmony on and off the charts with the sweetest-voiced little klutz he's ever met?

Once again, Bluegrass girl LuAnn McLane takes us back to Cricket Creek where we can check in with old and new friends, couples, and businesses that give this community its heart.

Profile Image for Tracey.
984 reviews18 followers
October 7, 2014
When Cat Carson, a country star phenomenon with a Top 40 fan base leaves her big time label to relocate to a small town in Kentucky to find herself, she has no idea of how her life is about to change. Jeff Greenfield, wants nothing but to sing, to make a name for himself as a performer of traditional country songs. While he can appreciate the talent in a singer like Cat, he thinks that she's better suited to pop radio stations than to the Grand Ole Opry. But Fate, in the form of the owner of their mutual record label, steps in, forcing them to put aside their differences and work together.

Sweet Harmony by LuAnn McLane is more than your typical opposites attracting sort of love story. Cat and Jeff are both strong characters who know what they want, at least professionally. They are both determined to make the kind of music that they want, the type that will define them as more than just one-hit wonders or Top 40 fan favorites. And that refusal to back down, to be other than they feel called to be, is what sparks the interest between the two of them as well, and draws them to each other. Their chemistry, combined with strong supporting characters like Maria, Pete, and Snake, are what make it such a fun read, along with the sense of community that comes from a small town full of people that know and love each other.

This is the seventh book in the Cricket Creek series, and while it is the first one that I've had the pleasure of reading, it will not be the last. I look forward to reading the previous books and to spending more time in Cricket Creek, Kentucky.
66 reviews3 followers
November 12, 2014

Cat Carson feels like she needs a major change in her singing and writing career. She dumps her label and heads to Cricket Creek for some much needed reboot. Cat loves the solitude and spending time with the town folks and her friends. But her neighbor a rising local star isn’t too thrilled to have Cat in town.

Jeff Greenfield has just started to gather some attention in the record industry. He is afraid that Cat’s more pop take on country music will take away from him being noticed. When Jeff’s record company suggest a duet with Cat he is none to happy about it.

Rehearsing with Cat has him realizing her talent is maybe just what his career needs. Also neither can deny the sparks that fly when they are in and out of the recording studio. Can these two stars be able to put their difference aside and let this romance flourish?

This series is one of my favorites. The characters have become old friends that you get to catch up with in each new book. Cat and Jeff romance is hot and emotional. Their chemistry is explosive every time they are together. Looking forward to the next book by LuAnn McLane.
Profile Image for Krissys Bookshelf Reviews.
1,640 reviews83 followers
July 16, 2015
Sweet Harmony I received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Signet/ Berkley. This is my first book in this series but the author makes it easy to follow for those that are new to the books who from what I can gather have familiar faces in them from the details Luann gives about them so readers are given a quick insight into their history or who they are and what role they play in the story. Its a great read with characters who grab your heart right from the beginning. I especially liked the fact that even though our characters are celebrities they aren't stuck up, they aren't into themselves and they aren't self absorbed. Completely opposite of that actually and that's what won my heart. The sweet romance is something that will easily capture you all the way from beginning to end.
Profile Image for Lisa Cobb Sabatini.
866 reviews25 followers
February 17, 2015
I won Sweet Harmony: A Cricket Creek Novel by LuAnn McLane from Goodreads.

LuAnn McLane's Sweet Harmony is a charming, breezy romance novel perfect for readers who enjoy feel-good, quick reads. Sweet Harmony has all the elements sweet romance novel aficionados seek: two appealing protagonists, a pleasant setting, and a delightful courtship. Full of gentle and amusing secondary characters, stolen kisses, and humorous scenes, Sweet Harmony truly entertains. Readers will not only root for the characters, but also will desire to move to their fictional town and settle in. If author McLane continues writing the Cricket Creek novels, readers will keep reading.
December 22, 2014
I won this book on Goodreads and was thrilled. I am a fan of Luann McLane and her Cricket Creek Series.
It's a simple review ...Perfect!

A cast of characters that are memorable, a charming nosey small town that's romantic.

I love how the storylines are filled with song lyrics. Cat and Jeff are full of southern grit and chemistry you can feel lift off the pages.

Winning this book was like receiving the perfect gift! Thank you- Only downside...I personally would have loved Luann's autograph. LOL.
Profile Image for Tammy.
293 reviews5 followers
May 19, 2015
What a sweet story. It makes me wish I could move to Cricket Creek myself. This was the first book I have ever read by Luann McLane, and the book is part of a series, but it definitely stands on it's own. It did however make me want to read the stories of the other couples I met throughout the book, as well as the couples yet to come. I loved Cat, she was sweet and funny and very clumsy which led to a lot of laughter for me. Jeff is wonderful too. A virtual knight in blue jeans. I enjoyed the ending, it brought a tear or two to my eyes. I can't wait to dive in to more of Luann McLane's books.
25 reviews
October 9, 2014
I loved this book, it was great meeting back up with Mia, learning more about the Greenfield family, and I loved the side story of Pete and Maria. Cat and Jeff were great together, I thought Jeff was a little stuck up or set in his ways in the beginning, since he couldn't really see who Cat was only what he thought she would be in his head, but once he got through that it was great...Can't wait to return to Cricket Creek!
Profile Image for Laura Hannaway.
948 reviews
October 8, 2014
Absolutely wonderful, I fell utterly in love with the characters and the setting, and I look forward to reading the others in the series. Highly recommended!!!
157 reviews
August 29, 2016
Luann has the wonderful ability of keeping me reading long after I should have put the book down.
I love all of the Cricket Creek stories, but this has got to be one of my favorites.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews