Flock And Roll

by Vicki Hilton

Rowena Swan, Tuft Swallow’s reigning crochet queen, is living her best life—or so she thinks. She’s got a thriving Etsy store, her independence, and a firm resolve NOT to pine over her brother’s hockey-playing best friend, Brody Flockhart. But when he returns to their quirky small town, sidelined by injury and questioning his future, long forgotten sparks reignite.

In a move to spend more time with the woman he’s always loved, Brody convinces Rowena to join a roller derby tryout—with him as her coach. The snag? Rowena sets her own challenge, and he has to learn to crochet.

As they navigate the ups and downs of small-town life, roller rinks and crafting circles, will Brody realize he can’t find true happiness in fame and fortune? And will Rowena see that she’s worthy of love, just as she is?

Get ready for a swoon-worthy romp where love, laughter, and logic unravel. After all, what’s a few dropped stitches between friends?

Genres: Hockey Romance, Romance, Friends To Lovers, Forced Proximity, Sports

293 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 4, 2024

About the author

Join my newsletter and never miss another release! Sign up at vickihilton.com

Writing about love, passion and all things tingly has always been a dream for me.

Originally from rural England, I now live in Sydney’s glorious Northern Beaches, where I’m steadily gathering freckles and dipping my toes into the ocean for inspiration.

With a focus on smart, quirky heroines and sensitive, sexy heroes, I create steamy, slow burn, contemporary romance. Always on the funny side, with a nice touch of spice.

I’m a devoted wife, mother of one beautiful daughter, a wrangler of assorted animals, and a lover of Skittles.

It’s a mix made in heaven.

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Reviews

[T Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

HEA
Standalone, interconnected characters
Brother's best friend
Tuft Swallow series, multi-author

*over 18 readers only *

Trigger/ Content warnings
Death of parent
Career ending injury

Rowena/Ro (mfc)
Brody/ Flock (mmc)
Cooper (brother of mfc, friend of mmc)
Eve (friend of mfc)

Series characters and things to watch for
Winston (town goat and mayor)
Winston's Hot Daddy (real name unknown)
Tit Peepers (town gossips)
Nosy Pecker (town's unofficial paper)
Mrs. Woodcock (older lady of town)


After suffering what might be a career ending injury, Brody is back in Tuft Swallow. He left without a word years ago, breaking Ro's heart to pieces. His team, agent, and doctors aren't telling him anything. And he isn't saying anything to anyone except Coop. Even if all he wants to do is tell Ro and beg her affection. He doesn't think Coop will approve and is unsure if Ro even wants him. She does, but her heart was already broken by his leaving. She knows he's leaving again. Why would he stay in a small town when he has so much waiting for him back in Denver? And who's the redhead that keeps showing up? What will happen when the team cuts him without warning?

I love the continuation of Winston in this series. Keep watching those first 3 words of every book.

[Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

More 4 1/2 🌟. Truly this had be invested from the beginning, I love a brothers best friend second chance romance and through in a hockey player and I’m hooked. In Flock and Roll we return to Tuft Swallow, a small town with some endearing residents and in this case it’s Ro and Brody chance at rekindling their past. Their chemistry was perfect, the returning characters was a delight and throw in a goat who always brings a smile to my face you end up with a delightful read. This is book three in the Tuft Swallow series and I cannot wait to return to this small town in the next book.

[MaryBeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is about a small fictional town with lots of interesting characters. To be honest, based on the series titles, I wasn’t expecting much and I was pleasantly surprised. This book is well written and has an interesting plot. Parts of it made me smile and other parts drove me crazy. I’m glad I read it.

[Jennifer Jansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rowena and Brody have known each other for years. Brody is Rowena's brother's best friend and they shared a kiss 5 years ago that neither has been able to forget. Rowena pushed him away then and he left without fighting for her. Brody is back in town waiting to hear if he's going to get cleared to play hockey again. Trying to forget that his career is in jeopardy isn't easy so he throws himself into coaching Ro in roller derby. Ro has been in love with Brody for years and is struggling with him staying at her home while he's in town and coaching her. This story was a little slow for the first half, but picked up in the end. It takes them a bit to figure themselves out and be honest with each other. Biggest highlight is the cameo of Mayor Winston.

[ABurch74 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good book that was a really easy to read. The chemistry between Ro and Brody is very appealing and draws you in. It was a pleasure to read.

[Leah Hortin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flock and Roll is such a charming book, part of the Tuft Swallow series, and it definitely doesn't disappoint in delivering that small-town, feel-good vibe.

The story revolves around Rowena Swan, the crochet queen of Tuft Swallow, who’s living her best life, dabbling in a lot of things, and enjoying her independence. But things get interesting when Brody Flockhart, her brother's best friend and a hockey player, returns to town after an injury. The chemistry between Rowena and Brody is undeniable, especially since there's a bit of a history there, with long-forgotten sparks flying all over the place.

Brody's trying to figure out his next steps and ends up convincing Rowena to join a roller derby tryout, with him as her coach. The twist? Rowena makes him learn to crochet. It’s hilarious and adorable watching Brody navigate the world of yarn and hooks.

Rowena is such a fun character – spunky, quirky, and full of life. Brody, on the other hand, felt a bit one-dimensional at times. He’s pretty much the quintessential hockey player, and I wish there was a bit more depth to him beyond his sports persona.

One thing I loved about the book is the mix of romance tropes – friends to lovers, forbidden romance (since Brody is her brother’s best friend), and a dash of forced proximity. It makes for a really engaging read. However, I did get a bit frustrated with the usual lack-of-communication and jumping-to-conclusions conflicts that lead to the inevitable third-act breakup. It's a bit tiresome in adult relationships, don’t you think?

But the epilogue totally made up for it. It was sweet and satisfying, wrapping up the story nicely. And as always, Tuft Swallows books are packed with funny puns and the kind of small-town charm that makes you want to pack your bags and move to town.

Overall, "Flock and Roll" is a delightful, swoon-worthy read that blends love, laughter, and a bit of roller derby action with the coziness of crafting circles. If you’re in the mood for a lighthearted romance with quirky characters and a touch of sports, this book is definitely worth picking up.

[DarcyLovesLiza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute love story in an enjoyable setting

Story: 3.75 ⭐️s

Tuft Swallow is home to some quirky and colorful characters, including the FMC for book 3, Hilton’s contribution in the series Rowena “Ro” Swan. She is a jill of many trades, including aspiring roller derby queen and avid crocheter. And though a bit at sea in some ways since losing her mom, she is mostly content and enjoys her life and loves her community, in all its madcap charm. She and returning hometown hockey hunk, Brody Flockhart make a cute couple. He’s facing an uncertain future after an injury; so he’s come home to spend time with his best friend, Coop and see what can happen with Ro, the one who got away, even though his BFF is her big brother .

Hilton adeptly deploys the brothers-best-friend trope with a dash of forced proximity thrown for some laughs and tension. (Brody is crashing on the couch at her family home.) Though this book wasn’t overly spicy, being a bit of a slow burn, the MCs have great chemistry and solid sexual tension. I also like how friendship plays a part in their connection, though Brody is definitely a bit more there from Ro than she is for him at times. Still, the connections between the characters are a plus overall here and bring a steady stream of joy. Between Coop and Eve, the Dirty Hookers crochet group, Mrs. Woodcock’s birders, Mayor Winston and his Hot Daddy, there are lots of fun moments to be had.

Some things that were not for me - the third act misunderstanding and Ro’s behavior in those chapters was incredibly frustrating. I think because the balance of POV tips towards her, with far more chapters in her head than in Brody’s, I got annoyed with her more quickly than had the POV been more balanced. The third act also had pacing problems compared to the first two thirds.It all just felt rushed and less compelling than what had come before. Her emotional pivot after skating back to town away from Brody, gave me a bit of whiplash. If third act nonsense is going to happen in a story, it at least needs to percolate a bit. Still, I did admire the self- awareness that Ro’s quick turnaround represents. And the epilogue was great - love the idea of the Tuft Swallow Talons!

I do recommend this one. Overall it was a sweet story, with a fun setting that makes me want to read more about other Tuft Swallow residents looking for love.

I received a reader review copy via Book Sirens. All opinions are my own.

[Sydney Linn · Rating 4 out of 5]

🛼 Flock and Roll by Vicki Hilton 🛼

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️ (but the tension is constant 🔥)

🛼 Brother’s best friend
🏒 Small town romance
🛼 Second chance romance
🏒 Slooooow burn with lots of tension
🛼 Friends to lovers
🏒 Dual POV

Thank you Vicki Hilton for an arc of your newest book! 😍 I had the pleasure of meeting Vicki through my indie author appreciation post and I’m so happy I did. She is so sweet and her positive/cheery attitude is just the best! 💜

Rowena is small town girl who is just living her normal routine when her brother’s best friend (who she kissed and hasn’t seen or heard from in 5 years) shows up in her kitchen. Brody is an NHL superstar recovering from a broken leg. He decided he wanted to go back to his hometown while waiting out the news of if his contract would be renewed or not.

Brody knows he hurt Ro when he left without saying a word after they kissed, but he felt it was for the best since he was going off to college, not to mention she was his best friend’s little sister. Ro thought her feelings for Brody were gone, but when they’re forced to stay in the same home together, those feelings reignite.

Brody just wants to spend more time with Ro, but she keeps avoiding him. So when he sees her express interest in joining a roller derby team, he jumps at the opportunity to coach her. Ro reluctantly agrees, but tells him that if she does this, he has to learn how to crochet.

With all the forced proximity and simmering tension, they soon realize they can’t fight their magnetic pull towards each other. But with Brody potentially heading back to his NHL life, will Ro get hurt in the end?

This book was super cute. The banter was hilarious. Rowena is very quirky and I loved it. This was definitely a slow burn, but I think it was worth it in the end! This was the first book I’ve read by Vicki and it won’t be my last! This book is part of an interconnected stand alone series, so I’m excited to read more 😍

✨ this book releases on June 4th! ✨

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent my long holiday weekend with these characters and loved every second of my time with them. The main characters are Brody "Flock" and Rowina Swan. They are childhood friends that fell in love right before Brody left to play professional hockey in the NHL. Brody is also Ro's big brother's best friend and kind of considered off limits. But Brody is back in town recovering from a leg injury and waiting to find out whether he still has a spot on his NHL team. Leaving him plenty of time to reconnect with Ro.

What I liked most about this story, was Vicki's focus on insecurities. This is a theme she uses a lot in her books where the main female characters, and male ones as well, are dealing with insecurities about themselves. The length of the story takes them through situations where they have to face their own insecurities and overcome them to eventually find happiness.

The other thing I LOVE about Vicki's stories is her comedic elements. There are always adorably strange animal characters that take a center stage during the story and Tuft Swallow's mayor is a sweater wearing mountain goat named Winston. He makes a few appearances and is a heart-warming addition to the story.

If you enjoy small-town, friends to lovers, and brother's best friend romances, then this is a great one to grab! The spice level is medium and only a few open-door scenes. Most of the story is focused on their angst and tension, as well as overcoming those insecurities about themselves.

[Crys Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing that intrigued me to want to read this was that Rowena was young and she liked to crochet, and she sold her stuff online. This sparked my interest because I have been crocheting since I was in high school, and my friends would call me an old lady for my hobby. I enjoy it, it can be quite therapeutic. I’ve also had my own online store for my creations. So, it was nice to read about someone who was young and liked crocheting. I haven’t quite jumped back into the roller-skating scene, but I’ve been interested before reading this and it made me want to get into it again. It was nice to read about a character who had very similar unique interests to me.

This book kept me interested with its best friend’s brother, friends to lover, and second chance trope and open-door romance. Brody an injured NHL player returns back to the town he grew up in, Tuft Swallows to heal his leg. He stays with his best friend Cooper and his family. Cooper’s family includes his Grandma Maggie and his sister Rowena. Rowena had a crush on Brody since they were in school, but felt like Brody always just saw her as a sister. However, that isn’t the case. So, when Brody finds an opportunity to spend more time with Rowena by coaching her to be a derby skater, it gets harder for them to hide their feelings.

I received an ARC and I am leaving a review voluntarily.

[Jessica ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flock and Roll by Vicki Hilton

« I’ve missed you, Ro. »

• Slow Burn
• Small Town
• Brother’s best friend
• Friends to lovers
• Hockey Player

This is the story of Rowena and Brody and it takes place in Tuft Swallow a cute little town with particular people and a goat. He’s her brother’s best friend. She’s the quirky little sister. They shared a kiss on her prom night and right after Brody leaves for the NHL. Five years later, Brody his back in town after an injury. All he want it’s to be close to Rowena but she avoids him.

This is a slow burn story with no drama. It takes time for them to realise they can’t fight the pull towards each other but at the end the wait was worth it. I loved Rowena character! She crochet and can roller derby skate? That’s badass ✨ Brody is insecure about is future, vulnerable and oh sooo sweet. The characters are lovable, realistically flawed and the banter and the back and forth flirting was hilarious.

This book is part of an interconnected standalone in the Tuft Swallow series and I cannot wait to return to this small town in the next book 💛

Thank you author for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Ro(wena), the female lead, has lived in her small town all her life. She’s never gone anywhere or done anything because she’s genuinely content with the place she lives. Brody, the male lead, is a professional hockey player and her older brother’s best friend who kissed her on the night of her prom, the night before he left town, and never spoke to her about it or responded to the note she wrote him. Now he’s back in her life, and her house(!), because her grandmother has offered him sanctuary whilst he works out what he’s doing post-injury…

This story is dual POV, and a contemporary small town romantic comedy. I admit that I found the way the characters didn’t communicate effectively with each other most frustrating. I enjoyed the world building and chuckled at many of the background characters. I enjoyed Ro’s genuine contentment with her life choices and chuckled at her awkwardness with Brody. I empathised with Brody’s stress about his life situation and his concerns about what he would do in the future; I enjoyed Brody’s character development. I didn’t really care for the importance placed on her brother’s reaction to their relationship. I did enjoy their resolution.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.

[Kell X · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this small town. It's amazing how different authors can get this cute awkwardness so right and continue it through their books. 
I keep wondering what's coming next with this characters. 
I'm definitely team Winston as mayor!
Well, as for this story.. we follow Ro's and Brody's story in their friends to lovers romance  
Ro lives in Tuft Swallow, and likes her small town life and routine as captain chearleader and part of the knitters club. She has a super crush on her brother's best friend, but since he left town to persue his NHL career she put her feelings aside, and moved on. 
Brody is a famous and successfull NHL player, that after a major injury goes back to his small town, to his best friend's house to wait and see if his future in sports is compromised or not. 
Those feelings that were on hold on Ro's part are tottally matched in Brody's and although they try (and they really do try) to avoid their connection they give into their love in a very angsty way.
I loved their care for one another and also their playfulness. It was a true friends to lovers romance with all the angst and worry that they could lose their friendship if they gave in. 
I can really recommend Vicky's books! They do not disapoint!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me preface by saying this is the only book I have read in the Tuft Hollow series and I do not know if this has impacted my take on it. I was totally intrigued to have a FMC involved in crochet. That is not something that you see in stories, and since I am a life-long crocheter it was a quick decision to put this book on my WTR list! I loved the small town atmosphere and all the quirky characters. It is a light, cute read, but for most of the story the characters were not very "fleshed out". In contrast, the characters seemed much more developed in the intimate scenes; it was sort of a mismatch. I did love getting a more in depth look at the characters, and those scenes were certainly hot, but I wished the character development had happened earlier in the story. This was a very slow burn for me. Overall, I did enjoy this story and I can definitely recommend if you like:

* small town romances
* very slow burns
* quirky characters
* cute communities
* hot, open door scenes

I just found it a bit of a mismatch to have all of the above in one story. Maybe it would have been different if I had read other Tuft Swallow stories?

**Thank you to BookSirens and the author for providing a DRC in exchange for my honest review**

[Coffeenbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

- Brother's best friend
- Small town romance
- Slow burn

I absolutely loved this book! I connected so much with Ro, whose quirky inner monologue and crocheting prowess were worthy of 5 stars alone. But the rest of the story was superb as well and I was transfixed.

Ro is mortified when she finds that her brother's best friend, Brody, aka Flock, will be staying with them for a while. He is recovering from a potentially career ending injury he sustained while playing in the NHL. Ro was totally smitten with Brody while she was in high school. She is still reeling from THE KISS she gave him the day before he went off to college. She is still harboring some feelings for Brody,which she tries to cover with her wit. Brody secretly has always liked Ro, but considers her off limits because of her brother, Coop.

Brody has a lot of time on his hands to think, mainly about his future, so he volunteers to help coach Ro when she expresses interest in joining the rival town's roller derby team. They have to train in secret because the town rivalry is that serious....

The characters in this small town absolutely make this book. Small town romances are among my favorites due to quirky side characters.

[Foxx Writer · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a small town obsessed with birds, puns and budding romances. this romance? is forbidden though. he's a super famous hockey star with a bad leg and shattered dreams. more importantly, he's in love with his best friends little sister. it's totally forbidden, and he shouldn't be all hung up on a kiss they shared on her prom night... but how can he resist her? especially when helping her try out for the Roller Derby fills him with some purpose.

She's a small town nobody whose mother was a somebody. Crochet might be her hobby... and even her source of money, but skating is her passion. so what if she's going to die alone? she's not all hung up on her brothers best friend. it's all under control... so when she strikes a deal... he learns crochet, so long as she tries out for the roller derby team, well... maybe spending a little more time with him won't hurt?

Another installation of the Swift Hollow series that will have you rolling in your chair laughing... and cringing in embarrassment. i screamed 'just kiss already' at least three times the mutual pining was so intense! seriously, this is a hilarious must read if you like birds, puns, romance, and a nice touch of spice. well, maybe more than just a touch.

[Jordan Fiest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flock and Roll is part of the multiauthor series Tuft Swallow. This was a great brother's best friend story. I really enjoyed this story. It was fun and interesting read.

Brody and Rowena have great chemistry and everyone in town can tell, but they try to hide it. They do struggle with admitting their feelings for each other. They both don't want to hurt anyone in Rowena's family, as Brody has always been super close with her family.

Rowena annoyed me at times. She really overreacted to a lot of situations in the wrong way. She needed to just have open communication with Brody and they wouldn't have had so many misunderstandings. On the other side, Brody was keeping a big secret from Rowena and had some secretive moments so I get why she acted the way she did.

I loved Brody. Yes, he did keep some secrets, but they were personal ones which he didn't want to acknowledge because this could change his whole future. I loved how quick he was to react to the bull incident and how protective he was of Rowena in that moment. He was always working hard to make sure Rowena knew how great of a person she was.

This was another great addition to the Tuft Swallow series!

[Betsy Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚: Flock and Roll by Vicki Hilton


Tropes:
👉 Friends to Lovers
👉 Small Town
👉 Slow Burn


TWs 😟:


Main Takeaway 🏹: A beautiful love story


Synopsis 📜: Brody is back in Tuft Swallow after his professional Hockey career was derailed by an injury to his leg. While he waits to see what will happen with his contract, he rediscovers his infatuation with his best friend’s sister, Ro. They had a difficult time resisting each other before he left for college and that has not changed in the years since he has been gone.


Personal Thoughts 🤔: This is a very slow burn! They dance around each other and their feelings for almost the entire book but the tension was delicious! Brody wants nothing more than to say something to his best friend about his feelings for his sister but Ro’s fears outweigh his desires. I appreciate that he takes the little information she gives him and respects it by not moving any further with their feelings but of course that doesn’t lead to a happy third act. This was a fun read and I’m still obsessed with this little town. If it existed in real life, I would move there tomorrow!

[krystal Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC thank you Vicky 🥰

• Small Town
• Brothers Best friend
• Friends to Lovers
• Close Proximity
• Slow Burn 🔥

Rowena shared a kiss with her brothers best friend 5 years ago just before he left town. With feelings left buried but not resolved. Brody comes back to town following an injury that he may or not recover from. Leaving the two of them in close proximity and feelings coming to the surface. Will Ro heart break again? Will Brodi leave town again?

This book had all the tropes I love 🥰
The humour between these two is hilarious and keeps you wanting more. Ro is the quirky female lead with her love for crochet, being apart of the town community, her love for her family and friends while Brody is a 'flockboy' and everyone knows who he is and follows his journey of hockey 🏒 I loved this story it was a super cute read and I loved that there was no drama. Small town romances always suck me in there's something in a town where you can't hide and everybody understands you. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ro (Rowena) is happy with her life as it is. Although it's a fairly simple life, and while she occasionally wishes she had more, it is a good life.

Brody is on the precipice of a HUGE change in his life. And coming back to his home town of Tuft Swallow, he is faced with the one girl he ever wanted, but could never have. His best friend's sister - Ro.

As Ro and Brody work through the imminent changes in their lives, and as they work on accepting what must be, they work together to help Ro train for the Swift Hollow Roller Derby Tryouts, and find themselves drawn to that which they do not believe they can ever have.

I ADORED the flock of puns, and the witty banter between the characters. I loved how well Ro and Brody still knew each other, all these years later, and I appreciated how they reconnected, and worked together to help each other grow.

Fabulous 3rd installment in the Tuft Swallow Shared World series. I thoroughly enjoyed Vicki Hilton's writing.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angela Hodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flock and Roll by Vicki Hilton is a fun, quick read with lots of appearances by our favorite mayor and Winston’s Hot Daddy!This book is part of the Tuft Swallow series but can be read as a standalone.

Ro and Brody had one amazing kiss several years ago, one they both never forgot but that was before he became famous and she went back to being his best friend’s annoying little sister. Now he’s back and they can’t seem to stay away from each other, no matter how hard they try.

These characters are great because the mfc is sassy and strong, she knows what she wants and she goes for it. The mmc is vulnerable and sweet, he sees that he’s made mistakes in the past and doesn’t want history to repeat itself. I love the repeating characters in this series, they are lovable and fun and then with each new book more characters are added in which makes it even more interesting!

I definitely recommend for an enemies to lovers, brother’s best friend, second chance romance with a hea!

[Linda Dominick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is part of the Tuft Swallow Series. Each book is written by a different author.
Flock and Roll is a fun, sweet book about a small town and the quirky people that make up this lovable community. I thought all the residents of Tuft Swallow were unique characters and a joy to read. All the relationships and community clubs and were a little on the strange side, but in a funny way. Like the crochet group the “old hookers” and the birding group. I enjoyed how Brody and Ro had a history and there was that something that drew them to each other. I also enjoyed the fact that while Ro and Brody thought they were being discreet the whole town was watching in anticipation to see if they would start dating. So, you can say it this is a romance, but you can also say that is as much about a town as it is about two that were destined for each other.
If you enjoy a slow burn, brother’s best friend mixed with comedy you will enjoy this and the rest of the series.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 3 in Tuft Swallow series which is a multi-author series (a different author writes a book in the series) and while I do participate in a few of these types of series I generally don't like to do since reads in series like that - but I didn't know that going into this read and the blurb caught my attention and I've enjoyed everything else I've read from Hilton so I didn't want to pass this up. I did think this read well as a standalone, thankfully and our main characters are Rowena and her brother's best friend and hockey player Brody. I really loved this storyline and the small-town feel. Great chemistry and humor and I loved the dual point of view. Honestly, I so enjoyed this read but would have loved to have read this series from the start to enjoy the seemingly return of previous characters.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Brody and Ro (his best friend’s younger sister) had a moment the evening of her Prom. He went off to play hockey and Ro stayed in their small home town. When Brody returns to await his contract renewal news while recovering from a serious injury he turns to his best friend’s family for comfort and respite. He can’t help but feel attraction for Ro and the feeling is mutual. But can he risk his friendship with her brother, and what happens when his contract is renewed and he leaves again. Ro tries to protect her heart, she doesn’t want Brody to break it again, but Brody is just too sweet and sexy to resist. I really enjoyed their banter and friendship. Loved the writing in this book, it brings you right into the story and keeps you engaged. I think you’ll enjoy it too. I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Lisa Benison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quirky Small Town, Brother's Best Friend, LOL, Rom-Com with Amazing Characters

This was a wonderful, quick, holiday read that often had me laughing out loud at Rowena's antic's and predicaments to hide her feelings and "crush" on Brody. He made his feelings known through his many caring gestures - cinnamon roll anyone? - and though he thought he was hiding his feelings everyone knew. The town itself with its birdwatchers, "punny" t-shirts, adorable goat mayor and "hooking" crochet club was a perfect setting for them and I can't wait to read more books set in the town. This was well written, had great dialog, wonderfully described characters and settings and kept the pages turning. Enjoy!

I was sent an ARC by the author and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Brandi Sylvester · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a slow burn, small town, brother's best friend, forced proximity romance. This book was definitely a slower burn than some of the other books and not as much spice, where this book had less of that, it still had so much story. Ro and Brody have secretly been in love with each other for many years, but since Brody is Coop's best friend and Ro's brother, they ignore their feelings. All of a sudden, Brody is back in town from his NHL career and staying with her. Brody and Ro both have to keep their feelings hidden while spending time together. Ro's best friend Eve is keeping Brody at the front of Ro's mind by asking for all sorts of information about him. Then when they can't deny their feelings anymore, one of them has to tell Coop.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is part of the Tuft Swallow series. This is a series of books with storylines that occur in the quirky town of Tuft Swallow. This is a small town, friends-to-lovers, brother’s best friend, second chance, romance. This was a humorous read with just the right amount of romance. So much is going on in this book that it keeps you turning the pages. Well-developed story line and characters. It pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention. Great characters that you fall in love with. I really liked how the author built up the relationship between the two main characters. I was rooting for their happy ending through the whole book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Bookishdays · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was so much fun.

Ro and Flock are perfect for each other. They are sexy and fun, but also nice and caring. I enjoyed everything about the town, there are a lot of quirky characters, but overall, full of charm.

In the beginning, I thought this book was a steamy romance between a hockey player and a sister of the best friend, but in spite of the circumstances (Flocky is a sexy hockey player and Rose is his best friend's sister) this romance is not a steamy one or primary focused on the forbidden romance. These two are also good friends, and vulnerable people.

I loved the crochet group and the roller derby moments. It was a great reading and I highly recommended it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tiffany Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Ro (short for Rowena) returns home (she lives with her older brother and grandma) after a long day she only wants to relax. What she finds when she is scrambling eggs is her childhood and current crush, Brody the hot professional hockey player.
And also like a grandchild to Gran and a brother to Ro and her older brother Coop.
Brody injured his leg during a game and is lying low in his hometown of Tuft Swallow, after being invited by Gran to stay with the three of them.
Will it be possible for Ro to stay out of Brody’s orbit? And what about Brody? Will he end up breaking Ro’s heart all over again when he returns to the big leagues?
Read to find out answers to these questions and why in the heck are there goats all over the town??

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Tuft Swallow….how I wish you were a real place and I could come visit! This was my 4th visit there, and every time, I fall more and more in love.

This time, we meet childhood friends, Rowena and Brody. He’s her brother’s best friend. She’s the protected little sister. A one-time kiss before he leaves for the NHL goes unanswered, leaving his return after an injury in awkward territory.

As always, the bird puns are right on par. They truly make me chuckle out loud. Winston the Goat always a key player in the story, as well as the Nosey Peckers.

This book was a sllllloooowww burn, but it paid off in the end. 😉 A delightful book and continuation of this town series.

📖: arc team