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Giltmaker #2

Golden Touch

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Livia

Once upon a time I spent an evening flirting with a handsome stranger in a bar. But before we could finish what we started, I lost my nerve and fled.

Months later, I’m minding my own business at work one morning when a stranger lets himself into the empty brewery. Panicked, I call 911, and the cops show up to slap on the handcuffs.

In my defense, I have very good reasons to be afraid. Also in my defense, I’d never met my boss’s son.

Or so I’d thought…

Nash

I don’t know what this chick has against me. First she ditches me, and now she wants to arrest me.

Livia is as frustrating as she is hot. But nobody else knows the brewery better than she does. Now we’re stuck together, sharing an office and a very small house as I run the brewery for six weeks for my cranky dad.

That’s just enough time to bring down her guard. Turns out we have a lot more in common than we thought, including a lot of smoking hot chemistry. Until Livia’s past catches up with her, and I finally figure out why she’s so jumpy. But I’ll stop at nothing to protect her, unless her ex finds her first…

284 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 16, 2024

207 people are currently reading
1234 people want to read

About the author

Sarina Bowen

115 books19.1k followers
sarina bowen

Sarina Bowen is the 24-time USA Today bestselling and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary fiction, including: The Five Year Lie, the True North series, and the Brooklyn Hockey series. She's the co-author of Him/Us and the WAGs series with Elle Kennedy. And more!


You can find a complete reading order list of Sarina's books on her website. Or see what's coming next from Sarina, and sign up for her newsletter so you don't miss a new book or a deal.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 254 reviews
Profile Image for Christy.
4,574 reviews36k followers
July 7, 2024
4.25 stars

Golden Touch is the second book in Sarina Bowen’s ‘Giltmaker’ series and I enjoyed it even more than the first! Livia and Nash’s story was fast paced, suspenseful, and fun.

Nash is back home to help with the family business after his father has some health issues and his sister is about to give birth. Livia works for Nash’s dad and she and Nash have a fun meet cute. It’s obvious that these two would be great together, but Livia has some baggage that makes her cautious.

Livia has basically been on the run from a nasty ex for a year. A year of looking over her shoulder and always being ready to run. She’s got no one she can count on aside from herself, but slowly she starts to trust Nash and let him in. At least a little.

I loved Nash and Livia together. Livia seems a little reserved to start, but lets out her spunky side as the book goes on. The ending left me with a big smile and I’m looking forward to reading the next. I’m fairly certain it will be Poppy with the youngest Giltmaker and I can’t wait!
Audio book source: Soundwise (arc)
Story Rating: 4.25 stars
Narrators: Tim Paige & Samantha Brentmoor
Narration Rating: 4.5 stars
Genre: Romance

Profile Image for RLbooks (in and out).
1,014 reviews492 followers
July 21, 2024
Despite Golden Touch having a suspenseful plot at its core, with Livia (h) in danger for the majority of the book, this was actually an easy read that was fast-flowing, digestible, and entertaining. I liked Livia's brashness when she let it out and esp how much Nash (H) adored those moments. Nash was also very likable with his bad boy exterior and heart of gold inside, he was a charmer. There are references to past domestic violence and Livia is in hiding from her ex as he's a very real present threat so be aware if those are triggers. Toxic family relationships are also highlighted.

Livia and Nash have a unique meet cute at the start of the book when she thinks he's trespassing and she calls the cops, landing him in handcuffs when he's just there to takeover managing the brewery given that his dad is in the hospital and his sister is pregnant. But then they each realize they already had a sort-of meet cute months earlier at a rare night out for Livia, though nothing came of it when she pumped the brakes at the end of the night. The description of that scene was really fun.

Now in the present, Livia and Nash are working closely together in the day to day of the brewery running and also roommates in the building behind it so yay forced proximity. She cooks for him, he appreciates her, and he never acts the way she expects. Now Nash does make suggestive comments to her and his nickname for her is "pussycat", but he's never aggressive. It's always lighthearted while being seriously attracted and he's not in a position of power over her so it didn't give me the creeps. He actually points out that his father's more likely to send him packing than her esp since Nash and his dad have a contentious relationship when it comes specifically to the brewery. Nash notices right away that Livia's scared and as he becomes fully aware of what she's facing, he works to make her feel safer, even as that danger comes literally knocking at the door.

Written in first person, dual POV. No ow drama, I guess you could say there's om drama since her ex is hunting her, and both are experienced (not much history given other than that, though h fell for bad boys and H didn't seem to get turned down, though I didn't get true manwhore vibes from him).

I liked their relationship and all the little moments between them, but I did also feel that the romance itself was missing something that truly made it feel like deep love. It's hard to explain because there was excellent chemistry and they clearly cared for each other, but I never felt that swoony sensation. Maybe because Livia was still facing her various traumas from her past relationships so didn't feel like there was a future for them for the majority of the story. I did like the steamy moments between them once the clothes hit the floor though so there's that.

Side characters are present, but definitely in the background to Nash and Livia. His sister and her boyfriend (who appear to have been book 1) have a baby so that should delight folks who read the first book. The boyfriend's brother, who had a book in another series, is also seen later in the story and I liked him. Nash's dad was hard to truly like, but he does grow by the end. An old school friend of Nash's was hilarious and looks like she's getting a second chance with Nash's brother, not sure what the story is there but it definitely has some pain points. You know what would have been great as an addition to this cast? A guard dog, a giant, fluffy guard dog, but that's just my animal sidekick seeking heart.

The climax ramps up the tension and I was not expecting the bit of twist of what happens. The characters' actions though made complete sense given background and how they were set up, so while I wanted to yell at a certain someone, it was hard to not also acknowledge that it was expected. The other certain someone doesn't let the situation just slide however and puts forth a lot of effort to have a heart to heart. The epilogue is several months down the road and they're in a HFN, figuring out work and living together and it's sweet. I expect Nash and Livia will feature in the next Giltmaker book too. This isn't a new favorite, but I could see myself rereading it again when I'm in the mood.
Profile Image for Hey Lin.
747 reviews
July 29, 2024
My first five star in forevvvveeeeerrrrrrrrr!! I loved it. all of it. There was no weird flowery hyperbole sentences, no weird, out of place scenarios happening. It was just all good stuff 😂😍😍

h is running and hiding from a very dangerous ex who is in a motorcycle club and also engaged in very illegal activities. She's out to a bar one night with her cousin when she sees H across the bar and he starts playing music to try to woo her. that's right. I said woo.

And you know what??!!!? Not chicken butt! Sarina bowen had him playing "damn, I wish I was your lover" By aophie hawkins and I was like oh mah gah!!!! I love that song!!!! i FORGOT about that song!!!!!! 😳So I played I on spotify and the songs that came after it were like a montage of my college years 😂😍😍

Anyway, he goes to the bathroom and shes doubting her attraction to him since he looks like a bad boy which is her type but she knows what that leads to. so she pulls a runner (her first of many 😳😳😐)

She starts working at a beer brewery as a book keeper and it turns out that he's the son of the beer owner 😂

Anyway, he's just such a good, but filthy mouthed, nice guy. He was always so attentive, taking care of her, but he was flirty and fun 😍😍 she was a bit of a tight azz but I understand as her ex is trying to find and lock her up like before

Anyway, me like dis book! Sarina Bowen is one of my favorite authors and I might go back and read the first book with Hs sister and her man
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for ItaPixie.
1,282 reviews151 followers
July 18, 2024

Livia is a bookkeeper for a brewery while she hides from her ex boyfriend. Nash is back home to help in his family's brewery for a few weeks. They'll work together and they'll also live together, will they be professional and stay out of each other personal lives?

The word Golden in the title is intended as Golden Retriever, because Nash is as lovely as a pup.
Joke aside, Nash is a really great character, he is kind, cheerful and understanding. Livia is feisty and resolved, even if lately she is determined to hide her real personality. The chemistry and tension between them is immediate, but the journey towards their happily ever after is organic and relatable. I can understand Livia fears to open her heart again, and I've appreciated the patience Nash shows to her.

Sarina Bowen made a very great job interweaving romance and suspense, not forgetting the humour, her wording kept me hooked from start to end.

Golden Touch brought me back to Vermont and I loved every minute of it. I can't wait to read next book in the series.


Copy kindly provided by the Publisher/Author.

Profile Image for Jackie.
Author 9 books159 followers
August 14, 2024
2.5. Another competent, predictable category-length romance from Bowen, featuring what's become her go-to: burly, dominant but not domineering male lead and competent but down-on-her-luck, underappreciated and in-need-0f-rescuing female lead. I don't know why I keep picking up Bowen's books, expecting to find the strong characters and feminist themes of her early work; she's catering to a far different market now, one focused on fulfilling the wishes of female readers who want to feel they are strong but who also love to be overtly girly (shopping, makeup, traditional pastimes and interests), who are put-upon by their families, and who need a good man to see how wonderful they are and then take emotional and financial care of them.

A male protagonist who calls the woman he's romantically interested in "girlie" and "pussycat"—definitely not my cup of tea.
Profile Image for ✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ .
2,342 reviews1,339 followers
July 9, 2024
description
description

Livia + Nash

Livia has been on the run from her horrible ex for almost a year. She's working for the Giltmaker's brewery and living in the apartment above the office.
But now that the old boss is recovering from a heart attack his son is taking over for a few weeks.
The same guy she almost went home with from a bar last fall. And the same guy she almost had arrested this morning because she thought he was a bad guy her ex sent!

LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN!

══════════════════

description
description

Adorable!

I just love Sarina's Vermont books. All that beer and cider and the pastries.
This book was all beer and family and criminal exes.
Nash is so adorable and Livia is so skittish and scared. And to get to our happily ever after we first have to survive Livia's ex and we have to make Nash's dad a bit less grumpy so that Nash wants to stay and work for the family beer business forever!
And we love to read all about that!

Great romance! It was funny and sweet and sexy and vermonty and beery!
READ IT!

GOLDEN TOUCH was such a sweet + funny + sparky + sexy + beery + exciting Vermonty Love Story! Run to your nearest bookdealer for your own Nash - this one is MINE!

🍺📚🍕🍺📚🍕
CLICK >HERE< TO PREORDER THE BOOK if you can’t click on the buy-links below!

description
💜 💜


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Profile Image for Jeeves Reads Romance.
1,683 reviews807 followers
July 2, 2024
Sexy and suspenseful, this is a fast-paced, bingeable read. I’m so used to 400-page romance books at this point that having one clock in at under 300 pages felt like a totally different experience. Pair that with a significant amount of suspense, and this absolutely flew by. I liked the combination of characters and their effortless chemistry. They had a spark from the moment they met, and not even some messy circumstances could extinguish the flame. Their connection is more sexy than swoony, but it was easy to see that they were a good fit. It’s the kind of book that you can devour in a single sitting - maybe not a full meal, but a delicious little treat.

The story follows Livia, a woman who is running from trouble and just trying to stay under the radar. Her last relationship ended with violence and manipulation, so Livia has been looking over her shoulder ever since (some potentially triggering content there). So when a stranger shows up a Livia’s workplace, she worries that he might be connected to her biker ex. That’s how Livia discovers that her boss has an estranged son… who also happens to be the man she flirted with in a bar once upon a time. While Livia has been attempting to be a good girl lately, Nash is aware that she’s got a fiery side hidden underneath. They never did get to spend the night together, so Nash is hoping things go differently the second time around.

I liked Nash and Livia together, though they’re definitely not a soft or tender couple. Nash is a bit of a caretaker, but he loves the flashes of wildness he sees in Livia sometimes. He doesn’t try to hide the fact that he wants her from the very start, so that means there’s an edge of flirtation and heat from the beginning. Since there’s also a whole lot of suspense and intrigue, I didn’t get the swoons from them as a couple. It’s not a long book to begin with, so spending such a significant portion of the story on the drama with Livia’s ex and their sexual chemistry left little time for building up the emotional connection. I do feel like the romance takes a backseat to everything else going on, but it was still a fun read. I had no trouble bingeing it like popcorn, so it certainly fulfilled that easygoing, fast-paced craving.

Audio note: It was good! Bowen’s books are typically great on audio, so I am not surprised. Samantha Brentmoor gave a fantastic performance - her voice is so easy to listen to, and perfect for the story. Tim Paige is not one of my favorites, but he has a rich, deep voice that’s very appealing. I feel like he over performs and I don’t love his “girl voice,” but he’s just fine otherwise. The short runtime means that this is ideal for bingeing in a single day, and there is never a dull moment. There isn’t a ton of heat, but it picks up in the second half. Maybe not the best choice for listening at the office, but the vibes are light and easy overall. Recommended in the format.
Profile Image for Jenn (The Book Refuge).
2,689 reviews4,515 followers
July 21, 2024
Great story! Little bit of a thrill. I enjoyed it so much. These two were so much fun and I felt for them so much. It was a wonderful story.

4.5 stars
3 on the spice scale
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
3,754 reviews334 followers
did-not-finish
September 25, 2024
DNF at 50%.

I hate how lust focused this is. It had potential for hurt/comfort but just went towards sex. I don't think this author is for me. I want a slower burn with more relationship development than constant "he/she is so hot" all the time.

Plus, she's annoying me. Why she didn't grab onto that cop's offer with both hands is beyond me.
Profile Image for Jessica Alcazar.
4,422 reviews629 followers
August 1, 2024
I really loved this story! I loved it so much, that when the audio app Sarina uses began to get all kinds of twitchy, I just flipped to reading because I WAS IN IT. Will I be going back to listen to the audiobook asap? Yes, I will, as one does! :)

This story leaned heavy on the suspense but I don’t think it took away from the romance. It’s just different from what I’m used to by Sarina, and it gave me The Company kinda vibes and I am here for all of that!

I really enjoyed how easy the bond, or some would say chemistry, between our MCs developed from the beginning and continued until the end. I think Sarina making that choice is what solidified their realistic ever after for me, because again, the story leaned heavy on the suspense, and that was all about our FMC. Hopefully I’m explaining correctly, but from the beginning these two sparked and sparred and it gave me great joy and belief that they were gonna make it. Feel me?

Once I started reading, I did not stop. It was an entire afternoon and evening, but this is one of those stories that you will push to read in one sitting. It’s fast-paced and suspenseful and all kinds of flirtatious. I cannot wait to get Samantha Brentmoor and Tim Paige back in my ears to re-experience this story!

UPDATE 08/01: Sarina was gracious enough to provide an audible code for me to listen to this story and PEOPLE, the suspense arc of the story was even better and so was their romance journey! Samantha Brentmoor and Tim Paige are two of my favorite narrators and they brought this story to life so brilliantly that I have no words! I mean I just read it like a month or 2 ago but I found myself completely riveted once again! I think I even picked up some details I hadn’t picked up on when I read it! This is one of those times when I 100% recommend you grab this book in audiobook format if you can! Do with that information what you will :)
Profile Image for Irina.
553 reviews60 followers
July 29, 2024

"You're… really…" It's hard to speak between kisses. "A great… distraction," I breathe.
"The best," he says, unbuttoning his fly. "Let me introduce you to my magic distraction wand."



A warning to anyone who does not get that this is a romantic suspense book (like me): Beware! The FMC is running/hiding from her abusive ex.

I probably wouldn't have picked it up had I known, but I liked it anyway. It's not a deep book by any means, but it's entertaining, fast-paced, funny at times, with likable main characters and solid sex scenes. MMC is the epitome of stability and devotion, he falls first and hard.

I will definitely read book 1 of this series, even more so I'm looking forward to book 3 (I'm pretty sure it will be Poppy and Mitch's book).


Overall rating: 3.5

Story: 3/5
Emotion: 3/5
Nash: 5/5
Livia: 4/5
Profile Image for Nadene  (Totally Addicted to Reading).
1,523 reviews218 followers
July 13, 2024
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Golden Touch, book 2 in the Giltmaker series gives readers Nash Giltmaker story. In this installment readers follow along as Nash and his love interest, Livia attempt to ride the waves of their complicated lives. The story offers a perfect blend of humor, suspense and steamy moments.

Livia works at the Giltmaker Brewery as Lyle Giltmaker's assistant. She also lives on the compound where the Brewery is located.  Now while her boss is recovering from a heart attack, his son Nash takes a leave of absence from his job in Boston to help run the brewery. Livia his hiding from her ex, hence the reason she works at the Brewery. So when Nash arrived dressed like he belonged in a motorcycle gang, Livia got scared, called the police and him arrested. Now that's what I call a fun start to their inevitable romance.

Livia has made a lot of poor choices in the past when it came to relationships. Now she is on the run as her previous relationship went sour in more ways than one. So although Nash is handsome, sexy and just her type she dares not venture down that road. Besides, being on the run is not conducive to any type of relationship. Nash realizes that Livia is running scared. He's intrigued by her, especially after recognizing her as the woman he flirted with at a bar a few months ago. However, he respects her boundaries and is willing to get to know her on her terms. I really appreciated how he made efforts to ensure she felt safe and secure.

Nash and Livia were a perfect match, seamlessly fitting into each other's lives. However, the story's focus on the suspense surrounding Livia's ex left little room for their romance to develop. After all, it's hard to find time for love when a relentless ex is on the hunt for you.

Readers witness moments of acceptance and healing between Nash and his father, Lyle. This was a great moment for both parties, and it brought about some well needed changes. 


Overall, a lovely story and one I would recommend to fans of romantic suspense.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
Profile Image for Meegz Reads.
1,533 reviews129 followers
July 2, 2024
*4 Stars*

ARC kindly received for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book. Livia had quite the story but she was still trying to make the best she could of a really bad situation, and she still had her strength about her. She was also always trying to look out for other people, more than herself, when they wouldn't necessarily do the same thing for her. Just a good person who found herself in some bad circumstances because of some previous decisions.

Nash is a really cool character. I liked his fun side, but his loyal and loving side were always showing through as well. He was protective and kind and fun, a great male lead for this book.

I enjoyed how this all played out, it was a pretty cruisy read for me and as usual a great book by Sarina Bowen. Would recommend.

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Profile Image for Alison.
1,143 reviews40 followers
July 9, 2024
It was so great being back in this world!!!

Livia has so bad baggage she’s running from and I totally understood why she was so private and closed off. I love that Nash is able to crack her open though! She was the grumpy and he brought the sunshine and I loved their dynamic! Nash is so great and has such a dirty mouth! I loved it! Their chemistry was absolutely amazing!

I loved seeing previous characters from other series and ones being mentioned. I also loved how this whole story built up, it had me on the edge of my seat and then the way it resolves! It was all just so great! And the narrators were awesome!
Profile Image for Kristin Martini.
926 reviews8 followers
July 24, 2024
The MMC's last name is Giltmaker, and somehow this wasn't enough to convince me to close the book.

I have flown too close to the sun, trying to find mindless trash, and I have ended up in a loop of increasingly unhinged character names (Nash, Livia, Rotty, RAZOR), scenarios (she's on the run from a drug dealing motorcycle club and is hiding out in the same fucking state - VERMONT of all places - in a rundown but exceptionally popular brewery), and sex scenes (their first time doing it is just after Rotty and Razor attempt to break in to the brewery, and she's essentially covered in tears and snot when they start to make out. I, for one, have never felt sexier than when my eyes are puffy and my nostrils are leaking).

Anyways, this book is a mess, and not in a good way. Two stars because it's sort of my fault from picking it up when the description was honest and straightforward. If the Democratic Party can rally behind Kamala Harris as the presumptive nominee, the least I can do is raise my standards to "Books that I may actually enjoy".
Profile Image for Aleesha.
1,104 reviews34 followers
January 30, 2026
This started out great - and then quickly I got the idea of what sort of story it was really going to be.

See, I loved Livia the second she waltzed onto the scene in book 1 in this series. She's a sassy spitfire who doesn't take crap from anybody. Amazing.

And then, not 7% into this story, all of that soured.

See, she's one of those women who encounters 1 bad man, and then swears every other man off because apparently 1 bad man = all men bad.

Her trauma is valid. She's trying to run and hide from some very dangerous men.

But she HAS TRAUMA. And she NEEDS THERAPY. Not a dicking down by Nash.

If this book had been longer - a true romantic suspense with depth and tension and an evolving plotline - this could have been fantastic.

But it's not. It's less than 300 pages, a second book in a spin-off series covering characters that don't really feel all that important to the author.

Nash is probably the best-case scenario in a book like this, however - patient, but persistent. It's one of those "we're inevitable, this is going to happen, you'll come to me when you want to and I'll be here for you" situations.

I did enjoy that every time she tried to run he was there to stop her, that he didn't just let her flee from her own happiness.

But really - outside of the flirting they do in the beginning of this book, there's not much substance behind the relationship. Even after they start screwing, it's like trying to nail Jello to a tree keeping her from up and fleeing every other page and it got exhausting reading about it.

The biker gang was an interesting scenario - if they weren't in VERMONT. Granted, I don't know much about Vermont, but when I think of New England, I mostly just think of wealthy, upper middle class white people. Not notorious drug-smuggling biker gangs.

But whatever I rolled with it. It kept the book interesting and we definitely had more plot in this book than in Leila and Matteo's.

Hated the nickname Nash gives Livia. Pussycat? Really? Gross.

Mostly this just didn't feel like it was a complete thought. It had good plot points, a decent idea, but this book's just a little too short to accomplish it effectively.
Profile Image for Sabrina.
1,473 reviews119 followers
July 1, 2024
There was a night where Livia thought she could let go and enjoy flirting with the stranger across the bar. But reality sinks in on what her life is like, so she runs. Months later, the handsome stranger shows up at her job (not that she realizes it is him) and scares her to the point where she calls the cops…who then inform her that he is the son of her boss. Opps. But Livia has every right to be paranoid. After leaving an abusive ex who is mixed up in some bad things and is on the hunt for her, she can’t help but trust no one and look over her shoulder every minute. But Nash. He makes her want to break all her new rules to protect herself. But she can’t. Not if she doesn’t want to make the same mistakes. But every moment with Nash proves to her how he is the total opposite of her ex. He’s smart and kind and actually cares for Livia. But Livia knows trouble is at her heels and how long will he want her if she could be the reason he gets hurt? Nash can’t forget about the woman from the bar. And to his greatest surprise he finds her again, just in time for her to get him almost arrested. But once everything is cleared up, he knows his gut was right. This woman is special and different from anyone he has ever met. And she is scared. And Nash hates that. He wants to help her if only she would let him. But he won’t give up. Because the more he gets to know Livia, the more he knows that she is someone worth fighting for. I adored these two! Livia and Nash had such great chemistry. I loved their banter and how they were equals with one another. Livia needed an equal and someone to show her not all men are bad. Plenty of laughs, and romance, and action in this story! It’s just another great addition to this series and to this world Sarina has created. I know when I pick up her books, I’m getting a great story!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Kimberly / Love Notes Book Blog.
2,624 reviews146 followers
July 10, 2024
4 stars. This is a good read! Golden Touch is the second book in the Giltmaker series and is Livia and Nash's book. Nash has arrived back in his small Vermont hometown after his father lands in the hospital. He is need to help run the Giltmaker brewery in his father's absence. Livia works at the brewery, but she has a secret. She is in hiding from her ex-boyfriend, a motorcycle club president who she found out was running drugs. She has been on the run, landing at the Giltmaker as a bookkeeper, but she knows if her ex finds her that she will have to run again. Sparks fly between her and Nash when they wind up sharing her cabin at the brewery. When he finds out her secret, Nash is determined to help her fix her problems and help her get her freedom and her life back, along with his love along the way.

Golden Touch was a good story. I really enjoyed the suspense and the "girl on the run" aspect. I liked Nash a lot. He was such a great guy, pretty much perfect. I liked Livia too, but I wished she held back a little less, although I understood why she did. Still, this was an enjoyable read. Nash and Livia were sweet and sexy together.

Overall, this was a good book. I enjoyed Livia and Nash's journey to love and I look forward to more from this fun series and from Ms. Bowen in the future!

*arc provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for girlwithhearteyes.
1,730 reviews230 followers
December 23, 2024
4.25 stars

I really enjoyed this audiobook! It was immediately easy to get into, and never felt too heavy or flippant, which was quite a feat considering the storyline.

The story opens with Livia (the FMC) calling the cops because she thinks her abusive ex’s henchman has tracked her down while she’s alone at work, only to realise the guy they’ve arrested is her boss’s son Nash. And he’s also the guy she flirted with at a bar years ago and then ghosted. Whoops.

Even though the suspense plot had elements of OTT-ness (Livia’s ex is a very shady guy), I liked that the characters didn’t react in an OTT way, i.e. Nash didn’t kidnap the ex and have him tied up in an abandoned warehouse. Nash was very “looks like he could kill you but is a cinnamon roll”, which was the perfect counter to Liv’s black cat sort of character. A lot of the story was actually about Nash trying to keep his dad’s business running and slice-of-life moments between Livia and Nash, which sounds kind of boring but I found it really engaging.

I put off reading this book because Good as Gold (the first one in this series) felt slower/heavier than I expected, but I’m glad I picked this one up.
Profile Image for Lorna.
1,798 reviews116 followers
July 27, 2024
Story 3.5 stars rounded up
It took me 12 days to read this and as the author is a favorite of mine that is unheard of for me and her books. I did listen to a bunch of books during those 12 days, but I just wasn’t as invested in this book as I usually am. Don’t get me wrong, it was an enjoyable read. I think I would have liked more about the couple and their romance. Maybe even a little more angst or something. There is some but…And believe me, I’m not a big fan of angst. They just got together too easy. There are big problems for the couple, just not for their actual romance. I know I’m probably not making sense. I did like the characters a lot. I liked seeing characters from previous books too. And mostly enjoyed the read. And I am going to stop here. This is an auto buy author for me and I recommend all of her books.
Trigger warning for domestic assault, told about but not shown on the page.
Profile Image for Daniela.
66 reviews2 followers
February 21, 2025
There's something about an author naming the MMC Nash that automatically means that he'll be the hottest mf ever.
Profile Image for ✰  BJ's Book Blog ✰Janeane ✰.
3,037 reviews12 followers
July 7, 2024
>b>4.25 stars

ARC received for an honest review

Sarina Bowen's World of True North is the gift that keeps on giving.

First the Shipley family, then the Rossi family, and now the Giltmakers!

Nash is my kinda man! If I was living in forced proximity with him, I am sure I wouldn't be holding out as long as Livia hahah

Livia may not see herself this way, but she is strong, dealing with her baggage would bring a lesser woman to her knees.

You need to read it yourself to get the whole vibe with them though.

This was a pretty cruisy read for me, really enjoyable, with some deeper, darker threads throughout.

Do yourself a favour and read Golden Touch



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Profile Image for Marielle Brouwer.
Author 40 books83 followers
July 9, 2024
I really liked this story. Nash is the bike riding brother of Leila. He's cool and tough and a total bad boy on the outside, soft cookie dough on the inside and I love that.
Livia is on the run for her ex and Nash is going to help.

I really liked that this book had a slightly different angle than I'm used to by Sarina. It was refreshing and I loved how she brought in the characters from other books set in Vermont. She crafted this story wonderfully and it kept me captivated the whole time. I read this book so fast!
Profile Image for AJ.
3,262 reviews1,071 followers
July 9, 2024
4.5 stars

The second book in the Giltmaker series, this is the story of middle Giltmaker sibling, Nash, in a fast-paced close-proximity romance that is fun, flirty and full of chemistry, with a suspense storyline that brings great intensity. I loved this one.

Nash and Livia shared an ‘almost’ moment at a bar where they spent the whole night flirting only for Livia to change her mind at the last moment and leave. It’s five months later when Nash shows up at the brewery where Livia works. She thinks he’s breaking in and calls the police, but it turns out he’s the son of the owner... and her new boss.

Nash has returned home to Vermont to run the family’s brewery while his father is unwell. It’s the legacy he was born for, and one he’s dreamed of his whole life, but an antagonistic relationship with his grumpy father has made it impossible until now. He’s ready to take the reins (even if it’s temporary), but doesn’t get off to a greatest start. And things get even more awkward when the woman who called the police on him turns out to be the woman who left him at the bar that he hasn’t been able to forget about – and they’re sharing the brewery’s bunkhouse together while he’s in town.

It's a great set-up, and the chemistry flies from the first moment. Though Livia is determined to keep her distance, Nash is everywhere, flirting, teasing, and trying to get to know her better. Her bickering and snarky moods only seem to attract him more, and when Livia’s past catches up with her and places her in real danger, he jumps into protector mode, there for her and determined to help her, and with Nash making no effort to hide his attraction, she cannot deny her feelings for long.

“Still don’t know which real-life demon has got you so spooked. But I don’t play games, honey. I see you need a little space, so I’m giving it to you. When you’re finally ready for me, that’s when we’ll happen. Count on it.”

The suspense comes from Livia’s biker ex-boyfriend who is determined to track her down, and it gives Nash the chance to be all alpha and uber-protective, and I was here for it! He dives on in to protect Livia whole-heartedly, is a shoulder to cry on and becomes her safe place to land.

The chemistry is electric and the sexy time is sizzling, and there’s so much feeling between these two. I loved watching them open up to each other and grow closer, and I loved watching their steamy sexy time become something so much deeper. Their relationship is fun, sexy, sweet and functional, and though there is drama, the relationship itself is angst free (Nash wouldn’t allow it to become so!). I loved watching them come together, and it’s a gorgeous romance to lose yourself in.

Set within the Giltmaker Brewery in Vermont, this book ties in to a number of Sarina Bowen’s other books, and there are some fantastic cameos. We also get to see Nash’s sister, Leila, from the first book of the series, as well as his younger brother, Mitch, who no doubt will get the next book. But you can easily read this one as a standalone if you wanted to.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a quick and easy read that had me fully invested in these two characters and their story, and it finishes really well.

Such a good read – 4.5 stars.

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author for an honest review.

Profile Image for Erin Lewis.
6,257 reviews219 followers
August 3, 2024
5 Star Review Golden Touch (Gilded #2) by Sarina Bowen

AUDIO REVIEW:
From the first chapter I was drawn into the story that Ms. Bowen wrote. Book 2 in the latest Gilded series from Sarina Bowen.
This is Nash and Livia’s story and I really enjoyed it. Golden Touch was a well written, emotional, romantic love story that will have you totally invested. There were moments where I was moved to tears, times where I laughed and times where I just smiled like a lunatic.
Told in both past and present perspectives, the emotional turmoil that and their road was rocky but it was so worth it in the end.
Tim Paige and Samantha Brentmoor did a brilliant job in their narration. They brought all the danger, drama, suspense and romance out . Their performances did justice to the wonderful story and. Bowen wove.

Livia has been on the run from her ex for a year. Can she put her trust in Nash to help her when she needs it most? One click and find out.
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