Bitter Rival

Mandy (Bestie Book Reviews)

*Squinting*… this one didn’t hit for me like some of Emery Rose’s other work.

📕 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Bitter Rival by Emery Rose

📙 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: Sutton Mountain character series. Book 1.

📗 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: E-book ARC on Kindle. 🆓 on KU.

📘 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Contemporary romance

📔 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Enemies-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine, winery vibes.

📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Beckett and Daisy are given joint ownership of a winery when Beckett’s father dies. He wants to sell it and wash his hands of his past, while Daisy is hoping to save the only place that’s ever felt like home to her. Luckily, they have three months where they’re mandated to live and work there to help them decide.

🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: I really liked the idea of this book, it just fell a bit flat to me.

Beckett was definitely not my favorite MMC. He was a little too mean, and I didn’t feel like he changed enough at the end to make up for it. Daisy was fun, but she wasn’t enough to make up for the rest of the plot.

In the end, flat is the best way I can describe it. Winery based setting but with very little detail tied in. A lot of telling instead of showing. It just wasn’t my jam - I’m surprised I finished it.

This series has some potential, so I’m not giving up just yet.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3/5 ⭐⭐⭐

𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: 3/5 🌶🌶🌶

𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.

442 reviews156 followers

August 28, 2024

Before you start Bitter Rival, make sure to read the dedication. It sets up the story perfectly.
Daisy is back in Beckett's life after not seeing each other since they were kids. Beckett's dad, Daisy's once step-father leaves them each half of the vineyard, forcing them to work together for 3 months. Beckett is bitter and hates his father, while Daisy is care free -these two are the definition of grumpy sunshine. Both each carrying their own baggage while they try to navigate living and working together. This is a slow burn but honestly I was so engrossed in their story and the vineyard that it didn't feel like a slow burn. I LOVED their story and was completely hooked on the Beast getting his Princess. Swoon....

my-library

Leisa Ann

789 reviews11 followers

Man what a fantastic book! Both MC’s have a troubled past with emotional trauma but the MFC’s outlook on life is so refreshing and optimistic. Daisy has free spirit vibes which I loved. Beckett has his own past issues but has revenge in his sights. These 2 together are fantastic…the push and pull, the banter, the chemistry just such an incredible story of letting go and moving on and what it means to truly love someone. The setting is a vineyard and the imagery created by the author made me feel as though I was there. Highly recommend this one.

Brie (briereadsbooks)

514 reviews38 followers

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Daisy is an array of rare, exotic blooms. A field of wildflowers. A unique flower to represent each personality trait.

Welcome to Sutton Ridge! I am loving this new series by Emery! Beckett and Daisy were the perfect start to this series. The enemies to lovers, and the banter that these two had was absolute perfection! Daisy is sassy and sarcastic, while Beckett is rigid and cynical. Clearly the perfect match!

These two share similarities with trust and abandonment issues, and they play a part in the time spent together at the house on the vineyard. However, I loved watching them grow and overcome them separately and together.

I loved the vineyard setting and I wish I could go visit! 😆 I can't wait to see what's in store for the rest of the series!

Kristin

858 reviews126 followers

The setting of this book is perfection.
A vineyard in Northern California. I’m dreaming of one of those sunsets being able to slow dance under the stars.

This was one of the best enemies to lovers I have read. I just love Beckett and Daisy. The push and pull, the rivalry, banter and chemistry was so good.

He was her childhood crush that disappeared when she was 8 and broke her heart. He thinks she is out to steal his vineyard and money.

A story filled with emotional baggage, banter, love, secrets, family drama, angst and spice.

˚₊‧꒰ა vruxreads ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

561 reviews74 followers

August 30, 2024

well it was an unnecessarily long ass book and i was bored out of my mind. skipped a bunch of chapters here and there.

3,255 reviews1,072 followers

drama enemies-to-lovers romantic

3.5 stars

The first standalone in a new series by Emery Rose Andrews, this is an opposites attract, enemies-to-lovers, forced-proximity romance. It’s fun, sexy and heartfelt with great chemistry, and I really enjoyed this one.

Beckett and Daisy are brought together at his family’s vineyard after the death of his father. They were step-siblings for a short while when they were younger, and they cared for each other, but for Daisy it was more than that and as a young teenager she crushed madly on her older step-brother. They lost touch when their parents split but they have been brought back together under the terms of Beckett’s father’s will which states they need to spend three months living and working together on the vineyard, after which time they will both inherit half.

These two are complete opposites. Beckett is serious and a bit of a grump – bitter about his past and angry to be dealing with the ridiculous conditions of his father’s will, while trying to manage his own business dealings. Whereas Daisy is a complete free spirit, all spontaneity, living in the moment, and finding happiness wherever she can, and she throws herself into working on the vineyard. There is initially a lot of snark on Beckett's side, but despite their differences, and the difficulty of their situation, there is clearly an attraction between them from the beginning, and they can’t deny their mad chemistry.

There’s no point in pretending otherwise – Daisy is beautiful. But she drives me insane. Challenges me at every turn. Tempts me beyond reason.
She’s unpredictable. Chaotic. A perfect storm.

The sexual tension is fantastic, and I loved watching the build-up between these two. They argue and bicker, but they also flirt and tease, and I was feeling it all with them as they give in to their mad lust for each other. But they keep it no strings, with neither of them in a place to be starting anything, and both with their own, private, reasons for agreeing to be at the vineyard in the first place.

Beckett is a man with demons. He’s closed off and holding on to a lot of hurt from the past and is consumed with missions of revenge against the people who hurt him and his loved ones. But being in the home where he grew up, with Daisy back in his life, brings a change. He’s opening up, looking at things differently, and he’s basking in her goodness.

Daisy is a breath of fresh air. She’s sweet and smart, and she’s worked hard to create a good life for herself, while staying true to who she is. She’s dealing with a toxic relationship with a persistent ex-boyfriend, and she has some lessons to learn, and Beckett shows his softer, protective side, as he makes sure she’s taking care of herself.

They’re opposites, but they complement each other and they’re good for each other. And I loved watching their dynamic shift and change as they fell for each other.

I was never supposed to care about him. I was never supposed to catch feelings, but I fell for him all the same.
The heart doesn’t understand logic. It wants what it wants.
And I want him. All of him. His flaws, his weaknesses, his vulnerabilities, his love.

“I’m choosing you, Daisy. I’m choosing you so that you can choose yourself.”

These two have a lot to work through as they figure out their feelings for each other, what they want for their lives, and where they want to be. There is drama along the way, but it’s a great journey and I enjoyed watching them find their way forward.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s sweet and sexy with a great love story, and I’m looking forward to more books set in this world – hoping that Beckett’s friends get stories as the series continues.

3.5 stars.

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

Amy Hartung

147 reviews

" What's the opposite of Hate, Daisy?" I loved that Beckett continually asked her that question, and how the anwser evolved and changed as they fought for what they truly wanted. Emery Rose has done it again. Painted a picture so vividly with her words, that you can feel yourself walking the vineyard in Sutton Ridge. I was absolutely immersed in this story, and loved the idea that maybe sometimes it really is a it seems. That there are still good people, with good intentions that want the best for you without strings attached. Beckett truly was the surly, sexy, and absolutely infuriating love interest you wanted to throttle. I loved the push and pull between these two, and the dynamic that evolved. All the oranges and wildflowers for this one, incredible read!!

Amanda Kintner

570 reviews8 followers

August 16, 2024

I loved Beckett and Daisy. I loved their personalities and I really enjoyed them when they were together. Their banter and rivalry/friendship (thin line with these two) was fun to read and watch unfold. With that being said this story kind of fell flat for me. It was a bit lackluster. Had there been SOMETHING more it would have easily been 5 stars because I adored the main characters and side characters it just was underwhelming for me. And I hate saying that because I love this authors books.

545 reviews9 followers

Sarah~Book Obsession Confessions

Ohhhh man! Where do I begin? I absolutely loved this read. I was so excited to dive into this new series by Emery Rose Andrews. The banter between Beckett and Daisy had me giggling from the start. In addition to witty banter, Bitter Rival was such a good enemies to lovers read with heat, heart and secrets. I thoroughly enjoyed watching their story unfold and their journey to their HEA. Looking forward to more books in this series!

Bianca

470 reviews4 followers

January 4, 2025

Charming, but a bit low-voltage. I kept waiting for fireworks and instead got sparklers.

Bitter Rival is the kind of book where you think to yourself, "Well, that was nice," and shrug while pulling up your TBR.

Sumayyah

331 reviews8 followers

September 14, 2024

4.5 Stars

nat ⋆˙⟡

272 reviews55 followers

August 26, 2024

thank you so much to Emery and Wordsmith Publicity for the early copy of this book.

this is the first book in the Sutton Ridge series and it follows Beckett and Daisy. They are childhood friends turned enemies to lovers. Beckett's dad passed away and he left his inheritance and the vineyard they own to both Beckett and Daisy. They have not been in contact for years since Daisy was about 13 years old. They are both to work on the vineyard for three months and then figure out what to do with the vineyard since it was the last thing his father wanted. Beckett is angry and does not know why he left half of the inheritance to Daisy but he will do everything in his power to make sure Daisy does not get anything. He blames her for her mother's death because his dad was married to her mother.

the banter in this book is so great and they are both so funny. Beckett is a grump and so broody and daisy is such a ray of sunshine. they bounce off each other and they quite literally are opposites yet they come back to each other again.

daisy really has had a tough life after her mother left her when she was 17 years old. she has been living on her own for the last eight years and she has had to do everything for herself. Beckett does not believe her that she has had it rough because she does not show it to him. Beckett left when Daisy was about 13 years old after his mother passed away to boarding school and he got bullied so much. he is the way that he is because of him getting bullied in school and because his father told him that what he wants to study would never get him anywhere. his father was very absent in his life so he grew up not wanting to let anyone in. daisy came in and barged right through his walls.

this was such a cute story and I loved their relationship. the banter had me quite literally laughing out loud. I can't wait to see where the rest of the series goes.

Highlights:

Daisy doesn't even have to try. She would easily be the most beautiful girl in any room. And that's one of the many things that makes her dangerous.

I don't think Daisy really cares what anyone thinks of her. She is unapologetically herself. She says what she wants and does whatever she damn well pleases, but she draws people into her orbit. Moths to a flame. Daisy burns so bright you can't help but notice her.

"if you want to kiss me, just ask."
"If I wanted to kiss you, I wouldn't ask for permission."

Beckett was also my Heathcliff. My Darcy. My Edmund. My first crush. The first boy who ever stole my heart. I would have followed that boy anywhere.

"I've always preferred the Beast."
"Then you've come to the right castle."
"Last chance to run, princess."
"I'm not going anywhere."

"Now tell me something honest, something true."
"Daisy Larsson is the most beautiful thing I've ever laid eyes on. She's so fucking beautiful that it's a miracle I haven't run this car off the road."

It dawns on me that Finn wasn't my first love. Beckett was. Long before I even knew what love was, I loved him with all my heart.

"What's the opposite of hate?"
"Love."
Wrong. The correct answer is Daisy. It has always been Daisy.

Tropes:
🌻 Enemies to Lovers
🌻 Who hurt you?
🌻 Opposites Attract
🌻 Banter
🌻 Small Town/Vineyard
🌻 GrumpyxSunshine
🌻 Forced Proximity

4⭐

1,311 reviews88 followers

This witty, entertaining and beautiful romance is set on a quaint California vineyard/estate creating such a phenomenal atmosphere for the senses.
Daisy is the sunshine to Beckett’s grumpy. He’s an emotionally shut-off, tech billionaire and she’s a free spirited, world traveling photographer. Their parents were married when they were children, they had a friendship then, but things went downhill for the two as a result of multiple situations with their parents.
Now, as adults they are in this forced proximity situation on the vineyard for three months and Beckett doesn’t trust Daisy at all.
Cue the quips, banter and witty barbs. I LOVE banter, it’s fantastic in this highly engaging story.
I love the tension that builds between Daisy and Beckett, the emotional tug-of-war game they are playing is filled with fiery chemistry and witty dialogue.
As things change between them, we get glimpses of their past’s and it’s truly heart wrenching. I felt so much empathy for them both. Secrets come out that change how they feel about the past and each other.
The story is more on the lighthearted side, these emotional aspects don’t overwhelm and are small pieces of the puzzle of these two wonderful characters.
I love the flow, the back and forth between them and the intelligence of the story. Also for the characters development and growth. They are so fun, clever and s£xy!
It’s a very steamy, slow burn that pays off fantastically.
I love the lighter moments, I think the emotional aspects are so smart, the relationship is so very satisfying.
When romance comes into play it’s truly swoon worthy.
I absolutely adore this story and characters so much.
The setting of the charming vineyard and the work they do to improve the business adds to the experience so much.
I ADORE this book so much and highly recommend it to all romance lovers!

Sarah

63 reviews1 follower

Sarah (lou_reads_romance)

“Daisy looks like a summer dream in her pale blue dress. As she climbs the hill, I can't look away. My chest feels tight, and I have tunnel vision. All I can see is her.
Which is pretty damn inconvenient, all things considered.”
— Beckett

Every single one of Emery’s books holds a special kind of magic that bewitches the reader, and Bitter Rival is no exception. I was captivated from start to finish, and am now nursing one serious book-hangover!

The story of Daisy and Beckett is very first book in Emery’s new Sutton Ridge Series, and it is one filled with angst, longing, revenge, heat, banter, growth, loyalty and oh so much love. On the surface, free-spirited photographer Daisy Larsson and stitched up natural-expressioned Beckett Hayward appear polar opposites. But as the story progresses against an idyllic backdrop off this Californian dream winery, peppered with snippets from their shared childhood, we begin to discover that they’re both nursing bruises and broken hearts from their childhoods and adolescence, and that hate could just be a cover for the most truest of love.

The character development throughout this book had me smiling like a proud mama as both our hero and heroine came into their own and proved just what they’re made of. At the end of the day nobody is perfect, but there are so many ways we can be the pillar of support the ones we love can lean on when their load gets too heavy.

I rate Bitter Rival 5/5 stars and after the cameos from friends through this book I truly cannot wait for number 2!! Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC, Emery. I absolutely loved the ride 💖

1,291 reviews3 followers

alpha-male angst close-proximity

Grumpy/Sunshine at its absolute best!!!

Wow, I was totally blown away by this story. Beautifully written, immediately absorbing, funny, heart wrenching and packed full of amazing characters. I want to go back to Sutton Ridge and read this all over again like the first time!
Daisy is my favourite kind of character, beautiful inside and out. A free spirit who has had to learn on her feet, with some really hard knocks and yet she still has the most amazing capacity to see good and hope in everything and everyone. Her heart is so giving and full of love and care. She feels everything so deeply and is the perfect opposite for Beckett.

My goodness Beckett….he’s so hellbent on proving himself and exacting his revenge that life is passing him by. He’s missing all the small things that bring joy, the simple things in life that money can’t buy, the sunsets, the slow dancing, the gentle sea breeze and the richness that the right people in your life can bring.

Can Daisy be the balm to his troubled soul? Can their past connection bring him back to the caring, protector he once was? Is it still in him to be the type of person Daisy knows him to have been?
These two totally captured my heart. Their banter, the moments that had my chest aching and their strength …Ms Andrews has portrayed the intimacies and closeness of love perfectly.
I can’t wait to get back to Sutton Ridge and get to know the rest of these intriguing characters…and I can’t wait to find out whose next!

dinithi

189 reviews

September 18, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+!!!

i have been a huge fan of emery rose andrews since i first picked up her love and chaos series, and this book was just as spectacular as the rest! 🩷

- enemies to lovers
- grumpy sunshine
- forced proximity

spending the summer on a california vineyard should be an idyllic dream. unfortunately for daisy, considering that it involves spending time with beckett heyward, her summer will be anything but. they have a long, complicated history, one that’s twisted with enmity and anger, and made it so the boy that once doted on her is now a ruthless, grumpy billionaire who despises her.

emery always write some of the most beautiful, poignant stories rife with fully fleshed out, dimensional characters. all of her characters are human—flawed, imperfect, and full of potential—and the love interests in this story were no different.

i love love loved this story. it was rich in banter, and a punch to the gut in terms of emotional impact. beckett was ruthless, vengeful, grumpy, and bitter at daisy for inheriting a portion of his father’s vineyard. daisy was vibrant and joyful despite the hard circumstances of her life, but no more enthusiastic than beckett to spend three months with him. they butted heads and bickered fiercely, flirted and teased, and all of that tension erupted into the spiciest of spice scenes. beckett showed daisy she was deserving of everything, and daisy taught beckett (the hard way) that life is about more than revenge. i love the work they put into earning one another (especially beckett!) and how much they learned from each other.

this is definitely one of my new fave emery rose andrews books! if you haven’t picked it up yet, please do yourself a favor and read it soon! 🤍

Andrea

725 reviews

August 21, 2024

Bitter Rival by Emery Rose Andrews
5 stars
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥/5

Phew, Emery nailed this book. There wasn’t much I did not like about it. She captured a lot of my favorite things from sexual tension, slow burn, and witty banter. Throw in those spicy scenes with her fabulous writing and I couldn’t put the book down!

I have a 3-year-old and a 5-month-old currently, so sleep is top priority for me when the kiddos go to bed. I found myself staying up way too late to read – it was just so good! The back and forth between Beck and Daisy was top notch! Slow burn is my jam and Emery delivered with a bow on top.
This enemy to lovers was well developed, had great characters, good plotlines, and the chemistry just kept the pages turning for me. I was in a book rut before reading Emery’s book and now I’m ready to read all the books LOL

Tropes:
• Enemy to lovers
• Childhood Crush
• Slow Burn
• Forced Proximity
• Opposites Attract

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Tracey Vuolo

735 reviews18 followers

Bitter Rival stole the top spot as my favorite Emery Rose book! Enemies to lovers isn’t normally my first choice and this story hit me like a bullseye to the heart and I was hooked!!! This couple has it all - explosive banter and passion, stubbornness, anger, laughs and so much love! Daisy is a breath of fresh air! I loved to watch her transformation and belief in herself and what she deserves. Also, how unselfish she was just made me smile! Beckett is so hard and bitter but under all that sexy, hardworking scruff is a big teddy bear who just lost so much of himself because of the people that were supposed to protect and love him. It changed him in a completely different way than Daisy after all she had been through. There were so many amazing moments in this book but the wine names, the New York visit (IYKYK), the airport, the flowers and the letters were at the top of my list. The letters made me so emotional and stole my breath! Bitter Rival was everything I didn’t know I wanted and needed but so excited I found, as I stayed all in my feelings! I wish I could read it for the first time all over again.

Tracey, Life Reads With Friends Book Blog

Abby J Capps

504 reviews43 followers

September 25, 2024

4.5 stars

”If I kiss you, will you turn into a prince?”
He looks at me through hooded eyes. “Would you like that?” he asks, his voice low, raspy.
“No. Not even a little bit.”

I adored this story!! It was funny, sweet and soooo full of slow burn tension. Daisy is a ball of free spirit, sunshine and looking for the never leave kind of love. I loved her and wanted nothing but for her to have her happy ending. Beckett is grumpy, hot and cold and vengeful, but he’s also fiercely protective and his care for Daisy shines even without trying. He was so hot and I loved that she pushed him out of his comfort zone. These two were perfect! I’m really glad I picked this book up on a whim. It was just what I needed and I look forward to checking out more by this author!

“And who is the real Daisy Larsson?”
There are a million things I could say, but that was enough heavy, deep, and real for one day, so I opt to keep it light. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m the sunshine to your storm cloud.”

Katelynn

971 reviews30 followers

August 21, 2024

One of my favorite books of 2024! Talk about frenemies, opposites attract, and one grumpy hero thirsting for vengeance. Daisy is a beautiful sunshine soul that's been hurt repeatedly but still has kept her heart open. The exact opposite of that is the broody Beckett. I love a grumpy hero, and this man played that part perfectly! He's not quick to forgive and doesn't want to tolerate Daisy much less trust or love her. All this takes place in the beautiful vineyard backdrop as they work together to right the vineyard Beckett's father left behind. These two gave off serious chemistry and biting banter that turns loving over time. I've read a few books by this author and I truly believe this is her best work to date. I fell in love with the characters, felt angst and love building throughout while feeling effortless transported to this crumbling mansion. This book was genuinely such a treat to read

Amanda

452 reviews8 followers

close-proximity grumpy-sunshine opposites-attract

Grumpy x sunshine at its finest. This book had all my favorite things- slow burn, forced proximity, sexual tension.

Beckett and Daisy were hilarious.. the way they antagonized each other and bantered was laughable. You could feel the tension coming off the pages.. I honestly thought the moment wouldnt come thats how slow burnny it was. But in a good way.

Daisy was such a good character. She was sunshine and all thats good in the world despite being dealt a crappy hand. Beckett was literally the Beast turned Prince Charming. He was grumpy and vengeful until he wasnt. And when he wasnt he really shined.

I loved the story line and the premise of the forced proximity. Being forced to work and live together to claim your inheritance is literally the definition of forced. And honestly I love the ending; I felt like you didnt need to forgive the past but you dont need to let it rule your life & ruin your future.

Thank you to the author for an arc of this book for my honest review.

Linna • linnareads

562 reviews255 followers

August 24, 2024

Lots of fun pieces to this one. Good banter. Very opposites attract. A dreamy setting. A bit slow burn with some groveling at the end. This was the first book I’ve read from the author and I’m excited to read more soon. I really like the writing style and the set up of the world with it being the first in a series. Beckett was the sort of typical grumpy, closed off, rich guy while Daisy is the more free spirit, bubbly gal. They definitely balanced each other out.

The plot for this one was interesting with both of their parents having made terrible choices in the past and present which morphs how they both view each other. Technically, they were step siblings for a very short period of time but reading this I almost forgot about it. It isn’t taboo at all in that sense of that’s something that usually puts you off.

🫶🏻 opposites attract
😠 dislike to lovers
❤️‍🔥 slow-ish burn
👥 close proximity
🌤️ grumpy (him) / sunshine (her)

dual POV
4/5 stars ⭐️
2/5 spice level 🌶️

Jenn

108 reviews

August 15, 2024

As someone who has been in the top 1% of The Velvet Underground listeners on Spotify for the last 4 of 5 years, I knew early on this was going to be a winner. 🔥

THIS is how enemies-to-lovers should be done! The banter and the angst between these two had me laughing out loud from the beginning. Daisy is easily one of my favorite FMCs ever. Her wit and sarcasm were absolutely perfect—especially when matched with someone as cynical and rigid as Beckett.

Both characters struggle with abandonment and trust issues, and seeing how these issues have shaped them, and how they heal both together and separately, had me in tears. Literal waterworks for the chapter ending with 'You're on your own, kid.'

One of the things I think Emery Rose Andrews does so well is the miscommunication trope—or what falls under that umbrella (bending the truth, withholding information, etc.). I know people hate on that trope, but I think it's the most relatable one out there. In her books, it's not just included to add drama; her characters always grow so much during that time, and it feels so human.

I loved the ending so much and I can't wait to see who's next in the series!

Many thanks to Emery Rose Andrews and Katie for the ARC! 💖

Jenn the Readaholic

2,183 reviews72 followers

August 15, 2024

I’ve loved all of this author’s works, but I had no clue that THIS is the story I’ve been waiting for all year. This one. Daisy is the eternal optimist. Or she appears to be. She’s nowhere near as naive and flighty as she seems, but Beckett hasn’t earned the right to see all of her layers yet. She’s honest and loyal and smart and strong and loving and deserves so much more than people have given her over the years. Including Beckett.

Why? Well, Beckett is a user, too. He just has different things motivating it. Or so he tells himself. But once he sees how utterly wrong he’s been about Daisy, he wants more. Oh, he can’t admit it yet. But he wants it all. Her heart. Soul. Love. Her all.

This is definitely a bit of an angsty read. It’s a slow burn but Daisy is just such a good soul that you won’t realize it’s a slow burn. She makes her way under your skin and is just so welcome there because of her entire being. And Beckett doesn’t want to work her out from under his, even when things fall apart. So he grovels. Boy, does he grovel. And he learns that the opposite of hate truly is Daisy.

I absolutely loved this story and I’m only sorry that I finished it because I want more of this town. These people. And this series!

Jess - Reader of Books

1,038 reviews72 followers