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A Perfect Match
His family calls him Uncle Lobster. Friends call him Kru.
I just know him as my one-night stand turned Mister Irritat—I mean, Landlord.
How was I supposed to know our fiery-hot club night—and the eighteen hours of passion that followed—would end up with him moving to Bayshore and starting a restaurant right next to my viral social media marshmallow shop?
He was almost the man of my dreams…but everybody knows marshmallows don’t pair with lobster. Busting a hole through my storage closet is the least of my worries. He’s bought the building—and plans to kick me out. Six years of hard work, right into the lobster trap. Unless I have something to say about it—which I do, loudly, even in the middle of his dinner rush.
Life would be easier if I could just hate him and move on. But the longer we battle over the shared back room and fight over umbrellas in the patio space, I’m reminded of why we had our fiery night in the first place.
Uncle Lobster isn’t just my irritating usurper.
He might also be my perfect match.
Welcome to Bayshore, the lakeside Ohio small town that’s home to both the Daly brothers and now the Keegans! This is the first book in the spin-off series that follows the Keegans as they face down a family mystery and fall for the ones they least expected.
I just know him as my one-night stand turned Mister Irritat—I mean, Landlord.
How was I supposed to know our fiery-hot club night—and the eighteen hours of passion that followed—would end up with him moving to Bayshore and starting a restaurant right next to my viral social media marshmallow shop?
He was almost the man of my dreams…but everybody knows marshmallows don’t pair with lobster. Busting a hole through my storage closet is the least of my worries. He’s bought the building—and plans to kick me out. Six years of hard work, right into the lobster trap. Unless I have something to say about it—which I do, loudly, even in the middle of his dinner rush.
Life would be easier if I could just hate him and move on. But the longer we battle over the shared back room and fight over umbrellas in the patio space, I’m reminded of why we had our fiery night in the first place.
Uncle Lobster isn’t just my irritating usurper.
He might also be my perfect match.
Welcome to Bayshore, the lakeside Ohio small town that’s home to both the Daly brothers and now the Keegans! This is the first book in the spin-off series that follows the Keegans as they face down a family mystery and fall for the ones they least expected.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2025
6 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 2, 2025
Love In Many Forms
I read this book with a smile on my face all the time, except for a few highly emotional parts, where a few tears gathered in my eyes. Piper is a strong woman with exceptional visions for her business and dreaming of expanding, but she also has four highly protective elder brothers, who smother her and make her doubt herself. Meeting and having a one-night stand with a very hot stranger away from home and finding out he is her new landlord, is the start of a profound change in her life.
It’s a shock how well-meaning love for a younger sibling can turn into a straitjacket and the need for the eyes of a stranger to see what is happening, fortunately being able to turn everything around.
I haven’t yet read the books about the other Bayshore family, the Dales, but will soon alter that.
And lovely to meet Bella and Jackson Bedd from A Fork In The Road again. Highly recommended.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I read this book with a smile on my face all the time, except for a few highly emotional parts, where a few tears gathered in my eyes. Piper is a strong woman with exceptional visions for her business and dreaming of expanding, but she also has four highly protective elder brothers, who smother her and make her doubt herself. Meeting and having a one-night stand with a very hot stranger away from home and finding out he is her new landlord, is the start of a profound change in her life.
It’s a shock how well-meaning love for a younger sibling can turn into a straitjacket and the need for the eyes of a stranger to see what is happening, fortunately being able to turn everything around.
I haven’t yet read the books about the other Bayshore family, the Dales, but will soon alter that.
And lovely to meet Bella and Jackson Bedd from A Fork In The Road again. Highly recommended.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 6, 2025
I totally enjoyed this book! Ms. Leigh has a terrific sense of humor, which shows throughout the book! There were many laugh out loud moments in the book, as well as a ton of chuckle-worthy moments!
When Kru and Piper first met, it was in Cleveland, and they had a one night hookup! Piper has a store called Cloud Nine and she serves anything marshmallow-related, from s'mores to hot chocolate! Kru is known as Uncle Lobster and he's opening his first sit down restaurant right next to Cloud Nine.
Piper has dreams of expansion and she wants to create an event center. Bayshore doesn’t have one and she knows she could do it right! Once Kru shows her Barny (yes, that’s the name she gave the barn!), she knows it’s the perfect place for her to create her event center. And boy do her brothers have lots of things to say about it, which just makes her more determined. And she really wants this event center!
As Kru and Piper fall deeper in love, things begin to change when Kru confronts her brother Griffin about how they all treat Piper when they’re giving her all of their unsolicited advice, and it begins to make a difference in how they treat their sister. But when it counts, they all come together to help Piper make her dream come true! And that means everything to Piper!
I loved all of the nicknames they came up with for each other, the way he just wanted to help her with whatever she needed help with, and I really loved the end! This book was definitely a Feel Good Book!
If you haven’t purchased this book yet, you really need to get it…you are going to love it! This book is a winner for Ember Leigh!
When Kru and Piper first met, it was in Cleveland, and they had a one night hookup! Piper has a store called Cloud Nine and she serves anything marshmallow-related, from s'mores to hot chocolate! Kru is known as Uncle Lobster and he's opening his first sit down restaurant right next to Cloud Nine.
Piper has dreams of expansion and she wants to create an event center. Bayshore doesn’t have one and she knows she could do it right! Once Kru shows her Barny (yes, that’s the name she gave the barn!), she knows it’s the perfect place for her to create her event center. And boy do her brothers have lots of things to say about it, which just makes her more determined. And she really wants this event center!
As Kru and Piper fall deeper in love, things begin to change when Kru confronts her brother Griffin about how they all treat Piper when they’re giving her all of their unsolicited advice, and it begins to make a difference in how they treat their sister. But when it counts, they all come together to help Piper make her dream come true! And that means everything to Piper!
I loved all of the nicknames they came up with for each other, the way he just wanted to help her with whatever she needed help with, and I really loved the end! This book was definitely a Feel Good Book!
If you haven’t purchased this book yet, you really need to get it…you are going to love it! This book is a winner for Ember Leigh!
July 31, 2025
Small town rom com! We’re back in Bayshore for this new series following the Keegan siblings. Don’t worry - The Daly’s pop up too incase you missed them, like I did.
Kru and Piper have a soul crushing one night stand that neither have been able to forget, Kru leaves his number but Piper ghosts him. A month later, he rocks up in Bayshore as her new neighbor and landlord. Piper has a serious dislike to her newfound situation and ends up picking petty fights with Kru, but Kru takes it all on the chin and try’s to charm his way to a second chance with Piper. Spent a lot of time giggling at their nicknames for each other! Cutesy read with a touch of spice, great to be back in Bayshore!
I voluntarily reviewed a free advance copy of this book provided by the author. The opinions expressed are my own
Kru and Piper have a soul crushing one night stand that neither have been able to forget, Kru leaves his number but Piper ghosts him. A month later, he rocks up in Bayshore as her new neighbor and landlord. Piper has a serious dislike to her newfound situation and ends up picking petty fights with Kru, but Kru takes it all on the chin and try’s to charm his way to a second chance with Piper. Spent a lot of time giggling at their nicknames for each other! Cutesy read with a touch of spice, great to be back in Bayshore!
I voluntarily reviewed a free advance copy of this book provided by the author. The opinions expressed are my own
August 6, 2025
Fantastic rom-com!
Love the town, love the people, love the storyline, love the spice, and absolutely love the comedy. I just love this book! I couldn't stop reading it, much to the dismay of everything else in my life I kept putting off just to read 'one more chapter.' What I love the most about this book is how the characters are so relatable - just like people I know in my life. Maybe moreso because it takes place in Ohio, where I'm from, but the way they talk and act doesn't seem made up, so it really stuck with me. And though it's a standalone, I also love it when characters from other books make their way into this one! Highly recommend!
Love the town, love the people, love the storyline, love the spice, and absolutely love the comedy. I just love this book! I couldn't stop reading it, much to the dismay of everything else in my life I kept putting off just to read 'one more chapter.' What I love the most about this book is how the characters are so relatable - just like people I know in my life. Maybe moreso because it takes place in Ohio, where I'm from, but the way they talk and act doesn't seem made up, so it really stuck with me. And though it's a standalone, I also love it when characters from other books make their way into this one! Highly recommend!
August 8, 2025
My first book by Ember Leigh, and I really enjoyed it. It gives off the vibes of the popular early 2000’s rom-com’s to me, and I ate it up.
The story follows Piper, or Piper Cleaner, as her building is bought up by Kru. Kru’s a new business owner, looking to start a restaurant to honor his father. Things start off tense between the two. A marshmallow maker and a Chef.
Piper is a whole lot immature for her age. Keeping secrets, and dealing with things by not dealing with them. I didn’t love that.
It’s a cute, fluffy feel good romance. And I love those. Kru finds his missing ingredient in Piper, and there’s a mild bit of swooning over it.
The story follows Piper, or Piper Cleaner, as her building is bought up by Kru. Kru’s a new business owner, looking to start a restaurant to honor his father. Things start off tense between the two. A marshmallow maker and a Chef.
Piper is a whole lot immature for her age. Keeping secrets, and dealing with things by not dealing with them. I didn’t love that.
It’s a cute, fluffy feel good romance. And I love those. Kru finds his missing ingredient in Piper, and there’s a mild bit of swooning over it.
July 30, 2025
A one night stand that becomes more when he buys the property where her business is located and becomes her landlord (an interesting twist to the "no names" trope). While i enjoyed the storyline, it does take Piper a long time to admit she has feelings for Kru because she's afraid of her brothers' reactions. Kru continues to build her confidence because he sees who she is while her brothers question everything. This drags a bit too long, but when she gives into her feelings, the story moves along nicely.
August 1, 2025
I really enjoyed this small town rom com. I loved the FMC was independent and an entrepreneur and passionate for something other than the affectionate of the MMC. And boy, did I love the MMC. And his unwavering (at least outwardly) affection for her. This was my first book set in Bayshore and I crave more of this small town. I hope future books will give us more of the Keegan brothers. Tropes: HEA, He falls first, small town, overprotective brothers, open door, chef with small knife play. ❤️❤️❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2025
This was such a fun small town romantic read. Kru and Piper are smoking hot and their attraction is palpable while their journey is not an easy one there are lots of fun moments especially with Piper’s very over protective brothers and Kru constantly needling himself into her life. Their competitive natures are very present and I just loved how they always come up with fun nicknames for each other especially Piper’s family. I loved this book and I cannot wait to read more of Bayshore and the Keegan family.
July 25, 2025
A perfect match is exactly what Piper and Kru are. Between their amazing chemistry, vocation, ambition, and competitiveness, they belong together. I enjoyed watching their relationship unfold and watching each see their dreams materialize. The setting of Bayshore is also perfect, and I cannot wait to visit again.
July 27, 2025
I Loved this book! The overprotective brothers, a stubborn as always Uncle Lobster (Kru), fighting the attraction from a one night stand. I loved this book every step of the chaotic way. This book is a perfect mix of chaos, rom-com, and build up. Waiting for her brothers to lose their ever loving minds. Cannot wait to watch each of these men get knocked on their asses!
July 29, 2025
Loved the book! It's about two entrepreneurs at different stages of their journeys. It beautifully explores their financial thought processes and the external factors influencing their decisions. If you're looking for a story with a FMC who is determined to make a name for herself without relying on others, and a MMC who is protective but never undermines her strength, you'll love this book.
August 5, 2025
Oh wow I loved this book! Kru and Piper are so flipping perfect for each other. They have cute nicknames for each other that are just hilarious. The family dynamics are amazingly funny. She has four older brothers to contend with. This is hands down a great book for you to read. Very entertaining.
August 9, 2025
This is an heartwarming enemies to lovers small town rom-com. Lots of humor, drama and angst. Kru and Piper are good together and I enjoyed their story.
September 9, 2025
Loved it !!!!
Piper and Kru are the cutest couple and the Knicknames for each other was fantastic.
They both are very competitive when they need to be.
I received a free copy of this book and I’m leaving a voluntary and honest review.
Piper and Kru are the cutest couple and the Knicknames for each other was fantastic.
They both are very competitive when they need to be.
I received a free copy of this book and I’m leaving a voluntary and honest review.
August 5, 2025
From a one night stand to forever? This heartwarming enemies to lovers rom-com is a great read. It pulled me in from the beginning with the humor, the character interactions, and the overall awwww that I felt when reading it.
While this is a standalone, we do have character cameos from Ember’s Bayshore series, and her book A Fork in the Road. If you like your rom-coms a little spicy, with a good storyline, then this book is a MUST!
While this is a standalone, we do have character cameos from Ember’s Bayshore series, and her book A Fork in the Road. If you like your rom-coms a little spicy, with a good storyline, then this book is a MUST!
August 28, 2025
Wonderful story.
Loved Piper & Kru's story really does prove that love conquers all but the Keegan brothers are nit making it easy. After spending a hot night together a month ago but the next time they see each other is when he turns up with a camera crew at the building next door & happens to be her new business landlord.
We get to see them negotiate them being business rivals, lovers, secrets from her brothers, family drama with some steamy sassy moments.
This is a beautiful, heartwarming story that you won't want to put it down.
Loved Piper & Kru's story really does prove that love conquers all but the Keegan brothers are nit making it easy. After spending a hot night together a month ago but the next time they see each other is when he turns up with a camera crew at the building next door & happens to be her new business landlord.
We get to see them negotiate them being business rivals, lovers, secrets from her brothers, family drama with some steamy sassy moments.
This is a beautiful, heartwarming story that you won't want to put it down.
August 5, 2025
Kru and Piper had a one-night stand a month ago. Even though they never got each other’s names, Kru gave Piper his phone number, in hopes that they’d stay in touch.
Yeah, Piper was pretty short-sighted to throw that number in the trash bin. Honestly, she could have just programmed it into her phone and then throw the number away, but she was convinced that the life-changing experience wouldn’t fit into her plans.
She started her own business, Cloud Nine Confections, and has been very successful. She also lives in the apartment above the shop, so her commute is mere seconds. But when she finds out her building has been sold in secret, and the new owner will be coming soon to check out the property, a sinking feeling begins in her heart.
I think we can all guess who the new owner is, right? (Yes, it’s Kru.) And he’s apparently bringing a reality show with him.
And so it begins.
I feel for Piper; she has four older brothers (testosterone minefield) who are constantly trying to run her life and who continually underestimate her. She’s also dealing with Kru building a restaurant in the other half of the building where her shop is, and the disruptions start to affect her business. I can feel how alone she is, unable to show her true self and her ambitions because her brothers will just baby her again. Thankfully, Kru doesn’t do that (much). When he does do that, it’s only in concern for her health.
The relationship between Kru and Piper is sort of like enemies to lovers, except Kru never saw Piper as the enemy. It’s adorable when they start calling each other silly nicknames like “Pipefitter” and “Motley Kru”. I was invested in this story immediately, and couldn’t stop (except for dinner) until I was finished. That’s pretty much always the way with this author’s books—she sucks me in early and doesn’t let go until the last page.
If you haven’t read the Bayshore series by this same author, you should pick that up as well, as those books will provide context for the supporting characters. Basically what I’m saying is that I loved the book, and you will, too, and should just go ahead and read everything this author has written.
Yeah, Piper was pretty short-sighted to throw that number in the trash bin. Honestly, she could have just programmed it into her phone and then throw the number away, but she was convinced that the life-changing experience wouldn’t fit into her plans.
She started her own business, Cloud Nine Confections, and has been very successful. She also lives in the apartment above the shop, so her commute is mere seconds. But when she finds out her building has been sold in secret, and the new owner will be coming soon to check out the property, a sinking feeling begins in her heart.
I think we can all guess who the new owner is, right? (Yes, it’s Kru.) And he’s apparently bringing a reality show with him.
And so it begins.
I feel for Piper; she has four older brothers (testosterone minefield) who are constantly trying to run her life and who continually underestimate her. She’s also dealing with Kru building a restaurant in the other half of the building where her shop is, and the disruptions start to affect her business. I can feel how alone she is, unable to show her true self and her ambitions because her brothers will just baby her again. Thankfully, Kru doesn’t do that (much). When he does do that, it’s only in concern for her health.
The relationship between Kru and Piper is sort of like enemies to lovers, except Kru never saw Piper as the enemy. It’s adorable when they start calling each other silly nicknames like “Pipefitter” and “Motley Kru”. I was invested in this story immediately, and couldn’t stop (except for dinner) until I was finished. That’s pretty much always the way with this author’s books—she sucks me in early and doesn’t let go until the last page.
If you haven’t read the Bayshore series by this same author, you should pick that up as well, as those books will provide context for the supporting characters. Basically what I’m saying is that I loved the book, and you will, too, and should just go ahead and read everything this author has written.
August 3, 2025
Wow this was such a fun book to read. I loved the characters banter and all the laugh out moments I got to enjoy. The story was well written and Ember Leigh held my attention the entire time I read this book.
Piper is the owner of Cloud Nine where you can get coffee and different types of marshmallows. If this place existed I would be there daily! She loves her shop and this town but one day her realtor customer comes in a informs her that her building has been sold. Little does she know that the man that bought her building is the man she had a one night stand with and ghosted. Now things are definitely going to get interesting.
Kru just wants to open a restaurant in honor of his dad. But then he see's the woman that ghosted him and he is blown away. Now these two will have to try to get along since he's her landlord and they will be next door to each other. But with all good things there will be a lot of banter and fun to be had along the way.
This was the perfect start to this series. I had so many laugh out loud moments, some shocked moments, emotions were flying in a few parts, and then I was given a wonderful ending! I can't wait for the next book in this series!! I HIGHLY recommend this book.
Thank you Ember Leigh for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.
Piper is the owner of Cloud Nine where you can get coffee and different types of marshmallows. If this place existed I would be there daily! She loves her shop and this town but one day her realtor customer comes in a informs her that her building has been sold. Little does she know that the man that bought her building is the man she had a one night stand with and ghosted. Now things are definitely going to get interesting.
Kru just wants to open a restaurant in honor of his dad. But then he see's the woman that ghosted him and he is blown away. Now these two will have to try to get along since he's her landlord and they will be next door to each other. But with all good things there will be a lot of banter and fun to be had along the way.
This was the perfect start to this series. I had so many laugh out loud moments, some shocked moments, emotions were flying in a few parts, and then I was given a wonderful ending! I can't wait for the next book in this series!! I HIGHLY recommend this book.
Thank you Ember Leigh for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.
August 7, 2025
I really enjoyed this small town rom com. I loved the FMC was independent and an entrepreneur and passionate for something other than the affectionate of the MMC. And boy, did I love the MMC. And his unwavering (at least outwardly) affection for her. This was my first book set in Bayshore and I crave more of this small town. I hope future books will give us more of the Keegan brothers. Tropes: HEA, He falls first, small town, overprotective brothers, open door, chef with small knife play. ❤️❤️❤️
August 9, 2025
Marshmallows and Lobster
This was so, so good! I couldn’t put it down and received many confused looks when I laughed out loud often. The quirky humour, nicknames galore and unending banter had me totally captivated. I loved Piper and Kru, they are so cute and perfect for each other! This is a real feel-good romcom, filled with family, tension, emotion, steam and romance. I’m looking forward to more from Bayshore.
This was so, so good! I couldn’t put it down and received many confused looks when I laughed out loud often. The quirky humour, nicknames galore and unending banter had me totally captivated. I loved Piper and Kru, they are so cute and perfect for each other! This is a real feel-good romcom, filled with family, tension, emotion, steam and romance. I’m looking forward to more from Bayshore.
December 2, 2025
This story was so much fun - lots of energy, plenty of nicknames and other quirky moments, and tons of creativity made this novel absolutely sparkle. I certainly never imagined someone opening a marshmallow shop, but Ms. Leigh has clearly done the research and has me believing I could do this like Piper has. Of course, it's not as smooth or simple as all that once Kru acquires the property that includes Cloud Nine Confections (is that a perfect name or what?) as well as the vacant space next door, where he plans to open a restaurant. He also happens to be the one night stand that Piper can't forget. Since they both operate food service businesses, there is certainly some competition, and for added inspiration, Kru's restaurant development is being filmed for a reality show. Adding to this mayhem are plenty of small town Ohio characters and family members. Being from Ohio myself, it was fun to read references I recognized (though Bayshore is fictional, as far as I can tell). Piper and Kru fight their attraction and try to just keep their businesses going, but their chemistry wins out - great fireworks and wonderful mutual support.I certainly look forward to reading more about happenings in Bayshore!
I was given an ARC and volunteered to write a review.
I was given an ARC and volunteered to write a review.
August 6, 2025
Awww…Kru and Piper are so darn cute!!! The steam was fantastic and I love their banter and nicknames for each other! I was so happy to be back in the Bayshore world too! Great read and am dying for more from the Keegan’s! Especially that mysterious item from the bakery?! What is that about? Time will tell!
August 3, 2025
He was her one night stand a month ago. Now he is his landlord, the one kicking her out of her apartment, keeping her costumers away with the renovations noise and her rival in her hometown competition. How can Piper fight her attraction to Kru when their paths cross constantly and their chemistry is off charts? Funny, spicy and so much more.
August 2, 2025
Read this as an ARC! It’s probably my favorite yet of Ember’s books - I loved how strong Piper was and how Kru was determined to show her they could do things together instead of beating themselves up to do it all alone.
August 3, 2025
Piper and Kru, fun and witty banter and the chemistry between them was electric. From a one night stand to him becoming her landlord, the tension was intense. The way these two were meant to be was the most delightful part of the story.
July 29, 2025
I received this book as an ARC and is the first of Ember’s books that I have read and it will certainly not be the last. I loved the book from start to finish especially the main characters, Piper and Kru. The Keegan brothers were infuriating, but in a good way, and I can’t wait to get to know them better in their own books (here’s hoping they each get a strong minded FMC to contend with). The book was well written and flowed really easily and kept me wanting to devour the book asap. I feel a back catalogue binge coming on 💕
August 2, 2025
I enjoyed this book. I read it in a couple of hours. Piper and Kru are a fun couple. I liked their banter. They have a nice connection. The storyline was good and I liked the characters. Overall it was a good start to the series. I'm looking forward to the next book.
July 27, 2025
I loved the Bayshore series with the Daly brothers and so excited she is continuing with the Keegan family. Kru was a picture perfect man for Piper and I loved that this book shows you can always use help even if you think you don’t need or want it. Ready to find out about the safe in books to come.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews