Why Not Us?

by Sarah Neeson

Adalie Murphy
I'm the peacekeeper, the one who fits into people's expectations. But when my sister stands me up on my birthday, I realize maybe I’ve become a little too... forgettable.

Then I meet Nate motorcycle-riding, hockey-playing, single dad and part owner of Hops Scotch, a local brewery that recently partnered with Blue Vista. He’s the furthest thing from forgettable, and exactly what I need to break out of my shell.

With his help, I'm ready to embrace the unknown. As friends, of course. Because no matter how much he intrigues me, a grumpy, change-averse brewmaster is definitely not my type… right?

Nate Sinclair
My life revolves around my daughter and my brewery—and I like it that way. I’m not looking for change, let alone a relationship. Yet, when my brother drags me to an exclusive event venue here in Vancouver to discuss a partnership, I am immediately drawn to the whirlwind of creativity and warmth that is Adalie Murphy.

When she asks for my help seeking the thrill of new experiences, I’m far more interested than I should be. Especially when she acts like I'm her knight in shining armour, smiles at me like I hung the moon, or gets carried away kissing me after a ride on my Harley.

We’re complete opposites, but as we navigate family drama and unexpected feelings, I can’t help but wonder... Why not us?

377 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 27, 2025

Reviews

[Tami Winbush · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved watching how the character Adalie grew in this book. It was inspiring in more ways than one. She, not unlike me, has the word "doormat" written on our foreheads. But with the help of the absolutely dreamy, sexy as sin, world class father, supporter, and so much more Nate she learns to step from her comfort zone and into the woman she was meant to be all along.

The Blue Vista Crew has such a special place in my heart and Sarah Neeson has me craving more, and never wanting the stories to end. Every time I finish a Blue Vista book, this one notwithstanding, I feel a gut deep loss at saying goodbye to the gang.

I'd like to thank the author for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.

[EVANGELIA MARAGKOPOULOU · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book . Adelie is the sensitive member of the four partners of Blue Vista . So when she meets her new business partner Nate part owner of Hops Scotch, a local brewery and his ten year old daughter Dani she feels immediately an attraction , but she decide to have a professional relationtionship . Later she asks him to help her be more adventurous in her life and she will teach his daughter all she know about art and painting . With his support she stand up to her family who they always criticeze her and she finally feels free and happy with her choices .
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Aimee Waldron · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Why Not Us gives us Nate, the grumpy brewmaster at Hops Scotch that he owns with brother. Nate is broody, tall, has a beard and both arms with sleeve tattoos. He also drives a motorcycle. He co parents with Katiehis 10 yo daughter, Dani. He takes her to a date night paint night with and brother Taylor to check out Blue Vista events - a company they want to sell their beer to for use during their events. He meets Adalie as she helps his daughter with painting. For some reason, he is immediately drawn to her. He finally agrees to the sign contract with Blue Vista and finds out that Adalie is a part owner.

Adalie is the HR manager at Blue Vista but also taps her artsy side and loves the paint nights. She too is drawn to Nate but realized that he is definitely not her type.

As they are all at Hops Scotch celebrating their contract, Adalie is waiting for her sister to join her so they can go out for her birthday. Her sister stands her up but she doesn’t tell anyone that this her birthday. The boys buy her pizza and Nate takes her home on his bike - she loves it and in her excitement, she kisses him. They both realize that they cannot do it again.

She her sister calls her the next day, her sister tells her she went with other friends and didn’t bother to call Adalie because she never does anything g fun and is very boring. This makes Adalie want to get outside comfort zone and Nate is just the person to do it. She will give Dani art lessons in exchange.

Their adventures start to turn into a friendship that has some great tension it but also grows to a very strong relationship.

This is a great book - the characters are so well developed and the found family aspect is so well done - the strong FMC is great and the fact that the MMC realizes what he needs to do to make a relationship work is so well written. His relationship with his daughter is very tender & sweet - the way he admits that he misses her every time she goes back to her mom’s is heartwarming. I love that very is no drama between him and Katie - it makes it easy for Dani

I Will definitely add the other 3 books to my TBR.

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

[Stacey T · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third installment of the "Blue Vista" series features stronger friendships, new love, and personal growth. Adalie has always felt alienated from her family—their disapproval extends to her job, her car, and her apartment. The final straw comes when her sister stands her up on her birthday. Eager to step out of her comfort zone, Adalie knows just the person to help her: the single dad and newest vendor at her workplace. However, she must set aside her unexpected attraction to him, as they are complete opposites. Nate, the brewmaster at Hops Scotch Brewery, is introverted and gruff but adores his daughter, even though he only sees her every other week. When Adalie asks him for a favor, he agrees and soon finds himself enjoying her company. As they grow closer, their feelings deepen, but a freak out by Nate causes hurt emotions, forcing both of them to decide whether to walk away or hold on to hope for a future together.
This book is another great addition from the author! I loved the chemistry between the characters, and it was wonderful to see the previous group of friends back together, supporting one another. Taylor, Nate's brother, was a fantastic addition, and I hope he gets his own book (hint hint). I appreciated the slow-burn romance and was thrilled when the tension finally heated up. Additionally, I'm glad Adalie stood up for herself against her family. The ending raised questions about Vic, and I look forward to discovering her story. Overall, it’s a fantastic book, and I can’t wait for the next one! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[PagePilgrim · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

Why Not Us? is a captivating opposites-attract romance that delivers both passion and depth. The story follows Nate Sinclair—gorgeous, brooding, and socially averse—and Adalie Murphy, a vibrant soul who embraces warmth and color. Despite their differences, they fit together in an undeniable way, making for a deliciously addictive love story.

Beyond the steamy romance (and yes, there are plenty of sizzling scenes—though I could have done without the C-word), what truly resonated with me was Adalie’s personal journey. As the family scapegoat, she is constantly belittled and used as an emotional punching bag for reasons even she doesn’t fully understand. But love doesn’t just sweep her off her feet—it empowers her. Through her relationship with Nate, she learns to value herself, rebuild her confidence, and stand up for what she deserves.

One of the most powerful moments in the book is encapsulated in this quote: “You are perfect exactly as you are, Adalie. Anyone who disagrees doesn’t deserve to have you in their life.” It’s a reminder that self-worth isn’t defined by the opinions of others, and I think that’s an important lesson, not just for women, but for anyone struggling to assert their value.

At its heart, Why Not Us? is more than just a steamy romance—it’s a story about self-discovery, resilience, and the transformative power of love. If you enjoy books that mix heat with heart, this one is definitely worth a read.

[Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all I have to say that I feel super grateful to have read the arc of this INCREDIBLE book🤭🙌🏼
This book here was even better than I was expecting, I loved the author's writing, I loved the characters she created and I loved without a doubt the whole story!!! This book caught my interest in less than a chapter, I read this book so fast that when I finished I got some small one because I wanted to read more.
I liked the characters so much, first we have our Adalie who is simply amazing but who believes she has to get out of her comfort zone and change because she thinks she is too forgetful (because sincerely her family is crap), in fact Adalie doesn't have to change anything she is a wonderful person, her soul is so kind, she makes everyone smile, she is always careful with everyone and I really loved her.
Then we have Nate, Dani's single father (a lovely girl) he's quieter, grumpy who doesn't want to know what others think and who likes to venture a lot (which is perfect for our Adalie), however with Dani and Adalie we see a softer, loving version of Nate, which I loved.
I honestly loved the fact that Adalie and Nate are completely different, because it makes them really perfect for each other because when we fit their personalities we have a whole diversity and each of them learns new things.
In my opinion, they complement each other perfectly (but our Dani they undoubtedly make a lovely family🥹

After this book I will take a look at the author's other books because I really liked this book!!!!🩷

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

[The Sewist's Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why Not Us by Sarah Neeson
⭐ 4.25
🌶️ 2
🥵 Spicy chapters: 19, 24, 27, 34
📚 Tropes/Themes: single dad, brewery owner x event planner, protective mmc, possessive mmc, everyone can see it, alpharoll-ish, grumpy sunshine, hockey player, found family
👀 Dual POV 1st person
🩷 Something I liked: bungee jumping
🙈 Something I disliked: bungee jumping 🤣
🛍️ Available: March 13th

💬 Well I have anxiously awaiting this next book in the blue Vista series, after stumbling on the ARC for Spencer and Lis and this was definitely worth the wait. Such a great story! I think this one has been my favorite so far.

I'm such a sucker for tattoos and beards bikes and grumpy, jealous, possessive brewmasters 🥵
I just loved their relationship, and the chemistry was amazing. I also really enjoyed how both of the MCs (but especially Adalie) really grew as characters throughout the story (but also I hope that in their fictional Vancouver world Nate is getting therapy for his significant abandonment trauma 😅)

My only complaint is that at times it was a little bit repetitive, with how she keeps doing something that makes him want to kiss her. I get why it's happening, this book is definitely a slow burn and it's building tension/reinforcing how stubborn he is but after about the third or fourth time I just got a little annoyed.

It wasn't a huge deal, and I still think this is a wonderfully written very satisfying story that I definitely recommend anyone read.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

No one writes found family books like this author. From the first installment of the series, I’ve felt the same same—I want to be a part of this friend group so much it HURTS😫 I love all of the Blue Vista Crew and their significant others so much. I never want this series to end, I refuse to let it happen!!

And can we talk about Nate? Single dad, biker that plays hockey?! I’m in trope heaven😍 AND he calls her princess?! Geez, my stomach did the thing!!😵‍💫

Adalie is such a sweetheart. I can see why Nate feels protective of her because so do I. She deserves the world. I could relate to her feelings a whole lot, which is why I think she’s my fave fmc in the series thus far🫶

The chemistry between the leads was OUT OF THIS WORLD right of the bat! I love a good meet-cute when you can just tell the world just stops as soon as the characters see each other. I love the dynamic of a grumpy x sunshine trope🤭

The author writes her books in a perfect pace, which makes the books flow effortlessly. You blink and suddenly you’ve read 100 pages in one sitting!

I highly recommend this book if you love the found family trope which great characters all around! I especially think you’ll enjoy this book if you love characters such as Cade Eaton from the Chestnut Springs series by Elsie Silver🤭

[neus.dreamybooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series (they can be read as standalones but it's better is you read them in order) and now we follow Adalie, one of the 4 owner of Blue Vista.

Adalie loves art so when her friends and business partners accept to offer some painting nights at their venue being her the teacher, she is just happy.

One of those nights comes their new potential contractors, the owners of a brewery and the little daughter of one of them (they are brothers).

Nate is the single dad (he co-parent so he has his daughter with him half the time) and he is a tall man, with a beard and tattoos and a little bit grumpy and a introvert.

Adalie and Nate are attracted to each other since the first time but they both think that they aren't each other's type being Adalie a colorful extrovert.

Thanks to her family being a toxic one, she makes a deal with him. she will give his daughter art classes and he helps her make things out of her comfort zone like skating (he plays hockey) or getting a tattoo herself.

I loved how they make each other better and how Dani, Nate's daughter treats Adalie. And don't forget Taylor, Nate's brother who I would love to read his own love story.

-ARC read-

[Annette Megaughin-Helder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adalie is part-owner of Blue Vista event venue, and 100% boring. At least, according to her influencer sister. To the rest of her family she is a disappointment as well, despite them asking her for money and favours in the form of tickets to events at Blue Vista.

Time to get out of her comfort zone and show them she is not a pushover.

Enter Nate, who co-owns a beer brewery, rides a motorcycle, is covered in tattoos and co-parents his daughter with his ex fling.

Nate is the perfect guy to help her do things her family would never expect her to do, like bungee jumping!

But when feeling come into play, Adelie needs to decide what it is she wants in the long run, and if pleasing her family is more important than pleasing herself.

I liked this book. The familiar characters of Spencer, Adelie, Vic, Liz and Ava are there again, but also new ones like Nate and Taylor. The story is predictable but the spice is great and the love story sweet.

It feels like meeting up
With old friends, but would be nice if there was some more unexpected storylines.

[Natalie Intihar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why Not Us? was such a fun read!! As the third book of The Blue Vista Crew series, it was so lovely to see Adalie’s love story as well as seeing the rest of the crew thriving. Adalie and Nate are the pure definition of opposites attract and proof that you can be different and still find love!

I absolutely adored Nate’s daughter Dani and his role as a single father. The relationship that Adalie develops with Dani is just as important as her dynamic with Nate. The tenderness in these familial relationships is a beautiful one to see and another great example of a chosen family.

I’m a big fan of this series! Why Not Us? left me feeling warm and fuzzy while also having some delicious spice. It took a while for Adalie and Nate to figure themselves out, but I enjoyed the wait and all the buildup. This was another great book & this whole series is a must read!!

I voluntarily reviewed a free advance copy of this book provided by BookSirens. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Lisa Benison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grumpy / Sunshine, Single Dad, Found Family, Adorable 10 year old - Loved it All!

This was another Blue Vista Crew story, although it easily works as a standalone novel. The characters repeat and Adelie's coworkers and "found family" are more supportive and treat her so much better than her actual family. When she meets Nate (and his daughter) as a client and potential beer supplier at a "Paint and Sip" they decide to stick to being friends - but their attraction and her bond with his daughter over their art becomes impossible to resist. I loved watching them grow as individuals and become stronger together, and they were both adorable with her. The book was well written, flowed easily, and the characters well developed so it became hard to put down. I can't wait for the next one in the series - Enjoy!

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

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nate is a single dad and has a daughter Dani. He owns a brewery with his brother and is beginning a partnership with an event center that will sell their beverages. When they sign the contract, he is enamored by Adalie. He is poor with relationships and firmly believes they are too different to consider dating. Adalie is a peace maker where her family is concerned, and she wants Nate to get her out of her comfort zone so she can stand up to them when they criticize her. Adalie is a talented artist and begins instructing Dani. Their relationship becomes important to both Dani and Adalie. This is a great book about believing in yourself and working on forming relationships. I loved the experiences Nate encouraged her to try. It was fun to see how Adalie could finally stand on her own two feet. This is a great book about love and accepting differences.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book that is part of the Blue Vista series. For some reason, I skipped this one and read the next one in the series but that didn't matter. I have read all of the books in this series though, so that may have helped with my understanding.

I loved this book so much! I love a grumpy/sunshine trope and Why Not Us delivered!

Nate is the male main character and I just loved him and his brother. Can his brother get his own book please?

Adalie is the female main character and I loved her in the other books in this series and she was great in this book too! So cute but brave at the same time.

Overall, I loved this book as much as I loved the first one in this series(which was a lot). I love the friendships and the romance. It was a perfect book for me.

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

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third Blue Vista book brings strong friendships, new love, and personal growth. Adalie has always felt out of place in her family, and when her sister ditches her on her birthday, she decides to break out of her comfort zone—with Nate, the gruff but devoted single dad and Hops Scotch brewmaster. Though opposites, their growing bond turns into something deeper, until Nate’s hesitation threatens to pull them apart.

This is another fantastic addition to the series! The chemistry is great, the friendships are heartwarming, and Nate’s brother, Taylor, is a standout (hope he gets his own book!). I loved Adalie’s growth and the slow-burn romance. The ending teases more to come—can’t wait for the next one!

[52kaosangel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and really enjoyed this journey for Adalie to get out of her comfort zone. I love that Nate always makes sure that she knows that she can say no at any time and gives her a safe space to do so.
I also love this friend group and how they take care of each other as much as they tease each other.
I hated that Nate was so in his head that first he hurt Adalie but then after he hurts her, it took him realizing that she loves him before he came to the conclusion that he couldn't live without her in his life.
I do love that with all the confidence Adalie gathered during her time doing things outside of her comfort zone, she was able to eventually stand up to her family's negativity.

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

[Jacquelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Why Not Us?’ was amazing. Its plot was filled with interesting family dynamics, coming out of one’s comfort zone, painting up a storm, going to a hockey game, meeting the family, falling for each other, developing a relationship, uh oh…saying the wrong things, being an intuitive child, reconciliation, setting the family straight, and love.
Adalie and Nate, the protagonists, were opposites, yet they tried their best to achieve their HEA. Nonetheless, I kept rooting for them. Additionally, I liked the author’s vivid descriptions which created an upbeat tone. Overall, I liked the mesmerizing narrative.
I received a copy for free and am voluntarily giving my honest review.

[Celina Quiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Sarah Neeson for the chance to read this arc.

A grumpy x sunshine and single dad romance in one?! I was obsessed before I even started the book.

Nate fits the grumpy roll so well. I love that he is such a good dad to Dani and that he helps Adalie becomes a better version of herself without making her change her bubbly sunshine self.

Adalies love for Dani right off the bat might be my favorite part of this book. There’s just something about knowing that the person you love also loves your daughter, without even trying. It just comes naturally to her and the bond between them is amazing.

Adalie and Nate might just be my new favorite couple in the group of friends.

[Piper James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought I would say this....but Nate is my favorite guy from this series 🤣 he's a quiet single dad who is a bit of an adrenaline junkie. Adalie is art, flowers, and comfort zone. But after being ditched on her birthday, she comes up with a plan She asks Nate to help bring her out of her comfort zone- with things like hockey and maybe bungee jumping. The exchange is simple - she will teach his art loving daughter during the weeks Nate has her. With a bargain struck, the two start on both ventures. It's was stunning to watch the two of them fall for eachother. Another out of this world story.

And again- my favorite contemporary this year to date

[SassypantsReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this series, and Why Not Us? did not disappoint! I read A LOT, and sometimes, series start to bleed together. But not with the Blue Vista Group. I have loved each and every one of these books, including this one. I loved Nate and Adalie’s story. It had just enough angst to be emotional, but not so much that I was annoyed. It was super hot. And I still love this friend group. I know Vic’s book is up next, and I’m not super excited about it, but only because Ms. Neeson has made her out to be so cold so far. I’m 100% going to read it, though, because I haven’t been let down yet!

I received a copy of Why Not Us? from BookSirens. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[MEF · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading about the growth of Nate and Adalie’s relationship, such great descriptions of how they made each other feel . Better about themselves actually. Isn’t that the test? If you feel better when you’re with someone?

The chapters vary between Nate and Adalie’s perspective, which gave added variety and depth. They have fun together and so does the reader!
I was rather surprised when we jumped into the heavy sex descriptions, less would have been more for me. Personal choice.

I’m now keen to back read the first 2 books and get to know more of the Blue Vista gang.

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

[Camilla Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Blue Vista Crew is back - and it’s equally amazing and the two ones before. I loved reading about Adelie and her growth in this book - learning how to stand up for herself! I love all the characters in the Blue Vista Crew, and Adelie and Nate are absolutely one of them.

I was smiling to myself every time Nate was talking about his daughter and the relationship they have.

The book is well written, from dual POV and an easy read for most. I devoured this book in a day, and I need to read the next one asap.

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

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Why Not Us? This was the first time I read anything by Sarah Neeson and I really liked her writing and these characters. It made me want to go back and read her other works. Adalie wants help being more adventurous and assertive and she enlists Nathan's help because he's known to be a thrill seeker, she believes he can help her in exchange for giving his daughter art lessons. Neither one of them is really looking for anything serious nor do they think they're each others type, they soon figure out that they're perfect for each other. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily and I think this was a fun read

[Aamira · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet opposites attract story. Adalie and Nate are worlds apart and yet they can’t deny the spark between them. What I love about Ms. Neeson’s stories is that she does a great job of showing the relationships developing naturally. We get to enjoy the journey as the MC’s fall in love. I really liked Adalie and Nate as a couple. Their late night phone calls were sweet. I also thought that her relationship with Dani was adorable. I’ve really enjoyed this series, and look forward to reading more work by Ms. Neeson.


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

[Chia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why Not Us? is the third installment in Sarah Neeson's 'The Blue Vista Crew' series. It was a story filled with romance, witty banter, and the exploration of relationships. Addie and Nate were WONDERFUL! I loved them so much...
Sarah Neeson's consistent ability to craft engaging and heartwarming stories made Why Not Us? a fantastic addition to the series, that offers readers another opportunity to connect with her endearing characters.
I recommend "Why Not Us?" as much as "Why Not Now?" and "Why Not Both?" ALL AMAZING LOVE STORIES ♥

[Amanda Wass · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 This was arc copy and I have arc the 1st book too. I don’t know what was happening but I just wasn’t vibing with this one and I thought it would be my favourite one. The writing was really good. I just was not vibing with the characters I think. Elliot was driving me mad if you know you know. And was not to keen on the mmc wasn’t vibing with the motorcycle and I love a mc romance but this was like a fake motorbike vibes just wasn’t for me.

But overall love this author and liked the other stories and the writing is good. 😊

[LA FITCH · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story of romance between two people who never thought they would find love. Adalie is a people pleaser who has a great deal of difficulty saying no to her family. She is a part owner of an events center and considers her friends who co-own and work there her family. Nate co-owns a brewery with his brother and meets Adalie when they become suppliers to the venue. Nate helps Adalie out of her comfort zone and she helps Nate to be more outgoing and communicative. This is a must-read.

[Kelley wellmeier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super quick easy slow burn read! He falls first but doesn’t realize it! I really enjoyed this read, and can’t wait to read more from this group of friends!

Adalie has lived her whole life as the “safe” sister. Never taking risks or doing things out of character. Nate has his whole life figured out, he gets his daughter every other week and runs a successful brewery with his partner and brother Taylor. Adalie decides it’s time to shake things up and take the risks she’s never taken, turning to Nate for some help and a little art work bartering!

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 3 in Neeson's Blue Vista Crew series. A wonderful addition to the series but can be read as a standalone as well but in my opinion its better in series order. Our main characters are Adalie and Nate who I just loved! These two opposites fit perfectly. Neeson delivers a captivating and smooth flowing storyline with the best of characters and a great balance of sweet and steamy romance and so, so much more! I loved this read and I can't wait to see what's next from Neeson and this series!

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

[Ineta · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read Why Not Now? by Sarah Neeson, that also was part of Blue Vista Crew Series, I promised myself to go for other books of this series. So good it was. So here we are - at the Book 3 of the series. These books take you in and keep on the hook.

It was incredible read - with great characters - Adalie and Nate, and their families and friends, just adorable. Loved the story line and writing style. Entertaining and engaging. Just one more thing to say - can't wait to read next one.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.