Down the Road

Love in Millbrook #1

by Bella Perry

Fall in love with her territorial neighbor? Not happening.

Layla has sworn off men. Too bad Beau hasn’t sworn off her…

She ditched the city and dating along with it. Layla didn’t move to this small town so her new friends could parade her around to catch the eyes of single bachelors.

And she definitely hadn’t planned on catching Beau’s attention.

She can’t deny the man is handsome, especially in that rugged and protective sort of way, but he’s also the type to string along a woman. He has no interest in commitment. Still, it’d be a lot easier to ignore him if he’d stop barging in her back door and mowing her yard shirtless.

She did her best to friendzone him, really, she did. But that still didn’t stop their chemistry or the simmering heat that sends butterflies down to her toes whenever he's around. She never thought she’d be sitting on a porch swing next to him of all people, but here she was.

She’s falling for him whether she wants to or not.

No matter how much she tells herself not to, that it’s not worth it, he draws her in. There’s more to Beau than meets the eye. She knows she’s missing something. But when she asks him, he doesn’t want to get into it. That’s fine, it’s his business.

But that doesn’t mean she has to put up with it. He doesn’t give up though.

If she doesn’t protect her heart, she’ll risk losing it to him.

And Beau is determined when he wants something, and right now that something is Layla.

Genres: Romance, Small Town Romance, Ebooks

383 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 2024

About the author

Bella Perry is a romance author who lives in the Midwest with her husband and daughter. She studied Psychology and Child and Family Development in college, earning her Bachelor in Science. You’ll find her reading, enjoying nature, or spending time with her loved ones. She is honored to share her passion for writing with her incredible readers. To stay connected, sign up for her newsletter and follow her on social media.

Reviews

[Susanne Jeffery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book. I love how she grabs you from the very beginning.

[Chloe Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

They say love finds you when you’re least expecting it and this couldn’t be more true for Layla and Beau.
Layla hit a rough patch and moved to a small town from the big city. Layla instantly meets an amazing group of friends at the coffee shop. I loved how the girls all instantly clicked and there were plenty of scenes with them all hanging out. I love a book with a strong group of friends. Beau knew he wanted Layla from the start but he isn’t the settling down type. Layla is such a strong female character who was trying to find herself again. Layla made Beau feel things he doesn’t feel and he didn’t know what to do with that and his plans to run off his neighbour. It was easy to connect with Layla and I felt like I could relate to her in some aspects. The small town was just a stopover for Layla while she sorted out her next steps but she started creating a life for herself which I really enjoyed getting to see. I love how much Layla helped Beau see things differently. Beaus relationship with his sister was so sweet, the perfect protective brother. Learning why Beau was so adamant to run off his neighbours melted my heart. Beau and Layla develop a friendship over time every night when Beau goes over to Laylas and the time he finally shows up to admit he likes her and can’t stop thinking about her had me swooning. They were the perfect match for each other. This book is such a sweet and wholesome read.

Arc review

[Happyreaderkt · Rating 4 out of 5]

City slicker Layla meet small town resident Beau, and let the game begin. Layla determines to keep her day on track and not let the ridiculous man at the gas station deter her off course, she continues into town in search of a coffee shop. She realizes how silly it sounded to uproot her life to a new place all dependent on a local coffee shop. Shes coming from NY, after finding herself being the “other woman” in her relationship of 2 yrs. She meets Cecilia and Brooke they become fast friends. They introduce her to some of the local residents, & help her get a job. She-starts working at the library, which is a big change from her editor position in NY. Beau and Layla fall into a comfortable friendship, he often showing up unannounced at her place, since he lives down the road. Bella Perry, transitioned Layla and Beau’s relationship so smoothly, it was filled with flirty banter, becoming friends and developing into a respectful love. If you’re looking for a comfortable, fun, quirky, love story, you found it. My favorite quote “It never mattered how big a library or bookstore appeared on the outside. Once you stepped inside, immersed in numerous options of the worlds, plots, love, history and the ability to learn about anything, it felt so much bigger.”

[Aussie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book so much as love can find you when you least expected and it can't be more true for Layla and Beau

Layla has a rough patch and ended up small town from the big city ....she instantly meets an amazing group of friends at the coffee shop, they all instantly clicked and there was so many scences where they all hanging out .

Beau knew that he wanted Layla from the start but he isnt the one to settling down type ..

Layla is a strong woman that is just trying to find herself again... Layla has made Beau to feel things that he doesn't feel and he doesn't even know how to processed them and his plan to run off with his neighbour..

Living in a small town was just a stopover for Layla to be able to sort out her next steps ... She end up creating a life for herself which made me so happy to see .

I adore how Beau relationship with his sister was super sweet and he is the protective brother...


It melted my heart when I found out why Beau was so adamant to run off with is neighbour

Beau and Layla hang out every night , they develop a friendship but he eventually the time has come and he admits his feelings for Layla, just can't stop thinking about her ..

[JoAnna VanDorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

My adhd really got to me this last week. I was all over the place book wise. But I finally finished this. The delay had NOTHING to do with the book. Just as I said above adhd had me side tracking bad 🥴🥴 But this book was definitely a heartwarming book. There was a chapter where I wanted to yell at the main couple, slap a side female and give a hand necklace too (not in a good way) to a side male. But that chapter aside it was a great read. Emotional ending. But it did end in a HEA. Also ended with hope of this being a series 🤞 Cause more that a few people I need more on their story. So mark your calendars and get this book next Wednesday the 20th.

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a cute fun read! Love Layla and Beau’s banter and “enemies” to lovers antics. I also love the friendship between Layla, Cecelia, and Brooke. Layla was truly meant to be in Millbrooke with her new friends and Beau. I really liked the realistic moments where they acknowledged that love wasn’t going to be as passionate and sparkly forever, but that if you work at it you can still be happy and in love.

“Love was only what people made of it. And she planned to make the most of it with Beau.”

If you like cozy, small town, grumpy neighbour romances, then you should check this one out!

Thanks to Bella Perry for the ARC!

[Sakura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how the FMC was able to connect and make girlfriends so easy, and they keep together all over the book.

And the relation between the MC was so pure and in the right pace made everything better, none can't deny the chemistry they feel, but Layla wants to protect her and putting herself first, which makes everything even better. They both grown up as a person, discovering new sides of themselves and finally admitting that they belong together.

A good, fun, light, emotional and perfect definition of a small town romance.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fantastic book from Bella Perry! Down The Road is about Layla as she moves from NYC to a small Missouri town to leave a cheating ex. She meets a wonderful collection of characters, including her new besties, Brooke and Celeste. She also meets Beau, who turns out to be her handsome neighbor. Layla and Beau have an instant attraction to each other but she's trying to get over her broken heart. She slowly falls in love with the town and Beau as well.

[Amanda Lamkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another incredible book from Bella Perry! Down The Road is a heartwarming story about Layla as she moves from NYC to a small Missouri town. Here she meets her neighbor Beau in a very practical way. Layla and Beau have an instant attraction to each other but she's trying to get over her broken heart. Will Bella fall in love with a small town and Beau? Be prepared to fall in love with the charming story of Layla and Beau.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have received an advanced copy of Down the Road from the author!

Down the Road is an amazing comfort read and it just made me want to sit down in a blanket drinking a cup of tea. I loved both main characters so much and could easily see this becoming a hallmark movie. I love hallmark movies so this is a big compliment. If you love small town romance, hallmark, 90s vibes, country, and a comfort read then I highly recommend reading this book! 🫶

[Halee Shull · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received Down the Road as an ARC and loved every page! Being from Missouri I felt very close to the book and Bella was spot on with her description of a small town romance. Beau and Layla’s story will capture your heart quickly and keep you smiling. I even enjoyed the little “twist” towards the end of the book. Can’t wait to read the next books in the Love in Millbrook series!

[Stormy Shadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.
This was a cute and good read. This is dual POV from Layla and Beau. Lots of flirty banter and the characters were so good in this! It’s small town, neighbors to lovers, ex drama kind of a slow burn but I really enjoyed this, especially the relationship between Beau and his sister Hallie! I highly recommend. So wholesome and heartwarming.

[Emelynn Holyoke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book. It sucked me in immediately. The chemistry between Beau and Layla was palpable and I felt my heart racing as they navigated their feelings and the conflict within the story. I can't wait to read the next one in this series!

[Whit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Down the Road by @bellaperryauthor is a small town country romance. I had immediate nostalgia for 90’s country and old dirt roads as I read.

This is the perfect quick read if you need something cozy and happy!

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the authors way of writing and crafting a story. I enjoyed reading about Beau & Layla. This storyline definitely held my interest and I look forward to reading more from the author.

[Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one was just not for me....found I really didn't like anyone or the premise of the story so definitely won't be reading any more in this series I had to grit my teeth every time I sat down to read this book.

[Trisha Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't get hooked immediately like I expected but a couple chapters in and I was in love. This book was heartwarming and well written.

[Latte Book Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved traveling to Millbrook & getting to know these characters. Beau is the small town guy not looking to settle down until he meets Layla, a woman running from her life in NYC for something new.

This book was the perfect small town romance with side characters you fall in love with just as much as the main characters. There was flirty banter, grumpy/sunshine vibes & all kinds of fun in this read! I’m excited to read more from this town!

[Vanessa Hilario Mata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous small town romance! Layla ditches the city and moves to a small town. Beau is the territory neighbor and they can’t deny the attraction. Enjoyed reading! Highly Recommend!

[Kenzey · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️

MA’AM.
“We’re worth working for it.” My heart😩
This book had ALL of the feels. I was absolutely losing my shit about 95% of the way through. Layla and Beau’s love for each other was so pure and I loved every second of them finding their ways to each other. From the very first meeting at the gas station to officially meeting at the Nest. I. Loved. This. Book.
I hope we get more about Millbrook in other books. 👀🫶

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second time reading a book of Bella’s and I really enjoyed this one. I liked meeting all the side characters and seeing how they make this small town what it is.

Layla was able to make a big move to a small town and make friends fairly quickly at a coffee shop. You could see that she was trying to find herself again after her previous relationship and didn’t want to rush into things. Beau was curious about Layla since the moment he first met her. I liked that we got to see his relationship with his sister and why he acts the way he does.

What to expect:
•flirty banter
•strangers - friends - lovers
•small town vibes
•grumpy neighbor

Thank you Bella for the opportunity to arc read Down the Road!

I am late to posting this (November read) but this was a quick read for me!! And I think I have an idea of who could be a main character of book two! 🙈