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Blossom Beach #2
Beautiful Mess
I’m pretty in pink dipped in sunshine and sweet Southern smiles.
He’s blue collar wrapped up in a gruff summer storm with a scowl.
He also happens to be my ex-boyfriend’s dad.
Not only is Conway Levine grumpy, arrogant, and entirely too handsome for his own good, with the salt and pepper scruff lining his sharp jawline and his thick, corded arms, but he also had a front row seat fourteen years ago to a drunken night so mortifying I can’t look him in the eye without feeling the shame all over again.
Living in a small town makes avoiding him impossible, even more when you add in the fact that his daughter is friends with mine.
When a little tardiness and a whole lot of bad luck lands me partnering with him at our children’s school, I’m certain I won’t survive.
Before I know it, the dread from having to work with him turns into a burning desire impossible to ignore when his once stone cold demeanor shifts into longing, heated stares, and somehow, he knows all the right things to whisper in my ear to get under my skin… and my dress.
Between his filthy mouth and stifling need to devour me any chance he gets, the chemistry we share between the sheets quickly becomes something out of my wildest dreams.
Except Conway doesn’t do relationships, and I’m not built for casual.
But I couldn’t quit him even if I tried.
When all is said and done, will I be able to protect my already tattered heart or will it end up shattered into a million beautiful, messy pieces?
He’s blue collar wrapped up in a gruff summer storm with a scowl.
He also happens to be my ex-boyfriend’s dad.
Not only is Conway Levine grumpy, arrogant, and entirely too handsome for his own good, with the salt and pepper scruff lining his sharp jawline and his thick, corded arms, but he also had a front row seat fourteen years ago to a drunken night so mortifying I can’t look him in the eye without feeling the shame all over again.
Living in a small town makes avoiding him impossible, even more when you add in the fact that his daughter is friends with mine.
When a little tardiness and a whole lot of bad luck lands me partnering with him at our children’s school, I’m certain I won’t survive.
Before I know it, the dread from having to work with him turns into a burning desire impossible to ignore when his once stone cold demeanor shifts into longing, heated stares, and somehow, he knows all the right things to whisper in my ear to get under my skin… and my dress.
Between his filthy mouth and stifling need to devour me any chance he gets, the chemistry we share between the sheets quickly becomes something out of my wildest dreams.
Except Conway doesn’t do relationships, and I’m not built for casual.
But I couldn’t quit him even if I tried.
When all is said and done, will I be able to protect my already tattered heart or will it end up shattered into a million beautiful, messy pieces?
438 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 12, 2025
125 people are currently reading
1054 people want to read
About the author
A. James
4 books45 followersA. James is a pseudonym for the romance author Ashley James.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 292 reviews
May 15, 2025
Beautiful Mess by Ashley James
4/5⭐
4/5🌶️
I had a great time reading this book, and I think it’s because it features so many of my favorite tropes! I jumped in without even checking the blurb, and I wasn't disappointed at all. The spice level is super steamy—I honestly can't remember the last time I read something this hot, and I enjoyed every moment. The chemistry between the main characters? Absolutely off the charts! Right from the first chapter, I could feel the tension between them. Spice aside, there were also those sweet moments that melted my heart.
The story kicks off when Grace discovers that her boyfriend has cheated on her, which leads her to try to get back at him by making a move on Conway, her ex's dad. But when he turns her down, she feels humiliated and ends up holding a grudge against him for over a decade. One day, they’re paired up for a project together. Grace is upfront about her dislike of him. Conway, on the other hand, can’t help but tease her, and their back-and-forth only cranks up the tension.
Grace is such a strong and fiery character. As a hardworking single mom with her own bakery, she's independent, smart, and full of sass—but she also carries the weight of past hurts. After several failed relationships, she’s been guarding her heart. Conway, a single dad and the owner of a construction company, has also been avoiding serious connections after his second marriage ended.
I loved how determined Conway was in pursuing Grace. He fights for her, and once he realizes how much she means to him, he proves he can be trusted. He’s patient and encouraging, which leads to some swoon-worthy moments. I liked Grace as a character, too; her vulnerability and struggles make her real and relatable. When she finally allows herself to open her heart to Conway, it feels so rewarding to see her let in the love she truly deserves.
All in all, if you’re looking for a book with a fiery FMC and a dominant MMC, complete with sizzling chemistry and hot, spicy scenes, this one's for you! I also found the side characters interesting, and I’m curious to learn more about their stories.
4/5⭐
4/5🌶️
I had a great time reading this book, and I think it’s because it features so many of my favorite tropes! I jumped in without even checking the blurb, and I wasn't disappointed at all. The spice level is super steamy—I honestly can't remember the last time I read something this hot, and I enjoyed every moment. The chemistry between the main characters? Absolutely off the charts! Right from the first chapter, I could feel the tension between them. Spice aside, there were also those sweet moments that melted my heart.
The story kicks off when Grace discovers that her boyfriend has cheated on her, which leads her to try to get back at him by making a move on Conway, her ex's dad. But when he turns her down, she feels humiliated and ends up holding a grudge against him for over a decade. One day, they’re paired up for a project together. Grace is upfront about her dislike of him. Conway, on the other hand, can’t help but tease her, and their back-and-forth only cranks up the tension.
Grace is such a strong and fiery character. As a hardworking single mom with her own bakery, she's independent, smart, and full of sass—but she also carries the weight of past hurts. After several failed relationships, she’s been guarding her heart. Conway, a single dad and the owner of a construction company, has also been avoiding serious connections after his second marriage ended.
I loved how determined Conway was in pursuing Grace. He fights for her, and once he realizes how much she means to him, he proves he can be trusted. He’s patient and encouraging, which leads to some swoon-worthy moments. I liked Grace as a character, too; her vulnerability and struggles make her real and relatable. When she finally allows herself to open her heart to Conway, it feels so rewarding to see her let in the love she truly deserves.
All in all, if you’re looking for a book with a fiery FMC and a dominant MMC, complete with sizzling chemistry and hot, spicy scenes, this one's for you! I also found the side characters interesting, and I’m curious to learn more about their stories.
May 14, 2025
• Ex boyfriend's dad
• Dual single parent
• Daddy Kink
• Age gap/18 years
• Baker/Blue collar
• Enemies to lovers
• lots of Public play
• Grumpy/Sunshine
Don’t be fooled by the cover. This book packs a spice punch! If you’ve read an Ashley James book before, you already know. But for those new to her writing, this story doesn't just deliver a sweet romance; it also brings some seriously great spice.
I’m always here for an ex’s dad trope, but Ashley put a fresh spin on it. She gave us that delicious age gap we love in this trope, but with older characters than we usually see, and it worked so well. It felt less taboo and so much more mature, and I absolutely loved that. Did she also give us a daddy kink? Heck yes, she did, and Ashley’s daddy kink books have been some of my recent favorites!
I devoured the dynamic between Grace and Conway. I absolutely loved how he came after her—completely man-obsessed, and unapologetically so. The more she pushed him away, the more he chased and spoiled her. He was determined to show her the difference between a “boy” and a man. And my gosh, did he deliver. In and out of the bedroom!
Even though Grace was younger and their relationship had some taboo edges, Conway didn’t hold back. And when it came to choosing between her and his son. He didn’t. He laid everything out honestly, knowing his son would come around eventually, but he wasn’t willing to let Grace go.
Grace’s feisty spirit was everything. She gave him hell sometimes, and I couldn’t help but laugh. Watching this woman find love after being convinced she never would was such a beautiful reminder that it’s never too late, and sometimes, it just takes the right man to come into your life and shape that bratty attitude in the best way.
Getting to see so much of Everhart and Gemma was a personal highlight. I’m so glad Ashley brought them into this story as much as she did. It was adorable. I can’t wait to see where she takes this series next!
🎧Audiobook review🎧
Duet Narration
Narrated by Alex Kydd and CJ Bloom
These two did such an incredible job with this audiobook! When Ashley announced them as the narrators, I couldn’t have been more excited, and they absolutely delivered. I loved hearing them in duet together!
Alex Kydd with a southern accent? Yes, please. One hundred percent. He was perfect as Conway, a blue-collar, silver fox with a dirty mouth and a daddy kink. He nailed every part of that character.
And CJ Bloom? Feisty, fiery, and so much fun! I don’t think I’ve ever heard her play such a bold, spirited character, and I am so here for it. She brought out every side of Grace so perfectly.
These two were the perfect match for this story, and their chemistry made the audiobook such a standout. I highly recommend giving it a listen. It’s a fantastic addition to the series!
• Dual single parent
• Daddy Kink
• Age gap/18 years
• Baker/Blue collar
• Enemies to lovers
• lots of Public play
• Grumpy/Sunshine
Don’t be fooled by the cover. This book packs a spice punch! If you’ve read an Ashley James book before, you already know. But for those new to her writing, this story doesn't just deliver a sweet romance; it also brings some seriously great spice.
I’m always here for an ex’s dad trope, but Ashley put a fresh spin on it. She gave us that delicious age gap we love in this trope, but with older characters than we usually see, and it worked so well. It felt less taboo and so much more mature, and I absolutely loved that. Did she also give us a daddy kink? Heck yes, she did, and Ashley’s daddy kink books have been some of my recent favorites!
I devoured the dynamic between Grace and Conway. I absolutely loved how he came after her—completely man-obsessed, and unapologetically so. The more she pushed him away, the more he chased and spoiled her. He was determined to show her the difference between a “boy” and a man. And my gosh, did he deliver. In and out of the bedroom!
Even though Grace was younger and their relationship had some taboo edges, Conway didn’t hold back. And when it came to choosing between her and his son. He didn’t. He laid everything out honestly, knowing his son would come around eventually, but he wasn’t willing to let Grace go.
Grace’s feisty spirit was everything. She gave him hell sometimes, and I couldn’t help but laugh. Watching this woman find love after being convinced she never would was such a beautiful reminder that it’s never too late, and sometimes, it just takes the right man to come into your life and shape that bratty attitude in the best way.
Getting to see so much of Everhart and Gemma was a personal highlight. I’m so glad Ashley brought them into this story as much as she did. It was adorable. I can’t wait to see where she takes this series next!
🎧Audiobook review🎧
Duet Narration
Narrated by Alex Kydd and CJ Bloom
These two did such an incredible job with this audiobook! When Ashley announced them as the narrators, I couldn’t have been more excited, and they absolutely delivered. I loved hearing them in duet together!
Alex Kydd with a southern accent? Yes, please. One hundred percent. He was perfect as Conway, a blue-collar, silver fox with a dirty mouth and a daddy kink. He nailed every part of that character.
And CJ Bloom? Feisty, fiery, and so much fun! I don’t think I’ve ever heard her play such a bold, spirited character, and I am so here for it. She brought out every side of Grace so perfectly.
These two were the perfect match for this story, and their chemistry made the audiobook such a standout. I highly recommend giving it a listen. It’s a fantastic addition to the series!
May 14, 2025
Something that I enjoy about Ashley's books is that they usually make me laugh, and they also make me blush REAL hard. This checked both of those boxes for me. Ashley does taboo romances SO WELL yall!! This one focuses on Grace and Conway. Grace is Conway's son's ex-girlfriend. To add more to it, Grace's daughter and Conway's daughter are best friends. You can't get more involved than that. I really enjoyed the hate to love situation between these two. Especially because it was misguided but Conway REALLY enjoyed getting under Grace's skin. I loved how feral they got around each other after they stopped fighting the inevitable, but that Conway realized that he needed to treat this situation differently than he had. I appreciated Grace's hesitation to think long term since she had been let down so many times. I also LOVED how Conway knew what he had to do to prove his love for her. I loved the things he remembered and how he brought them into play for her. There are SOO many spicy scenes in this one yall- and they were all SOO hot. Let's just say DADDY got thrown around multiple times. In the end, I really enjoyed how they realized they were RIGHT together.
Grace has had it out for her ex's dad for years. Can she admit that he is fine as all get out? Of course, she can. But she can also admit that he drives her absolutely crazy. And of course now she has to work with him on PTA events for the entire year. She can be a big girl though. She can ignore this thing between them and make it purely professional. That's what she tells herself at least. But Conway keeps sending her all kinds of hot signals. Signals letting her know he wants to do things to her just as badly as she wants to do with him. But she doesn't do casual. And Conway does so she is trying to tread carefully. And that all goes out the window when he goes feral for her. And she absolutely loves her. He makes her want to try all of her fantasies and not feel judged. He makes her feel empowered and adored and she is INTO IT. But she has to remind herself he doesn't do anything besides casual. But does casual buy their hookups nail appointments for a year? Does casual cook dinner and do other little things that add up to more? What exactly is going on here now? Grace can't stop thinking about him. She wants him in her bed and more. But then her ex comes back into town. And now Grace doesn't know where she stands. She has to do what is best for her. At least that's what she tells herself. But she wasn't ready for Conway's response to that.
Conway is on the other side of two divorces and because of that he keeps things casual. He doesn't let anyone think otherwise. But Grace, his son's ex, has always gotten under his skin. She is just so beautiful and for whatever reason she very clearly hates him. It could have to do with that one night all those years ago, but he was just trying to be a gentleman. Now though they are forced to work together and Conway can't help but have a little fun. So he pokes at her. He gets the sass that he finds himself craving out of her. He realizes he wants to explore this thing between them. But it is beyond complicated. But then he can't seem to care. And he LOVES watching her unravel and then the way she unravels him. It's unreal how well they click. It just feels so right. Enough so that he freaks out. But it's like he can't get her out of his head. She's all he can think about. So they continue to explore each other without putting a label on it. And just when he is ready to talk next steps, his son shows up. His son who is now blocking the one thing he wants, Grace. So they continue to sneak around until everything blows up. And now that he has realized how he really feels, he is going to do everything in his power to prove that to Grace.
This is the second book in this series, and I enjoyed that I was able to read it as a complete standalone. I would not have felt lost if I had not read the first one. I enjoyed the build up in this one and the banter was SPOT on. Grace got a LITTLE annoying with how much she was denying reality for a minute, but then everything kind of clicked for her. I felt like this one could have been a LITTLE bit shorter- there seemed to be a lot of fluff at the end. Which I don't mind, just making a comment. I definitely recommend this series for great angst and spice with fun characters and great banter.
Thank you to the Author Agency and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Grace has had it out for her ex's dad for years. Can she admit that he is fine as all get out? Of course, she can. But she can also admit that he drives her absolutely crazy. And of course now she has to work with him on PTA events for the entire year. She can be a big girl though. She can ignore this thing between them and make it purely professional. That's what she tells herself at least. But Conway keeps sending her all kinds of hot signals. Signals letting her know he wants to do things to her just as badly as she wants to do with him. But she doesn't do casual. And Conway does so she is trying to tread carefully. And that all goes out the window when he goes feral for her. And she absolutely loves her. He makes her want to try all of her fantasies and not feel judged. He makes her feel empowered and adored and she is INTO IT. But she has to remind herself he doesn't do anything besides casual. But does casual buy their hookups nail appointments for a year? Does casual cook dinner and do other little things that add up to more? What exactly is going on here now? Grace can't stop thinking about him. She wants him in her bed and more. But then her ex comes back into town. And now Grace doesn't know where she stands. She has to do what is best for her. At least that's what she tells herself. But she wasn't ready for Conway's response to that.
Conway is on the other side of two divorces and because of that he keeps things casual. He doesn't let anyone think otherwise. But Grace, his son's ex, has always gotten under his skin. She is just so beautiful and for whatever reason she very clearly hates him. It could have to do with that one night all those years ago, but he was just trying to be a gentleman. Now though they are forced to work together and Conway can't help but have a little fun. So he pokes at her. He gets the sass that he finds himself craving out of her. He realizes he wants to explore this thing between them. But it is beyond complicated. But then he can't seem to care. And he LOVES watching her unravel and then the way she unravels him. It's unreal how well they click. It just feels so right. Enough so that he freaks out. But it's like he can't get her out of his head. She's all he can think about. So they continue to explore each other without putting a label on it. And just when he is ready to talk next steps, his son shows up. His son who is now blocking the one thing he wants, Grace. So they continue to sneak around until everything blows up. And now that he has realized how he really feels, he is going to do everything in his power to prove that to Grace.
This is the second book in this series, and I enjoyed that I was able to read it as a complete standalone. I would not have felt lost if I had not read the first one. I enjoyed the build up in this one and the banter was SPOT on. Grace got a LITTLE annoying with how much she was denying reality for a minute, but then everything kind of clicked for her. I felt like this one could have been a LITTLE bit shorter- there seemed to be a lot of fluff at the end. Which I don't mind, just making a comment. I definitely recommend this series for great angst and spice with fun characters and great banter.
Thank you to the Author Agency and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
May 12, 2025
3.5/5 rounded down to 3 for GR (was closer to a 3 than a 4 for me)
Overall this was hot and enjoyable read.
Initially I was really intrigued by the dynamic - ex’s dad and age gap with an embarrassing moment that happened years ago. It was a great set up and I liked their subsequent awkward/slightly hateful dynamic initially and couldn’t wait to see it melt.
However, I don’t feel like I really got that or at least not early enough to be satisfying. Some of the sexual stuff early on, especially from Conway, just felt a bit too heavy handed and too much too soon. Some of the scenes were definitely hot but I just needed more on the emotional intimacy side to make it that much better and to get my investment in their relationship. Conway’s approach kind of put me off of him a bit and I also found all this stuff that happens to Grace all the time a little difficult to believe
A little more of some sort of emotional/romantic connection earlier on would have made this a much better read for me. Once they do start connecting it improves and started to win me over again! There were some loving and emotional moments later in the book which had me tearing up. They do reach that emotional connection eventually and it is sweet.
I loved Grace’s brattiness in the bedroom, that was fun and the thing I enjoyed most in this book. The conversations between the sisters/girl friends also made me laugh. The writing itself/prose is also good and I have nothing negative to say about that at all, I have read a few other things by this author and I do like the writing style. I’ll definitely continue reading more from this author.
Overall this just didn’t hit much for me but may be the right combo for others.
I received an advance copy of the book and have left my honest, influence-free review.
Overall this was hot and enjoyable read.
Initially I was really intrigued by the dynamic - ex’s dad and age gap with an embarrassing moment that happened years ago. It was a great set up and I liked their subsequent awkward/slightly hateful dynamic initially and couldn’t wait to see it melt.
However, I don’t feel like I really got that or at least not early enough to be satisfying. Some of the sexual stuff early on, especially from Conway, just felt a bit too heavy handed and too much too soon. Some of the scenes were definitely hot but I just needed more on the emotional intimacy side to make it that much better and to get my investment in their relationship. Conway’s approach kind of put me off of him a bit and I also found all this stuff that happens to Grace all the time a little difficult to believe
A little more of some sort of emotional/romantic connection earlier on would have made this a much better read for me. Once they do start connecting it improves and started to win me over again! There were some loving and emotional moments later in the book which had me tearing up. They do reach that emotional connection eventually and it is sweet.
I loved Grace’s brattiness in the bedroom, that was fun and the thing I enjoyed most in this book. The conversations between the sisters/girl friends also made me laugh. The writing itself/prose is also good and I have nothing negative to say about that at all, I have read a few other things by this author and I do like the writing style. I’ll definitely continue reading more from this author.
Overall this just didn’t hit much for me but may be the right combo for others.
I received an advance copy of the book and have left my honest, influence-free review.
May 12, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Beautiful Mess was a super spicy, age gap, ex-boyfriend's dad romance.
Grace had kind of crushed on her high school boyfriend's dad, and she made a move on him when she was 20 after her boyfriend cheated on her. Unfortunately, his dad rejected her since she was so young and his son's long-time girlfriend. This crushed Grace, and she became super bitter and held a grudge against him for 14 years. Now, they have been teamed up together for a PTA project for the year. Conway was attracted to Grace and quickly made the moves on her once they started working together. Things get super spicy between them, and they fall hard.
Oh my lord, Conway had a dirty mouth, and I loved every minute of it! I am not super into Daddy Kink, but it was what I consider light daddy kink. I thought that Grace could be a little too bratty, but it played on their dynamic. I felt like this was more of an erotic romance since they fell for each other through their sexual relationship. I just wanted a slower burn and more of an emotional connection.
I did love how Conway really woos her and shows her with actions how serious he was about her.
🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
This audiobook had duet narration by Alex Kydd and CJ Bloom. Alex Kydd did an amazing job with the dirty talk and bringing the spice. CJ Bloom showed Grace's feisty and bratty nature perfectly. I flew through this book in a day.
Thank you to The Author Agency for providing the ALC.
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Beautiful Mess was a super spicy, age gap, ex-boyfriend's dad romance.
Grace had kind of crushed on her high school boyfriend's dad, and she made a move on him when she was 20 after her boyfriend cheated on her. Unfortunately, his dad rejected her since she was so young and his son's long-time girlfriend. This crushed Grace, and she became super bitter and held a grudge against him for 14 years. Now, they have been teamed up together for a PTA project for the year. Conway was attracted to Grace and quickly made the moves on her once they started working together. Things get super spicy between them, and they fall hard.
Oh my lord, Conway had a dirty mouth, and I loved every minute of it! I am not super into Daddy Kink, but it was what I consider light daddy kink. I thought that Grace could be a little too bratty, but it played on their dynamic. I felt like this was more of an erotic romance since they fell for each other through their sexual relationship. I just wanted a slower burn and more of an emotional connection.
I did love how Conway really woos her and shows her with actions how serious he was about her.
🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
This audiobook had duet narration by Alex Kydd and CJ Bloom. Alex Kydd did an amazing job with the dirty talk and bringing the spice. CJ Bloom showed Grace's feisty and bratty nature perfectly. I flew through this book in a day.
Thank you to The Author Agency for providing the ALC.
April 30, 2025
-Age Gap? (18years) ✅
-Daddy Kink? ✅
-Single Mom? ✅
-Single Dad? ✅
-Blue Collar MMC ✅
-He Falls First? ✅
Conway & Grace are absolutely swoon-worthy and I devoured this story! Conway is a man any woman can fantasize about! A blue-collar worker, over 6 foot, brown hair & brown eyes, & an amazing single did?! Absolutely, sign me up.
Grace is an incredibly hard working single mother who, in fact, dated Conway’s son in high school through a bit of college, and found her way back to Conway 14 years after sharing a very embarrassing moment with him in a moment of vulnerability.
Conway cares so passionately for Grace and it will absolutely melt your heart! He also has one of the filthiest mouths I have ever read, which is always a PLUS!
*thank you Ashley James for my eARC*
-Daddy Kink? ✅
-Single Mom? ✅
-Single Dad? ✅
-Blue Collar MMC ✅
-He Falls First? ✅
Conway & Grace are absolutely swoon-worthy and I devoured this story! Conway is a man any woman can fantasize about! A blue-collar worker, over 6 foot, brown hair & brown eyes, & an amazing single did?! Absolutely, sign me up.
Grace is an incredibly hard working single mother who, in fact, dated Conway’s son in high school through a bit of college, and found her way back to Conway 14 years after sharing a very embarrassing moment with him in a moment of vulnerability.
Conway cares so passionately for Grace and it will absolutely melt your heart! He also has one of the filthiest mouths I have ever read, which is always a PLUS!
*thank you Ashley James for my eARC*
May 18, 2025
1.5 ⭐️
- there was WAY TOO MUCH SEX IN THIS BOOK so much so that it literally overshadowed the “romance” aspect of this book in its entirety and by 46% of the book they’d already fucked four times like where’s the build up?? the tension?? the angst?? the yearning?? Nowhere to be found that’s where!!!
- grace was annoying as fuck. “I’m gonna hold a grudge against this man for 14 years over a situation that’s I MISREAD” and the “I just want to be someone’s choice but here this man is choosing me and I’m telling him no” third act breakup bullshit was annoying as fuck like girl get ur shit together
- conway just shut the fuck up sometimes good lord the overly done love speeches got old after the first one
- there was no romance to be seen between the couple it was all just lust. in a 400 page book they go on ONE DATE and fuck about 13 time. it bothered me so much
I was hoping this would be better than book 1 but NOPE it was worse which is such a shame because her two other series I’ve read and absolutely loved but these books are …. Not horrible but the main couples are irritating and annoying in their own ways
I was hoping for more romance rather than just sex (I love spice just as much as anyone else in my books but this was too much for me) but for the last 20-ish% I was just skimming. After the 50% make i was completely skipping the sex because I was just so done
I have no idea if I will read book 3
for now bye I need to bleach my eyeballs after reading this monstrosity of a “romance” book
- there was WAY TOO MUCH SEX IN THIS BOOK so much so that it literally overshadowed the “romance” aspect of this book in its entirety and by 46% of the book they’d already fucked four times like where’s the build up?? the tension?? the angst?? the yearning?? Nowhere to be found that’s where!!!
- grace was annoying as fuck. “I’m gonna hold a grudge against this man for 14 years over a situation that’s I MISREAD” and the “I just want to be someone’s choice but here this man is choosing me and I’m telling him no” third act breakup bullshit was annoying as fuck like girl get ur shit together
- conway just shut the fuck up sometimes good lord the overly done love speeches got old after the first one
- there was no romance to be seen between the couple it was all just lust. in a 400 page book they go on ONE DATE and fuck about 13 time. it bothered me so much
I was hoping this would be better than book 1 but NOPE it was worse which is such a shame because her two other series I’ve read and absolutely loved but these books are …. Not horrible but the main couples are irritating and annoying in their own ways
I was hoping for more romance rather than just sex (I love spice just as much as anyone else in my books but this was too much for me) but for the last 20-ish% I was just skimming. After the 50% make i was completely skipping the sex because I was just so done
I have no idea if I will read book 3
for now bye I need to bleach my eyeballs after reading this monstrosity of a “romance” book
July 20, 2025
This was such a fun and seriously steamy small town romance where she falls for her high school sweetheart’s dad. Totally forbidden and totally satisfying! Grace and Conway have insane chemistry and I loved their banter, the slow burn tension, and how their relationship grew with real emotion and heart.
They’re both single parents, active on the PTA, and their daughters are best friends—which added an extra layer of depth that I really enjoyed.
Even though it’s the second book in the Blossom Beach series, it can definitely be read as a standalone.
If you’re in the mood for a spicy, fun small coastal town romance, this one’s for you
I highly recommend listening to this one, the duet narration is done very well!
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
They’re both single parents, active on the PTA, and their daughters are best friends—which added an extra layer of depth that I really enjoyed.
Even though it’s the second book in the Blossom Beach series, it can definitely be read as a standalone.
If you’re in the mood for a spicy, fun small coastal town romance, this one’s for you
I highly recommend listening to this one, the duet narration is done very well!
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
May 10, 2025
ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Grace 34 is a single mom and having been burned by past relationshipals with her high-school/college boyfriend who cheated on her and later her marriage dissolving after her husband realising he is gay...she hasn’t really dated anyone in a while what with trying to juggle all things life and being perpetually late to everything. Conway 52 is twice divorced and who just so happens to be the father of Grace’s cheating high-school/college ex and father to her 10yo daughter’s best friend, whom he had in his second marriage. Years after a misunderstanding between the two, they are thrown together to work on fundraising for the PTA. Grace's bratty attitude is out in full force, and the chemistry between them can no longer be ignored.
This story delivers on the banter and the spice, but with it being written by Ashley, I expected it to as she knows how to write great spice.
But for me, the emotional connection outside of the physical between Grace & Conway wasn't there. The pacing of them going from bickering, etc, to desiring each other to the physical aspect happening was too quick. There wasn't any build-up or tension to it, and then their interactions became sex focused, and no time was really spent developing the emotional connection on page aside from them going on one date... so by the time the grand gesture, etc, was happening towards the end and feelings were being expressed, it was too late for me to believe/feel invested in their relationship.
I also found Grace's character annoying. I know she is meant to have a bratty attitude but when SHE is the one constantly late to things, turning up to a meeting to find Conway had left and calls him acting like he is the one in the wrong and blew off the meeting is ridiculous. SHE was half an hour late and didn't bother to give him a heads up, etc, so she had no right to be mad that he left and went back to work. Girl.. you're 34 grow up!
There is a difference/fine line between a character being a bit of a brat and being juvenile, and Grace is on the wrong side of that line for me.
The daddy kink and exhibitionism elements of this story were fun, Conway knows how to dirty talk, and I appreciated that. 🙃 However, like I've said above, the spice outweighed any actual story/romance and therefore became repetitive to me, so I found myself skim reading those scenes towards the end. CJ Bloom & Alex Kydd narrate, and I enjoyed their performances as always. I'm a mood reader and I wanted/needed more substance from the actual romance at the time I read this, but if you're after an easy, low angst, spice filled read this will tick those boxes and on the whole i was entertained and found it enjoyable. Book releases 12th May. 🌶🌶🌶
"I've replayed that night an embarrassing number of times, cringing at myself harder each time. I called him "Daddy." What the hell was that? Aside from Ethan, strictly when talking to the kids, I've never called a man that. Ever. I didn't even think that was something I was into, but I fear... it isn't. At least when it comes to Conway."
"It's not a frenzied kiss in the heat of the moment as we're ripping each other's clothes off right before sex. It's not a kiss meant to shut her up or piss her off. It's a kiss simply because it feels right. One that has my skin tingling and my heart pounding. It's one I'll miss the second it's over."
"You're mine, baby girl, and every single ounce of me is yours. That's the way it's supposed to be and the way it's going to go from here on out because I love you, Grace. I'm in love with you, and I think you love me too, even if you might not be ready to admit it out loud just yet."
Grace 34 is a single mom and having been burned by past relationshipals with her high-school/college boyfriend who cheated on her and later her marriage dissolving after her husband realising he is gay...she hasn’t really dated anyone in a while what with trying to juggle all things life and being perpetually late to everything. Conway 52 is twice divorced and who just so happens to be the father of Grace’s cheating high-school/college ex and father to her 10yo daughter’s best friend, whom he had in his second marriage. Years after a misunderstanding between the two, they are thrown together to work on fundraising for the PTA. Grace's bratty attitude is out in full force, and the chemistry between them can no longer be ignored.
This story delivers on the banter and the spice, but with it being written by Ashley, I expected it to as she knows how to write great spice.
But for me, the emotional connection outside of the physical between Grace & Conway wasn't there. The pacing of them going from bickering, etc, to desiring each other to the physical aspect happening was too quick. There wasn't any build-up or tension to it, and then their interactions became sex focused, and no time was really spent developing the emotional connection on page aside from them going on one date... so by the time the grand gesture, etc, was happening towards the end and feelings were being expressed, it was too late for me to believe/feel invested in their relationship.
I also found Grace's character annoying. I know she is meant to have a bratty attitude but when SHE is the one constantly late to things, turning up to a meeting to find Conway had left and calls him acting like he is the one in the wrong and blew off the meeting is ridiculous. SHE was half an hour late and didn't bother to give him a heads up, etc, so she had no right to be mad that he left and went back to work. Girl.. you're 34 grow up!
There is a difference/fine line between a character being a bit of a brat and being juvenile, and Grace is on the wrong side of that line for me.
The daddy kink and exhibitionism elements of this story were fun, Conway knows how to dirty talk, and I appreciated that. 🙃 However, like I've said above, the spice outweighed any actual story/romance and therefore became repetitive to me, so I found myself skim reading those scenes towards the end. CJ Bloom & Alex Kydd narrate, and I enjoyed their performances as always. I'm a mood reader and I wanted/needed more substance from the actual romance at the time I read this, but if you're after an easy, low angst, spice filled read this will tick those boxes and on the whole i was entertained and found it enjoyable. Book releases 12th May. 🌶🌶🌶
"I've replayed that night an embarrassing number of times, cringing at myself harder each time. I called him "Daddy." What the hell was that? Aside from Ethan, strictly when talking to the kids, I've never called a man that. Ever. I didn't even think that was something I was into, but I fear... it isn't. At least when it comes to Conway."
"It's not a frenzied kiss in the heat of the moment as we're ripping each other's clothes off right before sex. It's not a kiss meant to shut her up or piss her off. It's a kiss simply because it feels right. One that has my skin tingling and my heart pounding. It's one I'll miss the second it's over."
"You're mine, baby girl, and every single ounce of me is yours. That's the way it's supposed to be and the way it's going to go from here on out because I love you, Grace. I'm in love with you, and I think you love me too, even if you might not be ready to admit it out loud just yet."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2025
ALC review
4.5 ⭐️
5 🌶️
So glad I got chosen for this ALC. I love a duet audio, especially when there’s this much spice and dirty talk. The last thing anyone wants in those intense scenes is a man trying to moan like a woman. These two narrators were perfect!
This book was fast burn, with so much delicious spice, and beautiful scenes showing character growth and relationship development. The spice was written so well, I was hoping for an epilogue of pure filth. But alas, I guess I have to settle for the several chapters of descriptive and filthy writing.
I didn’t know this was the second in a series and you definitely don’t need to read the first, but I have since added it to my TBR, and I’m anxiously waiting to hear who will be the MCs of the next book. Lots of possibilities with this cast of characters!
Definitely recommend for an easy, light read, with good writing and excellent smut!
4.5 ⭐️
5 🌶️
So glad I got chosen for this ALC. I love a duet audio, especially when there’s this much spice and dirty talk. The last thing anyone wants in those intense scenes is a man trying to moan like a woman. These two narrators were perfect!
This book was fast burn, with so much delicious spice, and beautiful scenes showing character growth and relationship development. The spice was written so well, I was hoping for an epilogue of pure filth. But alas, I guess I have to settle for the several chapters of descriptive and filthy writing.
I didn’t know this was the second in a series and you definitely don’t need to read the first, but I have since added it to my TBR, and I’m anxiously waiting to hear who will be the MCs of the next book. Lots of possibilities with this cast of characters!
Definitely recommend for an easy, light read, with good writing and excellent smut!
May 12, 2025
4.5✨
Calling all of my daddy schmink girlies to the front for this one!! Ashley knows how to write some down right delicious spice, but then you add on this whole “daddy” vibe, and I’m DECEASED. 😵
I absolutely loved the connection between Grace and Conway. The flirty banter, the teasing, the dirty talk between them during the spice scenes!! I genuinely enjoyed hearing their love story unfold and grow, and I love how gone for each other they were. Especially Conway.. his pov chapters had me straight up swooning. 😍😍 the chemistry between them was so spot on, and it really added that extra edge during those intimate moments. Conway’s son though… he needs some therapy or something lol. Thinking he can just cheat and not suffer any sort of consequences.. he needs to grow tf up. Conway was way better for her anyway. 😋
The narration for this was incredible!! Alex with his sultrier, quieter, southern twang and CJ giving Grace the all the cute and quirky vibes that Grace gives. I really really loved these two together on this. They complimented each other so well, and really just gave this so much flavor! I can’t recommend this series on audio enough!! It’s duet perfection. 🤩
Calling all of my daddy schmink girlies to the front for this one!! Ashley knows how to write some down right delicious spice, but then you add on this whole “daddy” vibe, and I’m DECEASED. 😵
I absolutely loved the connection between Grace and Conway. The flirty banter, the teasing, the dirty talk between them during the spice scenes!! I genuinely enjoyed hearing their love story unfold and grow, and I love how gone for each other they were. Especially Conway.. his pov chapters had me straight up swooning. 😍😍 the chemistry between them was so spot on, and it really added that extra edge during those intimate moments. Conway’s son though… he needs some therapy or something lol. Thinking he can just cheat and not suffer any sort of consequences.. he needs to grow tf up. Conway was way better for her anyway. 😋
The narration for this was incredible!! Alex with his sultrier, quieter, southern twang and CJ giving Grace the all the cute and quirky vibes that Grace gives. I really really loved these two together on this. They complimented each other so well, and really just gave this so much flavor! I can’t recommend this series on audio enough!! It’s duet perfection. 🤩
May 12, 2025
4.5/5⭐️
Another great spicy book for this series 🙌🏼 I loved the forbidden elements in this! I feel like it was a more unique take on the ex bf’s dad trope since they got together later in life! It’s nice to read about older MC’s who are both single parents.
These characters had great chemistry, I loveddd the spicy scenes ! Their banter made for a fun dynamic and great dirty talk 🔥
I’m ready for what comes next in this series 👏🏼
Another great spicy book for this series 🙌🏼 I loved the forbidden elements in this! I feel like it was a more unique take on the ex bf’s dad trope since they got together later in life! It’s nice to read about older MC’s who are both single parents.
These characters had great chemistry, I loveddd the spicy scenes ! Their banter made for a fun dynamic and great dirty talk 🔥
I’m ready for what comes next in this series 👏🏼
June 17, 2025
DNF at 20%
I wanted to love this so bad. This had tropes that I love, and I loved Beautiful Crazy, it was a 5 star book for me, so I assumed that I would enjoy this one as well. Unfortunately this was a no for me, and even just skimming through the rest of it wouldn’t have saved it for me.
I don’t like Grace’s character at all. She was supposed to be this sassy/bratty FMC (that you come to eventually love, I’m assuming), but for a 34 year old adult she’s immature, petty, inconsiderate, and just insufferable overall.
How are you mad at your ex boyfriend’s dad for turning down your sexual advances when you were drunk AND just barely legal at the time? It’s been over 10 years .. grow up and get over it girl.
How are you constantly late to meetings, with no heads up or consideration for Conway’s time, then get mad at him when he leaves and calls you out on it, when you call him pissed like he did something wrong?
8 chapters in her attitude is still crap and even when trying to skim over her parts to get through the story, it wasn’t helping. It’s unfortunate because I was excited for this book and wanted to love it so much. I liked Conway, and felt like I would’ve really love him, and I also liked Grace’s friend because she actually has some sense lol. I am still looking forward to the next book though.
I wanted to love this so bad. This had tropes that I love, and I loved Beautiful Crazy, it was a 5 star book for me, so I assumed that I would enjoy this one as well. Unfortunately this was a no for me, and even just skimming through the rest of it wouldn’t have saved it for me.
I don’t like Grace’s character at all. She was supposed to be this sassy/bratty FMC (that you come to eventually love, I’m assuming), but for a 34 year old adult she’s immature, petty, inconsiderate, and just insufferable overall.
How are you mad at your ex boyfriend’s dad for turning down your sexual advances when you were drunk AND just barely legal at the time? It’s been over 10 years .. grow up and get over it girl.
How are you constantly late to meetings, with no heads up or consideration for Conway’s time, then get mad at him when he leaves and calls you out on it, when you call him pissed like he did something wrong?
8 chapters in her attitude is still crap and even when trying to skim over her parts to get through the story, it wasn’t helping. It’s unfortunate because I was excited for this book and wanted to love it so much. I liked Conway, and felt like I would’ve really love him, and I also liked Grace’s friend because she actually has some sense lol. I am still looking forward to the next book though.
May 11, 2025
❤️🔥Small town
❤️🔥Single mum x single dad
❤️🔥Age gap (18 years)
❤️🔥Ex-boyfriends dad
❤️🔥forced proximity
❤️🔥Daddy Kink
❤️🔥Blue collar MMC x Baker FMC
🖤“You’re mine, baby girl, and every single ounce of me is yours. That’s the way it’s supposed to be and the way it’s going to be from here on out.” 🖤
I was lucky enough to receive the ARC for this book and I’m so glad I did! I’m absolutely obsessed with Conway!!
Conway and Grace 🤌🏼🤌🏼
Grace is a single mother of two children and a bakery owner who is late to events more than not. Conway is a single dad to two children, one who happens to be the ex-boyfriend of Grace and one who is best friends with Grace’s daughter. Conway is always on time and likes to give Grace a hard time about her tardiness.
With the history between these two, Grace is constantly annoyed by Conway and he takes full advantage of it. Once they are paired together by PTA the chemistry and tension is HEAVY and the banter between these two will have you sucked in!
I loved this book and cannot wait for the next one!
❤️🔥Single mum x single dad
❤️🔥Age gap (18 years)
❤️🔥Ex-boyfriends dad
❤️🔥forced proximity
❤️🔥Daddy Kink
❤️🔥Blue collar MMC x Baker FMC
🖤“You’re mine, baby girl, and every single ounce of me is yours. That’s the way it’s supposed to be and the way it’s going to be from here on out.” 🖤
I was lucky enough to receive the ARC for this book and I’m so glad I did! I’m absolutely obsessed with Conway!!
Conway and Grace 🤌🏼🤌🏼
Grace is a single mother of two children and a bakery owner who is late to events more than not. Conway is a single dad to two children, one who happens to be the ex-boyfriend of Grace and one who is best friends with Grace’s daughter. Conway is always on time and likes to give Grace a hard time about her tardiness.
With the history between these two, Grace is constantly annoyed by Conway and he takes full advantage of it. Once they are paired together by PTA the chemistry and tension is HEAVY and the banter between these two will have you sucked in!
I loved this book and cannot wait for the next one!
May 19, 2025
It took me a full 7 days to read this. That’s not a good sign. I just didn’t care about the people or the story. I think I was turned off within the first 15% or so. Grace is characterized as just not having things together. She’s crushed on her high school BF’s dad for years. Conway does have his life together. So other than the fact he’s viewing her now as a woman, I’m not sure what he sees in her. There’s instalust and possessiveness that isn’t earned.
I was tempted to DNF but I do enjoy this author, and it wasn’t BAD. The writing was fine, but I didn’t gel with the characters.
I was tempted to DNF but I do enjoy this author, and it wasn’t BAD. The writing was fine, but I didn’t gel with the characters.
May 14, 2025
5/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
5/5🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
What to Expect:
🩷Ex BFs Dad
🩵Mild Enemies to Lovers
🩷Small Town
🩵Age Gap
🩷Single Dad
🩵Single Mom
🩷Daddy K!nk
🩵Public Playtime
🩷SPICYYYYY
🩵Second Chance
🩷Grumpy x Sunshine
🩵Forced Proximity
Okay, let me just say—this book… did things to my insides… I still struggle to find words for. I was already intrigued because I LOVE Ashley James… tack on the “ex’s dad” trope, but she took it to a WHOLE NEW LEVEL!! Grace and Conway’s story starts with a forbidden moment years ago when she was hurting from a different scenario… but this one ended in a way she did NOT want or expect, but fast-forward over a decade later and BAM—they’re back in each other’s orbit thanks to their daughters being best friends. The tension? FIREEEEE. You could cut the tension with a KNIFE!! Full of unresolved chemistry FLAMING off the page, and watching that simmer finally boil over was so satisfying. That porch scene alone? Whew! Ya girl had a HARD time not just jumping my hubs bones while reading this one.
I adored Grace. She’s fiery, stubborn, hilarious, and just this chaotic burst of pink Southern energy. She pushes Conway’s buttons constantly, and he EATS IT UP!!! He’s the ultimate grumpy, blue-collar silver fox, daddy!!!!—protective, possessive, and oh-so-filthy in all the BEST ways. I lived for the way he pursued her. Every time she tried to keep him at arm’s length, he showed up harder, louder, and dirtier—determined to prove the difference between a boy and a man. And honestly? MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!
What really hit me was how Ashley wrote two grown adults falling in love without the need for major healing arcs (nothing against them, I actually enjoy them… but it’s nice not to have it drawn out–they found themselves in each other!) or unnecessary drama. Conway and Grace were already living full lives when they collided again—they're messy, complicated, and real. And somehow, they still manage to find something tender and beautiful in the chaos. It made their connection feel worked for and totally earned. I laughed, I swooned, I blushed hard, and I pantedddd HARDDDDD. This book was the perfect mix of emotional, steamy, and just downright fun. Highly recommend!!!
Thank you sooo much to Ashley James and The Author Agency for this amazing ALC. It was sooooo delicious listening to both voice actors deliver this spicyyyy performance. It made the book that much more spicy to devour!
**Side note: this was a 5🌶️ and one of the first times I've rated that and the storyline/plot was still phenomenal!! This was TONS of smut, with plot!!!
5/5🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
What to Expect:
🩷Ex BFs Dad
🩵Mild Enemies to Lovers
🩷Small Town
🩵Age Gap
🩷Single Dad
🩵Single Mom
🩷Daddy K!nk
🩵Public Playtime
🩷SPICYYYYY
🩵Second Chance
🩷Grumpy x Sunshine
🩵Forced Proximity
Okay, let me just say—this book… did things to my insides… I still struggle to find words for. I was already intrigued because I LOVE Ashley James… tack on the “ex’s dad” trope, but she took it to a WHOLE NEW LEVEL!! Grace and Conway’s story starts with a forbidden moment years ago when she was hurting from a different scenario… but this one ended in a way she did NOT want or expect, but fast-forward over a decade later and BAM—they’re back in each other’s orbit thanks to their daughters being best friends. The tension? FIREEEEE. You could cut the tension with a KNIFE!! Full of unresolved chemistry FLAMING off the page, and watching that simmer finally boil over was so satisfying. That porch scene alone? Whew! Ya girl had a HARD time not just jumping my hubs bones while reading this one.
I adored Grace. She’s fiery, stubborn, hilarious, and just this chaotic burst of pink Southern energy. She pushes Conway’s buttons constantly, and he EATS IT UP!!! He’s the ultimate grumpy, blue-collar silver fox, daddy!!!!—protective, possessive, and oh-so-filthy in all the BEST ways. I lived for the way he pursued her. Every time she tried to keep him at arm’s length, he showed up harder, louder, and dirtier—determined to prove the difference between a boy and a man. And honestly? MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!
What really hit me was how Ashley wrote two grown adults falling in love without the need for major healing arcs (nothing against them, I actually enjoy them… but it’s nice not to have it drawn out–they found themselves in each other!) or unnecessary drama. Conway and Grace were already living full lives when they collided again—they're messy, complicated, and real. And somehow, they still manage to find something tender and beautiful in the chaos. It made their connection feel worked for and totally earned. I laughed, I swooned, I blushed hard, and I pantedddd HARDDDDD. This book was the perfect mix of emotional, steamy, and just downright fun. Highly recommend!!!
Thank you sooo much to Ashley James and The Author Agency for this amazing ALC. It was sooooo delicious listening to both voice actors deliver this spicyyyy performance. It made the book that much more spicy to devour!
**Side note: this was a 5🌶️ and one of the first times I've rated that and the storyline/plot was still phenomenal!! This was TONS of smut, with plot!!!
May 2, 2025
4.5 stars
Thank you to the author and The Author Agency for the ALC!
Ashley James does not miss!!! This book was everything you want in an age-gap, ex boyfriend's dad romance - the tension was tensioningggg and I was absolutely here for how filthy both Grace and Conway were. Also, if you're an audiobook person, HIGHLY recommend the audio. It's done in duet style by CJ Bloom and Alex Kydd and they did a fantastic job. Much like the first audiobook in this series, it legit had me blushinggg lmao.
Grace was such a riot. I immediately fell in love with her character. She did not shy away from being a sassy brat and I LOVED that about her. She was so effortlessly funny and such a fun female lead to read about even if she could be stubborn at times. She just felt so real, you know?? She was incredibly relatable - a little jaded, a bit of a mess, but so, so worthy of love.
Conwayyyyy, my man!!! The things that came out of this man's mouth were downright filthy and I was sat for every single word lmao. I loved everything about him - how possessive, protective, and dominant he could be, but also how romantic, thoughtful, and caring, too. He was sooo gone for Grace and she really had no idea that she had him wrapped around her finger. It was really sweet to see how much Conway cared about her and eventually how much he loved her. The love confession was everythingggg. I could cry just thinking about the way Conway loved Grace - that man saw her for her and loved her for it. I loved him so much.
This book was hot!! The sneaking around and stolen moments between them really kicked this up a notch. I love how creative Ashley gets with her smut lol I ate it up!! There were also parts where it was so intimate and romantic. It was really beautiful.
Anyway, I loved getting to see little glimpses of Gemma and Everett in this. The side characters are one of my favorite parts and I can't wait to get more stories from these characters!!
Last thing: this book reminded me how much I love the nickname "babygirl"
Thank you to the author and The Author Agency for the ALC!
Ashley James does not miss!!! This book was everything you want in an age-gap, ex boyfriend's dad romance - the tension was tensioningggg and I was absolutely here for how filthy both Grace and Conway were. Also, if you're an audiobook person, HIGHLY recommend the audio. It's done in duet style by CJ Bloom and Alex Kydd and they did a fantastic job. Much like the first audiobook in this series, it legit had me blushinggg lmao.
Grace was such a riot. I immediately fell in love with her character. She did not shy away from being a sassy brat and I LOVED that about her. She was so effortlessly funny and such a fun female lead to read about even if she could be stubborn at times. She just felt so real, you know?? She was incredibly relatable - a little jaded, a bit of a mess, but so, so worthy of love.
Conwayyyyy, my man!!! The things that came out of this man's mouth were downright filthy and I was sat for every single word lmao. I loved everything about him - how possessive, protective, and dominant he could be, but also how romantic, thoughtful, and caring, too. He was sooo gone for Grace and she really had no idea that she had him wrapped around her finger. It was really sweet to see how much Conway cared about her and eventually how much he loved her. The love confession was everythingggg. I could cry just thinking about the way Conway loved Grace - that man saw her for her and loved her for it. I loved him so much.
This book was hot!! The sneaking around and stolen moments between them really kicked this up a notch. I love how creative Ashley gets with her smut lol I ate it up!! There were also parts where it was so intimate and romantic. It was really beautiful.
Anyway, I loved getting to see little glimpses of Gemma and Everett in this. The side characters are one of my favorite parts and I can't wait to get more stories from these characters!!
Last thing: this book reminded me how much I love the nickname "babygirl"
May 21, 2025
Beautiful Mess
Blossom beach book 2
Ashley James
Conway and Grace
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶
Enemies to lovers
Age gap
Daddy kink
Love after divorce
Single mom / Single dad
Forced proximity
Almost 15 years later after an embarrassing moment by Grace, learning then that her boyfriend, Conways son has cheated on her, she goes to a bar dolled up and underage, Conways finds her there brings her home and as the go to part ways she misinterprets the moment and kisses him, he rejects her and she is forever embarrassed.
All these years later, they now have to work together at the PTA that both their children go to school at.
Flirty exchanges and snark banter between these two and eventually sparks fly!
“I bet a man like Conway knows how to worship a woman. He’d no doubt find the clit on the first try.”
Conway has a filthy mouth and a daddy kinks and together these two make for some delicious spice
“Grace needs a man, not a boy. She needs someone who can f*ck the sass right out of her.”
They start their relationship off sorts backwards, enemies to lovers, sexual partners then move on to mature and thoughtful dating and getting to know each other
Conway's son, Cole, Grace's ex, shows up on his doorstep, as his wife kicked him out for cheating. Cole walks in on his dad and Grace in a compromised position. Grace leaves, embarrassed again and determined her and Conway are all wrong for each other.
Conway isn't having it and decides to win back His girl. He is everything Grace ever dreamed of. Realizing he truly is the man of her dreams. Now both are older after all these years they are exactly what each other needs.
“I’m going to show her how a real man treats the woman he loves.”
These two were so swoony. So glad they got their forever HEA.
“You are everything I have always yearned for, but never thought I deserved, Conway. Do you realize that? Every fairytale I ever dreamed about as a kid and everything I cried about wanting in my journal, it’s all you. Wow.”
Blossom beach book 2
Ashley James
Conway and Grace
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶
Enemies to lovers
Age gap
Daddy kink
Love after divorce
Single mom / Single dad
Forced proximity
Almost 15 years later after an embarrassing moment by Grace, learning then that her boyfriend, Conways son has cheated on her, she goes to a bar dolled up and underage, Conways finds her there brings her home and as the go to part ways she misinterprets the moment and kisses him, he rejects her and she is forever embarrassed.
All these years later, they now have to work together at the PTA that both their children go to school at.
Flirty exchanges and snark banter between these two and eventually sparks fly!
“I bet a man like Conway knows how to worship a woman. He’d no doubt find the clit on the first try.”
Conway has a filthy mouth and a daddy kinks and together these two make for some delicious spice
“Grace needs a man, not a boy. She needs someone who can f*ck the sass right out of her.”
They start their relationship off sorts backwards, enemies to lovers, sexual partners then move on to mature and thoughtful dating and getting to know each other
Conway's son, Cole, Grace's ex, shows up on his doorstep, as his wife kicked him out for cheating. Cole walks in on his dad and Grace in a compromised position. Grace leaves, embarrassed again and determined her and Conway are all wrong for each other.
Conway isn't having it and decides to win back His girl. He is everything Grace ever dreamed of. Realizing he truly is the man of her dreams. Now both are older after all these years they are exactly what each other needs.
“I’m going to show her how a real man treats the woman he loves.”
These two were so swoony. So glad they got their forever HEA.
“You are everything I have always yearned for, but never thought I deserved, Conway. Do you realize that? Every fairytale I ever dreamed about as a kid and everything I cried about wanting in my journal, it’s all you. Wow.”
May 13, 2025
5/5⭐️ 3.75/5🌶️ 5/5🎧
lol it’s a Daddy book so no surprise I fkn loved this 😈
Ashley… you and your daddies are some of the strongest in the game. BIG FAN OF THAT CAREER CHOICE! You’re keeping the Lana girls FED 😌
This book was absolutely ✨scrumptious✨ Daddy Conway fuuuuuuk 😩 I need him 🙏 literally the Daddy dream right there! Not only will he tame a brat, but he’ll also treat her like the most precious queen ever 😭 and Grace’s strength and fiery sass was hot asf! Their chemistry literally off the charts hot 🔥🔥
“You’re gonna make me come, Sin. Is that what you want? Want me to coat the inside of this tight, throbbing cunt with my cum?” “Y-yes… yes, Daddy!” “Yes, Daddy, what?” he growls before nipping at my earlobe. “Come… Uh, fuck! Come in my pussy, Daddy. Please, please… fill me with your cum, Daddy.”
I just love how Ashley writes banter and spice, she has such killer sensuality in her writing that I’m shocked how it took me so long to find her books they literally will have me screaming at how hot it is 😂
This is book 2 of Blossom Beach, but it can be read as a standalone! Book 1 is hella hot tho FYI!
🎧Duet Narration🎧
Narrated by: CJ Bloom & Alex Kydd
Omgggg just perfect! Both Alex and CJ pulled off their lil southern twangs and it brought so much personality to the characters, especially CJ’s with the feisty southern belle it just fit so well for when she’s giving Conway shit 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Both showed up to that booth to serve sex appeal with those voices 🔥😮💨🔥
💛Thank you so much to Ashley James and the author agency for this ARC/ALC💛
🧁Small Town
👅Single Mom/ Single Dad
🧁Age Gap
👅Ex-Boyfriend’s Dad
🧁Daddy K!nk
👅Grumpy/ Sunshine
🧁She Falls First/He Falls Harder
lol it’s a Daddy book so no surprise I fkn loved this 😈
Ashley… you and your daddies are some of the strongest in the game. BIG FAN OF THAT CAREER CHOICE! You’re keeping the Lana girls FED 😌
This book was absolutely ✨scrumptious✨ Daddy Conway fuuuuuuk 😩 I need him 🙏 literally the Daddy dream right there! Not only will he tame a brat, but he’ll also treat her like the most precious queen ever 😭 and Grace’s strength and fiery sass was hot asf! Their chemistry literally off the charts hot 🔥🔥
“You’re gonna make me come, Sin. Is that what you want? Want me to coat the inside of this tight, throbbing cunt with my cum?” “Y-yes… yes, Daddy!” “Yes, Daddy, what?” he growls before nipping at my earlobe. “Come… Uh, fuck! Come in my pussy, Daddy. Please, please… fill me with your cum, Daddy.”
I just love how Ashley writes banter and spice, she has such killer sensuality in her writing that I’m shocked how it took me so long to find her books they literally will have me screaming at how hot it is 😂
This is book 2 of Blossom Beach, but it can be read as a standalone! Book 1 is hella hot tho FYI!
🎧Duet Narration🎧
Narrated by: CJ Bloom & Alex Kydd
Omgggg just perfect! Both Alex and CJ pulled off their lil southern twangs and it brought so much personality to the characters, especially CJ’s with the feisty southern belle it just fit so well for when she’s giving Conway shit 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Both showed up to that booth to serve sex appeal with those voices 🔥😮💨🔥
💛Thank you so much to Ashley James and the author agency for this ARC/ALC💛
🧁Small Town
👅Single Mom/ Single Dad
🧁Age Gap
👅Ex-Boyfriend’s Dad
🧁Daddy K!nk
👅Grumpy/ Sunshine
🧁She Falls First/He Falls Harder
May 5, 2025
✨ • ✨ Book Review - ARC Review ✨ • ✨ Beautiful Mess by Ashley James writing as A. James.
Rating: 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 3 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Firstly, i want to say Thank you to Ashley James and team for the opportunity to get an ARC of this book!
I absolutely devoured this book, the daddy kink, kind of gave me the ick but the story/plot was good. The steamy scenes were tastefully written but packed with a punch!
Grace, a small-town bakery owner, is just finding her way through life a day at a time.
Balancing her own business with being a single mother, she is navigating a confusing period from her teenage past with her ex-boyfriend’s dad.
Conway is a blue collar man, who minds his business and always has a straight face. Oh did I mention his filthy mouth! 🫣
The slow realization that they actually cared for each other was a good story. Conway did everything in his power to show Grace she deserves the world and more with his words and actions. She always took care of everyone in her life but when she finally allowed Conway to help or take care of her, she fell but he fell so much harder.
This was my first Ashley James novel, and I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style. I didn’t realize it was the second of her novel series “Blossom Beach” when I signed up for her ARC, but I appreciate that it can be read as a standalone.
However, a bunch her books are now added to my already long TBR list. 😅
💕Small Town
🔥Age Gap
💕Ex Boyfriend’s Dad
🔥Single Mom x Single Dad
💕Grumpy Sunshine
🔥Daddy Kink
💕She Falls First/He Falls Harder
🔥Baker
💕Blue Collar
🔥Forced Proximity
Rating: 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 3 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Firstly, i want to say Thank you to Ashley James and team for the opportunity to get an ARC of this book!
I absolutely devoured this book, the daddy kink, kind of gave me the ick but the story/plot was good. The steamy scenes were tastefully written but packed with a punch!
Grace, a small-town bakery owner, is just finding her way through life a day at a time.
Balancing her own business with being a single mother, she is navigating a confusing period from her teenage past with her ex-boyfriend’s dad.
Conway is a blue collar man, who minds his business and always has a straight face. Oh did I mention his filthy mouth! 🫣
The slow realization that they actually cared for each other was a good story. Conway did everything in his power to show Grace she deserves the world and more with his words and actions. She always took care of everyone in her life but when she finally allowed Conway to help or take care of her, she fell but he fell so much harder.
This was my first Ashley James novel, and I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style. I didn’t realize it was the second of her novel series “Blossom Beach” when I signed up for her ARC, but I appreciate that it can be read as a standalone.
However, a bunch her books are now added to my already long TBR list. 😅
💕Small Town
🔥Age Gap
💕Ex Boyfriend’s Dad
🔥Single Mom x Single Dad
💕Grumpy Sunshine
🔥Daddy Kink
💕She Falls First/He Falls Harder
🔥Baker
💕Blue Collar
🔥Forced Proximity
May 9, 2025
*Advanced Audio Review*
OVERALL: 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
•Storyline: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
•Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧/5
•Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶.5/ 5
•Swoon level: 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠/5
•Emotional:🥺/5
•Banter: 😆😆😆/5
•Platform: Audiobook and Ebook
•Trope: Enimies to lovers, Single Dad, Age Gap. Single Mom, ex's dad.
• THOUGHTS:
I enjoyed this book, so much! I really loved the fact they had an 18byear gap. and woooo weee the spice be spicing! it was so hot. and let me tell you when he called her baby girl. I was a puddle on the floor! This book did take me a bit to get into, but once I was dialed in, I was in!!! I loved the connection that was between Conway and Grace. like I stated, it was spicy, but at the same time, they truly had a connection that made their love story special. I just loved these two! They are funny, and the sass she throws at him is comical. I highly recommend this story
NARRATOR THOUGHTS:
•Narrators: CJ Bloom and Alex Kydd
•Duet Narration
•Listening at a 1.5 speed.
Oh my goodness, CJ and Alex were so hot in this. CJ brings the sass and had me cackling! Alex brought the deep gruff voice, and I swooned! The duet narration was icing on the cake! It added to the story and just read like a movie. The storyline itself is wonderful, but honestly, throwing in the audio is chefs kiss. I have never listened to Alex and CJ together and I must say I need to see this pairing more.
OVERALL: 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
•Storyline: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
•Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧/5
•Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶.5/ 5
•Swoon level: 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠/5
•Emotional:🥺/5
•Banter: 😆😆😆/5
•Platform: Audiobook and Ebook
•Trope: Enimies to lovers, Single Dad, Age Gap. Single Mom, ex's dad.
• THOUGHTS:
I enjoyed this book, so much! I really loved the fact they had an 18byear gap. and woooo weee the spice be spicing! it was so hot. and let me tell you when he called her baby girl. I was a puddle on the floor! This book did take me a bit to get into, but once I was dialed in, I was in!!! I loved the connection that was between Conway and Grace. like I stated, it was spicy, but at the same time, they truly had a connection that made their love story special. I just loved these two! They are funny, and the sass she throws at him is comical. I highly recommend this story
NARRATOR THOUGHTS:
•Narrators: CJ Bloom and Alex Kydd
•Duet Narration
•Listening at a 1.5 speed.
Oh my goodness, CJ and Alex were so hot in this. CJ brings the sass and had me cackling! Alex brought the deep gruff voice, and I swooned! The duet narration was icing on the cake! It added to the story and just read like a movie. The storyline itself is wonderful, but honestly, throwing in the audio is chefs kiss. I have never listened to Alex and CJ together and I must say I need to see this pairing more.
June 21, 2025
Hot Daddy Conley
Beautiful Mess
By: Ashley James
“Grace Astor is a force. One I’m not strong enough to withhold myself from any longer, and tonight was just the beginning.”
“That’s the difference between being with boys and men. I know what I bring to the table. I’m confident in what I do, and that includes the confidence I have in my ability to plan a night tailored specifically to you and the things you enjoy. So, trust me when I say, there will be a second. And if I have any say in the matter, a third, fourth, and so on.”
“I’ve never had a man look at me the way Conway does, with such raw and intense appreciation before. He looks at me like I’m the most beautiful and sexy woman he’s ever seen, and more than that, he makes me feel like both of those under his gaze.”
Grace and Conway have known each other for years. Seeing as Grace dated Conways’s so in high school and college. But after years apart and having their own families, Grace and Conway find themselves forced back together, both divorced and both on the pta for their kids. With the forced proximity comes the sexual tension. It turns hot and there is no turning back!
Tropes:
Age Gap
Forced Proximity
Small Town Romance
Grumpy/Sunshine
Exboyfriends Dad
Daddy K!nk
Spice starts at: 23%🔥
Spice: 3/4🌶️
Stars: 4/5⭐️
Available on Kindle Unlimited
Beautiful Mess
By: Ashley James
“Grace Astor is a force. One I’m not strong enough to withhold myself from any longer, and tonight was just the beginning.”
“That’s the difference between being with boys and men. I know what I bring to the table. I’m confident in what I do, and that includes the confidence I have in my ability to plan a night tailored specifically to you and the things you enjoy. So, trust me when I say, there will be a second. And if I have any say in the matter, a third, fourth, and so on.”
“I’ve never had a man look at me the way Conway does, with such raw and intense appreciation before. He looks at me like I’m the most beautiful and sexy woman he’s ever seen, and more than that, he makes me feel like both of those under his gaze.”
Grace and Conway have known each other for years. Seeing as Grace dated Conways’s so in high school and college. But after years apart and having their own families, Grace and Conway find themselves forced back together, both divorced and both on the pta for their kids. With the forced proximity comes the sexual tension. It turns hot and there is no turning back!
Tropes:
Age Gap
Forced Proximity
Small Town Romance
Grumpy/Sunshine
Exboyfriends Dad
Daddy K!nk
Spice starts at: 23%🔥
Spice: 3/4🌶️
Stars: 4/5⭐️
Available on Kindle Unlimited
May 12, 2025
Loved it
Ashley James is an auto-buy author for me, and I’m completely in love with her Copper Lake series. This MF series is just as delicious.
It’s an age-gap/second-chance romance set later in life, which makes the age difference feel natural and not at all distracting even though I usually don’t mind age gaps to begin with. Conway and Grace also have kids who are best friends, which adds another believable and engaging layer to the story.
I love a single mom/single dad romance that doesn’t involve the nanny or household help, and this hit that sweet spot perfectly.
Grace’s sharp wit and the shade she throws at Conway (thanks to a decades-old incident) had me laughing out loud. She’s been holding a metaphorical pitchfork against him for years, and when things start to shift between them, she’s gripping that pitchfork like her life depends on it. Conway, of course, has very different plans.
I’m not usually into the “daddy” kink, but I was able to overlook that because the rest of the story was just so good. Plus, Conway calling Grace “Sin” might be one of my favorite nicknames in a long time.
I tandem read the ebook and listened to the audiobook. CJ Bloom was perfect as Grace. She’s always a pleasure to listen to. Alex Kydd was new to me as Conway. While I’m not completely sold on him just yet, his drawl and overall vibe did suit the character well...I'd say I’m about 85% sold.
💞Small Town
🧁Age Gap
💞Ex Boyfriend’s Dad
🧁Single Mom x Single Dad
💞Grumpy Sunshine
🧁Daddy Kink
💞She Falls First/He Falls Harder
🧁Baker
💞Blue Collar
🧁Forced Proximity
💞He Calls Her "Sin"
Ashley James is an auto-buy author for me, and I’m completely in love with her Copper Lake series. This MF series is just as delicious.
It’s an age-gap/second-chance romance set later in life, which makes the age difference feel natural and not at all distracting even though I usually don’t mind age gaps to begin with. Conway and Grace also have kids who are best friends, which adds another believable and engaging layer to the story.
I love a single mom/single dad romance that doesn’t involve the nanny or household help, and this hit that sweet spot perfectly.
Grace’s sharp wit and the shade she throws at Conway (thanks to a decades-old incident) had me laughing out loud. She’s been holding a metaphorical pitchfork against him for years, and when things start to shift between them, she’s gripping that pitchfork like her life depends on it. Conway, of course, has very different plans.
I’m not usually into the “daddy” kink, but I was able to overlook that because the rest of the story was just so good. Plus, Conway calling Grace “Sin” might be one of my favorite nicknames in a long time.
I tandem read the ebook and listened to the audiobook. CJ Bloom was perfect as Grace. She’s always a pleasure to listen to. Alex Kydd was new to me as Conway. While I’m not completely sold on him just yet, his drawl and overall vibe did suit the character well...I'd say I’m about 85% sold.
💞Small Town
🧁Age Gap
💞Ex Boyfriend’s Dad
🧁Single Mom x Single Dad
💞Grumpy Sunshine
🧁Daddy Kink
💞She Falls First/He Falls Harder
🧁Baker
💞Blue Collar
🧁Forced Proximity
💞He Calls Her "Sin"
May 12, 2025
Story: 10/10
Spice: 5/5
Spice Hierarchy: Spicy
Narration: 5/5, duet
ALC/ARC Review-Releases 5/12
Fourteen years ago Grace has the idea that to get over her cheating ex, she should get under the ex’s dad. Except Conway is a gentleman and says no. They both go on to live their own separate lives, get married, have kids, and get divorced. With their daughters being best friends, they find themselves together or around each other a lot and some animosity has grown. Maybe they are just fighting their attraction and the beautiful mess they’ve created.
Once again Ashely James has delivered a story with adults being adults and having a beautiful (and spicy) story. While neither Conway nor Grace needed to be healed and both were living their lives while being single, they were able to show the other a life full of love. I loved the way each trope was delivered in this story. The age gap, Daddy kink 🔥🥵, single parents, ex’s dad, small town. They all were done in such a way that the story flowed. It never felt forced.
CJ Bloom brought all of Grace’s sass and personality with a great twang. Alex Kydd had one of the best gruff, growly southern voices. Earbuds highly recommended for this one. Oh my 🤭
Spice: 5/5
Spice Hierarchy: Spicy
Narration: 5/5, duet
ALC/ARC Review-Releases 5/12
Fourteen years ago Grace has the idea that to get over her cheating ex, she should get under the ex’s dad. Except Conway is a gentleman and says no. They both go on to live their own separate lives, get married, have kids, and get divorced. With their daughters being best friends, they find themselves together or around each other a lot and some animosity has grown. Maybe they are just fighting their attraction and the beautiful mess they’ve created.
Once again Ashely James has delivered a story with adults being adults and having a beautiful (and spicy) story. While neither Conway nor Grace needed to be healed and both were living their lives while being single, they were able to show the other a life full of love. I loved the way each trope was delivered in this story. The age gap, Daddy kink 🔥🥵, single parents, ex’s dad, small town. They all were done in such a way that the story flowed. It never felt forced.
CJ Bloom brought all of Grace’s sass and personality with a great twang. Alex Kydd had one of the best gruff, growly southern voices. Earbuds highly recommended for this one. Oh my 🤭
May 12, 2025
Audiobook Review :: Duet Narration
Book :: 4.5 ⭐️
Narration :: 5 ⭐️
💕Small Town
🔥Age Gap (18 yrs)
💕Ex-Boyfriend’s Dad
🔥Single Mom x Single Dad
💕Grumpy/Sunshine
🔥Daddy Kink
💕She Falls First/He Falls Harder
🔥Baker/Blue Collar
💕Forced Proximity
🔥Open Door
Conway & Grace were absolute perfection! The way Conway would do anything for her, support her and take care of her just melted my heart. When we first meet Grace she is 20 years old, devastated and looking to heal her broken heart. She walks in to and finds her boyfriend Cole cheating on her. Grace decides to head to a local bar and drown her sorrows. There she comes across her boyfriends dad who insists on driving her home after drinking too much. Fast forward to 14 years later and Grace finds herself divorced and a mother of twins. She can't help be constantly be with Conway's proximity. This was definitely more of a fast burn and you could feel the chemistry shared by them on page. Oh, and that porch scene...oh, my!! Holy spice!! Really enjoyed this story! I am such a sucker for a good forbidden, age gap romance. So swoony!
Narration was performed by CJ Bloom & Alex Kydd. The did such a phenomenal job capturing the essence of their characters. I am such a fan of their work. I find them both to be so talented and have such impressive skill and range. Absolutely loved their performances in this book. The fact this audiobook was performed in duet made it even better! Such a fantastic audio experience!
*Thank you so much to Ashley James & The Author Agency for the ALC
Book :: 4.5 ⭐️
Narration :: 5 ⭐️
💕Small Town
🔥Age Gap (18 yrs)
💕Ex-Boyfriend’s Dad
🔥Single Mom x Single Dad
💕Grumpy/Sunshine
🔥Daddy Kink
💕She Falls First/He Falls Harder
🔥Baker/Blue Collar
💕Forced Proximity
🔥Open Door
Conway & Grace were absolute perfection! The way Conway would do anything for her, support her and take care of her just melted my heart. When we first meet Grace she is 20 years old, devastated and looking to heal her broken heart. She walks in to and finds her boyfriend Cole cheating on her. Grace decides to head to a local bar and drown her sorrows. There she comes across her boyfriends dad who insists on driving her home after drinking too much. Fast forward to 14 years later and Grace finds herself divorced and a mother of twins. She can't help be constantly be with Conway's proximity. This was definitely more of a fast burn and you could feel the chemistry shared by them on page. Oh, and that porch scene...oh, my!! Holy spice!! Really enjoyed this story! I am such a sucker for a good forbidden, age gap romance. So swoony!
Narration was performed by CJ Bloom & Alex Kydd. The did such a phenomenal job capturing the essence of their characters. I am such a fan of their work. I find them both to be so talented and have such impressive skill and range. Absolutely loved their performances in this book. The fact this audiobook was performed in duet made it even better! Such a fantastic audio experience!
*Thank you so much to Ashley James & The Author Agency for the ALC
May 7, 2025
This book was absolutely phenomenal. I can’t even begin to explain how much I adored it!!
🤍Small town
🤍Single mom x single dad
🤍Age gap
🤍Ex-boyfriends dad
🤍Forced proximity
🤍Daddy k!nk
Conway and Grace’s story was just so much fun! These two had a moment a decade and a half ago and every single that went awry, they have avoided each other when they can.
Now they are stuck working on something together for their children’s PTA, and all those feelings for one another are coming back.
These two are SPICY SPICY characters! I mean the mouth on this man had me sweating!! I loved Grace’s tenacity and strength and I loved Conway’s possessiveness and dirty talking! These two are an unlikely combo, but they work like magic together.
There isn’t a better duo to narrate this than Alex Kydd and CJ Bloom! CJ brought all of the sarcasm and wit for Grace and Alex BROUGHT THAT MOUTH for Conway.
If I didn’t portray it enough, I absolutely loved this book!!!
🤍Small town
🤍Single mom x single dad
🤍Age gap
🤍Ex-boyfriends dad
🤍Forced proximity
🤍Daddy k!nk
Conway and Grace’s story was just so much fun! These two had a moment a decade and a half ago and every single that went awry, they have avoided each other when they can.
Now they are stuck working on something together for their children’s PTA, and all those feelings for one another are coming back.
These two are SPICY SPICY characters! I mean the mouth on this man had me sweating!! I loved Grace’s tenacity and strength and I loved Conway’s possessiveness and dirty talking! These two are an unlikely combo, but they work like magic together.
There isn’t a better duo to narrate this than Alex Kydd and CJ Bloom! CJ brought all of the sarcasm and wit for Grace and Alex BROUGHT THAT MOUTH for Conway.
If I didn’t portray it enough, I absolutely loved this book!!!
May 12, 2025
🎧🎧AUDIO REVIEW🎧🎧
Although I wasn’t really hooked or captivated by the prologue because the entire scene just felt very “out of nowhere” for me, I enjoyed the heck out of this story, and after the whole PTA scene at the beginning, I just couldn’t stop listening! It honestly entertained me at every turn! Grace and Conway were one scene away from exploding; they had so much spark! They had spark when they fought and they had spark when they didn’t! Two great characters that kept me invested in the outcome of their story! I wanted this for them. There were times I was on the edge of the proverbial seat waiting for what would happen next between these two! And it was all glorious! The 🔥fire🔥 in this story was next level! Conway is a smooth dirty talking “daddy” and I was here for ALL OF IT! Grace was his perfect match in all the ways!! *fans self*
🎧 Although Alex Kydd is not a favorite of mine to listen to, I have to say that he was a perfect cast for Conway. His voice had the perfect gravel and sizzle necessary to fell the story and with CJ Bloom as a partner in duet narration, this was a fabulous party in my ears for 11ish hours!
Although I wasn’t really hooked or captivated by the prologue because the entire scene just felt very “out of nowhere” for me, I enjoyed the heck out of this story, and after the whole PTA scene at the beginning, I just couldn’t stop listening! It honestly entertained me at every turn! Grace and Conway were one scene away from exploding; they had so much spark! They had spark when they fought and they had spark when they didn’t! Two great characters that kept me invested in the outcome of their story! I wanted this for them. There were times I was on the edge of the proverbial seat waiting for what would happen next between these two! And it was all glorious! The 🔥fire🔥 in this story was next level! Conway is a smooth dirty talking “daddy” and I was here for ALL OF IT! Grace was his perfect match in all the ways!! *fans self*
🎧 Although Alex Kydd is not a favorite of mine to listen to, I have to say that he was a perfect cast for Conway. His voice had the perfect gravel and sizzle necessary to fell the story and with CJ Bloom as a partner in duet narration, this was a fabulous party in my ears for 11ish hours!
May 4, 2025
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Beautiful Mess was a fun, taboo read that delivered on both plot and spice!
This ex-boyfriend’s dad story was steamy, a little bratty and at moments, scorching hot and I was here for it all! Daddy Conway blew me away with his actions and filthy mouth. He definitely put in the effort, showed up and went after what he wanted, which was Grace. Her character suprised me in the best way. This single mom’s quick comebacks and bratty side were so fun to read. It added an element of surprise as you never knew what was going to come out of her mouth. The chemistry she shared with Conway was scorching hot and they delivered some really spicy scenes.
This story started with a lot of miscommunication and resentment which made it even better when they got together and finally let go of everything.
This was a good book and I can’t wait to see what comes next from this author.
I would like to thank A. James and the Author Agency for the opportunity to read and review Beautiful Mess.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Beautiful Mess was a fun, taboo read that delivered on both plot and spice!
This ex-boyfriend’s dad story was steamy, a little bratty and at moments, scorching hot and I was here for it all! Daddy Conway blew me away with his actions and filthy mouth. He definitely put in the effort, showed up and went after what he wanted, which was Grace. Her character suprised me in the best way. This single mom’s quick comebacks and bratty side were so fun to read. It added an element of surprise as you never knew what was going to come out of her mouth. The chemistry she shared with Conway was scorching hot and they delivered some really spicy scenes.
This story started with a lot of miscommunication and resentment which made it even better when they got together and finally let go of everything.
This was a good book and I can’t wait to see what comes next from this author.
I would like to thank A. James and the Author Agency for the opportunity to read and review Beautiful Mess.
May 21, 2025
ARC Review:
4.5 🌟 (rounded up for Goodreads)
Grace used to date Conway's son, Cole. After Cole cheated on her, she attempted to hook up with Conway, but he turned her down.
14 years later, they're in each other's lives once again when they are tasked with co-leading the fundraising for their childrens' school - oh and their daughters are best friends.
Both divorced, single parents, with a past that was a bit of a mess (and embaressing for Grace), this is a classic dislike-to-lovers (but, like, she likes him...you know 😉).
I'm a sucker for a good age gap, and Conway was...🔥🔥🔥 Wow.
I liked that both of these main characters are older (34 and 52). There wasn't a ton of drama or the silly stuff that comes with more juvenile relationships. It was a great read!
4.5 🌟 (rounded up for Goodreads)
Grace used to date Conway's son, Cole. After Cole cheated on her, she attempted to hook up with Conway, but he turned her down.
14 years later, they're in each other's lives once again when they are tasked with co-leading the fundraising for their childrens' school - oh and their daughters are best friends.
Both divorced, single parents, with a past that was a bit of a mess (and embaressing for Grace), this is a classic dislike-to-lovers (but, like, she likes him...you know 😉).
I'm a sucker for a good age gap, and Conway was...🔥🔥🔥 Wow.
I liked that both of these main characters are older (34 and 52). There wasn't a ton of drama or the silly stuff that comes with more juvenile relationships. It was a great read!
May 12, 2025
Whoo! The mouth on Daddy Conway was so delicious. He knew what he wanted and wasn't afraid to take it. Grace was fun and driven.
Their daughters are best friends and Grace also dated his older son in highschool/early college. Grace hasn't liked Conway since Cole cheated on her and he thought Conway knew.
Even through all the years, there has been an underlying attraction between them. When thrown together for a PTA committee, the flirting gets heavier with it leading to more.
Grace and her sisters were so much fun, I loved their banter and support of each other.
Their daughters are best friends and Grace also dated his older son in highschool/early college. Grace hasn't liked Conway since Cole cheated on her and he thought Conway knew.
Even through all the years, there has been an underlying attraction between them. When thrown together for a PTA committee, the flirting gets heavier with it leading to more.
Grace and her sisters were so much fun, I loved their banter and support of each other.
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