A thrilling, love-conquers-all, small mountain town romance filled with swoon, steam, and survival.
Ivy Rutherford catches flights not feelings— her most recent destination being the top of a mountain in Silverthorne, CO.
After a devastating loss and a failed marriage at twenty-seven, Ivy has spent the last year making less than ideal decisions. If less than ideal is code for bad. When her latest stunt causes a sizable scene, her father issues her an prove she can run his new business venture, The Edgemont Ski Resort and Lodge or lose her coveted seat on the board at Rutherford Industries. It should have been a simple task, but when a chance encounter with a charming stranger takes her by surprise, it sets her on a slippery slope that she never saw coming.
Alder Holloway leads rescue missions for a living—his newest mission however, wants nothing to do with him.
Magnetic and charismatic, Alder has never shied away from the spotlight. Recovering from a traumatic loss, Alder has spent the last decade of his life running the resort his cabin is built on, as well as becoming an experienced and skilled Alpine Search and Rescue Pilot. At thirty-six, he’s content to live his life with a high risk career, low risk personal life—until fate intervenes in the way of a snowstorm. Enter Ivy Rutherford, the new and unexpected manager strutting around his resort. Ivy is as irritatingly beautiful as she is brilliant. She’s also determined to keep Alder at arms length, unaware that despite her attempt to keep things between them temporary, she’s already become a non negotiable in his life.
When Ivy turns to Alder for a favor— he’s powerless to refuse. What they agreed would be a short term situation quickly becomes something neither of them are willing to part with.
As their initial attraction grows into deep rooted feelings, hidden truths are revealed, raising the question whether their connection is strong enough to survive the storms life has already thrown at them. Or will deception cause them to be buried in an avalanche of doubt before they’ve even truly begun?
Bea Borges is an Indie Author living out her dreams of a small town life in The Ozark Mountains. She is married to her best friend and has two truly magical children. She enjoys trash tv, baking treats, and hosting friends. Most days you’ll find her reading a love story or possibly writing one, but if not, she’s probably hiking. She writes love stories about flawed people who are incredibly deserving of love. Follow her on Instagram to see new books she’s writing and also parts of her life she’s sharing.
"I'm going to get you whatever you want. I'm going to spoil the shit out of you. Whatever you're craving. Whatever you need. I'm there. I'm yours."
When I finished the first book and loved it, I knew I had to dive into the rest of the series! So, when I came across the application for the ARC of the second book, I signed up immediately. I’m glad I did because I adore this book even more than the first! The characters, the stunning setting, the whole found family vibe, plus the chemistry and the witty banter—everything is perfect!
In this story, Ivy heads to the Edgemont Ski Resort and Lodge to show her father she can take over the family business. The resort is meant to be her stepping stone, but things take a delightful turn when she meets Alder at a bar one night, and they share a special evening. The next day, they find out they’re coworkers, and as the days go by, they get closer and closer. Ivy tries to push her feelings aside, but Alder is not backing down and is determined to win her heart!
"I want to crack her open like one of my books and read all that's between her pages"
Ivy tugged at my heartstrings; she’s been through so much all her life. She’s such a smart, independent, and strong woman, and I can’t help but admire her! Sure, she can be rude and stubborn, but deep down, she wants to be loved for who she is. It was so relatable to see her struggle to open up and try to protect herself from getting hurt again. Watching her slowly let her guard down was so rewarding, and it was wonderful to see her not just find love with Alder but also connect with his family.
Alder leads the search and rescue team and owns the resort where Ivy stays. From the moment he meets her, you can feel how smitten he is! I loved how he cared for Ivy and protected her without being overbearing. He lets her shine as the capable, independent woman she is, always making sure she knows he’s there for her. This book is such a delight! I may not experience snow or winter where I live, but the author paints such vivid scenes that I can almost feel the chill and see the beautiful snowy landscapes. The themes of grief and loss are handled so thoughtfully, and you can sense the emotions the characters go through. It makes their happy ending feel even more special. I’m honestly so excited to read the next books in this series!
Thank you so much Bea Borges & Luna Literary Management for a copy of this amazing eARC.
"Maybe if I let someone care about me, believe that they do, I can let them carry the weight of my grief and pain. I won't have to bear it alone anymore."
I think I loved this one more than Worth the Risk which is really saying something! 🤣 It might be because we get some open door spice in this one that really freaking SIZZLED. 🔥
From their initial meeting to the 3rd act rescue, Ivy and Alder were drawn together. Alder is all sunshine and Ivy was definitely an icy snow storm, but somehow, they just work. They both have past traumas that changed them, but I loved how together, they filled the holes of their loss.
There was a dash of fake dating which I’m always down for! Ivy’s ex was someone I’d really love to see roll down a mountain. 😏👊🏼 I love a protective MMC and Alder was so sneaky with his payback! 👊🏼❤️🔥
Reverse Hallmark, Black Cat gf x golden retriever boyfriend, small town...this was SO good. I practically read it in one sitting (only disrupted by sleeping) and it was one of the first books in a while that really had me wanting to read it and not doomscroll instead.
Alder and Ivy's chemistry is there from page one and I loved all their banter and how Ivy just isn't the sweet damsel we've seen so much of in romance lately but she also isn't a complete bitch, you feel me? Felt a lot like someone else I know (it me).
There's still two Holloway siblings (and some supporting cast) to get through and I'm so excited for more of this series!
I received a free early copy in exchange for an honest review.
ahhhhhh! this was fantastic! alder was such a cinnamon roll and the holloways! the found family. ivy's past very much gave ada from swift and saddled. I was so gone for alder & ivy. the last 10% had me sobbing. This book was so gilmore girls coded to me. I can't wait for next one. definitely check TW for this one, though. thank you to luna literary management for the arc.
This was another super sweet story from Bea Borges.
Alder is a swoony, lovable search and rescue guy, snowboard instructor, and part owner of the ski lodge that Ivy’s dad (Alder’s business partner) sends her to in order to prove herself to become COO of her dad’s company.
Ivy and Alder have fun chemistry and entertaining banter, and Alder is just the sweetest to her, in true small town romance style.
What to expect: 🏂 Small town romance ❄️ Colorado setting 🏂 Golden retriever x black cat ❄️ MCs over 30 🏂 Hypoglycemia rep
i love that i found this series when i did, and i love this little universe just as much.
alder and ivy played the classic small town boy meets city girl tune so well and alder fell hard and fast.
ivy went through so much in her short life, meeting alder was exactly what she needed to break down some of those walls she had up. her reluctance to let alder in made for such a fun dynamic between the two and their entire story was addicting!!!
i had so much fun with this book and i am so excited to see where the rest of this series goes!! 🥹
thank you to bea and luna literary for an ARC of this book!!
I don’t even know what to say about Worth The Rush. After I finished the book, I set it down and just wanted to cry from the happiness and the sadness. There were so many layers to Ivy and every time I discovered something new, I wanted to hold her. I’m so happy she had Alder to hold her.
He had such a loud love for her that was hilarious but he also had this really soft love for her that was so sweet. The way that Ivy internally fought the love for Alder and then took the craziest leap of faith to finally love him was so good. I just feel like they were perfectly written for each other.
I can’t tell you enough. This is my favorite book that Bea has written SO FAR because I cannot wait for more.
•
Thank you to Bea and Luna Literary for sharing this eARC with me. 🫶🏼
4.5⭐️ I loved every minute of this. Alder is perfect. I love this town and everyone in it! If you’re a smalltown romance lover then read this immediately❤️
Book one I really enjoyed but there were some editing problems that took me out of the story a little bit. This one was much more refined and flowed so much better. Regardless, the characters in this series are so amazing. One of my favorite things about this community is finding indie authors and watching them grow. Bea is definitely one to watch, I have a feeling she’s gonna blow up!!!
Thank you soooo much @beaborges.author & @lunaliterary.management for a copy of this ARC 🫶🏼 I read this in two days and if it wasn't for work I'd have easily binged this in one sitting.
I don't really know where to start with this review because I just loved every second of it, Ivy & Alder were dream MCs and the setting got me well and truly set for winter and the festive season. We love a reverse grumpy/sunshine & forced proximity over here and this book ATE IT UP. Everything I want to gush over could be classed as a spoiler so I won't be saying anything but just know these two MCs are very special and I will be thinking about this book for a while 🫶🏼🌨️❄️
You'll probably find me back here in a day or two bumping this up to five stars because it's stuck with me so much!
RELEASE DATE: 3rd December.
☀️ Sunshine x Stormcloud 🏔️ Snowy Small Mountain Towns 🎄 Holiday Vibes 🏂 Snowboarding Lessons 💜 Mental Health/Invisible Illness Rep 🍻 Local Bar Meet Cutes 😍 Small Town Events 😏 Banter 💞 Found Family 🫠 Annoyed To Love You 🥵 Tension and Steam
☀️Sunshine x Stormcloud 🎄Holiday Vibes 💜Mental Health/Invisible Illness Rep 🤭Banter 💕Found Family 🥵Tension and Steam
✨Worth the Rush by Bea Borges is a charming and emotional romance that tugs at your heartstrings.🥰The story focuses on love, loss, patience, and the beauty of letting things unfold in their own time. This book is about California rich girl falling for a snowboarding instructor/resort owner.🏂
Ugh my man Alder!!🤭Alder is a charismatic and has unwavering patience! Just the way he shows he cares warms my heart. Ivy had amazing strength and resilience that just makes you want to root for her. I loved her sassiness! The Alder and Ivy have a sweet and chemistry🔥, and their growth as individuals and as a couple is beautifully portrayed.🥹I live the for the banter! It was hilarious and comical.🤣And I love the Holloway Family!🫶🏽 They are an amazing bunch of people. This book was a fun read! I definitely recommend to those who love a great contemporary romance!🙌🏽
Thank you to the Author Bea Bogen and the Luna Management for this opportunity for to this ARC!
I really enjoyed the first half of this book. The connection between Ivy and Alder felt genuine, especially with how they started off on rocky terms and gradually built something positive. Unfortunately, the second half didn’t quite live up to the promise of the first. The plot started to feel shaky and, at times, unrealistic. I also found Ivy’s frequent mentions of her ex-husband frustrating because it pulled me out of the story and made it harder to stay invested in her relationship with Alder.
────୨ৎ──── Thank you to Bea Borges and Luna Literary for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
It was SO good being back in this world with all of these characters. I could not wait for Adler’s story since book 1. Ivy was his most perfect match. These two just brought out the very best within each other, while simultaneously helping each other heal. The understanding and love between them was SO special. The was such a great read and I can’t wait to finish the series
I'm not sure how to put into words how much I loved this book! This series is amazing, it had everything you would want in a small mountain town romance, spice, all the emotion, and the little touches Bea sprinkles in!
ARC Review of Worth The Rush by Bea Borges❄️🍬🎿⛄️🩵🌨️🍊🏂🏔️
Worth the Rush by Bea Borges is everything you want in a contemporary romance—heartfelt, funny, and full of emotional depth. The story follows Ivy, a spirited California girl with plenty of sass, and Alder, a snowboarding instructor and resort owner with a heart of gold. From their first meeting, the chemistry between them is undeniable, but what makes their story so special is how it unfolds, showing patience, growth, and the beauty of letting love take its time.
And the Holloway family? They’re the cherry on top of this story. Warm, chaotic, and full of love, they add so much heart to the book. You’ll wish you could step right into their world and never leave.
This isn’t just a romance; it’s a reminder that love is worth the wait and that the best relationships are built on growth, laughter, and mutual respect. Worth the Rush is a must-read. I’m already counting down the days until we get more stories from the Holloway family!
TROPES ✨Sunshine x Stormcloud ✨Snowy Small Mountain Towns ✨Holiday Vibes ✨Snowboarding Lessons ✨Mental Health/Invisible Illness Rep ✨Found Family ✨Annoyed To Love
🩵My Favorite Quotes🩵
“The reason I called you princess, is because from the moment you stepped into AJ’s and sat down next to me, you could have ordered me to do anything, Ivy. I was yours to command. Sit. Stand. Lie Down. I would have done it. In a heartbeat.”
“I would like to be on the tree someday,” I say, barely able to get it out because I've started breathing so hard, and his answering smile makes him look like light, personified. “If you want to be on the tree, then you’ll be on the tree, baby,” he says with a voice that sounds like something contained, but that’s about to be let loose. “I’ll get seven trees, and they’ll all be filled with pictures of you,”
‼️Book coming out December 3rd on Amazon, and I'm already so excited for everyone to read it and love it as much as I did‼️
"I've never wanted someone's laugh so badly. Craved it. His laugh knocks something loose in me. It sounds like home. It sounds like mine."
✨ Small Town Romance ✨ One Night Stand ✨ New in Town ✨ Workplace Romance ✨ Black Cat x Golden Retriever ✨ Healing ✨ Cute Nicknames: Storm Cloud / Lover Boy ⚠ Grief over death of friend and miscarriage (both off-page) ⚠ Parental Abandonment ⚠ Cheating (not of the MCs)
This sophomore book was so dang cute!! This is an emotionally charged and swoony workplace romance set in the small ski town of Silverthorne, Colorado. Ivy Rutherford gets sent to The Edgemont Ski Resort and Lodge, her father's new business venture, to work and prove herself capable of running the family business. Her first night in town she meets the charming and charismatic Alder Holloway and they spend an unforgettable night together. The next day, they both realize they will be working together at the resort. Alder is instantly taken with Ivy and her sharp tongue and tries to win her over while Ivy is trying to keep him at arms length and protect herself. When Ivy has to turn to Alder for a favor, feelings get muddled and she'll have to decide if this life is "Worth the Rush."
I was so excited to return to Silverthorne for this next installment! Alder is the perfect golden retriever character with a penchant for adrenaline and the desire to help others in their time of need. He is so swoony and magnetic but the absolute opposite of the broken yet lovable black cat Ivy. Ivy is fierce and determined to show her worth after a few rough few years in her personal life. Alder and Ivy's chemistry was off the charts and I absolutely loved the fiery banter between the two!
This book also dealt with some hard topics dealing with grief over the death of a friend, a miscarriage, cheating spouse, gaslighting, and parental abandonment. I thought Bea approached them all carefully and beautifully.
Thank you so much to Bea and Luna Literary for the advanced copy! I absolutely can't wait to see who the next book is about! 🖤
"Maybe if I let someone care about me, believe that they do, I can let them carry the weight of my grief and pain. I won't have to bear it alone anymore."
Ivy Rutherford, reeling from a failed marriage and a string of poor decisions, is sent to manage a ski resort to save her career. There, she meets Alder Holloway, a charming rescue pilot, and despite her intentions to keep things short-term, their growing attraction leads to deeper feelings. As secrets surface, they must decide if their bond can survive the storms of their pasts.
This is the second book in the Silverthorne Falls series, and it was actually my first book by Bea Borge. I haven’t read the first one yet, but I definitely plan to now after finishing Worth the Rush. I absolutely loved it! The characters, their relationships, and the setting were all so great.
There was never a dull moment. I’m so happy to be back in my reading groove! Now that the school’s over, I plan to read more and more books.
There was a little bit touch of fake dating. It was so cute and totally had me giddy! I couldn’t get enough of how sweet Alder was with Ivy. Alderrrrr wa soo sofftt to her🥹 The Holloway family was so warm I wanna be one of them😂
Worth the Risk is on my TBR list now. So excited to read it!
Thank you Bea Borges and Luna Literary Management for giving me an opportunity to read this great book! I loved it!
It was a such a pleasure to be back in the world of Silverthorne and the Halloway family-like I never left after finishing the first book in the series. Alder and Ivy are indeed “flawed characters that are still so deserving of love” and their vibrant, relatable character personalities oozing with banter and chemistry from the get-go was just… chef’s kiss. Told in first person, dual PoV, their small town, opposite attract romance had a dynamic and eventful plot and a beautiful setting, lots of enduring noicknames, a couple tasteful spicy scenes and just a tiny bit of winter magic too. You guys…The ending! I don’t want to give any spoilers but know that there are twists that made me gasp out loud and sigh with contentment all within a few chapters. This was a highly anticipated release for me and it exceeded my expectations! Thanks to the author and Luna Literary Management for the advanced copy. 4.5 stars
I think devoured is not enough of a word at this point. I loved worth the risk but WORTH THE RUSH?! 10/10. Bea’s writing is so beautiful and well done and I was obsessed. Alder and Ivy were honestly such a vibe. I loved her mean girl vibes but I also loved that Alder matched her so well. He let her talk her shit and then was like hmmm let me knock your socks off. And I was here for every second of it. I’m gonna be honest, I’m not usually a blonde MMC girlie. But I’m willing to make an exception for mister lover boy himself. Also, I loved all the nicknames. It was so cute!! So I think it’s safe to say that this was a five star read for me, and you should definitely check it out! I want to thank Bea and her team for the opportunity to read this arc and I’m definitely gonna need a paperback trophy for my shelves. 😉
I was so happy to be back in Silverthorne for book 2! I loved Alder in Worth the Risk even though he was only mentioned a few times, so when I found out Worth the Rush was his book I was ecstatic! I knew this was going to be good, but I am truly blown away by how much I loved this story!
Alder and Ivy are ✨EVERYTHING✨! I couldn’t get enough! Their banter, the sass, the flirting, THE TENSION🥵! I was obsessed. They both had some serious trauma to work through, but the growth we see from the two of them throughout the book truly made this such an incredible read. The way Bea writes about loss and the grief that comes from it was so real and beautifully done. I cried so much while reading this because it was so raw. Ivy quickly became the standout for me even though I loved Alder too. But her growth, learning to realize her worth and learning to accept the love that was being offered to her?? I was bawling!
And Alder?! THIS MAN😭😭! He was so down bad for this woman and I loved every second of it! The way he cared for her and the way he showed it while also recognizing that he needed to go about it a certain way so he wouldn’t send her running had my heart MELTING! Watching their relationship develop was so freaking satisfying. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time they were dancing around their feelings for one another.
Just read it. That’s all I can say😂. It’s the perfect winter read to add to your tbr. I just know you’ll fall in love with them as much as I did! I also loved that we got to see characters from the first book throughout the story too!
Worth the Rush is book 2 of Silverthorne is for Lovers but can be read as a standalone. Although after reading this you’ll be running to book 1 to get more from Bea Borges. This is a great romance read for the winter season with a bit of spice sprinkled in. The chemistry between the main characters was definitely THERE, and you’ll absolutely adore Alder. I found myself relating to Ivy several times which made this book even more enjoyable for me. This book features so many great tropes including my favs like found family, sunshine x stormy, small town, and of course the holiday vibes! This is my first Bea Borges read and it will not be the last! Thank you Bea Borges & Luna Literary for an ARC of this lovely book!
oh how i absolutely devoured this book! i want alder holloway underneath my christmas tree for my christmas present 😂
this book will definitely put you in the holiday spirit if you arent already. i am not a big fan of winter even though i absolutely love Christmas, but ivy and calder made me so excited for winter and snowy days.
thank you luna literary management and bea borges for this incredible e-arc!
She was the dominate, grumpy black cat lol. I loved her so much, she spoke her mind and didn’t care what was said.
Alder was the little golden retriever. He fell for her hard and fast. And don’t get him started on her ski-suit 😂😂
I love how the author had me sobbing at the dedication page, Bea said “no remorse, full throttle” because i was at a standstill wondering if i could even continue the book is that one quote made me cry and feel like i was seen.
Thank you for letting me know I didn’t need to be healed completely, in order to be loved properly, when no one else ever has told me that 🖤
If you give this book a chance, I hope you enjoy Aldie and Ivy as much as I did 🥹🥹
Worth the Rush by Bea Borges 5⭐️ wow, this book was so unexpected! This was a slow burn, but the tension and banter between Ivy and Alder was excellent 👏🏼 Alder was king of simps (though perhaps that’s a Holloway family thing 👀). Lover boy was such a good nickname for him. I loved reading about Ivy’s journey to figuring out what she wants out of life after so many years of being told what to do. The ending of this book!!!! Omg it was stressing me out 😂 but of course we get a beautiful HEA and a very sweet epilogue 🥹 also Alder and his journal 😭😭😭 I love the mental heath rep in these books too 🩷 also the twilight references!! 😂 Worth the Rush is out on 12/3!! Thank you so so much to Bea and Luna Literary for the chance to ARC!
Great wintery romance!! Both main characters (Ivy and Alder) came together while dealing with their own losses and learned to have peace with each other. The banter was good. Sometimes I felt Ivy was a lil annoying but she did redeem herself by the end. Adored Alder’s family!
I did not read the first (Worth the Risk), but I will be going back and reading it!
this book was beautiful in every way. the end literally had me weeping… maybe i’m an emotional wreck or maybe i just love Ivy and Alder SO MUCH (probably both).
phewww 😮💨 what a steamy ride that one was! alder and ivy are opposites attract done SOOOO RIGHT! 😏 small mountain town during the holidays?? COUNT ME ALL THE WAY IN OKAY??
in worth the rush, the second book in the silverthorne is for lovers series, the story follows alder (Rhett’s brother) and ivy (visiting from the city) in a will they, won’t they push and pull romance. 😩
🏔️grief and loss rep, healing, found family, invisible illness rep
🏔️mmc is a search and rescue pilot (p.s. he wears cropped tees)
ARC 15- WORTH THE RUSH Author- Bea Borges Book 2 in Silverthorne series Genre- small town, age gap, reverse grumpyXsunshine, fake dating, bonding over trauma, Christmas setting, “It’s temporary” Rating- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Trigger warning- Trauma and death
Blurb: Ivy Rutherford catches flights not feelings— her most recent destination being the top of a mountain in Silverthorne, CO.
After a devastating loss and a failed marriage at twenty-seven, Ivy has spent the last year making less than ideal decisions. If less than ideal is code for bad. When her latest stunt causes a sizable scene, her father issues her an prove she can run his new business venture, The Edgemont Ski Resort and Lodge or lose her coveted seat on the board at Rutherford Industries. It should have been a simple task, but when a chance encounter with a charming stranger takes her by surprise, it sets her on a slippery slope that she never saw coming.
Alder Holloway leads rescue missions for a living—his newest mission however, wants nothing to do with him.
Magnetic and charismatic, Alder has never shied away from the spotlight. Recovering from a traumatic loss, Alder has spent the last decade of his life running the resort his cabin is built on, as well as becoming an experienced and skilled Alpine Search and Rescue Pilot. At thirty-six, he’s content to live his life with a high risk career, low risk personal life—until fate intervenes in the way of a snowstorm. Enter Ivy Rutherford, the new and unexpected manager strutting around his resort. Ivy is as irritatingly beautiful as she is brilliant. She’s also determined to keep Alder at arms length, unaware that despite her attempt to keep things between them temporary, she’s already become a non negotiable in his life.
When Ivy turns to Alder for a favour— he’s powerless to refuse. What they agreed would be a short term situation quickly becomes something neither of them are willing to part with.
As their initial attraction grows into deep rooted feelings, hidden truths are revealed, raising the question whether their connection is strong enough to survive the storms life has already thrown at them. Or will deception cause them to be buried in an avalanche of doubt before they’ve even truly begun?
Plot: Ivy never asked for daddy issues. She never asked for heartbreak, misery, loss and tragedy in life. She got them anyway. She had never asked for many things she still got, her girlhood dreams getting crushed during her girlhood days. She described her life as “poor spoilt rich little girl with issues.” Since day one, she always had to prove herself to her father, hence in search of approval, acceptance and appreciation.
Her position at Rutherford Industries was hers. However, she still had to prove herself to her father. So, she was sent to Silverthorne. Her father had become a business partner at the Edgemont Ski Resort and he wanted Ivy to work there for 3 months to prove herself after her…..recent stunt which caused her father to question her. Hence, at the start, we find her ranting about her banishment to the Edgemont. Irony, it becomes far from banishment, rather it’s her call back to life.
In sweeps Alder Holloway, Search and Rescue member and owner of the Edgemont Resort. They meet on her first night as strangers who spend a scorching night together. It’s just a night, never to see each other again. Things take a change the next morning.
Alder knew his new business partner was sending someone to the resort as a manager. What he didn’t know was that the hot, feisty green eyed redhead from last night was his new partner’s representative and daughter. He decided to keep his identity a secret, so that she remained comfortable at work.
He was curious about her. She was curious about him. He wanted to know her. She wanted to know him. He wanted to spend time with her. She wanted to spend time with him. He pursued her. She however restrained herself because she was there just for 3 months. So, Cupid shot his arrows. Her ex came to the resort along with his fiancee to spend the New Year. He also went on meeting, disturbing and pursuing her. So, she asked Alder be her fake boyfriend.
Alder was all down to make the arrangement between them real. He just had to break down her walls, remove her blindfold on life and make her realise what all she was missing, she also deserved it. The only hitch, apart from her walls was the timeline of three months. Things were moving in a rush, but was everything they went through Worth The Rush?
Opinion: -Describe the book in one word- WHOLESOME. There are books that leave you satisfied and then comes in this book- the feeling of satisfaction is so deep and relaxing, like a massage. This book is pure small town romance. All the tropes have been nailed. Narration- spot on. -The reader may find the book, their relation moving at a slow pace. But, for the characters, it is SUPER FAST, highly fast paced book. Hence, RUSH. -The banter between the MMC and FMC is top-notch. So is the tension (me smirking here). The mental health rep is outstanding and highly vital. Both of them had severe trauma issues. Alder had support, Ivy didn’t. Support, TRUE support is vital, like oxygen and water. Without it, one is living dead. The entire book setting is lovely. All the side characters are adorable, especially the way Hazel has everyone tight in her fist. I’m super glad and giddy that Ivy got the life and happy ending she deserved. She had been through A Lot. She deserved every bit of happiness she found at Silverthorne. She’s one strong FMC. Describe Alder in a word- SWOON. He actually is amazing. Self describing. Words are required to describe him. Just read the book and analyse his character.
Overall, this book is recommended, especially for fans of small town romance and fake dating.
Trope and CW list at the bottom. My tagged shelves may be spoilers
This was like a hot chocolate spiked with a little eggnog and the feeling of being wrapped in a soft, handmade quilt while sitting near the fire as snowflakes slowly fall outside the windows. That’s honestly the best way I can describe this hallmark-esque romance. 🩷
Ivy is the quintessential black-cat main female character but her rough exterior and quick-witted comebacks are clearly a wall, constructed to help protect her already damaged heart and mind. She grew up in a world surrounded by riches but sorely lacking any love. Recently divorced and forced to a snowy, small, mountain town in Colorado to help manage a ski resort partly owned by her father, she’s left wondering how to put the pieces of her life back together.
Insert silent-business partner of said ski resort, Alder Holloway. Our golden hair boy is a certified cinnamon roll, sunshine on a snowboard, Alpine Search and Rescue pilot, and sexy as sin with a smile that will melt your heart (and make you wet…). Alder is down bad for fiery Ivy the second he lays eyes on her. And he only continues to fall harder with every smart-mouth whip she gives him.
The chemistry and opposites attract dynamic between Ivy & Alder was so perfect. While this is a low spice book, I was swooning page after page! Alder is the ultimate book boyfriend and I would happily strand myself on mountain if it meant he’d flash his dimples and wrap his strong arms around me as he rescued me!
Ivy comes off pretty jaded BUT I related to her pain and honestly I really just wanted to give her a hug. Girlie runs from any and all feelings & love shown to her (understandably so) and watching her slowly let her walls down and be cared for was heartwarming.
For me, this romance book was like if Hallmark was allowed to have a couple R-rated scenes. The two open door spicy chapter come (hehe pun not intended) in the second half of the book and definitely were well written. I love how Alder loved that Ivy asserted her dominance and confidence in (and outside) the bedroom! But oh man that chapter of Alder showing her that she’d enjoy being his “good girl” for a moment too? Holy hell HOT!!!! Man I am so down bad for him lmao.
Anyways, I think this was a great sophomore release by the author! I love the world she’s building in this small, mountain town of Silverthorne and am excited to get more of the Holloway family and friends in future books.
My fav things for this book were: a rough on the exterior fmc, and mmc who loves his black cat girl in all her bratty glory, mmc down so bad, the rescue at the end, and the oh so fucking sweet HEA.
Thank you to the author and Luna Literary PR for the opportunity to read this early via e-ARC. Review is completely my own honest opinion!
Tropes & CW •black cat fmc •cinnamon roll mmc •opposites attract •small mountain town •swoon and steam •bratty and smart mouth fmc •rescue pilot mmc •forced proximity-ish •workplace romance •douchebag ex-husband •no ow/om relations once mc’s meet •slow burn (open door scenes after 60%) •past trauma •overcoming grief/loss (events prior to story) •mentions of past miscarriage