She loves his books. She tolerates him. And he can never find out her biggest secret.
Piper Monroe and Dorian McConkie never saw eye to eye in college—she thought he was cold and insufferable, he was just painfully shy, and she was just painfully convinced he hated her. Years later, Piper owns a thriving bookstore, and Dorian walks back into her life for a book signing—only for her to discover he’s the secret identity behind her all-time favorite author.
When the instructor drops out for a sold out writing class in Piper’s bookstore, Dorian agrees to step in for one month. But between old grudges, new tensions, and entirely too much banter, Piper realizes something she might actually like him.
But Piper has a secret—a secret Dorian can never, ever know. She’s not just a bookseller. She’s a ghostwriter. And not just for anyone—for the one author he despises more than anything.
If Dorian ever finds out, it won’t just ruin their tentative truce—it might just ruin everything.
A swoony, slow-burn romantic comedy packed with sharp banter, undeniable chemistry, and a love story that was never supposed to happen.
There’s nothing I love more than a sweet second chance romcom and this one set between two secret rival authors absolutely won me over from the very first page.
Dorian, an author and the brother of Paisley from OFF THE RECORD, and Piper, a bookstore owner, had a conflicted relationship in college, but when he does a signing at her shop and agrees to fill in for a writing course, they are forced together and the sparks start to fly around the shelves.
The hidden identity in this type of setting hit my bookloving sweet spot and I couldn’t fly through these pages fast enough. I adored the nerdiness, the revelations, the chemistry, and the amusing banter. Kasey Stockton really brought these two to life in such a charming and natural way, not only giving Dorian and Piper a second chance, but allowing for their slight rivalry to settle. I don’t read a ton of thrillers, but I loved that thrillers were the genre of choice, and I was fascinated by not only their relationship, but with their writing. I wish I could read their books. 😆
Written in a way that is easy to devour, this short and sweet story will satisfy any romcom loving hearts.
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
"Piper throws her head back and laughs, and I want to inject the sound directly into my veins."
Between the Shelves by Kasey Stockton
Between the Shelves is the perfect short swoony read for cuddling up on an afternoon or evening to read. It follows Dorian, the brother to Paisley (from "Off the Record") and Piper, two friends from college who had a falling out and are now reconnecting after many years.
I loved the hidden identity, nerdy MMC, author/bookish vibes, bookstore setting, and so much more.
Dorian and Piper are so cute together, but they need to realize that they both have feelings for each other then and still.
I definitely adored every part of this sweet novella and think anyone who is a fan of romcoms would enjoy it too, especially if they love a bookstore setting like I do.
Favorite Parts: Book signing He helps her Enemies to lovers vibes (one-sided) Hidden identity Author/Nerdy MMC Second chance Teaching class "Show, Don't Tell." The ending
Content Guide: Language: Clean-words similar to "heck" Sexual Content: Kisses only Violence/gore: none Substance Use: Mild-Characters visit a bar and have drinks, but it isn't said what they actually drink Prejudices: none Religious Content: none Other: none
Book Info: Series: Nashville Romantics book 2 Genre: Contemporary Romcom; Novella Romance Level: Kisses only Release Date: Available Now Publisher: Indie POV: Dual First Person
Thank you to the author for the review copy. All thoughts are my own.
Stop the Press!!! Piper and Dorian completely stole my heart in this book!!! Two authors with secret pen names! College frienemies to more! Close proximity! He falls first! Or maybe she fell first! Or they fall together! Hahaha! I loved it!!!
Dorian McConkie has it all planned out! He's going to surprise Piper at her bookstore with the big reveal of who this amazing bestselling author's identity is! And surprise it's him! He's going to fix whatever happened when they were in college and show her he's head over in heels for her! And man oh man is she ever surprised! Hee Hee!!! Seriously I was giggling and grinning so hard over these two! And I was completely invested in them figuring everything out. Especially when Piper reveals her secret as well. There are some hiccups and ups and downs. And I loved how they had to stop and think about what they really wanted and if what they wanted was worth the effort to make it work. *Happy Sigh* Yes! Piper and Dorian, it is TOTALLY WORTH IT!!!
The chemistry and sweet love story is off the charts!!! I'm a huge fan of Kasey Stockton's books and have read almost all of them, but this one is definitely up there as one of my favorite of her books!!! All the heart eyes and stars for this one!!! I highly recommend it! I mean, you can't go wrong with a second chance story about two authors! Am I right??!!! *Nods Head and Grins*
Content: Clean. Some sweet kisses but nothing further.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
“I look like a spinster low on sleep and high on cats, and Dorian looks like he just stepped out of a university faculty meeting where the common denominator is hot professors. He’s literally wearing a sweater with elbow patches. I mean, who does that?”
Between the Shelves is the adorable novella length story of Piper & Dorian. After crushing hardcore on Dorian in college, where they had mutual friends and classes together, yet he seemed to avoid her. Piper is shocked when he shows up in her book store as the local author D.M. James. The sparks between them again ignite pretty quickly, but Piper has her own secret she’s keeping.
I loved Piper and Dorian and their history together and how seeing each other again rekindled the spark between them. They had so much in common that it was easy to see why they had so much chemistry, despite the misunderstandings from their college days.
Such a cute, quick read!!
Favorite quotes:
“Dorian came into the shop, and now I can’t think about anything else. Oh, and also, have you seen his forearms? Why do I think they’re hot? What do I do if he shows up at class tomorrow in short sleeves? I’m like a Victorian man getting my first glimpse of an ankle. Except it’s the twenty-first century, and I look at men’s arms every day.”
“I find Piper sitting in a chair in the back beside Natalie, listening and nodding as her employee whispers in her ear. I’ll need to stop looking at her if I want to remain focused. This is the University of Tennessee all over again, and I’m in danger of thinking about nothing but Piper if I let myself.”
“Piper laughs again, and I want to catch the sound in a jar like my siblings and I used to do with lightning bugs.”
𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕍𝕚𝕓𝕖: A light, bookish rivals-to-lovers romance set in the literary world, where past misunderstandings, secret identities, and shared passions for storytelling slowly turn tension into something softer.
𝕄𝕪 𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤: I was immediately intrigued by the premise and curious how their “rivalry” would unfold and eventually resolve.
The pacing felt steady for me, and I think the length was just right for the kind of story it wanted to tell. What really stood out was Piper’s world. Owning a bookshop is such a dream, and I loved how hands-on she was with her store and how much she genuinely cared for her employees. That sense of community added a lot of warmth to the story. Her relationship with her parents was also a highlight. They were supportive and present, and the scenes with her mom, especially around the book club, were such a humorous touch.
Dorian was interesting in a quieter way. It was nice to see a more reserved male lead who is misunderstood at first. His growth, especially in learning to be more honest and open, was something I appreciated. His shift did feel a bit quick at the start, but as the story progressed, it became easier to understand where he was coming from.
This is not a high-drama or high-tension story, and I think that is important to know going in. For me, it worked because I was looking for something light after a heavier read. I actually appreciated that the conflict was not dragged out and that it was resolved in a healthier, more mature way.
The only reason it is not a five-star read for me is that while it was sweet and enjoyable, the emotional depth did not hit as strongly as I personally prefer. Still, for what it is, a cozy, feel-good romance, it delivers well.
I would definitely be interested in reading more, especially with how charming the side characters and setting were.
𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕕 𝔽𝕠𝕣: The cozy bookshop setting, the supportive relationships, and the gentle, low-drama romance.
ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕥: 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲: Kisses only 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲: None
ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕕/𝕃𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕟 𝕚𝕗 𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕃𝕚𝕜𝕖: If you enjoy light, bookish romances with cozy settings, rivals-to-lovers dynamics, and low angst with healthy conflict resolution, this is a great palate cleanser, especially if you love stories centered around bookstores and writing.
There are some books that immediately draw you into the story and this is one of them. The story just grabbed me and once I started reading I did not want to put the book down. The story begins in a bookstore which I just loved. When the owner Piper Monroe was given the opportunity to have her number one favorite author come for a book signing, she had no idea that she knew him. Dorian McConkie was hiding behind a pen name and when they were in college, he went out of his way to avoid her. Piper had a crush on him but he made her feel hated and she could never figure out why.
As soon as she saw him in her store, she became flustered but since it was her event she needed to pull herself together. Her employee who helps with marketing wants her to ask him to step in to teach a four week beginner writers class since their guest speaker had a medical emergency. When he overhears their discussion, he agrees to step in to teach so now Piper will have to spend some time with him for the next four weeks.
Dorian had a hard time in his first years of college and was easily distracted. When he met Pipe, he was so taken with her that he knew he needed to avoid her to be able to keep his attention on his classes. He was also very shy. He always regretted not asking her out so when he met one of their mutual college friends and he found out Piper now owned a book store, he made plans to set up a book-signing in her store. He is not going to let this chance slip him by so he needs her to get to know the real man not the one who avoided her.
As Piper and Dorian untangle their misunderstandings, she is still hiding a big secret from him that might drive them apart. Her bookstore is actually remaining financially stable because she has a second job as an author. She also has a pen name and she is his number-one rival on the charts.
This is such a fun story with lots of banter and great characters.
I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest unbiased review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
‘He needs to leave before I do something reckless, like tug him down by the collar and put my lips on his. I’m sorry, but did you hear his laugh? Music. The man is intelligent, his forearms are sculpted from some sort of regular exercise beneath that professor’s sweater, and he writes like a king. His storytelling chops are a divinely appointed gift. It’s a very dangerous combination for a nerd like me.’
Can I claim to be Kasey Stockton’s biggest fan? Because I really feel like I could be😍
Her books are always, without a doubt, a homerun for me—and I will binge read them EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. This one is no different…
Yay for us readers!!
Between the Shelves has everything I love: secret/hidden identity vibes, second chance tension, the most divine bookshop setting, and a romance that is equal parts swoony and fun.
Piper owns a bookstore and discovers that the man she couldn’t stand in college is actually the author she loves…and to make things even better (or worse), she’s secretly writing under the name of his biggest rival.
The tension, you ask? SO GOOD!
Also, I would just like to formally thank Kasey for highlighting forearms in this book because they truly do not get the recognition they deserve😂
I went into this one completely blind, and that first chapter immediately pulled me in. The banter, the tension, the “we’re definitely not catching feelings” energy…it’s all there. And as readers, we know exactly what we’re hoping for—and yes, it delivers.
Just trust me on this one: Grab it. Read it. Love it. Then go read everything else she’s written.
You can thank me later😊
Paperbacks are shipping now, and the ebook releases March 25th—so preorder, grab a copy, and get ready for such a fun read!
Happy reading📚
Content/Trigger: illness of a loved one, ADHD representation, romance-kisses only.
A story of miscommunication and mixed up signals in college and a second chance to make things right as adults.
Dorian has had a crush on Piper since college. But in college, whenever he got near her, his mind had trouble focusing on anything but her, so he avoided her in order to pay attention in class. He later found out that he has ADHD and now knows why he had the troubles he did.
Piper thinks Dorian hated her in college. She’d sit next to him and he’d go sit somewhere else, etc. They shared a friend group in their major and so she made the best of it, but she was upset by his behavior and she always wondered what she had done to make him hate her.
Dorian is now a successful author and Paige owns a bookstore. He has a pen name and only his family knows his real identity. He decides to try to get back into Paige’s sphere by coming to her bookstore to sign books.
Paige is shocked to learn that her favorite author is none other than her nemesis from college. He treats everyone so considerately, including her. She can’t solve this mystery of the change in his personality.
What a fun, sweet book! There’s lots of family support and interaction for both protagonists. And an interesting, much needed arc for Paige, who needs to learn to ask for and accept help. Dorian’s arc has already taken place as he has learned how to deal with his ADHD and its effects in his daily life.
This sweet love story is a joy to read and leaves you with that happily ever after glow!
BETWEEN THE Shelves (The Nashville Romantics #2) by: Kasey Stockton @authorkaseystockton
••I give 5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~She loves his books. She tolerates him. And he can never find out her biggest secret...
BETWEEN THE Shelves, is a delightful, swoony , slow-burn romantic comedy packed with sharp banter, undeniable chemistry, and a love story that was never supposed to happen. My goodness, while this may be a novella, it does not feel like it, whatsoever! Despite past misunderstandings, there is such sparks of chemistry bouncing off the pages between the two main characters! I thoroughly enjoyed the layers of depth weaved within each page that blended humor and heart so effortlessly. I loved watching characters be able to clear up misunderstandings, choose to bravely be vulnerable, and speak from the heart. Seeing them willingly choose to stay in the struggle with writing, relationships, and with matters of the heart was refreshing. It was just the right read to make my heart sigh with content, and be grateful for a delightful story! Seeing characters rewrite and write new chapters ahead for a happily ever after, was satisfying. This cute story is worth the read!🙌🏻📚🩷
•Content: past misunderstandings, no language, no violence, kisses only!
-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
This was such a sweet and comforting read. It gave me all the cozy bookstore vibes with just the right amount of slow-burn romance. Piper was really easy to root for. I loved her passion for books and the quiet way she carried such a big secret. Dorian, on the other hand, completely surprised me. What starts as this idea of him being cold slowly softens, and seeing his true personality come through was one of my favorite parts of the story. Their dynamic is so good. There’s history, misunderstandings, and just enough tension to keep things interesting, but it never feels too heavy. The banter is fun and natural, and you can feel the shift from irritation to something much softer over time. I especially loved how the story handled the secret. It adds a layer of quiet tension without overwhelming the romance, and it makes the emotional moments hit a little deeper when everything starts to come to light. The pacing is gentle and steady, which worked perfectly for the tone. It really lets you settle into the world and the relationship as it grows. Overall, this is a warm, slow-burn romance with lovable characters, cozy vibes, and a story that feels both soft and satisfying. Perfect if you’re in the mood for something sweet and a little emotional. I received a complimentary copy from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review.
This was such a fun read! Once I started it, I knew it was a book I would finish in one sitting. Since it is a shorter story, I will not give too much away. If you like rivals to more, mutual pining, and secret identities, this one is perfect for you. Plus, all the book talk makes it especially fun for book lovers!
Piper is trying to bring more business into her store, so she invites a famous author to host a signing. But when she finally meets the man behind the pen name of one of her favorite authors, she is surprised to discover it is Dorian. Piper and Dorian have a past. In college, he constantly ignored her and did not want to be around her. Now he is here in her store. Was it all just a coincidence, or is this Dorian's way of making amends and finally explaining why he acted the way he did all those years ago?
Watching these two reconnect after all that time was really entertaining. I enjoyed seeing the tension at first, but also how they clearly respected each other despite being at odds initially. I am super curious to see what comes next after this book. Does Luke have a story?
I gave this 4.5 stars rounded to a 5 star read.
I received a complimentary copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.
This was short and sweet! Between the Shelves is the second book in Kasey Stockton’s The Nashville Romantics. It is more novella length so it is the perfect quick read. I really enjoy Kasey Stockotn’s books and I was excited to read this one. This was definitely a second chance, enemies to lovers type book. Piper and Dorian went to college together but they have vastly different memories of it. Piper felt like Dorian hated her while Dorian was just trying to find his place. It was interesting to get to know both of the characters and see how they tick. They both had to grow throughout the book and learn to let each other in. It was sweet to read about them falling in love and learning to trust each other. They both loved books and wanted to make a relationship work. They had some obstacles and secrets to overcome but it was the perfect progression. The story was interesting and I wanted to see how it would end. I liked the side characters and I am excited to see who will get their story next. Between the Shelves is a clean contemporary romance with kisses.
Book Highlights: Second chance romance Enemies to lovers They went to college together Bookstores owner Writes All about books Family and friends
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and Dorian and Piper's story. They had both been part of the same friend group during college but Dorian was rude and cold towards Piper at that time. She did everything she could to avoid him. After graduation, she was happy to put Dorian in her rearview mirror and never look back. Years later, Piper owned a bookstore and when her favorite author was scheduled for a book signing at her bookstore, she was elated and thought about how wonderful it would be to have someone famous in her store and how it could help bring in more business.
But, when the author stepped forward after introductions, it was none other than Dorian, her arch nemesis from college, using his initials as a "pen name". She also had a secret that she didn't want Dorian finding out.
I won't give away more of the story but suffice it to say, they found some common ground and formed a friendship. It was a really sweet story about misunderstandings and honestly sharing about the things that are most important. I am looking forward to reading more books from this series. I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a wonderful, clean, romantic story with a happy ending.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
Piper and Dorian's second-chance romance gives you all the feels. Piper's had a crush since college on Dorian, but he never gave her the time of day, so imagine her surprise when he shows up at the bookstore she owns to do a book signing, and it turns out he is her favorite author under a pen name!
This story is bite-sized and sweet and stars an incredibly shy MMC who let the girl get away and a dedicated bookstore owner FMC who never got over her old flame. You feel the sparks between the two from the very first scene, and each subsequent scene just hums with their attraction.
I love Dorian's vulnerability in sharing his struggle with ADHD and how that's impacted him. I appreciate that both these characters approached each other with understanding as they got reacquainted. I absolutely enjoyed getting to know Dorian's large family, and I see that Book One of the series actually features Dorian's sister, so if you like following up on characters from previous books, this series is for you!
Read this story for: ❤️Second chance at love ❤️Main leads who are authors! ❤️Cozy bookstore romance ❤️Slow-burn romance ❤️Shy MMC ❤️Secret identities
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a story of two people who have secretly liked each other so much for so long that they don’t dare embarrass themselves by even hinting at it. He’s an author and she owns a bookshop. I love it!
Piper and Dorian had the same friends in college. She had a crush on him, and he avoided her like the plague. So when Dorian turns out to be the man behind the pen name of her favorite author at a book signing at her bookshop, she is mortified. She hates him, and he actually has always been crazy about her. Old grudges banter with new tensions when he finds a way to spend more time in the bookshop. I love that it doesn’t take too long for Piper to let go of her hate.
I am picky about reading novellas and I wholeheartedly recommend Between the Shelves by Kasey Stockton. It is tightly written with so much story it feels like a full-sized novel, and you feel like a super reader by finishing it in one day. The relationship is deliciously sharp, sweet, and slow. The plot has realistic depth served with a big helping of swoon. Readers of book one in the Nashville Romantics series will love seeing Dorian’s sister Paisley and brother Luke in this installment. All the side characters are a ton of fun. Don’t miss this sweet and swoony story!
Secret identities + college rivals + a romance between two writers!? What could be better than that? There is something about a bookish book that will win me over every time, so a book about two authors, one of whom also owns a bookstore? Yes, I knew this one would be right up my alley... and it did not disappoint. Piper and Dorian had a bit of a rivalry in college, but when she discovers that he is actually her favorite writer and he agrees to help teach a writing class at her bookstore, we discover that there was a lot more to that rivalry than meets the eye. They had such a fun dynamic between them, and I couldn't help but love them together. As someone who loves to write myself, I loved that both were (secretly) authors and all the writing talk within these pages was really fun to see. Their story was witty and fun and kept me smiling from start to finish. Definitely one worth reading!
Between the Shelves is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language. It is the second book in The Nashville Romantics series but can absolutely be enjoyed as a standalone as well.
If you read book one in the series, you will remember Paisley McConkey. In this book we get the story of her brother Dorian. He is a best selling author. When it’s time to set his book tour for his newest release, he insists Piper‘s Books be one of the stops. He met Piper in college and has never been able to forget her. When he learned that she had opened up a bookstore, he thought it would be the best opportunity to hopefully reconnect. This darling, second chance romance will bring a smile to your face and a pitter patter to your heart. They both have secrets, she can barely tolerate him, will they be able to overcome their obstacles or will they drive a wedge between them. I really enjoyed these characters. There were past mistakes made, palpable tension, and many misgivings, which give into great camaraderie, witty banter, and swoony kisses. This is a great addition to the series. This author writes charming, sweet, clean romances. I can’t wait for more from the Nashville Romantics. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
LOVED It! Finished it in under 5 hrs taking minimal breaks! I just couldn’t put it down and it was the perfect length to read in a day or over a weekend. Not too short where you are missing out on details and depth but short enough to just devour it! All the feels, all the stars and some major contemporary pride & prejudice vibes!
Piper and Dorian first meet in college and they both instantly have a thing for each other. Unfortunately, Dorian is super shy, and Piper misinterprets his actions and believes that he cannot stand her. Nine years later, their paths cross again, but this time they’re both a little better at sharing their feelings and their attraction has just been sitting on the back burner for all these years and it easily reignites.
This one has cozy bookshop vibes, great side characters I’m looking at you Ravi and Nat and supportive families whose stories are just begging to be shared! I would definitely recommend this one and if you haven’t read “Off the Record” yet that’s Dorian’s older sister Paisley’s book and it was phenomenal! I feel like you could easily read these ones as stand alones in any order and it would not detract from the story.
Piper and Dorian are FANTASTIC! I started reading this one on a late night flight and couldn’t put it down, no matter how tired I was. It had me hooked from start to finish.
Reconnecting unexpectedly can go one of two ways, and I was so happy that the reunion between Piper and Dorian was a good one. Sure, they both felt a bit awkward and…distracted, but I loved seeing them come together for a project and work out their past. I love a good misunderstanding, especially when the opportunity to clear it up isn’t immediately available. These two had to WORK to come to an understanding and pursue their interest in each other. The hidden identity aspect was fun, too. I loved seeing Dorian support Piper in ALL of her dreams. He is so gone for her and would do absolutely anything to make her wishes become reality.
This rivals to lovers, second chance, secret identities romance is a quick, low-angst read, full of fun banter, swoony kisses, and there may be more than few references to some drool-worthy forearms housed in patched-elbow sweaters.
This book made me smile – a lot. This is such an enjoyable read. Piper has what she always dreamed of, her own bookstore. Unfortunately, she is also having to use other income to keep it financially sound. When she is approached about hosting a book signing for her favorite and bestselling author, D. M. James, she is more than willing. D. M. James is a mystery that doesn’t do book signings or other public appearances. She has no idea that the secretive D. M. is actually Dorian McKonkie a man she went through college with, a man that moved away from her when she sat down near him, and a man who had a secret crush on her. Dorian specifically picked her bookstore as a signing location in hopes of acting on that long standing crush. Still Dorian is not the only one with secrets and the source of Piper’s second income may cause problems. Such a fun read. I received an early copy and this is my honest review.
A quick but satisfying read! I love how this author is able to create characters that feel authentic, relatable and you can feel for. I highlighted moments that made me laugh. The story is of two authors and one says to the other “Find a partner if you want and read the lines. Do they feel natural? Choppy? Dialogue can make or break a story, and there’s nothing worse than making characters sound like they’re just characters in a book. You want to create an immersive experience so your reader feels like they’re inside the story—that they are the character.” Kasey Stockton nails this. I think there was a nice little message too on you see what you look for. This story had good flow and left me wanting more to this series. Hopefully, a full length so I can get more of this town! But I'd take a novella too and be pleased as well!
Between the Shelves is an adorable bookish romance that will have you grinning. I really enjoyed reading this cute romance. Piper and Dorian were great characters and I loved that they were both authors and all the fun bookish things that came with it. For a shorter story, I felt like the pacing and depth were really well done and the story complete. I was connected to the characters from the start and can’t wait for more in this series. Read this for: *Second chance vibes *Secret/hidden identities *All the bookish things *Charming bookstore *Nashville setting *One sided enemies/rivals to lovers *Hero who fell first (and is awkward around the heroine in endearing ways) *Dorian’s family *Quick read *Dual POV I also have to comment on how much I LOVE this cover! It’s perfect for the story—if you like its vibe you’ll love the actual story vibe. I recommend this.
This was a fun, easy to read romance perfect for an evening or afternoon. I actually loved the slightly shorter length as it meant I could inhale it in one sitting without feeling (too) bad for ignoring the world (ok kids and dishes) around me. There were so many fun aspects to this story -rivals -misinterpreted love -secret identity -past tension -bookstore romance
I loved the way Piper was able to move away from past events and embrace today and how Dorian was prepared to really open up for her. The romance was spot on and I loved how it flowed throughout the story. I am really hoping that there are more books in this series as I want to know what happens for many of the side characters!
Kasey delivers a fun, bite-sized story with all the rivalry-fueled tension and all the chemistry-filled romance! Dorian and Piper have a fantastic symbiosis and they don't even really know that they would be better together! With secret pining covered by misunderstandings and mistakes, when Dorian walked through the doors of Piper's bookstore after all that time apart, it felt inevitable. Growing up looks good on these two!
Chocked full of heart, family and a little secret, Piper and Dorian's path to HEA left me with nothing but smiles and happy sighs. It's the perfect, quick, feel-good read!
I received a complimentary copy of the author's story to read and review. All thoughts contained here are my own.
"The man is intelligent, his forearms are sculpted from some sort of regular exercise beneath that professor's sweater, and he writes like a king. His storytelling chops are a divinely appointed gift. It's a very dangerous combination for a nerd like me."
This story is joy in book form. It's fun, light, swoony and sweet, with engaging characters that feel like friends from the very first page.
Piper and Dorian have so much chemistry and so much in common. I love that they are both harboring secret identities! They communicate like adults, even when it's hard and are quick to forgive.
The author packs a lot of story into this quick clean read. It perfectly hit the spot for a quick afternoon read.
This novella is the second story in The Nashville Romantics series. While the couple from book 1 is in this story, you do not need to have read it to completely enjoy this one.
I needed quick happy read, and this fit the bill perfectly. Add in that it is set in Nashville and I'm in love! (There was just one phrase that gave away the fact that someone not overly familiar with thr area wrote it.) 😂
I love the premise of the story. Maybe a little longer book would have helped me understand the backstory a little better. But overall a definite win from Kasey Stockton!
I was given the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I LOVE this authors low stakes rom-coms. Just nice simple comfort reads. With NO filth! Which I appreciate as I am TRYING to honor God with my mind and body as the Bible calls us to in moments like 2 Corinthians 10:5, Romans 1:1-2, and 1 Timothy 4:12 just to name a few.
I LOVE that this author puts her characters together earlier on, bc I personally love to actually SEE the couple together 😃.
What I don’t like, and you might see this as a spoiler if you don’t know this author (she is consistent with this) so stop reading NOW IF you don’t know her, but she always, always, always does a break-up and reconciliation. If that is not for you then maybe skip it 😏
This book by Kasey Stockton is a quick, and easy to read. I loved everything about it! And just look at that cover!
I loved Piper. She's the owner of a little bookstore in her hometown. She's getting ready to host a big book signing for an author that she happens to love. And when he shows up, she realizes that the author she loved was her college crush and nemesis. I loved getting to see her squirm in the first bit of the book!
I really loved that Dorian had realized that the bookstore was Piper's. He picked it for one of his very rare signings on purpose. Just so he could see her again. These two had tons of misunderstandings in their past. Watching them reconnect and get through those was so fun!
This one is just so cute! I loved everything about it.
What a fun book! Piper and Dorian didn't get along in college, but fate brings them together again at Piper's bookstore, when a writing class teacher backs out right before a new class begins. Dorian, a popular author under a pen name, shows up for a book signing and ends up accepting the job of teaching the class. Piper is determined to get through this and not reveal her own secret - that she is also a published author under a pen name, and his number one rival on the publishing charts. She can make it through this, so that her bookstore can begin making a profit instead of being subsidized by her author income. This sweet romance was a fun story with misunderstandings that set the stage for a great romance with a bit of humor.