Home Brewed is book 1 in "The Perfect Cup" series.
A Canadian based, workplace romance.
Hazel How is this my life? I’ve been nothing but loyal, changed everything about myself, and yet here he is, with another woman tied to my bed. It’s official, I need to rid my life of everything Justin. What I don’t expect is to find more lies everywhere I look—including that he hasn’t worked in over a month! But when I go to his work with questions, I walk out with the promise of getting rid of his things and a freelance marketing opportunity! Just the thing I need to take my mind off of this disaster. What’s the worst that could happen if I agree to work for his ex boss? His sexy, kind, frustratingly irresistible ex boss.
Beck She’s so sweet. Too sweet for her own good. As the lies surrounding her deadbeat ex unravel, I want nothing more than to keep her around, help her out. Truth be told, I need her help, too. She has the skills, and I have an idea to save my café that could use her touch. Speaking of things that could use her touch, I need to keep myself in check before I scare her away with how much she draws me in. For now, I’ll just show her how I feel about her in every way I can. Something about her feels right, feels like home. Could this be what I’ve waited for?
Perfect for fans Workplace Romance Canadian Romance Found FamilyGolden Retriever MMCForced Proximity Meghan Quinn, Tessa Bailey, Becka Mack
There is nothing I love more in a book than having the theme be about coffee. And also hottie MMC with long hair and tattoos running a coffee shop? I was sold!
I went into this book with no expectations and I really liked it. The representation of a Canadian with European roots and another one with Italian roots was well done. We don’t get a lot of their culture but I enjoy reading about diverse characters in books.
The tension between Beck and Hazel was there from the beginning. The spice was hot just how I take my coffee. We love a lover who’s a giver and is there for his woman. Hazel is an independent queen but sometimes even independent queens need someone to care for them. Particularly if you have a horrible ex like Justin. That manchild caused a lot of problems.
We get some intense scenes and heavy themes but also lighthearted moments. The miscommunication between Hazel and Beck caused them problems, even if it came from a place of protecting oneself and protecting your loved one. I didn’t agree with them but I was glad when it was cleared. Both MCs grew throughout the book and I was satisfied with the ending.
Thank you to the author and Naughty Nook PR for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest opinion.
This was such a cute and fun read, and I loved Beck, he’s the literal definition of a green flag. This plot was interesting, Hazel finds her ex boyfriend Justin cheating on her so she kicks him out of their apartment and goes to his work to drop off his stuff, only to find out he doesn’t work there anyone but also meets his hawwttt boss. The first part of this plot is them kind of getting to know each other and figure out their feelings until they’re brave enough to actually get together. It’s very cute, especially since they’re working together and both don’t want it to be awkward. However even after they got together there are many challenges. I still don’t get it, why in every romance book does the ex have to come bother the heck out of the mcs? A feel like that half of the plot, and the other half is the miscommunication. Hazel never really had a loving and secure family growing up, so this kind of puts her in a disadvantage in relationships while Beck has a loving and supportive family. It’s a little frustrating and sad watching both of them doubt themselves because of miscommunication. Though I get that after getting out of a terrible and manipulative relationship, Hazels view on love is different. I found this really sad, but I also found Beck failing his mother for help adorable. In terms of plot wise I don’t think it was really sophisticated but it was fun to read and at times sad. This was pretty well balanced and I really liked the characters (mainly Beck) so I give it a 3.5/5
Home Brewed was such a great read. Hazel finds her boyfriend of three years cheating on her so she kicks him out. Unable to get a hold of him to give him his stuff, she goes to his work to see if she can leave it there for him. Turns out he was fired a month or so before. She runs into the new owner, Beck. Sparks fly but of course she's cautious. When Beck learns what happened, he tells her he'll still hold on to the stuff for Justin so she doesn't have to see him. They talk and he learns shes in marketing and asks her to help with the business. They grow closer and can no longer fight their feelings for each other. It takes Hazel time to learn that she doesn't have to do everything alone, that she can learn to lean on Beck for help.
I liked this book a lot. It gave me all the good feelings but also made me reflect. Hazel was a very relatable character,she went through something painful but didn’t let it break her. I enjoyed seeing how she slowly took her life back, even when it wasn’t easy. The connection between her and Beck felt real, not rushed, and full of small moments that built something deep. Beck was sweet and supportive, and I loved how he respected Hazel’s space and growth. Definitely worth reading. Thank you so much to the author and Naughty Nook PR for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving an honest review.
Hazel’s exboyfriend shows her exactly who he is and lie after lie is exposed. Then she meets Beck.
It was a fun little surprise to me that this was Canadian. Every Canadian reference took me by surprise. Pleasantly. Although “pop a squat” where I’m from is a euphemism for taking a pee. Don’t do that in the coffee shop.
As someone who has dealt with an abusive ex, it’s so easy to understand Hazels inability to believe Beck. Sometimes you can’t believe what you see cause you’ve been twisted up so much you don’t know which way is up anymore. But he was so incredibly patient and understanding. Love him.
Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to arc read this novel.
This story really got its hooks in me! Hazel really has it rough when we first meet her in this book - she finds her longtime boyfriend cheating on her and we learn that she basically took care of everything for him for years. To make matters worse, she ends up losing her job which she also hates. While trying to return her ex's things, she meets his former boss Beck and the two have an immediate connection. They end up working together on marketing and promotions for the coffee shop/bar he owns and more sparks fly.
Beck is such a walking green flag and he really is the highlight of the book for me! His care for Hazel and trying his best to be there for her while she heals was so swoon worthy. He's also a dirty talking cinnamon roll of a man with a sweet rescue dog named Fish 😍. I really loved seeing Hazel's growth as a person as well. She starts out being a pushover who's lost her voice and sense of self and through her experiences grows to be more self-assured and happy. Having Beck by her side is the icing on the cake.
Thanks to the author and Naughty Nook PR for the chance to read and review this book!
Holy holy hell! I SMASHED my way through this in 24 hours and I am not a fast reader. I could not put it down. I read it way past when I was supposed to go to sleep, woke up early and read some before work, on my break at work and definitely when I should have been doing housework after I’d finished my shift 🙈 absolutely obsessed!
I love Haley and Beck so much. This is just such a wholesome read with a sprinkle of spice. I can’t remember the last time I cried reading a book but this had me in tears. There’s something so relatable with Haley and it highlights someone aspects of what it’s like to be a woman living in a man’s world. I could probably waffle about how much I love love love this book but I won’t.
Thank you to NaughtyNook PR and the author for gifting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own!
I wanted to like this book so much, I really did. But it fell flat in a lot of ways. There wasn't a lot of chemistry between the two MCs, and they didn't seem to have anything in common besides mutual lust. That's great for a fling, but not so great for a real relationship. There wasn't a lot of banter, and the dialogue felt stilted in a lot of places.
This book is dual POV between Beck and Hazel, but I found myself flipping back to the start of the chapter to find whose POV we were in.
This isn't to say that the book isn't without its moments, but it could use some polishing. The author is talented - I like the premise - I just think she could use some polish. 3/5 Stars
Something about an ex's boss seemed a little forbidden to me so I thought... yeah, let's do it, let's read it. And then I realized coffee was involved so ya know what? Yeah, sold.
First off, I'm always rooting for an MC who kicks their cheating significant other to the curb so when Hazel does just that, I was hooked. Dropping said ex's stuff off at his work only to meet his golden retriever of a boss, Beck? Even better, especially when the chemistry between the two is immediate.
Beck really is a golden retriever of a human being, I think probably one of the sweetest MMCs I've read to date. That sweetness is exactly what Hazel needs as her ex just can't seem to get a clue! Speaking of sweetness, don't let that fool you. Beck delivers the spice for Hazel. This isn't the spiciest book I've ever read, which I think is more fitting as we see Hazel heal and grow into a relationship with Beck.
Moreover, Beaudry does an awesome job fleshing out the side characters as well. You get to know them well enough, but they also don't pull much of the attention away from Hazel and Beck. I know we all love our side characters, however, on occasion they eclipse the leads. Beaudry gives them just enough time to shine here.
It's like an iced double shot white chocolate raspberry latte - sweet, but still with a kick!
☕ Ex's Boss ☕ Hurt/Comfort ☕ Workplace Romance ☕ Boss x Employee ☕ Found Family ☕ Golden Retriever meets Touch Her and Die ☕ Forced Proximity
Thank you to the author and Naughty Nook PR for the gifted copy!
Thank you to Naughty Book PR for this e-ARC! All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this book! We meet Hazel, who’s stuck in a job where she isn’t appreciated and in a relationship with Justin, a man who clearly doesn’t see her worth. Everything changes when she comes home one day and finds him in bed with another woman. Her world is flipped upside down, but it becomes the push she needs to take control of her life.
Hazel clears out her apartment of anything connected to Justin and drops it all off at his job, where she unexpectedly meets his new boss, Beck—a total dreamboat with a man bun. There’s instant chemistry, and he’s everything Justin wasn’t: kind, gentle, and genuinely interested in her.
After the breakup, Hazel is left alone since all of her friends were really his. Surprisingly, she ends up forming a close friendship with Nessa, the woman she found in bed with Justin, who’s also Beck’s best friend. As Hazel spends more time at Beck’s business—a coffee shop by day and bar by night—she helps him grow it through marketing and a new subscription service. The more time they spend together, the deeper their connection grows.
This book is really about Hazel’s journey to rediscovering her self-worth and opening herself up to love again. Even as Justin keeps throwing curveballs her way, Beck becomes the safe place she didn’t know she needed. A story full of heart, healing, and finding your people—I loved it.
ARC review with my own opinions, at the ending there is a grading of the main aspects of a book.
Oh wow, at the beginning i was not expecting the evolution this book had. I mean, the start should have told me how much of an ass the ex is? Yes. Did i expect the rest, absolutely not. ——————————————————————————— Hazel is a working woman that has just ended a years long relationship, (because the sausage was not what it should have been, if you know what i mean) one where was constantly gashlighted and made her feel worthless of love, not being that enough, the work space is like a cage of sexism where she is literaly the only woman and treated like garbagge. Likely for her, when a door is closed, a window is opened, and if that window is about 1,80m, latino, tattoed, and too handsome to be real… well lets say that the windoy is even more appealing. To Beck, she is not only “the one” since their first eccounter, but also, a godsend, she has the power and the knowledge to save his café. ——————————————————————————— This is a story you enjoy since the beginning, but it will have emocionals ups and downs, so be ready. Thank you so much Emme and NoughtyNook for trusting me with this beautiful story. ——————————————————————————— ⭐️4,25/5 🌶️2/5 📝4,5/4 Characters: 4/5 Plot: 4,75/5
Hazel walks in on her boyfriend cheating on her in their bedroom and immediately throws him out. When shipping his remaining belongings to his mother’s house doesn’t work, she decides to stop by his work to see if she can leave it there, only to find out he was fired a month earlier. While she’s there, she meets his former boss (a total hottie), who ends up hiring her for some freelance marketing work.
Beck is the newish owner of a coffee shop/bar, who is determined to make it a success. When he meets Hazel, the gorgeous ex-girlfriend of his former shady employee, and finds out that in addition to being sweet, she’s also a marketing guru, he immediately hires her to help him turn his business around. But as her ex keeps making his presence known, Beck wants nothing more than to keep Hazel safe, and keep her for himself.
This was a sweet romance from a Canadian author, Beck was honestly the perfect MMC, anticipating what Hazel needed before she even knew herself, and watching him help her find her inner strength was absolute perfection. The connection was strong, the spice was hot, and even though there were a few misunderstandings due to miscommunication, you just knew that these two would find their happily ever after.
Hazel just got out of a relationship with a cheating, gaslighting human trash can... and right into the arms of his ex-boss. Oops. But like... the hottest oops imaginable.
We’ve got: ☕ coffee, cocktails, and consent 🔥 Beck saying things like:
“I’m not stopping, baby. Use me for whatever you need.” and “I’m going to charm the pants off this girl. Respectfully.” (yes sir, respectfully ruin me)
💼 workplace spice — office desk, underwear-in-mouth level spice 💔 a heroine who lost everything but slowly finds herself again 🫶 and a man who calls her “sugar” and means it
Beck is the perfect blend of cinnamon roll and “good girl” energy. Hazel? She's healing, learning, and finally finding her voice (even if her awful mom tried to silence it). Their chemistry? Electric. Their banter? Perfect. Their exes? Irrelevant.
Final thoughts: 🔥 healing + spice + soft dominance = 10/10 🥂 this book brewed the perfect blend of filthy and wholesome 💘 I love them. I hate her mom. And I’m never trusting a man named after a fruit again.
Hazel and Beck, gosh, these two made me feel all the feels. This book begins with Hazel getting out of a very toxic relationship with her ex and stumbling into Becks newly owned coffee shop to track down said ex. These two hit it off, sparks fly, but they are also in very different parts of their healing journeys, so they take some well needed time to get to know each other first.
Seeing their relationship nurture and grow was an amazing part of this novel, Beck is such a great MMC because of the lengths he goes for her. Hazel is such an amazing woman who has gone through quite a bit, so seeing her grow and overcome through the novel was definitely a highlight. There is also some trauma for Hazel in this book, so definitely check the triggers as there is a very abusive ex-boyfriend that is part of the underlying story.
I was lucky enough to receive an arc of this amazing novel and am leaving a review of my own thoughts and feelings.
Thank you to the author and @naughtynookpr for the opportunity to read and review this book!
I really wanted to love this one. The setup had potential, but for me, it didn’t quite deliver. The connection between the MCs felt surface-level, and outside of the physical attraction, there wasn’t much depth or shared ground between them. While lust can make for a steamy fling, it didn’t give the foundation I was hoping for in a romance.
The pacing was fast, which might work depending on your current reading mood. I’ve been deep into books with slow-burn tension and snappy banter, so this one felt like it sped past the emotional build-up I was craving. The dialogue also felt a bit stilted in places, which made it harder to connect with the characters.
📖 Reading mood: Best picked up when you're looking for something quick, spicy, and low-angst, not when you're craving banter or deep emotional tension.
This was my first book by this author. I enjoyed the writing style, the characters and the storyline.
Hazel is our FMC, who happens to find her boyfriend,Justin, cheating on her. When she is unable to reach him so she can get his things to him, she takes them to his place of work. Then discovers he doesn’t work there anymore. That’s when she meets his boss, Beck.
You can definitely sense the spark and chemistry between the two. As she is in marketing, Beck gets her to help him with marketing his coffee shop/bar. I enjoyed how their relationship progressed as they worked together. Beck is such a sweet soul and I swooned over his nickname for her. I loved how Hazel grew as a character from the beginning of the book to the end.
I felt this was such a sweet read and even the side characters were a wonderful addition who I hope to see more of in the series. Will be looking out for more reads by this author.
Meh. I really wanted to like this book, but I'm guess I'm over the damsel in distress. Most of the drama could've been avoided if they'd just talked, instead of omitting information to spare someone stress while the other side is keeping secrets and thinking the worst of the other person's intention without any evidence to that effect.
The whole story feels rushed and slow at the same time. The FMC just got more annoying, and the amount of him addressing her as pretty girl ticked me off to no end. It's like addressing someone by their name in every other sentence, who does that?
The dog appears to have been thrown in as an afterthought, not really fitting with the story.
And when I read things like *It's supposed to feel like he's the air that I need, like my skin is on fire when he touches me, like I want to carve out my own heart and offer it to him to see if it would make him smile.* I just wanna puke.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A Perfect Brew of Shattered Hearts and Steaming Beginnings
As one of the blissful early readers, Home Brewed swept me into Hazel’s world of fierce resilience. “I can’t believe I didn’t see this man for the walking red flag he is,” she fumes—and you’ll feel every stab of betrayal as Justin’s lies cut deeper.
Enter Beck: kind, frustratingly irresistible, and determined to help Hazel rise from the ashes of her ruined trust. “I swear, I’m going to search his house and find a ‘Guide to Hazel’ book somewhere,” she jokes—and it’s that wriggling humor that makes their bond so real. Together, they don’t just revive a café; they forge a home for two wounded hearts learning to love again.
Rich, steamy, and impossible to put down—this workplace romance is your favorite latte with a shot of second chances. Dive into Hazel & Beck’s Home Brewed love story today!
I loved this book! There’s something so satisfying about a “cheating ex launches main character into her glow-up era” storyline, and Home Brewed hits all the marks. Hazel goes from heartbroken to thriving, and watching her rediscover her confidence was everything.
Beck? Swoon-worthy coffee shop owner. The way he calls her “sugar” had me melting. He’s the book boyfriend of dreams—and he has a golden retriever named Fish! 🐶
This story brings cozy workplace vibes, great emotional payoff, and just enough spice. Plus, the forced proximity and found family elements give it that extra warm and fuzzy charm. I’m seriously hoping some of the sassy side characters get their own books in this series!
Good debut. The writing was good. It was a slow burn with good spice when we finally got there 😉 That angst was great. Beck was a walking green flag book boyfriend. He was exactly what Hazel needed.
No cheating, no OWD, no third act breakup with a HEA. Just the OMD she couldn’t get rid off
There are a few topics that may trigger some readers so be sure to check those out if needed.
-Ex Boyfriend’s Ex Boss -Tattooed / Golden Retriever MMC -Ex That Can’t Take A Hint -Slow Burn -He Falls First -Found Family -Hurt / Comfort
This is my first book that I have read by Emme Beaudry and I really loved this book it was a cute little books.
I really enjoyed Hazel & Beck story. We met Hazel when she comes home to find that her boyfriend is cheating on her. So she kicks him out and goes to his work place to see him to give him his stuff back but she learns he no longer works there and that is when she meets Beck. Beck is there for her when she needs someone as she doesn’t have many family and friends there. Things change between them and they see where things go from there. I really loved there story.
I loved this book so much. Justin was 💩 and Hazel deserved so much better. I hated what he did to her but it was funny what she did with his belongings. I loved that Nessa came back and they hit it off as friends. I also loved Beck he was such a sweet guy. I loved the instant chemistry between Beck and Hazel. I loved how protective he was of her. I loved their first date ❤️ I'm a sucker for a sweet guy but not so sweet in bed 😂 Beck definitely fit the bill for that. I loved that he wanted her to be herself with him, and not be afraid to tell him what she wanted or ask for things from him. The way everyone treated her in the past, especially her mom and Justin, was heartbreaking. One of my favorite quotes from the book: “𝗜 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁, 𝗛𝗮𝘇𝗲𝗹, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄, 𝗜 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂. 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂. 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜’𝗺 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲. 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘄, 𝗶𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗼𝗸𝗮𝘆?”
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this wonderful book. I absolutely adored this book. Hazel was such a relatable FMC. I loved seeing her growth throughout the story. Beck was such a good mixture of golden retriever and protective partner. I loved all the side characters as well and I really hope there’s more books in the series to follow them! The found family was absolutely perfection. I read the entire book in one sitting. I could not put it down. 5 ⭐️’s.
A sweet and quick read for summer! Beck is total book boyfriend goals. Hazel is such a sweet and kind soul, that just keeps getting kicked while she’s down. I really enjoyed the development of this story and how it was a bit of a slow burn. The supporting cast is charming as well and could easily create a series that would be entertaining. Certainly some humorous parts. But if you even a bit emotional have some Kleenex nearby!
I adored this book! Beck is just *chefs kiss* top tier book boyfriend! So many green flags! And Hazel's journey was so rough but beautiful. I don't think I've ever encountered a book that was equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking. And the spice! Gotta love a guy that's a cinnamon roll on the streets and a freak in the sheets! Overall this was just a really fun, well-written, semi-cozy contemporary romance that I highly recommend!
I genuinely adored this book. Hazel really goes through it from awful coworkers to her terrible boyfriend. She started off as a bit of a pushover but then found her strength. Her growth as a person throughout the book really shines through the writing. Loved it for her. I also adored Beck. Beckkkkkkkk. I love him. The way that he supports Hazel, his staff, his family-loved it.
I've been (im)patiently waiting for this book since February and man oh man was it worth the wait! Its only flaw was that it was over so quickly but I cannot believe this is the author's DEBUT novel and I canNOT wait for more! The FMC is relatable, the MMC is perfect and the side characters are hilarious and O hope to see more of them!