Thirst For Me

Orchard Cove #1

by Jaine Diamond

Two rivals. One small-town summer. And a heat wave no one saw coming.

Mason Grant is driving me crazy. The grumpy, gorgeous bar owner thinks my waterfront shop belongs to his family. I think he needs to mind his own business.

It all started the moment I arrived in Orchard Cove. I came here for a chance to save my smoothie business. A chance to heal. What I didn’t come here for was to start a war with the town hottie.

Except…Mason is impossible to ignore. And every heated argument just leaves me wanting more. The more time I spend battling him, the harder it is to deny our chemistry. And I know he feels it too. Suddenly, a summer fling seems like a very tempting—but bad—idea.

The problem? I’m still healing. And Mason is grieving. Neither of us is ready to let someone in through the cracks in our hearts. Besides, I never planned to stay in this town forever.

But despite my war with Mason, Orchard Cove is starting to feel like home. And maybe—just maybe—Mason Grant is so much more than my enemy.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Audiobook, Small Town Romance, Contemporary

335 pages, Paperback

Published June 15, 2026

About the author

Get Jaine's exclusive free bonus content and advance excerpts, behind the scenes, giveaways, and more in the Diamond Club newsletter HERE!

See all Jaine's books and reading order HERE!

Jaine Diamond is an Amazon Top 50 Bestselling contemporary romance author. She writes emotional page-turners featuring swoon-worthy heroes and strong, sassy heroines. Known for blending wit, explosive chemistry, and raw vulnerability, she creates deeply immersive love stories that linger long after the final page.

Jaine lives on the beautiful West Coast of Canada with her real-life romantic hero, their daughter, and their sweet dog. When she’s not writing or reading, you’ll find her indulging her love of music while creating extensive playlists for her books, or enjoying her newest favorite restaurant, cup of chai, or local wine.

Her books have been translated into French, German, Spanish, Czech, Hebrew, and more.

Reviews

[Jaine Diamond]

Thirst For Me is now live!

Two rivals. One small-town summer. And a heat wave no one saw coming.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
https://mybook.to/Thirst-For-Me

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Narrated by: CJ Bloom & Alastair Haynesbridge
Audible: https://bit.ly/4vu5s0e
Amazon Audiobook: https://bit.ly/4g0MDgC


Mason Grant is driving me crazy. The grumpy, gorgeous bar owner thinks my waterfront shop belongs to his family. I think he needs to mind his own business.

It all started the moment I arrived in Orchard Cove. I came here for a chance to save my smoothie business. A chance to heal.What I didn’t come here for was to start a war with the town hottie.

Except…Mason is impossible to ignore. And every heated argument just leaves me wanting more. The more time I spend battling him, the harder it is to deny our chemistry. And I know he feels it too. Suddenly, a summer fling seems like a very tempting—but bad—idea.

The problem? I’m still healing. And Mason is grieving. Neither of us is ready to let someone in through the cracks in our hearts. Besides, I never planned to stay in this town forever.

But despite my war with Mason, Orchard Cove is starting to feel like home. And maybe—just maybe—Mason Grant is so much more than my enemy.

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75🌟, 2🌶️

This was such a sweet, summery escape!

The small-town island setting was charming, the cast was memorable, and I was quickly pulled into Sierra and Mason’s story. Mason was easily my favorite part of the book. Beneath all the grumpiness was a man carrying a lot of hurt, and I loved watching his walls slowly come down.

Sierra and Mason had great chemistry, and I especially enjoyed their banter, quieter moments, and the way they challenged each other. The friendships, family dynamics, and sense of community added so much heart to the story, making Orchard Cove feel like a place I’d happily return to.

While the pacing felt a little uneven at times, it wasn’t enough to take away from my overall enjoyment. I just wanted a bit more time with some of the emotional moments and relationship development.

This was an entertaining, heartfelt romance with plenty of charm.

~~~~

Huge thank you to Jaine Diamond, Valentine PR and NetGalley for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨

[tash.bookish · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75
I'm a huge fan of the Dirty-verse so I was really excited for a new series with small town west coast vibes. Thirst for Me had so many tropes and elements I wanted to enjoy, but I just couldn't connect with these characters or story. I loved the atmosphere created by Orchard Cove, the small town drama and roots, the woman trying to find her place after a breakup, and the guy with deep family ties trying to honour his parents wishes.
Mason was hot. He was the small town playboy with negative assumptions about city girls. And then Sierra, the city girl escaping an embarrassing breakup that set her life on a new path.
I wanted more of the story between June and Thomas. It was teased the whole book and we got a paragraph explanation at the end.
Jace (Mason's best friend) and Layne's (Mason's brother) stories were teased throughout this book too and I was definitely interested in them as other MCs in the series.
I struggled to stay engaged the first half of the book, and was really waiting for it to pull me in. By the half way mark, I started to see more of a story developing but then it fizzled. There were moments that showed promise, but the pacing felt slow, and the characters didn't give me enough. The ending seemed rushed and too much all at once for me.
Hoping that this one not being for me is a one off - I'll definitely continue to read her books!

[Lollie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh, not my favourite book of hers. Gutted to say that. It just didn’t fit right. Never mind. Still love her others though.

[Helen - HappilySheReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet & easy summer romance

3.5 stars. This book is a sweet & spicy, summer romance. All of the characters were very well-developed & had clear character arcs. I especially loved Mason, his heartbreaking backstory, his desire to preserve his family’s legacy, & his need to protect himself. He was a perfectly grumpy, deliciously hot & had great small, whispering moments with Sierra.

I also liked Sierra. I appreciated that she was a work in progress & that she led with optimism. Her introduction scene where she’s singing karaoke at the bar with a bunch of drunk bachelorettes was perfect. The lack of cell service, the office, it was all brilliant. I also loved her best friend Sophie, grumpy June, & Mason’s entire friend group.

Honestly, everything was here for me to really really love this book, but I struggled with the pacing. There were chapters that seemed to leap forward in time by several days, and some that picked right up the next day. I found myself flipping back to make sure I hadn’t missed anything.

Plus, there was a section I just felt was unnecessary to both the plot and the characters, & I’m still wondering why it’s there. I guess it moved it along a little but it easily could have been removed and I never would have noticed. As a result, the first time Sierra & Mason are together felt off because the pacing leading up to it didn’t allow for any tension to build. And trust me, I was all in after the bar scene and their run in the next day. They did share other moments that developed beautifully but it felt a little all over the place for me.

I don’t mind a little miscommunication between MCs. It’s actually a pretty strong plot tool, but I struggled with their near absence of talk while they were actively sleeping together, & trying to work out the pier situation. They seemed capable of talking since they shared personal stories, so why were they so incapable of having any level of communication on the major issues. Even knowing their histories & their hangups, I wanted Sierra to ask. To put him on the spot. She struck me like a woman who would do that, especially since she’s had to fight for so much. But instead, she just walked out, multiple times. I wanted those quiet moments where they face the morning together.

In the end, I loved that he came for her & realized he needed to communicate better, but the emotional & commitment element felt really fast. Like, really really fast. I would have been perfectly happy to have her just move back to the small town & admit they were done fighting their feelings. The other stuff could have been in the epilogue.

I really hate writing a middle of the road review. I liked it but didn’t love it. Sorry.
3.5 stars. 2 peppers.

[Yami’s Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic steamy summer romance set in a small island town, filled with sizzling chemistry, witty banter, family drama, and two stubborn characters who cannot stay away from each other? Yes, please!

After a painful breakup threatens both her personal life and her business plans, Sierra Daniels heads to Orchard Cove for the summer to open a pop-up location for her smoothie business. She is hoping for a fresh start, but things immediately become complicated when she meets Mason Grant, the grumpy local bar owner who unexpectedly helps her when she has nowhere else to go.

Their attraction is instant, but everything changes once Mason learns that Sierra will be operating her business from Pier Seven, a waterfront property that means a lot to his family. What begins as a promising connection quickly turns into a heated rivalry full of mistrust, assumptions, sharp banter, and enough tension to set the entire island on fire.

I really enjoyed watching Sierra and Mason slowly lower their guards and face the feelings they kept trying to ignore. Their romance had a great balance of humor, angst, emotional moments, and spice. I also loved the small-town atmosphere, the summer events, and Sierra’s friendship with Sophie. Orchard Cove felt like such a fun and welcoming place, even with all the secrets and family history hiding beneath the surface.

CJ Bloom and Alastair Haynesbridge made the audiobook experience even better. CJ brought out Sierra’s vulnerability, determination, and confidence, while Alastair perfectly captured Mason’s grumpy and protective personality. Their voices worked so well together, and the chemistry between their performances made the banter, tension, and emotional scenes feel even more real. They truly brought Sierra, Mason, and the entire Orchard Cove community to life.

This was such an entertaining start to a new series, and I am already excited to return to Orchard Cove!

Thank you to the author @jainediamond and @valentine_pr for the audiobook ALC! 🎧💕

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in a new series, and this is Mason and Sierra’s story.
Mason is a broody, grumpy, bar owner, while Sierra is rebuilding her life after a failed relationship, and is focused on her smoothie business. The sparks fly between Mason and Sierra.
This is a well written easy to read story, with family, friendships, emotions, loss, grief, tad angst, drama, conflict, tension, business rivals, enemies / lovers, humour, witty banter, healing, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, heartfelt, and fun, small-town romance.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diamond welcomes readers to Orchard Cove, a charmingly tiny island town just outside of Vancouver, with Thirst for Me—the spectacular first installment of a brand-new series. Marking a brilliant introduction to the author’s work, this small-town, slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers summer romance completely blows you away with its amiable characters, intriguing storylines, and jaunty way with words. The story is a heated, rivals-to-lovers emotional rollercoaster that effortlessly balances drama, angst, witty dialogue, and heartfelt moments, leaving readers fully invested in the town’s irresistible charm.

The narrative follows Sierra Daniels, a breath of fresh air whose witty inner musings and sassy, hard-working attitude make her instantly lovable. After her business plan and her relationship with a cheating ex both implode, Sierra refuses to give up. She heads to Orchard Cove for a summer trip to open a pop-up waterfront smoothie shop, bringing along her best friend, Sophie, for support and a chance to heal. However, the moment she arrives, she finds herself with no cell signal and unable to reach June, the woman leasing her the storefront. Seeking Wi-Fi, Sierra stops at the local pub, where she encounters a ruggedly handsome but incredibly grumpy bartender named Mason Grant—whom she quickly dubs the Hottest Bartender in the Universe.

Mason, who is down-to-earth, fiercely protective of his family, and dedicated to his local cider business, initially assumes Sierra is just another tourist in town for a bachelorette party. But when she ends up stranded at the end of the night with nowhere to stay, Mason steps in to rescue her, proving to be a perfect gentleman. Despite their sizzling, off-the-charts chemistry, a major rivalry stands between them. June, the woman who invited Sierra to town, has historic bad blood with the Grants, who had long hoped to buy that exact waterfront property. This family feud quickly sparks a summer war between Sierra and Mason, as he believes the shop belongs to his family and she tells him to mind his own business.

As a massive heat wave hits the island, their arguments only fuel a palpable tension that becomes impossible to ignore. A summer fling becomes a tempting but dangerous idea, as both are guarded by past demons; Sierra is still healing from her betrayal, and Mason is quietly grieving, making them both hesitant to let anyone through the cracks in their hearts. Lack of communication, missing signals, and deep-seated insecurities repeatedly get in their way, forcing them to grapple with what they truly want out of life. Yet, as Sierra and Sophie work hard to build the pop-up, Orchard Cove slowly begins to feel like home, and Mason's undeniable loyalty makes it clear he is so much more than an enemy. Watching their seamless character growth and the beautiful evolution of their relationship is deeply rewarding, and the story even sprinkles in delightful Easter eggs for longtime fans of the author's Dirty series.

The audiobook adaptation elevates this amazing romance to the next level, featuring a flawless performance by narration team CJ Bloom and Alastair Haynesbridge. Their expressive, captivating delivery perfectly conveys the characters' emotional depth while handling the fast-paced, humorous banter without missing a beat. CJ Bloom shines as Sierra, capturing every facet of her personality from her vulnerable insecurities to her fierce determination. Alastair Haynesbridge matches her brilliance perfectly, channeling Mason’s intense, brooding, and grumpy demeanor with believable depth. Both narrators are equally fantastic at bringing the secondary characters to life, making this entertaining listen an absolute must for romance lovers who will eagerly await the next trip back to Orchard Cove.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous Story & Narration🎧Engaging & Enjoyable!

Thirst for Me
Orchard Cove, Book 1
By Jaine Diamond
Narrated by: CJ Bloom, Alastair Haynesbridge

Jaine Diamond welcomes you to “Orchard Cove,” a small town on a tiny island outside of Vancouver, with a wonderful start to her new series, a heated rivals-to-lovers romance, one that captivates your attention and tugs at your heartstrings the entire time. Sierra Daniels’ business plan ended when her relationship with her cheating ex ended, but she was not giving up on it yet, and will take advantage of her summer trip and venture to open a pop-up stop in Orchard Cove. Instead of having a stay there with her now ex-boyfriend, her friend Sophie is joining her and will help with her shop. When she arrives, she learns she has no cell phone signal and can not get in touch with Jane, the woman who invited her there, offering a place to stay and a storefront for her smoothie business. So she stops at the local pub, hoping to use their Wi-Fi, but the bartender was not very accommodating or even friendly. The one thing she noticed was that there were some home-grown hunks there, including the grumpy bartender. Mason Grant assumed Sierra was there for the bachelorette party, and as the night went on and the drinks flowing she joined them, but at the end of the night she was on her own, and with nowhere to stay. It was Grant who came to her rescue, and the grump was a perfect gentleman the entire night. The chemistry between these two was sizzling, but the communication was lacking, causing missed signals, mistrust, and too many assumptions. June, the woman who invited her there to open her business, was a rival of the Grants, and there was bad blood between the two families. However, Mason’s parents had plans to buy June’s waterfront property, and he was hoping she’d honor that after their passing, but June would not commit. There is never a dull moment in this book, and I enjoyed watching Sierra and Sophie hanging and working together, loved their friendship. Also enjoyed watching Mason and Grant pine for one another, let their insecurities and past demons get in their way, allowing them to deny themselves and their feelings for one another, but in the end love always wins, or does it? I loved all the layers of this story and how it all played out, with the perfect balance of drama, angst, witty dialogue and humor, heartwarming moments, heartfelt emotions, and a slow-burn romance. The writing, plot, and world-building are fantastic, as are the character growth and development. Jaine Diamond, thank you for another fantastic story and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧 And for the fabulous audiobook listen, CJ Bloom and Alastair Haynesbridge are the perfect cast to bring the characters to life, giving each a voice that was fitting and believable. Bloom nailed it as Sierra, grasping every facet of her personality, from her insecurities to her strength and determination. Haynesbridge did the same as Mason and was just as fabulous in showcasing his personality, his intensity, and his grumpy demeanor. Both were fantastic performing the roles of the side/secondary characters, young and old. Their expressive delivery conveyed all the characters’ emotions, making you feel each one, and they handled the witty dialogue effortlessly, never missing a beat. These two make a great narration team, with voices and talent that complement each other, and a captivating performance that keeps you hooked. They are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A steamy summer romance ideal for a summertime read.
Thirst For Me by Jaine Diamond is the first title in the new Orchard Cove series and was an entertaining read following main characters Sierra Daniels and Mason Grant as they initially hit it off, become heated rivals and then finally give into their undeniable attraction to one another.

Sierra arrives in the island town of Orchard Cove fresh from a breakup. She is there for a month long lease in a building on the local landmark that is Pier Seven, determined to save her smoothie business and regroup before having to return to her real life in Vancouver.
Mason Grant a local business owner clocks the gorgeous city girl in his bar. He notices she is obviously in distress and offers to take her in, despite his usual guarded approach with strangers, until she can sort herself out but the following morning changes everything. Mason and his family have deep roots in the local community of Orchard Cove and once he discovers that she is here to lease Pier Seven he feels betrayed and tentative relations turn decidedly frosty.
Orchard Cove is a small town and with summertime events occurring they aren't able to avoid each other and inevitably end up spending time together and truths and confessions come out.

The argumentative and witty interactions between Mason and Sierra are entertaining and the author successfully illustrates their change from bitter, combative exchanges to heated discussions to caring, endearing conversations all the while avoiding the deepening feelings that both are experiencing but are afraid to voice.
Both Mason and Sierra have history in their lives that has shaped the way they approach relationships and people and as the story progresses the author expertly reveals more of this to show how Sierra and Mason act the way they do.
The supporting characters in the town as well as Sierra's own friend and family influences both help and hinder their growing connection. This added to the story considerably and assisted in endearing Mason and Sierra to me as I became increasingly invested in a HEA outcome for them despite the emotional scars they both carry.
The chemistry and attraction between Mason and Sierra was high and there right from the start regardless of the public faces they put on and tried to hide and deny it. The heat continued to simmer and grow and not always secretly as noticed by the inhabitants of Orchard Cove which added another level to the story.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this story and even though in the beginning I was starting to dislike Mason, as the story progressed and his history was revealed bit by bit, by the end I was really feeling for him and his personal struggles.
With the characters in this story and the introduction to those that will feature in the next book of this series I can definitely say that I am looking forward to reading more of the goings on in Orchard Cove.

If you enjoy a story with elements of small town community meddling and intrigue, rivals-to-lovers tension, biting and witty banter, found family and main characters journeying through self reflection and navigating their way through loss, heartbreak, and grief, it is well worth a read.

My thanks to Valentine PR & Literary Management, Jaine Diamond, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

[Euphonious Times · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley

Thirst For Me is a small town, summer romance, first in an interconnected series. Sierra owns a smoothie business and temporarily relocates to Orchard Cove to open a pop up, looking to make the most of the increased tourism during a summer festival. Immediately prior to this move she gets dumped by her long term boyfriend, loses investment in her business and becomes a meme. Unfortunately, she also has a less than ideal welcome as she arrives in Orchard Cove, but things start looking up when she comes across Mason, ‘the hottest bartender ever’. The pair have instant chemistry, however things start going downhill soon after as the pair discover they were unknowingly after the same property for their summer pop-ups.

I really struggled to connect with the plot and the characters at times felt underdeveloped and inconsistent. There was too miscommunication or lack thereof between them and the rivalry between Mason and Sierra seems forced which made the competition/rivalry aspect not click. Mason takes Sierra’s presence as a personal affront and immediately assumes she’s there to target him. Ultimately, June is the one making the decision about the building’s lease and, whilst Sierra and Mason both have a vested interest, they’re not actually doing much to compete. They both have businesses that could use the space but their current situation or long term vision doesn’t actually lend itself to such a fierce rivalry that needs terms such as ‘formidable opponent’ or ‘enemy’. They also don’t engage in any real competition order than seeing who can outsell the other which also is strange since one place sells smoothies and another is a bar and restaurant with a much higher footprint.

The majority of the interactions between Sierra and Mason focus on this competition and on their physical attraction, with very limited meaningful interactions or emotionally loaded moments. At the 75% mark I feel like we get more detail about their past experiences and how they shaped their personalities and it adds more depth but I wish these were explored gradually throughout the book and not all at once at the end. A lot seems to be packed in this last quarter where we have emotional revelations, a breakup, a new business plan, the introduction of easter eggs for future books and what, to me, seemed like a very quick reconciliation and escalation of their relationship.

Having been a huge fan of Jaine’s Dirty and Players series, I am a little disappointed in Thirst For You as it just didn’t feel right to me. I enjoy Jaine’s writing and I can see what the idea behind this was but the execution just fell short. I will be picking up the next book in the series as I do like the setting and the characters and I hope that maybe this just wasn’t the book for me to connect with.

🍎 Small town
🎶 Second chance
🍎 Rivals to lovers
🎶 Found family
🍎 Dual POV


Thank you NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and Jaine Diamond for this advanced copy!

[Romance.A.Tutto.Tondo · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by Valentine Pr.
After loving Jaine Diamond’s Dirty series, I jumped at the chance to read Thirst for Me, the first book in her new series and I’m so glad I did. There are even a few little nods to the previous series, which felt like a nice bonus for longtime readers.

Set in the charming small town of Orchard Cove, a place filled with orchards, cider makers, and the kind of close-knit community where everyone knows everyone else’s business, this story immediately pulled me in. The atmosphere was warm, cozy, and incredibly immersive. Honestly, by the end, I was ready to pack my bags and move there myself.

Sierra arrives in town with big dreams and absolutely terrible luck. After becoming the unwilling star of a rather embarrassing viral meme, her boyfriend dumps her, conveniently forgetting to mention that he already had someone else waiting in the wings. To make matters worse, his wealthy parents withdraw the financial support they had promised her, leaving her stranded and nearly broke. Not exactly the fresh start she had planned.

Then she walks into the local bar and comes face-to-face with Mason, the ridiculously handsome bartender who immediately earns a place in the “book boyfriends who ruin real men forever” category.

Mason is carrying enough emotional baggage to fill an entire moving truck. He has lost his parents, been left at the altar, and has learned the hard way not to trust women from the city. Sierra, meanwhile, is struggling with her own wounds, convinced she has never been anyone’s first choice, not even her father’s. Watching these two damaged, stubborn people slowly find their way toward each other was both heartwarming and incredibly satisfying.

Of course, things get complicated when they discover they’re rivals. Sierra rents the very building Mason had hoped to use to fulfill a dream connected to his late parents, and suddenly attraction turns into a delightful mix of tension, frustration, and constant bickering. The chemistry between them is fantastic, and their push-and-pull dynamic kept me hooked from beginning to end.

What really made this book shine, though, was the cast of secondary characters. Mason’s friends are hilarious, relentless in their teasing, and impossible not to love. Every time they appeared, they stole the scene, and I’m already excited to read their future books.

Is this the most complex romance ever written? No. But it doesn’t need to be. It’s the kind of story that makes you smile while reading, leaves your heart feeling full, and reminds you why small-town romances are so addictive. It’s funny, sweet, emotional, and wonderfully comforting the literary equivalent of curling up with a warm blanket and a glass of hard cider.
I closed this book with a smile on my face and a growing curiosity about the characters who will star in the next books. Needless to say, I’ll be returning to Orchard Cove as soon as possible.

[Mary Lawrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this new book from Jaine Diamond. It’s a great story & a good start to her new series set in Orchard Cove. Like her previous books, it’s set in the Vancouver area, but we move to the small coastal town of Orchard Cove on Vancouver Island, a ferry ride from Vancouver City.

I really liked main characters Sierra Carroll & Mason Grant. There’s an instant & powerful attraction between them when they first meet. Neither is ready for a relationship so both try to resist the strong pull between them; they seem to argue a lot - maybe these things are connected??!! Still, the attraction deepens, & the temperature between them just gets hotter!!

There are interconnected layers to this story & I love how the author weaves these together. We have the headline story about Sierra & Mason. There’s also the storyline about Pier Seven (a prime location in Orchard Cove) & the feud between the Grant & Spencer families over ownership. Sierra & Mason both have plans for the building for the forthcoming Sunshine Fest: Sierra for her pop-up smoothie-making outlet, Mason for his catering outlet. But current owner, 76-year-old June Spencer has given Sierra a lease for the festival period & Mason is seriously unhappy. The years-old feud between the families really needs to be resolved before the land issue can be decided, but no-one seems to know how it started, or if they do they’re not telling! So the families are still at war despite being neighbours who run almost identical businesses on either side of the fence running down the middle of the huge apple orchard. Any resolution needs to come from the older generation, June & Mason’s Grandpa Tommy; but both are intransigent.

It’s a great story. I loved how the relationship between Sierra & Mason developed, their banter & how they couldn’t keep their eyes off each other. I also liked how Sierra slowly began to feel settled in Orchard Cove, helped by best friend Sophie, & started making new friends. There are some great supporting characters, including the enigmatic June, Grandpa Tommy, Mason’s family & friends, & other local people.

As a music buff myself, I loved the importance of music in Sierra & Mason’s story, & how music became a language of communication between them. Linked with this is the way Jaine has given this new series a wider context through references to the Vancouver-based band Dirty who feature in most of her earlier books. As usual Jaine has created a playlist to accompany the book & I enjoyed listening to it whilst writing my review! Thirsty For Me is a gorgeous new book, which I loved & recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book, which I am reviewing voluntarily. All opinions are my own.

[Ann-Maree]

Thirst For Me
by Jaine Diamond

Setting: Orchard Cove, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

From the very beginning, I found myself captivated by Mason not just for his strikingly handsome features but for the depth of his character. His heartbreaking backstory painted a vivid picture of a man burdened by his past, yet fiercely devoted to preserving his family’s legacy. This desire to protect not only his family’s name but also himself created layers to his personality. He was a perfect grumpy leading man who had great banter and was devoted to his family and friends, with love to read about.

Sierra Daniels, a city girl from Vancouver, is embarking on an exciting new venture by leasing Pier Seven for the Sunshine Festival set to take place in June in Orchard Cove. She is thrilled about her smoothie pop-up, Cutie Fruitie, which she hopes will help her business after her recent disappointment. Sierra's initial encounter with Mason occurs at his pub, the Sea Haven Bar & Grill, a family-owned business that also includes their beloved Sea Haven Orchard and Distillery. In her eyes, Mason is no ordinary bartender; she considers him the hottest bartender in the universe, stirring a mix of admiration and intrigue within her.

However, the first night in town takes an unexpected turn for Sierra. Instead of setting up her business and new accommodation, she inadvertently finds herself swept up in the festivities of a bachelorette weekend. Surrounded by a group of exuberant girls, she drinks and laughs the night away. From the start, there is a connection she knows she feels with Mason.

I can't wait for the next book in the series as I have become increasingly invested in the lives of Mason's siblings, each brimming with potential storylines of their own. His sister Haven, introduced in the epilogue, certainly has my curiosity and is the focus of the next book. I found it hard to resist speculating about Layne, who I believe deserves his own journey in Book 3. Perhaps most fascinating of all is the enigmatic dynamic between Mason’s family and their long-time rival neighbour, June Spencer, along with the shadowy figure of Jimmy Mason's Grandfather. The historical tensions that have persisted for generations between these families offer a treasure trove of storytelling possibilities.

One aspect of the book that struck me was the pacing of the conclusion. Compared to the slower, more deliberate build-up at the beginning, the ending felt incredibly fast-paced. I found myself grappling with the whirlwind conclusion, which, while thrilling, left me yearning for a bit more development in the final part of the book.

[Elif Hazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

ᴛʜɪʀꜱᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ᴍᴇ || ᴀʀᴄ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ

“𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓲𝓼𝓮 𝓶𝓮 𝓯𝓸𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻, 𝓢𝓲𝓮𝓻𝓻𝓪.”

✨5/5
🌶️3/5

Oh my goodness, I absolutely loved these two. Sierra pops into a bar in Orchard Cove to find a Wi-Fi connection and meets the ‘hottest bartender in the universe’—though let’s add that this ‘hottest bartender’ is just as grumpy as he is handsome. But beneath that grumpiness lies that incredible chemistry she felt the moment she first laid eyes on him.

𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴.

But there’s that scene… I just wanted to shout ‘Mason’. Sierra says she’ll focus solely on her work because of her recent break-up and the rejection and emptiness her boyfriend left her feeling: “no boys for the rest of the year.” But when she’s drunk, Mason takes an interest in her, and whilst she’s in “no kiss” mode, she’s helpless as Mason stays with her and kisses her. The “promises” they whisper to each other, and Mason’s response when Sierra mentions her “no boys” rule>>>>

“𝘯𝘰 𝘣𝘰𝘺𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳”
“𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘯?”

And so we come to the moment when, as electricity engulfs the whole of Orchard Cove, our duo stands their ground. When Mason learns that Sierra also wants Pier Seven and has rented it, he feels betrayed and turns against her. Whilst Sierra tries to explain that she hasn’t betrayed him, Mason’s sole concern is protecting his family’s legacy. And so our fiery duo declare war on one another, becoming two enemies vying for Pier Seven. Two enemies drawn to one another.

𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘗𝘪𝘦𝘳 𝘚𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯.
𝘔𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳

And of course, no matter how much they claim to be enemies, the mad chemistry that draws them together turns them into ‘true enemies’

𝘌𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘦𝘴.
𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘰𝘵-𝘢𝘴-𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘵𝘴

My favourite part is the moment when they both feel they belong to each other, but Sierra’s fear of rejection and of not being chosen drives her to flee from the man she loves and the town she longs for, whilst Mason’s fear of abandonment causes the woman he loves to leave him one morning. But in the end, love triumphs. Mason realises that Sierra is the only one he wants, and to avoid spending the rest of his life alone and full of regret, he goes after her. I’m proud of you

“𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦?”
“𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦.𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘐 𝘣𝘦?

And two people who cannot find a home find a home in each other.

“𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘚𝘪𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘢, 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘥. 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦.”

💥Rivals to Lovers
🍀 Small Town Romance
🖇️ Forced Proximity
🍺🥤 Grumpy Bar Owner MMC x Smoothie Bar Owner FMC
♾️ Found Home

[AbbieCadabbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my VERY favorite authors has done it again!
Thank you to Jaine Diamond, NetGalley, and Valentine PR for this ARC!

I was expecting the next book would be in her Bayshore Billionaires series, but her brilliant brain must’ve decided to take a side quest, because this book is the first in a new series!
We have a tiny crossover with Sophie (the curvy, 50’s Style Queen who’s the Merch Manager from the Dirty series) who makes an appearance in a large portion of this book, but other than her, this is a whole new world which takes place outside of Vancouver 97% of the time.

Sierra is a smoothie shop owner who comes to a little island in Canada, not too far from Vancouver for the summer. She has been looking for locations to have pop-up shops for her business, Cutie Smoothie for the summer. Sure fresh out of a breakup and had originally planned to spend a big part of her summer on the island with her longtime boyfriend, but that plan went to hell courtesy of a video conference…mishap, which lead to their breakup & the loss of her investment funding.
Unfortunately, when she arrives on the island, the woman who was supposed to meet her to set her up with the shop, as well as her lodging is MIA. So Sierra passes time at the local bar—where there’s a bachelorette party going on—where she meets Mason.

Mason is a bit of a grump who feels a lot of pressure on his shoulders. He runs a cider orchard & bar which carries his family’s cider. He’s stressed out and doesn’t have time for much outside of work and trying to keep his family’s legacy alive & growing. When Sierra walks into his bar, he assumes she’s part of the bachelorette party, but they eventually start up a conversation & as the cider starts to flow, she lets her guard down, as does he. He might actually really like this woman!

But the following day, everything changes. Why is she here?! Is she trying to screw him over on purpose? Just another manipulative woman trying to screw him over. Yet, as time goes on, the whole town really seems to like her. Maybe she’s not as evil as he thought she was?

Obviously, sparks eventually fly & decades-old love stories & mysteries start to slowly reveal themselves. Maybe people aren’t always who we believe them to be.

Pre-order your copy today!
Amazon: https://mybook.to/Thirst-For-Me
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4alLmy1

#JaineDiamond #ThirstForMe #ContemporaryRomance #BusinessRivals #CloseProximity #Montlake

[B. C. Booklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in Jaine Diamond's new Orchard Cove series paints such a vibrant picture of this charming little beach town, with it's laid back vibes and quirky residents who always know who's doing what. I wish I could hop on the next ferry to this idylic island, where the cider is always flowing, to experience all the fun for myself.

After all the books I've read by this author, it's really hard to pick favorites, but I'm picking stoic and broody Mason Grant and the fun-loving, down-but-not-out, Sierra Daniels. OMG, these characters are perfectly written and are so easy to fall in love with. There is a whole town of cool, distinctive secondary standouts, island legends, and a generational family feud's worth of really intriguing, literal 'characters' I can't wait to know better.

Sienna's come here to heal from a bad breakup and jump-start her business in a brand new setting, but for now, she's flirting the night away with the gorgeous bartender, singing old songs and drinking that deceptively sweet cider, which is beginning to taste like candy. She's upbeat, despite her situation, to Mason's bit of grumpiness, but their catchy inuendos and silly-hot attraction feels special from the start and hard to ignore, even though Sienna's just sworn off 'boys' and is only here for the summer. Could he be the exceptional 'man' to throw her self-imposed rules right out the window?

Sienna might have become the breath of fresh air Mason's always needed if he hadn't discovered she was given a lease to the property he thinks should be his. She just became his rival and now it's 'The Hottest bartender in the Universe' VS the Pop-up city-girl fruity-smoothie princess' for the much-coveted waterfront property win.

Sierra and her hilarious silly chats, with herself or BFF, Sophie (teeny little Dirtyverse nod here), cracked me up on just about every page. She is so awkwardly adorable, even newly 'NOT' team Sienna can't turn his mind off when it comes to her. Their banter and heat are off the charts, wavering between a hot, slow burn and wicked indecision. I really enjoyed the testing of the theory that 'things are not always as they seem', as Mason and Sierra try so hard not to want each other, yet cast interested glances at every opportunity.

Is there such a thing as a grouchy cinnamon roll hero? I think Mason is that kind of unicorn. He's protective of what he values most- his family, their history and legacy on this island, making sure the dreams his parents had can come true without them and working hard to make it all happen. His heart has been broken and feelings of loss linger, but he keeps on keeping on. I'd love to claim this elusive man, he's a keeper under that hard outer shell, but alas, the line for his attention is way too long.

Besides the 'hottest bartender', there must be something in the cider around here, because each one of Mason's band of brothers, including his own, was hotter than the next. As much as they love to tease and torment each other, which was so fun to watch, they always have each other's backs. I can't wait to read their stories, every single one.

This was a great lazy-day, feel-good adventure that kept me happily immersed in this perfect, low angst summer romance with big smile on my face and a song in my heart, wishing the next book was already written. I am smitten with Orchard Cove and the amazingly heartfelt ending, or maybe new beginning, that waited for for this perfectly matched, musically in-tune, oldies loving, Sienna and Mason.

Thirst for Me is only the first visit to this magical place, but I'm already looking forward to more Sienna and Mason, fun festivals, friends that feel like family, and maaaybe a few surprise visits from any number of 'special guests', blending right in to this cozy little town that's beginning to feel like home.


* My thanks to Jaine Diamond, Valentine PR and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book to read and honestly review.

[Andreea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thirst for Me by Jaine Diamond turned out to be so much more than I expected it to be. In my mind, I imagined a lighter story filled mostly with flirting and tension, just like the first pages suggested, but it became so much more than that, touching on themes like loneliness, rejection and rediscovering yourself.

I loved that the story doesn’t waste any time and introduces us immediately to Sierra and Mason, giving us their first interactions right away, even if the plot itself doesn’t move very quickly at first. While Sierra intrigued me and made me want to uncover more about her and what brought her to this small town, Mason completely won me over from the start. His imposing presence and grumpy attitude hide a caring man with a huge heart. But there are still many things left to discover about him as well, so my curiosity was instantly sparked.

I also loved how easy it was for me to empathize with Sierra. It made me root for her and hope she would finally find a place she could truly call home. It felt like Orchard Cove brought positive changes into her life and I really enjoyed watching her slowly put down roots there. Most importantly, Sierra’s growth throughout the story feels very visible.

What made this reading experience so special to me was the tension between the characters. Every thought, every glance they exchange makes you, as the reader, crave more. And the story is built so well! Because, obviously, nothing is that simple and, even though their connection is instant, the author makes sure to spice things up with a bit of rivalry.

I also loved that the story doesn’t begin with Sierra and Mason already being enemies, but instead lets us watch them slowly become that in real time. It added even more emotion to the story. Did Mason’s behavior always make me happy? No, but I also don’t think that was the author’s intention. The point was to create misunderstandings and I personally love stories that make your heart ache a little. And I felt like that only made the connection developing between them feel even more special.

Thanks to NetGalley and Jaine Diamond for this ARC! All opinions are my own.

[Frances Trudel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for this ALC copy of Thirst For Me by Jaine Diamond. Narrated by CJ Bloom and Alastair Haynesbridge.
I was hooked from chapter 1 of this book. I’m a sucker for Grumpy/Sunshine, small town, enemies-to-lovers / rivals-to-lovers mixed in with a slow burn! Sierra Daniels rolls into town after a three-year relationship just ended out of nowhere and her future business dreams have been crushed. She was given the opportunity to come to the town of Orchard Cove, to set up her pop-up waterfront smoothie shop for a short period of time. When she arrives, she has no cell service and is having a hard time getting into contact with the person who invited her to town. She stops in at the local bar/restaurant to ask for Wi-Fi but that’s where she runs into Mason Grant, the super attractive grumpy bartender. After some persuasion he lets her attach to the bar Wi-Fi. After her phone call he can tell she’s had some bad news, and he feels the need to try and make things better. It also might have something to do with his instant attraction to her the moment she walked into his bar, and he doesn’t know what to do with that!
These two start off friendly but the moment Mason realizes that Sierra is new to town to open her smoothie business where he thought he was renting/buying a space in town, the gloves are off and he decides he can’t stand her! Too bad for him though because the whole town seems to love her smoothie shop and how unique it is, even his family is enjoying it.
These two find themselves in a group planning a local event and having to spend some time together. It turns out they both can’t fight this attraction to each other and what happens behind closed doors is no one else’s business. It will just be a one-time thing…. Then maybe a summer fling! These two are healing from their pasts and a new relationship is not in the cards, especially with your town rival, or is it?
The audiobook for this was so good! I have listened to many books done by CJ Bloom but Alastair Haynesbridge is NEW to me and WOW… I really enjoyed him and wanted more from this duo!
I’m excited for the next book in the series!

[Nonna 2K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Small Town Romance

Thirst For Me is the first book in Jaine Diamond’s new Orchard Cove series. It takes place in the fictional small town of Orchard Cove on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.

Sierra Daniels is leasing a building on the pier for the month of June this summer for her smoothie pop up. On her first night, instead of meeting up with her landlord, she finds herself at the Sea Haven Bar & Grill. There she meets “Hot Bartender” Mason Grant. They start a flirtation and Mason is the one getting butterflies. The night ends with him letting her stay at his place, since she never got in contact with her landlord.

Unfortunately, the next day has Mason showing a completely different side of himself to Sierra now that he’s found out she is renting the same building he planned to have a pop up restaurant at for the month of June. Even though he doesn’t know her, he feels a sense of betrayal at her not disclosing all the details of why she was looking for June Spencer, because he had already started having thoughts of Sierra being the woman of his dreams.

After that, there’s competition between Sierra and Mason, but their attraction towards each other remains. They have some minor altercations before they have a moment at the pier where they actually talk to each other. Mason learns what happened in Sierra’s previous relationship, but he doesn’t share what happened in his own past. It’s not long after that they move into an enemies to lovers situation. Both Mason and Sierra have situations in their past that make them unwilling to fully trust another person with their heart, so they keep their feelings hidden away, even after they begin a physical relationship.

This story had me waiting for the chemistry to hit between Sierra and Mason. The first night in the bar, I could feel it trying to start, but I think what threw me off was the inner thoughts that Mason had about how he got butterflies. Then their rivalry never truly took off. It was more that Mason felt betrayed by June, but took it out on Sierra, while it was more about him not being able to come to terms with his parents being gone. Both Mason and Sierra have abandonment issues stemming from past relationships, but rather than talk things through, it becomes another thing that keeps them apart. Closer to the end of the book, for me, there was too much happening at one time. Then the way their relationship progressed so quickly after they were apart felt rushed. It would have made more sense as an epilogue, at least to me.

I do plan to continue the series, because I want to see what happens with Mason’s siblings. His sister Haven is in the epilogue and is in the next book. I’m hoping Layne is book 3.

If you know Jaine Diamond’s Dirty series, there is a connection to her new Orchard Cove series. Sierra’s best friend Sophie and her husband are merchandise managers for the rock band Dirty.

This could be your next 5 star read, so please don’t let my review stand in the way of that.

[Christina Loshikian · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC REVIEW: Thirst For Me

Thirst For Me
By: Jaine Diamond
Book 1 in The Orchard Cove Series

❥contemporary romance
❥business rivals
❥close proximity
❥small town
❥rivals to lovers

4⭐️ 3🌶️

Thirst For Me by Jaine Diamond was a fun, tension filled, small town, rivalry romance that had me hooked from the very first page to the very last page. This was my first read by Jane Diamond and it won’t be my last! I enjoyed this book so much! Sierra our fun loving, laid back FMC arrives in Orchard Cove looking for a fresh start and right away I fell so in love with her from the first few pages. She came to town like a messy hurricane. Even though she was betrayed by her cheating ex-boyfriend who almost ruined her business, she still kept her head held high. She was a little sassy at times but very caring and she was hard working and even though life has dealt her some not so good times, she’s still sunny and bright. Now, let’s meet Mason, our grumpy bar owner, who according to Sierra is the Hottest Bartender in the Universe. He is all grump on the outside but deep down he is just a softie. He cares deeply for his family and he loves this small town of Orchard Cove. The banter between Sierra and Mason is so great, which leads to some great spice between the two of them.

This story was very sweet and I enjoyed it so much, I loved seeing Mason and Sierra open up and let their guard down. Both have a past that hurt them and they have ways around their heart and watching those walls melt away as the book went on was really great. Mason became her safe place and she melted his grumpy exterior, they both learned to trust again. If you like small town, rivals to lovers rom com then this is the book for you. Thirst For Me should be at the top of your TBR, I promise that you will not be disappointed. Thank you to Valentine PR and author Jaine Diamond for this opportunity to read this eARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#JaineDiamond #ThirstForMe #ContemporaryRomance #BusinessRivals #CloseProximity

[Naughty Nightie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sierra arrives in Orchard Cove to expand her Smoothie business for the summer fiesta. She's unable to get hold of June Spencer, from whom she leased the pop-up store. Along with June graciously allowing her to stay in the cottage on June's property, due to a lack of cell service with her provider. She follows some girls from a bachelorette party into the Sea Haven Bar and Grill. She's hopeful they have Wi-Fi, but no such luck. Mason, the grumpy bartender and owner, isn't much help either. He eventually relents and lets her use the wifi. Sierra ends up getting a bit drunk and partying on with the bachelorette party girls. Mason is smitten by Sierra by the end of the night and tries to keep his feelings at bay. He ends up doing the gentlemanly thing and takes Sierra back to his place for the night since she couldn't get hold of June. The next morning, she meets up with her friend Sophie, who is here to help her set up the store and help out for a couple of weeks. Mason, when he sees what is happening across the road from the bar, is angry to find that Sierra is the lessee of the pop-up store he had his eye on. Now the war is on between the pair. He hates Sierra with a passion now and reckons she set him up. Jaine keeps you turning the pages with the pair's relationship, keeping you guessing about what will happen next. Will Mason finally come to his senses and do the right thing by Sierra? Have the tissues handy as there are a couple of teary moments.
I recieved an ARC for my voluntary, honest review for NN Book Blog. If you enjoy a small town sweet romance with a lot of angst between the two warring factions, then you will love this read. What a great start to the Orchard Cove series, and I cant wait to read the rest of the series and meet the other characters. The end of this one sets you up for Haven and Jace's story in Book Two.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thirst for Me is the first book in Jaine Diamond’s Orchard Cove series and it is a charming and drama-filled small-town romance that delivers exactly what fans are looking for in this genre. The story follows Sierra, a thirty-something woman trying to rebuild her life after a failed relationship. Determined to make a fresh start, she pours her energy into launching her smoothie business in the picturesque town of Orchard Cove. At first, Sierra comes across as a bit of a free spirit, and someone who falls hard and fast, but as the story unfolds, there’s more depth to her than meets the eye.

Then there is Mason. The rugged and brooding bar owner who initially seems like your classic grump. But beneath that tough exterior is a softer side that quickly emerges, especially once his chemistry with Sierra heats up. Their connection is immediate, almost feeling a bit like insta-love, which isn’t always a favourite trope of mine, but Jaine makes it work in a way that feels engaging rather than forced.

After a night together, their relationship takes an unexpected turn when Mason pulls away, leaving Sierra confused. The tension builds as she discovers she’s unwittingly stepped into the middle of a long-standing feud between two families, this complicates both her business and her budding romance.

As always, Jaine delivers strong character dynamics and plenty of emotional angst. The supporting cast adds to the story, and Orchard Cove itself feels like a vibrant, inviting setting. While lighter in tone than some of Jaine’s other works, Thirst for Me still offers enough drama and heart to keep readers invested.

Overall, this is a fun and satisfying read that balances romance, conflict, and small-town charm. If you enjoy enemies-to-lovers stories with compelling characters and a touch of angst, this book is definitely worth picking up.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thirst For Me feels like a bit of a departure for Jaine Diamond. The small town setting is simple and cozy and the storyline is much lighter and fluffier than her other series. That's not to say that there isn't interest or that previous stories have been dark or torturous; this just feels like a summer beach read that you can breeze through in an afternoon with no angst!

I enjoyed Sierra and Mason's story and in particular the Easter eggs connecting back to Jaine's wider Dirtyverse. The simple narrative of a girl who has just experienced a traumatic break-up, moving temporarily to a small town to run her business (sidenote: a business which I cannot believe would make a profit most of the year in this town!) and meeting a whole host of hunky men, the grumpiest but ultimately golden-hearted one of whom immediately catches her eye, is classic modern romance. Yes, it's full of contemporary tropes, but we love them for a reason! It was a perfect palette cleanser between romantsy and histrom books and I flew through it.

Did I feel like everything was a bit unrealistic and that the 'rivals' element was somewhat manufactured and far-fetched? Yes but it added to the drama! Did I lap up Jaine's writing style and end the book with happy tears running down my face anyway? Also, yes! And am I looking forward to the next one in the series? Of course I am.

A great light summer holiday read. It's probably more of a 3.5 score for me as I love Jaine's more angsty, challenging storylines, but I rounded up as I'm looking forward to other books in this quaint, peaceful setting.

Thanks to Valentine PR and Jaine Diamond for the ARC. I’m honoured to be part of her ARC team. All thoughts are my honest opinion.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thirst For Me by Jaine Diamond was such a fun little summer romance escape ☀️🌊
This definitely feels lighter and fluffier compared to some of her more emotional books, but honestly? It worked perfectly for the vibe of this story. It’s the kind of romance you can fly through in one afternoon with a drink beside you and zero desire to put it down.
Sierra and Mason had that classic grumpy x sunshine energy that always gets me 😭 He’s gruff, moody, acts mildly inconvenienced by her existence… meanwhile you can tell almost immediately he’s completely gone for her. My favourite type of man honestly.
The small town setting felt cozy and charming in that effortless beach-town way, and I loved all the little connections to Janie’s wider Dirtyverse. It made the world feel lived in without taking away from Sierra and Mason’s story.
The plot itself definitely leans more fun and dramatic than deeply realistic at times, but I honestly didn’t even care because the whole thing was just enjoyable. The rivalry aspects were a little chaotic and exaggerated, but in a way that kept things entertaining instead of frustrating.
I also really liked that underneath the lighter tone, there’s still this thread of healing running through the story. Sierra’s recovering from heartbreak and trying to rebuild herself a little, and Mason becomes this unexpectedly safe place for her while still challenging her at the same time.
Overall this felt like:
☀️ small town summer vibes
🤍 grumpy man secretly obsessed
☀️ beach read energy
🤍 low angst romance
☀️ cozy chaos & banter
🤍 golden-hearted MMC
Not my most emotionally devastating Janie Diamond read, but such a cute, easy, comforting romance that left me smiling by the end 💛

[Amy Kay ♥️ Books are my daily therapy ♥️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIRST FOR ME
By: Jaine Diamond
Orchard Cove Series
Book 1

ARC/ALC REVIEW

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 Star Review
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4/5 Spiciness Level
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 5/5 Audiobook Review

RECOMMENDATION:
This was such a fun summer, small-town romance read! Mason & Sierra are both very driven and end up being rivals! She is in town for the summer as a temporary set-up & selling her smoothies from her own smoothie business. The same small town is where Mason has generational family roots and where he was born & raised.

They both are having to deal with local June Spencer, a seventy-something spitfire of a lady who owns property they both want. She also has history with the very outspoken and rather cantankerous grandfather of Mason. So, there is quite the history in this small town and Sierra unfortunately ends up in the middle of it and by no fault of her own.

None of this stops the sparks from flying in this beach town romance as they navigate their physical relationship evolving into much more. Does she choose to stay in this lovely little town with the found family vibes or return home to her lonely city life? Does Mason want her to stay in his town or want her gone along with the complications a relationship brings?

FAVORITE QUOTE(S):
“A fat seagull pinwheels overhead, and I would not be the least bit surprised if it shit on my face. It’s been that kind of week.”

“The term ruggedly handsome was obviously coined by the admirers of this man’s genetically superior ancestors.”

“The bartender’s blue, bottomless eyes meet mine again, and my ovaries squee! at the eye contact; they don’t seem to understand that this isn’t foreplay and he’s not buying us a drink. They must be confused by all the smolder and the liquor bottles.”

“Forget butterflies. It feels like an entire flock of doves just lifted off from my ribcage because I made her smile.”

“Alcohol should not taste that good when I’m in the middle of a life crisis. However, if I learned anything about alcohol in my twenties, it tastes better in a life crisis. At least I’m not naked.”

“I actually found myself entertaining the thought that I might’ve just met the woman of my dreams, and maybe this would be our messy, funny, sexy origin story. What a load of shit.”

TROPES:
MF
Summer Romance
Grumpy x Sunshine
Rivals-to-Lovers
Small Town Romance
Found Family
Close Proximity
Open-Door Spice

GENRE, POV, PAGE COUNT:
Contemporary Romance
Dual POV in 1st Person
332 Pages

AUDIOBOOK STYLE, NARRATORS, REVIEW & TIME LENGTH:
Dual Narration
Narrators:
CJ Bloom &
Alastair Haynesbridge
Audiobooks are magnificent. They have a way of immersing the reader further into the story and taking it to a whole new level. These narrators do an impeccable job of narrating their parts in this book. The transition of voice and pitch changes are seamless and each character is easily distinguishable. Wonderful job!!
9 Hours 34 Minutes

THANKS:
Thank you to Author Jaine Diamond, Valentine PR, Amazon Publishing UK | Montlake, Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio & NetGalley for this amazing book! I loved reading it, look forward to the next book in this series and look forward to reading future books by this author and publisher! Thank you!
 
Happy Reading! ♥☻

[Anna Theurer (Anna's Bookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thirst For Me is the first book in this author’s Orchard Cove series and let me tell you that I was blown away by how amazing this small town romance is! I have always enjoyed this author’s books with her amiable characters, intriguing storylines, and her jaunty way with words. Of course this book checkmarked all of those boxes! I absolutely loved the opening chapter with how Sierra and Mason meet!

Sierra is a breath of fresh air! Her witty inner musings had me chuckling and oh how I love her turn of phrase! She can be a bit sassy, but is also very caring and hard working. The owner of the building she is leasing for her pop-up smoothie shop nudges her to identify what she truly wants in life. She has a lot of decisions ahead of her and it was interesting to see how she grappled with her emotions, desires, and view of life.

Ah Mason. . . Oh how I love this man! According to Sierra, he is the Hottest Bartender in the Universe and the author’s (or should I say Sierra’s) descriptions of this ruggedly handsome man leads me to believe that he is perhaps the hottest fictional MMC in the Universe. For all of his good looks and oozing sex appeal, Mason is relatively down to earth. He loves his town, he loves his family, and he loves his cider business. What he does struggle with are relationships and his growing attraction towards Sierra.

Both Sierra and Mason have things in their lives and past experiences that greatly influence how they approach work and especially relationships. This of course, spills over into their interactions and feelings. While supposed enemies and rivals, one can feel the palpable tension that is tethered to their desire towards each other.

The author does a phenomenal job with their character growth that is seamless and makes them very easy to relate to. The story moves at a good pace and I found myself fully invested in the these characters and the small town charm of Orchard Cove. I enjoyed learning about everyone’s backstories and I especially love the evolution of Sierra and Mason’s relationship. Of course, I couldn’t help but also fall in love with several of the secondary characters and am beyond thrilled that there will be more books in this series!


*I received an early copy of this manuscript from the publisher. I voluntarily leave this honest review and all thoughts are entirely my own.

[Denisse Diaz de Leon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: Thirst For Me (Orchard Cove Book 1)

Two rivals, one small town, and a whole lot of heat!

I received an ARC of Thirst For Me by Jaine Diamond, and it was such an entertaining, emotional ride. Jaine is a master at weaving themes of abandonment and misunderstanding into her stories. While these tropes are central to the plot, they worked beautifully here to build tension and give the characters real depth.

What I loved:

The Chemistry: The spark between Sierra and Mason is undeniable. I found myself genuinely moved—and even shed a few tears—watching their emotional development. They both carry so much baggage, and watching them learn to trust again was heart-wrenching and beautiful.

The "Dirty-Verse" Connection: As a fan of Jaine’s work, I loved the connection Sierra’s best friend has to "Dirty." It was a fantastic way to bridge the "Dirty-Verse" into Orchard Cove, and I hope we see more of that crossover!

The Characters:

Mason Grant: He is officially my new book boyfriend! He’s the perfect "grumpy on the outside, teddy bear on the inside" hero. Plus, he’s handy and owns an orchard—sign me up! His struggle with grief made his journey to opening up even more impactful.

Sierra: My heart broke for her. After being betrayed by a cheating ex who nearly ruined her business, she was "wilted" but so resilient. Seeing her find a home in Orchard Cove was so satisfying.

Final Thoughts:
This is a perfect summer read if you love small-town rivals-to-lovers stories with a lot of heart and high stakes. The writing is great, the tension is delicious, and I am already impatient for the next book in the series!

[ReadingMomma · Rating 4 out of 5]

⚠️ POSSIBLE SPOILERS ⚠️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️ 3/5

Thirst for Me was such a fun, tension-filled small-town romance that had me smiling from beginning to end 💕☀️

Sierra arrives in Orchard Cove looking for a fresh start and a chance to save her smoothie business, but what she doesn't expect is an all-out war with Mason Grant, the grumpy bar owner who seems determined to make her life difficult from the moment they meet 😏

The banter between Sierra and Mason was easily one of my favorite parts of this book. Their constant back-and-forth had me hooked, and every argument only made the tension between them stronger. Watching them go from rivals to something more was such a satisfying journey.

I also have to give some love to the side characters because they absolutely helped bring Orchard Cove to life. The town felt warm, welcoming, and full of personality, making it easy to see why Sierra started feeling at home there.

While there are a handful of spicy scenes throughout the story, this book is really driven by the chemistry, tension, and emotional growth between the characters. Both Sierra and Mason are carrying their own wounds, and watching them slowly let each other in made their relationship feel genuine and earned.

If you're looking for a small-town romance packed with tension, banter, lovable side characters, and a couple you'll be rooting for from the start, this one is definitely worth picking up 💛

Thank you to Valentine PR & Literary Management, Jaine Diamond, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

[MaddMoxxie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thirst for Me hit every mark for me, and then some. I've been a Jaine Diamond fan for ages, so getting to step back into the world tied to the Dirty series, run into familiar faces again, and explore a brand new island setting? It felt like coming home. And falling in love all over again, honestly.

Sierra shows up in Orchard Cove with her heart in pieces, humiliated, done with men for good... or so she thinks. Then Mason happens. The chemistry hits from their very first run-in at the bar, and it doesn't let up.

Diamond just has this knack for tension that crackles off the page. Every back and forth between these two buzzes with that enemies-to-lovers energy, and I caught myself snort laughing through the bickering as much as awww-ing at the swoony parts.

But here's what really got me: underneath all this fire and the walls they've been building for years, Sierra and Mason are just... good people. Both carrying real wounds, sure, but neither one turns hard or selfish because of it; they keep showing up for others, even when it costs them something. So, watching two people who are obviously drawn to each other, against their better judgment, slowly let their guard down? That's the kind of slow burn I LIVE for.

The small-town setting is gorgeous. The side characters charm you without trying too hard, and the playlist tie-ins are such a fun little extra. This is just peak Diamond, really: funny, swoony, emotional, the kind of book you don't want to put down. If you're into enemies-to-lovers with real heart underneath the heat, this one's for you.

I received an advance reader copy from NetGalley and am sharing my honest review.