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The Inn at Laurel Creek #1
The Inn at Laurel Creek
From the best-selling author of the Angela Panther series comes the contemporary romance novella: The Inn At Laurel Creek Do You Believe in Love at First Sight? Frustrated and hurt by the news of her ex-boyfriend's pending marriage to a virtual stranger, Carly escapes to a small-town bed and breakfast in the mountains of North Georgia to heal her wounded heart. At the inn, Carly meets struggling musician Ben, and their instant connection is undeniable. Even though she knows next to nothing about the sexy singer with the crooked smile and sensitive soul, that doesn't stop her heart from suddenly feeling like its home. Can Carly's newfound feelings survive when she discovers Ben isn't who he seems?
99 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2014
20 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Ridder Aspenson
147 books543 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author Carolyn Ridder Aspenson writes cozy mysteries, thrillers, and paranormal women's fiction featuring strong female leads. Her stories shine through her dialogue, which readers have praised for being realistic and compelling.
A multiple number one bestseller on Amazon, her first novel, Unfinished Business, was a five-star Reader's Favorite, a Rone Award finalist, as well as a number one bestseller on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. In 2021, she introduced readers to detective Rachel Ryder in Damaging Secrets, also a number one bestseller on Amazon. Overkill, the third book in the Rachel Ryder series, was one of Thrillerfix’s best thrillers of 2021.Reviews have praised her work as ‘compelling, and intense,’ and ‘read through the night, edge of your seat thrillers. Carolyn’s most recent Rachel Ryder novel, Deadly Means, has been submitted for an Edgar Award by her publisher, Severn River Publishing.
Prior to publishing, she worked as a journalist in the suburbs of Atlanta where her work appeared in multiple newspapers and magazines. She wrote a monthly featured column in Northside Woman magazine.
Writing is only one of Carolyn's passions. She is an avid dog lover and currently spoils an American Staffordshire terrier boxer mix. She lives in the mountains of North Georgia as an empty nester (who misses her kids terribly but loves having a lower grocery bill) with her husband, a cantankerous cat, and her very spoiled pup.
Connect with Carolyn via carolyn@carolynridderaspenson.com
A multiple number one bestseller on Amazon, her first novel, Unfinished Business, was a five-star Reader's Favorite, a Rone Award finalist, as well as a number one bestseller on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. In 2021, she introduced readers to detective Rachel Ryder in Damaging Secrets, also a number one bestseller on Amazon. Overkill, the third book in the Rachel Ryder series, was one of Thrillerfix’s best thrillers of 2021.Reviews have praised her work as ‘compelling, and intense,’ and ‘read through the night, edge of your seat thrillers. Carolyn’s most recent Rachel Ryder novel, Deadly Means, has been submitted for an Edgar Award by her publisher, Severn River Publishing.
Prior to publishing, she worked as a journalist in the suburbs of Atlanta where her work appeared in multiple newspapers and magazines. She wrote a monthly featured column in Northside Woman magazine.
Writing is only one of Carolyn's passions. She is an avid dog lover and currently spoils an American Staffordshire terrier boxer mix. She lives in the mountains of North Georgia as an empty nester (who misses her kids terribly but loves having a lower grocery bill) with her husband, a cantankerous cat, and her very spoiled pup.
Connect with Carolyn via carolyn@carolynridderaspenson.com
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 24, 2014
Carolyn Ridder Aspension certainly has a way with the English language. One of my favorite lines from the book is
“My relationship dropped further into the toilet and shortly thereafter, Matthew gripped the handle hard flushing it down into the bowels of relationship sewage.”
This novella oozes southern charm and hospitality. If this inn really exists; I need a week there. The author does a fantastic job of building up the story from page one. You will not be disappointed. You may even need a cold glass of sweet tea afterwards.
“My relationship dropped further into the toilet and shortly thereafter, Matthew gripped the handle hard flushing it down into the bowels of relationship sewage.”
This novella oozes southern charm and hospitality. If this inn really exists; I need a week there. The author does a fantastic job of building up the story from page one. You will not be disappointed. You may even need a cold glass of sweet tea afterwards.
October 24, 2014
Love at first sight novels are a hard thing to sell me on. And honestly for the first half of this novella I just wasn't buying it. I'm glad I stuck with it because by the time I hit the mid way point of this story I was sold and rooting for Carly and Ben.
I loved the setting for this book. The Bed and Breakfast owners Stan and Lou were a hoot. I totally think the author should write more novellas set at this magical retreat Georgia.
This is an 85 page novella but I felt the story was told well and I was satisfied by the end. It's hard for me to buy into a relationship that develops to the point this one did in just a few days but that is part of the charm of the setting of this book. The Inn at Laurel Creek is a place where miracles occur.
Rating: 4 Stars - Great Book
Content: some mild/moderate language and profanity, innuendo and a fade to black sex scene
Source: Review copy from author
I loved the setting for this book. The Bed and Breakfast owners Stan and Lou were a hoot. I totally think the author should write more novellas set at this magical retreat Georgia.
This is an 85 page novella but I felt the story was told well and I was satisfied by the end. It's hard for me to buy into a relationship that develops to the point this one did in just a few days but that is part of the charm of the setting of this book. The Inn at Laurel Creek is a place where miracles occur.
Rating: 4 Stars - Great Book
Content: some mild/moderate language and profanity, innuendo and a fade to black sex scene
Source: Review copy from author
September 29, 2016
A sweet book with a fair amount of humor in it. Likeable characters, from the innkeepers to the main couple. Setting was nicely described. I do feel the Southern dialogue was overdone and a bit cheesy, but it didn't detract from my reading too much. Storyline was predictable, but since the story itself wasn't all that long, I read to the end. It dropped off a bit there. I wanted to know how the friends reacted to Ben's revelation.
Overall, very clean. No Cursing. Sexual inneundo, but not steamy and without any descriptions. In fact, I needed a bit more heat for once. Definitely a cute read for anyone looking for something light to while away some time.
Overall, very clean. No Cursing. Sexual inneundo, but not steamy and without any descriptions. In fact, I needed a bit more heat for once. Definitely a cute read for anyone looking for something light to while away some time.
October 25, 2014
I wanted to like it... I really did. Too much innuendo, too much language and not enough romance beyond the physical chemistry.
Content: mild language, implied intimacy
Content: mild language, implied intimacy
August 1, 2016
Very cute, sweet story. Even though this is a novella the characters are really well developed and I found myself completely engaged.
August 27, 2019
Sweet love story in a charming setting with wonderful characters. Carly didn't know she was looking for love. She only went to nurse a broken heart. Lou and Stan are the fun innkeepers and they do believe in miracles. Ben has been coming to the inn his entire life and is very open to finding love. The immediate chemistry between Ben and Carly draws you in. Quick read leaves you with a good feeling.
July 20, 2019
This very touching story is full of romance and is a wonderful read. Having fallen in love (and married) a guitar player, I instantly felt a connection with the characters. If you like romance novels, or even if you just need a break from other genres, this little novella is refreshing!
August 5, 2018
Thank you!
Thank you so much for writing such a cute and entertaining story!! I could not put it down until I finished it!
Thank you so much for writing such a cute and entertaining story!! I could not put it down until I finished it!
October 16, 2019
Pleasant, clean romance.
October 23, 2014
FINDING TRUE LOVE AT THE INN
Leaving Atlanta for a getaway to heal the hurt and pain when Matthew, the man Carly had been with for five years, calls their relationship to an end and then quickly becomes engaged and getting married to another. The Inn at Laurel Creek has quirky owners, Lou and Stan, that add delight to this story. Then meeting Ben and listening to him play his guitar and sing is relaxing. Ben and Carly hit it off and enjoy each other's company. But is love at first sight real? Can Carly's move forward and does Ben have a future or is his just a singer songwriter want to be? What happens when secrets are revealed. This story has it's laugh out loud moments, it's awww moments and leaves you feeling enchanted with love and believing that there is a...."and they lived happily ever after!"
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinons and ratings are my own.
Leaving Atlanta for a getaway to heal the hurt and pain when Matthew, the man Carly had been with for five years, calls their relationship to an end and then quickly becomes engaged and getting married to another. The Inn at Laurel Creek has quirky owners, Lou and Stan, that add delight to this story. Then meeting Ben and listening to him play his guitar and sing is relaxing. Ben and Carly hit it off and enjoy each other's company. But is love at first sight real? Can Carly's move forward and does Ben have a future or is his just a singer songwriter want to be? What happens when secrets are revealed. This story has it's laugh out loud moments, it's awww moments and leaves you feeling enchanted with love and believing that there is a...."and they lived happily ever after!"
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinons and ratings are my own.
October 26, 2014
“His touch caused the butterflies sleeping in my stomach to wake up and dance. I desperately wanted to let them free.” was only one of the phrases in this delightful novella that caught my eye.
A synopsis of the story I will not give you since that is already there when you read the blurb provided for the book as well as in other reviews that are posted. What I will tell you is that even though this book may have elements found in other short contemporary romances it also has great dialogue, chemistry, hot scenes without explicitness, humor, magic, wonderful characters and a lovely setting for the story to take place in.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and recommend it to anyone looking for a feel good story with a happily ever after ending.
I should probably say that I was given this story to read for an honest review and will also say that of the books and stories I have read by this author this has to be one of my favorite!
A synopsis of the story I will not give you since that is already there when you read the blurb provided for the book as well as in other reviews that are posted. What I will tell you is that even though this book may have elements found in other short contemporary romances it also has great dialogue, chemistry, hot scenes without explicitness, humor, magic, wonderful characters and a lovely setting for the story to take place in.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and recommend it to anyone looking for a feel good story with a happily ever after ending.
I should probably say that I was given this story to read for an honest review and will also say that of the books and stories I have read by this author this has to be one of my favorite!
October 28, 2014
This is a great book! It is a novella, however, even though it is a shorter book, I feel like this is a complete story. I was able to read it in one sitting, and loved everything about this book. Carly is upset that her ex is getting married, so she leaves town and escapes to a small bed and breakfast. When she meets the owners they tell her that bed and breakfast is a place where miracles happen. While enjoying the sunshine Carly meets musician Ben, they are instantly attracted to each other, even though they don’t know anything about one another. Carly and Ben hit is off and have an instant connection, and with a little help from the owners of the bed and breakfast they may have a HEA. This book is a sweet romance, with southern hospitality. I hope that the author writes another book with these characters, I would love to see what happens next.
A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
November 12, 2014
Beautiful, characters and setting! I want to go spend a week at The Inn at Lauren Creek! What a perfectly relaxing place filled with kind & happy people who just want to help you be calm. Carly, the main character, is escaping a weekend that just couldn't possibly hurt any worse. But just as promised, miracles do happen at the Inn. A beautifully written love story that just falls so perfectly into place, no one can deny it. And it is a believable story, even for a story that you only find in books and movies. You get caught up in Carly and Ben's story right from the beginning and feel something good is going to happen.
The length of this novella is perfect! Long enough to be full of goodness and details that make you swoon, but short enough for someone who doesn't read a lot to read through quickly but get a great love story that leaves you with a smile! I would recommend this novella to anyone!
The length of this novella is perfect! Long enough to be full of goodness and details that make you swoon, but short enough for someone who doesn't read a lot to read through quickly but get a great love story that leaves you with a smile! I would recommend this novella to anyone!
November 7, 2014
The Inn at Laurel Creek is a sweet love story, Carly's ex boyfriend is getting married only 6 months after breaking up with her and she decides that instead of staying in town and dealing with all the pity that will be reaped her way that she will treat herself to a weekend chosen at random. Which is how she finds herself at The Inn at Laurel Creek, a quaint like B&B in a quiet small town.
This is where she meets the most unexpected person with an instant connection. And so the story begins!
The Inn at Laurel Creek is the sweetest fun romance story that I have read recently and I highly recommend it!
This is where she meets the most unexpected person with an instant connection. And so the story begins!
The Inn at Laurel Creek is the sweetest fun romance story that I have read recently and I highly recommend it!
October 24, 2014
Is it possible to smile the whole time while reading a story?? That's what happened with me on this one! I loved this short story from page 1. The characters were relatable, sweet & funny. The Inn is somewhere I'd love to go to relax, get away & find myself again. And for the author saying she doesn't normally write romance stories...I thought this was beautiful & touching and she definitely needs to keep writing in this genre, as she hit it out of the park! Definitely INN love with this novella
December 10, 2014
“The Inn at Laurel Creek” is a great feel-good romance. Aspenson is a favorite author of mine, and she doesn’t disappoint with this novella. I loved the twist that she put in it, and the banter between the characters was smart and fun as usual. Ben was a truly believable leading man and was my favorite character. I’d love to read more about Carly and Ben—hoping there’s more to come! I would highly recommend this novella for a quick romantic read.
February 9, 2015
Carly doesn't believe in love at first sight and she doesn't understand how her ex could leave her and immediately fall in love and schedule his wedding to someone else. She decides to get away from the reminders of her exes wedding day so she chooses to get away to a bed and breakfast. The unusual owners of the inn are charming and fun and Carly soon learns that love at first sight is not a myth when she meets Ben.
November 6, 2014
I was surprised to see a romance novella from Carolyn Ridder Aspenson, but just like her Angela Panther books, her main character, Carly, is completely human and self-deprecatingly funny. The setting, a gorgeous bed and breakfast in Georgia, sounds so appealing, as does Ben, the love interest. It made me want to believe in love at first sight!
June 14, 2015
Wonderful story
Wow. I have found another wonderful author. I really enjoy this exquisite story. It had wonderful characters and I read in one sitting. I could not put down. Read late into the night.
Wow. I have found another wonderful author. I really enjoy this exquisite story. It had wonderful characters and I read in one sitting. I could not put down. Read late into the night.
January 24, 2015
Good
this short story is about how one woman went to an Inn to forget about a relationship that ways ended by her useless boy friend.
this short story is about how one woman went to an Inn to forget about a relationship that ways ended by her useless boy friend.
September 1, 2016
Star Rating: ★★½☆☆
February 10, 2015
Nice innocent love story
This story is a very sweet love story. You can get to know the characters and enjoy their chemistry. It flows quickly and is a quick read.
This story is a very sweet love story. You can get to know the characters and enjoy their chemistry. It flows quickly and is a quick read.
March 12, 2015
fun and flirty
This is a fun, contemporary novella. The Inn is a beautiful, peaceful place to get away from it all. The girl with the broken heart and the pop star meet.
This is a fun, contemporary novella. The Inn is a beautiful, peaceful place to get away from it all. The girl with the broken heart and the pop star meet.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews