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Northbridge Nights #2.5
Crescent Hill
Roman Finnegan fixes hotels for a living. Give him two weeks with any failing hospitality business and he'll make it profitable again.
But his latest charity project, Crescent Hill Lodge, may be beyond saving.
The owners refuse to acknowledge their financial problems, the staff are disrespectful, the hideous rooms are filthy, and the entire Summers family is on the verge of bankruptcy. If they can’t turn things around before the new year, they’ll have to shut down the lodge.
The only person keeping the business afloat is the owners' daughter and hotel manager, Magnolia (Maggie) Summers. She's hard-working, loyal and kind to a fault. She also has big dreams that are stifled by her inner demons.
Despite trying to stay professional, Roman falls hard for this sweet, small-town girl.
So hard, in fact, that he wants to bring her back to London with him.
His gift: an all-expense paid winter holiday in Europe. All Maggie has to do is say yes.
Only thing is, Maggie’s past is littered with broken hearts, unfulfilled promises, and stolen dreams.
She’s too scared to leave her family, hometown, and safety net behind.
She doesn’t think Roman can make her happy.
He needs to convince her otherwise…before his flight back to the UK first thing Christmas morning.
*This is a full-length, exclusive male POV, standalone holiday romance.*
But his latest charity project, Crescent Hill Lodge, may be beyond saving.
The owners refuse to acknowledge their financial problems, the staff are disrespectful, the hideous rooms are filthy, and the entire Summers family is on the verge of bankruptcy. If they can’t turn things around before the new year, they’ll have to shut down the lodge.
The only person keeping the business afloat is the owners' daughter and hotel manager, Magnolia (Maggie) Summers. She's hard-working, loyal and kind to a fault. She also has big dreams that are stifled by her inner demons.
Despite trying to stay professional, Roman falls hard for this sweet, small-town girl.
So hard, in fact, that he wants to bring her back to London with him.
His gift: an all-expense paid winter holiday in Europe. All Maggie has to do is say yes.
Only thing is, Maggie’s past is littered with broken hearts, unfulfilled promises, and stolen dreams.
She’s too scared to leave her family, hometown, and safety net behind.
She doesn’t think Roman can make her happy.
He needs to convince her otherwise…before his flight back to the UK first thing Christmas morning.
*This is a full-length, exclusive male POV, standalone holiday romance.*
376 pages, ebook
First published December 24, 2016
18 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
December 19, 2016
This is my first book by Jackie Wang but, won't be my last. I absolutely adored this book!! It had a lot of different aspects to it. It had a family mystery, steam, comedy & drama. And add all that to the pot smoking 81 year old grandma and I was hooked.
Roman has come over from London to help the Summers family fix there family lodge from the brink of bankruptcy but, he gets more than he bargained for when meets Maggie, the owners daughter.
Maggie was sweet, independent and fierce!!! But she also felt like the rumors people spread about her in there small town were somewhat true, and it was hard for her to see past that. Roman was determined to show her how special she is and life hasn't passed her by and the best is yet to come.
I was happy when Maggie finally reclaimed her life again and could see her future regardless of her past.
I absolutely loved Roman!!! He was blunt, brutally honest, extremely kind & caring. He genuinely wanted only the best for Maggie and wanted was determined that she has it.
I received a ARC copy of this book for a honest review
Roman has come over from London to help the Summers family fix there family lodge from the brink of bankruptcy but, he gets more than he bargained for when meets Maggie, the owners daughter.
Maggie was sweet, independent and fierce!!! But she also felt like the rumors people spread about her in there small town were somewhat true, and it was hard for her to see past that. Roman was determined to show her how special she is and life hasn't passed her by and the best is yet to come.
I was happy when Maggie finally reclaimed her life again and could see her future regardless of her past.
I absolutely loved Roman!!! He was blunt, brutally honest, extremely kind & caring. He genuinely wanted only the best for Maggie and wanted was determined that she has it.
I received a ARC copy of this book for a honest review
December 15, 2016
Crescent Hill is my first read by Jackie Y. Wang. I really liked the storyline and I loved the writing style. Roman and Maggie are great together but it takes time to finally be with each other. Its romantic, full of love, sweet and fun. I enjoyed it and want to read more books by Jackie.
December 24, 2016
If you are looking for a book about redemption, lost love, bad decisions, a girl with a past, a millionaire guy who is not into tying you up then Crescent Hill is the book for you. I liked this story set in a broken hotel in a small island with all the ups and downs from a small town people, you met Magnolia and ROman and her family and neighboors and broken wounds and all in between.
I really like the tone of the book, is not what I usually read but I did enjoy reading a novel about a tv personality who fixes hotels for a living, so I´m giving extra points to the author for her originality, it was a fun book to read, I´m looking forward to read more books of hers. I don´t want to spoiled anything but is refreshing to read about a girl who is not 20 years old or a girl who just got out from college, I like books about real women, who makes mistakes and they´re not perfect or naive who falls for the first handsome guy they met. Real women have past, got lost a Little and then are back on the road again just like anybody else.
Do I recommend this book? Hell yes, I really liked, is about real people with real problems and real wounds who needs to be healed in order to get the best of life has to offer.
I really like the tone of the book, is not what I usually read but I did enjoy reading a novel about a tv personality who fixes hotels for a living, so I´m giving extra points to the author for her originality, it was a fun book to read, I´m looking forward to read more books of hers. I don´t want to spoiled anything but is refreshing to read about a girl who is not 20 years old or a girl who just got out from college, I like books about real women, who makes mistakes and they´re not perfect or naive who falls for the first handsome guy they met. Real women have past, got lost a Little and then are back on the road again just like anybody else.
Do I recommend this book? Hell yes, I really liked, is about real people with real problems and real wounds who needs to be healed in order to get the best of life has to offer.
December 21, 2016
Crescent Hill is a sweet love story over the holidays between two lost souls told in two parts. Roman Finnegan is a successful businessman who like to help fix family run hotels/inns returning them to peak performance. Roman's project this time is Crescent Hill Lodge which has seen it's better days, as in it's a dump! Maggie the daughter of owners of the lodge catches his eye and Roman can't help falling for the single mother of two. In order to succeed, change is needed and it seems the Summers family is resistant in many ways.
I fell for this story from the blurb and knew I needed to read it. I love the inspiration from "Hotel Hell" and enjoyed the idea of a hotel fixer. I didn't connect with the characters here but I still enjoyed the story, just took a little longer to read. Roman seems too good to be true and Maggie was a interesting and complicated character. 4 solid stars for Crescent Hill by Jackie Y. Wang
*** Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Reads - ARC provided for a honest review ***
I fell for this story from the blurb and knew I needed to read it. I love the inspiration from "Hotel Hell" and enjoyed the idea of a hotel fixer. I didn't connect with the characters here but I still enjoyed the story, just took a little longer to read. Roman seems too good to be true and Maggie was a interesting and complicated character. 4 solid stars for Crescent Hill by Jackie Y. Wang
*** Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Reads - ARC provided for a honest review ***
December 26, 2016
This book was so great!! Roman travels from England to the US to offer his services as a hotel fixer to the struggling owners at the Crescent Hill Lodge. But he didn't plan on Maggie, the owners daughter and single mother. They try to remain professional but they are drawn together like moths to a flame. This was a fun and sweet story.
(I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book)
(I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book)
December 18, 2016
This was such a sweet HEA. It was almost like reading one of Gordon Ramsey's scripts from Kitchen Nightmares. I can't wait to see more out of this author. I do wish there had been a little more conflict, though. Maybe I'm just a sadistic sort.
December 20, 2016
Roman has worked hard over the years and become successful. He is a well known hospitality whiz and can take any hotel, bed and breakfast, or lodge and turn it into a thriving business. Or at least he thought he could. When he offered to help the Summers family with their small town hotel, he had no idea what he was getting into. The kitchen serves food that is barely edible, the front door sticks, and the rooms are unlivable. How will he manage to fix the hotel up in time for their grand reopening? He rolls up his sleeves and gets to work. The only problem is, Magnolia (Maggie) Summers keeps catching his eye. She's hot, sassy, and a wonderful mom but she is holding something back. Roman dives in to try and fix all of her problems, but Maggie isn't used to accepting help, especially not when her son's father is back in the picture.
Maggie is wasting her life away, working in a hotel that she hates, for family who blame her for their biggest tragedy, and all while being known as the town's worst kept secret. But she gets up everyday, takes her sons to school, and works hard. So hard that she's nearly given up on her ambition to become a professional pastry chef. How can she? The boys need new sneakers, her family needs a hotel manager, but she needs a break. In walks Roman who offers to give her everything. But at a price. Is living happily ever after worth leaving everything she has ever known, taking her boys from their fathers and the possibility of a relationship. What's a single mom to do when sex on a stick offers you more than just a good time?
I read a beta version of this book and it was a lot of fun. My husband works in the hospitality business so I knew a lot about hotels by proxy. I felt that Wang did a pretty good portrayal of the jobs, the different types of workers,and the problems that overtake struggling businesses.
Now onto Roman. I've read a few of Jackie's books but Roman was one of my favorites. It had nothing to do with the fact that he was loaded (though that didn't hurt). He embraced Maggie's sons and treated them with respect and didn't overstep his bounds. That is a fine line to tread sometimes. But I also liked how Roman wanted to help people. He went out of his way to help people wherever he was. He didn't want the press, but rather he did it because he had a good heart. A good heart, a great ass, and an accent...I'm sorry, I got completely distracted by a new book boyfriend.
This is one of Wang's steamier books but it is still on the tame side so I think this is a good book for beginning romance lovers, or those who don't know what to do with a whip or a chain to check out.
If you enjoy the fixer upper shows on TV and the romance movie on Hallmark, then this book is perfect for you.
Maggie is wasting her life away, working in a hotel that she hates, for family who blame her for their biggest tragedy, and all while being known as the town's worst kept secret. But she gets up everyday, takes her sons to school, and works hard. So hard that she's nearly given up on her ambition to become a professional pastry chef. How can she? The boys need new sneakers, her family needs a hotel manager, but she needs a break. In walks Roman who offers to give her everything. But at a price. Is living happily ever after worth leaving everything she has ever known, taking her boys from their fathers and the possibility of a relationship. What's a single mom to do when sex on a stick offers you more than just a good time?
I read a beta version of this book and it was a lot of fun. My husband works in the hospitality business so I knew a lot about hotels by proxy. I felt that Wang did a pretty good portrayal of the jobs, the different types of workers,and the problems that overtake struggling businesses.
Now onto Roman. I've read a few of Jackie's books but Roman was one of my favorites. It had nothing to do with the fact that he was loaded (though that didn't hurt). He embraced Maggie's sons and treated them with respect and didn't overstep his bounds. That is a fine line to tread sometimes. But I also liked how Roman wanted to help people. He went out of his way to help people wherever he was. He didn't want the press, but rather he did it because he had a good heart. A good heart, a great ass, and an accent...I'm sorry, I got completely distracted by a new book boyfriend.
This is one of Wang's steamier books but it is still on the tame side so I think this is a good book for beginning romance lovers, or those who don't know what to do with a whip or a chain to check out.
If you enjoy the fixer upper shows on TV and the romance movie on Hallmark, then this book is perfect for you.
December 19, 2016
Rating: 3.5*
Famous hotel fixer Roman arrives at Crescent Hill to help turn its fortune around. What he finds is a family who have lost their passion for their business and are stuck, reluctant to change. The only person who wants to genuinely make changes is the hotel's general manager and owner's daughter, Maggie.
Roman was inspired by British celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsey: famous for his potty mouth, no holds barred comments and fiery temper. Whilst the author has tried to capture these qualities it didn't quite work. In her desire for Roman to be controversial yet likable, he is always saying something nasty before trying to out of the hole he dug for himself, which watered down his impact. I struggled a little with Maggie as well as a character as she was very closed off, but had the most common sense yet...well I'll leave you to discover.
There was a humour to this make over that made this read. For me the second part of the book was the stronger part for me.
***Reviewed for LBM Book Blog***
Famous hotel fixer Roman arrives at Crescent Hill to help turn its fortune around. What he finds is a family who have lost their passion for their business and are stuck, reluctant to change. The only person who wants to genuinely make changes is the hotel's general manager and owner's daughter, Maggie.
Roman was inspired by British celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsey: famous for his potty mouth, no holds barred comments and fiery temper. Whilst the author has tried to capture these qualities it didn't quite work. In her desire for Roman to be controversial yet likable, he is always saying something nasty before trying to out of the hole he dug for himself, which watered down his impact. I struggled a little with Maggie as well as a character as she was very closed off, but had the most common sense yet...well I'll leave you to discover.
There was a humour to this make over that made this read. For me the second part of the book was the stronger part for me.
***Reviewed for LBM Book Blog***
December 20, 2016
I thought this was a cute book with a very different concept. I've never read a book with this storyline before and it works. I will say I wasn't a huge fan of Maggie's in the beginning. I thought she was leading Roman on and was just using him for a strong male role model for her boys but I was wrong. Maggie has a lot going in her life. She's been taken advantage of over and over again, two boys to come out of the mix and still grieving the loss of her brother. Her family isn't much help so certain they are doing the same. Everyone is living in the past and afraid to move on until Roman comes. He brings them to land of the living and helps them heal along the way. He brings a dead business back to life along with bringing a family together again. Roman I loved all throughout the book but my beef with his character was, why didn't he talk British? he was born and raised in London but spoke perfect American English.. I would have loved to see him more British..
I did like this book regardless of the little quirks I found.
I did like this book regardless of the little quirks I found.
December 6, 2016
When I read the description on what this book was about it immediately interested me, I am happy to say it lived up to my expectations. I've never seen the show Hotel Hell which was an inspiration for this story, but I have seen Hotel Impossible which I believe is quite similar so it seemed right up my alley. I had such a great time reading this book and I think in part that was because of how well developed the characters were and how well the locations the story took place in were described. I felt that each character had changed for the better/was living a better life by the end of the book.This book made me tear up few times but I laughed quite a bit and the story just sucked me in right away. I wish I could say things about certain characters but I want this to be spoiler free. Loved this story and will definitely be reading more by this author.
December 19, 2016
I just love these kinds of books. A book that sweeps you right into it and makes you feel you’re right there living it or watching it unfold. The author has told a wonderful story of a failing family hotel and the expert they have called in to help the hotel’s business recover. What he finds is a stubborn family that have a lot more problems than just a failing hotel. Especially the owners daughter who is dealing with all the problems at the hotel and in her personal life. It was a joy to escape to a quaint remote location and watch the fireworks and sparks as heads butt and romances bloom. 2 Thumbs up for a great read that.
December 27, 2016
Jackie Wang has created another mater piece for me too ohh and awe over. And that is exactly what I did. Crescent Hill starts out with Roman on a mission to save a run down hotel and turns into him finding love and fixing everything in the process. Maggie is my favorite. She is a lovely character who seems to get the crap end of the stick because of the rumors that had been spread about, but she is amazing. She has a crazy family and pot smoking grandma! Who can turn that down?!?! This was an awesome read in all it's funny, sexy, crazy glory! Can I give it ten out of five stars?! Because I am! Ten out of Five stars from me!
December 20, 2016
4* read.
First read by this author for me and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved it.
A unique story with character you instantly connect with and root for to be together. I don't want to say to much as its a story you really need to read from scratch without anything been given away. Roman was a bit hard to like at first but once you get his personality you fall in love with him. Roman and Maggie go on a rollercoaster of a journey and I really enjoyed reading their story.
I'm looking forward to more from this author.
First read by this author for me and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved it.
A unique story with character you instantly connect with and root for to be together. I don't want to say to much as its a story you really need to read from scratch without anything been given away. Roman was a bit hard to like at first but once you get his personality you fall in love with him. Roman and Maggie go on a rollercoaster of a journey and I really enjoyed reading their story.
I'm looking forward to more from this author.
December 23, 2016
This was my first Jackie Wang story and I absolutely enjoyed it from start to finish. Both Roman and Maggie are characters that are easy to embrace and fairly well-developed. You get to see how much Roman loves to help, and his interactions with Maggie's boys was great. And Maggie is the definition of perseverance: she gets up day after day to proviyfor her boys, working a job she hates for a family that doesn't appreciate her and has blamed her for a particular tragedy. The road is bumpy and dotted with broken dreams and heartache, but Maggie and Roman get their HEA.
December 23, 2016
This book was so sweet and romantic and swoony. I loved Roman and Maggie. I loved their insta-love, their chemistry, their everything. A very fun, sweet read.
The dual-POV here was incredibly interesting and perfect for the story. Their drama, their conflict, the way it all resolved, amazing. And absolute must-read for those that love a sassy heroine and a persistent hero.
Four very bright stars for this one.
The dual-POV here was incredibly interesting and perfect for the story. Their drama, their conflict, the way it all resolved, amazing. And absolute must-read for those that love a sassy heroine and a persistent hero.
Four very bright stars for this one.
December 20, 2016
I think Jackie Wang did a great job in capture the best parts of Gordon Ramsey in Roman. Roman’s relationship with Maggie’s boys was heartwarming, his patience and openness to love with Maggie was amazing. Even though Maggie made some not so bright decisions, I loved it when she brought herself to Roman’s turf. That balanced the story so well!
***** I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book ****
***** I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book ****
December 13, 2016
I love the story, an expert takes on failing hotels to make them successful. The book is sweet and romantic, Roman and Maggie are very likable. It's a fun read with a HEA.
I volunteered to give an honest review for this ARC.
I volunteered to give an honest review for this ARC.
December 14, 2016
Roman and Maggie's story is great. I loved it. It definitely was a book that kept me interested. It had me wanting more
December 26, 2016
This is my first book by Jackie Wang. I enjoyed the story. It's cute and a little predictable but it works.
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Blurb:
Roman Finnegan fixes hotels for a living. Give him two weeks with any failing hospitality business and he’ll make it profitable again.
But his latest charity project, Crescent Hill Lodge, may be beyond saving.
The owners refuse to acknowledge their problems, the staff are disrespectful, and the hideous rooms are filthy. If the Summers can’t turn things around before the new year, they’ll be forced into bankruptcy.
The only person keen on saving the business is the owners’ daughter and hotel manager, Magnolia (Maggie) Summers. She’s hard-working, loyal and kind. She also has big dreams that are stifled by her inner demons and her dark past.
Despite trying to stay professional, Roman falls hard for this sweet, small-town girl.
So hard, in fact, that he wants to bring her back to London.
His gift: an all expense-paid winter holiday in Europe.
All Maggie has to do is say yes.
Only thing is, Maggie’s past is littered with broken hearts, unfulfilled promises and stolen dreams.
She doesn’t think Roman can make her happy.
He has fourteen days to convince her otherwise…before his flight back to the UK first thing Christmas morning.
*Excerpt*
Despite her mistakes, despite the hateful words I said to her, I just felt sadness now. Anger had dissipated into melancholy and heartache. My body shook with grief; it mourned what could have been between us, but never would be. I wanted to be her hero. But she was never mine to save. The harder I tried, the faster we crumbled. The faster we crumbled, the harder we tumbled. I couldn’t be her hero. And that just about destroyed me.
How did we come to this? How did we go from strangers to friends, to lovers, and back to strangers again?
Blurb:
Roman Finnegan fixes hotels for a living. Give him two weeks with any failing hospitality business and he’ll make it profitable again.
But his latest charity project, Crescent Hill Lodge, may be beyond saving.
The owners refuse to acknowledge their problems, the staff are disrespectful, and the hideous rooms are filthy. If the Summers can’t turn things around before the new year, they’ll be forced into bankruptcy.
The only person keen on saving the business is the owners’ daughter and hotel manager, Magnolia (Maggie) Summers. She’s hard-working, loyal and kind. She also has big dreams that are stifled by her inner demons and her dark past.
Despite trying to stay professional, Roman falls hard for this sweet, small-town girl.
So hard, in fact, that he wants to bring her back to London.
His gift: an all expense-paid winter holiday in Europe.
All Maggie has to do is say yes.
Only thing is, Maggie’s past is littered with broken hearts, unfulfilled promises and stolen dreams.
She doesn’t think Roman can make her happy.
He has fourteen days to convince her otherwise…before his flight back to the UK first thing Christmas morning.
*Excerpt*
Despite her mistakes, despite the hateful words I said to her, I just felt sadness now. Anger had dissipated into melancholy and heartache. My body shook with grief; it mourned what could have been between us, but never would be. I wanted to be her hero. But she was never mine to save. The harder I tried, the faster we crumbled. The faster we crumbled, the harder we tumbled. I couldn’t be her hero. And that just about destroyed me.
How did we come to this? How did we go from strangers to friends, to lovers, and back to strangers again?
January 1, 2017
Sometimes life calls for a sweet, feel-good romance novel. Crescent Hill fits the bill perfectly. Overall, it's warm and entertaining. It has some wonderful characters and a decent dose of real-life emotions, like doubt and jealousy, without going to extremes.
It begins with London's most sought after bachelor/serious businessman Roman Finnegan flying in to the States to bring the Crescent Hill Lodge back to life, pro bono. His first order of business, after taking in the deplorable conditions of the inn, is to notice and long for the lovely and enticing Maggie. That first encounter was typical romance lust-at-first sight, but I soon found that he is much more complex than that moment led me to believe. He's part fiery Chef Ramsey and part perfect book-boyfriend. He's also stubborn and determined to find out all he can about Maggie, almost to the point of being intrusive. That's part of what I love the most, though. While he is desperate to break her out of her shell, he is still respectful and backs off when need be. He doesn't go on and on about how he must "own" her; it is an honest desire to be with her.
Maggie Summers, on the other hand, had to grow on me. The first portion of the book is written from Roman's perspective, so I couldn't really understand why he is so drawn to her. A little Maggie background: she has two boys from two different fathers, each of which bailed the second the kid popped out; she lives in a small town where she is deemed the town whore; to describe her family as difficult is an understatement; her lack of self-worth is backed by years of abandonment and mistreatment, so it's not unwarranted. None of that matters to him, though, which only serves to makes him more likeable. In the beginning she comes across as semi-aloof and withdrawn. At the same time, she yearns for him, but won't act upon her growing feelings. Her refusal to listen to him was at times aggravating. It wasn't until the second half, told from her perspective, that I began to like her. Inside her head, I could really sense how alone she feels and how dedicated she is to her children. It was a nice change-up from Roman's view of a sexy mama who reminded him of his own mother, a determined woman who had raised her two children by herself, struggling every step of the way, but determined to provide for them no matter what it took. By the end of the book, I liked Maggie almost as much as Roman.
The Summers' family dynamic is unlike anything I've read before. After suffering a devastating loss, each member is trying to cope in different ways. Maggie's mother goes back and forth between resenting the changes Roman demands, as an extremely successful hotel owner and renovator, and crying over how grateful she is. Her character flip-flops enough that I never knew what to expect and I'm torn as to how I feel about her. Maggie's father is like a bear, broken and obstinately lashing out, not knowing how to express his feelings. Maggie herself, is drowning in guilt and sorrow. Her brother doesn't get much action and didn't leave much of an impression, but her Grammy is delightful. The old woman who lives in the woods, because she doesn't want to be around the family, is entertaining and quirky. I only wish I'd seen more of her. Maggie's children are a riot and I loved them from the start. They are sweeter and more well-behaved than any of the kids I know in real life. Greg and Jason are an integral part to the story and add levity to what could have been a darker book.
The story has some really poignant moments that I appreciated, such as when Maggie tries to brush Roman off with the excuse of her crazy family. He tells her that there is no such thing as normal when it comes to family. That is an accurate and insightful statement that resonates with all readers. The most engaging emotional factor for me, is the reluctance the family had to renovating the inn that had been in the family for generations. They knew it had to be done to be successful, but they resisted and feared the change. Their desire to fall back on what was an unhealthy, but known, certainty is something every human can relate to. The entire novel is about change and how it is scary, but necessary and worth it in the end. One must simply get over the hump, knowing there is light at the end of the tunnel. Not only is this a lovely romance, but it has a hidden lesson in it, too.
Now, for my rating:
Genre and general reading age - definitely a romance for adults.
The level of sexuality - there were a few steamy moments with some delectable details.
Was there graphic language? Not that much, which is ironic, because Maggie stated that she swears like a sailor. It was a relief to not be bombarded with swear words and tasteless sexual references to nether regions.
Did I cry? I did not.
Is this part of a series? This is a standalone.
Level of character development - Roman and Maggie are well-developed. With the exception of her boys, the side characters are not as deep. I got an overall vibe, but not a lot to go on. The book isn't about them, though; the focus is Roman and Maggie, who are artfully done.
Did I laugh? There were more than a few chuckle-worthy moments that I enjoyed.
From start to finish, I loved the story. For me, it was all about Roman. He has everything a woman could ask for and is the perfect gentleman, which is harder to find in an ever-increasing sea of MC-MMA-bad boy-alpha-billionaire heroes. I give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars. I highly suggest it to every reader who wants to escape into a beautifully written romance.
It begins with London's most sought after bachelor/serious businessman Roman Finnegan flying in to the States to bring the Crescent Hill Lodge back to life, pro bono. His first order of business, after taking in the deplorable conditions of the inn, is to notice and long for the lovely and enticing Maggie. That first encounter was typical romance lust-at-first sight, but I soon found that he is much more complex than that moment led me to believe. He's part fiery Chef Ramsey and part perfect book-boyfriend. He's also stubborn and determined to find out all he can about Maggie, almost to the point of being intrusive. That's part of what I love the most, though. While he is desperate to break her out of her shell, he is still respectful and backs off when need be. He doesn't go on and on about how he must "own" her; it is an honest desire to be with her.
Maggie Summers, on the other hand, had to grow on me. The first portion of the book is written from Roman's perspective, so I couldn't really understand why he is so drawn to her. A little Maggie background: she has two boys from two different fathers, each of which bailed the second the kid popped out; she lives in a small town where she is deemed the town whore; to describe her family as difficult is an understatement; her lack of self-worth is backed by years of abandonment and mistreatment, so it's not unwarranted. None of that matters to him, though, which only serves to makes him more likeable. In the beginning she comes across as semi-aloof and withdrawn. At the same time, she yearns for him, but won't act upon her growing feelings. Her refusal to listen to him was at times aggravating. It wasn't until the second half, told from her perspective, that I began to like her. Inside her head, I could really sense how alone she feels and how dedicated she is to her children. It was a nice change-up from Roman's view of a sexy mama who reminded him of his own mother, a determined woman who had raised her two children by herself, struggling every step of the way, but determined to provide for them no matter what it took. By the end of the book, I liked Maggie almost as much as Roman.
The Summers' family dynamic is unlike anything I've read before. After suffering a devastating loss, each member is trying to cope in different ways. Maggie's mother goes back and forth between resenting the changes Roman demands, as an extremely successful hotel owner and renovator, and crying over how grateful she is. Her character flip-flops enough that I never knew what to expect and I'm torn as to how I feel about her. Maggie's father is like a bear, broken and obstinately lashing out, not knowing how to express his feelings. Maggie herself, is drowning in guilt and sorrow. Her brother doesn't get much action and didn't leave much of an impression, but her Grammy is delightful. The old woman who lives in the woods, because she doesn't want to be around the family, is entertaining and quirky. I only wish I'd seen more of her. Maggie's children are a riot and I loved them from the start. They are sweeter and more well-behaved than any of the kids I know in real life. Greg and Jason are an integral part to the story and add levity to what could have been a darker book.
The story has some really poignant moments that I appreciated, such as when Maggie tries to brush Roman off with the excuse of her crazy family. He tells her that there is no such thing as normal when it comes to family. That is an accurate and insightful statement that resonates with all readers. The most engaging emotional factor for me, is the reluctance the family had to renovating the inn that had been in the family for generations. They knew it had to be done to be successful, but they resisted and feared the change. Their desire to fall back on what was an unhealthy, but known, certainty is something every human can relate to. The entire novel is about change and how it is scary, but necessary and worth it in the end. One must simply get over the hump, knowing there is light at the end of the tunnel. Not only is this a lovely romance, but it has a hidden lesson in it, too.
Now, for my rating:
Genre and general reading age - definitely a romance for adults.
The level of sexuality - there were a few steamy moments with some delectable details.
Was there graphic language? Not that much, which is ironic, because Maggie stated that she swears like a sailor. It was a relief to not be bombarded with swear words and tasteless sexual references to nether regions.
Did I cry? I did not.
Is this part of a series? This is a standalone.
Level of character development - Roman and Maggie are well-developed. With the exception of her boys, the side characters are not as deep. I got an overall vibe, but not a lot to go on. The book isn't about them, though; the focus is Roman and Maggie, who are artfully done.
Did I laugh? There were more than a few chuckle-worthy moments that I enjoyed.
From start to finish, I loved the story. For me, it was all about Roman. He has everything a woman could ask for and is the perfect gentleman, which is harder to find in an ever-increasing sea of MC-MMA-bad boy-alpha-billionaire heroes. I give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars. I highly suggest it to every reader who wants to escape into a beautifully written romance.
December 17, 2016
The first thing that I loved about this book was that is was based on a reality show and the second was I always wondered what would happen if someone did not like the makeover. Thank you for answering that question Ms. Wang.
At the beginning we meet Roman who fixes hotels for a living. He is visiting the failing Crescent Hill Lodge. He doesn't know what he up against with this family. When he spies Maggie he has all sorts of feelings. As the story progresses I loved how Roman learned about the family's past and also helped them come together. Maggie is determined that she is going to be alone for the rest of her life and is struggling with the feelings she has for Roman.
This story was a sweet and swoon romance. I will tell you that is was not smooth sailing. Roman and Maggie are up against plenty of roadblocks. As the ups and downs come to them I kept reading with baited breath hoping there was a HEA for them.
Ms. Wang does a phenomenal job of writing characters that suck you into the story and take you for a wild ride. You will fall in love with them and miss them after you have turned the last page. This is a great romantic read with plenty of humor and angst.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
At the beginning we meet Roman who fixes hotels for a living. He is visiting the failing Crescent Hill Lodge. He doesn't know what he up against with this family. When he spies Maggie he has all sorts of feelings. As the story progresses I loved how Roman learned about the family's past and also helped them come together. Maggie is determined that she is going to be alone for the rest of her life and is struggling with the feelings she has for Roman.
This story was a sweet and swoon romance. I will tell you that is was not smooth sailing. Roman and Maggie are up against plenty of roadblocks. As the ups and downs come to them I kept reading with baited breath hoping there was a HEA for them.
Ms. Wang does a phenomenal job of writing characters that suck you into the story and take you for a wild ride. You will fall in love with them and miss them after you have turned the last page. This is a great romantic read with plenty of humor and angst.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
December 20, 2016
So I have an addiction to those rescue shows. You know the ones like Bar Rescue, Hotel Hell, etc. So when I read the blurb for Crescent Hill I was intrigued. How would that translate into a book? Jackie Wang did a really good job infusing the story with the attitudes and drama that encompasses that sort of rescue into the story. Roman Finnegan had the right amount of ego, expertise and compassion need to help rescue Maggie Summers’ family hotel. Her family was argumentative, broken and needy. Maggie herself was desperate to make things work. It was the perfect combination.
What didn’t work for me was the romance between Roman and Maggie. I didn’t feel the chemistry between them. So when Maggie went from determined abstinence to sexpot in what seemed like 0.2 seconds I was pretty shocked. It just felt like the romance was forced. I personally like it when the chemistry builds up and then there’s a big KABOOM. Other than that, I did like the characters. Roman was charming and slightly arrogant. His thoughts often made me chuckle. Maggie was a hardworking, self-deprecating single mom who’d been through a lot of crap. The secondary characters were pretty great too. I wish I’d seen more of Grandma Rita, she seemed like she would have been a hoot.
Overall, a pretty decent story, it just didn’t work for me. If you like the rescue reality stories just as much as me, it may be worth picking up. It could be that it’ll work for you.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
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What didn’t work for me was the romance between Roman and Maggie. I didn’t feel the chemistry between them. So when Maggie went from determined abstinence to sexpot in what seemed like 0.2 seconds I was pretty shocked. It just felt like the romance was forced. I personally like it when the chemistry builds up and then there’s a big KABOOM. Other than that, I did like the characters. Roman was charming and slightly arrogant. His thoughts often made me chuckle. Maggie was a hardworking, self-deprecating single mom who’d been through a lot of crap. The secondary characters were pretty great too. I wish I’d seen more of Grandma Rita, she seemed like she would have been a hoot.
Overall, a pretty decent story, it just didn’t work for me. If you like the rescue reality stories just as much as me, it may be worth picking up. It could be that it’ll work for you.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
For more reviews, visit
June 26, 2017
Roman Finnegan is an expert problem solver. He is a rags to riches successful Brit who uses his talents to help those in trouble in the hotel business. He found himself doing pro bono work in the States at a family hotel named Crescent Hill. The hotel's manager and owner's daughter, Maggie Summers, caught is eye the moment he first saw her. Maggie is a single mom of two boys. Maggie has secrets and carries grief and heartache constantly. She feels obligated to her family because of her past sins and closes herself off to anyone who tries to get too close. These secrets effect the entire Summers family and impacting the success of their hotel and livelihood. As Roman learns of the Summer family secrets he uses his insight to help the family work together and rebuild their relationships as well as their hotel. Through all of this Roman and Maggie grow close and sparks fly. Maggie's past continues to haunt her though and comes between the two. Secrets, misunderstandings and egos challenge their relationship and their HEA!
Crescent Hill is told in two parts, the first told through the eyes of Roman and the second part through Maggie. The two parts take place during two different time frames (second part is a year later). Main and secondary characters were well developed and there was a steady build to the story. Roman's character could be harsh at times, but that was part of his job and Maggie was self conscious through most of the book because of her past. The two complimented each other and I love how easy Roman fell for Maggie's boys and how they responded to him!! Good, quick read with a HEA!!
Crescent Hill is told in two parts, the first told through the eyes of Roman and the second part through Maggie. The two parts take place during two different time frames (second part is a year later). Main and secondary characters were well developed and there was a steady build to the story. Roman's character could be harsh at times, but that was part of his job and Maggie was self conscious through most of the book because of her past. The two complimented each other and I love how easy Roman fell for Maggie's boys and how they responded to him!! Good, quick read with a HEA!!
January 22, 2017
This is the first book I have read by this author. It had a little different vibe than most books I have read. The book is of a failing hotel on an island on the west coast, during the Christmas holidays. Roman Finnagan is an entrepreneur and self made business man. He can take a failing business and turn it around. That is if the owners really want it and don't fight every move and change he makes. Plus if the family isn't ridden with guilt and sorrow over an incident 5 years in the past. Then there is the daughter Maggie who has gotten under his skin. Can Roman make this hotel thrive again, will this family let him, and what of Maggie she keeps giving him mixed signals. I won't spoil, read and find out. I do have to say Roman is yummy and my heart went out to Maggie.
Read and reviewed for KFA.
Read and reviewed for KFA.
December 27, 2016
Jackie Wang has done it again! I LOVED Crescent Hill! Definitely not your typical boy meets girl romance story; Crescent Hill takes you down a winding, somewhat bumpy road as you follow the romance of Maggie and Roman. As they navigate their way trying to work together and save her family’s business while their burgeoning romance blossoms; you can’t help but hope that they can find their way to a HEA. I loved some of the other characters in this story too; especially Maggie’s sons and Grammy. Their antics had me laughing out loud.
Jackie Wang’s stories just keep getting better and better. I can’t wait to see what she brings us next.
Jackie Wang’s stories just keep getting better and better. I can’t wait to see what she brings us next.
June 27, 2017
I loved Crescent Hill it was a sweet romantic story that held my attention from start to finish❣
Roman and Maggie don't get off to a good start and they certainly have there struggles but with Roman being so persistent to help mend not only Crescent Hill but also the family it belongs to, it looks like they might just get a happy ever after but when a curve ball gets thrown into the mix there happy ever after takes a big hit....will they let love prevail or will Roman return to the UK a broken man ....READ TO FIND OUT YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED❣
Roman and Maggie don't get off to a good start and they certainly have there struggles but with Roman being so persistent to help mend not only Crescent Hill but also the family it belongs to, it looks like they might just get a happy ever after but when a curve ball gets thrown into the mix there happy ever after takes a big hit....will they let love prevail or will Roman return to the UK a broken man ....READ TO FIND OUT YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED❣
June 12, 2017
As a hotel fixer Roman comes to Crescent Hill to help Maggie and her family rebuild their family legacy for free during the Christmas holidays. I expected Roman to be more Gordon Ramsey ala Hell’s Kitchen than Gordon Ramsey, at home with his daughters. Roman was unexpectedly kind and caring to Maggie’s sons. Jackie Wang has created a sweet HEA with Roman and Maggie.
June 20, 2017
Crescent Hill by Jackie Wang is a very good Holiday Romance. Maggie and Roman make a great couple. This story is sweet and entertaining. A warm and touching story about two people who aren't looking for love but it finds them anyway. A great book for lovers of touching romances. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.
June 21, 2017
Jackie Wang's Crescent Hill is a sweet story set around Christmas time. Roman is a hotel fixer, who comes from London to save a hotel in the US. Maggie is one of the only sane person in the family. The two have battles with the same goal in mind. Love finds Maggie, and she isn't used to that feeling, but she learns! The story is a little different but mighty amazing!
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