Soft Spot

Hale Street #4

by Amy Knupp

Asia Knowles’ life has been on a downhill slide for as long as she can remember, but with her promotion at work and her new apartment on charming Hale Street, things are finally starting to look up. When a polished and persistent CEO barges into her world, Asia does what she can to keep her less-than-polished background to herself. The more she says no to a date, the more determined he becomes to change her mind.

Jackson Lowell has worked hard for everything he has—perhaps, as his best friend points out, a little too single-mindedly. When his friend challenges him to go on a “real” date, not a business function with a blind date, Asia Knowles seems like the perfect choice. Everything from her sunshine-bright outfits to her don’t-get-too-close vibe draws him in. And her penchant for saying no, well…it might just be the biggest challenge he’s encountered yet. Luckily he’s learned that the bigger the challenge, the bigger the payoff.

Genres: Romance, Amazon, Novella, Contemporary

158 pages, ebook

First published October 25, 2016

About the author

Amy Knupp is a USA Today Best-Selling author of contemporary romance and a freelance copy editor. She loves words and grammar and meaty, engrossing stories with complex characters.

Amy lives in Wisconsin with her husband, and has two sons, four cats, and a box turtle. She graduated from the University of Kansas with degrees in French and journalism. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, breaking up cat fights, watching college hoops, and annoying her family by correcting their grammar.

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Hale Street series and this novella was no exception. I have been a fan of Jackson from the start and agree with his friend Ryan that he needs a life outside of running his company. Asia's life is messy. She was just promoted to assistant manager at Clayborne's on the Corner, her sister needs somewhere to stay, she is moving to an apartment on Hale Street shortly, and her mom is an alcoholic. Jackson can't resist Asia and decides to persue her but she is reluctant due to past relationships ending because of her messy life. She's afraid Jackson can't handle her life but she totally underestimates him.

I love these characters. I feel like I got to know them both pretty well but I would have enjoyed a full length novel for these two. There are a few twists and turns in the plot that pleasantly surprised me. This is another great Hale Street story.

I received an ARC of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest review.

[W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life can be messy

Asia Knowles knows all about messy. Her life has never been easy growing up, caring for her alcoholic mother and raising a younger sister while still a child herself, and still trying to make a better life.

I admire the dedication Asia showed to get her education and to work hard at her job. She didn't just want to improve her own life, but wanted to help her sister find a safe and healthy life. She also shouldered the responsibility for checking on their mother so as to manage the family discord level. When Jackson was not repulsed by her past environment, that he acknowledged the effort and dedication it took to break from that past, she found his acceptance and admiration hard to understand.

I purchased a copy of this story as part of a series boxset and voluntarily chose to share my review.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Asia comes from a dysfunctional family. Her father isn’t in the picture. Her mother is an alcoholic and her sister, Venus, is flighty. They grow up poor in a bad neighbourhood. As soon as she was able, Asia left home. She works at Claybornes and at lunchtime serves lunch at the retirement home where her grandmother lived until her death. Jackson helped develop an IT company and is handsome, rich and successful. He is very attracted to Asia. Because they come from such different backgrounds there are a lot of adjustments to be made on both sides. I enjoyed reading their story and hope to see glimpses of them in future Hale Street stories

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

This is a great addition to the Hale Street series. I am so glad that Jackson got his story especially with Asia. He was such a wonderful brother to Kennedy in Sweet Spot so I was hoping he would get a book. This story is written with a dual POV which I love. It really helps the reader connect with the character. This is such a great sweet read. Once you start reading it you won't be able to stop. You will get transported into the wonderful magical world of Hale Street. I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone!!!!!!

[Jacqui Houlding · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short, but enjoyable, read

I liked this story and that it was linked to Hale Street. However, I have mixed feelings about the length of the story. On one level it was the right length and didn't drag on; on another level it was too short when compared with the previous books. Whilst I enjoyed it, I don't think I would have paid for it had I realised its length although this could have more to do with my disposable income than the book itself.

[K B · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars
I purchased a copy of the novella Soft Spot:A Hale Street Romance by Amy Knupp this review was given freely.
Kennedy's brother Jackson finally pursues the attraction to Kennedy's former co-worker Asia but Asia resists as she is afraid Jackson will not want to be involved with the ugliness and hardships of her "real life". A well written opposites attract, dark to light novella with and abrupt ending. It is mildly steamy with the ending hinting at both hope and happiness.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Jackson, a self-made billionaire and Kennedy's brother from Sweet Spot, meets Asia in Hunter's bar and on a dare asks her out. He starts falling fast and hard for her, but she wants nothing to do with him because they come from way different life styles. She takes him to a soup kitchen and ultimately to meet his mother, both events she expects Jackson to run for the hills. He doesn't and fights tooth and nail to help her. Yahoo!

[Laura R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Asia and Jackson's love story definitely touched on real life issues of poverty and alcoholism and it was interesting to see them work through the issues. I also enjoyed Asia's interactions with her sister. This was a quick read and I didn't want to put it down. Love this author's work. I did receive a free copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Marie McKenney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asia and Jackson's story is cute.

Love the opposites attract side to this story. Jackson keeps trying to get Asia to go out with him but she says no. He is well to do and she is struggling with money and family issues. He keeps trying and finally she agrees but she takes him out. Their story has a lot of emotions involved and struggles but ends in a cute way. Love them.

[Kathleen Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Hale Street

Asia grew up with alcoholic Mother always embarrassed and worried what others thought. She struggled with it and had several guys walk away because of it. Then,Jackson came along and she had hard time letting him in but,her mother sees that she is hurting her girls and seeks help so,Asia decided to try with Jackson. Hope they make it.

[Rita · Rating 2 out of 5]

I mostly liked the characters but Asia was very defensive and pretty much a reverse snob, assuming Jackson would look down on her because of the differences in status between them. He stayed the course but then it ended very abruptly after she finally agreed to date him. Not exactly happy ever after.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trust

Asia has a hard time trusting. Jackson. She has issues with her mom, her life in general. Can he help her ? will he?

[Coco.V]

🎁Part of Meet Me at Clayborne's: Hale Street Boxed Set which is FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (3/19/2023)! 🎁

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoa, what a roller coaster ride.

[Feija · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️ I really liked this book!!

[Kathy Howell]

I have read the first three books of the Hale Street series and can't wait for the next book. They were fun to read and the characters were so entertaining. All three stories made me want to live there - especially close to the bakery. If you are looking for a fun read and love series type books where the characters continue their story these are the books to read. Amy Knupp, Natasha Lake and Emily Leigh are fun cintempory authors you will love.

[June Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for a novella

I loved the firemen series by Amy several years ago so I wanted to check this series out and I have not been disappointed. The characters are well developed and the story was easy to follow. I would recommend this to anyone who likes romance and a little steam.

[Sue Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

By one of my editors...cute story, easy read.