Reporter di provincia

Holly Creek #1

by Poppy Dennison, Valentina Andreose (Translator)

Serie Holly Creek, Libro 1

Una città di piccoli eroi e grandi cuori.

Jefferson Lee Davis è felice della sua vita in città, ma quando Sherman, il suo zio preferito, ha un incidente, deve correre a Holly Creek per assicurarsi che stia bene. Jefferson Lee sa come gestire la politica di una piccola cittadina del sud e gli abitanti lo accolgono a braccia aperte. Beh, tutti tranne lo sceriffo, Zane Yarbrough.

La Fiera dei Cornioli in Fiore, l’evento più importante della città, è ormai alle porte, e Jefferson deve assumere il ruolo di reporter cittadino al posto dello zio, anche se ciò lo metterà in contrasto con lo sceriffo. Vicini di casa impertinenti, familiari ficcanaso, e una migliore amica dalla lingua affilata si alleano per rendere la visita di Jefferson Lee a Holly Creek una vera e propria avventura. E quando gli giunge la notizia di aver perso il suo vecchio lavoro in città, Jefferson Lee dovrà decidere se mettersi alla ricerca di un nuovo lavoro che potrebbe allontanarlo dal posto che ha imparato ad amare. Riuscirà questo ragazzo di città a trovare l’amore nelle braccia di un semplice sceriffo di provincia? O la vita in una grande città lo strapperà via a questo idillio?

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Romance, Humor, Contemporary Romance, M M Contemporary, Audiobook

136 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 21, 2015

About the author

Add two parts sass and one part sweet and you have Poppy Dennison to T—sweet tea that is. Raised by a gaggle of Southern women who love reading and have backbones of steel, Poppy was brought up to see the best in people but always speak her mind. Mix it all together, like Grandma’s famous cobbler, and you get a sassy, Southern lady with a quick wit and loads of charm, who will soften any blow with “Bless your heart.” Her books reflect her small town roots, are filled with all the comforts of home, and come with side dish of spicy, because that’s the way she likes it.

Reviews

[Gigi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first thing I want to talk about is THAT COVER! I'm a total cover snob and this one is just about as perfect as can be. And once you read the story, I'm sure you will agree. I loved having that adorable man on the cover in my mind as I pictured main character Jefferson Lee Davis.

The second thing I want to talk about is Poppy Dennison. I am not a paranormal fan so this was the first book I've read by Ms. Dennison. But I had the pleasure of meeting Poppy at GRL 2015 and her enthusiasm and spirit prompted me to look up her catalogue the night I meet her. I requested Dogwood Days that night and read it right away.


Dogwood Days is, at its most basic, a story about a small southern town called Holly Creek in North Carolina. Where everybody knows everybody's business and no one is a stranger. The big deal in Holly Creek is their annual spring Dogwood Festival, where the town gathers to sell handmade goods, enter jams and jellies and pies in contests and enter their flowers for the ultimate prize of "Best" in Holly Creek. Ms. Dennison, a southern girl herself, does a fantastic job painting a picture of spring in Holly Creek. In my opinion, Dogwood Days is a love story, but it is a love story about the people and the town more than a love story about a displaced New Yorker and the local sheriff.

Jefferson Lee Davis (and that is exactly what everyone calls him. Not Jeff, not JD but Jefferson Lee) is a small town transplant living in the "big city" Charlotte, NC as a writer for a magazine. He takes an extended leave from his job to go back to Holly Creek, his hometown, and take care of his favorite uncle who has suffered a fall.

Zane Yarbrough is the town sheriff and is a bit gruff with Jefferson Lee at first. I chalked it up to sexual frustration and, of course, I was right. The relationship between the men is a slow burn and they take their sweet time to get together but when they finally do get together it is fireworks and great sex. The problem now that these men are together is that Jefferson Lee is inclined to stay in Holly Creek permanently, but he has been offered a great job at another magazine several hours away. You'll have to read the book to see what Jefferson Lee decides.



This was a wonderful book about the love of small southern towns with a nice little M/M romance to complement it. While it doesn't say on her blog or the buy page, my hope is that this will become a series of the goings-on in Holly Creek, NC.

Recommended.

This review is also posted at Gay Book Reviews

[Exina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know I'm in minority with my opinion on this book, but it was awful. Believe me, I don't enjoy not enjoying a book.

So, I was seduced by the author (I read Blindsided by her and loved it) and by the pretty cover, and sadly I didn’t pay much attention to the blurb. I don’t enjoy small town stories. I like my stories to focus on the romance and on the main characters. Irrelevant episodes from the lives of caricaturish secondary characters I really don’t care about just bore and annoy me.



I skimmed a lot, and tried to find those parts where Jefferson Lee and Zane were involved – it was not easy. There was not enough emphasis on the romance – it was lost in the sea of all the happenings in Holly Creek.

This kind of humor didn’t have much effect on me; I found Jefferson irritating; Zane’s character was seriously lacking; the romance was undeveloped, and that one and only erotic scene was awfully trite.

[Jennifer☠Pher☠ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I looked like this the entire read.



The story just made me feel so good!

It was sweet and funny and clever and OMG I just felt so happy.



I honestly didn’t want it to end. It was just such a fast read that I wanted to slow down but couldn’t turn the pages quick enough.

I just want to walk around this town and interact with all the people who live there. I want to know what they are doing every single day.



My only disappointment, aside from it ending at all, was how quickly it did. I felt like the end was super, super rushed. I would have loved the decision to play out a bit more and then for the reader to get to see a bit of what is next.

I totally recommend this to anyone looking for a super sweet feel good read. Can I squee? I feel like I should.

[Jenni Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was charming and adorable. Jefferson Lee was quirky and snarky and just an all around fun character. Zane was, of course, yummilicious. I especially liked that the female secondary character wasn't an evil bitch. No, she was more of a nice bitch (is that an oxymoron?), as in she was bitchy but loveable. I loved Uncle Sherman too. This was a nice, light comfort read.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes you just need cute, silly, fun books. Dogwood Days definitely meets the criteria. Charming meets sassy in this lighthearted story. Small town life can be bitter and sweet. I live in a small town myself and everybody knows everybody’s business. That’s just the way it is. You either suck it up or you get outta dodge. Jefferson fled from the pressure years ago, but finds himself back in the familiar streets of his hometown when family duty calls.

Holly Creek is a little bit like Mayberry and I suppose Sheriff Zane is a little bit like Andy Griffith. Well, he’s a hotter, gayer Andy Griffith. Jefferson Lee escaped the clutches of Holly Creek many years ago. However, he is extremely close with his Uncle Sherman, even more so than his parents. When his Uncle takes a tumble and needs a helping hand around the house, Jefferson doesn’t hesitate to step up to the plate. Not much has changed within the town’s city limits since he left to chase his dream of journalism. I take that back, one big, strong, handsome change has occurred…there’s a new sheriff in town.

Zane isn’t the type of guy Jefferson Lee typically dates. Jefferson Lee isn’t the type of guy Zane typically desires. Funny that….they both discover that typical tastes can change in a flash. And this time, it’s a lightning strike.

I enjoyed the entire cast, even those meant to drive you nutty.
I loved how Jefferson Lee loved his Uncle.
I giggled and may have let a very ladylike snort or two slip with Jefferson's smart mouth.
I smirked with Zane’s growly jealous tendencies.

It was a quick fall between the men, but they knew it, they recognized it, and it didn't bother me. The heat factor is extremely low and they barely connect (skin on skin) until the final pages and again I was okay with this. Why? Because Dogwood Days may be over but The Rose Festival is about to begin. There's more in store for this quirky town. Could it be Uncle Sherman and the Mayor? Or Jefferson Lee's bestie and the town's sexy gay gardener? Hmmmm, I'd bet you a piece of blueberry cobbler it's one of the two.

Witty characters in a charming town with a love wins story…I say, why not check it out?

*3.5 small-town-big-fun stars*

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I love small-town romance -- where everyone seems to know everyone else and there is a strong sense of community involvement with a douse of neighborhood drama. However, I tend to get my dose of small-town romance from MF contemporary. I haven't found one in MM that fit to my liking. Most of the time I find the character in MM romance cannot wait to leave their small town because of the homophobic attitudes of the people or that they want to embrace their freedom of having more gay community in the big city.

Dogwood Days is a departure of Dennison's usual genre -- I think previously she just deals with paranormal -- and I enjoyed this, more so than my previous experience with Dennison's books. It definitely had the charm of small-town romance I usually get from MF, including its 'politics'. The town and its people are strong in vineyard gossips, and they make huge things on what we probably think as small things, but I found it charming since they also know how to take care of their own. This fictional small town of Holly Creek also is not filled with homophobic stance towards the gay men -- heck, they even have a gay Sherrif and a gay mayor! *lol*

Jefferson is a DELIGHTFUL character, his snark is entertaining. I thought the dialogs here was also a winner. It has a quick rat-tat-tat-tat tempo, like banters that I can find while watching classic movies (you know, like Hepburn and Tracy's). It made the pace moved pretty fast. I did think that the love interest, Sherrif Zane, might not be as better developed as Jefferson though. I mean, he was okay, he had his charming moments, but I thought Jefferson's Uncle, Sherman, and his friend Clover Crofton had stronger presence whenever they were around compared to Zane. Heck, I was even more intrigued with Sherman and his mayor compared to the development of Jefferson and Zane's romance.

This story lacks sexy steamy moments, which is totally fine by me. However, because of the reason I previously explained, I couldn't give four stars to this yet. There was also a mention of a murder case which I thought was a bit out of context, like it was referring to an event that happened in the prequel of this book or another series, which I need to know about but don't, you know? Plus it didn't fit with the vibe of the story.

Having said that, if this is developed into a series, I am interested to be with the Holly Creek people again. To say the least, I need to know if Sherman and Charles finally will seal the deal, or if Mary Jane will win the Rose Festival and take the mantle from Clover, and how Jefferson deals with the ins and outs of 'making good things' for the town.

[Jessie Potts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first contemporary from Poppy (loved the baby alpha bites!) and I really hope this is going to be in audio.

Dogwood Days is a story that has everything I’m looking for on Sunday afternoon, sitting on my porch as my dogs bound through the leaves… too much? Well it sums up how feel good and happy reading DD I was. I’m not saying it’s fluffy or too light, but there was this vibe of small town charm, I could feel the characters’ personalities coming out of my kindle and it was great!

I won’t rehash the plot, but the part that really shines in this book (hopefully series…!) are the characters. There’s so many of them and none of them fade into the backdrop of the world building or get confused with other characters. Each have a life of their own and it made it impossible to leave Holly Creek even after the last page. I found that I wanted to see more of Jake, Zane, Clover, and so so many others. Seriously, they’re so real so vivid, I felt like if I walked outside I’d see a few of them milling about my neighborhood.

One last thing, I read it very fast, it felt like it was a short instead of a novella, I read it that fast. I think Poppy discovered something in creating Holly Creek, and I hope this series is around for a while. I want to step back into the town, discover all the nooks and hidey-holes and unravel some mysteries!

[Johnny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had so much fun reading this! Sweet, charming, adorable and so funny! That Clover girl cracked me up! It made me want to visit Holly Creek, be friends with everyone and live in this town forever. I hope the author would write a follow up to this. More of Jefferson Lee and Sheriff Zane please. A very pleasant surprise and deserves 5 stars from me!

:D :D :D

[Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Zero angst and so, so, so freaking cute! Jefferson Lee and Sheriff Zane were adorable and the small town of Holly Creek, plus the myriad of townspeople popping in and out, was a whole lot of good, zany fun.

Honestly, I was grinning and happy all the way through.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book. I adored the characters, the setting, the writing - it was all just fabulously well done, and I want to read it again and again.

There's no drama, no angst, no OMG, what's happening, and it just flows sweetly and fluffily along, like a gentle river without any rapids. This is the kind of book you read when curled up on a comfy chair with a beverage of choice, and just immerse yourself in its story.

Jefferson Lee Davis returns to his hometown to help his uncle Sherman who took a bad fall, and gets immediately sucked back into small southern town life. Everyone but the Sheriff seems happy that Jefferson Lee is back in town. They don't give a hoot that he's gay - he's beloved, no matter what - and with the town's big festival, Dogwood Days, coming up, Jefferson Lee is busy doing what he can to help.

Except the Sheriff is actually happy too, because he may have a thing for Jefferson Lee, and the two embark on a journey of lust and love, and it's amazing to watch it all unfold against the backdrop of Holly Creek, small southern town.

Poppy Dennison just hit it out of the park with this fluffy romance, with humor and snark, and while it may be slightly fantastical to think that folks in the town are all so very accepting, I didn't care at all that it was entirely realistic, because the story sucked me in, and I LOVED it. It made me laugh out loud more than once, and I giggled a lot at the antics and idiosyncrasies of everyone in the story. With small town politics, nosy gossiping townsfolk, apple pies and southern comfort food, Uncle Sherman who's maybe, just maybe, romancing the Mayor, and super hot Zane, Mr. Sheriff himself - this book had it everything I needed.

Super fun, super fluffy and sweet, this was exactly what I wanted to read when I read it.

I want y'all to read this when you need a pick-me-up and a break from all the dark and angsty stuff - this is marshmellowy perfection inside a book.


** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher. A positive review was not promised in return. **

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bei einem dummen Unfall bricht sich Sherman sein Bein und ist nun auf die Hilfe und Unterstützung seines Neffens Jefferson Lee angewiesen. Der Journalist zögert keinen Moment und fährt sofort nach Holly Creek um seinem Lieblingsonkel beizustehen. Allerdings ist der alte Mann ziemlich umtriebig und spannt Jefferson Lee gleich für seine Gemeindearbeit ein. Außerdem soll ich Jefferson um den Blog und sämtliche sozialen Medien kümmern. Und da auch noch das größte Fest bevorsteht, ‚darf‘ Jefferson sich auch hier bei den Vorbereitungen einbringen. Ob er nun will oder nicht.

Dabei läuft er immer wieder dem unverschämt attraktiven Sheriff über den Weg. Oder sucht dieser auch Jefferson Lee’s Nähe? Möglich wäre es, denn selbst Jefferson geht irgendwann ein Licht auf, dass Zane Yarbrough Interesse an ihm haben könnte. Doch wirklich klug wäre eine Verwicklung nicht, da Jefferson ja nur vorübergehend in Holly Creek ist. Zwar ist er im Moment arbeitslos, doch in der Kleinstadt gibt es für ihn auch kaum Perspektiven – selbst wenn er sich hier wohlfühlt.

Mit viel Witz und ohne Längen erzählt Poppy Dennison die Geschichte von Jefferson Lee, der sein Glück in der Kleinstadt Holly Creek findet. Der Schreibstil ist wirklich sehr flott und amüsant, manchmal liest sich die Geschichte fast schon ein wenig überhastet. Zane und Jefferson Lee sind sehr glatte Protagonisten und es gibt zwischen ihnen kaum Konfliktpotential. Das macht die Geschichte zu einer simplen und leichten Lektüre für einen Sonntagnachmittag. Viel mitdenken muss man nicht, auch wenn die Autorin ziemlich viele Nebenakteure in diese Kurzgeschichte packt. So zum Beispiel Clover, die eine enge Freundin von Jefferson ist.

Die Holly Creek Reihe fällt für mich in die Kategorie ‚Cora für Gays‘. Einfach gestrickte Helden, locker-flockige Erzählstil, ein wenig Kitsch und ein etwas ausuferndes Ensemble, das jedoch ein wenig Spannung in die Geschichte bringt.

[El Ma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hach, was war diese Geschichte nett . Ich habe selten erlebt, dass ein junger Mann aus der großen Stadt – auch wenn er in Holly Creek aufgewachsen ist – so unbefangen und offen mit den Kleinstädtern umgeht. Jefferson Lee (was habe ich immer grinsen müssen, da alle den vollen Namen ausgesprochen haben) ist unkompliziert, offen und freundlich und dazu noch gut aussehend – sprich der Traum aller Schwiegermütter. Das Beste aber, ganz Holly Creek hat kein Problem damit, dass er schwul ist.

Und dann gibt es noch Sheriff Zane, der dem “Neuen” erst einmal ziemlich skeptisch gegenübersteht. Da aber Jefferson Lee (*g*) auch ein wenig auf der Leitung steht, ist ein bisschen Kuddelmuddel vorprogrammiert.
Ich bin kein großer Fan von “Kleinstädten”, aber Holly Creek mit seinen Einwohnern hat etwas. Egal ob es der Ratsälteste, der Doktor, die beste Freundin oder die Nachbarn im Allgemeinen sind, irgendwie fühlt man sich in dem Örtchen gut aufgehoben.
Nach dem für mich gefühlten “Desaster” mit dem 4. Band der Triade-Serie, war ich mir nicht so sicher, ob ich noch einmal etwas von Poppy Dennison lesen möchte. Da aber schon der Klappentext von “Kleinstadthelden” vielversprechend klang, wollte ich “ihr” noch eine Chance geben und wie immer: jeder hat eine zweite verdient

Ihr könnt euch wirklich auf eine unkomplizierte und witzige Geschichte freuen. Mir hat sie so gut gefallen, dass ich mir die nachfolgende Geschichte (Spring Fever) aus Holly Creek im Original (für kleines Geld) auch noch geholt habe.

[Brandon Witt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most charming stories I have ever read. Completely soothing and humorous from the very first page. If I ever decide to move back to a small town, I want it to be in Holly Creek. And I want to be best friends with Clover Crofton!!!

Merged review:

This is one of the most charming stories I have ever read. Completely soothing and humorous from the very first page. If I ever decide to move back to a small town, I want it to be in Holly Creek. And I want to be best friends with Clover Crofton!!!

[Arch Bala · Rating 4 out of 5]

I super loved Jefferson Lee’s character as well as Zane, Trent (so dreamy!) and Beau but I just find the whole thing too perfect and too cheesy bordering on boring.

What I loved most about it though is how being gay isn’t that big of a deal in this small town from ‘the south.’

Thank you ѦѺ™ for the recommedation.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

[Dani Elle Maas · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun such a great read
Miss Dennison at her best
I love when she writes contemporary
More Please!!!

[Katrina Passick Lumsden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, funny, and romantic. A quick, satisfying read.

[Sara]

I am in love with this series. In love, I tell you. I won’t rehash the blurb instead, I’m gonna tell you what I loved… not that I don’t normally do that but, ya know.

Dogwood Days is a charming introduction to an over the top small town named Holly Creek where residents not only know your name and everything you have done, they have also wiped your butt as a baby. This is the type of story that should be made into a movie... it's a shame no one makes good Rom/Com's anymore.

Told from the POV of one Jefferson Lee Davis, we meet him on an early morning phone call with his Uncle Sherman, updating Jefferson on the upcoming Dogwood Days celebration in town, on what gossip is going on and the dilemma he faces with the parade route being changed by the mayor. On the call, Sherman takes a spill and the only think for Jefferson to do is call the local Sherriff of Holly Creek to check on his uncle.

It’s a good think the local Sherriff takes his job seriously and alerts Jefferson that uncle has fallen and needs to go to the hospital and Jefferson leaves straight away.

From the moment Jefferson steps into the hospital and is chastised for driving too fast by the Good Sherif, Zane Yarbrough, I was head over heels for Zane and I was sitting on my hands wondering how in the heck these two would end up together.

Goodness, but this book was so much fun.

I am a sucker for books about quirky small towns and Holly Creek sure does have its quirks. It also has a hilarious cast of locals that fuel the fun of the story and made me smile the whole way though.

I love the small town antics and how everyone knows your business and you know theirs and use it as teasing leverage. The banter between Jefferson and well, everyone was ridiculously charming and so much fun to read but my favorite is between he and Clover, they cracked me up! Their friendship is obviously a close one but the bodily harm Cloverberry promised on Jefferson was so much fun to read. Those two are double the trouble when they get together and attempt to plan anything but beware of Clover or you’ll be doing manual labor with a simple blink of an eye from that woman. Good lord, have I mentioned they were so much fun?

Now the romance between Jefferson Lee and Zane was adorable and oh so sexy! Jefferson walked around Holly Creek with such ginger colored glasses on that he couldn’t see the hot man in a uniform standing in front of him, on numerous occasions to “just stop by.” Ugh. Jefferson does well as he multitasked running his Uncle’s blog and solving problems around town as he walks to and from his destinations but he is so scatterbrained when it comes to Zane and I loved it.

Dogwood Days is a light and happy type of romance. It’s a romance that allows you to sit back and watch all the fun happen while two amazing main characters flirt their way to finally being together. I can’t wait to read more in the story because the end… there is no way we are stopping there… right?

[ѦѺ™ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations." - Author Unknown

Jefferson Lee Davis rushes to Holly Creek when his favorite Uncle Sherman has a bad fall. With his uncle unable to go about his normal duties, Jefferson Lee takes over his uncle's blog. As the days turn into weeks, Jefferson Lee finds himself getting more involved in the hustle and bustle of preparing for Dogwood Days - the town's biggest festival. But there is this growing attraction to Sheriff Zane Yarbrough that is complicating things plus his unemployment status to contend with. Will the city pull him back or will the town he had grown to love make him stay put?

This story about an American small town with its quirky residents and politics had me from the start. Having grown up in a small town myself, I could not help but feel nostalgic as I read my way through. I enjoyed everything and every character in it so much that I did not realize I had already reached the book's end and I was still expecting for more.

The characters, despite their flaws, are all endearing in their respective ways. Uncle Sherman and Jefferson Lee's closeness reminds me of myself and my nephews whom I treat like my own children. The town's communication network is faster than the speed of light. Everyone is ever watchful if anything is out of order. Squabbles occur now and then but are easily resolved especially if the motives behind such petty arguments are for the benefit of the community. Clover Crofton, Jefferson Lee's sassy childhood friend, is a hoot. Her beauty, wit and charm can disarm anyone that crosses her path. She is easily my favorite character in the book. Another thing that I liked was how Jefferson Lee and Zane's relationship progressed. The pacing was not rushed nor did it proceed at a slow tempo either.

There is so much to love about Dogwood Days and I could go on and on about it but I wouldn't want to spoil your fun. The author's writing was flawless and her story made me long for my own hometown and it brought back a lot of happy childhood memories.

Overall, Poppy Dennison's latest book had a heart of its own with just the right tad of smexiness thrown in. I almost did not get to read this book but I am so glad that I had the chance to do so or I would have missed a lot. It was a joy to read and it comes highly recommended!


*received a copy for review

[Rita87 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Troppo cortoooooo, carino davvero.

[MaDoReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5
No le pongo más nota porque es un libro con un planteamiento muy sencillo, pero he de decir que me he pasado la lectura con una sonrisa en la boca.
Me parto con Jefferson Lee y Clover #muyfan y estoy deseando leer el siguiente.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I loved it, hopefully we get more about Jefferson Lee and Zane! And I'd love to read about Uncle Sherman and Mayor Charles, and perhaps Trent and Beau??? *puppy eyes*

[MsMiz (Tina)]

This book is so much fun. I want to know these people!!

[Leaundra · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I loved this town and the people in it! This would honestly make a great series.

[Sophisticated Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kurz und bündig: Sympathische Charaktere, aber mir persönlich ging alles zu schnell. Ein paar Seiten mehr hätten sicherlich nicht geschadet.

[Sara Emme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carino e divertente !

[Love Bytes Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Heart Review by Vicki

Oh. My. Gawd. This was soooo the book I need to read right now. I love deep, dark, angsty books, paranormal, contemporary, or filled with action and drama. But there is only so much of that I can take before I need a taste of something light and happy. This book is that and so much more.

Jefferson Lee Davis (NOT Jeff, or even Jefferson, but Jefferson Lee to his family) is from a small, itty bitty, southern town called Holly Creek. Home of the annual Dogwood Days festival, gossiping nosy neighbors, his best loved Uncle Sherman, small town politics, his best friend Clover (Yup, Clover!), and lots of casseroles. Jefferson has gotten out of the small town and is working as a journalist, living with his roommate, hot and sexy Trent.

One morning Jefferson is woken by a phone call, way too early in the morning, from his overly chipper Uncle Sherman. Who has an issue with Clover, Jefferson’s best friend, and head of the Holly Berries, the local women’s group that organized all the town festivals. Uncle Sherman proceeds to tell Jefferson all about the latest gossip centered around Clover and her made up rivalry with Mary Caroline, and the drama of the upcoming Rose Festival, and whether Mary Caroline may have cheated on her garden by having it professionally landscaped by Beau, the drool worthy, hunky man. In the middle of this conversation, Uncle Sherman manages to damage himself, leaving Jefferson making a panicked phone call to the Sheriff of Blue Ridge County. Jefferson packs a bag and heads to Holly Creek, as his uncle is being hauled to the hospital.

So Jefferson returns home, and is immediately drawn back in to the life he left behind. Uncle Sherman is injured and will need some help, so Jefferson agrees to stay for a couple of weeks and help with his blog, which seems to be part marketing, part source of local gossip. Could his decision to stay be Beau, the gardener? Or could it be Zane, the sheriff? I wasn’t sure for a bit, but it is definitely Zane. Big, strong, caring, kind Zane. Sigh.

Jefferson and Zane start a very tentative courting that was one of the sweetest things I’ve seen in a book in a long time. Their little romance is set against this fantastic story of small town drama, what street to have the Dogwood Days parade on, the battle between Clover (I loved her!) and Mary Caroline, a budding relationship for Uncle Sherman, a job search for Jefferson, and an overabundance of casseroles and food. Seriously sweet.

I loved this book. It’s sweet and fluffy, light and happy. It made me smile and laugh. It is pure romance. A bit of naughty sex, but that is not what this book is about. It’s about this wacky little town, and the people that live there. It’s about Jefferson Lee and Sheriff Zane falling in love. It’s all about the happily every after.

The writing is so good, Poppy has just the right light touch, she’s got the nosy folks down, the romance was perfect, the little bit of sex was hot. I loved Jefferson and Zane, I loved their story, I loved their romance. Uncle Sherman was the right balance of old coot and caring man. Clover was so fun and funny. Damn, I just loved it! Oh, and the cover? So cute.

So yes, I’m giving FIVE hearts to a fluffy romance story! I know, so not the thing I usually do… but this book came at the right time and I loved it. Buy it, read it, and love it!

This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars I'm reeeeeally torn about how to rate this. I love Poppy Dennison and there were components of this that I appreciated. It's a fun, light, and easy read about a charming little North Carolina town with all the quirkiness and warm-fuzzes of a stereotypical close-knit southern town without any of the negativity and close-mindedness you could possibly encounter. The southern aspect was so present and noticeable that it was almost a character in and of itself, this was both an enjoyable interlude as well as, at times, painstakingly sugary sweet.

I do think that the "enjoyable" part of that was largely due to Matt Armstrong's twangy narration. Often laid thick (to appropriately coincide with the writing) it was pleasant to listen to. Same as when I listen to any other well accented narration, it had me thinking in that accent frequently throughout the day. It just gets stuck in your head.

The town itself really was so prominent that I honestly felt like the romance took a back seat. That's not a bad thing per se, just worth mentioning so you know what you're getting into. The story is really about Jefferson Lee coming to a point in his life where he has two very different paths to chose from. It's about him rediscovering how much his family, and Holly Creek itself, truly mean to him. And whether family or work is more important, in the long run.

So his romance with Zane seemed like a part of that happiness, but not the main focus. I think if you actually count, Jefferson Lee has more conversations with Clover than he does with Zane. For this reason it was nice, but not earth-shattering. I didn't feel a strong connection to them as a couple since it sorta came outta nowhere and then didn't get a ton of attention. I had forgotten what the blurb said so for like the first half of the book I thought that Bo was gonna be the love interest. He was mentioned a few times and then he and Jefferson Lee had 1 interaction. Then all of a sudden the Sheriff is being pissy that his subtle yet still awkward hints aren't being picked up, and then all of a sudden Jefferson Lee asks him out?! It felt weird.

But they were sweet, and the 1 sex scene was good. Although the innuendo-laden banter had me rolling my eyes a few times. But even so, it was the final scene between Jefferson Lee and Zane that made me round up. It was sweet and honest and had me with a gentle smile on my face. Even though the 'twist' and resolution weren't a surprise obviously Sherman would find a job for Jefferson Lee in Holly Creek, and then obviously Zane was gonna say he didn't haft take the shitty job but Jefferson Lee was gonna take it anyway!, it was still sweet and nice to read.

So overall not a favorite story, but definitely a fun little jaunt about a young man finding happiness in a southern town. I'd recommend the audio version, it's always fun to hear silly southern-isms in an actual southern accent. I already have the next one, Spring Fever, so I'll be giving this series another try.

Received audio version from the publisher as part of Dogwood Days & Spring Fever anthology in exchange for an honest review, reviewed for Hearts On Fire

[Anita Bianchi · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://bianchianita1971.blogspot.it/2...

Questo è uno di quei romanzi che mi sento di consigliare quando vi sentite un po' giù. È una storia divertente, priva di angst, con dei protagonisti che vi entreranno nel cuore, vi intraterranno e vi faranno passare dei momenti spassosi. Jefferson Lee corre al capezzale dell'amato zio quando questi rimane ferito in un banale incidente domestico; accetta poi molto volentieri di fermarsi da lui per dare una mano durante la convalescenza. Quando poi scopre di essere disoccupato dovrà ripensare tutta la sua vita.
Come vi dicevo all'inizio "Reporter di Provincia" è stato una lettura divertente che mi ha lasciato più volte con il sorriso sulle labbra e che mi ha fatto vivere in maniera positiva e simpatica il profondo sud degli Stati Uniti, in una storia priva di dramma, omofobia e bigottismo ma ricca di buoni sentimenti e di amore (in tutte le sue forme!).

[Ari · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started out boring and confusing with so many names threw into few early pages, but as the story goes and I learn better and closer to each of characters, the story gave me warm and nostalgic feeling inside. A peaceful small town with its quirky residents and two guys finding love in each other.

Though it goes with a few complaints off course...

I hate that Jefferson-Zanes first kiss was cut of from the page!
Jefferson reliving memory of the kiss was never the same. Every "first" are worth to be shown, real time!

The attraction between Jefferson - Zane was quite sudden. One minute Jefferson drooling over hot-mysterious gardener Beau, next thing happened he flirted with Zane. And what happens to Beau next? Is he walking around kissing people? Since he, without warning almost kiss Jefferson.

And Clover Crofton needs more love!

I dunno if Dogwood going to be a series. But I'd like to know the story about the people in it. How exactly the relationship between Sherman and Charles? And who and what will happens to Beau?

[Mathilda Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eine nette Geschichte für zwischendurch, mit Helden, die nicht viel Tiefe haben, ohne großes Drama, aber dafür mit jeder Menge Humor und kleinen Spitzen, was die Tratschfreudigkeit in einer Kleinstadt angeht, wo jeder jeden kennt.

Ich habe mich beim Lesen ziemlich amüsiert, daher vergebe ich gute 3,5 Sterne und eine Leseempfehlung.

Zusätzlich geht ein dickes Dankeschön an den Dreamspinner Verlag für das Rezensionsexemplar.