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After an unfortunate discovery involving her boyfriend and a blonde and a glass-walled shower, Winnie Briggs is bolting from her Chicago-based life in search of a fresh start as the editor of rural Bloomsburo's newspaper. Winnie's only desire is to put all of her energy into her writing -- well, that and to officially retire her lady parts in an act of self-defense. Unfortunately, as scandal unfolds in her new community, her closest ally comes in the form of delicious-smelling Chamber of Commerce director Cal Spencer, who also happens to be the son of Winnie's benevolent (if meddling) landlady. Cal is a serial non-committer, yet his electric attraction to Winnie's curves and quirks has him contemplating breaking his iron-clad commitment to never mix work with pleasure. The couple's sexual chemistry escalates alongside the town's drama, leaving them can they survive the fall with their jobs, their hearts, and their pledges of non-commitment intact? Vonn’s books are perfect for audiences who enjoy quirky small towns, smart and occasionally sassy heroines, sexy and sarcastic heroes, serious heat between the sheets, and happily ever afters all around.

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 13, 2017

86 people are currently reading
281 people want to read

About the author

Jess Vonn

5 books14 followers
Jess Vonn fell in love with her first pretend boyfriend in elementary school, when Johnny Castle rocked her world in Dirty Dancing. She totally would have carried the watermelon if it meant a chance to dance with him.

Since then she’s loved all things romance — novels, shows, films and songs. Her debut novel, A Time to Fall, is available in September 2017, the first in her ‘Love by the Seasons’ series. Vonn’s books are perfect for audiences who enjoy quirky small towns, smart and occasionally sassy heroines, sexy and sarcastic heroes, serious heat between the sheets, and happily ever afters all around.

When not writing, Jess is likely to be:

-Teaching (at a university in New England where she’s an assistant professor.)
-Laughing (with her four rowdy little boys.)
-Flirting (with her mathematician-turned-stay-at-home-husband; okay, not exactly a Johnny Castle bad boy, but he DOES know how to dance.)
-Dancing (Zumba brings her endless joy. Like most things in life, what she lacks in grace she tries to make up for in enthusiasm.)
…. or crafting, cooking, walking, or doodling happily in one of her many planners (it’s a bit of an addiction; send stickers, Washi tape, or Michael’s coupons!)
Reach her at JessVonnWrites@gmail.com. Friend her on Facebook at Jess Vonn or find her author site there. Follow her on Twitter at @jessvonnwrites.

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5 stars
72 (41%)
4 stars
56 (32%)
3 stars
32 (18%)
2 stars
8 (4%)
1 star
5 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews122 followers
Want to read
July 4, 2018
💝FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (7/4/2018)!💝

Blurb:
After an unfortunate discovery involving her boyfriend and a blonde and a glass-walled shower, Winnie Briggs is bolting from her Chicago-based life in search of a fresh start as the editor of rural Bloomsburo's newspaper. Winnie's only desire is to put all of her energy into her writing -- well, that and to officially retire her lady parts in an act of self-defense.

Unfortunately, as scandal unfolds in her new community, her closest ally comes in the form of delicious-smelling Chamber of Commerce director Cal Spencer, who also happens to be the son of Winnie's benevolent (if meddling) landlady. Cal is a serial non-committer, yet his electric attraction to Winnie's curves and quirks has him contemplating breaking his iron-clad commitment to never mix work with pleasure.

The couple's sexual chemistry escalates alongside the town's drama, leaving them wondering: can they survive the fall with their jobs, their hearts, and their pledges of non-commitment intact?

Vonn’s books are perfect for audiences who enjoy quirky small towns, smart and occasionally sassy heroines, sexy and sarcastic heroes, serious heat between the sheets, and happily ever afters all around.
Profile Image for Dana.
222 reviews
November 27, 2017
What a great, steamy story! Following a difficult breakup, Winnie Briggs leaves the big city for a small town and quickly feels at home in her new cottage, and her new job. Settling into the town and its people, Winnie meets Cal Spencer, and sparks fly. Both adamantly oppose dating but will those feelings be enough to stop them??

Jess Vonn provides a fast-paced, fun read and I look forward to the next "Love by the Seasons" novel!
Profile Image for Jeni Palmer.
125 reviews
October 9, 2018
Overall, 2 stars.
Let me start by saying I avoid romance novels as a rule. They're cliche, only have three endings, and take absolutely no brain to read or write. This book fits into the category. However, a friend said I had had had to read this book because it was so unique a story.
A girl finds her boyfriend cheating with an intern and moves to the middle of nowhere because of it, swearing a vow of celibacy. Not only is that a cliche, it's a major overreaction.
Then, she finds an Adonis-looking guy who has the all the women in the town (and the next few over) wanting what's in his pants. Oh and he happens to be the son of her landlord. She can't keep a life of celibacy, so they do this 'physical only thing'. Because what's a woman who can control her body doing in a "steamy" romance novel? Eventually, they both get feelings, yadda yadda yadda, the end. At no point was there anything in this book that improved my view of this genre.
Now, if you're the kind of person who loves romance novels that just blend into each other, or maybe you like the sex scenes, this would be a fantastic book for you. I personally just need more substance to a book that doesn't exist only between a fictional man's legs.
Profile Image for Jayne.
308 reviews19 followers
March 5, 2018
Smalltown Contemporary Romance. Winnie Briggs is looking for a fresh start in Bloomsboro, running away from heartbreak and hopefully to a less complicated life.
Winnie's the new editor in chief of the city's newspaper, our hero, Cal, is the Director of the Chamber of Commerce and Winnie's Landlady's Son, so their paths will cross often. He's burdened by his father's past and refuses to commit to a romantic relationship, Winnie has sworn off men. So when the sparks fly and they can't deny their attraction to each other, they agree to a no-strings attached fling. Guess how that goes!
I really liked how grown up they were about their needs and wants, they actually talked things through in terms of their physical relationship at least (because of course we can't talk about the feeling they caught) and CONSENT!! ALL THE CONSENT!!
P.S Cal cooking was the most swoony thing ever! Cooking to deal with feelings instead of fighting? Yes please!
Profile Image for Jade Webb.
Author 11 books205 followers
May 27, 2018
I devoured this book in just a few hours and was so impressed by this steamy, sexy and hilarious small town romance.

I fell in love with Winnie and her adorable wardrobe and totally relatable inner dialogue. She is a strong, independent woman who is in desperate need for a fresh start. So when she gets a gig as an editor for a small newspaper in a whole new town, she jumps at the opportunity. She just doesn't expect to find the most gorgeous and sensitive and sexiest man there as well. I loved how neither character was looking for love, but they respected and followed their feelings and it was magical.

Some of the other characters stole the show, like Cal's mother and his brooding best friend with a tragic past, Carter. I am also hoping there's an HEA for Winnie's new BFF, Evie, too!

If you are looking for a sexy read with laugh-out-loud humor and wonderfully nuanced characters, make sure to pick this book up!
Profile Image for Melissa Rezab.
13 reviews4 followers
September 15, 2017
Loved this book!

Loved the characters in this book! Very well rounded, believable characters. If you like sexual tension, this the book for you! Winnie and Cal have instant chemistry and even though their backstories and how they perceived their life after those events threaten to tear them apart, there is no fighting love. The extra suspense dropped in at the end was such a great twist! Absolutely loved this book and can't wait for the next in the series.
Profile Image for Victoria Arms.
201 reviews10 followers
September 27, 2022
I'm going to give this 3.5 stars. I liked the book, good writing, nice storyline but there was one thing I could not get past.

The outfits. They had to be one of the most hideous outfits I've ever envisioned. And they were described in detail in almost every scene. Why on earth would she wear navy and green striped tights?

The outfits really took me out of the book and I have to detract .5 stars because of it. Sorry.
Profile Image for Amy LeBeau.
46 reviews4 followers
September 25, 2024
Who are these people on the cover?? Certainly not my blonde MMC and curly haired + curvy FMC.

Came here because Reddit told me it’d be a cute & cozy fall read. Unfortunately it lacked character development, depth, and plot for me. I hadn’t fallen in love with anyone by the end, so it wasn’t believable to me that the main characters had fallen in love either.
8 reviews
May 20, 2018
A joy to read

I don't do reviews so this is an indication of how much I enjoyed this gentle love story, well written with emotion and humour it filled a very empty day. I would love to hear more of the couple so will defiantly be looking at other books in the series.
Profile Image for Diana Reeves.
782 reviews1 follower
November 10, 2018
Whew

The sexual tension between Cal and Winnie is off the charts. Two people who swore off relationships, end up breaking all their rules. What about Bree, Winnie’s long time friend?
Profile Image for Lynda Watts.
251 reviews
June 15, 2020
If you like sex and romance this book is for you. Not enough substance to the story for me, just an easy read but boring at times and extremely predictable! The loved up scenes were very samey and I just skipped pages of these.
Profile Image for Amy Elizabeth.
163 reviews
September 18, 2022
3.5🌟 2🌶

-friends w benefits
-neither want to fall in love
-small town
-found family
-coworkers

What I liked:
-fall festival!!
-low angst
-hallmark movie vibes

What I didn’t like:
-written in 3rd person; dialogue was a little clunky for me
Profile Image for Morgan.
19 reviews
September 20, 2024
I started reading this because I was craving a cozy fall book. This was not that. It started off pretty strong and then became very cringe very quickly. If you want to read a whole bunch a smut this is for you, if you want to read a cute cozy fall romance this is not for you.
Profile Image for Leslie B..
11 reviews
October 29, 2024
Fantastic

If you love a good small town love story built on the idea that they cannot be emotionally involved, this one is for you! This was such a good, easy read. I'll be grabbing the other books in the "series", and can't wait to see what they have in store. 🤍
Profile Image for Laura Barfield.
303 reviews
July 19, 2018
Quite enjoyed this one. Really liked the authors style and will definitely be reading others in this series.
63 reviews
August 6, 2018
Small town love!

I fell in love along with the story. The romance and sex is off the charts. I can hardly wait to read the next book. I think I have just met my new best author.
1,435 reviews1 follower
September 27, 2018
This was a surprising find in the kindle freebie section! I really enjoyed the story and the characters! I would be interested in reading additional books in this series and more from this author!
Profile Image for Faye.
99 reviews46 followers
August 21, 2018
Small town Gilmore Girls setting with intense "instalust" and two main characters that are both quite one-dimensional. Both cringy and fun.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

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