You'll Always Have Tara

Riches to Romance #2

by Leah Marie Brown

A spoiled Southern belle loses her lavish lifestyle—and finds an unexpected new beginning . . .
 
Tara Maxwell seems to have been born under a lucky star, enjoying a life of leisure in beautiful, historic Charleston, South Carolina. But luck, and family fortunes, have a way of running out. Suddenly Tara is left with only one place to turn—her late aunt’s country home in north-west Ireland. The catch: to claim her inheritance Tara must agree to live in Castle Tásúildun for three months. With two other potential heirs. And choose one to be co-owner of the estate.
 
Tara sees right through her aunt’s matchmaking scheme, and she’s not willing to share Castle Tásúildun with anyone. If charm doesn’t get rid of her rivals, she’ll find some other way to drive Aidan Gallagher and Rhys Burroughes away. But as God is her witness, both men are infernally stubborn. Aidan, once her carefree childhood friend, is now an army veteran desperate for the peace the castle offers. Rhys, a smooth-talking businessman, plans to preserve the ramshackle property by transforming it into a luxury hotel. Tara, for the first time, is realizing that frankly, she does give a damn—about others’ happiness as well as her own. But is she ready to open her home—not to mention her heart—to the possibility of an epic adventure?
 
Praise for Leah Marie Brown and her It Girls novels
 
“Leah Marie Brown has a wily way of bringing her stories to life with sharp dialogue and
drop-dead sexy characters.”  —Cindy Miles, National Bestselling Author

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Contemporary

275 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2018

About the author

I am an American writer with a penchant for Paris and all things pink!

Before writing novels, I worked as a print journalist for a Pulitzer prize winning newspaper and served in the United States Air Force as a Radio and Television Broadcaster.

An avid traveler, I have had adventures and mishaps from London to Tokyo, which I write about on my blog, On Life, Love & Accidental Adventures, and in my contemporary romantic series, The It Girls.

I was once a collector of truly useless bric-a-brac and cheesy tee-shirts. My cheesiest? A tee with a cartoon Jesus riding a surf board and the words, "And on the eighth day, Jesus went surfing in Greece."

Today, I prefer to gather friendships and memories as travel souvenirs.

I live in the shadow of Pike's Peak Mountain, near Colorado Springs, with my family and shamefully pampered poodles.

In my free time, I like to watch movies, read, and snap photographs. You can view my photography by clicking on the Adventures tab above or by following me on Instagram.

I love to hear from readers, so send me a note! Or connect with me on Pinterest, Facebook,
Twitter and Instagram!
Leah Marie

Reviews

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

How much you like this will depend on how willing you are to chuckle at a light take off on Gone with the Wind. Tara is trying to save a castle in Ireland which she inherited (much to her surprise.) She must live there with Aidan and Rhys AND choose one of the to be her co-inheritor. You can guess how this is going to go but Brown mixes things up a bit. The Irish setting is lovely. Thanks to Netgalley for this breezy fast read.

[Vicki (MyArmchairAdventures) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the perfect book to read on St. Patrick’s Day and thank you to author Leah Marie Brown for sending me an autographed advance copy! Tara Maxwell has always felt out of place in Charleston society though she knows the rules and how to play the game. Her Dad and aunt have recently tragically died, leaving Tara and her two sisters penniless and floundering to support themselves after living a pampered life. Tara’s aunt left her a castle in Ireland where Tara used to spend her summers but before she inherits, Tara must spend 90 days in the castle with two childhood friends from those long-ago summers and choose one to be the co-owner. When her on and off again southern boyfriend proposes to another girl, Tara is ready to leave Charleston behind and find herself and her lost confidence. Loosely based on Gone With the Wind, I loved the setting in Ireland, the food, the language and the hints of comparison to Scarlett saving Tara and discovering that Ashleigh Wilkes has been playing with her all these years.

[Becky Condit · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you read the first book in the Riches to Romance series, Dreaming of Manderley, you are going to love the second book, You’ll Always Have Tara. In this book, the second daughter of the family realizes that they have lost the family home in Charleston after their father and aunt die in a yachting accident. Tara has been bequeathed her aunt’s Irish castle, but with a catch. She must live in the castle for three months with two men who were her childhood friends years ago, and pick one of them to be her co-inheritor.
Rhys is a corporate financial planner and Aiden is, well, I won’t tell you what Aiden does for a living because it’s a bit of a surprise when it is revealed in the book. After seeing her youngest sister off to her future as a matchmaker, and her older sister off to her marriage to Xavier, whom we met in the first book, Tara has no reason not to go to the Irish castle and try to find a meaning for herself there.
The book is sweet and although there is concern for how she can make the castle pay for itself. Tara is a classically trained baker so there is that to fall back on, if she can find a way to make it work. I will warn you to keep Google handy to look up Irish and baking terms. That makes the book so much more enjoyable.
The recipes referenced in the book made me hungry! Enjoy reading and, if you get the hanker for it, baking some of the goodies. I really enjoyed the book and look forward to Emma Lee’s story coming out later this year.

[Tina Tingly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca because of the dark and broody elements. So, I was a skeptical when I heard a chick lit author had written a modern, funny version of the story. I didn't think anyone could make Rebecca funny. I was wrong though. I loved Leah Maria Brown's Dreaming of Manderley, the first book in the Riches to Romance series. She took a lot of the things that made Rebecca a great story and twisted them just enough to give a familiar but wholly fresh story.

Then I heard she was rewriting Gone with the Wind. Frankly my dear, I didn't think I would give a damn for the rewrite. I was wrong again. You'll Always Have Tara is fantastic. Funny and fresh, with a heroine I liked far more than Scarlett O'Hara. That might be the biggest difference (besides the modern setting) between Gone with the Wind and You'll Always Have Tara. You actually like the heroine. Tara is tough and tender, funny and thoughtful.

Aidan and Rhys were gorgeous. I could see them in my mind and believe me they were gorgeous. I had a tough time deciding who I wanted Tara to end up with.

I highly recommend this book. It's fun and funny.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute romance that is based loosely on Gone with the wind. Tara Maxwell and her sisters are shocked to discover they have no money or home when their father and Aunt are killed in an accident. Tara is bequeathed a home in Ireland with the condition that she live there with 2 other potential co-owners for 3 months. Tara realizes that her aunt is matchmaking and finds that both gentlemen have lots to offer. This is book 2 in the Riches to Romance series and I did not read book 1, Dreaming of Manderley. There is one more sister for book 3. Castle Tasuildun is a beautiful setting and Tara decides she wants to stay in Ireland with... I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Crystal L Archer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Irreverent southern satire

Lost in identity crisis brought on by the death of her lifeblood father a daughter struggles to find her path.

[Jules The Book Junkie Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

You’ll Always Have Tara by Leah Marie Brown is a charming southern romance. Ms. Brown combines the leisurely pace of a conversation with your best friend from the south with inherited Irish estates and handsome men.

The Riches to Romance series latest installment features middle sister, Tara Maxwell. When her childhood friend and crush decides to marry her nemesis for political gain, Tara finds herself in a “what now” slump. The natural conclusion is to throw caution and decorum to the wind and head to Ireland to claim the estate your crazy aunt bequeathed you. Too bad Tara will have to endure a few months with two wildly different locals in order to inherit her share of the estate.

I enjoyed Ms. Brown’s characters immensely. The author richly portrays her characters such that I was able to jump into this story without feeling lost. Her light-hearted romance is reminiscent of classics like Gone With The Wind and Rebecca. Ms. Brown’s delightful descriptions truly paint a picture of the landscape and food in Ireland. My mouth watered whenever Tara was in the kitchen!

You’ll Always Have Tara is the perfect romance for readers who enjoy sopping up the details of the characters thoughts and lives. I thoroughly enjoyed Tara’s time with financier Rhys and the brooding Aidan.

3.5 stars

For more reading recommendations, visit Book Junkie Reviews at www.abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com

[Kristi Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tara Maxwell has inherited a castle in Ireland from her aunt. There are conditions she must fulfill before she can claim ownership to the castle. She must live there with Aidan Gallagher and Rhy Burroughes for three months. She will have to select one of them to be the co-owner of the castle. Tara is at a loss for words when she arrives in Ireland and sees Rhys. She hasn't seen Rhys since he was a shy awkward boy. Rhys is no longer that boy. He is a tall handsome man. Tara has not seen Aidan since she was eighteen years old. He is tall with sandy hair and muscular. This was a funny, southern romance. I could not put it down once I started reading it. Ms. Brown has a way of making you fall in love with the characters in her books.

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I would like to state that I received this book through the Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank the author for giving me this opportunity and honor in being able to read this book. When I received this book I began reading it at once. I really enjoy the authors writing style, the author pulls you into the book from the very beginning and makes it so you don't want to put the book down. It kept me on the edge of my seat reading from cover to cover. This book was a very interesting read. The author kept you interested from the first chapter to the very last. It pulls you in quickly and keeps you hooked wanting to read and find out what is happening. I would recommend this to anyone. This was a very good book .

[Kathy Lewison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tara wants to save a castle in Ireland. However, she must live with 2 men and pick one to be a ,”co-inheritor. I love Irish reads. Would recommend.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was OK but I preferred the first in the series. The men made her feel uncomfortable about being interested in both of them, which didn't seem fair and which they never apologized for, and I didn't care that she had to rethink her past and decide that people had TRIED to tell her they loved her but she didn't really listen. I mean, sure, listening is good, but I also believe that people deserve to be loved on their terms--why was she the one who was wrong? The ending was great, though. Fun and satisfying.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It wasn’t a knock my socks off book, because for me personally I felt like a was reading a predictable book that could easily be turned into a hallmark movie. However, that being said, that’s why I liked it. It was cute, slightly predictable, funny, and lovely all at the same time. I would recommend.

[Hannah Weatherford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfect, quick read for when you're in the mood for some light brain candy. The Irish setting is easy to get lost in, and the plot with two suitors is just ridiculous enough to need to follow.

[Jessica CLARK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, light read for St. Patrick's day. Girl inherits castle in Ireland and has to choose between two men. Loosely based on "Gone with the Wind." The majority of the book is actually her making baked goods with booze in them.

[Victoria · Rating 1 out of 5]

0/10

[Liz Banks · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite kind of romance - funny.

[Steffani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me laughing out loud. Can't wait to read the next book in the series

[Kathleen Smith]

A fun, easy read that makes you dream of moving to the Irish coast

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tara Maxwell seems to have been born under a lucky star, enjoying a life of leisure in beautiful, historic Charleston, South Carolina. But luck, and family fortunes, have a way of running out. Suddenly Tara is left with only one place to turn—her late aunt’s country home in north-west Ireland. The catch: to claim her inheritance Tara must agree to live in Castle Tásúildun for three months. With two other potential heirs. And choose one to be co-owner of the estate.
The title of this book caught my attention pretty quickly and the description sounded cute and very familiar. I must say I’m pretty sure this is the first time I’ve read any kind of adaptation of Gone With the Wind, of which I am a huge fan of. I did enjoy the lightness of it as well as the writing. I also really liked Tara. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book