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The Holloway Girls #2
Don't Touch My Petunia
Pine Cove Island is the kind of enchanting place where anything is possible . . .
The Holloway women each have a special gift, passed down through generations, each one a little different. Juliette possesses a magical green thumb, which makes her job managing the local florist shop a dream. She may be a bit wild, but she knows what she wants: to save enough money to buy the shop from her boss. Then in marches Logan O'Connor, more annoyingly handsome than ever, turning all her plans upside down.
Logan hasn't been back on Pine Cove Island since he was eighteen and broke Juliette's teenage heart. Now it turns out he's her boss's nephew--and will be spending his days remodeling the shop and barking orders. At her.
For the sake of the business, Juliette will have to ignore their simmering attraction and work with Logan. But that doesn't mean she has to make things easy for him. Because no one knows better than she that one tiny, perfectly planted bit of garden magic could uproot Logan's own plans and keep him out of her way. And nothing would make her happier. At least that's what she thinks . . .
The Holloway women each have a special gift, passed down through generations, each one a little different. Juliette possesses a magical green thumb, which makes her job managing the local florist shop a dream. She may be a bit wild, but she knows what she wants: to save enough money to buy the shop from her boss. Then in marches Logan O'Connor, more annoyingly handsome than ever, turning all her plans upside down.
Logan hasn't been back on Pine Cove Island since he was eighteen and broke Juliette's teenage heart. Now it turns out he's her boss's nephew--and will be spending his days remodeling the shop and barking orders. At her.
For the sake of the business, Juliette will have to ignore their simmering attraction and work with Logan. But that doesn't mean she has to make things easy for him. Because no one knows better than she that one tiny, perfectly planted bit of garden magic could uproot Logan's own plans and keep him out of her way. And nothing would make her happier. At least that's what she thinks . . .
309 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 25, 2018
63 people are currently reading
1263 people want to read
About the author
Tara Sheets
14 books797 followersTara Sheets is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance. Her debut novel Don’t Call Me Cupcake received the 2016 Golden Heart® sponsored by Romance Writers of America. It is the first book in the award-winning Holloway Girls series.
Tara began her career as an author in the Pacific Northwest, inspired by the rain and the misty mountains and the rivers of Starbucks coffee. She now lives in the warm, wonderful South where she can stand outside with no coat on, and she finds that pretty inspiring too.
When not writing, Tara enjoys life with her book-loving family and a book-eating dog named Merlin. Come visit her at www.TaraSheets.com.
Tara began her career as an author in the Pacific Northwest, inspired by the rain and the misty mountains and the rivers of Starbucks coffee. She now lives in the warm, wonderful South where she can stand outside with no coat on, and she finds that pretty inspiring too.
When not writing, Tara enjoys life with her book-loving family and a book-eating dog named Merlin. Come visit her at www.TaraSheets.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
September 29, 2018
2.5 Stars
I did like the chemistry between Juliette and Logan, just wished they weren’t always thinking of all the ways they were wrong for each other for most of the book.
Juliette frustrated me a lot. She wanted the flower shop and yet never said anything to Romeo. Then she gets super mean saying a bunch of things to Logan that she didn’t mean just because things don’t go right in her plans? Plans she never communicated with anyone else? That’s just crap.
I did enjoy Logan even though he basically led Bella on just because he never paid attention to anything that came out of her mouth. He was pretty sweet to Juliette and honest with his feelings, and she still pushed him away.
Parts of Don’t Touch My Petunia were funny, and the Holloway women’s magical powers were interesting, but I liked the first book, Don’t Call Me Cupcake, a lot more.
A copy was kindly provided by Kensington Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I did like the chemistry between Juliette and Logan, just wished they weren’t always thinking of all the ways they were wrong for each other for most of the book.
Juliette frustrated me a lot. She wanted the flower shop and yet never said anything to Romeo. Then she gets super mean saying a bunch of things to Logan that she didn’t mean just because things don’t go right in her plans? Plans she never communicated with anyone else? That’s just crap.
I did enjoy Logan even though he basically led Bella on just because he never paid attention to anything that came out of her mouth. He was pretty sweet to Juliette and honest with his feelings, and she still pushed him away.
Parts of Don’t Touch My Petunia were funny, and the Holloway women’s magical powers were interesting, but I liked the first book, Don’t Call Me Cupcake, a lot more.
A copy was kindly provided by Kensington Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 22, 2018
This story is so cute and so much fun to read! Tara Sheets brings us a heart touching story filled with humor, love, and a special dose of magic. While part of a series this story stands completely on it's own.
When it comes to plants, Juliette has a magical green thumb so owning the florist shop she's been working for is her biggest dream. When the current owner's nephew and Juliette childhood crush shows up threatening Juliette's plan her hackles rise to full alert! These two have a bit of history but now way will Juliette give in to the attraction between them. At least that's the plan!
This is a wonderfully written book and one I definitely recommend.
When it comes to plants, Juliette has a magical green thumb so owning the florist shop she's been working for is her biggest dream. When the current owner's nephew and Juliette childhood crush shows up threatening Juliette's plan her hackles rise to full alert! These two have a bit of history but now way will Juliette give in to the attraction between them. At least that's the plan!
This is a wonderfully written book and one I definitely recommend.
October 1, 2018
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
I had such a good time with Don’t Touch My Petunia, and I’m having an absolute blast with The Holloway Girls series. If you haven’t discovered this world yet I would so recommend you pick up the first story, Don’t Call Me Cupcake and dive right into this magical, funny, flirty series.
Juliette has a “magical” touch with growing things, in the garden she’s got that green thumb down to a fine science, or charm. Her dream is to very soon now be able to buy the floral shop from her boss, for it’s the beautiful growing plants and flowers within that hold her heart and her special touch. Life was good, until Logan stepped back into it and tossed a monkey wrench in her plans… and maybe broke her heart all over again. He almost destroyed her during her younger, more trusting days and she would not give him that power once again. This time she had the power to make his plans go astray if she truly wanted to… but she’ll have to be careful and keep her guard up. Logan could slip right back into her heart so easily, and Juliette has to keep reminding herself that she doesn’t want him back… maybe.
With laugh out loud moments, and tender ones as well, I easily fell back into this world. I liked both Juliette and Logan, they made mistakes – in the past and in the present – but they worked together. Their romance was rocky but always with an underlying attraction and affection that neither could deny. If at times, Juliette expected others to know her mind without even telling them of her plans – well, that was her one flaw. I loved the community of Pine Cove Island, and I hope we have many more stories in the future from this small town. I enjoyed Don’t Touch My Petunia and would recommend it and the series to any Romance reader who loves quirky characters, some with a touch of magic and a love worth fighting for.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
I had such a good time with Don’t Touch My Petunia, and I’m having an absolute blast with The Holloway Girls series. If you haven’t discovered this world yet I would so recommend you pick up the first story, Don’t Call Me Cupcake and dive right into this magical, funny, flirty series.
Juliette has a “magical” touch with growing things, in the garden she’s got that green thumb down to a fine science, or charm. Her dream is to very soon now be able to buy the floral shop from her boss, for it’s the beautiful growing plants and flowers within that hold her heart and her special touch. Life was good, until Logan stepped back into it and tossed a monkey wrench in her plans… and maybe broke her heart all over again. He almost destroyed her during her younger, more trusting days and she would not give him that power once again. This time she had the power to make his plans go astray if she truly wanted to… but she’ll have to be careful and keep her guard up. Logan could slip right back into her heart so easily, and Juliette has to keep reminding herself that she doesn’t want him back… maybe.
With laugh out loud moments, and tender ones as well, I easily fell back into this world. I liked both Juliette and Logan, they made mistakes – in the past and in the present – but they worked together. Their romance was rocky but always with an underlying attraction and affection that neither could deny. If at times, Juliette expected others to know her mind without even telling them of her plans – well, that was her one flaw. I loved the community of Pine Cove Island, and I hope we have many more stories in the future from this small town. I enjoyed Don’t Touch My Petunia and would recommend it and the series to any Romance reader who loves quirky characters, some with a touch of magic and a love worth fighting for.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
September 5, 2018
Review Posted at HarlequinJunkie.com
Juliette Holloway works hard to save enough money in hopes of buying the shop where she works from her boss when he finally retires. However, it seems Juliette isn’t going to have things as easy as she thought when she learns that her old crush, Logan O’Connor — who just happens to be her boss’s nephew — will be doing the renovations for the store, especially after she begged him to stay years ago. Will Logan be able to convince Juliette to take a chance on him or is Juliette’s cynicism for love and happy ever after too high for her to give Logan a shot? Read More
Juliette Holloway works hard to save enough money in hopes of buying the shop where she works from her boss when he finally retires. However, it seems Juliette isn’t going to have things as easy as she thought when she learns that her old crush, Logan O’Connor — who just happens to be her boss’s nephew — will be doing the renovations for the store, especially after she begged him to stay years ago. Will Logan be able to convince Juliette to take a chance on him or is Juliette’s cynicism for love and happy ever after too high for her to give Logan a shot? Read More
September 22, 2018
Don't Touch My Petunia (The Holloway Girls, #2) by Tara Sheets
The Holloway Girls are the perfect way to turn a frown right side up. Sheets lights up the heart with these irresistible stories of laughter, love and family. Emma had her chance to bake up some magic, now it's Juliette's turn to spread some love. Don't Touch My Petunia uses whimsy to wake up the heart and wisdom to appeal to the mind. Prepare to get lost in the addiction that is Tara Sheets.
The Holloway Girls are the perfect way to turn a frown right side up. Sheets lights up the heart with these irresistible stories of laughter, love and family. Emma had her chance to bake up some magic, now it's Juliette's turn to spread some love. Don't Touch My Petunia uses whimsy to wake up the heart and wisdom to appeal to the mind. Prepare to get lost in the addiction that is Tara Sheets.
August 20, 2018
4.5/5
It's another hit from Tara Sheets! I am absolutely loving The Holloway Girls series. It has everything that I ask for in a good romance series with delightful characters and a swoony romance, and more with the touch of magic. As with Don't Call Me Cupcake, Don't Touch My Petunia charmed me from the first page. I just want to shout out my love for these books from the top of a rooftop!
The Holloway Girls are special - they possess just a touch of magic in them. Emma, the heroine of the first book, could bake charmed cupcakes. Juliette, the heroine of Don't Touch My Petunia, has a magical affinity for plants - she is able to heal and grow any plant that she wants. I adored Juliette's character, especially how close to Mother Nature she was. I thought her deep bond with nature was written beautifully - you could just feel how important it was to her. She worked at the local flower shop and had many aspirations. She was passionate, driven and was a sweetheart. Juliette was easy to grow a connection to and even when she was being bullheaded and blinded by her ambitions, I felt deeply connected to her. She was hard to dislike because her personality was lovely and endearing.
Logan, her love interest, was just the perfect balance to her. At the age of 18, after breaking Juliette's heart, he went off to the military. After several tours, he was back on Pine Cove Island to settle down at his grandfather's house. At the same time, he was also helping out with renovations at the flower shop as a favor to his uncle. I loved Logan so much! He was the quiet but deep kind of hero. I found it refreshing that the author wrote a hero who actually wanted to settle down and start a family because reading about heroes with commitment issues can become old real fast. He was also struggling with a mild form of PTSD after having been in the service for so long. I felt for him and was happy that he had someone to talk to in the form of Juliette.
The chemistry between Juliette and Logan was a strong and all-consuming element throughout Don't Touch My Petunia. The first scene at the flower shop where the book title was used as a clever pun had me in riots! I thought the two of them were just the perfect for each other. Juliette didn't intend on falling in love with him. But we all know how that goes in fiction! There was just a bit of animosity between them in the beginning as Logan made changes to the shop that weren't in her plans. The banter and the growing bond between them made me a very happy romance fan. As with the first book, the sex scenes were fade-to-black, but that did not take away from the chemistry one bit. I so loved these two adorable human beings together and wanted so much for them to find their happily-ever-afters. This series also has a strong focus on friendship and family. I love the close bond between Juliette and Emma, who are cousins. We also get to see more of their two hilarious (and often inappropriate) friends in Don't Touch My Petunia, and I swear, I was laughing out loud whenever they had a scene.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that there is going to be another book in this series. I'm not going to say who it is, but you meet her in this book. I can't recommend this book and the Holloway Girls series highly enough. I don't like to do book or author comparisons, but I truly think readers who love Jill Shalvis are going to just adore Tara Sheets' style as well. Please pick these books up and fall in love with this debut series just as I did! :)
It's another hit from Tara Sheets! I am absolutely loving The Holloway Girls series. It has everything that I ask for in a good romance series with delightful characters and a swoony romance, and more with the touch of magic. As with Don't Call Me Cupcake, Don't Touch My Petunia charmed me from the first page. I just want to shout out my love for these books from the top of a rooftop!
The Holloway Girls are special - they possess just a touch of magic in them. Emma, the heroine of the first book, could bake charmed cupcakes. Juliette, the heroine of Don't Touch My Petunia, has a magical affinity for plants - she is able to heal and grow any plant that she wants. I adored Juliette's character, especially how close to Mother Nature she was. I thought her deep bond with nature was written beautifully - you could just feel how important it was to her. She worked at the local flower shop and had many aspirations. She was passionate, driven and was a sweetheart. Juliette was easy to grow a connection to and even when she was being bullheaded and blinded by her ambitions, I felt deeply connected to her. She was hard to dislike because her personality was lovely and endearing.
Logan, her love interest, was just the perfect balance to her. At the age of 18, after breaking Juliette's heart, he went off to the military. After several tours, he was back on Pine Cove Island to settle down at his grandfather's house. At the same time, he was also helping out with renovations at the flower shop as a favor to his uncle. I loved Logan so much! He was the quiet but deep kind of hero. I found it refreshing that the author wrote a hero who actually wanted to settle down and start a family because reading about heroes with commitment issues can become old real fast. He was also struggling with a mild form of PTSD after having been in the service for so long. I felt for him and was happy that he had someone to talk to in the form of Juliette.
The chemistry between Juliette and Logan was a strong and all-consuming element throughout Don't Touch My Petunia. The first scene at the flower shop where the book title was used as a clever pun had me in riots! I thought the two of them were just the perfect for each other. Juliette didn't intend on falling in love with him. But we all know how that goes in fiction! There was just a bit of animosity between them in the beginning as Logan made changes to the shop that weren't in her plans. The banter and the growing bond between them made me a very happy romance fan. As with the first book, the sex scenes were fade-to-black, but that did not take away from the chemistry one bit. I so loved these two adorable human beings together and wanted so much for them to find their happily-ever-afters. This series also has a strong focus on friendship and family. I love the close bond between Juliette and Emma, who are cousins. We also get to see more of their two hilarious (and often inappropriate) friends in Don't Touch My Petunia, and I swear, I was laughing out loud whenever they had a scene.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that there is going to be another book in this series. I'm not going to say who it is, but you meet her in this book. I can't recommend this book and the Holloway Girls series highly enough. I don't like to do book or author comparisons, but I truly think readers who love Jill Shalvis are going to just adore Tara Sheets' style as well. Please pick these books up and fall in love with this debut series just as I did! :)
September 28, 2018
4.5 out of 5 stars
I loved don't call me cupcake and I knew I had to read, Don't touch my Petunia. I liked DCMC more though. Juliette was the reason why I didn't enjoy the book as much as I wanted. She was constantly pushing Logan away and fighting with him. She even gave another woman a potion to make her win him over when she should have been getting jealous. It was a huge disappointment. I felt like Logan was way more invested in their relationship than she was. I liked the promise of the story and the hero, but the heroine felt lacking and got on my nerves. She didn't talk to Logan about her plans and dreams and yet she expected him to know all about them and make them come true. To be fair though, she realized that she was wrong and that she actually loved Logan towards the end of the book and she did a selfless thing that I wasn't expecting and made me realize that she had some good qualities and that she cared for him and wanted him to stay. Logan was a good hero and he wasn't perfect, but I felt more sympathetic towards him.
Overall the book was good and I liked it. It might not be as good as book one, but in the end, you will love the main characters and the story. I wonder if Kat is a part of the family and doesn't know it and if she knows that she has a gift with the animals. I can't wait for her story! I liked her as a person and I want to see more of her.
I loved don't call me cupcake and I knew I had to read, Don't touch my Petunia. I liked DCMC more though. Juliette was the reason why I didn't enjoy the book as much as I wanted. She was constantly pushing Logan away and fighting with him. She even gave another woman a potion to make her win him over when she should have been getting jealous. It was a huge disappointment. I felt like Logan was way more invested in their relationship than she was. I liked the promise of the story and the hero, but the heroine felt lacking and got on my nerves. She didn't talk to Logan about her plans and dreams and yet she expected him to know all about them and make them come true. To be fair though, she realized that she was wrong and that she actually loved Logan towards the end of the book and she did a selfless thing that I wasn't expecting and made me realize that she had some good qualities and that she cared for him and wanted him to stay. Logan was a good hero and he wasn't perfect, but I felt more sympathetic towards him.
Overall the book was good and I liked it. It might not be as good as book one, but in the end, you will love the main characters and the story. I wonder if Kat is a part of the family and doesn't know it and if she knows that she has a gift with the animals. I can't wait for her story! I liked her as a person and I want to see more of her.
September 22, 2018
Reviewed for
Wit and Sin
Tara Sheets has the magic touch when it comes to sweet, utterly charming romances. I adored her first Holloway Girls book, Don’t Call Me Cupcake, and was pleased to find the enchantment didn’t wear off with Don’t Touch My Petunia .
Juliette has a magical connection to plants that someone with a black thumb like me envies. She’s vibrant and endearing, but she also had a vulnerable side that tugged on my heartstrings. Aside from her cousin Emma, everyone she has ever loved has left Juliette so she guards her heart fiercely. She relies on no one but herself, has walls a mile high, and is wary of change. Only someone like Logan could manage to scale those walls around her heart. Logan is the perfect hero without coming off as cardboard. He’s patient, kind, quiet, strong, and though he doesn’t take any flak from Juliette, he doesn’t scare easily when she resists change or her self-preservation instincts kick in and she tries to push him away. They have great chemistry that shows from the start as they banter and bicker, then slide into love. Their romance made me sigh more than once and there are so many sweet moments I don’t want to spoil by revealing. I really enjoyed watching them heal from the ghosts of their pasts with each other’s help and I liked them together so much that I hated having to put the book down.
A cast of lively secondary characters round out the book but never take the focus off of Juliette and Logan. I love the world of Pine Cove Island, the charm of the shops and the welcoming residents who each have their own fun quirks. I’m so glad Ms. Sheets will keep the magic going and give new Pine Cove Island resident Kat her own book because I don’t want to leave this place behind. If you enjoy sweet romances with a touch of magic, you’re sure to delight in reading Don’t Touch My Petunia .
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Tara Sheets has the magic touch when it comes to sweet, utterly charming romances. I adored her first Holloway Girls book, Don’t Call Me Cupcake, and was pleased to find the enchantment didn’t wear off with Don’t Touch My Petunia .
Juliette has a magical connection to plants that someone with a black thumb like me envies. She’s vibrant and endearing, but she also had a vulnerable side that tugged on my heartstrings. Aside from her cousin Emma, everyone she has ever loved has left Juliette so she guards her heart fiercely. She relies on no one but herself, has walls a mile high, and is wary of change. Only someone like Logan could manage to scale those walls around her heart. Logan is the perfect hero without coming off as cardboard. He’s patient, kind, quiet, strong, and though he doesn’t take any flak from Juliette, he doesn’t scare easily when she resists change or her self-preservation instincts kick in and she tries to push him away. They have great chemistry that shows from the start as they banter and bicker, then slide into love. Their romance made me sigh more than once and there are so many sweet moments I don’t want to spoil by revealing. I really enjoyed watching them heal from the ghosts of their pasts with each other’s help and I liked them together so much that I hated having to put the book down.
A cast of lively secondary characters round out the book but never take the focus off of Juliette and Logan. I love the world of Pine Cove Island, the charm of the shops and the welcoming residents who each have their own fun quirks. I’m so glad Ms. Sheets will keep the magic going and give new Pine Cove Island resident Kat her own book because I don’t want to leave this place behind. If you enjoy sweet romances with a touch of magic, you’re sure to delight in reading Don’t Touch My Petunia .
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
January 11, 2019
This is the second story about the Holloway Girls, this one being about Juliette. Even though it is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. In the small town of Pine Cove, the Holloway family have been known for their magic for generations. Juliette's gift is a green thumb, she can make things grow beautifully, healthy and strong. She is also able to make potions into perfumes using various plants and flowers. Logan has returned to town after serving in the armed forces. His uncle, who owns the flower shop where Juliette works, hires him to do renovations while he is on vacation. There is a past between Juliette and Logan and there are fireworks between these two. Juliette constantly pushes him away as he tries to draw them closer together. There were times I got really frustrated with Juliette thinking she was too hard on Logan and needed to open up a bit more, but as I learned about their past, I was able to understand why.
Tara Sheets brings us a heartwarming story filled with humor, love, and a special dose of magic. Pine Cove sounds like a quaint, beautiful seaside town, making the story even more charming, and a place I would love to visit. I really enjoy the Holloway Girls and look forward to reading the next book in the series, about Kat and her love of animals. The publisher, Zebra Shout, generously provided me with a copy of this book upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
Tara Sheets brings us a heartwarming story filled with humor, love, and a special dose of magic. Pine Cove sounds like a quaint, beautiful seaside town, making the story even more charming, and a place I would love to visit. I really enjoy the Holloway Girls and look forward to reading the next book in the series, about Kat and her love of animals. The publisher, Zebra Shout, generously provided me with a copy of this book upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
October 6, 2018
I really love this series. I love the magical gifts the Holloway women have. Juliette has a way with plants and nature. When she is in the wood the description is just ethereal and magical. Logan is back in town Juliette's teen crush. Things are going to get pretty interesting for Juliette. She can feel the change coming, but is she ready for it? I just gobbled up this book. I couldn't put it down. The quirky characters and the town are a big drawing point. I'm completely intrigued by the new comer and I'm so glad she's getting a book next. I really can't wait for the next book. I can't recommend this series enough. It had heart and humor with a touch of magic.
October 18, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed the story to the point I laughed out loud alot.The dialog is sharp and witty.My favorite type of cheer up book!.It seriously brightened up my day ...and not all rom com does ....most try to hard and fall flat.Ms.Sheets however does not disappoint but delivers great characters you want to be friends with in real life ,living in a place you wouldn't mind calling home.I love when I can put myself in the make believe world and feel like I'm right there when the events take place .Kudos to the Holloway Girls.
October 19, 2018
Don’t Touch My Petunia by Tara Sheets
Book #2: The Holloway Girls Series
Source: NetGalley and Purchase
My Rating: 5/5 stars
The Sophomore Slump is a very real thing! The first album comes out and you LOVE the band, the second (sophomore) album comes out and you question your life choices. This phenomenon translates to the book world too; the first book in a series is amazing while the second book makes you a very sad panda and wondering if you can get those hours of your life back.
With that being said . . . . .
I LOVED Don’t Touch My Petunia, the second book of Tara Sheets’ The Holloway Girls series. There is no sophomore slump here and I am once again reminded that waiting a year between books is often worth the wait. From the opening lines to the very last page, I was highly invested in this story, totally engaged, and wishing I didn’t have to sleep and adult so I could read it all in a single sitting.
With the exception of her cupcake-making cousin, Juliette has no other family who truly cares about her existence. Her mother passed away when Juliette was a child and her father simply checked out because of his grief. Thankfully, Juliette is a Holloway and it is through her particular gift, the ability to connect with nature, that she has found contentment in her life. Her yard is a glorious, riot of color and greenery, her back-yard leads directly into her beloved woods, and her job in the local flower shop is a haven. In fact, Juliette’s long-term plans include buying the flower shop and enjoying her working environment for the rest of her life.
But, as the saying goes, “Man plans, God laughs.”
Intruding on Juliette’s life and plans is none other than Logan O’Connor, the boy (now delectable man) who broke Juliette’s heart a decade ago. With not so much as a backward glance, Logan walked out of her life, joined the military, and has returned bound and determined to ruin Juliette’s life and organizational plan. Logan is her boss’s nephew and while the boss is away, Logan has been tasked with completely revamping the flower shop and making large construction-like changes to the entire site. In one fell swoop, Juliette feels her life spinning out of control. What’s more, Logan is incredibly attractive, bossy, argumentative, sexy, intelligent, yummy, and infuriating.
With a healthy dose of denial on both their parts, Juliette and Logan try to find a way to work together. Juliette wants her boss impressed with her ability to run the shop on her own, Logan wants to get his work done with minimal interruptions from Juliette, and neither wants to admit they are crazy attracted to the other. Oh, and they may actually like each other. Though she won’t admit it to Logan, Juliette unexpectedly likes the modifications he’s making to the shop, and though he won’t admit it to Juliette (or himself) Logan likes the wildness Juliette brings to his life. With more than a few stumbling blocks, several misunderstandings, at least one capsized boat, and a tree house, Juliette and Logan have their work cut out for them if either is going to achieve their happily ever after.
The Bottom Line: I am so excited to have gotten an advanced copy of this book as it has been a highly anticipated read for me for quite some time! I was not disappointed 😊 This book checks off all the boxes for me: great characters, witty/funny dialogue, just enough drama to be entertaining, but not overwhelming and angsty, a good heat level for the overall read, some light paranormal bits, and most importantly, a damn good story! For me, this is a matter of quality over quantity. Yes, I love getting a lot of books from an author, but if they aren’t well-written then I’m going to give up. Tara Sheets has taken the time necessary to write, edit, and produce a fine book that I was happy to wait for and I will continue to wait as this fine series develops.
Book #2: The Holloway Girls Series
Source: NetGalley and Purchase
My Rating: 5/5 stars
The Sophomore Slump is a very real thing! The first album comes out and you LOVE the band, the second (sophomore) album comes out and you question your life choices. This phenomenon translates to the book world too; the first book in a series is amazing while the second book makes you a very sad panda and wondering if you can get those hours of your life back.
With that being said . . . . .
I LOVED Don’t Touch My Petunia, the second book of Tara Sheets’ The Holloway Girls series. There is no sophomore slump here and I am once again reminded that waiting a year between books is often worth the wait. From the opening lines to the very last page, I was highly invested in this story, totally engaged, and wishing I didn’t have to sleep and adult so I could read it all in a single sitting.
With the exception of her cupcake-making cousin, Juliette has no other family who truly cares about her existence. Her mother passed away when Juliette was a child and her father simply checked out because of his grief. Thankfully, Juliette is a Holloway and it is through her particular gift, the ability to connect with nature, that she has found contentment in her life. Her yard is a glorious, riot of color and greenery, her back-yard leads directly into her beloved woods, and her job in the local flower shop is a haven. In fact, Juliette’s long-term plans include buying the flower shop and enjoying her working environment for the rest of her life.
But, as the saying goes, “Man plans, God laughs.”
Intruding on Juliette’s life and plans is none other than Logan O’Connor, the boy (now delectable man) who broke Juliette’s heart a decade ago. With not so much as a backward glance, Logan walked out of her life, joined the military, and has returned bound and determined to ruin Juliette’s life and organizational plan. Logan is her boss’s nephew and while the boss is away, Logan has been tasked with completely revamping the flower shop and making large construction-like changes to the entire site. In one fell swoop, Juliette feels her life spinning out of control. What’s more, Logan is incredibly attractive, bossy, argumentative, sexy, intelligent, yummy, and infuriating.
With a healthy dose of denial on both their parts, Juliette and Logan try to find a way to work together. Juliette wants her boss impressed with her ability to run the shop on her own, Logan wants to get his work done with minimal interruptions from Juliette, and neither wants to admit they are crazy attracted to the other. Oh, and they may actually like each other. Though she won’t admit it to Logan, Juliette unexpectedly likes the modifications he’s making to the shop, and though he won’t admit it to Juliette (or himself) Logan likes the wildness Juliette brings to his life. With more than a few stumbling blocks, several misunderstandings, at least one capsized boat, and a tree house, Juliette and Logan have their work cut out for them if either is going to achieve their happily ever after.
The Bottom Line: I am so excited to have gotten an advanced copy of this book as it has been a highly anticipated read for me for quite some time! I was not disappointed 😊 This book checks off all the boxes for me: great characters, witty/funny dialogue, just enough drama to be entertaining, but not overwhelming and angsty, a good heat level for the overall read, some light paranormal bits, and most importantly, a damn good story! For me, this is a matter of quality over quantity. Yes, I love getting a lot of books from an author, but if they aren’t well-written then I’m going to give up. Tara Sheets has taken the time necessary to write, edit, and produce a fine book that I was happy to wait for and I will continue to wait as this fine series develops.
November 12, 2021
Juliette Holloway has a gift, some would call it a magical gift, for plants. She has a plan to one day own her own florist shop and does not quite take Logan O'Connor's advice as an employee would. Logan is her bosses nephew and she finds him to be more of a thorn in her side, but when they are continually thrown together she cant help but deny the attraction they have together. What happens though when a choice is made that changes her whole plan for her future comes out? Will she trust that Logan is an up and up guy or was he playing her the whole time?
Very fun read. I liked Juliette in the first book and she did not disappoint in this book. Logan is great, you are not sure how their story will play out and it was highly entertaining. Wonderful next chapter in this series.
Very fun read. I liked Juliette in the first book and she did not disappoint in this book. Logan is great, you are not sure how their story will play out and it was highly entertaining. Wonderful next chapter in this series.
October 4, 2018
3.5 stars
I liked this better than the first one as the romance worked better for me. h is gun-shy not willing to let love in seeing what it did to her father to lose her mother. H comes back to town after years in the army and wants a quite peaceful life and to settle down. H is petrified of her growing feelings for him and behaves very childishly to be honest but a nice, sweet read.
I liked this better than the first one as the romance worked better for me. h is gun-shy not willing to let love in seeing what it did to her father to lose her mother. H comes back to town after years in the army and wants a quite peaceful life and to settle down. H is petrified of her growing feelings for him and behaves very childishly to be honest but a nice, sweet read.
September 25, 2018
Publisher's Description:
Pine Cove Island is the kind of enchanting place where anything is possible . . .
The Holloway women each have a special gift, passed down through generations, each one a little different. Juliette possesses a magical green thumb, which makes her job managing the local florist shop a dream. She may be a bit wild, but she knows what she wants: to save enough money to buy the shop from her boss. Then in marches Logan O’Connor, more annoyingly handsome than ever, turning all her plans upside down.
Logan hasn’t been back on Pine Cove Island since he was eighteen and broke Juliette’s teenage heart. Now it turns out he’s her boss’s nephew—and will be spending his days remodeling the shop and barking orders. At her.
For the sake of the business, Juliette will have to ignore their simmering attraction and work with Logan. But that doesn’t mean she has to make things easy for him. Because no one knows better than she that one tiny, perfectly planted bit of garden magic could uproot Logan’s own plans and keep him out of her way. And nothing would make her happier. At least that’s what she thinks . .
My Thoughts:
This second book in this series is like it's predecessor, a can't put down read that makes you want more!
I read mostly Historical romance and fiction but I do enjoy an occasional contemporary romance. I loved the debut novel and I looked forward to reading book #2. "Don't touch My Petunia" is an equal in every way to "Don't Call Me Cupcake".
Both books include a bit of magic and humor.
Can Juliette ignore her attraction to Logan and just get down to business?
If you are a fan of Romantic Comedy this is a must read for you.
I gave this book 4.5 (rounded to 5 stars) of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization. and a low sensual rating. This book contains no graphic intimacy so is suitable to be read by young adults and teens alike. Although the second book in this delightful series each one can be read and enjoyed as a standalone title.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book by invitation to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this title which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
Pine Cove Island is the kind of enchanting place where anything is possible . . .
The Holloway women each have a special gift, passed down through generations, each one a little different. Juliette possesses a magical green thumb, which makes her job managing the local florist shop a dream. She may be a bit wild, but she knows what she wants: to save enough money to buy the shop from her boss. Then in marches Logan O’Connor, more annoyingly handsome than ever, turning all her plans upside down.
Logan hasn’t been back on Pine Cove Island since he was eighteen and broke Juliette’s teenage heart. Now it turns out he’s her boss’s nephew—and will be spending his days remodeling the shop and barking orders. At her.
For the sake of the business, Juliette will have to ignore their simmering attraction and work with Logan. But that doesn’t mean she has to make things easy for him. Because no one knows better than she that one tiny, perfectly planted bit of garden magic could uproot Logan’s own plans and keep him out of her way. And nothing would make her happier. At least that’s what she thinks . .
My Thoughts:
This second book in this series is like it's predecessor, a can't put down read that makes you want more!
I read mostly Historical romance and fiction but I do enjoy an occasional contemporary romance. I loved the debut novel and I looked forward to reading book #2. "Don't touch My Petunia" is an equal in every way to "Don't Call Me Cupcake".
Both books include a bit of magic and humor.
Can Juliette ignore her attraction to Logan and just get down to business?
If you are a fan of Romantic Comedy this is a must read for you.
I gave this book 4.5 (rounded to 5 stars) of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization. and a low sensual rating. This book contains no graphic intimacy so is suitable to be read by young adults and teens alike. Although the second book in this delightful series each one can be read and enjoyed as a standalone title.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book by invitation to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this title which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
October 29, 2018
I won a copy of this book from the author, I was not required to give a favorable review, all thoughts are my own. This is a wonderful story. I wanted to read the first one in the series first but this book can stand on it's own. Juliette has a way with nature and plants, like Emma who bakes with her charm, Juliette finally found her way when she stared working at Romeo's Flower Shop. Now he is getting the place a makeover and she will approach him when he gets back from his vacation about possibly buying the store since he wants to retire. There is just one little hitch in the plan Logan, Romeo's nephew and a crush Juliette has had on since she was a young girl. He left for the army when he graduated and she hadn't seen him since. She was a freshman in high school when he left, now she was an adult. They need to work together both on the store and other things. I loved this book.
October 2, 2018
4.5 Stars!! I adored this story. I took off ½ a star because the heroine was starting to bug me by how many times she rejected and pushed the hero away. But I confess, what Juliette did for Logan near the end more than made up for her previous actions.
This story was funny, sweet, sexy and with a hint of the paranormal. I highly recommend this story and the first one in the series but they’re stand alone and can be read out of order.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
This story was funny, sweet, sexy and with a hint of the paranormal. I highly recommend this story and the first one in the series but they’re stand alone and can be read out of order.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
March 7, 2019
Juliette and Logan are great together - of course, I do love snark. And Luna was a hoot.
October 19, 2018
Another fun romantic tale with a touch of magic.
I am fan of the Holloway girls and am absolutely in love with all the fine citizens of Pine Cove Island.
When she was a teen, she asked him not to leave. He did, and he broke her heart, but now he was back, and grown up Logan was looking to set down some roots. When Logan and Juliette are reunited, those old sparks fly.
These two were great together. They had great chemistry, fun banter, and I just knew they belonged together. I am warning you right now, you will find yourself frustrated with Juliette, but she was dealing with some serious issues from her past. Her actions were driven by fear, and one of the things I enjoyed, was seeing her grow and find the courage to take a chance on Logan.
In addition to a solid romance, a reality show in town added some extra fun to the story, and the epilogue left me so elated.
I know I will be reading the next Holloway Girls book.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
I am fan of the Holloway girls and am absolutely in love with all the fine citizens of Pine Cove Island.
When she was a teen, she asked him not to leave. He did, and he broke her heart, but now he was back, and grown up Logan was looking to set down some roots. When Logan and Juliette are reunited, those old sparks fly.
These two were great together. They had great chemistry, fun banter, and I just knew they belonged together. I am warning you right now, you will find yourself frustrated with Juliette, but she was dealing with some serious issues from her past. Her actions were driven by fear, and one of the things I enjoyed, was seeing her grow and find the courage to take a chance on Logan.
In addition to a solid romance, a reality show in town added some extra fun to the story, and the epilogue left me so elated.
I know I will be reading the next Holloway Girls book.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
September 23, 2018
3.5 stars
If a guy was going to fondle her petunias, the least he could do was act like he cared.
Well, I was immediately hooked after that opening line.
This book is as cute and fun as I expected it to be. I love the magical elements that's incorporated in the story; Juliette, the heroine, has a 'gift' with plants the same way her cousin Emma (book 1 heroine) has a gift with the baked goods she makes. I love seeing her going head to head with Logan, the guy she used to crush on when she was a teenager and who also broke her heart.
The reason why I can't give this a solid 4 is I was sort of meh on the conflict of the story. I felt like it could've been easily resolved had Juliette took time to properly communicate why she was mad to Logan instead of biting his head off and abruptly broke things off with him.
Other than that, I'm totally charmed by the story, and I'm gonna check out the first book soon!
E-ARC is received thanks to the publisher via Netgalley.
If a guy was going to fondle her petunias, the least he could do was act like he cared.
Well, I was immediately hooked after that opening line.
This book is as cute and fun as I expected it to be. I love the magical elements that's incorporated in the story; Juliette, the heroine, has a 'gift' with plants the same way her cousin Emma (book 1 heroine) has a gift with the baked goods she makes. I love seeing her going head to head with Logan, the guy she used to crush on when she was a teenager and who also broke her heart.
The reason why I can't give this a solid 4 is I was sort of meh on the conflict of the story. I felt like it could've been easily resolved had Juliette took time to properly communicate why she was mad to Logan instead of biting his head off and abruptly broke things off with him.
Other than that, I'm totally charmed by the story, and I'm gonna check out the first book soon!
E-ARC is received thanks to the publisher via Netgalley.
October 2, 2018
Review coming!
September 27, 2018
Another beautifully written, romantic and lighthearted read by Tara Sheets. Juliette, a women with mystical powers to influence nature, is running Romeo's florist shop for years and is excited at the opportunity to someday run the business as her own.
Logan has been away for years, but is asked to come back as he is left his grandfathers house after his passing and his uncle asks him to do some renovations on the florist shop.
The chemistry between Juliette and Logan is electric and magnetic. They can not avoid each other no matter how hard they try.
Will their attraction grow to love?
Logan has been away for years, but is asked to come back as he is left his grandfathers house after his passing and his uncle asks him to do some renovations on the florist shop.
The chemistry between Juliette and Logan is electric and magnetic. They can not avoid each other no matter how hard they try.
Will their attraction grow to love?
October 9, 2018
I love this author and her books! She writes characters I long to spend time with. They are bright and funny, but above all good people. You won't find any alphaholes (at least not as the romantic interest) in these books (thankfully)! You will, however, find funny, intelligent, caring women and hot, hunky, thoughtful men <3
October 25, 2018
Healing Love
There is a wonderful amount of mystical magic in this book!! Loved the characters, even if I wanted to throttle Juliette a couple of times but, it's all good!! You won't be disappointed!!
There is a wonderful amount of mystical magic in this book!! Loved the characters, even if I wanted to throttle Juliette a couple of times but, it's all good!! You won't be disappointed!!
August 23, 2018
So excited to read this😁
December 31, 2018
Recently I discovered a fun style of romance that pairs magical realism with contemporary romance so I have been on the hunt for more books that lean that way. If it's small town setting, more than a dash of humor, and family and friends as additional elements? I was tingling with excitement to try a new to me author and series.
Don't Touch My Petunia is the second in The Holloway Girls series featuring a pair of cousins living in a Washington State small island town practicing their brand of magic. I didn't pick up book one that is Emma's story- though I want to- and I had no trouble diving into Juliette's story.
Juliette runs the town flower shop with dreams of someday owning it. Her plant magic makes her affinity to plants strong. In fact, she does so much better with plants than she does with people. This is never more obvious when her unrequited high school crush arrives back in town after serving in the military. Logan wanted to see the world away from his small town and now he's ready to settle. He takes up the job of remodeling his uncle's flower shop and dealing with the odd and prickly Juliette who treats him like an invader and has her own decided ways that clash with what his uncle wants and with his own.
When I said, Juliette was not good with people, that seems to be the running theme through much of this story. She keeps so much to herself even from her cousin and friends about her hopes and dreams and her desires, but even worse, she won't acknowledge some things even to herself for the longest time. She stumbles and bumbles her way around Logan who quietly waits for her to find her way. There was a cute quality to the overall story caused by the lovely and well drawn town, her hilarious friends, and her sweet cousin.
And, then there is Logan who was totally swoony. I even rooted for Juliette to get past her issues. See, she loves to hate on Logan for being that eighteen year old guy who didn't suddenly drop his whole life for the awkward fourteen year old girl who suddenly comes onto him. Thirteen years later and she blames that and doesn't see that her constant prickliness and refusal to give Logan a chance at friendship and more is seated in her need to protect herself from the pain of abandonment that came from her own family past and not Logan.
I felt Juliette carried on her denial on well past the sell by date and it soured the story for me. She lies to others, to Logan, and to herself. It's sad. Then she has this big dream around the shop, but she never actually talks to her cousin or the owner, Romeo, about it. She just assumes that it will drop in her lap or something when Romeo is done with his business.
So, I liked it and the part I was most anticipating was there and just perfect. Juliette and Emma's magic, their friends, and the town was fun. Even the romance hero, but the heroine was iffy and disappointed me a bit. Still, I can easily recommend the book to contemporary romance fans and I look forward to going back for Emma's story and proceeding with the next book in the series.
Don't Touch My Petunia is the second in The Holloway Girls series featuring a pair of cousins living in a Washington State small island town practicing their brand of magic. I didn't pick up book one that is Emma's story- though I want to- and I had no trouble diving into Juliette's story.
Juliette runs the town flower shop with dreams of someday owning it. Her plant magic makes her affinity to plants strong. In fact, she does so much better with plants than she does with people. This is never more obvious when her unrequited high school crush arrives back in town after serving in the military. Logan wanted to see the world away from his small town and now he's ready to settle. He takes up the job of remodeling his uncle's flower shop and dealing with the odd and prickly Juliette who treats him like an invader and has her own decided ways that clash with what his uncle wants and with his own.
When I said, Juliette was not good with people, that seems to be the running theme through much of this story. She keeps so much to herself even from her cousin and friends about her hopes and dreams and her desires, but even worse, she won't acknowledge some things even to herself for the longest time. She stumbles and bumbles her way around Logan who quietly waits for her to find her way. There was a cute quality to the overall story caused by the lovely and well drawn town, her hilarious friends, and her sweet cousin.
And, then there is Logan who was totally swoony. I even rooted for Juliette to get past her issues. See, she loves to hate on Logan for being that eighteen year old guy who didn't suddenly drop his whole life for the awkward fourteen year old girl who suddenly comes onto him. Thirteen years later and she blames that and doesn't see that her constant prickliness and refusal to give Logan a chance at friendship and more is seated in her need to protect herself from the pain of abandonment that came from her own family past and not Logan.
I felt Juliette carried on her denial on well past the sell by date and it soured the story for me. She lies to others, to Logan, and to herself. It's sad. Then she has this big dream around the shop, but she never actually talks to her cousin or the owner, Romeo, about it. She just assumes that it will drop in her lap or something when Romeo is done with his business.
So, I liked it and the part I was most anticipating was there and just perfect. Juliette and Emma's magic, their friends, and the town was fun. Even the romance hero, but the heroine was iffy and disappointed me a bit. Still, I can easily recommend the book to contemporary romance fans and I look forward to going back for Emma's story and proceeding with the next book in the series.
September 25, 2018
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I was introduced to the main character Juliette, in the first book of the The Holloway Girls series Don't Call Me Cupcake, featuring her cousin, Emma. The world of this small Pacific Northwest town on the waterfront, the townspeople and many of the small businesses were developed. The characters, particularly, Emma's circle of friends felt real to me.
Both cousins have magic, which is my favorite. Juliette is more solitary than Emma, or at least it felt so. Even when she was with the circle of friends, she disconnected and often didn't share the truth or her actual feelings with them. Juliette is wonderfully talented and capable, but I'm never happy when a character is dishonest with themselves, much less others.
Logan is her childhood crush, come back to town after serving for years in the armed forces. She was much younger and they were neighbors, so it was more like siblings' activities then. He left to see the world. Now he has seen it and is trying to figure out what to do. He is starting with renovation in the flower shop of his uncle where Juliette is the manager.
Besides the shop construction, there is the preparation for Emma's wedding and some celebrities in town. Honestly, those things all feel like distracting details buzzing around the lies Juliette is trying to tell herself. I was so relieved when she finally released her actual feelings, although with some new lies, but then finally started being her true self. Logan was more straightforward and did well with being patient.
I have to wonder if there is more of this town since both Holloway girls have had their story, but will there be another long-lost cousin? There is another book listed for 2019 - Don't Give Me Butterflies.
Excerpt:
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I was introduced to the main character Juliette, in the first book of the The Holloway Girls series Don't Call Me Cupcake, featuring her cousin, Emma. The world of this small Pacific Northwest town on the waterfront, the townspeople and many of the small businesses were developed. The characters, particularly, Emma's circle of friends felt real to me.
Both cousins have magic, which is my favorite. Juliette is more solitary than Emma, or at least it felt so. Even when she was with the circle of friends, she disconnected and often didn't share the truth or her actual feelings with them. Juliette is wonderfully talented and capable, but I'm never happy when a character is dishonest with themselves, much less others.
Logan is her childhood crush, come back to town after serving for years in the armed forces. She was much younger and they were neighbors, so it was more like siblings' activities then. He left to see the world. Now he has seen it and is trying to figure out what to do. He is starting with renovation in the flower shop of his uncle where Juliette is the manager.
Besides the shop construction, there is the preparation for Emma's wedding and some celebrities in town. Honestly, those things all feel like distracting details buzzing around the lies Juliette is trying to tell herself. I was so relieved when she finally released her actual feelings, although with some new lies, but then finally started being her true self. Logan was more straightforward and did well with being patient.
I have to wonder if there is more of this town since both Holloway girls have had their story, but will there be another long-lost cousin? There is another book listed for 2019 - Don't Give Me Butterflies.
Excerpt:
If a guy was going to fondle her petunias, the least he could do was act like he cared. Pawing at them with a big meaty ham fist while he stared absently out of her shop window was not cool.
Juliette Holloway frowned, swiping a lock of dark hair behind her ear. It was going to be a long day at Romeo’s Florist Shop, and she still had two more flower arrangements to put together before the morning rush.
She leaned over the counter and called across the room. “Excuse me.”
The guy messing with her petunia plant didn’t move or turn around. He had broad shoulders, and his head almost reached the top of the door frame. In jeans, a gray T-shirt, and a baseball cap, he looked like one of those NFL athletes—completely out of place surrounded by the delicate summer blooms and hanging fuchsia baskets.
She called again, louder. “Hello?”
Nothing. He just kept running a giant hand over the fragile purple flowers.
Juliette bristled. The plant was her newest project. Normally, she could make anything grow and thrive. Like all Holloway women before her, she was born with a special gift. Hers was garden magic. A customer had given her the potted petunia after rescuing it from an office cubicle. The poor thing had been halfway to the grave, but she’d nurtured it back to life. And now some linebacker was mauling it.
She marched across the room and tapped the man firmly on his back. It was a rock-hard, muscular back. He was probably one of those gym guys who spent all day pumping iron. “Can you please not touch that?”
He swung around and pulled an earbud out of his ear. Loud, thumping music spewed from his headset. Even with a baseball cap and mirrored sunglasses, he looked vaguely familiar. Strong jaw with a light stubble, high cheekbones, full lips. A tiny prickle of recognition tiptoed down her spine.
She gestured to the pot of flowers. “Please don’t touch my plant.”
He frowned and pulled the other earbud out. “What’s that?”
Juliette sighed. Gym rats. Brains in their biceps. She enunciated each word carefully. “Don’t. Touch. My petunia.”
His lips twitched. “I . . .”
She closed her eyes, ignoring the flush of embarrassment creeping up her cheeks. Way to set yourself up, genius. Maybe he didn’t notice.
“I’m not usually so forward.” His deep voice hovered on the edge of laughter.
Okay, so he noticed. Big whoop. Whoever he was, he was immature, and she didn’t have time for this. She grabbed the plant and turned away. The hem of her flowy skirt caught on the edge of a low shelf, and she yanked it free before escaping to the back counter.
“Have we met before?” he called.
She threw him a glance.
He gave her a slow smile that sent a jolt of physical awareness from the top of her head to the tips of her blue painted toenails. “I feel like I know you.”
For a pickup line, it was pretty bad. But he had a million-dollar smile and knew how to use it. The face. The superhero physique. All he needed was a cape or a giant hammer, or something. He probably didn’t have much practice with pickup lines because he didn’t need any.
He sauntered toward her.
There was something familiar about the way he walked—like he owned the world—but she couldn’t place him. When he reached the counter, she was glad to be on the other side. It wasn’t that she felt threatened. At five feet nine inches, she was comfortable with tall people. But this guy towered over her, and when he looked at her like that, it was . . . unsettling.
He took off the baseball cap and mussed his tawny hair.
Juliette sucked in a breath.
Then he removed the sunglasses and fixed her with a gaze as deep and dark as the earth after a rainstorm.
Something inside her cracked open, and a trickle of long-forgotten feelings threatened to bubble to the surface.
Logan.
She took an involuntary step back, trying to hide her surprise by leaning casually against the wall. Supercool. She was an iceberg of cool. Except she misjudged the distance to the wall and stumbled.
“That bad, huh?” His mouth kicked up at one corner.
September 26, 2018
Reviewed for Romancing the Readers Blog: https://romancingthereaders.blogspot....
We are only on book #2 but I can tell you already that this is going to be a fun series. I just love the whole idea of it. The small-town, along with the romance and the fun idea of magic just makes for a good book. Or a Hallmark movie. Either one, I'm glad I get to enjoy it.
Don't Touch my Petunia is like I said book #2 of the Holloway Girls series. A little Charmedish, right! Both do have magic in it. But unlike Charmed there hasn't been and demons running around in the story. Just pigheaded people.
I really liked Juliette in the first book. She seemed that all she cared about were her flowers and cousin. You learn so much more about her and how she ticks in this story. The girls has layers. Not all of them reasonable or even nice at times.
As much as I liked her she was a issue for me at times in the book. Because of her hurt, past and present she lashes out at the wrong person, Logan. He does nothing to deserve her actions but yet it still happens. I don't want to get into to much because it's better being read for yourself and learning all this. The good part is that her bad behavior doesn't last for long. It does take away slightly about how I felt about her but since I'm more of a hero driven reader I was okay with it.
I can't say much about Logan other then I really liked him. He's a great guy who it seems has always done the right thing. All he got, he deserved. Good man!
As a whole the story was good. I enjoyed the new characters that entered the story and I'm looking forward to what's next. I do wish that the author had more of Emma in the story and Hunter isn't in the story at all and I don't even remember his name being said throughout the book. Since this is a new series I would have liked a little cross over between the characters. It was almost like...your story is done, move on! When I read and enjoy a series I want to really get to know the characters and have them in my life. I know as series get bigger and the author adds more books into it some characters get lost but this was only book two.
I know it must sound like I had a few issues, well I did. It didn't take about away my enjoyment of the story but it did make it only say a three star book. I am looking forward to the next book. I want to see how this series goes on.
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ARC received for a honest review
We are only on book #2 but I can tell you already that this is going to be a fun series. I just love the whole idea of it. The small-town, along with the romance and the fun idea of magic just makes for a good book. Or a Hallmark movie. Either one, I'm glad I get to enjoy it.
Don't Touch my Petunia is like I said book #2 of the Holloway Girls series. A little Charmedish, right! Both do have magic in it. But unlike Charmed there hasn't been and demons running around in the story. Just pigheaded people.
I really liked Juliette in the first book. She seemed that all she cared about were her flowers and cousin. You learn so much more about her and how she ticks in this story. The girls has layers. Not all of them reasonable or even nice at times.
As much as I liked her she was a issue for me at times in the book. Because of her hurt, past and present she lashes out at the wrong person, Logan. He does nothing to deserve her actions but yet it still happens. I don't want to get into to much because it's better being read for yourself and learning all this. The good part is that her bad behavior doesn't last for long. It does take away slightly about how I felt about her but since I'm more of a hero driven reader I was okay with it.
I can't say much about Logan other then I really liked him. He's a great guy who it seems has always done the right thing. All he got, he deserved. Good man!
As a whole the story was good. I enjoyed the new characters that entered the story and I'm looking forward to what's next. I do wish that the author had more of Emma in the story and Hunter isn't in the story at all and I don't even remember his name being said throughout the book. Since this is a new series I would have liked a little cross over between the characters. It was almost like...your story is done, move on! When I read and enjoy a series I want to really get to know the characters and have them in my life. I know as series get bigger and the author adds more books into it some characters get lost but this was only book two.
I know it must sound like I had a few issues, well I did. It didn't take about away my enjoyment of the story but it did make it only say a three star book. I am looking forward to the next book. I want to see how this series goes on.
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ARC received for a honest review
January 31, 2022
Having recently finished the previously published “Don’t Touch My Petunia” by Tara Sheets, I am happy to have had the chance for the preview; thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books/Zebra Shout!
I don't select many romance stories to preview, but this one caught my eye. The second magical story in the Holloway Girls romance series was enjoyable without the bakery, sugar and frosting found in the first story; instead we were treated to flowers, nature and Romeo's Florist Shop. Juliette’s past left her (extremely) wary and doubtful when it came to humans, so instead she chose the plants in her world as her trusted family. When her teenage crush re-appeared wanting to put roots down in his hometown; it was obvious that it was just a matter of time before Juliette and Logan would re-connect and she (eventually) would learn to put her trust in love again. There was a bit too much of Juliette’s bad attitude and she did come off as immature, but without guidance I suppose it made sense.
The “melting of my heart” moments in “Don’t Touch My Petunia” were whenever the old maple tree, and the treehouse in its branches, appeared in the story. I’m a sucker for a beautiful maple tree and this one was magical!
“He’d filled the treehouse with cookies and books.”
I don't select many romance stories to preview, but this one caught my eye. The second magical story in the Holloway Girls romance series was enjoyable without the bakery, sugar and frosting found in the first story; instead we were treated to flowers, nature and Romeo's Florist Shop. Juliette’s past left her (extremely) wary and doubtful when it came to humans, so instead she chose the plants in her world as her trusted family. When her teenage crush re-appeared wanting to put roots down in his hometown; it was obvious that it was just a matter of time before Juliette and Logan would re-connect and she (eventually) would learn to put her trust in love again. There was a bit too much of Juliette’s bad attitude and she did come off as immature, but without guidance I suppose it made sense.
The “melting of my heart” moments in “Don’t Touch My Petunia” were whenever the old maple tree, and the treehouse in its branches, appeared in the story. I’m a sucker for a beautiful maple tree and this one was magical!
“He’d filled the treehouse with cookies and books.”
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