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Starkford #1
Pour Choices
Starting over is difficult, but hot bartenders help.
Being a woman named Dawson has its own unique set of complications. Dawson Everly is a thirty-year-old college professor who thought she had crafted a perfect life for herself until she discovers her husband is being unfaithful. They had planned for a fresh start in her husband’s old college town. Now, she will unload her cheating husband, pack-up her life, and move because she is under contract for a new teaching position at Bellhurst College.
Patrick Butler is a bartender and professional bachelor. He’s charismatic, sexy, and unabashedly single. When a college professor answers his online advertisement about renting the cottage behind his home, he has no idea who his renter really is or what he’s gotten himself into.
Dawson must unpack her life in a new place where the only person she knows is her cheating husband. When her new landlord pours on the charm, she has a choice to make.
Being a woman named Dawson has its own unique set of complications. Dawson Everly is a thirty-year-old college professor who thought she had crafted a perfect life for herself until she discovers her husband is being unfaithful. They had planned for a fresh start in her husband’s old college town. Now, she will unload her cheating husband, pack-up her life, and move because she is under contract for a new teaching position at Bellhurst College.
Patrick Butler is a bartender and professional bachelor. He’s charismatic, sexy, and unabashedly single. When a college professor answers his online advertisement about renting the cottage behind his home, he has no idea who his renter really is or what he’s gotten himself into.
Dawson must unpack her life in a new place where the only person she knows is her cheating husband. When her new landlord pours on the charm, she has a choice to make.
294 pages, Paperback
Published May 25, 2018
About the author
P.J. DeVere
10 books123 followersP.J. DeVere writes funny and spicy contemporary romances. She's also a wonderful wife, a terrible housekeeper, and a recovering attorney.
She crafts stories that blend the perfect amounts of heat, emotion, and banter to give readers a story they'll love and remember.
She crafts stories that blend the perfect amounts of heat, emotion, and banter to give readers a story they'll love and remember.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
July 26, 2018
Witty, funny, tongue-in-cheek, highly entertaining modern sexy romance with a lead couple who are just pushing the boundaries of probability in both their looks and their circumstances. A fine example of the genre, strongly recommended to readers who like lots of steam with their double entendres.
June 28, 2026
Frustrating Misunderstandings
This one was full of frustrating misunderstandings that just went on way too long. Instead of building tension, they became repetitive, and I eventually found myself irritated with just about every character. By the time everything was finally cleared up, I was left thinking, “That’s it?” If this was supposed to be an introduction to the series, it wasn’t a very inviting one. I have no interest in continuing.
This one was full of frustrating misunderstandings that just went on way too long. Instead of building tension, they became repetitive, and I eventually found myself irritated with just about every character. By the time everything was finally cleared up, I was left thinking, “That’s it?” If this was supposed to be an introduction to the series, it wasn’t a very inviting one. I have no interest in continuing.
May 10, 2020
A fabulous read! Witty and heart-warming. I couldn't put it down.
September 9, 2025
Fantastic book
I loved everything about this book. It's a first time read of this author, but I'll be reading more of her work.
I loved everything about this book. It's a first time read of this author, but I'll be reading more of her work.
October 6, 2025
Not my cup of tea. I read the description and it sounded promising but it just wasn’t good. In short, the characters didn’t interest me and it got to a point where I was skimming parts because I just didn’t care any more. There was too much going on, too many plot holes and the romance was non existent.
SPOILERS BELOW IN MY DETAILED REVIEW
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Sorry, it’s a long one 🫣
The relationship with Henry (who turns out to be Patrick’s dad, which I knew right from the get go) is just weird. On her first day in town, Dawson initially finds him as a stranger at the hardware store, brings him back to her place to help her move in and then declares they’re going to be best friends. Before finding out he’s Patrick’s dad she also tells him she slept with Patrick. Then later on her sister comes to visit and her sister is sleeping over at the guys house.
Jameson’s wife is terrible. She seems like a miserable person right from the get go and Jameson is just going with it and seems loyal to her... All the while his brother disrespects her and he doesn’t defend her. Later on it seems Jameson know’s his wife is a terrible human but doesn’t even consider leaving her until he finds out she cheated. And we never get any follow up or closure on that so I can only assume the author is saving it all for another book.
It’s too much of a coincidence that Dawson’s husband is sleeping with her new fling’s sister in law.
When everything blows up there’s still 100 pages left so I had no clue where it was going and why there was still 100 pages left. Well, the last 65% of the book was focused on the alleged assault that happened at the bar that Patrick owns and how Dawson becomes a detective to save the day.
Dawson’s husband not only cheated on her but was a downright terrible spouse from what she tells us and yet she says she doesn’t hate him and didn’t like seeing him upset when he found out she slept with someone else. 🙄
Mack, who is Dawson’s ex, and Patrick have been friends since college. He’s 30 now. Patrick considers Mack a good friend. Patrick employed Mack to work at his bar and pretend to be the boss. Yet Patrick doesn’t know Dawson is Mack’s soon to be ex wife. You’re telling me in all those years Mack never brought up his wife and Patrick knew nothing of his personal life? Makes no sense.
Dawson demands a student (who happens to be the victim of the alleged assault incident at the bar) forward her a personal email she saw on her laptop. Then threatens her when she doesn’t automatically comply. And are we supposed to believe that this day and age a college student is emailing their friend a picture of themselves on vacation? No, it would’ve been in a text. But then if that were the case that story line wouldn’t have played out. Oh and Dawson later does some investigative work, sets up cameras and blackmails the girl into admitting the assault was fake.
And because there’s not enough going on already, Dawson’s sister randomly breaks up with her boyfriend and drives the 4 hours to where Dawson is staying, with no warning, and just takes up residence there with her without much more development on that.
Patrick is a grown man who picks clothes up off the floor and gives them a sniff test before putting them on. He’s also a mess and terrible at communication but great at jumping to assumptions.
There’s really no romance to this story. It’s all about him sleeping with her. He even says he knew from the first time he saw her he wanted to sleep with her. Everything between them was surface level. Nothing happened between them nor did they really spend any time together to form any type of relationship I should care about.
The whole thing with the Christmas present at the end was unnecessary and added no value to the story.
SPOILERS BELOW IN MY DETAILED REVIEW
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Sorry, it’s a long one 🫣
The relationship with Henry (who turns out to be Patrick’s dad, which I knew right from the get go) is just weird. On her first day in town, Dawson initially finds him as a stranger at the hardware store, brings him back to her place to help her move in and then declares they’re going to be best friends. Before finding out he’s Patrick’s dad she also tells him she slept with Patrick. Then later on her sister comes to visit and her sister is sleeping over at the guys house.
Jameson’s wife is terrible. She seems like a miserable person right from the get go and Jameson is just going with it and seems loyal to her... All the while his brother disrespects her and he doesn’t defend her. Later on it seems Jameson know’s his wife is a terrible human but doesn’t even consider leaving her until he finds out she cheated. And we never get any follow up or closure on that so I can only assume the author is saving it all for another book.
It’s too much of a coincidence that Dawson’s husband is sleeping with her new fling’s sister in law.
When everything blows up there’s still 100 pages left so I had no clue where it was going and why there was still 100 pages left. Well, the last 65% of the book was focused on the alleged assault that happened at the bar that Patrick owns and how Dawson becomes a detective to save the day.
Dawson’s husband not only cheated on her but was a downright terrible spouse from what she tells us and yet she says she doesn’t hate him and didn’t like seeing him upset when he found out she slept with someone else. 🙄
Mack, who is Dawson’s ex, and Patrick have been friends since college. He’s 30 now. Patrick considers Mack a good friend. Patrick employed Mack to work at his bar and pretend to be the boss. Yet Patrick doesn’t know Dawson is Mack’s soon to be ex wife. You’re telling me in all those years Mack never brought up his wife and Patrick knew nothing of his personal life? Makes no sense.
Dawson demands a student (who happens to be the victim of the alleged assault incident at the bar) forward her a personal email she saw on her laptop. Then threatens her when she doesn’t automatically comply. And are we supposed to believe that this day and age a college student is emailing their friend a picture of themselves on vacation? No, it would’ve been in a text. But then if that were the case that story line wouldn’t have played out. Oh and Dawson later does some investigative work, sets up cameras and blackmails the girl into admitting the assault was fake.
And because there’s not enough going on already, Dawson’s sister randomly breaks up with her boyfriend and drives the 4 hours to where Dawson is staying, with no warning, and just takes up residence there with her without much more development on that.
Patrick is a grown man who picks clothes up off the floor and gives them a sniff test before putting them on. He’s also a mess and terrible at communication but great at jumping to assumptions.
There’s really no romance to this story. It’s all about him sleeping with her. He even says he knew from the first time he saw her he wanted to sleep with her. Everything between them was surface level. Nothing happened between them nor did they really spend any time together to form any type of relationship I should care about.
The whole thing with the Christmas present at the end was unnecessary and added no value to the story.
May 6, 2019
Not normally my kind of book but I could not put it down. Very witty and a great read.
March 31, 2026
More than a romcom
This is story is very readable with a well thought out plot. I devoured it in one go. Strong main characters and a host of others combine and produce a satisfying story when things go awry with the MC's path together and it all gets neatly resolved without giving to much away. I will look forward to the next in the series.
This is story is very readable with a well thought out plot. I devoured it in one go. Strong main characters and a host of others combine and produce a satisfying story when things go awry with the MC's path together and it all gets neatly resolved without giving to much away. I will look forward to the next in the series.
June 24, 2018
This book was amazing. I couldn't put it down! I read this book in one day. It is one of those books where you can imagine yourself as one of the characters and you become a part of the story. Dawson is so relatable. And Patrick, well.... just from the authors words, he is HOT!
The author does a great job making you sense the passion between the characters. There were so many twists in the book that made me not only gasp, but also laugh out loud.
I am so thrilled this is the first of a series.
The author does a great job making you sense the passion between the characters. There were so many twists in the book that made me not only gasp, but also laugh out loud.
I am so thrilled this is the first of a series.
June 19, 2018
Pour choices
P.J DeVere
Reviews on good reads. Amazon. The book addicts.
Omg!! This book was recommended to me through a family members because the author Is from her home town ( hope I got that correct )
I loved it !! I hope there is more in this series!! There are so many twist and turns you might get whiplash but it’s the best whip lash ever !!!! And Patrick !!! Eeekkk I just want to have a Patrick for myself !!!
Hope there is more. I can’t wait !!
P.J DeVere
Reviews on good reads. Amazon. The book addicts.
Omg!! This book was recommended to me through a family members because the author Is from her home town ( hope I got that correct )
I loved it !! I hope there is more in this series!! There are so many twist and turns you might get whiplash but it’s the best whip lash ever !!!! And Patrick !!! Eeekkk I just want to have a Patrick for myself !!!
Hope there is more. I can’t wait !!
May 26, 2018
Clever, hot, and so much fun! The strong heroine is at a turning point, but she’s surrounded by fierce women and one mischievous Irishman to help her through. The characters are multidimensional and interesting. You’ll fall for the hot bartender and his twin brother, and you’ll love Dawson. This book is full of surprises. I can’t wait for the next one!
July 28, 2025
Wow!
What an awesome story. I laughed a LOT (the Brad Pitt movie reference - omg), teared up a bit, too, and just loved everything about these characters. Romance, some spicy parts, crazy coincidences, pure joy. Highly recommended. Reading the second book in this series immediately.
What an awesome story. I laughed a LOT (the Brad Pitt movie reference - omg), teared up a bit, too, and just loved everything about these characters. Romance, some spicy parts, crazy coincidences, pure joy. Highly recommended. Reading the second book in this series immediately.
February 21, 2026
Dawson is such a hoot!
OMG, this book had me bursting out laughing. I knew I would love this book after meeting P.J. at a book signing and she told me how she names her FMCs with boy names and that is special to me seeing as I have a boy name. I loved Henry, Alex, and Bridget’s characters they are such a hoot!
OMG, this book had me bursting out laughing. I knew I would love this book after meeting P.J. at a book signing and she told me how she names her FMCs with boy names and that is special to me seeing as I have a boy name. I loved Henry, Alex, and Bridget’s characters they are such a hoot!
January 5, 2019
Sexy must read!
Fantastic story line with an even better plot twist. This is not a typical one, two, three, boring book; it is absolutely entertaining. I am sitting on edge waiting to see what happens next.
Fantastic story line with an even better plot twist. This is not a typical one, two, three, boring book; it is absolutely entertaining. I am sitting on edge waiting to see what happens next.
March 2, 2019
Outstanding and sharp witted! The author really captures the tone and drama of small town life in a relatable way. It was a pleasure to get lost in Dawson's world and the pages flew by. Can't wait for the next in the series!
November 1, 2019
This book was recommended to me by a friend and I couldn't put it down after I started reading!
Want to Read
March 15, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/15/2021)! 🎁
January 12, 2021
This is book one in The Starkford series. I loved this book. It's witty and humorous. There are some mix-ups about identities in the beginning which was rather comical. I love the friends that Dawson finds shortly after moving to Starkford and Patrick’s father Henry is adorable. I feel sorry for Jamison, Patrick's brother, his wife is a shrew. I can't wait to tear into the next two books.
Patrick and Dawson are both lost souls. They both been hurt and are determined not to get hurt again but they also can't fight the attraction to each other. Dawson's divorcing her cheating husband, and she doesn't realize that Patrick knows her soon to be ex. Patrick has deep seated abandonment issues from his mom leaving when he was little. Patrick’s been content with hopping from bed to bed with older women, Dawson doesn't want or need that kind of guy in her life so she keeps pushing away from him. Only since he's laid eyes on Dawson he's been turning down other women no one seems to pique his interest. She's not like the other women, she's a challenge. These to have some major issues to work through. Will they find a way to make it work or take the easy way out and walk away?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Patrick and Dawson are both lost souls. They both been hurt and are determined not to get hurt again but they also can't fight the attraction to each other. Dawson's divorcing her cheating husband, and she doesn't realize that Patrick knows her soon to be ex. Patrick has deep seated abandonment issues from his mom leaving when he was little. Patrick’s been content with hopping from bed to bed with older women, Dawson doesn't want or need that kind of guy in her life so she keeps pushing away from him. Only since he's laid eyes on Dawson he's been turning down other women no one seems to pique his interest. She's not like the other women, she's a challenge. These to have some major issues to work through. Will they find a way to make it work or take the easy way out and walk away?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 16, 2024
This is book one in The Starkford Series and introduces numerous characters who feature throughout. We join this story at the point when Dawson is finding out for certain that her husband Mack has been cheating on her. To add to her turmoil, she had agreed to relocate with Mack to Starkford where he went to college and she has to be there soon to start her new job. She bravely packs up her life and makes arrangements to move into a cottage. Her landlord Patrick is a local bartender full of confidence and charm who likes his relationships with older women and no strings attached. When Dawson comes to sit at the bar one night, he is instantly captivated by her and the flirting begins, but Dawson has so much to deal with that it seems that the series of misunderstandings and complications which follow will prevent them from seeing if they have a shot together. This is an absorbing read with a full cast of rich characters, sizzling and hilarious dialogue and relatable inner monologues. Recommended for readers looking for twists and turns, emotional highs and lows, laughs and a nice dash of steam. Looking forward to visiting Starkford again!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 16, 2021
Dawson Everly had her life set out just as she wanted, right before she found her husband cheating! Not one to put up with that nonsense, she looked for a new residence for herself.
Patrick Butler is a bartender and professed bachelor, charming, sexy, and determined to remain single. Dawson responds to his online advertisement about renting the cottage behind his home, and his life will never be the same!
With her new sexy landlord turning on the charm he is famous for, will Dawson accept his flirtations, especially when both of them feel a powerful attraction to each other? But Patrick has a reputation, and Dawson had enough to deal with having a cheating ex-husband. Nevertheless, Patrick is already finding that all those other women he used to go after no longer interest him. Dawson is the challenge he wants to concentrate on. Will they work on their separate issues, or will it just be easier to walk away and take the simpler path so nobody gets hurt?
This story line is fun, witty, and downright hilarious. Grab your copy and be prepared to laugh until your ribs ache!
Patrick Butler is a bartender and professed bachelor, charming, sexy, and determined to remain single. Dawson responds to his online advertisement about renting the cottage behind his home, and his life will never be the same!
With her new sexy landlord turning on the charm he is famous for, will Dawson accept his flirtations, especially when both of them feel a powerful attraction to each other? But Patrick has a reputation, and Dawson had enough to deal with having a cheating ex-husband. Nevertheless, Patrick is already finding that all those other women he used to go after no longer interest him. Dawson is the challenge he wants to concentrate on. Will they work on their separate issues, or will it just be easier to walk away and take the simpler path so nobody gets hurt?
This story line is fun, witty, and downright hilarious. Grab your copy and be prepared to laugh until your ribs ache!
December 18, 2024
Dawson moved to a tiny town because of her hubby... then found out hubby was a cheating cheater who cheats! Having made the change, Dawson is now tasked with rebuilding a life without him in it; and goes about it with flare!
Patrick happens to be a friend of the cheater; but doesn't disclose that to Dawson right away. Instead, a passionate affair between the two begins, and so do the twists and turns!
I loved this novel! Funny, witty and full of surprise after surprise, it kept me guessing... and enthralled... to the very end! I'm excited to continue the series - the cast of characters and their antics came to life so fully that I feel as if I know them all... and want to get to know them even better!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Patrick happens to be a friend of the cheater; but doesn't disclose that to Dawson right away. Instead, a passionate affair between the two begins, and so do the twists and turns!
I loved this novel! Funny, witty and full of surprise after surprise, it kept me guessing... and enthralled... to the very end! I'm excited to continue the series - the cast of characters and their antics came to life so fully that I feel as if I know them all... and want to get to know them even better!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 3, 2020
Dawson is mistaken by many to be a man due to her name, so the confusion starts when she rents a house from Patrick, because her husband has cheated on her. Let's just say the plot is rather complicated for just a few words but their story is interwoven with many of the characters, which were in the most likeable.
Patrick is so carefree never looking to commit but she's been there done that so it isn't on the cards for her. This is definitely a roller coaster ride for our couple as well as the reader.
It's one of those small town tales where everyone knows each other's business & the people form part of future stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Patrick is so carefree never looking to commit but she's been there done that so it isn't on the cards for her. This is definitely a roller coaster ride for our couple as well as the reader.
It's one of those small town tales where everyone knows each other's business & the people form part of future stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 27, 2019
This is such a fun read! Like a perfect glass of Pinot Noir after a hectic day, it was a real treat. The characters are engaging, the storyline entertaining, and I devoured it in a day. It's a perfect beach read/romantic comedy.
Dawson Everly is a college professor who's agreed to relocate from Nashville to Starkford, MS, to teach at a college there, when she finds out her husband has been unfaithful. She leaves her cheating husband and heads to Starkford, only to immediately collide with Patrick Butler, the town's hottest, most eligible bachelor, and hilarity ensues.
If you enjoy romantic comedies, you'll thoroughly enjoy this book.
Dawson Everly is a college professor who's agreed to relocate from Nashville to Starkford, MS, to teach at a college there, when she finds out her husband has been unfaithful. She leaves her cheating husband and heads to Starkford, only to immediately collide with Patrick Butler, the town's hottest, most eligible bachelor, and hilarity ensues.
If you enjoy romantic comedies, you'll thoroughly enjoy this book.
Read
January 15, 2021I received an ARC from the author thru Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my review. This is the humor filled romance between Dawson and Patrick. She is having to start her life again. She has a failed marriage and is mistrusting of men with good reason. Dawson is a not who he expected the renter to be. Patrick has an attraction to her that he cannot deny. She does not want another man, but the chemistry is there with this sexy man. They have a great story and all the characters will make for a great series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 17, 2021
This is the first book in The Starkford Series and features Dawson, Who marriage falls apart when her husband is found cheating on her, and Patrick Butler, who is a player and bartender who rents her a cottage behind his house. While Dawson and he are leery of getting involved, he knows she is the one for him. This well written book has great characters and a fantastic plot with wit, humor, unexpected twists, and steamy romance. The next book in the series is entitled Pour House.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 11, 2022
So entertaining, it reminded me so much of like daytime tv soap operas (in the best possible way!) I grew up on them and this hooked me right in from page 1. This is a sort of cheating trope but is not the center of this book.
The fmc finds out she was cheated on and due to prior work commitments she is stuck in the same town as he is, but that doesn’t stop her from taking back her independence and running with it… she ends up at a Bar of a sarcastically funny bartender with a bit of a chip on his shoulder and it just gets better from there!
The fmc finds out she was cheated on and due to prior work commitments she is stuck in the same town as he is, but that doesn’t stop her from taking back her independence and running with it… she ends up at a Bar of a sarcastically funny bartender with a bit of a chip on his shoulder and it just gets better from there!
November 19, 2022
I laughed out loud reading this book. So well-written and the way the plot twists and turns to tie all of these characters together is very well done. Dawson moves to the small town her soon-to-be ex-husband picked out after she accepted a teaching job and before she was presented with video evidence of Mack banging another woman. She meets Patrick, a bartender who uses his bar to pick up older and unavailable women so he never has to worry about commitment. Throw in Dawson's sister, Patrick's sweet but meddling father who befriends Dawson without telling her who he is, and Patrick's identical twin brother trapped in the marriage from hell, and you have a funny book of laugh-out-loud misunderstandings with a dash of real, rough emotions that are true to life when Dawson must decide if she can move on from a husband who wants her back and take a chance on another man.
December 13, 2024
This is book 1 in DeVere's The Starkford Series. A wonderful start to a new series that can be read as a standalone. Well written and entirely entertaining! Our main characters are Dawson and Patrick. Loved the steam level as well as the wit and humor. Captivating storyline and characters. The humor for me made this a must read and I can't wait for more in this series!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 22, 2019
PJ DeVere’s debut novel was a delight! It’s great to see characters with a little more life behind them and these two had it. The secondary characters were crafted to make you eager to know who else will get books in the series (Henry! I vote for Henry!). The narrators voice was a scream - lol funny.
August 7, 2020
Hot bartender???
Hot bartender??? YES PLEASE!!!! This book was so good!! Had me glued within the first few pages!!! I swear there were so many twists and turns in this book!!! Dang!!! But it ended up being A Ok!!! I can't wait to read the next one!! I feel like there's gonna be even more drama...but I can't wait!! These twins have me hooked
Hot bartender??? YES PLEASE!!!! This book was so good!! Had me glued within the first few pages!!! I swear there were so many twists and turns in this book!!! Dang!!! But it ended up being A Ok!!! I can't wait to read the next one!! I feel like there's gonna be even more drama...but I can't wait!! These twins have me hooked
October 13, 2020
Cute romcom
A case of mistaken identity, a bartender trying to prove himself, a scheming college student...a long haul trucker?
Professor Dawson Everly is so done with her cheating husband, now she is relocating to a new job and fresh start. Nothing is as it seems and her past and present collide. Cute story.
A case of mistaken identity, a bartender trying to prove himself, a scheming college student...a long haul trucker?
Professor Dawson Everly is so done with her cheating husband, now she is relocating to a new job and fresh start. Nothing is as it seems and her past and present collide. Cute story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews