Serving Up Innocence

Ladies of Westside #1

by H.M. Shander

Falling in love wasn’t on the menu.

After acquiring debt from a relationship gone sideways and forced to put her college plans on hold, Shayne begrudgingly accepts a position at Westside. She hopes the tips will solve her financial problems and put her back on the path she’d planned.

There she meets her trainer, Jasper – a smooth-talking bohemian who has his sights set on her. His free-spirited personality is a far cry from her reserved one, and no matter how hard she tries to resist him, he slips under her skin and into her heart. His training takes her beyond the four walls of the restaurant, and he teaches her to toss aside her innocence and free herself from the rigid lifestyle that ties her down.

But her best friend is self-destructing, and she’s so tight with her family she can’t possibly distance herself from them. Being connected to them is part of who she is, and Jasper can’t understand that.

Do opposites truly attract? Or is that just an expression? Because Shayne isn’t sure if Jasper’s way of living is too much for her, or everything she didn’t know she needed.

Genres: Romance, Humor, Contemporary, New Adult

Unknown Binding

First published October 3, 2018

About the author

H.M. Shander is an award winning and USA TODAY bestselling author who is a hopeless romantic and lover of chocolate, coconut and a damn good cup of coffee.

She's the author of several reader's choice books (Bronze medal for Return to Cheshire Bay and the Gold Medal for Living La Vida Mocha). An upcoming release was also a Kobo Writing Life finalist - so watch for that to release soon.
She writes swoon-worthy, gentle beta heroes, in sweet or steamy storylines that all end with a happily ever after.

When not writing, she is a part-time librarian and Educational Assistant to a group of kindergartens, a devoted mother to her two kids, and believes she's married the sweetest man and the greatest inspiration for her heroes.

Sign up for the newsletters: https://h-m-shander.eo.page/z5tgg

Reviews

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/30/2019)! 🎁

Blurb:
Falling in love wasn’t on the menu.

After acquiring debt from a relationship gone sideways and forced to put her college plans on hold, Shayne begrudgingly accepts a position at Westside. She hopes the tips will solve her financial problems and put her back on the path she’d planned.

There she meets her trainer, Jasper – a smooth-talking bohemian who has his sights set on her. His free-spirited personality is a far cry from her reserved one, and no matter how hard she tries to resist him, he slips under her skin and into her heart. His training takes her beyond the four walls of the restaurant, and he teaches her to toss aside her innocence and free herself from the rigid lifestyle that ties her down.

But her best friend is self-destructing, and she’s so tight with her family she can’t possibly distance herself from them. Being connected to them is part of who she is, and Jasper can’t understand that.

Do opposites truly attract? Or is that just an expression? Because Shayne isn’t sure if Jasper’s way of living is too much for her, or everything she didn’t know she needed.

[Reading with 2 book lovers Sarah P - · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured this book like I usually do by this author. She really knows how to pull me in with her characters. I love Shanye so much

[Melanie Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serving Up Innocence was perfectly prepared and offered with a side of entertaining! Yum.
Korey and Shayne had instant chemistry and it progressed with every page, building their world with help from their supporting characters into a well written, feel-good romance.
I loved it and want to read more from H.M. Shander.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

H.M. offers up another great read ! I have to admit that my "old eyes" enjoy the story more than the steam but I truly enjoyed all the characters and want to know more, more, more ! Maybe Oscar & Roger will become central to a new book ? I can hope...

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shayne needs money and starts waitressing where she meets her trainer Jasper (who's real name is Korey). He is her opposite, he's totally laid back and only has himself. He's not really into having a family. So when they meet, it's explosive and insta-love because they find in each other what's missing from their lives. As he teaches her to let go of her innocence, she teaches him about the importance of family.
But they are so opposite, you wonder if they can be together and be truly happy. And the ending - it's perfect! I heart it so much.

It was a fanastic read. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

Oh yeah, I hope there is a story coming about Lily. Kinda wonder what happened with her.
And the brothers. Will they have their own stories too?

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!!! I really did get wrapped up in all the emotions that Shayne went through. When she realized she loved Korey, I knew how she felt. My heart hurt when she decided not to follow him. Then I was on the edge of my seat when she flew to be with him and she couldn’t find him. Even though I had a feeling they were going to end up together, I still couldn’t wait to find out if she truly got her man. And she did!!!!!

I am so so happy for Sean and Randy for the adoption of their baby girl. This made me super happy.

I’m sad and angry that Lily up and left her husband and daughters. I could never imaging leaving my kids behind.

Overall I absolutely LOVED this book and can’t wait to start the next one :)

[Mrs Kindle Addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Shayne got screwed over by her ex-boyfriend and needs money! So she takes up a waitress job to pay of her debts and this is where she meets Korey and their story just blossoms from there!

I loved the characters Shayne & Korey, I thought they had great chemistry and I really enjoyed reading about their relationship. This book kept me turning pages and wanting to find out what happens next. I liked Shaynes brother and partner and hope we get to hear more about them in the following books!

Overall I really enjoyed this book! H.M. Shander is a new Author for me and I look forward to reading more by her.

[Jen (jensdreamylittlereads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet and gorgeous story, and very well written. I loved the characters of Shayne & Korey. They had such a great and instant chemistry and I really enjoyed reading about their blossoming relationship. These characters have their own personal flaws and issues and they have to learn how to overcome come before they can fully be together. I fell in love with them and their story.

This story had me turning the pages and wanting to find out what happens next. This book had my attention from the first page and never let it go. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more from this author.

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was pretty good. It wasn't wonderful, but it wasn't bad either. The characters were very real and their experiences were just as real. It wasn't a fairy tale, but it could have been a real life story of how your best friend fell in love with that good looking guy she met. It was also the story of a a mother who can't deal with the every day pressure, a story of good things that come from bad situations, and learning to make your own way through life. Korey and Shayne were a great couple and they both had to find their own way to loving each other. In the end they found their way!

[Rebecca Lovell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had already read Serving Up Secrecy when I bought this one and it left me wanting more. I’m pleased to say I enjoyed this one just as much. HM’s writing style is engaging and her dialogue is excellent and flows well - it actually sounds like people talking.

There was significantly more sex than Secrecy but it fit here and her sexy scenes are steamy without being explicit. I loved the relationship between Shayne and Korey; it was sweet and sexy, and realistic of the early stages and rocky ending of a relationship, with a satisfying ending that made me happy-cry.

Highly recommend this book if you want a good, realistic contemporary love story!

[GrnEyed · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I finally got into this book it took me 2 days. Maybe 4 hours total time? I know, slow. In any event, Shayne and Jasper/Korey were fantastic characters. I loved their friendship and how things developed. Shayne, at the young age of 19, has been through a lot but she had her head on straight. She had a quality circle around her. I loved her focus, her drive, and how she had solid plans. Then came Jasper/Korey. He brought just what she needed into her life. Things she didn't know she needed or could truly have. Just read it. There is problematic situations, and difficult people, but overall this is a really pleasant read.

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in a new series called "Ladies of Westside" and I'm so glad that we get to read about ladies.

This book is a "coming of age" story that has many layers and complex characters. The way the story is told sets up future installments to the series brilliantly and I look forward to reading more.

The writing is very detailed and at times I found myself skimming because I wanted to know more. This was an enjoyable read that I would recommend.

[Emma Tharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do opposites really attract?

Shayne and Jasper have a chemistry that you will feel coming off the pages! The characters are flawed, but in the most perfect way. I fell in love with them and their story. This book had my attention from the first page and never let it go.

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book to anyone who loves romance novels.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute story following Shayne as she fights to come back from a bad relationship. She meets Jasper, or Korey, at her new waitressing job and there's pretty much instant chemistry between the two. They travel from friends to more and Shayne encounters lots of hurdles throughout their journey. I wasn't sure for a while there if the book would have a HEA, but it didn't disappoint.

[Christine Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

She and her family get together often. And she has out her going to college on hold due to an ex messing with her credit cards and more. Her brother is married to another man they are awesome and they get a little one from a teenager who has been thru a lot from what you can tell. She and a coworker is hitting it off really good and it is so good. It was amazing

[Genesis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure if I wasn't in the mood to receive this book for what it is but I just thought this book missed the mark for me. If you're looking for a nice little romance then this is for you. It is a little spicy just so you're aware lol

[Bookworm Bells · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely read! Loved Korey! I liked the settings, the characters and hope they’ll pop up in the next book, I’d like to read where they eventually end up! Looking forward to book 2! X

[TJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story line and the relationships between all the different characters in the book.

I wish the book was a little more polished and more defined. But the story was enjoyable nonetheless.

[evieo17 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read.

[blossem burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a feel good read...the pace of the relationship between the two characters was a good speed and it had the perfect mix of knowing it was going to work out and hoping that it would...

[Hager Moharram · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately didn’t enjoy it one bit
Definitely was going to dnf it but I thought let’s give it a shot but unfortunately the writing style didn’t hack it for me

[Suzette Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story!! I cannot wait to read all of the books in this series.

[Mrs Kindle Addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Shayne got screwed over by her ex-boyfriend and needs money! So she takes up a waitress job to pay of her debts and this is where she meets Korey and their story just blossoms from there!

I loved the characters Shayne & Korey, I thought they had great chemistry and I really enjoyed reading about their relationship. This book kept me turning pages and wanting to find out what happens next. I liked Shaynes brother and partner and hope we get to hear more about them in the following books!

Overall I really enjoyed this book! H.M. Shander is a new Author for me and I look forward to reading more by her.

[H.M. Shander]

For those who have read Shayne and Korey's story, I posted on my blog the original ending for fun.

Interested in reading what the first draft had done to our heroine and hero, check it out here:
https://hmshander.blogspot.com/2019/0...

Thanks for reading!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the growth in the characters particularly of Shayne and Korey!

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.