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Just Add Peaches #1
Moonshine and Magnolias
Hotel executive Wendy Marsh puts her career on hold when she inherits half of her family’s inn. Her to-do list? It’s simple: teach her spoiled cousin how to manage Fountenoy Hall, then hightail it back to her structured, careful life in Atlanta. Romance has never been part of Wendy's plan – so what is it about the sexy history professor researching the inn that she finds so tempting?
Rob Upshaw would be enjoying his time at the Inn at Fountenoy Hall if he wasn’t secretly hunting for a family treasure lost during Prohibition. Only a few minor inconveniences stand in his way. His uncle’s old journals are cryptic, he has only a vague description of the loot, and the beautiful, uptight innkeeper with a subtle sense of humor might hold the key to his quest. Even though Rob’s career is built on facts, he accepts he might have to lie to Wendy. But falling for her? That’s out of the question.
Moonshine and Magnolias is a Just Add Peaches novel. Each book in the series is a stand-alone, passionate and playful contemporary romance, but you'll want more than one juicy bite.
Rob Upshaw would be enjoying his time at the Inn at Fountenoy Hall if he wasn’t secretly hunting for a family treasure lost during Prohibition. Only a few minor inconveniences stand in his way. His uncle’s old journals are cryptic, he has only a vague description of the loot, and the beautiful, uptight innkeeper with a subtle sense of humor might hold the key to his quest. Even though Rob’s career is built on facts, he accepts he might have to lie to Wendy. But falling for her? That’s out of the question.
Moonshine and Magnolias is a Just Add Peaches novel. Each book in the series is a stand-alone, passionate and playful contemporary romance, but you'll want more than one juicy bite.
410 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 20, 2019
60 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
About the author
Abigail Sharpe
14 books125 followersAbigail is a Boston-bred Yankee now eating grits and saying "y'all" in North Central Florida. Technical writer by day, she doesn't don a cape at night, but spends her time writing passionate and playful contemporary romance.
When she's not writing, she can be found wearing a corset and singing bawdy songs with Just Desserts, an a cappella musical comedy act, at places that won't throw them out. All hail low altos!
Abigail lives with her husband, two kids, and one crazy princess puppy. You can keep up with her on Goodreads or at www.Facebook.com/AbigailSharpeBooks. She has a website, too, but it's horribly outdated, and she'd rather write books than fix the HTML. Only go there if you want to sign up for her newsletter, which she publishes sporadically.
When she's not writing, she can be found wearing a corset and singing bawdy songs with Just Desserts, an a cappella musical comedy act, at places that won't throw them out. All hail low altos!
Abigail lives with her husband, two kids, and one crazy princess puppy. You can keep up with her on Goodreads or at www.Facebook.com/AbigailSharpeBooks. She has a website, too, but it's horribly outdated, and she'd rather write books than fix the HTML. Only go there if you want to sign up for her newsletter, which she publishes sporadically.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
July 31, 2019
Wendy and Rob’s story was a lot of fun to read, they both have goals in life and want to live in their terms. Neither expected to find someone they had a connection with and yet they can’t ignore it no matter how much Wendy wants to. Robs secrets eat at him which made me really like him. He wasn’t one of those people that had no morals. He knew he needed to tell her if he wanted a chance. Wendy was a great heroine in this book for her family struggle was genuine. She loved them all so much yet struggled to find a way to be her in the midst of them. Deciding her life was not to be in the family business wasn’t decided on a whim or out of resentment. She truly believed her calling was in Atlanta and that was were she needed to be. I love the strong independence she has through the whole story. Rob never tried to change who Wendy is, he is drawn to her strength and can see she is always taking care of others, this makes him want to be the one to help her. All in all I say you gotta get this book and curl up in a great spot to enjoy it!
June 17, 2019
3.5 stars, 3 heat
I love book set at inns and hotels so Moonshine and Magnolias was right up my alley.
The Gist: Sometimes you inherit a country inn at the most inconvenient of times but it's okay. It's okay. Get things running smoothly, ignore the handsome guest that shows up and starts getting involved in things, eat some peaches. It'll be okay. lol
I liked Wendy and Rob. Wendy is such a hard worker and tries her best. I could relate to a lot of her frustrations and though I thought she needed to stop running from her new life I enjoyed her. And Rob. Well he's a little bit of a handful. Good guy. Smart and handsome. Not totally telling the truth about why he's there...but I got it mostly.
The romance was nice overall as they dealt with different things at the inn and got to know each other.
A bit of mystery as Rob goes on a treasure hunt trying to break a family curse added a little adventure, too.
All in all, a fun little read. Their families made my eye twitch a bit but I enjoyed the two and the setting quite a bit.
I love book set at inns and hotels so Moonshine and Magnolias was right up my alley.
The Gist: Sometimes you inherit a country inn at the most inconvenient of times but it's okay. It's okay. Get things running smoothly, ignore the handsome guest that shows up and starts getting involved in things, eat some peaches. It'll be okay. lol
I liked Wendy and Rob. Wendy is such a hard worker and tries her best. I could relate to a lot of her frustrations and though I thought she needed to stop running from her new life I enjoyed her. And Rob. Well he's a little bit of a handful. Good guy. Smart and handsome. Not totally telling the truth about why he's there...but I got it mostly.
The romance was nice overall as they dealt with different things at the inn and got to know each other.
A bit of mystery as Rob goes on a treasure hunt trying to break a family curse added a little adventure, too.
All in all, a fun little read. Their families made my eye twitch a bit but I enjoyed the two and the setting quite a bit.
June 15, 2019
I was a big fan of this book. I love when history (accurate or otherwise) intersects the storylines I read, and this book had that in there - which I loved. While Rob originally comes into Wendy’s life looking to resolve a mystery, it turns into so much more, and I really enjoyed reading how their lives intersect - both in the past and in the present. I thought the characters were well-written, and I enjoyed getting to know all the different people that are in Wendy’s life. I think this book had enough twists and turns to keep it interesting, and again, the historical undertones were great for me. I’m looking forward to reading the other books in this series and seeing how the other characters’ stories develop!
June 26, 2019
Overall I liked this book. Rob shows up to town because he is looking into a family mystery. While here he meets Wendy. They spend time together and fall for each other. Of course something goes wrong near the end. Thankfully it all got worked out in the end.
June 5, 2019
This is a nice start to a new series Just Add Peaches. Wendy Marsh was working her way up the corporate ladder at a national hotel chain. Her plans are interrupted when her grandmother dies and leaves her and her cousin Brandi the family inn, Fountenoy Hall. Wendy wants to teach her cousin how to take care of the inn on her own so she can get back to her life and career in Atlanta. Dr. Rob Upshaw is a historian with a secret. His great uncle Louis had come to Fountenoy Hall in the 1930’s as a revenuer, when Wendy’s ancestors were moonshiners. Somehow Uncle Louis lost the mysterious “angel eyes” and the men of his family have been cursed and not been able to sustain a relationship since. Rob and his brother Hal are trying to find “angel eyes” and lift the curse. Since they are unsure what this item is, they don’t tell Wendy and her friends why they are really there. I really enjoyed Wendy and Rob and the rest of the friends. This is a sweet romance and I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.
September 6, 2020
This is another one that I reread as soon as I finished. I love how Abigail makes you *feel* the character of the Inn and the peach orchard. I also have loved him the interaction between Aunt Eulalee and Max had a very Sookie and Jackson from Gilmore Girls vibe.
July 22, 2022
I’ve done it! I have now done the thing I thought would be impossible. I’ve read all 10 novels from the Ten First Dates anthology that I got in 2020. [Insert praises to your favorite deity here] There were moments when I truly didn’t think this day would come. As someone who reads mostly Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and a smattering of Mystery/Thriller, I need to specify that this whole anthology should never have made it onto my Kindle. So, please take everything I say from here with a grain of salt.
The positives of this novel? Mostly the setting. The majority of the time the characters are in this B&B in the U.S. South with all of its charms and history there. Plus we got a family running it together which would at times remind me of the Spark House series by Helena Hunting that I’ve enjoyed in the past. I felt like I could hear the floor creak and see the aged glass in the windows. I also felt like there was more to the story when it comes to Wendy’s two best friends and there’s definitely room for the side characters to have their own love stories. I will say that the way this one ended it seemed like Jordan was going to have a wlw relationship in the next book, but from GoodReads it doesn’t look like it.
Overall, I felt like I connected a lot of the dots faster than any of the characters did. Despite what felt like very obvious evidence. Sure, you could claim that in reality people will let weird things go sometimes. My argument for that is....not when they’re already looking into the weird stuff left behind by a dead family member. Like, if you see something weird when you’re already looking for something weird...you don’t just let it go. Characters not acting like normal human beings was the main thing that bothered me while reading. But I also had issues with the pacing feeling super slow and then way too fast in the last 50 or so pages. I don’t know what this book could have done to get a better rating from me if this is the story that the author wants to tell. It could just be a me thing. Not every book is for every person. I’m absolutely positive that some of my favorite books are hated every single day. So, despite the low rating and the not great review, please know that whatever you feel about a book is right. For you.
The positives of this novel? Mostly the setting. The majority of the time the characters are in this B&B in the U.S. South with all of its charms and history there. Plus we got a family running it together which would at times remind me of the Spark House series by Helena Hunting that I’ve enjoyed in the past. I felt like I could hear the floor creak and see the aged glass in the windows. I also felt like there was more to the story when it comes to Wendy’s two best friends and there’s definitely room for the side characters to have their own love stories. I will say that the way this one ended it seemed like Jordan was going to have a wlw relationship in the next book, but from GoodReads it doesn’t look like it.
Overall, I felt like I connected a lot of the dots faster than any of the characters did. Despite what felt like very obvious evidence. Sure, you could claim that in reality people will let weird things go sometimes. My argument for that is....not when they’re already looking into the weird stuff left behind by a dead family member. Like, if you see something weird when you’re already looking for something weird...you don’t just let it go. Characters not acting like normal human beings was the main thing that bothered me while reading. But I also had issues with the pacing feeling super slow and then way too fast in the last 50 or so pages. I don’t know what this book could have done to get a better rating from me if this is the story that the author wants to tell. It could just be a me thing. Not every book is for every person. I’m absolutely positive that some of my favorite books are hated every single day. So, despite the low rating and the not great review, please know that whatever you feel about a book is right. For you.
April 17, 2019
Sweet romance with a little mystery added to the mix
Abigail Sharpe’s Moonshine and Magnolias is the first book in her Just Add Peaches series. She transports the reader to Georgia where southern hospitality and peaches steer the plot. Rob and Wendy were an interesting couple both dealing with family members and/or friends who make their lives challenging. It was satisfying to see Wendy open up and for Rob to start to take charge of his life. The plot was unique with an interesting mix of the past and the present which kept my interest from cover to cover.
I was fortunate to receive an advance reader copy of this book from the author via Lorelei’s Lit Lair.
Abigail Sharpe’s Moonshine and Magnolias is the first book in her Just Add Peaches series. She transports the reader to Georgia where southern hospitality and peaches steer the plot. Rob and Wendy were an interesting couple both dealing with family members and/or friends who make their lives challenging. It was satisfying to see Wendy open up and for Rob to start to take charge of his life. The plot was unique with an interesting mix of the past and the present which kept my interest from cover to cover.
I was fortunate to receive an advance reader copy of this book from the author via Lorelei’s Lit Lair.
June 20, 2019
This was the first book that I have read by this author and I enjoyed it. Rob and Wendy meet at the inn that once was her grandmother’s but after her death, it was passed down to Wendy and her cousin Brandi. Rob is there with his brother to do some research about his uncle and a curse that was placed on his family. Wendy wants to pass the inn off to her cousin and go back to her life and Rob wants to lift the curse on his family. They both have to work some issues to get what they really wanted for themselves. This book had a good mix of romance and mystery. It was a fun read and I would read more from this author.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 26, 2019
Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a pretty good romance. Dr. Rob comes to Wendy's bed and breakfast looking for a mysterious treasure linked with Wendy's family. They are sexually attracted to each other and the sexual tension between them is hot. Wendy is wary of giving into their attraction for fear she would catch feelings for a man who is only there temporarily. While Rob hides secrets of his own he doesn't count on falling in love with Wendy's resilient spirit. Loved the chemistry between them and the hidden mystery of the place.
This was a pretty good romance. Dr. Rob comes to Wendy's bed and breakfast looking for a mysterious treasure linked with Wendy's family. They are sexually attracted to each other and the sexual tension between them is hot. Wendy is wary of giving into their attraction for fear she would catch feelings for a man who is only there temporarily. While Rob hides secrets of his own he doesn't count on falling in love with Wendy's resilient spirit. Loved the chemistry between them and the hidden mystery of the place.
June 25, 2019
Abigail Sharpe, Moonshine and Magnolia’s (Just Add Peaches, book 1).
As a Hidden Gems ARC reader I received this book for free. And promised an honest review. Here it is. English isn’t my first language. Sorry for errors.
Rating: 2,5 stars (of 5).
In general: Finding lover during a family history research.
Main characters:
- Wendy Marsh.
With her cousin Brandi she inherited Fountenoy Hall Inn from her grandma who just died. She wasn’t happy with this inheritance. Brandi seemed to be more interested in flirting with men than doing her part of the job and Wendy left a prestigious career with the Steward Hotel chain to be temporarily in the Fountenoy Hall to install Brandi as the future boss. So she could return as soon as possible to the job that was so important for her that she worked about 60 hours in a week to get a very lucrative promotion.
- Robert Upshaw.
Dr. in History. Together with his brother Hal doing research about an old family myth around Fountenoy Hall.
Wendy and Rob meet when he’s checking in. They like each other but especially Wendy doesn’t want a relationship. It’s distracting her from her hotel career and Rob is only temporarily in Fountenoy Hall.
The author, Abigail Sharpe, describes how a persistent Rob seems to win Wendy’s heart. But there are more ‘storylines’:
. the Upshaw family secrets which Rob partly tries to hide for Wendy,
. the complicated composition of grandma’s complete inheritance, the Inn and its peach orchard,
. Wendy’s hesitations between returning to her old, very demanding job or staying at Fouyntenoy Hall keeping her family tradition intact,
. last but not least - the Pansy Hamilton historical reenactment in honour of the
Southern Belle who, using her charms, saved the town during the Civil War.
For me a lot of these storylines seemed absurd
. a professional historian taking a family-curse from the twenties and thirties of the 20th century serious ???;
. Brandi having a second job and Wendy (intelligent and experienced) not seeing that ???
. is the very complicated way Rob uses to rectify a temporarily break up with Wendy really credible ???).
As I said before: absurd, far-fetched and overdone for me. So in spite of the easy-to-read style I cannot give this book - how technically well written it is - an excellent rating.
R. Huiszoon.
As a Hidden Gems ARC reader I received this book for free. And promised an honest review. Here it is. English isn’t my first language. Sorry for errors.
Rating: 2,5 stars (of 5).
In general: Finding lover during a family history research.
Main characters:
- Wendy Marsh.
With her cousin Brandi she inherited Fountenoy Hall Inn from her grandma who just died. She wasn’t happy with this inheritance. Brandi seemed to be more interested in flirting with men than doing her part of the job and Wendy left a prestigious career with the Steward Hotel chain to be temporarily in the Fountenoy Hall to install Brandi as the future boss. So she could return as soon as possible to the job that was so important for her that she worked about 60 hours in a week to get a very lucrative promotion.
- Robert Upshaw.
Dr. in History. Together with his brother Hal doing research about an old family myth around Fountenoy Hall.
Wendy and Rob meet when he’s checking in. They like each other but especially Wendy doesn’t want a relationship. It’s distracting her from her hotel career and Rob is only temporarily in Fountenoy Hall.
The author, Abigail Sharpe, describes how a persistent Rob seems to win Wendy’s heart. But there are more ‘storylines’:
. the Upshaw family secrets which Rob partly tries to hide for Wendy,
. the complicated composition of grandma’s complete inheritance, the Inn and its peach orchard,
. Wendy’s hesitations between returning to her old, very demanding job or staying at Fouyntenoy Hall keeping her family tradition intact,
. last but not least - the Pansy Hamilton historical reenactment in honour of the
Southern Belle who, using her charms, saved the town during the Civil War.
For me a lot of these storylines seemed absurd
. a professional historian taking a family-curse from the twenties and thirties of the 20th century serious ???;
. Brandi having a second job and Wendy (intelligent and experienced) not seeing that ???
. is the very complicated way Rob uses to rectify a temporarily break up with Wendy really credible ???).
As I said before: absurd, far-fetched and overdone for me. So in spite of the easy-to-read style I cannot give this book - how technically well written it is - an excellent rating.
R. Huiszoon.
July 19, 2019
Southern charm, sensual heat, intriguing history, and playful wit make this series opener an engaging read. Main characters Wendy and Rob are relatable, fiercely loyal to their families in their own ways and ripe to open themselves up to the possibility of love despite curses and control issues. It's fun to watch their relationship develop. Hopefully readers will be able to check in on them in book two. There are also several standouts in the cast of secondary characters, Brandi, Sebastien (Ginger Ninja!) and Jordan for example, who readers will hopefully see further development for in Cupcake of the Month.
Sharpe too does an excellent job creating Fountenoy Hall, also Margaret Mitchell's original name for the O'Hara family plantation in Gone with the Wind. Its marvelous family-run, steeped-in-history, vital-to-its-community vibes make one wish it really existed.
Moonshine and Magnolia is a well-written, fun-to-read book that should appeal to contemporary romance fans.
P.S. Would have loved a couple of Aunt Eulalee's recipes included at the end of the story. Peach whiskey bread pudding and pork roast with grilled peaches, for example, sound delectable!
Sharpe too does an excellent job creating Fountenoy Hall, also Margaret Mitchell's original name for the O'Hara family plantation in Gone with the Wind. Its marvelous family-run, steeped-in-history, vital-to-its-community vibes make one wish it really existed.
Moonshine and Magnolia is a well-written, fun-to-read book that should appeal to contemporary romance fans.
P.S. Would have loved a couple of Aunt Eulalee's recipes included at the end of the story. Peach whiskey bread pudding and pork roast with grilled peaches, for example, sound delectable!
June 20, 2019
FUN READ!
This book is a fun read with characters I enjoyed spending time with. Looking forward to the next book in this series!
This book is a fun read with characters I enjoyed spending time with. Looking forward to the next book in this series!
June 28, 2019
This was one of the craziest stories I've read in a long time. It's happy, funny, sad with a touch of mystery. There's supposedly a hidden treasure which two brothers have been sent to find by there father who believes finding the treasure will break a curse that affects the men of their family. Then there's two women, Wendy and Brandi, who are cousins and now co-owners of the inn, left to them by Wendy's grandmother. Rob and Hal, the brothers, have checked into the hotel at the height of the crazy madness created by the repast for the grandmother's passing. The men now have to find a way to search the inn without the women finding out what is going on. Now throw in the fact that Wendy is only at the inn to train Brandi on running the operation as Wendy has a prestigious job for a large hotel chain. There's also a peach orchard, the making of peach schnapps, and Brandi disappearing at odd times. Rob and Wendy are attracted to each other but both have reasons not to act on their feelings. Rob decides to tell Wendy the truth and his brother, Hal, decides to pull the plug on that by telling Wendy a made up story about what's going on with Rob. Needless to say the story moves along nicely with the men finding out things about what they are searching for and Wendy trying to find out what's going on with Brandi. The reader is entertained by what happened at the inn during prohibition, what the girls do in the peach orchard and the making of peach liquor that's used at inn. There's a satisfying ending with the revelation of what Brandi was doing, what the treasure actually was and of course the HEA for Rob and Wendy. I received this story as an ARC in exchange for an honest review - which I have given.
July 16, 2019
A fun story that has Wendy Marsh taking time out of her career as an hotel executive to come home to the place she was raised and teach her cousin the ins and outs of the business. Inheriting the family business along with her cousin. Fountenoy Hall has been in the family for generations. Now their grandmother who passed has given it to the younger generation. Not really wanting to be there, she is thrown into the mix from the start with a function going on and also having two guests arrive that she was not expecting. Rob Upshaw or Doctor Upshaw a Doctor of history. With his brother have in search of the long lost treasure of their family which is supposed to have been left here when he was a revenuer during the prohibition era. With Rob and his brother searching old records saying they are researching for a client, Wendy does not mind helping. After a time the two of them have grown to like each other but still no treasure. Also, Wendy needs to make a decision about staying or going back to her old job. Her friends from College come in to be with her and the cousin for they knew the grandmother and this adds to the characters of the story. All falls apart though when after Rob tells Wendy he is in love with her and then it comes to light the real reason he is there. Leaving it is weeks later at home that he discovers where the treasure is. Will Wendy at least talk to him? Read this wonderful story to find out. Yes, there is also moonshine. I liked all of the characters really added to the story. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
July 1, 2019
3*+ ARC Review – Good first try
I received the ARC of this book from Hidden Gems in exchange for this review. This is a new author and it is a fun story for a first attempt. It is an interesting exploration of a life in Georgia and leans heavily on Gone With The Wind, which I noticed even before reading the author’s note at the end of the book.
This is the story of Wendy, who is a hotel executive that has returned to her family’s inn due to her grandmother’s passing. While being home she meets Rob, who is a historian that has come to this part of Georgia and this property to investigate a family curse that seems to stem from his great uncle’s time there. The history of the area and the back story about bootlegging added some interesting elements to the historic past. One thing that I thought and that one other reviewer mentioned was that it is unlikely that any serious historian would believe in this curse, but it did add to the drama between the main characters.
This couple has some typical ups and downs and seemed quite typical of any rom-com. I found it a little hard to take how rigid and stoic Wendy was. At times she was hard to like as she was too busy making lists and schedules. Rob seemed sweet and understanding that was maybe overdone because of how Wendy was as a character. Overall they ended up having a relationship despite their personality differences and Wendy’s hang-ups. It was a good first try and there were parts I liked, but at times it dragged and needed some realistic action to keep it going.
I received the ARC of this book from Hidden Gems in exchange for this review. This is a new author and it is a fun story for a first attempt. It is an interesting exploration of a life in Georgia and leans heavily on Gone With The Wind, which I noticed even before reading the author’s note at the end of the book.
This is the story of Wendy, who is a hotel executive that has returned to her family’s inn due to her grandmother’s passing. While being home she meets Rob, who is a historian that has come to this part of Georgia and this property to investigate a family curse that seems to stem from his great uncle’s time there. The history of the area and the back story about bootlegging added some interesting elements to the historic past. One thing that I thought and that one other reviewer mentioned was that it is unlikely that any serious historian would believe in this curse, but it did add to the drama between the main characters.
This couple has some typical ups and downs and seemed quite typical of any rom-com. I found it a little hard to take how rigid and stoic Wendy was. At times she was hard to like as she was too busy making lists and schedules. Rob seemed sweet and understanding that was maybe overdone because of how Wendy was as a character. Overall they ended up having a relationship despite their personality differences and Wendy’s hang-ups. It was a good first try and there were parts I liked, but at times it dragged and needed some realistic action to keep it going.
July 19, 2019
Wendy Marsh has put her professional life on hold while she takes care of some personal life issues, which surround her family's Inn. She is supposed to be running the Inn (at the bequest of her late grandmother) with her cousin, but due to her background and professionalism seems to be running it herself. Her calendar and schedules ever ready by her side, she never expected to detour from these things which run her life. That was until the handsome stranger came along.
Rob is doing research for a "client" which has led him to a beloved Inn run by Wendy. The only thing he cannot bring himself to tell Wendy is that the person he is doing research for is himself and a curse that has been plaguing his family for years.
When these two collide, their lives quickly become intertwined as the two determine their paths forward. Will Rob find the elusive "angel eyes"? Will Wendy get the promotion she has been working so hard for at her regular job? Moonshine & Magnolias, the first in a series, which bring Southern Charm and Georgia history to the readers pages and mind.
I received & read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rob is doing research for a "client" which has led him to a beloved Inn run by Wendy. The only thing he cannot bring himself to tell Wendy is that the person he is doing research for is himself and a curse that has been plaguing his family for years.
When these two collide, their lives quickly become intertwined as the two determine their paths forward. Will Rob find the elusive "angel eyes"? Will Wendy get the promotion she has been working so hard for at her regular job? Moonshine & Magnolias, the first in a series, which bring Southern Charm and Georgia history to the readers pages and mind.
I received & read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 29, 2022
Southern charm, sensual heat, intriguing history, and playful wit makes this series opener an engaging read.
Main characters Wendy and Rob are relatable, fiercely loyal to their families in their own ways and ripe to open themselves up to the possibility of love despite curses and control issues.
It's fun to watch their relationship develop. Hopefully readers will be able to check in on them in book two.
There are also several standouts in the cast of secondary characters, Brandi, Sebastien (Ginger Ninja!) and Jordan for example, who readers will hopefully see further development in Cupcake of the Month.
Abigail does an excellent job creating Fountenoy Hall, also Margaret Mitchell's original name for the O'Hara family plantation in Gone with the Wind. It's a marvelous family-run, steeped in history, vital to its community vibes makes one wish it really existed.
Moonshine and Magnolia is a well-written, fun-to-read book that should appeal to contemporary romance fans.
P.S: Would have loved a couple of Aunt Eulalee's recipes included at the end of the story. Peach whiskey bread pudding and pork roast with grilled peaches, for example, sound delectable!
Main characters Wendy and Rob are relatable, fiercely loyal to their families in their own ways and ripe to open themselves up to the possibility of love despite curses and control issues.
It's fun to watch their relationship develop. Hopefully readers will be able to check in on them in book two.
There are also several standouts in the cast of secondary characters, Brandi, Sebastien (Ginger Ninja!) and Jordan for example, who readers will hopefully see further development in Cupcake of the Month.
Abigail does an excellent job creating Fountenoy Hall, also Margaret Mitchell's original name for the O'Hara family plantation in Gone with the Wind. It's a marvelous family-run, steeped in history, vital to its community vibes makes one wish it really existed.
Moonshine and Magnolia is a well-written, fun-to-read book that should appeal to contemporary romance fans.
P.S: Would have loved a couple of Aunt Eulalee's recipes included at the end of the story. Peach whiskey bread pudding and pork roast with grilled peaches, for example, sound delectable!
Read
March 30, 2023This seems to be the last book in this anthology (Ten First Dates), which I received via bookbub. This one was a bit unusual in that both the hero and the heroine seemed to have great insecurities and apparently a very annoying sibling/relative.
For some reason the fact that the hero was constantly popping antiacid pills was quite off-putting for me, and the heroine's borderline panic attacks were perhaps human but not necessarily sexy.
The hero's brother's ploy to prevent him from revealing their big secret was quite effective, but I was rather surprised and disappointed that there wasn't more of a reaction when it came out. It would seem the heroine never actually learns that that was a lie. Of course, the best way to resolve a disagreement is to absolutely refuse to talk about it, so I guess there wasn't much room for full disclosure.
To be honest, I wasn't particularly clear on what the big secret actually was, so either I didn't read carefully enough, or it didn't strike me as a big deal, or not enough to jeopardize and scupper the entire budding relationship.
This was fairly entertaining, but not my favorite.
For some reason the fact that the hero was constantly popping antiacid pills was quite off-putting for me, and the heroine's borderline panic attacks were perhaps human but not necessarily sexy.
The hero's brother's ploy to prevent him from revealing their big secret was quite effective, but I was rather surprised and disappointed that there wasn't more of a reaction when it came out. It would seem the heroine never actually learns that that was a lie. Of course, the best way to resolve a disagreement is to absolutely refuse to talk about it, so I guess there wasn't much room for full disclosure.
To be honest, I wasn't particularly clear on what the big secret actually was, so either I didn't read carefully enough, or it didn't strike me as a big deal, or not enough to jeopardize and scupper the entire budding relationship.
This was fairly entertaining, but not my favorite.
June 25, 2019
The blurb sounded like so much fun, and that’s exactly what I got from this book. Wendy is a driven type-A workaholic with some serious control issues. Rob isn’t her complete opposite, but he’s a lot better about going with the flow than list-maker Wendy. You know that old adage about deception and the tangled web? For the amount of half truths and misdirection that happen in this story, it could almost have been a mystery. There aren’t very many people in the book who are telling the full truth – to each other or themselves. The chemistry between Rob and Wendy is off the charts and watching them tap dance around their attraction was one of the funniest things to witness. The supporting cast in this story grabbed hold of the plot and ran away with it. It’s impossible to pick my favorite from among them. And I’m hoping I won’t have to; that they’ll all get their own stories in the end. This was so much fun. I can’t wait to come back and visit again.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Hidden Gems Books.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Hidden Gems Books.
June 26, 2019
This is a surprisingly long read for a contemporary romance, and I think the story actually would have been better served by having some of the extraneous and absurd subplots trimmed or removed completely. This is a potentially good book that is in serious need of a developmental reader (or a stern beta reader team!). There was just too much going on, and some of it strained credulity. It is hard to believe that Rob, who is a serious historian, would give much credit to the idea of a family curse and work so hard to get it lifted. Romances, of course, have to have the “boy loses girl” moment, but elements of that felt contrived. I enjoyed the couple at the heart of the romance, Wendy and Rob, but felt that they were overshadowed by all the crazy going on. Still, the author did a good job of setting time and place. The whole book definitely has a very southern vibe about it, which not all books that take place in the American South do!
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Read my other reviews at https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Read my other reviews at https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com.
November 15, 2022
A great story, critically flawed
This story was ruined for me by two things. First, one important secondary person was a man of very low character, and the hero never called him on his behavior. This modeling normalized lying and thievery. The second issue was the author's use of Jews as infusions of comedy. Only rabbis extremely removed from Jewish tradition will perform gay marriages, but when one is prominently featured as here it gives people unfamiliar with Jewish tradition and its 3000-year history a completely false understanding and contributes to the rise of antisemitism in the USA. Another Jewish character is an outright buffoon. If Ms. Sharpe wants to be inclusive, she needs to make her minority tokens true to their tradition and not to the farthest fringes, and the characters need to be likeable. Otherwise, as here, the author commits a travesty in the name of inclusion. Shame on her.
This story was ruined for me by two things. First, one important secondary person was a man of very low character, and the hero never called him on his behavior. This modeling normalized lying and thievery. The second issue was the author's use of Jews as infusions of comedy. Only rabbis extremely removed from Jewish tradition will perform gay marriages, but when one is prominently featured as here it gives people unfamiliar with Jewish tradition and its 3000-year history a completely false understanding and contributes to the rise of antisemitism in the USA. Another Jewish character is an outright buffoon. If Ms. Sharpe wants to be inclusive, she needs to make her minority tokens true to their tradition and not to the farthest fringes, and the characters need to be likeable. Otherwise, as here, the author commits a travesty in the name of inclusion. Shame on her.
June 23, 2019
First book in a new series. While I did like it enough to finish and find out the ending, I did struggle at times to keep my interest. Easy at times to skim, as there are a lot of side characters that distracted me more than added for me. Rob is there at the B&B to find out about a historical mystery in his family. Wendy is in charge of the place, after the death of her grandmother, although all she wants is to leave. That is another issue I find irritating. So many follow this formula of the main character eager to leave, before finding out they have everything they need right there at home. Rob is lying too, which is another issue, plus really didn't like Wendy's cousin Brandi. Don't mean to be so negative, as there was still a good story, just not a favorite. Would still recommend.
June 24, 2019
Wendy took leave from her job to attend to the inn that her grandmother left her and her cousin. She is under pressure to get back to work and pressure to keep the family business going well. Dr. Rob Upshaw is a historian staying at the inn to research and solve the mystery surrounding his family curse- to not have successful relationships. The characters are interesting and readers will want Rob and Wendy to be together. There is humor, romance and mystery!!! . I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 22, 2019
Wendy has plans to cement her hotel career and is so close to her dream role when her Grandma dies so she is back Fountenoy Hall trying to run it with her cousin Brandi who is never around. Dr. Rob Upshaw and his brother Hal are on the hunt for lost treasure and brings them to Fountenoy Hall and this leads both Wendy and Rob to try and dance around their attraction, see what life could be like with someone to love and be happy with ...but you also need trust and honesty. You will get sucked into this warm hearted book that leads you on an rocky road with sadness and laughter and all things in between as we see not just Wendy but also Rob and others finding themselves, allowing others in and realising what you really want and need in life. The characters are great and you will fall in love with them even the coffee slurping Hal! you will also feel like you really are in Fountenoy Hall and wanting to try their peaches! This was a great read and I just loved the ending and can not wait for the next book in the series!!!
June 26, 2019
Delightfully original!
A thoroughly entertaining read with a lot going on in both Wendy and Rob’s lives. Although the first part goes a little slowly, it provides the necessary background for the story as a whole. The characters are as unique as the story, but also quite real.
If you enjoy somewhat “quirky" books, this one is definitely for you, as it doesn’t really fit into any single genre.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
A thoroughly entertaining read with a lot going on in both Wendy and Rob’s lives. Although the first part goes a little slowly, it provides the necessary background for the story as a whole. The characters are as unique as the story, but also quite real.
If you enjoy somewhat “quirky" books, this one is definitely for you, as it doesn’t really fit into any single genre.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
July 16, 2019
First book in a new series. To be perfectly honest the storyline just lost me several times a long the way. So many side characters that were more of a distraction than an addition to the story. Also, the whole treasure hunt thing took away from my enjoyment as well. I did finish the book, but found myself skimming some pages to get through.
I thank the publisher for the advance reader copy via NetGalley.
I thank the publisher for the advance reader copy via NetGalley.
July 31, 2019
An enjoyable fun contemporary romance. This entertaining storyline has conflict, lots of humor, a family secret, action, mystery, a family inn with old history, and some sexy hot scenes. The characters are relateable, interesting, well developed and have hot chemistry. A good standalone that I voluntarily reviewed this ARC in the start of a series with great secondary characters you hope to see more of in the series.
May 8, 2021
I read and reviewed this as the last book in "Ten First Dates" compilation.
He came looking for a solution to the family curse, the one that had caused all males in his family line, not to be able to have a sustainable relationship.
She had just inherited the inn, and was in shock, and using efficiency to guard against her underlying emotional turmoil.
Off course they clicked, but how what where and when, are part of this modern day lesson in history of the deep South.
He came looking for a solution to the family curse, the one that had caused all males in his family line, not to be able to have a sustainable relationship.
She had just inherited the inn, and was in shock, and using efficiency to guard against her underlying emotional turmoil.
Off course they clicked, but how what where and when, are part of this modern day lesson in history of the deep South.
October 26, 2022
This was a cute, easy read that swept me away.
Wendy and Rob had great chemistry from the start even though she wanted to ignore it. Not that I blame her - she was going through a lot. Rob was such a great guy even though he was hiding a secret from her (not all his fault). The secondary characters were great and really rounded out the story showing you multiple sides of these two and helping them along to their HEA.
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Wendy and Rob had great chemistry from the start even though she wanted to ignore it. Not that I blame her - she was going through a lot. Rob was such a great guy even though he was hiding a secret from her (not all his fault). The secondary characters were great and really rounded out the story showing you multiple sides of these two and helping them along to their HEA.
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
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