The Right Stuff

Love in Brazen Bay #2

by Brill Harper

After being cleaned out by her bigamist embezzling husband, socially awkward academic Tru Stanhope finds herself with one remaining asset: a dive bar in the podunk town of  Brazen Bay. Well, half a bar. The other half is owned by the infuriatingly hot Nash McKendrick. He doesn’t want to sell and he really doesn’t want his once silent business partner to have anything to do with his one true love--the pub.

Nash liked his solitary life just fine before highbrow and pretentious Tru brought trouble, and her little yappy dog, to darken his door. She may be intellectual, but she knows nothing about the real world and shockingly less about men. He’s pretty sure he can handle the mousy little scholar, he just needs to figure out what makes her tick. She’s just a woman, after all. And women tend to fall all over themselves around him. He’ll just lay on the charm, sweet talk her into doing what he wants, and send her on her way to a life better suited for her so he can get back to his.

But Tru has different ideas. She’s tired of the sheltered life she’s lived until now. She wants to experience real passion, a real career, and a real purpose in life. And she’s decided Nash is going to help her with all three.

Author Confession: Nash could have any woman he wanted, so I deliberately gave him the one he doesn’t want. Because authors are evil and I like trouble. I hope you enjoy the opposites attract trope as much as I love writing it.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Novella, Contemporary Romance

158 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 8, 2019

About the author

Brill Harper is a pseudonym. Like…a secret identity. By day she’s Clark Kent, writing romance books for young adults and grownups. By night, she’s Brill Harper writing unfailingly filthy, yet super sweet books, that would make her alter ego blush.

She especially likes to writes book about quirky, awkward heroines and alpha bad boys. Well, except that they are really alphamallows once they fall in love. Seriously--these heroes only have one weakness, and it's sticky, sweet love. They don't let anything stand in the way of taking what belongs to them. Ooey-gooey marshmallow hearts in big, burly dominating dudes. What's not to love about that?

Brill's books are filthy/sweet for when you're in the mood for something a little over the top. Okay, a lot over the top. Sorry, not sorry.



Brill Harper is represented by Deidre Knight of The Knight Agency.

Reviews

[Simran . · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 “ Nash & Tru “ stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another quick & steamy book in the love in brazen bay series. I was excited to read Nash’s story after meeting him in the previous book. I knew it was going to be angsty and funny after reading the blurb. The book was well written and very enjoyable. It was fast paced with no details left missing.

Nash is the owner of the bar where he meets Tru who is the silent partner of the bar and has come to town with the intention of selling it as soon as possible but obviously Nash wants the opposite. Hence, lots of angst and steamy moments. 😍

Tru after going through a rough divorce, has her whole life turned upside down. She decides to become a better version of herself one who doesn’t depends on a man to take care of her. She’s sweet and shy at times but with an inner feisty spirit which comes out whenever she’s around Nash.

One thing to leads to another and soon they end up sleeping with each other without the commitment of a relationship. Nash helps her realise that she is just as sexual as any other woman and just needs a right guy to help her bring it out and offers himself. What they don’t expect is falling in love.

”You’re killing me. Please say yes. Please say...shit. I knew I would screw this up. I love you. I didn’t say that yet. I love you. And I love your stupid rat-like dog. And I love the terrible, wonderful things you do to my bar. I missed you so damn much and I really want to tie you to my bed, so hurry and say yes so I can lock this damn door.”

Loved how Nash treated her. The scenes were hot and sexy. The secondary characters are just as enjoyable and so amazing. My favourite is Stella and I can’t wait to read her book next.

I highly recommend it to other readers who are looking for a short novella with little drama and whole lot of sexy moments. ♥️

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a quick read with lots of heat, angst and romance. Tru and Nash were great characters and so realistic. Once I got started, I didn’t want to stop. It was a really good book. If you pick this up, you won’t be disappointed. I can’t wait to see what happens next in Brazen Bay.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[asiya · Rating 4 out of 5]

“you’re falling for me.”
“no.”
“you are. that’s what this is about. you’re not trying to protect my heart. you’re trying to protect yours.”

kinda need a man like him woah…and he rlly said mm fuck dating, one month of being roommates and i wanna marry you NOW!

he narrows his gaze at me. “one of us is falling. i’m just fine.” okayyyyyy sureeee, you’re losing the whippedism war anyways buddy! 🤣🤣

“i’ve never planned an engagement party before but if i get any ideas, i guess i can call you. who is getting married?”
“i am.”
her smiled dims and the color drains from her face.
she better than me i would’ve k!lled myself infront of him and changed the trajectory of his life forever.

also authors need to be serious like gertrude as the name of your lead girl in the year 2019 is criminal…she had a nickname (tru) but like just have that be her name then????? why are you not choosing pretty names it’s YOUR book?

3.5 ˚✩ ⋆｡˚ (if only this had some angst)

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the absolute best story. It had me captivated from the beginning with the hot steamy scenes. I really enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend it! Everything I like to read about and more. Such a great story I will read again and again. A keeper!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The romance aspect of this was great. Tru and Nash has great chemistry and the steamy scenes were HOT. However the plot was weighed down by the drama with Tru’s ex and his other wife. Their friendship felt forced and the conclusion to that drama was super rushed. A book this short just couldn’t really support a plot like that and do it justice and as a result I just didn’t care about that part of the plot - I wanted more of Tru and Nash!

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angsty

This was a great story about a woman finding her true self. It is a pretty angsty story. You can feel Tru’s anxiety. Nash is a bit of jerk, but does redeem himself.

[LMR · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Right Stuff (Love in Brazen Bay Book 2) By: Brill Harper
"The Right Stuff" Brought 'em Together, But It's Up To Them To Keep Fighting The Rest O' The Way...
After gett'n ALL the WRONG Stuff in Her First Marriage,
She's Vowed to NEVER give MEN a GO Again...
THAT IS... Until HE convinces HER,
He's got "The Right Stuff" to get the job DONE!
Then, He proceeds to Prove He Really Does have "The Right Stuff,"
At least when IT comes to turn'n Her Libido ON,
And... When IT comes to Break'n Her HEART...
He has "The Right Stuff" for THAT TOO,
Cuz, He sure Shattered HERS after prov'n She's NOT Frigid,
Only... Once He gets what He wants, it's NOT what He wants!
Now, He'll have to prove He's got "The Right Stuff,"
To WIN Back 'Tru!
Cuz, While She's been away...
She's learned She's got "The Right Stuff" ALL BY HerSelf!
I was granted an ARC of Brill Harper's "The Right Stuff (Love in Brazen Bay Book 2)" via B00|{$P®0UT & Cherrylily. I recommend this book to others based upon its own recommendations. All opinions expressed within this review are uniquely my own & freely given!
Until next time... Happy Reading!

[Kara Quade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tru Stanhope has lost everything thanks to bigamist embezzling husband and has come to Brazen Bay to fix up the dive bar that she co-owns with the intention to sell. Nash McKendrick loves his bar and his solitary life and knows Tru is nothing but trouble the minute she walks into his bar. With nowhere to stay, Tru finds herself sharing Nash's apartment. Nash's family and friends welcome and accept Tru into their fold. Tru and Nash bump heads at every turn over improvements that Tru wants to make to the bar. The chemistry sizzles between Nash and Tru, and they finally give into their attraction which has Nash running scared. What happens when feelings get mixed into a no strings fling? How will Tru react when "the other" woman shows up? What happens when Tru's ex shows up? Will Nash admit his feelings for Tru? The chemistry between Nash and Tru is undeniable. I love Brill Harper and enjoyed The Right Stuff. The Right Stuff is full of laughs, unexpected twists, family, great friends, and hot chemistry. I would definitely recommend getting The Right Stuff by Brill Harper. The Right Stuff is a great book with amazing characters that will make you laugh out loud one minute and scream in frustration the next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[lf · Rating 4 out of 5]

The completely wrong stuff becomes the Right Stuff in the end!

*** 4.5 Stars ***

So a quick confession - I have not read the first book in the Love in Brazen Bay series, Wrong Number Text. So I think I missed out on a bit of background and characters that are in this story. But even though it was sometimes a bit confusing I was able to jumble my way through without too much trouble.

The Right Stuff is a a funny, witty, engaging, and sweet with some naughty story of a woman who has lost everything except for half of a bar. The other half is owned by a gruff and stubborn bear of a man who does not take kindly to having her interfere with his territory. So when Nash and Tru first meet they are not taking too kindly with each other. However, Tru is not going anywhere, as she has no where else to go. So she gets stuck in and eventually the patrons of the bar and other in the community accept and embrace her, with her awkwardness and all. Nash also quickly accepts Tru but he still fights it until he cannot fight it any more, as neither wants a relationship..........or at least that is what they say to themselves.

I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author does it again with another swoon worthy read that had me loving my alphamellows. Tru ends up meeting Nash when her bigamist husband cleans her out and the only thing left is the bar that Nash owns, actually partially owns since Tru is a partner. Tru doesn’t have any true friends and is socially awkward but the patrons, friends and family of Nash, accept her and become more to her than anyone in her past. The two bump heads and bump in the night as well but all the bumping has Nash running scared and Tru leaving...how will it all end.
Oh my a great read with steam and of course humour that had me chuckling throughout the story. I LOVED these two and even though there was bit more drama than what I’m used to between the couple (Nash being stubborn) I was worried that it would take away from the story and what I LOVE about this author....but it worked. The story flowed beautifully, the characters were amazing, especially the twist with the other wife, and I can’t wait for more.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*

[💋Meme Chanell Book Corner💋 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tru even though she grew up well to do she is socially awkward no one really understood her. She took care of her grandfather until he passed and married a man her grandfather thought of as a son this man is 20 years older than her. They don’t even sleep in the same room, you think she would have known something was wrong with her marriage right, even though it wasn’t a love match.

Then she gets stripped of everything except for her dog and a bar she co owns


Nash our hero his life revolves around his bar. When he meets our Tru he immediately doesn’t like her. She doesn’t really belong in his town and now she claims she owns his bar and she’s moved in with him with a tiny dog. I loved when this couple became domestic without even knowing it they even acquired another dog lol. If that’s not domestication than what is they both deny what they have this story is a fun read.
I voluntarily received an arc copy through Booksprout for my honest review.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book yo in the Brazen Bay series. It can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend reading book one. Meet Gertrude and Nash in book two. Nash is 40% owner of the Ironwing which is a bar in Brazen Bay named after his father's band. Gertrude is a socialite that has lived a sheltered life, suffered great loss and lastly ended up married to the wrong man who walks out on her after two years with everything but 60% ownership of a bar in a small town. Gertrude whirls into Nash's life and up roots it by moving in and wanting to take over and/or sell the bar on him. This is the start of how two people, who swear off love and relationships end up miserable for a short time. Well written story with a little more inside on some characters that will make great books some day. I cannot wait for Stella.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Caroline Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tru was cleaned out by her bigamist embezzling ex husband and all she had left was a bar who she is half silent partner with Nash McKendrick who is not happy at all to see her and he believes that by sweet talking Tru he will get her to leave but Tru isn’t going to leave no matter how much Nash protests or turns on the charm. Tru wants to live life to the fullest start a new life with a younger man instead of her old ex husband who stole her inheritance, she wants to live laugh and learn that’s going to be the motto of her life from now on but Nash isn’t happy she moves into his apartment in the spare room. Tru is trying to change the bar take over even though she own 60% of it and she’s not afraid to tell the gorgeous hunk of a man Nash what she wants either. I loved this story and Nash’s dad pop who is an old rockstar and there were quite a few lol moments as well, this is a fantastic story and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.

[Jessica CW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tru had led a sheltered life partially due to her grandparents money and partially due to her shyness. It's led her astray especially with her now ex- husband who goes around adding wives and their bank accounts to his portfolio. Now Tru has to learn a whole new life, one that includes Nash and a Bar in Brazen Bay.

Nash likes to keep things status quo- his quo. No change, no complications and certainly no room mate, no active business partner and definitely no heartfelt emotions. But yet Tru is pushing him out of his comfort zone and he hates it....

This was a page turner for me. My second book by this author, and first of the series- I was drawn to the hot and cold pull between these two. Man they are stubborn.

Steamy, great chemistry, funny, lots of banter and overcoming angst.

I cannot wait to read Stella's story next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tru lost everything to her husband that was a bigamist and a embezzler. She learns that she still owns one thing and its a dive bar. However she co-owns it with Nash McKendrick. Nash and Tru spark at each other the minute they meet. Never agreeing on anything. Yet his friends and family love her and accept as one of their own. Having nowhere to go Nash let's her stay with him even though he knows its a bad idea. Soon they give into temptation and sleep together. Neither thinking about anything but each other. Things take a turn when someone from Nash's and someone from Tru's pasts turn up. What will they do? Will this be the end for them?

This is an great story that'll have you on the edge of your seat waiting to find out what will happen next. The chemistry is blazing hot. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Viper Spaulding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved and laughed my way through this delicious romance!

Nash is a perfectly broody, grumpy bar owner who has no time for the presumptuous socialite who waltzes into his bar like she owns the place. Tru is his exact opposite in every way, and I absolutely adored the way she challenged him without even trying.

I loved the way he used her education as a fount of nicknames; it was a brilliantly subtle way to show that he's her intellectual equal. I loved every step of her growing confidence, and the grace she showed in the face of adversity, especially in refusing to see her rival as a rival, was nothing short of poetic beauty.

The secondary characters were a joyful addition and brought a layer of honesty and maturity to the story. The final scene made their HEA perfectly complete. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Vivian Chrisman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recovering from a "Flea" problem...

I fell in love with Brazen Bay when I read "Wrong Number Text". Nash and his bar, Ironwing, was introduced in that book. He gets his story told in this book. Tru is such a sweet and very naive person. When she shows up in Brazen Bay, she's trying to recover from problems created by "The Flea". Although they have nothing in common except ownership of Ironwing(which she wants to sell), their chemistry is undeniable. The only thing they both agree on is the fact that neither wants a relationship. So explain why he's pouring her tea and fixing it just the way she likes and why she's leaving her girl's chat to help sweep the floor at closing time. Sounds to me like fate has other ideas for Nash and Tru. I loved this visit to Brazen Bay as much as my first visit.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series and we met Nash in Wrong number Text You don't need to read that book but do yourself a favour its a great fun read

Nash is the proud half owner of the local bar and he is quite happy that he never hears or sees the person that owns the other half Until she turns up Tru Stanhope may have grown up well off but she cared for her grandfather until his death and married a man twenty years older than her at his request. Now that man has lost all her assets and is a bigamist to boot the only thing Tru has left is a half share in a pub. So that is where she heads. Her and Nash clash from the word go he hates her yappy dog and knows that like all woman he will be able to bend her to his will . But maybe this time he has met his match as Tru has other ideas. Will these two find a compromise You will have to read to see

[Magali · Rating 5 out of 5]

New life
4.5
Very good romance about the new forced life of a young woman who only knew abundance, who was protected, who is suddenly alone, poor, in an unknown city, without anyone. The story is very well written, quite hot and moving.
It's the very good story of Tru who is a married rich woman and who discovers that the one she married was a crook already married and a thief. She has nothing left, except two-thirds of a bar in a small town. She decides to sell, but meets the other owner and manager, Nash.
She thought she was frigid, but she feels an attraction for Nash and the innocent young woman does not know how to react. As for Nash, he does not know too how to act because he decided to stay single and because of Tru, he has to face feelings that he does not want to explore.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book

[Nina Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Right Stuff by Brill Harper is the second book in the Love in Brazen Bay series. In the beginning of this contemporary romance book Tru (Gertrude) Stanhope finds out her “husband” swindled her out of all her money. The only thing she still owns is sixty percent of a bar called the Ironwing Pub with another partner named Nash McKendrick owning forty percent. She has no choice but to go to the bar and try to recoup some money. This book is almost scarily real with how Tru’s situation it is written. This is definitely a riches to rags story plus how opposites can be attracted to one another when they least expect it. This was a fun entertaining read. The Right Stuff is an opposites attract contemporary love story.

[Patti Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice read

Nash owns a bar he is proud of cause its his. Gertrude is in a marriage to an older man after her grandfather passes. She thinks he cares for her. Only coming home one day to find he has taken everything from her except for this bar shed knows nothing about. She finds the bar & finds out that Nash is the owner but only 40%, she owns 60% of this bar. She has no intentions of keeping it. She gets under his skin & they start having feelings for one another but he is to scared to really move forward with their relationship. Finally he figures out that 'TRU' is for him that he asks her to be his partner in marriage & for the bar.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anne Dwyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Tru's husband took everything from her, including her Grandmother's ring, she finds that the only thing she has left is a 60% share of a bar. She has no choice left but to claim it and sell it - but Nash has made the bar his own - and has no intention of parting with it. Nash has no intention of helping her - even when she finds out her husband was a bigamist - and his first wife starts dating his father - but Tru decides that he WILL help her with getting on with her life - including dealing with the fact that she is frigid. How will he resist what his heart seems to want?
+

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Courtney Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tru and Nash, gawd what can I say about these two?

Tru has been burned by a man she thought was good but ended up being very bad.

Nash has closed himself off from relationships because he grew up with a mom who used and lied his how life.

When Tru shows up at Ironwing and informs him she’s his silence partner. His whole world is turned upside. Tru and Nash are like two storms and when they combine things get messy.

Nash pulls away and Tru pulls farther. It will take their friends meddling to get them back on the same page.

I totally fell in love with these two crazy kids, there story was unique and cute and totally addictive.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tru recovering from a marriage breakdown ends up in Brazen Bay to take charge of the Ironwing bar, the only thing left from her grandfather's inheritance. Nash is currently running the bar that he believes he owns. Some humorous moments along the way as Tru moves herself and her dog, Fifi into the apartment above the bar that Nash also lives in. Eventually the chemistry proves too much for Nash as he persuades Tru that she is not frigid as her husband led her to believe. Other interesting characters are Brandon, Nash's dad, Stella his neighbour and friend and Pauline who is Tru's husband's other wife!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann Gibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book from Brill Harper! I love Nash and Tru's story. She is very sheltered and socially awkward, comes to Brazen Bay for the only asset she has left, Ironwing bar. Nash thinks his silent partner is a little old lady but when Tru (Gertrude) shows up intending to sell his life is thrown into disarray. They have crazy hot chemistry together but neither want to be in a relationship for different reasons. Ms. Haeper did a wonderful job writing their story and I can't wait for Stella's book.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book two in the series is sweet, a little bit sad, funny and hot! The connection between Tru and Nash is funny, sweet, sexy and believable. I liked how much they grew because of each other. There are some really funny scenes in this and some really sweet ones too. The story flowed well and the characters shone, I'm enjoying this series and looking forward to book three, it's about Stella so who knows what will happen!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Giofab21 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first book in this series and am thrilled the second was just as great. Tru meets Nash after her husband runs off with her entire inheritance and realizes he's already married with a kid. Needless to say she's pretty broken and convinced (by the ex) that she's frigid. Well that's all Nash needs as a challenge to prove her wrong, and he definitely delivers. Love how this weird connection happens and see that sometimes you don't know what love is until you lose it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this so much! Nash and Tru are just the right amount of sexy and funny. Tru is everything Nash didn’t want but certainly needed. This is hilarious, sweet and steamy! I couldn't stop laughing. But I also felt the chemistry and the connection and was left panting. I enjoyed this so much and it was great seeing more of this town from the first book and getting to see past characters as well. I can’t wait for the next one!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[c. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wouldn’t necessarily say this was a super smutty read, but it was a cute novella.
I was pleasantly surprised how good it was, after how much I didn’t like the first one.
It was insta-love, but at the same time, not. If that makes sense. Just enough resisting of attraction to make it bearable. It also felt like it had a full plot, like it was well rounded, even though it was so short. Though, it did lack in smut, so that could be why. You can’t have everything, I suppose.
Worth a read if you’re looking for something short and sweet.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed this as an ARC
Brill Harper delivers hot, uber-alphas with a mushy center and a heart of gold. Tru has taken more mental and emotional hits than any one person should. She's been undermined, used, and humiliated. Enter Nash, the partner in the only thing left in her life except her dog. Welcome back to Brazen Bay where the people care, the guys are hot, and what you think you want in life isn't necessarily what you get.