Red Hot

Smalltown Secrets #2

by Cat Johnson

It figures . . .
I went my whole adult life with a crush on Cashel Morgan. Since we both graduated from Mudville High—Go, Hogs! But I never got out of the friend zone with him. Until now. More than a decade after graduation.

And why is Cash interested in something more now when he never was before? That’s the most annoying, frustrating, exasperating, ridiculous part. It’s all because another guy asked me on a date.

No doubt about it, Cash Morgan is going to drive me insane, if I’m not already there. Because in the middle of my personal drama in what was formerly a non-existent love life is the fact something wonky is happening at my store. Things going missing. Things being moved.

My friend Harper thinks it’s a ghost. Our friend Bethany thinks I’m just forgetful.
I’m not sure what I think—about any of it. The strange happenings in my shop. My date with the hot deputy investigating the oddities in my store. And especially not Cash.

All I know is that with all the craziness that’s happened around Mudville over the past six months, starting with Harper moving to town and her discovery of all the town’s secrets stashed in Agnes’s attic, we’d all better start to expect the unexpected.

Welcome back to Mudville!
If you read KISSING BOOKS, you've already met Red, the sweet and sassy red headed Main Street shop owner and Mudville native who befriends Harper, the city girl misplaced in a small town upstate.
If you want more of Red, Bethany and Harper, and especially Cashel Morgan, one of the three hot brothers from Morgan Farm you met in Kissing Books, don't miss this steamy standalone laugh-out-loud read!

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Friends To Lovers, Humor, Small Town Romance, Family

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 28, 2020

About the author

📚Find Series Reading Order and Book Lists at Cat's site CatJohnson.net

🎥 For Film/TV Inquiries Email Cat@Catjohnson.net

It all started in first grade when Cat Johnson won the essay contest at Hawthorne Elementary School and got to ride in the Chief of Police's car in the Memorial Day Parade...and the rest, as they say, is history. As an adult, Cat generally tries to stay out of police cars and is thrilled to be writing for a living. She has been published under a different name in the Young Adult genre, but released her first romance in 2006.

Today, she is a NY Times & USA Today best-selling, award-winning author of contemporary romance. A promo ho, she's sponsored real live bull riding cowboys and promoted romance using bologna.

--from the author's website

Reviews

[✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all remember Red from the first book. She runs the consignment boutique/store in Mudville, New York.

She's kinda been in lust/love with Cash - the middle Morgan brother - since kindergarten.

Cash feels the same, but he doesn't let the outside world see it!

Red just got into work to find that a beautiful cape is missing. She was going to put it in her new Valentine's Day corner. What is happening? Did someone break in or does she have a ghost? At least that's what her friend Harper thinks!

Time to call on the local law enforcement for help.

Enter Carson. And what he wants from Red is totally obvious. Which in turn brings out Cash's jealous side.

LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN!

══════════════════




Cute!

Such a funny and adorable small-town romance!

We even get a bit of mysterious and heartbreaking stuff!

I just loved reading this book!

I loved seeing all the people and animals again. And we even get some new animals and people too!

And Red and Cash! Ugh. Those two.

They could've been happily married for a decade!☺

It might have taken them a while - but now we're finally pretty close to getting that happy end!

And the reader adores every moment of that journey!

Great series! Great cast of people and animals!

I so need to see this town and the people and animals on Netflix one day!

RED HOT was an adorable + funny + sweet + heartbreaking small town love story! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Cash - this one is MINE!


💜 💜

[Cat]

NEW RELEASE!
If you read Kissing Books you've already met Red, the sweet and sassy red headed Main Street shop owner and Mudville native who befriends the heroine of Kissing Books, Harper, the city girl misplaced in an upstate small town.

If you want more of Red, Bethany and Harper, and especially Cashel Morgan, one of the three hot brothers from Morgan Farm you met in Kissing Books, don't miss this steamy standalone read!

EBook & Print
APPLE https://apple.co/2P3gGYK

AMZ http://mybook.to/redhot

BN http://bit.ly/2MVHqaL

GOOGLEPLAY http://bit.ly/2W06stE



Missed Kissing Books? Grab it now in eBook, paperback and NOW in AUDIOBOOK TOO!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this story about a small town and all the antics they could get into. This is the first one I read from this town of Mudville. Secrets, antic sells and the shop. Mysteries as fun as this I love. Excellent job.

[✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰Janeane ✰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Copy received from author for an honest review

What a wonderful, sweet and sexy story is Red Hot.

I adored Red in Harper and Stone's story, and now she is dancing around things with Cash, and phew *fanning myself* the UST between this pair leaps off the pages.

It might take a little while for them to get around to things, but everyone around them is waiting for it, know it is a case of when, not if they will fall in love.

Gah I freaking love Cash. He shows his feelings in actions more than words, and oh my those actions. How Red held off for so long is beyond me. I was talking to my book, telling Cash that I would have him lol.

Great small town feel, with all the gossips and smallminded-ness that goes with it - believe me, I live in a small town, and when you think things are so ridiculous they could never happen, I am telling you they probably would!

I loved seeing more of Harper and Stone, and I can' wait for Red and Harper's friend Bethany to get her story next.

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story puzzled me a lot as to the reason for all of the unnecessary drama and for me it was closer to a 2.5 rating. Like the blurb said Red and Cash have known each other a good portion of their lives and for some reason never went further than friends. They weren’t seeing anyone else so not sure why they never took the steps to be more than friends, plus it seemed their friends and family knew of their attraction to each other and most of the town did too.

Ok let me start with what I did like about the story before I explain what didn’t work for me. The camaraderie between Cash and his two brothers totally loved. They gave each other a lot of crap but when the time came they had each others backs.

Red and her women friends were a crazy bunch but they were very supportive and caring about each other. They knew each others weaknesses and strengths and nicely balanced each other out.

Both Red and Cash had big mushy hearts and they came across as really nice people.

I liked getting both POV’s for me that’s always a plus. For me there was no real chemistry between Red and Cash. They seemed like good friends that were trying to turn that into something more. Yes there had intimate moments but I never really bought into it. For some reason every time they got together Cash had to take off to do something, which then left Red speculating that he was just playing with her, so then we got to listen to her insecure self doubting inner monologue again and again.

The part about the town getting ugly with Red because she rescued a calf was just so left field that I couldn’t figure out the purpose behind all of that needless drama. The story for me was very choppy with too many elements being tossed in to try and give us the homey small town feel, complete with eccentric residents that never seemed to solidify into the cute quirky story that I was expecting.

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

[LMR · Rating 4 out of 5]

He's Absolutely "Red Hot," Whether In Bed... or Out!
Once Upon A Time... He Kissed Me, & IT was "Red Hot!"
Until that "Red Hot" Turned into NOT...
Quicker than I could process My HEART had been Shattered~
And that I'd NEVER ExXxperience "Red Hot" like that Again...
Unless IT was with Him!
But I'd spend YEARS ignoring the "Red Hot" MAN of My Dreams,
And trying to find a "Red Hot" Replacement,
Which landed Me in a Sports Bar & Grill...
Yeah, Sooo NOT "Red Hot!"
Especially, when My Date thought He was Entitled to MORE,
And He wouldn't take NO for an Answer...
Definitely NOT "Red Hot," but Terrifying!
Until the "Red Hot" BLAST from My PAST came to the Rescue...
Now that was "Red Hot" seeing Him SAVE the Day!
Especially, when He takes Me OFF the Market...
And CLAIMS Me for His OWN!
Ohhh Yeah... It's Totally "Red Hot" to finally be in His arms,
But there's still problems com'n our Way that aren't Sooo "Red Hot,"
And before there can be an HEA...
There's gotta be a Reckoning!
I just Hope once it's OVER, We'll still be "Red Hot,"
Maybe Even going "Red Hot" ForEVERmore!
I was granted, via B00|{$P®0UT & Cherrylily, an ARC of Cat Johnson's "Red Hot: A Friends to Lovers Small Town Rom Com;" I gladly recommend this book to others based upon its own merits. Tawdra's a talented author with quite the storytelling ability. All opinions expressed within this review are uniquely my own & freely given!
Until next time... Happy Reading!
My Rating Sytem:
4🌟: I like IT a lot. Great, Solid Story w/ few if any inconsistencies or errors. This is a HIGH Rating, & I rarely give OUT a Higher Rating.
If My Review is helpful to you, please check the box below~ Thank You.

[Cheryl Graham-Petit · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a fan of sweet, funny and sexy small town love stories filled with mystery, heartbreak, gossip, misunderstandings, lust, attraction, drama, jealousy and a whole lot more, then you need to read Red Hot by Cat Johnson.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

[Ellen Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Hot

I'm living this Mudville series. Cash is such a sweetheart and Red fits him just right. Looking forward to the next book Cat Johnson gives us.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun small town read.

[Jeeves Reads Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate to say this, but the first book in the series was a LOT better than this one. It certainly wasn't bad, but I just didn't feel the chemistry in this friends to lovers romance. Our hero was a big part of the problem - Cash is a sweet guy, but he's pretty clueless, and not in a way that's endearing. It felt like every time these two were getting close, he pulled away, which was beyond frustrating. Other than wanting to throttle the hero, I loved the light and fun feel of this small town romance, and won't hesitate to continue with the series just because this one was a miss for me.

The story follows Cash, a farmer who has been casual friends with Red for years. They grew up in a small town together, so they've been in the sidelines of each other's lives for as long as they can remember. Though Cash knows Red has crushed on him in the past, it isn't until someone else starts pursuing her that he decides he wants her out of the friend zone. What follows is the awkward dance of these two transitioning from friends to lovers as they try to escape the gossip mill.

It's a quick, cute read with a little bit of sexiness. If you're not familiar with the series, this can easily be read as a standalone but Kissing Books is hands down a 5-star read so you'd be doing yourself an injustice. I've really enjoyed getting to know the people of Mudville, and was looking forward to reading Red's story. While I was disappointed in this, I think I've figured out our next couple and I am all for it, so I'm looking forward to seeing what's next.

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

[Bona Caballero · Rating 2 out of 5]

Es un tipo de novela diferente a las historias sexis que conocía de Johnson. Ya lo advierten en Amazon, que esto pretende ser Red Hot: A Friends to Lovers Small Town Rom Com (Small Town Secrets). O sea, una comedia romántica de amigos a amantes en ciudad pequeña.
Los friends son Red, tendera, y Cashel, granjero. Ella está loca por él desde el instituto, pero él ni parece enterarse ni tampoco está interesado, siendo más un picaflor que está hoy con una y mañana con otra.
La parte de comedia romántica no la vi, nada de lo que contaban me hacía particular gracia. Gran parte de la peripecia tiene que ver con una ternera. Apasionante.
Reseña algo más extensa, en mi blog.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red, a sweet and sassy red-headed Main Street shop owner, has a consignment boutique in small-town Mudville, New York. She has known and lusted after Cash Morgan since her childhood. He feels the same about her but keeps it hidden.

Strange things are happening at the store lately with things going missing. Harper figured it was a ghost. There are some, like Bethany, who feel Red is just absent-minded and misplaced the things. When a cape goes missing that she was going to use for Valentine’s Day decoration, she started to wonder if someone is breaking in and stealing? So she makes the logical choice to call the police.

Because Deputy Carson Bekker shows interest in Red, Cash suddenly wakes up to the fact that he could actually lose Red! He wants more than friendship now, which confuses Red because he seemed to never show interest before! Can they make it from friends to lovers now? Or is it really too late for Cash?

This is a cute small-town friends-to-lovers story. Dealing with the town gossips can drive a person crazy, but it’s all a part of small-town life. Grab your copy and chuckle along as Red and Cash try to move out of the friend zone for something much closer to the heart!

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. The characters (including supporting) were great and well developed. Harper and Bethany were supportive and awesome friends for Red. Cash's brothers were hilarious.

Red (Rebecca) has had a crush on Cashel (Cash) since high school but was always in the friend zone with him. Ten years later, Cash is suddenly interested which Red doesn't understand. Another guy asked her out, which shouldn't be a problem, but suddenly it is. On top of dealing with Cash, there is something happening at her store, which is strange. Her friend Harper thinks it's a ghost and her friend Bethany thinks she is just forgetful. Red isn't sure what she thinks about anything that's been going on. That includes her date with the deputy investigating what's been happening at her store, but especially what's happening with Cash.

I really enjoyed Cash and Red. They were funny and a lot slow (ten YEARS! come on people!) in figuring out and acting on how they felt about each other. Their happy ever after was awesome. I am excited for the next book in the series and now I have to read the first book of the series too! I definitely recommend reading this book!

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

[Teresa Christianson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a friends to lovers story. I loved this book and never knew what would happen next.
Cash has always been a big flirt to everyone but with Red it has always been a verbal sparring. They both have had a crush on the other since grade school but didn't want to ruin the friendship so neither acknowledged it. Now he realizes that he is jealous when she is talking to the Carson when they are leaning close to each other and then meets Carson for dinner. Soon they kiss and that eventually leads to sex but he wants to keep them a secret. Red gets an change for an all expense paid trip to Paris and then the jealousy on both sides is strong. There is the calf that was loose and Red caught it but then half the town turned against her. Then Cash catches the kid who was stealing stuff from the store and the donation bin behind her store. Between all of this going on, will Cash and Red finally admit to their true feelings about the other and have a real relationship or will Cash want to keep them secret?

[Vinessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Cash's romance.
Red is the local second hand store owner.
Cash is the hunky farmer that craves the fiery red head.
We are visited by Harper, Stone, Bethany and Boone.
We get to attend another town meeting full of ridicule and judgment.
We have emotional drama over the push and pull of attraction between Cash and Red.
Jealousy and misunderstandings cloud a committed romance.
Of course we have to have more than farm animals.
The town folk and their accusations.
Lets not forget the mysterious things going missing at Reds shop.
Then we have the allusive Rose and her mysterious life lessons left behind in the form of journals and letters. Oh an a wedding dress that Harper took a liking to, HMMM wonder what she needs that for.
Reds trip to Paris with an old guy friend a hot guy friend that sends Cash on a road of realization.

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

[JLH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery in the consignment store. Read is the consignment store and for some reason things either or moved or not where they’re supposed to be or just flat out disappeared. Enters Carson the deputy. She officially tries to coordinate with honey buns that she loves so much from her best friend who owns a bakery down the street to come and see if you can find anything. Is there a problem with this yes there certainly is. Cashel a.k.a. Cash is on the case. Because no one messes with his girl, Red. Considering she’s either oblivious or is ignoring his advances or his “protectiveness “. This is a funny story because she can’t figure out if they like each other or don’t like each other or excepting advances from the deputy. As much responsibility as the family kind of puts on Cash, he definitely needs to claim his woman.

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

[lf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trying to figure out how to be more than friends

Red Hot is the second book in the New Small Town Series and is the story of Cash and Red. They had grown up together and been friends for years. They also had crushed on each other but had never taken the next step to being more than just friends, even when they were both single. For the most part the story was interesting as they have some awkward moments trying to go from the friend zone to the lovers zone in a small town with all that small town gossip around. I am not sure I completely bought into them actually being together and the chemistry. Plus the story had some unneeded drama just sort of thrown in that I thought was strange. So for me this story was not as much laugh out loud rom com as the first book, Kissing Books, had been. But it was an okay story and an easy read.

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

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a SUCKER for small town series - the friendships with everyone in town, how connected everything and everyone is.

This story had me more hooked then Stone and Harper’s story - I found a bunch of boring parts with the whole Rose mystery. But the “mystery” in Red’s story was both intriguing and heartwarming - there wasn’t a time where I was bored or just reading through quick to get to the next chapter. It also brought a few more aspects to the Smalltown Secrets series that I’m excited to hear more about it in the upcoming stories.

I love how Cash expressed his soft side right away - his internal possessiveness of Red and Red admitting, to herself and us, how she much she’s liked/loved Cash and how much she still did.

Overall, there was not a chapter that I wasn’t completely engaged in. Also, it may be because I was so into this story but compared to the first book in the series, I felt like this story went by quicker and I can’t wait to find out about Bethany’s HEA!

[Stacy J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cash and Red have known each other for forever as one tends to do in a small town.

Red has had a crush on Cash about as long but he had put her square in the friend zone. This was something she just accepted.

I liked the character of Red. She tries to see the good in people and help others/animals in need. She is a great friend and wonderful business owner.

Cash I had a little more difficulty with. While he is a great guy and a fun brother there were a couple oh times he made me mad. I couldn't understand his reluctance in letting people know he was interested in Red. I get that brothers tease but I just wanted him to man up sooner. The way he left Red a few times, hurt my heart.

He more than made up for it throughout the book and it was fun reading about these two dancing around each other and watching them get jealous.

I can't wait for more in this series!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a is romantic, entertaining, interesting and engaging story. Red and Cash met in Kindergarten, and have been friends ever since. Red always wished for more than friendship, but Cash was never into relationships. When they end up in bed together, it makes for an awkward morning after for both of them. And before they can think things through and decide if they wanted to be more, life intervenes, and they both end up jealous of people close to them. Throw in a runaway calf, a runaway boy, a trip to Paris and a secret, and you end up with life in Mudville, NY. I loved all of the facets in the storyline, but Cash and Red didn't come across as best friends, but more as casual friends. It's a great story anyway.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.

[Catharine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and we were promised more suspense and intrigue from Rose’s diaries, but we certainly didn’t get it here. The quirky town characters were hardly involved in the story. It felt like the entire book was shallow and rushed to me. Two things, the baby calf and the trip to Paris felt like they didn’t even belong in the story, but were just fillers to bump up the word count. The relationship between two life long friends finally becoming lovers was not developed well at all, and the situation with the calf and the boy were left hanging and unresolved. The whole book seemed like a disappointment. I kept waiting for it to get better toward the end, where there was plenty of room to develop the story with the boy, but a few words in an epilogue is pretty unsatisfactory.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining 4 ½ stars - Cashel and Red have known each other and have been friends since Kindergarten. While Red developed a teenage crush on Cashel, he’s known as the class clown and as an adult, a charming one-night stand who doesn’t date. Thus, Red had reservations about starting a sexual relationship especially in the small-town of Mudville. But with Red’s safety being threatened and with the deputy sheriff taking an interest in her, Cashel’s protectiveness and jealousy reared its head. It’s a very entertaining story with a good balance of humor, romance, sex and mystery. I do like the twist on the burglar. [I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.]

[Suzana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Hot is the second book in Smalltown Secrets series. It was such a wonderful, sweet, sexy, funny story. It’s about Red and Cash. Oh, how much I loved them and their dance around each other because they both throught neither would be possibly interested or that tehy could be loved. The UST, the tension, the chemistry – you could feelit all while reading. Cash is such an amazing person. He is charming, lovable, protective, possessive. Red was amazing too. I loved her sassiness and spunk. Red is right woman for Cash. They complete each other. Loved seeing more of Harper and Stone and their family relationships as well as the Morgan brothers and their banter. I’m so intrigued by Boone, can’t wait to read his book.

[Socalgirl10 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first book I read from this author. Even though this is a standalone book, I missed a lot by not reading the first book in this story arc. I didn't quite get why it had taken Red and Cash so long to get together, since it seemed like they have been in the same town since they were in kindergarten. With that being said, I did enjoy the the character interactions and all the things that really do go along with small towns. I am going to go back and read the first book since this is where many of the characters are introduced. My suggestion is to read the first book Kissing Books to really get the benefit of the characters and the the set up of Mudville.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable small town tale with Red having a long time supposedly unreciprocated crush on Cashel since school. The characters in this will be part of a series however as I hadn't read the first book it didn't matter. Perhaps as this progresses you may get lost in the tale.
Things go missing at Reds shop but you can sort of guess the circumstances as the story unfolds. It was actually quite heartwarming as initially Cash was a bit of an idiot but underneath he has great family values.
I think these two were meant for one another.

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

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Red had a crush on Cash since high school! They’ve been friends since kindergarten! Cash has had a crush on Red since forever but he doesn’t want to ruin their friendship by trying for more when he doesn’t know how she feels. When he discovers she’s going to Paris with another man it prompts him to look at his feeling and decide what to do. I really enjoyed this book! I love books set in small towns each with their own unique characters and town gossips! This was a perfect quick easy read ! No complicated story lines.!

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

[Elsie Pitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red and Cash were hysterical to me. The group of friends surrounding Red were spasmodic and added the filler to this story! I would love to have a group of friends like this. What was a question for me was why didn't Cash and Red ever get together before? Knowing each other for a bit of time and it just seemed like they had so much chemistry before and that they had ample opportunity to but never acted on it. This had me laughing so hard in some parts I was tearing up and my sides hurt. through it all I was pleasantly pleased with this book.

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

[Christine Garza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely my kind of small town romance story with some mystery, witty banter, hot, fun-loving cowboys, laughter, jealousy, and love. Growing up Red always had a crush on Cash and nothing hasn't really changed in ten years. Red still has a crush on Cash and is still friend zoned. Until unexplained things begin happening in her store and in saunters a deputy to the rescue with an interest in Red. Now Cash must find a way to tell Red how he feels before it's too late. This is the first book in the Mudville series that I have read but I loved it and will be buying the other two book in the series.

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

[Jill Kerich · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Mudville series and I got exactly what I wanted, love for Red!!
Red runs the town second hand store and has been pining for Cash since they were kids. Cash is the happy go lucky flirt until one of the town’s police officers asks Red out for a date. Suddenly Cash knows that he needs to stop the relationship before it starts. Throw in a fugitive calf, a runaway with a puppy and we have the perfect small town romance of Red and Cash. Looking forward to the next book with Bethany finding love!

[Gladys · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It is the second book in this wonderful series. Red and Cash's story is sweet, funny and emotional. I really loved these characters. They are genuine and easy to root for. This heartfelt, laugh-out-loud romance offers a solid blend of drama and suspense that will help keep you engaged and focused. Add in healthy doses of small town charm, some adorable critters, an enticing cast of secondary characters and a lot of zaniness and you have yourself a quirky and delightful read. This is my independent, impartial review.