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Books & Brews #3
Right Kind of Wrong
When Julia Hardin is hired to plan the local library’s annual fundraiser, it’s exactly the chance she needs to take her event planning business to the next level. With a shoestring budget and ridiculously tight timeline, it won’t be easy to pull off, but Julia has never shied away from a challenge before. Then again, she’s never met a challenge quite like Fergus MacNair, the town’s hot, grumpy librarian who’s determined to thwart her plans at every turn.
Fergus is willing to do almost anything to bring in more funds to support vital library programming. But nothing about working with Julia, a woman who gets under his skin like no other, is easy. Not her bossy attitude, not her over-the-top decorations, and most certainly not the way she sparks an uncontrollable desire inside of him. But when she accidentally returns a library book with a sexy doodle of him for a bookmark, he realizes just how unprepared he is for this partnership.
When Fergus discovers her doodle, Julia is certain this is one disaster she’ll never recover from. But when Fergus responds with a naughty drawing of his own, these complete opposites might just find a common language after all.
Fergus is willing to do almost anything to bring in more funds to support vital library programming. But nothing about working with Julia, a woman who gets under his skin like no other, is easy. Not her bossy attitude, not her over-the-top decorations, and most certainly not the way she sparks an uncontrollable desire inside of him. But when she accidentally returns a library book with a sexy doodle of him for a bookmark, he realizes just how unprepared he is for this partnership.
When Fergus discovers her doodle, Julia is certain this is one disaster she’ll never recover from. But when Fergus responds with a naughty drawing of his own, these complete opposites might just find a common language after all.
- GenresRomanceContemporary
258 pages, ebook
First published February 11, 2020
9 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Sara Rider
7 books239 followersSara Rider writes contemporary romances full of heart and heat about strong heroines and the men who can’t resist them. Growing up, Sara dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player. When that dream was squashed by her extreme dislike of running, she decided to do the next best thing: write about professional soccer players. By day, Sara spends her time working in the field of research ethics and daydreams about plotlines and character arcs. She spends far too much time at public libraries and never leaves the house without a paperback or an e-reader stuffed into her purse.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 9, 2020
If you’re like me, a lighthearted contemporary romance is always appreciated, and the third story in Sara Rider’s Books and Brews series, Right Kind of Wrong, delivers a comfort read with likable characters and plenty of laughs to make for an enjoyable reading experience. It’s especially so if you like grumpy, Scottish, male librarians – which I definitely do.
Julia Hardin is trying to grow her event planning business, and that means doing more than just marketing for her brother Eli’s brew pub. One contract at a time, including her current side gig planning an anniversary party for the parents of five contentious siblings will get her there. But getting a chance to plan a Valentine’s Day fundraiser for the local library will definitely increase her visibility in the community. The fact that Julia has a minor crush on the sexy albeit grumpy Scottish librarian Fergus MacNair is a minor inconvenience, but she’ll overcome it for the opportunity. Never mind that he always looks at her as though her book returns are late (okay, maybe they are). Surely working together won’t be too bad? Though she’ll have to overcome the embarrassment of Fergus discovering her habit of naughty doodling, sometimes involving a rugged Scottish Highlander, first.
Fergus doesn’t quite know what to think of Julia except that she seems to push all his buttons, and definitely the good ones. Fergus and relationships haven’t always meshed well though he has an amicable one with his ex-wife with whom he shares custody of their seven year old daughter Emily. Out of guilt over the divorce, he’d promised Emily that he’d never get remarried or start a new family, a promise he’s kept religiously, to the point of not even dating anyone new. But his ex is getting remarried and if she’s moved on, maybe he can too. Is Julia the one worth risking his heart on?
For more of this review please visit All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
A copy of this story was provided by the author.
Julia Hardin is trying to grow her event planning business, and that means doing more than just marketing for her brother Eli’s brew pub. One contract at a time, including her current side gig planning an anniversary party for the parents of five contentious siblings will get her there. But getting a chance to plan a Valentine’s Day fundraiser for the local library will definitely increase her visibility in the community. The fact that Julia has a minor crush on the sexy albeit grumpy Scottish librarian Fergus MacNair is a minor inconvenience, but she’ll overcome it for the opportunity. Never mind that he always looks at her as though her book returns are late (okay, maybe they are). Surely working together won’t be too bad? Though she’ll have to overcome the embarrassment of Fergus discovering her habit of naughty doodling, sometimes involving a rugged Scottish Highlander, first.
Fergus doesn’t quite know what to think of Julia except that she seems to push all his buttons, and definitely the good ones. Fergus and relationships haven’t always meshed well though he has an amicable one with his ex-wife with whom he shares custody of their seven year old daughter Emily. Out of guilt over the divorce, he’d promised Emily that he’d never get remarried or start a new family, a promise he’s kept religiously, to the point of not even dating anyone new. But his ex is getting remarried and if she’s moved on, maybe he can too. Is Julia the one worth risking his heart on?
For more of this review please visit All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
A copy of this story was provided by the author.
February 10, 2020
I guess when I signed up for this I didn’t realize it was related to another book I’ve already read, Make Me Fall, but then I started reading and remembered the bar, the Holy Grale, that was set up inside a church. And being back with these characters I’d met before was fun! In fact, I might have liked this book even a little more than that one! Of course how could I not, I mean the male love interest was a librarian, and a former cover model, I mean, yowza! Like the perfect guy for me! Right? Where is my Fergus? But it was more than that, the characters had some great banter and definitely hilarious things happened to them throughout the book. I thought a lot of different parts were realistic as well. The daughter part was really good, and both the way Fergus reacted to things she did, as well as how Julia handled her was so true to what people in real life do. Or at least should do. I’m once again left needing to go back and read the first book in this series that I’ve missed. I need to make more of an effort to get a hold of it. It’s a sweet romance, with a tiny bit of the steam, just enough to warm you up!
This review was first published on Lisa Loves Literature.
This review was first published on Lisa Loves Literature.
February 21, 2021
I grabbed this on sale and am glad I did, because Sara Rider's books are reliably nice reads for me and I've been in a weird reading mood. Being honest, I don't really remember a ton about the book a week later, which probably says something, but again, weird mood.
February 13, 2020
Also Posted on For The Love of Fictional Worlds
Disclaimer: An eARC was provided via Inkslinger PR and the Author as part of the Blog Tour. The Thoughts, opinions & feelings expressed in the review are therefore, my own.
Have you read the blurb? A grumpy Scottish librarian and an independent, stubborn event planner with a crush on the said librarian – I couldn’t hit the button to be a part of the blog tour hard enough *grins*
Fergus, a divorced man who works as a librarian, loves his job – he is grumpy, stout and very NOT interested in dating, because he made a promise to his young daughter to NOT date or rather form a new family. And he is definitely NOT interested in Julia, a woman who has the ability to get under his skin like no other.
Julia, on the other hand, works in the bar owned by her brother and on the side, does event planning and management as well as having an unhealthy obsession with the Scottish librarian who always seems irritated with her and a need to be needed by those around her.
While this may, on the face of it, seem like a light – hearted read with a fun banter and smexy times – it is so much more than that. The characters are brilliant and oh so relatable; plus the vulnerabilities that they show and the insecurities that they battle, make their connection all the more relatable and understandable.
It was such an emotional and adventurous ride, from start till the end and even though this is the first book for me by the author, I plan on keeping an eye out, not only for her backlist but also for her upcoming titles as well!
For more reviews visit For The Love of Fictional Worlds :)
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February 11, 2020
RIGHT KIND OF WRONG by Sara Rider is one of those ‘still waters run deep’ romances. It’s not showy or loud or over the top. It’s contemplative, quiet and reflective. It’s certainly romantic and often funny.
When event planner, Julia Hardin, and the ‘Sexy Highlander Librarian’, Fergus McNair are forced to work together at the library’s annual Valentine’s Day fundraising event, it’s a clash of wills between the two. Yes, an attraction has been simmering but them but being stubborn and headstrong are traits they share, so any relationship was going to suffer bumps along the way.
I really enjoyed getting to know Julia and Fergus. They’re a tad insecure, both feeling a little lost at times but this just made them all the more relatable. Their romance is a lovely mixture of sweet and steamy and I definitely wanted this deserving pair to get their happy ever after.
Heartfelt, funny and romantic. Recommended.
3.5 stars
When event planner, Julia Hardin, and the ‘Sexy Highlander Librarian’, Fergus McNair are forced to work together at the library’s annual Valentine’s Day fundraising event, it’s a clash of wills between the two. Yes, an attraction has been simmering but them but being stubborn and headstrong are traits they share, so any relationship was going to suffer bumps along the way.
I really enjoyed getting to know Julia and Fergus. They’re a tad insecure, both feeling a little lost at times but this just made them all the more relatable. Their romance is a lovely mixture of sweet and steamy and I definitely wanted this deserving pair to get their happy ever after.
Heartfelt, funny and romantic. Recommended.
3.5 stars
February 13, 2020
I loved Sara Rider's "Right Kind of Wrong," a funny, sweet, and charming story featuring likeable, relatable characters. It is technically the third book in Ms. Rider's Books and Brews series, but reads as a complete standalone. While characters from the earlier books do make cameo appearances, readers (like me) who are new to the series will not feel lost by starting here.
My favorite part of this book was the male lead character, Fergus MacNair. He came across as grumpy at first, but beneath the surface, he was very sweet and had a dorky sense of humor that I adored. I also related to Fergus's introvert tendencies, especially in regards to the need to conserve his "people energy" for dealing with patrons at the library where he worked. That really resonated with me because I often feel the same way about dealing with clients when I'm at work!
The female lead character, Julia Hardin, was also very likeable and interesting. She was obviously a hard worker and good friend, but had a tough time recognizing those qualities in herself. Julia was very independent and found it difficult to ask for or accept help, even when she really needed it. I appreciated her character's growth over the course of the book as she learned that it was OK to trust in her friends and family, and that asking for help could be a sign of strength rather than weakness.
The banter between Fergus and Julia was very amusing, and I thought that their relationship development was nicely paced. I particularly enjoyed the way Fergus and Julia communicated through their drawings. Not only were the drawings funny, this style of communication was unique to Julia and Fergus and helped them express their feelings when neither of them could find the right words.
Overall, I very much enjoyed "Right Kind of Wrong" and highly recommend it. This was the first book I've read by Sara Rider, but I look forward to checking out more of her work in the future.
*ARC provided by the author via InkSlingerPR. All opinions expressed are my own.
My favorite part of this book was the male lead character, Fergus MacNair. He came across as grumpy at first, but beneath the surface, he was very sweet and had a dorky sense of humor that I adored. I also related to Fergus's introvert tendencies, especially in regards to the need to conserve his "people energy" for dealing with patrons at the library where he worked. That really resonated with me because I often feel the same way about dealing with clients when I'm at work!
The female lead character, Julia Hardin, was also very likeable and interesting. She was obviously a hard worker and good friend, but had a tough time recognizing those qualities in herself. Julia was very independent and found it difficult to ask for or accept help, even when she really needed it. I appreciated her character's growth over the course of the book as she learned that it was OK to trust in her friends and family, and that asking for help could be a sign of strength rather than weakness.
The banter between Fergus and Julia was very amusing, and I thought that their relationship development was nicely paced. I particularly enjoyed the way Fergus and Julia communicated through their drawings. Not only were the drawings funny, this style of communication was unique to Julia and Fergus and helped them express their feelings when neither of them could find the right words.
Overall, I very much enjoyed "Right Kind of Wrong" and highly recommend it. This was the first book I've read by Sara Rider, but I look forward to checking out more of her work in the future.
*ARC provided by the author via InkSlingerPR. All opinions expressed are my own.
February 13, 2020
4.5 stars
Right Kind of Wrong is book number three in Sara Rider's Books and Brews series and features Julia, the sweet and hard-working sister of Eli from book two. When the cover and blurb were released, I was happily surprised to find the other main character is Fergus a grumpy and handsome librarian.
This book hit all the right notes for me. It had interesting characters with realistic hang ups/concerns, lots of humor, lots of romance, and wonderful writing. I could relate to Julia's fears of not being needed by her family and friends I'd she wasn't providing fun activities and fulfilling a certain role. When she and Fergus started to get to know each other it was awkward at times, but they were so adorable together. Once I started reading I couldn't put the book down, and I stayed up late just so I could find out how Julia and Fergus' story would end.
Right Kind of Wrong is a standalone, but I definitely recommend checking out the other two books in the series as well!
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
Right Kind of Wrong is book number three in Sara Rider's Books and Brews series and features Julia, the sweet and hard-working sister of Eli from book two. When the cover and blurb were released, I was happily surprised to find the other main character is Fergus a grumpy and handsome librarian.
This book hit all the right notes for me. It had interesting characters with realistic hang ups/concerns, lots of humor, lots of romance, and wonderful writing. I could relate to Julia's fears of not being needed by her family and friends I'd she wasn't providing fun activities and fulfilling a certain role. When she and Fergus started to get to know each other it was awkward at times, but they were so adorable together. Once I started reading I couldn't put the book down, and I stayed up late just so I could find out how Julia and Fergus' story would end.
Right Kind of Wrong is a standalone, but I definitely recommend checking out the other two books in the series as well!
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
February 8, 2020
Divorced for the last seven years Fergus has been honoring a promise that he made to his then seven year old daughter Emily. He is the town librarian and is the perfect mix of nerdy and sexy but he can also be a little abrupt but that doesn’t stop Julia from having daydreams about him.
Julia works at her brother’s bar and has created an event planning business on the side. She is a frequent visitor to the library so when she has the opportunity to help with their fundraiser it seems like a perfect fit even if it means working with Fergus.
Julia and Fergus were so much fun and not only were they great characters, but the secondary characters enhanced the story as well. They both have insecurities which leads to some missteps, but they couldn’t have been a better match.
Julia works at her brother’s bar and has created an event planning business on the side. She is a frequent visitor to the library so when she has the opportunity to help with their fundraiser it seems like a perfect fit even if it means working with Fergus.
Julia and Fergus were so much fun and not only were they great characters, but the secondary characters enhanced the story as well. They both have insecurities which leads to some missteps, but they couldn’t have been a better match.
February 10, 2020
Fergus & Julia are so sweet & entertaining!! I loved watching these two battle it out over the fundraiser. The tension & chemistry was soooooo good! I seriously love a grumpy H and Fergus might be one of my favorites. There was just enough "drama" that made me unable to stop reading, but it wasn't so dramatic that I got annoyed or frustrated.
February 11, 2020
I loved reading the chemistry unfold between Fergus and Julia. They were the best-fit characters for this story. A great plot and satisfying romance that’s cute, funny and enjoyable.
May 31, 2020
Synopsis:
Julia Hardin is a thirty-year-old event planner in Shadow Creek, Washington. She doodles outrageous scenes about herself and Fergus MacNair, the Sexy Highlander Librarian who is the stuff of her dreams. But she couldn't find one of her doodles, which she's sure she placed in a library book!
Fergus has been divorced for seven years now and at thirty-seven he just wants to lead a quiet life as a single man. Because of which he started working for the library so as also to stay close to his daughter, who lives with her mother and soon to be stepfather in Seattle.
Fergus is attracted to Julia but there's something that's holding him back. But when he can no longer avoid Julia since he has to work with her for a fundraiser for the library, will sparks fly? And then one thing leads to another, which makes these two sweet and stubborn people spend time with each other, but no romance is a romance without a few roadblocks in the way…
Review:
This is the first book I'm reading by Sara Rider. I only had to look at the word library in the blurb to know that I was going to read this. And it was funny and sexy from the get-go. A romance between a romance reader and a librarian is the stuff made of dreams. And me reviewing this on Valentine's day, couldn't have asked for a better date!
This is the story of another Books and Brews club member. This time it's Julia and it seems she's the only one without a date, again, on this Valentine's Day. But she has too much on her plate, what with managing four events - both official and unofficial. I loved how ordinary this story was, with Eli and Julia both working hard along with Jake to keep her brother's brewpub spick and span and to keep it running successfully.
I never thought I would love a small-town romance so much! It gave me all the feels. And also, this book has probably had the funniest first-time sex between the protagonists ever. Fergus' way of expressing his feelings is unique and lovely. And how shocked he became with Julia's antics was hilarious. There is dating, corny jokes, and as ordinary and grounded in reality a romance I have ever read. No overtly over the top shenanigans!
Fergus' fourteen-year-old daughter Emily also comes to stay with him for about a week. Narrated in the third person, the story takes place within a span of fewer than two months. It ends with a wonderful epilogue. A conversation between Fergus and his ex-Nicole is something I'd like to share here:
"How did you know you were ready to move on?"
"When I realized my loneliness was teaching Emily that self-sacrifice was more important than happiness."
P.S. This book made me crave puzzles. And I'm going to go and get me some.
Thank you to Inkslinger PR for an e-ARC of the book.
The first two books in the series are:
1. Real Kind of Love (Clementine and Jake's story)
2. Make Me Fall (Nora and Eli's story)
Originally posted on:
Shaina's Musings
Julia Hardin is a thirty-year-old event planner in Shadow Creek, Washington. She doodles outrageous scenes about herself and Fergus MacNair, the Sexy Highlander Librarian who is the stuff of her dreams. But she couldn't find one of her doodles, which she's sure she placed in a library book!
Fergus has been divorced for seven years now and at thirty-seven he just wants to lead a quiet life as a single man. Because of which he started working for the library so as also to stay close to his daughter, who lives with her mother and soon to be stepfather in Seattle.
Fergus is attracted to Julia but there's something that's holding him back. But when he can no longer avoid Julia since he has to work with her for a fundraiser for the library, will sparks fly? And then one thing leads to another, which makes these two sweet and stubborn people spend time with each other, but no romance is a romance without a few roadblocks in the way…
Review:
This is the first book I'm reading by Sara Rider. I only had to look at the word library in the blurb to know that I was going to read this. And it was funny and sexy from the get-go. A romance between a romance reader and a librarian is the stuff made of dreams. And me reviewing this on Valentine's day, couldn't have asked for a better date!
This is the story of another Books and Brews club member. This time it's Julia and it seems she's the only one without a date, again, on this Valentine's Day. But she has too much on her plate, what with managing four events - both official and unofficial. I loved how ordinary this story was, with Eli and Julia both working hard along with Jake to keep her brother's brewpub spick and span and to keep it running successfully.
Her voice was frayed and tender, like the edges of a page torn from a book.
I never thought I would love a small-town romance so much! It gave me all the feels. And also, this book has probably had the funniest first-time sex between the protagonists ever. Fergus' way of expressing his feelings is unique and lovely. And how shocked he became with Julia's antics was hilarious. There is dating, corny jokes, and as ordinary and grounded in reality a romance I have ever read. No overtly over the top shenanigans!
Fergus' fourteen-year-old daughter Emily also comes to stay with him for about a week. Narrated in the third person, the story takes place within a span of fewer than two months. It ends with a wonderful epilogue. A conversation between Fergus and his ex-Nicole is something I'd like to share here:
"How did you know you were ready to move on?"
"When I realized my loneliness was teaching Emily that self-sacrifice was more important than happiness."
P.S. This book made me crave puzzles. And I'm going to go and get me some.
Thank you to Inkslinger PR for an e-ARC of the book.
The first two books in the series are:
1. Real Kind of Love (Clementine and Jake's story)
2. Make Me Fall (Nora and Eli's story)
Originally posted on:
Shaina's Musings
April 15, 2021
Right Kind of Wrong: Fergus and Julia
Fun story; liked it a lot. Feel like it would really appeal to people like Julia: control enthusiasts who like to feel needed and abhor asking for help. I don't quite understand the mindset so Julia was occasionally frustrating for me. But I still believe she was a good match for Fergus.
Fergus is grumpy and reclusive. He loves his job and his daughter and that's about it. Enjoyed the way he let his fascination/affection for Julia pull him out of his solitude. Loved his patience and his eye for detail.
Would definitely recommend. Part of a series but works as a standalone.
Fun story; liked it a lot. Feel like it would really appeal to people like Julia: control enthusiasts who like to feel needed and abhor asking for help. I don't quite understand the mindset so Julia was occasionally frustrating for me. But I still believe she was a good match for Fergus.
Fergus is grumpy and reclusive. He loves his job and his daughter and that's about it. Enjoyed the way he let his fascination/affection for Julia pull him out of his solitude. Loved his patience and his eye for detail.
Would definitely recommend. Part of a series but works as a standalone.
May 2, 2020
So, I appreciate the realism of this book -- the male love interest, Fergus, struggling to date after a divorce and having a teenage daughter. But, the chemistry of the two characters didn't come across strongly enough for me, to be honest. Sara Rider's first book of the series, Make Me Fall, is my favorite of her Books & Brews series.
June 8, 2020
I really thought I had reviewed this one but it seems I hadn't. I loved every bit of this book... from the grumpy librarian to the wonderful wedding planner.
I love how Sara depicts modern relationships that are complex but yet based on mutual understanding, acceptance and communication.
Perfect reading!
I love how Sara depicts modern relationships that are complex but yet based on mutual understanding, acceptance and communication.
Perfect reading!
February 28, 2020
OMG this book! Fergus is a bit grumpy and slightly awkward and there are these moments when all he wants to do is take care of Julia because all she does is take care of everyone else and I just loved this book SO MUCH.
February 28, 2021
DNF only 8% in, not because it's terrible, but because the prose is... Simple? I expect more if this is not an author's first book. The plot so far is utterly predictable, the characters are okay but also predictable, and while I appreciate that this is free, my time isn't.
February 23, 2020
3.5 stars
September 10, 2020
"She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, need to know what he smelled like... Pumpkin spice?"
April 12, 2021
Rather enjoyable read.
August 13, 2021
It was a good series
May 27, 2023
Wonderful well written series from a local BC author.
January 7, 2024
⛔️(in notes)
February 14, 2020
I really enjoyed this story!
Julia and Fergus are great characters, def imperfect and that's what makes them so lovable.
Julia is always busy and trying to organize and be indispensable, while Fergus wants to be alone and work.
They don't have much in common but a few things and it's great to see them trying to get to know each other and find their way.
I find this story charming.
Julia and Fergus are great characters, def imperfect and that's what makes them so lovable.
Julia is always busy and trying to organize and be indispensable, while Fergus wants to be alone and work.
They don't have much in common but a few things and it's great to see them trying to get to know each other and find their way.
I find this story charming.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews