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Knocking Boots
From Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author, Willow Winters comes a steamy, small-town romance.
A drunken bet that led to a fake relationship? My naive little heart still hoped it would last...
We were never meant to be together.
He’s a bartender with noncommittal tendencies.
I’m looking for … the opposite. Commitment. Period.
But drinks and a bet led to something it shouldn’t a fake relationship. Worse, a first date, a first kiss… and then more.
He’s addictive and I can’t bring myself to accept the reality.
That it’s all a lie and I’m fooling myself by thinking he could want more. That I could change him.
He’s mine for as long as I keep on pretending like this is just for fun.
As if I don’t want more…
Like when he whispers my name, I pretend it doesn’t make my heart flip.
Like when he holds me at night, I pretend I don’t want to lay in his bed every night.
It's just a bet; just a lie . . . until it isn't.
A drunken bet that led to a fake relationship? My naive little heart still hoped it would last...
We were never meant to be together.
He’s a bartender with noncommittal tendencies.
I’m looking for … the opposite. Commitment. Period.
But drinks and a bet led to something it shouldn’t a fake relationship. Worse, a first date, a first kiss… and then more.
He’s addictive and I can’t bring myself to accept the reality.
That it’s all a lie and I’m fooling myself by thinking he could want more. That I could change him.
He’s mine for as long as I keep on pretending like this is just for fun.
As if I don’t want more…
Like when he whispers my name, I pretend it doesn’t make my heart flip.
Like when he holds me at night, I pretend I don’t want to lay in his bed every night.
It's just a bet; just a lie . . . until it isn't.
230 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2017
2183 people are currently reading
7041 people want to read
About the author
Willow Winters
172 books21.2k followersWillow Winters is so happy to be a USA Today, Wall Street Journal and #1 Contemporary Best Selling Author!
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Willow started writing after having her little girl, Evie, December 2015. All during her pregnancy with Evie she continued to read and she only wanted to read romance. She was reading a book a day — sometimes two.
In January 2016 Willow was staying up late with Evie and just thinking of all these stories. They came to her constantly so she finally sat down and just started writing. She always wanted to do it so she figured, why not? Today Willow cannot be happier for making that decision!
Want to know how to read Willow's books? Get a FREE PDF download from Willow here: https://www.willowwinterswrites.com/o...
Stay up to date!
Want a text alert? Text "Willow" to (302) 205-3701
Sign up to my newsletter + get EXCLUSIVE content, sneak peeks, and FREE books monthly: https://willowwinterswrites.com
All the other details you need to know: https://geni.us/3B53kF
Willow started writing after having her little girl, Evie, December 2015. All during her pregnancy with Evie she continued to read and she only wanted to read romance. She was reading a book a day — sometimes two.
In January 2016 Willow was staying up late with Evie and just thinking of all these stories. They came to her constantly so she finally sat down and just started writing. She always wanted to do it so she figured, why not? Today Willow cannot be happier for making that decision!
Want to know how to read Willow's books? Get a FREE PDF download from Willow here: https://www.willowwinterswrites.com/o...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 910 reviews
March 3, 2021
4.5 stars for the book.
5 stars for the audible narration.
This book was exactly what I needed at the moment.
It was cliche, sweet and very hot!
I love small town romance when I'm in need of something to just get away from my usual hardcore and emotional books.
Not that this one wasn't emotional, but it was a soft, entertaining and sweet scape.
With a mix between friends to lovers, small town romance and fake boyfriend, knocking Boots had everything set to a really good time!
I love Charlie!
Oh my God...
The guy definitely have skills 🔥🔥🥵🥵
He was burned before and avoided commitment like the plague. But being a 30 yrs old momma's boy, he was pushed from every side of his family to settle down. Not that he wanted to.
Gracie was a sweet girl that was ready to conquer the world in her professional life.
But then something really bad happened and she's suddenly ready for a full family package.
I loved that their friendship came first.
Their flirting were just another bonus, and I was rooting for them since page one!
Their lack of communication or her crying self could be a little bit less present.
I also loved the audible narration!
Amazing job by Teddy Hamilton & Lidia Dornet.
June 21, 2020
Title: ➳ ❤ Knocking Boots
Author: ➳ Willow Winters
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Publication: June 16th 2020
ღ A drunken bet that led to a fake relationship? You know this going to be interesting tale
Grace has always wanted children of her own for as long as she could remember, only different now is her biological clock ticking
(Literally & figuratively}- that she can barely think straight
Charlie owns & runs his own bar (Mac).Trust me when I say this , he isn’t looking for anything permanent after getting his heart broken
What I enjoyed the most about this read , was small town vibe, romance that slowly build into so much more than either one of the characters had expected
📚 Hope you enjoy this read & also always keep in mind this is just my opinion+ Also I wouldn’t never discourage anyone from reading this book,
➦*Disclaimer: ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review. This has not influenced my review!
Happy Reading --- Enjoy ……. Paulette Review
Author: ➳ Willow Winters
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Publication: June 16th 2020
ღ A drunken bet that led to a fake relationship? You know this going to be interesting tale
Grace has always wanted children of her own for as long as she could remember, only different now is her biological clock ticking
(Literally & figuratively}- that she can barely think straight
Charlie owns & runs his own bar (Mac).Trust me when I say this , he isn’t looking for anything permanent after getting his heart broken
What I enjoyed the most about this read , was small town vibe, romance that slowly build into so much more than either one of the characters had expected
📚 Hope you enjoy this read & also always keep in mind this is just my opinion+ Also I wouldn’t never discourage anyone from reading this book,
➦*Disclaimer: ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review. This has not influenced my review!
Happy Reading --- Enjoy ……. Paulette Review
March 25, 2017
Title: Knocking Boots
Author: Willow Winters & Vivian Wood
Grace is a busy single woman that has a lot on her plate. She is always busy with work and on her free time she likes to go the bar called Mack were she lets off steam... But that's not the only reason why she goes there she like to flirt with the bartender/owner Charlie. She thinks his hot and sweet but she knows how reputation just like everyone else in the town.
Charlie is the owner of a bar he dedicates his life to it escaping his past. Only his family and people from the town he used to live in knows what happened. His a ladies man he doesn't do more than one night stands. His got his eyes on Grace but he knows she wants more than just a one night stand she's looking for a long term commitment but he can't give it to her.
It's a cat and mouse game between charlie and grace they are both attracted to each other but they are both set on their goals in life. Grace wants a serious relationship with kids and all and Charlie is the opposite. Will they break and give in to each other?
This is a great book with good laughs I would highly recommend lt to everyone!
➦Hope you enjoy this read & also always keep in mind this is just my opinion
➦**"I voluntarily reviewed this ARC" ..**
.**In exchange for an honest review.**
Author: Willow Winters & Vivian Wood
Grace is a busy single woman that has a lot on her plate. She is always busy with work and on her free time she likes to go the bar called Mack were she lets off steam... But that's not the only reason why she goes there she like to flirt with the bartender/owner Charlie. She thinks his hot and sweet but she knows how reputation just like everyone else in the town.
Charlie is the owner of a bar he dedicates his life to it escaping his past. Only his family and people from the town he used to live in knows what happened. His a ladies man he doesn't do more than one night stands. His got his eyes on Grace but he knows she wants more than just a one night stand she's looking for a long term commitment but he can't give it to her.
It's a cat and mouse game between charlie and grace they are both attracted to each other but they are both set on their goals in life. Grace wants a serious relationship with kids and all and Charlie is the opposite. Will they break and give in to each other?
This is a great book with good laughs I would highly recommend lt to everyone!
➦Hope you enjoy this read & also always keep in mind this is just my opinion
➦**"I voluntarily reviewed this ARC" ..**
.**In exchange for an honest review.**
April 3, 2017
Cliche. And for me to write all the wrongs here would be a cliche. Just one thing though: the running away after listening something that wasn't to be said and not hearing the explanation, and not looking at texts or listening to voice messages. Sounds familia, anyone?
There are more, just not worthy my time writing
There are more, just not worthy my time writing
December 19, 2020
So, the heroine was pathetic! Crying through all the book like she wanted to be a mother, to have a baby... blah blah blah
Although, if you wanted so much became a mother, there are so many children in foster care and you always can adopt. She didnt even consider this.
BUT
She thought to have unprotected sex with hero just he could impregnate her... Without telling him anything...Because she couldnt affort semen from donor and it was very expensive to froze her eggs... Please, common!
How is it romantic?
Weeping and crying, bawling till they were together finally...
Too much inner thoughts, too much crying, too much to much.
Hero was ok, he was open to her from the beginning that he was not interested in some serious relationships, but he didnt have any scene with another woman. Before meeting heroine he was ONS man. But we dont get any image of him with another person.
Although, if you wanted so much became a mother, there are so many children in foster care and you always can adopt. She didnt even consider this.
BUT
She thought to have unprotected sex with hero just he could impregnate her... Without telling him anything...Because she couldnt affort semen from donor and it was very expensive to froze her eggs... Please, common!
How is it romantic?
Weeping and crying, bawling till they were together finally...
Too much inner thoughts, too much crying, too much to much.
Hero was ok, he was open to her from the beginning that he was not interested in some serious relationships, but he didnt have any scene with another woman. Before meeting heroine he was ONS man. But we dont get any image of him with another person.
Read
July 14, 2020My sexy small town romance is LIVE!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3hzWppc
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2YxoXqI
Kobo: https://bit.ly/30OvCzF
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2zAlRKd
B&N: https://bit.ly/30LezOY
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3fwvTLY
I'm so freaking happy! It's all the good feels and sweet romance - with the sexy times of course.
- hot bartender
- a drunken bet
- and a swoony standalone romance with an HEA
Happy reading!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3hzWppc
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2YxoXqI
Kobo: https://bit.ly/30OvCzF
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2zAlRKd
B&N: https://bit.ly/30LezOY
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3fwvTLY
I'm so freaking happy! It's all the good feels and sweet romance - with the sexy times of course.
- hot bartender
- a drunken bet
- and a swoony standalone romance with an HEA
Happy reading!
July 10, 2020
(3.8 Stars)
Read
July 24, 2020My sexy small town romance is LIVE!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3hzWppc
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2YxoXqI
Kobo: https://bit.ly/30OvCzF
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2zAlRKd
B&N: https://bit.ly/30LezOY
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3fwvTLY
I'm so freaking happy! It's all the good feels and sweet romance - with the sexy times of course.
- hot bartender
- a drunken bet
- and a swoony standalone romance with an HEA
Happy reading!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3hzWppc
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2YxoXqI
Kobo: https://bit.ly/30OvCzF
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2zAlRKd
B&N: https://bit.ly/30LezOY
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3fwvTLY
I'm so freaking happy! It's all the good feels and sweet romance - with the sexy times of course.
- hot bartender
- a drunken bet
- and a swoony standalone romance with an HEA
Happy reading!
Want to read
September 9, 2020Free on Amazon today (8/16/2017)!
June 18, 2020
Knocking Boots is a very sweet easy-going book that is perfect for a relaxing read! Lot's of swoon-worthy moments, lot's of super cute moments and of course lot's of steamy moments that will make you blush. The characters, Grace and Charlie, both have their issues but there a lightness to them, kind of an ease. They both want different things from life - Charlie, having been burnt by a woman before, wants to focus his time and energy on his bar that is his pride and joy. Grace, on the other hand, is dreaming of a family to call her own. The book starts with Grace and Charlie already knowing each other and it jumps right into the story that will melt you on the inside!
Great five star read!
Great five star read!
March 17, 2017
I loved this book. I haven't found one by Willow that I haven't loved.
Grace had a plan. Get good grades, graduate college, get a good job, find a husband, and then have kids. She has stuck to that plan until she goes for a routine checkup at the Dr's.
She enjoys flirting with Charlie, who is a bartender. He needs a date for his sisters wedding. It's all fun and innocent until feelings get involved.
And of course you've got that one person who always wants to cause drama.
I cried ladies. Just letting you know.
HEA,No cliffhanger, no cheating.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Grace had a plan. Get good grades, graduate college, get a good job, find a husband, and then have kids. She has stuck to that plan until she goes for a routine checkup at the Dr's.
She enjoys flirting with Charlie, who is a bartender. He needs a date for his sisters wedding. It's all fun and innocent until feelings get involved.
And of course you've got that one person who always wants to cause drama.
I cried ladies. Just letting you know.
HEA,No cliffhanger, no cheating.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
June 19, 2020
5 KNOCKING BOOTS STARS!! This story had heart....my heart was pitter pattering through Charlie and Grace's beautiful journey. Talk about feels it had them all....I could not turn the pages fast enough. Willow Winters writers another 5 star read to keep us entertained, so go ahead a download this one.
January 7, 2024
This is such an adorable and sweet yet steamy romance. It made my heart melt.💘 I freaking love the nickname Charlie has for Grace. ‘Sweetheart’ suits her so well. I also really liked how they met, he is a bartender and she is a regular.
This is my first Willow Winters book and I’m so glad I picked it up. I did not expect to like it as much as I did. I need to pick up more of her books!
This is my first Willow Winters book and I’m so glad I picked it up. I did not expect to like it as much as I did. I need to pick up more of her books!
March 25, 2017
This is one of my favorite books by one of my favorite authors'- Willow Winters & Vivian Wood. This is one emotional and hot read plus it has a hot bartender/ bar owner (hero).
Charlie and Grace's story took me thru an emotional ringer but what a way to go. Grace a hardworking graphics designer but she is really more of an artist in her spare time/ in secret. She meets this hot guy named Charlie. They had immediate chemistry --Charlie was this awesome guy and you could tell he was not wanting to rush into anything with Grace but something drew him to her. Charlie and Grace became friends and from friends slowly drew into this relationship that was tangled. Charlie is running his bar while Grace wants to hit every dream she has, and that includes finding Mister "Right" and have those 2.5 kids and white picket fences. Something Charlie NEVER wants to do again-- Well Grace has reason for why she is pushing the family issue now and not later. Charlie has good reasons why he doesn't want to get married --again. Both are wonderful , awesome people who crash into each others lives and make room for each other. They don't seem to realize they are it for each other.
Can they come to the realization that they are it for each other? Grace sees it but will Charlie push her away for good? This book had me grabbing tissues --I couldn't go to sleep until I finished it and I had to be on the road early in the morning. I looked terrible but it was totally worth it. Kudos to both authors for working in perfect tandem.
My rating: 4.7 stars ****
**** "I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
Charlie and Grace's story took me thru an emotional ringer but what a way to go. Grace a hardworking graphics designer but she is really more of an artist in her spare time/ in secret. She meets this hot guy named Charlie. They had immediate chemistry --Charlie was this awesome guy and you could tell he was not wanting to rush into anything with Grace but something drew him to her. Charlie and Grace became friends and from friends slowly drew into this relationship that was tangled. Charlie is running his bar while Grace wants to hit every dream she has, and that includes finding Mister "Right" and have those 2.5 kids and white picket fences. Something Charlie NEVER wants to do again-- Well Grace has reason for why she is pushing the family issue now and not later. Charlie has good reasons why he doesn't want to get married --again. Both are wonderful , awesome people who crash into each others lives and make room for each other. They don't seem to realize they are it for each other.
Can they come to the realization that they are it for each other? Grace sees it but will Charlie push her away for good? This book had me grabbing tissues --I couldn't go to sleep until I finished it and I had to be on the road early in the morning. I looked terrible but it was totally worth it. Kudos to both authors for working in perfect tandem.
My rating: 4.7 stars ****
**** "I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
July 17, 2025
3⭑
This book was okay, I liked it enough for a short 200-something page read.
It states in the synopsis that the couple in this book fake date, but we don’t really see any of the fake dating until 70% into the book and even at that point, the fake dating is pretty underwhelming.
I did like that this was a bit of a slow burn but I would say this was definitely more of a friends to lovers romance rather than fake dating, which is disappointing because I bought it specifically for the fake dating aspect.
What I didn’t like about this book was the way that the heroine’s infertility was dealt with. She is 30 years old and premenopausal. She has been told that chances of her getting pregnant are very slim and would need to go through IVF, but even then it’s not guaranteed.
The hero is aware of her fertility issues and starts making comments like “I’m going to try my hardest to give her a baby” and hey presto, what do you know, she is now magically pregnant🙄
This book was okay, I liked it enough for a short 200-something page read.
It states in the synopsis that the couple in this book fake date, but we don’t really see any of the fake dating until 70% into the book and even at that point, the fake dating is pretty underwhelming.
I did like that this was a bit of a slow burn but I would say this was definitely more of a friends to lovers romance rather than fake dating, which is disappointing because I bought it specifically for the fake dating aspect.
What I didn’t like about this book was the way that the heroine’s infertility was dealt with. She is 30 years old and premenopausal. She has been told that chances of her getting pregnant are very slim and would need to go through IVF, but even then it’s not guaranteed.
The hero is aware of her fertility issues and starts making comments like “I’m going to try my hardest to give her a baby” and hey presto, what do you know, she is now magically pregnant🙄
June 16, 2020
Oh ny gahhhh! This book! It's sweet, it's sexy and it's so freaking steamy! I am currently OBSESSED with Small Town Romance and this one is BRILLIANT!
My heart is SO, SO full! That ending, just ahhhh! I'm in all sorts of squishy, lovey feels.
This is one of my favourite Willow Winters stories yet! Please excuse me while I resume swooning!
My heart is SO, SO full! That ending, just ahhhh! I'm in all sorts of squishy, lovey feels.
This is one of my favourite Willow Winters stories yet! Please excuse me while I resume swooning!
December 29, 2023
Yep small town is her jackpot!
Willow write more of THIS!
Willow write more of THIS!
June 17, 2020
Woah...
So this steamy, sweet, swoony romance grabbed me from page one and had me completely consumed till the very end. Once again, Willow Winters proves that she can write in any sub-genre in romance and she will deliver an outstanding, addictive, and incredible story and this book were all those things and more.
Charlie and Grace's story grabbed hold of me from the start. These two had a long story that is easily relatable. They had struggles, insecurities, and doubts. It's not all hearts and flowers in relationships and Willow made sure that wasn't the case for these two either, which I love. It makes me fall in love with a story even more if I can relate to it on some level and I did relate to both Charlie and Grace. But with struggles, there was still swoony moments, and heat hotter than fire. The chemistry between these two bubbled over.
This has become a fast favorite book by this author. I completely lost myself within the pages and I will be going back very soon for a re-read... And I now claim Charlie as my book boyfriend! WOAH!!
A MUST READ!!
6 STARS!!!!
So this steamy, sweet, swoony romance grabbed me from page one and had me completely consumed till the very end. Once again, Willow Winters proves that she can write in any sub-genre in romance and she will deliver an outstanding, addictive, and incredible story and this book were all those things and more.
Charlie and Grace's story grabbed hold of me from the start. These two had a long story that is easily relatable. They had struggles, insecurities, and doubts. It's not all hearts and flowers in relationships and Willow made sure that wasn't the case for these two either, which I love. It makes me fall in love with a story even more if I can relate to it on some level and I did relate to both Charlie and Grace. But with struggles, there was still swoony moments, and heat hotter than fire. The chemistry between these two bubbled over.
This has become a fast favorite book by this author. I completely lost myself within the pages and I will be going back very soon for a re-read... And I now claim Charlie as my book boyfriend! WOAH!!
A MUST READ!!
6 STARS!!!!
September 20, 2023
This book was sooo not what I expected.
IT WAS SO CUTEEEEE!!
It was slowburn was so cutee!!
I started this book because it seemed silly because of the name, why was it actually so good, I was totally invested.
The first Willow Winters books I listened to were kinda bad but this was so much better.
Grace was likable, cute, and really relatable. I find it difficult to like fmc a lot but she was so sweet. She just seemed real with real problems. She had realistic goals that many women have and I think it gave a really sweet perspective on the value of creating a family.
As for Charlie, HIS NARRATOR WAS AMAZING, his voice, omg perfect. He was a sweet gentleman, he also just kinda seemed like a regular guy. He wasn’t overly protective, jealous, or anything like that, which was refreshing. I loved how his pov shifted and there was actually development of his pov based on things that actually happened.
It’s not five stars for a number of reasons:
- The name is too stupid/funny
- I listened to it on audio
- There was a lot of alcohol, people just seemed to be drinking alllll the time and I took issue with that (alcohol isn’t cool kids)
- It read like a serious book but from an outside perspective it kinda looks like a joke
IF YOU WANNA LISTEN TO THIS, ITS FREE ON YOUTUBE!!!
IT WAS SO CUTEEEEE!!
It was slowburn was so cutee!!
I started this book because it seemed silly because of the name, why was it actually so good, I was totally invested.
The first Willow Winters books I listened to were kinda bad but this was so much better.
Grace was likable, cute, and really relatable. I find it difficult to like fmc a lot but she was so sweet. She just seemed real with real problems. She had realistic goals that many women have and I think it gave a really sweet perspective on the value of creating a family.
As for Charlie, HIS NARRATOR WAS AMAZING, his voice, omg perfect. He was a sweet gentleman, he also just kinda seemed like a regular guy. He wasn’t overly protective, jealous, or anything like that, which was refreshing. I loved how his pov shifted and there was actually development of his pov based on things that actually happened.
It’s not five stars for a number of reasons:
- The name is too stupid/funny
- I listened to it on audio
- There was a lot of alcohol, people just seemed to be drinking alllll the time and I took issue with that (alcohol isn’t cool kids)
- It read like a serious book but from an outside perspective it kinda looks like a joke
IF YOU WANNA LISTEN TO THIS, ITS FREE ON YOUTUBE!!!
August 12, 2020
This was a first standalone book from Willow Winters I’ve read. I like her as an author but the two books haven’t wowed me and this one kept in the same fashion.
The story is about Grace who frequently visits a bar after work so she can see the owner, Charlie. He’s nice, sweet and totally single. They’ve developed a great rapport. Grace has always wondered why Charlie is single and what happened to him. While Charlie tries to continue to keep the same dynamic, something slowly changes between them.
The story was ok. To me, it wasn’t grabbing but just a cute story. This is something to read if you don’t want too much drama but something fun. The sex scenes were good and Willow did a great job with description. I just couldn’t connect with the characters all that well. If you are looking for a light and cute read, I would recommend it.
The story is about Grace who frequently visits a bar after work so she can see the owner, Charlie. He’s nice, sweet and totally single. They’ve developed a great rapport. Grace has always wondered why Charlie is single and what happened to him. While Charlie tries to continue to keep the same dynamic, something slowly changes between them.
The story was ok. To me, it wasn’t grabbing but just a cute story. This is something to read if you don’t want too much drama but something fun. The sex scenes were good and Willow did a great job with description. I just couldn’t connect with the characters all that well. If you are looking for a light and cute read, I would recommend it.
July 25, 2020
On top of everything else I didn't like about this book, it has the absolute worst description of a penis that I've ever read in a romance novel: "...two soda cans stacked end to end."
First of all, nobody's schlong is really that big. Second, even if I'm wrong about that and this gargantuan penis does exist, that's the least sexy way possible to describe it. I am not attracted to a man because he has a big penis, and I am definitely not attracted to the idea of two soda cans stuffed into someone's jeans.
And that's a microcosm for a lot of my issues with the book. The situations don't make sense or aren't realistic, and then also aren't sexy. If I'm a lonely single thirty-year old woman who's having fertility issues, you want to guess who one of the last people on earth I would talk to them about would be? The hot bartender I have a crush on. (I mean, I wouldn't be telling any bartender, but especially not the hot one I have a crush on.)
If this is supposed to show me how close they are before their fake-then-maybe-real relationship starts, it doesn't, because HE'S A BARTENDER. YOU ARE PAYING HIM TIPS TO LISTEN TO YOUR PROBLEMS. The book doesn't even pretend to examine the customer/employee dynamic, the hot bartender is a totally fine target for the heroine's lust and it's totally okay that she starts hanging around the employees-only sections of the bar without explicit permission and no there couldn't possibly be any fallout for the business if this relationship tanks, why would you think that?
Another supposed-to-be-sexy-but-isn't situation: heroine paints an erotic picture, it's for sale at her friend's booth at an art fair. She calls him up, hey want to go on a fake date to this art fair? He sees the painting and buys it after finding out she painted it. She's embarrassed but turned on.
A) if you're that embarrassed by your work, why is it for sale in a public place? B) if you're not embarrassed in general but you didn't want Mr. Bartender seeing it, why did you bring him? C) if you allowed both of those conditions to be met because you actually did want him to see it, then why are you embarrassed at all? What am I supposed to get from this scene? Because it doesn't make sense.
The plot is a basic case of baby lust vs. commitment-phobia, and yeah, that's a thing, but the bartender doesn't even really get over his "I don't want to settle down" attitude. At one point (I forget whether this is during actual sex or just one of his fantasies) he's "cured" by wanting to give the heroine the baby she so desperately desires, and then poof! his issue is gone. There's no real self-examination, and his semi-tragic backstory to explain why he's anti-commitment doesn't really enter into it. It's just over! Time for a happy ending!
Even if this is a trope I actually wanted to read, this is a really poor example of it. Not recommended.
First of all, nobody's schlong is really that big. Second, even if I'm wrong about that and this gargantuan penis does exist, that's the least sexy way possible to describe it. I am not attracted to a man because he has a big penis, and I am definitely not attracted to the idea of two soda cans stuffed into someone's jeans.
And that's a microcosm for a lot of my issues with the book. The situations don't make sense or aren't realistic, and then also aren't sexy. If I'm a lonely single thirty-year old woman who's having fertility issues, you want to guess who one of the last people on earth I would talk to them about would be? The hot bartender I have a crush on. (I mean, I wouldn't be telling any bartender, but especially not the hot one I have a crush on.)
If this is supposed to show me how close they are before their fake-then-maybe-real relationship starts, it doesn't, because HE'S A BARTENDER. YOU ARE PAYING HIM TIPS TO LISTEN TO YOUR PROBLEMS. The book doesn't even pretend to examine the customer/employee dynamic, the hot bartender is a totally fine target for the heroine's lust and it's totally okay that she starts hanging around the employees-only sections of the bar without explicit permission and no there couldn't possibly be any fallout for the business if this relationship tanks, why would you think that?
Another supposed-to-be-sexy-but-isn't situation: heroine paints an erotic picture, it's for sale at her friend's booth at an art fair. She calls him up, hey want to go on a fake date to this art fair? He sees the painting and buys it after finding out she painted it. She's embarrassed but turned on.
A) if you're that embarrassed by your work, why is it for sale in a public place? B) if you're not embarrassed in general but you didn't want Mr. Bartender seeing it, why did you bring him? C) if you allowed both of those conditions to be met because you actually did want him to see it, then why are you embarrassed at all? What am I supposed to get from this scene? Because it doesn't make sense.
The plot is a basic case of baby lust vs. commitment-phobia, and yeah, that's a thing, but the bartender doesn't even really get over his "I don't want to settle down" attitude. At one point (I forget whether this is during actual sex or just one of his fantasies) he's "cured" by wanting to give the heroine the baby she so desperately desires, and then poof! his issue is gone. There's no real self-examination, and his semi-tragic backstory to explain why he's anti-commitment doesn't really enter into it. It's just over! Time for a happy ending!
Even if this is a trope I actually wanted to read, this is a really poor example of it. Not recommended.
March 18, 2017
I absolutely loved the description of this book, the whole pretending to be his girlfriend plot line is one of my favorites so I was excited to see where these authors was going to take it!
Charlie really played hard to get. I can't say that I loved it( but being in his head was fun, and sweet, even though he fought his feeling so hard.
Grace was so easy to connect with. Most women want what she wants so I think that it makes her easier to love. My heart broke for her but her sass never broke, she was strong and stubborn, but like her name, she had such beautiful grace.
I really enjoyed the characters and the plot. There really wasn't a whole lot of twist that came along with the story because the description is pretty much what you get but the chemistry between these characters was pretty awesome.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. There were many times that I laughed, and many times I was wondering what was gonna happen. The authors did an awesome job with alternating point of use, and I really felt like I was in the characters heads. 4 stars #2OCCJD
Charlie really played hard to get. I can't say that I loved it( but being in his head was fun, and sweet, even though he fought his feeling so hard.
Grace was so easy to connect with. Most women want what she wants so I think that it makes her easier to love. My heart broke for her but her sass never broke, she was strong and stubborn, but like her name, she had such beautiful grace.
I really enjoyed the characters and the plot. There really wasn't a whole lot of twist that came along with the story because the description is pretty much what you get but the chemistry between these characters was pretty awesome.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. There were many times that I laughed, and many times I was wondering what was gonna happen. The authors did an awesome job with alternating point of use, and I really felt like I was in the characters heads. 4 stars #2OCCJD
June 20, 2020
A very sweet SWEET read, full review on my BLOG -> CLICK HERE
March 12, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 STARS
Knocking Boots by Willow Winters is an EPIC read that will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!
I've recently listened to the audiobook and loved it as much as I did reading it the first time around. If you love small town romance that is sweet and sexy, then this is the one for you. I truly enjoyed the narration by Teddy Hamilton and Lidia Dornet. They did an amazing job of delivering Charlie and Grace's friends to lovers story! Knocking Boots is and EPIC audiobook that will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!
Knocking Boots by Willow Winters is an EPIC read that will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!
I've recently listened to the audiobook and loved it as much as I did reading it the first time around. If you love small town romance that is sweet and sexy, then this is the one for you. I truly enjoyed the narration by Teddy Hamilton and Lidia Dornet. They did an amazing job of delivering Charlie and Grace's friends to lovers story! Knocking Boots is and EPIC audiobook that will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!
December 14, 2022
There are so many fun-flirty-hot-fake dating in a small town romances - but not every story has the chemistry and pull as this one!! 4stars! I really enjoyed BOTH characters......this was such a simple, sweet, swoony little book and the dual narration made it even better! Perfect for a 2 day listen! disregard the annoying co worker that is constantly ruining the vibe and the fact that she becomes bridesmaid to a girl she's never met!!! Who wouldn't fall in love with Charlie??? - swoony!!
March 25, 2017
Wow
I give this book 5 stars. I couldn't put it down. PLease keep them coming. I love the storyline it was relatable.
I give this book 5 stars. I couldn't put it down. PLease keep them coming. I love the storyline it was relatable.
October 17, 2024
This book delivers exactly what it promises. A sweet, small town romance. This was a really cute read.
April 8, 2021
Meh. Not great, but kept me reading.
September 10, 2020
MAJOR Plot spoilers ahead. Read at your own risk.
This review is going to be rambling and all over the place so be prepared.
I have wanted to read a Willow Winters for quite awhile now because I have heard such great things about her as author. So when I saw this one with the synopsis it got me really excited, however about half way through the story I found myself a little disappointed because it wasn’t was I expected while reading this.
Upon reflection as I was marinating what I wanted to say in this review of why I didn’t quite connect with it like I was expecting to. I came to the realization that this story reminded me a lot of Getting Rowdy that I absolutely love and adore. It had a similar type of vibe where a majority of the story took place in a bar that the hero owned with the couple having those flirty/banter moments while in said bar. The difference between Getting Rowday and this one was that Getting Rowdy worked for me, and this one did not so that kind of colored my judgement a little bit because of that.
I did feel like the synopsis was a little misleading, which also lead to my disappointed. I was excited when the synopsis mentioned this was going to be a drunk bet type of setup where later Grace had to make sure she didn’t fall deeper and deeper in love with his as they pretended to have this fake relationship together. I found to be a very intriguing and interesting setup and made me wonder how it was going to play out in the story. It wasn’t exactly like that. Yes, there was the fake dating trope where Charlie and Grace pretended to be dating to get his family off his back and wouldn’t set him up at his sister’s wedding, but the thing that it wasn’t was a bet type of situation. It was more of she made a suggestion of pretending to date to get his family off his back, which he happily agreed to. So, there was really no bet. It wasn’t anywhere in the plot at all. It was a deal more than anything else, but drunken bet no. So that put me off a little bit because that was what I was expecting to get yet didn’t get it.
I did like that they had a pretty nice rapport between them, leading them to have a really great friendship between them. So, they got to know each other over a period time and got to understand one another. They had fun together. They enjoyed talking to each other. They flirted and had some great banter moments between them, which were funny and cute. I really liked that they liked spending time together whenever she came into his bar. It was very established that they liked, trusted, and really cared about each other.
But it was more than that because they were attracted to each other. I liked that because I could tell that even though they had easy parts in their friendship, there was also this tension between them that hid their attraction to each other. They each battled within themselves of why they couldn’t cross the line and take their friendship to the next level. So, there was some really nice push and pull moments between them with each having reasons of why they couldn’t give into one another. I liked seeing that struggle between them.
The reasons they couldn’t be together were valid reasons mainly what they both wanted out of life. Like Grace wanted commitment and a promise of a future and family while Charlie wanted to stay away from love and family and just wanted to have and nothing more. He even stated that he wasn’t ready to have children or a wife yet. It just wasn’t in the plans. I really appreciated that they knew what they wanted and what the other wanted out of life, which was why they didn’t pursue anything more than that. It was very clear where each of them where in life and didn’t want to settle for anything less or more than that. I appreciated that.
However what I didn’t appreciate was how Charlie knowing that Grace wanted more like love, a commitment, and a family, knowing he didn’t want the same went after her anyway. He was like “I know I shouldn’t do this, but I really, really want her and I can’t contain myself anyway so I’m going to go after her anyway, but just give her pleasure and nothing more and that should be enough.” What? That just didn’t not sit well with me at all. I thought he was being very selfish especially knowing what she wanted out of relationship and it wasn’t just fun games in the bedroom either. He kept saying it over and over to justify why he was going after her as hard as he was. If he had justify it so hard, then it should have clued him in that he shouldn't do it especially when he acknowledged that he was going to hurt her because he was unwilling to commit, and he still did it. Really? I get that it had been building between them over the course of time, and it was clear that she really wanted him too and had a choice of whether to give into him or not, but still for him to going in knowingly that he wasn’t going to commit knowing that was what she wanted and knew he was going to hurt her in the process just really set me off and annoyed me. It was so selfish on his part in order just to get his pleasure from her. Like, no. It would have been different if had been oblivious to what she wanted or never told him and he went after her hard because he wanted her badly then I would have been okay with it. But the fact he knew. No, I didn’t like that at all.
Once they did become physical their relationship kind of went downhill for me after that. Those scenes felt just about them slaking their lust for each other and nothing more. It was like their friendship had disappeared, and they were just confined to physical beings and nothing more. It almost felt like they were strangers. I didn’t feel the emotional connection between them like I did in the beginning. I didn’t feel an increase in intimacy and closeness between them as they were skin to skin. It just didn’t deepen anything in their relationship. Yes, they had great pleasurable moments together, and they were freaking hot as fire. I enjoyed them, but in opinion they were only brought physically closer and not emotionally closer like I wanted to happen. It was just really missing for me because there was just such a concentration on the pleasure aspects and nothing more. There could have been a moment there at the end when he stated he wanted to make love to her not just sleep with her, but that was a fade to black moment. I wanted to see that scene in detail like the others to show the balance between the the physical and emotional side of their relationship. It just wasn’t there for me. I didn’t connect to that side of their relationship.
Also another thing was he kind did a thing without asking her permission when I think he really should have asked because it wasn’t your run of the mill thing. Yes, she found pleasure in it, but it left a bad taste in my mouth. I think for that particular thing there needed to be either a discussion or at least a moment of consent. Again to me it showed just what he wanted not necessarily what she wanted, which came off as very selfish. It was just another thing I didn’t care for.
As for them falling in love with each other, I didn’t feel that a hundred percent. On her side, yes, but not on his side. It was like it did too quick of a turn around after his denial of wanting love and family for so long then to have that switch in him just seemed abrupt. He had to repeat that fifty million times not only to Grace, but to me as the reader, and there wasn’t a lot of indication that he changed his mind. Apparently he did because he got pissed off at Grace for not wanting him, which was not the case, and just faking this with him after he had all these feelings for her. How was she supposed to know that he changed his mind? He never told her that. She believed that he was just in for the fun and nothing more so she acted based on that assumption, yet he got mad at her when she didn’t just fall over him and into his arms. Grace was just trying to protect herself from the hurt that he knew he was going to inflict on her when he touched her the first time. So, that drove me nuts, and even when he did that I didn’t feel his deep love for her. Just I did’t feel any love at the back portion of the book. It just felt really abrupt and rush as he made his declaration to her. I just wasn’t feeling it.
Although I did appreciate some things from this story and not everything was bad, I did find myself disappointed and a little dissatisfied with the overall arc of the story. I thought I was going to enjoy this a lot more than I was going to especially from reading the synopsis. I liked the unrequited love that Grace had for Charlie. I liked they had a friendship between them before anything started. I liked their banter and flirty interactions one another. I liked the rapport between them was really good. However all those things that I liked about their relationship seemed to disappear once they became physical. Then focus became more about their lust and desire for one another than anything else. I needed it be be about both their emotional connection as well as their physical one, instead just the one. I needed those two blended in order for me to buy the love story between them. For me that all consuming love between them just didn’t come through at all because as I said they were only focus on their physical desire for another and not much else. There was just something missing between them for this to be a great love story. I wasn’t a fan of Charlie’s either. I felt like a lot of decisions were based off of pure selfishness, knowing what said selfishness would do to Grace, and that’s something someone does if someone cares about someone. I’m sorry. He just really rubbed me the wrong way at times. He had his cute moments especially in the beginning like calling her his sweetheart, but he really annoyed me too. Just this wasn’t my favorite romance.
Even though I didn’t care for this one, I will still try to give Willow Winters a shot in the future because I know people love her so I hope that one day I will love her too just this one wasn’t it for me for her.
This review is going to be rambling and all over the place so be prepared.
I have wanted to read a Willow Winters for quite awhile now because I have heard such great things about her as author. So when I saw this one with the synopsis it got me really excited, however about half way through the story I found myself a little disappointed because it wasn’t was I expected while reading this.
Upon reflection as I was marinating what I wanted to say in this review of why I didn’t quite connect with it like I was expecting to. I came to the realization that this story reminded me a lot of Getting Rowdy that I absolutely love and adore. It had a similar type of vibe where a majority of the story took place in a bar that the hero owned with the couple having those flirty/banter moments while in said bar. The difference between Getting Rowday and this one was that Getting Rowdy worked for me, and this one did not so that kind of colored my judgement a little bit because of that.
I did feel like the synopsis was a little misleading, which also lead to my disappointed. I was excited when the synopsis mentioned this was going to be a drunk bet type of setup where later Grace had to make sure she didn’t fall deeper and deeper in love with his as they pretended to have this fake relationship together. I found to be a very intriguing and interesting setup and made me wonder how it was going to play out in the story. It wasn’t exactly like that. Yes, there was the fake dating trope where Charlie and Grace pretended to be dating to get his family off his back and wouldn’t set him up at his sister’s wedding, but the thing that it wasn’t was a bet type of situation. It was more of she made a suggestion of pretending to date to get his family off his back, which he happily agreed to. So, there was really no bet. It wasn’t anywhere in the plot at all. It was a deal more than anything else, but drunken bet no. So that put me off a little bit because that was what I was expecting to get yet didn’t get it.
I did like that they had a pretty nice rapport between them, leading them to have a really great friendship between them. So, they got to know each other over a period time and got to understand one another. They had fun together. They enjoyed talking to each other. They flirted and had some great banter moments between them, which were funny and cute. I really liked that they liked spending time together whenever she came into his bar. It was very established that they liked, trusted, and really cared about each other.
But it was more than that because they were attracted to each other. I liked that because I could tell that even though they had easy parts in their friendship, there was also this tension between them that hid their attraction to each other. They each battled within themselves of why they couldn’t cross the line and take their friendship to the next level. So, there was some really nice push and pull moments between them with each having reasons of why they couldn’t give into one another. I liked seeing that struggle between them.
The reasons they couldn’t be together were valid reasons mainly what they both wanted out of life. Like Grace wanted commitment and a promise of a future and family while Charlie wanted to stay away from love and family and just wanted to have and nothing more. He even stated that he wasn’t ready to have children or a wife yet. It just wasn’t in the plans. I really appreciated that they knew what they wanted and what the other wanted out of life, which was why they didn’t pursue anything more than that. It was very clear where each of them where in life and didn’t want to settle for anything less or more than that. I appreciated that.
However what I didn’t appreciate was how Charlie knowing that Grace wanted more like love, a commitment, and a family, knowing he didn’t want the same went after her anyway. He was like “I know I shouldn’t do this, but I really, really want her and I can’t contain myself anyway so I’m going to go after her anyway, but just give her pleasure and nothing more and that should be enough.” What? That just didn’t not sit well with me at all. I thought he was being very selfish especially knowing what she wanted out of relationship and it wasn’t just fun games in the bedroom either. He kept saying it over and over to justify why he was going after her as hard as he was. If he had justify it so hard, then it should have clued him in that he shouldn't do it especially when he acknowledged that he was going to hurt her because he was unwilling to commit, and he still did it. Really? I get that it had been building between them over the course of time, and it was clear that she really wanted him too and had a choice of whether to give into him or not, but still for him to going in knowingly that he wasn’t going to commit knowing that was what she wanted and knew he was going to hurt her in the process just really set me off and annoyed me. It was so selfish on his part in order just to get his pleasure from her. Like, no. It would have been different if had been oblivious to what she wanted or never told him and he went after her hard because he wanted her badly then I would have been okay with it. But the fact he knew. No, I didn’t like that at all.
Once they did become physical their relationship kind of went downhill for me after that. Those scenes felt just about them slaking their lust for each other and nothing more. It was like their friendship had disappeared, and they were just confined to physical beings and nothing more. It almost felt like they were strangers. I didn’t feel the emotional connection between them like I did in the beginning. I didn’t feel an increase in intimacy and closeness between them as they were skin to skin. It just didn’t deepen anything in their relationship. Yes, they had great pleasurable moments together, and they were freaking hot as fire. I enjoyed them, but in opinion they were only brought physically closer and not emotionally closer like I wanted to happen. It was just really missing for me because there was just such a concentration on the pleasure aspects and nothing more. There could have been a moment there at the end when he stated he wanted to make love to her not just sleep with her, but that was a fade to black moment. I wanted to see that scene in detail like the others to show the balance between the the physical and emotional side of their relationship. It just wasn’t there for me. I didn’t connect to that side of their relationship.
Also another thing was he kind did a thing without asking her permission when I think he really should have asked because it wasn’t your run of the mill thing. Yes, she found pleasure in it, but it left a bad taste in my mouth. I think for that particular thing there needed to be either a discussion or at least a moment of consent. Again to me it showed just what he wanted not necessarily what she wanted, which came off as very selfish. It was just another thing I didn’t care for.
As for them falling in love with each other, I didn’t feel that a hundred percent. On her side, yes, but not on his side. It was like it did too quick of a turn around after his denial of wanting love and family for so long then to have that switch in him just seemed abrupt. He had to repeat that fifty million times not only to Grace, but to me as the reader, and there wasn’t a lot of indication that he changed his mind. Apparently he did because he got pissed off at Grace for not wanting him, which was not the case, and just faking this with him after he had all these feelings for her. How was she supposed to know that he changed his mind? He never told her that. She believed that he was just in for the fun and nothing more so she acted based on that assumption, yet he got mad at her when she didn’t just fall over him and into his arms. Grace was just trying to protect herself from the hurt that he knew he was going to inflict on her when he touched her the first time. So, that drove me nuts, and even when he did that I didn’t feel his deep love for her. Just I did’t feel any love at the back portion of the book. It just felt really abrupt and rush as he made his declaration to her. I just wasn’t feeling it.
Although I did appreciate some things from this story and not everything was bad, I did find myself disappointed and a little dissatisfied with the overall arc of the story. I thought I was going to enjoy this a lot more than I was going to especially from reading the synopsis. I liked the unrequited love that Grace had for Charlie. I liked they had a friendship between them before anything started. I liked their banter and flirty interactions one another. I liked the rapport between them was really good. However all those things that I liked about their relationship seemed to disappear once they became physical. Then focus became more about their lust and desire for one another than anything else. I needed it be be about both their emotional connection as well as their physical one, instead just the one. I needed those two blended in order for me to buy the love story between them. For me that all consuming love between them just didn’t come through at all because as I said they were only focus on their physical desire for another and not much else. There was just something missing between them for this to be a great love story. I wasn’t a fan of Charlie’s either. I felt like a lot of decisions were based off of pure selfishness, knowing what said selfishness would do to Grace, and that’s something someone does if someone cares about someone. I’m sorry. He just really rubbed me the wrong way at times. He had his cute moments especially in the beginning like calling her his sweetheart, but he really annoyed me too. Just this wasn’t my favorite romance.
Even though I didn’t care for this one, I will still try to give Willow Winters a shot in the future because I know people love her so I hope that one day I will love her too just this one wasn’t it for me for her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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