Liberty Bay

by Karis Walsh

Wren Lindley loves her low-tech life far off the grid near the small Pacific Northwest town of Poulsbo, Washington. Her world is untouched by the latest anything until the day social media star Gina arrives to help her market her horse farm…and brings an unexpected and irresistible electricity into Wren’s life.
Influencer Gina Strickland always has her focus forward, toward the hottest trend and the newest way to make a splash. Her glamorous on-screen persona has made her a success, but when her real identity is leaked and threats ensue, she needs a temporary hideout. Wren’s isolated farm sounds like the perfect refuge until Gina discovers just how far off the grid it really is. With this much downtime, how is she supposed to distract herself from the sparks flying between her and tantalizing Wren?
On the shores of Liberty Bay, far from the buzz of social media feeds, can Wren and Gina find a way to forge a real-world connection?

Genres: Contemporary / Romance

Genres: LGBT, Romance, Dogs, Lesbian, Lesbian Fiction, Horses, Contemporary Romance

235 pages, Paperback

First published January 12, 2021

About the author

Karis Walsh is a native of the Pacific Northwest and an adopted citizen of Texas. When she isn’t wrapped up in a book—either reading or writing one—she spends her time with her animals, playing music on her viola or violin, or hiking among the prickly pears.

Reviews

[Jude Silberfeld-Grimaud · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ – Karis Walsh‘s books are hit-or-miss for me, and while this one is not as much of a miss as for other reviewers, it’s not a huge hit either.

Gina is an influencer, the internet is her safe place. Until a disgruntled follower doxes her, forcing her to lay low, at least temporarily. Wren loves her life off the grid, with her horses and not much else. She needs to find a way to pay her bills, however, so when her friend and accountant Dianna sends Gina to help her set up a marketing strategy to bring more students her way, Wren has no choice but to welcome her.

I was wary at first of the whole social media influencer thing but I really liked how the author wrote Gina. She’s not in the least shallow or superficial, she takes her work very seriously and I can see how, after the childhood she’s had, she would care so much about her career and her life in the city. I also like that Wren is as wary as I was at first but quickly learns there’s more to Gina than meets the eye (what meets the eye seems quite nice too).

Gina and Wren couldn’t be more different, and it’s what makes them perfect for each other. They’re both sweet and respectful of the other’s choices and wants. I like the way Walsh writes the inevitability of the first kiss and all that comes after.

The writing, however, is a bit repetitive, as if the author felt the need to insist on why her characters should resist the attraction. And once they do get together, the focus is, once again, on how they want different things (or think they do). I would have liked a little more of their time together as a couple beyond the physical aspects.

If you’ve never read Karis Walsh’s novels, I’d recommend Sit. Stay. Love., which was one of my favourite books last year.

ARC provided to Les Rêveur for an honest review.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liberty Bay by Karis Walsh is a gentle and easy to read romance. It’s just thing I needed to read considering what is going on in real life lately.
The author gave this story the perfect setting, a horse farm located near a small town in Northwest Washington State. The description of this place alone drew me to the story and made me want to go there in real life.

The characters kind of remind me of the old fairy tale about the city mouse and the country mouse. Gina Strickland is the city mouse character since her goal in life is to live in Seattle and make her living being an internet/blog personality. Her life revolves around high tech. When her real identity is posted online by a stalker, she has to retreat to Wren Lindley’s horse farm until the stalker is caught. Wren (the country mouse character) hates anything to do with high tech, but the there is an almost instant attraction between the two women, even as they both try to resist it. How could these two very different people fall in love?

I connected with these characters quickly. I enjoyed how they interacted with each other, especially their conversations. They had this gentle teasing quality as they communicated that was just adorable and often funny. It helped them to be more realistic in the tale, and made the overall story more entertaining.

I really enjoyed reading this lovely romance. If you need a novel that will give you a little break from reality and take you into a beautiful world with a sweet romantic tale, then try this book.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one didn’t quite work for me unfortunately.

Wren lives a quiet life on her farm, training horses and free from technology. She’s experiencing money difficulties and prefers to live by a barter system. Her accountant encourages her to find new avenues for income to ensure that she gets to keep the farm she enjoys so much.

Gina is a social media influencer. When she experiences a cyber threat and her identity and residence are leaked to the general public she begins the search for a new place to live and alternate sources of income. She answers the advert to help Wren with her publicity.

I really liked both characters - separately. Both are written really well, and their respective careers and feelings are explored in depth. I just couldn’t see them together. Whilst we’re told they have this instant connection and feelings for each other - I didn’t feel it. The reasons why they couldn’t be together also felt very repetitive as we hear it from both of them, repeatedly. When they do get together there’s very little discussion of them being a couple outside of the bedroom.

This had so much potential and I’m sad I didn’t enjoy it more. The setting is depicted really well - both Seattle itself and Wren’s farm. There’s also plenty of animals providing amusement which I really enjoyed.

I think romance fans will probably find something to enjoy in this book, but if you’re new to Walsh’s work I’d probably recommend starting elsewhere.

I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[pipsqueakreviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I had a dollar every time I read the words "edit me out", I'd be rich.

I struggled to get through this one, which was a shame because I started this book on a grueling day and needed some respite from the world just like what social media influencer Gina needed when she became a victim of doxing. Wren was actually nice even though she tried not to be when Gina arrived at Wren's horse farm with the intention of being hired to market the farm through social media in exchange for temporary housing. And I enjoyed how considerate Wren was even when Gina and her social media feeds turned her isolated life in the farm upside down. And I loved their banter.

But that was about it, and I nearly gave up on the book after that because of how repetitive it was. I understand how much the author wanted to show us that Gina and Wren were polar opposites but Wren's constant whining about technology and Gina's jibes about how old-fashioned Wren was became stale after a while. And if I had a dollar each time I read the words "edit me out" (of Gina's online videos) from Wren, I'd be rich. We were constantly reminded of how big a technophobe Wren was. And honestly, Wren was worse than my 90 year old grandma. It was a pain because Gina's one job there was to create a social media account for Wren to market her horse farm. So imagine that.

The worst for me was how both Gina and Wren were convinced right from the start that they had no future together in a long-distance relationship without even discussing it with each other. And their reasons for why things wouldn't work out even though commute to the city was only an hour away was a joke to me and it just showed how inflexible they really were. So basically, they made an issue out of a non-issue.

This is my first book by the author and I feel that I should give her other books a shot to determine what her writing style is like. But for now, I know I didn't enjoy this book as much as I should have.

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Lexxi Kitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tend to enjoy books by this author, though my ratings do not seem to line up that well with the overall ratings for the books I've read by them. And that trend continues with this book here, which I seemed to love, while others were more meh about.

Let's see, this is the fifteenth book I've read by this author (one being a short story collection that included a short story by this author), and the fifth one I've given 5 stars to on GoodReads. And, to add the other extreme, there's at least one book I've rated 2 stars.

This is a multiple point of view book that follows a media influencer (one of the few books I've read with that type of character), and an owner of a horse farm that also competes in horse shows and is a trainer/instructor.

To boil things down to a few lines: someone has doxed the media influencer, Gina, and so she needs to change her address. The horse farmer, Wren, has been informed that she needs to find some way to make more money as her finances are currently horrible (told to her by her money manager/accountant who pays for her boarding of her horse with Wren, and the training through bartering - exchanging her own services, money management, for the boarding/training). Gina needs some place away from Seattle, and Wren needs a media influencer . . . and she likes to barter instead of pay, and she has an apartment in her barn.

Now, it should be noted, that Wren is quite reluctant to: add more customers/students, and really doesn't want someone living on her land. But . . . she's willing to help Gina. Gina, for her part, grew up in a small town in Washington, and doesn't want anything to do with returning to a small town in Washington, but she needs a place to stay and so . . . (also, she's a lot more capable of interacting with people virtually rather than in person . . . for reasons).

I really liked the chemistry on display between the two characters, and the somewhat slow development of their relationship. And the bumps and hiccups that impacted the relationship seemed reasonable.

Rating: 4.75

April 15 2021

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish that I could give a longer review than what is coming, but I can't. I have read a couple of Walsh's other romances with Sit. Stay Love being the best for me. I did not connect with Liberty Bay and I struggled to get through this one. What I didn't get was why would each character spend more time talking to themselves instead of actually talking to each other. I became detached early in the book and found this one slow and dull. I really hate to give a bad review. It did seem like a well written book on the technical side of things. I just didn't connect with it.

2 stars

This arc was provided by netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.

[MJSam · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a fan of Karis Walsh, but this wasn’t her best. For some reason, it just didn’t gel for me. This is an opposites attract story featuring Wren, who owns a horse farm and lives off the grid, and Gina, a social media influencer who is being stalked and needs a safe place to stay. Wren needs help building a social media presence, so Gina comes to stay with her.

I honestly couldn’t warm to Gina at all. I don’t get the whole social media influencer thing at all, can’t honestly think of a more superficial and self-centred way to make a living and nothing in this book convinced me otherwise. Wren was almost unbelievable in how far opposite Gina she was technology wise. I also didn’t really feel any chemistry between them, so the relationship never really took off for me.

There’s some nice supporting characters, and the banter between the leads was amusing in places, but there’s a lot (too much) of introspection from the MCs, which didn’t help with making the characters appear fully drawn. It’s an ok read, but I’d recommend Sit. Stay. Love. or Set the Stage over this. 3 stars.

[Jo reece · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5
I'm afraid this story wasn't for me. It was lacking something, it was just a little too plain and simple for what I love to include when I'm reading a romance story. There seems to be little romance, a lot of banter between the 2 main characters, which I do like in a book, but that was about it. There was a lack of description too, whether it was to do with places/area and/or of the people in the storyline. This is just me tho... I like my books with plenty of information, lots of chemistry, and reasons behind the storyline, laughter... emotion.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn��t really click with this one. I like the setting, both characters, the story, but them together? There is just something there that doesn’t work. I had a hard time getting into this book and I don’t really know why, I know somethings why I didn’t work for me, but it’s no reason to net get immersed in the story.

Wren is a quiet character who lives her life as off the grid as she can, no technology for her, she doesn’t even really like the land line she has. She likes barter deals and just getting by and dressage (which really isn’t my thing). Gina couldn’t be more opposite, an influencer living in Seattle, she fled her small town life to enjoy the anonymity of the city and explore her creative talents. Wren has a couple of friends/ clients where Gina has no real life friends, really only one friend, and they have never even met. Gina needs a place to live for a while when the police find her cyberstalker, Wren needs someone to help her develop some marketing materials and an online presence.

Karis Walsh writes lovely romances in which characters just click. She writes about instant attraction between Gina and Wren but I just don’t see it. The characters and their feelings are really wel fleshed out, but they just don’t mix for me. Their banter, actually all the dialogue, is the best part of this book. But seeing as it is similar for all the interactions Wren has I think it’s just the general tone, a tone I like. The way Walsh describes the farm and the surrounding towns is lovely, it transports you right to the scene. The saving grace for this book really is talent Walsh has for setting the scene and writing good dialogues and fleshed out characters.

*ARC received in exchange for a voluntary and honest review*

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are so many social media stars/influencers in the world now, that it was interesting to see that profession make it to the pages in a lesfic romance. I really felt for Gina and her loss of self as she had to leave her world behind. Of course, that led her to the ranch of one (ice queen?) Wren.

Wren likes her life the way it is. Not interested in changing anything, even though she needs to in order for her business to stay afloat.

Where this book shined most was the flirting and banter.

[Domi · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off: Karis Walsh always entices me with superb descriptions of beautiful nature and makes me want to pack my bags for a more rustic environment. In this case her setting on a farm with wide vistas and a ' simple' life without all the digital equipment surrounding us is trying to seduce me. (In all honesty I will manage for a vacation but I also enjoy my digital toys).
Normally I really enjoy her books, but this one fell a bit flat...the interactions between Gina and Wren were fun and I enjoyed their banter, but there wasn't enough of it. Both characters were talking a lot in their heads and the developing relationship felt almost skipped over. They went from a kiss to acting like girlfriends and the jump to several weeks further and spending every night together felt weird too. I actually went to see if I skipped some pages by accident.
In all honesty: I finished the book and enjoyed certain parts of it and the storyline was okay too, but if you haven't read other books by Walsh I recommend you go find those cause they are a much better showcase of the potential of this writer.

***An ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for a honest review ***

[Bee Sherrard · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started reading this book I admit I was looking for a simple romance. Something I could read and enjoy. You know a book exactly like this one by Ms Walsh.
Gina Strickland was making a go of it, or so it seemed. Her following online has been growing as she spends her time writing about her life while promoting the products her sponsors wanted her followers to perhaps go out and buy their wares. This is the type of career Gina dreamed about while growing up in a small town where she constantly put down. She got to make some ‘friends’ that she didn’t have to meet. Meeting new people was hard for someone as shy as Gina. That was until she started getting threatening feedback from some nut who was following her blog. She has to get out of Seattle and give the police time to find and stop the threats.
Wren Lindly lives in the small community of Poulsbo, Washington. She has gotten away from her family, not because she didn’t love them, it was more like they were always so wrapped up in their careers working with promoting their apps. Sure they made lots of money but all it meant was less time spent with Wren. Horses were her escape. She loves them, working with them preparing them for the ring, showing off their talents. She had a few clients wanting to learn how to handle a horse but not enough to keep her farm afloat. When a friend suggested finding a way to promote her business using computers but that would mean working with them. Something she just refused to do.
Wrens friend Dianna knew she needed more money coming in if she wanted to keep her small farm. When she suggested finding Wren some help, Wren didn’t know she was also expected to find a place for this woman to work but also a place to live. Now Gina was at her farm. How was she ever going to handle this.
Ms Walsh tells us exactly how she will do it by writing about two women who are both very likable. What we get is a fun, nicely paced read. Very enjoyable.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books

[Ameliah Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY 800th REVIEW!!

Gina is an internet influencer living in Seattle WA. Having grown up in a very close minded small town where her life was miserable, she vows to make her life in the city a success. She loves posting video blogs about all sorts of things and is gaining in popularity, her life is good. When something happens to throw her whole life into chaos, she needs a place to lay low for a while... Wren owns a horse farm on Liberty Bay WA. In addition, she teaches riding lessons, boards horses and competes in shows. She hates technology and prefers a simple way of life where services are often traded and she is left alone more often than not. However, if she wants to keep her farm, she really needs more revenue which means new clients, and according to her accountant that means advertising… on the… gasp…web! Shudder!! Despite what they want out of life, the two women need each other, at least for now but what happens when sparks fly between the woman who hates technology and the woman who hates small town living…

I am going to be upfront about this… Karis Walsh books make me happy. They are filled with great scenery, beautiful animals, wonderful women and lots of emotions. This book did not let me down and hit all these marks and more. I loved the story line, it was not hard to imagine this scenario could actually happen, the setting is perfect for me, I love farms, especially when they have horses and dogs! The characters are genuine, complex and very easy to care about. They are so stubborn but have so much compassion and depth. I loved watching them get to know each other and learn more about how the other half lived and why they liked that lifestyle. Of course I ADORED the romance BUT I would really have liked more about them becoming a couple… It seemed a bit rushed but I still really enjoyed it and the ending practically perfect! This calm and serene story was the perfect balm to soothe me after a rough few days but it’s a great read for anytime. If you will excuse me, Im off to read another of Ms Karis’ special stories!

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. Wren Lindley enjoys her low tech lifestyle. She does not think she needs tech to run her horse training school, that is until her accountant thinks she needs to be making more money to be able to support her, so she tries to enlist someone who will help with her personality online. She finds Influencer Gina Strickland, who is willing to help in exchange for room and board. Gina is running away from a stalker in Seattle and just wants to be in an area that is quiet and is hard to find. She finds Wren's farm the perfect place. What she did not take into account was that Wren would be beautiful and distracting. Wren is exactly what she didn't need. Gina wants to get back to the city when the stalker is caught and go back to living her city lifestyle.

I enjoyed this novel. I thought their romance felt a little fast and forced in the beginning. I enjoyed how their relationship evolved throughout the novel, although I thought it felt as if they kind of went from zero to 60 very quickly. I thought both characters interacted fine, even if they were complete opposites when it came to technology and certain aspects of their lives. I am not sure I would recommend this novel. I thought it was average and I kept waiting for it to get a little bit better. It was just a fine novel, not bad but not great either.

[KarenC · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love the way Karis Walsh writes. Her books are always set in the most beautiful locations and I can always easily visualize them from her descriptions. Her prose is just lyrical and pleasant to read.

This is an opposites attract, city-vs-country, sweet romance with a fascinating premise. Apparently, I had no prior knowledge of the life of an "influencer", but there was a ton of research done and it was so interesting to read. Gina and Wren become a part of each other's lives just when they need each other most, then they are each secretly bowled over by the other. This is not the book you want to read if you're looking for super-hot, richly detailed sex scenes, but for me it totally worked here. Also, I love the cover and font and think it adds a lot.

I'm never disappointed when I pick up a story by Karis Walsh.

[nutmeg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wren wrinkled her nose. “I’d prefer to remain a mystery.”
“All right. Maybe your viewers will be able to identify the person who buys this place after you go bankrupt.”

Wren Lindley’s horse farm is in need of funds. Without knowledge and unwilling to have anything to do with social media, she is forced to engage Gina Strickland, a social media influencer to aid her cause.

Gina Strickland is in need of a place to hide. A victim of doxing, she was forced to leave Seattle to escape the threats and ended up living in and marketing a horse farm for an owner who finds social media intrusive.

The main characters met under circumstances where they were forced out of the comfort zones to work with each other. Wren loves her privacy, horses and the quiet of the countryside while Gina loves her job, the spontaneity of it and the city. While stuck in uncomfortable situations, the characters’ beliefs were challenged and in the midst of rediscovering beauty in different perspectives, love came knocking. With Wren reticent to technology and Gina eager to return to the life she envisioned, the couple found themselves at an impasse.

I enjoyed the book, and am reminded that even as the norm of our times, social media could be the catalyst but also the pitfall of life.

I just reviewed Liberty Bay by Karis Walsh. #LibertyBay #NetGalley

[Aleana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wren loves her quiet stable life she doesn’t care for social media or the internet but when her friend and accountant Dianne tells her that her farm is failing and that she needs to advertising what she does at her horse farm to get more people to learn riding and about horses.

Gina is influencer she loves what she does but when she is cyberstalking and reveals things about her life she has get away quick until the threat is gone. When she get contact to help advertise a horse farm she decides this maybe a great place to hide and also help Wren with her horse farm.

Wren is reluctant to do anything with the internet you’ll find out why that is as Gina helps her they both didn’t count on the attraction between them as they work together. As they give into their feelings they both wonders will it last with Gina set on returning to Seattle and Wren wanting her quiet life back but will they realize what they need might just be each other.

This was a good read.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

[Jennabeebs79 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm always excited when Karis Walsh publishes another book! This book, like all of her others, includes beautiful descriptions of the Pacific Northwest, which I really appreciate. I loved the witty banter between Wren and Gina, but honestly, the rest of the book was quite boring. There really wasn't much for the reader to grab onto and run with. I knew there was going to be a HEA and a few times I wanted to quit reading altogether because I didn't really care, but kept reading because I love this author and wanted to see how she tied everything with the doxer went. This is a good book but not nearly as good as some of her other books.

I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karis Walsh is solidifying herself as my go-to author when I want a touching romance filled with smart, witty, grown-ups. Liberty Bay has just the right amount of angst, good pacing, sweet romance and relationship building, and characters I can relate to and believe in. I loved these two women together.

I know this is a short review but I can sum up my feelings about the book simply by saying I loved the story, the setting, and Gina and Wren. Now I wait for the next release by Ms. Walsh.

Thanks to BSB and NetGalley for the ARC. It was nice to wrap my 2020 reading with this lovely novel.

[Rosi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is good enough, it’s one of which I usually enjoy reading, but I have to say I didn’t like it as much as it could basically because there’s too much hesitation and too little interaction between the two women who star in it. And that's a shame because the two of them have made a very good couple and the little they interact has been wonderful. But the fact that they are so seldom together throughout the story makes their ultimate relationship too unrealistic.

The approach has almost everything, two beautiful women inside and out, single, who for painful circumstances for one of them meet a little casually and connect instantly. Gina is a woman a little traumatized by her childhood in a small rural setting, from which she fled as soon as she could to live in a big city like Seattle. Wren is a woman who has apparently always lived in an area far from big cities and technology, dedicated in body and soul to horse training and dressage, much to her chagrin to train riders also for economic reasons. And for economic reasons that’s why Gina and Wren have to live together, as Gina in exchange for a place to live, just temporarily, has to help Wren promote her business so that it doesn't go bankrupt.

Gina is shy enough and Wren is too guarded, so initially the agreement must be not to interact too much with each other, Gina taking photos and videos to upload to social media and Wren to train and care for your horses. But then, unexpected facts in the past of the two women cause the relationship to change direction, but as I say with too little action and too much introspection and doubt.

It could have been a perfect romance and has only been left in a passable one. Perhaps a short story could have been more appropriate the way it has unfolded.

The publisher Bold Strokes Books was kind enough to provide me with an advanced reading copy via Netgalley for my honest review

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good fun read with likeable, interesting characters and a well paced plot. Ms Walsh uses the current zeitgeist of social media to develop a relationship between a social influencer and a technophobe with a horse farm. But maybe Wren knows more about computers than she’s letting on? Why is she so averse to the whole idea of her farm having a website? Gina needs somewhere to disappear to for a while after she is exposed and doxxed and it causes her to look at her goals but while she’s waiting on the police finding her stalker, she stays with Wren to help grow her business and bring in some much needed cash.

There is a lot going on here with Wren being an expert in dressage and teaching horsemanship and Gina being an expert in coding and SEO and putting things in front of thousands. She also has a community in the city and friends in other major cities so her farm visit is a short interlude - or is it?

Ms Walsh is a very good writer and her storytelling is showcased in this opposite attract romance.

I was given a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Dr E · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pace of this book is interesting. It’s kind of slow, but not dull slow, more of a walk than a cantor. In a romance this works, because the characters gradually unfold and wind into each other. Smooth rather than fireworks. This feeling of contentment was also reflected in the setting of the story, which sounds so nice. I can picture the yard, the barn, the loft, the horses and imagine myself there, relaxing.
The story could have been very different, as apart from the reason why one of the characters moved to a rural setting, the doxing wasn’t really a big part of the story. This possible menace wasn’t explored at all, which seemed a shame as it could have added an edgier vibe to the plot. There again that would have totally changed the ambience of the book and I think, right now, I’m glad the story was a gentle romance not a thriller. Soothing to the senses.

[Christian M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love it every time Karis Walsh describes the setting of her story. The way she depicts it will enable you to draw the place in your head with accuracy. I like how the characters were written. Both characters have amazing traits and the author really explored it in depth. The plot was interesting enough but the flow of the story didn’t hold much my attention. It was kind of redundant how the MCs kept on going to and fro on how they couldn’t work out and how they’re not good for each other. I didn’t feel much the “A-Ha!” moment that I’ve been waiting for between the MCs. Still it was a good read. 3.5 ⭐️s
Would recommend this one to others.

I received an ARC from the publishers through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gina is a Seattle based social media influencer who is doxxed by someone and now needs to protect herself. Wren owns a horse farm outside Seattle on Liberty Bay and needs to attract some additional clients. She is encouraged to hire a social media expert. She hires Gina and they barter a place for Gina to live for her social media expertise.

I liked learning about topics that I have little familiarity with including horse farms, social media influencing, and doxxing. I also thought the witty banter between Gina and Wren was highly enjoyable. 3.5 stars

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Lissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wren Lindley has a horse farm across the sound from Seattle. She loves her quiet life without computers and social media, she occasionally teaches horseback riding to a few students but that doesn't bring in enough income. Her accountant convinces her to change her archaic ways and engage an influencer to promote the farm. Gina Strickland, lives in and loves Seattle. She's worked hard to make her way up and is successful enough to earn an income as a full time influencer. She is devasted when her identity is leaked online and her life is now at risk and she is forced to go into hiding. Wren's farm is the perfect place to lay low for a while and build the online reputation of Wren's farm and that's when the sparks start flying.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were great, there was lots of chemistry between Wren and Gina, lots of witty conversations. In fact the banter between them was a definite highlight of the book. In general, social influencers are a self absorbed bunch and it's definitely an unlikely match for Wren but Karis Walsh ensures us that Gina is not that sort of person.  If you can believe that Gina is not aiming to be the next Kardashian than you can believe in Wren and Gina's relationship. Another solid read from Karis Walsh.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this, a much needed light read. It's an opposites attract romance, Gina is an online influencer who has to leave the city after being doxed, Wren lives off the grid across the bay from Seattle where she has a smallholding and trains horses. Wren needs to make more money and her friend suggests she has an online presence to her market her business, Gina is the best applicant and soon moves in above the horse barn. There is mutual attraction, however, it's the witty banter between them that sells this book, it is a different way to show a relationship building and I enjoyed that. I also really liked that they learnt from each other and that their opposing positions were a bonus and helped rather than hindered their relationship. Not sure i've seen that before, especially when Wren is sympathetic to Gina's experience rather than huffy about the online experience. The presentation of city life versus the quiet country life is also well argued, no secret which the author is promoting and you could see why! Lovely life enhancing story.

With thanks to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, quick, easy to read, romance. Gina lives in Seattle and works hard at being a social media influencer. When an online threat occurs she temporarily needs to relocate. Wren lets her move into an apartment in her barn in exchange for helping set up an online presence for her horse farm. Wren hates the internet and computers and is living a very organic life. But she needs to board more horses and teach lessons to keep her riding stables going.

Both characters are likable and they quickly develop an easy friendship. They both know the situation is only temporary but attraction is there. The talking is fun and playful. The conflict comes down to how much can they bend so they can follow their dreams. I felt the book got repetitive as they each kept thinking of reasons why it would never work out long-term instead of building on what could work. It was as if they never thought to discuss the future with each another. The book was on the mild side of steamy (PG-13) and had very little language.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gina Strickland is an influencer who needs a break and some time away from her current home. Wren Lindley loves her life in her off the grid horse farm. That is until the social media star Gina shrives on her farm to help her market it.

I really liked the start of this book. I thought Gina was very interesting and although the inner dialogue was a bit much, compared to the dialogue with others, I was interested enough to keep reading. Wren however, I found a bit hard to connect with. I also found the lack of actual interaction and the vast amount of inner dialogue/description was a bit too much for me. Eventually I was bore and I was just turning pages.

However, the author is a good writer and I have liked some of her other work. So, I'll be looking forward to her next book.

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[The Red Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Usually romances have a conflict. In this book, there isn't a big one. The one with the tech life and the one that doesn't want a digital life did not really made a big deal for me. What really comes in between Gina and Wren is the inability of living in the present and thinking about what comes next. Also, we spend more than half of the book reading about a romance that is steaming up and we expect it to boil, and when it does, the scene is very quick and suddenly they are drifting off to sleep.
There is something that annoyed me when reading it. I DO understand the meaning of having the name WREN for the book, but while reading the romance, more than once I read it as WHEN and had to read the sentence again, as the meaning did not come on the first time.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate to give a review that's not great. However this one was a bit slow for me but interesting at the same time. The banter between Wren and Gina were quite funny. For me that was the highlight of the book. The scenery was great and made you wish you could get a chance to go the farm and relax. Apart from these two things it fell a little flat in my opinion.


Thank you NetGalley, Bold Strokes Books Inc and Karis Walsh, Liberty Bay