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Sweet Side #2
Out on a Limb
Never work for your family.
Especially when that family consists of an octogenarian going through a mid-life crisis.
Now, instead of running Sweet Side Gardens, my grandad's popping little blue pills and sneaking into closets with my friends’ grandmas…
Leaving me to handle everything else.
And I was doing a pretty good job up until the night I found myself dangling from a tree.
Topless.
Unfortunately, there was only one man who could save me from the precarious position.
A sneakily sexy nerd with a set of abs that made my brain go stupid.
I’d been trying to get Andrew’s attention for months.
I finally had it.
But Andrew's attention wasn’t the only one focused on me. Someone else was watching every move I made.
Waiting to make a move of their own.
And Andrew might be the only one who can save me.
Again.
Out on a Limb is the hilariously hot follow up to Fish out of Water. The steam level is high, the angst level is low, and the happily ever after is guaranteed.
Especially when that family consists of an octogenarian going through a mid-life crisis.
Now, instead of running Sweet Side Gardens, my grandad's popping little blue pills and sneaking into closets with my friends’ grandmas…
Leaving me to handle everything else.
And I was doing a pretty good job up until the night I found myself dangling from a tree.
Topless.
Unfortunately, there was only one man who could save me from the precarious position.
A sneakily sexy nerd with a set of abs that made my brain go stupid.
I’d been trying to get Andrew’s attention for months.
I finally had it.
But Andrew's attention wasn’t the only one focused on me. Someone else was watching every move I made.
Waiting to make a move of their own.
And Andrew might be the only one who can save me.
Again.
Out on a Limb is the hilariously hot follow up to Fish out of Water. The steam level is high, the angst level is low, and the happily ever after is guaranteed.
ebook
First published September 24, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
September 29, 2021
“Fish out of Water,” the first book in this standalone series, was superb. Sadly, the F/U of Andrew and Collette was disappointing.
“You’re acting like a twenty-year-old fuckboy.” My granddad’s eyes widened.
#dead. Yes, the same witty shit fills the pages here, but something is way off with how this book was put together.
Okay, let’s get the nasty out of the way. Grammatical errors are everywhere! Commas appear to be enemy numero uno - stuck where they don’t belong and never where they actually belong.
Maybe if I’d told him he was being a selfish prick a year ago we wouldn’t be where we were right now. <<<
He’d pushed me past the point of no return and there was no stopping the ball he got rolling. <<<<<
Wilfred started to sputter, like an engine that couldn’t quite turn over.
As I continue, it becomes a love-hate relationship with the technical content. The ‘what’ is fab, but the wording is increasingly distracting. Here’s what I mean:
I immediately grabbed my own tits, just because it looked so uncomfortable, the way they were hanging there.
^^^ The visual of the scene should be hilarious, but my OCD is too distracted by the disjointed sentence for me to just enjoy it. Even readers without basic knowledge of grammar are likely to have readability issues. ^ That sentence should never have been so complicated ….. I immediately grabbed my own tits because the way hers were hanging there looked so uncomfortable.
Moving on….
Once you get over the sentence construction, the author’s witty wordsmith way is a sneak attack to your senses.
Cockocalypse, love interest chicken hero, being attacked by cocks, a cannibal cock pet… it’s all very clever play on words and the scenes.
”Bring him over to the dark side where everyone got cookies.”
^ Great sentence, but “got” should be gets.
“What sort of vagina voodoo did he just use on me?”
There are just a lot of really cute sentences to make you snort a smile.
PROBLEMS AND MORE PROBLEMS
1) I’m not getting the characters here….
Andrew? He doesn’t “get” emotions and normal basic human shit. If we are told once, we are told 2,656 times how inept he is with all things social and human. This isn’t just your run of the mill antisocial. No. The MMC’s character is described in a way the reader would think psychopath mixed with high-function autism. I can’t even get a physical lock on him other than red hair, tanned skin tone, and thick thighs. He once was fat. He once was skinny. Wtf is he now? Short? Tall? Muscular? Good looking? Average? No mannerisms. Why is he so inept at functioning through life? It’s never explained. The reader is simply told a million times that the “problem” exists. By the end, there’s zero closure to the origins or future of his problems and concerns.
Collette? She hasn’t made herself clear about wanting the MMC within the two years she’s chased him. She says she’s sexually aggressive, but her actions don’t match. Now, two years into wanting him and just as he decides she may be weird enough for him, she’s decided it’s too late to want him… even though she still wants him and tells him she wants him. <<< Yeah, if you’re scratching your head, then that makes two of us. The ‘it’s too late” mantra just disappears. Feels fake. Feels forced. She feels like the bipolar to match his psychopath autism.
2) The author isn’t taking me on a visual journey.
The dry humor makes me snort and laugh a little at what is going on, but these are the flattest characters ever when it comes to who they are. While the story and what’s going on around them is multicolored, the MCs are flat white monotone. It’s much like the disjointed sentences. Mismatched. Out of whack. As I read, my imagination isn’t envisioning anything… it’s bouncing across empty space to form nothingness. I have absolutely no visual concept of what the characters even look like. Red and blonde hair atop globs of clay still sitting in wrappers.
3) Details are sparse where they should be heavy and heavy where they should be sparse.
Lacking details plague the scenes. Motorcycle scene, for example… what kind is it? I’m not talking a six-page description here, but it’s rather hard to get into a scene if you can’t see them riding a Harley, crotch rocket, or whatever. He’s a nerdy, emo reclusive, horticulture geek, which begs knowing how he got into motorcycles? Why has he never had a passenger on it?
4) Suspense isn’t so suspenseful.
We all know who the bad guys are, and it’s easy to see the ‘why’ a mile away. Said ‘why’ is lame AF. The whole thing doesn’t play out in a believable way. Five years and NOTHING has her signature on it at work? Probate, wills, trusts, etc are involved in such matters… doesn’t just get shoved away in secret. Long story short - the suspense feels stitched into the story as a hair-brained afterthought.
5) The sexy is weak.
Sexual tension felt OTT and forced. The wait wasn’t worth the vanilla pudding IMHO. I expected something scorching the way the MMC kept putting it off as her not being ready. Instead, it was just insert D in V and scream OMG. Wham. Bam. Boo.
Another example on lacking details is his missing sex history. If he’s this dysfunctional with the opposite sex, then how did he become such a vagina voodoo artist?
6) Ending is abrupt and not fulfilling.
Again, we get zero conclusion to his emo problem. We get a HFN in cohabitation. We get zero outlook of how the Garden has been revitalized after the entire book bitches about how it’s been f’d up. It’s a half-ass wrap up of what happens to all the bad guys - kinda a shoulder shrug situation.
Overall
I did NOT get hearts reading this story. I did NOT connect with the romance, characters, or situation. The suspense was like a bad Andy Griffith episode taken over by the cartoon mafia. There were plenty of witty, cute, snort-able sentences to keep you reading the boring, repetitive, hyperbole surrounding it all. Needs an editor for technical writing. Ending left much to be desired. Disappointing compared to its predecessor. Next book is Helen, and I’m not in the least interested in her character.
“You’re acting like a twenty-year-old fuckboy.” My granddad’s eyes widened.
#dead. Yes, the same witty shit fills the pages here, but something is way off with how this book was put together.
Okay, let’s get the nasty out of the way. Grammatical errors are everywhere! Commas appear to be enemy numero uno - stuck where they don’t belong and never where they actually belong.
Maybe if I’d told him he was being a selfish prick a year ago we wouldn’t be where we were right now. <<<
He’d pushed me past the point of no return and there was no stopping the ball he got rolling. <<<<<
Wilfred started to sputter, like an engine that couldn’t quite turn over.
As I continue, it becomes a love-hate relationship with the technical content. The ‘what’ is fab, but the wording is increasingly distracting. Here’s what I mean:
I immediately grabbed my own tits, just because it looked so uncomfortable, the way they were hanging there.
^^^ The visual of the scene should be hilarious, but my OCD is too distracted by the disjointed sentence for me to just enjoy it. Even readers without basic knowledge of grammar are likely to have readability issues. ^ That sentence should never have been so complicated ….. I immediately grabbed my own tits because the way hers were hanging there looked so uncomfortable.
Moving on….
Once you get over the sentence construction, the author’s witty wordsmith way is a sneak attack to your senses.
Cockocalypse, love interest chicken hero, being attacked by cocks, a cannibal cock pet… it’s all very clever play on words and the scenes.
”Bring him over to the dark side where everyone got cookies.”
^ Great sentence, but “got” should be gets.
“What sort of vagina voodoo did he just use on me?”
There are just a lot of really cute sentences to make you snort a smile.
PROBLEMS AND MORE PROBLEMS
1) I’m not getting the characters here….
Andrew? He doesn’t “get” emotions and normal basic human shit. If we are told once, we are told 2,656 times how inept he is with all things social and human. This isn’t just your run of the mill antisocial. No. The MMC’s character is described in a way the reader would think psychopath mixed with high-function autism. I can’t even get a physical lock on him other than red hair, tanned skin tone, and thick thighs. He once was fat. He once was skinny. Wtf is he now? Short? Tall? Muscular? Good looking? Average? No mannerisms. Why is he so inept at functioning through life? It’s never explained. The reader is simply told a million times that the “problem” exists. By the end, there’s zero closure to the origins or future of his problems and concerns.
Collette? She hasn’t made herself clear about wanting the MMC within the two years she’s chased him. She says she’s sexually aggressive, but her actions don’t match. Now, two years into wanting him and just as he decides she may be weird enough for him, she’s decided it’s too late to want him… even though she still wants him and tells him she wants him. <<< Yeah, if you’re scratching your head, then that makes two of us. The ‘it’s too late” mantra just disappears. Feels fake. Feels forced. She feels like the bipolar to match his psychopath autism.
2) The author isn’t taking me on a visual journey.
The dry humor makes me snort and laugh a little at what is going on, but these are the flattest characters ever when it comes to who they are. While the story and what’s going on around them is multicolored, the MCs are flat white monotone. It’s much like the disjointed sentences. Mismatched. Out of whack. As I read, my imagination isn’t envisioning anything… it’s bouncing across empty space to form nothingness. I have absolutely no visual concept of what the characters even look like. Red and blonde hair atop globs of clay still sitting in wrappers.
3) Details are sparse where they should be heavy and heavy where they should be sparse.
Lacking details plague the scenes. Motorcycle scene, for example… what kind is it? I’m not talking a six-page description here, but it’s rather hard to get into a scene if you can’t see them riding a Harley, crotch rocket, or whatever. He’s a nerdy, emo reclusive, horticulture geek, which begs knowing how he got into motorcycles? Why has he never had a passenger on it?
4) Suspense isn’t so suspenseful.
We all know who the bad guys are, and it’s easy to see the ‘why’ a mile away. Said ‘why’ is lame AF. The whole thing doesn’t play out in a believable way. Five years and NOTHING has her signature on it at work? Probate, wills, trusts, etc are involved in such matters… doesn’t just get shoved away in secret. Long story short - the suspense feels stitched into the story as a hair-brained afterthought.
5) The sexy is weak.
Sexual tension felt OTT and forced. The wait wasn’t worth the vanilla pudding IMHO. I expected something scorching the way the MMC kept putting it off as her not being ready. Instead, it was just insert D in V and scream OMG. Wham. Bam. Boo.
Another example on lacking details is his missing sex history. If he’s this dysfunctional with the opposite sex, then how did he become such a vagina voodoo artist?
6) Ending is abrupt and not fulfilling.
Again, we get zero conclusion to his emo problem. We get a HFN in cohabitation. We get zero outlook of how the Garden has been revitalized after the entire book bitches about how it’s been f’d up. It’s a half-ass wrap up of what happens to all the bad guys - kinda a shoulder shrug situation.
Overall
I did NOT get hearts reading this story. I did NOT connect with the romance, characters, or situation. The suspense was like a bad Andy Griffith episode taken over by the cartoon mafia. There were plenty of witty, cute, snort-able sentences to keep you reading the boring, repetitive, hyperbole surrounding it all. Needs an editor for technical writing. Ending left much to be desired. Disappointing compared to its predecessor. Next book is Helen, and I’m not in the least interested in her character.
September 24, 2021
Every time I read a book that involves an atypical hero or heroine I do a major happy dance. When both the hero and heroine break the “normal” romance mold, you have my full and complete attention and adoration. Add in much loved characters from the previous book in the series, crazy funny interactions, and an unusual pet, consider me hooked. Once again Josie Watts pulls the reader into not only the storyline, but the circle of friends and girl gang supporting her main characters. Andrew is swoonworthy not just because of his looks, but also for his uniquely endearing personality. The author’s development of Andrew is accomplished beautifully through his words, thoughts, and actions, without resorting to stereotypes and overgeneralizations. I absolutely adored Collette. She’s the friend everyone wants- strong, independent, caring, and fiercely loyal to herself and her framily, without falling into the perfection model of romance heroines. The plot develops and moves quickly, building both the heat between Andrew and Collette and the mystery surrounding the newest scandal in Sweet Side. In true cozy rom-com fashion, Josie Watts brings elements of situational hilarity together with well-developed suspense to create a can’t-put-it-down story that I never wanted to end.
October 1, 2021
Rating: 3.5
I really wish the author had gone into more detail about Andrew and his past. I felt like she lined it all up for the audience to realize that he had some form of mental processing disorder but nothing was ever said about it. felt like this would have really benefited to the story and tied together a lot of loose ends.
I really wish the author had gone into more detail about Andrew and his past. I felt like she lined it all up for the audience to realize that he had some form of mental processing disorder but nothing was ever said about it. felt like this would have really benefited to the story and tied together a lot of loose ends.
December 6, 2024
This story was beyond frustrating. I’ve loved everything by this author… until this one.
The story made no sense, dragged on, and the romance had a very unsatisfying ending.
- no third act break up
- mature characters (not sure how old they are)
- neuro divergent MMC
- no OM/OW drama
- dual POV/HFN
-moderate spice :/
I liked Andrew and Collette as characters but I just felt like everything was left unresolved. The author spent what felt like 1000 pages on the silly mystery that shouldn’t have even been a mystery. I feel like she got confused, lost the thread, got tired, and then randomly ended the story. There were some funny lines and cute parts, but they didn’t add up to a satisfying whole. I did enjoy the chicken named Phillip. Lol.
Ok, so Andrew is a horticulturist at a garden in Florida that is owned by Colette’s old money family. Her grandma died a YEAR AGO and her grandad is running the place. Except he’s not and there’s some weird side plot w developers who bought the adjacent property and keep causing trouble (floods and chickens to name two.).
Andrew is clearly somewhere on the autism spectrum and didn’t feel worthy of Colette and was worried that she would eventually realize that he couldn’t fully understand her needs and/or communicate effectively w her. They go back and forth and forth and back. But we have no backstory for him. While they finally have a moment together, he does some kind of “voodoo vagina” magic, but where did he learn it?? He’s so bad at communicating but somehow has these powers? He was fat, then skinny, then hot. Huh? what? Why? I can’t picture him or Collette. We are given virtually no details on what they look like beyond that he has reddish brown hair and tan skin and she’s blond and curvy. Okkaaay.
Anyway, after all the push/pull I don’t know how they ended up. Is he happy? I want him confident and happy and I don’t know if he is. Does she feel confident and happy w him? 🤷🏻♀️. I gueeesss. I mean they’re living together… I really needed more closure on this. One more spicey scene between them with an actual conversation that made sense.
And the mystery… so dumb. How did this wealthy grandma not have a will? I feel like that would have solved ALL the problems. I was so bored with Alan and the creepy grandpa. When Collette was kidnapped, I literally groaned. For the love of everything, make it end already.
Anyway, this story left me both bored and frustrated. I wanted a real happily ever after and I got a barely HFN. Wah.
The story made no sense, dragged on, and the romance had a very unsatisfying ending.
- no third act break up
- mature characters (not sure how old they are)
- neuro divergent MMC
- no OM/OW drama
- dual POV/HFN
-moderate spice :/
I liked Andrew and Collette as characters but I just felt like everything was left unresolved. The author spent what felt like 1000 pages on the silly mystery that shouldn’t have even been a mystery. I feel like she got confused, lost the thread, got tired, and then randomly ended the story. There were some funny lines and cute parts, but they didn’t add up to a satisfying whole. I did enjoy the chicken named Phillip. Lol.
Ok, so Andrew is a horticulturist at a garden in Florida that is owned by Colette’s old money family. Her grandma died a YEAR AGO and her grandad is running the place. Except he’s not and there’s some weird side plot w developers who bought the adjacent property and keep causing trouble (floods and chickens to name two.).
Andrew is clearly somewhere on the autism spectrum and didn’t feel worthy of Colette and was worried that she would eventually realize that he couldn’t fully understand her needs and/or communicate effectively w her. They go back and forth and forth and back. But we have no backstory for him. While they finally have a moment together, he does some kind of “voodoo vagina” magic, but where did he learn it?? He’s so bad at communicating but somehow has these powers? He was fat, then skinny, then hot. Huh? what? Why? I can’t picture him or Collette. We are given virtually no details on what they look like beyond that he has reddish brown hair and tan skin and she’s blond and curvy. Okkaaay.
Anyway, after all the push/pull I don’t know how they ended up. Is he happy? I want him confident and happy and I don’t know if he is. Does she feel confident and happy w him? 🤷🏻♀️. I gueeesss. I mean they’re living together… I really needed more closure on this. One more spicey scene between them with an actual conversation that made sense.
And the mystery… so dumb. How did this wealthy grandma not have a will? I feel like that would have solved ALL the problems. I was so bored with Alan and the creepy grandpa. When Collette was kidnapped, I literally groaned. For the love of everything, make it end already.
Anyway, this story left me both bored and frustrated. I wanted a real happily ever after and I got a barely HFN. Wah.
September 27, 2021
We enter with Collette being furious at her grandpa for not taking their family business seriously, and this issue underscores the entire rest of the book. Sweet Side Gardens has been around for longer than Collette and her former love interest Andrew (I promise! She's not even interested anymore! I swear!) have been alive, but has meant something special to both of them for years. The death of Collette's grandma sent her grandpa off the rails (I say as if he hadn't already been one foot over long before then), and she has been having to pick up the slack for the past year. Just when everything's bad enough, a whole bunch of chickens appear, courtesy of the d-bags doing construction behind them. And all I'm going to say about that is that I LOVE Phillip. From there comes an attempt at revenge, which quickly turns into a mistake that leaves Andrew coming to her side. Little did they know how deep this was going to get them.
I liked that Collette came from a wealthy family, while Andrew was just your neighborhood plant guy who needed this job. It made him feel as though he was unworthy, even though, looking from Collette's perspective, that was nowhere near the case. Did I say I promised that he was the former love interest...? Regardless, I was unsure of who Andrew really was at times. Even though it was fun having those super out-of-character moments, it made my head spin a bit too much. Alternately, Collette stayed true to herself, even if Andrew's own head was spinning by what he thought were incredible revelations about her. While there were lines that I would have appreciated to be expanded on, or else just more about Andrew's past in general, I enjoyed seeing them both learn that there is more to a person than meets the eye. I also was really into when the plot moved to center around her grandma's money, where the underlying conflict takes hold.
There were so many funny and intense moments, much like the first book. I was happy to see those characters again (especially the old lady gang!), put in such a different situation than before, while sticking to the simmering romance as nefarious deeds are occurring around them.
I liked that Collette came from a wealthy family, while Andrew was just your neighborhood plant guy who needed this job. It made him feel as though he was unworthy, even though, looking from Collette's perspective, that was nowhere near the case. Did I say I promised that he was the former love interest...? Regardless, I was unsure of who Andrew really was at times. Even though it was fun having those super out-of-character moments, it made my head spin a bit too much. Alternately, Collette stayed true to herself, even if Andrew's own head was spinning by what he thought were incredible revelations about her. While there were lines that I would have appreciated to be expanded on, or else just more about Andrew's past in general, I enjoyed seeing them both learn that there is more to a person than meets the eye. I also was really into when the plot moved to center around her grandma's money, where the underlying conflict takes hold.
There were so many funny and intense moments, much like the first book. I was happy to see those characters again (especially the old lady gang!), put in such a different situation than before, while sticking to the simmering romance as nefarious deeds are occurring around them.
September 27, 2021
As seen on my blog (Jessie's Reading Corner):
“I swear I was sane when I woke up this morning, but somewhere between getting out of bed and lunchtime I’d lost at least a few of my marbles.”
This is just one of many hilarious quotes that are littered throughout Out on a Limb; another hysterical addition in Josie Watt’s Scandal in Sweet Side series. Similar to Fish Out of Water, in addition to the romance, you also have the reappearance from Sweet Side’s own Golden Girls who get up to no good while everyone is trying to figure out the latest mystery in Sweet Side Bay.
This book has only been out since Friday so I don’t want to spoil it but I loved Collette and Andrew in this. I thought they were a great couple! I loved that they understood, helped and encouraged each other! As mentioned earlier, this book would not nearly be as hysterical as it was without the reappearance of Sylvia and her girl gang of misfits. We also get introduced to the hero in the next book in Josie’s Scandal in Sweet Side series, Gabriel (book titled Hit or Miss) and the sparks were flying between him and Helen! I can’t wait to read their story next on March 18th!
If you have not read this book yet and are looking for a steamy rom com/cozy mystery, what are you waiting for? You can either buy it from Amazon or read it for free in KU.
“I swear I was sane when I woke up this morning, but somewhere between getting out of bed and lunchtime I’d lost at least a few of my marbles.”
This is just one of many hilarious quotes that are littered throughout Out on a Limb; another hysterical addition in Josie Watt’s Scandal in Sweet Side series. Similar to Fish Out of Water, in addition to the romance, you also have the reappearance from Sweet Side’s own Golden Girls who get up to no good while everyone is trying to figure out the latest mystery in Sweet Side Bay.
This book has only been out since Friday so I don’t want to spoil it but I loved Collette and Andrew in this. I thought they were a great couple! I loved that they understood, helped and encouraged each other! As mentioned earlier, this book would not nearly be as hysterical as it was without the reappearance of Sylvia and her girl gang of misfits. We also get introduced to the hero in the next book in Josie’s Scandal in Sweet Side series, Gabriel (book titled Hit or Miss) and the sparks were flying between him and Helen! I can’t wait to read their story next on March 18th!
If you have not read this book yet and are looking for a steamy rom com/cozy mystery, what are you waiting for? You can either buy it from Amazon or read it for free in KU.
March 29, 2024
“Is that a rooster?” “Yup.” Andrew went out the door, taking the giant bird with him. “Why is it so big?” Andrew glanced my way over his shoulder, his eyes crinkling at the edges. “Genetics.” I followed him as he continued to walk, doing my best to stay close, just in case another cock tried to ruin my day. Because that seemed to be the theme so far. I stopped, eyes going to the rooster in Andrew’s hand as what he said finally registered. “Did you just make a penis joke?”
Ok, Operation Cock Drop is an hilarious success!! I had so much fun reading Out on a Limb! If the scene above tells you anything, it’s that I’m a 12 year boy trapped in an old lady body. This book is FULL of penis jokes & I died laughing every time!
I love Josie Watts’s brand if humor. Her cast of characters are such a trip. And her MC’s Collette & Andrew are adorable & totally endearing. I enjoyed them immensely. There’s a bit of mutual pining & Collette unsuccessfully throws herself at Andrew, but he’s wasn’t confident at first in believing he was enough for her. But once he figured out Collette cared about him just as he is, holysmokes his alpha came out to play. Wheweee!
This is the second book of the series & both books are a total blast. They have a Janet Evanovich-Stephanie Plum vibe, which is always a winner in my view.
Ok, Operation Cock Drop is an hilarious success!! I had so much fun reading Out on a Limb! If the scene above tells you anything, it’s that I’m a 12 year boy trapped in an old lady body. This book is FULL of penis jokes & I died laughing every time!
I love Josie Watts’s brand if humor. Her cast of characters are such a trip. And her MC’s Collette & Andrew are adorable & totally endearing. I enjoyed them immensely. There’s a bit of mutual pining & Collette unsuccessfully throws herself at Andrew, but he’s wasn’t confident at first in believing he was enough for her. But once he figured out Collette cared about him just as he is, holysmokes his alpha came out to play. Wheweee!
This is the second book of the series & both books are a total blast. They have a Janet Evanovich-Stephanie Plum vibe, which is always a winner in my view.
October 4, 2021
I was so excited to start this after loving Fish Out of Water... But this story just wasn’t it. Not only did the first 80% of the book drag on wayyyy too long, but the main characters lacked chemistry and any meaningful conversation with one another.
As some other reviewers pointed out, there were so many plot holes left for the reader to fill in, such as how Collette’s grandma died, why she never had a public will set up, and what the root of Andrew’s lack of emotional intelligence was (my guess is high-functioning autism).
I just felt very bored for most of the story, and so when the last 20% suddenly bombarded me with all this action and danger, I definitely got mental whiplash. And to top it all off, nothing was resolved for the reader. We just cut to the next scene where we’re basically told by the main characters that everything is gucci and their problems are solved for the most part. Also, unlike how Fish Out of Water so nicely set up Out on a Limb, I am left with zero interest in Helen and Gabriel’s story following this. We aren’t told much about her, in fact I completely forgot she was Grant’s assistant, so I’m not sure how the author expects me to want to learn more about this almost-stranger...
Well, can’t win them all I guess.
As some other reviewers pointed out, there were so many plot holes left for the reader to fill in, such as how Collette’s grandma died, why she never had a public will set up, and what the root of Andrew’s lack of emotional intelligence was (my guess is high-functioning autism).
I just felt very bored for most of the story, and so when the last 20% suddenly bombarded me with all this action and danger, I definitely got mental whiplash. And to top it all off, nothing was resolved for the reader. We just cut to the next scene where we’re basically told by the main characters that everything is gucci and their problems are solved for the most part. Also, unlike how Fish Out of Water so nicely set up Out on a Limb, I am left with zero interest in Helen and Gabriel’s story following this. We aren’t told much about her, in fact I completely forgot she was Grant’s assistant, so I’m not sure how the author expects me to want to learn more about this almost-stranger...
Well, can’t win them all I guess.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2025
Another great read
I am seriously enjoying my binge read of this series! The characters are very entertaining and engaging, and the pages seem to turn themselves.
This time, we continue this storyline with Collette, who's family owns the Garden, where Julia works. The Garden has suffered since her grandmother passed, and the employees are looking to her for direction. Andrew has been in her sites for years, but his stoic personality has been tough to work around... until they begin to team up to uncover the truth about what is happening. Both of these characters are easy to connect with and enjoy; their chemistry and attraction is steamy and cute. I absolutely loved Philip, and the craziness of that situation!
I was so happy to see Sylvia, Elaine, Grant, Julia and all the details in this world again! It's the best experience to read in order, as things connect so well that you feel you are right there within the events. Love that!
Very excited to continue on in this series... :)
I am seriously enjoying my binge read of this series! The characters are very entertaining and engaging, and the pages seem to turn themselves.
This time, we continue this storyline with Collette, who's family owns the Garden, where Julia works. The Garden has suffered since her grandmother passed, and the employees are looking to her for direction. Andrew has been in her sites for years, but his stoic personality has been tough to work around... until they begin to team up to uncover the truth about what is happening. Both of these characters are easy to connect with and enjoy; their chemistry and attraction is steamy and cute. I absolutely loved Philip, and the craziness of that situation!
I was so happy to see Sylvia, Elaine, Grant, Julia and all the details in this world again! It's the best experience to read in order, as things connect so well that you feel you are right there within the events. Love that!
Very excited to continue on in this series... :)
January 11, 2022
The second book in the Scandal in Sweet Side series from Janice Whiteaker, writing as Josie Watts, gives us Collette and Andrews story, but also, what feels like a continuation on a mystery started in the first book?
Collette is neck deep in chickens, stress and longing. Longing for the sexy brooding horticulturist she’s been in lust with for years, stress from her Grandfather’s lack of care for the gardens her family owns and his philandering ways and don’t even get her started on the chickens.
Andrew’s been watching Collette for years now and has been in love with her about that long, so when the chickens and the stress start to crush Collette he’s ready to step in and help her anyway he can.
I love this cozy mystery aspects of this series, add to it the rom-com, witting banter and steamy goodness and this book is a light easy read that keeps you turning the page. I look forward to the next book “Hit or Miss”!
Collette is neck deep in chickens, stress and longing. Longing for the sexy brooding horticulturist she’s been in lust with for years, stress from her Grandfather’s lack of care for the gardens her family owns and his philandering ways and don’t even get her started on the chickens.
Andrew’s been watching Collette for years now and has been in love with her about that long, so when the chickens and the stress start to crush Collette he’s ready to step in and help her anyway he can.
I love this cozy mystery aspects of this series, add to it the rom-com, witting banter and steamy goodness and this book is a light easy read that keeps you turning the page. I look forward to the next book “Hit or Miss”!
July 5, 2022
We met Andrew and Collette in the first book. Andrew is a horticulturalist that works alongside Julia, and Collette's family owns the gardens. Collette has had a crush on Andrew for a long time, and Andrew is extremely socially inept.
What I liked:
-This story was a little bit less of a mess than the last one. I liked the shared history the H and h had with her family.
-It was nice to see the two get together after meeting them in the first book. They were sweet together, and it was obvious they wanted to take care of each other.
-Grant's grandmother (from the last book) is in this one. She's a hoot!
What I didn't like:
-The ending of the book was kind of irritating. Collette's life would have been so much easier if her grandmother had been straight with her and had not gone with the cloak and dagger routine.
What I liked:
-This story was a little bit less of a mess than the last one. I liked the shared history the H and h had with her family.
-It was nice to see the two get together after meeting them in the first book. They were sweet together, and it was obvious they wanted to take care of each other.
-Grant's grandmother (from the last book) is in this one. She's a hoot!
What I didn't like:
-The ending of the book was kind of irritating. Collette's life would have been so much easier if her grandmother had been straight with her and had not gone with the cloak and dagger routine.
September 26, 2021
Just brilliant!!
I absolutely loved this book, it had me tittering throughout with the shenanigans, whilst keeping me glued to the pages with the storyline.
Collette and Andrew are so made for each other, just getting them both to that place takes some doing.
Collette tries her all to get Andrew to notice, whilst Andrew is doing everything he can to stay away. Happenings within the Garden force his hand, he’s got to protect Collette and the Garden.
However Collette more than capable of taking things into her own hands……with hilarious consequences at times.
I love this series. I can’t get enough of the quirky Sweet Side family that being thrown together.
Bring on Helen and Gabriel!!
I absolutely loved this book, it had me tittering throughout with the shenanigans, whilst keeping me glued to the pages with the storyline.
Collette and Andrew are so made for each other, just getting them both to that place takes some doing.
Collette tries her all to get Andrew to notice, whilst Andrew is doing everything he can to stay away. Happenings within the Garden force his hand, he’s got to protect Collette and the Garden.
However Collette more than capable of taking things into her own hands……with hilarious consequences at times.
I love this series. I can’t get enough of the quirky Sweet Side family that being thrown together.
Bring on Helen and Gabriel!!
March 21, 2023
I think I’ve figured out why this series or maybe this author leaves so much to be desired. Details. They’re surprisingly lacking. And like nothing is explained as well as I think it should be. The conflict and resolution is summed up in less than a chapter and is very lack luster. There was so much going for this story and it fell flat.
Andrew clearly has some sort of neurodivergence and it’s not even really touched on just that he can’t read people’s emotions well. He tells Colette he doesn’t want to date her and then promptly moves in with her? So what would you call that? Ugh I just. I wanted so much more from this. It was like 100 pages too long and just so disappointing when it was over. It didn’t end on a cliff hanger but it kind of felt like it.
Andrew clearly has some sort of neurodivergence and it’s not even really touched on just that he can’t read people’s emotions well. He tells Colette he doesn’t want to date her and then promptly moves in with her? So what would you call that? Ugh I just. I wanted so much more from this. It was like 100 pages too long and just so disappointing when it was over. It didn’t end on a cliff hanger but it kind of felt like it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2021
Out on a Limb is the second in the Scandal in Sweet Side series and was a really fun book. It was definitely a “cozy romantic comedy” with a mystery element that kept me both laughing and eager to find out what happens next.
Check this one out if you love:
🌿 Workplace romance
🌿 Eccentric old people 👵🏼👴🏼
🌿 Family drama
🌿 An uncertain but serious hero and a spontaneous but stressed out heroine who is not afraid to do what she feels like she needs to.
Out on a Limb gets 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me! The only reason it’s not 5 stars is because there were a few plot points that I wish were a bit more fleshed out, but nothing major. Overall a really fun read and I can’t wait for book 3!!
April 7, 2022
Here’s to another verse worse than the other verse… In the very best way!!!!
Book two in the Scandal in Sweet Side – A Hot and Hazardous Romantic Comedy Series. And it is hilarious. Sassy Seniors, A Mobster Momma, and Nerdy Smart Gal who finds and locks down her Hot, Slightly Nerdy – Weird, Guy while suspenseful chaos ensues!
A new take on the theme, just as funny as the first. Out on a Limb is like Fish Out of Water, but completely different. With a reoccurring cast of characters and common theme, Watts/Whiteaker serves up an entirely new and engaging story. If you are looking for a reason to laugh yourself silly, read this series you won’t regret it!
Book two in the Scandal in Sweet Side – A Hot and Hazardous Romantic Comedy Series. And it is hilarious. Sassy Seniors, A Mobster Momma, and Nerdy Smart Gal who finds and locks down her Hot, Slightly Nerdy – Weird, Guy while suspenseful chaos ensues!
A new take on the theme, just as funny as the first. Out on a Limb is like Fish Out of Water, but completely different. With a reoccurring cast of characters and common theme, Watts/Whiteaker serves up an entirely new and engaging story. If you are looking for a reason to laugh yourself silly, read this series you won’t regret it!
December 7, 2022
This is a great book and series. It's got it all - romance, humor, smexy times and a bit of a mystery, too! Collette's family owns Sweet Side Garden, and the place is falling apart since her grandmother died. Her grandfather doesn't keep up with it like her grandmother did, and Collette is worried they're going to lose it. Collette has a crush on Andrew, who works at the garden, but it's never seemed like he even sees her. But when someone dumps a bunch of chickens in the garden, things start to change. Then they find out some shady things about their accountant, and it's a race to figure things out. I love the characters in this series!
July 1, 2025
I wanted to love this, but it fell short. Truthfully, I didn’t really like or connect to either character. Both were so contradictory in what they are thinking, feeling, and doing. Andrew says he doesn’t get emotions or think and feel like others, but he read Collette perfectly. His lack of action with her was 100% frustrating with zero good explanation. She on the flip side went two years of hiding her feelings to essentially forcing herself on him almost to the point of assault. Yes, there were some funny parts and some engaging scenes, but something just didn’t hit the mark in this book for me.
September 26, 2021
Get ready to fall in love with Andrew and Collette. Out On A Limb is so much more than a romcom. You will definitely find humor, but the author has written the characters in a way that lets you see into each characters way of thinking. Andrew is handsome, caring and a little fearful to let Collette into his life–even though that's exactly where he wants her to be. Collette is strong, but needs a little push to help save the garden her late grandmother loved so much. The geriatric ladies from Fish Out Of Water are there to help. Expect lots of laughter from this book.
June 19, 2025
Another great read
Great job on the comedy. I like books that make me chuckle and smile while reading. That’s how you know it’s good, when your face just shows the emotion and you feel it without even thinking about it.
I also loved the little bit from the “Big” series. I love when I’m reading and find the little hidden gems that make an appearance from other series. I like knowing that I’ve read the other books to know what it’s referencing, especially when they’re all great books.
Great job on the comedy. I like books that make me chuckle and smile while reading. That’s how you know it’s good, when your face just shows the emotion and you feel it without even thinking about it.
I also loved the little bit from the “Big” series. I love when I’m reading and find the little hidden gems that make an appearance from other series. I like knowing that I’ve read the other books to know what it’s referencing, especially when they’re all great books.
August 28, 2025
Pickles and Chickens
Collette and Andrew have worked together at Sweet Side Gardens for years. Collette has been very interested in Andrew but he doesn't seem to be interested in her (but he is). When Collette needs to deal with chickens, the latest sabotage by the builders, Andrew is right there to help and can no longer deny his feelings. We learn more about what's going on at the garden and how much power Collette truly has with a hilarious story, a wonderful geriatric girl gang, and just a little spice. Enjoy!
Collette and Andrew have worked together at Sweet Side Gardens for years. Collette has been very interested in Andrew but he doesn't seem to be interested in her (but he is). When Collette needs to deal with chickens, the latest sabotage by the builders, Andrew is right there to help and can no longer deny his feelings. We learn more about what's going on at the garden and how much power Collette truly has with a hilarious story, a wonderful geriatric girl gang, and just a little spice. Enjoy!
October 3, 2021
The premise of this book is Collette being furious at her grandpa for not taking their family business seriously, and he seems to want rid of the business. Collette’s busy trying to get Andrew to notice her and run the business, whilst Andrew is doing everything he can to stay away. Andrew’s fearful to let Collette into his life, which is odd, cause that’s where he really wants her to be! Add into the mix some underhand things happening within Sweet Side Gardens, Collette dangling topless from a tree, lots of hilarious comments, some sexy scenes, senior citizens that return from book 1, a mad grandfather popping little blue pills and you have a great follow on rom/com mystery from Josie Watts.
October 29, 2021
So Much Everything!
Ok..."vagina voodoo" may be the most fun thing I've read in ages! Since I am closer in age to Sylvia than to our heroine, Colette, I definitely enjoyed the description, without needing a White Claw, thank you very much... I expected a joyride of a love journey, but Andrew and Collette are some of the most interesting characters that I've met in the pages of a book in a while. Great detail, fun dialog, and real human emotion make this a truly terrific read!
Ok..."vagina voodoo" may be the most fun thing I've read in ages! Since I am closer in age to Sylvia than to our heroine, Colette, I definitely enjoyed the description, without needing a White Claw, thank you very much... I expected a joyride of a love journey, but Andrew and Collette are some of the most interesting characters that I've met in the pages of a book in a while. Great detail, fun dialog, and real human emotion make this a truly terrific read!
March 22, 2022
Not a great book, but it was a fun book. Collette worked at a botanical garden owned by her family. Andrew was a horticulturist working there. This was a typical rom com but has a fun story and fun, quirky characters. This was #2 in a series of 3. There were several characters from #1 Fish Out Of Water carried over to this story. Julia (Banana Pants),Grant, and Grant’s family stepped in to help them keep from losing the gardens. Fun, fast read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2022
Andrew and Collette
Collette has been in love with Andrew forever as he works for the gardens her family owns. Andrew has a problem with deciphering emotions in others and has been called names over that. When Collette’s grandfather stops running the gardens as he should, Collette has to step up. She does this with a lot of encouragement from Andrew.
The chicken caper is priceless.
If you need a humorous book, grab this one.
Collette has been in love with Andrew forever as he works for the gardens her family owns. Andrew has a problem with deciphering emotions in others and has been called names over that. When Collette’s grandfather stops running the gardens as he should, Collette has to step up. She does this with a lot of encouragement from Andrew.
The chicken caper is priceless.
If you need a humorous book, grab this one.
July 5, 2022
oh man!
This book was wayyyy better than I thought. In the beginning after reading two chapters I was a tad confused and wasn’t really into the book but that changed so quick. The book ended up being hilarious and always kept me guessing as well as finding out what’ll happen next. This book was hilarious, and I love Phillip!! Every character in the book (the good guys) were such a gem!
This book was wayyyy better than I thought. In the beginning after reading two chapters I was a tad confused and wasn’t really into the book but that changed so quick. The book ended up being hilarious and always kept me guessing as well as finding out what’ll happen next. This book was hilarious, and I love Phillip!! Every character in the book (the good guys) were such a gem!
Read
October 7, 2021You get a sequel (and hopefully we'll get a third). These reads are so quick, and so fun. This one had a little bit more backstory substance for the heroine, which was cool. I would say that the leading man is probably on the spectrum but it's not identified as it has been in other books. He's endearing and lovely, and their relationship is adorable and sexy and sweet.
August 20, 2022
Story of Collette and Andrew. We learn that Andrew's aloofness is probably asperger's/autism/neurodivergency.
We also learn that her grandfather and his best friend have been lying about her later grandmother's wishes and there are a huge bunch of chickens, a pet rooster, and more shenanigans with the older ladies and Julia.
We also learn that her grandfather and his best friend have been lying about her later grandmother's wishes and there are a huge bunch of chickens, a pet rooster, and more shenanigans with the older ladies and Julia.
January 8, 2023
Great Reading!
Loved this second book in this series as much as the first book! Witty, fun humor had me laughing out loud! There are such fantastic characters!
I caught the sly reference to the moonshine from West Virginia. Janice Whiteaker/Josie Watts never fails to give her reader outstanding books!
Loved this second book in this series as much as the first book! Witty, fun humor had me laughing out loud! There are such fantastic characters!
I caught the sly reference to the moonshine from West Virginia. Janice Whiteaker/Josie Watts never fails to give her reader outstanding books!
September 30, 2021
Hilarious
The characters and situations are so funny and well written. The garden is a perfect setting. Her grandfather is a really terrible person. I love when the bad guys are really bad and the good guys are so lovable.
The characters and situations are so funny and well written. The garden is a perfect setting. Her grandfather is a really terrible person. I love when the bad guys are really bad and the good guys are so lovable.
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