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Bulbs, Blossoms and Bouquets #4
Her Unexpected Rival
He's out of money, she's trying to save her Nana's home...
Will their competing businesses keep them from their chance at love?
Caroline "Caro" Douglas adores running her chocolate shop in Oregon, away from the drama of her family back in Georgia. But when her Nana calls needing financial help, Caro must pull out all the stops in order to earn the money necessary to save her family's home. Too bad the man she just went on a date with is stealing all her customers.
Ever since the death of his mother, Jack Porter has done 2 things. Baked cookies in her memory, and never stayed in one place for more than a few weeks. Running a food truck that specializes in his mother's favorite cookie recipes has allowed him to avoid putting down roots or dealing with the loss of losing the one woman he could always count on. Until his truck breaks down in small town Oregon and a sassy blonde makes him rethink his nomad lifestyle.
Their attraction is enough to start a bonfire, but Caro needs Jack to keep moving if she's ever going to be able to help her Nana. Can they set aside their competing businesses long enough to find love? Or will their family backgrounds be enough to drive them apart?
Will their competing businesses keep them from their chance at love?
Caroline "Caro" Douglas adores running her chocolate shop in Oregon, away from the drama of her family back in Georgia. But when her Nana calls needing financial help, Caro must pull out all the stops in order to earn the money necessary to save her family's home. Too bad the man she just went on a date with is stealing all her customers.
Ever since the death of his mother, Jack Porter has done 2 things. Baked cookies in her memory, and never stayed in one place for more than a few weeks. Running a food truck that specializes in his mother's favorite cookie recipes has allowed him to avoid putting down roots or dealing with the loss of losing the one woman he could always count on. Until his truck breaks down in small town Oregon and a sassy blonde makes him rethink his nomad lifestyle.
Their attraction is enough to start a bonfire, but Caro needs Jack to keep moving if she's ever going to be able to help her Nana. Can they set aside their competing businesses long enough to find love? Or will their family backgrounds be enough to drive them apart?
- GenresRomance
270 pages, Paperback
Published May 2, 2021
81 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 18, 2021
I guess I'm the only one that didn't rate this as 5. I liked the love story of Jack and Caro but there a re parts that I found it boring so I have to flip on pages that resumed my interest to continue reading.
April 20, 2021
5 stars
How can your rival be the one you want?
Another fun, engaging story by Laura Ann. Caro is southern, smart, and sassy. She runs her own business, a chocolate shop, and lives her life fully. Then she discovers that her Grandmother, who raised her, is about to lose her house and Caro feels she needs to help. Jack owns a food truck specializing in cookies. He roams up and down the California coast stopping for days or weeks at a time, advertising on social media, and hiding from the memories of the loss of his mother and his past. When his truck breaks down in Caro’s small town, he is faced with the fact that he will need to stay until he can buy a new truck. He opens his business and begins drawing some of Caro’s business just when she needs it to improve. They’ve met but he doesn’t know about Caro’s problem and she only sees him as a nomad not interested in settling down. If one wins the other loses. Which is it to be grandma’s house or a truck? Does a middle ground even exist? And what are they going to do with the crazy attraction they have for each other? I didn’t want to put this down. So fun. This book is part of a series but it can be read as a standalone as can the others in the series. I received an early copy and this is my honest review.
How can your rival be the one you want?
Another fun, engaging story by Laura Ann. Caro is southern, smart, and sassy. She runs her own business, a chocolate shop, and lives her life fully. Then she discovers that her Grandmother, who raised her, is about to lose her house and Caro feels she needs to help. Jack owns a food truck specializing in cookies. He roams up and down the California coast stopping for days or weeks at a time, advertising on social media, and hiding from the memories of the loss of his mother and his past. When his truck breaks down in Caro’s small town, he is faced with the fact that he will need to stay until he can buy a new truck. He opens his business and begins drawing some of Caro’s business just when she needs it to improve. They’ve met but he doesn’t know about Caro’s problem and she only sees him as a nomad not interested in settling down. If one wins the other loses. Which is it to be grandma’s house or a truck? Does a middle ground even exist? And what are they going to do with the crazy attraction they have for each other? I didn’t want to put this down. So fun. This book is part of a series but it can be read as a standalone as can the others in the series. I received an early copy and this is my honest review.
April 24, 2021
Caro is faced with the need for lots of money to help her grandma. Jack gets stuck in the town where she lives & begins to take some of her customers so she is not making as much as she needs. But they are attracted to each other. That becomes a huge problem for both of them. A very engaging story that I enjoyed very much. All of the books in this series are excellent. I received a free copy. This is my unbiased, voluntary review.
April 24, 2021
Caro’s story is finally here!!!
I have been waiting for the vivacious, little Southern Belle’s story every since her introduction in book one.
Her Unexpected Rival did not disappoint!
Jack and Caro’s chemistry is instantaneous. They are so compatible. I love how Jack humors Caro.
Such a fun read.
I have been waiting for the vivacious, little Southern Belle’s story every since her introduction in book one.
Her Unexpected Rival did not disappoint!
Jack and Caro’s chemistry is instantaneous. They are so compatible. I love how Jack humors Caro.
Such a fun read.
April 24, 2021
Yes!
This book is the best book in the series so far. The chemistry between Caro and Jack is off the charts and the banter was spot on. I love to see frustrated attraction that comes out in a great HEA. Loved it!!
This book is the best book in the series so far. The chemistry between Caro and Jack is off the charts and the banter was spot on. I love to see frustrated attraction that comes out in a great HEA. Loved it!!
April 25, 2021
Caro and Jack’s story, a delicious (it’s about sugary treats, so get it?) and sweet (oh the puns! Okay I’m done) story that is fun, sassy (more about that in the story) and clever. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
August 8, 2021
Her Unexpected Rival:
I have this book a 5 star rating because the book was everything I love. Almost any age would love a sweet, smal!-town romance. Can't t wait for the next book in the series.
I have this book a 5 star rating because the book was everything I love. Almost any age would love a sweet, smal!-town romance. Can't t wait for the next book in the series.
September 10, 2021
excellent
This is a lovely easy read series. I love getting to know each person and what makes them tick. This time it is Caro and her bossy attitude but how behind everyone is a story or battle they are fighting - excellent read
This is a lovely easy read series. I love getting to know each person and what makes them tick. This time it is Caro and her bossy attitude but how behind everyone is a story or battle they are fighting - excellent read
September 27, 2021
I would be Caro’s worse nightmare; I don’t care that much for chocolate but LOVE cookies. But frankly a good small town needs a chocolate shop, most home bakers don’t do candy. I enjoyed this story on my binge reading of this series.
April 26, 2021
A good book. Even though I was given a copy of this book by the author, it in no way influenced my opinion and this is my honest review.
April 27, 2021
Great
A sweet and fun story. This whole series is a fun one. I look forward to each one. Life is definitely challenging for everyone!
A sweet and fun story. This whole series is a fun one. I look forward to each one. Life is definitely challenging for everyone!
May 1, 2021
Best story
Caro is so full of fire and spanking! No wonder Jack stood no chance. They are the cutest couple and will bring everyone sweetness.
Caro is so full of fire and spanking! No wonder Jack stood no chance. They are the cutest couple and will bring everyone sweetness.
January 14, 2022
fun, light reading.
This is a fun series. Lots of drama, silliness, humor in each of them. I’m ready for the next one.
This is a fun series. Lots of drama, silliness, humor in each of them. I’m ready for the next one.
March 16, 2023
#4 in the series. Another good story
August 18, 2023
Book 4 - Her Unexpected Rival
April 3, 2025
Jack and Caro are great characters. Their rivalry in providing desserts in an Oregon coastal town has lots of humor, lots of spice and tons of romance thrown in. A fun read!
June 11, 2021
Caro is one spitfire and I believe she has met her match in Jack. Or should I say he can hold his own with her. They become rivals in business with out him knowing it. Loved how her friends rallied around her when they found out her predicament. Definite chemistry between Caro and Jack. Great ending.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews