Raising the Bar

Big Love in the Big Easy #1

by Avery Kane

Moxie Stone had a plan when she came to New Orleans. She was going to launch the most successful bar on Bourbon Street, collect her accolades, and then move to a bigger market. She had her eye on the prize…and then he hijacked her launch.
Augustus “Gus” Kingman is one of those Kingmans. He has more money than Moxie. He has a pedigree. He has parents who are willing to throw money at a problem. What he doesn’t have is Moxie’s drive.
They’re supposed to hate each other, and they’re convinced they do. They’re also drawn to one another with alarming regularity.
Some things are inevitable.
Moxie has a secret. There’s a reason she goes to Jackson Square to feed the homeless every night.
Gus has a complex. There’s a reason he wants to launch this bar on his own, no parents in sight.
Apart they’re strong. Together, though, they just might be unstoppable.
Now they just have to get out of their own heads and embrace the future.
That’s easier said than done.
Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Enemies To Lovers, Rom Com

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 17, 2022

Reviews

[Anne OK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in New Orleans mostly on Bourbon Street with the nightlife in the background, we meet Augustus “Gus” Kingman, a charming heart-stealer and Moxie Stone, beautiful, smart but quirky, and both ferociously competitive.

“Let the good times roll.”

I enjoyed watching the slow walk to their happily-ever-after. The snarky banter flowed as freely as the drinks served in their clubs.

A wide range of colorful offbeat characters, a mix of humor, a handful of grit and determination with just enough angst to make you fret but not enough to break your heart.

Not without flaws, but it worked in all the ways that count – at least for this reader! It was the definition of a good time rom-com.

[Leigh Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I almost dnf’d this book several times. The author’s writing was just not for me, though I will never call anyone a bad writer. The dialogue tried to be witty, but for me it tried too hard and fell flat. I also really did not like Moxie at all, her internal monologue made me want to throw things, and she acted so stupidly and immaturely through the whole thing. The conflict was solved in 2 seconds, without them really delving deeply into how they would solve their issues. There were cute moments, and I liked Gus enough, which is why it gets more than 1 star.

[Lyndsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Went into this book with expectations of an enemies to lovers trope in a cute bar environment - I got that, but the writing was SO BAD. good idea, very poor execution

[Greta Faith · Rating 2 out of 5]

insane facts about the mc of this book:
-she legally changed her name to moxie like ON PURPOSE
-she slut shames quite literally every single woman she encounters to the point where she gets annoyed at women for wearing tight clothes during yoga. like maam you work on bourbon street did you think you would be surrounded by nuns (she is also deeply offended by drinking on the job and witch-themed beverages like babe YOU LITERALLY OWN A BAR ON BOURBON STREET)
-not just that but she pays someone to sexually harass a woman who works at her rival bar just because she doesn't like the bar owner
-despite being a twenty/thirtysomething, she exclusively wears khaki capris for the entire book, watches the view, and drinks tomato juice?

other important elements include the fact that the love interest is a former tulane business bro (red flag) and also is 90% lighthearted except for the subplot that involves the mc's estranged father living on the street possibly dying?
overall this book was somehow both boring and actually wild to read but not in a good way. it went into detail about so many things in new orleans/the quarter which definitely enhanced the reading experience because every so often the main characters would get to like second base somewhere i've had brunch. every single piece of dialog made me, a chronic yapper, think why the actual hell would you say any of that?? every character deserved to be drawn and quartered and i am actually praying on their downfall nightly. xoxo

[Yvette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not enjoying this book halfway into it. Moxie was so obnoxious. But then she and Gus got to some common ground and she started to endear herself to me. Once the reasonings behind her philanthropic endeavors came to light, I felt like I understood her. I grabbed this book for my 50 state challenge and I’m happy to say it wasn’t bad.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

The characters were repetitive and a bit annoying.

[Melissa Remijan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic romance book, not remarkable but a good little read. A little to much tails of Michigan, and I'm a Michigan girl. Also a bit to much 'I know you so well I have to tell you what you're thinking/feeling/etc'.

[Danielle Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was okay. It was good but it was not one of my favorites this year. I still gave it 4 stars because it was decent enough but I didn’t love it. I felt that the FMC was a bit aggravating at times. I cannot quite pinpoint exactly what I didn’t like about her. But she was just so frustrated with the MMC over this one thing too much, I get this was like an enemies to lovers type vibe but she at times was just a bit too much over a few things.

Moxie is helping to launch a new bar in the heart of New Orleans and is looking for this to be her biggest launch to date. Just as her bar opens she notices the bar she thought was closed across the street is magically also having their opening day launch. Once Moxie goes over to meet the person at this new bar she is instantly annoyed with him. Moxie decides she will do whatever she can to bring down Gus and his bar because she wants to prove that she is capable at succeeding. But as Moxie gets to know Gus and he begins going out of his way to look out for her in her new city, she begins getting to know another side of Gus and discovers that maybe he isn’t so bad.

Do I recommend this? Maybe, it wasn’t for me and it is I think mainly because of the character. But all-in-all it really wasn’t that bad and maybe this could be a book someone else enjoys.

[Erinw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this very much. Moxie was different - insecure and maybe a shade on the autism scale but open to others and trying to understand herself better. I'm always a sucker for complicated heroines with heroes who "get" her and love her for who she is. Moxie and Gus weren't perfect characters - they were still trying to figure life out. I also liked the details about New Orleans.

Moxie and Gus are snarky and fun. The writing style made me think of Amanda M Lee and Lilly Harper Hart. I wouldn't be surprised if whoever writes the Lee/Harper Hart books is writing under this name also. If you like those novels you'll like this.

The next book by this author, Under the Influence, is a little disappointing. It is basically Moxie and Gus with different names and a slightly different plot. I'll try book 3 but hope to see more individuality in the characters.

[Jodie Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Moxie has just moved to New Orleans and is about to open the bar when the bar opposite steals her launch. She is furious and sets her sights on ruining Augustus ‘Gus’ Kingsman. They both Agee on a bet and what follows is a little entertaining! He’s not what she originally thought though and somewhere along the lines things change

I was not a fan of Moxie unfortunately. After the first couple of chapters I could have DNF but then things got a little silly and we saw more of Gus so that improved things a little. However it could not change all the negatives with Moxie who was just draining and hard work. Also quite repetitive in places (Michigan/it’s not a name… its a lifestyle/winning)

Not for me

Xx

[Janet Martinez · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought I was going to like this book when I started it, but not so much. I didn’t hate it. I just didn’t like it that much.
I found Moxie insufferable at times and so very repetitive and stubborn. I felt like she needed everything spelled out for her in every situation she was in. I just found it annoying.
I didn’t really care for Gus either, more so toward the end. I felt like he spoke to her like she was stupid , always speaking for her. TBH I hated how everyone around Moxie treated her.
1.5 for me ⭐️

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

NOLA love story

Very cute story. Loved the fact that it was single POV instead of some of the books I’ve been reading where it’s both characters POV. This book kept me on edge and wanting to read on to see what else these characters got themselves into to try to one up each other on the Bar scene. Loved reading the developing love story as the two main characters walked the streets of the French Quarter. Brought me back to when I stayed with family. Great read, great author and I cannot wait to see what other characters she brings to live in her other stories.

[PollyAnna Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moxie and Gus

Moxie. Is it possible that Moxie's parents (aka: Avery Kane) were fans of MAD ABOUT YOU? If you know, you know.

I love Moxie; I don't understand her, but I love her. I especially love that Gus understood her right from the start even if I didn't. I am fascinated with personality types, but Moxie's is one I'm unfamiliar with. Thus, I don’t understand it. I love that Gus and her friends love her exactly as she is.

[Barbara Strickland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful read

Lovely characters, lovely setting and a very enjoyable plot made this very good reading. What elevates it to a higher plane is the dealing of the complexities of people, not just the leads but all of the characters. Moxie in particular is such a confused mixture of strength and fears that it is easy to bond with her.
Looking forward to more from this author.

[Janie Jane Fitzpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pleasantly surprised by the way the book flowed. I LOVE all of her books under other names and fly through them so I was eager to give these a try. I just went and got the others so I can start the next one tonight. As usual the characters are a little off beat and snarky just enough to make them interesting. I highly recommend you give them a try.

[Tarsha Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perseverance

Parents shape the way children grow we have to choose our words and remember words harm the heart more than time spent, punishment and gifts. For what’s said is remembered more than what was done.

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

If it was cleaner, I’d possibly give it another star. Moxie was difficult to like and the way Gus basically manipulated her was not very attractive. Although a bit needed since Moxie was a bit of a mess. The book was well written though.

[Shelby Marokhovsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really only 2.5 stars I think... The FMC felt very one dimensional and too set in her ways. She was quite obnoxious and I didn't see any growth... I liked the MMC and some of the surrounding characters, which kept me engaged enough to finish.

[Queen Talk Talk · Rating 5 out of 5]

French Quarter vibes.

The French Quarter is it's own little world. I enjoyed the snarky romance between workaholic Moxie and Gus. Kissing and hugging without explicit sexy times. The author treats the homeless situation with compassion.

[Sam Dodic · Rating 4 out of 5]

‪I picked them randomly off my TBR without re-reading or remembering the blurb. Tell me why I thought there were witches?! That's on me. 😅

I liked them and their little corner of the world. They each had something that made them just shy of a 4 star read for me, but I liked them overall.

[Read Flare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raising the Bar by Avery Kane is an engaging and inspiring read with relatable characters and strong themes of growth and self-belief. The writing flows smoothly, and the story keeps you invested till the end. A great pick for contemporary fiction lovers.

[Rogueish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Avery Kane has found her niche... This was such a fun read for the beginning of summer... I can't wait for the next chic-lit...

[Lauren Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Besotted on Bourbon- I loved everything about this except that she didn’t like Dr. Pepper. You can’t use that fact that you’re from up North as an excuse. Everyone loves the 23 flavors.

[Amy Treboni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the silliness of this book and the way the characters really saw each other by the end. Cute story, quick read

[Melanie Carriker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh...long, drawn out, and you can predict the ending halfway through.

[Marlene M. Oaks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Backstory

Having met Gus and Moxie in previous books, it was fun to follow their beginnings and developments. Light and enjoyable read.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story. Well written. Took me a bit to get into but once I got in a few chapters I couldn't put it down.

[Malu]

Free today on Kindle

[Heather]

This book had me feeling uncomfortable at times. The back and forth felt off and a bit much.

[Debbie Dumas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great!!

I really loved this. Couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait to read the next one! Definitely is a great read!