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Darling #1
Smoky Darling
Elouise
I fell in love with Beckett when I was 7.
He broke my heart when I was 15.
When I was 18, I promised myself I’d forget about him.
And I did. For a dozen years.
But now he’s back home. Here. In Darling Lake. And I don’t know if I should give in to the temptation swirling between us or run the other way.
Beckett
She had a crush on me when she was a kid. But she was my brother’s best friend’s little sister. I didn’t see her like that. And even if I had, she was too young. Our age difference was too great.
But now I’m back home. And she’s here. And she’s all the way grown up.
It wouldn’t have worked back then. But I’ll be damned if I won’t get a taste of her now.
I fell in love with Beckett when I was 7.
He broke my heart when I was 15.
When I was 18, I promised myself I’d forget about him.
And I did. For a dozen years.
But now he’s back home. Here. In Darling Lake. And I don’t know if I should give in to the temptation swirling between us or run the other way.
Beckett
She had a crush on me when she was a kid. But she was my brother’s best friend’s little sister. I didn’t see her like that. And even if I had, she was too young. Our age difference was too great.
But now I’m back home. And she’s here. And she’s all the way grown up.
It wouldn’t have worked back then. But I’ll be damned if I won’t get a taste of her now.
333 pages, Paperback
Published April 11, 2022
2974 people are currently reading
15901 people want to read
About the author
S.J. Tilly
27 books10.5k followersS.J. Tilly lives in Minnesota with her husband and their herd of boxers. She spends an unhealthy amount of time with her face buried in books, reading and writing. If she’s not nose deep in text, or harassing her dogs, she’s probably playing with her plants, pretending she knows how to garden.
You can find her stumbling around on Instagram @sjtillyauthor
https://www.amazon.com/S.J.-Tilly/e/B...
You can find her stumbling around on Instagram @sjtillyauthor
https://www.amazon.com/S.J.-Tilly/e/B...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,858 reviews
April 3, 2023
Uuuuummmmmm LOVED THIS! It was my first SJ Tilly book, and it will not be my last!!! Bonus that it was a quick read in under five hours, and no third act breakup! Elouise has been in love with Beckett since she was seven years old. The problem? He was fifteen, and she was just a kid to him. Fast forward a bunch of years, and Elouise is now thirty and Beckett is thirty-eight. So when they run into each other while on a camping trip for the school Elouise teaches at, they give into their mutual attraction now that age isn’t a factor. Beckett’s head is spinning over how quickly he finds himself all in with Lou, and I was here for it! Another thing I was here for, is how funny Lou’s inner thoughts are! I was cackling!
Anywho, Beckett and Lou start dating, and despite multiple things trying to keep them apart, they cling to each other, mainly driven by Beckett’s refusal to let Lou go after years and years of being apart. There is an element of mystery and suspense, utter outrage when someone from Beckett’s past resurfaces, and lots of yummy scenes with just the two of them. Another thing I loved, Lou’s friendship with her best friend Maddie, who I cannot WAIT to read about in Latte Darling! My only gripe, I almost wish this were longer so that I had more time with my babes and could fully immerse myself in this world! Off I go to read Latte Darling!
Anywho, Beckett and Lou start dating, and despite multiple things trying to keep them apart, they cling to each other, mainly driven by Beckett’s refusal to let Lou go after years and years of being apart. There is an element of mystery and suspense, utter outrage when someone from Beckett’s past resurfaces, and lots of yummy scenes with just the two of them. Another thing I loved, Lou’s friendship with her best friend Maddie, who I cannot WAIT to read about in Latte Darling! My only gripe, I almost wish this were longer so that I had more time with my babes and could fully immerse myself in this world! Off I go to read Latte Darling!
August 3, 2023
Smoky Darling is fun read. All those sexy moves from Beckket. I never know sharpening a pencil can be so alluring. Miss Tilly certainly have fun writing this book.
Again, I am bit disappointed with lack of depth from the characters. The characters seems shallow. Miss Tilly wanting this book purely to be enjoy for the fun of the smutt. Nothing else.
3 stars
Again, I am bit disappointed with lack of depth from the characters. The characters seems shallow. Miss Tilly wanting this book purely to be enjoy for the fun of the smutt. Nothing else.
3 stars
April 17, 2022
This one flew by for me and had me cracking up, shaking my head in secondhand embarrassment, and then the heat between these two, whew. Seriously, they steamed up these pages. Smoky Darling starts with the h, Elouise, at various ages in childhood showing her crush on the H, Beckett, before leaving us in the present where she's 30. Beckett is very confident, capable, and bulldozery imo. Elouise is a sweetheart who's kind and a bit awkward. It's not a second chance story since there's an 8 year age gap between the h and H so it's a childhood infatuation only and then he sees her again as an adult and gets walloped immediately with wanting her. Told in first person, dual POV and with two chapters by the h's BFF who will be getting her own book. Neither are virgins and it's been a while for each, birth control is used.
Small ow and om drama. For the om drama - the h has other guys who off and on show interest and the H loses.his.mind. He's very aggressive towards the other guys in making it clear they need to back off. The ow drama moments are a bit harder because the h is so upset by them, but both are misunderstandings.
Beckett is J/P to the max but always in a way that's about Elouise. He's esp focused on her safety and there's some suspense and danger that develops later in the book that surprised me. There's also a bit of punishment because of his focus on her safety that was hot. Mostly though, this is character-focused with them working out how they fit in the present. It ends with a nice HFN epilogue and I felt secure in that. The final chapter is the BFF and a lead in to her book. I've eyed SJ Tilly's books before and had friends suggest her earlier series and I'll be taking a closer look at which of those I'd want to try next of hers along with reading the BFF's book because I liked her.
Small ow and om drama. For the om drama - the h has other guys who off and on show interest and the H loses.his.mind. He's very aggressive towards the other guys in making it clear they need to back off. The ow drama moments are a bit harder because the h is so upset by them, but both are misunderstandings.
Beckett is J/P to the max but always in a way that's about Elouise. He's esp focused on her safety and there's some suspense and danger that develops later in the book that surprised me. There's also a bit of punishment because of his focus on her safety that was hot. Mostly though, this is character-focused with them working out how they fit in the present. It ends with a nice HFN epilogue and I felt secure in that. The final chapter is the BFF and a lead in to her book. I've eyed SJ Tilly's books before and had friends suggest her earlier series and I'll be taking a closer look at which of those I'd want to try next of hers along with reading the BFF's book because I liked her.
April 26, 2022
This is just one of those books that start out amazing and then get so chaotic and unstable without a strong storyline or characters serving as a foundation.
I read the first couple pages and found it quite interesting so I decided to give this a try. Man, was I disappointed. I love the childhood crush, brother’s friend/friend’s brother trope. I didn’t mind the age gap either. It was the lacklustre story and dense characters that killed the joy out of this for me.
MMC:
In my head, Beckett is code for Douche Bucket. He is a typical arrogant Alpha male. Teenage Beckett is such a stark contrast from the Middle aged Beckett, I refuse to believe they’re the same guy. It’s like he pulled a Benjamin Button and grew older in reverse in terms of maturity and wisdom. He beats up people, he lies to FMC, he is unreasonably possessive, insanely jealous and he hurts her over and over and over again. He claims her for himself as soon as he lays eyes on her again and you would think it’s cute, he has a crush on her. No, he’s literally only lusting after her body the first couple of days he spends with her. I just couldn’t like him. He ticks all the red flags.
FMC:
Liked her before she got together with Beckett. After that, she was just all about him. Elouise is either jumping to conclusions and running away from Beckett or she is completely unbothered by Beckett’s behaviour and blindly running towards him. I wanted her to make him grovel more after the stunt he pulled but no, she went right back to him after a few days. It was stupid as hell.
The Villain:
I wish this character was given more time. It seemed his true agenda just sprang into the story from nowhere and just as quickly was met with his end. It would have been so good with better foreshadowing and mystery. Even, the climax could have been more detailed.
Spice was good.
I read the first couple pages and found it quite interesting so I decided to give this a try. Man, was I disappointed. I love the childhood crush, brother’s friend/friend’s brother trope. I didn’t mind the age gap either. It was the lacklustre story and dense characters that killed the joy out of this for me.
MMC:
In my head, Beckett is code for Douche Bucket. He is a typical arrogant Alpha male. Teenage Beckett is such a stark contrast from the Middle aged Beckett, I refuse to believe they’re the same guy. It’s like he pulled a Benjamin Button and grew older in reverse in terms of maturity and wisdom. He beats up people, he lies to FMC, he is unreasonably possessive, insanely jealous and he hurts her over and over and over again. He claims her for himself as soon as he lays eyes on her again and you would think it’s cute, he has a crush on her. No, he’s literally only lusting after her body the first couple of days he spends with her. I just couldn’t like him. He ticks all the red flags.
FMC:
Liked her before she got together with Beckett. After that, she was just all about him. Elouise is either jumping to conclusions and running away from Beckett or she is completely unbothered by Beckett’s behaviour and blindly running towards him. I wanted her to make him grovel more after the stunt he pulled but no, she went right back to him after a few days. It was stupid as hell.
The Villain:
I wish this character was given more time. It seemed his true agenda just sprang into the story from nowhere and just as quickly was met with his end. It would have been so good with better foreshadowing and mystery. Even, the climax could have been more detailed.
Spice was good.
April 16, 2024
3.5 stars
After reading (and loving) ‘Latte Darling’, I wanted to get to the first book in the series. Though I didn’t love it as much as the other, it was a fun read. The narration was amazing- Gomez Pugh and Callie Dalton do an amazing job! The drama toward the end was a lot, but when everything was settled it had a nice ending.
After reading (and loving) ‘Latte Darling’, I wanted to get to the first book in the series. Though I didn’t love it as much as the other, it was a fun read. The narration was amazing- Gomez Pugh and Callie Dalton do an amazing job! The drama toward the end was a lot, but when everything was settled it had a nice ending.
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrators: Gomez Pugh & Callie Dalton
Narration Rating: 5 stars
Genre: Romance
Length:11h 5m
April 18, 2022
4 stars. This was my first book by this author. I wasn’t sure what to expect but the blurb definitely caught my attention.
The plot started off in the past with a very young Elouise becoming aware of her infatuation with the older brother of her brother’s best friend. Beckett was aware and protective of young Eloise but thankfully, not in a creepy way. 😅😮💨
As time passed and their paths crossed, who they were then definitely wasn’t the right timing for who they could and would be together. This part of the plot did feel somewhat off pace but ultimately necessary to the story.
Finally, their time came and I really enjoyed how it all came together. I especially liked reading from Beckett’s POV because his personality had a few little sexy surprises 🔥 that were quite entertaining. Lou’s POV gave us insight into how funny and quirky she was. Let me tell you, their buildup and chemistry was palatable.
As the plot progressed, the characterization went deeper and I was better able to get a sense of them both as individuals and as a couple. There were a few issues caused by a lack of clear communication, and while that part of the story felt a little cliche, it also allowed us to get more insight into Beckett’s personality and processing.
I ended up going to bed at 4am because I was really enjoying this book and needed to know how it ended. Needless to say, I will definitely be continuing the series and am eager to find out what’s next for this author.
Complementary copy received and voluntarily reviewed.
The plot started off in the past with a very young Elouise becoming aware of her infatuation with the older brother of her brother’s best friend. Beckett was aware and protective of young Eloise but thankfully, not in a creepy way. 😅😮💨
As time passed and their paths crossed, who they were then definitely wasn’t the right timing for who they could and would be together. This part of the plot did feel somewhat off pace but ultimately necessary to the story.
Finally, their time came and I really enjoyed how it all came together. I especially liked reading from Beckett’s POV because his personality had a few little sexy surprises 🔥 that were quite entertaining. Lou’s POV gave us insight into how funny and quirky she was. Let me tell you, their buildup and chemistry was palatable.
As the plot progressed, the characterization went deeper and I was better able to get a sense of them both as individuals and as a couple. There were a few issues caused by a lack of clear communication, and while that part of the story felt a little cliche, it also allowed us to get more insight into Beckett’s personality and processing.
I ended up going to bed at 4am because I was really enjoying this book and needed to know how it ended. Needless to say, I will definitely be continuing the series and am eager to find out what’s next for this author.
Complementary copy received and voluntarily reviewed.
January 25, 2023
2.5 stars. I’m sorry guys, but this was not the book for me.
There is no relationship development. It’s pretty much insta lust/Insta love. This guy goes from zero to super possessive in no seconds.
They knew each other when she was a child and eight years younger than him. When he confesses that he could never stop thinking about her after an incident when she was seven years old, and he was 15!? No!
Add to that, this book introduced bizarre drama out of nowhere.
It starts off kind of cute with her having a crush on him for years as a child. But, he has some real things that he doesn’t tell her before they get into a physical relationship. And it never felt like it really got past a physical relationship.
This dude is somewhat of a Neanderthal from the time he was 15 to 38. When she is confessing her, love for him to her friend, I just questioned why!
There is no relationship development. It’s pretty much insta lust/Insta love. This guy goes from zero to super possessive in no seconds.
They knew each other when she was a child and eight years younger than him. When he confesses that he could never stop thinking about her after an incident when she was seven years old, and he was 15!? No!
Add to that, this book introduced bizarre drama out of nowhere.
It starts off kind of cute with her having a crush on him for years as a child. But, he has some real things that he doesn’t tell her before they get into a physical relationship. And it never felt like it really got past a physical relationship.
This dude is somewhat of a Neanderthal from the time he was 15 to 38. When she is confessing her, love for him to her friend, I just questioned why!
April 6, 2022
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: small town romance
Angst: 😱😱
Smexy🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Being with you is the easiest thing I’ve done.
An absolutely wonderful read! Smokey Darling is a super cute and funny small town romance with a dash of romantic suspense and tons of laugh out loud moments! It is well written and moves quickly. I love how Beckett is all yummy caveman and all in with Elouise from the moment he sees her again. He remembers the protective feelings he felt for the little girl who had a crush on him, but seeing her all grown up put an entirely different spin and amped up feelings to his connection with her. Elouise certainly deserves all the attention and love he showers on her. She’s super sweet, well liked, and an all around good person. And the idea that your former childhood crush takes one look at you and knows you’re the one .. /fans self 😂😂😂. The chemistry between them was off the chain and their smexy is 🔥🔥🔥. Smokey Darling will leave you with a big, sh!t-eating grin on your face and all the warm fuzzies - just fantastic!
Trope: small town romance
Angst: 😱😱
Smexy🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Being with you is the easiest thing I’ve done.
An absolutely wonderful read! Smokey Darling is a super cute and funny small town romance with a dash of romantic suspense and tons of laugh out loud moments! It is well written and moves quickly. I love how Beckett is all yummy caveman and all in with Elouise from the moment he sees her again. He remembers the protective feelings he felt for the little girl who had a crush on him, but seeing her all grown up put an entirely different spin and amped up feelings to his connection with her. Elouise certainly deserves all the attention and love he showers on her. She’s super sweet, well liked, and an all around good person. And the idea that your former childhood crush takes one look at you and knows you’re the one .. /fans self 😂😂😂. The chemistry between them was off the chain and their smexy is 🔥🔥🔥. Smokey Darling will leave you with a big, sh!t-eating grin on your face and all the warm fuzzies - just fantastic!
June 16, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
This one was alittle harder for me to enjoy since we saw them when Elouise was 7 and he was 15 saving her from some kids she grew into a crush and from there we saw flashbacks of her kinda making a fool out of herself thinking a guy 8 years older would crush on her at those ages. When he doesn't even remember her when she turned 18. It was embarrassing until she was 30, and they met again, and now hes all obessed with her. Since she's of age now (tech, he could've been obessed when she was 18). I loved he was obessed and possessive, but I hated a few things he did like let her think he was with some other woman when it was his cousin because he loved the jelouse look... when she always felt not enough, also for him not informing her he was married and divorced. There was drama for that, and he grovled and made it up to her.
The spice was so delicious that the rest of the story was good.
I love Maddie and am already ready to read her book.
Low angst, Om/ow drama (ex and a stalker), no cheating, sexy times, no virgins
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶
Slowburnish
Age gap
30h/38H (shows flashbacks)
Push away from H
Safe sex/no condom
Violence
Hea
Epilogue
This one was alittle harder for me to enjoy since we saw them when Elouise was 7 and he was 15 saving her from some kids she grew into a crush and from there we saw flashbacks of her kinda making a fool out of herself thinking a guy 8 years older would crush on her at those ages. When he doesn't even remember her when she turned 18. It was embarrassing until she was 30, and they met again, and now hes all obessed with her. Since she's of age now (tech, he could've been obessed when she was 18). I loved he was obessed and possessive, but I hated a few things he did like let her think he was with some other woman when it was his cousin because he loved the jelouse look... when she always felt not enough, also for him not informing her he was married and divorced. There was drama for that, and he grovled and made it up to her.
The spice was so delicious that the rest of the story was good.
I love Maddie and am already ready to read her book.
Low angst, Om/ow drama (ex and a stalker), no cheating, sexy times, no virgins
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶
Slowburnish
Age gap
30h/38H (shows flashbacks)
Push away from H
Safe sex/no condom
Violence
Hea
Epilogue
December 29, 2024
So I only like SJ Tilly's writing when she's writing mafia romances.
Noted.
This book has no tension, yearning or any relationship development. Continue at your own risk.
Noted.
This book has no tension, yearning or any relationship development. Continue at your own risk.
April 13, 2023
The mouth on this man🥵
April 16, 2023
Binge read this in less than a day so I’d say I must’ve liked it!
June 5, 2022
Oh. My. Tilly! What a book, y'all! What. A. Book. But S. J. Tilly has never disappointed me, so the way I loved this book doesn't come as a surprise to me. It had everything I was expecting from it: A sweet but so badass heroine, a sexy as sin Alpha with a heart of gold. All the laughs. All the swoon. The most delicious steam and an exciting drop of suspense that kept me flipping the pages like crazy.
Beckett and Lou were the sweetest, hottest and most adorable couple ever. An old crush becoming more is one of my favorite tropes to read and this book is the perfect example of why. The longing, the pining, the lost hope of a future with that person... aaahhh it's one of the most romantic things in the Romance world and S. J. Tilly absolutely nailed it with this couple. I think I highlighted half of the book because it was just that good!
First, we have Elouise. The beautiful teacher who gives her all and loves with everything in her. Heart, her clumsiness and the cuteness of her crush on Beckett since she was just a little girl were so adorable. I loved the fact that she knew her worth and wasn't willing to accept less than what she deserved, even if it hurt or if she had to let go of what she originally wanted. She had a heart of gold that deserved to be taken care of and worshiped like a queen by a good guy like Beckett. I enjoyed reading her POV so much, especially in the older years. She was still the sweet little girl with a crush but also a matured woman who allowed herself to get to know Beckett and fall in love with the real him and not the idea she had in her head. My heart broke for her several times and her courage made me gasp with respect and admiration. She was such a boss ass woman and she deserved all the happiness she wanted for herself, exactly the way she imagined it or better.
Beckett was Alpha perfection. But what can I say? S. J. Tilly writes the best MF alphas I've ever read. He was sweet but tough, generous and romantic and with the dirtiest mouth. I fanned myself for pretty much 80% of the book with this man and his sexy way to woo Lou. His protectiveness over her was the swooniest freaking thing. He was determined to make her fell safe and give her everything she needed. I loved how sure he was about his feelings for her from the very first moment they reunited after all of those years. He didn't hesitate or needed time to think if she was what he wanted or if he wanted a future with her. Don't get me wrong, I love a hero who needs to fight his demons in order to make up his mind, but reading Beckett was definitely refreshing and so freaking romantic.
Let me tell you. S. J. Tilly writes steam like no other and Smoky Darling is probably the steamiest I've read of her. It was so. effing. hot y'all! My jaw dropped several times with the sexy scenes, they flowed so naturally with the level of chemistry and emotional connection they had. They were fun, real, awkward at times and the way they faced the situations that came their way made it all a bundle of swoon and all the feelings I was expecting to feel. I sighed dreamily and my heart was beating faster with each moment they shared that brought them closer.
I have to give a standing ovation once again to S. J. Tilly, because the suspense part of this book made my jaw drop. I was not expecting that twist and I did not expect that adrenaline rush. I just love how she adds this mystery element in her books. It doesn't distract from the romance, rather, it brings the couple together. Any doubt you could ever have about them clears up completely after they overcome the evil on their way. Simply perfection. My heart was racing at the end of this book, but so happy at the same time. It was the perfect ending for a perfect couple... and the perfect set up for the next book I'm craving so hard already!
S.J. Tilly has such a way to write Romance that makes you crave for more. I still remember binging her entire backlist in a week and swearing my loyalty forever. This book reminded me why. So, if you're in need of an addictive book that you'll binge in a day, pick up this one (or any of her books). I swear you won't regret it.
A million thanks to S. J. Tilly for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'll be impatiently waiting to read whatever you write next. I know it'll be just as good.
Beckett and Lou were the sweetest, hottest and most adorable couple ever. An old crush becoming more is one of my favorite tropes to read and this book is the perfect example of why. The longing, the pining, the lost hope of a future with that person... aaahhh it's one of the most romantic things in the Romance world and S. J. Tilly absolutely nailed it with this couple. I think I highlighted half of the book because it was just that good!
First, we have Elouise. The beautiful teacher who gives her all and loves with everything in her. Heart, her clumsiness and the cuteness of her crush on Beckett since she was just a little girl were so adorable. I loved the fact that she knew her worth and wasn't willing to accept less than what she deserved, even if it hurt or if she had to let go of what she originally wanted. She had a heart of gold that deserved to be taken care of and worshiped like a queen by a good guy like Beckett. I enjoyed reading her POV so much, especially in the older years. She was still the sweet little girl with a crush but also a matured woman who allowed herself to get to know Beckett and fall in love with the real him and not the idea she had in her head. My heart broke for her several times and her courage made me gasp with respect and admiration. She was such a boss ass woman and she deserved all the happiness she wanted for herself, exactly the way she imagined it or better.
"What teenaged Elouise felt doesn't hold a candle to the feelings I have for Beckett now. This love is built on his kindness and willingness to help. His protective nature. Honesty."
Beckett was Alpha perfection. But what can I say? S. J. Tilly writes the best MF alphas I've ever read. He was sweet but tough, generous and romantic and with the dirtiest mouth. I fanned myself for pretty much 80% of the book with this man and his sexy way to woo Lou. His protectiveness over her was the swooniest freaking thing. He was determined to make her fell safe and give her everything she needed. I loved how sure he was about his feelings for her from the very first moment they reunited after all of those years. He didn't hesitate or needed time to think if she was what he wanted or if he wanted a future with her. Don't get me wrong, I love a hero who needs to fight his demons in order to make up his mind, but reading Beckett was definitely refreshing and so freaking romantic.
"I don't know what I expected to happen when I saw her, but this thick layer of sexual tension was not it. And in just one afternoon she's managed to scale all my defenses. Now I can't think of anything else but Elouise."
Let me tell you. S. J. Tilly writes steam like no other and Smoky Darling is probably the steamiest I've read of her. It was so. effing. hot y'all! My jaw dropped several times with the sexy scenes, they flowed so naturally with the level of chemistry and emotional connection they had. They were fun, real, awkward at times and the way they faced the situations that came their way made it all a bundle of swoon and all the feelings I was expecting to feel. I sighed dreamily and my heart was beating faster with each moment they shared that brought them closer.
"I kinda love the fact that you don't need me." His thumb rubs across the sensitive skin of my wrist. "It means you're here with me because you want to be."
I have to give a standing ovation once again to S. J. Tilly, because the suspense part of this book made my jaw drop. I was not expecting that twist and I did not expect that adrenaline rush. I just love how she adds this mystery element in her books. It doesn't distract from the romance, rather, it brings the couple together. Any doubt you could ever have about them clears up completely after they overcome the evil on their way. Simply perfection. My heart was racing at the end of this book, but so happy at the same time. It was the perfect ending for a perfect couple... and the perfect set up for the next book I'm craving so hard already!
S.J. Tilly has such a way to write Romance that makes you crave for more. I still remember binging her entire backlist in a week and swearing my loyalty forever. This book reminded me why. So, if you're in need of an addictive book that you'll binge in a day, pick up this one (or any of her books). I swear you won't regret it.
A million thanks to S. J. Tilly for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'll be impatiently waiting to read whatever you write next. I know it'll be just as good.
July 9, 2023
3 stars. This was better than the first book I read by this author, Sleet Kitten, but was still a little too insta for me. I think I’m ok with insta love as long as it’s the hero who falls first and the heroine pushes him away for a while. But when both of them spend two days together and declare their love? That just feels too fake to even pretend.
Also, does this author always include an evil gold digging OW?
Safe
Heroine not a virgin
Hero divorced - separated for a year
Heroine loved the hero through her entire adolescence
Age gap, heroine 30, hero 38
OM drama from men interested in the heroine who she has no interest in
OW drama from hero’s ex wife
No scenes with OM/OW
No cheating
Also, does this author always include an evil gold digging OW?
Safe
Heroine not a virgin
Hero divorced - separated for a year
Heroine loved the hero through her entire adolescence
Age gap, heroine 30, hero 38
OM drama from men interested in the heroine who she has no interest in
OW drama from hero’s ex wife
No scenes with OM/OW
No cheating
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
''Grown all the way up''
Safety warnings:
- H 38 / h 30
- No cheating
- No OM drama
- Slight ex drama
- Stalker
- Kidnapping
- Attempted assault
- HEA
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
Elouise has been in love with Beckett since she was 7 years old, and she kept loving him until she was 18. Beckett never showed any interested because well he was 8 years older than her and that would be so fucking weird.
She held out for him but when she saw him at 18 with another woman Kira, she felt her heart snap and promised to get over him and she did. For the next 12 years she moved on and dated around etc. but one day out of sheer luck she sees him again during a school trip and he is working, he immediately recognizes her and feels a connection, he wants her, and he will stop at nothing from getting her.
So yes, it's lust at first sight. He admits he does not think about a future with her and just wants to see where things go while we all know this is her dream come true.
We get a few glimpses into his life now at 38 but he seems to be pretty closed off and Elouise finds herself falling right back in love with him. She is enamored and he cannot stop himself from having her.
They obviously have chemistry and are infatuated with each other, but I wonder what would have happened if they never ran into each other? He never seeks her out as an adult or when he moved back near the town she lives in, and we even get him saying how he never forgot anything that happened concerning her when she was growing up and how he always cared so I wonder if he just said those things to placate her for the fact she admits she has loved him since she was 7?
The main drama added to this story is how Elouise finds out that he was married, and his ex-wife introduces herself to her as his wife and even his parents had no idea his divorce had gone through? It seems like a HUGE thing to not tell your family; he does say he told his parents they were separated and divorcing but never confirmed that it went through and finalized.
So yeah, he is a douchebag for this and honestly, I did not like his reasoning. He needed to grovel a bit more as she was humiliated and distraught. The groveling and getting back together thing were a bit anti-climactic.
We also find he married that Kira chick she saw him with when she was 18, he and Kira were on and off for years and a bit toxic. He only got married because he was in his 30's and it was time, they were married for 2 years, then he separated from her for a year before the divorce was done. She was not after him when she showed up again but only for his money as it is again revealed to Elouise is a millionaire.
He kept a lot of important info from Elouise, and it pissed me off.
Elouise also has a stalker, and we find out it's the teacher at the school she works at. He kidnaps her by getting in her car but thankfully she can put a stop to it once she crashes her car off the bridge and saves herself. It's a big anticlimactic too.
We have them engaged in the epilogue and their wedding is set to happen soon!
''Grown all the way up''
Safety warnings:
- H 38 / h 30
- No cheating
- No OM drama
- Slight ex drama
- Stalker
- Kidnapping
- Attempted assault
- HEA
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
Elouise has been in love with Beckett since she was 7 years old, and she kept loving him until she was 18. Beckett never showed any interested because well he was 8 years older than her and that would be so fucking weird.
She held out for him but when she saw him at 18 with another woman Kira, she felt her heart snap and promised to get over him and she did. For the next 12 years she moved on and dated around etc. but one day out of sheer luck she sees him again during a school trip and he is working, he immediately recognizes her and feels a connection, he wants her, and he will stop at nothing from getting her.
So yes, it's lust at first sight. He admits he does not think about a future with her and just wants to see where things go while we all know this is her dream come true.
We get a few glimpses into his life now at 38 but he seems to be pretty closed off and Elouise finds herself falling right back in love with him. She is enamored and he cannot stop himself from having her.
They obviously have chemistry and are infatuated with each other, but I wonder what would have happened if they never ran into each other? He never seeks her out as an adult or when he moved back near the town she lives in, and we even get him saying how he never forgot anything that happened concerning her when she was growing up and how he always cared so I wonder if he just said those things to placate her for the fact she admits she has loved him since she was 7?
The main drama added to this story is how Elouise finds out that he was married, and his ex-wife introduces herself to her as his wife and even his parents had no idea his divorce had gone through? It seems like a HUGE thing to not tell your family; he does say he told his parents they were separated and divorcing but never confirmed that it went through and finalized.
So yeah, he is a douchebag for this and honestly, I did not like his reasoning. He needed to grovel a bit more as she was humiliated and distraught. The groveling and getting back together thing were a bit anti-climactic.
We also find he married that Kira chick she saw him with when she was 18, he and Kira were on and off for years and a bit toxic. He only got married because he was in his 30's and it was time, they were married for 2 years, then he separated from her for a year before the divorce was done. She was not after him when she showed up again but only for his money as it is again revealed to Elouise is a millionaire.
He kept a lot of important info from Elouise, and it pissed me off.
Elouise also has a stalker, and we find out it's the teacher at the school she works at. He kidnaps her by getting in her car but thankfully she can put a stop to it once she crashes her car off the bridge and saves herself. It's a big anticlimactic too.
We have them engaged in the epilogue and their wedding is set to happen soon!
February 6, 2023
4.75 stars!
This is the first book in the Darling series and is JUST as good as the second book. Beckett and Elouise are fire and Smoky Darling was an action packed and smutty small town romance with heart and humor.
Elouise has been in love with Beckett since she was a young girl and that infatuation has only grown through the years even when she tried to escape it. Beckett has always noticed Elouise but she was always much too young. When the two of them cross paths again years later, Elouise realizes her crush is still there and stronger and Beckett realizes she can't be the one that gets away.
These two have explosive chemistry and I loved the caveman attitude Beckett had going on - even when he majorly screwed up. Don't worry, the grovel was *chef's kiss.* The heat, the relationship, and the suspenseful element that ran underneath it all was so well done. Tilly has a unique humor that I really appreciate and I love that her heroines are so practical and real. Beckett was the perfect amount of alpha and I adored him.
Overall, a wonderfully steamy and unique story that I couldn't put down. I will definitely be watching this author for more!
This is the first book in the Darling series and is JUST as good as the second book. Beckett and Elouise are fire and Smoky Darling was an action packed and smutty small town romance with heart and humor.
Elouise has been in love with Beckett since she was a young girl and that infatuation has only grown through the years even when she tried to escape it. Beckett has always noticed Elouise but she was always much too young. When the two of them cross paths again years later, Elouise realizes her crush is still there and stronger and Beckett realizes she can't be the one that gets away.
"She might think this was a one-time thing, but I’m not done. I’m not even close to being done with Elouise Hall."
These two have explosive chemistry and I loved the caveman attitude Beckett had going on - even when he majorly screwed up. Don't worry, the grovel was *chef's kiss.* The heat, the relationship, and the suspenseful element that ran underneath it all was so well done. Tilly has a unique humor that I really appreciate and I love that her heroines are so practical and real. Beckett was the perfect amount of alpha and I adored him.
“I’m yours, Baby.” His hips flex, putting that pressure right where I need him. “Just as much as you’re mine.”
Overall, a wonderfully steamy and unique story that I couldn't put down. I will definitely be watching this author for more!
"It’s not even your beautiful face, or perfect body.” I can feel her throat work through a swallow. “And it’s not just the way you respond to me. It’s everything you are, from the inside out. You’re good. You’re just… good.”
“You’re good too, Beckett. I wouldn’t be here if you weren’t.”
April 17, 2022
I am over the moon obsessed with Smoky Darling.
Eloise fell in love with Beckett, her brother’s best friend’s older brother, when she was 7 but her childhood crush was always unrequited. After a couple of embarrassing encounters with him over the years, she vowed to forget all about him and her crush.
Years later, when she’s 30 and a teacher, she runs into him on a school camping trip. Beckett recognizes her right away and seeing as she’s no longer the small kid with a crush he once knew, he’s not letting this opportunity get away from him. Cue some jealousy, men he has to fend off, lots of spice, and a little suspense later, Beckett’s all in on Elouise.
This was so good. Beckett’s so obsessed and possessive of Elouise and he’s not afraid to lay his cards on the table and show her he’s not going anywhere. I looooove a book boyfriend who threatens other men interested in his girl and Beckett sure delivered. You need to add this to your list, trust me.
January 29, 2023
DNF: I tried. I really tried.
First, it was the age gap. At 8 years old, it's a crush. Sure, she might have thought herself to be in love because that's what children do. But those feelings go away. You don't hold onto a crush for 10 years. At least not from that age. Especially when there's an 8 year gap and you literally never see the person. Thankfully, nothing ever happened.
Then, it was the school camping trip. I'm a teacher and I can assure you 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders do not talk the way the author wrote the dialogue. I had to remember their age because I kept thinking it was a group of 1st graders.
Then, it was the way the teacher "forgot" to book the cabins so everyone is last minute sleeping in tents. The entire trip would have been canceled. OK I know this is a book and not realistic but this is just so far out there that I literally couldn't read it.
Then, it's the way the teachers are having sex and sleeping in each other's tents with STUDENTS around.
That was the end for me.
First, it was the age gap. At 8 years old, it's a crush. Sure, she might have thought herself to be in love because that's what children do. But those feelings go away. You don't hold onto a crush for 10 years. At least not from that age. Especially when there's an 8 year gap and you literally never see the person. Thankfully, nothing ever happened.
Then, it was the school camping trip. I'm a teacher and I can assure you 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders do not talk the way the author wrote the dialogue. I had to remember their age because I kept thinking it was a group of 1st graders.
Then, it was the way the teacher "forgot" to book the cabins so everyone is last minute sleeping in tents. The entire trip would have been canceled. OK I know this is a book and not realistic but this is just so far out there that I literally couldn't read it.
Then, it's the way the teachers are having sex and sleeping in each other's tents with STUDENTS around.
That was the end for me.
February 8, 2023
Smoky Darling was exquisite, 💋 chefs kiss. This is a small town, age gap(8yrs) romance novel about Eloise and Beckett. Lou has been in love with Beckett since she was seven and he avenged her when a kid knocked her down. Her infatuation with him is so cute.
“You like that, don’t you?” She groans. “Answer me, Dirty Girl. Do you like this? Do you like having your hair pulled and your ass slapped?” Her whole body shudders against my lap, “Yes. Beckett… Oh my god. I’m so wet.”
I have issues with reading books in order because I read Latte Darling first and Axel is my man ♥️
So I feel like I’m somewhat biased towards this book, since I read them out of order.
Lou’s spunk and sassy personality makes for some funny and interesting scenes. Beckett is a little more serious, but so much fun. I love the camping trip scenes, they are hilarious. Especially with Rebecca and Eloise’s conversations about Beckett and Eloise’s mishap with a hot dog.
I did enjoy reading this and I highly recommend it.
Happy Reading 📚
“You like that, don’t you?” She groans. “Answer me, Dirty Girl. Do you like this? Do you like having your hair pulled and your ass slapped?” Her whole body shudders against my lap, “Yes. Beckett… Oh my god. I’m so wet.”
I have issues with reading books in order because I read Latte Darling first and Axel is my man ♥️
So I feel like I’m somewhat biased towards this book, since I read them out of order.
Lou’s spunk and sassy personality makes for some funny and interesting scenes. Beckett is a little more serious, but so much fun. I love the camping trip scenes, they are hilarious. Especially with Rebecca and Eloise’s conversations about Beckett and Eloise’s mishap with a hot dog.
I did enjoy reading this and I highly recommend it.
Happy Reading 📚
July 24, 2023
No connection between the characters. No plot. Sooo bad lol
October 18, 2024
4.5 🌟 (rounded up)
holyyyyyyyy *darling*, SJ Tilly does it again!!!! I mean if my updates were not evidence enough that I loved this book, pls know I devoured it within a work day(Shoutout WFH)
Seriously, this book gave me everything I expect in a SJ Tilly book AND everything I needed after my last read.
I do have to admit that I got second hand embarrassment at the beginning since we do see a few instances of Eloise crushing on Beckett…. Who rightfully ignores her cause they do have an 8 year gap.
After I moved past that, I was loving the little crumbs. Their reunion? The camping? Him buying all the tickets of a school play so he could talk to her and sit next to her? Him being over the top protective!? and doing some 🍑 👋🏼 pun!shment?
Seriously loved loved loved every minute of it.
holyyyyyyyy *darling*, SJ Tilly does it again!!!! I mean if my updates were not evidence enough that I loved this book, pls know I devoured it within a work day(Shoutout WFH)
Seriously, this book gave me everything I expect in a SJ Tilly book AND everything I needed after my last read.
I do have to admit that I got second hand embarrassment at the beginning since we do see a few instances of Eloise crushing on Beckett…. Who rightfully ignores her cause they do have an 8 year gap.
After I moved past that, I was loving the little crumbs. Their reunion? The camping? Him buying all the tickets of a school play so he could talk to her and sit next to her? Him being over the top protective!? and doing some 🍑 👋🏼 pun!shment?
Seriously loved loved loved every minute of it.
September 16, 2022
Smoky Darling is book 1 in the Darling Series and my first book by this author. The story starts with 7-year-old Elouise falling in love with her brothers' friends older brother Beckett. I loved how we see Elouise at different stages of her youth while still pinning for Beckett until finally her heart is broken. Fast forward Elouise is now 30 and a teacher when she comes face to face with Beckett once again and he still makes her heart race. Beckett is back home dealing with personal issues when he sees Elouise again and decides that she is now old enough for him. I loved these two together, they were funny, and their chemistry was hot. Now while I really enjoyed this book it did start to fizzle towards the end. Overall, this was a really enjoyable story.
March 4, 2025
4.5 stars
This is basically S.J. Tilly at her best, lol. The curvy FMC had a major crush on her brother’s best friend’s older brother when she was a kid, they meet again when they’re in their 30s and he’s all “she thinks this is a one time thing, but she is mistaken”. 😆 Also, the couch scene was ridiculously hot. It’s instalove with a bit of drama peppered throughout, and oh so entertaining. Such an easy read, this one flew by.
This is basically S.J. Tilly at her best, lol. The curvy FMC had a major crush on her brother’s best friend’s older brother when she was a kid, they meet again when they’re in their 30s and he’s all “she thinks this is a one time thing, but she is mistaken”. 😆 Also, the couch scene was ridiculously hot. It’s instalove with a bit of drama peppered throughout, and oh so entertaining. Such an easy read, this one flew by.
June 5, 2023
Gosh I have been thoroughly consumed with every SJ book I have read and this one is no different🤭
longer rtc!!
longer rtc!!
November 17, 2022
I absolutely loved and adored this 😍
Elouise has been in love with Beckett for longer than she cares to admit. Their 8 year age gap really put a damper on things when she was younger. Now at age 30, she comes face to face with him after 12 years of nothing. Beckett has always been protective of Lou but seeing her now, all grown up, is like finding the missing piece he didn’t realize was missing. She’s his.
I love Lou, she’s honestly so sweet. Sure she jumps to some conclusions but given the circumstances, I would’ve done the same thing. Self preservation is important.
Beckett makes a mistake or two but boy does he grovel and prove to her exactly what he means and wants. I love that he didn’t shy away from her childhood feelings, or what she feels now. This man is just wow.. 😍
Highly recommend!
Elouise has been in love with Beckett for longer than she cares to admit. Their 8 year age gap really put a damper on things when she was younger. Now at age 30, she comes face to face with him after 12 years of nothing. Beckett has always been protective of Lou but seeing her now, all grown up, is like finding the missing piece he didn’t realize was missing. She’s his.
I love Lou, she’s honestly so sweet. Sure she jumps to some conclusions but given the circumstances, I would’ve done the same thing. Self preservation is important.
Beckett makes a mistake or two but boy does he grovel and prove to her exactly what he means and wants. I love that he didn’t shy away from her childhood feelings, or what she feels now. This man is just wow.. 😍
Highly recommend!
November 21, 2024
THIS WAS SOOOOO GOOD AHHHH S.J. YOU AMAZE ME
August 21, 2023
3.5 stars
Super cute, and very good dialogue writing—hard to find with a lot of indie contemporary romance!!—so I really enjoyed this one. It kind of got weird and moved way too fast for me at the end, but hey.
Writing: ★★★★
Plot/Pacing: ★★
Steam factor: medium to medium-heavy
Enjoyment: ★★★
Elouise fell in love with Beckett when she was 8 years old and he was 15. Her crush lived on throughout her childhood, with Beckett naturally out of reach—and several embarrassing encounters in Elouise's teenage years cemented to her that they were never meant to be.
Until, naturally, they find themselves meeting as adults. In the middle of an elementary school camping trip. In the wilderness. And they both realize that there's nothing standing between them anymore (except for the gaggle of literal children and Elouise's fellow teachers).
Beckett's grown up into a 38-year-old wilderness expert/property manager, and he's never fully been able to let Elouise go from his mind. But she's no longer a kid, and he no longer thinks of her that way. She's a 30-year-old teacher and all Beckett can think is MINE.
Cue some smexy times in the woods that follow them into their small town of Darling Lake, Minnesota...
Smoky Darling introduced us to SJ Tilly's new small-town romance series. It was my first by this author, but definitely not my last—I read this in almost one sitting and really enjoyed it! But I'll have to admit, it had some quirks for me personally.
I had a hard time with Beckett, specifically. (Let's be honest, I'm REALLY picky with my romance men.)
MILD SPOILERS, MAYBE:
Beckett's motivations were initially easy to roll with—he wanted to bang Elouise. So that worked out. But then his behavior after that and his intensity mixed with lack of backstory/explanations for too long left me with a weird feeling. This was not a childhood best friends story breaking the friendship barrier between two very close people—this was supposedly two people who knew each other as distant contacts in the neighborhood and spent very little time together, so to go from "oh hi, you are grown up" to "let's bang" to "I love you and never want to leave you" energy in the span of just a few DAYS was too much for this reader. Especially with the level of semi-caveman, semi-undisclosed consent boundaries that kind of creeped in there as well. But hey, to each their own.
However, all of that lack of love for this story aside, it did make me pick up book two, Latte Darling, immediately—and I'm obsessed with that one. So I'm looking forward to more SJ Tilly!
Blog | Instagram | Libro.fm Audiobooks
Super cute, and very good dialogue writing—hard to find with a lot of indie contemporary romance!!—so I really enjoyed this one. It kind of got weird and moved way too fast for me at the end, but hey.
Writing: ★★★★
Plot/Pacing: ★★
Steam factor: medium to medium-heavy
Enjoyment: ★★★
Elouise fell in love with Beckett when she was 8 years old and he was 15. Her crush lived on throughout her childhood, with Beckett naturally out of reach—and several embarrassing encounters in Elouise's teenage years cemented to her that they were never meant to be.
Until, naturally, they find themselves meeting as adults. In the middle of an elementary school camping trip. In the wilderness. And they both realize that there's nothing standing between them anymore (except for the gaggle of literal children and Elouise's fellow teachers).
Beckett's grown up into a 38-year-old wilderness expert/property manager, and he's never fully been able to let Elouise go from his mind. But she's no longer a kid, and he no longer thinks of her that way. She's a 30-year-old teacher and all Beckett can think is MINE.
Cue some smexy times in the woods that follow them into their small town of Darling Lake, Minnesota...
Smoky Darling introduced us to SJ Tilly's new small-town romance series. It was my first by this author, but definitely not my last—I read this in almost one sitting and really enjoyed it! But I'll have to admit, it had some quirks for me personally.
I had a hard time with Beckett, specifically. (Let's be honest, I'm REALLY picky with my romance men.)
MILD SPOILERS, MAYBE:
Beckett's motivations were initially easy to roll with—he wanted to bang Elouise. So that worked out. But then his behavior after that and his intensity mixed with lack of backstory/explanations for too long left me with a weird feeling. This was not a childhood best friends story breaking the friendship barrier between two very close people—this was supposedly two people who knew each other as distant contacts in the neighborhood and spent very little time together, so to go from "oh hi, you are grown up" to "let's bang" to "I love you and never want to leave you" energy in the span of just a few DAYS was too much for this reader. Especially with the level of semi-caveman, semi-undisclosed consent boundaries that kind of creeped in there as well. But hey, to each their own.
However, all of that lack of love for this story aside, it did make me pick up book two, Latte Darling, immediately—and I'm obsessed with that one. So I'm looking forward to more SJ Tilly!
Blog | Instagram | Libro.fm Audiobooks
January 23, 2023
3.5 stars
So after all the touting in my FB groups, I just had to see what was all the hype about this series. Well, the hype was well deserved because it was a thoroughly fun little book to read. Good writing, cute romance, nice plot, cool characters, small town charm and steam overload - what more to wish for?
I loved Elouise's character. I hurt along with her puppy love for irresistible Beckett, and loved her easy going and funny adulting ways. If this is the new chick-lit heroine who is not overbearing and overly sassy, then I am all in. SJT has a knack for writing about relatable, girl/guy next door characters. And Beckett, oh my gosh, I could quickly get addicted to his alluring brand of possessiveness and gentlemanly heroics. And the sex... omg 🥵! Really much, much more caliente than I would have thought!
Initially, I found the book a bit slow and had some misgivings about (a) Beckett's quasi instant lust on Elouise (after never having any interaction with her of the sort before, and not seeing her for years and not thinking actively about her during those years), and (b) Elouise making it too easy for him, without even some attempt at playing it aloof and make him work for it for even a tiny bit (after all the years pining and getting her teenage heart broken over many times).
But then, the plot took it into unexpected avenues that entertained me a lot. We got unexpected, good OW drama (with quick resolution!), a great and cute grovel scene by Beckett (oh my... I want one too 😁😍), cute relationship building little moments that felt so natural (kudos to SJT for showing and not telling!), and even a little action/thriller elements.
A really little nice surprise! I will be jumping straight into Book 2.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2025
I didn’t really like or connect to either character, but especially the H (I can’t even remember his name at the moment 😭). He rubbed me the wrong way and I didn’t like him at all
March 2, 2023
I started off with Darling Latte first and let me tell you, Axel is everything. That being said I had high expectations for this book and it didn’t deliver. This couple def had way more drama involved in their life. They were super vanilla and just not what I expected. Maddies story was waaaaay better.
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