The Pocket Pair

Love Stories in Sheet Cake, Texas #3

by Emma St. Clair

Do I have feelings for my sister's best friend? Of course not.

That would be stupid, considering my sister once threatened to castrate me if I ever hurt Val.

Hurting her is the last thing I want to do, which is all the MORE reason I can't have feelings for her. Val deserves the world, and I'm NOT the man who can give it to her.

But when Val announces she's leaving town (and the country), I'm suddenly confronted with some very capital-F Feelings--ones that refuse to stay stuffed down deep where I've hidden them for more years than I care to admit.

Having her crash in my guest bedroom until she leaves only makes things worse.

Little by little, Val chips away at my defenses, and despite all the solid reasons I have, my resolve starts to crumble.

The thing is--none of the circumstances have changed.

Val is still planning to leave the country. And I ... well, I might have gotten more in touch with my feelings, but I'm still the same man.

NOT a man who can promise things like life-long commitment. NOT a man Val can count on. NOT the good guy everyone seems to think I am.

If only I could get Val and the rest of this nosy, meddling matchmaking town to believe me--and if my own stubborn heart wasn't trying to convince me otherwise.

The Pocket Pair is a best friend's brother, friends to more rom-com set in the fictional small town of Sheet Cake Texas. You'll find plenty of laughs and sizzling chemistry in this closed door romantic comedy. It's the third in a series, but can be read as a standalone.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Clean Romance, Friends To Lovers, Rom Com, Fiction, Forced Proximity

344 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 3, 2023

About the author

Emma St. Clair is a USA Today Bestselling Author who loves sassy heroines, witty banter, and love stories with heart and humor. She has an MFA in Fiction and lives in Katy, Texas (go, Tigers!) with her hubby, five children, and Great Dane. Her favorite place to write is tapping on her phone while on the elliptical machine. No Emmas have been hurt in the writing of these novels. (Yet.)

Want a free novella? Grab Upping the Ante here: https://emmastclair.com/ante

You can follow the day-to-day on instagram @kikimojo.

Reviews

[BernLuvsBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adored Chevy & Val! 💗 Another Sheet Cake win!

I adore this series. I adore Sheet Cake and all it’s inhabitants. Every book/romance has been a hit for me and Val and Chevy did not disappoint.

The Pocket Pair has so many of the tropes I love - best friend’s brother, friends to lovers, forced proximity, amazing small town vibe, endearing characters you love, dual POV, chemistry and that tantalizing slow burn angst that leaves you crazy.

Val and Chevy were funny, full of heart and had loads of chemistry (the mutual secret pining was everything!) and angst. They are definitely one of my fave couples (though I seem to feel that way about each Sheet Cake couple ). They were just so good together and good for each other. I love how invested everyone was in seeing them come together. Also a big fan of the fact that Val does not change her plans to go to Costa Rica because of Chevy. I love the fact that Chevy encourages her to go and and that they each grow in their own ways, bringing even more to their relationship.

Also, I read this while on vacation in Costa Rica and how freakin perfect was that?! Already looking forward to the next time I can visit my friends in Sheet Cake, Texas.

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sheet Cake series is a favorite of mine, and The Pocket Pair is a fantastic addition.

It has everything in it that I love about Emma’s books—witty banter, laugh out loud moments, clean but sizzling romance, and great side characters. And, as in the previous two books, it’s a lighthearted story, but doesn’t shy away from some serious topics.

Chevy and Val are so perfect for each other, and I absolutely adored them! I love how protective Chevy is of Val, and even though he’s constantly trying to put her in the friend zone, it’s obvious how much he really cares about her.

I loved Val’s sunshiny personality, her tender heart, and her patience and understanding of the emotional scars Chevy had because of his cheating dad.

What I loved:
Best-Friend's brother
Friends to lovers
Forced proximity
Sizzling tension & chemistry
Slow-burn romance
Dual POV
The Graham Brothers
Tank Graham
Small town vibes
Supportive siblings & friendships
Great character development
The grand gesture
The epilogue & bonus epilogue

This can be read as a standalone, but you’re missing out if you haven’t read The Buy-In and The Bluff. Reading them first will definitely make this a richer experience.

CW: Death of parents to cancer (past) and parental abandonment & parent having an affair (past)

Thank you to the author for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

1/11/24 UPDATE: I just finished listening to the audiobook version of this story. Kit Swann and Lee Samuels did an awesome job with this dual narrative. Their voices were exactly as I imagined Chevy and Val‘s would be, adding so much personality and feeling to the story. If you’re looking for a fun, entertaining, and romantic audiobook, this is a great choice. 🎧

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO. FREAKING. GOOD!

I felt so connected to Val! Her desire for a home and a family is so beautiful and something you don’t see a lot in contemporary books. I appreciated that.

Chevy? *chef’s kiss* He’s such a sweetheart. A little bit of a moron but we all can be—especially when we have heart hurt 😂

Solid 5 out of 5 for me! Love this third book and cannot wait for Collin’s and Tank’s stories!

[Lori Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raise your hand if you love romcoms? 🤚🏻

I’m a sucker for a romcom! If you are too, don’t miss Emma St. Clair’s Love Stories in Sheet
Cake, Texas series!

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙩 𝙋𝙖𝙞𝙧, is book 3 in the series, but read perfectly fine as a standalone! This was my first visit to Sheet Cake, Texas, and let me tell you, it won’t be my last!

The audio for this book was fantastic! The narrators Kit Swann (Val) and Lee Samuels (Chevy) had me hooked from chapter 1! I might as well have been watching a movie because I completely forget I was “reading”.

I loved the multimedia aspect with the neighborly app. The nosey small town neighbors had me cracking up! And being from Texas myself I loved the Dr Pepper/Coke discussion. I mean, the best coke 𝘪𝘴 Dr. Pepper!

If you love:

♡ Best friend's brother
♡ Friends to lovers
♡ Forced proximity
♡ Small town
♡ Closed door with sizzle

Don’t miss 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙩 𝙋𝙖𝙞𝙧!

And bonus, it’s free on Kindle Unlimited

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheet Cake is one of my most favorite places ever and I couldn’t get enough of Chevy and Val’s story. I was lucky enough to listen to this on audio and yeehaw–these narrators were absolutely amazing!

Val is Chevy’s sister’s best friend and if that isn’t off-limits, I don’t know what is. I couldn’t stop swooning and I couldn’t stop laughing. Emma St Clair is an absolute QUEEN of romantic comedy.

When Val needs a place to stay, Chevy offers up his guest room and from the moment she arrives and he answers the door (iykyk), I knew I was a goner. But wait! Actually, it was the flirting in CVS that first swooned my heart.

From nougies to finger guns; sniffing pits to mullets; unicorns to the classic Darcy hand flex; caber tosses to “no one tosses a dwarf,” this story is stuffed full of unique and quirky elements that caught me off guard and stole my breath in all the ways. Val is an incredibly fun character with a heart of gold and Chevy is a dream come true, with his sensitive nature, but slightly gruff ways, and all of it really comes alive with this audiobook version.

Sheet Cake is also full of hilarious animal antics and the meatball (or possibly eyeball) eating crows and the opossum-cat with the cannons had me literally gasping for air.

If I could pack my bags and move into this fictional town, I would’ve been there last week. Fantastic characters and phenomenal narrators–this one wins the Texas sheet cake for sure!

Content: mild romance; vague innuendo

*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

[Modern Miss Granger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will not be over this book for awhile. Chevy has my heart. Thank you @kikimojo for the arc of The Pocket Pair. It was an absolutely fantastic romance!!

Here’s what I loved:
• lots of mutual pining
• forced proximity goodness
• fantastic friendships
• small town shenanigans
• laugh-out-loud moments

Chevy had some of the swooniest lines and I was a puddle of feels over him. This book hit me in the feels and I loved Val and Chevy’s journey. This book is just utterly lovely!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★/5
Steam: make outs
Tw: death of parents in the past

[Alysha (For The Love of Christian Fiction) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chevy & Val! Val & Chevy! CHEVAL!! I love them and all their messy feelings!

We had all the things rolled into this story! And each was perfectly done, and the story wouldn’t have been the same without them.

We had best friend’s brother. ANGST! Chemistry! Forced proximity. Bromances. Sisterhood. Broken heart! Broken families! And healing.

I just adore this town so much! And I love these people! Val & Chevy were adorbs (even though their slow burn was killing me…in the best way) Winnie, Lindy, & Val are my favorite. But Colin, James, Pat, and Chevy are THE BESTEST MOST BESTEST! And I adddooorreee them!

I love how Emma writes more than just “fluffy” romcoms. They have depth, they have heart, and they have real life problems and have to use real life problem solving. (But I’m always thankful for a HEA!!!)

And this woman knows how to write a ROM HEAVY COM HEAVY story! I’m never ever ever bored when I read one of her books. They are perfectly balanced and hilarious and goofy and just STINKIN’ FUN!

I’M HERE FOR ALL OF THE SHENANIGANS!!!

This book was great! I enjoyed it so much and caaaannnooottt wait for Colin’s story!!
And I’m just gonna say this…chapter 23 was *chefs kiss* (IYKYK)
Emma is an alllll time favorite!
4/5 stars

*I received this book from the author**All opinions are my own*

[April | Aprilsbooknook_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

PERFECTION. 🥹🤍

I absolutely ADORE this series, and this sweet little town, and the people that @kikimojo created.

Val has had a crush on Chevy for, literally forever. The biggest problem... He is her very best friend's older brother. She also never thought he returned those feelings. Until circumstances leave her needing a place to stay, and Chevy goes all caveman "your staying with me" on her, things start to shift.

This story was perfection. While it was closed door, the tension was 🤌🏻 Val was constantly trying to get more from their friendship and Chevy was all too quick to jump in with a friend comment. It honestly was so funny! It also made me feel so sad for Chevy. Knowing the things he has been through. He worked so hard to overcome his own fears.

Can we also talk about how support he was to Val's future....

"And then you need to come back home, Tiny. Come back home. Home to me.”

I loved seeing how supportive the whole town was when it came to their relationship becoming more. Mari and her match making skills, Winnie being so excited but also still stepping into best friend mode.

I also love that we got to catch up with the past couples. The relationship between Chevy and his sister, Winnie 🥹🤍 The way that Winnie has turned James into a total softie. But we still get his grunts 🤣🤌🏻 I am so super excited for Collins story next!

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my lands…THIS BOOK…so So SO GOOD! This is hands down my new favorite book in this series! The amount of swoon, sparks, and chemistry in this book was absolutely unreal!! 🔥✨💥

That first kiss literally had me melting and tearing up at the same time, it was so absolutely perfect! ♥️ Chevy and Val have my heart both now, and forevermore ♾️ I mean that nickname though - Tiny 🫠 Every moment that these two spent together was sizzling with electricity ⚡️ All those kitchen scenes and couch scenes and honestly, every scene was so full of vitality ✨

This was one of my best book purchases so far this year! If you haven’t read this book yet, what are you waiting for?! GO BUY IT AND READ IT!!

[Cait | GoodeyReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

VAL & CHEVY.

BLOG || INSTAGRAM

This might be my new favorite in the series. I’m sure I probably say that about each book, but I just sincerely love each book that much. I love Emma St. Clair’s writing. I love the way she tells a story and the romances she creates. They are simultaneously funny and full of heart and make my day brighter when a new one drops on my kindle.

I adored Chevy. That sweet man trying to handle his daddy issues (and not doing such a great job). I loved his growth and acknowledgement of wrong doings. How he did work to be better and to be open. And OH MY GOSH he left me in a puddle with some of his moments.

“Good.” He pauses. “Because if I kiss you, it won’t go down like this. It won’t be quick. It won’t be sweet. And it won’t be with an audience. You got that?”

Val is one of the genuinely good souls type of characters. I loved her heart and mind and how good of a friend she was and everything in between. Val and Chevy have many moments that will have the angst turning up and you shouting KISS KISS KISS.

I love this small town, I love all of the glimpses of past book characters and new characters to come. I laughed, I cheered, I was giddy like a fool with the grand gesture. Another Sheet Cake winner!!

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a parent, parental abandonment, physical injuries

[Tricia Anson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read via audio 🎧 Such great narrators, it was a blast revisiting these two!

Chevy and Val—woo! They did not disappoint! Their story is a best friend’s brother, small town, forced proximity trifecta with so much heart, plenty of swoon, and lots of laughs.

Things I Loved:
-“I listen, because at times, listening is an easy kindness to offer. Especially to someone who’s lonely.”
-“You shouldn’t spend your life fighting ghosts.”
-Aisle of embarrassment
-Face yoga 😂
-“True best friends are your Rick Astleys”
-Butt battle
-Velveeta everything
-Old spice
-Neighborly App, as always
-“If there were a serial killer, he picked the wrong town. Nosy people on Neighborly would have him caught before he even attempted murder.”
-“No one tosses a dwarf.”
-“No one else’s mistakes have to be yours.”
-Peeping Sheeters
-“Mistletoe” 🤣
-THAT KISS
-Cheval
-“It’s the least I can do if the man’s going to help me put on pants.” 😂
-Three squeezes ♥️
-The WHOLE ending and epilogue

I love how stinking much these two cared for each other even in the midst of the hardest situation and Chevy’s struggle and growth was done so well. If you haven’t been to Sheet Cake, TX yet, what’s taking you so long?! You can enjoy this as a stand alone, but it was extra delightful seeing more of our favorite Sheeters throughout.




Trigger Warning: (All PAST) death of parents, parental abandonment, and parent having an affair

[MK · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Pocket Pair came to my kindle just in time. I’d been reading heavier books and enjoyed slipping back into the lovely town of Sheet Cake for a sweet romance.

Val was always a favorite of mine and I love her loyal love for Chevy, her friend’s older brother. I happened to have married my friend’s older brother, so I get the risk if it didn’t work out.

I loved the chemistry between Val and Chevy. I love that they want what’s best for the other, even if it’s hard for them. It stood out to me that Val was attracted to Chevy, even though he wasn’t some super fit muscular guy. Am I the only one that doesn’t need a male protagonist to be perfect looking? I love a love story with two perfectly normal imperfect people.

Emma St.Clair is an author that knows how to create a light hearted book that keeps me smiling, while also throwing in some complex humans that make be invested in the story and people. Such a fun read that I definitely recommend if you’re in the mood for a romcom.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this latest Sheet Cake, Texas romance from Emma St. Clair!! A fun, grumpy/sunshine, dual POV, mutual pining, roommance between Chevy, the town sheriff and Val, his sister's best friend and a talented painter who is about to leave for Costa Rica.

Val's upcoming trip forces Chevy to confront the feelings he's long buried and his own feelings of not being good enough for Val. Slowly this forced proximity romance helps to break down Chevy's objections and the two realize there's a mutual attraction.

Full of humor, heart and great emotional depth, this is a kissing only romance that delivers ALL the feels as only Emily can. While this is the third book in the series it does work as a standalone and was good on audio too narrated by Kit Swann and Lee Samuels.

Steam level: closed door/kissing only

[Ms Hassel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chevy and Val are another Sheet Cake triumph! I love this series and all its characters. The best friend's brother, friends-to-lovers, and forced proximity tropes, along with the small-town charm, make The Pocket Pair a delightful read. Val and Chevy, with their dual POV, chemistry, and slow burn angst, become one of my favorite couples. Their humor, heart, and mutual secret pining create a captivating dynamic. It's refreshing that Val sticks to her plans for Costa Rica, and Chevy supports her growth, adding depth to their relationship. The community's involvement in their journey adds an extra layer of enjoyment.

[Kara | karas_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet romcom series is so much fun. I loved Chevy and Val’s story

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet

A sweet, clean read. It shows we are more than our DNA. Love prevails when given a chance. Both characters grow a lot, and it ends well.

[Avery Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars ⭐

It was getting annoying with all the 'friends friends friends' and 'he doesn't see me like that' and 'shes my friend and only my friend...I think' and that's why it's not 4 stars but still a solid read.

[Lanaya Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute, clean and fun, but I wanted a little more slow burn and something I couldn't completely predict. It was fun to continue with this series. As always, the movie quotes are clever.

[Sara Blackard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Emma

I love going back to Sheet Cake, especially with the shirtless Graham brothers still making scenes. Chevy and Val’s love story did not disappoint.

[Sylvia Kinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet romantic comedy. I laughed so many times while reading. The epilogue was everything you would want in a epilogue.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute book in the series. Best Friends brother!

[Melynne (mels_booknook) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with this one. I love sheet cake and the people in it but this one felt slow and parts of the end made me cranky. It was cute and I appreciate Chevy had to work through things but just felt long. Also could just be that friends to lovers is not my favorite trope.

Content: infidelity, loss of parents
Romance: kisses, innuendo

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really fun story involving:
•best friend's brother
•friends-to-lovers
•roommates
•protection hero
•Small town setting
•mutual pining and great tension
•nicknames
•taking care of each other
•closed-door romance with sizzling kisses!

This is another great installment in the Sheet Cake series!

Val is crushing hard-core on her best friend's brother Chevy, meanwhile Chevy has swore off love because he fears he won't be able to be faithful in a real relationship, just like his father wasn't faithful in his marriage.

I loved the forced proximity and the tension between them! I love books where the characters become roommates! I loooove a protective hero and when he has a nickname for her😍 Chevy & Val are the CUTEST! Super fun story and I'm excited for future Sheet Cake books!

This story is great and I recommend it if you also enjoy closed-door romcoms!
This is part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone!


*My only issue is that I felt like the book ended/wrapped up way too quickly.
Chevy decides what he wants, and there's a grand gesture, and then its The End and an epilogue. And I just felt like I was left with questions.. Chevy is suddenly fine with a serious relationship?/taking it to the next level?? Did he ever go to therapy? And what about the half brother? Val & Chevy have a bit of a rocky road, they weren't in an actual relationship for very long, but in the end they decide they're going to be together! and then Val is gone 6 months, and we don't get to see when he comes to visit her?! I was bummed. And then they're getting engaged. It just felt like a quick end!

BUT

If you're an email subscriber you'll get an email with a bonus scene of Chevy visiting Val in Costa Rica and I LOVED THIS. This scene was literally everything to me, it answered all the questions and wrapped everything up! I wish it was included in the book as the last chapter! Soo many things said in the bonus chapter need to be IN/part of the book IMO! It really brought closure for some different issues and subplots and we got to REALLY see them together/happy and healthy in love!! and then the Epilogue felt WAY more natural and made more sense for me! For me, the info in that chapter and what we see in character growth, it just feels very necessary to the book, characters, and story overall. But thats just me! 🤷‍♀️ I'm just greedy I guess and always wanting MORE from the characters and stories I love☺️

This is a great book that I totally binge-read! I'm a huge fan of Emma St Clair and her books!

[Kriti Dalmia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Pocket Pair by Emma St. Clair

“When the winds of change are blowing, brother, the best thing you can do is hoist your sails and let them carry you along.”

Emma St. Clair knows how to write and tell a story.

Val and Chevy are sweetest couple for whom you will be rooting till the end. Their chemistry, slow burn, angst will have you wanting more.

Val is an artist and Chevy is a deputy. A bombshell drops on the entire town and Chevy when Val says she will be moving to another country. This leaves Chevy not knowing what to do since he can't overcome his baggage and commitment issues because of how his dad lied.

Chevy is kind, caring, compassionate and has my heart. They are cute and so blind to see their feelings for each other. I was shouting for them to act on it and free from the misery.

"Because the moment Val’s lips meet mine, my world doesn’t tilt on its axis; it implodes."

Yay!! Had me chanting kiss, kiss with others! The entire cast in the story was funny, entertaining and brilliant. It had the found family theme and I liked it.

The author made me laugh, cry and swoon, giving me all the feels by writing this heartwarming story. She has a smooth way of letting us know getting help is important for our mental health and to heal completely.

This friends to lovers, best friend's brother, sister's best friend, small town contemporary romance with forced proximity and close door theme was adorable.

[Madeline (bookswithmadi_) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been eagerly awaiting this book for one year. It was so worth the wait! I’ve loved Chevy and Val in the other books and I love them even more now!

One of my favorite parts of romances is the tension. Give me ALLLL the pining, the longing looks, the I-want-to-but-we-can’t moments! This book had that to the max. And it starts from chapter one (who knew a CVS could be so romantic). And man, it builds until your reading and yelling JUST KISS ALREADY.

Basically I loved this book to pieces. It’s my new favorite of the series! Team Cheval forever ❤️

Heat: make outs
TW: death of parent due to cancer, parent who has an affair, parental abandonment

[K.E. Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m giving this one five stars because there’s no reason to give it anything less than.

After reading and barely being able to stand The Bluff, which was the first book I picked up from this author and one I rated two stars, I actually became interested in Val and Chevy and wanted to give their story a shot.

I liked this one. Chevy was sweet and protective, and Val was mature and likable. The cop and the artist was a unique pairing. It was a friends-to-loves romance, which was cute, and also a best-friend’s-brother, which isn’t my favorite trope but was fun in this scenario.

It made me laugh a couple times and feel things with the deep love and mutual pining Val and Chevy had for each other.

When the subject of Val’s favorite fantasy movies came up, I was worried but then relieved how it wasn’t Harry Potter—because when there’s a fantasy geek character, you can bet the one thing they’re obsessed with is Harry Potter. Ugh. But no, it was actually Lord Of The Rings, which I was happy about and glad to see repped.

I didn’t read The Buy-In, so I couldn’t care less for Patrick and Lindy, so I skimmed over most every moment they were in, and as I indicated before, I couldn’t stand Winnie and James in The Bluff, but they were actually better in this book since they weren’t the main focus.

It was mostly clean too, with little or no language and only a little drinking. Some of the “jokes” were unnecessary, like the “hand in his pants” scene and the “baby boobs” comment. What the heck even are baby boobs? Please never use that expression again.

All in all, I actually liked it.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great summer read!

Ever since seeing reading in the first book of the series how Pat found himself in jail in Sheet Cake I have wanted to read Chevy’s story. I was super excited to get this book! Best Friend’s Sibling to Love Interest is one of my favorite tropes. This did not disappoint. So many scenes to love. Super funny romcom with great descriptive scenes that had me replaying scenes in my head even a day later. Loved the chemistry between these two. I also appreciated that although Val was over the moon for Chevy, she still prioritized the time she needed for herself and her dreams. Definitely a book you can let your YA daughters read. Positive messages about being your own person and living your life not in the shadows of other’s mistakes.

Rating: PG, clean, no language, sweet romance, some mild innuendo. The author has a content warning for various triggers found in the book. The book has low angst.

[Aprilslibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thank you for my e-arc! I still need to grab a physical copy because perfection.

“Because there’s no if we kiss—only when. And frankly, I’m tired of waiting for the when.”

Read this book for:

-Small Town Romance
-Best Friend’s Brother Trope
-Friends to Lovers
-Roommates
-Lots of chemistry, but closed door romance.

I loved being back in Sheet Cake. The Buy-In was my first Emma St. Clair book and Pat and Lindy and everyone in Sheet Cake have a special place in my heart. I loved seeing them and Winnie and James again in The Pocket Pair. Chevy and Val. CHEVY AND VAL. I loved this one. This was so wonderful. You have both character’s having a hard time voicing their feelings, you have some accidental injuries, you have stuffed French toast, you gave the laundry incident, you have Lord of the Rings, you have that first kiss. Ugh. I loved this one so much and I need to be back in Sheet Cake immediately with the next book. I also need this one for my shelf.

[Courtney | Bookish Beach Babe · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝘐 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘚𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘴, 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴, 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳.” 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘣 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘻𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘮. “𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶,” 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘴. “𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺, 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝙏𝙞𝙣𝙮.”

chevy and val were just the cutest. the tension, the forced proximity, the simmering slow burn!! i loved it all. i’m so glad that chevy was able to work through his past with his dad. his character growth was the best and i’m so happy he finally got out out of his own head and got our girl val! i love this series!!

read it for:
•small town romance and shenanigans
•the graham bros
•empowering friendships
•forced proximity
•friends to lovers
•best friend’s brother
•he calls her tiny
•LOTR love
•georgina the opossum
•exploding cannons

thank you to emma st. clair for an advanced copy. my thoughts are my own.

[Erica Kerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheet Cake is one of my fav towns!
Chevy and Val finally have their story!!! Best friends brother plus close proximity... yes please!

This book was the perfect next book to the Sheet Cake town series. These characters have been showing up in other books and getting to see their story was incredible. The town is fun characters, unique places, and of course the most awesome animals!

Val is an artist trying to find her place in the town... well world really. Even though she has the best of friends, she also needs to find her place. Chevy is the town sheriff that has to deal with his feelings.

When Val and Chevy are thrown together and have to address some feelings and life circumstances the things get all kinds of fun/crazy/lovely. I had so much fun reading this book and could not put it down.

I highly suggest this book and the whole series... well... while I'm at it... read all of Emma St. Clair's books!

Thank you to the author for the ARC copy. These are my honest opinions.