Trust fund? Check. Plans to restore an old train foundry into a brewery? Check. Grumpy project manager? Sigh . . . check.
From Marie Johnston comes a small town, grumpy/sunshine romance.
If I wanted to deal with a man just like my uptight dad, I would’ve told my parents what my brewery plans were. Only I didn’t tell anyone. I waited for my trust fund to deliver once I turned twenty-five, and I bought the old train foundry I’d been eyeing for years. Then McCoy Cunningham shows up.
I’m told he’s the best. He’s older than me and knows both sides of the business—the restoration and the brewing. But all I’ve gotten from him are scowls and dismissive grunts. McCoy might think he’s the expert, he might look at me like I should be in diapers with pigtails, but he’s wrong if he thinks he can bulldoze me.
All it takes is one look. One time I catch him eyeing me with something other than disdain. One conversation where we’re geeking out over yeast strains and hops. One kiss that leads to more.
I promised myself I’d never settle for a guarded man who thinks he knows everything, especially one who won’t put me before business. And after what McCoy's been through, he’s all about work. No personal entanglements. The last thing I need is to be left with flat beer and a broken heart.
Make Me Exhale is a standalone novel in the Oil Barrons series.
Marie Johnston is an award-winning, best-selling paranormal and contemporary romance writer. She grew up in the upper Midwest and planned to go to college for English. Didn't happen. She started college in accounting and was awful! Grabbing her inner science geek by the pocket protector, she changed to microbiology and medical technology where her only writing involved scientific articles and procedures. Eventually, she left full-time work for full-time baby raising but kept thinking, "one day, I'd like to write a book." Finally, before any more time passed, Marie decided to buckle down and write. She loves it!
What a treat it was, and nothing like I was expecting. But I can’t complain.
First of all, BEER! Don’t mind me, my little beer lover heart enjoyed all the beer talk in the book.
More than anyone else in the Barron dynasty, Isla was her parents’ pawn. It was hinted at the end of the previous book that she had a plan, and this one was about how she make it work. Not without bumps or obstacles, if you want to know. But her journey was the main topic, and it was awesome to see her becoming her own person and find her place in her family, and in life in general.
Her relationship with her parents is at the center of the story. Since the beginning of the series, we’ve seen Cameron and Naomi through their enemies’ eyes–estranged family members, business competitors, disgruntled neighbors, etc. Their children’s point of view is also biased, as kids often blame their parents for everything. But with Stetson’s story in the previous book, and now Isla’s, we see them differently. Probably because they change a lot, thanks to their children’s rebellion. But also because Stetson and Isla slowly learn more about their parents, understand them, and their point of view change. I won’t say Naomi and Cameron will ever win the Parents of the year award, but they aren’t the monsters that have been depicted before. Kudos to the author for the nuance.
McCoy’s journey was as important as Isla’s. Though he’s a grown man with experiences and a past, he isn’t further in life, and has even less clear goals than Isla has. It’s his relationship with the young woman that’ll make him realize that he needs to make important decisions. He needs to reevaluate his life and the people around him.
But Isla and McCoy will both make the final stretch of their journey alone, before reuniting–it is a happy ever after romance after all. I loved that.
I’m not sure about their feelings for each other. There was a lot of attraction for sure–and I do mean A LOT. They also respect each other, admire each other, support each other, but I didn’t see love until they speak about it. That doesn’t mean they weren’t an interesting couple.
I’m almost sad this series is over, and I really would be if there wasn’t a follow up series already announced. We aren’t done with the Barrons.
Quickie
- Series: Oil Barrons #5 (can be read as a standalone) - Hashtags: #small town romance #forbidden romance #workplace romance #age gap - Triggers: mention of cheating, mild psychological abuse - Main couple: Isla Barron & McCoy Cunningham - Hotness: 4/5 - Romance: 4/5 - + it’s when they’re apart that they grow, I loved that - – McCoy’s mother isn’t repentant enough
Going into this book, you truly have no idea as to who Isla Barron is. If you read the previous books in the series, you may have created a picture based on interactions and stories told, but this woman is so much more.
This is truly a story where the heroine shines and carries the story. How she finds her strength and self-worth with subtle help of the hero. McCoy Cunningham has a back story that takes a while to get, but you know that he was emotionally/personally damaged by people in his past. Which makes his story intriguing. I won’t deny that I cried multiple times through this story because Marie Johnston creates such a real depiction of Isla and her life. Honestly, there were some moments and emotions she was dealing with that I couldn’t help but see mirrored in my own life. My heart broker for her in so many ways because this is a girl who truly is stifled by her family and she isn’t sure how to take control without hurting people. Because she is inherently a people pleaser. At least to those who she things she should be pleasing.
I didn’t love McCoy for part of the book, but it was because the way in which he held so much back. But as you learn about his past and his hang-ups you can understand and see where his grumpy nature comes from. And he creates this stereotyped idea of Isla when they first met, but he soon sees that she it nothing like she appears to be at first glance.
The Barrons as a whole show growth and healing through this story. There are so many poignant and emotional moments in this book that I was truly sad to see it end.
Isla. I actually googled the name after her saying the ‘s’ is silent, to understand how to pronounce it. I had been saying it all wrong.
Isla Barron is the youngest of Cameron & Naomi’s children. At 25, she has finally come into her inheritance, her trust fund and she has big plans. She wants to make beer, to be a brewmaster. Buying an old train foundry with plans of converting it into a brewery and event center has been a dream of hers. One which her family has no clue about.
McCoy Cunningham is the project manager for Isla’s renovation. He works for Sylvia McDaniel of McDaniel Construction, who also happens to be his mom. He’s a curt, grouchy wall of muscle who doesn’t say much. He has a past that involves another brewery and an ex who left him questioning everything and avoiding all relationships.
The underlying theme of this series has been communication. They all talk, feel free to offer their advice or criticism, yet they never ask any questions or have real conversations. And therein lies the problem. Pride and arrogance caused Cameron Barron to make choices that affected his family for generations. His realization and acceptance of that was a subtle, yet remarkable thing to see.
As with all major renovations, the project hits snags, delays. The reasons behind the delays is what sets up the conflict. I was so happy when Isla found her spine. Once she started challenging other people and their decisions it opened her eyes to so much more. McCoy’s relationship with his mom troubled me. She used them both. That was wrapped up entirely too fast and needed more.
Overall I give this 4.5 stars.
The character growth in the story takes center stage, with a sprinkling of steamy moments here and there. This is the final book in Johnston’s Oil Barron series. I was thrilled when it was announced all the Barron’s would get a book and a new series. I really want to meet this mysterious Evander.
This book was a great wrap up for the Oil Barrons series. I was really happy to see Isla come into her own and for the whole family to start learning how to move on from the past. McCoy was a fantastic character. The perfect grumpy to Isla’s sunshine.
I’m really excited for the next series from this author.
Why haven't I read Marie Johnston before? I've got several of her books, including ones from this series, on my TBR list. I'll have to move them up the list because this was good.
While this is book 5 in the series, you can easily read it and not be lost. The Barron family has lots of members, but it was easy to see them here, or hear about them, and not feel like they were taking over the story. Isla and McCoy were front and center. Isla grew so much in this. I loved her growth and learning how to stay nice while defending herself when needed. McCoy learned to trust again and it was sweet.
I'll be reading more from this author and I'll also be going back and picking up some of the earlier ones in this series.
A final hurrah in the Oil Barrons series. Book 5 I think and we see the baby of the family Isla, stepping out on her own. She’s purchased an old building and is planning a distillery and event space with great plans and a sizeable trust fund to spend. Enter McCoy, 11 years her senior and the project manager for the renovation. He’s working for his mother after a bitter divorce that cost him emotionally and financially.
Isla is fiercely independent but as a result feels increasingly disconnected from her family. She and NcCoy have an instant attraction and have lots in common. This is a nice story, that probably suffered from a little dip in the middle of the book that made me lose a little connectedness. It picked up towards the last third and there were some nice outcomes as a final instalment with these characters. .
Isla's long been short shrifted by her family, her parents in particular. But now she's out from under their thumbs and has used her trust fund to buy the foundry. In it she's planning on a brewery. To do that, though, she needs help. Unfortunately, or is it fortunately? that help comes in the form of a grumpy older guy who is awfully similar to her disapproving dad. Sparring with and standing up to, McCoy, seems an exercise in futility, until he starts slowly seeing things her way. He's still keeping her at arm's length even as they give into their attraction, though. And when she finds out that secret he's kept from her? And it affects what she's trying to do here? Yeah...now she's got a choice to make - stand up for herself and her new business, or let McCoy's baggage stand in her way, even if it means it keeps him in her life.
I love grumpy/sunshine. There's something so satisfying reading as a grumpypants meets sunshine and cannot resist the warmth, and falls hard. McCoy had valid reasons for his grumpiness, but he was seriously frustrating to read as he keep Isla at such a distance, didn't open up to her. But Isla more than made up for him with her work ethic, her backbone, her sureness in what she wanted. She was so slighted by her whole family, that the strides she made just made me cheer for her, and root her on as she brought her own grump to his knees.
ARC provided by Give Me Books Promotions for an honest review.
Book five in the Oil Barrons series, and we see McCoy and Isla take the leads in this book. It’s not necessary to read any of the previous books, as each book stands on its own. Isla Baron can finally fulfil her dream of owning a brewery. She waited, planned and dreamed of this moment for years. She plans to make it work by putting on events at her little brewery, it’s going to work, it has to! She’s kept her plans to herself, not telling her family what she intends to do with her inheritance (I get the impression the family do a lot for Isla, they don’t give her enough credit!) McCoy swore he’s never getting involved again after a nasty divorce! it’s work all day long. Older and definitely a little more wary of women, McCoy sees Isla as a flighty young thing who knows nothing about the business she wants to set up! It’s suppose to be project manager and client relationship, but Isla feels like she’s being bossed about by said project manager and her family! Her dream is set back time after time with delays and she takes it out on family and friends! She’s too young. He’s too grumpy….. So you know that once they admit their feelings it’s going to explode all over the page 😉 but you do have to wonder if it’s ever going to happen! And even when they do admit their feelings for one another, McCoy keeps her at arms length! Not really letting her in! Isla feels frustrated! Does she give him more time, or is it time to walk away? I have to admit, this is probably my favourite of the series. I really liked this couple. Isla was very sure of herself, she knew what she wanted to do, and how to go about it. I did think her family and friends could have had a bit more faith in her (they jumped in too quick with opinions and help, instead of letting Isla figure it out for herself) and even grumpy McCoy was a great character. After a messy divorce he was a work/work/work kind of guy. So to see him fall for little miss sunshine was fun to read. So if you like grumpy/sunshine tropes, age gap tropes, then this is the book for you. A highly recommended read from one of my favourite small town romance authors. 🦋
This book not only gives readers a sexy romance, it also gives insight into family dynamics and the often complex relationships and connections among it’s members. Isla Baron had been planning and biding her time until she could claim her inheritance. Now she has used her own money to buy an old foundry close by, in which she plans to open a brewery and event space. Everything has been done without consulting her parents or any other member of her family. She is fighting for her independence, for her parents approval and to prove to herself that she can take her hobby and build a successful business. She is unprepared for her parents’ reactions and the need to question her decisions and business plan. McCoy, the project manager for the construction company she hired, sets her aback. Gruff, surly and opinionated describes him best, though Isla also finds him far too attractive. Isla soon discovers that renovating the foundry and getting her business off the ground may be the least of her problems. Everyone is questioning her capabilities, delay after delay has brought her business dream to a stand still, and the relationships she has with family and friends have become strained. McCoy and Isla’s relationship becomes much more intimate and personal, though she is beginning to suspect that their business relationship is not what it should be. Admitting to herself that she has fallen for McCoy is hard, especially since he is wary of relationships after his nasty divorce and now a betrayal has come to light. Do Isla and McCoy have a chance at a happily ever after or is everything done between them?
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Welcome - cop a squat, grab a brew - relax there's rootbeer too if you prefer, and enjoy the journey that Isla and Coy's story as well as the final chapter in the Barron's family saga. Don't worry though a little 🐦 mentioned that we would see them again soon
The story is full of humor, romance, and heart. Johnston does a great job of developing the characters and their relationships. The reader can't help but root for Isla and McCoy to find their happy ending. Make Me Exhale is the fifth book in Marie Johnston's Oil Barrons series. It is a standalone novel that can be read without having read the previous books in the series - Though trust me you will want to go back and read them all.
The story follows Isla Barron. After finally coming into her trust fund, Isla turns her plans into a reality - to use the money to start her own brewery. She is definitely a force to be reckoned with, and she is determined to make her brewery a success without any family "input". I took her time to find her legs but dog-gone it she was going to do this the right way.
McCoy Cunningham is the project manager who was hired to help Isla with her brewery. He has felt the sting of betrayal and doesn't play well with others however he is a talented engineer, and he is the best person for the job.
Isla and McCoy seem like complete opposites. There is a lot of chemistry between them. Which they fight - and fail at - quite spectacularly.
Make Me Exhale is a fun and heartwarming romance novel. It is a story about following your dreams and finding love. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the plot is engaging. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good romance novel.
One thing I discovered was that I had been pronouncing Isla's name incorrectly throughout this series.
I was so frustrated by Isla not being able to stand up to her parents domination. Yet, she took baby steps and with each of her victories, I could only cheer for her.
I liked Isla and McCoy. She seemed to be able to stand up to him. I hated when her doubts and insecurities took over. Not only with McCoy, but with her family and best friend. It was kind of painful to see how alone Isla felt.
McCoy's mother surprised me. I didn't expect that behavior from her. Especially after everything he had been through. I did appreciate that McCoy and Isla seemed to find strength in one another. There were some unexpected twists in this book. A couple of jaw droppers. Things that I did not expect to see happen.
This book could be read as a stand-alone. I honestly believe a reader will get more enjoyment if they read this series in order. Even if a reader decides to start with book 3 or 4, that would be better than starting with this book. There are some enjoyable times to be had with this series.
McCoy and Isla had intense chemistry that allowed their romantic, steamy relationship to develop. There were strong emotions displayed through the entire book. It was worth navigating those emotions to see McCoy and Isla reach their HEA.
I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book received via Booksprout.
Isla had waited patiently for her twenty-fifth birthday to get her trust fund so she would be able to put her life plan in action. In college, she gathered an interest in brewing beer, and she started researching all types of brews and breweries developing plans of eventually building her own. The second, she received her money, she bought a building just outside of Coal Haven on the highway, and she already had a company lined up to oversee the renovation of the building. She did all of this without telling anyone in her family or her bestfriend. Being Cameron and Naomi's daughter, you can imagine this did not go over well. They kicked her out of the house, took her vehicle away, and her part-time job. She continued to work with the project manager, McCoy Cunningham on her brewery and event business, but his mother the owner out of Denver and was giving delays on A & E being able to come inspect the building. McCoy and Isla experienced a definite spark the moment, they met. He got a full family dose of the Barron drama every where he went either by the residents of the town or by one Barron's themselves. It was almost comical that McCoy would go to eat, and more Barrons would show up to eat with him asking all kinds of questions. Sometimes it was hard to tell if they were being protective or nosey. Enjoy this turbulent story of forgiveness, love, and family.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow, this is the Barrons book I’ve been waiting for. Isla – quiet, toe-the-line, don’t make waves Isla – has had a plan all along. The trouble, of course, is her interfering family. Not only are her parents entirely likely to take over everything, but as one of the youngest Barrons, she’s certain no one in the family takes her seriously, or is ready to let her stand on her own feet. So she’s hidden her massive secret for years.
Along comes McCoy, who’s got even more secrets that Isla. The attraction is there, but she has to rely on him for his expertise as well. It’s a delicate balance, until they tip over into a relationship. They both want to hide their attraction, but in a small town that’s nearly impossible – and it comes at a price.
There’s actually a lot of pathos in this book. McCoy’s situation, Isla’s isolation in the midst of her boisterous, growing family, the long overdue recognition of decades-old mistakes. But there’s also bridges built, olive branches extended, and understanding that sometimes the most independent and free a person can be, is when they ask for help. What a powerful and satisfyingly deep ending to this fantastic series! And how glad I am that Marie has promised that more Barrons will be getting their HEAs in her upcoming series!
RECOMMENDED for those that like: small town/family/slight grump-sunshine
First my usual points: - I do not do spoilers unless warned. - Read the summary above; it will tell you what the book is about. I will not reiterate. - This is a standalone but 5th in a series. Best enjoyed in order but not necessary - No errors that I caught as far as editing. - The author was not new to me
BOOK: - Cover adequately reflects the story - Genre/troupe: contemporary romance - 1st person alternating POV - Characters from prior books make appearances
Star Ratings - 1 (poor) – 5 (READ THIS BOOK) • Writing Quality: 5 • Story ingredient: 5 • Ease of reading/Pace: 5 • Plot strength: 5 • Steam Level: 5
Notes/Opinion (personal thoughts):
Series set in small town have their own charm and the Oil Barrons series is no exception. Small town usually have a ‘ruling family’ and the Barros reflect the ‘order’ and with all the success, comes problems and expectations. Isla and McCoy, trapped by their experiences (and inexperience) lean on each other for truth and advice while falling hard and quick.
I never have a problem getting caught up in the small town world of this author and always look forward to more.
Wow! I absolutely loved this book and this couple! I definitely need to go back and read more from the Oil Barrons series!
Make Me Exhale is a small town, age gap, grumpy x sunshine, workplace romance between Isla and McCoy.
I really felt for Isla. She just wants to carve out a place for herself in her brewery business, and the only person who’s on her side is herself, on a good day. I loved how the more time she spends with McCoy, the more confidence she gains and the more she’s finding where she belongs. I loved how she’s taking back her power, and I think so many readers would love her story.
I’ve yet to read a hero I haven’t loved from @mariejohnstonwriter , and shocker, I of course loved McCoy. He just wants to run his business and run it well, and I understand how frustrated he was about someone else taking over. I loved watching him soften his edges with Isla as he gets to know her better, finding the kindness and patience he’d buried long ago and opening his heart to allow himself to fall for her.
Thank you so much for my gifted copy @mariejohnstonwriter and for having me on your content team! I absolutely loved this couple, and I’m so excited to see what you in store for us next.
Mysterious Isla finally gets her story. She is best friends with Lyric (book 4 heroine) and youngest Barron. She is Shy and keeps everything to herself and there weren't much about her in previous books. Isla waited until her 25th birthday to get her trust fund money and bought foundry. She has a grand plan to turn it into a brewery and event venue without her parents advises. Her parents are not the easiest people to talk to and she was sure they will interfere with her plans. So she is going ahead with her plan and meets grumpy contractor McCoy Cunningham. McCoy and Isla has an interesting meet cute. He thought she college student trespassing the property and shows his grumpiness. When he finds out she is the owner, he doesn't have choice other than ready to work with her. Isla and McCoy has their own issues with their own family and they each have their problems to work out. They can be great except things keeps getting in the way. Isla and McCoy do struggle a lot through and they both grow and learn. Isla really blossom and strong as a business woman and she learns to stand up for herself and don't give in. McCoy wasn't my favorite hero for awhile but when he figure himself out, he did won me over. This does have plenty of family drama, banter, small town gossips. I think I liked this one the best, I have read from this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I was very excited for this book! I love this family and all their troubles. I was curious to see how things would play out for the darling girl…the one who always followed the rules…until she didn’t. I loved that Isla finally became her own person in here. Did she have growing be pains?? You bet! She learned how to handle business and her independence. It was lovely. Her love of making her own brews and her family was easy to see coming off the pages. Made me envious and wanting to drink her stuff. McCoy wasn’t a favorite of mine. He ran hot and cold and it me a while to warm up to him. He too has issues that he is trying to work though in regards to Isla business and his own self. I like how he slowly learns to admire Isla.
Overall this is a wonderful story with characters that fall imperfectly into the Barron family. We meet new faces and see old ones. I liked the idea of the story but it ran a bit slow for me with too much time on self doubt. The characters were nicely developed and overcame obstacles. Its cute though!
I received a complimentary early release e-book prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the final book in the series about the Barron family that live in a very small town of Coal Haven. In this book we get to know Isla, who is the youngest and watch her start her future.
Isla has turned 25 and she has big plans. And her plans include, 36-year-old, divorced, Mccoy Cunningham as her project manager for her new business.
Her parents have a lot to say about that and none of it was good. But I loved how her siblings, cousins, friends and Mccoy have her back. Mccoy also has some issues from his divorce, but I loved that when Isla needed it, he had her back.
Part of Isla's dream is to open a Beer Brewery and it was a fascinating aspect to this story. I know nothing about beer or IPAs, so I got a really interesting education on this subject and Isla's dream.
This was an awesome end to the series, and I loved the age gap between McCoy and Isla. It is very much a beauty and the beast type of story, but Isla is an amazing girl boss as well.
Isla is a strong character who focuses on reaching her dream of having her own brewery. She planned everything out until she reached 25 and had access to her trust fund money. She then purchased an old train foundry she had designated for her brewery years before. And she accomplished this without interference from her family.
Then Project Manager McCoy Cunningham shows up to complete her dream. The grumpy man is not only prepared to handle the restoration of the building, but he also knows brewing. Two powerful personalities are about to collide!
With McCoy bitter from his past and not wanting any personal relationships, will he reconsider as he and Isla get to know each other? Or will she pull back in time to spare any heartache that would certainly devastate her if she found herself falling in love with this man? Grab your copy and see what the future holds for them. Can they get over the bumps and find a HEA with each other?
Damn im a little bit sad that this is the last book in this series. One that ive really enjoyed reading a great deal. This final book was Isla Barron's book. She popped up in Make Me Dream (the book before this one) her brother Stetsons' book.
Isla is the quiet one of the two and as such she's alienated herself from most of her family. It doesn't help that her parents have ostracized some of their family too as well as caused trouble for most of the town so she's been tied into that as well. Guilt by association. I honestly liked Isla but my heart went out to her as she came across as lonely and not included. When she started her own business - a brewery that's when she began to come out of her shell more. More so too with the introduction of McCoy. Who had his own unhappy backstory. His abrasive & gruff demeanour certainly was the complete opposite to Isla's sunny deposition that's for sure. I loved their dynamic though. That made this last book for me. A few bridges were also built in this book and it was the perfect way to end it.
This is the fifth book in this series by this exceptional author. This is the story of Isla and McCoy, these two have instant chemistry between them and the sparks definitely fly. This is a small-town, age-gap romance at its best from this author. This story has it all steamy scenes that just melt your Kindle and romantic swoon-worthy moments that make the story flow really well. This is a fantastic addition to this incredible series of stories from this author. If you love small-town romances this is definitely the book for you.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
“Make Me Exhale” is a sweet, heartfelt grumpy/sunshine romance that was a great read and the perfect wrap up to the series.
Isla finally has access to her oil trust and is going to use it in a big way. She’s starting her own brewery from the ground up. McCoy is her grumpy project manager who is there to help her with everything despite how attracted to her he is. But as they spend time together, the sunshine starts to win over the grump.
I loved the instant chemistry and banter between Isla and McCoy. I could feel the tension as I read and it was fun and delicious. Isla has a fiery independence to survive on her own although she still feels the pressure from her parents. McCoy is also going through similar struggles of trying to leave the past behind and start fresh. There’s a lot of growing between the two and I loved them doing that journey together. And Isla being a female brewmaster was awesome. This has been a great series to get into and I can’t wait for the next.
I have been waiting for Isla's book ever since I read about her and the wait was worth it. Marie delivered everything I expected and more. I was completely lost in the read and finished it in a single sitting.
I loved getting to know both Isla and McCoy. There is so much depth in there characters and both have suffered in different ways. It was fascinating getting to know them and I fell for them as they fell for each other.
This was an emotional read where I could not control my tears at some instances. There was so much character growth which made me love this read a little more. And I also liked to get to know Isla's parents in a new light.
McCoy and Isla's chemistry is sizzling and the bond they share is really special. I was lost in them even after finishing the read and couldn't get enough. Though, this is the last book in the series it can be read as a standalone. Thanks to Marie and Givemebooks promotions for the advanced copy.
Isla, the s is silent, Barron has been biding her time until she gets her inheritance on her 25th birthday. Now that she has her money, she’s going to put her plans in motion. She’s been experimenting with different beers and wants to open her own brewery/event center. But with her parents’ constant hovering and strong arming of her and the town, she’s up against a formidable force. Add to that the surly project manager the company she’s contracted with has sent, she’s really got her work cut out for her.
Since McCoy’s life imploded, he’s been rudderless. So, his mother, the owner of the construction company Isal has contracted with, has sent him to run the construction for Isla’s structure. Unfortunately, there are major delays that have thrown everything off. Can McCoy pull himself out of his own head and still keep the project running?
Make Me Exhale is the 5th and final book in the Oil Barrons series and should be read in order. While the romance between Isla and McCoy stands alone, there is just too much family dynamic and drama carried over from previous books to truly understand Isla without that info. That said, this is as much a coming of age book as a romance, with Isla finally finding her backbone and learning to stand up for herself. I enjoyed her passion and truly felt for her with all the heartache and frustration she had to go through. In a way, McCoy is in the same boat, but his choices were quite surprising and disappointing at times. There's steam aplenty, some really surprising twists and turns and a wonderfully heartwarming HEA for the whole family.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Isla and McCoy’s well written story is the fifth instalment in the Oil Barron’s series. Both have been traumatized, Isla by her family & controlling parents, McCoy by his father and ex-wife. You can feel each of their loneliness and lack of self-worth. I could really feel their individual pain and at times my heart hurt for them. McCoy is sexy and a perfect match for Isla. I loved watching Isla grow and developed into herself and take charge of her life. I especially loved the way they encourage each other to obtain their goals. The chemistry between two is instant and explosive, with hot and steamy scenes. Of course there is more Barron family drama and some resolutions. I am just loving this series and love forward to more stories in the Oil Barton’s series. I received an ARC for an honest review.
I’ve loved this series and I’m sad to see it end. This was my favorite couple and their story brought out all the emotions. I was laughing out loud than tearing up as Isla and McCoy’s story unfolded. Isla the sheltered Barron daughter who no one expects much from is full of surprises. When she strikes out on her own with plans to open a brewery unbeknownst to her overbearing family. This is where she meets McCoy the project manager that’s been hired to help bring her Brewery to fruition. McCoy has a complicated past that he hasn’t fully dealt with leaving him bitter and guarded in contrast to Isla’s sunshine personality. This had some surprising twists and turns that forced Isla to develop her backbone and showed how family no matter the history will show up. This was a good end to the Oil Barron series with a peek at how all the characters from previous books are doing.
We are back in the world of the Oil Barton’s series and it is a must read. My favorite story and its all because of Isla’s character. Her strength and will to follow what she wants out of her life begins when she gets access to her inheritance. She’s been dreaming of owning her own business and finally took the step. Enter McCoy Cunningham to help her in her journey, but it’s not all roses as they work on their work relationship and ends up blossoming to so much more. But family, drama and a past that still hunts him takes a chunk in their relationship. Will she be able to get her dream business and find their forever? One click to find out in new addition that doesn’t disappoint. I love the characters, their determination and growth throughout the storyline made for a heartwarming and enjoyable story.
The focus of the story lies in the character growth, punctuated by occasional steamy moments. This book is the final installment in Johnston's Oil Barron series, which features all the Barron siblings in their own books.
The series has been a delightful journey of self-discovery and personal growth for the Barron siblings. The final book in the series brings all the character arcs to a satisfying conclusion, allowing the readers to witness the characters' transformation firsthand. Amidst the development of the main characters, the story is also peppered with steamy scenes that add a touch of romance to the narrative.
While the series has been a delight for readers looking for romances centered on personal growth it also has been a window in to the amazing talent from this author.
Make Me Exhale is the fifth book in the Oil Barrons series. I have not read all of the books in this series yet but I knew that I wanted to read the story about Isla Barron and McCoy Cunningham. Isla has a plan to get the future she wants and this book is just how she goes about it, even when it goes off-plan. McCoy is older than Isla but there is something about the younger woman that he keeps trying to fight until he just has to raise the white flag and go with his heart. There is a lot of push and pull in the relationship between Isla and McCoy as they are very different. But once they finally realize that together they make a much great whole and an unstoppable force things will turn out for the best. Add in some smoking hot chemistry into the swirling mix and things are brewing up to get hot and heavy.