Four Stars
Going into this book, I thought it was just going to be another small-town romance. Enjoyable, but nothing too special. Well, I didn’t take into consideration what a fantastic author can do with a well-used plotline. Tracey Livesay made the “big city girl coming to the small town” trope seem more fun and fresh than anything I’ve read recently. Plus, it’s surprisingly sexy, which I was here for 100%!
This book follows Caila, a workaholic still grappling with the death of her grandfather. After a major slip up at work, she has to go to rural Virginia to audit a plant that employs 1/3 of the town. Our hero, Wyatt, is the mayor and is determined to stop her from shutting down the plant. Caila is a strong black woman with goals, faults, and a rock-solid sense of self. I related to her strengths and her struggles and I was rooting for her the whole time. Wyatt was also a super three-dimensional character. His motivations and hidden depths under his charming personality had me equally invested in his story.
The chemistry and banter between our main characters are what really sold me on the book. It was explosive and immediate. Ms. Livesay did a great job transitioning insta-lust into real feelings and emotions in the relatively short time frame of the book. In true small-town romance fashion, the secondary characters were rock solid as well and had me laughing out loud with some of their antics.
I did think the beginning of the book was a little slow. There was a little too much background information about Caila and her job before the plot really started. I wanted the romance to begin!
Overall, I love the group of friends created at the beginning of this series. While they were only on the periphery of the story, I can’t wait to see how each, individual woman finds her happily ever after. If it’s anything like this book, I am going to love the ride! Also, I have to say, I think this book would make an awesome movie!
**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**
Romance Reader 