I was mourning the end of the World of True North, but then Sarina decided to gift us all with this phenomenal story.

“A new hockey player to steal your heart this fall…

The dreamiest player on the Moo U hockey team hangs a flyer on the bulletin board, and I am spellbound:

Rent a boyfriend for the holiday. For $25, I will be your Thanksgiving date. I will talk hockey with your dad. I will bring your mother flowers. I will be polite, and wear a nicely ironed shirt…

Everyone knows it’s a bad idea to introduce your long-time crush to your messed-up family. But I really do need a date for Thanksgiving, even if I’m not willing to say why. So I tear his phone number off of that flyer… and accidentally entangle our star defenseman in a ruse that neither of us can easily unwind.

Who knew that Weston’s family was even nuttier than mine? He needs a date, too, for the most uncomfortable holiday engagement party ever thrown.

There will be hors d’oeuvre. There will be faked PDA. And there will be pro-level awkwardness…

Boyfriend is a full-length book for Weston and Abbi!“

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Abbi is our heroine. She is incredibly hardworking, very independent and incredibly stubborn. She comes from a complicated family situation and quite remarkably made the best of it. She is graduating early with a business degree, so naturally, between school and work, she has had no time to date. I loved Abbi, I loved how despite how her head was in the books but she had enough time to develop a bit of a crush on Weston. Weston is our hero and I loved him too. He is a college hockey player but only plays for fun. It was nice to have a male protagonist in the Moo U series who never saw themselves as destined for the NHL. It felt way more realistic that Weston played for fun and was able to use it for a scholarship. Weston was pre-med and he also has a complicated family situation. His parents’ divorce is messy and he navigates it the best he can. I found him quite relatable because I would be just as nervous to have my parents in the same room post-divorce.
• Setting: The story is set at Burlington University. Which is affectionately called Moo U! We spent a lot of time at the Biscuit, the bar the hockey players frequent. It also happens to be where Abi works. Reading scenes at the Biscuit feels like coming home. Could not have been happier with all the time we got to spend here.
• Pacing: I almost read the whole book in one sitting. I had to put the book down so I could sleep after reading to almost 1 am. The pacing was riveting, I was hooked from the very beginning and I never wanted Abbi and Weston’s story to end.
• Romance: I loved that this relationship started with fake dating. They helped each other out, but after their respective favours, they could not stop thinking about each other. I loved how as their relationship got more serious they really began to re-evaluate their life, their decisions and where they wanted to go. I really relate to that because that is how my relationship progressed, that we began to start making life choices together and diverting plans for each other. This book was pretty steamy too and I loved their chemistry.

Boyfriend receives five out of five stars.

You can pick up the story here.

Thank you again to Sarina and her team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Sarina Bowen’s Boyfriend ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

Read all my World of True North reviews here. Time for the final World of True North book!!

“I’m a numbers girl.

Or at least I thought I was, until my formula fell apart. Back home in Vermont, with my dream on hiatus, I’m working at the Busy Bean and taking online classes. As long as I keep my focus, I’ll be back in New York City next semester. Hopefully.

When Declan O’Shaughnessy storms into the café, all muscles and tattoos, wielding his sexy Irish brogue like a weapon, the only equation I can solve is one that lands me in his bed. Even more dangerous, is my growing affection for his cherub-faced little boy.

But Declan has complications of his own. He’s cagey, but I’ll win him over.

Yeah, about that focus… mine is all on him. Can we have a harmless fling without getting hurt?”

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Our female protagonist is Solana. Solana gave up a scholarship to a university in NYC and decided to settle in Colebury for a semester. She plans on enjoying the slower pace of life and reconnecting with her brother. She is doing school online while working at the Busy Bean. The story opens with us nearing the anniversary of her parents’ death and she is still very much struggling with it. I really like her character and how the struggle was depicted. Our male protagonist is Declan. An extremely Irish, recovering alcoholic, single dad who is completely enraptured by Solana. He is such a caring man so I really liked him too.
• Setting: The story is set in Colebury, Vermont. Solana is settling there to enjoy the slower pace. While Declan is kind of stuck, as he would love to go back to Ireland. But his son James keeps him tied to Colebury. I do really love this setting though and I am gonna miss it. This was another great instalment when it came to incorporating Sarina Bowen’s characters that I love such as Audrey, Zara, Alec and May. I love the special role May played.
• Pacing: The pacing of this story was quite wild. When I thought I knew what was going on, I really did not. I was shocked by reveals multiple times. So I really wanna applaud Aria Wyatt for keeping us on our toes.
• Romance: I love how infatuated these two were with each other. The other thing that dictated the early parts of this relationship was Solana’s virginity. Delcan did not have the best initial reaction but it was because he wanted to do right by her. Wanted to ensure that for her everything was good and that he was the right one for her first time. Once they got into bed together, which was not too rushed which I loved. He was a gentleman and then when Solana did not want him to be he delivered. There was a scene with a tie that was so incredibly hot. This romance was much more than the sex though. They are dealing with a lot more roadblocks than an age gap and I loved how they fought so hard for each other.

Afterglow receives four out of five stars.

You can pick up the story here.

Thank you again to Sarina, Jenn and the rest of the World of True North team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Aria Wyatt’s Afterglow ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

Read all my World of True North reviews here.

“A moving second-chance romance where hope can turn history into a footnote.

Sasha Covey needs a rewrite. Or a really big eraser. Her past doesn’t belong in the life she’s trying to rebuild. Her future—and her recovery—depend on a fresh start. Moving to Colebury seems like the perfect test until Penley Brooks waltzes into the Busy Bean. The handsome veterinarian is just as charming as when she fell for him a decade ago. Memories come flooding back, and their connection is as potent as ever.

Trouble is, Sasha has good reason to keep her distance. Her recovery is still new, and the single dad has wounds of his own. After years of being an afterthought, Penley’s goals are finally within reach. As much as she aches to reconnect, Sasha won’t stand in the way of his dreams.

Somehow, that all melts away whenever she’s with Penley. Together, dreaming is a little easier.

But dreams don’t always survive in the real world. Not when the past comes knocking.

Footnote is a standalone small-town romance set in the World of True North.“

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Our female protagonist is Sasha. She had such an interesting back story that explores themes that may trigger readers. Please be cautious if you find it difficult to read depictions of neglectful parents and/or eating disorders specifically bulimia. Sasha is recovering not just from being raised by an extremely neglectful mother but also from an eating disorder. Our male protagonist is Penley. He works at the local vet/animal rescue. Pen is a divorcee trying to raise his son, Henry, with an ex-wife who is incredibly controlling of their son’s time. He has always had a crush on Sasha. They met as teens when Pen’s dad and Sasha’s mom dated. They kissed and then Sasha and her mom moved away. So now they have the perfect second chance.
• Setting: The story is set in Colebury, Vermont. Sasha works at the Busy Bean cafe. She is only temporary in Colebury, which is been such a common trope in not only this series but throughout the World of True North books. We spent some time at the cafe but most of the book was set at Pen’s house in the woods. I loved the cozy setting.
• Pacing: The pacing was pretty good overall. In the later chunk, the pacing was a bit off for me. I do not want to spoil things too much but I think Pen should have clued in to what was going on a lot faster than he did.
• Romance: This was quite an interesting second-chance romance. Sasha and Pen are both bringing very different types of baggage into their relationship. And they are nowhere near the same people they crushed on in their teens. They have had their struggles and are still going through some things. I loved how the romance started as sneaking around so that they could be hot and heavy with each other. Then it morphed into another one of those romances where falling for the child of my new significant other is key. Overall, this book deals with some pretty heavy topics and does so in a pretty considerate and thoughtful way.

Footnote receives four out of five stars.

You can pick up the story here.

Thank you again to Sarina, Jenn and the rest of the World of True North team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Alexa Gregory’s Footnote ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

Read all my World of True North reviews here.

“Sometimes, not knowing where you’re going will lead you to where you need to be.”

CHARLI

My workplace eliminated my position the same month my relationship ended. With nothing keeping me in Richmond, Virginia, I get in my car and head northeast, unsure of where I’ll end up.

Until I walk into The Busy Bean Café.

With the Help Wanted sign and the quote on the wall meant for me, I know I’ve found my new home.

GABE

I gave up my executive job in Boston to come home to help run my family’s hardware store and to open my own handcrafted furniture business. I have specific plans for my life.

Those plans don’t include the coffee shop’s new flighty barista even if she is cute as hell.

But when I become Charli’s landlord, I find it harder than ever to stay away from her. And soon, I don’t want to.”

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Our main gal is Charli has just left the only life she’d known in Virginia. She just kept driving until she hit Vermont. She gets a job at the Busy Bean and needs a place to rent. That is how Gabe enters her life, as her landlord. Gabe used to work in Boston after attending Harvard but has returned home as his dad’s health has declined. So now Gabe is helping his brother run his family’s hardware store. My favourite aspect of the book was how the author depicted Charli’s PCOS. I liked how she was upfront and honest about it when she started to get intimate with Gabe. Gabe is such a grump. As the story progresses you start to understand why.
• Setting: The story is set in Colebury, Vermont. Charli just moved there from Virginia and she gets a job at the Busy Bean. I really loved this because it meant we got to spend a lot of time with the Busy Bean staff. Especially we got to spend some quality time with Audrey and Zara. Characters you will be familiar with if you have read any of Sarina Bowen’s books in the True North series.
• Pacing: This story had interesting pacing. I found the beginning dragged a bit but then the later chunks just flew by. Overall this was quite an enjoyable read.
• Romance: This book is very steamy as these two really really struggled to keep their hands off each other. There is so so so much sex in this book. These two were incredibly horny once they gave in to their lustful feelings for each other. Instead of friends-with-benefits, this story is like landlord-with-benefits. Which made for a really entertaining love story and an entertaining book. This love story was still quite deep though. As both characters really had to come to terms with the fact that they were deserving of this kind of love.

Sidetracked receives four out of five stars.

You can pick up the story here.

Thank you again to Sarina, Jenn and the rest of the World of True North team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post R.L. Kenderson’s Sidetracked ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

Read all my World of True North reviews here.

“The newest barista at the Busy Bean is about to steam the place up…

Former Marine Mason Rye can make a cappuccino with military precision, but he finds it much harder to serve up a smile. It’s not that he doesn’t like people. But he knows from experience that once you let someone in, it hurts like hell when you lose them. And Mason’s lost too many people already.

So it’s pretty damn inconvenient when his old Marine buddy shows up on Mason’s goat farm with his younger sister in tow. Heather’s work in Washington D.C. has turned dangerous, and she needs a safe place out of town.

Mason doesn’t need a new roommate, especially not a pretty, single one who insists on rearranging his spice rack and giving his chickens cute names. Although there’s no denying the haunted look in her blue eyes. Every time her fear shows its face, he wants to reach for her.

The problem is that she wants him, too. And when Mason breaks all his rules, they practically burn down his bed together. But her life is in D.C. And the threat against her is over.

Unfortunately, neither of their hearts is fireproof…

Warning: this stand-alone novel contains cute goats, bossy Marines and small town charm.“

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Our female protagonist is Heather. She is an education lobbyist in DC but is forced to flee and seek refuge in Vermont. She had to testify against a powerful Senator and now his supporters are making her life a living hell. Following her home and threatening her. So her brother takes her out of DC and brings her to his buddy Mason’s farm in Vermont. She is incredibly caring and a perfect counterpart to Mason. The former marine now turned family farmer. His farm is struggling to make money so he picks up a part-time job at the Busy Bean. I was really fascinated by his character as he was both kind and incredibly stoic.
• Setting: The story is set in Colebury, Vermont. The Busy Bean is incorporated nicely. We even got some lovely Zara and Audrey time. Mason’s family farm was fun setting too. The characters milked goats, picked vegetables and took care of the chickens. All these places and chores were great places for relationship-building scenes.
• Pacing: The pacing was quite good in this story. I found myself hooked and wanting to keep reading.
• Romance: These two had an interesting dynamic. Heather is the one who always needs to be saved. Mason was always the one who was saving someone. Their relationship began with some hot and heavy kissing. I always love it in books when the twenty-somethings or thirty-somethings make out like horny high schoolers. This is a love story centred around living your life happier and less lonely. This is yet another romance in the World of True North world where someone has to leave to begin to understand why they need to say. I love that trope!

Fireproof receives four out of five stars.

You can pick up the story at here.

Thank you again to Sarina, Jenn and the rest of the World of True North team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Delancey Stewart’s Fireproof ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

It is time now for not just the last batch of Busy Bean books. Today’s drops are the last books in the World of True North World.

“Basketball has always been his one love, until now...

Zeke Armstrong never imagined he’d be back in Vermont, but here he is, living in Colebury and trying to rehab an injury that could mean an early retirement from pro basketball. Running into his former classmate, Mallory Barrett, shouldn’t be a distraction. It shouldn’t mean anything, so why is he accidentally on purpose showing up at the coffee shop where the beautiful writer spends her time?

Mallory Barrett has met a guy. Well, she hasn’t met him yet, except for on the dating app she almost refused to download. “Coby” sparks her interest and gets her jokes–and gives the romance-novel heroes she loves so much a full-court run for their money. When their first date doesn’t work out, she decides to give him another shot . . . just as a man she despises reenters her life. While her interest in the mystery man on the app grows, she clashes constantly with Zeke in real life. She can’t forgive him for humiliating her in high school, yet she can’t deny she’s drawn to him now.

She’s somehow gone from confirmed bachelorette to the tie-breaker between two men. Meanwhile, Zeke has a secret–one that will cost him the game if Mallory finds out…”

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Mallory and Zeke are the main characters of this story. Mallory is an author who is struggling to write her current work in progress. She lives in Colebury with her bestie Stacy. Mallory is incredibly shy and nerdy. Which often leads her into self-doubt, which is something I think a lot of us readers can relate to. Zeke is a former best friend from childhood. They had a massive fall out and now they are definitely not friends. Zeke plays pro-basketball but is currently on the mend. He is taking some time off this summer for PT and rehab in his home state of Vermont.
• Setting: Doubletalk is set in Colebury, Vermont. The Busy Bean coffee shop is incorporated through Mallory. She considers getting a job there but instead she sits there to write and grabs the occasional coffee with Zeke.
• Pacing: The biggest thing that came with the pacing in this story was navigating how long to keep a secret. Zeke was keeping a secret that I knew would blow up in his face. I like how Teralyn paced this reveal and how the characters came back together afterwards.
• Romance: The way this romance evolves starts with Zeke having always loved Mallory. After losing the friendship they had in their youth, Zeke and Mallory have another chance. I just found I was not connected to this romance that much. There was a huge part of the book the characters were not communicating or Mallory was just being very angry. So I got frustrated in parts.

Doubletalk receives three out of five stars.

You can pick up the story here.

Thank you again to Teralyn, Sarina, Jenn and the rest of the team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Teralyn Mitchell’s Doubletalk ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

Read all of my World of True North reviews here.

Check out the Goodreads synopsis…

“Randall Dickson is coping. Sort of. An upcoming medical eval, one that could end his military career, has him stressed and making bad choices. So when a concerned friend issues a strongly-worded “invitation” to Vermont, R.D. is all in for a change of scenery, a temporary job as a bartender, and the opportunity to shake himself out of his self-destructive routine.

Then he sets eyes on his seriously sexy new co-worker…

Lily Reynolds, an artist by day, Speakeasy’s favorite bartender at night, works hard to stay positive, unlike her surly new coworker. He may be a treat to look at, but that grumpy attitude and terse manner are not her type. So when Lily finds herself in desperate need of someone to share expenses, she convinces R.D. to rent her vacant room. There’s no way she’ll find herself falling for him.

She’d like to find the secret admirer who’s leaving her secret love notes around the bar, though. But he won’t reveal himself…

This standalone contains: opposites who definitely attract, a workplace romance, and an opinionated French bulldog.“

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: R.D. is a former Marine and is brought to Colebury by his buddy Griffin. Who you should remember as Audrey’s husband and the male protagonist that started it all. R.D. is recovering from an injury adn he needs to work so Grif helped him get a job at the Speakeasy. R.D. is incredibly stubborn and a bit grumpy. Such a classic romance hero type, a guy that will appeal to a lot of readers. Our female protagonist is Lily. You’ll know her from some previous instalments. She is the most popular bartender at the Speakeasy. What I loved about her is that she seemed to have it together, when in reality she does not. Something I think a lot of us can relate to, we all have times where we fake it till we make it.
• Setting: The story is set in Colebury, Vermont. This time we have two characters who both work at the Speakeasy. Lily has been a popular bartender for awhile and R.D. is the new hire. I really love having both of them work at the Speakeasy because their dynamic at work made their relationship more interesting. Simply R.D. was more likely to step up and defend Lily if some guy was being gross at work.
• Pacing: The pacing was quite good. I found nothing went to fast, especially the ending which did not feel too rushed at all.
• Romance: The book opens with Lily in a relationship with this guy named Dorian and with R.D. having zero desire for a relationship right now. So both our characters kinda stumble into what becomes a temporary relationship. Once Dorian and Lily are over she and R.D. have some hookups. I really liked how the author depicted the traumas both characters brought with them and put up as roadblocks. R.D. got scared when he got closer to Lily, and his fear manifests in running from your problems. While for Lily the prospect of R.D. leaving was terrifying. As she definitely has some abandonment issues for good reason, ones you’ll begin to understand when you read this romance novel. This story is emotionally intense, I even found myself tearing up when struggles hit. So I highly recommend this for a reader looking for an emotional, heart wrenching love story.

Stargazer receives four out of five stars.

You can pick up the story at Amazon here.

Thank you again to Sarina, Jenn, and the rest of the team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Wendy S. Marcus’ Stargazer ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

Read all of my World of True North reviews here.

Check out the Goodreads synopsis…

“He doesn’t trust women. She only trusts dogs. Why can’t they keep their paws off each other?

Darren Reade builds stone walls in Vermont–and around his heart. Women don’t stick around, so it’s better to put up No Trespassing signs and focus on raising his adopted son. Darren is willing to do whatever it takes to help the boy cope with his mother’s death. But doing it alone is a challenge.

Grace Hollings indulges her love of old-school jazz by singing nights at the Speakeasy Taproom, and spends her days training service dogs, connecting small humans with smart pooches. Of course she’d planned to be married already, but a failed engagement has taught her that dogs make better company than men.

One evening, Grace and Darren don’t exchange names, but they do engage in a single night neither of them will forget. Is once all there is? Or can they train their hearts to trust what they’ve built under the starlight?”

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Grace by day is a service dog trainer. Grace by night is the jazz singer Sasha Soul. She has quite a lot going into her personality. The jazz singer side is sultry and flirty. While the dog-loving Grace is kind, caring, compassionate and sweet. Most of her flirtatious side comes out when Darren is around. Darren owns a local masonry and has a son named Keaton. Darren adopted Keaton after Keaton’s mother and Darren’s girlfriend at the time died of an accidental overdose. Keaton saw the whole thing and it really messed with his mental health. He has extreme anxiety and panic attacks. Darren is such a caring father and a sweet guy. Not only does he treat Keaton extremely well, but he is also such a gentleman where Grace is concerned.
• Setting: The story is set in Colebury, Vermont. The Speakeasy Taproom gets incorporated as the place that started it all. Grace sings and waits tables at the Speakeasy. Darren is dragged there the night of his birthday for drinks. The two of them lock eyes and the romance kicks off!
• Pacing: This was quite a lovely, quick read. Perfect for someone who wants to read an easy love story with a bit of an emotional depth and intensity thrown in.
• Romance: Their romance starts with a hookup. With one night where they flirted at the Speakeasy and ended up not in an actual bed, but a truck bed together. Neither can stop thinking about the other after that night and then they begin to run into each other around town. I could not be the only reader who was thankful that Colebury is a small place, so it forced them to keep running into each other. This story is much more than a love story between Grace and Darren. It is one of Grace falling in love with Darren’s family. With Keaton and the service dog included. If you are looking for a read that is more of an emotional and heartwarming story than steamy I would totally point you in the direction of Starlight.

Starlight receives four out of five stars.

You can pick up the story at Amazon here.

Thank you again to Sarina, Jenn, and the rest of the team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Christine DePetrillo’s Starlight ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

Who does not love a little rockstar romance! Read all of my World of True North reviews here.

Check out the Goodreads synopsis…

“Save the bees, ride a rock star.

Formerly famous . . . and planning to keep it that way.

After my band kicked me out, I ran away to Vermont, changed my name, and kept my head down. So far, it’s working and nobody knows who I am. Or who I was. Until I see geeky poet Caleb stumbling through his first open mic night and I can’t help rescuing him. He’s as sweet as the honey my bees make and sexy enough to make me rethink so many things. But I can’t tell him my secret, or I’ll lose the anonymous life I worked so hard to build.

Everyone warns me he’s too good to be true.

I can’t believe a gorgeous, successful winemaker like Tag is into shy, geeky little accountant me. But he helps me blossom and believe in my talent, and works his way into my heart and my bed… not necessarily in that order. I’m falling for a man for the first time, and now I know what the missing number in my equation has always been.

When lies are revealed, though, someone’s going to get stung…”

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Tag is a former rocker who moved to Vermont to slow down his life and get away. So because of this, he is incredibly secretive to each and every character. Tag never got close to anyone really and lives quite solitarily. His previous romantic history consists of lots of hookups and not anything long-term. Then Caleb walks into his life. I loved Caleb as he was this nerdy, shy accountant by day and a poet by night. He is a twenty-six-year-old virgin who very much wants a partner rather than a hookup.
• Setting: The story is set in Burlington, Vermont. I laughed when both guys reflected on how Burlington and Vino & Veritas were both safe havens for LGBTQIA+ people. This is now the fifteenth story set in this sorta bigger Vermont town that has a fruitful business that is part bookstore, part bar and full-on gay. Vermont also provided a place for Tag to hide and to start a business producing mead from honey, honey that he harvests himself. I loved how happy this made Tag and how Caleb wanted to explore the product and procedures with Tag.
• Pacing: Caleb and Tag may have fallen for each other quite quickly but because they are slow with each other the pacing of this book felt much slower. Some Vino & Veritas books open with hook-up scenes, so I enjoyed that this one had some different pacing.
• Romance: Caleb and Tag have an awesome meet-cute at the open mic night at Vino & Veritas. I love how right away Tag calmed down and supported Caleb. He helps Caleb overcome his stage fright and to grow his confidence in his art. I loved how gentle Tag was with inexperienced Caleb. Yet as the story went on I knew how Tag’s secretiveness was going to butt heads with how Caleb was wearing his heart on his sleeve. I did love this incredibly sweet and romantic love story. For my fellow steamy scene lovers, fear not the steam does increase. But overall this book is much more sickly sweet than sweaty, steamy. So for many of us who read a lot of spice, it was nice to get such a sweet romance.

Limelight receives four out of five stars.

You can pick up the story below…

https://geni.us/AmazonLimelight

Thank you again to Sarina, Jenn and the rest of the team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post E. Davies’ Limelight ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.

Stronghold kicks off the final batch of Vino & Veritas books. Read all of my World of True North reviews here.

Check out the Goodreads synopsis…

“A second chance at love? Or a second chance to ruin everything?

When Skyler spots the new bartender at Vino and Veritas, his body responds before the guy even turns around. But when he does, it takes only a heartbeat for recognition to set in and for sparks to fly. Judson’s been gone for ten years, but he’s the man Skyler never forgot. Or forgave.

The last place Judson wants to be is back home in Burlington, living with family. Not so long ago he was a world-class chef with the lifestyle to prove it. Now he’s serving drinks and flying under the radar until he can get the hell out again. But when his childhood best friend reenters his life, looking finer than any entree at a five-star restaurant, he wonders if it’s time to update his menu of life choices.

Working through past wounds with Skyler won’t be easy, though, especially with family obligations–and the occasional dairy cow–interfering. When their loyalty is tested, will their newly built stronghold be sturdy enough to withstand the storm?

Stronghold is a sweet and sexy Vino & Veritas romance with some creative use of maple syrup.“

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…

• Characters: Judson is a cordon-blue chef who left Vermont for Paris. He is back in Vermont after being dumped. He had opened a restaurant with his ex-boyfriend and now he’s lost all the money he poured into the restaurant. Judson comes across early on as someone confident, a master Parisian chef. Despite being out of the closet in high school, he remains a shy, extremely body-conscious nerd. Skyler was Judson’s bestie in high school but they never kept up communication when Jud ran away to France. Skyler never left Vermont. He helps out his family with their farm while also starting his own maple business.
• Setting: The story is set in Burlington, Vermont as all Vino & Veritas books are. The bar/bookstore Vino and Veritas is brought into the story through Jud, as when he moves back to Vermont he temporarily picks up a job there. I loved how the bar had been a frequent stop for Skyler and his friends. Vino & Veritas is just such a great safe place and I love how it means a lot to both of these guys.
• Pacing: The pacing of this story was quite good. I engulfed this story quite quickly, not unlike some of my other Vino & Veritas reads.
• Romance: It was quite obvious from the early chapters that Jud had a crush on Skyler in high school. Skyler was not out yet, maybe he did not even realize he was gay yet. Jud left town over Skyler’s rejection of sorts. The boys spend more time together after they secure a spot on a reality restaurant/cooking show. The producers see what great chemistry they have and I loved how it became increasingly harder for Jud and Skyler to deny their attractions. Over the course of this romance, each boy gets to open up about their coming out, their crushes and their feelings. I loved the way all of that unfolded.

Stronghold receives four out of five stars.

You can pick up the story below…

https://geni.us/AmazonStronghold

Thank you again to Sarina, Jenn, and the rest of the team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

The post Ana Ashley’s Stronghold ARC Review appeared first on ClaryNathanWill.