The Mechanic Gets His Girl

Crimson Creek #5

by Jane Poller

The chef cooks up something hot with a local soldier, but when they turn up the heat, they're bound to get burned.

After getting harassed, fired, evicted, and left at the altar, chef and photographer, Wendy, needs a clean break from the pain of Colorado. There are too many memories of her mom, and a new start is just what she needs. But when she rolls into Crimson Creek, Texas, to visit her friend her car breaks down, making Wendy want to throw in the apron in defeat.

Home for a two-week, mid-deployment break, Jake jumps right back into his old life. With a hovering mom, a crazy ex who claims he’s a dad, and an auto-mechanic shop to run, saving a drenched girl on a rainy highway is just part of his need to regain normalcy.

Something hot is cooking between the new chef in town and this soldier. Between the drama with his ex, his mom, her new job managing the Bed and Breakfast, and the emotions of a deployment, there’s a lot of ingredients threatening their budding relationship. Only time will tell if they can cook up something delicious that lasts.

Genres: Romance

434 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 25, 2023

About the author

Jane Poller read her way through middle school, and she swore someday she’d be an author. Romance books got her through countless life changes… moves, degrees, having kids, deployments, teaching high school, international living, health coaching, running a wellness business, homeschooling, and more.
She finally gave in to the characters in her head demanding their stories be told. The Crimson Creek series is a contemporary steamy small-town romance set in a fictional town in Texas.
Speaking of, she lives in Texas with her middle school sweetheart. He’s her real-life hero, Army veteran, and the inspiration for her stories. When she’s not doing all the things, she’s reading and writing. Or arguing with her characters, who refuse to do what she wants.
But that’s par for the course, since she’s currently raising teenagers and two dogs. Those reviews really brighten her day and are much appreciated.

Reviews

[CYNDY · Rating 5 out of 5]

*****5 Surprising Stars*****
This was my first read by this Author and I was completely surprised. The start of this book is very rough start for Wendy and while reading it my heart was breaking for her all she wants is happiness. All Jake wants to do is enjoy his R&R home with his family and friends. Wendy just wants a fresh start and enjoy some times with her best friend and maybe find her new home. When these two first meet sparks are flying all around. Wendy and Jake come to an agreement but Jake's past comes back to shake things up and leave gaping holes everywhere. Questions are left unanswered when it’s time for Jake to report back. Can they make it work? Will it work? Will Jake not reenlist? I’m leaving a bunch out because I don’t want to give anything away.
*****ARC from Book Sprout for review*****

[S Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read! I read the one of the previous books and was introduced to Wendy who was BFF's with Maryanne who married the Sheriff. That was another awesome book. This author tells a great swoon worthy story and her books are full length and I loved it. We get to know our characters and love them and she also included their friends from the previous books so we get the chance to catch up with them as well.

Wendy and Jake have chemistry and decide to take advantage of his two week leave from the Army. They both think they will not catch feelings and when he leaves they both will move on... hmmmm how's that going to work when they can't keep their hands off one another and his helicopter mama who never liked any girl he was with (he's 32), loves Wendy and calls her his girlfriend! This mechanic and chef cook up some spicy scenes and you are definitely rooting for them!

IF you've never read this author as I have, do yourself a favor and start this series from the beginning, you will not be disappointed. She gives you everything you want in a small town romance and you really get sucked in and can't put the book down... I know I did!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wendy and Jake's Story . . .

Wendy Macdonald has had all she can take after being wrongfully fired, evicted, and abandoned at the altar. It’s time for a new start elsewhere. But as she arrives in town, her car breaks down… and it rains. Jake has arrived home for a 2-week leave as he waits to be deployed. He’s exhausted from the 24 hours of travel to get home, but the tow truck call takes him out in the rain to rescue a stranded female he assumed was an old lady. She was quite surprised when he saw he was mistaken and started to flirt with her. She enjoyed their banter as well. It was as if they were made for each other. Will this be the start of something new for both of them? Will they each find what they have been looking for all along?

The characters were terrific and really kept the story line moving along well. Even the bad ones will keep your attention -- wait until you see what spiteful Patty does to his jacked up, souped up Ford F-150 Raptor he had spent hours and hours customizing... ouch! This was the kind of book you want to keep on reading, though. Realistic people and believable disastrous situations, although usually not all at once!

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake is home on a two week leave, when his family gets a call for a tow truck. Wendy had her vehicle die while on her way to stay with a friend in the town. Jake and Wendy - Jakeass and Peaches - start their two week relationship at that point while their lives drastically change. A large Character group is well developed with great backstories, determination and lots of joking. Loved the storyline as the varied personalities and gossips try to figure everything out. Drama, steam, twists, surprises, exes, a little boy, fantastic best friends, revelations and much more keep the pages turning. This is one that I stayed up all night to read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 5th book in this series, and this is Jake and Wendy’s journey.
Wendy is a chef and photographer, and when her life falls apart, she needs to get away, and heads to visit a friend in Crimson Creek. When Wendy arrives in Crimson Creek, her car breaks down in the pouring rain, and Jake comes to her rescue. Jake is a hot soldier, who is home on leave, and when he and Wendy meet the sparks fly.
This is a well written action packed, emotional roller coaster, with family, friendships, humor, witty banter, drama, undeniable chemistry, twists and turns, heartache, romance, and love, which leads to an entertaining, and steamy addictive page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lucy Chesna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 5 of Crimson Creek
AllI can this was making me happy, made with Jake and cry for Wendy. This relationship was temporary but it became more but their stubbornness they hurt each other. Wendy is such a strong character in this story that I was routing for her all the time and wanted her to punch Jake sometimes but at the end all good came out these two. I loved everything about this story and you are going to LOVE It too.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Didi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4*
I enjoyed this small town romance full of humor and swoon worthy moments. Wendy has come back to Crimson Creek after her world falls apart. Jake is a hunky soldier back in town for military leave. Sparks fly
and they agree to a two week fling. Charming emotion filled storyline with friendship, wonderful characters, banter, lol moments, undeniable passion, heartache, drama, twists, decisions and love. HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kaleigh Whitford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming and Entertaining

Book five did not disappoint! Return to Crimson Creek for the love story of Jake and Wendy, you will be glad you did! Compelling characters, laugh out loud quips, and a whirlwind romance that will sweep you off your feet… what’s not to love? Jake is a steamy hunk, and Wendy is sweet and hilarious. I couldn’t put this book down! Can’t wait to read the next in the series.

[Patricia Baxes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get those tissues ready—you’re going to need them! This is such a beautifully written story…the storyline is absolutely believable; the characters are well developed; the plot will have your heart in your throat multiple times; and the HEA will definitely result in much sobbing. I’m glad no one but the dog was here to listen to my sobbing! This is another Crimson Creek novel that definitely deserves to be in your library. Get your copy today! ❤️❤️

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story that I could not put down. Wendy heads to Crismson Creek when her life goes sideways, but to add to her problems her car breaks down.

Jake is on leave, but helps Wendy. The chemistry is great and sparks fly. They have a great connection that warms your heart and makes you laugh.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cassie Hollenbeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved these characters! As always, I love hearing about the ones that we’ve already met in the previous books. I love the updates on what’s happening with them, and how they flow so well with the next books! I cannot wait to see what is next! Thank you so much for the arc! I still can’t pick a favorite man yet😉!!

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

How I enjoyed this book and the storyline is great and it keeps you glued to Wendy and Jake's story from start to finish. There is chemistry and attraction and plenty of hot moments between them.

I have received an Advance Reader sample of this book and am leaving a review

[Hanna Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as it was hot and a great romance. It helps that I am into mechanics and this was fun to read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

a new author for me and I enjoyed the story. I was hooked from the start, I enjoyed Jake and Wendy's story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BusyM3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read in this series Crimson Creek. This is book five and it is just as good as the previous ones. The story will hold your attention all the way through. The characters are likeable and have great chemistry. A fun book and series.

I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle Frater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane Poller certainly knows how to wring the emotions from her readers. You’ll laugh and cry as you read Jake and Wendy’s story, cheer for their ups and commiserate with their downs. I loved Wendy from the moment she opened her mouth, and she just kept talking and talking and … 😊 Despite her insecurities, she’s an open book and, just like Jake says, has a heart bigger than Texas. She makes friends easily and not just on the surface; she’s one of those people who would give you the shirt off her back. Jake on the other hand truly deserved his nickname. Yes, he had been hurt in the past, but the way he kept turning everything around as if everyone had ulterior motives was just hard to stomach. He even assumed Wendy was trying to trick him on the night they met, which put me off and it took me quite a while to like him. Then I went right back to wanting to kick him in the balls on the night before his deployment. The thing I like about the Crimson Creek series though is that the characters are all so real, their situations more relatable than kidnappings and billionaires, who seem to be a dime a dozen. And while I’m not knocking escapist romances, because I love those too, stories like this make you realize there’s just as much emotion in romances between “ordinary” people.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.