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Mill Pond #1
Cooking Up Trouble
Welcome to Mill Pond and small-town country living, filled with fresh air, fresh food, and plenty of fresh gossip-especially when it comes to romance... It's impossible not to notice when someone new shows up in Mill Pond. Especially someone as obviously out-of-place as Ian McGregor. His stylish suit and fancy car scream "city slicker." And when Tessa Lawrence discovers he can't even change a tire, she has no choice but to help. That's just what the locals do. And when she finds out Ian's her new neighbor, of course she's obliged to invite him to dinner too... Turns out Ian's come from New York to open a luxury resort on the property next door to Tessa's farm, where she grows berries and sells her famous jams and delectable baked goods. But despite their quickly growing friendship and temptingly close proximity, Tessa plans to keep things with Ian strictly neighborly. For one thing, Ian's got a fiancée who, unlike Tessa, doesn't have dirt under her nails. Plus, Tessa knows from bitter experience that a guy this gorgeous is all too likely to break a simple country girl's heart. Even if he's as sweet as one of her cinnamon buns-and equally hard to resist...
188 pages, Paperback
First published April 12, 2016
7 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
About the author
Judi Lynn
41 books287 followersJudi Lynn received a Master’s Degree from Indiana University as an elementary school teacher after attending the IPFW campus. She taught 1st, 2nd, and 4th grades for six years before having her two daughters. She loves gardening, cooking and trying new recipes.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 11, 2016
I liked Tessa and Ian right from the beginning. They were both very laid back, comfortable with who they are, spoke their minds. Tessa has been running her bakery/farm for the last 6 years. She had a fiance once, until she found another woman in his arms, and since then she has pretty much sworn off men. She writes romance novels during the off season and that is as much romance as she she is inclined to entertain.
Of course, everyone else in her life - from her friend Darinda to her grandma would like to see her paired off with some handsome man. Ian seems to fit the bill except that he comes with a city slicker girlfriend Lily. Ian has come to Mill Pond to get his new resort in working order. This means lots of renovations as well as decorating. Good thing the girl next door shares his interests and knows the area! Lily is planning on moving in after the renovations are done, and as she travels all week for work - will only be around on the weekends. It soon becomes clear (to everyone but Ian) that Lily is not a country girl - nor does she seem to be able to become one.
I liked Judi Lynn's writing and enjoyed this first book in the Mill Pond series. The second book Opposites Distract is coming out in July. She referenced another author Ilona Andrews a few times in this book, so I figured I would have to check her out as well! I figured that if I liked Judi's writing, then I would probably like someone she likes as well. Magic Bites is now on hold for me at the library.
Of course, everyone else in her life - from her friend Darinda to her grandma would like to see her paired off with some handsome man. Ian seems to fit the bill except that he comes with a city slicker girlfriend Lily. Ian has come to Mill Pond to get his new resort in working order. This means lots of renovations as well as decorating. Good thing the girl next door shares his interests and knows the area! Lily is planning on moving in after the renovations are done, and as she travels all week for work - will only be around on the weekends. It soon becomes clear (to everyone but Ian) that Lily is not a country girl - nor does she seem to be able to become one.
I liked Judi Lynn's writing and enjoyed this first book in the Mill Pond series. The second book Opposites Distract is coming out in July. She referenced another author Ilona Andrews a few times in this book, so I figured I would have to check her out as well! I figured that if I liked Judi's writing, then I would probably like someone she likes as well. Magic Bites is now on hold for me at the library.
March 13, 2017
For some reason, the covers on this series has always appealed to me, so when I got approved for the newest book in the series as an ARC, I sat down with what I did have and started reading. Unfortunately, this book didn't really live up to the blurb or cover at all.
Tessa is a definite Mary Sue, seemingly perfect in every way, as if she was Mary Poppins! She is a sweet heroine who has locked her emotions away after her fiancé cheated on her. He even stopped back around to tell Tessa that she still deserves love, which I think was supposed to be kind and showcase that he's not really a bad guy, but it comes off as smug and patronizing. Tessa also is this wonderful baker and romance writer, but she doesn’t write books with sex in them. She writes sweet romances and is aghast at the suggestion of sex scenes in her novels, yet this book showcases sex scenes, so it felt a little hypocritical.
Ian is from the “Big City” but has bought the land next to Tessa’s in order to start a vacation lodge. He fits the city slicker stereotype to a T, not being able to change a tire, buying the wrong kind of car, etc, yet even with all that he still comes off as a bit on the perfect side, giving the town exactly what it needs, as if it didn't even know it needed it. He comes as a package deal with a girlfriend that is absolutely horrible for him, and when he and Tessa start getting attracted to one another, he practically defends the girlfriend at every turn, even though he has doubts about them working out in the long run.
Everything is wrapped up so quickly and neatly, it’s eerie, like stack ‘em up and knock up down one problem at a time. Midwestern Values took a prominent point here, but not in a good way, as if it was somehow better than the rest of the country. This book was sort of blandly good, more of a 2.5 star read than a 3, but the town was cute enough to warrant rounding up.
Tessa is a definite Mary Sue, seemingly perfect in every way, as if she was Mary Poppins! She is a sweet heroine who has locked her emotions away after her fiancé cheated on her. He even stopped back around to tell Tessa that she still deserves love, which I think was supposed to be kind and showcase that he's not really a bad guy, but it comes off as smug and patronizing. Tessa also is this wonderful baker and romance writer, but she doesn’t write books with sex in them. She writes sweet romances and is aghast at the suggestion of sex scenes in her novels, yet this book showcases sex scenes, so it felt a little hypocritical.
Ian is from the “Big City” but has bought the land next to Tessa’s in order to start a vacation lodge. He fits the city slicker stereotype to a T, not being able to change a tire, buying the wrong kind of car, etc, yet even with all that he still comes off as a bit on the perfect side, giving the town exactly what it needs, as if it didn't even know it needed it. He comes as a package deal with a girlfriend that is absolutely horrible for him, and when he and Tessa start getting attracted to one another, he practically defends the girlfriend at every turn, even though he has doubts about them working out in the long run.
Everything is wrapped up so quickly and neatly, it’s eerie, like stack ‘em up and knock up down one problem at a time. Midwestern Values took a prominent point here, but not in a good way, as if it was somehow better than the rest of the country. This book was sort of blandly good, more of a 2.5 star read than a 3, but the town was cute enough to warrant rounding up.
April 14, 2021
Loved the atmosphere and the town and residents, but the main characters, while sweet and good people, didn't have their priorities straight.
The heroine Tessa was too much of a doormat. The hero Ian is engaged to a bubbly beauty who upshines Tessa in fashion, fun, and flirtiness. For ninety percent of the book, Ian is heartily in love with his fiancee, while hanging out with Tessa and having her do things for him, like cook him dinner every night, shop for antiques for hsi inn, clean up messes when his chandelier broke, and even drive a bat out of his bedroom.
All along, the entire town preaches the same thing, Tessa and Ian are made for each other, but Ian is not only engaged, but looks forward to his fiancee's weekend visits while Tessa sits at home feeling left out.
I commend the hero for not cheating on his fiancee, but you could see the ending a mile away. THe fiancee finally cheats on the hero and then breaks up with the hero saying "it's obvious you love Tessa." She bows out and even though Tessa says she doesn't do rebounds, the two of them hop into bed in the next to the last chapter (95% of the book) and decide to get married. That's one heck of a rebound! Also, the heroine writes sweet romances and nothing in the story indicated that this romance wasn't going to be sweet until the next to the last chapter when they go at it in detail. I don't mind the steamy scene, but it felt out of character for the two who maintained they were only neighbors and friends for 95% of the book. I guess my main beef is that it's one heck of a giant rebound for Ian who just had his heart supposedly broken and then he realizes, hey wait, I'm glad she dumped me because now I can have Tessa. He seems unstable to me and Tessa gave in too easily without any doubts despite having been dumped herself in the past. Even though Tessa is well aware that Ian was sleeping with his fiancee, up to two nights before they slept together, she still had unprotected sex with him because she just couldn't help it. Like I said--doormat.
Still, I enjoyed the characters and the writing. The town is fun and their friends and community makes the story interesting, because everyone is so nosy and tells their opinions.
The heroine Tessa was too much of a doormat. The hero Ian is engaged to a bubbly beauty who upshines Tessa in fashion, fun, and flirtiness. For ninety percent of the book, Ian is heartily in love with his fiancee, while hanging out with Tessa and having her do things for him, like cook him dinner every night, shop for antiques for hsi inn, clean up messes when his chandelier broke, and even drive a bat out of his bedroom.
All along, the entire town preaches the same thing, Tessa and Ian are made for each other, but Ian is not only engaged, but looks forward to his fiancee's weekend visits while Tessa sits at home feeling left out.
I commend the hero for not cheating on his fiancee, but you could see the ending a mile away. THe fiancee finally cheats on the hero and then breaks up with the hero saying "it's obvious you love Tessa." She bows out and even though Tessa says she doesn't do rebounds, the two of them hop into bed in the next to the last chapter (95% of the book) and decide to get married. That's one heck of a rebound! Also, the heroine writes sweet romances and nothing in the story indicated that this romance wasn't going to be sweet until the next to the last chapter when they go at it in detail. I don't mind the steamy scene, but it felt out of character for the two who maintained they were only neighbors and friends for 95% of the book. I guess my main beef is that it's one heck of a giant rebound for Ian who just had his heart supposedly broken and then he realizes, hey wait, I'm glad she dumped me because now I can have Tessa. He seems unstable to me and Tessa gave in too easily without any doubts despite having been dumped herself in the past. Even though Tessa is well aware that Ian was sleeping with his fiancee, up to two nights before they slept together, she still had unprotected sex with him because she just couldn't help it. Like I said--doormat.
Still, I enjoyed the characters and the writing. The town is fun and their friends and community makes the story interesting, because everyone is so nosy and tells their opinions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2019
Okay, oh my god, I am seriously between heartburn and disbelief when I read this....
I mean the story was good but it can be a whole lot better.
Here is what I thought :
> the nerve of her ex, Gary, How magnanimous of him to come to Tessa's house and said that she should move on. I don't know whether to applaud or slap him hard. I may be more forgiving if he apologise to her first because of his cheating, that he feel remorse from doing that. It went like "Hey, I cheat on you, now I am happy and u shouldn't blame me and move on"
> I really like that Tessa's know what's right and didn't do what's some people around her suggested. I said this because I am in shock that, Darinda would support her if she could snatch Ian or in another word, make Ian cheat on his fiancé with Tessa. God, seriously, what's happen with humanity on this part.
> Ian! Oh my, what a.... I don't know! You decide : He likes Tessa more but didn't have a gut to end his relationship with Lily and kept mentioning about Lily in front of Tessa. I think He knew Tessa likes him but I don't know, maybe a bit of dumb or love's blind to realise what's Lily's like ( evident on she keep travelling, looks like nowhere on getting settled down wt Ian plus soo snotty and full of herself).
> Ends a bit of rush, I agree that Tessa should get Ian to work more in pursuing Tessa. It's a bit easy for him.
> Finally, I want to say, Rather than cheat on your partner, lover or whatever, be a better person by ending it in a good term and go own each other way to find happiness. Seriously, karma is a real deal.
I mean the story was good but it can be a whole lot better.
Here is what I thought :
> the nerve of her ex, Gary, How magnanimous of him to come to Tessa's house and said that she should move on. I don't know whether to applaud or slap him hard. I may be more forgiving if he apologise to her first because of his cheating, that he feel remorse from doing that. It went like "Hey, I cheat on you, now I am happy and u shouldn't blame me and move on"
> I really like that Tessa's know what's right and didn't do what's some people around her suggested. I said this because I am in shock that, Darinda would support her if she could snatch Ian or in another word, make Ian cheat on his fiancé with Tessa. God, seriously, what's happen with humanity on this part.
> Ian! Oh my, what a.... I don't know! You decide : He likes Tessa more but didn't have a gut to end his relationship with Lily and kept mentioning about Lily in front of Tessa. I think He knew Tessa likes him but I don't know, maybe a bit of dumb or love's blind to realise what's Lily's like ( evident on she keep travelling, looks like nowhere on getting settled down wt Ian plus soo snotty and full of herself).
> Ends a bit of rush, I agree that Tessa should get Ian to work more in pursuing Tessa. It's a bit easy for him.
> Finally, I want to say, Rather than cheat on your partner, lover or whatever, be a better person by ending it in a good term and go own each other way to find happiness. Seriously, karma is a real deal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2016
3.25 Stars
A feel good and sweet romance with an independent and lovely heroine, this book is a good start to the Mill Pond series and nice debut of Judi Lynn. This book left me with conflicting feelings; that sometimes bad things happened for good reasons and vice versa, that good traits in a person could both be their strength and weakness and the other way around (I referred to Tessa's ex, Gary and his wife; it's rather convoluted but I couldn't help but to applaud him his interference in his ex's life).
Tessa was very self-sufficient, she gave city girls a good run for their money. In case of this book: Lily, her new neighbor's fiancée. The unfortunate side of course, Ian was a clueless city boy who could not change a flat tire or deal with bat in his house. But I liked that he was man enough to admit his limitation and asked for help. Otoh, I really dislike his slowness in deciding what he really wanted. There's sticking to his promise and there's plain oblivious!! Ian's disapproval over Tessa's closeness to other men was expected; still, it's frustrating and odd for me - especially as everybody (people of Mill Pond and even Lily) were aware of it.
I also wish Tessa's other occupation as a romance author was more shown instead of only told; it could be interesting. Another thing that was a let down for me was the way to Ian and Tessa's relationship. It was rushed on the last few chapters and relying on other's action too much.
Let's hope the next book would have more powerful characters than we have here. ;-)
ARC is kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley for the exchange of a fair and honest review.
A feel good and sweet romance with an independent and lovely heroine, this book is a good start to the Mill Pond series and nice debut of Judi Lynn. This book left me with conflicting feelings; that sometimes bad things happened for good reasons and vice versa, that good traits in a person could both be their strength and weakness and the other way around (I referred to Tessa's ex, Gary and his wife; it's rather convoluted but I couldn't help but to applaud him his interference in his ex's life).
Tessa was very self-sufficient, she gave city girls a good run for their money. In case of this book: Lily, her new neighbor's fiancée. The unfortunate side of course, Ian was a clueless city boy who could not change a flat tire or deal with bat in his house. But I liked that he was man enough to admit his limitation and asked for help. Otoh, I really dislike his slowness in deciding what he really wanted. There's sticking to his promise and there's plain oblivious!! Ian's disapproval over Tessa's closeness to other men was expected; still, it's frustrating and odd for me - especially as everybody (people of Mill Pond and even Lily) were aware of it.
I also wish Tessa's other occupation as a romance author was more shown instead of only told; it could be interesting. Another thing that was a let down for me was the way to Ian and Tessa's relationship. It was rushed on the last few chapters and relying on other's action too much.
Let's hope the next book would have more powerful characters than we have here. ;-)
ARC is kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley for the exchange of a fair and honest review.
April 1, 2016
I honestly can’t remember why I asked for this book from NetGalley, I think I've been trying to branch out and try new authors. If I hadn’t wanted this review to be honest about the whole book, this would have been a DNF for me. The heroine is a definite Mary Sue. In fact, the whole book is. Tessa is supposed to be this sweet heroine who has locked her emotions away after her fiancé cheated on her. Even he can’t be a totally bad guy, stopping around to tell Tessa that she still deserves love. I think it’s supposed to be kind or something but comes off as smug and patronizing. And speaking of smug and patronizing, Tessa’s a romance writer. But she doesn’t write books with sex in them. She writes sweet romances and is aghast at the suggestion. (There is a sex scene in this book though).
Ian is from the “Big City” but has bought the land next to Tessa’s in order to start a vacation lodge. He fits the city slicker stereotype to a T, not being able to change a tire, buying the wrong kind of car, etc.
Everything is wrapped up so quickly and neatly, it’s eerie. Problem-solved, problem-solved. It’s like stack ‘em up and knock up down one at a time. And, good lord, we know Indiana is in the Midwest and that the people in this book have "Midwestern values," but repeating it 8 times in the first 80 pages is a bit overkill.
This book really reminded me of reading Trixie Belden. It was sort of blandly good. I know there are readers out there for whom this kind of romance is a nice read, but definitely not to my tastes.
Ian is from the “Big City” but has bought the land next to Tessa’s in order to start a vacation lodge. He fits the city slicker stereotype to a T, not being able to change a tire, buying the wrong kind of car, etc.
Everything is wrapped up so quickly and neatly, it’s eerie. Problem-solved, problem-solved. It’s like stack ‘em up and knock up down one at a time. And, good lord, we know Indiana is in the Midwest and that the people in this book have "Midwestern values," but repeating it 8 times in the first 80 pages is a bit overkill.
This book really reminded me of reading Trixie Belden. It was sort of blandly good. I know there are readers out there for whom this kind of romance is a nice read, but definitely not to my tastes.
July 14, 2016
When Tessa spots Ian on the side of the road with a flat she stops to help like any small town Mill Pond girl would do. She later finds out he's her new neighbour and plans on turning the property into a small resort. She's attracted to him but after her ex cheated on her, she's sworn off romance. Besides he has a fiance. So she's okay with them just being friends. She thinks.
I loved the small town setting of Mill Pond where everyone looks out for each other. Ian and Tessa are wonderful characters that I really liked getting to know. Being friends they were very open and got to know each other well. Staying friends got harder the more they were together. The secondary characters helped pull the story together too. Tessa's friend Darinda and her grandmother were nice and helpful but Ian's fiance, Lily, not so much.
I'm so glad I won Cooking Up Trouble in a giveaway and highly recommend it to contemporary romance readers.
I loved the small town setting of Mill Pond where everyone looks out for each other. Ian and Tessa are wonderful characters that I really liked getting to know. Being friends they were very open and got to know each other well. Staying friends got harder the more they were together. The secondary characters helped pull the story together too. Tessa's friend Darinda and her grandmother were nice and helpful but Ian's fiance, Lily, not so much.
I'm so glad I won Cooking Up Trouble in a giveaway and highly recommend it to contemporary romance readers.
May 9, 2016
I wasn't sure how I would feel about this book but I have to say I LOVED it! Yes it is a romance with the usual format (boy meets girl, some sort of issue, issue resolved and they live happily ever after) but it still grabbed me from the beginning and I finished it sooner rather than later.
Tessa has her issues with men, Ian is the hot new neighbor, but he is engaged to someone else. I really liked how Tessa ran her own farm and did a lot of baking....my mouth was watering at mention of the pies! Just wish we had recipes.
Tessa has a good friend, Darinda, who seems like a hoot and kept Tessa grounded.
Ian has his own issues with his fiancee and with starting a resort, but luckily Mill Pond is a small town and everyone watches out for one another.
At the end of my book was the first chapter for the next book. Looks like another enjoyable book!
Tessa has her issues with men, Ian is the hot new neighbor, but he is engaged to someone else. I really liked how Tessa ran her own farm and did a lot of baking....my mouth was watering at mention of the pies! Just wish we had recipes.
Tessa has a good friend, Darinda, who seems like a hoot and kept Tessa grounded.
Ian has his own issues with his fiancee and with starting a resort, but luckily Mill Pond is a small town and everyone watches out for one another.
At the end of my book was the first chapter for the next book. Looks like another enjoyable book!
May 1, 2016
I enjoyed this book and the introduction to Mill Pond, a place I am sure I will visit again. Main characters Tessa and Ian are extremely likable, along with several secondary characters who keep the plot moving forward at a steady clip. I loved the "small town" environment. What made this book really fun for me is that it doesn't follow the normal romance formula. Ian and Tessa start off as friends and their relationship develops at a believable pace. Everyone else can see they're perfect for each other but it takes some time for them to realize it too. Getting there is a fun and entertaining journey. I look forward to the next Mill Pond romance.
July 1, 2016
This is probably better than an okay book. I just didn't like the situation between Tessa, the main character, and Ian, the man to whom she was attracted. I kept waiting for Tessa to lose her temper and tell Ian a few hard truths, but she didn't.
March 7, 2019
This review covers the first three books of the series.
They are very like good chocolate cake - sweet and addictive; you want the next slice!
All three have strong, independent, women at the centre, and all available men in Mill Pond are over six feet tall, handsome, and with perfect bodies (apart from one in the third book who is more Pond scum...). Everyone has their issues, none are insurmountable, and they get their HEA. Definitely like good chocolate cake!
And I do love all the cooking which is at the heart of each book - this is a real hook for me.
I can't help thinking Judi Lynn once had a bad experience with a formal wedding, though!
They are very like good chocolate cake - sweet and addictive; you want the next slice!
All three have strong, independent, women at the centre, and all available men in Mill Pond are over six feet tall, handsome, and with perfect bodies (apart from one in the third book who is more Pond scum...). Everyone has their issues, none are insurmountable, and they get their HEA. Definitely like good chocolate cake!
And I do love all the cooking which is at the heart of each book - this is a real hook for me.
I can't help thinking Judi Lynn once had a bad experience with a formal wedding, though!
February 2, 2017
I received this book in exchange for a fair review. Thanks!
This was a cute story with likeable characters. It actually took me a while to warm up to Tessa, but I did end up really liking her. The ending seemed a little abrupt but overall a good story.
This was a cute story with likeable characters. It actually took me a while to warm up to Tessa, but I did end up really liking her. The ending seemed a little abrupt but overall a good story.
March 29, 2022
Absolutely loved this book. Hated to get to the end. I really enjoy books by this author.
April 22, 2016
This book has a terrific premise – city slicker moves in next door to country girl – and the couple has excellent chemistry. I was totally caught up in the fun banter between Ian and Tessa, and I loved loved loved the cooking scenes! Overall, it’s good chick lit with a happily ever after. I enjoyed it.
However, some technical issues frequently stopped me in my tracks. Commas appeared between words that a computer might recognize as two adjectives, but really they’re not:
“He put two, double beds on the second floor.”
and
“She gave him the right-size, ice cream scoop.”
It drove this proofreading, copy-editing grammarian NUTS, as it happened on almost every page.
I also had to suspend my disbelief quite a bit to get past the forced circumstances in which Tessa and Ian bump into each other or find themselves alone in each other’s company. Another contrivance I struggled to get past was the open relationship Ian’s fiancé wanted. Based on Ian’s character, I would’ve thought that to be a deal-breaker. Lastly, I thought it was unbelievable for a new male neighbor to just pop over to the female neighbor’s house every single day for dinner. They just met! I am a woman and there’s no way I’d welcome a strange guy into my house for dinner. Maybe it’s different for a Mill Pond rancher than for this born and bred Yankee.
Because I enjoyed the cooking, chemistry, and setting so much, I’m inclined to pick up book two in the Mill Pond series. I just hope an editor takes a heavier hand.
NetGalley provided an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
However, some technical issues frequently stopped me in my tracks. Commas appeared between words that a computer might recognize as two adjectives, but really they’re not:
“He put two, double beds on the second floor.”
and
“She gave him the right-size, ice cream scoop.”
It drove this proofreading, copy-editing grammarian NUTS, as it happened on almost every page.
I also had to suspend my disbelief quite a bit to get past the forced circumstances in which Tessa and Ian bump into each other or find themselves alone in each other’s company. Another contrivance I struggled to get past was the open relationship Ian’s fiancé wanted. Based on Ian’s character, I would’ve thought that to be a deal-breaker. Lastly, I thought it was unbelievable for a new male neighbor to just pop over to the female neighbor’s house every single day for dinner. They just met! I am a woman and there’s no way I’d welcome a strange guy into my house for dinner. Maybe it’s different for a Mill Pond rancher than for this born and bred Yankee.
Because I enjoyed the cooking, chemistry, and setting so much, I’m inclined to pick up book two in the Mill Pond series. I just hope an editor takes a heavier hand.
NetGalley provided an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 19, 2016
Thanks to Kensington and Netgalley for the book in exchange for a honest review!
Tessa has a new neighbor and she finds him attractive. Too bad he has a fiance and really she's off men anyway. Her last relationship left her wary because he cheated on her. While she finds Ian attractive and they get on like a fire, she won't be the cause of his broken relationship. She decides she's just going to be fine with him being a friend. She just has to deal with the feelings she has and those feelings make her realize that she's ready to get back out in the world.
I enjoyed this story. It was a little hard to get in to it but in the end it was a good book. I loved all the cast of characters. They really made the story what it was. I am actually looking forward to the next book. If you read this leave some love in the form a review for the author. They work hard and deserve the praise!
Tessa has a new neighbor and she finds him attractive. Too bad he has a fiance and really she's off men anyway. Her last relationship left her wary because he cheated on her. While she finds Ian attractive and they get on like a fire, she won't be the cause of his broken relationship. She decides she's just going to be fine with him being a friend. She just has to deal with the feelings she has and those feelings make her realize that she's ready to get back out in the world.
I enjoyed this story. It was a little hard to get in to it but in the end it was a good book. I loved all the cast of characters. They really made the story what it was. I am actually looking forward to the next book. If you read this leave some love in the form a review for the author. They work hard and deserve the praise!
October 28, 2016
I was given an ARC of this book by NetGalley for an honest review.
Tessa is a farm girl who has a garden, fresh produce stand and bake shop all on her property. The property was given to her by her grandparents. Her grandma is active in helping her with the bake shop and adds some laughs to the story. Tessa has given up on men because her ex cheated on her. Her dates from an online dating site are funny.
Ian is a city boy turned country when he buys the property next to Tessa’s to turn into a small resort. He’s engaged to a party girl who isn’t enjoying the country so much. Lily is annoying. He spends a lot of time with Tessa while his fiancé is traveling on business.
Quick, easy, predictable read.
Spoiler alert! I had a couple of problems with the book. First, how did Aaron find Lily? And there was no mention of protection being used in the love scene.
Tessa is a farm girl who has a garden, fresh produce stand and bake shop all on her property. The property was given to her by her grandparents. Her grandma is active in helping her with the bake shop and adds some laughs to the story. Tessa has given up on men because her ex cheated on her. Her dates from an online dating site are funny.
Ian is a city boy turned country when he buys the property next to Tessa’s to turn into a small resort. He’s engaged to a party girl who isn’t enjoying the country so much. Lily is annoying. He spends a lot of time with Tessa while his fiancé is traveling on business.
Quick, easy, predictable read.
Spoiler alert! I had a couple of problems with the book. First, how did Aaron find Lily? And there was no mention of protection being used in the love scene.
April 11, 2016
This was an enjoyable sweet read. It's set in a small town called Mill Pond and it was fun to see Ian change from "city slicker" to a regular small town guy. When Tessa finds Ian and his flashy car on the side of the road with a flat, it's apparent he has no idea what to do so what's a girl to do. She has to help him. Turns out he's her new neighbor and plans on turning his new property into a small resort. While there is a definite attraction between these two, nothing can come of it. First of all, Tessa has sworn off men. After her ex cheated on her she's decided another relationship is the last thing she needs. Then there is the small detail of Ian having a fiance. Can these two keep their relationship friends only??? You definitely want to read this one and find out!
May 10, 2016
Unfortunately, this book didn't suit my taste. Pun intended. I guess that's just the way the cookie crumbles. Pun intended...again. Mehehe.
1/1.5 stars!
1/1.5 stars!
March 17, 2016
I really enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read the next book in this series. It was a fun, easy read with a great story to keep your attention. I look forward to reading more books from this author! I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
March 18, 2016
I didn't hate this story.
Read my full review on my blog! http://steamqueens.blogspot.com/2016/...
Read my full review on my blog! http://steamqueens.blogspot.com/2016/...
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