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Green Valley Library #4
Shelf Awareness
After catching her husband in a compromising position, the last thing that Finley Granger wants is to enter the insanity that is the dating world. She’s dealing with enough upheaval: she’s quit her job as a journalist in Atlanta to start over as a librarian in the backwoods town of Green Valley, Tennessee. But her grandmother has other ideas. When GramBea teams up with her sister, Dot, and their best friend, Estelle, Finley finds herself surrounded by a trio of well-meaning yet incredibly bumbling matchmakers.
In spite of their efforts, there’s only one man she’s curious about, and that’s Zeke Masters, the library’s volunteer IT specialist. Sure, he’s 6’4”, impossibly built, ridiculously good-looking, and gets her nether regions tingling. However, it’s the tingle of her journalist spidey-senses that holds her attention most as she wonders why he’s on sabbatical from Seattle. Is he on lam, or on the run from a bad relationship? As Finley finds herself reluctantly drawn to the gorgeous IT guy, she can’t help but wonder: should she indulge in a little rebound fun with the mysterious Zeke – or has she finally met her match?
In spite of their efforts, there’s only one man she’s curious about, and that’s Zeke Masters, the library’s volunteer IT specialist. Sure, he’s 6’4”, impossibly built, ridiculously good-looking, and gets her nether regions tingling. However, it’s the tingle of her journalist spidey-senses that holds her attention most as she wonders why he’s on sabbatical from Seattle. Is he on lam, or on the run from a bad relationship? As Finley finds herself reluctantly drawn to the gorgeous IT guy, she can’t help but wonder: should she indulge in a little rebound fun with the mysterious Zeke – or has she finally met her match?
256 pages, ebook
First published November 19, 2019
About the author
Katie Ashley
64 books8,901 followersKatie Ashley is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon Top Three Best-Selling author of both Indie and Traditionally published books. She's written rockers, bikers, manwhores with hearts of gold, New Adult, and Young Adult. She lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her daughter, Olivia, her rescue mutts, Belle and Elsa, and her two cats, Mama Kitty and Luna. She has a slight obsession with The Golden Girls, Shakespeare, Harry Potter, and Star Wars.
With a BA in English, a BS in Secondary English Education, and a Masters in Adolescent English Education, she spent eleven years teaching both middle and high school English, as well as a few adjunct college English classes. As of January 2013, she became a full-time writer.
Although she is a life-long Georgia peach, she loves traveling the country and world meeting readers. Most days, you can find her being a hermit, styling leggings, and binging on Netflix whenever her toddler daughter isn't monopolizing the TV with Paw Patrol or Frozen.
CONNECT WITH KATIE
➜ NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/2ljVosh
➜ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/katie.ashleyromance
➜ FACEBOOK READER GROUP (ASHLEY'S ANGELS): facebook.com/groups/ashleyangels
➜ WEBSITE: www.katieashleybooks.com
➜INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/katieashleyluv
➜ TWITTER: twitter.com/katieashleyluv
➜ PINTEREST: pinterest.com/katieashleyluv
With a BA in English, a BS in Secondary English Education, and a Masters in Adolescent English Education, she spent eleven years teaching both middle and high school English, as well as a few adjunct college English classes. As of January 2013, she became a full-time writer.
Although she is a life-long Georgia peach, she loves traveling the country and world meeting readers. Most days, you can find her being a hermit, styling leggings, and binging on Netflix whenever her toddler daughter isn't monopolizing the TV with Paw Patrol or Frozen.
CONNECT WITH KATIE
➜ NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/2ljVosh
➜ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/katie.ashleyromance
➜ FACEBOOK READER GROUP (ASHLEY'S ANGELS): facebook.com/groups/ashleyangels
➜ WEBSITE: www.katieashleybooks.com
➜INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/katieashleyluv
➜ TWITTER: twitter.com/katieashleyluv
➜ PINTEREST: pinterest.com/katieashleyluv
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 339 reviews
December 3, 2019
Favorite Quotes:
It was after watching one of my favorites, Waiting to Exhale, that I had a breakthrough. Sure, one might say rounding up your husband’s clothes to cut the crotches out of them was more of a breakdown than a breakthrough, but I didn’t care. I had a purpose.
“GramBea, while I might have an English degree, I’m a journalist and an editor, not a librarian.” In my mind, I couldn’t imagine a more depressing prospect. Nothing screams spinster like a librarian. I could literally feel my vagina shriveling at the sexless years ahead of it. Next, GramBea would be suggesting I go with her to The Beauty Mark to get my hair teased before joining her for shuffleboard.
Oh, no. There it was. The opening of the ex-files. I’m pretty sure bringing up the ex on a date was some sort of faux pas. Although I could have told the waitress to nix the wine out of respect for Marcus and his pain, I decided against it. My sixth sense told me I was going to need all the alcohol I could get.
Considering Estelle’s profession, I couldn’t imagine what kind of man she would come up with. Probably one who was vegan, wore sandals, and considered placing crystals on my body as foreplay.
My mouth gaped open. I glanced around waiting for the impending apocalypse brought on by Dot using the word hussy.
My Review:
This was a fun read and my first outing with the delightful Katie Ashley and I was enamored with her naughty wit, clever humor, and oddly beguiling characters. I adored the gentle giant of Zeke most of all. But I never would have imagined three eighty-something women would be providing a considerable share of the levity and comic relief, but they were exceptionally keen octogenarians and gifted with purse skills - think Golden Girls but in small-town Tennessee. Ms. Ashley is a wily minx.
Written in the first person POV of a painfully betrayed and heading for divorce thirty-year-old woman the narrative sang with levity, humorous inner musings, volcanic sensuality, and highly amusing observations. Even Finley’s more painful insights came with humorous notes. I frequently smirked and was pleasantly engaged and well entertained throughout.
It was after watching one of my favorites, Waiting to Exhale, that I had a breakthrough. Sure, one might say rounding up your husband’s clothes to cut the crotches out of them was more of a breakdown than a breakthrough, but I didn’t care. I had a purpose.
“GramBea, while I might have an English degree, I’m a journalist and an editor, not a librarian.” In my mind, I couldn’t imagine a more depressing prospect. Nothing screams spinster like a librarian. I could literally feel my vagina shriveling at the sexless years ahead of it. Next, GramBea would be suggesting I go with her to The Beauty Mark to get my hair teased before joining her for shuffleboard.
Oh, no. There it was. The opening of the ex-files. I’m pretty sure bringing up the ex on a date was some sort of faux pas. Although I could have told the waitress to nix the wine out of respect for Marcus and his pain, I decided against it. My sixth sense told me I was going to need all the alcohol I could get.
Considering Estelle’s profession, I couldn’t imagine what kind of man she would come up with. Probably one who was vegan, wore sandals, and considered placing crystals on my body as foreplay.
My mouth gaped open. I glanced around waiting for the impending apocalypse brought on by Dot using the word hussy.
My Review:
This was a fun read and my first outing with the delightful Katie Ashley and I was enamored with her naughty wit, clever humor, and oddly beguiling characters. I adored the gentle giant of Zeke most of all. But I never would have imagined three eighty-something women would be providing a considerable share of the levity and comic relief, but they were exceptionally keen octogenarians and gifted with purse skills - think Golden Girls but in small-town Tennessee. Ms. Ashley is a wily minx.
Written in the first person POV of a painfully betrayed and heading for divorce thirty-year-old woman the narrative sang with levity, humorous inner musings, volcanic sensuality, and highly amusing observations. Even Finley’s more painful insights came with humorous notes. I frequently smirked and was pleasantly engaged and well entertained throughout.
October 12, 2020
This is the book for all the nerd out there going on a date. Dinner, costume date, tent date. I do enjoy a nerd romance before and enjoyed it. However in the hand of Miss Ashley, this book is bit boring for me. Too much talking, conversation that I think has nothing to do with the story. I do like Zeke. He is a sweet dork although he is a very alpha male. I think I will enjoy his company when I am stuck in the library.
Finley is fearless woman. She get back at her feet after her separation from her cheating husband. Again, I want more from her instead just listening to her interaction with her family. I want more drama/ plot/ twist in this story.
Overall I still enjoy the sweetness of the story.
3 stars
Finley is fearless woman. She get back at her feet after her separation from her cheating husband. Again, I want more from her instead just listening to her interaction with her family. I want more drama/ plot/ twist in this story.
Overall I still enjoy the sweetness of the story.
3 stars
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October 28, 2019I'm done. It's all over. I've read all the SPU books. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH MY LIFE NOW?!?!?
September 3, 2020
After Finley catches her husband cheating with her personal trainer (ouch!) she decides to move in with her grandmother and great aunts in Green Valley and start over as a librarian. Of course she runs into Zeke, from Seattle, who is working as an IT specialist at the library and they have a steamy relationship. This one was lots of fun as Finley finds her passion for life again!
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
September 9, 2019
4.5 stars
Finley thought her life in Atlanta was going well with her Chief Editor job, husband, and plans to have kids...until it all imploded in an instant. Totally blindsided, she flees to her GramBea's house in the small town, Green Valley, Tennessee. Now she is living with three senior ladies including her Great Aunt Dot and their friend, Estelle and working in the town library. A big life change, but also a wake-up call to who she had let herself become.
She never expected to meet a tall, dark, and handsome man in the library of all places. Zeke is intelligent, considerate, and a bit mysterious. He is not local and is only supposed to be in town for a short time.
She's trying to heal, get her life together, and move on. She is a hot mess and embarrassing encounters seem to be her norm. But for some reason, he sees Finley for who she is and appreciates it.
Zeke has his own inner nerd, personal agenda, and life in Seattle and is not planning on staying long term. The more time she spends with Zeke, the more she likes his quirkiness and personality...not to mention his other assets. He is kind, honorable, caring, and hot...everything she could want in a man. Except for the pesky little detail that he lives across the country.
Will she open her guarded heart only to be hurt again? Or could small-town romance be her happily ever after?
This novella is funny, sweet, sexy, and just plain adorkable. I loved that they were both geeky in their own ways, but still fun and attractive. They have great rapport and chemistry together. I loved the set up of a big city main couple now trying to adjust to a small-town setting. Her crazy, nosy, opinionated senior roomies are hilarious. The shenanigans and sarcastic banter had me smiling and laughing out loud. It's like watching a family-centric comedy tv show with a new romance in the middle of it. And Zeke is a sweet and swoony hero searching for something he needs, while Finley is a girl working on finding herself and her backbone again. Things don't always go how they planned, but sometimes the best things are unexpected.
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Finley thought her life in Atlanta was going well with her Chief Editor job, husband, and plans to have kids...until it all imploded in an instant. Totally blindsided, she flees to her GramBea's house in the small town, Green Valley, Tennessee. Now she is living with three senior ladies including her Great Aunt Dot and their friend, Estelle and working in the town library. A big life change, but also a wake-up call to who she had let herself become.
She never expected to meet a tall, dark, and handsome man in the library of all places. Zeke is intelligent, considerate, and a bit mysterious. He is not local and is only supposed to be in town for a short time.
She's trying to heal, get her life together, and move on. She is a hot mess and embarrassing encounters seem to be her norm. But for some reason, he sees Finley for who she is and appreciates it.
Zeke has his own inner nerd, personal agenda, and life in Seattle and is not planning on staying long term. The more time she spends with Zeke, the more she likes his quirkiness and personality...not to mention his other assets. He is kind, honorable, caring, and hot...everything she could want in a man. Except for the pesky little detail that he lives across the country.
Will she open her guarded heart only to be hurt again? Or could small-town romance be her happily ever after?
This novella is funny, sweet, sexy, and just plain adorkable. I loved that they were both geeky in their own ways, but still fun and attractive. They have great rapport and chemistry together. I loved the set up of a big city main couple now trying to adjust to a small-town setting. Her crazy, nosy, opinionated senior roomies are hilarious. The shenanigans and sarcastic banter had me smiling and laughing out loud. It's like watching a family-centric comedy tv show with a new romance in the middle of it. And Zeke is a sweet and swoony hero searching for something he needs, while Finley is a girl working on finding herself and her backbone again. Things don't always go how they planned, but sometimes the best things are unexpected.
September 16, 2019
This book was Fantastic. I absolutely loved all of the characters Katie places in the book. Finely’s strength and ability to find herself was very well written without being over the top or allowing her to wallow in self pity over her situation. Zeke’s character was nothing short of a true gentleman. Let’s not fall short of Fineley’s grandma and her crew. A total riot these older ladies were. This book had all the elements, heartbreak, anger, love and best of all a ton of humor.
October 2, 2019
This book had me laughing out loud so many times!
'"Life is too short, and too precious to dick around and not go after what you want." I snorted, "That should be embroidered on a throw pillow"'
Finely and Zeke find each other when they are both at a transition in their lives. Finely is going through a divorce with her cheating ex, and Zeke is on the search for his birth parents.
Zeke is a handsome IT professional, Cosplaying nerd, and he OWNS it! Finely's Grandmother, her grand-Aunt, and godmother are absolutely hysterical. All I'll say is, there's a reason the Queen carries a hand bag.
'"Life is too short, and too precious to dick around and not go after what you want." I snorted, "That should be embroidered on a throw pillow"'
Finely and Zeke find each other when they are both at a transition in their lives. Finely is going through a divorce with her cheating ex, and Zeke is on the search for his birth parents.
Zeke is a handsome IT professional, Cosplaying nerd, and he OWNS it! Finely's Grandmother, her grand-Aunt, and godmother are absolutely hysterical. All I'll say is, there's a reason the Queen carries a hand bag.
November 16, 2019
Obviously, I'm in the minority on this one. But this book didn't work for me on many levels.
I didn't like Finley, who seemed pretty scatterbrained for a supposed "investigative journalist". There was no evidence of a methodical researcher, which she would have needed in her previous occupation. She's just plain nosy. She also had a lot of prejudices about people, judging them solely on appearances. (Saying that someone can't be good-looking and nice, that they must be harboring a secret? What kind of bs is that?) Then there were the questionable choices she made (inserting a Ben Wa ball at work?) which only served as a set-up for humiliating her character.
Zeke seemed nice enough, but without his POV we don't really get to know him well. I honestly don't know what he saw in Finley.
The interfering octogenarian brigade annoyed me with their insistence that Finley "get over" the betrayal in a handful of days, and "get on with living". That's not how any of this works. Having inappropriate conversations was misguided at best, and cringe-worthy at worst. I maintain that if you have to announce that you're "hip and cool" you are, in fact, neither.
GramBea starts off "always" calling her by her full name, Finley Anne; but that doesn't carry throughout the book. Sloppy. The author claims mentions "a sailor style knot" that forms in Finley's stomach. Did you know that there are actually 32 knots sailors use? A simple Google search could have told the author that. Sloppy. Thuy is actually the librarian, but almost all references to offices and authority mention Naomi. Sloppy.
When Zeke invites Finley to the cosplay gathering, that word is used multiple times. And yet, when someone asks Finley about her grandmother being part of fandom, she calls it "dress up". Why? (I'm not even going to go into the multiple issues I had with the description of cosplay and events because we'd be here all day. Someone should do more research before including the subject into a book.) And at the end a summary is made mentioning "a man who wasn't who he said he was." I'm assuming this is in reference to Zeke, but for the life of me I can't figure out what it means. I could not find any indication of him outright lying about himself or his occupation in Seattle, he simply doesn't talk about it that much. So how does that fit with not being who you claim to be? Sloppy.
Finally, this book is set in Green Valley. Yet, aside from two mentions of Penny Reid's characters, we never get any interaction with them. For some reason that omission was glaring here. (Maybe because some decently written characters being included would have been nice.)
Overall, this book made me in turns annoyed and angry. The timeline is rushed, the female lead is repeatedly humiliated, she's a judgemental idiot, and there was a serious lack of emotional depth in this book. For me it was the second worst book of the Smartypants Romance debut books. (Happy Trail nudges it out of top spot for the sole reason that I have been unable to finish it yet. I reserve the right to switch their positions on my list at any time.)
I didn't like Finley, who seemed pretty scatterbrained for a supposed "investigative journalist". There was no evidence of a methodical researcher, which she would have needed in her previous occupation. She's just plain nosy. She also had a lot of prejudices about people, judging them solely on appearances. (Saying that someone can't be good-looking and nice, that they must be harboring a secret? What kind of bs is that?) Then there were the questionable choices she made (inserting a Ben Wa ball at work?) which only served as a set-up for humiliating her character.
Zeke seemed nice enough, but without his POV we don't really get to know him well. I honestly don't know what he saw in Finley.
The interfering octogenarian brigade annoyed me with their insistence that Finley "get over" the betrayal in a handful of days, and "get on with living". That's not how any of this works. Having inappropriate conversations was misguided at best, and cringe-worthy at worst. I maintain that if you have to announce that you're "hip and cool" you are, in fact, neither.
GramBea starts off "always" calling her by her full name, Finley Anne; but that doesn't carry throughout the book. Sloppy. The author claims mentions "a sailor style knot" that forms in Finley's stomach. Did you know that there are actually 32 knots sailors use? A simple Google search could have told the author that. Sloppy. Thuy is actually the librarian, but almost all references to offices and authority mention Naomi. Sloppy.
When Zeke invites Finley to the cosplay gathering, that word is used multiple times. And yet, when someone asks Finley about her grandmother being part of fandom, she calls it "dress up". Why? (I'm not even going to go into the multiple issues I had with the description of cosplay and events because we'd be here all day. Someone should do more research before including the subject into a book.) And at the end a summary is made mentioning "a man who wasn't who he said he was." I'm assuming this is in reference to Zeke, but for the life of me I can't figure out what it means. I could not find any indication of him outright lying about himself or his occupation in Seattle, he simply doesn't talk about it that much. So how does that fit with not being who you claim to be? Sloppy.
Finally, this book is set in Green Valley. Yet, aside from two mentions of Penny Reid's characters, we never get any interaction with them. For some reason that omission was glaring here. (Maybe because some decently written characters being included would have been nice.)
Overall, this book made me in turns annoyed and angry. The timeline is rushed, the female lead is repeatedly humiliated, she's a judgemental idiot, and there was a serious lack of emotional depth in this book. For me it was the second worst book of the Smartypants Romance debut books. (Happy Trail nudges it out of top spot for the sole reason that I have been unable to finish it yet. I reserve the right to switch their positions on my list at any time.)
November 17, 2019
It wasn't completely terrible and I did like how the author included a diverse lead hero but nevertheless it was still mediocre at best and I wasn't completely won over. With that being said, I'm not sure if it's just me or not but the smartypants romances just weren't cutting it and it's become more than a struggle to find anything remotely likable about them. Is it just me or…?
January 21, 2022
Seen these covers on my book app for a while and been intrigued by them but never picked one up. As common for me I picked up a book in the middle of a series without reading the rest but don't think it was that big of an issues. Sadly it wasn't my cup of tea. Just couldn't get invested enough to care about the characters and didn't find the romance particular swoony or interesting. But I might try another one in the series/by this author
September 10, 2019
Another fabulous Katie Ashley southern story. The relationship Finley has with her grandmother and friends is so enlightening and entertaining. Zeke and Finley together are terrific!!! Each of them has a story to tell...together they can take on the world!
Want to read
August 7, 2019
We are incredibly excited to announce the lovely and wonderful Katie Ashley Romance's book for Smartypants Romance! 'Shelf Awareness' is a full-length contemporary romantic comedy, can be read as a standalone, and is book #4 in the Green Valley Library series!
RELEASE DATE: November 19, 2019
** PRE-ORDER LINKS **
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2OJOTha
Nook: https://bit.ly/33le8cX
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Kkdx3W
Add to your shelf on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2ZGlFAO
(HEADS UP: This book will have no Amazon pre-order!)
** Blurb **
After catching her husband in a compromising position, Finley Granger finds herself in a new hell: reentering the dating world. When she moves in with her grandmother, her great-aunt, and their best friend, Finley finds herself surrounded by a trio of well-meaning yet bumbling matchmakers.
In spite of their efforts, Finley only has eyes for one person, and that’s Zeke Masters—the 6’4”, impossibly built, and ridiculously good-looking new man in town. Along with her nether regions, Finley’s journalistic spidey-senses tingle as to why he’s on sabbatical from Seattle. Is he on the lam or escaping a bad breakup? What's his story?!?!
As Finley finds herself reluctantly drawn to the gorgeous IT guy, she can’t help but wonder: should she indulge in a rebound tryst with the mysterious Zeke, or has she finally met her match?
'Shelf Awareness' is a full-length contemporary romantic comedy, can be read as a standalone, and is book #4 in the Green Valley Library series, Green Valley World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
November 18, 2019
This book was hilarious! Finley moves into her grandmother’s house after she discovers her husband has been cheating on her. She quickly runs into Zeke who is in Green Valley to find his birth parents while working as an IT professional at the library. There is immediate chemistry between them but Finley is hesitant as she’s coming out of a marriage and romance is the last thing she thinks she needs. I loved Zeke! He was a hot nerd in the best possible way and he was proud of it. He was just a really great guy and a clearly perfect fit for Finley. There were no really major conflicts for the two main characters but I actually liked that this was just a light and fun read. Finley’s three fairy godmothers were also hysterical and need their own book series. Shelf Awareness was the perfect final book in the first Smartypants launch for me and I will definitely look to read more from Katie Ashley. This was a really fun visit back to Green Valley and I need the second launch to happen ASAP. What the heck am I going to read now?
October 1, 2019
What an awesome read, enjoy both Katie Ashley and Penny Reid, throw in a cross over characters and you have created a great book
February 23, 2020
interesting start!
overall, an okay sweet small-town romance
overall, an okay sweet small-town romance
September 11, 2019
I recieved a copy of Shelf Awareness for an early review, and I am so thrilled to have been able to read this. While Finley's marriage has fallen apart (absolutely worst way possible too!) instead of staying around to mope or torture herself, she's quits her job in Atlanta and moves to a small (key word: SMALL) town in East Tennessee. While there, she is able to reinvent herself - new career and new love interest!
I thought the story with Zeke was great. It's not often that the hero is American Indian, and I loved that being Cherokee myself. He is in town from Seattle to find more about his birth family and donating his IT skills to the library where Finley works. Their relationship starts as a slow burn until...BAM! It went full speed ahead. I loved how geeky Zeke was and that they went to a cosplay party for their "first" date.
Of course, no good novel ends without some type of conflict, and this one doesn't disappoint! I would have to say that Finley's grandma, great-aunt and godmother totally stole the spotlight! They were great!!!
This book is definitely a great choice to read!!
I thought the story with Zeke was great. It's not often that the hero is American Indian, and I loved that being Cherokee myself. He is in town from Seattle to find more about his birth family and donating his IT skills to the library where Finley works. Their relationship starts as a slow burn until...BAM! It went full speed ahead. I loved how geeky Zeke was and that they went to a cosplay party for their "first" date.
Of course, no good novel ends without some type of conflict, and this one doesn't disappoint! I would have to say that Finley's grandma, great-aunt and godmother totally stole the spotlight! They were great!!!
This book is definitely a great choice to read!!
November 19, 2019
4.5 stars!
This book was my first Katie Ashley book, and it was so delightfully good!! Right off the bat this story threw me for a loop for reasons I won’t divulge..ya just gotta read, and find out what! Love being in GreenValley of course, and as all the other SPR authors have done such an amazing job in bringing those Penny feels, Katie delivers awesomeness as well.
I fell in love with Zeke. He was just plum amazin’, and Perfect! I love that he was heavy into Cosplay, and such a sexy nerd. Love the romance between him and Finely. So many elements in this story that I loved! I hope you love it as much as I did. I can’t wait to read more of this author!!
This book was my first Katie Ashley book, and it was so delightfully good!! Right off the bat this story threw me for a loop for reasons I won’t divulge..ya just gotta read, and find out what! Love being in GreenValley of course, and as all the other SPR authors have done such an amazing job in bringing those Penny feels, Katie delivers awesomeness as well.
I fell in love with Zeke. He was just plum amazin’, and Perfect! I love that he was heavy into Cosplay, and such a sexy nerd. Love the romance between him and Finely. So many elements in this story that I loved! I hope you love it as much as I did. I can’t wait to read more of this author!!
December 2, 2019
*rubs hands together* Okay. We're back in Green Valley--and the Green Valley Public Library, to be precise--where Finley retreats to her grandmother's house after finding out her husband is cheating on her. (As an aside, Finley is WAY chill about the entire situation. More so than I personally thought she should be, but I'm starting to think I'm a deeply vindictive person who longs to see cheats and liars get their just desserts in the most Cletus way possible.)
Needless to say, Finley isn't really in the headspace to consider romance, but her heart doesn't really care about that. It sees Zeke and gives her the type of feelings that had been missing from her marriage for a fair amount of time. Which isn't to say everything is easy. The woman fights her attraction at first. Understandably, since she's coming off a broken marriage and he's only in Green Valley temporarily.
For his part, Zeke is volunteering his time at the library for reasons of his own and he, too, knows his time in GV is limited. He doesn't fight it nearly as hard as Finley does, though, and his easy going manner finally breaks through her defenses.
Some old faces, some new faces, and time spent in the library. What's not to love?
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Needless to say, Finley isn't really in the headspace to consider romance, but her heart doesn't really care about that. It sees Zeke and gives her the type of feelings that had been missing from her marriage for a fair amount of time. Which isn't to say everything is easy. The woman fights her attraction at first. Understandably, since she's coming off a broken marriage and he's only in Green Valley temporarily.
For his part, Zeke is volunteering his time at the library for reasons of his own and he, too, knows his time in GV is limited. He doesn't fight it nearly as hard as Finley does, though, and his easy going manner finally breaks through her defenses.
Some old faces, some new faces, and time spent in the library. What's not to love?
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
September 26, 2019
I loved this one! I just loved how the whole story played out. A bit unexpected in some parts and it was funny too! Cute ending.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
November 5, 2019
Finely wanted to surprise her husband but she ended up the surprised one. Now she is back in Green Valley piecing her life back together she she meets Zeke. Sometimes when life closes a door it opens a much better one. I couldn’t put this book down!
November 6, 2019
Shelf Awareness is an interesting book about Finley, a woman that moves to Green Valley after finding her husband in a compromising position with her personal trainer. What I really liked about this book was Finley's relationship with her grandmother and her friends. They all end up in this big house that is almost a Golden Girls sorority, and it's delightful to read about GramBea, Dot, and their best friend, Estelle. However, that's as far as I could connect with Shelf Awareness.
Having read Stud Muffin is very difficult not to compare the two. And while, yes, there are fundamental differences between the books it was difficult for me to go into Finley's state of mind after I so wholeheartedly understood Stud Muffin's Tempest's way to deal with heartbreak. This book is way more rom-com, with strong funny moments, but sometimes I felt that the comedy got in the way of the plot.
Zeke was such a complex character, and I wanted to know so much more about him. I felt that we only got to see the surface. I wanted to understand where his passion for conventions came from, how it started, what was his job before, why was the ex never mentioned, and the family fortune, etc...
He had the potential of being a great hero, and I loved that kind of mystery around him when he was first introduced, but from then on I didn't find his relationship with Finley believable. It progressed at a weird pace and I don't know why I just didn't buy it.
Overall, this was a fun read but not remarkable. Again, I loved Grambea, Dot and Estelle, but in the end, I missed something that could tie all the elements together to make Finley's story extra special.
This was an ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Having read Stud Muffin is very difficult not to compare the two. And while, yes, there are fundamental differences between the books it was difficult for me to go into Finley's state of mind after I so wholeheartedly understood Stud Muffin's Tempest's way to deal with heartbreak. This book is way more rom-com, with strong funny moments, but sometimes I felt that the comedy got in the way of the plot.
Zeke was such a complex character, and I wanted to know so much more about him. I felt that we only got to see the surface. I wanted to understand where his passion for conventions came from, how it started, what was his job before, why was the ex never mentioned, and the family fortune, etc...
He had the potential of being a great hero, and I loved that kind of mystery around him when he was first introduced, but from then on I didn't find his relationship with Finley believable. It progressed at a weird pace and I don't know why I just didn't buy it.
Overall, this was a fun read but not remarkable. Again, I loved Grambea, Dot and Estelle, but in the end, I missed something that could tie all the elements together to make Finley's story extra special.
This was an ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
November 19, 2019
4 STARS!
Shelf Awareness by Katie Ashley is a part of Penny Reid's SmartyPants Romance World and book 4 in the Green Valley Library series.
Finley and Zeke find each other after both overcoming some hurdles in their respective lives. The small town of Green Valley, Tennessee brings them together.
This sweet romance was packed with laughs, sexy moments, and great life lessons that will touch your heart. The story also shared the powerful bond between Finley and her grandmother Beatrice, her great-aunt Dot, and her godmother Estelle. Their moments amongst each other brought so much joy and hilarity. However, I would say this novel leaned more towards women's fiction at times. There was romance but it was a very slow burn romance.
Though I would have loved to have chapters in Zeke's POV, Shelf Awareness was my first read by Katie Ashley and it was a wonderful, well written story. I just needed inside Zeke's head. He was so mysterious, nerdy, handsome, and sweet. The complete package. Another issue I encountered was the moments of unnecessary and sudden drama but it was quickly resolved. Overall, this novel was a fun and enjoyable read.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through Social Butterfly PR. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
Shelf Awareness by Katie Ashley is a part of Penny Reid's SmartyPants Romance World and book 4 in the Green Valley Library series.
Finley and Zeke find each other after both overcoming some hurdles in their respective lives. The small town of Green Valley, Tennessee brings them together.
This sweet romance was packed with laughs, sexy moments, and great life lessons that will touch your heart. The story also shared the powerful bond between Finley and her grandmother Beatrice, her great-aunt Dot, and her godmother Estelle. Their moments amongst each other brought so much joy and hilarity. However, I would say this novel leaned more towards women's fiction at times. There was romance but it was a very slow burn romance.
Though I would have loved to have chapters in Zeke's POV, Shelf Awareness was my first read by Katie Ashley and it was a wonderful, well written story. I just needed inside Zeke's head. He was so mysterious, nerdy, handsome, and sweet. The complete package. Another issue I encountered was the moments of unnecessary and sudden drama but it was quickly resolved. Overall, this novel was a fun and enjoyable read.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through Social Butterfly PR. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
July 18, 2021
I always love my babies, but this one was especially fun with the Golden Girls references!!!
November 12, 2019
I voluntarily reviewed an early copy of this book :) this is technically the fourth book in the Green Valley library series, which is part of a much bigger Pennyverse, that I will explain in a moment, but it works perfectly well as a standalone, so even if you are brand new to this author or world, you can easily pick it up and enjoy :) you get all the necessary informations about the main couple in this story, and even though there are definitely interesting appearances from other people who already got their own books, it just makes you curious to pick up their novels ;) when I said this is part of the bigger Pennyverse, what I meant is that Penny Reid originally created the town of Green Valley in Tennessee when she wrote her Winston brothers series, but now with cooperation from other authors, they can write stories set in that world and / or with some characters that we might know… it’s of course much more complex when it comes to the legal matters of everything, but you get the point :) I’m definitely happy this is a thing, because thanks to that I can be entertained with stories like this one :)
Finley changes her whole life after she catches her husband cheating on her… yeah, not the best day of her life… she decides to quit her job as a journalist in Atlanta and move in with her grandmother and her two friends in the small town of Green Valley :) this is where she starts a new job in the town’s public library… it’s also where she meets Zeke, who is also new in town and working as an IT specialist in said library… and while there is a little spark between them, the actual romance part is my favourite type… as in slow burn over some amount of time :) and I really liked that… I liked that they got to know each other more and formed a bit of a friendship before falling more for one another… I adored the writing style, and the best compliment I can give for that, is that I did not plan to read it as fast as I did… I just sort of started it with intention of reading like a few chapters and then I was in the middle of the book… then I blinked and was finishing it :) the story itself was very entertaining and hilarious, although it had a few things that prevented me from giving it full 5 stars… so I landed on 4,5 instead :) they weren’t big things, for example, Finley isn’t really my favourite type of heroine, so some of her choices and decisions just weren’t to my liking… sometimes she was just a bit too over the top for me… another thing that bugged me, and I wasn’t always looking out or those, but I am trying to be a better and more conscious reader, is when in I think two places there was a sentence like “I am so OCD about this” when they don’t have that disorder and what they mean is that they are perfectionists or something similar… it was a small thing but it grated on my nerves, cause it could have been written in soooo many different ways… when it comes to thing I absolutely loved, the biggest one is Zeke :) he was just such a nice and kind person and I adored that about him :) we don’t know a lot about him in the beginning, so I don’t want to spoil any details but he was just absolutely lovely :) the story itself was very entertaining and I can wholeheartedly recommend it to you all ;)
XOXO
A
Finley changes her whole life after she catches her husband cheating on her… yeah, not the best day of her life… she decides to quit her job as a journalist in Atlanta and move in with her grandmother and her two friends in the small town of Green Valley :) this is where she starts a new job in the town’s public library… it’s also where she meets Zeke, who is also new in town and working as an IT specialist in said library… and while there is a little spark between them, the actual romance part is my favourite type… as in slow burn over some amount of time :) and I really liked that… I liked that they got to know each other more and formed a bit of a friendship before falling more for one another… I adored the writing style, and the best compliment I can give for that, is that I did not plan to read it as fast as I did… I just sort of started it with intention of reading like a few chapters and then I was in the middle of the book… then I blinked and was finishing it :) the story itself was very entertaining and hilarious, although it had a few things that prevented me from giving it full 5 stars… so I landed on 4,5 instead :) they weren’t big things, for example, Finley isn’t really my favourite type of heroine, so some of her choices and decisions just weren’t to my liking… sometimes she was just a bit too over the top for me… another thing that bugged me, and I wasn’t always looking out or those, but I am trying to be a better and more conscious reader, is when in I think two places there was a sentence like “I am so OCD about this” when they don’t have that disorder and what they mean is that they are perfectionists or something similar… it was a small thing but it grated on my nerves, cause it could have been written in soooo many different ways… when it comes to thing I absolutely loved, the biggest one is Zeke :) he was just such a nice and kind person and I adored that about him :) we don’t know a lot about him in the beginning, so I don’t want to spoil any details but he was just absolutely lovely :) the story itself was very entertaining and I can wholeheartedly recommend it to you all ;)
XOXO
A
November 11, 2019
This was my first Katie Ashley book and that's been one of my favorite parts about reading some of the smarty pants romance books, getting to read new to me authors!
Can you imagine working with a personal trainer for months, getting all dolled up and sexy to surprise your husband for a night he won't forget only to come home and walk in on something devastating and shocking! Betrayal at the highest level AND there's a twist to this deception that had my jaw hitting my kindle! Fuck you Grant!
So as you can imagine Finley needs a change. She decides to move from Atlanta to Green Valley, TN. She moves in with her grandmother, GramBea.... GramBea's younger sister, Dot, and their best friend since childhood, Estelle. THESE OLD LADIES ROCK!
She gets a job at the local library and meets Zeke. Ya'll Zeke is a wet dream come true, he's the IT guy at the library but he's as sexy as he is nerdy, he's into cosplay and completely owns it! I love him!
Shelf Awareness has everything, there's feels, emotions, tons of laughs, I mean just wait till you read the part with the Ben Wa balls! You'll die laughing and also everything that comes out of Estelle's mouth is hilariously inappropriate. There's also some mystery and a touch of a suspensful moment.
Can you imagine working with a personal trainer for months, getting all dolled up and sexy to surprise your husband for a night he won't forget only to come home and walk in on something devastating and shocking! Betrayal at the highest level AND there's a twist to this deception that had my jaw hitting my kindle! Fuck you Grant!
So as you can imagine Finley needs a change. She decides to move from Atlanta to Green Valley, TN. She moves in with her grandmother, GramBea.... GramBea's younger sister, Dot, and their best friend since childhood, Estelle. THESE OLD LADIES ROCK!
She gets a job at the local library and meets Zeke. Ya'll Zeke is a wet dream come true, he's the IT guy at the library but he's as sexy as he is nerdy, he's into cosplay and completely owns it! I love him!
Shelf Awareness has everything, there's feels, emotions, tons of laughs, I mean just wait till you read the part with the Ben Wa balls! You'll die laughing and also everything that comes out of Estelle's mouth is hilariously inappropriate. There's also some mystery and a touch of a suspensful moment.
November 19, 2019
Katie has taken us back to Green Valley for a fabulously southern romance ! Finley & Zeke are sweet, swooning and sexy.
Finely has returned to recharge following a cheating husband put an end to her marriage. She has taken up residence with her grandmother and has been keeping to herself to regroup and figure out what she wants. Zeke and Finely meet of course at the library and begin a friendship that neither one was expecting. Zeke is sweet and swoon worthy he soon realizes the reason that Finely has returned to her hometown and decides he may need to show her how a gentleman treats a woman. Finley's grandmother and her cast of friends or shall we say characters add a refreshingly funny twist to this romance !!! Loved them and their entire supporting cast !
~~Michele McMullen ~~
Finely has returned to recharge following a cheating husband put an end to her marriage. She has taken up residence with her grandmother and has been keeping to herself to regroup and figure out what she wants. Zeke and Finely meet of course at the library and begin a friendship that neither one was expecting. Zeke is sweet and swoon worthy he soon realizes the reason that Finely has returned to her hometown and decides he may need to show her how a gentleman treats a woman. Finley's grandmother and her cast of friends or shall we say characters add a refreshingly funny twist to this romance !!! Loved them and their entire supporting cast !
~~Michele McMullen ~~
November 22, 2019
Finley leaves Atlanta still reeling from the demise of her marriage. She goes to Green Valley to stay with her grandmother, godmother, and aunt. She is reluctant to jump into dating again but her family has other ideas. She meets Zeke, who is on a sabbatical in Green Valley and her curiosity is piqued. This story is funny, sweet, and sexy. I love the chemistry between Finley and Zeke, but I equally love Finley’s rapport with her loving but interfering family. I really enjoyed this book…it is well written, entertaining, and witty. If you enjoy sweet romances this is the book for you. Advanced copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
January 25, 2020
Loved Finley and Zeke.
December 3, 2019
This was a very sweet and easy read. While this is once again set in the library, it actually doesn't focus on a librarian. Sure, Finley works at a library, but she's getting a history room ready. And then we have Zeke, who while he is a tech guy, he is volunteering and not an official library tech. But that's okay, because I still loved both characters! There was so much in this story that made me laugh. In fact Finley's roommates, her grandmother, great-aunt, and their friend, all remind me of the grandparent characters in the books by one of my favorite authors, Emma Hart. So many funny moments in this one, especially the Ben-Wa ball moment as described in the excerpt below. For the most part it is a pretty simple and as I said, sweet story. But at the end, we get some intense events thanks to Zeke's father. It was a blast spending the time we did with our librarians we know from the other books, even though there was only a mention or two of the Winston brothers.
Now I'm just eager to read the next round of the SmartyPants Romance books which won't be till next spring or summer I think. Also, I have lots of thoughts about trying to either fix my one novel I started reworking during NaNoWriMo this year to possibly fit into the Penny Reid world, or else to start a new one so maybe I can get into the library world of this book!
Review first appeared on Lisa Loves Literature
Now I'm just eager to read the next round of the SmartyPants Romance books which won't be till next spring or summer I think. Also, I have lots of thoughts about trying to either fix my one novel I started reworking during NaNoWriMo this year to possibly fit into the Penny Reid world, or else to start a new one so maybe I can get into the library world of this book!
Review first appeared on Lisa Loves Literature
November 20, 2019
***4 Stars***
This was a fun, quick read that was low on drama and angst and filled with some laugh out loud moments as well as some swoon worthy ones that had me melting and a cast of characters that definitely made things all kinds of interesting.
I loved Finley and Zeke. Finley is sweet, sassy and though she’s had her world flipped upside down, she slowly works through it all (with a little help here and there) and comes out stronger for it in the end. Zeke was a surprise and a very pleasant one at that. He’s sweet, geeky and quite open in a way that had me swooning. Their journey to their HEA was a lot of fun. I loved watching as they got to know each and finally succumbed to their mutual attraction. Their bantering was on point, the chemistry strong and though there was one little hitch, I loved how everything worked out for them in the end.
I had a great time reading this book. There was a bit of drama that was unexpected but I loved how it ended up getting resolved. There were a lot of fun characters in this one. It was fun catching up with Sabrina, Naomi and Thuy but Bea, Dot and Estelle totally stole the show ~ especially Estelle, she was awesomesauce! ~ These three definitely know how get things done. So, if you’re in the mood for something more on the sweet, but swoony side with a dash of drama, then this is a must click for you!
~ Copy provided by Social Butterfly PR & voluntarily reviewed ~
This was a fun, quick read that was low on drama and angst and filled with some laugh out loud moments as well as some swoon worthy ones that had me melting and a cast of characters that definitely made things all kinds of interesting.
I loved Finley and Zeke. Finley is sweet, sassy and though she’s had her world flipped upside down, she slowly works through it all (with a little help here and there) and comes out stronger for it in the end. Zeke was a surprise and a very pleasant one at that. He’s sweet, geeky and quite open in a way that had me swooning. Their journey to their HEA was a lot of fun. I loved watching as they got to know each and finally succumbed to their mutual attraction. Their bantering was on point, the chemistry strong and though there was one little hitch, I loved how everything worked out for them in the end.
I had a great time reading this book. There was a bit of drama that was unexpected but I loved how it ended up getting resolved. There were a lot of fun characters in this one. It was fun catching up with Sabrina, Naomi and Thuy but Bea, Dot and Estelle totally stole the show ~ especially Estelle, she was awesomesauce! ~ These three definitely know how get things done. So, if you’re in the mood for something more on the sweet, but swoony side with a dash of drama, then this is a must click for you!
~ Copy provided by Social Butterfly PR & voluntarily reviewed ~
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