Liz Crowe

Lucy Granger left home for college but also to escape from Nate, her childhood best friend whom she’d fallen in love with—who didn’t feel the same about her. Now she has to make her yearly trip back home to see her wealthy family and to attend the festivities of the Kentucky Derby. The worst part is that she’ll have to face Nate.
Nathaniel Hawthorne has secretly loved Lucy for years. Even though he’s busy running his family’s distillery company, he wants more from Lucy than their annual fling. When she finally returns home, they fall into their same old routine of tension, hurt feelings, and hot sex.
I had trouble connecting with Lucy and Nate, but I sympathized with her about why she’d built a wall around her heart and pushed him away. Unresolved issues and lack of communication put a wedge between them, so it was nice when they finally overcame their self-imposed boundaries.
Harrison, Nate’s brother, was my favorite character. I was so relieved when he saved both Nate and Lucy from what was sure to be public humiliation.
Overall, I enjoyed the story for the setting. I haven’t read many books centered around breweries and/or horse racing, so I found everything to do with Nate's family business and the Derby entertaining. I enjoyed Ms. Crowe’s writing style and how she paints her scenes with enough detail to keep you intrigued. I’d love to read more of her work.
3 Stars… (plus d'informations)

Miranda meets Sawyer when he drops his beer down her blouse. He offers her his shirt but leaves before she returns from the ladies' room. They meet again when he is house hunting. But she's mad at him for an appraisal he gave on a property she thought would sell for a lot more. They are attracted but neither is willing to give in. Then tragedy strikes. Will it bring the two of them together or pull them further apart?

I liked this story. I liked Miranda and Sawyer equally. Miranda is making up for lost time since her divorce. Sawyer is trying to stay away because of what his late wife put him through and because he is raising a teenage daughter, Emma. I liked Emma a lot. I wish I could have been like Emma when I was a teenager. I have to admit there were times when I thought I was going to lose it as this book progressed. I was so afraid things were going to take the wrong turn and keep going down that wrong road. I was so glad it all worked out. You have to read to find out what!

I look forward to more of this series.… (plus d'informations)