I didn't like this as much as the first in the series, though it was still a fun read. There were two problems for me. The biggest was that Oscar, the MMC, was sort of an asshole. He is insanely passive-aggressive and way too nonverbal for my liking. For the most part I loved Natalie. I hated her label-dropping. Chanel, Burberry, and Prada do just fine, you don't have to advertise for them. I hated that she kept showing up for events in the country in 4" heels. She is not supposed to be stupid, so she would not do that. Non-stupid people know there is mud on farms. Still, overall she was a strong heroine with a good sense of self. Based on the description it was clear that Oscar was supposed to look like Jason Momoa, and though he is not my type I do understand that he is pretty physically extraordinary -- I fully understand that Natalie was attracted to him. What I could not figure out was what else drew her to him besides physical attraction and later appreciation for his sexing skills. He had no conversational ability and he consistently put his ex-wife's needs and feelings ahead of Natalie's. (I was happy to see a divorced couple who remained friends in the story, but when the ex-wife gets in the way of a new relationship and instead of respecting the new GFs feelings the man just tries to gaslight the new GF to make her thing that she is imagining the ex's clinginess, that is just offensive.) The attraction was clear and made for some good sexiness, but the jerkiness baked into Oscar killed the romantic part of this. There was enough here I liked that I got to a 3, but I am hoping the 3rd (and final) book in the series brings back the charm of the first. ( )

Cream of the Crop
Hudson Valley, Book 2

I Picked Up This Book Because: Finish the series..

Media Type: Audiobook
Source: H County Public Library
Dates Read: 4/1/23 - 4/3/23
Stars: 4
Narrator(s): Olivia Song and Deacon Lee

The Characters:

Natalie Grayson:
Oscar Mendoza:
Roxie Callahan, Leo Maxwell

The Story:

This was a great way to finish up the series. Yeah I know it’s book two but I read them as I could get them. Natalie and Oscar had so much chemistry. Leo’s little girl (I can’t remember her name) brought so much comic relief. I just had a really good time in Hudson Valley and I’m a little sad it’s over.

The Random Thoughts: ( )

So here's the thing. I love Natalie. Like I freaking love her. I wish she was a real life person so we can hang out. The male heroine Oscar also really does it for me, but I loved he had flaws and she didn't just roll over because he said so either. One thing that drives me bonkers in romance land is when a heroine who rocks her job, gives it all up for love, or is treated like a jerk for not immediately doing so cause love pays bills (or according to Donald Trump only your husbands pay bills) and screw a woman's sense of self being linked to her doing a job that she loves.

Natalie works at an advertising agency and is a rising star at the company. She has great parents, great friends, and a kick ass apartment too. She's a size 18 and stands proud wears designer labels, and the highest heels. She's just caught up crushing on the diary farmer that comes to her local farmers market on the weekends in New York selling her his brie.

Book #1 gives you glimpses of Oscar and you know that Natalie has a crush on him in that and this book. However, due to an opportunity opening up pitching an advertising idea to business owners in Bailey Falls, she jumps for a chance to see about making her fantasies a reality with regards to Oscar.

And that's one thing I love about Natalie. She's adventurous and ready for a hot fling. She's not looking for love, but is looking for a hot guy. You get to find out about her backstory and why she is reluctant to date (and it's a doozy) and why she's loud and proud of herself.
I liked Oscar, but did have a couple of boy, you are wrong moments while reading this. I'm just glad the heroine called him out on it.

We get interactions with Roxie and Leo (from book #1) along with Chad Bowman and other characters. And when I say interactions that's what I mean. They don't just make brief appearances they are part of the story (I hate when series do that). Speaking of Roxie, there seems to be some tension between her and her mom and I hope Clayton explores that in book #3.

Clayton's writing has real depth here. I seriously did get sniffly a bit with regards to Natalie's previous relationship. She nicely balances that with humor and really great sex scenes. I just wish we had more scenes with Clara. We have only gotten a few scenes with her and they felt not integrated with the plot very well. I think it was just a setup for book #3.

The flow works really great, and I was disappointed when we got to the end.

The setting of New York and Bailey Falls is so well done. I just wanted it to be fall already and to have pumpkins on the stoop and the weather to get colder so I can wear sweaters again.

The epilogue is once again done from the guy's point of view which I'm liking.

This was a great read! ( )

I don't have the enthusiasm for this one that I did [b:Nuts|25056208|Nuts (Hudson Valley, #1)|Alice Clayton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1445239638s/25056208.jpg|44737717] its predecessor.
They had chemistry that burst through on the pages but either I was blanking out any level of development on the relationship or it wasn't there. And I still feel like I don't KNOW Natalie or Oscar at all, just tidbits. It was still an enjoyable read, but felt lackluster.

I am putting a pause on the series until it has been a while as a result. Who knows how much I would've enjoyed this had it been a while. ( )

Very funny, though not as funny as the first book in the series. ( )