A bit disappointed in this . . . same world as Penny Reid's Winston brothers and a follow on to Jen and Cletus. Same world and Jen and Cletus barely appear on-page. It was fine but not likely memorable. Took me forever to finish it. ( )

It was cute. What more could I say? It didn't 'wow' me like I had originally expected it to considering the lead heroine being handicapped and the hero pretty much bringing the romance into the whole friends turned lovers trope. Additional to that, there wasn't much drama in the read to really captivate me into the storyline and wanting to know more about the characters. Overall, average read with little to no excitement.

( )

LOVED this book. Adorable voice. Great chemistry between the friends-to-lovers couple. Wonderful strong representation of a disabled character in a wheelchair in a romantic relationship. Joss got a virus when she was 14, and when it spread to her spine, loss sensation in her legs. Her best friend Levi fell in love with her the moment her saw her, but she wasn’t ready for a relationship back then. Years later, they’re still besties, but when another guy comes on the scene, does that change things? I loved getting to spend more time in Green Valley, in the bakery, loved the strong characters all around, and seeing these two fall in love. LOVE LOVE LOVE this one!!! And yay that the Green Valley expanded series is available in KU!! 5/5 stars.

Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
( )

This is the first book in the new Smartypants romance series, which is a spin off from Penny Reid Winston brothers series based in Green Valley.
Different authors are writing about secondary characters from the original series.

This book is Levi and Joss and the link is the bakery which Jenn Sylvester, now Winston, owns.
So it's based some time aafter the series.

There are a couple of scenes with Jenn, very brief glimpse of Cletus and other previous loved characters, though some references are vague, as well as places readers will be familiar with like The Pink Pony.

It's not necessary to have read these books before this one but for those who have have it's great to see them again and make those connections.

I found the premise of the book interesting, the Hero knows his 'One' but the heroine is oblivious.
It works in their situation as when they meet Joss is at a time in her life where she is concentrating on making a recovery from a huge change in her life and she can't contemplate a romantic relationship at that time so she asks Levi to be her friend and that's when he gets friend zoned for 5 years.... 5 years.

Levi is amazing. He is loyal and patient.
Joss has had some set backs in life and I'm not going to explain as it's part of the magic of the book to discover her story.
There is no abuse or triggers.
The issues Joss has are dealt with sensitively and with understanding of her situation.

There are a plethora of secondary characters that could have possible future storylines developing through the series or in a spin off between other staff at the bakery and Levi's family, his brother, cousins the potential is definitely there and I would love to read their stories.

For the safety gang.

Levi and Joss have been friends for 5 years so they are friends before the romance starts.

Levi has had relationships before he met Joss and after he met her his future lay with her but she is not receptive to that for 5 years so due to his frustration and trying to beat the curse he does date, I think it's twice, but Joss thinks it's loads more.

On those dates it mentioned that they kissed, touched and other things but gives the impression no sex, so intimacy but it depends on where as a reader you feel it's okay.
He is single so he is available and free to do this but I know some readers are sensitive to the Hero or heroine being with anybody else after they meet.

He does this hoping to feel that connection with someone else as he feels Joss will never return his feelings.

There is no detail of those scenes it's really vague and it's up to the reader to think how far that went.

Joss, due to her issues is a virgin and has not had any sexual feelings for anyone, in her circumstances this is understandable.

Small other man drama.

The situation, which is in the blurb, where Joss meets a handsome stranger who then awakens the feelings of attraction made me slightly uncomfortable with how far this would go.
Would the Hero feel like a second best choice?
How far would Joss and this handsome strangers relationship go?

Spoilers below.


The answer is not far. She recognises she likes him, there is a bit of flirting banter but again due to circumstances their relationship doesn't progress in a romantic way.
The thoughts of second best or "now I feel sexual attraction will anyone do" are addressed.

No intimate scenes with anyone other than the Hero and heroine.

I did feel the end came a but quick, Joss has a tendency to 'run off' when they have a argument and it felt a bit like they'd be fine once they moved on with their future as she won't do it again.
If that was real life I'd be a bit worried about that reaction esp as she is so stubborn.

HEA.

I did enjoy it but the reason for three starts is I'm not sure I'd reread.


( )

This is the first book in the new Smartypants romance series, which is a spin off from Penny Reid Winston brothers series based in Green Valley.
Different authors are writing about secondary characters from the original series.

This book is Levi and Joss and the link is the bakery which Jenn Sylvester, now Winston, owns.
So it's based some time after the series.

There are a couple of scenes with Jenn, very brief glimpse of Cletus and other previous loved characters, though some references are vague, as well as places readers will be familiar with like The Pink Pony.

It's not necessary to have read these books before this one but for those who have have it's great to see them again and make those connections.

I found the premise of the book interesting, the Hero knows his 'One' but the heroine is oblivious.
It works in their situation as when they meet Joss is at a time in her life where she is concentrating on making a recovery from a huge change in her life and she can't contemplate a romantic relationship at that time so she asks Levi to be her friend and that's when he gets friend zoned for 5 years.... 5 years.

Levi is amazing. He is loyal and patient.
Joss has had some set backs in life and I'm not going to explain as it's part of the magic of the book to discover her story.
There is no abuse or triggers.
The issues Joss has are dealt with sensitively and with understanding of her situation.

There are a plethora of secondary characters that could have possible future storylines developing through the series or in a spin off between other staff at the bakery and Levi's family, his brother, cousins the potential is definitely there and I would love to read their stories.

For the safety gang.

Levi and Joss have been friends for 5 years so they are friends before the romance starts.

Levi has had relationships before he met Joss and after he met her his future lay with her but she is not receptive to that for 5 years so due to his frustration and trying to beat the curse he does date, I think it's twice, but Joss thinks it's loads more.

On those dates it mentioned that they kissed, touched and other things but gives the impression no sex, so intimacy but it depends on where as a reader you feel it's okay.
He is single so he is available and free to do this but I know some readers are sensitive to the Hero or heroine being with anybody else after they meet.

He does this hoping to feel that connection with someone else as he feels Joss will never return his feelings.

There is no detail of those scenes it's really vague and it's up to the reader to think how far that went.

Joss, due to her issues is a virgin and has not had any sexual feelings for anyone, in her circumstances this is understandable.

Small other man drama.

The situation, which is in the blurb, where Joss meets a handsome stranger who then awakens the feelings of attraction made me slightly uncomfortable with how far this would go.
Would the Hero feel like a second best choice?
How far would Joss and this handsome strangers relationship go?

Spoilers below.


The answer is not far. She recognises she likes him, there is a bit of flirting banter but again due to circumstances their relationship doesn't progress in a romantic way.
The thoughts of second best or "now I feel sexual attraction will anyone do" are addressed.

No intimate scenes with anyone other than the Hero and heroine.

I did feel the end came a but quick, Joss has a tendency to 'run off' when they have a argument and it felt a bit like they'd be fine once they moved on with their future as she won't do it again.
If that was real life I'd be a bit worried about that reaction esp as she is so stubborn.

HEA.

I did enjoy it but the reason for three stars is I'm not sure I'd reread. ( )