An Unlikely Setup by Margaret Watson
Otter Tail #1

Maddie needs money – LOTS of money! And, an inheritance from her godfather just might see her able to pay back the huge loans weighing heavily on her shoulders. Sure, she made unwise choices investing but with the income from a pub and house she should be fine, right?

Little did she realize that returning to Otter Tail would bring back so many memories, put her face to face with someone she once had a crush on and make her start weighing up what she really wants from life.

Quinn Murphy also is back in town after years away. His past haunts him and the pub he believes will soon be his is his salvation. When he finds out that Maddie owns it he is sure she will sell to him not realizing she wants and needs top dollar. It is soon apparent that he might not have what she needs - monetarily or emotionally.

Maddie and Quinn tap dance around feelings, do a bit of sharing, tend to be impulsive with words and reticent with feelings so finding a way for them to achieve a HEA is not easy.

Add in some friends in the making for Maddie, some people with anger issues lurking in the wings and some men wanting to cash in on the sale of property now in Maddie’s hands and you have a well written, fast paced story that left me eager to read the next book in this series.

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars ( )

When Maddie Johnson is laid-off from her position as a Chicago Herald, she decides to join the real estate market until she can find another writing job. Maddie quickly learns that flipping houses in Chicago isn't as easy as she thought. Now she owes the bank, credit card companies, and most distressingly, her best friend Hollis. With the death of her godfather, the once shy, homely teenager is forced to return to the scene of her greatest embarrassment. But the ugly duckling has unknowingly become a swan. As she fences with heart-throb Quinn Murphy over the fate of Otter Tail, Wisconsin's local pub, Maddie and Quinn both learn a great deal about granting and accepting second chances. (Margaret Watson is a local author.) ( )