This was just an ok read for me. I think my biggest problem was the characters internal dialogue repeated the same thing..... almost on a loop. Miranda is a former bad girl, the townspeople think she's trouble. Ryan is a good guy taking care of his kid brother & sister & can't lose his standing in the public's eye..... we got it after the second chapter.

I did like the 2 main characters, Miranda & Ryan overall. And the story itself was interesting. I will read more Ashley Bostock...... I think she has a good writing style. I'm hoping this book gets edited a bit more.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Truthfully, I struggled on my rating for this one. On one hand, Ryan really upset me. Miranda made mistakes in the past - when she was younger and honestly didn't know any better because of what she came from. I wanted Ryan to see her for who she was and not the mistakes of her past. That being said, I still gave this book 5 stars because I was hooked on this story. I came from a small town myself and understand small town politics and I think this author did a really good job wit this situation. Plus, I loved the writing and can't wait to read more. Even though Ryan and Miranda weren't my favorite characters ever, I did end up really liking them by the end and can't wait to read the next book in this series. I do recommend this book!

I’ve always been Miranda Phillips, the town pariah. Growing up with neglectful parents, having sought attention from all the guys that were willing to give it to me, I wasn’t the most well-behaved kid in Lone Star. Not to mention all of the juvenile delinquent acts I’ve committed in my past.

But now I am Lone Star’s only reporter and I’ve come a long way from being that lost, troubled girl, even if most of the town still judged me for it. I don’t allow anyone to get in the way of what I want. Including Ryan John. So when I corner him in a dark hallway and get him to succumb to the sizzling attraction between us, I know I’m playing with fire.

***

Even though I’ve successfully avoided her for two months, I haven’t forgotten how she tastes or what she feels like in my arms. And when I get sent a mysterious letter from some company wanting to buy my thousand shares of water rights that have been in my family for over a hundred years, I’m convinced that there is no one…err, better equipped, to help me than Lone Star’s reporter, Miranda Phillips.

I know how desperately she wants me and this letter gives me all the reason I need to spend one night with the girl from the wrong side of town. One night in exchange for her tight investigative skills. And believe me, she’s tight, in more ways than one. One night. Because Miranda is trouble and being on the city council, as well as guardian to my younger brother and sister, means I can’t afford trouble.

Even if it comes packaged just the way I like.

OMG this book and not in a good way people!!! Okay, so I like to think I can't be shocked...well that's not true anymore book peeps!!! THIS book shocked me. It wasn't that it didn't have a good synopsis or that it wouldn't have been a good read if it didn't have so much sex. I know what you're thinking - What? That's a good thing! But I have to tell you that it made my eyes and ears cry. If your having sex 2 cabins down from your 13 or so age siblings (meaning you kicked them out of the cabin to have sex) you have a problem. If your sexy talk is "oh you're so wet, blah, blah, blah" over and over the same thing...you've got a problem or you need to seek medical attention immediately! I'm not a prude but this bordered on x-rated and should come with some kind of warning. If your Alpha treats you like a ho, you need to bail...like you're in jail! No lie, I felt like this dude needed to take some etiquette lessons. I read some other reviews saying to trudge through it's worth it - I sadly did not find this the case. I have not found 2 characters that I found so dislikable in...well ever. That's saying a lot. I will say that it was well written and there were no grammar issues I could find with the ARC version. It just took me forever to actually read this book because I was too busy putting it down to read others and a really good book doesn't let you do that. It grips you and doesn't let go...this book sadly didn't do that.

I received this book for free from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I went back and forth with this one, could not really decide what star rating to give, probably gave one too many, but again undecided. Well I did not really agree with some of the other reviews out there calling this a love story, but we all have our own opinions, that is why there are different reviewers and different genre, we can't agree and each one our own perceptions. I disliked Ryan he was a wuss and he continuously said thru out the book that he was a hypocrite, which he was. He wanted Miranda as long as others in town did not see him with her because he did not want his reputation tarnished. Then we have Miranda who needed some self respect, she needed to stop throwing herself at Ryan, honestly he was not worthy of her, we read how she had cleaned up her act, but the things she did, she did as a teenager. I do not like small towns who hold grudges, everyone makes mistakes, especially when you are young and have no supervision, but instead of helping this girl as they should have since she was growing without a mother and had an abusive alcoholic father. Another thing that was repeatedly said by Miranda, was how her and Ryan had a connection. How? All they had was a sexual encounter, which she would initiate. Ryan's sister was more mature and she was only 13. Of course at the end they get there HEA, and fell in love.

Great story I have romance, hot sex, family drama and investigation skills. I enjoy reading this book and know you will enjoy it too.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.