Member Reviews

All of her life Pepper was the responsible one, the one who would do anything for her family, the one who carried too much weight on her shoulders, self-imposed or not. Now life has sent her to quaint Everland, GA, uprooting her Big City self for her first big job, a done deal until it was undone when she is “fired” on her first day. Although things don’t quite work out as planned for Pepper, one sure can’t say her eyes weren’t opened to life, fate and learning to live for the moment as the local Vet finds her a job as a dog walker until she can re-group and go on her merry way. Did I mention she is NOT a dog person? Trust me, her actions and dialogue will speak volumes on that topic!

When she finds herself attracted to said Veterinarian, Rhett Valentine, these two begin a no strings attached affair that has them both tied in knots! Spicy as her name implies, Pepper finally takes time to live in the moment, completely unaware that love was just another moment away!

Get those smiles, smirks and those , “You have GOT to be kidding me!” chuckles ready, because Lia Riley has one of the cutest and quirkiest love stories eve with IT HAPPENED ON LOVE STREET a sweet and sometimes hysterical romance that will brighten even the darkest of days! Prepare to be amused at Pepper’s inner dialogue and her stream of “Murphy’s law” events that will leave you smiling, if not laughing out loud!

Quirky small town residents manage to know every misstep or Pepper takes and her embarrassment can only be more delightful humor for us!

Looking for a fun and light read that brings new meaning to “Live, Love, Laugh?” Look no more, this is a fun and slightly silly read that will leave you with a smile and a sigh, because even Cupid can use humor to point the way to happiness and what really matters in life.

I received an ARC edition from Forever in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

Series: Everland, Georgia - Book 1
Publisher: Forever (April 25, 2017)
Publication Date: April 25, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance | Women's Fiction
Print Length: 368 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

Was this review helpful?

Unfortunately this book just did not work for me... Both characters had tones ... either bitter or woo is me... and then there were plot points which i felt were unnecessary. I am sorry it didn't work.

Was this review helpful?

This is a fun & quirky read with meddling town folks and interesting main characters whose life's haven't turned out like they thought. I can't wait to read more by this author & series.

Was this review helpful?

Will post at http://romrevtoday.com/ in May.

IT HAPPENED ON LOVE STREET – Lia Riley
An Everland, Georgia, Novel
Grand Central's Forever
ISBN: 978-1-4555-6869-7
May 2017
Contemporary Romance

Everland, Georgia – Present Day

Pepper Knight moved to Everland from New York City to take a court clerking job, but when she arrives, she learns that the offer has been given to someone because of nepotism. Now stuck in a small town with no job or friends, she is not sure what to do, especially since she used all her money to move. Then she runs into her next-door neighbor, Rhett Valentine, who is the town veterinarian. Rhett is soon helping Pepper get a job as a dog walker. Anything will do for the cash poor Pepper, but for someone who has a fear of dogs, is she flirting with disaster?

Rhett is used to being the object of the town’s attention despite his trying to stay out of the limelight. His claim to “fame” is being jilted at the altar years ago and, since then, he’s avoided a committed relationship like it’s the plague. But Pepper intrigues him, and he goes out of his way to help her whenever he can. Pepper and Rhett become good friends and are soon locking lips, plus much more. They’re hoping to keep their fling a secret, but with an elderly neighbor popping up in unexpected places to spy on them, it’s hard to do. While a short affair seems perfect for commitment phobia Rhett, how will he react if Pepper moves away?

Pepper grew up in a small town in Maine, but escaped to New York City, where she obtained a law degree and a low paying job. She jumped at a chance to work in a small town in Georgia without even visiting it. Alas, the job offer was withdrawn, and she’s suddenly penniless and stuck in Everland. Pepper also is deathly afraid of dogs, and it appears just about everyone here has at least one dog. She meets Rhett, and he’s very neighborly towards her, even helping to get her a job walking dogs. While her “charge” is small, the job requires that she visit a dog park where there are huge dogs. Pepper grows out of her fear of dogs and gets even closer to Dr. Hottie.

Rhett feels as if his life has been about unexpected losses, as he lost his mother to an allergic reaction to a bee sting, and his fiancée didn’t tell him that she outgrew him until the day they were supposed to marry. As such, it has left Rhett having a hard time with female relationships, but once he meets Pepper, he wants more than a one-night fling. While Rhett is a vet in IT HAPPENED ON LOVE STREET, readers don’t see too much of him in the clinic, as most of his interaction revolves around Pepper and his friend, Beau, as well as with the other townsfolks in Everland.

Just as things heat up for Rhett and Pepper in IT HAPPENED ON LOVE STREET, her sister, Tuesday, shows up and is immediately an interloper in her sister’s hot affair with the vet. It also doesn’t take long for Tuesday to lock horns with Beau, and I suspect their tale is the next one in the Everland, Georgia series.

One thing that did puzzle me in this story is Pepper’s aversion to dogs. Yes, it’s explained, but her “cure” is almost immediate. For someone who has feared dogs since she was a child, she suddenly grows attached to them, and even gets one of her own. I felt that this left a bit of a disconnection in the tale.

IT HAPPENED ON LOVE STREET is a cute, funny tale that wraps up fairly quickly after Rhett and Pepper not only realize they love one another, but can’t live without the other. If you like cute stories with dogs and a happily-ever-after, then grab a copy of IT HAPPENED ON LOVE STREET.

Patti Fischer

Was this review helpful?

This is a cute, funny, and sometimes silly story that kept me completely entertained. Pepper and Rhett are such a cute couple and all the crazy townspeople and their antics had me laughing out loud. Pepper, originally from NY, comes to Everland for a job. Unfortunately she gets fired her first day on the job. Rhett, the local vet and Pepper's neighbor, helps find her a job as a fill in dog walker. The fact that Pepper is afraid of dogs shouldn't be a problem....right?? That's just the start of the hilarity in this story. Don't miss this one, I recommend it.

Was this review helpful?

It Happened On Love Street is book one of the “Everland” series. It is a standalone that does not end on a cliffhanger. It has both cursing and explicit sex scenes, so if those aren't your thing, you might want to skip this one.

This book is the first book I have ever read by this author, but was such a fun read that it will not be the last. This book was chuckle-worthy throughout but it also had parts that made me literally laugh out loud without my consent. It was that funny.

Pepper and Rhett were two incredibly likable characters. There was no power play in their relationship, and no bullying behavior under the guise of being an “alpha” which I appreciated. Rhett is a nice small town guy who had shut himself off from the world after being left at the altar, and Pepper is a big city girl who wound up in little tiny Everland under interesting circumstances. Their slow courtship was pretty adorable, and I loved watching them work their way through the issues and their insecurities. I identified very closely with Pepper and my heart broke for her as she found herself torn between decisions although I have to admit that the tea leaf reading was cheesy and made me roll my eyes. I loved Rhett's backstory and was surprised when the “Birdie” twist came to pass. It wasn't a huge deal, but I did not see that coming.

The only thing I didn't care for in this book was the convoluted “Al Hogg” (who is just Boss Hogg from the Duke's of Hazzard tv show, let's be real) story line. It didn't really make a whole lot of sense or add a lot to this story.

If you like a book that is both subtly and outright funny, the kind of small town meddling that we all love to read about (but don't want to be subjected to), and a sweet love story between two really likable characters you should definitely read this book. I very much look forward to the next book in this series.

I requested and was generously granted an ARC of this book via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to write this review, I did so because I very much enjoyed the book.

Was this review helpful?

I am a sucker for anything set in the south, so I was pretty excited to read this one.

I liked Pepper and Rhett. She's a bit of a martyr and he's a bit bitter, but together they're adorable. They're both genuinely good people and I enjoyed getting both sides of the story.

Plot wise, it's exactly what you would expect: prying neighbors, sassy older sisters, and a lot of dogs. The conflict {aka: the break up} and the resolution didn't take too long. There was an entire thread of plot that seemed to be added on a whim. For me, it didn't mesh with the rest of the story and I found those chapters to be jarring. I would be pulled out of the story with every one.

Overall, it was a quick, cute read that was mostly fluffy. I'll definitely be reading the next in the series.

**Huge thanks to Forever and NetGalley for providing the arc free of charge**

Was this review helpful?

It Happened on Love Street is a fun, hilarious southern romance.

Rhett and Pepper come from very different worlds. Rhett Valentine the most eligible bachelor in Everland. Whom is also the town Veterinarian. Likes to keep to himself, and out of the town gossip. That runs rampant all over. Pepper is new in town and finds herself at a loss.

This story was full of heart and at the same time totally hilarious. I’m not usually into Third POV but it had so much charm. I almost forgot that I was reading in that POV. Lia Riley is an excellent storyteller. I highly enjoyed this book and it will be interesting to read about what else goes on in Everland.

Overall, I give this Four Boundless Stars.

Was this review helpful?

If you are looking for a cutesy book and love dogs, then this book is for you.

Pepper Knight moves to small-town Georgia, moves next door to the hot town Vet named Rhett. Problem is she is NOT a dog person, meanwhile he is. Her life is imploding and his is not so great either.

This book reminded me of a Hallmark movie. Cute and simple.

Was this review helpful?

I'm a huge fan of Lia Riley and when she announced a new series, I may or may not have done a happy dance. There's something about her writing and her characters that I adore, and I knew I was in for a treat from the very first page of It Happened on Love Street. It's very much a signature Lia Riley book, and I enjoyed every moment of it.

Lia Riley's characters are always charming and endearing, and nothing is different here. Pepper has just moved to a small town in Georgia only to discover that her position has been muddled with, so somehow she finds herself walking dogs. The only problem is that she's afraid of dogs (I may have gasped a little when she first mentioned it!). I liked Pepper a lot. She's a sweetheart and so completely loyal to her baby sister. Her confusion about what to do with her life rang very true to me. She really finds herself in It Happened on Love Street and though it takes her some time, she finally learns how to put herself first from time to time. Her love interest, Rhett, completely swept me off my feet. He's a vet (can you say swoony??), a gentleman and truly a very appealing hero. He also happens to wear glasses, which oof, I find unbearably attractive.

The romance between the two was another aspect I liked a lot about It Happened on Love Street. The two of them shared a potent chemistry, and I loved watching the two slowly get together and connect on an emotional level. Their romance was the perfect combination of sweet, cuddly and sexy, which Lia Riley sure knows how to do well. I do admit that I would have liked to see more scenes of Rhett and Pepper together. There were times I felt like they were secondary to the rest of the plot, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment all that much because the two of them were so good together. Besides the romance, I also liked the small-town setting. There are plenty of nosy neighbors, drama and hilarity that ensued in Everland. Not to forget, I also loved how many puppies were featured here. Honestly, any time a book has dogs in them, I'm easily a goner.

It Happened on Love Street was a delightful romance that had me smiling and laughing all throughout. I'm excited that Lia Riley is back with a new series. If you haven't read her books yet, I highly recommend them, especially if you're a fan of contemporary romance.

Was this review helpful?

As a dog lover I was unsure of how I was going to take to a story about a woman with a healthy fear of dogs. I mean, our heroine, Pepper, put it best:

"No, dog people find it impossible to tolerate canine aversion."

However, when the carrier of said aversion is as delightful as our Pepper? There's lots of room for forgiveness.

It also helps that our hero, Rhett Valentine (*sigh* has there ever been a more dreamy name for a hero?) is a dog lover and his three wiley and gregarious golden retrievers completely stole my heart. Talk about a bunch of scene stealers. Whatever reservations I had going into this book flew right out the window from the first moment Pepper (disastrously) met this merry band of overly-friendly adorableness.

And - adorableness abounds in this fun, quirky, light-hearted tale of life and love in a small town that felt like a cross between Stars Hollow and Bluebell (*looks around for my fellow CW fans*). It Happened on Love Street is everything there is to love about small town romance, including a cast full of wonderfully colorful secondary characters, some genuine laugh-out-loud moments, and a romance that set my heart racing and unleashed the butterflies in my tummy. I loved Rhett and Pepper together and while their story may have been a little predictable, there were still tiny twists I didn't see coming and it left my heart full and happy all the same.

The sappy romantic and the dog lover in me could not be happier with how this book played out. It's a little zany, a bit emotional, but mostly a complete delight to read!

Was this review helpful?

It Happened on Love Street is my first Lia Riley book and I'm happy to say it won't be my last. I love a romance with southern charm and this story has it in spades.

With a small town full of colorful characters, a villain or two and some sexy guys, I think this story will appeal to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance. Pepper and Rhett's story is a stand alone but there is enough going on with the side characters that you'll be intrigued about who's stories are coming next.

Pepper is probably having the worst day of her life when she meets the dashing vet, Rhett Valentine. With no job, no income, no friends, and her family several states away, she's not sure where her life is going. And to top it off... there are dogs. Lots of dogs for a girl who is terrified of them!

Rhett has sworn off women after being dumped at the alter. The nosy ladies about town would like nothing better than to see him settled down and because of that, he keeps a low profile. But meeting Pepper is a shock to his spirit and makes him feel alive again. She's the total opposite of the woman he might have imaged himself with but he can't seem to leave her alone.

These two's story develops amongst the Georgia heat, several laughs, meddling neighbors and family members, a little mystery, and finally a lot of love.

Character development was pretty thorough and the author did a great job (if not somewhat clichéd) of making the small southern town of Everland come to life. It moved a little slow at times but otherwise, I really enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward others in this series

Was this review helpful?

**4-4.5 stars**
It happened on Love Street is the first book in Lia Riley's Everland series and it's a great start to her new series! Loved it!

Pepper and Rhett had great chemistry from the very beginning. What starts out as a secret fling quickly turns into more. Neither can deny the feelings that are growing between them. But Pepper isn't planning on staying in Everland forever and Rhett doesn't want her leave. Pepper has always felt responsible for taking care of her Dad and sister and built her life around doing that, never going for what she really wants. Will Rhett be able to convince her to stay or will Pepper run away from her own happiness?

I so enjoyed this sexy, charming small town romance. The people, the town and the dogs of Everland definitely make me want to make a return trip and I'm very much looking forward to Pepper's sister's story!

Was this review helpful?

"If her fear was a storm, his voice was a life raft."

It Happened on Love Street is an exciting new novel from author Lia Riley. Told from dual points of view, It Happened on Love Street follows the story of Rhett and Pepper. When Pepper first came to Georgia, she thought she was on the path to making all of her career dreams come true. Just put in her dues and the rest would follow. However, when she shows up for her first day, she finds her job gone and now she has no back up plan. Whatever is a city girl supposed to do? Pepper will have two choices: She can either find a way to make life in Georgia work or she can take the easy way out and return home. The one thing she never planned on was Rhett....Ever since Rhett was left at the alter, he's remained under the radar. Rhett loathes being the center of attention and will do anything to stay out of the towns gossip. Of course, all that goes out the window when Rhett meets his new neighbor. The connection between the two of them is strong and maybe a fling is just what the two of them need...

It Happened on Love Street was a quick and enjoyable read. I thought it was very well written and entertaining. I thought the characters were cute and I loved the southern charm. Being from the South, I can't help but get swept away in a sweet southern romance, and this one hit all the marks for me. It Happened on Love Street had just the right amount of southern charm, steamy moments and light drama.

It Happened on Love Street is a great start to the Everland Series and I look forward to checking out more from this series in the future!

Was this review helpful?

Three Girls and a Book Obsession has been a fan of author Lia Riley's from her first book!! She just knows how to write such a witty, sweet story that grabs you in right away!

This was such a great start to a new series and we can't wait for more!

Was this review helpful?

I will be reviewing this for RT book reviews May edition

Was this review helpful?