I’m cleaning up my Feedback bookshelf and trying to give reviews for past books I’ve read. I know I read this when it came out - I gave it 3 stars on Goodreads back in 2017. I RARELY give out 5 stars, so it must have been a good story. Thanks for the advanced reader copy!

This book was SO fun. I love a "stick in the mud" type hero, and i loved how the female lead really challenged him while also being a person who needed him. I really appreciated the way they met each other halfway, and how she really chose him. Him, and the big grand dame hotel.

After loving the first two books in this series, I wasn't sure of what to expect from Buns. Let me tell you, I was anything but disappointed. Alice brings the heat, but she also adds depth to the characters, so it doesn’t feel superficial. There is an intensity and emotion to this book that made me feel more of just about everything.

Clara and Archie are a couple that I enjoyed from their first meeting and definitely fit the opposites attract trope; he’s stuffy, she’s fiercely independent.

I love that it has just the right mix of humor, sweetness, and sexiness. Clara and Archie’s rivalry had their chemistry jumping right off the pages and made it hard to put down. Buns is the perfect combination of fun, flirty, emotional, and hot.

This was a decent story and I somewhat enjoyed both the hero and the heroine, Archie and Clara. This was a very funny read. However, nothing really stood out making it a great book.

Buns, originally published May 2017, is the third novel in Alice’s “Hudson Valley” series. I’m fortunate to live in the Hudson Valley but I’ve never been to the Mohonk Mountain House which is the inspiration for the Bryant Mountain House. However if the Mohonk Mountain House it’s even half as charming as the Bryant Mountain House, I definitely need to visit.
I was a fan of Alice’s “Redhead” series delightful rom-com’s featuring a struggling redheaded actress. Buns features all the best qualities of that series: relatable characters, delightful banter and romantic scenes that are sweet like those buns but also a little spicy. I highly recommend Buns if you’re looking for a light-hearted romance. Now I’m off to find a cinnamon bun as all this bun talk has made me hungry.

The perfect addition to an incredible series. Alice Clayton knows how to captivate readers. From the absolutely unique storyline to the swoon-worthy hero, this book is everything and so much more!

A story written with heart and emotion, also charged with Alyce Clayton's sense of humor that made me laugh so hard at times.The chemistry between the characters was amazing, their relationship filled with challenges along the way. Watching Archie, the stiff guy and buttoned up being a bit tackled by the refreshing Clara was definitely entertaining!
It was a great rom com, small town romance, story taking place in a hotel, a hint of sugary sweet with description of food that would tempt your taste buds for sure.
Good friendship, sexiness, tons of laughter and food??? What's not to like?
Gonna miss them but all good things must come to an end, right?

DNF 35%
I didn't feel this book. I love Alice Clayton's books but sadly this book wasn't for me
What bothered me the most was the similarities to her other books.

While I definitely enjoyed my experience reading this book, there are some issues with pacing and character development in the middle that left me wanting just a bit more.

I adore this series. It's witty, funny and with just the right amount of emotion to make it a perfect weekend read.

Bailey Falls, NY is a mecca for sexy, single men! In Buns we are immersed in the story of Archie Bryant and his failing family hotel, the Bryant Mountain House and Clara Morgan, the commitment-phobic beauty who is sent in to revive the hotel.

Growing up in the foster care system, Clara is a tough woman with a closed-off heart. She is afraid to get close for fear of loss and disappointment. Archie is dealing with not only the stress of keeping his family hotel up and running but also a painful past. Together their opposing personalities clash in the best of ways. Archie is stuffy and resistant to change, Clara is loud, opinionated and full of new ideas. But, even with such differences they are both in agreement when it comes to their mutual attraction to each other. The chemistry between the two is electrifying. The slow-burn is enticing and kept me glued to the pages. The inclusion of past characters added comic relief to the story. I loved every minute of it. Such a good book!

The entire Hudson Valley series is super fun to read. I loved each and every character. Alice Clayton's talent is evident in her engaging, amusing dialogue, full descriptive language and realistic emotions. I highly recommend you give it a try.

Couldn't finish it. I had trouble getting into the book as well as connecting to the characters. It was all me in this case. Maybe I wasn't in the mood.

Buns is the third book in the Hudson Valley series by Alice Clayton, and I just simply adore the entire cast of characters in this series so I'm always excited when I get to visit again! Clayton is fast becoming one of my favorite authors for quirky and emotional romances, and Buns is a perfect example of why I enjoy her writing so much. I seriously couldn't put this one down, guys, and read the entire book in one sitting. So if you haven't read her before, you are totally missing out and I highly suggest you fix that immediately!

Now Clara Morgan is a character we've seen mentioned in the previous two books in this series, but we finally get to have her story in Buns. (Don't worry though, because you'll still get to catch all of your favorite characters from the previous books in this one too!) Clara is the epitome of efficiency and bossiness all wrapped up in one tough and snarky package... so in other words she's pretty darn awesome! She works as a re-branding expert and is sent to Bryant Mountain House to give it a new feel without breaking too much tradition. She just didn't expect the wall of delectable muscle that is Archie Bryant to get in her way.

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to stay in a resort like the one in Dirty Dancing? That's the way I picture Bryant Mountain House, but on a much larger scale. The hotel resort is a character all of its own in Buns, and I would love to spending an amazing weekend there, you know...if it weren't fictional and all. Now Dirty Dancing may have had the super hot Johnny, but I'm thinking that Bryant Mountain House's Archie is vastly more appealing. Archie is the son and future owner of Bryant Mountain House who has been groomed since birth to run this grand hotel. He isn't all that pleased with Clara's presence and sparks definitely fly when these two are in the same room for a multitude of reasons. It was pretty entertaining, if I do say so myself, and these two are so perfectly matched!

Buns is one of those books I could read again and again. The chemistry is off the charts, the plot is engaging, and it's just overall so well-written that you just can't help but enjoy every moment. So take a leap off of a balcony (read the book and you'll know what I mean) and give Buns a try. I promise you'll love it!

Another fun book in the Hudson Valley series. This author is well known for her humorous contemporary romances, and Buns is another hit. Alice Clayton writes some fantastic heroes, and some wonderfully flawed women. Clara is so genuinely human. She's strong, yet breakable. And distant, yet clearly loving. Archie is a great mix of perfect and broken. And these two work well together... except when they don't. It was fun watching these two characters come together, then crash apart.. only to do it all over again. I will admit to being agree with Clara at the end, because she did really screw up with Archie.

This series is a wonderful addition to any library's romance collection. It will be a hit with those that enjoy some humor in their romances, as well as fans of the Beautiful series by Christina Lauren. The titles are catchy enough to grab readers' attention when they are browsing the online catalog, and the covers definitely stand out on the shelves. I will be adding this to my library's romance collection, and will continue to purchase books by this author.

So…..I love the Hudson Valley series but for some reason this one took me a little longer to get in the groove. But once it did, it was like “Bam” and I was off to the races.
I could see why Archie wasn’t best pleased that Clara was coming in to help his family hotel figure out how they could keep afloat. It still took a little bit to warm up. He was definitely Mr. Prim and Proper at first. As things built between them and the push/pull became strong that’s when I really started getting into it.
Archie has a legacy in his family hotel and Clara has nothing and no one since growing up in foster care. So from that juxtaposition alone there was a ton of angst. Archie was rooted and Clara was just the opposite. In fact the thought of love, caring and all that scared the crap out of her.
I love when Archie finally realizes that there’s this marshmallow inside a hard candy shell. The cameos by the rest of the gang from the previous books didn’t hurt either. The sexy times were off the charts and eventually I loved these characters. They kind of started to remind of Sam and Diane from Cheers. So overall slow start but strong finish!

Loved this book! This is the third installment of the Hudson River series, featuring Clara and Archie. I really enjoyed the interplay between the two characters. The dialogue was sharp, funny, and realistic. In the narration of the book, Alice Clayton gave us some of the best writing I've seen from her. This book can be read by itself, but does feature characters from other books rather heavily. For those who've read the other books, seeing those characters is fun because Clayton writes them well. Unlike some authors who revisit characters later, Clayton was able to maintain those other characters' voices and motivations really well. Definitely a book to be read again!

Buns (Hudson Valley, #3)
by Alice Clayton

Having read Alice Clayton’s Red Headed series i knew i was in for it when i began the story Buns. The puns and innuendos intended, in the book and throughout the story. Alice Clayton likes strong independant women, she is not letting her readers down with Clara Morgan. She has a career she loves, and she depends on no one for all she is. Clara has her sordid history, a history that has made her not only what she was but inhibited her in her life. Until she meets the straitlaced, hotel owner of Bryant Mountain House. She learns that she was not ready for love and opening up is a panicking prospect. This love story of ill proportions, and personal risk makes the reader connect to their own fantasy loves, and the idea that there is someone who could and would be willing to accept everything for love. This is a beautiful love story with a great back history and characters.

Alice always has a way of cracking me up, and she did it again in Buns!

Clara Morgan is living the dream, if you can call rebranding hotels that are desperate for a new life and running any kind of marathon a dream. Which she does. But the career she loves and the endurance races that keep her adrenaline pumping have kept her too busy to put down any roots. Growing up in foster care, she’s never been able to establish traditions of her own, which may be why she’s fascinated by the rituals that generations-old family resorts are known for. She’s especially interested in the Bryant Mountain House, and not just for their secret recipe for the yummy, gooey, can’t-get-enough-of Hot Cross Buns….

Archie Bryant, the man with the Buns, is fifth generation and one-day-owner of the charming yet run-down Bryant Mountain House in Bailey Falls, New York. He’s determined to save his family’s legacy from the wrecking ball the old-fashioned way—by gritting his teeth and doing what needs to be done. There’s no way Archie will be influenced by the new hotel branding expert his father brought in to turn one hundred and fifty years of tradition on its head just to attract a faster, younger, slicker crowd. But when some of Clara’s ideas start bringing in new, paying customers, Archie can’t deny that she may have just given him a shot at keeping his resort open.

It’s sticky, it’s messy, it’s sweet, it’s Buns.

This was my favorite of the series, I think. They were adorable and I'm a major fan. The funniness of these characters were astounding and the absolute hunkiness of Archie knows no bounds. I could gobble him up like turkey at a Thanksgiving day dinner. That's no joke. Clara is smart, likable and all-around a sweetheart. Archie is just so set in his ways, he's hilarious when put with Clara. This made for some fun times. I will definitely be putting this on my TBR again list.

I received an ARC from the NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own and do not reflect anyone else's

3.5 stars.

While this was a fun read, it did not have the pace that I was expecting. Do not get me wrong I am a fan of Alice's writing but it can be predictable at times.

We get two smart and attractive characters. Stubborn in many ways.. They know what they want, and go after it. He was dealt heartbreak and she in many ways picked him up and healed him. Their is pain in healing. Their is pain in love. But they grab Buns and hold on, in more ways than one.

"He put his hands on me. He put his lips on me. And it was all I could do to still feel the earth underneath my feet. Because when this man kissed me, I forgot everything."

A great filler between in depth emotional books.