If your after a sweet, funny romance this is perfect. Kyra didnt let me down with yet another great book to the series.

Very sweet, funny and light-hearted! I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author!

MY RATING: 3/5 STARS

I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The third book in the Checkerberry Inn series, Kyra Jacobs continues the world building with our lovely heroine Maddie and our hero Cole. It is a complete standalone but it may be more enjoyable if the first two books were read.

The initial reaction of this book was excitement for me because the synopsis sounded exactly what I would enjoy. A small town romance that involved two unlikely characters, getting involved with each other. What I received was a kindling friendship between Maddie and Cole, two people are more similar than what you might think. Both started from the ground up, overcoming hardships and dramatic pasts that led them to fight for their dreams. I appreciated these aspects of these two characters because everyone loves an underdog story. The friendship that slowly turned in white hot attraction was also worthy of praise.

Maddie, a chef that has a dream of becoming a successful restaurant owner, is enjoyable. She’s spunky and talented. Her confidence in herself is dampened because of her shapely body appearance, making it realistic for readers to relate to. While at times, it may be frustrating to see her lack so much in confidence in herself, I felt that Kyra Jacobs did what she had to do to really make Maddie feel real on pages. Humans don’t just gain confidence in themselves over night.

Moving onto our hero, Cole. He had a better back story that Maddie which happens quite a lot now with books. The dark past he grew up with was beyond me. It was wild to say the least and a big mess that made it hard to clean up and for readers to adjust to. How can things be so cruel or how can it get this messy?

Krya Jacob’s writing was enjoyable for the most part. I found it easy to go through, nothing too hard on the mind to adjust too. The dialogue was enjoyable between characters, often with witty phrases.

I liked both characters but they were definitely not my favourite. They’re average characters that left no lasting impression on me and with the story following a troupe that has been rung out before, Her Unexpected Hero is an average read that wasn’t bad or wasn’t too good.

MY RECOMMENDATION:

I never read the first two books in the series but I can see the potential Kyra Jacobs has in her writing and development. I would suggest to read her entire series from chronological order first!

A beautifully written romance. I could not put this book down. The book has a great plot and well developed and believable characters. I enjoyed the author's writing.

Didn't like the beginning, and it did get a bit better, but I just didn't connect with the characters or story as much as I wished.

Sometimes life just goes wrong. No one really at fault aside from being with the wrong person, or being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Cole and Maddie both had difficult back stories, the kind that will make you ache for the characters and believe that they can find better for themselves soon.

As Cole is basically starting over, every job he can get will make that business dream a reality sooner. So when Maddie offers him another job he jumps at the chance. It doesn’t hurt that he finds Maddie attractive either. Maddie and Cole develop a friendship and a bit of mentoring as Cole is coaching Maddie on her romantic endeavor techniques – all the while wishing it was him that she was interested in.

I liked Maddie and Cole’s romance. They make an interesting couple, each battling their own demons. As their friendship turned to more, it was easy to see them make a future for themselves. Sure, there were issues to be dealt with, but they turned into a solid couple that I could believe in.

I would recommend Her Unexpected Hero to any Romance reader. I believe you’ll discover a couple that has battles to face but their journey is engaging and believable.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

4 stars

Her Unexpected Hero by Kyra Jacobs was a beautifully written and heartwarming read.
I enjoyed watching Maddie and Cole's relationship unfold, they both had insecurities they needed to put behind them and together they were able to help each other find happiness and peace.
They totally deserved their HEA.

Her Unexpected Hero is the third book in the Checkerberry Inn Series, each book can be read as a standalone and I highly recommend them all.

*Purchase Links*
Amazon: http://bit.ly/HeruhZon
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/HeruhBN
Kobo: http://bit.ly/HeruhKobo
iTunes: http://bit.ly/HeruhiT

*An ARC was provided in exchange for my honest thoughts*

Rating 4.5/5

Although this is the third story in this delightful series and I thoroughly enjoyed escaping back to the Checkerberry Inn, I don’t think you need to have read the earlier books to appreciate this one. It is another story with great characters, plenty of twists and turmoil leading to yet another much anticipated HEA! In this story Cole Granville is such a fantastic hero! He is a highly caring, hard working and is trying to make a fresh start, out running his past that could thwart his plans.

Maddie Frye is the chef at the Checkerberry Inn who is something of a loner, much to the chagrin of her matchmaking employer. When her assistant unexpectedly leaves to sort out her romance, Maddie is desperate for help as there’s a big event happening that evening. When she spots Cole making some deliveries she quickly asks him to help . . . and that’s when she discovers just how distracting having the swoon-worthy Cole working in her kitchen can be!

This is a beautiful read, whatever the season. It is a story filled with love and laughter in a close knit community where everyone generally knows everyone’s business. As Cole strives to set up his own business he discovers how detrimental this can be . . . but maybe love can help find a way to help him succeed in both business and romance!

The story has great characters, explores some interesting issues regarding attitudes, trust and forgiveness, as well as being a heartwarming romance. I thoroughly enjoyed escaping into it and have no hesitation in highly recommending it to anyone looking for a lighthearted, cheering romance to read.

I requested and was given a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion after choosing to read it.

This was the first book that I’ve read by Kyra Jacobs and it’s also book three in her Checkerberry Inn series.

I really enjoyed the witty banter that happens between the characters especially between the Inn’s owner, Ruby, and the main female character, Maddie.

Maddie is the chef at the Checkerberry Inn and is an introvert. She’s a lot like many of today’s women where she has low confidence when it comes to herself and when it comes to dating. I really liked that Maddie was such a relatable character.

The town, Mount Pleasant, has an upcoming gala and Maddie is being pressured by Ruby to find a date. She lies and says that she already has one as she has her eyes set on a hunky guy she sees at her laundromat. Only problem is, she has never said a word to him and has no clue how to go about asking him to the gala.

One night, Maddie’s dishwasher has a crisis and bolts out the door leaving Maddie with no one to help her on one of the busiest nights the Inn has seen. She frantically goes in search of help and sees the hardware store delivery guy coming up the drive. Cole Granville, is doing odd jobs around town in the hope of earning enough money to open the shop of his dream. When Maddie asks him if he could help her and wash dishes for the night he snatches the opportunity up.

The friendship that develops between Cole and Maddie is lovely! Maddie feels like she can be herself around Cole and her true personality shines through. They get along so great she asks Cole for some date coaching to help her ask her hunky laundromat guy out. But in the end what happens is that she ends up falling for her coach and not for Tyson, the hunky guy.

The only reason why this book was only 3.5 stars for me was I felt that it dragged on a little too long. The storyline was solid and you see the struggles that Coles go through while trying to get his guitar shop off the ground. It just didn’t flow that well.

Overall though the book was a really nice and sweet romance to read.

Her Unexpected Hero is a sweet, light-hearted and fun romance. It's the third book in a series but I read it without reading the first two books and enjoyed it. I've worked in the hospitality/restaurant business for YEARS so I really enjoyed the setting. Maddie was so much like a lot of the chefs I've worked with: creative, controlling, and a tad bit neurotic. And Cole was so so perfect for her - I'm pretty sure he was my favorite part of the book. I do tend prefer my romance with a bit more bomchickawowwow, but Her Unexpected Hero was an enjoyable read nonetheless. I give it 3 out of 5 wine glasses.

This was the first book I have read by this author. I found it to be a fun & enjoyable book to read this summer! I would highly recommend reading this book, if you are looking for a fun, easy & light hearted story.

<i>Her Unexpected Hero</i> is part of Kyra Jacob's Checkerberry Inn series. You do not need to have read the earlier books in this series to enjoy this one, though you may enjoy revisiting familiar characters if you do.

Maddie is confident in the kitchen, but take her out of her domain and she is insecure. With her boss trying to set her up on dates, she turns to the man she has recently hired as her dishwasher for help.

Cole Granville is looking for a new start. When the part time job as a dishwasher at the Checkerberry Inn opens up he leaps at the chance to gain a paycheck so he can finally achieve his dream. He didn't count on Maddie. While he agrees to coach her on getting a date, he also finds himself falling for her. But then his past rears it's head and the happiness he's found is in danger, he has to decide whether to stand his ground or run.

This is a sweet and clean romance. Maddie and Cole are a great couple though I do wish that both were a little less insecure than they are portrayed. The secondary characters are fantastic and it really feels like you're stepping into the world of the Checkerberry Inn and visiting with some friends. It is easy to get sucked into this world and I really enjoyed reading how the friendship between Maddie and Cole became something more. If you're looking for a sweet summer read, look no further than <i>Her Unexpected Hero</i>.

4 stars

Received in exchange for a honest review.

So love Cole and his grandad. Cole is kind and just wanting to start over. He has had a tough life but he didn’t let it get him down. He picked himself up and decided to let it stay in the past. His grandad believes in him and for him that is all that matters. His fear is if people find out his past they will shun him and treat him badly. While he is working hard to get his dream and begin life once more he meets Maddie.

Maddie starts the book prickly. She has been burned in the past and now she is just focusing on work. Her life seems lonely to me and I think meeting Cole shows her this. She is wary of men due to a bad experience so she keeps them at a distance. Unfortunately she has a boss that treats her like family and tries to gix her up so she does something drastic and her foot is now in her mouth. At the same time she is in deep when she is left in the lurch. So what does she do? She grabs Cole and gets his help. Help in more ways than one.

Cole and Maddie are cute together. He teaches her to trust once more and she teaches him to let others in. He loves so much and is so loyal that he doesn’t want to cause anyone pain. When his life looks to be doing that he is willing to sacrifice so others aren’t harmed. He is a strong character and one that your heart warms to. Maddie with him becomes more sassy and opens up. She learns that not everyone wants something from you except maybe friendship and love. When Cole’s past rears up it causes a slight ripple but not in a way I thought. The drama wasn’t with Maddie but others. She stood by him and wanted to protect him while he wanted to protect those he loves.

this is a sweet, adorable and tender romance that has you love the characters and engages you in their story.

Maddie Frye is the Checkerberry Inn’s fiery chef. She is very hard working, snarky, funny, a perfectionist, introverted and independent. She is short and curvy. Maddie was raised by her grandmother who gave her her love of cooking. Maddie took a huge psychological/emotional hit from an ex-boyfriend and has shielded herself from relationships since.

Cole Granville has not had an easy life. He was raised by a mother who cared more about her addictions than him. As a consequence of this, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time and served jail time. His only saving grace has been his grandfather. Once he got out of jail and finished his probation, his grandfather insisted he come live with him to get a fresh start and plant roots. Cole’s dream is to open a music store, give lessons, do repairs, etc. He’s willing to work whatever jobs he can get to save up the money he needs.

Maddie knows Cole’s living with and working for his grandfather as well as and looking for side jobs to earn extra cash. When her kitchen assistant bales on her, and she sees Cole making a delivery at the Inn, she runs out and offers him the job.

Cole works for his grandfather during the day and Maddie at night. These two strike up a friendship and Maddie confides she needs dating advice/help. She’s sort of met a guy she’d like to get to know better and isn’t sure how to go about it. The more time they spend together, the more Maddie realizes she’s more interested in Cole than cute guy. Cole is interested too but doesn’t think Maddie would ever be interested in him once she knows his background.

I didn’t really feel the chemistry between these two. I definitely felt a very comfortable friendship. So much going on in their heads. It needed more action less thoughts. In addition, we repeatedly get subjected to both their insecurities.

This is a clean romance. No sex scenes. We are led to that then sent to the morning after.

This isn’t a bad read, it just needs more main character and romance development with a faster pace.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

I received this ARC copy of this book from NetGallery for an honest review. I give this book 5 stars. I whole heartedly recommend this book. The storyline between Maddie and Cole was well written and starts with them as co-workers at the Checker berry Inn. A must read book.

I love visits to the Checkerberry Inn. While this is the third book in the series, it can definitely be read as a standalone.

Maddie is the no-nonsense chef for the Checkerberry Inn. She's talented and confident in the kitchen but when it comes to getting a date, she's anything but that. When she suddenly needs help in the kitchen and help with her dating life, in walks Cole, the new guy in town who is trying to start over without the black cloud of his past messing up his opportunities.

Maddie and Cole were perfect for each other: comfortable, connected, and willing to call each other out. From the moment they began working together, their chemistry was evident and the friendship they built was so sweet. This book was a quick, cute, heartwarming story.

*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*

https://www.amazon.com/review/R25QF2Y6DFMDZC/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

This was a cute story and I enjoyed it. There were, however, moments where I felt like I really had to push through. Which is why it took 10 days for me to finish when it usually takes me about 2-3 days to finish a book. The main reason I believe, is that the story remains at the same pace throughout. It never really picked up to where I found myself glued to what was going to happen next. I do give the author kudos for keeping the story clean. Descriptive sex scenes aren't necessary for romance stories, so I likes that the author did a scene change, instead of going into the intimate details.

The side characters were great additions too. They didn't feel like plug-ins for the sake of having characters, but instead contributed to the story. Now, as far as the romance in general between Cole and Maddie, I wasn't quite sold on their chemistry. I definitely felt the friendship between them, but not so much the sizzle that I expect to witness from the MCs I'm following. I think it's because a lot of the attraction was going on in their heads/thougts, so it felt more like I was being told they were attracted to one another, versus being shown. Also, both of their insecurities and doubts were driving me just a wee bit bananas at times. Sometimes I even forgot who's voice I was reading because their complaints started to sound the same...

I didn't realize that this story is part of a series, so maybe with the other books I'll get to know the characters better? While this one is definitely a stand-alone, I wanted a little more from the story. Not sure what it is exactly, it's hard to put my finger on it, but perhaps if the characters and their romance had been delved into a little deeper or if it had sped up a bit in excitement then I think it could have given me more. I'd like to point out, that while I'm being completely frank, I did enjoy this story.

“You are 100 percent real in a world full of imposters and fakes, and I think that makes you absolutely perfect.”

If sweet, clean, quick romance is your jam, then you need to add Her Unexpected Hero to your TBR. It's a solid read, an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours, and fun in that feel good, heart-happy way.

This is actually the first book I've read by Kyra Jacobs, and though the third in a series, it's also a pretty charming introduction to her writing. The pacing was on-point and the words flowed into a story that definitely kept me invested. Not only that, the addition of some unexpected reactions and genuinely likable characters made it that much more enjoyable.

I perhaps didn't get *quite* as connected to Maddie as I might have liked, despite sympathizing with her insecurities, but I loved how she interacted with—and fell for—Cole. Because COLE, you guys. He's such a lovely book boyfriend—a little bit damaged and broody, hard-working and, my favorite, kinda swoony. Added bonus—he's a musician with a bad boy reputation and a good, if hidden, heart. If that doesn't make you all tingly, then… IDK, I'm sorry.

I would have loved for Her Unexpected Hero to be a touch longer, to have added a little something more to the end, but, on the whole, it was a very easy, very cute, very likable read. One that'll leave you feeling good and definitely one you should add to your TBR for a lazy Saturday afternoon binge read.

“It’s been so long since anyone has looked at me without judgment in their eyes.”

~ 3.5 Scarecrow STARS ~