Tap is part of a long-running series (A Love Story) that centers on a few small businesses in a small town. The title comes from the hero's profession as bartender/manager of the taproom he owns with his brothers. He's viewed as irresponsible and flighty, a ladies' man without goals. He's not, but he's motivated to change his image and prove to everyone that he's more than they think after an ex shares a mostly-nude photo of him on Instagram.
The heroine runs a yarn store in town and is desperate enough for money that she agrees to help a former friend who betrayed her in the past with a project that's not revealed until late in the book.
On the surface, their relationship is shy girl + player, but there's more to both of them and to their relationship. It's got a very Tracy Ewens feel, so if you've read her other books you'll feel right at home with Tap. While I had a few issues with the way the Instagram thing was handled (why is it okay for the heroine to have looked at the photo after she knew he didn't agree to have it posted?) I liked the story overall.
Ewens writes a slow burn with lots of kisses and fade to black/closed door for anything further. While the couple and central relationship is the focus in Tap, I did feel the story suffered a little from the late-in-series issue. A previous couple has a baby, another is revealed to be expecting their own, parties to celebrate them etc. It's one of those things where maybe if you loved a previous couple you'd want to spend a lot of time catching up with them, but I was sort of tired of Cade's life being defined in relation to everyone else's. I guess that's what happens when you get to Book 11.
Anyway! Cade and Sistine are great, the book was a fun read (with chickens and knitting), but I probably won't be rushing to read the rest of the series.

Tap was an excellent read. It was my first book by Tracy Ewens and I throughly enjoyed her writing style. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to escape into a funny light hearted afternoon love story. I had not read any of the other books in the series and was not lost. This book could easily be read as a standalone, but once you do read it, you will want to go back and read the others.

i love this whole series. Every single book is swoony and this is no different. I love how each book has a preview to the characters in the next book in one way or another. I really enjoyed this one and am looking forward to more from this author.

Tracy Ewens keeps churning out books in her Love Story series that are topical, enjoyable to read, and though the end is predicable, there are always a few unexpected nuggets added to the storyline to keep it interesting and engaging. If you haven’t read her earlier books in the series you won’t be lost; that stated, if you don’t want to have any endings known before you read their story, I suggest going to the first book.

In Tap, Sistene and Cade have been acquaintances for years; Though younger by a couple of decades, Sistene is even in a book club with Cade’s mom and some other women in town. This friendship has been stagnant until the two start seeing one another with new eyes and perspective after a friendly chat at a local coffee shop. Suddenly, neither is who they thought the other is, which is creating confusion and dissonance for both. As they navigate their feelings, they each have their own personal demons to overcome; Cade is trying to move past his reputation and Sistene is trying to keep her business afloat. Once they realize they can help one another out without compromising who they are as individuals, all falls into place. I look forward to another installment, as Ewens deftly introduces different career perspectives into each novel. She also gives the men and women equal time, which I appreciate.

(I received a copy of Tap from NetGalley and have provided an objective review.)

This is my third foray into Tracy Ewens romances, and she does not disappoint. Her characters are lovely, the dialogue is realistic and fun, and she gives them a perfect amount of angst and sexual tension.

Tap: A Love Story by Tracy Ewens is a stand alone romance by Ewens. The books do build on each other and make for a more satisfying read when read together, but they stand beautifully together or alone. I greatly enjoyed the books I have read, and am going to go back and read some of the ones I have missed.
Cade McNaughton is the last man standing. His brothers have all found love. Despite his recent oh-so-revealing Instagram nightmare and his family’s subsequent disappointment, Cade is ready to fall for a woman who cares more about the last book he read and less about his body. But amid the buzz and banter of tending Foghorn Brewery’s bar, Cade is not exactly settle-down material. All that’s about to change, starting with buzzing off his fauxhawk and sporting a cardigan that has everyone talking. Sistine Branch has more bills than money, yet she’s fine eating barbecue chips for dinner if it means keeping her knitting shop open. But when her lights go out and the electrician puts a ten-thousand-dollar price tag on renovations, Sistine’s back is against an old and crumbling wall. For the past two years, she’s relied solely on herself, which makes selling out to the one woman from her past who can ruin everything the worst decision ever. Cade and Sistine are backgammon and end-of-the-bar friends. One rejection, a literal fall into Cade’s arms, and a dinner date with farm animals has them enmeshed in feelings neither thought possible. But, it only takes one lie, a literal fall from grace, and a date with the she-devil to unravel everything they’ve come to know. If they want a real shot, they’ll need to start from the beginning and realize that love is often a tangled mess, sometimes a funny T-shirt, but never perfect.

Tap: A Love Story is a contemporary romance with fun characters and fans of the love story books from Ewens will recognize most of the characters and enjoy seeing the continuation of the previous stories in the background of Cade and Sistine's story. I like both characters, and how they are both a little quirky and fun, while still being good hearted and sweet. The uses of social media and animals was very well done, although I think it might date the books a little in the long run, after Instagram runs it course, but maybe I am wrong there. I did think that Sistine's big secret was not as big of a deal as she thought it was- and that if she had just come out about it in the beginning it would not have even been an issue- and that it was a bigger problem even at that point that I thought it should have been. However, I did think the characters and complications that come with them were fantastic. I am hoping to see more about Sistine's family in future books by Ewens and plan on reading more in the future.

Tap: A Love Story is a delightful romance with quirky characters that made me smile. THere was only one aspect of the book I did not love, but the rest was on point and I think readers will enjoy the read as much as I did.

I really enjoy Tracy Ewens style and found this book to be in keeping with the previous stories she has produced.

This one focused on Cade, the last single McNaughton brother, and Sistine the owner of the struggling knitting shop. This love story seemed down to earth and normal between two people who where trying to understand who they are and get others to see them as more than they had in the past. I really connected to the emotion vulnerability and turmoil both characters went through in their relationship.

However, the big build up to the reveal of Sistine's past work felt like such a let down when it was finally came out. I didn't understand why Sistine didn't ask others for help and had to keep it to herself, through out the book its all talking about how she had build a solid community of friends around herself and that while she was independent felt part of the community. The interaction with Mel seemed really off character too and I though i didn't like Mel, I think Sistine came over as weak as a result of this.

I liked the story but wouldn't have said it was the best in the series.

I love these stories. They're just enjoyable and easy to read. I stayed up a bit too late after getting caught up in the "mystery" of Sistine's second job but I just wanted to see the ending I was hoping for. This love story had a bit of an 'edge' to it that the others didn't, and that's a good thing.
Thank you, NetGalley and Tracy Ewens!!!

At one point one of the characters in "Tap" describes the conversations with Cade and Sistine as meandering. They're a good match because they meander together. That's how I feel about this book. You have to be in the mood to go with flow and let this story slowly take you where it will go. This story doesn't go straight from a to b, but in the process of its slow pace, we are charmed by two wonderful characters and their growing relationship. Cade and Sistine's personalities come to life in a slow-burn story built on sweet moments.

3.5 stars

I really liked how this book focused on calling out  stereotypes.  The hot bartender-all brawn and no brains, the knitting store owner-quirky and reserved.  It pointed out obvious misconceptions and then built these amazing characters that broke the mold.  That saw that they were being pigeon holed and called out those around them for doing it.  It made for a very refreshing and intellectual storyline.

It took me a bit to get into this story but, then it really picked up and I had a hard time putting it down.  I enjoyed the banter between Cade and Sistine but, often times one of them would disappear inside their heads and we would have a lot of inner dialogue that would swerve off course and leave me questioning what was going on.

After starting this book I quickly realized there were others before it.  It didn't disrupt the story having not read the others first and I really liked how developed and supportive to the storyline the previous characters were.   I don't know if I will go back and read the others but, the curiosity of how they all came to be is definitely there. 

 After reading this book I now have this burning desire to learn how to knit.  The passion Sistine had for it was palpable.  Though I don't believe I'll be pairing beer and donuts any time soon!

After reading Brew and Smooth, I had a feeling there was something happening between Cade and Sistine. I hoped Ewens would write their story and I’m so glad she did!

Cade and Sistine have been firmly in the friends camp but as is wont to happen, they start seeing each other in a different light.

Cade is a hot bartender and has no problem with being unattached but it’s quickly clear that he’s more than his good looks. He listens to grammar podcasts, for crying out loud! And yet he’s rarely taken seriously by his family, even though he runs a third of their brewery. I was really frustrated on his behalf when his family and friends couldn’t truly see him. At the same time, Cade needed a push to take himself more seriously as well.

After an ex posts a half naked photo of him on Instagram, Cade starts thinking it might be time for a change. He gets two hens and a rooster who will be the brewery mascots and starts taking social media and blogging more seriously. And he also starts thinking about whether it might be time to settle down and consider marriage and a family. But then he also has to think about whether his bad boy playboy image impacts his ability to find a woman worth marrying. I really liked this examination of the image he presents to the world and how it helps and hinders him.

That same examination is at play with Sistine. Sistine owns Knitterly, a knitting shop in financial straits. She’s quirky but also confident in who she is and who she is not. At the same time, she keeps her secrets and her troubles to herself, even though she has a great group of friends she could lean on. This was really hard to see because Sistine essentially makes a deal with the devil to get out of debt. I never fully understood her reasoning, especially once the truth came out. I can understand desperation and I can understand making hard choices that land you in hot water but she needed to do much more due diligence first and this made me super frustrated with her.

Cade and Sistine are both more than who they seem and I loved how they could truly see and appreciate one another. Even though Sistine was reluctant to get involved, there was no resisting Cade in the end. I loved his determined pursuit of her. Their relationship did progress faster than I would have preferred, particularly with the novel’s resolution, but overall I enjoyed this one a great deal.

The books can be read as standalones but I think you’ll appreciate Tap even more if you read Brew and Smooth first. I adore this series!

I have read all three books in this series and given them five stars they are all so good. Three brothers all very different with three very different love stories. This story of Cade the sexy bartender and Sistine the hippy owner of a knitting store is a treat to read. Both characters have know about each other for years but have never really connected in any way. Cade loves to have fun with the women he meets in the bar and has gained himself a reputation which unfortunately backfires on him causing some bad publicity for Foghorn the brew pub that he part owns with his brothers. This incident starts him evaluating his life and making him realise that he wants to settle down like his three brothers.

Sistine lives a quiet life enjoying her store and her close friends and a game of backgammon with Cade every Wednesday. She admires Cade from afar but never thinks that she has a chance with him until a late night meeting at the local coffee shop changes things. However Sistine has other things on her mind mostly how she can raise the money to do necessary repairs and renovations to her store. Unfortunately returning to her secret past is the only way she can think of to get the money she needs.

Cade becomes more enamoured with Sistine and I love that he notices the clothes that she wears and that she isn't wearing lipstick! After an amazing date with Cade, Sistine knows that she is really attracted to Cade, more than she should be if she wants to keep her dirty little secret. Things finally come to a head when Sistine's old roommate arrives on the scene and the secret is revealed in a very public way. Cade and Sistine have to decide if they can overcome this and continue to build a relationship.

Tracy did such a great job with this book, all the way through I was dying to know what was in Sistine's past and it certainly was not what I expected.

You can read this book alone but I highly recommend reading the previous two as it is such a great series and I am wondering if there will be any spin-offs with the other small town characters.

I was really looking forward to reading this book about Cade and also the last book in the series. For some reason though I could not get into the story. First I was bothered by his brothers being upset with him over a post of a picture on the internet when he was the one who did not take the picture or post it. Found that all bothersome. Sistine character at first seemed liked she would be less complicated but for someone who owned a knitting store she had a more secret and confusing time ever time I turned around. When the both of them were together it was good but then it would go off again. I have liked the series and I am sorry I did not like this book. Maybe it is just me?

I really liked the way this story flowed, although for some it might be slow paced, for me it was just perfect. We have two individuals who are both in their thirties, they have their own business and both are at a crossroads in their lives. For Cade, simply put he wants to be seen beyond his physical attributes and he's reputation as a charmer, desired for his bedroom prowess and not so much for his intellect. Sistine, I adore, she has her own style and her own rhythm but she's also a business owner drowning in debt. She wants to be seen as capable and she really wants to make a go of her knitting business. But she needs money fast and the only one to offer it to her is the one person she totally left behind after being betrayed. Most readers will probably take issue with how long Sistine held on to her secret while probably thinking Cade was overreacting. I totally understood both their reactions because Ms. Ewens took time to let their back stories evolve into the fabric of the romance. In the end, I loved how it all ended and the resolution really made sense. Don't be fooled, this is still a sexy, often extremely sweet and wonderful romance partly because Sistine and Cade took time for the romance to build. Plus Sistine despite the almost goody two shoes image, is sexually proactive and knows what she wants and how to ask for it. A very sweet, poignant romance for the 21st century.

I loved all three of the books on this family of brothers. This Cade's story. Always up for a good time but never to settle, he realizes there may be more to life.

Sistine has been in the previous books as well. She owns a knitting store. Her and Cade a good friends until it seems like Cade wants to be more.

It's a friends to lovers tale that is filled with humor and family love. Both of them need to decide if their hearts are ready for commitment. Great ending to the McNaughton bunch. Loved the setting and the brewery and seeing all the previous couples.

Good read all around!

I enjoy reading about family stories, and Tracy Ewens did a great job about it. If you are familiar with her books, some stories are interconnected and this time it’s about Cade McNaughton, bartender, running The Forghorn Brewery and the Tap House.

After seeing all his brothers finding their match, Cade felt like something was missing. He realized that he wanted that too, no more games, no more meaningless nights. Maybe the person he was looking for was closer than he thought but totally different from the other women he dated, looking for someone who could see past his good looks.

Sistine was one of a kind, sweet and quirky and a knit lover. Running her shop, sharing the love, adorably sweet with that innocence but also a bit wild, she had this ability to surprise Cade everytime. I adored her bright personality and her way to see the world, expressing her feelings with Yarn colors. She had her dream job but was struggling to keep it afloat, but still fighting to keep doing something she loved.

They have known each other for years, being backgammon partners, and having that kind of routine, comfortable and easy. The characters weren’t predictable, just looking to find their way, being grown ups.

The chemistry was definitely there. Cade and Sistine’s interactions could go from sweet to hot, when both of them were trying to understand the true extent for their feelings. They could see past each other’s looks and connected deeply, more than they wanted to be.

However, the drama around Sistine’s was a bit dragged out to me and I wish some parts were handled differently. I understood that it was necessary at some point, to show that they had to accept them just the way they are, that love didn’t have to be perfect, a bit messy but worth the fight.

I appreciated how the characters took time to really know each other and mostly how the author put the readers at ease, in this comforting atmosphere, down to earth about an endearing family. It was finally time for Cade to find his match, between his meddling family and friends, and I was so glad to see him finding his way with Sistine.

Cade McNaughton is the youngest of four brothers. He helps run the Tap House, part of Foghorn Brewery. As the only unmarried member of his family, he has the right to be able to play the field, until one Instagram post drew unwanted attention to the Foghorn Brewery, especially as it showcased a part of his body.

Sistine Branch owned Knitterley's, where she not only sold yarn and other knitting products, but held knitting classes for the little village.

The Tap House wasn't just a bar, it was a meeting place, and as such there was always something going on. The Book Club had their monthly meeting there and now every Wednesday, Cade taught Sistine Backgammon after she had mentioned he wanted to learn something new.

Cade and Sistine were slowly finding out that just maybe being in each other's company was becoming more interesting, Cade loved the quirky clothes Sistine dressed in, and Sistine was seeing Cade in a different light, not just the ladies man that he usually portrayed.

Cade decides to open up to Sistine, and when she asks some rather personal questions about his views on things, they find they just might have more in common than just fiends.

When Sistine's little shop badly needs electrical repairs, her former life comes back to haunt her and taking up an offer she knows she shouldn't, her secrecy ruins any chance of a life of happiness with Cade unless she comes clean and confesses what she has done.

Loved every word from start to finish and look forward to reading more books from Tracey Ewens.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tracey Ewens for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I was super excited to read Cade's book. I have been following the McNaughton brothers since West's book. I am happy that they all got their HEAs.

This was a sweet contemporary romance. I'm not sure it was supoosed to be a romantic comedy, but it had its humorous moments.

The characters were okay, but I couldn't really connect with them.

Tap- A Love Story was such a surprising read and I loved it! Although this book is one in a series, it is definitely a standalone, as I haven't read any of the others (though I will now!) and didn't have any issues keeping up. Anyway, this one is about Cade, a super sexy bartender and part-owner of the Foghorn Brewery. He decides it's time to reevaluate his life after a revealing photo of him goes viral.

Meanwhile, Sistine is the owner of a knitting shop in the same town, and she has a ton of money troubles looming over her head- the lights are off, the electricity needs repair, and she's desperate to get things fixed in time to host a knitting convention which will hopefully put her business back on track.

Cade and Sistine know each other but aren't super close.....yet....and Tap is such a fun story all about their lives intertwining. This was such a quick, fun read and I just loved it!