I’ve read a lot of different books from Jenn McKinlay and I have to say that I generally prefer her Cozy Mysteries to her Contemporary Romances. But that was before I read this book.

THE GOOD ONES is the first book in the Happily Ever After series and I gotta say, I really enjoyed this book! Both the hero and heroine turned out to be really cute and I enjoyed reading their interactions. The romance kind of happens unexpectedly and it was certainly a thrill to read.

That being said, this makes me really excited for the next books in the series. The light tone and cute banter is definitely my style. But the book also has some heartwarming and emotional scenes as well that are worth checking out.

A great, realistic contemporary romance from Jenn McKinlay. Maisy is determined to turn her aunt's home into a romance bookshop, and Ryder is just the man to take on the job. A great read.

I am a member of the American Library Association Reading List Award Committee. This title was suggested for the 2020 list. It was not nominated for the award. The complete list of winners and shortlisted titles is at <a href="https://rusaupdate.org/2020/01/2020-reading-list-years-best-in-genre-fiction-for-adult-readers/">

Started off with lots of promise but soon became long-winded and at times repetitive. I wanted to buy into the older house turned romance book shop so badly, unfortunately I just couldn't. While the characters were likable and the backstory was sweet, I was hoping for more from this series starter. I'll give the next installment a try though.

This was such a cute romance story with a happily ever after (THANK GOODNESS because it was touch and good for a bit).

First of all - inheriting a beautiful old house filled with books, opening a bookstore and meeting a handsome guy along the way?!? Does that not sound like the most perfect fairytale? Well it did to Maisy too - except when she finds out that Ryder is adamant that he is not a good guy for a relationship. After a bit of flirting and a passionate kiss, Maisy finds out that Ryder and his daughter Perry are leaving for Connecticut at the ending of the summer. Unfortunately for Maisy, she's already fallen hard for him and quickly became attached to his sassy and fun daughter. After rescuing an abandoned kitten together, the bond is cemented and neither of them can find the strength to let go. After a lot of drama and back and forth (is their relationship even a good idea when they both know it has to end soon), I was rooting for them so hard! I thought my heart would be broken, but luckily this had a happy ending (with lots of smiles and awing involved on my part).

Jenn McKinlay certainly has a way with romance, she can write both a fantastic steamy or sweet romance scene. Her biggest score are her characters, I loved them all and especially Ryder's daughter Perry. I just about lost it with the kitten rescue. As if a baby kitten isn’t the cutest thing in the world, then a strong man leaning over to take care of that kitten is the cutest thing in the universe. I love how Jenn McKinlay included her experience rescuing her kitten King George into this book.

I can't wait to continue this series and look forward to more happy endings! (I have an idea who the next couple will be and I am QUITE excited!)

Wow, all I can say is, this story blew me away! Keep the tissues close by as you are reading THE GOOD ONES by Jenn McKinlay. She will have your emotions all over the place. Once I started reading, it was very hard to stop! The twists and turns made it impossible to put down, as I had to know what was going to happen to Ryder and his daughter, Perry after so much heartache! What an awesome story. All of Jenn’s characters feel genuine and relatable and put your emotions on one heck of a roller coaster ride. As you are reading, you will find yourself cheering for all of them, praying they can work out their problems and be happy once again.

THE GOOD ONES is all about family, dealing with the past and trying to find your happily ever after. It had me flipping through the pages like a woman on a mission. I had to know what was going to happen to Maisy Kelly and her romance bookstore and all the secondary characters. She hires Ryder to be the architect. She wants to convert her newly inherited Victorian house into a romance bookstore. He is supposed to make sure that happens and then he is leaving. He doesn’t let Maisy know this right away but he does let her know that he is not relationship material! It was so much fun watching these two dance around each other and their feelings.THE GOOD ONES is a heart tugging story that will hold you hostage until the very last page. Once you start reading, it will be very hard to put down! You also won’t be able to stop yourself from laughing at Ryder and his manly thoughts!

THE GOOD ONES is without a doubt one of my top funniest books I’ve read in 2019 so far. I was instantly emotionally invested in all of the characters. My heart broke for Perry and King George, the weeks old kitten Perry found on the front porch of Maisy’s house! THE GOOD ONES is the first book in the Happily Ever After series and I cannot wait to continue this fun series! Jenn McKinlay really knows how to write cozy mysteries but she sure can hook the reader with her romance! I can not wait to read more by this wonderful and heart tugging author. I have many of her older books to read and that brings me so much joy and happiness to know they are waiting for me!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This story was just the sweetest thing I have read in a long time. Maisey misses her Aunt El and after losing out on the job she should have had at the college she decides to make the house she inherited a bookstore. It’s and old Victorian home that needs to be updated but keeping the same look and that’s where Ryder comes in. Ryder is an architect that is hoping to eat this job before he moves to take a desk job to make sure he can support his daughter’s private school. Ryder and Maisey have an instant attraction but he is her employee and doesn’t plan to stay long so Maisey says it’s not worth the heartbreak and tries to not get attached. As they all try to ignore the elephant in the room it just begins to get as big as the house itself. Great story very enjoyable, perfect book to curl up with.

3 Wine Glass #Review of The Good Ones by Jenn McKinlay

The Good Ones is a cute contemporary romance that is sure to endear itself to fans of the sub-genre with it's cozy setting, lighthearted banter, and charming characters.

Maisy Kelly hasn't had it easy lately, but she knows that converting her aunt's old Victorian home into a romance book store is just the change she needs to turn her life around. When Ryder Copeland walks through her door, Maisy doesn't bother obtaining quotes for the restoration from any other company. She knows that this cowboy straight off the front of one of her aunt's many romance novels is just the man for the job. However, Ryder isn't so sure. The instant attraction that he feels towards Maisy is not something that he wants, or needs right now in his life. Especially since he doesn't plan on sticking around in town long enough to start any sort of relationship. Will the pull between Maisy and Ryder be too strong for them to deny? Or will Ryder decide that the chance at love isn't worth altering the future he already has planned for him and his daughter?

The Good Ones is the age-old romantic tale of right place, wrong time. I loved the premise of this book; the idea of the heroine opening a romance book store in her aunt's old Victorian home was fantastic. The author did a wonderful job of bringing the setting to life. All of the details and hidden nuances of the home were a delight to uncover with each page. Yet, despite a good start, the story itself moved incredibly slow and didn't quite hold my interest. It took me twice as long as normal to finish this book. The author's writing style of telling, as opposed to showing, made for a lack of authenticity between characters and the redundant inner monologues dragged the plot down further.

The synopsis hints at a western romance, but besides the hero of the story dressing the part of a cowboy and driving a big truck, the book takes place in a small town in North Carolina. Ryder is a complicated character with a lot of baggage, but all in all he is a good guy and a great father. Maisy is a bit of a dreamer, but has a good heart and a great group of friends to support her. There were several characters throughout the tale that were fun; Maisy and Ryder's friends along with Ryder's daughter. I think they may have distracted from the main couple though, as I never felt that real spark of connection between them. There was attraction, desire, and tension between the two. But there was also a lot of push and pull. The constant indecision that the characters faced put a damper on what should have been a light and pleasing plot.

All that being said, I found the characters in next book to be intriguing, so I will probably continue the series and cross my fingers for a more fulfilling story. As this was my first read from this author, I can't speak to how it holds up against her other series, which I believe are mainly said to be cozy mysteries. Devoted fans of contemporary romance may find this book more appealing then I, as I said, it was cute but not as satisfying as I had hoped for.

Sweet, quirky, fun small town romance!

Does that sound like a great read? I hope so because Ryder and Maisy’s romance was a straight up heart-happy story that had a (delightful) old-fashioned air about it. Not that it didn’t have heat. Oh, it had that as well. There was everything to enjoy in this rollicking tale of a house renovation and a love of romantic tales that bound a whole host of intriguing characters together…

Maisy was back home starting a new chapter in her life, building a business, renewing old relationships and striking up new friendships. Ryder was a new addition to Fairdale but he and his daughter fit in like they were born there. Their future was not meant for this town, even though they loved it. Could Maisie change their mind?

I’m not sure what I liked most about this story, there was so much to choose from. Great storytelling, main characters that were funny and charming and, in Maisy’s case, romantic with feet firmly on the ground. Ryder and Maisy were confident people yet love brought out all the uncertainty under the surface. They pushed and pulled, argued and loved, and along the way built something… wonderful.

This is the first in what I hope is a long, long series…

*5 King George Stars*

A sweet small town feel-good romance with a good dose of predictability and humor. Made for a quick but highly entertaining read. Definitely recommend!

I had a wonderful time with this book! Having read several of Jenn McKinlay's contemporary romances, I was eager to give this book a try. I was not disappointed. This was one of those books that I didn't want to stop reading once I got started. Too bad life got in the way. I did enjoy every moment that I spent with this charming story.

Maisy has inherited her aunt's old Victorian home which happens to be full of romance novels. She has just left her position at the local college and has this crazy idea of opening a romance bookstore. Ryder is a single dad who works as an architect. His task is to help Maisy bring the old house back to its former glory...and add a turret.

I loved the characters in this book. Maisy and Ryder were both wonderful people and I thought that they were fantastic as a couple. They had a lot of chemistry and it was fun to see them interact with each other. There were some other key players in this story that I thought were equally well done. Ryder's teen daughter, Perry, was a great kid and I loved how caring she was. Savannah, or Savy, was quite the firecracker and I really liked the fact that she was there to put Maisy straight when needed. As a group, these characters work to save a tiny kitten which helped to show each character's softer side and added a nice dose of cute to the overall story. There were a few other characters introduced that I hope to see in future novels.

I would recommend this book to others. It was a charming romantic novel filled with a cast of wonderful characters. I loved all of the book references that were worked into the story and had a great time watching Maisy and Ryder build the bookstore and find their own happily ever after. I can't wait to read more of this delightful series.

I received an advanced reader edition of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.

This book was sooooo disappointing. I've liked McKinlay's library mysteries, and while I don't read much romance anymore, I figured a gal opening a bookstore in an old house in North Carolina sounded like a must-read. But it just didn't fly. Parts of it were wonderful, like Maisy's relationship with Ryder's teenage daughter and the women building a business together and the whole rescuing a stray cat thing - lots of women doing it for themselves/supporting each other. But the central plot - the romance - was just painful. It was like "I like him so much, I want to kiss him! Oh I kissed him and it was wonderful! I shouldn't have kissed him, this isn't going anywhere, it won't happen again." And repeat. The teenagers were more mature than the adults, who were just bringing their problems on themselves through lack of communication and general stupidity. So much promise, so sad. I still like Jenn McKinlay though.

DNF 25%

Maisey's voice and thoughts irritated me to no end. This just wasn't the book for me. I am learning to stay away from covers with cowboys, no matter how appealing, as I continually get disappointed. As so many others love these kinds of books, I think it's safe to say "it's me, not you."

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

As a big fan of Jenn McKinlay’s cozy mystery series, I felt compelled to follow her crossover into the romance genre. I enjoyed The Good Ones, the tale of a young woman who always seems to choose the wrong guy and a single father who openly carries his childhood scars and baggage. It is fairly predictable but entertaining.

The Southern town setting and Maisy’s aunt’s home overflowing with romance novels is a comfortable, cozy place for the embers of love to bloom in this sweet romance. . Opposites attract in the backdrop of a romance bookstore renovation project. Maisy is a dreamer, and her impractical nature made me doubt her ability to run a business and make the Victorian home turned bookstore flourish. To me, she is a bit immature and too impulsive, but other readers will probably find her endearing. Ryder is a much more interesting, complex character. His mother’s death when he was quite young, his father’s neglect, and his failed marriage have all had quite an effect on him. He shows how much he loves people but fails to say the words, especially to one who needs to hear it the most, his daughter and pride and joy Perry. Perry is my favorite character. Her youthful enthusiasm and obvious love for those around her is delightful. As a pet lover, the inclusion of the tiny, abandoned kitten King George is fabulous and provides most of the funny and some of the sweetest moments in the story.

What bothered me about the book is its slower pace. Not a lot goes on to further the plot – there is quite a bit of push and pull between Maisy and Ryder, a lot of assumptions on both of their parts, and inner dialogue that becomes repetitive. Most of all, I wish there had been more chemistry between Maisy and Ryder. Everything wraps up a little too neatly in the end.

I liked The Good Ones, but I did not love it. Given the opportunity, I will read the next book in the Happily Ever After series with hopes that I find it more appealing. That said, I do recommend The Good Ones to Jenn McKinlay’s fans and romance readers looking for something familiar and comfortable to read.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

This book! It was so good that I don't even have the words to convey all that I felt about it! I've been a fan of Jenn McKinlay's cozy mysteries, and they're great, but she can really write the romance!

In this story, Maisy Kelly decides to convert the Victorian house she inherited into a bookstore. Enter Ryder Copeland. He's a handsome cowboy, protective single dad, and architect. The romance between these two was sweet and touching. The hero's fourteen year old daughter, Perry, added a great layer to the story. The conflict here is that Ryder is determined to leave the area, certain that his daughter needs more than he can provide for her there. This leads to some angst for Maisy, Ryder, and Perry.

The icing on the cake here is King George, an orphaned/abandoned kitten, too young and small to have much hope of survival. The author took her family's own true story, which she's been posting about for well over a year, and wrote it into her book. I think anyone with an inkling of liking for cats will be charmed by this aspect of the story, and for those who have followed the author's journey with King George, this will be the best part of a great book! Thanks to the author for a story that holds such sweet moments, and provides such a pleasurable reading experience, and to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

what i’m talking about:

The Good Ones is cute, but it’s definitely “fantasy.” I lost count of the number of times I rolled my eyes over the things which I had to suspend my disbelief. Maisy Kelly, accomplished professor of English literature in North Carolina, does not achieve tenure after her married, conniving boyfriend does an end run around her for the job. She tucks her tail between her legs and takes refuge in the huge Victorian house left to her by a beloved aunt. The house came with Aunt Eloise’s romance book collection. Now think of an episode of Hoarders.

If you can forget about the fact that someone who reads three or four books a day, would let her 100-plus year old home fall into total disrepair, then you can accept it will only be eight to twelve weeks to get this home ready to become a romance bookstore—with a turret. That’s right, a bookstore that exclusively sells romance novels. Given the current state of brick and mortar bookstores, I had trouble setting aside my incredulity over this one. And who is her architect-slash-contractor? Why a hunky cowboy from Texas, Ryder Copeland, who looks like he walked off the cover of a romance novel!

Maisy just happens to have best friends who are a marketing guru, an accountant, and a vet—for the abandoned kitten that shows up on Maisy’s front porch. Isn’t that convenient? They love Maisy and are so excited about her project, they don’t even charge her for their services. McKinlay is so excited by the self-indulgent fantasy she’s created that she drops the names of her favorite romance authors while Maisy is sorting the hoard in preparation of the opening. The second book in the series will likely follow Maisy’s best friend hooking up with Ryder’s best friend, both introduced in this first book in the Happily Ever After series—the name of Maisy’s bookstore.

The saving grace of this farce of a set-up is Maisy’s enthusiasm. For all my doubts about the future viability of her bookstore, I want her to be successful. I want her to be happy with Ryder and his daughter. I love the secret society they establish to do good deeds. I like to think that enough people still love paper books that they will want Aunt El’s used romance books. I get it. I know that most new books don’t even make it to print anymore, they go straight to e-book and audio. Some will get a small paperback run. Only really well-established authors seem earn hardbacks. Especially with romance novels, there’s no cover to hide with electronic format. This Good Ones is only problematic if you let it be. If you just want a fantasy where all the variables are conveniently handled, this is your low-stress happy read.

My Rating: B- Liked It, but I had a few small issues

We absolutely loved this book! A reader who opens her own romance book store, a sexy cowboy, and a home renovation? What more could you want from a well-written romance? Nothing, that's what. Bravo!

Delightful! Reminded me a lot of the author's Bluff Point series, which I also enjoyed. Lots of book love in this one with the romance books and the remodel of the house into a book store. Great characters, including King George the cat. Many laugh-out-loud moments. Hints at future stories in the series - and I can't wait to read them. This was an ideal read for me - characters with great chemistry, a strong and sassy teen, books, a cat, and lots of humor. Another fantastic romance series from Jenn McKinlay!

Very cute and heartwarming story! This story introduces us to a new series and group of characters. I liked both Maisy and Ryder. Perry, Ryder's daughter was my favorite though. Nice small town romance and I loved the setting of a romance bookstore. Very cute. I'm excited to read the rest of the series.

Masiy Kelly is getting over a guy that she feels or knows betrayed her and took advantage of her. So, she has decided to take her Aunt inheritance and house along with the numerous romance novels and open a romance book store. Ryder Copeland has been looking at restoring one of these Victorian homes. Plus, it will look good on his resume before leaving for a new job at the end of summer. He was not expecting a young barley out of high school looking woman standing behind the door looking at him. Masiy being into her book cannot believe that the man on the cowboy on the cover of her book is standing in front of her. After changing and meeting Ryder’s daughter Perry. She moves on with what her plans are to be when another confrontation takes place. When Ryder expresses his ideas about Masiy being to young to be taking on a project like she wants. She then proceeds to inform him of her two master degrees, being published, her aged and being a former associate professor. This for the most part is most of the story her taking chances and telling him what is on her mind. There is something between the two of them but will he act on it because he is leaving? The story with Perry with is very good and the author captures a 14-year-old girl very well, having raised three of them. I really liked this book and all of the characters, a good read.