Bea is on the run from a loan shark. She stupidly took on her father’s debt, which was a price too high for her to pay off. So, when her boyfriend proposes that she move to New Orleans with him, she takes off with him in order to start a new life. However, four days into their new life, he decides that their relationship isn’t working out and he breaks up with her. Homeless, friendless, and nowhere to turn, she ends up in a bar where she hears the infamous Carrie Underwood song. Drunk and highly intoxicated from her cold medicine and alcohol combo, she decides that keying his car is a wise decision. Except, she keys the wrong person’s car and end up in a bind. Unable to pay for the repairs, she becomes Huxley’s assistant in order to work off her debt. Oh yeah, Huxley is a illusionist. So, Bea becomes a magician’s assistant in order to pay off her debt.

I can honestly say that I’ve never read a romance that dealt with a magician before. I loved that not only is Huxley a magician, but he takes his job very seriously. His father left the theater and legacy to him, and he has been struggling to keep it afloat every since. The music is dated, the acts are stale, and Huxley and his brother’s have lost their passion. However, when Bea enters the scene, she brings life back into the place. Pretty soon she is altering her stuffy costume, proposing music changes, and even recommending that they add new acts to the mix. One of which is more Magic Mike than Houdini, but still entertaining to read about nonetheless. Watching Huxley’s family legacy get new life was probably one of the best parts of this entire story.

Between the magic tricks, Bea’s and Huxley’s inner turmoil, the potential loss of the theater, and the loan shark that is undoubtedly hunting for Bea, there was always something going on in this story. If you’re looking for a cute and quick romance that deals with magicians, than you should really pick up this book.

<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VeG0VwtyNNGqk2q4Gq1bq5k0DfSSnEUhjlJp6FI4aFqrHVAW3AHFp7WAOsMJXuRTy5VBGlamc3Gd1ABaO1RS1CHsdHimv4CCm1ZEO8V-UJHn5-U3Tl1CR0Y_MbLRRZ936hT9hY4ZhA=w1920-h1080" alt="New Orleans Rush" height="300" width="300">

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I’ve had my eye on New Orleans Rush from the very moment Kelly first shared the cover. And honestly, maybe even before, just based on the blurb alone. For one thing, I love Kelly’s books and for another, I’m a sucker for a good New Orleans setting. Plus, I think I can honestly say I’ve never read a book with a magician hero until now. I’m all for new and different in my romance and Kelly gave me both with this book.

I’ll be the first to admit it did take me a little bit of time to connect with Huxley and Beatrice, but once I did I was all in. What great characters! Surly heroes are some of my favorite varieties and I adored Huxley. Beatrice was fabulous in her own right, too. And together? Their chemistry was magical. (See what I did there?) From the setting to the romance and everything in between — and especially the family relationships — I was on board with New Orleans Rush. It was a swoony, fun and sexy story about letting go of the past and moving forward.

I really hope this isn’t the last we see of these characters. The Marvelous Marlow Boys are just begging for a series of their own. Or maybe I’m the one begging for stories about the other brothers. Don’t leave me hanging! I need more Fox and Axel. Yes, I’m a greedy reader.

<em>I received a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</em>

<b>Favorite Quotes:</b>

<em>“Come home with me tonight. I’ll whisper your name all over your skin.”

So simple yet so astounding, how love could transform your world. Turn half-empty glasses half full.</em>

I love this trend of illustrated covers, especially when they represent the mood of a book so perfectly as the one for New Orleans Rush does. In this sweet novel we meet Beatrice, an artist who moved to NOLA with her boyfriend only to be left by him a couple of days later. Alone, broke and sad and after drinking a little too much she keys a car she thought belonged to her ex.

Huxley Marlow is a magician, owns a theater with his two brothers in which they perform almost daily. His assistant just quit his job and when he sees this beautiful girl keying insults into the paint of his vintage car, a car he inherited along with the theater from his father, he blackmails her into becoming his new assistant.

Huxley doesn't get mad (although he was a little irritated), and I really loved that, he even feels bad for forcing Bea to work for him without payment, not knowing that she doesn't have any money. And he doesn't even know half of it. Bea's father, an alcoholic with a lethal gaming addiction cleaned her of her savings and because his daughter isn't the only person he "borrowed" money from, a loan shark is now after her. So can you imagine how bad he is going to feel after learning that little treasure?

Huxley is a broody one. He's carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. Additionally to his guilt for their father's death, their theater is in such a state that it needs urgent repair. The visitor numbers are low and those who visit his show are uninspired and unenthused so he plays poker frequently to polish up his income. He has taken it upon himself to care for not only the theater but also his brothers, never letting them into the fact how deep their theater is in trouble.

Huxley is selfless, caring, protective, a real gentleman with an old-fashioned chivalry that you can't help but swoon over. He is so open about his feelings for his Honeybee that it was hard not to fall in love with him. I didn't even try. The moment he met her his whole attitude changed. And I dare you not to grin like a lunatic when Huxley crunches on Bea's breakfast eggs.

"Huxley’s sour expression was any indication, he’d also chewed eggshell pieces. She managed to swallow, then moved her plate away and waited for him to crack a joke or get annoyed with her awful breakfast. He did neither of those things. Huxley scooped up another bite and crunched his way further into her heart."

Bea is the sparkle, the rainbow that Huxley needed. Her quirky, sweet composition, the way she faces life with sass and optimism, is the salt in the Marlow brothers' soup and I think every brother fell a little in love with her.

"He was learning there wasn’t much he wouldn’t do to earn a Beatrice Baker smile."

The only thing that annoyed me a tiny bit was that she kept repeating in her mind that she didn't like that Huxley was playing poker, that she didn't trust he would stop after that last game. I know the author did it to remind us how much Bea hated gamblers but after the third time I think everyone knew the extent of her disgust for them.

I loved Huxley's brothers so I hope that they'll get a story. Especially Fox, the silent type, intrigues me.

NEW ORLEANS RUSH is on the lighter side of the spectrum and was a complete delight to read. It's sparkly, romantic, cute, with endearing characters and a lot of laugh-out-loud and sweet moments that will have you smile from ear to ear.

"I hope you know how stupendously magical you are.”
“Stupendously magical?”
“The most stupendous.”

I had no expectations when I started this book other than enjoying all the other books of Kelly Siskind’s that I have previously read. It’s the story of Bea and Huxley – who meet unexpectedly on what is possibly turning into the worse night of Bea’s life. Just days earlier, she had moved to New Orleans to live with her boyfriend and 4 days after the move, the boyfriend has broken up with her and she has little to no money, no where to live and no options. Due to reasons you will learn about as the story progresses, she cannot go back to Chicago and ends up meeting Huxley in a local bar that evening. Upon meeting, they are both interested in each other but neither is willing to do anything about those “sparks”….Huxley is a struggling magician, who, along with his brothers are trying all they can to keep their family theater open. They both have secrets and issues they are dealing with and their relationship is one that slowly develops as she helps the brothers with their magic show and they help her start to get back on her feet. As Bea and Huxley’s feelings for each other become more apparent and they become less successful in fighting them, their hidden secrets are also coming out into the open. Bea is running from danger from her hometown and Huxley is running from losing the theater as well as the demons that haunt him from a horrible night quite a few years ago (no spoilers!).
It has so many laugh-out-loud moments and the banter not only between Bea and Huxley, but Huxley and his brothers as well as Bea and the brothers are so much fun. Once you start this book and get invested in the storyline, you will not want to let these characters go. Pick it up, start reading and you will not be disappointed!

Other than the fact that I’ve really enjoyed all of Ms. Siskind’s other books, and was anticipating I’d like this one too, I really didn’t know what to expect going into this story. The description was very different from all her other stories, and from the books I’d read recently, so I was excited to get started. And she didn’t let me down. This story is unique, quirky, and charming. The characters, a magician trying to save his family’s theater, and a girl running from money and family issues, couldn’t be any more different from each other. But, somehow, it all works. This book had me smiling straight through from beginning to end.

Bea is such a positive character…happy even though she’s got some pretty serious problems in her life. Huxley is more somber and serious, and deals with his issues, a crumbling theater and trying to be the responsible brother, in a more brooding fashion. But, they compliment each other greatly and help each other look at their problems from different perspectives. Their chemistry is strong and I enjoyed the slow-burn romance. I also loved the relationship between Huxley and his brothers and his determination to keep his father’s dream alive. And, although the cape had me questioning him initially, I soon learned to love this complex character.

Magic was always been intriguing to me and seeing “behind the curtain” in some instances, was entertaining. A lot goes on in this book so it’s not a quick read…at least it wasn’t for me. But it’s definitely a fun read with great characters and a very different plot. Ms. Siskind has, once again, given the reader a very entertaining story and a set of characters we look forward to seeing again.

3.5/5

New Orleans Rush was a different read for me. I was drawn to it as it sounded like it was something new from Kelly Siskind. Plus, who can resist a New Orleans setting? I had a good time reading this book overall. There were moments that I thought were a bit slow, but it was an enjoyable read overall.

The characters in this book are what I would call quirky. They are not the kind I'm used to in romance novels and that certainly felt refreshing. Beatrice is an artist who is struggling a bit with her career. In the spur of the moment, she decides to follow her boyfriend to New Orleans only to find out that he wants to break off their relationship. Beatrice has no place to call home and circumstances lead her right into the arms of a grumpy magician and his brothers. I liked Beatrice. Even when she was down on her luck, she remained fairly perky and had a very sunny perspective of her life. She may have had no experience with magic and performance, but she fit right in with the Marvelous Marlow Boys as a magician's assistant. I liked how even though this wasn't her career, she had all these smart ideas of how to help improve business for these guys.

Huxley Marlow was quite the contrast to Beatrice. While she had a very sunny disposition, he was more grumpy and quiet. This kind of pairing is one of my favorite tropes so I was all for it in New Orleans Rush. I felt for Huxley. He had a lot on his plate and he wanted to make sure that his brothers were taken care of. Underneath the surly front, he was quite the sweetheart. I loved his bond with his brothers. They were a hilarious bunch and I loved their interactions. With everything going on in his life, Huxley hadn't had much time for romance, but Beatrice changes all that. They instantly connected and a sweet romance develops between them. I can't say it was particularly memorable for me, but I didn't have any complaints about it either. Plot-wise, I thought there was a little too much going on and it could be slow at times. There were some storylines that I didn't care for, especially the crime storyline involving Beatrice's father. Thankfully, it didn't take away too much from my enjoyment of the book. I will say that I was as grumpy as Huxley when I had to take extra steps to read the epilogue as it wasn't available in the ARC.

New Orleans Rush was a fun story that you should try if you're looking for a different sort of romance. If I'm not mistaken this will be a series and I'm looking forward to reading them!

New Orleans Rush by Kelly Siskind is a full length, stand alone romance novel and you can't not fall in love with these characters and the beautiful story.
" Treat yourself to the book Publisher's Weekly calls an endearing romance: "Like Huxley, readers won’t be able to resist falling under Bea’s spell." " Yes, yes, yes. I agree.
Bea Baker is a good woman, a pure ray of sunshine. She brightens everyones day. She's new in New Orleans and runs into Huxley.
Huxley Marlow is a magician, a complicated man who carries scars, visible and invisible. He " works " odd jobs to make ends meet and keeps his brother's and his business afloat.
Meet the Marvelous Marlow Boys and this wonderful sidekick.
It took me exactly one chapter to fall in love with all the Marlow boys and Bea Baker.
They're lost souls and take on a lot of responsibilty and I adore them. New Orleans Rush is a beautifully thought out, beautifully written and beautifully told love story by this new to me author. I recommend this slow burn and give 5 stars.

Absolutely adored this fun to read about odd couple... was a fun, sexy, emotional and engaging romance filled with so many exciting magical twists and thrilling turns, loved this New Orleans adventure. The charters are engaging and fun not to mention lovable with off the charts chemistry. Highly entertaining reading!

I really loved New Orleans Rush, partially because the quirky dynamic between Bea and Huxley gave me some major The Hating Game vibes. Maybe it's the quirky pin-up girl thing? Only Bea is a watermelon woman as opposed to the strawberry shortcake goodness that is Lucy in THG. Either way, if you loved Sally Thorne's The Hating Game, I HIGHLY recommend you read Kelly Siskind's New Orleans Rush.

Bea is the Huffliest of puffs and I adore her sweet little manic pixie dream girl, thigh-high wearing, unicorn self. She's got some pretty traumatic baggage, but still manages to be a smiling ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. And OHHHH my gosh, Huxley's reaction to Bea is just... *swoon*. OK, yes, it did get a little bit sickening having him call her a unicorn over and over and over again, but keep in mind this is a dark grouchy man and he's just getting a double dose of sunshine in his life -and LOVING IT.

I don't normally care for romantic suspense, and while there is an element of suspense in this novel and it very much a rom-com, NOT a romantic suspense novel (which I appreciate!). I really love Huxley's brothers - at least, the two I met in this book, Axel and Fox - and was hoping that this would be a series with each book focusing on a brother and their love story. There was plenty of set-up for a next book with Fox and Della, but the way this wraps up it's clear this is a stand-alone. It's a bummer, but it's also nice to see some stand-alone romances in a market where interconnected series seems to be the norm.

This is a slow sizzle that will set the stage for Bea and Huxley! I absolutely loved this funny, quirky charming read that is set in the beautiful and historic New Orleans ! Beatrice has followed a boyfriend to the city only to find him in another woman's bed. She is now an artist with a broken heart and out looking for a job. When she lands a position as the assistant of one of the Marlow brothers and their magic act!
Huxley is quite easy on the eyes but he is also trying to get himself straightened out and when quirky but beautiful Bea shows up this is a whole new act !!! She is a no wall flower she will give you sarcasm, witty banter and will certainly not hold back to tell you what she thinks! This surly brooding man may have just met his match !!!
~~Michele McMullen ~~

I wasn't really sure what to expect when I started reading NEW ORLEANS RUSH. It was my first book by Kelly Siskind, but the cute cover and synopsis were irresistible. For the most part, this book charmed me with its zany humor, quirky characters, and snappy dialogue. I definitely think you have to be in the right kind of mood when you start this book. Don't take things too seriously and you'll enjoy the story and Ms. Siskind's writing a lot more.

The positives: Let's start with the setting. I loveeee New Orleans and I liked that the book had NOLA vibes without shoving the city down the reader's throat. I also enjoyed the concept of magical brothers! What a fun and interesting career for the three Marlow guys. I thought the behind-the-scenes magic information was fun without bogging the story down. The secondary characters (the brothers and Della) were fun and fleshed out enough to make the story three-dimensional.

Bea was an entertaining character. She's one of my favorite types of heroines: fun, flighty, with a heart of gold. I have friends like her and I loved the endless positivity, even if she was a bit naive sometimes. Huxley was a great character as well. There is something so endearing about a hero who is completely enamored with the heroine. His nicknames and complete faith in her abilities made me a little swoony. Plus the Elderwand references absolutely cracked me up.

The cons: It seems like the story got away from the author a little bit. Instead of diving deep on Bea and Huxley's relationship and the central problems in the story, extra plot elements were thrown in. I lost interest in the story towards the middle when Huxley and Bea were just friends. In fact, it took me almost a week to finish this book (that's super slow for me). I appreciated the tension and time for Huxley and Bea to get to know one another, but it just felt like wasted time as a reader. I even forgot that Bea was Huxley's assistant by the end of the book because it was lost under the weight of too many subplots and weird details.

I'm going to put this out there: The climax of the story was ridiculous. I like when an author goes for humor, but that whole scene felt contrived.

Overall, if this was the start of a series (and I really hope it is because I enjoyed the world Ms. Siskind created), I think it built a strong foundation. I would absolutely read another book. I promise you will only appreciate this story if you let yourself get a little whimsical and absurd.

Side Note: I feel DEPRIVED of a certain brother's story. Deprived.

**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**

This book was one of my most anticipated reads for April. Sadly this book didn’t work out in my favor. I couldn’t connect to the characters and the story didn’t hold my interest. I was really hoping for a different outcome and pushed myself to continue reading but no dice.

Oh my gawd, I heard such great things about this book and couldn't wait to start reading but as I began I started to doubt that I was going to like it..... because I LOVED IT!!!! This book is not your typical read, not by a long shot, it's quirky, sweet, fun with a side of sexy.
Bea was an eccentric woman full of fun, witty banter and peculiar putdowns. Huxley is the oldest Marlow brother who carries the family troubles on his shoulders never truly living his life. That is until he meets the one woman who puts the "MAGIC" back into his life.
Huxley and Bea together are delightful, adorable and enchanting, that you won't be able tear yourself away fron their story. A story that will suck you in and captivate you till the very end!

This was a really great book. It was romantic, magical, and intense. I fell in love with both Huxley and Bea. I found their romance so special and tender. It was very innocent and I loved that. I wish it was a bit sexier, but that's just my personal preference. I enjoyed that there was a lot of back story to both the main characters because it made you fall in love with them even more. I thought the flawed physical aspect of Huxley reminded me of Beauty and the Beast or Phantom of the Opera.

❤️❤️❤️❤️ out of 5
This book is just a big fat, shiny, sparkly, magical, unicorn of a book and I think I can honestly say I’ve never read anything like it. It had feels, steam 🔥🔥🔥 and sunshine 🌈☀️, I’m actually sitting here just smiling thinking about it.
.
Our heroine moves to New Orleans with her boyfriend only to be dumped within days. Now she’s in a strange city, knows no one and has nowhere to live. That is until she meets our hero, a magician (yup you read this correctly and omg I’m all for this ✨✨ and the brilliant wand puns). She somehow ends up his assistant in his show..... and of course so much more than that.
.
Ok I get that the heroine might not be for some people- honestly her and her quirky and eternal optimism drove me nuts for the first quarter of the book then it just made me smile and I couldn’t stop. She made everyone in her life a happier person and her outlook on life was infectious especially on the gruff hero (he was totally under her spell by the end of it). Again I also didn’t like the storyline and the money problems through the first quarter of the book but then it definitely hit its stride and I loved it!

Love, love, love!

Although Chasing Crazy will probably always be my favorite book of Kelly Siskind’s, New Orleans Rush came *this close* to knocking it out of the top spot. Bea and Huxley’s story was so charming, quirky, heartfelt, refreshing, and fun.
I loved that neither Bea nor Huxley quite had their acts together, pun not intended! It’s a nice change of pace to read a book about 2 characters who aren’t perfect, who have flaws, who don’t know what’s going to happen day to day, who take what life throws at them and do their best to survive. And somehow, some way, even manage to thrive.
I really adored these characters and their love story. The romance was sweet and swoony and did all kinds of things to my heart.
Ms. Siskind balanced the more emotional aspects of New Orleans Rush with funny, light-hearted moments, and it made for such an engaging, entertaining read.

I'm really hoping we'll get to see more of the other Marlow boys in the future!

Bea has had a horrible 13 hours. After moving from Chicago to New Orleans with her boyfriend four days ago, he dumped her and sent her packing. Following an evening of drinking her sorrows away, Bea spies her ex-boyfriend’s precious car, and just like Carrie Underwood, Bea decides to key it up. However, it’s not his car, it belongs to Huxley, a struggling magician. He offers to let Bea work off the damage by being his assistant.

Something inside Bea comes to life the moment she meets Huxley. He’s not your typical romance hero. A cape-wearing magician, Huxley is scarred; “puckered skin overtook half an eyebrow, part of his right ear was missing, and a thick scar ran down his left cheek.” Yet Bea finds him utterly compelling. Her artistic muse comes alive when she’s near Huxley. And even when she finds out about his poker games (her father is a gambling addict), she still sees the goodness inside the rough exterior. Bea is honest and trusting to a fault, which causes her tremendous emotional pain from trusting the wrong people. But without those characteristics, she never would have found true happiness.

Huxley, the oldest of five boys, lives with the guilt of being the only Marlow boy to witness his father’s death in an act gone wrong. His father left his legacy to Huxley, and the weight of the responsibility is slowly killing him. When Bea comes into his world, he finds lightness and joy. He wants to be a better person because of her. And this is why their relationship works so well. They both come from dysfunctional homes, but rather than wallowing in the pain of the past, each recognizes they were loved and are able to fall in love despite their pasts.

New Orleans Rush is utterly sweet, giddy fun, and simply romantic. It truly is a feel good story in all the best ways. While Huxley and Bea seem like an improbably pair, they complement one other, bringing out the best in one another, and those around them. Bea’s joy of life is infectious. She’s learned the hard way that people will hurt you, but she doesn’t give up. Huxley is passionate and kind, knowing that life isn’t easy, but he also doesn’t give up. Together they are silly, sexy and charming.

My Rating: B+ Liked It A Lot

4.5 stars — This is going to be one of those books that I struggle to review, because it’s so hard to convey all the things I loved about the book. It was just so…REFRESHING. From the characters, to the plot line, it just fit me so perfectly and surprised me in the best ways.

Beatrice is…she’s everything I want to be. I saw so much of myself—or rather who I want to be—in her. She was vibrant, and whimsical, and quirky, and her childlike sense of wonder had me smiling from ear to ear. As someone who professes her favourite colour to be *rainbow*, I could totally vibe with Bea’s craving for colour in all aspects of her life. She was also kind and aware of the people around her, from strangers to friends. I was unsurprised to find she was a Hufflepuff (Puffs unite). She wasn’t without her flaws. She was definitely messed up from her odd childhood, and the roles that were thrust upon her at a young age. But I really felt her grow throughout the book, and I was confident that she would continue to grow in her new family.

Huxley was his own unique brand of quirky. He had all these seemingly contradictory traits, but they worked in him. He had this kind of hard shell around him, coming across gruff and “surly smurf”. But inside he was just this romantic marshmallow looking for a unique soul to understand and embrace all of him. I LOVED his unconfirmed love of romance novels. I love how he immediately saw the uniqueness of Bea and allowed her light into his life. And again, just like Bea, he was flawed. It took him forever to understand that going it alone was a mistake. He was carrying around a stupendous amount of guilt, shouldering the burden of an almost fatherly role. I loved seeing him grow as well, with some help from his family.

And Bea and Huxley together were delightful. They made me laugh and smile and swoon. I truly felt their connection and chemistry, and desperately wanted them to find their way together.

I LOVED Huxley’s brothers, Axel and Fox. They were truly one of a kind characters. I honestly thought we might get their books, but with the ending I’m less sure on that now. I would love to see their own stories.

I LOVED the magic that this book showcased. I loved the wonder of it.

I LOVED that this wasn’t a book about billionaires, but actually of two characters truly struggling financially. I feel like we don’t see that enough.

I think the only thing I was so so on was the Oliphant stuff and the Big Eddie stuff. I enjoyed it, but I don’t know if I feel like I got enough closure with the wrap up. But in the end, I was here for the romance…I mean, let’s be real. 🙂

So yeah. This was a Lenore book. It’s making me want to put on my rainbow leggings, and dance around the house…and I think I just might.

Beatrice Baker is a glass half-full kind of girl, always fun, smiling and looking for the positive in everything around her, but when she finds herself freshly moved to New Orleans, dumped, homeless and unemployed, she’ll make a few bad decisions that will change her life’s path.
Huxley Marlow is a magician. The oldest son of a deceased magician, owner of a dilapidated theater and head of the Marvelous Marlow Boys, Huxley has been struggling to follow on his father’s footsteps and keep what’s left of his family together.
Beatrice and Huxley have an immediate connection brought forth by her drunken fascination with his cape and his attraction to the bubbly redhead who called him an insect's name.
This story has it all. It’s well crafted, sweet, funny and romantic. Beatrice quirks and whimsical personality are definitely a breath of fresh air to Huxley’s responsible and surly sides. I found this book original and loved that both characters have a creative side. I also enjoyed the New Orleans backdrop, the magic world of the Marlow brothers and the dynamic between them.
New Orleans Rush was definitely a refreshing story; new in the cookie cutter world of modern romance, it brings back old fashion magic intermixed with elements of tradition, family values and the everlasting following of one’s heart.

I love to settle in and read a good romance and this one delivered for me. The author had a nice flow, there was no point where I was bored and I would love to read more from Kelly Siskind!