Tracy Ewens has an excellent grasp of relationships, putting together folks who on the surface, might not be a match. In Blow, she pairs an author and a glass blower together...but not easily at first. After multiple miscommunications and mixups, the two main characters slowly begging to trust one another and given in to a mutual attraction. Ewens seems to delve deeply into different occupations for her stories, and I learned quite a bit about glass blowing as well as writing, though I am guessing less research was needed for the writer’s backstory! Overall, another satisfying book by Ewens; though it can be read alone, I do suggest reading the author’s other books in the series.

Very cute, sweet story. I have been in love with this series since the first book. Always a heartwarming story. I’m looking forward to more.

This book is a slow burn romance. The main character is a romance author and the love interest is a glass blower. Very interesting occupations that are parts of their identity. The book follows both characters as they are trying to overcome personal issues while they are fighting their growing attraction. There is a cast of adorable side characters that seem to be sure to pop up in future installments of this series. I am not a big fan of slow burn romances, but this one did a fine job. The sentences were a bit wordy for me at times to be honest.
If you like small town slow burn romances, you will enjoy Blow.

I gave this multiple tries and I just couldn't get myself to care about Millie or Drake. I can't make myself care about a romance and the HEA if I don't care about the main characters. With hate-to-love, I only believe it if I see some amount of spark in earlier interactions, whether it's banter masked as bickering or one or both characters' thoughts, but I didn't get that here. Maybe it's just me, but this didn't do anything for me.

It has taken me a while to realize that I rate romance novels on a completely different scale than everything else. They are so easy to rate with 4-5 stars because they almost always leave me with this feeling of instant happy and fluffiness that I don't get from other genres. 

"Blow: A Love Story" easily fits the "instant happy" category! The main character, Millie, is a successful romance writer set on writing a "more serious" novel. She intends to have a 4-month writer's retreat for herself in a rented cabin, away from distractions. Instead of being placed in a bleak cabin that is supposed to set the mood, she is placed in a tourist town and in a cute cabin surrounded by garden gnomes. 
It's cute. It's fluffy. It is not ground-breaking in the romance genre, but it is fun. As an established romance writer, Tracy Ewens is aware of the romance tropes. As a character, so is Millie. It makes for a lot of fun conversations between the characters, and a lot of great reasons about why romance is a genre that should be more respected.

I think my favorite takeaway from this book is a father-son conversation that happens towards the end of the book- no spoilers, I promise! The conversation showed a lot about what it means to be a parent and made for a good conversation with my husband and how he raise our own children. It's not something I would have expected out of this book, but I really like the insights that Ewens had and showed through her characters.

I have not read others in the "Love Story" series, but will be keeping an eye on them. This was such a fun one!
Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to read this one since I read the blurb! I was very excited when I was approved. Thank you netgalley and the publishers for this ARC. This is a enemies to lovers story plot(right up my alley😇) and the developing bond between a writer on a holiday in a small town and the local shop owner. It was hate at first sight! Or was i? May be not because they had chemistry which none of them could hide. And soon could not stay away from each other! The hero realised that the heroine was not a snobby city girl and the heroine realised that there is more dept to the hero than she first realised! Such a wonderful book. A ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ read for me. I definately recommend it! Happy reading!

I have a soft spot for small town romances, so I knew I was going to enjoy this story. I loved Millie’s personality; Ewens wrote her really well. Millie is a person in love with the world and the people around her. Her endless curiosity and rambling made her fun to read.

Drake was also written well. A man from a small town that likes to make fun of tourists when they roll in; a man full of creativity and endless love for his family and friends. His struggles from his past make him interesting as well. They both have slightly darker depths that make them dimensional.

When it comes to the writing and the plot, all I ask is that everything makes sense. Ewens gave me more than that; she gave me a story that was not only believable but filled with fun moments between Millie and Drake and all the other secondary characters plus realistic not-so-fun parts. She brought Millie and Drake together in a way that reminds me why I enjoy reading romances.

I definitely recommend you put this on your list to read!

I absolutely loved this story! It was well written, the storyline was fun and the characters were likable and relatable! I’m amazed that I’ve never heard of this author before because I will definitely be reading more of her books in the future.

I would recommend this book if you’re looking for a fun read. I really enjoyed following Drake & Millie’s love story. The setting of the book was unique and I always like when I read about somewhere new and learn more about that place! It just makes the book a bit more fun for me!

Blow was a beautiful story about two wounded souls who learned how to fight their battles, to be stronger together. A small town romance filled some great references, that all book lovers would recognize and totally relate to.

Millie came to bodega bay to find inspiration for her next project. She expected to find quiet and peace but her first encounter with her neighbor made her feel like she didn’t belong, the tourist who just wanted the thrill of being away for a while. I really adored this character. She writes romance, passionate about books, an enthusiastic who created sweet and steamy stories with happy ever after. Sincere, strong but so fragile inside. Deep scars that her very unsocial and a bit of a herd neighbor seemed to see in her.

It took one tormented soul to find one. Drake was still struggling after his accident, dealing with it one day at a time, surrounded by his friends and his overprotective family. He didn’t know the moment he met the beautiful and sassy writer that she would turn his life upside down, messing with his routines and well planned life. She could almost read him like an open book; and for a man who managed to hide his feelings, it meant trouble.

I’ve been charmed by this town when everyone cared about the others, a bit intrusive at times, who had an opinion about everything but so endearing people. Through Millie and Drake’s relationship swimming slowly towards real life romance, the author told us a story about family, friendship and the process of healing, from psychological or physical trauma.

And who can say no to romance? To watch two people falling in love, to fight back when it was hard, not to let go once you found that someone that made you feel whole. Accepting you entirely, flaws and all.

Title: Blow: A Love Story
Author: Tracy Ewens
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Millie Hart has spent her life writing happy endings, but now she’s decided to write a “serious” book: one that will impress even her aloof, condescending father. So she rents a cottage in a small seaside town, betting the dark and gloomy oceanside town will inspire her new novel. Instead she finds a quaint community that comes with a loud—and annoying—soundtrack. Not to mention the new neighbor who’s big on crankiness, not understanding.

Drake Branch barely escaped the accident six years ago with his life. Now he’s got his life together, he’s moved on, and he loves his job at BP Glass Works. When he lets a struggling metalworks shop move in next door, he’s not prepared for the PTSD triggered by the screeching noises—so he compensates with loud music. Not ideal for the writer who just moved in next door.

I haven’t read any of the other books in this series—sadly—but I really enjoyed this one! Millie has her issues, but she’s such a great character, and her struggle with her feelings towards her father is so heartfelt and painful. Drake just thinks he’s a tough guy who’s recovered from his tragic accident, but when he meets Millie, he realizes he isn’t healed at all. I loved the characters, the setting, everything about this book!

Tracy Ewens lives and writes in Arizona. Blow: A Love Story is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of the author via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)

A beautifully written story! The setting and characters were wonderful. It's a place I would love to visit full of magical places and interesting people. I loved Millie and Drake. They have their imperfections but together they are perfect.

A sweet romance novel set in a tourist town that is very aware of its romance tropes (because the protagonist is a romance writer.) Millie is there to write Serious Literature instead of romance, but the locals and garden gnomes are not cooperating. .

The love story of Millie and Drake is all enchanting. I loved the fun "romance writer finds love" storyline. It was down to earth and realistic how it all came together. Equal parts hurt and joy, creating a beautiful believable story! I definitely wanted to keep reading to the end!

What a beautiful story! This is the first book I have read by Tracy Ewens. I will definitely be buying the physical copy of Blow to have on my shelf. Millie and Drake have become two of my favorite characters. Each have scarred by major things in their life. I love how fleshed out they were. They were hurt and trying to heal. They were also funny and sweet. I love that the story was set in a small seaside town, which became a character of it's own. It made me want to pack up and find my own Bodega Bay. The secondary characters were well loved also. I loved Drake's family and how incredibly close they were. I can't wait to read more about both of his sisters. This was such a beautiful and heartfelt story. I'm definitely going to have to start reading Tracy's backlist! What an incredible book!

This was my first Tracy Ewens book and it will definitely not be my last, I absolutely loved this love story!
Reading a romance book from the perspective of a romance author was refreshing and thoroughly enjoyable.
This book follows Millie a popcorn loving romance writer, who is struggling to gain the respect of her romance book disapproving father and Drake who is trying to get his life back on track after a life-threatening accident where he lost part of his arm. Both characters struggled with issues and helped each other accept their pasts and embrace their futures. Millie rented a colourful cabin with a front lawn full of gnomes for 4 months in the sweet sleepy beach town Bodega Bay to focus on writing a more 'serious' novel to try and impress her father and got much more than she bargained for when she met her surly, grumpy neighbour who blasts music all day. A sweet slow burn romance ensued.
There were amazing side characters in this book, Drakes nosy sister Jules was hilarious and meddling in a lovable way. I would really love a story about Jules and Tyler! Nellie/ Auntie N was such a great, quirky romance book loving character, I need to find a bookshop like Swept Away ASAP.
At times, I did find this book a little hard to follow, it was like I was missing part of the story and some scenes and dialogue felt out of place. I would have to read over the paragraph/page again to see if I could make sense of what was going on, but often I couldn't.
I strongly recommend this book for slow burn romance lovers!

Blow: A Love Story by Tracy Ewens is a sweet smalltown romance with twists and turns.
Both characters are battered but not broken.
They fit perfectly.
Millie Hart the author and Drake Branch the glaas shop owner are like fire and water and at the same time they heal each other scars. And both bear scars, some visible and some invisible.
I started reading and was captivated from start til the end. I read the book in one sitting, cover to cover. I had to know what happens next.
I loved the story, the characters and the excellent writing. I'm glad I gave this new to me author a try. Next is Tap, Sistine and Cade's story and I can't wait to get my hands on this book.

2.2/3 stars as far as romance goes
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC! I’m not a big romance reader, but this title sounded pretty good, so I figure I would give it a go. I will try to be neutral in terms of the genera as it is not one I read much in.

As far as romances go, the story was rather predictable. I feel like there’s an outline writers follow: dislike to interest to love to some kind of complication to happily ever after. This title was interesting bc it was a character who is a romance author experiencing her own romance. In that, I appreciated that she pointed out her life was not like fiction. However, outside of those moments when she pointed it out? Her life was totally like a perfect fiction.
As for the characters, they were likable. Drake has a great family and friend network, the prosthesis thing was interesting if a little bit of an odd focus, & I could see people getting hooked and wanting to read some romances for the other characters in here that I see are available. Millie herself is flawed but lovable with her tendency to self-edit as she talks and always thinking of her character gets in her stories as she lives her best life. The characters you’re supposed to hate are quite hate-able, too.
As for the setting, that is charming. The small town feel, tourist town (with its locals disliking tourists, which I could totally see) is easy to picture, and one cannot help but want to visit the shops, including Auntie N’s romance bookstore.
Now, the complication that occurred was short, minor, and seemed rather forced (& also easily bypassed and corrected, although characters seemed to be surprised by it-readers will not be). The struggles the characters are going through individually were fine but didn’t really make me feel empathy. Can you have a character that seems too strong or loeavble for me to believe the “flaw”? That’s kind of what I felt.
Overall, it was cute, & I I didn’t mind it. I also didn’t love it and wasn’t dying to finish it. The sexual situations weren’t overly graphic (again, I’m not a big romance reader and don’t want that), but it left me thinking “meh” in terms of the love overall.
FYI it’s deinfitley an adult novel with sexual situations and profanity, unlike the normal YA I read

I didn't know what to expect with Blow: A Love Story, but I enjoyed this extremely meta romance about a romance writer (Millie) finding love in a small coastal town with a handsome and haunted local (Drake). There are so many women side characters that are fully developed, and I hope get their own stories (one of the earlier books centers on Drake's youngest sister). This book is perfect for romance readers with all of the author names and titles that it drops throughout the story - particularly as Millie browses the shelves at the bookshop dedicated to the genre. Tracy Ewens really invests in her characters and shows care in giving both Millie and Drake separate lives, backstories, and people that they communicate with, which makes the characters feel more rounded. My only criticism is that... drumroll.. there was a serious lack of sex in this book! I would say that it was the least descriptive sex of any contemporary romance I've read lately, but it might fall more into women's fiction, along the lines of Kristan Higgins. I feel like this book could be made into a really lovely movie and I will be on the lookout for more!

3.75 stars

Big thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.

Just get a look at this cover! That’s it friends, zoom in and take a nice long gander. She’s a beaut, isn’t she? The heathered tones, the curly red locks, the title... it all beckoned me in from my very first glance. What can I say? I’m a sucker for irresistible cover art!

The synopsis sounded like an absolutely perfect summer read. A coastal town, a feisty author protagonist, a gorgeous yet flawed next door neighbor... recipe for success, right? Right! I absolutely adored Millie Hart, our protagonist. is Though her past hurts run deep, she is unabashedly herself. A romance author that has arrived at Bodega Bay to jump start the writing of a new novel. Drake Branch lives in the Airstream next to her rental, a local glass blower (Blow- get it?!?) who lost his arm in a motorcycle accident and struggles with panic and anxiety. The two made for a beautiful coupling and a heartfelt, lovely story of them tackling their demons head on. *sigh* The stuff romance novels are made of <3

My only criticism is the wordiness. I feel like just as complete a story could have been written with a few less words. There were also sentences that seemed poorly structured at times, causing me to pause, go back, and reread the phrase. But eh, big deal!

I will definitely be back for more of this author :)

A cute fast read, enjoyed the small costal town setting and the interesting character backgrounds, loved the fishing village setting.