Opposites attract in this sweet Texas romance that will leave you smiling, and craving BBQ too! Good thing we get some delightful comfort food recipes to try out at the end of the novel.

“The jock. The bookworm. Opposite interests. Opposite personalities. Opposite means of interacting.” Quinn’s memories of Cole from high school aren’t necessarily negative, but rather of a man who simply ran in different circles. While she could certainly appreciate his charm and good looks, she acknowledged the two would never have anything in common. When their paths cross again years later, Quinn is shocked to see the former jock run to her rescue in her moment of need. As the summer progresses these two former acquaintances grow closer than either ever thought possible, and Quinn discovers that Cole Hutchinson has matured into a caring man who no longer craves the spotlight of fleeting attention.

Cole too realizes that this woman is making him want things he’s never desired before, and as she starts to share herself and her love of books with him, he admits to himself that Quinn is a woman he can’t let get away. It was enchanting to see these two nurture their feelings for each other, and especially to see how Quinn’s initial surface-level opinions of this man from high school could change so vastly. Something we don’t really explore though is what Cole thought of Quinn back in the day. He’s certainly smitten with this somewhat shy librarian now, but what about back then? Did he see her as a quiet bookworm? Someone cute, but perhaps beyond his league intellectually? Did he even notice her at all? Even though I loved their tale of romance from start to finish, a further exploration of their history could have been an interesting addition!

The first book in this series really highlighted the tense, yet lovable relationship between the Hutchinson brothers, both of whom are fighting to make their family BBQ joint a success. While this sequel certainly continues on with that theme, we also see the town of Last Stand come to the forefront as a character in its own right. The delightful townsfolk gather together to support and protect their own, yet in this second book we also see the flip side of that small town atmosphere in the shape of city council members who are rooting for Quinn to fail. They see the local library as a non-revenue generating entity that isn’t worth sinking money into. As Quinn encounters a few hurdles at the start of the summer with her reading program aimed at the children of Last Stand, we see Cole come to her aid in more ways than one as their feelings for each other start to deepen.

When Quinn has to make her case in front of city council for their support of her position, you can’t help but feel a hint of Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation, standing up for what’s right in her small town. This of course means we must also encounter a villain in the shape of a city planner whose advances Quinn once rebuked, and therefore he’s out for revenge against her. As the story progresses we see Quinn start to become increasingly concerned about all the obstacles and malice being thrown her way by the city council, and wonders if there will be a place for her much longer in this small Texas town. While our concern for Quinn continues to grow, and we hold our breath in anticipation wondering if she’ll end the summer on a high note, this intriguing story line does sort of fizzle out a bit by the end. There are some questions which aren’t fully answered, and the character who has grown into our villain exits the story rather abruptly. A more fleshed out culmination of these events would have resulted in a smashing success of a read!

The book, overall, was pretty okay. The writing was great and the pacing was done very well too, however this book did not work for me. I couldn't relate to the characters very well which discouraged me and hence, I was not very invested in the story and it's end results.
I did like the ending though, but it felt more like an abstract concept to me.

I think I would have loved the book had the characters been a bit more well developed so that I could empathise with them and then, I would have enjoyed this book a whole lot more.

This was a sweet, enjoyable and entertaining story. A slow burn romance that was sweet but the chemistry between them grew throughout the story. Cole was a great hero and easy to like, Quinn on the verge of losing her job finds Cole to be a staunch supporter. This has been a good series so far.

Perfect romance and the best part it was a quick read and it has a Liberian falling in love you can’t get any better than that

This was a short romance between a BBQ brother and librarian who had known each other since childhood.It was a fun quick read. It was an uplifting read to read in one sitting.

OFF THE MARKET by Audrey Wick is another five 🌟read! I totally enjoyed this story! From start to finish I couldn't set the book down, perfect for an afternoon read.

This is the 2nd in the Texas BBQ Brothers series. I enjoyed this one so much that I am now reading the 1st one. This is Quinn and Cole's story. Quinn works for the local library as a program director and is in charge of the summer reading program. When she comes up against some opposition from the city manager, who is a creep, Cole swoops in to save the day.

Cole and his brother, Hutch, own the local BBQ joint, The Hut in Last Stand Texas. Cole and Quinn knew each other in school but she was the bookworm and he was a jock. But, now, several years later, there just might be something more.

This was a pretty clean story with some serious sweet romance. Even though you get the idea that Cole is a tough guy, he has a gentle and protective side, especially when it comes to Quinn.

I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.

This is the second book in the series but you can just read it and be fine. Quinn is a Librarian on a temporary basis. She is wanting it to be a permeant job so she has come up with different programs for the children. It is at the first one that you meet Cole who also owns the barbeque restaurant in town. He comes in and saves the day when the man who was giving a talk about dinosaurs starts to fall apart. Quinn finds herself liking Cole again and wonders if he remembers her from when she used to live in town years ago, but always had her nose in a book. She also has to fight the city manager who seems to have a hidden agenda along the way. Cole is there for her other events and comes to her rescue again and this becomes more opportunities for them to spend time together. She is hoping to get the permeant job so she can stay. See what happens with this nice story that has very good characters.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I found this book to be very entertaining. This is the second book in the Texas BB Brothers series. I found the character of Cole to be a little annoying. Cole was very focused on his BBQ business and did nearly everything (including arguing about changes) with his brother Hutch. The author had more discussion of the cooking of the meat and the daily preparations then I feel was needed. We also meet the Special Events librarian Quinn. She was focused on doing a good job in her library position so that her temporary job could become permanent. She had several unfortunate issues happen to her during the children’s reading program that the city council did not have any understanding about or patience for how she resolved them. When something happened she would call Cole to rescue her. He managed each time to help her salvage the event, regardless of what the board believed. At each encounter the two began to realize feelings for the other was developing. As the two start to realize how they feel, Quinn is fired from her job. There is a lot of suspense concerning what will happen with her job and between her and Cole. I enjoyed this book.

The plot was fantastic, and kept me turning pages as fast as I could and well past my bedtime. All- consuming read. Well written storyline with characters that had a connection that was exciting and fun to read. Can’t wait for the next book in this series! Happy reading!!

This book wasn’t for me, clearly everyone else loves it so I must be missing something, I was definitely missing the chemistry in the characters and unfortunately I lost interest or caring because of that, clearly enjoyed by plenty of others but not my cup of tea.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Book two of Audrey Wicks’ BBQ Brothers series, Off The Market is set in small town Last Stand Texas. This story brings together a very unlikely couple in BBQ pit-master extraordinaire Cole Hutchinson and librarian Quinn Lafayette.
This story just oozes community and family values. I loved the way Cole came to the rescue again and again when Quinn ran into problems with her summer reading program, but equally appealing was the way Cole’s parents supported his efforts.
The other thing I just love about this book is the recipes at the end. I’m Australian so loved learning how to make dishes from a completely different culture.

Off the Market is the second book in the Texas BBQ Brothers series by Audrey Wick. I did not read the first book, but found I could enjoy it as a stand alone. Although returning readers will enjoy seeing characters return and develop further.

Quinn LaFayette is in her inaugural year as library special programs director of Last Stand, but when the kickoff performance for the children’s summer program goes terribly wrong, she has to save face as well as her job. She has a surprise advocate in Cole, whom she did her best to ignore in school. Seven years has only made Cole more appealing, but Quinn is determined to resist the sparks that fly between them because they are too different. Restaurant owner Cole Hutchinson is no bookworm, but thanks to his fast-thinking antics, he ends up saving the day at the library and earning Quinn’s praise in the process. He’s tempted to seek more, but he’s juggling plenty of female attention from gracing the June edition of Modern Texas magazine featuring barbeque. Cole’s not interested in revisiting a woman from his past, but there’s something about Quinn that he can’t quite ignore. Can Cole prove that opposites really do attract?

Off the Market is a good contemporary, small town romance. I enjoyed the characters, and found the situations and concerns that both Quinn and Cole had to be believable. I have worked in a small town library, and can attest to how politics do play a role in every penny the library gets, and how one or two loud voices can make things better or worse for all concerned. I liked the slow progression of the romance between the two, but found that a lot felt unmentioned or skipped over. Yes, the relationship grew slowly over the summer, but sometimes it felt like a week or two was just glossed over and readers just know that they hung out some during that time. It was sweet, and I liked the characters, but I just never connected with them beyond the issues they had outside their relationship. It was luke warm rather than hot between them, and I do not mean just because there is very little physical between them in the story. There just was not enough spark or drive between them for me, they were good for each other- but I wanted something a bit more from them.

Off the Market is a sweet romance with a good premise. For those looking for a small town contemporary romance that has more sweet than heat.

A bit baffling why there are such high marks for this story that lacked chemistry between its main characters. In fact, it's also baffling to understand or feel these characters fall in love. I especially want to root for a character like Quinn -- a small town librarian with a big heart to take in a stray cat for the library and runs its summer reading program -- but she lacked a lot of charm. There was no heat or slow burn to even make me believe or feel any love between her and Cole. This story had potential, but felt forced and written without soul.

Off the Market is the second book in the Texas BBQ Brothers series. It can be read as a standalone.

Cole, a restaurant owner, and Quinn, a librarian, couldn't be more different at first glance. Since the two of them live in Last Stand it is hard to avoid each other, especially when Quinn's best friend and Cole's brother are dating. Quinn and Cole keep getting thrown together and realize that the sparks they feel aren't going away. Could the two of them really make a relationship work, or are they just too different?

I really enjoyed Off the Market. I liked Cole a lot more in this book than I did in the first. He really is more than a pretty face! I found Quinn to be very relatable. I also liked the whole opposites attract aspect and enjoyed that the two weren't TOO different to make it believable.

If you are looking for a cute, quick summer read pick up Off the Market! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Off the Market by Audrey Wick is the second Hutchinson brother’s story. If you read book one, then you will have met Cole Hutchinson. BBQ pit master. If not then that is okay, this reads well as a stand-alone. Still the first book On the Market is very enjoyable too.

I appreciated the different personalities of Cole and Quinn in this story. It reminded me of some couples I actually know. So the characters are realistic. They are also likable, though Cole came across just as silly as Hutch did at the beginning of his story. Another visit to Last Stand, Texas with the library more as the focus in a friends to love story. Sit back and enjoy the scenery, the people and their everyday lives.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a cute contemporary romance. The heroine has recently moved back to her hometown. She’s working in the local library and is very committed to the community and the library's goals. The county manger asked her out, she refused and he’s holding a grudge. The hero is a resected business own and former classmate of the heroine. One day, he comes to her rescue and the rest as they say, is history. With this read, you get a sweet, clean romance with maybe a few kisses, but no sex that I remember.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was so happy to get my hand on this book after reading the first book in the series. The brothers are back and they are still "fighting" on who's right in the battle of business, they have that love, hate relationship most siblings have.... I really was glad to get to read Cole's story and what a big heart he had. I loved Quinn and her feistiness yet her heart of gold for all things books and kids. The author leaves you hungry for both food and for more in the end that's for sure. I liked how in both books in the series the author added her perusal touch of recipes you read about in the book. I loved that this story was a clean read and suitable for all. This book was truly one you feel like you are catching up with friends and you can't wait to see what's happening next. Grab this quick read you won't regret it.

OFF THE MARKET is the second story in The Texas BBQ Brothers series, part of the connecting set of series that make up Last Stand, Texas. It “could” be read as a standalone, but then you’d miss getting to know all of these characters from the beginning – and besides, ON THE MARKET is one heck of a good story you shouldn’t miss. In my opinion.

Quinn and Cole have known each other in a way since high school but their friendship is mostly on the surface, friendly nods and such. That is until Cole is sent by his brother to do some giveaways at an event Quinn is giving for the children’s summer reading program at the library where she is in charge of special programming. A job that many in the town don’t think is really necessary. It’s up to Quinn to prove them wrong, but that’s not going according to plan at all. When this first gathering starts going sideways Cole steps in to save the day – and they each begin to look at each other a bit differently. Plus, it doesn’t hurt when his brother and his girlfriend begin to play matchmaker for Cole and Quinn either.

I enjoyed watching this couple work their way to each other through misunderstandings, the actions of others, and maybe a bit of stubbornness as well. Their romance starts off as a slow burn and gains speed as their attraction grown, and they acknowledge their feelings. I fell in love with CC, the library cat and enjoyed catching up with old friends from the first book. If you love a good romance between unlikely people, a small town that plays a strong part in the story, and a couple to like and hope for their happy ending – then you’ll want to pick up OFF THE MARKET. I had fun, and I believe you will, too.

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

I thought that the story was good and the plot was well developed

It was a nice and pleasant read but I did feel that there was quite a bit if detail in the book that wasn't really needed, it affected the lovely flow of the story and I felt that was really a shame as it distracted from the ongoing story - sadly it wasn't a story that really blew me away.

It is 3 stars from me for this one, an enjoyable read and I love that cover - it really suits the story!