This book was a miss for me. Poppy and Charlie (Chuck) are childhood enemies (because for some reason teasing and joking around as a tween makes you mortal enemies that you're still upset about into your late twenties?) Poppy doesn't like Charlie when they are growing up because he lives in the poorer section outside of town. She frequently calls his names like "Hillbilly" and disparages his home life. Whereas, Charlie has loved Poppy his whole life. He was teasing her as a way to get noticed. Flash forward to adulthood, Poppy is just getting out of a divorce to her ex who cheated on her. She runs the local bar and lives at home with her mother. Charlie arrived in town after being absent from his hometown his entire adult life. He's also the new deputy in town. Charlie tries to prove to Poppy that they should quit the constant fighting and start dating.

Poppy was so irritating to me. She comes off as immature and judgmental. My husband and I have been together since we were teens. We have always had a very jokey and teasing relationship. I can't see myself holding something against him that he said as a fifteen year old. Poppy makes comments about how her ex's new girlfriend is slutty for dressing girly. And then gets upset that Charlie doesn't think she is "feminine" enough (even though he never says that.) She has her sister give her a "girly" makeover to get is attention. It's just so ridiculous.

I actually liked Charlie for the most part. He tried to be sweet and attentive. Getting his point of view and seeing how much he had liked her since childhood was adorable... until the author kept repeatedly referring to him as a stalker once they were together. That's not a "funny or witty" thing to say especially since his job is in law enforcement. Charlie's internal misogynistic dialogue would comment about how being emotional made him a girl.

I started this book thinking it it would be a cute and funny enemies to lovers since other reviews really loved it. Some scenes I did like'; the opossum scene in the beginning had me laughing out loud. Unfortunately, a lot of character and plot issues fundamentally didn't work for me. Dianna Roman already has two entire series planned out for this small town but they will be a skip for me.

Tropes include: small town romance, enemies to lovers, pining, second chance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wild One Press for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

It was refreshing to read a book that had a badass woman and love-sick man. The stalking aspect of the story was a little off-putting since it was mentioned repeatedly using that exact word. The resolution from enemies to lovers seemed to happen pretty quickly and I was a little disappointed. Overall, I thought it was a cute story and there were even a few points where I laughed aloud. I enjoyed it.

This is a common plot in most books. However, I liked the language between the characters. It seemed natural to use the words and actions between these characters because they had a tortured past.

Thought this was suppose to be a cute funny romcom and it was but with some surprise spicy moments. Loved the back and forth between the two main characters but some parts of the book seemed repetitive. One chapter will be poppy saying one thing and the next chapter chuck saying the same thing just slightly different. Cute ending though.

okay.. this was bad

the mc had so much internalized misogyny.. i rlly couldn't stand her god bless :

- so her ex husband cheated on her w another woman.. and while she calls her ex husband an asshole the woman is the whore the skank the bitch the slut etc.. like for some reason she put most of the blame on the woman ?? ..

- there was a moment where the love interest was with 3 ow (just talking). then, the mc in her head literally said she 'respected more the woman that was showing less skin'.. how is this okay 😶😶

- the mc thinks one of her problems is her lack of femininity.. but then insults and looks down on any women that embraces those feminine traits 🤨🤨 yh..

- despite this, she tells herself that she likes herself that way and won't change for anyone.. but what does she do next ? obviously, change her appearance for the love interest. okay..


it literally had absolutely no plot and the love interest was giving very much creep since the very start..

(got this through netgalley)

This was such a cute read. I was in a book slump and this took me right out. From enemies to lovers poppy and chuck go from hating each other their entire lives to learning each other inside and out. Everyone needs a chuck in their life ……. I also love how snippy poppy is but so quick to open up to chuck. If you’re looking for a cute quick read , this is the one. Thanks NetGalley and Wild One Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'll be honest, I had a hard time starting this book. The narration point of view was a bit different from my usual, with the occasional break in the 4th wall type of comments, as if the characters were talking to the reader. BUT, as I got into the story more, I quickly got used to the writing style and fell in love with the characters.

Poppy... oh Poppy. She's a spit fire character, who handles her shit well. I mean, literally. I loved getting to see her hard shell slowly break as she became self aware. I just loved her.

And don't even get me started on Charlie Duke. I think I fell in love with that man at least 10 times. What can I say, I have a thing for snarky country boys. 🤷‍♀️

Overall, 4.25/5.

Thank you to Dianna Roman, her publishers, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book before its release date in exchange for my honest review!!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book, what a fun read.

First of, WOW! I love me some good love\ hate relationship. The banter between those two was immaculate, the tension, and the excitement of whether or not they'd kiss or shout at each other. And Chuck has glasses? SIgn me up. The characters have very interesting and different personalities, they were portrayed beautifully! Those two felt like a team even before they solved the conflict, and it was really nice to see how their relationship developed. I can't wait to get my physical copy when it comes out! Diana Roman,you did amazing!

If you love enemies to lovers “A Fair Warning” is for you! Will give a heads up we’re dealing with a miscommunication trope.
Poppy is a badass main character she has the whole bad boss bitch persona down to a T, I love that she’s able to show her sensitive side while staying true to herself.
Chuck is everything. Let’s be honest. We read the romance to relate to the female character but swoon for the male, and boy do we swoon. Besides putting his foot in his mouth at every turn he’s respectful, charming, strong and spicy when needed.
Overall this book has me very excited to read the next in the series!!

I liked this book, but I would have a hard time choosing it for teenagers to read because of the descriptive love scenes.

I could not put this story down! Call me a sucker, but I love a good love/hate relationship - that tension of whether or not they’re going to kiss or shout is so delicious when it’s done right… and it’s balanced perfectly in this story.
“A Fair Warning” is a small town contemporary romance between Polly Prince and Charlie Duke. Two 20-somethings with a lifetime of history… mischievous, sarcastic, teen-lovey, dramatic history! But can the flame that almost caught that one special night at Miller’s Lake be ignited again between them? Or is there too much scar tissue and time between them now?
Polly has had a rough year. She lost her father, took over her family’s bar, and has just finalized her divorce following a short marriage to a cheating d!ck.
Charlie has spent a decade trying to earn enough to keep his mom in their family home while repaying his long-gone dad’s debts. He returns to Grand Valley to care for his mother in her final months; and sets his mind on rebuilding his home and making a life with his girl… if only she’d stop busting his chops every chance she got.
What I liked about this story is that both characters had their flaws, but they were believable and relatable. I also really liked that miscommunication between Charlie and Polly is dealt with like the adults they’re supposed to be. I know, I get it, miscommunications are key to plot drivers in romance stories but it’s so often whiny or immature… this version just felt different in a refreshing way.
What I loved about this story is the stroll down memory lane. I’m a small town girl, I had that tomboy look, and I don’t think I ever understood if/when guys showed interest in me. I also *may have had* a few moonlit camping nights or midnight kisses by the lake. 😘. And I may truly know a small town cop named Chuck, and he could very well be the basis for the Charlie character *lol*!

I will absolutely return to Grand Valley if/when new stories come out! Too cute to pass up!

I'll start off by saying I'm NOT a romance reader. I really try to avoid most books that are in the romance genre, unless it's all over the internet, then I'll eventually succumb to the peer pressure. This is mostly because these romance novels are badly written unrealistic piles of trash.

This little ditty isn't any of that. I think I read this at just the right time. I've been immersed in thrillers, mysteries, and horror. So this was just the load of cuteness I needed. I loved this couple, maybe because they reminded me of how my own marriage started out. But they are cute nonetheless.

Sometimes we just need a lighthearted spicy rom com to make our hearts go squeeeee. And this book does just that.

Extra Kudos: This author uses metaphors that just cracked me up!

Thanks to netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Great read, can't wait for the rest of this series.

Poppy and Chuck grew up together, but she never realised that his name calling and teasing was just to get her attention because he liked her. Years later, she is newly divorced and he is the local Deputy. Will she give him a chance now they are older?

Poppy Prince runs her family's bar The Silver Bullet. She's recently divorced after she discovered her ex banging his girlfriend in their bed, and living at her family home, albeit her widowed mother is travelling Europe with her sister.

Charlie 'Chuck' Duke is the local Deputy. He's been her nemesis since they were at school together, created her hated nickname Poppycock and generally takes any and every opportunity to push her buttons. She loathes him and wishes he'd stop coming into her bar, drinking his hillbilly swill beer, and making annoying comments.

Chuck has loved Poppy since they were kids, he's tried everything to get her to notice him 'that way'. Compliments, teasing, practical jokes, you name it. And he just loves pushing Poppy's buttons. He may have been away for a few years but as soon as he returned home to Grand Valley, Burnam County, Illinois he was as enthralled as ever. She might be a Townie and he's a River Rat but the heart wants what the heart wants. Can he ever get her to give him a chance?

This was pleasant enough but TBH it felt like a novella that had been stretched out to a novel. Most of the romantic tension happens quite early on, and then its just a bit of rinse and repeat as Poppy wonders why he looks so sad, is he breaking up with her and Chuck wonders if Poppy will realise he's not worth the effort and dump him *yawn*.

There's also a bit of tension which I could see telegraphed from miles away which didn't really go anywhere and felt a bit unrealistic to me.

Also, call me a cynic but if the author is dedicated to her writing how can she have the next seven books in the series already mapped out with hero and heroine? I get you have seven other characters for whom you want to find happy endings in future books, but to have already chosen their love interest?

Anyway, it was okay.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

A very beautifull and funny story about two people who knew each other since they were teenagers . He was in love with her and he always tease her or make pranks to her .She thought that he hated her . After her divorce he approch her and try to be more friendly . I loved the insults and the funny names they called each other . The way he loves her is amazing .
I received this book from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks NetGalley and Wild One Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First off, this cover is ADORABLE!
Male lead with glasses? (I don’t know if he wore glasses in the book) I’m a goner!
& then you add a possum I needed this!
So Poppy is a take no prisoners badass bar owner and hates Chucks guts since they were kids.
Chuck is a wise cracking sheriff deputy and has been in love with Poppy since they were kids.
This gets a 4/5 stars from me!
This was such a fun read; I was immediately drawn into the town of Grand Valley and its residents.
The locations also seemed like characters to me.
The story progression seemed very organic to me; you have two characters that clearly have an attraction for one another, but one can’t act on it because the other refuses to see it. Awe the angst!
Poppy was very brash and yet she had this kindness to her that really sold her character to me.
Plus, she was a badass and we love to see it!
Chuck, oh Chuck he was so in love. I really liked Chuck he had this internal struggle because he has loved her for so long that once things go his way, he second guesses it.

I loved their relationship; the wooing moments and their banter was so cute.
The felt like a team and having two very strong personalities can be difficult to write in a relationship without changing one of the character’s personalities but it was handled so well.
There were moments when this really hit me in the feels. They really hurt each other when they were young and yes it was immature kids’ stuff but I liked that they both apologized and too accountability for it.
I appreciated that I was surprised by the “conflict” of the story.
I’m glad that I didn’t have to read about more miss communication when these characters had that issue throughout their teen years.

The only draw back I saw here was that often the book seemed a little wordy. I wanted more interaction between the characters. I guess that goes to show how well developed they were.

This was my first Dianna Roman book, but it won’t be the last. I can’t wait to read more about these characters and the town. Can't wait to get a physical copy!