I think I'm in the minority in that I really liked, but did not LOVE this one. Part of that was a "me" problem: I don't have the patience for a romance that's over 400 pages. While the prolific number of characters really solidified the themes of family and community in this book, there was just a lot going on (but there are a lot of really excellent characters). I really did like Maggie as a character, and Silas is a fantastic pairing for her. I loved that he didn't try to solve her problems, but tried to get her to see the benefit of accepting help from other people and of accepting a life that was more than just work.

Maggie Moves On reads like a spicy Hallmark movie and I am here for it. Maggie and Silas have great chemistry and their insta love is cute and believable. The banter between all the characters had me laughing out loud. I also loved the mystery surrounding the fictional town of Kinship. It was a nice secondary plot that really kept me interested in the story. The family dynamics rounded out the story and I absolutely loved the ending each character is given. This was a really cute read from Ms. Score and I look forward to reading more of her catalogue.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

If there's a dog, I'm reading it!

Maggie is your typical flawed lady — she has a past, scared of commitments because she may be rejected once again. But she takes it in stride as she keeps busy with her day-to-day DIY house renovations and Silas, the charming one. She's unable to focus on the task at hand when he's made it his mission to cause her to stare.

These two had a beautiful and fun love story!

Thanks, Forever Pub, for always filling my shelf with good books!

When it comes to sweet small town romances, no one writes them quite like Lucy. Words can’t even begin describe how much I enjoyed this book. I’ve always enjoyed and loved her indie small town romances. So I was really excited to read her first traditionally published romance and let me tell you that this book didn’t disappoint! Maggie Moves On had everything that I love about Lucy’s books.

I had a hard time putting this book down and also not wanting for Maggie and Silas story to end. Their banter and undeniable chemistry had me swooning throughout the book. I also loved the instalove between these two and how Silas was the first to fall in love. Normally you’d always see the heroine falling in love first and seeing this in reverse was refreshing and sweet. Plus, Silas was such an adorable cinnamon hero that you couldn’t help falling in love with. If there’s another thing that I enjoyed about this book was the lovable cast of secondary characters. Lucy Score was a great knack writing amazing secondary characters in her books and it always makes her stories even more enjoyable. Then there’s Kevin who was another wonderful addition to this story.

Overall, I enjoyed every bit of this captivating love story. I honestly cannot recommend it enough. Maggie Moves On is the feel good romance that will leave a smile on your face. So if there’s one book that I would recommend as the must read of the summer and entire year, it’s this book!

I’ve read almost everything Ms. Score has written and it’s always time well spent enjoying her witty dialog, fun characters, and more. This is her first traditionally published book and I wondered if the writing would change but she has a hit on her hands!

I loved Maggie in this story – independent, hard-working house flipper and even works with her ex-husband. They’ve become YouTube sensations as they video the work in progress at each site.

When she takes on a home in Idaho, it’s a massive undertaking, not only in the house but the landscaping. Then we meet Silas, an extraordinary landscaper. Oh my goodness, Silas was such a flirt and his dog, service school dropout Kevin really makes the story into something that is so much fun. We don’t often see when the man has his mind made up that he wants the woman in his life right away and he’s definitely in love. While Maggie doesn’t put down roots and always moves on to the next job, Silas doesn’t give up.

The witty banter, the hot as fire chemistry, small town romance along with the unique citizens of the town, the various family dynamics and Kevin, the story just couldn’t have been any better. It was a fun read from start to finish. I highly recommend!

Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read this new work. Lucy Score is a tremendous talent and I look forward to reading more of her incredible stories.

This beautiful story of Maggie finding and losing her safety net was simply addiciting.

Maggie flips homes as a YouTube sensation. She buys, flips, and moves. This is her preferred cycle.

What happens when her team needs a change of pace, and she also meets the captivating Silas who from the start calls her his future wife?

I was an addict for how Silas approached his need for Maggie in his life. His banter and wit was unmatched. We recieved both his and Maggie's perspectives throughout the story and I could not get enough. I didn't want this to end.

We also got a little mystery, some amazing side characters, and some pretty heavy steam! It was everything I needed in a read, and more.

Thank you to the Forever team and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.

When Tied Down Meets Tumbleweed, It’s Magical

Maggie Moves On is yet one more reason Lucy Freaking Score is one of the top selling, and most amazingly talented, authors out there. Her ability to infuse humor and fun with insight and depth, levity with love, and elements of intrigue and mystery within a solid rom-com storyline shines in this novel.

This book is so much more than an opposites attract, small town romance. Of course it has its share of quirky characters, one-liners, and steamy bedroom (and not-in-the-bedroom) scenes. But it’s also brimming with beautifully deep philosophical truths couched in a strongly developed romance between two characters (Maggie and Silas) who seem both too good to be true, and like the most down to earth best friends anyone could have.

Perfectly placed supporting characters add even more depth and breadth to the story and the developing relationship of the main characters. Authentic and engaging dialogue and interactions bring Silas and Maggie’s personalities into even greater clarity and foster amazing connections between them and the book’s cast of characters, as well as the reader.

Throw in an adorable animal sidekick (or three), excellent pacing, and a few plot twists, and this is an incredibly engaging novel that I will read over and over again.

Maggie Moves On (rom-com)
Rating: really enjoyed

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the digital advanced copy. Full review on bookstagram to come.

This rom com follows Maggie, a YouTube influencer who takes viewers along as she flips houses (with her ex-husband, Dean!), and Silas, a landscaper contracted by Maggie on her current flip.

This is officially the year of literary dogs. There have been so many new releases with some excellent dogs, and Kevin lines up right with them. He may have stolen the show in this book, along with the cozy small town atmosphere so wonderfully described throughout the book.

The story dives right in to the "instant love" troupe, so be warned if that's not your thing. For me, I enjoy rom-coms that you have to suspend a bit of reality for, so this didn't phase me, and it made the book fun and full of tension. What I didn't love at times though, was the instant possessiveness of Silas. As his character develops, we get an insight into this, which helped to make sense of his character for me. During the progression of the story, readers also learn more about Maggie's past that is occasionally alluded to in the beginning, and we get to understand her character's quirks a bit better.

Another unexpected gem in this book is the positive relationship between Maggie and Dean. It's rare to read a story featuring ex-spouses where there wasn't hostility or a 'will they, won't they' get back together - none of that here. This close friendship was mostly healthy (slightly co-dependent) and positive, and I was here for it!

Read if you enjoyed: It Happened One Summer, Part of Your World

Maggie Moves On by Lucy Score might be a big book, but trust me it’s worth it. Which is saying something because I think the one-sided insta-love fit (& y’all know how I hate insta-love usually)

I loved the banter, funny moments, and lovable characters. From the renovation projects to the mystery of the house, I couldn’t put this one down!

This small town workplace romance with found family is one you don’t want to miss.

Thank you to @readforeverpub for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review

YouTube house flipper Maggie is renovating a dilapidated Victorian in rural Idaho, but she has no plans to stay. Can handsome landscaper Silas tempt her to change her mind?

This book is delightful. The chemistry between Maggie and Sy is palpable and funny. The side characters are quirky and add endearing elements to the story. There's also a bit of a mystery that's cute and fun.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Maggie enjoys her gypsy lifestyle, finding rundown homes all over the country in need of a serious makeover and flipping them as a part of her home reno YouTube show. That is, until she purchases a property in Kinship, Idaho - a town with meaning to her.

Silas’s company is hired to bring the landscape around property back to life. From the moment he lays his eyes on Maggie he falls HARD, spending the rest of the book, alongside the town of Kinship, essentially wearing Maggie down to the idea of planting roots.

This was the definition of a romcom. It was light and funny and had many swoon worthy moments. I feel like the majority of romances I read are slow burns, so this insta love (granted it is one sided) was a fun change of pace. Silas is brimming with confidence, making his shameless and relentless over the top flirting endearing. He definitely had alpha tendencies that I enjoyed for the most part, but did rubbed me the wrong way occasionally, especially for a man in his late 30’s.

There were so many great secondary characters, too. From Maggie’s partner Dean to Silas’s entire blended family to (my favorites) Wallace & Cody. This book did a wonderful job highlighting the joys of a found family and that warmed my heart to no end.

Please note this is a LONG book and occasionally very plot heavy. Around 70% in I found myself struggling a bit with all the fluff but I pushed on - the ending was worth it.

Lucy Freaking Score did it again, giving us another amazing story. Maggie is a YouTube star, who films her house flipping work. This time she's working on a historical house in Idaho and is not expecting a handsome & flirty landscaper. Silas is not only a hardworking man who loves the town but also has the most adorable dog Kevin, who chose his own name. I absolutely loved this small town, charming characters, Maggie's assistant Dean & Silas's family.

Disclaimer: I don't often read contemporary romance, and if I do, it's almost always queer contemporary romance. So in some ways I was expecting this to not be 100% my thing.

In a lot of ways, I absolutely loved this. I'm a sucker for found family, always, and this is a really excellent example of a huge, boisterous, loving, slowly growing found family. It's one of the best examples I've come across recently, in fact, and that part I would absolutely rate 5 stars.

Similarly Maggie herself I would give a high rating as she was an excellent main character. Hands-on, not afraid to get dirty, quick to see the potential in things, slow to trust, but with a huge heart, once you get past her walls.

My beef is with Silas, the love interest, also known as "Hot Landscaper Guy." He is... confusing. In most ways he is 100% the typical 'alpha male' hero who manhandles, bosses 'his girl' around, is sure he knows what's best for her in all situations, etc. I cannot stand alpha males, hence the lowered rating.

The confusing part comes in when he *isn't* being your typical alpha male. He could also be thoughtful, sensitive, emotionally well-adjusted, intelligent, and romantic. Then, at the drop of the hat, alpha male Silas was back. It was weird - almost as if the author were trying to create the 'perfect man' to please every reader.

Also, the romance is insta-love and 'fate' and he knows he's gonna marry her from the second he meets her (despite just getting out of a five-year relationship) and he spends the rest of the book attempting to convince her of that when she very much does not want to be convinced. It was very 'I'm right and you're wrong about your life choices so you should just do what I say.'

And he would just kiss her into agreeing with him basically. Like he would kiss her and her brain just went right out the window. And he gets all pout-y near the end when he thinks she might actually leave as she’d been planning to all along and he goes off and sulks for a month.

The sex scenes were also VERY alpha male and VERY straight and they made me cringe. I rolled my eyes and skimmed past them.

I also wished quite a few times that this were a queer romance. Like, pairing Maggie with a 'Hot Landscaper Gal' would have worked SO much better for me. Really, I would have happily taken a male-but-not-an-alpha-male love interest. Or a nonbinary love interest. I did like the queer secondary love story, but it was very much in the background.

I really enjoyed seeing the house slowly come together as the whole town pitched in, and I also really really enjoyed the historical mystery and treasure hunt storyline.

I should note that people who enjoy the alpha male dynamic will probably really enjoy this story.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing an e-arc for review.

DNF at 20%. I love the premise - I enjoy a good home improvement show and was rooting for Maggie. However I felt like Silas came on way too strong - if I were Maggie it would have been a hard no and left me feeling uncomfortable to work with him. And that’s before he said “good girl” to her after trying to reassure us that his moms raised him to respect women. Side characters come off like total caricatures. This one isn’t for me. Thank you to Forever and Netgalley for the free ebook to review.

Maggie is renovating her new house for her YouTube channel. It is her largest project so far and has a lot of history.

Silas is determined to be the landscaper for Maggie’s mansion renovation. It doesn’t hurt that he works without a shirt and has the abs to pull it off. I loved that he fell first and was so sure of their connection.

The grumpy historian Wallace was adorably invested in the property and history. Kevin the playful dog was a wonderful addition too. Loved the secondary characters and hope that’s a sign for more books!

I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own and given freely.

YouTube sensation Maggie Nichols, is known for her brilliant home transformations and for the fact that when the job is done, she always moves on to the next one. But when Maggie lands in the small town of Kinship, Idaho, this renovation is the one that just might change her life completely...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maggie Moves On was a hilarious and entertaining story about the incomparable Maggie Nichols, and the people who adore her. Including her newest fan and love interest... local landscaper, Silas Wright.

This book was such a delightful and incredibly enjoyable read! Maggie was an inherently independent woman who worked hard to achieve every ounce of her success. Growing up with a complicated family dynamic, she had her fair share of reasons why she avoids relationships and staying in any one place for too long. But Kinship and it's fabulous people will soon show her just how great it feels to finally belong somewhere...

Silas is a hunky landscaper who is all about family togetherness and putting down roots. As the polar opposite personality to Maggie, he is the perfect person to show her just what she's been missing by all of her relationship avoidance, and just how great that could be... *together*

This story was not only a sexy and cute romance, but it also had an engrossing mini mystery added in! From stolen coins to the homes fascinating history, there was so much to learn about the old Campbell place, and the amazing renovation that Maggie achieves... inside, and out!

I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.

Maggie Moves on is a small town romantic comedy set in Idaho. This is my first book by this author.

The book alternates between the male and female 3rd person POVs.

The female narrator is 34 year old Maggie. She renovates and flips houses for her very popular YouTube channel. She is ambitious. But she does not let people get close to her.

The mansion that Maggie is renovating needs a lot of work. Sexy Silas is a landscaper. He is a flirt who is bossy and overprotective. He believes in fate.

I loved that Maggie had a YouTube show and that she flipped houses. I loved that she was renovating a mansion. Kevin the dog was so much fun! I liked Maggie's business partner Dean. I loved Silas' family. But I'm not a huge fan of alpha male antics.

The book has some LGBT supporting characters, which added so much to the story.

This was a fun sexy rom-com that also featured a bit of a mystery. I really enjoyed this book!

Rating: 4/5
Warnings: Difficult Family Dynamics, Absent Parent, Cancer/Death of a loved one, Infidelity
Steam: 3/5
Tropes: Workplace Romance, He Falls First, Family Ties, Forced Proximity, Grump/Sunshine

Thank you to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for access to this advanced copy of Maggie Moves On in exchange for my honest opinion!

My first Lucy Score book is in the books...I have heard so many things about her books so I was excited to start this one plus I'm an HGTV junkie.

Things I Loved: I love Silas' family, so much love for all those humans. The dog and the kittens. Maggie and Dean's dynamic. Cody and how everyone supported him, this was truly the best subplot and added so much to the theme of found families. I loved how Silas was able to get Maggie out of her head. I was so drawn into this story and the family they created. Five dollars. Grumpy Wallace was the star as well as Kevin (the dog). Great banter and unique career/settings. Theme of signs in life and things falling into place.

Things I Didn't Care For: It was a bit too long for me, we had a lot of sub plots and day-to-day life things that didn't really add to the story as a whole. I would have liked to observe Maggie's relationship develop with her sister. Silas came on a bit too strong in the insta-love game for me in the beginning but this also got way better over time!

Some of my favorite things about Lucy Score’s books are the banter she writes and the depth of her characters. This book is a perfect example of both! The conversations between Maggie and Silas felt both genuine and entertaining. Maggie is funny, independent, and also lonely (even though she doesn’t realize it at first). I love that she - like the characters around her - has a lot of dimension. Silas is a pusher, a lover, and a great friend.

Another thing that shines in this book? No unnecessary drama preventing them from trying a relationship! I hate when clearly avoidable or easily resolved issues keep characters apart.

More things I loved:
🔨 the conversation regarding the worth of women — not as parents or partners but we individuals.

🔨 the queer representation

🔨 hot landscaper guy

Most of all? I absolutely love that the book illustrates how families comes in all forms and that family is a choice we can all make. There is room for everyone to be loved and cared for — biological relation or not.

I would recommend this as a comforting read sprinkled with humor and love.

Rating: 4.5/5⭐️

Another day, another Lucy Score book I am absolutely in love with! Maggie Moves On was everything I love about a Lucy Score book. Hilariously entertaining from beginning to end. Maggie and Silas’ chemistry was hot and undeniable. Silas though!?! Oh my gawd, there is just something about the guy falling first that turns me into puddle of thirsty girl goo. I could not get enough of him. The way he did any and everything to show Maggie he’s interested and not just for a good time but a forever time; swoon, swoon, swoon. He was incredibly thoughtful, romantic and honestly I was just a straight up goner for this man. He is for sure rivaling all her other heroes for top spot of favorites. Maggie was as stubborn as the days were long but this created such a delectable tension between her and Silas. Their banter was hysterical and gave me endless laughs. I also couldn’t help but fall in love with the charming and quirky Kinship, Idaho and all its delightful residents. Emma Wilder narrated and the way she was able to bring each individual character to life just wowed me. She absolutely slayed this story.