You had me at 'small town romcon with Schitt's Creek vibes'.

I will admit it took a little bit for this book to really hook me. But once it did I barely moved until I'd finished. I think my couch now has a permanent Catherine sized indentation.

While it was low on the steam, the witty banter, the small town charm, the family vibes were all perfect. Plus what other book are you going to read this year that will have:

▫️A town named after a cake
▫️A rooster named Elvis
▫️Flaming squirrels
▫️A snake taming 5 year old

I was provided an ARC copy by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ok, so I ate this book up, I laughed out loud quite a few times and that's how I measure a good romcom because it can be difficult to get that out loud reaction from someone when they're reading and to accomplish it, that's a good author.

Second chance isn't usually my favourite trope but when it's done well it can be so good. This was definitely done well, there's no dragged out miscommunication it's just 2 people who made a mistake and their journey back to each other. Pat & Lindy are so great together, but they have some obsticles to overcome and that's mainly to do with themselves. Pat is an ex football player with ADHD that's known for flaking and making impulsive decisions but he's also so funny with his golden retriever energy, but that isn't what Lindy needs, she needs stability as she's currently raising her niece.

- second chance
- forced proximity
- marriage of convenience
- no cheating
- slow burn
- HEA
- No spice but also no fade to black

The buy-in follows Pat who is completely shocked when his father bought a small town called Sheet Cake, the town where Lindy lives aka his ex. This is a story about second chances romance with a really beautiful plot.

I cannot comprehend how much I enjoyed reading this book. It will make you feel all sorts of emotions especially laughter and happiness. This is a kind of romcom that I kept on wanting for more and it gave what it needed to be gave. The characters are lovable that I fell in love with them after reading. Overall, this book did not disappoint me and I can say that this book needs more attention because of how amazing this is.

Such a fun read. The characters are all so well written and I can't wait to read more in this series. There was so many fun parts to this book but it also had it's real life serious moments that make these characters really relatable.
#netgalley #thebuy-in

#TheBuyIn by Emma St. Clair is fun and captivating small town rom-com that will leave you swooning for the leading man.
I loved everything about this book 📚🤓❤️

Thank you to #NetGallery and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for a review

This book was so cute!! So good!!

A small town second chance romance with marriage of convenience?! Sign me up!

Lindy, Pat, and little Jo had me smiling and laughing throughout the whole book! And the entire cast of side characters? PERFECTION!

I also loved the ADHD rep. You don’t see it often in books.

What a perfect rom com!

Thank you Netgalley for this eARC!

When finishing a book by a new to me author my first thought is would I read another of their books? After finishing this book, I didn't even pause before answering- yes. Although I did not come close to loving this book there was enough that I liked to make me want to try something else St. Clair has written especially Jojo and the scene with the squirrels. I also love a good small town in a book and appreciated how Sheet Cake was presented. The book had big ambitions and I am not sure it really fulfilled everything. The idea of buying a town was really fun but kind of fizzled out. The two main characters fell in love in college but when they reunite you don't feel any spark between them. Lindy is so cold and unforgiving they don't get to showcase any connection out of the occasional kiss which would come out of nowhere I would worry that Pat would get whiplash from the sudden mood swings. I also didn't love the way the custody battle was handled especially with the way that Lindy's sister's relapse was treated as a forgone conclusion. Addiction is a disease and I understand how it can damage relationships but the way it was written was so dismissive of recovery, it did not sit well with me.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Cute cute cute! Totally clean except for kissing and some spicy thoughts (but they’re, like, a one chili pepper amount of spice). Lots of funny moments, too. And I loved how there were Lindy’s Buzzfeed articles dropped in throughout the book. I love the world created here, and can’t wait for the rest of their stories!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Solid 3.5
This was a cute and easy read with some of my favourite tropes, the marriage of convenience and the one bed trope.
There was genuinely laugh out loud scenes like the squirrel and I loved some of the unique aspects to the story like the neighbourhood app and a few bits of Lindys article.
Also lindybird? My heart loved this
I have to say my favourite about the book was the family aspect with not just the Graham’s but Lindy and her found family with her friends and also Jojo just being the glue that holds everyone together and it’s almost like she’s a magnetic force where people can’t help but be drawn to her.
I feel like the pacing for the first bit was on and of and some aspects were bulked out when others could’ve been filled out a bit more.
I was a bit disappointed that we didn’t get to explore more of the villain aspects of the book, I know this book is focused on Pat and Lindys relationship but I think that if the story with Rachel and the waters could’ve been more developed it would’ve risen the stakes for us and make it not as predictable.
In saying that I do like the predicable aspects of romance novels , it’s almost like a comfort blanket like you always know what you’re gonna get.
I think the most heartwarming scene was finding out it was Patrick who was the gardener , I genuinely could’ve cried at this, I feel like this just tied the story in nicely together and the grand gesture at the end was beautifully done.
A solid 3.5 would recommend for someone who’s looking an easy romance read.

I was hooked into the book in the beginning, then in chapter 3 she mentioned the TARDIS and not messing with your own timeline as any good Whovian would know, that cemented my love of this book!

It only got better from there! Lots of little quirky jokes, amongst the marriage of connivence, second chance romance, and found family! I never wanted it to end and cannot wait to see where the characters go in the next few books!

Thanks for NetGalley and Emma St Clair for an advance copy of this book. This my honest voluntary review!

This book captures the essence of a small town in the first page with a list of characteristics even including a Neighborly App that details all the town’s gossip. When Pat’s father buys the town of Sheet Cake, Texas, Pat doesn’t think that the love of his life, Lindy, will still be there. Yet Lindy has returned to care for her mother and her sister’s five year old daughter Jo. When Pat and Lindy meet again, Lindy is facing a custody battle with her sister and one means of ensure the success of this challenge, is to enter a marriage of convenience together. Pat Graham is more than just a good looking guy, as he is always ready to help others, with his father telling him, he is the glue holding the family together.
This is an endearing story, filled with lighthearted moments yet tinged with sadness, when facing issues such as child custody and dementia. The Graham family make for an interesting read, and the sweet romance between Patrick and Lindy was lovely to delve into. Jo’s delightful personality and maturity beyond her years, only adds to this storyline.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I think the author got me hooked to this book with that one line by Tank "I bought a town". A great and a novel start. It's a happily ever after romcom story but it is told in a beautiful way. There were few places where Jo's characterization sounded too mature for her age but the relationship between Jo and Lindy was narrated beautifully. The name Sheet Cake sounded funny and smart and it matched its character so well. I felt that there could've been more 1-1 emotional moments between Tank and Pat. Overall it's a good one-time read and I'm going with 4 stars.

I really wanted to like this book. The topic was interesting. FMC raises niece because her sister abandoned her, now she needs to fight for custody so marriage of connivence trope. The most interesting part was Lindy and Jo for me. The MMC had a cool family, he's a former pro football player, open communicator. Actually, the communication was great. They were both very open and upfront. Books and movies would be so much shorter if everyone just said what they knew! But that doesn't apply to this book. They communicate well.

One of the downsides is that the book had so many pop culture references. It got annoying real fast. Though my favorite parts were hands down the Neighborly App. Made up social media is superior. The Reddit vibe without it being Reddit was great. I just hate that I didn't understand like any of the references. There was too much. All the humor was in the references that I didn't even get. No laughs for me.

The book also had a bit of too many characters syndrome. A lot of roles could have been infused into one character, and if it couldn't well, they didn't add much anyway. I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I understood the side characters more, but it was too much and too busy. This got me bored a lot found myself skipping paragraphs. Maybe if I read the first book, this wouldn't be an issue, but if this isn't a standalone that should be made clear.

Overall, not that much of a fan. But Lindy and Jo's relationship saved and otherwise boring book.

Review on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks/comments/sdgle0/the_buyin_by_emma_st_clair_too_many_characters/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

I enjoyed this introduction to this hilarious town of Sheet Cake, TX.

I have lived off and on in Texas for about nine years and this book brought me back there and made me laugh so many times about little things that are so very Texas. I enjoyed Lindy and Pat relationship, I am not a fan of second chance but this one was done well. I loved Lindy and Jo's relationship along with Pat and the whole Graham family. The secondary characters make this book, and I can not wait for all of their stories. A great book and fun read.

Four and a half stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
The Buy-In by Emma St. Clair is the first in her Graham Brothers Sweet Rom-Com Series and it was delightful. This clean romance is funny, romantic, and heartwarming. This second chance, a marriage of convenience story is set in the small town of Sheet Cake, Texas, and has everything a sweet romance needs.

When ex-NFL player, Tank, purchases the small town of Sheet Cake, Texas, his son Pat is the first of his three sons and one daughter who approves of his crazy idea of buying a town. But, Pat is only happy about his father’s purchase because Sheet Cake, Texas is the home of his lost love, Lindy. Plus he hasn’t found a passion since he left the NFL and thinks that fixing up the small town of Sheet Cake, is a project he can get behind.

Lindy was supposed to become a travel journalist and see the world, but her niece needs her to provide a stable home ever since her sister abandoned her as a baby and her mother’s dementia has progressed enough that she must live in a home. So Lindy is now Jo’s primary caretaker and the only mother Jo has known. But, when Lindy’s sister, Rachel decides that she wants her child back and is going to court for custody, Lindy can’t let Jo go back to the woman who abandoned her as a baby. Her lawyer suggests that if Lindy were married, the custody battle would have a better chance of going in her favor. So, when the only man to break her heart is willing to enter into a marriage of convenience, she decides she can lock up her heart and do what’s best for Jo. But what will it cost her heart?

I sure enjoyed this romance between Lindy and Pat. Both main characters have their flaws and they have hurt each other in the past, but this book is about their growth and their ability to forgive the past. I liked that the author portrayed Pat’s ADHD realistically while highlighting the positive aspects of the condition as well as how he handles the more challenging aspects of ADHD.

The book was also hilariously funny, with a lot of witty banter between the characters. She also includes some cute side characters that give the town of Sheet Cake a fun vibe. The author also includes snippets of posts from the neighborhood app that are funny and add to the small-town flavor of the book.

I recommend The Buy In to anyone who loves a clean, small-town romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I went into this book kind of unassuming. It was a romantic comedy, and I feel like they all tend to blur together. I wasn't necessarily wrong that this was a standard rom com but it was definitely really cute and witty. ⁠
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I really loved the banter between Lindy and Pat, plus Jo's little comments were so cute! This book gave me all of the warm and tingly feels! ⁠
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I definitely recommend checking this book out, it just came out yesterday (January 25th)! ⁠
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Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me with an advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

The Buy-In by Emma St. Clair reminds me of the move “Forever my Girl.” The movie and book both have the aspect of a couple breaking up and comibg back together years later, but now theres a child involved. Althought I wish there was more groveling from Pat in the book, I really enjoyed reading this! Pat is so lovable, and Lindy and Jo make such a great “mom/daughter” duo! Even the side characters were very well developed, and all had great, but simple story lines. I look forward to reading the next installment of the series!

This was my first book by the author - and I loved it! Thank you so much NetGalley and the publisher for the free copy. Can't wait to get back to Sheet Cake, Texas and see what comes next!

This was such a cute read! This is my first book from the Author and I’m hooked!
I loved Lindy. She is determined to be the best for her Niece Jo. I truly felt for her and all that she went through.
Pat is my new book boyfriend! He is so sweet with Jo it melted my heart! I love that he tries so hard to convince and show Lindy that he’s changed and that he’s not going anywhere. I really liked how he fixed up Lindy’s house for her.
The side characters were amazing! I’m super invested in the couples and hope we get Chevy and Val’s story as well!

Read if you like:
Dual POVs
Single parent trope ( or in this case aunt )
Marriage of convenience trope
Closed door romance

2 out of 5 steam level- kissing and closed door sex

Trigger warning- addiction, child abandonment, parent with dementia, custody battle

Things haven't been going well for Lindy Darcy over the past five years. She was left behind by the man she loved, she became the caretaker for her niece, and her mother was diagnosed with dementia. Now she's headed into a custody battle with her sister just as Patrick Graham, the man who broke her heart, walks back into her life. Could a marriage of convenience help her win custody of her niece and also rekindle the flame between her and Pat? Or will she end up with a broken heart once again?

I loved this book so much! There were so many great pop culture references and goofy moments throughout the story that made me smile and laugh out loud. I loved how the story started from Pat's POV, and I quickly found myself falling for him and cheering him on as he tried to win Lindy's heart. It also didn't hurt that he was amazing with Jo, Lindy's niece. I did feel like shaking Lindy a few times for doubting Pat's intentions, but she did have reason to be wary after all she's been through. Thankfully the ending did not disappoint, and the epilogue was everything I could have hoped for and more. I also loved the setting of Sheet Cake, Texas and all the side characters we got to meet, especially Lindy's friends Winnie and Val. And I may have even squealed in excitement when I found out one of them is the main character of the next book in this series! I will be impatiently waiting to return to Texas for more fun and romance!

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me with an ARC of this book!
Be sure to follow me on Instagram @readwithsuzie for more reviews!