Pining for you is a book I very much enjoyed in everything. I liked the plot, the spice, the love story, the characters and its semplicity because I pretty much devoured it. There was that familiarity and christmas air that was really comforting. There is the age gap (that doesn’t weigh too much) and a background story and single-dad trope and old couples showing love (I mean who doesn’t melt to this).
I really recommend this if you’re looking for something quite short and cute and about christmas period. It’s 4,5⭐️ for me

This book was such an interesting read. I didn't expect her family to be so involved in the book. It definitely made a lot of her desires and motivations make a lot more sense within the context of the book. I really enjoyed Addison's character and this was just such a fun holiday read. I haven't read a Lydia Michaels book before and I feel like this was a good introduction. This is definitely not exclusively a holiday read, but it is a book that takes place throughout the holiday season. It made so much sense to heavily feature her large family when it is the holiday season and they have such prominent family traditions. **Thank you to Lydia Michaels, Valentine PR & Literary Management, and NetGalley for allowing me to receive a copy of Pining for You in exchange for an honest review!**

💟𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬💟

Thank you to #NetGalley, Valentine PR & Literary Management and Lydia Michaels for providing me a review copy of #PiningforYou in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶

Here’s why:
As a newbie to Lydia Michaels works, I can now say I’m a newbie fan as well!

Pining for You is stand-alone book #4 in the Jasper Falls Series! Aside from familial distractions of my own, I found myself pining for the chance to get back to this read.

⭐️ Tropes~What I loved most was the unbelievable chemistry between Rhett and Skylar. Michaels gave us just enough sweet to balance the spice. I love slowburn, age gap, workplace romances and this did it for me!

⭐️ Characters~The endearing relationship between Skylar, Rhett, and Addison gave me all the feels. I giggled at the Marcelli and McCullough family dynamics and enjoyed those scenes. I need some Noona’s Irish Cream in my life!

⭐️ Plot/Theme~The obstacles that Skylar and Rhett experienced because of their age gap/workplace romance was well written. As a reader I felt theIr emotions as well. The journey readers are taken on as characters are finding out what they truly need and going for it is a great opportunity for readers to reflect.

⭐️ Cover~The cover is beautiful and sweet! This story is far from cookie cutter! Michaels entwined several elements into this book and I’m intrigued to read all of her other books in the Jasper Falls Series.

⭐️ Atmosphere~I want to be in Jasper Falls and in the Marcelli, McCullogh, and Buchanan families! Loved all mentions of the holiday festive elements of a dream town!

Overall, I recommend this book to those wanting a sweet and spicy Holiday read!

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the e=arc in exchange for an honest review.

It's the first book i read from the author and it's a pleasant surprise. This is totally a book you read to in the middle of festive holiday moods, perfect for those who's suckers for romance, slightly taboo, single dad/nanny and age-gap tropes.

I'm really digging the big family drama, coming from a big family from both sides of the parents myself I could totally relate to the situation depicted here, especially when they live in the same town. I think the author did a great job describing the advantages and disadvantages of it. I love the bond between Skylar and Addison--such a sweetheart!--though she's a bit naive to my liking but it's understandable. And our grumpy mayor, Rhett Buchanan is such an interesting character as the story goes. I love learning his background story and how he tried to open up and learn about expressing his affection not only through action, but words.

Holiday read, small town, single dad, age gap, taboo-ish (she's the nanny, he's the mayor and her boss).

This is a new author to me. And it was a good, but I felt like it was missing a little something for me that would have made it great.

I loved Skylar's big, loud, overprotective family so much. I come from a large familys I could just feel the vibe of the family gatherings. I enjoyed the holiday touches. Addison was adorable. Skylar was sweet, if not perhaps a bit naive. Rhett was a grump at first, but I did enjoy finally learning his backstory and seeing him open up. And Erin was the character you love to hate.

I can't even put my finger on what more I wanted exactly. But it was a cute holiday story and I would definitely read more from this author.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Valentine PR for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4⭐️ 3🌶️

This was a pleasant surprise of a read for me—a touch of taboo with the age gap and nanny/boss romance made this Hallmark-esque read a solid 4 stars for me. I loved the contrast of Skylar’s overbearing family with Rhett’s completely absent one and how both extremes led to them struggling in their relationships in different ways. They complimented each other so well and in the end, when all was resolved, they just seemed to make so much sense to me. Skylar’s connection with Addie was also super sweet and I loved the spicy moments between Skylar and Rhett when he wasn’t being the town’s picture perfect, gentlemanly mayor. This was my first Jasper Falls read and I think I’ll be back for more—I’m intrigued to see how the other characters’ stories play out.

This is such a sweet story and everything I needed right now. I hope to be able to read the first books in this series and everything that follows. I love this family and all of their flaws. My first lydia Michaels book, I'll definitely be back for more in the future.

Let me start off by saying I have not read any of the books in the series. This is my first book I’ve read in this series ( and by the author ). So Pining for you can be read as a stand-alone. I’m a huge massive lover of small town romances! One of my guilty pleasures for sure.
Skylar comes from a large family, thinks she has life figured out… things are going according to her plan. But life throws her a gigantic curveball.
One of my fave tropes is age-gap. So once I started this book, I couldn’t put it down!! Loved it !!

I am addicted to Lydia Michaels’ McCullough family and couldn’t wait to read this book!

𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗬𝗢𝗨 is Skylar McCullough’s love story. It’s an single dad, age gap, forbidden romance with all the feels. I enjoyed Rhett and Skylar’s story. The chemistry between them was undeniable as was the personal baggage that they each brought into the relationship. Watching them overcome all the obstacles standing in their way made this a read in one sitting romance.

I’m giving 𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗬𝗢𝗨 the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy!

This was a fine read.
It’s very obvious what’s happening. There aren’t any surprises.
And I was really mad to have missed the reaction and follow-up of the mean girl. We miss the fireworks!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

So excited to be back in Jasper Falls. This story is sweet with a lot of drama and some spice. The author does a good job of mixing it all together and bringing you a terrific story. Can’t wait to read more.

This was a cute story, overall. I enjoyed the big family Irish Italian thing going on. The romance aspect of it worked for me. The villain in the story worked for me as well and I am intrigued to read her book.

I did not like how her father treated her through the book. I really hate when authors think a simple phrase and apology for treating a child poorly for YEARS justifies it and makes it okay. I hated that part of it, but not enough to make me dislike the book.

Also, Addison is adorable.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Pining for You is actually a spinoff from the McCullough series. Skylar is the eldest daughter of Kate and Anthony. She is a mature 21 year old who is trying to finance her dream to obtain her bachelor's degree to become a preschool owner/teacher in her home town. She is hired by Rhett, the town's new mayor to be a nanny to his 4 year old daughter. The attraction between Skylar and Rhett is almost immediate. Her big Italian/Irish family are loud and opinionated and humiliates her after they find out about the budding relationship. The realtionship felt a bit forced and you never get a deep look into Rhett's past and his character. It was great, though, that you get a look at how all the main characters from the previous series are developing. I didn't care for how one of the characters is made to be the stereotypical overlooked PA in the book. This could have been a much deeper plot but it hit's most of the right notes for an easy read..

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

When Skylar is hired as a nanny for single father, Rhett, she expects to save some money and spend time with his adorable daughter. Wasn't she doesn't expect is the attraction she feels towards him, an attraction he seems to reciprocate. After all he is 15 years her senior and the mayor. What can he possibly see in someone so young and inexperienced?

An easy book to read in one gulp, this delivers exactly what you expect when you pick it up which worked perfectly for me, I wish there had been a little more development in their relationship and I could have done without the villain who added nothing to the story but those are minor quibbles when all I wanted was a satisfying palate cleanser.

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

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Skylar comes from a big family and can’t wait to be out on her own and finish her degree. In an effort to be self sustaining she takes a job as a nanny to the town mayor.

As she lives in the home and interacts with Rhett and Addy she develops strong feelings for Rhett and Rhett has the same feelings for her. She adores Addy as well.

While Skylar can open herself up to these feelings Rhett cannot and the age difference and his past get in the way. Skylars family also does not deal with the relationship well.

Can they overcome the obstacles in their way?

Pining for You is part of a series, actually several series - this follows the children of the McCullough family from the previous series. It is fun to see the children start to grow and check in with the rest of the family, see how they are doing. This one focuses on Skylar - Katherine and Anthony's daughter and her coming of age story, finding her way as a college student and nanny. I liked the story alright, I am not a huge fan of age gap romance and I thought that the character of Rhett was interesting but not enough was done to explore his backstory. It was an ok read for me and a recommend if you like the rest of the series.

An age gap, small-town romance full of holiday traditions? Sign me up immediately!

This was my first read in the series, and I was not disappointed. From the beginning of the book, Skylar's connection with her (very) large family is both comfortable and intimidating. With large families comes many opinions, and Skylar's family was not shy about their feelings towards her romance with her boss, roommate, and mayor of the town.

What I enjoyed about this book is the setting, Skylar's relatability, and the support across generations from Skylar's animated family.

What I didn't enjoy about this book was the lack of relationship building between Skylar and Rhett. The end result of their relationship felt rushed and unrealistic.

Overall, I'm looking forward to reading more books in this series and definitely more of Lydia Michael's work in general!