If you enjoy the cozy feeling of a classic contemporary romance, this book is going to be on the top of your summer reading list. Continuing in the world of Bard's Rest, complete with Martin's delightful cast of supporting characters, the story of two over achievers learning to love was romance gold. While this book hit many favorite tropes (rivals to lovers is always a hit!) what really makes this story shine is how relatable it is going to be for my cohort of millennial firstborns. The rewarded ambition that is really crippling fear of failure and intimacy will ring very true. I wasn't sure that "what happens when being able to have it all feels too much like you MUST have it all" would make a good romance premise, but Martin makes it work! I really hope that more books come out in this series because so far, both have been amazing.

By day Portia Barnes is a rising attorney but her true passion is for her hometown's annual Shakespeare festival. When developer Ben Dane threatens the theater's future, tempers and objectives collide. Fun and witty banter highlight this fast-paced small town romance.

This book was everything! Portia and Ben had so much great chemistry I loved them throughout the entire book. My heart broke for them when they called it quits! Reading Portia realize her self-worth and leave her corrupt law firm gave me so much life, and I am never usually a fan of the main character changing their career path, but this one was worth it!

Do you enjoy going to the theater to see plays? If you’ve never been do you want to someday?

I’ve seen a few shows in theater. My last was Rock of Ages and we had such a great time. My daughter has never been but she really enjoys watching musical theater on tv.

Portia is the youngest managing partner at her high-profile law firm. She was just recently promoted and is required to take a 3 month sabbatical before assuming her role. She heads home to be with her family in Bard’s Rest, New Hampshire – how of a huge annual Shakespeare festival.

Shortly after returning to town Portia runs into commercial developer Benjamin Dane. Ben is looking to expand his commercial dealings into Bard’s Nest, but Portia is determined not to let him ruin her quaint hometown. Along the way, Portia starts to develop feelings for Ben but will she be willing to trade her hometown for love?

This was a slow burn romance that read more like contemporary fiction with a side of romance. I’m not saying that’s bad, just trying to set expectations. I excepted the romance to be first and center with this one and was disappointed it wasn’t more prominent.

I loved Portia’s character. I love a strong female main character and Jessica Martin delivered. I had no idea this book was part of a series, and it read like a standalone. I enjoyed the community of Bard’s Nest and how close knit they were. I also did enjoy Portia’s personal growth over the course of the book.

This was a solid read and quite enjoyable. I hope you check it out July 4th.

Thank you to the publisher Berkley Publishing, @berkleypub, @berkleyromance, and Netgalley @netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An interesting story full of twists, turns, fun characters and overall a book I would consider reading time and time again.

I enjoyed coming back to Bard’s Rest and revisiting this family, this town and its delightful residents.

Ben and Portia had great banter and you could tell they were just right for each other at a time when they both needed to rethink priorities and pivot to include more in their lives than just great careers. Making room for a partner and perhaps an abandoned dog may be just what they didn’t know they needed.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Full disclosure: I picked up this book not knowing it was the second book in the series. This book reads great as a standalone!

I absolutely loved the community of Bard’s Rest and how they support each other, but where this book shines is in its strong heroine, Portia. She grows so much over the course of the book and I found myself rooting for her to overcome every obstacle she faced.