First, I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Now, getting into the review.

The cover drew me in, but the book doesn't seem to reflect its cover. I was expecting like a gothic romance or maybe a paranormal romance, but that is not what it is.
Fox just... wasn't a great MC. For the first bit I was trying to figure out what he was because he kept talking about the monster or the beast inside him, so I thought he must be some kind of shifter. Nope, just a man who has been through some major trauma.
Cady was a cute character overall and I like how it's implied she was plus size. But the constant making up words, how easily she forgives people who have done her wrong, etc. makes her seem like a weak person and like the author was trying too hard to make her quirky.

My least favorite thing about the book, though, is how choppy the sentence structure is. It looks like it never went to an editor.

3/5 star. Overall, it was a let down.

Big thanks to the authors for this ARC! This review is being given honestly and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was my first time reading a contemporary by Kerrigan Byrne and my first title from Cynthia St. Aubin. This is a small town, opposites attract romance featuring Cadence, a small-town bookstore owner and Fox, a mysterious patron who only orders over the phone.

For a few months (following the passing of her Aunt) Cady has been infatuated with a repeat customer she only knows by Fox who not only sounds sexy but has been helping her through her grief. Over time she has developed feelings for him, but as he always avoids meeting in person Cady decides to keep her options open. Until, a break-in Fox hears over the phone shifts their dynamics.

I thought this was a fun and semi-lighthearted read. I definitely had fun reading about the town and these characters (literally all of Cady’s friends are hilarious and absolute gems). I will say this book has You’ve Got Mail vibes, which I am not a big fan of due to the deception aspect. After the break-in, a mysterious grifter arrives in town and seems to attach himself to Cady who welcomes him to their community with open arms. Over time Cady begins to open up to this man in a way she has only ever done with Fox.

Fox is a former military man who is living with very intense PTSD which has caused him to become a total recluse who lives out in the woods voluntarily due to some of his triggers. The only sunlight in his life happens to come in the form of a small-town bookstore owner named Cady. Once he hears a break-in at her store he can no longer keep himself away and begins lying to her about who he is in order to keep an eye on her and figure out who may be targeting her.

This book was definitely a bit complicated and I wasn’t a big fan of the lying but felt the hero did not cross the big sex line while lying to the heroine which (even tho bare minimum) was a plus for me. I liked how the authors added the subplot concerning the break-in because at the end when everything was revealed I was like OMGGG because I kind of wasn’t expecting who it was but looking back it made a lot of sense. Overall, I enjoyed this book for the vibes and the romance (it was also a lil spicy) and feel that most of my audience wold thoroughly enjoy this book.

Only real negatives were the You’ve Got Mail vibes and deception and the fact he was former military, not because he has PTSD or how his triggers complicated the romance, I am just not a huge fan of military/police heroes and they make me feel weird.

I requested this because I really enjoy Kerrigan Byrne's previous books, so I went into this with that expectation. This, unfortunately, was not for me. I had a hard time swallowing the plot and liking the characters. Sometimes it happens that I don't jive with a book from an author I normally like, and I'm hoping that's what this is.

This was really confusing at first, and I feel as though the reason for the MMC seclusion was valid, it felt very extreme. I am not sure why he was stalking the FMC so much also. I loved the town drama at the end and wished I got more of it throughout. I loved the main characters’ relationship. Overall I did enjoy this read!

Cute, swooty, and fun! It was such a delight to read this. The characters are well developed and the romance wonderfully believable. You will want to root for their happy ending! Two new authors I will be looking out for future reads!

Sadly, I was not able to read this book as an ARC. I went to download it and it was already archived the day after I got approved to read it. I will read it in the future once my local library gets a copy and will come back and leave a better review :)

I’m editing review. I went into the book expecting something else. There were a lot of parts that really bothered me, like the way Fox watches her without consent. And Some of the dialogue was really problematic - specifically the Colin Kapernick part. But overall the book plot was fine and I did really enjoy Cady and Fox’s relationship together for the most part.

3.75 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book early. Rating and review are my own.

I think I will get the bad out of the way first. There is a lot about this story that felt weird. Quiet a few scenes where I struggled to really follow what people were doing. One second I would think one thing was happening and then I would have to go back and reread to figure out what was going on or if I had missed something. Another, was I personally found the way the characters got together and all the secrecy a bit weird. The book covers a lot darker subjects than the cutesy cover bare summary might lead you to believe. The plot and way a lot of the characters acted was often quite ridiculous.
That being said, the plot and the characters being ridiculous made me laugh so much. I honestly had a great time and even liked Cady and all her ridiculous “I’m not naïve so I’m going to invite the giant homeless man to shower in my home right after a mysterious break in to my home” behavior. Girl.
The characters were funny and I liked them. Fox grew on me the slowest but honestly, I enjoyed Cady being the sunshiniest girl to his grumpy voyeur stalker self. Cady loves that voyeur shit. I won’t yuck her yum lol but I know some people really like those stalker vibes. Oh yeah, the spicy scenes were well written and Fox can talk dirty and I loved that. I find my tolerance for dirty talk is a hard one to figure out what I find hot and what I find cringe and I think Fox was on the hot side. I think I saw a another review say he talked dirty like a Victorian vampire and I laughed. I guess that’s what I like lmao. Also, one character deals with PTSD and the other chronic pain and these were issues that were very much a part of the character’s lives and stories.
I would recommend this book to anyone who just wants a romance that is stupid fun but still deals with some serious topics without being too heavy. Just remember it is ridiculous.

2 stars. I hate to rate a Kerrigan Byrne book so low. I am a big fan of her historical romances. I haven't read anything else by Cynthia St. Aubin, so I don't know if this book fits her usual writing style. But I know that it is completely different than Byrne's usual writing style. The story was not bad. But the execution was a hot mess. None of the characters are likeable. Cady was one the worst "quirky, not like other girls, pick me" heroines I have ever read. Fox was a creeper that lived in a cave. The side characters were annoying. The "book store in a small town" setting had potential. But the writing and the dialogue was such word salad. It was so overwritten, wordy and convoluted, like it was trying too hard to be smart and different.

The book was just all over the place and messy. Much of it was confusing because of the wordiness, the story pacing was off and meandered about, and it was slow. I didn't feel any love or chemistry between Cady and Fox, but that was the least of this book's problems. I am disappointed that I didn't love one of Byrne's books, since I usually gobble them up. This was a hard read to even finish. I now know that her contemporary books are not for me. I am still a fan though and will keep to her Historicals.

I love a good grumpy sunshine romance and I adore the fact this book has both bigger girl and chronic illness rep, we need more of that in literature. When I started this book for some reason I swore up and down it was going to be a paranormal romance and was pleasantly surprised to discover Fox was not a vampire or a werewolf he’s just tortured. And I do love a hero with some issues. Loved this and can’t wait for book two as I will definitely be continuing the series. Also I want to live in this town

This was okay. Not my absolute favorite, but not terrible either. I liked the idea of it taking place in a bookstore, and the characters were interesting. Definitely give it a try if you're looking for a quick read!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

I typically enjoy reading books about bookshops, which was partly why I chose this, and I thought the cover was colourful and eye-catching.

This book was a lot of fun. It was actually a lot steamier than I had initially expected, but that's a good thing, if that's what you're in the mood for. Aside from that, this book also made me laugh and cheered me up, which is never a bad thing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

I loved this book so much! I really didn’t know what it was about when I started reading it, but I quickly was obsessed! The characters are well developed, and I couldn’t help but love them all!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eArc. Arc provided in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own.

Okay. This read like a 12 year old’s first short story on wattpad. Why was this published? This book is a disgrace to authors who have worked really hard to get their books published and haven’t been found.

First of all, this book was marketed as a YA (in my opinion). From the cover to the description, never would I have guessed the extremely mature things in this. I was uncomfortable reading this book, but I finished it simply because I was given the arc. Can I get an applause for toughing it out?

To begin the actual review:
Where was the plot? Each character only exists to further the romance. What was Fawkes’s goals besides to get her in his pants? Every other sentence is about the love interest. I can’t imagine that these characters had a life before they met each other.

While we’re on the topic of Fawkes: He SCREAMS manly man, testosterone, get in the kitchen that’s where you belong vibes. I feel like the author skipped all the time developing her characters and simply just gave them two personality traits each.

Cady: Pick me, not like other girls
Fawkes: Man, Hot
Sherrif guy: hot, police man
Gemma: adhd

Gemma isn’t even given the luxury of two personality traits.

The author simply doesn’t know her characters, her plot, or her story. I think that she wanted a book about sex and bookstores and threw this together.

However, the bookstore aesthetic barely even stays! I wanted a cosy romantic book but got the opposite. After Chapter three, you hear absolutely nothing about the bookstore. WHERE DID MY VIBES GO KERRIGAN? i’m not mad, i just want it back.

The made up words were insane. I started sending pictures of the words to my friend, and it was so crazy. Here is a list of just a few:

1) his meat-puppet
2)his man-root
3) lady bits

there’s many many more.

I hated reading this. It was too mature for me but I was forced to read it for the arc.

Also, the authors terrible attempt at a love triangle was just sad. Every single character in this exists to further the romance, so the sherrif guy came. Automatically the author made this guy her “second choice”, so he wasn’t a valid contender at all. Speaking of…

We weren’t shown why Fawkes and Cady belong together AT ALL! Why did they fit, why should I root for them? I think that it was supposed to convey a “love at first sight” type thing, but that doesn’t work when the only reason they talk about liking each other is their bodies.
—
WHY IS FAWKES AN ACTUAL STALKER?!?!?!
“i’m watching her undress for her safety”
NO👏YOURE👏NOT

actual quote from the book
“‘You could be buck-a** naked in front of the window and no one could see in, unless they’re using binoculars from a boat, I suppose’ she said.
Or the plateau above the fountain.”

WATCHING HER SHOWER IS NOT PROTECTING HER!

wouldn’t recommend to literally anyone

Nevermore Bookstore had a cover and title that intrigued me. I am a sucker for a nerdy bookstore owner type, especially in a small town. The book starts out strong with the mystery phone conversations. As the plot went on however, I ended up scratching my head more than once. I didn't understand why "Fox" was out in the woods living this secret nomadic life. I spent most of the book wondering where we were going with this (I had some sci-fi, paranormal vibes for a tiny bit). He got a little creepy with his "protection" of her yet it really felt more like stalking. I did enjoy several book drops like "Outlander" (again - a bookstore is a great. There was some spicy scenes (which I didn't mind). All in all, I'm not mad that I read it - there was enough to keep me turning pages.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, Kerrigan Byrne and Cynthia St Aubin for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

http://instagram.com/minnfinnfiction

In Nevermore Bookstore we immediately jump into a story about Cady and the mysterious caller only known as Fox. What the reader quickly figures out is that these two have a somewhat strange phone relationship, Fox buys books from Cady's bookstore but never wants to be seen by Cady because he can never be the guy that Cady needs. It's only obvious when a break in occurs during one phone call that Fox needs to reveal himself, even if Cady doesn't realize it at first.

I found this book to be quite silly and strange. There felt like no introduction in the book, we jumped right into the middle of the story. It was absolutely wild to me that anybody would be attracted to Fox/Fawkes the male main character. I understand what the writers were trying to do as far as the tortured soldier, but he was just written so strangely for me that it was very difficult to get into this story. I felt like at the end of the book we learned so much, and all major plot points (the few that we were introduced to in between sex scenes) were just all tied up in a matter of a couple of pages. I just don't know that I was the correct audience for this book, maybe next time. I feel like I have read romances that just have more substance than this one does. It is a read it and forget it type of book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

This book was just silly fun. Ridiculous premise, and it felt like they authors tried too hard to make their characters “quirky” and “different.” I read it, I was entertained, then immediately forgot about it when I was finished. It will not be winning any awards in my book (pun intended), but if you’re looking for a mindless story, this one fits the bill.

I’ll be completely honest, I saw the authors nand immediately requested an arc. Didn’t read the synopsis, just saw the authors and went for it. Thankfully, it worked out. Also, sorry I’m a month late on the review… life, you know? 😅

Now, due to the title and the cover, and the fact that I didn’t read the synopsis in my excitement at seeing/requesting the arc, I got it in my head this was a paranormal romcom. It’s not. It’s a regular romcom. Well, as regular a romcom can be when the FMC collects taxidermy opossums and the MMC lives in a cave… 👀 Yeah, I was confused too.

But have no fear! This book has substance! And crazy townies! And spice! Both MCs have real issues and are trying to cope with them in the best ways they know how. Watching them connect and open up to each other about what they were facing was surprisingly emotional and well written. The chemistry between Cady and Fox is palpable and you’re rooting for them from page one. Now, let’s get to the spice! It was good… the phone scene?? Yes. 🙏 The mouth on Fox…🥵🙌🔥 Playful, hot, tender, and funny. It’s hard to write a spicy scene that encapsulates all of those things, and yet, they did it!! It further showed how connected and right for each other the two MCs were.

Did I love the secretiveness of Fox’s identity? No, I’d have rather he introduce himself immediately, but I understood where he was coming from and it did make for some decent storylines. I could have done without the secondary love interest because, bleh, love triangles… not my cup of tea. Thankfully, it’s over fairly quickly and you know nothing is going to come of it right away. I still felt it was unnecessary and did nothing for the plot. 🤷‍♀️

The side characters and townspeople are a lot of fun, and I can’t wait to get to know more of their stories! Book two, featuring Townend’s most eligible bachelor, comes out in May! 🎉🙌

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher/authors for the complimentary arc. All opinions are my own.

It was a cute, fun read. Overall, the plot was lacking a little bit, but if you’re looking for something simple, it’s a great pick.

Thanks netgalley et al for giving me an arc of this book for an honest review.

Cady has problems- a rapidly fusing spine, a nosey group of book club friends, a grieving heart for her recently passed aunt, and a bookshop she loves but might not legally own. She also has a standing phone date with a man shes never met, whos calls are the highlight of her week, and the thing keeping the Nevermore Bookstore afloat. The man on the other end also has problems, which is an exquisite understatement.

This book attempted to be super lighthearted around a lot of SUPER dark topics. I like how they dealt with cadys chronic illness and small town life...but that was basically it. i had a huge problem with the fact that the mmc was essentially stalking/peeping on the fmc for like a quarter of the book. Then there was a racially insensitive pubic hair joke. That made me pretty sure this book/series/author/universe aint for me.