4.25/5 stars! The cover of this book was adorable. This is the first book I've read by Jess K. Hardy. This was a really well-written mature romance. I appreciated the depth of Ashley and Matthew's character development. There was so much nostalgia in this book and I appreciated that there wasn't silly conflicts. Everything was paced well and made sense.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

love when characters help each other move on from the past and give each other the confidence boost they deserve. a well written book that had everything in order to make the story great.

This book was like a Hallmark Christmas movie, if Hallmark Christmas Movies involved 50% less actual Christmas, and 100% more grown adults who fuck. Which is to say, I really enjoyed it, though it does feel very much like the kind of thing to pick up only when you're in a specific mood.

This was cute and sweet. if you love cozy romances it's a must! I loved every minute of it. A total must read!

“Hiding from life is not recovery. The freedom is in embracing life fully, the good, the bad, and the ugly.”

Read if you enjoy:
❄️ Older Couple Romance (MMC 53, FMC 46)
❄️ FMC (Resort Owner)
❄️ MMC (Owner of Recovering House / Former Rockstar Guitarist)
❄️ Forced Proximity
❄️ Grumpy x Sunshine
❄️ Slow Burn

“Growth is uncomfortable. Clinging to comfort leaves little room for growth. Chase after comfort, and you’ll be running in place for the rest of your life.”

This wintery love story is about two mature adults who are navigating the struggles of their stages in life and connect through a mutual agreement. It’s a story of taking chances despite your age and believing in the power of growth, embracing life as it comes. I enjoyed the backstory of some of the characters and how through a recovery program, they are having a second chance at reintegrating themselves into society.

This book touches on difficult topics such as substance abuse and grief. Despite all, I enjoyed the message carried throughout of learning to accept and forgive.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC

I picked this book up during a random, sleepless night knowing nothing about it besides the fact it took place on a ski resort. I loved that this romance followed two people in their late forties/early fifties as they navigate a second chance at love. It had a good mix of family drama and personal drama to keep the story interesting. I really appreciated how relatable the characters are. Ashley is still healing from her emotionally abusive marriage as well as grieving the death of her father. Madigan runs a sober recovery home for men and is trying to right all of this wrongs from when he was a young rock star. They are both very inspiring characters and it was so fun watching them fall in love.

READ IF YOU LIKE:
- gen x romance
- forced proximity
- work place romance
- single mom
- former rock star
- he falls first

i LOVED this ashley and madigan are the perfect couple and i love RUGGED man her ex-husband on the other line absolutely despise him. this is one of my FAV books this year

> Maybe it was beards and flannels and tattoos and a heart so big she could hear it beating through the window. <

Diese süß Romance kann ich jedem Empfehlen der es gerne cozy hat und ein wenig spice ist auch mit dabei.
Dieses Buch behandelt wirklich ganz tolle und wichtige Themen, die in Büchern bisher doch eher unterrepräsentiert sind. Die Protagonisten sind zudem schon etwas älter wodurch das Ganze nicht mehr diesen jugendlichen Leichtsinn und Naivität hat, welche mich in anderen Büchern doch immer wieder stören. Dennoch verliert das Buch nicht seine Leichtigkeit denn die ist definitiv noch vorhanden. Auch der Schreibstil spielt da mit rein denn dieser ist wirklich sehr schön ausgearbeitet und super zu lesen.
Ashley und Madigan sind mir wirklich ans Herz gewachsen und ich werde auch in die kommenden Bände defintiv mal einen Blick reinwerfen.

Come As You Are was a heartwarming story. Many romance center younger adults so it was refreshing to meet Ashley and Madegan who are in their 40/50s and are finding love after really challenging adulthoods.

Come as you are is about a struggling business woman and a recovering addict who are able to strike a mutually beneficial relationship, but not as you would expect (at first).

Ashley inherited a family-owned ski resort and is in need of some cheap labor to help keep the resort afloat. Madigan is a recovering addict who is also a business man and long ago famed rockstar. His owns a sort of halfway house helping others in their recovery, and has the chance to work with Ashley.

I liked the dynamics between the two, as it’s always good to see a flawed FMC working through her own issues and insecurities along with the MMC. There is some miscommunication, which is always tough to read, but the issues get resolved and they end up making it through and provide the HEA in a very round about way.

I would recommend this to anyone! It was a quick read and I enjoyed myself.

I was happily surprised to have a story revolve around two main characters closer to my own age! They've both overcome challenging obstacles and have come out on the better side.

The audio was great and drew me in almost immediately. I can't wait for the second book to release in audio format as well, and will be listening asap.

This was a great romance. The chemistry between Madigan and Ashley is notable from the moment they meet. They have pasts that define how they view each other, that taint their views on life and that put them in a position where they are taking measured steps towards each other. It's a different perspective on romance and it makes the story richer.

Thanks to NetGalley & Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the eARC. Sorry I took so long—once I saw it was coming on audio, I just had to wait! I got my copy on Libro.fm.

Come As You Are
By Jess K. Hardy
(Bluebird Basin book 1)

Narrated by Andi Arndt & Stephen Borne.

Story Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (0-5)
Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 (0-5)
Overall Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (0-5)
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥 (0-5)

What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 Gorgeous writing—totally captivating with beautifully descriptive physical surroundings and physical attraction.
🤩 Workplace romance, the forbidden and sneaky kind.
🤩 It’s such a unique and clever ski resort plot.
🤩 The sweetest reverse teach-me/let’s make a deal!
🤩 Eyebrow raising innuendos and flirting.
🤩 Mature MCs with the cutest characterization and with smokin’ hot chemistry.
🤩 The narrators are perfectly cast—mature yet fun!
🤩 When Ashley is tongue tied after interacting with Madigan. Her mom: “Bibs, Madigan. The word my daughter is searching for is bibs.” Laugh-out-loud funny!
🤩 Matthew Madigan is total book boyfriend material—so hot, sweet, observant, thoughtful, and the good listener Ashley needs. “Requesting permission to raise the current speed limit.”
🤩 I just love Madigan (Matthew) and Ashley together so much, how it’s been so long for both of them. They are so raw and real and beautiful.
🤩 The anticipation of Ashley calling Matthew Madigan.
🤩 I’m a sucker for a hot shower scene.
🤩 All the feels romcom goodness!
🤩 Beautiful theme of resilience. And, fantastic recovering addict/alcoholic representation.
🤩 Murphy—pet lovers will be smitten.
🤩 Ride on Mad Madigan!

What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About:
💫 The understand the slow burn. But I still think Ashley’s hormones would have had her wanting to touch Madigan a little sooner.

I grabbed this book originally based on the cover. I went in completely blind and I think that maybe I should have read the blurb first? It was still a great story and I did enjoy it but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I knew.
Still a great story that I would read again or buy for a friend!

What a pleasant read- it was a steamy, heart wrenching story!

🩵 Ski-resort setting
🩵 Holiday time
🩵 Silver fox
🩵 Gen-X couple (46 and 53)
🩵 STEAMY!!!

Come as you are - Jess K Hardy

Really enjoyed this book, it felt refreshing to be reading about a couple who are slightly older than the current demographic for romance books. Ashley was a lovely character to follow on her path to keep her beloved ski hill alive, and her mums personality was a great contrast to Ashley's and I felt this gave a good dynamic to the story. What can I say about Madigan? perfection in a book boyfriend! Lots of depth to his character, warmth and of course tension between him and Ashley, a really good read. I'm looking forward to more from this author.
Thank you so much Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, Pinkity Publishing and Netgalley for this e-arc in return for my honest thoughts and opinions.

SO many emotions when it comes to this book, but I loved it! I enjoyed the ties to rom-coms with mixed tapes, boom boxes, and 80s music. The story was easy to follow and the writing was great!

This was a solid book, and it was nice to see Gen X/older main characters get their happily ever after. I'm interested to read the next book in the series and get Cole's story.

Really enjoyed this book. It was a great love story with many different dimensions and backstory is to the characters. It was also very interesting and topical with the business element of the ski slope, and more modern businesses around the area. The characters were great, and I really wanted everything to work out for them not just the two main love interests. It would be good to have a part two I think.

This is a book that can make you cry, laugh, and fall in deep love with the characters!

It has everything you can want - more mature MCs (justice for older adults falling in love!!!!), snow shenanigans, mixtapes and spicy sex life no matter the age!

This book had great character development, focused on growth, redemption and the emotions in this book were so heartfelt!
The book follows Ashley and Madigan who are immediatly attracted to each other, but that insta reaction is followed by a tasty slowburn. The emotional and physical intimacy in this book was written so beautifully that I felt it in my heart.

While Madigan had plenty regrets about his past and Ashley's ex created unnecessary drama, this book was incredible!