4.5 easy stars! I LOVED THIS so much! Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, Pinkity Publishing for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

So. This book. Think of your favorite ski resort with freshly fallen snow over cozy cabins, a heart-of-gold sexy Irish tattooed former guitar-playing rockstar who now helps recovering addicts, a divorced workaholic blonde who is scared to open herself up to love again, a truly villainous rival ski resort owner/ex, an adorable St. Bernard rescue dog, AND add a dash of holiday vibes and more than a dash of spice (like a whole bowl of spice!). Like the image? Thats the book. It's amazing. If you like Tessa Bailey's books, you will adore this, but I honestly enjoyed this so much more than some of hers. Jess K. Hardy's writing is easy to digest, and her side characters, both the Little Timber guys and Maude Alice and Davis, were so well done and interesting that I felt equally invested in their stories as I did in Ashley and Madigan's.

I absolutely adored this book--it felt like I was inside of a movie. Truly. I felt so much chemistry between Madigan and Ashley, more so than I've felt towards other characters in books that are longer and very hyped up. They are simply perfect together, physically and emotionally. Their romance is inspiring, hopeful, well-written, and so beautiful to read. But this has more than just the romance plot--it examines the complex issues of addiction and recovering addicts, second chances in life, familial dynamics, and choosing hope over fear. Basically, this has everything. Oh, and did I mention this ends with a winter concert featuring famous bands? A swoon-worthy happily-ever-after? Ugh. This has it all. Go read it. Now!

PS--I cannot wait for another book in the Bluebird Basin series. Praying for a Davis/Kev story!

the cover art for this book is what drew me in. it’s so pretty! looking at it you wouldn’t know it was a gen x romance

i loved madigan. he was like kind of a grump but also with golden retriever energy which is a great combo

the MCs didn’t seem like they were close to 50 in the way that they acted. a lot of their dialogue and interactions seemed kind of immature. also, maude alice (love her name) was the most chaotic character i’ve ever read and not in a fun way!! she’s making her daughter’s life miserable

overall it was very cute, but i wish the characters were a little more mature. i loved the fact that it showed addiction and recovery in a way that didn’t seem disrespectful.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'Come As You Are' by Jess K Hardy.

This book had high potential - especially as its dubbed as a Gen X romance. However 'Come As You Are' fell flat on me. Multiple times I just went: yeah no I'm not into that.
It's clearly a personal taste thing but this novel was not for me.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters - both main and supporting - were really well developed, and I quickly became invested in their stories.

My only criticism, as someone who knows a little about ski instructing, is how extremely badly the men's first ski lessons went. I know those scenes were meant to be humorous, but with an experienced instructor like Ashley is supposed to be, it doesn't take hours to get up a rope tow (especially because you teach them a few skills BEFORE heading up the rope tow), and the entire group isn't constantly wiping out in spectacular ways that leave them bruised and sore. This is more the kind of experience people often have when a friend who knows how to ski says to them, "Don't worry, I'll teach you!"

I know this is a distinction not many people will care a lot about, but it threw me off for a few chapters because instead of sinking into the world of the story, I was wondering what else was inaccurate. But the overall strength of the story and writing drew me back in, for which I'm grateful.

A former grunge rock god turned rehab center owner (Matthew “Mad” Madigan) and a divorced, single mom running her family’s ski resort (Ashley Cooke) are thrown together by a meddling Mom (Maude Alice) in a toe-curling love story you’re sure to enjoy. The characters and banter are off the charts. I LOVED the middle age representation 🙌🏼, and the realistic depiction of just how complex relationships can be, especially when your own insecurities and emotional baggage get in the way.

Definitely check out this book if you’re old enough to know what a mixed taped is and enjoy forced proximity, second chance romances, grumpy sunshine (FMC), and spice.

I did receive a free copy of this book through NetGalley, but I am voluntarily leaving this review.

#ComeAsYouAre #NetGalley

Come As You Are was absolutely refreshing. Between the unique storyline, surprise turns, heartfelt moments and incredibly sexy moments, this book delivered in all areas. I absolutely fell in love with Madigan, his Rock Star history, his sensitive side and his adorable flirting. Ashley is a strong, motivated mom and business owner, who is determined to succeed regardless of her overbearing mother and obnoxious ex-husband. I loved that these two fell into each others paths at just the right time. It was a pleasure to get to see them fall in love through the pages of this book.

While it was about two people who have lived full lives and are now in their 40’s and 50’s, we didn’t spend half the book discussing that, or the insecurities that people assume come with that, like so many other books about people of those ages do. We just got to see two people, with fresh perspectives falling in love.

I was super lucky to receive an advanced digital copy from @victoryeditingngc & @jesskhardy_author in exchange for an honest review. I have already shared my review to Good Reads (@mel.reads.romance) and I will be posting a full review on my social media channels (@mel.reads.romance) on 7/21/23.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for allowing me read this novel in exchange for a review.

"Come As You Are" which I hope is a hat tip to Nirvana is a very well-written romance with enjoyable middle-aged main characters. The Gen-X references were clear and present, and the personal issues of the main characters were believable and interesting. None of the plot developments felt contrived, and I can't say that at any time I found myself bored. The issues between Ashley and her mother were particularly but realistically irritating.

I wish more novels featured characters like Ashley and Madigan. They may be a younger Gen-X age, but their personalities and interests also have appeal to an older millennial crowd.

(This novel would also make a great movie).

The read was Super cute. This was a new author for me and I’ll be checking out other books.

I just reviewed Come As You Are by Jess K Hardy. #ComeAsYouAre #NetGalley

3.5/5
I loved it! This was a super cute read and it would be perfect for the Holiday season. I rarely see older mcs so this book was super refreshing. It had plenty of spice and it all fell right in with the plot.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was getting background stories on the other characters involved in The Little Timber. Sam especially stole my heart and I was rooting for him the whole book.

Overall, this is a really great romance book and I would definitely recommend it! The best part? The men aren’t afraid to cry!!!!

Come As You Are is a wonderful book that I wasn’t expecting. The whole ski resort aspect is what really drew me into requesting and reading this book but the ex-cons and recovering addicts I think was portrayed very well. This is a very emotional, heart wrenching, healing, and beautifully written starting over story that I loved!

This story follows Ashley, who is trying her hardest to keep her the family ski resort, Bluebird, afloat without having her shitty ex-husband try to buy her out and switch the family style ski resort into something unaffordable. Her mother steps in trying to help keep the resort afloat with a new idea that Ashley is hesitant about. The new idea was that she hire Little Timber Sober Living Home which is a facility for addicts and ex-cons to help keep them under control so she agrees to chat with the owner Matthew Madigan. Reluctantly, she agrees but questions how this will work out.

When the boys arrive, they work their asses off to learn how to ski and then work hard in the positions they were put into. And as the days pass, Ashley and Madigan start to develop feelings for each other. But with so much happening can they make it work?

Come As You Are might just be the hottest thing I’ve read this year. The chemistry between Ashley and Madigan was so smoking it was near painful (in the best way) as tensions between the two built throughout the book.

As a single mom, Ashley is trying to hold her own as her narcissistic, rich ex-husband tries to buy her failing ski resort out from under her. On its last leg, the resort hires cheap labor in the form of the men of a local sober-living home run by Madigan, recovering addict and ex-rock star, in an effort to keep the place afloat and avoid the impending doom the resort faces. Here our story begins. Will Ashley save her ski resort from her ex-husband’s clutches and give finding love another chance along the way? Read it and find out. You won’t be sorry.

Come As You Are was a fast five-star read for me. Plot? You got it. Fully fleshed out characters and character arcs? Oh yeah. Atmosphere? Christmas in a freaking book. Dual POV? Yes. This one has it all.

I loved this book so much! The story line of each character, the beautiful descriptions of Blue Bird Mountain, the main characters love story, and so much more! I never wanted this book to end! I loved Madigan and Ashley together because it showed how to have a happy and healthy relationship and there’s is so beautiful! 5 stars isn’t enough to rate this book, it deserves all the stars! I highly recommend reading it!!

What in the slow burn melting snow this book about!! Omg! Madigan and Ashley really on fire! I really enjoy the mountain and ski lesson here. The dynamic in their relationship is really thrilling, i enjoy their first fight (hurt my chest tho), their first misunderstanding (chuck what a douche), the thrust between them so strong.

Thank you to NetGalley for provide this book, it is pleasure to review this book.

#ComeAsYouAre #BluebirdBasinSeries #JessKHardy #ARCprovidedbyVictoryEditing #Pinkity Publishing #NetGalley #ARC

3.75

I really enjoyed this book! There was a lot of good messages that needed to be mentioned more often about healing and the struggles with what comes after addictions and how to overcome it! I love that even though years have passed, the characters still struggle because it’s really realistic.

There was a few moments where it was a bit cringey or when the men had weed pies, one of the characters said he felt high… surely the ex addicts would have tasted it from a normal pies? Or felt high?

Overall a really good book with some good characters!

Thank you for netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read an arc of this in exchange of my honest review

There is nothing better than snowy mountains, log cabins and a warm fire place....but thrown in a blossoming romance between a woman carrying the world on her shoulders and a man in flannel with an impressive beard and an even more impressive way in the bedroom and just wow!

I adored this fast-paced romance. It's sweet and spicy and saucy wrapped all into one. I can't wait to read more by Jess K Hardy.

FREAKIN AMAZING!!! Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, Pinkity Publishing for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

HOLY HEAVENS!! I absolutely LOVED this book so much!! What a beautiful and heartfelt wintery rom-com between two middle aged characters. I just need to say, that I loved reading about characters in my age group! "Come As You Are" is a slow burn romance that is about starting over, redemption, healing, loss, friendships, family, hope, courage and a second chance at love. It is filled with angst/tension to die for, hilarious banter, tender moments, incredible chemistry, steamy romance and the cutest dog ever! Once I started reading I couldn't stop and I finished it in a day. This is my first read by Jess Hardy and I am a HUGE fan! Hardy has a way of making the characters feel real and relatable and I was so emotionally invested. Literally everything I could ever want in a romance book!! ALL the feels!!🩵❄️⛷️🏔️🩵

Ashley Cooke (46 yrs old) is the owner of Bluebird Basin Ski Lodge and is doing her best to keep it afloat. Her horrible ex-husband is trying to buy out the ski lodge from under her but she is determined to save it no matter what! Well dire situations require extreme measures, right!?! When Ashley's overbearing mother, Maude Alice, suggests having the men from the local sober living home come work for the season, Ashley is not sure that is a good idea but financially it makes sense. Hesitantly, Ashley agrees to meet Matthew Madigan, the owner of "Little Timber" sober living home, to hear him out on how and why this could benefit everyone involved. Madigan (53 yrs old) is your sexy former rock star, ex-drug addict and has dedicated himself to helping recovering addicts get back on their feet. He knows that keeping the men busy and working will help them find their self respect and confidence again. Reluctantly, Ashley consents to hire the recovering addicts but cannot help to wonder what is she thinking?? How will this all work out?

Ashley and Madigan have been through so much in life and it was refreshing to see them communicate like mature adults. Glory Hallelujah!! I loved that Madigan was so sweet and vulnerable and was not afraid to share his emotions. They learned to trust each other and themselves. Ashley struggled with feeling invisible and unwanted but was able to get her self confidence back. The secondary characters were fantastic and I just loved Murphy the adorable St. Bernard dog 🐶! The amount of personal character growth all the characters went through and their stories just touched my heart🩵. What a sweet reminder that it is never to late to find love or a second chance at life!

Overall, this is the perfect swoon worthy rom-com that will leave you laughing, crying and smiling, The cover is so cute and perfect too! The bonus epilogue was perfection. I cannot recommend this book enough and it deserves a million stars!!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

TW:addiction

I devoured this book. There was something about the older protagonists. They had both made mistakes in their past, and it wasn't so much about starting over as it was about moving forward. And both were so mature. Sometimes books feature characters in their later 20s/early 30s that still act like teenagers, but Ashley and Madigan were adults and it was so refreshing. Not to mention that they had a conversation and did not fall victim to the miscommunication trope. Hallelujah!

I would recommend this book for someone who is looking for a romance with heart and heat. It delivered on both and had me checking out Jess K. Hardy's backlist for other books to add to my TBR.

First off the tension between Madigan and Ashley was just perfect! I loved seeing them interact and learning about their pasts. The representative in this book is beautiful! Showing that people can change and always deserve a second chance.
Whilst this was a bit above the age group that I would usually read it was really refreshing to see a love story between two people who are getting their second chance at love!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌶️🌶️🌶️

I really enjoyed this fast paced second chance romance. The characters were relatable and I found myself rooting for them very early on.