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REVIEW: Do Me a Favor by Cathy Yardley

Cathy Yardley's "Do Me a Favor" is a cute and heartwarming romance about second chances and the magic of connection. It follows Willa, a widow trying to navigate life after losing her husband. She moves to this charming little island and meets her ruggedly handsome neighbor, Hudson.

Yardley's writing is funny and sweet, making it easy to get lost in the story. The romance between Willa and Hudson is a slow burn, and you can feel their chemistry. The book tackles themes like grief and healing while showing how important it is to open your heart to love again. The picturesque island setting adds to the charm of their love story, enchanting the readers.

The plot can be predictable sometimes, but the characters are so well-developed that it keeps you hooked. Plus, the island setting is picturesque and adds to the charm of their love story. Some readers might think the pacing drags a bit in the middle, but overall, it's a lovely read worth your time!

Thank you, Netgalley and Montlake, for the free advanced copy for my honest review!

Plot: Willa, a widowed cookbook ghostwriter, moves into the home her great-aunt left her in the Pacific Northwest and quickly encounters another townsperson, Hudson, because of an escape artist of a dog. Willa is still reeling from the death of her husband, whom she'd been a caretaker of for a few years prior to his death. she's also dealing with financial repercussions of a lot of that because *jazz hands* the American healthcare system. She's also not very good at being open and accepting help. Hudson, meanwhile, is a gem of a man. He has golden retriever energy, but also a bit of an edge that keeps me from leaning fully into that metaphor.

What I Loved About this Book: The dog. Not to be ridiculous, but truly, I'm obsessed with the dog. Also, the setting. I loved everything about the setting. And actually, I really enjoyed this book in general. For me, this book was actually better than Role Playing, which it seemed like everyone loved so much. I felt like Yardley shined here in this book creating a sense of community and characters who felt real. (Also the food??? I wish I enjoyed anything about cooking besides the eating.)

What I Struggled With: I kind of wish the end of the book had been extended slightly. It was such a unique way to sort of end things off, but it left me wanting more int he aftermath. Or even during the events that occur at the end. I'm not sure if I've gotten used to reading 400+ page romances or something, but sometimes lately, I keep finding myself wanting more.

Who Would I Recommend This To: I don't think I would recommend this if you're in your early 20s just because both characters are older and I felt like the elder millennial vibes were really strong (another thing I loved). Plus, I think sometimes younger people seem to think that by the time people are 40, they'll be perfectly mature and wise and, well, I used to feel that way too, but now I'm 33 and... I don't feel that way. Anyway, so if you are also an elder millennial (or really just like in your late 20s and beyond), I think that would make this more likely to appeal. Also, Yardley's writing carries with it this weightiness of emotion that I find has been appealing to me more and more, but also, I can't pick up a book like that if I really want a light escapist read. Anyway, all that to say, definitely pick this one up if you haven't and you think you might like it!

Willa Lieu-Endicott moved from California to the Pacific Northwest to start over. Since her husband’s death, she’s been struggling to get back her old career as a cookbook ghostwriter. Unfortunately, her latest project—ghostwriting for a viral cooking sensation known more for his washboard abs than his meals—has her stuck.

Until she meets her new neighbor.

Hudson Daws, the handyman next door, lives on a farm with his parents and two adult children. He’s the opposite of everything she’s ever known. His happily chaotic life includes biker barbecues, an escape artist dog, and adorably menacing goats. He’s also got a sinfully sexy smile and a rumbling bass voice that makes her shiver. He inspires her.

From their first meeting, the two fall into an escalating cycle of favors, paybacks…and attraction, even though Willa’s trying to keep her distance.

They both have their own pasts to deal with. Now, they just have to figure out if they have a future.

A delectable rom-com about a widowed cookbook writer and a divorced handyman who find that it’s never too late for a fresh start.

Once again Cathy Yardley knocks it out of the ballpark with a rom-com. I love her writing style and how she creates characters that jump off the pages.

This is a very cute romance. I appreciate that this author writes stories about characters in their 40s and typically they have already been married and they are finding love again after divorce, death of a spouse, etc. I also like that this book was fairly low angst with most of the drama and conflict relating to factors outside of the relationship. There is just something so cozy about her books and I will continue reading and recommending them.

I really loved this book! First let’s talk about how both main characters are in their 40s! Finally. It’s hard to find older main characters. I absolutely loved Hudson. I loved all the baggage that they both had and overcame together. I would 100% recommend the read.

Thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for a chance to read an advance copy for an honest review.

This is a case of wrong reader/wrong time. I loved a Role Playing and was excited for this one but I am just not in a romance reading mood lately. This didn’t work for me but no romances are so I know it’s me and not all books.

super cute!! i loved their very real flaws and the fears that they had to overcome.i love a good later in life romance, too many romances focus on finding your forever person in your 20s and thats just not always what happens

Willa and Hudson look to start fresh in this wonderful rom com by Cathy Yardley! I absolutely adore this couple and wish the book never ended. The story is funny and quirky and swoon worthy.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Following the death of her husband, Willa Lieu-Endicott moves to the Pacific Northwest to start over. Moving into her late aunt's home, she's surprised by how much work is needed, but also how cosy the town is. Her closest neighbour is flirty and handsome handyman, Hudson Daws, her complete opposite, but the man who's got her heart fluttering again. Running into each other again and again, whether it be in town, or because the dog has escaped into Willa's home, they can't keep apart, and neither has it in them to push back too hard. But they're older now, and have been burnt in love before, so are they willing to risk it all again?

I'm going to admit this was a little bit of an impulse request on NetGalley, but it was such an enjoyable book that I'm pleased with myself. Unlike the majority of romances these days, the couple in Do Me a Favor are older, and have had past marriages come to an end, whether through death or divorce. Hudson married too young, and has two adult children who no longer rely on him as much as they once did. He may not be the only handyman in town, but he's the one who helps the people when they need it, and Willa is no different. Welcoming her to the neighbourhood, he knows he wants more than friendship, but Willa is coming to terms with her own loss, and the conflicting feelings she has over her marriage now it is over. I liked the ghost writing aspect of the book, and the 'sexy cookbook' story line was so fun. Definitely a book I enjoyed, and I'll be on the lookout for more from this author in the future.

A sweet uncomplicated story of two adults learning to take the lemons life has thrown at them and make lovely lemon meringue pie.
I enjoyed Hudson jumping into & embracing his feelings for Willa. But also recognizing that Willa wasn’t ready for all the big feels and happily took his time showing her he was for real.
And Willa was a joy to watch as someone who had the rug pulled out from under her but managed to lean on her new found family & friends and start the second act of her life.
If you are looking for an angst free story that will bring a smile to your face, then Do Me A Favor and check this one out.

Such a delicious slow burn read - complete with fully fleshed out characters.
Cathy Yardley is a new writer I’ve never read before, and it was a joy to discover her talent. Will be reading more from this author

3.5⭐️ rounded up

I enjoyed this more than I expected to!

I really liked Willa and Hudson as characters, them being older than your standard romance leads meant that they had more life experience. Their stories didn’t need to be supplemented with overinflated minor issues or traumas to make them interesting, as they had already lived full lives and had well-rounded interests and passions. Willa was a widow, but she was so much more than that. She wasn’t defined by the tragedy of losing her husband, it was simply part of her story.

The relationship between the two MC’s unfolded in a realistic way, nothing ever felt forced or manufactured. I could easily picture this couple working out in real life. This was a slow burn, but again this felt realistic.

Overall this was a lovely story that would make for a great book club read.

Such a lovely, cozy read set in a small town.

Loved to read the romance between a widow and a handyman. A nice easy read.

I loved the idea of a cookbook writer and a handyman finding romance and peace in their 40s.

Do Me a Favor was a funny, heartfelt, and at times, emotional read. They each have their own dramas and lives but learn that they are better together, that life is better with someone you love by your side even if that first step is scary. I was rooting for Hudson and Willa from the start.

Yardley does a fantastic job of writing extremely funny and relatable characters you can't help but cheer for!

Thank you to Montlake, author Cathy Yardley, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: July 23, 2024

4 STARS

Noodle the dog wanders away from home and brings good guy handyman Hudson into Willa's life. This heartwarming rom-com was a fun smooth read.

Do Me a Favor also veers into women's fiction territory, as the life lessons and reflections seem to rival the romantic plot as far as thematic weight/emphasis. The two main leads are approaching middle age and reevaluating what they're doing with their lives. That said, both characters feel fairly youthful and could easily read as late 30s/early 40s. Regardless of your age, any reader can relate to the carpe diem messaging. I loved how Willa and Hudson's personal passions were featured in the plot and interwoven into their DNA as characters (as opposed to being used as momentary props or talking points in scenes). Willa and Hudson support each other's goals and encourage each other to be their best selves!

READALIKE: Between the small town setting, single dad stuff, and culinary adventures, I feel like fans of Tarah DeWitt's Savor It might love this book and vice versa.

A rom-com involving a widowed cookbook writer and a divorced handyman. A cute second chance romance for two middle aged adults. The characters are relatable and the romance is a slow burn, but there isn’t anything that stands out to make me love and rave about this one.

Loved, Loved, LOVED seeing an older female character (46) start her life over again after a tragedy in her past. honestly it was refreshing to have that older perspective on life and how being set in your ways can hinder being able to ask for help.
unfortunately thhat was pretty much all that was really enjoyable, the writing style was good which is what kept me entertain, however i found the characters to be a bit bland

Willa, a widow in her mid-40s, inherits a house on an island in Puget Sound and gets a job ghostwriting a cookbook for a social media "sexy chef" (looking at you, Donut Daddy!). But guess what? He's NOT the MMC. That would be divorced local handyman and Certified Cinnamon Roll Hudson, who BTW has a grown daughter named Kimber (Jem fans represent!).

The problem for Willa is that she lost her mojo after her husband died, yet she's supposed to be writing a sexy cookbook for the sexy chef. And that's where Hudson steps in. He gets her to let go in all sorts of ways, not least when he invites her to his family's house for a BBQ and she inadvertently eats an entire cookie edible. (Shenanigans ensue, and it is delightful.)

I love a romance with older characters, and this book demonstrates why. We get a glimpse of the whole complex life that Willa has had until this point, which has included plenty of joy, creativity and grief. With older characters, you don't need to manufacture some trauma that happened in high school and that the 20something character is still obsessed with. Willa's trauma has been made over decades, and it feels richer and realer for it. It fuels her search for a purpose and, refreshingly, a steady income.

I also appreciated that Yardley wrote Hudson's ex-wife sympathetically. This woman certainly made choices that you could view with scorn, but she was never treated as a psycho hose beast, which I often find is the case when any Other Woman (past or present) appears in a romance. Life is complex and we all have a past. Yardley gets it.

My one criticism would be the timing: the bulk of the love story takes place over a single month, and then the characters make a huge decision that felt a little unrealistic to me. I also think it needed one more sex scene, because Hudson is HOTT and he and Willa are blazing together.

Overall, a solidly written romance with lots that I loved.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for this digital advance reader copy.