This is a swoon worthy five-star read. I loved Willa and Hudson as well as all of the secondary characters who pop up in this one, even the characters who aren’t active in the story, they all play a part. I did have some issues with parts, the description of diabetes wasn’t the best, but then each person deals with it differently, and some people do have a self-destruct where its concerned, but I know this will irritate some. I loved the fact that they were both mature, and we get to see the love story that is Hudson’s parents as well, that was sweet. Willa was so independent that it hurt, but in the end, she realised what’s important as yes independence is but so is happiness. Noodle definitely deserves his own little mention, as he was a huge part of the story and made me smile every time he popped up.

This was such a cute book. The romance was really cute and I enjoyed it a lot. And I could not put this book down. The plot was very well thought out.

Loved that the characters were older than you’d usually find in a romance like this. A cute, slow burn with some spice and main characters I really liked, especially Noodles! The setting was perfection. Thanks Netgalley and publisher for this sweet read.

𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
This was a really sweet book about two people in their 40s finding love. I loved how they kind of found themselves as they found each other. All the characters were likable and I loved the setting of the island.

𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Willa had devoted her entire life to someone from an early age. Her whole adulthood had basically revolved around her husband’s life and happiness. And then he died.
Then there was Hudson, who had twins at 19 and raised them alone. He also put his own happiness on the back burner.
They both had major commitments at a very young age. When Willa’s husband dies and Hudson’s kids are now adults, they are suddenly free in the world. Being free doesn’t mean you’re ready though. It certainly doesn’t mean that you know how to navigate any of it.

This was a very slow burn but I appreciated it. They’re two adults who have a lot of baggage to deal with so it felt natural that it would move slow. Willa was fiercely independent and never asked anyone for anything. Hudson was the local handyman who genuinely loved helping other people. They were a match made in heaven.
I really liked how they had both lived very different lifestyles but were able to understand each other on a profound level. I think that understanding helped them trust each other very early on.
I also liked how there were a lot of characters of various ages in this book who were having a crisis regarding their career/job or life in general. Not everyone goes out and has a full blown career that they always dreamed about. Not everyone has it all figured out at the same time and that’s ok!
You’re never too old (or too young) to go after your dreams! I loved it :)

Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for the eARC. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for this ARC. To me, this was a cozy read. It had everything; quirky family and friends, love, loss and finding yourself. I really loved the conversations everyone(not their mom) had with Hudson his kids. As a young person myself, those words felt validating. The one thing I would have loved, was for Willa to get to know more people that live on the island. To get a feel for that small island life.

Overall: 3
Spicy: 2

Overview: Recent widow moves inherits a relatives house and has to make the decision if she'll keep or sale. During the time there she does to ghost write to get back in the swing of cooking and publishing world. Since the house is on a island they have a different way of life and close knit community. The next door neighbor is where the town handy man lives, how has an escape artist for a pet. He's recently divorced and has dedicated his life to his twin children. Now they are older and want him to be happy.

Review: Overall it was a great second chance romance and finding love later in life. The story line felt rushed and I didn't feel the true connection between the couple and development of the story line. The book felt fairly predictable from the first chapter, I could see how the story was going to unwind. It was a quick read and okay book, but nothing wow worthy.

Widow and cookbook ghost writer, Willa Lieu-Endicott moved from California to one of Washington state's islands to live in the house her Aunt left to her. Willa feels as if she is adrift without purpose since her husband has died. She is closed off emotionally, afraid to open up or reach out to anyone. Until she finds a dog in her garage during a thunderstorm. Calling the number on the dog's tag, she meets her neighbor, Hudson Daws.
Hudson is a handyman on the island he has lived on all of his life. Hudson is immediately attracted to Willa but realizes that she is shut down and doesn't easily trust anyone.

After a series of mishaps and casual run-ins, Hudson manages to get passed some of Willa's barriers. She is attracted to him, but afraid to acknowledge her feelings of interest. Slowly Hudson manages to reawaken Willa's desires as well as get her to put her guard down so they can move their relationship forward. They share their private secrets and their hopes that had been pushed aside for life.

When the cookbook she's ghosting goes awry Willa decides she has to make a change or remain afraid to ask for help. She also suggests that Hudson do the same. She heads back to California and her parent's home for a short time to put her new life plan into motion. Hudson also knows he has to leap as well and heads to Switzerland for a year to follow his dream as well. In the end, the couple realizes they love each other and it's happily ever after.

This is my first book by Cathy Yardley and I did enjoy the book for the most part. The characters of Willa and Hudson were well-developed and as the story went on, it became clearer that they were a good match. The author did an excellent job of making their relationship grow naturally. Their immediate attraction to each other didn't feel, at least not to me, like insta-love, since neither even thought they would be more than just friendly neighbors and acquaintances.
My only criticism of the book is I would have liked to have had more of an obstacle for their relationship to overcome. It might have been interesting for the off-islander to make a bigger play for Willa or if Hudson's ex-wife wanted to come back to him or at least make an appearance on the island to access the new woman. But that's just me.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Tessa Bailey or Olivia Dade books. I will definitely be reading more of Cathy Yardley's backlist.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5⭐️
I was really excited for this book and while i did enjoy it, nothing really stood out for me. There were points that had me kicking, screaming, laughing (the skunk scene iykyk). It m was a cute little read that i think people would really enjoy!

The romance tho 😘. Willa & Hudson were so cute. I love that they are both in their 40’s, we need more older love interests in romances. Hudson’s kids were a really fun addition to this story. But the best character in this story is Noodles. Who can resist a cute dog? I know i can’t!

I would definitely recommend this book, and look forward to trying more of Cathy’s books.

3.5 stars

I firmly believe that Cathy Yardley writes for us mixed Asian Americans! She's created yet another strong and lovely FMC with Willa. Willa is a recent widow who inherits a home on a small PNW from her great-aunt. She's a bit down on her luck after wrapping things up after her husband's passing, so she turns to an old friend in cookbook publishing for some much needed work. While on the island she meets Hudson, the local handyman, who also happens to be everyone's favorite eligible bachelor.

I love that food is often a theme in Cathy's books! It plays a central role in this book because Willa is ghostwriting a cookbook. The dishes she tested and prepared are both believable and sound delicious! I love that Cathy uses food to bring characters together and ultimately closer to one another.

The pacing is great and it is a very easy read just like her other contemporary romances. I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for mixed representation in romance! Really looking forward to seeing what Cathy Yardley has in store for us in the future!

I received an advance review copy from NetGalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Do Me a Favor releases July 23, 2024

3.75

- dual pov
- cookbook ghostwriter x handyman
- widow x divorced single dad
- neighbours
- pnw island setting
- characters in their 40’s
- love after loss
- biracial fmc
- first time having edibles
- a persistent runaway dog
- oops my house got skunked so now we have to share a bed
- slow burn

This was cute! I loved the small town farm vibes, and the close knit family. I don’t often come across romances with characters that are more older, so it was a nice change.
Overall, I think the pacing could have been a bit better, but I really enjoyed the underlying themes.
The story puts into perspective that there’s really no set age where you need to have your life fully figured out, as shown with both Hudson and Willa in their early and mid 40’s, as well as Hudson’s adult children who’re in their 20’s.
Finding the confidence to ask for help when you’re an independent and self-sufficient person can be so hard, so I loved seeing that vulnerability from Willa.

3/5 stars

Such a cute & quick read!!!🥹🥹
Will post the full review near publishing date🫶🏼 (July 23, 2024)

Do Me a Favor is a small town romance for people who swoon for acts of service. This book was so sweet and romantic. The way Cathy Yardley wrote both characters POV had me kicking my feet waiting for them to finally get together.

The standout for me in the book was the main character Willa. Willa is a fantastic romance heroine who breaks the genres typical stereotype. She isn’t sassy or impulsive. She stands up for herself and others in a way that is calm, caring and still strong. She has her own dreams without being highly independent and I loved reading from her perspective.

My only criticism is that at times the dialogue felt unnatural, particularly between Hudson and his kids. As someone who is closer in age to Hudson’s two kids, I found it distracting to read about 23 year olds that didn’t feel very real.

Overall I recommend this to anyone looking for a sweet and endearing romance that’s a quick and easy read.

This was a delectable read. A single divorced dad, handyman and farm owner? Sign me up!

_____

When Willa, a widowed, ghost cookbook writer, comes to the small island where Hudson, a divorced, single dad (who works as a handy man and owns the farm across the street from Willa’s new place) meet, it’s like the world stop for both of them.

Willa is stuck on ideas for a new cookbook she’s been assigned and BOY does Hudson help her *spice* things up!

This is a great story of love and loss, of defeat and triumph, and realizing that no matter how much time you think has passed, there is still SO MUCH life left to live.

This is a definite must read!

Please check trigger warnings before reading as there is mention of spousal death, talks of disease, familial strife, etc.

*thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read, review, and give my honest opinion*

The definition of a cozy romance. I love Willa and Hudson so much. This was unlike and romance I've read.

Hear me out. For the romcom lovers, picture the scene in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days where we get to see the real side of Andie after Ben takes her to Staten Island to meet his family. It’s fun, it’s loving, but most importantly, it’s REAL. Now imagine an entire book with that vibe- the feeling of rediscovering your favorite food, meeting up with an old friend, of finding a version of yourself again that had been lost for a long time. That, dear reader, is how I’d describe Do Me a Favor.

You have Willa, a widowed cookbook ghost writer in her 40’s who has just moved to into her recently inherited home on an island in Washington, searching for inspiration she’s long lost from her past self. Enter Hudson, the island’s handyman/contractor, the go to for those around him who need help fixing what’s broken. And who better to help Willa repair the holes in her heart than him? But for a feat like that to happen, both characters need to go on a journey of rediscovering their “why” and that’s exactly what we get to see in this story.

I loved every single minute of this book, and you will too if you enjoy stories that include:

-strangers to friends to lovers
-characters rediscovering love later in life
-a loving dog named Noodle
-a full cast of characters that make the story even better

This book had me laughing out loud more than once! The humor in this book is top notch and I'm a sucker for a good slow burn. Chapter 16 was probably my favorite chapter. I highlighted so many quotes in this book on humor alone. Cathy Yardley knocked it out of the park on this one! I absolutely loved the MMC lifestyle and personality. Hudson's mom and daughter were both great. The only reason I am giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is simply because of the reverse age gap(not a big one) and sometimes the MMC seemed to perfect. I will be reading more of Cathy Yardley and looking for her amazing humor!

3.5

i liked it, but nothing much more. i prefer yardley’s last book, personally. something i like about these romance novels that center around “older” adults (40s), is how mature the relationships are. the third act in this one really showed that off.

#netgalley

Do Me a Favor by Cathy Yardley is a small town, later in life romance that focuses around the two protagonists, Willa and Hudson. It is a dual POV romance that is well-written and good for anyone who likes those tropes.

The characters of Willa and Hudson are well characterized and I felt like I had a good grasp on who they were throughout the book. Willa just lost her great-aunt Caroline and moves into her old house after receiving it in her will. Hudson is a local handyman who lives with his parents and two adult children on their family farm. He is trying to get into general contracting on the island. The characters are definitely likable and you will be rooting for them by the end. Their relationship feels very genuine.

The plot of this romance is well-written and interesting. Willa is a cookbook ghostwriter who is writing for a social media star and Hudson is helping her repair her great-aunt’s house. The book really tackles doing things for yourself and following your passions. I really loved some of the messages in this book, but the romance was also really well done and sweet.

Overall, I would give this book 3.5/5 stars. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a cute, later in life romance. It is pretty quick to get through, but is sweet and well-written. I really enjoyed getting to read this one.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

When I started this book, I got a bad feeling. I was looking for something different than my usual reads and I just got this feeling that this book was not in my preferred genre at all, and I was going to dislike it, and I felt awful. Then I kept reading, and I fell in love.

I don't usually enjoy books about characters 10+ years older than me because I can't relate to them. Then Willa went to the barbeque, had a hilarious experience, and I lost it. I was attached to this book from then on. That scene, the sexy chef guy, and the goats and ice cream scene made this truly funny, heart warming and endearing for me to read!

I did need a bit more spice, though. The romance was so heavy and I wanted the fruits of the labor to pan out. A couple fade to blacks left me feeling undercut and wanting more in an angsty, not so fun way. I think a bit more heat and it would have been a perfect read for me.

Overall, though, this was a banger. I enjoyed it, found it fun and easy to read, and am glad that my horizons of characters I like broadened a bit. Hudson and Willa were so cute, their journey different from my usual pick-ups, with great chemistry and a fun dynamic.

So this was a cute read with older characters, which I appreciated because I’m in my thirties and I just don’t relate to college age romances anymore. I particularly liked Hudson, he was a great hero.