Ashley Cooke is 46, divorced from a gaslighting, cheating, craptastic husband who is hellbent on buying the ski hill that belongs to her family so that it’s incorporated into a “Nutella” ski conglomerate. She’s having none of it. But her credit cards are maxed out and she’s losing customers to the fancy resorts. She’s at wits end. That’s when her mother basically drives her over the edge with her antics. Without Ashley’s knowledge, she set up a deal with the men who live at the Little Timber Sober Living Home. It’s run by 53-year-old Mathew ‘Mad” Madigan, an ex-con. Madigan used to be in a famous grunge band in the past but he burned bridges and money with his own addiction. After recovering with the support of his family, he decided to help other men recover and find their footing.
At first, Ashley is livid. It’s the last straw. How can her mother do things so impulsively and just create more problems for her?
But when Ashley and Madigan meet, it’s impossible to deny how drawn to each other they are. She sees the real him and he treats her with all the respect and admiration she never got from her ex. 
After chair lift confession, bunny hill shenanigans, they start forming a bond. But Madigan and his men are only there for the season and it’s not looking like Ashley will be able to save the hill anyway. Unless she accepts the help of these men and organize an event that might save them all.

First of all, hooray for “older” MCs!!!! It’s so refreshing to see that amazing romance books can be written with characters of any age. I loved how absolutely romantic this was! They are dealing with real life issues and struggles and the discussions about addiction, getting older, falling in love after you thought you’s never experience it again, not believing that you are worth the trust of the people around you…
I absolutely loved it and was cheering for Madigan and Ashley and for all the men from Little Timber! 
A must read!
Thanks, NetGalley for the advanced copy.

I smiled throughout this entire book. It was charming, uplifting, and sweet. I love books about starting over, under dogs, falling in love, and finding confidence. I also appreciated how the author showed how addiction affects not just the addict but those in their lives.

I really enjoyed that these characters are in my age bracket. It's hard to find a good older romance.

This books was great! The characters and the plot are well written and interesting. The story is interesting and I would definitely read it again.

Come As You Are was a nice read, romantic and steamy.
I struggled a little with the addicts being packaged so nicely as hard working trustworthy guys as that isn’t how addiction generally goes.
I did enjoy the romance of the main characters and I loved the dog!

I absolutely LOVED this book!

The premise was just perfection in itself. Ashely runs a struggling ski resort and in order to stay afloat for another season she hires a group of men from the local sober living home, Little Timber.

This is such a cosy wintery book, but the steam keeps things warm as Ashley falls for the sexy ex-rockstar Madigan who runs Little Timber! The aging rockstar trope is just IT for me. 😅

The romance developed out of so much mutual respect and trust and while there was definitely a lot of HEAT there was also so much love that grew between the main MCs. I love when characters are finding themselves, actively trying to be better, working on and aware of their own stuff. It is so refreshing and makes them so much more relatable and likeable even with their flaws.

This had the perfect amount of conflict, mostly in the form of financial pressure and difficulties with an ex, but while this book was definitely a page turner it was still a really easy, fun, enjoyable read. It never feel too stressful but kept you on your toes!

This book is such a gem and absolutely deserves all the high praise that it is receiving! I'm really looking forward to reading more books by Jess K Hardy and more books in this series!

I want more middle-aged romance just like this!! 🥰

Come As You Are is a sweet, sexy, funny, emotional story that I thoroughly enjoyed. Jess K. Hardy is a new-to-me author and I'm so glad I gave her a shot! The first in the Bluebird Basin series, Come As You Are made me laugh, cry, and swoon. I loved the setting, the characters, and the storyline. It kept me entertained and fully invested from start to finish.

I adored Madigan and Ashley. As older, middle-aged characters, I could relate well to them and their struggles. They played so well off of one another and I loved how Madigan was able to draw Ashley out of her shell and loosen her up. Ashley, in turn, helped bring Madigan back to life and, together they had great chemistry. Their relationship wasn't easy and a meddling ex-husband contributed to plenty of that angst. But, they found their happily ever after despite the obstacles in their way. Add in a colorful group of men from Little Timber, one loveable mother, and an adorably loyal and energetic pup, and you have a well-rounded cast of characters that are sure to entertain. Don't miss this sweet and spicy story! 4.5 stars

Sweet book about second chances in life. It’s a light, fluffy book that deals with a lot of heavy issues. Main couple was great and I loved watching them fall in love and lean on one another. Side characters were good. Some stronger than others. I will pick up the next book in the series.

I received a copy from netgalley and the publisher.

Slow-Burn Romance at its finest, when his heats up it gets hot! This story was such an enjoyable read one that I found myself unable to put down.

Within the story we meet Madigan who is an ex addict who is now running a rehabilitation programme named Little Timber for other addicts after getting clean, we then meet Ashley who is running her ski mountain family resort but struggling to keep it a float, the two don’t have the best start as it’s starts with Ashley’s mum meddling however we see Ashley take Madigans men into her workplace and offer them seasonal work at the resort.

Through the story we see so many relationships develop and I really enjoyed it, I’m super happy to find out that this is only a first in a series so I’m definitely checking them out.

Bonus point they are available on KU! I was very thankful to be given a copy via NetGalley.

A nice read, even though everything felt a little flat for me. Overall, a nice novel to pass an afternoon with.

As a GenXer I loved this story. The characters were great, The plot was great and it was so refreshing to have older MCs. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book!

Ashley is desperate to save her family's ski mountain. She is willing to put in the hard work, but she just can't think of anything that will attract more people to the mountain. Madigan loves his career helping men who have recently gotten out of prison and are trying to reintegrate into society while staying clean and sober. When their worlds collide it will either be a disaster, or it might be just what they both need. Will they find their happily ever after?

Both Ashley and Madigan are middle-aged with lots of life experience. I like that the author chose to make them both real middle-aged people. Ashley had a hysterectomy and has certain side effects from it that actually get discussed. Madigan is a recovering addict who is terrified of making one wrong step and ending up spiraling out of control. His self-awareness could be too much, but the author does a good job of developing why he is the way he is and showing how he copes with his insecurities. Both Ashley and Madigan feel very real and human. I like the fact that they both have good relationships with their families (even if Ashley's relationship with her mother needs a little work). I liked the men from Madigan's sober living house. Each one of them brought something unique and important to the story. I even liked the "bad guy". He was bad but he helped to push the story forward. In the end, the author could have taken this story in an over-the-top direction and chose to go more realistic and subtle and I appreciated that a lot.

I did have one issue with the story. The big concert seems to have happened without a bit of rehearsal. Um....Madigan hasn't played in over a decade and hasn't been with his bad in two decades so.... Anyway, that bugged me.

This is a contemporary romance that takes place on a ski mountain during ski season. There's a big, goofy dog and an annoying, over the top mother. If you are looking for a love story between two people that are very reluctant to take a chance on love, give this a try. I thought it was a refreshing take on middle aged love. I will read more from this author in the future.

Ashley bas been managing her family’s mountain resort ever since her dad passed away. While struggling to make ends meet, she meets Matthew who manages a sober living home. They end up working together as Ashley needs more manpower for the skiing season while Matthew needs employment for his men.

Due to their past, both Ashley and Matthew are hesitant to move beyond friendship to something more. Ashley was burned by her ex-husband who constantly put her down while Matthew struggles with believing that he is worthy of a good woman like Ashley.

It was refreshing to read a romance novel featuring a mature couple (Fmc is 46, while Mmc is 53). The slow burn between them is 🔥 though they are surrounded by snow 😆

However, the back and forth and various misunderstandings took away some of the “fun” and I wished the breakup was done slightly differently though.

This book reminds us all that love doesn't stop past a certain age and it can come for us in our 40s and 50's as well. It is heartwarming, uplighting and sweet.

Ashley is doing her best to save her lodge that was left to her while dealing with her ex husband but Ashley is determined to save it no matter what and follows suggestion of a sober home where we meet Matthew, former rock star and recovering addict and wants to assist others. I loved both characters and rooted for them so hard. I liked how vulnerable and real this story gets about finding love as you get older because so many things and baggage comes with that. Ashley's ex-husband cheated on her throughout their 16-year marriage, and it has affected her self-esteem. Madigan's years of addiction and prison time have also left him feeling less than confident. He hasn't had a real relationship with a woman since he has been sober but they work through that and create a happy and healthy and loving relationship and find happiness with each other and get their second chance. This book was so good and I highly recommend it.

Come As You Are ⛷️ by Jess K Hardy
thank you to @netgalley for this arc, here is my honest review!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️
My thoughts: As a single mom, I loved this. Ashley is 46, divorced and Madigon is 53, owner of sober living home. Ashley’s ex husband Chuck is persistently involving himself in her business and wants to buy her ski hill but she refuses to let go of the place her dad always fought so hard to save. She has her hands full and cannot be distracted by Madigon whose men are the workers she hired to cut costs to survive the season. Both have their hands full, so will they stop resisting each other and have a fling or will it become more?
This book snatched my attention up with the cover, I didn’t even read the blurb. I went in blind and am so happy I did. The characters were so easy to love, even in cold snowy weather, this just felt so cozy! I mean it got pretty heated in plenty of scenes but I didn’t mind 😌 Maud Alice, Ashley’s mother was such a character! She had me cracking up and I was hoping her and Clay could start something 👀 and Ashley’s daughter Davis needed a scene with the Kev, but I hope to read the second book soon. This book was so amazing and gave me all the warm feels. The plot was perfect and the plot twist took me off guard. I love how it ended, perfect with everyone getting what they deserve. I really took this as a sign that no matter where life takes you, no matter what your past is, true love and happiness is always worth fighting for. I definitely recommend!

I looooooovvvveed everything about this story!

The relationship that Madigan has with the Timber Creek men was inspiring. THe love that Ashley has for the mountain and her family is huge.

I can not even put into words the growth both Madigan and Ashley had through out this story. i NEEEDDDDDD more. Literally can not wait to read the second one!

Posted to Goodreads and Amazon

Loved it!!! It was great to read characters that were similar to my age. Romance is not just for the young!

Highly, highly, recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an arc. All opinions expressed are my own.

3.5 stars!

Madigan and Ashley were upper cute together! I loved the setting and that they’re both older and more mature. Their storylines worked really well. If you’re looking for a lighter storyline (with some depth) and a lot of fun side characters, you’ll want to pick this one up!

If you want a winter hallmark love story with spice look no further. This is such a sweet, low angst romance that will have you kicking and giggling. I love that together they save the resort and both fit into each other like missing pieces to a puzzle.

A FANTASTIC read! I loved so much about this book. The characters, their age, the life struggles, the humor, the banter. It was such a great book.

This was my first by Jess K. Hardy and now I can’t wait to read the second.

Right from the start you know you’re going to love both Ashley and Matthew. Then we find out Matthew is from the PNW??? I should have known from the title.. but it definitely made me love him that much more.

I really thought this one was being hyped up when I read the reviews, but for sure it lived up to the hype!

One thing for sure, not only do you love the MCs, you’ll love the supporting characters as well.

A must read! Thanks so much NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the eARC.

Thank You to Netgalley, author, and publisher for sending me a digital e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The cover is vivid, well-drawn, and accurately depicts the characters, scene, and tale. The map in the book is lovely and looks like a marketing map for a park or ski resort. The narrative contains elements of humor, realism, romance, sadness, and reflection, which made me laugh, smile, cry, and feel and reflect with the characters. The characters are all so relatable, charming, and well-developed that you feel as if you are right beside them, developing with them on their adventures. The plot was brilliantly written, well-developed, and had a few minor plot twists that added mystery and intrigue to the story, making it even more engaging. The writing was beautiful, realistic, and inventive, which made it easy to identify with the characters and immerse oneself in the plot and environment. The characters, events, and plot drew me in from the first page, and I wish I could have read it all in one night, but I couldn't.

The humor is well-done, and it serves to alleviate the stress and difficult periods in the book while helping readers laugh alongside the characters. There are so many relatable moments for various people, such as worrying about how one will pay their bills, feeling like life has taken you on a rollercoaster you did not agree to ride, grieving a parent, having a difficult time in life but doing your best to get back on track for yourself and loved ones. I appreciate how on the cover and in the book, it is mentioned that Madigan has fear and hope tattooed on his hands, which to me felt like a nod and warning to not let fear control you or overwhelm optimism for a brighter future. I adored and enjoyed Madigan's brother and parent-type banter, as well as his bond with the men from Little Timber. Their friendships were entertaining, witty, relatable, and admirable. Ashley's connection with her daughter Davis and mother, Maude Alice, was relatable and reminded me of my own with my mother. Murphy the dog, despite being a minor character, plays a crucial role as a lovable sidekick who sets things in motion while also serving as a loving fur companion. I liked how Ashley and Madigan's romance progressed; it was realistic, amusing, and impressive in how they supported each other's journey to conquer their challenges, anxieties, and strive for their goals. The romance becomes a little spicy, hence the mature rating, but it contributes to the plot and character development rather than detracting from it, which I really loved.

Come As You Are by Jess K. Hardy is a beautifully written and developed book about overcoming obstacles, finding one's way again, moving on from the past, and learning to live in the present, as well as learning that things and people are not all the same and that it is okay to learn, give, and receive love again. Recommended for readers looking for a beautiful, amusing, and touching contemporary romance with two older main characters, a cute dog, sibling-like banter amongst friends, and more. This is the first novel in Jess K. Hardy's Bluebird Basin series; however, both may be read as standalones. I've already bought a digital copy of both volumes in the series, Come As You Are and Lips Like Sugar. I look forward to reading Lips Like Sugar and additional Jess K. Hardy works in the future.