Thank You for the opportunity to review this book. Sorry, I attempted to read this book. However, I couldn't get in to it. So, I was unable to finish reading and reviewing it.

First Step Forward is my first book by Liora Blake, but it definitely won't be my last. This book was delightful and completely unexpected! I really had no idea what I was getting myself into since this was a new to me author, but this book was great from start to finish. I had such a great time reading this story and I cannot wait for more! First Step Forward is the first book in the new Grand Valley series, and I am already anxious for the next one.

Pro-football player Cooper Lowry's age is starting to show, so when an injury sends him to the pharmacy he isn't in the best of moods. The last thing he is prepared for is to meet Whitney Reed, a farmer on the verge of losing her orchard. When their chance meeting quickly evolves into more though, Cooper finds himself reevaluating his entire life. Could Cooper's sudden need to get away be what saves her orchard and can Cooper and Whitney find a connection and future they never expected?

I absolutely loved these two! They had chemistry right away, and I absolutely loved their interactions. Both Cooper and Whitney were so well written and their characters had so much depth. They were funny and sweet, sexy and hot. I loved their banter and couldn't get enough of their light and flirty exchanges. There was also so much emotion though, and there wasn't anything about them that I didn't like.

Overall, this was such a great story. I was captivated right from the start and I didn't want it to end. This book was refreshing and different, and exactly what I had been looking for. This story was such a cute and sweet read, yet it brought plenty of emotion and steam to keep me flipping the pages. If you are looking for a quirky contemporary story that you can enjoy the whole way through, this is definitely one I recommend checking out. Liora Blake was a new to me author, but after reading First Step Forward, I will absolutely be checking out more of her books in the future.

First Step Forward is the first book in the Grand Valley series. Liora Blake is a new author for me, so I was looking forward to seeing where she would take me in her world. I wasn’t disappointed. Not one bit. I loved this seriously sweet, romantic, sometimes silly, sometimes hot read! Cooper and Whitney were unique, enchanting characters that really brought this story to life.

Cooper Lowry is a football player in need of a break and a chance meeting with an apple orchard hippie sends him on one amazing journey. Told in alternating POV’s, this book was a great read.

I loved how Cooper was honest, outspoken and sexy and you couldn’t help but fall in love with his cocky charm. Whitney Reed was so much fun! Her out of the box thinking and her fascinating character development made me love her right from the start. I enjoy strong, independent heroines and though she was in need of help, she proved she had the strength to know how to accept it.

These two together were the most unlikely pair but they proved that opposites do attract, sometimes in the most unexpected of ways. Along with being cute, they were seeexy! I loved their chemistry and their interactions which left me either hot and bothered or in hysterics at their fun back and forth bantering.

A sweet, charming, not to involved read that you can really enjoy when you need something light and sexy. I’ll definitely be looking for more books from this author.