Win Place Show

I HAD SO MUCH FUN READING THIS BOOK AND FELL IN LOVE WITH THE CHARACTERS. Honestly the chemistry was there, Lucy was so funny and Nate was mostly adorable and hot even tho sometimes I hated him. Full review coming soon cause I need to process it and put my thoughts in order but honestly giving it 5* isn't enough for me

From the description of this novel I was instantly intrigued, it sounded right up my ally!
I did however struggle with the way this book was written, I found it a mix of second and third person which sometimes left me a bit confused and having to re-read parts to understand better. I feel like this book was missing a lot of previous character history, instead we are instantly thrown into the deep end. The story is fast paced, I loved the fashion details but I didn’t like the main character. I found her selfish and very unrelatable personally. I liked the story line but felt it just needed a bit more work.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this novel to read and review

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, The Wild Rose Press, Inc and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

What a lovely surprise this one is, in my opinion. The characters are charming and easy to like. Their escapades are are fun to follow as they are. A quick read you won’t want to put down.

This book is just okay. The main female character isn't very likeable, so it's hard to root for her. She engages in a lot of self sabotage and is very confusing to try to understand. The storyline skips over important details of the past so that also adds to the confusion of understanding what's going on. I liked the idea of the plot, but the execution of it fell a little short.

This a quick read. This friends-enemies-lovers romcom was quite enjoyable. This is going to be a spring romance hit.

All bets are off when it comes to bourbon, love, and the Derby. It’s Derby time and Lucy is back home celebrating with her family and friends. She’s also trying to figure out what Nate wants. Nate, her childhood friend slash occasional hookup, is harder to determine than what to wear on Derby Day. To say their relationship is complicated is the biggest understatement of the year. Both her family and his family insist on Lucy and Nate coupling up. It’s no wonder Lucy lives far away. But between the clothing, mint juleps, and living up to family expectations, there’s romance heating up between Lucy and Nate. Can past mistakes be forgotten when Lucy bets on Nate and his love for her or will she lose it all in one race?

Win Place Show is a laugh-until-bourbon-goes-up-your-nose romance. Be warned: have a tissue handy and only drink bourbon in between chapters. From the first page to the last, Win Place Show is an unputdownable romance. I connected with Lucy and her conflicted heart. The long, complicated history between her and Nate had me glued to the story and I couldn’t put it down. The descriptive narration is rich in detail and brings the city of Louisville to life. For those who have never been to the Derby or the city, please savor this book. By the time you’re finished, you’ll feel like you’ve experienced it all. The lure of the Derby and bourbon country is poignantly portrayed in Win Place Show. The romance was such fun to experience from both Lucy’s and Nate’s points of view. There’s a lot of subtext and tension that needs to be resolved before the end, but Liz Crowe handles it beautifully. She’s quickly becoming one of my favorite romance authors. If you call yourself a romance reader, you need to read Win Place Show. Highly recommend!

My Rating: 5+ stars

A genuine light read with one of my favorite tropes: friends to lovers - sprinkled with complicated history. While a bit predictable the story has likable characters and the fun setting of the Kentucky Derby, that created an easy escape for a quick read. Even as I sometimes wanted to shout at the main characters for repeating dumb mistakes, I enjoyed watching them continuously fall together, and sighed a relief when they finally got it right.

I was sent this via netgalley and was excited to dive in as I have just began using the site and its services. The description of the book was something that peaked my interest and while the actual writing of the book was sometimes hard to follow and confusing due to the constant changing of POV and narration, the characters are likeable. I enjoyed the setting of the book as it is a nice change, and who doesn't love bourbon, derby and small town romances. Spice level was mild so I am not sure I would classify this as erotica by any means as it was categorized on netgalley. I also was a bit disappointed with the ending, while it wraps the story up nicely, it felt a bit rushed. Still, a quick and sweet read.

This book is about childhood friends who discovered more in themselves and skirt around their attraction for a long time. They finally ‘succumb’ only to not willing to take it further. We land at that point in time to push things further. We have both set of parents, siblings, friends and even paramours on our side. Only people not complying are the couple in question. So many words and pages and much sexy talk later….you will have to read to find out.

This was my first read from Liz Crowe and I wasn’t disappointed! I really enjoyed the writing style of this book, and I often found myself calculating how long I had left of work, housework, etc. until I could read the next chapter. I’ve never visited Kentucky but the atmosphere and setting were certainly rich with derby vibes and festivities. I enjoyed all of the fashion talk even though I definitely cringed at most of Nate’s choices, lol.

The friends-to-lovers trope was enjoyable, but Lucy and Nate could wear me out sometimes. Some of their conflict was just kind of silly(?) and dragged on without any resolution. The ending wrapped up SO quickly, which was a bit of a let down.

Nevertheless, I still enjoyed this book and would read more from Liz Crowe in the future! If you love books about the South with lovable characters and a bit of spice, this one might be for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wild Rose Press for the advanced reader copy!

Is it hot in here or is it just me???? This book is deceivingly spicy but no complaints here. It was funny and relatable and `overall a good time. Lucy and Nates chemistry was palpable and had me screaming from start to finish. I do feel like the ending was a bit rushed but other than that I adored this read.

This is my first Liz Crowe book and I will say, I will be reading another! Lucy and Nate had so much chemistry and the spice was all there!

I am rounding up to 4 stars. I gave this 3.5. I just feel like alot of the conflict was overbearing (and I love myself something conflict in a story) and the ending was super rushed to me. I wish it would of been drawn out a tiny bit more.

Overall, it was a great story!!

I am a sucker for a great cover and I was instantly pulled in here! This book was a nice short read! I even ended up reading it in the perfect time of May! I have never been to a derby and honestly I had a great time just reading about it!

I didn’t really relate much to either of the characters so I have a hard time getting into it. There was a lot of on the surface content but there was not much to really grab into. There was a lot of mentions of history between the two main characters but since we don’t experience it, it is hard to really dig into the story. There was 🌶spice🌶 in the book but it wasn’t very descriptive.

Even though I have criticisms, it defiantly was great for what it was! I give it a solid 3/5 stars because I hit a point where I was enjoying reading!

Win Place Show is the perfect spring read. It looks into a world of the elite since it derby season. Reading about Lucy feeling the pressure to be the golden couple with Nate and the secret hookups. You can tell that their is true romance heating up with Nate but like all relationships their are ups and downs. Without giving to much away it is a true romantic and thrill chaser.

Friends to enemies to friends with benefits with a healthy dose of spice? Yes, please! This is right up my alley. So why didn’t I love it?

Lucy and Nate have been drawn to each other since the moment they met as kids. But after they each get their heart broken, their friendship has been reduced to one ended a year where they revisit the past in a steamy tangle of limbs with plenty of drama.

To me, Lucy came across as childish and selfish. She held onto grudges from her teenage years while refusing to see any other sides to the story. And while I don’t think there’s much in terms of character growth, I did really like that all the supporting family and friends were honest with her, sometimes brutally so, and helped her see where she needed to make improvements in her own life.

Nate is the ultimate good guy. He attends charity events, works tirelessly on his business, and goes after what he wants. He admits to making mistakes in his past, owns up to it, and wants to fix things with Lucy. His character arc is pretty much done by the time we meet him. But he’s not done with Lucy yet, so he’s got her in his sights.

“I don’t bite.”
“Maybe I want you to. Maybe I need you to.”
“Lady, I will do any damn thing you want me to do to you.”

What I loved:

The outfits! The class! The atmosphere of the Kentucky Derby and the people within it was entrancing. It’s about one long, super exciting weekend where family and friends draw together. It’s not your usual backdrop for a romance book and it’s so much fun!

Lucy and Nate’s families are wonderful and diverse, which is appreciated. They’re easy to relate to and I really liked that Lucy’s mother wasn’t the my-way-is-law type of Southern mom. While still the matriarch of the family, she listened and told her daughters the truth as straightforwardly as she could. And the same goes for Harrison, Nate’s brother. They helped so much at just the right times that I found myself cheering for them.

What I didn’t love:

It’s written in third person from each of their perspectives along with some bits of inner monologue which are funny. The problem I had was when they were together and the inner dialogue came into play, I didn’t know who was thinking that or why. And it seemed like sometimes the dialogue went out of order, but I know I’ve had conversations like that where you start talking about something else while still talking about the first thing. I’ve just never read it like that before, so it was strange at first.

The lack of communication frustrated me when it was happening over and over again - especially when it prevented the story from progressing. Instead of talking things through, they got physical at every point. While I’m all for that, it just reminded me that they’re stuck in the past in their teenage years using physical intimacy as a replacement to emotional intimacy. So when the physical part was done, they were right back at the same trouble they had before they started. And the ending didn’t sit well with me. That might just be a me-thing, though.

All in all, it was a fun and enjoyable story. I loved the world building and you know I loved the drama that ensued with having all of the family together for a weekend! If you like forced proximity, second chance, and miscommunication tropes then this is definitely the book for you.

Such a good read! A good rom-com wrapped into the world of the Kentucky Derby. Take to the beach and dive into the world of horse raises and Louisville. Easy read and very well written. Character development throughout the book. Multiple storylines that keep you invested and make you want to root for the main couple.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Win Place Show is a cute second chance romantic comedy.

Lucy and Nate grew up together, but Lucy has moved away from her hometown. They only see each other once a year when Lucy goes home for the Kentucky Derby, and they’ve started a tradition of hooking up for that one weekend only. This year, however, things go deeper and they have to resolve their past issues if they want a chance for a future…

Like I said, this is a cute story. I found it to be a quick and easy read and while it didn’t blow me away I’ll probably read more Liz Crowe in the future.

I enjoyed this book! It was entertaining as I have never came across a book about the Kentucky derby and the upper class southern society. To see inside the scandalous lives was a thrilling adventure and I was rooting for Nate. I took off a star because I thought it could have been lengthier, by adding more background and more obstacles instead of them just falling for each other. I would definitely read again!

Having no idea how the races work, this was a very interesting learning chance for me. I enjoyed reading about Lucy and Nate, her childhood friend/ occasional hookup when coming home. Lucy is a very head-strong woman that knows what she wants in life but sometimes it just felt like she was too stubborn for her own good. It started off with a bang, where I felt a lot of character history was missed and just popped into the storyline for the sake of the story.

I struggled with the manner in which the book was written, sometimes the sentences were too long and I had to go back and reread it.

The story is fast-paced and enjoyable.

Summer is my favourite season and this book summarized the summer feeling for me. The pure euphoria of being able to go to events, see friends, and just indulge.

I loved Lucy and Nate. This is a classic friends (frenemies?!) to lovers. Nate and Lucy grew up together, a series of events pushed them apart, and now they get together (literally) once a year at the Kentucky Derby. I’m not a horse race gal and I truly know nothing about them. Thankfully, @ did such a good job explaining the fancy weekend events and the timeline that I wasn’t confused! Both Nate and Lucy had their flaws but as a reader you were given their backstory and instantly felt connected.

I recommend this if you love friends to lovers, fancy parties, elaborate outfits, and a good beverage.

Fun and cute rom com! Certain parts were a little confusing on who was talking but overall enjoyed the book

Sinopsis:
Start with a perfect spring weekend full of pretty dresses, high heels, fancy hats, horse races, and bourbon. Combine with a friend-from-childhood lover, Nate Hawthorne, whose ongoing misunderstandings have led Lucy Granger to swear she'll never move back home. Mix in a splash of combined family pressure for Lucy and Nate to be The Golden Couple. Pour over crushed ice and garnish with plenty of hot, secret hookups.

What do you get? A funny sort of romance, chock full of dressing up, mint juleps, an axe-throwing bar, and a huge winning bet at the big race.

Review:
This is the story of Lucille Granger and Nathaniel Hawthorne. They're childhood friends, but something happens that makes Lucy not want to be back home. Reading Win Place Show was really fun, and I loved that Lucy was a strong heroine, having issues with her conflicted heart about what to do, and Nate was a super cute guy. If you're a romance reader, you definitely need to read this one!!!

Rating:
4 stars
Genres:
Contemporary romance, Friends to lovers, strong heroine, millionaire.

The only thing missing from my experience reading Win Place Show was a mint julep in my hand.

As someone who grew up watching their derby this book checked a lot of my boxes. I loved the setting, enjoyed the flirtatious banter, and was fascinated by the fascinators.

Crowe had me so hooked on these characters I’d have read another hundred pages, easy. Lucy is childhood best friend turned girl who got away. She is happy, living away from her glamorous yet unfulfilling past. Nate, the hometown charmer, meanwhile has propelled his family distillery to the next level.

This is a light hearted read about the weekend where worlds collide.

*4.5 ✨ && 4 🌶 for smut*

From the description alone I was all in to read this and although there were some things I didn’t like, it didn’t disappoint.

A spring weekend filled with beautiful dresses, high heels, fancy hats, horse races, and booze count me in?! Lucy goes home for derby weekend not looking forward to the pressure her family puts on her and her childhood friend Nate to be “The Golden Couple.” But mixing unresolved feelings from childhood, plenty of bourbon, and “secret” hookups you get a complicated romance full of dressing up, mint juleps, an axe bar, and big bets at the big race!

I truly enjoyed what Ms. Crowe did with this book. It’s funny because the Kentucky Derby just passed not too long ago! I could picture all the big hats and fancy clothes that she describes in this book and the different events she describes as well. I loved the setting of there being so many different events and getting a glimpse of how derby weekend is.

One major thing I didn’t like about the book and the main reason I only gave it 4.5 ✨ is because I had to sometimes reread a section to understand because she writes in a mix of second and third person. I also found this book in the erotic section and thought there would be more smut than there was but it definitely had some good scenes in it!

I loved that this book made me laugh, sad, happy, and hot 😏! I could truly relate to Lucy and her conflicting feelings at times because I know most of us have been there before. I know there’s a long history with Lucy and Nate but I do wish we got more in depth with their childhood history a little bit in the beginning before she goes home. Ms. Crowe does a great jobs on her descriptive narration and the details in this story! I also loved how this wasn’t your usual backdrop for a romance book. I love how close both families are and the they didn’t seem like the “usual” my way of the highway type of southern mamas! Harrison was definitely my favorite though and Dante, lol. This book and recently watching the Kentucky Derby had made me want to go there and experience it for myself one year as my godmom use to go every year. ❤️

I definitely recommend this book if you haven’t already read it or if it’s on your TBR list!


*Thank you to NetGalley, Wild Rose Press Inc, and the author Liz Crowe for this ARC to read and review*

Liz Crowe's Win Place Show was an enjoyable read.

In Win Place Show we meet Lucy, an Ann Arbor transplant that grew up in a wealthy family from Kentucky. In Ann Arbor, Lucy finds that she is able to be just Lucy and she avoids going home where everyone knows and has expectations of her. Nate, her childhood BFF runs his families Bourbon business with his brother Harrison. Lucy and Nate have a complicated past from friends, to enemies, to enemies with benefits that rekindle every year at the derby.

The story was good, the characters were good, I just felt like I lacked a connection to them, their relationship seemed hot and cold, but I didn't feel any investment as sometimes it felt like what would have drawn me in more to them happened of page, even the characters didn't always know when it changed for them.

Despite not feeling 100% invested in the characters, this book still did everything I expect in a book, it kept me turning the pages and provided an escape into a weekend at the derby gull of bourbon, fancy dresses, cute hats, and uncomfortable heels!

I felt that the character development and prior history of the characters was lazily put together. But the setting was adorable and the plot spicy. Definitely recommending this one to my friends.

Thank you Backlit PR and netgalley for my e-ARC of Win Place Show in exchange for an honest review!

Well to start out: im a huge fan of bourbon, the Kentucky Derby, and enemies to lovers so this book was off to a good start from the first. Lucy and Nate have great chemistry with this whole friends to enemies, enemies to lovers thing they’ve got going on. I loved the banter and tension these two put off. And oh the steam, we need a mint Julip to cool down in here! I thought the story had a great pace and the side character influence from their families really added to the overall plot. My biggest comment was this book being written in 3rd person with two POV. I really got lost in the dialogue sometimes not realizing who was talking, especially if multiple female characters were included (lots of just she said, she said — without pointing out the speaker). Other than that, this was a great summer Rom com read!!

Thank to Negalley and Backlit PR for the online ARC.
I am really torn between this book while I did like the story I did not like the characters if thats possible. Luce really annoyed me holding on to what Nate did to her and not wanting to move forward and or hear him out it just seemed childish to me. I saw no growth in them as characters not even at the end.

I had a lot of fun reading the first 3/4 of this book. It was spicy and entertaining, but the last chunk of the book just really wrapped up too quickly. The issues felt unresolved and then all of a sudden, I was supposed to accept that everything was peachy keen. It felt like the characters didn't grow TOGETHER and I would have much preferred to watch their growth as a couple. Instead, the epilogue showed up and we missed all of that.

This was a really cute and quick read. I loved the Derby weekend setting and how it really showcased how amazing Louisville is during derby season - but was left wanting more of a character history and story wrap up.

Thank you to NetGalley and The Wild Rose Press, Inc for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

As my first Liz Crowe book, I'm happy to say I've really enjoyed reading this novel!!
The sassiness of the characters and the awkwardness of some situations gave it a touch of humour. Also I loved how messy and "real" Nate and Lucy seemed to be, it was so easy for me to feel represented by them.
The only thing that made me give this book 4 stars was the ending. I think it wrapped up really quickly, I would've enjoyed 2 or 3 additional chapters. I found myself even wishing there was a part 2 to this story.

I love how the book started, very easy breezy with chick flick vibe but I am sorry I did not manage to finish this on time before the license expired, Hence, DNF. Thank you author/ publisher for the opportunity!

Win Place Show was a nice, humorous read.
I had a blast reading this story, even if it was completely different from Liz Crowe's other work I've read, I was fascinated and intrigued by all The Kentucky Derby things.

I loved Nate, Lucy not so much, I hated their lack of communication, but when they were together they made me smile and sigh.

Having not grown up watching the Kentucky Derby, the southern theme and setting of Win Place Show drew me in. The "we love each other but actually, disguise this love as hate and ultimately turn into actual lovers" trope is so good and I can't help but root for their story and love. This book is a mix of charming and suspenseful and everything you want in a romcom.

Thank you to Liz Crowe, The Wild Rose Press, Inc and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was drawn to this book from reading the description! Although I felt it swapped from third to second person which left me confused at times. Overall this was a good friends to enemies to friends with a little bit of spice!

A quick and easy read for me which was what I needed. I enjoyed how it revolved around the Derby and the mention of the funky hats (the best part about going to the Derby!)

Lucy and Nate were close as kids but once that "cool phase" came in, Nate treated Lucy like garbage. I totally understand why she felt the way she did about him for all of those years but would you not try to speak to each other and solve the constant turmoil?

I really did want to hate Nate and wanted Lucy to ditch him but he did have his appealing bits and I'm glad things ended the way they did.

Thank you to NetGalley and The Wild Rose Press, Inc for the eARC

Check out my review on Goodreads!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4859963203