Distilled Heat

I hope this series doesn't end anytime soon. Jennifer Bramseth has cemented herself irrevocably in my favorite author collection. Her stories are such a joy to read that I am always looking ahead to what subject matter she will tackle next and what characters she will use. I received an ARC of Distilled Heat in exchange for an honest review. As always there is a history between the two main characters. Jon and Pepper have been the best of friends for years. As with every relationship there are issues with trust and emotional turmoil but it is so obvious that these two are meant to be. I am so thankful to NetGalley for introducing me to Jennifer Bramseth. She is an author that has a prolific understanding of what is appealing to her audience. I am glad she is finally being discovered by more than just Amazon readers.

Jon Buckler and Pepper Montrose, after many years as friends, find themselves finally at a place in their lives where friendship may move on to something more. Pepper carries baggage from the past and Jon has been busy dealing with his law practice but then…things change…at least for a while. They do not have smooth sailing with death, family, legal and other issues cropping up to be dealt with. Pepper’s redheaded temper, in my opinion, leads her into acting without thinking things through from time to time and I kept thinking, “Pepper, act instead or reacting.” It was fun seeing some of the characters from previous books in the series and also being introduced to characters that will show up in future books. This was a very enjoyable read and I look forward to learning more about whiskey, horses and perhaps music as the series moves forward.

Thank you to the NetGalley and the author for the copy of this book to read and review.

You know how the only luck some people seem to have is bad luck? Well, that’s pretty much been Pepper’s life. If it weren’t for bad luck she’d have none at all… to borrow a lyric. Until that day when she took a chance, made a gamble and it paid off so much more than she’d ever dreamed of.

Now she could make those dreams that were hovering around the ends of her wishful thinking imaginings… reality. A horse farm for retired Thoroughbreds, where they could live out their lives in comfort, love and the freedom to just be themselves no longer slave to jockey or race dates.

To set things in motion she needed a lawyer, a very good lawyer that she knew she could trust – her best friend forever, Jon. Except instead of backing her, being happy for her good fortune and future dreams… Jon laughed at her. He thought the whole thing was a fine joke she was playing on an old friend. Wrong move, mister. For a man who should have had some idea of Pepper’s past and her insecurities, and then you laugh when she’s asking for your help. Yeah, very very wrong move.

Pepper found herself another lawyer – and it didn’t hurt one bit that her new legal representative was Jon’s rival attorney in Bourbon Springs. How do you like that joke now Jon?

Of course, Jon has some serious groveling to do once he realized his mistake. Pepper’s temper matches her name and her hair perfectly and she’s not about to let him off the hook easily.

They have a past but Jon is hoping that they also have a future, see he’s been in love with his best friend for a while now. They may have lost touch for a bit, but now Jon knows what he wants and it’s a future with a very spicy lady. Suddenly getting Pepper to understand, believe and accept that fact is vitally important. Because along with good fortune, other things usually crawl out of the woods to try to take the good stuff for themselves. Pepper is going to need Jon, but she is also going to have to get past more than that laugh – their romance is not going to move smoothly but if at the end Jon has Pepper for life it was worth the risks and the trouble.

I enjoyed Distilled Heat, very much. Pepper was a character that I could relate to – having a temper of my own and having to eat crow often because of it, that kinda endeared both Pepper and Jon to me right off the bat. Watching Pepper take on the journey of making her dreams a reality was enjoyable, even when the road was rocky. Encountering old friends from the series and finding perhaps new ones as well is always a treat in a long ongoing series like Bourbon Springs. Knowing that the series was expected to be 9 stories long – I’m hoping Ms Bramseth has something else in store for us once Bourbon Springs wraps up. (hint, hint, *smile*)

If you adore a really good love story, with banter, mistakes, discovery of truth and a happy ending then Distilled Heat should be on your radar. I would have no hesitation is recommending this story or this series to anyone who enjoys a good romance with a strong community feel to it.

*I received an e-ARC of Distilled Heat from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Pepper Montrose has had a rough life. She has just won the lottery and can quit her job as an elementary school teacher and take care of her ailing mother. Pepper calls her lifelong best friend, Jon Buckler, who is a local attorney to help her. Jon doesn't believe that she actually won the lottery so Pepper contacts another lawyer. Jon attempts to make amends with Pepper and they fall into a hot affair. When Pepper finds out Jon omitted a truth, she breaks things off with him and focuses on her new home and thoroughbred sanctuary.

Jon does not want to give up on Pepper and their life-long friendship. Will he be able to succeed and win the woman he loves?

I love this series and anxiously await the next book. I was delighted to get "Distilled Heat" as an ARC and didn't put it down until I was done.

Each book had memorable characters and builds where the previous books left off. The books are so well written that you feel like you are part of the town. I wish I could apply to be a tour guide at Old Garnett.

I enjoyed Pepper and Jon finding their HEA.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.