Madison Bell has tried everything to keep her diner from failing in the small town of Holly Springs. When a handsome stranger shows up just before Christmas should she trust his marketing advice or keep doing things her own way?Jake Tyler has two motivations for traveling to the tiny town of Holly Springs: he needs to learn why his parents have kept him from his grandmother his whole life, and … life, and he’s got orders to evict a diner owner from his family’s building. But when he meets Madison, the charming woman running the diner, he realizes that he has a real shot of helping her keep her business. If only he can keep his motives a secret.
But as feelings begin to develop, will Madison and Jake find a way to come together in order to save the diner, and themselves?
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This book was so cute. I loved the character and I loved the town. Makes me miss the small town I grew up in. This author is so good at making her character feel like real people. I loved the Christmas aspects to the story and I loved the ending. The narrator was AWESOME. She did great changing her voice for the different characters and she did a great job making her voice sound masculine for the male characters.
I’ve read her regency romances before and I think she did fabulous with modern romance too. The story had a nice flow, arch and character development. The romance was sweet and believable. I connected with the h & H and was rooting for them. It had some funny moments and I liked the secondary characters. I will read #2. I hope the h’s friend gets a story. She was fun.
Kasey Stockton writes wonderful stories. Ufp until till now I have only read her Regency Romances. But it is so obvious that she skillfully crosses genres. This is a well written sweet romance between two unlikely people. I loved watching Madison and Jake navigate their feelings for one another while he tried to help her. There were some pretty funny scenes and the story actually was like watching a Hallmark movie . I particularly enjoyed the his and her points of view which I thought were done very well. You are bound to love this sweet story and the characters. Thank you so much Kasey for such a delightful a charming story.
Madison Bell had lived in Holly Springs all her life. She was struggling to keep her dad’s diner afloat. She was behind on her rent and risked eviction if she couldn’t turn it around. She was alone in the world since her dad’s passing and didn’t know where to turn.
Jake Tyler had two objectives when coming to Holly Springs. First, he wanted to meet his grandmother and find out why his family had never allowed him contact with her and second, he had to evict the diner from his family’s property. The problem was when he met Madison Bell, the last thing he wanted to do was to evict her. He wanted to help her and he knew she could succeed. He just needed to help her see that and get her to trust him.
I’ve read several books by Kasey Stockton but this was the first contemporary romance of hers I had read. She is a very talented author and can span different genres with ease. Her books are clean and full of romantic possibilities.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review. I can’t wait to read her next one.
It started with Jake hitting Madison in the face with a bottle of hot sauce and then insulting her diner. This story had many crazy moments with Madison almost hitting him with her car, a kid named Bradley banging on his car window and asking questions, and that they kept literally bumping into each other. Jake’s family owns the diner and his brother Mark is an obnoxious lying jerk, who wants to evict her. I loved the idea of her online food blog MaddieBakes. There were plenty of funny moments in this clean holiday romance.
I loved how the two main character’s relationship progressed… the attraction between the two grew, even with the continued small injuries (each one made me giggle!). This story got me into the holiday mood!
Book one in a new series called A Holly Springs Romance and I know I will be reading more of this series. A well written story with a good storyline. I enjoyed reading Madison Bell and Jake Tyler’s story.I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Yes, it was predictable, but it was also so worth the time to read.
What a sweet romance!
Grabbed my attention from the start. Great small town romance that pushed Jake and Madison beyond their comfort zones…which allowed them to heal and embrace love with each other. Can’t wait for the next book in the Holly Springs series!!
I can totally relate to Madison and her thoughts around Christmas time, while her dad passed away from cancer December 25, my own daddy passed away from a brain injury December 27th.
I’m going to try and follow her example this year and “be all in” for the holidays, music, decorating, etc.
I’m happy her and Jake met, not happy he wasn’t honest with her up front, but liked how he owned up to his mistake and the choices he made with his mom and getting to know his Grandma Hart! I’d like to slap Mark, I know it’s “business” but still.
Loved Bradley.
Jake and Madison’s story starts with a hot sauce bottle and lets us say it was not a great beginning. Jake made the comment that this was not a Hallmark movie well I have to disagree on that one this book is so set up to be a Hallmark you can see all clear as day starting in chapter two. I enjoyed the book and loved the ending.
I have loved all of Kasey’s books and this one doesn’t disappoint either! It may not be her usual regency book, but she still pulls you into the story and you can’t put it down!