Down in Whynot, NC, there are three things that hold true: 1) life moves just a little bit slower, 2) family means everything, and 3) you don’t mess with history. When his family decides to sell a home that’s been part of their history for over a century, Lowe Mancinkus is madder than a hornet. To add insult to injury, the woman who purchased it is some fancy pants, city girl looking to fix it up … to fix it up and sell it off. Doesn’t matter that she’s sexy as hell or that just being near her gets his blood racing like never before. That home belongs to his family, or at least it did until she came to town.
Well that just won’t do, now will it?
From the moment that she laid eyes on the historical home in rural North Carolina, Melinda Rothschild knew Mainer House was something special. The perfect escape from life in New York City, Melinda signed the papers and set to work restoring the house to its natural beauty. That is until an angry Lowe showed up on her doorstep one day. With a scowl on his handsome, chiseled face. And a shotgun in his strong, muscular arms.
Is it getting hot in here?
Melinda’s about to get a lesson on life in the south, but Lowe is about to learn a lesson of his own – this city girl doesn’t back down from a fight.
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When the pranks are hilarious and the attraction slow burn perfection
I’m so glad I dove straight into Stubborn as a Mule – book 2 in Juliette Poe’s Sex and Sweet Tea series – as I was so keen to read about Lowe and his feud with New Yorker Melinda. This is a fabulous slow burn romance that was realistic, sweet and sexy.
I loved seeing Lowe’s transformation from a stubborn man sad to lose a piece of family history, to an understanding soul who came to accept that perhaps losing a house meant gaining so much more. And that more was in the shape of one sassy, intelligent, sweet woman: Melinda – Mely – Rothschild. The chemistry between these two was plain to see from early on – even if they both denied it – and I loved watching their budding relationship blossom. They don’t have an easy time, but Lowe’s Southern gentlemanly manners and Mely’s cautious but willing to try anything attitude sure makes for an interesting story.
Yet again, it was the other inhabitants living in Whynot that totally won me over. I was thrilled that we got a couple of Paps POV chapters and I loved the gossip mill chapters – a fabulously realistic look into life in a small town and the way that gossip can both help and hinder interpersonal relations. And I have to mention Mely’s BFF Morrie D – what a breath of fresh air to bring this character into Whynot and prove that there is so much more to this town then it’s redneck, Bible Belt reputation. Plus the pranks between Morrie and Lowe had me laughing out loud with tears in my eyes (doughnut anyone? shower perhaps? ). Also, knowing a bit more about the Mancinkus parents in Gerry and Catherine was very much appreciated as well.
Stubborn as a Mule is another great small town romance that I’ll be sure to recommend. The history that was woven into this story proves that it’s more than just a simple tale of love and I came away with a little more knowledge about the history of the USA. And as someone who loves a book that teaches me something as well as gives me a swoon-worthy romance, I definitely loved this book!
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I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and I couldn’t wait to read about Lowe and Melinda. I knew that their story would be tumultuous and fireworks.
I wasn’t wrong about the fireworks with these two characters. Their fire and ice relationship was a fun journey to take. I love a love-hate, enemies to lovers story.
Melinda’s best friend, Morris D, plays a big part in this story. And if I’m honest, his character was fun at first but then was a bit of a mood killer for me. The author went too overboard with making him a cliche’ black male. His character was too heavy in stereotypes instead of being his own unique character. Unfortunately, this aspect pulled from me really loving this story.
Overall, I enjoyed this enemy to lovers, chuckle-worthy story. I will definitely be reading the next one in the near future.
Oh how I absolutely adore this enemies to lovers story!!
Lowe Mancinkus has a strong sense of family and he wants his heritage to remain in the family. A beautiful home in the middle of small town Whynot, North Carolina has been in his family for years, but the family let it go. He is heartbroken and outraged that it is now out of the family.
Mely Rothschild, a New Yorker, took one look at this beautiful house in this beautiful town and couldn’t resist buying it. What she didn’t realize was she would be gaining all kinds of road blocks in the form of Lowe Mancinkus. His efforts to prevent her from doing any renovations to the home become quite the spectacle and the results are both hilarious and frustrating.
Mely and Lowe had me laughing at their antics and sighing when things turned romantic. This great series continues with the stories of the rest of the Mancinkus siblings. I wonder who will become my favorite couple?
Total southern charm! Whew! Lowe is the definition of a southern gentleman and I’m not gonna lie, I’m a bit envious of Mely!
This story starts out with Melinda and Lowe as enemies… at each other’s throats, doing things they wouldn’t normally do. They bring out the worst in each other at that time. But that quickly changes.
With court mandated community service to fix up the Mainer House, Lowe can’t help but start to fall for this bombshell of a woman. Mely eventually gives into Lowe’s absolutely sweet ways, I mean those DATES!! I had hearts in my eyes!
Of course being in the small town of Whynot, NC, there is quite to gossip mill, which doesn’t do any favors for Lowe or Mely. Thankfully things are rectified but I absolutely adored Lowe’s protectiveness over Mely and her bestie Morri.
This is one of those books that are perfect for summer and just make you want to go visit this small town and meet these wonderful people that are really a close knit community.
Addictive!
I was introduced to Lowe in the first book and just knew he would have a story, very excited I get to see his ongoing war with City Girl Melinda.
First page in the book and I had to smile, laugh and think “He did it, he actually did it!”
What did he do? Oh you need to read to see .
I knew this was going to be tons of fun.
Throw in a handful of other POV and it gets real interesting. Especially when they seem to want to meddle.
Add the war between Mely’s best friend and Lowe and I’m busting up laughing non-stop.
Lowe is my new book boyfriend, he is passionate, funny, attractive, and protective. What more could a woman want?
This was a awesome to read, very addictive and I highly recommend.
This was the cutest story ever. I loved, and enjoyed every moment of this story.
Sweet, lovable, mischievous Lowe… How I adore thee.
This second book in the Sex and Sweet Tea series is one that I’ve been waiting for since meeting Lowe Mancinkus in Ain’t He Precious. Something about this brooding troublemaker caught my eye and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him.
I wasn’t disappointed.
A true, charming Southern boy, Lowe’s bark is definitely worse than his bite. Past that gruff exterior is a boy next door that every girl could fall in love with. Melinda Rothschild, or Mely to her friends, is definitely up to challenge that theory though. Since she and Lowe got off on the wrong (albeit hilarious) foot, it’s going to take some time before they show each other their true personalities.
Juliette Poe creates the perfect sweet and swoony story with a nice slow burn. The heat level may be low in this book but my love for these characters, this family, and this author, is off the charts! A highly recommended five-star read!
Welcome to book 2 in the series also known as Lowe’s and Mel(y)inda’s book.
I fell in love with Lowe in the first book due to his love for the old family house. I couldn’t help but to laugh at the banter between this two…put together with Gossip Mill of everyone in town and a drag queen you know you’re in for a whole lot of fun to see how Lowe and Mely end up together.
Another great read and a solid 4* for me!
Moonshine, starshine and sunshine
I loved this book! A sweet change from all the angst and drama that’s so popular right now. This was my cup of tea!
Mely has something Lowe wants. Badly. How far will he go to get it? Can she trust that he wants her, and only her? Can she trust that he won’t go crazy with the pink paint? Read it to find out!
I loved the characters, I loved the town, I loved this book!
Three things about this book:
1. LOOOOVE Mele and Lowe!!!
2. I want to move to Whynot, North Carolina
3. Juliette Poe is one hel….heck of an author.
OK, four things
4. I want to meet a Lowe of my own.
Stubborn is a wonderfully, sweet, emotional romance that I just could not put down. Stubborn as a Mule is the 2nd book in the Sex and Sweet Tea series by Juliette Poe the alter sweet ego of Sawyer Bennett. This lady can write, sweet or seriously sexy books!
I loved watching Mele and Lowe go from enemies to cautious friends to lovers.
I want to reach out an PUNCH Lynette. Sorry Ladies, I will not give anything away in a spoiler. You will have to read this wonderful book for find out why. I want to slap Mele too, for not asking the question…. Darn, I said no spoilers. I LOVED the last text Lowe sent to Mele.
I really enjoy reading Ms. Poe’s books. She has a way of drawing her readers into her books whether she is writing as the sweet author, Juliette Poe, or the hot, sexy author, Sawyer Bennett. She creates characters that you cannot help but love or hate. I look forward to reading more by Ms. Poe and this series.
I need to say, “Thank you” to Ms. Poe, and Big Dog Books, LLC, for gifting me with an advanced copy of the wonderful book for my honest opinion.
Thank you for reading my review. Now, what are you waiting for? Go hit that one-click button. You will not be sorry.