An Amazon Top 15 Bestseller They’re not quite enemies. Not really friends. More like frustrated balls of sexual tension and neither will give in.Lance Gibson drives Mariah Malarkey absolutely crazy. He uses her office like a phone booth, takes cupcakes from the corner of her desk like she baked them just for him. She didn’t. Maybe she knew the history teacher happened to love peanut butter … teacher happened to love peanut butter icing, but that was purely a coincidence. All sixteen times.
Mariah has a way of getting under Lance’s skin too. She calls him out on his crap, spoils him even if inadvertently, and seeing the librarian in skirts drives him wild. She won’t give in. It’s for the best, really, considering there’s no way he could lie to a woman like that and he’s not about to tell her the truth about himself. Not in a million years.
These two don’t hate each other. They don’t really like each other. But for this to be a friends-to-lovers story, they have to start somewhere, right?
Note: This can be read as a standalone novel.more
NO SPOILERS!
Craft was a sweet, sexy, humorous, heartfelt, and immensely entertaining standalone contemporary romance, and I absolutely loved it! The storyline and characters were truly amazing, and I loved Adriana Locke’s writing style. The Gibson Boys series has been excellent so far, and Craft has definitely been my favorite installment yet!
Lance and Mariah were amazing and I truly loved them and their story with all of my heart. I loved their personalities and red-hot chemistry together, and how their relationship progressed throughout. I loved reading the book from both Lance and Mariah’s POV, and all of their banter and interactions with each other. Craft had the perfect balance of romance, humor, and drama, and I loved everything from beginning to end. Lance and Mariah have been my favorite characters in The Gibson Boys series so far, and they completely stole my heart. I loved everything about their story, and I was so thrilled to go on this journey with them. The secondary characters were wonderful as well, and I certainly enjoyed the humor and entertainment they added to the story. Craft was another amazing standalone from Adriana Locke, and I was extremely happy with the conclusion to Lance and Mariah’s story.
Craft was a sweet, sexy, funny, and surprisingly emotional standalone contemporary romance in The Gibson Boys series, and I would highly recommend it! Adriana Locke did an incredible job with this book, and I was more than pleased with the outcome to Lance and Mariah’s story. Craft was unexpected in a lot of ways, but I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to read more about The Gibson Boys!
Aww I loved Lance and Mariah!! They are so good together!! Such a sweet, fun and romantic read – amazing from beginning to end!
I love too how we always get a family dinner at Nana’s – great fun and I love the banter between the boys, with the previous brothers we have read about and the ones we are yet to read about! Looking to forward to the next book! Thanks Adriana!
I enjoyed the push and pull of this couple. Mariah had a down on your luck attitude toward men and a terrible family relationship. Her fiancé left her under questionable and shocking circumstance’s. Her mother was over bearing and critical, favoring her older sister in all things. And her older sister was not a nice person to her from an early age. So Mariah boxed herself off from that negativity to try to live a more positive life away from the heartache, but with many reservations.
Lance had the best things going for him, at least it seemed so in the beginning. He could have just about any woman he wanted and, at face-value, took advantage of the opportunities when they presented themselves. But you actually find out there is more to Lance than first expected. He is a little insecure himself, but in opposition, he has a very big ego.
Mariah and Lance have an attraction that they both are afraid to act on so it takes some time and a cute little dating app to bring them together with fireworks exploding! A nice romance that highlights the act of trusting someone when it’s hard and opening yourself up to love even if you’re afraid.
I listened to this on audible. The narrators where ok for the story.
I absolutely adore these Gibson men! This is Lance and Mariah’s sweet and sexy story of love, loyalty and being true to yourself. Lance is so swoony with all his charming cockiness, compassion and sexiness. Mariah appears to be this demure librarian but underneath is a rebellious woman just wanting to let her wild side out. I loved both Lance and Mariah, their chemistry just leaps off the page and I loved them together. Their friends to lovers story is fun, emotional, and super steamy. All the Gibson boys are present and their unconditional love, support, and needling is what makes this story even better.
Wen Ross and Kai Kennicott are amazing as they perform with such passion while capturing the light, homey feel. They really helped to make these characters come alive.
This small town romance series has captivated my heart, and I can’t wait for more of the Gibson Boys!
5 out of 5 stars
Lance breaks my heart. Mariah’s story is hard to handle. Together they really needed something big and it turns out it was each other!
The banter between Lance and Mariah from the very beginning is fun and flirty. The connection they share is charged with electricity, but stays at a comfortable sizzle — for a little bit anyway. Lance is a swoony guy full of sex appeal and snark. He is fun loving and he genuinely cares about those around him. Mariah has had a rough life, but she’s stronger for it and the fact they both work in a school is the perfect place for them.
This story was fun, engaging and everything else I love in a romance book. This author writes stories that feel real with characters you want to be your friends and circumstances you’re all too happy to read and revisit.
I can’t wait for the next book — and the one after that! I think this family is one that will go down in fictional history as being a favorite!
*** I voluntarily read a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ***
Audible review:
I am loving The Gibson Boys series on audiobook! I could not stop listening! In Craft we get Lance Gibson’s story, the hunky history teacher with the huge heart of gold who stays away from anything remotely close to using the word “ship”. We finally get to know him and his history, but we also get to see all the characters we fell for in Crank, the first book in the series.
Lance Gibson keeps things light with all his female companions, if you will. He carries a secret that haunts him and keeps his heart locked up. But the school librarian, Mariah Malarkey, is an entirely different story. Not quite enemies and not quite friends, they tease and banter each other for over a year. While both keeps the other at a distance, they are drawn to each other.
I cannot begin to express how much I loved Lance. He put on an exterior of a lover and a player, but under all that he was a guy with a huge heart. He was such a sweet, caring and patient man. Mariah was left heartbroken after her breakup and is finding it hard to open up again. Without support from her mother or sister, she is finding her way. Mariah was sweet, honest and tried to guard her heart. But when they finally truly face each other, they can no longer deny what was always between them.
Craft was a sweet and charming story with light angst. The narrators, Wen Ross and Kai Kennicott, did an amazing job bringing Lance and Mariah to life. I loved the story, the characters and the Gibson boys so much! Looking forward to reading more from this family!
4.5 stars. Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
OMFG Adriana Locke I have no idea what you watch or listen to or what and where you get your inspiration from but please keep doing it. Your writing is outstanding, you lady walk on water for me….
Ladies from the first chapter be prepared to be hooked. This book is packed with hilarious banter, some really eye opening scenes and some powerful messages come across.
Lance and Mariah know each other through work. They really are frenemies. Their bickering and banter had me on my toes. I over the limit enjoyed Lance’s one liners.
Even though they come from such tainted pasts they don’t let it hinder their spirits. It’s beautiful watching them want to make a change for the better. I loved watching them handle their struggles like adults and resolve them with ease.
These two have chemistry that would set the chemistry lab ablaze… Their intimacy was really beautiful…
It was wonderful a little more of Sienna and Walker.
Grab this book ladies it’s a powerhouse I promise…
Enjoy!!!!!
Mariah and Lance are healing each other in ways they didn’t even know they needed in this sharp, funny, and sexy tale of life, love, and cupcakes. Mariah has always been the girl left in the corner. It’s been easy for everyone in her life to leave her feeling slightly inadequate. If a childhood filled with her mother constantly playing favorite with her sister wasn’t enough to give her a complex, her boyfriend choosing to marry and start a family with her perfect sister was enough to seal the deal. The only somewhat bright spot in her life is her fun fantasy flirt life. Flirting with the handsome Lance Gibson and baking him treats makes her heart go pitter patter. It’s a safe way to feel wanted without the risk really exposing her heart again. Lance is the king of the hookup. He always is up front and never promises picket fences or happily ever afters and until lately it has always been enough. Usually lite banter followed by the deed is enough of interaction for him, but now all of sudden his feelings are starting to get involved. He has his reasons for keeping his heart out of equation, but that options seems to no longer be in the cards especially as he finds a woman tailor made to fit him.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book.
It’s so awesome to read a story where everyone is connected, and the family and friends are so intertwined that it is one big continuation of all their stories! Yeah, the Gibson Brothers are like that, and reading about Lance and Mariah is just the best. Lance is a sexy, pervy, beautiful high school teacher, falling for the high school librarian. Sounds like a porn role, right?? No- it isn’t really, but these two are so perfect for one another.
Both of them went through some traumatic relationship issues in the past, which makes both of them hesitant to start anything that is more than friendship. However, their feelings get in the way and it makes it extremely difficult to move forward.
I loved this book and Lance is truly perfect, and Mariah fits in with the Gibson’s seamlessly. You’ll just have to read this to get the secret meanings. It’s awesome. I voluntarily reviewed this book from the author. 5 stars is just not enough.
Just when I think Adriana can’t write a better story, she shocks me again! I haven’t devoured a series this fast – ever! I’m madly in love with these Gibson boys! I do believe this may be my favorite book yet!
My goodness, I never wanted to curl up into a ball and just become a blubbering mess like I did while reading Craft. Lance and Mariah’s story was not what I expected especially after reading Crank.
It’s just so sad when it’s clear as day when two people are meant to be together, but a little truth withholding sets one of them back from making it official.
Lance … I don’t even know where to start with him? Despite being a witty and charming man, plus enjoying playing the field a bit, there was just SO MUCH more to him than all of that. A history teacher that I’m sure everyone wished they had. He’s quite the layered man and the deeper you get into the book, you slowly peel away the layers that lead to the true man he is. And it’s absolutely stunning!
Mariah, you’ll love her just as much as you’ll love Lance! After being so hurt by not only her ex, who she thought was going to be her endgame but her family as well. They’re a bunch of sharks, so horrible, you’ll wonder at this point in time if there’s anything redeeming about them. She’s definitely better off without them, but family is family. She’s beautiful, smart, kind and a boss at baking!
There’s a lot of tip-toeing around with their story and it’s a bit heartbreaking, it’ll pull up all the feels that you never thought imaginable. I’m serious, everything I felt during this book was not what I expected at all. Be ready to be captivated by Lance and Mariah, and just witnessing their story unfold and lead to their happy ever after.
As of right now, Lance is my leading man out of the Gibson gang. I couldn’t put this one down and I never wanted it to end. Can they just have another book, pleaseeeeee? Highly recommend this to EVERYONE! I’m all ready for the next Gibson brother
4 stars
I met Adriana’s work at CRANK. I found her writing very nice to read. The first book of this series had more drama, in this one she got a little lighter. Both Lance and Mariah wasn’t looking for anything serious. The two of them knew each other because they work together on a high school. He, a professor. She, a librarian. Their relationship was more like a frienenemy type. This second book in the Gibson Boys series was a quick and sexy read about two people who ended up finding more than they were looking for: an incredible connection that took them straight to love.
CRAFT was a really good story to read. It was fun and romantic. I love strong characters and both were very determined and sometimes stubborn. Lance act sometimes like he was cocky, but it was in a playful way, it was visible when the things got serious, he was focused and also selfless. A nerd and, at the same time, an irresistible playboy. Mariah represented me several times. I confess that sometimes I feel like her and it was nice to see that when she least expected it she found a guy like Lance.
This book only made me like the author even more and now I want the book of the younger brother. For me, it was love at first sight for the Gibson brothers. I loved Walker, I loved Lance and can’t wait to love Mclhan even more. I highly recommend it!
Opposites do attract, even if they have nothing in common except their combustible chemistry and swoon worthy banter!
I had not read Book 1, but I had no trouble following and enjoying it. Thus, it can definitely be read as a standalone!
The writing was spot on and the characters were likable and relatable.
Lance and Mariah’s story was fast paced easy to read romance of opposite enemies to lovers story. Their relationship was a bit of a roller coaster, but full of passion and humorous moments. Their banter was funny and sexy and overall swoon worthy.
But is it all light hearted fun?
As the story unfolded secrets are revealed that gave the story added depth.
4.5 stars!
Mariah and Lance are two wounded souls dealing with what they each perceive as failures towards others. They help each other mend, but perceptions and non communication hinders them. I loved reading their story and watching them help heal and mend each other. Their light hearted bantering had me laughing while there were also moments of tears rolling down my face in sadness. It was also a nice touch of seeing some of our favorite characters from previous books make an appearance.
4.5 Stars!!
This was one of my most anticipated reads this year and it did not disappoint!! I was so happy for Lance to get his very own book and oh how he made me blush!! It was so much fun being back in the Gibson Boys world and seeing so many familiar faces. From the sexy and funny moments to the ones that touched my heart I loved this story!!
Lance and Mariah drive each other crazy in different ways. The more they spend time together they can’t help but feel the sparks. When it comes to matters of the heart though nothing is easy.
Mariah and Lance were opposites yet similar at the same time. There was so much more to these two than meets the eye and I was anxious to uncover everything there was to know about them. Their banter was priceless and it cracked me up!! Lance’s relationship with his family was so sweet. Mariah had such a caring heart. With every turn of the page I couldn’t help but fall for these two even though they made me frustrated at times.
Ms.Locke always makes me feel like I’ve come back home again with her novels especially with Craft. This installment sure warms the soul. The Gibson family is so lovable and fun. I never want to let these characters go. I am so excited for the next one Crave!! (:
*I volunteered to review a copy of this book from the author*
Coworkers that enjoy irritating one another , not really friends, funny as hell and hiding their want for one another …Lance & Mariah in a nutshell!
Lance is our sexy , smart history teacher. He loves hanging out in Mariah’s office and shall we say has a way with words. So many clichés and sexual innuendos he can go on for days and he does until Mariah shoos him off with her sassiness and assertiveness. She may find him irritating but can’t help but laugh and find him irresistible . Mariah is our smart, sweet, Liberian that has had a rough time in the relationship and family department . She is sassy , quick witted and loves to bake and is damn good at it . The last thing she needs is that Lance Lurking in her office touching her stuff, eating her baked goods and looking sexy . They get extreme enjoyment out of ruffling each others feathers but neither will admit or commit to more. When they finally do cave it is amazeballs. I loved their witty, quirky rocky road to a relationship!!!!!
~~Michele McMullen ~~
I had loved Lance character in Crank and fell more for him in Craft . Adriana definitely knows how to sketch perfect book boyfriend. Lance character was so beautifully written and he had so much depth to his character. He seemed like an easy going, laid back guy but there was so much pain hidden inside him. Loved this book to bits
I must start this review with the next words…Move over Graham Landry here comes Lance Gibson. I’m falling so hard for Gibson boys it’s not even funny.
I think Adriana Locke is improving with each book she comes out with. The banter between these characters and the teasing between the siblings is ridiculously funny.
»I think you got more than a little pussy today, cousin. I think you went and got yourself fucked! (Good God I love Peck <3 ).
But beside the funny banter, this story has dept, fears that we all share and understand that at the end all that matters and what we are all capable off is letting that fear go in order to have TRUE LOVE.
»Love is a choice. It's a connection with someone else that can't be explained, a relationship with someone who both helps you feel your best and reciprocates the good you have to give.«
I can't wait for CRAVE; Machlan will be epic. I can feel it! 🙂
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
Whenever I start a book from Adriana Locke, I know that I’m not going to be disappointed. She knows how to write sexy and sweet characters, that give us such memorable scenes (pantry, need I say more)…..yet she fills the pages with plenty of emotions to tug at our heartstrings. Craft really is h a perfect blend of everything she does best.
I just absolutely adored Mariah & Lance! They are such a fun and lovable couple and I can’t wait to see them again in the next Gibson boys story!
Ah Lance. Funny, flirtatious, sexy, caring Lance.
The banter between Lance and Mariah is the library is very charged. Sparks are flying. Mariah will not succumb to his charms. She knows he’s trouble with a capital T.
The texting between History Hunk and Nerdy Nurse is basically foreplay. . Nerdy Nurse and History Hunk are all over that dating app but never follow through on meeting.
Lance knows it could be an amazing night with NN, but Mariah has him all twisted in knots.
I did not anticipate the direction this story would take and found myself laughing aloud and cheering. Then in the next breath I wanted to slap him upside the head. But between Peck, Machlan, Walker, and some tequila, he sorts himself out. Again, not my choice, but ultimately he gets it right. He broke my heart and I would love to claim Lance as my own, but what is between Lance and Mariah is absolutely undeniable.
I enjoyed Craft so much and I look forward to Crave. By the time we get to Peck’s story, I think I might be falling all over myself for the man. He’s the charmer, the troublemaker, the counselor for his cousins and their silly mistakes in love, the stealer of Nana’s fried chicken, and all-around good guy. I’m calling it now. Peck is mine! But first, Lance then Machlan. The Gibsons series is so much fun!!