Pine Cove Island calls to her soul . . . As the Queen of Impulsive Decisions, Kat Davenport has found herself without a job or a place to live. So settling on Pine Cove Island isn’t the sanest choice—meaning it’s perfect. Like the mysterious Holloway cousins, Kat has her own unique gift. In her case, it’s a knack for communicating with animals. Which makes getting hired at the local animal … at the local animal shelter feel like kismet. Especially when she finds a room to rent at a nearby lavender farm—complete with a sweet landlord and her brawny grandson—a guy who happens to give Kat an all-too-familiar flutter in her stomach . . .
Jordan Prescott isn’t back in Pine Cove to find romance. He’s here to sell the family farm, a fact that bewilders Kat. A former foster kid, she can’t understand why he’d give up his childhood home. So when the big-hearted beauty starts bringing home strays from the shelter, Jordan is suddenly her adversary. Until their fiery disagreements turn into fiery kisses . . .
Now Kat is falling for a man who will likely make her homeless yet again. Unless she learns how to lend her considerable powers to taming the beast lurking inside this prince . . .
Praise for Don’t Call Me Cupcake
“I loved this book! Beautifully written and the story has stayed with me.”
–Jude Deveraux
“Funny, sexy, charming and full of practical magic. . . . Fans of Sarah Addison Allen will love this novel.” –RT Book Reviews
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Romantic, funny, heartwarming and a touch of magic
I really liked this book much more than I expected. I generally go for the hot covers with a sexy shirtless man on the the front and a bit more racy story but truly enjoyed this book. The heroine was Kat Davenport, who grew up in foster care and comes to Pine Cove Island in the Pacific Northwest, broke after getting out of a bad relationship in Los Angeles. She has a ability to “talk” to animals.
I like it that it is not crazy illogical magic like she can speak to animals and hear them speak back like in the Dr. Doolittle movies, but that she can touch them and see what they have been going though or what their days have been like and determine why they are sad or what they want from seeing that, like if they are neglected, scared, or hungry.
The Hero is Jordan Prescott who grew up on the island on a lavender farm with his parents. Jordan has a business in New York and has returned to sell the farm because his worthless hippie parents recently left after his 90 year old Grandmother moved in with them to help run it. Jordan has a lot of bad memories of the place and his parents since they were not good parents. But he rents a room above the garage to Kat in exchange for cheap rent and a promise that she will take care of the chickens and miniature donkey.
The romance between the two main characters is slow to start but intense and romantic. Jordan is quite a broody fella, but he smirks quite a bit as well. He says he doesn’t like animals but he comes around pretty quickly, but then again with a miniature donkey, a miniature goat, a three legged dog, a tiny dog, a cat and kittens, who wouldn’t. I could easily picture in my head all the scenes with the animals, especially the campfire scene where the donkey was eating the graham crackers. Also the house reminded me a bit of the house in The Discovery of Witches, but that is ok because I loved that house.
I’m not a big magic fan, but this was so whimsical, it sucked me in. Thoroughly enjoyed the story, the characters, and the fact that ancillary characters had some depth to them. Good editing didn’t hurt any, either! Will read more by this author.
I’ve really been enjoying this series by Sheets. It has a little bit of magic and a whole lot of romance. Two things that make this a really fun series.
When we met Kat in the prior book you had to wonder about the fact that there seemed to more to her than meets the eye. It seemed that she too had magic in her. She had this wonderful ability to understand and communicate with animals.
It’s not until her book you learn why. I bet you guys would like to know how it all came about. Well…you’ll have to read the book to find that part out!
What I will tell you is that I really enjoyed Kat. She seems so sweet and the way she is with animals warms your heart. She does seem at first to be very lonely though. She’s all alone in the world and it shows.
I also liked Jordan and his grandmother. Jodan plays the tough guy, the one that has no heart and is only going to do what he needs to do and leave. Poor Jordan. He soon has a renter (Kat) who is supposed to just take care of the few animals they have. Next thing he knows the animals are multiplying.
Like I said, poor Jordan.
For every step forward these two made that took two back. You just wanted to yell at them that they are perfect together why can’t they just see that? It might have taken these two a while to figure out they are perfect for one another they do finally figure that out.
The best part is that so many great things happen to Kat. She learns so much about herself and finally finds happiness all around. I’m was so glad for her.
I will tell you that this is the type of series that should be read in order. Each story plays out better if you do. They build on each other. I’m really looking forward to Sheets’ next book with is Layla’s story. You meet her in this book she’s best friends with Jordan. See why you should really series in order.
(4.5 stars) – Perfect summer entertainment
Tara Sheets’ 3rd book from her “charming” Holloway Girls series is possibly the best of all. While the book can stand alone, I highly recommend reading them all in order to fully appreciate their family’s background & gifts.
These are fun, lighthearted stories with an almost fairytale feel to them, and this one’s recurring hints at Beauty and the Beast with the beauty being an animal charmer were pretty amusing.
The magical premise adds an interesting twist on a popular romance trope, and the ending is a highly satisfying conclusion to the series!
CONTENT
*Clean romance level: passionate kisses, secular attitudes on sex outside of marriage & the main characters have sex, but despite occasions of innuendo & some initiating detail, no graphic details are given
*Language: a smattering of d*** & h*** usages
*Religion: secular, with a handful or two of instances of using the Lord’s Name in vain, unfortunately
Cute and fun
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: The Holloway Girls
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I look forward to reading more from this author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from NetGalley.
I absolutley LOVED Don’t Give Me Butterflies by Tara Sheets. This is the third book I’ve read by Ms. Sheets and its definitely another winner. Wonderful storyline, great dialogue, likable characters and overall a super fun read. Another 5 stars for one of my favorite new authors.
#DontGiveMeButterflies #NetGalley