He’s been patient; she’s been busy.Patience is running out.Melissa Oxford is a widow with a ranch, an orange grove, a goat-obsessed ten-year-old, and not enough time. She doesn’t have time to make friends. She doesn’t have time to stop and chat, and she definitely does not have time for a boyfriend.Which is fine, because Cary Nakamura is far from being a boy. Cary’s the man who helped Melissa … helped Melissa plant her trees. The friend who keeps offering advice, even when she’s is too stubborn to take it.
He’s also the man who kissed Melissa in broad daylight on a sidewalk in Metlin, California, smack in the face of God and everyone.
But while Melissa may spend a little too long dreaming about Cary from a distance, she knows the kind of passion he promises is more than she can handle.
She just doesn’t have the time.
But sometimes, no matter how busy you are, life makes you stop. It pulls you up short and makes you see things a little more clearly. Things like…
The people you can count on.
The dreams you keep pushing away.
And the passion that can’t be denied.
GRIT is a stand-alone, friends-to-lovers romance in the Love Stories on 7th and Main series by Elizabeth Hunter, author of INK.
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Cary has been in love with his friend and neighbor, Melissa, for years now, but has never done anything about it. At first because she was too young when they were growing up. Then, when she came back to town she was engaged, then soon married. Now, though? She’s been a widow for awhile and the time is right for Cary to make his move. Except, Melissa doesn’t think it’s the right time. She doesn’t have time for anything but running her ranch and raising her daughter. Besides that, she hasn’t had those kind of feelings for years. But then she starts noticing how hot he is. Really? Why is she noticing that about her friend?! She doesn’t have time for those feelings!!
Gawddd I loved Grit!! It’s emotionally intense, it’s sexy, it’s got so much push and pull, it’s a tiny bit angsty, and yet it’s got moments of laughter thanks to Melissa’s adorable daughter Abby, and Cary and Melissa are just everything together. I repeat, I LOVED Grit!! If friends to lovers is your jam, you will love Grit too.
ARC via Social Butterfly PR.
I was so excited to receive an ARC for Elizabeth Hunter’s Grit (7th and Main #3)! I have loved all of her books – all of her series! Grit is the third book in the 7th and Main series. It is Cary’s and Melissa’s story and it is both sweet and believable. Elizabeth is a master at creating fully developed characters whose dialogue is both witty and able to trigger emotions at the same time. I definitely recommend this book!
Wow! I love the characters! Elizabeth does it again with her attention to detail and research. Cary’s details about his hands… I love watching the growing connection between Cary and Melissa. I’m glad once he realized what he wanted he is persistent! The interactions between kid and adult were heartwarming. I love all of the relationships in within the family. And don’t miss the goat trivia and jokes! Loved it!
This is the first book I have read by this author and after reading Grit I’m really not sure why I haven’t come across her before now. A friends to lovers story that hooked me in the first chapter and drew me in right up until the last page. This may be book 3 in the series but I had no issues reading this as a stand-alone and with that being said I will certainly be going back as soon as time permits to read the previous books in 7th and Main. This is a story about love, friendship and families and the main characters and the family and friends all have a story to tell. I really enjoyed this author’s writing, the story was entertaining and the characters loveable and I would certainly recommend this book to all romance lovers.
Melissa is a fabulous woman; she has incredible strength as she carries the weight of her family on her shoulders to keep the ranch running after losing her grandfather and husband within a short amount of time. The shining light in her world is her daughter Abby, an incredibly smart and thoughtful girl with a huge love for goats and horses. One of her biggest challenges are the in-laws that have a lot of money and believe their way is the only way. So frustrating. As she moves on with life after losing her husband, her mother Joan is a blessing to have living on the ranch to help. She also has a great friend, Cary, a sexy neighbor that is always there to lend a helping hand but for the first time, she wants something more. Cary is the quiet, strong fruit grower that was a friend to Melissa’s husband and a true friend to Melissa after his death. But he has had a crush on Melissa for a long time. When Melissa starts to show that she might feel the same, he finally sees a chance at truly having this amazing woman in his life for more than passing visits. The road to love isn’t easy for this duo but the journey is compelling. This story delivers a perfect blend of a friends to lovers romance with all the challenges life can put in your path. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
I loved how this story was mellow and even keeled, very much like the characters themselves. I am enjoying this series and each story has had it’s own vibe. Melissa and Cary have been dancing around each other for years and it was great to watch them finally acknowledge that they can have a future. Abby is a delightful character as are Joan and Rumi.
There is strength in letting your guard down and accepting the help of others. Melissa as a character grows throughout the story. Cary has the patience of a saint.
Another amazing read from Elizabeth Hunter! Grit is the third book in the 7th on Main Series. Cary and Melissa are the main characters in this story. Cary and his family have been long time friends of Melissa and her family. Melissa has suffered some horrible losses and she is just powering through life. She has a young daughter, Abby, who is an amazing little girl, and she has an amazing support system, but she still carries all the responsibility on her shoulders. Cary is the most loyal man with the patience of a saint! These two have been circling around each other for a few years, but only one is consciously aware of it. There is some angst, some heartbreak, a good dose of humor, and a wonderful slow burn romance that is HOT! I want my own Cary. I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating, Elizabeth Hunter has the amazing ability of connecting you with her characters, you even sort of empathize with the “villains”. Her descriptions are so on she has you smelling oranges, craving lemonade, and searching for goats milk soap. You really don’t want to miss this book or the goat queen!
4 star review of Grit: A Love Story on 7th & Main (7th & Main #3) by Elizabeth Hunter
Elizabeth Hunter is a new author to me and I am not sure why I have not read her before. This was an enjoyable read that had me entertained from the first to the last chapter.
A friends to lovers story that was heartwarming and had me smiling throughout. Although book three in the series I had no trouble reading this as a stand alone. The writing was strong and I found the characters of Melissa Oxford and Cary Nakamura likeable and easy to relate to.
This is a story about friendship, family and love with secondary characters who were just as entertaining as the H & H and when time permits I will be looking at other books from this author.
Loved this series! Each book had humor, love, and real life on every page. Every page people! You don’t get any better then a friends to lover romance.
My heart melted reading about the two main characters dancing around their fears, feelings, and farms. Such a good ending to the series…I would read more about them or even other characters in this world.
I love discovering new authors and Elizabeth Hunter is that for me. I really enjoyed Grit: A Love Story on 7th and Main. Her characters were well developed and the conversations had a perfect amount of humor intertwined with the more serious side of the story. The storyline kept me engaged as it was not just about the two main characters but it included many side characters and their interactions. But the best part was the continuous theme throughout the book about friendship, love, family and what it takes to blend them all together to live a happy life.
*** ARC Received for Honest Review ***
5 stars!
Okay I have to say I am packing up and moving to Metlin immediately. 7th & Main is the place to be. Grit is simply another example of how Elizabeth Hunter has taken a small town with a close-knit community and has made it smokin’ hot!
Being a little closer in age to Melissa and Cary’s age, I adored their will they/won’t they relationship. Grit had a little of everything: second chance romance, friends to lovers, etc. Plus we get a peek at some of our favorite characters like Ox and Emmie. If you haven’t picked up A Love Story on 7th & Main do so quickly because you don’t want to miss a moment. (Review by Terrie “Jane”)