Dear Jackson,I’m leaving you this note because I know you’re very busy and I don’t want to waste the town sheriff’s time. Lord knows I’ve already wasted enough of it.Thank you for taking me home last night and…everything else. I made you a basket of wild blueberry muffins for your trouble. That seemed like the appropriate baked good for getting naked in your living room.I wasn’t myself last … room.
I wasn’t myself last night. I didn’t mean to kiss you or fondle your backside or ask all those intimate questions. Thank you for pretending to enjoy it.
It was very noble of you to sleep on the couch while I was starfished on your bed. I couldn’t help but notice it’s quite large. The bed, that is. I swear, I didn’t notice anything else when I let myself out this morning.
As you know, Talbott’s Cove is a ridiculously small town and there’s no chance we can avoid each other. Not that I’d want to avoid you, of course, but I’m not sure I can look at you without thinking of the forty different ways I made a fool of myself.
Instead of avoidance, let’s try to be friends. We’ll forget all about last night…if that’s what you want.
Please burn this note after you read it—
Annette
p.s. I whipped up some cinnamon buns, too. Please enjoy them. I’m not sure why, but I couldn’t get buns out of my mind today.
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Oh my swoon. This book was everything I love in a good romance. Swoony hero. Heroine I’d be friends with. Sassy BFF you’ll adore. Hot, romantic… it’s everything. Loved it.
Love this hero! He melts my butter.
Small coastal town in New England, hot new sheriff in town, and the owner of the bookshop loves to bake? If you’re looking for something delicious to enjoy with low-angst and plenty of heat, check out Hard Pressed and be ready to fall in love with Sheriff Jackson.
As usual, Kate slays with vibrant, brilliant writing. Thoughtful characters. Real conflict and witty dialogue. A heroine that is real and filled with yearning. A hero who wants to sweet her off her feet. Small town juiciness and amazing side-characters. I loved it.
When I read a book that is so amazing that I can’t put it down, I struggle with what to say in a review that really does it justice. There’s a reason I’m not an author: the words don’t come to me like that.
Annette and Jackson are two of my favorite KC characters. Annette is sweet, snarky, and pretty much the best person in all of Talbot’s Cove. Jackson is new to town but fits right in and is the most romantic, adorable man ever. Annette needed someone to do the chasing and Jackson is definitely the man for the job. And Brooke, Annette’s BFF, is so insanely funny that I was crying laughing every time she showed up on screen.
I wish Talbot’s Cove was a real place but since it isn’t I’ll just wait patiently until I get to visit again with these characters.
*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*
This is my first Kate Canterbary book and I freaking loved it! I loved Annette, I LOVED Jackson, and together they were amazing. Annette was so relatable, the perpetual family underdog and town sweetheart who captured the attention of the new sheriff and couldn’t understand why. And the way Jackson pursued her in all his sweet, hot alpha glory, sigh…I read this book in a day and see myself rereading in the future. 5+ stars!
I received an ARc for an honest review.
I think I start every Kate Canterbary review with I LOVE KATE CANTERBARY!!!
Hard Pressed did not disappoint!! Annette, the single, small town entrepreneur that everyone loves
and Jackson, the hunky new Sheriff seem like a perfect match to me but Annette has some hang ups and Jackson doesn’t want to “bed the town sweetheart” in a town where people are just getting warmed up to him.
Lucky for both of them JJ felt the need to call the Sheriff to get Annette home after a night of drinking solo and wallowing in her sorrows over Owen. That gave them both the excuse to interact.
I didn’t care for Annette’s character in Fresh Catch but I love her in Hard Pressed. She loves her town and would do anything for the residents. Jackson is also invested in this little town and the residents too. Perfect match, right? We’ll, not if you ask Annette’s snooty sisters. Poor Annette. All the garbage she had to listen to made her feel like she just wasn’t worthy of someone like Jackson. Thankfully Jackson went slow with her so she could come around. He encouraged her and loved her without pushing….until he had to……with Brooke’s guidance of course.
THANK GOD for Brooke!! I absolutely LOVED her character and their friendship. A small town always needs someone like her!! Can’t wait to hear more about Brooke.
Definitely recommend this title along with all the others Kate writes.
I was pulled right back in to Talbott’s Cove with this book. Such real characters and great storytelling. I loved Jackson, who is alpha to core, and his patience in pursuing Annette. Annette doesn’t always make it easy for Jackson.
Annette is the town sweetheart and has some confidence issues thanks to her mother,sisters and past misplaced feelings.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and hope that there is more to come from Talbott’s Cove.
Omg! A hot sheriff who moved to a small town to get away from the big city life. He didn’t expect to find Annette and her sexy ankles in sundresses.
Annette who was obsessed with Owen the towns fisherman but there’s a problem, Owen is in love with another man.
Annette is heartbroken over finally seeing that her love for Owen can not be returned so she tries to drink her heartache away.
Jackson has been watching Annette from afar but when he gets the call he needs to come pick up Annette who’s drunk from the local bar he goes to take care of her.
Jackson and Annette have their problems but with the help of Annette’s best friend Brooke she knocks some sense into both of them multiple times.
Baking, books, mystery and hot sex and a great story all wrapped up into one book. You can’t help but fall in love with the whole story and the texting between Annette and Brooke is hilarious. Another great read by Katie Canterbury who is always a one click author for me.
I love everything Kate writes. When I read one of Kate’s books, I know I’m going to be entertained and nothing else will get done that day. Hard Pressed was no exception.
Annette and Jackson….sigh. Jackson was the heart of this story. He knew what he wanted and he was willing to be patient. That is what I loved most about Jackson. “ I understand that you’re not ready,” he replied. But know this: I’m not going anywhere. I’m right here, waiting for you.” Jackson…..sigh.
I loved Annette. I mean, she owns a book store! She took a little bit longer than Jackson to realize that he was everything she didn’t know she wanted but she got there. She never stood a chance. “I need you,” she whispered. You’re all I need. All I want.”
If I were to rate books based on how much of the text I highlighted, this book would be at the top of the 1,000+ books I’ve read. Sure, I’ve highlighted quotes, interactions and maybe even a page here or there but I have NEVER highlighted PAGES. Yes, pages. As in more than one page.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Annette’s friend Brooke. Brooke is a hoot!! Someday I’d LOVE to get Brooke’s story.
Rating – 5 Life Altering Muffins
This book is fantastic in every way possible. From the adorable location to the small town antics to the witty characters to the undeniable love, I couldn’t love it more. I laughed over and over while reading. Canterbary’s witty banter kept me thoroughly entertained, and the chemistry between these two characters was off the charts! This is definitely a book I didn’t want to put down.
Annette and Jackson are adorable perfection. While Annette is a bit reluctant to admit the chemistry and possibilities between them, Jackson is swoony from the very beginning. He is a man who is willing to do what it takes to get what he wants and needs while never pushing Annette into anything she could regret. He is in it for the long game, and he swept me off my feet! He is truly a good guy. He is dedicated and hardworking. He wants to prove that he values his job as the local sheriff and takes it seriously. As the outsider in a small community, he works double to prove himself.
And while Annette is a bit reluctant when it comes to her feelings for Jackson after her confidence has been shattered, she is adorable and sweet from the beginning. This town sweetheart has a seriously sassy side that I loved! She had me laughing, and her baking had me ready to pull out my pans and dirty up my kitchen. I mean, who doesn’t want a life altering muffin? Annette is kind, hardworking, and truly cares about her community. She makes sure she pays attention and shows others their value, but she doesn’t really recognize her own.
The chemistry between these two couldn’t be denied. They were on fire from the start! While I loved them both separately, together they were amazing. Not only were they as hot as can be, they both seemed to complete one another. They were able to lift each other up and illuminate possibilities they didn’t even know were there.
I adore Talbot’s Cove. It is absolutely gorgeous. I loved the quirky small town antics, and the local residents left me with hopes of books yet to come. While everyone may know everything about everyone, there was an undercurrent that reminded me a bit of Mayberry…you know if Mayberry had sexy times. I can’t wait to see what else comes from this. My fingers are crossed that we will be seeing more of Brooke! While Talbot’s Cove was first introduced in Fresh Catch, you will be able to dive right in and fall in love!
I give 5 brilliant stars to Hard Pressed written by Kate Canterbary.
I have utterly fallen in love with the cove, So much so I’ve told my husband I want to move anywhere like it, it is like Kate is describing my perfect home town. For many years Kate has helped fill my mind and time with wonderful characters and brilliant plots, with inspirational reads. She definitely helped feed my book addition.
I was so happy to hear Annette got her own story after her heart break in Fresh Catch. Will she ever get her happy ever after like she always reads about?
Follow her and Jackson on their journey, it’s filled with laughs, love, emotions, and so much passion, it just flowed off the pages. I read this book on one beautiful sunny evening on a beautiful beach. And it couldn’t of been more perfect. Utter bliss.
Ms. Canterbary has done it again and takes us back to Talbott’s Cove. If you read Fresh Catch, you already met Annette briefly and also Jackson. Yeah, I could not read what was their story. Ms. Canterbary filled this book with loads and loads of laughs. You will be laughing all the way to the end. Yeah there’s some steamy sexy times only she can write, but boy do Jackson and Annette make a pair. Go grab a copy and revisit Maine and the adorable town folks. It will not disappoint!
Hot and Fresh Out the Oven!!!
Hard Pressed is an irresistible love story. Set in Kate Canterbary’s picturesque and charming Talbott’s Cove, it introduces us to some quirky and unique characters. It is a place where everyone knows everyone else. So when the town sweetheart and the new sherriff share some sparks, the whole town is watching.
Annette is kind, hardworking, generous, and loyal. Her bookstore and baking are her passions. She sets goals and tries to follow plans. When her plans are blown apart, her confidence is shaken. She definitely feels lust and passion where Sherriff Lau is concerned, but is she ready to experience more?
Jackson is diligent, determined, protective, and patient. He is determined to become a welcomed and valued member of the community. He consciously admires Annette from afar, until one night fate throws them together. Once he gets a taste of Annette, he craves her and can’t be sated. His delimma is convincing Annette to pursue their chemistry and connection. The heat between Annette and Jackson is scintillating! They will make you squirm and pant and pulsate. The dirty talk is filthy hot and the desire blazes from the pages.
Ms. Canterbary never fails to amaze me with her attention to detail and engaging dialogue. Her characters are layered, genuine, intricate beings. They propel the story along with heart, emotion, and humor. I fell in love with sexy, swoony Jackson Lau. And with flirty, fabulous Annette Cortossi. And with several other Talbott’s Cove residents that I hope to visit with again, soon!
This was my first book by this author (read it in an anthology) so didn’t have Owen’s story first. I was totally loving Jackson. He is a protector, alpha, law enforcement with a huge heart. He really wants to find his place with the people of Talbott’s Cove. Annette is the local who is loved by everyone. She is kind and caring. I really hated the way she lets her family treat her and a bit too dramatic over the end of a non existent relationship. I realize it was the catalyst for her and Jackson but was a dislike for me. I’m kind of a suck it up Buttercup type person so wish Annette had been more assertive. Overall I enjoyed the story and will definitely read more by this author.
4.5 STARS
Annette and Jackson fall hard for each other, despite a rocky start. I loved the laughs and the heat in this book. The small town is wonderful. I adore seeing cameos from other characters and how their world intertwines. I ma never disappointed with KC.
This was a sweet, funny and swoony small town tale. Annette is the bookstore owner in her small town. She has an unrequited crush on one of her customers who is a reclusive town resident. When she finds out he is gay, she decides to drink her embarrassment away. Unfortunately, her drunkness and lack of keys has the sheriff taking her to his house to sleep it off. Which leads to a drunken strip tease and attempted seduction and more embarrassment. Jackson is the sheriff and new in town. He has been attracted to Annette since he first saw her. So the drunken strip tease was hard to resist. The inner self-effacing monologue about being attracted to her ankles is ridiculously wonderful. As is the rest of the storyline. Expect to laugh, cry, grit your teeth (her family grr), and swoon during the journey to their HEA.
I love this author’s writing style. Her books make me so happy, I laugh hard and out loud while reading/ listening to several pages. Jackson & Annette are lovable characters, the people of the town are so much fun to read about them. Brooke, Annette’s best friend is hilarious and in my opinion every women need a friend like Brooke. Hard Pressed will be a book that I will read again, such a great read.
Annette may be the town sweetheart but she is a mess on the inside. Pining for a man who was never interested and she knew it. It’s hard to wrap your head around her conviction and weird loyalty to a relationship that never existed.
The Sherriff has had his own crush and Annette has never noticed. When he imaginary world crumbles, Sheriff decides to be the REAL man for her.
It’s a cute story in a town I already fell in love with (thanks Owen and Cole!). I’m just glad the Sheriff managed to break through her odd imaginary HEA and give us a real one.
So I read this book not knowing that this was the second book, no I was not lost it was pretty easy to figure out what the first book was about. In this one we have Annette broken hearted that the guy who she has had a crush on forever shows up with his lover because he is gay and she missed the clues which no-one understands how. It was really because she felt she deserves the scraps of love anybody gives her since her family is horrible, horrible. When your family is supposed to want the best for you hers does not, they criticize her about everything. Luckily for her she has a bestie named Brooke who I loooove, she is hilarious and the best friend all of us would love. Jackson is new in this town of Talbot and is hot for Annette but he doesn’t want to start anything since he is a newcomer and everyone is watching him. Well on the night Annette finds out about Owen she gets drunk and Jackson comes to save her from herself and cant help it he is going to go after her. Annette bugged me sometimes with the see-saw with Jackson and not having a backbone with her witches of sister and mother, luckily she realizes her ridiculousness and fixes this with Jackson, or him with her…Can’t wait for Brooks story.