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.
more
Annette and Jackson are very sweet together. She needs a big soft gentle giant as her mother and sisters are quite a bitter lot. He is steadfast and she struggles to believe that he could want her. Glad she came to her senses in the end.
There are a lot of text errors throughout the book, not enough to ruin the experience, but enough to make you stop and reread sentences.
Great Story & Audible Listen A Heartfelt Romance!
Hard Pressed
By: Kate Canterbary
Narrated by: Lauren Sweet, Blake Richard
Series: Talbott’s Cove, Book 2
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it is my first Kate Canterbary, I enjoyed her writing style, she created interesting storylines that held my interest from start to end. Her characters are complex and well developed. The story is set in a small town where everyone knows your name and your business. Annette, a local shop owner, had feelings for Owen, another local, but he did not reciprocate, he was into someone else which she sees for her own eyes and is left broken hearted. She goes to drown her sorrows at the local pub, indulging too much, the barkeep calls the sheriff to get her home. This sheriff is new to town and has had his eyes on Annette since he arrived. He did not act on it because he did not want to be the subject of small town gossip. He brings her to safety and it is a start of a new relationship. Annette has a lot of issues, her family did a number on her self esteem which leaves her with insecurities. She is afraid to open her heart, afraid she may get hurt, again. Jackson is a great guy, he has a good head on his shoulders and is patient with her but she keeps pushing him away. Will she push the best thing that ever came into her life away and does he let her? I liked how this story flowed and how it all played out, it is entertaining and enjoyable. Kate Canterbary, thank you for this great story and the emotional rollercoaster ride.
I listened to the Audible edition, Lauren Sweet and Blake Richard are wonderful narrators and voice performers. They bring these characters to life, give each their own voice and personality, as well as heart and attitude. They are awesome at projecting the emotions of the characters and the drama of the story into their performace. They are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for this great listen
Nice visit to Talbot Cove
Overall 3 out of 5 stars
Performance 3 out of 5 stars
Story 3 out of 5 stars
Jackson and Annette were interesting. The outsider and the town darling. Cute but lacking. I have listened to both Fresh Catch, the one just before and Hard Pressed. It was interesting that this was a bit parallel to each other. The dual POV gave more to the characters and less at the same time.
LS was on point with her narration skills for this couple. BR felt a bit lacking on the masculine front when it came to Jackson. I was just picturing him a little whimsy going with the voice provided for him.
I am a fan of Kate Canterbary, and I love all of her books. Hard Pressed has the same funny banter throughout the book that keeps the story interesting but fun. Annette is unique and quirky and Jackson is the backbone against her family when she can’t manage to be the backbone herself. The two of them together were really great and had so much chemistry.
The preview was better than the book itself but still an entertaining read
I thought this book was awesome!
2.5
This book had its moments. The description, that letter, is what really drew me in and made me want to read this book.
I expected something from Annette, that I never found. It was disappointing. I didn’t expect her to be a full fledged Brooke, but I did think she would be further on the spectrum closer to a Brooke.
The way she thought about herself, the way she allowed her family to treat her was beyond irritating.
One of the things I can say about Jackson is that he had the patience of a saint. Most women wouldn’t hesitate if a man wanted her that much and continually showed her.
I would have enjoyed the book much more of Annette had more of a backbone, a bit more self confidence, and a little self respect. I have no problem with anyone being a “bit” insecure and vulnerable, but she never did anything to try and fix it.
A kind of cute, sexy, slightly humorous romance. Glad I was able to read it via Kindle Unlimited.
Wowwww. I loved this. No surprise seeing who the author is but still! I loved reading Annette and Jackson’s story! Was so fun and good to read.
I have enjoyed every book that I have read by Kate Canterbary but I think this may be my favorite. I adored the love story that unfolded between Jackson and Annette. I do hope that that there are plans for a book featuring Brooke’s happy ever after!
There were times I almost stopped reading due to boredom or the lameness of the heroine but ended up enjoying the book.
The characters were real, funny, and relatable. The story was sweet and romantic, honest and well-written. Highly recommend!
vOh man now I want to go make caramel sauce for all my cinnamon rolls and fresh blueberry muffins every weekend. Jackson and Annette were introduced to us in Fresh Catch (which is divine), from the start I kept thinking this one is going to be interesting. Well the author didn’t miss a beat with this slow burn love story.
Annette has felt most her life she wasn’t up to par to be anything special. Her family really never has supported all her work ethics and truly they missed out on someone amazing. Jackson is literally the new sheriff in town and the woman from across the street wearing cute sundress is a constant to his thoughts. He just hasn’t really talked to her yet, until one night he helps her out. From then on out these two build a relationship of banter and lust. Jackson is one of the good guys, looking at helping without always asking for recognition. He finally starts to see that it is ok to have a relationship in Talbott’s Cove and Annette finally sees she is so worth the love and lust she has for him. Throughout the book it gives us some twists and turns, a mouthy best friend Brook that we all need in our lives and a sheriff that is not afraid to set people straight on how amazing Annette is. We all need that man in our lives that is our rock and support.
See more on my A Day With Ethel VLOG – https://youtu.be/Op9kuphHqUc
Such a fun book – I’ve just finished it and I’m sitting here with the cheesiest smile on my face. This book was just what I needed to lighten up my day. We have one sexy sheriff who is determent to prove to the woman he’s been watching and dreaming about ever since he came to town that she belongs in his arms. We also have that same woman who is not so confident in herself and believes she is not good enough to let him hold her.
I was fun to see how their relationship was growing with Jackson pushing and Annette trying to slow them down a bit. I’m putting Jackson into my Top 5 book boyfriends – I mean come on; he’s washing dishes: P
My first book by this author and hopefully not my last. Easy breezy 5* review
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL!!!
Title: Hard Pressed
Author: Kate Canterbary
Designation: Romantic Comedy, Full-Length Novel(App 250 pages), Standalone, NO Cliffhanger #contemporaryfiction #nocheating #notriggers #matureprotagonists #smalltownromance #nobooksharmed
My Rating: Five Outrageously Sexy Stars*****
I’ve always been a voracious reader and at almost 70 years young, I’ve read thousands of books. But the clock is ticking for me, folks, so I’m pretty darn selective in what and whom I choose to read in my golden years. I don’t want to spend my time or money on something that doesn’t entertain me. As you can imagine, I subscribe to numerous newsletters from my favorite authors, and it was in one of those I discovered a recommendation for Kate Canterbary and her new book, Hard Pressed. Apparently, I’ve been living under a rock and had never heard of Canterbary. I find a lot of great books through recs, so I decided to do my due diligence and check it out. I’d intended to go through the reviews and check out the free sample but after only reading the blurb, I was hooked. I quickly one-clicked and dove in. Best decision ever! I loved, loved, loved Hard Pressed! OMG, this woman can write! Where have you been my whole life, Kate Canterbary, and why have I not heard of you before now??? Well, no matter, I’ve started stalking you… oops, I mean I’m a new fan! lol… Now let me tell you why I loved this book so much!
Hard Pressed is an exceptionally well crafted and edited, full-length, fast-paced, easy to follow, standalone romantic comedy brimming with sass, snark, steam, and heart. The narrative is beautifully written in the first person with clearly defined his and her perspectives from the protagonists, 37-year-old seasoned law enforcement officer and now sheriff of Talbott’s Cove, Jackson Lau, and 33-year-old bookstore owner and town sweetheart, Annette Cortassi. (And may I insert here how much I appreciate finally having a little older hero and heroine? Thank you so much! I’m so tired of all the coming of age and new adult romances flooding the market. It’s so refreshing to read about a more mature couple.) The dialogue is smart, snappy, at times hilarious, and flows effortlessly. I love everything about this book, but my favorite component by far is the engaging cast of delightful characters, especially Jackson and Annette. The banter between these two characters is absolutely captivating, and their sexual chemistry is so hot it sizzles. Jackson Lau is a swoony, charming, by-the-book hero who will definitely curl your toes and melt your eReader. And Annette Cortassi is an absolute delight. Watching Jackson and Annette dance around their attraction and feelings for each other is beyond entertaining. Thankfully, it doesn’t take Jackson Lau long to realize what he wants, and he wants the local book mistress and town sweetheart, Annette Cortassi. In Jackson’s words: He wasn’t looking for anyone but when he met Annette, he couldn’t look away. Unfortunately, it takes Annette a little longer to understand and come to terms with what she wants, but it’s so much fun seeing her uncover her strengths while finding her confidence, with a little help from Jackson and her best friend Brooke Markham, of course. And OMG, Brooke is such a hoot! I want Annette and Brooke to be my best friends! I’d even consider a sister-wife relationship with Annette and Brooke! lol… No, I’m not explaining that comment; you’ll just have to read the book! Did I like this like this book? No, I LOVED it! Would I recommend it? You bet, and I am but only for adult readers since it does contain naughty language and dreamy sex. Jackson Lau is a real charmer who knows how to talk sweet and dirty to the woman he loves! *swoon* But seriously, this book is as close to perfect as I’ve ever read, at least for me – perfect storytelling, perfect dialogue, perfect combination of sass, snark, and wit, perfect balance of angst and humor, perfect level of heat, perfect cast of imperfect characters, perfect amount of romance, heart, and the feels along with a perfect ending for a perfect couple. Yeah, that’s a whole lot of perfects, but it’s the one word that kept popping into my head while reading this book. And speaking of reading, I read Hard Pressed in one sitting; once I started, I couldn’t stop. I was riveted to my ereader while the pages flew as quickly as the time. I snickered, snorted, sniffled, chuckled, giggled, and cackled aloud through the entire book but by the end, I was happy, satisfied, and well entertained. Without a doubt, the best romantic comedy I’ve read this year! Will I read this author again? Absolutely! I raced back and purchased 5 more books by Canterbary and can hardly wait to dive in. And finally, was I entertained? Completely! Fabulous entertainment! Hard Pressed is the perfect(there’s that word again) feel-good read for a fun summer escape from reality. And fyi, there were no books harmed by Jackson Lau while attempting to get between Annette Cortassi’s pages. lol… Nope, no spoilers from me; you’ll just have to read the book! Well done, Kate Canterbary…well done, indeed!
4 1/2 stars. Annette and Jackson come together for a very engaging read. Jackson is one sexy beast. Annette doesn’t really know what to do with him. I was put off for a minute because she kept leaving him hanging. But then we meet her mother and sisters. And I got it. And I have to mention Brooke. I love me a geat side charchter. She was hystrical. Fingers crossed for her book!
Hard Pressed was just the swoony small town romance I needed in my life right now. Kate Canterbary always delivers and for that reason, she is a definite must buy in my book. Hard Pressed followed in the footsteps of all her other wonderful stories and made it impossible to get anything accomplished in life other than reading that book.
I love an alpha man but an alpha man who is sweet and patient too, heck yeah. He was everything I want in my hero and a sheriff to boot. Annette was lovely and meek. Her self-doubt and long-term solo life made her hesitant of the good sheriff but she couldn’t deny the pull they both had over each other.
Hard Pressed is the type of book you just don’t want to end. You want to see these to live their lives, have babies, and raise a family. I was so into the story that I would have been happy to be a spectator of their whole lives. This is a must-read for me.
~miranda
Another great story by Kate Canterbary!
Hard Pressed is Jackson and Annette’s love story. Jackson had recently left his job and sold his house and moved to Talbott’s Cove to hopefully make a difference as the town’s Sheriff, but while he should be settling in and doing his job he has found that he most definitely is interested in the local good girl and bookstore owner, Annette Cortassi.
Annette loved living in a small town all except the fact that everyone new your business, probably even before you did. When she gets her heartbroken by a crush that she harbored for years, the only thing she can think to do about it, is drink her pain away at the local bar. The end result isn’t pretty and the only one willing to take on the job of getting her home is Jackson. Knowing that she wasn’t at her best that night Annette decides that she will thank Jackson by bringing him baked goods and this soon opens the door for many more visits and a wide array of delicacies.
I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.
I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book and I loved, loved, loved this book. Is this your first Kate Canterbary book? Then you are in for a real treat. This book can definitely be read as a standalone, but you may find that you will want to download Fresh Catch after reading this book. We got meet, Annette, for the first time in that book and it lays the groundwork for her story.
In usual Kate fashion, she managed to sweep me away in a whirlwind romance between Annette and Jackson, the new town sheriff. There is more than meets the eye with Annette. She has layers and baggage and she is full of whit and I just couldn’t put this book down. From the moment she finds herself naked and in Jackson’s home the morning after drawing her sorrows at local pub.
She bakes and she is sassy and witty and just my kind of girl. Then there is her best friend who is absolutely amazing and I am crossing my fingers that she will get her own book too. Then there is Jackson, the town sheriff, who has a very interesting turn-on and falls in love with Annette from the moment he sees her. Find out how these two find there way to their very own happily-ever-after even with all the obstacles in there way.
Don’t miss out on this amazing story that just might hook you into reading all things – Kate Canterbary.
5 Stars
Hard Pressed by Kate Canterbary is the second book in the Talbots Cove series and it can be read as a stand-alone. I literally just finished reading and I seriously have the biggest smile on my face. Ms. Canterbary never fails to not only entertain me for a few hours but to give me all the feels while reading her stories. Hard Pressed was a romantic story full of hope and love that had my emotions all over the place.
Annette is Talbot’s Cove’s sweetheart. She is the owner of a local bookstore and just had her heartbroken. Not trusting her feelings anymore, she wants to steer clear of relationships. But when the town’s sheriff starts to make his moves she’s unsure of what to do. She can’t deny their attraction but she tries to keep him at arm’s length. Jackson though refuses to give up and will do anything to prove to her that he’s worth the risk. Will he be patient enough to earn not only her love but her trust?
I loved this story so much! These two characters embedded themselves into my heart. With Jackson and his tenacity and his alpha ways and Annette with her pure heart, it was impossible to not fall in love with them. The banter and the chemistry between the two was electrifying. Ms. Canterbary wrote a fabulous story that will stay with me for a long time to come!
4.5 stars for – Hard Pressed – by Kate Canterbary. This is the second book to come out of the sleepy little town of Talbott’s Cove and I for one hope it is not the last! Fresh Catch introduced us to the folks in this coastal town in Maine where everyone knows each other and gossip is their favorite past time.
Annette Cortassi has finally accepted what everyone else has known all along – Owen Bartlett is not at all interested in her, or woman in general. Just because his mother thought it was a phase she convinced herself she could get him to “switch teams” and has tried her entire life to make it happen. Then she saw him with his new boyfriend and was forced to face reality. Drinking her troubles away at the Galley seemed like a good idea at the time until she wakes up the next morning in Sheriff Lau’s bed – naked. Remembering all she did and said the night she drank herself silly was like adding salt to a wound so she tries to avoid him at all cost but Jackson is having none of that.
Jackson Lau worked as a detective in Albany, New York before a case of burnout sent him up the coast. Deciding to take a job as sheriff of Talbott’s Cove is turning out to be one of the best things he’s ever done especially since his office looks out on to the street where the beautiful woman who owns the bookstore works. The resolve to stay away from her vanished after the night in the bar and now he can’t seem to get close enough. Now if only he could convince her of his intentions things would be so much easier for the both of them.
I have long been a fan of KC’s writing and this one is no exception with all it’s sexy banter, torment/angst filled drama and all the explosive chemistry this is definitely one you will want to read!