* * * A USA TODAY best-seller * * *Brewmaster and town sweetheart Dani Dobson is officially declaring war against her hot, maddening new menace of a neighbor–and his shop. How the man manages to provoke her so much is beyond her. But he does, and really, she’s just picking up the gauntlet he tosses her way.The terms of their little throwdown? Her business versus his in the arena of romance.And … arena of romance.
And the stakes? Very likely, her heart.
Chocolatier and town newcomer Luke Bradford loves his shop’s new home. Partly because he couldn’t ask for a better fresh start for both his professional and personal life, and partly (okay, mostly) because he gets to lock horns with the feisty beer-brewing beauty next door, and effectively push all her buttons on a fairly regular basis.
To be fair, in his defense–
Just kidding. He has no defense.
As far as the meddling matchmakers in this quirky little town are concerned, this is going to be their most unlikely (and interesting) pairing yet…
“Violet Duke always writes such compelling, delightful characters who manage to pull you in and make you feel a part of their lives.” — #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Barbara Freethy
♥ AUTHOR NOTE ♥
Be forewarned, this book is definitely sweeter (and longer since it’s a slow-burn romcom) than my other books (but there is still some on-page steam, as well as a few curse words–no f-bombs though, per usual). A book about a brewmaster and chocolatier battling over Valentine’s Day supremacy? Yep, it was a given I was going to go all-out on the feel-good romance for this one. 🙂 So if you’re in the mood for a light and fun love story (with some of my token laugh-and-cry Violet Duke-ness, of course) between two stubbornly romantic characters who work hard for their happily ever after, this is the book for you! xoxo ♥ V
THE CACTUS CREEK SERIES
Love, Chocolate, and Beer [Luke & Dani]
Love, Diamonds, and Spades [Rylan & Quinn]
Love, Tussles, and Takedowns [Hudson & Lia]
Love, Exes, and Ohs [Isaac & Xoey]
All the Cactus Creek books are standalone novels with feel-good HEAs. 🙂 Enjoy!
more
My husband and I read this together. The book was light and fun.
I’ve got my eyes open for the next chocolate maker to show up in my town. This character was perfect for me, and the girl deserved him. Very fun and funny, but more than just romance.
Any Violet Duke book is always a great read 🙂
This was a new author for me and I’m looking to read more of her books. We have two business owners who enjoy what I refer to as ‘verbal volleyball’. Of course, a romantic interest and chemistry is also involved. I felt comfortable reading this heart warming story and luckily was not disturbed by over explained sex escapades. A little romance …
Page turner
This book was a good story, well told with likable characters. That being said, it was soooooo sloooooow! I kept thinking why isn’t this book over yet?? I’ve been reading forever. Not really but there was just too much should we or shouldn’t we going on to get on with the actual story. Seemed like something that should have been a cute quick …
I enjoyed this book and the rest of the series. Fun characters and good stories.
It was a wonderful summer read.
When Luke and Dani are together sparks fly! Violet Duke never disappoints! This novel is full of fun and sexy romance. The beer master is Dani so Duke starts out by making sure that the expected stereotypes are not happening in this ludicrous bite of fiction.
Good story about two people who have interesting histories. This is an engrossing story, not just about sex.
Very good premise …. much too long for the story. I skipped or skimmed paragraphs that were wholly unneeded. But, enjoyed the actual story, just not the too much detail …. oh, not wild about people who keep secrets.
held my attention, lots of action and twists turns of the story, making me unsure of how it would end.
This was an entertaining book, but I had hard time sticking with it.
Some of the ideas were very original and clever, but it felt like it took ages for the story to take off.
Sweet!
Unrealistic story line. Too many twists that don’t follow pattern. Would have been better shorter.
Terrible. Characters were annoying. Author was just as bad. I did not even finish. Don’t waste your time.
It was a bit slow to read.
Fun, easy to read whi
did not like