My life is over.I swore I would never work at the whiskey distillery with my last name on it, that I would never be a part of my father’s legacy. But when I graduated with my art degree and realized there were no jobs, the devil appeared, and I sold my soul, agreeing to work in the family business if he’d give me the art studio I’d always dreamed of.It can’t be that bad, I thought. Until I … I thought.
Until I realized my new boss was Logan Becker.
The Becker brothers have a reputation for being trouble, and since I love trouble, it’s no surprise to me that I’m infatuated by that forbidden fruit the first day I walk into the distillery. That lean, whiskey-eyed, too-hot-for-his-own-good man hates me — and I can’t blame him. His family has been at war with mine for decades, and for good reason.
The Beckers and the Scooters are the Montagues and Capulets of Stratford, Tennessee.
But if he’s Romeo, and I’m Juliet? Well… we all know how that story ends — and for that reason, I tell myself to steer clear.
Because if my father finds out I’m falling for Logan Becker, my life actually will be over.
And Logan’s will be, too.
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It’s been a while since I read one of Kandi Steiner’s books. From page one I was reminded why I love her work.
Swoony “bad boy” with a heart of gold? Check
Sassy heroine? Check
Angst? Check
All the feels? Check
One of my favourite books of the year! I absolutely loved it
Ohhh how I am loving this series!!
This is the second book in the Becker Brothers series. This is Logan’s story and what a story it is!
I want Logan to give me a tour of the Scooter Whiskey Distillery. I want Mallory to teach me how to take better photos. Heck I just want to move to Stratford, Tennessee! The world the Ms. Steiner creates makes a reader want to curl up with a glass of Scooter’s Winter Whiskey and watch one of the Becker Brothers dance with their momma after dinner!
Logan and Mallory story is Ms. Steiner’s homage to Romeo and Juliet, with her own angsty spin!
I absolutely loved Mallory, I loved how when push came to shove she showed her true colors. She loved herself and Logan harder than anyone and anything else. That took bravery and she did it with style!
Opposites truly attract in this story. Logan and Mallory couldn’t be more different, but boy when they come together they fit like puzzle pieces, like fine whiskey and chocolate. And that’s not even close to their chemistry….absolutely page burning!
I am a huge fan of Ms. Steiner and this story just made me more of a fan! You cannot go wrong with a Kandi Steiner story! Smooth like whiskey and warms you from the inside!
I adored Logan and Mallory’s story! It’s so sweet, it’s sexy, and the opposites attract theme has never been stronger than between these two. He’s the bighearted guy who’s got an undeserved rep as a bod boy, who lives a very ordered life. She’s the artist chafing under her family’s legacy. When the two come together, sparks fly and a true love story is begun. It does definitely have that Romeo and Juliet vibe but with more steam and a lot more fun. You honestly could not ask for more in a great romance.
ARC via Social Butterfly PR.
Neat is a standalone book in the Becker Brothers Series. This is a sexy, emotional romance with Romeo and Juliet vibes that ends with a HEA. Neat is set in a small country town, involving a distillery, with the angst revolving around two families and a long-standing feud. It is about two people from feuding families that are complete opposites and should never be together (at least according to their families), yet they can’t seem to resist one another.
I enjoyed this sweet, sizzling, romantic, with a touch of angst read. It was entertaining and put a fresh spin on a Romeo and Juliet romance. I loved the characters and the family aspect from the Beckers. They all brought their own uniqueness that enhanced the story-line. The push and pull between Logan and Mallory certainly kept things interesting. I was still left with questions at the end but I imagine (or at least I hope) they will be answered in the next Becker book. I can’t wait to see which Becker brother is next! I’m hoping it’s Mike!
****ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.****
I finished Neat a couple of days ago and I have to say, I am loving these Becker brothers.
The small town feel, close knit family, whiskey in the middle of it all, and some “bad” boys that have a reputation. These books are just some fun, feel good books with an underlying mystery that will come full circle, I’m sure. But we gotta wait for the answers.
This is book two (with On the Rocks being book one) in the “Becker Brothers series”. They are all complete standalone stories about one brother and they can definitely be read on their own, but you will want to read them all to understand what’s going on between the Beckers and the Scooters. There is bad blood there, but what got them to this point?
Neat is Logan Becker and Mallory Scooter’s story. Told in dual POV, this one is a bit of an opposite’s attract/ star-crossed lovers/workplace romance. Logan is one of the “middle” 4 Becker Brothers and he is the one probably most like me. I got him. I understood him. From his ‘particular’ ways, to his love of reading and learning and having a reputation that is totally misunderstood, I fell in love with this guy. He is a hard working man that works at the Scooter Whiskey plant giving tours. It’s been his life and he will work his way up and do the best job he can because that’s who he is, reputation be damned.
“I’m a Becker….Trouble finds me.”
Mallory Scooter is the daughter of the owner. She has always gone against the grain and trying to forge her own way in life. But when her father offers her an opportunity to train within the company in exchange for something she wants, she feels she has to take it. But when she takes the position, she never knew what it would entail and how her new “boss” would push her buttons.
This story, even though it had a bit of Romeo and Juliet vibe to it, didn’t have major angst like a lot of Kandi’s books. It seemed rather calm. It had quite the build up of chemistry between the two characters and a bit of friendship that helped push their relationship along. I liked that it wasn’t full on instant. There was an obvious attraction, but the build up? That is a bonus to me. You can feel the tension and feel the emotions within the characters and that is just as exciting. And the family history and the way they rule both Logan and Mallory’s characters? It was HUGE. Both ruling their lives in different ways to get to different outcomes. I liked that about how Logan and Mallory made their decisions. Their families obviously played a huge part in their actions. And oh my, just you wait…. Even if I fell for Logan, the actions of Mallory really set her apart from her family.
“Fight for what’s right, stand up for those who can’t stand for themselves, give yourself permission to love and to lose and to be loved and lost in return, and above all else, family first – always.”
I can’t wait to see what the youngest (Michael) and oldest (Jordan) Becker brothers are going to bring. And the mystery lying beneath this story? The bad blood between the Beckers and the Scooters? I wonder what it will reveal in the end. I’m all about these boys, the small town feel and the mystery these characters are playing with. Kandi has built a world I didn’t know if I’d really be able to get down with, but give me some whiskey and some bad boys that have more to them than meets the eye and I’m all in.
Overall, this book was good and I enjoyed it. I liked the characters and the opposites attract vibe. Was it my favorite of all of Kandi’s? Probably not. It felt more like a story that is building to get us somewhere. A stepping stone, if you will. Still would recommend it and can’t wait for more of the brothers!
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5 BEAUTIFUL HEARTFELT STARS!! What beautiful heartfelt story that I could not put down. Logan and Mallory story has all the feels and beautifully written. These two have things to work through with their family issues, but you will be pulling for them. Kandi Steiner has written another fantastic book is this series. You should definitely 1-Click this book.
One of my top reads of the year! Neat is not your typical Kandi Steiner book. The angst is still there, just in a different way. Add heat, mystery, humor, and a swoon worthy Becker brother? You have a recipe for perfection! (Note: Neat can be read as a stand-alone, but it does have spoilers for Noah Becker’s story On the Rocks. If spoilers are a problem for you, then definitely read that one first.)
First, can we talk about that dedication? Love it! And it perfectly suits our Juliet, Mallory Scooter. Mallory strikes a deal with the devil bringing her back to Scooter Whiskey. Logan Becker is everything you dream of in a book boyfriend. Literally. But the long-standing feud between their families causes tension when our Romeo gets forced to work with Juliet. “We were the son and daughter of a bitter rival sparked to life decades ago and still burning hot today.” These characters are deep. Their well developed backstories, current romantic tension, and the mystery wrapped through the series, are presented in a way that will have you leaning closer and closer to your Kindle.
Neat wraps up Logan and Mallory’s story, although there is a plot point from On the Rocks, continued through Neat, that doesn’t get resolved, it does progress. Can’t wait for the next Becker Brothers Book!
I know we’ve only had two books about the Becker siblings and we shouldn’t compare because each book have their own distinction… but I’d like to say that I love Logan’s story just a smidge bit better than Noah’s.
I can relate to Logan’s personality more—to his quirkiness… that he loves to read and arranges his books in a type of manner… that he wants what his parents had… that he’s some type of neat freak and OC… that he needs stability and routine in his life… and that he loves his family but he needs his own space as well.
Logan and Mallory’s story is sweet and swoon-worthy and sexy… and while I thought at first Mallory was a brat, she really wasn’t. Their story was fast paced, but it wasn’t unnatural because there was already a little bit of history in there… there was build up… there was anticipation.
This book would make you realize that some people are really worth the risk… and that it’s okay not to have a lot as long as you have your dignity intact… to always do what’s right even if it means losing people along the way… and that family should always be there for one another and not let anything get in the way of that.
I can’t also wait to read about the youngest Becker brother, Michael… that bomb he dropped during graduation night? Plot twist… Actually there was a couple twists planted in the story… Would Michael finally open his eyes and look at this best-friend in a different way? Was Patrick so in love with Laurelei that he’s been holding a grudge after all these years? These thoughts are what’s plaguing me as I’m writing this review… and being the romantic sap that I am, I have ideas but…. well anyway, what are ya’ll waiting for? Go get your copy and read about the sexiest (in my opinion) Becker brother!
https://benderdreamergirl.blogspot.com/2019/09/neat-by-author-kandi-steiner.html
Kandi Steiner once again smashes it out of the park. While I did enjoy the first book in this series, On the Rocks, Neat was absolutely terrific! It was seamless. It was definitely unique too! Kandi is known for her angst, but this book… I don’t have the words. It was just different. Less angst, but still broke my heart in a few places. The way Kandi describes loss and love… no one does it like her. This book was sexy and full of heart, family, Becker boys, and a Scooter gal. I am not the best at reviews, so you should just know that I definitely recommend it!
Overall Rating:
Do you remember that first time you began to really like someone? Not the initial feeling, rather the one that goes deeper. You can’t wait to see them and seeing them begins and ends the day with so much excitement. Now, what would happen if the person you were slowly falling in love with comes from a family that is your mortal enemy? You still long for each other, but the families’ ire dampens, complicates, your attraction and growing love. It also makes for the best type of romance as evidenced by Kandi Steiner’s newest book, Neat.
Neat is that book, the one you can’t put it down because you love the characters so much and you want to keep reading it for their love story BUT you need to put it down because you know what’s coming and it’s going to hurt. A tension follows you through the book, and you love it and hate it in equal measure. It’s angst at its best, and Steiner writes this tension well.
The genius of this book begins with its title. Steiner’s title, Neat, is ironic. After reading the story in its entirety, readers might believe it’s named for its hero’s, Logan, propensity for precision and organization and “neatness.” There are multiple references to “neat” as it describes him and his spaces. However, the title evokes the sensibility of this story, the way in which Mallory and Logan are anything but “neat.” This story isn’t an easy one because these two are very different, beginning with their families who are a modern-day version of the “Hatfields and McCoys.” Logan and Mallory shouldn’t work; their families will tell them that they can’t work. Intuited into that is the idea that their potential relationship is very, very messy. Hence, the brilliance of this title. Yes, it’s a play on the ways to drink whiskey. But it’s really a moniker, a warning, that the story behind this title won’t be an easy one. Thankfully, it’s Steiner’s characterization of Logan and Mallory that keeps you afloat as you swim through this star-crossed trope of a romance.
From the outset of Neat, I loved Logan. I adored Noah in the first book of this series, On the Rocks. Like really really adored him. Yet, Logan characterizes a modern-day hero, two sides of a coin with masculine virility on one side and intelligence and sensitivity on the other. In the first book, Noah and Jordan, their older brother, point to Logan’s organizational and “buttoned-up” ways. The Beckers are meant to be rowdy troublemakers. Logan, however, is far from this. Each turn of the page in Neat drew me further into his character, and I found myself sighing over all of his ways: his organization, his love for knowledge, books, and documentaries, his cleanliness, his cooking, and his words; this man has all the words. If you read this book and you aren’t swooning over Logan Daniel Becker, then you have missed one of the best parts of Steiner’s romance. Because this man is that angel that fell to earth. He is the best kind of romantic hero. My favorite line for Logan: “she was reading my favorite book.” This is when I knew that Logan would be a forever book boyfriend.
Then, there is Mallory. At the beginning of their story, as Mallory takes in Logan’s office for the first time, she notes the white walls and efficiency of it. An artist, Mallory sees the lack of color in his room, and you, the reader, know right then that Mallory is going to be the color to Logan’s sparse canvas. She provides the shading, the depth. She is the mess to his “neat.” Even more, Mallory stands for justice in this story. She’s an advocate for righting wrongs even at her own expense. Usually, with a hero like Logan who you fall easily in love with, the heroine can do something that is grating. Not Mallory. Her sense of justice, her recognition of Logan’s strength in character, her originality, her ownership over her mistakes, and her need to live life on her terms help create the masterpiece of her and Logan’s relationship. She is the yin to his yang. I know how much I love Logan, and Mallory is his perfect complement in this book.
What I think is Steiner’s genius, though, beyond the title and the characterizations are the pictures she paints with her words. Just as Mallory, the master artist, creates beautiful art to decorate a space or capture a moment, Steiner crafts visceral moments in her stories. There are so many gorgeous places in this story when the words on the page are spun together in ways that make the moment palpable for the reader. I could pull example after example of this to illustrate this point, but the reality is you need to read this romance to feel and see Steiner’s art.
As Mallory tries to do near the end of the book in her need to capture the final scene of Logan’s favorite book, All the Light We Cannot See, this review seeks to find the words to capture the mastery of Steiner’s second book in this series. Neat is a story of muted colors and vibrant ones swirling together to find meaning in a small little town in Tennessee. It’s shading and light and heavy outlines and color. Kandi Steiner has painted a masterpiece through the story of Logan and Mallory. When I read On the Rocks, I didn’t think there was anyone better than Noah Becker…until Logan showed up. I had no idea that I would fall in love with another Becker man. But as we find in Neat, “that [is] the Becker way.”
The Beckers are trouble.
The Scooters are royalty.
The Havenots.
The Haves.
The Workers.
The Owners.
The Montagues
The Capulets.
Neat is all about the disparity between these two houses. A mysterious death and a partnership that became void upon a different death…all between these two families. It seems like Scooter whiskey isn’t as Neat as they would like you to believe.
I cheated. I didn’t read On the Rocks before diving into Neat. I had no trouble keeping up though and I have definite crush on Logan, my little nerd. I’m sure Noah is everything a girl could want too but Logan and his quirks had me at reading! Lol. I am more than willing to swap books and share a couch Logan. If this thing with Mal falls through, give me a call!
Small town sweetness with sass and fire makes Neat feel like a mild burn with plenty of flavor. Enjoy the bite because with Neat you dont have to worry about overindulgence, just the book hangover!
Kindle Unlimited subscribers: Neat by Kandi Steiner is here! This is a small town country romance to get you in the mood for fall 😉
5 Whiskey Laced Stars
This story is decadently romantic read embedded with Romeo and Juliet level angst. Kandi draws you in from page one and grabs hold of your heart until the final sentence. I loved everything about this small-town romance that will leave you with all the feels and so much more.
“Mine. All my life, I’d wanted to look at something—anything—and feel that one, possessive, all empowering word ringing true to my bones. ”
I am without a doubt 100% obsessed with Logan Daniel Becker. He is everything you could ask for in a book boyfriend. He’s smart, funny, insanely romantic, and utterly swoon inducing. He will put a goofy smile on your face and butterfly’s will take up residence in your stomach while reading this. My heart ached for this adorable man who just wanted to find someone who made him feel what his parents had the fortune of experiencing. He wants the once in a lifetime love that makes your soul complete. I could not get enough of him and his quirky OCD type habits that made him even that much more lovable.
“I smirked. “I never said I thought you were a minx.” “But you did,” she fired back with a smirk of her own. Her eyes glowed a little fiercer then. “You still do.”
Mallory is struggling to find her own way in this world. She doesn’t agree with the way her family handles situations and she feel’s suffocated by them and their actions. She is a beautifully creative soul just looking for something to call her own. My heart broke for Mallory, her family really is awful not only to her but to those around them. They feel entitled and are completely manipulative. Mallory has tried to distance herself as much as possible but inevitably she ends up coming home. However, in doing this she reconnects with Logan. Mallory is perfect for Logan she is the mess to his neat. And together they balance each other out, finding in each other what they have both been looking for.
“Oh, yeah?” Mallory asked, scooting up to look at me. “How’d you know?” “He looked at her the way I look at you,” I explained easily, moving her hair away from her face. “Like forever was sitting right there in her eyes.”
This story will tug at your heartstrings in the best possible way. You will fall head over heels in love with Logan and his beautiful soul. Mallory and Logan’s love is so pure and completely captivating to watch unfold through the pages. Read this story and fall in love with these character’s and this wonderful town that Kandi has created, you will not be disappointed. I can’t wait to continue this journey.
Neat was so much more than I could have ever dreamed of. The Becker brothers will own your heart. Neat was a lovely and amazing love story. Enemies to lovers. True love trumps. The safety net gets broken. Kandi Steiner brings the real into her characters. They hurt, you hurt. They’re angry, you’re angry. They fall in love, you fall in love. I can go on and on with this story, but I want you to explore it for yourself and fall into their book world.
Neat combined just the right amount of family, mystery, flirty, and dirty to make this new Becker Brothers romance a total hit!!
In a fiction world; Logan Becker is my spirit animal. He is addicted to lists, organization, highlighters, and the need for worthless knowledge which is all like foreplay crack to me. Although if I was being fair; it would also appear that I married my fictional spirit animal in Mallory Scooter. He’s a procrastinator, messy, and has been reading the same book for the past year. Although like any good romance book would tell you…opposites attract.
Here’s a little insight into Logan and Mallory. The Romeo and Juliet of our story.
Mallory Scooter is the daughter and granddaughter of the Scooter Whiskey Distillery that has been in her family for generations. Their families have been feuding; much like the Montagues and Capulets. So when Mallory is forced to begin working at the distillery, by making a deal with her father (the devil), she isn’t exactly thrilled to be working under Logan Becker, but not for the reasons everyone in town would necessarily think. She doesn’t want to be working there period and with her uncle soon retiring she has a feeling her father might have nefarious reasons up his sleeves that don’t exactly thrill her. She has agreed to work there in exchange for her father loaning her money to buy a studio for art. She doesn’t want to work at the distillery, never has, but her deal with the devil remains and working under Logan is just passing time, which she doesn’t take seriously.
Logan Becker has worked hard at not only preserving the Becker family name at the distillery, but also at moving up in the company. There will be a spot opening soon, with a retirement coming up, that he knows he is perfect for, he just has to bide his time. However, training the bosses daughter isn’t exactly the highlight of his career, especially since he’s harbored a secret crush on her since high school. If he can make it through this he knows the promotion will be his. He just can’t screw it up. He doesn’t like that Mallory doesn’t take work seriously and ends up getting him in trouble in the first time since he’s ever worked there. Of course a Scooter would happen to make him look bad. You would think that would be enough to keep him away, but he ends up finding a soft spot for the girl who dislikes her father as much as he does. A common thread is sometimes all it takes for that old attraction to ignite.
As a guy who likes things neat and orderly, Mallory completely flips Logan’s world upside down. She ties him up in knots and frankly makes him question what he’s doing most days, but the same can be said for her. She thrives on chaos and spontinately. She loves pushing people’s buttons and doesn’t really like rules. How can these two really get along for five minutes to actually get something accomplished? And if they do end up actually taking things to the next level, without bloodshed because this really isn’t Romeo and Juliet, how are they supposed to help a family that has been feuding for generations see eye to eye?
Neat is a fantastic modern day Romeo and Juliet, with a lot less dying.
Neat by Kandi Steiner is now available and in Kindle Unlimited! This small town, country romance is perfect to get you into all those cozy fall and holiday vibes you’re craving. Plus, it’s got a forbidden element — a “new age Romeo and Juliet!”
Neat by Kandi Steiner is now available and in Kindle Unlimited! I’m a sucker for forbidden-ish romance and, in a small town setting that I want to live in, I couldn’t love this more. Bring on the fall because this family will keep me hot, hot, HOT!.
Neat by Kandi Steiner is a contemporary, forbidden workplace romance told in first person, dual POV. It is a standalone and the second book in the Becker brothers series (On the Rocks is the first). While each book is a complete story featuring a different Becker brother finding love, there’s a mystery thread that runs through both and at this point remains unsolved. I’d recommend reading them all as I expect more pieces of the puzzle will come to light in upcoming books. I’m looking forward to more revelations when Michael’s story in book three, Manhattan, is released this winter.
Logan Becker has worked as a tour guide at the Scooter Whiskey Distillery since he was eighteen. As lead tour guide, he’s next in line to become manager of tour guide operations. When he learns that Mallory Scooter is back in town and that he’s expected to train her as the newest tour guide, he’s not looking forward to it. Logan suspects that Mallory is there to sweep in and steal the job that he’s been working towards his entire life – the job that’s rightfully his.
Despite the fact that the Beckers and Scooters founded the distillery together, it only bears the Scooter name. And over the years, the Beckers have been kept outside of decision making roles in the business. Then a suspicious distillery fire took Logan’s father’s life and foul play was suspected. So the Becker brothers work at the distillery to keep the family legacy alive, and the Scooters put up with them to avoid further suspicion.
Mallory Scooter has no tour guide experience, but she could easily take Logan’s job simply because she’s a Scooter. If that wasn’t bad enough, Logan has secretly had a crush on her since he was fourteen. Ever since then, he’s done his best to avoid her, but now he’ll be forced to be around Mallory all the time. It doesn’t matter how much chemistry they have, Logan really needs to keep his distance. Because the Beckers and the Scooters are bitter rivals. Which means Mallory Scooter is off limits and under no circumstance could they ever be together.
What will happen as Logan and Mallory spend time together? Will they be able to deny their attraction? And why is Mallory working at the distillery at all? Is she really after the same management position as Logan? Is he training her to take a job that’s rightfully his? And what really happened in the distillery fire? Did the Scooters intentionally take Logan’s father out?
I loved this book! Mallory and Logan’s story is a true forbidden romance in the vein of Romeo and Juliet where the children of two feuding families find themselves falling in love with each other. And that’s where my comparison stops because we all know the tragic ending of Romeo and Juliet. Thankfully, this story has a much happier ending, although it’s not an easy journey getting there. Beautifully written, emotional, romantic, full of family history, tragedy, and mystery. I highly recommend Neat and look forward to reading the next book in the Becker brother series.
*** I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC. ***
The second in the unofficial Becker brother series, Neat picks up where [book:On the Rocks|45916982] ended but this time the focus is on Logan. As the younger brother to Noah, Logan is the only other of the four sons to work at the Scooter Whiskey Distillery. He’s probably the one most adamant about protecting and continuing the legacy and connection that the Becker family has with the distillery.
He is loyal and passionate about his role in tour leader at the distillery so when Mallory Scooter is foisted on him, he’s not happy. The thing about Mallory is she’s not happy to be there either, but willing to do what she needs to get what she wants, an art studio. More importantly Mallory is everything Logan is not. Logan likes life neat, orderly, controlled. While Mallory is an artist through and through, and she too is passionate. And it turns out that Logan had VERY secretly crushed on Mallory in high school, so there’s an existing undercurrent of attraction.
In a way it’s a fast slow-burn love story as it doesn’t take long for Mallory to get under his skin. For her part, Mallory loves to push his buttons. She’s a challenge and a challenger. Together they are the true “odd-couple”, complete opposites yet so alike. I love how they balance each other out. They have fun (#paintplay) and when they go from zero to 90 it’s AMAZING. They have very palpable chemistry but to be a true couple is simply out of the question. But they have to try and oh is that time so glorious.
I really enjoyed getting to know these characters and to see the ever changing relationships between the brothers and their mothers. The mystery surrounding their father is still out there and I am very invested in finding out just what happened between their father and the Mallory’s father. Neat is yet another winner from Kandi Steiner. 4.5 stars and recommendation.
Kandi’s second installment of the Becker brothers stories is another amazing read. This one is about Logan Becker and his love for Mallory Scooter, a girl he has pined over from afar for years. When Mallory comes back to town to open her art studio and to work at her family’s distillery Logan struggles to keep his attraction for her a secret. These two finally come together and the result is pure magic, with a lot of family drama thrown into the mix too. I truly enjoyed this story and can’t wait to see which Becker brother we get to learn about next.