* * A SEXY small-town contemporary romance * * *A sophisticated city girl, a small town guy. Will their differences drive them apart or will they discover that home is where the heart is?When the only girl Joey Bennett ever loved stole his heart and sped off to the city lights, he swore he’d never again surrender his heart or be measured by someone’s big city ideals. Love is for chumps. Trust is … is for chumps. Trust is only given to family and locals who care about him for who he is, and what he isn’t. But when a beautiful stranger dances into his bar, he takes up the challenge to prove that his hometown is different.
Brittany Carlson hates small towns after growing up where the old boy’s network turned a blind eye to her father’s abuse, destroying her mother’s life… and her own. She left that hell in the rear-view mirror the minute she turned eighteen. New York City is her new hometown where her neighbors are friends and everyone looks out for each other. They keep her safe. But a weekend visit to Oak Grove and one dance with a sexy local threatens to change… everything.
Joey is not like any guy she’s ever met. And she likes that. Long nights stoke Joey and Brittany’s desire to stay together, but reality is different when exposed to the harsh light of day. If Brittany goes back to New York, she’ll be heartbroken. But she promised herself long ago that she wouldn’t ever again live her life looking over her shoulder, wondering what secrets people are hiding and what ugliness lurks in the shadows with no one there to help.
Can she take the small town out of Joey, or can the love of a good man become her new home?
Oak Grove Series:
Last Call (Book 0.5)
One Last Risk (Book 1)
One Last Dance (Book 2)
One Last Chance (Book 3)
One Last Objection (Book 4)
more
Loved the story. And although it had hard topics. It’s something that needs to be addressed and I can see from excerpts that is the case for the next book. Joey usually the ladies man is over with that empty promise of no tomorrows and a revolving door. He wants a partner. But he can’t risk getting hurt again. And when he see Brittany across the dance floor of his bar he feels drawn to her. After extricating herself from a bar creep she is attracted to what she merely thinks is just the bartender. Many ups and downs. Both are closed off and through a shared experience of loved ones and going through abusive relationships. They form a bond. They balance each other out. And she sees what a small town is supposed to be. Not what her horrible past experiences have shown her. People have always said you usually treat those who you love the most and who are closest to you the worst when times get extreme because you trust them enough to not leave and batten down. That partially played I. Here but did require some finesse. Can’t wait for Rachel’s book.
5 stars
I purchased a copy of the full length novel One Last Dance : a Small- Town Romance Oak Grove book 2: by Nancy Stopper and this review was given freely.
A complexed and steamy romance set in rural southeastern Pennsylvania and an emotional story with wonderful characters and a rocky romance and a theme of overcoming self doubt. . JJ’s Bar and Grill owner Joey Bennett’s love for solitude and mistrust of relationships are challenged when New York Arhitect Brittany comes to town. This is an easy flowing steamy instant attraction of opposites story combined with a rocky romance, an emotional tribute to Memorial Day and all war veterans as well as an advocating against mental and physical abuse.
Love this awesome story. Joey and Brittany are made to be together. Nancy captures the essence of the flirtation and sweet love and healing.
I really enjoyed this book from the very first page with the well written storyline and the very likeable characters! I really liked Brittany and Joey together, their characters really made this book a very enjoyable read!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
I am really loving the Oak Grove book series! It was great reading Joey’s story and why he wanted to prove himself. His honoring of his friend Kyle was so heartwarming and brought tears to my eyes. Brittany’s story broke my heart but it was great to see her blossom in a small town. Joey, having sworn off of love after his high school sweetheart left and never returned. Brittany, who had grown up in the worst of circumstances in a small town. Both trying to find their way, not wanting to love because love meant pain. I enjoyed reading about the Bennett family and how they watch over one another. Cannot wait to read Rachel’s story but I am sure it will a sad one. Well-written, fast read that will you wanting the next book in the series like now.
Funny how sometimes the path people think they want to take turns out to be the wrong one for them. Or when they’re thinking “there’s no way I would do…” and then it turns out you WILL do that! Essentially, that’s the underlying theme of One Last Dance.
Joey Bennett, owner of J.J.’s, a bar and grill in the small town of Oak Grove, has sworn off girls who want big city lights while Brittany Carlson, on vacation from her home in New York City, hates small towns after seeing the way an “old boy’s network” turned a blind eye to her father’s abuse of her mother, sister and herself. Brittany is just visiting the town with her friend Karen, who grew up in Oak Grove. Then she meets Joey…
This was another wonderful story from Nancy Stopper’s Oak Grove series. The characters have a depth to them that makes you feel like you know them – and know them well enough to identify with why they each feel the way they do and why they want to proceed with caution in their relationship. Their attraction is strong but so is their desire to protect their hearts!
Is Joey able to overcome his reluctance to become involved with a woman who lives and works in a big city? Can Brittany overcome her perceived notion of small town life enough to give Joey a chance? Are either of them like the people they’ve known who have hurt them? If you’re looking for a feel-good romantic story – you will enjoy this!
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book, however, this is my honest opinion.