Lara Haley has it all. At least that’s what everyone tells her. Husband (estranged). Home (her mother-in-law’s). Family (smothering). When she finds her estranged husband’s dead body behind her Buick along with her prize-winning camellia he was trying to steal in the – ahem – dead of night, Lara decides it’s time for a change.Will Kenner left town in the back of the sheriff’s car and never looked … never looked back. He left behind his family (estranged), the town (smothering) and most of all, Lara (sexy). Now he’s back, intent on saving the struggling town and his family. And this time, nothing will keep him from pursuing Lara.
Passion over takes common sense and sensibility for our two lovers. A hilariously uncomfortable funeral, a protest that pits neighbor against neighbor, and a few secrets are all that keep Will and Lara from finding their happily ever after.
Piece of cake.
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A Witty Rom-Com with n Edge
This book is the first I’ve read by this author, and despite some darker topics, I found it surprisingly funny. It’s a rom-com, but an unusual one for sure. While it certainly has humor and wittiness aplenty, it also has a darker edge to it that we find out about right at the beginning with the dead ex-husband… or soon-to-be ex-husband. The first line perfectly blends that humor and sense of macabre. While I read a lot of rom-coms, this one had a few unexpected moments as well as the expected ones. I liked how the book not only had a central conflict between the hero and heroine, as they are on apparently opposing sides of a complex local issue, but this had a fair amount of family drama as well. The heroine had a growth arc, too, as she’s trying to come out from under her own shadow and other people’s expectations. A very enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Lara Caldwell Haley was divorcing her husband Brian when he died. They live in the South and thus there were some customs/expectations they live by, After his death, an old flame, Will ,came back to Lara’s life. The story continues, with their struggles over expectations from small town and family as well as business conflicts.
I like that it was simple enough for easy reading. It fascinates me to learn some customs and expectations added in a story. Though I know it will be part of the story (since it was part of the title) , it was still quite shocking as it was presented here(Spoiler: first meeting and parent’s house). I wish also there was more in the epilogue
Nevertheless, it kept me entertained. It was funny and love Lara’s stance on matters (love Camelias)
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I started laughing right on the first chapter with Sarah and it only got worse after Will came back to Belle Terre…I had to disguise laughter in the bus and train…I loved it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lara is done being pushed around as she takes charge of her life after accidentally hitting her dead husband with her car. When her high school love, Will, moves in a couple houses down the next day, things start looking up as they rekindle their flame. But with Will working for the new construction and Lara trying to save the historic downtown, their opposing sides make for an interesting time as her sister in laws follow suit and start a rebellion of their own. Calamity ensues as Lara refuses to back down and she is now the talk of the town for her rebellious actions. Will’s own family is in chaos as he suddenly has his three nieces & nephews move in. But as Lara and Will navigate their family craziness, Will is determined to win Lara over as he never stopped loving her. When the battle lines are drawn with even Lara’s own brother working against her and Lara finds out Will’s true involvement with construction company, can Will come up with a plan in time to not only win her love but save the company that so many are relying on?
I received an ARC of this book via Book Sprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
You know you are going to enjoy a book when the first sentence makes you laugh out loud…or at least pause and say to yourself, “She used a Buick to what?” It reminded me of some of Fanny Flagg’s work (one of my favorite writers) mixed with a healthy helping of sex that is both real and STEAMY. While the sex is great, it is cleverly used to progress the story and our understanding of the characters and not simply the sex “expected” of this genre. Our protagonist unapologetically uses divorce/death (does it really matter which came first or what REALLY happened? I think not!) to declare her independence and eventually make public that she IS and more importantly HAS BEEN building the life that she knows she deserves. Her family will just have to “deal with it”.
As a child of the South, myself, she does what many women of a certain age either wish they could do…or are actually in the process of doing. I think many readers will relate! This was also a quick read and perfect for busy women who need a bit of escapism without a long commitment and without the “guilty pleasure” stigma. In this book there is no feeling guilt. I can TOTALLY see Sex and Insensibiilty making an easy transition to Netflix ala “Sweet Home Alabama” (Reese Witherspoon not Lynyrd Skynyrd) or “Sweet Magnolias”. My one real criticism is that I would like Preston to infuse more Louisiana culture (beyond LSU purple and alligator on a stick…which is delish, BTW) into the series. Louisiana—her people, music, language, flora, fauna & food— is truly unique and gives Preston a plethora of themes, tools, and experiences to weave into her writing. Clearly the author has more than a passing familiarity with this part of the South and I encourage her to use this knowledge to enrich these tales from Belle Terre. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for book 2 in the Hearts of Louisiana series-Second Chance
Romance!