Sweetheart Penelope Davies is what her daddy calls gullible, right after he told her she was stupid and worthless. With her cheek red from being slapped by him, and her heart trampled by a worthless boyfriend, she packs up and follows her half-brother to Fox River, North Carolina, in need of a fresh start.Dominic MacKenna is the youngest of five brothers, the friendly one with a killer smile and … smile and easy laugh. His brothers are all grown up, and one by one they’re flying the nest, leaving him out of sorts and unsure of his place. Who is he if not the youngest MacKenna?
Penny falls in with the MacKenna brothers, welcomed in as family, and offered the kind of love and support she never knew existed. With a new job and a lot of determination, she is finding out what she’s capable of. The last thing she needs now is to fall in love with the most notorious flirt in town.
Dominic falls for the sweet strong girl with a penchant for random facts and quirky homemade dresses. All he wants is to show Penny how wonderful she is, how smart and funny, and how desired and loved—even if he has to do it as her friend.
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I’m in love with Jess B. Moore’s writing. It’s beautiful, serene and sweet, and makes me feel like I am part of the world. I feel as though I know the characters personally, and I’m right at home.
This book touches on sensitive topics and is filled with emotions. It is also sweet and wonderful. Everything I expected from Jess B. Moore. She has become one of my favorite authors to read, because she takes a genre I don’t read a ton of and makes me obsessed. So, thank you, Jess!
I highly recommend reading this novel. You will feel as though you know these characters and live in their world.
*I read this book as part of a blog tour with Rachel’s Random Resources. All opinions are my own.*
Jess B. Moss takes us back to the small town of Fox River, North Carolina. This is Penelope and Dominic’s journey to finding their HEAs.
Penelope has always been a good daughter to her wretched father. In fact, she has done everything she can to make him love her, but no matter what she does he makes sure she knows that he thinks she is absolutely worthless. Adding insult to injury, her longtime boyfriend has shattered her heart. When her half-brother comes for a visit, he convinces her to leave with him, going to Fox River. She packs her things and embarks on a journey to discover who she is and possibly find a love she deserves.
Dominic is the youngest of the MacKenna clan and a notorious flirt, shunning commitment. However, when he sees Penelope, his world shifts. He finds himself wanting to spend more and more time with her. Despite his flirtatious manner, he really does have a good heart. He bends over backwards making her feel like a part of his family and the town.
Penelope is stronger than she believes. She has completely been beaten down by her father and ex. She has also been victim to vicious rumors, but she still picks herself up and gets living her life. She is full of tenacity and determination, everything I love in a heroine.
The romance between her and Dominic is a slow build, even though they are attracted to one another. I loved the friendship the two developed before moving into a relationship. If you like a sweet romance with great characters, I recommend reading this one.
Favorite Quotes:
Are they monitoring your texts now? Should I send a shot of my nipples? My gentleman sausage? Would it get you fired?
“I can show you all the places girls have professed their love for Dominic.” “Oh, yes, please show Penny all the graffiti. Way to keep it classy, Magnolia.” I deadpanned, shifting my weight, and wishing for an end to this conversation. “Don’t’ Magnolia me, Dominic Oswald MacKenna.” I sucked in a breath. Maggie middle named me. In front of Penny.
It’s all my sisters do, and all the women working here. Like a sickness. I swear, if and when I meet a woman who doesn’t gossip, I’ll know she’s the one.
My Review:
There has to be some type of bewitchment or inexplicable magic that Jess B. Moore sprinkles on her stories as I am immediately sucked into her characters’ vortex whenever I pick up her books. This is my third exposure to her craftily written and heart squeezing tales, and this delightful phenomenon has occurred each and every time. Her word voodoo is strong! I adored these quirky, irresistible, and complex characters. Ms. Moore certainly has a knack for casting her tales with uniquely compelling and slighted dented yet highly endearing individuals. Penny and Dominic were both adorable, highly appealing, and gentle souls who were well worth knowing. I cannot wait to see what Ms. Moore conjures next for Fox River.