The job should have been easy.That’s what sassy, determined Emma Reynolds thought when she took the executive job at a local winery in order to save her family’s bed and breakfast estate from the auction block.
But that was before she started working with the broody billionaire owner, Shane Kavanaugh.
Before their irresistible and unexpected chemistry moved them from the boardroom to the … from the boardroom to the bedroom.
And long before she found out about his intention to wreck her legacy, her career, and—worst of all—her heart.
Her new boss with the hot and cold temper and panty-melting smile that makes her want to break all the rules is the last thing she needs, especially when her family estate is on the line.
Author’s Note: A sexy, emotional, slow burn romance with a feisty heroine, a swoon-worthy hero, and a scorching strip poker scene.
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Well that was pretty great. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book because it’s written by a new author and the premise is one that could easily veer off course, but I was hooked from start to finish. The writing style is solid, the characters are flawed but likeable, the chemistry sizzles, and the romantic connection runs deep. It’s a great start to a promising new series (of standalones), and I would definitely read more by this author.
The story follows Emma, a recovering alcoholic who hit rock bottom two years ago and has fought to reclaim her life since. She’s in a good place with her sobriety, but is having some major financial issues and risks having her family’s B&B foreclosed on soon. Since she was once a successful businesswoman before things came crashing down, she interviews for the highest paying job she can find in her small town…. even though it happens to be for a winery. Shane meets Emma before the interview and is immediately attracted, but once he discovers that she’s the best candidate for the job at his family’s winery, he knows any sort of relationship is off the table. As the two begin working together, the chemistry between them is obvious and though they know it’s a terrible idea to pursue anything, neither one seems to be able to fight the attraction. But both Shane and Emma have major secrets they’re keeping from the other, which threaten the relationship they’re slowly building from sex to serious.
It would be so easy to dislike both of these characters, but the author does a great job making them relatable. Emma knows she’s messed up in the past, but she’s getting her life back together now. And Shane is a widower who struggles to find the right balance between commitments to his family and Emma. It’s a unique premise and a story that moves quickly from start to finish. I loved the connection between these two and though there is plenty of steam, there’s also something deeper as well. Kudos to the author for finding the right balance between angst and lightness, making this an emotional book without feeling overly heavy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
OMG! I LOVED this book! Emma & Shane are wonderful, fully fleshed out characters with flaws & all. And Eliza’s writing style is so full of rich detail – the kind you NEED in a romance! I appreciate strong heroines in romance who can hold their own, & Emma did not disappoint. A dreamy, confident hero doesn’t hurt either! The setting, the storyline & the sexy swooning – OH MY! I can’t wait for book 2! Trouble Me is a five-star read for me, and one of my top picks for 2019. BRAVO!
I could not put down this book.
The writing flows, the characters have depths, the plot twists keep you guessing, this book makes you laugh, want to cry or cringe, certainly grow hot (the strip poker scene made me want to be there 😉 ), the editing is flawless…
This is of course a perfect romance book, but it will also appeal also to those who are ready for more than just romance, as Eliza Peake isn’t afraid to brush difficult subjects such as cancer and addictions, poverty and financial struggles related to health problems in the USA.
I have mixed emotions about this book. One the one hand, I loved the secrets that helped build the angst of the reader. I kept waiting for the moment that both Emma and Shane found out about each other’s secrets. I understood Emma’s reluctance to reveal her past, but I did not understand why once Shane got to know her, she did not feel comfortable revealing it to him. I also felt horrible for her that her father’s addiction put that burden on her shoulders and her mother made her give up her future to salvage it. On the other hand, I felt like I was shorted on the drama. The attraction between Shane and Emma was there from the start I just wish it built up a little longer. The issues with the board and Colin seemed almost minimal. I expected that storyline to have brought more drama to the story and caused more issues between Shane and Emma. Overall, I did enjoy this story. A great start the Madison Ridge Series and I am eager to read the next one.
I wrote this review based on an advance reading copy that the publisher sent me.