It might be a fake date, but what if he’s not faking it?Loner Cole North has always been the odd guy out. His IQ is sky-high, but he’s not so bright when it comes to people or relationships. Years ago, he spurned expectations, shunned his family’s business, and embraced a career in construction instead. Now he values his job above everything, in part because of his secret feelings for his boss, … feelings for his boss, Sierra. While he could never be right for her personally, he endeavors to be exactly what she needs professionally.
Remodeler Sierra Lowell might be creative, hardworking, and a color-outside-the-lines thinker in her job, but there’s one line she’s never crossed. It’s tough enough to be a woman in a man’s job without adding sex or emotions to the mix. Smart, sexy Cole is without question her right-hand man, but the lines get blurred when Sierra’s life is complicated with a wedding date crisis and the television opportunity of a lifetime.
Cole impulsively steps up to be her go-to guy for both. When their fake date is interrupted by a family emergency, having Sierra at his side makes him realize there’s a fine line between alone and lonely and that maybe he’s ready for less of both. Can he find a way to go from being a right-hand man to the right man for her?
True North is a stand-alone story with a HEA in the North Brothers series, a spin-off of the Hale Street series.
Immerse yourself in the North Brothers’ world instantly!
more
Cole North and Sierra Lowell couldn’t be more different, but maybe it’s true when they say that opposites attract. Cole is a man who has had plenty of heartache in his past and doesn’t have a good sense of self. Highly intelligent, he’s never really felt like he fits in and is a loner. He has dedicated himself to his work as the foreman to Sierra at her business, Dunn and Lowell Remodeling, and harbors feelings for her. Sierra is making it big in what is considered a man’s job. She knows that it’s important to have a strict no fraternization policy with her employees in order to keep things professional. But, when her boyfriend is no longer interested in having a relationship, Cole steps in to be her date at her sister’s wedding. Seeing each other through new eyes, dressed up and enjoying each other at the wedding, the walls that they have both built begin to crumble. Sierra is an essential ingredient to helping Cole get past his dysfunctional family and open the doors to heal them all. This is all about self-understanding, acceptance and the determination to live a happy life. Wonderful story!
4.5* ARC Review – Great Start to New Series near Hale Street!
I received the ARC of True North directly from the author as part of her ARC group. I was already a fan of her work, and this book proves why. Although it is a new series it takes place in Nashville and has many of the secondary characters from the Hale Street multi-author series. I have read some of the books in that series, so it was nice to see the characters make cameos here.
This is a great friends to lovers story about Cole and Sierra, who currently work together at her renovation company. They have been working together for three years and Cole is her foreman and right hand for the projects they do renovating historic buildings. At the beginning of the book, Sierra needs a date to her sister, Kennedy’s wedding. Cole volunteers to help her and it is hinted that they both have some hidden feelings for the other. The night seems to be going very well when Cole gets a call from his brothers about his mother being rushed to the hospital.
From that point their relationship is off and running. There are some issues, both with Cole’s family as he is somewhat estranged from them and the fact that Sierra is Cole’s boss, but they work together to resolve both issues. It is a good story with compelling characters who have great chemistry. This is a great start to this series, and I cannot wait to read more about the North brothers as the stories continue.
I love a romance where the main character has relatable flaws and insecurities. I love seeing them grow, open themselves up to possibilities, and find the one that just “gets” them. Amy Knupp does a brilliant job with ‘True North’ and brings us wonderful, well-written characters that you will fall in love with and they will stay in your heart for a long time. This is an outstanding start to what looks to be another amazing series!
I had never read any books by this author, but have to say, I am hooked! Loved this book from the start and couldn’t stop reading it. I literally had it open on my phone every free moment I had. The characters are so likable and I love how they interact. I was engrossed in the story line from the first page and that didn’t change throughout the book. I am going to say that I will be purchasing more of this author and look forward to reading more of her books!
What a great start to this new series. I absolutely fell in love with Cole at the start and that didn’t change as his story was revealed – which explained why he was such a loner. And Sierra, what a strong woman to be able to make her way in an industry that is male dominated but still grow the business that was started by her grandfather.
Cole has worked for Sierra for three years as her right hand man, but somehow she didn’t know that he had any brothers, let alone who his family is. This all comes to light after her sister’s wedding, when Cole gets a message that his mother has suffered a heart attack. Seeing that Cole is shaken, Sierra insists on taking him to the hospital. And this leads to the possible beginning of a realtionahip between them.
This was such an enjoyable story that takes you through a range of emotions – from fear of possibly losing a family member to happiness and everything in between. You can feel the attraction between Cole and Sierra. I loved the humor in the story, and couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the bartender Winona’s reaction (she’s also Cole’s landlord) when she met two of his brothers for the first time. Cole learns to deal with his past family dynamics, which is key to his ability to have a relationship with Sierra. It was great to see some of the other Hale Street characters included in this story.
This is the first book in a new series by this author and she started it out with a steamy bang. Cole and Sierra were great characters. They were so good for each other. Sierra typically doesn’t mix business with pleasure but when she needs a plus one for her sister’s wedding, she knows that she may need to rethink that. Can what started as a fake date to a wedding turn into something real? I can’t wait to read more of this series and if this book was indication, it is going to be a great series.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
4.5 stars
Amy Knupp is a new to me author, so I had no idea what I was in for.
The cover grabbed my attention straight away (it’s so pretty) and from page one I knew it was going to be a fab read.
The chemistry between Sierra and Cole was amazing, when they finally got their act together it was hot as hell.
But what can you do when someone is stuck in the past and can’t get past it?
This part of the book really hit home with me, made me realize how much weight you can carry with you if you don’t let go of your mistakes. That sometimes the only person you need to forgive is yourself.
The super sweet ending had me feeling all warm and fuzzy. I’m going to continue to read this series, and am already looking forward to Drake’s book.
Sierra Lowell is the kind of woman we all aspire to be. A successful professional woman in a male-dominated world, she knows her way around historical building restorations while saving her softer, sweeter side for her family and friends. She learned the ropes from her grandfather, eventually taking over his construction company, and has always followed his rule about not mixing business with pleasure. She’s held fast to that rule until her boyfriend ends things, leaving her without a plus one for her sister’s wedding, but her foreman, Cole North, offers to be her fake date.
Cole North. What can I tell you about this hero? Strong, stoic construction foreman with a genius brain and a heart under it all somewhere, but boy is he a mess. He turned his back on the family business and his father’s legacy, choosing to distance himself from his brothers, and living in a small apartment in a seedy part of town because the guilt he carries prevents him from being happy. Yet somehow, in spite of wanting to shake him a time of ten, there’s something endearing about him. I guess I have a soft spot for brokenness and vulnerability in a big, tough hero.
Books from this talented writer are always a pleasure to read. She won me over long ago with her flawed but loveable characters, her captivating and engaging storylines, and her beautifully edited finished product. This book has whet my appetite for the upcoming books in this new series. Each of these North brothers is quite the character in his own way, and I can’t wait for them to meet that special lady who turns their life upside down! These books all stand alone, but you’ll want to read Cole and Sierra’s story so you’re ready for the next one, because once you meet one North brother, you’ll want to meet them all!
I was intrigued by the book blurb right away. After all when it comes to feelings, we aren’t all alike. Cole works for Sierra. Cole is really smart book wise, but needs help with some of his people skills. Sierra needs a date for a wedding and Cole steps up. Then more things change, this book was easy to follow. I requested a copy thru the author and this is my voluntary review. I can’t wait for the next in this series of the North Brothers.
True North is an awesome introduction to the North Brothers series. Sierra and Cole are both delightful, believable characters. Their relationship develops, is threatened and then resolved in this well written, feel good book. If you have enjoyed any other of Amy Knupp’s work, you know you are in for a treat in True North!
Great start to a new series. The author brings strong characters in Sierra,owner of a construction company and Cole,her employee. She builds the story and moves it at a steady pace and pulls you in with all the drama and emotions flowing through the pages. It’s brought to life with her descriptive writing and detailed scenes along with the addition of all the supporting characters. I loved reading their story and would recommend this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I love when I find new to me authors and I can’t put down their books. That was definitely the case with True North by Amy Knupp.
On the surface, this book is a boss/employee romance, but there is so much more to it than that. Both Cole & Sierra deal with issues of insecurity and not belonging; Cole more so. The author does a wonderful job of letting the reader see inside the characters thoughts to understand what is really going on; you can really feel the emotions.
I really enjoyed this one and can’t wait to read more of the North Brothers.
Opening himself up…Cole North has been interested in Sierra for years but he has never pursued her since he is just the foreman in her historical remodeling company. Before Cole thought about it, he offered to accompany Sierra to her sister’s wedding when her boyfriend broke up with her. Even though Sierra has always liked Cole, she realizes what an attractive man Cole is. Due to Cole’s past, Cole has never had a close relationship. He isn’t sure that he can have one with Sierra. I received a free copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I love this book. Sierra is very patient with Cole and respects his boundaries as they build their relationship. I liked seeing Cole open himself to Sierra and his family. You can never go wrong with one of Amy Knupp’s books. I have loved all of them.
This is the first in a new series from Amy Knupp, and, if the rest are like this, they’ll be un-miss-able. Cole North is one of my favorite of her male characters. He’s flawed; he has issues with his family; he’s honorable when committed to a project; and he’s a good man. The potential issues of a relationship with a subordinate, particularly when the superior is a woman, are really well handled; the situations are believable and so are the characters’ reservations. There are moments where your heart sinks for both characters, and there are equally moments of joy. The story’s good, the characters are appealing – what is there not to love?
I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.
Wow, this is the first book in Amy’s new series The North Brothers. If you have read her Island Fire
series, or her Hale Street books, you know all her characters are real people with real hang ups and problems. Cole North is a loner, never feeling like he fits in anywhere. With a higher then normal IQ
he had problems at school, and even in his own family. He has never gotten over the death of his father. He has worked for Sierra Lowell at Dunn & Lowell Remodeling for three years. Sierra has a no dating policy with her workers. It is hard enough for a women to make it in a mans world.
Cole understands and respected it. But he has started having inappropriate, hot dreams of her.
He would never let her know,but now that he has offered to be her fake date at her sister Kennedy’s wedding he knows he is in big trouble.
Sierra has never thought about Cole in that way. But when she see’s him in suit and tie, she can’t help but notice how hot he is. As the wedding party and dancing get under way there is a lot of attraction on both sides. Just as the night is finishing up Cole get a call from his older brother that leaves him shocked and devastated.
As Sierra steps in to help, their relationship changes and opens the door for something much more personal.
I can’t say any more or it would ruin the story…. which is fast moving with lots of misunderstanding and learning for both.
This is truly a great love story. I can’t wait for the next brother’s story.
Be sure not to miss this one, you will be sorry if you do…
I received and ARC from the author and am giving my honest opinion.
The start of this new series brings us Sierra Lowell and Cole North. She’s a remodeler in a man’s world and has been Cole’s boss for the last three years.
Cole, a loner and an uber smart man, has been attracted to her . The lines and boundaries between employer/employee have not been crossed, until the day Sierra asks him to be her plus one to her sister’s wedding. The day an emergency opens her eyes to Cole and his family , and the day their lives changed forever.
But old feelings of guilt has kept Cole from feeling loved and worthy of loving. Will he be able to forgive himself and find happiness or will the past always be there and stop him from reaching his HEA?
It’s a story about family, acceptance of self, and finding the person that “gets you”.
Another winner by this talented author. Looking forward to what else the she has in store for us in the rest of the series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Cole and Sierra are perfect for each other; it just takes them some time to figure that out. I loved that Sierra is passionate about her construction company, and how she fights for her place in a traditionally man’s world. Cole has a lot going on in his mind; he thinks he’s not a good guy. I appreciated how over the course of the story Cole grows closer to his brothers and had to understand what he always believed isn’t the truth. Cole works for Sierra so they both have to cross the line of employer/employee relationship taboos. I love how Sierra’s sister told her if she was even tempted to cross the line it might be worth it. They approach each other cautiously and their relationship grows and bends and finally comes together. It’s a really great story and I look forward to more in the series.
I received an ARC of this story and am voluntarily reviewing it.
5 stars
I received a free copy of the full length steamy novel True North: North Brothers book 1: Cole and Sierra by Amy Knupp and this review was given freely.
A Hale Street, Nashville Tennessee Series spin off containing all the characters we love from that series joined together at Kennedy and Hunter’s wedding and, introducing the large diverse and somewhat dysfunctional extended North family and the North Brothers Sporting company. An introverted genius, construction foreman Cole North steps out of his comfort zone to help the woman he secretly loves, his boss Sierra Lowell, at the same time his mother’s heart attack forces him to reunite with his family. This a complicated opposites attract novel where the lines of professionalism and friendship become blurred by attraction and the hopes for more. Well balance and easy flowing with realistic characters, this is a fast paced rocky romance filled with tragedy, drama, a touch of humor and of course a happy ending.