Book Love: the Bachelors of Buttermilk Falls Series

Source: Amazon.com

If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you’ll know that I’ve been reading a bunch of books over the last few weeks. I’ve been using my Kindle Unlimited subscription, borrowing online from the e-library, and also just grabbing books around the house I haven’t read in a while. One day while poking around Kindle Unlimited books, I saw “Batter Up” by Robyn Neeley, which turned out to be the first in a series and I was hooked!

There are 6 books in the Bachelors of Buttermilk Falls series and all the characters are connected. Even with the connections though, each book is really different… it’s not like the author is just following the same recipe again and again. Also, even though each book can totally be read as a stand-alone book, some storylines go a bit further for characters in later books, which is super fun!

If you have a Kindle Unlimited Subscription all the books are included for free. Otherwise, they are just $2.99 each to purchase. If you want to try Kindle Unlimited, it is $9.99 a month but you can get your first month for free here.

Here is each book of the series, in proper order:

Batter Up (Book 1): https://amzn.to/3e3F8Cl

Book overview: Bakeshop owner Emma Stevens has a secret. A delicious premonition she shares every Monday evening with the bachelors of Buttermilk Falls as they gather at the Sugar Spoon bakery for Batter Up night. Investigative reporter Jason Levine just found himself as the man candy for a bachelorette party in Las Vegas. Roped into attending the Vegas nuptials, was he hearing things when the groom shares that the only reason he’s getting married is because a small town baker conjured up the name of his soulmate in her cake batter? Sparks fly when Jason tries to expose Emma as a fraud, but reality and logic go out the window as he begins to fall under her spell.

My thoughts: This is one of my favorite books in the group and Emma and Jason keep popping up in each of the books in the series. One of the things I really like is that Emma finally gets closure on something in the last book, which is super nice!

Tangled Up (Book 2): https://amzn.to/2XiMV8L

Book overview: Abby Stevens doesn’t know what’s gotten into her, but getting tangled up nightly with the latest bachelor to Buttermilk Falls has to stop. Sure, Brandon Swift’s got rock hard abs and blue eyes to die for, but the Los Angles playboy is not the man for her. To end things between them once and for all, she might need some magical help. Brandon is settling into small-town life thanks to his new bartending gig and the cute redhead sharing his bed. He suspects she might be looking for more than a fling. After a bitter divorce and a few months of playing the field, he might finally be ready, too. But when Abby presents him with an enchanted cupcake that reverses his attraction to her, both discover strong feelings they didn’t realize they had. Is it too late to reverse the spell?

My thoughts: This book centers on the sister from the first book. I actually really liked the addition of more magic into this book and the growing relationship between Abby and Brandon.

Kiss and Make Up (Book 3): https://amzn.to/3g6DqSA

Book overview: Perfume chemist Josh Stevens has spent years making a life for himself in New York City and climbing up the corporate ladder of Kiss and Makeup, a global cosmetics company. Though his cousin, Emma, whips up soul mate predictions with their late grandmother’s pink enchanted mixing spoon each Monday during Batter Up night, he’d rather experiment with vanilla perfume oil than vanilla extract any day. Buttermilk Falls and magic are not for him. Caitlin Reynolds just needs a second chance. Sure, she’s done some questionable things in the past, but as the new owner of the Majestic Theater she is determined to turn her life around, contribute to the town’s livelihood, and prove to all of Buttermilk Falls that she’s more than the spoiled rich girl who got pregnant.

My thoughts: I actually thought I was going to hate this one, because the author did such a good job of making Caitlin the ‘bad guy’ in the first two books. I couldn’t imagine her being redeemed to the point I actually rooted for her, but somehow she did it! This one has an addition of some ghostly fun, which I thought was okay but didn’t totally love.

Holiday Hook Up (Book 4): https://amzn.to/2XdQfSC

Book overview: Buttermilk Falls bachelor Adam Reed never expected to assume the title of Supernatural Matchmaker, yet thanks to his ghostly distant cousin, Mary Reed, he’s now the recipient of one shimmering blue mixing spoon and a powerful spell that can conjure up the name of any woman’s soulmate–and just in time for the holidays! The only problem: the male names that appear are totally unexpected and causing chaos. Forget about apologies or explanations, these bachelorettes want his head on a Christmas platter. Bethany Wilson has had one wish since she was fourteen: That Adam Reed would one day be her boyfriend. Always on the sidelines, she watched the budding high school romance between her best friend and Adam bloom into something longer lasting. When the unthinkable happens and the two break up, Bethany can’t help but wonder a year later if she can finally reveal to him how she feels.

My thoughts: This book has a Christmas holiday setting, so it was a bit odd reading it in May. But other than that, it had another fun story with likeable characters and a supporting cast that we already know and love. In addition to the magic from the first few books, the ghost plays a part in this one too.

One Sweet Match Up (Book 5): https://amzn.to/2ZlMnl2

Book overview: For years, renown chef Donovan Foster made his life in Denver, way too busy with making a culinary name for himself to stop and pick up a wife and kids along the way. When he realizes that all of his friends in Buttermilk Falls are settling down, he begins to feel idle. Sure, business is good, but he’s tired of his life. Convinced he’s lost his spark, he decides to change directions straight back to Buttermilk Falls in search of it.  Being fired by Donovan Foster two days on the job had been one of the worst days of Zoe Mathews’s life. Humiliated, she’d hightailed it out of Denver, looking for a fresh start, opening up a frozen yogurt shop in Buttermilk Falls. Nearly a year later, she’s licked her wounds, running the Ice Heaven shop on Main Street. Little did she know that Donovan is the town’s golden boy who recently returned home to find his spark.

My thoughts: This was my least favorite in the book series, mainly because of the ghost. It just became really, really, ghosty in this book and I found it pretty annoying. However, by book 5 I was pretty committed to this series, so I had to get thorough it to move on…

All Dressed Up (Book 6): https://amzn.to/3bQGdfc

Book overview: Living in the town that loves love hasn’t always been easy for consummate bachelor Will Jenkins, but now that he’s hung up his mechanic rags and stepped in to run his mother’s bridal boutique, it’s unbearable. Forget about the brides circling him and constant wedding talk, it’s the beautiful blonde owner of Buttermilk Blooms that he can’t get out of his system after she ended things between them. With a little encouragement from his gal pal, Zoe Mathews, he’s ready to dive back into the dating pool.  When Rachel Foster hooked up with Will Jenkins months ago, she vowed it would never, ever happen again. Will was the ultimate playboy. He wasn’t capable of anything long – term and everyone in town knows it. Still, his trading in his dirty overalls for a suit and tie has caught her eye.

My thoughts: In the last book in the series, we finally get to the story of Rachel and Will, which has danced on the sidelines for a couple books now. All in all, I wasn’t totally into their love story after all the lead-up; however, this book tied up some loose ends from the very first book that had been flapping around throughout the series. I feel like it was a strong end to the series, even if I didn’t fall in love with the main couple.

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. This means that clicking on a link may help me earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Books I’m Loving

I’ve been trying to do a better job of keeping track of the books I read this year. As I finish each book, I post it with a few words of a review on my Instagram stories. Then on a monthly basis I update my “2020 Books” saved story with a running tally of all my tiny reviews so far. Earlier this week, I shared two TV shows I’m watching and loving, in case you are stuck at home within nothing to do. So now, I’m sharing my favorite books of 2020 out of the 20 that I’ve read so far!

I understand that borrowing books from your library may not be an option right now (ours is closed for the foreseeable future), so I’ve provided an Amazon Kindle link for each book. For anyone who doesn’t have a Kindle, you can read the book directly on your laptop. Or — of course — you can order a paperback/hardback version to be delivered to your door.

I’ve also decided at this point to only recommend books that didn’t bum me out – as we all need a little extra happiness right now.

Here are my 2020 book favorites so far:

Meet Cute by Helena Hunting https://amzn.to/2xGLPub

Amazon synopsis: Kailyn Flowers was always calm, rational, and controlled–until she ended up sprawled all over Daxton Hughes, the former actor she totally crushed on as a teenager. Then she did the unthinkable: She became a mortifying fangirl in five seconds flat, which may or may not have included professing her undying love. And oddly, he didn’t run away. In fact, their meet cute led to a friendship she never saw coming. Of course, she never saw his betrayal coming, either… Now Dax needs her help. As guardian to his thirteen-year-old sister, he’s in way over his head. And though Kailyn hasn’t forgiven Dax, she isn’t heartless enough to make him fend for himself, either. Soon their friendly meetings turn into flirty dinner dates, and Kailyn can feel their chemistry is as explosive as ever. But how can she possibly let down her guard again to a guy who has heartbreak written all over him?

My tiny review: Loved it!

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb https://amzn.to/3a0Agwr

Amazon synopsis: From a New York Times best-selling author, psychotherapist, and national advice columnist, a hilarious, thought-provoking, and surprising new book that takes us behind the scenes of a therapist’s world—where her patients are looking for answers (and so is she).

My tiny review: So, so, so good. And thought provoking. I’d have to take a break every couple chapters to let it soak in.

Marked for Murder by Colleen Helme https://amzn.to/2whz0pV

This is the latest book in the Shelby Nichols series and I can honestly say I’ve loved the whole series. Even better, if you are a Kindle Unlimited subscriber all the books in the series can be read for FREE!

Amazon synopsis: Trouble follows Shelby Nichols. Why wouldn’t it? She works for a mob boss. And the police. A desperate call from a friend in need turns Shelby’s life upside down. Someone is out to prove that Shelby is a fake, marking her for murder. How far will they go?

My tiny review: I love the Shelby Nichols series and this one was great!

My Kind of Wonderful by Jill Shalvis https://amzn.to/33xcc1x

Amazon synopsis: Bailey Moore is finally getting to live on her own terms. After a fierce battle with cancer, she’s ready to do all the things she never dared to before, like sail the Greek Islands and explore Europe’s castles. Her first new adventure brings her to Cedar Ridge Resort, a ski lodge in the Colorado Rockies. Bailey quickly discovers that following her No Regrets List won’t be easy. It doesn’t offer instructions for how to deal with a suffocating mother or an ex-fiancé who doesn’t want to let her go. Her list also doesn’t include falling for the lodge’s swoon-worthy head of ski patrol, Hud Kincaid, and his boisterous, kindhearted family.

My tiny review: Loved it! Perfect romance with a bit of sass!

Well Met by Jen DeLuca https://amzn.to/2Wq0QuW

Amazon synopsis: Emily knew there would be strings attached when she relocated to the small town of Willow Creek, Maryland, for the summer to help her sister recover from an accident, but who could anticipate getting roped into volunteering for the local Renaissance Faire alongside her teenaged niece? Or that the irritating and inscrutable schoolteacher in charge of the volunteers would be so annoying that she finds it impossible to stop thinking about him?

My tiny review: Loved it so much and it took me back to my days working at the Maryland Renaissance Festival!

The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams https://amzn.to/2U1807m

Amazon synopsis: Nashville Legends second baseman Gavin Scott’s marriage is in major league trouble. He’s recently discovered a humiliating secret: his wife Thea has always faked the Big O. When he loses his cool at the revelation, it’s the final straw on their already strained relationship. Thea asks for a divorce, and Gavin realizes he’s let his pride and fear get the better of him. Distraught and desperate, Gavin finds help from an unlikely source: a secret romance book club made up of Nashville’s top alpha men. With the help of their current read, a steamy Regency titled Courting the Countess, the guys coach Gavin on saving his marriage. But it’ll take a lot more than flowery words and grand gestures for this hapless Romeo to find his inner hero and win back the trust of his wife.

My tiny review: This is my favorite book of the year so far. Super funny and touching and romantic and sexy!

Love Her or Leave Her by Tessa Bailey https://amzn.to/3bi8g7N

Amazon synopsis: Rosie and Dominic Vega are the perfect couple: high school sweethearts, best friends, madly in love. Well, they used to be anyway. Now Rosie’s lucky to get a caveman grunt from the ex-soldier every time she walks in the door. Dom is faithful and a great provider, but the man she fell in love with ten years ago is nowhere to be found. When her girlfriends encourage Rosie to demand more out of life and pursue her dream of opening a restaurant, she decides to demand more out of love, too. Three words: marriage boot camp. 

My tiny review: A couple with a broken marriage trying to find their way back together. And holy tamales is it spicy!

The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory https://amzn.to/33DLS6d

Amazon Synopsis: When freelance writer Nikole Paterson goes to a Dodgers game with her actor boyfriend, his man bun, and his bros, the last thing she expects is a scoreboard proposal. Saying no isn’t the hard part—they’ve only been dating for five months, and he can’t even spell her name correctly. The hard part is having to face a stadium full of disappointed fans… At the game with his sister, Carlos Ibarra comes to Nik’s rescue and rushes her away from a camera crew. He’s even there for her when the video goes viral and Nik’s social media blows up—in a bad way. Nik knows that in the wilds of LA, a handsome doctor like Carlos can’t be looking for anything serious, so she embarks on an epic rebound with him, filled with food, fun, and fantastic sex. But when their glorified hookups start breaking the rules, one of them has to be smart enough to put on the brakes.

My tiny review: LOVED IT! Great storyline and really likeable characters!

Happy Reading!

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. This means that clicking on a link may help me earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Nope: Books I Didn’t Like

I’ve been having a streak of bad luck with my book choices lately. Usually, if I don’t love a book that’s fine… but I’ve read a few real stinkers lately!

Yuck #1: Room to Breathe by Liz Talley

It’s this one: https://amzn.to/2PFZM2E

This book was one of my Amazon’s First Reads choices for October. It was described as a mother-daughter relationship book. The mother is divorced and starting over and the daughter is in her early 20’s and engaged. “As love lives tangle, secrets spill, and indiscretions are betrayed, mother and daughter will have a lot to learn—not only about the mistakes they’ve made but also about the men in their lives and the women they are each hoping to become.”

Sounds good, right? NOPE.

What drove me crazy: The mother was 39. THIRTY NINE. And throughout the entire course of the book they treat 39 as if it is so freaking old that it’s CRAZY that she would want to pursue any of her own interests. I mean, come on. THIRTY NINE!? On top of that, the daughter is the most selfish little brat and I wanted to smack her upside the head. Multiple times.

Yuck #2: The Upside of Falling Down by Rebekah Crane

It’s this one: https://amzn.to/2NFOmcG

The one was a random book I thought sounded interesting on my Kindle Unlimited subscription. The premise is that a girl wakes up in an Irish hospital with complete amnesia. She remembers absolutely nothing about her life before she woke up and when she hears that her father has come to Ireland to get her and bring her home, she decides to run away.

What drove me crazy: This girl. Yet another one I wanted to smack and/or shake. She is so freaking selfish throughout the entire book. Then, at the end when everything is messy and you are waiting for the happy ending to come along, all the pieces tie up in a bow too neatly if you know what I mean. For example, someone has lied to her since the beginning of the book and suddenly she’s totally cool with it and they get a happily ever after. NO. NO HAPPILY EVER AFTER FOR YOU, SELFISH WITCH!

Yuck #3: Trophy Life by Lea Geller

It’s this one: https://amzn.to/34jlltM

This was another free Kindle Unlimited read. After 10 years of being a trophy wife, suddenly Agnes’ husband disappears leaving her and their infant daughter with no home, no money and no staff. But it’s not as easy as that, the husband is still around… he’s not dead or anything, he just got into some money trouble so he went into hiding. He told her to drive across the country to go teach at this private middle school and gather information for him. Yeah, it’s confusing.

What drove me crazy: So they try to set up the relationship of the husband and wife as if it’s some sort of love story, but every time he’s on the page I hate him. Like, really HATE him. He will randomly call or text her and if she doesn’t respond immediately he has a little hissy fit. And THEN, when they try to show *romance* if that is what they are going for, it is just really controlling and rapey. I hated him. I hated her for loving(?) him and I HATED this damn book.

There you go, three books to avoid.

How about you, have you read anything lately that you’ve disliked?

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. This means that clicking on a link may help me earn a small commission at no cost to you.