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agrippinaes's review
4.0
This was a squishy marshmallow of a book and was just what I needed. When I first read the description of it I knew instinctively I’d really like it and I did. It was cute and warm and had a lot of heart. The writing is engaging and very readable, and the plot was light with just enough of a serious edge to keep it interesting.
I really liked both of the main characters. Jodi was quite cute, I did take longer to warm to her but I really liked how her character developed over the course of the novel. Her insecurities were dealt with well and it was a joy to see her grow in confidence and learn to stand up for herself. The real star of the book, though, was definitely Price. Lovely sweet Price – he was just adorable. I was so frustrated by how harsh some of the other characters were towards him because he just seemed like such a good person? I really liked how careful and considerate he was to Jodi and I felt really protective over him by the end.
The romance between them is just lovely – friends-to-lovers isn’t necessarily my favourite trope but this was adorably done. They had good chemistry and the dynamic between them was really cute. The love scenes are steamy and well-written, a good contrast to the sweetness between them in the rest of the book.
Overall I really liked this book – it was just a very easy, light read with a fluffy but still steamy romance at its heart. I’ll definitely be looking to read more by this author in the future! I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you so much to the author for allowing me to read a free copy of this book.
Content Notes: Friends-to-lovers, firefighter, forced proximity.
Warnings:
Other:.
I really liked both of the main characters. Jodi was quite cute, I did take longer to warm to her but I really liked how her character developed over the course of the novel. Her insecurities were dealt with well and it was a joy to see her grow in confidence and learn to stand up for herself. The real star of the book, though, was definitely Price. Lovely sweet Price – he was just adorable. I was so frustrated by how harsh some of the other characters were towards him because he just seemed like such a good person? I really liked how careful and considerate he was to Jodi and I felt really protective over him by the end.
The romance between them is just lovely – friends-to-lovers isn’t necessarily my favourite trope but this was adorably done. They had good chemistry and the dynamic between them was really cute. The love scenes are steamy and well-written, a good contrast to the sweetness between them in the rest of the book.
Overall I really liked this book – it was just a very easy, light read with a fluffy but still steamy romance at its heart. I’ll definitely be looking to read more by this author in the future! I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you so much to the author for allowing me to read a free copy of this book.
Content Notes: Friends-to-lovers, firefighter, forced proximity.
Warnings:
Spoiler
Death of a sibling (in past), death of a parent (in past), fire, alcoholism (side character), sexual harassment, difficult relationship with parents, difficult relationship with a sibling.Other:
Spoiler
On-page sex, virgin FMC, spankingcbair's review
4.0
This was an incredibly cute read. My major issue is that it was marketed as having no third act breakup, so I went into it with my heart unprepared.
Someone explain to this to me, the FMC and MMC having a disagreement/misunderstanding, then not talking for days, then having a fight in which one of them thinks they broke up… how is that not a third act breakup???
Oh because of this convo: “we didn’t break up?” “No”
…
Someone explain to this to me, the FMC and MMC having a disagreement/misunderstanding, then not talking for days, then having a fight in which one of them thinks they broke up… how is that not a third act breakup???
Oh because of this convo: “we didn’t break up?” “No”
…
romance_book_obsessed's review
5.0
ARC review 4.5 ⭐️
I read the first in this series too and this one was even better! We’re back in the small town with the hottest brothers Price, Aaron (book 1), and Will. They’re all first responders and Price is the MMC!
Jodi is the owner of the coffee shop and has had a crush on price for forever. He finally sees her in a new light after her apartment above the shop has a fire. She moves into the inn that he and Will own. Price is definitely a golden retriever. Known as the town playboy, he wants to be better. He has a secret he’s keeping from everyone too!
He falls first! The spice was great! The small town was great to revisit too! Definitely check this one out on release day September 8th!
I read the first in this series too and this one was even better! We’re back in the small town with the hottest brothers Price, Aaron (book 1), and Will. They’re all first responders and Price is the MMC!
Jodi is the owner of the coffee shop and has had a crush on price for forever. He finally sees her in a new light after her apartment above the shop has a fire. She moves into the inn that he and Will own. Price is definitely a golden retriever. Known as the town playboy, he wants to be better. He has a secret he’s keeping from everyone too!
He falls first! The spice was great! The small town was great to revisit too! Definitely check this one out on release day September 8th!
entrancedbywords's review
1.0
I had the privilege of being an ARC reader for "The baristas guide to the perfect steam" by Valerie Pepper, I had the synopsis and went "naww, this seems cute...."
Unfortunately I didn't realise this was book 2 of a series.
I got 6% into the story and realised pretty quick this isn't for me. The story reads as a diary entry and the way the characters are written are almost as if he loves the attention due to his physical looks whereas she is a "I'm not pretty like those other girls but I'm pretty" type of girl.
I got confused. Jodie is described as a red head with freckles than shes described with strawberry blonde hair?
Unfortunately I didn't realise this was book 2 of a series.
I got 6% into the story and realised pretty quick this isn't for me. The story reads as a diary entry and the way the characters are written are almost as if he loves the attention due to his physical looks whereas she is a "I'm not pretty like those other girls but I'm pretty" type of girl.
I got confused. Jodie is described as a red head with freckles than shes described with strawberry blonde hair?
anightowlreads's review
5.0
I received an advance review copy from author Valerie Pepper for my honest review. I was drawn to this book because of my coffee addiction, the adorable cover and plus…forced proximity is just one of my all-time fave tropes!
The book is second in the Guided to Love Book Series, but reads as a stand-alone. I had no issues jumping right in and getting to know Jodi and Price.
And I loved BOTH of them! Jodi is a sweet, people-pleasing, driven young woman who started her own coffee shop. She’s supported by a great group of girlfriends (always love that for a FMC), and a sassy barista-in-crime, Darius. Honestly the coffee shop backdrop is just swoon-worthy! I could talk about oat-milk lattes all day!
Speaking of oat-milk lattes, Price is a hunk of hotness fire fighter who is often misunderstood in his small town and by his brothers alike. A “dose” of misfortune on Jodi’s part lands them together on an adorable (and steamy) guide to discovery. It’s a great story, has some great spice and characters you’ll fall for.
I loved it so much that I have already downloaded (Free on KU!) her first book in the series: The Widow's Guide to Second Chances! Can’t wait for her next book—A Grump’s Guide to Chaos! Valerie is certainly an auto-buy author for me now.
One hundred perfect recommend you buy it—out September 8th!
Read if you like:
☕️ Forced Proximity
☕️ Long-Term Pining
☕️ Virgin FMC
☕️ Small Town Romance
The book is second in the Guided to Love Book Series, but reads as a stand-alone. I had no issues jumping right in and getting to know Jodi and Price.
And I loved BOTH of them! Jodi is a sweet, people-pleasing, driven young woman who started her own coffee shop. She’s supported by a great group of girlfriends (always love that for a FMC), and a sassy barista-in-crime, Darius. Honestly the coffee shop backdrop is just swoon-worthy! I could talk about oat-milk lattes all day!
Speaking of oat-milk lattes, Price is a hunk of hotness fire fighter who is often misunderstood in his small town and by his brothers alike. A “dose” of misfortune on Jodi’s part lands them together on an adorable (and steamy) guide to discovery. It’s a great story, has some great spice and characters you’ll fall for.
I loved it so much that I have already downloaded (Free on KU!) her first book in the series: The Widow's Guide to Second Chances! Can’t wait for her next book—A Grump’s Guide to Chaos! Valerie is certainly an auto-buy author for me now.
One hundred perfect recommend you buy it—out September 8th!
Read if you like:
☕️ Forced Proximity
☕️ Long-Term Pining
☕️ Virgin FMC
☕️ Small Town Romance
farquharm's review against another edition
4.0
I love love loved Price!!! This book is swoon worthy!
ashlynngiff's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars! I was given this ARC by Valerie for an honest review. And YOU GUYS!!! I cannot wait for you to be able to read this! It’s adorable, steamy, and so so good! I was very impressed. Real life Price, where are you?!
It’s the second book in a stand-alone series. I didn’t read the first one beforehand (I am now!) and I think I would have liked to. So, while you’re waiting for this to release in a few weeks, go read the first one! It was honestly one of those books where I couldn’t stop reading once I started. I didn’t want to put it down for real life things, ha!
Sort of spoiler, but not really: The FMC is a virgin. I know this can be done cheesy & cringey, but the way Valerie wrote it is so realistic. She still knows pleasure & her body. You also get to see her come into her sexuality and it was really well written. Plus…FIREFIGHTERS. Enough said.
It’s the second book in a stand-alone series. I didn’t read the first one beforehand (I am now!) and I think I would have liked to. So, while you’re waiting for this to release in a few weeks, go read the first one! It was honestly one of those books where I couldn’t stop reading once I started. I didn’t want to put it down for real life things, ha!
Sort of spoiler, but not really: The FMC is a virgin. I know this can be done cheesy & cringey, but the way Valerie wrote it is so realistic. She still knows pleasure & her body. You also get to see her come into her sexuality and it was really well written. Plus…FIREFIGHTERS. Enough said.
halesday's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
cassiec33's review against another edition
5.0
I could not put this book down. OMG. LOVED IT!
Amazing chemistry between the FMC/MMC and loved the banter. Sweet, spicy, emotional and everything in between. "We're velcro."
Amazing chemistry between the FMC/MMC and loved the banter. Sweet, spicy, emotional and everything in between. "We're velcro."