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A review by rogue_lurker
The Inn at Netherfield Green by Aurora Rey
4.0
I'm usually very happy to have the chance to read an Aurora Rey novel - she constantly delivers a well-written romance that has just the right blend of humour, engaging characters, chemistry and romance. I'm glad to say, the streak continues - The Inn at Netherfield Green is a fun romance.
Hit with a double-whammy of being unjustly fired from a high profile advertising agency and finding out that she's inherited an Inn and Pub from a distant relative in England, Lauren is at a crossroads. Determined to own her own firm, she moves to England to inspect her inheritance and see if she can make a quick sale to fund her start-up. Arriving in Netherfield Green, Lauren's intention to put the property up for sale and return to the States is made more difficult by the fact that the Rose and Crown pub and the attached inn are just making enough to keep the staff paid and minimal maintenance.
Despite the fact that Cam Crawley is willing to take risks in developing a new craft line of gins to complement her family's longstanding gin, she doesn't like change. It's an interesting dichotomy in that she's willing to experiment with the distillation and mixing to create a newer product, but she's dead set against anything that might change the Rose and Crown or Netherfield Green. Rey loves her food and drink and she waxes eloquently on Cam's gins and how she developed the flavours, I was craving a G&T or one of Cam's craft cocktails - and I hate gin with a passion.
Obviously there's an instant antagonism, on Cam's part, when Lauren arrives. Slowly but surely, Lauren works her magic on Cam - taking her advice and engaging her assistance as she tries to update and modernize the pub and inn without compromising or alienating the local clientele. This could have easily been a fish out of water type of story, but Lauren is eager to embrace the culture and values of the community while bringing fresh life into the inn and pub, which in turn will benefit the village. Partnering with the local distillery and showcasing their new line of gin as part of the makeover makes perfect business sense - and forces Lauren and Cam to work together.
There's a push and pull between the two - one wanting to make change, one hating change and what appears to be an insta-lust making it all a bit more complex. I will admit that early on I was starting to get a bit annoyed at how both Lauren and Cam seemed to be walking, talking hormones despite the frosty relationship. That didn't last too long - once they actually got their hands on each other, the whole teenage hormone thing seemed to resolve itself and they proceeded to have some very steamy fun. No question on the chemistry thing. However, the question of how long the fun will continue is at the back of both their minds as the friends with benefits morphs into deeper feelings on both sides, with neither one willing or able to express them until the final conflict pushes them to make some decisions and choices.
There's a more serious subplot that is hinted at at the beginning but emerges in more detail in the latter part of the book. I think Rey handles the subject quite well and Lauren's reaction, not just to the assault but the subsequent machinations by her coworker, seemed realistic - the initial shock and inability to process it and the inner rationalizations and then just dropping everything to go to England. With the time, distance and distraction provided by revitalizing the Rose and Crown she gains the perspective and resolve not to allow him to get away with it. Lauren never comes across as a victim or weak - and once she is able to process what has happened, her anger and resolve assert themselves.
Overall, this was a really good read.
Recommended
Hit with a double-whammy of being unjustly fired from a high profile advertising agency and finding out that she's inherited an Inn and Pub from a distant relative in England, Lauren is at a crossroads. Determined to own her own firm, she moves to England to inspect her inheritance and see if she can make a quick sale to fund her start-up. Arriving in Netherfield Green, Lauren's intention to put the property up for sale and return to the States is made more difficult by the fact that the Rose and Crown pub and the attached inn are just making enough to keep the staff paid and minimal maintenance.
Despite the fact that Cam Crawley is willing to take risks in developing a new craft line of gins to complement her family's longstanding gin, she doesn't like change. It's an interesting dichotomy in that she's willing to experiment with the distillation and mixing to create a newer product, but she's dead set against anything that might change the Rose and Crown or Netherfield Green. Rey loves her food and drink and she waxes eloquently on Cam's gins and how she developed the flavours, I was craving a G&T or one of Cam's craft cocktails - and I hate gin with a passion.
Obviously there's an instant antagonism, on Cam's part, when Lauren arrives. Slowly but surely, Lauren works her magic on Cam - taking her advice and engaging her assistance as she tries to update and modernize the pub and inn without compromising or alienating the local clientele. This could have easily been a fish out of water type of story, but Lauren is eager to embrace the culture and values of the community while bringing fresh life into the inn and pub, which in turn will benefit the village. Partnering with the local distillery and showcasing their new line of gin as part of the makeover makes perfect business sense - and forces Lauren and Cam to work together.
There's a push and pull between the two - one wanting to make change, one hating change and what appears to be an insta-lust making it all a bit more complex. I will admit that early on I was starting to get a bit annoyed at how both Lauren and Cam seemed to be walking, talking hormones despite the frosty relationship. That didn't last too long - once they actually got their hands on each other, the whole teenage hormone thing seemed to resolve itself and they proceeded to have some very steamy fun. No question on the chemistry thing. However, the question of how long the fun will continue is at the back of both their minds as the friends with benefits morphs into deeper feelings on both sides, with neither one willing or able to express them until the final conflict pushes them to make some decisions and choices.
There's a more serious subplot that is hinted at at the beginning but emerges in more detail in the latter part of the book. I think Rey handles the subject quite well and Lauren's reaction, not just to the assault but the subsequent machinations by her coworker, seemed realistic - the initial shock and inability to process it and the inner rationalizations and then just dropping everything to go to England. With the time, distance and distraction provided by revitalizing the Rose and Crown she gains the perspective and resolve not to allow him to get away with it. Lauren never comes across as a victim or weak - and once she is able to process what has happened, her anger and resolve assert themselves.
Overall, this was a really good read.
Recommended