Book Review: "Come As You Are" by Jess K. Hardy

“Come As You Are” by Jess K. Hardy is the perfect cozy read as we head into Fall. Ashley Cooke is a 46-year-old mom and business owner who is desperately trying to save her struggling ski resort - and her father’s legacy. Drowning in credit card debt and dealing with an aggressive, ex-husband who’s intent on buying the resort from her, Ashley hires local men from the sober living house at the behest of her mother, and fellow co-owner.

Matthew Madigan, a recovering addict and ex-grunge rocker, has dedicated the last decade of his life to helping fellow recoverers. The sparks fly between Ashley and Matthew from their first meeting and only heat up when the two start spending more time together on the slope. Ashley even teaches Matthew how to ski, while he in turn, teaches her St. Bernard to be the rescue dog he should be. Matthew opens up to Ashley, exposing his own vulnerabilities and fears, as Ashley overcomes her own insecurities and lets herself fall for mix-tape master Matthew.

When sabotage threatens Ashley’s operations on the mountain and Matthew’s career, the pair’s compatibility is questioned. (Can we all guess who the villain is at this point in the story? Spoiler alert - it’s Ashley’s slimy, cheater of an ex-husband.) Ashley and Matthew respond to the threats spectacularly and send the asshole packing - just in time for Matthew’s return to the stage.

This book was full of raw emotion and storylines that were so well-developed they were palpable. My heart was aching at certain points and I was SO invested in Ashley and Matthew’s love story - I was rooting for them (along with all of Matthew’s men who complimented the story so well, especially Sam!) I originally gave this story four out of five stars - but I’m revising my original score to be a 5/5. This book continues to hold me in its clutches, even weeks later.

If you’re looking for a heartfelt, wintery romance book featuring older characters and full of second chances, redemption themes and more, check out “Come As You Are” by Jess K. Hardy.

Book Review: "Till There Was You" by Lindsay Hameroff

“Till There Was You” is a cute, insta-love story between aspiring chef Alexa (Lexi) Berman and rising musician Jacob (Jake) Taylor. 

After swearing off men to focus on her career as a newly hired kitchen chef, Lexi meets Jake at the tail-end of a girls night out. The best weekend of their lives ensue…only to have Lexi not hear from Jake again after he’s swept off to Los Angeles to record his debut album (where he’s subsequently signed by a record label). Lexi is devastated but figures it’s for the best - until she hears Jake’s first single, “Blueberry,” on the radio months later and realizes the song is a tribute to her. 

Jake comes back into Lexi’s life and what follows is a messy, heart-gripping account of what happens when two big-time dreamers pursue their ambitions…while also trying to pursue each other. I absolutely loved that - despite how they first came together over their tumultuous, love-fest of a weekend - their care and concern over the other’s life goals was genuine and deep running. 

This book had me in a death-grip from beginning to end - will they end up together? Will Jake’s fame scare Lexi away? (I almost had to chuck my Kindle across the room after the antics Madison & Vinny pulled!) Hameroff’s pacing was impeccable and made for a quick but thoroughly enjoyable read. I also loved the secondary characters (Chloe and Chad’s banter was HILARIOUS - I loved how Chloe just shut him down and put him in his place half the time.) 

“Till There Was You” is the perfect second-chance at love book. The characters were so well developed and the book had me cheering for Lexi and Jake by the end. Jake’s love song tribute at the end was just the piece de resistance and the perfect culmination of them coming full circle. If you’re a fan of films like “Notting Hill” or “Beyond the Lights,” of love stories between celebrities and “normals,” Hameroff’s debut novel will not disappoint.