The New York Times bestselling author of Wallbanger and Rusty Nailed is back with Nuts, the first in a brand new series set in New York’s beautiful Hudson Valley. Roxie Callahan is a private chef to some of Hollywood’s wealthiest, and nastiest, calorie-counting wives. After a dairy disaster implodes her carefully crafted career in one fell ploop, she finds herself back home in upstate New York, bailing out her hippie mother and running the family diner. When gorgeous local farmer Leo Maxwell delivers her a lovely bunch of organic walnuts, Roxie wonders if a summer back home isn’t such a bad idea after all. Leo is heavily involved in the sustainable slow food movement, and he likes to take his time. In all things. Roxie is determined to head back to the west coast as soon as summer ends, but will the pull of lazy fireflies and her very own Almanzo Wilder be enough to keep her home for good? Salty. Spicy. Sweet. Nuts. Go on, grab a handful.
MY REVIEW
It’s been a while since I’ve fallen into an Alice Clayton book. Nuts was on my most anticipated list for 2015 and it did not disappoint! Alice’s unique blend of laugh out loud humor, sweet swoony romance and sizzling sexy times was just what I needed as summer faded into fall.
Roxie Callihan is a personal chef in California. Happy being disconnected from her small hometown in Hudson Valley New York, she is reluctant to agree when her mother calls to ask that she come home for the summer to take care of the family diner. But seeing as how Roxie has just been fired, is losing referrals and has no other clients on the horizon, she agrees to her mother’s request and sets off to her hometown of Bailey Falls, New York. As the daughter of a free-spirited hopeless romantic, Roxie doesn’t bother getting romantically involved and is happy to keep her relationships physical in nature. But when she falls into the lap of local farmer Leo Maxwell, her usual aboveboard intentions are quickly lost overboard.
I adored Roxie’s quirky personality and spunky sense of humor. It was endearing to watch her let go of the negative feelings she harbored for her hometown as the diner, its patrons and Leo helped to remind her of her homegrown roots. Leo was the best! I loved his dedication to his land and farming. His affection for Roxie was one that I think every romance reader appreciates. It was true, unwavering and sincere. And really, can any woman resist heartfelt sentimental nicknames? Not this girl and certainly not Roxie Callihan.
I loved, loved, loved Roxie and Leo. The chemistry between them was undeniable. I absolutely appreciated the way Alice didn’t exploit their connection, but instead gave us a story that simmered along quietly, eventually coming to a full boil as their relationship moved from a warm friendship to blazing romance.
In addition to the hilarious and heartwarming love story, I was completely engrossed by all of the details put into this book. From farming practices and farm stands to cooking and recipes, there was something else holding my full attention between the barn kisses and field fodder.
Nuts reminds me of Ferris wheels at the county fair, eating leafy hand-picked vegetables from my father’s garden and baking with my grandmother using only the measuring spoons tied together by an old twist tie; simple memories that fill me up with warmth and happiness. It’s a read full of home-town, home-grown and home-made feels that I happily give 5 stars!
ABOUT ALICE
ALICE CLAYTON worked in the cosmetics industry for over a decade before picking up a pen (read laptop).
She enjoys gardening but not weeding, baking but not cleaning up, and finally convinced her long-time boyfriend to marry her.
Now, about that Bernese Mountain dog