Publisher: Signet
Publication date: April 1st 2014
My rating: 3.5 stars
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Cricket Creek, Kentucky, is a sweet river town known for its baseball, shopping, and weddings. After the recession, business is finally bouncing back, but old insecurities—and heartaches—are slower to heal…
Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, Gabby Goodwin had more to prove than the rest of Cricket Creek. Even now, as the successful owner of the local flower shop, she hasn’t forgotten her humble beginnings. So when her high school crush, the former class bad boy, walks back into her life, she keeps him at arm’s length, protecting her heart—and her pride.
Reese Marino gave up most of his wild ways years ago, graduating from college and becoming part owner of his uncle’s pizza parlor. The fact that Gabby still treats him like a troubled teenager drives him mad, but that’s not the only thing about the sassy florist driving him to distraction. Despite Gabby’s reluctant attitude, Reese is determined to win her over and show her that love often blooms right where you least expect it.
My
Thoughts:
Wildflower Wedding is two heartwarming romances set in a
small town with very little drama or angst; a feel-good story to pass an
afternoon away. This is part of a series, but it’s not necessary to read the
previous books to enjoy this installment.
Gabby grew in Cricket Creek in the wrong side town, one of
the poor kids living in the trailer park. Even though she’s now owns a
successful flower shop some of the old hang-ups from her upbringing still hold
strong; like falling for the wrong guy, the one who’ll love and leave you. When bad boy Reese Marino moves back to town,
her long held crush comes roaring back. He always showed her his sweet side, but Gabby
stayed away knowing his reputation with the girls and for stirring up trouble. It
seems Reece has made a lot of changes, but still she’s cautious.
After his father’s abandonment Reese went through a time
where anger and hurt fueled his actions.
When things got out control his mother sent him away to live with her brother,
Uncle Tony, in Brooklyn. Reece made
something of himself during that time by going to the Brooklyn Culinary
Institute and he’s now back in Cricket Creek with his Uncle Tony and his mother
opening up a family restaurant. Growing up
he’s always had a thing for Gabby, but she always kept him at arm’s length. Reece could understand it back then,
especially when he was nothing but trouble, but he’s not that troubled teen any
longer. Will she open up her heart and be able to see it?
Uncle Tony has his own baggage after his discovering his
wife was cheating. Even a few years
later he’s still bitter and hurt. Trish,
his landlord has recently moved to Cricket Creek as well and suffered a similar
blow. Can these two put aside their pain
and trust issues enough to be happy? There’s definitely a palpable attraction
and draw between the two of them.
I really enjoyed both of these romances, but if I had to
pick I guess Tony and Trish’s appealed to me just a little more being they were
older and had experienced marriage. I’m
not divorced, but I’m no stranger to the struggles you can face as a married
couple and can imagine the pain of betrayal that both Trish and Tony were
struggling to get past. Plus, they had a
bit of an antagonistic relationship to start off and I adored the fun push and
pull between these two.
I did love that for the most part these couples dealt with
their issues and reservations maturely and there wasn’t any over the top drama
or third party involvement. Thank goodness!
I’ve had my fill for a while of angsty, drama filled reads lately! Wildflower Wedding is a sweet, and at times
spicy romance sure to leave you happy and satisfied in the end.
Connect with Luanne McLane:
The publisher has kindly provided a Paperback copy of Wildflower Wedding to one lucky Readers Den follower! Entrants must be 18 years or older. The giveaway is open to US or CA Residents only.
11 comments:
There's always a wrong side of town, isn't there? I like that there's an older, married couple in this one, where we get to follow the romance -- romance doesn't die just because you get married, after all!
I can see why the older couple appealed to you more, Rachel. From your review, I think I would like it better too. I'm usually not a fan of books where there are multiple romances because I feel like one gets more attention than the other, but this sounds a decent romantic read.
Lovely review.
I love how honest and real Tony and Trish's romance sounds. It seems like the type of story that I'd be happy to get invested in. Lovely review, Rachel!
I haven't head about this one before, so thank you sharing - it does look like perfect and sweet book for lazy afternoon.
Great review.
I like the sound of a dual romance in a small town. It sounds like a nice, cosy read you can indulge yourself in on a nice afternoon by a fire. It sort of reminds me of the Marked Men series in a way that you can read them as a standalone rather than reading throughout the whole series. Lovely review, Rachel. :)
oh it's nice to have 2 good romances, it's rare it's usually one better than the other. I didn't know this one but it sounds like a nice discovery. I don't read a lot I confess but it's perfect from time to time.
Depends on my mood :) I like both but I usually alternate to "cleanse" my palate. Thanks for sharing!
Wow... a small town with little drama. But a simple and easy romance sounds refreshing
I've only read Moonlight Kiss (book 5) and i thought it was an easy and sweet story to like. I'm glad you did enjoy Wildflower Wedding. I'm set to read it soon!
3.5 stars! That's not too bad! ;P I don't come from a small town, but I do recognize its potential for fluffy, light-hearted romances... there's just something so dreamy about that kind of setting :) Reminds me of the children anime/manga that I watched when I was a wee kid. Great review!
Faye at The Social Potato Reviews
i like both really. I do love sweet stories that don't have a lot of angst and drama and I love stories with angst and drama. Really it just depends on the day and my mood. This one sounds sweet :)
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