Peaches and Dreams (Green Valley Heroes #4) by Juliette Cross ~ @Juliette__Cross @SmartyPantsRom
Peaches and Dreams, an all new single dad small-town romance from Juliette Cross, is now available in Kindle Unlimited!
Marly Rivers is not crazy. No matter what everyone says. They may think her dream is foolish, but she plans to prove them all wrong—one jar of moonshine at a time.
Single dad Wade Kelley is just fine. No matter what his best friend Jed says. He doesn’t need a woman in his life. But when his son Jake breaks a jar of moonshine, he sets something in motion that neither Wade nor Marly are prepared for.
A friendly favor turns into late nights, long dinners, and a romp in the woods. And in a deer stand too. By the time Wade realizes he’s fallen hard and deep for Mad Marly, it may be too late to tell her. When she falls into real and sudden danger with poachers, he may not even be able to save her.
‘Peaches and Dreams’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #4 in the Green Valley Heroes series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe.
My Review:
Peaches and Dreams is a fun contemporary romance. I not only enjoyed Marly and Wade, but the secondary characters, as well, especially Wade's son, Jake. The small-town setting was near and dear to my heart since I, too, am from a small town. Everyone knows everyone else's business but the community is tight knit.
Marly's dream is different but none-the-less important. I loved that she stayed resolved even in the face of adversity (I'm look at you, Marly's dad). Marly is quirky and fun and the way she was written totally fit with the character I envisioned. I loved Marly and Wade together, even with their vast differences, and getting to know them from the small interjections from their past and during their navigation of the present.
I love Juliette Cross’s writing style and the way she tells stories. Her ability to create stories with romance and a solid plot is what keeps me coming back. I can't wait for Juliette's next book, in any series or standalone. She is a favorite one-click author for me!!
I was provided a copy of this book.
My Rating:
Read an Excerpt:
He cleared his throat and glanced back toward the door. “No. This is it. I’d better go. Jake’s in
the truck.”
“Yeah. I was standing right here when you told him to go wait in it two minutes ago.”
He gave me that confused expression again, but I don’t know why. He was the one stating the
obvious.
“Right.” He turned and marched for the door.
I followed him toward the exit. “Did you want to pay for that? Or were you planning on stealing
it?”
“Huh?” he turned near the door.
I was used to flustering people, particularly men, so this didn’t surprise me.
“You already paid Kayla?” I pointed to the jar in his hand.
“Oh, hell.” He shook his head and met me at the register.
I glanced out the window to check on Jake. He was sitting in the passenger seat of a big Chevy
next to my Ford-150. After ringing Wade up, I gave him his change then bagged his jar of
moonshine.
“You sure you don’t want me to pay for that broken jar?” he asked. “I don’t know why, but I feel
like you’re covering for Jake. Kids gotta learn to pay when they make mistakes.”
“I’m sure you’re absolutely correct and know much more about parenting than I do, seeing as I
am not a parent. But don’t you worry your pretty little head about it. It’s all good.”
Again, he gave me that blank-faced, puzzled expression as I handed over his moonshine in a
paper bag and beamed brightly up at him.
“You’re a funny kind of woman, Marly.”
“You better believe it. I put the fun in funny.” I winked.
He shook his head and took the bag, but I swear I saw him actually crack a smile before he
ducked his chin and strolled out to his truck.
Kayla joined me behind the counter while we both watched him walk across the parking lot.
Though I was not a fan of Wade Kelley—the grouchy man hated country music, for Pete’s
sake—I had to admit he looked awfully good walking away.
“Why’d you make up a story for the kid?”
I shrugged. “Just wanted to. He’s a cute kid who looked like he was about to cry. I wanted him
to smile.”
“His daddy is more than cute. Good gracious alive.”
I watched Wade slide into the driver’s seat and say something to his son. He didn’t seem angry
as he started the truck, braced his arm across the backseat and looked back as he reversed.
“You think so?”
“Hell, girl. Are you kidding me? That man is a full-on smoke-show.”
“I don’t see it.” Not entirely.
As Wade’s truck reversed, I could make out that deep frown of his through the window. His dark
eyes caught mine for a split second. Or two. Then he turned around and drove out of the
parking lot.
“Fine by me,” added Kayla, heading toward the breakroom. “You let me tend to his every need
next time he comes in.”
Frowning, I headed back to the boxes of Peppermint Patty and the display I needed to finish,
wondering why Kayla was annoying me so much today.
JULIETTE is a multi-published author of paranormal and fantasy romance & the co-host of the podcast, Smart Women Read Romance. As a native of Louisiana, she lives in the heart of Cajun land with her husband, four kids, her labs, Kona and Jeaux, and kitty, Betty. When she isn’t working on her next project, she enjoys binge-watching her favorite shows with her husband and a glass (or two) of red wine.
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