Trope: Small Town Romance/Friends to Lovers
couldn’t have been more excited when we bought the fixer upper on Libby Lane.
That was until “we” became “I”. After I cried out every ounce of my heartbreak
with a hammer in my hand, I learned how to be happy alone. Now, all I need is a
porch swing, the warm country breeze and a glass of sweet tea. But when I run
into Wyatt, the new cop that just moved into town, my time in solitude begins
to fade. I just hope trusting him won’t be one of the biggest mistakes I make.
This is not the type of place I would have pictured myself living. Jasper Creek
is a far cry from the city streets I grew up on. But this town does have one
advantage. Cora. Every minute I spend with her on that porch swing, breaks down
a little piece of the wall I built inside of me. So when someone targets her
and my instincts point to things getting dangerous, you may as well have taken
a sledgehammer to that wall. Now my fear of leaving someone behind is replaced
by an even greater fear. Losing her.
**My Review**
Welcome to my stop on the release blitz tour for C.E. Johnson’s Libby Lane! This first in her Jasper Creek series is about Cora, who has spent her life in the small town of Jasper Creek, and it’s newest resident and police officer, Wyatt. Cora has been content on her own, working in her mother’s flower shop, spending time with her best friend Blake, and getting over heartbreak from years earlier. But when she meets the new cop in town and he starts stopping by to swing on her porch, sometimes talking and sometimes just being content, she starts to feel things that she hasn’t in a long time. But when strange things start happening and Cora and Wyatt realize that she may be in danger, they each realize how strong their feelings for one another have become.
Libby Lane is a sweet romance that’s mixed with some hot and steamy moments, as well as, suspense. To be honest, I figured out who the bad guy was fairly early on in the novel, but it still kept me guessing from time to time with some unexpected twists. I felt the balance between romance and suspense was perfect, making this a well-rounded read despite your preferred genre.
Both Cora and Wyatt were well-developed characters that I immediately liked. It didn’t take long for me to root for them and hope they could find their HEA. However, something about Cora wasn’t completely believable to me. I’m not exactly sure how to describe it, but it’s almost as if she was too innocent and too naive for someone her age. I didn’t feel this way the entire time I was reading, but for the majority of the novel, I felt like we were talking about a high school girl rather than someone in their twenties.
I recommend this one to anyone that enjoys contemporary romance with some suspenseful twists. Especially lovers of small-town life, diners, and all things sweet tea! This was my first time reading this author but I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
*Thanks to GMB and the author for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Purchase Links
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around. I’ve limped halfway down his driveway before I suddenly feel myself
lifted off the ground again. He brings me back to the steps, sets me down, then
puts a bag of frozen peas on my ankle.
seen, you don’t really listen to instructions well.”
men who just moved here and apparently don’t know the proper way to treat a
lady.”
rubbing his face. “Well, we wouldn’t be strangers had you told me your name
now, would we?”
the woods. Or maybe he’s just now letting it show. But the black circles under
his eyes don’t lie. Shoulders that were strong and broad in the woods are now
angled toward the ground, his muscles relaxed. We may have gotten off to a
rough start, but the man did just carry me for about a half mile.
but can’t hide the smirk. “Well, it’s CoraLynn, but nobody calls me that other
than my mama and Mae.”
thumbs into the top of his duty belt. “How come you’ve been here for a few
weeks but nobody’s even met you yet?”
second day working day shift. It sucks and I’m tired.”
around town.”
to the west and see the sun has set. It’s getting dark. “Then again, from our
experience today, I’d guess half of it is probably right.” Rising from the
step, I stand and brush off the dirt that’s still stuck to my ass from falling.
against and digs in his pocket, coming out with his keys again.
to me. “Are we really going to continue this game?”
home, Officer.” I smile sarcastically, and he looks intrigued but doesn’t
question.
strong to my hip. God he smells good. He gives me more help than I
probably need to walk around the car and into the passenger seat of his black
Dodge Charger. I hold it together as I watch him jog back to the driver’s side.
I stifle my giggle as the engine purrs to life. I don’t laugh as he backs out,
puts it in drive, and presses on the gas.
laughter.
longer hold it together. My laughter fills the car. “For a cop, you really suck
at observation.” I open the passenger door as he reaches for his handle. “I
promise you, I don’t need any more help today. But thank you.”
Memories from back when I knew nothing of the turmoil life could bring. I can
feel the smile disappear from my face, and I look to a flower that’s hanging
upside down from his rearview mirror.
me out of my daze, and I flash him a quick half smile, then hop out of his car.
romance novels.When not writing until all hours of the night (with lots of late night coffee
runs), she loves to read books that feature a strong male with a soft spot for
his feisty heroine. She prefers stories that rip your heart out completely,
then kindly place it back into your chest with a HEA.
She lives in a suburb of Chicago with her husband, two kids, and some spoiled
rotten animals.
IN THE DARK SERIES:
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