Alice Clayton

"The first sexy contemporary romance in a brand-new series from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Alice Clayton!"--

Nuts

Anna Ureta

I was feeling a little down and a little done with the Romance genre for a while so I thought maybe reading a Rom-Com would be what I needed to cheer me up. It didn’t necessarily do that but what it did do was make me smile and laugh at some bits, which is what Rom-Coms are supposed to do, right? The narrative was cute, perky, down to earth, and funny (obviously). I definitely needed something less serious to bring my mood up a little bit. I do admit to speed-reading a bit just because I WANTED TO SEE THEM TOGETHER! AHHH!!! But Nuts is definitely a perfect quick read/one-shot to throw on your summer reading list – especially if you’re into Farm Boys. Mmmm…

After being fired from being a personal chef to a California socialite, Roxie Callahan is contacted by her mother who begs her to move back East to take care of her family’s diner while she goes away. When Roxie left home she never looked back, and home is the last place she wants to be. But jobless and with nothing better to do she takes her mother up on her offer for the summer and only for the summer. While managing the kitchen and adjusting to small town life again she bumps into, local farmer Leo Maxwell, owner of Maxwell farms as he’s making a delivery to the diner. Roxie is immediately taken by him but has to remember that she’s only there for the summer. She doesn’t do serious relationships and prays Leo will understand. I never saw the appeal of small town living, or farm boys until now.

Yes, I was into Cowboys for a very brief period but this book made me fall in love with food, working on a farm, agriculture, and just doing good work with local farms rather than just buying things at the grocery store. It had a very….aesthetic appeal to me and I don’t know why. Obviously farm work is a lot of work and hard labour and in books it’s supposed to look easy but a farm boy romance doesn’t sound like such a bad idea.

“You didn’t really bring me beets, did you?”…
 “I did,” he murmured, his thumbs sliding underneath my T-shirt the tiniest bit. “I brought mad beets.”
 “Oh man,” I snorted … “Did you bring me anything else?”
He brought his face back to mine, tinged with the slightest of blush. “I hesitate to say it now.”
 “What did you bring?” I asked his shaking shoulders.
 He buried his head once again into my neck. “A really big zucchini…”

The pace and the tone of the book is very well written and like any good Rom-Com, there are more ups than downs. Even Roxie comes off as a very positive, almost perky sort of person (maybe perky is the wrong word but she has a very good and realistic attitude on things). Sure, the romance between her and Leo may have happened too fast but WHO CARES it’s a Rom-Com! It’s not supposed to be emotional or messy, it’s supposed to be fun and dirty and swoon-worthy, which it is!

I regret reading this book a little too fast and perhaps would have liked to stay in Roxie’s head a little bit longer, but I couldn’t help it – I was just so anxious. At least there’s another book coming out soon that follows the romance of the dairy farmer, Oscar, and Roxie’s friend, Natalie. Mmm….girl….I’m jealous cause I love me some cheese

Like I said. Solid book. Solid read. Would definitely put it on your to-read list if you’re looking for an easy one-shot for a vacation or a plane ride, or a train ride, over the summer.

4/5 Hearts of Love

Lover of Romance 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance 
  
    
  
  
    Summary 
  
 
Roxie Callahan can't believe that she lost her job over "butter" of all things and lost all of her clients in LA, because of one client who screwed her over with all of her other clients. Now she is out of a job, and even though her mother needs her home, the last thing that Roxie wants to do is come back to that small town. But without a job, and living in California she knows that she will have to do it. So she reluctantly agrees to stay for the summer to take over her mother's diner. And she literally bumps in a sexy farmer with the most brilliant green eyes she has ever seen before. As Roxie keeps bumping and stumbling over farmer Leo, chemistry is fiery hot. Their fling is only for the summer they both say, but very quickly what was a summer fling turns into something more, but will secrets and misunderstandings be what keeps them apart or bring them together?
 
  
    The Hero 
  
 
Leo, is a organic farmer and for years has been cultivating the land. But Leo wasn't always a farmer. He was raised in a entitled family in Manhattan, he could have had everything he ever wanted, but he was betrayed and even though he gained something important to him, he wanted out of that city life and decided to build something important on his family's land that had been run down at the time. Leo is one sexy farmer. He is kind and sweet with kids, he makes time for everyone no matter how busy he gets. Leo is one of those characters that is a keeper and has such a nice personality. I don't get to read nice heroes like this and I love him. He enjoys life to the fullest and you have to admire that nothing gets him down for long.
 
  
    The Heroine 
  
 
Roxie Callahan, may have grown up in Hudson Valley, but she got out as soon as she possibly could. She was terribly shy and when she graduated she wanted to be confident and make something out of herself. So she got herself in one of the top culinary schools and became a professional chef. Roxie has never had a serious relationship, she has stuck with one night stands. After seeing her mother go through too many boyfriends and call it "love" Roxie knew that life could never be for her. Roxie is quirky, clumsy, talented at cooking, and gets tongue tied around handsome farmers with green eyes. And I loved her character so very much. She is who she is and not ashamed of it. I like that she goes full speed ahead on many things.
 
  
    Plot and Story Line 
  
 
I had NO idea what to expect from Nuts to be honest. But ever since I first read Clayton a few weeks ago, I have been itching to try her out again and boy Nuts won me over pretty quickly. Now I will admit, the beginning was a bit slow with all the cooking and fancy details that we get thrown at. But it was cute and funny and quickly won me over the moment that our heroine enters her hometown and she meets her farmer. Now these two were simply hilarious and I couldn't stop laughing at so many fun antics especially their first few meetings. The romance starts as a summer fling, just wanting to enjoy each other for a short time but there is definitely something going on more than just sex here.

 

He kissed me hot...And he kissed me wet. And he kissed me . . . slow. Agonizingly, maddeningly, painfully slow.

I loved kissing. I also loved what it usually led to, but I was especially loving this part with Leo. The beginning, when everything is new and exciting, and everything in the entire world boils down to sweet feathering lips and quiet sighs. When the stars fade and the earth ceases to turn, its axis forgotten in the wake of things like: which way will you lean and which way will my neck naturally turn, and is it possible that I can actually detect your fingerprints, because my skin seems so alive right now and my nose just brushed yours and the tiny groan that just rumbled from deep in your chest is the most erotic sound imaginable

But boy Clayton really packs a punch with all the feels here. We get a great introduction into this charming farming valley and townfolk. And I love the gossip mills that go around here. This is a story that will captive you from the beginning, I love the humor, fun and silly moments, the chemistry that sizzles and plenty of change and growth to go around. Definitely gotta try out the next book. And another great plus to this story is how informative it is in getting the reader familiar with "farmer markets", you definitely learn quite a bit about farming and I always love learning new things.
 
  
    The Cover 
  
 
LOVE the cover we have here, and the lettering is done very dynamically. Much love here.
 
  Overall View 
 
Nuts is a quaint and warm romance that will stun you and keep you from putting it down. Plenty of silly times, mouthwatering smexy scenes and a love story to steal your heart!! A story you don't want to miss out on. Get ready to laugh your socks off!! TANTALIZING
 
  Books N Tunes Pick #1: Summer Nights by Grease 
 
Now from the beginning, the first line of this song is put in the book and you feel it through the whole thing so I just had to put this one on.
 
  
 
 
  
    
  
  Click To Buy From Amazon 
 
[foogallery id="25329"]

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  kimberlyfaye reads
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Since I first picked up Wallbanger years ago, I've considered myself a big fan of Alice Clayton's books. She has her own special brand of humor and it shines through in the dialogue – internal and otherwise – of each of her heroines. It's not often I find books that are genuinely laugh out loud funny. Except, you know, when I'm reading one of her books. I had high hopes for Nuts and I wasn't disappointed.

I love love loved the rural setting of Nuts. Watching Roxie transition from life in Hollywood to a much slower-paced life in upstate New York was wonderful... and, more often than not, hilarious. It was really fun to watch her come into her own back in her hometown, even if it was "temporary" at the time. I enjoyed reading along as she introduced the residents of Bailey Falls and the patrons of her mom's diner to new and delicious meals and as she interacted with them. (And, of course, hot farmer Leo.)

The chemistry between Roxie and Leo was apparent from their very first meeting, when – thanks to some rogue sugar snap peas – he ended up facedown in her lap on the floor with his (wal)nuts all over the place. (Which, PS, is one of my absolute favorite scenes in the entire book. I literally laughed out loud. Went back and reread it. Laughed out loud again. Brilliant.) Leo was just what Roxie needed to keep from getting bored during the summer back in her hometown. And, you know, it was just for the summer... so what could go wrong? It was never meant to be anything serious. (*cough*)

Of course, it's not all fun and games and sexy times (though there are PLENTY of those... and they're hot). There has to be a little drama to drive the story forward, right? I was honestly 100% surprised by the "twist" introduced in the book. It took me aback for a little while because it was a pretty big secret to keep, but I got over it. And, honestly, I think it even made the whole story that much better once I accepted what was going on.

Nuts was a great start to a smart and sexy new series. The characters were fantastic. I loved the humor. The sexy times were pretty darn hot. There was really only one thing that didn't sit all that well and that was the heavy handedness of the talk about organic farming. And, honestly, that was more my personal beliefs (as well as growing up with a lot of traditional farmers, and working with them to this day) and not something that was wrong with the book. That said, it still didn't keep me from thoroughly enjoying the book. The secondary characters were nearly as fantastic as Roxie and Leo. I can't wait for Cream, the second book in this series. I think Oscar and Natalie will make a fantastic pair and I'm excited to read their story. Oh, backtrack for a second... the epilogue? From Leo's perspective? 1000% perfection. It might be my favorite chapter in the entire book. I finished this book with a happy heart and a goofy grin.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Jacelyn

Bibi Disco

Lacey

Originally posted at Booklovers For Life

I’ve simply ADORED Alice Clayton ever since her debut of the fantastic Wallbanger (which will forever be one of my favorite books of all time), and she’s now one of those authors who I will never hesitate to read. I got so excited when she announced a new series – and it’s finally here! The first book in the Hudson Valley, Nuts, is full of Alice Clayton’s classic laugh-out-loud humor, with heartwarming characters and a setting that comes to life. It’s a flat-out entertaining read that fans of the author do not want to miss.

Roxie Callahan is a private chef for Hollywood’s most famous, but after getting fired and losing most of her clients, she finds herself back home in Bailey Falls, New York for the summer, the very place she never wanted to return to ever since she escaped at 18, to run her family’s diner. An unexpected perk though, is one sexy local farmer by the name of Leo Maxwell. He’s gorgeous, knows his way around produce, has a BEARD… what more can a girl ask for?

“Go on. Try it,” he said, offering me the strawberry.
“I don’t take candy from strangers.”
“It’s not candy, and we’re not strangers. We painted together.”
“And fell down a few times.”
“Exactly,” he nodded, holding it out once more. “Put this in your mouth.”
“That’s exactly what a stranger might say,” I said, but opened up.

Neither Roxie nor Leo are looking for anything long-term, so a summer fling is the perfect solution for them. And oh, how much fun the two of them have. Roxie and Leo make the most ADORABLE couple ever, in between Roxie’s hilarious way of flirting, Leo’s laid-back, sexy-as-hell charm, and even some vegetable jokes…

“Did you bring me anything else?”
He brought his face back to mine, tinged with the slightest of blush. “I hesitate to say it now.”
“What did you bring?” I asked, shaking his shoulders.
He buried his head once again into my neck. “A really big zucchini” was the muffled reply, and I threw my head back and laughed.

I loooove how much Roxie hates bees – because I so feel you, girl. Over half of the laugh-out-loud moments for me were about Roxie running away from bees, I swear. Leo and Roxie are so sweet and playful in this book. I do wish the pacing of their romance moved a little faster, and I’m still side-eyeing that plot twist, but other than that, Nuts is one hilarious, AWESOME read. And just a warning, if you like food (who doesn’t!?), you will seriously go hungry while reading this book.

I definitely recommend this book if you like your romances with a light-hearted tone and tons of humor. I don’t know how Alice Clayton does it, but every time, her heroines are so ridiculous, funny, and adorable in the most natural, believable way. I loved Roxie, and Leo of course. Nuts is a fantastic start to a series I have no doubt will become a new fan favorite, and I can’t wait for more!

Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change in the final version.

Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review.

Amazon Ebook: http://amzn.to/1GJW0dV
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/1IgUq0W
Audible: http://amzn.to/1Pw3uFH

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Nuts

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