CREAM OF THE CROP (Hudson Valley #2) by Alice Clayton-Review and Giveaway
CREAM OF THE CROP
Hudson Valley #2
by Alice Clayton
Release Date: July 12, 2016
Genre: adult, contemporary,romance
Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 12, 2016
Manhattan’s It Girl, Natalie Grayson, has it all: she’s a hot exec at a leading advertising firm, known industry-wide for her challenging and edgy campaigns. She’s got a large circle of friends, a family that loves her dearly, and her dance card is always full with handsome eligible bachelors. What else could a modern gal-about-town wish for? The answer, of course, is…cheese.
Natalie’s favorite part of each week is spending Saturday morning at the Union Square Farmer’s Market, where she indulges her love of all things triple cream. Her favorite booth also indulges her love of all things handsome. Oscar Mendoza, owner of the Bailey Falls Creamery and purveyor of the finest artisanal cheeses the Hudson Valley has to offer, is tall, dark, mysterious, and a bit oblivious. Or so she thinks. But that doesn’t stop Natalie from fantasizing about the size of his, ahem, milk can.
Romance is churning, passion is burning, and something incredible is rising to the top. Could it be…love?
•••••
REVIEW: CREAM OF THE CROP is the second installment in Alice Clayton’s contemporary, adult HUDSON VALLEY romance series. This is Manhattan advertising executive Natalie Grayson, and Hudson Valley dairy farmer Oscar Mendoza’s story line. CREAM OF THE CROP can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. All of the characters from book one-NUTS-cross over and play secondary or supporting roles. We were first introduced to Natalie and Oscar in the previous story line where Natalie would ‘ stalk ’ Oscar at the weekend Farmer’s Market.
Told from first person point of view (Natalie) CREAM OF THE CROP follows successful advertising executive Natalie Grayson on her latest assignment-to develop a promotional video and ad campaign for the small town of Hudson Valley-where her best friend Roxie Callahan (NUTS book 1) lives, and the man who stars in all of her dreams works and resides. What ensues is a building relationship between Oscar and Natalie, and the potential for failure when the romance becomes focused on the long distance relationship and their burgeoning careers.
Natalie is a feisty, strong willed heroine with an affinity for cheese who is proud of her size eighteen curves but hasn’t always been in the past. Oscar is a quiet, reserved, somewhat oblivious man-beast with a secret past; a man happy to remain in the secluded town of Hudson Valley where his friends are few, and his solitude is met with some curious stares. As the romance heats up, Natalie must decide whether the charm of small town life is perfect for her, or perfect for the man with whom she is falling in love. The $ex scenes are intimate but I felt the ‘spark’ was missing; as though the couple were going through the motions knowing that the long distance relationship would eventually come to an end. When neither one is willing to compromise, both walk away without a second thought leaving this reader wondering if it was all worth it –in the end!
CREAM OF THE CROP is a fun read with humorous moments, and witty banter. Oscar is a man of few words, and his conversational prowess is limited throughout the story-Natalie carries a good portion of their conversations. Oscar’s ex plays a significant role in his life, and it will take a strong woman to understand their continuing relationship. The premise is entertaining and amusing; the characters are enjoyable and heartwarming; the romance is passionate.
Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley
Reviewed by Sandy
The Reading Cafe and Alice’s publisher are offering a paper copy of CREAM OF THE CROP to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.
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