January 8, 2024
An athlete butts heads with a restaurateur in this adorable enemies-to-lovers romance from Calhoune (Falling in Love on Sweetwater Lane). Former pro footballer Xavier Stone begrudgingly returns to his hometown of Moose Falls, Alaska, to help run his grandmother’s cider company. The town holds painful childhood memories of his father’s abandonment and his younger brothers’ dependency on Xavier, making him eager to return to “civilization” as soon as possible. Meanwhile, True Everett, who runs Northern Exposure, the restaurant owned by Xavier’s grandmother, could not be happier in Moose Falls and worries that Xavier means to swoop in and take over her job. Her immediate disapproval of him sends the pair down a feuding rabbit hole filled with barbed banter and blush-inducing sexual tension. As attraction mounts and they discover they have much in common (like both having raised their younger siblings), can they set aside differences and embrace their feelings for one another? The scenic small-town setting and intense connection between the bickering leads are sure to suck readers in. Calhoune knows how to do cozy. Agent: Jessica Alvarez, BookEnds.
January 1, 2024
Calhoune's (Falling in Love on Sweetwater Lane) new series introduces the Stone brothers--Xavier, Caleb, and Landon--as they embark on a life-changing journey. Xavier, a former NFL player, finds himself disillusioned by love after a painful betrayal. When the brothers receive a letter from their grandmother, they must reunite with their estranged father and work at the family hard-cider business in small-town Alaska. It is here that Xavier encounters True, a resilient tavern manager with a tragic past. Watching Xavier swoop in from the big city, she sees him as an obstacle to owning the tavern herself. But as their paths continue to intertwine, they learn to trust each other and discover the power of love. While the events leading up to this slow-burn romance occasionally feel superficial, Calhoune skillfully explores the complex backgrounds of each character, leaving readers craving more. VERDICT Calhoune provides an enjoyable read, particularly for those seeking a quick and engaging escape.--Michelle Mistalski
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Starred review from January 15, 2024
A former NFL player moves to a small town in Alaska to secure an inheritance. As children, Xavier Stone and his brothers moved away from Moose Falls, Alaska, with their mother because their parents were getting divorced. They lost touch with their father but not with their paternal grandmother, Hattie, who owns several businesses in Moose Falls, including a tavern and hard cider brewery. An injury has sidelined Xavier's NFL career and left him in a precarious financial position when Hattie contacts him with an interesting proposition. She is ill and wants to reunite with her grandsons. She asks them to move to Moose Falls for a year to learn how to run Yukon Cider, and at the end of the year, the three brothers will inherit everything. True Everett, the manager of Hattie's tavern, views the men's arrival with anxiety. She was hoping to buy the tavern from Hattie, but now she's worried that she's missed her opportunity. Xavier can't understand why True seems to have taken an instant dislike to him, but they can't deny their attraction to each other. Xavier and True also share a belief in the importance of family. True is the sole guardian of her 9-year-old brother, Jaylen, having gained custody after their parents died in a plane crash. Xavier struggles to forgive his father, also newly arrived in town and looking to reconcile with his sons. Calhoune delivers all the best elements of a small-town romance. The townspeople are charming and quirky, the fractures and rifts in the Stone family are healed, and everyone pulls together to support the romance between Xavier and True. Most conflicts are low stakes and easily resolved. A charming, sweet romance highlighting the importance of family.
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