On the Rocks: an age gap, small town romance

On the Rocks is the first book in the Becker Brothers series by Kandi Steiner. Noah Becker has a reputation as being nothing but trouble. Ruby Grace Barnett was warned by her mother to stay away from Noah. In their small town, the brothers went wild after their father tragically died. She is reminded of the fact that he is nothing but trouble as she walks into Scooter Whiskey Distillery to buy a wedding present for her fiancé and he is there. Yes, he is trouble. Dirty, sweaty, rude trouble. And no matter how hard she tries, Ruby Grace just cannot escape Noah. He infuriates her and yet he sees what no one else else does: the real her. The person she isn’t allowed to be, the dreams and desires she wishes to accomplish before settling down. But she is the mayor’s daughter, raised to be a politician’s wife and fulfill the family legacy. What does she do with the man who makes her question everything in front of her? 

On the Rocks is an age gap, the wrong side of the tracks romance. I am usually wary about age gap romances, which aren’t usually my cup of tea. However, this age gap is about nine years which is a difference but not as big as some age gap romances I’ve read. That being said, I did not like this story. I did not care for Ruby Grace. She is way too young to be married. I don’t care if it is “family legacy” or “family expectations,” she’s too young. She is not even “mature for her age” young. Noah is supposed to be the bad boy all women secretly want; however, he has a big chip on his shoulder about the past, the elites of their small town and known to sleep around town. Overall, I was bored. I did not like any of the main characters or their supporting characters. I did not like this story and I will not be continuing the series. I do not recommend On the Rocks. 

On the Rocks is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Let It Be Me: a friends to lovers, age gap romance

Let it Be Me by Kait Nolan is the first book in the Men of Misfit Inn series. Four years ago, Caleb Romero and Emerson Aldridge were thrown together after a tragedy. When her best friend died in a car accident, Emerson gained custody of her teenage daughter and focused her life on Fiona’s care. Caleb believes he met the woman of his dreams, however, the timing was bad, so he was content being Emerson’s friend in her time of need. Now Fiona is headed off to college and Emerson finds herself at a crossroad. After one toe curling kiss, Emerson and Caleb find themselves heading into a new phase of their relationship. The only thing stopping Emerson is their age difference, can Caleb convince her that it means nothing? 

Let it Be Me is a friends to lovers, age gap romance. The book opens with an emotional car accident which leaves Fiona orphaned and Emerson suddenly a single mother with Caleb, their rescuer and new friend. After the first chapter, the story fast forwards 4 years later as Fiona is getting ready for college. That’s where the story fell flat. There is a slow burn romance and then there’s a slow romance. I was so bored reading this story that I found myself blanking. And this is the second time I tried to read this story. The first time, I thought it was me and decided to give it another try at a later date. The second time, I realized my first impressions were correct. Overall, I did not enjoy Let It Be Me. 

Let It Be Me is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook