Book Review: Buns by Alice Clayton

---

BUNS
Hudson Valley #3
Author: Alice Clayton
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: May 23, 2017
Review Source: Simon & Schuster

Clara Morgan is living the dream, if you can call rebranding hotels that are desperate for a new life and running any kind of marathon a dream. Which she does. But the career she loves and the endurance races that keep her adrenaline pumping have kept her too busy to put down any roots. Growing up in foster care, she’s never been able to establish traditions of her own, which may be why she’s fascinated by the rituals that generations-old family resorts are known for. She’s especially interested in the Bryant Mountain House, and not just for their secret recipe for the yummy, gooey, can’t-get-enough-of Hot Cross Buns….

Archie Bryant, the man with the Buns, is fifth generation and one-day-owner of the charming yet run-down Bryant Mountain House in Bailey Falls, New York. He’s determined to save his family’s legacy from the wrecking ball the old-fashioned way—by gritting his teeth and doing what needs to be done. There’s no way Archie will be influenced by the new hotel branding expert his father brought in to turn one hundred and fifty years of tradition on its head just to attract a faster, younger, slicker crowd. But when some of Clara’s ideas start bringing in new, paying customers, Archie can’t deny that she may have just given him a shot at keeping his resort open.

It’s sticky, it’s messy, it’s sweet, it’s Buns.

This was such a fun read, as are all Alice Clayton books.  We are back in New York where Clara is brought in to completely update a luxury resort.  She is very much looking forward to making the hotel really shine when her almost boss, Archie, is not happy about all the changes to come.  The two are definitely at odds with each other but have an undeniable attraction going on.  Perfect set up for an amazing story!

I loved this book!  It has been my favorite book so far in the Hudson Valley series.  Which is saying a lot because I really loved the other books also.  Seriously Alice Clayton can do no wrong, I always enjoy every single one of her books.

I love Clara and Archie!  Clara is an amazing woman.  She is strong, talented, smart, and beautiful!  The total package!  I want to be her when I grow up.  Archie is set in his ways and traditions.  He's so stubborn that he reminds me of my husband.  I laughed out loud many times reading this book and seeing the banter between the two characters.

I am rating this book 4.5 stars because it was such a fun, romantic, story.  It kept me entertained the entire time and that's hard to do with my ADD.  I highly recommend this book and all of Alice Clayton's books!

Book Review: Cream of the Crop by Alice Clayton

---

Cream of the Crop
Hudson Valley Series #2
Author: Alice Clayton
Reading Level: Adult
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: July 12th 2016
Review Source: Gallery Books

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton brings her trademark blend of funny and sexy to this second contemporary romance in the brand-new Hudson Valley series!

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?

This is an Adult novel recommended for ages 18+ due to mature subject matter. 

 I LOVED it!!  Another awesome book by Alice Clayton!

Natalie Grayson, a plus size girl, grew up struggling with insecurities. She had one messy relationship which forced her to do some soul searching.  She moved cross country and reinvented herself. She gained a whole lot of confidence, a sexy wardrobe, and then moved back to her hometown, New York.  I love her!!  I love that Alice had her embrace her curves and know that she was drop dead gorgeous!  Natalie is a very take charge, go getter, and proves that in her work.  She is successful in career and in her relationships. She has proven she can get any man she wants and "can have them eating out of her hand". However all that confidence flies out of the window when a sexy farmer comes to play. 

Oscar is soooooo SEXY!!  He is the quiet, brooding, extremely hot type.  He very quickly got added to my sexiest book boyfriend list!!  The chemistry between Oscar and Natalie is scorching!!  Alice Clayton can soooo write the sex scenes!  I definitely recommend some water and a fan with this book. 

As always Alice brings her humor to the story line which never disappoints. I love her writing style!  The picture she paints of New York, both city and country (Hudson Valley), make me want to pack my bags right now and move there!

My only complaint is that I wanted to keep reading!  It was a quick read and I read it in one day.  I loved this book!  Go read this book now!!

Book Review: Cream of the Crop by Alice Clayton

---

Cream of the Crop
Hudson Valley Series #2
Author: Alice Clayton
Reading Level: Adult Fiction
Genres: Contemporary Romance | Humor
Release Date: July 12th 2016
Review Source: Gallery Books

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton brings her trademark blend of funny and sexy to this second contemporary romance in the brand-new Hudson Valley series!

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?

Boom!

Alice Clayton just dropped the mic with this follow up novel in The Hudson Valley series. You normally don't expect the sequel in any series to be as great or better that the first novel, but Clayton had no issues at all proving me wrong. I LOVED LOVED LOVED Cream of the Crop, this Rom Com will have you in stitches and blushing at the same time. The first book Nuts was great, but Cream of the Crop has Natalie and she freaking rocks! Of course Oscar isn't too bad himself, sexy farmer that makes cheese is very appetizing, lol! 

Cream of the Crop is a refreshing story about two people that normally wouldn't be caught in each others different worlds, but gravity has them crossings path all the time. And when they finally meet one on one, it the the Fourth of July between those two. All this takes place in the best backdrop that Clayton describes throughout the novel. 

So do yourself a favor and pre-order this book, you are going to love it as much as I do. Clayton delivers books that will make your day so much better with her steamy-laugh-out-loud novels. 

---

If you haven't read the first book in The Hudson Valley series, I strongly suggest that you do. That way you are familiar with all the characters in Cream of the Crop. And you can check out reviews from Jaime and I of Nuts that we shared HERE.

Book Review: Nuts by Alice Clayton

---

Nuts
Hudson Valley #1
Author: Alice Clayton
Reading Level: Adult Fiction
Genres: Contemporary Romance | Humor
Release Date: October 20th 2015
Review Source: Gallery Books
 

The New York Times bestselling author of Wallbanger and Rusty Nailed is back with Nuts, the first in a brand new series set in New York’s beautiful Hudson Valley.

Roxie Callahan is a private chef to some of Hollywood’s wealthiest, and nastiest, calorie-counting wives. After a dairy disaster implodes her carefully crafted career in one fell ploop, she finds herself back home in upstate New York, bailing out her hippie mother and running the family diner.

When gorgeous local farmer Leo Maxwell delivers her a lovely bunch of organic walnuts, Roxie wonders if a summer back home isn’t such a bad idea after all. Leo is heavily involved in the sustainable slow food movement, and he likes to take his time. In all things. Roxie is determined to head back to the west coast as soon as summer ends, but will the pull of lazy fireflies and her very own Almanzo Wilder be enough to keep her home for good?

Salty. Spicy. Sweet. Nuts. Go on, grab a handful.

This is the perfect title for an Alice Clayton novel.  Anything different, just wouldn't be right. After giving us the Cocktail series with names such as Wallbanger, Rusty Nailed, Screwdrivered, Mai Tai'd Up and Last Call, this new book Nuts, make all the sense in the world. If you are not familiar with Clayton's book and you love a good adult contemporary with humor that will make you laugh out loud, then grab a book and get familiarized pronto.

I knew when I began reading that I was in for a sexy time with lines that would make my day all the better. I absolutely loved the Cocktail series, so the fact that I enjoyed reading Nuts didn't surprise me at all. Everything you come to love about Clayton's writing is there inside the pages of Nuts. You have the snarky-lovable characters and toe-curling sexy times that make this book sizzle. You will not be disappointed when you finish the last page. Highly recommended!!!

Check out Jamie's review below to learn even more about this fantastic book.

---

Roxie has the life she wanted. She is out of the small town she grown up in and is living in Los Angeles. Not only this but now she is a chef to rich people and celebrities. But then she gets a phone call and turns her back on what she is making and everything goes up into flames! WHAT IN THE WORLD! Her business is in flames because of butter! She looses clients and is stuck. Soon she receives a phone call from her mom to come home to help with the family diner while her mom goes on an adventure of a lifetime, which in turn gives Roxie an adventure of a lifetime right in her home town of Bailey Falls. Her first day and she literately falls all over Leo. After that she runs into him all over town, until finally they decide to have fun for the summer until she returns to LA.

What I enjoyed most about NUTS is all the Bee moments in the book, lots of LOL moments. Also, watching how she lets in a guy which she never has before, and in turn Leo letting her into his world like he hasn't let anyone in years! I love their nick names for each other, it is very sweet how he works in his farm but has the kindest hands when he is with Roxie and being intimate. I love the small town talk to and how what ever is seen is spread around town quickly! Every woman has tried to catch Leo's attention but just Roxie walking through a door, turns his head and instantly has his full attention! 

This book is AMAZING. I felt in love with this book from the first page. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves reading about funny situations, going back home to small town to help with family situations, even if one didn't want to go in the first place. Most of all, finding a new life and love! This is a great love story with some surprises along the way. If you like stories like this, then NUTS is a must!