Teasing You

Another fantastic read from Samantha Chase - an auto-buy author for me, one of my very faves! Man, how I love the Donovan family and so glad she’s writing the spin-off series for the cousins (I wasn’t ready to leave these characters after the first series wrapped up).

Ashlynn and Reid met back in grade school, and they had a bit of a difficult history… he saw her underpants in elementary school and told everyone. She never forgot, and was so happy when he moved away. The day he comes home for their joint besties wedding she reminds him of that moment because it happens again, and they are off on the wrong foot again.

When Reid takes a job with the Sweetbriar Ridge Fire Department and makes the move back to town, the pair find themselves in a frienemies situation, until he proposes a plan - his Captain thinks he would do better for promotions if he wasn’t a single guy, so she could pretend to be his partner. She just lost her job and needs some help looking into a tiny fire issue that pops up (she has this little issue of being blamed for something that happened in town and he could give her a hand looking into it). The fact they are now neighbors in their apartment building definitely helps with proximity, too.

Loved all the tropes in this one, especially the elementary school story and how Reid held a torch (hah, firefighter pun!) in the 20-some years since, the enemies to lovers, neighbors, wedding party, firefighter, and the sub-plot about the investigation happening (there was a LOT of focus on the investigation and maybe it took up too much of the storyline… maybe my only complaint! This is why only the 4-star rating this time…). Love the appearance of all the beloved characters from the other books, too. Great job with the mystery thrown in - only figured out part of it on my own!

Definitely recommend this one, especially to other Samantha Chase fans, but to all romance readers looking for an interesting read with a bit of mystery thrown in with the investigation this one includes. You don’t need to read the entire series. It’s also closed door, but spicy enough especially compared to her others.

Audio was narrated by the beloved Carly Robins - she did an absolutely fantastic job, as she always does. I always know I’m going to thoroughly enjoy anything I pick up when her name is attached, and this one is another great example of her excellence!

I received an advance read and listen copy from NetGalley, Valentine PR, and Dreamscape Media, and this is my honest feedback.

I loved how Ashlynn had no filter ... she said exactly what was on her mind. Whether you wanted to hear it or not. Whether it got her in trouble or not. Then there's Reid ... who wouldn't love a hunky fireman? He didn't even know he was hot and he had a heart of gold. I love the author's style of writing as I always feel the banter and situations are so realistic. I would love to live in Sweetbriar Ridge. The chemistry between Ashlynn and Reid is undeniable and there is definitely steam! This is a great addition to the series and I can't wait for Chloe and Billie's books!

Ashlynn has always lived in her hometown Sweetbriar Ridge and she has worked at the only beauty shop in town for years. But after a confrontation with her boss she gets fired. While she's putting her stuff in her car, a wind comes up and her dress ends up in her face. When she turns around, a guy she went to high school with (Reid) is seeing her underwear ... for the second time. Reid is in back in Sweetbriar Ridge for his buddy's engagement party and he comes face to backside with Ashlynn ... the girl he can't forget. Reid ends up taking a job with the local fire department and moves into the same apartment block as Ashlynn. His luck couldn't get any better ... it could only get worse!

I received an early copy courtesy of Valentine PR.