Love, Naturally

October 1, 2023

When concierge Presley Ayer's boyfriend dumps her on the day she surprises him with a trip to a remote wilderness resort, she spontaneously decides to take the trip solo. She's never hiked, fished, or even taken a boat ride, but she figures the new experiences will help her forget her heartbreak. Beckett Keller isn't sure what this city girl is doing at his family's lodge, but he respects the fact that she's thrown herself into the trip with enthusiasm, if not skill. When one of Presley's social media posts--with a shirtless Beckett in the background--goes viral, he and the resort suddenly have more attention than is comfortable. Presley agrees to pose as Beck's girlfriend to save him from enthusiastic guests, and soon real feelings are sneaking into their fake relationship. But Presley only booked a 10-day stay, and the couple will have to find out if they're brave enough to try out a new life together. VERDICT Sullivan's (A Guide to Being Just Friends) satisfying opposites-attract, fish-out-of-water romance (complete with fictional fish) is sure to make readers smile.--Rebecca Moe

Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 16, 2023
Sullivan (A Guide to Just Being Friends) sets this sweet contemporary in a picture-perfect Michigan small town populated by a wonderfully welcoming cast. Overworked hotel concierge and social media influencer Presley Ayers finally has vacation time and plans a surprise trip to a fishing lodge in northern Michigan as a birthday present for her boyfriend, Emmett—who is less than thrilled, arguing that they’re not serious enough for a couple’s vacation, much to Presley’s shock. So she goes alone, despite her lack of interest in the kind of rustic living Get Lost Lodge offers. When the air conditioning in her lodge room malfunctions, Beckett Keller, the resort owner’s brother, offers his cabin as a temporary refuge. Soon, Presley and handsome, outdoorsy Beckett are head over heels—but can their different lifestyles stand the test of time? Sullivan makes it easy to invest in Presley and Beckett from the start, and the supporting characters charm: Beckett’s outspoken niece Ollie steals every scene she’s in, her mother Jillian is an instant best friend for Presley, and older guest Bernie Dayton is a wise delight. This opposites-attract romance will capture readers’ hearts.

November 1, 2023
Hotel concierge Presley books a 10-day fishing vacation to show her boyfriend she can share his interests, but the night before they leave, he unceremoniously dumps her. She carries on without him, traveling to the rather ramshackle lodge by boat, something that terrifies her. She meets Beckett, Grayson, and Jill (and her daughter, Olivia), siblings who are trying to fix-up the lodge and make it profitable. Malfunctioning air conditioning in Presley's room leads to her moving into Beckett's cabin because nothing else is available. He sleeps on the couch, and a photo with him shirtless in the background as she cooks a thank-you breakfast goes viral, turning #hotmountainman into a marketing ploy. As she gets involved with nature activities and in helping the siblings paint and promote, Presley and Beckett fall in love. Dual points of view reveal Beckett's dreams and his path to finding courage to fight for Presley. The quirky, small-town background provides plenty of humor in Sullivan's (How to Love Your Neighbor, 2022) smart, sexy, and endearing fish-out-of-water romance.

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