Maggie Blackbird

Today, I’m hosting bestselling author Libby Kay’s latest release Latest to Fall, book five in the Buckeye Falls series, a sweet contemporary romance. Be sure to read my review. And enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.

“Welcome to Buckeye Falls, where second chances mend broken hearts for these childhood sweethearts. Wedding bells are ringing, but the sister of the groom is conflicted.”

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Title: Forever to Fall
Series: Buckeye Falls, Book 5
Author: Libby Kay
Genre: Sweet Contemporary Romance

Blurb: Fifteen years ago, Mallory Lawson “married” her childhood sweetheart, Beckett, in a pretend wedding on his family’s apple farm. She treasures not only the memories, but the ring he put on her finger. The trouble now, her brother, Evan, wants to put that family heirloom on his fiancée’s finger. Mallory adores CeCe, but she struggles to get past her girlhood fantasies of Beckett swooping back into her life with a certain ruby ring…

Beckett Fox is at a crossroads. After losing his grandfather, he’s listless and fearful of coming back to the family farm. There are too many memories, and most of them are tied to the love of his life, Mallory. He doesn’t even know if she remembers that fateful day when they were kids, playing make- believe under the apple trees, but he does. Now he’s back to help his buddy get married, and he hopes to find peace on the family farm, with Mallory by his side…

When the wedding planning kicks into high gear, Beckett and Mallory are thrust together as maid of honor and best man. The more time they spend together, the harder it is to ignore the sparks between them. Beckett fears Evan won’t support him dating Mallory, so the pair date in secret. But true love won’t stay hidden forever…

Best-selling author Libby Kay’s Buckeye Falls Series reminds readers of small-town life where everyone knows each other. Fans of Sharon Sala’s Blessings, Georgia series and Susan Mallery’s Fool’s Gold series will fall in love with Buckeye Falls and the childhood sweethearts who are tired of hiding their feelings. Come for the wedding and stay for the whole series.

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Before he could overthink things, before he could talk himself out of this, Beckett made his move. “I’m going to kiss you now,” he said, cupping her cheeks and swiping the rogue lock of hair away with his thumb. “Is that okay?”

Mallory barely nodded before his lips crashed down on hers. She tasted like the mint of her chewing gum, bright and fresh. A tiny moan escaped her, but he swallowed it and angled her head so he could deepen the kiss. Her lips were soft beneath his, and he savored the warmth of her body as she pressed close. Hands roaming, she clutched his T-shirt and stayed flush against him. This was the best kiss of his life.

Every nerve ending was on fire, every cell in his body cheering that he was where he needed to be—here with Mallory.

A crack of thunder sounded above them, causing Mallory to flinch and pull back slightly. Resting his hands on her shoulders, he held her in place. “It’s okay, just a little storm.”

She nodded, bringing a hand to her mouth. Her lips were swollen from kissing, and he deflated with relief when she smiled. Just as he was about to pull her close, another sound interrupted them.

His stomach growled so loudly, he was surprised it didn’t drown out the rain falling on the tin roof.

“We should eat,” Mallory said, making no move to pull free.

“We should,” Beckett agreed, but he wasn’t done kissing her yet. Starting slowly, he kissed the corner of her mouth before trailing downward toward her neck. Mallory’s head fell back, exposing the pale skin and providing access to more of her—to all of her.

This wasn’t their first kiss, and Beckett promised himself it wouldn’t be their last. He’d finally gotten a taste of Mallory again, and much like his favorite double cherry pop, he was far from done.

**Don’t Miss the Rest of the Buckeye Falls Books! **

Find them on Amazon!

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After her childhood friend Beckett Fox slid a wedding ring on ER nurse Mallory Lawson’s finger under an apple tree as children, no man has measured up to the guy she knows is meant for her.  The problem is, she believes he doesn’t feel the same way, not after what she overheard at his grandmother’s funeral during his one trip to Buckeye Falls after disappearing to lord knows where after high school graduation.

Beckett Fox had a horrible upbringing, and he simply wanted to escape.  The only peace he found was with the Lawson family and his grandparents.  But he has just buried his grandfather, the last of his true family.  As much as he wants Mallory when she reignites his past feelings when he arrives in Buckeye Falls, he’s terrified of losing his best friend, who happens to be Mallory’s older brother.

The novel uses the big misunderstanding and older brother/best friend trope.  I enjoy small-town romances, so I wanted to read and review this novel anyway, even though I felt the conflict might be a bit on the weak side.  It was on the weak side since everything could have been tied up neatly with a good talking at the beginning of the novel since all are adults pushing thirty.

Still, I enjoyed the look into Buckeye Falls and its many people.  The book operates as a standalone since it focuses on Mallory and Beckett, along with an upcoming wedding I’m assuming belongs to the previous book’s hero and heroine.

I enjoyed Beckett’s character arc.  He had a lot to overcome, especially after learning of his backstory, which is not an easy one.  I could understand why he operated the way he did.  The poor man faced abandonment after abandonment, whether intentional or death.  The author created sympathy for the character that I couldn’t help but feel.  She did a great job having Beckett come into his own.

As for Mallory, she is the kind of character everyone wants as a best friend.  Since she’s an ER nurse, the woman has oodles of compassion for others, but she’s also a tough cookie and won’t take anyone’s crap.  That is unless it comes to what she really wants.  Mallory tends to hide and lick her wounds instead of fighting for what she truly desires.  Still, I adored her.  We can’t be perfect, right?

The author not only reawakened Mallory and Beckett’s friendship but created great chemistry between the two.  The author also created a great town of interesting and fun characters who are too nosey for their own good, which makes it a fun read, because everyone simply wants the best for each other, which is the reason for their interfering ways.

If you enjoy small-town sweet romances, you’ll enjoy the author’s Buckeye Falls series.  As I said, the novel can operate as a standalone or you can read the whole series.  Do yourself a favour and get a copy.

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Libby Kay lives in the city in the heart of the Midwest with her husband. When she’s not writing, Libby loves reading romance novels of any kind. Stories of people falling in love nourish her soul. Contemporary or Regency, sweet or hot, as long as there is a happily ever after—she’s in love!

When not surrounded by books, Libby can be found baking in her kitchen, binging true crime shows, or on the road with her husband, traveling as far as their bank account will allow.

Writing is a solitary job, and Libby loves to hear from readers. Reach out and review her stories anytime. She’d love to hear from you.

Follow Libby: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bookbub | Amazon | Goodreads

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