Title: Home Sweet Home by Sarah Title
Southern Comfort Series Book Two
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 252 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman in possession of a ramshackle house must be in want of a handyman.”
Just because English professor Grace Williams is a woman whose “new” house is crumbling around her doesn’t mean she needs an arrogant, condescending man’s help, even if he does look gorgeous in faded jeans and a tool belt. What she needs is a working bathroom, not a ridiculous crush.
Jake Burdette has no use for the university types who stumble around Willow Springs, with their noses in the air whenever they’re not in a book. He may not be a scholar, but he’s proud of the hard, honest work he does—even if he would appreciate a little more of it. He doesn’t need Grace’s pity, even if he does wish she wasn’t so adorably sexy.
They’re all wrong for each other. But Grace’s troublesome house seems to feel differently…
The Review:
Home Sweet Home by Sarah Title is an adorable, magical romance between two stubborn people who are fine with a no strings fling, but love? No way! With a little help from a very unlikely source, Grace Williams and Jake Burdette soon discover that love often sneaks in when it is least expected.
In need of a new beginning after a failed romance, English professor Grace Williams’ move from CA to Kentucky is full of surprises. Her new house is in desperate need of a little TLC but it is her unexpected attraction to Jake Burdette that really catches her off guard. Jake has a giant chip on his shoulder when it comes to the university where Grace will be teaching, but he is drawn to Grace and finds it virtually impossible to resist his desire for her. The two are thrown together when Grace’s house repairs exceed her limited abilities and they soon decide to give in to their passion. But when lust turns to love, their relationship is soon on very shaky ground.
Grace and Jake are wonderfully developed and appealing protagonists. They each have successful careers and, for the most part, they are happy with their lives. Both of them are carrying a few emotional scars from their respective childhoods and neither of them is looking for love. Of the two, Grace has the most baggage to deal with, and she is quick to avoid emotional entanglements. Jake is the first to resolve his issues but Grace’s hang-ups come into play when it comes to taking their relationship to the next level.
Grace and Jake’s interactions are laced with humor and their banter is delightfully witty. Their friendship flourishes once they give in to their passion and their emotional connection grows deeper over the passing months. Their love scenes are steamy but not too graphic. There is a bit of fanciful history attached to Grace’s new home and the house itself is integral to bringing Grace and Jake together.
A charming romance with a touch of whimsy, Home Sweet Home is a wonderful addition to Sarah Title’s Southern Comfort series. An overall fun, angst-free read that is sure to be a big hit with anyone who enjoys contemporary romances.
Although Home Sweet Home is the second novel in the series, it can be read as a standalone story. Click HERE for my reviews of the other books in the series.