The book started out awkwardly. The characters twisted themselves into more knots than a skein of yarn after my cats got to it in order to make the plot move forward and appear half-way plausible. Once the story left LA, however, and moved to small-town Whiskey Creek, I liked it better. It felt more real, and less forced.

I thought the ending was super rushed, though, and ended too abruptly. The pacing was very jarring for the last chapter or two because everything ended too neatly, too fast, and too cleanly. I think the book could have used another chapter or two to flesh out the ending. ( )

3-1/2 stars
I liked this more than I thought I was going to. Somehow it was just really readable. The relationship between the two of them was the entire thrust of the story with not a lot of attention paid to secondary characters although they were there, the author didn't jump into any one else's POV. I just really enjoyed watching them fall in love. ( )

I loved this story. It was romantic fantasy that took me away. I enjoyed the fact that Simon was portrayed so humanly. He went from being a famous actor to regular Joe to famous actor. I believe that is a realistic portrayal. Famous people are frequently thought of as self serving and out of control. It is easy for the average person to want to believe the hype around them, regardless of truth. I have long thought it must be the most difficult life someone could choose to live. For the money and beautiful things they have, the lifestyles they are able to live, they each pay a very high price. I think it takes a very strong person to survive it. Making Gail someone who was in his circle but just an average person was believable for me. I think if the author had made the love interest a fan, someone he met in a bar, at the airport or any number of places, I would have had a hard time getting into the story. It is not to say I do not think it could happen.I just think there is less of a chance of it happening. Gail, working in L.A., knowing Simon through her job, was perfect. I think the author took care to make the story as realistic as she could. Yes, at times it did seem a bit convenient, (such as the easy acceptance of Simon). These instances, though, worked over all for me. I have lived in a small town. I have family that would put aside what they thought to give a chance. I have been in a situation where the last person I expected was the first person to respond. Finally, I have been betrayed by those close to me. All without the money or the fame. I can imagine the sad reality of what fame and money can do to family and friends. Money changes everything. Some times for the good but just as often for the bad. I think the book is a strong opening for the Whiskey Creek series, but do not see it as the author's best. It took me a bit to warm to Gail, maybe because I first saw her as cold.By the end of the book I cared more for her though she is not my favorite Whiskey Creek character. Isn't this the realistic charm of a series though? In life we all surround ourselves with family and friends we care about. The degree we care though is different for each one. The author's ability to recognize this and effectively incorporate it into the series helps the series stay interesting, strong and realistically,a fantasy that will have broad appeal. I love Whiskey Creek. I think it will appeal to new readers who are fans of the tv series, (and book series by different author), Cedar Cove. They do have much in common, though I see Whiskey Creek as being a bit fresher and more realistic of the two series. ( )

There I was going along, enjoying the prim and proper good girl trying to tame the ultimate bad boy. Of course things aren't always what they seem, poor bad boy so misunderstood and she's really not THAT much of a prude.

I liked getting to know Gail and Simon. The back up crew was a mix of "just let me slap that____" to OMG what a geek! There were heart warming moments and the falling in love was so....so....so confusing, maddening, frustrating, funny, embarrassing.

What killed this book for me...the ending. Let me explain that, it's not what happened but how. An ending that went from 0 to 250 in 40 or so pages. Three major events in 40 pages and BOOM, it's over-thanks for coming- please come again?!?!?! Was the author bored or was the deadline that tight? Now wondering if I want to read anymore in this series.

Maybe in a wek or two, once the sour taste has left me, I'll see if the local library has the rest of the series. ( )

From Amazon: Gail DeMarco left Whiskey Creek, California, to make a name for herself in Los Angeles. Her PR firm has a roster of A-list clients, including the sexy and unpredictable Simon O'Neal. But Simon, who's just been through a turbulent divorce, won't cooperate, so she drops him from her list—and he retaliates by taking the rest of her clients with him.

Desperate to save her company, Gail makes a deal with Simon. What he wants is custody of his son, but that's going to require a whole new image. He needs to marry some squeaky-clean girl like Gail, who'll drag him off to some small, obscure place like Whiskey Creek…. Gail reluctantly agrees to become his wife. She isn't reluctant because he's too hard to like. It's because he's too hard not to love!

I'm so far behind on entering books in Goodread, but trying to clean out my Kindle. i remember this one as being better than ok. ( )