Country Heaven

I'm kind of surprised at the number of people who loved this. I thought it was just okay. It was sweet, but predictable and a bit too long. The recipes were okay, but the country song lyrics were really unnecessary. Rye seems like a terrible songwriter! And I really could have done without the visit to a freaking plantation on a date. WTF?

Title: Country Heaven
Author: Ava Miles
Publisher: Createspace
Series: The Dare River Series
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:

"Country Heaven" by Ava Miles was a interesting well written contemporary romance. Who knew when 'bad boy rock star' Rye Crenshaw meets Tory Simmons would he not be able to get involved with her? For so long Rye had a policy that he had one rule and that was no sleeping around with his band. This was great news for Tory because she wasn't at all impressed with this rock star, however, Rye did get her attention after offering to be his personal chef the remainder of his tour...and Tory accepts and sign on to do so. Will there be an attraction between these two as they began to know each other? Will Tory be show more swept up by his fame or charm and what was up with Rye's dysfunctional family? I really was taken with how this author used song lyrics and even recipes as companions for each chapter that went so well with the story. Both the hero and heroine were both well portrayed, colorful, likable and just down right interesting only helping to make this read a very believable one. Be ready to be caught up in a lots of emotions .... laughing, getting angry at some of it and maybe even shedding a tear. To get it all you must pick up this good read "Country Heaven" to see what all this author has in store for the reading. I thought that the book cover of this read "Country Heaven" was an indeed beautiful one. In the end I was able to sum up that this novel was a beautiful country music read with a twist and turn of a sweet love story that I would indeed recommend as a good one. show less

Country Heaven ..........Ava Miles

At first glance, this book appears to be another "bad boy rock star" meets "shy quiet country girl" and breaks her heart. Rye Crenshaw is a bad boy rock star, but it's not always his fault! Shy country girl, Tory Simmons, is really a Ph.D student in cultural anthropology, who loves to cook, and is trying to work off a looming bankruptcy by working in a small diner called Country Heaven in Lawrence, Kansas. Their accidental meeting is hilarious. Rye is looking for an out of the way spot to grab some food, and not be recognized. Arriving at the diner he has a confrontation with an angry skunk. The diner is ten minutes to closing, empty, but not very friendly with their nasty smelling customer. Until the show more waitress recognizes Rye, and convinces the cook to feed him. Sprayed with a bottle of Febreeze he takes on the reluctant cook, and agrees to pay one thousand dollars for his dinner. He enjoys every bite, including dessert. He offers this "cranky down on her luck cook" a chance to put a huge dent in her debt by offering Tory a job as his personal chef. She'll be living and preparing meals on his tour bus. He has only one rule, no sleeping with anyone from the band. Since she's not impressed with rock stars, especially arrogant ones with a bad reputation, it doesn't take long for her to agree to the job, and the rule.

The tour starts relatively uneventful, and Rye and Tory fall into an easy relationship. He knows her grandfather passed away, and it is the medical expenses, trying to sell the house, and her school expenses that have worn her down. She knows Rye has family issues, and that he is trying to improve his reputation. A visit from his estranged sister, lets him know his Dad has had a heart attack, and wants to see him. Tory tries to stress to him that here is a chance to make things right. He agrees to go, but not without her. We meet Rye's somewhat dysfunctional family, each with their own problems, and he realizes how much he has missed, good and bad. Tory and Rye work together to try and help and grow closer in the process.

I loved the slow realization between Tory and Rye that they care for each other. The physical attraction was quick, but they both work hard to hold back. Their is an underlying suspense thread running through this story, lies and betrayal, and misunderstandings work against them. A little boy who has fallen in love with Tory, and doesn't want to lose her saves the day. Throughout the story there are recipes included for some wonderful dishes, from the cookbook she is hoping to someday publish.

I would recommend this sweet love story to contemporary romance lovers, and it's not your everyday rock star story. Laughter, love and family are it's heart.

I received this novel from the publisher for an honest review. show less

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Country music and/or stars are not really my cup of tea, but this was very well written and the country music scene only played a small part in the story itself. Believable characters and development of their romance.
Rating: 8/10

Wow, this was great! Really well written, intense emotions, and believable romance. Loved it and can't wait to read the next in the series!

Love, love, love the plot! Great chemistry between Rye and Tory.

What I did NOT like: Explicit sexual content and usage of foul language. Come on, people! We can express how we feel without using cuss words or taking the Lord's name in vain!

If this story had been cleaner, I would have given it better ratings!

Fun Read