Author: Gigi Templeton
Series: Spiced Right Series Book #1
Category: Contemporary Romance
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I'm going to preface this review with a disclaimer: this book is corny and filled with every possible pun you can imagine on the topics of cowboys and hot peppers. Yes, it was over the top and yes, I had a blast reading it. If you're not in the mood for a Hallmark movie romance with comically stereotypical southern twang, this one isn't for you.
But, if you're like me and need a palate cleanser after binging eight paranormal urban fantasy romances in a row, 'Spiced Right' is a good choice!
Jack and Jillian were briefly college sweethearts until Jack was pulled back home to take care of his family's ranch. Neither one of them got over each other, but circumstances meant they had to move on. But fate wasn't done with either of them, they'd just have to be brave enough to take a chance when it came their way.
"They'd both had dreams. They'd both been thrown curveballs. The plus side was that they'd learned to assimilate, to recover, to move forward."
A freak accident changed the course of Jillian's life and turned the once extroverted and lively woman into a recluse. Still set on growing a successful business, she is steadily making progress in her recovery but is cognizant that it takes time. Jillian was strong, but practical in knowing her limits. She was self-aware and didn't let fear rule her life even when she could have. When she saw a chance to reconnect with Jack, she leaped even as she felt terrified.
"For all the right business reasons, but also because kismet and some innate enthusiasm she couldn't grasp spurred her on. All wrapped around Jack Reed."
Jack is genuine and playful, a family man through and through shouldering the weight of keeping the ranch going no matter what it takes. He constantly makes sacrifices to put work first but Jillian makes him want to be a little selfish. A swoon-worthy book boyfriend, Jack was empathetic, responsible, and caring - what more could a girl ask for?!
"Jack, you're holding my dog's leash so I can double-fist a fishbowl of a margarita. There's just no way a woman recovers from that."
The book is called 'Spiced Right' and it certainly delivers on its promise, in both tension and on-page scenes. I don't watch YouTube at all, but if Jack was live-streaming his BBQ grilling show I may be tempted. Jack and Jillian had the best banter dialogue I've read in a hot minute and their chemistry was perfection.
Overall, I loved the 'spicy' theme running through the book, the puns and exaggerated southern accent are just fun. Jack and Jillian's story was predictably wonderful. The ending was rushed, but still sweet and I will keep my eye out for book two.
Tropes and Themes: Second Chance Romance, Small Town, Cowboy, Podcast, YouTube, Ranch, Surprise Pregnancy, Trauma, Friends to Lovers.
Blurb
Don’t ever think I didn’t want more time with you, darlin’.
Those were her college boyfriend’s last words to her after a phone call summoned him home to Texas. In the ten years since, Jack Reed has taken over his family’s ranch, and Jillian Parks has experienced devastating losses with traumatic repercussions.
Now a reclusive insomniac, she podcasts about the specialty hybrid chili peppers she grows in her Seattle greenhouse, keeping a closed door between her and the past. But when Jillian’s producer coaxes her to make a surprise call in to Jack’s YouTube BBQ channel, their chemistry still sizzles!
An invite to the ranch for a follow-up collab is a scary proposal for Jillian. But forward movement is key to her recovery, and it’s time to take the bull by the horns. With Jack’s commanding yet soothing presence, maybe this charismatic cowboy is just the right ingredient to help her heal—while adding a different kind of spice to her life.
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