Peaches and Dreams, an all new single dad small-town romance from Juliette Cross, is available now in Kindle Unlimited!
Marly Rivers is not crazy. No matter what everyone says. They may think her dream is foolish, but she plans to prove them all wrong—one jar of moonshine at a time.
Single dad Wade Kelley is just fine. No matter what his best friend Jed says. He doesn't need a woman in his life. But when his son Jake breaks a jar of moonshine, he sets something in motion that neither Wade nor Marly are prepared for.
A friendly favor turns into late nights, long dinners, and a romp in the woods. And in a deer stand too. By the time Wade realizes he's fallen hard and deep for Mad Marly, it may be too late to tell her. When she falls into real and sudden danger with poachers, he may not even be able to save her.
'Peaches and Dreams' is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #4 in the Green Valley Heroes series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe.
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Audiobook: Coming this fall!
Excerpt
He cleared his throat and glanced back toward the door. "No. This is it. I'd better go. Jake's in the truck."
"Yeah. I was standing right here when you told him to go wait in it two minutes ago."
He gave me that confused expression again, but I don't know why. He was the one stating the obvious.
"Right." He turned and marched for the door.
I followed him toward the exit. "Did you want to pay for that? Or were you planning on stealing it?"
"Huh?" he turned near the door.
I was used to flustering people, particularly men, so this didn't surprise me.
"You already paid Kayla?" I pointed to the jar in his hand.
"Oh, hell." He shook his head and met me at the register.
I glanced out the window to check on Jake. He was sitting in the passenger seat of a big Chevy next to my Ford-150. After ringing Wade up, I gave him his change then bagged his jar of moonshine.
"You sure you don't want me to pay for that broken jar?" he asked. "I don't know why, but I feel like you're covering for Jake. Kids gotta learn to pay when they make mistakes."
"I'm sure you're absolutely correct and know much more about parenting than I do, seeing as I am not a parent. But don't you worry your pretty little head about it. It's all good."
Again, he gave me that blank-faced, puzzled expression as I handed over his moonshine in a paper bag and beamed brightly up at him.
"You're a funny kind of woman, Marly."
"You better believe it. I put the fun in funny." I winked.
He shook his head and took the bag, but I swear I saw him actually crack a smile before he ducked his chin and strolled out to his truck.
Kayla joined me behind the counter while we both watched him walk across the parking lot. Though I was not a fan of Wade Kelley—the grouchy man hated country music, for Pete's sake—I had to admit he looked awfully good walking away.
"Why'd you make up a story for the kid?"
I shrugged. "Just wanted to. He's a cute kid who looked like he was about to cry. I wanted him to smile."
"His daddy is more than cute. Good gracious alive."
I watched Wade slide into the driver's seat and say something to his son. He didn't seem angry as he started the truck, braced his arm across the backseat and looked back as he reversed.
"You think so?"
"Hell, girl. Are you kidding me? That man is a full-on smoke-show."
"I don't see it." Not entirely.
As Wade's truck reversed, I could make out that deep frown of his through the window. His dark eyes caught mine for a split second. Or two. Then he turned around and drove out of the parking lot.
"Fine by me," added Kayla, heading toward the breakroom. "You let me tend to his every need next time he comes in."
Frowning, I headed back to the boxes of Peppermint Patty and the display I needed to finish, wondering why Kayla was annoying me so much today
About Juliette Cross
About Juliette Cross
JULIETTE is a multi-published author of paranormal and fantasy romance & the co-host of the podcast, Smart Women Read Romance. As a native of Louisiana, she lives in the heart of Cajun land with her husband, four kids, her labs, Kona and Jeaux, and kitty, Betty. When she isn't working on her next project, she enjoys binge-watching her favorite shows with her husband and a glass (or two) of red wine.
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[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
Peaches and Dreams by Juliette Cross is the 4th standalone in the Green Valley Heroes shared author series. An opposite attract, grumpy / sunshine pairing that will put a smile on your face.
Marly has always been a wild child and people tend to not take her seriously until they get to know her. She is determined to win a moonshine competition, so she can open her own distiller. Wade is very much her opposite. He's a single parent who likes order and planning. His son however leans more towards Marly's personality and the two immediately click. Wade decides to help Marly in her venture and the more time he spends with her, the more he falls for every aspect of her quirky personality.
She whispered low and sultry. "Don't growl at me, Daddy Bear."
Overall, I really enjoyed this relatively low drama romance. Marly is a golden retriever with big ideas, big dreams, determination, and the biggest heart. Wade is a grumpy bear whose love for his son is heart-warming. Marly and Wade don't really have a reason to not get along besides their clashing personalities but in reality they balance each other out perfectly. Marly helps Wade with his relationship with his son by adding fun and spontaneity to their lives.
"I want you to be mine, Marly Rivers." I traced my nose and lips up the silken skin of her delicate throat.
When it comes to the steam level of this one I'm a bit on the fence on whether I actually enjoyed it lol They go from 0 to 100 and their first intimate encounter was kind of ruined in my opinion by the abrupt dirty talk that seemed to come out of nowhere. After that I expected it and the sex scenes felt more natural. But that first time felt odd to me for some reason.
"You're my true north, Marley Rivers. I'll always find you."
Peaches and Dreams is a small town grump/sunshine romance with the single parent trope. Filled with stepping outside your comfort zone, moonshine, growling, a surplus of dirty talk, backyard camping, a man who communicates, following your dream, and a happy ending.
---Written by Amanda---
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