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Green Valley Heroes #2
Parks and Provocation
Lola Landry stares through the window of her locked car with the keys in the ignition and the radio blaring Beck’s “Loser.” While standing there and sweltering in the soupy Tennessee humidity, she wonders how her orderly life had crashed and burned so badly. Then her high school nemesis saunters up in all of his tall, strapping, fireman-to-the-rescue glory, slapping her with the humiliating proof that it can always get worse.
When the uber-confident Jedediah Lawson requests a date in return for popping her lock, a lightbulb goes off. Revenge is sweet. He would make the perfect victim—guest, that is—for her next podcast episode on Kiss and Tell. What shocks her is the casual way he not only agrees to the post-date interview on air, but ends up hijacking her audience and wooing them with his swoony, southern charm. Not even a low score on the date-o-meter can dissuade the man or keep her fans from demanding more of the charismatic Jed.
What’s worse, she secretly wants a second date with this man who is so different from his teenage self. His unwavering patience and dimpled smile erodes her will, until she breaks the Kiss and Tell rules by agreeing to a second…and a third date. It’s a disaster. Not the date. They’re wonderful. The disaster is that she is falling for a man she once dubbed Jockstrap Jed.
'Parks and Provocation' is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a stand-alone. Book#2 in the Green Valley Heroes Series.
When the uber-confident Jedediah Lawson requests a date in return for popping her lock, a lightbulb goes off. Revenge is sweet. He would make the perfect victim—guest, that is—for her next podcast episode on Kiss and Tell. What shocks her is the casual way he not only agrees to the post-date interview on air, but ends up hijacking her audience and wooing them with his swoony, southern charm. Not even a low score on the date-o-meter can dissuade the man or keep her fans from demanding more of the charismatic Jed.
What’s worse, she secretly wants a second date with this man who is so different from his teenage self. His unwavering patience and dimpled smile erodes her will, until she breaks the Kiss and Tell rules by agreeing to a second…and a third date. It’s a disaster. Not the date. They’re wonderful. The disaster is that she is falling for a man she once dubbed Jockstrap Jed.
'Parks and Provocation' is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a stand-alone. Book#2 in the Green Valley Heroes Series.
278 pages, Paperback
First published April 5, 2022
About the author
Juliette Cross
41 books3,408 followersFor upcoming news and releases, sign-up here: http://eepurl.com/XeKIn
JULIETTE is a multi-published author of paranormal and contemporary romance, including the best-selling STAY A SPELL series. She is the co-host of the podcast, Smart Women Read Romance with her niece, Jessen. As a native of Louisiana, she lives in the heart of Cajun country with her husband, four kids, and sundry animals. 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 or whiskey.
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JULIETTE is a multi-published author of paranormal and contemporary romance, including the best-selling STAY A SPELL series. She is the co-host of the podcast, Smart Women Read Romance with her niece, Jessen. As a native of Louisiana, she lives in the heart of Cajun country with her husband, four kids, and sundry animals. 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 or whiskey.
Follow JULIETTE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliettecro...
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March 27, 2022
RATING 4.5 STARS
Parks and Provocation is book two in the Green Valley Heroes series by Juliette Cross. Each book in this series will be by a different author and can be read as a stand alone. Prepare yourselves for a swoon fest when you meet this hero! He’s perfect in every way you can imagine, including a very talented dirty talker. While he was trying to woo our heroine, I was the one falling for him!
Lola Landry and Jed Lawson are twenty six years old and went to high school together. In high school, Jed was a football star but was also shy and in love. His mind was filled with not only teenage sexy thoughts of what he wanted with Lola but also so much more. He dreamed of a future with her. But to make up for his shyness, he teased her instead and they became enemies. Now, all these years later, he gets a call to help a woman who locked her keys in the car. When he pulls up, there she is, all grown up and more beautiful than ever. This is his second chance and he isn’t letting her get away this time.
Lola left Green Valley for college and never came back. She got a job in New Orleans and was living the life, until it all fell apart. Now she’s back home, working as a waitress, living with her Aunt Polly, and running a dating podcast with her best friend, Marly. Lola goes on first dates with a man, then, at the end of the date, she invites them to be a guest on her podcast and break down the date.
“A storm was definitely coming, and his name was Jed.”
Lola never imagined she’d be back in Green Valley. She is mortified when her high school nemesis pulls up to unlock her car for her. And grown up Jed is even more beautiful than high school Jed. When he asks her for a date, her first thought is to say no. But then she realizes this would be great for her podcast.
“There was no mistaking Jed was a man on a mission. And I was the mission.”
Jed is the King of swoony heroes. He’s a fireman! He has a dog! This book is told in both point of views and let me tell you, being in his head was delicious. This man is sweet and sexy in every way but, he’s also filthy behind closed doors!!! More than all of this, he’s head over heels for Lola. He never got over how he felt in high school and seeing her again brought it all back ten fold. His heart has always belonged to her.
This book is beautifully written and I loved the characters as well as the secondary characters. The reason I took off a half of a point in the rating is because when I first met Lola, I struggled with her a bit. I thought it was cruel that she let these men take her on what they thought was a real date and then telling them the truth at the end. And as I said, we are in Jed’s head so I KNEW how he felt and how important this date was to him. But, I loved watching these two fall for each other. I loved watching Jed woo Lola and watching Lola slowly fall for this wonderful man Jed has grown into.
Jed is one of those heroes that I am going to remember for a long time. I obviously have fallen madly in love with him. I think in my mind, no one is going to be good enough for him. But slowly, Lola redeemed herself to me and since she’s the one he loves, I guess I’ll just have to be happy for him. I can’t wait for you to meet these two.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Parks and Provocation is book two in the Green Valley Heroes series by Juliette Cross. Each book in this series will be by a different author and can be read as a stand alone. Prepare yourselves for a swoon fest when you meet this hero! He’s perfect in every way you can imagine, including a very talented dirty talker. While he was trying to woo our heroine, I was the one falling for him!
Lola Landry and Jed Lawson are twenty six years old and went to high school together. In high school, Jed was a football star but was also shy and in love. His mind was filled with not only teenage sexy thoughts of what he wanted with Lola but also so much more. He dreamed of a future with her. But to make up for his shyness, he teased her instead and they became enemies. Now, all these years later, he gets a call to help a woman who locked her keys in the car. When he pulls up, there she is, all grown up and more beautiful than ever. This is his second chance and he isn’t letting her get away this time.
Lola left Green Valley for college and never came back. She got a job in New Orleans and was living the life, until it all fell apart. Now she’s back home, working as a waitress, living with her Aunt Polly, and running a dating podcast with her best friend, Marly. Lola goes on first dates with a man, then, at the end of the date, she invites them to be a guest on her podcast and break down the date.
“A storm was definitely coming, and his name was Jed.”
Lola never imagined she’d be back in Green Valley. She is mortified when her high school nemesis pulls up to unlock her car for her. And grown up Jed is even more beautiful than high school Jed. When he asks her for a date, her first thought is to say no. But then she realizes this would be great for her podcast.
“There was no mistaking Jed was a man on a mission. And I was the mission.”
Jed is the King of swoony heroes. He’s a fireman! He has a dog! This book is told in both point of views and let me tell you, being in his head was delicious. This man is sweet and sexy in every way but, he’s also filthy behind closed doors!!! More than all of this, he’s head over heels for Lola. He never got over how he felt in high school and seeing her again brought it all back ten fold. His heart has always belonged to her.
This book is beautifully written and I loved the characters as well as the secondary characters. The reason I took off a half of a point in the rating is because when I first met Lola, I struggled with her a bit. I thought it was cruel that she let these men take her on what they thought was a real date and then telling them the truth at the end. And as I said, we are in Jed’s head so I KNEW how he felt and how important this date was to him. But, I loved watching these two fall for each other. I loved watching Jed woo Lola and watching Lola slowly fall for this wonderful man Jed has grown into.
Jed is one of those heroes that I am going to remember for a long time. I obviously have fallen madly in love with him. I think in my mind, no one is going to be good enough for him. But slowly, Lola redeemed herself to me and since she’s the one he loves, I guess I’ll just have to be happy for him. I can’t wait for you to meet these two.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
April 4, 2022
Let me start by saying that Parks and Provocation was a awesome second chance romance full of humor,love and plenty of steamy moments and the characters so likeable that I was cheering for their happy ending all the way though this story. I have to admit that when Juliette cross first said that she was writing a contemporary love story, I panicked! She is one of my top 10 favorite paranormal romance writers so I was worried about not liking this book as much as her other books. Some writers have a problem transitioning from one genre to a different one and lose their mojo but I should have known that juliette wouldn't change her amazing storytelling or her humorous way at looking at life and relationships. And the sex was hot as fuck!!!! Our fireman Jed knows how to use his pole!!! Jed and Lola have a great chemistry and both are witty as hell. Jedediah Lawson is a tree I'd love to climb!!! He's all man and a sweetheart with a great sense of humor and at times too good to be true! And our girl Lola is smart sassy and so loveable! Her inter dialogue is so relatable and her fears and drive like so many of us ladies. Watching this couple work thru lost opportunities and misunderstandings from their past and falling in love was beautiful and them getting a second chance at love made this a very enjoyable read. I also want to give a shout out to Lola's best friend Marly!!! We all need a meddlesome bestie who pushes us to take chances and who loves, supports and laughs with us! Their friendship was a great element to this book. Juliette cross is a awesome writer and I haven't read a book by her that wasn't great! Until next time Luv's💞💋
April 7, 2022
Juliette Cross became a favorite author of mine from the moment I was 2 chapters in to her paranormal romance "Wolf Gone Wild". I have loved every thing of hers I've read and have come to see her as a comfort author.
This book was no different! It shines with the wit, banter, chemistry, and swoon that I associate with Juliette.
It's a contemporary romance, second chance, childhood sweethearts, small town, rom com, sexy, steamy, SWOONY time.
Something I think Juliette does very well is the buildup of her romances. You get to see these characters falling in love, flirting, and getting hot under the collar.
I loved this book, loved the mention of some Penny Reid characters I loved, I adored every single page and was grinning the whole time.
If you want a pick me up read that will give you butterflies and keep you smiling and swooning grab this one!
I received an ARC from the author for review.
This book was no different! It shines with the wit, banter, chemistry, and swoon that I associate with Juliette.
It's a contemporary romance, second chance, childhood sweethearts, small town, rom com, sexy, steamy, SWOONY time.
Something I think Juliette does very well is the buildup of her romances. You get to see these characters falling in love, flirting, and getting hot under the collar.
I loved this book, loved the mention of some Penny Reid characters I loved, I adored every single page and was grinning the whole time.
If you want a pick me up read that will give you butterflies and keep you smiling and swooning grab this one!
I received an ARC from the author for review.
Want to read
April 7, 2022
★★Now Live★★
The time has come!! Smartypants Romance Spring Launch 2022 is UPON us! 'Parks and Provocation' by Juliette Cross, Author kicks off this momentous occasion. And I am so dang excited to get back to Green Valley with Juliette's amazing new romcom. I think you're going to be very into it...and firefighter Jed. Both of those things. 😃
★★Read in #KindleUnlimited TODAY!★★
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★ ★ BLURB ★ ★
Lola Landry stares through the window of her locked car with the keys in the ignition and the radio blaring Beck’s “Loser.” While standing there and sweltering in the soupy Tennessee humidity, she wonders how her orderly life had crashed and burned so badly. Then her high school nemesis saunters up in all of his tall, strapping, fireman-to-the-rescue glory, slapping her with the humiliating proof that it can always get worse.
When the uber-confident Jedediah Lawson requests a date in return for popping her lock, a lightbulb goes off. Revenge is sweet. He would make the perfect victim—guest, that is—for her next podcast episode on Kiss and Tell. What shocks her is the casual way he not only agrees to the post-date interview on air, but ends up hijacking her audience and wooing them with his swoony, southern charm. Not even a low score on the date-o-meter can dissuade the man or keep her fans from demanding more of the charismatic Jed.
What’s worse, she secretly wants a second date with this man who is so different from his teenage self. His unwavering patience and dimpled smile erodes her will, until she breaks the Kiss and Tell rules by agreeing to a second…and a third date. It’s a disaster. Not the date. They’re wonderful. The disaster is that she is falling for a man she once dubbed Jockstrap Jed.
'Parks and Provocation' is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #2 in the Green Valley Heroes series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe.
April 7, 2022
This author has been holding out on us!!! Her first contemporary and I can’t express just how much I loved Lola and Jed.
Usually, I like to mention a few things about the heroine and a few things about the hero. Except, Jed and Lola together consumed me. I couldn’t get enough of them. Every time they were together the tension escalated, the past began to reveal itself for what it truly was, and the future was looming closer. It was all so intense, so real, and so, I’ll say it again…CONSUMING, that I could not stop reading.
It’s been a long time since I’ve struggled to write a review because I loved a book soo much there were just no words, but here it is! I will definitely be rereading this one and I hope we get more of Lola and Jed as well as the rest of this group Ms.Cross has created.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
Usually, I like to mention a few things about the heroine and a few things about the hero. Except, Jed and Lola together consumed me. I couldn’t get enough of them. Every time they were together the tension escalated, the past began to reveal itself for what it truly was, and the future was looming closer. It was all so intense, so real, and so, I’ll say it again…CONSUMING, that I could not stop reading.
It’s been a long time since I’ve struggled to write a review because I loved a book soo much there were just no words, but here it is! I will definitely be rereading this one and I hope we get more of Lola and Jed as well as the rest of this group Ms.Cross has created.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
April 4, 2022
*Thank you to the author for an ARC of this title. Full disclosure, Juliette is a good friend.*
I was so excited to read JC's first contemporary romance and I am so thrilled that she has been welcomed into the Smartypants Romance Family. I believe the style in which her humor and sexiness come out is a great fit for what I have read of SPR's other novels. Parks and Provocation is book 2 in the Green Valley Heroes series and it is about a big strong fireman and the girl he used to crush on in high school who is a big down on her luck and is back in town for a short stint. This could finally be his shot with her and he is going to pull out all the stops.
When Lola sees Jed Lawson again after all these years, she is having a very embarrassing morning.
He is also the LAST person she wants to look incompetent is front of. He used to tease her in high school and it has NOTHING to do with the fact that she liked him back then and he is 1000% hotter as a ginormous, muscled fireman who is coming to her rescue. When he proposes a date as recompense, she agrees, but only as it goes with her plans of rating the date for a podcast she does with her best friend.
It's just supposed to be one and done. Do the date, do the podcast, do her time in Green Valley until her dream job opportunity comes around. But Jed isn't ready to be shuttled to the side. He wanted his chance with Lola for years and he isn't going to let anything get in his way this time.
This was adorable and heartwarming from page one. I loved seeing Lola slowly won over by Jed's charm and as they spend more time together, Lola's eyes are opened. Jed is full of BIG SWOONS and I freaking loved it. Lola sees that her perfectly laid plans are only perfect if she is with the man of her dreams. She was quirky but driven and I related to her a lot.
This was low angst, full of warm families, cute dates, crazy best friends and steamy nights and car rides.... I was smiling all the way through and I was also VERY touched by the grand gesture at the end of this book. I even teared up a bit.
I cannot wait to read more of Juliette's Contemporaries and I look forward to more couples to swoon over.
4.5 Stars
3.5 on the spice scale.
I was so excited to read JC's first contemporary romance and I am so thrilled that she has been welcomed into the Smartypants Romance Family. I believe the style in which her humor and sexiness come out is a great fit for what I have read of SPR's other novels. Parks and Provocation is book 2 in the Green Valley Heroes series and it is about a big strong fireman and the girl he used to crush on in high school who is a big down on her luck and is back in town for a short stint. This could finally be his shot with her and he is going to pull out all the stops.
When Lola sees Jed Lawson again after all these years, she is having a very embarrassing morning.
He is also the LAST person she wants to look incompetent is front of. He used to tease her in high school and it has NOTHING to do with the fact that she liked him back then and he is 1000% hotter as a ginormous, muscled fireman who is coming to her rescue. When he proposes a date as recompense, she agrees, but only as it goes with her plans of rating the date for a podcast she does with her best friend.
It's just supposed to be one and done. Do the date, do the podcast, do her time in Green Valley until her dream job opportunity comes around. But Jed isn't ready to be shuttled to the side. He wanted his chance with Lola for years and he isn't going to let anything get in his way this time.
This was adorable and heartwarming from page one. I loved seeing Lola slowly won over by Jed's charm and as they spend more time together, Lola's eyes are opened. Jed is full of BIG SWOONS and I freaking loved it. Lola sees that her perfectly laid plans are only perfect if she is with the man of her dreams. She was quirky but driven and I related to her a lot.
This was low angst, full of warm families, cute dates, crazy best friends and steamy nights and car rides.... I was smiling all the way through and I was also VERY touched by the grand gesture at the end of this book. I even teared up a bit.
I cannot wait to read more of Juliette's Contemporaries and I look forward to more couples to swoon over.
4.5 Stars
3.5 on the spice scale.
March 30, 2022
This book completely brought out the teenage girl in me. I felt so giddy and even giggled people!! I actually giggled!! If you knew me at all, you know I. DO. NOT. GIGGLE. My head was in cloud 9 dreaming about dreamy Jed! Jed was so dreamy that there were some parts I wanted to shake Lola like a ragdoll and demand she snatch him up immediately and lock him down.
Lola wasn't a complete dolt. She did realize how dreamy he was, she just had a few perceptions about her life she needed to come to terms with before she could give in to the awesomeness of Jed. She's lucky because I came this close (insert proper emoji here) to slapping a fictional character.
On top of all that awesomeness of Jed, and his courtship of Lola, I really enjoyed the fabulously, funny best friend Marly, and both Jed and Lola's family. Each side character brought so much to this book that I can honestly say this is my favorite book of the year. I absolutely loved it and I want all my friends and family to read it ASAP so we can gush and giggle over Jed. Geesh, he's turned me into a ninny.
My fictional heart belongs to fictional Jed. You are the reason real life men need to step up their game.
Lola wasn't a complete dolt. She did realize how dreamy he was, she just had a few perceptions about her life she needed to come to terms with before she could give in to the awesomeness of Jed. She's lucky because I came this close (insert proper emoji here) to slapping a fictional character.
On top of all that awesomeness of Jed, and his courtship of Lola, I really enjoyed the fabulously, funny best friend Marly, and both Jed and Lola's family. Each side character brought so much to this book that I can honestly say this is my favorite book of the year. I absolutely loved it and I want all my friends and family to read it ASAP so we can gush and giggle over Jed. Geesh, he's turned me into a ninny.
My fictional heart belongs to fictional Jed. You are the reason real life men need to step up their game.
April 20, 2022
Sometimes you just need a good solid man. That’s exactly what Juliette Cross has delivered in Parks and Provocation. Jedediah Lawson is just a great all-around guy and he’s in love with his Lola Cola. He has been since high school. Only she thought he was a bully. But it’s high school... hurt feelings, nervousness, insecurities, and adolescence brings out the worst and the best when you don’t understand what the emotions are. I love how Lola and Jed reconnected and how the story moves seamlessly. The feeling of both having this unrequited love yet friendship within the animosity. It's a story that keeps the smile firmly in place while reading.
Parks and Provocation is a feel-good romance that made my heart happy. I had all the tingles! Jed is very good when it comes to the down and dirty business of love. He is a firefighter but I’ll save those hose comments for somebody more adept at puns than me!
All the swoony stars!!
~Tanja
*Thank you to author Juliette Cross for the ARC
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Parks and Provocation is a feel-good romance that made my heart happy. I had all the tingles! Jed is very good when it comes to the down and dirty business of love. He is a firefighter but I’ll save those hose comments for somebody more adept at puns than me!
All the swoony stars!!
~Tanja
*Thank you to author Juliette Cross for the ARC
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April 21, 2022
What a fabulous kick off to the Spring 2022 Smartypants Romance releases!
I have read a few of Juliette Cross' paranormal romances and was excited to read this contemporary romance from her. She did not disappoint with Jedediah and Lola. The story was unique and entertaining with the enemies turned podcast daters turned real romance. Their banter was fun and I liked watching them find out there was more to each other than their high school impressions left.
I was hooked from the very beginning and the story and character/relationship development were all nicely paced. I found myself laughing and smiling often, and I think this is my favorite of Juliette's books and one of the best Smartypants Romance books yet!
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
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Bookstagram Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CcmQS0jrrgw/
I have read a few of Juliette Cross' paranormal romances and was excited to read this contemporary romance from her. She did not disappoint with Jedediah and Lola. The story was unique and entertaining with the enemies turned podcast daters turned real romance. Their banter was fun and I liked watching them find out there was more to each other than their high school impressions left.
I was hooked from the very beginning and the story and character/relationship development were all nicely paced. I found myself laughing and smiling often, and I think this is my favorite of Juliette's books and one of the best Smartypants Romance books yet!
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
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.
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Bookstagram Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CcmQS0jrrgw/
April 12, 2022
Favorite Quotes:
Ever since the layoff, my ego had been suffering from severe fracture lines, splintering into a million spiderweb breaks. I was holding it together with duct tape and a prayer, the most reliable of southern adhesives.
“Welcome to the annual man-meat show.” I was horrified and stupefied and in complete danger of swallowing my own tongue. I hoped there was a defibrillator in that ambulance just in case.
I bit my bottom lip, determined not to regret anything in the past. There was no use to it. Like my dad always told me, “Don’t waste your time looking back. You’re not going that way.”
Life is never fair. You just have to make roses out of shit-hills most of the time.
Meeting Jed’s family was like falling into a vortex and being squeezed tight by fluffy teddy bears and sharp-toothed piranhas at the same time.
My Review:
This was a cleverly written, fun, and frisky romp that kept me smirking, gasping, and seeking libation to rehydrate my desiccated body. This engaging couple had a compelling yet tempestuous history as well as undeniable physical chemistry that singed the sheets. My Kindle was smoking and my mouth was frequently parched. This was my first exposure to Ms. Cross’s delightfully delectable word voodoo as her listing looks primarily paranormal, a genre I don’t often peruse, although I can’t help but cross all my fingers and toes she churns out more of these clever Smartypants romantic comedies.
Ever since the layoff, my ego had been suffering from severe fracture lines, splintering into a million spiderweb breaks. I was holding it together with duct tape and a prayer, the most reliable of southern adhesives.
“Welcome to the annual man-meat show.” I was horrified and stupefied and in complete danger of swallowing my own tongue. I hoped there was a defibrillator in that ambulance just in case.
I bit my bottom lip, determined not to regret anything in the past. There was no use to it. Like my dad always told me, “Don’t waste your time looking back. You’re not going that way.”
Life is never fair. You just have to make roses out of shit-hills most of the time.
Meeting Jed’s family was like falling into a vortex and being squeezed tight by fluffy teddy bears and sharp-toothed piranhas at the same time.
My Review:
This was a cleverly written, fun, and frisky romp that kept me smirking, gasping, and seeking libation to rehydrate my desiccated body. This engaging couple had a compelling yet tempestuous history as well as undeniable physical chemistry that singed the sheets. My Kindle was smoking and my mouth was frequently parched. This was my first exposure to Ms. Cross’s delightfully delectable word voodoo as her listing looks primarily paranormal, a genre I don’t often peruse, although I can’t help but cross all my fingers and toes she churns out more of these clever Smartypants romantic comedies.
April 10, 2022
4.5 stars
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Juliette Cross delivered exactly what was promised, an awesome small town romance and more importantly a dreamy and perfect hero. Although her genre is paranormal romance she did an amazing job at writing contemporary rom com.
Parks and Provocations is a mix of some of my favourite tropes : highschool nemeses, second chance romance , enemies to lovers and small town romance. Add a splash of dirty talking hero plus sizzling chemistry and hot firefighters and I could read this all day long.
Jed Lawson is one of Green Valleys firefighters, he knows Lola since highschool, but back then they weren’t in the best of terms, so each went on their own road. Jed always had a crush on Lola but they being nemeses and him being shy and awkward didn’t helped his case very much😅, but she won’t scare him away a second time thats for sure.
Back in her hometown after losing her job , Lola finds herself in a bit of a situation so Jed is sent to her rescue. Their first scene was hilarious and fun and a bit awkward on Lola’s side.
As I previously said , Jed is a perfect H. Dreamy, dirty talking firefighter, sexy, determined and a genuinely good and lovable guy.
Lola is determined to chase and make her dreams cone true no matter what , so Green Valley is just a pit stop until she gets back on her feet again. In the meantime She hosts a podcast with her best friend , giving dating advice to their followers and rating the dates she goes on.
I would say Jed is the main pursuer of their relationship and sometimes Lola played a bit to hard to get but overall I loved their banter, sexy times and shenanigans.
They needed to work out some differences but in the end everything worked out just fine for cola Lola and jockstrap Jed.
Overall, this was cute read, with fun moments, smexy times snd feel good vibes.
Recommend it to small town romance fans!
ARC received from the author in exchange of a honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own ♥️
🖤Follow me on Instagram for more edits🖤
Juliette Cross delivered exactly what was promised, an awesome small town romance and more importantly a dreamy and perfect hero. Although her genre is paranormal romance she did an amazing job at writing contemporary rom com.
Parks and Provocations is a mix of some of my favourite tropes : highschool nemeses, second chance romance , enemies to lovers and small town romance. Add a splash of dirty talking hero plus sizzling chemistry and hot firefighters and I could read this all day long.
Jed Lawson is one of Green Valleys firefighters, he knows Lola since highschool, but back then they weren’t in the best of terms, so each went on their own road. Jed always had a crush on Lola but they being nemeses and him being shy and awkward didn’t helped his case very much😅, but she won’t scare him away a second time thats for sure.
Back in her hometown after losing her job , Lola finds herself in a bit of a situation so Jed is sent to her rescue. Their first scene was hilarious and fun and a bit awkward on Lola’s side.
As I previously said , Jed is a perfect H. Dreamy, dirty talking firefighter, sexy, determined and a genuinely good and lovable guy.
Lola is determined to chase and make her dreams cone true no matter what , so Green Valley is just a pit stop until she gets back on her feet again. In the meantime She hosts a podcast with her best friend , giving dating advice to their followers and rating the dates she goes on.
I would say Jed is the main pursuer of their relationship and sometimes Lola played a bit to hard to get but overall I loved their banter, sexy times and shenanigans.
They needed to work out some differences but in the end everything worked out just fine for cola Lola and jockstrap Jed.
Overall, this was cute read, with fun moments, smexy times snd feel good vibes.
Recommend it to small town romance fans!
ARC received from the author in exchange of a honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own ♥️
January 16, 2023
This was so cute! Parks & Provocation is the enemies-to-lovers romance between Jed and Lola. These two were always at each other’s throat in high school. Several years later, after losing her big wig job, Lola has returned to their small town, where she is now a waitress and hard at work on her dating podcast with her bestie. A fun part of Lola’s podcast is that she goes on “first dates” and rates them on her podcast with the guy present.
Jed, now a firefighter, and Lola reunite when she’s locked outside of her car and needs help. Immediately, you can tell Jed ain’t wasting time because he wants to take Lola on a date (there’s always a thin line between love and hate). At first, Lola refuses…..but why not go on a date and then have Jed on the podcast?
But Jed is here for keeps! He’s interested in a first date, second date, third date….shoot, he’s trying to be Lola’s ONLY date. I loved their chemistry! Their past as enemies/friends and getting to see little snippets of that helped their present connection be more believable. Jed was so swoony and I loved that he was upfront from jump about what he wanted from Lola once they reunited.
I’ll definitely be trying more from this author! It was such a fun read that had me smiling the entire time!
TROPES: small town; enemies to lovers; firefighter hero; pining hero; dyslexia rep; second chance-ish
Jed, now a firefighter, and Lola reunite when she’s locked outside of her car and needs help. Immediately, you can tell Jed ain’t wasting time because he wants to take Lola on a date (there’s always a thin line between love and hate). At first, Lola refuses…..but why not go on a date and then have Jed on the podcast?
But Jed is here for keeps! He’s interested in a first date, second date, third date….shoot, he’s trying to be Lola’s ONLY date. I loved their chemistry! Their past as enemies/friends and getting to see little snippets of that helped their present connection be more believable. Jed was so swoony and I loved that he was upfront from jump about what he wanted from Lola once they reunited.
I’ll definitely be trying more from this author! It was such a fun read that had me smiling the entire time!
TROPES: small town; enemies to lovers; firefighter hero; pining hero; dyslexia rep; second chance-ish
March 22, 2022
***5 Stars***
I’m always happy to dive back into Green Valley, and the Pennyverse in general and this baby gave me all the Green Valley, small town craziness I’ve come to love and then some…the “and then some” was a mix of things, but no matter if I was laughing out loud or wanting to toss my Kindle into the freezer, it kept me turning the pages until the very end.
Lola and Jed. Here’s the thing with Lola and Jed, I actually adored them both, but they also frustrated the hell out of me ~ hence the wanting to toss the Kindle into the freezer. They are both stubborn as all get out and can’t always see past their own noses, but they have huge hearts and aren’t afraid to speak their own minds. I’ll admit that I wanted to reach out and Gibbs smack Lola a little more than Jed, but everyone moves at their own pace and I couldn’t fault either for how they felt.
As for their journey to their HEA, it was a lot fun to see ‘past’ Jed and Lola and ‘present’ Jed and Lola and how they navigate the ups and downs of their teenage interactions and how it influences who they are as adults. The chemistry between them is undeniable, their bantering was a lot of fun and I just really enjoyed them when they were together, not worrying about anything but each other. The bump in their road wasn’t all that surprising, but still frustrating, but I gotta say that the apology/grovelling was pretty epic and I like how it all worked out for them.
This is a great addition to the Green Valley/Pennyverse world. The small town vibe is strong in this one ~ very, VERY strong ~ and the inhabitants of Green Valley were all unique and fun to get to know. As for the secondary characters…Jed & Lola’s family were all kinds of awesome though Zoe was my fav. As for the friends…Wade was my fav, but Marly was definitely entertaining and I would love to see both get their own HEA’s at some point in the future.
~ Copy provided by the author & voluntarily reviewed ~
I’m always happy to dive back into Green Valley, and the Pennyverse in general and this baby gave me all the Green Valley, small town craziness I’ve come to love and then some…the “and then some” was a mix of things, but no matter if I was laughing out loud or wanting to toss my Kindle into the freezer, it kept me turning the pages until the very end.
Lola and Jed. Here’s the thing with Lola and Jed, I actually adored them both, but they also frustrated the hell out of me ~ hence the wanting to toss the Kindle into the freezer. They are both stubborn as all get out and can’t always see past their own noses, but they have huge hearts and aren’t afraid to speak their own minds. I’ll admit that I wanted to reach out and Gibbs smack Lola a little more than Jed, but everyone moves at their own pace and I couldn’t fault either for how they felt.
As for their journey to their HEA, it was a lot fun to see ‘past’ Jed and Lola and ‘present’ Jed and Lola and how they navigate the ups and downs of their teenage interactions and how it influences who they are as adults. The chemistry between them is undeniable, their bantering was a lot of fun and I just really enjoyed them when they were together, not worrying about anything but each other. The bump in their road wasn’t all that surprising, but still frustrating, but I gotta say that the apology/grovelling was pretty epic and I like how it all worked out for them.
This is a great addition to the Green Valley/Pennyverse world. The small town vibe is strong in this one ~ very, VERY strong ~ and the inhabitants of Green Valley were all unique and fun to get to know. As for the secondary characters…Jed & Lola’s family were all kinds of awesome though Zoe was my fav. As for the friends…Wade was my fav, but Marly was definitely entertaining and I would love to see both get their own HEA’s at some point in the future.
~ Copy provided by the author & voluntarily reviewed ~
April 19, 2022
Oh my gosh, I just devoured this book! You know when you start reading a book by an author you aren't familiar with and you get to the end of the book and you just start shaking your head like 'yep, I have to go download all of her other books right now', that totally just happened! I am a huge fan of all things Smartypants Romance and Green Valley but nothing expected me for this delightful book. Parks and Provocation is definitely one of my favorites in this world now and I tip my imaginary hat to the writer. Needless to say, can you tell that I freaking loved it?
What isn't there to like? I mean our leading lady Lola is so real that I could see how she struggled with insecurities and how she overcame them. She is not perfect, but no one is.... well other than Jed. *Le Sigh* Where can I get me one of him? I won't go into details, but know this guy is a total book boyfriend and let's just say that his job isn't the only place where flames occurred! I also really enjoyed the story and seeing how things played out, it all made sense and meshed well and delivered a book that I totally see myself re-reading.
Basically, I think that you should read this book as soon as possible. It is definitely a 5 outta 5 stars read from me and I REALLY hope that the author continues to write more in this series, because I see a couple of characters in it who I would love to see get their own story *COUGH* MARLEY *COUGH*.
PS: I would really like to thank Juliette Cross and SmartyPants Romance for allowing me an advanced copy of this freaking awesome book in exchange for my honest review. Now I am feeling nostalgic and am going to go back to where it all started- to reread The Winston Brothers series! 👋
PSS: Check out more information about this awesome book at my blog HERE!
What isn't there to like? I mean our leading lady Lola is so real that I could see how she struggled with insecurities and how she overcame them. She is not perfect, but no one is.... well other than Jed. *Le Sigh* Where can I get me one of him? I won't go into details, but know this guy is a total book boyfriend and let's just say that his job isn't the only place where flames occurred! I also really enjoyed the story and seeing how things played out, it all made sense and meshed well and delivered a book that I totally see myself re-reading.
Basically, I think that you should read this book as soon as possible. It is definitely a 5 outta 5 stars read from me and I REALLY hope that the author continues to write more in this series, because I see a couple of characters in it who I would love to see get their own story *COUGH* MARLEY *COUGH*.
PS: I would really like to thank Juliette Cross and SmartyPants Romance for allowing me an advanced copy of this freaking awesome book in exchange for my honest review. Now I am feeling nostalgic and am going to go back to where it all started- to reread The Winston Brothers series! 👋
PSS: Check out more information about this awesome book at my blog HERE!
March 15, 2023
I had no idea what to expect when I started to read this book and I think that worked for the best. Every page was an absolute joy to read. Juliette Cross is one of my all time favourite authors and this proves once again what a brilliant story-teller she is.
Plot:
Lola has hit rock-bottom. She recently got fired from her dream job and had to return to her small home-town to become a part time waitress. As if her life isn't tragic enough, she locks herself out of her car at the petrol station and the fireman who comes to the rescue is none other than Jackstrop Jed, her highschool nemesis and bully.
Jed can't believe his luck. The girl he has secretly always been in love with and never had the guts to open up to has returned back home. He knows he's not letting her get away again. Even if that means that he has to agree to go on a date with her so that he can be interviewed for Lola's dating podcast later.
What starts off as a game where Lola reviews and scores the dates, quickly becomes passionate and inevitable. When Lola is offered the job opportunity of a lifetime will she choose it stay or go?
What I loved:
- Jed. OMG. The man is the sweetest hero I have read about in FOREVER! 🥵
- The dirty talk. I need a fireman to hose me down after some of those steamy scenes. 🔥
- The friendships. I loved the positive friendships this book highlighted.🤩
What I didn't like:
- NOTHING.😂
There is a bit around 82% where I almost cried. 😭This book is beautifully written and I was SO invested in their lives. It combines the grump/sunshine, enemies to lovers and fake dating to create this perfect story. 🤗I highlighted so many parts but here are some of my favourite one liners:
"Well, well, well. If it isn't coca-cola Lola."
"Lets say we get together and catch up," he suggested, flashing me that stupid, adorable, dimpled smile.
"I call my pen1s Batman... b1tches love it when the Dark Knight rises."
As you read the book and come across these lines, you will appreciate them so much, I promise!
Thank you Juliette Cross for providing me with an eARC in return for my honest review.
Plot:
Lola has hit rock-bottom. She recently got fired from her dream job and had to return to her small home-town to become a part time waitress. As if her life isn't tragic enough, she locks herself out of her car at the petrol station and the fireman who comes to the rescue is none other than Jackstrop Jed, her highschool nemesis and bully.
Jed can't believe his luck. The girl he has secretly always been in love with and never had the guts to open up to has returned back home. He knows he's not letting her get away again. Even if that means that he has to agree to go on a date with her so that he can be interviewed for Lola's dating podcast later.
What starts off as a game where Lola reviews and scores the dates, quickly becomes passionate and inevitable. When Lola is offered the job opportunity of a lifetime will she choose it stay or go?
What I loved:
- Jed. OMG. The man is the sweetest hero I have read about in FOREVER! 🥵
- The dirty talk. I need a fireman to hose me down after some of those steamy scenes. 🔥
- The friendships. I loved the positive friendships this book highlighted.🤩
What I didn't like:
- NOTHING.😂
There is a bit around 82% where I almost cried. 😭This book is beautifully written and I was SO invested in their lives. It combines the grump/sunshine, enemies to lovers and fake dating to create this perfect story. 🤗I highlighted so many parts but here are some of my favourite one liners:
"Well, well, well. If it isn't coca-cola Lola."
"Lets say we get together and catch up," he suggested, flashing me that stupid, adorable, dimpled smile.
"I call my pen1s Batman... b1tches love it when the Dark Knight rises."
As you read the book and come across these lines, you will appreciate them so much, I promise!
Thank you Juliette Cross for providing me with an eARC in return for my honest review.
April 10, 2022
2.5⭐️ This wasn’t for me. The key words, “high school,” didn’t jump out in the description. College and high school romances nearly top my Do Not Read list. Lola and Jed may be in their mid-twenties, but they’re still obsessed with their mutual experiences from high school, especially Lola. Emotionally, she never left. Honestly, I didn’t like her. She treated her first dates like lab rats, and needed a coworker to spell out what was important in life. Swoony, loyal, and responsible Jed was the only saving grace.
Want to read
June 12, 2022*Thank you to the author for an ARC of this title. Full disclosure, Juliette is a good friend.*
I was so excited to read JC's first contemporary romance and I am so thrilled that she has been welcomed into the Smartypants Romance Family. I believe the style in which her humor and sexiness come out is a great fit for what I have read of SPR's other novels. Parks and Provocation is book 2 in the Green Valley Heroes series and it is about a big strong fireman and the girl he used to crush on in high school who is a big down on her luck and is back in town for a short stint. This could finally be his shot with her and he is going to pull out all the stops.
When Lola sees Jed Lawson again after all these years, she is having a very embarrassing morning.
He is also the LAST person she wants to look incompetent is front of. He used to tease her in high school and it has NOTHING to do with the fact that she liked him back then and he is 1000% hotter as a ginormous, muscled fireman who is coming to her rescue. When he proposes a date as recompense, she agrees, but only as it goes with her plans of rating the date for a podcast she does with her best friend.
It's just supposed to be one and done. Do the date, do the podcast, do her time in Green Valley until her dream job opportunity comes around. But Jed isn't ready to be shuttled to the side. He wanted his chance with Lola for years and he isn't going to let anything get in his way this time.
This was adorable and heartwarming from page one. I loved seeing Lola slowly won over by Jed's charm and as they spend more time together, Lola's eyes are opened. Jed is full of BIG SWOONS and I freaking loved it. Lola sees that her perfectly laid plans are only perfect if she is with the man of her dreams. She was quirky but driven and I related to her a lot.
This was low angst, full of warm families, cute dates, crazy best friends and steamy nights and car rides.... I was smiling all the way through and I was also VERY touched by the grand gesture at the end of this book. I even teared up a bit.
I cannot wait to read more of Juliette's Contemporaries and I look forward to more couples to swoon over.
4.5 Stars
3.5 on the spice scale.
I was so excited to read JC's first contemporary romance and I am so thrilled that she has been welcomed into the Smartypants Romance Family. I believe the style in which her humor and sexiness come out is a great fit for what I have read of SPR's other novels. Parks and Provocation is book 2 in the Green Valley Heroes series and it is about a big strong fireman and the girl he used to crush on in high school who is a big down on her luck and is back in town for a short stint. This could finally be his shot with her and he is going to pull out all the stops.
When Lola sees Jed Lawson again after all these years, she is having a very embarrassing morning.
He is also the LAST person she wants to look incompetent is front of. He used to tease her in high school and it has NOTHING to do with the fact that she liked him back then and he is 1000% hotter as a ginormous, muscled fireman who is coming to her rescue. When he proposes a date as recompense, she agrees, but only as it goes with her plans of rating the date for a podcast she does with her best friend.
It's just supposed to be one and done. Do the date, do the podcast, do her time in Green Valley until her dream job opportunity comes around. But Jed isn't ready to be shuttled to the side. He wanted his chance with Lola for years and he isn't going to let anything get in his way this time.
This was adorable and heartwarming from page one. I loved seeing Lola slowly won over by Jed's charm and as they spend more time together, Lola's eyes are opened. Jed is full of BIG SWOONS and I freaking loved it. Lola sees that her perfectly laid plans are only perfect if she is with the man of her dreams. She was quirky but driven and I related to her a lot.
This was low angst, full of warm families, cute dates, crazy best friends and steamy nights and car rides.... I was smiling all the way through and I was also VERY touched by the grand gesture at the end of this book. I even teared up a bit.
I cannot wait to read more of Juliette's Contemporaries and I look forward to more couples to swoon over.
4.5 Stars
3.5 on the spice scale.
April 6, 2022
Lola is a waitress at a diner but she also has her own podcast where she goes on dates and then has the guys back on her podcast to give them a point score for their dates. So when she has car trouble and needs help, she's surprised that it's her high school nemesis that comes to her rescue. She agrees to a date with him and then tells him why after the date and he agrees to come on her podcast. A second date happens and then a third because they realize that they really do like each other.
Jed moved back to town in order to take care of his father and now he's a firefighter. So when he gets called to help someone with a car problem, the last person he's expecting is Lola but there she is. He really liked her back in high school but because of a misunderstanding she didn't go to prom with him which he regrets. So he asks her out and after some time she agrees but then he has to go on her podcast after the date which leads to another date.
As the dates get more and more fun and they start getting reacquainted, the old sparks they felt start to reignite but there's one problem. Lola has a good job offer out of town and she plans on leaving so this, whatever this is between them can't last, or can it?
I really liked this second chance romance. Watching Lola and Jed get a second chance at their relationship was great. I really liked both characters and all of the secondary characters as well. This was a fun read.
Disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book via the author but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 29, 2022
I loveeeeee Juliette Cross heroes. They have NO CHILL. They know what they want and their squishy hearts fall hard and fast and they pine away while they dream of white dresses and kids and I’m freaking here for it!
Jed is a firefighter who has been pining over the one who got away and got a fancy job in New Orleans and Lola is the one who couldn’t wait to get away but finds herself back in Green Valley after getting fired (yikes.) So when she locks her keys out of her car and the handsome blast from the past shows up to help her out and ask her out, she agrees to a date with ulterior motives. Cause 1. Green Valley is a stepping stone to her next big job 2. She needs first dates for her Kiss N Tell Podcast and big fat 3. She would NEVER be interested in the high school jock that gave her the nickname Coca Cola Lola that haunted her for years!
But Jed is more than he seems and this pining firefighter isn’t giving up on his dream girl. And Lola is having deep feelings for this hometown guy, but can she have it all?!
Seriously, I love Juliette Cross. The ending was so. freaking. sweet. I was cringing a little because I thought…wait a second…what’s happening here?!?! And me and Jed are both together going, “WTF…??” But then we were both very relieved and heart swelling with happiness and joy at the HEA. Whew. Close one, Jed. I need more Green Valley goodness from Juliette Cross!
Jed is a firefighter who has been pining over the one who got away and got a fancy job in New Orleans and Lola is the one who couldn’t wait to get away but finds herself back in Green Valley after getting fired (yikes.) So when she locks her keys out of her car and the handsome blast from the past shows up to help her out and ask her out, she agrees to a date with ulterior motives. Cause 1. Green Valley is a stepping stone to her next big job 2. She needs first dates for her Kiss N Tell Podcast and big fat 3. She would NEVER be interested in the high school jock that gave her the nickname Coca Cola Lola that haunted her for years!
But Jed is more than he seems and this pining firefighter isn’t giving up on his dream girl. And Lola is having deep feelings for this hometown guy, but can she have it all?!
Seriously, I love Juliette Cross. The ending was so. freaking. sweet. I was cringing a little because I thought…wait a second…what’s happening here?!?! And me and Jed are both together going, “WTF…??” But then we were both very relieved and heart swelling with happiness and joy at the HEA. Whew. Close one, Jed. I need more Green Valley goodness from Juliette Cross!
May 28, 2022
Not bad.
The first half was fairly typical by the numbers CR. It was good but not outstanding.
The book was saved by a stellar ending. It was worth battling through the first act just for that.
3 Stars and the 4th is for the last 20%.
The first half was fairly typical by the numbers CR. It was good but not outstanding.
The book was saved by a stellar ending. It was worth battling through the first act just for that.
3 Stars and the 4th is for the last 20%.
April 22, 2022
Format - E-ARC
Rating- ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Spice- 🌶 🌶 🌶
Series- Green Valley Heroes #2
Troupes- Childhood enemies to lovers, hot fireman, He falls first
CW- Death of a Parent (off page), Dyslexia shame,
I’m so excited to go back to the town of Green Valley TN and visit with all it’s residents! This is my first book from Cross but it defiantly won’t be my last!
In this second book in the Green Valley Heroes, we meet Jed the smoking hot firefighter with a heart of gold. Lola is back in town temporarily while she looks for a job that will give her security and stability she’s always thought she needed. She not planning on finding love and staying in Green Valley but one awkward rescue and a coerced date later and she’s in trouble. Jed has wanted Lola forever and so when he finds her again he’s going to do everything he can to hold on to her.
I loved these two! The enemies feel didn’t last long, and was more about miscommunication/non-communication. They have a lot of old feelings and secrets that needed airing and that comes with a good amount of sexual tension, as these two have been in love with each other since they were kids. The burn is sizzling and Juliette delivers some very steamy scenes!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, we got some cameos from the previous book and mayhap an intro to our next GV hero??
Rating- ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Spice- 🌶 🌶 🌶
Series- Green Valley Heroes #2
Troupes- Childhood enemies to lovers, hot fireman, He falls first
CW- Death of a Parent (off page), Dyslexia shame,
I’m so excited to go back to the town of Green Valley TN and visit with all it’s residents! This is my first book from Cross but it defiantly won’t be my last!
In this second book in the Green Valley Heroes, we meet Jed the smoking hot firefighter with a heart of gold. Lola is back in town temporarily while she looks for a job that will give her security and stability she’s always thought she needed. She not planning on finding love and staying in Green Valley but one awkward rescue and a coerced date later and she’s in trouble. Jed has wanted Lola forever and so when he finds her again he’s going to do everything he can to hold on to her.
I loved these two! The enemies feel didn’t last long, and was more about miscommunication/non-communication. They have a lot of old feelings and secrets that needed airing and that comes with a good amount of sexual tension, as these two have been in love with each other since they were kids. The burn is sizzling and Juliette delivers some very steamy scenes!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, we got some cameos from the previous book and mayhap an intro to our next GV hero??
April 6, 2022
Parks and Provocation by Juliette Cross packed a lot of fire and swoon. This small town, enemies to lovers and second chance romance was so heartwarming. It was a beautiful slow burn with lots of amazing characters. I love Green Valley and it was fun to be back here.
Lola Landry always thought success is getting out of their small town and get a big money paying job. That she did. And then she lost it. Now she is back to her hometown trying to find out a new job, helping her aunt in small business and trying to get her podcast and YouTube channel Kiss n Tell off ground with her best friend Marley. Her path collides with Jed Lawson. Her highschool enemy and crush. Present firefighter. And a gorgoeus sexy hunk of man. He asks her out and the only reason she says yes is for her podcast where she rates dates and gives dating advice. But it feels so much more than a dating experiment because Jed is hell bent on making her fall in love even when she can leave any day.
I loved the whole premise of the story. Lola's situation is definitely unique and I admit that I have huge weakness for first responder heroes. Jed is just perfect. As we slowly come to know why he was rude to Lola in school and his vulnerability, my heart really stood no chance. He is kind and warm and helpful. He is also a possessive caveman and sexy and charming. He has everything right going for him. Lola is a sassy character but she also has a lot of hangups. She is proud and funny and independent. She definitely misjudged Jed in past and she is not afraid to admit it. She is in doubt and a bit lost about priorities in life. Her life is a mess and she has to take some rough decisions listening to her heart. Jed literally didn't hold back any punches and he did everything possible to show Lola that he is all in. It was very witty and full of sexy banter. The secondary characters were brilliant and added a lot to the pretty heartwarming small town vibes. Passion was never an issue and it was steamy with feels.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
Lola Landry always thought success is getting out of their small town and get a big money paying job. That she did. And then she lost it. Now she is back to her hometown trying to find out a new job, helping her aunt in small business and trying to get her podcast and YouTube channel Kiss n Tell off ground with her best friend Marley. Her path collides with Jed Lawson. Her highschool enemy and crush. Present firefighter. And a gorgoeus sexy hunk of man. He asks her out and the only reason she says yes is for her podcast where she rates dates and gives dating advice. But it feels so much more than a dating experiment because Jed is hell bent on making her fall in love even when she can leave any day.
I loved the whole premise of the story. Lola's situation is definitely unique and I admit that I have huge weakness for first responder heroes. Jed is just perfect. As we slowly come to know why he was rude to Lola in school and his vulnerability, my heart really stood no chance. He is kind and warm and helpful. He is also a possessive caveman and sexy and charming. He has everything right going for him. Lola is a sassy character but she also has a lot of hangups. She is proud and funny and independent. She definitely misjudged Jed in past and she is not afraid to admit it. She is in doubt and a bit lost about priorities in life. Her life is a mess and she has to take some rough decisions listening to her heart. Jed literally didn't hold back any punches and he did everything possible to show Lola that he is all in. It was very witty and full of sexy banter. The secondary characters were brilliant and added a lot to the pretty heartwarming small town vibes. Passion was never an issue and it was steamy with feels.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
March 24, 2022
3.5 stars
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
Parks and Provocation by Juliette Cross is the story of two people who in high school were enemies that crushes on each other. Now they are all grown up and have a second chance at exploring feelings that never left .
Lola is temporarily back home in Green Valley. While looking for a new job in marketing, she's waiting tables and hosting a dating podcast with her best friend. She goes on one date only with a man and rates it for their followers. When her high school nemesis asks her on a date, she decides to use it as material for her show. Yet One date with Jed turns into two and then three until she acknowledges the dates no longer have anything to do with the podcast. They get closure over the events of high school and start to build something wonderful . But will the job of her dreams kill what they have started to grow, or will she take a risk on their relationship.
If she thought this was ending here, after this podcast, she was incredibly mistaken. I wasn't giving up easily. Not f*cking now.
I'll be honest this took be a bit to get into, not because it was bad, but I wasn't in a contemporary romance mood. I found Jed charming from the start and the more I read about him, the more I feel in love. He's a handsome, a good cook, a strong firefighter, a pillar of his family, taking his grandma food shopping and helping his father daily. He was also passionate and hot damn the dirty mouth on that man!! Jed builds up sexual anticipation with Lola and the wait is worth it, the sex scenes were on God damn fire 🔥🔥 Speaking of Lola, I didn't love her unfortunately and even found her overshadowed by her best friend's personality. I really don't have much to say about her, since she fell flat for me. I did appreciate that Lola is the one who screws up and that she had to grovel in the end, and her grand apology ended up being perfect for them.
"I have no idea what I did to deserve this, but the sight of you, Lola, right now?" He bit his lip and grunted. "I could die a happy man."
Overall Parks and Provocation by Juliette Cross was a sweet contemporary romance with plenty of steam, sex nachos, football games, family BBQ, and snicker doodles.
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
Parks and Provocation by Juliette Cross is the story of two people who in high school were enemies that crushes on each other. Now they are all grown up and have a second chance at exploring feelings that never left .
Lola is temporarily back home in Green Valley. While looking for a new job in marketing, she's waiting tables and hosting a dating podcast with her best friend. She goes on one date only with a man and rates it for their followers. When her high school nemesis asks her on a date, she decides to use it as material for her show. Yet One date with Jed turns into two and then three until she acknowledges the dates no longer have anything to do with the podcast. They get closure over the events of high school and start to build something wonderful . But will the job of her dreams kill what they have started to grow, or will she take a risk on their relationship.
If she thought this was ending here, after this podcast, she was incredibly mistaken. I wasn't giving up easily. Not f*cking now.
I'll be honest this took be a bit to get into, not because it was bad, but I wasn't in a contemporary romance mood. I found Jed charming from the start and the more I read about him, the more I feel in love. He's a handsome, a good cook, a strong firefighter, a pillar of his family, taking his grandma food shopping and helping his father daily. He was also passionate and hot damn the dirty mouth on that man!! Jed builds up sexual anticipation with Lola and the wait is worth it, the sex scenes were on God damn fire 🔥🔥 Speaking of Lola, I didn't love her unfortunately and even found her overshadowed by her best friend's personality. I really don't have much to say about her, since she fell flat for me. I did appreciate that Lola is the one who screws up and that she had to grovel in the end, and her grand apology ended up being perfect for them.
"I have no idea what I did to deserve this, but the sight of you, Lola, right now?" He bit his lip and grunted. "I could die a happy man."
Overall Parks and Provocation by Juliette Cross was a sweet contemporary romance with plenty of steam, sex nachos, football games, family BBQ, and snicker doodles.
July 7, 2022
Parks and Provocation is a small town, contemporary romance from Juliette Cross. This does exist in the smarty pants universe (a series that multiple authors write in), but this can definitely be read as a stand-alone and I wasn’t lost.
Lola has recently moved back to Green Valley, Tennessee while she is kind of in the middle of finding a new career and possibly moving on elsewhere. So in the meantime she’s living with her aunt and working at the local bar. The story kicks off with Lola accidentally locking her keys in her running-car. She calls her best friend who says she has the perfect person in mind to come and rescue her. A hot fireman shows up to help her out and Lola can’t believe it’s her old highschool crush-turned-nemesis, Jed.
Jed and Lola have a solid history of teenage animosity, they went to high school together and both crushed on one another back in the day but because of a teen peers-miscommunication situation they turned into enemies instead all those years ago. Jed definitely feels like Lola is the “one who got away” and he’s determined not to let her go this time. After unlocking her car for her, he asks her out on a date. Which she turns down at first until her friend talks her into going on the date for one of their podcast episodes. Lola and her best friend run Kiss-n-Tell, a dating review podcast where they interview Lola’s first dates and dish on the good, the bad, and the ugly. After her date with Jed, he wants a second date but she quickly tells him she doesn’t do second dates. So then on the live chat discussing their first date he challenges her to a second date, with the help of some peer pressure from her friend and the viewers as well, Lola ends up agreeing to it.
This was just a super sweet and swoony romance! I love when a couple has history like Lola and Jed did and his pining for her and wanting her probably more so than she’s willing to admit at first, was just everything I love! I really liked the representation of dyslexia in the read and how that played a part in the story. Juliette’s paranormal series, Stay a Spell, is one of my favorites and now that she’s venturing into small town contemporary I am just so excited! We also get to see/hear from Betty (from Bright Like Wildfire), her and Lola were college roommates and friends.
Lola has recently moved back to Green Valley, Tennessee while she is kind of in the middle of finding a new career and possibly moving on elsewhere. So in the meantime she’s living with her aunt and working at the local bar. The story kicks off with Lola accidentally locking her keys in her running-car. She calls her best friend who says she has the perfect person in mind to come and rescue her. A hot fireman shows up to help her out and Lola can’t believe it’s her old highschool crush-turned-nemesis, Jed.
Jed and Lola have a solid history of teenage animosity, they went to high school together and both crushed on one another back in the day but because of a teen peers-miscommunication situation they turned into enemies instead all those years ago. Jed definitely feels like Lola is the “one who got away” and he’s determined not to let her go this time. After unlocking her car for her, he asks her out on a date. Which she turns down at first until her friend talks her into going on the date for one of their podcast episodes. Lola and her best friend run Kiss-n-Tell, a dating review podcast where they interview Lola’s first dates and dish on the good, the bad, and the ugly. After her date with Jed, he wants a second date but she quickly tells him she doesn’t do second dates. So then on the live chat discussing their first date he challenges her to a second date, with the help of some peer pressure from her friend and the viewers as well, Lola ends up agreeing to it.
This was just a super sweet and swoony romance! I love when a couple has history like Lola and Jed did and his pining for her and wanting her probably more so than she’s willing to admit at first, was just everything I love! I really liked the representation of dyslexia in the read and how that played a part in the story. Juliette’s paranormal series, Stay a Spell, is one of my favorites and now that she’s venturing into small town contemporary I am just so excited! We also get to see/hear from Betty (from Bright Like Wildfire), her and Lola were college roommates and friends.
April 4, 2022
Parks and Provocation: Green Valley Heroes book #2 by Juliette Cross
‘He paused and turned beside a column on the porch, one hand propped against it. He stared, absorbing me like osmosis, soaking in my molecules through the air. Determination decorated every line of his face. My skin tingled, goosebumps spreading up my bare arms, dancing behind my neck. The kind of goosebumps you get right before a thunderstorm. Or something equally electrifying.
“I’ll see you on Thursday.” His voice had lost the heaviness yet was no less forceful. No less intense. “Be ready for me.”’
Parks and Provocation is not only the latest offering from Smartypants Romance, it is also an absolutely delightful, passionate and hilarious hybrid of second chance romance and enemies to lovers, written by a truly dynamic and inspirational writer.
Author Juliette Cross has imagined, created and executed one of the most magnificent, all-consuming, profoundly arousing, contemporary love stories that I’ve ever had the pleasure to get lost in. It was just dazzling from beginning to end. A love story full of fun and laughter, heart and healed hurts, and a whole fire-truck full of heat and emotion.
It was a true joy and a privilege to fall deep into the complicated history, high school nostalgia and misunderstandings that caused our two protagonists to end up in the adult enemies spot they first find themselves in. Yet, it’s through Juliette Cross’s fascinating talent at having her characters be communicative, open, flawed and real that we begin to peel back those past hurts and missed opportunities, to experience the real and very loving personalities behind the old wounds.
I loved every aspect of this story, there was no filler for me. Every scene, every line of dialogue, every look meant something. Jed was perfection. A firefighter with an exhilarating grasp on what it means to woo a woman. He was a sweetheart, sexy and kind-hearted, a combination that would prove lethal to any woman he set his sights on. His tenacity and work ethic in everything he strives for, or strives to overcome is both impressive and seriously commendable. Like I said, Jed is just utter perfection. The kind of man you would leave a ladder outside your bedroom window for.
Lola Landry was bewitching. I adored her. Her reasons for accomplishing the things she set out to do, her wishes and dreams, her conflicting feelings in most things. I found her fascinating and endearing, funny and sweet. It was no wonder these two characters were so drawn to one another. They were so alike in so many ways. That innate sense of goodwill, the dry wit and humour, the bantering and flirting, it all just blended together to gift readers this beautiful romantic comedy from two equally alluring characters.
I would love for Marly, Lola’s bestie to get her own story. Her off-beat, bold and gripping personality would make for a truly entertaining lead protagonist. I’d definitely pull up a lawn chair, grab a beer and sit down to watch that show unfold.
‘He paused and turned beside a column on the porch, one hand propped against it. He stared, absorbing me like osmosis, soaking in my molecules through the air. Determination decorated every line of his face. My skin tingled, goosebumps spreading up my bare arms, dancing behind my neck. The kind of goosebumps you get right before a thunderstorm. Or something equally electrifying.
“I’ll see you on Thursday.” His voice had lost the heaviness yet was no less forceful. No less intense. “Be ready for me.”’
Parks and Provocation is not only the latest offering from Smartypants Romance, it is also an absolutely delightful, passionate and hilarious hybrid of second chance romance and enemies to lovers, written by a truly dynamic and inspirational writer.
Author Juliette Cross has imagined, created and executed one of the most magnificent, all-consuming, profoundly arousing, contemporary love stories that I’ve ever had the pleasure to get lost in. It was just dazzling from beginning to end. A love story full of fun and laughter, heart and healed hurts, and a whole fire-truck full of heat and emotion.
It was a true joy and a privilege to fall deep into the complicated history, high school nostalgia and misunderstandings that caused our two protagonists to end up in the adult enemies spot they first find themselves in. Yet, it’s through Juliette Cross’s fascinating talent at having her characters be communicative, open, flawed and real that we begin to peel back those past hurts and missed opportunities, to experience the real and very loving personalities behind the old wounds.
I loved every aspect of this story, there was no filler for me. Every scene, every line of dialogue, every look meant something. Jed was perfection. A firefighter with an exhilarating grasp on what it means to woo a woman. He was a sweetheart, sexy and kind-hearted, a combination that would prove lethal to any woman he set his sights on. His tenacity and work ethic in everything he strives for, or strives to overcome is both impressive and seriously commendable. Like I said, Jed is just utter perfection. The kind of man you would leave a ladder outside your bedroom window for.
Lola Landry was bewitching. I adored her. Her reasons for accomplishing the things she set out to do, her wishes and dreams, her conflicting feelings in most things. I found her fascinating and endearing, funny and sweet. It was no wonder these two characters were so drawn to one another. They were so alike in so many ways. That innate sense of goodwill, the dry wit and humour, the bantering and flirting, it all just blended together to gift readers this beautiful romantic comedy from two equally alluring characters.
I would love for Marly, Lola’s bestie to get her own story. Her off-beat, bold and gripping personality would make for a truly entertaining lead protagonist. I’d definitely pull up a lawn chair, grab a beer and sit down to watch that show unfold.
April 2, 2022
Parks and Provocation is the second book in the Green Valley Heroes Series, but can be read as a stand alone. I loved Forrest for the Trees by Kilby Blades and I’m a fan of Juliette Cross’ so I knew this book was right up my alley.
My Book Boyfriend Island™️ has a new member. Welcome to the club Jedidiah Lawson! Ladies, the swoon factor was turned WAY up with this one. A hot, charming firefighter who has been in love with her since high school and tries everything to win her over?! Yes, please.
I loved Lola and Jed and their journey from past to present. Lola is relatable and a lot of her reservations for dating Jed stem from her past. And let me tell you, when Lola finally gives in, thankfully Jed’s a firefighter, because it’s HOT.
All of the supporting characters are great. Lola’s best friend and podcast mate Marly and all of Jed’s old high school buddies are hilarious. I love Lola’s Aunt Polly and Jed’s family. Of course with this extension of Penny Reid’s Green Valley we always get cameos from some of our faves.
Overall, I LOVED THIS BOOK!
I love a lot of books, but it’s rare for me to feel pure joy when I’m finished and THIS made me feel that way. I’d give it more than 5 stars, if I could.
Welcome to contemporary and the SmartyPants Romance family, Juliette Cross. I hope you come back to visit again!
I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My Book Boyfriend Island™️ has a new member. Welcome to the club Jedidiah Lawson! Ladies, the swoon factor was turned WAY up with this one. A hot, charming firefighter who has been in love with her since high school and tries everything to win her over?! Yes, please.
I loved Lola and Jed and their journey from past to present. Lola is relatable and a lot of her reservations for dating Jed stem from her past. And let me tell you, when Lola finally gives in, thankfully Jed’s a firefighter, because it’s HOT.
All of the supporting characters are great. Lola’s best friend and podcast mate Marly and all of Jed’s old high school buddies are hilarious. I love Lola’s Aunt Polly and Jed’s family. Of course with this extension of Penny Reid’s Green Valley we always get cameos from some of our faves.
Overall, I LOVED THIS BOOK!
I love a lot of books, but it’s rare for me to feel pure joy when I’m finished and THIS made me feel that way. I’d give it more than 5 stars, if I could.
Welcome to contemporary and the SmartyPants Romance family, Juliette Cross. I hope you come back to visit again!
I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
April 10, 2022Available now in Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3gPs7Qq
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Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3gS5Np9
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3gPrNBc
Amazon Print: https://amzn.to/3KiHNIP
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3gPs7Qq
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3HY9MN3
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3gS5Np9
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3gPrNBc
Amazon Print: https://amzn.to/3KiHNIP
April 9, 2022
A new book release from one of my favourite authors. I've been dying to get started on this.
This was such a sweet sweet romance based in a small town, with a second chance romance and enemies to lovers trope.
Jed is an amazing guy. His selflessness towards his family and constant pining for the h, made me go all google-eyed over him.
I empathised strongly with Lola's ambition and need to succeed.
The more i kept progressing through the story, the better it got, became more engaging and difficult to put down.
Also Marly, Lola's best friend, is an amazingly well written character. I really hope she gets her own book and HEA.
This was such a sweet sweet romance based in a small town, with a second chance romance and enemies to lovers trope.
Jed is an amazing guy. His selflessness towards his family and constant pining for the h, made me go all google-eyed over him.
I empathised strongly with Lola's ambition and need to succeed.
The more i kept progressing through the story, the better it got, became more engaging and difficult to put down.
Also Marly, Lola's best friend, is an amazingly well written character. I really hope she gets her own book and HEA.
April 8, 2022
Get ready for a swoon worthy hometown hero and a feisty independent heroine.
Lola Landry and Jed Lawson are old high school frenemies.
Jed was a football player, popular and a bit shy when it comes to the heart. He had a secret crush on the sassy redhead, the lovely Lola. So instead of just being honest he begins to tease her and instead of making a friend he gains an enemy.
Lola Landry lands back in her hometown and finds herself in quite the predicament when she locks herself out of her car. A call to a friend leads to her old nemesis showing up as her savior. She might just have to pick her jaw up off the floor as the grown-up Jed is oh so much hotter than teenage Jed.
Jeb is ready to make a amends and work to get a second chance with the gal that he feels is the one and got away. Lola is second guessing each act of valor with this new Jed and is waiting for the joke to be on her, until she realizes he is the real deal. This couple is funny, sweet, sassy and has so much smolder!! Such great witty sexually charged banter! Get ready to laugh out loud and cheer for Jed to win Lola's heart!
~~Michele McMullen ~~
Lola Landry and Jed Lawson are old high school frenemies.
Jed was a football player, popular and a bit shy when it comes to the heart. He had a secret crush on the sassy redhead, the lovely Lola. So instead of just being honest he begins to tease her and instead of making a friend he gains an enemy.
Lola Landry lands back in her hometown and finds herself in quite the predicament when she locks herself out of her car. A call to a friend leads to her old nemesis showing up as her savior. She might just have to pick her jaw up off the floor as the grown-up Jed is oh so much hotter than teenage Jed.
Jeb is ready to make a amends and work to get a second chance with the gal that he feels is the one and got away. Lola is second guessing each act of valor with this new Jed and is waiting for the joke to be on her, until she realizes he is the real deal. This couple is funny, sweet, sassy and has so much smolder!! Such great witty sexually charged banter! Get ready to laugh out loud and cheer for Jed to win Lola's heart!
~~Michele McMullen ~~
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