Carpentry and Cocktails

Smartypants Romance · Nora Everly

Apr 2020 · Smartypants Romance

About this ebook

Everett Monroe can’t keep his eyes off his gorgeous tenant.

He’d like to put his hands on her too, but she’s prickly, closed-off, and gives new meaning to the word disgruntled. In other words, she’s his perfect match and he’ll do anything to make her see it too.

Willa Hill has finally left her teen runaway past behind and wants a fresh start—alone. Men are nothing but trouble and she’s had enough man-trouble to last a lifetime.

Too bad her irresistibly sexy, nerdy-hot landlord doesn’t agree.

When their mutual yearning becomes a white-hot fling and passion crosses carefully drawn, albeit one-sided boundaries,

Everett finds himself in love and Willa finds herself in a pickle.

Because, unfortunately, when she returned to Green Valley, her problems came too.

When the past she escaped crashes into the future she finds herself wanting more than anything, will Willa stay in Green Valley?

Or will she run away again?

‘Carpentry and Cocktails’ is a full-length contemporary romance, can be read as a standalone, and is book #5 in the Green Valley Library series, Green Valley World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Ratings and reviews

3.5 stars — This was a sweet story with a hero that was SO easy to love, and a heroine that grew and came into her own over the course of the story! For me, something about the pacing and the writing kept it from a higher rating…otherwise it was a solid romance. As I said, I easily fell in love with nerdy Everett. He was adorable, with his blushes and his fandoms and his D&D playing. It was kind of interesting to have a hero who was typically hot, but who was bitten by that because exes wouldn’t accept his adorable personality. They missed out big time — he was the SWOONIEST. I loved how much he loved his family, that he wasn’t afraid of being a mama’s boy, that he was protective of the underdog, that he genuinely cared about the people in his life. I ADORED the way he pursued Willa — how he pushed at times, but pulled back at others. How he rooted for her to find her independence and strength. How he really didn’t falter. Willa was totally different than what I had been expecting from her appearance in Crime and Periodicals. She had an outer shell that looked tough, but she was MUCH more fragile and broken inside. It was actually hard to see someone who grew up in an abusive environment gravitate towards an abusive boyfriend/husband. My heart broke for what we learned of her childhood, her life with Tommy, and how her Momma still treated her girls. It was really satisfying to watch her come into her own with the help of her sisters, Everett, and Sabrina. I found the way the chapter quotes for her went from Tommy/Momma to Everett to be really symbolic. The two of them together had solid chemistry, from friendship to heat. I will admit that I wasn’t as into their steamy scenes, but that might have just been me. I enjoyed the connections they made when they were talking and teasing the most. One of my highlights in this series within the series is the antics of the teenagers — Ruby and Gracie are HILARIOUS, and I loved what they brought to the table helping their loved ones find love. I also, strangely, really enjoyed the glimpse into D&D playing…not being a player, this was the first time I think I finally grasped that the stories are made up by the Dungeon Master. I had no idea so much imagination was involved. It wasn’t that big a part of the story, it was just something I enjoyed. I know this review looks pretty glowing and doesn’t seem to match my star rating. I’m not sure I can explain what it is that was missing for me. It’s an untangible quality…like I said, the pacing of events didn’t always work for me, my mind wandered quite a bit. I think something about the writing didn’t quite fit for me either…it’s not bad, just not me I guess. But despite all that there was definitely a lot to love, hence why I’ll be rounding up!

A Small Town Restart – Done So Right! Carpentry and Cocktails is another winner from Nora Everly, who has won my heart with her beautifully descriptive writing and sweetly hilariously perfectly sexy and amazing characters. I love romance and comedy, and when they come together it’s the BEST. Along with that balance, I really, really need my characters to be believable so I can love them and relate to them and keep them in my mind forever! I love LOVED this book, and devoured it in one sitting because I wasn’t able to find a point that I felt I could stop and survive the wait! Willa has returned home to Green Valley after some youthfully poor life choices, and is working hard to keep making forward progress. Everett is protective, sexy, kind, and nerdy, with a deep sense of family and community ties. Basically – he’s PERFECT. I’d be reading along at a fast and furious pace on his personality profile alone! Oh, but there’s more. Of course! I’m a big fan of Willa’s independence and drive to make her way through life after the pain and mistakes of her past. Everett is truly her ideal match, and the slow burn as she learned to accept and ultimately fall in love with his generous and chivalrous nature was exceptionally well planned (and written!). Those moments when Willa realizes that with the right partner, independence doesn’t mean holding yourself apart; that she can’t let her past mistakes control her future happiness; that the bonds of sisterhood are stronger than she ever knew...well, those moments are everything! You won’t e disappointed with all the feels you find in this heartfelt gem. I voluntarily received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. I’m thrilled beyond words that Everly has set us up for more Monroe brothers books in the future, and I can’t wait to see the remaining brothers meet their matches! My general rating rationale: 3 – Perfectly fine story, perhaps some minor editorial errors. Entertaining. Typically with this rating I feel like there could have been MORE – be it believably/relatability, character development, internal dialogue, explanations or depth, richness to the overall storyline, etc. May lose a bit of engagement here and there but always finish reading. 4 – A very good book. Engaging, with well-developed characters, a great plot, relatable scenarios; keeps you invested to the last page. Would recommend to reader friends. 5 – Can’t say enough amazing things, loved the characters, fabulously detailed plot, a quick hook, intense investment in both story and characters (including supporting characters) throughout the book. Will tell anyone who will listen that they should read it (if they won’t listen, I’ll be louder).

I loved Wyatt Everett's brother so I was so looking forward to this book.I was not disappointed. Eli is just awesome. There is something about those Monroe men. Eli is going to make you swoon a lot so be prepared for it. Eli is yummy with how he treats Willa, but his geeky side also is attractive. This book has so much emotion and heart. my heart goes out to Willa. She's had the worst luck in life, but her return to Green Valley is going to be her turning point. Reconnecting with her sisters and finding her true self again. Her past won't stay in the past and it could cost the life she is building. I would highly recommend this one. It's a book to easily get lost in. It gives me everything I'm looking for. The touch of humor was one of my favorite parts, but you won't be able to resist Everett.