Speakeasy: A Forbidden Romance

Sarina Bowen

May 2018 · Tuxbury Publishing LLC

About this ebook

Sometimes you fall for Mr. Right. And sometimes for Mr. Right Now…

May

Did you hear the one about the girl who walks into a bar and catches her live-in lover kissing someone else? No? You’re the only one in town who missed it.

Luckily Alec is there to wrap me up in strong arms and carry me out the door before things get too ugly. And that’s not all Alec is good at. Our unexpected chemistry makes him the perfect rebound guy.

Alec

I should know better than to hook up with my rival’s little sister, but the fiery look in May’s eyes really turns my crank. She needs cheering up, and I’m just the guy for the job.

It’s not like I’ll fall in love. Not even after a string of scorching hot trysts, and the realization that we’re good at the same things: wild nights and familial disappointment. I don’t do love, never have, never will. So this is the perfect arrangement, for both of us. 

Nobody would approve, but nobody has to know…

For fans of: Melanie Harlow, Corinne Michaels, Meghan March, Lauren Blakely, Julia Kent, Elle Kennedy, Tijan, CD Reiss, Kendall Ryan, Vi Keeland, Penelope Ward, Jana Aston, K Bromberg, Katy Evans, Jessica Hawkins, Kristen Proby, Penny Reid, Helena Hunting, Sally Thorne, Kristen Ashley, Helen Hoang, Kylie Scott, Christina Lauren, Jana Aston, Sawyer Bennett, Lexi Ryan, Karina Halle, Skye Warren, Kennedy Ryan, Jodi Ellen Mapas, Kristan Higgins, Jill Shalvis, Max Monroe, Susan Stoker, KA Linde, Kate Canterbary, Kristen Callihan, Samantha Young

Keywords: Vermont romance, friends to lovers, forbidden romance, craft beer, entrepreneurs, bartender, best friend's little sister, big brother's best friend, small town romance.

Ratings and reviews

4.5 stars — Isn’t it amazing how you can find an author that just works for you? Which is not to say that every book is going to be a mega hit for you, but that you can be guaranteed an enjoyable experience at minimum? It was so refreshing to read another Sarina Bowen book and experience some magic that had been missing in my last few reads. I can 100% say that the True North series is my favourite by this author as well. Each story is so unique, but it blends interesting and deep issues with humour and sass. I LOVE that. And Speakeasy was just another great addition. I ADORED Alec and May. Both individually, but especially together. They both had their own vulnerabilities, and I felt like I truly got to see them work through them. Their love story was a strange one, both in the manner in which their relationship started, and how it progressed. But I believed it all along the way, even as they occasionally frustrated me. They had so much chemistry — both as friends and definitely in the steamy department — that I rooted for them every step of the way. I really loved that their bumps along the road were not typical of so many romance stories. I truly felt for May and how wrapped up in her own “hot mess” she was… I worried that I wouldn’t connect with her as quickly based on who I saw in previous books, but even as she was the EXACT same girl, seeing inside her head helped. I loved how strong she was, even if she couldn’t see it herself. I loved how determined she was. And she truly cared about others, despite sometimes getting wrapped up in her own head. I really connected with her quickness to cry and vulnerability. I just truly loved her. Alec was honestly a star for me. He was just so…vibrant and goofy and honest and FREAKING ADORABLE…and yet he hid behind this confident facade, and not many people saw the struggles he faced in how he saw his own worth. I truly loved him. I loved how while he couldn’t always articulate what made May different from other girls, he wasn’t afraid of his feelings…just confused. I loved how passionate he was about his bar and his trade. I loved that he went after that even while believing that he wasn’t smart enough. And I love love LOVED how once he knew about May’s alcoholism, he just jumped right on board trying to be there for her…but in different ways from her family. As always, the secondary cast was fantastic. As a fan of the series, it was so great to revisit so many characters. But even if I hadn’t met them, I would still love them. And OMG, some of Grandpa’s one-liners totally stole the show. I even appreciated the brief glimpses of a few new secondary characters. Makes you wonder who will show up in future books. As an aside, I will admit that having never seen In Living Color (or at least not that I can recall), I totally didn’t understand the three snaps reference, even as it amused me. I had to Google that shiznit, and now it comes full circle. So yeah. After a string of trying out new authors, and not always succeeding, it made this reader’s heart happy to be able to go back to a tried and true favourite and have another success.

5 Star Review of Speakeasy by Sarina Bowen (True North #5)   Although I have read several books by Sarina Bowen this is the first book I have read in this series. May Shipley is shattered when she catches her partner kissing someone else, not only that but the humiliation is overwhelming. May has struggled to find her identity within her family, as well as her sobriety and now that she has been betrayed by her girlfriend, she struggles even more. Alec Rossi rushes to the rescue and gets her out of his bar before the situation explodes. What is even more surprising is the intense chemistry that burns between May and Alec. Alec has no plans to fall in love, all he wants is to have some scorchingly hot fun with May and help her get over her pain. The writing is strong and the banter hilarious. I really liked both Alec and May, I particularly enjoyed the fact that both the characters were deeper than they appeared to be on the surface and were well developed. Can two people haunted by their past come together and in turn create a future? Ms. Bowen tackled some heavy issues with integrity and sensitivity. Speakeasy is a story of hope, of believing in oneself and taking chances.

I think I've run out of superlatives for this series. Let's just say three snaps in the shape of a Winner! Alec Rossi is the older brother of Zara (Bountiful) and runs a bar in Vermont called the Gin Mill which specialises in craft beers - yep I wanna go there too. He has disliked the Shipley family ever since the father sacked his Dad and he never saw his father again. Then the eldest Shipley sibling, Griffin dumped his sister to start dating Audrey (Bittersweet) and he really has a hate on. Factor in that the Shipleys are akin to the Waltons (all apple pie and family dinners) whereas the Rossis are more trailer trash and tattoos and you have a bit of a feud. One night he's tending bar when he recognises a woman locking lips with another woman in one of the booths as May Shipley's girlfriend. Conflicted about whether to tell May or let sleeping dogs lie matters are taken out of his hands when May walks into the bar and starts a fight. Her live-in girlfriend has started dating her ex behind May's back! Poor May, the bi-sexual, alcoholic screw-up of the perfect Shipley family, she can just see her family's faces as they regard her with pity yet again when she drags her possessions back to the family farm. Living at home again! The only person who doesn't treat her like she's made of glass is Alec Rossi, the big ol' man-hoe. He makes her laugh with his corny jokes and seems to think that she's still a fun girl. When a favour turns into a raunchy one-night stand May thinks she may have found a way to get away from her family's helicopter caring and get in touch with her wild side again. But it's just friends with benefits right? Oh Alec, how I love you. From your cool bar, glorious apartment, hot tub, corny jokes, family values and general hotness (shallow? like a puddle). I also loved May, so different rom her family, she struggled with guilt for being an alcoholic when she hadn't really had it tough compared to so many others. Maybe all that sounds a bit angsty, but I promise it isn't. In fact, this is probably the least angsty of the series since Bittersweet. What made it a five star rating for me was that Sarina Bowen made me fall a little in love with these two as they make lewd puns. They demonstrate what love is really all about, feeling better just for being with someone, sharing laughs in and out of bed (or a truck or a hot tub) all set in the cutest, sexiest little town in Vermont. When do we get Benito's book? I wann it!!

About the author

Sarina Bowen is the sixteen-time USA Today bestselling author of over thirty romance novels. She writes sports romance, billionaire romance, small town romance, contemporary fiction and YA fiction. She loves Vermont, hockey, and fine stationery. Visit sarinabowen.com for more.

Work by Sarina Bowen includes: Brooklynaire, the Brooklyn Bruisers, the True North Series, Him, Us, Goodboy and Stay in the WAGs series with Elle Kennedy. The Man Hands series with Tanya Eby.