Bittersweet: A sexy small town romance

Sarina Bowen

Jun 2016 · True North Book 1 · Tuxbury Publishing LLC

About this ebook

Fall in love with Vermont in this USA Today bestselling series.

The last person Griffin Shipley expects to find stuck in a ditch on his Vermont country road is his ex-hookup. Five years ago they’d shared a couple of steamy nights together. But that was a lifetime ago.

At twenty-seven, Griff is now the accidental patriarch of his family farm. Even his enormous shoulders feel the strain of supporting his mother, three siblings and a dotty grandfather. He doesn’t have time for the sorority girl who’s shown up expecting to buy his harvest at half price.

Vermont was never in Audrey Kidder’s travel plans. Neither was Griff Shipley. But she needs a second chance with the restaurant conglomerate employing her. Okay—a fifth chance. And no self-righteous lumbersexual farmer will stand in her way.

They’re adversaries. They want entirely different things from life. Too bad their sexual chemistry is as hot as Audrey’s top secret enchilada sauce, and then some.

Warning: This stand-alone novel contains growly alpha farmers, gourmet yumminess, a steamy outdoor shower and proof that farmers don't mind getting dirty.

Other books set in the True North world include:

Steadfast http://geni.us/steadfastgoogle 

Keepsake http://geni.us/ksgoogle

Bountiful http://geni.us/BFgoogle

Speakeasy http://geni.us/GoogleSpk

Fireworks http://geni.us/GoogleFireworks

Heartland https://geni.us/HeartlandGoogle

The True North books are perfect for fans of: Elle Kennedy, Corinne Michaels, Melanie Harlow, Vi Keeland, Sally Thorne, Kristan Higgins, Helen Hoang, Penny Reid, Penelope Ward, Kendall Ryan, Jaci Burton, Kay Lyons, Piper Rayne, T.K. Leigh, Amanda Siegrist, Alexis Anne, Linda Seed, Susan Lute, Devney Perry, Melody Anne, Jennifer Probst, Kristen Proby, Kait Nolan, Leslie North, Catherine Cowles, Sienna Carr, Robyn Carr, Melissa Foster, Kadie Scott, Lex Martin, Kylie Gilmore, Bella Andre, Layla Hagen, Chris Keniston, J.H. Croix, Natasha Madison, A.J. Pine, Melissa Storm, Kendall Ryan, Lauren Blakely and Meghan March, Corinne Michaels, Tijan, K Bromberg, Katy Evans, Jessica Hawkins, Helena Hunting, Sally Thorne, Kristen Ashley, Helen Hoang, Kylie Scott, Sawyer Bennett, Lexi Ryan, Karina Halle, Kennedy Ryan, Jodi Ellen Mapas, Kristan Higgins, Jill Shalvis, Max Monroe, Susan Stoker, KA Linde, Kate Canterbary, Kristen Callihan, Samantha Young, Sierra Rose. 

Keywords: Vermont, sexy romance, foodies, lumbersexuals, big families, lumberjacks, not quite cowboys, Western romance, mountain men, hate to love, enemies to lovers, alpha male, grumpy hero, second chance romance, New England romance, college football player, hard cider, good times, free romance, steamy kisses and homemade ice cream, rural settings, small town romance, free romance book, free romance novel, free reads, free romantic comedy, freebie, free first in series, free sexy romance, google play books for free, romance for free, read books for free, free, freebie, free book, free books, book, books, free ebook, ebook, free novel, read, short, series, funny, female protagonist, novel, secret, alpha male, literature, story, stories, hero, fiction, romance, free romance, free romance ebook, free romance ebooks, free romance book, free romance books, women's fiction, racy, romance novel, romance books, romance books, books to read and download, second chances, freebie, romance freebie, free, free book, free books, free romance books, free romance books to download, free alpha male romance books, free bad boy romance books, free second chance romance, steamy romance books, contemporary romance books, love story and romance books, beach reads, new adult, romantic fiction, romance fiction books, romance books, romance novel, alpha male, free novel, seduction, sexy, sensual, contemporary, contemporary crush.

Ratings and reviews

A fun romantic book that I wouldn't normally choose. I loved the setting, small time guy vs city girl. It was sweet, stubborn, and spicy. I loved how dedicated they both were to very different jobs. The author gave such a good view point of how different their careers and lives were and I loved that. By showing both characters points of view I really got to understand how they were feeling. The end had me crying because I could see both points of view.

4.5 stars — So I actually went about this series all backwards, and read the 4th (most recent) book first. And I honestly didn’t think anything was going to be able to top Dave Beringer and Bountiful. I was wrong…or rather, I don’t know if this book (and Griffin) topped it, but it basically gave me the same happy and effervescent bubbles in my tummy…like a delicious sex cider. 😛 I don’t know why, but I didn’t expect this series to be so fun and light! But I can’t even tell you how many times I found myself giggling in this book. It was the usual perfect blend of giggles and feels. And, as with all my favourite books (and as I should just expect from Ms. Bowen at this point), the highlight of this book was wholeheartedly the characters. They were just so well developed, and unique, and the kind of characters that I want to be real. Griffin…was…ADORABLE. Grumpy Griff. Grouchy Griff. Dudes, he was such an odd hero, I don’t even know quite how to describe him. He was loyal as f to his family, hardworking, and sexily smart (both in the chemistry and business areas). He also had a really soft inner center that I wasn’t expecting. You could really *feel* how much he cared when he let someone into his heart. And he wasn’t afraid of falling in love, he just assumed he didn’t have time. And while he could be a teddy bear in some areas, he was grrrr good kind of aggressive in the bedroom…like, just manhandly, but in a sexy way. And can I just say that I appreciated his love of Star Wars, and all those little references? And his nerdiness about his business and organic farming in general was just…swoon. Audrey!!! OMG Audrey!!! That girl had me almost from moment one. She was the epitome of a perfect balance of sweet and sassy…OH THE SASSY!! The way she bantered and gave as good as she got with Griff just made my whole life. I love good banter…LOVE IT. I laughed so hard at so many of her tiny little digs/snarks. And OMG, she broke my freaking heart!!! I did not expect her, and how her childhood shaped her. It was so…real. I got who she was, how she came to be how she was…just, you know, all that good stuff. I was so relieved that we got to see some glimmers of hope for her near the end with her Mom, and with future business prospects. You go girl! And, it will come as no surprise, but Griff and Audrey together were magic. I didn’t even mind any bad assumptions, or cautiousness. I understood it. But wow, the chemistry was zowey. They had me from the outdoor shower. And even outside of the steamy chemistry, I loved the conversations they had, and how they tempered the other. I loved that they wanted the best for each other. And OMG, Griff’s gift was PERFECT. As with all books/series by Ms. Bowen, the secondary characters were rich and full and intriguing. I LOVED Griff’s family, from the siblings to the Mom to the Gramps. They all added to both Griff and Audrey’s growth. And it was so nice to see the Zara parts that were hinted at in Bountiful — that was even better than I was expecting, and makes me want to go back and reread Bountiful. And then there was Jude and Zachariah. OMG, I cannot WAIT to read their books. Like it’s physically killing me to be sitting here writing out this review when I could be reading Steadfast. Type faster fingers!! And can I just give a “hey-o!” to the tie in to Goodbye Paradise? I wasn’t surprised, b/c I saw the reverse easter egg in that book, but it was still fun. One last thing, you know what surprised me that I loved? The atmosphere/setting of this book. Am I the only one that has a hankering to visit Vermont now? Tour some small towns, farms, and cideries? Who’s with me?? Road trip!! OK, now I’m just getting silly, but I loved this book you guys. And that makes me so happy!

I adored this story a surprising amount. The male lead, Griffin, is a farmer. Farmers and cowboys usually aren’t on my list of favorite book boyfriends, but Griff was a game changer for me. He’s the perfect mix of intelligence and down home personality mixed with new age ideas. Honestly, I’m in love with practically every character. I don’t remember the last time I wanted to join right in with a group of people so much. Griffin and Audrey hooked up casually a couple of times in college. Now years later, their jobs cause them to cross paths again. Griffin is head of a huge organic farm. Audrey is working her way up in a food corporation with an endgame of being the chief of her own restaurant. One of her current tasks is to find farm fresh produce for upscale restaurants. Bittersweet has lots of interesting foodie information and the perfect amount of sexiness. It was a refreshing twist to most of the romance books I read. This story was a win for me, and I’ll be sure to read the upcoming books in the series.

About the author

 Sarina Bowen writes sexy, funny romances from her home in Vermont.