Emma never thought that using Wyatt Lawson, the snowboarding, gold medalist, as an inspiration for her debut novel would hurt anyone. But, that was before Wyatt decided to stay at her Inn for a month. Emma tried her best, to keep her book fantasies, work and Wyatt’s flirtations separate and under control. Sterling Canyon was a small Colorado town, and it wouldn’t do to have gossip buzzing around, especially if anyone discovered that she was writing an erotic novel. 

Emma was tired of being responsible for everyone else’s happiness. What about her own? Writing, was her way, of letting her wild side run free. But, what if Wyatt found out that he was the main character in her book? Emma would die of embarrassment; Wyatt would be furious, and their budding, more than friend's relationship, squashed.

Unexpectedly Hers is a very enjoyable read, captivating and well-written.

I have read and enjoyed everything Jamie Beck has ever written and after loving Trip and Kelsey's book, I was so excited for this one and the fun premise, but I'm sad to say that it missed the mark for me. Completely. To quote the book, this review is “only the opinion of one person, not a wholesale assessment of a writer's skill”. Ms. Beck has written multiple books about various topics, and I have enjoyed all of them until now, so this is not an assessment of her skill, but my takeaway from what was - for me -  a rare miss from this incredibly talented author. 

While I appreciate her attempt at branching out and being more daring, the entire book felt like Ms. Beck was told that the series was too sweet and that she needed to add some spice to it. Sadly, in changing up the theme and tone, the characters seemed to suffer. Something that was so surprising to me considering that Ms. Beck's talent lies in writing fantastic characters that always make the story.

The best thing about this book was Ryder. I loved him and I wish that we had gotten to know more about him because he was the only 'new' character in this book that I liked. I wanted to know more about his past, his struggle and his recovery, his newfound artistic skills, and about what he was up to in Sterling Canyon while he was there. And admittedly, at first I wanted Emma to fall for him, but that faded pretty quickly and I was glad he got out of dodge when he did. 

Instead of it feeling like a really nice love story, like the other two books in the series, this one felt like some kind of social justice crusade against 'societal expectations' full of clunky pop culture references which would have been fine, except that this one starred two incredibly unlikable main characters. The more I read of Wyatt and his self-centered arrogance, the more I wished this book had been about Ryder, or even Andy. But no, we got Wyatt, who swaggered his ego into a small town inn, met the shy, reserved woman running it – a woman he so casually dismissed in his own mind as unworthy of his notice, until he saw her butt, of course - and because she was later singing a suggestive pop song by herself in the privacy of her own pantry, he felt he had the right to put his hands on her without her consent? That is not okay. And not only that, her anger at being touched without warning or permission automatically made him think that she might like rough sex...because that's a totally logical leap. Ironically enough, all of this happened with Emma - who did NOTHING to encourage his advances and was obviously uncomfortable around him - just pages after he lamented the fact that he was painted as an arrogant misogynist in the media. I can't imagine why anyone would think that of him... Then, in an effort to prove that he wasn't a total pig, he ignored her attempts at putting distance between them, and instead of respecting her when she said that she didn't want to get involved with him, he deemed her firm rejection of him a “challenge”. All of this is a typical romance novel “alpha” schtick and others will probably love it, but I found it off-putting. It was ironic that Emma used the term “alpha-hole” for her book hero because that's exactly what Wyatt was.  

But Emma...Emma was worse. She was weak and fake and so worried about what all of the “good Christians” (aka the bad guys in this book) around her would think that I just wanted to shake her. She's 31 years old, living in a town where Trip Lexington used to troll for women constantly, but she was terrified that the town and her mom might find out that she kissed a guy? She constantly acted like she was 13, not 31. Whenever she felt weak or scared, she blamed whoever was convenient at that moment (her mother, her father, her religious upbringing, the entire town she lives in, or her being too “conservative”) for her issues instead of growing up and admitting that SHE is the one with problem. “Emma Duffy wasn't interested in easy” because “easy” wouldn't leave her anyone else to blame for her own shortcomings. But never fear, Wyatt and his magical rough sex were there to get kinky with her and make her feel like a whole woman. Because she couldn't be a whole woman by herself, she could only achieve that by being with an “alpha male”.  But the worst part was at the end of the book when instead of making her own life and standing up to the mother who ran roughshod over her from the first page of the book, she used her earnings from the book that her mother had reacted so hatefully to in order to buy her mother's approval. That was actually worse than her years of blaming everyone for her issues or being magically fixed by kinky sex. Although I so badly wanted to love Emma and her erotica writing secret, she was everything that I didn't want in a book heroine.

I can't stand stereotyping, and this book was rife with blatant stereotyping that seemed to be added in just to give Emma a reason to be indignant. Emma went from praying  when she was worried to cursing her Catholic upbringing and all of the “good Catholics/Christians” in town the next chapter. One of the most ridiculous examples of “good Christians” being awful people is how they are apparently the only people in town who judged Andy for driving drunk and hitting Grey with his car then making excuses and blaming everyone else for his problems. I guess we're supposed to believe that the non-Christians in town are totally fine with his irresponsible actions and his inability to face his own mistakes. Also, to compare the “scandal” of writing erotica to almost killing someone by doing something ignorant and preventable was baffling, even for a romance novel. 

This story had so much promise. I loved the idea behind Emma writing erotica and having a fun, daring alter-ego, but this one just didn't work for me. Which makes me sad because I liked Emma in the previous books and was looking forward to her HEA. Although my review was harsh, unlike Emma's judgmental mother I hope this book sells well and that other people enjoy it more than I did because I have a lot of admiration for Ms. Beck and her incredible writing talent. I will still be one of the first in line to read her next book.

I requested and ARC from NetGalley and wrote an honest review.

I was given an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and independent review. 
On the surface Emma is an introvert working at her mother's B&B in the mountains but in fact she writes erotica under a pseudonym, largely inspired by a one night stand she had a while ago. Then the day comes when this man, Wyatt, from that night turns up to stay at the inn for a few weeks whilst a film is being made about his life as a professional snowboarder. Hurt that he does not remember her Emma fights their growing attraction towards each other. But their chemistry is strong
I liked the way the book was written and overall this was an easy, enjoyable read. 
3.5***

Every new Jamie Beck book is my new favorite. I loved Emma's story. Yeah, I loved Wyatt too, but I feel like many who read this story will say they are an Emma. A person looking to make others happy, do good, not ruffle feathers and be seen as someone respectable. BUT those same people, aka ME, are an Alexa Aspen with a sexy, naughty side wanting to be seen as desirable, and not always prim and proper, without judgment.

Wyatt, I am right there with you with Google. 

Ryder, I want you to have a story. 

Emma, you go girl. Don't let simple minded people, aka your mom and her biddies, deter you from being you.

This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

3.5

"Mommy Porn" novelist runs a ski lodge.  Her guest is none other than her inspirational fodder for her books.  This was a cute contemporary romance.

Emma cannot believe that the man who is her inspiration for her erotic romance novel will be staying at her family's bed and breakfast while he training for an upcoming competition. When Emma meets Wyatt, she can tell that he obviously doesn't remember her from their one night together 3 years ago. Initially, she hopes that she can keep it that way. However, when Wyatt is determined to seduce her, Emma decides that maybe he can provide some new material for her next novel. 

I really loved Emma & Wyatt and it was fun to catch up with Trip and Kelsey from Secretly Hers. Trip and Kelsey are one of my favorite couples. I love this series! I hope there will be more Sterling Canyon books.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

This was a cute romance between two characters who were complete opposites. After a glorious one night stand Emma is shocked to discover the month long guest at her family's inn is none other than Wyatt, her sexy one night stand.

To make matters worse, she's just published an erotic novel based on that night...and Emma is finding herself wanting to let go of caution and get with Wyatt again.

Overall, I liked this story and the constant struggle of letting go and just enjoying the moment. Both characters had some personal issues keeping them from opening up and really letting their relationship develop. The tension kept the story moving.  I was annoyed with Emma near the end and how she was SO stuck on keeping up the 'good girl' persona, especially with her mother. You're 31 girl, time to act like an adult and be honest with yourself and everyone you love.