Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this book and to be an early reader via NetGalley! However, I will not be writing a review for this title at this time, as my reading preferences have since changed somewhat. In the event that I decide to review the book in the future, I will make sure to purchase a copy for myself or borrow it from a library. Once again, thank you so much for providing me with early access to this title. I truly appreciate it. Please feel free to contact me with any follow-up questions or concerns.

Riley knocked this book out of the park. A little snark and a lot of spice was used to craft this winner. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.

A small southern town full of adorable clichés, Everland, Georgia is the setting for this book and is as important as any character to the story. The characters are well written and have such easy dialogue, it is easy to fall in love with them and root for their happily ever after.

This novel combines so many emotions - from laughter to tears and many spaces in between. This creates a wonderful story that leaves you more than satisfied. The story is easy to follow and well paced with lots of up and down moments in the relationships of all the characters. I hope you will enjoy Rhett and Pepper's story as much as I did. I'm looking forward to more from Everland.

I highly recommend this book to fans of the contemporary romance/romantic comedy genre.

I voluntarily read and reviewed and advance copy of this book.

My first book by Riley and most certainly not my last. This book was so much fun and entertaining with some of the best characters I've read in awhile. This is going to be a fantastic series that I can't wait to finish!
Pepper and Rhett's story was so fun to let me my head play it out while I read Riley's words.

The Corner of Forever and Always is not a complex, mind twisting, earth shattering tale of woe. It is a sweet, fun, sensitive, character-driven story where two opposites attract and find love.

Beau Marino is the uptight, no nonsense mayor of Everland, Georgia. He has a complicated past and has been more than a little unlucky in love. His whole world shifts when Tuesday Knight rolls into town.

Tuesday comes in search of her sister (Pepper from It Happened on Love Street.) Tuesday is sunshine and light. She is genuinely perky and authentically peppy. But, she also wants to be taken seriously. She desires to care for those she loves; and to be seen as an adult with a whole range of feelings and emotions not just as the bubbly, amusement park princess.

The Corner of Forever and Always is full of interesting quirky characters and has a couple of side plots that will warm your heart. I highly recommend this endearing, charming, lighthearted, quick read. You'll find yourself wanting to visit Everland on your next vacation. 

An advance copy of this book was received. The reviewer purchased the audiobook copy. Receipt of the advance copy did not impact the content or independence of this review. BFF Book Blog also uses a set of icon ratings. This book received additional icons for: butterflies, character development, tension, sweet and romance.

I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

It Happened on Love Street by Lia Riley is the first in her new contemporary romance series Everland, Georgia. I personally was excited to pick up the book. I love small town contemporaries! When done right, they make for a fun read with quirky, secondary characters and rich town history (even if fictional). Lia Riley doesn’t disappoint in this aspect. The small town feel of Everland, Georgia is what makes the book such a fun read. And then of course Rhett!

Pepper Knight is chasing her dream, pursuing a legal career and the only job available to her is in a small town down south…a big adjustment for the New York City girl. Pepper is an interesting character. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about her at first. There are many preconceived notions about living in the south and Pepper believes them all. As a southern girl myself, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. This girl should be smarter than that. But I digress. Pepper is fun character to watch grow. She’s always given herself to her family and their needs, putting her own aside for them. It’s interesting to see her out of her element and away from her family.

Rhett Valentine is the small town vet, beloved hometown boy, and consummate bachelor. I personally enjoyed his chapters/POV more than I did Pepper’s. He is a man who was left at the alter, dumped by his longtime, high school sweet heart. His dad has disowned him for not following in his footsteps and now the town is basically divided into two. I enjoyed seeing him break down his own walls to let Pepper in.

The gist of the story is simple. Pepper moves to Everland because of a job offer, yet when she arrives, the job is no longer hers. Pepper spent her entire savings moving here and now she’s left without a job and no money to support herself. Somehow a chance meeting with Rhett gives her a job as a dog walker (which she’s terrified of dogs) and then she finds the handsome vet is her neighbor. Their romance is sweet and chemistry steamy. I liked reading about the two of them together. There were a few times where the characters had some inner dialogue about past events, and I’m not really sure that it was relevant to the story. Personally I could have just done with more Rhett and Pepper.

Overall I enjoyed this book. It Happened on Love Street‘s has some sweet, romantic moments, but it’s true charm lies in the small town Riley’s built. If you enjoy contemporary romance, I highly recommend you check out this book. FYI there are some adult scenes and strong language so I recommend 18+.

I love how this story is really light hearted! It was such a joy to read and kept me laughing and would light up anyones bad day! The characters are so adorable together and are perfect for each other. Everland is what small towns are made for and the secondary characters made the story flawless!

Pepper moves to a small town specifically for a job as a clerk at the Mayor's office. She shows up on her first day only to learn that she no longer has that job. She had everything planned around this move including the fact that it would've been a stepping stone to bigger and greater things but now those plans are in tatters. Resident hunk and much-loved local vet Rhett has a successful business but has been tight-lipped about his personal life mostly because he's determined to keep his private affairs from prying eyes. Rhett meets Pepper on her worst day ever and despite their awkward start, he finds her incredibly attractive. That's a reaction he hasn't had in a while. Hoping to keep her in town longer, he arranges a temporary job for her: that of a dog walker. It's so ridiculous that it's funny because she's petrified of dogs. Bills have to be paid though and this gig should buy her some time while she resets her plans. Falling in love with the town's most eligible bachelor is so not part of it.

The most enjoyable part about IHOLS is Pepper adapting to small town living, the slower pace and the friendliness. It’s weird after spending so much time in New York, and for her it’s coming full circle since she grew up in an even smaller town. However, she constantly worries about having a reliable income so that she can take care of her father. She has always felt the weight of responsibility therefore, while she may be taking to Everland and its quirks, she's always mindful that it’s temporary. Rhett on the other hand sees her a welcome breath of fresh air. She has no history here, she's smart, isn’t immersed in the town gossip and not to be forgotten, hot as hell. He’s finally interested in someone except that she wants to skedaddle as soon as she can. They have a fun thing going where they're at ease with each other to a certain extent. Unfortunately, Pepper’s just at a tough stage in her life trying to pick apart her needs from that of others. It’s going to take patience, encouragement and a lot of love to convince her to stay.

My only hangup was all the town gossip. It's a minor story detail but everyone’s business is on full display and even worse, some even openly meddle and barge in on you. That intrusion just makes me so uncomfortable. Luckily, that doesn't overshadow Rhett and Pepper being annoyingly adorable or her entertaining adventures in dog walking.

It Happened on Love Street is a cute, small town romance filled with friendly people and a few wacky personalities. It's not my personal favourite of Riley's romances but it's an ideal escape if you're in need of one this summer and you can bet that I'll be reading The Corner of Forever and Always because how can I resist? These titles just make me smile :) For now pour yourself a tall glass of iced tea and enjoy!

4 Quirky Stars

This was my first book by Ms. Riley and what a great introduction to her writing. This book was a fun romantic small town read. Rhett is the Veterinarian in Everland, Georgia and after a failed relationship, he tries very hard to stay off this small town's gossip radar...until Pepper Knight comes to town!

These two together are quite the couple. They laugh and have a good time when they're together which is what romance is supposed to be about. However, they're having a no-strings attached affair but it's got them both tied up in knots because there's so much more there than either of them bargained for.

I especially loved how Pepper makes the best of a bad situation which allows her to really experience some of the best things in life....like a certain veterinarian for instance! This book has it all; small town setting, quirky residents, good looking guy, laugh out loud funny moments and just an overall fabulous romance that should not be missed!

CITY GIRL MEETS GEORGIA BOY
Bestselling author Lia Riley chooses a small town in the deep South as the setting for the utterly charming It Happened on Love Street. New Yorker Pepper Knight arrives in Everland, Georgia, confident that her summer internship as a law clerk to the local judge will be the first step in a stellar legal career. When the job falls through, Pepper finds herself stuck in Everland for the summer with no job prospects and miles from home. As luck would have it, she runs smack into local veterinarian and reigning heartthrob, Rhett Valentine. He finds her employment as a dog walker, and much to Pepper’s surprise, she not only likes her new job but soon finds herself becoming involved with the town’s residents. Rhett can’t seem to stay away from the beautiful city girl, and before long, the two have decided to indulge themselves in a summer-only affair. Soon, however, their neighbors-with-benefits arrangement deepens into much more. Can a career-driven city girl find her happily ever after with a laid-back Southern boy, or will these two end up brokenhearted?

In this thoroughly delightful novel, the sexual tension is steamy, the plot engaging, the characters always entertaining, the dialogue witty and the situations often hilarious. Who knew small-town life could be so downright funny? This tale is certain to make readers smile, laugh outright and sigh dreamily. In short, it has everything a reader is looking for in a romance.

Holy cow... There was a lot going on in this book. As the introduction book in Lia Riley's new series, It Happened on Love Street definitely had a case of what I like to call the "first book" syndrome. It's not necessarily a bad thing. It is my term for when the first book in a new series has a bit too much going on and, as a reader, I don't quite know where to focus. It Happened on Love Street had the small town romance, a heroine with a fear of dogs, deep family issues, pirate lore, and a sexiest jackass judge. All of these elements fought for top billing and it felt a bit rushed because of that. Pepper's fear of dogs, for example, was cured in a blink of an eye. I wish that we were able to focus on just a handful of elements that were fleshed out and given ample page space.

Now let me focus on what I did like about It Happened on Love Street, the characters and Lia's writing style. I adored Rhett and Pepper. Sexy vet Rhett (hey, that rhymes!) is still suffering from his previous relationship. He doesn't want people nosing into his love life, or lack thereof. So when Pepper moves in next door and he's suddenly ready to dive back into the dating scene, he'll do whatever it takes to keep it on the down-low, including jumping a fence or two in the middle of the night. Much to his surprise, it doesn't take long for Rhett to start longing for something deeper. Pepper, on the other hand, is determined to get her life back on track. She won't let this unexpected detour keep her from her ultimate goal. Unfortunately, those closest to her have other plans. I loved Pepper's tenacity. Whether her intentions are misguided or not, she puts her family above all else. While I commend her for that, she does seem a bit controlling. In addition to Rhett and Pepper, there is a whole cast of background characters to fall in love with, especially two that I'm pretty sure we'll see more of in the second book.

Even with the "first book" syndrome, I enjoyed It Happened on Love Street quite a bit. As my first Lia Riley book, it served as a good introduction into her writing style and voice. There were moments that I swooned and moments when I giggled, which is always a plus in a fun romance. I loved the small town feel with the pirate lore and crazy cast of characters. I do hope that it continues on into the next book in the series. Plus, who can say no to that cover? And the next one is just as pretty. While there were moments that did feel rushed, I would still recommend It Happened on Love Street to fans of small town romances.

It was an ok read. It's not as engaging as the other books written by Lia Riley. It's a bit slow to start, an ok book overall.

At first glance, it seems too schmaltzy to be true. And in the beginning, it was. The town is called Everland. The address is actually Love Street. The hero is named Rhett Valentine. And, in theory, I should have been gagging and/or derisively snorting while reading this book, but Lia Riley’s small-town contemporary romance is so charmingly adorable that, despite my horrible mood, I couldn’t stop awwing and laughing out loud while reading it.

It Happened on Love Street opens with recent law-school graduate and big city girl, Pepper Knight, relocating to fanciful Everland, Georgia, only to find out that the job she moved halfway across the country for has been given to someone else. Having always been the responsible one in her family, Pepper refuses to ask for help until she bumps into local vet and hottie, Rhett Valentine.

Rhett Valentine, (yes, of course, the name made me swoon) was left at the altar by his first love a few years ago and now he spends his time trying to build a local animal shelter while feuding with his father, and keeping his personal life from again becoming local gossip. When his new sexy, dog-fearing neighbor needs help, he jumps to her rescue and obviously sparks fly and they start a steamy affair.

As I said, it all seems very sweet on the surface, so sweet that it’s cloying. But as I read It Happened on Love Street, I fell in love with the protagonists and the kooky town of Everland, Georgia. While the “Southernness” of it all seemed a bit too much at times, Ms. Riley has peppered (LOL) the story with hilarious dialogue and endearing secondary characters. There are a couple of plotlines that seemed out of place, like a lifelong cynophobe becoming a dog walker overnight just because the cute guy asked her, and the completely unneeded Psycho scenario that popped up in the middle.

But I would recommend It Happened on Love Street to all readers of contemporary romance. It is sexy. It is funny. For some reason, it has a treasure hunt. It is peppered (I can’t stop!) with hilarious pop culture references. And it has dogs named after authors and a hero named Rhett. If that doesn’t sell it, I don’t know what will.

OH how I adored this story. The little bit of intrigue but the whole puppy love was absolutely amazing. I have been a huge fan of Riley's work for years and this one did not disappoint. I really loved the concept and the character build throughout as well the back story to each character as well as the whole town. Very excited for the next!

L.O.V.E. Love Love Love! Gahhhhhh, these words!!! I was waiting with bated breath for this book, and I was not disappointed!

I enjoyed this contemporary romance between main characters Rhett Valentine and Pepper Knight. They were good characters and I enjoyed reading as their relationship developed. The romance was sweet and there was plenty of chemistry between the two. I enjoyed the storyline and it kept me interested. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

I've mixed feelings. On the one hand, cute romance which makes me happy and makes me smile with adorable animals and cuteness. On the other hand, it didn't make me fall head over heels. It was cute and sweet and definitely and intriguing start to a new romance series but it left me reserving judgment. I will have to read a second book I. The series to really voice my opinion on things.

It's a strange feeling not loving a romance but instead liking. I normally dive head first into.love and have no regrets but not so this time. I was left waiting to like Pepper and Rhett may have seemed swoon-worthy (really, a southern gent? Don't mind if I do) but he didn't make me swoon straight away. I think my reservations over these 2 characters are what made me a bit wary. I'm used to liking at least one of the MCs straight away and then the rest will fall into place but not so this time. They both had to work on me. Maybe it was Peppers fear of dogs which made me wary? Maybe Rhett's long-term single status and meddling town life made me wary? I don't know what but something left me uncertain.

I did really enjoy it though. Like I said, it's hella cute and it did make me smile with the crazy gossip of Everland. I think one of my favourite things was that Scrabble game at the start where Pepper was trying to hustle folk. I can easily confirm that as the moment I began to like Pepper. Got to respect a girl who is good with words.

If you're looking for a cute romance with some utterly adorable pets as secondary characters (they are though really) then this is the book for you. It's sweet and fun and I see the potential for the next book.

This is the first novel I have read by this author, and as soon as I finished I went looking for more. Laughs, small town characters and a sweet romance made me unable to put this book down.

Pepper Knight, born in a tiny town in Maine, last resided in Manhattan, has moved to Everland, Georgia for what she hopes is start of her career. She has her law degree and a year clerkship with a local judge is a sure bet to get her back to Manhattan and her love of all things New York. But, it turns out the job is not available anymore. She has moved to Georgia, has no job, and no money to leave!

Rhett Valentine is the local Veterinarian and the target of every single female in town.
The fact that he's drop dead gorgeous helps. Suddenly cats and dogs come down with strange maladies, and the owners have to rush them to the vet. He has lived down a humiliation that has left him very guarded, he was left at the altar by the woman he thought he loved. Almost crazier, she lives in town with her new husband and children and their friends! But, he's happy with his practice, his best friend and his boat.

Pepper and Rhett literally run into each other in the Plaza. She has been attacked by a Palmetto bug ( never seen up north!) and Rhett's three dogs are immediately attracted to her. She almost faints with fear, the giant bug was bad enough the dogs put her over the edge. She is terrified of dogs; was attacked as a child by a Doberman and has the scars to prove it. The rest of the story is in turn hilarious and heartwarming. Turns out Rhett is her next door neighbor on Love Street. Being a Yankee living in North Carolina her adventures felt close to my heart. I highly recommend this very entertaining story.

I received this eBook from the publisher and Netgalley for an honest review.

Pepper moved to Everland for a job position that was actually given to somebody else before she even got to the town. Pepper is in a new town without a job, but luck seems to be on her side, when she bumps into a local vet Rhett, who offers her a job. Being a dog walker is not something Pepper would have wanted, especially because she is afraid of dogs, but there's not much of a choice. There's chemistry between Rhett and pepper since they met, but because of Rhett's past, he wants to keep things rather private. Pepper didn't plan on staying in Everland, but after meeting Rhett can she actually leave him and the town?
It was the first book by the author and enjoyed this small town romance. I liked how things progressed between Rhett and pepper and the cute dogs. It offered several lough out loud moments, but it wasn't very believable how easily Pepper got over her fear of dogs. Overall it was a sweet story and I definitely want to read the next book in the series.