Personally, I think the cover and title are a bit misleading - or perhaps I was suck at reading between the lines (yes, this naive reader really thought the buns would be prominent in the story. Heh. My mistake). That doesn't mean I don't like this book though. Heck, I love it - it's darn entertaining!

Buns is the third installment of Alice Clayton's Hudson Valley series. Not only I haven't read the previous books in the series, this is the first time for me to read the author's works too! And no, I had no trouble enjoying the story, so it's safe to say the book could be read as a standalone.

Although, given the chirpy first person POV, it still took a while for me to warm up to this story; rather like a diesel engine that took longer to heat up. The bouncy feel to the opening chapter almost got me to drop the book. But I stubbornly strode through and boy was I rewarded in the end!

Buns introduced a mix of uproarious circumstances and heartbreaking reflections on the main characters: the freckled, ginger-haired Archie and the perky and petite Clara who narrated the story from her POV. With baggage from their past, throughout the pages both learned to find ways to let go and embrace new future - though not with the same speed as expected - because, sheesh, where's the fun in that? Right!

Bumpy start aside, this book is a really nice introduction to Alice Clayton for me. I loved how she portrayed Clara as strong and vulnerable at the same time with her animated yet forlorn expressions throughout the pages. Archie proved to be a formidable match to her smart but often naughty mind, outspoken sass, and standoffish outbursts. I really enjoyed having their relationship developed from adversaries to mutual respect then - finally, FINALLY - inseparable couple; how they handle each other - well, the bar went high for Archie, he was pretty marvelous and patient - then owned up to their mistakes and making it right.

Not to be out-looked was also their gang of friends, the former MCs from previous books in the series. These were quite a riot with endless innuendos and potty mouth between them, that really made me want to track the series back and grab the two previous books to read. Clearly, I've been missing out!


Advanced copy of this book is kindly provided by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Buns by Alice Clayton is one of the best romantic comedies I have read in a long time - and I have read quite a few as this is my favorite genre. And this cover? YUM!!! It's so eye catching it would be hard for readers not have their attention grabbed by it. With that aside, this book is wonderful! It's smart, funny, charming, and a fun journey for readers. I certainly recommend it!

This is my first Alice Clayton book and now I'm asking myself what I've been waiting on? I loved every minute of reading this book and all of the characters just took my heart. Even though I hadn't read Roxie or Natalie's stories, it didn't matter, but I will be going back to find out how they hooked up with their men.
This had humor and heart. It really made me think and I wasn't expecting that. Both Clara and Archie had heavy things from their pasts. Watching them deal (or not) with them was frustrating at times, but totally understandable. And the chemistry between them...it was fiery. I loved when they argued, but I loved it most when they let it go and gave in.
Archie may be one of my favorite book boyfriends ever. He was just perfect, despite that he wasn't. Who wouldn't want a kind man like that in their life? I want more of Bailey Falls and these couples. I am hooked and an official Alice Clayton fan.

Well I keep reading them. I don't know if they're getting tired or I'm just too busy with my own romance these days, but this one didn't catch me as much as the first one or two and definitely no as much as the Redhead series. I think part of that is the unnecessary vulgarity and immaturity of the female characters. (Seriously, the men are all at least twice as mature as the women in this series, which just seems unrealistic!) Scrape that away, and Clayton still has some measure of the good character development she usually has, but that is also pretty superficial too - girl with a sad foster child past and widowed guy to the manor born. So that all makes it a bit flat. Still, it was nice to return to Bailey Falls and I really enjoyed getting a look at what goes into running and rebranding a hotel. It made me think a bit about Capon Springs, West Virginia, in fact. Despite the unevenness, it was an enjoyable and quick read. Though I'm still sad that the main character was a hotelier and not a baker... there were not nearly enough food descriptions in this one!

Alice Clayton is consistently fantastic and this was a great finale to her Hudson river series. I love that theses books are smart and sexy. A great read!

Alice Clayton is one of my favorite authors. Her romantic comedies have great banter, are laugh-out-loud funny, and still bring the sweet and the heat. (Side note: The Sweet and The Heat sounds like a good band name.)

Buns mostly fit that bill, but missed the mark in the second half. It started off great, I loved the premise and the tension between between the two main characters, Archie and Clara. I love a book where the love interests hate each other in the beginning. It really helps build it up until it boils over as passion. But once they realized that they liked each other, it started to go downhill for me.

They seemed to go relatively slowly from hate to like and then really fast from like to love. It didn’t make sense at all to me; I just didn’t feel how they got there. And once that tension was gone, I didn’t really get their chemistry at all.

I also felt like the climax of the book was forced. It seemed like a lot of unnecessary drama and it was really rushed. I got the vibe that Clayton had a lot of fun writing the first half of the book, and then wanted to get the second half over with as quickly as possible.

Now, all of this is not to say that I didn’t enjoy the book. I did. I just didn’t enjoy it as much as I’m used to enjoying an Alice Clayton novel. The sex actually seemed kind of minimal compared to what I’m used to from her. Not that I need that to drive a story, just an observation. Overall, it was pretty light and fluffy and ultimately an enjoyable read, just not one that I’d recommend putting at the top of your TBR.

Buns
Hudson Valley, Book 3

I Picked Up This Book Because: I requested this from Netgalley because I’ve loved every Alice Clayton book I’ve read including book 1 of this series.


The Characters:

Clara Morgan Petite dynamo, resort rebranding genius, stubbornly self sufficient
Archie Bryant: Resort owner, stalwart widower, caring companion

The Story:

This book was a good time, as I’ve come to expect from Alice Clayton. Clara is smart super independent and just the pick me up Archie needs. Archie is the caring soul that Clara needs. They fit well together.

The Random Thoughts:


4 Stars

I love this town! I love each and every character. Clara is my favorite, she is just broken enough and full of spunk and spite. Archie is so geeky hot! He is the subtle hottie that will slap you right in the hoohaa!

Clara was hired to help, it's her job. To take something old and make it vital again. Archie is kind of in need of being made vital agian too.

I enjoyed every page, once I started I couldn't put it down. I laughed, I cringed, I seriously swooned and Alice Clayton's sexy words can really make me squirm in my seat. She has such a way that it's hot and will over heat you before you know your even over heated. I love this town, I love these characters and I don't know what they feed these men but this town produces some hot ones.!

6 Stars for Archie's Buns!!!

I could probably spend five paragraphs expounding on my love for Alice Clayton but since I'm not a writer, I'll just say that I am SO glad Alice quit her day job to write. Her humor is on point and this book was everything I needed to pull me out of a bit of a reading funk.

This book also reminded me just a touch of Dirty Dancing (the setting of the resort up in the mountains!) which was so nostalgic and made my heart flutter. The movie is even mentioned in the book.

One of my favorite things about Alice is that she can have you laughing your 'Buns' off and yet still bring plenty of emotion to the table with her characters and stories. If I wasn't laughing, I was swooning or tearing up.

Clara and Archie are just perfect for each other. Archie is kind of an ass initially and is not open to Clara's involvement in his family's resort. But Clara is a smart cookie and works her magic which combined with her business sense, wins over Archie (mostly anyway) and the resort staff.

Previous characters in this series make a few appearances and it's just perfect how the author can weave them in without overshadowing the main storyline. And for the Wallbanger fans, Caroline makes an appearance that literally had me snorting with laughter. Seriously, one of my favorite parts of the story.

Archie and Clara have smoking chemistry and there's plenty of heat to balance the humor and emotional parts of the book. No spoilers on the rest of the storyline but please, please read this book! I do recommend reading in order if you're interested in the previous books as you'll get more enjoyment from the side character's storylines.

All the stars!

One of the most adorkable books in the series thus far! From the get go you are thrust into a meet-cute of epic proportions. Love-hate with a side of good intentions lends itself to making this an un-put-down-able, laugh-out-loud read.

Clare is smart, capable, and ready to take on the world of old hotels that need a little oomph! Archie is aged beyond his years and is a pocket protector away from being overly stuck in his ways. The two of them slam together with abrasive hilarity, making Buns one of the best funny-sweet reads of 2017. Beach reading perfection!

5 Stars
Tanja

This is my first time reading this series and yes even this author. I have read that she writes so very funny books so I wanted to check out this story. I found it a fun story with some complicated characters. While its #3 in a a series it can stand alone and I was not lost.

This is the story of two very different people who come together over work. And they are very opposite, though they need to figure out how to work together. Its a little bit of a hate.love - love story and Archie is also a widower.

Clara is workaholic and very good at her job, and recently she got an offer for a promotion if she did well on this last project. Archie and his families hotel has been around a long time but he needs to make it popular again.

These two are two can't stand each other, they couldn't agree on anything and well thats what made this book fun. I love a good hate/love romance.

Bailey Falls strikes again, indeed! Alice Clayton nails it with a big time chemistry, laugh out loud moments and ultimately the sweetness of discovering that a go-getter doesn’t have to keep running to be whole and happy. Hands down, my favorite of the series.

This series just keeps getting better and better. Clara and Archie's story was absolutely lovely. Ms. Clayton has an uncanny ability to combine vulnerability with strength and humor with drama. She has never done it better than in Clara and Archie's tale. I am sad to think this is the final book in the series-but if it is-it's a wonderful way to conclude it.

A book that captured my attention, spoke to my heart and one I will definitely read again and again countless times.

3-3.5 Stars

Buns is the 3rd book in the Hudson Valley series, but it can be read as standalone. Although, I don't recommend that because the first two books in the series were amazing!

I was a little disappointed with this book compared to the other two. It didn't have the humor, wit, and sexy connection that Nuts and Cream had. Plus the title wasn't really relevant to the book- other than the fact that they sell hot crossed buns at the hotel where Archie works.

I laughed so hard at one point in this book that I had to set my e-reader done. I just love Alice Clayton. I want to be her best friend. Whenever she releases a new book I have to clear my schedule because I know I'll want to read it right away and not put it down until I'm finished.

A very nice end to the Hudson Valley series. While this book can stand alone it is more enjoyable if you have read the previous books in the series. As always Clayton does an excellent job of mixing humor and sensuality.

I loved this book!! Out of the entire series, this by far has been my favorite book!! Funny, sweet and an awesome read!!

Archie Bryant doesn't understand why his dad has to bring in an "outsider" to save the hotel. He thinks they're doing just fine without this tiny, bossy woman. So, instead of embracing the changes, Archie fights Clara tooth and nail about every little thing like TV's in the guest rooms. According to Archie, TV's will hurt the activities and community of The Bryant Mountain Hotel. (Think modern day "Dirty Dancing." ) Well, too bad, so sad for Archie. In fact, Archie is sexually attracted to the new, bossy woman zipping through his hotel. Can you feel the sexual tension? The struggle is very real.

Yes, Buns is a bit more serious than the first two because Clara had a more traumatic upbringing. She's scared of holidays, and she's super insecure about people abandoning her. So, she abandon's them first. You see, Clara's a bit of a commitment phob. She's not an emotional person. So the question is, will Archie climb the wall or let Clara walk away?

Click The Link Below For My FULL Review!!

Another fantastic book by Alice Clayton! With every book she writes, she gets funnier and funnier! I can hardly wait to see what she does next!