Romance’s are quite often hits or complete misses. This one was very well written. I loved the characters and they’re dialogue was realistic. There was just the right amount of sexual tension to keep the story going and the payoff didn’t come too early in the story. I’ll definitely check out the authors other Romances.

I enjoyed reading Boyd and Ella's story in Brew so I could not wait to read this one. I have to admit I think I enjoyed Patrick and Aspen's book, even more, it was another well-written read and these two were just perfect for each other friends for years it was fantastic to see their relationship change and develop. A super addition to the series and well worth reading

In this story Patrick McNaughton along with his brothers own and run a brewery. Looking for another investor even though his brothers and the women whom he has always wanted to be with and is the finical officer of the company. Says they really don’t need anyone else he decides to go for a meeting. When Aspen Payne realizes that Patrick will be flying by himself and he hates to fly she schedules herself to go along. Now having the one women he always works with and wants to be with alongside him would be grand. This turns out the opposite. He does tell her about his intentions but by the time they arrive at the hotel she puts the passed out Patrick to bed. Hoping against all hope that he forgot about the flight and night Aspen shoves away all romantic hopes because really those ideas don’t actually happen in life look at her mother still chasing after it man, after man and getting nowhere. When Patrick comes to the light bulb moment she is talking to the investor, but not the way Patrick wants her too, for she is ever so kindly telling him to shove his offer up his arse. Not like that but in a nice way. Patrick is upset and this sets off another argument that continues past their return to the brewery. Now he has not only pissed her off but also his brothers because they like Aspen as well and thought he did as well. Now he must not only fix that must most importantly fix himself. He is fighting with himself and this arrogant rich person he continues to go after this investor and does not see that he is hurting himself and the business. He will not be able to be with Aspen and may lose her all together because of his short sightedness. Will he come out of himself before it is too late? He still must convince Aspen in having something that she does not believe in. A good story with very good characters, even though at times Patrick drove me crazy. A good read.

Another enjoyable entry in the McNaughton family series. An easy read about childhood friends that become more. Looking forward to the next entry.

The cast of characters in these stories makes this series great. Readers will both fall in love with and relate to them and want to keep reading. Love this series from Ewens

Ewens introduces us to another book in the Love Story series, Smooth. Taking place in Portland, Oregon, this installment focused on Patrick and Aspen. Patrick is one of the four McNaughton brothers who owns Foghorn bar and brewery. Aspen, a childhood classmate, is their business manager and ultimately, love interest for Patrick. Similar to other books in the series, one of the two main characters falls for the other and then waits for the feeling to be reciprocated. As it is ultimately a romance novel we know that they will finally get together. In the meantime, we are entertained by compelling side stories and characters who have depth and drama of their own. Since readers from the series already know about the brothers and their immediate family, Ewens spends time exploring Aspen’s backstory, which proves both enlightening and fascinating.

I liked how the two main characters played off one another, and though they have much in common, they also have differences which keep their relationship unpredictable. Each also has enough tenacity and strength to help the other through tough times. Ewens’ writing style makes the story flow smoothly and while allowing for the reader to see the characters’ flaws; we also can see their virtues, which makes them relatable. Similar to the other books in the series, Smooth is worth the time to read. If you can, I suggest starting with the first book in the series, as each subsequent book has characters and spoilers from the previous installment.

Tracy Ewen's novel, Smooth - A Love Story, was a little unbalanced for me. I appreciated the story premise, a family business, a man with a drive to make the business succeed, and a love interest as an interruption to his plans. I liked the characters, both primary and secondary. The setting was perfectly well drawn. I really appreciated the way Ms. Ewens set the scene up front. The balance issue for me was the dialogue, Smooth seemed really dialogue heavy, I think the story would have moved more quickly with less rehashing of the same themes. I understand this book is part of a series called "A Love Story" and I would definitely read more, or more from this author.

Another winner!!! I'm loving this McNaughton family. Easy, fun and enjoyable story. More....please???

I'm a sucker for a story of childhood friends who find fall in love with each other. I loved that Aspen was a strong, feminist and that Patrick, despite having loved her most of his life, would not grovel for her. And of course we get the wonderful brother dynamics.

I've read Tracy Ewens entire series and have to say that Smooth is one of my favorites. I just loved the story of Patrick and Aspen, both so work focused and particular that they didn't seem to find time for love.

The Foghorn brewery, the brothers and the women that surround them is a setting that pulls me in every time. I love the characters and the family love that runs through all of these books.

If you enjoy a good love story check these out! You will be happy you did. Smooth rocks.

Thanks to the publishers, author and Netgalley for an early copy.

Wonderfully written and amazing characters. I loved Patrick and Aspen in this book. Tracy Ewens has a wonderful way with words; she creates amazing books with characters that are real and perfectly imperfect.

Having met Patrick in Brew, I wasn't really sold on him. He came off as overly confident and a bit of a know it all jerk. But Aspen was a fun self assured girl who could really hold her own with the rest of the boys. I loved her role and how the brothers (with the exception of Trick) treated her like an honorary sister.

In Smooth we get more complex layers for these characters. I loved that Patrick was the one pursing Aspen. He was the first to admit to himself and to Aspen his true feelings. He saw a possibility of a real future with her and didn't go into this expecting a casual fling. You don't see that often enough in romance. It's usually the opposite, the girl falls first and the guy is stubborn about it until the bitter end. I also loved that his stick-up-his-bum attitude was explained. It helped make him more likable. His first impression for me was pretty negative but getting to know him on a deeper level made me do a complete reversal of opinion on him. He's become on of my favorite characters in this series.

It was interesting to read Aspen in that role. After her mom's crappy track record in love, Aspen pretty much embodied the modern independent woman who succeeded on her own merit. She dated, she had a healthy sex life and she didn't confuse sex for love. She exhibited a lot of the same traits that a typical male protagonist has. She was content with her single life and was very goal orientated and career minded. When she and Patrick finally give in to each other, she starts experiencing all these emotions and feelings she usually avoids like the plague, and she panics.

The story had a bit of everything, it was sexy and sweet, funny and serious, exciting and heartwarming. I loved that T.E. kept the McNaughtons the same. A tight knit family that supports each other through the thick and thin. Through the good and the bad. The glimpses we get of Boyd and Ella from the first book were great too. That said I loved the ending! There is no competing with that ending!

I can't wait for Cade's story. Narwhal sweater wearing Sistine and flirty ladies man Cade?! Match made in romance heaven :)

Memorable Moment:
Patrick's secret fearing of flying - Its his vulnerability that finally opens the door to him and Aspen's mutual attraction going that next step forward. Not to mention he was so cute in his panicky misery.

Grand - every scene with her was amazing. I'm sad to see her go (RIP Grand!)

Would I recommend? This is a really cute series. I'm hooked so yes, I would recommend for those that like a small town romance chuck full of family and friends and real connections.

Loved it! Smart, sweet, funny, well written friends to lovers romance. It took them awhile to get there but Patrick & Aspen were great together. I loved Patrick and his quirks. Aspen had a few peculiar ideas about love that I couldn’t get behind but I liked her other qualities especially looking out for Patrick. This is my first story by this author and I loved her writing. I will have to read more stories about Foghorn. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC thanks to NetGalley.

The moment Patrick and Aspen first interacted in Brew (read my review), I wanted their story. I knew there had to be some kind of chemistry between them and I was excited to see how it would play out in Smooth. (You don't need to read Brew first but you should definitely read it at some point.)

It was pretty evident Patrick had more interest in Aspen than she did in him. She's just a kickass lady living her life and she has no time for shenanigans. Come to find out, Patrick has been interested in Aspen since the day he first saw her in junior high but he's never believed he had a shot with her. Cue swooning.

They might have continued on as nothing more than coworkers until a business trip reveals Patrick's extreme fear of flying and Aspen starts to see him in a new light.

This is a slow burn romance. There are false starts and they both have hangups. Aspen doesn't want to be dependent on any man after witnessing the disaster of her mom's love life. Patrick doesn't want to fail at anything and this singlemindedness has him latching onto an albatross at work, as well as not wanting to take a chance on Aspen and being rejected.

I loved how good they are at their jobs and how Patrick wants to get married. I adored Aspen's friendship with Vienna, Bri, Sistine, and Ella. Female friendship is so important and I appreciate the way Ewen centers it in her novels.

Patrick and Aspen work so well together at work but initially neither are sure about starting a relationship. But Patrick has a harder time shutting down his feelings for Aspen and she finds herself thinking more and more about him too. There are mishaps and miscommunications along the way as they each figure out what the other person means to them.

I was here for it. For every longing glance, every question of what might be, every remembrance of the other person's best qualities.

These two know each other so well and I was certain they were right for each other. Of course, there are bumps along the way. I don't want to spoil anything but there is a situation that develops that brought me to literal tears. At another point, I wanted to kill Patrick.

But this is a love story and so we do get a happily ever after the tears and heartbreak. It was super satisfying, as was the epilogue.

I came to care about these characters so much. The way Ewens developed them and allowed them to grow was just fantastic. They were fully realized people, the sort I'd be friends with and I only wish I could walk down to the Tap House after work one day.

This is the last book listed out for this series but I really, really need the author to write a story about Sistine and Cade so I'm hoping that's on the horizon.

I sneaked in this book between other books with a harder spine and warlike attitude and those that induce debates and it felt refreshing. I am not saying this book is the opposite of all those adjectives used in the previous sentence. It has a life of its own, but considering it has a happily ever after it is relegated to the love story genre ( plus it does have that in its title).

There are ways to get that mix exactly right and this story did. The leading couple has all the required shades of an individual: drive,ambition,charm and a little hint of insecurities. We start off this tale with Patrick in sheer terror of what he had to do next and Aspen, his colleague ( as well as something much more than that) and so- called 'wonder woman' helps salvage the situation. Things change between them after that introduction and we get to watch a well written story about good people.Their shared history gives us more insight into drawing a wider picture around them. The author focuses more on the emotional ties than any other descriptions thus making this a very evocative book. I willingly admit I watched the story unfold with tears in my eyes and cheers for the finale (I am a sap for a good story like this one).

Having read close to seven of this ten book series, speaks for itself, folks. This author has proven to me she usually delivers a well-written, heart melting romantic tale. Unfortunately, this storyline just wasn’t particularly engaging. Though Patrick’s airline ordeal at the very beginning set the stage for some comical, back and forth, flirty banter to get this main couple’s romance off the ground, at nearly 25% into it, I found myself bored and exhausted by all the reasons they kept mentally noting why they couldn’t or shouldn’t be a couple. Instead of progress, I got a lot of details about things I didn’t care about (i.e., brewery business, room descriptions, etc.).

The main characters also came across as unintentionally contradictory. Patrick is very competitive and doesn’t like to lose, but he isn’t adventurous and only pursues sure bets. He’s handsome, successful, never had a problem with getting a woman’s attention and always had a thing for Aspen but is insecure/doesn’t think he has a chance with her. Folks, I’m sure she is attractive, but Aspen isn’t a famous supermodel or illusive celebrity. It just didn’t make sense why he thought she was out of his league. Frankly, both were pretty much on the boring side and didn’t have much of a life outside their job.

Aspen had her own quirks, as well. Compulsively organized all the time and only went out with guys who didn’t make her heart go pitter patter. Even admits she won’t go out with a man she is overly attracted to, because he might break her heart one day. You guessed it. The same insecurities as Patrick, which pretty much puts them both in the same pathetic boat of living life without really living it.

I’m sure everything works out fine and dandy for them eventually. In and of themselves, these two lead relatively boring, uneventful lives. My guess is they both learn to let their hair down and stop always playing it safe. This would definitely be good for Aspen as she was more often than not a wet blanket whenever marriage and true love were being discussed.

I’ll continue to read this author, but this one just didn’t really click with me.

Title: Smooth, Series: A Love Story, Author: Tracy Ewens, Pages: 318, stand-alone but part of a series, stopped at 33%, boring main couple, insecure/whiny/hand wringing hero, similar afraid to trust in love heroine.

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/PR firm.)

This book follows on from Brew and continues the story of the McNaughton brothers and their Foghorn Brewery.

Patrick is the face of the brewery and Aspen is the business manager. Even though they have known each other since their school days, they have always kept their relationship professional until a flight to a brewers convention changes things. Patrick has always been attracted to Aspen but was too afraid to make a move. Aspen has grown up seeing her mother's failed relationships, and has decided that love is not for her. Even though she has been attracted to Patrick since their school days, Aspen's fears have prevented her from being brave enough to follow her heart.

Back in the office the heat is rising as they try to keep their relationship just business and deal with a crazy millionaire investor who is making Patrick jump through hoops. Aspen knows this guy is stringing them along but Patrick believes he can close the deal. Just as their relationship seems to be getting on track Aspen makes a business decision which Patrick does not agree with and everything between them blows apart.

I almost gave a cheer when they finally get it together as the waiting was so exhausting! I really love this series because of it's small town flavour and the great line up of supporting characters and I can't wait for the next book

While this is the tenth novel in the A Love Story series, it’s only the second set at Foghorn Brewery (the first was Brew). It works perfectly fine as a standalone novel, though. This is a sweet (very) slow-burn romance, with lovely, complex characters, and a friends-to-lovers premise.

Of the three McNaughton brothers who run Foghorn Brewery, Patrick is the business guy. Along with Aspen Pane, the business manager, he takes care of all the marketing and financials for the brewery. Patrick is driven, and he only needs two things in life – for the brewery to do well, and Aspen. He’s been in love with Aspen for as long as he can remember, but has never so much as hinted at it. All that changes when, due to his fear of flying, he mixes alcohol and meds and reveals some of his feelings for her.

“The energy was contagious, and once again, Aspen loved her job. Where else could she work where she had the challenge of budget projections and the best way to adhere beer caps to a giant trophy?”


Aspen, like Patrick, is a workaholic. Ever since her dad left when she was ten, her mom has flitted from one relationship to another, more in love with love than any of her boyfriends. The only consistency she had in life was after they went to live with her grandmother (whom she calls “Grand”), so it should come as no surprise that Aspen’s anchors are her grandmother and work, and she has no time for things like feelings, and especially not for dating.

“His hand at the small of her back, his eyes lit with mischief, and the way he looked at her now that she bothered to pay attention.
Lord, the man knew how to look at a woman. It wasn’t a stare or even a trace of possession. No. Patrick appeared fascinated. It took her breath away.”


Of course, the path to true love doesn’t run smooth. Besides their very valid worries about messing up their business relationship with a romantic one, they have different motivations for their drive. Aspen wants a comfortable, consistent life – she wants to have coffee every Monday with her Grand, and not worry about being able to afford niceties like well-fitting clothes and salon shampoo. A relationship of any kind is just a complication that she doesn’t need. While Patrick seems to be in control and in charge, in reality, he’s deeply vulnerable and feels like he has something to prove. Unfortunately, sometimes the challenges can consume him, to the detriment of everything else, including his relationships with his family and Aspen.

All of this comes to a head when they meet a venture capitalist, Joel Siebold, who might be interested in investing in the brewery. Problem is, he’s as eccentric as they come, and he seems to enjoy having Patrick at his beck and call, asking for such varied things as business plans for a hypothetical music festival to Patrick’s favorite ice cream flavor. Living in the Bay Area, with friends and family who work at startups, Siebold and the whole VC dance felt very familiar. What Patrick can’t seem to realize, however, is that Siebold’s jerking around of him is just a progression of Patrick’s winning-at-all-costs mentality. When he can’t let the deal go, even after it’s obvious to everyone else that nothing will come of it, his ambition comes at the cost of his new relationship with Aspen.

“’Aspen is at coffee with her Grand, and I’m going to report the hell out of you during our ten o’clock meeting. Tons of details about the industry. I have graphs and charts.’
‘Christ,’ Boyd said, groaning.
‘No, not Christ. But pivot tables. You know how you love a good pivot table.’”


C’mon, who doesn’t love a good pivot table joke? There’s lots of quirky humor, which is one thing I really loved about the previous book I read by Ms. Ewens. As for cons, the pace, like the romance itself, is slow. There were times when I would’ve liked things to proceed a little faster. Also, the whole Siebold subplot worked a bit too well for me – I knew I was supposed to be annoyed at the guy and Patrick for going along with him, but a couple of times I got so angry that I had to put the book down and walk away.

Overall, though, this book was highly enjoyable, and I’m very much looking forward to the next book, which I’m guessing will star the remaining McNaughton brother, Cade. Recommended for anyone looking for a slow-burn friends-to-lovers romance!

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

*** ARC provided in exchange for an honest review***

Smooth, a slow-burning or slow moving romance about family of brothers, the McNaughton's and their family business. The Foghorn Brewery. Patrick McNaughton is smooth. He is the drive behind all their success. He knows how to further their brand better then anyone. Aspen Pane the company's Business Manager is equally as committed and determined to see the success of The Brewery. Together they are a power house, but will the relationship turn into more?

I certainly found this cute and predictable. I really wanted these two to find each other. However their back and forth was driving me bonkers! So many excuses as to why they are not meant to be, and too little pages to record it all on! I didn't enjoy their journey as much as I thought and by the end was too exasperated care.

I loved a scene in the beginning where Patrick was vulnerable and candid. It was funny and endearing. I wanted more of that.

There are more characters in this family that I am looking forward to reading about. I love the idea of a Hipster Brewery!

Smooth - A Love Story by Tracy Ewens is an ARC which I received from Netgalley.com. There are series of standalone love stories about the characters from the novel, this one being the tenth.

In Smooth we read the love story of one of the McNaughton brothers, Patrick. He has been crushing on Aspen Pane since Junior high. However, with time he has closed his feelings shut. Aspen now works shoulder to shoulder with McNaughton brothers in their Brewery. She has been made stubborn by her rough childhood and is as has closeted her emotions. Love and marriage doesn't exist in her dictionary! But fate has something else in store for Patrick and Aspen. Their team work as colleagues soon leaves them tangled up in a glorious mess called love.

What attracted me towards the novel was its lovely cover. However, the name made me apprehensive. Despite all my thoughts I dived into the pool of words and came out satiated.

Tracy Ewens has a thing with words. She goes on endlessly to build up her characters. The history to the characters seems lengthy and at times boring. But it nonetheless brings the characters closer to reality.

One doesn't know what direction the story is headed to; and for a romance genre novel not having a predictability quotient was first for me.

I loved the character of Patrick. He was crazy, he was controlled and he was madly in love. Aspen on the other hand failed to bring out any feelings in me for her. Yes, towards the climax I did start feeling sorry for Aspen but that was that. I couldn't place what I thought about Aspen quite clearly. Another character I loved was that of Grand, like her name she is indeed Grand. Aspen's grandmother has lived a beautiful life and for a short span of time that she exists in the novel, she becomes closer to me. She shares her experiences, gives Aspen life lessons and reinstills Aspen's faith in love. After she passes on, the letter brings goosebumps to me. This character crafted by Tracy had more depth and feel to it. And when Patrick holds out a ring belonging to Grand, as instructed by Grand, I find myself teary eyed.

The description of Tap house and the brewery was done to the tee. I could feel myself taking a tour of the brewery and go back and forth in the town of Petaluma alongside the characters. Another facet about the novel was it kept talking about the social media. Tracy threw in YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram in the least expected spaces which was another likable.

Unlike most other love stories which seem like fairytale, this one from Tracy Ewens, Smooth - A Love Story, feels real and that's what wins me.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟
Available on: Amazon

#HappyReading