Just right! A little bit of a tear jerker, lots of delightful characters, and a sweet HEA! A perfect escape read. Along with a perfect tease for the next one! Definitely worth adding to your summer reading list!

Maisie has lost so much in her young life but her sisters are there for her when she lost her best friend, Laurel, to a senseless killing. While she’s helping promote their brewery’s craft beer, her best friend’s husband, Hayes, helps her. Maisie saved him when they lost Laurel, but will she still love him when he tells her the whole story about Laurel’s death? This book kept me up all night reading it. I just loved all of the characters and I can’t wait for the next book!

I want to preface this review by saying I have read other books by this author and have enjoyed them but Sassy Blonde just fell flat to me. I could not connect with either Maisie or Hayes and I didn’t feel any spark in their romance. Maisie seemed reckless, flaky, and whiny instead of a whimsical free spirit. Hayes seemed to lack self control. I didn’t like either character much because of the lack of depth they both portrayed. I did enjoy the family bond Maisie shared with her sisters and felt the author did a good job writing positive familial relationships. I would read another book by this author but will probably skip this series. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book of three in the Three Chicks Brewery series that can be read as a standalone, but I believe all three will have interwoven plots. This is Maisie & Hayes's story and it begins with a heartbreaking beginning. Maisie is a free spirit whose had her share of bad luck, but Hayes has had his share too. This is their heartwarming journey and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The secondary characters added to the overall depth of the storyline and makes me anxious to read the next two books in this series. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.

What a way to kick off a new series with Maisie and Hayes story, in the Three Chicks Brewery series.
Maisie is the youngest of the three girls. They all live together and each has a role they play in the brewery business after their grandfather left it to them when he died. His wish was for the three to carry on his brewing. Clare the oldest has the business head and runs things from that aspect, Em is the brewmaster and her thing is experimenting with just the right ingredients and Maisie? Well Maisie has a rough time with fitting in. Her heart lies in art, not in the brewery and while her art talent comes in handy, she's really at loose ends. And very afraid to fail. Especially now she's been taxed with the mission of taking the newest beer to three pivotal beer shows in their home state of Colorado. I loved Maisie, she's all heart and whimsey, gentle and kind and horribly afraid to mess up yet again.

When Hayes is injured at his ranch and Maisie has a minor mishap, the two take off to make the rounds on the brewing circuit. Hayes doing the heavy work that Maisie can't. The fireworks between these two show early on, but the slow burn and simmer was delicious. I loved Hayes, he was Maisie's biggest cheerleader and problem solver. Even with his own problems, he treated Maisie like the star she was. It was torturous waiting for these two, something Ms Kennedy is all too good at with her writing. But when the ignition switch is hit, it's incendiary. And when a good time and a little mishap prevents them from making the last show, egad poor Maisie. And Hayes? Whew. Doesn't Stacey just love to leave me twisting in the wind and holding my breath to see what's going to happen and how the rest of the story will unfold. That ending! And nice to see Shep again.

I cannot wait for Clare's story in book two. That little tease left me salivating, I absolutely need to read about Red and what makes that woman tick. (blows out long breath....)

my thanks to Expresso book tours for the advanced copy of this stellar read!

4.25⭐

I have been eagerly awaiting this new series by Stacey Kennedy which is loosely connected to the brilliant Kinky Spurs series and brings readers back to the wonderful town of River Rock, Colorado and more specifically the Three Chicks Brewery. Where the three owners/sisters Maisie, Amelia, and Clara are introduced.

And this story focuses on the youngest sister Maisie and Hayes her best friend Laurel's husband who has returned to River Rock after his wife's tragic murder; and it truly was a great read. That had lots of drama outside of Maisie and Hayes romance. As well as secrets, sweetness and heat, and the plot itself really kept me reading. Not to mention I found all the characters extremely engaging and interesting, especially the whimsical and joyous Maisie. And as starts to series go this really was a delightful one, and I'm excited to find out happens next.

Would happily recommend.

4 Stars for the cowboy cop and the jinxed artist!

Maisie and Laurel were best friends since they were little and after Laurel is murdered, Maisie has a hard time finding her way. But Laurel’s husband Hayes feels responsible for his wife’s murder and two year later he’s still punishing himself. Hayes helps Maisie with her family’s tent at a couple of festivals promoting Maisie and her sister’s business, Three Chicks Brewery. Will Hayes and Maisie find peace in each other’s arms? Or will Hayes’s secret and Maisie’s bad luck jinx any happiness they might find?

I just loved Maisie ... how can one person have that much bad luck? I laughed so hard at her antics. And Hayes ... who doesn’t love a heart broken hunk who has a habit of protecting those he loves ... no really WHO? I knew the author had to be Canadian when she mentioned ketchup potato chips ... because they don’t have them in the US. The banter between the characters is very realistic. This book made me laugh, cry and swoon and I can’t wait for Maisie’s sisters books!

I received an early copy courtesy of the author through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Stacey Kennedy is one of my personal favorite authors especially when it comes to writing strong female characters and sexy cowboys. Sassy Blonde is the first book in her new series called The Three Chicks Brewery Series and it correlates with the Kinky Spurs Series that was written before this one. It takes place in the small town of River Road, Colorado and is all about the Carter sisters who are trying to get their Pa’s brewery up and running. He left them an inheritance and he always had a dream that the three of them would be able to start this brewery together. Maisie is the youngest sister and she has always been artsy and not really into the brewery like her older two sisters. Her best friend Laurel was the only one who really understood her and they were going to start their business together, a coffee shop and an art studio next to each other. Laurel was married to Hayes and they moved to Denver but Laurel and Maisie stayed close and saw each other regularly. One night Maisie woke up to Hayes knocking on her door to tell her terrible news of something happening to Laurel. This would bring Hayes and Maisie closer together. Maisie would now focus her time on helping with the brewery and she would need Hayes to help her. This is an excellent story of loss and friendship. I enjoyed this book so much and the characters are all so well written and I can not wait for the next book in this series. Stacey Kennedy writes books that you will cry, laugh, and not want to put down.

I thought this was a sweet book and the premise was unique. The beginning was the best part but once the relationship started then I felt it lost a little steam. Reading the premise, I thought this would be very angsty but it was actually handled really well and didnt hold the hero and heroine back. Seeing the personal development of the characters, outside of their romance , was a nice touch as well.

What a great start to a new series!

I really enjoyed and respected the character of Maisie. She is a fun, upbeat person who wants to do right by her family even pushing aside her hopes and dreams. She is the accident prone, creative dreamer in the family and has always felt like she doesn't fit.

Hayes is the man Maisie's best friend was married to until she was killed. He know has a strong advocate in Maisie to help me get back to his new norm. The years following have made these two grow closer than they ever thought.

I loved the pacing of this story. You got the friendly vide early on from these two and also found out about their issues. You got to see them struggling with their attractions and understood their reasoning for staying away. I loved that you got to see the full circle of these two and see them get their HEA.

My heart broke for Hayes so many times in this book. He is an amazing man and just seems to have things no go his way. I'm glad that with Maisie's help, he will find his way.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. My review is my own and not influenced by others.

Sassy blonde is the first book of three that can read as a standalone.
Maisie is artistic and a free spirit, she’s kind, sweet and funny, but she is also thinks everything is her fault. This is something I didn’t like in this book. Many writers use this when they write about a free spirit female character and it irritates me a lot.
The characters in this book I liked very much, as well as the romance, the drama was not too much.
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Loved this well written story, of love lost in the most awfully tragic way.

New beginnings emerge from the greatest depths of despair for two people who both deeply loved the departed best friend and wife.

Working through emotions and finding a new way to at first function, then live, then finally admit to new feelings that blossom into deep love and commitment.

With a happy ever after ending in this romance.

3 stars
This was an ok read for me. I have a problem with the couple It could be my own issues, but I didnt love the relationship between Maisie and Hayes. Widower and wife's best friend getting together? Not my thing. Kinda felt creepy to me.

We all need to be a bit more like Maisie, living in the moment, finding the joy and beauty in everything. Of course, she is far from perfect, and pain has molded her present life, but she doesn’t let it stop her from going forward. Maisie needs a few nudges, but her instincts already told her what the guidance she needed was. Hayes is her opposite, yet her salvation and downfall. He lives with his pain, embraces it, and wears it constantly. He will deny himself and Maisie everything except a moment because of it. When dealing with the past, it is tricky and straightforward. The path seems simple, but the detours that lead them to the past cannot be skipped. With the help of their friends and family, they find their way, and get their much deserved HEA!

Maisie and Hayes made me cry and laugh. I cheered and sobbed for them, and I felt overjoyed that they worked everything out. They were perfect together, complimenting the other, and maintaining their sense of self, and blending their strengths seamlessly, to make the other even stronger and better, by being together

Two people heart broken over the loss of a wife and best friend. Maisie, heart broken over the loss of her best friend, supports and brings her best friend's husband back into the land of the living. I really liked Maisie, she is so giving and such a free spirit. I must admit I was a bit uncomfortable in the transition of Hayes and Maisie going from friends to lovers. I also like the other characters introduced in this book and look forward to reading the next book in this series. The book was an easy read but not one I couldn't put down.

There is a lot to love about this book. It is a starter for a new series that is loosely connected with some other books by this author, but you aren't missing anything by not having read those books first! The book focuses on a trio of sisters running a fledgling brewery. Each sister has their own role in the brewery, except Maisie. Maisie is an artist and a free spirit. The brewery isn't her dream, but she wants to support her family and help them all succeed.

Hayes is a widower. His wife was Maisie's best friend. The two were closer than sisters - and when she was murdered, both Maisie and Hayes were emotionally destroyed by it. They are both starting to recover and as part of that recovery, becoming very intensely attracted to each other. Hayes hasn't let go a lot of guilt and pain surrounding his wife's death. She was murdered by a bad guy Hayes was tracking down as part of his police work. He blames himself for bringing that into her world.

From the beginning of the book, there is little doubt that Hayes and Maisie are meant for each other. For the most part, they just need to sort out their personal hang-ups to allow themselves to be ready for love. Almost all of the conflict is external to them as a couple - even when Hayes is working through his guilt, there is no doubt how he feels about Maisie.

Overall this is a very sweet story and a great start to the series.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

Sassy Blonde is the first book in a new trilogy by Stacey Kennedy. We have returned to River Rock, Colorado where this trio of sisters has set out to follow through on the wishes of their recently deceased grandfather by getting their brewery, Three Chicks Brewery, off the ground.

Maisie Carter is the youngest of the sisters and the least interested in the brewery. Her true love is art, but because this was something her grandfather wanted so badly, she wants to follow through and help her sisters. She suffered the loss of her best friend, Laurel, a couple of years before and it took her a long time to get her feet back under her, but she did so with the help of her sisters; another reason she doesn't want to let them, and the brewery, down.

Hayes Taylor has moved back to River Rock following the murder of his wife Laurel. He and Laurel had moved to Denver so he could join the police department there and not work under his father, who is the chief in River Rock. After his wife's death, he decided he no longer could be in Denver nor be a cop. He's now working horses at the farm where he worked as a teenager and continuing to try to heal, but he's still haunted by Laurel's murder.

Maisie played a huge role in getting Hayes to focus on living and not on his loss. They've always been friends due to their respective relationships with Laurel, but things are beginning to change for both of them. As they end up spending more time together they see one another in a different light. Can they make things work between them or will the past derail what they could have before it even starts?

This was a great start to this new trilogy! I loved that we were back in a familiar place (for people who have read Kennedy's Kinky Spurs series) with some familiar faces. Both Maisie and Hayes were strong even though they were both a bit wounded. They were the perfect complement for one another and I liked how Kennedy worked through the things that could have caused issues for the couple.

I'm really looking forward to the other books in this series. She certainly set up the next book very well and to say I want to see what happens is an understatement!

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

Maisie is the youngest of three sisters and the most free spirited and artistic. Their grandfather dies and leaves them an inheritance to start a brewery. Her heart is really not in it but will do anything to make her grandfather proud. The sisters want her to go show their beer at three festivals but she breaks her finger and needs help. Hayes was a cop until his wife was killed. Maisie and Hayes’s wife were best friends and not for her he’d still be living in darkness. He goes along on her trip to do the heavy lifting. Their attraction for each other explodes but they have some mishaps along the way. But Hayes is keeping a secret from Maisie and when he tells her the truth, will he lose the woman he has fallen in love with?

I absolutely love this story. Sex, romance, humor, and secrets. Maisie is the most upbeat person and Hayes is of course broody and beating himself up over the past. Have Kleenex’s nearby because their are some major crying parts. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.

* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley *

It's not fair that Hayes had to lose his wife and Maisie had to lose her best friend in order for them to find there happily ever after. I think the book was written well it was not too sad. Maisie's sister Clara's story is next. The epilogue set up for that book fantastically. I can't wait for it now.

I'm gonna start off by saying this book broke a code I personally would never, but I understand it and respect it bc at the end of the day it isn't my life and it's just a book so I should set my personal beliefs aside lol. Anywaaaayyy, In the end, I really liked the relationship established between Maise and Hayes, but the whole story was kinda flip flop for me. I would love some parts of it and just skim through others bc I couldn't find my rhythm. Since it's a trilogy (all stand alones), I'm gonna wait until I finish the series to gather how I really feel :p -JH