The premise of the story is intriguing but the story lacked depth. Certain parts were rushed and overall there wasn’t anything believable. The spice level which was one of the reasons i picked this author was seriously depressing.

What a great story that keeps you on your toes. When we first start we have Anneliese who believes she sees her dead fiancé but come to find out it is his brother who has come back to town to claim what is rightfully his. Problem is, Anneliese believes she deserves the home she has poured not only sweat and tears into but also her life savings. These two are total opposites but being forced together shows that maybe there is healing that can come from this old house and who knows where the future will take them.

This was a great slow burn between two strong personalities that know what they want and are willing to fight to get there but when they discover they want each other just as bad then they will have to learn to also give in order to find their happily ever after. I felt for both Anneliese and Lachlan as they both have hurts to mend. I enjoyed the supporting characters as well. This was great and I recommend this book. I received an early copy to read and review with my honest opinion. It was 5 stars for me.

This book surprised me with its depth and emotional maturity. I loved the two main characters, Anneliese and Lachlan, both their background stories and the slow burn romance between them. You also get a bit of a mystery and a twist with this one. Love and Kerosene was a compulsive read that I devoured in one sitting. I definitely recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for access to this arc.

This was something different, but very enjoyable. Just when you thought you knew where it was going-plot twist! This was a page turner, with several interesting characters in the mix. I was surprised that there wasn't much by way of sex, really just mentions than actual scenes. I've read several books by this author and I thought she wrote sex scenes, but I could be wrong. Not that it was a problem, the story is definitely strong enough to stand on its own without the bedroom stuff. It's definitely not a cookie cutter story, I absolutely recommend it, especially if you're tired of reading the same old thing.

What an amazing story between Lachlan and Anneliese. Anneliese was happy, in love and engaged to the man she loved and when tragedy struck she was not prepared for what came next. Devastated, heartbroken, and betrayed in the worst way, she marches forward to reclaim her life, that is until Lachlan shows up on her doorstep with demands, claiming he’s Donovan’s brother and the house she is renovating is now his. Lachlan is a mystery and so many things hide behind his gorgeous eyes. These two are in for a battle of wills of who keeps the house, but can they keep their hand to themselves? Secrets, lies and truths come out, which is a good thing, right? You never thought you’d find that person who makes you feel loved, wanted and listened to, until they are staring you right in the face. Another outstanding read by this author. I found this book on Netgalley.

This book is not for the Saint of heart - I'll just tell you that now. I've read this author before but this book was really well-written and well-thought-out. I'm definitely gonna be reading her again.

So this book is a bit different. Usually Winters books I feel as if I am part of the story this one wasn't like that. Don't get me wrong I loved the book the story line was good because it had plot twist and Lachlan was a story writer(mighty good story teller as well) and he was the brother of the deceased fiance. If your looking for a book that makes you feel what they feel this isn't it but the story line is good.

Winters characters are always so well crafted you walk away feeling like you ‘knew’ them. Anneliese has a trusting heart and a warm personality filled with optimism. Donovan her dead fiancé was a lying cheating womanizer (you love to hate him). Along comes Dons younger brother Lachlan who Anneliese knows nothing about.

Without reiterating the story- here are the things I liked:

Although Anneliese has been royally screwed over- she allows love to guide her heart. It would have been so easy to hate any man after what happened to her.

Lachlans childhood has not been easy. His family has treated him very unkind after the loss of his mother. Lachlan could have been bitter but the sweet loving Anneliese allows him to love her so easily.

I am a sucker for broken people who find their love together heals past wounds.

Lesson learned - do not let the past and the relationships of people who are narcissists to destroy what can be good and rewarding in your own life.

When Anneliese loses her fiancé, she quickly finds out that he had lied to her. Then when her fiancé’s brother returns home and wants her home, she is faced with all sorts of emotions and feelings. Lachlan is almost identical in looks to his brother but is he just as much of a liar? Lachlan of course has his own trauma and emotions to sort through. Once the pair moves in together to finish renovating the home, truths are revealed and hearts begin to heal. The healing process leads to an unexpected love story and leaves the reader with a warm feeling.

Great romance! Winter Renshaw’s latest novel Love and Kerosene has everything I love in romance novels- sweet, sass, and steam! I knew from the synopsis that this novel would be right up my alley and in true Winter Renshaw fashion, I finished it in record time! Centering around two main characters that have both been not so lucky in the love department, I was really on the hook to see how their story would play out. As per usual, I loved what Winter Renshaw had in mind for these two! This 4.5 star novel is a standalone, but I would love to see Winter turn it into a series!

3.5 stars
Anneliese is dealing with the aftermath of her dead fiancé's deception. After being swindled out of her life's savings by the man she thought she knew and would marry, her only way to recover any financial losses is to finish the renovations of his old family home and sell it. She's got a plan but doesn't count on his brother showing up to claim the house. A brother she never knew existed. A brother who wants the house simply to burn it to the ground.

Lachlan is a writer. A lover of unusual words. He's broody but has an easy-going style about him. He's honest and doesn't play games. Beneath the calm and cool surface is a man struggling with demons. And my heart broke as he revealed the truths from his childhood.

There is something spellbinding about these two. A certain ease that transitions quickly between them. I enjoyed reading their slow-building connection forming and I didn't mind the low heat in the story. But I stumbled with the story's pacing nearing the end. There just wasn't enough time to solidify the relationship once they connected and those last handful of chapters switched gears from a leisurely pace to whiplash speed far too abruptly. Regardless of any stumbling blocks I encountered, I've read enough books from this author to know that I'll be first in line to read the next one.

/I received an early edition of this book. This did not affect my opinion of the book or content of my review./

Anneliese was engaged to a man that she thought was her soul mate, Donovan Byrne. They invested a lot of money into refurbishing his childhood home in Arcadia Grove, Vermont. Unfortunately, he died in a car accident several months earlier, and now she is left with all of her savings invested in this home. She wants to finish the job and sell the house to try to recoup her investment. It turns out her former fiancé was a liar and a manipulator. He lied about his intentions and he lied about his life. Anneliese is spitting mad about it, and when she sees a guy who looks almost exactly like her former flame, she freaks out a bit. It turns out that Donovan had a brother, Lachlan, after telling her he was an only child. Lachlan left their hometown at 18 and has made a good life for himself. He and Donovan had a contentious relationship, and initially Anneliese thinks Lachlan is a bad guy, but eventually figures out that he is honest and decent, and quite different from his brother. Lachlan wants to burn the house to the ground to obliterate the unhappy memories from his childhood—most of which were caused by Donovan and his lies. When he discovers Annaliese living in the house, he offers to help with the renovation in exchange for giving him a place to stay for the time it will take to determine the fate of the house, which could take a few months.

As usual, Winter Renshaw tells a well-crafted story. She is known for adding unexpected plot twists and for doling out details sparingly, then springing them on readers where they will create the most impact. This story is no exception. We learn why Lachlan left and the heartache that accompanied his exit well into the story. This type of thoughtfully-designed story-crafting elevates this writer well above the rest of the pack. Her books always make readers think, and they often open our eyes to different perspectives. She is able to keep readers interested in the outcome, while keeping the tension and pacing on point.

This book is a fascinating look at the dynamics of a dysfunctional family, contrasted with the healthy interactions that occur within Anneliese’s family. It is easy to spot the overactive ego that is part and parcel of Donovan Byrne. It is also easy to recognize the truth and goodness of Lachlan, once he starts communicating. This is a story that readers will still be thinking about long after the final page is turned!

Love and Kerosene is by far one of my favorite books of the year! I am still swooning over these characters and their story. Enemies to lovers, One bed trope, a dash of spice. This book had me giddy with all the feels. If this book doesn't blow up, I am hanging up my reviewing hat.

Lachlan won me over so quickly, this grumpy teddy bear was such an amazing character. A lover of words, Lachlan is a writer who has come home to deal with his deceased brother's affairs. And by deal with it I mean set his family home on fire and watch it burn. What he doesn't' expect is his brother's fiancé is still living in the house and has spent her life saving on the still ongoing renovations.

Annaleise has just lost the love of her life (or so she thought) only to realize that he was a con artist who pretty much took her life savings and left her with nothing in his passing. All she has is this house and here comes Lachlan who literally wants to burn it down along with his terrible memories. After coming to an agreement that involves them spending a lot of time together, they quickly start to realize there is more between them than they expected.

The feels are there and I loved this couple so much. One of my favorite parts of this story is that Lachlan's love for words was passed down from his deceased mother. She would write down her favorite words and the meanings in a notebook. Each chapter starts with a word and its meaning and I just loved that touch the author gave us. It really connected me to Lachlan's character.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a great love story with all the feels. You will catch yourself smiling so hard reading this love story.

Gah! Winter Renshaw can not write a bad book. I love all her stories as she captivates me from the very first page. Anneliese and Lachlan are fantastic! I loved the slow burn deliciousness of this story and how compelling the storyline was!

Overall this storyline was angsty, sexy, emotional, captivating and so addicting. I loved how engrossed I was in the story and how strong Anneliese was. She was the perfect match to Lachlan and altogether they were fantastic together! 4 stars! ~Ratula 

* I would like to thank Netgalley and Montlake Publishing for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review. *

This was a fun romance that explored some heavy themes of loss and grieving. The main characters are Anneliese and Lachlan who are connected at the start by the death of his brother and her fiance.
I did struggle to take the heroine's profession seriously but other than that this was a pretty good slowburn romance.

Magnificent!!

A beautiful and emotional journey. Lachlan and Anneliese are brought together by an unfortunate event in their life, but their perception for one another starts to change among with their feelings. I also loved how my vocabulary was expanded. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book received via NetGalley.

Love and Kerosene by Winter Renshaw tells the story of Anneliese and Lachlan and it took me by surprise how much I loved it.

Anneliese was living a happy life with her fiancé Donovan and they were planning their wedding and renovating Donovan‘s childhood home to build their family. But then Donovan dies and Anneliese finds out more and more about her fiancé that paints him in a very different life. She was very much looking through rose-colored glasses and naive at times, but that also led to her character growth and even as a reader you can learn from her mistakes. I liked her a lot as a character and also found her naming business fascinating.

Lachlan is Donovan‘s brother whom Anneliese has never heard of. After a family tragedy when he was younger, he left his past and family behind and moved across the world to the UK. Lachlan is amazing and I deeply love him. He is also a poet and storyteller and that was something I didn’t expect from him.

Donovan’s death brings Anneliese and Lachlan together, but they start off on the wrong foot as both want the house. They then strike a deal to live there together and finish the renovations. In that close proximity they learn a lot from each other and are vulnerable and honest. That creates such a strong base and I just love them together. Things, now matter how tragic, just happen for reasons you might not immediately see and that’s what this story showed as well.

Overall, Love and Kerosene is an all the feels romance that shows a raw and beautiful romance and I highly recommend it. 5 stars.

(ARC kindly provided in exchange for a review.)

this book just proved that love comes in the most complicated ways sometimes and i absolutely in love with the story and the unexpected ending .much thanks to the author

I absolutely loved this book!! I'm a huge fan of obscure words so this book was like a nerdy dream!
How Lachlan and Anneliese relationship developed was bittersweet because of the obstacles that they had to face from the lies and deceit that Donovan caused.
I really loved how Winter Renshaw made this more real and gritty. She made Lachlan and Anneliese show the anger and real feelings that someone would have when they were betrayed and lied to by someone who should have loved them.

The main characters in Love and Kerosene are Anneliese, a part-time naming consultant, and Lachlan who has done odds jobs in construction overseas. Anneliese was engaged to Lachlan's brother Donovan, who kind of swindled Anneliese out of her life savings by investing all of her money in his old childhood home. Anneliese finds this out after he's killed in an accident. And when Lachlan shows up to take ownership of the house, Anneliese puts up a fight and they find themselves striking a deal. They decide to renovate the house together and she has to convince him to sell while he would love to see the house burn down.

Love and Kerosene is a light contemporary romance. This is my first book by Winter Renshaw and I enjoyed her writing style. It was very easy to read and engaging. The plot/story was interesting enough to keep me going until the end. There wasn't a lot of romance in the first half of the book, and I was kind of waiting for the characters to grow closer together. There just wasn't enough time for the relationship between them to grow. So the romance aspect in my opinion was lacking. I also was hoping for more steamy scenes. Furthermore, the author wanted to do too much in a short time, which resulted in the last part of the book to be chaotic and very rushed. I did like the characters and found them to be a very good match. I look forward to reading more books by Winter Renshaw.