The perfect follow up to 9 Month Contract! If you enjoyed Wyatt’s story-then you’ll like Calders story just as much if not more. I fully appreciate these books as they follow 3 brothers finding love (with help from their meddling neice). It you like a spicy book with a decent plot, Amy Daws books are for you.

4.5 stars

Fun and flirty second book in this series following the perpetual bachelor Calder and the recently divorced Dakota. Enemies thrown together by machinations of a behind the scenes matchmaker. A vacation where they are sharing a room leads the two to get to know a new side of their dynamic.

I enjoyed Seven Year Itch more than the first book in the series as the premise was more realistic.

Meddling Matchmaker
Getting her Back
Perpetual Bachelor
Enemies to Lovers
One Bed
Vacation Romance

Thank you Amy Daws and Canary Street Press for providing this ARC via NetGalley. Comments and opinions above are my own.

#SevenYearItch #NetGalley

I loved the enemies to lovers dynamic between the love interests, especially that he always wanted her and she had no clue. I really enjoyed the FMC’s struggle with her body changing due to life/stress/age, the feeling of not being what you once were really resonated with me. The MMC mentioning the change in appearance in a way that felt positive and coming from a place of appreciation and love not only helped the FMC, but I think will also relate to many people. Showing that while our bodies change, we can still love ourselves and be loved by other people without conditions.

I adored seeing familiar characters especially one particular nosey niece who wants nothing more than for her uncles to find love.

I LOVED this steamy enemies to lovers small town mountain romance. Dakota was so sassy and fierce while Calder was so bull headed and bold. I loved their arguments more than any other fictional couple I've read. The banter and mouths of the two of them had me gasping and then holding m breath and gasping some more. The romance once they finally couldn't hold back was so passionate and intense. I loved how these characters supported each other too

This was one of the most delightful rom-coms I’ve read in a long time! Amy Daws absolutely nails the enemies-to-lovers dynamic, and the chemistry between the main characters is laugh-out-loud hilarious. I was hooked from the very first page and couldn’t put it down.

I had no idea this was the second book in a series—it works perfectly as a standalone—but now I’m even more excited to go back and read the first one. I can’t wait to dive deeper into this fun, flirty world filled with charming, rugged mountain men!

What a fun and spicy read.

Calder works with his three brothers building eco friendly homes. When his brother Wyatt is getting married in Mexico he isn't happy about going alone.
Calder checks out Lennox the sex club he belongs to, and finds his sister in laws, best friend Dakota. He and Dakota do not get along, but he busts in and saves her bad experience.
Dakota about dies when she sees Calder come at her and takes her away from the scene she is in. She is thankful but what the hell.
Calder and Dakota have a history, that happened 7 years ago. He renovated her house, broke a pipe and wrecked her wedding dress, her dream wedding dress, 3 days before the wedding.
Calder has a plan to help Dakota learn a few things and does a power point with lists of tasks.
Dakota agrees and starts working on the list with Calder.
These two have a great chemistry until they don't. Both vow to try to enjoy themselves.
Calder shows Dakota sides of him nobody knows, Dakota shows Calder all her vulnerable and insecure parts.
Calder is the biggest fan of how successful Dakota is and Dakota sees all the talent that Calder has and how generous he is with the family business.
When neither want to admit to feelings, it takes niece Everly, to push them together again!
Lots of laugh out loud, and fun sex scenes and a cute fluffy kitty.

Overall, 3 stars, but I would give the Tinder profile at the beginning of the book 5 stars. The book was entertaining, but I felt like it leaned too heavily on the "enemies" part and made it very cringy for me to read. I had a hard time connecting with the main characters, both Calder and Dakota were too stubborn for their own good. The parts that I really enjoyed were around Dakota gaining her self-confidence back and feel comfortable enough to explore sexual adventures with Calder. Calder's vulnerability was really sweet as well.

Thanks to Amy Daws and her team in Netgalley for this ARC
 ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ 
🌶️🌶️🌶️

I had so much fun with this book gotta agree with everly she is a Mastermind and she's back to her matchmaking shenanigans, her new victim? Calder! When he has no option but to attend Wyatt and Trista's wedding in Mexico solo, Everly decides to play Cupid with Dakota, forcing them into a shared Palapa. Their past might be rocky, but their chemistry is undeniable, making for a truly interesting read! Expect the usual hilarious banter, laugh-out-loud moments, and plenty of heat from these mountain men

Be warned there is a bit of miscommunication so if you're not into that  read at your one risk.
Tropes:
• Enemies to Lovers
• Small Town Romance / Vacation Romances
• Cat Dad
• S3x Lessons
• Only one bed

𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫 𝑰𝑭 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑳𝑰𝑲𝑬:
♡ enemies to lovers
♡ small town/mountain romance
♡ forced proximity
♡ SASSY fmcs
♡ friends with benefits

𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑻𝑯𝑶𝑼𝑮𝑯𝑻𝑺:
I really really enjoyed this one! First off, the narrators did an AMAZING job. They really made these characters come to life. And I loved the duet narration! Highly recommend the audio for this one.

I was so eager for Calder’s book after NMC, especially after he adopted Milkshake the cat and became a hardcore cat daddy lol. We got to see him became more of himself not only professionally, but personally as well. I think he had some great character building, even if a bit was done kicking and screaming!

Dakota was a bomb a$$ FMC who wanted nothing more than to find herself after her divorce and she did an amazing job. I won’t spoil it, but the opening scene where she stands up for herself had me cackling!

Their romance was driven by meddlesome side characters and despite their initial hatred for each other, it developed into a perfect romance for the two of them. And those spicy scenes??? 10/10, no notes. Their banter was also top tier and you can tell they’ll never lose the sass, no matter how long they’re together.

Amy Daws wrote gold with this book and I can’t wait for the next one!!

Tall, tattooed, bearded, rugged mountain man, looking for someone to giggle and make soup with...

We are back at Fletcher Mountain. This book follows Calder, the cat dad, and Dakota, who is newly divorced. After seven years of hate and banter between them, things take a turn when they are forced to share a room for a few days. This book was a really fun and spicy read. I do think Nine Month Contract was funnier, but this book has its own great qualities. I had a good time with this one.

Thank you to Netgalley and HTP for a free copy of this book. All thoughts are my own and given without requirement.

Book Tropes:
Enemies with Benefits
Vacation Romance
Only one Bed
Cat Daddy
Curvy FMC
Life after Divorce

Thoughts:

Seven Year Itch is a spicy enemies to lovers romance that is sex positive in discovering who you are. It has banter, laughter and angst. Calder was relatable as being the middle child, stuck in the shadow of his older brother and ignored in favor of his younger. He felt like he was stuck in his role and didn't have room to branch out or be taken seriously. Dakota is stuck with coming to terms with who she is after a divorce that came seven years too late. Dealing with body changes and fighting the perceptions forced upon her by her sleezeball of an ex husband. This part of Dakota was the most relatable as someone who used to be thin and is now rocking size 16 dresses and XL Shirts.

I loved the way that the couple explores sex and learning who they are in the bedroom. Their relationship restarts in a Kink Club and while it does feature in the book, it isn't the main part of the story. I thought that was a decent way to show sexual positivity without shoving it down your throat, which it could have easily gone that way.

While I did enjoy this book, it does not top Nine Month Contract for me. There is just something so special in the first book that this one was unable to replicate. Of course, Wyatt and Trisha still have a role to play in this sequel. We get to see more of a look into Luke and Everly has a few scene stealing moments. The background cast is amazing and I am eager to see Luke's story!

Unfortunately, I really don't like Third Act Break ups and this trope almost overshadowed the rest of the book. I will say that Amy does a great job in actually making this conflict reasonable in why there was miscommunication, but the way that it was handled and thrust upon our couple was a bit unnecessary.. The fact of the matter is, Calder was trying to protect someone he cared for, and in doing so he kept a secret that could have prevented seven years of misery for Dakota. Yet, his reasoning for keeping that secret was sound and luckily this part of the book didn't last too long.

I was really looking forward to this book and it did not disappoint!
Calder and Dakota have been enemies for seven years. They can't stand each other! When Dakota gets divorced and finds herself stuck sharing a room in Mexico with Calder sparks fly. They agree to an enemies with benefits situation to help Dakota get her confidence back.
You'll love this book if you like:
One bed
Forced Proximity
Enemies to lovers
Mountain man MMC

Thank you NetGalley for a free eArc in exchange for a honest review!

3.5⭐️ I enjoyed this one a lot more than book 1 of this series! I feel like the pacing was perfect and the chemistry between the characters were my favorite parts. It’s a very fun series and easy to read! I do feel like the writing style and character development are somewhat shallow. There’s not much depth, which made it difficult to get connected with the story. There’s also was a bunch of scenes that had cringey moments/ dialogue. Overall it was a fun read though!

What can go wrong with an enemies to lovers story? This second chance romance has all the things you need, banter, chemistry, a touch of kink and overall building confidence and bettering your life. This book truly combined two of my favorite tropes into a page turning really enjoyable romance!

Dakota is coming out of a divorce that left her questioning everything about love and her self worth. When she runs into the grumpy mountain an, Calder, at a sex club things turn awkward fast. The banter and the chemistry were enough to make me laugh out loud and do high kicks in the air.

4.5 ⭐️
Amy Daws strikes gold again with “Seven Year Itch,” the second installment in her Mountain Men Matchmaker series. This book, an ARC provided by Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, masterfully combines humor, heartfelt emotion, and sizzling romance into a delightful narrative that keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

The story follows Calder, a self-proclaimed bachelor and bad boy who prides himself on his independence and carefree lifestyle. Calder’s world takes a turn when he finds himself reluctantly helping Dakota, a woman struggling to rediscover her confidence after a tough divorce. What begins as a clash of personalities soon evolves into a tale of personal growth, unexpected chemistry, and mutual healing.

True to the series' charm, Everly, Calder's meddlesome niece, plays an instrumental role in pushing the story forward. Through her hilariously heartwarming antics—sabotaging Calder’s dating profiles and orchestrating moments of forced proximity—she ensures that Calder and Dakota are thrown together in ways that neither could anticipate. From bantering at his brother’s wedding to intimate moments of vulnerability, the two navigate themes of enemies-to-lovers and forced proximity with genuine emotion and fiery tension.

Key Themes
Enemies to Lovers: The dynamic between Calder and Dakota is electric, showcasing the classic trope of adversaries evolving into allies, and eventually, soulmates.
Forced Proximity: Everly’s meddling acts as the catalyst for Calder and Dakota's interactions, giving their relationship the push it needs to develop naturally yet irresistibly.
Personal Growth: The novel dives into themes of self-discovery, confidence-building, and overcoming emotional wounds, not just for Dakota but for Calder as well.


One of the standout aspects of this book is the depth and charm of its characters. Calder’s evolution from a guarded bad boy to a supportive partner is as entertaining as it is heartwarming. His love for cats adds an unexpectedly sweet, quirky layer to his personality—earning him the affectionate moniker “Cat Daddy Calder.”

Dakota’s journey to reclaim her confidence post-divorce is both relatable and inspiring. Additionally, Everly’s mischievous yet well-meaning actions inject humor and lightness into the story, leaving readers eager for the promise of her own future narrative.

Amy Daws excels in crafting witty and engaging dialogue, with chapter titles that are as amusing as they are fitting for the unfolding drama. The pacing of the story strikes a perfect balance, allowing both the emotional and romantic arcs to develop naturally.

The spicy scenes are spicing – holy cow - adding to the chemistry between Calder and Dakota while staying true to the book’s tone.

Final Thoughts
“Seven Year Itch” is a delightful addition to the Mountain Men Matchmaker series. It offers everything one could hope for—a compelling romance, humor that leaves you grinning, and heartfelt moments that tug at your heartstrings. While the book shines on its own merit, fans will undoubtedly find themselves wishing for more of Everly’s meddling and eagerly awaiting her story in future installments.

Amy Daws has delivered yet another gem that captures the essence of what makes romance novels so irresistible. Whether you’re a fan of the series or just discovering her work, “Seven Year Itch” is not to be missed.

Seven Year Itch by Amy Daws initially promised an entertaining, second-chance romance with plenty of spark. While the premise had potential, the execution fell flat for me. The story leaned too heavily into over-sexualized content, overshadowing the emotional depth and character development I was hoping for. Additionally, the female lead's consistently abrasive attitude made it hard to connect with her, ultimately making the book more frustrating than fun. I ended up setting it aside before finishing.

Calder and Dakota's respective pasts shaped their perspectives of each other. When they encounter each other years later, their story begins all with a little 'helpful' intervention of his mischievous niece.

This prods him into visiting a specific club (definitely did not see that setting coming). She's there but it's his brother and her bff's destination wedding that really creates a forced proximity.

The buildup to their relationship is definitely believable due the time the author devotes from the transformation of hereto enemies to lovers. Devoted followers of this author will also delight in the reappearance of "(the irrepressible) Kate and Miles" from "Wait for Me".

Showcasing more of "Milkshake" antics or Calder's /Dakota's interaction with "Milkshake" (ie inject more humor) could have elevated this to a memorable five star read. Otherwise, it was a solid read but not one that will linger.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#SevenYearItch #NetGalley

Book 2 in the Mountain Men Matchmaker Series

Amy has yet again knocked it out of the park! Ma'am ...

This was an emotionally charged journey that I didn't see coming! This was everything you could have wanted and so much more. You'll laugh... Oh, will you laugh! You'll cry and your heart might just ache a little too, but mostly you'll be screaming for more as these two find their way to forever.

There's a fine line between love and hate ... Or so they say. The fiery hate between these two is enough to set these pages on fire...Yet underneath it all is a chemistry so steamy & intense it's just a few shades brighter than HOT!!! And that line? What happens when it becomes blurred? Because with nine little words... Cards on the table and a challenge issued, it's time to call.

That's all it takes for the explosions to ignite... Step back, because you're about to get burned. Whew...

Calder Fletcher has always lived by his own rules.
Work hard, play harder. Take nothing serious.
And above all? Absolutely NO responsibilities! However, underneath that sinfully delicious, rough & gruff playboy exterior is a man begging to be seen. Seen for all he truly has to offer. Seen for the man he's becoming. The man he wants to be and not just for the roles that he plays within his family. But if he never takes the risk, will he ever reap the rewards?

Dakota Schaefer is a fierce Boss Babe. She's feisty, stubbornly opinionated and incessantly bossy. Underneath it all is a slight vulnerability that very few people see. And now with a large chink in that armour, one her ex-husband continuously poked at and ultimately created, her confidence has begun to slip and she wants nothing more than to be the woman she once was. Stella, err... Dakota needs to get her groove back and boy does she ever!

A "mix-up" in Mexico, courtesy of a certain meddling Fletcher, has these two sharing a room and soon, so much more than just their back and forth snarky banter. But what happens on a secluded island paradise can't possibly happen again once they return to reality. Can it? Dakota quickly realizes that spicy 'lessons' from Calder is exactly what she needs to find her old self. And who is he to turn her down? As long days turn into even longer nights, will they be able to stick to the rules? The biggest one being "No catching feelings"?! And what will happen if they do? Will they reach out and grab on tight or will they both stubbornly walk away from the best thing that has ever happened to either one of them because they're too scared to take the chance?

Calder needs someone to push him outside of his comfort zone. To fight with and for him. Someone to believe in him, so that the small trace that resides within him will come out and shine bright. Dakota is that person. His person. Just as he is hers. Years in the making, they just took the roundabout way to forever and it was oh, so sweet! Absolute End Game Perfection!!!

Family dynamics are complicated and the Fletchers are no different. But at the end of the day, there is nothing more important. You'll fall even more in love with this crazy, fun family before it's all said and done. I can't wait to continue the journey...

I absolutely LOVED Nine Month Contract so I couldn’t wait to read Seven Year Itch! I knew it was going to be good but I didn’t know it was going to be the best book I have ever read.

Seven Year Itch is HILARIOUS. I have never laughed so many times reading a book. Catdaddy is seriously the funniest person(I want to be his friend.🤣) Dakota has the absolute best come backs to him.

Their story is just *chefs kiss*. Amy just wove their love story beautifully. It never felt forced, just fit together like puzzle pieces.

This book made me feel seen for the first time ever. I am 33 and I do not have the looks or body I had in my 20s. It has been a huge internal battle for me. Calders love for Dakotas body made me feel hopeful to see myself how he sees her. Dakotas realization that she doesn’t need or want anyone’s approval over her body/looks gave me the confidence I needed. I only need to approve of myself, nobody else’s opinion matters. I didn’t realize I NEEDED this book as much as I did.

I will forever love and recommend Amy Daw’s masterpieces. Not only will you laugh your ass off but you will fill a little bit of the emptiness inside of you.🖤

I received this early but these are my honest thoughts.

Amy Daws, queen of banter and spice, strikes gold again with Seven Year Itch! Calder and Dakota’s enemies-to-lovers slow burn had me in a chokehold. From the moment they’re stuck sharing a room in paradise, sparks fly—and not the safe kind. Think: sweaty volleyball, late-night truth bombs, cat drama, and a past grudge that turns very physical. 🤭⁠ Calder is every kind of fantasy wrapped in flannel and tattoos—a big, bearded cat daddy with soft eyes and a DIRTY mouth. Dakota is fierce, freshly divorced, and ready to reclaim her life (and her sex drive). Their tension? Off the charts. Their bickering? A foreplay masterclass. Their hookup? Enough to fog your glasses.⁠ And let’s not forget matchmaker-in-chief Everly, who’s out here engineering the best romantic chaos. This book has it all—laughs, heart, heat, and that special Amy Daws magic where the MMC falls hard and softens beautifully. I laughed, I blushed, I swooned—and I wanted to move to this wild little mountain town.⁠ 💘Spice level: High. Emotional payoff: Even higher. Calder and Dakota might start off as enemies, but watching them fall for each other was pure gold.💘