📖 Bookish Thoughts
This book was absolutely hilarious. Another laugh out loud romance from Amy Daws that had me cackling the whole way through. Dakota and Calder are both completely unhinged in the best way! And their banter was top tier. And the spice?! Whew. 🔥🔥🔥🔥 It delivered.

Calder might be one of my favorite book boyfriends ever. I didn’t know how much I needed a cat daddy mountain man until now.

The third act breakup is what kept this from being a five-star read for me. Dakota’s reaction felt a little too much and unfair to Calder, especially after everything they’d been through. It threw me off for a bit. But thankfully, it was resolved quickly, and the ending was really cute, so I was still happy with how things landed.

🐈‍⬛ What You Can Expect
• Enemies to lovers
• Friends with benefits
• Only one bed
• Forced proximity
• Small town setting
• Found family
• Cat daddy MMC
• Curvy FMC

📖 Final Score: ★★★★
📅 Pub Date: June 17, 2025
📝 Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

I enjoyed Seven Year Itch! I loved having more Milkshake content. Any man obsessed with his cat is a favorite for me. I don't even have a cat, but now I want to carry one around in a feline Baby Bjorn. I enjoyed Dakota and Calder's relationship. I liked that they already knew each other, which reads more authentic to me than random strangers meeting at a bar or whatever and deciding to "teach" each other things. I liked that they worked through their issues together and got to the root of the problem. I'm always here for a man who is down bad for his girl!

I enjoyed this one much better than the first. It feels like there's been lots of improvement. Like many other readers, I wasn't fond of weird language used in Nine months contract. Seven year itch appears to be much easier to enjoy. I was thrilled about Calder and Dakota's love story. It was quite obvious they'd fall in love but I was still very excited to follow it. I definitely didn't expect the depths of intimate thoughts and talks they were having. I must admit some of it was quite relatable and I felt empathetic to both characters. Can't lie, I even almost cried a few times! Also - spice is on the next level, descriptions are perfection, bravo! There's really not much I'd like to be changed in this book honestly. Quite a rare occasion for an ARC, but I say it's perfect! Miscommunication isn't my favorite trope, but it felt like it was in the right place here. I think I'll be looking forward to the last book in this series :)

Seven Year Itch by Amy Daws was such a fun read! From the very start, I was hooked by the hilarious situation of being stuck on a tropical vacation with someone who couldn’t stand you. The chemistry between the two main characters, Dakota and the protagonist, was off the charts. They started off as enemies, but watching them slowly shift to something more was so satisfying.

The slow burn of their relationship had me hooked—lots of tension, sparks, and those perfect moments that made me want to yell, “Just kiss already!” 😍 The tropical setting was the perfect backdrop for their unexpected connection, and I really loved the emotional layer added with Dakota trying to regain her confidence after her divorce.

Amy Daws really nailed the perfect balance of humor, heart, and heat in this one. If you’re looking for a romance with lots of banter, chemistry, and a bit of angst, this is definitely one to pick up. I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait to see what’s next from this author! 🌴💖

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

The perfect hate to love. Calder and Dakota are NOT friends. But they won't deny there's a sort of... tension. Dakota is freshly divorced from a man who damaged her self esteem, and is looking for a way to gain that confidence back. Calder is still scared of the last heart break he felt. What could go wrong???

The 3rd act break up was so REAL! They were angry and words they didn't mean were used, and while it hurts so much to hear, this stuff happens all the time. It's not always miscommunication. Calder is so down bad for Dakota he just doesn't want their little arrangement to end. He's pined for her from a distance forever.

HE'D MOVE OFF THE MOUNTAIN FOR HER?????

Cat Daddy who’s also a grumpy mountain man and a freshly divorced curvy babe who wants to get laid, yea I knew I was going to love this. Such a great romcom that made me laugh but also broke my heart. Dakota deserved so much better than her ex and Calder just needed someone to believe in him. They balanced each other so well and really helped the other work through their hang ups. I have had so much fun reading this series and can’t wait for the next one!

Good but was not my favorite. Good writing but not my cup of tea this time around. I loved the first one but this is still a page turner

This book was a fun read, but I often found myself putting it down and not feeling eager to pick it back up. The Tinder profile at the beginning really hooked me—I would’ve loved for that tone to continue. Instead, it quickly shifted to sex clubs, and the tone didn’t feel fully erotic, romantic, or comedic. The focus stayed on the main character’s insecurities (great topic for character development) and the sex lessons (always a favorite) for much of the first half, rather than developing a genuine relationship between the leads. Their connection did build eventually, and while the story leaned heavily into smut—as intended—it may not be for everyone.

5 ⭐️
Tropes: forced proximity, enemies to lovers, small town romance, only-one bed, coaching romance, meddling family

“If you’re intent on a label, you can call us enemies with benefits” 🥵

This has now taken one of my top favorites read of 2025 - Amy Daws writing is
C-R-A-C-K 🤩😍 I’m obsessed with everything about this book! This is the second book in the Mountain Men Matchmaker series, and I absolutely adored it. Calder and Dakota’s chemistry was off the charts and seriously addictive.

Calder was the quintessential playboy and the always single Fletcher brother that was always up to no good. He was everything that Dakota hated since the first day they met 7 years ago. Dakotas best friend Cozy married Max, Calder’s oldest brother and he was the bane of her existence. Dakota is a bada** business owner that is newly divorced and down on herself. But Calder met his match with Dakota. she took no sh!t from him and he was kind of obsessed with that. They each lit a fire under each other and didn’t expect sparks to fly. Ok sure they found each other attractive but the fact that they hated each other made an enemies with benefits arrangement sound great and a win win situation for both of them.

I SWOONED at how Calder’s hard shell and stance on hating relationship melted away because of Dakota, and she realized that not all men are pieces of sh!t like her ex husband. Calder provided a safe space for Dakota to find herself again and regain what she lost. He was so patient with her and coached her to discover what she liked and didn’t like in the bedroom and that was so freeing for Dakota.

To think this all happened because of Calder’s niece Everly’s meddling. Can’t wait to see what she gets up to in the last book of the series and her plans for her uncle Luke the last single Fletcher brother.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that…Everly might have some plans for you."
"Everly?" He frowns, looking completely confused, and I can't help but laugh. I'm guessing Luke will discover Everly's extracurricular activities in due time.”
And I cannot wait for Luke’s turn 😍

I cannot recommend this series and this author enough! It is a series of interconnected stand-alones and you don’t have to read them in order but I HIGHLY recommend that you do!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved it. Enemies to lovers and best friend husband’s brother. It’s core and romantic. It really enjoyable.

Thank you so much to Harlequin Trade Publishing & NetGalley for this e-ARC.

It's so much joy to read about and fall in love with these hot mountain men from Amy Daws's imagination. It was a great blend of romance and humor. Despite being the second novel in the Mountain Man series, it was simple to read on its own. In addition, the plot was really entertaining and kept me turning the pages till I finished. It had just the proper amount to slow burn and was a classic enemies to lover. I can't wait to learn about the other mountain men.

These sexy mountain men from the imagination of Amy Daws are so much fun to read and fall in love with. I loved the first book, Nine Month Contract, and honestly, I might even have loved this one more! Calder was a grumpy tattooed kinda bad boy, the lovable middle brother of the 3 that live on the mountain together. Dakota we met back earlier with their first brother’s story, Last on the List. She is friends with Cozy the heroine in that tale. Dakota inspired me and made me wish I was willing and able to start a bookstore, my passion, the way she started her t-shirt shop.

I don’t remember a ton about her and her husband from before, but that’s okay as we get flashes back to it in this story, and that may be the only actual times we got it, they may not have been any more in the other books. Once again Everly, Max from the 1st book’s daughter, was busy trying to matchmake her uncles. She’s got two left when this story begins. And she gets started with Calder and Dakota right away.

It starts with the one bed trope when they go away for Wyatt and Trista’s wedding in Mexico. As you’d expect, eventually the two of them have to give in. Even if they have also started the book with their enemies to lovers trope, because they are enemies after things that happened when Calder did the renovations on Dakota’s house and had a bunch of things go wrong. Things that I love getting more details about at the end when things start to get cleared up in our big dramatic act. They take it and turn their connection into an enemies with benefits relationship and set up a list to help Dakota get moved on from her divorce.

Their first run in for the story is at a sex club. One that Calder frequents, and Dakota has just decided to check out after her ex-husband called her boring in bed. And when Calder sees her there, he wants to know why. But of course she is embarrassed and doesn’t want to let him know, which his trying to find out leads them down the path to hooking up and more. Through their enemies with benefits relationship, obviously things start to change. They talk more, share personal things, and both definitely catch feelings. But both are too stubborn to either share THOSE feelings, or believe things said or done by the other could mean they might feel the same way. Of course that is what led me here on my blog to drop it to a 4.5 stars instead of a full 5 because that always bugs me.

It also though, leads to Calder having to figure out a way to tell her and get her to believe him. And one thing I love about the way the author brings all that about, is that there is still yelling and irritation between the two. Even though they can solve it, it is done realistically based on how their personalities and relationship has always been. And I mentioned things we learned about the renovation and some of the wedding troubles when things are getting sorted at the end, and those things made me fall in love with Calder more.

I am adoring this series, and am so ready for book 3. I need to see Luke get his HEA and I’m wondering if it will be with the girl he spent time with in this story, or if there is someone else on his horizon! And I still need to find and watch Seven Brides for Seven Brothers!

My first book by Amy and it was perfection! it was a wonderful mix of funny and romance. Although this is book two in the Mountain Man series, it was easy to read as a stand alone. I LOVE that Amy has her FMC curvy and plus size. It is so refreshing to not have a "tiny waist" woman.

Also the story line was so enjoyable and kept me turning the pages until I was done. This was a classic enemies to lovers and had just the right amount to slow burn.

Amy has a devoted reader for life and I can't wait to read about these other mountain men

Five stars for Seven Year Itch by Amy Daws, which takes us back to Fletcher Mountain in Colorado for another hilarious romp with the somewhat grumpy Fletcher brothers in a small-town romance. The series characters are interconnected but each book stands alone. That being said, you really should dive in from the beginning to enhance your pleasure.

This book focuses around middle brother Calder, with his middle child syndrome, and his and spunky enemy turned love interest, Dakota, who also suffers from some self-esteem issues. This enemies-to-lovers couple is primed to get the sparks flying no matter where they are. They bump heads at every turn, always ready with a snippy comeback, yet they have sexual chemistry in spades. This stubborn pair learns that they actually have a lot in common, and navigating their way through all the past BS and denied feelings made for a very entertaining read that I hated to put down.

I also gave the audiobook a listen, and my gosh, the duet narration by Teddy Hamilton and Erin Mallon is pure perfection. They brought out all the laughs from the words of Amy Daws. They truly brought the banter of this feisty couple to life. You could feel the emotion and the tension in every word. I have always loved both of these narrators and hearing them read an Amy Daws' book is basically freaking hilarious. Amy loves putting her characters in awkward situations.

The story is amazing. Having all the characters from previous books show up in the beginning portion for Wyatt and Trista’s wedding was a lot of fun and helped refresh my memory of the history between them all. And, of course, niece Everly is at it again. She just might have a future in matchmaking. Seems she’s at least three for three at this point. I guess Luke better watch out as he seems to be next on her hit list. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for him next in Honeymoon Phase.

This book hits a lot of my favorite tropes, which should appeal to many readers. The forced proximity at a beautiful resort, the close and somewhat meddling but well-meaning family, enemies-to-lovers, fake-ish dating with a purpose and an end date, small-town romance where everybody knows your business before you. I could really could go on, but now it’s time for you to pick up this book in your favorite format and settle in for the hilarious antics of Calder and Dakota.

ARC Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC.

I loved the first book of this series and this one does not disappoint. Amazing addition to this collection of interconnected standalone books.

All the characters we got to met in the previous book are present, but if you started with this book you'd have no problem jumping right in.

This delivers on that high tension banter filled romance that made me want to scream just kiss already! And oh boy do they 😉. Well there are a few tropes in here that I don't normally enjoy, they are well done.

This was good, but I definitely enjoyed nine month contract more. I ate up all the little tid bits we got about Stevie, Wyatt, and Trista. Calder was obnoxious, but he did grow on me towards the end. The humor and current pop culture was one of my favorite things about the book.

I’ll continue to read any more mountain matchmakers!

Thank you, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Amy Daws, for the ARC and the opportunity to provide an honest review!

Calder and Dakota have known each other for seven years. He’s never had to truly worry about her until she’s divorced and stuck with her on trip in paradise. They are constantly fighting but that tends to be a sign of more than hate. Sometimes it’s a sign of mutual attraction too.

You can find: Enemies to Lovers, Small Town Romance, Vacation Romances, Quirky Animals, and Meddling Family.

Ultimately, this was not for me. Plot is very important for me and this wasn’t very plot driven. However, there will be some readers looking for a good time read. This might be it for you.

Thanks to Canary Street Press and HTP for my advanced copy of Seven Year Itch.

This is book two in the Mountain Man Matchmaker series. These books are a little steamier and I liked seeing Calder and Dakota together. Their enemies-to-lovers banter was so fun. This was a quick book and I enjoyed reading it. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Seven Year Itch takes a different direction from Nine Month Contract, but I still loved it all the same. My favorite mountain men are back along with their diabolical niece who is determined to see her uncles married. This book has everything I love about a romantic comedy, such as enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, and found family. The banter between Dakota and Calder was very entertaining but I loved watching Calder's character grow as he helped Dakota find herself again and eventually learn to fall in love. I am excited for the final book in the series and to see what sinister plans Everly has in store for her uncle, Luke.

Audiobook Lovers:
I would highly recommend listening to the audiobook for Seven Year Itch. First off, the male narrator is Teddy Hamilton. Do I need to say more?! The dual narration makes this such a fun story to listen to. Just make sure the windows are up if you're listening to this book in your car. 🫢

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to review Seven Year Itch. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a big change from the first book, but man did I love it. I love book that are so different than the previous ones in the series and this hit! You definitely still had things that were the same: romance, comedy, spice, banter.... but then you added other things like a sex club and him helping her find herself again and I just fell in love.

Okay you got a cute cat daddy, Calder, and a Fierce Lady, Dakota. I loved how there were so many different mini tropes all in here, but they didn't overpower a previous one. You had a take on enemies to lovers, forced proximity, small town romance, sex exploration to name a few. I had such a good time reading this book and will defiantly have to get a trophy of this later.

One of my favorite Quote was: "If you're intent on a label, you can call us enemies with benefits."

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.