What a fascinating book. I was impressed by the storyline and the characters were all well written and complex. Where there are complex storylines combined with intriguing characters the reader experience is magnified tremendously. To have a book that is well written as well as entertaining is a delight. Reading is about escaping your world and entering another one. The word building was phenomenal in this book. Here I forgot about my own life and was immersed in the world created by the author. I would recommend this

This was such a charming and heartwarming romance. I loved the characters but especially Paige., as she captured my heart. It was a great escape to read this.
Many thanks to the author and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Clean Romance

I appreciate a story where the romance does not go above and beyond in descriptiveness. Reserved does have that quality. The only downside for me was that the romance was basically the entire plot. There was not much more to the story to enhance the plot. However, it was a pleasant, clean romance.

This was a fun and entertaining read that kept me entertained. I enjoyed the friends to lovers aspect and appreciated the low drama in this book. It was a nice way to relax and spend an afternoon.

When I requested this book I didn't know it was already part of a series I requested 3, 4 and 5.
Each book can be read as a standalone without getting anything mixed up. A few of the character can be seen in each book but you can follow without any problems. I love that the series is called A Love Story cause each and everyone of them is special. I am truly sorry I waited to long to read these little gems and I have requested my library to carry them!! This one might be my favorite
I cant wait to read the next story that I have.

My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

RESERVED - Tracy Ewans

FUN FRIENDS-TO-LOVERS ROMANCE - 4.5 stars

#4 in the Love Story romance series

Plot - 4 stars - Travis is a chef from a family of football fanatics, so he feels separate from them. He has overcompensated by becoming a "manwhore" and playing the field with women. But he does have a successful career working in his best friend's restaurant. Makenna is a single mom who feels it's time to get back into the dating world after losing her husband several years earlier. She and Travis have always had a fun and bantering relationship, but suddenly they are starting to recognize more romantic feelings for each other, and it makes them uncomfortable.

Writing - 4.5 stars - Ewans grabbed my attention right from the beginning, and I was instantly caught up in the story at The Yard. She built strong professional characters with a good sense of humor and close family ethics. The story moved forward quickly and easily, and I was definitely rooting for a happy ending.

Title - 4.5 stars - Great play on words describing the relationship (at first) between Travis and Makenna as well as a common word in the restaurant business.

Characters - 5 stars - This is where this book shines for me. Travis is a sexy and talented chef with a reputation for being a playboy. His relationship with Makenna has developed through his friendship with her brother Logan and the fact that they both work at Logan's restaurant. Travis is sweet to Makenna's daughter Paige and fits right in with their family, although he has a very strained relationship with his own. Makenna is a young widow, a single mom, who is extremely close to her family and who now feels that it's time to get back into the dating world. It was so obvious to everyone around them (and to the reader) that they were perfect for each other, but it took a while for them to realize it. I liked that they both had flaws, making them much more approachable and appealing. I'm always a sucker for a great family connection, and these brothers and sisters were especially close. Secondary characters were great. Paige is an adorable 5-year-old catalyst, although I wondered if she was written a little too mature for that young a child. Although since she's the daughter of a single mom, perhaps that was believable. It didn't bother me too much.

Cover - 4.5 stars - Very pretty cover of a table in the restaurant where much of the action takes place. Not the typical ho-hum cover of so many books of this genre.

Overview - 4.5 stars - This is a new-to-me author, and I will definitely continue to look for her books. I haven't read any of the other books in this series, and it was clear that some of the characters had been featured in previous books, but it wasn't confusing at all and just made me want to read all the rest of them and catch up. I loved the intertwining relationships and all the love and caring shown throughout. There is a strong friends-to-lovers trope, and I enjoyed every minute of it.