Review: Like You Love Me by Adriana Locke (Honey Creek #1)


Note: An advanced reader copy (ARC) was provided by Montlake.

Adriana Locke is one of my favorite go-to authors when it comes to both small-town and family-oriented romances. Following her first series with Montlake, Locke's got a new series, Honey Creek, to entice readers and fans with! The series starter, Like You Love Me, is a marriage-of-convenience romance. Set in the fictional town of Honey Creek, Tennessee, this is the story of Holden McKenzie and Sophie Bates. Growing up, the two were best friends each and every summer that Holden spent with his maternal grandparents. It may have been ten years since Holden was last in Honey Creek, but their bond has remained. He would be a shoo-in for his dream job as a veterinarian in Miami if he could show he was a committed man, and she could save her beloved bed and breakfast, the Honey House, if she had the money to pay back taxes. They could get by with a little help from their friends, aka each other. All they have to do to is to say "I do." 

This was a really fun read! As much as I love angst in my books, I like balancing that out with more lighthearted fare, and Holden and Sophie's story certainly provided me with that. This served as a great introduction to the town of Honey Creek and the close-knit community that plays a role in Holden and Sophie's romance. It as interesting to see these two rekindle their friendship with less awkwardness and more awareness. After all, not all friendships survive a loss in contact, and now that they were twenty-eight-year-old adults, Holden and Sophie were noticing each other in a whole new--very adult--light. There was very little in terms of challenges to their relationship, and I just enjoyed the heck out of reading their love story. The last chapter was also a good setup for the next book, which I do believe will be about Sophie's older sister, Olivia. I've also got my fingers crossed for their older brother, Jobe, to get his book, too. Five stars for Like You Love Me.

Release Date: 16 February 2021

Date Read: 12 February 2021

Learn more about Adriana Locke.

Purchase Like You Love Me on Amazon.

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