Review: Worth the Fall by J. Sterling (Sugar Mountain #1)
Note: An advance reader copy (ARC) was provided by the author via Wordsmith Publicity.
It's been more than eight years since my last J. Sterling read, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to re-acquaint myself with her writing via Worth the Fall, the first in her new small town romance series, Sugar Mountain. The three books which have already been announce--not sure if it'll be just these three or if there will be more down the pipeline--center on the O'Grady brothers, Thomas, Patrick, and Matthew, and the women who will change their lives. Things kick off with the oldest O'Grady brother, Thomas, who is in his early thirties, a widower and a father to an eight-year-old daughter named Clarabel, and the director of finance of the family-owned Sugar Mountain Resort. He's got Clara, his dad, and his two younger brothers, plus a home of his own and a resort that allows him to work with family and continue to build on their legacy; so he doesn't really need much more. Then Brooklyn McKay becomes the resorts new events coordinator, and she sparks something he hasn't felt in years. But with her recent divorce, their clashing personalities, and the fact that they work together, what will it take for Thomas and Clara to realize that a chance at true love is worth the fall?
Single parent AND grumpy/sunshine AND small town?! It's a dream trifecta of romance tropes, and I enjoyed how it all played out in J. Sterling's latest series starter. Thomas and Brooklyn's first interaction left an impression on both of them, as it did with me, hooking me in and making me curious as to how their story would play out. They did have a number of matchmakers on their side because these two did need a bit of nudging whenever they made their fair share of assumptions. For as much as they appeared to be open and honest with each other, they seemed to have trouble communicating, ironically enough. But I loved seeing Thomas, Brooklyn, and Clara come together and become an honest-to-goodness family while not trying to erase Jenna, Thomas's late wife and Clara's mother. The rest of the O'Grady men, aka Thomas's father and brothers, also piqued my interest, and there were major hints as to who Patrick and Matthew were going to be paired with when their books are released. Is it weird that I kinda, sorta, maybe, totally hope the O'Grady patriarch gets his own second shot at a happily-ever-after, too? Maybe with a certain sitter/neighbor? Either way, I'm quite eager to returning to Sugar Mountain and the O'Gradys! Four stars for Worth the Fall.
Release Date: 14 October 2024
Date Read: 12 October 2024
Learn more about J. Sterling.
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