New Release: Afterglow by Aria Wyatt + Review & Excerpt!

 

Afterglow by Aria Wyatt is now available!

Blurb:

I’m a numbers girl.

Or at least I thought I was, until my formula fell apart. Back home in Vermont, with my dream on hiatus, I’m working at the Busy Bean and taking online classes. As long as I keep my focus, I’ll be back in New York City next semester. Hopefully.

When Declan O’Shaughnessy storms into the café, all muscles and tattoos, wielding his sexy Irish brogue like a weapon, the only equation I can solve is one that lands me in his bed. Even more dangerous is my growing affection for his cherub-faced little boy.

But Declan has complications of his own. He’s cagey, but I’ll win him over.

Yeah, about that focus… mine is all on him. Can we have a harmless fling without getting hurt?

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://geni.us/AfterglowAmazon
Apple: https://geni.us/AfterglowApple
Kobo: https://geni.us/AfterglowKobo
Nook: https://geni.us/AfterglowNook
Google: https://geni.us/AfterglowGoogle

All the links in one spot: https://shor.by/busy-bean
Add to Goodreads here: http://bit.ly/3p6Z8cA
Series page: https://hearteyespress.com/wotn#/busy-bean/
Cover Design: Elle Maxwell Designs

Excerpt:

The Busy Bean reminds me of my father’s pub in Galway, where I had my first drink and started my love affair with Irish whiskey. I’ve traded booze for hot cider, but I crave the inviting pub vibe of this bakery. There are plenty of bars in town—like the place right across the car park—but I don’t dare set foot in one. This is the closest I’ll allow myself.

“Hi, what can I get started for you?”

I spin toward the lilting female voice and frown. I come here just about every day and I’ve never seen this woman. She’s a pretty little thing who barely comes up to my shoulder. A black T-shirt peeks from beneath the bright yellow apron that covers her breasts. She’s cinched the tie around her waist, showcasing her hourglass figure.

“Hello?” She props both hands on her hips. “Would you like to order something?”

My gaze snaps to her face and locks on to a set of eyes the exact shade of golden amber as whiskey. With her tanned skin, and thick, honey-blonde hair, I’d swear I walked into a distillery. My throat tightens, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as I try to find the words to answer.

Her mouth starts to move again, drawing my focus to her lips. Full and pink, like a wild Irish rose. “I brewed a fresh pot of coffee and the drink of the day is a dirty apple chai.” She licks those plush lips and adds, “With apples from the Shipley orchards, of course.”

My stomach twists into a knot as I glance at the section of countertop that looks like a bar. I’d give my left arm for a pint of Guinness. And I’d give both arms for some whiskey. Desperate to derail that train of thought, I force my gaze to the display of artisanal honey from some of the local apiaries. Funny how the warm amber color also reminds me of whiskey, making my mouth water.

Then again, maybe it’s blondie who’s got me salivating. Whiskey be damned, I’d sell my soul to the Devil for a taste of her.

Review:

3 stars

***

 This was an okay read for me. Afterglow is book ten in the Busy Bean series, a standalone book in a series set in Sarina Bowen's True North world. This is Solana and Declan's book. Solana recently took a break from college and moved back to her hometown to work on some issues she's
dealing with. She is working at the Busy Bean. Declan is a single dad. Both of them are dealing with some pretty heavy trauma from their pasts and neither think they are in the right place for a relationship. But their connection is too hard to deny and they give in and start a relationship, knowing that it might just be temporary. Can the two of them work through their own problems, help each other heal and move on to a bright future together?

This was not a bad book. It just wasn't to my personal taste as far as angst. There were many big dramatic moments. I just found it to be unrealistic and melodramatic. It seemed a bit too long and I didn't feel any of the depth or emotion. There is a lot of crying by the characters, there was a little too much kid-time, and was a little too cheesy at times. The story was okay and kept my attention, but I didn't feel a connection to the book or the characters. Still, I was happy that Solana and Declan were able to work through their problems and come out together happy in the end.

Overall, this was just an okay read for me. It was pretty heavy and dramatic. Still, I enjoyed it in general and found it entertaining for the most part. I am really enjoying the Busy Bean series though and look forward to more from it in the future.