Sloth Goes Places - Kentucky

 

Sloth Goes Places is a feature where I share books I have tracked from previous Literary Escapes reading challenge hosted by Escape With Dollycas Into a Good Book.

Today we are looking at books set in ....

Kentucky

Kentucky is a state I have never visited other than via a book. I wouldn't say this is an easy state to check off my challenge. I used to rely on Katie McGarry for my Kentucky books, but it's been a while since we got a new release from her. I got very lucky this year as Sawyer Bennett introduced a new series that will play out in the Bluegrass State. The first book was excellent and I plan to return to this series. 

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The Feud by Sawyer Bennett
Published by Big Dog, LLC on June 25, 2024
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads

As the oldest of his siblings, Ethan Blackburn bears the weight of responsibility for the day-to-day operations of Blackburn Farms, the largest Saddlebred breeding and training facility in Kentucky. Serious, gruff and solely focused on the success of the family business, Ethan isn’t one to mince words or waste time on anything that doesn’t further his interests. But when his meticulous world is upended by a shadowed secret brought into the light, Ethan is sent into a tailspin.

Marcie DeLeon just navigated her way through a bitter divorce, now intent on reimagining her life as a single career woman. She’s not looking to revisit the burden of a relationship anytime soon but when Ethan turns to her for help, she can’t help but lend a sympathetic ear to the handsome and broody man.

Ethan and Marcie are strangers who find a common thread to weave them together, creating a bond neither were seeking but both are loathe to walk away from. When Ethan faces a high-stakes battle against his family’s bitter enemy, he knows without a doubt there is nothing he won’t do to win the fight. Ready to give of himself completely, Ethan prepares to face-off with his foe hoping that no matter what the outcome, Marcie will be by his side in the end.

The Feud is a friends to lovers novel within the Bluegrass Empires series. All books in the series can be enjoyed as standalones.

This was such a great start to the series. I love how Bennett is forcing these rival families into each other lives. Ethan really won my heart with the way he grew over the course of this book, and there was a huge twist that I never expected. The Kentucky setting was great, too. I loved all the horse riding sequences, and hope we get a peek at the whisky operation in the next book. 

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In the Shadow Garden by Liz Parker
Published by Forever on September 13, 2022
Age/Genres: Adult, Paranormal

Goodreads

Three generations of witches must discover where their magic went wrong as secrets resurface that could solve a twenty-year-old mystery in this riveting debut, perfect for fans of Practical Magic and Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe.

There's something magical about Yarrow, Kentucky. The three empathic witches of the Haywood family are known for their shadow garden—from strawberries that taste like chocolate to cherry tomatoes with hints of basil and oregano. Their magic can cure any heartache, and the fruits of their garden bring a special quality to the local bourbon distillery. On one day every year, a shot of Bonner bourbon will make your worst memory disappear.

But twenty years ago, the town gave up more than one memory for the year; they forgot an entire summer. One person died. One person disappeared. And no one has any idea why.

As secrets from that fateful summer start to come to light, there must be a reckoning between the rival Haywood and Bonner families. But the only clue Irene Haywood has is in her tea leaves: a stranger’s arrival will bring either love or betrayal…

This book came out of nowhere and won my heart. It was a random pick from the library with a winning combination of magic, family, and romance that kept me engrossed. The magic in this tale comes from a garden, so there were many outdoor scenes where I got to bask in the natural beauty and really enhances my enjoyment of this beautiful tale. 

[review]

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The Somerset Girls by Lori Foster
Published by HQN on May 19, 2020
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Fiction

Goodreads

“Foster convincingly brings her characters to life against the idyllic backdrop of Kentucky farmland. This down-to-earth romance will especially appeal to animal lovers.”—Publishers Weekly on The Somerset Girls

No one knows you quite like a sister…

Summer in Sunset, Kentucky, means long, hot days—and sometimes surprising new beginnings. Through it all, the ties of sisterhood will be there, guiding Autumn and Ember to the lives, and loves, they need…

When they’re running the animal-rescue farm they inherited from their grandparents, Autumn and Ember Somerset are perfectly in sync. At all other times, not so much. Dependable Autumn would rather curl up with a good book than paint the town red with Ember. After the disaster that was Autumn’s last relationship, it’s pure self-protection. But when her high school crush comes back to town with his adorable young daughter, igniting memories best left forgotten, there’s only one person Autumn can turn to…

Beneath Ember’s free-spirited facade is a layer of deep hurt. She’ll gladly nudge Autumn toward a second chance. But risk her own heart? Not likely. The closer Autumn gets to her own happily-ever-after, the more Ember wonders what she might be missing—and if it isn’t her time to be bold, too.

I am always up for a great sibling story, but this was all about the animals for me. OK, maybe not only about them, but I loved every second I got to spend with those rescues. The double romance was a plus as well as the family focus. With a charming, small town setting and a great exploration of complicated family relationships, this was a winner for me. 

[review]

Have you read any books set in Kentucky?
Let us know in the comments!