Sloth Goes Places is a feature where I share books I have tracked from the Literary Escapes and Read Around the USA reading challenges.
Today we are looking at books set in ....
Kentucky
The Feud by Sawyer Bennett
Published by Big Dogs, 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 a great start to the series with a secret baby and murder plot. There is something about these family dramas that take me back to my night-time soap days where I am simultaneously appalled and engrossed by their stories. The feud between the Blackburns and Mardraggons rose to that level for me. There was all that drama playing in the background as Ethan had to assume the role of father. His love for his daughter melted my heart! There were some foul play, but I am still hopeful that Sylvie will unite these families.
[review]
Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams
Published by Dell on January 7, 2025
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Goodreads
Two feuding second-grade teachers (and neighbors) find themselves teaming up in this rivals-to-lovers romance by the New York Times bestselling author of The Rule Book and Practice Makes Perfect.
Emily Walker hates having her carefully crafted world disrupted by anyone, most of all her legendary nemesis, Jack Bennett. He's the opposite of the wonderful heroes she dreams up in her double life as a romance writer, which is why Emily was perfectly happy when Jack left Rome, Kentucky, mid-school year, with his fiancée. The last thing Emily saw coming was Jack’s return at the start of the summer after calling off the wedding and ending his relationship, but he’s here to stay—as her colleague and her neighbor.
Jackson Bennett is glad to be back, eager to renovate his house and work on the next mystery novel under his bestselling pen name. But when he realizes he’s now neighbors with the one woman who has always pushed his buttons, he discovers something he’s even more excited for—thwarting Emily and her petty plans to sabotage his return.
With their chemistry-fueled animosity at an all-time high, Emily accidentally sends an email to their school’s principal that could reveal her secret literary side hustle. She needs to steal back her manuscript, and Jack—she hates to admit—is just the man to help her. Surprisingly, Jack agrees. Will their unlikely alliance put an end to their rivalry? Or could it lead to a steamy plot twist they never saw coming?
I adore the Walkers, and this was my favorite book yet! I was rooting for Jack and Emily the entire time. I hated that they lost so many years but was happy they were getting their second chance at romance. The icing on the cake was all the family scenes. The Walkers have a great dynamic, and I adored every second they were on page together. The next book should be the last (unless there are some secret siblings somewhere), so it will be bittersweet, but I am looking forward to retuning to Rome.
[review]
The Bourbon Kings by J.R. Ward
Published by Berkley on July 28, 2015
Age/Genres: Adult, Fiction
Goodreads
For generations, the Bradford family has worn the mantle of kings of the bourbon capital of the world. Their sustained wealth has afforded them prestige and privilege—as well as a hard-won division of class on their sprawling estate, Easterly. Upstairs, a dynasty that by all appearances plays by the rules of good fortune and good taste. Downstairs, the staff who work tirelessly to maintain the impeccable Bradford facade. And never the twain shall meet.
For Lizzie King, Easterly’s head gardener, crossing that divide nearly ruined her life. Falling in love with Tulane, the prodigal son of the bourbon dynasty, was nothing that she intended or wanted—and their bitter breakup only served to prove her instincts were right. Now, after two years of staying away, Tulane is finally coming home again, and he is bringing the past with him. No one will be left unmarked: not Tulane’s beautiful and ruthless wife; not his older brother, whose bitterness and bad blood know no bounds; and especially not the ironfisted Bradford patriarch, a man with few morals, fewer scruples, and many, many terrible secrets.
As family tensions—professional and intimately private—ignite, Easterly and all its inhabitants are thrown into the grips of an irrevocable transformation, and only the cunning will survive.
I read this book a while ago, but what I remember most was all the delicious drama. Back in the day, I used to watch Dallas, Falcon Crest, Dynasty, and all those other soapy family sagas, and The Bradford family would fit in well with this group. I really need to return to this world and finish this series.
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