“A decadent read packed with lovable characters, witty dialogue and a sigh-worthy happily-ever-after that leaves me craving more.” —New York Times bestselling author Rhonda Russell on Sweet as Pie
Hyacinth Dawson’s life runs like clockwork—and she likes it that way. Spreadsheets, lists and plans have never failed her, and now they’re going to help her get her bridal shop on the popular reality TV show All Dressed in White. But it won’t happen unless she can land a celebrity client…maybe one of those new NHL players in town.
Enter Robbie McTavish, a fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants Scottish defenseman who can’t help but meddle when he spies a bride in Hyacinth’s shop wearing a completely wrong dress for her figure. Robbie’s family just happens to own the Scottish Highlands’ premier wedding venue, and he knows his way around bustled trains and buttercream frosting—even if his help seems to be less than welcome.
When a video of his infuriating interference goes viral, the TV producers decide to film at Hyacinth’s shop—as long as her “associate” Robbie is part of the package. Opposites might attract, but as far as Hyacinth’s concerned, no amount of chemistry is worth the way this particular plus-one threatens to blow up her carefully laid plans…
Good Southern Women
Book 1: Sweet as Pie Book 2: Smooth as Silk
My Review:
Smooth as Silk by Alicia Hunter Pace is her second book in the Good Southern Women series and can be read as a stand-alone. The small-town magic of Laurel Springs combined with the competitive spirit of the professional hockey players makes for a unique backdrop to this story.
Hyacinth Dawson owns Laurel Springs’s only bridal boutique, Trousseau, and she has plans to build up the business so she can afford employees and she can devote her time to wedding dress designing. Keeping schedules, making lists, and sticking to her plan isn’t enough for her to grow her business, she also wants to get a celebrity client so she can be on a wedding dress show and take her business to the next level.
Robbie McTavish is a defenseman for the Birmingham Yellowjackets hockey team. His family runs a wedding business back in Scotland in the “wee castle” his family owns. When he peeks in the window at Trousseau, he sees a woman in a wedding dress that is all wrong for her, and he can’t just let a woman get married in a dress that isn’t right, so he barges into the shop to try and fix it. Naturally, Hyacinth isn’t happy about the intrusion, and when a video of the disruption goes viral, Hyacinth believes her business is ruined. But, the wedding show producer calls her up and wants to film an episode in her shop, she’s elated until they tell her the one condition is that Robbie must be in the show with her.
It was fun to go back to Laurel Springs, and I enjoyed visiting with Evans and Jake from the first book in the series, Sweet as Pie. I enjoyed Robbie and his over-the-top personality. His wild, fly by the seat of his pants attitude is perfect for the hockey rink, but not when it comes to dealing with the schedule-obsessed Hyacinth. Robbie and Hyacinth had some good banter, but I didn’t feel any chemistry between them. I thought Hyacinth was too harsh for Robbie, although she did warm up a bit near the end of the story.
I enjoyed the first book in the series a bit more than this one, but I’m still looking forward to her next book in this series.
I recommend Smooth as Silk to anyone who enjoys a sports romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Alicia Hunter Pace
Stephanie Jones and Jean Hovey write together as Alicia Hunter Pace.
Stephanie lives in Tuscaloosa, AL, where she teaches school and wishes for a bigger bookstore. She is a native Alabamian who likes football, civil war history, and people who follow the rules. She is happy to provide a list of said rules to anyone who needs them.
Jean, a former public librarian, lives in Decatur, AL, with her husband in a hundred-year-old house that always wants something from her. She likes to cook but has discovered the joy of Mrs. Paul’s fish fillets since becoming a writer.
Stephanie and Jean are both active members in the romance writing community. They write contemporary romantic comedy. They love to hear from readers.
Wendy, you are adding to my TBR big time. I found both of these books on audio on Hoopla through my library. I will download them once I catch up with ones I already have.
Too bad the execution didn’t quite meet the promise of the premise but glad this was still a fun read. I will have to try this writing team as they are both from my home state. Great review!
The idea of a Scottish hockey player having such strong opinions on a bridal dress is a great plot idea; too bad the execution wasn’t better. Good and fair review, Wendy.
Sorry the romance didn’t work so well in this one. The wedding boutique and wedding show backdrop do sound like fun though. Hope the next one in the series is better🙂
Wendy, you are adding to my TBR big time. I found both of these books on audio on Hoopla through my library. I will download them once I catch up with ones I already have.
It’s only right that I add to your TBR, as you keep mine really high too! Hope you enjoy them, Carla
He was a lot of fun to be around, and he was the reason I kept reading the book. Robbie appears to be a delightful character. A fantastic review.
Thank you!
Too bad the execution didn’t quite meet the promise of the premise but glad this was still a fun read. I will have to try this writing team as they are both from my home state. Great review!
Thank you, Katherine!
Thanks for the honest review! Robbie sounds like he keeps things interesting! Happy reading!
Thank you, Jolene!
Good to know you enjoyed it, despite it not being as good as the first book. Hope the next book will be better.
Thank you, Nadene! I hope so too!
Wonderful review Wendy! I hope the next book is just as good. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you!
This sounds like a series I need to start Wendy! This particular book sounds charming and I enjoyed your great review. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Jodie! It is a very charming series.
The idea of a Scottish hockey player having such strong opinions on a bridal dress is a great plot idea; too bad the execution wasn’t better. Good and fair review, Wendy.
Thank you, Linda. I’ll definitely read more of the series, but this one just wasn’t my favorite.
Sorry the romance didn’t work so well in this one. The wedding boutique and wedding show backdrop do sound like fun though. Hope the next one in the series is better🙂
Thank you, Mallika! It was such a fun premise!
I hope you enjoy the next one a bit more, great review 💕
Thank you Jenny! I enjoyed her previous book better, so I’m still looking forward to her next book.
Robbie sounds like a fun character 😊 Excellent review, Wendy!
He was really fun and the reason I kept reading the book.