When a family of former pro football players buy a small Texas town, they didn't intend to start a war with its residents ... or to fall in love.
Ever since his career-ending injury, Pat has bounced from job to job, idea to idea, short-lived relationship to short-lived relationship. But when his father purchases the town of Sheet Cake, Pat suddenly sees his life with clear purpose: get his brothers on board with his dad's wild idea and win back the one woman who got away.
Lindy was supposed to be traveling the world, not stuck in a small town, caring for her niece. But she would do anything to keep custody of Jo--even if that looks like a marriage of convenience with the man who already broke her heart once.
Now if she can only keep herself from falling back in love with her husband...
This is a small town, marriage of convenience romantic comedy with plenty of sizzle while keeping the bedroom door closed. Perfect for fans of Sarah Adams and Sariah Wilson!
My Review:
The Buy-In by Emma St. Clair is the first in her Graham Brothers Sweet Rom-Com Series and it was delightful. This clean romance is funny, romantic, and heartwarming. This second chance, a marriage of convenience story is set in the small town of Sheet Cake, Texas, and has everything a sweet romance needs.
When ex-NFL player, Tank, purchases the small town of Sheet Cake, Texas, his son Pat is the first of his three sons and one daughter who approves of his crazy idea of buying a town. But, Pat is only happy about his father’s purchase because Sheet Cake, Texas is the home of his lost love, Lindy. Plus he hasn’t found a passion since he left the NFL and thinks that fixing up the small town of Sheet Cake, is a project he can get behind.
Lindy was supposed to become a travel journalist and see the world, but her niece needs her to provide a stable home ever since her sister abandoned her as a baby and her mother’s dementia has progressed enough that she must live in a home. So Lindy is now Jo’s primary caretaker and the only mother Jo has known. But, when Lindy’s sister, Rachel decides that she wants her child back and is going to court for custody, Lindy can’t let Jo go back to the woman who abandoned her as a baby. Her lawyer suggests that if Lindy were married, the custody battle would have a better chance of going in her favor. So, when the only man to break her heart is willing to enter into a marriage of convenience, she decides she can lock up her heart and do what’s best for Jo. But what will it cost her heart?
I sure enjoyed this romance between Lindy and Pat. Both main characters have their flaws and they have hurt each other in the past, but this book is about their growth and their ability to forgive the past. I liked that the author portrayed Pat’s ADHD realistically while highlighting the positive aspects of the condition as well as how he handles the more challenging aspects of ADHD.
The book was also hilariously funny, with a lot of witty banter between the characters. She also includes some cute side characters that give the town of Sheet Cake a fun vibe. The author also includes snippets of posts from the neighborhood app that are funny and add to the small-town flavor of the book.
I recommend The Buy-In to anyone who loves a clean, small-town romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Emma St. Clair
Emma St. Clair is a USA Today bestselling author of over twenty sweet romance novels and romantic comedies.
She loves sassy heroines, sweet romance, and a dash of humor in everything she writes. She lives outside of Houston in Katy, Texas with her husband, their five kids, and a Great Dane who doesn't make a very good babysitter.
OMG This sounds delightful! I love the verb as a noun quote. 😂 That’s hilarious. I love small-town romances! I definitely need to read more of them. Thank you for the lovely recommendation!
OMG This sounds delightful! I love the verb as a noun quote. 😂 That’s hilarious. I love small-town romances! I definitely need to read more of them. Thank you for the lovely recommendation!
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters
It was a lot of fun!
This sounds like my kind of book. Lovely review
Thank you!
i love it when author’s portray mental illness in a realistic way. too much stereotyping out there. lovely review!
Thank you, Chelsea! I do too.
This story sounds so sweet (and I’m not saying that because the town is named Sheet Cake). I love witty banter ❤️ Excellent review!
I need to read more romance books, great review 💕
I read them because I just want a happy book most of the time. 🙂
The witty dialogue sounds like a real plus!
Thank you, Linda, it was cute.
Sounds a sweet story; I like that it has real life issues and humour. Lovely review🙂
Thank you Mallika!
I like the sound of this. It sounds interesting and lovely. Great review!
Thank you, Yesha!
My sister liked this one as well! I may have to give it a try. Great review!
It’s an easy and fun book to read. I hope you like it if you get to it.
I am so glad you enjoyed this book too! I love the humor she puts in her books!!!! I can’t wait for The Bluff 🙂
Thank you again for the recommendation, Cindy. It was so much fun.
I don’t mind small town stories. Not heard of this author before.