3 stars. Wren Lindley enjoys her low tech lifestyle. She does not think she needs tech to run her horse training school, that is until her accountant thinks she needs to be making more money to be able to support her, so she tries to enlist someone who will help with her personality online. She finds Influencer Gina Strickland, who is willing to help in exchange for room and board. Gina is running away from a stalker in Seattle and just wants to be in an area that is quiet and is hard to find. She finds Wren's farm the perfect place. What she did not take into account was that Wren would be beautiful and distracting. Wren is exactly what she didn't need. Gina wants to get back to the city when the stalker is caught and go back to living her city lifestyle.

I enjoyed this novel. I thought their romance felt a little fast and forced in the beginning. I enjoyed how their relationship evolved throughout the novel, although I thought it felt as if they kind of went from zero to 60 very quickly. I thought both characters interacted fine, even if they were complete opposites when it came to technology and certain aspects of their lives. I am not sure I would recommend this novel. I thought it was average and I kept waiting for it to get a little bit better. It was just a fine novel, not bad but not great either.

I didn’t really click with this one. I like the setting, both characters, the story, but them together? There is just something there that doesn’t work.

Wren is a quiet character who lives her life as off the grid as she can, no technology for her, she doesn’t even really like the land line she has. She likes barter deals and just getting by and dressage (which really isn’t my thing). Gina couldn’t be more opposite, an influencer living in Seattle, she fled her small town life to enjoy the anonymity of the city and explore her creative talents. Wren has a couple of friends/ clients where Gina has no real life friends, really only one friend, and they have never even met. Gina needs a place to live for a while when the police find her cyberstalker, Wren needs someone to help her develop some marketing materials and an online presence.

Karis Walsh writes lovely romances in which characters just click. She writes about instant attraction between Gina and Wren but I just don’t see it. The characters and their feelings are really wel fleshed out, but they just don’t mix for me. Their banter, actually all the dialogue, is the best part of this book. But seeing as it is similar for all the interactions Wren has I think it’s just the general tone, a tone I like. The way Walsh describes the farm and the surrounding towns is lovely, it transports you right to the scene. The saving grace for this book really is talent Walsh has for setting the scene and writing good dialogues and fleshed out characters.

Wren Lindley has a horse farm across the sound from Seattle. She loves her quiet life without computers and social media, she occasionally teaches horseback riding to a few students but that doesn't bring in enough income. Her accountant convinces her to change her archaic ways and engage an influencer to promote the farm. Gina Strickland, lives in and loves Seattle. She's worked hard to make her way up and is successful enough to earn an income as a full time influencer. She is devasted when her identity is leaked online and her life is now at risk and she is forced to go into hiding. Wren's farm is the perfect place to lay low for a while and build the online reputation of Wren's farm and that's when the sparks start flying.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were great, there was lots of chemistry between Wren and Gina, lots of witty conversations. In fact the banter between them was a definite highlight of the book. In general, social influencers are a self absorbed bunch and it's definitely an unlikely match for Wren but Karis Walsh ensures us that Gina is not that sort of person.  If you can believe that Gina is not aiming to be the next Kardashian than you can believe in Wren and Gina's relationship. Another solid read from Karis Walsh.

Karis Walsh is solidifying herself as my go-to author when I want a touching romance filled with smart, witty, grown-ups. Liberty Bay has just the right amount of angst, good pacing, sweet romance and relationship building, and characters I can relate to and believe in. I loved these two women together.

I know this is a short review but I can sum up my feelings about the book simply by saying I loved the story, the setting, and Gina and Wren. Now I wait for the next release by Ms. Walsh.

Thanks to BSB and NetGalley for the ARC. It was nice to wrap my 2020 reading with this lovely novel.

I've always enjoyed books by this author. I can count on her description of characters and places to be spot on. In fact, she is so accurate that one can visualize the scenes. I found this book to be slower than some of her other work but nonetheless enjoyable. The sweet romance and witty banter between the main characters kept the pages turning. If you like the great north west, a slow burning chemistry and horses, you'll enjoy this book. I recommend.

ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a fan of Karis Walsh, but this wasn’t her best. For some reason, it just didn’t gel for me. This is an opposites attract story featuring Wren, who owns a horse farm and lives off the grid, and Gina, a social media influencer who is being stalked and needs a safe place to stay. Wren needs help building a social media presence, so Gina comes to stay with her.

I honestly couldn’t warm to Gina at all. I don’t get the whole social media influencer thing at all, can’t honestly think of a more superficial and self-centred way to make a living and nothing in this book convinced me otherwise. Wren was almost unbelievable in how far opposite Gina she was technology wise. I also didn’t really feel any chemistry between them, so the relationship never really took off for me.

There’s some nice supporting characters, and the banter between the leads was amusing in places, but there’s a lot (too much) of introspection from the MCs, which didn’t help with making the characters appear fully drawn. It’s an ok read, but I’d recommend Sit. Stay. Love or Set the Stage over this. 3 stars.

The pace of this book is interesting. It’s kind of slow, but not dull slow, more of a walk than a cantor. In a romance this works, because the characters gradually unfold and wind into each other. Smooth rather than fireworks. This feeling of contentment was also reflected in the setting of the story, which sounds so nice. I can picture the yard, the barn, the loft, the horses and imagine myself there, relaxing.
The story could have been very different, as apart from the reason why one of the characters moved to a rural setting, the doxing wasn’t really a big part of the story. This possible menace wasn’t explored at all, which seemed a shame as it could have added an edgier vibe to the plot. There again that would have totally changed the ambience of the book and I think, right now, I’m glad the story was a gentle romance not a thriller. Soothing to the senses.

This one didn’t quite work for me unfortunately.

Wren lives a quiet life on her farm, training horses and free from technology. She’s experiencing money difficulties and prefers to live by a barter system. Her accountant encourages her to find new avenues for income to ensure that she gets to keep the farm she enjoys so much.

Gina is a social media influencer. When she experiences a cyber threat and her identity and residence are leaked to the general public she begins the search for a new place to live and alternate sources of income. She answers the advert to help Wren with her publicity.

I really liked both characters - separately. Both are written really well, and their respective careers and feelings are explored in depth. I just couldn’t see them together. Whilst we’re told they have this instant connection and feelings for each other - I didn’t feel it. The reasons why they couldn’t be together also felt very repetitive as we hear it from both of them, repeatedly. When they do get together there’s very little discussion of them being a couple outside of the bedroom.

This had so much potential and I’m sad I didn’t enjoy it more. The setting is depicted really well - both Seattle itself and Wren’s farm. There’s also plenty of animals providing amusement which I really enjoyed.

I think romance fans will probably find something to enjoy in this book, but if you’re new to Walsh’s work I’d probably recommend starting elsewhere.

I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wren wrinkled her nose. “I’d prefer to remain a mystery.”
“All right. Maybe your viewers will be able to identify the person who buys this place after you go bankrupt.”

Wren Lindley’s horse farm is in need of funds. Without knowledge and unwilling to have anything to do with social media, she is forced to engage Gina Strickland, a social media influencer to aid her cause.

Gina Strickland is in need of a place to hide. A victim of doxing, she was forced to leave Seattle to escape the threats and ended up living in and marketing a horse farm for an owner who finds social media intrusive.

The main characters met under circumstances where they were forced out of the comfort zones to work with each other. Wren loves her privacy, horses and the quiet of the countryside while Gina loves her job, the spontaneity of it and the city. While stuck in uncomfortable situations, the characters’ beliefs were challenged and in the midst of rediscovering beauty in different perspectives, love came knocking. With Wren reticent to technology and Gina eager to return to the life she envisioned, the couple found themselves at an impasse.

I enjoyed the book, and am reminded that even as the norm of our times, social media could be the catalyst but also the pitfall of life.

I just reviewed Liberty Bay by Karis Walsh. #LibertyBay #NetGalley

I'm always excited when Karis Walsh publishes another book! This book, like all of her others, includes beautiful descriptions of the Pacific Northwest, which I really appreciate. I loved the witty banter between Wren and Gina, but honestly, the rest of the book was quite boring. There really wasn't much for the reader to grab onto and run with. I knew there was going to be a HEA and a few times I wanted to quit reading altogether because I didn't really care, but kept reading because I love this author and wanted to see how she tied everything with the doxer went. This is a good book but not nearly as good as some of her other books.

First off: Karis Walsh always entices me with superb descriptions of beautiful nature and makes me want to pack my bags for a more rustic environment. In this case her setting on a farm with wide vistas and a ' simple' life without all the digital equipment surrounding us is trying to seduce me. (In all honesty I will manage for a vacation but I also enjoy my digital toys).
Normally I really enjoy her books, but this one fell a bit flat...the interactions between Gina and Wren were fun and I enjoyed their banter, but there wasn't enough of it. Both characters were talking a lot in their heads and the developing relationship felt almost skipped over. They went from a kiss to acting like girlfriends and the jump to several weeks further and spending every night together felt weird too. I actually went to see if I skipped some pages by accident.
In all honesty: I finished the book and enjoyed certain parts of it and the storyline was okay too, but if you haven't read other books by Walsh I recommend you go find those cause they are a much better showcase of the potential of this writer.

***An ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for a honest review ***

I've read books by this author before, but this one just didn't cut it for me. I could not connect with the characters, and I feel like the characters didn't really connect with each other. I needed more interaction between them. I just couldn't feel a spark.

I am not a fan of social media, nor, especially, of the influencer industry. Despite that, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying the story. The two main characters, Gina and Wren, are likeable. They meet under difficult circumstances, and are attracted to each other. Each has her own quirks and ways of looking at life, and sometimes this causes friction between them. But they slowly come to realize that compromises can be made without either losing their sense of self.
I recommend this book. (Also, the story includes dogs and horses. A definite plus!)

I’ve read Karis Walsh before and normally I enjoy her books but this one did not do it for me. I feel like the story did not move along and the the content and the characters were just one dimensional. I also wanted to see more interaction between Wren and Gina; this book seemed to be, at least to me, more story and less dialogue.

Gina is a Seattle based social media influencer who is doxxed by someone and now needs to protect herself. Wren owns a horse farm outside Seattle on Liberty Bay and needs to attract some additional clients. She is encouraged to hire a social media expert. She hires Gina and they barter a place for Gina to live for her social media expertise.

I liked learning about topics that I have little familiarity with including horse farms, social media influencing, and doxxing. I also thought the witty banter between Gina and Wren was highly enjoyable. 3.5 stars

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I wish that I could give a longer review than what is coming, but I can't. I have read a couple of Walsh's other romances with Sit. Stay Love being the best for me. I did not connect with Liberty Bay and I struggled to get through this one. What I didn't get was why would each character spend more time talking to themselves instead of actually talking to each other. I became detached early in the book and found this one slow and dull. I really hate to give a bad review. It did seem like a well written book on the technical side of things. I just didn't connect with it.

2 stars

This arc was provided by netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.

Karis Walsh is an an extraordinary writer. Liberty Bay is really a joy to read. I really enjoyed Gina and her outlook and courage after a horrific event. The writing is spectacular. Wren and Gina have a terrific rapport. My only slight wish was Wren being a little more open to others thoughts. Wren is still very well written and the book is great.

Wren loves her quiet stable life she doesn’t care for social media or the internet but when her friend and accountant Dianne tells her that her farm is failing and that she needs to advertising what she does at her horse farm to get more people to learn riding and about horses.

Gina is influencer she loves what she does but when she is cyberstalking and reveals things about her life she has get away quick until the threat is gone. When she get contact to help advertise a horse farm she decides this maybe a great place to hide and also help Wren with her horse farm.

Wren is reluctant to do anything with the internet you’ll find out why that is as Gina helps her they both didn’t count on the attraction between them as they work together. As they give into their feelings they both wonders will it last with Gina set on returning to Seattle and Wren wanting her quiet life back but will they realize what they need might just be each other.

This was a good read.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.