This was the cutest rom com that had me equally swooning and laughing out loud. Warning: you WILL fall in love with Pat and little Jo is the cutest little bookworm. Emma… phenomenal job! *chefs kiss*

I will start off by saying I did receive this book as an ARC from Netgalley and this is an honest review.

Personally I could not get into this book and ended up not finishing it. I don't know if maybe now just wasn't a good time for this book for me, but it held no interest for me whatsoever.

When I read the book there were a lot of things that stood out to me and not in the best way. I found that when I read this book I though the characters were incredibly immature for being in their late 20s. They way they spoke and acted came off as if they were 17 instead of 27. I also found the way the author wrote to be very reminiscent of fanfiction, but not in a good way. Things like "phonecallapocalypse" and "Like ten shots of espresso on an empty stomach, awake" threw me off and took me out of the story. I also kind of hated the overuse of capitalizing and italicizing the internal monologs of the characters. I found it to be incredibly unnecessary and overused. If this had been toned down it would have made the story seem less fanfictiony.

I really did want to like this book, especially with all the positive reviews for it and how interested I was when I read the synopsis and maybe if I give it another shot later on in life it will be better, but for right now it was not the best book I've read.

The Buy-In is a slow-burn, second-chance, rom-com by Emma St. Clair. It was a quick and easy read, but lacked some of the "sparkle" I was expecting. The author did a great job of writing the main characters, Lindy and Patrick. They both had unique voices and came with their own struggles and problems. I just found that much of the book was long and drawn out and pacing was an issue. I found there were large portions of the book where nothing was happening to help advance the plot, which led to me enjoying the book less.

I liked the side characters of Sheet Cake (and the Graham family) in this book, including Jo and Lindy's friends Winnie and Val. I also loved Tank and all the other characters. I also really liked how Patrick put it all out there. How he was so open and honest with his feelings for Lindy and love for Jo was awesome.

There were lots of important issues discussed in this book, including mental health, addiction, parental abandonment and more. The author did a great job of exploring these issues and made them feel realistic.

If you enjoy clean rom-coms with quirky characters, this would be a good book for you. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an open and honest review. All opinions are 100% mine.

Could I love Emma St. Clair anymore? I’m not sure it’s possible. Every book I’ve read by Emma sweeps you up into a giant loveable hug and you don’t want it to ever let you go. Another brilliant book and I’m counting down the days till the next one! Thank you for allowing me to read and review.

So I did enjoy this and it was a nice easy read but I didn't feel like it was anything special. Also, is it even possible to buy a town?! Is this a US thing? Because the thought of being able to buy a town just seems absurd to me in the UK! I did enjoy the representation of ADHD in the book by Pat and it was great to see. I did also enjoy how Pat and Lindys relationship progressed but I hated the hurdle near the end they needed to overcome and just thought it was put in for plot point that could have easily been avoided with communication which they'd done so well at throughout the book!
Although this was an enjoyable book, I didn't feel compelled to stay stuck to the story and wasn't reaching to pick this up. I didn't feel it had enough to keep me hooked or to elevate it over other romance stories that I've read - hence the 3 stars.

This book is the first I have read by the author but will NOT be the last! It was sweet, romantic, sexy without being full of graphic scenes…but most of all it was laugh out loud funny. Honestly one of the best books I have read in a long time (and I read 3-4 books a week). I loved the premise, and the characters were all fabulous and memorable. Can not wait to enjoy more of this series!

This book completely off-guard in the best way! I was expecting something similar to Schitt's Creek, and don't get me wrong there was the aspect of buying an entire town and it had some fantastic comedy, but it was so much more!

The entire Graham family has such a fun dynamic with each of the characters having distinctive personalities that make the whole book that much better! You are introduced to everyone in the Graham family in Emma's book Falling for Your Best Friend and this just adds to everything you already know and love about them!

Pat and Lindy were so fun to get to know! Lindy was left heartbroken 5 years ago and Pat has regretted his decision ever since. Spiraling down into depression accompanied by many bad decisions ever since, Pat is looking at his father's purchase of Sheet Cake, Texas as his second chance if Lindy will give him long enough to try and explain.

With a marriage of convenience between them so Lindy can keep custody of her niece Jo, Pat knows this is his way back to Lindy's heart. It was heartwarming to see the relationship build and grow, all while Lindy does her best to keep her heart locked down.

I wish everyone would read this book! It is so good, and I will now be reading all of Emma St. Clair's books especially the rest of this series! I can't wait to see what happens next!

I loved the Buy In!!!! Solid 4⭐ for me! This was my first by Emma St.Clair and it definitely won't be my last!

College sweethearts Pat and Lindy bump back into each other years after splitting when Tank, Pat's father, buys a Texas town!
I am obsessed with schitts creek and loved the "I bought a small town" vibes!
If second chance romance, marriage of convenience, reverse grumpy sunshine, and dual pov is your jam then the buy in is for you!
While my typical choice of a rom com includes a little steam, the witty banter and laugh out loud humor more than made up for it in this fun closed door romance.
I also loved the ADHD representation in the main character, the small town full of eccentric residents who are in everyone's business, and Lindy's little neice Jo!
I felt there could have been a tiny bit more on the custody case and Lindy's sister but it's not a big deal!
I can't wait for the next in the series!
Thank you to Emma St.Clair, the publisher, and netgalley for this e-arc. All opinions were my own.

We’ve both recently stumbled upon Emma St Clair, another new to use author with thanks to bookstagram! The Buy-In follows main characters Lindy and Pat. When Pat’s father randomly buys a town he thinks he’s lost his mind, then he finds out it’s the town the love of his life stays in. Lindy still has feelings for Pat but she doesn’t give into them that easily and finds herself caught in some sweet tension with Pat. Pat inserts himself back into Lindy’s life this time getting to know her friends and family. He’s a real sweetheart and I loved his family bond.

If you like

✅ small town romance
✅ sweet hero
✅ second chance romance
✅ marriage of convenience
✅ neurodivergent representation
✅ family drama

Then this might be for you!

We’ve also recently enjoyed the audiobook of Falling For Your Best Friend which features Harper - Pat’s sister - so be sure to check that out too.

This was cute, but maybe too closed-door for my tastes. There were a lot of characters to follow and it was almost too many people. I loved the Schitt's Creek plot, and Lindy and Pat were cute together, but it was my favorite romance.

Pat & Lindy weren’t supposed to be anything. She was going to travel the world and he was going to follow the family legacy of playing pro ball.
They fell hard and fast and in a desperate move to rip the bandaid off of the inevitable end, Pat leaves without a word leaving them both devastated.
Paths crossed again when pats father buys (that’s right, buys) the small town that Lindy was born and raised.

This is such a fun read . I got super invested in the family and also the representation of ADHD and creating an open dialog about that between Pat and his sister.

Oh this was a cute one! A perfect book for gloomy winter days because it’s pretty much hearts and sunshine. A little bit of HGTV with Hallmark channel… I feel like it could have stepped it up into a higher adult rating… I like a little more steamy steam in my rom-coms books.
Cute though!

As a huge Schitt’s Creek fan, the description of this book intrigued me. The Buy-In is an easy and clean rom-com, but I had a hard time enjoying the book. I felt that there was too much going on and a lot of characters to keep track of. The Schitt’s Creek vibe was lost for me.
I enjoyed the funny moments Lindy and Pat shared. I think the story would have been more enjoyable if some characters were removed and Lindy and Pat were explored more.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC.

This book is about-
1. Small town
2. Second chance
3. Marriage of convenience
4. Forced proximity
5. Reverse grumpy sunshine
6. A custody thing
7. Romcom
Can you buy a whole town? Is it possible to own a town? This is what was done by the family of the pro football team. When Pat's dad told him that he BOUGHT a town which is called Sheet Cake Texas, he couldn't believe it. This name reminds him of his ex girlfriend Lindy. Lindy was the only person whom he loved but they left each other under some circumstances. Lindy was angry with him for not saying goodbye and told him some lies. Here Lindy is in the control of her niece who's a five year old baby and her sister wants to take her baby and filed a custody case. Now for Lindy to keep the baby, she needs stability a husband, handsome money. Lindy was shocked to see Pat in her town and Pat was determined to get her back. When Pat's father bought the town, they didn't know if the people of the small town will accept them or not. But the story keeps getting interesting.

The fun part is none of Pat's family was ready to move in some other town and they were furious about this fact. I just loved their family bonding. The most sensible among Pat's siblings is his sister. Pat worked really hard to gain Lindy's trust back and he and her niece got attached with each other so much. I loved the ending. A small town romcom book is I love. And their unwilling display of PDA is the best part trust me. I need a Pat in my life. So wholesome he is.

This book was so good. I LOVE Schitt's Creek so the synopsis drew me right in. Pat's Dad, Tank, bought a little town in Texas called Sheet Cake. Hilarious name. Pat's ex happens to live. Lindy and Pat have so much chemistry. When they dated previously he left her. After years of being apart they are still in love. Their banter, their sweetness with each other, Pat's bond with Lindy's niece Jo. I love it all. The storytelling is perfect. The character development is on point. So good!

Short and sweet:
Small town
Marriage of convenience/Fake marriage
Second chances
Closed door romance
Dual POV
MC with ADHD

I highly recommend this book! I can't wait for the second. Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author for the ARC!

Have I mentioned how much I loved Emma St. Clair’s “Falling For Your…….” Series? I think Harper and Chase’s story may have been my favorite of all. When I found out she was writing a spin off with Harper’s football playing, buff brothers I was sold. I LOVED Lindy and Pat’s story. Jo was the cutest, sweetest character and what can I say, we share a name! The fake marriage trope was done incredibly well. The Buy In had new and familiar characters I loved, coupled with Emma’s humorous writing style. The Buy In exceeded all my expectations and I am so pumped there is a new series with some of my favorite character.

This was my first book by Emma St. Clair, and I just loved her writing! She makes the characters feel authentic and so lively I just love it!

Sheet Cake is an adorable town full of adorable people, and omg I really loved them so much!Pat was really a sunshine and I enjoyed reading his character a lot.Pat was a unique character - most male characters do not think or talk like Pat - and he giggles! That also cracked me up! I enjoyed Pat's family and really would love to meet Tank - he's so sweet and lovable, if a bit eccentric. I laughed so hard at this book.Lindy was comical yet I felt so sorry for her sometimes. She went through a lot. And Pat and Lindy's chemistry was so good.

• small town romance
• second chance romance
• marriage of convenience
• forced proximity
• opposite grumpy/sunshine
• single parent (the aunty fights for custody of niece)

Then this is the perfect book for you!

“I don’t have a big heart. It’s all wrinkled and shriveled up. Like a raisin. It’s a raisin heart.”“Oh, I think it’s bigger than a raisin, darlin’.”“A prune, then.” He snorts. “It’s the most beautiful prune heart in the world.”

Another hilarious -not to mention sweet- "Second-Chance" Rom-Com from Emma St. Clair! I don't know where she comes up with the inner-dialogue for her characters, but it never ceases to make me burst out laughing. XD

-I just adore the Found Family aspect of this story*insert heart-melting emoji* along with the reappearances of previous characters. XP <3 <3 <3

4.5/5 Stars

-Looking forward to James & Winnie's story!

Content:
Clean, but on the steamier side.
Rec.- 18+

Thank you Emma St Clair, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of The Buy-In in exchange for an honest and reliable review.

I enjoyed this romantic comedy. If you're looking for light-hearted romance that will make you laugh and smile, this is your book!

I thought the banter between Lindy and Pat was really fun and witty, and I loved the character of Jo. I also really enjoyed the Schitt's Creek vibes of this story - with the rural Southern small-town setting and all of the unique characters.

For me, the book carried on a little too long and the fact that Lindy kept resisting Pat even though they had an undeniable connection was a little too unrealistic for me. Also, the whole ordeal with the Court case did not play out as I expected and was anticlimactic, lacking drama. I was happy for Lindy and Pat with the result but the book does not give us an answer as to why Rachel (Lindy's sister) would spend all this money on court proceedings only to drop the case on the day of.

In the end, I loved Pat and Lindy's love. It was pure and sweet, and full of so much promise for the future.

READ IF YOU LIKE:
- Schitt's Creek
- small town romance
- dual POV
- second chance romance
- marriage of convenience

3.5/5

Fun and sweet story overall. When Pat Graham's father purchases the cute and sleepy town of Sheet Cake, Pat realizes that he may have a new goal in life. Up until this point, after retiring from the NFL due to an injury, Pat hasn't had any defined plans and spends most of this time hanging out with his father Tank. Pat never forgot about the girl he fell in love with, knowing that she came from the hometown of Sheet Cake.

Lindy, Pat's former flame from college, is busy gearing up for a custody battle for her niece Jo. She needs all the help she can get to present herself as a formidable parental presence even if she is lacking a bit in terms of finances, resources and a significant other. The tone of the story was light and funny and the characters were portrayed in an endearing way. Sheet Cake itself had its own small town charm where the residents had their opinions and community support. I liked Lindy's stalwart independence and relatable personality. She wasn't willing to trust easily and she didn't expect favors from anyone.

Pat had this easy, affable attitude that was equal parts cute and appealing. He definitely turns it up on Lindy, knowing how she is wary around him and needs to work to regain her trust. However, he's not opposed to using all the tools in his arsenal to gain her favor, even if that means having a husband will conveniently solidify her standing in the custody dispute. Pat was a likable character, except I wasn't fond of his more effeminate qualities like how he giggled uncontrollably a lot and immediately folds like a wet tortilla when it comes to keeping secrets to himself. The scenes between Pat and Jo were adorable, though. His sincerity with Lindy never wavered and while she's a bit slow to come around, I think that was understandable on her end. In the meantime, the town of Sheet Cake has a lot of hijinks and interference to make the story entertaining and injects a lot of personality into the local citizens. The book ends on a happy note with the promise of more from the Sheet Cake residents and the Graham brothers.