I love reading stories that take place in small towns, where everyone knows each other and for better or worse they are together and this is one of those small towns to fall in love with
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I have fall lost before so many characters who seem ready to open the door to their own story, that I can't wait for their books to be written
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In 'The Buy In' Pat Graham comes from a close-knit family where each brother has a different character and style and they all feel a soft spot for each other and especially for their father and former star pro football player, Tank. But when Tank announces to his kids that he bought a town and wants to renovate it to bring it back to its old glory and build a new home for all the Graham's, only Pat is able to support him and see a vision of what could be, maybe it's because he is the dreamer of the family, his ADHD or because in Sheet Cake lives the girl he left behind five years ago and could never forget
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But now things are different. Lindy is responsible and caring for her five-year-old niece and her mother who lives in a retirement home. Full of responsibility and busy repairing her house while fighting for custody, she thinks she has left Pat Graham behind, but after seeing him for the first time in five years, she is no longer sure of anything
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In this small town where everyone knows about their neighbors' love lives, the Grahams are ready to put down roots no matter how many obstacles and unwelcomes are thrown their way
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Rare town in Texas, Cowboys boots, old movie quotes, hilarious friends, overprotective brothers, rivalry with the founding family of the town, delicious texmex food and squirrels on fire are some of the things that make this book very enjoyable and seeing a little glimpse of the other characters I hope to return to sheet cake with the next book
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Thanks to Emma St Clair for give me a copy of this incredible book in exchange for my honest opinion I really enjoyed reading it

This was an okay read. I was really excited as so much of it felt like Gilmore Girls--fast talking, witty comebacks, and all the pop-culture references one could hope for!

But, I struggled with allllll the characters--hard to keep everyone straight. And, a bulk of the plot centers around building out a brewery, which for me and my own abstinence from alcohol was just tiring after a while. A few toss-away comments about abstinence in other areas of life were also ... interesting? LOL. Different motives for the same end result, but it didn't feel like it stemmed out of faith (which I personally would have liked).

I'm sure other folks (especially fans of Gilmore-style stuffs!) will enjoy this read, it just wasn't for me!

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Review has been posted to Goodreads and submitted to Amazon.

This was such a cute, quick and easy read that was really engaging. It was well written with good characters and a goos storyline. I really enjoyed it.

The Buy-in was such a cute and sweet read! This second chance at love story captured me from the very beginning. I also love the craziness of the Graham family buying a town and rebuilding it. The little family of Pat, Lindy and Jo has wormed it's way into my heart. I'm so happy that Pat and Lindy were able to find their way back to each other after falling in love with each other five years prior. The town of Sheet Cake is absolutely adorable and I wish I could visit it and meet all the fun people who live there.

I'm excited for the next book which features Winnie (Lindy's friend) and James (Pat's brother).

The marriage of convenience and one-bed were two of my favourite tropes in this sweet and simple book.
There were some genuine laugh-out-loud moments, such as the squirrel, and I like some of the story's unique elements, such as the neighbourhood app and a few excerpts from Lindy's piece.
For the first few minutes, I felt like the pacing was on and off, and some things were bulked out when others could've been fleshed out a little more.
I was a little sad that we didn't get to see more of the novel's villains; I understand that this book is about Pat and Lindy's relationship, but I believe that the tale with Rachel and the waters could've been more interesting.

This book is definitely one of my favorites so far for this year. Pat and Lindy’s love story is one of the best I’ve ever read. The tension of the looming custody battle between Lindy and Rachel seriously had me on my toes. Definitely will be reading Winnie and James’ story!

This book was so much fun!
I was intrigued since Chapter One and that conversation between Pat and his father. Yes, his father bought a town. Yes, Pat starts questioning if his father is ok…
This is a second chance romance (with a dose of marriage of convenience), that has a meddling small town, a very smart 5 years old and a very interesting family dynamic.


Note: It was not a deal breaker for me (and the 4 starts are not linked to it) as I liked the story a lot, but I personally felt like more intimate moments were missing (not necessary a explicit sex scene, but a bit more than it shows). The way the book it’s structured, I kept waiting in the back of my mind for the moment they fully get together, and it only happens almost at the end and at close doors. It was a bit disappointing.

Link to GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4517822710
Amazon: The review is under approval

Loved this book! This is my first Emma St. Clair story but it will not be my last! I laughed so hard at this book. Lindy was comical yet I felt so sorry for her sometimes. She went through 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 don't want to give any spoilers but this book is truly worth reading - the writing is outstanding, the plot is delicious and the characters are funny, make you swoon and there's passion but no "spice" which is what I like in a book. I can't wait to discover what other gems are out there written by Emma St. Clair. She's now one of my favorite authors - I enjoyed this book that much!

The Buy-In starts with a lot of world building, and can feel overwhelming - until you enter Sheet Cake, Texas, there Emma St. Clair has created a world of lovely, ridiculous characters who you just can't get enough of. All of the names that you previously might have needed a spreadsheet to keep track of become a small town in the middle of nowhere Texas, where we learn you can have your cake and eat it too.

Pat and Lindy are the marriage-of-convenience trope with a sprinkle of grumpy/sunshine in the best way possible. It was endearing and refreshing to read from the perspective of a goof of a man who is just trying to do the right thing and follow his heart, yet is still a muscly ex-football star/heartbreaker.

St. Clair also makes a point to speak on mental health through her characters that is direct and relevant. Sometimes it's nice for a RomCom to take a moment and let you know that it's okay to have conversations regarding your mental health with your loved ones.

My only critique - if you can even call it that - is that the book reads like it was written for television. To elaborate, there are many storylines happening and some feel lost within the book. Yes, these can be further explored in other Graham Brother books - and I can't wait to read them - but it would almost be more satisfactory to watch the brothers and their antics play out in the same 'season' (if you will) rather than giving them each their own dedicated book. That being said, if that means sacrificing Pat's hilarious inner-monologue I want no part in it!

I was a little worried that this would be too much like Schitt's Creek, but that definitely was not the case. The Buy-In is a fresh and new perspective! Pat knows Sheet Cake, Texas before his dad decided to buy the town. It is the hometown of the woman that got away. That woman is Lindy, who should have been traveling the world because of her dream job as a travel writer. That plan changed though when Lindy has to take care of her newborn niece after her younger sister abandons her with their mother. Lindy never expected her sister to come back and definitely never thought she would have to fight her for custody of five year old Jo. Lindy's outlook on keeping custody of Jo is looking grim, unless she can find a husband to provide the child with a two parent household. Enter Pat, who could be the solution to all of Lindy's problems or tear apart her life and heart all over again.

This is a must read! The characters are so likable that you will not want to. Good news is that you will not have to wait long! There is another Graham Brothers book (The Bluff) expected to release September 2022! I highly recommend picking up this book. You will fall in love with the characters and small town life of Sheet Cake, Texas.

I found it hard to get through this one, whilst the premise sounds brilliant I just didn't enjoy the way it was written. I found the male voices really unrealistic, they all sounded like women and really impacted my enjoyment of the book. This kind of book should feel escapist, but the 2D-ness of the characters kept on distracting me from enjoying the story.

wow! okay i give this book 4.5 ⭐️ i really love it!! this is my first time reading a book from Emma St. Clair and yes i already in love with her writing. you can expect anything from her. such as, a cute banter moments, A CLEAN ROMANCE, and it’s a little heavy but there’s something that could make you smile nonstop. this book didn’t disappoints me at all. i really enjoyed my journey in the town of Sheet Cake and Pat and Lindy’s story. yup it’s a second chance romance. i know some people might don’t like it, same goes to me. it could be a hit or a miss. but for me this book is really well-written and was okay. not only that but there’s also marriage of convenience. very absolutely my top tier trope ever. i literally loving it. the way i mouth closed screaming bcs of the banter between Pat and Lindy. they’re are the cutest. i really adore how hard Pat worked to win Lindy’s heart again. he’s the MAN. maybe he is a bastard before this but he changed become more matured. for Lindy, she’s a very strong and dependent woman ever. she works so hard and gave up everything just to tak care her niece, Jo. i love how Lindy learning to lean on someone and having someone that could take care of her after all she’s been through it. i really really ADORE this book so much istg. did i already say that it’s a clean romance? yup we got a lot of kissing scene (a very clean romance) in this book so the tension between them is just 🤌🏻 idk what to say anymore bcs if you guys like:

-small town romance
-second chance romance
-marriage of convenience
-sweet banter between mcs
-closed door romance

go read this book everyone!!

I loooooove this book!!! LIKE SUPER! This is the first book of Emma St. Clair that I read and it’s funny, quirky, made me laugh & just sooo good!! I.Love.Pat😂 I mean who doesn’t? He may have made bad decisions but the second chance romance and marriage for convenience in this book just made me love it even more! I can’t wait for the second book to come out👀

This was a fun rom-com, plenty of humor, romance, fun, friendships and family. But the story also had depth with a custody battle, dementia and ADHD. It is well written ,with a bunch of interesting/ relatable characters. Gave me loads of Schitt Creek vibes.

Read this if you:
•like Schitts Creek
•have ever been impulsive
•want to laugh out loud
•love sexy football players

This was so so cute and made my heart so happy. A swoon worthy second chance romance! Thank you so much NetGalley for the earc in exchange for an honest review! This is out now!

Thank you Netgalley and Emma St. Clair for the gifted book!

"I'm not here for the man; I'm here for the Tex-Mex. That's my theme song folks."

Hilarious and endearing, full of small town charm, and a marriage of convenience, this book was more than I could have hoped for it to be. I loved how real the characters are with very attractive qualities and flaws as well. There is the most gloriously awkward scene in a Mexican restaurant, a proposal in a jail, flaming squirrels, and Texas high school football. The writing is hilarious and clever and makes me wish I was as witty and masterful with my words. I stayed up MUCH too late reading this one, and I am totally on board and excited for the rest of this series. It's going to be so good. SO GOOD.

This is a closed door romance.

4 ⭐️

I’ll be honest - I went into this with lower expectations once I realized the author wrote closed door romances. But this book was so FUN! And sweet! And silly! It had so many of my favorite tropes: marriage of convenience, second chance romance, small town romance, cinnamon roll hero - what more could I want?

I absolutely fell in love with all of the side characters and the town of Sheet Cake - I’ll be excited to read the rest of the series when it comes out.

I did think that the first half of the book was a bit slower, but once they got married and started living together I was hooked!

This book is for sure great for fans of Schitts Creek, but I’d also recommend for fans of Virgin River and Sweet Magnolias!

Thank you @NetGalley and Emma St. Clair for the ARC of The Buy-In in exchange for my honest review.

Emma St. Clair, where have you been all my life? You really delivered with this book!

At first, I thought this was going to be a no go for me with the town called Sheet Cake. I love Schitt's Creek, and I know there were many references to the show, but I just wasn't convinced this book would win me over. How wrong I was!!!

This book gave ADHD rep, second opportunities, steam (but fade to black which I normally don't like, BUT the romance was so good...the angst …yikes! So good!), found family, community, and some great flirting!

Characters were so well developed I could relate them to people I know and envisioned how they look. I thought the flow was on point and was never bored. I really enjoyed the movie quotes being part of the MCs communication.

I look forward to reading more about the Graham Brothers.

4.5/5 stars!

I can't get enough of Emma's books, each time I finish a book I'm always wanting more!
We all got a glimpse of Harper's brothers in Falling For Your Best Friend and I'm so happy we get more of them. Some me some Pat and can't wait to read James's story. This book just had me smiling and laughing out loud and give me a good Movie reference or tagline ... I'm here for it! This book just flowed and played out like a movie in my head while I read. This book gives you all the tropes .. marriage of convenience - check , second chance lovers- check, single parent, blended family - check check, If you read anything this Spring .. read this book and fall in love with the people of Sheet Cake Texas.

3.5 stars.
An enjoyable, sweet and fun read, with lovable, relatable characters, “The Buy-In”, by Emma St. Clair, is a story about second chances, youthful mistakes and learning with adversity.
The hero, Pat, is so besotted with the heroine and eager to reignite their past, unsuccessful romance that we cannot help but find him endearing and adorable and root for him. He’s optimist and humble and I liked these aspects in his personality.
I really appreciated the depiction of Pat’s ADHD, how he is often restless, impulsive, with all that unrestrained energy and “aversion to stillness”. He is also so steady and sure of his feelings and what and who he wants, which makes a beautiful balance with that condition.
I loved Patrick’s relationship with his father and siblings, all compelling characters with interesting personalities. Tank is a great character and he certainly deserves his own story.
In general, I enjoyed the characters, who are sweet, decent people, their back stories, and the plot.
I felt the story dragged a bit and could have been shorter.