4.5/ stars

I recommend this book for anyone looking for a heartfelt read. This book had me totally invested in the main characters. This story is a second chance at new love but also on believing in yourself to make a choice regardless of the past you had doubting yourself. I loved the ski resort setting and the the thought the author put into all the characters.

It was a good light read!

wow! I absolutely loved this one from start to finish! Ashley & Madigan are so into each other right from the start, but have to try to remember to keep it professional. both of them have been through so much in their lives, and now they’re in a place where they can actually be happy… It was such a beautiful story to read.

Ashley is trying so hard to keep her family ski mountain afloat while battling an energetic, big spirited mother, and her rude, condescending, borderline evil ex-husband from trying to acquire it. And Madigan spent his life, helping recovering attics get back on their feet, becoming not only functioning members of society, but loved, welcomed, included people. I especially loved reading of the men of little timber, such kind, funny, big hearted people who are truly doing their best to rehabilitate themselves. Sam, especially broke my heart, I can’t even understand what him and his family have been through, but I shed many tears for that sweet boy.

Ashley & Madigan are such kind, sweet, loyal, devoted people who made the perfect better halves to each other. Well, they have some ups and downs in their story, they were very communicative with each other, and always tried to do what was right.

This story had me so emotional — I cried, laughed, cried – laughed the whole way through. I absolutely loved it, and I can’t wait for the authors next story.

Thank you for the ARC!!!

A sweet and spicy ski resort romance between a pair who have very much been through the ringer before. It’s a slow burn but it’s totally worth it. This pair dance around each other a lot but eventually, Ashley and Madigan fight past their own baggage to begin something together, whilst simultaneously changing the lives of the ex-cons and recovering addicts that Madigan has made it his life’s work to help. The characters are delightful, there’s loads of great banter between the men but also a lot of tenderness and sincerity. This book faces the difficulties of addiction and the road to putting your life back together, and the importance of communication and opening up between men. On the flip side is Ashley’s residual trauma from an abusive relationship that whittled down who she was until she was a shell of herself. This book was a beautiful exploration of having second chances in all their forms and overcoming obstacles in life and I adored it.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

This was a story about accepting people where they are and letting go of the bad stuff that people make us believe. Starting life over is possible at any age if we’re willing to try. Love is always just down the hill.

3 Stars! The cozy setting and swoony chemistry make for a good story but this book just wasn't my cup of tea.

I don't know what it was other than the fact that I didn't find any of the characters particularly likeable except Tex. Tex was my favorite.

I wanted to like this book more than I did. I didn't think it was "bad", but I also didn't think it was the best thing I've ever read before.

That being said, Ashley and Madigan each irritated me in their own ways. They are in their late forties/early fifties and...they just didn't read that way to me? I found some of their conversations and arguments childish and immature. I respect that they each had their own traumas to deal with (Ashley with the cheating ex-husband and Madigan with past addiction and prison time), but they didn't read as mature adults to me. (It reminded me of reading a book where the MC is like 25ish and reads like a 12 year old and that gives me the ick in that situation).

Another relationship I didn't find the best is the one between Ashley and her mother. They were each super shitty towards one another, but I could never figure out who was at fault and it kept going back and forth. For instance, the mother would say something off the wall to Ashley and then look to Madigan with a grimace. It just didn't make sense to me, gave me a little bit of whiplash.

What I did like--
The setting/location. The cozy, snowy mountains is the perfect location for a cozy romance. And that's what this was. I loved the setting and the idea of a ski resort (if that's the right word).
I found the premise to be a little.. off?-- having ex-cons be workers at a place that needs to pay people less (it was a weird premise imo). Then Ashley taking money from her ex-husband right towards the end when she knew the concert was coming up? Just felt so off.

My absolute favorite character in this book was the dog! He seemed like a lost cause at first, according to Ashley's mother, but in the end, he was one who saved her sorry ass after snow burying her! I felt so proud of him in that moment! It was the best scene in the book in my opinion.

There was a third act breakup in this book, which was fine with me. More miscommunication between characters who should be old enough to have a conversation. But I digress because they worked it out and it ended up being a HEA. I hope there is another book about Ashley's daughter, Davis, and the ex-con, Kev. I would read that in a heartbeat.

Ashley Cooke is struggling, in life and in love. She will do just about anything to save the struggling ski hill she grew up on. The same one she owns and is trying to bring back to life. The same one her cheating ex-husband is trying to acquire. Enter Max Madigan and the men from Timber Hills Sober Living Home. What starts as a way to cut cost for Ashley and bring meaningful work to the men for Madigan, turns into something neither one could see coming.

I read this book in a 24 hour period. Really, it’s that good. The ski resort setting, the unique and diverse cast of characters, a lovable dog…what more could you want. Drama, pining, intrigue, hope, and love all wrapped up in this wonderful little book. And spice. Did I mention the spice? Because it was SPICY in the best way.

I loved Ashley and Madigan equally. Usually I love the FMC or the MMC a little more than the other, but that wasn’t the case here. The amount of growth they both had to go through to be with each other, Ashley learning to let go, Madigan learning to trust, was so poignant. My heart is full. And the fact that they both thought they weren’t worthy of the other person? I loved how they could both put the other person back together and just love them for who they are.

I loved all the side characters as well and learning all the things they had to go through to become better for the people they loved. This book handled becoming sober/clean in the best way possible and its hard to do with a tough topic like that.

My three big things to leave you with:

1. It was so freaking refreshing to read a romance book with MCs in their 40’s and 50’s. I love my romance books, but also sometimes I just don’t want to read about the cute 21 year old, you know?
2. The spice was perfect. Chef’s kiss.
3. I’m going to need a Kev and Davis story STAT.

Thanks to Net Galley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and Pinkity Publishing LLC for the chance to read it!

I loved this one! I had to acquire it as I had read it previously and was so happy to see it again! I love the idea of someone starting their life over after previous difficult circumstances and making a better life for themselves and this one is even more special as it is a love story as well.