This was sweet and I enjoyed that it was more mature MCs. Emotionally, they both felt a little young at times, but given their pasts, it's understandable. I loved how everything resolved, and really enjoyed the side characters.

Do Me a Favor

A sweet and cozy read about a small town romance with the man next door. A later in life romance between a widowed cookbook writer and a small-town handyman living next door. Loved the supporting characters, the antics of the animals and the sweet story line.

I don't have much to say about this one; it was kind of... forgetful. I had an okay time reading it but afterwards, I just never think about it.

As a woman in her early 40s, I get really annoyed when I pick up a "later in life" romance, but the characters could easily be mistaken for characters in their mid 20s except for having older children or a few gray hairs. Thankfully, this book was not that!

This book was a joy to read. I loved the portrayal of characters in their 40s who are at a point of reexamining what they want from their lives. I'm a foodie who loves to cook, so I especially loved how much of Willa's story centered around those elements.

There were some loose ends and elements that didn't make sense (felt like maybe the story was initially going to go one way, then decided to go another, but forgot to go back and make updates...), and those did take me out of the story a little as I kept waiting for a big reveal that didn't happen. Despite that, this was definitely an enjoyable read and I'll be looking up more from this author.

I just loved this book. Partly because it resonated with me in so many ways: being older and considering dating, having adult children that are just finding their way, the adorable dog Noodle, being something of a DIY-er (with mixed success), and much more. And mostly because I just love how Ms. Yardley's characters feel SO REAL. I could picture them living next door, being my friends, and seeing the events of the novel in real life. Willa and Hudson just stole my heart; it certainly wasn't easy for them to reach their HEA, yet they persevered. It was all so hopeful. Noodle the dog and Hudson's kids (twins Jeremy and Kimber) bring their own energy and additional life issues that need sorting to the story, making things even more lively. I think Willa might even be my alter ego in the universe of cook books and food science. I came away from the story wanting to visit the island and meet everyone, if only it were all real. This novel is on my read again (or maybe listen) list!

I was given an ARC and requested to write a review, which I was happy to do!

By Cathy Yardley
Do Me A Favor by Cathy Yardley is a sweet romance centering on two more mature characters, Willa and Hudson.
Willa has just moved into the house her aunt has left her. She’s lead a life full of ups and downs with a larger than life restaurateur and foodie husband who has passed away from complications from type 1 diabetes. Willa has to figure whether or not she can make a living as a cookbook ghostwriter and if she can financially manage to keep the house.
Hudson has spent his entire life in one place, raising his twins after his wife left and becoming a handyman while taking care of the everyone around him. Hudson meets Willa when his dog Noodle escapes and he’s immediately interested in his new neighbor. Cathy Yardley writes about characters figuring themselves out so there’s lots about their thoughts and backgrounds which makes for wonderfully fully developed characters. This is true for her side characters as well, including Hudson’s parents and adult children. Getting to know these characters and how they learn about each other and consequently support each other makes for a sweet and warm read. I loved how Willa recognized that Hudson gave so much to everyone and encouraged him to find a new path. Hudson’s support and love for Willa came across warmly and honestly making this a really wonderful low angst more mature romance.

Fantastic read!

I had so much fun with this one. I loved role playing so i was nervous about where this would go overall and if the love would continue for me, but Cathy did it again.

I loved Willa so much and the journey of not always knowing where you want to be as an adult. I think it's a welcome reminder personally.

Cathy Yardley became an auto buy author for me after I read her last book and I couldn’t wait to read this one by her! I absolutely loved this book as much as her last one. I loved everything about this story and can’t wait to buy my physical copy

I can count on Cathy Yardley to take me on a journey of self-discovery, especially with characters with lived experience. Separately Willa and Hudson are in their 40s not quite where they want to be and coming to terms with that. A meet-cute staged by Noodle they meet and things move very slowly from there. Hudson is an interesting character because initially, he seems like a run-of-the-mill man who thinks with his member but you have to wait until well into the book he wants to avoid disappointing his kids with a relationship that might not work out. It was reasonable but as the reader, I was not rooting for him to be with Willa at all. I thought he was going to be a jerk. Willa on the other hand felt fragile and I just wanted her to focus on herself and get back on her feet sans any relationship heartache. She had been through enough. Good for her she got a little sexy time. So the first 54% of the book was set up you have to keep going to get the payoff in the back half. Things resolve in a very mature way with no fanfare.

an amazing read, I was salvated at all the food mentioned. don't read if you are hungry is my only negative. enjoyed the relationship between Willa and Hudson, when the first "baby" dropped I was a goner.

I thought this was very cute, but I didn’t really connect much with the characters, which I think is why it took me a bit to get through it. I did love the rep for MC’s in their 40’s!

Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Unfortunately, I had to DNF this book.
After a few weeks trying to read it and only advancing a few pages at a time, I had to let it go. I see promise in the plot and characters, but just couldn't connect with them. Maybe it's not the time for me to read it, I'll probably try again in the future cause I enjoy Cathy's writing.

Format - E ARC (Netgalley)

Rating- ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Spice- 🌶

Series-

Troupes- Friends to lovers, forced proximity, small town, later in life love, love after loss

Representation- Late in life love

CW- Grief of a loved one

Cathy Yardley does it again! I loved Role Playing so much, with its older and still growing characters and now she’s done it again with Willa and Hudson.

This was such a cozy yet angsty read with tons of heart and so much mutual pinning! This one was also on the spicer side for Yardley. While there is plenty of angst and sadness from the loss of loved ones Willa and Hudson also banter for days.

The secondary characters are so dynamic Hudson’s parents and adult children are awesome and I would love to read their stories!

This book was so much fun and once more just what I needed just when I needed it! So looking forward to more from Cathy!

This was a cute plot with fun characters that ultimately fell a little flat for me. If you’re looking for a quick beach read, this is perfect. The side character are weird and fun and bring the book to life.

However, the leads are in their 40s and I was excited to read about characters in a totally different stage of life. But they just felt young to me. Not in an “age is what you make it, nothing but a number” kind of way, which could have worked. Just a little immature, and I felt like they story needed a little bit more depth to reach its potential.

I love Cathy Yardley books! There's always the perfect blend of humor and heart!

Grab this fabulous read and get ready to fall in love with Hudson and Willa!

Do Me A Favor is a sweet (and savory) over forty romance from Cathy Yardley! Culinary enthusiast and recipe wizard Willa is recently widowed and regrouping in a small island town. Hudson is a broody single dad and oh-so-good with his hands. The island handyman is happy with his hometown life and contribution to his community. And yet, he seems to be missing something. I loved this foodie romance! The contrast of Willa & Hudson’s characters worked beautifully; they were dynamic and alluring. Hudson was such a charming crunchy cinnamon roll. Willa was a compelling FMC with a heavier arc and I loved how her character’s journey developed. Do Me A Favor is a great slow-burn, found family, multicultural love story.
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I was really excited for this book. A small town romance with older characters, she’s a cookbook ghostwriter, he’s a handyman…I was thinking this is going to be great. It started off really well….then just took a dive and I was extremely bored. It just fell short for me. It gave vanilla Hallmark vibes and the characters seemed a bit immature for their age. I definitely think it could’ve benefited from sensitivity readers for the parts relating to diabetes as well.

I really liked Do Me a Favor! It’s not my favorite of her books but I still enjoyed it very much. The characters were great and the story was good. I appreciate reading about characters in their 40s, it’s refreshing. Definitely a fan and will keep reading her future releases. I’d recommend this for sure.

This was a light-hearted, low angst, slow-burn, dual POV romance between a ghostwriter cook book author and a small PNW island town handy man who is also a single father of twin adult children. I loved that both MCs were in their 40s, pursuing new career paths and the way they bonded over recipes and a little dog called, Noodle. It was great on audio and a new fav from a fav author. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy of this latest romance with a FANTASTIC Leni Kauffman cover.

Love and romance do not end in your 20s or 30s. Life keeps on going after your children have moved out of the house. Do Me A Favor is a reminder of all these things and more.

The story highlights the possibility of finding love at any age with an emphasis on starting over and being able to find it again after losing a partner. It reminds us that growing up doesn't mean all things change. For instance, waking up to breakfast with your not-quite boyfriend's family after a fun night is awkward and embarrassing at any age. What I especially loved is how the story highlights the wisdom that can come with age and experience. These pieces of insight are spread throughout the book as the characters look both backwards and forwards.

This was a great read. Do Me a Favor and pick this one up. (4.5 stars rounded to 5 stars)