I stared at the screen for… hours. Okay, it was probably only a few minutes, but long enough for him to notice when I reached for my tablet and the insanely addicting game on it.
“I thought you’ve been looking forward to reading that book.”
“I have.”
“For weeks, right?”
Could he have dug the knife in any deeper? I shrugged. “Yeah—ever since I signed up to read it, actually.”
“So why aren’t you reading?”
I closed the tablet and stared at the screen again, the title taunting me.
“It’s not going to be as good as the first one I read. How do I review a book fairly when it has something that amazing to follow?”
Once again, he proved why I should just talk about stuff when I’d prefer to ignore it. “So pretend you haven’t read the other one. Give this one a fair shot—like you’d want someone to give your next book after the one they think is the best you could ever write.”
Ouch.
So I did. I really did. And you know what? I was right. Charming the Troublemaker WASN’T as good as Just the Way You Are… for ME. It might be better for other folks.
Remember those “stick-your-head-in-the-freezer” kisses? Yeah. You’d better buy a commercial walk-in for this one. Just sayin’. Or maybe menopause just finally arrived. Oh, please, Lord Jesus. Let it be that.
Ya know what? The book was charming, though. It was.
Note: Links in this post may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.
Just What Makes Troublemakers So Crazy Charming, Anyway?
Maybe it was the fact that I just got back from this part of the country—no, really. I just drove through the beautiful hills of Appalachia from Atlanta all the way to Johnson City, Tennessee and back down again. I spent four glorious days in the heart of it all—a tiny, barely-on-any-map place called Buladean.
At my annual retreat. At The Barn. Heaven on earth, I assure you.
But I don’t think so.
I think it’s because somehow Pepper Basham manages to take all the things that make me cringe in books and not even care about them. You know, kisses, and tingles, and warm fuzzies, and those never-ending kisses. Did I mention the kisses? Seriously, Fred Savage didn’t have to put up with anything in The Princess Bride.
No, I’m not exaggerating. Seriously, how many times did I have to swipe the screen to get past kisses that sizzled more than bacon in a cast-iron skillet? Oh, and let me tell you: Rainey can wield one with skills that would totally impress Rapunzel. Just sayin’!
But she did it. The ornery woman did it. I sat there riveted to a screen that only got quick swipes when the spit-swappin’ got a little heavy for these innocent mother-of-nine’s eyes.
She did it with things like characters who steal your heart.
Like little girls who are just too sweet for words—little girls who remind me of a combination of both of my granddaughters. Or how about heroes who are flawed but oh, so willing to brandish a sword anyway? Spunky girls who are just broken enough to make you want to give them every bit of drippy romance they probably need to get past their… well… pasts!
She did it with a supporting cast that makes you feel right at home. Seriously, I am convinced Mama Mitchell is behind the reason that my trek to Denny’s at 2:30 a.m. in our cold wind (my version of the freezer, I assure you) failed. Bug night.
Can’t have food for another hour, so here I sit back at the Lighthouse, writing this review to earn some food. She wanted it done right. I’m sure of it. And she’ll make sure the cook over there gets my BLT right. I’m sure of it. (Note: 3 hours later. Mama Mitchell failed me. She actually did. No avocado. She’s fired. Just sayin’.)
And she did it with lines that made me snicker: Lucky for him she spoke fluent jerk.
Guffaw: She twirled her pen in her hand. “Coffee? Tea? A conscience?”
And even managed to throw in one of my favorite movie lines… a nice little ditty about fitting into pants… and my most hated movie ending line ever. Yeah. Rescues him right back. Seriously? She did that?
And dad burn it, but she made it work.
Jerk.
Okay, not really. But kind of.
And then she tied it all up in one lovely, perfect little one-liner bow: “I suddenly feel ready to fight a novel full of dragons.”
Sigh.
Look, if you hate mush as much as I do, and you really hate skipping over kisses because you can’t stand to read them, this isn’t the book for you. It just isn’t. Then again, I would have to tell you this book isn’t for me. It’s not.
But it so is. Only Pepper Basham can write almost 300 pages of utter mushy drivel and make me glad I read it.
In fact, only Pepper Basham can do that and make me eager to read her next one—mush and all.
But if, after reading this review, she gets the deluded idea that she’ll convert me to utter romantic nonsense… well, she’ll be one very disappointed lady.
However, thanks to great characters and witty dialogue, she’s converted me to hers.
MMMWAAAHAHAHAHA
I had to come back to read this again, Chautona.
My day is made 🙂
Your review makes me want to read Pepper’s book. Or do I want to read more of your honest opinions. Not keen on mush like you, but you certainly sell the characters. I nearly bust my gut reading this, it was gloriously brilliant Chautona. Oh and I am sure your book is too Pepper! Remind me to get a review from you one day Chautona, so that I can have a crackling good laugh.
I need to read Victoria Sponge so I can get a giggle.
Margaret! Isn’t the review FABULOUSly hilarious?!? Chautona’s honesty is so funny!
That’s one way of putting it… at lesat you don’t hate me. I’ll take it.
So, I read this book the day it came out and seriously thought, “Ooh, Chautona isn’t gonna like this kiss,” when the first one showed up.
Considering the fact that I don’t ACTUALLY know you, the thought made me laugh–and then this post made me laugh harder.
Also, on another subject entirely, every time I mention your name my husband looks at me cross eyed and I have to say, “the Willow writer”.
Also! Have I ever told you about reading Past Forward to my husband at night and my then-ten year old daughter saying one morning, “Mama can you read louder at night? I’m just DYING to know if Chad and Willow get married!”
That is crazy awesome! You just made my day. And I love that you know me so well.
Read Pepper’s first book in the series and have won Troublemaker but need to get to reading it. I guessed it would be Rainey and Alex! Great stuff!
Hope you enjoy it, Paula!!!
You have yet to steer me wrong. Her first book I actually own (since Dec2016) but have never read. Just got it off my virtual shelf
It’s light, fluffy, but oh, so fun to read. I mean, there’s no real surprise… but lots of nuggets, lots of laughs, and super great characters that you just love to read about anyway.
I’m seriously coming back to reread this just to laugh!
I’m just glad you don’t hate me for hating that I have to buy a commercial walk-in freezer just to read your books in.
How can I hate you when you were struggle is so apparent? And delightful at the same time! I’m still laughing
You’re! Ugh! Not you were
I seriously don’t even know how to respond to this review! LOL.
Not even!
I just love you! I love your honesty and I love (a whole lot) that you like my stories even though you have to fight with them to the bitter end 😉
And, no, I’m not trying to convert you. Just because I’m a “kiss me like crazy” fan, doesn’t mean the whole world spend their mental energy on fairy dust and daydreams, but I’m SOOOOOOO glad that this story still resonated with you because of the characters (and the really pretty scenery 😉
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
*pops kisses*
I seriously thought for a second you wrote “pops foot” and went, “Only she….
Bahahaha! Love this review! And the book, as it happens. ?
It really was just a fun read. Crazy kisses and all. Okay, so I didn’t actually READ the kisses…
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I want to send you ‘pucker up’ photos EVERY time you say that 😉 LOL
I’ll be good! I promise. How about lots of nice, hot tea and some boxes of chocolate? We’ve got See’s….