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Recipe for Rivals: A Small Town Romance (Arcadia Creek Book 3) Kindle Edition
She swore off romance, but she didn’t see the fireman coming.
Fresh off a messy divorce and fleeing her New York life, Nova Walker is searching for a fresh start—and maybe a little peace. She finds both in small-town Arcadia Creek, Texas, working at her Aunt Gigi’s diner. Cowboys? Expected. The ridiculously handsome firefighter with a cocky grin and an infuriating ability to get under her skin? Not so much.
Dusty Hayes is as Texan as they come—charming, competitive, and maddeningly sure of himself. Every time Nova thinks she’s got him figured out, he turns the tables, their friendly rivalry sparking more feelings than she’s ready to handle. She might be tempted to let her guard down, but with two young kids depending on her, Nova knows she can’t risk her heart again.
Will their heated battles spark a lasting connection, or will Nova extinguish the flames before they have a chance to grow?
Recipe for Rivals is a heartfelt romance featuring a fiery firefighter, a determined single mom, and plenty of small-town charm. Book three in the Arcadia Creek series will leave you swooning, laughing, and wishing you could pack up and move to Texas.
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateJanuary 3, 2025
- File size941 KB
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"A heartfelt and thoughtful story on the power of community and second chances—even if it is giving yourself a second chance. The writing is intelligent, warm, and sometimes witty, which Stockton uses well to balance the heavier problems that arise." —Readers' Favorite Five Star Review
"The best part is the Arcadia Creek setting, a close-knit Texas town that extends beyond a simple backdrop into almost a character itself. With its mix of humor, heartache, and hope, this gem of a story will appeal to readers who enjoy touching, character-driven, small-town romances." —Readers' Favorite Five Star Review
PRAISE FOR FALLING IN LINE
"Kasey Stockton has an unbelievable writing style that will make you feel like you are enjoying the Fletcher barbecue or perusing the titles at Baker's Books...The characters and their relationships are layered, making it a complete reading experience. Stockton delicately touches on depression and vividly describes a range of emotions, shifting between June's and Tucker's perspectives...Readers who enjoy small-town romances with wholesome characters will love Falling in Line." —Readers' Favorite Five Star Review
PRAISE FOR LOVE ON DECK
"Love on Deck by Kasey Stockton was absolutely brilliant. I enjoyed every bit of this whirlwind enemies-to-lovers romance, and honestly, I am dying for more. Stockton did such a fantastic job with the build-up of this story, setting the reader up for an enticing and entertaining story. Lauren and Jack's antics throughout the book had me almost keeling over with laughter at times and others had me at my wit's end, hoping they would just get together...This book is genuinely so good and I hope more people give this a try." —Readers' Favorite Five Star Review
About the Author
Product details
- ASIN : B0CPLKH4L7
- Publisher : Golden Owl Press (January 3, 2025)
- Publication date : January 3, 2025
- Language : English
- File size : 941 KB
- Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 370 pages
- Page numbers source ISBN : 1952429579
- Best Sellers Rank: #8,495 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #38 in Firefighters Romance
- #135 in Clean & Wholesome Romance (Books)
- #150 in Clean & Wholesome Romance (Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Kasey Stockton is a staunch lover of all things romantic. She doesn't discriminate between genres and enjoys a wide variety of happily ever afters. She publishes both contemporary and historical novels, and all of her titles fall under clean romance. She loves reading, chocolate, and period dramas, but nothing tops her very own prince charming, their three children, and their sweet goldendoodle.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers enjoy the romantic story and find it feel-good. They appreciate the vibrant, relatable characters and the charming firefighter. The book is described as a delightful read that portrays single parenting realistically. Readers appreciate the fun, happy ending.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the romantic story. They find it a feel-good, contemporary small-town romance with a happy ending. The book is described as a good single mom/dad story without excessive drama.
"...and support that develops, but of course, it’s the execution of a feel-good romance that lit the fire in my heart...." Read more
"...There are no swears, no alcohol, and level 1 kisses only. Dual POV." Read more
"...All the moments, the alternating points of view, the struggles Nova had, her kids, and Dusty’s kind generous heart, care for her and her kids, and..." Read more
"...It's a beautiful story with a fun, happy ending." Read more
Customers enjoy the vibrant and relatable characters. They find Dusty charming and lovable, with a flirtatious personality. The small-town charm and kindness make for a perfect ending.
"...These characters are written so well and complement each other in their differences, helping one another overcome challenges, especially Nova...." Read more
"I loved Nova and her two kids! She's so relatable, and my heart just breaks to see how her ex treats her and the children...." Read more
"...Small-town charm, kindness, and one handsome firefighter along with her aunt made for a perfect place to land...." Read more
"...Nova can’t help but fall for the charming, flirtatious Dusty! I loved how strong and independent Nova was...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book. They find it a delightful, sweet, contemporary romance that is a stand-alone read. The story is described as welcoming and cozy, making visits enjoyable.
"...I love this series written by Kasey Stockton. This small town is so welcoming and cozy, and my visits are always so enjoyable...." Read more
"Romance, sweet, contemporary; series but stand alone read Nova and Dusty’s story was a lovely, sweet fall...." Read more
"I enjoyed this book. I liked the healing of a family and how the romance between Iva and Dusty progressed." Read more
"A great book..." Read more
Customers appreciate the realistic parenting style in the book. They praise Dusty's kind, generous heart and care for her kids. The book depicts the healing of a family and the romance between Iva and a firefighter. Readers also enjoy the family helping one another overcome challenges.
"...well and complement each other in their differences, helping one another overcome challenges, especially Nova...." Read more
"...Nova had, her kids, and Dusty’s kind generous heart, care for her and her kids, and fun loving demeanor made for a perfect picture of a HEA and..." Read more
"...I loved how strong and independent Nova was. She was the best mom to Ben & Alice and was so determined to stand on her own two feet...." Read more
"I enjoyed this book. I liked the healing of a family and how the romance between Iva and Dusty progressed." Read more
Customers enjoy the book. They find the story fun and happy, with a loving demeanor.
"...and Dusty’s kind generous heart, care for her and her kids, and fun loving demeanor made for a perfect picture of a HEA and small town charm...." Read more
"...It's a beautiful story with a fun, happy ending." Read more
"...This was equal parts fun and touching. Nova’s kids were written so well and I fell in love with them too. The banter was top tier...." Read more
Reviews with images
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New Favorite Fictional Couple
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2025“I only tease people I like.”
“Since we’re rivals, I guess that disqualifies me, huh?”
Nova is jaded after a bitter divorce and brings her two kids to small-town Texas to get back on her feet. Dusty is a charismatic and lovable firefighter full of flirtations and sunshine. A competition between public safety groups pits them against each in such a fun way that’s full of entertainment, food, and swoon.
I love this series written by Kasey Stockton. This small town is so welcoming and cozy, and my visits are always so enjoyable. These characters are written so well and complement each other in their differences, helping one another overcome challenges, especially Nova. I felt that her children and situation are pretty realistic and excellently encompass the difficulties of single parenting. Aunt Gigi is such a surprising bonus character, as are the unexpected friendships and support that develops, but of course, it’s the execution of a feel-good romance that lit the fire in my heart.
From start to finish, I was enthralled with this story and obviously with Dusty.
Content: mild romance
- Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2025I loved Nova and her two kids! She's so relatable, and my heart just breaks to see how her ex treats her and the children.
There are no swears, no alcohol, and level 1 kisses only. Dual POV.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2025Romance, sweet, contemporary; series but stand alone read
Nova and Dusty’s story was a lovely, sweet fall. Coming off a divorce, Nova is struggling to make ends meet for her children and find hope for herself. Small-town charm, kindness, and one handsome firefighter along with her aunt made for a perfect place to land.
All the moments, the alternating points of view, the struggles Nova had, her kids, and Dusty’s kind generous heart, care for her and her kids, and fun loving demeanor made for a perfect picture of a HEA and small town charm.
Strong supporting characters, and glimpses of other characters from this series, filled out a lovely read.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2025I loved both Nova and Dusty from the first time we met them! Her children, Ben and Alice, and Aunt Gigi are just icing on that cake. The hard cases of divorce, selfish parents, and loneliness are handled graciously and with hope. It's a beautiful story with a fun, happy ending.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2025New favorite book alert!🚨 and my favorite to round up the Arcadia Creek romances. I will miss this small town! This was a comfort read for me that I didn’t know I needed.
I absolutely loved Dusty and Nova together. Acts of service was totally their love language. Dusty’s personality was everything! Kasey outdid herself with him haha. This is dual pov and I just love Kasey’s dual POVs. They’re super consistent. Overall her writing is such a smooth experience for me.
I think each trope was executed well. I really felt the small town and could picture everything. This was equal parts fun and touching. Nova’s kids were written so well and I fell in love with them too. The banter was top tier. Nova and Dusty are a new favorite fictional couple for me and this is now my favorite book from this author. Highly recommend.
5.0 out of 5 starsNew favorite book alert!🚨 and my favorite to round up the Arcadia Creek romances. I will miss this small town! This was a comfort read for me that I didn’t know I needed.New Favorite Fictional Couple
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2025
I absolutely loved Dusty and Nova together. Acts of service was totally their love language. Dusty’s personality was everything! Kasey outdid herself with him haha. This is dual pov and I just love Kasey’s dual POVs. They’re super consistent. Overall her writing is such a smooth experience for me.
I think each trope was executed well. I really felt the small town and could picture everything. This was equal parts fun and touching. Nova’s kids were written so well and I fell in love with them too. The banter was top tier. Nova and Dusty are a new favorite fictional couple for me and this is now my favorite book from this author. Highly recommend.
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2025This was such a good addition to the Arcadia Creek stories!!!!
I always love me a good single mom/dad story with the other one showing how much they can love the kid even though it’s not theirs!!! It was such a funny sweet story and I love that Nova stood up for herself when Carter was being pushy and how Dusty supported her and she let him support her. She figured out how to be strong on her own but to also gather that strength from another person. And Dusty knew she needed to stand up for herself without him jumping in to fix everything. And how just a little southern hospitality doesn’t mean you’re a charity case. I loved every bit of this book!!!
- Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2025Don't you just love that name: Nova? With a name like that, how can you not adore the female main character? A divorced mom. It's hard being divorced. Everything is different. Your support group is in a different state, and you're starting over, very humbly. And your kids are having their struggles.
Dusty is a good guy. Playing for keeps.
This book brought out some melancholy emotions. But it also felt so real. Even if we haven't experienced divorce, we've all experienced change and loss and pain.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2025I love the Arcadia Creek series and am just smitten with Nova and Dusty!!
Nova moves to the small town of Arcadia, Texas after getting divorced and having nowhere else to go, with her two cute kids. Thanks to her Aunt Gigi she has a job and a place to live. However, she doesn’t anticipate meeting Dusty—who seems to know everyone and be everywhere she goes. These two are just the cutest from their first meeting in the grocery store to every chance meeting after that. Nova can’t help but fall for the charming, flirtatious Dusty!
I loved how strong and independent Nova was. She was the best mom to Ben & Alice and was so determined to stand on her own two feet. Dusty was just the sweetest seeing the needs of Nova and her kids and helping them while still allowing Nova to be independent. Ahhh!! These two are just too cute!