Baking with Nerds - Clean, contemporary romance

I am voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book. Ainsley Morrison is a pastry chef so when she gets a new neighbour of course she’s going to take him a welcoming gift after her brother encourages her to. Only when she gets there she doesn’t get a warm reception from the ex marine Brett Bentwater especially when he ends up shutting the door in her face. She returns home felling rejected and that Brett isn’t someone she wants to know and has no intention of seeing him again but will fate step in and bring them together? Brett is trying to build a new life for himself now he is an ex marine, the things that he’s seem still haunt him and he is doing his best to deal with his PTSD but in the day that Ainsley turns up he is surprised by a panic attack and ends up shutting the door in her face whilst he tries to calm the storm within him. Knowing there is no way that Ainsley will forgive him so he hopes that they have as little interaction as possible, there is no way he wants to explain himself but it seems as if they are being thrown together at every turn and it’s not long until they are friends but could they be more? This is my first book by this author and it was such a good read I didn’t feel that I couldn’t follow the story considering how late in to the Morrison family I’m joining the party. Would I read another book by this author the answer to that is yes. 3.8* read.

Well-Done Contemporary Romance What a sweet and charming romance! This is the first book I have read by this author, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Contemporary romances often disappoint me, as I am more of a historical romance reader. This one had great characters in both the hero and heroine as well as in the heroine's very large extended family. I wanted to hang out with the Morrisons myself! The love and support they show each other is just what family should be. I think I will have to go back in this series and read some of the other couple’s stories. The heroine is kind hearted but very driven to fulfill her dream of running her own coffeehouse. The hero is struggling mightily with PTSD. Only recently discharged and new in town, his discomfort with civilian life and his constant surveillance rang true; the author did a good job with his characterization. He is definitely a bit of a prickly pear, which I rarely like in romantic heroes, but the author did a good job showing why he was like that; she made it understandable and believable, making him a very sympathetic character. The romantic arc was very enjoyable to watch unfold. I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.