Buns (Hudson Valley, #3) by Alice Clayton Series: Hudson Valley #2
Published by Gallery Books on May 23rd 2017
Pages: 336
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Clara Morgan is living the dream, if you can call rebranding hotels that are desperate for a new life and running any kind of marathon a dream. Which she does. But the career she loves and the endurance races that keep her adrenaline pumping have kept her too busy to put down any roots. Growing up in foster care, she’s never been able to establish traditions of her own, which may be why she’s fascinated by the rituals that generations-old family resorts are known for. She’s especially interested in the Bryant Mountain House, and not just for their secret recipe for the yummy, gooey, can’t-get-enough-of Hot Cross Buns….
Archie Bryant, the man with the Buns, is fifth generation and one-day-owner of the charming yet run-down Bryant Mountain House in Bailey Falls, New York. He’s determined to save his family’s legacy from the wrecking ball the old-fashioned way—by gritting his teeth and doing what needs to be done. There’s no way Archie will be influenced by the new hotel branding expert his father brought in to turn one hundred and fifty years of tradition on its head just to attract a faster, younger, slicker crowd. But when some of Clara’s ideas start bringing in new, paying customers, Archie can’t deny that she may have just given him a shot at keeping his resort open.
It’s sticky, it’s messy, it’s sweet, it’s Buns.
Alice Clayton returns to the delightful upstate New York town of Bailey Falls in this third installment of her Hudson Valley series. Her writing has always appealed to me, and once again I found myself wrapped up in a sweet love story.
Clara is a successful hotel rebranding expert who lives for her job and is constantly on the road. Her newest project is to revitalize Bryant Mountain House in Bailey Falls. It’s a historic family-owned resort that has catered to the wealthy for decades, but it is now dated and business is declining. Archie Bryant is the stuffy son of the owner who is resistant to change and instantly butts head with Clara.
I was completely charmed by these damaged but lovable characters. Clara and Archie are complete opposites, which makes them even more delightful together. Clara’s feisty exuberance helps melt Archie’s ice man exterior, while Archie’s attentive nature challenges Clara’s fierce independence. Still, Clara’s demons make her determined not to succumb to the appeal of the town or the people—particularly Archie.
As expected with all of Alice Clayton’s novels, Buns is packed full of heart, romance, and perfect comedic timing. Her strong willed, funny heroines and their faithful, patient suitors win me over time and time again. I found Buns to be a very enjoyable, lighthearted read. If you’re a fan of the series, you’ll be pleased to see more of Roxie and Leo, Natalie and Oscar, as well as a surprise cameo from a certain beloved couple from one of Ms. Clayton’s other series.
Recommended for fans of:
Enemies to lovers
Second chance romance
Dirty Dancing
**ARC received in exchange for an honest review.**
About Alice Clayton
Alice Clayton worked in the cosmetics industry for over a decade before picking up a pen (read laptop)She enjoys gardening but not weeding, baking but not cleaning up, and finally convinced her long-time boyfriend to marry her. And she finally got her Bernese Mountain dog.
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