SHOULD'VE SAID NO (THISTLE BEND #1)

Welcome to Thistle Bend! Perfect for fans of Susan Mallery, this charming series debut introduces a small town where old secrets are revealed—and wounded hearts are opened to new love.

A year after being laid off from the Smithsonian, Lindsey Simms says yes to a job offer as curator of a heritage museum in Thistle Bend, Colorado (population 1,519). It could be worse—and it is. Because the new museum has escalated a dispute between the Karlssons, Lindsey’s relatives, and the Crenshaws, a blood feud which goes way back to a land deal that changed the fortunes of both families. Trying to stay objective, Lindsey can’t tell anyone about her conflict of interest—especially not the ruggedly handsome handyman fixing up her cabin, who seems to be keeping secrets of his own.

Although he’s the executive director of the family trust and one of Colorado’s most eligible bachelors, Carden Crenshaw prefers getting his hands dirty in town and on his sprawling ranch. Staying busy has given him an excuse not to risk heartbreak, but getting to know the beautiful “museum lady” makes him reconsider. Little does he know, the heat between them will only add fuel to the fire—unless this unlikely couple can prove they’re lovers, not fighters.

Release Date: November 24, 2015

Loveswept Random House

Thistle Bend #1

Review copy provided by publisher

I was super excited to see Tracy March had a new book out and even happier to see it was the first book in a series.

I loved Lindsey Simms from the moment she appeared on the page. She was such a strong character; especially driving across country to start a new job in an area she had never even visited before. I liked that she wanted to get her career started back up by setting up the Thistle Bend Heritage Museum and her long-term plans were to return to D.C. I didn't love she was keeping her family connections to the Karlssons a secret, but totally understood based on the dynamics between the Karlssons and the Crenshaws.

Carden Crenshaw is one of the most eligible bachelors in Thistle Bend and I loved how Lindsey and Carden met for the first time. Nothing like the head of the Crenshaw family trust being mistaken for a handyman. Carden had been burned in the past in a relationship and he was super hesitant to open himself up to anyone. I loved that Lindsey totally worked her way into his life and his heart so quickly.

I really loved Lindsey and Carden as a couple. They had amazing chemistry and it was so obvious from the moment they first met. I loved how quickly they connected and how many shared interest they had. I knew the fact they were basically each on the other side of Thistle Bend's version of the Hatfields and the McCoy's, yet I still wanted them to find a way to learn the truth of what really happened between their families and make it work as a couple. I absolutely loved the resolution to the truth about the fight between the families. It totally gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling and was so steeped in romance. Carden and Lindsey had both sweet and sexy moments together and I loved watching them work through their issues to make their relationship work.

I also loved both the town of Thistle Bend and all the different secondary characters in Should've Said No. I love when a small town becomes a character in itself with a book, and also love when the secondary characters grab me and I want to know more about them and see them in future books. I have to say the Montgomery sisters were 2 of my favorite characters in the book and I hope we see them again in future books.

I absolutely adored Should've Said No. I'm a big fan of books in a series and I thought the Thistle Bend series got off to a great start with Should've Said No.