First Step Forward by Liora Blake Series: Grand Valley, #1
Published by Pocket Books Publication Date: November 29th 2016
Pages: 368
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Pro-football player Cooper Lowry is off the field and into some trouble—in the form of a very alluring, very free-spirited apple orchard owner named Whitney Reed—in the first installment in Liora Blake’s all new Grand Valley series.
After eight seasons playing pro-football, Cooper Lowry knows all the right answers.
Is he stubborn, short-tempered, and impatient? Yes. Are jersey chasers more trouble than they’re worth? Absolutely. Has he ever imagined a life beyond the game? Nope.
Cooper has built an enviable career—the result of staying focused, working hard, and keeping his head on straight—even as his body takes the brunt. So when a hard hit during a Sunday home game leaves him in a dazed heap on the field, it’s nothing more than another day at the office. The only thing that’s different about this Sunday is a chance encounter with a certain fascinating, beautiful free-spirited woman. And some sternly-worded instructions from his coach to take a little time off and give his body the TLC it craves—before he does lasting damage.
Whitney Reed is a few months away from losing the organic fruit orchard she bought three years ago in the tiny town of Hotchkiss, Colorado. At the time, she was just looking for a place to get lost. Instead, she found a home, somewhere she could finally put down roots. Now foreclosure is knocking on her door—along with a grumpy, gorgeous football player who might be just what she never knew she needed.
A charming love story for romance and sports fans alike, First Step Forward is a sexy, heartwarming romp perfect for readers of Jennifer Probst, Kristan Higgins, and Julie James.
Cocktails and Books received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect our opinion of the book or the content of our review.
First Step Forward is the first book in the Grand Valley series. Liora Blake is a new author for me, so I was looking forward to seeing where she would take me in her world. I wasn’t disappointed. Not one bit. I loved this seriously sweet, romantic, sometimes silly, sometimes hot read! Cooper and Whitney were unique, enchanting characters that really brought this story to life.
Cooper Lowry is a football player in need of a break and a chance meeting with an apple orchard hippie sends him on one amazing journey. Told in alternating POV’s, this book was a great read.
I loved how Cooper was honest, outspoken and sexy and you couldn’t help but fall in love with his cocky charm. Whitney Reed was so much fun! Her out of the box thinking and her fascinating character development made me love her right from the start. I enjoy strong, independent heroines and though she was in need of help, she proved she had the strength to know how to accept it.
These two together were the most unlikely pair but they proved that opposites do attract, sometimes in the most unexpected of ways. Along with being cute, they were seeexy! I loved their chemistry and their interactions which left me either hot and bothered or in hysterics at their fun back and forth bantering.
A sweet, charming, not to involved read that you can really enjoy when you need something light and sexy. I’ll definitely be looking for more books from this author.
About Liora Blake
Liora Blake is a contemporary romance author living in Colorado. When she isn’t writing, she’s likely baking cookies she shouldn’t eat, inventing elaborate excuses to avoid going for a run, or asking the nice barista to sell her another quad-shot Americano.
