::Review:: If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia

Blurb: My new next-door neighbor seems to have everything figured out. Small town golden boy? Check. Single dad extraordinaire? Check. Hot baker forearms? I didn’t notice them, I swear.
I, on the other hand, don’t–at all–have anything figured out.

Trust me, I didn’t think taking over my mom’s dream bed and breakfast in Copper Run Vermont was going to be easy. It should be a good place to heal after my divorce. But apparently my scones belong in the garbage with my small talk skills. As pointed out by none other than Cliff.

Cliff is inescapable. He knows exactly what people need–always. His charm, the way he wears flannel, and even his pastries, make not wanting to be friends with Cliff and his daughters pretty hard.

Friends? I can make friends. That’s safe.

Except I’m leaving in three months to pass the inn off to my little sister and get the promotion in Seattle I’ve been working towards.

So ask me why I’m thinking about kissing my hot neighbor.

NOTE: I was so excited that I got picked to be on the ARC release team, thanks to Penpal PR and author Julie Olivia. This book was everything I wanted it to be and more.

Friends to Lovers – CHECK
Small Town Romance – CHECK
90s Setting – CHECK
Slow Burn – CHECK

Now, before I go any further, I should tell you to pick this up now. It’s even on Kindle Unlimited. I normally am not a slow burn romance kind of person. But Julie’s compelling writing, along with fun characters (Melissa and Cliff) more than made up for the slow burn. I love small town romances, and this was an homage to everything awesome about 1997. Additionally, there was a great dog named Rocket!

It doesn’t hurt that I enjoyed the Sheryl Crow song, so that and a bunch of my other favorites from back in the day were the soundtrack to this book. It’s a great read for Fall, especially when you think about Vermont and the crisp feeling in the area and all the leaf piles you can handle.

Additionally, there’s a cat. Because what awesome enemies to lovers story doesn’t involve a black cat?!?

No seriously, I’m asking you.

I really enjoyed this book, and I feel better about recommending it because it’s live TODAY and it’s even on KU. I recently renewed my subscription of KU so I can support authors like Julie Olivia and get ideas about other books I wouldn’t normally know about. If you’ve ever had an urge to take advantage of the change in weather and need something that will transport you back to somewhere in the east and Fall, curl up with some warm apple cider and under a pile of blankets with your favorite pet and enjoy If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia.

You won’t be sorry.