Tough Cookie, an all-new heartfelt fake dating small-town romance from Talia Hunter, is now available in Kindle Unlimited!

Noah Malone is back in his hometown for a short break from his stunt work, but his mother’s set on convincing him to settle down in Green Valley so he can give her grandbabies like the good Lord intended. Not only is she pushing him to help out at the Donner Bakery decorating cookies, but her matchmaking is relentless.

To end his mother’s awkward set-ups, Noah needs a no-strings-attached pretend girlfriend. And who better than Carla, a mysterious recluse who seems to have taken an instant dislike to him? When she reveals she’s been isolated by illness, he proposes a fake relationship that’ll stop his momma’s shenanigans and help Carla ease back into the world.

Tech-geek Carla creates a spreadsheet of fake-date challenges. She’s serious and focused on her goal of slowly becoming more social… until daredevil Noah starts messing with her spreadsheet. He’s ridiculously charming, and his sexy additions may be even more appealing than the cookies he brings her, but Carla won’t let her resistance crumble.

Opposites may attract, but can such different people find a recipe for love?

‘Tough Cookie’ is a full-length contemporary romance, can be read as a standalone, and is book #3 in the Donner Bakery series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

If someone needed permission to sneeze, my mother would volunteer to organize the paperwork.

“You’re thirty-three.” She used what could only be described as a dire tone, as though Thirty-Three was the fifth horseman of the apocalypse.

“I don’t usually eat so much green stuff, but now I feel healthy. Like Popeye after he’s chugged some spinach.” Leaning back on his stool, he flexed one arm. “My bicep looks bigger now, right?”

“Yesterday, I told Momma I was officially dating Carla,” I confided. “Momma immediately called her and insisted she come for lunch this week. She probably wants to measure her for a wedding dress and slip her some fertility drugs.”

I had an overwhelming urge to let out a nervous bray of laughter. Having his arm around me and being the recipient of a wink was strange enough, but when he called me sugar, it made me feel like I had too many arms and legs. I was an octopus of awkwardness.

My Review:

 

This was delightfully entertaining and deliciously steamy while also thoughtfully written and informative. The storylines pulled me inside a warm and engaging space and held my interest with sparkling humor, clever wit, and uniquely appealing characters. Loves me some Green Valley Smartypants tales!