The Romantic Comedy Book Club
Written on Sep 19, 2022
Bestselling author of Wallbanger and Rusty Nailed is back with Nuts, the first in a brand new series set in New York's beautiful Hudson Valley.
Roxie Callahan is a private chef to some of Hollywood's wealthiest, and nastiest, calorie-counting wives. After a dairy disaster implodes her carefully crafted career in one fell ploop, she finds herself back home in upstate New York, bailing out her hippie mother and running the family diner.
When gorgeous local farmer Leo Maxwell delivers her a lovely bunch of organic walnuts, Roxie wonders if a summer back home isn't such a bad idea after all. Leo is heavily involved in the sustainable slow food movement, and he likes to take his time. In all things. Roxie is determined to head back to the west coast as soon as summer ends, but will the pull of lazy fireflies and her very own Almanzo Wilder be enough to keep her home for good?
Salty. Spicy. Sweet. Nuts. Go on, grab a handful.
- ISBN10 1501118137
- ISBN13 9781501118135
- Publish Date 20 October 2015
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 13 July 2021
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Simon & Schuster
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 320
- Language English
Reviews
I finished reading Nuts by Alice Clayton during the #Romanceopoly2020 Challenge, and it fulfilled the Farmer’s Market square on the Romanceopoly Board. I can’t believe I just now read this book because this was one book I had a hard time putting down. This was also the first time I read a book written by Alice Clayton, and now I’ve added her other books she’s written because I enjoyed this book.
I have never laughed so hard while reading a book until Nuts. My poor husband was afraid to come into the bedroom because I could not stop laughing at one particular scene in the book. I ended up laughing so hard that my stomach hurt me afterward. My husband thought I was crazy, and it didn’t help when he gave me his ‘crazy’ eyes, and I ended up laughing even harder. I love my husband because he deals with my crazy laughing fits at night and still loves me for me.
Female Protagonist: Roxie Callahan is a private chef for some wealthy Hollywood wives in California. She’s one female protagonist that I felt connected within the story because she says what is on her mind. Sometimes she ended up getting in trouble for speaking her mind, but there were several times that she was witty. She knows how to handle herself, and I loved that about her. She has some past issues she gets dealing with, but it doesn’t stop her from being a successful chef. She may be one of my favorite female protagonists in a Contemporary Romance story, and I hope I get to read more about her in the next upcoming Hudson Valley book that I’ll need to make time to read.
Male Protagonist: Leo Maxwell is summed up as a Millionaire/Billionaire and sexy Farmer, who I fell hard for in the book. He’s not a playboy, and he doesn’t come off as being a rich boy in the story. You’ll learn though he has a backstory to him, and it’s heartbreaking. I loved how he was devoted to his farm and everyone in the Hudson Valley community. He never expected to find someone like Roxie, and it changed him a bit with opening up more.
Storyline: Roxie ends up moving back home to Hudson Valley (upstate New York), where she has to run her mother’s diner. Her mom and her sister (Roxie’s Aunt) are going to be on the show ‘The Amazing Race.’ Roxie doesn’t want to be back in her hometown because it’s small, and everyone knows everybody. She has no choice, though, after getting fired by one of the wealthy Hollywood wives that make her life difficult in California. She’s only in Hudson Valley for the summer, and she doesn’t do relationships because of what happened to her mother and her relationships. Unfortunately, Roxie is going to change her mind, once she meets the sexy farmer that brings the diner nuts and vegetables from his farm. She considers him perfect for a summer fling until everyone tells her, he keeps to himself and hasn’t been seen with everyone. The minute Roxie meets Leo, though, it’s an instant attraction for both of them. There are quite a bit of funny scenes between the two since Roxie speaks her mind with Leo. There are a couple of times she thinks it’s to herself, but it’s not. Roxie may have trouble keeping to just a summer fling when it comes to Leo until she starts finding out some things about Leo that may have running away. I could go on and on about the storyline, but don’t want to give anything away.
Steaminess: Steamy! Yes, this book gets very steamy. Roxie + Leo = HOTNESS!
Cliffhanger: No
Trope: Small Town Romance
Standalone or Series: It’s part of series, but each follows a new couple. You do not have to read in order.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, definitely!! If you are a fan of Contemporary Romances and Romantic Comedies, then this book is for you. Be prepared ahead of time because there are some hilarious moments in this book. My favorite scene will always be the time Roxie gets confronted with bees, and she ends up climbing up Leo. This was the scene that had me laughing so hard that my stomach hurt. There were also many other scenes, but you’ll have to read the book to find them out.
Leigha
Written on May 25, 2020
All the ingredients (pun intended) are there for a great story about two people falling in love at just the right time. And yet, I felt removed from it all. I didn’t feel the vibe between Roxie and Leo despite the emphasis placed on their relationship. They had chemistry, but it felt hollow to me. Passing, if you will. I did like Leo’s backstory, and I wish it had been mixed into the story earlier on.
While the romance may have felt tepid, Roxie’s discovery of herself and her evolving craft were enjoyable. I absolutely adore stories about cooking and baking. It was fun watching her organically move into a direction that made absolute sense. On top of a fun career, her relationships outside of the romance were memorable and supportive. I read for the romance; I stayed for the self-discovery.
tl;dr The romance didn’t do much for me, but I did love the main character’s over arching development as a career woman.
stacey_is_sassy
Written on Jul 9, 2017
Sassy went to market...
I woke up Saturday morning and started reading Nuts. I got a solid two hours of reading in before it was time to get up and start the day. Guess what was the first thing I said to hubby (well maybe not the first, but pretty close)? Let's go to the market. So, we went to the market to check out the goods. While hubby was checking out fresh pastries and the boys were eyeing the fresh strawberries, I was looking for Farmer Boy.
I didn't find Farmer Boy, but I did find Butch Butcherman, Cheesy McCheesy and Oliver Von Olive (I took liberties making up their names, guess their speciality). Their products looked delicious and left me salivating, but they were no Farmer Boy. Maybe I need to check out a few more markets to find the elusive BIG CUCUMBER.
Anyways, I really enjoyed Nuts from start to finish. The characters were fun, the small town appealing and the food talk left me ravenous.
Plenty of sexy shenanigans to see the connection between the characters. There's a lighthearted feeling in the storyline with some deeper issues that pop up throughout. While I didn't see the conflict coming, I was surprised as at how well it was handled. It wasn't just brushed aside but it wasn't OTT drama either. I loved that I was able to take it on board and not have my eyes rolling out of my head.
While I really enjoyed Nuts and I will definitely be going back for more in the series, I was surprised at the number of mistakes I came across. Sad that as readers, it's become our norm.
I’m an Aussie chick who loves to read and review romance, drink coffee, be a Style Setter and stalk David Gandy. To see more of my reviews, fashion, food and pervathons -
kimbacaffeinate
Written on Oct 26, 2015
- First Date: We meet Roxie Callahan as she is preparing food in a trendy upscale Callie home for a silicon bitch. I love the foodie aspect of the tale already. Do not go on this date hungry. We spend a little time getting to know Roxie particularly about her childhood, and her crazy Mom. The next thing you know we are heading to Hudson Valley and her family dinner. Roxie has agreed to take over the business for the summer while her Mom enters the Amazing Race. The tale is full of humor and being inside Roxie’s head is a laugh a minute. I got her, I got what high school was like and the need she feels to reinvent Roxie Callahan.
- Second date: Who knew veggie talk and nuts could get me hot. Its true veggies are sexy by god! Roxie’s summer is about to get interesting when a local farmer carrying a basket of nuts walks into the dinner. From that moment on, I grinned and laughed like a fool. Roxie’s inner dialogue is not to be missed. She is bright, but clumsy. Sex yet she talks too much. Murphy has her number on speed dial. (Murphy’s Law) I adored her! What she does it is sinful. With all the cake and pie talk, I need a bakery now!! Clayton introduced other locals and I fell in love with a handsome couple that has recently escaped New York and are rehabbing an old Victorian. Roxie decides a summer fling will make her summer enjoyable and Leo will make the perfect partner. Summer Loving has never been more fun.
- Third date: Hot, fun, sexy and hilarious is how my third date begins. I love the chemistry between these two! Even if they have not yet admitted it there is more to this relationship than a summer fling. Roxie discovers Leo has not been very forthcoming and she panics. The angst was not overly drawn out and the secret ended up being a delightful addition to the story. Roxie experiences some growing pains and has to find herself. We meet her best friends and get a sneak peek at the next romance. I ended this date grinning like a fool.
Copy provided by publisher, This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Cocktails and Books
Written on Oct 20, 2015
A sweet all American romance with a touch a sexy with a side of funny. It not only leave you craving for more romance but for food as well. I think I actually put my kindle down a few times to check the fridge. Roxie sounded like a wonderful cook. You will fall in love with all the characters in this book, and maybe buy a cook book.
Roxie is a small town girl who knew she was destined for bigger things than the small time family diner. She now lives in Los Angeles and is the chef to the stars.
Until she is not. Who knew one not so happy client can put her on the black list to the stars. To make things worse she gets a call from her mother informing her that she needs help in the family diner because she is going to be on a reality show. YOLO right?
Leo oh Leo the sweet hot farmer who has the nuts everyone wants. Especially Roxie. Walnuts that is. He is a nut farmer and he sells his Walnuts to local restaurants.
The relationship between these two was a sweet build and made Roxie realize that being back in her hometown is just what the chef needed to make her remember that home is where her heart is.
EBookObsessed
Written on Sep 5, 2015
Roxie Callahan left her small town of Bailey Falls, NY to attend culinary school in California and she had no plans of ever returning. Her growing business as a personal chef to the ultra-rich and super-spoiled was growing, at least until a small kitchen debacle got her tossed out and, as gossip spreads quickly in the Hills outside L.A., Roxie found her her business floundering overnight.
Just as Roxie was getting ready to pull up her big girl panties and start again, she gets a phone call from her mother, a 2nd wave 80's hippie. Always looking for and adventure, her mother has been chosen for The Amazing Race and she needs Roxie to come home to run the family diner for the summer. Although returning to Bailey Falls is the last thing Roxie wants to do, the timing couldn't be better. Roxie is hoping that the butter scandal will die down by the time she returns to L.A.
Roxie left Bailey Falls for a reason. Small town life was too stifling and everyone knew your business. Roxie was shy, didn't fit in well in high school and never, ever wanted to inherit the family diner and spend her life picking the blue plate special each week. Now that she's back, she sees that small town life does have a certain charm that is missing from her impersonal life back in L.A. She's even reconnecting with old friends. Young Roxie was too shy to speak to people but L.A. Roxie has a lot of confidence and a whole lot of sass.
Since her mother is out of town and no longer checking over her shoulder, it might be a good time to try and shake things up at the diner. Roxie starts playing with some recipes and adding some pizzazz to everyday dishes like mac and cheese and meatloaf, she'e even adding more desserts than just cherry pie to the menu. Suddenly, the diner is selling out their specials before the dinner rush can even start.
The most interesting change in town is that someone has turned the old, rundown Maxwell Estate into an organic farm which is run by sexy farmer named Leo. Farmer Leo has Roxie digging up long buried Little House on the Prairie fantasies. Most of the women in town have been trying to get farmer Leo to plow their field to no avail. Suddenly Leo starts delivering more than nuts and the world's largest zucchini to Roxie's door, the town starts coming to the diner for more than just the gourmet desserts. They want the juicy gossip on Roxie and Leo.
Small town life is as crazy as it is quaint but will a sexy farmer and a new outlook be enough to keep Roxie from returning to L.A. once summer is over?
THOUGHTS:
As much as I enjoyed Alice's last two book, Screwdrivered and Mai Tai'd Up, they seemed to lack that special spark that made Wallbanger and The Redhead series so special. In Nuts, Alice Clayton has found that magic spark again.
In returning to her small town, an older and more mature Roxie can finally see the charm of the small town life. The reconnects with friends, including her high school crush, and becoming a part of the citizenship, rather than just a small town kid, dying to get away. She never wanted to inherit the family diner, but again, the mature, trained chef sees the potential in upgrading the standard diner fare while adding specialties to the menu. She even begins teaching cooking classes on the side.
Her relationship with Leo develops nicely and we are in for quite a surprise at the end which adds an interesting twist. Quite surprising that no body in town spilled any information to Roxie, even by accident, but then the surprise wouldn't have been so surprising.
Leo and Roxie were well-developed and delightful characters and their connection added that special spark that made the story so special.
If you loved Wallbanger and The Unidentified Redhead, you will love her newest cast of characters because they truly are Nuts.
Received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See more at http://EBookObsessed.com.