"Heavy Petting" was a tremendously funny, sweet friends-to-lovers romance between lifelong best friends Jordan Benoit and Fletcher Landry. After
Jordan suffered through a humiliating public breakup with her longtime
boyfriend, Fletcher rushed to her rescue in Las Vegas. He had been in love with Jordan for years, and now that she was single for the first time since they were in high school, there was no way he was going to let her get away again. One media firestorm and an impulsive Vegas wedding later, Jordan and Fletcher returned home to the small town of Autre, Louisiana, confident that their more than twenty years of friendship had taught them everything they needed to know about each other. Unfortunately, Fletcher realized almost immediately that there was one
very important thing he didn't know about his new wife: how to
make sure that their wedding night was the best she'd ever had. From
there, Fletcher's doubts about his ability to be a good husband only continued
to grow. He'd always prided himself on being the king of grand
gestures, coming to Jordan's rescue when she needed it the most. What
if Fletcher wasn't good at the simple, day-to-day realities of being in a long-term relationship? What if
he couldn't be the person who made everything perfect for Jordan
anymore?
I loved that this story was so different from most romances in that it explored what happened after the HEA and how Fletcher and Jordan had to work to build a life together. The fears and doubts they had to overcome as they adjusted to married life seemed completely real and relatable to me. I also appreciated that they didn't just expect everything to magically work out in the end; they actually communicated with each other about their concerns and expectations along the way. They truly were friends first, and it showed, though it certainly didn't take anything away from the incredible chemistry that only seemed to grow stronger between them over the course of the story.
I loved that this story was so different from most romances in that it explored what happened after the HEA and how Fletcher and Jordan had to work to build a life together. The fears and doubts they had to overcome as they adjusted to married life seemed completely real and relatable to me. I also appreciated that they didn't just expect everything to magically work out in the end; they actually communicated with each other about their concerns and expectations along the way. They truly were friends first, and it showed, though it certainly didn't take anything away from the incredible chemistry that only seemed to grow stronger between them over the course of the story.
The book's secondary characters were just as endearing as Jordan and Fletcher, and it was wonderful to catch up with favorites from past stories
as well as get to know several new additions to the town of Autre. There are so many
possibilities for future books with this cast of characters, and I am excited for each and every one of them!
Overall, I loved "Heavy Petting" and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book of the series.
*Review copy provided by the author via Social Butterfly PR. All opinions expressed are my own.
About "Heavy Petting"
Heavy Petting, an all-new heartwarming and laugh-out-loud romantic comedy in the Boys of the Bayou Gone Wild Series by New York Times bestselling author Erin Nicholas is available now!
He's her best friend.
A reformed bad boy turned hot teacher.
And after one spur-of-the-moment Vegas wedding... her husband.
Jordan Benoit and Fletcher Landry have been best friends since they were six. He's always been The Guy. When she needed picked up, cheered up, or lifted up--like literally, to see the stage at a concert--Fletcher was the guy.
So when her boyfriend dumps her--on national TV--Fletcher immediately gets on a plane and comes to her rescue.
And when she ends up in a Vegas wedding chapel and needs someone to say, "I do"...yep, Fletcher's the guy. Of course.
But being The Guy 24/7 is a lot. He just wants everyone to give him a freaking minute to get this marriage thing right. Including his sexy, sweet new wife who he's wanted for three years. Who is exasperatingly, temptingly all-in from minute one.
Jordan knows what she wants. A life in her hometown. A job with alpacas. And Fletcher. Not necessarily in that order.
They've said the vows. They'd told the world. They've told their grandmas. Forget taking things slow. Forget just heavy petting. Forget any chance of backing out when things get tough. They're going to have to go all the way, in every way.
After all, friends becoming lovers should be the easiest thing in the world. Right?
Read an Excerpt from "Heavy Petting"
“I also think that I need to—”
“Marry me.”
“Date you.”
They spoke at the same time.
Then stared at each other.
“What?”
“What?”
They spoke simultaneously again.
“I was trying to give you some freaking space before I said anything.” He seemed very annoyed suddenly.
She leaned in, bracing her hand on the seat between them. “The last person I need space from is you, Fletcher. I mean, we’ve basically been dating for twenty years. If dating is about getting to know someone and figuring out how well you fit with them and figuring out if you want to spend the rest of your life with them…we’ve done that.”
He shook his head. “You have got to be one of the most exasperating people in my life.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Considering your twin brothers are Zeke and Zander, being one of the most exasperating people in your life is pretty huge.”
He shook his head. “Absolutely exasperating. To think I could’ve kissed you when we were standing next to a king-sized bed and you were only in your bra and panties and you would have been all in.”
Jordan felt her cheeks flush, but she grinned widely. “I really am a pain.”
“You really are.” His gaze dropped to her mouth.
Jordan felt a zing of excitement go through her. She really wanted him to kiss her.
“I think you dating me is a great idea,” he said after a moment.
Thank God.
“You’re sure you’re done dating other people? Having fun with all those girls? All the casual relationships?” she asked.
“If it means I get to be with you? Absolutely.”
Her stomach swooped, harder and faster than before. “This isn’t crazy?”
“It makes a hell of a lot more sense than anything else. Like you dating other men. Or either of us being with anyone else.”
“We’ve never talked about this before.”
“You’ve been taken,” he said simply.
Right. That was true. And Fletcher was too good of a guy to go after another man’s girl.
She still felt compelled to say, “It’s been three years since anything happened.”
“Again, because you’ve been taken.” His voice dropped. “Only because you’ve been taken, Jordan.”
Her heart skittered at that and she wet her lips. She thought about her next words carefully. Several seconds ticked by. Then she said simply, “Prove it.”
Fletcher reached out, wrapped his big hand around her wrist, and tugged her close. He cupped the back of her head and brought her in until they were nose to nose. “This changes everything,” he said. Almost as if it was a warning.
“I know.”
“I’m the last frog you’re ever going to kiss. So be sure you want it now.”
That was exactly what she’d wanted to hear without even realizing it.
***
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