For librarian Kenzie Noble, this year's edition of the annual Rhythm and Brews Festival is extra special because its proceeds will go towards the cost of cancer treatment for her father, Ken. The problem is that it also means coming face-to-face with her ex-boyfriend, country music star Dustin Wilder, who has agreed to play a free show as part of the event. Kenzie and Dustin's relationship ended awkwardly - or rather, it didn't really end at all. Seven years ago, he left for a summer in Nashville with promises to return, but never did. Kenzie was left brokenhearted when she finally realized that Dustin wasn't coming back, and even though she tried to move on, she never quite got over her first love. Dustin's never gotten over Kenzie either, and being back with her in their hometown of Hickory Hills, Georgia has him thinking about second chances. But just as it did before, life is pulling them in two very different directions. Can Dustin and Kenzie find a way to make it work this time?
Kenzie and Dustin were both incredibly likeable, relatable characters and their chemistry remained strong even after so many years apart. I particularly appreciated that Dustin was so unlike a "typical" celebrity or rock star; he remained down-to-earth in his interactions with friends and family, and when he apologized to Kenzie for the way he handled things after he left seven years ago, it was obviously sincere. I could tell that he never wanted to hurt her in the first place and just got caught up in circumstances that he didn't know how to handle, which made it easier to root for her to give him a second chance.
I loved this sweet yet perfectly steamy story and highly recommend it for all contemporary romance fans. Hopefully this is just the first of many books set in Hickory Hills! I'd love to read future stories about Dustin and Kenzie's friends.
*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
CW: Cancer
About "Thinking 'Bout You"
To the world, he’s Dustin Wild, country star with a megawatt smile and a voice smooth as whiskey. To me, he’ll always be Dustin Wilder, the small-town boy who stole my heart…then broke it.
It’s been seven years since Dustin rolled out of our rural Georgia town, chasing his dream, promising he’d be back. Except that never happened. Instead, he topped the charts, trading in our future plans for a life that didn’t involve me at all.
I thought I’d moved on. Until the town busybodies invite Dustin back to Hickory Hills to perform at the annual Rhythm and Brews Festival.
All I can do is swoon when he says my name or flashes me that smile. And by the way he’s looking at me, my heart can’t help but hope he feels the same.
I’ve got my eyes wide open this time, and I won’t let him hurt me again.
That is, until ghosts from our past have something to say about our second chance.
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