Cream of the Crop (The Hudson Valley Series Book 2)

I'm still trying to get my thoughts together. What a ride. Alice Clayton once again delivers her signature hot and hilarious. Although Natalie's cheese obsession made me hungry. Too bad I can't eat cheese products.
Natalie had a crush on a certain dairy farmer but she had a problem. She couldn't say more than 3 words to him. The advertising company she worked for got a big job. Bring more city folk to their small town. She jumped at the job because her bestie Roxie lived there and there's a big chance she'll run into the dairy farmer she's been fantasizing about.
Oscar was mysterious. No one in Bailey Falls knows his story and he likes it that way. Until Natalie comes bouncing into his life. Her great comma big ass was her best asset. He loved her confidence.

Natalie's confidence about who she is was the best part of the story. She was on the curvier side but she was a man eater. Chew em up and spit em out. No complications. I couldn't love that even more. Especially when romance novels are full of skinny main characters. Good job Alice Clayton.

I loved Oscar. He was a grouch but he had layers. It was like peeling an Oscar onion. He gradually changed over time because of the new woman in his life. The woman who consumed every thought.
This story is fun. Take out all the angst and enjoy the story. Add Alice Clayton humor and you'll enjoy your trip to Hudson Valley. Is there a love triangle? Nah. Not really. Is there a tortured main character hiding from their past? Yeahhhhh you could say Oscar's doing that. But the way it's all mushed together and you get a light romance story. One of the reasons I love reading Alice Clayton books so much.

Always an Alice Clayton fan, such a pleasure her characters aren't always tall blond and skinny. And easy read though in Alice's typical language and style which isn't plain at all, a book leaving you hopeful and dreamy :)

Adoration. I simply adore this book. The combination of funny, sexy, and sweet left me no choice but to give this book 5 crowns. It is hands down one of my favorite books of the year.

The reason that I love this book so much is because of our heroine, Natalie. I admire her adventurous and bold spirit, her hilarious internal dialogue, and her take-no-prisoners attitude towards men, well, all but one man. After struggling with body issues, Natalie has come to own her plus-size figure, and Alice Clayton gives the appropriate attention to this part of her character without dwelling on it. The message of “love your body” is loud and clear for the reader without beating us over the head with it. The fact that there is a whole discussion on comma placement in reference to her a** had me laughing so hard, and it truly conveyed the confidence Natalie has in herself and her body. The fact that she had gumption to even verbally spar with Oscar over this comment proves that she was able to bounce back from a previous troubled relationship that hurt her self-worth, ultimately making the reader sympathize with her. The musical soundtrack that runs through her head is just one more attribute that makes her such a likable character. Also, the ramblings of Natalie, particularly when she is around Oscar, only makes her more endearing. This full-on confident city girl is left a blubbering mess when faced with the man who asked her, “Brie?”. I love everything about her! I am not sure in all my years of reading romance novels that I have ever loved a character in the way I love her. I am completely crushing on her!

Natalie Is so awesome that it makes sense that the hero must be as fantastic, and Oscar doesn’t disappoint. He is a great hero. He is calm, quiet, and reserved, really the opposite of Natalie. He is also very mysterious, as he divulges little to no information for most of the book. Even though he seems uncommunicative and standoffish with others, this man can create some serious heat, especially when he is churning butter. When he is with Natalie, his emotions come out, and the reader slowly starts to fall in love with him, just as Natalie does.

In terms of the plot and pacing, it is well done. The story never seems rushed or like it is dragging on. The interactions in the farmer’s market at the beginning is really sweet and it sets up the relationship for them when she starts to work on a new assignment for work. The antics that ensue when they are together really helped to develop their relationship and move it past the lust stage. Some might think that the conflict is weak or is resolved too easily, but it fit the type of story Alice Clayton created. The resolution is realistic and reflects how a real couple would handle difficulties in a relationship. This is a funny and sweet romantic novel, and I feel as though the conflict and resulting resolution fit with who the characters are and the type of story the author is trying to tell.

I liked Nuts and loved Cream of the Crop, so I will sit here and anxiously await the third book in the series. Watching Clara tackle Archie’s hotel is going to be another hilarious addition to this series.

ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Funny. light. beach type reading.
nothing to make you change your life or re-think your direction
this is just fun light reading that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I would definitely recommend reading the first one in the series before this
preordered next as SOON as available.
A+ Clayton - out of the park!!!

This book was a big disappointment as a sequel to the first book in the series,Nuts. The characters and the story were so dry and boring with no real energy or excitement about them. This book falls flat on its face as far as I am concerned.