Review: It Happened on Love Street by Lia Riley

Title: It Happened on Love Street
Author: Lia Riley
Release 4/25/17
Source: ARC from Publisher
Links:
Kindle: http://amzn.to/2pdVN0J
Nook: http://bit.ly/2pfKioW
iBooks: http://apple.co/2bqAodp
Audible: http://amzn.to/2oGsQGL
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2py4iR7
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29335317-it-happened-on-love-street

Synopsis:
The most romantic place she never wanted to be . . . 

Pepper Knight moved to Everland, Georgia, as step one in her plan for a successful legal career. But after this big-city gal's plans go awry, going home with her tail between her legs isn't an option. So when the town vet-and her sexy new neighbor-offers Pepper a temporary dog-walking job, she jumps at the chance. No one needs to know that man's best friend is her worst nightmare . . . or that Everland's hot animal whisperer leaves her panting.

The last thing Rhett Valentine wants is to be the center of small-town gossip. After his first love left him at the altar, he's been there, done that. These days, life is simple, just the way he likes it. But sultry southern nights get complicated once sparks fly between him and the knockout next door. When she proposes a sexy, secret fling-all the deliciousness and none of the prying neighbors-it seems too good to be true. And it is. Because Pepper's determined to leave Love Street, and when she goes, she just might take his heart with her . . .

REVIEW

It Happened on Love Street kicks off Lia Riley's new Everland, Georgia series and what a fine beginning it is. I love small town books and Everland, Georgia is not your average small town which made this book even better. 

When Pepper moved to Everland, it was with a plan - a plan for her future career, a plan to have this pit stop and then move on back to the big City.  But upon arriving for her first day - Pepper discovers that all her plans have turned upside down.  Not wanting to return home and admit defeat, she's willing to do just about anything to avoid her father's 'I told you so' type lecture. 

I loved Pepper - she was feisty and fun, but she also had her vulnerabilities.  She took a lot on her shoulders that she didn't have to and to say it affected her outlook would be honest.  She wasn't your typical heroine and I liked that about her. She was easy to like. 

Rhett's got family issues; namely a sister who is too involved in his life and a father who hardly wants a thing to do with him.  Though he's not looking for love he has an idea of the kind of woman he'd want a relatinship with and even though she's nothing like that vision, there's something about Pepper that calls to him and draws him in. 

Rhett was also easy to fall in love with. I liked that while he stood firm in his decisions, he did admit that his success had a lot to do with his father and he did want to work things out between them.  He was an endearing hero with his love for his dogs and his desire to not have everyone all up in his business. 

The chemistry between Rhett and Pepper was amazing even from the start. Their interactions were rife with humor, comraderie, and a growing romance.  The small town setting, sucked me in, and was exactly what I would expect out of small town life.  Nosey neighbors, townspeople antics, crazy family dyanamics, and a closeness no one in town can avoid since everyone always knows what is going on with everyone.  

I loved this books introduction to the town of Everland, it's inhabitants, and the quirky love story of Pepper and Rhett and look forward to seeing more in future books of the series.