Thanks netgalley for letting me read this book it was so fun to read Ryan's story I love entire series and this one did not disappoint either like always her books are amazing

This book is everything!
Ryan is a firefighter who’s 6’6, ginger, a genuinely good person, spectacular in the sac, and going on 40.
Maggie is a fiercely independent boss ass bitch who owns her own business consulting other businesses on what they need to fix, is 6’ (we love a tall FMC), is a divorcée, doesn’t want kids, AND is older than Ryan at 45!
She comes in to help fix his step-dads business while living next door to him, but she doesn’t know at the time the familial relationship. She thinks he’s hot and likes to watch him from afar but is stand-offish to his face while he plays into the overly friendly neighbor trope to get a reaction out of her. There’s slow burn and tension (and kilts) and kind of but not really fake dating. He’s protective of her in the best way possible. They’re both trying to keep each other at arms length due to their own personal issues while falling for each other. There’s conflict and resolution and love and spicy scenes and everything. 10/10

I was so excited to receive this arc after I got the chance to read an advanced copy of the last book in the series, Cream and Punishment, left us wondering what was happening with Ryan (I'll tell you now that this one ends setting up the next and I'm SO EXCITED!).

Ryan, the stepbrother/halfbrother of the King family, is a 39 year old firefighter, always looking out for everyone else. Three years ago he found out his biological father has ALS, and he could get it too. Since then, he has lived for others, but never himself, not fully living at all.

Maggie moves in next door as she begins consulting at King Creamery, Ryan's family business, and sparks quickly fly. At 45, highly successful, divorced, and used to temporary stays, Maggie is not looking for a relationship. Finally, Ryan thinks, someone who won't be hurt by the illness because she isn't around to stay. Neither expect that he will become more than a protector, or she a challenge.

There is (of course) a happy ending where Ryan and Maggie communicate as the mature adults they are as they value hope, love, and each other.

Reading Ryan's journey to acceptance was well done and lovely. Maggie's strength made her an enjoyable and amazing heroine. You know that together they can get through anything.

Read for: (halfway) fake-dating, those King men can dirty talk, older man/younger man (barely), older heroine, neighbors to lovers, banter, small town romance, yes plz use the gossip mill as an excuse to date, kilts, excellent side characters (you can't wait for their books for/nice glimpse into their lives after their book), spice

4.5 stars
2 spice

Pint of Contention
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Romance
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 9/13/22
Author: Susannah Nix
Publisher: Haver Street Press
Goodreads Rating: 4.37

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Haver Street Press and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: Maggie has been known as the terminator during her professional life as a management consultant. King’s Creamery has brought her in to save them from financial ruin, by doing so, she may have to cut jobs. She cannot afford to make friends until Ryan, the hot fireman, next door neighbor, doesn’t give in. When a newspaper exposé turns the whole town against me, Ryan steps up to act as my protector. I’ve got to keep my walls up to protect the heart everyone thinks I don’t have. Ryan has no restraint when it comes to this woman. The more time Ryan spends with Maggie, the more she might be his soul mate. Ryan does not want to get too close, or she might discover the secret he’s been keeping from everyone.

My Thoughts: Susannah Nix was my first Romance Author that I fell in love with and this novel is no different. I was over the moon excited to be part of her arc team for this novel. The story is narrated by both Maggie and Ryan, in alternating perspectives, which I love. This trope follow my favorite, fake dating. Fake dating + small town + steamy + sunshine/grumpy = a brilliantly written romance novel! The characters were well developed with depth, witty banter, amazing chemistry, and creatively written. You can’t help but just fall in love with Maggie and Ryan, they are the perfect couple, destined soul mates, I connected immediately. The author’s writing style, which I am a huge fan of, is complex, steamy, intriguing, emotional, swoon-worthy, and kept me engaged. I have read a few novels by Susannah Nix and have loved them all. I highly recommend preordering this novel that releases next week on 9/13/22!

First I would like to thank netgalley and Haver Street Press for an e-arc of this book.

Secondly, this part will be a general review of the book. I liked this story not loved it (for reason I will explain further on). It was cute to see a woman in her 40s finding love. She's strong, she's independent and she doesn't need a man in her life pulling her back. Now Ryan is a man child in his mid 30s, that is. all angsty cause he has a secret he hasn't share with anyone and it's eating him up inside.

I liked the romance in this book a lot, but where was the plot? Like it just wasn't enough for me. I would rate this as a 3.5, not a lot of spice.

If you want a quick fun romance, then this might just hit the spot.

Right now I am trying to look for what I call the perfect firefighter romance book and this met half of what I wanted it to. I'll explain further on, with full spoilers.

This book is angsty but not angsty enough. You the reader know the angst but Ryan barely mentions it. Like in some moments I kind of "forgot" because he really does not mentioned it. He just refers to it as a secret, and that is it. The man child acts like a child the whole fucking time even when he tells her about this dark secret, and pushes her away like the CHILD he is.

I kind of wished that was the only part of it, because to be honest the part that bored me the most was there was no plot. You would think the plot would be that the man possibly has ALS, but like he doesn't tell her until like 81% in. She decides to stay and like her job is fine and every is fucking fine THE WHOLE TIME.

then magically at 93% he decided to get tested and then at 95% we find out he doesn't have it and BOOM the book is done.

I'm still processing, so I ranted. SORRY. it's not a bad book, its quite enjoyable but I would not read it again.

I didn't enjoy this novel in the King family as much as the other two. Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy. #NetGalley #PintofContention

The story
Maggie is a management consultant working for herself. When she gets a contract in Crowder, Texas, she rents a small house for six months while she works on a business strategy for the King family business. But an unexpected highlight is the giant of a fireman working out in his garage by night. Will she allow Ryan over the threshold into her life?

My thoughts
Two later in life main characters, both dealing with being single long term for different reason. Ryan knows he may carry a fatal gene, Maggie knows she will be moving on soon and doesn’t form attachments that will hurt her later. I loved the way these two found each other despite the odds, and how they teamed up supporting each other through thick and thin. It’s a lovely, warm and caring story with a spotlight on the town’s eligible cinnamon-roll and the unlikely marshmallow. ❤️ Trigger warnings are listed by the author.

Heavier and steamier than the cover implies, this was another solid addition to the series. I loved the hero, who is a genuinely good guy secretly yearning for love that he doesn't believe he'll ever have. And I also kinda loved the fact that both characters were older, with a successful, confident, 45-year-old heroine and an almost-40 hero. They're both set in their ways and have established lives when they become neighbors, which adds another layer of interest to the story. I sincerely enjoyed a significant portion of this, though the middle dragged for me - I wanted them to have a conversation. Our hero's secret was also not what I expected, and I'm going to spoil it in the next paragraph, because it's sure to be triggering to some readers. For me, it was a unique component that worked, and I enjoyed the tension and level of depth that it created.

The story follows Maggie, a business consultant who has been called in to save a large family business. Maggie travels constantly for work, and is used to people hating her - she has been responsible for thousands of people losing their jobs, after all. That's left her with a hard shell around her heart, and traveling around the country hasn't made it any easier to form connections. So when Maggie's newest neighbor turns out to be a sexy, muscled firefighter, she certainly doesn't mind the view. And when Maggie discovers that Ryan is actually a giant teddy bear of a man, selfless and kind, she might just find her heart melting a little bit. But, unbeknownst to Maggie, Ryan has sworn off relationships. His father passed away from ALS, and there's a fifty percent chance that he's inherited the same death sentence. So they're both commitment-adverse in their own ways, but it's difficult to keep that in mind as sparks fly between them.

We find out about Ryan's father early in the story, so I don't mind spoiling that element. Plus, it plays a big role in the plot - he's a man who craves love and family, but feels that he can't have it. Ryan knows that he could get sick at any time, and he's unwilling to bring someone else into that situation. That certainly added plenty of heartache to the story, as we see this kind, loving man removing himself from the dating pool and letting that secret eat away at him. Maggie makes his perfect partner, because she's strong and independent - but certainly wouldn't mind having someone in her life to brighten her days. The sexual tension between them is apparent from the start, and this was a lot spicier than I anticipated, even having read the previous book in the series. It easily reads as a standalone if you're just jumping in. My only real issue was that I was frustrated by how unwilling Ryan was to have a conversation; it's one thing to not want to get involved with someone, it's another thing to lie and evade the truth. He also seemed more willing to give up Maggie than he was to take the test that would determine his fate, which didn't sit right either. But I think Nix navigates the complexities of his potential diagnosis well, and I liked what it brought to the story. So this was a solid 4-star read for me: I liked the majority of it, but I can identify a few things that I wish were handled differently. I received an early copy, and am voluntarily leaving a review of this neighbors to lovers romance.

Just like the other King Family books this book was so sweet. As always the big city girl comes to the small town for work but somehow befriends her cute southern neighbor who has a protective streak and won’t leave her alone was perfect. It had a little more depth than the others I felt like, with Ryan’s potential health issues on the line, him locking his feels and his future away. And we got to see a different side (- tiny almost nonexistent side) of his step father than we have in the previous books.

Maggie comes to town to be a consultant at King’s Creamery, she’s not looking to ruin lives, she’s trying to fix things. Of course the town doesn’t see it that way. So Ryan, whose step father and most of his step/half siblings work for the Creamery, suggests they start dating as a way to show the entire town that she’s not a threat and under his protection. Of course it works, everyone loves Ryan. And while the two of them quickly develop real feelings even though it’s a risk for everyone involved.

Maggie and Ryan were so well matched. The were the best kind of opposites. They weren’t willing to let the other give up what they really wanted - Maggie was always going to leave, and Ryan was always going stay. But despite that they tried to keep things causal, until it wasn’t possible to be casual anymore. They both changed when they met each other and it was in the absolute best way for both of them.

I love that Susannah writes tall women. Not that I hate the tiny/gigantic vibe that a lot of romances are, I do, of course I do! But there’s also something about a tall woman, who loves being tall, who uses her height as an advantage. It was wonderful.

I loved catching up with all of Ryan’s siblings! Seeing Tanner and Lucy, and Wyatt and Andie happy! And Manny and Adrianna and their kids! Isabella is the real star of the show! I cannot wait for Josie’s story! AND I am so excited that Nate’s story is next. His is always been such a mystery. I am so happy we get to see his happily ever after so soon!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Haver Street Press, Author Collective 20, and Susannah Nix for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! I was so happy to get this ARC, I am throughly invested in the King Family and can’t wait see where the rest of them end up!

I’ll be posting this on my Instagram story highlights - both in my ARC highlight and my regular books of the year highlight. I’m going to make an Instagram post on release day - 09/13. I’ll post this right to Goodreads. And on to storygraph as well. all the links will be attached once everything is uploaded

Loved this book! Nice and steamy and the writing style is great.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Wow, I was blown away!! Great book!! Loved the author’s writing style. Highly recommend read. Now I just need to purchase the other books in the series.

Another great book from Susannah Nix - I'm loving the King's Creamery series. She manages to pack so much emotion and heart into these books. Maggie was a powerful heroine and I loved her so much. And Ryan was such a sweetheart. I was rooting for them from the start. And let's not even talk about that ending - I will be waiting anxiously for Nate's book!

I’ve read many books by this author and stumbled upon the first of the series earlier this year. I was fortunate enough to be approved to read the arc for the third book in the series which is coming out on September 13th. This author does a great job of establishing her characters and posing unique situations. She draws you in with her writing so that you are very invested in the characters throughout the story. There’s no lag time while reading and the plot quickly carries you throughout. It’s perfect if you’re looking for fake dating trope.

This book underscores that no matter our age, we always deserve to be loved and taken care of. In reading this story and following along with Ryan and Maggie's journey, it reminded me that often we simply want someone else to want to be part of our story - to walk with us through the highs and lows, to witness even the smallest things, to be physically present in our daily lives.

Dealing with the possibility of a significant medical diagnosis can impact someone on a level that not many others can understand. I appreciate that Susannah didn't make Maggie into a "fixer"-type character; instead, Maggie respects Ryan and his decisions, and chooses to be a support and confidant instead of trying to take control.

Overall, this was a quick read that definitely makes you think about living your life to the fullest and appreciating those around you, while reminding you that no one is meant to carry the burden of heavy things by themselves.

4.25/5 - Book #3 of King Family Series

Ugh this book was so freaking cute! I read it in one sitting at the pool and loved every minute of it! The balance of their personalities was so fun, and I’m just loving the King family right now! Ryan is such a cinnamon roll of a character, and Maggie is so strong, they were great. The on-and-off mentality of the relationship was a bit irksome at times, but other than that I totally recommend!

Brief Plot: Maggie is in town helping financially restore the ing’s Creamery company, and keep them from bankruptcy. Ryan is living his life with what he believes to be a ticking time bomb of a possibly medical disease. When the two meet, they agree to start seeing one another (not fake date) to help with each others ‘reputations in town.” But they argue its a short term thing and feelings can’t be involved. But they obviously do. When Ryan learns about Maggie’s work for his families company, and Maggie stumbles upon information about Ryan’s medical history, the two fight for each other, and against their secrets.

Fave moment: “I’m not going to change my mind, Ryan. I’m staying.” I drew a breath and said the words I’d been holding inside for weeks. “Because I love you.”
He flinched and closed his eyes. “Don’t say that.”
“Too late. I already said it.”
Red rimmed his eyes when they opened again. “You don’t mean that,” he said, still pleading.
“You know I do.” When I moved closer, he edged backward until he met the wall. “I won’t let you love me.”
“You can’t stop me.” I slipped my hands around the back of his neck, stroking the soft, warm skin below his hair. “Even if you cut me out of your life and refuse to see me, it won’t matter. I’ll still love you.”

Thank you NetGalley and Author Collective 20 for an eARC copy of Pint of Contention by Susannah Nix. This is my honest review!

4.5 rounded to 5 stars. I loved this sweet rom-com! Ryan and Maggie both have trouble letting their walls down. Ryan pushes people away due to a genetic medical condition and Maggie has been hurt in a previous relationship. The banter and sarcasm between these two is top notch, as is the spice. Will definitely read more from this author.

I love Susannah Nix, she writes fabulous characters. This was a fun read, lots of emotion and heart and also QUITE steamy - more than most of the Women in STEM series of hers I’ve read definitely. Ryan and Maggie are both loveable and frustrating and it’s delightful watching them love and frustrate each other. Thanks NetGalley for the advance digital review copy 😻 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book absolutely surprised me with how much I really enjoyed it! Here we have two characters who I felt were total opposites that fell in love with one another in the craziest of ways. The theme of ice cream that surrounded this book made it so much more memorable, that I found myself thinking about ice cream literally the whole time. The two of them were sweet (like ice cream) and soft with one another. Their chemistry was definitely steamy and I loved that this was and felt like a standalone novel that could be easily read outside all the other books in this series.

This book makes me long for more summer daze, but I know that even after summer is over, I'll be reading this to bring me back to my sitting by the pool, eating ice cream, and reading Pint of Contention!

ARC PROVIDED BY NET-GALLEY ***
The ASL situation reminds me of Abby Jimenez’s “Life’s too short”, which only made me love this book more! Pint of Contention gave me, Maggie, the strong willed girl boss and Ryan the physically strong, emotional sweetheart.

Maggie is the dream of a main character. She’s emotions intelligent, hard working, confident and at 6 ft even, fits so well with our 6’6 love interest!

Speaking of Love Interest, Ryan is completely swoon worthy…and possibly sick?

If you love a strong fmc and a sweet (but spicy) mmc, Pint of Contention is definitely worth the read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!

Thankyou NetGalley and Author Collective 20 for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I adore this series so far and I'm so happy I got approved to read the newest one.
The main characters are amazing. They're funny, relatable and the chemistry they have between eachother is unmatched.
Overall it just kept making me laugh and I highly suggest you give it a read.