Review: Buns (Hudson Valley #3) by Alice Clayton

Buns you say? Yes, please! Get ready for some fun and laughter with this sexy romantic comedy that will leave you with a big ol’ smile on your face. :-)

Buns (Hudson Valley #3) by Alice Clayton

Clara Morgan is living the dream, if you can call rebranding hotels that are desperate for a new life and running any kind of marathon a dream. Which she does. But the career she loves and the endurance races that keep her adrenaline pumping have kept her too busy to put down any roots. Growing up in foster care, she’s never been able to establish traditions of her own, which may be why she’s fascinated by the rituals that generations-old family resorts are known for. She’s especially interested in the Bryant Mountain House, and not just for their secret recipe for the yummy, gooey, can’t-get-enough-of Hot Cross Buns….

Archie Bryant, the man with the Buns, is fifth generation and one-day-owner of the charming yet run-down Bryant Mountain House in Bailey Falls, New York. He’s determined to save his family’s legacy from the wrecking ball the old-fashioned way—by gritting his teeth and doing what needs to be done. There’s no way Archie will be influenced by the new hotel branding expert his father brought in to turn one hundred and fifty years of tradition on its head just to attract a faster, younger, slicker crowd. But when some of Clara’s ideas start bringing in new, paying customers, Archie can’t deny that she may have just given him a shot at keeping his resort open.

It’s sticky, it’s messy, it’s sweet, it’s Buns.

5 out of 5 stars

I loved this. So much. So very much! It was a fantastic mix of everything I adore in a story: humor, heart, and heat! Just when I think this series can't get better, Alice Clayton ups her game and does it again.

I thought this was fresh and fun and I loved Archie and Clara. There was this entertaining, argumentative tension between the two that just made the story inviting to read. Clara was just so tough and determined, I loved her strength and how she was so self reliant. Archie was the sweetest! So kind and carrying and I loved how dedicated he was to his hotel and how everyone seemed like family. This is told from Clara's POV and with all the wonderful descriptions I really got a great sense of who Archie was and understood him. There was excellent character development as their histories are learned and I loved the build to all their details.

I thought the storyline was spectacular and enjoyed the struggles both these characters were going through. I laughed and cried for them and felt so much for them. I have to say, their first kiss was THE BEST. I was laughing and cheering and think that was one of the best scenes ever. I loved seeing Natalie and Roxie (these two are hilarious!) and catching up with them and really enjoyed how the other characters from Bailey Falls were incorporated. There was just this great attention to detail that had me hooked.

The writing was excellent. It was laid out perfectly as we get to know the characters as they come together. I loved the bits of drama thrown in as well. I was excited for what was going to come next. It was light drama but I was still dying for my HEA. I honestly couldn’t get enough. I found myself sighing and thinking "oh Archie" with a big smile on my face because he was just the sweetest guy. And Clara, this girl with her strong, tough, I-can-do-it-on-my-own determination that I so admired was also her own biggest obstacle. I loved how everything worked out and finally getting to that aha moment and the spectacular ending.

It was all just fantastic. For me, reading this story is like being wrapped in a warm cozy blanket.... while your hanging out next to your obnoxious best friend, having a drink, and talking and laughing!

This story filled me up so much with the funny, the animosity, the emotion, and sexy times. I loved it all. Buns is seriously high in the entertainment department and is not to be missed.

Complimentary copy received for honest review.