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5 Stars / Contemporary / Review / Romantic Comedy

Review: Ale’s Fair in Love and War by Sylvie Stewart

Hollis Hayes is the worst neighbor in the entire history of neighbors.
She’s also the hottest.
F.M.L.

I don’t have time to fight with the dog groomer next door. There’s a brewery to run, siblings to rein in, and a mom to look after. So if Hollis thinks I’ll roll over and let her drive me out of business, she’s not nearly as smart as she thinks she is.

Sure, I enjoy the little pranks we play on each other, and I don’t hate watching her prance around in those tight leggings. But she’s gone too far this time, even if she pretends to know nothing about it.

I’ll do whatever it takes to save my business from going under, and if that means playing dirty with the girl I love to hate, game on.

If you like snarky banter, sizzling chemistry, big crazy families, and evil geniuses, Ale’s Fair in Love and War is your next weekend read. It is a standalone steamy romantic comedy with tons of heart and an HEA.

Title:Ale’s Fair in Love and War
Author:Sylvie Stewart
Series:Love on Tap (Book 1)
Pages: 322
Category / Genre(s):Contemporary
Romantic Comedy
Trope(s):Enemies to Lovers
Point of View:First Person, Present Tense, Dual Viewpoint (H & h)
Location:Ashevill, North Carolina, USA
HEA:
Release Date:2nd March, 2023
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The perfect start to a new series

5 stars

I have read/listened and enjoyed many, many Sylvie Stewart books but this one just blew my expectations to smithereens. But before I start waxing lyrical – the important parts. This is the first book in a new series called Love on Tap. It’s a standalone story with a HEA.

This new series is mainly focussed around the Blue Bigfoot Beer Pub and the Brooks’ family that own it. First up is Cash Brooks and he’s paired with the owner of the little doggy spa next door to his pub – the woman he loves to hate, Hollis.

We get stuck in right away as Hollis and Cash are in the midst of an epic prank war – each determined to one-up the other. And even more determined to deny that they have any feelings for the other that aren’t hate and loathing. And that balance between love and hate means we get some epic sexual tension and the most delicious, grabbing, take-me-now kinda of kissing when they finally – finally – give in. It’s delightful!

While there obviously the fun and hijinks between our pair – and the convoluted (but still completely understandable) set of circumstances that bring about their temporary truce – each of our main characters are completely fleshed out and feel very real.

“…the most perfectly, imperfect couple that had the best blend of banter, romance and sex.”

Hollis has lots to prove to her family and herself but her happy, positive and feisty personality just won me over from the very first. She holds her own and is completely herself – it was impossible not to love her. Cash is the most delicious grump you have ever read about in a romance novel. And while he does have good cause for his grumpiness, he’s still a stand-up guy with that great balance of being a grump and a complete and total gooey marshmallow.

While I’ve read a LOT of Sylvie Stewart novels, I don’t remember them being as sexy as this one turned out to be. Perhaps it’s the enemies to lovers thing, or perhaps it’s just that chemistry between Cash and Hollis. Either way – the pair together are hugely sexy and oh so very satisfying.

This is the perfect kind of first-in-a-series book. It was funny, engaging, endearing and with the most perfectly, imperfect couple that had the best blend of banter, romance and sex. But it was the setting of the scene in this small town, with this interesting family of fascinating characters whose lives and secrets were teased throughout the book that made this the perfect series kick-off. I cannot wait to read the stories of the rest of the family and also to return to this cute little town. And also to return to Sylvie’s wonderful writing!

5 stars

USA Today bestselling author Sylvie Stewart is addicted to Romantic Comedy and Contemporary Romance, and she’s not looking for a cure. She hails from the great state of North Carolina, so it’s no surprise that most of her books are set in the Tar Heel state. She’s a wife to a hilarious dude and mommy to ten-year-old twin boys who tend to take after their father in every way. Sylvie often wonders if they’re actually hers, but then she remembers being a human incubator for a gazillion months. Ah, good times.

Sylvie began publishing when her kids started elementary school, and she loves sharing her stories with readers and hopefully making them laugh and swoon a bit along the way. If she’s not in her comfy green writing chair, she’s probably camping or kayaking with her family or having a glass of wine while binge-watching Hulu. Or she’s been kidnapped—so what are you doing just sitting there?!!

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Love on Tap Series

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