Cat's Review of Don't Clause a Scene (Love in Maplewood) by Lee Blair @leeblairbooks @neonrainbowarcreviews @tammystwocents X- @TTCBooksandmore

The world expects us to hate each other, but fate has other plans.

As a member of a Maplewood founding family, I’ve always known what I’m supposed to do with my life:

1. Take over Red’s, the diner that’s been in my family for generations.
2. Support the community, which usually means helping out with the town’s almost-monthly festivals.
3. Hate everything about, and everyone involved with, Sparky’s Diner.

For the most part, it’s been an easy destiny to fulfill, even if sometimes I wish for something else. Something more. Maybe that’s why I take a chance on Halloween with a costumed guy who shouldn’t look so good in a mullet wig.

I’m stunned when his costume comes off and I see the one man I can’t have anything to do with. The man who’s temporarily back in town and working at his family’s diner. The man I can’t get off my mind.

No worries. It’ll be easy to avoid Amos—I’ve been doing it my entire life. Except Amos and I are voluntold to plan an event for the big Christmas festival. Together.

When others on the planning committee say we couldn’t possibly pull it off, we decide to prove them wrong. It turns out stubbornness is just the beginning of a long list of things we have in common.

The more time we spend together, the more I realize my life is sweeter with Amos in it. I begin to wonder how deep this rivalry goes, how long Amos plans to stay in Maplewood, and what matters more: my destiny or my freedom.

Don’t Clause a Scene is a low-angst, small-town story about an introvert and extrovert finding a groove, secrets—so many secrets—and a well-meaning town that cares maybe a little too much.

With the highest percentage of LGBTQIA+ residents in Vermont, Maplewood is a town where everyone belongs. And with festivals year round, there’s always something fun happening! This multi-author, low-angst queer series features ten standalone romances—each set against the backdrop of a different festival. Come for the celebrations, stay for the happily-ever-afters!

Grab your copy from Amazon

Cat gives this book 5 meows with a 3 purr heat index...

This is in the Maplewood multi author shared world.  Though I can't afford them all I'm falling in love with these collaborations.... especially the small-town ones with humor. It's like reading a Hallmark series. So much fun.

This is slightly slow burn, the first major descriptive love scene happens a little past 50 percent. I'm not all about super descriptive love scenes so I felt this had just enough spice and the story is so good.

Amos has come back to town when his luck changes in Boston. His dad owns Sparky's, but his sibling is set to take over. Amos wasn't happy in Boston.

Then finds himself thrown together helping plan a festival event with his family rival, Mickey whose dad owns Red's and is set to take over when his dad retires.

Will the feud have new fire?

Will there be more for the Maplewood Matters blog to gossip about?

Will we find out who the charitable doners in town are in this book or will that come later?

Will Amos stay or go back to Boston?

So much going on, so many fun characters and several secrets and twists.

Oh... you can read each book on its own but there are recurring characters and characters you meet still needing HEA.

So, if you like enemies to lovers, forced proximity, introvert/extrovert, small town romance with humor, and all the feels (!) you will love this.

Lee is a queer M/M author and screenwriter from Oregon. She's constantly amused by the antics of her two ginger cats, considers daydreaming about future trips to Scotland a part-time job, and is obsessed with Schitt's Creek to an alarming degree. She loves writing low-angst stories that leave readers grinning, kicking their feet, and feeling emotionally satisfied.

Website: Home - Lee Blair

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