A Book Review: The Bully by Willa Nash

The Bully (Calamity, Montanta #4)
Author: Willa Nash
Format: Digital
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: March 3, 2022

Date Read: 

Synopsis:

Nellie Rivera is trading traffic for tranquility. When the quiet streets of small-town Montana beckon, she leaves Denver behind and moves to Calamity. It would be the perfect adventure if not for Cal Stark. When her archnemesis dares to show his face one Saturday morning, declaring he is moving there too, she vows to make his life a misery. The town isn’t big enough for the both of them and besides . . .

She was here first.

Cal has been a thorn in her side since high school. He might have bullied her back then, but she’s not a modest teenager anymore and has learned a few plays of her own. If all goes to plan, she’ll run the former pro quarterback out of town within a month.

There’s only one problem. Cal has the same plan. He wants Calamity bad enough to pull out all the stops. And after one kiss, she realizes that he doesn’t play fair.

Another great #EnemiesToLovers book. The feuding between Nelly and Cal is comical at times and I'm here for it.

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

My Rating:

A Review: The Brazen

The Brazen (Calamity, Montana #3)
Author: Willa Nash
Format: Digital
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Publication Date: July 15, 2021

Date Read: July 21, 2023

Synopsis:

Kerrigan Hale’s personal life is about as exciting as a bucket of tar. With hard work and hustle as her steadfast companions, who needs romance or adventure? Her empire in Calamity, Montana, isn’t going to build itself.

For years, her mentor—and investor—helped make her dreams come true. Until his unexpected death put her fate in his grandson’s hands. A brazen billionaire, he seems intent on ruining Kerrigan’s life.

But if Pierce Sullivan thinks she’ll go down without a fight, he’s sorely mistaken. Pushed to the extreme, she drives to his ritzy mountain lodge to force the arrogant You Can Call Me Mr. Sullivan to hear her out.

No sooner does she arrive than a snowstorm traps her with Pierce. Stranded together for days, she’s in for the battle of her life. Pierce is nearly irresistible by candlelight. Without his suits and fancy cars, he’s almost human.

Except only a fool would let down her guard. And Kerrigan can’t risk her future. Not when she doesn’t know if he’s out to pilfer her dreams . . . or to steal her heart.

I loved the characters in this book. Kerrigan Hale is kickass and knows what she wants in life until Pierce Sullivan shows up and knocks her world askew. This book was such a quick, easy read that will make you want to read the rest of the series as fast as you can.

 
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

My Rating:

A Review: The Bluff

The Bluff (Calamity, Montana #2)
Author: Willa Nash
Format: E-book
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Publication Date: November 11, 2021

Synopsis:

As Calamity’s newest resident, Everly Christian thought life in small-town Montana would be dull and tame—and she needs a little mundane after the last few chaotic years. But one night, boredom drives her to the local bar, where she finds herself sitting beside a handsome and mysterious artist.

The man is anything but dull and tame, especially in the bedroom, and when she steps out of his shower and overhears his conversation, life gets interesting again.

Reese Huxley needs a wife.

And why shouldn’t Everly be the bride?

She’s got her reasons for agreeing to the hasty nuptials—reasons she’s keeping to herself. As long as she can stop herself from falling in love with her husband, she’ll make it out of this sham marriage in one piece. But Everly has a weakness for wayward men, and the more Hux pushes her away, the more she realizes this bluff is anything but a lie.

I'm always a sucker for a marriage of convenience story. I love the fact that Everly & Hux are complete opposites of each other, this combo always makes for a good read!

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

My Rating:

A Review: The Bribe

The Bribe (Calamity, Montana #1)
Author: Willa Nash
Format: E-book
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Publication Date: November 11, 2021

Synopsis:

Duke Evans didn’t expect to interrupt a beautiful woman in a staring contest with a bison on his favorite hiking trail. He also didn’t expect to see her again after rescuing her from the surly beast. As the sheriff in Calamity, Montana, he’s had his fair share of surprises but none as pleasant as pulling over a shiny black car and finding his mysterious hiking companion behind the wheel.

Only, she lied to Duke. She gave him a name as fake as her hair color. According to her driver’s license, her real name is Lucy Ross, the famous country music singer whose sudden disappearance has been a hot topic in the media over the past two weeks.

He’s not sure why Lucy lied about her identity or why she’s in Calamity. And she’s not talking. Instead, she offers him a bribe to keep her secret.

But Duke doesn’t want her money. He wants to know why this woman is on the run. And as long as the star shines on his badge, he’s going to find out.

This is my first Devney Perry book and I absolutely loved it. This book introduces Calamity, Montana as a picturesque small town which made me miss my own small town that I grew up in. Lucy and Duke are so cute and even though I'm usually an enemies to lovers, I really enjoyed their sweet story.

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

My Rating:

Looking at this stack you would never have known that I didn't crack open a single book until halfway through the month. I only finished three books in August because I was still in a book hangover from Fourth Wing and this month looked like it would be more of the same.. But I was so behind in my yearly reading goal that I knew I needed to step it up, so I tried as hard as possible and was quite successful. I'm not quite caught up but just a few more books in October and I'll be back on track to get 50 books read by December 31st. My big goal for October is to read The Count of Monte Cristo with enough time to get some other books in as well.

What was your favorite September read?

4.5 ★
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
Eternal Reign by Susanne Valenti & Caroline Peckham

4 ★
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Beautiful Carnage by Susanne Valenti & Caroline Peckham
Steel King by Devney Perry
Riven Knight by Devney Perry
Stone Princess by Devney Perry
Noble Prince by Devney Perry

3.75 ★
The Brood by Willa Nash (Devney Perry)