Book Shelf: 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.

More info on Goodreads......


Review:

Buns is Alice Clayton's latest release and is in my opinion quite possibly her best work yet. Passionate, exhilarating, sexy and witty in the best possible way, this third instalment in The Hudson Valley series weaves together all Clayton's trademark zest and humor to create a romance that will thrill you until the very end!

Independent and driven, Clara Morgan has a successful career helping rebrand and rejuvenate hotels and is as in demand as they come. Having grown up in foster care, Clara is used to being on her own and refuses to let people get too close, preferring to be on her own to avoid the inevitable pain that comes from people leaving. Putting everything into her career, Clara is excited about the prospect of bringing new life to the family run Bryant Mountain House, if only she can get the owners snooty son on board. Bryant Mountain House is charming and quaint and Clara knows she's the girl to bring it into the 21st century....if Archie Bryant doesn't kill her first. Proper and refined, Archie seems to bring out the worst in Clara, and he in her. Refusing to accept Clara's influence on his family's hotel, Archie seems to be against all of Clara's ideas but as sparks fly between the two with unexpected results, Clara may be the answer to all of Archie's problems. Yet with Clara's fears keeping her from letting people in, will she loose her shot at love?

Proving once again that she is a god amongst writers Alice Clayton outdoes herself with Buns. Undoubtedly my favourite book in this series yet and maybe even giving Screwdrivered a run for it's money as my favourite Clayton novel, Buns will entrance readers with it's passion, fire and addictive romance. Smart and so full of heart, Buns sees all our favourite Alice Clayton characters come together (across all three series if I'm being a spoiler) in this riveting tale that will thrill readers.

Clara and Archie are a simply brilliant couple to read about; simply brilliant! Both having painful pasts and being no stranger to loss, these two are absolutely dynamite together. They were both so very different but the electricity and fire between them was off the charts. Alice Clayton couldn't have written them better if she tried and every electrically charged moment between them was fantastic to read about. There's something so thrilling about seeing a man who is naturally well put together and controlled brought to his knees by a woman. Seeing Clara make Archie loose his mind was so sexy and thrilling and I loved it!

There's nothing about this novel I can fault. Alice Clayton mixes sensuality and heart together so beautifully with her novels and Buns is a perfect example of humor, romance and fire coming together in perfect harmony. Expertly written and so very good, Buns is a must read for anyone looking for an electric and sensual read. Simply perfect!
 
Rating:
Source: Sent for review by publisher (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Format: Paperback
Australian RRP: $21.99
Release Date: May 23rd 2017
Purchase: Bookworld | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Final Thoughts: The best book in this series! Buns was brilliant!