Paradise Hops

Cheers

Cheers to another great read by author Liz Crowe! This book is a fun, fast, emotional read. I love how Ms.Crowe's books can pull the reader into the story, making it seem very relatable. You will love these characters, and the story.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Intense,Passionate,Fanfrickentastic-Best Book Of 2012!!!

Liz Crowe is my absolute favorite contemporary romance authors of all time. Her skillset is beyond fascinating. She captivates me instantly, taking me on a whirlwind rollercoaster ride,each and every time. Every turn of the page brings me closer to Michigan; closer to characters that aren’t just characters….they become your best friends while you’re reading Ms. Crowe’s work. Ms. Crowe’s stories have been dubbed “Romance For Real Life”; and it’s definitely justifiable. Paradise Hops is like Liz’s other amazing stories…..except, it’s not. It’s the same in that she’s still incorporating her “wow” factor, her amazing romance, and her love for beer & Michigan. It’s different, however, because it’s so much stronger; so much deeper in meaning than her other stories. PH is superbly intense. Every gut-wrenching emotional story of each of the characters past is felt throughout your entire soul. The three characters that Liz Crowe has modeled for this story are some of her best ones yet (and that’s saying alot because I am completely infatuated with my Book Boyfriend, Jack Gordon from her Realtor series!). Lori Brockton is a tormented soul. I felt so much of her inner pain and emotional turmoil, it twisted my heart. I didn’t know whether to cry for her, or be angry at her. I can’t begin, for one millisecond, to imagine how she could have survived what she went through, only to be confronted with two amazing distractions that tear her heart in two. But, Ms. Crowe kept it flowing perfectly, leaving me with an understanding and heartfelt admiration for this amazing character! Garrett Hunter, the new Brockton Brewery business manager, swept me off my feet, just as he did Lori. He changed BB for the better. But, one thing he may not be able to change, not matter how desperately he wants to, is the heart of a broken down, tormented soul of a beautiful woman that he fell for, hard and fast. When secrets are kept, however, things change his way of thinking….and it might not be for the better, after all. Eli Buchanan, sexy “bad boy attitude”, new Master brewer of the Brockton Brewery crew, has an unspoken of past, and one helluva an eye capturing tattoo that Lori can’t seem to get enough off, even though she has the perfect (or darn near perfect!) man. When Eli lays eyes on the brewery owners daughter, he wants to gaurd his heart….but prove to her he’s all man….and just what she needs. Each of these characters have so many layers. It was breathtaking and torturing, all at once, reading each page, stripping layer by layer off of them, until finally, the last page is turned and the final layer leaves you with a dropped jaw and tears. Tears of joy? Or tears of sadness? I won’t tell you that….I want you to go and order this absolutely stunning, absolutely painfully intense, wowing novel. Deserving of so much more than a measly 5 Book rating, PH is a definite home run, slam dunk, lets-get-drunk-on-beer, touchdown of a fanfrickentastic novel. Pain, passion,humor, and a mind blowing whopper of a plot and is absolutely the best ever book of 2012. Thank you so much, Ms. Crowe, for creating another “Romance For Real Life” book and keeping this reader completely satisfied and starving for more of your talents!! *A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review*

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A heart-wrenching read for an erotic romance. The Positive: Th

A heart-wrenching read for an erotic romance.

The Positive:

The heroine, Lori Brockton, is convinced that no man would ever want her because she considers herself 'damaged'. Well, she's clearly wrong as she's torn between the perfect man, Garret Hunter, and the devilishly handsome beer brewer, Eli Buchannan.

First off, I'd say that the love triangle was effective as the heroine had chemistry with both Garret and Eli. Personally, I'm leaning more towards Garrett that's why the ending of the book tore my heart out into tiny little pieces.

Story-wise, nothing out of ordinary, but the storytelling was compelling enough for me to finish the book in one sitting.

Also, I appreciate Lori's back story because it gave her character more depth. It shows just how much strength she possessed in her even though she could be portrayed as frail and fragile. While the trauma left by her horrific past was evident, I love the fact that Lori picked up the pieces of herself and became an indispensable worker in her father's brewery.

Oh, and the ending was like a punch in the gut. As a reader, I didn't like the ending, but speaking as a reviewer, it was effective and it really affected much of the audience of the book.

The Negative:

The cheating. Cheating is cheating no matter how you justify it or rationalize it. I didn't like the fact that Lori still went behind Garret's back. It's like she couldn't even make up her mind between the two men. Sure, they're both gorgeous enough to make any woman torn in between them, but that doesn't mean that she should just sleep with both.

Also, the dream sequence. It threw me off and got me confused for a moment. I don't think it was necessary for the story to proceed so I didn't like how it was even in the book.

Overall, I give this book a three out of five rating because I'm pretty sure that readers who give this book a chance would surely feel the punch in the gut I'm talking about when they reach the end of the story.

Savory Love Triangle

Stout, lager, or pilsner—pick your favorite while you hunker down and enjoy the savory love triangle in Liz Crowe’s Paradise Hops.

Crowe’s plot consummately sets up the problem with the Brockton Brewery, which harmonizes well with the love triangle between Lori, Garret, and Eli. Lori loves Garret but lusts over Eli. Crowe eloquently builds the relationships between these three characters in such a way that you feel for what Lori is going through as she tries to resume intimate relationships after the brutal attack she survived. The chemistry between Lori and Garret is hot, but the chemistry between Lori and Eli is explosive. All of the intimate scenes are engaging and will delight readers.

Paradise Hops is a heart-wrenching romance with a stunning plot twist that will have you wiping tears from your eyes. Even though I was shocked by the twist, I was pleased with the romantic conclusion.

I was provided a copy of the book by BTS eMag for purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review – all conclusions are my own responsibility.

4.5 stars A touching, heart-wrenching story. Lori Brockton is

4.5 stars A touching, heart-wrenching story.

Lori Brockton is broken. Recovering from a brutal attack, she is a shell of the woman she used to be. She has moved on enough to return to work and run the family brewery, but she is still battling some of the lingering affects of her attack, especially letting a man get close to her. In comes Garrett Hunter. A newly hired general manager in the brewery, with his handsome, call and collected self he makes an impression in Lori. She likes his easy manner and the way he makes her feel safe. However, it is Eli, the smoking hot brew master that joins the company, that sets her boy and desires on fire with just a look.

Feeling safe in Garrett's presence and letting go of her past Lori starts a relationship with Garrett. With his understanding ways and characteristic problem solving abilities he helps her heal. He loves the woman Lori is becoming and tries every step of the way to help her find herself again. However, Lori can't help but feel like Garrett's trying to control her the way he controls everything in his life. She yearns the freedom and uncertainty she feels when being near Eli. She knows where it could lead but goes ahead regardless.

So there I was settled on my couch with tablet in hand reading Lori's story and looking forward to the love triangle that the blurb makes reference to. Honestly, I was expecting a light, sexy read where the sex is hot, the connections between the characters weak or non-existing and lust was the only emotion expressed.

Wow, was I mistaken!

Paradise Hops is a engaging love story of pain, lust and new beginnings. I laughed, cried and sighed. I was exasperated by Lori's decisions in one page and cheering her on to go with it later on. I wanted to ruffle Garret's feathers and put some spontaneity into his life one moment then I wanted to hug him to me when doubts and emotions overwhelmed him. Eli? I just wanted to devour him from head to toe then shelter him from the pain he was feeling.

I won't even attempt to give you a summary of the events that took place because I will end up spilling my guts and revealing all the great details of the story and this is something that has to be experienced by the reader firsthand. But I will tell you that this book is packed full of emotions and events that will touch your heart one way or the other. It will make you question, it will melt you and in the end it will leave you thinking about the choices a person makes in life and how those decisions affect and mold your life.

The writing was excellent. With three complex characters that drew me in from the moment I met them and three completely different POV's, the story flowed from beginning to end. Every moment shared, every thought expressed and every event that took place added to the story and were perfectly executed. I enjoyed the development each character went through and the interactions with each other. Lori, Garrett and Eli felt real to me. Their struggles, decisions and emotions brought the story to life and into my heart.

Liz Crowe made an amazing job weaving together a tragic story different from any contemporary romance I have read so far. It was dark, sensual and joyous and it touched me deeply. This is the first book I have read from this author, but it certainly won't be last. It's safe to say that I've become a new fan of hers after reading Paradise Hops.

I received an ARC from Tri Destiny Publishing through NetGalley in exchange of my honest opinion.

wow

This story didn't grab me right away. Yes, the heroines life has been rough but I sometimes found her whiny. With that being said...now I can say WOW! The author ended up putting me on an emotional roller coaster. Will be reading more from her.

I have only read The Realty series by MS.Crowe and was concern

I have only read The Realty series by MS.Crowe and was concerned how I might feel about her other writings. Since I have become very vested in her other characters, mainly one Mr. Jack Gordon, I wondered how I would react to something different from this author. Once again I opened the book and got instantly involved with Lori's character.Ms. Crowe's ability to draw the reader in and the rest of the world out is amazing. There is one part in the book that you become so involved in that you don't know if you want to put down or keep going because what might or might not happen.
All I can say after reading an ongoing series from MS.Crowe and a stand alone book Paradise Hops is if she is writing I'm reading! I have only read The Realty series by MS.Crowe and was concerned how I might feel about her other writings. Since I have become very vested in her other characters, mainly one Mr. Jack Gordon, I wondered how I would react to something different from this author. Once again I opened the book and got instantly involved with Lori's character.Ms. Crowe's ability to draw the reader in and the rest of the world out is amazing. There is one part in the book that you become so involved in that you don't know if you want to put down or keep going because what might or might not happen.
All I can say after reading an ongoing series from MS.Crowe and a stand alone book Paradise Hops is if she is writing I'm reading!

This book started off great for me. I liked Lori¿s character in

This book started off great for me. I liked Lori’s character in the sense that she had survived a horrible attack and has been able to slowly work through it. After meeting Garrett, who helps her work through more of her attack, she seems like a genuinely good woman. The relationship between Lori and Garrett was sweet and hot all at the same time. However, when Eli entered the mix, things got a little confusing.

Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoy some love triangles because it always adds spice and drama into the mix. I had no problem with the love triangle between Lori, Garrett, and Eli. All of it had me submerged into the story. However, around 60% of the story is when everything fell flat for me. All the circumstances that happened after that point had me so confused and angry. I was mad at the plot, I was mad at the attitude that Lori had, and I was just mad in general that love had switched sides so easily. I don’t want to go into more detail because I don’t want to give away the whole story.

I would say that the first 60% of this story would get 4 stars from me. I really liked that part. But the second part really lowered my love for the book and characters.
~BookWhisperer Reviewer MC~

Ahem, can I have your attention please. My review is my review a

Ahem, can I have your attention please. My review is my review and my opinion, no one elses. I will NOT tolerate flaming, bad manners, cyber bullying or name calling on the blog. If you don’t agree or like my review, that’s fine. Its your opinion and I RESPECT that. Do I agree with other reviewer’s reviews? No but I don’t cyber bully them either.

I realize that there are some people that don’t “get” Liz and her books. Personally, I do. I’m a true romantic and I crave the HEA more than anything in the world. Do I totally agree with some of the situations in Liz’s books? No, I don’t but that makes for great writing. Liz creates worlds that are real, emotional, upsetting to some, hurtful at times and I may not agree with the story or how it ends and why. To me that’s great writing. Its thought provoking, emotionally engaging and great conversation. I have stopped reading some of the so-called bestseller authors because they tend to write the same thing over and over. I got bored and tired of the whole “let’s just recycle a story and see if anyone notices” rote. Or series that have been around too long. Yawn… On with the review…

This was one of the hardest books of Liz’s for me to read. It brought out emotions and images that I had tucked away for over 20 years. I’ve experienced the horrible situation that happened to Lori and the feeling, at least for me, never goes away. It effects you in ways that I can’t describe. There is shame, nothingness, numbness and rage. Unless you have walked in our shoes, you can’t judge or offer an opinion on what anyone should’ve, could’ve or would’ve done in that situation. Did she make decisions that I don’t agree with? You bet but at the same time, this is Lori’s life, not mine. Again, powerful writing. (At least this time, I didn’t throw my computer) I related to Lori and her way of thinking.

Picking between two completely different men is a situation that, thank goodness, I’ve never had to do. I could see Lori’s dilemma. What to do and who to pick? Are there situations that aren’t Harlequinisque? You bet but again, that’s a real life decision that Lori made, good or bad depending on how you look at it in context. Personally I couldn’t choose but I choose my guy for Lori. You have Mr. Perfect and the Wild Man. Never to go down the easy road, Liz created situations for Lori that made her think, become emotionally attached and then, have the rug pulled from underneath her. Bravo!

The ending was a complete and total shock to me. Didn’t see it coming and then BAM…I read this book when I first got the ARC and the review you are reading is my second and final draft. When I read my original review on Monday (its Tuesday), I realized that I had actually given away spoilers. Horrors, I know. I also thought, why did I write such a normal review for Liz? Liz’s books are not the “norm” so why does this review have to be normal? I talked about how well Liz incorporates the brewery world in this book, the raw and emotional sex that she writes but most people already know that about Liz’s books. What I wanted to talk about today is the way Lori effected me as a woman that had gone through a horrific event in her life and how she dealt with it and the fallout. Trust me, I still have some hangups and emotions that come to the surface from time to time. Books that I will not ever read because of the content, no matter if it is fiction and that people just rave about.

In the end, Paradise Hops is a book about a woman’s struggle to deal with the fallout of events in her life that shapes her, molds her into the woman that she will become and how she deals with it. Its emotional, raw and the characters drew me in and never let me go. I still think about Lori almost a month later and try to put myself in her shoes. Nope, can’t do it. My path and her path were different. And that makes for a great thought provoking book. *sniff* *I received this ARC as part of a blog tour for a fair and honest review*

Fantastic

When I sit down to read a Liz Crowe book, I know I’m going to get 3 things – fantastic characters who make me want to crawl inside the book with them, a powerful story full of intense emotion & smokin’ hot burn up the page sex scenes. Paradise Hops delivered all 3 and then some. I will give you fair warning though, make sure to have the tissues handy because you WILL need them.

Lori Brockton is breathing but not living. After a brutal attack two years ago, she goes through life as a shell of the person that she once was. She grieves for that person while she lives in fear, panic and with complete loneliness because she won’t let anyone in. She works in her father’s brewery trying to reclaim some of her life but not succeeding – until she meets Garrett…and Eli.

For Lori, Garrett is safe, calming, loving and exactly what she needs to soothe her soul. He offers her compassion and love during a time when she doesn’t even love herself. Eli gives her lust & unbridled passion, things she didn’t think were ever possible for her again. He ignites her soul & burns away her sorrow and pain with his touch. How can she choose between two people who fill such huge voids within herself?

Paradise Hops was NOT what I expected and it, most definitely, blindsided me. Lori, Garrett & Eli’s journey was painful, gut-wrenching and in the end…beautiful and so worth it. However, their story is not without flaws – there were times I wanted to knock some sense into Lori, when I wanted to make Garrett see when he was pushing too hard and when I wanted to rail Eli for being an ass. But, that is what makes this book SO good! It realistically portrays that life isn’t always easy, people don’t always do & say the right thing, we sometimes hurt the ones we love most, we make wrong decisions and have to live with the consequences. In the end, they overcame the overwhelming loss, and were able to learn from past mistakes to find peace & happiness.

This book is emotional, exceptionally written and a must add to every to-read-list.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.