Review: Pretty good start to the series. :D
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 1, 2013
3.5-4 starsThis was a pretty good story. I liked both Jackson and Cass and enjoyed their story. Although I've had other books by this author on my to read list, this is the first book I've read by her. I liked this one enough that I'll be keeping those other books on my to read list. :DCass is a teacher at a culinary arts school. She's in her 30s and has been doing that for a while. She tried starting her own bakery years before but it didn't work out. She found she lost her passion for a lot of things until she met Jackson. Unfortunately, since he was a student of hers she didn't allow herself to get in to a relationship with him, following the rules instead of her heart. When he asks for her advice about starting his own business, she gives him the safe answer instead of being encouraging,which causes a rift between them.Jackson was raised on a cattle ranch and was trained to take over since he was a kid. He even got a degree in agriculture. The problem is that no matter how much he loved the ranch, he didn't want to live there all his life. He loved the city and wanted to do something more than running a ranch and he found what he wanted in baking, specializing in cakes, frosting and fillings. He fell for his teacher, Cass, and was always trying to get more out of her than just a student/teacher relationship. When she gives him advice that goes against his dreams, he doesn't take it well and doesn't talk to her for months.Jackson follows his dreams, quitting culinary school early and opening a food truck in which he sells awesome cupcakes. He does quite well but doesn't go back to see Cass, letting his pride keep him away. Cass has missed Jackson and eventually gets up the courage to go see him, hoping to apologize. This takes more courage than just a simple visit since he's been ignoring her attempts to call and text him. She braves him at his truck and is rebuffed and tries to speak to him again later. Jackson knows he's behaving like a jerk towards Cass and realizes that unless he wants to never see her again, he has to make an effort. Their talk ends up turning in to a hot night and spending the next day together. Unfortunately, as they're spending time together they run in to Jackson's father who doesn't approve of his son's choice in careers (thinking baking is for women and that Jackson might be gay). Cass stands up to him in defense of Jackson but it doesn't do much good. As they're going home, Cass encourages Jackson to try working things out with his father. In return, Jackson tries to push her in to revisiting the idea of opening her own bakery again but this freaks Cass out enough that she closes down completely. Both Jackson and Cass are rather stubborn and this leads to them not speaking for a while (thankfully this time it's no for nearly as long).After some time apart, Jackson ends up being the one to make the effort. He realizes that Cass is right and goes out to see his father, taking him some of his cupcakes to try. His father is more accepting after trying a couple cupcakes and they talk for a while. Jackson also gets his butt around and goes to hunt down Cass, letting her know he wont be pushed out of her life again. They talk things out and Cass admits she wants to start another business but the failure of the last one made it so much harder to try again. Jackson suggests that she work with him on his truck, learning how to run the business side of things and figuring out what she wants to try. They work together for a while (nights and weekends while she keeps her day job of teaching) and they also keep seeing each other and falling for each other more and more as time goes by. Cass comes up with what she wants to do and with the help of Jackson and his sister Sam, she comes up with a business plan and gets a business loan. The story ends with Cass ready to start her new business and Cass and Jackson pretty solidly together and starting their HEA.I really enjoyed this story. Jackson and Cass are both flawed but yet likable characters that I couldn't help rooting for them from the beginning. There were a few editing mistakes but not bad enough to mess up the story. There seemed to be a setup for Sam (Jackson's sister) having the next book and I hope so because I really liked her character. I'd recommend this book. :D