I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Lakin Mancinkus has spent her whole life in Whynot, NC. She runs a bakery in town, and loves the connection to her hometown that comes from running the business. She doesn’t have time for relationships, what with running her bakery and the food side of her brother’s B&B. But in addition to time, she has always felt a little self-conscious about the little extra weight she carries.

Deacon Locke is just passing through - that’s how he lives his whole life, traveling on his motorcycle, working a variety of jobs as he moves from town to town on a whim. On the outside, he may look like he doesn’t belong in Whynot, but as we get to know him, we find there is more to him that what he shows the world.

I loved these two together. The way Deacon sees Larkin is how every woman wants her man to see her, even if and when she doesn’t see it for herself. There is so much about their relationship that had be grinning throughout. Their banter is classic and exactly what I expected from a Mancinkus.

This feels like an ending of sorts for this series, with great glimpses of what the other Mancinkus family members are up to. I loved the connections Pap brought to this story and gave some kind of closure for the future. There were some other side characters introduced that I wanted to string up as their cruel words and actions left marks in my favorite characters.

I loved the opposites attract elements of this story. As the Juliette Poe brand, this is a light, sweet story with plenty of heart. The small town feels like the perfect setting for this couple, one with deep roots and one with none.