Release Blitz: It Seemed Like A Good Idea: Lauren Blakely
Darling Springs #1
Lauren Blakely
Lauren Blakely
Audible |
Erin Mallon & JF Harding narrate in duet!
March 3, 2026
Grumpy meets sunshine in this charming and hilarious forbidden small town romantic comedy from #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely! Where there's only one bed in the room...
I really don't need a bodyguard―I run a small-town lavender farm, for bee's sake! But I'm getting one anyway since my identical twin sister just booked the movie role of a lifetime and it's being shot in my hometown. And guess who my new broody, tattooed protector is? None other than the guy I had a one-night stand with last month.
Correction: he's the guy with the wicked mouth and heated eyes who ran out on me before the bang without so much as goodbye. And of course he arrives in my tiny hometown where the film is shooting right in the nick of time to save me from the paparazzi at the market. The coffee shop. The dress shop too. I'm trying hard to stay mad after the third time the sexy jerk rescues me.
Correction: he's the guy with the wicked mouth and heated eyes who ran out on me before the bang without so much as goodbye. And of course he arrives in my tiny hometown where the film is shooting right in the nick of time to save me from the paparazzi at the market. The coffee shop. The dress shop too. I'm trying hard to stay mad after the third time the sexy jerk rescues me.
To top it all off, he's staying in the cottage at my farm. With me. And there's only one bed.
Maybe just one night would relieve all this tension? But one night turns into another, and then into sharing hearts and secrets that are best locked up. Especially since he's leaving and I'm staying, and there's no way we can be more than a summer romance that ends far too soon.
A near miss out of town one-night stand sets off this witty and sexy small-town romance.
Ripley is a confident, tough, independent, outdoorsy, lavender farm owner in Darling Springs. She is trying to get the farm ready for a film crew for her twin sister's new movie. She is a hard worker and always tries to make sure everyone else is happy and has what they need.
Banks is a bodyguard/close protection officer. He is big, burly, protective, observant, and a great mix of caveman and gentleman. He is all about control. He just got a big job working on a production. Unfortunately, the decisions he makes that night are going to follow him to the scene of his new bodyguard gig.
His misunderstanding of a situation messed up their night and left a lasting impression. And now he is right back in her proximity for a different reason. Now he has to stick close to the feisty Ripley who he left disappointed, and protect her as a client so she is off limits. But the chemistry is still there. And they love to challenge each other. She was hurt, embarrassed, and disappointed but now is more angry and antagonistic. And he is just there tempting her and riling her up further. He is determined to make her see reason and allow him to do his job.
One close protection officer. One feisty flower farmer. A small town getting ready for a movie filming. It's about to get fun and fiery in Darling Springs. Dares, teasing, games of chicken, and temptation. She loves trying to challenge him and shake him. And he is determined to be right by her side keeping her safe. They banter and bargain. They really push and challenge each other but it just adds to their sexual tension and want.
Oh, my goodness. Banks is the mix of strong man and protector, damaged boy, gentleman, and caretaker. He is such a swoon-worthy hero, but he’s so hard on himself and he has some healing to do. Ripley is strong, sassy, caring, and always thinks of other people over herself. But she also worries that she’s too much and too independent for somebody. Together they are fire, but there’s also a deepness to their connection and a feeling of safety between them that allows them to be vulnerable, share, and explore different sides of themselves. Their banter is on point, and I found them completely entertaining whether they were really fussing and fighting or just riling each other up and having fun
They play off each other so well. It gets them off more to challenge each other and tease each other. It is a fun and sexy battle of wills. And it just so happens the one place they really agree is in the bedroom. And they agree really well and balance each other perfectly. And it is always hot and passionate.
They know it is a bad idea and they really should not pursue anything, but their failed attempts at forgetting their chemistry just seem to send them further into their secret affair. But if it gets out, there could be repercussions that none of them want or need. It's a bad idea that feels so good!
They know it is a bad idea and they really should not pursue anything, but their failed attempts at forgetting their chemistry just seem to send them further into their secret affair. But if it gets out, there could be repercussions that none of them want or need. It's a bad idea that feels so good!
This is a failed one-night-stand, off-limits, bodyguard-client, only-one-bed, close proximity, small-town romance with plenty of eyes watching. There is feisty banter, heat, humor, heartbreak, surprises, healing, a bit of mystery and suspense, and even some twin tricks. It is set in the small town of Darling Springs that was introduced in Monroe and Juliet's book, The Accidental Dating Experiment, and there are some cameos too. I loved her relationship with her twin sister, Haven. I liked her besties Chloe and Bridget and I hope we get their stories next.
Ripley
He’s touching me in some kind of slo-mo seduction. His fingers move to my jawline, the pads grazing along my face, then coming to a stop at my chin where he holds me. Roams his thumb right under my lower lip. Breathes out hard, full of wanting.
I am done.
“Just kiss me,” I whisper, already begging.
His lips curve up in the pleased grin of a man who holds the cards. “Patience,” he says, voice deep and in charge.
“I’m not feeling very patient,” I murmur.
“Good,” he says, a lion toying with his prey.
Pounce on me.
Lauren Blakely
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A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s cute but spicy. Lauren likes dogs, cake, and show tunes and is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s cute but spicy. Lauren likes dogs, cake, and show tunes and is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
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