Title: Trouble Brewing
Author: Suzanne Baltsar
Format: ARC ebook*
Publication Date: September
25, 2018
25, 2018
Genre: Fiction, Romance
My Rating: 4
Synopsis
This sweet, savory, and
satisfying novel—perfect for fans of The
Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy Reichert—follows a smart, ambitious
woman making her way in the male-dominated world of beer brewing.
satisfying novel—perfect for fans of The
Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy Reichert—follows a smart, ambitious
woman making her way in the male-dominated world of beer brewing.
Piper Williams is used to
being the only woman in a room full of men, but she isn’t used to being
instantly drawn to someone she’s in business with.
being the only woman in a room full of men, but she isn’t used to being
instantly drawn to someone she’s in business with.
After working long hours
brewing in her garage, Piper is determined to prove herself—and to ignore the
chemistry she has with Blake Reed, owner of Minnesota’s newest gastropub who is
going to stock four of her brews. She wants her craft beer to stand on its own
merits and knows that the tight-knit male-dominated brewer community will
assume the worst if she starts anything with one of her vendors. No way she’ll
risk everything she’s invested in her budding business on a guy who might not
stick—no matter how charmingly handsome and funny he is, right?
brewing in her garage, Piper is determined to prove herself—and to ignore the
chemistry she has with Blake Reed, owner of Minnesota’s newest gastropub who is
going to stock four of her brews. She wants her craft beer to stand on its own
merits and knows that the tight-knit male-dominated brewer community will
assume the worst if she starts anything with one of her vendors. No way she’ll
risk everything she’s invested in her budding business on a guy who might not
stick—no matter how charmingly handsome and funny he is, right?
And Blake has a conflict of
his own—his haughty family wants him to ditch the gastropub and support his
father’s political campaign. Well, that, and the fact that he knows Piper’s
snark and sass is the perfect blend of crisp and refreshing for him. So Blake
and Piper make a pact: she’ll go out with him if, and only if, two additional
pubs start carrying her beer. Sticking to the pact proves harder than either of
them expected—especially since the attraction is off the charts between quirky,
independent Piper and smart, charming Blake.
his own—his haughty family wants him to ditch the gastropub and support his
father’s political campaign. Well, that, and the fact that he knows Piper’s
snark and sass is the perfect blend of crisp and refreshing for him. So Blake
and Piper make a pact: she’ll go out with him if, and only if, two additional
pubs start carrying her beer. Sticking to the pact proves harder than either of
them expected—especially since the attraction is off the charts between quirky,
independent Piper and smart, charming Blake.
Then Piper gets a
once-in-a-lifetime offer that could launch her company to the next level—and
take her away from Blake. Are she and Blake just drunk in love, or do they have
something real that’s worth risking her dreams for?
once-in-a-lifetime offer that could launch her company to the next level—and
take her away from Blake. Are she and Blake just drunk in love, or do they have
something real that’s worth risking her dreams for?
My Thoughts…
The first word that I think of to describe this
book is cute. The story is cute. The couple is cute. The ending is cute. That’s not to say there isn’t substance,
because this novel really delves into some important topics: feminism, sexual harassment,
money, and obviously love and what that looks like for a modern woman trying to
have a career in a male dominated field. In the end, though, this is a fun,
easy read.
book is cute. The story is cute. The couple is cute. The ending is cute. That’s not to say there isn’t substance,
because this novel really delves into some important topics: feminism, sexual harassment,
money, and obviously love and what that looks like for a modern woman trying to
have a career in a male dominated field. In the end, though, this is a fun,
easy read.
I learned a lot about brewing and now want to
try all the varieties Piper makes, especially, a grisette. That French for little grey. I mean, it’s French, so of course I’m
interested. She also provides some places in Germany I am adding to my travel
booket list. My travel booket list is
something I am working on for Blogtober.
I am making a list of the places I have read about and now need to
see. Think Culloden and the Scottish
Highlands because of Outlander.
Sorry, I got distracted, back to the review.
try all the varieties Piper makes, especially, a grisette. That French for little grey. I mean, it’s French, so of course I’m
interested. She also provides some places in Germany I am adding to my travel
booket list. My travel booket list is
something I am working on for Blogtober.
I am making a list of the places I have read about and now need to
see. Think Culloden and the Scottish
Highlands because of Outlander.
Sorry, I got distracted, back to the review.
The dialogue and description are very well
written. The story flows easily and
seems to make be paced nicely. I would
like to see a little more subtlety in the dramatic portions of the story. For instance, there is a scene with another
brewer where literally, the guy says the worst things possible. Not innuendo, just point blank
horribleness. Same with a scene with Blake’s
family. Not a single bit of that
interaction seems realistic. The people
involved all behave in a nightmarish fashion.
With a little bit of restraint, more verbal condescension instead of transparent
rudeness, Baltsar could have created some intricate and more believable scenes.
written. The story flows easily and
seems to make be paced nicely. I would
like to see a little more subtlety in the dramatic portions of the story. For instance, there is a scene with another
brewer where literally, the guy says the worst things possible. Not innuendo, just point blank
horribleness. Same with a scene with Blake’s
family. Not a single bit of that
interaction seems realistic. The people
involved all behave in a nightmarish fashion.
With a little bit of restraint, more verbal condescension instead of transparent
rudeness, Baltsar could have created some intricate and more believable scenes.
Before I move on to characters, I have to stop
and talk about the Gilmore Girls. Not only
did this book literally reference Gilmore Girls (actually talking about
specific scenes), but Piper got Blake to watch the series on Netflix. And like
most oxygen breathing adults, once you start watching it, you are hooked. The book actually echoes some GG
aspects. If you are a fan, and read this
book, come back and tell me if you agree.
and talk about the Gilmore Girls. Not only
did this book literally reference Gilmore Girls (actually talking about
specific scenes), but Piper got Blake to watch the series on Netflix. And like
most oxygen breathing adults, once you start watching it, you are hooked. The book actually echoes some GG
aspects. If you are a fan, and read this
book, come back and tell me if you agree.
The Characters…
I probably have the same issue with the
characters. Blake was a good guy. Piper was a determined woman. Blake’s family were all horrible without
redeeming qualities. I loved seeing a
woman working as a brewer, because this concept is so new to me. I just would have liked for the chracters to
have more layers, just to keep it a little more interesting.
characters. Blake was a good guy. Piper was a determined woman. Blake’s family were all horrible without
redeeming qualities. I loved seeing a
woman working as a brewer, because this concept is so new to me. I just would have liked for the chracters to
have more layers, just to keep it a little more interesting.
* Special thanks to Suzanne Baltsar, Gallery Books, and Netgalley
for providing a copy of Trouble Brewing in exchange for an honest review.
for providing a copy of Trouble Brewing in exchange for an honest review.
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