Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Hearts and Hazelnuts
SERIES: States of Love – Oregon
AUTHOR: Kris T. Bethke
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 103 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 29, 2017
BLURB:
Mechanic Jordan Hart is down on his luck, so he gladly accepts a temporary job servicing tractors at a hazelnut farm in Newberg, Oregon. He doesn’t expect to be attracted to his boss, Beckett Shaw. Still working on embracing his bisexuality, he’s reluctant to start anything, but Beckett’s gentle coaxing convinces Jordan to take a risk.
Beckett has vowed not to get involved with anyone until he can restore the Shaw Farms name as a leader in hazelnuts. But there’s no denying his interest in the shy mechanic who shows up at his door. Just as they begin to find a balance, outside forces threaten to tear them apart. Job opportunities force Jordan out of the Portland area he loves so much. But when danger comes too close to Beckett, Jordan must decide if he can follow his heart to the Willamette Valley… and straight back to Beckett.
States of Love: Stories of romance that span every corner of the United States.
REVIEW:
I loved this book!!! The author got Newberg and Portland down perfectly!!!
Jordan Hart was having a rough period of time. The job he loved was ripped away when the owner of the garage discovered that the manager had been embezzling the company funds and shut the whole place down. Now he was staying with his older brother who had always had his back. When he can’t find a permanent job John sends him out to help out a friend with his farm equipment. “Hearts and Hazelnuts” is what happens when these two men meet and get to know each other.
I will admit, I was a bit leery of this book. I spent the first 60 years of my life driving through Newberg to get to our beach home. I have known the town pretty darn well since I was a small girl. We would do our shopping and have a bite to eat there regularly. But the author got the town spot on. And the Hawthorne area of Portland even more so! Obviously the author must know her way around the area pretty darn well.
One of the parts I liked best about the story was that both men obviously were interested in each other but kept it professional. Especially Jordan. When he is hired for a job it can not be a charity handout and he will do the work for which he is getting paid for. That means that work time is for work and there is no time for fooling around.
I also loved that Beckett had a strong resolution to return his family farm back to its good name. He had strong ties to his grandfather and is a man of honor and tradition.
This is a new-to-me author and I can’t wait to read more of her work. Great tribute to my hometown and state. I highly recommend this wonderful new addition to the States of Love series! Come on a trip to the Willamette Valley and enjoy the fruits of the labor of our rich and fertile valley.
RATING: 
BUY LINKS:
[…] Hearts and Hazelnuts by Kris T. Bethke […]