Barking Up the Wrong Tree (Sex and Sweet Tea #3)

I’ve been making my way through this series one book at a time. Like the previous two books, I really enjoyed this one. This review is going to be short and sweet, just like the book.

I really enjoyed reading Laken and Jake’s story. While I know each sibling’s story is going to be packed with fun, I was looking forward to reading Laken’s story. She’s a bit closed off, yet a little bit of a firecracker too. Her character doesn’t do relationships or attachments. Jake’s character is the perfect character to sweep her off her feet.

I breezed through this fun, light-hearted story. Although there were a couple of heavy moments with Pap, this book had me giggling and chuckling throughtout.

Although this series follows different main characters in each book, I do suggest reading them in order. They do follow a timeline, even though they are separate stories.

My audio book review of the week s Barking up the Wrong Tree by Juliette Poe (Sawyer Bennett), narrated by Stephen Dexter, Alexander Cendese, Noelle Bridges, Aiden Snow. I am a major fan of this small town, family romance series created by Juliette Poe a.k.a. Sawyer Bennett. I love stories set in small towns my guess is because I come from a big city and the sometimes loving, sometimes nosey environment makes me feel good.

In Barking Up the Wrong Tree, the focus is Lakin Mancinkus one of the family twins. She is the local vet. Her love of animals drives her career, but her less than stellar business skills make the business side a challenge. Jake McDaniel purchases a farm in Whynot. This endeavor is going to be a challenge as he is an ex-football star turned business executive. He plans to run the farm remotely from Chicago. The story is told, primarily from Lakin and Jakes point of view. Pap continues with a few chapters from his point of view and Herman, Lakins dog gives his POV occasionally. It is all perfect.

Like the other books in the series, it is a fun, feel-good story that touches my heart. Whynot what an excellent name for a small town. Who knew there is a Whynot in North Carolina! The female characters are a good dose of funny, sarcasm, sassy, and loveable. Lakin is successful and a member of the tight-knit Mancinkus family. I love how this family pulls together to support one another.

Jake is a strong, sexy, hero. His success has him searching for a tax write-off, and the farm fit his requirements. His fumbling with his animals sets up many opportunities for a good laugh. His relationship as the pseudo-mother goat for Miss Goatakins is perfect. Jakes farming skills aside, he is the ideal hook-up for Lakin. She likes temporary, sexy nights and Jakes home base is in Chicago.

Grandfather Mancinkus returns. He is the patriarch of the family who is always available to give a listening ear and advice to his grandchildren. I love the chapters from his point of view. He has the wisdom of a grandfather and dishes out his counsel as a grandfather and bartender. Other family members wander through the story as well as the couple who will be the focus in the next book.

The audiobook is narrated by Stephen Dexter, Alexander Cendese, Noelle Bridges, Aiden Snow who appear in previous books. I like the continuity it brings to the series. The narrators do a good job bringing the characters to life. I enjoy their interpretation of the characters and events. I love that Herman, the dog has a narrator as well as Pap. We learn a lot from their perspective. Also,there isnt a lot of angst. I like that the characters act like adults and talk through most of their conflicts. I will purchase the next audio for this series. I recommend this book and the audio for anyone who needs a sweet escape. It is a deal with whispersync.

Nothing better than a guy and his goat. Yes you heard it right goat. That was the cutest thing ever imprinting on the big ex football player man. How does one start something with a small town vet why a goat emergency of course. Yes I keep mentioning the little kid because it’s focal point of everything. There’s a dog too and I can’t deny I love animals in stories.

City boy and small town girl, unlikely pair and they didn’t start out on the right foot but there was some definite chemistry. Jake maybe clueless about running a farm and is probably better at his business but with the help of a pretty vet he manages. He is a hard worker by nature which is great even better a genuine guy too. His reasons for the farm kills two birds and really he is trying to make it work. Laken knows her stuff and capable, helping when she can. Her vulnerable side is very relatable and she loves animals. Helps they get on fabulously too.

Laken and Jake weren’t meant too be more than casual with the long distance arrangement they have. Still that physical connection that’s slowly turning into more is getting evident. Laken may have gotten burned and now relationship shy and in denial of her feelings. Can she resist falling Jake the hunk and his persistence though? Maybe that effort and coaxing can pay off and win over the tough vet. Not right away of course Laken does do things her own way and of course the distance to overcome. They really seemed like a good fit despite all that the banter is great and easygoing relationship.

A light hearted, sweet visit back to Whynot is always a fun time. A bit fast though and left at a semi closure which probably will continue on.The usual cast of characters make it a delightful kind of read. Humor filled and low angst as always. We get set up for the future books as well. I’m enjoying this Southern set series from Juliette Poe she has writing and setting is just disarmingly good.

The closeness of a family and community a brilliant story that I couldn’t put down. With wondering what would happen.

Im on a run now with Juliette Poes Sex and Sweet Tea series and I have to say Ive enjoyed every minute of it. I was intrigued when I discovered this third book was about the Mancinkus twin who I knew the least about – Laken – but now after having read her story I think she just might be my favourite Mancinkus (excluding Paps of course). Her potential beau is Jake McDaniels – ex-NFL player, successful businessman and newbie farm owner. When his goats escape and Laken – Whynots resident veterinarian – offers to help out, there are definite and immediate sparks. But with Jakes life based in Chicago and Laken firmly rooted in Whynot is there even a point to seeing if a potential relationship could happen – especially when Laken has been burnt before???

Juliette manages to tell a super sexy, super sweet and super cute story with finesse, fun and lots of flirting. Again she includes Paps POV (and he has a starring role in this story that you will be desperate to read about!) and this time around we get the addition of Hermans POV as well. Who is Herman?? I wont spoil the surprise but I was shocked at first but grew to love the insights that Herman gave us.

Im lucky enough to not have to wait for Colt and Darbys book (both who we met properly in this book and it looks like another romance Im going to fall in love with!) as I won an ARC and Im looking forward to also reading the final book in this fabulous series when it releases later this year

nicandbooks
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