Julie Anne Long - Hot in Hellcat Canyon

A broken truck, a broken career, and a breakup heard around the world land superstar John Tennessee McCord in Hellcat Canyon. Legend has it that hearts come in two colors there: gold or black. And that you can find whatever you’re looking for, whether it’s love . . . or trouble. JT may have found both in waitress Britt Langley.
His looks might cause whiplash and weak knees, but Britt sees past JT’s rough edge and sexy drawl to a person a lot like her: in need of the kind of comfort best given hot and quick, with clothes off and the lights out.
Her wit is sharp but her eyes and heart—not to mention the rest of her—are soft, and JT is falling hard. But Britt has a secret as dark as the hills, and JT’s past is poised to invade their present. It’s up to the people of Hellcat Canyon to help make sure their future includes a happily ever after.

Comment: I had this book in the pile since 2016. The reason why is probably due to the fact I have loved the historical Pennyroyal series by the author. I knew a contemporary setting would mean different things, but I probably hoped to regain the same feelings the historical series had given me.

JT McCord is a talented actor whose career seems to always be linked with a famous TV series and the woman who got between him and his fellow co-actor in that series. JT is about to begin a new project near Hellcat Canyon, California, but before he gets anywhere, his car has problems and he needs to stop in the small town. That is how he gets to meet Britt, someone he feels very attracted to, which seems to be mutual, and someone who also challenges him to trust in love again.

Britt has had a terrible experience with her ex and she hasn't felt ready to go back to dating, but JT is something else and he will likely only stay for a while. It seemed simple for them to be together for a while, but what if they are actually perfect for each other?

In general, this was a good story, entertaining and captivating enough, and I liked the slightly amusing vibe and lighter tone in storytelling, even when it included emotions that required more pondering. I often thought this reminded me of other authors, like Susan Elizabeth Phillips, in terms of style and characterization, but there was always something missing to allow me to love it, like I have loved some of her historical novels.

The story is cute and very close to many others set in any small town America, with quirky characters  - or descriptions of them - and close communities, with people who look out for each other and situations that  seem to always find someone to help/to give advice/to impact one profoundly. I liked knowing these characters but, at the same time, perhaps because they looked like they were more an idealization than an actual character, I've not bonded deeply with any. 

The main characters made for a cute couple too, and their personal stories were easily recognizable, understood and rather predictable in what would lead them into being once they settled on becoming a couple. There is a certain flavor to this type of predictability and I did root for them and appreciated that they fell in love in such an adorable way. But I have also missed some more layers to them, or seeing how JT and Britt would do without the usual cliches.

The romance is more on the silly side than the romantic one, in my opinion. There are too many situations that are a little ridiculous or happen in ways that include secondary characters being part of way too many coincidences or circumstances that aren't very realistic. This does not mean they only do silly things, but I think the lack of more inner musings or self awareness in a way that was not always linked to a fun scene or fun emotion made their dynamics and relationship a bit too superficial.

I liked both JT and Britt as individuals, they have enough nuance to what they are portraying and I think their personalities are likable. I also could understand how their lives shaped them into who they are in this novel and there is enough about the whole journey that makes what happens in the book worthwhile. I did have a good experience reading this book but I will say that I did expect something more. I cannot explain exactly what, but yes, something was missing.

This was the first in a series but I don't think I'll read more. I mean, if I already had the books I would, but since I don't, I won't get them on purpose. Perhaps due to that something msising.

Grade: 7/10