Isn't It Romantic?

The Tourist Attraction
Sarah Morganhaler
Series: Moose Springs, Alaska, #1
Age/Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads

When Graham Barnett named his diner The Tourist Trap, he meant it as a joke. Now he's stuck slinging reindeer dogs to an endless string of resort visitors who couldn't interest him less. Not even the sweet, enthusiastic tourist in the corner who blushes every time he looks her way…

Two weeks in Alaska isn't just the top item on Zoey Caldwell's bucket list. It's the whole bucket. One look at the mountain town of Moose Springs and she's smitten. But when an act of kindness brings Zoey into Graham's world, she may just find there's more to the man than meets the eye…and more to love in Moose Springs than just the Alaskan wilderness.

When I saw the description for this book, I knew it would be a hit for me. A rom-com set in Alaska with a grumpy hero. Yes, please! And, I am happy to say, Morganthaler combined these elements in a most wonderful and satisfying way.

Who?

• Graham - A reluctant diner owner, who detested tourists. 
• Zoey - A waitress, who saved every penny for over two years, and was finally on her dream vacation. 

What?

Though Graham was not fond of tourists, he found himself fighting an attraction to Zoey. However, he had to stick to his no tourists rule, since he was looking for something more permanent. But, he just couldn't see his future without her. 

Why?

What a wonderful debut! I had such a fantastic time getting to know the fine people of Moose Springs, and also, watching Graham and Zoey fall in love.

I have a good feeling about this entire series, because the first book was packed with characters I want to know better. Lana, the twins, and the various other business owners all caught my attention, but I will use this time to focus on the stars of this story - Zoey and Graham.

Graham was an interesting fellow. He seemed like a real grumpy Gus, but under his tourist repellant armor was a kind and affable guy with a heart of gold. Watching him interact with his fur-baby, his godsons, and Ulysses, the resident moose, showed what a softie he was. But, he was a complicated guy, with complicated feelings about his diner and its success. I didn't quite get it for most of the story, but he had this breakthrough towards the end, and I was happier for it.

Then, there was Zoey. There was nothing not to love about her. She was geeky, loyal, sweet, feisty, and adorable. Her wide-eyed enthusiasm for seeing everything Alaska had to offer was quite contagious. It was via Zoey, that we got to "see" so much of the beauty this state had to offer, and Morganthaler did a fantastic job painting the scenery for us.

I loved watching these getting to know each other. They broke down walls, and peeled away layers, finding someone, who were perfect for them. The way their romance unfolded and ramped up was believable, and I could feel the attraction between them. Sweet comments and snappy banter filled in the space between, and left me rather pleased with their courtship.

Obviously, I really enjoyed this book, but let's check those boxes!

✓ Grumpy hero
✓ Lovable heroine
✓ Fantastic fur-baby
✓ Beautiful scenery
✓ Undeniable chemistry
✓ Wacky townspeople
✓ Interesting local cuisine
✓ A randy moose
✓ Quaint town
✓ Chainsaw art
✓ Hijinks galore

I had an outstanding time reading The Tourist Attraction! Not only did I fall in love with Graham and Zoey, I fell in love with Moose Springs, and am very much looking forward to spending more time there.

Kiersten and I went on an Alaskan cruise a few years back, and I am telling you, Alaska is breathtaking. Kiersten had shared Sloth's Alaskan adventure, but here a few more pictures to enjoy.

Girl Gone Viral
Alisha Rai
Series: Modern Love, #2
Age/Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Avon
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Goodreads

In Alisha Rai’s second novel in her Modern Love series, a live-tweet event goes viral for a camera-shy ex-model, shoving her into the spotlight—and into the arms of the bodyguard she’d been pining for.

OMG! Wouldn’t it be adorable if he’s her soulmate???

I don’t see any wedding rings [eyes emoji]

Breaking: #CafeBae and #CuteCafeGirl went to the bathroom AT THE SAME TIME!!!

One minute, Katrina King’s enjoying an innocent conversation with a hot guy at a coffee shop; the next, a stranger has live-tweeted the entire episode with a romantic meet-cute spin and #CafeBae is the new hashtag-du-jour. The problem? Katrina craves a low-profile life, and going viral threatens the peaceful world she’s painstakingly built. Besides, #CafeBae isn’t the man she’s hungry for...

He’s got a [peach emoji] to die for.

With the internet on the hunt for the identity of #CuteCafeGirl, Jas Singh, bodyguard, friend, and possessor of the most beautiful eyebrows Katrina’s ever seen, comes to the rescue and whisks her away to his family’s home. Alone in a remote setting with the object of her affections? It’s a recipe for romance. But after a long dating dry spell, Katrina isn’t sure she can trust her instincts when it comes to love—even if Jas’ every look says he wants to be more than just her bodyguard…

Katrina had once lived her life in front of the camera, but became rather reclusive following a traumatic event. For the past few years, she had slowly been working through her severe anxiety via exposure therapy. During one such outing, a patron at a neighboring table live tweets the encounter between Katrina and "CafeBae", and of course it goes viral. In an effort to protect Katrina's privacy and make her feel safe again, her bodyguard, Jas, whisks her away to his family home. She was looking to feel safe and secure again, but now she must deal with her attraction to Jas, while they are stuck waiting for things to settle down.

I had previously read, and really enjoyed, the first book in this series, The Right Swipe. I adored the hero and heroine, and liked that Rai incorporated some real issues into the story. The streak continues, because once again, Rai has gifted me with a hero and heroine I couldn't help but love, while also incorporating timely topics in this wonderful slow burn romance.

Katrina was a sweet, wonderful, and caring person. She had to overcome so many terrible things from her past, and was sort of in hiding from some of those things. The possibility of being outed on social media due to her viral cafe encounter was terrifying, and I thought this was an interesting way to challenge those nosey tweeters. In this day and age of social media, I think we forget, that the people in those tweets are actually real humans. They are entitled to their privacy, and it's a story like this, which I hope will make some reflect on such trespasses, which are becoming more and more common.

Then, there was Jas. His affection and adoration for Katrina was so sweet, but this man was battling his past as well. He was a war veteran suffering from PTSD, and keeping it from his loved ones. However, he couldn't hide it from Katrina as they shared the small house on his family's property.

These two were phenomenal together. They had a decade of mutual longing, and I so wanted to see this "thing" happen. The way they understood and supported one another was a beautiful thing. I found it quite touching, when Jas talked Katrina though a panic attack, or when Katrina soothed Jas after a nightmare. I knew they would be ok, because they had each other.

It was great seeing these two grow from the viral experience as well. Their hands may have been forced, but both faced some of their biggest demons. They had to confront things from their past, and it was fantastic to see them come out on top.

Overall: A brilliant addition to the Modern Love series, which examined some serious issues with great sensitivity, while delivering a great and sexy slow burn romance.

**ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Favorite vacation spot?
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