Swap and Smell the Roses by Karen Booth book review

This book was a fun small town romance. Main character, Willow, agrees to swap her NY city apartment with her best friend’s cottage rental in Connecticut. Bailey, the best friend, forgets to give Willow the keys and she has to as the grumpy landlord for a spare key. Reid is the grumpy landlord, doesn’t talk much, but is hot. I feel like their chemistry sparked right away, but Reid stubbornly held out because he is not up for meeting people or any entanglements whatsoever. The cottage that Willow is staying is a bit dated and she accidentally floods her space while doing laundry. This forces her to move into the big house with Reid. Both Reid and Willow are working to get over some grief and hardships. Willow is ready to give up on her music career, even though she is really talented. She gets a temporary job in a local bakery and quickly works her way into town life. Reid is the opposite. He returned home after suffering from burnout as a famous chef. He never wants to cook again and has been avoiding everyone from town. 

I loved both the characters. Willow is hard working and funny. Reid is hard working and grumpy on the surface. He seems to initially be annoyed by Willow’s spunk, but in reality she was really working through the emotional wall he built up. I like their interactions at the farmer’s market. I loved how Reid supported Willow. Readers will not be disappointed once their attraction finally explodes into something more. I was waiting for the spice and the author delivered! You’ll find yourself rooting for them and a happily ever after. It’s a fun quick read that will pull you in. Perfect for a relaxing weekend or a beach read. I thought the cover was really pretty. It reflected Willow’s city life and Reid’s passion for gardening. Super cute!