by Alice Clayton
Series: Hudson Valley #2
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Heat Level:
Manhattan’s It Girl, Natalie Grayson, has it all: she’s a hot exec at a leading advertising firm, known industry-wide for her challenging and edgy campaigns. She’s got a large circle of friends, a family that loves her dearly, and her dance card is always full with handsome eligible bachelors. What else could a modern gal-about-town wish for? The answer, of course, is...cheese.
Natalie’s favorite part of each week is spending Saturday morning at the Union Square Farmer’s Market, where she indulges her love of all things triple cream. Her favorite booth also indulges her love of all things handsome. Oscar Mendoza, owner of the Bailey Falls Creamery and purveyor of the finest artisanal cheeses the Hudson Valley has to offer, is tall, dark, mysterious, and a bit oblivious. Or so she thinks. But that doesn’t stop Natalie from fantasizing about the size of his, ahem, milk can.
Romance is churning, passion is burning, and something incredible is rising to the top. Could it be...love?
Cream of the Crop by Alice Clayton is the second book in her deliciously funny and sexy Hudson Valley series. I absolutely loved snarky heroine Natalie Grayson, a size eighteen woman who is comfortable in her own skin. She exudes confidence and sexiness. Her witty, outgoing personality had me laughing aloud and cheering. Cream of the Crop delivered a funny romantic comedy with heart and character growth as city girl meets dairy farmer.
Coffee Dates with Cream of the Crop
- First Date: We met Natalie and Oscar in Nuts, the first Hudson Valley novel. Natalie is one of Roxie’s best friend and a total city girl. Oscar is a dairy farmer with long locks, and sleeve tattoos who left vibrant and confident Natalie tongue-tied when she encountered him at Union Square market selling her one true weakness CHEESE. She also has a running playlist of songs in her head and when she broke out with Brick House I fell in love with her. Right away, I knew we could be besties. Natalie is still tongue-tied but makes it a point to visit his stall every Saturday morning for Brie. She knows he is interested, but cannot seem to say anything around him but “Yes, Brie.” These encounters are hilarious. Natalie works for a PR firm and when a possible account for Bailey Falls opens up, Natalie jumps at the opportunity.Possible sighting of Oscar in his natural habitat yes please. I cannot wait to see what happens next.
- Second date: OMG…hilarious moments involving cows, puddles, rubber boots and barns ensue. Oscar is a man of few words and finesse is not a word I would associate with him, but lordy he is fine to look at. Natalie continues to amaze me with her confidence and once she and Oscar kiss her talkative, confident nature returns. Of course, things are not easy for a city girl and a farmer, whose overly friendly ex is not helping things. The chemistry between them is H-O-T and slowly building into something more.
- Third date: Time spent in New York City, getting to know the characters and shared moments of heat, laughter and time with friends. All of these moments made reading Cream of the Crop enjoyable. We have a little conflict, as Natalie must decide how much she is willing to compromise for love. Clayton mixes heart, humor and deliciously sexy moments into her stories. It was fun watching all the pieces fall into place as we see them make compromises.
Cream of the Crop was such a fun, refreshing, sweet, sexy and hilarious read. A must read for the beach or poolside.
Teaser
Hilarious and sexy Cream of the Crop by Alice Clayton delivered the perfect summer romance #review Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Jennifer
I LOVE Clayton’s writing style. I’m currently listening to the 2nd book in her Redheaded series. Once I’m done with that series I’ll have to wait for her next book.
Mandy
Great Review!!!!! I loved the first one and had no idea the second one had came out. I need to add it to my next amazon order. Thanks so much for sharing!!!!!
Candace
I read one of her books and it was freaking hilarious! A bit steamy for my taste but the humor made it all okay. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Ah, they do get steamy but the stories have substance and humor to balance it out.
lisa thomson
This sounds really fun. Sometimes fun and entertaining is all we require in a book with a splash of romance 🙂 Great review, Kim. I will also check out this author’s other titles.
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed this is the perfect summer beach read Lisa 🙂
Mary Kirkland
That does sound like a fun one.
kimbacaffeinate
It really is Mary 🙂
The Bibliophile Babe
I can’t wait to read this! It sounds like typical Alice Clayton (which is to say, hilarious and sexy), and I’m dying to meet Oscar, despite his less than sexy name.
Wow, that was shallow, haha!
kimbacaffeinate
LOL…yeah not a name I would pick but Clayton made it work 🙂
Leona
I really want to read this series!!! Audio or paperback, audio or paperback? Heck it don’t matter, I can’t wait to read this series! I love it when you do the dates breakdown of the books.
kimbacaffeinate
LOL I imagine these will be wonderful whatever the format!
Angela Adams
“OMG…hilarious moments involving cows, puddles, rubber boots and barns” — a good laugh is worth the read. Hope you’re feeling better today!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Angela. I am alive so that counts right? Sadly cold, infection is in my chest and I am struggling. Thanks for asking!
Melissa (Books and Things)
I have been wanting to read Nuts for a while now. Hm… this sounds like a good compliment. Love the sound of the chemistry *waggles eyebrows* and I do think I need to add it to the ol’ wishlist. 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Oh these are such fun….does your library have them? *raises eyebrow*
Kathy
Her books that I’ve read in the past have been so witty and enjoyable. I didn’t realize she had Cream of the Crop, but I also haven’t read the first in this series, either. Time. That dang calendar and clock work against me every book.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes if I could bottle time I would be rich. I hope you get to read both of them soon
Tonyalee
Oh man, NUTS was utter hilarious so I can imagine how this one is! I need it!!
kimbacaffeinate
YES..enjoy Tonya!
Melissa
This sounds like a great summer read and I’m really digging the idea of a confident non-size 2 MC! I’ll have to check this out. Do we need to read book 1?
kimbacaffeinate
Right..I loved how she owned every curve!
blodeuedd
I need to try her books
kimbacaffeinate
Yes you do…
LeKeisha
I think Natalie and her confidence is the best thing about this story. There are not many books out there that portray a confident, full figured woman and Clayton did a great job with this character. I loved it because It’s different from what we got with Roxie and Leo (my favorite couple), but it still shined with humor and sexiness. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
YES!!! I so agree, full-figured woman who are confident and don’t dress to hide their curves are awesome
Lily
Ahh I used to love Alice Clayton’s books but i just haven’t gotten around to reading her latest series.. I’m going to have to read NUTS and than jump into this one!
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you get to read Nuts and Cream of the Crop Lily..so much fun 🙂
kindlemom1
I’ve seen some good reviews for this, glad you enjoyed it as well Kim.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Ali, I hope your summer is going well 🙂 I look forward to seeing what you have been reading 🙂
Sophia Rose
I said it when I saw the reviews for Nuts, but then I was a slacker- I need to read this. 😉 They look so fun and great for after a stressful day.
kimbacaffeinate
Now you have two to enjoy and these are perfect vacation reads Sophia!
Laurel-Rain Snow
I have been eyeing this series since Nuts came out…and yours is the first review I’ve read. I did read a comment from another blogger that wasn’t favorable, but that blogger didn’t really give a reason that would steer me off. So I’m glad to read your review. Now I can tackle this one. Thanks!
kimbacaffeinate
I am glad. Reviews have been good, although I know some who couldn’t wrap their minds around a strong, confident full figure woman.
Lorna
I loved this one too although I have yet to read Nuts. My favorites by her are still The Redhead books with Wallbanger equal to them. But this one was a page turner and kept me laughing as well. Love her books and your Date reviews!
kimbacaffeinate
I loved Wallbanger and need to cactch up on her other series.
Katherine
This sounds fun! I’ve been wanting to read Nuts and this one sounds just as good. I love the idea of hilarity involving cows and puddles and barns. Plus, now I want brie!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh both are such fun and perfect summer reads Katherine. Ha..I love cheese too!!
Debbie Haupt
Ok Kim I so want to find out about puddles, cows, rubber boots etc.. Great review. Thanks
kimbacaffeinate
Hehe..happy reading 🙂
Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
I desperately need a romance with little angst and a lot of hilarity. I think I should start with the first book and read them both in a weekend. I really look forward to it. Rubber boots are always funny, I think. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I loved Nuts it was delightful. Enjoy them Maja!
Quinn's Book Nook
This book seems adorable! I love that Natalie is plus size. I have never read Alice Clayton but she’s been on my radar lately, and I think I have to read this one first!!!!!
kimbacaffeinate
This is a fun author and her books always have humor giving the reader fits of giggles
Braine
I so love AC’s sexy playfulness. With what’s happening around us right now, this is a great escape for me
kimbacaffeinate
Yes I would agree…perfect escape read 🙂
Nick
Great review, Kim. I tried this one but couldn’t get into it as I didn’t feel like the MC was a real representation of a plus-sized woman and I was bored quite a bit. I might pick it up later because perhaps it was my mood.
kimbacaffeinate
Aww I am sorry to hear that Nick. I have had the privilege of knowing two women in my life who embrace their size and own a room when they walk into it.