Small Town Scandal: A Wingmen Novel

Small Town Scandal is yet another heartwarming read from Daisy Prescott. Knowing the Kelso reputation, I was completely floored at how much my heart skip a beat or two for Carter and how smitten I was right from the start. I felt his frustration at being the responsible one, the older brother who held his family together when things got rough. And I understood his heartache at losing his girl, his Ashley, and the fight he had on his hands in order to win her back.There is that smart humor that I simply adore sprinkled throughout this book. I was swooning at a heartfelt sentiment Carter conveyed one minute and then chuckling out loud at the one-liner he'd undoubtedly come up with next. His thoughts were the perfect counterbalance to Ashley's POV, which was often filled with self doubt and fierce comebacks to those on Whidbey Island who didn't always have the best opinion of her. But I really liked her spirit. Her determination to live her life the way she wanted, no matter what others may think of her. She is one tough cookie and is as fiery as her red hair. Getting inside her head a bit softened my opinion of her and how she handled things with Tom a few years back.This is such a charming story and I loved how effortlessly the words flowed. However, there are also some difficult moments from Carter's and Ashley's past that rear its ugly head and threaten a possible present and future. But when they are together, nothing can seemingly stop the love that has clearly been fated for both of them since they were young. Carter and Ashley have a chemistry that is undeniable and there was plenty of steam between them to prove it. Nothing and no one will get in the way this time around, or so they hope. But with the help from so many beloved characters we've all come to cherish from previous books in the series, these two get the much needed push in the right direction.There is something very special about this Wingmen story. I felt as if the author upped her game a bit and beautifully combined her signature wit with a sincerely tender second-chance romance that brought tears to my eyes more than once. Add to that a herd of adorable goats who steal the show more than once and you have one heck of a wonderful read.A clear winner and exceptional addition to this series, Small Town Scandal is a 5 star must read perfect for a summer day.

I always enjoy the work of Daisy Prescott, and this novel is no exception."Some things we grip so tight for so long we don't know how to stop. Even if it's an anchor, holding us back or dragging us down."This was one of my favorite quotes from the story, and one that reflects the tension in the plot very well. At the beginning of the story, we learn that Carter and Ashley are both too weighed down by their past to move forward in a happy, love-fulfilling way. This fabulous story is about their ability to slowly free themselves of misconceptions and come to terms with some painful memories...to eventually move forward in a way they both can find happiness. I really enjoyed getting to know this couple, but I was most touched by the discovery of Ashley's backstory, and I believe many women reading this novel will also feel a kindred kind of empathy for what her history holds. As woman, we often suffer severely harsh, misogynistic attitudes aimed towards the decisions we make in life, whereas the men are looked more kindly upon when they make those same decisions. The double standard is sickening, and Daisy Prescott makes some pretty compelling twists and turns in the plot regarding the way Ashley's past (her own and that of her family) ruthlessly chokes her within the framework of the small town/island life she continues to live in. It's a really moving story-line, and I loved how this author tackles the topics that come up and how this couple moves forward.I definitely recommend this book and all of Daisy Prescott's work!

Daisy Prescott's books are the perfect blend of in-depth, character-rich stories with humorous banter and situations, vibrant locales and memorable storytelling, and Small Town Scandal is no exception. The author weaves in an important life lesson throughout this beautiful, slow-burn romance, which actually, turns into something more - It's about how appearances and first impressions can be deceiving, and if we just take a minute to look under the surface, we find out the truth and so much more.Small Town Scandal is written in male POV, and Ms. Prescott excels at this storytelling feature, but this book is just as much the hero's as it is the heroine's. On the surface, Carter seems like a cocky self-assured guy with no worries, yet underneath that exterior, lies a man with a heart of gold who sacrifices for his family. At a first glance, Ashley is seen as the island Jezebel, but she's a smart, career woman who owns her sexuality. Both main characters hold their vulnerabilities close - Carter doesn't feel he is good enough for Ashley and Ashley uses her sexuality as a defense mechanism to keep out emotions. These two have a lot to rediscover about one another, and Ms. Prescott has created a patient, hero who sees and excepts Ashley as she is - a passionate woman with a heart of fire.The banter between Carter and Ashley is perfection. At first they are like are like porcupines when they are in the vicinity of each other - their quills come out ready to fight and defend, but gradually, layers are peeled away and the reader is able to see these two underneath their tough exteriors.This is the fifth installment in Ms. Prescott's Wingmen series and all of these books take place on Whidbey Island off the coast of Washington. I love how Ms. Prescott has made this island its own character in each of these books. I love settling down and taking another visit to this small-town island each time I pick up a book in this series. I enjoy seeing my favorite characters from previous books. The secondary relationships in this book are just as good as the romance. I love how close Erik and Carter are as brothers, how Dan gives out advice and how John is the peacemaker - all of these characters feel like old friends.Even though each book in the Wingmen series are interconnected, they each can be read as a standalone book. Ms. Prescott has created a deep, character-driven romance mixed in with just the right amount of humor to keep the reader smiling - I mean who doesn't smile when the main character is a goat herder? There is just enough conflict, though, that the story never feels weighs down or contrived. It's just right. It's a beautiful love story which shows that everyone deserves a second chance at life, love and happiness. I can't wait to see who is the focus of the next book in this series!