Sassy Blonde

4.25⭐ I have been eagerly awaiting this new series by Stacey Kennedy which is loosely connected to the brilliant Kinky Spurs series and brings readers back to the wonderful town of River Rock, Colorado and more specifically the Three Chicks Brewery. Where the three owners/sisters Maisie, Amelia, and Clara are introduced. And this story focuses on the youngest sister Maisie and Hayes her best friend Laurel's husband who has returned to River Rock after his wife's tragic murder; and it truly was a great read. That had lots of drama outside of Maisie and Hayes romance. As well as secrets, sweetness and heat, and the plot itself really kept me reading. Not to mention I found all the characters extremely engaging and interesting, especially the whimsical and joyous Maisie. And as starts to series go this really was a delightful one, and I'm excited to find out happens next. Would happily recommend. **I was kindly provided with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

Sassy Blonde is the first book in a new trilogy by Stacey Kennedy. We have returned to River Rock, Colorado where this trio of sisters has set out to follow through on the wishes of their recently deceased grandfather by getting their brewery, Three Chicks Brewery, off the ground. Maisie Carter is the youngest of the sisters and the least interested in the brewery. Her true love is art, but because this was something her grandfather wanted so badly, she wants to follow through and help her sisters. She suffered the loss of her best friend, Laurel, a couple of years before and it took her a long time to get her feet back under her, but she did so with the help of her sisters; another reason she doesn't want to let them, and the brewery, down. Hayes Taylor has moved back to River Rock following the murder of his wife Laurel. He and Laurel had moved to Denver so he could join the police department there and not work under his father, who is the chief in River Rock. After his wife's death, he decided he no longer could be in Denver nor be a cop. He's now working horses at the farm where he worked as a teenager and continuing to try to heal, but he's still haunted by Laurel's murder. Maisie played a huge role in getting Hayes to focus on living and not on his loss. They've always been friends due to their respective relationships with Laurel, but things are beginning to change for both of them. As they end up spending more time together they see one another in a different light. Can they make things work between them or will the past derail what they could have before it even starts? This was a great start to this new trilogy! I loved that we were back in a familiar place (for people who have read Kennedy's Kinky Spurs series) with some familiar faces. Both Maisie and Hayes were strong even though they were both a bit wounded. They were the perfect complement for one another and I liked how Kennedy worked through the things that could have caused issues for the couple. I'm really looking forward to the other books in this series. She certainly set up the next book very well and to say I want to see what happens is an understatement!

What a way to kick off a new series with Maisie and Hayes story, in the Three Chicks Brewery series. Maisie is the youngest of the three girls. They all live together and each has a role they play in the brewery business after their grandfather left it to them when he died. His wish was for the three to carry on his brewing. Clare the oldest has the business head and runs things from that aspect, Em is the brewmaster and her thing is experimenting with just the right ingredients and Maisie? Well Maisie has a rough time with fitting in. Her heart lies in art, not in the brewery and while her art talent comes in handy, she's really at loose ends. And very afraid to fail. Especially now she's been taxed with the mission of taking the newest beer to three pivotal beer shows in their home state of Colorado. I loved Maisie, she's all heart and whimsey, gentle and kind and horribly afraid to mess up yet again. When Hayes is injured at his ranch and Maisie has a minor mishap, the two take off to make the rounds on the brewing circuit. Hayes doing the heavy work that Maisie can't. The fireworks between these two show early on, but the slow burn and simmer was delicious. I loved Hayes, he was Maisie's biggest cheerleader and problem solver. Even with his own problems, he treated Maisie like the star she was. It was torturous waiting for these two, something Ms Kennedy is all too good at with her writing. But when the ignition switch is hit, it's incendiary. And when a good time and a little mishap prevents them from making the last show, egad poor Maisie. And Hayes? Whew. Doesn't Stacey just love to leave me twisting in the wind and holding my breath to see what's going to happen and how the rest of the story will unfold. That ending! And nice to see Shep again. I cannot wait for Clare's story in book two. That little tease left me salivating, I absolutely need to read about Red and what makes that woman tick. (blows out long breath....) my thanks to Expresso book tours for the advanced copy of this stellar read!