ARC Review: ‘Beautiful Mess’ by A. James
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book from The Author Agency in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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Beautiful Mess
by Ashley JamesSeries: Blossom Beach #2
Published by Self-Published on May 12, 2025
SubGenres: Contemporary Romance
Format: eArc
Pages: 438
Source: The Author Agency
Audience: 18+/Adult
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I’m pretty in pink dipped in sunshine and sweet Southern smiles.
He’s blue collar wrapped up in a gruff summer storm with a scowl.
He also happens to be my ex-boyfriend’s dad.
Not only is Conway Levine grumpy, arrogant, and entirely too handsome for his own good, with the salt and pepper scruff lining his sharp jawline and his thick, corded arms, but he also had a front row seat fourteen years ago to a drunken night so mortifying I can’t look him in the eye without feeling the shame all over again.
Living in a small town makes avoiding him impossible, even more when you add in the fact that his daughter is friends with mine.
When a little tardiness and a whole lot of bad luck lands me partnering with him at our children’s school, I’m certain I won’t survive.
Before I know it, the dread from having to work with him turns into a burning desire impossible to ignore when his once stone cold demeanor shifts into longing, heated stares, and somehow, he knows all the right things to whisper in my ear to get under my skin… and my dress.
Between his filthy mouth and stifling need to devour me any chance he gets, the chemistry we share between the sheets quickly becomes something out of my wildest dreams.
Except Conway doesn’t do relationships, and I’m not built for casual.
But I couldn’t quit him even if I tried.
When all is said and done, will I be able to protect my already tattered heart or will it end up shattered into a million beautiful, messy pieces?
Beautiful Mess is the second book in the Blossom Beach series by A. James (Ashley James) and can be enjoyed as a standalone. One of my favorite tropes in romance is Age Gap Romance, and I really loved the Age Gap Romance between Grace and Conway in Beautiful Mess. I loved how these two were forced to work together on the PTA despite being complete opposites and initially not getting along. Conway was always punctual, while Grace was consistently late. Conway had a grumpy demeanor, whereas Grace was sunny and bubbly. They both were business owners, and if there is one thing I wish after reading this book is that Grace’s bakery was an actual real place so that I could try out her pastries, cakes, etc. They sounded delicious.
It will take some time for Grumpy Blue Collar Man and Sunshiney Baker to acknowledge their feelings for each other, but that doesn’t mean they won’t give in to the attraction right away. Their chemistry leads to some intense and heated moments that are really steamy to read. I loved the way these two connect. The best part is that Conway is going to show Grace the difference between a boy and a man, ensuring that she will never forget her time with him, unlike her experiences with Conway’s son or ex-husband.
I’m really glad that Grace’s relationship with Conway’s son didn’t work out. She needed to find her true love with his father instead, who treated her like a queen and knew how to take care of her in the bedroom. 😉 I also loved the Daddy Kink in this book and how these two had a hard time keeping their hands off each other, sometimes even in public places.
The only thing that bothered me was how Grace dealt with Conway’s son discovering her relationship with his father. While I understood her reasons for her actions, Conway handled the situation better than she did. He was determined not to give up on her or their relationship. The man truly loved her, and for the first time, Grace had someone who would prioritize her.
Overall, this was another wonderful installment in the Blossom Beach series, and I give it four stars. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series, especially after getting a sneak peek of the third book at the end of this one. I’m so glad I discovered A. James’s books through The Author Agency. Now, I’m eager to read her other books, as I know I’ll love them just as much.
What to Expect:
☀️Single Mother x Single Father
☀️Age Gap Romance
☀️Grumpy/Sunshine
☀️Forced Proximity
☀️Small Town Romance
☀️Blue Collar MMC x Baker FMC
☀️She Falls First/He Falls Harder
☀️Daddy Kink
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