REVIEW: A Higher Standard by E.F. Dodd

A Higher Standard by E.F. Dodd  is the classic enemies to lovers book the will keep the reader entertained from the first page to the last. If you enjoy strong female characters and hot strong willed male characters mixed with animals in need of help then this is the book for you.

Everest is a no-nonsense woman who has built her own successful horse rescue from the ground up. All she needs is her beloved animals, there is no time for love in her life. When the neighboring property is up for sale, she knows that it will be the perfect addition to help her expand her rescue. She just needs to convice the new developer that wants the property that it is meant for her. When she rushes over to help Gideon who is struggling to gain control of his runaway horse, he definitely doesn’t make the best first impression. When she realizes that he is the big time developer, she knows she is in a lot of trouble.

Gideon is a developer from Boston there to tour and buy the land next to Everest’s rescue and develop it into a new community. He is a man on a mission. He knows that women find him irresistable and when he meets Everest, he is under the mistaken idea that she will give him anything he wants.

But as they bicker, and try to out play each other, they begin to fall for each other. It is a battle of wills and of hearts to see who just might win the property, and maybe something more.

This is an amazing read that will have you laughing and crying and everything in between. Highly recommended as a great summer read.

Book Info:

Publication: May 16, 2023 | Sugar Beaver Books |

As one of Boston’s most eligible bachelors, real estate developer Gideon West has the golden touch. Both with the ladies – from Beacon Hill to Southie and all points in between – and every project he’s helmed for Standard Development. Everest’s life in her hometown of Mimosa revolves around one thing – the equine rescue she’s scrimped, saved and struggled to get off the ground since college. She appears to be the only one immune to the spell of the silver-tongued developer, but with each dimpled grin and blue-eyed glance, Everest can’t deny her immunity to his charm is waning. If she isn’t careful, Gideon might turn her carefully planned world upside down. Even worse is that maybe – just maybe – she wants him to