Only a Crush by Delancey Stewart is the second book in the Kasper Ridge series. While each book 
can be read as a standalone, I think they are better if they are read in order.
Archie Kasper (Ghost) and his sister have inherited Kasper Ridge Resort in Colorado along with clues to a hidden treasure from their eccentric great-uncle, Marvin. He and his sister have limited funds but are trying to renovate the resort with the help of his former Navy pilot friends. This is Annalee “Monroe” and Mateo’s story.
Monroe escaped the life her mother wanted for her and became a pilot. She avoids relationships and being tied down to one place but helping her friend rejuvenate his resort with their friends was satisfying. As the resort’s event planner, she was planning an early event for influencers to get publicity for the resort. One of the influencers wants to explore the property and camp at one of the rustic cabins several miles out so they need to assess their condition.
Single dad Mateo worked for the company renovating the resort, Kasper Ridge Construction. He was not interested in a relationship after his wife, who he still loved, died six years previously during childbirth. He was attracted to Monroe, but he had managed to keep his distance from her. At least he had until they needed to evaluate the cabins and got stranded there together during a snowstorm.
Mateo and Monroe had great chemistry together, but both avoided getting attached. Mateo felt like his wife’s death was his fault and his guilt has him focused on giving all his attention to raising his daughter Lily and his job. He thought he didn’t deserve to be happy in another relationship, so he tried to ignore the connection he felt to Monroe.
In the previous books, I didn’t think Monroe’s character stood out a lot but in this book her strength and independence really came out. She was strong enough to resist the life path her parents wanted her to go and find her own path in life, which was not an easy path either. She never planned on having a family so falling for Mateo made her reconsider her entire future.
I enjoyed seeing all the characters again and following along on their hunt for clues to the treasure. I loved how Lily (she was adorable) helped to solve the code for the treasure hunt. This has been an entertaining series and I really look forward to the next book for Brainiac.
Book Info:
Publication: August 2022 | Kindle Edition | Kasper Ridge #2
I’m the girl who defies expectations. The girl who’ll never stay inside that box you think will fit me.
And right now? I’m the girl working as event planner at my Navy pal’s mountain resort. We flew together in the Navy, and it feels right to be back with my squadron mates when they need help now.
But when I agreed to go check out some rustic backcountry cabins for the resort’s opening event, I didn’t plan on the so, so hot Mateo coming along with me. He’s a contractor at the resort, and he has this whole grumpy single dad widower thing going on… But since he’s got a kid, and family is the last thing I want, I’m staying far, far away.
Until we get stranded together in one of those cabins in a freak snowstorm.
And now? Staying away from him is the last thing I want to do. But he doesn’t fit my life plans any more than I fit his.
It’s a couple days (and insanely hot nights) in a cabin. Nothing else. I can do this. It’s only a crush, after all.
A full length standalone happily ever after with a mystery that runs through the whole Kasper Ridge series from USA Today bestseller Delancey Stewart.
