REVIEW: Rhythm and Bluegrass by Molly Harper

In Rhythm and Bluegrass (Bluegrass #2) by Molly Harper, Cheerful multimedia art historian Bonnie Turkle is on a mission to save the the amazing artifacts housed within McBride’s Music Hall. But her trip to Mud Creek, Kentucky, is riddled with bad luck as soon as she crosses the town line. From vehicle issues to accommodation problems and everything in between, Bonnie’s optimism is put to the test.

‘…I’d had unrelenting optimism beaten into my central nervous system from birth. There were times when not trying to find the silver lining of a situation left me feeling nauseated and a little dizzy.’

The best part of the trip is when Bonnie meets Will McBride, who is the town’s current mayor. They have an instant spark of attraction and they love to tease each other mercilessly. Then they begin to butt heads over his family’s Music Hall. Before long, the whole town is in an uproar over Bonnie’s plans and the quirky townspeople choose sides. Unfortunately, although Bonnie and Will are barely speaking, their hormones haven’t figured that out yet and they have to find a way to compromise in both business and matters of the heart.

“I can’t deal with ya when you’re lookin’ up at me with those freakishly large eyes. It’s like being sexually harassed by an anime character.”

Rhythm and Bluegrass is a sweet and sassy Contemporary Romance by one of my favorite authors, Molly Harper. This is book two in the Bluegrass series centering on the employees of the Kentucky Commission of Tourism. Specifically on one Miss Bonnie Turkle.

‘It was absolutely bizarre that I missed seeing someone who had teased me, berated me, and tattled on me to my boss.”

I am happy to say that this novel was filled with Molly’s signature writing style using sarcasm, witty and extremely comical banter, and A LOT of sexual tension. She is a very quotable author which made it difficult for me to choose what to share with you all! 😉 Mud Creek is a quirky town with even quirkier townspeople to meet. And there were of course many references to local Southern lore and traditions, one especially that I confess to looking up online: Burgoo. Who knew???

Bonnie and Will were sweet together and started off as friends with some serious chemistry, then on to frenemies, then back where they started again. Their romance is certainly a slow burn. But given the enormity of the challenge they were facing it seemed right for the situation. Don’t worry though. There are some stolen naughty, sexy moments between them that are definitely worth the wait.

“What are we doing?” I asked.
He murmured against my lips, “Something stupid.”
“Well, as long as we’re on the same page.”

I highly, highly recommend checking out Rhythm and Bluegrass. Whether or not you are already a fan of Molly Harper’s, I think you’ll fall in love with Mud Creek and it’s offbeat citizens just like I did.

Book Info:

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Publication: October 7th 2013 by Pocket Star | (Bluegrass #2)

Bonnie Turkle, multimedia historian for the Kentucky Commission of Tourism, is dispatched to Mud Creek, a tiny eastern Kentucky town, with few prospects but many oddballs, to rescue important artifacts from McBride’s Music Hall. Now fallen beyond disrepair, McBride’s was once a jewel of the early American music scene, an intersection of the country-western and rhythm and blues circuits. The former owner’s grandson, Will McBride, who also happens to be Mud Creek’s esteemed mayor, would like nothing more than to see the place bull-dozed in favor of a factory that will provide much-needed jobs to his citizens. But Bonnie finds evidence of a legendary musical event at the music hall and her plans to turn it into a museum put Mud Creek’s economic future at risk – not to mention the growing flirtation between the two of them. If Will and Bonnie can’t find common ground, the town’s past and future will be lost.