I really wish Port Andrea were a real place I could visit. This is the fourth book Lily Seabrooke has set in the fictional city and while Fake It will always be my favorite, this is a close second. The story centers around Parker Ferris, a supporting character in Last Chance, the second book in the series. Parker finds herself in need of a roommate. Enter one very annoyingly cheerful Instagram influencer, Cassie Peterson. They battle Parker’s business rival together, while trying to avoid falling in love.

Parker owns a coffee supply business. One of her customers is the coffee shop where Cassie works. It’s not until after Cassie becomes Parker’s roommate does she learn that Cassie is an Instagram influencer. Parker is the grumpiest of the grumps and Cassie is sunshine personified. Cassie is also harboring a giant crush on Parker that she has had since they first met. She’s so far in the closet while Parker is out and proud. These two are polar opposites in every way.

Parker is adorable and knowing she would hate me calling her that makes me want to do it more. She’s one of those people who guards her heart by pretending not to care about anyone but it’s all an act. And it takes someone like Cassie, with her 5am yoga and sunny disposition to allow Parker to let a little of the snark go. Cassie is the kind of woman we all need in our lives. You can’t help but be drawn into her orbit.

As always from Lily Seabrooke, we are gifted with a fun, sexy and incredibly sweet read. Along with wonderfully charming characters, excluding Gary, who is literally the worst person ever, this book is sexy. Parker and Cassie have sizzling chemistry while but also make each other better people. It’s always a good day to visit Port Andrea.

An ARC was received from the author via Booksprout for an honest review.

Remington Bennett comes to Port Andrea to be an apprentice at a bakery for the summer in hopes of getting a permanent position. She is bisexual but is determined not to fall for a woman. That plan is tested as soon as she arrives in town and saves Dana Gallagher from falling at the train station. The next day Remi arrives for her first day of work and discovers the beautiful woman from the train station is her mentor. The more time the two spend together, the stronger their connection becomes, and Remi has to decide if she will stick to her plan or follow her heart.

Lily Seabrooke’s books make me happy. And what do we need more right now than something that brings a little happiness. Her characters are so likable you can’t help but want the very best for them. Dana is devoted to her career and isn’t looking to meet someone, which of course, is when the perfect person comes along. Where Dana is innovative as a chef, Remi is technical, where Dana is more serious, Remi is playful. They balance each other out and that makes the best partnership, in love and in the kitchen. Their path to happiness isn’t without complications to overcome, most of which comes from Remi’s fear of her family and their control over her life.

While I love Remi and Dana, my favorite thing about this book is I get more Avery Lindt from my favorite of Lily’s books, Fake It. Avery is not only one of my book crushes, she is Remi’s good friend and also her lesbian fairy god mother, doling out sage advice that she hopes will lead Remi to follow her heart straight to Dana. Avery is still loved up with her “hot celebrity girlfriend” Holly and wants her friend to find the same happiness. There are many memorable lines in this book but one of my favorites is Avery talking to Remi, “You like her, she likes you. Why not? We humans overcomplicate everything we do. The key to being happier is usually to do less, to stop questioning.” I think we could all stand to heed Avery’s advice. She is a wise woman with a hot celebrity girlfriend. 😉

Lily Seabrooke writes from her heart and it shows on every page. That is one of the things I love most about her writing, along with her ability to write witty banter.  A sense of humor is a vital way to deal with lifes ups and downs and it has gotten me through some very difficult times. Lily is so skilled at writing characters who deal with serious issues with humor.  The supporting cast also bring a lot of humor and heart into the story. Along with Avery, Dana’s sister, Serefina and Monica and Emmanuel from the bakery, you will have plenty of reasons to smile while reading this book.
I adore Lily Seabrooke and I adore this book. I highly recommend escaping life for a few hours by reading One Step at a Time.

An ARC was provided by the author via Booksprout for an honest review.