It Takes a Woman by Piper Sheldon

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Title: It Takes a Woman
Author: Piper Sheldon
Series: Scorned Women's Society #4
Published by: Smartypants Romance
Release Date: April 19, 2022
Format: eARC
Pages: 375
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Source: Smartypants Romance
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2022 COYER Spring
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ IndieBound ✩ Book Depository
My rating:

Blurb:

Just because she’s getting married doesn’t mean she’ll fall in love.

Unapologetic bombshell Gretchen LaRoe is happy to play matchmaker to everyone else content in knowing she once had true love. When the best friends of the Scorned Women’s Society take it upon themselves to interfere in Gretchen’s love life, they shouldn't be shocked to learn Gretchen already has a plan of her own. A jaw-dropping plan.

Part-time Green Valley resident and work-a-holic Vincent Debono has been living in a fog since the loss of his wife. With the birth of his great-niece he can’t shake the feeling that he’s ready for change. After a secret kiss with the unforgettable redhead who already plagued his thoughts, Vincent decides to leap into a new adventure.

These two have made a commitment to each other but won’t let their hearts get involved. How hard can it be?

‘It Takes a Woman’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #4 in the Scorned Women’s Society series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe.

My Review:

I received a free copy through Smartypants Romance in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.

4 stars — Honestly, the only reason this book isn’t rated higher from me is just my book mood I think.  I definitely enjoyed myself.

Vincent was a delightful softy, I truly loved him.  Sure, he was an idiot at certain moments, but still a loveable idiot.  And I guess I could understand the mistakes he made, and his heart was in the right place.  I loved the way he saw Gretchen, how he tried everything to make her happy and comfortable.  He had a truly big heart, and I think that’s one of the refreshing things about so many of the heroes in the SWS.

Gretchen could be frustrating at times, but I think I knew going in that she was going to frustrate me.  I did understand what her underlying issues were though, and I feel like even if I was frustrated, I got her.  I loved her big personality, her “shine”, her need to make sure the ones she loves are getting everything they deserve.  She could be blinded to herself, and she had a lot of fear and guilt mixing in with her grief, but her heart was in the right place.  She just needed someone with a balance of patience and persistence.  I loved her sense of style, and now I want to see if Ms. Sheldon has a Pinterest board, b/c I want to see these outfits.  I love that she’s so authentically herself in so many ways.  She has a big heart as well, she just guards it fiercely.

And they were pretty fun and kinky and adorable together.  I loved that they shared an understanding of having lost “the love of their lives”, and how that affected them.  It made it easier for them to understand one another.  But that wasn’t the only basis for their relationship (even if Gretchen tried to pretend it was).  I loved that you could absolutely feel their caring for one another.  And obviously they had some great chemistry, and some fun steamy scenes.

I love that with all of the SWS books we got to see them have their moments with Jethro.  It gave closure, not just to the girls, but to Jethro as well.

I think I was a bit bummed that this one wasn’t another retelling (at least that I could figure out), because I really enjoyed the subtle way she weaved those elements into her previous stories (even if occasionally they bugged me).  But it was still a solid romance no matter what.

All in all, this series surprised me with the variety in personalities of our main characters.