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A review by jenn_readsbooks
Home Grown Talent by Joanna Chambers, Sally Malcolm
5.0
Home Grown Talent is the second book in the Creative Types series and focuses on self-absorbed influencer Mason Nash and Lewis Hunter’s big-hearted gardener brother, Owen. When Owen attends an award show as a guest at his brother’s table, producer Misty zeroes in on his “look” and insists that both he AND Mason need co-host a gardening slot on her popular weekend morning show, Weekend Wellness. Further to that, Misty informs Mason privately that he needs to create a believable fake romance that even Owen falls for. What happens when both the fake feelings and flirting lead to very real romance?
Mason is misunderstood and is getting tired of playing the influencer game. However, he has to help take care of is mom and sisters, so giving up and focusing on what he really wants isn’t possible. So, Mason keeps playing; using his looks, his social media and his spoiled brat-airheaded persona to keep up appearances.
Owen had to grow up quickly when his mom died. He stepped up and took care of Lewis, not realizing that he was building walls around himself to force his emotions to stay even keel. When the going gets tough, Owen shuts down. A blank slate that doesn’t have any issues that need to be faced or dealt with.
Owen has had a crush of sorts on Mason and Lewis – Mason’s ex-boyfriend in addition to Owen’s brother – tells Owen to get himself a bit of fun but not to expect anything else from Mason. Mason refers to him as St. Owen that martyrs himself to keep everyone else happy – and he doesn’t say it in a friendly way, either. When he’s suddenly on the receiving end of Owen’s goodness he realizes that perhaps St. Owen is for real and not just for show. However, Mason needs this opportunity and isn’t above a bit of flirting and guilt-tripping to get it. He drops his guard enough with Owen to convince him that Mason NEEDS this opportunity. Owen agrees to do it for Mason because that’s just who he is. Mason realizes that Owen sees more than anyone else, reads between Mason’s carefully crafted lines and gets under his skin in a way that nobody has before. He can’t be falling in love for real, can he?
When their will-they-or-won’t-they relationship explodes in a scandal, can Owen let his walls down to let Mason explain or will Mason be left alone holding his very real broken heart? Can Mason prove to Owen that his feelings weren’t just for show, or will the scandal ruin this budding romance? High-heat, workplace romance, fake dating, brother’s ex, friends-to-lovers and a HEA – Home Grown Talent is a beautiful story that has you rooting for the underdog.
I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy and, as always, my review is unpaid and honest.
[bc:Home Grown Talent|61211348|Home Grown Talent (Creative Types, #2)|Joanna Chambers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1654158489l/61211348._SY75_.jpg|96500902]
[a:Joanna Chambers|3080608|Joanna Chambers|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1604697730p2/3080608.jpg]
[a:Sally Malcolm|87308|Sally Malcolm|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1425308508p2/87308.jpg]
Mason is misunderstood and is getting tired of playing the influencer game. However, he has to help take care of is mom and sisters, so giving up and focusing on what he really wants isn’t possible. So, Mason keeps playing; using his looks, his social media and his spoiled brat-airheaded persona to keep up appearances.
Owen had to grow up quickly when his mom died. He stepped up and took care of Lewis, not realizing that he was building walls around himself to force his emotions to stay even keel. When the going gets tough, Owen shuts down. A blank slate that doesn’t have any issues that need to be faced or dealt with.
Owen has had a crush of sorts on Mason and Lewis – Mason’s ex-boyfriend in addition to Owen’s brother – tells Owen to get himself a bit of fun but not to expect anything else from Mason. Mason refers to him as St. Owen that martyrs himself to keep everyone else happy – and he doesn’t say it in a friendly way, either. When he’s suddenly on the receiving end of Owen’s goodness he realizes that perhaps St. Owen is for real and not just for show. However, Mason needs this opportunity and isn’t above a bit of flirting and guilt-tripping to get it. He drops his guard enough with Owen to convince him that Mason NEEDS this opportunity. Owen agrees to do it for Mason because that’s just who he is. Mason realizes that Owen sees more than anyone else, reads between Mason’s carefully crafted lines and gets under his skin in a way that nobody has before. He can’t be falling in love for real, can he?
When their will-they-or-won’t-they relationship explodes in a scandal, can Owen let his walls down to let Mason explain or will Mason be left alone holding his very real broken heart? Can Mason prove to Owen that his feelings weren’t just for show, or will the scandal ruin this budding romance? High-heat, workplace romance, fake dating, brother’s ex, friends-to-lovers and a HEA – Home Grown Talent is a beautiful story that has you rooting for the underdog.
I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy and, as always, my review is unpaid and honest.
[bc:Home Grown Talent|61211348|Home Grown Talent (Creative Types, #2)|Joanna Chambers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1654158489l/61211348._SY75_.jpg|96500902]
[a:Joanna Chambers|3080608|Joanna Chambers|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1604697730p2/3080608.jpg]
[a:Sally Malcolm|87308|Sally Malcolm|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1425308508p2/87308.jpg]