The Upper Crush

Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2024 Who doesn’t love an enemies-to-lovers rom-com? Especially one where the main character is a strong, independent woman who truly does not need a man in her life, but she falls for James Hunter Savage anyway…..opposites attract! With his reputation sullied in London, James returns home and takes a job as an event planner. His first task? Working one on one with Estelle, who is desperately trying to save her family home. Her plan? To host a festival on her parents’ property. They team up out of necessity and sparks fly. I give this book a 5 out of 5. Evie’s books truly never disappoint. They pull me in right away and they make me laugh out loud from beginning to end. Evie’s writing makes you believe in love and it makes you want to grab life by the reins and live each moment to the fullest. I absolutely love that every single one of her books can be read as a stand-alone OR as part of the series it’s from. All of her books are unique that way. This one is no exception. Another thing that is unique about Evie’s books is the ‘Sex Index.’ Who doesn’t want to know where all the steamiest best bits are? And let me tell you, this is THE steamiest book Evie has written thus far and I am all for it! She hit it out of the park again with this one and I hope that you all read it. I was hooked from the beginning with Highland Games and have read every single one of her books since. I have no doubt that rom-com lovers will be hooked as well.

This is the author’s third book in The Foxbrooke Series. It takes place in the small town of Somerset, England. It is a steamy romantic comedy. The two main characters, Estelle and James dislike each other. Well, Estelle does not like James. James has always had feelings for Estelle. The two are forced to work together planning a music and art festival at Foxbrooke Manor. I enjoyed the banter and sexual tension between Estelle and James. The two try to annoy each other and get under the other’s skin. Eventually that sexual tension explodes into some steamy encounters. Can people change for the better? Are first impressions always accurate? “I’ve got you, ….I’ll never let you fall.”

Rating 4/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Spice levels - 3/5 🌶️ The Upper Crush by Evie Alexander is #3 in the Foxbrooke series but as someone who hasn’t read the first 2 books (yet) I can gladly say this can definitely be read as a stand-alone! I slowly fell in love with Estelle and James and their distinct personalities really shine. Their chemistry had a nice build with an explosive ending! I also love the inclusion of an index with all the sexy scenes so you can reread or skip if you want! There wasn’t as many “country girl x City Boy” dynamic as I expected but that didn’t take away from the experience. The spice was excellent and the dual POV really adds to it! This book had me blushing all the way through! If you enjoy workplace romance enemies to lovers rom-coms you will definitely enjoy this book! I will definitely be going back and reading the first two books in this series and maybe rereading this again! Thanks so much to NetGalley for the ARC !

Even though this is the first book I read from this series, I had no troubles understanding the characters or the storyline. I think James is perfect for Estelle, he takes what she says with a grain of salt and knows what she says is not what she really means. I likes the amount of tension in the book, and how they opened up to each other only when they needed to prove themselves.

4.5 rounded up. This book had all of the funny quips ive come to expect from Evie Alexander, and as always, still has so much heart. With this latest installment in the Foxbrooke series we finally see Estelle win her HEA. The banter between James and Estelle is top notch, perfect for the enemies to lovers vibe. I adored the little jokes they play on each other to try and get under each others skin. The best part of this whole book though was seeing what was behind James Hunter Savage, seeing the insecurities, meeting his family, and finally getting an explanation as to why he is the way he is. And the spice, the spice was PERFECTION. I really liked how the first night they spent together was told through James’ POV. I feel like in romance books so many encounters are told through the woman’s perspective that it was refreshing and different to get the whole situation from the male POV. And it was HOT. And since we’re at Foxbrooke manor of course we get to interact with all our prior MCs and get peeks into their happy love lives, as well as glimpses and hints of future Foxbrooke romances. All your favorite characters make an appearance to come help out their favorite horse girl and her enemy turned nice guy pull off the festival to save the manor. Now this American needs to know if French Fancies are a real thing, and if so how to get some stateside. I was given an arc for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Wow, I could not put this down! I was not expecting this story, after all, James was quite the villain from the previous books. What a clever, clever storyteller knowing James could be redeemed. Their love story, although a slow burn, was worth every page. Their dynamic was amazing, with creative banter and steamy scenes. There is something special about someone who is a good person but has made some really bad choices, learning how to right those wrongs and move forward into love. I think it is probably a difficult thing to take a character that has created so much animosity and bring forth a story and a love from that, but this author has succeeded with great aplomb. I had so much fun with this book.

This was a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers/forced proximity novel. I liked the alternating perspectives, and I found it hard to hate James once I spent time in his head. I love how Evie writes such complex characters that are relatable but also make you want to shake them. The spice is melted beautifully with the humor and a pinch of drama. I love how easily this novel flowed and how the shenanigans never slowed for a second.

This book was a slow burn, enemies forced to work together in close proximity with fiery chemistry, witty banter and hysterical pranks. It was difficult to put down and not to become emotionally involved with Estelle and James and the outcome of the Foxbrooke festival. Because it is cleverly told via dual POV it becomes easier to like both Estelle and James despite each of their misperceptions about the other and hope for their HEA. Add in her adorable pups, obnoxious slippers, "gifts" to him and ridiculous pranks and the book is LOL funny. But once they give into their chemistry it is also "five red hot chili peppers" of steam worthy - oh my! It is part of a series, and although you don't need to read the other previous books to enjoy this story most of the family and friends do repeat, they help to set up the background of this book and they are also wonderful and available on KU if you have it. I can't wait for the next book in the series - Enjoy!

Ooooh this has been my favorite book of this series so far! The way I assumed I would never be able to like James was completely turned on its head. Estelle and JHS are just meant for each other. Evie, as always, had me dying laughing during so many parts. I loved getting to know these characters that we’ve seen on the side in the first two books. I also loved the roles the dogs had in this. Estelle is so fiery and James is just a secret sweetie. Gah! I can’t wait to read more from this family.

🌶️🌶️ Okay, I adored this book. I loved the way the layers were pulled back on each characters' outer shell that they presented the world to show their true selves. I loved the wit, the banter, and the spice. I loved the way they tried to irritate each other to only entertain the other most times. I have been wanting Estelle to find her HEA, and I can be the first to admit I didn't see these two pairing up. But it works. It works so well. ❤️Tropes❤️ 💋Enemies to Lovers 💋Forced Proximity 💋Secret Cinnamon Roll MMC Estelle has been working hard to make the festival she is planning at her family's estate a success, because they will be in financial trouble if it doesn't go well. She signed a contract with a local entertainment company to help plan and finance it, but they were bought out by someone else. Someone who renamed it BDE Entertainment. She walks in to find that the new owner is none other than James, the same guy who bullied her twin brother growing up, who stole his client and more. Too bad she's locked into an ironclad contract with him. And BDE? It stands for Big Energy. She's going to make him wish he never laid eyes on her, much less hold her to her contract.