Raising the Bar
Best Traffic Stop Ever!
What do you get when a dirty-talking, swoony, intense, protective book boyfriend finally admits his true feelings for your down to earth, intelligent, sassy, new bestie heroine? Well, if you’re reading Raising the Bar by Stephanie Rose, you get a low angst, grumpy-sunshine, fake dating romance novel that feels like the best kind of comfort. It’s a book to settle in with and enjoy the company and the emotions. A warm hug on a page. A journey through new beginnings and love found and treasured. And it’s wonderful. But, it’s also so much more.
Because while Jude learns to breathe, trust, and love again after years of swearing off relationships, and Claudia learns that bad endings are the best ways to start fresh, readers get a steamy, heartfelt, small-town HEA worthy of swooning over. They also get a dash of suspense mixed into an external conflict that heightens the tension in the story and makes the climax that much more exciting, rewarding, and fulfilling. That little element is something new from Stephanie Rose and it fits the story and characters perfectly, adding another layer to their relationship and the story as a whole.
And while Claudia and Jude are remarkable characters in their own rights, both beautifully developed through authentic banter and engaging interactions, their story would not be complete without George. And I absolutely must mention George. Not only is he the perfect catalyst in the form of a supporting and supportive character, he’s the epitome of “the wisdom of the ages” Stephanie infuses so wonderfully into her books.
Raising the Bar brings readers back to Kelly Lakes, the setting for two other books by Stephanie Rose. And while that setting brings lovely reunions with characters from her other books, it also provides the perfect opportunity for a standalone romance infused with warmth and community and beautiful depth. Readers can jump right in to Raising the Bar, but once you’re part of Kelly Lakes, be prepared to want those other stories as well.
