I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Lemon Crush by R.G. Alexander on May 30, 2025
Genres: Best friend's little brother/sister, Blue Collar hero/heroine, Contemporary, Family & Relationships / Life Stages / Mid-Life, Family & Relationships / Love & Romance, Older/younger sibling's best friend, Romance, Seasoned Romance
Pages: 470
Format: ARC, eBook
Goodreads
When life gives you Lemons…shut up and drive.
August Retta
I’ve been mourning my mother’s death for over a year, but with an endless case of writer’s block about to slam up against my last deadline extension, something’s got to give. When my sister flies off on The Trip we were supposed to take together, I come up with a brilliant plan (or a mid-life crisis flavored s**t sandwich—jury’s still out) to put Mom’s backyard apartment up for rent. Then I’ll use the money to enter her VW in a wacky amateur car race, 24 Hours of Lemons, so that I can honor her memory and leave town on a high note. Because I am leaving town—again—and this time the fresh start will stick.Playing landlady to my childhood crush? Not part of the plan.
Wade Hudson
I’ve wanted August Retta for years, but the timing has never been right. Now the apartment is for rent, which means this is my last chance to answer that “What if?” question before August gets away for good. To get close to her, I’ll have to change my slow, methodical way of doing things and take a few more risks. If that means welcoming her to the racing team I’ve been the reluctant mechanic on for the last five years? So be it.Or maybe I need a better plan. With the Lemons race insanity, our invasive family and friends, and the Retta Rules in play? We might not make it to the finish line with both our hearts intact.
It has been a long time since I savored a book but from the first chapter of Lemon Crush by R.G. Alexander, I could tell that this book was something special. ~ Sharon – Simply Love Books
It has been a long time since I savored a book but from the first chapter of Lemon Crush by R.G. Alexander, I could tell that this book was something special. From the struggling August (Gus) to the well meaning but a bit overbearing Morgan, to the unflappable Gene, and the ever patient Wade; I was reeled in and as this messy, touching, wonderful, and perfect story unfolded I found a group of people I wanted as friends. I loved that all of these characters weren’t perfect, they had flaws, baggage, and somehow with excellent communication skills, a bit of luck, and a lot of love they managed to grow and help one another through life’s challenges.
While there is a romance in this book (a decades in the making romance between August and Wade and it was a fantastic one); this book is about the people in your life that are there for you in their own way through good times and bad. It is about family and friends that are like family that mold you into the person you become.
The last several years haven’t been good to August, but as she rekindles a friendship with Wade; she starts to see life a bit differently and figures out the perfect way to honor her mother’s memory. With the help of her friends and family; it becomes a reality and one her mom, Sam Retta, would have loved.
I don’t want to get into specifics of this story because I feel each reader needs to experience this book on their own. I will say that it has been a long time that I’ve read a book that I felt fully immersed in and one I immediately wanted to re-read. I’m also ready for the new books now.
These characters were well written, their story compelling, their emotions felt real, and the ending was perfection. Easily one of my favorite books of 2025, I recommend you add Lemon Crush to your TBR now!