Book Review: The Barista’s Guide to The Perfect Steam by Valerie Pepper

Perfect for romance and coffee lovers alike, “The Barista’s Guide to the Perfect Steam” delivers a latte full of sweetness, pining and just the right amount of steam.

The Barista’s Guide to The Perfect Steam by Valerie Pepper

Jodi Bristol knows three things for certain: bad things happen to good people; college girls order the most complicated coffee drinks; and Price Joseph will never see her as anything other than the barista who makes his vanilla oat-milk lattes.

Price has spent his entire life being known for his looks instead of his brains, and has conveniently managed to avoid any real responsibilities outside of his job as a Talladega firefighter. He even stumbled into modeling for romance covers-a fact he’s kept to himself. Now that he wants to move higher up the ranks at the fire station, he realizes his carefree living might have cost him.

When an electrical fire forces Jodi into the bed-and-breakfast Price hasn’t even opened yet, their newfound chemistry is enough to scorch everything it touches. She’s crushed on him for years. He wants to be more than a pretty face. Can they break free from their self-imposed restraints and find happiness together?

Book Review

Jodi Bristol knows three things for certain: bad things happen to good people; college girls order the most complicated coffee drinks; and Price Joseph will never see her as anything other than the barista who makes his vanilla oat-milk lattes.

Price has spent his entire life being known for his looks instead of his brains, and has conveniently managed to avoid any real responsibilities outside of his job as a Talladega firefighter. He even stumbled into modeling for romance covers-a fact he’s kept to himself. Now that he wants to move higher up the ranks at the fire station, he realizes his carefree living might have cost him.

When an electrical fire forces Jodi into the bed-and-breakfast Price hasn’t even opened yet, their newfound chemistry is enough to scorch everything it touches. She’s crushed on him for years. He wants to be more than a pretty face. Can they break free from their self-imposed restraints and find happiness together?

I received an advance review copy from @authorvaleriepepper for my honest review. I was drawn to this book because of my coffee addiction, the adorable cover and plus…forced proximity is just one of my all-time fave tropes!

The book is second in the Guided to Love Book Series, but reads as a stand-alone. I had no issues jumping right in and getting to know Jodi and Price.

And I loved BOTH of them! Jodi is a sweet, people-pleasing, driven young woman who started her own coffee shop. She’s supported by  a great group of girlfriends (always love that for a FMC), and a sassy barista-in-crime, Darius. Honestly the coffee shop backdrop is just swoon-worthy! I could talk about oat-milk lattes all day! 

Speaking of oat-milk lattes, Price is a hunk of hotness fire fighter who is often misunderstood in his small town and by his brothers alike. A “dose” of misfortune on Jodi’s part lands them together on an adorable (and steamy) guide to discovery. It’s a great story, has some great spice and characters you’ll fall for.

I loved it so much that I have already downloaded (Free on KU!) her first book in the series: The Widow’s Guide to Second Chances! Can’t wait for her next book—A Grump’s Guide to Chaos! Valerie is certainly an auto-buy author for me now. 

One hundred perfect recommend you buy it—out September 8th!

Read if you like:
💚 Enemies to Lovers
🩷 Forced Proximity
💚 Vampire Fandom
🩷 Multiple POV

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