BUNS is the third in the Hudson Valley series by the effervescent Alice Clayton. The first two books had a relationship between the book title and the hero's occupation. NUTS featured a farmer who gave the heroine walnuts, and CREAM OF THE CROP featured an artisanal cheesemaker. Based on the title of BUNS, I expected out hero to be a baker. Clayton has shaken things up a little for this one, though. The hero runs a family resort hotel that is known for its hot cross buns, served every year at the hotel's fancy Easter dinner.

Alice Clayton writes zany books filled with over-the-top characters and laugh out loud moments. I don't think I would be brave enough to choose a Clayton book for a plane ride if I were feeling particularly introverted that day, because if reading a Clayton book in public, I'm going to get a lot of attention because I'll constantly be cackling madly. That being said, BUNS does not have quite the same level of puns and tongue in cheek dialogue that Clayton's other most recent offering have had, so if you're looking for sheer silly exuberance, start off with the first book in the series.

If you're looking for a solid enemies to lovers trope with big-hearted characters, BUNS is your book. Archie Bryant, the grumpy Catskills hotelier, and Clara Morgan, almost-partner in a Boston branding agency, butt heads from the get-go. When the sexual sparks stars to fly though, hoooo boy! I love how Clara finds not only the romantic love that she didn't know she was looking for, but also the family she's always craved. Their Happily Ever After is highly satisfying. Clayton delivers another fun and funny winner in BUNS.