This was a sweet, easy, fun read. It's not deep, it's not angsty, it's just...nice. Sometimes you need that, right?
There are some twists, some fun moments, some trials and tribulations but it's mostly just a lovely book.
If you are looking for an easy read and want a nice HEA, definitely grab this one! ( )

Maddy’s got everyone figured out — everyone except Lyle, that is. After failing to be accepted into medical school, she’s living in the Outer Banks, tending bar during tourist season, and studiously avoiding her parents while wasting time with her roommates. Most evenings find her behind the bar, where she’s made an art and a game out of determining the perfect drink for each new customer. The only one she can’t seem to get right is the drink for Lyle, whose music livens things up every Thursday night and leaves her wishing for more. Collin, however, is another story. A few years older than Maddy, and so much more certain about what he wants to do with his life, he’s not put off by Maddy’s countless rejections. And when she finally agrees to go out with him, there’s nothing to be disappointed about. Sure, she hasn’t exactly forgotten about the drink mystery that is Lyle, but Collin is thoughtful and often romantic, not to mention gentleman enough to take things slow. But is he the right one for her?

The Verdict...
Shaken Not Stirred launched a sneak attack on me. One moment I was reading along, perfectly content but not blown away, and then before I even realized it, I was hooked beyond measure. It’s a simple story, the journey of a girl undecided about life and men, but that’s where the perfection lies. There is no great damaging secret, no contrived drama, no sudden danger lurking around a dark corner. Where most contemporary romances thrown in huge cliffhangers and crazy plot twists to dial up the intensity, this story revels in the every day, in the simple normalcy of life that every woman can relate to. It’s the story of a not-entirely-confident girl and a not-entirely-perfect man stumbling their way through dating toward something wonderful. The more I think about it, the more I love it, and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. In fact, if this book is any indication of Alyssa Rose Ivy’s usual writing style, it looks like I have a looooong list of her books to get lost in! ( )