Beautiful Mess

Blossom Beach Series, Book 2

De: A. James

Narrado por: CJ Bloom, Alex Kydd

I’m pretty in pink dipped in sunshine and sweet Southern smiles.

He’s blue collar wrapped up in a gruff summer storm with a scowl.

He also happens to be my ex-boyfriend’s dad.

Not only is Conway Levine grumpy, arrogant, and entirely too handsome for his own good, with the salt and pepper scruff lining his sharp jawline and his thick, corded arms, but he also had a front row seat fourteen years ago to a drunken night so mortifying I can’t look him in the eye without feeling the shame all over again.

Living in a small town makes avoiding him impossible, even more when you add in the fact that his daughter is friends with mine.

When a little tardiness and a whole lot of bad luck lands me partnering with him at our children’s school, I’m certain I won’t survive. Before I know it, the dread from having to work with him turns into a burning desire impossible to ignore when his once stone cold demeanor shifts into longing, heated stares, and somehow, he knows all the right things to whisper in my ear to get under my skin…and my dress.

Between his filthy mouth and stifling need to devour me any chance he gets, the chemistry we share between the sheets quickly becomes something out of my wildest dreams.

Except Conway doesn’t do relationships, and I’m not built for casual. But I couldn’t quit him even if I tried.

When all is said and done, will I be able to protect my already tattered heart or will it end up shattered into a million beautiful, messy pieces?

©2025 Ashley James (P)2025 Ashley James

..Small-Town Spice with a Sharp Edge 🔥

Beautiful Mess delivers everything you want in a steamy small-town romance: forbidden heat, hilarious tension, and a couple that absolutely sizzles on the page. A. James blends sass and steam perfectly in this story about second chances, unexpected connections, and messy, beautiful love.

The Story
Grace is sunshine with a bite—an independent single mom running her own bakery, full of fire, grit, and Southern charm. She never expected to fall for anyone, let alone Conway Levine…her ex’s dad.

He's broody, blue-collar, and built like a stormcloud with a filthy mouth—and once life throws them together at their kids’ school, sparks fly in every direction. Between their undeniable chemistry, whispered filth, and very off-limits history, resisting each other becomes impossible.

But while Grace wants more, Conway claims he doesn’t do commitment. The question is—when it stops being casual, will he fight for her… or break what’s left of her heart?

Tropes You’ll Love:
✔ Age Gap
✔ Ex’s Dad
✔ Single Parent x Single Parent
✔ Grumpy/Sunshine
✔ Small Town Romance
✔ Forced Proximity (school project)
✔ Slow Burn Turned Scorching
✔ Secret Relationship
✔ Dirty Talk & Spicy Scenes
✔ She Fell First (but he fell harder)

Final Thoughts
If you’re into dominant MMCs, fiery FMCs, and forbidden age-gap spice wrapped in small-town chaos—Beautiful Mess will deliver and then some.

Lack of storyline

I did not like his referring to her as if she were a child and her calling him “Daddy” ! Conjured up in appropriate connection!!! ….. maybe because of current environment created by the pedophile in the WH!!!!

So Good!

I am a big fan of A James writing. She is a new to me author. This is the 2nd book of hers I've listened to and I have enjoyed both a lot. Although, I'm not an age-gap fan, and could've used a little less "daddy" talk, this book ticks lots of boxes for me. Very spicy. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I really love Alex Kydd and his narration of the MMC... Yum! 🥵CJ Bloom isn't my favorite, but she is ok as the FMC as well.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Grace & Conway

Beautiful Mess is the second book in the Blossom Beach series. It follows Grace Astor and Conway Levine.

I am so happy to be back in Blossom Beach!! I ended up reading this book in a day because I could not put it down. I absolutely love a good single mom/single dad romance but throw in an age gap plus an ex-boyfriends dad and I am all in!!

Grace is a small-town bakery owner and a single mom. She is stubborn, sweet, sassy, and outgoing. Conway is a blue-collar man and a single dad. He is gruff, sweet, thoughtful, and dominant.

Fourteen years prior they had an incident that didn’t exactly go the way one would have hoped. This ended up causing them to avoid each other at all costs. But when they are paired together for their kid’s PTA they learn that their feelings for each other aren't exactly one-sided.

The chemistry between these two was intense in the best way due to their strong magnetic attraction for one another. Once they finally allowed themself to be together they were SO explosive!! I thought the mouth of that man was going to be the death of me. He was also the sweetest and made me swoon! I love that Grace knows her worth and isn’t afraid to go after what she wants.

I loved their story so much and I can’t wait to see what happens next in Blossom Beach!

You will enjoy this book if you like the following:
- Small town
- Age gap
- Single mom x single dad
- Grumpy x sunshine
- Ex-boyfriend’s dad
- Forced proximity
- She falls first/he falls harder
- Daddy kink

AMAZING

This is so good, and a grate sequel!!! I have to be honest was scared by the reviews I saw, but I’m so glad I gave it a chance. If you love age gap, family drama, and FMC with a lot of sass this is for you!!!!! 10/10 would 100% read again