It Takes Two

A Maple Glen Romance, Book 1

By: Christina Butrum

Narrated by: Lorana Hoopes

Length: 4 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

When Clayton is offered his family business, his initial excitement is weighed down by overwhelming worry. Keeping it in the family has always been his top priority. The only problem? He's a butcher, not a bookkeeper. Numbers were never his thing, but he's determined to make it work. That leaves him with only one choice: He'll have to learn the books or give up what he's always wanted. And there's no way he'll let that happen.

Unless Emmalee can find a job, she will have to forfeit her lifelong dream of living successfully in a quiet, friendly small town. The only problem? There's only one job available and it's not even remotely close to business management. But being a dog walker has its perks - like meeting a handsome butcher at the meat locker, for instance.

What happens when two ideas for one business threaten to take away what matters the most?

©2019 Christina Butrum (P)2020 Christina Butrum

Clayton and Emily’s story.

Fun story of Maple Glen. Clayton and Emily’s story has him sweating over the imminent retirement of his parents and him feeling unprepared to take over the butcher and deli shop. He meets Emily on her dog walking gig and is instantly attracted and her skills complement his own. He has back issues he has to deal with. Emily also has issues but there isn’t even a mention of them until the last third of the book. They probably should have been at least hinted at earlier. This is a “clean” book with nothing explicit but the bedroom scenes are hinted at.

Sweet, clean story

I was given a copy of this audio book for an honest review. This is book #1 in the Maple Glen romance series. This story is beautifully written, filled with emotion and bold characters who are unapologetic in their beliefs. Sparks fly from the get go with these two. Fantastic story by Christina Butrum and beautifully narrated by Lorana Hoopes. Highly recommend this series.

Sweet clean HEA

I really enjoyed this audiobook! The narrator did an excellent job distinguishing between the characters and she has a pleasant voice. The author did a great job developing the characters and drawing in the reader. The story flows nicely and I look forward to reading the next book.

Working it out

A lovely romantic story . It has twist and turns . Clay wants to take over the family business but doesn’t know how to manage the books. He meets Emily and sparks fly until his parents ask her to do the books. I received a ARC and recommend reading this book.

Sweet Romance

I enjoyed this sweet, clean romance between Emmalee and Clayton. I also enjoyed all the other characters in Maple Glen. The only thing I didn't feel was real was how quick they fell in love because it was so quick after they met and they really didn't even know each other yet. The narration was great with Lorana as it always is.

Cute story

I enjoyed the story, but really wished the author would have kept it Christian based... my personal preference. It was well written and characters are fun. Narrative was good.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

Small Town Romance

Emmalee was brave going to a new town without a job lined up because it looks like a nice small town to live in. Before I graduated college I had a full time job lined up and whenever I've been between jobs I've worried about getting another full-time one with benefits. I love dogs, but I wouldn't be strong enough to walk five dogs at once. She definitely got in over her head when she took that job. Clayton is supposed to take over his parents' business when they retire, but he doesn't have a good head for numbers. Emmalee has a degree is business management, but Clayton was pigheaded about wouldn't consider offering her a position because he wants to date her and won't mix business with pleasure. Well if Emmalee can't find steady work, she can't afford to stay in town. His parents meddle and make him see that they have happily loved and worked together successfully for many years and he could too. There were plenty of ups and downs in the small town romance. I laughed, smiled, and shook my head a few times. But Maple Glen sounds like a wonderful place to live where people care about each other and rally around to support each other.

The narrator, who is also an author, has a pleasant tone with voice changes and emotional inflections in all right place to keep me interested in listening to the story to the end.

Preferred later Books

I didn't start with book 1 in this series , but loved the sequels . This book took me a while to finish because I was not interested in this couple as much . That being said ,I still recommend this series because the other books are amazing .

Great, clean read

This is a cute story. Well developed characters that you can't help but love. Christina Butrum might be a new favorite author. Can't wait to read more by her.

it does take two

this was my first book with this author and I enjoyed her storyline. and it does take two to make a relationship work and even more so when you're in business together. Lorana Hoopes did a good job narrating.