Review copy was received from Publicity team. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Totally Folked by Penny Reid Series: Modern Folktales #1
Published by Self-Published on July 20, 2021
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Format: eARC
Source: Publicity team
Goodreads
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Jackson James follows the rules. He has to. He’s a sheriff’s deputy in a super small town with a super big personality. However, strict adherence to the law during the day has been enjoyably balanced by rakish rules at night. Jackson, typically happy to protect and serve (and serve, and serve), starts questioning the value of wayward evenings when getting laid starts to feel more like being waylaid. Could it be that Green Valley’s most eligible—and notorious—bachelor longs for something (and someone) real?
Mega movie star Raquel Ezra follows only one rule: always leave them wanting more. Studio execs, reporters, audiences, fans, lovers—no one can get enough of the smart, savvy, and sexy bombshell. But when “generous offers” begin to feel more like excessive demands, years of always leaving has the elusive starlet longing for something (and perhaps someone) lasting.
When Raquel abruptly returns to the quirky Tennessee hamlet, her path crosses with the delectable deputy with whom she spent one unforgettable night. Unfortunately, scandal and intrigue soon follow. Raquel and Jackson must decide which is more important: following their rules? Or, at long last, finding something real.
I have loved every Winston Brothers series book and now we have a new spinoff series, the Modern Folktales. The characters featured are friends and sort of relations to the Winstons. It begins with Jackson James, the son of the sheriff and a sheriff’s deputy himself. Let me just say if you do something in a small town, everyone will remember it forever. Just ask Jethro or Jackson James.
Jackson James ends up connecting with Rae at Jethro and Sienna’s wedding. They really talk and get along. But Rae has just broken up with her cheating ex Harrison, and Jackson is in the process of reformation. Neither one has ever had a true relationship. But they have influences from their parents and the short term relationships they have had. They don’t see each other until about 5 years later.
Rae is unhappy with the “fake” in her life. Everything is fake and where is Rae? Who is Rae? She decamps to visit Sienna who is the most real person in the industry she knows. She wants to see Jackson. She has thought about him.
Jackson is trying to do the work to have a real relationship. So he has been courting his long-known friend, Charlotte. She works and has four kids and an interfering mother, so she has very little time. As the blurb indicates, both Rae and Jackson are looking for something real. Their efforts trying to find it without hurting anyone is a difficult but worthwhile process. Communication is SO important and their inexperience makes for some missteps. Even though they do a fairly good job of being honest with each other and caring about each other, not everything is smooth.
But what I loved is they have friends who support them and help them look at their misconceptions and help them grow into some emotional intelligence in a relationship. When Cletus and Jethro talk to Jackson, and Sienna and Dave talk to Rae, and Jackson talks to his Dad are my favorite parts of the Totally Folked. The emotional journey of these supporting and loving conversations are outstanding. Both Jackson and Rae needed perspective and their friends and family made sure they got it. Now I can’t wait for the next book because I hear it is about Charlotte!
Excerpt:
“Rae. It’s late.”
“I know, but—” “Rae,” he ground out, using my hold on his hand to bring us back to a stop. I faced him, my stomach erupting in uncertainty butterflies as I encountered the stern line of his jaw and the glittering, frustrated spark behind his eyes. “We need everyone to believe we’re just friends, right? And if we go inside the house, I don’t think I’m a good enough actor to pull that off.”
My mouth formed an O, and I released him, folding my arms over my chest while I wrestled with a strange combination of disappointment and pleasure at his words. I wanted to spend time with him, talk to him, get to know this mystery of a man so I could understand my feelings better. But . . . I conceded his point. We couldn’t seem to be around each other without kissing. Bringing him inside a dark, empty house in the middle of the night was something better left to my fantasies. For now. Oh really, inner voice? Now you’re impudent? Now?
He exhaled a short breath, it also sounded frustrated, but his tone was soft as he said, “Hey.” I placed a tight smile on my face, it was the best I could manage. “Hey.” Jackson seemed to be considering me, debating what to do next. He didn’t take too long. “Do you want to go for a drive?”
“Yes,” I said immediately. “Yes, I do. Let me grab a jacket.”
“Okay. I’ll wait here.” He shifted his weight to his back foot and hooked his thumbs in his jeans pockets. I wanted to take a picture of him like this, all handsome reluctance and sexy self-control. This man, he just did something to me. I couldn’t explain it. But maybe if we took this drive and spent some time together talking—just talking—I’d start to figure it out.
TOUR Giveaway:
To celebrate the release of Totally Folked, Penny has an incredible Giveaway!
Enter now for a chance to win a bundle of incredible signed books HERE
About Penny Reid
SEX! It all started with sex, between my parents. Personally I don’t like thinking about it, but whatever works for you is a-ok with me. No judgment. The sex happened in California and much of my life also occurred in that state until I moved from the land of nuts (almonds), wine, silicon… boobs, and heavy traffic to the southeast US.
Penny Reid is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Best Selling Author of the Winston Brothers, Knitting in the City, Rugby, and Hypothesis series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she just writes books. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.
By the wee hours of the morning or when I’m intoxicated I love to listen to the voices in my head and let them tell me stories. I hope you enjoy their stories.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
- Sunday Post – 19 January 2025 @caffeinatedreviewer.com @kimbacaffeinate @readingreality - January 19, 2025
- 🎧 Good Turn by Dervla McTiernan @DervlaMcTiernan#AoifeMcMahon @HarperAudio #LoveAudiobooks - January 18, 2025
- Read-along & #Giveaway:On the Edge by Ilona Andrews @ilonaandrews @ilonaandrews.bsky.social @reneeraudman @AceBooksPub @acebookspub.bsky.social @TantorAudio @tantoraudio.bsky.social #Read-along #GIVEAWAY @victoria7401.bsky.social - January 17, 2025
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- C21-Summer
I loved the Winston Brother’s series too. I can’t wait to read these and by read I men listen so I’m just waiting for the audios to come out.
This one is a total win in the outstanding growth of the relationship skills supported by friends and family. I really loved it.
I thought the cover looked familiar, I didn’t realize this was a spin off. Very cool, it sounds like a lot of fun!
I love how fun and humorous her books are but how they also get real about emotions, and personal growth.
Neat that the side characters are getting their stories. LOL, fun excerpt.
Yes it’s SO good.
This sounds so fun! I love that title, too. I really need to read more of Penny Reid very soon.
Her books are crack. She’s one of my favorites.
What a great review you have here hun. Its so fun when you enjoy a series and you get a spin off series to indulge in the world a bit more. What a unique title too. Color me intrigued haha
I love the way Penny Reid handles the relationship and personal growth. It’s so personal and emotional. Her books are an auto-read for me.
Oh yes I’m curious about this new series!
It’s off and running with a great start.
A new spinoff? I’m getting so behind. Wonderful review, Anne?
It’s a favorite author. I have to read everything she writes. The emotional tone seems real to me, and it is emotional.
Her books are so much fun! I need this one seeing your 5 stars. Off to request a copy from the library. I hope Joy Nash narrates!
I don’t think the audio is available just yet but it is definitely a winner.