Too many secrets. Too little talking to each other. Whole lot of talking at one another. 

I read a sample and didn't stop until I turned the last page. The romance between Cal and Millie Sue as well as the Bridgestone family dynamics–which I didn't expect to play a role in the story–kept me hooked.

My introduction to Cal wasn't at his best moment, but quickly learned there was a lot more to him than just that snapshot. While he is very successful as a country artist there is a lot he had to overcome from his childhood. Those tough times pushed him forward and away from his family and Millie Sue at the same time. Something happens that brings him back to Montana and the history of his family and Millie Sue.

Millie Sue also carries a lot of pain, one big part of which involves Cal, the man she loves and always will. She has accepted that they are not meant to be. When Cal comes back she expects him to leave again as soon as possible. Due to circumstances, he is staying for a while and it is hard to keep her heart close to the only one who has ever had it.

The progression of their romance and the reintegration of Cal back into his family felt organic–not rushed. I routed for them to work through their past and hopefully find a way to be together in the end. Millie Sue is feisty and Cal has a big presence and confidence. Their connection is authentic based on a real friendship growing up together that became more when they were older.

There was one secret that revealed itself at the end that I didn't feel needed to be added to the storyline. It still didn't change my enjoyment of the overall story.

It had been a while since I picked up a Juliana Stone book, and I was happy to find out she was releasing a new series, especially one set in a small town in Montana. I read her Bad Boys of Crystal Lake books years ago and loved those books and couldn’t wait to read Cover Me Up, the first book in The Bridgestones of Montana. 

I’m a sucker for Second Chance Romance storylines, and Juliana Stone did a beautiful job with Cal and Millie Sue’s story. My feelings were all over the place when reading their story and I loved not only getting to know Cal and Millie, but the other Bridgestone family members. 

I understood why Cal left his small town due to family drama, and he didn’t really want to come back, but he had to due to his older brother being badly injured. Cal knew he would have to step up and put his music career on hold temporarily, especially when it came to taking care of his niece, amongst other things. Cal is what I consider the typical famous star getting into things and having fun, but he’s not over the top like I expected. (I’ve read Rockstar Romances where they tend to be over the top and drive me crazy with their player ways). It was obvious once Cal returned home, he had feelings for his old flame, Millie Sue, and I loved how he was determined to win her over again.

I loved Millie Sue because she wasn’t going to let Cal just waltz back into her life. I adored her attitude and personality. She had made a life for herself, and she didn’t need him breaking her heart again. It was envitable for these two to rekindle their love for one another because it was hard for them to walk away from one another in the past. Even their friends and family knew these two would end up coming back together. The issue was if Cal would leave again because Millie Sue didn’t know if she could handle it. 

The book was paced perfectly, and I loved that I got both POVs because I felt both characters’ feelings for one another while reading the book. This book was hard to put down, especially once you find out the reason why these two went their separate ways. Whenever a book can make me feel so much for its characters and their story, it immediately becomes a favorite, especially when I find myself smiling and also crying for different reasons. Yes, I cried, especially at the end. 

Cover Me Up was an amazing start to Juliana’s new series, and I give it five stars. I’m so glad Juliana Stone is back, and I look forward to reading the rest of this series, plus whatever other book she decides to write in the future. 

Story Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Steam/Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Standalone or Part of Series: It’s part of the Bridgestones of Montana Series. 

Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you love reading Small Town Romance with Second Chance storylines, this is a must-read to add to your TBR.

Genre/SubGenre(s): Romance | Contemporary Romance

Trope(s)/Element(s): Small Town Romance | Second Chance | Celebrity/Country Singer Hero | Business Owner Heroine