You absolutely won’t want to miss Alice Clayton’s latest masterpiece. Buns has all the laughs, tears, and jaw-dropping moments we’ve come to expect and treasure from the Hudson Valley series.

About ‘Buns’

Clara Morgan is living the dream, if you can call rebranding hotels that are desperate for a new life and running any kind of marathon a dream. Which she does. But the career she loves and the endurance races that keep her adrenaline pumping have kept her too busy to put down any roots. Growing up in foster care, she’s never been able to establish traditions of her own, which may be why she’s fascinated by the rituals that generations-old family resorts are known for. She’s especially interested in the Bryant Mountain House, and not just for their secret recipe for the yummy, gooey, can’t-get-enough-of Hot Cross Buns….

Archie Bryant, the man with the Buns, is fifth generation and one-day-owner of the charming yet run-down Bryant Mountain House in Bailey Falls, New York. He’s determined to save his family’s legacy from the wrecking ball the old-fashioned way—by gritting his teeth and doing what needs to be done. There’s no way Archie will be influenced by the new hotel branding expert his father brought in to turn one hundred and fifty years of tradition on its head just to attract a faster, younger, slicker crowd. But when some of Clara’s ideas start bringing in new, paying customers, Archie can’t deny that she may have just given him a shot at keeping his resort open.

It’s sticky, it’s messy, it’s sweet, it’s Buns.

‘Buns’ book review

There are few things in life that bring more joy to a dull work week than a new Alice Clayton book. The Hudson Valley series has become one of my all time favorites, and I am not sorry to say that Archie and Clara have stolen the top spot with their antics. Buns is my favorite book yet set in the idyllic small town of Bailey Falls, not just because of the growing cast of characters all showing up for this one, but because Archie and Clara bring something unique to the table that I just couldn’t bear to put down.

Archie and Clara are one hell of a pair. From the second Clara steps foot into Bryant Mountain House, it’s apparent that she and Archie were made to tickle and torment each other in equal measure. They do not disappoint. Watching their smirks, snarls, and smiles evolve as this story develops is not only a joy, but had me giggling and laughing out loud on more than one occasion (especially that speed skating reference *wink*).

What I love the most about this pair is that I, personally, didn’t immediately identify with either of their struggles. I was so invested in these two people finding happiness after all their strife that it didn’t matter that I couldn’t see any of my own issues reflected back at me from either Clara or Archie. Their chemistry leaps off the page and had me completely invested from the outset. The heart and heartache of this story celebrate the highs and lows of the human condition in all the best ways.

I was also captivated by Clara’s struggle to accept the family that long ago accepted her. It was beautiful to watch her discover the strength within herself not to let her past define her. She fought harder than anyone to believe she deserves love, and that is something that everyone can benefit from, even if the circumstances behind her initial disbelief may be somewhat foreign.

And while I definitely should have seen the final surprise of this story coming, I am so glad I didn’t. Buns delivered on all fronts, and it was nice to check in with all our favorite Alice Clayton characters.

I hope that this is far from the end of the Hudson Valley series, as this town, these characters, have become a family that I cannot wait to visit time after time after time. Whether it’s a chance to see Leo and Roxie navigating the latest development in their crazy life, or hearing Natalie find yet another way to work a reference to Oscar’s excellent bedroom behaviors into her not-so-polite manner of speaking, I am desperate to return again and again to this charming little hamlet.

And now, we can look forward to celebrating all the milestones and holidays with Archie’s buns, Oscar’s cheeses, and Leo’s nuts at the Bryant Mountain House.

Buns is available now! Grab your copy today from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or find an indie bookstore near you. Oh, and don’t forget to add it on Goodreads, too!