It Seemed Like a Good Idea (Darling Springs 1) by Lauren Blakely-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 3, 2026

I don’t need a bodyguard—I run a small-town lavender farm, for bee’s sake. But when my identical twin sister lands the movie role of a lifetime that’s being shot in my hometown I get one anyway.

And guess which broody, tattooed protector the studio sends to keep the paparazzi off my porch?

Last month’s almost one-night stand.

The guy with the wicked mouth and heated eyes who slipped out before the fun even started. But turns out the sexy jerk is excellent at rescuing me from sneaky photographers at the market. Then the coffee shop. I’m trying hard to stay mad after the third time my new bodyguard saves me.

To top it all off, he’s staying in the cottage at my farm. With me. And there’s only one bed.

Maybe if we finally give in and finish what we started, it’ll relieve the tension? But one night quickly turns into another. Then into late-night secrets and soft confessions we shouldn’t say out loud. Especially since he’s leaving and I’m staying, and there’s no way we can be more than a summer romance that ends far too soon.

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REVIEW:IT SEEMED LIKED A GOOD IDEA is the first instalment in Lauren Blakely’s contemporary, adult DARLING SPRINGS erotic,romance series. This is former US marine turned bodyguard Banks Kendrick, and lavender farmer Ripley Addison’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Banks and Ripley) IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA focuses on the building romance and forbidden relationship between our story line couple. Weeks earlier Ripley Addison was ghosted by her almost one-night stand, and in the ensuing aftermath Ripley would discover that her identical twin sister, Hollywood star Haven Addison hired a personal security guard for our story line heroine in the face of potential stalking and mistaken identity. Enter Ripley’s almost one-night stand, Apex Security co-owner Banks Kendrick, and the man with whom Ripley will fall in love. Offering up her home and lavender fields for the movie production, Ripley finds herself roommates with Banks Kendrick, and their forced proximity pushes our couple together. Determined to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love, Banks knows their time together will come to a close but our hero knows he has crossed a line when future contracts come into question.

The world building focuses on several intersecting pathways including the filming of a movie, the lavender fields and local townspeople, stars and starlets, production teams, and invasive paparazzi.

The relationship between Ripley and Banks begins as an almost one-night stand. Discovering Banks would be her person security for the foreseeable future, Ripley is determined to make his life miserable but discovers Banks is willing to accept everything and more. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic, language and text.

The secondar and supporting characters are dynamic and interesting. WE are introduce to Ripley’s sisters, actress Haven Addison, and their Grandmother Lila; actor Chris Carlisle; The Sweet Spot owner Katrina Goldstein; friends Chloe and Bridget; movie crew members Tabitha, Vega, and Banks’ business partner Dean, and local businessman Sawyer, and Monroe.

IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA is a story of family and relationships, friendships and acceptance, forgiveness and love. The slow building, character driven premise is detailed and entertaining; the romance is seductive; the characters are determined, and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Ripley

He’s touching me in some kind of slo-mo seduction. His fingers move to my jawline, the pads grazing along my face, then coming to a stop at my chin where he holds me. Roams his thumb right under my lower lip. Breathes out hard, full of wanting.

I am done.

“Just kiss me,” I whisper, already begging.

His lips curve up in the pleased grin of a man who holds the cards. “Patience,” he says, voice deep and in charge.

“I’m not feeling very patient,” I murmur.

“Good,” he says, a lion toying with his prey.

Pounce on me.

A #1 New York Times Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s hot, sweet and sexy. She lives in California with her family and has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than eighty times, and she’s sold more than 2 million books. In October she’ll release HARD WOOD, a sexy, standalone romantic comedy. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter! laurenblakely.com/newsletter

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