May is the one who introduced me to Lucy, and am I ever glad! Liars is the second book in a co-written series by these ladies called Licking Thicket. And yes, there is every single double entendre that you can possibly think of. And more. I highly recommend reading the first one, Fakers, even though the books don’t have to be read in order. But it’s just funny as fuck, especially since it concerns a festival with Lickin’ in the name.
Parrish has decided that he’s going to run his uncle’s new restaurant in Licking Thicket. He needs to get out of Memphis, and Licking Thicket is just what the doctor ordered. He is predictable, steady, dependable, and you can set your watch by him. Parrish always goes to work, and he works very hard. Even if he doesn’t necessarily need to be there. He’ss very dedicated. One day, he’s in the court house when he runs into a gorgeous man who is struggling with a young baby girl, who then pukes all over the guy. Parrish helps him out, and kinda tells him off in the bathroom too, and then finds out that the guy is there for a custody battle.
Diesel is at a loss. His sister died and left him as the guardian of her beautiful baby girl. He knows less than nothing about babies, but he knows that he loves this precious baby girl. He has to go to court because the rich family who adopted his sister are trying to take custody, and he isn’t going to let that happen. But, he’s not rich. He owns a salvage yard, and he found his attorney on the back of a bathroom door. So far, though, the judge appears to be on his side. But Diesel’s attorney tells him that there are a lot of things that would help him win his case, including being in a steady relationship. Up comes Parrish with an apology casserole and Diesel introduces him as his fiance.
This is really ridiculously funny. There are all kinds of jokes, double entendres, funny situations, and even a really bad first date with lots of talk about fishing. There are also fake fiances, apology baby baskets, and well-meaning friends. And chickens. Lots and lots of chickens.
Both of these guys have hard spots in their history that make it hard for them to want to help or trust someone, but they aren’t broken by those things, just a little bent around the edges. They are both truly loving, caring men who want to help others and to make sure that a beautiful little girl stays with the people who love her most and who are going to be able to care for her the best.
I really liked watching Diesel and Parrish’s relationship grow and watching them grow beyond their damage and into new people together. Their relationship turns them into someone who is better. Not that they were ever bad to begin with.
And I adore all the people of Licking Thicket and how they are all up in everyone’s business. The whole town really is a family, I think. A huge, very dysfunctional family.
Miss Sarabeth is about the most awesome person ever, and I’m pretty sure she’s a tricksy hobbitses too.
OK, that’s all for this one. Go check it out! Happy reading!
In Between the Pages 