A Venture of the Heart by Amelia Judd

Author: Amelia Judd
Publisher: Mitchell Davis Press LLC
Date of publication: January2017

Paxton Bennett walked away from a privileged upbringing to devote his life to La Vida de Ensueño, the socially responsible luxury resort he manages in Costa Rica. No way will Pax let a hotel chain swallow up La Vida and turn it into another lifeless clone. All he needs is a loan so he can match a buy-out offer. Unfortunately, every damn bank keeps saying no. He has one last hope--an on-site visit from a loan officer that he's sure he can impress...

Banker Sage Somerset doesn't want to see Pax Bennett across a busy coffee shop, let alone spend a week at a tropical resort with him. After their cringe-worthy last encounter, just hearing his name makes her blush or curse. Plus, there are snakes in Costa Rica. A lot of snakes! Determined to remain professional on her unwelcome assignment, Sage hopes she can survive a week in Pax's world...

But a quirky staff, meddlesome family, and the night-time visit of a tiny green gecko soon threaten to turn business into pleasure. Will Pax and Sage fight their troublesome chemistry? Or will they take a chance on the biggest venture of all--each other? 

A Venture of the Heart is a very sweet  debut novel by Ms. Judd.  It's a friends to lovers/second chance story about two people who finally take a chance of life outside of their comfort zone.  Paxton has made life in Costa Rica running a resort and wants to buy it from his business partner.   Sage has been a family friend for years.  She has to go down to check out the resort for her boss to see if it is worth the bank extending a loan.  Both find out the chemistry is still there, but can they fight it?

I really enjoyed the story  Really, my only complaint was that I felt like the story was a little too short. I wanted more of the story and of Paxton and Sage.  I loved watching Sage come out of her safe rigid self and discover the adventurous side of herself.  I also loved watching Pax realize that ti was OK to take a chance on love.  

The other characters really added a lot of flavor to the story.  I loved Pax's little family that he surrounded himself with at La Vida.  I know the next book, Crashing Together features Logan and Kat (Pax's sister).  I hope Brick gets a story in the future as well! I definitely recommend this debut,  I see a bright future for this author.