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ks2_alwaysreading's review
2.0
Boring. Susan Mallery definitely matured as a writer since this book, in my opinion.
breezyrenee's review
2.0
I only read this book because the rebranded cover caught my attention. I hadn't realized it was written in the early 2000s.
That being said, this wasn't really my cup of tea. The two main characters gave me absolutely nothing but irritation. Ali is immature and doesn't know how to communicate. Matt doesn't know how to take "no" for an answer and is pushy.
To top it all off, there's an unexpected pregnancy at play. I decided to just skim the last 30% of the book to finish it.
That being said, this wasn't really my cup of tea. The two main characters gave me absolutely nothing but irritation. Ali is immature and doesn't know how to communicate. Matt doesn't know how to take "no" for an answer and is pushy.
To top it all off, there's an unexpected pregnancy at play. I decided to just skim the last 30% of the book to finish it.
charms1976's review
4.0
Whenever I need a feel good romance book, I always find myself turning to the books by Susan Mallery. The author never lets me down when I need a heart fluttering love story that ends with a happily ever after that we all love in a romance story.
Allison Thomas is the daughter of a famous movie star with a chocolate shop nestled in Saint Magdelana, California. She loves sharing her sweet creations with the town, and in the process helping those in need of a second chance in life. She has a big heart that has always been her downfall in relationships. She always seems to find men who need something instead of a relationship. When Matt Baker arrives at her store to do some construction, she finds herself trying to fix him as well. She can tell that something is haunting him from his past, but Matt is not the type to share it.
As the two work together on fixing her store room and other items on her to do list, we see each of them slowly do the dance of falling for each other and opening up about their pasts. Is the story predictable? Yes. Do we know that they are going to be a couple that has a happily ever after? Yes. What makes it enjoyable though is the story in between. Each of the characters have flaws that they need to work through before we get to that point, but in the end making it worth it for both of them. With a "small" surprise that enters the picture later in the book, it made it even more enjoyable.
I also enjoyed the secondary characters, and found myself wanting to learn more about them than the main characters at times. Rick, Ali's brother, was witty and full of laughter. I loved how he was always there to cheer Ali up when she needed it. Charlotte Elizabeth--Ali's mother--was an enigma of her own with a pudgy pig as a pet that she treated like a child. Every time she showed up with Miss Sylvie in tow, I laughed with the mental image the author created!
While this isn't one of my favorite books by this author, it is a book I would reread again for that feel good moment we enjoy in reading romance books. Another great read by a fabulous author who never lets me down!
Allison Thomas is the daughter of a famous movie star with a chocolate shop nestled in Saint Magdelana, California. She loves sharing her sweet creations with the town, and in the process helping those in need of a second chance in life. She has a big heart that has always been her downfall in relationships. She always seems to find men who need something instead of a relationship. When Matt Baker arrives at her store to do some construction, she finds herself trying to fix him as well. She can tell that something is haunting him from his past, but Matt is not the type to share it.
As the two work together on fixing her store room and other items on her to do list, we see each of them slowly do the dance of falling for each other and opening up about their pasts. Is the story predictable? Yes. Do we know that they are going to be a couple that has a happily ever after? Yes. What makes it enjoyable though is the story in between. Each of the characters have flaws that they need to work through before we get to that point, but in the end making it worth it for both of them. With a "small" surprise that enters the picture later in the book, it made it even more enjoyable.
I also enjoyed the secondary characters, and found myself wanting to learn more about them than the main characters at times. Rick, Ali's brother, was witty and full of laughter. I loved how he was always there to cheer Ali up when she needed it. Charlotte Elizabeth--Ali's mother--was an enigma of her own with a pudgy pig as a pet that she treated like a child. Every time she showed up with Miss Sylvie in tow, I laughed with the mental image the author created!
While this isn't one of my favorite books by this author, it is a book I would reread again for that feel good moment we enjoy in reading romance books. Another great read by a fabulous author who never lets me down!
lyssadsmith's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Oy. My least favorite trope.
goblue's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
iread2much's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
leahkarge's review
4.0
Susan Mallery is one of my favorite writers, and definitely one of my favorite contemporary romance writers. I almost always enjoy her books to the point of constantly having a smile on my face or laughing over something. (I say almost because there has been one or two that weren't my favorites.) Sometimes the stories are a little cliché, sometimes they aren't, but no matter what, I love them. And Sweet Success was a delightful read.
I enjoyed the characters of Matt and Ali immensely, and I thought that they fit well together--first as friends, second as lovers. Sure, they had their conflicts, but what relationship doesn't? And! As a plus, I didn't hate them at any time in the book! (That seems to have been happening to me a lot recently.) I liked Rick, Harry, Kasey, Willie, Sara, and Charlotte Elizabeth (with Miss Sylvie). All these wonderful side characters added more warmth and depth to the book, making it all the more enjoyable.
Not that it was actually in any question, but I will definitely be reading more of Susan Mallery's books. She's just too awesome to pass up!
I enjoyed the characters of Matt and Ali immensely, and I thought that they fit well together--first as friends, second as lovers. Sure, they had their conflicts, but what relationship doesn't? And! As a plus, I didn't hate them at any time in the book! (That seems to have been happening to me a lot recently.) I liked Rick, Harry, Kasey, Willie, Sara, and Charlotte Elizabeth (with Miss Sylvie). All these wonderful side characters added more warmth and depth to the book, making it all the more enjoyable.
Not that it was actually in any question, but I will definitely be reading more of Susan Mallery's books. She's just too awesome to pass up!
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