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mnwild32's review
3.75
Nothing too unique, a twist on Romeo and Juliet. I didn't like the epilogue plot.
colleens_conclusions's review against another edition
2.0
I don't think I am a fan of the whole fake marriage thing for something to work out trope. It doesn't seem quite realistic to me. It wasn't my cup of tea. I liked the beginning how they tried to get along but then the fix came a bit sudden.
This book ended up being a two star rating because it was just ok. I lost interest early on. Thank you Netgalley and publishers for allowing chance to read and review.
This book ended up being a two star rating because it was just ok. I lost interest early on. Thank you Netgalley and publishers for allowing chance to read and review.
sherwoodreads's review against another edition
It's the Montagues and the Capulets in the restaurant biz--Tessa's family runs a French bakery that is barely holding on, next door to Leo's family's Italian restaurant, same deal. Tessa and Leo very soon find a way to communicate--he knows his father needs to upgrade the restaurant's image, and Tessa can't get her mother to let her expand into the desserts she wants to add to the bakery.
The two decide on a fake marriage. The reasons don't really hold up under scrutiny, but this is a fluffy romance, and the family members are fun, the interactions and pacing brisk and enjoyable . . . until the Dark Moment that too many romances seem to have to shove in. Most of these could be solved with thirty seconds of adult conversation, and even better, working together. I was disappointed in where this one went, but that over, the rest was lovely.
Copy provided by NetGalley
The two decide on a fake marriage. The reasons don't really hold up under scrutiny, but this is a fluffy romance, and the family members are fun, the interactions and pacing brisk and enjoyable . . . until the Dark Moment that too many romances seem to have to shove in. Most of these could be solved with thirty seconds of adult conversation, and even better, working together. I was disappointed in where this one went, but that over, the rest was lovely.
Copy provided by NetGalley
fdarlene491's review against another edition
5.0
I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an advance reader copy of this story.
I'm giving a, rare for me, 5 stars to The Sweetheart Deal. I enjoyed this story so much that I'm gushing. The characters are wonderful, the romance is lovely, and the secondary characters aren't really secondary so much as part of the flip side of it. When you mix romance with food and bread, well I'm all in. I was in no way disappointed. The author is new to me but I'm now on the lookout for more of her stories. This is labeled as Blossom Glen book 1 and I'm looking forward to book 2.
#TheSweetheartDeal #MirandaLiasson #Netgalley #Entangled: Amara #romance
I'm giving a, rare for me, 5 stars to The Sweetheart Deal. I enjoyed this story so much that I'm gushing. The characters are wonderful, the romance is lovely, and the secondary characters aren't really secondary so much as part of the flip side of it. When you mix romance with food and bread, well I'm all in. I was in no way disappointed. The author is new to me but I'm now on the lookout for more of her stories. This is labeled as Blossom Glen book 1 and I'm looking forward to book 2.
#TheSweetheartDeal #MirandaLiasson #Netgalley #Entangled: Amara #romance
desertlover's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 STARS
I am a huge fan of Larson and could not request this advanced copy fast enough. Overall, this was a promising start to a new series and inline with the feel good romance I anticipated. Larson is a master at small town, family centered romances, and this was no exception. Having went in blind, I was pleasantly surprised with the loose retelling of Romeo and Juliet. There was humor but also touching, heartfelt moments. My only complaint was the romance and love scenes were limited and not detailed. I assume this is a publishing issue, but I wanted more in-depth description with Leo and Tessa. I look forward to more from this world.
Thank you to Entangled/Amara and NetGalley for my advanced review copy.
I am a huge fan of Larson and could not request this advanced copy fast enough. Overall, this was a promising start to a new series and inline with the feel good romance I anticipated. Larson is a master at small town, family centered romances, and this was no exception. Having went in blind, I was pleasantly surprised with the loose retelling of Romeo and Juliet. There was humor but also touching, heartfelt moments. My only complaint was the romance and love scenes were limited and not detailed. I assume this is a publishing issue, but I wanted more in-depth description with Leo and Tessa. I look forward to more from this world.
Thank you to Entangled/Amara and NetGalley for my advanced review copy.
theeclecticreview's review against another edition
4.0
My first Miranda Liasson book is a delightful read. Her characters are witty and endearing and her setting is homey and warm.
Tessa Montgomery is a pastry chef who sacrificed her dreams after high school to take care of her family after losing her father and helping run the family business. Now the business is floundering and her fiance, Sam, dumped her for another woman. Stuck in a small town. Labeled as a spinster. It's enough to break anyone. Until the sexy hot "Leo the Legend" Castorini walks into her bakery and makes her an offer she can't refuse.
Leo Castorini is back from New York to help his father's restaurant succeed. All the restaurant needs is some new changes to go with the times, but Leo's dad isn't having it. His dad believes Leo needs to marry and settle down to boost their sales and then he would listen to his new ideas. So Leo offers a deal with the girl who broke his heart in high school. To marry and present a united front to their families and pitch an idea to save both of their families' businesses. But how do you convince two families who have been feuding for decades?
Yes, the idea is ridiculous to marry, move in together, and lie to your families, but it's a love story that will appeal to your heart. After all, desperation is a powerful motive and people have done much worse. I really like Leo's enthusiasm and optimism despite his reputation as a playboy. As a man who doesn't want to be tied down, he definitely embraces his new life with Tessa. He's attentive and supportive when Tessa needs it most and he truly cares about her well-being. Tessa is hilarious with her fantastic sense of humor and teasing jabs which Leo takes in stride. Her reveal about the scholarship Leo won in high school is heartbreaking and says a lot about her sweet and giving nature. She is very tentative about trusting Leo after Sam's betrayal, but how can you be mad at this man's gorgeous megawatt smile that seems to blow all the bad things out of the water. Of course, there is a secret that puts a crack in their new romance, but with love and forgiveness and wonderful support from family and friends, it truly is a HEA.
I love Tessa and Leo's family and friends. Though there was a feud between the elders in the families for years, Leo and Tessa did an excellent job working together as a team to make everything work out. In fact, the elders may have found some happiness as well.
I highly recommend this sweet and funny romance with yummy French and Italian food references and lovely family and friends. Another author to add to my TBR list.
Thank you to Ms. Liasson, Entangled Publishing, and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
Tessa Montgomery is a pastry chef who sacrificed her dreams after high school to take care of her family after losing her father and helping run the family business. Now the business is floundering and her fiance, Sam, dumped her for another woman. Stuck in a small town. Labeled as a spinster. It's enough to break anyone. Until the sexy hot "Leo the Legend" Castorini walks into her bakery and makes her an offer she can't refuse.
Leo Castorini is back from New York to help his father's restaurant succeed. All the restaurant needs is some new changes to go with the times, but Leo's dad isn't having it. His dad believes Leo needs to marry and settle down to boost their sales and then he would listen to his new ideas. So Leo offers a deal with the girl who broke his heart in high school. To marry and present a united front to their families and pitch an idea to save both of their families' businesses. But how do you convince two families who have been feuding for decades?
Yes, the idea is ridiculous to marry, move in together, and lie to your families, but it's a love story that will appeal to your heart. After all, desperation is a powerful motive and people have done much worse. I really like Leo's enthusiasm and optimism despite his reputation as a playboy. As a man who doesn't want to be tied down, he definitely embraces his new life with Tessa. He's attentive and supportive when Tessa needs it most and he truly cares about her well-being. Tessa is hilarious with her fantastic sense of humor and teasing jabs which Leo takes in stride. Her reveal about the scholarship Leo won in high school is heartbreaking and says a lot about her sweet and giving nature. She is very tentative about trusting Leo after Sam's betrayal, but how can you be mad at this man's gorgeous megawatt smile that seems to blow all the bad things out of the water. Of course, there is a secret that puts a crack in their new romance, but with love and forgiveness and wonderful support from family and friends, it truly is a HEA.
I love Tessa and Leo's family and friends. Though there was a feud between the elders in the families for years, Leo and Tessa did an excellent job working together as a team to make everything work out. In fact, the elders may have found some happiness as well.
I highly recommend this sweet and funny romance with yummy French and Italian food references and lovely family and friends. Another author to add to my TBR list.
Thank you to Ms. Liasson, Entangled Publishing, and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
need_to_read's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jackelynvb's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.75
I loved this book! I loved all the fine wine and foodie themes - it made me hungry for a chocolate croissant multiple times throughout. It's also a nice book to read in the spring with all the flower, garden, and patio imagery. The sweet chemistry between the main characters was also swoonworthy. I would call Leo a cinnamon roll hero for sure, which is my favorite type of hero. I should also mention that while their kissing scenes are on the page, the spicy stuff is all closed doors. Still, a great cozy read I would recommend to anyone in the mood for an uplifting, foodie romance.
gailalison's review against another edition
3.0
This was a cute romance, but nothing too unique. I mostly liked both main characters and their chemistry together. I didn’t love the plot point in the epilogue (no spoilers).
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me access to this eARC for my honest opinion!
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me access to this eARC for my honest opinion!
apharr24's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-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