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malice1865's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
lmrivas54's review against another edition
4.0
Hayley started a new job at the Busy Bean, a coffee shop in her hometown of Colebury. She’s loving her job and is worried when their coffee sales are tanking. Determined to find out why, she sleuthed around until she found that a dingy diner is selling a fantastic coffee that tastes much better than the one they make at Busy Bean. She dived into their dumpster to find out the origin, found out they buy coffee grounds at Dark Horse Coffee Roasters in a nearby town and went there to get their business.
To her big surprise, she found her older sister’s ex-boyfriend, Daniel Beck, owns this coffee roasting business with his younger brother Sam. Daniel is openly hostile with her, and Hayley is not surprised because his breakup with Jess, her sister, was messy and hurtful.
Eventually Daniel realizes he can’t reject a new business opportunity when they’re starting out, so he goes to the Busy Bean and gets their business. And in so doing, he falls into Hayley’s sphere and realizes she’s the complete opposite of Jess’s crazy and chaotic personality.
“You’re smart, and you’re talented. You’re tenacious as hell. You know how to work hard, and you’re not afraid to go for what you want. And you’re funny, and so, so generous, and really good in bed.”
Hayley had a crush on Daniel when he was going out with Jess. Now that she’s older and he’s back in her life, her crush grows stronger but they have the obstacle of Daniel’s past relation with Jess and Jess’ emotional troubles.
I found the story moved slow at first but caught more speed as it developed and it got very intriguing as Hayley and Daniel got involved and the possible conflict about Jess got more entangled. I found Hayley and Daniel sweet and the story nice, but there were some holes in the story I’d liked to have read about, like the meeting of Jess and Daniel once she learns they’re together. Otherwise, a lovely story, just as the title is, a sweetheart of a book.
To her big surprise, she found her older sister’s ex-boyfriend, Daniel Beck, owns this coffee roasting business with his younger brother Sam. Daniel is openly hostile with her, and Hayley is not surprised because his breakup with Jess, her sister, was messy and hurtful.
Eventually Daniel realizes he can’t reject a new business opportunity when they’re starting out, so he goes to the Busy Bean and gets their business. And in so doing, he falls into Hayley’s sphere and realizes she’s the complete opposite of Jess’s crazy and chaotic personality.
“You’re smart, and you’re talented. You’re tenacious as hell. You know how to work hard, and you’re not afraid to go for what you want. And you’re funny, and so, so generous, and really good in bed.”
Hayley had a crush on Daniel when he was going out with Jess. Now that she’s older and he’s back in her life, her crush grows stronger but they have the obstacle of Daniel’s past relation with Jess and Jess’ emotional troubles.
I found the story moved slow at first but caught more speed as it developed and it got very intriguing as Hayley and Daniel got involved and the possible conflict about Jess got more entangled. I found Hayley and Daniel sweet and the story nice, but there were some holes in the story I’d liked to have read about, like the meeting of Jess and Daniel once she learns they’re together. Otherwise, a lovely story, just as the title is, a sweetheart of a book.
pagereader27's review against another edition
3.0
I read this in a day (part audiobook)
I enjoyed this story- I did find it a little weird but I like that the good guy gets the nice girl :)
it all got wrapped up quite quickly at the end. Not sure that’s how it would go in real life but that’s why it’s good this is fiction :) .
I enjoyed this story- I did find it a little weird but I like that the good guy gets the nice girl :)
it all got wrapped up quite quickly at the end. Not sure that’s how it would go in real life but that’s why it’s good this is fiction :) .
chelsea_jh's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
javalenciaph's review against another edition
4.0
Note: An ARC was provided by Heart Eyes Press.
I know that stories where one main character happens to be the ex of someone related to them is a no-go for some readers--although I don't have an issue with it--but I can honestly say that Sarah Mayberry did a great job weaving a romance that I believe would encourage those on the fence to give it a whirl. The main characters were highly likable, both of whom make a number of missteps as they try to maneuver their way around the proverbial elephant in the room: Haley's sister, aka Beck's ex. It was easy to understand why Beck came away from his relationship with Jess as traumatized as he was. And Haley, bless her, was someone who had this huge heart and always put everyone else before herself. I enjoyed their romance, and I appreciated how the Busy Bean became a prominent backdrop. I loved the cameo appearances from Sarina Bowen's original True North series. Sweetheart has gotten the Busy Bean series off to a fantastic start. 4.5 stars.
I know that stories where one main character happens to be the ex of someone related to them is a no-go for some readers--although I don't have an issue with it--but I can honestly say that Sarah Mayberry did a great job weaving a romance that I believe would encourage those on the fence to give it a whirl. The main characters were highly likable, both of whom make a number of missteps as they try to maneuver their way around the proverbial elephant in the room: Haley's sister, aka Beck's ex. It was easy to understand why Beck came away from his relationship with Jess as traumatized as he was. And Haley, bless her, was someone who had this huge heart and always put everyone else before herself. I enjoyed their romance, and I appreciated how the Busy Bean became a prominent backdrop. I loved the cameo appearances from Sarina Bowen's original True North series. Sweetheart has gotten the Busy Bean series off to a fantastic start. 4.5 stars.
mvbookreviewer's review against another edition
4.0
It has been a while since I last indulged in a romance from Sarah Mayberry, one of my favorite authors when it comes to exquisitely spun contemporary romances. The Busy Bean series is a multi-author series, the debut book of which is this installment.
26 year old Haley Elliot works at the Busy Bean as a barista-waitress. With rumors abound that there is a brand new roasted coffee supplier in town that is winning over the hearts of coffee lovers, it is none other than Daniel Beck, ex-boyfriend of her sister’s that she comes across in her quest to find the source. Haley had a massive crush on Daniel back in the day, something she had been keen to keep to herself, given how maladjusted and oversensitive her sister had been even back then.
Daniel wants nothing to do with the Elliot’s, the nightmare that his relationship with Haley’s sister being reason enough for him to avoid Haley at all and any cost. However, fate has other plans in store for the both of them, as an attraction that is as fierce as it is undeniable locks them both in a “fight” where resistance is futile.
Sweetheart is the kind of romance that is low on the angst factor with two characters who are mature and realistic in their approach to anything that happens between them. While Haley has crushed on Daniel for ages, she believes for the most part that it would remain an unrequited crush at best, that is until Daniel takes her in his arms and blows that theory to smithereens.
For Daniel, even though he would like to resist the pull he feels towards Haley at every turn, and to be honest, I would not have blamed him if he had done just that, he takes the time to come to the conclusion that between Haley and him lies something that he would like to pursue, even at the cost of running into his ex who had done a number on him.
Daniel’s discovery of all that is Haley and recognizing the beautiful and vulnerable soul she is, was the best part of this story. I loved Haley for everything she was – the obedient daughter who lived in the shadow of her beautiful sister who took the center-stage of their lives. Haley, who could not for all intents and purposes, celebrate who she is, her talents, and the kindness that is inherent when all is said and done. For Daniel to see all that and become her staunchest supporter, who was willing to stand by her and fight for her; that is the single most reason that I fell in love with Sweetheart.
Recommended for those who love a romance between two mature and well developed characters, who undoubtedly would steal your heart.
Final Verdict: Sweetheart; the word’s meaning resonates in its truest form within the story that unfolds; beautiful and soul-stirring in a way that steals your heart.
Rating = 4.5/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
26 year old Haley Elliot works at the Busy Bean as a barista-waitress. With rumors abound that there is a brand new roasted coffee supplier in town that is winning over the hearts of coffee lovers, it is none other than Daniel Beck, ex-boyfriend of her sister’s that she comes across in her quest to find the source. Haley had a massive crush on Daniel back in the day, something she had been keen to keep to herself, given how maladjusted and oversensitive her sister had been even back then.
Daniel wants nothing to do with the Elliot’s, the nightmare that his relationship with Haley’s sister being reason enough for him to avoid Haley at all and any cost. However, fate has other plans in store for the both of them, as an attraction that is as fierce as it is undeniable locks them both in a “fight” where resistance is futile.
Sweetheart is the kind of romance that is low on the angst factor with two characters who are mature and realistic in their approach to anything that happens between them. While Haley has crushed on Daniel for ages, she believes for the most part that it would remain an unrequited crush at best, that is until Daniel takes her in his arms and blows that theory to smithereens.
For Daniel, even though he would like to resist the pull he feels towards Haley at every turn, and to be honest, I would not have blamed him if he had done just that, he takes the time to come to the conclusion that between Haley and him lies something that he would like to pursue, even at the cost of running into his ex who had done a number on him.
Daniel’s discovery of all that is Haley and recognizing the beautiful and vulnerable soul she is, was the best part of this story. I loved Haley for everything she was – the obedient daughter who lived in the shadow of her beautiful sister who took the center-stage of their lives. Haley, who could not for all intents and purposes, celebrate who she is, her talents, and the kindness that is inherent when all is said and done. For Daniel to see all that and become her staunchest supporter, who was willing to stand by her and fight for her; that is the single most reason that I fell in love with Sweetheart.
Recommended for those who love a romance between two mature and well developed characters, who undoubtedly would steal your heart.
Final Verdict: Sweetheart; the word’s meaning resonates in its truest form within the story that unfolds; beautiful and soul-stirring in a way that steals your heart.
Rating = 4.5/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
634's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
It wasn’t what I expected going in based on the synopsis
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Suicide and Gaslighting
Minor: Physical abuse
patticorrea_ecbc's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderful! If this is just book 1 in this series, I cannot wait for the rest. I fell in love with this little town in Sarina Bowen's books, but Sarah just continues the love in this Busy Bean series with Sweetheart. I absolutely love the characters, and how some are brought in from the previous books. Such a great book.