Reviews

What a wonderfully sweet and low angst romance. I love a good single dad story and Parker and Emily bring all the cuteness whilst Jason is working hard at being a newly single dad after divorcing his wife and trying to make enough money from baking pies to pay the bills. Nico is now running the family diner after a big health scare for his dad and is run off his feet whilst trying to think of ways to bring in more money. A helpful nudge from Emily and another member of staff at the diner puts Jason's pies on Nico's radar and the rest is history.
Their connection is immediate and, though time is tight for Jason with so much going on and his children being his main focus, I really enjoyed how they managed to get time together and Nico just effortlessly slides in to their family life. The big thing going for Nico in Jason's eyes is how much Parker and Emily love him. There are some hot and heated moments between the two men but the main thing for me was the family feel and how they both come together and help to make each other's lives better in every way.
It sounds like a good community of people and I'm looking forward to more from this author and series.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.

katts_bookworld's review

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emotional funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

booksjenrecs's review

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hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

Pies & Promises was an absolutely enjoyable MM single dad romance full of sweet treats and even sweeter heat.

The first book in the Heartcraft Market series, Pies & Promises served as a great introduction to the titular weekend market that will tie all the books together, as well as some of the characters that will all get their turn in the spotlight.

I truly enjoyed both Jason and Nico. In terms of their relationship, this was a relatively drama-free romance. Both Jason and Nico's problems stemmed primarily from their professional lives, not their personal, so it was easy to enjoy them as a couple without having to first spend hundreds of pages wondering if they will or they won't.

Both characters were well-rounded and dynamic. Jason was a perfect balance of wanting what's best for his kids and wanting to find love again. He was adept at being able to devote time to one part of his life while simultaneously giving the other part of his life the care and attention it needed to thrive.

I appreciated that Duckie Mack gave both main characters their own set of complications to work through, but for me, this story is truly about the love that Jason and Nico have for each other. It wasn't insta-love, but it was close. These two just fit into each other's lives so well, both personally and professionally, that it was clear they were meant for each other from the start.

Pies & Promises was well written, giving both Nico and Jason the time and space to thrive both as individuals and as a couple. This is definitely one of the steamier Duckie Mack books I've read, made even better by Jason's nerdy persona.

I thoroughly enjoyed this first trip to Heartcraft Market, and I can't wait to see what's in store in the next book.

thebookishren's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

What an incredibly heartfelt, sweet, swoony romance between a pie-baking single father and a man trying to bring his father’s diner into the 22bd century while maintaining its charisma. Add in two adorable kids and a wonderful flow and Pies & Promised is shaping up to be a fantastic start to Duckie’s newest series.

Jason is divorced and struggling to make ends meet. He’s been a stay-at-home-father for half a decade and he refused to use the child support to stay afloat. A chance encounter at Pop’s Diner changes his and his kids’ future. Nico’s father suffers a minor heart attack which leads him to take over the diner. When he’s introduced to Jason’s pie, he’s found a way to freshen up the stagnant diner and gain a family he’s always wanted.

The sexy times are superb. The sweet times are fulfilling. It has heart and humor and heat and a perfect blend of family and hope. I adored everything about this MM contemporary romance!

QUOTE HIGHLIGHTS: 13

POV: 1st, Dual

STEAM: 🔥🔥🔥

TROPES: MM, Single Dad, Contemporary

🅁🄰🅃🄸🄽🄶: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚. 𝙈𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙞𝙨 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙮.

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