A slow burn second-chance rom com!

She broke his heart ten years ago.

Now he's back -- and her new boss.

And she might still be semi in love with him.

But that’s no problem, right? They can keep it professional.

Until her grandmother gets involved.

She’s thrilled to think that Whitney and Cam are still in love. And invites him to move in with her…and Whitney.

Of course, Whitney can handle that too. Yeah, everything is fine. Just fine.

Until Cam makes it clear that he’s all in.

Having him back is very sweet, but can she really have it all? Or will it all crumble around her?

Title: Semi-Sweet On You
Author: Erin Nicholas
Series: Hot Cakes (Book 4) 
Pages: 350
Genre(s): Contemporary, US, Small-Town Romance, Second Chance
Hot Buttons: parental heart attack, dementia, difficult family relationships <-- highlight to reveal (may contain spoilers)

Slow burn second-chance romance

4 stars

I’ve read and enjoyed all the Hot Cake series so far - but it was the second chance romance of Cam and Whitney that I have been waiting for ever since we found out about their history in the first books. Cam was so angry and I was looking forward to seeing all that anger and tension morph into a more mature lust for Whitney.

However, by the time the book starts, what we get is a Cam that is much more mellow and in control of his feelings. In fact, he’s completely come to terms with his and Whitney’s relationship from the past, the fallout, and what he now wants from Whitney for the future. And I’m not going to lie - I was a wee bitty disappointed. I liked growly, grumpy, angry Cam.

Despite all of the above, you do not need to read the series in order, or have read any of the previous books at all, to read and enjoy this one. Having said that, this series revolves around a group of friends and family in a small town, so you may not have a handle on all the relationships if you start with this one. But that’s okay because the previous books in the series (Sugarcoated, Forking Around and Making Whoopie) are all fun and worth a read.

Back to this book. Cam states his position from the outset, so the main story of the book is really about Whitney. In fact, I sometimes felt that this was probably more like Whitney’s story than both Whitney and Cam’s. Not that it wasn’t satisfying to watch Whitney come into her own, learn her worth, and get her man - but I felt that Cam’s growth came before the book started, so we miss out on that a little bit.

This is a slow-burn tale and as such, we get very little sex until the end, although there’s a little teasing and a little kissing on the way. And a little bit of dirty talk regarding, of course, baked goods. Yum. On every level.

There’s a couple of storylines in the book that could be a little upsetting to some people. They were both handled delicately, and I never felt overwrought by them. However, especially with the dementia, it was a bit of a downer when you really started to think about it and I can imagine it would be quite upsetting if you yourself had/have a loved one in similar circumstances. I know that illness happens in real life but I’m conflicted about whether I want to read about them in my romance books - even if it does create more realism.

Next up in the Hot Cakes series we have Oh, Fudge - a quickie crossover between this series and the Boys of the Bayou series. Then it’s Ollie and Piper’s story, Gimme S’more, that’s teased quite heavily in this book.

I had a hard time rating this book but, honestly, I think that was mostly due to my (probably ridiculously) high expectations of a book I’ve been chomping at the bit for since this series began. It may not have been what I was anticipating, but it’s still a great tale with a  great bunch of characters in a town known for its baked goods and cat yoga. And I’m still all in with this series. 4 stars from me.

 

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AUTHOR BIO!

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Erin Nicholas has been writing romances almost as long as she’s been reading them. To date, she’s written over thirty sexy, contemporary novels that have been described as “toe-curling,” “enchanting,” “steamy,” and “fun.” She adores reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines, and happily ever afters.

Erin lives in the Midwest, where she enjoys spending time with her husband (who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books), her kids (who will never read the sex scenes in her books), and her family and friends (who claim to be “shocked” by the sex scenes in her books).

 

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HOT CAKES SERIES:

   

   

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The right life is the one you never see coming.

I had it all. The luxury apartment, hot dates, and the big office to go with long nights at work.

Life was perfect.

But after a one-night stand, two little lines on a pregnancy test, and three lost legal cases later…

Well, overnight I went from career lawyer to single mom.

It’s okay, I can do it. I’m ready to face this alone until…

Along comes Nathaniel Chadwick. Billionaire adrenaline junky. Everyone’s favorite playboy… and my sister’s brother-in-law.

He’s as hot as he is jaded. When it comes to relationships and family, he’d rather jump off a cliff.

I wrote him off long ago, except since he learned about the baby he’s been by my side.

Is it pregnancy hormones or is there something real happening between us?

I didn’t expect any of this...most of all him.

Title: Didn't Expect You
Author: Claudia Burgoa
Series: Against All Odds (Book 2)
Pages: 347
Genre(s): Romantic Comedy, Romcom, Contemporary, US, Friends to Lovers, Surprise Baby
Hot Buttons: n/a

Release Date: 16th September, 2020


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Another fantastic read

5 stars

My first experience of Claudia Burgoa was the novel that precedes this one in the Against All Odds series, Wrong Text, Right Love. Each novel stands completely alone from the other, but I absolutely adored Wrong Text, and would highly recommend that book as much as I do this one.

Because this book was just as delicious as the first book in the series. Said series follows siblings Persephone, Nyx and Eros (their parents are slightly quirky!) as they go through challenges, find their forever person, and live their happily ever afters. Persy’s story is Wrong Text, Right Love while Eros’s story comes next in Love Like Her.

Nyx is the boring, dependable one in the family. She’s sensible, she plans and she keeps her wilder siblings in check. Yet recently, she’s been looking for some excitement in her life. She might not be a fan of her organisational tendencies but I fell head over heels for her and her smart and sensible ways. I love a fellow list-lover! And Nyx was far from boring. She might not be as extroverted and wild as her sister and brother, but she was odd in her own way and so much more interesting than she gave herself credit for.

Nate. Well - at first he started off like you would expect anyone billed as an adrenaline junkie, playboy to. Then he started to reveal his layers. His baggage and the reasons for the way he acted and thought. And the reasons he thought he needed to ‘fix’ himself before he would be worthy of Nyx.

And that’s where the magic of this novel happens. Both Nyx and Nate are aware of their attraction to each other - but circumstances, meddling family, unexpected pregnancies - kept them both from taking that next step with each other. As such, this is a pretty slow burn tale, but it’s a subtle burn, too. You watch all the little things that the pair do for each other. How they are perfect for each other and balance each other out. Before you or they realise it, we have love. And you will believe it. If you’re anything like me, you’ll get a wee bit sappy over it.

You’ll also laugh. A lot. I surprised myself by getting a little sniffly only to find myself laughing out loud (actually out loud) in the next sentence. So you get real love, real emotions and real laughter. Is there anything else you need in a romance?

As with the first book, the writing style really pulls you in, and you feel invested in the story from the first chapter. I also felt that there was a great lesson in the story - but not in a special edition of Saved by the Bell kinda way. It just made you think - about your own life and what’s important to you.

My delight with Claudia Burgoa continues with this smashing book. I loved it from the first page to the last, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun story with just enough depth, angst and deliciousness. Definitely another winner. 5 stars.

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AUTHOR BIO!

Claudia is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author.

She writes alluring, thrilling stories about complicated women and the men who take their breath away.

She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and her youngest two children. She has a sweet Bichon, Macey, who thinks she's the ruler of the house. She's only partially right.

When Claudia is not writing, you can find her reading, knitting, or just hanging out with her family. At night, I like to binge-watch shows with his equal geek husband.

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The man in the magazine spread, the one dubbed the most eligible bachelor, is my ex-husband.

Six months ago, Simon’s company was never more successful, just like our marriage was never emptier. I was a stay-at-home mom with a sugar daddy who had no time to pass the sugar or be a daddy. I asked for a divorce and he let me go, just like that.

Now I’m mending my broken heart and finding myself while being a strong role model for our girls. But when my mom gets sick, I need help, and he’s there like a superhero in a tailored suit. And when my mom recovers, he’s still there, doing grocery runs and braiding our girls’ hair.

I don’t want to hang my hopes on my workaholic ex just because he’s suddenly wearing basketball shorts instead of designer threads, or because he’s giving me that look that melted my heart in college.

Chemistry was never our problem. I don’t want to trust that he’s changed only find out that once again I’m not worth fighting for. He needs to prove that he’ll be as ruthless about us as he is in the boardroom.

Title: Eligible Ex-Husband
Author: Marie Johnston
Series: Cocky Hero Club - Standalone
Pages: 229
Genre(s): Contemporary, US, second chance romance
Hot Buttons: n/a

Happy sighs

5 stars

I love a second chance romance but it’s books like this that make me think that it’s definitely my favourite trope. I love, love, loved it!

Simon and Natalie are a recently divorced couple who are trying to get to grips with their new normal. Which is especially hard since the reason for their divorce wasn’t because they fell out of love with each other or lacked chemistry. Simon just always put his job ahead of his family and Natalie was done with living her life that way.

I think what I especially like about second-chance romances - especially those where the couple have been married and so recently - is that we jump right into the story and get to know our couple really quickly. Mostly because they already know each other so well. With this story it’s clear early on that Natalie and Simon are perfect for each other. Soul mates who just misstepped on their journey.

With that said, as we went through the book I was at times worried that Simon just wouldn’t get it. He would never understand what drove Natalie away. I wanted to shake the dratted man sometimes.

But it’s not just Simon who needs to change and notice things - which is something I really liked about this story. Natalie is on her own journey of self-discovery. Finding what she likes and wants to do away from her roles as a wife and as a mother. Yet she also has to realise how to deal with Simon and how she feels about him and his own priorities. This was never about Simon changing to get Natalie back - it was about how they moved forward as a couple. And gah! - it was so stinkin’ cute!

We do have sex though. Lots of steamy, it’s been too long and I must have you now, type of sex. It made me tingle but also made my heart happy. Seriously, there was something about this story that everything was just perfect.

This is part of the Cocky Hero Club world of novels. They all standalone so no prior reading is required. However, if you’ve read Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward’s Stuck Up Suit, you’ll recognise Graham - the hero from that story - who makes a very small cameo in this story.

This book had everything I could want in a story. It’s a fairly simple tale but it packs a big punch. It’s got enough emotion to melt your heart, but never gets too fraught or angsty. I absolutely raced through this book, reading every spare moment that I had as I was so invested in the story and the characters. It’s satisfying in every way that matters and a book I would highly recommend. This is my first Marie Johnston read but it definitely won’t be my last. 5 stars

 

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Maxx Reynolds needs help.

His shop, house, and life are all in a state of disarray.

In desperation, he turns to the internet to hire a new employee, thinking it will make his life easier

What he expects is a fellow named Charly.

What he gets is a quirky, sassy, red-head named Charlynn who runs circles around him.

And she’s all woman.

He can’t stand her.

He can’t keep his hands off her either.

Title: Revved to the Maxx
Author: Melanie Moreland
Series: Standalone
Pages: 321
Genre(s): Contemporary, Canada, Opposites Attract
Hot Buttons: n/a

Release Date: 3rd September, 2020

Delicious as pie

5 stars

Yowsers - this book hit exactly the right spot for me. And left me with a mad hankering for pies, to boot! What could be more perfect?

Maxx is a grumpy mechanic who has let his house and his business - and maybe his life - get a little bit neglected and messy. So he hires a Girl Friday to come and help him - should she bake pies, he’s all the happier. In a grumpy way, of course.

And Maxx definitely is grumpy. He’s defined as ‘older’ at the rickety old age of 37 (to our heroine’s 26) which wasn’t necessary to either the plot or my self-esteem. But he really is set in his ways and likes to grump and stomp and all those delicious things alphas like to do. The fact that he doesn’t change his personality as the book progresses also pleased me. I hate a big strong male that turns into a sap towards the end of a book.

Charly on the other hand, is like a ray of sunshine with a spine of steel. She’s fun, hard-working and sweet but has absolutely no problem going toe to toe with Maxx. But the best thing about Charly is the job she’s hired to do - which is pretty much to take care of Maxx and give him what he didn’t realise he’s missing in his life. It’s my ideal job - organising, cleaning, fixing, baking pies and taking care of my man - all out in a cute house in the countryside with a dog. I’m equal parts cheering for her and very, very jealous.

There’s a lot of sex - and it’s the best kind. Since Maxx is grumpy, has trust issues and doesn’t want his world to change, it’s very much a case of grab and throw each other against the nearest surface - horizontal and/or vertical - over and over again! Delicious.

Even with the sexiness, there’s something so glowy and warming about this book and the story. I was going to say it was like a warm apple pie, but I shouldn’t keep thinking about pies or I might drool. As changes keep occurring in Maxx’s life and business, and his world keeps getting bigger and brighter, it felt so happy. I felt happy. And that’s what I took from this book. It had exactly the type of hero and heroine that I love. It had exactly the type of romance that I love - including the sex. And it had the happiest of happy endings. With pie.

I would love to revisit this world and these characters - to read the stories of the other mechanics and also what Maxx and Charly are up to. This book left with me with a smile on my face and a lovely warmth in my heart. Highly recommended.

 

 

 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR!

New York Times/USA Today bestselling author Melanie Moreland, lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of twenty-seven-plus years and their rescue cat, Amber. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them.

While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and also enjoys traveling, here and abroad, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip.

Melanie loves stories, especially paired with a good wine, and enjoys skydiving (free falling over a fleck of dust) extreme snowboarding (falling down stairs) and piloting her own helicopter (tripping over her own feet.) She's learned happily ever afters, even bumpy ones, are all in how you tell the story.

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