Review & Giveaway - - The Sweetheart Crush

The Sweetheart Crush

by Miranda Liasson

Blossom Glen - Book 3

Publisher: Entangled:Amara

Release Date: October 3, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

 

Photographer Viv Montgomery’s dreams were bigger than her small hometown of Blossom Glen. Following them meant leaving everything and everyone behind—including her sweet and funny best friend, Logan Matthews. Now, twelve years later, the town’s “sweetheart” is back, broke, and…well, working in the town’s famous Christmas store until she figures out her next move.

Enter her former best friend who she hasn’t seen or talked to in years. Only the cute, funny guy she remembers is gone—replaced by a famous, bestselling author who seems aloof, jaded, and is much, much hotter than any book nerd she’s ever seen. Seeing him in the news is one thing, but up close and person? Whewf, it’s warm in here.

Now he’s offered her a job she desperately needs (blissfully free of Santas), and suddenly it’s like no time has passed at all. Their friendship is just like it was…with one very unexpected difference. Because somewhere between the blossom festival and snuggling in front of a crackling fire, their friendship is definitely turning into some more. Only, Logan’s been hiding the secret of his enormous success…and the sweetheart of Blossom Glen is about to read all about it.

PJ's Thoughts:

Miranda Liasson has taken two of my favorite tropes - second chance romance and friends to lovers - and molded them into a charming, heart-tugging journey to love for youngest Montgomery sister, Vivienne and her former best friend, Logan. 

It's hard to say which of the books in this trilogy I've enjoyed the most. Each brings its own special flavor to the page but what they all have in common is the strength, support, and love of family. In this one, it's both families - Viv's and Logan's - who play roles in the evolution of both characters as well as their romantic relationship.

Another facet of their story that I enjoyed is the friendship upon which their love is built. Yes, they've been estranged for twelve years but that foundation that was carefully built from childhood through high school still exists, lending critical support to the deepening feelings between them. There may be cracks here and there but love, growth, and communication go a long way in repairing them and moving their relationship forward. 

The sense of community is strong in all three books with the author evoking a spirit that is easily relatable, whether you've lived in a small Midwest town or not. Secondary characters bring additional texture, conflict, humor, and emotion to the page, blending seamlessly with Viv's and Logan's journey without detracting from it. 

If you're looking for a low-steam contemporary romance with plenty of feel-good charm and emotional depth, I recommend giving The Sweetheart Crush a go. It stands well on its own (Logan isn't introduced until this book). It's my opinion that you'll have a greater appreciation for the nuances of the Montgomery family dynamics as well as the growth of the Montgomery women and their partners if you read the three Blossom Glen books in order, however, wherever you choose to begin you'll find a heartwarming journey worth taking. The Blossom Glen books, in order, are: The Sweetheart Deal, The Sweetheart Fix, and The Sweetheart Crush. All three are available for purchase or to download from Kindle Unlimited if you're a subscriber. I loved them all. 

Have you read Miranda Liasson yet? Any favorites?

Are you happy jumping into a series at any point or are you a "must read in order" person?

What's your favorite romance trope?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, October 25 will receive a print copy of The Sweetheart Crush.

*U.S only

*Must be 18

Tour Review & Giveaway - - The Sweetheart Fix

The Sweetheart Fix

by Miranda Liasson

Blossom Glen - Book 2

Publisher: Entangled Amara

Release Date: November 29, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

 

Juliet Montgomery absolutely loves her small town of Blossom Glen, Indiana, and everyone loves her. Except for the fact that she’s a couples counselor who suffered a very public breakup that no one can forget. And now her boss asks her to take a step back…which is exactly when the town’s good-lookin’ and unusually gruff mayor offers her an unexpected job.

Jack Monroe absolutely loves being the mayor of his small town. Except when he actually has to talk to people. Can’t he just fix the community problems in peace? Like right now, he’s mediating the silliest dispute two neighbors could possibly have. When the town sweetheart steps up and solves everyone’s problems in five minutes flat, Jack realizes what this town really needs…is a therapist.

Juliet is able to soothe anyone—other than the surly mayor, it seems. But there’s a reason they say opposites attract, because all of their verbal sparring leads to some serious attraction. Only, just like with fireworks, the view might appear beautiful—but she’s already had one public explosion that’s nearly ruined everything…how can she risk her heart again? 

PJ's Thoughts:

When I pick up a book by Miranda Liasson, I always feel like I'm about to make new friends, in a place I'd be happy to visit. Her fictional communities are warm and welcoming but also realistic. I grew up in a small town. There are pros and cons to everyone knowing your business and Liasson explores both. But it's her characters that shine. Whether it's the lead couple, their friends and families, two neighbors feuding over a tree on their property line, or a lonely old man who has forgotten what it feels like to be a part of the community, Liasson give each of them the care and attention they deserve. And, in doing so, she makes me care about all of them. 

I wouldn't call Jack and Juliet enemies but they certainly start out as adversaries. I love how they challenge each other. The banter between them is terrific. Each of them has reasons for being wary of relationships but that doesn't stop the attraction between them from growing, especially as they spend time together at City Hall and start peeling back those layers that hide the hurts and vulnerabilities acquired over the years. I enjoy how their friendship evolves and solidifies before they take that next step into romantic feelings, though the zing of attraction is there from the start. I also appreciate that the author takes her time with them, leading them to fully confront the emotional baggage they carry before allowing them to claim their happy ending. They're so good together. I laughed, cried, and sighed with happiness with them every step of the way.

It was fun to see all the characters from book one again in this book as well as meet a few new ones. There are no secrets in Blossom Glen as Jack and Juliet are quick to discover. Everyone has a stake in their relationship and isn't above offering advice...in the most loving and helpful way, of course. I enjoyed watching Leo and Tessa (The Sweetheart Deal) preparing for parenthood, as well as catching up with other members of their families. And I am already eager to discover what the future will hold for youngest sister, Viv. Will she head overseas again or will love, family, and a new purpose in life hold her closer to Blossom Glen? Only time will tell.

If you enjoy small-town romance with fully-developed, relatable characters, low steam but deep passion, humor, and heartwarming happy endings, give The Sweetheart Fix (and book one, The Sweetheart Deal) a try. They both have my enthusiastic recommendation. 

Have you read Miranda Liasson yet?

What do you enjoy about small-town romance?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, December 8 will receive a print copy of The Sweetheart Fix and The Sweetheart Deal.

U.S. only

Must be 18

Void where prohibited

Tour Review, Excerpt and Giveaway - - The Sweetheart Deal

The Sweetheart Deal

By Miranda Liasson

Blossom Glen - Book 1

Publisher: Entangled: Amara

Release Date: January 25, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

 

Pastry chef Tessa Montgomery knows what everyone in the teeny town of Blossom Glen says about her. Spinster. Ice Queen. Such a shame. It's enough to make a woman bake her troubles away, dreaming of Parisian delicacies while she makes bread at her mother's struggling boulangerie. That is until Tessa's mortal enemy - deliciously handsome (if arrogant) chef Leo Castorini, who owns the restaurant next door - proposes a business plan...to get married.

Leo knows that the Castorinis and the Montgomerys hate each other, but a marriage might just force these stubborn families to work together and blend their businesses for success. The deal is simple: Tessa and Leo marry, live together for six months, and then go their separate ways. Easy peasy.

It's a sweetheart deal where everyone gets what they want - until feelings between the faux newlyweds start seriously complicating the mix. Have they discovered the perfect recipe for success...or is disaster on the way.

PJ's Thoughts:

There are so many delicious threads to pull in this story and Liasson expertly handles them all. We have rivals forced to work together to save both of their family businesses. Stubborn families set on doing things their own way along with nurturing a generations-old feud. A hero who made his mark in New York and is now back to help guide his family restaurant into the future - if his father will just listen to his ideas. A heroine who dreams of leaving their small town to pursue her own dreams, a secret she's been keeping since high school, and inconvenient feelings she's beginning to have for her convenient husband who - oops - is having feelings too.

I laughed, I cheered, I may have shed a few happy tears too. These characters were so relatable. I understood Leo and Tessa both wanting to make their own mark, the frustrations they faced with their parents, Tessa's feelings of being "stuck," even though the sacrifices she willingly (and in some cases, secretly) made were for the people she loved. I really enjoyed the growing relationship between her and Leo. Liasson realistically portrayed the ups and downs that come with that type of situation. I had no idea how she was going to pull everything together in a way that would make everyone happy but she accomplished it in the best possible way that left me thoroughly satisfied. I appreciated the complex dynamics that often occur when an adult child attempts to steer a family business in a new direction. Also, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that both Leo's and Tessa's families are in the food industry, owning an Italian restaurant and boulangerie, respectively. My advice is to have both napkins and snacks at hand while reading this book. If you have freshly baked bread or pasta, all the better. 

I am now completely invested in the town of Blossom Glen and her citizens. I'm excited to discover what Liasson has planned for Tessa's sisters as well as their friends. I don't know how many books she has planned for this series but I'll be here for all of them.

~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT from THE SWEETHEART DEAL

At first glance, the Castorinis’ place was dark, but then she noticed a very faint glow. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she could see Leo hunched over a laptop, a small lamp burning at his table. 

Call it the moon, call it desperation, call it whatever you wanted, but something made her rap on the glass. 

Leo jerked his head up. His brows lifted in surprise, and he gave her the hold-on-a-sec sign. 

Her stomach tumbled. What have I just done? 

“Hey,” he said as he pulled the door open. His usually perfect hair was a little disheveled, like he’d been raking his hands through it. Dark, dangerous stubble shadowed his face. His discerning gaze skirted quickly over her from head to toe, like he was trying to find some visible reason she’d be here. 

This had been an awful idea. 

On closer examination, she noticed he had circles under his eyes, and his button-up shirt was halfway untucked. Could it be that he was feeling the same stress that she was? 

“Did you need something?” he asked. 

“Yes?” 

He smiled a little, then stepped aside to let her pass. “Come on in. It’s safe. I’m the only one here.” His voice was low and gravelly, in a way that reminded her of a sexy model in a cologne commercial as he awakened in a breezy-curtained villa, throwing back the silk sheets and walking naked to his balcony overlooking the Adriatic Sea. 

Okay, stress was making her imagination go wild. And also, safe felt like a real misnomer. 

She followed Leo back to the table where he’d been working and ran her hand along her carelessly swooped-up bun, thinking she must look a mess after working all day and into the night. But why should she care? She wasn’t here to impress. 

As she sat down across from him, he asked, “Do you have good news for me?” He gave her a hopeful look that made her want to lie. That made her think that maybe they weren’t so different. They both loved their families. They both wanted their hard work to bring success. 

But this was business, so she straightened her spine. “No deal with the bread. My mom won’t have it. She’d rather be bankrupt than have us bake for your restaurant. I’m sorry.” 

He sighed heavily, and for the first time ever, he didn’t seem to be shrugging things off with a smile. 

“Any luck on your end?” she asked. “I mean, about selling your ideas to your dad?”

He sat back, tossing his pen over the many scattered papers. “No,” he said simply. Just one word, jam-packed with frustration. 

She should just go home. What was the point of continuing a conversation? Yet she recognized a look in his eyes—the same desperate desire to do something to stop these ships from sinking. And…and she was now past want. She needed that wine. 

“I—” She felt her voice giving out. “I actually was wondering if you had any wine. I mean, I’d pay you for it.” 

He looked her over in what she was coming to learn was a thoroughly assessing way of his, a mixture of curiosity and something more intense that made her feel stripped down to the bone. “What are you doing downtown at this hour?” 

She hitched a thumb toward the bakery. “I was just sneak baking.” She mentally head slapped herself. Why had she confessed that? It was private. To most people, anyway. 

He frowned. “What’s sneak baking?” 

“Oh. Sometimes I go in after hours and bake whatever I want. It’s…a way of unwinding, I guess. Being creative. Forgetting about everything else.” 

“I might have to try it. Because all I do after hours is pore over the numbers. And then I can’t sleep.” 

“I hear you,” she said. 

“You probably shouldn’t be downtown alone at night.” 

In Blossom Glen? Tessa waved a hand dismissively. “Like you?” He smiled a little at that. “I’ve been doing it for years. It’s my therapy.” 

His lips cracked a slight smile. “Wine sounds like a great idea.” That warmth in his eyes was back, and it was directed at her. Only briefly, though, and then he got up and went to the back room. 

She was hungry—yearning, even—for what was really at stake here: her dreams, her life, a way out—and her imagination was in overdrive lately. But while she was way too smart to make the same mistake that she made when she was eighteen, to think that Leo had actually liked her, she knew what it meant when a man looked at her a certain way. 

Heat and desire from her nemesis. Now that was a real recipe for disaster.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

For more information about Miranda Liasson and her books, visit her website or follow her on social media at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

Do you enjoy small-town romances?

Have you read Miranda Liasson?

Today is Valentine's Day. How are you celebrating? 

Because it's Valentine's Day, Miranda very graciously offered this giveaway package to one randomly chosen reader who posts a comment before 11:00 PM (EST), February 15. Good luck!

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

*Void where prohibited