Review - - How Sweet it Is

How Sweet It Is

by Dylan Newton

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: July 13, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

Event planner Kate Sweet is famous for creating the perfect happily-ever-after moment for her clients’ dream weddings. So how is it that her best friend has roped her into planning a bestselling horror writer’s book launch extravaganza? But the second Kate meets—or rather, accidentally maims—the drop-dead-hot Drake Matthews, her well-ordered life quickly transforms into an absolute nightmare.

Drake Matthews is tired of the spotlight and tired of his reputation as the Knight of Nightmares. He's really a nice guy! But he’s not prepared for Kate, a fearless agent of chaos in steel-tipped stilettos, or for that sweet sting of attraction he feels for her. She’s inspiring him to take his writing in a whole new direction—one that no one expects. Because now Kate and Drake are changing up the rules, and this plot twist might just surprise everyone . . . including themselves.

PJ's Thoughts:

You all know how much I enjoy discovering debut authors, especially ones who blow my socks off right out of the gate as Dylan Newton has done with How Sweet It Is. After turning the final page of this delightful rom-com, I immediately emailed the following message to the publicist at Forever who had sent me the ARC: 

“Picture me bowing at your feet in gratitude for putting HOW SWEET IT IS on my radar. I thought I’d read a few pages yesterday (even though I have so many books waiting in the queue) to get a feel for the author’s voice. Could. Not. Put. It. Down. This book was all the sunshine I needed yesterday."

There are so many specific details I'd love to share with you that made this book one of my favorite rom-coms this year but I'm going to be purposely vague because you all deserve to discover the humor, chemistry, sweetness, vulnerability, depth of emotion, (did I mention humor?), and romance for yourselves as you become immersed in the non-stop fun and feel-good pleasure of this book. It all begins with a first encounter that skips right over "meet cute," heads straight for "meet hilarious" and sets the tone for the entire book. There are fan fanatics, nosy neighbors, brothers I want more of, devious former lovers, and a couple that seems all wrong on paper that just might be perfectly right in real life. There are also drool-worthy cupcakes, a questionable "attack" dog, and an airborne romantic gesture that I sincerely hope the author based on a real-life experience because, wow, my heart absolutely melted. I adored both Kate and Drake and pulled so hard for their happy ending through all of the ups, downs, and misadventures of their journey. 

I enthusiastically encourage everyone wanting to bring a bright ray of sunshine (and a touch of autumn) into your life to pick up a copy of Dylan Newton's How Sweet It Is. It's my laugh-out-loud, swoon-worthy, feel-good romantic comedy of the summer. If you love it as much as I did, you'll be happy to know Newton will be writing a book for each of Drake's brothers too. I can't wait. 

 

Guest Review - - How Sweet It Is

How Sweet It Is
By Sophie Gunn
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: January 3, 2011

Lizzie Carpenter is not your usual romance heroine, but that’s fine because How Sweet It Is is not your usual romance novel. Fourteen years ago Lizzie was a pregnant teen whose wealthy boyfriend went MIE (Missing, in Europe). Now Lizzie is a single mother living in Galton, New York, in a house badly in need of repairs and working as a waitress to support herself and Paige, her perpetually texting teen daughter. Lizzie is reasonably content with her family (which, in addition to her child, includes a sister with issues and postpartum depression and an affable cop brother-in-law), her job at the Last Chance Diner, and the members of the Enemies Club who have sworn to always tell her the truth. Contentment vanishes one early September morning when a letter arrives from “Ratbastard,” the father of her daughter, who has decided he wants to be Dad and is arriving in Galton on Christmas Day to claim his new status. Lizzie fears losing her daughter to the Ratbastard, Paige is ashamed for her father to see their deteriorating house, and the Enemies are urging Lizzie to send a wish into the universe. She does:

“The perfect man is one who’ll show up once a week, fix stuff around my house, and then split. That, O great universe, is what I wish for.”

Dante “Tay” Giovanni overhears and answers for the universe. Tay has his own problems. He, accompanied by his Sheltie, Dune, and White, a stray cat that adopted him, is in Galton seeking expiation for an intolerable guilt. His original plan to assuage his guilt went awry, and since he’s stuck in Galton trying to regroup, he decides to make the repairs to Lizzie’s house.

Lizzie can’t help noting how hot this stranger is, but she tries to put a stop to his work on her property. Tay listens to her objections and keeps working. As Lizzie and Tay share more of themselves with each other, they discover more than a house is in need of repair. But before love can do its healing work, they each have to learn lessons of forgiveness and trust.

Sophie Gunn creates a complex, layered story with characters who are credible, likeable, and interesting. Even the secondary characters have dimension. I especially liked the rich vein of humor that runs through this emotional tale that takes on some real issues. This is the first book in Gunn’s Enemies Club series. The premise of high school enemies learning to respect and love one another is a refreshing change from the usual BFF connection. Nina’s story, Sweet Kiss of Summer is next. If the rest of the series is as good as the first, I’ll be reading the complete quartet. In the meantime, I think I may borrow Lizzie’s wish.

Note of Interest: Sophie Gunn is a pseudonym for Diana Holquist, author of some great romantic comedies like Sexiest Man Alive and Hungry for More.

~Janga