From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Callihan comes a charming, emotional romance about redefining dreams and discovering unlikely love along the way.
Life for Emma isn’t good. The world knows her as Princess Anya on Dark Castle, but then her character gets the axe–literally. The cherry on top is finding her boyfriend in bed with another woman. She needs a break, and sanctuary comes in the form of Rosemont, a gorgeous estate in California promising rest and relaxation.
Then she meets the owner’s equally gorgeous grandson, ex-hockey player and current recluse Lucian Osmond, and she sees her own pain and yearning reflected in his eyes.
He’s charming when he wants to be but also secretive and gruff, with protective walls as thick as Emma’s own. Despite a growing attraction, they avoid each other.
But then there’s an impromptu nighttime skinny-dip, and Lucian’s luscious homemade tarts and cream cakes start arriving at Emma’s door, tempting her to taste life again…
In trying to stay apart, they only grow closer–and their broken pieces just might fit together and make them whole.
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My Review
The concept of the story line is unique. The fact that both the hero and heroine seem to be at the top of their respective games but then get their legs cut out from under them and have to figure out their next moves is a concept that readers will be able to relate to. And it’s clear early on that Lucian Osmond and Emma Maron seriously don’t know what their next step is, which puts them quite a bit outside of their element. What they would both agree on is that they find themselves in need of an escape – one that will allow them to work on redefining who they are, which is no easy task given how much their lives revolved around their careers that are no longer viable options.
The setting and the environment these two find themselves in is conducive to keeping a low profile but it also keeps them in close proximity to one another and since they didn’t seem to start on the right foot with each other, they try to keep to themselves and not have to reveal who they truly are, but that’s easier said than done when they realize that there’s a pull between them…an attraction that refuses to remain dormant, regardless of Lucian’s broody behavior.
Some readers may see Lucian as gruff and moody throughout the story, but to me, those descriptors don’t truly represent who Lucian the man is…it’s more so that because he has had to reconsider all aspects of his life, the transition, the change is what makes him feel off-kilter and even act that way toward other people in the story. And while Emma seems turned-off at times by his treatment of her, like the amazing desserts he makes, she can’t help but find him a decadent sugary treat as well.
The secondary characters play a key role in helping the hero and heroine heal from the things that they’ve lost and even attempt to go the matchmaker route, even though it didn’t seem like Lucian and Emma needed much help in that department, at least when it came to their attraction to one another. It was more that Lucian needed to understand that his whole worth was not defined by his professional hockey career and she was more than her television role.
Kristen Callihan definitely made Lucian and Emma’s story sweet and while there is angst and dramatics, for the most part, Make It Sweet is a feel-good, slow-burn romance.
4 Poison Apples
About the Author
Kristen Callihan is an author because there is nothing else she’d rather do. She is a three-time RITA nominee and winner of two RT Reviewer’s Choice awards.
Her novels have garnered starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and the Library Journal, as well as being awarded top picks by many reviewers. Her debut book FIRELIGHT received RT Magazine’s Seal of Excellence, was named a best book of the year by Library Journal, best book of Spring 2012 by Publisher’s Weekly, and was named the best romance book of 2012 by ALA RUSA. In 2015, Kristen received a RITA Award for Best Paranormal Romance for her novel Evernight.
Kristen is a child of the 80s, which means she’s worn neon skirts, black lace gloves, and combat boots although never all at once and can quote John Hughes movies with the best of them. A lifelong daydreamer, she finally realized the characters in her head needed a proper home and thus hit the keyboard. She believes falling in love is one of the headiest experiences a person can have, so naturally she writes romance. Her love of superheroes, action movies, and history led her to write historical paranormal novels. She lives in Washington, DC, with her husband and two children.
Connect with Kristen
Website | https://www.kristencallihan.com/
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