The Candy Apple Cafe Review

The Candy Apple Café

Honey Haven Book 1

Donna Ashcroft

 

Falling in love can be sweet and spicy… 🍏 🍭🌶️🍏 🍭🌶️ 

 

A fun-loving baking queen with a heart of gold. Her gruff neighbour. A tiny Scottish town. Is this a recipe for love – or disaster? This is the utterly unputdownable spicy Autumn romance you’ve been waiting for! Seasonal spice + hot Scotsman = 🧡 🔥🌶️ 

 

When Izzi pulls up in her battered old car outside The Candy Apple Café, she takes a deep breath and channels her trademark optimism. She’s run away to Honey Haven to escape the mess her life is in right now. Only, she hasn’t bargained on a handsome, broad-shouldered Scotsman appearing out of nowhere and grilling her on why she’s parked there… it turns out the baking work she has lined up is in his gran’s café and he’s her new landlord… 

 

Cameron is immediately rubbed the wrong way by Izzi’s upbeat vibes and yet, his eyes keep meeting hers across his gran’s cake display at The Candy Apple Café. Cameron’s heart beats a little faster every time she looks up at him through those long, dark lashes and there are only so many times Izzi can pretend she hasn’t noticed the way he towers over her, his dark brooding eyes failing to avoid hers… 

 

Then Izzi and Cameron find themselves thrown together to organise the town’s Autumn festival. Planning a spectacular cinnamon-scented event as a surprise his gran, they find themselves pressed up against each other as they work to turn a crumbling castle into the perfect haunted house filled with sweet treats… 

 

But he’s closed off his heart. And she’s only meant to be in town for a few weeks. Will the heat between grumpy Cameron and sunny Izzi dial up a notch? Or will their relationship turn as chilly as the Autumn air in Honey Haven? Snuggle up with a steamy hot drink and bed down with this spicy romance, filled with grumpy sunshine vibes and a dreamy HEA. Perfect for fans of Laurie Gilmore, Harper Graham, and Gilmore Girls! 🍏 🍭🌶️🍏 🍭🌶️ 

Tropes: Grumpy x Sunshine, Small town, Found family, Spicy 

• • Amazon: https://geni.us/B0H7BYFWMCsocial

My thoughts:

 

Izzi has been left with nothing after her aunt dies. No job, no references, no place to live. While going through her aunt's belongings she finds a mysterious letter about a family member that she never knew she had.

 

With nothing to lose, Izzi accepts a temporary job in Honey Haven, a tiny town with a small cafe, in an attempt to find her long lost relative. The job comes with a cabin to stay in, but she was not expecting her landlord to be the grumpy, good looking man that he is.

 

Cameron has been taken advantage of in the past, so he views all newcombers with a very suspicious eye. Yet he keeps being pulled towards Izzi, even though he doesn't want to trust her.

 

Can they come together and be happy? Or are they better off going their separate ways?

 

This story made me so excited for Fall to come! I could smell the baked goods in the cafe, and love the community of Honey Haven. I can't wait for another story from this little town! 

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy. 

What readers are saying about The Candy Apple Café:  

 

‘Packed with warmth, cinnamon, sugary treats and autumnal vibes!… A lovely cosy read that has me excited for October days celebrating halloween and drinking chai… Grumpy x sunshine was the icing on the cake! 🍄’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

 

‘Each page makes you feel like you are walking amongst the cool Fall weather and can smell the delicious aromas coming out of Candy Apple Café!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

 

‘Had me craving hot chocolate, pumpkin spice treats, and cosy evenings wrapped up with a good book… I had to stop myself from heading to the shop for snacks!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

 

‘Hooked!… A twist that I did not expect. I could not put the book down and I finished in a day’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

 

‘I absolutely adored this book! The nostalgic feel was incredible and I absolutely love the fall vibes. If a book has fall vibes, I’m here for it!… I cannot wait to read it again for book club!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

 

‘Had me reading until the early hours, on my way to work, on my lunch break and on my way home… A page turner… I didn’t want to stop reading’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

 

‘Pure comfort reading, wrapped up in cinnamon and small-town charm’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

 

‘I loved this book!!… I wish Honey Haven were a real place!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

 

‘Addictive, cozy, heartwarming small-town romance’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

 

‘I loved the community of Honey Haven; rather wish I could live there!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

 

‘I loved it! Totally here for the drama 🤐😍’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

 

Author Bio

Donna Ashcroft

Donna has had sixteen books published in total. Four have been in the Amazon top 100 and one even made it to number seven in the UK and US Kindle charts, another made it to number one in the UK, US and AU free Kindle charts. She was also shortlisted for the RNA Debut Romantic Novel of the Year in 2019.

She lives in Hertfordshire, with her own romantic hero, two grown up kids who pop in occasionally and two grumpy cats. She loves a happy ending and is never happier than when she’s escaping into a romance novel or movie.

• Mailing List: https://bookouture.com/subscribe/donna-ashcroft
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• Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17793043.Donna_Ashcroft

 

The Greek Cafe Review

The Greek Café

Summer Romances

Sue Roberts

Tucked away on the edge of a lemon grove is a long-forgotten café overlooking a glittering blue sea. Erin gazes at the For Sale sign leaning against the faded blue door. Could this be the place to finally start over?

Newly single Erin is desperately in need of a fresh start. So when the opportunity to work at a holiday resort on a sun-soaked Greek island comes her way, she can’t say no. Even if it was the last place she visited with her ex-boyfriend…

A summer escape is just what Erin needs but forgetting her broken heart seems impossible. Then she stumbles across a charming old café hidden at the bottom of a forgotten lemon grove and feels instantly drawn to it. Despite the blue paint flaking on the door, she feels sure this is the place to help mend her heart.

Using all the savings she has, Erin decides to bring the café back to life with the help of sexy local boatsman, Takis. His broad shoulders and dark brown eyes make her stomach flutter. And as they work together to restore the café, Erin imagines what life could look like if she left her heartache in the past…

But just as Erin’s feelings for Takis begin to grow, a storm sweeps in and threatens to destroy everything they’ve worked for. Is this a sign Erin should book the next flight home? Or should she give this gorgeous island and love a second chance?

Get ready to be swept away to the blue skies, golden sands and lapping waves of Greece in this gorgeous, feel-good novel. Perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan, Kate Frost and Mandy Baggot.

• • Amazon: https://geni.us/B0GXCCZDQNsocial

My thoughts:

 

Erin is unexpectedly laid off after spending her whole adult life with the same company, and knows that she needs to make a change (and quickly), or her savings will run out much too soon. She decides that now is the time to take a chance, and applies for a job at a resort in Greece, far away from her life and her comfort zone. She gets hired immediately and is on the next plane to Greece, without a chance to even think things through.

She falls for the location and the people, and then stumbles across an abandoned cafe. Most people would walk away, but she had a feeling this cafe was her future and poured all of her money into it, remodeling it and preparing to reopen it to the public. 

In the meantime, she's also falling for a handsome man who always seems to be around the hotel, even though she's constantly getting mixed signals from him. Can she make a go of it and be a cafe owner? Will she and Takis have a future?

This was a very fun story, and a great summer read. I loved the descriptions of Greece, and I can see why Ms Roberts was inspired to write about it. The only downfall for me is that it could've been another 50 pages long to flesh out the end of the book a bit more. But this is definitely in the must read category! 

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy. 

What readers are saying about The Greek Café:

‘This kept me up reading the entire night! I absolutely devoured it!… An amazingly cute read!’ bookish_jessx, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Another fantastic read from Sue Roberts! I loved it from start to finish!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Makes you feel like you are actually in Greece and sampling its delicacies with the sun soaking into your skin… Beautiful… The perfect summer read.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘You won’t want to put the book down… You can almost taste the food and drink that is served in the sunshine… The perfect summer romance escape.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This one has nudged itself right into my heart. I loved it… My mouth was watering… Wonderful.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I love this! Gorgeous… Loved the characters and the storyline.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What readers are saying about Sue Roberts:

‘OMG I loved this!! I was transported to a gorgeous Greek island… Glorious… I simply adore this book… Absolutely beautiful. The perfect book to read at the pool or even better at the beach!’ loris2littlelibrary, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Absolutely fantastically gorgeous… I read it in one sitting… Heart-warming… I was truly whisked away to Greece feeling the sand on my feet… I absolutely loved the gorgeous atmosphere… Absolutely perfect.’ Bookworm86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I loved this… Absolutely gorgeous… unputdownable… There is no way you aren’t going to love this… It lightened my world for even the VERY short time it took for me to read it.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Nothing is better than delving into a Sue Roberts escapism read… A fabulous, light-hearted fun read… Made me feel like I was stepping through the cobbles of Greece on a summer’s evening.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A heart-warming read that will transport you to the sunny shores of Greece… Recommended for anyone in need of a feel-good story with a perfect blend of humour, romance, and a touch of Greek magic.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

 

Author Bio

Sue Roberts

Sue Roberts lives in Lancashire with her long term partner Derek and has had a lifelong love of writing, encouraged by winning a school writing competition at the age of 11.

She always assumed that ‘one day’ she would write a book, always having a busy household and a job, the idea remained firmly on the back burner but never forgotten.

The inspiration for her first novel came to her on a holiday to a Greek village. Her daughters had left home and suddenly the time had come to write that book!

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Sealing the Deal Review

Sealing the Deal

Bella North

 

For a New York billionaire and a country girl bar owner with a smart mouth, one deal could change everything.

Grayson Ashborne is public enemy number one in laidback Denver, where the locals really don’t like the idea of a ruthless New York billionaire taking over their football team, the Stormhawks… especially local fan bar owner Flic Moore. She’s as sassy and straight-talking as she is beautiful. But Grayson is used to getting whatever he wants…

Flic might just be the leader of Grayson’s hate club. The most beloved Stormhawks fan in the city, she has nothing but an eye roll to offer the infuriatingly handsome out-of-town billionaire. Until he makes her an offer she can’t refuse: help him win over the fans, and he’ll buy her bar’s premises and sign it over to her. No more rent hikes, no more landlords.

It’s strictly business. Until it’s not… soon they’re sharing intimate private jets to away games, heated debates in stadium boxes, and steamy elevator rides to penthouse apartments. Flic’s willpower when it comes to Grayson begins to crumble as fast as the walls around her heart.

But can Flic help Grayson win over the fans before it’s too late for her beloved bar? And when family duty calls, will Grayson rush right back to New York to protect the infamous Ashborne name…?

A spicy but sweet enemies-to-lovers billionaire romance, perfect for fans of Carrie Elks, Lauren Asher and Stephanie Archer.

• • Amazon: https://geni.us/B0H6JF4TW4social

My thoughts:

 

Grayson is a big city developer whose family has made a name for themselves destroying properties, who just bought Denver's football team and has made himself enemy number one for the entire city.  Flic is the owner of a sports bar and one of the people who hates Grayson the most. 

  

Until Grayson offers Flic a deal that she can't refuse, and the two are thrown together over and over again, and something develops between them.  But do they even have a chance at making a relationship work? They're from two different planets and have different plans for their lives.

 

This is my first Bella North story, and I can't wait to go back and read the previous books! This story is hot and fun, and was too interesting to put down. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy. 

Readers are swooning over Sealing the Deal:

“A passionate, heart-bursting 5-stars!… Incredible!… Completely stole my heart! I loved this book SO much!… Warm, joyous… Pure magic!… I was literally on the edge of my seat, clutching my Kindle… Loved, loved, LOVED!” thelitwhisperer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I absolutely loved… Such a joy… Made me ridiculously happy… Beautiful… Completely stole my heart… I swear I spent the entire time smiling… Warm, funny, romantic, emotional, and exactly the kind of story I needed.” lanainfiction, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Such a fun romance!… Kept me hooked… I loved… Undeniable chemistry… Entertaining from start to finish… Swoony… Definitely worth adding to your TBR!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Perfectly balances heart, humor, and chemistry… Truly made me fall… Spicy… Wonderful… Witty… Undeniable chemistry… Charming, heartfelt… A pleasure to read from beginning to end.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Such a fun, feel-good romance!… I absolutely loved… So entertaining… The chemistry was undeniable, the romance was sweet with just the right amount of steam… Kept me smiling from beginning to end.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“MIC. FREAKING. DROP!!!!! I loved… A cutie book!” maggiemakingmore

“The perfect enemies-to-lovers I have been desperately searching for!!… Just *chefs kiss.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Refreshing… Big heart. Their chemistry felt so natural… It wasn’t just the romance keeping me turning the pages, I genuinely needed to know what was going to happen next.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I see a new book by Bella and my smile begins… Make my soul happy… Fab from the start… Fierce and fantastic… I loved this.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“A wonderful enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract love story that I absolutely could not put down…Perfect.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I absolutely loved it!… Perfect… So much fun.” robsin.reads, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“My god… Sexy!… Offers a little bit of everything. Romance, humor and a great big dollop of spice to boot.” brewtifulfiction, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

 

Author Bio

Bella North

Bella North writes spicy sports romances with equal parts heart-racing chemistry and heartfelt emotion. Her debut series, Oakwood Ranch , introduces readers to the sizzling lives of three gorgeous brothers who play for the NFL, blending the thrill of the game with the heat of romance. When she’s not writing, Bella enjoys walking her dog or hitting the gym and dreaming up new swoon-worthy stories.
Bella also writes twisty psychological thrillers as Lauren North.
You can find Bella on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky.

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