Bittersweet by Shirlee McCoy – a Review

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
In Benevolence, Washington, the Lamont family’s luscious handmade chocolates are a beloved tradition—and the sweetest of comforts. And for the most reserved of the three Lamont sisters, they’re a much-needed way to challenge the past, rekindle hope—and make happiness for a lifetime.

Caring family and friends, tranquil streets—ex-prosecutor Willow Lamont wishes these could make her feel truly at home. She’s back to help her grandfather manage Chocolate Haven, a long held dream come true. But she’s struggling to make their unique fudge—and to cope with a secret trauma that haunts her. Yet when she finds an abandoned baby who breaks her heart wide open, she wonders how long she can hide her emotions—especially from warm, handsome, and way too nosey Deputy Sheriff Jax Gordon.

Always an outsider, Jax knows more than he should about loss. But he didn’t expect his difficult search for baby “Miracle’s” mother would reveal such a vulnerable side to the accomplished, beautiful woman he’s always admired. Earning Willow’s trust is the hardest thing he’s ever had to do. Yet between her honesty and courage, he’s longing to fill her life with rekindled joy—and a forever of irresistible love

Review:

Bittersweet by Shirlee McCoy is the 3^rd book in her Home Sweet Home series. Willow Lamont is our heroine, having returned home temporarily to help her grandfather run Chocolate Haven.  With her two sisters (previous story heroines) busy with a marriage or babies, Willow spends her free hours making chocolate and failing on making the family secret fudge recipe.  Willow has nightmares, due to a rape when she was only 13, and has kept this a secret all these years; one reason she does not like to come home. 

One evening, while working late, she hears a noise outside and calls the cops.  Jax Gordon, the deputy sheriff and our hero, arrives to find out what is wrong.  Willow describes a car stopping and then pulling away.  Together Jax and Willow will find an abandoned baby by the dumpster.  When they are at the hospital for the baby, Jax recognizes that Willow is hiding some kind of trauma, and when it comes to that, Jax is an expert.  He himself has his own nightmares of having his own family murdered years before. 

What follows is a slow build sweet romance between Jax and Willow, with the mystery of finding the person to dumped the baby.  Despite their determination to not have any relationship, they both start falling for each other.  It was really nice to see the Lamont family again, as well as the backdrop of making chocolate.  Willow will foster the baby called Miracle, temporarily until she is well enough to be adopted. 

Bittersweet was a very nice romance, with a couple that each had their own mentally disabling issues.  Willow will slowly learn to put the past behind her, and realize that she loves being home again.  The only problem is she needs to help Jax move on from his past, as he fears being hurt again.  Once again, Shirlee McCoy gives us another wonderful story, surrounded by a great family, in the small town of Benevolence, Washington.  If you enjoy small town romances, I suggest you read the Home Sweet Home series

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher