Tag Archives: Home Sweet Home

Bittersweet by Shirlee McCoy – a Review

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Bittersweet by Shirlee McCoy – a Review

 

BittersweetAmazon / 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 3rd 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

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Sweet Surprises by Shirlee McCoy – a Review

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Sweet Surprises by Shirlee McCoy – a Review

 

Sweet SurprisesAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
In Benevolence, Washington, the Lamont family’s delectable handmade chocolates are a precious tradition–and always a reason to return home. And for the most rebellious of the three Lamont sisters, they provide a chance to create a tempting new future, complete with delicious happiness…

Neighbors always ready to help, a laid-back pace–former model Brenna Lamont needs everything that once made her leave her hometown. To help her pregnant sister Addie, Brenna is back to run the family store, Chocolate Haven, and figure out how to start over. But she just can’t make the one-of-a-kind Lamont fudge…or make herself really fit in. And with handsome restaurateur River Maynard causing her troubles to boil over big time, can Brenna risk going after what she really wants?

River already has his hands full helping his ailing foster mother save her ranch for troubled children. He’s got no time for anything but reality and hard choices. But somehow, a daily dose of Lamont chocolates is helping his mom feel better. And Brenna’s kindness and warmth is making him hungry for an unexpected new dream only she and Benevolence’s magical sweetness can make come true . . .

 

 

Review:

Sweet Surprises by Shirlee McCoy is the 2nd book in her Home Sweet Home series. Brenna Lamont is returning home to Benevolence, a small town in Washington.  Brenna is coming home to help her grandfather run Chocolate Haven.  What no one knows is that Brenna is in dire straits, with her fiancée running off with another woman, and taking every penny of her money.  Forced to close her successful business and lifestyle, and unable to pay bills, Brenna heads home determined not to let her family know the truth.  All they know is she was dumped by her fiancée.

River Maynard, our hero, is now home helping his foster mother recover from a stroke and help keep her ranch running.  River, who has a successful restaurant business in another state, wants to convince Belinda to sell the ranch and come live with him.  There are a number of others who live with Belinda, helping her, whom River is not really happy about.  They all are either homeless or wayward teenagers who have major issues, which Belinda overlooks, as she gives them a home.  However, River sees them as more trouble than help.

Brenna will find working at Chocolate Haven more difficult then she imagined, especially in creating the famous fudge, which she cannot recreate much to her frustration.  She meets River, whom she remembers from her school days, and a friendship begins.  River will help Brenna with the chocolate (not the fudge, since it’s a secret recipe) preparation on many evenings, utilizing his expertise as a chef.  The attraction between them builds slowly, and they made a great couple.  River begins to suspect that Brenna is in a more dire situation then she has let on to others, and he will eventually learn the truth about her ex fiancee.  Will Brenna be able to overcome her fears of loving someone, and trust River?  Will River, who is falling hard for Brenna, be willing to stay in Benevolence? 

In the midst of their budding romance, is a mystery of vandalism against Brenna and the Chocolate Haven.   Sweet Surprises was a nice story, with a very likable couple.  It was nice to see some of those from the first book, and we met a lot of interesting new characters. The ending left things open for the next book, which is another mystery surrounding Brenna’s sister Willow.  I would have liked more closure on some things left partially open.  I suspect Willow will be the lead in the next book. If you enjoy small town romances, family atmosphere, sweet likeable couple, as well a nice story line; I suggest you read Sweet Surprises.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Sweet Haven by Shirlee McCoy – a Review

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Sweet Haven by Shirlee McCoy – a Review

Sweet Haven

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM

Description:
In Benevolence, Washington, the Lamont family’s irresistible handmade chocolates are a cherished tradition–and always a reason to celebrate. And now they’re giving the three Lamont sisters, one by one, delicious chances to start again, make a change, and have their sweetest dreams come true…

Neighbors who care, a peaceful routine–accountant Adeline Lamont is glad some things about her beloved hometown never change. But when her grandfather is injured, she has to run the family store, Chocolate Haven, and make its legendary fudge. Trouble is, she can’t get the recipe right to save her life–or Chocolate Haven. And she doesn’t need her ornery new tenant, Sinclair Jefferson, stirring up the pot with his help–and daring Addie to taste her wild side…

Once Sinclair gets his hapless brother back on track, he’s leaving Benevolence for good this time. He’s made his life far away from his irresponsible family and their scandals. Trouble is, he can’t quite stay away from Addie’s optimism, enticing plus-size curves, and kindness to those who need it most. But they don’t seem to have a thing in common–except that Addie’s passion for chocolate, and for Benevolence, is just as contagious as Sinclair’s passion for her. Maybe small-town life has its charms after all…

 

 

Review:

Sweet Haven by Shirlee McCoy is my first book by this author. This is also the start of a new series. In Sweet Haven, which takes place in a small town called Benevolence, Addie Lamont is our heroine. We meet Addie immediately, who is running the famous Chocolate Haven for her injured grandfather. Addie is beside herself, she can’t duplicate the legendary fudge, and is appalled to be stuck in the orange wedding dress she is forced to wear for a family friend’s wedding.

Sinclair Jefferson, our hero, has returned to Benevolence, after many years. Sinclair left town because he hated being poor, and comes back a wealthy businessman, who loves renovating hopeless buildings. Sinclair sees Addie when her mother rents him a place to stay until he finishes his project. Sinclair is determined to help his brother fix up his house, as well as his marriage; then leave Benevolence forever. Best laid plans do not always work out, as Sinclair finds himself becoming enamored with Addie.

Addie finds herself attracted to handsome Sinclair, but she has had her heart broken, and will not allow herself to fall for anyone, and be hurt again. She is happy and content as an accountant, and temporarily helping her grandfather in Chocolate Haven. Addie’s mother was kind of annoying, as she was very pushy and also trying to push Addie to find a man.

What follows is a sweet story of a romance that was slow to build, due to two people who had their own issues. Addie’s issues with not allowing herself to get beyond her hurt from a bad breakup, and opening her heart to someone new. At times I found her a bit annoying being afraid to show her feelings for Sinclair. Sinclair’s resolved to never stay in Benevolence, but slowly the town begins to show him the charm he never saw as a teenager.

I found both Addie and Sinclair very nice characters, which we find ourselves rooting for. The added elements of Tiny, the big wild and crazy dog was cute. I also liked the addition of the young boy, Chase, who is desperate to get and job, and ends up working for Addie. There is a mystery in that part of the story. If you enjoy sweet romances, likeable couple, small town atmosphere and a bit of mystery, then you will enjoy Sweet Haven.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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