The Sweetheart Deal by Miranda Liasson – a Review
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Description:
Pastry chef Tessa Montgomery knows what everyone in the teeny town of Blossom Glen says about her. Spinster. Ice Queen. Such a shame. It’s enough to make a woman bake her troubles away, dreaming of Parisian delicacies while she makes bread at her mother’s struggling boulangerie. That is until Tessa’s mortal enemy―deliciously handsome (if arrogant) chef Leo Castorini, who owns the restaurant next door―proposes a business plan…to get married.
Leo knows that the Castorinis and the Montgomerys hate each other, but a marriage might just force these stubborn families to work together and blend their businesses for success. The deal is simple: Tessa and Leo marry, live together for six months, and then go their separate ways. Easy peasy.
It’s a sweetheart deal where everyone gets what they want―until feelings between the faux newlyweds start seriously complicating the mix. Have they discovered the perfect recipe for success…or is disaster on the way?
Each book in the Blossom Glen series is STANDALONE:
* The Sweetheart Deal
* The Sweetheart Fix
Review:
The Sweetheart Deal begins with Tessa Montgomery making bread in her family’s bakery and lamenting life when in walks her ex. Tessa has no idea why he still frequents their bakery and secretly wishes he would just go away. After a brief exchange, Tessa is shocked to see that Leo Castorini was seated in the corner of their bakery and heard the whole thing.
The feud between the Montgomerys and the Castorinis is legendary. She is shocked to say the least when he approaches her and ultimately tells her that he has devised a plan that will help them both. His family’s Italian restaurant is next door and has been struggling just as the bakery has been. When he lays out the plan, Tessa can only think of how crazy the idea is. Marrying, even a short-lived one, to save their respective businesses? A Montgomery and a Castorini? Tessa is floored, but then realizes that it may be just the ticket to not only save their businesses and enable her to fulfil her dream of becoming a pastry chef.
Once they discuss the “terms”, it is full steam ahead. After all, they don’t even really like each other, so no chance of being hurt. I believe there’s a saying about best laid plans and all……………
The Sweetheart Deal is a wonderfully written story. The characters are relatable and pull you in immediately. Tessa is a wonderful friend, daughter and sister and has had to put her life on hold for far too long. Leo is trying his best to save his family’s business. Their chemistry is amazing which only adds to the storyline. The secondary characters are well written as well and leave you wanting more. If you’re a fan of the genre, you’ll not go wrong with this first book in the Blossom Glen series. This is the first time I’ve read this author but do truly look forward to the next installment. Well done, Miranda Liasson!
Reviewed by Vickie
Copy provided by Publisher
