Happy Wednesday Bookworms!
Welcome to the Reviewer Tour for Sweeter with You by Mary A. Felkins, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
A spirited bakery shop owner.
A cupcake-baking pro ball player.
A game-winning play to find love ever after.
SERENITY LEWIS has a serious problem. After several successful years, her trendy French Quarter bakery is failing—no thanks to a national chain that’s luring patrons by way of lower prices and ease of parking. She’ll do anything to keep her bakery alive. Or so she thinks ...
Philanthropic defensive end, OWEN WALKER is one concussion away from a career-ending injury. With headaches that sideline the blue chip player, he just might need to consider life off the gridiron. But working at a bakery during off season? That wasn’t the side hustle he had in mind. But if it’ll help the beautiful girl he knew in college, he’s all in.
Owen’s baking prowess and presence is a PR magnet, but it stirs Serenity’s desire for the only guy she ever considered letting into her heart.
Too bad she can’t give Owen what he wants most. Working alongside Serenity emboldens Owen to consider retirement faster than he can crack an egg in his palm. And accounting records prove the two make a winning team.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | BookBub
My Review
What happens when God says no to your dreams? Sadly, I have lived this reality as I had my profession taken away after an accident, and my dream of a big family taken away with illness, so I felt that connection to Sweeter with You on a primal level, some parts even a bit triggering.
Since it’s been awhile since I’ve read any of the novels from this series I read Sweeter with You more like a standalone, something that was quite easy to do as the author does a great job of filling in the gaps.
Owen and Serenity are two beautiful souls that suffer from severe self judgement, neither feeling like they measure up. Owen doesn’t feel like he has has any substance outside of football, and Serenity lets her shortcomings dictate her self worth.
This inner struggle led to inner dialogue that turned into rote repetition that started to wear on me. I found myself skimming many of these parts as I didn’t feel like they needed to be repeated multiple times, but I guess you could chalk this up to being true to life, as we all tend to dwell on things such as these. I also felt like the overall story was a bit too wordy, as there were many details that were meaningless, and some of the scenes felt like fluff, not adding to the narrative at all.
In saying that, I did love the generosity of both Owen and Serenity, not only their generosity of time but also financially, especially Serenity, who is financially struggling, but she doesn’t let that stop her from helping those in need. This was refreshing to see, and completely won me over, as it’s a great reminder to give what you can anytime you can. You never know what a little blessing can lead to.
Overall, this was a decent read, even if I did feel like it dragged in places. The heart and soul of this novel sparkles with love and support, of lending a helping hand when needed, and to love others as themselves.
About the Author
Mary A. Felkins is an inspirational romance author, blogger and contributor to writer's blogs.
She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Faith, Hope and Love Christian Writers, My Book Therapy, and Novel Academy. She writes happily ever afters with smatterings of hilarity, passion, and Truth.
She can be lured from her writer's desk if presented with a large, unopened bag of Peanut M&Ms. A surprise appearance by her teen idol, Donny Osmond, would also do the trick, although she’d likely pass out.
If, upon introduction, she likes your first or last name, expect to see it show up in one of her novels.
To receive Mary’s monthly author newsletters featuring bookish giveaways, subscribe via email at www.maryfelkins.com.
No comments
Thank you for visiting! :)