ARC Review: The Sweetheart Deal by Miranda Liasson

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?

The Sweetheart Deal starts a new series for Miranda Liasson. We all know how much I enjoy a new series. Add small-town romance and I'm hooked. Throw in family members that can't mind their own business and I've lost my mind with happiness. 

The First in the Blossom Glen series starts off with what I think is a second chance romance. Not that these two ever really were together in a relationship but they were together in spirit. It took these two a while to realize that they are better together than apart. 

I really enjoyed Tessa. She worked hard for her family and put her own dreams on the back burner to do so. Something not all of us would have done. I did feel that at times she used that to make herself feel more put upon. I think a little part of her felt like she needed to be needed. 

This is why I think it's great that Leo came back into her life. He made her realize that she needed to live for herself and not only those around her. He gave her a way to see what her true dreams are. 

I love Leo too. He spent his time away working hard and decided it was time to come home and help with the family business. He has great ideas to show his family what their restaurant could be and needs Tessa to help him. 

Together these two show both their families what could be while faking a marriage and falling in love for real. 

I so enjoyed their story and how they found their happy-ever-after. The road wasn't always easy but for the most part, I smiled through it. They did run into some issues and I think that Leo was unfairly treated by Tessa and her family. I'm glad their problems were smoothed over quickly and that you got to see a bit after their HEA. 

Not only will you like Tessa and Leo you'll enjoy their families. I really can't wait to see what's coming up next in Blossom Glen. Do any of you read her?

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