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Sweet Temptations
A Catered Romance
There's more than business brewing between two old high school flames...
Stubbornly self-reliant Mary Beth Kendrick needs financial backing to keep her catering business cooking. A looming corporate buyout forces her to accept help from Tom Sackett, the man who broke her heart and left her with no appetite for love.
Unable to forget Mary Beth, Tom sets out to win her forgiveness. As he gets to know her again through their shared business interests, he realizes he wants more than forgiveness from her. He wants her in his life.
Grateful for Tom's support but unwilling to trust him, Mary Beth vows to keep their relationship strictly business. But his attentiveness, culminating in a night of passion, starts to melt her icy resolve and shows her the caring, sensitive man Tom has become.
Can Mary Beth learn to love and trust again? Will she and Tom open their hearts to a second chance at love?
Stubbornly self-reliant Mary Beth Kendrick needs financial backing to keep her catering business cooking. A looming corporate buyout forces her to accept help from Tom Sackett, the man who broke her heart and left her with no appetite for love.
Unable to forget Mary Beth, Tom sets out to win her forgiveness. As he gets to know her again through their shared business interests, he realizes he wants more than forgiveness from her. He wants her in his life.
Grateful for Tom's support but unwilling to trust him, Mary Beth vows to keep their relationship strictly business. But his attentiveness, culminating in a night of passion, starts to melt her icy resolve and shows her the caring, sensitive man Tom has become.
Can Mary Beth learn to love and trust again? Will she and Tom open their hearts to a second chance at love?
138 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 23, 2012
4 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
About the author
Cara Marsi
61 books68 followersAn award-winning and eclectic author, Cara Marsi is published in romantic suspense, paranormal romance, and contemporary romance.
She loves a good love story, and believes that everyone deserves a second chance at love. Sexy, sweet, thrilling, or magical, Cara’s stories are first and foremost about the love. Treat yourself today, with a taste of romance.
When not traveling or dreaming of traveling, Cara and her husband live on the East Coast of the United States in a house ruled by two spoiled cats who compete for attention.
She loves a good love story, and believes that everyone deserves a second chance at love. Sexy, sweet, thrilling, or magical, Cara’s stories are first and foremost about the love. Treat yourself today, with a taste of romance.
When not traveling or dreaming of traveling, Cara and her husband live on the East Coast of the United States in a house ruled by two spoiled cats who compete for attention.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 21, 2012
High school is a time for romance to bloom and yet for Mary Beth Kendrick it was a time of humiliation. She is so in love with Tom Sackett even though she was from the wrong side of the tracks. The Sacketts are wealthy people and Mary Beth was a young girl trying to stay alive in high school among the wealthy kids. Yet years later Tom is back in her life and even though she swore years ago to never fall for him again she can’t help the attraction. Her main goal right now is to make her business a success and that means teaming up with Tom Sackett. Each day with him is torture for her for she wants him yet remembers the joke he played on her in high school. Can Mary Beth trust him again when it’s not just her heart on the line but her business as well?
Tom Sackett is wealthy, handsome and sad to say alone. For years he has never forgotten about Mary Beth Kendrick his first love. He knows that in high school she was the only one who looked at the real him and not the money behind his name. Now seeing her again he is determined to make things right by confessing his real feelings towards her. Just when he thinks something could grow a woman from his past ruins everything once again. Can Tom convince Mary that his feelings now are real of a man in love and not a young boy intent on breaking her heart?
Cara Marsi has created a romance that speaks of forgiveness and second chances in a way that will make your heart warm. I fell in love with Tom Sackett for even though he is wealthy he doesn’t care about money just Mary Beth. Now Mary Beth was a little hard to like for each time Tom made an effort she would step back. These two together are obviously still attracted and understand about Mary Beth’s hesitation in believing him of his love again. Yet through it all Cara Marsi shows us that love can occur no matter how much you deny the love. The story was sweet and though it is a reissue it still a favorite of mine. Great book and definitely can’t wait for more from this talented author.
Tom Sackett is wealthy, handsome and sad to say alone. For years he has never forgotten about Mary Beth Kendrick his first love. He knows that in high school she was the only one who looked at the real him and not the money behind his name. Now seeing her again he is determined to make things right by confessing his real feelings towards her. Just when he thinks something could grow a woman from his past ruins everything once again. Can Tom convince Mary that his feelings now are real of a man in love and not a young boy intent on breaking her heart?
Cara Marsi has created a romance that speaks of forgiveness and second chances in a way that will make your heart warm. I fell in love with Tom Sackett for even though he is wealthy he doesn’t care about money just Mary Beth. Now Mary Beth was a little hard to like for each time Tom made an effort she would step back. These two together are obviously still attracted and understand about Mary Beth’s hesitation in believing him of his love again. Yet through it all Cara Marsi shows us that love can occur no matter how much you deny the love. The story was sweet and though it is a reissue it still a favorite of mine. Great book and definitely can’t wait for more from this talented author.
September 12, 2012
It was a cute story. It was a good read since it was free but I think I would have been annoyed had I paid for it. It was free on amazon so I snapped it up. There were certain points in the book where I wanted to punch the female lead in the face because she was so ridiculous! URG!
March 18, 2016
Mary Beth and Tom sizzle in this steamy romance by best-selling author Cara Marsi.
Mary Beth never forgot Tom, her high school sweetheart, and the way he betrayed her in front of all of his friends at prom. She pledged her love to him only to discover it was nothing more than a prank. Betrayal, anger and heartbreak hardened her heart and she made herself a promise to never let a man do that to her again.
Flash-forward several years to find Mary Beth owning a catering business with her best friend, Gail. Competition is fierce and they’re struggling to make ends meet. Sackett Incorporated sees potential in the business and before you can say soufflé, Mary Beth is face to face with the one man who owns a piece of her heart: Tom Sackett. With gritted teeth, Mary Beth agrees to work with/for Tom Sackett.
Tom Sackett walks into Mary Beth’s kitchen and all the feelings he thought were long-buried boil to the surface. It’s Cat-Eyes (his affectionate nickname for Mary Beth) and the attraction between them is palpable. But she makes it clear that she will never forgive him and they will only be business partners, nothing else. Tom vows to make things right, no matter what Mary Beth says.
Romance heats up between these two, along with incredible food. Can Tom make amends for being a fool in his youth or it is too late for second chance love?
I’m a sucker for a steamy romance and if you add the spiciness of the culinary world, I melt like liquefied chocolate. Both Tom and Mary Beth are well-developed characters and I loved how realistic they were. They’re both hurt from past loves and are scared to let down their walls. Cara weaves an intoxicating romance fueled with slow-burning yearning and want. Like a classic risotto, A Catered Romance is layered with mistrust, desire, forgiveness, insecurity and opening up to love.
The only thing that prevented me from giving it five stars was the ending. It felt a tad rushed and it just ended. An epilogue would’ve been a perfect ending to this delightful steamy romance.
If you’re looking for a culinary or a contemporary romance, look no further than this book. I’ve read it twice so far and will be one of my go-to romances. I love Cara Marsi romances and highly recommend them all!
Favorite Character:
Mary Beth. While many romance readers like a strong heroine who is confident and without flaws, it’s refreshing to read a heroine who’s more like me. She’s been hurt before by not only Tom in high school but her father as well. Tom broke her heart and several walls are surrounding her heart. Insecurity keep her warm at night and has set up shop in her head as well as her heart. Her reactions to Tom are perfectly natural (realistic too) and I found myself smiling as I remembered how broken I was when I met my future husband, Mr. N. No insta-love here.
Favorite Quote:
“Happiness sang through her veins. The tenderness of his touch slowly dissolved the old hurts. She melted against him, pliant in his arms.”
My Rating: 4.5 stars
This review first appeared: http://princessofthelight.wordpress.com
Mary Beth never forgot Tom, her high school sweetheart, and the way he betrayed her in front of all of his friends at prom. She pledged her love to him only to discover it was nothing more than a prank. Betrayal, anger and heartbreak hardened her heart and she made herself a promise to never let a man do that to her again.
Flash-forward several years to find Mary Beth owning a catering business with her best friend, Gail. Competition is fierce and they’re struggling to make ends meet. Sackett Incorporated sees potential in the business and before you can say soufflé, Mary Beth is face to face with the one man who owns a piece of her heart: Tom Sackett. With gritted teeth, Mary Beth agrees to work with/for Tom Sackett.
Tom Sackett walks into Mary Beth’s kitchen and all the feelings he thought were long-buried boil to the surface. It’s Cat-Eyes (his affectionate nickname for Mary Beth) and the attraction between them is palpable. But she makes it clear that she will never forgive him and they will only be business partners, nothing else. Tom vows to make things right, no matter what Mary Beth says.
Romance heats up between these two, along with incredible food. Can Tom make amends for being a fool in his youth or it is too late for second chance love?
I’m a sucker for a steamy romance and if you add the spiciness of the culinary world, I melt like liquefied chocolate. Both Tom and Mary Beth are well-developed characters and I loved how realistic they were. They’re both hurt from past loves and are scared to let down their walls. Cara weaves an intoxicating romance fueled with slow-burning yearning and want. Like a classic risotto, A Catered Romance is layered with mistrust, desire, forgiveness, insecurity and opening up to love.
The only thing that prevented me from giving it five stars was the ending. It felt a tad rushed and it just ended. An epilogue would’ve been a perfect ending to this delightful steamy romance.
If you’re looking for a culinary or a contemporary romance, look no further than this book. I’ve read it twice so far and will be one of my go-to romances. I love Cara Marsi romances and highly recommend them all!
Favorite Character:
Mary Beth. While many romance readers like a strong heroine who is confident and without flaws, it’s refreshing to read a heroine who’s more like me. She’s been hurt before by not only Tom in high school but her father as well. Tom broke her heart and several walls are surrounding her heart. Insecurity keep her warm at night and has set up shop in her head as well as her heart. Her reactions to Tom are perfectly natural (realistic too) and I found myself smiling as I remembered how broken I was when I met my future husband, Mr. N. No insta-love here.
Favorite Quote:
“Happiness sang through her veins. The tenderness of his touch slowly dissolved the old hurts. She melted against him, pliant in his arms.”
My Rating: 4.5 stars
This review first appeared: http://princessofthelight.wordpress.com
September 12, 2012
Have you ever encountered a romance heroine that you wanted to shake until her teeth rattled? I have, and her name is Mary Beth Kendrick.
Mary Beth met Tom Sackett at an exclusive prep school at which she was a poor scholarship student and he a privileged rich boy. During the course of their high school years they developed a friendship which blossomed into a romance. Their romance ended abruptly on the night of their graduation formal when snotty classmates gave the impression Tom's interest was part of a bet. Mary Beth was heartbroken, fled the dance and never gave Tom a chance to explain.
Twelve years later, Mary Beth is co-owner of a catering business that's on the brink of financial ruin. Tom's company wants to invest and Mary Beth reluctantly agrees at the urging of her business partner. She hasn't seen or spoken to him in twelve years and it quickly becomes apparent that a) Mary Beth hasn't gotten over him and b) she still has the mentality of an eighteen year old.
Mary Beth is a roiling mass of insecurity and it all centers around wealth and those that have it. It makes you wonder why someone would start an upscale catering company if the wealthy made them feel like dirt.
Tom has never forgotten Mary Beth and desperately wants to make amends. She rebuffs all his attempts at discussing the past claiming she wants their relationship to be strictly business. Even though Tom always treats her as a business partner, she constantly reminds him that she works for him. Each time she spouted that line I wanted to shake her! She placed herself in a subservient role and then blamed him for it.
Of course she can't resist him and they begin a physical relationship. Despite Tom's repeated attempts, Mary Beth refuses to discuss the fateful night twelve years prior and my frustration grew. Had Mary Beth actually acted like a 30 year old and voiced her past hurts and grievances, the book would have flowed to a natural conclusion....and been half as long.
I don't believe their happily-ever-after will last. Her "aha" moment is incredibly superficial and you know Tom will spend his life catering (pun intended) to her insecurities. He deserves better (and according to Mary Beth that means richer!)and so does the reader.
Pass this one up.
Mary Beth met Tom Sackett at an exclusive prep school at which she was a poor scholarship student and he a privileged rich boy. During the course of their high school years they developed a friendship which blossomed into a romance. Their romance ended abruptly on the night of their graduation formal when snotty classmates gave the impression Tom's interest was part of a bet. Mary Beth was heartbroken, fled the dance and never gave Tom a chance to explain.
Twelve years later, Mary Beth is co-owner of a catering business that's on the brink of financial ruin. Tom's company wants to invest and Mary Beth reluctantly agrees at the urging of her business partner. She hasn't seen or spoken to him in twelve years and it quickly becomes apparent that a) Mary Beth hasn't gotten over him and b) she still has the mentality of an eighteen year old.
Mary Beth is a roiling mass of insecurity and it all centers around wealth and those that have it. It makes you wonder why someone would start an upscale catering company if the wealthy made them feel like dirt.
Tom has never forgotten Mary Beth and desperately wants to make amends. She rebuffs all his attempts at discussing the past claiming she wants their relationship to be strictly business. Even though Tom always treats her as a business partner, she constantly reminds him that she works for him. Each time she spouted that line I wanted to shake her! She placed herself in a subservient role and then blamed him for it.
Of course she can't resist him and they begin a physical relationship. Despite Tom's repeated attempts, Mary Beth refuses to discuss the fateful night twelve years prior and my frustration grew. Had Mary Beth actually acted like a 30 year old and voiced her past hurts and grievances, the book would have flowed to a natural conclusion....and been half as long.
I don't believe their happily-ever-after will last. Her "aha" moment is incredibly superficial and you know Tom will spend his life catering (pun intended) to her insecurities. He deserves better (and according to Mary Beth that means richer!)and so does the reader.
Pass this one up.
August 13, 2013
"A Catered Romance" is a pleasant, albeit somewhat predictable, romance. I enjoyed the story, which centers around two people who went to high school together. Rich boy; poor girl. The boy didn't have the guts to stand up to his friends, and so allowed them to humiliate the girl when she confesses her love for him.
Fast forward a decade. The girl now owns a catering business that needs financial backing and the man is still rich, so he provides said backing. They are still drawn to one another, but will she ever be able to trust him again?
Of course she will. That's the predictable storyline that I mentioned. Although a few times I wanted to scream at the protagonist, "get over it already... it was high school!", for the most part, "getting to the happy ever-after" was a fun and tasty ride.
Fast forward a decade. The girl now owns a catering business that needs financial backing and the man is still rich, so he provides said backing. They are still drawn to one another, but will she ever be able to trust him again?
Of course she will. That's the predictable storyline that I mentioned. Although a few times I wanted to scream at the protagonist, "get over it already... it was high school!", for the most part, "getting to the happy ever-after" was a fun and tasty ride.
June 19, 2015
Well I could not put this story down. The title first caught my eye for I am a chef/caterer. I was so excited when I won a copy from author Cara Marsi. Tom and Mary Beth story begins when they were in high school. They attended their high school formal and they kiss and she reveals her feelings but they were interrupted by school mates making fun of them. Mary Beth runs away thinking Tom set the whole thing up just to embarrass her, because he was Rich and she was not. Fast forward Tom is back in her life investing in her and her partners Gail's catering/ party planning business. Can Mary Beth push past her penned up hurt from the past and let Tom in and find love. You'll have to read and find out if they can conquer the hurt from the past and find love. Thank you do another great Story Cara!
March 17, 2012
A decent plot, but I just couldn't get past the feeling that there was too many replays of the same scene over and over. I felt like every scene had her keeping a secret, he would touch her face, and the hero came off as an unrealistic love sick puppy. Just a little disappointed with the pace, but again I thought the plot had promise.
January 7, 2014
Cara Marsi has done it again.. this book is a feel good warm romance..This book will melt your heart and make you feel gooey!!once started I could not put it down.. at one point I wanted to shake Mary Beth.. do not want to do that often... buts he did come into her own.. You have to read this book to know what.are my thoughts on this book...you will not be disappointed..
February 27, 2014
Well the last chapter was good. I just did not like the h in this one. All th pro b lens these 2 had were mountains they made out of molehills. They could have saved themselves ans the reader months of agony with one honest conversation.
March 9, 2012
I enjoyed this book, and it was heartfelt at many points.
However, I struggled to like Mary-Beth, and found her dispare to be dragged out a little too much.
Also found the ending was kind of rushed and forced.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed the storyline and glad I brought it.
However, I struggled to like Mary-Beth, and found her dispare to be dragged out a little too much.
Also found the ending was kind of rushed and forced.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed the storyline and glad I brought it.
May 17, 2012
A delightful and quick read. Somewhat of a "Pretty in Pink" feel with the girl from the wrong side of the tracks and the affluent boy.
I did think the "Thou protest too much" was a tad overdone and it quickly led to a skim of the protestation dialogue.
I did think the "Thou protest too much" was a tad overdone and it quickly led to a skim of the protestation dialogue.
May 20, 2012
This is an ok story. I didn't care for how insecure the heroine is. I like strong heroines. I would have so told Taylor off and good. It took her the whole damn book to grow a spine. That's my only issue with the book. I loved the romance though. It was very sweet!
March 14, 2012
A cute read!
July 9, 2012
No way any guy can be SO hot you'll forget how to act or act so ridiculous. And the way she kept saying how hot he is.. It got too irritating.
It was a nice simple story otherwise.
It was a nice simple story otherwise.
July 31, 2012
It was ok, But i got a little tired of the main characters doubt in the relationship. It just seemed like neither one was very confident and the worries got really old.
September 15, 2012
Two-haiku review:
Business in trouble
He crushed her back in high school
Now he's her partner
Skimmed a lot of it
Immature, emotional
Enough is enough
Business in trouble
He crushed her back in high school
Now he's her partner
Skimmed a lot of it
Immature, emotional
Enough is enough
April 6, 2013
Nice, quick read. Nothing earth-shattering about it but it's enjoyable and has a HEA.
August 5, 2014
I picked up this book and the next thing I knew I was on the last page. The characters were well developed and had me caring what happened next. Looking for more reads from this author.
August 5, 2014
A very quick and romantic simple romance. It could have used a more complicated plot.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews