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Southern Style #1
Sweetened With a Kiss
Jen Taylor has loved Stefan Sellers all her life. When he surprised her with an engagement ring, she thought all her dreams were coming true. But when she discovers Stefan has an agenda that she never even suspected, she breaks off the engagement and goes to pastry school in Paris. Now she's back in New Orleans, and she has no intention of marrying him for all the wrong reasons. She just has to convince him that marriage is a bad idea. If only she wasn't having so much trouble convincing herself.
Stefan Sellers has waited years to make Jen his wife so when she wanted to go to pastry school, he decided a few more months wouldn't matter. But six months later, the girl he picks up from the airport shows very little resemblance to the quiet, sweet girl he let fly away from him. The girl that came back from Paris is wearing five inch stilettos and waving an attitude that is laying waste to everything Stefan ever thought he knew about Jen. His calm, methodical approach to life is suddenly under siege and he can't seem to keep his hands off her.
Sweetened with a Kiss is a slightly steamy somewhat angsty contemporary romance set in New Orleans. There are no vampires but there are a lot of secrets and pastry. Intended for mature audiences. (There's some language. What can I say? They're guys.)
Chapter 1 is available to read now on Goodreads and there is a discount code at the end of the chapter.
Stefan Sellers has waited years to make Jen his wife so when she wanted to go to pastry school, he decided a few more months wouldn't matter. But six months later, the girl he picks up from the airport shows very little resemblance to the quiet, sweet girl he let fly away from him. The girl that came back from Paris is wearing five inch stilettos and waving an attitude that is laying waste to everything Stefan ever thought he knew about Jen. His calm, methodical approach to life is suddenly under siege and he can't seem to keep his hands off her.
Sweetened with a Kiss is a slightly steamy somewhat angsty contemporary romance set in New Orleans. There are no vampires but there are a lot of secrets and pastry. Intended for mature audiences. (There's some language. What can I say? They're guys.)
Chapter 1 is available to read now on Goodreads and there is a discount code at the end of the chapter.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2013
37 people are currently reading
1284 people want to read
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July 3, 2016
Sweetened With A Kiss is book one in the Southern Style series by Lexxi Callahan. I won this book in a contest!
Stefan Sellers always knew he was going to marry Jen Taylor, that she would one day be his and only his. But just when it was almost going to be a reality, Jen up and announced she was going to Paris for six months to pastry school. Towards the end, her emails grew fewer and farther between. That’s okay, Stefan never shied away from a challenge. Jen would marry him!
Jen Taylor has loved Stefan since she was a child. When he proposed, she was both shocked and thrilled. It was everything she ever dreamed of, or so she thought. When a vindictive woman who has a history with Stefan shares some insights with her, Jen decides that she can’t marry him. So off to pastry school she goes. The Jen that is returning to New Orleans is the new and improved version. This Jen is spunky, speaks her mind and has a spine of steel. She is determined that she won’t marry Stefan. But when she sees him standing at the airport to pick her up, all the tummy butterflies, wants and needs spiral right back to the surface. She still loves him.
These two have loved each other forever. But I have to say that they have the worst communication skills…EVER! Stefan’s actions completely contradict his feelings and keep Jen totally confused. If either of them would just say how they really felt things would have gone so much better for them. But there is much more at play here and the author feeds us the details little by little. There are details in Jen’s past that deeply affect her. And there are people who are trying to manipulate her purely out of greed.
The story did drag for me a bit in the early stages as I was so frustrated with the way Jen and Stefan interacted. But the second half really intensified and I found myself speeding through it. And it was an adorable ending. I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to book two, Solving For Nic.
July 17, 2016
The heroine thinks she sees him having sex with the Red Queen who makes it her life work to manipulate and screw everyone for her own benefit. I did not like the hero at all until the very end and that was such a shame because the heroine was super sweet and funny. I loved her, she was fun and sassy. The hero was possessive about her because he loves her, right?
While she is keeping it all for him, he is going on with his social life and "seemly" even the evil Red Queen with whom he works along side.
He knows he loves her and wants to marry her at 16 and tells her no more kissing boys while he goes on with his life.
They are engaged to be married and he is dating and/or seeing another's.
I really wished she had gotten together with Jared! He was way more swoon worthy, however he is like a big brother and a little bit of a player.
And all that health shit. Pissed me off! You can't trust a man who does not like or ever eats sugar or carbs. He even give the baked good she gives him away to his friends. Man that's cold. She even created a special triple layer chocolate cake just for him and he gave that away as well.
Chocolate people! That's just wrong. That is just not natural it goes against the laws of everything!
Note the author recommended that I read this book so that would understand book 2 which I wanted to read. I would not have read this book at all if it was not for that! Book 2 Solving for Nic.
While she is keeping it all for him, he is going on with his social life and "seemly" even the evil Red Queen with whom he works along side.
He knows he loves her and wants to marry her at 16 and tells her no more kissing boys while he goes on with his life.
They are engaged to be married and he is dating and/or seeing another's.
I really wished she had gotten together with Jared! He was way more swoon worthy, however he is like a big brother and a little bit of a player.
And all that health shit. Pissed me off! You can't trust a man who does not like or ever eats sugar or carbs. He even give the baked good she gives him away to his friends. Man that's cold. She even created a special triple layer chocolate cake just for him and he gave that away as well.
Chocolate people! That's just wrong. That is just not natural it goes against the laws of everything!
Note the author recommended that I read this book so that would understand book 2 which I wanted to read. I would not have read this book at all if it was not for that! Book 2 Solving for Nic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
no-dnf-zzz-avoid
September 19, 2015Blech.
Yet another book where H was 'in love' with h from when she was 16 and planned to marry her when she was 21( and he does indeed propose then and they get engaged) and expects her to stay a virgin( which she gladly does) yet H has girlfriends and lovers and parades them in front of h:((
Not romantic and not for me.
Yet another book where H was 'in love' with h from when she was 16 and planned to marry her when she was 21( and he does indeed propose then and they get engaged) and expects her to stay a virgin( which she gladly does) yet H has girlfriends and lovers and parades them in front of h:((
Not romantic and not for me.
September 28, 2015
Hmm,what to say? Well,this was certainly different,the hero doing the chasing for a change.I liked that!
This couple knew each other since the heroine was a young girl and came to live with the hero's family when her own died in a horrific car crash.The night of her junior prom,they kiss and he tells her " no more boys".She agrees,but that did not stop him from going out with other women and having sex with them.There is an evil other woman" the Red Queen" who plays a part in this story and yes,I hated her!.The hero's father had told him hands off the heroine till she is 21, but he could date her at 18.
When the heroine turns 21, hero puts a ring on her finger and tells her they are to be married.Enter evil ow,she tells the heroine something,and heroine hurt and flies off to Paris with her male bf to go to pastry school together.
Sis months later,she is back from Paris,a new woman,stronger than before and puts the hero thru the ringer telling him she no longer wants to marry him,and so they start their rocky road to romance ever after.
They story took a dip for me 3/4 of the way thru but picked up and all was resolved.I did love the ending when they had a little baby girl,the hero's own fairy princess.
Looking forward to reading the hero's sister's story.I see that the evil ow is getting a story,but I will pass on that one,I am sure she had her reasons for being a bitch,but,still not reading her story.
This couple knew each other since the heroine was a young girl and came to live with the hero's family when her own died in a horrific car crash.The night of her junior prom,they kiss and he tells her " no more boys".She agrees,but that did not stop him from going out with other women and having sex with them.There is an evil other woman" the Red Queen" who plays a part in this story and yes,I hated her!.The hero's father had told him hands off the heroine till she is 21, but he could date her at 18.
When the heroine turns 21, hero puts a ring on her finger and tells her they are to be married.Enter evil ow,she tells the heroine something,and heroine hurt and flies off to Paris with her male bf to go to pastry school together.
Sis months later,she is back from Paris,a new woman,stronger than before and puts the hero thru the ringer telling him she no longer wants to marry him,and so they start their rocky road to romance ever after.
They story took a dip for me 3/4 of the way thru but picked up and all was resolved.I did love the ending when they had a little baby girl,the hero's own fairy princess.
Looking forward to reading the hero's sister's story.I see that the evil ow is getting a story,but I will pass on that one,I am sure she had her reasons for being a bitch,but,still not reading her story.
November 11, 2013
This book was more than I expected, most of the free downloads fall into the three star category for me which is not a bad thing it means they're a good enjoyable read but this book had more. It had great and interesting characters and loads of potential for future books, it had romance, humour also depth and some little twists. Well worth a read, I'm glad I did and I'll be checking for more books by this author, I'm hoping she writes one about the tattooed hippy freak I just loved him.
July 27, 2013
Raise your hand if you like the asshole aka alpha-hole hero? Yes, just what I thought. There are many who do *wink* In real life, put me in a relationship with an alpha-hole hero and I would probably punch him in the nose within five minutes. But in fiction, sometimes it’s fun to read a really possessive, cranky, controlling hero.
Jen was in a bad car accident as a young girl that killed her whole family. She ends up living with good friends of her family, which includes the slightly older Stefan. As she grows, she develops a crush on Stefan and the same thing happens to him too. At the young age of 21 (or maybe 22), Stefan basically puts a ring on her finger and says, ‘you are mine and we will get married.’ Jen thinks her fairytale is coming true, until Stefan’s ex-girlfriend tells her all he wants is control of the stock that she owns. When Jen was younger, Stefan took over her family’s company, growing it five-fold and also took control of her inheritance. When she turns 30 or when she marries, her stock can then be sold. When Stefan’s ex tells her that he still sees Jen as a little girl and doesn’t have sexual thoughts towards her, but rather just protective thoughts and dreams of her stock, she is devastated. She decides to enroll in pastry school with her best friend Jared in Paris and leaves for six months.
When she gets home half a year later, Stefan is a different man. He has grown cold and overbearing. Jen herself has grown up and has more of a backbone now. She tells him she doesn’t want to marry him. He tells her she will get married, and will never leave him again. Oh boy.
There are times I found Stefan quite sexy with his extreme bossiness. I mean – this man is really controlling and possessive. Jen tries her hardest to stand up to him, and a few times she actually does and I really liked those scenes. But there were a few times in this book that Stefan crossed the line for me. Especially because he controls Jen’s inheritance and when she asks him for money out of it open her own bakery, he denies her. GRRRRRR. I didn’t like that aspect of the book.
Another part that really bothered me was their total lack of communication. Jen suffered a very serious injury in the car accident all those years ago and lost a lot of her memory. And for whatever reason, she was never really given the details of that accident. Everyone was trying to protect her I guess by leaving out the horrid details, but as a 22 year old adult, she deserves to know. And, if Jen and Stefan had just sat down like two mature adults and discussed their issues, then I feel like so much drama could have been avoided.
Of course, had that happened, this book wouldn’t have been nearly as fun. Again, as a fantasy romance, Stefan owns the overprotective nature and boy does he stay consistent throughout the book. I liked that he doesn’t magically change into someone else at the end.
This is Lexxi Callahan’s debut and I’m definitely interested to see what she does in her next book. She gives us a nice cast of supporting characters and I hope to learn more about them.
Rating: C+
Jen was in a bad car accident as a young girl that killed her whole family. She ends up living with good friends of her family, which includes the slightly older Stefan. As she grows, she develops a crush on Stefan and the same thing happens to him too. At the young age of 21 (or maybe 22), Stefan basically puts a ring on her finger and says, ‘you are mine and we will get married.’ Jen thinks her fairytale is coming true, until Stefan’s ex-girlfriend tells her all he wants is control of the stock that she owns. When Jen was younger, Stefan took over her family’s company, growing it five-fold and also took control of her inheritance. When she turns 30 or when she marries, her stock can then be sold. When Stefan’s ex tells her that he still sees Jen as a little girl and doesn’t have sexual thoughts towards her, but rather just protective thoughts and dreams of her stock, she is devastated. She decides to enroll in pastry school with her best friend Jared in Paris and leaves for six months.
When she gets home half a year later, Stefan is a different man. He has grown cold and overbearing. Jen herself has grown up and has more of a backbone now. She tells him she doesn’t want to marry him. He tells her she will get married, and will never leave him again. Oh boy.
There are times I found Stefan quite sexy with his extreme bossiness. I mean – this man is really controlling and possessive. Jen tries her hardest to stand up to him, and a few times she actually does and I really liked those scenes. But there were a few times in this book that Stefan crossed the line for me. Especially because he controls Jen’s inheritance and when she asks him for money out of it open her own bakery, he denies her. GRRRRRR. I didn’t like that aspect of the book.
Another part that really bothered me was their total lack of communication. Jen suffered a very serious injury in the car accident all those years ago and lost a lot of her memory. And for whatever reason, she was never really given the details of that accident. Everyone was trying to protect her I guess by leaving out the horrid details, but as a 22 year old adult, she deserves to know. And, if Jen and Stefan had just sat down like two mature adults and discussed their issues, then I feel like so much drama could have been avoided.
Of course, had that happened, this book wouldn’t have been nearly as fun. Again, as a fantasy romance, Stefan owns the overprotective nature and boy does he stay consistent throughout the book. I liked that he doesn’t magically change into someone else at the end.
This is Lexxi Callahan’s debut and I’m definitely interested to see what she does in her next book. She gives us a nice cast of supporting characters and I hope to learn more about them.
Rating: C+
February 17, 2015
2 FUCK IT ALL STARS!
Theme Song: Fuck it all – Elle Varner (I feel like Jen and I need girl time alone to put this song on blast and get drunk together.)
Did it really matter if they wanted the same thing but for different reasons? Could she live with that?
Jen has been in love with Stefan since— well, since what feels like forever. After he “proposes”, she shortly discovers the truth about why he wants to marry her.
It was just so hard to believe it when she was with him, especially when her heart looked for every possible excuse not to believe it.
She leaves for Paris to attend pastry school then returns six months later, hoping she can break off her engagement. Of course, he hadn’t even asked; more like announced they were getting married.
She lost the battle to keep her eyes open. Her stomach twisted painfully as his words reminded her of all the reasons she should not be in this house with him. She definitely shouldn’t be standing this close to him dreaming about dogs and barbeques. Home. It just hurt too much.
Stefan isn’t the same and has become a hard, stony person. He’s obsessive and controlling in every part of his life and that includes Jen too.
This was not the way things were supposed to be. She was supposed to be happy. She was supposed to have missed him. Damn it. Jen was supposed to love him. She’d loved him her whole life. Until that exact moment Stefan hadn’t actually comprehended how much he’d always counted on that.
Personal opinion/Rant:
Oh, my god, the angst. My heart broke for Jen. I almost shed tears for this woman! How can anyone possibly imagine marrying someone who can never truly be theirs? It’s pure torture!
Stefan is a cruel bastard. End of story. He is determined to have Jen under his thumb and does not give her any freedom. I don’t give a fuck if he was truly in love with her; you don’t treat someone you love that way. He takes her love for granted, thinking she will always love him. He hardly cares about her feelings. So much for "protecting" her.
Anyways, I’m a bit annoyed that Jen is one of those “Oh, I didn’t know I’m hot and beautiful. Do you see the shock on my face?” girls. Nobody’s fucking blind here.
Wait. Wait. Wait. I’m not done. A BIG PART OF ME WANTED JEN TO RUN OFF WITH JARED. Urgghhhh. And really, she is willing to make up any excuses to convince herself that Stefan isn’t with her just because he wants to be with her.
His eyes were desperate and he looked like he didn’t know what to do. Stefan always, always knew what to do. It was a constant law of the universe.
And so even when I hated Stefan, I felt for him too.
Fuck, man.
But I still hate him.
Okay. I’m done.
Overall: I like the style of how this story was written, although the pace was too bumpy for me at times.
When I read an alpha male book like this, I expect to be sweep off my feet by the hero, but I couldn't "dig" Stefan and find his chemistry with Jen sort of lacking.
(Kindle version is free on Amazon. Download it now!)
-Mistress
Theme Song: Fuck it all – Elle Varner (I feel like Jen and I need girl time alone to put this song on blast and get drunk together.)
Did it really matter if they wanted the same thing but for different reasons? Could she live with that?
Jen has been in love with Stefan since— well, since what feels like forever. After he “proposes”, she shortly discovers the truth about why he wants to marry her.
It was just so hard to believe it when she was with him, especially when her heart looked for every possible excuse not to believe it.
She leaves for Paris to attend pastry school then returns six months later, hoping she can break off her engagement. Of course, he hadn’t even asked; more like announced they were getting married.
She lost the battle to keep her eyes open. Her stomach twisted painfully as his words reminded her of all the reasons she should not be in this house with him. She definitely shouldn’t be standing this close to him dreaming about dogs and barbeques. Home. It just hurt too much.
Stefan isn’t the same and has become a hard, stony person. He’s obsessive and controlling in every part of his life and that includes Jen too.
This was not the way things were supposed to be. She was supposed to be happy. She was supposed to have missed him. Damn it. Jen was supposed to love him. She’d loved him her whole life. Until that exact moment Stefan hadn’t actually comprehended how much he’d always counted on that.
Personal opinion/Rant:
Oh, my god, the angst. My heart broke for Jen. I almost shed tears for this woman! How can anyone possibly imagine marrying someone who can never truly be theirs? It’s pure torture!
Stefan is a cruel bastard. End of story. He is determined to have Jen under his thumb and does not give her any freedom. I don’t give a fuck if he was truly in love with her; you don’t treat someone you love that way. He takes her love for granted, thinking she will always love him. He hardly cares about her feelings. So much for "protecting" her.
Anyways, I’m a bit annoyed that Jen is one of those “Oh, I didn’t know I’m hot and beautiful. Do you see the shock on my face?” girls. Nobody’s fucking blind here.
Wait. Wait. Wait. I’m not done. A BIG PART OF ME WANTED JEN TO RUN OFF WITH JARED. Urgghhhh. And really, she is willing to make up any excuses to convince herself that Stefan isn’t with her just because he wants to be with her.
His eyes were desperate and he looked like he didn’t know what to do. Stefan always, always knew what to do. It was a constant law of the universe.
And so even when I hated Stefan, I felt for him too.
Fuck, man.
But I still hate him.
Okay. I’m done.
Overall: I like the style of how this story was written, although the pace was too bumpy for me at times.
When I read an alpha male book like this, I expect to be sweep off my feet by the hero, but I couldn't "dig" Stefan and find his chemistry with Jen sort of lacking.
(Kindle version is free on Amazon. Download it now!)
-Mistress
September 30, 2015
If I had paid close attention I am sure I could have found alot of faults in this book....but I couldn't think straight when I was reading about Stefan. The masochist in me rejoiced every second of this book....all the pain Jen felt because Stefan didn't love her....and all the frustration stefan felt because he failed to understand Jen and her rebellion.
I think the intensity of their love after all that emotional torture was totally worth it...when Stefan told Jen "By the time I’m through with you, I’ll be black-tar heroin in your veins and you won’t be able to go four hours without me somewhere deep inside you" it gave me goose bumps...
So really I don't know what to tell you except that Stefan is totally worth any inadequacies this novel has.
I think the intensity of their love after all that emotional torture was totally worth it...when Stefan told Jen "By the time I’m through with you, I’ll be black-tar heroin in your veins and you won’t be able to go four hours without me somewhere deep inside you" it gave me goose bumps...
So really I don't know what to tell you except that Stefan is totally worth any inadequacies this novel has.
July 15, 2016
3.5 Stars
Stefan was completely faithful to his h (from the age she turned 16 and he realised she was no longer a kid but a blossoming young woman who he'd fallen for). He waited a long time for her, and he truly did wait, there were no other women from then on. As confirmed by the author herself, the h had alot of things muddled up in her head (for obvious reasons) and didn't always see the truth in a situation.
Sweet story.
Stefan was completely faithful to his h (from the age she turned 16 and he realised she was no longer a kid but a blossoming young woman who he'd fallen for). He waited a long time for her, and he truly did wait, there were no other women from then on. As confirmed by the author herself, the h had alot of things muddled up in her head (for obvious reasons) and didn't always see the truth in a situation.
Sweet story.
December 20, 2014
I disliked this book
I got this book because my favorite book blogger recommended it. She said that Stefan was possessive, and knew that he wanted Jen. I thought yes!! And Stefan was possessive, and I loved that part of this book. But unfortunately, Stefan was cold through most of the book. And his actions tore me to pieces. I felt the heartache Jen felt. He never told Jen why he wanted to marry her. He just kept pushing the fact. Never showing her love and appreciation, or even like beyond something brotherly. I hate Stefan. Hate that he made Jen promise to never be with other men, while he did whatever he wanted, and even paraded his girlfriends in front of her. I get that Jen was too young, but if she has to wait so do you, especially since he claimed she was his. So then at 75% there is a wtf moment, and ridiculous conflict was introduced. Memory loss was introduced, and the fact that everybody was supposedly trying to protect Jen, but nobody thought to tell her everything, or help her by having her see a psychiatrist. Instead the pretended as if nothing was wrong with her. Which led the the ridiculousness of the last 25%. Which was quickly resolved in an even stupider way. And on that last part I hated Srefan even more. To sleep with your dead, supposed best friend's girl, while having claimed his sister, while keeping secrets. Nope. I hate Stefan. The Sex was horrible. Things were implied, you had to guess what they were doing, and they faded.
I really did not enjoy this book at all. Not because Stefan was abusive or controlling like the other reviews said, because he wasn't at all. But because of the ridiculousness of the plot, and Stefan's cold and inconsiderate actions despite the fact that he claims Jen is his.
I got this book because my favorite book blogger recommended it. She said that Stefan was possessive, and knew that he wanted Jen. I thought yes!! And Stefan was possessive, and I loved that part of this book. But unfortunately, Stefan was cold through most of the book. And his actions tore me to pieces. I felt the heartache Jen felt. He never told Jen why he wanted to marry her. He just kept pushing the fact. Never showing her love and appreciation, or even like beyond something brotherly. I hate Stefan. Hate that he made Jen promise to never be with other men, while he did whatever he wanted, and even paraded his girlfriends in front of her. I get that Jen was too young, but if she has to wait so do you, especially since he claimed she was his. So then at 75% there is a wtf moment, and ridiculous conflict was introduced. Memory loss was introduced, and the fact that everybody was supposedly trying to protect Jen, but nobody thought to tell her everything, or help her by having her see a psychiatrist. Instead the pretended as if nothing was wrong with her. Which led the the ridiculousness of the last 25%. Which was quickly resolved in an even stupider way. And on that last part I hated Srefan even more. To sleep with your dead, supposed best friend's girl, while having claimed his sister, while keeping secrets. Nope. I hate Stefan. The Sex was horrible. Things were implied, you had to guess what they were doing, and they faded.
I really did not enjoy this book at all. Not because Stefan was abusive or controlling like the other reviews said, because he wasn't at all. But because of the ridiculousness of the plot, and Stefan's cold and inconsiderate actions despite the fact that he claims Jen is his.
August 25, 2016
You ever read books where the author has done such a spectacular job of writing that you feel sick to your stomach with pain and you want to throw up on behalf of the characters? No? That's just me? Well, I felt that way reading this at about the 80% mark! Thankfully things turned out ok, but for a while I wasn't too sure.
Stefan is anxiously waiting for Jen to get back home to New Orleans so they can plan their wedding, but Jen has decided that she can't marry him because she thinks he doesn't really love her. I have to admit, Stefan is HORRIBLE at expressing his feelings for Jen. Of course, we find out why he treats her so delicately. I get it. But he could have told her he really did love her and then maybe they wouldn't have been at odds so much.
Jen was GREAT! I loved her spunk and sass. She was fragile at times, but she had a fiestiness to her that goaded Stefan. I loved it!
Don't get me started on Madlyn. Or her grandfather. I absolutely hated In fact, that is one of the reasons I didn't give this 5 stars. I get that Stefan was a few years older than Jen and that he couldn't act on his feelings for her while she was 16 and he was about 21, but for him to tell her to stay away from boys and he proceeded to date other girls/women and bring them around just smacks of disrespect. I just can't get past that.
Will I read the rest of the series? Probably so. I liked the cast of characters. Lizzie was interesting and Jared is outstanding. I want so much for him...and it's not Madlyn.
*thanks to IndieSage PR for sharing a copy of this in exchange for an honest review*
Stefan is anxiously waiting for Jen to get back home to New Orleans so they can plan their wedding, but Jen has decided that she can't marry him because she thinks he doesn't really love her. I have to admit, Stefan is HORRIBLE at expressing his feelings for Jen. Of course, we find out why he treats her so delicately. I get it. But he could have told her he really did love her and then maybe they wouldn't have been at odds so much.
Jen was GREAT! I loved her spunk and sass. She was fragile at times, but she had a fiestiness to her that goaded Stefan. I loved it!
Don't get me started on Madlyn. Or her grandfather. I absolutely hated In fact, that is one of the reasons I didn't give this 5 stars. I get that Stefan was a few years older than Jen and that he couldn't act on his feelings for her while she was 16 and he was about 21, but for him to tell her to stay away from boys and he proceeded to date other girls/women and bring them around just smacks of disrespect. I just can't get past that.
Will I read the rest of the series? Probably so. I liked the cast of characters. Lizzie was interesting and Jared is outstanding. I want so much for him...and it's not Madlyn.
*thanks to IndieSage PR for sharing a copy of this in exchange for an honest review*
March 15, 2015
3.5 stars.
I really enjoyed the author’s voice and I’ll be reading her again, especially since I got hooked by the sequel bait. However, parts of the story frustrated me.
Stefan acted like such an alphole in the first half of the book that it was hard to like him. At times it felt like I was reading an HP. The conflict was a stretch for me. He had his reasons to want their marriage and to abstain from sex with her until then but I didn’t understand why he never tried to woo Jen to make things easier. Or, here’s a novel concept, talk to her about his reasons. He just ignored every direct question from Jen. Stefan’s redeeming quality was that he was wrapped around Jen’s finger.
Jen has a touch of the Mary Sue in her but I did like that she stood up for herself and was pro-active about her future. I wish there’d been more scenes with Lizzie and their friendship. Most of the book was a sausage fest with Stefan and his fifty best friends who all love Jen.
I know there was content editing but if there was a copy editor, the author deserves a refund. The grammatical errors were abundant and often took me out of the flow of reading.
I enjoyed the story and read it quickly. It felt fresh and like I haven’t read a million variations of it before. The second half redeemed Stefan as his reasons were explained and he and Jen worked out their problems. The external conflict tied into the Big Secret and the relationship and it all worked for me. There was never a dull moment and the ending wrapped up nicely without a sugarfest of an epilogue.
1/23/15
Reread in preparation for the sequel. Still found it very engaging and fresh and couldn’t put it down. Felt more like a 4 star read for most of it. Stefan didn’t seem quite as much of an alphole this time. Maybe it’s because I already knew everything whereas the first time around I couldn’t understand their relationship at all.
I really enjoyed the author’s voice and I’ll be reading her again, especially since I got hooked by the sequel bait. However, parts of the story frustrated me.
Stefan acted like such an alphole in the first half of the book that it was hard to like him. At times it felt like I was reading an HP. The conflict was a stretch for me. He had his reasons to want their marriage and to abstain from sex with her until then but I didn’t understand why he never tried to woo Jen to make things easier. Or, here’s a novel concept, talk to her about his reasons. He just ignored every direct question from Jen. Stefan’s redeeming quality was that he was wrapped around Jen’s finger.
Jen has a touch of the Mary Sue in her but I did like that she stood up for herself and was pro-active about her future. I wish there’d been more scenes with Lizzie and their friendship. Most of the book was a sausage fest with Stefan and his fifty best friends who all love Jen.
I know there was content editing but if there was a copy editor, the author deserves a refund. The grammatical errors were abundant and often took me out of the flow of reading.
I enjoyed the story and read it quickly. It felt fresh and like I haven’t read a million variations of it before. The second half redeemed Stefan as his reasons were explained and he and Jen worked out their problems. The external conflict tied into the Big Secret and the relationship and it all worked for me. There was never a dull moment and the ending wrapped up nicely without a sugarfest of an epilogue.
1/23/15
Reread in preparation for the sequel. Still found it very engaging and fresh and couldn’t put it down. Felt more like a 4 star read for most of it. Stefan didn’t seem quite as much of an alphole this time. Maybe it’s because I already knew everything whereas the first time around I couldn’t understand their relationship at all.
July 1, 2013
This was a fun fast paced romance, with lots of intrigue thrown in the mix that kept me riveted, especially the last 50 pages. It also had a delicious OW, which is something I just love in my romance reads.
Jen and Stefan have history. Their families have been long time friends and business partners. When Jen was only a child, her family is in a car accident that kills them. She is the only surviving family member and suffers with a serious head injury that leaves her unable to talk for over a year.
I liked how the author used flashbacks to piece the story together and build the romance.
I only have two negatives
1) I wanted to see OW really suffer for all her evil doings. She got off way too lightly for me.
Plus the relationship between OW and hero was confusing and needed flushed out better. She was involved with Robert, his best friend, yet slept with Stefan. That didn't make sense. Somehow that lessened the hero. I think this could have added tremendous depth to the story if the author explored their relationship more.
2) This felt too much like a sequel with too many characters thrown into the mix without really being introduced or having a real reason for being in the story.
But otherwise, a great read. I will seek more work by this author!
Jen and Stefan have history. Their families have been long time friends and business partners. When Jen was only a child, her family is in a car accident that kills them. She is the only surviving family member and suffers with a serious head injury that leaves her unable to talk for over a year.
I liked how the author used flashbacks to piece the story together and build the romance.
I only have two negatives
1) I wanted to see OW really suffer for all her evil doings. She got off way too lightly for me.
Plus the relationship between OW and hero was confusing and needed flushed out better. She was involved with Robert, his best friend, yet slept with Stefan. That didn't make sense. Somehow that lessened the hero. I think this could have added tremendous depth to the story if the author explored their relationship more.
2) This felt too much like a sequel with too many characters thrown into the mix without really being introduced or having a real reason for being in the story.
But otherwise, a great read. I will seek more work by this author!
July 17, 2013
This reads as a how to be in an abusive controlling relationship that gets solved with sex. The main characters don't trust each other, talk to each other, or seem to like each other. The second half of the book -after they had sex- reads as a completely different story. I couldn't really cheer for their victory against the big bad because Stefan was such a domineering jerk in the first half that it didn't matter. I cheered more when Jen walked away from him and he broke.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2015
A 4 stars read. Jen has been in love with Stefan for a long time and then something happened, she just left to Paris, took calanry to become a pastry baker. 6 month later, she came back to her town and low and behold Stefan is there. Forbidden love from friendship to lover and second chance of love.
Can't wait to read the next book.
Can't wait to read the next book.
April 10, 2015
Mmmm... I loved this book. Yes, the hero walked a very thin line between Alpha and Alphole, especially in the first 40% of the book or so, but while he dipped his toe into Alphole waters, he never quite jumped in for me. The result was nummy.
Jen has loved her fiance, Stefan, for pretty much her whole life. Only she recently discovered a secret about why he truly proposed marriage to her, which made her take a six month sabbatical to pastry school in Paris where she lost weight (would that MY sabbaticals would be to pastry school in Paris where I lost weight) and gained a whole new attitude (I probably don't need any additional attitude - at least that's what my family tells me). She returns with a backbone she's always lacked with Stefan and has decided to tell him she will not be marrying him. Of course because this is a romance novel, Stefan has no intention of allowing this to happen and, by fair means or foul, decides to get Jen to marry him one way or another.
Let's be clear. In real life, Stefan would be a controlling, deceptive autocrat, especially at the beginning of the book. However, in fantasy-book-land, he's absolutely delicious. One thing that the author did that I really liked was make Stefan a Health Nut (that's right - I'm using capital letters) who works out in numerous scenes (and is, in fact, training for an Ironman triathalon) and basically exists on protein shakes and whole grains. He doesn't even eat his pastry-baking fiancée's baked goods until he realizes other people are getting the delicacies she's so well known for and she won't make them for him (I'm not describing this very well, but it was actually kind of sweet... no pun intended). This was both annoying (because, let's face it, health nuts can get incredibly annoying for those of us not so overly endowed with godlike willpower) and fleshed him out for me. I loved reading a romance hero who had a vaguely annoying habit like this. Whether Lexxi Callahan meant to or not, Stefan started the book as a standard cut-out alphole hero and was fleshed out into a really interesting man.
My feelings toward Jen are a bit more mixed - just like her signals. I get that it's Romancelandia, where no matter how much you want to stand your ground and get your way, Teh Sechs is just too much to stand up against, but seriously, lady, you can do better than that. She showed really good signs of it, and by the end of the book, had made huge strides, but it took her longer to get there than the book seemed to want to acknowledge. If you don't want to marry a guy and instead of listening to your arguments, he takes you to a new house, grab your stuff and move out - especially if you have the money to do so. If he won't let you have your own money to open up your bakery where you want to and you still don't want to marry him, don't bargain with him or make bets or cut deals. Go around him. She had plenty of ways to get money for the bakery, but she was so busy telling herself she didn't want to marry Stefan that she allowed him to maneuver her into the exact position she claimed she didn't want to be in (and of course, yes, I know, subconsciously she did, but it was a little maddening to watch her play games she wouldn't have had to if she had just stood her ground).
The end got a little... soapy. I don't want to go into too much detail since I haven't really spoiled much here, but we're talking some crazy-ass "Days of Our Lives" machinations on the part of the villain here. It was a bit over-the-top, but the end result was still an HEA (I am NOT into cliff-hanger books), so I was okay with it.
I vacillated between 4 and 5 stars on this one, but honestly, Stefan was so delicious, I knocked it up one and am putting it on my Keeper shelf.
Jen has loved her fiance, Stefan, for pretty much her whole life. Only she recently discovered a secret about why he truly proposed marriage to her, which made her take a six month sabbatical to pastry school in Paris where she lost weight (would that MY sabbaticals would be to pastry school in Paris where I lost weight) and gained a whole new attitude (I probably don't need any additional attitude - at least that's what my family tells me). She returns with a backbone she's always lacked with Stefan and has decided to tell him she will not be marrying him. Of course because this is a romance novel, Stefan has no intention of allowing this to happen and, by fair means or foul, decides to get Jen to marry him one way or another.
Let's be clear. In real life, Stefan would be a controlling, deceptive autocrat, especially at the beginning of the book. However, in fantasy-book-land, he's absolutely delicious. One thing that the author did that I really liked was make Stefan a Health Nut (that's right - I'm using capital letters) who works out in numerous scenes (and is, in fact, training for an Ironman triathalon) and basically exists on protein shakes and whole grains. He doesn't even eat his pastry-baking fiancée's baked goods until he realizes other people are getting the delicacies she's so well known for and she won't make them for him (I'm not describing this very well, but it was actually kind of sweet... no pun intended). This was both annoying (because, let's face it, health nuts can get incredibly annoying for those of us not so overly endowed with godlike willpower) and fleshed him out for me. I loved reading a romance hero who had a vaguely annoying habit like this. Whether Lexxi Callahan meant to or not, Stefan started the book as a standard cut-out alphole hero and was fleshed out into a really interesting man.
My feelings toward Jen are a bit more mixed - just like her signals. I get that it's Romancelandia, where no matter how much you want to stand your ground and get your way, Teh Sechs is just too much to stand up against, but seriously, lady, you can do better than that. She showed really good signs of it, and by the end of the book, had made huge strides, but it took her longer to get there than the book seemed to want to acknowledge. If you don't want to marry a guy and instead of listening to your arguments, he takes you to a new house, grab your stuff and move out - especially if you have the money to do so. If he won't let you have your own money to open up your bakery where you want to and you still don't want to marry him, don't bargain with him or make bets or cut deals. Go around him. She had plenty of ways to get money for the bakery, but she was so busy telling herself she didn't want to marry Stefan that she allowed him to maneuver her into the exact position she claimed she didn't want to be in (and of course, yes, I know, subconsciously she did, but it was a little maddening to watch her play games she wouldn't have had to if she had just stood her ground).
The end got a little... soapy. I don't want to go into too much detail since I haven't really spoiled much here, but we're talking some crazy-ass "Days of Our Lives" machinations on the part of the villain here. It was a bit over-the-top, but the end result was still an HEA (I am NOT into cliff-hanger books), so I was okay with it.
I vacillated between 4 and 5 stars on this one, but honestly, Stefan was so delicious, I knocked it up one and am putting it on my Keeper shelf.
February 27, 2015
Review to come
Full review is also posted on my blog - Ellie Reads Fiction
This is my first book by Lexxi Callahan and quite enjoyed it. It has its weaknesses and things that I didn't particualry like but overall it's a sweet and quite sexy Southern romance, involving some super riches heroes and heroines and their high-level games of seduction, keeping secrets and blackmail.
The beginnign of the book is what I'd describe bubbly. All of a sudden we meet one too many characters which made it difficult to keep track who is who and what the relationships were. It felt like the story is a sequel and I should already know this people but I didn't and it made thigns confusing for a while.
Stefan is your typical alpha hero, taking possessiveness and protectiveness to the extreme which I didn't particularly enjoy. He had total control over the heroine since he managed her trust fund and it reallu put her in a position of dependance. It didn;t bother me much, sicne I think it was handled well and the author managed to convince me of the truth of the characters' feelings for each other.
I had some issues with the heroine as well. She appeared too naive for a 22-year old woman, though it was somewhat understadable becase she has been overprotected her whole life, sheltered from reality in a way. his mental issues made her feel real and and her story explained (at leat in part) why the hero felt so strongly about her to the point of denying her any indepedant thought or action.
Their chemistry as off the charts and the sexual tension was esquisitely presented though it became repetitve at some point. The wait for their coming together felt unnecessarily prolonged.
I found the pace of the story a bit uneven, jumping from lighthearted and fun to serious and gloomy in a heartbeat.
It's more of fantasy romance with the perfect HEA than a realistic contemporary romance. It made it an enjoyable and fun read for me, albeit not a very deep one. I've already got Solving for Nic and will be starting it soon.
Full review is also posted on my blog - Ellie Reads Fiction
This is my first book by Lexxi Callahan and quite enjoyed it. It has its weaknesses and things that I didn't particualry like but overall it's a sweet and quite sexy Southern romance, involving some super riches heroes and heroines and their high-level games of seduction, keeping secrets and blackmail.
The beginnign of the book is what I'd describe bubbly. All of a sudden we meet one too many characters which made it difficult to keep track who is who and what the relationships were. It felt like the story is a sequel and I should already know this people but I didn't and it made thigns confusing for a while.
Stefan is your typical alpha hero, taking possessiveness and protectiveness to the extreme which I didn't particularly enjoy. He had total control over the heroine since he managed her trust fund and it reallu put her in a position of dependance. It didn;t bother me much, sicne I think it was handled well and the author managed to convince me of the truth of the characters' feelings for each other.
I had some issues with the heroine as well. She appeared too naive for a 22-year old woman, though it was somewhat understadable becase she has been overprotected her whole life, sheltered from reality in a way. his mental issues made her feel real and and her story explained (at leat in part) why the hero felt so strongly about her to the point of denying her any indepedant thought or action.
Their chemistry as off the charts and the sexual tension was esquisitely presented though it became repetitve at some point. The wait for their coming together felt unnecessarily prolonged.
I found the pace of the story a bit uneven, jumping from lighthearted and fun to serious and gloomy in a heartbeat.
It's more of fantasy romance with the perfect HEA than a realistic contemporary romance. It made it an enjoyable and fun read for me, albeit not a very deep one. I've already got Solving for Nic and will be starting it soon.
August 14, 2013
This was a delightful read! I'm seriously amazed by how much I enjoyed reading it. It was just fun! From start to finish I was hanging on every word just wondering what Jen and Stefan would do or say next. When they would stop being so blind. When they would finally do the deed for goodness sake! (And oh my, once that started there was no stopping them and it was STEEEAMY!!).
And if not them, then enjoying getting to know their wonderful friends and family that make up the secondary characters. But of course, as every reader knows if the author doesn't make her characters work for their HEA and by default we as readers "patiently" wait as well, then the story really isn't much of a read. Which is not at all the case with Ms Callahan's engaging tale. She keeps your interest, keeps you grinning, keeps you wondering by sneaking in a few twists, melts your heart, and last but definitely not least may cause you to fan yourself a few times to cool down after the love scenes.
Jen and Stefan's characters were well-developed but never so pigeon-holed as to eliminate Ms. Callahan's ability to surprise us. What I liked most was that they each showed a tremendous amount of personal growth and a growing understanding of the other. Their friends were fun, supportive, had personalities and backbones of their own and were given just the right amount of page time to shine without diverting the story.
I unwaveringly recommend purchasing this book and would be surprised by anyone who does not thoroughly enjoy this light-hearted read.
And if not them, then enjoying getting to know their wonderful friends and family that make up the secondary characters. But of course, as every reader knows if the author doesn't make her characters work for their HEA and by default we as readers "patiently" wait as well, then the story really isn't much of a read. Which is not at all the case with Ms Callahan's engaging tale. She keeps your interest, keeps you grinning, keeps you wondering by sneaking in a few twists, melts your heart, and last but definitely not least may cause you to fan yourself a few times to cool down after the love scenes.
Jen and Stefan's characters were well-developed but never so pigeon-holed as to eliminate Ms. Callahan's ability to surprise us. What I liked most was that they each showed a tremendous amount of personal growth and a growing understanding of the other. Their friends were fun, supportive, had personalities and backbones of their own and were given just the right amount of page time to shine without diverting the story.
I unwaveringly recommend purchasing this book and would be surprised by anyone who does not thoroughly enjoy this light-hearted read.
July 8, 2013
I read this story TWICE over my vacation week...that's how much I liked it. Very sexy, intense, push-and-pull chemistry between the H/h. Nice storyline, got me hooked right away. Even a few mysteries thrown in at the end to add an extra bit of suspense. The ending was super satisfying.
I'm impressed this is an indie book. Big thanks to Jen Porter for the recommendation.
Grade: A
I'm impressed this is an indie book. Big thanks to Jen Porter for the recommendation.
Grade: A
May 12, 2015
3.5-4 stars
"I have always loved you. I woke up in the hospital to the sound of your voice. I came back to you. I’m yours. I’ve always been yours"
Saw a bunch of bad reviews that made me wonder if was worth the money and time, but then this was a recommendation from my GR friend Sivy and she usually recommends me good books, so I jumped to read it and was not disappointed at all.
This story contains a heroine who was fragile but after her spending 6 months in Paris, away from my thew love of her life and fiancee Stephan, she returns to Louisiana not being the same. Stephan has been in love with Jen since she was 16, but the age difference and the situation why Jen's been living with Stephan's family, makes him feel guilty for wanting her, so stupidly he things of her as his and decides he will marry her, not giving her any option in he matter, of course, she's been crazy in love with him since she was a little girl, so it doesn't matter to her until she finds out the "reasons" he's marrying her.
He's mega controlling and possessive of Jen and actually it's sometimes hard to read, but for us who enjoy a crazy possessive alpha hero, at the same time is sexy as hell...
"No, you lying little witch,” he snarled at her, his hand on her jaw as he tried to turn her face to his. “You open your eyes and tell me to my face that you gave him what was mine.”
His hand clamped down on her face. “Open your eyes.” She shook her head because she knew she just couldn’t do it. She’d lost. She should have known better. How could she possibly go up against him and win? She actually loved him. She only ended up hurting herself. “Let me go,” she whispered.
“Open your eyes or I will find out for myself if you let him touch you"
Load with angst, sexual tension, a jerk of a hero, who's really not a jerk but doesn't know how to express his feelings, a bunch of friends and good storyline, this is an good option to read.
"I have always loved you. I woke up in the hospital to the sound of your voice. I came back to you. I’m yours. I’ve always been yours"
Saw a bunch of bad reviews that made me wonder if was worth the money and time, but then this was a recommendation from my GR friend Sivy and she usually recommends me good books, so I jumped to read it and was not disappointed at all.
This story contains a heroine who was fragile but after her spending 6 months in Paris, away from my thew love of her life and fiancee Stephan, she returns to Louisiana not being the same. Stephan has been in love with Jen since she was 16, but the age difference and the situation why Jen's been living with Stephan's family, makes him feel guilty for wanting her, so stupidly he things of her as his and decides he will marry her, not giving her any option in he matter, of course, she's been crazy in love with him since she was a little girl, so it doesn't matter to her until she finds out the "reasons" he's marrying her.
He's mega controlling and possessive of Jen and actually it's sometimes hard to read, but for us who enjoy a crazy possessive alpha hero, at the same time is sexy as hell...
"No, you lying little witch,” he snarled at her, his hand on her jaw as he tried to turn her face to his. “You open your eyes and tell me to my face that you gave him what was mine.”
His hand clamped down on her face. “Open your eyes.” She shook her head because she knew she just couldn’t do it. She’d lost. She should have known better. How could she possibly go up against him and win? She actually loved him. She only ended up hurting herself. “Let me go,” she whispered.
“Open your eyes or I will find out for myself if you let him touch you"
Load with angst, sexual tension, a jerk of a hero, who's really not a jerk but doesn't know how to express his feelings, a bunch of friends and good storyline, this is an good option to read.
August 24, 2016
I had the chance to read “Sweetened with a Kiss” by Lexxi Callahan and it was a sweet 2nd chance romance for a couple that had faced adversity in their relationship and in their lives.
Jen Taylor had been in a horrible accident which costs her everything in her young life. She ends up living with her brother’s best friend Stefan Sellers and his family. She has a crush on Stefan that gets worse as she gets older. At her young age of 21, Stefan puts an engagement on her finger and said they are engaged. All seemed to be going ok, and that her dream is coming true with the man she has always wanted but then Stefan’s ex says he is only with her due to her stocks she has. At that, Jen loses hope and I felt so bad for her. There is stock in play- When she turns 30 or when she marries, her stock can then be sold. Jen is devastated and from there the story blossoms on how she decides to take control of her life and how Stefan reels from the loss of the woman he really loves. The 2nd chance romance is how they deal with the fallout from the betrayal of the ex-girlfriend and the trust issues.
I found Stefan to be very alpha when he dealt with Jen; at first he came off as a jerk but then as the story progressed, I found him to become more human and very protective toward Jen. And Jen, oh she is so sweet and all she has gone thru , my heart hurts for her but she is strong and she can be sassy. I loved the ending of the story and cannot wait to read the next books in this series for the supporting cast of characters made this very enjoyable.
My rating: 4.0 stars ****
**I was given an ARC by IndieSagePR in exchange for an honest review***
Jen Taylor had been in a horrible accident which costs her everything in her young life. She ends up living with her brother’s best friend Stefan Sellers and his family. She has a crush on Stefan that gets worse as she gets older. At her young age of 21, Stefan puts an engagement on her finger and said they are engaged. All seemed to be going ok, and that her dream is coming true with the man she has always wanted but then Stefan’s ex says he is only with her due to her stocks she has. At that, Jen loses hope and I felt so bad for her. There is stock in play- When she turns 30 or when she marries, her stock can then be sold. Jen is devastated and from there the story blossoms on how she decides to take control of her life and how Stefan reels from the loss of the woman he really loves. The 2nd chance romance is how they deal with the fallout from the betrayal of the ex-girlfriend and the trust issues.
I found Stefan to be very alpha when he dealt with Jen; at first he came off as a jerk but then as the story progressed, I found him to become more human and very protective toward Jen. And Jen, oh she is so sweet and all she has gone thru , my heart hurts for her but she is strong and she can be sassy. I loved the ending of the story and cannot wait to read the next books in this series for the supporting cast of characters made this very enjoyable.
My rating: 4.0 stars ****
**I was given an ARC by IndieSagePR in exchange for an honest review***
June 4, 2014
Oh Stefan, "well, Paris was good for something." His eyes glittered with amusement, but his breathing still wasn't steady. "Our kitten grew claws." The boy has trouble saying some things out loud but other times he has no problems stating what's on his mind, "protect you? That's a joke. You need protection from me, Jem. I have business being around you." That last bit came out so savagely that she shrank back. "I can't keep my hands off you for fifteen minutes in a row." Sometimes wrong things come out of his mouth, "yeah?" He had no good argument for that, but he still heard himself say, "well, you aren't on of my girlfriends, are you?" He heard the sharp intake of breath and felt it hit his gut as he realized she'd completely misunderstood." I think Stefan has a little attitude problem, "what?" he demanded sharply, turning suddenly in his seat when he braked at a red light. "Buy a hot car for my smoking hot fiancee so I can pin her to the hood she wears her eff-me shoes and black stockings with bows?" Once the crap is all worked out Jen loves to tease her man:
"I'm sorry," Jen looked at him blankly. "Were you saying something?" she asked, reaching up to run her fingers down his chest, tracing a line under his pecs and down his abdomen. "I was distracted."
He caught her hand before it could reach his waistband. "Seriously. Tea. Now."
I liked reading this book, there were times that I wanted to kick Stefan in the balls.
"I'm sorry," Jen looked at him blankly. "Were you saying something?" she asked, reaching up to run her fingers down his chest, tracing a line under his pecs and down his abdomen. "I was distracted."
He caught her hand before it could reach his waistband. "Seriously. Tea. Now."
I liked reading this book, there were times that I wanted to kick Stefan in the balls.
December 19, 2014
I bought this book several months ago, but for whatever reason, I decided to open it on my kindle this morning. And I'm really glad I did.
I enjoyed Lexxi Callahan's voice a lot. There was something really authentic and genuine about the way she told this story. I found myself turning pages even though it's only a week till Christmas and I have a million other things to do.
Stefan is an asshole hero. Let's just get that out of the way right up front. He pissed me of a lot, but there was definitely something about him that made me want to keep rooting for him. Would I put up with some of his shit IRL? Probably not. However, as a reader, I found his asshole(ness) completely engaging.
Loved our heroine, Jen. She has a long, tough history that reveals itself throughout the book. And while sometimes I found myself frustrated by the lack of communication between the two MCs, I realize that if they shared everything with each other in chapter one, this would have been a pretty short story.
Also, holy shit at the UST in this book! The best I've read in contemporary romance in a while.
Great, hot read, y'all.
4 stars
I enjoyed Lexxi Callahan's voice a lot. There was something really authentic and genuine about the way she told this story. I found myself turning pages even though it's only a week till Christmas and I have a million other things to do.
Stefan is an asshole hero. Let's just get that out of the way right up front. He pissed me of a lot, but there was definitely something about him that made me want to keep rooting for him. Would I put up with some of his shit IRL? Probably not. However, as a reader, I found his asshole(ness) completely engaging.
Loved our heroine, Jen. She has a long, tough history that reveals itself throughout the book. And while sometimes I found myself frustrated by the lack of communication between the two MCs, I realize that if they shared everything with each other in chapter one, this would have been a pretty short story.
Also, holy shit at the UST in this book! The best I've read in contemporary romance in a while.
Great, hot read, y'all.
4 stars
June 23, 2013
*Got an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.*
Okay. Where do I start? Maybe it's just me but it took me 5 days to finish this book. It wasn't a long book so I dont understand it. I wanted to like this book (I really do) but I cant seem to get into it!
There was more action on the last five chapters, I dont know what to make of that. But I liked how it ended since I'm such a sucker for HEA.
Here's what I thought as I read on:
1. There's too much comparison to ice or cold something.
2. There's too much i-wont-tell-you-how-i-feel-so-we-wont-get-along that lasted ten chapters. They just dont like each other so much that it felt unreal.
3. It feels like the book tarted in the middle. There sould've been atleast an introduction of some sort. Til the end of the book I dont know how old Stefan is. (or maybe I just missed it or something.)
4. Why couldnt Stefan tell Jen he loves her? And why cant Jen tell him how she felt? Was it so hard to have "The Talk"?
I was looking at the percentage so much to know if it's already ending.
Would I recommend this? Probably not. :(
Okay. Where do I start? Maybe it's just me but it took me 5 days to finish this book. It wasn't a long book so I dont understand it. I wanted to like this book (I really do) but I cant seem to get into it!
There was more action on the last five chapters, I dont know what to make of that. But I liked how it ended since I'm such a sucker for HEA.
Here's what I thought as I read on:
1. There's too much comparison to ice or cold something.
2. There's too much i-wont-tell-you-how-i-feel-so-we-wont-get-along that lasted ten chapters. They just dont like each other so much that it felt unreal.
3. It feels like the book tarted in the middle. There sould've been atleast an introduction of some sort. Til the end of the book I dont know how old Stefan is. (or maybe I just missed it or something.)
4. Why couldnt Stefan tell Jen he loves her? And why cant Jen tell him how she felt? Was it so hard to have "The Talk"?
I was looking at the percentage so much to know if it's already ending.
Would I recommend this? Probably not. :(
April 23, 2014
I liked lots about this book. The writing is crisp and often moving. The couple has a lot of genuine heat and hurt and Ms. Callahan explores them both well.
I struggled though, to understand the plot for the first half of the book. Sweetened with a Kiss reads as though it is part of a series. Characters and background events are presented as a given and yet I felt utterly not clued-in. This made the first hours I spent reading the novel disconcerting. I also found the end far too speedily and tidily resolved. It felt as if all these serious threats evaporated overly easily.
Still, Sweetened with a Kiss was a fun read and, if you like bossy, alpha heroes, you'll really like Stefan!
I struggled though, to understand the plot for the first half of the book. Sweetened with a Kiss reads as though it is part of a series. Characters and background events are presented as a given and yet I felt utterly not clued-in. This made the first hours I spent reading the novel disconcerting. I also found the end far too speedily and tidily resolved. It felt as if all these serious threats evaporated overly easily.
Still, Sweetened with a Kiss was a fun read and, if you like bossy, alpha heroes, you'll really like Stefan!
February 9, 2015
Jen Taylor should be celebrating her engagement to Stefan Sellers, instead she flew off to Paris and tried to figure out how to get out of the proposal. Six months later Jen is home and Steffan wants answers. Steffan knew he would marry Jen one day, but the woman who has come home is feisty and trying to break the engagement. Steffan is headstrong and trying to wrap his head around the new Jen, the one he knows is quiet and timid, this Jen is a firecracker and he likes it.
This was pretty fun, I did feel like they both needed to get on the same page a little sooner out it all worked out. Jen was feeling that Jason was marrying her for money but it couldn't be farther from the truth. Will definitely check out more from this author.
This was pretty fun, I did feel like they both needed to get on the same page a little sooner out it all worked out. Jen was feeling that Jason was marrying her for money but it couldn't be farther from the truth. Will definitely check out more from this author.
November 7, 2024
The potential for greatness is there. That magical quality but it's fleeting. The story is little fragmented. It starts off with so many key players. Some have a specific roles, some are just thrown at you like it's a ongoing story and you jumped in the middle of it. There's a bit too much going on the baking, running, biking, corporate takeovers, fairytales, with an added psychological twist, hint of political intrigue and court drama. That's too much to keep track of so it feels like jumping from one to another. There's some important things that is left hanging and unexplained. It's has a great run. Stefan's character isn't solid he has a few odd cracks that doesn't seem to fit.
January 12, 2015
I have to say thank you to the author Lexxi Callahan for contacting me and asking if I would like to consider reading and reviewing her series.
I readily agreed, I'm a sucker for a good romantic story as long as it has what I term Umph in it!
1. Sexy
2. Not run of the mill Mills and Boon type
3. Angst
4. Twists
This had all of that.
Here is a young girl who has a crush on a guy [Stefan] for life long..........then as she gets older she gets her chance......ring on finger......"she is mine"
But something goes wrong.
I can't wait to stick my nose into book 2
I readily agreed, I'm a sucker for a good romantic story as long as it has what I term Umph in it!
1. Sexy
2. Not run of the mill Mills and Boon type
3. Angst
4. Twists
This had all of that.
Here is a young girl who has a crush on a guy [Stefan] for life long..........then as she gets older she gets her chance......ring on finger......"she is mine"
But something goes wrong.
I can't wait to stick my nose into book 2
February 6, 2017
This book is full of surprises. At the beginning I had reservations about the main characters, then boom and I was hooked just like that....
Stefan manages a very lucrative business. He is very well organised and pretty much in control for most of the time. He is very athletic and running is his way of letting off steam. He is engaged to Jen and looking forward to the wedding.
Jen has a special talent with pastry. To Stefan's surprise, she goes off to pastry school in Paris not long after their engagement. She has been in love with him since she was eighteen but is not sure why he wants to marry her. Meddling from deceitful parties can only make matters worse.
She returns to New Orleans six months later not looking forward to what's waiting for her. She has remarkably changed. No longer the shy and quiet girl who went to Paris. Stefan is surprised when he first sees her and surprised at his reaction to her but fights to stay in control. This instantly sends the wrong message to make Jen question his reasons for the wedding. The misconceptions and misunstandings are very irritating.
As the story develops the extent of the effects of the accident where Jen lost so much start to surface. This is where everything gets more and more interesting. Little by little what happened since the accident makes an appearance which sheds light on Stefan's and Jen's behaviour.
I didn't think much of Stefan at the beginning of the story. He appeared to be harsh, cold and controlling. When the reasons for his overprotectiveness for Jen are disclosed, I found myself rooting for him. Jen is very capable but as much as she loves Stefan, she allows herself to be influenced instead of trusting him. The lack of communication between them plays a big role in all their problems but then again, this is what makes the story so fascinating. As for Madlyn, she is the most heartless and calculating character in this novel. I really liked Lizzie's and Jared's loyalty.
This story is unpredictable but everything turns out beautifully. It's an emotional but rewarding journey.
I received an eARC of this book from IndieSage PR in exchange for an honest review.
Stefan manages a very lucrative business. He is very well organised and pretty much in control for most of the time. He is very athletic and running is his way of letting off steam. He is engaged to Jen and looking forward to the wedding.
Jen has a special talent with pastry. To Stefan's surprise, she goes off to pastry school in Paris not long after their engagement. She has been in love with him since she was eighteen but is not sure why he wants to marry her. Meddling from deceitful parties can only make matters worse.
She returns to New Orleans six months later not looking forward to what's waiting for her. She has remarkably changed. No longer the shy and quiet girl who went to Paris. Stefan is surprised when he first sees her and surprised at his reaction to her but fights to stay in control. This instantly sends the wrong message to make Jen question his reasons for the wedding. The misconceptions and misunstandings are very irritating.
As the story develops the extent of the effects of the accident where Jen lost so much start to surface. This is where everything gets more and more interesting. Little by little what happened since the accident makes an appearance which sheds light on Stefan's and Jen's behaviour.
I didn't think much of Stefan at the beginning of the story. He appeared to be harsh, cold and controlling. When the reasons for his overprotectiveness for Jen are disclosed, I found myself rooting for him. Jen is very capable but as much as she loves Stefan, she allows herself to be influenced instead of trusting him. The lack of communication between them plays a big role in all their problems but then again, this is what makes the story so fascinating. As for Madlyn, she is the most heartless and calculating character in this novel. I really liked Lizzie's and Jared's loyalty.
This story is unpredictable but everything turns out beautifully. It's an emotional but rewarding journey.
I received an eARC of this book from IndieSage PR in exchange for an honest review.
December 28, 2015
Just when I was thinking the book was about to get boring and should be finishing there is a new twist that makes you unable to put the book down. I was lucky enough to read the book in exchange for a review, I would have gladly purchased the book. When you do purchase it you will not be disappointed. Hopefully the small edits will take place as there are a few times when the wrong English word is use but not enough to throw off the flow of reading it.
Yes if you are person who loves your alpha males you start out hating Stefan but will fall so hard for him in the end.
I am not sure if this will be the beginning of a series but there are plenty of men who could use a book of there own, Jared and Rogan just t name a few. Of course we already know Rogan's women but I am sure Lizzie could become madly in love with one of the men. We know Elliot and Jackson are together and they make great supporting characters that could continue.
Yes if you are person who loves your alpha males you start out hating Stefan but will fall so hard for him in the end.
I am not sure if this will be the beginning of a series but there are plenty of men who could use a book of there own, Jared and Rogan just t name a few. Of course we already know Rogan's women but I am sure Lizzie could become madly in love with one of the men. We know Elliot and Jackson are together and they make great supporting characters that could continue.
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