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Holland Springs #4
Just Desserts
If he gives into temptation… it may mean giving up everything else.
Sebastian Romanov came to Holland Springs to do a job—not to fall for some small-town baker. He has a Russian mafia background and an English title, both of which he’ll need to exploit fully to gain control of the family company.
Daisy Barnes has no intentions of posing as his fake fiancée, but unexpected circumstances force her hand.
She’s sweeter than her cupcakes, and twice as bad for him.
There’s no way he can stop after just one taste.
Holland Springs
Drive Me Crazy
Driving to You
Twice Tempted
Third Time's a Charm
His Christmas Wish
Just Desserts
Not Over You
Be Mine
Sebastian Romanov came to Holland Springs to do a job—not to fall for some small-town baker. He has a Russian mafia background and an English title, both of which he’ll need to exploit fully to gain control of the family company.
Daisy Barnes has no intentions of posing as his fake fiancée, but unexpected circumstances force her hand.
She’s sweeter than her cupcakes, and twice as bad for him.
There’s no way he can stop after just one taste.
Holland Springs
Drive Me Crazy
Driving to You
Twice Tempted
Third Time's a Charm
His Christmas Wish
Just Desserts
Not Over You
Be Mine
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 6, 2013
159 people are currently reading
1050 people want to read
About the author
Marquita Valentine
75 books1,734 followersMarquita Valentine is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of contemporary romance.
When she's not writing sexy heroes who adore their sassy heroines, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. Married to her high school sweetheart, Marquita lives in a seriously small town in the south.
You can sign up for her newsletter here: https://goo.gl/3XFh3k
When she's not writing sexy heroes who adore their sassy heroines, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. Married to her high school sweetheart, Marquita lives in a seriously small town in the south.
You can sign up for her newsletter here: https://goo.gl/3XFh3k
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February 27, 201902/27/19 currently free in Modern Fairy Tale: Twelve Books of Breathtaking Romance
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P3XXXW5
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P3XXXW5
August 12, 2013
Find This and Other Reviews At Craves The Angst.
Just Desserts is book four in the Holland Springs series, a Contemporary Romance written by Marquita Valentine. I received this eARC in exchange for an honest review through Tasty Book Tours.
4 Delicious Stars!
A Flavorful and Delightful Read!
The Rundown:
Sebastian Romanov is a hard, brooding man who's been bred since a young boy by a controlling and abusive father to take over and run his father's empire and to further extend the title of Earl of Spenserfield. He has very little patience and some would say, very little heart. After endless contact by his cousin Sasha, who misses his American sweetheart, Sebastian has come to Holland Springs to persuade Rose (from book three Third Time’s A Charm) to come back to England to be with Sasha. While roaming the streets seeking Rose’s location, he runs across a delectable sweets shop and because he has an incredible sweet tooth, he enters. While perusing the cupcakes, the light, enchanting laughter of the counter girl attracts his attention and life as he once knew it, is over. Instantly struck by her beauty, her smile and her different sense of style, Daisy Barnes captures his heart in one fell swoop.
Daisy is an enchanting, independent young woman who loves to bake and owns her own shop called “The Sweet Spot”. She’s loved and adored by her community, taking the time to get to know her customers and the lives they lead. Her experience with men is limited to her ex who’s discontent has left her unsettled. But when Sebastian walks into her shop, she knows instantly who he is and can feel the effect he has on her heart and body. After a confusing but heart pounding encounter with Sebastian, Daisy is left with nothing more than a too short visit and an incredible, breathtaking kiss.
Sebastian knows he’s no good for Daisy but he can’t stay away. So hatching a plan to stay in her orbit, Sebastian secretly immerses himself in her world until another, more urgent matter brings him back to Holland Springs seeking Daisy’s help.
The Review:
This sweet and engaging read had all the elements that make a romance great with a rich well of fascinating characters and angsty conflict that kept me reading through the night.
Daisy was a wonderful heroine. Her charming and endearing personality was a bright spot in all the angst. She hasn’t lived the best life, having lost her father at a young age, her mother to disease and her business is in serious trouble, but her outlook on life is incredibly optimistic. She smiles, she’s fun and she can see past Sebastian's dark spots.
Sebastian is a difficult character. You get flashbacks of his past and the abuse he and his twin brother suffered at the hands of their parents and you understand why he is the way he is. But you can also see the lessons that were inflicted upon him, didn’t leave his heart cold no matter how hard he tries to hide it from others. He doesn't like letting his vulnerabilities show, knowing they can be used against him as they have been in the past. He believes he isn’t worthy of being loved and that he’s a monster just like his father so he walks through life with a mask to hide his unhappiness letting his cold and aloof persona take over. I felt true sympathy for Sebastian, even after all his scheming, planning and the lies he told in order to insert himself into Daisy's life.
I wanted a happy ending for Sebastian and for him and Daisy together because I felt they both deserved it.
Watching the push pull between these two characters was both exciting and nerve wracking. Sebastian has a lot of self loathing going on but Daisys’ bright and pure personality might be the only thing that can pull him from the dark and into the light.
And the yummy, sexy scenes this author gives the reader brought the butterflies! Yes, people, we all know I love my butterflies and they were rapidly fluttering while reading this seductive romance! Sebastian is super hot and his take charge, sometimes sweet, sometimes volatile temperament only added spice to their scenes and had me swooning!
The Wrap Up:
This is my first book by this author and I’ve cut into the middle of the series without having read any of the other books prior to this one, yet I wasn't confused about who the characters were and what role everyone played. I would easily say this could be read as a stand alone but because I enjoyed it so much, I have definite plans to go back to book one and read these characters and this setting from the beginning!
Just Desserts is book four in the Holland Springs series, a Contemporary Romance written by Marquita Valentine. I received this eARC in exchange for an honest review through Tasty Book Tours.
4 Delicious Stars!
A Flavorful and Delightful Read!
The Rundown:
Sebastian Romanov is a hard, brooding man who's been bred since a young boy by a controlling and abusive father to take over and run his father's empire and to further extend the title of Earl of Spenserfield. He has very little patience and some would say, very little heart. After endless contact by his cousin Sasha, who misses his American sweetheart, Sebastian has come to Holland Springs to persuade Rose (from book three Third Time’s A Charm) to come back to England to be with Sasha. While roaming the streets seeking Rose’s location, he runs across a delectable sweets shop and because he has an incredible sweet tooth, he enters. While perusing the cupcakes, the light, enchanting laughter of the counter girl attracts his attention and life as he once knew it, is over. Instantly struck by her beauty, her smile and her different sense of style, Daisy Barnes captures his heart in one fell swoop.
Daisy is an enchanting, independent young woman who loves to bake and owns her own shop called “The Sweet Spot”. She’s loved and adored by her community, taking the time to get to know her customers and the lives they lead. Her experience with men is limited to her ex who’s discontent has left her unsettled. But when Sebastian walks into her shop, she knows instantly who he is and can feel the effect he has on her heart and body. After a confusing but heart pounding encounter with Sebastian, Daisy is left with nothing more than a too short visit and an incredible, breathtaking kiss.
Sebastian knows he’s no good for Daisy but he can’t stay away. So hatching a plan to stay in her orbit, Sebastian secretly immerses himself in her world until another, more urgent matter brings him back to Holland Springs seeking Daisy’s help.
The Review:
This sweet and engaging read had all the elements that make a romance great with a rich well of fascinating characters and angsty conflict that kept me reading through the night.
Daisy was a wonderful heroine. Her charming and endearing personality was a bright spot in all the angst. She hasn’t lived the best life, having lost her father at a young age, her mother to disease and her business is in serious trouble, but her outlook on life is incredibly optimistic. She smiles, she’s fun and she can see past Sebastian's dark spots.
Sebastian is a difficult character. You get flashbacks of his past and the abuse he and his twin brother suffered at the hands of their parents and you understand why he is the way he is. But you can also see the lessons that were inflicted upon him, didn’t leave his heart cold no matter how hard he tries to hide it from others. He doesn't like letting his vulnerabilities show, knowing they can be used against him as they have been in the past. He believes he isn’t worthy of being loved and that he’s a monster just like his father so he walks through life with a mask to hide his unhappiness letting his cold and aloof persona take over. I felt true sympathy for Sebastian, even after all his scheming, planning and the lies he told in order to insert himself into Daisy's life.
I wanted a happy ending for Sebastian and for him and Daisy together because I felt they both deserved it.
Watching the push pull between these two characters was both exciting and nerve wracking. Sebastian has a lot of self loathing going on but Daisys’ bright and pure personality might be the only thing that can pull him from the dark and into the light.
And the yummy, sexy scenes this author gives the reader brought the butterflies! Yes, people, we all know I love my butterflies and they were rapidly fluttering while reading this seductive romance! Sebastian is super hot and his take charge, sometimes sweet, sometimes volatile temperament only added spice to their scenes and had me swooning!
The Wrap Up:
This is my first book by this author and I’ve cut into the middle of the series without having read any of the other books prior to this one, yet I wasn't confused about who the characters were and what role everyone played. I would easily say this could be read as a stand alone but because I enjoyed it so much, I have definite plans to go back to book one and read these characters and this setting from the beginning!
August 6, 2013
Posted on What I'm Reading
All right, it's time for flailing Kermit arms. That's right I got a chance to read Marquita Valentine's latest release Just Dessert. It's the next installment to the Holland Spring Series. YAY! Seriously, I LOVE this series. Honestly, I have been waiting for Sebastian's story forever. I can honestly say I have been intrigued by Sebastian Romanov since we got a glimpse of him in Twice Tempted. Now we get his story.
However, he's not an easy guy to love. Actually, he's stubborn, hard-headed, asshat, egotistical, evil, and incredibly sexy. Granted he does has a twin brother, but Sebastian is so bad you have to love him. Then you have Daisy Barnes who is the polar opposite. She's sweet, kind, and caring.
You have to be careful with those sweet kind people, because they tend to suck people in no matter what (I should know I'm a lot like Daisy). Even the big bad Sebastian can't resist the charms of Daisy. I guess the badder they are the harder they fall, and Sebastian is no exception. However, he has a couple obstacles to overcome. The main one is himself. Kind of hard to woo someone who isn't going to give you a chance. Even if you have a fancy title in front of your name, it won't help your cause.
How do you get around these obstacles? Manipulation, lying, cheating, whatever is in the bad guys arsenal, which Sebastian does. Might I add he does a super job of completing this task. Poor sod decided to use a pseudo name, but it's not really pseudo name since they are part of his legal name. Probably more like lying by omission. Anyway, he's trying to get the girl the only way he only knows how.
I loved this story. I loved Sebastian and Daisy and I think they're just so cute together. Like all the other Holland Springs books this story does tug on your heart-strings. Daisy is just so fragile, but doesn't want people to know how fragile she tends to be. Daisy puts up an amazing front. I love how she braves the world no matter what. Then you have big bad Sebastian, but underneath that big bad exterior is hidden a decent guy. However, we can't let that show. So, I laughed, cried, and blushed. Yes, I still love the Holland Springs Series and I love Just Desserts. So, if you are looking for that big bad alpha-male who has a hidden sweet side and a sweet girl who helps him discover it, you might want to checkout Just Desserts.
Copy provided by author
All right, it's time for flailing Kermit arms. That's right I got a chance to read Marquita Valentine's latest release Just Dessert. It's the next installment to the Holland Spring Series. YAY! Seriously, I LOVE this series. Honestly, I have been waiting for Sebastian's story forever. I can honestly say I have been intrigued by Sebastian Romanov since we got a glimpse of him in Twice Tempted. Now we get his story.
However, he's not an easy guy to love. Actually, he's stubborn, hard-headed, asshat, egotistical, evil, and incredibly sexy. Granted he does has a twin brother, but Sebastian is so bad you have to love him. Then you have Daisy Barnes who is the polar opposite. She's sweet, kind, and caring.
You have to be careful with those sweet kind people, because they tend to suck people in no matter what (I should know I'm a lot like Daisy). Even the big bad Sebastian can't resist the charms of Daisy. I guess the badder they are the harder they fall, and Sebastian is no exception. However, he has a couple obstacles to overcome. The main one is himself. Kind of hard to woo someone who isn't going to give you a chance. Even if you have a fancy title in front of your name, it won't help your cause.
How do you get around these obstacles? Manipulation, lying, cheating, whatever is in the bad guys arsenal, which Sebastian does. Might I add he does a super job of completing this task. Poor sod decided to use a pseudo name, but it's not really pseudo name since they are part of his legal name. Probably more like lying by omission. Anyway, he's trying to get the girl the only way he only knows how.
I loved this story. I loved Sebastian and Daisy and I think they're just so cute together. Like all the other Holland Springs books this story does tug on your heart-strings. Daisy is just so fragile, but doesn't want people to know how fragile she tends to be. Daisy puts up an amazing front. I love how she braves the world no matter what. Then you have big bad Sebastian, but underneath that big bad exterior is hidden a decent guy. However, we can't let that show. So, I laughed, cried, and blushed. Yes, I still love the Holland Springs Series and I love Just Desserts. So, if you are looking for that big bad alpha-male who has a hidden sweet side and a sweet girl who helps him discover it, you might want to checkout Just Desserts.
Copy provided by author
August 21, 2013
The earl of Spenserfield, Sebastian Romanov has many issues to deal with. He wants to become president of his family company again after he did some bad things, he wants to get a relationship with his brother again and he wants Daisy. He has trouble doing these things because he has been told he is just like his father and believes them. he doesn't like to show his feelings and comes off as rude and overbearing. Daisy has a business called The Sweet Shoppe and has had her heart broke before. Now when her business seems to be going good she receives some large insurance bills with no way to pay.Sebastian has a way to help her. he wants her to pretend to be his fiance to help get his company back. What they both don't plan on is secrets may tear them apart just when they may not want to just pretend anymore.
Sebastian is like two different men rolled into one. He can be sweet and caring and other times nothing short of an ass. One thing is for sure no matter how he is acting is he is one sexy man. There more you read this book the more you begin to understand him. Daisy is a caring person as you see from the start. She is loyal to her friends and will do anything to help them. She has a good heart but not a lot of self confidence. Both these characters are broke in some way and really seem to bring the best and worse out in each other. I liked both of them very much.
I so enjoyed this book. Getting to see all sides of the story from both characters really helped get to know them. By the time you finish reading you feel as if you have just met new friends. The author does a great job in writing this book. You feel you are seeing these things for yourself whether its a yummy cupcake or a visit to funny named inn. You get a great love story that is packed with secrets, heartache and tender moments. Not to mention some very sexy scenes that leave you panting for more. Have to love a tattooed man. I love forward to getting the other books in this series to see what all I have missed. You can read this as a stand alone so no worries. You still will fall in love with this book just like I did.
Sebastian is like two different men rolled into one. He can be sweet and caring and other times nothing short of an ass. One thing is for sure no matter how he is acting is he is one sexy man. There more you read this book the more you begin to understand him. Daisy is a caring person as you see from the start. She is loyal to her friends and will do anything to help them. She has a good heart but not a lot of self confidence. Both these characters are broke in some way and really seem to bring the best and worse out in each other. I liked both of them very much.
I so enjoyed this book. Getting to see all sides of the story from both characters really helped get to know them. By the time you finish reading you feel as if you have just met new friends. The author does a great job in writing this book. You feel you are seeing these things for yourself whether its a yummy cupcake or a visit to funny named inn. You get a great love story that is packed with secrets, heartache and tender moments. Not to mention some very sexy scenes that leave you panting for more. Have to love a tattooed man. I love forward to getting the other books in this series to see what all I have missed. You can read this as a stand alone so no worries. You still will fall in love with this book just like I did.
September 3, 2013
Source: eARC for Honest Review from Author
So I didn't know this was part of the series when I picked it up but I was able to read it as a stand alone and still get lost into the book. However, I think if I had read the others I would have had more back round about the Romanovs especially Sebastian.
With Sebastian he's a misunderstood force under the guise of being a bad guy which he truly believes he is. So when he meets Daisy he falls hard but doesn't think he deserves her. But he still can't let her go.
With this he tangled web is weaved with false identities, lies, half, truthes, shitty childhoods, and terrible mothers. However the web all in jest of the name of love.
With this web it also created a lot of details and some confusion and wishy washy emotions that left me twirling sometimes. I don't know if it was the book or if I had read the others first in the series that I wouldn't have felt as lost at times.
All in all a sweet book about overcoming obstacles in the name of love and happiness.
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So I didn't know this was part of the series when I picked it up but I was able to read it as a stand alone and still get lost into the book. However, I think if I had read the others I would have had more back round about the Romanovs especially Sebastian.
With Sebastian he's a misunderstood force under the guise of being a bad guy which he truly believes he is. So when he meets Daisy he falls hard but doesn't think he deserves her. But he still can't let her go.
With this he tangled web is weaved with false identities, lies, half, truthes, shitty childhoods, and terrible mothers. However the web all in jest of the name of love.
With this web it also created a lot of details and some confusion and wishy washy emotions that left me twirling sometimes. I don't know if it was the book or if I had read the others first in the series that I wouldn't have felt as lost at times.
All in all a sweet book about overcoming obstacles in the name of love and happiness.
For more reviews, visit Live Read and Breathe
Like us on Facebook Live Read and Breathe Facebook
Follow along with Twitter Live Read and Breathe Twitter
August 4, 2013
In this latest visit to Holland Springs, we learn more about Sebastian Romanov, the most complicated of the Romanov men, in my opinion. Christian and Bastian are twins, and we find out a little about their childhood with a tyrannical abusive father, and a mother who was just gone in more than the physical sense.
"If anyone had told Sebastian Romanov that today would be the day he fell in love he would have dismissed them completely. And if he'd had an inkling of how hard he would fall , he would have had them shot for lack of warning."
Daisy Barnes is the owner and baker of The Sweet Shop in Holland Springs known for it's irresistible confections. She is also first cousin to Zoe, who is Christian's wife. Little did she know that a visit from Sebastian was about to change her life, and his!
This novel was an emotional roller coaster ride for me. Daisy and Bastian belong together, but they both let outside influences in to make them doubt their feelings. Watching them grow to understand how much they loved each other was wonderful, I loved the London scene, and their tourist day. Bastian's scheming and lying made me want to shake him....hard! I don't want to give any spoilers, so all I will say is "Love conquers all!"
I highly recommend this novel to romance readers who enjoy some stumbling blocks to the HEA. Ms. Valentine's loyal Holland Springs readers will love the latest installment!
I personally hope we have more stories from this delightful town and this very talented author!
I received an ARC of this novel from the author for an honest review.
"If anyone had told Sebastian Romanov that today would be the day he fell in love he would have dismissed them completely. And if he'd had an inkling of how hard he would fall , he would have had them shot for lack of warning."
Daisy Barnes is the owner and baker of The Sweet Shop in Holland Springs known for it's irresistible confections. She is also first cousin to Zoe, who is Christian's wife. Little did she know that a visit from Sebastian was about to change her life, and his!
This novel was an emotional roller coaster ride for me. Daisy and Bastian belong together, but they both let outside influences in to make them doubt their feelings. Watching them grow to understand how much they loved each other was wonderful, I loved the London scene, and their tourist day. Bastian's scheming and lying made me want to shake him....hard! I don't want to give any spoilers, so all I will say is "Love conquers all!"
I highly recommend this novel to romance readers who enjoy some stumbling blocks to the HEA. Ms. Valentine's loyal Holland Springs readers will love the latest installment!
I personally hope we have more stories from this delightful town and this very talented author!
I received an ARC of this novel from the author for an honest review.
June 25, 2014
It was nice for once that the man was the one who acted like a love struck moron in front of the girl. The guy was the one staring, sweating, mute and generally acting like a jackass! I truly hate it when authors write parts like that for females, making them look like blithering idiots, but this time that was all Sebastian...hilarious!
Pretty good read, kind of repetitive from the last two books though, so I'm glad that for this next book we are through with the Romanov's b/c quite frankly I'm tired of them trying to fix their images by doing underhanded, shady deeds to their women. All this repetition is getting really boring and just expected. I liked Daisy's character up until she forgave Sebastian in five seconds. After everything he did and said to her, believe me he would have needed to grovel for so much longer than five seconds. She was a major pushover and as a result I lost all respect for her.
What is the deal with Sebastian and Christian's mother? That woman has lost all her marbles! BTW....Sebastian's piercings' and tattoos....super hot!
Pretty good read, kind of repetitive from the last two books though, so I'm glad that for this next book we are through with the Romanov's b/c quite frankly I'm tired of them trying to fix their images by doing underhanded, shady deeds to their women. All this repetition is getting really boring and just expected. I liked Daisy's character up until she forgave Sebastian in five seconds. After everything he did and said to her, believe me he would have needed to grovel for so much longer than five seconds. She was a major pushover and as a result I lost all respect for her.
What is the deal with Sebastian and Christian's mother? That woman has lost all her marbles! BTW....Sebastian's piercings' and tattoos....super hot!
August 7, 2013
I've been wanting to read Sebastian's story since he started manipulating Sasha and Rose in Third Time's a Charm. He's cold, calculating, and due for his Just Desserts.
Daisy is a sweet, small town girl just looking to pay off bills so she can get on with growing her business. When Sebastian proposes a plan to wipe her debt, it's an offer she can't refuse.
Valentine blends her usual quick wit and tale of redemption for another sexy read.
Daisy is a sweet, small town girl just looking to pay off bills so she can get on with growing her business. When Sebastian proposes a plan to wipe her debt, it's an offer she can't refuse.
Valentine blends her usual quick wit and tale of redemption for another sexy read.
November 24, 2013
This book is a must read of everyone.
Well thought out characters, plot and following on with the other characters from earlier books in the series.
The hero is sexy and amazing, although you will go from wanting to hug to throttle him many, many times (often in the same paragraph)
I feel this is the best book yet from the very talented Marquita Valentine, but be careful the book is addictive, you will not want to put it down.
Well thought out characters, plot and following on with the other characters from earlier books in the series.
The hero is sexy and amazing, although you will go from wanting to hug to throttle him many, many times (often in the same paragraph)
I feel this is the best book yet from the very talented Marquita Valentine, but be careful the book is addictive, you will not want to put it down.
September 9, 2019
I didn’t realize this was part of a series until about a chapter or 2 into the book. This was part of the anthology, Modern Fairytales: Twelve Book of Breathtaking Romance. I think I would have understood the dynamic between some of the other characters better if I had read the books in order. Other than that, the romance between Sebastian/Jules and Daisy is fresh and new.
I won’t spoil the book, but I was disappointed the the secret admirer went on for so long. Daisy should have figured it out months ago. It started out as a bigger plot twist than it actually ended up being, so not sure why it went on for so long. For her to be so smart and self sufficient, she missed every sign that was starting her in the face.
Overall, it was a good book. I think it dragged on for a few chapters too many, I would have loved to have seen more from the Kate character, but that’s just me wanting drama.
I won’t spoil the book, but I was disappointed the the secret admirer went on for so long. Daisy should have figured it out months ago. It started out as a bigger plot twist than it actually ended up being, so not sure why it went on for so long. For her to be so smart and self sufficient, she missed every sign that was starting her in the face.
Overall, it was a good book. I think it dragged on for a few chapters too many, I would have loved to have seen more from the Kate character, but that’s just me wanting drama.
September 4, 2020
Sebastian Romanov is shocked when he walks into the sweet shop and sees the woman of his dreams but he doesn't have time to think about this woman or any other but he cannot help himself. The Sweet Spot is one soft spot is for sweets and he seems to act like an idiot and snaps at the young lady Daisy Barnes the proprietress of the establishment and isn't sure why he is so mean to her so he gets his sweets and then he leaves without paying and then things become very interesting. He is looking for her cousin Rose Holland to find Zoe her daughter and his brother's wife. There is a lot going on since his father was taken and he is doing everything he can to pay him back but things don't always go the way you plan them Sebastien finds out the hard way. A great storyline and the characters are very intense. Love, romance, some suspense. I purchased this book. I am providing an honest review.
January 26, 2020
What an interesting read! I don't usually see "webcomics" or "mangas" [characters] when I read books but this book just gave me those vibes. I imagined all those sweet moments between Bastian and Daisy in chibi form (like that time when he visited her shop and she made a statement of him sticking his nose on the glass display, I literally imagined that). I was definitely emotionally invested in the story and it was a definite page turner. The reason why I rated it as a 4 was because there were times when the characters decisions or actions just pissed me off and my impatient ass would be "just kiss and have a happy ending already" and 5-Stars are reserved to stories that are painful tear-jerkers throughout. The story did however made my heart squeeze but not enough to make me ugly cry. Overall would definitely recommend this story! Spoiler alert/warning: its really hot ;)
October 22, 2017
The story is cute but there are too many things that aren’t explained in terms of the relationships and past history of several of the characters. While I assume some of them may have been part of earlier books in the series there is too much left out here that appears to be relevant to understanding the psyche of Sebastian. It made for a frustrating read.
February 10, 2018
Mmmm 3.4-4
This wasn’t a bad story, but I also realized midway through the story I had jumped into the middle of a series. It seemed unnecessary to read the others but I think it would have helped me to understand more if I had read those ones first. It’s good I just felt like I was missing information.
This wasn’t a bad story, but I also realized midway through the story I had jumped into the middle of a series. It seemed unnecessary to read the others but I think it would have helped me to understand more if I had read those ones first. It’s good I just felt like I was missing information.
April 16, 2019
JUST DESSERTS by Marquita Valentine
3.5🌟🌟🌟🌟
Had a hard time staying connected to this one. I don’t know if it is because it’s book four of a series in this anthology or what but wishing I’d of read the offer ones first.
3.5🌟🌟🌟🌟
Had a hard time staying connected to this one. I don’t know if it is because it’s book four of a series in this anthology or what but wishing I’d of read the offer ones first.
June 12, 2019
This book was okay. I didn't feel anything for Sebastian and Daisy. I didn't connect to them and I really didn't care about the Earl part. I think if you like historical romances you may like this story. Sadly, this just wasn't the right fit for me.
March 14, 2020
The book is cute but a few typos here and there prevent me from giving it 5 stars. Besides, the ending was unnecessarily dramatic in my opinion. The book could have ended with her finding out about Jules without all the momma drama. Too much.
June 6, 2023
What a fun read. There was lots of back and forth and I wasn't sure how it was all going to play out in the end. I sort of wish they would have gotten together a little sooner, as they just circled around it for a long time, but in the end, everyone was happy.
March 14, 2019
I just couldn't. I don't know why. DNF.
April 11, 2019
had potential... don't know if it would have been better had I read books 1-3 or not.
June 26, 2019
DNF ugh.....get to the point
December 31, 2019
3.5 Stars
tbr-already-own
January 29, 2020(included with the "Modern Fairy Tale" collection)
January 5, 2017
Good beach read.
December 28, 2016
Well... as per usual, going to review (critique) as I read, mostly because I read in bits and snatches on my lunch break at work (which means it takes FOREVER to finish anything these days).
This is yet another book that suffers from lazy author syndrome. I made it exactly 20 pages in before I was stopped cold by something that is easily Google-able (ok, I made that word up, but I like it). Going to add a qualifier that it's obvious the author is not american based on the language/slang used. But I'm not American either and I knew immediately that fact checking was obviously not done. The fact in question was when Daisy threatens to call the police or the CIA on Sebastian if he harms Rose... well, no, she wouldn't call the CIA because they don't operate on US soil; she would call the FBI.
Second, the constant use of texting within the narrative is distracting. A text here and there I could deal with, but it's just way way too much. Plus, using it as a plot device to jump ahead in time is lazy. I would much rather read paraphrasing of the texts than the texting itself. Oh, and who texts in complete gramatically correct sentences these days, especially to someone you are really close to? Nobody, that's who.
Further to the concept of using the texts to indicate time jumps, there is not a single bridging paragraph to be found bringing the reader up to speed with changes in the characters over that time frame. It's frustrating to no end that well over a year has passed, and I have no blessed idea who has done what.
The idea that Sebastian is actually Jules was handled so poorly I had to reread the paragraph three times to make sure it was really that badly done. Not only was it dropped on the reader like a brick, but it just makes Sebastian even more of a jerk than he already has been portrayed as. It's really had to find any redeeming qualities in him, which, IMHO, is one of the most important things in characterization in a romance novel.
Yet another instance of lazy author syndrome is where Daisy is talking about her clients, saying they own a 'national baseball team.' Well, no, they wouldn't. The only national baseball teams would be any one of the age brackets for Team USA, which aren't owned by ANYONE, let alone a private citizen. They could own a major league team (American or National league), a minor league team (there are like 7 or 8 different leagues depending on the level, from low A ball to AAA, so pick one), an independent league team, etc. My advice to all authors about this kind of thing is if you don't know something 100% FOR SURE leave it out or do the research. Because people like me who are knowledgeable WILL call you on it.
I don't know if this was just an oversight, a victim of ruthless copy-editing, or just the author's inability (or unwillingness) to properly form an image of her characters, but every time Sebastian's tattoos or piercings are mentioned, they are only mentioned in passing. Nope, nope, nope. You can't have Daisy mentioning then, admiring them, or tracing her finger over then and NOT at least give us a hint of what they are. On a similar note, my guess would be that the author has never gotten a tattoo just based solely on her description of when Sebastian got his first. I can also tell you that even if it was 'excruciating' (for the record, is not, since I have several very large tattoos) for Sebastian, he's a guy, an alpha if you will, who would NEVER have let his father see any kind of weakness. He would have sucked it up and dealt with the pain (and anyone who has multiple tattoos will tell you, it's an enjoyable pain, otherwise they would have stopped at one...). And further to the whole tattoo mess, the kind of tattoo this first one would have been would have taken maybe 1-2 hours, not hours and hours, as the author has stated. If she knew even a tiny bit about Russian mob tattooing, or tattooing in general, she would have known about that.
And finally, the ending... that was probably the most disappointing part of the whole book (aside from the craptastic characterization and their motivations). After pulling such a complete douchey move, Daisy sure did forgive and forget AWFUL easily. It's almost as if the author realized she only had 10 more pages left and needed to wrap shit up in a neat and tidy bow and shove the book out the door. It didn't work.
Oh, and no American would ever, EVER (most especially not one who cooks for a living) think a roast cooked to medium and veggies cooked within an inch of their life to being mushy as being even remotely edible let alone preferable. That roast needed to be bleeding on the platter (rare to medium rare at the very most) and the carrots still with some bite and no mush in sight. Maybe in Britain where they cook stuff to death, but not in the US.
This is yet another book that suffers from lazy author syndrome. I made it exactly 20 pages in before I was stopped cold by something that is easily Google-able (ok, I made that word up, but I like it). Going to add a qualifier that it's obvious the author is not american based on the language/slang used. But I'm not American either and I knew immediately that fact checking was obviously not done. The fact in question was when Daisy threatens to call the police or the CIA on Sebastian if he harms Rose... well, no, she wouldn't call the CIA because they don't operate on US soil; she would call the FBI.
Second, the constant use of texting within the narrative is distracting. A text here and there I could deal with, but it's just way way too much. Plus, using it as a plot device to jump ahead in time is lazy. I would much rather read paraphrasing of the texts than the texting itself. Oh, and who texts in complete gramatically correct sentences these days, especially to someone you are really close to? Nobody, that's who.
Further to the concept of using the texts to indicate time jumps, there is not a single bridging paragraph to be found bringing the reader up to speed with changes in the characters over that time frame. It's frustrating to no end that well over a year has passed, and I have no blessed idea who has done what.
The idea that Sebastian is actually Jules was handled so poorly I had to reread the paragraph three times to make sure it was really that badly done. Not only was it dropped on the reader like a brick, but it just makes Sebastian even more of a jerk than he already has been portrayed as. It's really had to find any redeeming qualities in him, which, IMHO, is one of the most important things in characterization in a romance novel.
Yet another instance of lazy author syndrome is where Daisy is talking about her clients, saying they own a 'national baseball team.' Well, no, they wouldn't. The only national baseball teams would be any one of the age brackets for Team USA, which aren't owned by ANYONE, let alone a private citizen. They could own a major league team (American or National league), a minor league team (there are like 7 or 8 different leagues depending on the level, from low A ball to AAA, so pick one), an independent league team, etc. My advice to all authors about this kind of thing is if you don't know something 100% FOR SURE leave it out or do the research. Because people like me who are knowledgeable WILL call you on it.
I don't know if this was just an oversight, a victim of ruthless copy-editing, or just the author's inability (or unwillingness) to properly form an image of her characters, but every time Sebastian's tattoos or piercings are mentioned, they are only mentioned in passing. Nope, nope, nope. You can't have Daisy mentioning then, admiring them, or tracing her finger over then and NOT at least give us a hint of what they are. On a similar note, my guess would be that the author has never gotten a tattoo just based solely on her description of when Sebastian got his first. I can also tell you that even if it was 'excruciating' (for the record, is not, since I have several very large tattoos) for Sebastian, he's a guy, an alpha if you will, who would NEVER have let his father see any kind of weakness. He would have sucked it up and dealt with the pain (and anyone who has multiple tattoos will tell you, it's an enjoyable pain, otherwise they would have stopped at one...). And further to the whole tattoo mess, the kind of tattoo this first one would have been would have taken maybe 1-2 hours, not hours and hours, as the author has stated. If she knew even a tiny bit about Russian mob tattooing, or tattooing in general, she would have known about that.
And finally, the ending... that was probably the most disappointing part of the whole book (aside from the craptastic characterization and their motivations). After pulling such a complete douchey move, Daisy sure did forgive and forget AWFUL easily. It's almost as if the author realized she only had 10 more pages left and needed to wrap shit up in a neat and tidy bow and shove the book out the door. It didn't work.
Oh, and no American would ever, EVER (most especially not one who cooks for a living) think a roast cooked to medium and veggies cooked within an inch of their life to being mushy as being even remotely edible let alone preferable. That roast needed to be bleeding on the platter (rare to medium rare at the very most) and the carrots still with some bite and no mush in sight. Maybe in Britain where they cook stuff to death, but not in the US.
February 6, 2014
What can I say? I’m disappointed.
This is the third Holland Springs novel I’ve read, the third pairing of a Romanov man and a Holland Springs, NC local, and the one I was most excited about. It is Sebastian’s story, my favorite of all the Romanov men. He is the powerful one, the ruthless one, the favored son of his Russian mobster father. The baddest boy of all the bad boys. In the previous two installments -- Twice Tempted and Third Time’s a Charm -- you see occasional glimpses of the real man beneath the icy exterior. Who doesn’t want to be the one to melt that ice, to love the unloved one, to save him?
I was soooo looking forward to this story.
I am a big fan of Marquita Valentine, with her romance novelist name and her smart, resilient, individualist heroines. The other two novels of hers that I read - the other Romanov men books - were fantastic. This one, not so much.
For starters, the woman she chooses for Sebastian is the town’s cupcake lady. I love sweets myself, and it does make sense for the never-loved boy to fall in love with a baker, since kitchen arts have long been equated with home and family. It is the image of Sebastian, with his classic Russian looks and large powerful body, clothed in a fine suit and overcoat, eating a frosted cupcake decorated with a candy cane with his fingers, that kills me. Maybe there was to be a fork, but it wasn’t mentioned. The mental picture is just absurd.
Then there is the timeline. Baker Daisy has an online relationship with a man for nine months. Then only three months have passed. No, wait, it is nine months again. No, three!
Well, which is it, nine months or three?
When I actually added up the time lapses listed in this online relationship, it came to thirteen months. Two similar timeline issues pop up at the end of the book, where one day is suddenly three days and then back to one day, but it was really two weeks. Or a day, depending on how you look at it. And then two weeks is actually ten weeks but it is really two weeks.
Lastly, there is the issue of Sebastian’s title. He starts out as a viscount, and then is suddenly an earl. His father dies during this book, so I assume that accounts for his promotion of title, but it is never acknowledged in the text. Since such a big deal is made of his title, I expected at least a passing mention of his elevation in status.
The story itself is sweet, if a little predictable. I think Daisy and Sebastian are well-suited for each other, and I am happy he got his Happily Ever After. He surely deserved it. However, it feels like Ms. Valentine wasn’t really eager about writing this story. There are situations that you expect to see reoccur – such as cooking together, which was basically foreplay - but they do not. At one point Sebastian tells Daisy he wants to do something really wild to her, and then they just have the same sex they had been having. Sure, Sebastian is a skilled lover, but when you are in a shower with a man, naked, and he says he wants to do something wild, that he isn’t sure if his less experienced partner will be into it, I expect something more than adorning her in jewels before they go all missionary position. Was that supposed to be the wild aspect? I don’t think most women would be off-put by being bejeweled by their blue-blooded lover before sex.
There are also numerous typing errors -- missing words, extra words, bad auto-corrections. It is almost as if an early draft was accidentally published, rather than a finished, polished, final copy. Did the beta readers and proofreader even see this story before it was published? Ms. Valentine is a better writer than is evidenced by this book.
All that being said, she keeps the continuity of the family storyline between all three books, which I appreciate. In each one we learn a little more about the Romanov family without a whole lot of back-tracking to relearn what was shared in previous stories. Ms. Valentine also stays true with the Holland Springs crew. Every new set of main characters was met in a previous book, thus avoiding that horrid gaff of introducing a new cast in every book even though it all takes place in the same small town.
I wanted to be thrilled by this book. I wanted to write a rave review.
Maybe next time.
This is the third Holland Springs novel I’ve read, the third pairing of a Romanov man and a Holland Springs, NC local, and the one I was most excited about. It is Sebastian’s story, my favorite of all the Romanov men. He is the powerful one, the ruthless one, the favored son of his Russian mobster father. The baddest boy of all the bad boys. In the previous two installments -- Twice Tempted and Third Time’s a Charm -- you see occasional glimpses of the real man beneath the icy exterior. Who doesn’t want to be the one to melt that ice, to love the unloved one, to save him?
I was soooo looking forward to this story.
I am a big fan of Marquita Valentine, with her romance novelist name and her smart, resilient, individualist heroines. The other two novels of hers that I read - the other Romanov men books - were fantastic. This one, not so much.
For starters, the woman she chooses for Sebastian is the town’s cupcake lady. I love sweets myself, and it does make sense for the never-loved boy to fall in love with a baker, since kitchen arts have long been equated with home and family. It is the image of Sebastian, with his classic Russian looks and large powerful body, clothed in a fine suit and overcoat, eating a frosted cupcake decorated with a candy cane with his fingers, that kills me. Maybe there was to be a fork, but it wasn’t mentioned. The mental picture is just absurd.
Then there is the timeline. Baker Daisy has an online relationship with a man for nine months. Then only three months have passed. No, wait, it is nine months again. No, three!
Well, which is it, nine months or three?
When I actually added up the time lapses listed in this online relationship, it came to thirteen months. Two similar timeline issues pop up at the end of the book, where one day is suddenly three days and then back to one day, but it was really two weeks. Or a day, depending on how you look at it. And then two weeks is actually ten weeks but it is really two weeks.
Lastly, there is the issue of Sebastian’s title. He starts out as a viscount, and then is suddenly an earl. His father dies during this book, so I assume that accounts for his promotion of title, but it is never acknowledged in the text. Since such a big deal is made of his title, I expected at least a passing mention of his elevation in status.
The story itself is sweet, if a little predictable. I think Daisy and Sebastian are well-suited for each other, and I am happy he got his Happily Ever After. He surely deserved it. However, it feels like Ms. Valentine wasn’t really eager about writing this story. There are situations that you expect to see reoccur – such as cooking together, which was basically foreplay - but they do not. At one point Sebastian tells Daisy he wants to do something really wild to her, and then they just have the same sex they had been having. Sure, Sebastian is a skilled lover, but when you are in a shower with a man, naked, and he says he wants to do something wild, that he isn’t sure if his less experienced partner will be into it, I expect something more than adorning her in jewels before they go all missionary position. Was that supposed to be the wild aspect? I don’t think most women would be off-put by being bejeweled by their blue-blooded lover before sex.
There are also numerous typing errors -- missing words, extra words, bad auto-corrections. It is almost as if an early draft was accidentally published, rather than a finished, polished, final copy. Did the beta readers and proofreader even see this story before it was published? Ms. Valentine is a better writer than is evidenced by this book.
All that being said, she keeps the continuity of the family storyline between all three books, which I appreciate. In each one we learn a little more about the Romanov family without a whole lot of back-tracking to relearn what was shared in previous stories. Ms. Valentine also stays true with the Holland Springs crew. Every new set of main characters was met in a previous book, thus avoiding that horrid gaff of introducing a new cast in every book even though it all takes place in the same small town.
I wanted to be thrilled by this book. I wanted to write a rave review.
Maybe next time.
May 2, 2016
Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick
Just Desserts is the third book in Marquita Valentine's Holland Springs Series. Even though I hadn't read the first two books in the series I wanted to read this one after seeing the cover and reading the blurb and I was hoping that it wasn't necessary to understand this one. I probably would have known a few of the secondary characters better if I had read them, but I found that I wasn't lost at all and had no problems getting into the story.
Sebastian Romanov a billionaire and Earl wants to get his title of President of Romanov Industries back. In order to get the board to reinstate him he needs to clean up his act and make them think that he has turned over a new leaf. When his cousin asks him to go to Holland Springs to bring his girlfriend to England, he views it as the perfect excuse to try and set things right with his estranged twin brother. He stops into the Sweet Spot owned by Daisy Barnes, but he never expects that his attempt to satisfy his sweet tooth will change his life forever. At first glance Daisy is the answer to all of his problems. He asks her to pretend to be his fiance for a few months in order to help his case with the board of him having changed. After all they are almost family as his twin brother Christian is about to marry her cousin Zoe. As Sebastian and Daisy begin to spend more time together, the relationship begins to blur and what was supposed to be fake starts to transform into something real.
For me this story was enjoyable. The characters were likable and their relationship seemed real to me. Even though the time spent together seemed quite short for a relationship to develop, I never once questioned the feelings either of them felt for the other. I liked that Sebastian was protective of not only Daisy but his family as well, often times going above and beyond to take the fall for something that others had done. But his character was a little inconsistent to me. There were several times that he would claim that he wasn't good enough for Daisy and he would try to run away from her, only to turn around and do something that would bring him closer to her. Then it would revert back again, and this continued right up until the end of the book. I just wish that he wouldn't have been quite so wishy-washy as far as their relationship went. Daisy was fun and I loved that she would joke and banter with him, and call him on his BS when needed. There were some times that I would get frustrated and annoyed with her though for allowing him to act the way he did or get away with certain things. I also don't understand her actions regarding Sebastian's ex Kate.
Overall this story was quick to read and I found it enjoyable. Despite the inconsistencies, I was drawn into the developing relationship between Sebastian and Daisy. The attraction and chemistry between them was enough to get me past the few gripes I had with the story. I was hoping that Sebastian would really turn his life around and man up to make the right decisions and in the end I wasn't disappointed. Having read this without reading the first books, I am definitely interested in going back and starting at the beginning. I will be adding them to my TBR list, and I hope that they might give me a little more insight into some of the characters and their actions. If you like sweet and quick contemporary romances, I think this is a book you would most likely enjoy.
**ARC provided by Tasty Book Tours**
Just Desserts is the third book in Marquita Valentine's Holland Springs Series. Even though I hadn't read the first two books in the series I wanted to read this one after seeing the cover and reading the blurb and I was hoping that it wasn't necessary to understand this one. I probably would have known a few of the secondary characters better if I had read them, but I found that I wasn't lost at all and had no problems getting into the story.
Sebastian Romanov a billionaire and Earl wants to get his title of President of Romanov Industries back. In order to get the board to reinstate him he needs to clean up his act and make them think that he has turned over a new leaf. When his cousin asks him to go to Holland Springs to bring his girlfriend to England, he views it as the perfect excuse to try and set things right with his estranged twin brother. He stops into the Sweet Spot owned by Daisy Barnes, but he never expects that his attempt to satisfy his sweet tooth will change his life forever. At first glance Daisy is the answer to all of his problems. He asks her to pretend to be his fiance for a few months in order to help his case with the board of him having changed. After all they are almost family as his twin brother Christian is about to marry her cousin Zoe. As Sebastian and Daisy begin to spend more time together, the relationship begins to blur and what was supposed to be fake starts to transform into something real.
For me this story was enjoyable. The characters were likable and their relationship seemed real to me. Even though the time spent together seemed quite short for a relationship to develop, I never once questioned the feelings either of them felt for the other. I liked that Sebastian was protective of not only Daisy but his family as well, often times going above and beyond to take the fall for something that others had done. But his character was a little inconsistent to me. There were several times that he would claim that he wasn't good enough for Daisy and he would try to run away from her, only to turn around and do something that would bring him closer to her. Then it would revert back again, and this continued right up until the end of the book. I just wish that he wouldn't have been quite so wishy-washy as far as their relationship went. Daisy was fun and I loved that she would joke and banter with him, and call him on his BS when needed. There were some times that I would get frustrated and annoyed with her though for allowing him to act the way he did or get away with certain things. I also don't understand her actions regarding Sebastian's ex Kate.
Overall this story was quick to read and I found it enjoyable. Despite the inconsistencies, I was drawn into the developing relationship between Sebastian and Daisy. The attraction and chemistry between them was enough to get me past the few gripes I had with the story. I was hoping that Sebastian would really turn his life around and man up to make the right decisions and in the end I wasn't disappointed. Having read this without reading the first books, I am definitely interested in going back and starting at the beginning. I will be adding them to my TBR list, and I hope that they might give me a little more insight into some of the characters and their actions. If you like sweet and quick contemporary romances, I think this is a book you would most likely enjoy.
**ARC provided by Tasty Book Tours**
October 1, 2016
Just good
It was good, well plotted and had ok depth. It was too short to fill in all the details and in some places it jumped missing pieces. But over all I enjoyed the book and story line.
It was good, well plotted and had ok depth. It was too short to fill in all the details and in some places it jumped missing pieces. But over all I enjoyed the book and story line.
August 15, 2013
Bastian, at last I get your story! Ever since I read Marquita Valentine's first book, Twice Tempted, I've been anxious for her to share Bastian with us. With each book, my desire to see his story only increased. And while I enjoyed finally reading Just Desserts, I do have to be honest-- I was ever-so-slightly disappointed.
Sebastian Romanov is a very prim, proper, and well, uncaring person. His childhood was messed up, to say the least, due to his bastard of a father and witch of a mother. And while I could understand where his emotional issues came from, I was still very annoyed by him throughout the book. He was hot one moment and ice cold the next, and it was enough to make my head spin...as well as make me want to slap him a few times for the things he did or said to Daisy. Also, I didn't feel like he groveled enough in the end, but perhaps that is just me.
Despite the love/hate relationship I had with Bastian, I still enjoyed Just Desserts. Marquita's voice was still present, and she has a way of writing that I can't help but love, every time.
I really liked Sebastian and Daisy's story, but a few glitches stopped me from full on loving it. However, I was still very happy with Just Desserts. As with all of Valentine's books, there were some cute moments (ie, the emails and texts between “Jules” and Daisy), some fun moments, and a good dose of sexy ones, as well. It may not be a perfect book, but any fan of Valentine will love it, and it's a book that will appeal to many readers—I will be recommending it to others. It may not have been my favorite book by this author, but overall I can't complain. I will continue to anxiously await her future books
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