Amber may wear her heart on her sleeve, but she’s smart. She knows what’s good for her, except when it comes to her bad-boy boss, Daniel Cunningham.
With his playboy reputation and a history of fleeting romances, life with Daniel is an emotional rollercoaster. He’s her boss, closest friend and biggest weakness, all wrapped in one hot mess of temptation. And worst of all, he’s completely oblivious.
She succumbed to his charms once before and all that’s left after their brief romance is an IOU for one night of hot sex pinned above his bar as a constant reminder.
Amber tells herself she’s over him, but she can’t seem to leave the quaint village of Tottenbridge, or Daniel. Battling her better sense, one snowy night she lets down her guard and her wildest fantasies come true.
But Amber is older and wiser now, right? Determined to resist any lingering feelings she has for Daniel. Until a tempting new job offer presents itself, and she faces a tough choice.
Will Amber choose loyalty, love, and uncertainty? Or will she move on from Daniel and pursue her dreams?
The real question is… will he let her?
The Daniel Dilemma is the second book in Vicki Hilton’s Tales from Tottenbridge Series. It’s a fast and furious ride of love, lust, and laughter. An unputdownable, steamy rom com that will leave you tingling in all the right places and rooting for Amber and Daniel until the very last word.
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Writing about love, passion and all things tingly has always been a dream for me.
Originally from rural England, I now live in Sydney’s glorious Northern Beaches, where I’m steadily gathering freckles and dipping my toes into the ocean for inspiration.
With a focus on smart, quirky heroines and sensitive, sexy heroes, I create steamy, slow burn, contemporary romance. Always on the funny side, with a nice touch of spice.
I’m a devoted wife, mother of one beautiful daughter, a wrangler of assorted animals, and a lover of Skittles.
Okay, okay, let me back up. Amber was a wonderful FMC. She was smart, strong and capable and tried her very best to maintain professional boundaries. Her biggest and probably only real flaw was how much she let Daniel dictate her life and decisions. And then there was the fact that she'd walk around in skimpy pajamas in public. Hilarious, really.
I don't think I've ever said this about an MMC, but Daniel was insufferable. Sure, most "playboys" start out being complete jerks, but wind up redeeming themselves. I saw nothing redeemable with Daniel. From start to finish, he was completely self-centered and selfish. In fact, he should've been kissing the ground that Amber was walking on and begging her to stay.
This is one story where the MMC absolutely deserved to grovel. Since day one, Daniel had done Amber wrong, taking her for granted both personally and professionally. And when there was the slightest hint that he might lose her, he suddenly decided to pull out all of the stops. And when he did, she forgave him waaaaaaaayyyy too easily.
All of the terrible things that he'd done, he'd done while they were still friends. I'm all for not judging someone's past, but if he truly loved Amber, even a small part of him should've known how much what he was doing was hurting her. But, nooooo. His terrible behavior continued for YEARS, until he finally realized that he was at risk of losing her for good.
If he truly was selfless and loved Amber as much as he'd claimed to, he would've encouraged her to live out her dreams, and not guilt her into staying because of some childish vendetta against Frank.
Daniel did not deserve a HEA.
2 ⭐️
NOTE: ARC received in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Daniel Dilemma is the second book in the Tales from Tottenbridge series. It is a sometimes steamy romance set in the countryside of England. Daniel is the Casanova pub owner but he leaves most of the running of the pub to Amber. She is in love with him but he just thinks of her as a friend and someone who keeps the pub running smoothly. They do have an attraction but given Daniel's history and his little black book can they be destined for more? They definitely need to work on their communication skills.
There are other characters throughout whom we've met before and we get to know them better. There are also some new ones to round out the plot. Felix was a hard character for me to like. He is hoping to snatch Amber away from the pub to work in a business he plans to open nearby along with other duties and responsibilities. It will definitely rival Daniel's pub and possibly thwart his future plans. If you think Daniel is narcissistic just wait until Felix takes the stage! Animals play a prominent role due to some of the storylines and Bolt, Daniel's new kitten is front and center. Bolt generates some laughs not only for his antics but especially when he becomes the confidante of both Daniel and Amber.
There are twists and turns to the story but the story was sometimes choppy. The story is told in part by Daniel and in other chapters by Amber and sometimes I had to flip back to see whose dialogue it was. The story does have some surprises but there is closure with the inclusion of the epilogue that was portrayed nicely. I just wish it went on a little longer. I liked the cover and the title.
I received an advance review copy in exchange for my review.
Imagine yourself working in a small English village in a pub and very much in love with the pub owner. That is Amber’s dilemma. She is Daniel’s everything. From managing the pub to covering for him when it comes to the women of Tottenbridge, she is always there for him. Amber could have moved on to bigger and brighter jobs, but her need to be near Daniel was much too strong for that to ever happen. That is until Felix, a hotelier, offers Amber a job that she never imagined could be hers. Daniel is a business owner, a charmer with unquestionable good looks, and above all a reputation with the ladies. But he is also caring and sweet and Amber’s best friend. He would do anything for her. So why aren’t they together?? My thoughts: if you like Bridget Jones’s Diary you will adore this book as much as I do. I love that Amber is curvy with wild crazy curly red hair and not some tall blonde stick. She has a great personality and the banter between her, and Daniel is excellent. Both main characters have strong personalities so it’s very interesting that they have a hard time expressing their true feelings. I was rooting for them to come to their senses. I laughed out loud at some of the scenes, and I just loved everything about it. Cheers to Vicki Hilton for this second book of the Tottenbridge series. I will be going back to read the first book, but The Daniel Dilemma does just fine as a stand alone book.
I basically went in blind starting this book. I had requested and received an ARC of this book. I had forgotten the premise of this story but knowing that it had been something I was interested in reading and the loving cover I delved in. I can’t say that I loved Daniel and his bar owning playboy ways. With him being more interested in women than running his bar it all was on Amber’s shoulders to make it successful. It took me a while to warm up to him. When he finally realized Amber was more than something to be taken for granted my view of him changed. It took some time for her to grow a backbone to know her worth. This was in part friends to lovers but also the bad boy being reformed by the good girl. It was a quick paced read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I did not realize this was the second in the series Tales from Tattenbridge.I read it as a stand-alone but I’m curious about book one. I’m happily leaving this review in exchange for honest I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Amber loves Daniel, her friend and employer, for whom she manages his pub/bistro almost single handed, but Daniel only loves himself and any other lady that takes his fancy, working in the pub whenever he feels like it.
Felix Walsh has just moved into the village next to Tottenbridge, and bought a Bistro there, with plans to convert it into a Bar/Restaurant, and eventually adding a conference centre and accommodation, and he wants Amber to run it for him.
This is the second in the series of Tales from Tottenbridge, and is just as good, if not better, than the first. Amber has to choose between working for Felix, or continuing to run Daniel’s pub, hoping against hope that Daniel will fall for her in the meantime. I loved Amber’s determination to stand her ground against both Daniel and Felix, but when Daniel realised he loved Amber, he left it very late! But was it too late? You’ll have to read the book to find out.
I received an advance review copy for free, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Great British rom-com. I loved how these two seemingly mismatched people spark off each other from the very start of the story. Bar manager Amber has had an unrequited crush on her boss, Daniel for three years. She has worked above and beyond as well as supporting him and calling him out on his philandering ways for all that time. There are some laughs & giggles along the way as the light slowly dawns on serial womaniser, Daniel that he has romantic feelings for his ‘best friend’. The story is well-written and the characters three-dimensional and entertaining. The tale of their rocky road to the HEA is engaging and has the reader hooked from the start. I’ve never read any of Vicki Hilton’s books before but will certainly be checking out some more; If you are a fan of such authors as Jill Mansell, this one’s a must for you!
I really enjoyed this book. Amber works for Daniel managing his pub. She never planned on staying in this small town when she arrived during her big adventure from Australia. She has feelings for Daniel but he is sowing his wild oats. When he starts to feel serious attraction for Amber he fumbles it up and risks losing her to his competition if he doesn’t get himself sorted. Will Daniel realize before it’s too late that Amber is the love of his life? Daniel and Amber have great chemistry and although it seems one sided you could tell that Daniel really cared for Amber too. I felt the story was believable and it was a fun and engaging story. Would definitely recommend. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Amber is in love with Daniel, but has to watch him with every other female but her.
Daniel is in love with Amber, only he doesn't even know it until he pushes her away, almost loosing her forever.
One little black book, a steamy IOU, a kitten adoption, an awkward dinner party and plenty of revelations later, realisation finally sets in but is it too late?
This story was so well written, I even shed a tear at "Bolts mum" on the keyring, too cute. I was hooked from the beginning. I was rooting for them both from the outset. Willing Amber to finally stand up for what she deserved, feeling sorry for Daniel and hating him at the same time. I was in such a twisted Web of emotions while reading this, I simply couldn't stop.
Daniel, the playboy has certainly met his match in his bar manager, Amber. Having previously had a bit of a fling with her, Daniel finds himself becoming obsessed with her. Amber is still trying to keep her distance from him to stop herself getting hurt, but when Daniel adopts a kitten, her heart melts. A potential business competitor, arrives on the scene to lure Amber away to work for him. Daniel has to find a way to keep her and tries by throwing a disastrous birthday celebration for Amber with a dubious guest list. I had so many chuckles throughout this story plus there was a cute and funny cameo appearance by Ammy at the kitten rescue centre.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Daniel owns the Five Bob Bar and Grill. Amber is his manager and has stayed around through all Daniel’s women because she has a crush on him. Felix owns many hotels and is very successful. He wants to open a bar and grill and would like Amber to run it. Felix is offering Amber many possibilities for a lifetime of rewarding work. Daniel develops feelings for Amber but does not want to run her off. I really enjoyed this book. The kittens add a lot to the daily life of Daniel and Amber. Lots of humor and love. There is strong evidence for trust and commitment in this book. Great characters and story.
3.5/4 stars This is an entertaining, wild ride of a read. Amber and Daniel are interesting, intriguing, relatable, entertaining characters. I really loved the grand gesture and the epilogue. There were times when I really liked Daniel and times when I didn’t like him at all. I enjoyed the secondary characters – particularly the little girl and cat – they added so much fun and levity to the story. There were aspects of the ending that felt rushed, that I wanted to see play out more than what we got. The story is easy to read and entertaining, overall.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Daniel and Amber have known each other for years. They have flirted with the idea of having an affair, but the timing wasn't right and Daniel delegated Amber to the friend zone. He didn't realize Amber really liked him, so when he started serial dating, she was very upset.
Years later, during a work conference, they spend a night together, but this time Amber cuts it off. She doesn't want to be just another conquest. However, Daniel decides Amber is the one - now he has to change his ways to prove it to her.
Cute banter and nice chemistry . Daniel made me mad at the start of the book, but won me over.
Everything a steamy rom-com read should be and more ♥️ Having enjoyed the first book in this series, A Country Quandary, I was looking forward to this one....and I wasn't disappointed 😀 Hilariously funny at times, heartwarming, heartbreaking, and with steamy scenes that make you tingle. This author is so good at immersing you in the characters. You feel every emotion that they're going through in this rollercoaster of a storyline. Can Amber tame her bad-boy boss? Can she keep her lust and old feelings under control? Will follow her head or her heart? Can Daniel ever change his ways? Does he actually have a heart? Find out for yourself.....it's a great read!!
My second Vicki Hilton novel and the fun just kept coming. It’s that old story of “you just don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone” (well almost in this one). In Daniel’s case, Amber runs his pub almost single-handedly, while he flits between women and laziness. When she gets a better offer he has to pull out all the stops to convince her that he actually loves her and wants her to stay. His technique is questionable but it comes from the heart (which he finally found!). A lot of fun with witty, engaging banter, an entertaining storyline, familiar feeling characters and a cute HEA.
This is book 2 in Hilton's Tales from Tottenbridge series and is just as good as the first. Our main characters are Amber and Daniel. I was delighted by this well written romance that is the best balance of sweet romance, great chemistry and laughs...even a tear or too as well! Totally vested in these characters and their story. I loved every minute of it and I can't wait to see what's next in this lil town!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Daniel Dilema was an interesting read. I definitely believe that Amber deserve more than Daniel. Daniel needed to wake up and grow up. The book was was witty and a bit funny in certain aspects which made it a good read. The plot was nicely written, sentence structure was easy to read and allowed story to flow. The author style of writing was very creatively imaginative. I would recommend if you like that best friend vibe - friends to lovers.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I couldn't get past the first 15% of this book. The MMC seemed like a jerk with no redeemable qualities that basically exploited the ridiculous crush the FMC had for him. She seemed like a naive doormat who needed an intervention over her enabling of his bullshit. I had to stop reading because the idea that they would actually got together in the end of the book made me sad for her. He was only going to make an effort when someone else wanted her, which means that he's just going to start treating her like crap again once the shine inevitably wore off.
I enjoyed reading this storyline. Entertaining and full of humour.
Amber knows she needs to protect her heart. Daniel is well known as a ladies man around town.
Amber finds herself working for Daniel. While they seem to the best of friends Amber knows it won't take much to have her heart involved or broken if she doesn't pay attention.
Daniel relies on Amber as his new best friend and employee without really realising the full situation. Plenty of chemistry drama and laughter.
From reading the blurb I thought I would enjoy the book but sadly it didn't appeal to me at all. Both main characters were completely unlikable to me: Daniel was a spoilt brat and Amber was such a doormat. I also felt that the story was way to long, I really had to force myself to keep reading. Sadly this book just wasn't for me.
I received an ARC via booksirens.com and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was cute. I loved the reformed rake story, but wish it had happened a bit sooner since the characters were already in a place where the romance could’ve begun developing a bit more quickly. At times I wasn’t sure Daniel would be redeemed but I loved his witty anger with Amber. The two characters had great chemistry.
This book two in the little small town series. Daniel still recovering over his heartbreak over kitty. He realized what been in front of him this whole time. Or who Been there.
Amber she have always love Daniel but she over his act. Offer a job she has a big choice to make.
Can't wait for the next one. Spicy and action and sweet romance too.
Adored this second book in the series. Can be read as a standalone but why would you? The first was fantastic too. The characters are witty and fun, and it gets a little steamy too. There is a little drama and cute kitty. A great choice for rom com readers. Look forward to more from this talented author.
She needs to stay away from him but it was hard as he was her best friend. They did get together but it all ended in disaster and now she has a choice in front of her. Take a new job leaving him and her old life behind. What will she do? Will she leave? Will she try again with him? How will life go for them both? See just what is going to happen
Vicki Hilton The Daniel Dilemma : A slow burn, small town, friends to lovers, second chance, steamy romantic comedy (Tales from Tottenbridge Book ). Rom com This is a very entertaining steamy, slow burn, small town, friends to lovers rom com. I loved it and recommend it. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
She fell first, he fell deeper. Second book of the series at small town Tottenbridge. In this case the Aussie Amber and the local playboy Daniel. I liked the first half more than the last… didn’t like very much how the story was developed. The weekend away, the characters around (specially Veronica and Felix). I love Kitty and Josh.
If you like charming rakes who get their comeuppance, then you'll love "The Daniel Dilemma." After reading Vicki Hilton's first two books in this series, I couldn't wait to read Daniel's story and it DID NOT disappoint!
It was fun to revisit memorable characters from the first book, but this can be read as a stand-alone. It’s funny, naughty, and very nice, and an easy, entertaining romance.
I received a free ARC. My review is purely my own opinion.
I loved the first and third book, the second one i lost intrest about 50% in and just skimmed through the rest. I didnt feel the connection between Daniel and Amber. The spice was low and in this case i like it cuz i wanted it less spice than what i usually read