Candy Crush

by Tami Lund

Take a stroll down Main Street in Holly, Michigan, where you'll meet Brandon Sarantos, the director of the DDA, and Gabriella Hadley, the new owner of the candy store, along with her dog named Butter. Gabriella and Brandon are so busy fighting their mutual attraction, they hardly notice the dead body in the apartment over the candy store, or the stale candy piled in the storeroom. But when the store is vandalized and Gabriella's life is threatened, they are finally forced to face the someone doesn't want her to re-open the quaint candy store on Main Street. But why?

Good thing the desire blooming between them is too sweet to ignore. At least, until Gabriella's possessive ex-boyfriend shows up. This small town has some big problems. Better grab the candy bag and settle in for a page turner you won't be able to put down!

Genres: Romance

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 17, 2014

About the author

Author. Wine drinker. Award winner. Lover of romance.

As Tami Lund, I write contemporary - suspense, romcoms, rock stars - happily ever after guaranteed.

As TJ Bell, I write paranormal, fantasy, and sci fi. Shifters. Vampires. Aliens. Demigods. Monsters. Happily ever after eventually guaranteed.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

2 hours. that is how long it took me to read this book. I started at 10:30 on friday night and finished at 12:30 Saturday morning.

It was totally worth the lack of sleep. Totally. I loved it. Loved how honest the characters were, loved that you had an inkling but didn't really know who the baddie was until the reveal, and loved the big crazy greek family.

If you want a fast paced and funny book, then this is it. Miss Tami hit it out of the park once again.

[Pamela · Rating 1 out of 5]

I actually had no intention of writing a review as it seems once again I'm in the minority here with my one star rating. I will admit that I did like the hero, Brandon. I actually found it really cute that from the moment he met Gabriella he never hid his agenda which was to get her into his bed. He didn't come across as an alpha-male, but someone who joked around a lot, always smiling with a twinkle in his eye that no matter what he said you couldn't help but laugh. That being said, the more I thought about the actual story the more it all seemed so ludicrous to me.

Let's start with Gabriella. She's driven two thousand miles to hide from her boyfriend, Miguel. She found out he was into illegal business dealings, and since he told her that they'll be getting married (told, not asked), Gabriella took the first opportunity she could and fled. She doesn't want him to find her. That might be a little hard considering she's bought a business under her name, she never ditched her car, and she's still in contact with her family. Does she not think he could have her family's phones tapped? Or that someone might follow her brother? Which is exactly how they found her.

After leaving Miguel, Gabriella made a pact with herself to never trust another man again. That only lasts an hour after meeting Brandon as he invites her to stay at his house in the guest bedroom, to which she agrees. Hey, why not? He's sexy, bought her lunch, and whispered in her ear "I only bite if you ask nicely." Not to mention “there aren’t any hotels in this town,” and the only B&B is very expensive. Odd though as on her second day in town Brandon takes her to the “Holly Hotel” to attend the “Holly of Chamber Commerce” mixer. I have to wonder if the lie was intentional or if the author simply forgot what she wrote. No matter as in the end it only makes Gabriella TSTL.

“Gabriella stared at him in open-mouthed shock. Finally, she recovered and said, “I’ve been able to resist you thus far.”

“I know. You’re a fucking anomaly. I’ve never worked so hard to get laid in my life.”

“We haven’t even known each other for twenty-four hours yet!”

“I know. We should be in my bedroom right now, working on round three. And by round three I mean today.” He glared at her until she turned away.”

You would think such a statement would change her mind about sleeping at Brandon’s place, but no. So much for the pact. If that’s not bad enough, after Brandon tells her he’s taking her to his parent’s place for dinner, she concedes to go. Seriously? Of course, while at dinner his mother and grandmother start talking about them getting married and having children. Why she’s not screaming and running for the hills is beyond me. Of course, she eventually gives in and starts sleeping in his bed. Please don’t tell me you didn’t think that was not going to happen. Eye-rolls indeed.

With respect to her business of opening up a candy store, the people of Holly believe her store is jinxed. Not one owner has stayed on more than six months and they have all seemed to have disappeared. Gabriella doesn’t believe that. Even when a dead body is found, a break-in, and graffiti sprayed throughout the store, it doesn’t deter her. What is odd though is that the police chief is only one to respond to each incident and each time tells Gabriella to sell the place and leave town. Not once does Gabriella or Brandon question why he keeps telling her to leave. Brandon’s only concern is that she doesn’t leave town, period. Talk about ridiculous as it’s obvious from the start that the police chief has something to do with what’s happening at her store.

Another mystery, apparently the flowers that are planted in barrels around town and in front of all the retail shops have been dying. No one knows why and all the merchants are upset over this. Not one single person in town or the local nursery that planted these flowers even thinks it could be the soil that’s killing the flowers. It takes Gabriella to point that out to Brandon who in turns tells the nursery. Is the message the author’s conveying is how smart Gabriella is and how she saved the day? Or just how stupid each person in town is? It’s not like the mystery was solved and I didn’t read anywhere in the epilogue how all the flowers grew back nicely. Whatever reason, who cares.

When Gabriella’s brother Emmett gets involved with Brandon’s sister Courtney, Gabriella notes how their relationship developed at an alarming rate. I guess falling in love and getting engaged to Brandon within two weeks of meeting isn’t considered developed at an alarming rate.

Everything about this novel just didn’t work for me. There’s so much more and it’s all ridiculous and over-the-top. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes throughout they hurt so much. I mean seriously, am I the only one who feels this way? Well if I am, it’s my opinion. Read it, don’t read it. I’ll leave that all up to you.

[Kay Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I finished it under an hour. It had a sexy hero and.beautiful heroine. Though I am a city girl, I liked the small town sense of community. The chemistry between Gabriella and Brandon were off the charts. Tami you did it again.

[A.E. Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was suspenseful, sexy, and fun. The main character was feisty and adventurous and the leading man was swoon-worthy. The romantic tension is excellent and there is a major build up and pay off with Gabriella and Brandon.

[Ashlynn Pearce · Rating 5 out of 5]

romance with a dash of suspense

This book kept me up reading cause I was dying to know what happened. The ending is not what you expect. Brandon and Gabrielle are perfect together. Don't miss out on this great read!

[Brenda Deane makarov]

Loved this book! Characters are well developed and I enjoyed the small town setting a lot. Easy fun read that is flirty and sexy with just the right amount of suspense. Couldn't put it down.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually don't like "sparks at first sight" books, but "Candy Crush" is so much more than that. Tami Lund has written a fun book about a small town in Michigan where everywhere you turn you find a member of the large Sarantos family. Gabriella Hadley ends up meeting them all when she decides to leave her controlling boyfriend and unhappy life in Texas behind and buy a candy store. Threatening events continue to prevent Gabriella from opening her store. She decides to stay in Michigan anyway and eventually her brother, Emmett shows up! Once I started reading this book, I got hooked. I give this book an enthusiastic 5 stars!

[Tami Lund · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet and sexy read! My heroine in this book is running from her past and ends up in a small town complete with homegrown politics, far too many family values, and the incredibly sexy and bad-for-her Brandon Sarantos. This is one of my favorite of all the books I've written, mostly, I think, because of Brandon. He's flawed, but so confident that his flaws almost seem endearing, and in the end, you just know he's going to do the right thing. He'd better!

If you enjoy this book, please let me know by leaving a review! Thank you!