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Indigo Bay #2
Cherry on Top
When Enzo Moretti's mom lures him home to paint one of his famous murals in Indigo Bay, he expects an awkward family reunion.
Not an awkward matchmaking attempt.
And not Will Johnson, the new owner of Cherry’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor and it turns out, also who she’s been boasting to about all Enzo's perfect qualities.
He's perfectly embarrassed, all right.
When Will suggests pretending to date might be easier than fighting his determined mama, Enzo knows he should say no. That Will is as tasty as his frozen desserts doesn’t matter. Enzo isn't staying.
Instead, he plans a series of very public romantic dates. Dates that only end up proving that, yes, Will is as sweet as his ice cream, and no, Enzo isn't as immune to romantic entanglements as he thought. The longer they continue the charade, the less it feels like a game of pretend and more like a truth he can't avoid.
But can Enzo really admit his mom got it right—and stay in the town he's always wanted to leave? It'll be tough to live down that "I told you so."
Even tougher to leave Will behind.
Because what he never expected is for Will to be the cherry on top of this matchmaking sundae. He's one tasty treat Enzo never wants to finish.
Not an awkward matchmaking attempt.
And not Will Johnson, the new owner of Cherry’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor and it turns out, also who she’s been boasting to about all Enzo's perfect qualities.
He's perfectly embarrassed, all right.
When Will suggests pretending to date might be easier than fighting his determined mama, Enzo knows he should say no. That Will is as tasty as his frozen desserts doesn’t matter. Enzo isn't staying.
Instead, he plans a series of very public romantic dates. Dates that only end up proving that, yes, Will is as sweet as his ice cream, and no, Enzo isn't as immune to romantic entanglements as he thought. The longer they continue the charade, the less it feels like a game of pretend and more like a truth he can't avoid.
But can Enzo really admit his mom got it right—and stay in the town he's always wanted to leave? It'll be tough to live down that "I told you so."
Even tougher to leave Will behind.
Because what he never expected is for Will to be the cherry on top of this matchmaking sundae. He's one tasty treat Enzo never wants to finish.
361 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2024
About the author
Beth Bolden
89 books763 followersA lifelong Oregonian, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband and their sweet kitten, Earl Grey. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh.
Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published fourteen novels and five short stories.
Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published fourteen novels and five short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
September 25, 2024
Another one with a disappearing review.
I beta read this one for Beth and loved everything about the push/pull pseudo enemies to lovers vibes it has.
I'm always up for a Moretti finding their HEA and I loved how we saw the walls come down on both MCs parts.
Interference from other people often goes too far, or grinds my gears, but Mama Gianna just makes me laugh so I was totally down for her ham-fisted attempts at matchmaking.
Both Will and Enzo have things to work through but once they put their preconceptions aside, they've a lot more in common than they think.
The fake dating is again a slight twist on the norm and works well, and I love the small town setting for this series.
I'm looking forward to more Moretti madness.
I beta read this one for Beth and loved everything about the push/pull pseudo enemies to lovers vibes it has.
I'm always up for a Moretti finding their HEA and I loved how we saw the walls come down on both MCs parts.
Interference from other people often goes too far, or grinds my gears, but Mama Gianna just makes me laugh so I was totally down for her ham-fisted attempts at matchmaking.
Both Will and Enzo have things to work through but once they put their preconceptions aside, they've a lot more in common than they think.
The fake dating is again a slight twist on the norm and works well, and I love the small town setting for this series.
I'm looking forward to more Moretti madness.
August 7, 2024
Yummy ice cream, gorgeous men. Poor premise, fake dating to get mother off his back while lusting after each other. I just got bored🥱 Too goody-goody. Faking sex was too ott just to fool everyone.
DNF @53%
DNF @53%
July 13, 2024
3.75 stars
July 2, 2024
⚠ Warning ⚠
Do not read if you are hungry, as you will be craving ice cream!
Will and Enzo are adorable! The guy setting down new roots and the guy who left town and says he is never coming home.
Could they be any different? Probably not. But when they are in the same space, they just can't avoid the attraction, even when they want to.
Familial pressures, fauxmance, well, we know where that is going to lead us.
I really enjoyed this read. It was a quick, easy read. I haven't read the first Indigo Bay book (it is now on my reader though!), and I do hope we get more in the series in the future.
Do not read if you are hungry, as you will be craving ice cream!
Will and Enzo are adorable! The guy setting down new roots and the guy who left town and says he is never coming home.
Could they be any different? Probably not. But when they are in the same space, they just can't avoid the attraction, even when they want to.
Familial pressures, fauxmance, well, we know where that is going to lead us.
I really enjoyed this read. It was a quick, easy read. I haven't read the first Indigo Bay book (it is now on my reader though!), and I do hope we get more in the series in the future.
July 10, 2024
Enzo's Mom is a matchmaker trying to get him to date Will, the owner of the ice cream shop. What starts as fake dating to foil the matchmaker becomes real as the guys fall for each other. With lots of spicy moments that helps their attraction move along, some angst moves in as Enzo is supposed to depart to paint murals elsewhere. Enzo is somewhat insecure but really cares for Will who is sweet, hunky and loved by all. It's a fun continuance of the Indigo Bay series with some Christmas Falls sprinkled in. I received a copy of this book through Neon Rainbow and this is my voluntary opinion.
Read
July 12, 2024I was so excited to see that Enzo was getting his HEA with a new to town man... and getting the redemption he deserves after how he was portrayed in the first book. After moving away and growing up, he's ready for his HEA - and despite his mother's meddling, he finds it in Will, the newly arrived ice cream shop owner. With a dash of not-so-fake dating and the chance to lean on each other for support, both men are able to stand up for themselves with their families and truly forge a path that works for them. Beautifully written, well paced and definitely worth a Cherry on Top.
July 11, 2024
What a fantastic book!
I love it, I love it. What characters... Enzo...I want a guy like Enzo in my life.
Enzo reluctantly returns home to paint a mural of Will's ice cream shop building, without him even being informed, a plot by Enzo's mother to join them together.
To get her to give up they decide to fake a date. Of course, the fake date quickly becomes a real date. But Enzo doesn't live in Indigo Bay and Will opened the ice cream shop months ago. Will they reach a path together or does the romance stop there?
It's so good
I love it, I love it. What characters... Enzo...I want a guy like Enzo in my life.
Enzo reluctantly returns home to paint a mural of Will's ice cream shop building, without him even being informed, a plot by Enzo's mother to join them together.
To get her to give up they decide to fake a date. Of course, the fake date quickly becomes a real date. But Enzo doesn't live in Indigo Bay and Will opened the ice cream shop months ago. Will they reach a path together or does the romance stop there?
It's so good
July 14, 2024
I love every book by Beth Bolden and this book did not disappoint. Enzo and Will are a match made in heaven, according to Enzo’s mom. These two go from fake dating to being a couple. Their journey is a bit of a rollercoaster, but worth the ride.
July 3, 2024
This was a good blend of a lot of fun things. There was a bit of drama, a bit of humour, and it was both sweet and sexy. I enjoyed reading about grown up Enzo, he's come a long way since his bratty self in the previous book in this series, ' Sweet As Pie.' He meets his match in this one, in Will who is not only gorgeous, but sweet with it. I would recommend it if you want a fast-paced fake relationship romance, that’s low on angst, and is a delightful read. Will and Enzo were perfect together, and their fake turned real romance, made for a happy read, with a satisfying ending. Cannot wait for Book 3 in this series
July 9, 2024
Enzo and Will were a great couple. Loved that they did themselves and pushed back at the family interference. Will’s ice cream creations sound so good I want to try them. Another great book by Beth.
July 17, 2024
I was a little disappointed by this---not prime Beth Bolden work. Just too much sweet, and not enough meat to the tale. A really great story needs a worthwhile antagonist or roadblock; Neither Enzo nor Will's parental units truly qualified as "evil emperor", nor did the fact of Enzo's traveling mural work vs. Will's lock to his new business put a serious bump in the road. Plus, there are a few spots with strangely worded sentences, and misused/misspelled words, although if the story had been her usual level of fantastic, this would not have mattered.
Overall, not a bad read, simply not a fabulous one. It's cute, fun, and sexy, just too fluffy compared to her other stories---at least for my taste. That said: every author I've ever read has written at least one book that doesn't sing for me, so I'm not taking her off my "fave" list.
Overall, not a bad read, simply not a fabulous one. It's cute, fun, and sexy, just too fluffy compared to her other stories---at least for my taste. That said: every author I've ever read has written at least one book that doesn't sing for me, so I'm not taking her off my "fave" list.
Did Not Finish
July 17, 2024When i saw the one trope "fake dating", I was waiting impatiently for this book.
I read about a third of it. But I can't stand Enzo's mother. I hate people like this woman who can't take no for an answer. She's a bully for me. No bully is supposed to be right.
I am so sorry and disapointed I can't finish this book.
As always I'm not rating books I didn't finish reading.
I read about a third of it. But I can't stand Enzo's mother. I hate people like this woman who can't take no for an answer. She's a bully for me. No bully is supposed to be right.
I am so sorry and disapointed I can't finish this book.
As always I'm not rating books I didn't finish reading.
July 7, 2024
Cherry on Top by Beth Bolden is the second book in her Indigo Bay series. I suggest that you read the first book before this one as it gives the background of the Moretti family, contains characters from that book, and tells of family and town happenings that come before this one. This is the story of two men who are trying to forge their own way when their families want something different for them and they have to fight for what they want, even though they don’t see what happens coming. Will Johnson has come to Indigo Bay to start Cherry’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor. He is part of the Johnson family that owns similar shops all over the country but unfortunately they expect him to do whatever they want and he realizes if he doesn’t get away he will never get to do what he wants to do. It has been tough to get the shop going but now it is going great and he is seeing lots of success. Enzo Moretti grew up in Indigo Bay helping his mother with their deli. He is part of the Moretti family and cousin to the famous Luca who owns and operates several successful restaurants and businesses. Luca also married his first love Oliver and there was somewhat of a confrontation that hurt his reputation, even after he realized that Oliver was not a good fit for him and belonged with Luca. He was also not food orientated but loved art and with Luca’s help went to art school. He is now a world-famous mural artist, painting walls on buildings in towns where he much sought after. His mother, Giana, has tried to be controlling in his life, expecting to follow in the Moretti businesses but reluctantly lets him go to art school and become the artist he wants to be. She is also a matchmaker and is trying to get Will and Enzo together, much to their embarrassment. She persuades Enzo to come home to paint a mural on the wall of Will’s business but doesn’t tell either of them, which leads to a surprise encounter with a few interesting things said. But Giana doesn’t give up which leads to them decide to fake date and from the first date they realize there might be something more there. They continue their fake dating until going skinny dipping one night when they realize they are crazy for each other. Enzo has to figure out if he can come back to Indigo Bay to be with Will because Will’s work is there but he knows he doesn’t want to give up what they are creating. Then Will’s parents show up, trying to get him to manage an opening of their new store in Tybee and Enzo bolsters his resolve to stay where he is and not give in. That’s when Will knows he loves Enzo because he stood beside him in facing his parents. Then the news of their “engagement” gets out and they have to face their families with the truth and that they want to do everything together for real. As they begin this real relationship they know that they are meant to be together and to support one another as they make their way to their happy ending. I really enjoyed this story. Will is a sweetheart and hard worker and was very surprised when Enzo came into his life. Enzo had hated living in Indigo Bay and never thought he’d return for more than a day or two but Will made him realize that he had changed and his past doesn’t control him. Their parents played an important part in their growing up and making their dreams come true against the odds and Luca, Oliver, and Rocco helped them through the hard times. I also enjoyed Giana’s and Joy’s (Oliver’s mother) part in the story and also the town’s story of Eliza and Nathanial that Enzo brought to life as the mural on Will’s store’s wall. There were some very hot love scenes throughout the story as Will and Enzo explored that part of their lives. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like fake dating stories that turn in to the real thing as two men come to grips with their pasts and find a way to a very happy future together.
July 4, 2024
I was so excited when I found out Beth Bolden was writing another Indigo Bay story, and Enzo and Will's romance was such a delightful, swoony, adorable read! After getting a not-so-great first impression of Enzo, I was curious to see how he would redeem himself with Will. It was clear right away how much growing he did between the last book and this book, and his years building his career as a muralist gave him the freedom he needed to stretch his wings and become his own man. When his mom, Giana, cooked up a scheme to bring him back to Indigo Bay, Enzo saw right through it, but his love for his family had him packing up and settling back home for a few months anyway. That's when Giana's matchmaking took off to a whole different level, and ice cream shop owner Will got dragged into the crossfire. The funny thing is that Will and Enzo had sparks the first time they met, and had they been left to their own devices they probably would have ended up chatting anyway. But Giana knows best, and that meant smashing the two of them together at every possible instance until they took matters into their own hands to get some breathing room.
I'm not always a fan of fake relationship books because I'm not always convinced of the couple's need to fake it, but I 100% understood why Enzo and Will were considering it this time. Their over-the-top, extremely public dates were a mix of hilarious pretending and simmering sexual tension, and I saw right through their flimsy excuses that were masking a deep attraction for each other. Will and Enzo were both incredibly self-motivated hard workers, had both grown up with family legacies that put a lot of pressure on them to fit a specific mold, and had both struggled to get their families to understand why they wanted something different from their lives. I think that shared understanding is why things felt so easy for Enzo and Will and why once they started opening up to each other there was no chance they wouldn't fall in love for real. I felt like I was on cloud nine as I watched their fake public dates turn into intimate, shared moments of connection, and once they brought their sizzling chemistry into the mix I was a total goner. Will and Enzo were so freaking adorable together, and despite life trying to throw a few curveballs at them they were so steady and centered in their relationship that I never doubted its foundation. It made sense to me that Enzo and Will's parents would be the biggest hurdle they had to tackle, and though their initial response was impulsive and questionable, they did the right thing in the end by being honest and expressing their boundaries clearly. I couldn't be happier with the way their journey ended, full of family and friends, careers they were passionate about, and a love that only burned brighter with time.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
I'm not always a fan of fake relationship books because I'm not always convinced of the couple's need to fake it, but I 100% understood why Enzo and Will were considering it this time. Their over-the-top, extremely public dates were a mix of hilarious pretending and simmering sexual tension, and I saw right through their flimsy excuses that were masking a deep attraction for each other. Will and Enzo were both incredibly self-motivated hard workers, had both grown up with family legacies that put a lot of pressure on them to fit a specific mold, and had both struggled to get their families to understand why they wanted something different from their lives. I think that shared understanding is why things felt so easy for Enzo and Will and why once they started opening up to each other there was no chance they wouldn't fall in love for real. I felt like I was on cloud nine as I watched their fake public dates turn into intimate, shared moments of connection, and once they brought their sizzling chemistry into the mix I was a total goner. Will and Enzo were so freaking adorable together, and despite life trying to throw a few curveballs at them they were so steady and centered in their relationship that I never doubted its foundation. It made sense to me that Enzo and Will's parents would be the biggest hurdle they had to tackle, and though their initial response was impulsive and questionable, they did the right thing in the end by being honest and expressing their boundaries clearly. I couldn't be happier with the way their journey ended, full of family and friends, careers they were passionate about, and a love that only burned brighter with time.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
July 12, 2024
My favorite thing about a romance series is that you can really get to know a location, so that things feel familiar and you can see previous places and people again and feel like you actually know them!
Coming back to Indigo Bay, we get another Moretti! Five years after Sweet as Pie, Enzo Moretti (Luca's cousin and Giana's son) is much more mature, and much less interested in putting down roots, especially in Indigo Bay. His career as a mural artist has really taken off, allowing him to travel around the country creating beautiful art. When a planned project falls through, his mother convinces him to come home for the time he has off to paint a mural in Indigo Bay.
Will, a relative newcomer to Indigo Bay, has no time for a boyfriend, no matter how much Giana talks up her son Enzo. He's plenty busy running his new ice cream parlor, Cherry's, while fending off guilt trips from his family to help with their family business. However, when he catches Enzo painting the side of his building, he does find him very attractive. Even if he is "defacing" his precious business.
Once they both realize that Giana has set the whole thing up without clearing it with everyone (namely Will) as an attempt to get them together, they decide to let her think it worked. After all, Enzo doesn't want to stay in Indigo Bay, and Will is too busy for a real boyfriend. They're not going to fall for real, right??
As always, Beth has managed to make me fall in love with two people pretty much instantly, and have me rooting for them pretty much immediately. Enzo and Will were very swoony together, as they at first butted heads, then became friends and co-conspirators, and then more. The banter was great, the over-the-top acting (ha, acting) besotted was hilarious, and the steamy chemistry was all too present.
I also loved that neither character gave up on their dreams or wants, and that they actually addressed the issues at hand instead of just having them handwaved away by luuuurve (saracastic spelling intended). Some stories would have had Enzo decide he didn't really want to paint murals everywhere, or have Will give up his business entirely to travel around, but Beth had them actually address this like adults! Which was good, and allowed me to thoroughly enjoy all the things they did not address like adults, namely just being totally honest with their parents.
I was thrilled to come back to Indigo Bay, and will happily read more about this little town, and any other place Beth wants to take me (and yes, there is a giant, neon clue of what's coming later this year in here, so strap in!)
Coming back to Indigo Bay, we get another Moretti! Five years after Sweet as Pie, Enzo Moretti (Luca's cousin and Giana's son) is much more mature, and much less interested in putting down roots, especially in Indigo Bay. His career as a mural artist has really taken off, allowing him to travel around the country creating beautiful art. When a planned project falls through, his mother convinces him to come home for the time he has off to paint a mural in Indigo Bay.
Will, a relative newcomer to Indigo Bay, has no time for a boyfriend, no matter how much Giana talks up her son Enzo. He's plenty busy running his new ice cream parlor, Cherry's, while fending off guilt trips from his family to help with their family business. However, when he catches Enzo painting the side of his building, he does find him very attractive. Even if he is "defacing" his precious business.
Once they both realize that Giana has set the whole thing up without clearing it with everyone (namely Will) as an attempt to get them together, they decide to let her think it worked. After all, Enzo doesn't want to stay in Indigo Bay, and Will is too busy for a real boyfriend. They're not going to fall for real, right??
As always, Beth has managed to make me fall in love with two people pretty much instantly, and have me rooting for them pretty much immediately. Enzo and Will were very swoony together, as they at first butted heads, then became friends and co-conspirators, and then more. The banter was great, the over-the-top acting (ha, acting) besotted was hilarious, and the steamy chemistry was all too present.
I also loved that neither character gave up on their dreams or wants, and that they actually addressed the issues at hand instead of just having them handwaved away by luuuurve (saracastic spelling intended). Some stories would have had Enzo decide he didn't really want to paint murals everywhere, or have Will give up his business entirely to travel around, but Beth had them actually address this like adults! Which was good, and allowed me to thoroughly enjoy all the things they did not address like adults, namely just being totally honest with their parents.
I was thrilled to come back to Indigo Bay, and will happily read more about this little town, and any other place Beth wants to take me (and yes, there is a giant, neon clue of what's coming later this year in here, so strap in!)
July 14, 2024
another terrific romantic novel from Beth Bolden
Rating: 4.5🌈
Beth Bolden’s intense, passionate Italian American Moretti family stretches over two series, sorry, three, as cousin Rocco is heading off to Christmas Falls towards the end.
The Moretti family, brothers or cousins, can be found as chefs or restauranteurs in the wonderful Food Truck Warriors and now in her Indigo Bay novels. And as I mentioned even more.
While these books are listed as standalone, they really aren’t as they need the foundation of the preceding novel to give the reader depth of understanding of the characters, their history, and the setting of Indigo Bay from the perspective of both stories.
Here, it’s Enzo Moretti, a character who was introduced to readers in Sweet as Pie #1, but returning home (temporarily) older and as an established mural artist . He’s separated himself from the Moretti family culinary path, and has tried to do the same with his own life by his absence.
I thought Bolden, who always does an exemplary job of layering her characters, has made Enzo a person to relate to with his complicated family dynamics and own troubled journey to maturity . The author is also able to let us see into his artistic passion and processes as he creates the mural so important to the story and town.
Oliver Billings fled Florida and his family food business to move to Indigo Bay, opening up a fantastic ice cream shop, Cherry’s. Oliver is just as much a beautifully written character as the man he’s being paired with. The recipes are mouthwatering, the shop and employees are believable, and this stressed out, hard working man is a delight to watch get his HEA.
Of course, this starts as a fake boyfriend trope but Bolden’s chemistry between the two is palpable and real. Also great are all the other people who live and are necessary for the story and their relationship. Mothers, families, friends. Just perfect.
I hope Bolden will give us Rocco’s story too. And further adventures of the Moretti family. I’m so invested.
Connected Series:
Food Truck Warriors
Christmas Falls
Indigo Bay:
Sweet as Pie #1
Cherry on Top #2
Rating: 4.5🌈
Beth Bolden’s intense, passionate Italian American Moretti family stretches over two series, sorry, three, as cousin Rocco is heading off to Christmas Falls towards the end.
The Moretti family, brothers or cousins, can be found as chefs or restauranteurs in the wonderful Food Truck Warriors and now in her Indigo Bay novels. And as I mentioned even more.
While these books are listed as standalone, they really aren’t as they need the foundation of the preceding novel to give the reader depth of understanding of the characters, their history, and the setting of Indigo Bay from the perspective of both stories.
Here, it’s Enzo Moretti, a character who was introduced to readers in Sweet as Pie #1, but returning home (temporarily) older and as an established mural artist . He’s separated himself from the Moretti family culinary path, and has tried to do the same with his own life by his absence.
I thought Bolden, who always does an exemplary job of layering her characters, has made Enzo a person to relate to with his complicated family dynamics and own troubled journey to maturity . The author is also able to let us see into his artistic passion and processes as he creates the mural so important to the story and town.
Oliver Billings fled Florida and his family food business to move to Indigo Bay, opening up a fantastic ice cream shop, Cherry’s. Oliver is just as much a beautifully written character as the man he’s being paired with. The recipes are mouthwatering, the shop and employees are believable, and this stressed out, hard working man is a delight to watch get his HEA.
Of course, this starts as a fake boyfriend trope but Bolden’s chemistry between the two is palpable and real. Also great are all the other people who live and are necessary for the story and their relationship. Mothers, families, friends. Just perfect.
I hope Bolden will give us Rocco’s story too. And further adventures of the Moretti family. I’m so invested.
Connected Series:
Food Truck Warriors
Christmas Falls
Indigo Bay:
Sweet as Pie #1
Cherry on Top #2
July 15, 2024
- small town
- opposite attracts
- absolutely no meet cute
- fake dating
- meddling and matchmaking family
- ice cream shop
I am honest when I tell you, that if I'd realised that Enzo, one of the MCs ,was the Enzo from 'Sweet as Pie' I'd probably not have given this story a chance.
And to tell you the next truth, with doing that I'd have missed out on an entertaining, fun read.
I really couldn't stand Enzo in the first book. But he was younger at that time and definitely did a lot of growing up since then.
So I really enjoyed getting to know him better in this book. I appreciated that we got to learn and understand why he often acted the way he did in the previous book.
The whole matchmaking attempts of Enzo's mother...I get that they were annoying for those two but for me they often were absolutely 'laugh out loud' moments.
That there was a spark & attraction between Enzo and Will was clear right from the beginning. So it wasn't really unexpected that those two went from fake dating – often over the top in public to get Giana off their backs - to falling in love for real. They were likeable even if a bit complicated characters, with a strong work ethic and I think that one was a part why they understood each other that well.
I found the story moved at a good pace and nothing felt rushed.
I enjoyed their journey and was easily enthralled with the story. The only thing, I'd have loved to get to know more about Will's past
I was rooting for those two and was very happy when they got their HEA.
This book had a lot of wonderful and fun things. Wonderful MCs, sizzling attraction, humour, meddling mother, fake dating, great supportive characters, small town living, wonderful details in subscribing the ice creams and the murals... - btw: I really am now terrible hungry for ice cream! The descriptions of Will's ice creams were so detailed that I often felt like I could smell and taste them - and a natural feeling development of the relationship that was well worth the read.
Give it a try yourself.
- opposite attracts
- absolutely no meet cute
- fake dating
- meddling and matchmaking family
- ice cream shop
I am honest when I tell you, that if I'd realised that Enzo, one of the MCs ,was the Enzo from 'Sweet as Pie' I'd probably not have given this story a chance.
And to tell you the next truth, with doing that I'd have missed out on an entertaining, fun read.
I really couldn't stand Enzo in the first book. But he was younger at that time and definitely did a lot of growing up since then.
So I really enjoyed getting to know him better in this book. I appreciated that we got to learn and understand why he often acted the way he did in the previous book.
The whole matchmaking attempts of Enzo's mother...I get that they were annoying for those two but for me they often were absolutely 'laugh out loud' moments.
That there was a spark & attraction between Enzo and Will was clear right from the beginning. So it wasn't really unexpected that those two went from fake dating – often over the top in public to get Giana off their backs - to falling in love for real. They were likeable even if a bit complicated characters, with a strong work ethic and I think that one was a part why they understood each other that well.
I found the story moved at a good pace and nothing felt rushed.
I enjoyed their journey and was easily enthralled with the story. The only thing, I'd have loved to get to know more about Will's past
I was rooting for those two and was very happy when they got their HEA.
This book had a lot of wonderful and fun things. Wonderful MCs, sizzling attraction, humour, meddling mother, fake dating, great supportive characters, small town living, wonderful details in subscribing the ice creams and the murals... - btw: I really am now terrible hungry for ice cream! The descriptions of Will's ice creams were so detailed that I often felt like I could smell and taste them - and a natural feeling development of the relationship that was well worth the read.
Give it a try yourself.
July 1, 2024
I received a free advance copy. This review is submitted voluntarily.
Will Johnson is happily serving ice cream in his store, Cherry. All of the ice cream is made in house and features unusual flavours. He must fend off Gianna Moretti’s attempts to get Will to contact her son, Enzo, for a date. The latter is a renowned mural painter, so to entice him to return to Indigo Bay she offers him the chance to paint the side of the hardware store. He agrees, but unfortunately, she forgot to tell Will who now owns the building that is now the home of Cherry. Enzo shows up to test how the paints work with the bricks and Will catches him. They have a set-to after Will accuses Enzo of defacing the building with graffiti (he just finished spending a long-time cleaning graffiti off the building). Gianna continues to bother both of them to get them to date. Finally, they decide to fake date to get her off their backs. From there, faking turns to real. After a series of problems, both internal and external, and surprises they attain their happy ending.
This was a fun book. It deals with interaction within a large Italian family, Enzo’s place in it, and the reason why he stayed away for so long. It also deals with Will’s interaction within his own family (they own a string of ice cream stores) as well as his dedication to his business. I found the two MCs to be sympathetic and genuine. The way they fell in love is quite realistic (as much as it can be in this type of story) and I was captivated by it. The secondary characters are a delight, from cousin Luca and his husband Oliver to Gianna to Will’s parents at the end. In the case of the latter, their refusal to accept his total disinterest in helping is quite annoying. All of these folks make substantial contributions to the storyline, which develops in a linear fashion with few deviations.
I highly recommend this book to all MM romance lovers.
Will Johnson is happily serving ice cream in his store, Cherry. All of the ice cream is made in house and features unusual flavours. He must fend off Gianna Moretti’s attempts to get Will to contact her son, Enzo, for a date. The latter is a renowned mural painter, so to entice him to return to Indigo Bay she offers him the chance to paint the side of the hardware store. He agrees, but unfortunately, she forgot to tell Will who now owns the building that is now the home of Cherry. Enzo shows up to test how the paints work with the bricks and Will catches him. They have a set-to after Will accuses Enzo of defacing the building with graffiti (he just finished spending a long-time cleaning graffiti off the building). Gianna continues to bother both of them to get them to date. Finally, they decide to fake date to get her off their backs. From there, faking turns to real. After a series of problems, both internal and external, and surprises they attain their happy ending.
This was a fun book. It deals with interaction within a large Italian family, Enzo’s place in it, and the reason why he stayed away for so long. It also deals with Will’s interaction within his own family (they own a string of ice cream stores) as well as his dedication to his business. I found the two MCs to be sympathetic and genuine. The way they fell in love is quite realistic (as much as it can be in this type of story) and I was captivated by it. The secondary characters are a delight, from cousin Luca and his husband Oliver to Gianna to Will’s parents at the end. In the case of the latter, their refusal to accept his total disinterest in helping is quite annoying. All of these folks make substantial contributions to the storyline, which develops in a linear fashion with few deviations.
I highly recommend this book to all MM romance lovers.
July 7, 2024
Cherry on Top was the perfect summer romance. If you’re looking for:
🍒Friends-ish to lovers
🍒Fake dating
🍒Small town seaside vibes
🍒Interfering families
🍒Heat, humor, and wooing with food
…then this is the book for you!
Gianna Moretti has been trying to fix Will up with her son to no avail. After bit of subterfuge on her part has Will and Enzo frustrated enough to agree to fake dating just to stop her relentless matchmaking, things get interesting. What happens when those pretend feelings become real?
Will and Enzo both know what it’s like to feel the weight of family expectations and disappointment. For Enzo, it was being the only Moretti not pursuing a culinary career, becoming a renowned mural is instead. But he feels less than, even though he loves his life.
Will Johnson left the family business and has happily built his ice cream parlor into a success. His parents still think of it as a side project more than something he’s proud to have built on his own.
Enzo couldn’t wait to leave Indigo Bay and put his youthful indiscretions behind him. He never planned to come back for good. But Will is making him rethink his opinion of his hometown. And maybe give him a reason to stay…
This is a fun, low-angst story that has two endearing MCs that are perfect together - even if it takes them a while to realize it. There’s plenty of humor - their play acting sexy time nearly gets them thrown out of the inn Will’s staying out. (They need to use their inside voices!)
And I love how the town’s origin story is the inspiration for Enzo’s mural, and even had him rethink his long-held cynicism about the annual Sweethearts Festival.
You can just feel how much fun they are having together. And they had each other’s backs, which is a huge green flag for me. Plus Will’s ice cream creations had me wishing Cherry’s was a real place. Their HEA and how they both were able to continue doing what they loved was perfect.
🍒Friends-ish to lovers
🍒Fake dating
🍒Small town seaside vibes
🍒Interfering families
🍒Heat, humor, and wooing with food
…then this is the book for you!
Gianna Moretti has been trying to fix Will up with her son to no avail. After bit of subterfuge on her part has Will and Enzo frustrated enough to agree to fake dating just to stop her relentless matchmaking, things get interesting. What happens when those pretend feelings become real?
Will and Enzo both know what it’s like to feel the weight of family expectations and disappointment. For Enzo, it was being the only Moretti not pursuing a culinary career, becoming a renowned mural is instead. But he feels less than, even though he loves his life.
Will Johnson left the family business and has happily built his ice cream parlor into a success. His parents still think of it as a side project more than something he’s proud to have built on his own.
Enzo couldn’t wait to leave Indigo Bay and put his youthful indiscretions behind him. He never planned to come back for good. But Will is making him rethink his opinion of his hometown. And maybe give him a reason to stay…
This is a fun, low-angst story that has two endearing MCs that are perfect together - even if it takes them a while to realize it. There’s plenty of humor - their play acting sexy time nearly gets them thrown out of the inn Will’s staying out. (They need to use their inside voices!)
And I love how the town’s origin story is the inspiration for Enzo’s mural, and even had him rethink his long-held cynicism about the annual Sweethearts Festival.
You can just feel how much fun they are having together. And they had each other’s backs, which is a huge green flag for me. Plus Will’s ice cream creations had me wishing Cherry’s was a real place. Their HEA and how they both were able to continue doing what they loved was perfect.
July 7, 2024
I was thrilled when Beth announced she'd written another story in the Indigo Bay series. I loved Sweet As Pie where we already met Enzo, one of the main characters in this book.
Enzo Moretti has changed a lot from the grumpy, sulky guy we met in the first book. When he left Indigo Bay to go to art school and follow his dreams, many took a breath of relief. He became a famous muralist, known nationwide, booked for the whole year. He's never felt part of the Moretti clan even though he gets loads of support from his cousins and friends.
His mom Giana however would love to see him back home, find a nice man and build a family. And she has found just the right man for Enzo. Enter Will Johnson, owner of the new ice cream shop and newest resident of Indigo Bay. She tricks Enzo saying Will's shop has a wall in desperate need of a mural but fails to mention that Will doesn't know anything about it.
So when Enzo arrives and starts testing the paint on the bricks, Will is angry to see what he's doing and they get into a discussion. Sparks between the both of them fly immediately though and when they find out that it is in fact Enzo's mom who's trying to set them up, they agree to fake date. Things turn out differently though as they begin to see that what they start to feel is anything but fake.
This was a great and sweet story. Even though the fake dating trope isn't exactly my favorite, Beth still manages to get me hooked, you immediately sense that the affection between Enzo and Will is serious. There's not too much drama, once they're all in they talk about what's bothering them. It was great to see Oliver and Luca and we also meet Rocco, whom I hope will get his own story soon.
*I kindly received an ARC from Neon Rainbow Reviews and this is my honest opinion.*
Enzo Moretti has changed a lot from the grumpy, sulky guy we met in the first book. When he left Indigo Bay to go to art school and follow his dreams, many took a breath of relief. He became a famous muralist, known nationwide, booked for the whole year. He's never felt part of the Moretti clan even though he gets loads of support from his cousins and friends.
His mom Giana however would love to see him back home, find a nice man and build a family. And she has found just the right man for Enzo. Enter Will Johnson, owner of the new ice cream shop and newest resident of Indigo Bay. She tricks Enzo saying Will's shop has a wall in desperate need of a mural but fails to mention that Will doesn't know anything about it.
So when Enzo arrives and starts testing the paint on the bricks, Will is angry to see what he's doing and they get into a discussion. Sparks between the both of them fly immediately though and when they find out that it is in fact Enzo's mom who's trying to set them up, they agree to fake date. Things turn out differently though as they begin to see that what they start to feel is anything but fake.
This was a great and sweet story. Even though the fake dating trope isn't exactly my favorite, Beth still manages to get me hooked, you immediately sense that the affection between Enzo and Will is serious. There's not too much drama, once they're all in they talk about what's bothering them. It was great to see Oliver and Luca and we also meet Rocco, whom I hope will get his own story soon.
*I kindly received an ARC from Neon Rainbow Reviews and this is my honest opinion.*
July 15, 2024
This is the second book in the Indigo Bay series but it can be enjoyed as a standalone. This is the story of Enzo Moretti and Will Johnson. We saw Enzo in book one but now he is all grown up and a well respected muralist. While he and his mom are close, they are better when they are not in the same state. Will is the new owner of Cherry’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor. He is a new resident to Indigo Bay. He loves making his ice cream in-house and creating new and exciting flavour combinations. His biggest problem is Enzo's mom Giana. Every time she comes in for ice cream, she makes a sales pitch about Will calling her son. Even if Will says no thank you, she just keep steamrolling over the conversation. When Enzo has an unexpected cancellation in his work schedule, Giana lures him home to paint a building for the town. Waiving his $50,000 fee, he sets out to paint his mural. This is the cute meet of the story. Will sees Enzo painting and accuses him of attempting to vandalize his building. The next day when they both cool off, Will and Enzo realize that Giana has tried to set them up. Once they both cool off, the mural is back on with input from Will. Both realize that Giana is just going to get more brazen in her blatant attempts to get the two of them together. So they agree to fake date to get her off their backs. After all, this relationship has an expiry date; doesn't it? This is their story. I liked how honest the two of them were with each other. And they both fully supported each other in developing their individual businesses. I thought that they were a cute couple. This book is very well written and easy to read. It will make you want to read more about Indigo Bay.
I received a complementary advanced review copy from Neon Rainbow ARC Reviews and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a complementary advanced review copy from Neon Rainbow ARC Reviews and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 10, 2024
Let me start with saying I read “Sweet as Pie” so I was familiar with Enzo and was absolutely excited to see how the author would write his story.
Matching him with Will was a lovely idea. I have to say I loved their first interaction and it really had me laughing. And that is what set up the rest of the book for me.
It was a nice sweet read, the interactions between town members and side characters is fun to read but also gave me some mixed feelings. I loved to read some Luca and Oliver from Sweet as Pie and would have loved to read some more about them all together. But I have to admit Enzo’s mother really started to bother me a bit.
The way Beth Bolden writes her books is such a joy. It is so comfortable to read and it is a pleasure to pick up her books.
From the moment Will and Enzo meet, you know there is something there and how they set up and go through the “fake” dates for us as a reader you can feel what is happening.
They are very comfortable together and find that there is definitely something growing between them.
It is lovely to read their navigating through their feelings, how to handle their situation with Enzo traveling and Will having his shop.
Like I said before this is a nice, sweet, lovely, drama-free read that I can definitely recommend if you like those kind of books.
Author Beth Bolden is also seriously brilliant in epilogues and bonus scenes which is worth giving an extra mention. It is a wonderful thing to go and find another piece of extra awesomeness 🙂
Let me finish with the fact that I am already super excited to read the new Christmas Falls book by this author because we definitely got hinted on who will be there and I cannot wait to read that story!
Matching him with Will was a lovely idea. I have to say I loved their first interaction and it really had me laughing. And that is what set up the rest of the book for me.
It was a nice sweet read, the interactions between town members and side characters is fun to read but also gave me some mixed feelings. I loved to read some Luca and Oliver from Sweet as Pie and would have loved to read some more about them all together. But I have to admit Enzo’s mother really started to bother me a bit.
The way Beth Bolden writes her books is such a joy. It is so comfortable to read and it is a pleasure to pick up her books.
From the moment Will and Enzo meet, you know there is something there and how they set up and go through the “fake” dates for us as a reader you can feel what is happening.
They are very comfortable together and find that there is definitely something growing between them.
It is lovely to read their navigating through their feelings, how to handle their situation with Enzo traveling and Will having his shop.
Like I said before this is a nice, sweet, lovely, drama-free read that I can definitely recommend if you like those kind of books.
Author Beth Bolden is also seriously brilliant in epilogues and bonus scenes which is worth giving an extra mention. It is a wonderful thing to go and find another piece of extra awesomeness 🙂
Let me finish with the fact that I am already super excited to read the new Christmas Falls book by this author because we definitely got hinted on who will be there and I cannot wait to read that story!
May 12, 2026
Enzo has grown up a lot since the last time we saw him. First meeting Enzo in the previous book, he was angry and miserable in his hometown of Indigo Bay. Itching to get away but not being able to until his cousin was able to step him and tell Enzo’s mom it was time to let him go. Years later, he got the education in art he wanted and has become a very famous and incredibly talented mural artist. He’s hardly returned home and he enjoys it that way. But when his mom guilts him to coming home and promises he can work on a mural in his hometown, he caves. Not realizing that his mom had a secret agenda. One that includes setting him up with Indigo Bay’s new ice cream parlor owner, Will. For months, Will has been during Giana’s attempts to set him up with her son. A son that isn’t even living in Indigo Bay. He has done his best to evade her. What he doesn’t expect is how when he does meet Enzo the sparks that fly between them before they even realize who one another is. Or the fact that Enzo’s mom tricked her son to come home with the promise of painting on mural on Will’s building. Something she never asked him about. Relentless mothers! Deciding that they aren’t going to be left alone until they actually date, Will proposes to fake date. But who would have thought that fake dating would be so fun? Or feel so real? They have a lot to figure out if they want to make what is happening between them real but one thing they know for sure? That their feelings for one another grow stronger the more they get to know one another. I loved these two! They were so much fun. I loved how much Enzo has grown and how he comes home a different person than when he left. Will and Enzo are so perfect for one another. Very sweet and just a great couple all around!
July 12, 2024
“Cherry on Top” is Beth Bolden’s sweet and sassy, low angst summer read. This romance swoons with humor and warmth. Pair it with a frozen drink and save the umbrella as your bookmark!
Will doesn’t know what to do when Giana, Enzo’s bulldozer mom, swarms Will’s elegant ice cream parlor to arrange a match between the men. Will’s got enough stress from his own parents, who want him to return home to rescue their business. How much problem could Giana or Enzo cause? After all, Enzo, a successful mural artist, left Indigo Bay as soon as he could get away from Giana’s interfering ways.
But then Giana dupes Enzo into returning to paint a mural on the Will’s building, without Will’s permission. Ooops! What’s with these meddlesome elders?
Will and Enzo, seeing no other way to escape familial pressure, pretend to date. They are attracted, but both know Enzo will leave when the mural is complete, and Will is a long-term kinda guy. What follows, as they attempt to outrun their mutual attraction, is as zany as the characters involved.
I’m a humor whore, and found myself smiling through half the book, from over-the-top nicknames, to the ways these guys distract themselves from their growing attraction. Ha! Good luck “cooling off’ with skinny dipping.
The cast of supporting characters, who suspect their friends are in over their heads, are fun and equally three dimensional. Indigo Bay fans, look for updates on your favorite personalities.
As delicious as the creamery after which this novel is named, “Cherry on Top” is a marvelous accessory to your summer vacation, with rom com giggles galore.
Will doesn’t know what to do when Giana, Enzo’s bulldozer mom, swarms Will’s elegant ice cream parlor to arrange a match between the men. Will’s got enough stress from his own parents, who want him to return home to rescue their business. How much problem could Giana or Enzo cause? After all, Enzo, a successful mural artist, left Indigo Bay as soon as he could get away from Giana’s interfering ways.
But then Giana dupes Enzo into returning to paint a mural on the Will’s building, without Will’s permission. Ooops! What’s with these meddlesome elders?
Will and Enzo, seeing no other way to escape familial pressure, pretend to date. They are attracted, but both know Enzo will leave when the mural is complete, and Will is a long-term kinda guy. What follows, as they attempt to outrun their mutual attraction, is as zany as the characters involved.
I’m a humor whore, and found myself smiling through half the book, from over-the-top nicknames, to the ways these guys distract themselves from their growing attraction. Ha! Good luck “cooling off’ with skinny dipping.
The cast of supporting characters, who suspect their friends are in over their heads, are fun and equally three dimensional. Indigo Bay fans, look for updates on your favorite personalities.
As delicious as the creamery after which this novel is named, “Cherry on Top” is a marvelous accessory to your summer vacation, with rom com giggles galore.
July 13, 2024
I loved everything about Cherry on Top, and I'm so happy that we're given the opportunity to jump back into Indigo Bay and its intriguing community.
Jumping right into the story where Will is essentially harrassed by Giana to reach out and contact Enzo shows us how little Giana's character has really changed from Luca & Oliver's story. As we learn more about why she pushes so hard for Enzo to make a happily romantic connection, it helps a little bit with her intensity, but it's still far too much; she can set your teeth to grinding a bit, for sure. Will & Enzo deserved to have full control over their meeting and connection. While they were able to have some, just the fact that Will had early knowledge of Enzo made it trickier to navigate.
It was sweet to see how the couple overcome the awkwardness of feeling pushed into a relationship...by making it even more awkward by initially faking it. It was hilarious how much each of them stumbled over their feelings until a seemingly innocent interaction sets off their passion. They certainly took their initial faking quite serious; and pissed off Joy the innkeeper a few times in the process. 🤣
I really loved the shift in the relationship between Enzo and his cousin Luca. They are so much closer in this story, and Enzo is now beginning to truly realize how much Luca loves and respects him. To see the changes between the cousins from Sweet as Pie to Cherry on Top was so wonderful. Several moments between them throughout the story brought out the happy tears.
I really hope to see if Beth Bolden will continue to explore Indigo Bay, but I'm sure it helped for this one that Enzo had already been established in Luca's book. It's such a fun community, and it would be fun to see it grow further. No matter what, the two stories we have for the town are wonderful and perfect for sweet summer reads & re-reads.
Jumping right into the story where Will is essentially harrassed by Giana to reach out and contact Enzo shows us how little Giana's character has really changed from Luca & Oliver's story. As we learn more about why she pushes so hard for Enzo to make a happily romantic connection, it helps a little bit with her intensity, but it's still far too much; she can set your teeth to grinding a bit, for sure. Will & Enzo deserved to have full control over their meeting and connection. While they were able to have some, just the fact that Will had early knowledge of Enzo made it trickier to navigate.
It was sweet to see how the couple overcome the awkwardness of feeling pushed into a relationship...by making it even more awkward by initially faking it. It was hilarious how much each of them stumbled over their feelings until a seemingly innocent interaction sets off their passion. They certainly took their initial faking quite serious; and pissed off Joy the innkeeper a few times in the process. 🤣
I really loved the shift in the relationship between Enzo and his cousin Luca. They are so much closer in this story, and Enzo is now beginning to truly realize how much Luca loves and respects him. To see the changes between the cousins from Sweet as Pie to Cherry on Top was so wonderful. Several moments between them throughout the story brought out the happy tears.
I really hope to see if Beth Bolden will continue to explore Indigo Bay, but I'm sure it helped for this one that Enzo had already been established in Luca's book. It's such a fun community, and it would be fun to see it grow further. No matter what, the two stories we have for the town are wonderful and perfect for sweet summer reads & re-reads.
July 14, 2024
I was excited for this book once it was announced. I loved the first book that featured Oliver and Luca, and I was very curious about Enzo's character. In this story we get to learn more about the man he's become, and why he sometimes behaved the way he did.
I thought the way these two met was funny, neither men knew who each other was and that led to an argument both of them weren't prepared for. It was also the start of their 'fake' relationship. I liked the flow of this story, Will and Enzo's relationship may start off as fake, but overtime the feelings they have for each other become real. I enjoyed all of the details about Will's different ice cream flavors, it made me want to find an ice cream shop similar to the one in this story in real life. I also appreciated all the details that went into describing Enzo's murals, all of those details really helped me to picture what he was painting. It also helped with really getting you immersed in Enzo's artistry.
I do wish we got more of Will's backstory, we got a few things here and there but nothing that really described how he was when he was younger, Or where he came from. Enzo's mom is a wild character, I know she only wants what's best for her son, but she sure knows how to meddle. And not respect boundaries. Although, everything did work out in the end, so she is partially to thank.
I hope at some point we get a story about Rocco, especially because he's moving to Christmas Falls. Hopefully we'll get his book eventually! Overall a great sweet story full of fake date shenanigans, unique ice cream flavors, detailed murals, and a meddling mother.
I thought the way these two met was funny, neither men knew who each other was and that led to an argument both of them weren't prepared for. It was also the start of their 'fake' relationship. I liked the flow of this story, Will and Enzo's relationship may start off as fake, but overtime the feelings they have for each other become real. I enjoyed all of the details about Will's different ice cream flavors, it made me want to find an ice cream shop similar to the one in this story in real life. I also appreciated all the details that went into describing Enzo's murals, all of those details really helped me to picture what he was painting. It also helped with really getting you immersed in Enzo's artistry.
I do wish we got more of Will's backstory, we got a few things here and there but nothing that really described how he was when he was younger, Or where he came from. Enzo's mom is a wild character, I know she only wants what's best for her son, but she sure knows how to meddle. And not respect boundaries. Although, everything did work out in the end, so she is partially to thank.
I hope at some point we get a story about Rocco, especially because he's moving to Christmas Falls. Hopefully we'll get his book eventually! Overall a great sweet story full of fake date shenanigans, unique ice cream flavors, detailed murals, and a meddling mother.
June 30, 2024
In this follow-up to Sweet as Pie, Enzo Moretti finds true love and gets his happily ever after in a low angst, epic fake dating romance full of shenanigans, misunderstandings, and all the ridiculousness you can imagine. This story is a lot of fun, and I loved every moment of Moretti madness from cover to cover.
Enzo’s come a long way from the sulky guy we met previously. He’s pursuing his passion, and his talent and skill as a muralist could rival that of any of his cousins in the kitchen. His story is as much about coming home and embracing your roots as it is about spreading your wings, and it’s nice to see the Morettis in his corner. Don’t get me wrong - there’s still plenty of family drama, but instead of pushing Enzo toward what they think is best, they’re supporting him as he follows his dream.
Well, except for Enzo’s meddlesome momma, Giana. She’s convinced Enzo won’t be happy until he’s met someone to share his life with, and she’s decided that someone is Indigo Bay’s newest resident and local ice cream shop owner, Will Johnson.
I loved everything about Will and Enzo from their awkward, conflicted meet cute to their obvious attraction to their not-so-fake dating. Well, they say it’s fake and they think it’s fake, but is it really? There’s a sense that wanting more would be foolish because it can only lead to devastation, but as the situation spirals out of control as fake dating scenarios are wont to do, they double down rather than call it quits, and that says a lot.
As Beth Bolden often does, this story is told with heart. She doesn’t need to tell you how Enzo or Will feel about each other, because it’s so clearly depicted in their thoughts and actions. Sure, this story is a case of he falls hard and he falls fast, but it’s imaginable and believable in every single way.
If you’re hoping for more Luca and Oliver in this one, never fear, we see plenty of them. I mean, the only person who might have their nose in Enzo’s business more than Giana is Luca Moretti himself. But seriously, they’re still smitten, in love, and happily making a life in Indigo Bay.
*I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book*
Enzo’s come a long way from the sulky guy we met previously. He’s pursuing his passion, and his talent and skill as a muralist could rival that of any of his cousins in the kitchen. His story is as much about coming home and embracing your roots as it is about spreading your wings, and it’s nice to see the Morettis in his corner. Don’t get me wrong - there’s still plenty of family drama, but instead of pushing Enzo toward what they think is best, they’re supporting him as he follows his dream.
Well, except for Enzo’s meddlesome momma, Giana. She’s convinced Enzo won’t be happy until he’s met someone to share his life with, and she’s decided that someone is Indigo Bay’s newest resident and local ice cream shop owner, Will Johnson.
I loved everything about Will and Enzo from their awkward, conflicted meet cute to their obvious attraction to their not-so-fake dating. Well, they say it’s fake and they think it’s fake, but is it really? There’s a sense that wanting more would be foolish because it can only lead to devastation, but as the situation spirals out of control as fake dating scenarios are wont to do, they double down rather than call it quits, and that says a lot.
As Beth Bolden often does, this story is told with heart. She doesn’t need to tell you how Enzo or Will feel about each other, because it’s so clearly depicted in their thoughts and actions. Sure, this story is a case of he falls hard and he falls fast, but it’s imaginable and believable in every single way.
If you’re hoping for more Luca and Oliver in this one, never fear, we see plenty of them. I mean, the only person who might have their nose in Enzo’s business more than Giana is Luca Moretti himself. But seriously, they’re still smitten, in love, and happily making a life in Indigo Bay.
*I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book*
July 14, 2024
Rating: 4
Steam: 2
PoV: dual, 3rd person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Tropes / tags: fake dating, humour, small town
Cherry on Top was a super sweet and adorable read!
Enzo and Will had me smiling and giggling through their story, and I loved their over the top romantic fake dates. Enzo's mum drove me a little insane with her incessant meddling, and I could fully understand why Enzo and Will decided to fake a few dates just to get her to back off. The tension sizzling between them was very real though, and it was endearing to see how they were both unsure about each other's feelings and hesitant to cross any lines. It took them a while to get to the same page, but once they acted on all the built up tension between them... so worth it!
I really enjoyed the fake relationship and how Enzo and Will handled things once things went a little too far. Will was an absolute sweetheart and while Enzo came off as a little prickly at first, it was obvious how much he cared for Will and I loved the affection between them. It was great to see how well he understood and supported Will, especially when it came to standing up to his parents.
Cherry on Top was a low angst read, with a bit of a slow burn feeling to it. I loved Indigo Bay, the small town feeling was on point and I was definitely craving ice cream while reading - Will's creations sounded so delicious!
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Thanks to Neon Rainbow ARC Reviews for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Steam: 2
PoV: dual, 3rd person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Tropes / tags: fake dating, humour, small town
Cherry on Top was a super sweet and adorable read!
Enzo and Will had me smiling and giggling through their story, and I loved their over the top romantic fake dates. Enzo's mum drove me a little insane with her incessant meddling, and I could fully understand why Enzo and Will decided to fake a few dates just to get her to back off. The tension sizzling between them was very real though, and it was endearing to see how they were both unsure about each other's feelings and hesitant to cross any lines. It took them a while to get to the same page, but once they acted on all the built up tension between them... so worth it!
I really enjoyed the fake relationship and how Enzo and Will handled things once things went a little too far. Will was an absolute sweetheart and while Enzo came off as a little prickly at first, it was obvious how much he cared for Will and I loved the affection between them. It was great to see how well he understood and supported Will, especially when it came to standing up to his parents.
Cherry on Top was a low angst read, with a bit of a slow burn feeling to it. I loved Indigo Bay, the small town feeling was on point and I was definitely craving ice cream while reading - Will's creations sounded so delicious!
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Thanks to Neon Rainbow ARC Reviews for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
July 10, 2024
CHERRY ON TOP - BETH BOLDEN
While Enzo Moretti was a minor character in Sweet As Pie, he was not really an endearing one, so this will give you an insight to the man and who he has become since his first appearance as Luca Moretti's lazy cousin.
I was happy to see how Enzo's life had changed for the better, and that his love for drawing and art was developed and created such an interesting career for him. I was also glad his relationship with Luca had become such a strong and close one, and that he could appreciate why Luca was so tough on him when he first arrived in Indigo Bay. Of course, Giana was still the same character we met in Sweet As Pie, but she too has made some life changes that the reader won't expect!
Beth has a wonderful way of creating characters with depth, and as their individual stories are told, we learn to really enjoy and appreciate each of them for who they are. Will was just the right fit for Enzo, and while their relationship started out with fake dates to get Giana off their backs, they did develop real feelings for each other.
Like every good storyline, there are ups and downs, but there are also those sweet and romantic moments that make you smile and really believe in love. Will and Enzo take you on several adventures as they navigate their way from make believe to actual boyfriends. You will find them both endearing, and cheer for them as they make their families understand that they are living the lives they want for their own happiness. This was definitely a Beth Bolden tale worth reading, like all of her other books!
While Enzo Moretti was a minor character in Sweet As Pie, he was not really an endearing one, so this will give you an insight to the man and who he has become since his first appearance as Luca Moretti's lazy cousin.
I was happy to see how Enzo's life had changed for the better, and that his love for drawing and art was developed and created such an interesting career for him. I was also glad his relationship with Luca had become such a strong and close one, and that he could appreciate why Luca was so tough on him when he first arrived in Indigo Bay. Of course, Giana was still the same character we met in Sweet As Pie, but she too has made some life changes that the reader won't expect!
Beth has a wonderful way of creating characters with depth, and as their individual stories are told, we learn to really enjoy and appreciate each of them for who they are. Will was just the right fit for Enzo, and while their relationship started out with fake dates to get Giana off their backs, they did develop real feelings for each other.
Like every good storyline, there are ups and downs, but there are also those sweet and romantic moments that make you smile and really believe in love. Will and Enzo take you on several adventures as they navigate their way from make believe to actual boyfriends. You will find them both endearing, and cheer for them as they make their families understand that they are living the lives they want for their own happiness. This was definitely a Beth Bolden tale worth reading, like all of her other books!
July 13, 2024
This is the second book in the series and is best enjoyed if the first book is already read since characters from the first book make frequent appearances in this book. I really liked both characters and enjoyed getting Enzo's perspective of Indigo Bay and why he left. This book deals with parental expectations for each MC and each main character finally having to set boundaries with their parent or parents. Enzo left Indigo Bay at the end of the first book to follow his dream and to have a fresh start where no one holds his past against him. This book takes place about 5-7 years later, and he is now a successful mural painter who travels all over. Will is the owner of the new ice cream shop in town called Cherry on Top and makes all his own unique ice cream flavors. He had to break away from his family and start somewhere new due to them just expecting him to be their workhorse. Enzo is convinced to return to town to pain a mural on the outside wall of Will's shop. However, no one told Will about this plan. Sparks fly when they first meet and discover it was a setup by Enzo's mother. A fake dating scheme is hatched that soon turns to a real relationship. They have to find a way to make their relationship work with Enzo having to travel for his job. This also highlights how important compromise and communication is in relationships. I look forwards to seeing who the next book will feature.
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