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Bell Harbor #3

Love Me Sweet

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Delaney Masterson isn’t looking for fame.

Yes, she has famous parents and a reality TV show, but she’s not the wild-child celebrity the paparazzi have painted her to be. Until…The Scandal. When an old boyfriend releases a private video, Delaney’s name becomes every comedian’s favorite punch line. To escape the media, she sneaks away to Bell Harbor, Michigan—during the worst winter in fifty years.

Adventure show cameraman Grant Connelly has stayed away from Bell Harbor—mostly by choice—but when a family obligation converges with a spontaneous career decision, it’s time to return home.

When bad weather, missing money, honky-tonk musicians, and Elvis impersonators throw Grant and Delaney together on an unexpected road trip, emotions get all shook up. They know only fools fall in love, but they can’t help falling. Still, Delaney has a secret that could tear them apart forever.

Can they weather the storm? Or will this romantic ride end at the Heartbreak Hotel?

294 pages, Paperback

First published January 20, 2015

1768 people are currently reading
3009 people want to read

About the author

Tracy Brogan

24 books1,325 followers
USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon Publishing bestselling author Tracy Brogan writes happily ever after stories full laughter and love. A three-time recipient of the Amazon Publishing Diamond award for sales exceeding three-million copies, a three-time finalist of the RWA® RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction, and a winner of the Booksellers Best award, Brogan’s books, including both the Bell Harbor and Trillium Bay series, feature re-imagined versions of her favorite Michigan locations and have been translated into more than a dozen languages worldwide. Although best known for her laugh-out-loud contemporary romantic comedies, she’s currently at work on several historical projects including a gilded age series set in Trillium Bay, the long-awaited sequel to Highland Surrender, and a dual-timeline rom-com that just *may* include ghosts. (Psst… it totally has ghosts.) Find out more about Brogan at tracybrogan.com.
Tracy Brogan Books. Witty. Whimsical. Wonderful.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 448 reviews
Profile Image for Duchess Nicole.
1,275 reviews1,579 followers
January 20, 2015
I've been following Tracy Brogan on Facebook for awhile because I'm generally a fan of Montlake Romance titles, and I kept stumbling across her posts. I'm so glad I finally picked up a copy of one of her books. Even if this is not the first in the series, I didn't feel like there were chunks missing.

If there is one thing I could say about this book, it's that it was funny and unique. It's not a typical boy meets girl but not so out out there that you can't grab ahold and run with the story. The heroine, Delaney, is running from the notoriety that surrounds her and her family. Their reality TV show brings out the fortune hunters in the way of paparazzi and ex boyfriends willing to sell sex tapes. Delaney wants to hide away for awhile, and randomly chooses Bar Harbor, Michigan.

"Seriously, in all her life she'd never seen so much snow. No wonder the whole damn state was shaped like a mitten."

When her new landlady's son decides to show up and claim the house that Delaney has rented for the next six months, she fears her cover will be blown. But Bar Harbor is truly not caught up on Hollywood gossip, it seems, and she continues to fly under the radar. One shenanigan leads to another, however, and Delaney and Grant take and impromptu road trip through a veritable blizzard to recover stolen property.

As I read through the story, I never had a clue as to what to expect on the next page. Tracy Brogan weaves humor, tenderness, romance, and a few unconventional life lessons into this book. From Bar Harbor, through a blizzard, to a tour bus with some pervy (but loveable) rednecks, to Graceland and Elvis-themed hotel rooms and a baby hat knitting contest, this was a wonderful mashup.

I felt like the sexy department was a little lacking. There was great chemistry once Delaney and Grant let each other feel it. The build up was palpable, but it felt like the author felt too awkward to just go for it. Some authors (Kristan Higgins, Julie James) do this well but even they had a couple of awkward fade to black books before I was okay with the lack of sex. There's just something about an intimate encounter that sets the stage for the remainder of the romance for me. It doesn't HAVE to be explicit, but it had better be intimate in other ways.

Still, I laughed and "awww-ed" my way through this one. The secondary characters were awesomely endearing and truly helped make the story. Brogan is another gem to find in the world of contemporary romance.

Advance copy provided for review.
Profile Image for ♥Rachel♥.
2,270 reviews923 followers
January 16, 2015
3.5 Stars

Love Me Sweet
was a fun romance filled with humor, wacky family, and a sweet, swoony romance.

Delaney Masterson is no stranger to public scrutiny being one of the stars of a reality show, but when a humiliating sex tape surfaces, it all becomes too much and so she flees. Holing up in the tiny town of Bell Harbor, Michigan seems like the perfect idea until she ends up the reluctant roommate of sexy and irresistible, Grant Connelly.

Grant’s hasn’t been home in years, he’s been trotting around the globe as the cameraman for a survival type “reality” show, but his brother’s impending wedding brings him back to back in Bell Harbor and unintentionally shacked up with Delaney. Somehow facing his family and mending fences is a little easier with her at his side, and it’s not very long before he wishes for something more with her.

Love Me Sweet
was a fast paced story, one that had me cracking up throughout. I usually dread romances where one character is harboring a secret through much of the book because I feel dread at it finally coming out and ruining anything sweet established, BUT I was so preoccupied with the journey that it didn’t bother me. Plus, I got why Delaney would want to keep up pretenses for as long as she could.

It was fun because Grant was here, and everyone was being nice, and no one expected anything from her. She wasn’t performing in front of a camera for a nameless, faceless audience.—She was just…being herself. And she liked it.


I hate “reality” shows for the most part, so I could totally understand how Delaney didn’t like it either. I would’ve hated to be in her shoes! The humiliation of the sex tape was a hard lesson, but it motivated her to make some positive changes.

The developing romance between Grant and Delany was fast, but still believable. They had wonderful, steamy chemistry, and I had no problem buying into a HEA for these two. Of course, at some point I knew the truth would come out and be a setback, but thankfully it wasn’t too painful or drawn out.

Besides the romance, zany characters, stolen money, and a disaster filled road trip provided laughs and entertainment that made Love Me Sweet a quick and fun reading experience!

A copy was kindly provided by Montlake Romance in exchange for an honest review.

Profile Image for Ian.
1,431 reviews183 followers
January 1, 2015
After her rat ex-boyfriend released a sex tape to the media, Delaney decides she needs to escape the scandal, the paparazzi that are hounding her, and the reality TV show about her celebrity family. She withdraws all her money, buys a beat-up old Volkswagen and heads for the middle of nowhere –– Bell Harbor, Michigan. She rents a ramshackle old house and settles in to ride out the scandal.

Grant is the cameraman on an adventure / reality show. That is until his girlfriend decides the star of the show is better for her career than a lowly cameraman. He quits and heads home to Bell Harbor. Only, when he arrives he finds out that his mother has rented out his house to Delaney, that Delaney paid the entire six months rent in advance, and his mother has already spent the money.

With very few options Delaney agrees to allow Grant to live in the house until he can get her money back. As the days go by neither can deny their attraction but Delaney is keeping her secrets, she knows that Grant loathes the Hollywood fakery and she is ultimate symbol of that.

Then when Grant's mom absconds with a satchel that has all of Delaney's money in it, they both set off in hot pursuit to catch her before she spends the money. And just when everything seemed to be going her way, reality comes crashing back and all her secrets are revealed.


Love Me Sweet is fairly typical contemporary romance. There are no real surprises in here. That said, at the moment there are only two authors of contemporary romance who are must reads for me. Terri Osburn and Tracy Brogan. They are very much the next generation of writers, and honestly if it wasn't for them I don't think I'd still be reading the genre.

So yeah, you've probably read something like this before, but Love Me Sweet still sparkles. It's great fun and entertaining.

Many thanks to Montlake Romance and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC
Profile Image for Alaina.
7,345 reviews203 followers
April 5, 2018
Love Me Sweet was such an adorable book. I'm really happy that I randomly found this series on KU and that I enjoyed it so much.

Okay, so this is the third and final book within the Bell Harbor Trilogy and it's about Delaney and Grant. Oh man, did I love these characters so freaking much. They were just an overall ideal and favorable couple. I have nothing bad to say about either of them. I also really liked how the romance developed between them at realistic level. There was no insta anything which made me like it even more.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I'm really sad that the series is over.. unless there's going to be another book that I didn't know about?!?! Other than the novella.
Profile Image for Nellab1984.
333 reviews18 followers
February 5, 2020
4+ davvero molto carino, scorrevole e divertente. Assolutamente consigliato 👍
Profile Image for Tanja ~ KT Book Reviews .
1,566 reviews211 followers
December 23, 2014
Love Me Sweet is just that, a sweet read. Two people who have basically had it. Find themselves in a predicament where they have to share a living space. Neither is looking for love and both are a bit jaded by it. Delaney is running from a very public scandal. And Grant, well he has finally had it with the production crew he’s been working with.

Delaney has rented a house and Grant thinks he is coming home to HIS house. Well….. you can just imagine what happens next. I gotta be honest; I stopped and started this book several times. Is it sweet? Yes. Has it been done before? Yes. Unfortunately it just didn’t have the tension and pull to keep me invested.

In the end, Love Me Sweet just seems to miss the mark; however, I am sure there are many readers and fans of the series that will love it. I just need a bit more spice with my sweet :)

T~
*ARC provided by Montlake Romance


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Profile Image for Vivi220414.
416 reviews26 followers
September 24, 2020
I primi due della serie, mi sono piaciuti di più, questo devo dire che non mi ha convinto, partito bene, mi stava divertendo, poi è subentrata la noia 🤷‍♀️...
Profile Image for Bj.
1,219 reviews254 followers
October 4, 2015
4 "A Whole Lot of Craziness Leads to Fun and Ultimately Love" Stars! Lovers of romantic comedies will not want to miss "Love Me Sweet". Brought together by the convergence of a number of sequences of unlikely events, Love Me Sweet proves that when you meet Mr. or Mrs. Right, there is no denying it, no matter how instantaneous or unlikely it may seem.

While Love Me Sweet is the third book in the Bell Harbor Series, it can easily be read as a standalone. Although I did have the benefit of reading The Best Medicine, book 2 in this series first, where I was introduced to the hero's family, the romance between the primary couple in this book is fully contained within its pages, so you will not be lost if you have not read any of the prior books.

Delaney Masterson has gone through a tough stretch. Not only is her family participating in a reality TV show that she only reluctantly participates in, but the paparazzi have recently made her a tabloid sensation following her ex-boyfriend's release of a sex tape which she had previously been unaware of. In a desperate attempt to find privacy, she flees LA and heads to the one place that she figures that the media will not be able to find her, Bell Harbor, Michigan (a small town burried in snow, as it's the dead of winter).

There she pays cash up front for a six-month rental where she hopes to hide out until the media finds it's next target. Little does she know though that the woman she rents from does not actually own the house. Her son, who has been traveling the world as a cameraman for One Man, One Planet, does. Moreover his unanticipated return home for his brother's wedding (the hero from Best Medicine), never mind his spur of the moment resignation, brings it all to a head when given the weather, and a number of other factors, Delaney and Tyler are forced to be unexpected and reluctant roommates.

Needless to say the sparks fly, but concerned with her location being revealed to the media, Delaney had rented the house under an alias. A fact which she keeps intending to disclose to Ty but, as one crazy event leads to another, she keeps postponing. Oh, and did I mention that Ty as a showbiz native despises Hollywood fame seekers? Can true love survive in the end when the inevitable, never mind a whole string of other humorous obstacles, come barreling along?

All in all, I found Love Me Sweet to be a humorous, light and entertaining romantic read. This is one book that is sure to keep you smiling throughout and leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling in the end!

Source: Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for The Reading's Love Blog.
1,340 reviews186 followers
February 5, 2020
RECENSIONE QUI: https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/...

description
La storia è raccontata dal punto di vista dei protagonisti in prima persona ed è il terzo libro (conclusivo) della serie Bell Harbor. Delaney Masterson è figlia di celebrità ed è la protagonista di un reality show. Ha ventisette anni e non è per nulla la ribelle inaffidabile o la sciocca che tutti credono. Grant Connelly è un cameraman trentunenne. Il lavoro non lo soddisfa più e cerca una nuova sfida. Il tutto ha inizio a causa di un video privato pubblicato dall’ex ragazzo di Delaney, a sua insaputa: scoppia lo scandalo e lei decide di fuggire e nascondersi, in cerca di pace. Si ritrova così a Bell Harbor, nel suo inverno più freddo. Nel frattempo, Grant, sempre più insoddisfatto del lavoro e per il matrimonio del fratello Tyler con Evelyn Roades (la storia del secondo volume della serie) decide di tornare a casa (Bell Harbor) dopo tanto tempo. Il primo incontro tra i due è semplicemente fenomenale, ironico e brillante. La forzata frequentazione li spingerà a provare qualcosa l’un l’altro, ma un problema scombussolerà la loro esistenza. Leggeremo quindi di “avventure” che ci coinvolgeranno e che mettono in discussione Delaney e Grant. La Brogan ha una scrittura fluida e parecchio ironica. Ci sono frasi esilaranti, battute e frecciatine, come nei precedenti capitoli. I personaggi sono ben presentati, pagina dopo pagina li scopriamo mentre crescono ed è inevitabile affezionarci a loro. Anche le ambientazioni sono ben descritte: la casa di Grant, il paesaggio. Ci sono diversi personaggi minori. La prima che scopriamo è Donna Becket, che abbiamo già conosciuto negli altri libri e occupa un ruolo importantissimo nella storia, per diversi motivi. Tra gli abitanti di Bell Harbor ci rivengono presentati il fratello di Grant Tyler e la sua fidanzata Evelyn Roades, Fontaine Baker (wedding planner) e la mamma Dody con il loro carattere estroso. Come un fantasma c’è Boydell Hampton: l’ex fidanzato della protagonista. Tuttavia meritano una menzione particolare i Paradise Brothers (Reggie sfacciato e allusivo, Finch, Humphrey e Sammy), gruppo di musicisti che incontrano i nostri eroi: personalità diverse, però ognuno ha il proprio ruolo. Tra i protagonisti la tensione sessuale è alle stelle e le diverse scene erotiche non sono spinte ma parecchio romantiche. La cover mi piace ed è pertinente perché la neve è quasi un altro protagonista nella storia. Due cuori nella tormenta è un libro coinvolgente, che scorre magnificamente, con diverse scene buffe senza essere sempliciotto. Leggiamo di bugie, di manipolazioni emotive, di famiglie particolari ma comunque famiglie alle quali Delaney e Grant sono legati. I personaggi crescono, imparando ad accettare le debolezze delle persone, ad affrontare le situazioni senza scappare, ad assumersi le responsabilità e i rapporti di famiglia si rinsaldano.

CONTINUA SUL NOSTRO BLOG. VENITE A TROVARCI
https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/
Profile Image for Ivy.
1,201 reviews58 followers
September 27, 2019
3,5 Sterne

Delaney, durch die Reality TV Show ihrer Eltern bekannt, flieht vor einem Skandal, ausgelöst durch ein kleines Filmchen von ihrem Ex. Im beschaulichen Bell Harbor versteckt sie sich vor den Schlagzeilen und den Paparazzi. Was sie nicht ahnt, ist dass sie den Hausbesitzer dazu bekommt.
Grant hat vor zehn Jahren Bell Harbor und seine chaotische Familie hinter sich gelassen. Aber sein Bruder heiratet, seine Freundin betrügt ihn mit dem Selbstdarsteller aus der Acttion-Show bei der er arbeitet. Also ist er zurück in Bell Harbor und hat plötzlich eine Mitbewohnerin mit einem Rucksack voller Geld.
Als der verschwindet und Grant seine kleptomanisch veranlagte Mutter verdächtigt, sorgen das Wetter und eine seltsame Band für einen unvergesslichen Roadtrip für die beiden.

Insgesamt ist es wieder eine süße und humorvolle Romanze, wie ich es von der Autorin kenne. Ich mag die lockere, skurrile Art, die chaotischen Protagonisten und den Humor. Der hat mich aber in diesem Teil nicht so angesprochen. Außer das mit der Kuh, das war echt gut.

Grant fand ich überraschenderweise super, auch wenn ich ihm das was im letzten Band mit Tyler war übel genommen habe. Mit Delaney bin ich aber nicht so warm geworden.
Ich kann nachvollziehen, dass sie ihm nicht direkt erzählt was bei ihr los ist aber als dann am Ende die Bombe platzt, hat sie mich doch genervt. Eigentlich gut gemacht, wenn auch vorhersehbar aber nicht überdramatisch.
Vor allem kam da von ihr zu wenig. Bei ihm ist es dann das Gegenteil.
Die Chemie zwischen beiden ist von Anfang an da, die Entwicklung ist langsam, natürlich und authentisch. Dafür, dass da so wenig passiert sind die großen Gefühle am Ende zu intensiv.

Guter Start, chaotische Entwicklung, mir passiert zu viel auf diesem Trip. Es ist unterhaltsam und die Jungs aus der Band sind super aber es ist einfach zu viel davon. Dafür war die Entwicklung in der Familie unspektakulär. Die Aussprache mit Tyler war gut, weil es eben nicht so ist wie gedacht, und auch die Begegnung mit den liebenswert-skurrilen Anderen aber ich hätte lieber mehr davon gehabt als so viele Abenteuer unterwegs.
Profile Image for Vicki.
1,206 reviews178 followers
July 7, 2016
Delaney Masterson is part of a reality TV family. Her parents are famous and so everyone wants to know how they live their day to day life. Delaney's ex from about 6 years back decides to release a sex tape that she never knew existed.

Running from the press that has hounded her and accused her of releasing the tape herself for publicity. She ends up in Bell Harbor Michigan. Not only that but, she ends up in this northern town right as the polar vortex decided to rear it's freezing head.

Renting a house to hide for the next little while she pays in cash to the landlady in order to keep her identity a secret. Signing her name on the rental agreement, it is misread as Elaine Masters, so she runs with it. It will be easy for her to use that name while hiding away. From this point she introduces herself with this name.

Grant Connelly has problems on the set of his own reality show and decides it is time to head back home. His brother is getting married and he feels it is time to go back to Michigan. Back to the house his Grandfather left him upon his death.

Grant and Delaney meet and find themselves thrown together by circumstances beyond their control. They decide to share the house in question for a while until they can sort out the details as to who belongs where.

With twists and turns that involve Delaney's money being stolen and Grant's mother going missing they set out for the south to intercept the money. Each time Grant asks questions, Delaney lies to keep him from finding out who she really is. She does not want to tell him about her family and her sex tape since he does not recognize her.

While driving in the snow they have an accident that sets them up to meet some very colorful characters. They continue to head south while the snow continues to fall. The polar vortex is dipping south bringing so much snow that travel is increasingly dangerous.

Spending time together while traveling means that Delaney thinks about coming clean to Grant and telling him the truth about her identity. She keeps letting little hiccups stop her from confessing. Arriving in Memphis, the couple has an opportunity to get to know one another even better while in a Elvis styled hotel. Their traveling companions bring so much comedy to the mix that the entire trip is a funny adventure.

The tension Delaney feels becomes palpable as they search for the missing money. With her lies and half truths she keeps delaying telling him who she is and fears his inevitable discovery.

This is a funny, interesting and exciting book. The characters are really fun and well developed. There is not a dull character in the book. Tracy Brogan really does bring characters and dialog to life.

I won this book and I am so glad that I did! It was an awesome book! There is so much more to this book that you just have to read to believe. It is hilarious!

Profile Image for Sandra Hutchison.
Author 11 books84 followers
May 19, 2017
I don't read a lot of traditional romances, but the good writing and snarky sense of humor in this one caught my interest and kept me going even though it spends a lot of time relying on one of my personal least-favorite plot devices -- somebody's keeping a secret and when it comes out, somebody else is going to feel totally betrayed. I did put it down for a while, but ultimately I was carried along to the end because the characterization was fun, the dialogue was believable, there was plenty of romping, it had a good heart, and it fairly regularly made me laugh out loud. I adore lines like the unhappy hero's take on his brother and sister-in-law: "They'd been doing that all night, that seemingly unconscious touching. It was like sharing a meal with static cling." Ha! Recommended for anyone who enjoys a comic but heartfelt romance. Probably extra recs if you love reality TV, gossip mags, or Elvis (none of which I do).
Profile Image for Sue Lynn.
33 reviews3 followers
February 18, 2021
I really enjoyed the book. It was a quick read but it kept your attention from beginning to end.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,128 reviews53 followers
January 28, 2016
A small-town, winter wonderland romance with endearing characters and oodles of humor!

All he wanted was a long, hot shower and a long, deep sleep.
Meaning that whoever this pissed-off brunette was, whatever deal she'd arranged with his flaky mother, they could talk about it after he'd scrubbed the jungle from his skin and rinsed the shampoo from his hair.
"What do you mean it belongs to you? It can't belong to you. I just rented it," said the girl aiming that pink blow-dryer right at his heart.
If he wasn't so damn exhausted, he might find that funny. She was holding the thing as if it would protect her. It was a blow-dryer! He nodded at it. "What do you plan to do with that thing, honey? Style me to death?"

LOVE ME SWEET by Tracy Brogan is the third book in the author's Bell Harbor series and the first book I've ever read by this author. However, it, most assuredly, won't be the last for me as I already have the first book in this series , CRAZY LITTLE THING, sitting on my nightstand. Because I started with this book, I can attest that LOVE ME SWEET works well as a standalone. I thoroughly enjoyed it! I started reading it after supper one evening and simply could not put it down until I'd read the very last word around 2am the next morning. This is the story of Delaney Masterson, a reality TV star, and Grant Connelly, an adventure show cameraman.

Both leads were great! Actually, to be totally honest, I wanted to shake the heroine a few times, but I quickly got over it and moved on. I loved - in random order - the couple's sweet and hot romance, their flirty dialogue, the charming, well-paced storyline, the author's writing style, the perfect HEA ending that positively oozed warm fuzzies, the charity aspect, the small-town snowy setting, the drama, the parts associated with Elvis and the Heartbreak Hotel, the pink hair dryer and the humor .... LOL! Did I miss anything?

It's hard to pick a favorite scene since I had so many, but, at one point, the couple were in pursuit of the hero's mom on treacherous icy roads when they lost control and their car ploughed into a snowdrift destined not to move until a wrecker could be called. This was such a cute scene with the most delightfully sexy and comical banter. To top off all this deliciousness, there's an icing-on-the-cake snippet about a luminescent red bra. Trust me. You need to read it to experience it. I laughed 'til I cried.

Bottom-line: If you're looking for a small-town winter-wonderland romance with completely endearing characters, dashes of humor, and a steamy romance, look no further than LOVE ME SWEET!

My full review is posted at Reading Between The Wines Book Club. Please check it out here: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...

4 1/2 Wine Glasses!
Profile Image for Anne Pfeffer.
Author 6 books355 followers
January 12, 2015
As a fan of Tracy Brogan’s Bell Harbor series, I was wondering how she was going to write her newest installment, which is about Grant Connelly. Remember him? The older brother of Tyler Connolly, nurturing man-of-the-family hero in The Best Medicine? The brother that Tyler described as an “ass”?

Well, in Love Me Sweet, we get to know Grant, who is just as hot as Tyler, but who wandered far from the family nest for a decade before returning home to Bell Harbor. And when gets there, he finds that his crazy kleptomaniac mother has rented his home to a beautiful girl who says her name is Elaine Masters.

There’s a strong attraction, but we readers know that Elaine (really Delaney) is running away from a scandal and is scared to tell Grant the truth about herself. We have the enjoyable job of watching them fall in love while trying to resolve a series of disasters created by Grant’s mom, and while Delaney tries to find a way to tell Grant her secret.

Love Me Sweet has all the fun (and required) features of a romance – the hunky guy, the protacted courtship studded with setbacks and misunderstandings, the simmering sexual tension, and of course the HEA ending. But Brogan also gives us a story line that goes beyond the romance and nicely developed characters who we can like and empathize with.

We understand why Tyler thinks badly of his brother, but we also come to understand Grant and learn that he’s a pretty good guy. We root for the two brothers to reconcile. Not to mention waiting for Grant and Delaney to drop their defenses and do what they really want to do, which is jump each other’s bones! Theirs is an appealing and believable love story.

Characters from the two prior books make their appearances as well – obviously, Evie, Tyler, and his mother Donna, and even the ubiquitous Fontaine Baker, wedding planner extraordinaire. What Bell Harbor book would be complete without him?

Another fun, highly readable book from this series. Great entertainment on a rainy afternoon!

Profile Image for Clarabel.
3,832 reviews59 followers
January 6, 2023
Une romance légère qui se déroule dans une petite ville du Michigan et en plein hiver… on dirait bien un rendez-vous de saison !

Éclaboussée par un récent scandale, Delaney s’éloigne de Beverly Hills pour se planquer incognito à Bell Harbor et loue une maison proprette mais glaciale sans se douter que son propriétaire allait rentrer plus tôt que prévu.
Cameraman et producteur d’une émission qui l’entraîne à l’autre bout du monde, Grant doit donc gérer la dernière lubie de sa mère et cohabiter avec une étrangère sous son propre toit. Après tout, il est de retour au bercail pour se réconcilier avec ses proches et assister au mariage de son jeune frère.
Il ignore qui est Delaney et gobe volontiers tous ses mensonges. Le but pour elle n’est pas de duper cet homme mais de ne pas lui accorder sa confiance aveuglément.

Toutefois, les événements vont précipiter ce couple dans une fuite en avant aux rebondissements improbables, car Delaney a perdu son sac contenant son téléphone, son portefeuille et son argent. Grant accepte de l’accompagner jusqu’à Memphis au volant d’une vieille Coccinelle sous une tempête de neige.
Ils vont être coincés au bord de la route, puis secourus par un jeune groupe de musiciens et embarqués à bord de leur bus. Cette rencontre va décoincer Grant qui ne va plus cacher son attirance, même s’il devra prendre son mal en patience pour profiter d’une intimité chérie.

Bizarrement je n’ai pas craqué pour le prétendant masculin. Comme quoi il ne suffit pas d’être sexy pour me rendre dingue !
En fait j’ai été un peu déçue par l’attitude du gars, par son empressement ou ses caprices. Il a tourné le dos à sa famille, puis tente de se rabibocher avec la conscience amère de ses erreurs. Idem avec Delaunay. Il dit avoir des sentiments forts et inégalés. Pourtant il se vexe face au pot aux roses. Quel nigaud.
Reste une lecture fraîche, très fraîche, voire frissonnante, avec une brochette de personnages secondaires hyper attachants !

Coup de cœur pour les Paradise Brothers évidemment 🖤 J'ai passé un bon moment, peut-être pas mémorable non plus. Distrayant au mieux.
Profile Image for Teri Beth.
453 reviews129 followers
January 20, 2015
ARC provided by NetGalley

Love Me Sweet is the third book in the Bell Harbor series, which I was not aware of when I started, but it can easily be read as a standalone. I never once felt lost not having read the others. This was just the lighthearted romantic read I was looking for. Delaney Masterson has run away from the the paparazzi and scandal her ex created and ends up in Bell Harbor. Grant Connelly quits his cameraman job and finally comes home, only to realize his house has been rented out unbeknownst to him. Delaney and Grant have great chemistry from the start and their story went places I wasn't expecting. This book kept me highly entertained from beginning to end. I'm not gonna lie, Love Me Sweet was corny at times, but it was the cute corny that had me grinning at the silly dialogue and adorable side characters. This story was sweet and romantic and fun with characters that I enjoyed. I have no doubt I will be reading more of this series when I'm looking a light contemporary romance!
942 reviews
January 20, 2015
A thief, lies, and a video tape—with a road trip and the Paradise Brothers thrown in for good measure. If you are in need of a post-holiday mood improver, I recommend Tracy Brogan’s Love Me Sweet. Brogan’s third visit to Bell Harbor, Michigan, gives readers lots of Brogan’s trademark humor and tart sweetness, two people looking for sanctuary instead of love and ultimately finding both, and a stellar cast of secondary characters. This is a fun read sure to win more fans for Bell Harbor and for Brogan.
Profile Image for Il confine dei libri.
4,863 reviews149 followers
February 15, 2020
Salve lettrici,
Con “Due cuori nella tormenta” continua la serie Bell Harbor di Tracy Brogan, che prende il nome dal luogo in cui si svolgono le vicende.
Questo terzo volume racconta la storia di Delaney Masterson, celebre star di un reality show, e di Grant Connelly, fratello di Tyler e cameraman di programmi di avventura.
Fino a questo momento la serie mi ha regalato letture piacevoli, vediamo se anche questa lo è stata!
Delaney, per fuggire dalla vita mondana e dai paparazzi, decide di andare via senza avvertire la sua famiglia.
La sua vita non è affatto come molti credono e sicuramente Delaney non è frivola e stupida come la fa sembrare il reality.
Così, spinta dalla vergogna e dalla frustrazione, Delaney riempie una valigia di soldi, affitta una casetta nell’innevata Bell Harbor e si crea una nuova identità.
La casa che Delaney ha preso in affitto, però, non è di Donna, la donna a cui ha pagato l’intera somma in contanti.
La casa appartiene al figlio di Donna Becket, Grant, che è tornato a casa dopo anni per il matrimonio del fratello.
Non potendo restituire la somma che Delaney è pagato, di comune accordo i due decidono di sistemarsi insieme e, se la loro doveva essere una convivenza forzata e provvisoria, si rivela invece tutt’altro.
Stare in compagnia dell’altro è piacevole, semplice e giusto, e innamorarsi è più facile del previsto.
Aggiungete inoltre che i due vivranno, nei pochi giorni insieme, anche delle avventure che rafforzeranno il loro legame, e la frittata è fatta.
Delaney però non è stata sincera con Grant sulla sua identità, sulla sua fuga e sulla sua famiglia, quindi tutto ciò che Grant pensa di sapere sulla ragazza con cui ha passato momenti indimenticabili è falso.
Dunque lettrici, io non posso che consigliarvi questa lettura, raccontata a punti di vista alterni, che si è rivelata davvero brillante.
È una lettura che coinvolge, trasporta il lettore e non annoia.
È una storia che per certi versi definirei buffa, perché buffe sono le vicende di cui racconta e buffo è il modo in cui questo amore nasce e matura ma, allo stesso tempo, è una storia dolce, romantica e molto semplice.
È una storia lineare, bella e davvero simpatica e io non ho potuto che apprezzare sia il contenuto che la scrittura dell’autrice, che ha descritto perfettamente ogni particolare.
In questo romanzo nulla è inserito a caso e tutto è molto dettagliato.
Come le personalità di ogni personaggio, protagonista e non.
Ognuno ha una personalità ben definita e ben strutturata e un ruolo fondamentale nella storia, anche quelli di passaggio.
Infatti, oltre a personaggi che già conosciamo grazie ai volumi precedenti, incontreremo nuovi amici, tutti molto simpatici e adatti alla storia.
Tra questi ci sono i Paradise Brothers, un gruppo di musicisti che incontrano i nostri protagonisti nella loro avventura.
Nel breve tempo che passeranno insieme a Delaney e Grant, questi ragazzi si riveleranno simpatici e saggi, tanto da creare un bel legame con la coppia e da lasciare un segno nel romanzo. Spero quindi di ritrovarli nei prossimi volumi della serie.
Infine, devo aggiungere di avere adorato Grant e Delaney per la loro semplicità e la facilità con cui ci hanno fatto affezionare a loro. Tra di loro c’è una forte tensione sessuale e una forte alchimia che regala a questa storia un tocco in più.

Se all’inizio di questa serie Tracy Brogan era un’autrice a me sconosciuta, adesso posso senz’altro consigliarvi i suoi libri che sono sempre brillanti, frizzanti ed originali.
Voto 4
Profile Image for Anaïs.
436 reviews35 followers
March 1, 2015
This review was originally posted on Fifty Shades of Books

2.5 out of 5 Stars

Grant Connelly is back home in Bell Harbor, Michigan after quitting his job as a cinematographer for a survival show. What he thought would be a peaceful return home after so many years turns into a disaster! First, he discovers that his mother rented his house to a cute brunette called Elaine Masters, and then, his mother's severe case of kleptomania leads him to drive cross-country with his houseguest to run after Elaine's belongings and her money.

And within all this chaos, all that Elaine was looking for is peace, but that's definitely not what she's getting. Elaine's real name is actually Delaney Masterson, child of a rockstar and an ex-model, and also co-star in the family's reality show. But that was before a sex tape she didn't even know existed was leaked, putting her in a bad light. Was it really the right decision to run away, or is it only making things worse?
What I loved about this book:

An all-around funny story
Extremely entertaining side-characters

What I felt needed improvement:

The plot was a tad standard
The main characters' chemistry was off
The heroine was too incoherent from the start

I have been a Bell Harbor Series fan ever since the first book. I simply love Tracy Brogan's ability to write comforting, cute and funny reads that are perfect for an afternoon of feel-good reading at home, cuddled on the sofa with a cup of hot chocolate. Sweet Love is totally a winter-story that should be read in exactly that setting! It was definitely a sweet read, but I'm afraid that's all it was, and it didn't hold the charm and appeal that the two first books did.

As far as the writing goes, it's as great as usual with Tracy Brogan. You'll get a 3rd person narrative with dual POVs alternating between Delaney/Grant, which will allow you to get insight into both their minds, and makes the read all the more funny.
"Could be a cold night so I guess I'll better start a fire."
"A fire? Have you got wood?"
A curve played at the corner of his mouth. "Oh, yeah. I got wood."

That touch of fun and hilariousness is something I highly appreciate in a book, and I certainly did find it in Sweet Love , especially when Delaney and Grant engage into a road trip and somehow end up in a Nashville band's tourbus! Let it be said that side characters in this story are aboslutely loveable and hilarious!
"She heard a muffled thunk and a clunk. Either Grant was putting wood on the fire or a frozen raccoon had just fallen off the roof."

However, the main characters... not so much. I really could not feel the chemistry between those two, until maybe the very end. And that doesn't even relate to the fact that there are no steamy-scenes at all (can't believe some reviewers complained about the fact there were more graphic scenes than in previous books, which still amounts to litterally nothing). No, the whole non-chemistry issue starts off with both not really being inerested in a new relationship, despite the mutual attraction. And then, suddenly, out of nowhere, Grant turns into this cocky, self-entitled, jealous alpha-male who can't wait to score with Delaney. Then (again so very suddenly) he becomes totally lovestruck and confesses his undying love to Delaney/Elaine. And all this time, Delaney doesn't really show her feelings (which we know she has!), making Grant really look like a lovesick fool.

But Delaney wasn't any better. She was incoherent from the first chapter on! She says she avoids the limelight, and acts that way too (at least throughout the book), but why did she do the reality show in the first place? Or even become a celebrity-stylist? This whole "lifestyle" she led before fleeing to Bell Harbor really doesn't match her behaviour throughout the book. Her character/persona held very little credibility. And then, last but not least, I really found it ridiculous that Delaney behaved in such a childish way, and put off telling him her secret until the very end. But hey, I guess we all knew that the story's plot would lead us to that.

[spoiler]Delaney actually fears that he would despise her since she represents all that he hates and tries to leave behind. And so keeps postponing the announcement and selfishly takes advantage or one more kiss/night with Grant...[/spoiler]

Yes, plot-wise, Love Me Sweet was okay, but not great because the fall-in-love-with-a-fake-identity plot is not exactly news. However, mixing this with a road-trip-during-a-snowstorm-from-hell and the encounter with a Southern band on tour did spice it up considerably!

So all in all, Love Me Sweet was a nice read but I am afraid I was disappointed that it didn't raise the bar on the previous Bell Harbor novels. However, I would still recommend you read it if you are looking for a nice relaxing afternoon read.

 

   



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Profile Image for Pennie Morgan.
2,336 reviews10 followers
March 18, 2021
This one was fantastic! Grant Connley has returned home only to find his life turned upside down when he finds out his house has been rented out. Seriously! To no other than a beautiful woman on the run (but she is in hiding and keeping that a secret). Her life is in turmoil back in LA when her ex sold a tape of them and splashes it all over the tabloids so she runs as far as she can and ends up in Bell Harbor, Michigan, in a snow storm. Will these two survive the storm or will their chemistry melt it? Definitely a keeper!
Profile Image for Danielle.
27 reviews3 followers
April 13, 2022
Such a good read...I could see this series as Hallmark movie!
Profile Image for Célia.
101 reviews1 follower
December 11, 2022
Un bon gros cliché des films de Noël mais en livre. Une intrigue pas passionnante et je n'ai pas réussi à m'attacher aux personnages qui m'ont laissé de marbre. J'ai lu vite ce livre mais uniquement pour m'en débarrasser.
Profile Image for Becky Morris.
561 reviews5 followers
December 27, 2019
This book was just disappointing. The guy, Grant, is gross when talking about Delaney. For a grown man who was in a relationship a few weeks ago, he behaves like a 17 year old boy. It’s uncomfortable.

The plot was also just absurd. There is a weird long road trip. Some terrible people who never get their due...

Don’t waste your time.
Profile Image for Pj Ausdenmore.
924 reviews30 followers
February 12, 2015
With each book she publishes, Tracy Brogan further solidifies her place on my author auto-buy list. Her contemporary romances are filled with humor without sacrificing substance and her fully-formed characters carry the show. This could easily become slapstick comedy without the depth infused into Brogan's characters. Delaney and Grant have both reach a turning point in their lives and while their journey is humorous (frequently laugh out loud funny), it is also meaningful, with growth exhibited in both characters. They are a couple I liked and cheered for throughout the story.

While Delaney and Grant are the primary focus of this book, it wouldn't be nearly as much fun without the quirky cast of supporting characters: from the star-struck male wedding planner who immediately sees through Delaney's disguise to the Paradise Brothers country music band that give Grant and Delaney a ride south on their tour bus when Delaney's VW dives head first into a snow bank to Grant's well-meaning, klepto mother with the slight gambling problem to the step-father who thinks everything can be fixed with a sloe gin fizz. They all contribute to the rich colors that complete the tapestry that is Love Me Sweet.

While Love Me Sweet is the third book in Brogan's Bell Harbor series, you do not have to have read the previous two books in order to enjoy this one. However, if you're like me, as soon as you read one Tracy Brogan book, you'll be scrambling to download her back list as fast as you can. Her books are that much fun!

4.5 Stars
~PJ Ausdenmore
The Romance Dish
Profile Image for Jules The Book Junkie Reviews.
1,600 reviews96 followers
January 11, 2015
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Love Me Sweet is the third book in the Bell Harbor series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. I had not read the prior two books, and I had no problem following the story or falling in love with the characters. After reading Tracy Brogan’s Love Me Sweet, I do plan on adding her prior books to my TBR list!

Love Me Sweet is a fun, lighthearted romance. I loved the tie into the entertainment industry and Delaney’s (aka Elaine) attempts to dodge the paparazzi and the scandal from which she is hiding. The best part was Delaney’s and Grant’s eschewing of the hype and shallowness in the entertainment industry and specifically reality television programs. Delaney’s phone conversations with her sister, Melody, about her LA scandal, her Bell Harbor “adventure” and her subsequent road trip are full of sibling humor.

Grant and Delaney are believable and likable characters, and their chemistry is undeniable. The secondary characters add hilarity to the story. Everyone from the flamboyant wedding planner, Fontaine, to the members of the Paradise Brothers Band add to the plot tension and overall charm of the story.

Love Me Sweet is adorable and entertaining from start to finish, and I am looking forward to reading more of Ms. Brogan’s Bell Harbor stories.
3,057 reviews146 followers
August 8, 2016
I have, in other reviews, mentioned my dislike for Protagonist Keeps a Big Secret. This book milked said Big Secret for everything it was worth. And okay, if Grant had been a regular dude who was generally aware of celebrity gossip, then Lane would have had a decent reason to keep her identity secret from him. But Grant, as we learn immediately upon his introduction, has been traveling the world as a cameraman for years and hasn't been home or even spoken to any member of his family in months. He neither knows nor would have any reason to care about Lane's identity or her current scandal. And even if Lane decided to keep her secret while in Bell Harbor, as soon as the madcap escapade with the stolen LV bag began, all Lane would have needed to say to Grant was "Look, I have some small notoriety on reality TV, and came to your tiny and picturesque town to hide out from the paparazzi for a while. Can we go get my bag back before someone puts two and two together?" He would have said yes, the madcap escapade would have still happened, and they could have ridden happily off into the sunset without the requisite inadvertent discovery and ensuing 60 pages of "You're not who I thought you were!" and "Everything you ever told me was a lie!"--"Yes, but not our love! That was real!"
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