How Sweet It Is

Willow Shade Island

by Victorine E. Lieske

He sees through her walls. She's afraid to let him in. But some secrets are worth the risk.

Levi Barrett has finally grown up enough to open his dream bakery—but not enough to handle the paperwork. Enter Claire, the island's newest resident with a gift for numbers and a talent for avoiding personal questions.

Claire isn't just hiding her identity—she's running from a murderer whose associates are still hunting for her. Working for the charming baker with flour in his hair and dreams bigger than his business sense was supposed to be a temporary cover. But Levi's world of sugar and second chances is dangerously tempting for a woman whose testimony will put a killer behind bars.

When her past catches up and her cover is blown, Claire will have to choose between the safe path her family expects—returning home to fix their failing business—or taking the biggest risk of trusting her heart and fighting for a love that could finally set her free.

Genres: Suspense, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary, Chick Lit

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 23, 2025

Reviews

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these Barrett brothers and their stories. Each book in the series builds upon each other. You could technically read them as standalones, but I think reading them in order helps you understand their history, or at least read the first book and then this one.

It was great to see Levi get his story and start building his dreams in owning and running a bakery. But he's a little bit in over his head, he knows how to bake and cook but running a business isn't quite in his wheelhouse! Thankfully he has some help in the form of the person he can't quite seem to stop thinking about. Spreadsheet, aka Amelia, aka Claire. Spreadsheet is the nickname that Levi gives her, Amelia is her assumed name due to the situation she's in, and Claire is her real given name.

These two together were wonderful. So much fun banter, wit, humor and chemistry burning brightly! Claire is trying to keep her heart hidden and just survive over the next several months. The more she keeps a shield up against Levi, the easier it will be to leave him and Willow Shade Island behind once the time comes. But with all of the decadent treats he's making just for her, and truly seeing her, that's going to take a herculean effort on her part.

The swoon is strong with this one!!! Grab your copy and be swept away into this tender and sweet friendship to more! Loved it!!!

Content: Clean. Some talk about witness protection and seeing the death of a person, but it is very minor and not graphic. Some sweet kisses but nothing further.

I received a copy from the author via BookSirens. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

[Sheri Bolinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book was fabulous! We are back on Willow Shade Island with our wonderful brothers and their friends. This book centers around Levi and his accountant, Amelia. It picks up from the epilogue of the previous book that left Levi wondering who Amelia was. I Loved it! Is she good? Is she bad? She seems trustworthy! She's snarky and sarcastic, a little OCD, likes order, and truly loves helping others. Levi is a fly by the seat of your pants kind of player! He jokes a lot, keeps everything light but has a big gooey cinnamon roll center! These two had me cracking up with their banter, rolling my eyes at their ridiculousness, crying at their vulnerability, and really hoping everything good would happen for them. I was yanked into their world and it wouldn't release me until it had fully wrung me out and was finished with me. It was the BEST!

[Karen Brasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

How Sweet It Is

This is such a wonderful and sweet story. Levi Barrett has struggled to find what he wants to do with his life. He has always enjoyed baking but knows nothing about the paperwork needed to keep up a business. When he meets Claire who is knowledgeable in all things numbers and paperwork, it is suggested he hire her. Claire has her own secrets. She is hiding more than just her name and background, she is running from danger. Be sure to read their enemies to more story to find out if Levi can get Claire to enjoy herself before the danger finds them.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claire is sat in her office at the back of the bakery. No not Claire, Amelia, I have to keep my mind on the fact I'm Amelia and can't let anyone know any different. So Willow Shade Island is my new home and I'm the accountant for the new bakery. Levi wonders what made him employ the uptight woman. Dressed in her business outfit it's obvious she doesn't like fun. But he needs help and she's perfect for the job, so he'll just have to accept that they'll never be more than boss and employee. Levi is definitely a flirt, he's also outgoing and handsome, she just has to remember why she there. Levi knows she's hiding something and she's lying to him, but why. This is the third book in this series each can be read on its own, however the brothers do appear in each story so it does help if you've read them all. I throughly enjoyed Levi's story, the way he adapts to running his own business and yet still maintaining his fun nature. Can he help bring Claire out of her straight minded ways and to enjoy herself just a little. The way he calls her Spreadsheet slow breaks down her walls. She finally sees him not just as a flirt but caring, protective and somebody who truly sees her. But is that wise, will her past end any future on Willow Shade. Sit back and enjoy this brilliant book I can't wait for Micah's book

[Pascale’s*ARC,Unwind,Read,Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun summer read! I read this book while on vacation and I enjoyed every moment. It’s a sweet, clean, non-religious book with a tiny bit of suspense thrown in. It is part of a series but it can still be read as a stand-alone. It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, opening the way for a couple of side characters’ stories to be told, but it ends on a HEA.

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Levi's story is the third book in the Willow Shade Island series. Levi's the Barrett brother who quit college multiple times and worked in the small town's diner, but secretly wanted to own a bakery. Now he finally gets to live his dream of opening a bakery, but he’s better at whipping up mouth-watering pastries than balancing the books. Enter Amelia (her real name is Claire), the new girl on the island who’s a whiz with numbers…and reluctant to share anything about herself. What Levi doesn’t know is that she's hiding from some very dangerous people, and working for him is supposed to be just a temporary cover. The more time they spend together, the harder it is for Amelia/Claire to keep her walls up—and the easier it is to picture a life in Willow Shade.

This book is a sweet treat! It's got banter, flirting, decadent confections, and there's a suspenseful subplot that kept me engaged. I loved all the non-dates Levi took Amelia/Claire on, especially the dancing! It’s got romance, danger, an island setting you’ll wish you could visit, and enough bakery goodness to make you hungry while you read. If you like your love stories with a side of suspense, this one’s for you.

It can be read as a standalone but I feel you should at least read the first book to understand the Barrett brothers' situation and get to know some of the side characters in this book. I received a copy from BookSirens. All opinions in this review are my own.

[Sigy George · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

How Sweet It Is is a delightful blend of romance and suspense. Victorine E. Lieske crafts a heartwarming love story between Claire, a woman in witness protection, and Levi, a charming small-town baker. Their chemistry is undeniable, filled with banter, tender moments, and the kind of slow-burn tension that keeps you turning pages. Beyond the romance, the suspense of Claire’s past adds depth and urgency. The island setting and bakery details make the story cozy yet emotionally charged. This is a clean, feel-good romance that also tugs at the heart. A must-read for fans of swoony, uplifting love stories!

[Phylicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Willow Shade Island Series featuring the millionaire-inherited Barrett brothers! This time it’s Levi, a millionaire turned baker, chasing his dream and hiring Claire as his accountant. Sparks fly, but Claire has a secret: she’s in witness protection after seeing something she shouldn’t have at her old job. She can’t reveal her real identity and is just trying to lay low until the trial is over- but Levi’s sweet, thoughtful gestures slowly win her over, especially since she’s never even had a boyfriend. Their chemistry is charming, the banter is fun, and the ending delivers cozy romance perfection. It’s a clean, small-town romance, and I can’t wait for the next one by Victorine Lieske! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amanda Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

First thing- I love all the books by the author, Victorine E. Lieske. Anything I see a new book by her, I have to read it!!

I love this story of Levi and Claire. Levi is such a lovable guy. He just wants to bake something that Claire will actually eat. The food sounds so yummy!! I want to eat it for him! What a difficult position she is in. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I love this series, and I didn't want to put this book down!

Highly recommend this book and any of the authors books!!!

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

How Sweet It Is Book 3 in the Willow Shade Island Series by Victoria E Lieske. I really enjoyed this book. Claire and Levi are terrific characters. Levi has always wanted to open his own bakery. Levi is a great baker, but, he is terrible with paperwork. Enter Claire who is perfect for the job, but, she has a secret… she is hiding from a murder. I will say that Claire's mother is something else! How Sweet It Is definitely lives up to it's name. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent read. I really liked the characters (except the bad guys of course). Levi is very sweet, and so is “Amelia” aka Claire. Their trust in one another grows, despite Claire having to withhold her true identity for her own protection. The premise of the story is different from what I have read before, with the main female character being in a witness protection program. This is a heartfelt read that is clean, but not at all boring. Would definitely recommend reading.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cathy R Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claire is only on Willow Shade Island temporarily, until she's safe to go back home. So a job doing the paperwork for Levi's new bakery is great, not least because they don't get along, so she'll be glad to leave. But as they work together to get the bakery in the black, each sees more of the other's vulnerabilities, and they find themselves most unexpectedly attracted. But Claire has secrets she can't share, including the fact that she's only here for a short time. And Levi is annoyingly good at getting under her skin. They could build something amazing between them, if only they're both willing to try - but she has to get back to the family who're relying on her… right?

First of all, please tell me that no family could really be like Claire's? Surely? I mean, I know no family is perfect, but that seems one particularly unpleasant extreme. That aside, I loved watching Levi and Claire go from near-enemies to more-than-friends, with plenty of banter, baking and dancing along the way. It was also good to see more of other family members I've met in previous books (though this can easily be read as a standalone story). I particularly appreciated the way they looked out for each other - though building a relationship when your life is meant to be one big secret must be very hard. Looking forward to the last (presumably?) book, hopefully soon!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Brittni · Rating 3 out of 5]

How Sweet It Is by Victorine E. Lieske 2.5/5

The storyline and plot had such promise but the overall text was lacking. As I read, it was hard to get into the story because of this. It was also really hard to read, it might be personal preference but, I prefer reads that over the top describe things so that I feel as if I’m living the story. It was very dry and flat. It almost reads like an instruction manual - he does this, she does that, I xyz. I made it 30% through and strongly considered DNFing but I like to give every book a fair chance unless I can’t get into the story.

I made it through and while the descriptions improved, the story as a whole, missed the mark for me. Claire is a very sterile character while Levi was too over the top. The storyline revolved mainly around the bakery and very little about the circumstances leading up to Claire being there as well as the involvement of her family. It almost felt like an afterthought and the story might have been stronger without the family aspect or if it had been delved deeper into.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Brooke Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 in a series, this could mostly be a stand along. After all, this series is a cozy romance series. Happily ever after is assumed, but the way we get there is uniques.

I received a free copy of this book and am leaving a review voluntarily.

Levi: Womanizer. Black sheep. College drop out. Secretly very wealthy.
Claire: Witness protection. Family savior. Accountant. No nonsense.

Watching these two figure out their lives was a fun ride. Claire is in witness protection and takes a job at a bakery...and has celiac. Levi takes it personally that she won't eat his baking and is trying to turn over a new leaf in life. Breaking down walls, building friendship, and ultimately falling in love is easy: but how can Levi get over his insecurities and fear of failure? Can Claire learn to trust her own worth and breal away from toxic family?

Curl up with a blanket and tea and go ahead and bing this series for a sweet journey through a small island town.

[Denice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, sweet read. I really enjoyed reading Claire and Levi’s story, there was some fun banter, and little suspense. Claire was in the witness protection program and couldn’t tell Levi who she really was. Levi had just opened a bakery, and she came to help with the bookwork since he was a mess at paperwork but a great baker. They didn’t like each other at first but then their feelings slowly began to grow, so sweet and swoony. I was so glad to see Claire stand up for herself with her parents who weren’t very nice to her. Great story and it ends making me want the next one to read and with a HEA.

[Monica C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sooo good! Book three in this series and I just love Willow Shade island and these brothers as they find their perfect matches.

This story centers around Levi Barrett as he builds his bakery business and finds love with the secretive Claire.

Levi is a lovable puppy with great intentions and too much money at his disposal.

Claire, in witness protection, finds her place at his bakery, giving Levi direction (and spreadsheets) in building his business.

The fall was easy between these two and while there was a bit of drama and trouble, the resolution was easy and sweet.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Levi gets his surprise and is able to open his own bakery thinking he had reached his peak in happiness to spend time testing out his creations. Unfortunately life kicks in and he has to get his financial records in order. Something he has no clue or inclination to do. Just as well Amelia comes to the rescue, but brings with her a baggage of secrets she can't reveal.
I am thoroughly enjoying reading the stories of the Barrett brothers and wonder what Micah will decide for his future? This series is well-written without any cliff-hangers.
I received a copy from BookSirens and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice read and great humor throughout tied with jabs and sarcasm between main characters, Levi and Claire. The main underlying suspense is Claire in a protection program. Claire was helping Levi on his new venture a bakery on an island while in hiding and she can’t eat any of his delicious pastries as she is gluten free. That had to be rough.There was plenty of drama and intrigue til the end with this mystery and the story seemed very realistic. Story had me hooked from first page. Claire and Levi are perfect together.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Megan | Reads Alotl Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved getting Levi’s story. He has been cast as such a player in the other books, and it was really fun to watch him find his dream in opening his bakery and meeting Amelia a.k.a. Claire. He is so sweet and caring. When he decides to learn how to bake gluten free items for her. 🫠

I loved the librarian/accountant that Amelia was giving off. It made it fun to watch her fall for Levi, even with all she has going on. I thoroughly enjoyed their teasing banter throughout the whole entire book. The enemies to lovers vibe was subtle and so good!

It was great to be with all the characters again and especially Skyler.

[Rhonda Sledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was several chapters in before I realized that I had read both the previous books in this series. Totally not the author's fault. I have short-term memory loss and often forget that I've read something. Once I re-aquainted myself with the characters, I became totally engrossed in the story. I loved the banter between Levi and Claire. The added suspense and danger kept me engaged and the toxic relationship Claire had with her mother had me urging Claire to walk away.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Loved the re-enactment scene from my favorite movie! This is a well written story featuring Claire and Levi, who are wonderful characters. Levi is an amazing baker and has opened his own bakery, but he struggles with the administrative side of the business. Claire, who is skilled in marketing & bookkeeping, becomes part of his business while secretly hiding after witnessing a crime. The bad guys & Claire’s mother certainly added drama & action to the story!
I received an advance review copy from BookSirens. This is my honest, voluntary review.

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is best if read in order. Each book centers around one couple but the characters overlap throughout the series and storylines continue between the books.

He's a fly by the seat of your pants type of personality.

He calls her Spreadsheet. Trying to get him to understand the business side of owning a business may be more than she can handle. Especially with the secrets she's keeping.

He falls first… She's wrapped up in secrets… Pasts catch up…

[LA FITCH · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. It has romance, witty banter, danger, all of which makes this book a must-read. Levi is a baker who opens his shop without knowing anything but how to bake. Claire is in witness protection and using the name Amelia. She takes on the accounts for Levi's bakery but is celiac so he courts her by baking gluten free for her. This is witty and I can't wait to read more in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksirens and leave this review voluntarily

[Giselle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Of the three books in this series, this was the one with the most potential. An engaging and interesting premise. But it was the weakest so far. The buildup was great, but had no business taking up like 75% of the book. The resolution being contained in like 5 chapters was wild.

**SPOILERS BELOW**

Victor and the goons found Claire eventually, like we thought. But that only lasted a chapter. One more chapter about her having to leave the island. Two chapters about her life sucking back home. Then Levi immediately finds her and proposes way too soon. What the hell was that?

[GPReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! The pacing was perfect. Nothing felt rushed or too slow. The characters are well developed-you feel like you know them. This works as a standalone, but has some characters from previous books in the series. Clean, sweet,no cussing, kisses only. Tropes: enemies to lovers, hidden identity, millionaire

[Book Addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a tender, uplifting tale with a dash of suspense and a whole lot of heart. The author's storytelling is warm and inviting, making this a delightful escape for fans of small-town love stories. The link to the other stories is a bonus. Recommended
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Judith Seale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very exciting story.

Amelia is in a witness protection plan. She is doing accounting work for Levi's new bakery. It is hard for her not to say anything about her real life. It could be dangerous for her if her real identity gets out. But Levi can tell she is not telling the truth.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!! Noah and Claire such an amazing couple to watch, they are so perfectly imperfect for each other. If you haven't read books 1 and 2 go buy them now, cause one book will never be enough your going to want to read them all!! I can't wait for the next one!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nari · Rating 4 out of 5]

sweet love story

I really like Claire and Luke together. The were a bit of opposites but they really balance each other out. I enjoyed reading their story. My only complaint is the ending was a bit unbelievable and cheesy. Overall though I really liked it.

[Barbara Tobey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet romance. This was my first visit to Willow Creek Island. I would like to read the previous ones and the following books. Entertaining banter. Thanks to BookSirens for providing a copy. My review is voluntary.