Sweet As Sin

by Ash Rose

She's his sister's best friend. He's the boy she barely noticed—until he came back all grown-up and sinfully hot.

Small Town Romance
Forbidden best friends brother
He falls first; and harder
Fall in love with the little town of Breakridge River and the deliciously sinful Larson brothers; Sean, Xander and Oli.

Book 1 - Sweet As SinDiscover this bubbling hot best-friend's brother, small town romance that will have you swooning, kicking your feet and laughing out loud.

Lucy Davenport has enough on her plate running the family bakery, managing her best friend's wedding, and pretending she's totally fine being perpetually single in the sleepy town of Breakridge River. The last thing she needs is a blast from the past with abs, attitude, and a smirk that could melt buttercream.

Enter Sean Larson—tattooed, broad-shouldered, and back in town for the first time in nine years. He left as a scrawny teenager with a broken heart and returned as every dirty daydream Lucy's ever had in the kitchen. He's made millions, dodged emotional entanglements, and swore he'd never fall for the one girl who never even saw him… until now.

One steamy almost-kiss, one forbidden attraction, and one seriously unfortunate bathtub disaster later, they're thrust together in a storm of desire, denial, and deliciously bad decisions.

He's her best friend's little brother. She's off-limits.

But what if the wrong kind of temptation… feels just right?

She's got sugar in her smile and heat in her oven. He's ready to get burned.

Sweet As Sin is a scorching, laugh-out-loud small-town romance packed with fiery banter, second chances, and a chemistry so hot it could set the bakery on fire. Perfect for fans of Tessa Bailey, Meghan Quinn and Melanie Harlow

381 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2025

About the author

Ash Rose writes contemporary spicy romance. Is a sucker for a feral MMC who will do anything for his woman.
Currently writing small town romance but who knows what genres and tropes she might try in the future.

A full time nurse who fits writing these spicy scenes between wrangling two kids, two dogs and her very own patient loving MMC.

Reviews

[whatroseread · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved everything about this book!!!
A great small town romance, forbidden lovers, forced proximity, spicy, he falls first.. it just has everything I enjoy in a small town romance book! I genuinely can’t wait to see what else happens in Breakridge River 🥰

[elliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an early copy of this book as an ARC reader. It did not affect my rating.

Lucy Davenport has a lot on her plate. Running the family bakery, her best friend’s wedding and acting like she doesn’t hate being single.

Sean Larson, Lucy’s best friend’s little brother, is only in town for his sister’s wedding. Then he’s back off to doing what he does.

But when old feelings for Sean resurface and new feelings show up for Lucy, will things go as planned?

A quick and steamy read that you won’t be able to put down.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Ash Rose for the ARC 🫶🏻

Sweet as Sin is the first by Ash Rose in a new small town romance series, Breakridge River.
We follow our FMC Lucy in the run up to best friend Kate’s wedding, as she tries to be the perfect maid of honor, run her family bakery and take care of her Mam who has been diagnosed with MS. Then we through our MMC Sean into the mix, Kate’s younger brother who is back for the first time in 9 years, who has been holding a flame for Lucy since he left.

Small town romance is always a win for me and with the best friend’s brother trope too it was even better!!

I really loved the tight knit community vibe, I really loved the scenes with Kate’s family.

I adored Sean and Lucy together, Sean is a fantastic love interest. Their tension was electric from the very first scene, I kid you not I was legit grinning, kicking my feet the ENTIRE time they were interacting.

I found it really refreshing to read about an FMC in their 30s and loved the portrayal of still feeling at this age like you’re not sure which direction you need to take in life.

I couldn’t put it down!! It was so bingeable I got through it in two sittings, the whole thing played out like a movie in my head

This is definitely one to look out for when it’s released 14th July!!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucy is dreaming of that fireworks-and-butterflies kinda love... 🎆🦋 but when she finally gets it… plot twist 🤌🏻

Sean… oh Sean. The sweetest guy ever 🥰 and hot 🔥

I’m loving the little age gap 👏 plus this book reminds us that you don’t need your whole life planned out by your 30s 🙌 (thank you for that, Ash!)

Small town charm 🏡 amazing side characters (I want to hang out with them all!) 🫶 funny, flirty banter 😏 and the vibes are just chef’s kiss 👌

I’m already counting the days for book 2!! ⏳💫

[Crystal Counelis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute small town romance

* Bestfriends brother
* He falls first
* Forced proximity
* A little possessive

Sean has been infatuated with Lucy since middle school, she's his older sisters bestfriend. He leaves town and returns nine years later. I really enjoyed the characters in the story, there was good banter and good tension between characters. Some scenes a little spicy. And I do love a good he falls first. I like that the story had more depth to it more than just about their relationship. I am grateful for this Arc and am looking forward to the next book!

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

• Small town romance
• Forced proximity
• Forbidden romance
• Best friends brother
• Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
• DPOV


Contemporary Romance is a hit and miss genre for me, more miss than hit if I’m truthful but ‘Sweet As Sin’ is a bullseye 🎯!!

Once I started reading I could not put it down, the story, the characters and I mean ALL the characters completely captivated me. ❤️

I absolutely loved the banter and the inner monologue of the two main characters ( Lucy & Sean) had me smiling and chuckling 🥰

If you want a cozy, spicy summer read then pick this up!

[Jess H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy from Ash Rose.

Sweet as Sun is the perfect summer time romance novel.
•best friend’s brother 👀
•She’s older than him 😏
•yearning for YEARS 😭🩷


My one complaint is for Lucy’s age she should have been much better at communicating…

So much fun! I definitely recommend you check it out

[Kirsty Whalen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is everything you want from a small town romance! The tension between the two main characters is on pointttt and the spice is 🔥

Best Friends brother ✅
Forced proximity ✅
Possessive ( and HOT ) MMC ✅
He falls first ✅

Absolutely fell in love with the characters in this book and I cannot wait to see what the other characters get up to in the future 👀 😍

[Sarah Cartwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for a small town romance that's fantastically spicy, fun and sexy? 100% this! A best friend's brother trope giving you exactly what you'd want from this type of read. Plus, he falls first! Best part was I was smiling, laughing, and welled up during parts! Highly recommend!

[Louise Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHEN YOUR GIRL GETS HER BOOK ONTO GOODREADS 👏🏼

I read this a few months ago as a very early copy & I loved the story, the characters, the setting etc.

I can't wait to read this again once it's fully released!!!😍🧡

So proud of you Ash! 🧡🙌🏼

[Katie Huyton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh this was such a fun, quirky and sexy small town read! I loved the dynamic between the characters. Lucy and Sean are the cutest! I smiled, giggled and even a lump in my throat.
Definitely a great read and I look forward to the next book and seeing what xanders story is.

[Erica Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! And a huge thank you to Ash Rose for the ARC!! This was a super cute small town romance. He falls first, best friends brother, forced proximity.

I really loved Sean’s dedication to Lucy. To still be pining after someone since you were 17?! So romantic!

I would have loved to have dived into Lucy’s bakery life a little bit more and to have seen Sean and Lucy have some more one on one time to see and feel their connection. I would give 3.5 stars if I could!!

[Jaye Winkley · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off thank you so much Ash for the ARC🫶🏻

Sweet as Sin is Ash Rose’s debut and the first in the Breakridge River series and I ate it up👏🏼👏🏼

If you love small town romances, you will love Sean & Lucy’s story!! Keep your eyes peeled for the release 21/07/25😍

We follow our FMC Lucy through the build up to her best friends wedding, she is portrayed as an extremely supportive woman who would go over and above for everyone else… she’s caring for her mum, running the family bakery & has just had no luck in her love life recently… enter Sean her best friends younger brother who has been in love with Lucy for years to the point he moved away to get rid of his feelings… and I think we can guess where this is going to go.

I LOVED Sean & Lucy together, this book was so so bingeable and had me kicking my feet & giggling… I cannot wait for book 2 of the series!! You should be so proud of yourself Ash you SMASHED this 🤩🤩

Ps. "Eyes on me Red." “Good girl.”🫠🥵

[Bailey Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute feel good book.
Small town romance story where he falls first
This is a 🌶️🌶️ book
Loved the fact it was a reverse age gap where the MMC is younger.
The connection and chemistry between the two main Lucy and Sean was amazing and I loved the found family vibes this book has.
Lucy just needed her best friend’s little brother to show her small acts of kindness and how love is meant to be and Sean is definitely a man smitten.
Definitely recommend reading if you are looking for a happy feel good book

[Andreea B · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW 4⭐️ 2🌶

This sweet book got me out of a reading slump! I loved Sean and Lucy so much, the black cat × golden retriever trope gets me everytime.

Their chemistry is amazing, the setting is cozy and this book feels like home. So proud of my girl Ash Rose for her debut novel and I cannot wait for the rest of the series!

[Pippa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Sweet as Sin, a could not put down adorable Love Story with the most beautiful ending. I was really engaged with the characters and story line so much so I wanted to scream at Lucy "just believe in love!" I absolutely cannot wait until Book 2!! Obsessed

[For The Love of books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aww I wished I could find a man to love me like Sean. A good old fashioned love story, with a few bumps along the way. The story was adorable and cute, without being too sweet. Not my usual genre with lots of spicy sex scenes, that managed to make me blush. Everyone was wanting the ending of blissful happiness for Sean and Lucy, kept guessing until the last minute. I enjoyed the characters, the build up of the story and the tension. Definitely more to come from this author to be excited about.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved every minute of this book. I didn't want to put it down. I can't wait to read more from this author 💜

[Kimberley Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute small town romance 3.8/5

[Cindy Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Ash Rose for sending me an early ARC copy ,in no way does this affect my rating.

I absolutely devoured this book today 💕 A small town romance set in Breakridge River.
Lucy is the FMC who is just about juggling everything in life, from running a family business, looking after her mum & organising her best friends wedding she doesn’t really have time to do or even think about much else.
Sean is the mmc Lucy’s best friend Kate’s little brother!
He’d always had a high school crush on Lucy but left it all behind when he went to college 9 years ago. But all grown up & back in town for his sister’s wedding what could possibly go wrong or right?? 😉
Such a lovely heart warming story 💜

Small town romance
Best friends brother
He falls first
Forced proximity
Reverse age gap

Can’t wait to read the next book 📕 ☺️

[Steph P · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 🌟

What a sweet debut Novel by Ash Rose. There were so many moments where I didn't want to put it down because I needed to know what happened next!

Lucy is the perfect best friend and Maid of Honour. Helping plan the most amazing wedding whilst being a business owner! Then walks in her best friends brother who she hasn't seen for years and suddenly her focus isn't just on the wedding!

Tropes:
- Best Friends Brother
- Forced Proximity
- Small Town Romance
- He calls first

Thanks Ash Rose for my ARC copy.

[Ashley Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can rate my book 5 stars, right? 😆

[Claire Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this debut book from Ash rose. it has everything you want in a small town romance. the chemistry between the main characters is fantastic. best friends little brother.
he falls first. close proximity. the spice is 🔥

[Sandra Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured this book in almost one sitting. Small town romance, best friend’s brother, small age gap ughh it has everything you need! I am obsessed with it the same way Sean is obsessed with Lucy. I didn’t want it to end! Needless to say I can’t wait for the next one! 💕

[EnJay Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5🌟 2.5🌶️

Firstly, I read this book back in July and have only just written a review for it, so I apologise Ash!

I absolutely loved this book, it kept me up into the wee hours, wanting to see what would happen between the characters.

It's a cutesy, small town romance with a reverse age gap (not too big), best friends brother and a bit of forced proximity.

I loved it (have I already said that?) Lucy Davenport has WAY too much on her plate, keeping her family bakery running, helping her best friend plan her wedding, caring for her ill mother, she is a yes person through and through! Then there's Sean, her best friend's (annoying) younger brother who's always been hopelessly in love with Lucy and moved away. He's back in town for the wedding and he brings the fireworks, while helping Lucy tick off her never ending list of things to do!!

This was such an easy read, I can't wait for the rest of the books in this series.

[Morgan Vela · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s just something about a small-town romance that hits different, and Sweet as Sin delivers it all. The slow-burn tension, the stolen glances, the I shouldn't want you but I do energy? Chef’s kiss. I devoured this book in one sitting.

The main characters made me want to yell at them at one point. The banter, the angst, the chemistry that practically sizzled off the page. And the spice... trust me is there 🔥

This book has all my favorite tropes but somehow still felt fresh. Protective brother’s best friend? Check. Close quarters? Check. A man who knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to show it? Double check.

A great read!

[Kirstin ♡⚔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

*♡Thank you to to Ash Rose for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion♡*
Sweet As Sin is everything you could want in a small town romance book - A town that looks out for each other, found family feels and hot spicy scenes 🤭 I devoured it in 2 days!
The "best friends brother" trope is one of my favourites, as Ash has done an amazing job at writing such an amazing dynamic between the two MMCs Lucy and Sean. There is definite chemistry between them, which makes reading about them so enjoyable.
I highly recommend you read this!!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the author, Ash Rose, for the opportunity to be a part of her ARC team!

I really enjoyed this book, I loved the premise and I loved the two main characters - Lucy and Sean.

Sean has been in love with Lucy for years but she never saw him as more than her best friend's little brother but now that she's spending time with him again as a fully grown adult, she starts to notice him but she can't let herself get carried away because Sean already has a flight booked for the day after his sister's wedding.

Sean has been in love with Lucy for years and had hoped that spending 9 years travelling the world would dull his feelings for her - and it did. Until he saw her again and those feelings came rushing back to him, maybe even harder than before.

I think Sean realises pretty early on that Lucy is it for him and he'll happily stay in their small town to have a life with her. But he isn't able to convince Lucy of this, she thinks it's just a bit of fun between them before he ups and leaves again. And ok, yeah, he did that when he was 17/18 but she had no idea at the time why, nor does she have any frame of reference for him to do it now so I don't really get why she would assume he was leaving. He even tried to tell her several times that he wasn't leaving, that he'd cancelled his flight but she refused to listen to him.

I liked Lucy as a character but it also felt like she had so much pressure on her to be the best at everything, never letting anyone down, but there was no real reason in her past for her to feel this way. She came from a loving home and family, had a great network of friends around her, yet she still had this obsessive need to do everything alone.

I do think she grew the most as a character though, especially when she realised that the bakery is something she actually wants to run rather than another obligation.

I wish we'd found out what Sean did when he didn't get on his flight at the end, was he not in the airport at the same time as Lucy when she went to find him??

I'm looking forward to the second book in the series.

[Liz Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet as Sin is a delicious sweet treat and a must read for this summer! A small town romance following Lucy, an FMC in her 30s whose life is rapidly falling to pieces on the run up to her best friends wedding. Enter Sean, her best friends brother who has been infatuated with Lucy since he was a kid only he’s not a kid now - he’s tall, buff, blonde and tattooed. Laugh out loud moments, close knit community, the joys of an amazing friendship and toe curling spice. I look forward to more in the series!