Charity Dawson has always been the one everyone turns to when life gets messy. Bright, determined, and endlessly optimistic, she's built her world around helping others—even when it means putting her own needs last. Especially when it comes to men like Liam Brown.
Liam doesn't do relationships. Fourteen years of grief have taught him that loving someone means losing them, and he's the town's most guarded man—known for his silence, his scars, and the fortress he's built around his heart. But with Charity, the rules don't seem to apply, and the space between friendship and something more has already started to disappear.
When family crisis strikes and old wounds threaten to tear them apart, they'll both have to decide if what they're building is strong enough to survive the shadows of the past. Set against the rugged beauty and close-knit community of Sweet Maple Falls, Sweet Charity is a story of second chances, unexpected healing, and the kind of love that finds you when you've stopped looking.
Some hearts heal slowly.
Some risks are worth taking.
And some sunshine was always meant to chase away the dark.
Sweet Charity is a tender, slow-burn romance about two guarded hearts learning that sometimes the strongest kind of love is the one that lets you finally set your burdens down.
Trigger Warning - This book deals with themes of infant loss, grief, and healing. While the losses are not depicted on page, characters discuss past stillbirth and its emotional aftermath. Also includes mental health struggles related to grief and family dysfunction.
I live in Cheshire with my husband, two dogs and mum in law and write romantic humour and contemporary romance. My first two books, Guess Who I Pulled Last Night? and No Bra Required both stayed at number 1 on the Amazon Humour list for 3 & 4 weeks respectively. My ambitions of becoming a writer started at the age of 10 when I started writing poetry at school, and was given the honour of reading one out to the rest of my year group (an horrific experience that I will never forget). Thankfully I have a wide variety of strange and wonderful people in my life, otherwise I'd be stuck on what to write about! I am currently talking to family and friends, finding out their innermost secrets in readiness for my next book.
My books are romances that come with a little more than vanilla sexy times, sometimes a few tears, lots of hot men and feisty women, but ultimately they'll make you smile.
You can follow me on Twitter on @NikkerAsh or on Facebook at Nikki Ashton Books
This was a sweet small town romance, with a slow burn, and opposites attract dynamic. Liam is grumpy and closed off, and Charity is helpful and charming. I liked the way it explored Liam's grief and guilt, and its lasting impacts on his ability to connect with others and lower his walls. Charity has her own family dilemmas and struggles, but on the surface she is all smiles and goes above and beyond to help others and support the town, always putting other first. They made a perfect pair as they challenged and supported each other, and saw through the excuses and defenses to the core of each other. There is a good balance of raw emotions, funny moments, touches of drama, and a wholesome bond. I loved the addition of the song choices at the start of each chapter too.
Here we have a brand new small town romance series beginning with Charity and Liam, and if you have followed this author's previous works, you will quickly realise that Liam is the big brother of Tally, who just so happens to be the fiance of one Wilder Miller, of Miller brothers fame from the Silver Peaks series! Liam is also besties with Nate, who helped out the Miller boys on a number of occasions. Small world, thank goodness, lots of inter-series crossover to be found! So we know to expect a sweet yet steamy romance with trouble bound to catch up with us, and some cameos from some of our faves from Silver Peaks such as sassy Miss Bertie (how is she now 11!!). Sweet Maple Falls is the quintessential Hallmark town, everyone knows everyone, there's no secrets, and gossip spreads like wildfire! It's the beautiful setting for this new series. All of the characters are delightfully quirky, and you can already see some easter eggs dropping for who will feature in forthcoming stories. Liam and Charity are electric immediately, but that doesn't stop the author from exploring Liam's past grief and how that affects him progressing in life. It's really delicate subject matter thats discussed, and its done so in a respectful and caring manner. Alongside the real human aspect to this tale, is an absolute spice-fest that will leave you feeling very warm! There are also a few really humorous moments, Cole's donkey in the group chat made me fully guffaw out loud. Key throughout this is the relationships, romantic, familial, and friendships. These characters deeply care for one another, and its really heartwarming to read those bonds being tested and strengthened. This is another absolute smash-hit from this author and I cannot wait to see how the series unfolds!
Charity and Liam have known each other for years, but it is only recently that Liam has started to notice just how beautiful Charity really is, especially after she keeps hounding him to arrange a charity dinner.
Working so closely together, the chemistry between them is undeniable.
Liam has a troubled and tragic past, one that makes him doubt he is worthy of love.
Before they know it, the chemistry takes over.
But is Liam ready for this?
This book was beautiful. Liam’s past tragedy was so heartbreaking. Charity didn’t want to fix him, she wanted to share his pain and hold him through the bad days.
Charity is a very strong woman. She knows what she wants. It was lovely to watch her let go with Liam and truly relax.
Don’t be fooled though, he is certainly not shy in the bedroom 🥵🥵
I really enjoyed this and I want Rose to have her time to shine next!!
Sweet Charity is the first in the Sweet Maple Falls series by Nikki Ashton and if this introduction was anything to go by, I can't wait to read whatever comes next!
I adored meeting Liam and Charity and watching their story unfold. Both had complicated baggage and having grown up in a small town they thought they knew all there was to know about each other. But isn’t it funny how the people we were in high school aren't quite the same adults who we've become fourteen years later when we're thrown together by circumstance, regardless of how much we think we still know about each other.
Liam's been scarred by a heartbreaking event in his past and has sworn he won't attach himself to anyone else because it’s just too painful. Charity's been let down by love, and anyway, she doesn't have the time for that, what with bearing the responsibility for her aging parents, her rebellious sister and her full-time business. These two have nothing whatsoever in common!
But when Cupid has other plans, nothing stands in the way of that arrow!
Nikki Ashton has created a gorgeous new small-town setting, and her descriptions bring it to life. She places her characters with intricate care so that you picture them and their surroundings as clearly as if you were seeing them come to life in front of you! I loved every minute of this book and I can't wait to get to know Sweet Maple Falls and its inhabitants better in the books that follow.
4.5 rounding up ⭐️ I love all of Nikki’s books. They give you the perfect small town feel. This one really focused on grief and it was done beautifully! Can’t wait for book 2.
Nikki Ashton is fastly becoming one of my favourite authors and this book doesn’t disappoint. This is an absolutely heart-stealing, emotionally rich romance that lingers long after the final page. From the very first chapter, I was completely swept into the warmth and complexity of Sweet Maple Falls and the lives of its beautifully crafted characters.
Charity Dawson is the kind of heroine you can’t help but admire—selfless to a fault, endlessly hopeful, and quietly strong in ways that truly matter. Watching her navigate the delicate balance between caring for others and finally confronting her own needs was both inspiring and deeply moving. And then there’s Liam Brown… guarded, wounded, and achingly real. His grief feels palpable, his walls understandable, and every small crack in his defenses feels like a hard-won victory.
What makes this story so special is the emotional depth. This isn’t just a romance—it’s a journey through loss, healing, and the terrifying vulnerability of loving again. The slow-burn tension between Charity and Liam is perfectly paced, simmering with unspoken feelings and moments that made my heart ache in the best way.
The setting of Sweet Maple Falls adds an extra layer of charm, creating a cozy yet vivid backdrop that feels like home. The sense of community, the quiet strength of relationships, and the undercurrent of hope make the story shine even brighter.
Nikki Ashton has crafted a story that is tender, honest, and ultimately uplifting. It’s about taking risks when it matters most, about letting light in after darkness, and about believing that some loves are worth fighting for—even when it’s hard. A truly beautiful read. Highly recommended for anyone who loves heartfelt, character-driven romance with real emotional stakes. 💛
Thank you LBT for having me on this review tour and for my gifted copy of this epub.
First I have to say how amazing this cover is and how it just stands out and is so well done !! Totally grabs your attention and makes you really want to read this book !!!
So I have to say I love the songs at the beginning of each chapter that is so cool !! I definitely am going to be adding some to my playlist if not all. I need to buy this book!!!
In this book we follow Liam grumpy and Charity who is giving and helpful and joyful all the things. Love her !!
I loved reading how their story unfolded how this book really showcased the grief that Liam was dealing with and how it affects life and dealing with others and connection and everything. This was such a connection for me because I dealt and still deal with grief I lost my mom and she was my best friend it’s awful you put up walls and you become a completely different person. So I really connected on this truly !!
So when these two came together it was really a perfect match !!
This was such a fast read. I couldn’t get through this book fast enough. Cause I had to know what was gonna happen.
I love this author and her writing. She does such a good job of showing raw emotions and difficult times but also funny moments like was the perfect balance of all the things!!!
Overall I loved this book. So good. I can’t wait for more!!!
I loved Nikki's previous series Silver Peaks & was excited for her new small-town romance series Sweet Maples Falls & Sweet Charity was a great start to this series, I really enjoyed it.
I absolutely loved the main characters Liam & Charity, the typical grumpy & sunshine, opposites attract pair. They have known each other since high school but its only when they are now paired together to organise the annual business owners dinner they get to really know each other. Both have their own issues to handle, Liam's life is still ruled by the trauma of losing his baby son & the aftermath 14 years previous while Charity has taken on the responsibility for everyone in her life, her ageing parents & her troubled sister who constantly brings chaos to her door. They are two lost & hurt souls who find their way towards each other.
This book played out beautifully, Liam & Charity went from frustrated & annoyed with each other, to friends who could be counted on to slowly allowing each other in and the sparks to fly. Sweet Charity is just that, sweet, cute, fun & a little bit swoony but there is also alot of heavy emotion especially as Liam faces his grief, but at its centre are two beautiful souls you can't help but fall in love with.
‘Sweet Charity’ started the sweet maple fall series with a bang. What’s not to enjoy about this book? It was a beautiful slow burn romance with 'Grumpy x Sunshine' vibes where he falls first and she falls harder. I was thoroughly engaged through this read, I find in romances I can switch off but with ‘Sweet Charity’ I didn’t because it wasn’t just a regular romance.
Both Charity and Liam had their own battles to fight. Charity who struggles to put herself first and prioritise her needs and Liam who is grieving and is blaming himself for the traumatic event he went through. This is definitely what a lot readers can relate to and I really appreciate when a book tackles difficult subjects as it adds realism. Charity and Liam both harmonise together beautifully and the way he protects her is so admirable. They both support each other through their struggles and bring out the best of each other and I appreciate how their romance was never straight forward.
As a whole ‘Sweet Charity’ is about dealing with grief and finding yourself a person whilst still maintaining a cosy comfy atmosphere. 'Sweet Maple Falls' sounds like such a picturesque town. If you’re a romance lover then this is the perfect read for you.
I was only introduced to this author last year, but very quickly became obsessed and read the whole of the Silver Peaks series as it released - and loved it so much.
I was sad to see the end of that series, so you can imagine how happy I was to see this new release coming and the start of another brilliant series - the Sweet Maple Falls series and what a great start this was.
I love the grumpy / sunshine trope and instantly connected with Charity and her total love of life and sassiness.
Such a lovable character that her bubbly nature and need to spread her happiness to all those around her never came across as too pushy or annoying.
On the flip side, Liam played that brooding grumpy leading man to perfection.
I loved the way that Charity saw through his pain and never gave ho trying to help him come through the other side.
Their friendship was so sweet and that slow burn had me rooting for them and willing Liam to let his walls to crumble so that he could finally be happy.
I love this new small town setting and can't wait to meet everyone and see what other stories are heading our way.
Nikki has such a way of creating a warm and welcoming town for us and characters that I just can't help falling in love with.
I raced through this read and wished I hadn't because now I'm desperate to get my hands on book 2 asap!!
This slow-burning romance deals with real-life, serious issues like losing a loved one and the struggle with grief. I readily admit I was immediately hooked by the storyline and found it totally absorbing until the end.
Charity Dawson is an extremely optimistic young woman who enjoys helping others in her hometown, Sweet Maple Falls. But she does have another side that endeared her to me.
Liam Brown is a hardworking man but he avoids people, especially someone like Charity. His traumatic past had him build emotional walls so tough that they can’t let anything or anyone penetrate. That is, until Charity’s charm starts to make cracks in his walls.
This story has great characters that certainly have real-life characteristics and feel like you’ve known them for ages. It also has some interesting challenges and a mystery to whet the appetite. Be prepared for some emotional moments, they are very well written but still heartbreaking.
I absolutely love how Nikki Ashton writes cosy small town romances while weaving in deeper, more challenging topics. Heavier themes are always written with care and without losing that warm, comforting feeling you want from a cosy read. This story leaves you with a real sense of hope by the end.
(This book does come with some trigger warnings, so I’d definitely recommend checking those beforehand)
The characters, like many of Nikki’s other characters, were a real highlight for me. They’re so easy to relate to and connect with, which made it effortless to get completely hooked on the story.
I also loved how this book connects to the Silver Peaks series. I always feel so excited when familiar characters pop up, and I enjoyed getting to know some of the side characters I’ve met before.
Overall, this was such a comforting and engaging read, and I’m really excited to see where the Sweet Maple Falls series goes next.
Liam and Charity live n the same town, Liam seems to have a very grumpy personality and appears to be very work focused and definitely does not welcome social interaction,
Charity appears to be a very kind soul who cares for her aging and ill parents whilst trying to keep her erractic sister on the straight and narrow, which it has to be said is challenging
Liam is engulfed in grief and Charity shows him that he is not responsible for the events of his youth Romance. and when your soulmate comes along, all the stars allign.....well maybe
Another great book from Nikki Ashton, and I can't wait for the next book
𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: As soon as I got offered to be on the tour for this one i snapped it up. After reading the Silver Peaks series I fell in love with Nikki's writing and this one was no different.
I would definitely recommend reading the tw as it covers child loss that Nikki has written about beautifully. Charity and Liams story is definitely grumpy x sunshine and they were made for each other. Charity brings Liam back into the light after he suffered a massive loss a decade ago.
We first meant Liam briefly in the Silver Peaks series as he is Tallys brother. It was so nice have these characters from that series cross over into this series especially the famous Bertie.
I loved everything about this book and I can't wait for the rest of the series 💜 (blurb in comments)
OMG! Nikki Ashton does it again! i had a silver peaks hole in my heart that the sweet maple hills series has definitely filled. True to Nikki's stunning writing it has her usual finesse with each chapter having a song that builds a playlist. I love the style of writing where it focuses on 2 main characters and i loved the references to the characters from the silver peaks series. what i truely love about this book is although it's a romance it focuses on an actual story with a buildup. I fell in love with Liams character from the first page and i was hooked with reading him heal from trauma and falling in love with Charity who made the perfect leading lady
Sweet Charity is a fantastic start to the new series by Nikki Ashton. It’s a sweet love story set in the small town of Sweet Maple Falls. Charity is the person who helps everyone but herself. Liam is haunted by a tragic event from his past. When charity steps up to help in Liam‘s time of need, they begin to see each other in a new lot. I really enjoyed the way Charity and Liam were with each other and watching their relationship grow. The small town setting was perfect too. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Sweet Charity is the first book I’ve read by Nikki Ashton, and I don’t know if she does this as a rule in all her books, but I thought the songs at the beginning of each chapter were a nice touch. She created complex characters, and I liked how she wrote shorter chapters. I prefer the pacing of shorter but more chapters to longer but fewer chapters. Overall, Sweet Charity is an enjoyable book with a sweet ending. 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5!
Sweet Charity by Nikki Ashton. Sweet Maples Falls book 1. This was a really good read. The first thing that drew me to this book was the cover. absolutely gorgeous. That's why I signed up for this tour. I got into it straight away. I read this book in two sittings. I couldn't put it down. I loved Liam and Charity. I loved the picture at the start of each chapter. I loved the ending. I can't wait for book 2. I definitely recommend this book.
The very beginning has a 😢😢😢 BUT the story will have you rooting for this couple in no time 😉
Liam, is carrying guilt from the last 14yrs, not that he should, he’s moody and mean, but for some reason the blonde haired ‘sunshine’ is making her way into his skin
Charity, is fantastic at her job and keeps everything to order, however, her family does not fall into that ‘order’ what with a mum who needs help, a sister who is angry, but then there’s someone who makes each day more better
This is a wonderful read and I can’t wait for more
Boy did I scream when I seen this book and I knew I had to read it. I adored the silver peaks series and couldn’t wait to get stuck into the first book of the sweet maple falls series and this did not disappoint at all. It’s a small town romance following Liam and Charity’s relationship. This had me hooked straight from the get go and I just knew I would eat this up. Was a phenomenal read and loved the setting and the characters. Thank you to @lovebookstours for my gifted ARC copy😍 cannot wait for the next book in the series💖.
I was privileged to be given an arc of this book. First in a new series set in Sweet Maple Falls. Liam is broody hiding behind grief. Charity is a breath of fresh air… together they are perfect. I absolutely loved this book and I’m very much looking forward to the rest of the series.
I love all of Nikki's books but she's done it again. A slightly darker feel to this one but still an enjoyable sexy read. Love the cross over to the Silver Peaks series. July is too far away to wait for the next book in the series
Nikki has brought me out of the biggest reading slumps with this one. Charity and Liam were sooo good and you could feel.the pain from the characters as well as the love
Liam has been carrying grief from the loss of his infant son over a decade ago. He has put up walls to protect himself and hasn’t let anyone in for years.
Until he meets Charity.
Charity is an event planner coordinating an annual dinner for the Sweet Maple Falls Business Cooperative. Liam is initially reluctant to host the dinner but needs to stay in the Cooperative.
Charity herself is navigating complex family situations with her sister and her parent’s health. She has taken on a lot in her life and in work to be there for others.
As she works with Liam to plan the dinner, Charity learns more about Liam, his past, and the pain he is facing and holding on to inside. Liam realizes not only his feelings, but opening his heart and bringing the walls that he’s built down.
Charity learns herself how to rely on others through Liam. Charity has a protective nature and realizes Liam is protective as well. They both learn how to open up and let people in.
The novel examines the complexities and depth of grief and how vital it is to share emotions, understand emotions, and knowing when to ask for help. Through Liam’s story, we see the internal struggles he has faced for many years.
I thought the build of Liam and Charity’s relationship was well paced and mirrors the time they both needed in their own character development. Their connection and chemistry are strong. They are stalwart supporters of each other and meet each other where they are at. Their relationship is one of love, hope, vulnerability, honesty, understanding, and patience.
Thank you to Love Books Tours and Nikki Ashton for the gifted copy and opportunity to be part of the tour! I look forward to reading the next books of the series!
I was provided a copy of this book for free and am leaving an honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Sweet Charity. Nikki Ashton has penned a fabulous story filled with emotion and anticipation.
I absolutely loved getting to know both Liam and Charity. They are perfect together, and Liam's character development is incredible to witness - with Charity playing a huge part in that journey. Their interactions throughout the story are consistently entertaining; they share fantastic chemistry, and the emotional scenes affected me exactly as the author intended.
I felt that Ms. Ashton handled the protagonists' traumatic experiences with great care, consideration, and respect. For readers who may be affected by the topics listed in the trigger warnings, I personally found the scenes emotional but not overwhelmingly heavy. That said, it's always important to take note of the warnings, as everyone processes difficult themes differently.
While Sweet Charity does explore some heavy topics, it also includes fabulous humour that created several genuine laugh-out-loud moments.
I absolutely love the setting of this new series, Sweet Maple Falls. The strong sense of community is one of the reasons small-town romances are among my favourite tropes, and this story delivers that beautifully. I'm already looking forward to returning to this town, getting to know more of its residents, and hopefully revisiting Charity and Liam - I'm intrigued to see how things progress with Faith.
I highly recommend Sweet Charity. I'm certain you'll love Liam, Charity, and the town of Sweet Maple Falls just as much as I did.
Welcome to Sweet Maple Falls and the debut novel in Nikki Ashton's latest series.
Charity and Liam have lived in the same small town and, although acquaintances, have never really had much interaction...but that all changes with a single face to face meeting in the local florist's.
Well hidden under a grumpy exterior, Liam is an extremely protective man and when he realises that Charity has a problem that needs fixing, he steps up to the plate.
Unsure of Liam's motivation but grateful for his help, Charity allows Liam to take charge of a problematic situation.
Liam is shrouded in grief but Charity is the light at the end of a tunnel he hasn't travelled in many years but, now he wants what starts off as only a silhouette of what could be.
What follows is classic romance. When the stars are aligned and the right person comes along, everything else falls neatly into place. Well not quite!
With some forced proximity and a man who instinctively protects women, Charity falls for him in not so slow increments and although reluctant to explore developing feelings, Liam is a changed man.
As I expect from this author, the story and characters are compelling and the 'world' she creates is always a place I'd love to visit...and not because the men she writes are gorgeous!
Small town romance is creeping up my list of must reads and Nikki Ashton will always be my 'go-to' to satisfy my small town needs.
Sweet Charity is book 1 of the Sweet Maple Falls series, and after reading Charity’s story I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. This was a slow burn, small town love story with all the angsty feelings, mixed in with scars from the past, along with a difficult relationship between Charity and her sister Faith. I enjoyed Charity’s character and felt that she was someone that people could relate to. She was busy with her career while trying to always be in contact with her parents in case they needed her, and she was always bailing her sister out of whatever situation she got herself into. It seemed like she was taking care of everyone except herself. And Liam noticed her behavior and I was happy when he did something about it, because that completely changed their relationship for the better. Liam was emotionally scarred from his past, and had been living with that pain for a long time. He kept his distance from romantic relationships, and he could be described as more of a grump by anyone who didn’t really get to know him. Because if you did get to know him, you would know that he would go to the ends of the earth for the people that mattered to him. Liam and Charity made a great couple and complimented each other well. Their attraction towards each other was off the charts, and very swoony. If you like small town romances with a bit of journey to get to the happily ever after you need to read this now!