My Curvy Valentine

Perfect Fit #3.5

by Sugar Jamison

On Valentine's Day...
When her parents' divorce throws Maggie May Calhoun's quiet, ordered life into a tail spin, she decides to quit her well-paying job as a biomedical engineer and follow her fashion dreams by working in a clothing store that specializes in dressing curvy girls like herself. Life is pretty sweet until her brother's best friend opens a bakery beneath her apartment. The smells from the bakery are tantalizing, and so is it's sexy pastry chef owner. Too bad Maggie has known Alex all her life and wants nothing to do with the boy who used to pull her hair, even though he's turned into a man that's just as delectable as the food he makes.

Love tastes a little sweeter...
World class pastry chef Alex Sanna was told his entire life that only women belonged in the kitchen. After years of working in New York's best restaurants he decides to return to his hometown to open a bakery and prove to his father that real men aren't afraid of getting a little flour on their hands. He's worked hard to get where he is, but his career and his bakery are depending on the Valentine's Day ball he's catering to be a success. All of his focus should be on perfecting his pastry, but his neighbor Maggie is driving him crazy. She's grown from the awkward girl he used to know into a delicious woman who he can't seem to get enough of.

Will a disapproving brother and a pining ex get in their way? Or will Maggie and Alex find love on Valentine's Day?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Friends To Lovers, Humor, Chick Lit

223 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 24, 2015

About the author

Sugar Jamison is a southern belle trapped in a New Yorker's body. With a love of big hair and high heeled shoes, she spends her day at her very normal day job and night dreaming up sweet but sassy romances.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in my local bookstore last year looking for romance novels who have "real" women as the heroines, someone who looks like me, I am a plus size gal, thats besides the point though. Anyways, I saw Sugar Jamison's Dangerous Curves Ahead: A Perfect Fit Novel. I bought it read it within a day. I loved it. Then I went out and bought the next books on my e-reader, and I loved them just as much. When I got the email saying she has another book out I was like yes and please, and when I read what Maggie looks like, kinda like me, I was like awesome.

This book is another touchdown, hat trick, home run...you name the analogy you got it!! I loved this one the most, just because love just creeps up on to Alex and Maggie. It's a heart warming story that will make you want to eat all the coconut chocolates in the box, or eat your favourite baked good form the bakery down the street. If you love romance books, if you love reading, if you love hot men who know how to bake you need to read it!!!

[amanda s. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH! Although the heroine's attitude is, personally to me, a wee bit confusing, but Alex, oh my baby Alex. I love him so much! I know I adore bad-boy-but-gentleman-inside, but my tender Alex is definitely got me goin.

I really don't want this series to end. I really don't. Oh my goodness, I have to slow down.

[Jane · Rating 1 out of 5]

The storyline has promise but unfortunately reads more like a fan fiction than a book.

[Tiffany Bostrom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked about half of this book. It was really redundant for me and I feel like there could have been significantly less drama. It was a cute story though. - B

[HR readsNstuff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful.

I want to head to my nearest bakery and feast now!

I was just a tad annoyed with how Alex dealt with the Roya situation. The fact that he didn't bother to respond to any of her communications at all sorta said something about his character to me. However i understand that the lack of communication there is what drove the plot forward so it's just a minor irritant. The fact that Roya came home and tried to give it another go without hearing from Alex after she texted him and so forth makes me wonder about her too.

Don't know why Roya had such a moment with Maggie's brother. I hope that it's not a lead in for the next story because i'm not really interested in going there, I like this series because so far it has been about plus sized women, I don't really want to read about yet another perfect looking supermodel finding their perfect match.

[Maggie Baumann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MUST READ!!!!

If you are looking for a true love story, then look no further. OMG!!! In some parts of this story, I couldn't stop crying and laughing at the same time. I really hope that there is more!!!

[Emma Milli]

DNF @ 56%
Maggie and Alex enrage me.
This started off cute, and I was ready to read.
As I got further along, I found myself rolling my eyes and huffing in annoyance with how some of the perspectives of characters and the overall vibe of the characters.

Why the hell is Alex getting jealous of Maggie's LITERAL BROTHER for sleeping over. That's weird as hell.

Maggie's plight of wanting to be with Alex but constantly putting herself down in comparison to his exes is a snoozefest and, quite frankly, infuriating.
Insecurities are real and so is self-sabotage but come on!!!!!!!!!!!
The title is "My Curvy Valentine" not "I Have Unresolved Family Issues and I'll Never Be Good Enough For You So This Will Never Work"

I can't stand this and although there were only 171 pages in this book with the speed I was reading and the hatred that was simmering inside I would've believed you if you told me this was 600 pages.

Also, the way this was written gave me whiplash; at this point, it should've been written from both Maggie and Alex's POV for each chapter.
No thank you, next!

(Day 5 of 14 of The Big Book Energy's Galentines Day read - this will probably be one of my last reads from this "challenge" or whatever cause these books are just not it I'm sorry. I think I will only read the Abby Jiminez one from this list because otherewise the other one's may be my collective 13th reason and send me into a reading slump)

[Anna Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's not you, it's me.

You didn't tell me this was a FREAKiN' book about FREAKiN' family relationships, estranged parents, broken parents, broken children, and the FREAKiN' myth of healed relationships. Because *IF YOU HAD*, I wouldn't have touched this shit with a TEN. FOOT. POLE.

I hurt. Because of THIS. It rubs salt in the wounds of people who's families will NEVER heal, who *DON'T* have happy endings, who will NEVER see the day that their mother isn't a cheating, controlling, manipulative bitch, will NEVER see the day when their ex-con father isn't a sex offender, slimeball asshole who tries to buy people off and abused the hell out of them. Will NEVER see the day when a relationship doesn't involve pain, estrangement, isolation, and misery.

I thought I was getting a delectable story about sweets and chocolate and love. Something fluffy and light and happy for V-day. I didn't know it would be constant anger, pain, uncovered lies, false fronts, and forcing people to move on without so much as a la-ti-da when their LIVES were devastated. I wanted sweet.

That's NOT what this was. And I'm NOT okay with it.

[Jennipher · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book started off very sweet. I was loving the way this characters flirted with the line between friends and something more. And the fact that there were mouthwatering descriptions of deserts, a plus-sizes sexy lead, and a Valentine’s Day theme was making this the perfect mid-February read. But I started getting some mixed messages about consent in this story. Before the main characters are in a relationship, one character kisses the other while the character is asleep. Then a bit later the same character slid his hands under the others’ sweater. When the character verbally requests for the hands to be removed but makes no move to move away, the request is ignored and a command is issued to “hug me back.” Years ago, this type of behavior was the norm for romance novels and wouldn’t have bothered me, but now that I know more, these scenes made me feel uncomfortable. They went against my belief that an affirmative expression of consent is important to make sure boundaries are respected as consent can’t be provided if someone is sleeping and a verbal rejection shouldn’t be ignored if someone doesn’t physically resist. Later in the story there is a scene with explicit consent, but then it veers back to another scene with a verbal resistance that is ignored. I’m struggled with whether or not to continue reading and thought this may become my first official DNF on the year. I decided to push through and was disappointed to see that in the final part of the story, the confident, strong, sexy, curvy woman became so insecure that she sabotaged the relationship and acted like a martyr because she thought Alex wanted someone better than she deemed herself. On top of theses flaws, this title really needed another proof reading as there were a number of typos that tripped up the flow of the storytelling.

[Elizgangsta · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was all over the place. I did not like the main female character, she was pretty annoying. Plus it was like every issue/drama was trying to be put in the book. Ex coming back, divorced parents, one dead parent, brothers best friend, curvy girl and he only dated models before, on and on and on.

Then it was like they tried to be a “men can be bakers and be masculine” but then be like “we’ve talked about desserts too much, let’s talk about sports….” And the girl was confident but not confident.

It just felt messy to me.

[Casey Pipkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

WONDERFUL BEST FRIENDS TO LOVERS STORY

This was one of the sweetest low angst love stories I’ve read in a while. Low spice but definitely delicious. I would have loved an epilogue though. Just saying

[Allie Loo · Rating 4 out of 5]

-will add review later.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page turner!

Love the comedic parts. I truly laugh out loud and smile as I read this book. Looking forward to the next book

[Penelope · Rating 2 out of 5]

cute story for most of book but maggie was annoying as shit at the end telling alex who he loved and should be with when it was obvs he wanted to be with maggie.

[HatGirl8]

4/2/2015

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute friends to lovers Valentine's rom com. Check this out if you need something quick, funny, and romantic.

[Lashon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story stretches on for far too long. The premise was good but it was missing something. Not enough spice

[Brittany Riley-Cagle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute quick read (took me a bit longer than it should have since I have been busy) I read with my book club. Galentines Day reads (Valentine Books with Kierra *Book club Host*)". I really enjoyed it. That forbidden love vibe. He is her brothers friend. With a pining ex trying to win him back. The story was more sweet than spicy and I'm okay with that. 🌶️ 🌶️

[Audrie Cruz-Sealey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute book!! I couldn’t stop smiling. Maggie quit her job designing and making drugs as a biomedical engineer and stared working in a plus size clothing store. She really feels that everyone deserves to feel beautiful and you can be stylish at any size.

The clothing store is in the same complex as a bakery, which is owned by her brother’s best friend Alex. Alex decided not to take over his father business and instead follow his dream of opening up a bakery with designer goodies. He has been friends with Maggie forever and really likes to test out his new goodies on her. She has grown up to be a beautiful girl with curves in all the right places but he isn’t supposed to feel things for her…she is supposed to be like a little sister. He just can’t help himself.

They are hanging out all the time but Maggie can’t seem to take his advances seriously because he literally dated a model before they started hanging out and they only broke up because she had to move. But he is saying all the right things…he wants to have babies with her…

“Because I think it would be a shame if you went through life without being somebody’s mother.”

They are annoyingly cute together…

“A little party never hurt no body.” “Quit quoting song lyrics to me,” she grumped. “Party in the USA. It’s your party and you’ll cry if you want to. You’ve got to fight for your right to party.”

How can Alex prove he is serious…that he wants no one but Maggie? Can Maggie open her eyes and not miss out on a great opportunity?

[Lobna Amer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Something you've read a million times before, if you're into chick-lit and if you're "curvy love" lover then this book is the exact replica of every BBW romance out there. I know that because I skipped pages and pages in a row and didn't miss one thing.
Of course, Alex (MC) was the definition of heaven personified, just like every other chick-lit out there, main male characters with chiseled jaws, piercing eyes, experienced hands and mouths and the oddest knack of always always saying the thing that will just make you're melt. Ahh, if I could have a penny for every "Alex" I've came across in books, I'd bathe in money everyday. Something about Maggie was unsettling. I did not take to liking her. My absolute BBW pet-peeve; they tell us she's wonderful inside out and they never show us. Maggie, sweet, baby-loving, strong, smart, kind, funny,... and the list goes on. How come I don't feel it? How come I can't relate to her? How come my heart is not warming up to her? That is the whole problem with this novel; all tell, now show. They tell you Maggie and Alex are the best childhood friends ever. They tell you Maggie is Alex's support and comfort. They tell you those guys are in love. I just don't buy it.
I might be too harsh, after all, this is a chick-lit novella and it's meant to be silly and unrealistic but for once in my life, I'd like to read heart-warming love stories that feel real. Not just another copy and paste form every single chick-lit out there with the same tired scripted lines and plots.
P.S.
If you read one Sugar Jamison book, then you've read them all. To me Dangerous Curves Ahead was the best.

[Anja]

When her parents' divorce throws Maggie May Calhoun's quiet, ordered life into a tail spin, she decides to quit her well-paying job as a biomedical engineer and follow her fashion dreams by working in a clothing store that specializes in dressing curvy girls like herself. Life is pretty sweet until her brother's best friend opens a bakery beneath her apartment. The smells from the bakery are tantalizing, and so is it's sexy pastry chef owner. Too bad Maggie has known Alex all her life and wants nothing to do with the boy who used to pull her hair, even though he's turned into a man that's just as delectable as the food he makes.

World class pastry chef Alex Sanna was told his entire life that only women belonged in the kitchen. After years of working in New York's best restaurants he decides to return to his hometown to open a bakery and prove to his father that real men aren't afraid of getting a little flour on their hands. He's worked hard to get where he is, but his career and his bakery are depending on the Valentine's Day ball he's catering to be a success. All of his focus should be on perfecting his pastry, but his neighbor Maggie is driving him crazy. She's grown from the awkward girl he used to know into a delicious woman who he can't seem to get enough of. Will a disapproving brother and a pining ex get in their way? Or will Maggie and Alex find love on Valentine's Day

#1 Dangerous Curves Ahead
#1.5 Have Yourself a Curvy Little Christmas
#2 Thrown for a Curve
#3 Gentlemen Prefer Curves
#3.5 My Curvy Valentine

[Swanangel15's Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is tied with Gentlemen Prefers Curves for the best book in this series. Maggie is such a beautiful person, but she is also clueless. I could tell that she was has been married to the same guy for years before the both of them even knew it.

Deciding to quit her high paying job as a bio-medical engineer and to follow her fashion dreams by working in a clothing store that caters to the full figured woman like herself.

You might think that Maggie Calhoun must be out of her mind, especially since this all came about with her parents divorce.

And you would be right, Maggie is out of her mind. Out of her mind in bliss. This is the first time in her life that she is doing something for herself, and she plans to enjoy it. That is until her brother's best friend, Alex, moved his bakery beneath her apartment.

Every morning she is awakened by sexual dreams that include whatever is being made in the bakery each morning. Her dreams of bread and cakes sound better than sex itself. The sexy chef-owner is also sex-dream worthy, too bad Maggie has known him practically her entire life.

Read the rest of my review on my blog at:
http://swanangel15home.blogspot.com/2...

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Curvy Valentine

Sugar Jamison writes great stories about BBW. The characters are confident women are
in their bodies but have some issues to overcome.
Maggie May and Alex Sanna have been friends forever, but since Alex put his bakery in
the building where Maggie lives, she's been waking up having "dirty dreams". The
dreams involve sugar, butter, breads, and all of the wonderful creations Alex whips up
in the bakery.
Of course their "friendship" begins to evolve, but Maggie has some relationship issues,
and Alex's ex an exotic model from Brazil re-enters the picture.

The Curvy storyline is fun. In this novella, the food descriptions are absolutely
mouth-watering.

[Charlie Torres · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute love story

Overall the book was good. The self-doubt that Maggy had at times got to be a bit too much at times. I tend to prefer stronger characters who believe in themselves. However I think Ms Jamison did a good job on bring all of the storylines together to fully explain why Mags felt and acted the way she did. After that it didn't seem to bother me as much.

Also, I want to meet a man a delectable as Alex. I mean a man who bakes to die for pastries and treats and makes and bring you lunch. I need to find me one of those.

[Tammy Sargeant · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tie with Gentlemen Prefer Curves with best books in the series. I loved this.. Alex is a guy after my own heart and stomach. Man he put up with a lot when it came to Maggie. I liked her in the beginning, but coming to the second half, she pissed me off about why she couldn't be with Alex.. Omg girl, the guy chose you. She was the only one hell bent that he was in love with his ex.. I wanted to choke check Maggie in the end. But I'm glad it all worked out. Very funny story. Now I want to read about Clay since all the girls of Size Me Up are married off and pregnant.

[Jennifer Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a beautiful love story about childhood friends who slowly realize that they have been more than friends for a long time. This story is funny, sexy, heartbreaking, and romantic. I also recommend you eat before starting this novel as all the wonderful food described inside will make you hungry as well as horny. ;)

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Sugar Jamison's books

Really enjoyed this book. She talks about their curves, but the basis of each is a love story between two people regardless of size...and she encourages women to love their curves, and to understand that a men love you for who you are,...... and your curves are just a bonus.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author does a fabulous job with the amount of flirt and fun banter between her couples!! This was labeled a novella but
still 200 pages. Compare to the others in the series it was half the size. It wasn't insta but I wished it was longer to show more of them falling. Their chemistry was on spot. Really made me smile!!!

[Shanu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice short read but it lacks something to make it "amazing" or "great". It's not engaging enough. There is no surprise, no "omg" factor, it's just plain old superficial chick lit.

Alex was a good solid hero.
Maggy was tolerable until she threw in a weak ass break up because alex's ex Roya was in town.

Not a bad book, but there's definitely better out there in this genre.

[Tammy Hooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply Delicious

I couldn't get enough of Alex and Maggie May. I could practically smell the desserts Alex made. This book was so fun to read. I would recommend it to anyone that loves romance and dessert!