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Emily Phillips had everything figured out — or at least that’s what she thought when she moved to the scenic town of Gold Creek. But, her short stay to save money for a trip to Paris became a permanent venture when she unexpectedly inherited the local pottery painting studio.
In less than two years she’s transformed the shop into a soaring success, becoming the local hotspot for the kids birthday party circuit. Unfortunately, her personal life was a different story. After breaking up with her two-timing boyfriend, and getting an offer to buy her shop, she questions her future in Gold Creek. And, when a customer leaves behind a magazine, she can’t resist taking the quiz she finds inside. Her abysmal score convinces her that it’s the perfect time to dust off her original plan and book a ticket to the City of Love.
Ben Nichols, an outdoor adventure guide, hasn’t taken his eyes off Emily since the day she started work at the pottery shop next to his apartment. But a disastrous first date plunged him to the depths of the friend zone two years ago. With her plan to move to Paris in high gear, he’s got to work fast if hopes to have a second chance at love before it’s too late.
This is a super short story. Despite its lack of length I was satisfied and found myself smiling through this one. Perfect read for when you just have a short amount of time and want to get through a happily ever after story.
Yesterday I was between books and planning an afternoon seaside escape from a chaotic house remodel project. I decided what I needed was a short romance story that was fun and light for a perfect reality break. Cate Callison’s "Sweet Somethings" fit the bill… From start to finish I was totally captivated and rooting for Emily and Ben through their missed opportunities for romance. I loved Cate’s spot-on character descriptions and how natural Ben and Emily’s relationship started. At first, I was drawn to Sweet Somethings because Callison’s book is set in California’s beautiful Gold Country, (I lived there once and I guess felt the need to escape to a simpler time:) and also the main character’s similar dream of mine (running away to Paris to live), but what I loved most about my book choice was when I finished I felt refreshed and lighthearted, just like the ocean breezes that were sweeping over me. I can’t wait for Callison’s next full length novel which will be published soon, I hear… a good excuse to carve out more beach time!
After taking a magazine quiz, Emily realized she was “riding in the backseat of her life.” She was supposed to be a painter in Paris, not running a pottery shop in Gold Creek, where she fell for a two-timing, cheating bastard.
Realizing her move to Paris was really happening put Ben in an awkward spot. Did he miss his chance with her? Since their disaster first date in the mountains, he’d been festering in the friend zone, waiting for a do-over.
Ben is Mr. Fix it. He’s funny and charming, any girl would be lucky to have a friend like him.
Misunderstanding and interruptions get in the way for their second chance.
Overall, this was witty and enjoyable, but it was kind of long, and I wish it would’ve been quicker.
This was a sweet read which had happy parts, sad parts and lots of potential for extended stories. It was a little slow and unsure for me in parts to start with, but it soon found its pace into a story about two people who want to be together but find that their careers and dreams might keep them apart. I wish that they had communicated better because when they did they were so good together. It was lovely to read and see their relationship grow and blossom. This is a new author for me and I hope to read more of her work, hopefully featuring the characters from this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
They start off as business & apartment neighbor's. He runs a outdoor guide business and she runs a pottery painting business. They are both single now and the first time they out was a disaster. He wants to try again, but she is thinking about Paris to study art. What can Ben do to change the status quo from friends to more. I loved the whole story and having to make tough decisions to be with the one you love.
Friends to more is one of my favorite book tropes. I just love it when characters have a strong foundation of friendship before they become romantically involved.
This one is a super sweet second chance, friends to more book. These two really know each other and care for one another. Luckily Ben made a move before it was too late.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I got this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for an honest review. It was a nice read about the perfect man and a wonderful talented girl who suffered from a lack of confidence. This is the first book of three about Emily and Ben. It is fine as a stand alone romance of friends to lovers. Good read.
Her problem: recent breakup, stalled dreams of traveling, thinks he just wants to be friends due to disastrous date 2 years earlier
His problem: embarrassed about first date, kept his distance after she hooked up with the now-ex-boyfriend
And they both end up stuck in the friend zone and can't seem to find a way out. The setting of this book is fun--a sort of small tourist-feeling town, around Emily's pottery painting shop.
I just found this short story today. It was a great read!! I love the small town and can totally picture the characters with all the great descriptions from the author. Totally enjoyed it and looking forward to the next story!
Ben and Emily live right next door to each other in a small town setting. It's been a platonic setting since they tried dating. Now they are going to try again.