Amazon wanted me to read Sweet Addiction. I mean really, really wanted me to read it.
And I was all, “But I’ve got all these books in my TBR, plus all these other books that I have to read for review,”
Then Amazon, was like – “poor you – read this book – it’s got a pretty cover. And it has cupcakes, you like cupcakes.”
Of course I was, “Not liking cupcakes is Un-American. Oh and pretty sugared lips – okay.”
Then Amazon said, “You know…..You can’t have one without the other, so you while you are there, you should probably go ahead and get Sweet Possession.”
So I one-clicked and then clicked again. The rest is as they say, is history. Because these books gobsmacked me. They are funny, sweet and sexy. God, are they sexy. That they enchanted me might be an understatement. I fell hard for Dylan Sparks and Reese Carroll. Very hard.
So you have a hot wedding hook-up and all the hilarity that ensues. The circumstances around the wedding itself made this completely poetic. From the moment they laid eyes on each other, the reader is in as deep as these characters — Which I just loved. Dylan is feisty as all get out and though I loved her spirit, she probably got lucky not to be cuffed more often (and not in the really good way you are thinking about right now). But her heart is usually in the right place, though she expends a lot of energy trying to protect it from Reese.
And Reese? I wanted more of him. I wanted his POV. Though I think we get a really good glimpse into his mind – I am kind of greedy and wanted more of his words and thoughts. Because seriously — not even joking that his mouth should be bronzed. I am not sure what I like most about Reese – is it that he went from zero to alpha in the blink of an eye? Or that you knew from the outset that he was going to use whatever means necessary to win Dylan? He was magic. I honestly believe that Reese could easily stand shoulder to shoulder with any of the big boys on your book boyfriend list.
I am trying really hard not to give anything away here. I’ve told you that I loved the books and the characters. Did I mention that I read both books within 24 hours? How about that these books had so many amazing moments that I might have almost cried a couple of times? And I don’t often cry at books.
I’ve been talking about this series, but I really want to say this — The last 93 pages of Sweet Possession were the biggest, prettiest red bow on the gift of these two books. I really do love a wedding story and J. Daniels wrote a glorious one for Dylan and Reese. Really, I am not going to give anything away – I swear. But so good. So, so, so damn good.
J. Daniels, I believe you have found your way to my phone book list. You are in good company.
So here’s the thing – I knew before I even read the first word, that I was going to love Sweet Obsession. This book is the meet up of characters from J. Daniels’ two series – Alabama Summer and Sweet Addiction so how could I not?
Sweet Obsession exceeded every single one of my expectations – I fell utterly and completely in love with Brooke and Mason, both as individuals and as a couple. J. Daniels created magic with these two – their chemistry never once felt forced and they were equal parts swoony and sexy. This book is alt-POV and being in their hearts as they fall is the cherry on top.
So if I am being, completely honest – when she was first introduced in Sweet Addiction, I didn’t so much like Brooke. I don’t see it as a bad thing, because I don’t think that I was meant to like her really. At first blush, she was mouthy and this side of obnoxious. But here in Sweet Obsession, J. Daniels has done an amazing job of showing us Brooke as she is coming into her own. Hidden behind her bravado is a woman that is simply trying to find her way in the world. Being in her head and getting her thoughts is a trip, in and of itself – Brooke is more than anyone gives her credit for – even herself. Walking in her shoes as she silences her own worst critic (herself), is perhaps my favorite part of this story.
Mason is perfect. Australian with many hidden talents, who has moved to the US to open his own yoga studio and maybe, just maybe find someone to share his life. I was ready to sign up for the job, but I’m already married and well, he’s a fictional character – so there’s that. But you cannot help but fall in love with this guy. It’s more than the accent or the Hemsworthian body. No, Mason is a good man, whose heart beats for Brooke in ways that neither is truly prepared for. The many wonderful things (big and small) he did along the way to make her his, was purely a master class in romance.
I hated for this story to end. I love these characters so much – these books are not only about the romance between the couples, but also the great and abiding love amongst this group of friends. How these they take care of each other in ways that make you laugh and cry. It is part of the reason why I have gone back to read the books in both series quite a few times and will do the same with Sweet Obsession.
Go. Go get this book and savor it like the wonderful confection that it is. Yes, it is a standalone, but do yourself a big favor and get the other books in both series – you will fall in love with not only each of the stories, but their author.