Bittersweet

Home Sweet Home #3

by Shirlee McCoy

In Benevolence, Washington, the Lamont family's luscious handmade chocolates are a beloved tradition—and the sweetest of comforts. And for the most reserved of the three Lamont sisters, they’re a much-needed way to challenge the past, rekindle hope—and make happiness for a lifetime.

Caring family and friends, tranquil streets—ex-prosecutor Willow Lamont wishes these could make her feel truly at home. She's back to help her grandfather manage Chocolate Haven, a long held dream come true. But she's struggling to make their unique fudge—and to cope with a secret trauma that haunts her. Yet when she finds an abandoned baby who breaks her heart wide open, she wonders how long she can hide her emotions—especially from warm, handsome, and way too nosey Deputy Sheriff Jax Gordon.

Always an outsider, Jax knows more than he should about loss. But he didn't expect his difficult search for baby “Miracle's” mother would reveal such a vulnerable side to the accomplished, beautiful woman he's always admired. Earning Willow's trust is the hardest thing he's ever had to do. Yet between her honesty and courage, he's longing to fill her life with rekindled joy—and a forever of irresistible love.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Melissa-ann Strausser · Rating 5 out of 5]

3 of 3 this series was amazing. Three sisters, three men & one family owned chocolate shop. I do wish the author would have giving us a "year later" review but loved it all the same.

[Arlena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Bittersweet
Author: Shirlee McCoy
Publisher: Zebra
Series: Home Sweet Home # 3
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"Bittersweet" by Shirlee McCoy

My Viewpoint...

What will happen when Willow Lamont [ex prosecutor] returns to her hometown of Benevolence, Washington? Well, after her grandfather requests her return she comes back only planning to spend several weeks to a place where she had a secret that she definitely did will not feel good about returning to 'Chocolate Haven' a place she had once truly loved. Why was this? It seems like being back at 'Chocolate Haven' Willow is even unable to even make the 'unique fudge' that she had once been able to do so well but after suffering from that 'secret trauma' that just wouldn't let her go. Then it seems like something quite different comes into her life ... a abandoned baby and the meeting of a longtime school friend Deputy Sheriff Jax Gordon who had also gone through a lot in his life. Now, I will say that the story will take another road as the story of 'Miracle' comes of life along with some very complexed characters from Willow's family members to others that will keep the story rolling along as you keep turning the pages. For Willow being back in Benevolence will she be able to put her fear that she has held so dearly and not sharing with anyone to rest especially since it looks like she will become a foster parent of baby 'Miracle Doe?' l liked how this author bring into focus as Jax who had something horrible happen in his childhood bringing in the closeness to Willow. Will they be able to except each other with all that has happened to both of them? Will Jax be able to earn Willow's trust? Will he be able to 'fill her life with rekindled joy and a forever of irresistible love? This story will really cause one to see the heartache that Willow and even Jax had felt. It was so very hard for me to understand Willow's situation with her mom's relationship. And I was glad to see in the end that these two seemed to have mended something that needed discussing so long ago. By the end of the novel will Willow and Jax find the happiness they so desire? Well, you will have to pick up "Bittersweet" to answer all of the questions and find out how this author presents it to the readers.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willow Lamont is a successful prosecutor in Seattle, but when her grandfather requests her return to Benevolence, to help at Chocolate Haven, the family chocolate shop. She arrive, but only plans to spend several weeks while her sisters deal with family issues and her grandfather continues to recuperate from his broken leg. Why does she not want to spend time at a place she used to love? What is her big secret? As well, just like her sisters, she can't seem to get the hang of making the famous family fudge. She used to be able to make it with now problem, what is happening? Shortly after arriving, someone knocks at her door late at night. Panic has her calling the police. Deputy Sheriff, Jax Gordon comes to her house and together they find an abandoned baby in the alley behind the dumpster. This brings the two of them together on a regular basis dealing with the situation and trying to find the baby's parents. We met Jax briefly in the last book and learned a bit about his bad boy image, but he has changed. This twist was a bit different, as Willow becomes a possible foster mother of "Baby Miracle" forcing her to decide whether or not she will remain in Benevolence.

As much as this was a romance, there were a couple of mystery storylines in this story as well. Who was the baby's mother? Why was she abandoned? What is Willow's secret that still holds her hostage whenever she is in Chocolate Haven alone? Can she put the past behind her? l liked how this author let us know about Jax's terrible past and the incident that changed his life when he was just a kid. These confessions will bring Jax and Willow together, but is it enough to overcome the fear of commitment? It was hard to see how Willow's past tarnished her relationship with her mother and I enjoyed reading about their confessions and reconciliation. And of course, there is the fudge. Will Willow find peace and finally be able to make the famous Lamont Fudge. This was the best in this trilogy as far as I am concerned. I loved all the various plotlines, mysteries, relationships and discoveries. I definitely recommend this series to anyone who loves a good clean romance with some mystery and intrigue.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bittersweet is the 3rd book in the Home Sweet Home series by Shirlee McCoy. Although I have not read the other two books in the series, the author did a nice job catching new readers up with relevant information from the previous stories. I definitely would like to go back and read the first two books.

Bittersweet has everything I love about romance novels...chocolate, small towns, sisters, babies, and a sexy sheriff. Willow Lamont returns to her hometown of Benevolence, Washington after her grandfather requests she return to help manage Chocolate Haven, the family business. But this tough ex-prosecutor has a secret she has not told anyone and she is not looking forward to her stay until an abandoned baby and Sheriff Jax Gordon come into the picture. Together Willow and Jax take care of the baby and find themselves taking care of each other along the way.

There is romance and family drama and long hidden secrets to keep you turning the pages. I was intrigued from the very beginning and the story moved along at a nice pace with a satisfying ending on so many levels. I definitely recommend this book to small town romance readers.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bittersweet by Shirley McCoy
Home Sweet Home #3

Coming into the series on the third book was not an issue as the story makes sense without reading the previous books. In this book Willow has returned home to help her grandfather out in the family candy shop. In the past she left town taking a secret with her that has impacted her life in more ways than one. In the beginning of the story she meets Jax Gordon, sheriff of Benevolence, and they find an abandoned baby in a nearby dumpster. Both Jax and Willow have demons to deal with and reasons that falling in love and making a future with someone have been difficult. During the story a search is on for the baby’s parents, the baby is taken in as a ward of the state, Willow becomes the foster parent, community and family are there for one another, the perfection of the family fudge recipe is finally figured out as Willow and Jax finally realize their feelings for one another.

This is a well written, emotional, small town romance that I recommend to those looking for more than a quick lighthearted read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Bittersweet is the story of Willow Lamont and Jax Gordon – two people who survived horrific events when they were young. Both dealt with their traumas in their own way and grew to be upstanding adults who only hoped to outrun their bad memories. When Willow returns to the small town where she grew up to help at her family’s chocolate shop she runs into Jax, a school friend from when they both lived in Benevolence. Neither has a problem with being friends but can they deal with what could happen if the underlying attraction they feel becomes more? Fate has plans of her own when a baby comes on the scene late one night. No spoilers here! This is the first of author Shirlee McCoy’s books I’ve had a chance to read. I thought it was a sweet and heart warming story about learning to trust and move forward. I’d definitely read another book by McCoy. Recommended to fans of the author and contemporary romance. *Book provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.

[Janga · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the conclusion to her Home Sweet Home trilogy, McCoy has given readers an emotional story that balances the darkness of real-life evil and its destructive powers with persistent hope and the healing promise of love. The cost exacted by such evil is not minimized. Jax was eleven and Willow was thirteen when they underwent their separate, life-altering traumas. These events shaped the adults they became and still affect them. It doesn’t take a psychologist to understand that their experiences are directly related to their career choices. Their reactions to Miracle and to the teenage mother who abandoned her are also colored by their experiences. Jax says to Willow, “When you go through hell, sometimes the demons follow you out. That’s just the way it is. Every survivor knows it.” Love has the power to strengthen one to fight the demons and to fill the future with hope, but it does not eradicate the past. That McCoy makes this clear is one of the strengths of this novel.

Willow and Jax’s story is told within the contexts of familial ties. Willow’s love for her meddling grandfather and her bond with her sisters are vital, as is Jax’s affection for his uncle and his matchmaking aunt. Willow’s somewhat fraught relationship with her mother improves during the course of the story. The abandoned baby thread is interesting, but I thought the loose ends at the novel’s conclusion made it seem too much mere plot device. In fact, the ending generally felt less than satisfactory to me. It was that which dropped my ranking to four stars. McCoy’s next series features the Bradshaw brothers, who also return to Benevolence. Perhaps some of the loose ends will be tied up yet.

Although Bittersweet is the third book in the series, it works well as a standalone. Discerning readers will certainly be aware that the stories of Willow’s sisters have been told, but that awareness is not enough to detract from this story. If you require steam in your romance reading, this novel is not for you. It is strictly kisses only. But if you appreciate sweet romance in a small-town setting with rich family dynamics and emotional power in the central love story, I recommend this book.

See full review at The Romance Dish:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/new/...

[Barb Lie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bittersweet by Shirlee McCoy is the 3rd book in her Home Sweet Home series. Willow Lamont is our heroine, having returned home temporarily to help her grandfather run Chocolate Haven. With her two sisters (previous story heroines) busy with a marriage or babies, Willow spends her free hours making chocolate and failing on making the family secret fudge recipe. Willow has nightmares, due to a rape when she was only 13, and has kept this a secret all these years; one reason she does not like to come home.

One evening, while working late, she hears a noise outside and calls the cops. Jax Gordon, the deputy sheriff and our hero, arrives to find out what is wrong. Willow describes a car stopping and then pulling away. Together Jax and Willow will find an abandoned baby by the dumpster. When they are at the hospital for the baby, Jax recognizes that Willow is hiding some kind of trauma, and when it comes to that, Jax is an expert. He himself has his own nightmares of having his own family murdered years before.

What follows is a slow build sweet romance between Jax and Willow, with the mystery of finding the person to dumped the baby. Despite their determination to not have any relationship, they both start falling for each other. It was really nice to see the Lamont family again, as well as the backdrop of making chocolate. Willow will foster the baby called Miracle, temporarily until she is well enough to be adopted.

Bittersweet was a very nice romance, with a couple that each had their own mentally disabling issues. Willow will slowly learn to put the past behind her, and realize that she loves being home again. The only problem is she needs to help Jax move on from his past, as he fears being hurt again. Once again, Shirlee McCoy gives us another wonderful story, surrounded by a great family, in the small town of Benevolence, Washington. If you enjoy small town romances, I suggest you read the Home Sweet Home series

Barb
The Reading Cafe

[Sonya Wasden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was well written evoking an understanding of the emotions the characters were feeling.

Willow Lamont grew up in a small town where her grandfather and father owned Chocolate Haven. She had loved being a part of this family business until she experienced such a horrible, traumatic incident at the hands of one of the former employees. She had never been able to fully work through her emotions of that experience so she just stayed away. Now, she was back at the request of her grandfather to help in the shop. The nightmares had returned and it seemed to be impossible for her to make even one batch of the famous Lamont fudge without ruining it.

Jax had always admired Willow in school. She was beautiful and strong and she had a family who loved her dearly. Jay's family had all been murdered, except for him. And, he had been a witness and only survivor to them crime. Because of his experience, he never wanted to have a family because of the chance that he might lose them all as he had as a child. His story was so sad and yet even though he was wounded both in body and mind, he could still have the desire to help. He was a good man and was currently working as a deputy sheriff who was determined to seek justice for victims of crime.

I won't give away the plot of the story but it was truly a beautiful weaving of a love story and healing process for both Jax and Willow. This was a mostly clean romance. There was some language but no sex. It was a truly sweet, romantic story.

I was given an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Valri Western · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been wanting to read Willow's story for a long time. I knew there was something in her past that kept her away from Benevolence, Wash. (where she grew up) and I wanted to find out what that was. It had to be something devastating from the various discussions in previous books! Her grandfather needs her to come back to help manage the family Chocolate Haven store so she comes but it's very traumatic for her. I very much admired her for facing her fears and having the courage to come home. She's an ex-prosecutor and everyone thinks she is so strong but they don't know what she has lived through....she hasn't told anyone. Then, on her first night back, she finds an abandoned baby who burrows into her heart and she can't hide her emotions anymore - especially from Deputy Sheriff Jax Gordon. Jax knows a LOT about loss. His past is also one of great sorrow. He's determined to earn Willow's trust because he's always admired her and now they are both fighting for this baby. He searches for the mother of the baby while Willow nurtures the babe in the hospital. It's a wonderful book and has fantastic characters!
Like the other daughters, Willow has a very strained relationship with her mother. When they finally have a heart-to-heart discussion near the end of the book, I found myself cheering! I so wanted them to have a close relationship and not argue anymore! I highly recommend this book. You will understand it even if you haven't read the previous books in the series!

[Kate Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the Home Sweet Home series, in which we meet Willow Lamont, previously a prosecutor in Seattle until she comes home to help her grandfather with Chocolate Haven, the venerable store that is famous for its signature fudge. Trouble is, although Willow has always known how to make it, she's lost her touch. Probably because the trauma she experienced at age 13 has come back to haunt her again, causing nightmares that refuse to go away.

One night she hears something outside that forces her to call the cops. Who shows up? Deputy Sheriff Jax Gordon. She's known him since his dad and he moved into town and he was that senior all the girls talked about in their small town. What she hears, however, is a tiny baby, barely alive. Where is the mother and why is the baby so blue? Turns out the baby everyone calls Miracle needs heart surgery, and Willow--already approved to be a short-term foster mother--is asked to take care of her. She who has previously decided that she will never have a child of her own knows she should allow herself to get close to the baby, but she can't help herself.

Jax, too, is drawn to the baby, even more so when he's drawn to Willow, though his past tells him it's a bad idea, as does what he knows Willow must have experienced years earlier. How they resolve this makes for a satisfying end to the story.

[Ionia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is as much a mystery as it is a romance and one that will draw you into the story early on. I liked the main character right away and wanted to know more about her past. The author does a good job of building early tension in her story, not just between the main character and her love interest, but all the way around. This is the kind of book that could get non romance readers interested in the genre.

Mysteries from the past plague the present in this novel each new revelation more interesting than the last. I really liked the idea of a woman with demons returning to her home town still fearing what could happen. This book is more complex than a lot of romances and made me eager to finish it and find out what happened to the characters that I had quickly grown fond of.

This novel has a good amount of sexual tension and hurdles for the characters to overcome, but didn't feel overdone or full recycled story lines. I loved the chocolate shop as well. This was a great way to spend an afternoon and I recommend it to others that like a bit of mystery with their romance.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

[Psusan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shirlee McCoy’s entire Home Sweet Home Series of three daughters coming home to help out at the family homemade candy shop is truly wonderful but none more so than the third book, Bittersweet. Beside the family dynamics aka drama, the romance and the in-depth character study this book has an air of mystery to it. If Deputy Sheriff Jax Gordon doesn’t steal your heart then Baby Miracle will, because no matter how much Willow Lamont tries to shield hers, that is exactly what happens.

There is so much that kept me turning the pages way into the night with this story, more than one mystery, the nemesis fudge recipe, several subplots (loved Grandfather’s) and characters that I loved, some that I detested and a few I even pitied. The wonderful style made me feel more than once as if I was too on this journey of discovery and healing with Willow and Jax.

The three books in the series are keepers, ones I will reread again. I highly recommend the series but especially Bittersweet. While all of the stories fit today, I think you could read them in any order. As for me I am glad I was able to read them in the order that they were released.

The publisher through Net Galley provided a copy.

[Bette Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story. Bittersweet is the third book in Shirlee McCoy's Home Sweet Home series but it is easily read as a standalone. Willow Lamont is the third sister to return to Benevolence, WA to help keep the family's chocolate shop running as her grandfather recuperates from a leg injury. After running as fast and as soon as she could she never thought she would be back working in the shop again. Yet here she is having to face her demons head on. The only thing getting her through it is a handsome sheriff Jax Gordon and a beautiful baby girl depending on her.

You will want to read as Willow's past unfolds and she deals with her demons to have a bright future to go in to. I highly recommend it.

[Michelle Castaneda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bittersweet by Shirlee McCoy tells the story of the Lamont family. They have a long history of making chocolates in Washington. Now, the business hinges on lawyer Willow Lamont, home for a couple weeks to try and perfect her family’s secret recipe. While she works hard at perfecting the recipe, she is simultaneously battling the lingering effects of trauma that no one knows about. A baby is left near her home and she becomes its caregiver, which forces her to make connections and let down her guard with her family. This was a fun, easy read. I highly recommend it for an interesting, light read. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

[Ruby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chocolates, a lost baby, and a handsome deputy... these are the beginnings of a darling story that will pull at your heartstrings. Willow is looking to start a family, Jax is looking for a lost baby, together they will find what they both are looking for.

This was my first time reading anything by Shirlee McCoy and I must admit, I am hooked. Her characters are colorful, full of spunk, and will remind you of people you just might know. The chocolates will make you hungry while the words will make you sigh. A great combo!

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Try this one. It's got a good story line and you just know there's going to be a happy ending! Willow has changed her life- big time- by returning home to work with chocolate (yum), Jax, well, he might have issues but he's a good guy. The discovery of baby Miracle is the glue that holds this tale together. I liked the writing, I liked the pace, I liked the positive vibes. Thanks to net galley for the ARC. The is a good beach book or one to just relax with at the end of a hard day.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willow s back in Benevolence, Washington and Jax is glad to see her back. The third Lamont sister is back to help out at the fudge shop and when she finds a newborn baby her life in turmoil. This is a wonderful series, Home Sweet Home, and I'm sad there aren't any more sisters. The book ties up all the loose ends s answers all the lingering questions. Can be read without the other books but you'll appreciate it more by reading the series in order.

[Alisha Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

wow too people with intense issues from their childhood help each other progress forward with healing not completely but steps forward. love their interactions and also with Janelle (mother), breanna and addie (sisters), Byron (grandfather) and Kaine (sheriff). Looking forward to Sullivan bradshaw and rumor truehart's story and the child I read about in the excerpt about next book in new series but still in Benelovence.

[Patricia Baxes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohmigod…grab tissues and settle in for an amazing read!

What an incredible story!! This one will definitely pull at your heartstrings and have you wishing for this one to never end.

The storyline is awesome; the characters amazing; the plot full of so many different twists and turns; and one helluva HEA. I didn’t want this story to end. Grab your copy and be swept away today…❤️❤️❤️

[Julynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not enjoy the language in this book. Since I had only ever read Ms. McCoy's love inspired suspense books, I had never seen her use that before. For me, it took away from the book. I did like seeing Willow make peace with her past as well as Jax making peace with his. Their love story was sweet and touching.

[JoAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an arc via Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

What a well written book. Bittersweet has such a good plot and I loved the characters in this book. I have read many books by this author and this new one certainly didn't disappoint.

[Janet Friesner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay. I think I liked the first two of this series more than this one but it was readable and easy to get through. She had an excerpt of her next trilogy and it sounded like it might be pretty good. Will be looking for it when it comes out.

[Carley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the story and the flow of the book. The ending was very open ended. I don't know what happened to the baby, Willow didn't really heal, we don't know what's going to happen with her and Jax. I don't know if Willow is going to adopt Miracle. I feel a little incomplete.

[KATHY · Rating 5 out of 5]

3rd book in the trilogy. The 3rd Lamont sister is convinced to help her grandfather run the family's chocolate shop. Very well written and compelling. More difficult for me to read because of what happened to her when she was 13 and the Sheriff's deputy when he was 11. Love wins in the end.

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

wanted more news about the girl and the baby

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the story of the third sister Willow and her attempt to make the fudge the way her father and grandfather did. Follow her journey to making a great fudge.

[Jo Ann Rhodehouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book and the previous two didn’t get 4 stars due to loose ends and the narrator gets one star because she sounds like an AI bot. It was so flat and boring I could hardly hang on to the end.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

BITTERSWEET is book three in Shirlee McCoy's sweet small town series, Home Sweet Home. Willow Lamont is the third sister to take care of the family candy shop for their grandfather who has created a special recipe for fudge. When she was younger, she suffered a trauma and when she was old enough, she went to college and stayed away from her hometown. Now that she has returned, though temporary, she knows that it is time for her to face some demons.
Willow finds herself in the orbit of the deputy sheriff Jax Gordon, an old friend from school. One night, she finds an abandoned baby out behind the shop in cold weather and she and Jax bring the baby to safety.
I like Willow and feel for her. Though she is smart and successful, her personal life -not so much. She volunteers to foster the baby and Jax is there for her. He is a great guy, but has always felt like an outsider because he has issues from his past. Neither are looking for a relationship, but they become closer as time goes by. Jax help her in the shop and helps her learn to trust again.
This is a sweet and cute romance, gradually building from friendship to love. It is full of heartwarming moments and features a brave woman who faces her past, reconnects with family, and finds a forever love in the place she needed to find some peace and a happily ever after.

[Monica Emerson]

Quaint little love story staring a family chocolate shop! I enjoyed it even tho I knew that girl who meets boy would fall in love!
Good spacer between thrillers!