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Red Maple Falls #1
Mad About Matt
A hot cop and a sweet baker get a second chance at love in this small town romance.
Seventeen years after Shay Michaels said goodbye to summers in Red Maple Falls and the only boy she ever truly loved, she's back and the proud owner of Sweet Dreams Bakery. Life is good until someone breaks into her shop,making her question if the life she left behind in New York followed her.
As the local sheriff, Matt is keeping a close eye on the place and an even closer eye on the beautiful owner who refuses to take the break in seriously. Two conflicting personalities that burn bright on their own become down right explosive when thrown together. But in order to move toward a future together, they will have to let go of their past and accept the mistakes they made.
***
Welcome to Red Maple Falls, a small town filled with big personalities. Nestled in the White Mountains of New Hampshire it is home to the Hayes siblings, three brothers and three sisters, all awaiting their happily ever after.
Book 1: Mad About Matt (Matt and Shay)
Book 2: Crushing on Kate (Kate and Caleb)
Book 3: Moments with Mason (Mason and Cassie)
Book 4: Catching Cooper (Cooper and Sarah)
Book 5: Hung Up on Hadley (Hadley and Sam)
Book 5.5 A Bride for Sam (Hadley and Sam)
Book 6: Dreaming of Daisy (Daisy and Nick) (Coming 2/19/18)
Seventeen years after Shay Michaels said goodbye to summers in Red Maple Falls and the only boy she ever truly loved, she's back and the proud owner of Sweet Dreams Bakery. Life is good until someone breaks into her shop,making her question if the life she left behind in New York followed her.
As the local sheriff, Matt is keeping a close eye on the place and an even closer eye on the beautiful owner who refuses to take the break in seriously. Two conflicting personalities that burn bright on their own become down right explosive when thrown together. But in order to move toward a future together, they will have to let go of their past and accept the mistakes they made.
***
Welcome to Red Maple Falls, a small town filled with big personalities. Nestled in the White Mountains of New Hampshire it is home to the Hayes siblings, three brothers and three sisters, all awaiting their happily ever after.
Book 1: Mad About Matt (Matt and Shay)
Book 2: Crushing on Kate (Kate and Caleb)
Book 3: Moments with Mason (Mason and Cassie)
Book 4: Catching Cooper (Cooper and Sarah)
Book 5: Hung Up on Hadley (Hadley and Sam)
Book 5.5 A Bride for Sam (Hadley and Sam)
Book 6: Dreaming of Daisy (Daisy and Nick) (Coming 2/19/18)
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 18, 2017
1336 people are currently reading
1964 people want to read
About the author
Theresa Paolo
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Short bio:
Romance author, lover of books, 90's pop music and happily ever afters. Writes YA under Tessa Marie.
Long bio:
Theresa Paolo lives in Long Island, NY with her fiancé and their fish. She writes steamy small-town romances with sassy heroines, sexy heroes and feisty townspeople. When she's not writing, she's reading, brewery hopping, or daydreaming. She loves coffee, all things Christmas and fall, and making lists.
She also writes YA romance under Tessa Marie.
For updates on upcoming releases and sales, sign up to receive Theresa's newsletter: http://www.theresapaolo.com/p/sign-up-fo...
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Blog: http://www.theresapaolo.com/
If you subscribe to Bookbub make sure to give me a follow: http://bit.ly/2voBXyF
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2sDLm4v
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2uhOCa5
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2taVwy8
B&N: http://bit.ly/2u6lUcr
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2rmPYfl
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/2pGF0E6
iBooks: http://apple.co/2qNthUA
Sign up for my newsletter and receive a FREE book: http://eepurl.com/_PwjL
Short bio:
Romance author, lover of books, 90's pop music and happily ever afters. Writes YA under Tessa Marie.
Long bio:
Theresa Paolo lives in Long Island, NY with her fiancé and their fish. She writes steamy small-town romances with sassy heroines, sexy heroes and feisty townspeople. When she's not writing, she's reading, brewery hopping, or daydreaming. She loves coffee, all things Christmas and fall, and making lists.
She also writes YA romance under Tessa Marie.
For updates on upcoming releases and sales, sign up to receive Theresa's newsletter: http://www.theresapaolo.com/p/sign-up-fo...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheresaPaoloAut...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheresaMarieP
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/theresamariep/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/71...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresamariep/
Blog: http://www.theresapaolo.com/
If you subscribe to Bookbub make sure to give me a follow: http://bit.ly/2voBXyF
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
March 24, 2017
Harsh Review Beware:
I loved this so much until 3/4 of the book and then shit blew up. This book was so double standard and you don't see it until the last parts where everything starts going to hell. H gets mad at h for having an ex fiance bec he wanted her to wait for him. For 17 yrs. 2 of those yrs he could have walked into her shop in town. 17 of those yrs he could have made the effort to talk to her no matter the distance or circumstance. 17 yrs and both of them have had other relationships with other people. Take into consideration the fact that had it not been for the break in at the bakery Matt would not have voluntarily talked to Shay.
But why is Shay not allowed to have a past? a history? I call BULLSHIT.
I see so many 4-5 star reviews of this. "Sweet second chance romance story" 100% honest opinion i tried my best but I hated it because the BEST WAY to see a person's TRUE CHARACTER is during the hardest times - and in the shitstorm that happened Matt ran away, ignored Shay, did not let her explain, and chickened out of going to her. So I'm not impressed.
NOTE: Conflict gets resolved but I don't like the way H handled the situation. That is why I gave it 1 star. Bec Double Standard.
I do NOT like stories with OW/OM, I try to tolerate widows or divorcees as main characters but in h's part she didn't love her ex fiance here.
Matt (H) goes with Shay (h) to New York because they thought her dad had a heart attack. They find out it was just a ploy by the h's mom to set h's reconciliation with her ex-fiance (who stole her life savings to pay off his scams). H turns into a totally different person when he finds out the h had an ex fiance and even if h explained why they broke up he got so mad because "You told me you were waiting for me!"
Okay hold up there buddy, you were separated for 17 fucking years. In those 17 years you both have fucked and dated other people. It's been 17 yrs. Duh. Plus when h moved back home to Red Maple Falls you avoided her for 2 years. In a town with a population of 900+ people, you avoided your "one true love" bec what, you're still hurt? Then you reconcile and both of you ADMIT that you're both at fault for letting so many insecurities and issues stop you from getting the courage to come back to each other....and now...the first bump along the road you BAIL??? Fuck that! You are a hypocrite and a douche, Matt! And what is up with Matt "realizing" that Shay's Rich and he's a farm boy? The fuck man you've known that since you were 18 yrs old and NOW you're letting that fact stop you from getting your happy ever after? Coward.
Why are people saying it's Shay's fault and that Matt was right to leave her? She didn't share her history with her ex fiance bec. frankly speaking Shay and Matt have only been together what, a week tops? You gotta respect a woman when it takes time for her to share about bad decisions that embarrass her. Nobody gave her the chance to explain that she only agreed to marry her ex fiance bec her mother wanted her to.
I'm not totally on Shay's side, either, bec for a 34 yr old woman she has the guts of a 12 yr old. You'd think she'd be old enough to stand up for herself. She's a runner. She runs away from Matt to work in New York to make her mom happy. She runs away from New York when her ex fiance steals from her.
She has a backbone when Matt's there
But when left to fight her own fights she chickens out / becomes a push over.
Ugh. I'm so frustrated! I finished this book because the shit storm happened wayyyy late (which also blindsided me). But I am not happy with this.
No trigger warning
OW OM yes
H uses a condom
Few PG 13 sex scenes
Slow Burn
I loved this so much until 3/4 of the book and then shit blew up. This book was so double standard and you don't see it until the last parts where everything starts going to hell. H gets mad at h for having an ex fiance bec he wanted her to wait for him. For 17 yrs. 2 of those yrs he could have walked into her shop in town. 17 of those yrs he could have made the effort to talk to her no matter the distance or circumstance. 17 yrs and both of them have had other relationships with other people. Take into consideration the fact that had it not been for the break in at the bakery Matt would not have voluntarily talked to Shay.
But why is Shay not allowed to have a past? a history? I call BULLSHIT.
I see so many 4-5 star reviews of this. "Sweet second chance romance story" 100% honest opinion i tried my best but I hated it because the BEST WAY to see a person's TRUE CHARACTER is during the hardest times - and in the shitstorm that happened Matt ran away, ignored Shay, did not let her explain, and chickened out of going to her. So I'm not impressed.
NOTE: Conflict gets resolved but I don't like the way H handled the situation. That is why I gave it 1 star. Bec Double Standard.
I do NOT like stories with OW/OM, I try to tolerate widows or divorcees as main characters but in h's part she didn't love her ex fiance here.
Matt (H) goes with Shay (h) to New York because they thought her dad had a heart attack. They find out it was just a ploy by the h's mom to set h's reconciliation with her ex-fiance (who stole her life savings to pay off his scams). H turns into a totally different person when he finds out the h had an ex fiance and even if h explained why they broke up he got so mad because "You told me you were waiting for me!"
Okay hold up there buddy, you were separated for 17 fucking years. In those 17 years you both have fucked and dated other people. It's been 17 yrs. Duh. Plus when h moved back home to Red Maple Falls you avoided her for 2 years. In a town with a population of 900+ people, you avoided your "one true love" bec what, you're still hurt? Then you reconcile and both of you ADMIT that you're both at fault for letting so many insecurities and issues stop you from getting the courage to come back to each other....and now...the first bump along the road you BAIL??? Fuck that! You are a hypocrite and a douche, Matt! And what is up with Matt "realizing" that Shay's Rich and he's a farm boy? The fuck man you've known that since you were 18 yrs old and NOW you're letting that fact stop you from getting your happy ever after? Coward.
Why are people saying it's Shay's fault and that Matt was right to leave her? She didn't share her history with her ex fiance bec. frankly speaking Shay and Matt have only been together what, a week tops? You gotta respect a woman when it takes time for her to share about bad decisions that embarrass her. Nobody gave her the chance to explain that she only agreed to marry her ex fiance bec her mother wanted her to.
I'm not totally on Shay's side, either, bec for a 34 yr old woman she has the guts of a 12 yr old. You'd think she'd be old enough to stand up for herself. She's a runner. She runs away from Matt to work in New York to make her mom happy. She runs away from New York when her ex fiance steals from her.
She has a backbone when Matt's there
But when left to fight her own fights she chickens out / becomes a push over.
Ugh. I'm so frustrated! I finished this book because the shit storm happened wayyyy late (which also blindsided me). But I am not happy with this.
No trigger warning
OW OM yes
H uses a condom
Few PG 13 sex scenes
Slow Burn
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2018
This was either from the Amazon freebie bin or the bargain bin, I can't remember. At times it doesn't really matter.
Based on past experiences I had set my expectations on low. Having read a lot of romance novels, I can be a tough critic, but this was so sugar sweet I barely made it through.
"Matt made his usual runs around town, stopping at Happy Apple, a small café that served breakfast and lunch and featured apples in every dish."
In the voice of Jerry Seinfeld: Really? REALLY??? A place themed on apples in everything?
But what really rubbed me the wrong way is that the hero kisses and has sex with the girl a few minutes after she throws up from drinking too much alcohol (she brushes her teeth at least). If she drank so much she throws up you really should not be having sex with her! And you are the town police officer....
He does worry about it the next morning and that she will regret it. “Guilt tugged annoyingly at his gut”
Yeah, funny how that works huh?
The book has either cringe-worthy sex scenes or sex scenes like this:
"Two hours later, after some of the most amazing sex he’s ever had, Shay lay cuddled up against him, her head on his chest, hand wrapped around his waist."
It took one sentence to describe a two hour best-sex-of-his-life experience.
There is a lot of this: “Just as Shay thought she’d get away with her little white lie, the bell above the door chimed and Mr. Sex God himself walked in.”
This sex god and Shay's first sex scene lasted about a page….
Then “he gave her a slow panty-dropping smile”.
I just ....
Based on past experiences I had set my expectations on low. Having read a lot of romance novels, I can be a tough critic, but this was so sugar sweet I barely made it through.
"Matt made his usual runs around town, stopping at Happy Apple, a small café that served breakfast and lunch and featured apples in every dish."
In the voice of Jerry Seinfeld: Really? REALLY??? A place themed on apples in everything?
But what really rubbed me the wrong way is that the hero kisses and has sex with the girl a few minutes after she throws up from drinking too much alcohol (she brushes her teeth at least). If she drank so much she throws up you really should not be having sex with her! And you are the town police officer....
He does worry about it the next morning and that she will regret it. “Guilt tugged annoyingly at his gut”
Yeah, funny how that works huh?
The book has either cringe-worthy sex scenes or sex scenes like this:
"Two hours later, after some of the most amazing sex he’s ever had, Shay lay cuddled up against him, her head on his chest, hand wrapped around his waist."
It took one sentence to describe a two hour best-sex-of-his-life experience.
There is a lot of this: “Just as Shay thought she’d get away with her little white lie, the bell above the door chimed and Mr. Sex God himself walked in.”
This sex god and Shay's first sex scene lasted about a page….
Then “he gave her a slow panty-dropping smile”.
I just ....
March 21, 2017
Small town setting with fantastic chemistry and a cute romance- I absolutely adored this book!! There was a good amount of humor and the romance so totally sweet - I didn't want this book to end. I'm so excited that there are going to be more books in this small town series! Highly recommend this one to anyone who wants to read a sweet romance that will leave a smile on your face!
February 23, 2017
Mad About Matt is a wonderfully told second chance romance. I'm not always a big fan of those, but this one hit it out of the park. Matt is the Sheriff of Red Maple Falls, a delightful little town that has the cutest residents. The Hayes family completely sucked me in, and I can't wait to devour each of their stories as they find love.
The story was easy to read, engaging, and the chemistry was off the charts adorable. My favorite book from Theresa Paolo to date! Completely recommended for anyone looking for a feel good romance.
The story was easy to read, engaging, and the chemistry was off the charts adorable. My favorite book from Theresa Paolo to date! Completely recommended for anyone looking for a feel good romance.
November 25, 2023
Cute read
May 7, 2019
5 Star review of Mad About Matt (A Red Maple Falls #1) by Theresa Paola
Audio Review:
Both author Theresa Paola and narrator Krista Nicely are new to me.
I love stories about small towns and Red Maple Falls sounds like a great place to live. Shay Michaels left Red Maple Falls and her first love Matt Hayes, seventeen years ago with no plans to return. That is until she returns to town to open Sweet Dreams Bakery.
Matt, well aware that she has returned to town is now the local sheriff and has been keeping an eye on her and the bakery.
Neither Shay or Matt have ever forgotten the love they shared as teenagers. However if they are to take advantage of this second chance, then both will have to make peace with the past. The question is can they forgive the hurts of the past?
I loved the story that Ms. Paola wove, the characters were well developed and I fell hard and fast for Matt. His overwhelming instinct to protect Shay was heartwarming.
I didn’t really connect with the narrator, but that is just me, however the story was so good that I pushed through.
I loved Matt’s family and cannot wait to read or listen to more.
Audio Review:
Both author Theresa Paola and narrator Krista Nicely are new to me.
I love stories about small towns and Red Maple Falls sounds like a great place to live. Shay Michaels left Red Maple Falls and her first love Matt Hayes, seventeen years ago with no plans to return. That is until she returns to town to open Sweet Dreams Bakery.
Matt, well aware that she has returned to town is now the local sheriff and has been keeping an eye on her and the bakery.
Neither Shay or Matt have ever forgotten the love they shared as teenagers. However if they are to take advantage of this second chance, then both will have to make peace with the past. The question is can they forgive the hurts of the past?
I loved the story that Ms. Paola wove, the characters were well developed and I fell hard and fast for Matt. His overwhelming instinct to protect Shay was heartwarming.
I didn’t really connect with the narrator, but that is just me, however the story was so good that I pushed through.
I loved Matt’s family and cannot wait to read or listen to more.
Want to read
April 8, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (4/8/2022)! 🎁
September 10, 2017
Shay Michaels, a baker with a controlling, manipulating, and lying mother, and the boy she left 17 yrs ago, Matt Hays, now Sheriff of Red Maple Falls, NH. Is this a new plot? NO, it's been done a gazillion times, but Ms Paolo is a good writer, her characters came alive for me, and I've bought the next two and have another on preorder. That's how much I enjoyed this book.
May 20, 2018
Small town boy loves girl, girl leaves boy to pursue big city dreams, girl returns to small town, boy still loves girl, girl makes him miserable, cue happy ending... blah blah blah.
Typical.
I have read this same concept in about 50 different books.
Shay used to spend her summers as a teenager at her grandparents house in fictional Red Maple Falls. I honestly don't even remember what state as I really just didn't even care. She falls in love with local hot stuff Matt. Then, one day Shay leaves and never looks back. Matt is heartbroken as Shay is 'his one true love'. The one that got away.
Eventually, Shay moves back to Red Maple Falls and opens her own little bakery after being some hotshot in NYC...ok?!
Anyways, Matt's pissed and he should be. I mean who the hell does she think she is stomping all over his puppy dog in love heart as teens and then have the audacity to come back years later and try to woo the town with her muffins?? Matt is now the town Sheriff, and by the sounds of it, the only damn one there is as he gets called to EVERY. SINGLE. CALL. Which, consists mostly of the town drunk half naked, running all over town in his tractor looking for some hot old ladies to throw on the back of his sexy ride and cruise off into the sunset. On his fricken tractor!
That is until one totally cliched night when he gets a break-in call to none other than the muffin-wooing, heart snatching Shay.
Now, Matt goes from pissed to worried real quick. Real fucking quick.
We then proceed to go through about 15 chapters of Matt bitching at Shay to lock her doors and her yelling at him, refusing to lock her doors just to be an asshole because 'what gives him the damn right to care about her?' even though she secretly wants him to care about her. And love her. And get down on one knee and beg for her hand in marriage. And give her lots of babies. We eventually find out the real reason Shay left as the authors sad ass excuse at making Shay seem like a poor, little rich girl who deserves all the forgiveness and love in the world. I didn't buy any of it.
My head is spinning.
I got bored really quickly attempting to chug through this book, and I actually put it aside and read three other books before eventually coming back to finish this one up. There was a lot of unnecessary plot twists thrown in which never amounted to ANYTHING. And honestly, those plot twists probably would have saved a good portion of this story.
The only reason this book gets two stars is because I actually liked Matt's character and his family. Especially his 90 year-old feisty grandma who encourages him to get some poo-nanny any chance he gets so she can have some grandbabies before she croaks.
The rest. Completely forgettable.
Typical.
I have read this same concept in about 50 different books.
Shay used to spend her summers as a teenager at her grandparents house in fictional Red Maple Falls. I honestly don't even remember what state as I really just didn't even care. She falls in love with local hot stuff Matt. Then, one day Shay leaves and never looks back. Matt is heartbroken as Shay is 'his one true love'. The one that got away.
Eventually, Shay moves back to Red Maple Falls and opens her own little bakery after being some hotshot in NYC...ok?!
Anyways, Matt's pissed and he should be. I mean who the hell does she think she is stomping all over his puppy dog in love heart as teens and then have the audacity to come back years later and try to woo the town with her muffins?? Matt is now the town Sheriff, and by the sounds of it, the only damn one there is as he gets called to EVERY. SINGLE. CALL. Which, consists mostly of the town drunk half naked, running all over town in his tractor looking for some hot old ladies to throw on the back of his sexy ride and cruise off into the sunset. On his fricken tractor!
That is until one totally cliched night when he gets a break-in call to none other than the muffin-wooing, heart snatching Shay.
Now, Matt goes from pissed to worried real quick. Real fucking quick.
We then proceed to go through about 15 chapters of Matt bitching at Shay to lock her doors and her yelling at him, refusing to lock her doors just to be an asshole because 'what gives him the damn right to care about her?' even though she secretly wants him to care about her. And love her. And get down on one knee and beg for her hand in marriage. And give her lots of babies. We eventually find out the real reason Shay left as the authors sad ass excuse at making Shay seem like a poor, little rich girl who deserves all the forgiveness and love in the world. I didn't buy any of it.
My head is spinning.
I got bored really quickly attempting to chug through this book, and I actually put it aside and read three other books before eventually coming back to finish this one up. There was a lot of unnecessary plot twists thrown in which never amounted to ANYTHING. And honestly, those plot twists probably would have saved a good portion of this story.
The only reason this book gets two stars is because I actually liked Matt's character and his family. Especially his 90 year-old feisty grandma who encourages him to get some poo-nanny any chance he gets so she can have some grandbabies before she croaks.
The rest. Completely forgettable.
September 11, 2023
Mad About Matt
This was my first time reading this author and I love not found her because I got a free audio version of the book. But as I was listening to it, I quickly realized that I needed to read this book. The narrator was way to slow and I needed to read it faster! I loved this book. It was quite a surprise actually. Matt and Shays story starts when they are teenagers when they fall in love with each other one summer. But then Shay’s parents move to New York and when Matt goes after her, her mom turns him away. Broken hearted and feeling like he’s not good enough for her, Matt leaves and returns home only to run away and join the Marines because there are too many reminders of Shay around town. Years later, Shat returns to town and opens a bakery. And then the shenanigans begin! This storyline has all the feels and it’s easy to fall in love with these characters. If you’re looking for a new author to read, give this one a try!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was my first time reading this author and I love not found her because I got a free audio version of the book. But as I was listening to it, I quickly realized that I needed to read this book. The narrator was way to slow and I needed to read it faster! I loved this book. It was quite a surprise actually. Matt and Shays story starts when they are teenagers when they fall in love with each other one summer. But then Shay’s parents move to New York and when Matt goes after her, her mom turns him away. Broken hearted and feeling like he’s not good enough for her, Matt leaves and returns home only to run away and join the Marines because there are too many reminders of Shay around town. Years later, Shat returns to town and opens a bakery. And then the shenanigans begin! This storyline has all the feels and it’s easy to fall in love with these characters. If you’re looking for a new author to read, give this one a try!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 18, 2017
This was my first book by Theresa Paolo, but it won't be my last. Mad About Matt is a small town, second chance love story.
The two main characters had a relationship in high school. Shay walked away, but is back now, starting over. What she's starting over from, she is keeping to herself. Matt tries to stay away from her, but fate puts him smack dab right in front of her.
I loved the small town aspect of the book and the fact that Matt is basically the protector of the town (and Shay). I loved the strength of Matt's character, but also how vulnerable he was to Shay. Shay was a very strong woman in her own right. Clashes ahead! Matt's family was also an amazing addition to this book. I loved that Mason would "be there for Matt, no questions asked, but most importantly, he wouldn't push for answers."
The humor Paola put in the book was delightful. I love humor in stories and Paola definitely did it right! Mad About Matt was a read well worth the time.
I was given this book free in exchange for an honest review.
The two main characters had a relationship in high school. Shay walked away, but is back now, starting over. What she's starting over from, she is keeping to herself. Matt tries to stay away from her, but fate puts him smack dab right in front of her.
I loved the small town aspect of the book and the fact that Matt is basically the protector of the town (and Shay). I loved the strength of Matt's character, but also how vulnerable he was to Shay. Shay was a very strong woman in her own right. Clashes ahead! Matt's family was also an amazing addition to this book. I loved that Mason would "be there for Matt, no questions asked, but most importantly, he wouldn't push for answers."
The humor Paola put in the book was delightful. I love humor in stories and Paola definitely did it right! Mad About Matt was a read well worth the time.
I was given this book free in exchange for an honest review.
March 20, 2025
Cute, quick read
This was a quick, easy small town read. I love a good small town with nosey, quirky neighbors and this book delivered. It was the typical story with teenagers pulled apart by parents only to find out later. Now I have read some crazy stuff parents have done in the name of getting their way but Shay's mom is head b!tch at the moment 👿😠. Just low down. Grandma was a hoot but she just might get her way on this one.
This was a quick, easy small town read. I love a good small town with nosey, quirky neighbors and this book delivered. It was the typical story with teenagers pulled apart by parents only to find out later. Now I have read some crazy stuff parents have done in the name of getting their way but Shay's mom is head b!tch at the moment 👿😠. Just low down. Grandma was a hoot but she just might get her way on this one.
September 8, 2019
Audio book review
Book 1 in the series. It’s a great listen that will have you glued to your earphones. This is a sweet romance that will make you feel great about yourself and the world. You know that love is out there . Shay works in the coffee shop in the small town , the coffee shop has everything with apples .
Matt and Shay meet up and they get down and dirty . How will Shay feel the next day
Krista performance was great. Her voice is strong, clear and smooth
Book 1 in the series. It’s a great listen that will have you glued to your earphones. This is a sweet romance that will make you feel great about yourself and the world. You know that love is out there . Shay works in the coffee shop in the small town , the coffee shop has everything with apples .
Matt and Shay meet up and they get down and dirty . How will Shay feel the next day
Krista performance was great. Her voice is strong, clear and smooth
December 4, 2023
This one was going along okay, but then we get to the big ending conflict/stupid third act breakup and we got people in their mid 30s who behaved like middle schoolers 🙄
Seriously, if you can’t even stick around to have an adult conversation you don’t deserve to be together.
Seriously, if you can’t even stick around to have an adult conversation you don’t deserve to be together.
March 20, 2018
I'm really glad I got this for free because it was not my cup of tea. although the writing itself was decent, I had 4 main issues with the book:
1) it was kind of boring; I found myself skimming a bit and feeling very eh about the whole thing.
2) Shay was TSTL. after her bakery got broken into early in the book, she refused to do anything to protect herself - even locking the door after hours! what an idiot.
3) Matt didn't like the pink theme of Shay's bakery because he was too manly to walk around with a pink cup of coffee. that is a totally off-putting characteristic to me; I'd much rather he were totally fine with pink (esp since it was from the bakery of the woman he supposedly loves).
4) Shay's mom was totally over the top; I'd rather have a little subtlety in the bad guys(s).
this was my first read by this author; I'm guessing her stuff is not for me.
1) it was kind of boring; I found myself skimming a bit and feeling very eh about the whole thing.
2) Shay was TSTL. after her bakery got broken into early in the book, she refused to do anything to protect herself - even locking the door after hours! what an idiot.
3) Matt didn't like the pink theme of Shay's bakery because he was too manly to walk around with a pink cup of coffee. that is a totally off-putting characteristic to me; I'd much rather he were totally fine with pink (esp since it was from the bakery of the woman he supposedly loves).
4) Shay's mom was totally over the top; I'd rather have a little subtlety in the bad guys(s).
this was my first read by this author; I'm guessing her stuff is not for me.
March 30, 2018
A fun, small-town, second chance romance with a little mystery and a whole lot of chemistry. This was my first read by this author but it won’t be my last.
May 8, 2024
3.5⭐️ (Audiobook)
January 20, 2025
Dumb. Won’t read the rest.
March 19, 2017
Oh Matt and Shay, what can I say? A lot, but I know my words won't do this book justice. You'll have to read it yourself to understand exactly what I mean when I say this is a well written second chance story. I love Red Maple Falls and the characters who live there. The story was sweet and cute, and leaves me wanting more from Red Maple Falls.
May 28, 2018
sooooo sweet
March 14, 2017
*I was given an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Matt isn't the same guy he was seventeen years ago, but Shay still makes his heart race and his palms sweat. He never thought she would come back to Red Maple Falls. When he responds to a break-in at her bakery, Matt is face to face with the woman who broke his heart. Shay is just as beautiful and stubborn. There's so much history between them and so many unexplained years. Life gives second chances for a reason, but one has to fight for the answer.
First, I loved Matt's character. He is charming, handsome, protective, and a perfect book boyfriend. I loved how the story was written and the development of the small town. Matt's family was also wonderful!! Shay bugged me at first but I ended up liking her. I really hope to read more about Red Maple Falls.
Matt isn't the same guy he was seventeen years ago, but Shay still makes his heart race and his palms sweat. He never thought she would come back to Red Maple Falls. When he responds to a break-in at her bakery, Matt is face to face with the woman who broke his heart. Shay is just as beautiful and stubborn. There's so much history between them and so many unexplained years. Life gives second chances for a reason, but one has to fight for the answer.
First, I loved Matt's character. He is charming, handsome, protective, and a perfect book boyfriend. I loved how the story was written and the development of the small town. Matt's family was also wonderful!! Shay bugged me at first but I ended up liking her. I really hope to read more about Red Maple Falls.
Read
July 5, 2023I am mad about Matt refusing to use a pink coffee cup
March 8, 2017
I start this book late last night and I finished it at 4 am cause I could put it down! I loved it I can't wait for the next book but I hope Matt and Shay's story is not over. I love both character their well written and so is the story.
This book is about a second chance love story, I don't usually like that tipe of story, cause there's always a go back in time in the story that I don't like but fortunately there isn't in it!
So this book is about Matt, 35 years old small town sheriff and Shay a 34 years old cupcake's store owner and how they fall in love again or better how they never fall out of love for each other!
I really relate with Shay and I felt what she felt!
I love this book so 5 stars is not enough but that's the max!
Read this boon
This book is about a second chance love story, I don't usually like that tipe of story, cause there's always a go back in time in the story that I don't like but fortunately there isn't in it!
So this book is about Matt, 35 years old small town sheriff and Shay a 34 years old cupcake's store owner and how they fall in love again or better how they never fall out of love for each other!
I really relate with Shay and I felt what she felt!
I love this book so 5 stars is not enough but that's the max!
Read this boon
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2017
I received a voluntary arc of this amazing book!!! I loved how Matt goes running to shay when something happens to her shop even though their relationship is long gone. Will these two connect? This book was really sweet I loved the chemistry between these two!! I liked how Matt goes all alpha on her when she forgets to lock her shop!! Theresa is very talented in writing this book!!
March 26, 2018
A cute little read I really enjoyed. Really sweet, and not at all what I expected !
February 14, 2018
An absolutely gorgeous small town romance. Beautiful characters, a great story, and written very well. So excited to read the next book in this fantastic new series.
September 29, 2020
I think the writer is good, I liked the small town feel and the characters were quite well defined. Maybe just a little repetitive at times. My main criticism is the male character's desire to protect and manage everyone. You may find this sweet and alpha and so on, but it was a wee bit creepy. On the whole, I think the series worth giving another try.
March 7, 2025
Loved it!! Highly recommend!!
November 18, 2018
Mad About Matt (Red Maple Falls #1) by Theresa Paolo was a okay read that, for me, was a little bit of a mixed of love hate, slow burn read, turned WTF, to okay will that escalated quickly. I have to say I'm a little mixed, there is good, there is ugly, and there is, sad to say some bad.
This is a first time read for me from this author, so as always I go in with a open mind, and at the start everything was going pretty good. The writing is engaging, it has a nice rhythm and it flowed nicely from one scene to the next. As for plot, it wasn't anything new, I mean I have read similar ones before. But all have their own quirks and charm that makes you keep coming back. This book is no different. The fictional town of Red Maple is right out of a hallmark TV movie, sweet, country and all the shops seem to being doing well. I liked that feel, it set the stage, and it was familiar. So very easy to form a picture, even if there wasn't as much detail on the town itself.
Now, as for why I have very mixed feels. As a romance, it in itself was a little all over the place. It's a slow burn, but with the MC's already knowing one another, and had previously date as teens. It was a summer loving type deal (Did Grease pop into your head?... ahhaha) They parted, Matt was heartbroken, never got over it, blamed every failed relationship on it, and so on. Shay's story follows pretty much the same. This wasn't a problem for me, I like these second chance romances, cheese and all. It was the way they both acted. For people in their 30's they were damn immature (I'm in that zone, so yes I can judge.)
Shay, I wasn't a fan, she portrayed a tough girl persona, but cracked under pressure. She failed at knowing when you should call for help, ask for help, and simply not growing a set and talking to Matt. Two years she was back, and neither one made the attempt to reconnect, instead they pined and wished they would. Both could fill the ocean with their excuses. Matt also was, wow, he had a big character shift half way through, and I don't know how I feel about that. It was so out of his, build up character, that I was taken back and a little mad.
Things do work themselves out, and they run off into the sunset. I know it seems like I'm harping, but those things stood out to me. Not all is on the down side. The story itself isn't bad, it has great conversation, witty banter and it hooks you right away. This book, is a little rough around the edges but it reads well and as I said it keeps you engaged and entertained. And frankly, isn't that what we want from a story? So don't get discouraged, give this book a shot, you might like everything I didn't.
With that being said, I give this book my recommendation and my stamp of approval.
Happy Reading.
-E.A. Walsh
This is a first time read for me from this author, so as always I go in with a open mind, and at the start everything was going pretty good. The writing is engaging, it has a nice rhythm and it flowed nicely from one scene to the next. As for plot, it wasn't anything new, I mean I have read similar ones before. But all have their own quirks and charm that makes you keep coming back. This book is no different. The fictional town of Red Maple is right out of a hallmark TV movie, sweet, country and all the shops seem to being doing well. I liked that feel, it set the stage, and it was familiar. So very easy to form a picture, even if there wasn't as much detail on the town itself.
Now, as for why I have very mixed feels. As a romance, it in itself was a little all over the place. It's a slow burn, but with the MC's already knowing one another, and had previously date as teens. It was a summer loving type deal (Did Grease pop into your head?... ahhaha) They parted, Matt was heartbroken, never got over it, blamed every failed relationship on it, and so on. Shay's story follows pretty much the same. This wasn't a problem for me, I like these second chance romances, cheese and all. It was the way they both acted. For people in their 30's they were damn immature (I'm in that zone, so yes I can judge.)
Shay, I wasn't a fan, she portrayed a tough girl persona, but cracked under pressure. She failed at knowing when you should call for help, ask for help, and simply not growing a set and talking to Matt. Two years she was back, and neither one made the attempt to reconnect, instead they pined and wished they would. Both could fill the ocean with their excuses. Matt also was, wow, he had a big character shift half way through, and I don't know how I feel about that. It was so out of his, build up character, that I was taken back and a little mad.
Things do work themselves out, and they run off into the sunset. I know it seems like I'm harping, but those things stood out to me. Not all is on the down side. The story itself isn't bad, it has great conversation, witty banter and it hooks you right away. This book, is a little rough around the edges but it reads well and as I said it keeps you engaged and entertained. And frankly, isn't that what we want from a story? So don't get discouraged, give this book a shot, you might like everything I didn't.
With that being said, I give this book my recommendation and my stamp of approval.
Happy Reading.
-E.A. Walsh
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