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Garriety #1
Add Romance and Mix: A Garriety Romance
Briley Anderson hasn’t been in a serious relationship for the past two years. The pain of her last breakup has made her wary of giving her heart away again. She spends her days flipping houses and her down-time baking treats for her neighbors. Falling in love wasn’t in her plans, but then again, neither was her next-door neighbor.
Leah Daniels is a divorced mother of two and a grandmother at the age of forty-nine. Love was the last thing she was looking for, especially with a woman sixteen years her junior. All she was hoping for was a quiet neighborhood to raise her fifteen-year old son. What she hadn’t expected was the unavoidable draw she felt toward Briley.
Through laughter, heartache, love, and fear it’s up to Briley and Leah to figure out if what they’ve created is strong enough to make a relationship last and if taking the chance on love is really worth the risk.
Leah Daniels is a divorced mother of two and a grandmother at the age of forty-nine. Love was the last thing she was looking for, especially with a woman sixteen years her junior. All she was hoping for was a quiet neighborhood to raise her fifteen-year old son. What she hadn’t expected was the unavoidable draw she felt toward Briley.
Through laughter, heartache, love, and fear it’s up to Briley and Leah to figure out if what they’ve created is strong enough to make a relationship last and if taking the chance on love is really worth the risk.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2018
12 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 5, 2018
3 Stars. It looks like most readers liked the book more than me - so your mileage may vary.
This is a love story between two neighbors. There is 34 yr old Briley, single, a house flipper and a talented home baker and 50 yr old Leah, a writer and mom of 16yr Evan, 24 yr old Madison who has 2 kids of 3 and 2 yrs old. Leah is divorced and her ex-wife, Kathy who remarried and has a 2 yr old daughter, Griffin. The other main character is Briley's older sister Kat who recently quit her job and moved in with Briley while she figures out what to do next.
So why "only" 3 Stars? (average on my scale). Overall the writing itself is well done, but I just didn't feel any chemistry between the two leads. Zip, nadda, zilch, nothing. Try as I might, I can't put into words why I felt this way. It is written via Briley's POV, which may have been the problem? You get that Leah is attracted to Briley, but at first she feels too old for Briley and she comes with kids and grandkids. But it really wasn't too much of an issue. To me Leah was a mystery too. She said she was a freelance writer for top notch magazines, traveling around the world (a travel writer??). But she cut down traveling when Evan was born. So she hasn't written much in 16 yrs?
Also, except for Briley and Kat (who was my favorite character), you really don't get to know any of the other characters. We never meet Madison. Evan we know a little bit, but he doesn't show up until the last third or so of the book and he seems much older than 16. Granted because of circumstances he had to grow up quickly and he did. Kat becomes a confidant and mentor to Evan and she doesn't reveal what they talk about. So another mystery of how Evan is coping and who he is. It might had been better if he bonded with Briley so we could get to know him better?
Ok, I am also comparing this book to two of my all time favorite books which are Lynn Galli's Mending Defects and Georgia Beer's Starting from Scratch. Both feature neighbors falling in love and one of the MCs in both are avid bakers. So Add Romance doesn't compare in my opinion. Which basically how I rate books - how does it compare to other books I've read?
This is a love story between two neighbors. There is 34 yr old Briley, single, a house flipper and a talented home baker and 50 yr old Leah, a writer and mom of 16yr Evan, 24 yr old Madison who has 2 kids of 3 and 2 yrs old. Leah is divorced and her ex-wife, Kathy who remarried and has a 2 yr old daughter, Griffin. The other main character is Briley's older sister Kat who recently quit her job and moved in with Briley while she figures out what to do next.
So why "only" 3 Stars? (average on my scale). Overall the writing itself is well done, but I just didn't feel any chemistry between the two leads. Zip, nadda, zilch, nothing. Try as I might, I can't put into words why I felt this way. It is written via Briley's POV, which may have been the problem? You get that Leah is attracted to Briley, but at first she feels too old for Briley and she comes with kids and grandkids. But it really wasn't too much of an issue. To me Leah was a mystery too. She said she was a freelance writer for top notch magazines, traveling around the world (a travel writer??). But she cut down traveling when Evan was born. So she hasn't written much in 16 yrs?
Also, except for Briley and Kat (who was my favorite character), you really don't get to know any of the other characters. We never meet Madison. Evan we know a little bit, but he doesn't show up until the last third or so of the book and he seems much older than 16. Granted because of circumstances he had to grow up quickly and he did. Kat becomes a confidant and mentor to Evan and she doesn't reveal what they talk about. So another mystery of how Evan is coping and who he is. It might had been better if he bonded with Briley so we could get to know him better?
Ok, I am also comparing this book to two of my all time favorite books which are Lynn Galli's Mending Defects and Georgia Beer's Starting from Scratch. Both feature neighbors falling in love and one of the MCs in both are avid bakers. So Add Romance doesn't compare in my opinion. Which basically how I rate books - how does it compare to other books I've read?
June 16, 2024
Heartwarming!
Lovable characters, playful banter and a slow building relationship. A well written very sweet age-cap romance that kept me intrigued until the very end. For me, definitely a re-read and I highly recommend it.
Lovable characters, playful banter and a slow building relationship. A well written very sweet age-cap romance that kept me intrigued until the very end. For me, definitely a re-read and I highly recommend it.
March 27, 2018
Okay! A book featuring an age gap (34 & 50), sweets, and nerd culture? I'm in!
For this story, we follow Briley, a house flipping extraordinaire and Leah, a journalist, on their journey to accepting the inevitable pull to each other. Pace-wise, I'd say it keeps an even tempo for the majority of the book. Dates, flirting, small townie charm. Like, if the Andy Griffith Show was more progressive and modern. The family stuff was sweet and wholesome and didn't dwell on any angst. If you're searching for a story that won't stress you out, it's your lucky day.
The humor's pretty great and I highlighted quite a few lines. I can tell that the author, Shannon M. Harris is good people. I especially loved the first part of the story, where Briley kept failing at expressing herself and Kat (the sister, cool character) trolled her relentlessly. With love, of course. Leah and Briley's flirting was pretty sexy and I'm pleased that the age difference didn't keep them apart.
This is a foodie story. Briley not only builds, but she bakes. A lot. No, seriously these characters are ALWAYS FEASTING. It tipped over from making me hungry to giving me a stomach ache, haha.
While the main characters' chemistry was there, some of their experiences together could've used a bit more oomph. I'd like to learn more about Leah in general. The fade to black love scenes would work well for those who don't want explicit stuff.
In a nutshell, I liked it. Some chapters and dialogue could've been tightened up a tad. A solid 3.5, in an ideal rating world.
For this story, we follow Briley, a house flipping extraordinaire and Leah, a journalist, on their journey to accepting the inevitable pull to each other. Pace-wise, I'd say it keeps an even tempo for the majority of the book. Dates, flirting, small townie charm. Like, if the Andy Griffith Show was more progressive and modern. The family stuff was sweet and wholesome and didn't dwell on any angst. If you're searching for a story that won't stress you out, it's your lucky day.
The humor's pretty great and I highlighted quite a few lines. I can tell that the author, Shannon M. Harris is good people. I especially loved the first part of the story, where Briley kept failing at expressing herself and Kat (the sister, cool character) trolled her relentlessly. With love, of course. Leah and Briley's flirting was pretty sexy and I'm pleased that the age difference didn't keep them apart.
This is a foodie story. Briley not only builds, but she bakes. A lot. No, seriously these characters are ALWAYS FEASTING. It tipped over from making me hungry to giving me a stomach ache, haha.
While the main characters' chemistry was there, some of their experiences together could've used a bit more oomph. I'd like to learn more about Leah in general. The fade to black love scenes would work well for those who don't want explicit stuff.
In a nutshell, I liked it. Some chapters and dialogue could've been tightened up a tad. A solid 3.5, in an ideal rating world.
March 15, 2021
"Add Romance and Mix" is syrupy sweet with a mix of goofball thrown in. It has its charm and its moments but, ultimately, it ended up being a barely an okay read for me. Which, in a way, I hate that the rating fell because the book is so well intentioned that it's almost like kicking a puppy.
The first third of the book I thought was really pretty good. It was quirky and I could see fans of Robin Alexander's books falling for this one. Briley is an awkward, nerdy type that falls for her older neighbor, Leah, and the storyline just brims with cute.
There are references to Leah looking like Calista Flockhart, Briley seems very close to Supergirl in her nerdy/common form, and there's cosplay of Supergirl/Captain Marvel/etc that made me wonder if this was perhaps a Supergirl uber fic of sorts? Or at least a nod to it.
The author spent time building the friendship between Briley and Leah and it was nice to see. They have a sixteen year age-gap romance and Leah has a grown child, is a grandparent, and also a seventeen year-old at home so it was interesting to see this type of romance dynamic between a family woman and an essentially untethered single woman. Once their relationship takes off, Briley and Leah also communicate really well and there are no misunderstandings which is refreshing (though the repetition of what they say wasn't necessary). Briley also has a really sweet relationship with her sister, Kat, that plays a prominent role in the book.
But, the farther the story went, the more my enjoyment declined. Really, this book needed a stronger editor. About a quarter of it could've been cut due to repetition and the story really went off in an odd direction that ruined it for me. Whole chapters could've been cut and I think the book would've been better. Also, even though Briley and Leah have numerous intimate touches here and there, I didn't FEEL them necessarily, like a sizzling chemistry if that makes sense.
The dialogue, which in the first half of the story, mimicked how people spoke and was often amusing later became more verbose and little monologues that didn't feel natural, especially when sentiments were repeated numerous times.
And weird side note: This is the most touchy feely cast and neighborhood I've ever encountered in my life. Everyone is kissing each other on the cheek, hugging, and touching like crazy. There are times when this is odd because I'd think it'd throw really mixed signals like when you tell someone you're NOT interested in them yet touch them all the time or when meeting up with estranged exes. I've met a touchy feely person here and there but I've never seen people do this en masse before. It was oddly strange.
And then, towards the end, the story veers into a more tragic area to...I don't know. Make things more legit? But, the new direction, which was very heavy, was treated fairly lightly and I didn't think the story needed that twist. Especially as light of a book as this was, just having Leah and Briley come together would've been enough.
The book is cute and sweet but the turn to a slog left me wanting. I put this at a high 2 stars, rounding to 3.
The first third of the book I thought was really pretty good. It was quirky and I could see fans of Robin Alexander's books falling for this one. Briley is an awkward, nerdy type that falls for her older neighbor, Leah, and the storyline just brims with cute.
There are references to Leah looking like Calista Flockhart, Briley seems very close to Supergirl in her nerdy/common form, and there's cosplay of Supergirl/Captain Marvel/etc that made me wonder if this was perhaps a Supergirl uber fic of sorts? Or at least a nod to it.
The author spent time building the friendship between Briley and Leah and it was nice to see. They have a sixteen year age-gap romance and Leah has a grown child, is a grandparent, and also a seventeen year-old at home so it was interesting to see this type of romance dynamic between a family woman and an essentially untethered single woman. Once their relationship takes off, Briley and Leah also communicate really well and there are no misunderstandings which is refreshing (though the repetition of what they say wasn't necessary). Briley also has a really sweet relationship with her sister, Kat, that plays a prominent role in the book.
But, the farther the story went, the more my enjoyment declined. Really, this book needed a stronger editor. About a quarter of it could've been cut due to repetition and the story really went off in an odd direction that ruined it for me. Whole chapters could've been cut and I think the book would've been better. Also, even though Briley and Leah have numerous intimate touches here and there, I didn't FEEL them necessarily, like a sizzling chemistry if that makes sense.
The dialogue, which in the first half of the story, mimicked how people spoke and was often amusing later became more verbose and little monologues that didn't feel natural, especially when sentiments were repeated numerous times.
And weird side note: This is the most touchy feely cast and neighborhood I've ever encountered in my life. Everyone is kissing each other on the cheek, hugging, and touching like crazy. There are times when this is odd because I'd think it'd throw really mixed signals like when you tell someone you're NOT interested in them yet touch them all the time or when meeting up with estranged exes. I've met a touchy feely person here and there but I've never seen people do this en masse before. It was oddly strange.
And then, towards the end, the story veers into a more tragic area to...I don't know. Make things more legit? But, the new direction, which was very heavy, was treated fairly lightly and I didn't think the story needed that twist. Especially as light of a book as this was, just having Leah and Briley come together would've been enough.
The book is cute and sweet but the turn to a slog left me wanting. I put this at a high 2 stars, rounding to 3.
March 19, 2018
Briley Anderson is a house flipper and has a major crush on her neighbour Leah Daniels. Leah is a writer, is a mother of two and a grandmother. Due to their age gap, Leah is wary of starting a relationship with Briley but is eventually worn down. However, will their relationship be able to last through the bumps in the road ahead of them?
Although I didn't think that Briley and Leah had bad chemistry, I just don't think they had amazing chemistry. One thing I enjoyed most about the story was the humour and the fact that they actually have conversations about their problems.
There were a bit too many instances where "they rested their foreheads together." It wasn't important to me, but maybe others it is that there were fade to black scenes.
This is the third book by Shannon that I've read, the first two being the Adearian Chronicle series. I must say that she's getting better with every book that she writes.
A great book if you're looking for a light read and little conflict.
Review also posted here: https://wp.me/p4Pp9O-Kc
Although I didn't think that Briley and Leah had bad chemistry, I just don't think they had amazing chemistry. One thing I enjoyed most about the story was the humour and the fact that they actually have conversations about their problems.
There were a bit too many instances where "they rested their foreheads together." It wasn't important to me, but maybe others it is that there were fade to black scenes.
This is the third book by Shannon that I've read, the first two being the Adearian Chronicle series. I must say that she's getting better with every book that she writes.
A great book if you're looking for a light read and little conflict.
Review also posted here: https://wp.me/p4Pp9O-Kc
March 31, 2018
This is a slow burn romance between Briley Anderson and her next door neighbour Leah Daniels. Briley is a property developer who loves to bake in her free time, she's also shy and hopelessly attracted to Leah who is sixteen years her senior, divorced, mother of two and a grandmother. Will Briley be able to overcome her shyness to approach her neighbour and will Leah give a chance to a much younger woman?
'Add romance and mix' is a very sweet story, as sweet as the baking goods made by Briley. So much so that sometimes it sounds too good to be true. The main characters show almost no flaws and seem upbeat in a 'loves conquers all' way even when life throws them a big curve ball. There's nothing wrong with upbeat characters like that but the story sounds a bit unrealistic. The secondary characters follow the same pattern of ideal behaviour. It is quite obvious in Leah's teenage boy and the two year old toddler. The conflicts or tantrums are just mentioned as an afterthought but in the plot's interactions they act like ideal children, the same as the adults. The story delves a lot in inconsequential details but rushes past conflicts and challenges. Again, too sweet and too good considering the circumstances.
Overall, an ok read if you like baking and don't mind a bit of 'too good to be true' characters. 3 stars.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.wordpress.com
'Add romance and mix' is a very sweet story, as sweet as the baking goods made by Briley. So much so that sometimes it sounds too good to be true. The main characters show almost no flaws and seem upbeat in a 'loves conquers all' way even when life throws them a big curve ball. There's nothing wrong with upbeat characters like that but the story sounds a bit unrealistic. The secondary characters follow the same pattern of ideal behaviour. It is quite obvious in Leah's teenage boy and the two year old toddler. The conflicts or tantrums are just mentioned as an afterthought but in the plot's interactions they act like ideal children, the same as the adults. The story delves a lot in inconsequential details but rushes past conflicts and challenges. Again, too sweet and too good considering the circumstances.
Overall, an ok read if you like baking and don't mind a bit of 'too good to be true' characters. 3 stars.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.wordpress.com
February 14, 2018
I received this book free from Love Bytes and the author in exchange for an honest review.
This review was first posted to Love Bytes: LGBTQ Book Reviews. It has been slightly edited here for content.
If you’re looking for a perfectly feel-good, fluffy romance that will satisfy your sweet tooth, this is definitely the book for you. It was honestly a little too sweet for me, but YMMV. This is a pretty by-the-books contemporary romance about Briley, a 34-year-old who successfully flips houses in her local area, and Leah, a single 50-year-old mom who Briley is hopelessly crushing on. With a little help from Briley's sister Kat and a lot of baked goods, the two women start navigating a relationship despite their different places in life.
In this book, the conflict is light and the characters live in a dream-like suburban world where neighbors are unfailingly supportive, everyone is greeted with a kiss on the cheek, and a basket of homemade muffins is a perfectly normal gift for a friend on a weekday morning, just because. For the first three-fourths of the book, I was almost growing bored, because everything was too perfect. The writing is great—Harris really seems to understand that her readers are well-read, geeky, funny girls who seek real women rather than romantic stereotypes—but if you’re looking for a high-tension plot, you won’t find it. Even the climax of the book doesn’t provide much conflict in the end. This isn’t necessarily a failing, but it does make the book go on for just a bit too long.
I love how there’s a lack of archetype characters in this story. Leah is older than Briley, but she’s also fun-loving and dorky. Briley’s sister Kat is the snarky older sibling, but she also shows her softer, vulnerable side when needed. And the child characters seem like actual kids rather than precocious stock characters. Though this world is definitely written with rose-colored glasses, it feels very real and cozy, like a friendly suburb you’d be happy to get stuck in. And it’s funny—watching Briley fall all over herself to impress Leah made me laugh every time.
This is definitely a read for those who prefer romance to erotica. There are copious amounts of snuggling, bubble baths, and nicknames rather than sex scenes, but it works for these characters. So when Harris does bring the heat, it scorches!
With low-stakes drama, fun supporting characters, and plenty of baked goods, this is a romance you can devour on a cozy afternoon spent inside with a cup of cocoa. Just don’t go in too hungry, because you’ll find yourself craving turtle cupcakes and apple turnovers at two in the morning.
(Also, though I don't think it was published online as such, this is pretty transparently a Supergirl-inspired AU/uber story. Calista Flockhart is even named as a celeb Briley likes, and there are a lot of character parallels in both looks and personality--Briley/Kara, Cat/Leah, even Alex/Kat. I don't think this is a bad thing at all--I just thought I'd mention it to see if any fans of the show/fanfic might want to read it based on that!)
This review was first posted to Love Bytes: LGBTQ Book Reviews. It has been slightly edited here for content.
If you’re looking for a perfectly feel-good, fluffy romance that will satisfy your sweet tooth, this is definitely the book for you. It was honestly a little too sweet for me, but YMMV. This is a pretty by-the-books contemporary romance about Briley, a 34-year-old who successfully flips houses in her local area, and Leah, a single 50-year-old mom who Briley is hopelessly crushing on. With a little help from Briley's sister Kat and a lot of baked goods, the two women start navigating a relationship despite their different places in life.
In this book, the conflict is light and the characters live in a dream-like suburban world where neighbors are unfailingly supportive, everyone is greeted with a kiss on the cheek, and a basket of homemade muffins is a perfectly normal gift for a friend on a weekday morning, just because. For the first three-fourths of the book, I was almost growing bored, because everything was too perfect. The writing is great—Harris really seems to understand that her readers are well-read, geeky, funny girls who seek real women rather than romantic stereotypes—but if you’re looking for a high-tension plot, you won’t find it. Even the climax of the book doesn’t provide much conflict in the end. This isn’t necessarily a failing, but it does make the book go on for just a bit too long.
I love how there’s a lack of archetype characters in this story. Leah is older than Briley, but she’s also fun-loving and dorky. Briley’s sister Kat is the snarky older sibling, but she also shows her softer, vulnerable side when needed. And the child characters seem like actual kids rather than precocious stock characters. Though this world is definitely written with rose-colored glasses, it feels very real and cozy, like a friendly suburb you’d be happy to get stuck in. And it’s funny—watching Briley fall all over herself to impress Leah made me laugh every time.
This is definitely a read for those who prefer romance to erotica. There are copious amounts of snuggling, bubble baths, and nicknames rather than sex scenes, but it works for these characters. So when Harris does bring the heat, it scorches!
With low-stakes drama, fun supporting characters, and plenty of baked goods, this is a romance you can devour on a cozy afternoon spent inside with a cup of cocoa. Just don’t go in too hungry, because you’ll find yourself craving turtle cupcakes and apple turnovers at two in the morning.
(Also, though I don't think it was published online as such, this is pretty transparently a Supergirl-inspired AU/uber story. Calista Flockhart is even named as a celeb Briley likes, and there are a lot of character parallels in both looks and personality--Briley/Kara, Cat/Leah, even Alex/Kat. I don't think this is a bad thing at all--I just thought I'd mention it to see if any fans of the show/fanfic might want to read it based on that!)
April 19, 2020
I was glad when I finally crossed the line and finished the book - though I must admit that I skimmed through some of the pages... Considering that it’s a pretty short read (less than 200 pages from my eReader) and I skimmed through some of the pages, getting to the final line within 2 days is 1 day too long.... Story was kinda flat and a little boring and angst-free; like I’m driving and just cruising around... After some time, it got tiring especially when Leah kept asking Briley whether she wants to get into a relationship given that she’s fifty with a family and has a 16 years advantage over Briley and Briley arguing (ok...not arguing. It’s angst-free remember) that she’s all in... Enough said already...
Ratings: 2.5 (Round up cos I loved cookies and the likes 🙂)
Ratings: 2.5 (Round up cos I loved cookies and the likes 🙂)
March 14, 2018
Nice but a little bit sweet. 3.5 stars
September 5, 2020
Very immature characters despite being 34 and 50!
Just couldn't get into it. DNF.
A lot of the dialogue felt like monologues on life and beliefs you were being talked at. Not natural conversation.
Their interactions felt forced yet juvenile but not in a cute way. Brileys crush came off as a little stalkerish and obsessive (she was constantly watching her from her window and checking out her ass, but never spoke to her) and her weirdness wasn't endearing more aloof.
And Leah seems to only have the fact she was a hot milf or gilf that looked like Calista Flockhart going for her. That seemed to be the only thing that attracted Briley. Talk about shallow.
I stopped reading it when the main love interest let a perfect stranger kiss her on the cheek while at an event with the neighbour she turned down after she admitted her crush, saying she wasn't interested in dating her, but would still spend time and hold hands. Like talk about mixed signals.
Frustrating
Just couldn't get into it. DNF.
A lot of the dialogue felt like monologues on life and beliefs you were being talked at. Not natural conversation.
Their interactions felt forced yet juvenile but not in a cute way. Brileys crush came off as a little stalkerish and obsessive (she was constantly watching her from her window and checking out her ass, but never spoke to her) and her weirdness wasn't endearing more aloof.
And Leah seems to only have the fact she was a hot milf or gilf that looked like Calista Flockhart going for her. That seemed to be the only thing that attracted Briley. Talk about shallow.
I stopped reading it when the main love interest let a perfect stranger kiss her on the cheek while at an event with the neighbour she turned down after she admitted her crush, saying she wasn't interested in dating her, but would still spend time and hold hands. Like talk about mixed signals.
Frustrating
November 2, 2022
Another reviewer calls this a Feel-Good romance and I think that fits. Briley is 34 and has a crush on her 50 year old next door neighbor Leah. Briley is a real chicken when it comes to meeting her crush face to face until her sister Kat marches over to Leah’s and wangles a dinner with her for Briley. Briley is a dweeb when first around Leah. She acts like a nerdy teenager who doesn’t know what to say when around their crush. Leah is leery about getting in a relationship with a woman a lot younger than her. The attraction is there and the two take their time in getting to know one another. I liked that Briley used whipping up batches of cookies and cakes to help win her lady love. Be warned that all the descriptions of food will have you snacking while you read. It was nice break to read a story that didn’t have a lot of rotten things happening. Briley’s sister and the lovable neighborhood busybody are fun. I also like the ComicCon and cosplay part of the story. This is a fun and relaxing read.
Merged review:
Another reviewer calls this a Feel-Good romance and I think that fits. Briley is 34 and has a crush on her 50 year old next door neighbor Leah. Briley is a real chicken when it comes to meeting her crush face to face until her sister Kat marches over to Leah’s and wangles a dinner with her for Briley. Briley is a dweeb when first around Leah. She acts like a nerdy teenager who doesn’t know what to say when around their crush. Leah is leery about getting in a relationship with a woman a lot younger than her. The attraction is there and the two take their time in getting to know one another. I liked that Briley used whipping up batches of cookies and cakes to help win her lady love. Be warned that all the descriptions of food will have you snacking while you read. It was nice break to read a story that didn’t have a lot of rotten things happening. Briley’s sister and the lovable neighborhood busybody are fun. I also like the ComicCon and cosplay part of the story. This is a fun and relaxing read.
Merged review:
Another reviewer calls this a Feel-Good romance and I think that fits. Briley is 34 and has a crush on her 50 year old next door neighbor Leah. Briley is a real chicken when it comes to meeting her crush face to face until her sister Kat marches over to Leah’s and wangles a dinner with her for Briley. Briley is a dweeb when first around Leah. She acts like a nerdy teenager who doesn’t know what to say when around their crush. Leah is leery about getting in a relationship with a woman a lot younger than her. The attraction is there and the two take their time in getting to know one another. I liked that Briley used whipping up batches of cookies and cakes to help win her lady love. Be warned that all the descriptions of food will have you snacking while you read. It was nice break to read a story that didn’t have a lot of rotten things happening. Briley’s sister and the lovable neighborhood busybody are fun. I also like the ComicCon and cosplay part of the story. This is a fun and relaxing read.
September 13, 2022
Briley has a crush on her next door neighbor and she is too tongue tied to speak to her. When her sister Kat comes to live with her that all changes. Leah is concerned about the 16 yr age difference but decides to start a friendship with Briley. They soon realize that there is more between them and the romance begins. There are a few twists in the story to keep it interesting. I enjoyed the story and the slow burn. It was hard to tell the characters apart since the narrator did little to change her voice. There was also an echo through out the story.
April 2, 2018
This is a very interesting romance and I enjoyed it very much, is the story of Briley Anderson a heart broken woman who enjoys baking in her downtime and sharing treats with her neighbours, falling in love wasn’t definitely in her plans. Leah Daniels is a divorced mother of two and grandmother at the age of forty nine, love wasn’t on her mind at all and especially not with a woman sixteen years younger, but their attraction in undeniable.
The funny thing for a story about romance is that doesn't begin as one, I like the humour involved but there are also a few surprises that spice up the story. Will keep you reading wondering what's next and if they will ever make it, I found the story very entertaining, amusing and at some points waiting for the other shoe to drop, giving us a share of how unexpected life can be, but if you want things to work you won't give up and at the end is always worth it to fight for what we want, no matter what and much better if you don't have to do it by yourself, highlights the importance of the people in our lives.
I read with delight how they got together, went through life together and despite their age gap the chemistry is palpable and unquestionable, making a strong beautiful relationship that worth the risk.
In general is a wonderful and beautiful story, written in a very nice pace with funny, endearing dialogs.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The funny thing for a story about romance is that doesn't begin as one, I like the humour involved but there are also a few surprises that spice up the story. Will keep you reading wondering what's next and if they will ever make it, I found the story very entertaining, amusing and at some points waiting for the other shoe to drop, giving us a share of how unexpected life can be, but if you want things to work you won't give up and at the end is always worth it to fight for what we want, no matter what and much better if you don't have to do it by yourself, highlights the importance of the people in our lives.
I read with delight how they got together, went through life together and despite their age gap the chemistry is palpable and unquestionable, making a strong beautiful relationship that worth the risk.
In general is a wonderful and beautiful story, written in a very nice pace with funny, endearing dialogs.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 7, 2018
4 stars
A lovely feel good romance with a nice plot, two interesting leads and a lot of food. Recommended to all romance fans especially for those who love younger/older relationships.
eARC by Sapphire Books Publishing
A lovely feel good romance with a nice plot, two interesting leads and a lot of food. Recommended to all romance fans especially for those who love younger/older relationships.
eARC by Sapphire Books Publishing
September 1, 2019
Funny and Sweet
This is the story about Briley, a shy, awkward but extremely loyal and loving woman with a baking addiction. Briley has been seriously crushing on her new neighbor Lee for months but is too taken by her that she can’t even get up the nerve to talk to the pretty older mom. Through a comedy of errors things only get worse. Being a romance book, she eventually gets her act together but not without a lot of help! Things take a dreadful and dramatic turn but these women are strong and even though things are so very different than they planned they tackle life head on and face the new challenges in their life together. This drama is so sweet and full of laughter, genuine love and special wonderfulness that I was hooked from the first page and even though I was only going to read a chapter or two before bed, I was up till 4 am because I couldn’t stop reading and it was TOTALLY worth staying up for!!! Give it a try, you won’t be sorry.
This is the story about Briley, a shy, awkward but extremely loyal and loving woman with a baking addiction. Briley has been seriously crushing on her new neighbor Lee for months but is too taken by her that she can’t even get up the nerve to talk to the pretty older mom. Through a comedy of errors things only get worse. Being a romance book, she eventually gets her act together but not without a lot of help! Things take a dreadful and dramatic turn but these women are strong and even though things are so very different than they planned they tackle life head on and face the new challenges in their life together. This drama is so sweet and full of laughter, genuine love and special wonderfulness that I was hooked from the first page and even though I was only going to read a chapter or two before bed, I was up till 4 am because I couldn’t stop reading and it was TOTALLY worth staying up for!!! Give it a try, you won’t be sorry.
April 2, 2020
What a great book! The way Briley is wooing Leah is so heartwarming and funny. Can wait to start reading the next book in this serie. Bring it in!!!
November 24, 2021
What a sweet and charming story
Really nice story. Best way to describe it was sweet and charming, with a lot of humor to with it. Leah and Briely were cute and had a lot of chemistry. The supporting cast of this book stole the story from the main characters from time to time. Looking forward to reading Kat’s story.
Really nice story. Best way to describe it was sweet and charming, with a lot of humor to with it. Leah and Briely were cute and had a lot of chemistry. The supporting cast of this book stole the story from the main characters from time to time. Looking forward to reading Kat’s story.
May 28, 2018
This is an incredibly sweet next door neighbor romance with an age gap. I loved the awkwardness of Brinley. I think she embodies all of us slightly nerdy, unsure of ourself people. Leah was not as deep but fit the role well. I also liked Kat, Brinley's sister, she was the snarky one. This story lends itself to be continued because all the characters can grow. I hope to see a sequel, perhaps a series.
March 6, 2018
When you want to sit and kick back a little this book is definitively worth reading.
If I had to use one word for this book, it would be - calm.
A lovely story that keeps you interested to the very end. I really enjoyed the interaction between characters, humor, and that one little unexpected twist.
If I had to use one word for this book, it would be - calm.
A lovely story that keeps you interested to the very end. I really enjoyed the interaction between characters, humor, and that one little unexpected twist.
April 26, 2018
This was my first book by this author, but it won't be my last. This book was sweet, heartwarming and endearing. The age difference is a big hurdle for Leah, but all in all, it was a good foundation building, communicating, and not very angst filled romance. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it.
May 15, 2020
A friend send me this book, it was okay, very very very very cheesy lovestory.
I mean suuuupercheesy which made it quite boring actually, with no real twists or turns or obstacles.
It was an okay book, but I left ALOT to be wished for.... Except cliches and lots of repetitions which almost makes you roll your eyes abit of the cheesy-ness.
I mean suuuupercheesy which made it quite boring actually, with no real twists or turns or obstacles.
It was an okay book, but I left ALOT to be wished for.... Except cliches and lots of repetitions which almost makes you roll your eyes abit of the cheesy-ness.
June 22, 2018
I loved this book. It's a very sweet love story. I found myself not wanting to put it down. If you're looking for a "feel-good" romance this is it.
May 17, 2018
This was fun in a predictable yet enjoyable way
October 29, 2018
Awsome
I loved this book it was a great read i hop there is more to come about this wonderful family and see were they all go from here i could put it down i would tell any one about the book
I loved this book it was a great read i hop there is more to come about this wonderful family and see were they all go from here i could put it down i would tell any one about the book
May 3, 2020
Nice Story
This is a sweet story. I really enjoyed getting to know Briley, Leah and Kat. When love is right, it doesn't matter if you're at different points in your life cuz love only sees the soul inside. I definitely recommend this book.
This is a sweet story. I really enjoyed getting to know Briley, Leah and Kat. When love is right, it doesn't matter if you're at different points in your life cuz love only sees the soul inside. I definitely recommend this book.
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