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Steeped in Love
Addie Mitchell is a pie-on-the-fly entrepreneur who’s finally ready to settle down in the big, empty house her late great-aunt Edna left to her. Frustrated with her lack of success in romance, Addie turns to another gift her great-aunt passed on to her—the art of reading tea leaves—to aid her in her search for the ideal mate. Novelist Ethan Holtz is having a hard time sinking his teeth into his next project, but he finds Addie fascinating. Mainly for her ability to make her dates disappear in fifteen minutes or less. He can’t help but eavesdrop on her dates in the local coffee shop, his writing haven, and soon finds himself taking pointers on what not to do from her failed suitors.Though her methods seem nothing short of mad, he falls fast and hard for the pixie-haired pie-pusher. She thinks they’re all wrong for each other, but Ethan teams up with the tea leaves to prove they’re so right.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 10, 2018
About the author
Julie Evelyn Joyce
3 books113 followersJulie Evelyn Joyce is an award-winning author and a proud Canuck. When she’s not writing quirky and compelling romance novels, she spends her time molding young minds, playing sports, singing karaoke, juggling, and dancing like there’s no tomorrow. Sometimes simultaneously. Her debut novel, Steeped in Love, has received glowing reviews and is the winner of the 2019 Kobo Emerging Writer Prize in Romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
March 4, 2019
Be-leaf me, you will love this adorable romance story.
I haven't the chance to read as much these days as I used to so if I pick a book to read, it has to be good for me to invest my time.
You will love reading about these two (Ethan & Addie) discovering their love. It takes them a bit but when they finally do, you wish they were real because you want to hang out with them.
Steeped in Love is a nice, free flowing read and you will catch a smile on your page after page. It felt very "Gilmore Girls - Star Hollowish" with the quirky characters and coffee/tea shops. Throw in some pies and danishes and you get a craving and wish Addie was real and locale.
I haven't the chance to read as much these days as I used to so if I pick a book to read, it has to be good for me to invest my time.
You will love reading about these two (Ethan & Addie) discovering their love. It takes them a bit but when they finally do, you wish they were real because you want to hang out with them.
Steeped in Love is a nice, free flowing read and you will catch a smile on your page after page. It felt very "Gilmore Girls - Star Hollowish" with the quirky characters and coffee/tea shops. Throw in some pies and danishes and you get a craving and wish Addie was real and locale.
October 28, 2018
Love this book! Such a fun concept, filled with relatable characters.
January 6, 2019
Steeped in love by Julie Evelyn Joyce is way too cute! It is adorably romantic and had me full belly laughing at times. The humour and play on words really makes this story stand out. I figured it would be a decent read but it really surpassed my expectations. It’s fun, quirky, easy to get into and an all around enjoyable read. The writing is great, it flows pretty good and the characters are interesting. Well worth the read!
March 9, 2019
2.0 stars
There was nothing wrong about it, it was just awfully boring and I didn't really felt a connection between Abbie and Ethan. A nice "train ride book" and nothing more.
There was nothing wrong about it, it was just awfully boring and I didn't really felt a connection between Abbie and Ethan. A nice "train ride book" and nothing more.
November 28, 2018
Warning: This book will make you hungry. It's as bad as trying to watch an episode of the Great British Bake-Off without some biscuits to munch on. After the first day of reading about pies and danishes, I was smarter the next day and had a doughnut handy to satisfy my desire for something sweet!
Speaking of something sweet, this story fits the bill. With a quirky pie peddler and an author who deletes as many words as he writes, it was a joy to witness their attraction unfolding. Addie and Ethan fit perfectly into the landscape of the small town of Kendal. It was a real joy to watch them trip and dodge, deflect and snark their way to their true feelings. Every pun-filled exchange brought smiles. I don't drink loose-leaf tea or believe in palm-reading, but I'm willing to give both a try now! There's an especially lovely scene with an umbrella that made me misty-eyed. Some nice writing there!
Best of all, there's another novel coming, so some of the people we just glimpsed in this story will have their chance in the sun. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more about the characters that inhabit Kendal. I just hope that they eat kale and sushi so that my waistline gets a break!
Speaking of something sweet, this story fits the bill. With a quirky pie peddler and an author who deletes as many words as he writes, it was a joy to witness their attraction unfolding. Addie and Ethan fit perfectly into the landscape of the small town of Kendal. It was a real joy to watch them trip and dodge, deflect and snark their way to their true feelings. Every pun-filled exchange brought smiles. I don't drink loose-leaf tea or believe in palm-reading, but I'm willing to give both a try now! There's an especially lovely scene with an umbrella that made me misty-eyed. Some nice writing there!
Best of all, there's another novel coming, so some of the people we just glimpsed in this story will have their chance in the sun. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more about the characters that inhabit Kendal. I just hope that they eat kale and sushi so that my waistline gets a break!
August 18, 2019
This Canada book club choice prompted me to read this story and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Addie Mitchell is an entrepreneur who bakes delicious hand pies and sells them while riding through the small town on her bike. She has become quite famous for her pies and sells her stock out quite quickly. She is looking for love though and has decided to search on line. She sets up her first meetings with the prospective boyfriends at a small coffee shop.
Ethan Holtz has moved to the small town for a change of scenery. He has published several books but finds living in a bigger city is stifling. When he first sees Addie and starts eavesdropping on the conversations he is surprised to see most of the encounters only last fifteen minutes or less. He is intrigued by Addie, she is cute, perky, definitely different but so, not his type. Still he finds her appealing. Finally she approaches him when she realizes he is eavesdropping on his conversations.
A very cute book and I thoroughly enjoyed the quick witted humor between these two characters. Easy to read and I'll be looking for this author's next book.
Addie Mitchell is an entrepreneur who bakes delicious hand pies and sells them while riding through the small town on her bike. She has become quite famous for her pies and sells her stock out quite quickly. She is looking for love though and has decided to search on line. She sets up her first meetings with the prospective boyfriends at a small coffee shop.
Ethan Holtz has moved to the small town for a change of scenery. He has published several books but finds living in a bigger city is stifling. When he first sees Addie and starts eavesdropping on the conversations he is surprised to see most of the encounters only last fifteen minutes or less. He is intrigued by Addie, she is cute, perky, definitely different but so, not his type. Still he finds her appealing. Finally she approaches him when she realizes he is eavesdropping on his conversations.
A very cute book and I thoroughly enjoyed the quick witted humor between these two characters. Easy to read and I'll be looking for this author's next book.
November 9, 2018
3.5 stars! This was a delightfully engaging story about Addie and Ethan. There is entertaining banter between the characters and fun secondary characters. This was not an insta-love story, more of a slow burn romance. However, there was definitely instant attraction and desire for more on the parts of both characters. I enjoyed Ethan the most. He was a quiet, introverted man but did have his Alpha moments. I enjoyed his thought process and his interactions with secondary characters. Addie came off as somewhat flighty at times, but was overall enjoyable. I felt there could have been more story regarding the parents of both main characters. There were definite issues there, but not fleshed out at all. Hints were made about sexy times, but overall it was a very clean story. Very well-written and enjoyable read.
September 9, 2019
Full review on the blog
The romance is being told in a switched POV from Abby and Ethan, our two main characters. While some may not enjoy this “lagging” type of romance, This is something I quite enjoy; We all know there’s an attraction going on from both sides, and YET one of the two decide to not pursue it and hop on another train instead (or atleast try) as they are persuaded that they wouldn’t work. It was even better as we could see both’s thoughts VS how their reactions looked like from the other party.
Of course the beautiful happy ending took tears out of me .. Just, the cheesiness of it all, the healthy relationship, the tale of finally going with your guts and having everything falling perfectly how it should.
The romance is being told in a switched POV from Abby and Ethan, our two main characters. While some may not enjoy this “lagging” type of romance, This is something I quite enjoy; We all know there’s an attraction going on from both sides, and YET one of the two decide to not pursue it and hop on another train instead (or atleast try) as they are persuaded that they wouldn’t work. It was even better as we could see both’s thoughts VS how their reactions looked like from the other party.
Of course the beautiful happy ending took tears out of me .. Just, the cheesiness of it all, the healthy relationship, the tale of finally going with your guts and having everything falling perfectly how it should.
October 26, 2018
I loved this book. Not only is it funny, but it's filled with so much heart. It was impossible not to fall for Addie and Ethan. I loved Addie's unique approach to looking for love (in some of the wrong places). The tea leaf reading is such a fresh take on checking for signs. I wish I'd thought of it in my single days! Ethan is a delicious, pastry addicted everyman - pretty much my dream guy. I admit I am a sucker for stories where the girl finally notices the hot guy who has been sitting right under her nose the whole the time. All in all, this quirky romantic romp is exactly what I needed to read today. I'm still smiling. :)
November 11, 2018
Just the perfect book to curl up with.....
Steeped in Love is a delight. A pie baking heroine that you’ll root for falls for a struggling author who needs new inspiration. The tea leaves point the way.
I found the characters well drawn and believable. The heroine, Addie, was someone I’d love to take to lunch. The hero? Sexy swimmer’s body vividly described, and that works for me. The steaminess is left to the imagination but your mind has plenty to work with. There is no shortness of heat; it is just offstage. I will read the sequel.
Steeped in Love is a delight. A pie baking heroine that you’ll root for falls for a struggling author who needs new inspiration. The tea leaves point the way.
I found the characters well drawn and believable. The heroine, Addie, was someone I’d love to take to lunch. The hero? Sexy swimmer’s body vividly described, and that works for me. The steaminess is left to the imagination but your mind has plenty to work with. There is no shortness of heat; it is just offstage. I will read the sequel.
March 23, 2019
Such a fun story! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Ethan and Addie are meant for each other--but they sure don't know it.
The author has written a perfectly entertaining story about a woman (Addie) searching for love--using her late aunt's method of reading tea leaves--and a writer (Ethan) who is at once smitten, and intrigued by how quickly she can shake off a first date.
Their snarky banter kept me smiling the whole way to the end.
The characters, including the cast of supporting characters, are all so well-written. The plot line is funny yet amazingly believable.
The ending was perfect; I think I was probably wearing a silly grin while I read it.
Splendid, feel-good storytelling...
The author has written a perfectly entertaining story about a woman (Addie) searching for love--using her late aunt's method of reading tea leaves--and a writer (Ethan) who is at once smitten, and intrigued by how quickly she can shake off a first date.
Their snarky banter kept me smiling the whole way to the end.
The characters, including the cast of supporting characters, are all so well-written. The plot line is funny yet amazingly believable.
The ending was perfect; I think I was probably wearing a silly grin while I read it.
Splendid, feel-good storytelling...
July 31, 2019
A fantastic contemporary romance centered in a small town. Addie bakes pies and trusts her tea leaves to find Mr. Right. Through the perils of online dating, she strikes up a conversation with a writer who’s suffering with the worst case of writer’s block in the local coffee shop. This is a great, charming read. No explicit sex scenes, but plenty of sexual tension. I’m a fan for life for this debut author!
September 8, 2019
While very predictable, as most romances are, I really enjoyed this. I was drawn into the characters and they were all truly likeable. I loved how they took reading tea leaves and a struggling writer and somehow made it work.
The imagery is vivid and it left me wanting to know more about their lives and the lives of the other characters.
The imagery is vivid and it left me wanting to know more about their lives and the lives of the other characters.
October 30, 2018
So Much Fun!!
Addie and Ethan are great characters - I found myself racing through the story to see who was going to try what next! If you're looking for a story that will have you smiling long after you've finished it, this is for you - a great read!
Addie and Ethan are great characters - I found myself racing through the story to see who was going to try what next! If you're looking for a story that will have you smiling long after you've finished it, this is for you - a great read!
November 5, 2018
Loved this book. It’s a very funny romance novel. Ethan and Addie are a great couple, but, it takes them a while to find out what you’ve known for a while!! I definitely recommend this great book, Steeped in Love by Julie Evelyn Joyce.
May 6, 2019
This story was very "vanilla" in the romance department while being predictable and fluffy. It was entertaining to read though, especially since I'm trying to use my kobo more. I would say its closer to a 3.5 than a 3.
August 29, 2019
Addie is looking for love in her tea leaves. ETHAn is looking for inspiration for his next book in Kaden. When they meet in Cup-A-Cabana coffee shop after a disastrous first date for Addie, they banter, laugh and feel an instant connection. Are they brave enough to face their tea leaves and a chance at rue love? Sweet story.
September 6, 2019
3.5 stars. I wouldn't often call a book/story cute, but this one definitely is. I enjoyed it more than I expected. I liked the banter between the main characters. Fun read that made me smile throughout.
January 18, 2019
This book was wonderful!! The characters are well developed and easy to love! It’s fun to watch their relationship develop (with all the bumps along the road). Great read!
August 22, 2019
Delightfully hilarious.
August 23, 2019
I love this book. Such a feel-good read.
September 1, 2019
#TogetherWeRead and mentions Kendal and Newtonville; although not as the towns I’m familiar with, mentioned nonetheless. Cute.
September 8, 2019
A sweet friends to lovers romance, perfectly brewed with a touch of tea-reading to make it special. I look forward to the rest of the series
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October 7, 2019an enjoyable escapist read.
December 16, 2018
A charming romance, full of small-town quirky characters, a strong cast of protagonist friends, and banter galore. I related to both the main characters for different reasons, and it made them feel all the more real and accessible. I'm looking forward to much more by Julie Evelyn Joyce!
August 19, 2019
A light, fun read, perfect for a summer's day.
August 24, 2019
Loved it...well written. A book which really makes you smile and root for the lead characters.
August 31, 2019
It's a well-written story. My rating has nothing to do with quality. It's just it wasn't my kind of book. Though, I have to say, unlike many no-sex-scene books I've read in recent years, it doesn't feel like the scene was removed during editing. It's absence felt more natural. Congratulations to the author on the kobo award, though. I can understand why they won.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2018
Addie makes pies, reads tea leaves and rides a ten speed in short shorts. Ethan is a novelist, but is struggling with writing his current book.
They meet in the adorably named Cup-A-Cabana. He prefers coffee and danish, while she is a tea and pie gal. They notice each other quickly and jump right into a snarky banter.
I think the quick attraction without a lot of character development or plot pacing issues are why I only gave it three stars. Obviously, Julie Joyce is a funny and clever writer but this book missed something right from the get go. The romance is based on funny dialogue between the two characters and a reader (me) needs more than this book offers.
However, I am impressed with Julie and I will definitely buy her next book to see if she if it fleshes out characters better and does more with plot. I just need more than funny dialogue, I need stronger story.
They meet in the adorably named Cup-A-Cabana. He prefers coffee and danish, while she is a tea and pie gal. They notice each other quickly and jump right into a snarky banter.
I think the quick attraction without a lot of character development or plot pacing issues are why I only gave it three stars. Obviously, Julie Joyce is a funny and clever writer but this book missed something right from the get go. The romance is based on funny dialogue between the two characters and a reader (me) needs more than this book offers.
However, I am impressed with Julie and I will definitely buy her next book to see if she if it fleshes out characters better and does more with plot. I just need more than funny dialogue, I need stronger story.
August 26, 2019
Rating more like a 3.5
Enjoyed this funny romantic novel!
Enjoyed this funny romantic novel!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews