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Espresso Served With Love (Java City Book 1):

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Avery Greenlace has it all from the outside looking in. As heiress of Coffee Brat Brewery, she has made her family proud. Under her creativity, she’s brought the coffee brand to the number one spot nationwide and a household name for several years. Avery has long had dreams of opening a unique business to help women, despite an unsupportive family. Adding to her frustrations, a former love who broke her heart has returned wanting to rekindle their relationship.Retired NBA player and hometown favorite, Mykal Collier, is back in Java City with two goals in mind. Reclaiming the heart of the only woman he’s ever allowed himself to love and realizing his dream of building a shoe factory in his best friend’s memory. Avery’s rebuffs cause him to come up with a scheme to enlist her help with his plans. Winning her back will be a challenge, but he’s in it to win it.Will the amusing antics brewing in both families cause more friction for the couple? Or can revelations from their pasts bring them together or seal their fate?Come to Java City and see what’s brewing!

275 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 6, 2018

65 people are currently reading
33 people want to read

About the author

Sharon Blount

11 books2 followers

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5 stars
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22 (30%)
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Sally Kilpatrick.
Author 17 books394 followers
October 9, 2025
Somehow I forgot to write a review of this one early. Blount is especially good at humor and familial dynamics. This one is a second chance love story but also a story about following your passions. At times emotional and at others hilarious.
Profile Image for Carmen Blalock.
262 reviews16 followers
January 19, 2019
Two things in the world are intense ~ love and coffee.  Love is something that everyone is looking for or if they already have it they want, no they need to keep it!  Love is an addiction, just like coffee.  Those who love coffee really love and they love what they love and are hard pressed to try something different.  I know you don't see the similarity in these two things but love and coffee are both drugs, so to speak.  Everyone wants them, once they get them it is hard to kick it.  The good thing is when you get the love that you deserve it is soothing like a good cup of coffee and it makes you happy.

Avery Greenlace works at her family business Coffee Brat Brewery where she is basically running the place.  Her parents are in charge of the actual business but Avery is the one who does everything from finding new coffee beans to naming the newest brews at their multiple locations.  Avery is one of three Greenlace heirs but she is the most vested in the Brewery.  While Avery is content she is not happy, she really wants her own happiness and that doesn't include Coffee Brat Brewery.  That is not where her heart is, but who can get her to follow her heart?  Will she follow her heart or go with the usual program?

Mykal Collier is a hometown hero.  He started in Java City, went to college then into the NBA where he was successful.  Mykal was happy in the NBA with all the fame and fortune, or so he thought.  Mykal was struggling with events that had happened in his life and that caused him to rethink life.  Returning to Java City, Mykal has an agenda.  He is coming back to be with his loved ones and to follow through on his dream.  The question is will everything that he loves be successful or with he be chasing ghosts for the rest of his life. 

Espresso Served With Love is a book about hope and faith.  Blount is writing about redemption and the way that this is written makes you root for the underdog and the underdog is YOU!  She is showing that life affects everyone and it is about how you go about getting your happiness that will make you successful.  The book could be me, you  or anyone that we might know.  This book is very relatable and for a freshman novel Blount has hit the nail on the head.  I look forward to many more novels from this independent author, she has stories in her heart.  Congratulations on your first of many novels!
Profile Image for Celeste .
582 reviews6 followers
November 12, 2018
Forgiveness, legacy and love

Sharon congratulations on completing your first full length novel. Well done on staying the course and fulfilling one of your life's purposes.

As for the story. There is a wit that is undeniable. Several scenes I chuckled. Always funny when you can envision something taking place and laugh. The story has layers. The family dynamics of the Greenlace family is real. You definitely see the harsh reality of secrets being kept. And how they impact a family.

Having seen the Color Purple many times it was a playful way of connecting Avery and Mykal 's relationship

I will say that gun violence is definitely a subject that needs to be addressed. As well as sexual assault. Both were handled in a respective manner. While I currently do not agree with what drove the narrative of Kevin's death, I can see why it was framed in that manner.

I look forward to seeing more of the supporting cast story and how they deal with the issues that impact their lives
Profile Image for Brenda  Larnell.
442 reviews26 followers
November 7, 2018
Espresso Served With Love is a debut novel by author, Sharon Blount that successfully incorporates humor, second chance love, zany family antics, and a heart-warming love story that will keep you turning the pages. The play on words will capture the attention and heart of coffee lovers everywhere. The HEA is delightful and served with love! Mykal and Avery are so right for each other. I promise you I will always think of this story and its connection to The Color Purple. You’ll get that when you read the book. I like this story, and I know you will too. Kudos to Sharon Blount. I recommend Expresso Served With Love for your reading pleasure.
Profile Image for yalonda  Williams .
14 reviews
December 26, 2020
Good story!

I liked this book and the story was good, but the names of the NBA players and their wives were not really thought out. The names were entirely to close to whom they were based off. The plot twist about the brother not being the dad’s biological son was a little too obvious. From the physical description of the son to the dad’s treatment lead me to what the conclusion was before we got to it in the book. Overall it was a good book and I would read more books from this author.
Profile Image for Lisa D..
87 reviews11 followers
November 23, 2018
Good to the last page

Espresso Served with Love, is a wonderful debut story by Sharon Blount. The second chance romance between the beautiful, sexy, espresso lover, Avery Greenlace and former NBA star Mykal Collier is brewed to perfection. The story takes the bitter with the sweet, with splashes of drama, humor, and, of course, sexiness. Espresso Served with Love never cools down and will keep you awake. I cannot wait for the next order in Java City.
143 reviews3 followers
December 26, 2020
A new fave

This story was so real and funny as all get out. Sharon Blount I am sure is going to be a one click without the need to read synopsis author for me. This debut was a great read. I only have few one clickers by name...Christina C. Jones and Alexandria House to name my tops, so trust the debut is a must read. Cannot wait for cray- cray Robert and Vandross' story. Go click and enjoy.
Profile Image for ToniReads_1.
595 reviews15 followers
February 7, 2021
Java City

My first read by this author and pleasantly impressed. I love the love story of Mykal and his Shug. We all know that saying anything worth having will be a struggle to get. They crushed on each other horrific circumstances pulled them apart but their love for one another never wilted. I was happy for them rekindling their romance. By the way, you will definitely love it if you are a coffee fanitic
770 reviews3 followers
April 18, 2024
coming back to your true love

Mykal and Avery are match made in heaven despite their time apart. This book had me laughing and crying from all the different personalities. Mental health is something none of us can ignore and we need to seek help at all cost. Family should always support the goals and dreams of their loved ones.
Profile Image for Lyn.
353 reviews8 followers
December 22, 2018
Congratulations Sharon. I really enjoyed the story. I loved how the story took twists and turns, but ended up at a second time around love. I loved the characters, each of them has some issues. I hope there is another book.coming soon. Good read.
Profile Image for LaKenya Robertson-Smith.
137 reviews6 followers
November 11, 2019
Worth every $$$$

Mykal and Avery had me revisiting a lot of situations in my life. Java City is surely filled with some interesting characters. The emotional rollercoaster was worth the ride. Now I need Robert and Van's book!!! Or Gabe and Sheryl!!!!
Profile Image for LaToya Murchison.
Author 14 books17 followers
August 8, 2022
Great read

This is my first book by the author and I found it hard to put it down. It was filled with so many different emotions. In this story true love wins. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Profile Image for Ava Smith-forrest.
874 reviews2 followers
November 23, 2023
Espresso Served With Love

I loved it.Granny Greenlace is my shero. Avery and Mykal had a hard time trying to maintain a relationship because of lack of communication but all well that ends well.
Profile Image for Donna Scoggins.
555 reviews
November 10, 2018
Coffee on the Mind

I love Java City and the families! Mykal and Avery have me believing in true love. I laughed, cried, and now love all things coffee! Great book!
Profile Image for JoAnn Litman.
230 reviews2 followers
December 1, 2018
Awesome

A great first book. I hope you write a second book about Vandross and Robert. What a crazy town. There was never a dull moment in this town
Profile Image for Shone.
1,349 reviews28 followers
December 14, 2018
Secrets All Around

This debut novel ran the gambit from funny to serious with great subject matter. I see promise as the author grows as a writer.
19 reviews
April 17, 2019
Funny

This book is just what everyone needs. Good laughs and love. Truly a good read. I'm truly a fan now
Profile Image for Demeshia Jenkins.
92 reviews1 follower
July 1, 2021
Confused

Nothing in this book had to do with espresso or the book description. Nor did it have the characters that was described in the introduction
Profile Image for 'The Book Queen'.
6,039 reviews115 followers
August 15, 2021
I liked the story. However, It was repetitive a good bit about the mom's pie too too much. Overall, the story was a fun read.
11 reviews
August 19, 2021
Hurt by Love

This is a great story that shows that true love can overcome any challenges with communication. Great story of triumph and love.
Profile Image for Martha Ruff.
771 reviews12 followers
September 11, 2021
This book was really good and really hilarious, I can't wait until the next book in the series!!!
Profile Image for Joanne Asberry.
43 reviews2 followers
March 23, 2023
Relaxing ,fun quick read. Making you want more Java city ! Still smiling
Profile Image for Lamaya ꨄ︎.
185 reviews75 followers
February 7, 2023

With drama, secrets, and humor, Expresso Served With Love was an enjoyable read. Sharon Blount was successfully able to bring family antics and second chance love into a story.

I really liked the characters! They were so funny lol. Especially Robert. Oh! And granny! She had me cracking up.

Although I enjoyed the book, there were a few things that I did not enjoy. We hear about Vera’s pie so much you would think that it was delicious. There’s also a line that Mykal says multiple times that didn’t have to be repeated word for word. I would have also liked if the storyline matched the title a little more. We know that there’s a family business, but it’s vaguely discussed.

Will be reading book two to see what happens next.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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