Good romance including social anxiety
MY RATING
5 stars--WOW
4 stars--would read again
3 stars--was good
2 stars--didn't enjoy it
1 star--didn't finish
Should I read books before this one: no
Cliffhanger: no
SUMMARY
Theo loves creating candy in his lab. He doesn't like greeting school tours. He's the CEO of a very profitable candy business.
Harper and Kylie run a Halloween festival every year; it's their full-time job. This is their biggest festival yet. Kyle suggests getting a specific candy maker to be in their festival. Harper likes their candy, so calls and leaves a message. Harper was widowed 4 years ago and her son, Jace, is getting bullied in school about having no dad.
Sawyer makes Theo come with him to buy a new car. Sawyer bribes him with a visit to a taffy shop. Sawyer wants Theo making more public appearances; he doesn't want to. Theo has ideas for a new taffy.
Harper gets so frustrated that the company isn't calling her back. She reads online reviews. "Everyone raved about the candy and the cleanliness of the facility, but there were some who felt the need to point out the man behind the candy was weird, strange, different, and odd. As the mother of a child who was often called those names, I felt an immediate kinship with the guy." Bullying is her pet peeve. She sees they do school tours, will get it set up and be a chaperone to "run into" the boss. Jace decides to not trick-or-treat or dress up because of bullies.
Theo gets to work early on Mondays. He hears so many messages from some crazy intense woman. She also somehow got Sawyer's number. “Don’t call her back.” “Why not?” “Because I don’t want to do business with someone like that.” Sawyer tells him about a school tour on Thursday.
Both Harper and Jace enjoy the tour. They get to the interactive room. Harper tries to pin the tour guide down about the boss coming to talk to them. Jace is gone. No one helps her look.
Theo's working on a new taffy when he sees a boy in the hall contemplating pictures. “Why did you leave your group?” “I don’t like being around the other kids.” “Why not?” “I just don’t like it. They aren’t my friends.” I completely understood. Theo invites Jace into his lab, lets him taste the pumpkin pie taffy he's working on. “You can hang out here for a few minutes, but then you have to go back. Your teacher is probably already looking for you.” “She won’t know I’m gone. They never know when I wander away.” “You wander away a lot?” “Sometimes.” “I get it. Why don’t you help me mix up another batch?” His eyes got big. “Really?” “You went on the tour, right?” “Yes.” “Then you’re ready to work.” Theo doesn't like kids, but he likes this one. They work. A woman bursts in. “Jace! There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” “I was right here, Mom. The man asked me if I wanted some candy.” “You lured my son in here with candy?!”
Sawyer comes in. “I didn’t lure him in here! He came in on his own!” “Stop,” I hissed. “You don’t get to talk.” Sawyer introduces Theo. She apologizes. Theo says he'll take them back to their group, Sawyer leaves. Theo and Jace show her the lab, the candy. “This is good.” “It needs sweetness.” “Jace, that’s not polite.” “No, no, it’s okay. I asked him for his opinion. He’s got a good palate.” Theo invites them to lunch and a private tour. Harper likes Theo's quiet demeanor.
EVALUATION
The romance was fun. The social anxiety was overdone and too easily resolved.
FAVORITE QUOTES
I needed to figure out how to help my little guy on my own, even if it meant taking him fishing and other fatherly things. I would touch a worm for my child. Heck, I would eat the damn thing if that was what made him happy.
A kid that was being picked on wasn’t always aware he was being picked on.
Part of dealing with anxiety is determining just how logical it is to be afraid of whatever it is that is freaking you out.
Some people just like different things. We’re all different. It doesn’t mean any of us is wrong or broken. We just have different views and likes.
Sometimes, our minds need a rest. When there is a lot of stuff happening, we can feel overwhelmed. Reading, listening to music, playing the piano, or even walking can help give our minds a break. We don’t have to think about all the stuff that makes us sad. We can think about good stuff. Then, when we’re done playing or whatever, the good stuff is on top, and the bad stuff doesn’t feel so big.
Don’t hold yourself back from enjoying life. Never put off doing something you want. Take chances. Big risks equal big rewards—in all aspects of life.
Say what you feel. Open your heart and don’t be afraid to be hurt. Love is a precious gift that life gives us. Don’t be afraid to take it. Love. Be loved. Live. Really live.
Being a father isn’t about changing diapers. It’s about unconditional love and support. It’s being the bad guy when you have to and lending a listening ear.
POSSIBLE TRIGGERS
Sex: multiple scenes
Language: 3 f***, 37 Lord's name in vain, 57 s***
Violence: school bullying