A lesbian romance novella Cherry Hawkins has always loved ice cream. After scraping together enough money, and applying for the correct permit, she has set up her new ice cream trike in the affluent market town of Wilmsford. Unfortunately, her permit-approved spot puts her right outside the Gelato Parlour. Owned by Juliana Martin-Sinclair, the meticulous woman who puts the ice into ice queen. What will happen when these two very different ice cream aficionados collide? 31,400 words
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A.E. Radley is an entrepreneur and best-selling author living and working in England.
She describes herself as a Wife. Traveller. Tea Drinker. Biscuit Eater. Animal Lover. Master Pragmatist. Annoying Procrastinator. Theme Park Fan. Movie Buff.
When not writing or working, Radley indulges in her third passion of buying unnecessary cat accessories on a popular online store for her two ungrateful strays whom she has threatened to return for the last seven years.
Yikes, I didn’t expect this cute cover to hide such a deep and meaningful ice cream flavors. The witty dialogue, quirky characters each with their own brand of eccentricity, and heartwarming 1st base romance quickly won me over. By the end of the book I was alternating between awww-ing, cursing as Radley throw in another quicky ending and eating a matcha in cone.
I can’t really put into words just what it is exactly about Radley's books that make them such entertaining read for me because they are far from perfect, but every time I’m tempted to say ‘hey, that’s so cliché, Radley’, my brain kinda just shuts down. I mean...this is a FUN book, it’s just so easy to forget to nitpick, so easy to go with the flow, leave the logic behind and enjoy the story for what its worth.
Ice Cream Wars is about unfiltering the bad, magnifying the good and balancing the two out. For once, it’s refreshing to have a heroine who isn’t damaged or a bad girl, just a normal cool girl any girl/guy would feel lucky to call her girlfriend - I am heels over head in like with Cherry, seriously, Cherry can give Brayden's Elizabeth Draper a run for her high 5s.
The romance builds up over a foundation of word wars and dirty plays - courtesy of the gelato queen. It’s good to read about a realistic romance that will develop over time and isn’t spontaneous. HEAs are great but sometimes, HFNs are enough especially for shorties like this. If you like Brayden's Draper, do check Cherry out but please respect that I *cough, cough, called dibs cough on her 1st cough*
Ice cream is my go to food, I can eat it anywhere/anytime/any flavor except for durian and mint. During my dating period, books had its fingers wrapped tightly on my budget so I was a bit cash strapped hence I was quite famous with this line "Let's skip dinner and go straight to dessert." My current favorite poison in the cone/cup/waffle/bun/stick is Love Potion 31, what's your poison?
“How dare Cherry put feminism back seventy years just to sell ice cream!”
I didn't expect much from this book and I was pleasantly surprised. The MCs had flaming chemistry and icy wars. Even when they were fighting, they keep complimenting each other. It was super entertaining to watch the hilarious banter between Cherry and Juliana, their ice cream wars and most of all to see the ice queen melt. My only issue is the abrupt ending.
I've read and liked books by both of the authors listed on the cover.
Unfortunately, this was the weakest book I've by them, so far. Mostly because this appeared to be designed to be an over-the-top book, which wasn't really badly handled but . . . there didn't seem to be either the counter-balance or humor (humor can be the counter balance but doesn't need to be). I believe some (all?) of the stuff that occurs might have been done with the intention of the bit being humorous, but I didn't notice anything funny in the book
The book involved someone somewhere near 27 who has strawberry blonde hair (which I note because the other main character keeps calling her, wrongly, as the ginger nut). She's saved a lot to open a mobile ice cream business. She was able to get a permit but only allows her to operate in one spot. Directly in front of a gelato, sorbert & coffee shop. To finish off description: she's a charming happy person with a spring trigger temper
The other main character owns that previously mentioned shop. She's 37, has an ice queen reputation, but with a rage even closer to the surface than the ginger nut.
The 2 conduct a war, mostly lead by the ice queen, who feels the ginger nut is intentionally ruining her business.
3.5 stars Short funny light read. I am on holiday cycling to Berlin and camping so this was a in between others and everything book and I enjoyed it. If you don’t expect much depth but like to entertained I can recommend this. 3.5 stars rounds up to a rating of 4.
This is a sweet and light-hearted enemies-to-lovers story that had me smiling and even chuckling more than a few times. While there are many instances of humour, it never crosses the line into camp or ridiculous. A few serious issues are touched on, and they are dealt with in a realistic and not heavy-handed way.
The novel is written in third-person from alternating perspectives of our two MCs. We meet Juliana first, she's a consummate ice-queen right from the start with her designer clothes, Mercedes and strict rule over her shop and single employee. Her domain is invaded by the cheerful, bubbly and outgoing Cherry, the antithesis of everything she is. They clash in funny, then increasingly serious ways, all the while interest and sexual tension simmers just under the surface. The story held my interest and is short enough to read all in one go, but long enough to give you a satisfying read with fleshed-out characters. I really liked the difference in the voice of the two MCs. I was never confused about whose POV it was. The book is set in England and I really enjoyed the vernacular, as well as the fact that everything was spelled right (Canadian here!). Every so often, a hilarious one-liner was casually dropped into the narrative, so overall a fun and enjoyable read. The only issue I had was the story ended just as things were getting good! So if you're in the mood to step into a world of sunshine and sweets, where conflict turns into kisses, this is the book for you! Rating: 4.5 stars Thank you so much to AE Radley for giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful book.
A very antagonistic relationship, as Radley writes so well. She's got it down-pat for British Ice Queens with issues, and yet lots of layers that she is able to have us see a relationship possible, despite the rocky road start... ha! had to get that pun in there...
4.5⭐ Really fun read! I just think it was too short, I would've liked to see more of their ice cream war and them as a couple. Julianas switch from not liking Cherry to suddenly being nice and wanting to date her was a little sudden and the ending seemed really rushed. But I still loved it for what it was, a quick easy read. And I do always appreciate a romance book with no spice, we need more of those!
Cherry and Juliana are at war! With business in the same town that serve a similar clientele it is vibrant and bubbly Cherry who has caught Juliana’s eye but at first not for the right reasons. Seeing Cherry as a rival, and competition, Ice Queen Juliana is determined to show her who is boss. As the pair of them engage in a rivalry between businesses it soon becomes clear who is playing what games and that fighting might not be the best thing for both their businesses.
Absolutely loved it and its left me with a craving for some delicious frozen treats as the flavours featured really were a delight, even the dull ones! The immediate chemistry between Cherry and Juliana was sheet brilliance, and the way they morphed from enemies was just brilliant. The stubbornness of Juliana really fuelled this story for me, without her it would never have been as amazing as it was. The rivalry and competitiveness of both characters was just refreshing and showed how differently people really do handle situations. The light element of comedy that surrounded the whole story really made the story special and bought a touch of fun the development of the conflict in the story.
Now this was a collaboration story but two authors who have very different writing styles, but the flow of this made it very difficult to tell which of them had written which chapters. It was just that fluid and extremely easy to read. It was as sweet and delightful, even with the hidden agendas of the rivalry on a certain someone’s part which made it a real sweet treat of a story. I couldn’t even tell which author had created which of the two lead characters, and I really thought I was instantly going to be able to define one from the other without any hesitation. This is just a testament to how well their writing and character’s complimented one another.
Just another winning book for both A. E. Radley and Emma Sterner Radley, and just goes to show why their stories are so popular. Seamless and beautifully written to the point that I loved everything about it. I really do want some ice cream now! And I can’t recommend this book enough. What a fantastic read!
Barely disguised SwanQueen fanfic. This is utterly predictable and finishes at least a couple of charters too early.
If you’re a Kindle Unlimited subscriber with a couple of hours on your hands you could do much worse than spending your time on this novella but otherwise I wouldn’t bother.
If this book were a movie I’d be saying ‘wait till it comes out on video’. It’s fine but utterly forgettable.
I really enjoyed this at first. It's well written, the two ladies are great, and there's a dash of humor. But then it got a bit predictable, like I had read this several times before. Then when it starts to get going it just suddenly ends which seems to be a common theme with the last couple Radley books I have read, which is becoming tiresome. If you're a part of Kindle Unlimited give it a go, otherwise it's pretty forgettable.
This is a short light read. I liked the story line and I liked Cherry from the beginning but thought Juliana was an absolute bitch at the beginning. Later in the story I started to like her. It was a good story but it isn't the best that I have read by either author.
I really didn’t enjoy this book which is odd because I love Radley’s work. This one felt a bit rough and rushed at the end compared to the beginning of the book. Other than the characters loosely resembling some popular TV ones, I didn’t think the chemistry was well developed in this book.
Tasty Treats The dynamic duo of A.E Radley and Emma Sterner-Radley serve up this sweet story of yumminess. Cherry is a perky, cheerful and hopeful woman (and let’s face it, with a name like Cherry, would you expect and less?) with ice cream dreams and a plan to make them happen. Juliana is a highly caffeinated, highly stressed and highly uptight woman with a highly developed need to succeed at all costs. She, of course sells fancy not frozen treats that are NOT ice cream! (Oh, and lots of coffee drinks!) Naturally, these two women are on a collision course because in the jerkiness that is Colin the Toad’s (of the city council) pettiness. (He’s a creepo, just so you know). This is a cleverly written and cute tale that will warm your heart and bring you joy. The book is just the right size to whet your appetite for love. With lots of follies and fun, you will adore this delightful dessert too!
As soon as I heard Amanda and Emma would be collaborating on a book, I knew I'd have to snatch it up immediately. Each woman's writing is like coming home and having a cup of your favorite tea in your pajamas. I love how the conflict is written in such a way that the reader gets a little frustrated with the characters, how both sides are so easy to relate to, and how the resolution is never unrealistic or trite. A really comforting quick read. I love it and hope you'll collaborate more in the future!
This was way more on the cutesy side. The shenanigans going back and forth between Cherry and Juliana were reminiscent of little boys or girls pulling little girls hair to get there attention. The build up to their chemistry was done in such a way that you fell in love with them despite the really mean things being done. Great job from the Radley’s.
Ice Cream Wars was a crack romance novella. The rivalry (all in Juliana’s head) between Cherry & Juliana was ridiculous and I thought Juliana was an asshole honestly. I mean I get that she viewed Cherry as competition for sales and customers, but be a decent human being huh? Like that conversation she had with Herbert After this the rivalry actually starts heating up because Cherry now takes a shot, but why wouldn’t she.
I know this is supposed to be fun and light-hearted, but I couldn’t help being upset every time they interacted, . Also Colin Greene though, ewww, and .
If it wasn’t for the Sapphic Book Bingo, I dunno if I’d have finished this novella. The Ice queen trope isn’t really for me, nor is romanticizing that type of behaviour, even if “they find a way forward in the end.” Anyway, I can see why people would enjoy this trope, it just isn’t my flavour ice cream.
Lovely story of two rivals ... but not for the same reason. One is sinister because she is insecure ... the other is sweet and feels guilty with her retaliations. Both strong women who learn valuable lessons from each other. Cherry is young and naive. Juliana is older and a little jaded. Love Cherry’s mom ... the voice of reason!!! Well developed characters and plot. A very good read. I heartily recommend this and any other works by this author. Thank you Peace
I stopped reading at 36%. It was an enemies-to-lovers book, and I adored the "good" character, but the "bad" character did something that I couldn't or wouldn't forgive. I certainly wouldn't have wanted to have an intimate relationship with her, either, no matter how contrite she was. So, other readers might be much more forgiving than I am and really enjoy the book. Please read other reviews for better ratings.
This story is of a rivalry turned romance. The war between Cherry and Juliana for cold treat customers is humorous. As the war escalates, so do feelings for the “enemy”. An accident sets change in motion and new relationships are forged which lead to that happily ever after ending. A very enjoyable story!
Well, I have read books by each author, all have been amazing! So this one that they have written together?Phenomenal :) but why oh why did it have to end?!
I haven’t read a book by either of these two authors that hasn’t left me begging them (literally) for more from their amazing characters. Cherry is adorable! Julianna is strong but also vulnerable, great combination, great story
2 stars. Didn’t enjoy this one at all. The characters were so hateful to each other that they crossed multiple lines multiple times. And then the way they all of a sudden fell for each other didn’t ring true for me. I didn’t like Julianna or Cherry, the ending just stops and feels unfinished, and the antics were childish. Unfortunate because the synopsis sounded like something I would enjoy.
I don’t like it when I can tell exactly which of the two authors wrote each chapter. Amanda and Emma have very distinct writing styles and sadly I don’t think they match. I’m used to Amanda’s style but quickly realized this book is a lot different from what she usually writes. I always love her characters and their chemistry and the build up, yet I felt none of these things here.
I loves Juliana's character - especially the combing of hair, and the "war" was cute and not really called for but fun to watch it play out. The different vehicles used to help Cherry was really amusing.
Very funny and relaxing. I had a good laugh about the eye lashes on the car as I have bought the same for my friend's pienk combi. Great story line thanks.