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Sugar Maple #1
If You Love Me
Ex-Army sergeant Drew Lancaster demands order, but when he’s thrust into small-town politics involving crazy elders and a manipulative mayor he finds himself submerged in chaos. His only hope to navigate the strange rules of the town comes from a distractingly beautiful, mess of a woman - Carissa Donahue.
As a small town girl, Carissa lives her life on a whim and a prayer. Even in the kitchen she never uses a recipe, yet her sweets are known as the best throughout the South. She has no desire to be a part of Drew’s show, but she knows it’s the town’s best option to increase tourism during a troubling economic time. If there wasn’t an upturn, she’d have to close her bakery. She can’t lose it. Owning a bakery has been her lifelong dream, and her focus since her best friend ran away with her fiancé.
The icing on the project for Drew is that a colleague has promised him a spot working at a real film network if Drew can spend time with Carissa and not fall in love. Drew isn’t sure he can resist the one person he’d never date under different circumstances, nor is he sure he wants to.
Can Drew convince Carissa she can trust him enough to open her heart?
As a small town girl, Carissa lives her life on a whim and a prayer. Even in the kitchen she never uses a recipe, yet her sweets are known as the best throughout the South. She has no desire to be a part of Drew’s show, but she knows it’s the town’s best option to increase tourism during a troubling economic time. If there wasn’t an upturn, she’d have to close her bakery. She can’t lose it. Owning a bakery has been her lifelong dream, and her focus since her best friend ran away with her fiancé.
The icing on the project for Drew is that a colleague has promised him a spot working at a real film network if Drew can spend time with Carissa and not fall in love. Drew isn’t sure he can resist the one person he’d never date under different circumstances, nor is he sure he wants to.
Can Drew convince Carissa she can trust him enough to open her heart?
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2020
576 people are currently reading
425 people want to read
About the author
Ciara Knight
120 books804 followersCiara Knight is a USA Today bestselling and Maggie Award-winning author of heartwarming romance.
Her popular sweet romance series, Sweetwater County (rated for all audiences and enjoyed by over a million readers), is a small-town romance full of family trials, friendly competition, and community love.
Her popular sweet romance series, Sweetwater County (rated for all audiences and enjoyed by over a million readers), is a small-town romance full of family trials, friendly competition, and community love.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
June 2, 2020
Discovering Ciara Knight was like sipping a glass of wine and eating my favourite dessert while listening to the sound of the ocean and watching dolphins at sunset. Her book, IF YOU LOVE ME is a feel good novel spiced with amazing lough out loud moments and, of course, the salt and pepper of a wonderful story: bit of rivalry, lost and found friendships and a very sexy ex-army sergeant who steals the heart of our simple, talented, distractingly beautiful, mess of a woman - Carissa Donahue.
IF YOU LOVE ME is one wonderfully written romance novel that can easily make you addicted. It's steady pace and cleanliness attracted me and made me read it in one go. I couldn't put it down and I fell in love with all characters, even the jerk attractive city boy Drew Lancaster. I laughed so much with the town elders and hoped that the group of one time best friends will reunite to save Sugar Maple.
But things don't always work out as expected, or at least the story makes you think so. Drew was promised a spot at a real film network if he can spend time with Carissa and not fall in love with her. But, will he resist the charm of the small town girl? Or will he fall hard and decide to stay, winning the hearts of the townspeople and the baker in question, Carissa Donahue?
IF YOU LOVE ME is one wonderfully written romance novel that can easily make you addicted. It's steady pace and cleanliness attracted me and made me read it in one go. I couldn't put it down and I fell in love with all characters, even the jerk attractive city boy Drew Lancaster. I laughed so much with the town elders and hoped that the group of one time best friends will reunite to save Sugar Maple.
But things don't always work out as expected, or at least the story makes you think so. Drew was promised a spot at a real film network if he can spend time with Carissa and not fall in love with her. But, will he resist the charm of the small town girl? Or will he fall hard and decide to stay, winning the hearts of the townspeople and the baker in question, Carissa Donahue?
March 30, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is complex enough to keep my attention yet flows well enough to stoke my enjoyment. The main characters are very interesting and complicated. Drew, the male protagonist, is ex-military, OCD, and a bit of a jerk, but he has so many more layers. Carissa, the female protagonist, is a bit haphazard and flies by the seat of her pants, but she is so much more. The friction and chemistry between them is wonderfully fun to watch. Yes, it is a very nicely written romance, but it is so much more than that. The love story is set against the backdrop of an estranged group of nearly lifelong friends and a beloved town on the verge of ruin. Ciara Knight truly delivers the humor, sparks, and romance. I highly recommend this read!
June 27, 2020
This is the first book I’ve read by Ciara Knight, but it definitely won’t be my last. I love the small town of Sugar Maple and the residents and other business owners, although I don’t include Judas Jackie in the like column, lol. This story focuses on Carissa, the owner of Sugar and Soul Bakery, and Drew Lancaster, the right-hand man to Knox Brevard. Drew and his assistant, Lori, are in town to see what should be featured in this project. If you enjoy small town settings with childhood friends, remaining friends into adulthood, then this is the book for you. I won’t leave any spoilers, so grab your copy and see what it means to be tarred and southernized.
March 29, 2020
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review but I have also pre-ordered it as it is that good.
What I love about Ciara Knight’s stories about small town people is that the characters are damaged when you meet them but by the end of the story, they have been repaired. Carissa and Drew are two such people who handle their problems in totally different ways. Carissa hides behind her baking while Drew is a OCD business person who only wants to work. He wants nothing to do with this project in Sugar Maple and makes a bet so that he can get a job in LA. But like most things in life, the best laid plans are often don’t go as planned. You will be very surprised by the things you learn about small town life in this book.
What I love about Ciara Knight’s stories about small town people is that the characters are damaged when you meet them but by the end of the story, they have been repaired. Carissa and Drew are two such people who handle their problems in totally different ways. Carissa hides behind her baking while Drew is a OCD business person who only wants to work. He wants nothing to do with this project in Sugar Maple and makes a bet so that he can get a job in LA. But like most things in life, the best laid plans are often don’t go as planned. You will be very surprised by the things you learn about small town life in this book.
March 29, 2020
I really enjoyed this story. Big city comes to small town with a reality show filming. This is a well paced clean romance with plenty going on. You will also love the other characters such as the group of one time best friends and of course the town elders. A great start to a new series
March 29, 2020
If You Love Me, it a great start to this
new series. It's a funny & moving book.
It has small town charms with delightful
& quirky characters.
The Mayor wants to bring more tourists
to town, while helping five friends
find their way back to each other.
Carissa, was betrayed by her best friend.
She closed off her heart, & stayed in
her own little world inside her bakery.
That is till she met Drew.
Sugar Maple, is the last place Drew
wants to be. And Carissa, is the last
person he'd be interested in.
But never say never.
I really enjoyed reading this story!!
new series. It's a funny & moving book.
It has small town charms with delightful
& quirky characters.
The Mayor wants to bring more tourists
to town, while helping five friends
find their way back to each other.
Carissa, was betrayed by her best friend.
She closed off her heart, & stayed in
her own little world inside her bakery.
That is till she met Drew.
Sugar Maple, is the last place Drew
wants to be. And Carissa, is the last
person he'd be interested in.
But never say never.
I really enjoyed reading this story!!
March 29, 2020
Absolutely love this book. It reads more like a Hallmark movie special than just a book. Carissa and Drew has the best chemistry and it’s obvious they’re meant for each other even though they don’t see it. Good, clean romance, not giving away the book but I loved it!!
March 29, 2020
If You Love Me is a well written and entertaining romance. Fast paced plot with well developed characters. If you enjoy a good romance book I highly recommend this one. I received an arc from the author and this is my unbiased review.
July 7, 2020
Carissa loves baking and owns her own shop but times are hard and she has to work with her friends including Jackie who Carissa's boyfriend left her for and now they are enemies and the atmosphere is awful. Drew is helping his friend and needs to work with Carissa and her friends but when they meet things do not go as planned. This story was brilliant and the characters were so well balanced and true to life and they worked well together, the elders were so funny and i found myself laughing at there antics. I have read many of Ciara Knight books and i have enjoyed every single one as they are well written and worth reading.
I Voluntarily Reviewed an Arc copy of this book.
I Voluntarily Reviewed an Arc copy of this book.
July 6, 2020
There is nothing like living in a small town where they all have grown up together and they all feel like family. Five friends who have grown apart over the yeats and their mentor the mayor tries to bring them all back together in order to save the town. Their stories will make you laugh, maybe shed a few tears and root for them to save their town.
I love Ciara Knights series because they make you feel like a part of their lives and stories and to root for them to succeed. I can't wait to see what the next story will bring for us. Grab your copy today and start reading.
I love Ciara Knights series because they make you feel like a part of their lives and stories and to root for them to succeed. I can't wait to see what the next story will bring for us. Grab your copy today and start reading.
April 16, 2020
The story was sweet but my favorite part was the complex group of characters. Every one of them reminded me of someone I have known or made me wish I knew them. Two complex people who were complete opposites fit together beautifully.
July 11, 2020
Ciara Knight's "If You Love Me," the first book of the Sugar Maple series, was a funny, cute, and sweet story featuring a number of likeable, amusingly quirky characters and an interesting plot. The central enemies-to-lovers romance between main characters Drew Lancaster and Carissa Donahue was completely clean (kissing only), but still had a nice slow burn feel to it.
Drew came across as somewhat grumpy and off-putting at first, but it soon became apparent that his grumpiness was mainly due to dissatisfaction with his job. Drew worked for his friend and fellow military veteran Knox Brevard, but seemed to spend more time cleaning up Knox's messes than doing real work. He was particularly unhappy about being sent to the small town of Sugar Maple because he didn't think it would help him get any closer to landing a job with a "real" TV network. However, as he got to know the town and its people, Drew came to realize that his priorities might have been out of order, and that he had been putting too much time and energy into work rather than living his life.
Like Drew, Carissa had also put most of her energy into her career in recent years, concentrating on building her bakery from the ground up and leaving very little time for a social life since losing her fiance to her former best friend ten years earlier. I really liked Carissa and empathized with the loss of confidence she faced after her fiance's and best friend's betrayal, but thought she might have held on to the grudge a bit too long. It definitely wasn't doing her any favors to continue looking towards the past rather than the future, but fortunately, Carissa's outlook started to change when her mentor pushed her into participating into a reality show competition to benefit the town, leading to Drew's arrival.
I found the idea of a reality show that would somehow save the businesses in Sugar Maple to be an interesting idea, but I have to admit that I was a bit confused and felt like I missed the explanation of exactly how the show was supposed to work. Was it a competition show where bakers or fashion designers were given challenges and then judged, or were they just trying to highlight the best locally-owned businesses of whatever town Knox and his team chose to feature? It seemed to have some elements of both, but the idea was never fully explained. Also, who exactly was Knox Brevard and why was he famous? Did he have a show on a network like HGTV or the Travel Channel, or was he a YouTuber? Hopefully some of these details can be fleshed out in the next book of the series.
Overall, I think I enjoyed "If You Love Me" mostly because it reminded me so much of a cozy, comforting Hallmark movie. While it was a little predictable, the characters were likeable, and it was a cute, quick story perfect for a single afternoon or evening. I would recommend it for all fans of clean (kissing-only) contemporary romance and will probably continue with the series.
*ARC provided by the author via InkSlingerPR. All opinions expressed are my own.
Drew came across as somewhat grumpy and off-putting at first, but it soon became apparent that his grumpiness was mainly due to dissatisfaction with his job. Drew worked for his friend and fellow military veteran Knox Brevard, but seemed to spend more time cleaning up Knox's messes than doing real work. He was particularly unhappy about being sent to the small town of Sugar Maple because he didn't think it would help him get any closer to landing a job with a "real" TV network. However, as he got to know the town and its people, Drew came to realize that his priorities might have been out of order, and that he had been putting too much time and energy into work rather than living his life.
Like Drew, Carissa had also put most of her energy into her career in recent years, concentrating on building her bakery from the ground up and leaving very little time for a social life since losing her fiance to her former best friend ten years earlier. I really liked Carissa and empathized with the loss of confidence she faced after her fiance's and best friend's betrayal, but thought she might have held on to the grudge a bit too long. It definitely wasn't doing her any favors to continue looking towards the past rather than the future, but fortunately, Carissa's outlook started to change when her mentor pushed her into participating into a reality show competition to benefit the town, leading to Drew's arrival.
I found the idea of a reality show that would somehow save the businesses in Sugar Maple to be an interesting idea, but I have to admit that I was a bit confused and felt like I missed the explanation of exactly how the show was supposed to work. Was it a competition show where bakers or fashion designers were given challenges and then judged, or were they just trying to highlight the best locally-owned businesses of whatever town Knox and his team chose to feature? It seemed to have some elements of both, but the idea was never fully explained. Also, who exactly was Knox Brevard and why was he famous? Did he have a show on a network like HGTV or the Travel Channel, or was he a YouTuber? Hopefully some of these details can be fleshed out in the next book of the series.
Overall, I think I enjoyed "If You Love Me" mostly because it reminded me so much of a cozy, comforting Hallmark movie. While it was a little predictable, the characters were likeable, and it was a cute, quick story perfect for a single afternoon or evening. I would recommend it for all fans of clean (kissing-only) contemporary romance and will probably continue with the series.
*ARC provided by the author via InkSlingerPR. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 6, 2020
Great heartwarming read, just a lovely book to feel warm, comforted and happy with. I love these books so much, they are my happy place, never underestimate the power of books. Small towns, simpler lives, community and happiness, we seek what we need in books and this supplies exactly what I need and love. Wonderful
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
May 13, 2025
I went into this book expecting a cosy small town romance, and happily, that is what If You Love Me is.
Sadly I found the story a little predictable and the characters too stereotypical. The introduction of so many characters in the opening scene did not set a good precedent. Unfortunately, 8 chapters in, I began to feel that I had chosen the wrong genre to read.
If you like romance, baking and nicely tied up endings, you may love this book. The formulaic writing, characterisation and story arc may just be what you’re looking for. It just wasn’t for me I’m afraid.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
Sadly I found the story a little predictable and the characters too stereotypical. The introduction of so many characters in the opening scene did not set a good precedent. Unfortunately, 8 chapters in, I began to feel that I had chosen the wrong genre to read.
If you like romance, baking and nicely tied up endings, you may love this book. The formulaic writing, characterisation and story arc may just be what you’re looking for. It just wasn’t for me I’m afraid.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
July 19, 2020
Rating: 3.5/5.0
What a fun start to a new series by a well-established author! The story is fresh and unique with characters who are easy to identify and individually distinct.
Read full review in the 2020 Summer issue of InD'tale Magazine.
What a fun start to a new series by a well-established author! The story is fresh and unique with characters who are easy to identify and individually distinct.
Read full review in the 2020 Summer issue of InD'tale Magazine.
July 5, 2020
If You Love Me by Ciara Knight is a short Hallmark novel. It is not the first I have read by this author but it the one most like a Hallmark movie. In fact it would make a great one to be shown right after months of Christmas movies before the Valentine one starts. The other books I have read felt more complete and the plot flowing than this one which is about one week in the life of these characters.
The clean romance is cute with a quaint town setting. The people are quirky. Some events are thoughtful such as the kitten saving, some are silly such as the meddling elders and some are over the top like the reality host Knox, but he doesn’t have a big part in the story. One last part the Tar and Southernized was meant to be touch in cheek I think but being a Southern, I found this insulting so I took a half star off for that.
The characters are likable especially Carissa Donahue and Drew Lancaster. Being a short novel it would have been wonderful if it had been longer so that these characters had been fleshed out more. At times it read a bit choppy with me wishing for more. Still it was a cute story with a cute kitten.
3.5 Stars
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The clean romance is cute with a quaint town setting. The people are quirky. Some events are thoughtful such as the kitten saving, some are silly such as the meddling elders and some are over the top like the reality host Knox, but he doesn’t have a big part in the story. One last part the Tar and Southernized was meant to be touch in cheek I think but being a Southern, I found this insulting so I took a half star off for that.
The characters are likable especially Carissa Donahue and Drew Lancaster. Being a short novel it would have been wonderful if it had been longer so that these characters had been fleshed out more. At times it read a bit choppy with me wishing for more. Still it was a cute story with a cute kitten.
3.5 Stars
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 16, 2021
This is the second romance book I've read where a man saves a kitten. It was cute and cheesy another that felt exactly like a Hallmark movie. 3.5 ⭐
June 22, 2020
Reviewed for Romancing the Readers Blog: http://www.romancingthereaders.com/20...
The minute I saw this cover I knew I had to read it. It just reminded me of small-town fall romance. Both things make me happy. I've never read this author before and couldn't wait to try her.
Unfortunately, the cover gave me a false sense of happiness.
I hate writing reviews where I'm unhappy or the book didn't give me total happiness. It doesn't happen often thankfully but it sometimes does.
Like I mentioned when I saw the cover I just knew I had to give this book a try. One of the issues I had with is that I felt like I was missing something when I started it. I felt dropped into the story. I found myself going back more than once trying to figure out what I missed. I felt like the author didn't do a good enough setting the story up. I couldn't at first out what was going on with the town. It almost felt like it was either missing a prologue or novella to introduce the series.
I also didn't care for Drew. His attitude sucked and I don't really care that it might have changed as the book went on, it wasn't enough for me to like him.
I'm one of those people who likes to read romance more from the male perspective than the females. I know more about what a woman thinks. So saying that I can read and enjoy a romance even if I don't like the heroine but there is no way in hell I can like it if I don't like the hero.
I need a good hero. Not that doesn't mean that everything he says and does has to be perfect, I just have find him down deep to be likable. Drew for me was not. Even when he's around people that he likes he has an attitude. What's with that?
Now Carissa I really enjoyed. She's so sweet and you want to know more about her. You feel for her because of what her friend did to her (you'll need to read the story to know what that is) but also for the way Drew treated her in the beginning. Like she wasn't that bright.
Now I hope you continued to read my review because I want to share some of what I liked about the book. It wasn't all dome and gloom Sure (the bad friend & Drew) didn't help the story but like I did mention I liked Carissa. Plus many of her friends.
I also liked the town and the mayor. Small-town romances need a great mayor. There is enough about this book that I would be willing to try the next one. Or maybe it's the great covers that drag me in. I'm hoping that for me the next one will be much better.
Follow me on:
https://www.facebook.com/RomancingThe...
https://twitter.com/Romancingreader
ARC received for an honest review
The minute I saw this cover I knew I had to read it. It just reminded me of small-town fall romance. Both things make me happy. I've never read this author before and couldn't wait to try her.
Unfortunately, the cover gave me a false sense of happiness.
I hate writing reviews where I'm unhappy or the book didn't give me total happiness. It doesn't happen often thankfully but it sometimes does.
Like I mentioned when I saw the cover I just knew I had to give this book a try. One of the issues I had with is that I felt like I was missing something when I started it. I felt dropped into the story. I found myself going back more than once trying to figure out what I missed. I felt like the author didn't do a good enough setting the story up. I couldn't at first out what was going on with the town. It almost felt like it was either missing a prologue or novella to introduce the series.
I also didn't care for Drew. His attitude sucked and I don't really care that it might have changed as the book went on, it wasn't enough for me to like him.
I'm one of those people who likes to read romance more from the male perspective than the females. I know more about what a woman thinks. So saying that I can read and enjoy a romance even if I don't like the heroine but there is no way in hell I can like it if I don't like the hero.
I need a good hero. Not that doesn't mean that everything he says and does has to be perfect, I just have find him down deep to be likable. Drew for me was not. Even when he's around people that he likes he has an attitude. What's with that?
Now Carissa I really enjoyed. She's so sweet and you want to know more about her. You feel for her because of what her friend did to her (you'll need to read the story to know what that is) but also for the way Drew treated her in the beginning. Like she wasn't that bright.
Now I hope you continued to read my review because I want to share some of what I liked about the book. It wasn't all dome and gloom Sure (the bad friend & Drew) didn't help the story but like I did mention I liked Carissa. Plus many of her friends.
I also liked the town and the mayor. Small-town romances need a great mayor. There is enough about this book that I would be willing to try the next one. Or maybe it's the great covers that drag me in. I'm hoping that for me the next one will be much better.
Follow me on:
https://www.facebook.com/RomancingThe...
https://twitter.com/Romancingreader
ARC received for an honest review
July 6, 2020
This was a quirky opposites attract small town romance. Drew is an ex-military OCD perfectionist and Carissa is a disorganized baker. She's been burned by love and he's never really had a serious relationship before. But a rascally kitten he climbed a tree and looked up a fireplace to rescue named Roxy and chaotic Carissa disrupt his organized life and worm their ways into his heart. I loved reading about all the yummy desserts Carissa was making and it made me wish for a recipe at the end. It seemed like it was one crazy thing after another that happened to Drew and Carissa making me shake my head and laugh. Some it was over the top. The townspeople especially the elders were a riot. I liked Carissa's friends who each owned a different business in town except for the one who came across as a villain in the book. I agree with another reviewer that I didn't buy her quick change at the end.
July 5, 2020
This is a small town sweet story, baked with all the ingredients needed for a good read. Romance and beautiful characters are nicely developed along the pages of the book
The pace is good and even if I was a bit confused with all the characters being introduced at the beginning, it got cleared after a few chapters into the story.
The pace is good and even if I was a bit confused with all the characters being introduced at the beginning, it got cleared after a few chapters into the story.
July 16, 2020
This book makes my heart happy! I love these characters and the story. I love the small town setting and the story just sucks you in. I can’t wait for the next book!!
July 9, 2020
If You Love Me had me at love at first sight with this rag tag small town crew who come together to save their town from financial doom. If they can get past their shared love history and work together like the old times.
Sugar Maple is one of the many little towns you can find anywhere. However the economy has taken a downtown in the town and they are hoping a documentary will change everything. However no one can see eye to eye on anything and it going to take them coming together and realising that’s always friends over men.
Knight ‘s introduction to the series starts with Carissa the jilted party, hasn’t forgiven her best friend Jackie and this takes over this book as she forced to become star baker for the documentary . Carissa’s problems spilled over into the friendship group and the battle lines are drawn. Carissa isn’t a bad person, she is guilt by her mistakes and her inability to forgive her friend. As a result Carissa sounds quite bitter but she really wants the best Sugar Maple which means clashing with the hero.
Drew is hoping to get his job back to where it first began. When he loved his job and his friendship with Knox wasn’t stale like it is now. Drew has become tired and is quite abash with the town. He doesn’t know want he is doing with his career and wants to leave fast.
There something charming about Sugar Maple and on particular leady that stops him from leaving town and hurrying to the next possibility , Carissa...
Their attraction is obvious but Drew comes across the wrong way. He doesn’t truly get the concept of the small town and how things worked. He was honestly jerk and seemed sterotypical alpha male. It sets them on the wrong foot and Carissa doesn’t want to deal with him. You can’t blame her as he makes problems without realising what he has done and she has to set him straight. Carissa really embodies the lifestyle of a small town and poor Drew just keeps needing rescues.
However through those moments, you can see the chemistry at work. Slowly the barriers come down and the two start to appreciate each other as they work to save Sugar Maple.
The first in a new series and my first book from this author didn’t disappoint. Knight has a knack for sweet small town romances. I enjoyed the story overall and like the couple with the flaws and all. However,there was a sense at the beginning that we the readers were the interlopers. It felt there was so much history being unsaid and we were only told parts in passing as the story went out. I felt there need to be prologue of the actual events so that we could get a foundation to the background of this crew. As it was such a big part in why they have come together now and being forced to be closer quarters. They had a role to play in this romance and I enjoyed the crew as they came together and started a new chapter in Sugar Marple. I can’t wait for the next instalment and see how things go as the town continues to change for this documentary.
Sugar Maple is one of the many little towns you can find anywhere. However the economy has taken a downtown in the town and they are hoping a documentary will change everything. However no one can see eye to eye on anything and it going to take them coming together and realising that’s always friends over men.
Knight ‘s introduction to the series starts with Carissa the jilted party, hasn’t forgiven her best friend Jackie and this takes over this book as she forced to become star baker for the documentary . Carissa’s problems spilled over into the friendship group and the battle lines are drawn. Carissa isn’t a bad person, she is guilt by her mistakes and her inability to forgive her friend. As a result Carissa sounds quite bitter but she really wants the best Sugar Maple which means clashing with the hero.
Drew is hoping to get his job back to where it first began. When he loved his job and his friendship with Knox wasn’t stale like it is now. Drew has become tired and is quite abash with the town. He doesn’t know want he is doing with his career and wants to leave fast.
There something charming about Sugar Maple and on particular leady that stops him from leaving town and hurrying to the next possibility , Carissa...
Their attraction is obvious but Drew comes across the wrong way. He doesn’t truly get the concept of the small town and how things worked. He was honestly jerk and seemed sterotypical alpha male. It sets them on the wrong foot and Carissa doesn’t want to deal with him. You can’t blame her as he makes problems without realising what he has done and she has to set him straight. Carissa really embodies the lifestyle of a small town and poor Drew just keeps needing rescues.
However through those moments, you can see the chemistry at work. Slowly the barriers come down and the two start to appreciate each other as they work to save Sugar Maple.
The first in a new series and my first book from this author didn’t disappoint. Knight has a knack for sweet small town romances. I enjoyed the story overall and like the couple with the flaws and all. However,there was a sense at the beginning that we the readers were the interlopers. It felt there was so much history being unsaid and we were only told parts in passing as the story went out. I felt there need to be prologue of the actual events so that we could get a foundation to the background of this crew. As it was such a big part in why they have come together now and being forced to be closer quarters. They had a role to play in this romance and I enjoyed the crew as they came together and started a new chapter in Sugar Marple. I can’t wait for the next instalment and see how things go as the town continues to change for this documentary.
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May 8, 2020I absolutely loved this book so much. It was fast paced. Had an amazing story line. Had lovable characters. Was hilarious. It also felt like a Hallmark movie, which are movies I love! The reason that I gave this a four star and not five was because I wanted more. I wanted more backstory of the girls, and drew. I wanted more store, because I ate this book up so fast. I was not ready for it to end. Overall amazing book!! Bravo!
June 15, 2020
So I wanna say thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for a earc of this book for an honest review, I love a good small town romance and a grumpy hero sign me up. The author has great writing and the romance was all there and it was great it was also kind of a slow burn and a lot of angst but it was awesome!
April 4, 2020
What a sweet story! Ciara Knight is always writing such beautiful tales of love that keep me entertained from beginning to end. These characters are wonderful and I love the storyline! This author has once again given me a wonderful journey outside of my reality!
September 8, 2021
THIS REMINDED ME OF ONE OF THOSE SILLY-SAPPY UNBELIEVABLE ROMANTIC HALLMARK MOVIES. A BUNCH OF WOMEN ACTING LIKE CHILDREN AND HOLDING ONTO JUVENILLE GRUDGES, GROW UP PLEASE. A PREDICTABLE STORYLINE AND WAY TOO MANY CORNY ONE-LINERS. GAG! ;0
October 2, 2024
Drew is sent to small-town America to try to help his new boss try to fix his reputation. He demands order but learns quickly that this town is all but normal when he has to impress the crazy elders and his assistant tries to play matchmaker with the messy baker that he has to prepare for the television show they are there to film. Carissa is plain and that is the way that she likes and does things ever since her best friend and fiancé ran away together. So when she is told that the fate of the town is on her shoulders she freaks out a little bit. Drew tries to get Carissa to spend time with him but not fall in love so he can move up in the film industry but soon realizes that he's not sure that what he wants anymore and tries to get Carissa to open her heart to him.
If You Love Me is a small town romance and my first novel by Ciara Knight. The opening of the book throws a lot of information at you that you are left to try and figure out what is happening. Drew started out as a little overbearing and almost unlikeable but grew on me through the book. I liked the simple nature of Carissa. I did not like Jackie at all. The Sugar Maple series is about five women who were friends and need to participate in a television show to try and save their town which also helps to repair their friendships.
*ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review*
April 15, 2020
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Shut the front door and make this a Hallmark movie, please! Set in the quaint little town of Sugar Maple, the “not so” fabulous five have been summoned by their mentor Mayor Horton to band together to save the town. Of course all bets are off when it comes to Judas Jackie, Southern Belle MaryBeth, Sassy Stella, negotiator Felicia and easy-going Carissa working together.
In comes pompous, glorified film producer Drew Lancaster who is trying to save not only the town from ruin but his bosses reputation and his job by creating a small town series. Carissa and Drew are forced to work together to try and win the towns and by extension, its citizens' approval before his boss arrives for production. Can Carissa step outside her comfort zone and charm the cameras, or will Judas Jackie take her prize once again? Will Drew be able to put aside his perfectionist, corporate attitude and embrace tar and southernize?
I especially enjoyed the quirky one-liners, mischievous and meddling elders and all-round small-town love. Who doesn’t enjoy some good ole southern hospitality mixed with some feuding and lots of desserts in between?
My only tiff with the book was how the relationship between Drew and Knox was written (very confusing) and the sudden change of the girl code at the end!
Shut the front door and make this a Hallmark movie, please! Set in the quaint little town of Sugar Maple, the “not so” fabulous five have been summoned by their mentor Mayor Horton to band together to save the town. Of course all bets are off when it comes to Judas Jackie, Southern Belle MaryBeth, Sassy Stella, negotiator Felicia and easy-going Carissa working together.
In comes pompous, glorified film producer Drew Lancaster who is trying to save not only the town from ruin but his bosses reputation and his job by creating a small town series. Carissa and Drew are forced to work together to try and win the towns and by extension, its citizens' approval before his boss arrives for production. Can Carissa step outside her comfort zone and charm the cameras, or will Judas Jackie take her prize once again? Will Drew be able to put aside his perfectionist, corporate attitude and embrace tar and southernize?
I especially enjoyed the quirky one-liners, mischievous and meddling elders and all-round small-town love. Who doesn’t enjoy some good ole southern hospitality mixed with some feuding and lots of desserts in between?
My only tiff with the book was how the relationship between Drew and Knox was written (very confusing) and the sudden change of the girl code at the end!
July 13, 2020
Carissa and Drew don't start out on the best footing. Once she discovers his bet with Lori his assistant , the flour hits the fan (a bit of baking humor)!
It's a cute and charming love story set in a small southern town. The characters are wuirky, the setting is ideal, and the author's characterizes are spot on. You can imagine the Bakery, the seniors led by Davey, and the unusual group of friends. It's an underdog tsle; well told!
I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.
It's a cute and charming love story set in a small southern town. The characters are wuirky, the setting is ideal, and the author's characterizes are spot on. You can imagine the Bakery, the seniors led by Davey, and the unusual group of friends. It's an underdog tsle; well told!
I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.
October 21, 2020
This was a lovely, sweet romance. Love the small town setting of Sugar Maple, TN. Carissa, a baker, and Drew, a big city production manager seem to be opposites. They both are just looking for home and find it in each other. The characters are wonderful, especially Roxy, the kitten. The food sounds delicious. Wish each book came with treats! Really enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading more about Sugar Maple.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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