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Seasons in Snowhaven #1
Sugared & Spiced
She grew up with one rule:
Don't date Duke Monroe
Oil and water. Montague and Capulet. Monroe and Caplan. All recipes for disaster. Colette Caplan grew up knowing Duke Monroe was bad news. After all, the Monroe Family had wanted to ruin the Caplan family for ages. With the ranch in trouble and Christmas on the way, Colette comes home to wage war on the Monroes… with baked goods.
Duke Monroe can't believe it when Colette Caplan finally comes home again. And somehow, she only gotten cuter. Their families have been feuding since before he was born, and even though he's fought it, Colette has always been his weakness. Raised up to hate her family, will he risk everything to give into the secret attraction he's hidden for years?
She’s certain her bakery will save the ranch, but when Duke Monroe has more than muffins up his sleeve, and things are about to get surprisingly hot for their cold winter nights. Caught on the fine line between love and family feud,
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
A sweet Romeo & Juliet retelling without the insta-love but with all the family feuds, tension, and swoony moments. Plus baked goods and an adorable dog.
Don't date Duke Monroe
Oil and water. Montague and Capulet. Monroe and Caplan. All recipes for disaster. Colette Caplan grew up knowing Duke Monroe was bad news. After all, the Monroe Family had wanted to ruin the Caplan family for ages. With the ranch in trouble and Christmas on the way, Colette comes home to wage war on the Monroes… with baked goods.
Duke Monroe can't believe it when Colette Caplan finally comes home again. And somehow, she only gotten cuter. Their families have been feuding since before he was born, and even though he's fought it, Colette has always been his weakness. Raised up to hate her family, will he risk everything to give into the secret attraction he's hidden for years?
She’s certain her bakery will save the ranch, but when Duke Monroe has more than muffins up his sleeve, and things are about to get surprisingly hot for their cold winter nights. Caught on the fine line between love and family feud,
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
A sweet Romeo & Juliet retelling without the insta-love but with all the family feuds, tension, and swoony moments. Plus baked goods and an adorable dog.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 22, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 25, 2022
Better than Romeo & Juliet...
... but honestly that's a low hurdle to clear for me, lol.
Nevertheless, it IS an entertaining story that incorporates an amusing reunion with Brooke & Evan from Christmas with Granny McPherson.
I originally started reading it on Vella when I got some free tokens, but I really don't like that reading format very much, so when I saw it was available as a book, I grabbed it from KU. You can kind of tell it was originally written in episodic installments as it flows a little differently.
My only criticism is that the ending was a little too... facile, and it was in a hurry to lead into the next book - would have liked a little more time enjoying the happy ending, but hopefully the 2nd book will help with that. I did thoroughly enjoy the story & heartily recommend it!
*Romance level: passionate kisses, nothing graphic
... but honestly that's a low hurdle to clear for me, lol.
Nevertheless, it IS an entertaining story that incorporates an amusing reunion with Brooke & Evan from Christmas with Granny McPherson.
I originally started reading it on Vella when I got some free tokens, but I really don't like that reading format very much, so when I saw it was available as a book, I grabbed it from KU. You can kind of tell it was originally written in episodic installments as it flows a little differently.
My only criticism is that the ending was a little too... facile, and it was in a hurry to lead into the next book - would have liked a little more time enjoying the happy ending, but hopefully the 2nd book will help with that. I did thoroughly enjoy the story & heartily recommend it!
*Romance level: passionate kisses, nothing graphic
June 27, 2026
I absolutely loved listening to Sugared & Spiced! This sweet Romeo and Juliet-inspired romance has all the ingredients for a cozy, feel-good read. family feuds, small-town charm, slow-burn chemistry, delicious baked goods, and an adorable dog that completely stole my heart.
Colette and Duke were wonderful characters, and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop naturally instead of feeling rushed. The family rivalry added just the right amount of tension, while the romance was full of sweet, swoony moments that had me smiling throughout the story. The Christmas setting made everything feel even more warm and cozy.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narration was fantastic. Mari Bee and Jon Brattin both did an amazing job bringing the characters to life. I especially love audiobooks with dual narrators for the female and male perspectives, it makes the story feel so much more immersive and enjoyable. They captured the personalities and emotions perfectly, making it easy to get lost in the story.
Overall, this was a charming, clean romance with wonderful characters, heartfelt moments, and just the right amount of humor. If you enjoy small-town romances, family feuds, holiday settings, and slow-burn love stories, this one is definitely worth picking up. I can't wait to continue the Snowhaven series!
Colette and Duke were wonderful characters, and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop naturally instead of feeling rushed. The family rivalry added just the right amount of tension, while the romance was full of sweet, swoony moments that had me smiling throughout the story. The Christmas setting made everything feel even more warm and cozy.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narration was fantastic. Mari Bee and Jon Brattin both did an amazing job bringing the characters to life. I especially love audiobooks with dual narrators for the female and male perspectives, it makes the story feel so much more immersive and enjoyable. They captured the personalities and emotions perfectly, making it easy to get lost in the story.
Overall, this was a charming, clean romance with wonderful characters, heartfelt moments, and just the right amount of humor. If you enjoy small-town romances, family feuds, holiday settings, and slow-burn love stories, this one is definitely worth picking up. I can't wait to continue the Snowhaven series!
July 9, 2026
I wasn’t sure about this one, but it looked prospectively cute … brand new-to-me author, random title found on StoryOrigin...
Written in first-person POV, alternating.
Past tense.
The FMC comes off as a bit whiney—clearly she’s got some trauma, not something we see of those who grow up on farms. However, it’s intriguing—she’s coming home and has grand plans of saving the family’s ranch! Who doesn’t love a good comeback?
There was also a little bit of marketing geekery to enjoy, small town hijinks, rivalries, entrepreneurship … fun stuff! The more this went on, the more I appreciated the design of this world, along with the writing, I’d absolutely love to read/hear more from this author, and particularly in this series!
Small town.
Coming home.
Set on a ranch.
A bullyish rival family.
Enemies(ish) to lovers.
She’s a baker.
Unhealed parents that I loved to loathe.
Secrets.
He’s a doting dad-dog.
Feuding families, ‘Romeo & Juliet’ style.
Lies, betrayal.
Healing, growth.
Overall:
There are a lot of unhealed people here, leading to nonsense and misunderstandings—this did a good job of showing how hurt people hurt people … and why healing is needed. It was also fun! 4 stars.
🎙️Audio:
Decent! Narration/voice-acting were pretty good, excellent voice and good overall sound quality. 4 stars.
Written in first-person POV, alternating.
Past tense.
The FMC comes off as a bit whiney—clearly she’s got some trauma, not something we see of those who grow up on farms. However, it’s intriguing—she’s coming home and has grand plans of saving the family’s ranch! Who doesn’t love a good comeback?
There was also a little bit of marketing geekery to enjoy, small town hijinks, rivalries, entrepreneurship … fun stuff! The more this went on, the more I appreciated the design of this world, along with the writing, I’d absolutely love to read/hear more from this author, and particularly in this series!
Small town.
Coming home.
Set on a ranch.
A bullyish rival family.
Enemies(ish) to lovers.
She’s a baker.
Unhealed parents that I loved to loathe.
Secrets.
He’s a doting dad-dog.
Feuding families, ‘Romeo & Juliet’ style.
Lies, betrayal.
Healing, growth.
Overall:
There are a lot of unhealed people here, leading to nonsense and misunderstandings—this did a good job of showing how hurt people hurt people … and why healing is needed. It was also fun! 4 stars.
🎙️Audio:
Decent! Narration/voice-acting were pretty good, excellent voice and good overall sound quality. 4 stars.
June 26, 2026
Colette Caplan and Duke Monroe had the misfortune of being born into feuding families a la Capulet and Montague. As children, Colette and Duke were in the same class at school and Duke teased her mercilessly, but there was always that unspoken rule that they were not to be friends. There was always a suspicion by the adults that the other family was conspiring against them and, unfortunately, the children all believed it. With her father ill and the ranch in trouble, Colette comes home to help her family and who does she almost immediately run into? Duke Monroe and she sees him differently. This was a sweet and serious story about living with false assumptions and the damage they can do, but it only takes a heart to heart to find the truth.
The narration was beautifully done by Mari Bee and Jon Brattin. With their clear, dynamic voices and just the right pacing, they brought each character to life with a unique personality and attitude.
The narration was beautifully done by Mari Bee and Jon Brattin. With their clear, dynamic voices and just the right pacing, they brought each character to life with a unique personality and attitude.
June 9, 2026
Audiobook: I was entertained by this story. I appreciated that this story was a more modern retelling of a Shakespearean tragedy. I admired Colette Caplan who was strong and determined to help her family. I liked Duke Monroe as he was personable. I enjoyed their slow burn romance which had many obstacles including the fact that their families had been feuding for generations. I liked the dual narrations performed by Mari Bee and Jon Brattin as their performances helped to bring the characters to life. I was given a copy of the audiobook. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this audiobook.
April 20, 2026
This is a story about a feud between 2 families who live next door to each other. Both families had taught their offspring that the other family was no good and as is often the case, the young people believed it. Until various incidents have Duke and Collette working together and gradually falling in love with each other. They have many obstacles to overcome and do so with some outside help. A well written story that held my interest throughout and kept me wondering how it could turn out well.
July 11, 2026
A contemporary romantic comedy. Home town. A generational neighbors feud. A taboo enemies to lovers romance. Duke and Collett. Wonderful and interesting characters. Had to keep reading bc I didn't know how it could possibly work out.
The narration of Mari Bee and Jon Brattin really made this story for me. They bring alot of personality to these characters. 5 stars plus for them.
The narration of Mari Bee and Jon Brattin really made this story for me. They bring alot of personality to these characters. 5 stars plus for them.
December 23, 2022
family feud
What a story. A family feud to end all feuds. Collete and Duke had so much to overcome in order to be together. A well written story that kept me engaged the entire time.
What a story. A family feud to end all feuds. Collete and Duke had so much to overcome in order to be together. A well written story that kept me engaged the entire time.
June 8, 2026
Good book. It was sweet and fun. The characters meshed really well and their relationship plot was great.
Want to Read
February 4, 2026🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/27/2023)! 🎁
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews