The Decadent Date

Do-Over Date #10

by Susan Hatler

A sweet story to warm your heart and leave you with all the happy feels.

Quirky Tabitha inherits a restaurant and discovers the other half is owned by serious-minded Spencer, her first love who broke her heart. Despite hard feelings, the two must work together to renovate and run the place.

As a restaurant owner, Tabitha feels she’s finally found her calling but Spencer wants to sell and be done with sad memories. Forced to work together, old sparks reignite, but will it lead them to disaster? Or to the second chance they always needed?

From a New York Times bestselling author, don’t miss the chance to swoon when rekindled feelings finally lead to forever love in THE DECADENT DATE.

Genres: Romance, Second Chance, Chick Lit

ebook

Published March 9, 2023

About the author

SUSAN HATLER is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author, who writes humorous and emotional contemporary romance and young adult novels. Many of Susan’s books have been translated into German, Spanish, French, and Italian. A natural optimist, she believes life is amazing, people are fascinating, and imagination is endless. She loves spending time with her characters and hopes you do, too.

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Blog: susanhatler.com/category/susans-blog

Reviews

[Bookworm-hev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a charming special story of second chances
Lovely characters lovely story

Feel good book for sure

[Lisa A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it; even though it made me cry…
Childhood sweethearts Tabitha and Spencer get a second chance at love when they are forced to resolve painful issues from their past… I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A second chance romance for childhood sweethearts, Tabitha and Spencer. Loveable, heartwarming characters and an entertaining story where these two have inherited a restaurant and must clear up past misunderstandings and communication to move forward and work as partners. Love the pop ins from characters from other books in this series. Susan Hatler books just make me smile and leave me feeling happy and content. Loved every page of this sweet, wonderfully written read.

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good you just eat it up

The Decadent Date is the tenth book in the Do-Over Date series. This is a fun and entertaining story that also has some passion and romance. The story is about Tabitha and Spencer, ex's who are forced to sort out not only their past but also their future. I loved Tabitha as she comes into herself, her power, her strength, and then making decision for her future that make sense. Will Spencer be part of that and if so then how will they come together for that future.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Hatler has done it again! The Decadent Date was a feel-good fun happy yet rip my heart in half and put it back together again book!
Tabitha and Spencer are meant to be together and then their lives take them in different directions. A diner was left for both of them by Spencer’s grandparents and has the power to make it all good for them but they both just need to figure it out.
I enjoyed every minute of reading this book and highly recommend it!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharon S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition to the Do-Over Date series by Susan Hatler.
Tabitha is struggling with what to do with her life. She just can’t seem to find “her thing “ she’s tried several jobs but nothing seems to fit.
She gets a call and learns she has inherited a restaurant but can’t sell it for three months. When she goes to inspect it she learns she co-owns it with her lost love, Spencer. He left town when she was seventeen, ten long years ago!
Can she trust her heart to him again or will he just break it again when he leaves?
*I received this as an ARC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.

[Erralee Hendrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really got into this story with second chances and forgiveness. Tabitha and Spencer are given a second chance at love and friendship when they are left a dinner to run together. So many fun and interesting situations happen as they navigate ownership of the dinner and figure out how to make it great again. This is an enjoyable story with many fun moments that can read as a standalone or in the series.

[Cath · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book ten of the Do-Over series and the main characters are Tabitha Smith, a woman who has tried just about every job, hobby and lifestyle invented and has yet to find her niche, and her first love and high school boyfriend Spencer Blake, who broke her heart. Spencer’s grandparents have recently died and left their rundown restaurant, The Decadent Diner, to her and Spencer. The only condition is that neither of them can sell the restaurant for three months! The Blacks has lived across form her own grandparents and she saw them every summer as she came to spend time with hers. Spencer hasn’t arrived on time to the lawyer’s office, nor later on, so Tabitha is given a letter from the Blacks, whilst a pile of love letters written to her by Spencer are not for her, but for Spencer! She wonders if the Blacks somehow knew she would be great at running a restaurant or what she might be able to do with it. Nothing else she has ever tried has turned out to be what she wants to do with her life, nor any good at if the truth to be told! She drives to the restaurant afterwards, not having actually read the papers the lawyer gave her, simply too upset to listen to everything he was saying to her. Hearing a noise in the back, she picks up a frying pan, only to find Spencer with his head in pantry of the kitchen. He invites her to dinner the next night, which she takes as him asking her for a date, which she is adamant would be the last thing she would ever do since he broke her heart all those years ago! But he wanted to discuss the business and suggests they eat at the restaurant, so they can see how it runs. He seems to carry on a habit he had in his youth, always being late and leaving her waiting to see if he would even turn up!

Spencer left town at seventeen and never returned, having had to live there after his parents died. He became a search and rescue helicopter pilot to get over how they died and has made a good living out of it. He offers the money to do the restaurant up however Tabitha has planned but surprises her with pictures of the Blacks. He finally apologises for leaving all those years ago, but explained he felt guilty for not dying in the helicopter flight he should have been on with his parents. He faked being ill as he wanted to spend time with Tabitha and was on the phone other as they died. Being around Tabitha had become too painful for him, and each time he ran away from his grandparents, he was in fact running away from her. He needed time to come to realise he couldn’t blame himself or her for what had happened, but he’d run away eventually because he loved her and didn’t want her to blame herself either. He wants to sell the restaurant after their three months and get back to his life, whilst Tabitha wants to refurbish it and reopen it. They start working together to come up with ideas and getting work done, but Spencer hasn’t shown any wish to stick around, and Tabitha has to look after her heart, realising she still loved him, no matter how much she tried to argue she would never go out with him again after he hurt her so much a decade ago. She can’t wait around for him again and so she takes drastic action to get some space from him! She refuses to take his calls or even answer emails and none of her friends will give him her new details. It is only some news her sister sends her, that makes her realise her assumptions of Spencer were wrong and that he has changed. What he has done brings her back home for the re-opening and a chance of a do-over! News of other romances linked to the Decadent Diner seem to be working their magic and spreading the love. Sparks have reignited and Spencer has learnt the lesson of making his feelings plain rather than keeping them secret and wanting to give her a huge surprise. Sometimes waiting is the wrong move, as he learns.

A fun read with a character who hasn’t managed to settle in any career so far in her life and the boy she loved in her past and hasn’t really gotten over, coming back together and finding their love rekindle under sad circumstances. A definite second chance not to be wasted. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout, and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

4 ½ stars

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, second chance story about Tabitha and Spencer. After not seeing each other for many years and being surprised that they are both owners of his grandparents' restaurant, it was a humorous and emotional reunion for these two. Lots of great banter between them. But the sparks and chemistry was still there even after all of these years.

I loved the memories that kept surfacing allowing us readers a glimpse into their growing friendship when they were younger and finally getting to understand why Spencer left. So good! And made me a little teary-eyed at some points, especially in regards to his grandparents' sweet love story!

Fun to be back in the Do-Over Date world and see some previous characters! I love this author's books. Her tagline definitely fits her books. Fun and flirty!!! I love them!

Content: Clean.

I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

[Ms. Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tabitha Smith is 27 and has no clue what to do for a living. Her older sister Kari knew from a young age that she wanted to be an artist. Her best friend Courtney is also secure in her life.

Tabitha gets a call from Mr. Fields, a lawyer. He is the lawyer for Mr. and Mrs. Black. They lived across the street from her grandparents while she was growing up. Their grandson, Spencer, lived with them after his parents died in a helicopter accident. When they were 17, Tabitha and Spencer dated. Spencer broke her heart when he left, and she has not seen him in the last 10 years. He did not show up for his grandparents’ funeral and he does not show up for the reading of their will. Mr. Fields tells Tabitha that the Blacks left her their restaurant called The Decadent Diner. She finds out later that she is the co-owner with Spencer. They have to work together for 3 months before they can consider selling it. Tabitha wants to keep it and Spencer wants to fix it up just enough to sell it.

It was interesting to see if they could get along during the three months. I liked the story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sweet second chance romance is just what my heart desired. Tabitha and Spencer are surprised to find themselves co-owners of his deceased grandparents’ diner, and it’s exactly the anchor Tabitha needs in her flighty life. But working together? 🧨❤️‍🔥

Not only did I love watching their background unfold, revealing how and why things ended the way they did, but I enjoyed all the banter and chemistry that still lines their relationship after all this time. All the flirtiness shows up in this do-over romance.

Things I found to be decadent:

🖤Chocolate (and cherry) milkshakes
🤍Shared diner and working together
🖤Second chance romance
🤍Allll the wishes for kisses
🖤Support from found family friends

Susan Hatler never fails to deliver a romance to indulge in.

*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given. I also grabbed on KU.*

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tabitha and Spencer start off slowly, but the world building is needed to allow you to truly embrace the characters and their flaws. As their personal and professional lives become intertwined after they inherit The Decadent Diner, they have a spiteful relationship with a slow burn relationship from years of complications. Communication seems to be the key here, or lack thereof. The book really gets going half/three-quarters of the way and it is well worth the read! Such a cute ending after miscommunications and trust issues from their past relationship. I love how they embrace the history of the diner and allow it to become their future in so many ways. Truly a wonderful part of the Do-Over series!

[Arceli · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Decadent Date by Susan Hatler is a heartwarming, second-chance romance brimming with charm and humor. Tabitha, quirky and determined, inherits half a restaurant—only to discover the co-owner is her first love, Spencer. Their clashing goals—she wants to build a future, he wants to leave the past—create sparks of all kinds. Hatler masterfully blends emotional depth with lighthearted banter, making their journey from awkward partners to rekindled lovers both satisfying and fun. With sweet chemistry, witty moments, and a cozy setting, this tenth Do-Over Date book delivers a delightful escape and a reminder that sometimes love truly deserves a second chance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Richard Goodrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Clean & Wholesome Romance is superb. Tabitha, incapable of sticking to any job, inherits a restaurant. Unfortunately, she must share it with Spencer, her co-owner, her childhood sweetheart, the man who broke her heart, and the man who wants to sell the restaurant.

The hurt of betrayal, fear of additional hurt, and miscommunication play significant roles in this story. Nevertheless, there are many sweet and captivating scenes. Ultimately, a loving understanding is reached which provides for the happily ever after. Overall, this is a wonderful story.

Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Happily Ever After. Romantic. Unpredictable. Wonderful characters.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Co-Owners for a lifetime! This is about Tabitha and Spencer. These two were left a diner to run as co-owner for the next three months or sell it. The catch is that Grandma Black, Spencer's grandmother, decided to leave it to them as she knew they had the same love she had shared with his grandfather once. Reuniting them was her way to give them a do-over or second chance to make things right, but unfortunately, they both don't get the memo. She can't trust him to leave again and decides to beat him to the punch. The story is excellent and I love the diner's characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition to the Do-Over Date series by Shanna Hatfield.
Tabitha is struggling with what to do with her life. She just can’t seem to find “her thing “ she’s tried several jobs but nothing seems to fit.
She gets a call and learns she has inherited a restaurant but can’t sell it for three months. When she goes to inspect it she learns she co-owns it with her lost love, Spencer. He left town when she was seventeen, ten long years ago!
Can she trust her heart to him again or will he just break it again when he leaves?
*I received this as an ARC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect Valentine's read for anyone who believes in second chances or a hopeless romantic.

Love isn't always easy as Tabitha learned when her high school sweetheart Spencer left her heartbroken years ago.

If you're lucky, with the help of family, she finds herself with a second chance. However, it is now up to Spencer to break through the shield she put up to avoid getting hurt again when past feelings resurface.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelsey Mooney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick sweet read. A second chance at love complete with the misconstrued gestures and miscommunication. Spencer and Tabitha definitely have the hard time expressing their feelings and communicating down, and it shows that it does take a bit to be able to trust again. When Spencer's grandparents leave them both half their diner in the will they have to learn just that. I did have a want for more, the story pretty much jumped straight into it and I felt it could have used a little more history and backstory.

I received this ARC from publishers via Netgalley

#TheDecadentDate #NetGalley

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Decadent Date is a charming and well written romance between Tabitha, who wants to find her perfect job after struggling in past jobs, and Spencer, whose grandparents die suddenly and leave their dinner to him and a co-partner. It turns out Tabitha and Spencer were once in love but he left her without a word. This delightful and well written romance has charming and endearing characters, past memories, strong emotions, fun self-talk, and a delightful journey finding love again.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tabitha and Spencer are a special couple. They broke my heart but then stitched it back together again. They really had some tough things to “get over” in their pasts. They were once VERY close, having grown up together and then falling in love...but life and Indecision got in the way and they were apart for years. Reading how they work together to fulfill Spencer’s grandparents’ will was special and fun and a wee bit heartbreaking. But their story was warm and xweet when they finally get their HEA. Light, fast read for me but I enjoyed.

[Andrea Wenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Free spirit Tabitha and her first love, Spencer, inherit a restaurant together. As they renovate and run it together, can they overcome old heartbreak and reignite their passion?

This sweet second-chance romance has fun characters and a heartwarming plot. It’s novella-length with a touch of humor. While it’s book 10 in the series, it can be read as a standalone.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Sue Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous story! Tabitha is trying to find out her calling. She inherits a diner with the stipulation that she has to co-own it with Spencer her former love. He wants to sell the diner but together they try to fix it up and run it. Of course there are old hard feelings they are hard to get past. This is their opportunity for a second chance, if they don’t blow it. This book is a great read and leaves you feeling happy.

[Taryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tabitha is excited when she inherits a restaurant but disappointment surfaces when she realizes she has a partner. Her new partner happens to be Spencer, her first love and the man who broke her heart. The two must figure out what they want to do with the restaurant together. Tabitha wants to keep it and make a go of things while Spencer just wants to sell. While fixing the place up old feels resurface can the two work together to reach a common goal or will past hurts win in the end?

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of an interconnected series but can be read as a standalone. Some of the characters overlap with other books in this series and others. She has struggled with finding her place in this world, moving from job to job and place to place. Now back in her hometown she discovers she has inherited a restaurant. Will this be the answer for her? How does she react to the conditions included?.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tabitha is lost trying to find her right career when she inherits a diner with her ex Spencer who ghosted her ten years ago. She sees the run down diner with lackluster employees as her new career and he wants to sell. Will they both see the potential in the diner and each other before it's too late? They both run at times and there are plenty of misunderstandings in this kisses only second chance romance.

[Sandra Saß · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thabitha and Spencer's Story ist very entertaining. There are so many hurdles and misunderstandings in their way, one may think they'll never get back together.
But their friends and family help out in steering them to the right direction.

I Loved Reading this emotional book and highly recommend IT to lovers of Second Chance romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tabitha and Spencer's book is such a sweet good second chance love story. They fell in long at a young age, then went their separate ways to pursue their dreams. During this time, the love didn't die. It only defined who they were as individuals and together. The plot flowed very nicely and kept me entertained from beginning to end. I loved the secondary characters as well. It's a good, quick read I'd recommend.

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a sweet story where through a loss Tabitha and Spencer have the opportunity of a second chance although they really need to work on their communication! Really enjoyed the wee side love story with Curtis and Courtney.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story from start to finish. I really enjoyed reading it and I couldn't put it down. The story is very well written and I love a second chance romance. Susan Halter did not disappoint.

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this story with Tabitha and Spencer. There were some really great laugh out loud moments. I loved the growth that Tabitha went through. It was inspiring. Her and Spencer had to figure a lot out - past, present, future. I liked this story that hit every phase.