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Applebottom #1
The Sweetest Match
She hid secret messages in frosting, thinking no one would notice.
Abby Tyler welcomes you to the witty, well-meaning busybodies of Applebottom, Missouri, where the community takes its pies -- and its matchmaking -- very seriously.
When Sandy Miller emerges from her shack on the edge of town after eighteen years, she finds a job making tea cakes for a little shop on Town Square.
But then everyone starts spotting secret words of love and longing on her cakes.
Andrew McCallister is the first to admit that he never got over Sandy Miller when she dropped out of high school and disappeared. But now she’s back.
He just has to get the guts to talk to her.
When the town summons the pair to a meeting to plan the school’s centennial bash, Andrew and Sandy discover they are the only two members of the committee. As they attempt to rekindle the long-lost flame, they realize the community must come together for more than an anniversary party. For their new relationship to flourish, the old guard must learn to support their most vulnerable members even when times get hard.
Abby Tyler welcomes you to the witty, well-meaning busybodies of Applebottom, Missouri, where the community takes its pies -- and its matchmaking -- very seriously.
When Sandy Miller emerges from her shack on the edge of town after eighteen years, she finds a job making tea cakes for a little shop on Town Square.
But then everyone starts spotting secret words of love and longing on her cakes.
Andrew McCallister is the first to admit that he never got over Sandy Miller when she dropped out of high school and disappeared. But now she’s back.
He just has to get the guts to talk to her.
When the town summons the pair to a meeting to plan the school’s centennial bash, Andrew and Sandy discover they are the only two members of the committee. As they attempt to rekindle the long-lost flame, they realize the community must come together for more than an anniversary party. For their new relationship to flourish, the old guard must learn to support their most vulnerable members even when times get hard.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2022
181 people are currently reading
750 people want to read
About the author
Abby Tyler
17 books641 followersAbby Tyler loves puppy dogs, pie, and small towns (she grew up in one!) Her books combine the romance she loves with the funny, sometimes a-little-too-truthful characters she remembers from growing up in a place where everyone knew everybody’s business.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
March 20, 2019
Favorite Quotes:
She liked to wave her arms to express herself, and her dress had flouncy sleeves that made her look a bit like a flying squirrel.
Gertrude had always been a sourpuss, but in her heart of hearts, she loved this town and everybody in it. That included Betty Johnson and her evil petit fours.
Some of the things these people had said to her eighteen years ago would ring in her ears all her life. It was one thing to forgive, but quite another to completely forget.
“This is MiMi, Lolo, JuJu, NayNay, Tutu, and Killer.” Killer looked up at the mention of his name. He was a tiny brown Chihuahua with a pink nose. “Killer?” Andrew asked. “He’s a rescue pup. He won’t answer to anything else.”
She wondered if she had died somehow, and this were her afterlife. Nothing felt real.
I’ve loved you since I was too young to know what the word meant.
My Review:
I connected to this delightful book on page one and was an instant fan of the lively and fun yet insightful writing style of Abby Tyler. The storylines were relevant, engaging, and amusingly observant while still tapping on all the feels. Ms. Tyler has deftly captured those small-town foibles and advantages with her irresistibly intriguing, meddlesome, and quirky characters. I am greedy for more.
She liked to wave her arms to express herself, and her dress had flouncy sleeves that made her look a bit like a flying squirrel.
Gertrude had always been a sourpuss, but in her heart of hearts, she loved this town and everybody in it. That included Betty Johnson and her evil petit fours.
Some of the things these people had said to her eighteen years ago would ring in her ears all her life. It was one thing to forgive, but quite another to completely forget.
“This is MiMi, Lolo, JuJu, NayNay, Tutu, and Killer.” Killer looked up at the mention of his name. He was a tiny brown Chihuahua with a pink nose. “Killer?” Andrew asked. “He’s a rescue pup. He won’t answer to anything else.”
She wondered if she had died somehow, and this were her afterlife. Nothing felt real.
I’ve loved you since I was too young to know what the word meant.
My Review:
I connected to this delightful book on page one and was an instant fan of the lively and fun yet insightful writing style of Abby Tyler. The storylines were relevant, engaging, and amusingly observant while still tapping on all the feels. Ms. Tyler has deftly captured those small-town foibles and advantages with her irresistibly intriguing, meddlesome, and quirky characters. I am greedy for more.
March 4, 2019
4 Star Review The Sweetest Match by Abby Tyler
Abby Tyler is a new author to me and I have absolutely no idea why that is. I really enjoyed this The Sweetest Match. From Start to finish Ms.Tyler had me hooked as she wove her tale about Applebottom, Missouri (oh how I love the name).
The Sweetest Match ticked quite a few boxes for me. This is a small town contemporary romance about Sandy Miller and Andrew McCallister.
Andrew McCallister never really got over Sandy when she dropped out of high school and disappeared, but now she’s back and all Andrew needs to do is find it the courage from within to talk to her. For Andrew, Sandy is the one who got away because he was to slow to admit his feelings. For Sandy, she has had feelings for Andrew since she was a teenager but due to circumstances, could not act on them.
It appears that the people of Applebottom loved to get involved in one anothers’ business and when Sandy and Andrew are asked to work on the school’s anniversary celebrations together, they realize that they might have a chance to re-kindle the old feelings, if they dare.
This was a quick, sweet romantic read about taking a chance, a leap of faith and opening yourself up to the possibilities.
Abby Tyler is a new author to me and I have absolutely no idea why that is. I really enjoyed this The Sweetest Match. From Start to finish Ms.Tyler had me hooked as she wove her tale about Applebottom, Missouri (oh how I love the name).
The Sweetest Match ticked quite a few boxes for me. This is a small town contemporary romance about Sandy Miller and Andrew McCallister.
Andrew McCallister never really got over Sandy when she dropped out of high school and disappeared, but now she’s back and all Andrew needs to do is find it the courage from within to talk to her. For Andrew, Sandy is the one who got away because he was to slow to admit his feelings. For Sandy, she has had feelings for Andrew since she was a teenager but due to circumstances, could not act on them.
It appears that the people of Applebottom loved to get involved in one anothers’ business and when Sandy and Andrew are asked to work on the school’s anniversary celebrations together, they realize that they might have a chance to re-kindle the old feelings, if they dare.
This was a quick, sweet romantic read about taking a chance, a leap of faith and opening yourself up to the possibilities.
May 18, 2020
This is a really sweet and at times a heartbreaking story. With Sandy's past that has made her choose the life she has led for her and her son and the future she wants for them both.
Andrew has loved Sandy since high school. But she dropped out of school and disappeared. Now she is back in town and he wants to know all about her since she has been gone.
Now she has a job decorating cakes, her son is going to junior college on a football scholarship and Andrew is back in her life. Can things get better or will something go wrong? Sandy knows her life is never going to be right so she will want until it falls apart again. And it does when someone from her past shows up.
Will the man from her past be a problem for Andrew and Sandy? Can Andrew show Sandy that his feelings are real? Will she trust him to help her believe they have a future together?
This is a first for me from this author and I enjoyed this story and can't wait for more in this series. If you love a sweet romance, then you need to read this one.
**I received a free copy of this book to read and review and this is my honest opinion**
Andrew has loved Sandy since high school. But she dropped out of school and disappeared. Now she is back in town and he wants to know all about her since she has been gone.
Now she has a job decorating cakes, her son is going to junior college on a football scholarship and Andrew is back in her life. Can things get better or will something go wrong? Sandy knows her life is never going to be right so she will want until it falls apart again. And it does when someone from her past shows up.
Will the man from her past be a problem for Andrew and Sandy? Can Andrew show Sandy that his feelings are real? Will she trust him to help her believe they have a future together?
This is a first for me from this author and I enjoyed this story and can't wait for more in this series. If you love a sweet romance, then you need to read this one.
**I received a free copy of this book to read and review and this is my honest opinion**
March 5, 2019
I fell in love with the town Applebottom. Applebottom is a small town with some meddling residents. Sandy and Andrew went to high school in Applebottom. Sandy ended up pregnant and dropping out a high school. For eighteen year she lived in shack on the edge of town. Her son, Caden, is now off to college so she back in town making cakes at a tea shop. For both Andrew and Sandy they are the ones who got away now with a little help from the townspeople they are thrown together a lot. There is sill a connection between them. Andrew and Sandy are very likable characters. This one was a sweet read and just what I needed to brighten up my day. I'm definitely going to read The Perfect Disaster.
March 9, 2019
Sandy Miller has been leaving cryptic love messages on the cakes she decorates. When the Applebottom town busybodies discover that the object of her affection is Andrew McAllister, her high school crush who has recently returned to Applebottom to teach at that same high school, they set out to work some matchmaking magic. Will these two find their second chance at love? Or will the reappearance of a figure from her past ruin her chances of a future?
The story is told from the points-of-view of Sandy and Andrew. This is a sweet second chance romance full of charming characters. Things resolve a bit too easily and move along too quickly, especially in the last few chapters. But it’s wonderful to see Sandy grow from a timid girl into a confident woman.
At the end of the book, you’ll find a sweet treat: a recipe for “Gertrude & Maude’s Chocolate Refrigerator Pie”! Sign up for the author’s newsletter to receive a free epilogue to this book and the books to follow. There’s more matchmaking fun in the next book in the series, The Perfect Disaster, featuring Coach Carter and Ginny.
Warnings: mild sexual references.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post: https://www.booksdirectonline.com/201...
The story is told from the points-of-view of Sandy and Andrew. This is a sweet second chance romance full of charming characters. Things resolve a bit too easily and move along too quickly, especially in the last few chapters. But it’s wonderful to see Sandy grow from a timid girl into a confident woman.
At the end of the book, you’ll find a sweet treat: a recipe for “Gertrude & Maude’s Chocolate Refrigerator Pie”! Sign up for the author’s newsletter to receive a free epilogue to this book and the books to follow. There’s more matchmaking fun in the next book in the series, The Perfect Disaster, featuring Coach Carter and Ginny.
Warnings: mild sexual references.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post: https://www.booksdirectonline.com/201...
January 31, 2019
Sometimes you need the story equivalent of comfort food, something that warms your heart and restores your faith in humanity. Abby Tyler gives you that and more, as she introduces you to the quirky, funny, nosey, well-meaning matchmakers of Applebottom, Missouri. Can they bring together Sandy, the once-ostracized single mother, and Andrew, a bowtie-wearing history teacher? After discovering the longing messages hidden in the cakes Sandy decorates, they're determined to try. Come along with me to Applebottom and see if these two sweet souls can turn a long ago high school crush into a forever kind of love.
March 16, 2019
I love second chance romances and Sandy and Andrew have a lovely chance of finding love. These two are absolutely adorable and Hallmark movie worthy. The story is sweet and perfect and the small town of Applebottom is a place you want to visit after reading it.
Sandy is a woman with a past. Her son is in college now, but she's still recovering from years of exile from her hometown when she got pregnant as a teenager. The town has proven forgiving as she is now working at the tea shop decorating some pretty impressive cakes. She had dreams of being an artist, and now the cakes are her way of creating art.
Andrew had a crush on Sandy back in the day and somehow the women of the tea shop are pushing them together.
This was a sweet read, even when a twist is thrown in that threatens everything Sandy holds dear the story stays on its perfect small town path.
I can't wait to read more by Abby Tyler!
Sandy is a woman with a past. Her son is in college now, but she's still recovering from years of exile from her hometown when she got pregnant as a teenager. The town has proven forgiving as she is now working at the tea shop decorating some pretty impressive cakes. She had dreams of being an artist, and now the cakes are her way of creating art.
Andrew had a crush on Sandy back in the day and somehow the women of the tea shop are pushing them together.
This was a sweet read, even when a twist is thrown in that threatens everything Sandy holds dear the story stays on its perfect small town path.
I can't wait to read more by Abby Tyler!
September 10, 2019
As sweet as the cakes!
March 11, 2019
This was a very sweet romance. I was drawn to it since I am a native Missourian, of course I'm from the opposite side of the state from where this is supposed to take place, both far north and west. However it was fun to read about Branson, a favorite vacation spot of mine, and other totally Missouri things. One thing I was a little disappointed in was that the secret words Sandy was writing on the cakes really didn't seem to be anything anyone else really saw. At least not other than one time when the owner of the store she worked at acted like maybe she saw it. I'd hoped for more with that. I also found it a little strange that the town kind of had shunned her when she got pregnant, but that now they seemed to be okay with her? I like that the town seemed to be better than it had been, but I'd have loved more maybe about them not really being as against her as she'd assumed. The meeting with the father of her son was definitely a good part of the story, added drama, but also in a good way, I liked how the son reacted and dealt with it.
A sweet story, a little different from my normal, but still a good read.
This review first appeared on Lisa Loves Literature.
A sweet story, a little different from my normal, but still a good read.
This review first appeared on Lisa Loves Literature.
June 17, 2020
Read for #romanceopoly 2020 The Bar
#MakeYourMythTaker 2020 Assassin Path : Quick Read and
#rippedromancebingo meddling matchmakers
It was alright. I kept feeling like I was missing this whole background to the town and the characters in some previous book.
On it's own, it's a simple-ish, verrry small town hallmark type of story. Though how easily the whole town's treatment of sandy is just brushed away like nothing almost prompted me to one star it. Maybe I'll try another book by author but this may not be my type of storytelling.
#MakeYourMythTaker 2020 Assassin Path : Quick Read and
#rippedromancebingo meddling matchmakers
It was alright. I kept feeling like I was missing this whole background to the town and the characters in some previous book.
On it's own, it's a simple-ish, verrry small town hallmark type of story. Though how easily the whole town's treatment of sandy is just brushed away like nothing almost prompted me to one star it. Maybe I'll try another book by author but this may not be my type of storytelling.
March 4, 2019
A great start to a new series!
Anyone who follows my reviews knows that I don't read very many "sweet" romances these days. But, when a favorite author comes out with a new pen name, and writes a sweet book, I'm gonna read it. Abby Tyler is the new small-town romance pen name of USA Today bestselling author Deanna Roy / JJ Knight and I love nearly everything she's written – no matter what she calls herself. 😊
The Sweetest Match really is a sweet, but engaging and page turning, romance story. Sandy was the town outcast when she got pregnant and left school at 15 years-old. The no-good boy who got her pregnant denied everything and smeared her name so that she couldn't even show her face in town any longer. Now she's back and decorating cakes with a special flair for Betty Johnson at Tea for Two.
Andrew McAllister blew it back in high-school when he never got up the courage to ask Sandy out. He hated how the town crucified her after she became pregnant. No one really knows who her baby-daddy is but he doesn't care anyway; he just wants another chance to get to know her and maybe see where his attraction to her might go.
This story really has a lot going for it: Town busybodies who see themselves as matchmakers and want to get Andrew and Sandy together; an intriguing heroine who has exceptional cake decorating skills; a hero with an unrequited crush on the heroine and a bad guy as the baby-daddy.
I enjoyed reading about the developing relationship between Sandy and Andrew. Both of them have their insecurities but finally manage to overcome them and get their HEA.
If you're looking for a great story with no cussing and no sex but is still a compelling story, I highly recommend The Sweetest Match; I can't want to read the next book in the series.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com*** (posting on 3/8/19)
Anyone who follows my reviews knows that I don't read very many "sweet" romances these days. But, when a favorite author comes out with a new pen name, and writes a sweet book, I'm gonna read it. Abby Tyler is the new small-town romance pen name of USA Today bestselling author Deanna Roy / JJ Knight and I love nearly everything she's written – no matter what she calls herself. 😊
The Sweetest Match really is a sweet, but engaging and page turning, romance story. Sandy was the town outcast when she got pregnant and left school at 15 years-old. The no-good boy who got her pregnant denied everything and smeared her name so that she couldn't even show her face in town any longer. Now she's back and decorating cakes with a special flair for Betty Johnson at Tea for Two.
Andrew McAllister blew it back in high-school when he never got up the courage to ask Sandy out. He hated how the town crucified her after she became pregnant. No one really knows who her baby-daddy is but he doesn't care anyway; he just wants another chance to get to know her and maybe see where his attraction to her might go.
This story really has a lot going for it: Town busybodies who see themselves as matchmakers and want to get Andrew and Sandy together; an intriguing heroine who has exceptional cake decorating skills; a hero with an unrequited crush on the heroine and a bad guy as the baby-daddy.
I enjoyed reading about the developing relationship between Sandy and Andrew. Both of them have their insecurities but finally manage to overcome them and get their HEA.
If you're looking for a great story with no cussing and no sex but is still a compelling story, I highly recommend The Sweetest Match; I can't want to read the next book in the series.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com*** (posting on 3/8/19)
February 19, 2019
A heartwarming and fun romance this Abby Tyler read is sure to get your heart pumping. This is not a dirty read, but a cozy contemporary romance that will make you believe in love.
Sandy is a romantic by heart. She believes that her heart has missed out on the one love she truly wanted. Pregnant and shunned by the town years ago, Sandy lived a lonely life of solitude raising her beautiful son. She missed out on lots of things. Her youth, graduation, college and romance.
So 18 years later she writes secret messages in the icing of the cakes and decadent desserts she makes. “unrequited, handsome, if only, regret” and so on….
Andrew will admit he never got over the fact that he waited to long to ask out Sandy. He loved her from day 1, but was too afraid to approach her. Then one day someone swept in and stole her away, running her life. So imagine his surprise when she returns to town 18 years later, just as pretty as she was the first day he met her. This time he won’t let his chance pass him by.
This is a light and refreshing read. Poor Sandy has troubles on her hands, but it is up to her to make something of her life. That or let her ex ruin it a second time around. A story of truths, that a lot of women deal with in their lives. This story reaches it’s readers with a very relateble story line.
Overall this book was a light and sweet read. Though I wish the story had a bit more depth to it, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. It had lovable characters and good story line. A great read for those who like a books about long term crushes turn romance.
Sandy is a romantic by heart. She believes that her heart has missed out on the one love she truly wanted. Pregnant and shunned by the town years ago, Sandy lived a lonely life of solitude raising her beautiful son. She missed out on lots of things. Her youth, graduation, college and romance.
So 18 years later she writes secret messages in the icing of the cakes and decadent desserts she makes. “unrequited, handsome, if only, regret” and so on….
Andrew will admit he never got over the fact that he waited to long to ask out Sandy. He loved her from day 1, but was too afraid to approach her. Then one day someone swept in and stole her away, running her life. So imagine his surprise when she returns to town 18 years later, just as pretty as she was the first day he met her. This time he won’t let his chance pass him by.
This is a light and refreshing read. Poor Sandy has troubles on her hands, but it is up to her to make something of her life. That or let her ex ruin it a second time around. A story of truths, that a lot of women deal with in their lives. This story reaches it’s readers with a very relateble story line.
Overall this book was a light and sweet read. Though I wish the story had a bit more depth to it, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. It had lovable characters and good story line. A great read for those who like a books about long term crushes turn romance.
March 4, 2019
3.5 Cranky Stars
Quick and easy holiday read. Sandy was subjected to the prejudice of a small town when she was shunned for falling pregnant at 15 to her then boyfriend Jerry. He denied all knowledge of the baby and said that she slept around. Jerry was very popular and wealthy and he was believed so Sandy and her mother moved to a place on the edge of town where Sandy didn't enter the town for 18 years while she was raising her baby Caden.
Then Caden had won a full scholarship to college this had left Sandy with time on her hands, her mother had died 5 years previous. She applied for a job at the town's bakery, cake decorating, all seemed to be forgiven for her mistake. Her cakes where being noticed from towns far and wide. Little did anybody know that she hid words among the decoration. One day in walked her childhood crush Andrew, who had come back to Applebottom to look after his mother and became the local history teacher. They started something albeit short lived as Caden needed her, Jerry had shown up throwing his weight around. She had a lot of soul searching to do.
Although this being a romance story I personally found it boring, but to read at the end there's going to be a follow on book, this book could just be setting the stage, we will have to wait and see!!!!
Quick and easy holiday read. Sandy was subjected to the prejudice of a small town when she was shunned for falling pregnant at 15 to her then boyfriend Jerry. He denied all knowledge of the baby and said that she slept around. Jerry was very popular and wealthy and he was believed so Sandy and her mother moved to a place on the edge of town where Sandy didn't enter the town for 18 years while she was raising her baby Caden.
Then Caden had won a full scholarship to college this had left Sandy with time on her hands, her mother had died 5 years previous. She applied for a job at the town's bakery, cake decorating, all seemed to be forgiven for her mistake. Her cakes where being noticed from towns far and wide. Little did anybody know that she hid words among the decoration. One day in walked her childhood crush Andrew, who had come back to Applebottom to look after his mother and became the local history teacher. They started something albeit short lived as Caden needed her, Jerry had shown up throwing his weight around. She had a lot of soul searching to do.
Although this being a romance story I personally found it boring, but to read at the end there's going to be a follow on book, this book could just be setting the stage, we will have to wait and see!!!!
March 3, 2019
You know those stories that remind you of home? There's nothing earth shattering or huge plot twists but they are just a pleasant happy book. That's The Sweetest Match.
Set in a small town in the Midwest, we meet cake decorator Sandy. Recently emerged from hiding in the outskirts of town since her teenage pregnancy, Sandy is cautious but optimistic about running into all of the people who shunned her years ago. Enter the match making old bitties.
Andrew has had a crush on Sandy since high school and is excited to spend time with her again. With the help of the town busy bodies, the two of them are paired up to work on the school centennial. As with most new relationships, first impressions and baggage are hurtles to overcome. Luckily for Sandy, Andrew doesn't shy away easily.
I wish the book included a little more history from Sandy's perspective. They touch on it occasionally but I think it would round out her character and make the story just a little more interesting if we heard more about her mother and what it was like staying out of town all those years. The story could use just a little more character depth, otherwise, I really enjoyed it.
This is a feel good story with small town humor. If you've ever lived in a small town you know that there's a lot of gossip and not a lot of secrets kept. Luckily for Andrew and Sandy, they get their happily ever after. I'd recommend this story if you're in the mood for a sweet romance.
Set in a small town in the Midwest, we meet cake decorator Sandy. Recently emerged from hiding in the outskirts of town since her teenage pregnancy, Sandy is cautious but optimistic about running into all of the people who shunned her years ago. Enter the match making old bitties.
Andrew has had a crush on Sandy since high school and is excited to spend time with her again. With the help of the town busy bodies, the two of them are paired up to work on the school centennial. As with most new relationships, first impressions and baggage are hurtles to overcome. Luckily for Sandy, Andrew doesn't shy away easily.
I wish the book included a little more history from Sandy's perspective. They touch on it occasionally but I think it would round out her character and make the story just a little more interesting if we heard more about her mother and what it was like staying out of town all those years. The story could use just a little more character depth, otherwise, I really enjoyed it.
This is a feel good story with small town humor. If you've ever lived in a small town you know that there's a lot of gossip and not a lot of secrets kept. Luckily for Andrew and Sandy, they get their happily ever after. I'd recommend this story if you're in the mood for a sweet romance.
February 26, 2019
First of all, one of the main reasons I was interested in this book is the fast that I have read Deanna Roy/JJ Knight before. And I loved those books. It was no question I would enjoy The Sweetest Match.
Betty Johnson is a hoot. I really enjoyed her bit. Right off to bat, there's sparks between Andrew and Sandy. They both have mental . . . I wouldn't say struggles, but I would call them difficulties about how each other is faring. Andrew wondering whether Sandy is still going after another guy. Sandy wondering why Andrew never married. But they get along so well. It's great chemistry between them. And they both have some kind of skeleton in the closet.
Of course, as predicted, I loved this book. It was a page-turner and fairly quick read(depending on your reading skills), I couldn't stop reading it. I was in a bit of a slump when I picked it up, but it seemed to be just what I needed to get me back into the game. If you are in need of a small-town, sweet romance, definitely pick this one up.
DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED A COMPLIMENTARY COPY OF THIS BOOK AS I AM PARTAKING IN A BLOG TOUR WITH XPRESSO BOOK TOURS. THIS IS MY HONEST VOLUNTARY REVIEW.
Betty Johnson is a hoot. I really enjoyed her bit. Right off to bat, there's sparks between Andrew and Sandy. They both have mental . . . I wouldn't say struggles, but I would call them difficulties about how each other is faring. Andrew wondering whether Sandy is still going after another guy. Sandy wondering why Andrew never married. But they get along so well. It's great chemistry between them. And they both have some kind of skeleton in the closet.
Of course, as predicted, I loved this book. It was a page-turner and fairly quick read(depending on your reading skills), I couldn't stop reading it. I was in a bit of a slump when I picked it up, but it seemed to be just what I needed to get me back into the game. If you are in need of a small-town, sweet romance, definitely pick this one up.
DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED A COMPLIMENTARY COPY OF THIS BOOK AS I AM PARTAKING IN A BLOG TOUR WITH XPRESSO BOOK TOURS. THIS IS MY HONEST VOLUNTARY REVIEW.
March 6, 2019
This is a new pen name for one of my favorite authors, which promises wholesome heartwarming stories. Pretty much like a hot cocoa on a snowy day. Andrew has been in love with Sandy practically his whole life and is getting ready to make his move when the then 15 year Sandy starts hanging out with one of the "popular" kids. When she falls pregnant, the father says he is not the father and promptly spreads terrible rumors about Sandy that make her retreat with her mother to a cottage in the woods. Now, with her son in college and her mean, spiteful mother dead, Sandy is trying to get her life back on track. The meddling older women in the town decide to take matters into their own hands and try to bring spark back into Sandy's life. This is a well written story, that flows beautifully and keeps you engaged. The characters are relatable and endearing, and make you want to root for them. Definitely recommend this book.
March 7, 2019
* I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own *
This is the story of Sandy Miller, who disappeared after dropping out of high school, eighteen years later she decides to get a job in a little shop in town decorating cakes.
Betty Johnson has discovered the secret messages in the cakes left by Sandy and it has become her mission to find the man who these messages are really for, so after inviting a some men to the shop to see Sandy’s reaction she discovers that they were meant for Andrew McAllister after seeing how Sandy reacted to him and decides to invite him back.
Andrew has always had a thing for Sandy since high school but when she dropped out he lost out, but now she is back, he is going to rectify that and get a chance to see where this attraction will go.
This was a really good sweet romance by Abby Tyler, loved all the characters, and look forward to the next instalment.
This is the story of Sandy Miller, who disappeared after dropping out of high school, eighteen years later she decides to get a job in a little shop in town decorating cakes.
Betty Johnson has discovered the secret messages in the cakes left by Sandy and it has become her mission to find the man who these messages are really for, so after inviting a some men to the shop to see Sandy’s reaction she discovers that they were meant for Andrew McAllister after seeing how Sandy reacted to him and decides to invite him back.
Andrew has always had a thing for Sandy since high school but when she dropped out he lost out, but now she is back, he is going to rectify that and get a chance to see where this attraction will go.
This was a really good sweet romance by Abby Tyler, loved all the characters, and look forward to the next instalment.
March 12, 2019
Sandy Miller, shunned by her community after falling pregnant at fifteen.....Andrew McAllister, history teacher, hotty and in love with Sandy since high school.
Beautiful story, sensitively written and sweet.
Sandy is relatable on many levels, she's down to earth with a loving heart. You can't help but root for her to get the guy and a happy ending.
Andrew is instantly likeable, behaves like a gentleman and is lovely.
This is a classic love story and a perfect starting point for anyone new to romance. It has everything you expect and need from a romance without being too adult (no sex)
A nice relaxing weekend read that will warm your heart, feed your soul and make you crave cake!
I highly recommend for any romantic, young or old.
Two last things.....there's another book coming, I can't wait! And, you can sign up to receive text/emails and get exclusive bonus epilogues, yay!
Beautiful story, sensitively written and sweet.
Sandy is relatable on many levels, she's down to earth with a loving heart. You can't help but root for her to get the guy and a happy ending.
Andrew is instantly likeable, behaves like a gentleman and is lovely.
This is a classic love story and a perfect starting point for anyone new to romance. It has everything you expect and need from a romance without being too adult (no sex)
A nice relaxing weekend read that will warm your heart, feed your soul and make you crave cake!
I highly recommend for any romantic, young or old.
Two last things.....there's another book coming, I can't wait! And, you can sign up to receive text/emails and get exclusive bonus epilogues, yay!
May 20, 2020
Loved this book! Reminded me of my days of living in a town where everyone knew everyone and what they were doing. Sally had gotten pregnant in her teens and hid from the town so that the rumors and whispers didn’t bother her son. The child’s father wanted nothing to do with her or the child as they were poor and his family had money. She did her best to raise the child without help of anyone, except the money that she was given to keep quiet and not tell who the father was. Andrew had a crush on her before she had started seeing the father of her child. He lost her to the other guy and then lost her as she moved out to a isolated area of town and stayed there until her son started college. When Caden had gone to college, Sally needed a job so she went back to town and became a cake decorator. Andrew was the history teacher of the high school and once he sees Sally he knows he wants to get to know her again. The adventures they take lead them to a wonderful place.
September 2, 2023
The Sweetest Match (Applebottom #1 ) was a great read by Abby Tyler. The community of Applebottom, Missouri is full of well-meaning busybodies. The community takes their pies as well as their matchmaking seriously. Sandy Miller came back to town from her shack on the edge of town after eighteen years. She found a job making tea cakes for a shop on Town Square. She started hiding secret messages in the frosting thinking that no one would notice, but they noticed the words of love and longing. Andrew McCallister will always admit that he never got over Sandy when she left school and disappeared. But he still needs to get the guts to talk to her. The town gets the pair to meet to plan the school’s centennial bash. It is there that they discover they are the only two members of the committee. They find that they must let their guards down in order for their new relationship to work. I enjoyed reading this book and can’t wait to read more by the author.
March 7, 2019
Sandy was the towns outcast, having a baby at a young age. Now that her son has gone off to college, she reenters the town that caused her to stay away.
When the town busybody elder ladies decide to play matchmaker, they realize Sandy and Andrew have always had feelings for each other. Will Sandy be able to let her guard down after so many years? Can Andrew confess his love after all these years of being quiet and letting get away in high school.
This is a story from an ordinary every day couple. If you wan to read about someone besides a
Multimillionaire sweeping a lady off her feet and living happily ever after, this is book you will want to read. Andrew is not flashy and doesn’t have material items to impress Sandy, it is all about an old fashion love affair. Would love to see their story continue!
When the town busybody elder ladies decide to play matchmaker, they realize Sandy and Andrew have always had feelings for each other. Will Sandy be able to let her guard down after so many years? Can Andrew confess his love after all these years of being quiet and letting get away in high school.
This is a story from an ordinary every day couple. If you wan to read about someone besides a
Multimillionaire sweeping a lady off her feet and living happily ever after, this is book you will want to read. Andrew is not flashy and doesn’t have material items to impress Sandy, it is all about an old fashion love affair. Would love to see their story continue!
March 8, 2019
This is a new author to me and I have no idea why I haven’t come across Abby Tyler before now.
I love small town romance and I fell in love with Applebottom and it’s meddling residents and if you love quirky, funny, nosey meddling matchmakers this is definitely the book for you.
Sandy was the town outcast when she got pregnant in high school but now she is back in town decorating cakes for the local tea room and once again she crosses paths with Andrew the boy who crushed on her back in their high school days. Andrew believes Sandy wasn’t treated fairly by the town and now he has the chance to put things right and maybe even act on the attraction he has felt for many years.....
A sweet fun romance with adorable characters and I’m sure like me you will be left smiling like a Cheshire Cat at the end of this great read. Looking forward to reading more from this talented author.
I love small town romance and I fell in love with Applebottom and it’s meddling residents and if you love quirky, funny, nosey meddling matchmakers this is definitely the book for you.
Sandy was the town outcast when she got pregnant in high school but now she is back in town decorating cakes for the local tea room and once again she crosses paths with Andrew the boy who crushed on her back in their high school days. Andrew believes Sandy wasn’t treated fairly by the town and now he has the chance to put things right and maybe even act on the attraction he has felt for many years.....
A sweet fun romance with adorable characters and I’m sure like me you will be left smiling like a Cheshire Cat at the end of this great read. Looking forward to reading more from this talented author.
May 22, 2020
I was invited to read a new to me author, and even though this isn't my normal read I did enjoy it.
Sandy was treated abominably by the town in high school. I was left feeling a little bit wanting and disappointed with this. It was hinted at that women Sandy was now talking to on a regular basis had been part of the group to make her feel like a pariah. Sandy is not the type of person to confront anyone, but some of those women had a strong enough personality where I'd expect an apology. Her ex was kind of there, but not.
Andrew is similar to Sandy in that he had a hard time asking her out in high school, and without the "help" of the older women in town I wonder if he'd be able to ask her out this time either.
This story had potential, but left me wanting. That being said, this would not stop me from reading more by this author.
Sandy was treated abominably by the town in high school. I was left feeling a little bit wanting and disappointed with this. It was hinted at that women Sandy was now talking to on a regular basis had been part of the group to make her feel like a pariah. Sandy is not the type of person to confront anyone, but some of those women had a strong enough personality where I'd expect an apology. Her ex was kind of there, but not.
Andrew is similar to Sandy in that he had a hard time asking her out in high school, and without the "help" of the older women in town I wonder if he'd be able to ask her out this time either.
This story had potential, but left me wanting. That being said, this would not stop me from reading more by this author.
March 5, 2019
Super sweet - of course it takes place in a bakery! Nice, cute story line with a real heartfelt touch to it as well.
Great characters that you fall in love with and leave you rooting for them to be together. A match-maker story with a happy ending.
A nice romantic, quick read with a chick-lit feel (love). Lots of romantic touches without all the graphic sex - thank you! This shows you that a story can be delightfully romantic without the in-your-face sex. I love these kinds of books so much better.
The Sweetest Match is the sweetest book! Very well written. I enjoyed this one very much.
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Xpresso Book Tours - Thank You!!
Great characters that you fall in love with and leave you rooting for them to be together. A match-maker story with a happy ending.
A nice romantic, quick read with a chick-lit feel (love). Lots of romantic touches without all the graphic sex - thank you! This shows you that a story can be delightfully romantic without the in-your-face sex. I love these kinds of books so much better.
The Sweetest Match is the sweetest book! Very well written. I enjoyed this one very much.
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Xpresso Book Tours - Thank You!!
March 8, 2019
Readers that visit the small town of Applebottom, Missouri find reading this second chance romance to be delightfully charming and sinfully sweet. Sandy and Andrew are strong, compelling characters that easily charm readers into their story. The small town setting and the matching making townsfolk add to the ambiance of this romance as Sandy and Andrew try to rekindle their long lost flame and reach for their second chance at that happily ever after. Emotional turmoil regarding the past adds depth and suspense to the story while Sandy’s secret messages adds a bit of flair and spices things up. The story is a bit on the short side but the plot is fast paced, flows smoothly and provides readers with a delightful and enjoyable read.
May 1, 2019
From the minute I started Sweetest Match, I was hooked. It was a book about opening yourself up to others and taking s leap of faith to show others how you feel. I loved the secret messages on the cakes to the quant small town Applebottom. This is the town that I would love to live in where everyone one knows everyone. I fell in love with the two characters Sandy and Andrew.
Sandy had gotten pregnant and dropped out of high school and Andrew McCallister hasn’t gotten over her ever since she dropped out and disappeared. Now that she is back in Applebottom he will do anything to get her back. He was never able to tell Sandy how he felt about her when they were in high school. But now he wants to tell her.
I can’t wait to read The Perfect Disaster, I know what my weekend is going to look like laying on the couch and reading!
Sandy had gotten pregnant and dropped out of high school and Andrew McCallister hasn’t gotten over her ever since she dropped out and disappeared. Now that she is back in Applebottom he will do anything to get her back. He was never able to tell Sandy how he felt about her when they were in high school. But now he wants to tell her.
I can’t wait to read The Perfect Disaster, I know what my weekend is going to look like laying on the couch and reading!
March 16, 2019
Truly a sweet second chance romance. After raising her son and sending him off to college, Sandy comes back into Applebottom to decorate cakes. She has been hurt by the town, but she can't stop thinking and regretting Andrew. She leaves secret words in her cakes for him.
Andrew has always regretted not going after Sandy in high school. Now she's back and the town is pushing them together.
I love Abby Tyler's writting. It's fresh, funny, sweet, and emotionally grabbing. I couldn't put this book down. It can be read as a standalone and has a HEA. Stay for a delicious sounding pie recipe at the end. I can't wait to give this recipe a try and am looking forward to reading more about Applebottom.
Andrew has always regretted not going after Sandy in high school. Now she's back and the town is pushing them together.
I love Abby Tyler's writting. It's fresh, funny, sweet, and emotionally grabbing. I couldn't put this book down. It can be read as a standalone and has a HEA. Stay for a delicious sounding pie recipe at the end. I can't wait to give this recipe a try and am looking forward to reading more about Applebottom.
May 24, 2020
If you love second chances, this story is not only a second chance for young, unrequited love, but a second chance at life. Sandy Miller was exiled from the town of Applebottom when she was just fifteen years old. Eighteen years later, she takes a job decorating cakes and pastries at the Applebottom Pie Shoppe.
When her boss discovers hidden words of love and longing hidden in the decorations, she and the other meddling but well meaning senior citizens in town target Sandy for their next matchmaking endeavor.
With small-town charm and a quirky but endearing cast of characters, this story is a little bit poignant and a lot sweet and touching. If you like small-town romance, you'll love this wonderful, charming story of redemption, growth and second chances.
When her boss discovers hidden words of love and longing hidden in the decorations, she and the other meddling but well meaning senior citizens in town target Sandy for their next matchmaking endeavor.
With small-town charm and a quirky but endearing cast of characters, this story is a little bit poignant and a lot sweet and touching. If you like small-town romance, you'll love this wonderful, charming story of redemption, growth and second chances.
March 3, 2019
Welcome to Applebottom a small town that's simple and cozy, rumors run like wildfire and the townspeople are nosey as hell but romance..... now that's there specialty! This was a feel good, sweet, funny read that had me smiling and laughing with the antics from the matchmaking elders of this quaint town. Sandy, once the town outcast and now the local cake decorator who's been secretly in love with Andrew the local history teacher since she was fifteen. What happens when the meddling woman discover hidden messages in Sandy's icing decorations? Pick up this read, get all the feels, see if Sandy and Andrew find that once in a lifetime love!
March 7, 2019
This is a super sweet read, I thought Sandy was just the sweetest thing not only with her amazing cake skills but with having the guts to come back to town after what occurred 18 years earlier and the messages in her icing were ingenious! Andrew is an absolute gentleman and you can see how much he cares for Sandy not matter what happened years ago. This book will keep you turning the page and hoping Sandy and Andrew can get to get the while also being worried that on the next page something will happen to ruin what they have. I can not wait to read more in this series as I just love the townsfolk who are always looking out for everyone and seeing who is going to be set up next!! ❤
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