A Memory So Sweet

by Olivia Miles

From the USA Today bestselling author of the Blue Harbor series comes a new sweet romance trilogy. The sisters of Sunrise Bakery may have all the ingredients for their grandmother’s famous strawberry pie, but they’re still in search of the perfect recipe for love and happiness.

After years of working her way up the ladder of a magazine, Carly Parker finally has an opportunity for a feature story—the only problem is that it requires a visit to her hometown. Writing about her family’s bakery should be easy; dodging the only man she ever loved will be trickier. But when Carly discovers that Sunrise Bakery is under threat of closing, earning a promotion becomes the least of her troubles.

Nick Sutton never thought he’d be back in Hope Hollow, but then, he didn’t plan on a divorce or a new career as a firefighter either. Now a single father, he has a second chance to reconnect with his first love—if he’s willing to open his heart to the possibility.

Baking her grandmother’s recipes with her sisters brings back memories that Carly tried to forget, but the more time she spends in the quaint New England town, the more she can’t bear the thought of losing the things—and people—that she let go of a long time ago. When Nick offers to help save the beloved business, Carly discovers that the sweetest moments are worth holding onto, and that sometimes the past is the only way forward.

Genres: Contemporary

218 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 17, 2023

About the author

Olivia Miles is a two-time USA Today bestselling author of heartwarming women's fiction and small town contemporary romance. She has frequently been ranked as an Amazon Top 100 author and Kindle All Star, and her books have appeared on several bestseller lists, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BookScan, and USA Today. Olivia has been published by Harlequin, Grand Central Publishing/Hachette, and Montlake, and her books have been translated into more than half a dozen languages.

After growing up in New England and later living in Montreal, Olivia traded salt water for fresh water, and now lives on the shore of Lake Michigan with her family and an adorable pair of dogs.

Join Olivia's mailing list at: https://subscribepage.io/jQkafo

Reviews

[KaylaJane]

NOPE.
So he got some girl pregnant in college, they broke up, he hooked up with heroine. OW returns pregnant and he leaves heroine to marry OW and raise their kid. AND - he has no regrets. None. Nada. Said that if he had to do it all over again, he wouldn't change a thing. 🥺

And this is supposed to be a romance? How?



He wanted to explain, but what explanation was there? He wanted to apologize, but how could he if he’d make the choice all over again?

He wanted—he didn’t know what he wanted. He just wanted to hold on to this feeling, hold onto her for a little bit longer.

“Carly.”

She turned, looking at him expectantly. He could say anything. Something that would take back the past ten years, the hurt from the way they’d left things. He could say that he missed her, that he wished nothing but the best for her. That he was sorry.

He’d waited ten long years for this chance and here it was. And he didn’t feel like it was his place to say anything. Ten years was a long time. He’d lived it well. Filled it as best he could.

----

Carly realized with the full impact that came almost as a shock that he was happy, and not just happy in the moment, no, genuinely, thoroughly happy.

Happy with his life. Happy with his choice all those years ago.

She pushed back a wave of sadness. It was for the best, she thought, looking fondly at the little girl. It had all turned out for the best for him.

But not, she thought, for her.
------------
“It feels weird to be talking to you about this when…”

“When we broke up so you could go back to her?” Carly sighed and then gave him a kind smile. “It was a long time ago. And you were going to be a father. I understand, Nick. And seeing you with Daisy…I wouldn’t have changed a thing, and I don’t think you would have either.”

“No, I wouldn’t have.” He was sure of that. It was everything else that was so confusing. Had he been right, getting married to a woman he didn’t fully love and who didn’t love him? He told himself he was, but Liz was the one who said otherwise, in the weeks and months leading up to their split.

-------------
“I’m saying that I think if we got back together it would only be a matter of time before things went back to the way they were. We were forcing something that wasn’t there. You said that a hundred times, and I’m saying it now. I didn’t want to believe it before, but you were right. We tried our best, Liz, and it wasn’t enough.”

“But what about Daisy? Aren’t you thinking of what’s best for her?”

“That’s all I ever think about,” he ground out. “And that’s the other thing you were right about. Daisy is happy. She’s thriving. And she’s getting older. And I just don’t think that seeing her parents arguing and unhappy all the time is what’s best for her. I think she’ll be happiest if we’re happy too.”

Liz lifted her eyebrows, but she didn’t reply. Instead, she shook her head and then dropped onto a bench. “Maybe you’re right,” she finally said.

Nick sat down beside her. This time, he was the one to reach for her hand. “We both want the same thing. The same thing we always wanted. For Daisy to be happy. That’s what brought us together in the first place. That’s what kept us together even though we were never really in love with each other. Even though you always wondered what life might have been if you had the chance to find that guy you were head over heels for—”

“Nick.” A tear slipped down her cheek. “I’m sorry.”

He gave her a small smile. “We both tried our best. There’s nothing for either of us to apologize for. We have a beautiful daughter together, and that’s something you and I are going to share for the rest of our lives. And I’m grateful for that. And for all the memories we made together.”

“If I had to do it all over again, I would,” Liz said sadly.

So yeah, he has no regrets and he lived his life to the full without giving a shit about heroine in the 10 yrs they been apart.

Since I only read 5% before I DNF'd, I'm pretty sure where this is going and that is with heroine forgiving him and raising his kid together. Don't know - nor care - to learn if he had cheated on heroine with the OW, but from the little I read, and the fact that he regrets nothing, apparently he was happy with the OW since he married her and played happy families. So heroine gets the leftovers.

No thanks. Better books elsewhere.

[Gina Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming story about three sisters and their beloved family bakery. Carly comes home to write a story about the bakery, not realizing the troubles her sisters have been having. She also runs into a past boyfriend that meant a lot to her. She realizes she missed her hometown, her family, and the bakery. Her recipes help breathe new life into the bakery. Olivia Miles writes the best feel good stories, and this is one you don’t want to miss. I’ll be looking forward to read the rest in the series. Happy Reading!

[Moira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Returning home

A family business in a small town is the focus of an article she hopes will save her career. Instead Carly finds a chance to help reinvigorate and save the family bakery, get a second chance at love, and find her passion for baking again.

She does all three in this fun , first story in a trilogy sure to warm your heart. Now on to book 2 and more about the Sunrise Sister's Bakery!

[Diane Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read! I've been reading Olivia Miles' stories for awhile now, and have enjoyed every single book. I really liked these characters and the plot. It's difficult to make changes in your life, but it's the fear that holds them back. Fear of the unknown, like for Carly. You have nothing to loose and everything to gain, so one step at a time is what you got with this story. Looking forward to reading the next installment of this series.

[christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting story

I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters and their small town. This is an uplifting inspiring story about a family business that's about to close and an past relationship that sill has a spark. If you like good wholesome contemporary romance, then this is for you. Highly recommend

[Linda A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family

Reuniting beloved members is always a rewarding read, and this Ms Mile's story is no exception. At times it is a bit of a stretch. For example, choosing to never change any parts in the offerings at a bakery makes no clear sense. But the story is infused with family love making it a truly satisfying read.

[Nancy Cormier · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Memory So Sweet by Olivia Miles is book #1 of the Sunrise Sisters trilogy. Carly Parker is a magazine writer that returns home to write an article about her family's bakery. The bakery is in financial trouble. Her ex also lives there. Can grandmother's secret receipts save the bakery? Can Carly help?

Just like its title, it is a sweet book.

[Cynthia Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memory so Sweet

I loved this sweet story! It was a family oriented story with fabulous characters. I look forward to reading more the sisters.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

Does this guy not realize that co-parenting exists? This is not romantic, this is depressing. Wish the FMC had lived her best life and ran into him on the street and wished him well.

[Donna Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story

I loved reading about the Sisters and their love of baking the family recipes passed down through the generations. Awesome!