Candy Store

by Bella Andre

On the verge of losing her candy store, Callie Moore decides to blot out her troubles with a tall, dark, handsome stranger. Tobey Danville isn't about to turn down a cute, curvy blonde who offers sizzling-hot sex in a commercial refrigerator at his best friend's wedding reception. But the next day, when Callie discovers that Tobey is the consultant she has hired to save her store, they find it difficult to concentrate on business. Especially when giving and getting pleasure in each other's arms is so much more fun!

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Erotica, Ebooks, Novella, Erotic Romance

120 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Bella Andre is the New York Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of “The Sullivans” and “The Morrisons” series.

Having sold more than 10 million books, Bella Andre’s novels have been #1 bestsellers around the world and have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists 84 times. She has been the #1 Ranked Author at Amazon (on a top 10 list that included Nora Roberts, JK Rowling, James Patterson and Steven King). Apple iBooks named her one of the "bestselling authors of all time." And Publishers Weekly named Oak Press (the publishing company she created to publish her own books) the Fastest-Growing Independent Publisher in the US. After signing a groundbreaking 7-figure print-only deal with Harlequin MIRA, Bella’s “The Sullivans” series is being released in paperback in the US, Canada, and Australia.

Known for “sensual, empowered stories enveloped in heady romance” (Publishers Weekly), her books have been Cosmopolitan Magazine “Red Hot Reads” twice and have been translated into ten languages. Winner of the Award of Excellence, The Washington Post called her “One of the top writers in America” and she has been featured by Entertainment Weekly, NPR, USA Today, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and TIME Magazine. A graduate of Stanford University, she has given keynote speeches at publishing conferences from Copenhagen to Berlin to San Francisco, including a standing-room-only keynote at Book Expo America in New York City.

Bella also writes the New York Times bestselling Four Weddings and a Fiasco series as Lucy Kevin. Her “sweet” contemporary romances also include the new Walker Island series written as Lucy Kevin.

If not behind her computer, you can find her reading her favorite authors, hiking, swimming or laughing. Married with two children, Bella splits her time between the Northern California wine country, a 100 year old log cabin in the Adirondacks, and a flat in London overlooking the Thames..

* * * * * * *

For digital/eBook, audiobook, foreign licensing, conference keynote and press inquiries, please contact Bella at bella@bellaandre.com

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Candy Store by Bella Andre is a contemporary romance novella that did have it's steamier moments. Callie Moore owns a candy store and is in danger of losing her business. When she attends a wedding she meets Tobey Danville and ends up hooking up with him only to find later that he is the man she is to meet with over saving her business. This wasn't really bad if you like a quick insta-love type of romance so normally I would give a story like this 3 stars but I'm knocking off a half for the eeww factor for Callie's customers with the romps in the fridge and kitchen of the candy business so 2.5 stars.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/

[Floripiquita · Rating 1 out of 5]

Malillo

[Tpagirl Loves Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Update 8/11/18: I always said if I had to re-read a book for a challenge, I would read Candy Store by Bella Andre again. So, I did. The first time, I rated it a one star. No substance with a zero on the believable scale. I rarely if ever give a one star. So to my defense, I think it was my mood combined with...well, just my mood. On this go around, I went into it with a different mindset. I wasn’t looking for a deep story and I’ve had plenty of erotica books on my shelf since then so I knew what to expect.

It still wasn’t a novel filled with depth and substance, but it was a novella size read with a cute steamy story. Callie Moore was a candy shop owner. She made the best candies around, but she wasn’t making a profit. Her accountant referred a consultant, Derek McNear aka the Candy King, to help save her business. Little did she know, the Candy King was none other than the hottest wedding hookup she ever had and thought would never see again. It was then the typical push and pull relationship - I want you, but I shouldn’t. In the end, it was a quick, light hearted and steamy afternoon read.

First review from May 4, 2015:

Bella Andre is truly one of my favorite authors. That said, I really disliked this book. It lacked substance, depth and a believable story. I was in between series with Bella and decided to read this while I was waiting for the next book in one of her other series. For a truly great Bella Andre book, read the Sullivan Series, The Maverick Billionaries, and The Morrison's - all are great series and better reads.

[Virginia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I forced myself through 7 of 12 chapters, but just couldn't bring myself to finish. I wanted to like it, but it was just too ridiculous. Someone who can make a business out of consulting to candy shops? Falling in love within an hour of meeting someone? I know with romance stories, things often move at an accelerated pace, but this one pushed too hard against the boundaries of credibility.

I want to like the characters, but they're inconsistent and poorly thought out. Even though this was edited from the original edition, it needs plenty more work. The flow within scenes is choppy, the chapter demarcations don't make sense, and transitions between scenes are sometimes abrupt. Honestly, the whole thing reminded me of some of the half-baked stories sitting on my hard drive, where I had a couple of interested ideas for scenes, but haven't gotten around to turning it into anything meaningful.

My expectations with Bella Andre aren't usually high. While I've enjoyed several of her books, they tend to be more erotica than romance. This is possibly the most poorly written story by her that I have come across. If you are looking for her steam-factor with better writing, check out her football series (Game for Anything, Game for Seduction, and Game For Love). If you want more romance, her Sullivans series has been pretty good so far (The Look of Love, From This Moment On, Can't Help Falling In Love, and I Only Have Eyes For You). If you are looking for a quick read like this one (but better writing, characters, etc.), Tempt Me, Taste Me, Touch Me is an anthology of three short, sexy stories.

[Bo · Rating 5 out of 5]

"together, they gave each other all of the love they'd been holding deep inside their hearts for so long...the kind of sweet, passionate love that lasts forever. ~ THE END ~" my favourite line! It made me cry lol I j'dore Bella Andre's work xxx

[Aղցela W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short quick read that I liked it was a sweet love story. Callie Moore is on the verge of losing her candy store but instead of focusing on that she hooks up with a hot sexy stranger Derek McNear at a wedding. The next day she meets with the consultant she has hired to save her store it turns out to be Derek. This was a good read the sex between these two were hot and heavy. Derek is the owner of Sweet Returns, a consultation company who helps failing businesses pick up and succeed. These two begin dating while they are trying to save her business. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling.

[Aly is so frigging bored · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buddy read with Marulett

3.5*

It was a short and sweet novella. I liked the characters, Callie was such a fun lead, she was smart, spunky and she fought for what she wanted.

Tobey was the "tall, dark and dangerous" type, but, surprisingly he has a tender side and he showed a small vulnerable side. Since his finace left him at the altar 'cuz he wasn't the her ideal of a perfect man aka someone who worked in a boardroom and has a 60, or who the hell knows, hour week job. He was devastataed and decided to give up his dream job. Thank god that he met Callie!

All in all it was very enjoyable short read, the hot factor was high(they were at it like bunnies, even the heroine says it :)) )

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet, fun read. Instant chemistry between Callie and Derek. For a short book this was pretty good, but I was left wanting more depth to the story. This would have made a great full length novel.

And for some odd reason, it’s left me with a craving for chocolate.

As for the hero of the book:

Oops…wrong hero!

Derek:

[Alp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute short story.

It was entertaining and fast read. The chemistry between Derek and Callie was so hot!

[Brianna (The Book Vixen) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why I Read this Book: I love the awkwardness that follows when a pair hook up for a one-time, spur of the moment fling, only to find out they have to work together.

What I Liked: Candy Store was a cute romance. I liked the setup, and who doesn’t like a romance centered around chocolate? I also liked that Callie didn’t fight off her desire for Derek; she acted on it.

What I Didn’t Like: Callie’s behavior at the restaurant, what she had said to Derek’s brother and the reasoning behind it, didn’t make sense. She was stroking Jed’s ego so he would stop talking and she could talk to the parents? How about telling the brother what you really think instead of kissing up to him. In that scenario she should have put Derek first.

There were some errors in the book. There was one part of a scene that was duplicated. Also, Derek's brother was first called ‘Ed’, then was referred to as ‘Jed’ for the rest of the book. This confused me because I had to figure out if Derek had one brother or two.

Overall Impression: Candy Store was a fun read but the insta-love relationship lacked the build up I look forward to in romance novels. This trope seems to be the author's forte, given that all 4 of the books I've read by this author have featured an insta-love romance. And even though it's my least favorite trope, I still enjoy this author's writing.

[Kaniac · Rating 1 out of 5]

I realize that an author has to speed up the falling in love process in a romance novel. Totally get that and in most cases agree. After all we want the romance and the fights and misunderstandings but not necessarily the boring everyday things that we get in our day to day lives. In this case YIKES! Even for a book with 120 pages this was ridiculous. How quickly they "fell in love" with complete strangers (it would have been more believable if they were childhood sweethearts that reconnected or something) to the big fight that wasn't a fight (seriously I realize she was upset and wanting to work things out but to sit in a hail storm and not find cover at least under a tree) I felt like I was on a roller coaster with no dips and valleys. It just chugged along at 100 mph until the time came when you could call it long enough and end it. To my knowledge I have never before this read one of Bella Andre's works and let me just say after this experience I won't attempt another one.

[Candy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book started off with some confusion for me. I got it as a free download and when I went to add it to my shelves I noticed the hero's name didn't match. I am guessing this is a rerelease with some tweaking done?
The book started out extremely promising. Callie is at a friends wedding, worrying that her candy shop is going to go under. An impulsive moment with the best man leads to a sexy encounter in the walk in cooler. Turns out the best man is the consultant Callie hired to help save her business.
That is the best part of this short read. The book becomes extremely rushed as if the author is just trying to get the story over. Even the sex scenes are rushed. Some of the scenes border on downright silliness. Save your money and do not pay for this book!!!!

[ChalulaRae · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

[Juuli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good idea but the story was too short and did not have enough plot. I also didn't like them having sex in the restaurant and candy shop kitchens. I wouldn't buy even a lolipop knowing the owner used her kitchen like that. Total turn off.
1.5 stars

[Desi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leído el 01/11/2012

Normalita

[Ariel Bonin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as strong as her other stories. It felt farfetched and a bit juvenile. I liked it at first but things went downhill about halfway through.

[Somia]

Freebie on amazon 22nd December 2019

[Jen_C · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars

[Rae Sontheyon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not A Romance More Like Sex and Oh Yeah! . .Some Story Thrown In Here and There,

I'm so disappointed with this book. I was looking for a sweet romantic read for Valentine's Day and instead found a book filled with more sex than a story. A romance novel should have a balance between a story and the romance, not just a book filled with sexual interludes, especially for the first two thirds of the books.

The main characters are Derek McNear and Callie Moore, they have a chemistry that is undeniable and quite heated right off the bat. However it took them till Chapter 7 before they both thought business before pleasure. Callie is in the process of trying to grown her business Callie's Candies and looks to an outside consultant for business help. Enter the Candy King aka Derek, but that tid bit isn't known till they have their second encounter on a counter.

"One day we're going to do this properly. Warm and cozy in bed." I'm sorry but it's like their third sexual encounter by Chapter 8 and they have yet to do it properly in a bed. Classy real classy. The book is just clearly more about their sexual encounters than their story. But I kept reading. Finally in Chapter 10 both start professing their love after only officially dating for TWO WEEKS! Yeah super realistic, *rolling my eyes sooo much, by this point I got a headache. Sadly the books only moment of actual conflict occurs in Chapter 13, the couple is shown to have a short tiff, but it's quite stupid and Derek acts rather childish, no story redemption shown there like I'd hoped.

Overall if you can't tell I disliked the book. The plot was minimal and the story lacked to say the least. If the author had cut the couples 6 sex scenes the book would be cut down two at least half if not down to a third of it's already short length. Now the sex scenes weren't extremely graphic to be labeled erotica worthy, but for the books length the scenes were excessive and distracted from the possible story between the two leads. This is definitely a book I will not be rereading ever again and regret I wasted my time reading a book that gives little fodder for the contemporary romance genre.

------Read more of my reviews at: http://heyitwasfree.blogspot.com/------

[Jenna Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggle to wrap my lil head around novellas. I guess I enjoy them, but rating/reviewing is a challenge. I enjoyed this story. No angst to speak of, just a momentary WTF scene from the hero, quickly resolved. If this was a full novel, I'd want some proof from him that he wouldn't take off every time he got his panties in a twist or I would consider this a HFN ending. For this novella, in Romancelandia, I'll accept his I love you as proof of thier HEA. Random thoughts: He's got a successful business, so successful that he's driving a Ferrari, but he feels he needs to "grow up" and be an accountant. That's kinda weird. Think I could have bought into that more with some backstory that explained his personal definition of "grown up" and "successful". But this is a novella, so backstory was kept to a minimum to accommodate word count - I get that. Maybe I just need to avoid novellas lol. I came away feeling dissatisfied in the sense that I felt like I'd read a summary of a story without any real meat. Positive random thought: I think I like Bella Andre's version of smut - like, um, alot. She gets into some of the smuttier language that usually is a bit off-putting, but she blends it well enough with more refined language that it all fits. Yeah, overall, glad I read it, but only recommend for someone looking for a light read.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF - Where do I begin with all that is wrong here. Hero is a Candy Company Consultant. Well no wonder he's going out of business next month. Did it occur to the consultant that maybe he should expand to Business Consultant instead of specializing in just candy companies? And he hasn't told his wonderful assistant who he thinks the world of that she'll be out of work starting next month.

Then we get to his sexual relationship with the heroine, and that's all it is. No romance, just bam they're having sex. The first time they meet, they have sex in the commercial refrigerator at the wedding reception the hero is best man at. Eww. Not only is that unsanitary, they then make a mess in it and leave it for the staff to clean up. The next day, they have sex in the heroine's kitchen of her candy shop. She should lose her business.

This story wasn't worth going any further with. I stopped at 48%.

[Kim Friant · Rating 2 out of 5]

So juvenile!!! The guy acts like the stereotypical needy girlfriend (and yes I do mean girlfriend!!!!). The girl acts like a schizophrenic. And EVERYBODY acts like they're in junior high!!!! Banging my head against my desk right now!! He "loves" her because she's sweet, but when she's sweet to his brother, his head explodes and he runs away like child whose truck has been taken away. And she can tell herself that she isn't really that kind of girl all she wants!! And then instead of at least pretending to fight it, to keep her little good girl complex going, she just takes her clothes off!! WOW!!! And so not in a good way!!!

[Jae · Rating 3 out of 5]

A girl having sex with a virtual stranger was not my kind of romantic. No matter how sex-deprived she was at the time.

Although the sex scenes were pretty amazingly hot being written by Bella Andre and all, the story line just couldn't sit well with me. After a few steamy sexual sessions, the hero had actually fallen in love with the heroine. That was fast.. A shallow guy is recommended to never be a hero at all cause.

Won't expect much of a decent story from Bella Andre next time.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the verge of losing her candy store, Callie decides to blot out her troubles with a handsome stranger. Derek isn't about to turn down a cute, curvy woman who offers sizzling-hot sex at his best friend's wedding reception. The next day, they discover he's the consultant she has hired to save her store. "A really sweet treat."

This was a spicy, short and sweet story. Bella drags you into the story, and you feel like you
could reach out and smack someone at times. Very well written in true Bella style. 5 star!!

[♔ Marli ♔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tobey and Callie..... This is one of Bella's single title books (short story) I really did love reading! A sexy, funny, lighthearted package all wrapped in one. As always Bella, you do not disappoint! XXX

[***J*** · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle freebie...Easy read with super sweet Callie who owns a candy store and dashing Derek who intends to rescue Callie's store from demise. Lots of hot chocolate, truffles and sizzling sex makes for a overall lovely romance.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, but it too short for the amount of money I paid.

[Splage · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe 1 1/2 stars if I am being generous. Just sex, no connection...and no story really- maybe descent porn if that is what you are looking for.

[Chrisabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a cute and sexy short read. will b reading more from this author.

[Denise Smithson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love her writing and how she puts so much emotion into even the novellas! Also the hot sex scenes are pretty good too!