Sandy M’s review of Anything But Sweet (Sweet, Texas, Book 1) by Candis Terry
Contemporary Romance published by Avon 25 Jun 13

I love reading Candis Terry. Simple as that. Her books are just plain old fun. I smile and laugh while reading, and there are also those moments when your heart breaks for a character or you want that wonderful love scene to go on forever. In essence, her books have it all.

Charlotte, aka Charli, is the host of My New Town, a makeover show for small-town America. With her crew in tow, she’s just made it to Sweet, Texas, a quaint place that needs a facelift. But Reno is probably the only citizen who feels change is not the thing for the place he calls home. Why try to fix something that doesn’t need fixing, for crying out loud? Reno is one of those people who attaches emotion to the familiar. His hardware store is on Charli’s list, but Reno is having none of it, not his dad’s store. He wants everything left just the way it is so he can remember the good times with his father, as well as the others he’s lost in his life. Then finding her in his brother’s apartment just doesn’t sit well, but he has his mother to thank for that.

Charli is vivacious and as curious as the proverbial cat. Her questions annoy Reno to no end – another reason to send her packing. But she’s not one to back down, so she taunts him into helping in some of the renovations around town. Spending time with the man shows her a completely different side from all the grumpiness he seems to exude. Getting to know Sweet and its townsfolk makes Charli realize this is the type of life she’s always wanted, the home she’s always needed. When things begin to slowly change between her and Reno, another aspect of her dreams falls into place.

Little by little Reno begins to loosen up, thinking maybe it’s not so bad having a new look around town. Especially when Charli promises a couple of his friends the town square will be ready for their special day. Seems the lady isn’t bad as all that after all, and they begin to spend more time together, including in the bedroom. And the lovemaking is sweet and intense. I thoroughly enjoyed these two between the sheets. In the back of Reno’s mind is the fact that Charli will be leaving town when her show wraps, so that vulnerability is still very much in evidence.

The secondary characters are all just terrific, especially Reno’s mother and brothers. I’m looking forward to those brothers’ books in the future. You can’t miss with a series full of cowboys. If you’ve not read Candis Terry, this is the perfect book to pick up to give her a try. Then go back and read her Sugar Shack series. Those books are just as fun, with a bit of the paranormal thrown in. I hope Ms. Terry continues to hone her craft in just this way. There’s plenty of dark and evil out there in romance, so light and fun is always a treat.

Grade: A

Summary:

HE’S STUBBORN AND THOROUGHLY MALE . . .

If Charlotte Brooks thinks she and her TV makeover show can turn Reno Wilder’s hometown upside down, he’ll be happy to prove her wrong. The x-Marine has seen too much turmoil and he likes Sweet, Texas, just the way it is. Traditional. Familiar. A little dull. Everything Charli isn’t.  But instead of backing off from his scowls like everyone else, Charli digs in her skyscraper heels.

SHE’S TENACIOUS AND WICKEDLY TEMPTING . . .

Reno Wilder is a one-man unwelcoming committee, but Charli isn’t budging. It’s clear the gorgeous cowboy needs an overhaul just as much as Sweet. Someone needs to break him out of that gruff shell and show him how fun and rewarding a little change can be.

THEY’RE ABOUT TO FIND THAT LOVE IS ANYTHING BUT PREDICTABLE.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: