Limecello’s review of Sweet Spot (Bakery Sisters, Book 2) by Susan Mallery
Contemporary romance published by Harlequin on 1 Aug 08

I thought that Sweet Talk was a good book, but Sweet Spot blew it out of the water. This may be my favorite book I’ve read all summer – possibly longer. It might be the happy book high, but I know that’s not all. This is definitely one of my favorite Susan Mallery novels.

Nicole Keyes is a character first introduced in Sweet Talk [Bakery Sisters, Book 1], and she’s someone you feel comfortable with. The beginning might be a bit more meaningful if you’ve read Sweet Talk, but I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary. Nicole’s the bitchy sister, but not a bitch, and for all her crusty exterior, she’s pretty much as soft and sweet as cotton candy. Nicole is a character you cannot help but like, and definitely someone to respect. And be friends with! Have I mentioned she owns a successful bakery?

Eric Hawkins, or Hawk, is a great romance hero, and very realistic. He’s ridiculously hot, was former pro-athlete, was madly in love with his wife, is a good father, a good coach, a good person, but… has regular stupid moments. Hawk’s so charming and disarming it’s hard to dislike him, even though you almost feel you should, based on principle – too much perfection. (Much like how Nicole feels.)

The story itself is interesting as well. There are many secondary characters, and all of them are well written, and well developed. Generally I’m not a fan of high school characters, especially as a secondary romance, but Ms. Mallery does a great job here. Raoul and Brittany often provide a great contrast to Nicole and Eric, and other characters make nice cameo appearances as well.

A few things I didn’t like as much were the scenes with Jesse, who gets her story in Sweet Trouble. Much like the annoying aspect of Sweet Talk, the parts with Jesse were a bit too maudlin and ridiculous. Too many accusations and characters playing the victim card. I did notice how Ms. Mallery set the foundations for Jesse’s story, however, and how she’s going to save her from being a hateful character. Another minor issue was how different Drew, Nicole’s ex-husband was in Sweet Spot from Sweet Talk – although it did make sense. Then there were the idiotic and overdramatic teenagers … but then that does fit how a teen would act overall. And they fit into the book, so I can’t fault Ms. Mallery for that.

The plot and events in Sweet Spot progress nicely and make for a very enjoyable read. It was fun, yet had a realistic tone to it, even while all these fantastic incidents kept occurring. A time or two things fell a bit too neatly into place, but I found them easy to get over. I might wish for just a tad more romance between Nicole and Hawk, because the secondary characters commandeered so much of their time and attention. However, I enjoyed reading about all the shenanigans so much it’s rather inconsequential.

I have to admit that when I first heard about the Bakery Sisters trilogy, I was skeptical. (Yes I was!) So I feel my gushing means that much more. I recommend everyone read this book. It’s very well written, flows- I never felt that there was too much, or that the author was trying too hard. It’s a great summer read. Basically, this book was just right in my Goldilocks test, and I think all romance lovers should read this book. (And the one before it, Sweet Talk because it’ll make this one that much better.) I will say I’m still unsure as to how Ms. Mallery will present Jesse’s story in Sweet Trouble, but at this point… I’m expecting good things.

Grade: A

If only her life was more sinful than sweet…

“Responsibility” should be Nicole Keyes’s middle name. After all, not many people would sacrifice their lives to run the family bakery and raise a younger sibling. But with Nicole’s twin sister now blissfully married and her younger sis turning out more femme fatale than girl next door, superreliable Nicole is getting sick of putting everyone else’s needs first!

Enter Hawk. The deliciously sexy former NFL player offers Nicole a taste of the freedom she craves. Hawk may know the way, blindfolded, to her sweet spot, but Nicole’s not about to let him get close enough to break her heart. Of course, she might not have a choice in the matter if Hawk’s past keeps getting in the way of their present…

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series:

Seriously – go read it – but read it first cuz I think you might hatttteeessss her (the heroine, Nicole) if you read the first book first (Sweet Talk). Can’t wait to see what Lime thinks and will even try and finish my review if I can get to it.

Why am I so bouncy happy about it right now, when I read it months and months ago? Because it has a soft spot in my cold, black heart as I reread the series while under house arrest. It made me smile while I was trying not to freak the hell out.

AND because Jane posted a review today (I think it went up today) and there is a lot I agree with. This is much oddness as I rarely agree with her on contemps.

So that is all the more reason you should read it because it sooooo ups your chances of liking it too .  Really!  I would have give it an A and don’t let the dry summary keep you from at least picking it up or reading an excerpt.  Hawk is a great hero with an interesting way about him and his courtship – and reads like a man.  The kiddos are great – his daughter doing the perfect daddy’s girl and plays the ‘I know how to manipulate daddy’ card well.  And Raul, plays the serious, almost too much but his background explains it well.  It is not without its issues but I would give it an A-.

Hey it can be the contemp of the summer *g*. Do tell if you read it (love it or hate it) and most of all what order you read it in. Now I am going to try and go do work without bruising myself up anymore (don’t ask).