Life for Emma isn’t good. The world knows her as Princess Anya on Dark Castle, but then her character gets the axe—literally. The cherry on top is finding her boyfriend in bed with another woman. She needs a break, and sanctuary comes in the form of Rosemont, a gorgeous estate in California promising rest and relaxation.
Then she meets the owner’s equally gorgeous grandson, ex–hockey player and current recluse Lucian Osmond, and she sees her own pain and yearning reflected in his eyes.
He’s charming when he wants to be but also secretive and gruff, with protective walls as thick as Emma’s own. Despite a growing attraction, they avoid each other.
But then there’s an impromptu nighttime skinny-dip, and Lucian’s luscious homemade tarts and cream cakes start arriving at Emma’s door, tempting her to taste life again…
In trying to stay apart, they only grow closer—and their broken pieces just might fit together and make them whole.
Release Date: Mar 9, 2021
Heat Level: Hot
Publisher: Amazon Publishing
Imprint: Montlake
Price: $3.99
Emma needs to regroup and figure out what to do with life once she is let go from her acting job. She is wounded and in need of some healing. She tries to find comfort with her boyfriend only to discover he has been cheating on her. Licking her wounds, she heads to Rosemount to clear her head. Emma cross paths with the grandson of the owner of the resort and an unlikely friendship develops.
Emma recognizes pain when she sees it and Lucian has a lot of it rolling off him. It doesn’t stop her from wanting to know him better. Maybe this is the distraction she needs. While their friendship grows, a romance simmers on the bottom but can Emma or Lucian put the past aside to see what the future may hold?
This is my first contemporary read by this author and she didn’t disappoint. Make It Sweet ticked off most of my boxes and gave me the feels the one afternoon that I curled up to read it. I’m not sure what is going on with the slow burn romances lately but they are working for me. I appreciate the author slowly building up to a delicious and sweet romance instead of the insta-love trope.
Lucian is so grumpy and broken. I’m glad that Emma’s spirit was able to call out to him and help in his healing process. Lucian also uses food as another way to get through his pain. Let me say that I’m a big time foodie so I loved all of the food conversations and descriptions. I’m always tempted to try to make some of the dishes and desserts. It became an intricate part of the romance.
The chemistry between Lucian and Emma is explosive. They burn all the way up. The banter gives a light hearted feel as the couple have to navigate through a lot of heavy issues. It is a nice way to break it up and give a mix to some of the heaviness.
The only reason I didn’t give this book a higher score is that this story has been done before and nothing stood out. It is light and quick but fail to have the full wow factor despite ticking off my boxes for a good romance.
Overall, a nice, sweet and satisfying contemporary romance that book lovers can read in on sitting like I did.
~ Samantha