Make It Sweet

I truly enjoyed this book. There was not the typical ridiculous fight and awful communication that causes a breakup that you see in many similar books.I am very glad that I listened rather than attempted to read this book because I would have been frustrated trying to pronounce all of the French words.

Make It Sweet by Kristen Callihan is one of my favourite contemporary romances. The first time I read it, I was swept away by the characters, the story, and the feelings it evoked in me. And a reread was just as good.Lucian Osmond has the life he’s dreamed of having since he first stepped foot on the ice. A star hockey player respected by his teammates and competitors, his fame, career and engagement come to a screeching halt when his most recent concussion leaves him facing the ultimate decision – whether to continue with a sport that could turn him into a vegetable with another hit to the head, or get out while still having the sense to do it. His choice is clear, but leaves him bitter, angry, grieving, and still suffering the physical consequences of that last hit with migraines, mood swings and depression. He’s holed up with his grandmother at Rosemont, her Spanish-style California estate, with no plans to leave anytime soon. The only thing that soothes him is working with his hands in the kitchen, cooking and baking sinfully delicious treats as taught to him by his great-grandfather, a famous pâtissier in France.Emma Maron has experienced all the highlights of being famous for her role as Princess Anya in the hit fantasy TV series Dark Castle. With her football star boyfriend by her side, she’s made friends of the cast and crew and is excited to see what her role will be in the upcoming season. Except the read-thru of the season finale script reveals that she’s getting the axe, as is her character (literally). No more Princess Anya. And no more boyfriend, as she discovers him making out with a local waitress when she comes home early with the news of her character’s demise. Not knowing where to turn, she gratefully accepts the offer of a friend of her grandmother to stay at Rosemont and lick her wounds. The first person she meets is the grandson of the owner who has come to pick her up from the airport; a broody, devastatingly handsome man who clearly has his own problems. Two wounded souls seeking solace in the California sun at a beautiful estate can’t keep away from each other for long. But is their affair destined to be a stepping stone to a future together, or apart?I heard someone describe this book as reminiscent of the writing of Laura Florand (whose Amour et Chocolat series set in Paris with chocolatiers and pastry makers is one of my favourites) and I can see where the similarity is with Lucian and his grandmother (whom he calls Mamie) having a penchant for playing music by notable French singer Edith Piaf (especially around the pool, at night) and the incredible array of baked goods that appear at every meal. The food is described using multiple sensory details to create a memorable effect. Lucian doesn’t want to be attracted to Emma (whom he had recognized right away while she hadn’t known who he was) but something about her makes him want to show off, even if she doesn’t know it’s his food she’s eating at first. But when she finds out, well, food is foreplay for them.It’s no surprise that they end up in bed together in passionate and sexy love scenes as they give into their attraction, but more importantly, the tenderness and sweetness of the feelings that develop between them complicates what should be just a vacation fling. What I really enjoyed about this story (besides the food, because yum!) is that Lucian and Emma communicate with each other, telling each other their deepest fears and dreams, becoming each other’s fervent admirer and defender in the process. Coaxing Lucian out of hiding, Emma shows him that just because he can’t play hockey any more doesn’t mean he can’t enjoy the sensations of being on the ice. Equally, Lucian encourages Emma to pursue other acting roles that will showcase her talents and not keep her typecast in the mold of her last role.Secondary characters Mamie, Sal her assistant, Lucian’s cousins Tina and Anton (who also plays professional hockey), and Lucian’s best friend and hockey player Axel ‘Brommy’ Bromwell have supporting roles to show Lucian, like Emma, that he’s not defined only by his hockey playing. Conflict with Anton (a life-long rivalry), comic relief from Brommy, and the love and support from Mamie and Sal bring an overall completeness to the story. While Lucian and Emma’s attraction can flourish in the isolated confines of Rosemont, bringing it into the real world will require courage and commitment which they accomplish but not without a little angst and self-discovery along the way to their happy ending. I finished this story with a happy sigh both times I read it, and it’s sure to remain a comfort read on my keeper shelf.

Kristen Callihan baked up a treat with Make It Sweet! Make It Sweet was the perfect feel-good romance novel with complex characters, a great romantic build up and not too much drama.This book literally had so many tropes I love in it. First off, we have Lucian who is an ex-hockey player who is also an exquisite patisserie chef – be still my heart! As soon as I learned that about him, I knew I was going to be sold on this book. He’s dealing with a lot emotionally when we first met him as he was forced to retire from the sport he loves due to concussions. He’s really lost and closed off at the start, and angry at the world given his whole life has been flipped upside down and he has no idea how to define himself without hockey. Then we have Emma. She’s also in a similar place at the start of the book as she’s been unexpectedly killed off the TV show she stars in Dark Castle (think a Game of Thrones show) and found her boyfriend banging another woman on the same day. She’s adrift and not sure who she is anymore or what she’s going to do next. She goes to stay at Rosemont, the estate run by Lucian’s grandma Amalie, in order to figure out her next steps. Naturally, the two of them clash and end up helping each other heal through out the process.Lucian and Emma, coupled with the secondary characters, really made this book for me. The books told from alternative POVs from Emma and Lucien so we really got to get into their heads and understand what they’re feeling and how they’re responding to situations. They were also perfect for each other as they both needed time to heal and needed someone who could help them see their real potential even if they struggled to see it themselves. They both could see the real person behind the pain.I loved watching Emma break down Lucian’s barriers, even if he didn’t want to let her in. As an actress, I was worried she could be annoying (as those types of characters can be in romances) – but I ended up loving her. She was so incredibly strong, even if she didn’t think she was. Her voice was so well-defined and established and I felt I was really able to get a read on her – something I had struggled with Callihan’s Dear Enemy which exists in the same world as this novel. Lucian was also a complex character and I loved how he showed he cared through his baking. I loved being able to be in his head, even when he was hurting as you really got to understand him and his motivation.The chemistry between Lucian and Emma was palpable and the romance was off the charts. I loved that Callihan didn’t rush to have the two of them get together. Instead, she had a slow build and lots of scenes where they kept being drawn to each other like moths to a flame but weren’t able to take the final leap to come together. The pool scenes (there were a few!) were some of my favorites as they were so steamy and you kept thinking “this is it, this is where they get together” but that didn’t actually happen. It helped add momentum to the story where the chemistry builds and builds so when they finally get together it’s explosive and everything you wanted. There was also so much good banter as Emma knew how to get under Lucian’s skin and I love when that happens.I also really loved that the conflict towards the end of the book wasn’t something stupid – like failure to talk to each other – but felt incredibly believable as it tied back to Lucian’s struggles with identifying who he is without hockey. I personally sided with Emma and his whole family on his decision, but understand why he made the decision he did. I was also so glad to see him come to his senses and realize hockey isn’t what makes him happy anymore, but Emma is – it made the reunion that much sweeter.I think I’ve found a new favorite Kristen Callihan novel! I know this is a story I’ll be coming back to time and time again when I want to read a heart-achy (in the best possible way) romance with well-rounded characters that will leave me with a smile on my face.

"She had slid into my life at one of the worst possible times, and yet now that she was here, the thought of letting her go was unimaginable."Hollywood meets Hockey in this brand new grumpy-sunshine, forced proximity standalone by Kristen Callihan (also comes with a one bed trope!). I love her writing and I could pick up literally everything she writes. Ngl, reading the book's blurb, I didn't feel like I would enjoy it but I'm glad that it wasn't the case at all! Lucian & Emma were totally a delightful treat to read. The tropes in this book SERVE. Sure, it was cheesy and sweet but I was smiling throughout the book."If you believe anything about me, believe I will always be the guy who stands with you, never against you.”Lucian Osmond, a talented hockey player suddenly decided to retire because of a severe head injury that put his life at risk. And now he's hiding away at his grandmother's estate in Rosemund because of losing both his passion and his fiance. What he didn't know however that, he had a talent greater than his sport- baking. Emma Marone, a famous actress known for playing a princess in a well known tv show had been at the top of her career but one abrupt call to kill off her character in the show, ran her out of her job. On top of that, she found her boyfriend of one year cheating on her. So, to seek some solitude, she just decides to head at her grandmother's friend's estate which obviously happens to be the place where Lucien is staying at.“Lucian Osmond, you wrecked me.” “Only fair. You’ve been wrecking me from the moment we met.” Emma was such a loveable character. She was supportive, caring, sassy, passionate about her work and had such a sunshine personality. She balanced out Lucien and his grumpiness for sure. Lucien at times was such a hard, stubborn as but I couldn't help but understand him and his frustrations, I loved him even more when he started to show how whipped he was for Emma. (Lucien noticed every single little thing about her and fed her some delicious treats) Both of the characters had went through something hard and their individual struggles were portrayed in a real and raw way. While the book was sweet and fluffy, it also dealt with real life struggles that some athletes and actors face.“To live is to adapt. We’re constantly reinventing ourselves. Don’t be afraid of failure or change, loves; it means you’re alive.”Overall, the tropes were wholesome and enjoyable. Some of the side characters especially Lucien's grandma were hilarious. The book started off real good with witty banters and a load of tension. The conflicts weren't stretched out much but it was angsty, amusing and entertaining. I loved Lucien & Emma's teasing, flirting and the fluffy nicknames they gave each other just made me melt like a hot puddle lol! I highly recommend reading it because I liked it more than Outmatched.

it's a sweet book and I recommend it

Little sweeties 💕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.OpinionI loved the way this story is written. I felt a lot as it is written from both POV's. It was funny that both have something kind of similar to overcome but both try it in a different way. Emma and Lucian are realistic characters with their challenges and emotions through the book.ConclusionA funny easygoing story to read.PS: There's a lot of yummy sweets.

I'm sad that this book was lackluster. Normally this author ticks all my boxes with wonderfully written romance and banter. Although Make It Sweet had a good storyline and great characters, it just never gained momentum and took me forever to read it.If you're a foodie and a lover of charming with a side of grumpy man what's not to adore? So why didn't I? Hiding out at his Mamie's grand estate Rosemont, Lucian's hockey career is over and it's difficult to come to terms with. So he finds comfort in cooking and baking the most delicious food.With one broken person using Rosemont as a Haven, it seems like it's the place to heal at. And this is where actress Emma finds herself after her career and relationship implodes. Now there are two. Neither Lucian or Emma are looking for comfort but that's exactly what they find in each other.I should have lapped this up. I am a total lover of grumpy/sunshine, good dialogue and dessert! Don't get me wrong this book had all three, but the story was in a state of total plateau the entire time. With an ensemble of eccentric side characters, this should have been awesome yet I spent most of the time wishing it was over. So sad!

Clear at least 24 hours on your calendar because the divine and in this particular case delicious Ms. Callihan has a new romance out - Make it Sweet. I kid you not that my husband knows that when Kristen has a new release that he'll have to get take -out for himself and the spawn because "I'LL BE READING " ( Yes that requires capitals to convey the depth of dedication and enjoyment I get from her wonderful books).This time we're treated to the delights of Lucien (but only to our heroine, "Luc" to everyone else), a professional hockey player in his prime forced into retirement by a traumatic head injury during a game. Not only a prime -cut of professional athlete, Lucien hails from a wealthy French-American family with a storied past in French patisserie creation ( a legendarily creative grandfather). At the start of the story he has hidden away to heal emotionally as well as physically on his grandmother's California grand estate Rosemont , where he works renovating the many buildings, but more importantly baking and cooking for the grandmother he loves deeply. Into this isolated idyllic environment his grandmother invites Emma, the actress granddaughter of one of her friends to stay while she heals from a double emotional disappointment. Emma has just lost her part in a "Game of Thrones/Witcher-like" epic television program known for killing off key characters. Emma also discovers her professional quarterback boyfriend screwing another woman when she arrives home early after the read-through of the script that sees the demise of her much loved character. Quite the set up right?!So, we have the wonderful little miss sunshine, too perceptive and empathetic for her own good thrown into "the beauty and the beast- like" environment of the emotionally -shut-down Mr. Grumpy (mixing my children's books allusions!). Lucien begins his process of falling for Emma with the dedication he puts into his culinary arts he secretly courts her with. It's worth the price of admission here simply for the scenes where Emma watches Lucien work dough!One of the great delights of Kristen's books is her vivid secondary characters and we have a plethora of them here; from the wisdom of his life-loving grandmere, to Sal the flamboyantly gay stylist (also basically Lucien's adopted brother), to Lucien's bearlike BFF and teammate. Kristen excels at characterization built through dialogue, and it's fully on display here! Treat yourself to this confection!