If You Adore Me (Sugar Maple #2). By Ciara Knight. 2020. (ARC eBook).

Happily ever afters are happening in Sugar Maple, but visitor and producer Knox Brevard is in town to produce a successful series featuring local businesses and owners; not to fall in love with the tough as nails local mechanic, Stella Frasier. Stella is equally as adamant that her and Knox will never happen. Overall, If You Adore Me is an enjoyable opposites-attract romance set in small town with close friends, even closer frenemies, and wiley senior citizens.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

This was a nice read to get away from reality for a little bit. I liked the dual POV format. That really helps me to identify and connect with the characters a bit more.

There were times when the obvious seemed like it should have come through a bit quicker than it did but then again that happens in real life.

This is a sweet, clean romance with just a little bit a kissing.

The characters of Stella and Knox are very complex, and their histories and motivations are much darker. Both have experienced things that may be triggering to some readers, so be forewarned. However, there are no gorey details or offensive descriptives or language. The backstories of each character inform the motivations and actions that drive the narrative. The romance is sweet and well-written. It has a very good lesson as well... things and people are not always what they appear to be, so it is best not to judge others, but to give them the benefit of the doubt instead.

I like to try new to me authors and see if I find a new favorite. I liked the suspense and story of If You Adore Me and even the small town of Sugar Maple and all its characters. I just need more than a clean, wholesome romance to read more from her. If you love Christian Romance and PG-13 rated books, this series is for you. Start with book one though, I was a little lost with the backstory of a few characters having just started in book 2.

Thanks go to the author and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of If You Adore Me by Ciara Knight for the purpose of reading and reviewing. My opinions are my own, and no one has influenced me.

If You Adore Me is set in a small rural town in Tennessee and has a lovely array of supporting characters. At first, I had trouble getting into this book, but then I discovered it’s the second book in the series, so I continued reading, and I’m so glad I did. The story started coming together for me. As with other Ciara Knight novels, this book has warmth and shows the advantages of living in a small town.

Stella Frasier’s character does fit the mold of most heroines in romance novels. To say she’s unique is an understate. At first I wasn’t sure I would like her, but I soon discovered she’s a great character with many facets to her personality. I identified with her concerns over in having a relationship with the hero after what happened when they knew each other in the past.

Knox Brevard is a great hero with many of the characteristics I adore, and just his good looks. His character has plenty of depth, and I could understand his need to hold his emotions in check because of the trauma from his past. I enjoyed his baby steps in opening up to Stella, and his willingness to accept Stella as the independent woman and not try to change her. He’s exactly the right guy for her.

The romance between the hero has plenty of trials to overcome, but most of them are external and that worked for me. The emotional connection is strong and satisfying. I truly wanted them to find their happy ending!

If you like small town romances with a great cast of characters and an emotionally charged plot, then you with love If You Adore Me as much as I did. It had been a while since I had read one of Ms. Knight’s heartwarming novels, and this one is a fine example of why I enjoy her books. Happy reading!

A bit of advice: don't come into a series on the second book. I struggled a tiny bit at the beginning because some of it just seemed hard to follow. I had totally missed that this was the second book in a series (mom brain).

Don't let that bit of advice make you think it wasn't worth reading because it was. I was impressed by how the struggle of the two protagonists, Knox and Stella, was portrayed. Being able to watch their personal struggles like a fly on the wall is always intriguing and slightly enjoyable (more than it should be).

Stella is barely hanging on by a thread running a garage and Knox is trying to keep his internet career going. Stella has no interest in doing a show about her garage despite it helping bring interest to her small town. Knox needs the show to expand his career. Both Stella and Knox have some deep hurts in their past and they get to discover the road to healing and growth together even while not always on the same page. The town of Sugar Maple is full of wonderful people to love on these two and it seems like a town anyone could love!

I usually read explicitly Christian fiction but this was a pleasant clean romance. I would recommend this and would recommend the whole series.

I received an ARC on Netgalley but give my honest review freely.

Enjoyed this, it was a quick, light and easy read. Not particularly memorable though, just a run of the mill story, but nice to pass a couple of hours

Gripping novel with very realistic storylines. The author captured my attention even though the summary wasn't something I thought I'd enjoy. It reminded me of God's favour towards me in all circumstances.

I found the friendship circle and the culture of this village very endearing. However, I struggled with the extreme personalities of the lead characters. They came across as one-dimensional, so sadly I really couldn't get this one so found myself skimming in order to confirm just how it would end.

With thanks to #NetGalley, Author Collective 20 and the author for my free advanced reader copy to review in exchange for an honest opinion.

Stella has been raised by her dear grandparents after her parents abandoned her. With only the auto repair shop to her grandfather’s memory, she has been struggling to keep it afloat. With income barely trickling, she is far behind her rent payments too. Her only option in front of her is the one she detests and is just not ready to embrace the new change. She never wants that one memory and one person from her past to resurface ever. But what when exactly the same thing happens?

Knox is a famous and handsome internet producer who comes to Sugar Maple town. Known to have his way with women always, Knox finds it a struggle to get Stella to be on the show. His charm and fame just doesn’t seem to do the trick and magic this time. Is it going to work on Stella?

What is it that Stella has protected so long?
Does Knox win over Stella?
Can the Auto Repair Shop be saved?
Does Stella finally open her heart to Knox?

Rating – 3.5/5 Stars

Recommendation – Moderately High

Conclusion,

This romance story between Stella and Knox captures your heart in a very sweet manner. The struggle that both face – Stella with her secrets and Knox with his emotions from the past is portrayed well. The characters and the plot keep the page turning from the beginning. I enjoyed this charming book.

Trigger Warnings – Nil

If You Adore Me brings together the Fab Five, friends and sometimes enemies, who are working on mending their relationship in their hometown of Sugar Maple, with the help of their former teacher and current mayor, Ms. Horton. This is Stella and Knox’s romance – definitely a case of opposites attracting!

Stella has a hard exterior and a tender heart of gold. Her childhood was so difficult she works hard to keep it hidden. Stella was doing well considering the ‘hand she had been dealt.’ She owns her grandfather’s garage and is great with cars, Stella still struggles financially but again, does well on her own and is proud of how far she has come. She makes it work.

Know is part of the film group doing exposes on Sugar Maple businesses. He is a bit disappointed the next business on the list is Stella and her garage. He has not had luck in the past with garages. In addition, Knox has his own hidden demons from his days in the military.

Place these two to together and they are like oil and water, except that each need the other desperately to keep their respective business going. As with any small town, there is a bit of community involvement and manipulation to add to the issue. But, when Stella and Knox need help the most, they come through for each other with the help of their friends and unusual community. This is a sweet light-hearted and clean read!

The 2nd book in a series of 5. It was very light and enjoyable. I wish it had been a bit longer to be honest as the story didn’t really delve too deeply into any of the storylines. I will definitely look for the other 3 but it is just a very light easy read really.

A tortured hero and an original, out-of-the norm heroine meet and clash in “If You Adore Me”, by Ciara Knight (Author Collective 20), in an apparent “opposites attract” trope romance which later proves to be more about an encounter between two damaged people.
An improbable couple and two improbable protagonists, Knox and Stella both come with lots of baggage; underneath their public personae they have a lot in common and they’re both wary and not looking for love.
Going from military to internet celebrity, Knox is a bit arrogant and conceited; even if he’s a broken man, distant, closed-off and haunted by his past, he becomes more likeable and less distant when he softens towards Stella and begins to trust.
“Abrasive but intriguing”, Stella challenges guarded Knox and is a refreshing female character.
It’s a quick, enjoyable read, in a small town setting and with a group of sometimes meddling friends that I thought stole away from the hero and heroine.
I found the main characters’ development a bit schematic, and perhaps because of it didn’t care much for the “wounded, vulnerable” hero.

Good book, decent characters, but it couldn't keep me hooked beyond the middle of the story. I may come back and read it again later, as maybe that may change my mind on some things. Otherwise, this book didn't really exceed the expectations of the description.

Carissa and drew have become very close. Carissa's baking segment was a success. Knox lost a woman who he cared for in Iraq. The next segment is Stella's car shop. I thought Stella could be tough and fair but annoying sometimes. Stella and Knox could be frustrating but I enjoyed their story

Another great story built around the lives of the fabulous five, a group of friends who have grown up together in small town where everyone looks out for each, romance for the tomboy this time, and a criminal father adds to the excitement. Loved this book, couldn’t put it down. Looking forward to the rest of the series.