I really enjoyed this slow burn storyline. Great banter and chemistry so electric you can’t wait for it to explode! Throw in emotional moments and you’ll be hooked from the beginning to the read.

4.5 stars

A+ on banter!! Gah! The characters were just so well developed and I really did live these two.
This one starts off a tad slow but once it gets going... wow! Explosive. Definitely pick this one up!

What a sweet (literally), feel good, and truly enjoyable read. Two hearts, not quite broken, but they’ve definitely taken a beating. Emma Maron and Lucian Osmond have taken a hit in both their careers and their love life, and with the help of matchmaking grandparents they find themselves healing together in a beautiful, private, Californian Estate. A captivating storyline, wonderful characters (if not a little stubborn at times), lots of emotion, and some super sexy scenes. The chemistry between these two was palpable (I’m talking hot, hot, hot). I loved the teasing and banter between them, oh so cute, and let’s not forget those delectable desserts. Yum yum. If you’ve read Kristen Callihan’s Dear Enemy you’ll recognise some of the characters in this story, however, Lucian and Emma’s story is a complete standalone, and equally as enjoyable. I loved it. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.

4 'Let's fly, honeybee' Stars!
ARC provided by the the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Kristen Callihan’s newest novel is, as its title promises, like eating a delicious and very sweet treat. With what can be considered a spin-off of Dear Enemy, she comes back with the story of two lost souls finding a beautiful connection when not expected. And I am happy to say, I really enjoyed how this romance developed: a slow burn chemistry, with plenty of food porn, with two complex main characters dealing with life changes, secondary characters acting as matchmakers and a whole array of emotions. Get ready to fall in love with grumpy Lucian and sweet Emma!

Make It Sweet is Kristen Callihan’s next standalone release with Montlake and, even though it features characters from her last release with this publisher, it can totally be read as a standalone. It tells the story of Lucian Osmond, a star hockey player (now chef, kind of) who has been forced to retire early and he is now suffering the consequences, and Emma Maron, a very talented actress who has been left behind on the show she was in and she needs a break from her reality. Enter Rosemont, a magical place where these two met while “recovering/resting” and unexpected sparks fly between the grumpy chef and the sweet heroine.

Nothing in my life was certain right now, not my career, not my living arrangements, and cerainly not my love life. But when Lucian and I were together, I felt wholly myself, not the "everything is perfect; keep moving along" front I projected to the world.

I have to say, I was a bit scared to start Make It Sweet because, while I enjoyed Dear Enemy, it wasn’t one of my favorites written by Kristen. Also, I saw some reviews with mixed feelings about the book and that sometimes worries me. However, in my case, this sweet slow burn romance was literally the treat I needed. It was delightful in almost every way and I loved how the whole love story developed. Lucian and Emma were perfect together, both with deep complexities and vulnerabilities, together they literally fly. Their connection was beautifully developed, it was adorable to see them slowly falling in love and that climaxed with a burning chemistry. That with the amazing secondary characters and a very emotional ending, gave us the sugary treat Kristen promised.

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.

Therefore, I am rating Make It Sweet with 4 STARS because Lucian and Emma’s love story melted my insides with its sweetness. Seeing this vulnerable and grumpy hero falling in love (and making delicious baked goods) with his honeybee was absolutely delightful. I have to say I enjoyed this one even more than Dear Enemy because I am a sucker for a love story with two hurt people who find their safe haven together. And that’s exactly what I got with Lucian and Emma and their stay in Rosemont. What a treat!

3.75-4 stars. This is a good book! Make it Sweet is a standalone book set in the same world as Dear Enemy. This is Emma and Lucian's book. Emma is an actress on a fantasy tv show that seems to be like Game of Thrones. When her character is killed off and there is no more acting jobs on the horizon, Emma is worried about her future career and is feeling a bit lost. She is invited for an extended stay at the lush tropical estate of her grandmother's eccentric friend. There she meets Lucian, the friend's grandson who is also staying there. Lucian is also at a crossroads in life. He was an NHL star, but was forced to retire when he had too many concussions. He lived and breathed hockey and losing it has left him grieving and not sure what to do with his life now. Lucian and Emma met and felt a connection right away. Neither feel like they are in a good place to start a relationship, as they both have healing to do. But they are drawn to each other. Lucian shows his love and feeling through cooking. His grandfather was reknowned pastry chef who taught him how to make amazing recipes. As Emma and Lucian spend time together, he makes her delicious dishes and they fall for each other along the way. The two of them heal from their pasts and make a future together.

Make it Sweet is a low angst, sweet, easy read. All of the food talk was very sensual and the way cooking showed Lucian's feelings for Emma was very romantic. I enjoyed this story. Emma and Lucian were great characters. Both were trying to heal, but they helped each other along the way. The two of them really adored each other and I definitely felt their love and soulmate connection. I did find the book a little slow at times, but the connection and chemistry, along with the sensual food experience kept my attention. I was happy that the couple were able to heal from their pasts and get their HEA.

Overall, this was a good book. It is a slow burn read that is a feast for the senses with descriptions of the beautiful tropical locale and intricate food. Emma and Lucian's story was sweet, romantic and emotional. I enjoyed this book and look forward to more from Ms. Callihan in the future!

Emma and Luc are both a bit down on their luck. Emma is a TV star who finds at a table read that she's been cut from her series in the finale. Luc, a star of his own in the NHL, takes a hit that cuts his career short. Both decide to take some time to heal and to figure out what's next. Luc heads to his grandmother's estate in California where he finds solace in baking. Emma's grandmother is best friend's with Luc's and winds up at the same estate where they meet.

I had not read anything from this author before and really enjoyed this one. It's light and sweet and a perfect escape for the day as it reads quickly. With the characters' instant attraction to one another, I was a bit worried this book would be an insta-love story which I am admittedly not a fan of, but it really wasn't. Their friendship and attraction continues to build throughout the book and the chemistry when they do get together is just fantastic. I liked Luc's story a lot. I'm all for a hockey player romance and appreciated that this one was slightly different as he isn't currently playing. And a hockey player that bakes? Good Lord, it was delicious. Anyone who is a foodie, especially with baking, would love this book. The descriptions and love of pastries in this book were just great. Overall, a really fun book to read!

Do not read this book while hungry! Otherwise you will want to go out and buy every pastry you can find. The food is almost like a third main character alongside Lucian and Emma.

Lucian and Emma are both at major crossroads in their lives and end up being at his grandmother's estate at the same time. They are both strong personalities and characters and their banter and interactions were so well done.

The build up to acting on their mutual attraction was a great slow burn. The way that they connect emotionally was a highlight of the book. The physical connection is certainly there, but the emotional one is what made me love the book.

I love the author's writing style and how the romance and characters developed as the story progressed. I do hope we get more books set in this loosely connected series. This is connected to Dear Enemy but can be read as a standalone.

(3.5 stars) This was a sweet story about two people that find each other at a point in time when they are both at crossroads in their lives. Emma was recently let go from her long-term acting role and Lucian was forced into early retirement due to a serious head injury from Hockey. They both end up taking refuge at his grandmother's estate in Montecito, California.

I thought their story was interesting and sweet, but it did feel a bit slow at times. Lucian was really struggling to come to terms with no longer being able to play the sport that he felt defined him. This in turn prevented him from taking a leap and start something new with Emma. I think I would have liked the push and pull to end a little sooner, especially because Emma kept putting herself out there for him. (However, I do have to say that Lucian's struggle and journey was understandable. I was just a bit impatient lol)

One of the things I enjoyed was the fantastic job that Kristen Callihan did at describing all the pastries that Lucian created. I thought it was such a fun aspect of the book. You could practically taste his creations, and they left me craving those decadent treats! And of course, Callihan never fails to have well-written steamy scenes between her characters!

This was so sweet and so freaking hot and just something I absolutely ate up. It's about a former hockey star and a popular television actress who find themselves in a secluded place after their careers take a turn. Everything is fine until they start to spend time together. Highly recommend for lovers of the grumpy x sunshine trope!

Let's start with something I loved; the chemistry! It's been so long since I've read a romance novel where the main characters instantly clicked. The fumbles between them in the beginning stages were so natural and the sex scenes were so effortless. They were so good together and you could feel the tension between them as they bickered, this author can write romantic tension so well. I loved this couple so much. And to finish off about them, I will say that seeing them grow separately and together and get passed their individual traumas was really beautiful and very well done.

Then came the characters! I loved pretty much everyone we meet in this novel. He has this huge, extended work and personal family and I adored them all. Especially the grandmother who's constantly trying to meddle in his life and their dynamic was really endearing to see. Also, Brommy, a former teammate of our hockey star Lucian, was such a fun addition to this book and I hope he gets his own novel in the future because he truly was a blast.

Next was the baking storyline which completely shocked me for some reason. Probably shouldn't have considering this is called Make It Sweet. It definitely brought a lightness to the story and I got to salivate over the idea of these delicious treats which made it all the more enjoyable.

Overall, I loved this so much! The only thing that really bothered me was the length I would say. Would have been just as effective if it was a little shorter because the internal monologues and slight repetitiveness does take you out of the story a bit. But other than that, this was a perfect steamy, cute, swoon worthy novel. I would definitely recommend you pick this up and I will be reading much, much more by this author in the near future.

I absolutely adored this book. A delicious slow burn with some super intense chemistry, some emotional moments and entertaining side characters. A top read.

She's the female lead on an epic fantasy prestige drama who's just been killed off. He's a former pro hockey player who left the game in his prime because of a brain injury. They're both nursing their wounds at his grandmother's California estate. Oh, and he's dealing with his new reality by creating amazing patisserie.

I loved it. It had me swimming around in feelings. The back and forth between the MCs was great, and their tension was a delight. And, as a home baker and GBBO fan, the baking descriptions are really something wonderful. Both the MCs are trying to care for the other in their own way, and it's beautiful.

There's a cast of supporting characters (including the MCs from Dear Enemy) from which I would be delighted to see the next hero or heroine plucked.

I'll definitely read this one again.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A sweet, romantic, finger licking good read full of passion, friendships, finding yourself and some seriously delicious, mouth watering goodies! An injured hockey player goes home again go try and come to terms with the fact his career may just kill him, though that's going to be a journey. An actress finds solace and new beginnings at the same place and the attraction they feel may not be as fleeting and easily dismissed as they both hope. Hurt and defensive they must learn to accept life's blows and their feelings if they hope for a better future. Great characters full of life and depth, funny, decadent and a thoroughly enjoyable read!

Make It Sweet was a definite treat. I really enjoyed the premise of this one. Both of the main characters are dealing with major disappointments and life changing events. With their lives suffering such disruption, they both know they should avoid falling into a relationship. However, attraction wins out and they find they can't help themselves.

Lucien was definite boyfriend material. What hockey playing tough guy would take care of his grandmother? That just makes him sexier. Emma is also a character that I could connect with. She was real about her troubles and the fact that she wanted to hide out and avoid reality for as long as she could.

I really enjoyed this story. The only thing I would have liked to see done differently was to have more insight into their future. Other than that, I can't really find any flaws. It was a fun and enjoyable read. It combined a sports romance with someone in the acting industry, which are two of my favorites.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review this and the opinions contained within are my own.

This was one of those books that totally took me by surprise, I was sucked in from the first chapter and couldn’t stop gushing about how wonderful it was as I read. I feel like the cover does not let on to how wonderful, heartwarming, steamy, and emotional this story is. I love love loved every second of Make It Sweet.

Kristen Callihan has been on my TBR for years, and I’m kicking myself for not trying her before this. I’m in love with her writing after finishing this book! I don’t even know if I can express how much I ADORED this book. You know it’s good when it distracted me from one of my most anticipated fantasy romances 🤣

Reasons I loved Make It Sweet:
✨ Grumpy former hockey player hero and sunshine actress heroine
✨ The hero cooks! And bakes!!! French pastries!!!! 😍
✨ Forced proximity 🔥
✨ Set in one of my favorite areas, Montecito and Santa Barbara. I need more romances set here ASAP!
✨ Accurate depiction of migraines (as someone who gets migraines this was very important for me!)
✨ Adorable French grandmother
✨ Quirky pet names
✨ Great banter!
✨ THERE’S ONLY ONE BED

Lucian and Emma were everything 🥺 I loved them from page one. Lucian is a well-known pro hockey player who was forced to quit for his health. This was the first book I’ve read with a character with concussion syndrome. It was truly heartbreaking at times how he struggled to come to terms with no longer playing. Emma is an actress on a Game of Thrones style show, until her character is killed off. She needs a private place to stay until the season finale airs, and her grandmother suggests staying on her friends estate in Montecito. Of course, Lucian’s grandmother owns the estate and he is currently there helping her renovate guest houses as he heals.

I loved everything about these characters and this book. Everytime I thought I couldn’t love it more, Callihan added in another trope that I love. The banter and innuendo between Emma and Lucian was so great, Callihan can write some amazing chemistry. And steam! It’s a bit of a slow burn, but so worth it to get to the steamy bits. I loved Make it Sweet so so much, five stars!

CW: hero has concussion syndrome and suffers from migraines, discussion of abuse as a child, discussion of intimate partner violence

Mixed feelings..... The first half was slow. Soooo slow. Oh it was well written and characters were developed and the setting was gorgeous, but it was boring. The second half really picked up and there was actually a relationship and conflict and resolution. I’m all for slow burn, but this just missed the mark for me. 3 Stars

Included as a top pick in bimonthly February New Releases post, which highlights and promotes upcoming releases of the month (link attached)

This is my first book by Kristen Callihan and it was good, but it felt oddly old-fashioned.

All of the plot points felt like a contemporary romance, but the actual writing and how the 20-somethings spoke was very dated. It just felt "off" to me, as if the author was 60+ years old and not a young author.

For example, how did every 20-something in this story know the entire musical catalog of Edith Piaf's songs and know precisely what she was singing about (in French)? That's just one example, but the entire book read that way.

This book just didn't work for me.

When an actress and a hockey athlete both receive career changing news, they both run off to a retreat to lick their wounds and find a way to heal one another.

Emma Maron first meets Lucian Osmond when he's picking her up at the airport to bring her to his grandmother's retreat, Rosemont. Not recognizing him as a star hockey player, their ride is far from engaging. Especially when Lucian exposes his cranky side. While like Emma, I didn't initially warm up to Lucian, he won me over with his secret talent, baking. Yes, this book had me drooling with his delectably creations, I only wish I could have sampled them.

Knowing Lucian left a bad impression with Emma, he goes about winning her over with his finely crafted meals. Yet oddly doesn't take credit for them, at least for some time. Once his secret is out, Emma is pretty much a goner, already lusting over his physic.

Eventually, the two characters begin to lean on one another, sharing their career downfall and encouraging each other with new ways to move forward professionally. I thought Lucian's path would be obvious, however it took him some time to recognize it. When he makes a reckless decision, I did want to smack Lucian up a bit, along with everyone else in the story, but thankfully that decision doesn't drag out. In the process, he finds the peace and love he thought he'd never achieve off the ice.

I think this book would be best enjoyed with a sampling of French patisseries, and a nice bottle of wine. It was a sweet treat and the perfect read for my Valentine's Day.

Final note: I enjoyed some of the other characters from Rosemont, especially Sal, and wouldn't mind if the author wrote their stories. Hint hint!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Make it Sweet is my second venture into the Kristen Callihan contemporary world, and I enjoyed this one much more than the previous attempt. As the title implies, it’s incredibly sweet (dare I say, a confection?), and while it doesn’t shy away from delving into some deeper issues with each of the leads, it remains fairly lighthearted.

I liked both Emma and Lucian fairly early on. Both had been hurt, Emma more recently in facing a career setback by being axed from her TV show and being cheated on, and Lucian who had to retire from hockey after an injury and is now a recluse. I enjoyed the banter and interplay between the two, and while it proceeded more or less as you’d expect, I still enjoyed seeing them fall for each other. Lucian being a pastry chef was a lovely bonus touch that made for some bonus sweetness.

I enjoyed this book, and it made the perfect book to read for Valentine’s Day. If you’re looking for a sweet contemporary to read in the latter days of February (it comes out on the 23rd, I recommend picking this up.

I loved this SO MUCH. So very much. I always look forward to this author's books, and this was absolutely everything that I want from her work: a delicate dance towards love, a slow and torturous burn, intense intimacy, and quiet moments that have such impact. This hero is broken in the best of ways, and I adored his journey towards loving himself again. Lucien hides the sweetest man underneath a mountain of grump, and I was so completely invested in his story. It's sports romance done in a way I've never read before, Hollywood romance done with subtlety, and a second chance at life romance that broke my heart.

The story follows Lucien, a hockey star whose career ended while his body was still in prime condition. After one too many concussions, he made the difficult decision to end his career, but that's left him adrift. A little broken and licking his wounds, Lucien has been staying with his grandmother on her estate. Isolation and avoidance have worked for Lucien - at least until Emma enters the picture. An actress who just found out that she's been axed from her starring role, Emma has her own issues. Though the two initially clash, Emma soon discovers that the temperamental yet tantalizing man might just be hiding something extraordinarily sweet behind his stony exterior.

The first book in this series wasn't a total win for me, so I went into this one cautiously optimistic. I've loved - LOVED - several of this author's books in the past, so I was really hoping this would be good. It blew "good" out of the water. It's quiet and slow burning, requiring a little patience from the reader, but the payoff is so worth it. I loved the intensity, the intimacy, and all of the CHEMISTRY between these two. I'd consider this to be a hot slow burn, because there were some moments that had me shifting in my seat before things even got physical. This hero is fantastic, and his raw vulnerability took the story to another level. I want more and I want it now; this was so, so good. I was lucky enough to receive an early copy via NetGalley (then purchased it for my collection), and am voluntarily leaving a review of this emotional slow burn.