Kate Sweet, event planner NOT party planner, is better known as “The Queen of Happily Ever Afters.” She wants to expand her portfolio in hopes of winning a coveted EVPLEX. Cue Drake Matthews, horror author, better known as “The Knight of Nightmares.” He is in need of an event planner to plan a launch party for his upcoming book release. Although he conjures nightmares for a living, he doesn’t want the launch to be a circus or paint him to be a sideshow freak. In fact, he doesn’t just want to be “The Knight of Nightmares,” he, like Kate, also wants to branch out. Drake has dreams of writing a Historical Romance.

I LOVED how Kate and Drake first met with an epically embarrassing meet-cute, complete with blood shed. Does that still count as a meet-cute?? They seemed like complete opposites on the surface, but really complemented each other well once they showed each other who they truly were, beyond their public reputations. As much as Kate and Drake tried to keep things professional, there was no denying their chemistry. I was rooting for them every step of the way because they were so dang cute together, even when they weren’t “together” together. I also loved all of the supporting characters in this story, and wouldn’t mind reading a spin-off with Imani, Kate’s best friend and Drake’s publicist.

Looking to escape the summer, and ready for fall? If that's you, let me suggest this contemporary romantic comedy, HOW SWEET IT IS, by debut author Dylan Newton. Do not sleep on this novel - add it to your TBRs, pre-order it now, and/or request this book from your library. It will be released next Tuesday, July 13, 2021.

I simply devoured the book in two sittings a few weeks ago (I might have even been late to a casual Father's Day lunch at my sister's because I was trying to finish the book). Now I need the next book in the series immediately.

You know how there are meet cutes, and meet embarrassments? Well our main characters, Kate and Drake, have an epic meet disaster. Normally, not something I like, but Newton writes these scenes so deftly, it works. You would think that it would be uphill after their first meeting, but it's not. It gets worse (in the best way) before it gets better.

This is even before we even get Drake being locked into writing horror fiction though he currently has a passion project that is causing some writer's block. Drake is currently the Knight of Nightmares, but I think he wants to become as versatile as James Patterson. Kate is providing the needed inspiration to unlock his creative juices, so Drake comes up with reasons for the two to hang out that is unrelated to the event Kate is planning.

If you are in the mood for a slow burn romance with some laugh out loud moments, minor hero pining, that is Halloween adjacent, I highly recommend adding HOW SWEET IT IS to your TBR.

CW: mention of war/military service, amputation, blood, exploitive relationship

Thank you to @readforeverpub for an early review copy via @netgalley.

Get ready to throw away your Heathcliffs and Mr. Darcys because Drake Matthews is about to steal your heart. From the very first page I was hooked! Kate Sweet, which is an excellent character name, is the event planner of everyone's dream. She can't be stopped no matter how many obstacles she comes across. Drake Matthews is a famous horror writer who also is the sweetest man you will ever meet. I picked up this book ready for a chill beach read type feel, but I found myself awake at two am finishing this book because I just couldn't get enough.

It just failed to keep my attention. I was looking for a fun rom-com, but I found it more cringey and awkward than funny.

This story had me smiling from the first chapter to the last. I loved how Kate and Drake’s relationship grew, although I seriously wanted them to kiss from day one. This story is definitely a slow burn, but even though I wanted it to be faster, the growth in the relationship seemed more believable to real life, and I loved that. 😂 They were seriously meant to be with each other. There is a little bit of drama, but it considering the plot it seemed natural for it to happen. I really loved how Kate handled it though, it didn’t make her shrink like a lot of leading women in romance novels would. Overall it was a great feel good rom-com. I can’t wait to read more from the author in the future.

Another winner for Forever. Honestly, Forever has cornered the market on adorable, quirky, can’t-put-down rom coms. I’m a sucker for a love story and I’m so happy with the stories coming out of this publisher. Thank you for making this a read now and allowing us to read in exchange for an honest review.

How Sweet It Is by Dylan Newton is the rom com of my Happily-Ever-After New England dreams. Again, I couldn’t put this book down and finished it in 24 hours. Kate Sweet is hired to plan and run the book launch for horror author Drake Matthews. She’s hoping that this event will put her on the map to win a majorly coveted award, so she’s pulling out all the stops to ensure the best book launch event ever.

Drake Matthews is getting ready for his latest book release but hates all the fanfare that goes with it. Not to mention he’s got a major case of writers block for the next horror he’s scheduled to write. The only thing on his mind is writing completely outside his genre and plotting a historical romance, spurred even more by the muse that is Kate Sweet. The more he’s with her, the more he tries to squeeze every ounce of inspiration from their interactions, and even orchestrates some scenarios for “research”. What happens next is definitely straight off the pages of a romcom.

I loved it. I want more shenanigans. I want more creepy descriptions of a crypt.. I want to take photos in front of Drake’s creepy mansion and taste the treats from his mom’s bakery. I’d love to wear the necklace. (Forever - could be a good marketing treasure. Can we get this made for super fans like me? ::wink::)

One of the reasons I love reading debut authors is very often they bring a fresh twist to an established genre. In How Sweet It Is, Dylan Newton delivers a fun, fluffy rom-com with a surprising role reversal in the story's conflict. It's an opposites attract story with small town vibes. And it's one to just have fun with: don't think too hard about some of the details or expect a lot of character development.

Drake is a horror writer, Kate is the event planner who signs on for his next book launch. So while How Sweet It Is is coming out in the summer, it's set in the fall with Halloween and horror connections, So this is one you can read now or later, if you like to read with the seasons.

I should mention that while this is a rom-com, when Kate and Drake spend a night together around the 80% mark, it's steamier than some readers might expect. (It was actually a little surprising to me).

P.S. I don't know if this is intended to be a single standalone, but Zander, Drake's cheeky brother, seems like a good candidate for another story set in this world.

CW - mostly one-off mentions: death of a parent in early(ish) childhood, mention of a family member's suicide and domestic abuse, a character loses a leg to an IED while serving in the Marines

How Sweet It Is was a wonderful, laugh out loud rom-com. There were several moments I literally had to collect myself from laughing so hard. Kate tries so hard to make everything perfect but chaos just seems to follow her. Especially when she’s around her newest client Drake. Highly recommend this book! Thank you so much to NetGalley and Forever for the arc to review.

Thanks to NerGalley and Forever for an ARC of How Sweet It Is in exchange for mm honest opinion. This debut romcom revolves around Kate Sweet, an event planner known for her happily ever afters, and a spooktacular book launch she is designing for a horror writer. The horror writer turns out to not be the nightmare the public assumes he is Themes of family, friendship, and success are explored. It's fun and engaging - and it comes out on Tuesday, 7/13!

HOW SWEET IT IS - DYLAN NEWTON
PUBLISHED BY - FOREVER GRAND CENTRAL
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5/5
PLOT -
Kate Sweet is an event planner known for her "AWW" moments at her clients dream wedding's.
But when her bestie asks her for a favour to plan and execute a book launch for a best selling horror author - she meets Drake Matthew and her orderly lifestyle goes for a toss.
And for Drake meeting Kate just took his writing to another new and exciting level which is totally unexpected from him!
But can they create their own Happily ever after!??
MY THOUGHTS
Ohh I loved this one..it's adorable (esp Drake's mom Patty) and the meet cute it's hilarious!!!
There is a book inside a book and what's not to love in that.
Loved how the writers take reference/inspiration from their day to day life situation and incorporate them in their books.
With Fall/Halloween coming up - this would be a great rom- com to binge on!!
Thank you @netgalley and @forever publishing for this arc in exchange of my honest review.

Welcome the newest inductee to the MEET CUTE HALL OF FAME! *the crowd goes wild*

HOW SWEET IT IS has, hands down, one of the best Meet Cutes ever! I snort-laughed like crazy!! Such a great start to this sweet and funny Rom-Com!

It is impossible to NOT fall in love with Kate and Drake! Kate is funny, sweet, organized, and I want to be her best friend. And Drake is all grumpy, sexy, hot, nerd. Kate and Drake have mad chemistry from the moment they meet, which makes this story so fun to read as they cycle between enemies, co-workers, friends, and finally lovers.

The supporting cast of this book was similarly amazing! Drake's brothers especially are hilarious and so fun! And Kate's best girlfriend since childhood is the bestie you want in your corner.

I loved this story so much and I am giddy to see what new-comer author Dylan Newton will write next.

Psssst: PLEASE let it star one of Drake's swoony brothers!

This story has me ready for boots and cardigans and pumpkin spice. I'm not even a big fan of pumpkin spice, but this book has me ready for all things fall!

The Queen of Happily Ever Afters falls for the Knight of Nightmares in this contemporary romcom set in western New York in the weeks leading up to Halloween. Event planner Kate Sweet is roped into planning a book launch for bestselling horror writer Drake Matthews. Things don't exactly go as planned when the two meet. In fact, chaos seems to follow Kate on this particular project. While Drake isn't necessarily a fan of chaos, he is a fan of the creative spark that seems to ignite anytime he spends time with Kate.

I really enjoyed this sweet, funny, opposites-attract story. I especially appreciated the author's attention to detail and the unique plot. The writing flowed really well and was easy to read. This book had me smiling from cover to cover. I'm eager to read more by this author.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for a free eARC of this book, which I voluntarily chose to read. All opinions are my own.

Event planning and writers life combined for a close proximity romance!
Well I'm not sure Kate could have made a worse first impression on Drake during a book launch proposal which was different than her normal wedding event planning business. She is a meticulous planner and wants each event to be perfect but somehow the strangest situations keep happening!
Drake is a popular horror writer and has a reputation because of it when really he is just a shy man who wants to write a romance every once in a while. Aren't we all?
Drake was definitely sexy and down to earth with his awkward moments. Kate was professional but excited and we all have those kind of days sometimes.
One time I was sitting at a bar in college oogling the bartender and the woman next to me started talking to me and asked what I thought of him. And I told her I thought he was really hot and after lots of chatting she told me she was his Mom 🤦‍♀️ and she told HIM to give me his number. Well that was mortifying but those sitcom moments happened to me all the time. I swear I thought I was secretly being filmed for some humorous show like Truman Show style lol, cue the canned laughter. Being serenaded on the muni platform, sliding down a steep street in heels while homeless guys clapped and then slipping on a banana peel. I kept looking for cameras and yelling to the sky REALLY, a BANANA PEEL?!? As usual I digress. But just so everyone knows these things happen to REAL people!
I also enjoyed the normalization of men writing romance! I loved the all of the tin man scene lol omg!
This book was just so sweet and I loved all of their moments together! And boo to the exes that use you for your fame!

Thank you grandcentral pub and netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

4.75 Star Round-Up!

This book was super sweet and I really did enjoy it!! It's told from both perspectives, though it doesn't alternate every chapter for the whole book it does give a nice perspective of what the other character is feeling. The author did this really well, writing both of the characters and their inner thoughts out nicely.

I had a bit of a hard time getting into it but I think I was just distracted and either way by chapter 10 I was totally invested.

When event planner Kate offers to help her best friend with a writer's book release she thinks it's the perfect opportunity for her to win an award and get the recognition she needs to earn her family's support. Little does she know she will get so much more.

One of my only comments is that the issue with Kate's family was resolved a bit quickly for my taste. Otherwise, it was sweet and I loved seeing the setup for a future book with some of the other characters and cannot wait to dive in and experience their story as well!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to review! All thoughts are my own.


This review will be posted on my Instagram before its publishing day on Tuesday July 13th.

Planning an over-the-top book release party brings the main characters together in this romance, and I wish I could attend it! An event planner known for her love of happily-ever-afters and a reclusive horror author aren't necessarily a match that everyone will see coming, but their connection and the ways they come together with this event was so fun. There are a lot of good rom-com moments in this one that bring some humor and light.

How Sweet It Is by Dylan Newton is out on July 13th & you’re gonna want to get your hands on it asap! I’m not sure I can find anything I didn’t love about it.

Drake is a super famous horror writer with a major book launch and a deadline on the horizon. Add in a major case of writers block for good measure. Kate is on the cusp of upping her professional status and braking into a bigger variety of event planning if she can pull off Drake’s book launch. He’s a quiet, broody, grump with secrets and she’s a bright light in his world shaking everything up and moving all his stuff around. Without giving too much away Drake put Kate in some hilarious situations for the sake of his writing and she pushed his limits for the sake of her job.

Everything from the meet cute to the final swoony moment had me on the edge of my seat. I was literally laughing out loud at some of the ridiculous hijinks that went on and I was also completely swooning for Drake and his reluctant hero status. For a scary writer he really knew how to set up the ultimate sweep a girl off her feet romantic adventure.

This is also one of those books where the side characters made a solid impression. I now want books about all of Jake’s brothers & their meddling mother!! Seriously any mother who would put her adult son in a totally inappropriate skin tight tin man costume for the sake of charity and laughs is awesome.

Highly recommend!!

3.5 stars
Kate and Drake have a great, although a bit gory, meet cute when she shows up at the horror author's home to plan his next book launch event. The event will take place on Halloween, and it's definitely opposite of her typical princess wedding. But as they spend more time together, they realize they're each what the other needed.
Great side characters and setting. Interesting plot. Lots of references to writing. Book is set in fall and focuses on planning a horror theme event on Halloween, so a few spooky scenes and lots of fall references.
Because of the premise and setting, I feel like the cover is too "happy beach read" with a cute couple and a cute dog. The couple and the dog are in this book, but not the balloons and nothing about this even hints that it is a fall book. It bothers me that the content and cover don't match up.

Thank you to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for the review copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

Kate Sweet is an event planner with hopes of winning an EVPLEX, the most prestigious award in her field. When her best friend asks her to plan the launch of Drake Matthews, the best-selling horror author, Kate reluctantly agrees. While the Knight of Nightmares is expected to churn out his next horror book, Drake has been secretly working on a historical romance novel instead. Kate and Drake first meet in a disastrous way and hilarity ensues from there.

How Sweet It Is perfectly blends sweetness with fun. I was laughing out loud when Kate and Drake meet for the first time. Drake is a swoon-worthy love interest with a great family and I love his inspiration for his historical romance novel! I tore through this book because I enjoyed it so much!

I recommend for anyone who wants to read a romance this summer but can't wait for fall!

I also love that Drake has brothers so there is potentially an opening for more books in the series!

How Sweet It Is will be released on July 13th!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for an e-ARC of this book - pub date: 7/13/21!

Ok, well I ADORED this book!! This was a charming opposites attract romance about an event planner, Kate Sweet (known as the Queen of Happily Ever Afters), and a horror novelist, Drake Matthews (known as the Knight of Nightmares). Kate is hired to through a book launch party for Drake's newest release and the story unfolds from there.

Things I really liked:
- The overarching plot was so fun
- Great side characters (Drake's family was lovely!) and small town home setting. The brother's dynamics were hysterical and don't even get me started on Drake's mom!
- A great mix of slow-burn, swoon-worthy moments with some steam towards the end.
- Chemistry between Kate and Drake was fantastic.

I will admit that while I enjoyed the entirety of this story, it definitely was a slow start for me. It took me a few days to get through the first 50% and then once I got past that, I couldn't stop reading and was very invested in our characters and getting to their HEA! Would definitely recommend this debut romcom from Dylan Newton!

Rating: 4 stars!

This was a super sweet romance that was a mix of business and pleasure. Kate Sweet is an event planner who is trying to broaden her professional portfolio in order to qualify for an award. A childhood friend of hers, Imani, contracts Kate to host a book launch for bestselling horror novelist, Drake Matthews. After a wonderfully terrible meeting Kate scrambles to both appease Drake's wish for a simple event and pull off the best book launch ever. This book follows a sweet romance between the two who try to keep things professional for the duration of the event.

I was hooked from the first time that Kate and Drake meet because it was laugh out loud funny and too cute to not follow through. It is a very light hearted romance with little drama that I will admit felt forced at times. I also felt like some of the co flict at the e d not only felt unnecessary but it was also resolved too fast/too easy. Definitely feel that the book could have done without the third act conflict or should have had more time to properly work out the issues. There was also some lagging g in the middle but I think it's because of the *time* jump; goes from beginning of working together to where the event is about a week away (start of book to end is a span of 30 days).

The moment I met Drake's brothers I immediately wanted books for the two of them because they seemed so fun and interesting! Super happy to hear that a series for the Matthews Brothers has been contracted! I do feel like some of the other side characters could have been a bit more fleshed out but it didn't detract from the book's plot.

Overall this was a super cute and fun read that had me so invested in seeing how their relationship would grow. The ending was a little cheesy but I would definitely recommend this to those who are looking for a lighthearted read as well as a dash of Halloween spirit.