By 10% I was beyond over being reminded that they were friends. Best friends. Forever friends. Long time friends. Should I or shouldn’t I because you we’re FRIENDS? She’s my friend. He’s my friend. And from the other reviews it seems the right move to bail. Doesn’t seem like it gets any better.

Thank you, Berkley Publishing, for the gifted e-galley of Sweet Love by Lauren Accardo! {partner}

Genre: Romance
Trope: Friends to lovers
Pub Date: 6.27.2023
Star Rating: ☆☆☆

I was in the mood for a little mountain themed romance to transport me out of the hot temperatures of Kentucky so I decided to grab a copy of Sweet Love to read.

I absolutely loved the setting for this book and enjoyed the friends to lovers aspect of the story, but there just felt like there was something missing? There didn't seem to be enough romance and the male MC, Jared, irked me a bit in the way that he spoke to Mila.

Overall, it was a good book to read in-between some of my more drama-based reads!

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well written, and the plot was engrossing. I would recommend this to any romance readers.

Really enjoyed this one! Truthfully, I don't know if I've ever come across a Lauren Accardo book I didn't enjoy. Thanks for the advanced copy and I look forward to sharing this one with friends.

I never say this about romance books, and I feel so bad because I absolutely loved the first book in this series, however this book was super cringey. I felt secondhand embarrassment reading it. The premise is that Mila and Jared are BFFs but I think they forgot that because at no point did I feel like they were the best of friends.

Both of them could not communicate at all and I think they are both in their thirties. They were acting like they were twenty year-olds playing it cool in their first year of college. It made no sense. And then they had some steamy scenes and still neither of them could grasp what the other was saying. Like both said "I want this so bad" but yet it seemed that they didn't believe it or just didn't hear the other one say it. It was very awkward.

There was just too much miscommunication. If you are best friends with someone you should not have this much trouble communicating with them.

I have to say, there is a certain appeal about a book set locally. Sweet Love by Lauren Accardo, book two in the Forever Adirondacks series, is set somewhat local to me. Granted, I am in Syracuse, but the Adirondacks is like a two hour drive depending on how fast you drive. I had liked the first book in the series, Wild Love. Although it was not my favorite of all time, I was still curious enough to pick up the second book. And well, it seems my feelings persist.

Sweet Love is about Mila who is a young waitress who has a real talent for baking and pastries. Mila, however, does not believe in herself just yet. She also always holds back from fear of trying and failing. Alongside Mila is Jared Kirkland, brother of the romantic lead from Wild Love. Jared is a real estate agent who is destined for bigger and better things beyond Pine Ridge. Jared has always believed in Mila and her abilities. He has been in denial of his feelings for her, but one day, the two just give into this feelings. Now the question persists — can it turn into anything beyond friends with benefits — especially when Jared wants to leave and Mila wants to stay in Pine Ridge. Oh, and also, there is a baking contest that is pretty big to the story as well.

I was more into Sweet Love than Wild Love. I am not sure if it was just phase of my life or what. However, I could relate to Mila and the whole holding back and lack of confidence thing. It felt like this book was so much more real to me. The pacing was really well done — it felt like I mostly zipped through this book. Additionally, the spice scenes were not cringe as well. And the setting! I loved the setting. I will say that the one douchebag character was a bit cheesy and one dimensional. Overall though, I thought this was a good book and I will be back to read the third in the series.

Fans of charming small towns and quiet love stories will adore this romance. Sweet Love is the second book in the Forever Adirondacks series and there are returning characters! However, this book can totally be read and enjoyed as a standalone (though it will definitely make you want to read the first book!). The remote and adorable small-town setting is almost like a third character in this novel and it's such a fun escape.

Sweet Love features the friends-to-lovers trope. Mila and Jared slowly reignite their friendship and realize there's something more there. Lauren Accardo definitely excels at writing will-they/won't they tension and the characters' differences seem so realistic. I definitely trusted that the author would find a way to bring these two together.

This series also has the best seasonal covers and this one is so super cozy!

Sweet Love is a sweet, slow burn friends to lovers romance. The small town setting of the Adirondacks really shines in this book. And I loved the baking competition. I struggled at points to connect with the romance. I think fans of New Adult romance will connect the most with this book.

Another great romance from Lauren Accardo! I love the small-town vibe of SWEET LOVE, and the friends-to-lovers narrative between Mila and Jared was a delight to read. I also recommend this one if you're a fan of The Great British Bake Off!

Pine Ridge is such a picturesque setting, and having this story revolve around a town bake-off was the perfect touch. With Mila specializing in sweet and savoury concoctions (caramel apple pie with bacon, for example!), you’ll need to satisfy your sweet tooth after reading. Friends for years, I loved seeing Jared stumble his way through making his newfound feelings toward Mila known. Hoping to jumpstart her dreams in the culinary world with a bake-off win, Mila is gifted but lacks the confidence. Jared was the champion of encouragement in her life—it was so heartwarming. Filled with delectable desserts, small-town charm, AND a snowed-in-with-one-bed scene, I had such a great time reading this romance. It would pair well with a hot drink and a cozy blanket. I’m looking forward to book three!

What a love read! I tend to enjoy a good friends to lovers story and toss in a small town romance you have me hooked. I loved the charm of the town and all the different desserts too. This was such a cozy read that I couldn't put down.

Flour coated her apron and she was sure maple syrup was stuck on the bottom of her shoe as she frantically ran around the diner filling empty coffee cups. Her mind was spinning, her back hurt, and she wanted to be anywhere but here with these demanding customers that didn’t appreciate her. She wanted to have her own kitchen, whipping up her own creations… but that was an impossible dream. She looked at a happy couple nestled in the corner booth staring lovingly into each other’s eyes and she wanted to gag. She wanted someone special, too, but that was another impossible wish.

Sweet Love is book two in the Forever Adirondack series and as the title states… it is truly a sweet love story! And I really enjoyed getting to return to the small town of Pine Ridge.

Mila is stuck in a life that is far from the dreams she had set for herself, but then a pie baking contest with a reward that could change her life lands in her lap and she decided to go for it. While she’s pouring love into her pies, another love she never thought possible catches her by surprise.

The ending felt a bit rushed to me and I wanted it drawn out just a little bit more, but Mila and Jared had my heart and the rawness of both their characters made me root for them. Two flawed people working through their issues and creating a beautiful relationship.

If you’re a friends to lovers trope fan, a lover of small town romances and like pie… you’ll want to give this book a read!

P. S. This book will make you crave pie.

Review: SWEET LOVE by Lauren Accardo https://wp.me/p3d0RZ-bSa
Publication Date: September 28, 2021
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 4 Stars

I enjoyed this contemporary romance. A friends-to-lovers story is always fun when the author can clearly show their long relationship without it feeling forced. The banter and camaraderie between them, and their friends, made me smile. I did get quite frustrated with both Jared and Mila during the progression of their romance. His visceral reaction to anything leading to marriage – his and others – was a bit absurd to me. At times, Mila’s reactions to Jared made me growl. However, they managed to have a steamy build to their relationship that I enjoyed. I liked my trip to Pine Ridge and look forward to visiting again. I’m hoping the next installment is for a certain new addition to this lovely town.

*Review copy provided by Penguin in exchange for an honest review.

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Kindle https://amzn.to/3nPDPxl

Best friends to lovers is one of my favorite romance troupes so I was really looking forward to Sweet Love by Lauren Accardo but as with the first book in the series the romance was missing from this story. Mila and Jared have a long time friendship and they supposedly know each other really well, but honestly I don’t feel like they knew each other at all by the end of this book. An almost kiss 5 years prior to this story threw them both for a loop, but they moved past and have gone back to their teasing/strange put downs childish behavior. I feel like they maybe never got back to their original friendship after that almost kiss. Mila apparently has wanted more from Jared (that was alluded to late in the story) yet she never even brought it up with him. Jared broke up with his on again/off again bed buddy (since he doesn’t do girlfriends, commitment, and has no plans of marriage and family) and immediately starts seeing Mila in a new way. I didn’t feel any of that between them; they were awkward and at times a bit hateful to one another, and yes they would be sweet and encouraging, but even that was awkward at times. Then they finally went there, they had sex and if was even more awkward not because it was good but because neither one was grown up enough to talk about the feelings they had from being together as lovers. It didn’t help that everyone from friends, family, and townspeople wanted them together and pressured them. It also didn’t help that Jared got extremely jealous when someone else asked Mila out. And it really didn’t help that when Jared was finally ready to face his past and hang ups and go to therapy that Mila flat out told him no, he either needed to commit or get out of her life. Keep in mind that for the most part Mila never spoke her mind, but all of a sudden within three weeks time her personality completely changed and she didn’t understand why Jared was shocked. I felt I got whiplash with every chapter because I didn’t know which side of these characters was going to show up. The story wasn’t cohesive, it was all over the place and I just never really felt into the moment or in the story. Sadly this book just wasn’t for me.

I tried to get into this book but I felt it started out with a little too much going on. I had a hard time really getting into the story because it was always bouncing around. I loved the setting and faint holiday cheer though.

Sweet Love absolutely lives up to it’s name! It follows Mila, timid, kind, wonderful Mila as she tries to win a local bake-off, and her commitment-phobe real estate agent best friend Jared, who is so charismatic and adorable! First, this book had me craving some treats reading it, so be ready for that if you pick this up. But second, this book is adorable. These characters are charming and sweet and I was enamored with them. Friends to lovers is a favorite trope of mine and this book just nailed it. For this, I love that it was a romance that’s been building for a while, that book starts off with them warring with their feelings from each other and both are too afraid to make a move. So it’s a so slow burn that’s so worth it. Their romance is playful and real and steamy. Jared really struggles with his idea of marriage and what his future looks like, and Mila is such a people pleaser. Watching their character growth as individuals is so good! I will say I preferred Mila’s journey to Jared’s—Jared’s felt a little abrupt and I would’ve loved for that to have happened a little more gradually and have gotten a little more insight on his thoughts at the end. But Mila, I absolutely loved watched her get her own footing and watching her confidence grow. She is just so well done. I loved the genuineness of this relationship, I loved the side characters and how supportive they were—I like they all had their own growth too. The writing too was so pretty and I just really had a good time reading this! Can’t wait for the next one in this stand-alone series!

Sweet Love brings us back to Pine Ridge, the absolutely idyllic small town in the Adirondacks that we first met in Wild Love. I completely fell for this series because of the covers & stayed for the sweet, steamy, small town romance.

Mila and Jared’s story is a friends-to-lovers romance with a side of only one bed and lots and lots of delicious pining. I absolutely loved it & can’t wait for you all to fall in love too

Sweet Love by Lauren Accardo, the book two in her Forever Adirondacks series, is a sweet, charming and smexy friends-to-lovers story. Two best friends in a small, Adirondack town are at a crossroads. Jared and Mila have been best friends forever. Mila lacks self-confidence, is a talented baker, yet happily settling to working at a diner; despite dreaming of being a pastry chef. Jared, a local real estate agent is a commitment-phobe, anxious to get out of their small town and make his fortune in the big city. Jared is determined to help Mila achieve her dreams. As they work together they realize their feelings for each run deeper than just friends. They will need to sort out their feelings for each other and the town they live in before giving love a chance.

Ms. Accardo wrote a wonderful, fun, enjoyable romantic story that filled with chemistry, clever banter, and entertaining secondary characters that should definitely not be missed. I recommend Sweet Love to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

What happens when you have a small town setting, a main character who is a baker, best friends who realize they have feelings for each other, a baking competition, that reads like a Hallmark movie? You have a book I can't put down.

Sweet Love by Lauren Accardo is the second book in the Forever Adirondacks series and this book was so good. Not only was it an addicting read but it crossed off so many of my favorite tropes.

Friends to Lovers ✔️
One Bed (IYKYK) ✔️
Small Town Romance ✔️
Damaged Hero ✔️

I really enjoyed reading this book and I so far it's my favorite of the two books in the series.

I liked the premise of this story but I didn't really love the hero or heroine all that much. They weren't awful or unlikeable but I just wasn't invested in them. separately or as a couple. It felt like a majority of the book was just Jared convincing himself that love and relationships aren't worth it while at the same time pursuing Mila in a way that he never had before. I don't mind doubts and concerns but it just seemed repetitive the way that he thought one way and acted the exact opposite way. I kept hoping for more sparks between Mila and Jared that would get me more invested but they never really came.

I wouldn't actively recommend this book to people but I wouldn't push them away from it either.

*I received an ARC from NetGalley for voluntary review