Member Reviews
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This book is like a updated Rome and Juliet with a much happier ending. It’s a enemies to lovers story. I enjoyed it so much and I can’t wait to see what this author writes next..
The Sweetheart Deal by Miranda Liasson is a delightful read. Tessa and Leo’s family have been feuding for generations, When both of their families businesses are in danger of failure Tessa an Leo agree in a six month fake marriage. In the six months the plan is to help the families businesses and to stop the family feuding. Can being together six months for a business plan create a complication? You definitely need to read.
It’s such a cute read. I love the characters and the bond the characters have with their family. All the descriptions of Italian and French food were perfect and I could picture the little restaurant and bakery. The cover is adorable.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Baking? A marriage of convenience between rivals? Yes, please. Sign me up for that.
The Sweetheart Deal was a fun and escapist modern update on Romeo and Juliet (this one has a happy ending!) It has two small-town families who are in a hundred-plus years (lite) feud with each other. When Tessa (not 13 years old, thankfully, but a 32 year old who is somehow considered almost a “spinster” by locals) and Leo decide to unite forces. It’s a hopeful solution for both family’s small eateries. and while they plan on this being a temporary partnership, love sneaks in regardless of their plans.
I enjoyed this one. It was my first read by the author and I plan on reading more of her work.
This is a well-written, entertaining contemporary romance novel, with a wonderful message about hope and promise and finding your dreams. It has a strong, likable female protagonist, a supportive and caring male protagonist, sizzling chemistry, a heart-warming romance, small town charm, supportive friends, warm and loving families, a touch of humor, a fabulous classic car, and a happily ever after ending.
NetGalley and Entangled Publishing LLC kindly provided me with an ARC of this novel and this is my honest opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an advance copy of this book; I very much appreciate it.
This book was an updated Romeo and Juliet story with a much happier ended. I got swept up in this sweet story and couldn't put the book down. I enjoyed the main characters and the supporting characters as well. While the story was predictable, I didn't care as it was well written and fun.
This is the first book I've read by this author but it definitely won't be the last. She's a masterful story teller..
Enemies to lovers! Chocolate croissants! Flashing neon meatballs! It's all in Miranda Liasson's The Sweetheart Deal, which is great for anyone whose idea of the perfect evening is cuddling up on the couch to binge whatever cheesy marathon is playing on the Hallmark channel.
This sweet-as-pie romance is a fun, fluffy spin on Romeo & Juliet, which sees two former high school rivals hatching a plan to save their parents' respective failing businesses: an Italian restaurant and a traditional French bakery, which are next door to each other. The catch? Well, their families are sworn enemies due to legendary betrayal a century earlier and have barely spoken ever since. Fortunately pastry wizard Tessa Montgomery — the town spinster after being very publicly cheated on and dumped by her fiancé — and chef Leo Castorini — the handsome golden boy who's returned to their small hometown from the big city — have some surprises up their sleeves in the form of a wedding, a new house, and . . . well, I won't spoil it.
Like I said, this book is sweet. Almost too for me, to be totally honest. It's a fade-to-black situation with no shortage of painfully cheesy (and occasionally stilted) dialogue. (Read: very Lifetime movie vibes.) And the basis for Leo and Tessa's entire fake-marriage plan is eye-roll worthy, to say the least. (Not to be harsh but it straight up does!!! not!!! make!!! sense!!!)
Although it wasn't exactly my taste, overall it's a cute little read, if you're in the mood for something quick and easy and stress-free.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.
This book was a solid 4/5 for me. I loved the characters, the secondary characters, the storyline and the dialogue. The Romeo/Juliet twist added to the fun of the story and kept me reading to see the family reactions to "the deal". Tessa and Leo have grown up hating each other. The two families had been feuding for years despite having businesses right next door to each other. Both of the businesses are in trouble and are struggling to stay open. Leo and Tessa are tasked with finding a way to help their businesses survive and they must work together or close. They have competed with one another since their high school this allows Liasson to add in the enemies to lovers trope as well. I loved how well this story played out and enjoyed learning about the town and the families. I hope that all the characters will get their own stories and I can find out what happens with Tessa's sisters and Leo's best friends. This is a great story for those who love chick lit, women's lit, enemies to lovers, or romance.
Enjoyable story with likable characters that hits all the marks for a sweet romance. Of course there are all the romance ticks, dislike, competition of the main characters, but it is done very well. Enjoyed the authors writing style and the way the story is plotted. Sweet without being explicitly detailed in the romance department, the story doesn't need the distraction. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a preview of this story.
I was in need of a lighthearted book that would capture my attention - and boy, did it ever! The story of a small town where people move away but come back, putting their dreams on hold is beautifully captured. The importance of family is a constant theme interwoven throughout the story.
Definitely falls in the hard to put down category.. I sincerely hope Miranda Liasson turns this book into a series. It surely will be successful as Angel Falls.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This the first book I have read from this author and I was suitably impressed. I enjoyed the writing style - easy and fun whilst also capturing just the right amount of sensitivity too.
A modern day twist on Romeo and Juliet - this is definitely worth a read.
This author, Miranda Liasson, is new to me and if this book is consistent with her usual writing style, I'll be looking for more by her. Sweet without being sentimental, sexy without being too explicit, her characters are well-fleshed out and intriguing. I loved the twist on the Romeo-Juliet connection and the characters seemed real to me. I highly recommend this book. Fast reading and just spicy enough, it's a great book to cuddle up with on a snowy evening! Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
I requested to read and review this book for free from Entangled Publishing. This book takes place on Main Street in Indiana. You will meet the Mongomery clan and the Castorini clan. Can a century family fued every be resolved? Can secret stay secret or do they get uncovered. This book has mystery, drama and romance. I love how each of these families have each other back but also can come together when they need to. Can you truly trust someone? Can love conquer old. Can old and new ideas be mixed together to create something spectacular? This book is for a mature reader but can be read anywhere!
Leo and Tessa have known each other for years and have always sidestepped each other as they went through school and life. Their families have had a longstanding dislike for each other for years. When Leo comes up with a hairbrained idea to propose to Tessa to save her mother’s business and his father’s restaurant, Tessa thinks that he has lost his mind. After considering the benefits that might come out of such an arrangement Tessa agrees to marry Leo for six months and then they can go their separate ways. Little did these two know that they would fall for each other. This is such a sweet and refreshing story that beautifully written and will make you fall in love with each character. I really enjoyed watching the progression of Leo and Tessa’s relationship and how the family members actually forgot about the longstanding feud and become friends.
Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for the ARC.
🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5 stars
The Sweetheart Deal was such a sweet, endearing story of two chefs and their rival families. Pastry chef, Tessa, and chef/high school nemesis, Leo, decide to go to drastic lengths to get their stubborn families to put aside their differences and work together to save their businesses. And those lengths are that they get married. As a business arrangement. Of course, they don’t consider that they may fall in love while being married.
I read this book in a day because it was just so easy and fun to read. It is full of tropes, food, and banter. I loved all of the characters and am hoping that Liasson revisits the Montgomerys and Castorinis in the future because I am invested.
Overall, The Sweetheart Deal is a heartwarming romance set in a small town full of adorable characters.
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Full review to be posted closer to release date.
Tessa and Leo are the adult children of two families who've been feuding for generations. They live in a small Indiana town, where Tessa works in her mother's boulangerie and Leo is home from Wall Street to help his family's struggling Italian restaurant. Set to a Romeo and Juliet trope, this appealing romance is funny, realistic, well-paced, and very romantic. A theme that resonated was that of realizing when one has sacrificed enough for one's family, and that it's time to strike out on the truth path to happiness. I enjoyed this novel enough to seek out other books by this author.
Sweet and fiery with competition for love. With a plan to make two family’s businesses resurrect from near failure, Leo and Tessa take a chance and marry. Simmering feelings and competition have always defined their relationship. Now the bar is high and will they fall off it and into love?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A twist on Romeo and Juliet, fake relationship and chemistry that is off the charts this story was a delight to read! It immediately draws you in with the chemistry and history between the leads and their families, and it makes for a quick and fun read that any lover of romance would enjoy
The Sweetheart Deal by Miranda Liasson a tasty treat of a five-star read. This is my first read by this author, but it won’t be the last as I adored the writing, it was sweet, without being sugary. Tessa was so strong, and you could physically feel the gut punches she suffers, always putting others first. Then you add Leo in the mix, and it all goes up in smoke, like a burning batch of buns. These sweethearts will suck you into their story, and have you rooting for them, but love isn’t always smooth, especially when you don’t want to acknowledge it.
Tessa Montgomery bakes bread at her Mother's boulangerie , Leo owns the restaurant next door, they decide to marry for 6 months to help their struggling businesses, the problem is their familes hate each other., when the six months are over, will they decide to stay together? sweet story.
I love the cover! I thought the book was good too!
Tessa and Leo have known each other for years and their familie’s businesses are next door to each other. They both enter into a make believe marriage and the fun starts there.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more in this series.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy