Tessa and Leo are from feuding families in the same sn=mall town. Tessa works in her family's bakery and dreams of expanding the based goods into wonderful desserts and pastries. Leo has been in the big city for several years and is back to help his family's Italian restaurant. The businesses are next door neighbors and the families have a long standing feud. Leo and Tessa were rivals in high school.

However, Leo has a plan, and it involves working with Tessa. I love a fake relationship! The forced proximity due to fake dating is one of my favorites because it's usually a pretty slow burn. This one also has an enemies to lovers vibe.

I liked Leo and Tessa and this was a solid story. Their family members were nice side characters. I'm looking forward to the next story in the series.

3.5 stars rounded up to four.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange fro an honest review.

This is a cute romcom set in a small town called Blossom Glen. The romance is a bit Romeo & Juliet with a fake dating trope. Leo is the eldest son of an Italian family that runs an Italian restaurant. Tessa is the eldest daughter of a French family who runs a French bakery. Both businesses are struggling financially but the family heads refuse to change their menus or practices due to tradition. And much to the frustrations of Leo and Tessa, they also refuse to work together to potentially save both businesses.

So Leo and Tessa decide to take drastic measures and get married. The marriage contract is real but the partnership is business-only. Or so they think. We all know what happens in a fake dating romance.

Leo & Tessa
Our main characters are fleshed out. Each felt like fully-formed people with just the right amount of emotional baggage to ground the story without ever getting too heavy. I loved Tessa’s sharp tongue. She’s blunt but not obnoxious. Leo is flirty, cunning, and bold. He avoids romantic commitments and loves tackling challenges. It’s said a couple of times in the book that they are equals, and you really do get the sense that they are. They challenge each other and work well together. They felt like great business partners that eventually evolved into romantic partners.

Romance & Chemistry
The romantic progression was paced just right. They’ve known each other their whole life and were rivals in high school that teetered on the edge of being possibly more. And all this pent up rivalry and tension created amazing chemistry between them. I personally love steam in my romance novels but their chemistry was so good that just their kisses had me swooning.

The last act conflict felt believable considering the length of time they were together, and I appreciated that it didn’t drag on. Things get patched up quickly and we move to the epilogue. The epilogue was sweet but it did have the a trope that I don’t like. It’s cliche, unnecessary, and unfortunately way too frequently seen in romance books.

Overall, this was a wholesome, sweet romance that will make you hungry for more. The setting is charming. Our main characters had great chemistry. And the side characters are so fun, especially Noah. I hope there are more books in this small town, maybe focusing on Tessa’s sisters.

Spice Level: G - No descriptions of intimate scenes other than kissing

I love enemies to lovers/ marriage of convenience stories. The Sweetheart Deal hit the spot. It was a sweet story involving Tessa and Leo. Their families have been rivals for years. Both of their family businesses need to be updated to become more successful. The couple decide to have a marriage of convenience to try to end the feud and convince their families they are serious about helping the family businesses.

As I said, this one hit the spot. It was really cute. It's a clean romance with fade to black bedroom scenes. But I really didn't mind because I loved the chemistry between Tessa and Leo. I loved that they had a history. It was fun to watch them fall into love with each other. One thing that this book really highlights is the need to communicate with the people you love. A lot of the issues in the book could have been solved with honest conversations. Both of them had great family members who added a lot to the story. I look forward to their stories in the future. I definitely recommend this one.

There are so many delicious threads to pull in this story and Liasson expertly handles them all. We have rivals forced to work together to save both of their family businesses. Stubborn families set on doing things their own way along with nurturing a generations-old feud. A hero who made his mark in New York and is now back to help guide his family restaurant into the future - if his father will just listen to his ideas. A heroine who dreams of leaving their small town to pursue her own dreams, a secret she's been keeping since high school, and inconvenient feelings she's beginning to have for her convenient husband who - oops - is having feelings too.

I laughed, I cheered, I may have shed a few happy tears too. These characters were so relatable. I understood Leo and Tessa both wanting to make their own mark, the frustrations they faced with their parents, Tessa's feelings of being "stuck," even though the sacrifices she willingly (and in some cases, secretly) made were for the people she loved. I really enjoyed the growing relationship between her and Leo. Liasson realistically portrayed the ups and downs that come with that type of situation. I had no idea how she was going to pull everything together in a way that would make everyone happy but she accomplished it in the best possible way that left me thoroughly satisfied. I appreciated the complex dynamics that often occur when an adult child attempts to steer a family business in a new direction. Also, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that both Leo's and Tessa's families are in the food industry, owning an Italian restaurant and boulangerie, respectively. My advice is to have both napkins and snacks at hand while reading this book. If you have freshly baked bread or pasta, all the better.

I am now completely invested in the town of Blossom Glen and her citizens. I'm excited to discover what Liasson has planned for Tessa's sisters as well as their friends. I don't know how many books she has planned for this series but I'll be here for all of them.
4.5 Stars
ARC received for fair and unbiased review

Firstly I would like to thank Netgalley & Entangled Publishing, LLC, Entangled: Amara, for the opportunity to receive a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
The Sweetheart Deal has vibes of Romeo & Juliet vibes with a HEA. The truth is I like the story, even though it took me some time to enjoy the characters. There were times I felt the story dragging, but after continuing reading, the pacing got better.
I love the chemistry between Tessa and Leo as everything from their past comes out. Tessa and Leo are incredible together as they bring business back to the family businesses. Tessa & Leo bring the best of themselves when they are together.
Tessa was so strong, and you could physically feel the gut punches she suffered, 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.
Both the Montgameries & the Castorinis have significant family values. Both main characters want to save their family businesses, and they also seek and give their families advice.
I am looking forward to reading more stories taking place in Blossom Glen.

Such a cute story. Family feud and failing businesses leads to a fake marriage, but is this marriage enough to save them? Fast paced and easy read this book is perfect for a cozy weekend read.

I loved this story so much! Enemies to lovers and marriage of convenience, both executed beautifully and I loved the pairs banter. Not only were the main characters fun to read but all the side characters added to the story as well. I cannot wait until the next book in the series and am excited to see who we get to see next!

The sweetheart deal is a marriage of convince small town romance. I really enjoyed that at the center of the romance there is an underlying feud between the main characters families. The romance between the main characters was slow build up but their banter and the genuine care they feel for each other was sweet to see. Tessa was an amazing character to read because I related to her because she put her own dreams on hold even going so far as to sabotage them in order to stay and help her family process their grief. I liked that Tessa was able to recognize how complacent she became in her small-town life and then made a deal that allowed her to reach her dreams. Leo was an amazing partner and watching him fall in love with Tessa was amazing as well as seeing all the things he did in order to help her achieve her dreams. Overall, this book was a fun read full of heart.

Fake dating (great) but add marriage of convenience and I am a sucker for that trope. A clean romance, the first of a new series, can be read as a stand alone. I enjoyed this story.

Absolutely loved this read. It was the perfect book to pick up and get lost in on a cold, rainy afternoon.

In a small town in Indiana, two families have held a feud with each other dating back several generations. The Montgomery Family owns the French bakery in town and the Castorini's own the Italian restaurant next door. Both Tessa and Leo, have been trying to convince their stubborn parents to adapt to the times and change their menus to bring in new business.

When Leo comes up with a plan that involves ending the ridiculous feud between the families, he approaches Tessa with a Sweetheart Deal of a six month plan of marriage. Afterwards, both are free to go on with their lives. What's the worst that can happen?

But when Leo and Tessa fall for each other, things don't go quite as planned.

A must read!!

Two former high school academic rivals from a small town are reunited at age 32. He had left to find a lucrative career in the big city and she had remained at home to help her family's struggling business. He returns to attempt to turn around his family's restaurant. There has been a multi-generational feud between these families for decades. In a Romeo and Juliet type twist, the two young people hatch out a plan to build back both businesses and think they will be sacrificing their own happiness temporarily. A happy ending for all ensues after much struggle and hurt feelings. It is a feel good read with a PG rating. No extreme sex or violence. My thanks to the author and NetGalley for a complimentary cop of the book.

Leo and Tessa are sworn enemies. Their families have been at war for years, even though no one quite remembers why. Leo’s family owns the Italian restaurant next door to Tessa’s family’s bakery in Blossom Glen. As both businesses are struggling, Leo proposes a six month marriage to Tessa to save both stores. She accepts and quickly realizes she likes Leo. When he also accepts that he is falling for Tessa, can they make this commitment more long term? Or will the family rivalry get in the way?

A new twist on Romeo and Juliet, but with a much happier ending, The Sweetheart Deal is a darling romantic love story with two wonderful main characters that have amazing chemistry! I’m excited to know that this is the first in a new series and I get to read more about Blossom Glen. It’s the perfect way to spend a few hours ignoring real life.

The Sweetheart Deal is a delightful Romeo/Juliette style story. Generations back a family feud developed between the Montgomery family and their boulangerie and the Castorinis and their neighboring Italian restaurant, why no one recalls.

Tessa Montgomery, eldest daughter of the family, has taken on the role of caring for her family: grandmother, mother and two sisters. Leo Castorini has returned to Blossom Glen, Indiana, to help resurrect his family’s restaurant. Neither of the neighboring businesses is thriving. Tessa and Leo are doing whatever they can to bring them both out of the red and a close alliance seems to be the answer, even if it is a fake marriage.

Once the couple amazes all with their swift marriage, the real fun begins. They have purchased a house in a desirable area, but was it to prevent Tessa’s cheating ex from getting the lovely home? They have worked together tirelessly to help both businesses. But as they do, a close relationship develops.

This is a lovely, humorous story and I enjoyed every moment! I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

Thanks to the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a sucker for a good marriage of convenience story (and among family rivals no less!), and have really enjoyed Liasson's previous stories, I knew this was a book I wanted to pick up. And when the rivaling families both own food-related businesses, I was hungry the entire time I was reading this book.

I found this to be a tad cheesier and more predictable than some of Liasson's previous stories. Additionally, the whole plot around saving the businesses felt a bit half-baked (no pun intended).

Overall, a sweet romance, just not for me.

3.5/5

I thoroughly enjoyed The Sweetheart Deal by Miranda Liasson, this enemies to lovers with a bit of a Romeo and Juliet vibe (sans death), was a sweet and extremely entertaining romance. I loved that this book centered around two families; one Italian the other French, both with generational businesses that are not doing so well because they adult children are being ignored by their parents about changes that need to be made to increase their business and the bottom line. While there is a romance within the pages of this book, this book is about relationships of all kinds and how they change.

Tessa Montgomery and Leo Castorini went to high school together and were academic rivals. At one time they seemed to be on the path to dating but that all ended when Leo saw Tessa kiss another boy whom she later got engaged to and then found cheating on her prior to their wedding. While Tessa loves her family and working at the family bakery, she longs to go to pastry school and to offer up beautiful desserts in addition to the bread they sell. She’s a bit surprised when Leo shows up at the bakery even though it’s next door to his family’s restaurant, and even more surprised when he suggests they marry in order for their families to give them a chance to make the changes in their family businesses. A generational feud between their families make the idea outlandish, but with a contract to supply bread to his family’s restaurant along with possibly some of their business contacts, the bakery could turn around and Tessa would be able to finally go to pastry school. They agree on 6 months, no physical intimacy, living as roommates and then a quick divorce, unfortunately their hearts seem to have a mind of their own.

I loved this couple’s history; there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye and their chemistry was off the charts. It was easy to see they both are affected by the other one any time they are near each other. Both have some baggage in their past, both lost a parent in their teens so while they share that background, the way that loss shaped them is different, and Tessa’s past relationship left her a bit wary making it hard for her to trust. Their families while overbearing and at times obstinate were also their strong foundation and I loved the interactions they had with them, even the difficult ones.

I appreciated that their road to their happily ever after was a bit bumpy, but I also enjoyed the way they were so supportive of each other in their endeavors to make things better for their family’s businesses. There was mutual respect for one another and pride when what they set out to do was accomplished.

For my romance readers this was a fade to black romance which was kind of a bummer because they did have amazing chemistry and this couple oozed sensuality, so it would have been nice to see it come to fruition.

A heartwarming and entertaining story filled with family, traditions, compromise, and love; The Sweetheart Deal was a wonderful start to this new series from Miranda Liasson.

This is a Romance with a twist on Romeo and Juliet, and this is the first book in the Blossom Glen series. I read this book two time (kindle book and listening to the audiobook). The characters in this book grow on me, but it took a little bit of me to totally love the characters. The beginning dragged on, and the very start of this book was eye rolling for me. Once, I got into this book a loved it and could not put it down. I normally not a big fan on books that have takes on Romeo and Juliet, but this book was really good. I loved the ending. I think one of the reasons I really enjoyed this book is that the family feud felt to be in the background, and It also felt everyone wanted to family feud to be over. I really enjoyed the audiobook, and I liked the narrator. I was kindly provided an e-copy and e-audiobook of this book by the publisher (Entangled: Amara) or author (Miranda Liasson) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cozy, fun, heartwarming book. I really enjoyed it.

I thought this book was super cute. I liked Tessa she was super independent and knew what she wanted but struggled to know how to get there but still be there for her family. Early on in the book I so wanted to slap her sisters but the more I read I was so glad that they were more active in Tessa's life. Leo on the other hand had to grow on me, I felt like early on he was stuck up and a punk but like the sisters the more I read the author has away of making you see the best in all the characters. I liked how nothing was going to stop these two from doing what was right for their families. Overall I would totally recommend this book, it just was a fun read and was hard to put down.

Leo and Tessa grew up together but their families have a long history and don't speak to each other, even though their family businesses sit side by side. Both businesses are struggling which has brought Leo home to help his dad while Tessa has felt trapped in town to help her mom. When Leo proposes a deal where they marry because then his dad will see him differently and hopefully be open to the changes he wants to make which in turn should help Tessa's family bakery. The fake deal takes a turn serious when these two celebrate once the business increase for both families and everyone is getting along after years of not speaking! That is until a secret comes to light, which is a misunderstanding between Leo and Tessa. She's more determined than ever to go to pastry school and leave town, but can this be worked out for a HEA?? I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my review.

A modern Romeo and Juliet story with a happy ending. This was a sweet story of two strong willed, family oriented, intelligent individuals that both want the same thing, sort of. Can two dueling families from two different cultures make things work? Past secrets come to light, business deals don't turn out as planned, but maybe the right ingredients are there all along. A delightful read and well worth the time!