The Sweet Life
by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Book 1 in the Cape Cod Creamery series
Rating: 4.5/5

Who doesn't love ice cream and all the feelings of nostalgia it conjures up?! For a book that seemingly has very little romance, the author manages to weave a heartwarming story about trusting God and embracing your fears and weaknesses. I am excited to read more about this cute historical town and see what happens next.

First, the book cover makes me hungry for ice cream. LOL.
Second, the story doesn't go where my Hallmark movie-loving heart thinks it will which is impressive. The story is not as predictable as one might think but it is well written and thought-out.
Third, the characters are achingly flawed but I loved seeing the relationships develop between them. The heart of the story belongs to the mother-daughter relationship which makes you laugh and cry. The characters have to deal with very serious realizations but also have moments that truly had me laughing out loud. And through it all, God's faithfulness and love was highlighted.

Highly recommend this charming, small town story about destiny, second chances and love.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

I was pleased to be chosen through Revell Reads to read and review this book. I've always enjoyed books by Suzanne Woods Fisher. This book was no exception. This review is freely given and my own thoughts.

The characters in the book were very well developed. Their personalities really shown through. The book had almost no editing errors, even though this was an ARC. It is a Christian book but not preachy in the least. It hits on a couple main topics for faith. This is a modern day novel with a bit of romance but not a true romance novel.

The only thing I really disliked about the book was that it ended too soon. It left a lot of open ends that the reader is supposed to fill in and decide. It wasn't a total cliffhanger, it's just that I would have preferred a more complete ending.

I give this book a 4 out of a 5-star review. I would recommend this book to my friends.

The Sweet Life is a fun, lighthearted story, perfect for a spring or summer day at the beach! I love the New England setting - Suzanne Woods Fisher is great at writing about small towns full of quirky characters. I also worked at an ice cream shop as a teenager, so I enjoyed going back to that fun time in my life through this story!

Dawn and her mom, Marnie, are an unlikely mother-daughter duo - they don't see eye to eye on much, but they both find themselves needing a fresh start in life. Opening an ice cream shop together tests their faith and their patience, as they work together to overcome opposition and heartbreak. This sweet story of starting over and second chances, sprinkled with heartwarming moments and spiritual truths, will delight readers and ice cream fans alike!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Cute, fun beach read with a touch of romance. There were a few tough life issues touched on in this story, but overall it was a quick and light read.

The story of Dawn Dixon and her mom Marnie is one that will long remain with me because of the relationship that the two establish during the course of the novel. Marnie is recently widowed and a breast cancer survivor, so she decides on what seems to be a whim to buy an ice cream shop and start her own business. Dawn becomes a reluctant participant in her mom’s plans after her own plans to get married to Kevin, the love of her life, fall apart. With a new perspective on life at the beach, in a little town called Chatham, a vision is born of a successful business and an enduring partnership. What a lovely, heartwarming story! The tale was not without conflict since there is a formidable foe in the shape of Mrs. Nickerson-Eldredge, the head of the Historical Commission who wants to stop the Main Street Creamery from opening. The way the characters all come together was magical, with a theme of preserving the past but also looking forward to a new future. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all of the characters, but Linc, the handyman who just pitches in to help and seems to always know when Marnie needs him, was my absolute favorite. He was unassuming, humble and offered common sense advice that he gave from his heart. All of the characters were realistic and I could almost taste the ice cream flavors that Dawn created. Blackberry with chocolate chunk? Sign me up! This is a feel-good story that engaged me from beginning to end and made me cheer for a happy ending for all. With wisdom from the Bible subtly interwoven into the story as well as a heartfelt prayer or two, this is Christian fiction at its best!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Books via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

The Sweet Life by Suzanne Woods Fisher from Revell Books is an excellent book to kick off the summer. This book made me want to dig into a large scoop of ice cream while visiting Cape Cod. More of a women’s fiction novel, The Sweet Life explores themes of finding healing after loss, life after cancer, and more as it follows a mother and daughter on their trip to Cape Cod that results in the impulse buy of an ice cream shop. I loved how the novel was full of ice cream references that set a fun, sweet tone for the story. The characters in this book have very distinct and, in some cases, strong personalities that added to the story and created tension. Dawn and Marnie are both head strong women who approach life in two very different ways. Watching them grow through this story really brought home the importance of family and faith.

*Thank you to Suzanne Woods Fisher, Revell Books, and JustReads Tours for an e-arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher presents a new inspirational contemporary romance featuring an ice cream shop on Cape Cod.

In The Sweet Life, Dawn Dixon’s life changes drastically when her groom calls off the upcoming wedding, and her widowed mother announces she had breast cancer surgery recently. Marnie Dixon didn’t want her treatment to interfere with the wedding. Since the Cape Cod honeymoon was already paid for, her former groom Kevin insists she use it.

Dawn, a planner by nature, takes her mother, Marnie, spontaneous by nature, thinking it will be a good place to rest for both of them. While they bump heads, they love each other, making this trip a memorable one, especially when impulsive Marnie buys a rundown ice cream shop - something that had been a dream of Dawn and her father, but not Marnie’s dream. Can they work together – without killing one another – to re-launch the ice cream shop, and find renewed hope in Cape Cod?

Fisher creates a heart-filled story with irresistible characters, ice cream inspired quotes, and faith & grief journeys in a quaint Cape Cod village. Dawn’s former fiance Kevin shows up, feeling guilty and concerned about Dawn as she does very un-Dawnlike things (like taking leave from work to support her mother’s renovation of the ice cream shop, as well as actually making the ice cream from scratch based on a recipe she and her father created). Dealing with the Historical Commission provides some humor as they renovate and preserve the old building. Themes of love, family, and faith permeate the story like a good fudge ripple!

Recommended for adult readers of contemporary fiction, especially fans of Fisher, Denise Hunter, Irene Hannon, and Courtney Walsh.

Disclaimer: Book reviews are my honest opinion of books I either purchased or received free of cost from the publishers, publicists, and/or authors.

I found this book to be delightful and enjoyed the idea of the beach setting and ice cream. I mean, how much better could it get? I loved the characters with a touch of romance and the mother daughter relationship. I also found the discussions at the end of the book to be thought provoking.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest opinion and review.

How can life turn sweet after death, cancelled wedding, and hard relationships? Marnie and her daughter are facing life changes. Can they ever feel that life is sweet again?

Ice Cream! Ice cream seems to be a great solver of problems.

You will want to read this book to see how devastating life occurrences can be changed into a sweet life.

I enjoyed this book very much and highly recommend it. I received a copy of the book from Revell and NetGalley.

I am so excited about Suzanne Woods Fisher's newest book, The Sweet Life! I have been a fan of SWF for many years and always look forward to her releases. And, as always, she does not disappoint. In The Sweet Life, Dawn and her mother Marnie head to Cape Cod for Dawn's honeymoon, after Dawn's fiancé calls off the wedding. While there, Marnie finds an old ice cream shop, The Main Street Creamery, that looks like it needs some love and TLC. She buys it for a song and Dawn, though she thinks her mother is crazy, agrees to help her get it up and running. Along the way, they will discover a relationship they didn't have, a new faith, and hope for the future. Can't wait for the next book! Hope it is here soon!! Five stars! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!

Marnie and her daughter Dawn both have bad news to share with one another. Dawn's wedding is no more and Marnie experiences big health issues. Both are hurting and they need one another. They take Dawn's honeymoon trip to Cape Cod. And there the adventure begins.
This was a very engaging story with the dilapidated ice cream shop and Marnie's dream of making her late husband's dreams come true. Marnie buys the shop without consulting with Dawn and there is so much to do before it can ever function as a shop. And then there comes the town's historical commission, led by a feisty and cantankerous woman. Everything that needs doing, has to be approved by her.
Dawn and Marnie don't see eye to eye on the way things should work, but will they be able to come to a common ground?
The book is clean, enjoyable and a very fun read. The author did a wonderful job on this book. But all her books are top-notch!I loved the cute quotes at the start of each chapter. And there is a spiritual side to things as well.
I received an ebook copy from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you to Revell and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of The Sweet Life. My thoughts are my own.

If you're looking for a book to read over the summer, The Sweet Life is the book for you! Filled with imagery that speaks to the simpler things of life, The Sweet Life chronicles the story of Dawn, a high-paying executive who is next in line for promotion to partner. Following the inexcusable--her fiance calling of their wedding--Dawn faces some tough life decisions. Her fiance, Kevin, tells her to take their honeymoon, and on a whim, she invites her mother, who is also facing tough life decisions, namely coming to terms with a recent cancer diagnosis and her late husband's death.

Both Dawn and her mother Marnie have a lot to come to terms about, and it is only through the course of designing and opening an ice cream shop in Cape Cod that they are finally able to work through their grief and create the lives they want to live.

Like I said, this is the perfect book for summer. However, characters feel superficial and lacking some dimension. I wish I had felt more connected to the main character and her love interest. I found myself instead gravitating more towards her mother's arc.

Branded as a mother/daughter novel, I feel like this is miscategorized. When I think of a mother/daughter book, I expect more relational inner dialogue and more coming to terms with each other. I never felt like Dawn nor Marnie disliked each other or needed to heal their relationship. Both characters had healing to do in other areas.

Overall, a satisfying read, especially when it came to the ice cream recipes.

Such an enjoyable take about heartbreak and new ventures. Both mom and daughter have their faults and problems, which can at time (as everyone has experienced themselves) drive other people nuts. Yet, the book tracks the ways in which they are able to make the best of teams and grow together to work better together.

Human interaction is about community and about growth. If we don’t grow together with those with whom we work and live, then harmony will be hard to reach. Dawn experiences this herself, growing in her ability to see and look to the needs and desires of others. She learns to accommodate while also staying true to her commitments to hard work and organization.

The ending came very abruptly, making me feel as if I hadn’t finished the book. I kept picking up my kindle to finish it, and then realized that I had already finished. However, it is the first book in a series. So, the ending is definitely abrupt to encourage excitement for the next installment in the series! Highly recommended!

*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed are completely my own.*

This is a sweet story just as the title says. They story of a woman who just needs to get away from it all, of two women, mother and daughter who get away together and have some adventures (to say the least).

This is a book that will endear you, will make you laugh, will make you hungry (love the ice cream shop) and is just so easy to read. Full of relationship highs and lows, variety, fun and so much more.

A well written book with great characters, the perfect length for any book and a great story. The cover is so enticing too and just makes you want to go to the nearest ice cream shop for a double scoop of your favourite flavours. YUM!

There is a quote that life is like ice cream and we should enjoy it before it melts. Well, Dawn and Marnie Dixon lives are at the melt stage. When everything seems to be coming apart, Marnie buys a run down ice cream shop. Where Dawn is a planner, Marnie is a fly by the pants person. But when past meets future, which path will she choose? Don't most things that are broken stay broken? Suzanne Woods Fisher gives us a book full of unusual but delightful and relatable characters which the reader can fall in love with. If you enjoy a quirky fun filled but realistic story this is for you. I received an advance copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

#BookReview: THE SWEET LIFE by Suzanne Woods Fisher

"I adore spontaneity, providing it is carefully planned."

That is Dawn Dixon’s favorite quote and it just shows how polar opposites she is with her mom. This lovely story with a cute cover is more about the relationship of Dawn and her mom, Marnie. I was delighted and inspired that despite their differences, they tried to work together in love and respect. Even if Marnie did spontaneous things, she was always lead by her heart an by God. Dawn had a lot to learn during this time of their lives. It was a sweet and challenging time.

I was engaged right away with the story though it got a tad slow in the middle. Well, it was a delectable time with Dawn experimenting and tasting different flavors of ice cream. Just thinking about it makes me want to grab a pint of ice cream. I liked how helpful Kevin was to them but I didn’t feel the chemistry with Dawn. It was fun how things turned out.

The Cape Cod descriptions were beautiful. I could easily imagine myself being there. I could feel the wind in my hair as well as taste the coffee at Monomoy. They worked so hard at the creamery so I was really hoping for their success. I look forward to the next book in the series and I hope to know more about it.

Thank you Revell, justread tours and netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Rating: 4 stars
Series: Cape Cod Creamery #1
Release Date: May 3, 2022
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Women’s Fiction/Christian

Goodreads tells me I last read a Suzanne Woods Fisher book in 2010. Sheesh! What's up with that, LOL! I'm obviously overdue--and perhaps the surprise perk of waiting so long is that I now have a ton of fresh material available!

And _The Sweet Life_ was a perfect reintroduction to Fisher's books. I'll admit it was a bit of a slow build for me; I caught myself editing it my head (the inevitable curse of being a copy editor :D), and did feel it was a bit wordy at times. But, the storyline, town, and sheer charm of the read itself won me over midway through and I ended up reading it in just a couple days. That should tell you all you need to know right now!

I especially loved the beach setting and small-town feel. My family loves to vacation in a small beach town on the West Coast as frequently as we can, and I couldn't help but draw (pleasant!) parallels. It frankly makes me want to go open up an ice-cream shop there myself! (But there are already two, haha.) And, I mean, how does one top Cape Cod? (So I hear, anyway.)

We see a good deal of character growth throughout _The Sweet Life_. This is one book where romance is present but not 100% at the forefront, starting the story before sharing the limelight with Marnie and Dawn's parent-child relationship. Very intriguing.

On a side/niche note, having read Nathaniel Philbrick's _In the Heart of the Sea_ semi-recently, I enjoyed Fisher's nods to the Cape's whaling history (and area towns). And, on a totally unrelated note, I'm really excited to see this is the first book in a new series! I'm super excited to read more stories about the town--there are definitely more to be had.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Sweet Life, by Suzanne Woods Fischer, introduces you to Dawn Dixon. This young woman has always been a strong person; however, when she learns back-to-back that her fiancé Kevin has canceled their wedding and that her mother has breast cancer, she does not know what to do. Dawn’s life has been totally turned around in just twenty-four hours!

When Dawn and Kevin discover they cannot get a refund on their honeymoon package, Dawn decides to take the trip with her mother. This is not the person she had hoped to make this trip with, but they head out to Cape Cod not knowing what to expect!

Dawn and her mother end up exploring this delightful location independently. You will not believe the changes that take place in each life. Before you know it, Dawn’s mother has purchased an ice cream shop!

You soon will see Dawn and her mother come at this new business from two polar opposite directions. Throughout this tale, watch as both Dawn and her mother deal with the challenges God has brought to each of their lives!

This was such a delightful read!

It’s refreshing to find a women’s fiction story that doesn’t have a strong romance thread, though there is a bit of romance in this story. However, it’s subtle and not over the top.

Marnie and Dawn are grieving the loss of Peter and life continues to spiral out of control, including a bout with breast cancer. When Dawn’s fiancé breaks their engagement, he encourages her to take someone to their honeymoon destination because he’ll lose all the money he put into if he cancels. The only person that makes sense, is Marnie, Dawn’s mom.

This is a beautiful story of healing from broken relationships, forging new dreams, and a sweet story of mother-daughter relationships. Though Marnie and Dawn are completely opposite in personalities, they learn to appreciate the strengths in the other person and learn how to create something new together.

The journey from up tight, in control all the time, to unleashing creativity is an interesting story for Dawn. I love the transformation readers get to see.

Marnie’s carefree, spirited ways seem to be a weakness for her, but in the end, it really turns into something quite beautiful.

Love the cast of characters that come alongside Marnie and Dawn.

After reading this story, I really wanted to try the ice cream from Main Street Creamery.

I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a delightful story! It explores the relationship between mother and daughter, which is (as in life) multi-faceted and complex. I found the various characters to be likeable and the story to be heartwarming. It was entertaining and kept me turning pages.