The Sweetheart Crush is the third book in Miranda Liasson’s Blossom Glen series. These stories have centered around the three Montgomery sisters of Blossom Glen, IN, this one featuring youngest sister Viv. Viv and Logan Matthews had been inseparable friends from early childhood until right before graduation when a special moment was shared until Viv turned her cheek to his approaching kiss and they had distanced themselves since.

Now the expected star, Viv, is back from her Paris days and that star has fizzled. She had gone to Paris to make a name for herself in the photography world but returned with no fame and no money. Now working at the town’s famous Christmas store, Viv is dressed as an elf and stocking shelves by day, but she is also creating and maintaining a media presence for this store as well as her mother’s patisserie, her sister’s pastry shop, and her brother-in-law’s restaurant. It was while dressed as an elf that Viv first encounters Logan, who has just returned to town, while he and a PR person stop for a photo op in the Christmas store. But old habits die hard and Viv and Logan are back to their old ways with the banter that comes so naturally for them. And these are the moments that go viral!

Logan Matthews is now a seasoned and celebrated author of thrillers, but his popularity is on the wane. His publishers feel that his social presence needs boosting and he must get more involved with his fans, including interviews, which Logan fears the most. He froze in his last interview when his late father, a literary genius, was brought up. The viral videos, however, are not to the liking of his publishers. Looking to the success in PR and media that Viv has had, Logan seeks out her help, setting the stage for such a fun and interesting story.

I very much enjoyed this story, as I have with the entire series and everything I have read by Ms. Liasson, and I do recommend it!

Quick Summary: A second chance romance about two best friends who take the time to get it right

My Review: The Sweetheart Crush by Miranda Liasson is book 3 in the Blossom Glen series.

About the Book: Vivian Montgomery and Logan Matthews grew up as the best of friends. Due to an unfortunate misunderstanding, everything that they once had ended abruptly. They were never the same after that.

Twelve years have passed, and their paths have finally crossed again. Some hard but necessary truths are revealed. Their friendship is rekindled. Unfortunately, a bitter betrayal and another misunderstanding throw their renewed relationship into a tailspin.

My Final Say: This was a pretty involved story. It was a romance in part, yes, but it was also a story about family life, about personal growth, and about healing from the past. I enjoyed it very much. Readers who prefer fiction stories with a slant on family drama will enjoy this book.

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Series: Yes

Thank you to the author, to the publisher (Entangled Publishing, LLC, Entangled: Amara), and to NetGalley for granting access to this title in exchange for an honest review. It was a pleasure to read this work. I appreciate the opportunity.

Sweet story!

Vivienne and Logan were best friends all their lives, starting as babies, living next door to each other. They grew up together, but never went beyond friendship, until one night Logan tried to take the relationship further and tried kissing Vivienne. Viv already had her life planned out, she was going to France with the eventual goal of becoming a famous photographer, and she got scared, so she ran.

Now, 12 years later, both are back in Blossom Glen, living next door while helping out their families. Logan is now a famous author, while Viv is working at an all-year-round Christmas shop and no longer has the dream of being a photographer. Sure, she still takes pictures, but for fun. Logan's PR efforts need some help, and he hires Viv to help. Will this lead to that next step he's always wanted, or will a long hidden secret destroy their chances?

I enjoyed that Viv and Logan always put their friendship first, and naturally defended each other and their families. Small town, lots of friends and family around, and word travels fast! This was a quick, fun read that I recommend. It is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

This is book 3 in the Blossom Glen Series. Photographer Viv Montgomery’s dreams were bigger than her small hometown of Blossom Glen. In order to follow them, she must leave everything that she knows and loves behind. As her world ends in the new life she built, she returns home and tries to pick up the pieces. When she runs across her best friend, something is very different with him. Can they repair their relationship and maybe something else?

The Sweetheart Crush is the third book in this author’s Blossom Glen series, but you can read it as a complete standalone and not miss anything. (I haven’t read the first book and had no issues with the characters or the plot.) The author was new to me with book two, but these will not be the last books of hers I read.

The characters were lovable, if not a bit quirky, except the ones you were supposed to hate. Set in a very small town, I found myself wishing I could move to Blossom Glen to find a close-knit community that would rally around me as they did for Vivian and Logan. While sweet, a bit funny, and a little sassy, too, their journey to HEA wasn’t without some heavy emotions, either. Tempered with some humorous scenes, this sweet, second-chance, enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance was the perfect ending to this trilogy.

NICUnurse’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭑ (4.5)

The Sweetheart Crush by Miranda Liassonis the story of Viv, a photographer working in a Christmas store as she tries to improve her life. She's telling herself it's working until her best friend from childhood Logan, a published writer comes home and she realizes she hasn't accomplished anything like she wanted, especially in the marriage/dating department. So is Logan the one? But he was her best friend.. ewww!!!! Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Brittany from Entangled for the eARC via Netgalley!

This is book 3 in a series but can
Be read as standalone and that’s exactly what I did as I haven’t read the first two yet. This is a cute contemporary romance with closed door second chance romance. While I’m personally not much of a closed door fan this was done well and I enjoyed Viv and Logan and watching them rekindle their relationship.

This is the third book in the Blossom Glen series, and unfortunately I missed the second one. I'll have to go back and read that one. The Sweetheart Crush can easily be read as a stand alone. This is a second chance romance type book.

Description:
Photographer Viv Montgomery’s dreams were bigger than her small hometown of Blossom Glen. Following them meant leaving everything and everyone behind—including her sweet and funny best friend, Logan Matthews. Now, twelve years later, the town’s “sweetheart” is back, broke, and…well, working in the town’s famous Christmas store until she figures out her next move.

Enter her former best friend who she hasn’t seen or talked to in years. Only the cute, funny guy she remembers is gone—replaced by a famous, bestselling author who seems aloof, jaded, and is much, much hotter than any book nerd she’s ever seen. Seeing him in the news is one thing, but up close and person? Whewf, it’s warm in here.

Now he’s offered her a job she desperately needs (blissfully free of Santas), and suddenly it’s like no time has passed at all. Their friendship is just like it was…with one very unexpected difference. Because somewhere between the blossom festival and snuggling in front of a crackling fire, their friendship is definitely turning into something more. Only, Logan’s been hiding the secret of his enormous success…and the sweetheart of Blossom Glen is about to read all about it.

My Thoughts:
I liked that there was some humor in this book - I caught myself smiling several times at some of Viv's experiences with the Christmas Shop where she was working. The romance took quite awhile to rekindle, but you could see it coming. The characters drive the book and I enjoyed them. I also liked the charming small town and family feel. It was fun to see Viv finding a path to her dream.

Thanks to Entangled Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Love visiting Blossom Glen and this was no exception. Viv and Logan were besties growing up until an ill fated attempted kiss. Fast forward 12 years and they have both returned to town, where their friendship rekindles to so much more, but will it be forever. Love the cast of characters and the closeness of the families. The topic of bullying was brought up and handled very well. This is the third book in the series but can be read as a stand alone. I read through my kindle unlimited.

Thank you Brittany from Entangled for the eARC!

While this is a series, I actually really enjoyed the fact this is a standalone book! The series follows the Montgomery girls so if you enjoy one, you will probably enjoy the others. I know I will be revisiting Blossom Glen to read the other sisters' stories!

This novel follows Viv and Logan, childhood besties until their senior year right before college when everything changes. After 12 years apart, emotions run high with questions and feelings that have gone unanswered. Viv is planning a life away from Blossom Glen as she feels like she has something to prove. Logan is back for good, wanting to spend more time with his mom and sister before she heads to college. This romantic journey is full of love, honesty, struggles, dark secrets, forgiveness, and self growth written in a beautiful way. This story definitely feels like a fairytale and I am here for it, swooning at Logan and his dedication to Viv to make sure it all works out this time around.

This cozy read gives me Sweet Magnolia vibes meets Firefly Lane. Sisters and family for life, while the love life is up in the air and frustrating but the best thing to happen! A great read for anyone wanting to swoon over a hottie with a serious dedication to his women. While this book does not contain spicy scenes, the passion for one another is written wonderfully making it a page turner. I found this story to be very girl-next-door and the female characters to be relatable with a guy I could only dream of.

The Sweetheart Crush by Miranda Liasson, book three in her Blossom Glen series is a wonderful, entertaining, sweet, emotional, complicated childhood friends to more story for Viv and Logan; two people rediscovering their best friend after time apart and the changed people they have become. There is a likable, creative and talented female protagonist, a kind and caring male protagonist, small town charm, a touch of humor, a heartwarming, second chance romance, supportive family, a cute cat, an uplifting message of following your dreams, and a happily ever after ending. In addition there is a focus story on bullying.

Viv Montgomery had big dreams growing up: she wanted to leave Indiana to go to Paris, pursuing her love of photography. Her lifelong best friend, Logan Matthews wanted to be a writer like his father. An awkward romantic moment, while the two were still in their teens, fractured their friendship; such that neither had spoken for twelve years. They meet again when he returns to Blossom as a successful, bestselling thriller writer. Viv has also returned home as her photography plans and Paris didn’t work out; so she’s been working on completing a degree in Public Relations. At this point she plans to save her dollars earned at the Christmas Shop, move to New York and find stable employment. All seems to go awry when Logan is scheduled for a book signing at the store where Liv is dressed as an elf while on the job at the holiday store. Social media and PR is just the thing that Logan needs help with so he hires her.

Ms. Liasson wrote a romance with all the feels, that was sweet, emotional, electrifying, and should not be missed. Filled with chemistry, good intentions, and a cast of secondary characters assisting Viv and Logan rediscover the love they both deserved. I highly recommend The Sweetheart Crush to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

A great end to a wonderful series. Viv and Logan were best friends and neighbors. Their families were close and they lived next door to each other, but when he decided to make his feelings clear the summer after graduation, she panicked. They stayed estranged for over 10 years, until he returns hone to write and reconnect with his family.

They run into each other again and with her PR background she agrees to help him improve his author presence in social media. They grow closer as they work together and rekindle their romance. But he's hiding a secret and she dreams of heading to NY City once she's earned enough to afford it. Can they accept the direction of their new and honest relationship? Will it be enough for now and will Viv be able to walk away from Logan once again?

Although I received a free ARC ebook from net galley and the author, all thoughts and opinions are my iwn.

The Sweetheart Crush is book three in the Blossom Glen series and we get the youngest sister Viv's story!

Viv's dreams of being a photographer didn't pan out and she's back home in Blossom Glen but hoping to save money to be a publicist in NYC. When her former BFF now best-selling author returns to town will their unrequited love from 12 years ago turn into something more?

This is a sweet closed-door contemporary romance in a cute small town. I enjoy coming back to Blossom Glen to see the character. While this is book three in the series they are all standalone books.

It was exactly what I needed to read yesterday afternoon while getting a pedicure. I love sweet contemporary romances because of their predictability.

Thanks to Entangled Publishing for my copy! The Sweetheart Crush came out on Tuesday- October 23rd!

I really thoroughly enjoyed this book.

It was really well written. The characters are described just enough to visualise them without taking over the plot. The scene descriptions are easy to visualise, and the plot was very believable.

This didn’t quite achieve 5 stars for me as there were a couple of minor inconsistencies in the plot - just small things like when a character is entering the scene, and when Logan puts Viv down but then seems to put her down again in the next paragraph. However this didn’t detriment the overall feel of the book.

I loved Logan - at first I thought things moved too fast, but given the plot of the book it did work really well.

This is one of those cases where you’ll shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover (or the title). It was way less cheesy than I thought it would be, and honestly I think the writing deserves a much better cover than it was given.

I’d definitely recommend to any romance reader.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Solid romance, with a great storyline. The friends to lovers theme is among a personal favorite of mine, and this is a great example of that. Childhood friendship...can it be something more or just unrequited love?
If you are a fan of Robyn Carr and similar authors, this one is for you.

Loved this story so much, I had to go and find the rest of the series. The Blossom Glen series is a standalone series but it was so much fun to read all the sisters' stories.

Viv is slaving away in the town Christmas store and her best friend, who was something more, is back in town. Need I say more....

A lovely story of friendship, love, sisterhood and life.

The Sweetheart Crush is book 3 in the Blossom Glen series by Miranda Liasson and another great addition to this series. 4.5 stars

Up next is Viv and Logan’s story. Childhood best friends, inseparable until he wants to declare his love for her but she cuts and runs, destroying their friendship. Now years later she’s the elf at the Christmas store after her photography dreams tank and he’s a best selling thriller author, who comes into the store and sparks fly again between them.

Renewing friendship, job offer, secrets, misunderstandings, maturity, home town romance, family and more…

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book from NetGalley, Entangled. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is a great palette cleanser between your heavier reads. Though it is a very predictable and easy read with very low stakes. It is definitely very cheesy at times, but is still well written and enjoyable.
This is a good book and not a great book, I’ll probably forget everything about it by next month.


Thank you NetGalley and Miranda Liasson for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy!

I have not read the other books in this series, and with this being #3 I was happy to discover that I wasn’t lost in the story not having read the previous two. This is a cozy, sweet, second chance romance story set in a small town. While this isn’t usually my favorite type of read, it is a clean romance with a lot of steam and the tension between characters was perfect (I usually prefer my romances a little *dirtier*). I love a good friends to enemies to lovers storyline! Blossom Glen seems like the most idyllic town, that I would love to visit and/or live in if it was a real place. This book is perfect for a reader looking for a sweet, clean, easy read with low conflict and good predictability.

Second chance, friends to lovers; 3 sisters, 3 superb stories
This is the third and probably last in this series where three sisters, Tessa, Juliet and Vivienne Montgomery have found their forever love. Having read the last two, I was so excited to get to read about the “baby” of the family: Viv and her childhood friend/crush, Logan Matthews. They grew up as best friends in the small town of Blossom Glen, Indiana.
The prologue is set twelve years before. At the end of their last summer before college separates them, Logan goes for a kiss from which Viv turns away, giving him only her cheek. She runs off to college early. He is angry, very angry. When they reunite, Logan is a highly successful author and she is an elf in a Christmas shop. What happened to all her great plans for her future?
This was a beautifully told story of second chances between two 30yo former friends. Although there are no explicit scenes, this is a very passionate story. The love they have for their family, friends, their small town and finally each other makes for a page-turner. There will be angst and some unlikeable characters showing signs of being bullies. To me this author excels in her handling of poignant scenes, one of which is Viv’s conversation with her mother near the end; Logan’s phone conversation with Maya; and the dedication Logan wrote for his latest book, among others. Lots of “loose ends” tied up as well. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book through Entangled/NetGalley.