Thank you to Sarah Mayberry and the team at Sarina Bowen’s World of True North for the advance reader copy of Sweetheart, a standalone in the Busy Bean series.
I am so excited to be reviewing for the first time for Sarina Bowen’s World of True North. I absolutely adore this world and who does not love a coffee shop setting. Those who have read Sarina Bowen’s Roommate will know of the Busy Bean Cafe and will be just as excited as me for it to be the setting of a whole new series of books.
Check out the Goodreads synopsis…
“I just wanted to get my hands on his beans
Four years ago, I had a ridiculous crush on my sister’s boyfriend. But when they moved away together, I put Beck out of my mind and my heart. But now he’s back, and roasting the best coffee in Vermont. I need to convince him to supply the Busy Bean. And I need more of those kisses we accidentally shared outside the coffee shop. He still makes my heart race faster than a triple shot of espresso.
She should be off limits, but instead she’s pushing mine
Her sister burned my life to the ground, so Haley Elliot is the last woman I should bring into my bed. Although our business relationship is giving way to something more than a fine grind. Neither of us can help ourselves. And what’s worse, I think I’m falling for her.
But it’s a small town, and ours is a big secret. And when her sister blows back into town, suddenly the coffee isn’t the only thing brewing…”
Check out my more detailed thoughts below…
- Characters: Daniel Beck and Haley Elliot are the main characters of the first instalment in the world of Busy Bean. Hayley is starting a job at Busy Bean the coffee shop owned by Audrey Shipley (Bittersweet is her love story) and Zara Rossi (Bountiful is hers). Haley is not only a barista extraordinaire, she operates an Etsy shop where she sells her handmade leather belts, bags, and boots. Daniel Beck re-enters Haley’s life when she explores getting his coffee bean company, Dark Horse to supply the roast for Busy Bean. Beck is her sister Jessica’s ex and it was a very rough breakup. Beck had followed Jessica to New York City and when the relationship fell apart he took off travelling. In South America he fell in love with coffee. Upon returning home he started Dark Horse roasters with his brother.
- Setting: The story is set in Colebury, Vermont a very close knit town. Whenever Haley went out people would ask her about her parents as everyone knew everybody. This smallness of the town makes Haley hesitant to go public when she and Beck start getting closer as she does not want her sister to find out through word of mouth.
- Pacing: The pacing lent itself to the story pretty well. Their were some larger reveals pertaining to Jessica and why her and Beck’s relationship fell apart which only get revealed relatively close to the end. I only wish Beck had talked about the breakup earlier.
- Romance: This leads us to the budding romance between Haley and Beck which begins with Beck brushing her off. He goes out of his way to put distance between them. Once they attempt to be friendly that quickly tumbles into undeniable lust. They jump at each other my god they could not stop taking their clothes off with each other. Despite her being Jess’ sister Beck cannot help but be attracted to Haley and she is smitten with her sister’s ex. Their actions begin to scream that this is much more than a hookup after Beck goes out of his way to cook homemade meals and Haley designs an awesome logo for Dark Horse free of charge. Jess remains the barrier for this relationship and it is only once Haley decides to put her well being above her sister, that Beck can fulfill her every fantasy as he is willing to be with her no matter her sister’s presence in her life.
Sweetheart receives four out of five stars.
You can pick up the story below…
Amazon: https://geni.us/Sweetheart-Amazon
Apple: https://geni.us/Sweetheart-Apple
Kobo: https://geni.us/Sweetheart-kobo
Nook: https://geni.us/Sweetheart-Nook
Thank you again to Sarah and Sarina’s team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!
