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How Sweet It Is
(Fox Bakery #1)
By Andrea Christenson
Christian Contemporary Romance
Paperback & eBook, 297 Pages
July 18, 2023 by Sunrise Publishing
Summary
Sometimes the sweetest moments in life are made from the most familiar and ordinary ingredients.
Robin Fox is living out her dreams working in a gourmet bakery in Paris. She thought she’d live there forever, but when her relationship with her boss sours, those dreams crumble. She finds herself back home in Deep Haven, Minnesota, caring for her grandparents’ rundown bakery while they’re away. But she vows that when they return in six weeks, she’ll trade this ordinary life for the one she left behind.
Sammy Johnson has never gotten traction in any area of his life. This hasn’t improved in the almost two years since the accident which nearly killed him. Although his heart is still beating, it contains little passion for the life he’s living in Deep Haven. But that begins to change when he offers to help his former high school friend, Robin.
Working together to keep Fox Bakery from going under, they find more than friendship is simmering between them. But when the six weeks are up, will Robin follow her old dreams back to the glamor of Paris or will she discover how sweet it is to be loved in Deep Haven?
Return to Deep Haven with the Fox Family, where Robin and Sammy find that small town life isn’t ordinary after all.
My Review
HOW SWEET IT IS is about a woman who is chasing dreams of being a renowned baker and a man who is trying to recover from trauma and find what his dream is. It's set in Deep Haven, originally introduced in Susan May Warren's Christiansen Family series, and full of small-town charm with a caring community. Fans of the previous series and subsequent spin-offs will enjoy various cameos from prior characters and getting to visit this beloved town. Both new readers and those who have read previous books will enjoy the delightful romance and baked goodies that make this a very sweet read.
I loved the original series that has inspired subsequent books and getting to revisit Deep Haven. The two main characters in this book, Robin and Sammy, are both likable characters who knew each other in high school, but haven't seen each other for years. In that time they've faced disappointment and are trying to figure out which direction their lives should go in. I loved all the bakery goodness weaved in this story that left me quite hungry for freshly baked goods. The religious element is fairly strong, but woven through well. The romance is foremost sweet with some tension and some decisions that push the relationship to a head.
I did have a few things I would have liked developed more or differently. One was the chemistry didn't jump out at me in this story. It was sweet and the romance worked but I think I was missing a spark. The religious element was a bit too strong mostly because it seemed to come from everyone all the time in a lot of conversations. Realistically not every single person you know has the exact same faith and shares poignant words of wisdom perfect for you each time you talk to them. There was a bit of a suspension of belief in places where I felt the story was forced and it didn't feel as genuine or realistic. However, all of that said, I still enjoyed this.
In the end, was it what I wished for? This was an overall sweet read! I plan on continuing to pick up additional stories set in this town as each is sure to be full of heart and sweet romance.
Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy through JustRead Publicity Tours, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
About the Author
Connect with Andrea by visiting andreachristenson.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
Tour Schedule
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Tour-Wide Giveaway
Full tour schedule linked above. The giveaway begins at midnight July 17, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 24, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
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Are you a fan of Deep Haven or small-town romances? Will you be reading this one?
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