THE SWEETHEART DEAL
by Miranda Liasson
Two sworn enemies enter a modern-day marriage of convenience.
Tessa Montgomery is single, 32 years old, and stuck in her hometown. Despite good grades in high school, she never left Blossom Glen, Indiana, to become a pastry chef and still works in her family’s boulangerie, where her ex-fiance, Sam, visits almost daily to seek guidance about his shiny new relationship. Enter Leo Castorini, now back from a high-powered finance job in New York City to help his father with their failing family restaurant—and who beat out Tessa for a coveted college scholarship when they were teenagers. Tessa never disclosed her secret crush on the handsome, cocky Leo, which was always convenient, as the Montgomery and Castorini families have a long-standing rivalry dating back a hundred years. Leo comes to Tessa with a plan: To save both family businesses, they should tie the knot themselves. Tessa immediately declines until she considers what it could mean for the Montgomery bakery, which is struggling just as much as the Castorini restaurant. Soon, Tessa and Leo are officially married and living together in a charming new house…and learning there’s a lot to love about one another. Meanwhile, Tessa’s YouTube channel takes off, and she gets a promising new opportunity. But Leo wants to stay right where he is, in Blossom Glen. Can the enemies-turned-spouses make it work for real despite their still-squabbling clans? And what secrets are they hiding from each another? Liasson nails small-town romance: Blossom Glen itself comes alive with every endearing description, and Montgomery baked goods and Castorini dishes are presented in mouthwatering detail. The plot is a lovely contemporary take on a tale as old as time, with two equally strong leads and a colorful cast of parents, siblings, aunts, and uncles. Finally, the couple’s chemistry is hot (though the book’s heat level doesn’t go beyond kissing), and their conflicts are realistic and must be resolved through mature communication.
A fun, updated take on Romeo and Juliet with a happy ending.