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Summary: A charming contemporary romance that bridges the generations
Review: Alex Carrigan goes to the San Francisco attorney office to hear the reading of the will of the recently deceased Melanie Kane, his former lover. Alex meets Melanie's precocious twelve-year-old Jessie, who implies he is her father. Alex thinks back to thirteen years ago when he took care of Melanie and her new born baby, loving both of them, only to have the flighty mother return to the infant's real father Eddie Saunders. Alex has never since opened up his heart to anyone. The attorney informs him that he inherited Jessie. If he says no, the child would probably end up being another runaway. Reluctantly, he agrees at least until Eddie can be located. Adding to his trouble is that his grandfather Julian has disappeared in search of a pastry. Alex goes to Faith's bakery to take his grandfather home. There he meets the owner, Faith Christopher, an outspoken feisty woman. Before he knows what happened, Alex finds himself carrying two excessive bags, Julian and Jessie, who soon crawl inside his heart. He also finds plenty of room inside to fall in love with Faith, but he remembers being burned badly a long time ago. THE SWEETEST THING is a warm contemporary romance that deftly touches on the problems of senior citizens and troubled teens without taking away from a cherished love story. The characters and their interrelationships that cross four generations make for a fabulous story line due to the talent of Barbara Freethy. A lesser mortal would have cluttered the plot with too many sidebars that never returned to the main story line. Ms. Freethy succeeds in not only bringing the subplots together, but also doing it within a charming, alluring romance. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: New Definition
Review: After reading this amazing story, I learned a new definition of a good novel. A must read! A++++++
Rating:
Summary: New Definition
Review: After reading this amazing story, I learned a new definition of a good novel. A must read! A++++++
Rating:
Summary: It's a keeper!
Review: Barbara Freethy has acquired a new fan. This story was touching but not saccharine, fast-moving but fleshed-out, sensual without being too graphic, and mystical but not far-fetched. While the ending was a bit rushed, the loose ends all coming together conveniently, it was still a great introduction to a talented author, and worthy of any reader's "keeper" shelf.
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Summary: Another fantastic read from one of my favorite authors!
Review: Barbara Freethy has done it again. I loved The Sweetest Thing. The mystical elements were blended into the storyline perfectly, adding a little bit of mystery and suspense. As always, Barbara has weaved together the lives of numerous people--who you can't help but love and root for--into one beautifully written story. The love story between Alex and Faith was great, and Jessie, the little-girl-lost, was absolutely precious. Can't wait until Barbara's next book. In fact, I just might go back and read one of her others!
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Summary: Not her best work.
Review: Barbara Freethy writes wonderfully emotional contemporaries, but in her latest, the quality is uneven. As usual, Faith is a wonderful heroine, and is so warm and likeable I couldn't help but to be fond of her. However, this book suffers from a lack of focus due to so many different things going on at once. The grandfather never leave an impression to me - I'm still not sure if he's a dotty schizophrenic, a pathological liar, or just plain eccentric. The mystical aspect distracts rather than enhances the romance. And the hero is never fully fleshed out. He see-saws from cold distant control freak to a man showing little, but not much, human emotions. I never get to know him well except that he is, well, emotionally cold. I don't know why a bubbly cheerful woman like Faith could think she was in love with him so soon in the book. And my greatest peeve is the ending, which seems ver rushed. Wham, bang, and "I love you Faith" and that's it? I never really appreciate Faith and her man's relationship, I prefer hers and Ben's, but the latter was left hanging. The hero's relationship with his daughter was resolved in one paragraph after all the angst and broodings of over 200 pages. There's not even a HEA epilogue, which makes me wonder if there's a "divorce-because-he's-a-workaholic" reunion sequel in the works. Others may love this book, but I'm off to reread "Daniel's Gift". The sweetest thing about this book is its title, which I found inexplicably charming.
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Summary: Desperate Measures!
Review: Besides the fact that the story went in directions that seemed like a waste of time, there was that whole "I WILL not fall in love mumbo-jumbo" added with the MAGIC gumbo! I am sorry did I miss something? I am a romantic at heart and I love to see two people fall in love. But here no one fell in love, they were made to fall in love by the author. On their own they didn't seem like people who would even look at each other forget falling in love (and I am not talking about physical appearances.) Romances don't have be rooted in reality but they don't have to be all that fantastic either. And last but not the least where does Freethy get the idea that men don't like commitment and love and monogamy? The thought is ancient and not part of the nineties man. Most men I meet are looking for the right woman. Mine was!
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Summary: A great read. I loved this book.
Review: I could really identify with the pastry chef heroine. It's a dream job. And so is the hero. I'd pick up and go on a treasure hunt with him any day, just like Faith did. This is my kind of book, romance, adventure and a heart-warming family. Run to your nearest bookstore, you won't be sorry!
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Summary: A really wonderful romance.
Review: I don't know what book Mrs. Giggles down there read, but I thought this was terrific. Characterization was strong and vivid, the writing was evocative and emotional, as is the case with all of Ms. Freethy's books. I started reading it as soon as I brought it home and couldn't put it down until I was finished. Nicely done!
Rating:
Summary: Heartwarming and terrific read!
Review: I loved this book from start to finish. Freethy seems to have a gift for touching the heart of readers. Highly recommended!
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