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sonireads's review against another edition
4.0
This was a short and sweet read. It follows Sari who runs a cafe with her two sisters in the Philippines. She is really annoyed when a bakery opens next door, run by Gabriel, a man she finds obnoxious, but who is apparently an amazing baker. What starts off as a not so friendly rivalry turns into something more, right before the holidays. However, Gabriel is so focused on meeting his fathers expectations that he loses sight of what's right in front of him.
I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed being introduced to Filipino desserts and customs. There were words and names of desserts in the native language which I didn't understand, but contextually, I could usually figure it out. I also enjoyed the love story, it was written well, without being cheesy.
I also loved the sisters relationship. I am also one of 3 sisters so could relate to the challenges and understanding they had with each other.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a little romance, and that too around the holidays!
Thank you to Carina Press and NetGalley for the eGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed being introduced to Filipino desserts and customs. There were words and names of desserts in the native language which I didn't understand, but contextually, I could usually figure it out. I also enjoyed the love story, it was written well, without being cheesy.
I also loved the sisters relationship. I am also one of 3 sisters so could relate to the challenges and understanding they had with each other.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a little romance, and that too around the holidays!
Thank you to Carina Press and NetGalley for the eGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
mdoerr's review against another edition
3.0
Holiday; Christmas; Baking; (business) neighbors; enemies to lovers
alzeller99's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up!
This was really cute! I loved the setting, and I am a sucker for a good rivals-to-lovers with a coffee shop background! I thought the two leads Sari and Gabriel were strong and had nice chemistry, and I had a great back-and-forth.
However, The thing I struggled most with was the writing style. It was kind of choppy and clunky and sometimes I felt like there were lines of dialogue or paragraphs missing. I don't know how to explain it but at times, I felt like I was skimming even though I was reading every word. It felt weird.
It was still a fun holiday read though, and I loved being in the Philippines (fictionally at least).
This was really cute! I loved the setting, and I am a sucker for a good rivals-to-lovers with a coffee shop background! I thought the two leads Sari and Gabriel were strong and had nice chemistry, and I had a great back-and-forth.
However, The thing I struggled most with was the writing style. It was kind of choppy and clunky and sometimes I felt like there were lines of dialogue or paragraphs missing. I don't know how to explain it but at times, I felt like I was skimming even though I was reading every word. It felt weird.
It was still a fun holiday read though, and I loved being in the Philippines (fictionally at least).
mezzythedragon's review against another edition
3.0
Sigh. It started off strong. By the second chapter, I was already really hungry for the food, and the prank wars between Sari and Gab were amusing. Then it was a complete 180, from Sari being suspicious of Gab being stiff competition to being into him. In fact, those suspicions were never addressed again. The change of heart felt rather underdeveloped, and I actually wasn’t into them as a couple. And the third act with the conflict and Gab’s own family issues felt rushed.
So, this book started off with a bang and ended with a formulaic whimper. Sigh.
So, this book started off with a bang and ended with a formulaic whimper. Sigh.
krammedshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
0ri's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.75
Cute romance, seemed a little rushed at times but the characters are great and who doesn't love coffee and sweets!
yeagleyreads's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
emmalita's review against another edition
5.0
Sari Thomas does not like change and in the 10 days leading up to Christmas, a lot of big changes come at her. First of all, her sister announces she’s moving out. Secondly, a bakery is opening up next to her café and the baker is a good looking man who plays his music too loud and produces amazing goods. He irritates Sari immediately.
Gabriel Campos is trying to prove to his father that he can be a professional and financial success as a baker. He has big dreams and the bakery in the Laneways is just a baby step. When the pretty coffee roaster next door bans his pastries from her shop he starts offering a free cup of instant coffee with purchase. Sari and Gab distract themselves from their bigger problems with a prank war. Everyone else sees it for what it is – courtship.
I loved reading Sweet on You. I spent a lot of time looking up Filipino food. I know now that when I can travel again I’m going to want to be in the Philippines just before Christmas (or at least to the Filipino restaurant on the other side of town). There was a lot I wasn’t familiar with, and I was happy to either figure it out from context or look it up (bastos means rude). I do worry that some readers will be impatient with the Filipino centric romance, but I remind them of two things: 1) the vast majority of romances have been Western centered and non western readers have had to deal with it.
“What are you looking at?”
“Just trying to picture this scene I’m reading. The viscount is playing some sort of competitive sport on a huge field, and I don’t know enough about white people sports to understand it,”
And 2) those readers will be missing out on a soft, snuggly, lovely romance. Once Gab and Sari really start talking to each other, they discover they have a lot in common and that their differences are complimentary. The consent is consistent from their very first “joke” kiss. They both love historical romances. One of the things that made me particularly happy was when Gab correctly used the KonMari method to get Sari into his life. I also loved that the conflict they have is less with each other and more about their own fears and expectations.
I hope that this is the start of a series. Sari and Gab have sisters and friends who could have some lovely romances. I received Sweet on You as an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Gabriel Campos is trying to prove to his father that he can be a professional and financial success as a baker. He has big dreams and the bakery in the Laneways is just a baby step. When the pretty coffee roaster next door bans his pastries from her shop he starts offering a free cup of instant coffee with purchase. Sari and Gab distract themselves from their bigger problems with a prank war. Everyone else sees it for what it is – courtship.
I loved reading Sweet on You. I spent a lot of time looking up Filipino food. I know now that when I can travel again I’m going to want to be in the Philippines just before Christmas (or at least to the Filipino restaurant on the other side of town). There was a lot I wasn’t familiar with, and I was happy to either figure it out from context or look it up (bastos means rude). I do worry that some readers will be impatient with the Filipino centric romance, but I remind them of two things: 1) the vast majority of romances have been Western centered and non western readers have had to deal with it.
“What are you looking at?”
“Just trying to picture this scene I’m reading. The viscount is playing some sort of competitive sport on a huge field, and I don’t know enough about white people sports to understand it,”
And 2) those readers will be missing out on a soft, snuggly, lovely romance. Once Gab and Sari really start talking to each other, they discover they have a lot in common and that their differences are complimentary. The consent is consistent from their very first “joke” kiss. They both love historical romances. One of the things that made me particularly happy was when Gab correctly used the KonMari method to get Sari into his life. I also loved that the conflict they have is less with each other and more about their own fears and expectations.
I hope that this is the start of a series. Sari and Gab have sisters and friends who could have some lovely romances. I received Sweet on You as an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
enasbookshelves's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25