Reviews

Sweeten the Deal by Katie Shepard

90sinmyheart's review

5.0

 I wasn't sure after the first few chapters because the MMC seemed like a real butt but this really grew on me. 

lost_in_novels's review

4.0

I was surprised on how much I ended up liking Sweeten the Deal.
Caroline received from her grandmother a $2M inheritance that has been, as usual, motive of contention with her family. As part of her grandmother wishes, she is using this money to further her education in Boston and trying to live a big life. However, as her life was previously overly managed by her parents, she is now on her own and trying to figure things out in a different environment without much success. So she hires an escort to teach her how to appreciate art, music, food etc.

I'm not a fan of age gaps romance and I will confess right off the bat I didn't like much Adrian (the MMC). He was 8 years older than her and I will say quite pretentious. However my opinion of him changed when the story developed.
The Caroline is such a sunshine type of person that is not silly by any means. She is inexperienced but not dumb and I appreciate the author going with that venue.
I also appreciate that the third act breakup was not by miscommunication. In fact, there was a lot of communication and what was in balance there was a matter of personal choice rather than "I thought you meant.." type of problem.
I also liked seeing her as the one with money to change the power imbalance of the relationship.
My only issue was regarding her family. I wish that was more explored.

campinggrandma's review

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Sweet! Neurodiverse main. I loved both mains and the side characters. Just an absolute joy of a story about a young woman getting what she wants from life. 

jillmlong's review

1.0

This book gave me the ick. He was to old for her. She seemed to live in a bubble. The connection and chemistry was never there. This was very far fetched.

zosolo's review against another edition

She felt like a child and it made me uncomfy and kinda bored

c_c_celeste's review

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

vanessaandbooks's review

lighthearted fast-paced

1.0

The author managed to write the most loser fucking love interest and two characters with zero chemistry. I loved her first book but this one was a flop fr. 

pat_a8's review

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

brittanyreadsbooks's review

2.0

 MMC CONSTANTLY spoke about how she was too young for him and little to nothing else??

we have this kinda build up about why she's estranged from her family and like nothing addresses it? It seemed like her family was abusive the way she spoke about her upbrining, isolating her, not allowing her to do much other than tennis, but then it was just kind of glossed over as like something her dad was good at and wanted a child/grandchild to be good at? Idk it just was not fleshed out enough.

And after everything she didn't even make a friend??? like MMC's friend was kind of her friend but no one else really I feel like. 

andrea_author's review

5.0

MBA student Caroline has a substantial inheritance but lacks life experiences and close relationships. Former art prodigy Adrian is broke and troubled by his stalled career. They agree to a strictly platonic sugar baby agreement. As he exposes her to cultural experiences, they forge an unexpected bond beyond their arrangement. But can it lead to more?

I loved this so much. Caroline is clearly neurodivergent and undiagnosed, with no one in her life she can rely on. Adrian is coming off a relationship with an older woman who managed his career and led him in a direction that made him miserable. The struggles between them are genuine, yet their differences—her pragmatism and his artistic temperament—make them a perfect fit if they can learn how to communicate and let themselves be happy. It's a smart, funny, poignant novel that's entertaining from start to finish.

Thanks, NetGalley, or the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.