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natashareadsbooks's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
So, I picked up this book because I was recommended this book because my favorite movie is Nightmare Before Christmas, & I decided to finally give it a go over Christmas break to round out my reading goal.
Kate Sweets is the Queen of Happily Ever Afters. She is a event planner- who plans weddings and more, and is known for her "aww moment." When she gets ripped into planning a book launch event for THE Drake Matthews- the Knight of Nightmares, horror writer extraordinare, how could she say no? Especially if it results in her winning a top reward- and possibly her parents approval, what could possibly go wrong?
So, I was hesitant diving into this book, bc I'm not usually a fan of the illustrated covers- I love art prints, and graphic novels/comics, but for some reason, I often skip over illustrated book covers (mostly romance ones). They don't just have that allure to draw me in. But I finally decided to dive in over the holidays. I needed something light that I could read. And being recommended it because of my favorite movie ever? Count me in!
It was a cute story. It was supposed to be a rom-com with some disasters between the characters- but besides a few parts that made me laugh, or smile, it was mostly just a cute contemporary romance (& reminded me why I don't often read traditional romance). It was a slow-burn... Kinda. While yes it took about 80% before anything happened between the characters (well, sex- there was one kiss scene shortly before but not by much) there wasn't as much build up between the characters. I would have preferred more push and pull between the characters. The will they or won't they leading up to finally getting together. And then of course, shortly after their first get together- there was conflict & a break up, so closely to them getting together, I wasn't really that invested in them together.
So, this was nothing like my favorite movie- the Knight of Nightmares was just a horror author who wanted to branch out into romance. And the Queen of HEA was just Sweet (like her name).
So while this wasn't really for me, it was a cute contemporary read, that might just be someone else's favorite.
3 ⭐ out of 5⭐.
1🌶️ out of 5🌶️ - "sweet" romance, fade to black
Tropes:
→ contemporary romance
→ rom-com
→ slow burn
3 ⭐ out of 5⭐.
1🌶️ out of 5🌶️ - "sweet" romance, fade to black
Tropes:
→ contemporary romance
→ rom-com
→ slow burn
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Suicide, Blood, Cancer, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, and Alcohol
kalin_grace's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Death, and Suicide
mspecht's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Nice easy Halloween read! 🎃 Loved the setup and characters, but lacking some in chemistry, tension, and natural dialogue.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse and Suicide
lnzava's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Addiction, Cancer, Physical abuse, Suicide, and Domestic abuse
kaseybereading's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Suicide and Domestic abuse
meganpbennett's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
How Sweet It Is is a study in contradictions, with the Queen of Happy Endings and the Knight of Nightmares being forced to work together for a book launch. Kate Sweet is an event planner, and she's good. She's famous for her "Awww" moment and working with the groom to do something extra special for the bride. Drake Matthews is a horror writer, but he's really a nice guy and he's looking to get out of the horror genre and into the... historical romance genre?
The book's mostly a sweet romance - complete with a massive misunderstanding just before the book launch party and a HEA - but there are elements of horror scattered throughout the book, starting with Kate thinking she's being chased by an attack dog and including Kate getting a bat in her hair while lying in a crypt.
The book's mostly a sweet romance - complete with a massive misunderstanding just before the book launch party and a HEA - but there are elements of horror scattered throughout the book, starting with Kate thinking she's being chased by an attack dog and including Kate getting a bat in her hair while lying in a crypt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Blood
Minor: Suicide, Domestic abuse, and Vomit
ahudd's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide and Domestic abuse
abookwanderer's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
How Sweet It Is is a perfect example of just how little it takes to persuade me to read a book! All I needed to see was the reference to Beach Read and I was jumping over to Netgalley and requesting this rom-com days after it was published—even though I was in the middle of my no-ARCs summer reading. And while I had fun with this one, comparing it to Beach Read is quite the stretch.
Since I read this one so quickly, I’ll just be listing my pros and cons instead of a longer review. I’ve got to get back to those backlist reads!
Let’s start with what I liked about this debut romance:
First off, it’s set around Halloween, and I’m a fan of seasonal reads. (If only I could have read it in the fall…) If you’re a reader who enjoys seasonally-set books, pencil this one in for October!
It’s always refreshing to come across something different in the romance genre, and I enjoyed watching the male lead realize his feelings before the female. They had great chemistry and while it was super sweet (hence the title), it didn’t venture into sugar overload for me.
The only facet of the book that can really be called similar to Beach Read is the horror-novelist-writing-a-romance angle, and once again, I was a fan. It was fun watching Drake step out of his comfort zone and use his burgeoning feelings for Kate as romantic inspiration for his next book.
Now, what I didn’t like:
I was a bit taken out of the story when things suddenly became ultra-steamy. I have no problem with detailed sex scenes (although I do tend to prefer when authors leave a little to the imagination), but it didn’t seem to fit the narrative. One minute I’m reading a sweet rom-com and the next I’m making sure no one is reading over my shoulder.
One of the most glaring problems I’m now noticing in new romance releases is the lack of diversity. While I don’t want authors to add diverse characters just for diversity’s sake, it’s important to include characters that reflect reality.
Lastly—without spoiling anything—the story includes a scene where Drake has a meaningful encounter with a fan of his horror novels. It felt terribly lacking in the delivery, though. After I read it, I couldn’t help thinking that it actually came across as demeaning for the fan, and it left me feeling uncomfortable. It could just be me, though? I would be interested in hearing if other readers had a similar reaction.
So while it wasn’t perfect, I did have fun escaping with this one. It was very well-written and had me dreaming of cooler weather and pumpkin-spiced everything. I look forward to more from the author!
Thank you to Forever and Netgalley for an advanced reader’s copy.
Since I read this one so quickly, I’ll just be listing my pros and cons instead of a longer review. I’ve got to get back to those backlist reads!
Let’s start with what I liked about this debut romance:
First off, it’s set around Halloween, and I’m a fan of seasonal reads. (If only I could have read it in the fall…) If you’re a reader who enjoys seasonally-set books, pencil this one in for October!
It’s always refreshing to come across something different in the romance genre, and I enjoyed watching the male lead realize his feelings before the female. They had great chemistry and while it was super sweet (hence the title), it didn’t venture into sugar overload for me.
The only facet of the book that can really be called similar to Beach Read is the horror-novelist-writing-a-romance angle, and once again, I was a fan. It was fun watching Drake step out of his comfort zone and use his burgeoning feelings for Kate as romantic inspiration for his next book.
Now, what I didn’t like:
I was a bit taken out of the story when things suddenly became ultra-steamy. I have no problem with detailed sex scenes (although I do tend to prefer when authors leave a little to the imagination), but it didn’t seem to fit the narrative. One minute I’m reading a sweet rom-com and the next I’m making sure no one is reading over my shoulder.
One of the most glaring problems I’m now noticing in new romance releases is the lack of diversity. While I don’t want authors to add diverse characters just for diversity’s sake, it’s important to include characters that reflect reality.
Lastly—without spoiling anything—the story includes a scene where Drake has a meaningful encounter with a fan of his horror novels. It felt terribly lacking in the delivery, though. After I read it, I couldn’t help thinking that it actually came across as demeaning for the fan, and it left me feeling uncomfortable. It could just be me, though? I would be interested in hearing if other readers had a similar reaction.
So while it wasn’t perfect, I did have fun escaping with this one. It was very well-written and had me dreaming of cooler weather and pumpkin-spiced everything. I look forward to more from the author!
Thank you to Forever and Netgalley for an advanced reader’s copy.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide and Physical abuse
ktdakotareads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Death, and Suicide
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