Sweet on You

I have not been in a particular hurry to read Becky Wade’s romances, but if they’re all as good as Sweet on You, I have lied to myself. I need to hurry and read the first two in this series, although Sweet on You stands alone well.
Zander Ford has finally made a literary name for himself, only to be called home to deal with lies.
Lies like... he could get over loving Britt Bradford, his best friend... like the uncle who adopted him was everything he claimed to be...life could just go back to normal after his uncle’s funeral.
I loved the fact that this tale was more than just a fluffy romance. There was real substance to the problems that were keeping Zander and Britt apart. Plus, there was a great (for the reader) mystery involving show more the true identity of Zander’s uncle. Zander turns away from God because God doesn’t answer to Zander’s liking in Zander’s timing. This is so like us humans in general. I was brought up a little short as I wished Britt would stop being so self-sufficient that she held people at arm’s length. I realized I often try to make it on my own, not accepting others’ help. That doesn’t make us look strong, just stubborn. Ouch. But this is the best part of Christian fiction- seeing something of myself in a character that needs to be changed to produce a better person.
I found a few quotes to love.
“Once, he’d been an orphan convinced he didn’t need saving. But then Carolyn and Frank had proved him wrong when they’d gone ahead and saved him anyway.”
“He reminds me of a Dickens orphan. Tragic and brooding and gorgeous.”
“So many lies. The revealing of them made Zander feel as though the foundation of this house might be torn in half at any second by an earthquake.”
”He was God’s son. A son full of mistakes. But a son, nonetheless.”
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This in no way affected my opinions, which are solely my own. show less

Becky Wade has penned another winner with Sweet on You, the third and concluding novel in her Bradford Sisters series. This book focuses on the youngest Bradford sister, Britt. Britt is an independent woman with a few commitment issues — she wants to do things her way without having to answer to anyone. Her life has suited her so far, until her best friend Zander returns from a long trip. What results is the uncomfortable realization that there may be more to their longstanding friendship.

Zander is a hunky and sensitive main character that a reader can cheer for. I loved his loyalty and the way he tried to subdue his feelings for Britt. He is my favorite character from this novel. I liked Britt too, but Zander captured my heart. The show more third person narrative is interspersed with Zander’s journal entries and letters and notes from both characters. It is a very clever way to give a glimpse into the two’s true relationship. Britt and Zander face more than romantic dilemmas in the course of Sweet on You. As with the two previous books, there is a mystery to be solved. This time the characters encounter dangers that kept this reader turning the pages. Wade did a great job of balancing the romance with the suspense. Self-reliance is a big issue with Britt, and the author shows the dangers of relying too much on oneself and not enough on family, friends, and even God. The message is subtle, but makes a big impact.

One final note about Sweet on You — if you love chocolate, this book will stir your cravings! Britt is a chocolatier, and the novel details some of her experimental expertise. I wish I could have been in on the research for that aspect of the novel! 😉 As it was, I had to satisfy my sweet tooth with dark chocolate Kisses while reading. I thought they were fitting accompaniments to this wonderfully told contemporary romance.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Prism Book Tours for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less

Acquired Book By: I received a complimentary copy of “Sweet On You” direct from the publisher Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.

How can your heart not rejoice when you first see Britt and Zander reunited outside Sweet Art? Honestly, it was the quintessential reunion for me - he sweeps her into his arms and she joyfully gives back the love of that moment - the connection only two old friends can share between them. I was dearly curious how their reunion would pan out - if Britt would have recognised something in herself and in Zander her heart hadn't been willing to see previously... if Zander had grown as much as Britt or if by any show more chance they had grown closer together despite the distance? In that singular exchange - of where two hearts run into each other on a collision course not of their own making (as it was as if they were drawn by magnetic force) than who is to say truly what will be?

They have such an ease of convenience with each other - even if Britt is hiding a bit of herself from Zander, as soon as you see them toying with each other - finding the lightness of laughter and the heartful passion they mutually share for wicked good chocolate, you can see how they work together. He's stepping back into their friendship as if nothing had traversed between them - as if the hours hadn't cast a path to separate them nor if any ill will had befallen Britt. There was something hovering in the air between them though - you could sense it even without the details being disclosed. It was almost as if they were both putting on appearances for each other; not wanting to fall short in each other's eyes nor in their impressions on how they might be accepted or rejected by each other's opinion. The irony of course is that their friendship was such a rock solid foundation - it is hard to imagine anything pushing them apart.

Time waits for no man - never more apparent than for Zander, as soon as it is known about his recent loss of his Uncle, the police start to intervene on behalf of the case they feel isn't quite as cut and dry as his Aunt would prefer it to be. For that matter, it isn't kosher for Zander either nor for myself - because it had all the hallmarks of being the kind of death you'd take a more critical look at sourcing what exactly had befallen your loved one. Whenever someone breaks their patterns such as his Uncle Frank, it leads you to wander over the plausibilities - the curious way a mind can knit out an alternative demise is cautionary in of itself.

Nora has a job I personally love - she's a historian who researches genealogies for people and it is this talent she has for getting to the truth about identities and ancestral lineage which proves to be quite handy when Zander starts to dig into his Uncle's life. The curious bit though is how much people try to shroud from their families and how much truth lets out after they've passed. It is never good practice to withhold the secrets which can be undone in death. A poignant point I believed Wade was making as we delved into why Uncle Frank might have wished to hide himself in plain sight or to put another way - why would someone want to inflict any anguish in death on a nephew who felt as close to him as a son? Especially how the nephew needed such a strong impression about a good-hearted man such as Frank?

You truly love following in the footsteps of Britt and Zander - as their undertaking solving the mystery behind Frank's life and death. They even show you how you can dig into a person's back-histories if you know which searches to run on the internet and how to keep a keen eye out on the articles which went to press which might be of better use than the run of the mill varieties you can sometimes feel bogged down in whilst doing ancestral research. In many regards, the techniques Wade was highlighting in this novel are not unlike the kind you do for ancestry. The only main difference of course is how soon the dead would be investigated and how fresh the trail would be on their behalf.

I can't help finding wicked sweet fodder of joy in Sweet on You - not only from the fact Britt is completely clueless about Zander's feelings for her but how Wade is placing them together! If they weren't as enthused about hunting down Uncle Frank's lost history and the reasons why he took up residence with a family in Washington State when he was from the Mid-West - wells, let's just say their might never had started to work on building that bridge between them! The irony of course is how they each tap danced round the obvious - how Britt jokingly would yoke Zander with the considerations of a friend who only wanted the best for her BFF but did so in such a way that gave more grief than levity to the situation!

Wade broaches all those curious doubts and thoughts noodling away at Zander and Britt; the key problem for them is that they are old hat to each other. They have known each other so long that it has almost become a hindrance! They don't trust their instincts round each other and they can barely see past the beauty of their friendship because they never were ones who wanted to shake up the status quo and again, that is partially what became the root of their issue.

What a nail biter! Even though I was eagerly awaiting this slow burning romance to knit together between Britt and Zander; as she's the sister I was rooting for the most next to Nora (as they both had blokes I loved seeing matched to them!) - there was this secondary story-line which was fuelled with such high octane drama and thrilling segues of intrigue that you could barely breathe during most of the ensuing chapters of the novel once you reached the midway point! I truly loved everything Wade put into this story - except maybe the Epilogue? I felt the ending was a bit rushed - similar to the Hallmark movies I love most? You have this heart attachment to the whole affair and then, in the end, everything just feels hurried against the clock? Despite that though -- seeing what becomes of Zander and Britt was well worth the wait! And, the rattled nerves!!

// This is a quotation of my full review originally shared via jorielovesastory.com show less

Yay! Another Bradford sister story! I love following this family.

Sweet on You is another Becky Wade hit! Oh, how I enjoyed this story. Ms. Wade has a wonderful storytelling gift. Her characters are lively, believable, and make such an impact. Her touches of faith and humor mingle well with a sweet romance, leaving me with a satisfied smile.

Britt and Zander are such endearing characters—very different, yet ideally match up. Britt, the youngest of the Bradford sisters, runs a mouth-watering chocolate shop that had me craving a visit! I love when a hero sneaks into my heart and makes it beat a bit faster. Zander is patient and kind (swoon.) I adore him.

‘Friends to something more’ stories are some of my favorites. The underlying show more relationship Britt and Zander have had for so long is strong, and I rooted for them to experience an even deeper, more romantic connection. As with all of Becky Wade’s stories, I got even more than I’d hoped for. This story is mysterious, romantic, and spiritual, wrapping up a special family series.

#sweetonyoutour
#bhpfiction
First Line: Five hundred and eleven days had passed since he’d seen her last.
Source: I received an advanced copy from Prism Book Tours and NetGalley. I was not required to give a favorable review. show less

Well, this was most definitely a fantastic read! I had a lot of mixed emotions as I read. To be honest, I did not love Britt much at first. But I did love Zander’s love for her. And I loved Zander. That’s book boyfriend material right there if ever I saw it! 🙂

Before I go any further, I’m going to put a spoiler alert here. I don’t give away any specific events or details of events that happen in the book, but I do discuss the change in Britt and a bit of her struggle in getting there. Many wouldn’t consider it spoiler material, but those that don’t want ANY aspect of the book shared before they read it might feel it needs a warning, so for them, I place this warning here.

I enjoyed Britt and Zander together, the love and show more affection that they already had for each other, their banter and the way they interacted with each other. At least, I did until Britt showed her independent to a fault, stubborn, and slightly arrogant side in her dealings with Zander. To put it mildly, Britt was a bit thickheaded and it took a long time for her to come around and truly be vulnerable with Zander and let him in. While Britt frustrated me and my heart ached for Zander, you can feel the passion pulsing between them (in a clean romance sort of way) and their chemistry is off the charts. And a lot of that is born of the fact that they know each other so well and have a deep friendship to build on! I loved that!

Characters, who are so stubbornly independent that they never want to admit a weakness or that they need someone else, can be hard to relate to. Over the course of the book, though, more was revealed about Britt until she finally faced a brokenness she couldn’t fix or stuff down, ignore, and pretend didn’t exist. It wasn’t until that moment that I was finally able to identify with Britt. I had only felt a mounting frustration and even dislike for her until then. Then it became real when she finally saw that she didn’t have it all together and that it was okay that she didn’t. Those moments of the book took me back to the places where God has called me to fully rely on Him, where I had felt like I was drowning until He held my head above water until bit by bit I was lifted out of those waters. Those were the parts where I could finally relate. Because I’ve been there. I’ve felt that. I’ve known Him that way. I can most definitely relate to falling apart and Jesus being the only thing to get you through. I know, for myself, the power of His Spirit at work enabling me to cling to Him and make it through the battle, minute by minute, until it’s passed.

The more I’ve contemplated the book and read over some of the scenes again, the more I’m blessed by Britt’s story. The more I am able see where she was coming from. How many of us, especially those of us who have grown up in the church world, spent at least some portion of our lives thinking that we had to have it all together, that we didn’t have any right to have struggles or troubles? I remember reaching a point in my own life where I finally realized that it was okay to not be okay, to not have it all together. That realization freed me to accept the grace and the help that I needed from a loving Father who had just been waiting patiently there to extend all the grace, help, and courage I would need.

It wasn’t until Britt finally started to find freedom that I felt the full joy of the book. I felt the sweet release and sweet dependence on the Lord that Britt found. I know she’s fictional, but I hope she grows in it. That she becomes ever increasingly more dependent on the most trustworthy One. I love ending a book believing and hoping for growth in a character’s relationship with the Lord, fictional though the character may be. That’s when you know that you were completely drawn in by the story!

And Zander, in those moments? So wonderful. He reminded me of my husband in those moments with his patience and love and acceptance of her even with her flaws. He even said some things that are so like what my husband would say to me. Which pretty much seals his status as great book boyfriend material.

The ending was sweetly satisfying, one that settled in my soul as hope and the beginnings of peace settled into Britt’s. And oh, the epilogue! It’s one for the books! 🙂 Would have loved to have made a quote graphic for the entire thing!

PS-One quick thing to add. Grandma, Valentina, Clint, and Nikki provided some wonderful comedic relief through the book. I loved what their quirkiness added to the book!

**I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. All opinions are my own. show less

In Sweet on You, Becky Wade delivers a beautifully written friends-to-lovers novel filled with a unique mystery, laugh-out-loud humor, stirring character development, and sizzling romance!

The friends-to-lovers trope worked especially well in Sweet on You because Britt is such a well-developed character. Her personality is complex as are her reasons for avoiding romance with Zander. Beyond fear of ruining their friendship, much of Britt's reluctance to be more than friends derives from her life experiences and personality. She undergoes a character transformation as the novel progresses, but especially near the end of the book. It is only through these changes that the she finds faith to trust God and open her heart more fully to show more Zander.

Sweet on You caught my attention at the beginning and I read it in two nights. In some ways it felt like an ode to chocolate and love. However, not everything was light and sweet. Embedded in the plot and character development are themes about trusting God, God's faithfulness, and letting go of one's pride and abilities. The novel also addresses the short-term and long-term effects of trauma. I loved the combination of sweet romance with deeper themes and issues.

Lastly, Sweet on You is the third and final novel in Becky Wade's Bradford Sisters Romance series. I enjoyed reading Britt's love story and the follow-up glimpses into Nora and Willow's lives. Though Sweet On You by Becky Wade could be read as a stand-alone, I recommend reading the series in order. They're all good and Falling For You is my personal favorite of the three.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." show less

Zander Ford! Le swoon!!

Y’all, I’ve been waiting for Zander’s (and Britt’s) story since the first full-length book in Becky Wade’s Bradford Sisters series, and it did not disappoint!

Britt is a character I totally related to—self-sufficient, unwilling to burden others with her troubles, trying to be the strong one in the family. And oh boy, is Zander a great match for her. Not to mention he will shoot right to the top of book boyfriend lists everywhere. This guy is loyal, intelligent, and loves well.

After years of keeping his feelings for Britt to himself, a best-selling book, and a year and a half absence from Merriweather, his uncle’s death brings him home and Zander finds it harder than ever to not even hint to his best show more friend he wants more in their relationship.

Between the mystery surrounding the death of Zander’s uncle, Britt’s unexpected and unsettling feelings for Zander, the entire Bradford family (I was thrilled to see the sisters’ parents return in this one), the years of history between Brit and Zander, and all the chocolate, there’s a lot to love about Sweet on You.

Thanks to Wade for giving us readers a heart to remember (and swoon over), a family we want to be a part of with strong sisterly bonds, and a story to devour that’s sweeter (and less fattening) than chocolate truffles.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. show less