The Lamont family chocolate store, Chocolate Haven is in danger. When the patriarch of the family breaks his leg, one of his three granddaughters, Adeline (Addie) steps in to make the chocolate until he recovers. She is the only of the three sisters who has not fled small town Benevolence, Washington for the lights of the big city. At the same time, Sinclair Jefferson has returned to town to help his brother get back on his feet after a disaster in life. He also left town to make his own life away from Benevolence where he was labeled and caged in as a youth. Addie is having problems making the chocolate, especially the fudge, that the store is so well known for. Will she drive the store into closing?

This is a fun small town romance with some great characters to add some depth to the story. Sinclair lives above the store and he and Addie are constantly bumping into each other. He is a bit gruff, adamant that he is leaving soon to take up the reins at his home restoration business. Throw in Addie's mother, who is a successful real estate agent, is not very nice to Addie, always judging her. I love that Addie is a real person. She loves to eat, is full figured with curves, loyal to her family and town and tries to take care of everyone. She is the kind of person that I would love to have as a friend. Then there is Tiny, her dog. He is always off and running and some of the humour involves his antics. Add in a homeless young man who just wants to make his own way, someone sneaking in and out of Sinclair's apartment, a new police detective, Jax, who was a childhood friend of Sinclair and Addie's grandfather and you have a close knit community that know everyone else's business.

I enjoyed reading about Addie and was happily wishing that she and Sinclair would work out their issues. Could she convince him to stay in Benevolence? Will she ever get the fudge to turn out like her grandfather's? Who is the stranger that is working at Chocolate Haven and what is he doing in town? Lots of fun with some twists to keep the story interesting. I am looking forward to seeing what is in story for Addie's sisters in the next two books in this series. ( )

Title: Sweet Haven
Author: Shirlee McCoy
Publisher: Kensington Books
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"Sweet Haven" by Shirlee McCoy

My Thoughts....

This novel is the first in this series 'Sweet Home Romances'..."Sweet Haven" featuring Adeline [Addie] Lamont and Sinclair Jefferson in the beautiful setting in a small town called Benevolence, Washington. From the read we find two people who are trying to help a family member. I liked how this author brings these two together after knowing each other from childhood with Adeline helping her grandfather after a illness, running the 'family store'...Chocolate Haven and Sinclair who had left Benevolence but was back to help 'his brother Gavin get back on track' after his wife has left him. Now, this story will cover a lots of characters from family members to new friendships that come along. It seems like this heroine has a lots of trouble saying no and this seems to present many problems for her in her daily life but after getting involved with Sinclair will Adeline learn just how wonderful she is and it is alright to say no at times? Be ready for a long interesting well written read of this small town in Washington, some wonderful chocolates, humor, weird relatives, strange town people, mystery/suspense to finding a true love ....and then you have a good story..."Sweet Haven." This is definitely one of those reads that is about family and even 'generosity toward others.' Since this is a series I am sure we will hear about the other sisters of Adeline Lamont. Would I recommend this novel? YES!

Thank you.... ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Title: Sweet Haven
Author: Shirley McCoy
Publisher: Kensington Books
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"Sweet Haven" by Shirley McCoy

My Thoughts....

This novel is the first in this series 'Sweet Home Romances'..."Sweet Haven" featuring Adeline [Addie] Lamont and Sinclair Jefferson in the beautiful setting in a small town called Benevolence, Washington. From the read we find two people who are trying to help a family member. I liked how this author brings these two together after knowing each other from childhood with Adeline helping her grandfather after a illness, running the 'family store'...Chocolate Haven and Sinclair who had left Benevolence but was back to help 'his brother Gavin get back on track' after his wife has left him. Now, this story will cover a lots of characters from family members to new friendships that come along. It seems like this heroine has a lots of trouble saying no and this seems to present many problems for her in her daily life but after getting involved with Sinclair will Adeline learn just how wonderful she is and it is alright to say no at times? Be ready for a long interesting well written read of this small town in Washington, some wonderful chocolates, humor, weird relatives, strange town people, mystery/suspense to finding a true love ....and then you have a good story..."Sweet Haven." This is definitely one of those reads that is about family and even 'generosity toward others.' Since this is a series I am sure we will hear about the other sisters of Adeline Lamont. Would I recommend this novel? YES!

Thank you.... ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )