I can't wait to see I've read a couple of other books by Kira, so I was excited to see this book. I can't wait to see who the next book in the series is about. A by the books cop, Rick, meets no rules apply, Gina. The sparks flew from chapter one! Gina's ex-boyfriend is breaking into her cupcake truck as a rendezvous spot while vandalizing the place to get back at her for breaking up with him.
Gina is staking the truck out when the cops get called on her for being a peeping tom. Ricks instant attraction to Gina has him agreeing to stakeout the truck with her to catch her ex in the act. So many crazy things happen from that point on making this story fu A by the books cop, Rick, meets no rules apply, Gina. So many crazy things happen from that point on making this story fun and entertaining! ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. View all 6 comments. Gina Silvano is on the stakeout to find who is breaking into her food truck.
And in comes Officer Rick Boyd.
Totally, boring straight laced Rick is caught off guard by this deviant beauty. They are polar opposites, but opposites attrac 4 Stars! They are polar opposites, but opposites attract right?
Sweetly Broken (Black Heart, #2)
Can they overcome their differences? Oh man, what a great book! Gina cracks me up. She is strong, sassy, defiant, but full of fun too. The man gives his own sister a ticket for talking on the cell phone while driving!! I like that he loves her enough to bend the rules for her. He was so screwed. It makes it fun and interesting. Kira has given us another good book. Recipe for disaster or match made in heaven? Rick is a cop. Has a strong sense of right and wrong, walks the straight and narrow, likes: Gina is a hotheaded spunky cupcake maker, with a spit fire attitude, technicolor hair, assorted piercings and a deep aversion to officers of the law.
Totally, Sweetly, Irrevocably is a cute and funny opposites attract romance. I liked the instant pull between them and the easy bantering but thought the pacing was a little f Recipe for disaster or match made in heaven? I liked the instant pull between them and the easy bantering but thought the pacing was a little fast. Gina's self sabotage and Rick's giving up without a fight when crap hit the fan kind of took some of that initial heat away from the relationship. I liked the lighthearted tone of the romance, the characters where well written and entertaining, I was just left wanting to see them as a couple, with none of that outside drama.
Also Gina's ex getting with Rick's sister was just icky and I could have done without that whole scenario. Jul 10, Brooklyn JoJo rated it really liked it. Light and cute but pretty predictable. Jul 09, Jessica Alcazar rated it really liked it Shelves: This was a really fun, romantic and sweet story! These two were ridiculously cute together Their story flowed soooooo easily and again, it was a really good time!
You're not going to find any angst or drama here Copy provided for blog tour review. Jul 18, Elaine rated it it was amazing Shelves: This is definitely another of those books where my recommendation is go read the novel instead of my review! This is an engaging, laugh out loud romance featuring a handsome, rule following police officer and a rebellious, feisty, independent young lady who has little regard for the police. These two seem like total opposites and the attraction between them is instantaneous, unwanted and irresistible! Their first encounter is when an elderly lady calls the police to report that Gina is on the fir This is definitely another of those books where my recommendation is go read the novel instead of my review!
Their first encounter is when an elderly lady calls the police to report that Gina is on the fire escape outside the lady's home, trying to catch the people using Gina's cupcake truck without her permission and Rick Boyd is one of the officers arriving to deal with the situation. This is the just the first of their encounters - and the start of a humorous, well written romance that I thoroughly enjoyed escaping into.
This is the second novel in the series and does include characters like Nat and Eric from the first book in the series, 'Truly, Madly, Sweetly'. I particularly enjoy how the author brings her characters to life, revealing aspects of their childhood, their family and friends to help readers understand and empathise with them and their attitudes.
This is a great read that I have no hesitation in highly recommending to anyone who enjoys escaping into a superbly crafted contemporary romance with comedic episodes interwoven throughout it! Many thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Jul 18, Suze Lavender rated it it was amazing. Gina is keeping an eye on her cupcake truck to make sure nobody will break in again. Unfortunately someone called the police to report her for stalking. When officer Rick meets Gina he's surprised by how much he likes her.
She isn't his usual type, she has piercings, multicolored hair and she makes her own rules. He offers to help Gina with the truck watching, so she doesn't do it unsupervised any longer while it also gives him the perfect excuse to get to know her. Rick keeps meeting Gina profes Gina is keeping an eye on her cupcake truck to make sure nobody will break in again. Rick keeps meeting Gina professionally, which irritates him, but also makes him like her even more. They both think they are too different to make it as a couple, but they can't stay away from each other.
Will their clashing personalities mess things up for Rick and Gina or will they change their minds and give themselves an actual chance at happiness? Totally, Sweetly, Irrevocably is a wonderful romantic story. Gina is tough, she isn't afraid to speak her mind and she stands up for what she believes in. She constantly gets tickets and fines, but she doesn't back down for anyone.
Rick isn't a rule breaker. For him the law is sacred and he does everything by the book. Even though they don't have much in common Gina and Rick are perfect together. I loved the chemistry between them. They are both sweethearts with kind and loving personalities and I liked them very much. Kira Archer writes fun, flirty stories with interesting main characters. The men are gorgeous and adorable and the women are strong and beautiful on the inside and the outside.
I really like the cheerful writing combined with great banter. The couples are always fascinating matches and I love the settings and vivid descriptions. Kira Archer's writing flows easily and I can never put any of her stories down. Totally, Sweetly Irrevocably is another charming love story, it's enchanting, cute and uplifting as well, which is a fabulous combination. Jul 18, Paula Phillips rated it really liked it. Ever since Gina Silvano was a little girl, she has hated Policeman - especially the ones that cite off at her "we are just doing our jobs and following the law".
As when she was little she was taken by a policeman after her mother left her home alone one night when she was busy working and couldn't get a babysitter, she wasn't abandoned as her mother checked up on her and it was only for a couple of hours but it was enough for the police to get involved and take her away from her mother. Persona Ever since Gina Silvano was a little girl, she has hated Policeman - especially the ones that cite off at her "we are just doing our jobs and following the law".
Personally, this part I could relate to as on a personal note - I have seen this first-hand with my sister yet you read articles in the paper about how abusive families get to keep their kids and have ended up killing them yet, loving families have the children taken away from them and not given a chance. Anyway , back to the story - someone has been tampering with Gina's bakery food truck and as she has no evidence - the police can't do anything about it , so she has resorted to staking out her own truck.
All is going well until one of the neighbours - an old busybody calls the police on Gina. They arrive and are surprised to find she isn't their usual Peeping Tom suspect and also she has a bit of Sass and Sarcasm going on there. Officer Rick Boyd is a rule follower, so much he has even given his sisters' tickets for breaking the law while driving. In order to try and keep Gina out of trouble he strikes her a deal and the pair become stake-out buddies and soon there are possible sparks flying between the two of them.
However can Gina and Rick find a balance of good and bad or are they too different that they will never work out as a couple? Slick's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews 4. This was truly a case of opposites attract and yet despite their vast differences they made sense. Fun and flirty but also extremely sexy I loved this book! Rick Boyd is an uptight, rule following police officer.
Gina Silvano is a free spirited, rule breaking bakery worker. When Rick responds to a peeping Tom call and finds Gina trying to catch her ex-boyfriend breaking in her cupcake truck with his latest squeeze and leaving a mess he reads her the riot act about irresponsible behavior and borderline illegal behavior and she ignores him and tells him his advice isn't wanted or needed. From the start these two have a volatile relationship but the heat between them is undeniable.
I rather enjoyed their verbal sparring and how different these two viewed the world and their intimate moments were extremely hot. There was a lot of craziness as Rick and Gina spend time together trying to catch her ex in the act and this book would not have been the same without Alejandro and to find out who he is, you'll just have to read the book. Their stakeout adventures were legendary and while at times Rick's refusal to see any gray in his life drove me a bit nuts, he really was a good, upstanding guy.
I thoroughly enjoy the craziness and fun of this book and I appreciated that they made mistakes, owned up to them and moved forward. Review copy provided for an honest review. Jun 15, Monique rated it it was amazing. She suspects the culprit is her ex Tony, since the problem started after she dumped him.
- Totally, Sweetly Irrevocably (Sweet Love, #2) by Kira Archer.
- Petits Departements et Grandes Regions Proximite et Strategies (Administration et Aménagement du territoire) (French Edition).
- Totally, Sweetly Irrevocably.
Gina is trying to catch Tony in flagrante delicto, but her nosy neighbour, Mrs. Bogetti, calls the cops. Gina defends what she was doing, she was not stalking anyone, just trying to protect her assets. Rebel Gina can hardly stop drooling over him — of all people a cop! Rick knows Gina will do something foolish. And this is the beginning of one of the most wonderful opposites attract romances I have ever read. I liked the blurb, I was looking forward to reading it, but that sort of trope is sometimes tricky, but Kira Archer makes it work beautifully.
Both Gina and Rick are superbly defined characters, and it was fun how everybody she knows teases Gina about hanging out with a cop, and her reasons are entirely justified, as we later learn. They are polar opposites, we are not TOLD they are, but they demonstrate it; the characters literally speak for themselves. There were a few twists that were pure genius, and I applaud Ms. Archer for being daring about how Gina deals with a wound; I was laughing out loud, and yet what Gina did was something that I would do.
The sex scenes are loving and passionate, I really felt the love between Rick and Gina, and they never behaved out of character. Towards the end, there is a splendid plot twist, and everything ends perfectly. Kira Archer was a new author to me, and with one book, she became a new favourite of mine fan! To say I highly recommend this book is a major understatement!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Jul 21, P. The book opens up with Gina Silvano the lead female character trying to spy on her own food truck, which actually makes sweets during the day but has to be parked on the street at night. She knows someone is breaking into her truck and causing damage to the point that she has to clean it up in the morning.
Now that two things are leading her to think that it is her ex-boyfriend Tony, she has found the perfect spot to watch her truck, but her neighbor has now called the cops on her and once they The book opens up with Gina Silvano the lead female character trying to spy on her own food truck, which actually makes sweets during the day but has to be parked on the street at night.
Now that two things are leading her to think that it is her ex-boyfriend Tony, she has found the perfect spot to watch her truck, but her neighbor has now called the cops on her and once they show up it is when the real sparks begin to fly.
Tina is someone who does not take s—t from anyone especially the police. Officer Rick Boyd and his partner Joe show up and immediately Gina can feel something different when Rick grab her ankle to pull her in from the fire escape. Not knowing that he was taking his life into his own hands for she went off on him and the two of them gave each other a look that made his partner say cuff her and put her in the car. She of course came back with he would not know how to use them differently.
By the time they get her down to the car his partner Joe is smiling because he has never seen his partner taken back before. The take her to her apartment, and when they get back to the station they realize that she has taken off with a pair of night vision googles that with other items needed to be placed into evidence.
When he tries to get after her for taking the googles she says since they were not police and should have been logged in earlier in his shift she did not do anything wrong. Not wanting to or realizing that there was no point in arguing they finally agree to meet each night after his shift and he will help her in staking out her truck. Now these two are attracted to each other but are totally opposite and that is what makes this book.
Sweetly Broken (Black Heart, #2) by Michelle Congdon
He is so by the book he even gives one if his sisters a ticket, he also gives her one as well. Later in the story you find out why she has a problem with police, but they are working on making it work. He is not happy and cannot see beyond his nose and they break up. Now it is up to his sister and her best friend to try to get them back together if possible.
This is a very funny story with very good charters, and I really like Gina. There is so much more to this book so give it a shot it is a fantastic read. I got this book from netgalley. I gave it 5 stars. Jul 28, Shaunna Armstrong rated it it was amazing. Emery is on a mission to kill the one man that taught her everything, Ryuu. Caleb and his gang are chasing Emery, but for the most part she stays a step ahead of him or gets away when caught.
Grady fell hard for Emery when she was younger and even after all the years, and what she does for a living won't stop him. Grady is out to protect Emery, and save her from this life. Sticking around Emery has put Grady as another target for Caleb. Jul 12, Melissa Mendoza rated it really liked it.
I really love Emery as a character. She's just a badass female!!!
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And they road trip it over to South Carolina where their car breaks down in this dried up little town that totally hates strangers but are more than happy to send the two kiddies over to this candy shop lady's house to do odd jobs and earn some cash to fix their car, buy them some candy cigarettes, and lead them on their way ; Or so I want to believe. Gretel is a total outcast because she has rainbow hair and her bro Ansel is one hot looker and the Candy Store lady, Sophia, soon swoons over him. But there's something fishy going on in town Why is it in the middle of nowhere?
Why is Sophia so gung ho about keeping the kids in the house till after she throws the big Chocolate festival? Why is the whole town against her? Is their truth in their words? Or is their a secret they are all trying to hide? Were you totally entertained by this book? Well, there were some slow spots but once you get to the last pages you'll eat that up as fast as you can. It was most awesome. How did you feel about the characters? I was just happy that they weren't overweight German kids.
Are you trying to say you got picked on a lot because of this fairytale? So, I'm quite picky with retellings of this because you know But there isn't a Greta in Hansel and Gretel. Did you dig the plot? I think there were parts that could have been chopped out because I always think fairytales should be short but I really enjoyed where the book wound up at. Was there any romance? A teeny tiny bit.
This is the second book in the series. Is it ok to read them out of order? Who do you think would enjoy this book the most? I would say girls. I'm not sure if a boy would enjoy this story. There are guns and stuff but I don't think the'd appreciate the first pages. What is the moral of the story? Candy is not always as sweet as it tastes. Aug 16, Darkfallen rated it it was amazing Shelves: First I want to start off by saying that fairytale retellings isn't something that has grabbed me in the past. In fact when Little Brown Books sent this to me for review it was actually intended for Greta, not me.
But then Greta said "Why don't ya read it first then send it to me? You might like it? Actually I have only ever read one before this, and that one is on the hush hush. So I thought to mys First I want to start off by saying that fairytale retellings isn't something that has grabbed me in the past. So I thought to myself Why not? After all it's here already! This was truly amazing. There just isn't any other way to describe it. I don't want to say to much because I will ruin it, and no one wants that. So here I go. Ansel and Gretchen are all grown up now, but no matter how bad they wish they could that day in the woods.
The day that the witch chased them. The day they no longer were the happy threesome, but now the two that lost their sister. No one believed there was a witch in the woods. A witch with yellow eyes. A witch that waited to strike and then took children. That's what their little sister had become. As if that wasn't enough their mother couldn't look at Gretchen anymore. All she saw was the twin that vanished.
Until eventually the grief took her too. Not long after dad followed suit. Ansel was forced to be the rock for Gretchen. Always saving her from her nightmares. Trying to save her from losing half herself. Now Ansel is 19, Gretchen 18, their step-mother kicked them out So here they are driving across the country to South Carolina. Swapping out the dense forests of their childhood home for the sandy beaches and ocean views, when their care breaks down outside a small town called Live Oak, South Carolina.
That's when it all starts. With no money for a tow or repairs Ansel agrees to help Sophia with odd jobs around her candy shop. But Sophia has secrets. Secrets Ansel can't see through because he is blinded by her beauty. But Gretchen isn't has charmed by the candy maker. And she gets even more cautious when she finds out that girls have gone missing.
After Gretchen tries to put her fears aside, and ventures into the words behind the candy store one night, she finds what she has spent her life scared of. The witch is back. But it's not at all what she thought all these years. Samuel the "town lunatic", but will he agree to help her?
Relationships build, the twist keep twisting, and it all come down to Gretchen in the end. Will she be able to put an end to this before more girls vanish, or will the trees in the forest forever be a place of terror? I don't care what you have to do to get your hands on this book. I'm not opposed to suggesting petty theft even. But do whatever it takes to read this. It will pull at your heart, and leave you shaking in your boots long after you turn the last page!
View all 10 comments. Sep 23, Cheryl rated it really liked it. The characters are interesting and well-developed, and the plot is intriguing. Parts of the story are more than a little creepy. A quick read that's recommended. Feb 01, Misty rated it really liked it Shelves: Sweetly is a companion novel to Sisters Red which I have, but haven't read , so even though the two aren't dependent on each other, I'm sure there are things that happen in Sisters Red that would have expanded my understanding of things in Sweetly.
That being said, it reads fine as a stand alone, so if you've been holding back from reading it because you feel you need to read Sisters Red first, don't worry, you don't have to. Now, on to the story at hand. Sweetly is a really interesting take Sweetly is a companion novel to Sisters Red which I have, but haven't read , so even though the two aren't dependent on each other, I'm sure there are things that happen in Sisters Red that would have expanded my understanding of things in Sweetly. Sweetly is a really interesting take on the Hansel and Gretel story for me.
There were things I really didn't like or didn't feel added to the story - and I am going to discuss them - but for the most part, I enjoyed this thoroughly. Before I get into picking it apart as I am wont to do, just know that I think this is a book worth your time. Because of Gretchen and Ansel's past losing their sister in the woods, losing both parents, being blamed and hated by their stepmom, etc , there is a real darkness to the beginning of the story. Gretchen is reclusive, having dropped out of school and avoiding social interaction; she lives her life terrified of the "witch in the woods".
She doesn't understand why her twin - her other half - was taken and she was spared, and she is basically just biding her time, waiting for the other shoe to drop and the witch to get her, too. Ansel is her protector, but all is not right with him, either. That being knocked to the ground reminded him he was here. There came a point where it changed, though. What started as this dark story about healing, with almost magical realist elements, eventually becomes something more Just another teen paranormal story.
I don't want that comment to be construed as a bad thing, because it wasn't. For what it is, it is well-done. But for the most part, it wasn't. Gretchen's is still a story of healing in some respects, but for the most part, the story is a straightforward paranormal romance. It made it feel a little disjointed to me, perhaps just because of my expectations, and that was a little bit of a letdown.
But once I adjusted my thinking to the story at hand rather than the story I thought I would be getting, it was completely enjoyable. Jackson Pearce creates a little bubble in Live Oaks that has its own crazy shenanigans going on, but that still feels like a real town with real people in it. Especially if they have to go out into the middle of nowhere to get it, rather than through the checkout line at the Piggly Wiggly? It was a fun, modern take on the Gingerbread Cottage, and it brought with it a sense of magic in a more mundane way invigorating lemon peels and calming gingerbread chocolates, rather than spells and potions and obvious overthetop magic.
It gave the story ambience, and had the side-effect of leaving me with a persistent craving for dark chocolate truffles. Which is rather cruel, Ms. I blame you for the brownies I consumed. But this was good. It was almost a full sensory experience. Somewhat rushed and contrived. But all in all, I found Sophia, her world and her interactions with everyone interesting. The relationship building in the story worked for me, too, on most levels.
I thought the town's mingling of awe and distrust for Sophia was interesting, and I loved getting to know her through Gretchen and Ansel. I liked her slight desperation, and her mirroring of Gretchen, and I liked how they come to just belong at her chocolate shop and be a part of her non-existent family. The relationship between Gretchen and Ansel was really lovely, too. The way they looked out for each other and always new what the other was thinking or feeling, it made sense given their history, and it was also a nice place to start and then watch them grow and begin to be comfortable on their own.
The aspect of familial love is often over-looked and underplayed in stories, and it would have been a shame had that been the case here, as it is the perfect story to take advantage of that closeness and love. Fortunately, Pearce used it to full advantage. What didn't do it for me was Gretchen's relationship with Samuel. I just didn't feel that it was necessary. I mean, as sheltered and alone as Gretchen has been, it's fine to have budding feelings or awkwardness, or just a knowledge of potential.
But the relationship didn't add anything to the story for me, and I didn't feel it was all that realistic to happen so quickly! They both had shit to deal with, and it was enough of a story to have them dealing with that shit, with maybe hints of potential for romance in the future. If anything, I think it became a bit of a distraction, and felt like just the obligatory YA paranormal romance. I would have respected the story - and Pearce - more with the restraint to keep romance light or non-existent, and to focus on the deeper issues at hand.
There was a little bit of plot-holiness with the crux of the story, too, which I don't want to get into spoilers! And there you have it. It's a bit of a mixed bag, with some largish things I didn't like, but an overall thumbs up. I know that part of this is me being picky because of what I saw in the book. But that's my own nonsense to deal with, and I really did enjoy this book.
I'm a sucker for retold fairy tales as you know , and this one is one of the better modern retellings. I'm certainly looking forward to having a break in my schedule to read Sisters Red. I think, from the end of Sweetly, that I have some hints as to where that story will be going, and I am intrigued. It'll be a wishlister, for sure. View all 7 comments. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Oh, I feel so deceived. I picked this up believing it to be a retelling of Hansel and Gretel. Yes, the cover and blurb made it perfectly clear it was a teen romance: I was aware of that. There was nothing, however, to warn me about the werewolves. I do not remember werewolves in Hansel and Gretel. Oh, Ms Pearce, why did you have to stray down that path? Your book really started off with potential: I liked the idea of there being a third child that the witch in the woods took, I liked the scenari Oh, I feel so deceived.
I liked the idea of there being a third child that the witch in the woods took, I liked the scenario of the two remaining children growing up with that guilt. Perfect fairy tale set-up. But the entrance of werewolves into the story caused in my opinion all originality to be lost. The idea of a witch was something different, something interesting. All the business of missing girls, Sophia in league with the wolves, the wolves holding Nadia captive, twins and their special souls, yada yada yada.
It was all so obvious. It's such a shame because Pearce's writing style held promise. Although her characters were a little flat and inconsistent, I did find at times that I was mildly captivated. And I was happy that the romance aspects did not take centre stage and control the novel. Yes, girl met boy, they liked each other, they kissed, but there were bigger things at stake. That was not what I had expected and I was grateful for it. She could have told a perfectly good -- probably better -- story without falling into the trap of writing just what she believed is popular.
And something I forgot: You really really cannot use "sparkly" as a description for someone. People are not "smiling and sparkly". Nov 02, Priscilla rated it really liked it. The title fits this book perfectly! Majority of the plot is steady, and slow paced. Heavy in the mystery, and nice touches with the foreshadowing. Characters are sweet and likeable! No irritating flaws, but weighted with lot's of baggage. Really liked the character development with Gretchen. It's not hot, or intense. The romance is definitely a nice addition to the overall plot.
No love-at-first sight, eye-rolling romance her The title fits this book perfectly! No love-at-first sight, eye-rolling romance here! Just sweet and cute which I liked. Jackson Pearce knows how to write action sequences! Condensed mainly towards the end, but really well executed. Love the connections to Sisters Red! D Video review uploading as I type! All - its ready for all!
And this is a good one! Sweetly is a modern retelling of Hansel and Gretel. Believing it to be just a fairytales but suddenly the are attacked and only Ansel and Gretchen are the only two to come out.