Review: The Hero's Sweetheart by Cheryl Wyatt

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

His Perfect Match

Military commander Jack Sullenberger is used to saving the day. But when his father has a stroke in his beloved small-town diner, it's waitress and EMT student Olivia Abbott coming to the rescue. Jack rushes home to tend to his father and take over the business—running right into Olivia's very strong opinions. The steely military man and the waitress can't agree on what's best for the restaurant. When Jack sees something that shakes his growing trust in Olivia, their undeniable connection is put to the test. But if Jack's open to the truth, they'll have a chance at finding a future together.

My Review

I enjoyed this story with the close-knit diner crew stepping up when the beloved owner has a stroke and is hospitalized for weeks. Sully's son Jack is from a much different world being overseas with the military, but he takes over for his dad and discovers that things need to change in order to keep the diner open. Olivia is like a daughter to Sully, and the diner changes along with Sully's health scare, her dyslexia and learning comprehension disability while studying for her EMT courses, take their toll on her mental and physical health. Her interactions with Jack begin in a volatile manner, and the shift to attraction, friendship and romance was clumsy. It was more told in the character's heads than shown, and I didn't feel any chemistry between them. Jack was pretty hot and cold, and some things he did seemed out of character as we got to know him better. Olivia is described as being covered in tattoos and piercings, yet we are never told why she has this persona or how it is significant to her. It left me a bit confused and like I wasn't getting to know the layers of her character. Overall I liked the premise but would have appreciated more character development and emotional connection.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: Serving Up a Sweetheart by Cheryl Wyatt

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

Meadow knows how to serve delicious food to match any wedding theme. But can she accept love when it's served up on a silver platter?

During one of the biggest weeks of her catering career, Meadow Larson’s kitchen roof caves in after an unrelenting blizzard. She has to accept help from the last person on earth she wants to see: Colin McGrath. The tormentor from her past is now a contractor, her new neighbor—and the only person available to take on a project of this size.

Colin is aware God has given him a second chance to make things right with Meadow after bullying her in high school. After years of regret and guilt, Colin is determined to earn her respect and forgiveness, no matter what it takes.

It’ll take an extreme kitchen renovation, several cooking lessons, a little lace, and a lot of grace, but God is using this renovation project not only to restore Meadow’s heart, but also to restore Colin’s integrity in her eyes. Will Meadow learn to trust the new Colin even as their relationship grows from a business exchange to something more meaningful?

My Review

I liked the idea behind this story, but the first part of the book only hinted at some of the misdeeds from Colin's past, which made the extent and intensity of Meadow's bitterness seem unequal to what was revealed. I think I would have enjoyed the story more if her vulnerabilities were shown rather than repetitively guarded by a brash exterior. Once she begins to let go and forgive, the story picks up and the characters are able to finally interact and bond. I admired Colin's tenacity in proving himself to Meadow- he goes the extra mile by volunteering his time and resources to repairing her house and giving her a place to live and work during the renovation. All free of charge, no strings attached. I completely understand how uncomfortable this makes Meadow, but as she's desperate to fulfill her upcoming contracts, she accepts... and her matchmaking sister with a softer heart for redemption influences Meadow to open her heart and allow God to heal her hurts.

(Thank you to Zondervan Publishing and BookLook Bloggers for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)