Susan's Review of Sheryl Lister's A Table for Two

One woman must learn to love again with the help of her supper club friends and the man next door in this delightful enemies-to-lovers small-town romance.

The best meals. The perfect company. And just enough sparks to make it complicated . . .

Serenity Wheeler’s Supper Club is all about getting together with great friends, incredible food, and a whole lot of dishing—not for hooking up. Still, Serenity knows inviting her friend’s brother to one of her dinners is just good manners, but the ultra-fine, hazel-eyed Gabriel Cunningham has a gift for saying the wrong thing at the really wrong time. Especially when it comes to her cooking.

Gabriel isn’t quite sure how they got off on the wrong foot, but something about Serenity makes him nervous. Maybe it’s because he’s new to the small-town vibe. Maybe it’s because the woman is so gorgeous that he can’t think straight. Or maybe it’s because there’s an attraction between them he can’t seem to shake.

Though refreshments and camaraderie may be the supper club’s mantra, Serenity and Gabriel know there’s more between them than just sharing delicious meals. But she can’t let herself fall for Gabriel. Because while cooking with love is one thing, trusting it is quite another...

                            

Sheryl Lister’s A Table for Two is an entertaining small town romance. Loved the sparks between Serenity Wheeler and Gabriel Cunningham - he insulted her twice and she retaliated by tossing a container of brownies at him! Of course, I had to keep reading!

Loved the fun, flirty banter between Serenity and Gabriel. Serenity is a strong, compassionate woman who left San Diego to start over again in Firefly Lake. Cooking dinners and baking for her friends brings her joy. Serenity adds all the perfect touches: music, candles and delicious food to create the perfect ambiance for entertaining evening. Serenity’s kitchen is the gathering place for her supper club group; Natasha, Dana and Teri. Loved the friendship between these woman and I related to their honest girl chat, love of good food and wine.

Gabriel is a definitely a swoony hero. He has moved to Firefly Lake to watch over his Nana – how sweet! His job as a computer programmer allows him to work remotely but, he’s wondering if he can adjust to small town life. The move comes at a good time as his friends Glenn, Darius and Brent have advised him to slow down—his 14 hour workdays are not good for him. Loved these friends so much—their video calls, texts and concerns added a lot of humor in the story and they supported Gabriel’s decision.

Sheryl Lister crafts a wonderful story for this couple. Love how she wove in Gabriel and Serenity’s love of food, family and friends into their romance. The couple’s chemistry, flirty banter and the ensemble cast kept me reading—and I loved Gabriel’s Nana!

Loved the delicious dinners served—the combination of flavors wowed me and gave me a few ideas to step up my menu for Sunday Supper. This is the first book of Sheryl Lister’s that I have read—and I am hoping she will add to the Firefly Lake series—these characters have stories to tell!

Pick up a copy of A Table for Two—pair it with a glass of wine and enjoy!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by publisher

Susan's Review of The Playbook Proposal by Samantha Chase--Meet Me at the Altar Book 4

He’s a former Navy SEAL from the school of hard knocks. She’s a cheery wedding planner writing a guide to happily ever afters. Who knew cupid’s arrow could come in the form of a five-pound bag of flour?

When Daisy Sinclair gleefully offers to help her brother come up with the perfect proposal, she has no idea how time-consuming the project will become. Or, how it would make her the target of mockery from one rather grumpy former SEAL. Xander thinks he’s got her all figured out. She is determined to prove him wrong. Just because she’s more cheer than sneer doesn’t give him the right to pass judgment on her.

As the son of a woman who walked away from her family, Xander Madden believes he’s destined to follow in her footsteps. Which makes Daisy’s ridiculously chipper ramblings about the wonders of love all the more irritating. Still, there’s something about her that he can’t ignore. Although… he probably should, considering every time he opens his mouth, he says the wrong thing.

Just when Xander thinks he can avoid the trappings of her sunny disposition, Daisy smacks him with a five-pound bag of flower and suddenly she’s all he can think about. The pair have nothing in common except an undeniable attraction. Is a future for them possible when Daisy’s looking for forever and Xander can’t even commit to tomorrow?

Samantha Chase creates the perfect story for wedding planner Daisy Sinclair and ex-Navy Seal Xander Madden. The entertaining banter between the engaging heroine and grumpy hero and their off the charts chemistry drew me into the story immediately.

The pairing of Daisy and Xander surprised me. The words sweet, helpful and family describe Daisy. She loves her job at Meet Me at the Altar and all things romance. Xander has left the Navy and has started a security business—he’s all about work and structure. He’s not into commitments or family. Xander misjudges Daisy—he thinks she’s way over the top with her ideas of romance and wedding proposals- until Daisy mistakes Xander for a burglar and smacks him in the jaw with a 5 pound bag of flour!

Loved the author’s version of the couple’s meet cute! After being smacked by a bag of flour Xander sees Daisy in a different light and realizes that he is attracted to her. The push-pull of the relationship as perfectly written as Xander is not quite sure what do with his feelings. Samantha Chase digs deep with Xander—he’s a complicated character with a lot of baggage. I could feel Xander’s very real attraction towards Daisy and his fear of taking the next step. And I absolutely loved that Daisy turned the tables on Xander! Loved that she was sassy, honest and forthright and that combination wowed Xander.

The Proposal Playbook contains the perfect blend of emotion, romance and conflict. Daisy and Xander’s story will tug at your heart strings in such a good way. I was invested in this story from page one and rooted for this couples romance. Can’t wait for the next book in the Meet Me at the Altar series!!!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

Book purchased through Amazon