Sweet Bliss is the kind of treat that you won't feel guilty consuming. In this debut novel by author Helena Rac we get a taste of sugar, spice and everything nice. It's a lighthearted, easy read with just enough angst to give it some crunch.
I received this Advanced Copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. But, I liked this so much that I've pre-ordered it as well. It is available to purchase tomorrow!
This is the publisher's summary:
From debut author Helena Rac, a sassy, sexy comic tale of second-chance romance and the many uses of icing. Tessa loves cupcakes. They're tasty and comforting, and they've made her bakery a success. Men, on the other hand, are unreliable jerks who are bound to break her heart. Even if they're hot enough to melt her frosting. Tessa is smitten with Luke after a less than graceful encounter on the streets of Chicago, and fate keeps reuniting them. She's certain he'd be delicious in bed, but there's just one problem: Tessa's sworn off long-distance romances, and Luke lives in London. Besides, he's proven himself to be bad news. Although Tessa's sexy stranger swears to set aside his player ways after she carries out sweet revenge, she's far too smart to believe in happily-ever-afters. Luke will need to use every weapon in his arsenal - including a spatula or two - to convince Tessa they're meant to be together
Tessa and Luke run into each other (literally) one more morning and there is an immediate chemistry that makes the encounter one that neither of them can forget. When coincidence reunites them, they give into their attraction in a moment that I can only describe as "scorching". But, Luke lives in a different country and their parting after that encounter leaves a not so sweet taste in Tessa's mouth. When her sister's wedding brings them together again almost a year after they met, Tessa's determined to have the upperhand this time. But Luke's also got a plan and his sincerity and persistence when combined with his delicious sexiness make him a force that Tessa's not able (or willing) to resist. Their sexual chemistry is off the charts and it leaps off the pages whether they are having a witty text message exchange or in between the sheets. But Tessa's a bit of a control freak and she is hanging onto some baggage from a relationship that ended 3 years ago.
This is where Tessa lost me a bit. Three years is a long time. Long enough to be able to a point where you can see the difference between a jerk and genuinely good guy.
I felt sorry for Luke (even though he made his fair share of mistakes early on) having to pay for the sins of someone else. And Tessa's back and forth made me a little batty. At the same time, I could see why she was so reluctant to give Luke a serious chance. There were a lot of non-ideal things about pursuing a relationship with Luke. And her sister's fiance Marcus didn't help things at all. In fact his actions must have broken some sort of "bro code" and I wish Luke had gotten the chance to call him on it.
This book promises to make you smile and it fulfills that in spades! It's sexy, funny and will make you crave strawberry chocolate cupcake.
This is a very promising first novel from Ms. Rac. I would love to read more work by her!
