Make It Sweet

By: Kristen Callihan

Narrated by: Ava Erickson, Jacob Morgan

Length: 11 hrs

Publisher's Summary

From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Callihan comes a charming, emotional romance about redefining dreams and discovering unlikely love along the way.

Life for Emma isn’t good. The world knows her as Princess Anya on Dark Castle, but then her character gets the axe - literally. The cherry on top is finding her boyfriend in bed with another woman. She needs a break, and sanctuary comes in the form of Rosemont, a gorgeous estate in California promising rest and relaxation. 

Then she meets the owner’s equally gorgeous grandson, ex-hockey player and current recluse Lucian Osmond, and she sees her own pain and yearning reflected in his eyes. 

He’s charming when he wants to be but also secretive and gruff, with protective walls as thick as Emma’s own. Despite a growing attraction, they avoid each other.

But then there’s an impromptu nighttime skinny-dip, and Lucian’s luscious homemade tarts and cream cakes start arriving at Emma’s door, tempting her to taste life again...

In trying to stay apart, they only grow closer - and their broken pieces just might fit together and make them whole.

©2021 by Kristen Callihan. (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Sweet, sexy beautiful!

Jacob Morgan should read all the things always! That is all.

I don’t know that I expected to get to see so many emotions from a hockey player. It was so moving an beautiful to see his story. Most times hockey players are surface deep in books. This was the first time I had ever seen a hockey player perforated at this level. It was incredible to see.
The setting of this book is beautiful and almost like another side character in the story. With all the people that are there it is wondrous.
Emma is an all around down to earth good character. She didn’t come off as the typical movie star character. She too was so much more than expected. This entire book made me hungry and full. I loved this sweet beautiful story.

Jacob makes everything good

First the two narrators make every story the read phenomenal! With that said great pairing for this story. Emma and Lucian both needed what the other had to offer, they build each other up after disappointing career changes - Hockey Player and Actress. They are both hiding away from their disappointments as they try to come to grips with the changes. This story comes with their very own matchmaker in Lucian's grandmother and others cleverly pushing them together. I do feel it started off a little slow for me but picked up by about chapter 3 or 4. Again Jacob Morgan and Ava Erickson outstanding.

When I'm With You, I Feel Alive

Overall 4.5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 4 stars

I was recommended Make It Sweet by several friends and it did not disappoint! This grump & sunshine, forced proximity, slow burn sports romance was delightful. Lucien and Emma were wonderful together and my heart hurt for them as they struggled to find their way. They were so guarded and wary when they first meet and it was beautiful to watch them communicate and start to heal through food. Yes, the instalust/love was a bit much right at the start, but I liked how instead of rushing into anything, the author gave these two time to get to know each other and shed their insecurities and fears. The sexual tension builds up so well between Emma and Lucien (the pool scene *bites fist*) and readers/listeners are definitely rewarded for their patience. The drama was predictable and a little repetitive, but I really appreciated and respected Emma's response. Plus, it made for a truly delicious epilogue. The secondary characters were all amazing, but it was Mamie who stole the show. She was like the sun, with everyone orbiting around her. Brommy and Sal provided some excellent comic relief and I would love to see them get their own books one day.

The narration by Jacob Morgan and Ava Erickson was perfect! They voice Lucien and Emma wonderfully and I don't think I will ever get tired of hearing these two. All of the French pastry terms and variety of characters might have tripped up other narrators, but they handled it with ease. This is my first book by the author, but I'm excited to check out her backlist and also future titles.

CW: childhood abuse, death of family member, concussion/brain injury, automobile accident, cheating ex

I loved this story

I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this book but I really enjoy both narrators so I thought I'd give it a listen and I'm so happy I did. After a career ending injury forces Lucian into early retirement he decides to spend his time helping out his grandmother at the Rosemont, a gorgeous estate in California. Little does he know that his place of peace and quiet is about to be disturbed by an out of work actress who is also looking to hide away from the world. When these two cross paths there is instant attraction but they are both in transitional times in their lives where it doesn't seem like a good idea to make plans for the future. But sometimes life makes plans without you and you just hold on for the ride.

Cute story

cute story! I am not a fan of the over the top bedroom scenes but the rest of it was great! also, I really enjoyed both narrators. I would like to see what happens to the rest of the characters

Decent Story

3 Stars for me!

My rating range of this story... 2.5 - 3.5 Stars
If significant, why?

Main Character Ratings...
H = 5/10
h = 7/10

Was cheating involved? No
Any major triggers to be aware of?

Scenes with heat... Yes
What point does it start? 50%
How much of the story? 5%
Anything beyond M/F? No
If yes, explained

Heat Rating... 6/10
Clean or Fade to Black - 1 or 2
Normal to Descriptive 3-5
Detailed Descriptive Sex - 6-7
Um, Wow, Beyond Descriptive Sex - 8 or above

Was there so much sex or unrealistic sex that you rolled your eyes and/or skipped forward? No

The back story... The blurb says it all

The Romance... A bit instalusty although hampered by the constant dour attitude of the H.

The drama explosion... The H says hurtful things.
Did it feel real or contrived? Contrived
Was it OTT? Very
Separation involved? Slight
Was it resolved properly or rushed? Ok

Final Notes... This easily could have been a 4 star read for me but the H's constant whining drove me crazy.


HEA or HFN? HEA

Sweet, Sexy Romance!

Make it Sweet by Kristen Callihan was a fun, sweet, and sexy romance! I loved everything about his slow burn love story. Jacob Morgan and Ava Erickson narrated this audiobook.

Lucian and Emma was an interesting love story that kept me hooked from start to finish. Both characters are in a way looking at starting over. Lucian was injured and that inhibited him from playing Hockey. Emma had a star role on "Dark Castle" which I imagine to be kind of like "Game of Thrones" and they killed her character off the show. Both are lost souls just trying to find a new purpose in life or their next new endeavor. I loved that they found each other along the way.

Jacob Morgan and Ava Erickson were fantastic together in this book. I loved the raw edge that Jacob gave Lucian's character. You could also feel Lucian's pain and passion in Jacob's performance. Ava was perfect as the sweet, sultry Emma. Both narrators are always one clicks for me!

Overall I loved this book. I also liked that we got to to revisit with Macon and Delilah from Dear Enemy! I look forward to reading more from Kristen Callihan!

So sweet!

It’s a really sweet story. Albeit a little predictable, a very good listen. Loved the pastries! The narration brought the story to life and is quite excellent!

Sweet story and great narration!

Make it sweet indeed!
This audiobook was exactly what I needed right now... Funny, romantic, sweet and with a great narration!

I loved the banter and playfulness between Emma and Lucian and also how good their connection was.
They put a smile on my face at every turn and I couldn't stop listening.

I just wish it could've been a bit less predictable...

🎧 About the Audiobook Narration 🎧

Narrated by Jacob Morgan and Ava Erickson.
The narration was chef's kiss!
I love the work of both narrators, and this book was no different!

Emma and Lucian

What do you get when you have a beautiful actress down on her luck and an ex hockey player living in close proximity? Laugh out loud moments and sweet treats. The man cooks and bakes, has a sexy body, knows French pastry, and sweet as can be. What more can you ask for?!?!

Amazing story, definitely worth a listen

This book is so amazing, I finished it in one day!
The story is feel good and I actually liked the characters in it. There was never a part in the plot which I wished had happened differently. I mean the food stuff is a bit heavy at some points, it took me out of the story a bit, but that might be personal preference. I have listened to some books where the narrators are weird but that’s not the case for this one. Great overall!

Yum!

This is my first Kristen Callihan book for a while and I've got to say, I wasn't disappointed.

Although there were some life altering issues raised, I felt it was generally a real, feel good novel.

The cast of characters provided a fabulous backdrop, and fingers crossed we'll get more of 'Mamie's' family, and their stories, to enjoy.

Lucien and Emma were quite simply, just the right amount of 'sweet'. Lucien's hidden skills were off the charts and my mouth watered each and every time Ms Callihan described for us, just what his skill produced.

I can't wait to see what's to come next from the pen of Kristen Callihan!