Sweet Nothings

Sweet Nothings is a lovely story about second chances. The blurb of this audiobook caught my attention and I was eager to try a new-to-me author and narrator. I liked both the writing style and the narrator’s flow and will look for more of their works in the future.

This book was well named because it featured a romance almost too sweet for my taste, but that practically-too-easy connection was tempered by the angst and conflict surrounding Tristan and Jake’s pasts that ended up impacting their current lives. Overall, I really liked these characters and enjoyed watching them get their happy ending. I especially loved seeing Tristan realize his dreams of getting a bakery. The author did a great job at bringing the things that were important to Tristan and Jake out to the forefront. This was especially noticeable in the way Tristan’s love for flavors and baking came through in multiple interactions or his thoughts throughout the story. Though their immediate blind trust in one another was a tad unbelievable, I ended up really liking that the couple was readily supportive of one another because it led the love story in a different direction than anticipated. I also liked the protective siblings and small town feeling that came across, enough that it left me interested in reading more within the Amuse Bouche series.

Although this wasn’t a book that grabbed my attention so fervently it didn’t let go, I liked the characters and story in Sweet Nothings and really enjoyed the bakery setting and foodie elements. The narrator for the audiobook version proved to be a good fit for the easy pace of the book, using clear diction and a smooth rhythm to make for a pleasant listen. If you’re looking for a comfortable romance with some minor, but easily resolved angst, I’d recommend this title.

*Reviewed audiobook for Alpha Book Club*

~ 4.5 Stars Overall ~

This book was great and not what I was expecting at all. I thought for sure this would be another sugary sweet romance and we did get some cute details thrown in, but there’s a lot more than just that with this book. I was on the edge of my seat half the time trying to figure out what would happen next and was fully invested in this interesting story.

Tristan moves back home to open a bakery after leaving a bad relationship. Once he’s back in town he meets Jake, who is an ex-con from the “wrong” side of town. Everyone seems to be against their relationship from the very start and no one wants Tristan involved with Jake in any way. But since no one really knows what happened between Tristan and his horrible ex-bf, they really are focused on disliking the wrong person. I really just wish that Tristan was more open with his family about what happened, but that did add more intrigue and suspense to this book and what happens further along in the storyline.

I liked Jake and I really liked him in a relationship with Tristan and how they were together as a couple. You could tell that Jake really cared for him from the start, to the point he would do whatever it took to keep him safe. I just would have liked a little more communication between the two. They both seemed to have a hard time talking about their pasts and I would have liked it if they’d have been able to trust each other more.

I’ve never read this author, T. Neilson, before but I do hope we get more from them. I would definitely be interested in reading and listening to stories for Tristan’s brothers as well.

Audio – The narrator, Simon Ferrar, did great with this book. His voice for Tristan was a little annoying to me personally at times, but I do think that it fit Tristan’s personality perfectly, so it did not take away from the story at all, and Jake’s voice was wonderfully deep and matched him as well. Overall I think this book was a really good choice to listen to in audio format so I'm glad I gave this one a chance.


*** Audiobook copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

Tristan is taking charge of his life and fulfilling his dreams. He is stronger now that he sees his way clear. Jake has a past but he's not what things seem. When things go south what I love most about this story is that no matter what he's been told Twist never loses faith in Jake. I also like that the police captain's a real good guy, too.

**Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by DreamSpinner Press for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement. **

Sweet Nothings is Book 1 in T. Neilson’s Amuse Bouche series. This story focuses on the youngest of the Love brothers, Tristan. He’s left his fiancé, moved back home and bought a bakery all without letting his family know. Tristan doesn’t give the best first impression, in my opinion, but as the story goes along further and you’re given more insight into his previous relationship, his behavior is understandable and I was able to sympathize with him. Tristan has a lot of emotional wounds from his previous relationship that he needs to overcome, but we see him become stronger and confident in this book.

Jake works as a mechanic at his sister’s shop. Through interactions around the small town, we know that Jake also has a hidden history. I liked Jake from the start, regardless of the little glimpses the townspeople gave about him. He seemed to just be a guy trying to live life to the best of his ability. Jake had a hero complex and is always trying to save someone. And we learn that’s obviously been a long time behavior as we get his backstory.

This book is definitely head of the class when it comes to instalove. Within a day, both men state they have fallen for the other within their own thoughts. Their relationship developed quickly and that was even with the outside forces trying to keep them apart. And, it felt really rushed to me especially, since Tristan had just ended a long-term relationship, and because this was not a short story.

There were some really great supporting characters in this story. I really liked Tristan’s brothers, and got a little emotional reading a scene between Tristan and Simon when they were both upfront about their feelings and Simon explained the way he behaved. Until that point, I really disliked Simon, but now I'm really looking forward to his story! I hope his path to love is a little easier than Tristan and Jake's!

I’d definitely recommend you read this book. It’s a whirlwind and fast paced with lots of characters and interesting supporting characters that I’m looking forward to seeing more of.

Rating: 4 stars