Kara G. reviewed on 5/13/2013 + 82 more book reviews

Lucy has just come home from Europe with her aunt and uncle when she learns that her father is sick and her mom wants to sell the business before their finances are drained. Lucy immediately makes a plan to save the company and pours her whole heart into creating a new candy. The only gimmick is that she only has one month to do so and she must participate in society to successfully find a husband.

Charlie is in jail when the story starts, but he is also offered a deal. His estranged father has invited him to come stay with him and agreed to help him become a respectable business man working for the candy business. Charlie is reluctant at first, but decides to give it a go and plans on a revenge scheme of his own when the moment is right.

Even though this book is considered a historical romance, I read it from the perspective of Charlie and his father versus Lucy with her father. Lucy is extremely close to her dad and his health decline motivates her to do foolish things in her desperation to save the company. Even though she does come off as a whiny character in some parts of the plot, I found her struggle and her heart to be endearing. Charlie is just getting to know his father after not seeing him for 15 years and his father struck me as a corrupt business man more than once. Charlie is quite clever, but he doesnt see himself in the same image as is expected of him. He wears the same clothes, speaks the same way, and attends the same functions but his main goal is attempting to please his father and make sense of the way things are run.

This book really reminded me of the movie Youve Got Mail with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. Instead of competing book businesses, its candy instead. The candy is only a small part of the story. Its really about the dynamics of each relationship and learning to let go. One of my favorite parts is the conversation Winnie has with Charlie, such a hoot! Lucys goals are to save her fathers company and she really loves making candy. Charlies goal is to win his fathers affections and to win Lucys heart. Lucys Mom wants a better life for Lucy. Charlies father wants to dominate the candy business. Some of the schemes within the story are questionable, but some of them are utterly clever! Overall I was happy with the book and it was a joy to see its conclusion. All of my questions in the plot were answered or implied and I enjoyed seeing Lucys dreams come true.

I want to thank Bethany House for the review copy they sent me. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

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