Aaliyah's Book Corner

We like a good fashioned rivalry, right? C.K. Darling’s second book in her Sweetheart Scones and Stories series, Sweet and Spiteful Rivalries, arrives on Kindle Unlimited on February 11th and you are in for a treat. This book follows Callie’s best friend Brittany Quinn, a romance author who has a jaded view of love following her divorce. Sweet and Spiteful Rivalries clocks in at 105 pages, making this a quick and immersive read.

*I received an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in exchange for my review but as always, my thoughts and opinions are my own!*

Plot

Brittany Quinn is still healing from a tumultuous divorce that left her feeling withdrawn from love. She runs Sweetheart Scones and Stories with Callie while coordinating with her other friends Izzie and Nicole Grant to promote the bakery. When the new guest columnist for the town’s newspaper leaves a condescending review, Brittany swears revenge on the person who dares to disrespect a staple business of Peachwood Grove.

Holt Hawthorne, a successful chef who moved to Georgia to start his life over and get a new restaurant off the ground. His review sets off the events of the book. He and Brittany have a smoldering attraction but with her being set on despising him, Holt makes it his mission to win over one of his favorite authors. 

The duo tests each other with a “friendly” competition to take place at the town’s Fall Event but as they prepare for the event and subsequent business interactions, Brittany’s guard begins to fall as Holt’s pure intentions, and their sizzling chemistry consumes them.

Tropes

Enemies to Lovers: Technically this could be rivals to lovers but I digress. Brittany is furious when she reads Holt’s opinion of her business and threatens to boycott his restaurant. Holt finds her attractive but a hothead. Their continuous banter and stubbornness is a fun take on this popular trope.

– Small Town Romance: Peachwood Grove is a small town in Georgia and the way C.K. writes about it makes you envision a peaceful and community-oriented place.

Favorite Moments

1. When Brittany and Holt bump into each (literally) outside of the library
2. The Governor’s dinner
3. The Fall Event

Overall Rating: 4.75 / 5

You can read Sweet and Spiteful Rivalries on Kindle Unlimited on February 11th, its release day. I enjoyed this book a little more than the first in the series and Brittany is the sassy protagonist I like reading about. I was a little disappointed at the lack of a true buildup between the main characters. They are attracted to each other, have a competition to see which business can get better reviews during the town’s event, and one night it just happens… If the book was a tad bit longer, it would have done wonders. That said, I can’t wait for the third book to come out later this year.

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