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7th out of 66 books
—
71 voters
Sweet Love
by
Sarah Strohmeyer (Goodreads Author)
An irresistibly delicious novel about the power of love
and dessert. Like other well-meaning mothers, Julie Mueller believed she did the right thing when she secretly ended her teenage daughter's crush on Michael Slayton, a wild older neighborhood heartthrob with a penchant for Shakespeare and the pedigree of trailer trash.
Twenty years later, Betty Mueller has come to rea...more
Twenty years later, Betty Mueller has come to rea...more
Hardcover, 320 pages
Published
June 19th 2008
by Dutton Adult
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An entertaining, but somewhat disappointing and disjointed romance/family story. The ending was a bit unsatisfying to me and I was never really sold on the main romance.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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I LOVE Sarah's Bubbles series. I am a Bubbles head & proud of it (yes, I am a yahoo carrying member). I am also going to say, my heart belongs to the Bubbles series & nothing Sarah writes will be as good as Ms. Yablonsky's hilarious series! For real! I mean, hello Bubbles Unbound scooped up the Agatha Award for best first novel in 2001.
That said & out of the way, I will say Sarah has whipped up a savory morsel in Sweet Love. This is Sarah's best stand alone to date.
Sweet Love is dele...more
That said & out of the way, I will say Sarah has whipped up a savory morsel in Sweet Love. This is Sarah's best stand alone to date.
Sweet Love is dele...more
Julie Mueller has known Michael Slayton since she was 10 years old. At age 17, she discovered that she was in love with him, only to be rebuffed. Many years later, Julie's and Michael's paths cross again, both divorced, they are on opposite sides of a steamy political scandal that deepens the rift between them. Then, Julie's mom gets sick and wangles Julie and Michael into the same cooking class at a Boston culinary school. As Julie finally learns to cook, the story of her and Michael starts to...more
I started reading Sarah Strohmeyer's books after discovering the Lipstick Chronicles she and several other sassy authors contribute to. In the time I actively read that blog Strohmeyer wrote about this book a lot and I was looking forward to reading it. Finally picked it up last week and I have to say I enjoyed it. The recipes discussed sound incredibly good, but that's just the proverbial icing on the cake. The real heart of the story is Julie's relationship with her mother and her childhood cr...more
In this novel you meet Betty Mueller, a 70 something year old mother who knows that her life span is ending soon and wants to make amends before she leaves the world. She has already fought breast cancer, upon other things, and she wants to make things right for her daughter. When her daughter was in her teens, the love her life, Michael Slayton wanted to be with her. But, her mother of course stopped this from happening due to the fact that he was in his twenties and Betty believed he was "too...more
This was a quick read. I enjoyed it but not as much as the others. Although there was a plot twist at the end I didn't really see coming. I enjoyed the various Shakespeare quotes at the beginnings of the chapter which foreshadowed events. And I totally wish I could eat the cupcake pictured on the cover - it looks delicious!
This book was slow to begin and never really got going for me. Mom breaks up her daughter's teenage relathionship, only to discover that it was her daughter's one true love and the break up has left her forever unlucky in love. With her health declining, Betty Mueller sets out to fix what she's broken: her daughter's heart. She does so by setting her daughter and her ex-love up to meet in the same French dessert cooking class, which ironically has nothing to do with the absolutely delicious, gor...more
This is my second book by Sarah Strohmeyer and I have to say that while the plot and some of the characters were mediocre, I completely enjoyed the one liners and humor Strohmeyer provided through out the book. I laughed out loud several times through out the book. The characters Julie and Michael were ookay and the plot was predictable through the end. However, I gave it four stars for the humor and one liners. Sarah Strohmeyer is definately a witty and funny writer. If you haven't read anythin...more
It reminded me very much of Jenny Crusie's style but with a bit less of the romance and a bit more angst. Julie is enrolled in a dessert class - her mother's secret conivance - in order to reunite her daughter with a boy from her childhood that she has always loved. The book is all about love - the different forms of it. Love of a mother for a daughter, and a daughter's love for her mother, husband for a wife, love of friends, romantic love, kind love, false love. It works really well. It made m...more
The librarian recommended Sarah Strohmeyer, and I picked this book solely on the cover.
I really enjoyed 90 percent of this book. The story about a love that keeps getting sidelined by family, misunderstanding, etc. But the way they finally get together appalled me! What a selfish act by Julie at a time her family needs her! Where did she think Michael was going? Blech, I felt Julie was a strong woman character until the end.
Also, all of the great recipes mentioned where supposed to be on the aut...more
I really enjoyed 90 percent of this book. The story about a love that keeps getting sidelined by family, misunderstanding, etc. But the way they finally get together appalled me! What a selfish act by Julie at a time her family needs her! Where did she think Michael was going? Blech, I felt Julie was a strong woman character until the end.
Also, all of the great recipes mentioned where supposed to be on the aut...more
An interesting tale of a middle age woman dealing with changes in her life. her daughter is getting ready to leave the nest, her career is changing, her mother is getting old. It was at times poignant and gritty, showing us both the selfish and selfless sides to human nature.
I did have issues with the romance angle. I never really understood why she was in love him, nor when exactly he fell in love with her. Also, the actions of both seemed rather immature at times, considering they were both o...more
I did have issues with the romance angle. I never really understood why she was in love him, nor when exactly he fell in love with her. Also, the actions of both seemed rather immature at times, considering they were both o...more
Julie's career goals are about to come true with the chance to compete for a spot on the national TV circuit covering the presidential campaign. But complications--a botched news story, the return of her childhood crush at a dessert-making class, the discovery of a lump in her left breast, her mother's shaky health, and parenting a teenager as a single parent--derail her.
Although Julie is strong and independent with a quick wit and intelligence, her mounting problems do not make for a quick, li...more
Although Julie is strong and independent with a quick wit and intelligence, her mounting problems do not make for a quick, li...more
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don’t be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I love you for a thousand more
For some reason, reading this book makes me hum. I don't really remember the lyrics for A Thousand Years by Christina Perri but reading this book has made it possible. Plus, I strongly believe that the song and the book are really synchronise; knowing that this book is not just about food but also about a long lost love.
Imagine having a crush since you were small and you...more
Darling don’t be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I love you for a thousand more
For some reason, reading this book makes me hum. I don't really remember the lyrics for A Thousand Years by Christina Perri but reading this book has made it possible. Plus, I strongly believe that the song and the book are really synchronise; knowing that this book is not just about food but also about a long lost love.
Imagine having a crush since you were small and you...more
I'm a fan of Sarah Strohmeyer. I began reading her Bubbles books, and then discovered her others. (I much prefer her other novels that stand on their own, rather than the Bubbles series.)
Sweet Love is the story of a woman; a single parent to her teenage daughter, a local newscaster with 20 years of experience, sharing a two-family home with her aging parents. Though she is well-known for her inexperience and lack of skills in the kitchen, her mother gives her the gift of dessert lessons with a f...more
Sweet Love is the story of a woman; a single parent to her teenage daughter, a local newscaster with 20 years of experience, sharing a two-family home with her aging parents. Though she is well-known for her inexperience and lack of skills in the kitchen, her mother gives her the gift of dessert lessons with a f...more
This is a quick read and has a little bit of something for everyone - single mothers, foodies, moms of teens, women taking care of aging parents, breast cancer survivors, those longing for lost loves, people who don't like the French and/or journalists, etc.!
I have to say I'm a Sarah Strohmeyer fan - she's not superfluous or flowery and usually her protagonists are witty, wise, honest and to the point. Although I really liked Julie, I found her to be quite dense when it came to figuring out the...more
I have to say I'm a Sarah Strohmeyer fan - she's not superfluous or flowery and usually her protagonists are witty, wise, honest and to the point. Although I really liked Julie, I found her to be quite dense when it came to figuring out the...more
Didnt think id get into this. Was going for a chick lit kinda thing and having read a couple of books from Bubbles Yablonsky series which I loved, I requested a few of Strohmeyers books from the library without seeing what they were about.
I absolutely loved this story. But note, you will need the tissues. My poor son was wondering what the hell was wrong with me cos I was blubbering away lol. Its certainly one that will stay with me for a long time to come Im sure. Loved it loved it loved it!
I absolutely loved this story. But note, you will need the tissues. My poor son was wondering what the hell was wrong with me cos I was blubbering away lol. Its certainly one that will stay with me for a long time to come Im sure. Loved it loved it loved it!
"Sweet Love" didn't really deliver the story its back cover promised. This book needed to decide what it wanted to be - a mother-daughter story, a "you go girl" find yourself story, or an unrequited love turns requited love story. Strohmeyer tried to do all 3 to the detriment of the 'relationships' between mother-daughter (and granddaughter) and girl-boy. My #1 complaint: The Michael Slayton story line was WEAK, poorly executed - and to be frank - a big disappointment.
I struggled through the first few chapters and almost put it down b/c I felt way too much time was spent talking about baking than actually developing characters. I stayed with it and while it was not my favorite of Strohmeyer's novels, it ended up being kind of cute. I don't know that I would actually recommend that someone go out and buy it but if you have a copy go ahead and give it a try. This is my third Strohmeyer book and The Cinderella Pact is my favorite so far!
I’m usually opposed to romance novels, but this was an exception - and not just because it was given to me as a birthday gift!
It starts off slow, but picks up quickly after the first two chapters. That's when you’re enthralled in the tale.
The lovely thing about the novel is that each chapter starts with a quote from one of Shakespeare’s play. And the references made! Tintern Abbey, William Congreve, Lady Macbeth, Claudius from Hamlet...
But it’s not as if you won’t like the book if you don’t know...more
It starts off slow, but picks up quickly after the first two chapters. That's when you’re enthralled in the tale.
The lovely thing about the novel is that each chapter starts with a quote from one of Shakespeare’s play. And the references made! Tintern Abbey, William Congreve, Lady Macbeth, Claudius from Hamlet...
But it’s not as if you won’t like the book if you don’t know...more
I seem to be on a roll lately with books that I *should* like, but which, for whatever reasons, just do not grip me like I wanted. This is a great book, and I think if I wasn't deep in the pangs of my-baby-my-baby-is-growing-older, I might have liked this three generation story a lot more. Her voice is excellent, and I think that women with teenagers and aging parents would particularly love this heroine. A plus if you love dessert!
Since I have great appreciation for dessert delicacies, this novel was very pleasant to read. I loved how the author incorporated the events and ingredients from a cooking class into the story. There were some hilarious moments, and some more consoling ones. I was slightly irritated with Michael, the young man who seems to 'take his sweet time' about making a move to rectify some of the misunderstandings of his love life. This book was very satisfying, especially as escapism from the realities o...more
I judge a book based on how much I want to read it. Do I read it while stirring sauce on the stove, for example. Do I read it while stopped at a traffic light. (Yes, I'm pathetic.) I read this one in only 3 days.
The description on Amazon.com makes it sound soley as a romance. But it's also about the relationship between a 40 year old daughter and her 75 year old mother. And what the mother does to "fix" her regrets.
The description on Amazon.com makes it sound soley as a romance. But it's also about the relationship between a 40 year old daughter and her 75 year old mother. And what the mother does to "fix" her regrets.
This book started out really really good. I love all the stuff about dessert, it made me really want to start baking; and eating. I thought it was going to be a book all about this romance between the main character and Michael. However, toward the end of the book it became a lot more about her mother and not so much the romance. It should have either been a book about her mother, or Michael, but not both.
Expectation - fairy tale/chick lit. Expectation met.
This book was really predictable in plot - you know who will get together in the end. It was an easy and enjoyable read. Even with the simplicity, the characters were drawn well enough that you cared at the right moments. I read that the author wrote this book to honor her mother who had recently died – it is a nice book.
This book was really predictable in plot - you know who will get together in the end. It was an easy and enjoyable read. Even with the simplicity, the characters were drawn well enough that you cared at the right moments. I read that the author wrote this book to honor her mother who had recently died – it is a nice book.
This was an okay read. It was kind of funny reading about a book that takes place in Boston after having lived in city for almost fifteen years. This book was sort of what I was expecting - a light summer read. Not too much depth, but I did like how the author weaved in the theme of food and cooking. So, if you want a light, fun, chicklit kind of book, this is a pretty good one.
Made me so hungry...I wanted cookies and cupcakes and pie...but any way it was pretty good. The main characters are a little flaky. They had plenty of time to get together if they had really loved each other. There was a lot of unnecessary confusion on the part of Julie, but a nice weekend read, but you should make a cake before you read it because you are going to need it.
A bit mushy and the title makes it sound like a bodice ripper, but the relationship between the mother and daughter (protagonist) was real. Strohmeyer usually does a nice job of giving you some reality mixed up with some romance. There was a weekend away together sex jaunt, but I skipped that whole part so I can't really tell you if it was offensive. A quick read.
Sera told me about this book and after seeing the cover I knew I had to eat it, I mean read it. This was a compelling chick lit book. It is set in Boston and as I read it I thought I've been there, I know where that is! Of course I was dissappointed when the Storybook Cafe in Davis Square she wrote about turned out to be purely fictional. It sounded like such a heavenly bakery I gooogled it. This book is a better read than Comfort Food. I would recommend it to any chick lit fan.
I had difficulty warming up to the main character, Julie, because of the issues she had with her mother's choices in life. I felt that was unfair. I believe that most people make the best decision possible with the information at hand during that time. As the story progressed, I did start to like Julie, but I liked her mom, Betty, even more.
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Sarah Strohmeyer is the award-winning, nationally bestselling author of fifteen novels one of which, THE CINDERELLA PACT, became a Lifetime Movie, LYING TO BE PERFECT.
Her first mystery, BUBBLES UNBOUND, won the Agatha Award and THE SLEEPING BEAUTY PROPOSAL was nominated for a prestigious RITA™. Her books have been translated into German, French, Italian, Turkish, Taiwanese and a bunch of others.
He...more
More about Sarah Strohmeyer...
Her first mystery, BUBBLES UNBOUND, won the Agatha Award and THE SLEEPING BEAUTY PROPOSAL was nominated for a prestigious RITA™. Her books have been translated into German, French, Italian, Turkish, Taiwanese and a bunch of others.
He...more
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“He's definitely one of those men you love before you get to know.”
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“We may not get what we want, when we want. But with a bit of perseverance and a lot of patience, we can get what we need.”
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Apr 09, 2011 05:45pm