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Sweetland #2
Just Like Heaven
As a successful criminal prosecutor, Preston Cantrell thrives in the hustle and bustle of Baltimore. Much as he loved his grandmother, the cozy streets of his hometown aren’t enough for him — not when he can make a real difference in the city. To get back to his career, all he needs is a new home for the energetic puppy he inherited. But when the gorgeous woman who arrives to adopt finds the dog more appealing than he is, Preston’s determined to plead his case.
Heaven Montgomery is still shaky after an accident almost claimed her life — and her doctor thinks having a pet would help her deal with the post-traumatic stress. The plan is for Heaven to take her new puppy back home to Boston… but Sweetland’s warmth and charm is irresistible. Why should she rush back to the chill and snobbery of her city?
In Just Like Heaven by Lacey Baker, Heaven’s learning, with Preston’s help, that life doesn’t always care about the plans you’ve made. Sometimes you just need to let fate — and love — create its own sweet magic.
Heaven Montgomery is still shaky after an accident almost claimed her life — and her doctor thinks having a pet would help her deal with the post-traumatic stress. The plan is for Heaven to take her new puppy back home to Boston… but Sweetland’s warmth and charm is irresistible. Why should she rush back to the chill and snobbery of her city?
In Just Like Heaven by Lacey Baker, Heaven’s learning, with Preston’s help, that life doesn’t always care about the plans you’ve made. Sometimes you just need to let fate — and love — create its own sweet magic.
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 26, 2013
8 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
About the author
Lacey Baker
21 books194 followersLacey Baker, a Maryland native, is a wife, mother, Nana and an author. Family cookouts, reunion vacations and growing up in church have all encouraged Lacey to write heartwarming and inspirational stories about the endurance of family and finding love. She is the author of the Sweetland series and Hallmark Channel Original Movies: A Gingerbread Romance and Christmas In Evergreen: Bells Are Ringing.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 16, 2014
A charming love story of renewal and fate by Lacey Baker. When Heaven Montgomery heads to Sweetland, she expects to return home with a puppy, but instead she finds Preston Cantrell and his siblings. Recovering from an explosion at her pharmaceutical laboratory, the pace and comfort of Sweetland is exactly what she needs to help her overcome some of her residual fears. Preston is almost immediately attracted to Heaven, but knows that anything between them must be short lived since he will be returning to his job in Baltimore and Heaven will return home to Boston, with Coco, the puppy. As Heaven and Preston spend time together, they both realize that they are experiencing some strong feelings for each other, and Heaven just can’t seem to walk away from them. Maybe Preston is the one who can help her heal, and finally give her everything she’s always wanted, if only she could get him to open up and see it. But will her former life come back and ruin everything Heaven is trying to create for herself in Sweetland? And will Preston be willing to finally see their relationship is worth sticking around for?
The next story in Lacey Baker’s Sweetland series is a fun, entertaining read that will leave you with a smile on your face. I really enjoyed all the characters in the story and the picturesque setting of Sweetland. While there were parts of the book that I found a little lacking, overall the plot was well developed and engaging. The added part of the mystery behind the explosion at Heaven’s plant and the attacks on her in Sweetland, gave the novel a bit of a mystery to unravel, which gave the story a little more depth, although I do wish there had been a little more closure regarding this. The love story between Heaven and Preston is very sweet and enjoyable, and has a few tense moments that will leave you wondering if they will have their happy ending. Heaven’s mother Opaline, is portrayed as a snobbish socialite, and one the reader can easily detest, but I think my favorite character of all was Sylvester, the boyfriend of Preston’s recently deceased grandmother. His words of wisdom and ability to be there at just the right moment with a candid comment is truly entertaining. Overall, a novel worth reading, even if you haven’t read others in the Sweetland series.
Rating: 4
Heat Rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilP
Courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
The next story in Lacey Baker’s Sweetland series is a fun, entertaining read that will leave you with a smile on your face. I really enjoyed all the characters in the story and the picturesque setting of Sweetland. While there were parts of the book that I found a little lacking, overall the plot was well developed and engaging. The added part of the mystery behind the explosion at Heaven’s plant and the attacks on her in Sweetland, gave the novel a bit of a mystery to unravel, which gave the story a little more depth, although I do wish there had been a little more closure regarding this. The love story between Heaven and Preston is very sweet and enjoyable, and has a few tense moments that will leave you wondering if they will have their happy ending. Heaven’s mother Opaline, is portrayed as a snobbish socialite, and one the reader can easily detest, but I think my favorite character of all was Sylvester, the boyfriend of Preston’s recently deceased grandmother. His words of wisdom and ability to be there at just the right moment with a candid comment is truly entertaining. Overall, a novel worth reading, even if you haven’t read others in the Sweetland series.
Rating: 4
Heat Rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilP
Courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
March 30, 2014
This was a perfectly good book if you could get past the author calling women "females" all.the.time. No thank you--one of my biggest pet peeves.
August 5, 2017
Best part of this was the dogs again. Something missing from this series for me. The romance just wasn't believable and ....
I do wonder who will marry Michelle but will only find out if I get that book cheap.
I do wonder who will marry Michelle but will only find out if I get that book cheap.
January 1, 2018
Loved It. Had Never Read Nothing By This Author. Will Read More Of Hers. Happy New Year. 🌈
September 18, 2018
First time with this author. Really like the book.
December 5, 2013
"Just Like Heaven" which I won from Goodreads Giveaways is a love story with a dash of mystery that begins in Sweetland Maryland at a Bed and Breakfast owned by the Cantrell family. It begins when Heaven Montgomery, a woman suffering from post- traumatic stress after an explosion in her lab at Larengetics Pharmaceuticals arrives at The Silver Spoon to adopt Coco, Preston Cantrell's Labrador puppy. What she doesn't expect is to fall for the handsome, charmer who is on leave from his legal firm in Baltimore, and to find a refuge from the pain that haunts her. When Heaven and Preston meet sparks fly but will their love survive the ghosts from their pasts, and will they be able to discover who's stalking Heaven even in the picturesque town of Sweetland.
The plot of this book is fascinating as it blends a love story with the mystery of a crime that has left Heaven Montgomery anxiety-ridden and her life in a shambles. It delivers a strong message about family dynamics and the loyalty that can either bind them together or destroy the relatiionship.
The main characters are well-developed and complex; none of them perfect, each with a flaw in their personality. Heaven Montgomery is the proverbial rich girl with a controlling mother. Shattered by the accident, nervous and uptight,in Sweetland she begins a journey of self-discovery that will give her new self-assurance, stubbornness and determination. Preston Cantrell, a charming smooth talker who avoids commitment like the plague seems smug and arrogant but like Heaven carries his own emotional baggage from the past. When love melts his mistrust of women's ulterior motives his loving, compassionate and protective nature shines through. I like the Cantrell brothers and sisters; the light-hearted, outspoken Savannah, the doting and wise Michelle, the unpretentious, polite and serious Raine, the impulsive and irrepressible Parker, and their responsible and serious older brother Quinn. But one of my favorite characters is Sylvestre Bynum, their late grandmother's boyfriend; a guiding force in the family with his calm, reassuring words of wisdom. And of course Opaline Montgomery the snobbish socialite is someone the reader can't help but detest with her overbearing, manipulative arrogance.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book with the emotional drama of its characters, and the steady progression of the story. I wouldn't hesitate to look for other books by this author in future.
The plot of this book is fascinating as it blends a love story with the mystery of a crime that has left Heaven Montgomery anxiety-ridden and her life in a shambles. It delivers a strong message about family dynamics and the loyalty that can either bind them together or destroy the relatiionship.
The main characters are well-developed and complex; none of them perfect, each with a flaw in their personality. Heaven Montgomery is the proverbial rich girl with a controlling mother. Shattered by the accident, nervous and uptight,in Sweetland she begins a journey of self-discovery that will give her new self-assurance, stubbornness and determination. Preston Cantrell, a charming smooth talker who avoids commitment like the plague seems smug and arrogant but like Heaven carries his own emotional baggage from the past. When love melts his mistrust of women's ulterior motives his loving, compassionate and protective nature shines through. I like the Cantrell brothers and sisters; the light-hearted, outspoken Savannah, the doting and wise Michelle, the unpretentious, polite and serious Raine, the impulsive and irrepressible Parker, and their responsible and serious older brother Quinn. But one of my favorite characters is Sylvestre Bynum, their late grandmother's boyfriend; a guiding force in the family with his calm, reassuring words of wisdom. And of course Opaline Montgomery the snobbish socialite is someone the reader can't help but detest with her overbearing, manipulative arrogance.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book with the emotional drama of its characters, and the steady progression of the story. I wouldn't hesitate to look for other books by this author in future.
August 10, 2016
Fans of small town romance or those who enjoy Debbie Macomber, will get a kick out of Just Like Heaven by Lacey Baker. There’s so much puppy love in this book, as well as a nice romance that tugs on the heart. The Cantrell family unit is strong here. They’re all about supporting one another. The lawyer hero, Preston has semi alpha tendencies when he meets the heroine, Heaven who has been though a horrible ordeal. She feels owning a dog might just be the therapy she needs. She also has less than loving parents and has some social anxiety. She comes to Sweetland to buy a puppy, and that’s where she meets Preston and his siblings. Preston rubs Heaven the wrong way at first, but they bond very quickly, and from that they fall in love. Preston becomes very protective of Heaven because she’s hiding secrets. Plus it appears she may have a stalker who wants to harm her.
Just like Heaven is an entertaining novel with enjoyable characters. I can see this as a TV show, like the Gilmore Girls. There were also some moments of humor from the colorful characters who make up Sweetwater. Preston and Heaven have great chemistry together, and watching them connect and act on their attraction was satisfying. There is a suspense element toward the end that has Preston coming to Heaven’s rescue. Some may find the mystery tone a bit off putting because it really doesn’t fit the overall tone of the story. But overall, Just Like Heaven is a solid reading experience.
I’ll definitely keep my eye on future books in the Sweetland series because I want to see all Cantrell siblings, and their adorable puppies find HEAs.
Just like Heaven is an entertaining novel with enjoyable characters. I can see this as a TV show, like the Gilmore Girls. There were also some moments of humor from the colorful characters who make up Sweetwater. Preston and Heaven have great chemistry together, and watching them connect and act on their attraction was satisfying. There is a suspense element toward the end that has Preston coming to Heaven’s rescue. Some may find the mystery tone a bit off putting because it really doesn’t fit the overall tone of the story. But overall, Just Like Heaven is a solid reading experience.
I’ll definitely keep my eye on future books in the Sweetland series because I want to see all Cantrell siblings, and their adorable puppies find HEAs.
January 26, 2014
When upon her death Mary Janet Cantrell leaves her grandchildren the responsibility of running her beloved bed-and-breakfast inn and six adorable puppies, she must have realized that the Cantrell’s would either sink or swim with their newfound jobs. So far, things are going swimmingly – but keep the life preservers handy! You never know when love is going to give you a good dunking!
In JUST LIKE HEAVEN, the second book of her Sweetland series, author Lacey Baker continues the story of the charming Cantrell family, this time focusing on Preston Cantrell and the lady who would turn his life upside-down and around, Heaven Montgomery. When Heaven answers Preston’s ad for the chocolate lab puppy CoCo she comes looking for a companion, but what she finds is possibly the love of her life waiting for her – but there are obstacles to overcome for the both of them, and secrets to be uncovered before love can shine for these two.
Lacey Baker combines a bit of romance, a bit of humor, a good dose of mystery and secrecy, and a lot of sweet puppiness to create a story that will delight readers. Those who have read the first book of the series, HOMECOMING, will easily pick right up on the continuation of this family-oriented story, but first time readers will also find a great deal of pleasure in this tale as well.
In JUST LIKE HEAVEN, the second book of her Sweetland series, author Lacey Baker continues the story of the charming Cantrell family, this time focusing on Preston Cantrell and the lady who would turn his life upside-down and around, Heaven Montgomery. When Heaven answers Preston’s ad for the chocolate lab puppy CoCo she comes looking for a companion, but what she finds is possibly the love of her life waiting for her – but there are obstacles to overcome for the both of them, and secrets to be uncovered before love can shine for these two.
Lacey Baker combines a bit of romance, a bit of humor, a good dose of mystery and secrecy, and a lot of sweet puppiness to create a story that will delight readers. Those who have read the first book of the series, HOMECOMING, will easily pick right up on the continuation of this family-oriented story, but first time readers will also find a great deal of pleasure in this tale as well.
January 10, 2014
Both Preston Cantrell and Heaven Montgomery come from fast paced, career driven environments. When both find themselves in a small town surrounded by nosy neighbors and interfering Cantrell family members both convince themselves to get their business down and go back home.
Preston came home to bury his grandmother and find a good residence for his inherited Labrador puppy which Heaven seems to be ready to provide. She is not very forthcoming with information but Preston does not feel that is a requirement for animal parenthood. Yet as the days drag on and they spend more time together Preston finds himself wanting something from Heaven he never thought possible, a relationship. He feels protective toward her as the secret she is withholding may be more than a little dangerous to Heaven’s well-being. Heaven has always held her emotions back as life where she came from involved what you could get not what you might be able to share. However, Preston and Heaven seem to have found a match of some kind that they are not quite sure how to describe. Everyone has an opinion on where the relationship should head but Preston is determined to return to his life which will take him away from what he thinks may be love for the first time in his life.
Preston came home to bury his grandmother and find a good residence for his inherited Labrador puppy which Heaven seems to be ready to provide. She is not very forthcoming with information but Preston does not feel that is a requirement for animal parenthood. Yet as the days drag on and they spend more time together Preston finds himself wanting something from Heaven he never thought possible, a relationship. He feels protective toward her as the secret she is withholding may be more than a little dangerous to Heaven’s well-being. Heaven has always held her emotions back as life where she came from involved what you could get not what you might be able to share. However, Preston and Heaven seem to have found a match of some kind that they are not quite sure how to describe. Everyone has an opinion on where the relationship should head but Preston is determined to return to his life which will take him away from what he thinks may be love for the first time in his life.
January 17, 2016
Just Like Heaven a Sweetland series book 2 by Lacey Baker. Heaven Montgomery was working at a pharmaceutial laboratory when an explosion happens killing two people in the lab. Heaven has therapy. She then sees an ad to adopt a Labrador puppy. She goes to the small town of Sweetland.
Preston Cantrell goes to his hometown of Sweetland for his grandmothers funeral. His grandmother gave him and his brothers and sisters Labrador puppies each. Preston is a criminal lawyer in a big city. That is why he is getting rid of his puppy. When Preston meets Heaven he has feeling for her right away. But he doesn't want those feeling, not being able to trust women since his mother walked out on them and his father years ago. The puppy gets along great with Heaven. At first Heaven was accused of the explosion. Was cleared. Someone is after her. She gets kidnapped. A very good read. I'm looking forward to reading the last book in the series.
Preston Cantrell goes to his hometown of Sweetland for his grandmothers funeral. His grandmother gave him and his brothers and sisters Labrador puppies each. Preston is a criminal lawyer in a big city. That is why he is getting rid of his puppy. When Preston meets Heaven he has feeling for her right away. But he doesn't want those feeling, not being able to trust women since his mother walked out on them and his father years ago. The puppy gets along great with Heaven. At first Heaven was accused of the explosion. Was cleared. Someone is after her. She gets kidnapped. A very good read. I'm looking forward to reading the last book in the series.
February 11, 2014
I received this book through Goodreads giveaways.
I really enjoy the characters in the Sweetland series. I think that they are well developed. They have their loveable parts but you also get annoyed with them. Almost like they are your own siblings.
I had a really hard time getting into this story. I felt it took to long for anything to develop as it was over half way through the book before I felt like there was a story to follow. Having said that once the story really started I couldn't put the book down. The ending wasn't my favourite as it was very much like the first book. I was hoping he would figure it out before he left town.
I will definitely read the rest of this series.
I really enjoy the characters in the Sweetland series. I think that they are well developed. They have their loveable parts but you also get annoyed with them. Almost like they are your own siblings.
I had a really hard time getting into this story. I felt it took to long for anything to develop as it was over half way through the book before I felt like there was a story to follow. Having said that once the story really started I couldn't put the book down. The ending wasn't my favourite as it was very much like the first book. I was hoping he would figure it out before he left town.
I will definitely read the rest of this series.
April 12, 2014
The second in the Sweetland series by Lacey Baker is as good as the first. This time the story focuses on Preston Cantrell who decides that he can't keep the puppy that his grandmother left him in her will. When he meets Heaven Montgomery, who is going to adopt Coco from him, he finds himself intrigued by her. Heaven has some mystery surrounding her and is suffering from post traumatic stress after an accident that almost took her life. Will the two make a go of it? Read the book and find out.
November 22, 2013
ARC provided by NightOwlReviews
the book is written well by the author. her characters were well written as well. however the book did not hold my interest like i thought it would.
the book is written well by the author. her characters were well written as well. however the book did not hold my interest like i thought it would.
January 20, 2014
Heaven comes to Sweetland to adopt a puppy then stays. She and Preston Cantrell instantly are attracted to each other, but he doesn't want to stay in Sweetland...
January 28, 2014
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February 5, 2014click here to find it in the catalogue.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews