Sweet Tea & Second Chances

Lovebird Café #1

by Dylann Crush

The boy next door is about to rock my world...again.

There's no room in my new life for an old flame. Especially not when the sparks still smolder.

But the only way to claim my big city future is by cutting ties with my small town past, and I find myself caught between a rock of regret and the hard planes of Robbie Jordan's chest.

I only need to survive until he fixes up my grandparents' house and I can cash out. But he's got a truck full of tools and knows exactly how to use them. Not to mention the things that man can do with a hammer...

Snag your copy of Sweet Tea & Second Chances today and relax into Swallow Springs, Missouri, where a cocky rooster rules the roost and all of life's problems can be solved while sipping on a nice cold glass of sweet tea.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Second Chance, Amazon, Contemporary Romance, Ebooks, Own

308 pages, Paperback

First published April 3, 2019

About the author

Dylann Crush writes contemporary romance with sizzle and sass. A romantic at heart, she loves her heroines spunky and her heroes super sexy. When she’s not dreaming up steamy storylines, she can be found sipping a margarita and searching for the best Tex-Mex food in Minnesota.

Although she grew up in Texas, she currently lives in a suburb of Minneapolis/St. Paul with her unflappable husband, three energetic kids, a clumsy Great Dane, a rescue mutt and a very chill cat. She loves to connect with readers, other authors and fans of tequila. You can find her at www.dylanncrush.com.

Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Crush...
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Instagram: @DylannCrush
Twitter: @DylannCrush

Reviews

[Ashleyjayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed sweet tea and second chance, it was a light, romantic easy read. I really enjoyed casssie's character and loved rob's easy going boyish character, it was just what i needed to get me out of my reading slump. I found it a sweet heartfelt read.

The story is told in Cassie and Rob's pov and i found it easy to follow, i cant wait to read more in the in lovebird cafe series. This is my first time reading from dylann crush and have to say it wont be the last.

I want to say thanks to netgalley, Dylann Crush for allowing me to read this sweet, romantic, heartfelt story.

[Saly · Rating 2 out of 5]

It pains me to rate a book this low, especially given I have really enjoyed this authors books in the past and given I know hard it is to write a book. But in all honestly, this didn't work for me and the reasons are several and all pertain to the heroine, who I HATED. The book is filled with all kind of caricatures: shady father, shady ex'es. The hero just seemed like a pansy who let the heroine treat him badly. I didn't understand what he saw in her.

I will spoiler the review just in case h/H were teenagers in love but of course a shady parent separated them, and these two are dumb enough not to figure out till the end it was the H's father. H of course followed her and saw her hug a guy in freshman year and thought they were involved.

She comes back 9 years later to sell grandparents property so she can start a restaurant with her business partner/boyfriend. She is surprised to find he is back, and taking care of his dying father. Hero is all flirty, and she is like I will kiss you, but no I have a boyfriend.

We learn hero had a gf, he is on a break with, of course she is the woman he had a sex-fest with after he saw h with other guy with in college (and we see him reminisce abt it--- so unnecessary). Soon both their respective hurdles are over and they start sleeping together. But h is clear it is just sex and I am leaving. H still persists like a puppy.

Then we had a unnecessary scene when h's ex comes stays with her, she introduces hero as her contractor and her ex walks in on her jacking off in a tub--- eew!

I just found the heroine so disrespectful. She basically calls the hero lazy & irresponsible to a friend, refusing to see a man building his own business and coming back to take care of an abusive father.

Hell, him buying her house was just sad. He should have told her, you snooze, you lose and I am gonna raise my kids with someone else in this house!

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

To get the fund to start a new life, Cassie needs to fix up her grandparent's house and sell it. The catch is that the only construction company in town that could do the job belong to her once childhood friend and lover that she hasn't seen in over 9 years. The boy is now a man, and what a nice specimen of it, but he hasn't lost the smug grin that never failed to have an effect on her.

"This was my Robbie. He might have changed on the outside, shed his boyish outer image as he morphed into a man, but he still had the biggest heart."

Robbie has been back in town to take care of his sick father, despite an awful youth. He also plan to build something for the kids, in memory of his brother who died years ago. He's always wondered what happened to make Cassie not wants to talk to him again. Her being back is the perfect opportunity to gets answers and clear the air with her. But for him, it's obvious right from the start there's still feelings and that she's always been the one for him.

"It's still there, Cass."
He touched his forehead to mine.
"Whatever started between us all those years ago, I still feel it."

Cassie wants Robbie to stay in her past, but what if he wants to be her future?


The cover and the title caught my attention (and it's one of the prettiest book I own) but I picked this one because I enjoyed tremendously the books I've read from this author before. This one is no exception and I was hook and laughing at page 1. For me, the best characters are the ones you want to be friends with. Flirty banters one minute and bickering the next was part of the great chemistry between Rob and Cassie and made for an enticing romance. I especially liked the hero playful spirit. And it's great that we got the double POV. I wished I wasn't bothered by the fact I couldn't understand why Robbie choose to come back to take care of a man who was so bad to him before and acted as if it wasn't that big of a deal and the whole town knowing. I also wanted more childhood flashback because it's something that I adore reading about. And as I said before, I'm not a fan of the annoying exes no matter the situation. But I can't wait to be back at the Lovebird Cafe.

[Tonya Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been a long time since I had a book which made me laugh so hard, I literally cried.
Sweet Tea and Second Chances is truly a sweet-sexy romance.

We all remember our first true love, what if you were giving a second chance to rekindle “the one love” that got away?

Ms. Dylann Crush is such a talented author she writes with so much spontaneity
and vitality, her books truly emulate energy.

I have loved her Books and I put this sweet-sexy romantic comedy right up beside her Holiday, Texas Series!

If you’re needing that one book which makes you feel happy, makes you want to enjoy spring sunshine, & second chances, then grab a glass of sweet tea and be prepared to laugh until you cry.

[Glenda Kinard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my but Dylann Crush wrote a scorcher with
Sweet Tea & Second Chances!!! Who said you can’t go home must have never been in Cassie Belmont’s shoes. Robbie Jordan: oooohhh that Robbie he is one guy worth going home for!!!
Sometimes you find out Love is worth it all.
For a laugh out loud, feel good book then Sweet Tea & Second Chances is definitely your book and certainly not one to be missed!! Wonderfully written by one talented author Dylann Crush this book will be in this reader’s heart and mind for a long time to come!! Love Loved it!!!!

[Paula White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love second chance romance books and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Loved Robbie and. Cassie - though at times I wanted to shake Cassie! The H and h hadn’t seen each other for 9 years and the separation back then was due to someone meddling. They rekindle their romance but Cassie has big dreams and think she needs to make them in Dallas. Luckily she comes to her senses and we get our HEA. I look forward to reading more from this series.

Thanks to NetGalley for the copy.

[Jeeves Reads Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Tea & Second Chances is most definitely a sweet romance, following a couple who have known each other since they were kids. Cassie and Robbie were childhood sweethearts, separated by a misunderstanding when they were teens. As they come face to face for the first time in nine years, they have to learn about each other as adults. Over the course of a summer, they prepare Cassie’s grandmother’s home for sale and confront their lingering feelings for each other.

I enjoyed much of this book - thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I really loved Robbie, and how his love for Cassie hadn’t diminished over the years. He was determined to figure out if they could have a future together. I did not love the borderline cheating that happened towards the beginning of the book - both Robbie and Cassie are dating someone else when the book begins. I also did not love the circumstances that lead them to become intimate for the first time, Both of those things left a bad taste in my mouth, but they did not entirely detract from the story. I found the author’s writing style to be easy to read, and I really felt like I understood the setting and the characters’ motivations. Overall, an enjoyable book, though not a perfect one.

[Linda Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never too late for Second Chances...

This second chance love story about Robbie and Cassie restored my faith in giving love another try. Time apart from each other did not lessen the love this couple have for each other. Cassie left the small town of Swallow Springs for something better in her life. So she left her childhood sweetheart and moved to the big City of Dallas. She left Robbie devastated and with a heart that would always be hers. Years later, Cassie finds herself back in the small town and back into the arms of Robbie.

Robbie sees a chance to convince Cassie what she truly is missing and that her dreams are right in front of her. Their story is heartbreaking, romantic, funny and steamy. It has all "the feels" I seek in a story. I look forward to the next book by Dylann Chase in this series.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I'm looking for a contemporary author to read, Dylan Crush is becoming one of my goto authors. This was a great story about second chances that had me reading well past my bedtime.

[Jewlsbookblog · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Cassie and Robbie were two peas on a pod growing up. They were best friends and eventually sweethearts, falling deep into young love. Of course, things happened that caused them to split up. Nine years later, these mid twenty-year olds run into each other again when Cassie comes home to fix up and sell her grandparents home and Robbie is the contractor helping her. There’s nothing like a summer romance to rekindle feelings that never left, but when one of them is playing for keeps, what are the chances for a second chance?

I really liked Cassie! She was sweet, smart, extremely stubborn and when she cut loose she was funny. She was also a rigid planner with a checklist of goals to accomplish. Sh had a well of feelings and it was an interesting journey watching her work through the gamut of emotions Robbie, and Cassie’s own memories, took her on.

Robbie was a riot! He had a wacky sense of humor and could be serious when need be, but it was his deep core of loyalty, compassion, and love for those dearest to him that won me over! It’s hard to resist a guy who would lay his heart all out there, trying to win his girl.

With a mix of sweet, steamy, and lots of fun, I loved seeing these to rediscover each other! I know their relationship was inevitable, but wrenches being thrown into the woodwork of their relationship kept me flipping to see where things would finally end up!

Dylann Crush is a new for me author and I am in love with the first book in her Lovebird Cafe series! I fell in love with Cassie and Robbie’s second chance romance and had a ball seeing where things would go! The extra bonus scene really had me in stitches too! Talk about things going wrong! The other characters-even the mean girls-are worth a mention, but it was Misty and Jake who had me cracking up with mentions of parenthood, quality time, and their boys mischief! I’ve already preordered the anthology their novella is included in and can’t wait for August to get here!

I have to thank Aly for posting this cover on Instagram. It caught my eye and and curiosity and when I literally stumbled on it through Netgalley a fewdays later and I couldn’t resist requesting. I’m happy I did since I found a new author with a backlist to check out!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Megan Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not everyone gets a second chance with their sweetheart who got away. Robbie knows that and is going to make the most out of the summer while Cassie is back fixing up her Grandparents old farm house.

Cassie has big dreams for herself that don't include Robbie anymore but she can't say no to a summer fling while she's back in Swallow Springs.

While Robbie tries to convince Cassie to stay and see her real dreams in front of her Cassie remembers the love and memories they once shared and starts to rethink her big dreams for some small town dreams.

Sweet Tea and Second Chances is a heartfelt read that will leave you feeling all the emotions! It's sweet, funny, sexy, and fun. Definitely a book you'll have a hard time putting down. Ms. Crush writes such relatable characters in situations we can all empathize with that there is a little something for everyone who picks up the book. A must read for your list!

[Kristiej · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the dreaded "it's OK but nothing special" books that We tough to do reviews for. Robbie & Cassie were childhood friends then sweethearts when they got older and someone interfered in their romance. The book takes place in a small town and although Cassie didn't grow up there, she spent every summer with her grandparents collecting wonderful memories with Robbie.

But now it's a number of years later, her grandparents have passed and she's back in town to fix up and we'll the place they left her and use the money to open a fancy restaurant with her business partner/boyfriend.

But Robbie is also back in town and just happens to be the best contractor to help with the renovations. It doesn't take Robbie long to realize he's never really gotten over Cassie and he wants a second chance for the two of them. Cassie isn't car behind in acknowledging she still has the same feelings but she's bound and determined to follow through with her plans.

Both Robbie and Cassie are good if a bit unremarkable characters. Cassie takes to long to see what's in front of her that I started getting impatient to finish the book and move on to the next book and sadly I don't think it will take long for me to forget the book.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of those 'I wanted to like it but the heroine ruined it' books. I really wish I could say she redeemed herself in my eyes, but I pretty much hated Cassie the whole book and then she had an epiphany and wham, he forgave her within minutes of her showing up to apologize.

And poor Robbie. He was like a lost puppy when it came to Cassie. He put up with her crap way more than I would have. She kept pushing him away, devaluing him in front of others and was so hung up on what she thought was her dream that she just dumped him (again). And that whole scene with her ex in her house was unnecessary and in poor taste. If anything, it made me hate her even more.

I thought Robbie deserved better or at least should have made her grovel for a long time and give him a grand gesture to prove she loved him unconditionally. He was such a great guy with a big heart and I guess for him, he knew she was his one true love and always would be.

They were both pretty stupid when they broke up before college. But I guess it all worked out the way it was supposed to.

I'm a fan of Dylann Crush, but this one just didn't do it for me.

[Jacki · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5☆
I liked it!

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
The humor
Dual POVs
Part of a series: Lovebird Cafe
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue

I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from NetGalley.

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robbie & Cassie (Cassiopeia): I loved Robbie from jump. First page out of the gate. Funny, smart, sweet and hard working. Cassie was clueless and her priorities were a mess. But the build up to conclusion was a fun ride.

Dylann Crush has built a good world here and I intend to keep exploring the Lovebird Café series.

[Dylann Crush]

FREE through Monday, 2/24/20! If you haven't picked up this steamy, second-chance, small town romance yet, now's the time!

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cassie returned to her grandparents’ farmhouse in Swallow Springs, Missouri, and she wandered down to the pond only to see Robbie Jordan lying naked on the grass. He sure had filled out since they were kids! He said he was cleaning out some brush from around the pond for her, cooled off in the water, then was sun-drying himself on the grass. He hadn’t expected her until the weekend. Her plan was to fix up her grandparents’ old place, sell it, and use the money to start up a business in Dallas. She had no idea why Robbie was back in town. He brought back memories, and she wanted to shut those away. Her life had no room for Robbie Jordan.

Robbie had come back to take care of his dying father. With cancer and cirrhosis, the doctor had given him 6 months to live. He told Robbie he had heard Cassie was back and reminded his son she was nothing but trouble. Robbie had been dating Caroline Hayes and his father was urging him to hold onto her. Right now, Caroline was teaching in South America. But when she returned in August, Robbie was expected to either put a ring on her finger or her father promised to shut him out of any construction jobs within a fifty-mile radius.

Because Robbie owns a construction business, he naturally decides to help Cassie with her renovation project on the farmhouse. Memories and old feelings haunt both of them, but she tries to push them away. The bottom line is, she needs his help with her renovations. Will Cassie and Robbie see in each other what they have had all along? Or will they allow the past to destroy their chances for happiness?

This was a very enjoyable book. I like the way the author kept bringing back snippets of the past to show the reader how Cassie and Robbie had grown up together and give the background of their story in a very effective way. The reader truly gets to know both of them. I loved Robbie’s personality and the humor and laughter he’s always ready to share. Grab your copy and see if he and Cassie can get back what they thought was lost.

[Jackie Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Dylann Crush and it won’t be the last I fell in love with the residents of Swallow Springs and I look forward to reading more in the Lovebird Cafe as well as checking out other books by this very talented author.
Cassie is back in the small town she grew up in to sell her late grandma’s house the only problem is it’s needs a lot of work before it can go on the market and the only construction firm in town capable of completing the job is run by Robbie who just happens to be her childhood sweetheart. Cassie and Robbie grew up together and shared many firsts but when it came to college they ended up going their separate ways will the second time around be any different for this adorable couple...........
This story is told in both Cassie and Rob’s POV and it was easy to get involved with their journey and the residents of Swallow Springs. This book ticked so many boxes for me, I love this authors style of writing, I loved the characters, the banter left me laughing and smiling like a Cheshire Cat, I swooned as Rob set out to win Cassie’s love again and I gasped as she dug her heels in but in the end this book is not only a great second chance romance it’s also small town romance at its best. I highly recommend this book to all romance lovers.

[Karschtl · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5 Stars

The title sounds like a nice chick-lit, but the cover makes it quite clear that it's rather a steamy romance. Still, I was quite surprised to read the word p*nis in the very first sentence already. Talk about what he could do with all the tools in his belt to various body parts of her begins pretty fast, which makes it seem as if their (mutual) physical attraction is the only thing going for these childhood sweethearts. Dylann Crush could have invested in more shared scenes that not only consist of teasing, flirting or being mad at each other. The characterisations of Cassie and Robbie individually on the other hand was pretty well done, they got some depth and background. But together they seemed to have only one thing going for them. Also, lots of scenes or actions from the characters (including the exes, best friends, the Dad) were very clichéd. There was nothing really new or surprising about it all.

Of course you know where the story is leading. The subtitle - A Lovebird Cafe Novel - is also a pretty strong hint. I just wish we could have seen more of the actual Lovebird Cafe, not only in the epilogue. I guess one has to read the 2nd part to learn more about that. But the blurb of the 2nd book reveals that this will be about two completely new characters that we haven't even met yet, but not about Cassie & Robbie

[Bette Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

Great second chance romance! Who says you can't go home again? Cassie & Robbie's story prove sometimes that's exactly where you need to be to find what truly makes you happy. Feel good read that I highly recommend.

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Tea & Second Chances is the first book in the Lovebird Cafe by Dylann Crush and it is wonderful romance that offers lots of charm, deep emotions, humor and sweetness. This is Robbie and Cassie story. I liked both these characters so much. Their attraction was strong and their chemistry generated lots of sparks. The storyline was engaging and fun but offers a solid amount of drama and emotional turmoil as this couples relationship evolves into more than they ever imagined.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Misty Goan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic second chance romance. This amazing storyline has sizzling sexy times with lots if fun and flashbacks of their childhood and first time around. I was addicted from page one in this must read romance with great likeable characters. I voluntarily reviewed this ARC

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story!

Loved this book and the characters and actions seemed familiar to real places and times of my own growing up in a small town. Robbie and Cassie’s story had every emotion you could think of and the humor was an added touch. I’ve read all of Dylann’s. books and can’t wait for the next ones. Also the short story on the opening of the Lovebird Cafe was hilarious!

[Lisbeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story of Cassie and Robbie! It is a sweet second chance at love story that has conflict, hurdles to cross, a past to sort out and a future to choose! I laughed, roled my eyes, got frustrated over their choises, and kept hoping for the best! Really enjoyed this story!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karina]

DNF . I’m bored out of my mind

[M Hurford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Second Chance Romance Well Worth Your Time.
This story was a delight to read. The author wrote a well developed storyline that flowed nicely (meaning it made sense) from chapter to chapter. But most of all I really loved the characters from Swallow Springs, Missouri. As I’m reading I’m picturing the town, hearing the dialect, just enjoying the whole vibe...sort of a “Sweet Home Alabama” feel going on.
The fact that Cassie and Robbie have known each other since they were five you know they are destined to be together. It just seems like Cassie needed to take the scenic route to come back.
You won’t go wrong spending some time so I’m definitely recommending this book for your reading enjoyment and pleasure.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tracy Fritts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Lovebird Cafe. Sweet tea and second chances is a sweet read. This was a delightful and easy to read. I truly enjoyed these two characters Cassie and Robbie. It was well written and a wonderful storyline. It kept my interest through out the story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Awesome Read, well written, great characters, Awesome story line, easy read to hold you on their journey, this genre might not be for everyone but its a really wonderful story cannot wait for more from this Author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Cassie and Robbie have been in love with each other since they were 5yrs old ,but In collage they were torn apart now years later she is back in swallow springs and so many dreams ,hopes, and feeling are now brewing. Awesome

[Tracey Tranter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good, second chance romance.

A well-written and enjoyable read with a few laughs along the way.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.