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The Hartwell Women #2
Sweet Talk
Following her divorce Allison Hartwell leaves Maine for California to become a partner in her college roommate’s art gallery. She’s out to prove she can succeed in business, get along without a man and have fun along the way. But things quickly fall apart – the business is financially insecure and she’s left with the care of her roommate’s eight-year-old daughter, Daisy. When Blake Whiting, owner of Silver Goose Winery becomes involved with Sweet Talk, a wine and chocolate bar Allison opens, things become more complicated even as Daisy teaches her to open her heart to loving again.
315 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 12, 2015
366 people are currently reading
490 people want to read
About the author
Judith Keim
129 books966 followers Judith Keim, A USA Today Best Selling Author, is a hybrid author who both has a publisher and self-publishes. Ms. Keim writes heart-warming novels about women who face unexpected challenges, meet them with strength, and find love and happiness along the way, stories with heart. Her best-selling books are based, in part, on many of the places she's lived or visited and on the interesting people that she's met, creating believable characters and realistic settings her many loyal readers love.
She enjoyed her childhood and young-adult years in Elmira, New York, and now makes her home in Boise, Idaho, with her husband and their two dachshunds, Kacy and Wally, and other members of her family.
While growing up, she was drawn to the idea of writing stories from a young age. Books were always present, being read, ready to go back to the library, or about to be discovered. All in her family shared information from the books in general conversation, giving them a wealth of knowledge and vivid imaginations.
Ms. Keim loves to hear from her readers and appreciates their enthusiasm for her stories.
To sign up for her newsletter, go here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/oeiwdp1vkc
Her website: https://judithkeim.com/
Follow her on Book Bub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/judit...
She enjoyed her childhood and young-adult years in Elmira, New York, and now makes her home in Boise, Idaho, with her husband and their two dachshunds, Kacy and Wally, and other members of her family.
While growing up, she was drawn to the idea of writing stories from a young age. Books were always present, being read, ready to go back to the library, or about to be discovered. All in her family shared information from the books in general conversation, giving them a wealth of knowledge and vivid imaginations.
Ms. Keim loves to hear from her readers and appreciates their enthusiasm for her stories.
To sign up for her newsletter, go here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/oeiwdp1vkc
Her website: https://judithkeim.com/
Follow her on Book Bub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/judit...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 20, 2025
2nd book in series ~
An easy story to read . A heart warming story about a mother that suddenly dies and leaves her 8 yr old with a friend .
A pull on my heart strings .
An easy story to read . A heart warming story about a mother that suddenly dies and leaves her 8 yr old with a friend .
A pull on my heart strings .
August 30, 2015
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. A very good book - I started reading and couldn't stop - finished it in two days! Loved the quick pace and touching moments. A love story - but a story of two different types of love - love between a man and woman, and also love between a mother and daughter!
April 10, 2015
Hands down, one of the best books I have ever read. I love the writing style and the emotions that the author conveys in her words.
The last chapter, though few in pages, was so emotional and so perfect. I would recommend a tissue box to be handy for the last chapter.
I received a copy via the Goodreads First Reads program.
The last chapter, though few in pages, was so emotional and so perfect. I would recommend a tissue box to be handy for the last chapter.
I received a copy via the Goodreads First Reads program.
November 17, 2024
A very good author
I cannot believe that I just finished reading a book in less than 3 days. "Sweet Talk" is another Hartwell woman series book that made me laugh, made me think about being a mother, and then made me cry and smile at the end. This is a very compelling book and you will go through many emotions. I loved this book about Allison finding a lot of thought provoking chapters in her life. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I cannot believe that I just finished reading a book in less than 3 days. "Sweet Talk" is another Hartwell woman series book that made me laugh, made me think about being a mother, and then made me cry and smile at the end. This is a very compelling book and you will go through many emotions. I loved this book about Allison finding a lot of thought provoking chapters in her life. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
April 11, 2025
Who needs to sleep?
I picked up the book to read a little before drifting off to sleep like I do most nights. When my alarm went off I was shocked that I was just a few pages from the end if the book.
You surprised me at every turn and I couldn't stop reading until
I new the answer.
I must admit I was hoping I was guessing the answer about half way through......... It was the perfect solution.
I won't start on Samantha's story till I've had some sleep😀
I picked up the book to read a little before drifting off to sleep like I do most nights. When my alarm went off I was shocked that I was just a few pages from the end if the book.
You surprised me at every turn and I couldn't stop reading until
I new the answer.
I must admit I was hoping I was guessing the answer about half way through......... It was the perfect solution.
I won't start on Samantha's story till I've had some sleep😀
July 11, 2023
Loving someone elses child
Sweet talk is a 5 star read for me. Allie moves from Maine to California to be buisness partners with her best friend. Shortly after arriving her friend dies and Allie steps in to care for her friends young daughter, Daisy. This is the best book about relationships and sometimes having to let go. Judith Keim did a great job writing Swwet Talk!
Sweet talk is a 5 star read for me. Allie moves from Maine to California to be buisness partners with her best friend. Shortly after arriving her friend dies and Allie steps in to care for her friends young daughter, Daisy. This is the best book about relationships and sometimes having to let go. Judith Keim did a great job writing Swwet Talk!
October 8, 2025
Allison's story
From a business partner to becoming a fairy godmother to a very difficult little girl, this is Allison's story. She tries to find Daisy's father to prevent her mother's ex-girlfriend from taking her. Allison is also trying to make a go of the business and find her own happiness.
From a business partner to becoming a fairy godmother to a very difficult little girl, this is Allison's story. She tries to find Daisy's father to prevent her mother's ex-girlfriend from taking her. Allison is also trying to make a go of the business and find her own happiness.
November 26, 2018
A sappy and totally predictable book that was surprisingly readable and utterly enjoyable. Although the book was replete with two dimensional characters, I still found myself cheering for the protagonist and hissing at the enemy.
November 25, 2019
Lovely Book Sweet Talk
I have read many of Ms Keims books and find them very enjoyable and well written I like sister Allison's compassion her artistic presence and business sense in exciting California wine country all with a handsome love interest
I have read many of Ms Keims books and find them very enjoyable and well written I like sister Allison's compassion her artistic presence and business sense in exciting California wine country all with a handsome love interest
June 12, 2023
I loved this book, didn't put it down til I was finished. This second book in the HARTWELL WOMEN TRILOGY is so enjoyable and the storyline and characters are like family. The twists and turns keep you interested until the final page and I am looking forward to reading book three next.
May 15, 2025
Sweet Talk
This was a beautiful and emotional story. I was so captivated by this book I couldn't put it down. The characters are loyal, friendly and family. This is an interesting, uplifting and heartbreaking and emotional rollercoaster you're going to enjoy.
This was a beautiful and emotional story. I was so captivated by this book I couldn't put it down. The characters are loyal, friendly and family. This is an interesting, uplifting and heartbreaking and emotional rollercoaster you're going to enjoy.
July 29, 2025
A Very Good Book
The characters were fun 😁. I enjoyed the love between family and friends. This book touches your emotions. I loved 😍 the description of the lives of the characters. The romance was awesome. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
The characters were fun 😁. I enjoyed the love between family and friends. This book touches your emotions. I loved 😍 the description of the lives of the characters. The romance was awesome. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
October 23, 2025
Sweet Talk
This story was set in California and very different from her other stories. A very interesting tale of mystery about a child' s father that was finally discovered in an usual way. A,must read.
This story was set in California and very different from her other stories. A very interesting tale of mystery about a child' s father that was finally discovered in an usual way. A,must read.
May 18, 2017
love!
August 19, 2017
This is the second of four in Judith Keim's series "The Hartwell Women". It is okay but I have like all her other series better than this one.
Read
April 10, 2020Loved it
I loved this book Sweet Talk. I haven't cried real tears over a book in a long time until I read this one. I look forward to the next book in this series Straight Talk.
I loved this book Sweet Talk. I haven't cried real tears over a book in a long time until I read this one. I look forward to the next book in this series Straight Talk.
October 9, 2020
What a wonderful story.
December 1, 2022
I love this series!!!!!! Judith Keim has a unique way of writing about strong women who love hard and are amazing women all around. On to Straight Talk now
January 25, 2023
Motherhood?
You never think your life will change! You marry ,you divorce, you move across country to start a new life.
You never think your life will change! You marry ,you divorce, you move across country to start a new life.
May 9, 2023
fantastic
This book took me a few chapters to really get into but then I couldn’t put it down, absolutely fabulous
This book took me a few chapters to really get into but then I couldn’t put it down, absolutely fabulous
November 7, 2024
You have a girl starting over with an art business with her friend when her friend dies and she gets her 8 year old daughter. It's a heartwarming storyline
July 16, 2025
good series
October 23, 2015
This is the second of a trilogy that covers the female members of a family, their trials and tribulations, their loves and loses, their doubts and fears, and the eventual resolution in the form of marriage. As they are now saying, not necessarily happy ever after but, at least, happy for now. Modern romance novels are just updated Shakespearian comedies.
This novel has a few twists that are different. A sudden death leads to a question over the paternity of a young seven year old child – with the added complications that she is prone to tantrums caused by some brain damage at birth. And in many ways the story around this issue is the thread that keeps all the other tangled relationships together.
I know that in these sorts of stories the 'heroine' has to face a lot of decisions, that things don't always go the way they were planned, that love will out in the end but do we have to go through so many tearful bouts of self doubt, self castigation, the questioning of self worth?
I suppose a strong-willed Amazon-like heroine wouldn't really fit in to a romance and the only way you could team up the likes of Boudicae would be with an equally psychopathic killer – more the characters in a horror story than a romance. I just hope that romance writers will, one day, find another way to show vulnerability and compassion, together with a strong will, than by filling buckets with tears.
Another way that, it seems, a woman can show her worth in the contemporary United States is by becoming a successful business-woman. This may be a sign of the times, after decades where the so-called 'free market' has ruled the political and economic roost, but wouldn't it be good, from time to time, to have a romantic story that extolled the virtues of ordinary, working class women. After all, without them the rich wouldn't exist, and they the ones that hold up half the sky.
And not only that, after making a success of her business (turning a failing one around, coming up with innovative ideas, and then expansion into another field) Allison ends up catching someone with even more money than she has. She is definitely in a win win situation. Although here the pill has a bitter edge, which puts her to the real test.
If, taking into account what's expected in romance novels, most of the characters were 'realistic', the motivation, actions, and ultimate fate (and whether she was involved in any criminal activity) of Lisa I found totally unconvincing.
Not really my usual read but I like to dip my toe in the water from time to time to see what's out there. This one was well written and the story was credible.
This novel has a few twists that are different. A sudden death leads to a question over the paternity of a young seven year old child – with the added complications that she is prone to tantrums caused by some brain damage at birth. And in many ways the story around this issue is the thread that keeps all the other tangled relationships together.
I know that in these sorts of stories the 'heroine' has to face a lot of decisions, that things don't always go the way they were planned, that love will out in the end but do we have to go through so many tearful bouts of self doubt, self castigation, the questioning of self worth?
I suppose a strong-willed Amazon-like heroine wouldn't really fit in to a romance and the only way you could team up the likes of Boudicae would be with an equally psychopathic killer – more the characters in a horror story than a romance. I just hope that romance writers will, one day, find another way to show vulnerability and compassion, together with a strong will, than by filling buckets with tears.
Another way that, it seems, a woman can show her worth in the contemporary United States is by becoming a successful business-woman. This may be a sign of the times, after decades where the so-called 'free market' has ruled the political and economic roost, but wouldn't it be good, from time to time, to have a romantic story that extolled the virtues of ordinary, working class women. After all, without them the rich wouldn't exist, and they the ones that hold up half the sky.
And not only that, after making a success of her business (turning a failing one around, coming up with innovative ideas, and then expansion into another field) Allison ends up catching someone with even more money than she has. She is definitely in a win win situation. Although here the pill has a bitter edge, which puts her to the real test.
If, taking into account what's expected in romance novels, most of the characters were 'realistic', the motivation, actions, and ultimate fate (and whether she was involved in any criminal activity) of Lisa I found totally unconvincing.
Not really my usual read but I like to dip my toe in the water from time to time to see what's out there. This one was well written and the story was credible.
Read
June 22, 2016I loved these books (there are 4 in the Hartwell Women series, this is the 2nd) a little romance with some family drama that flowed nicely. I started to care about the characters. As I finished each book I went right on to the next, I had to see how every story and character finished up. I think I read all 4 in about 10 days!
Judith Keim was a new author for me and I really loved her writing style. When I finished these I went right on to the Beach House series and enjoyed them just as much. Now waiting for the next in that series!
Judith Keim was a new author for me and I really loved her writing style. When I finished these I went right on to the Beach House series and enjoyed them just as much. Now waiting for the next in that series!
September 2, 2019
Nice addition to the series. Had me until the end. The revelation of who Daisy's father is and the way she was just handed off like a football irked me. Other issues have been handled with more detail and grace and yet this was just one two three and done. Didn't work for me, though overall a nice listen.
April 15, 2016
Inspiring
This book held my interest during the entire read. I couldn't put this book down. My emotions were drawn in every direction. Absolutely loved this book. Can't wait to read another of her books
This book held my interest during the entire read. I couldn't put this book down. My emotions were drawn in every direction. Absolutely loved this book. Can't wait to read another of her books
January 18, 2016
Loved reading this book a heart felt story. I couldn't put the book down
December 9, 2016
I couldn't put it down! This is the 2nd book in the trilogy and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Great writing style and superb development of characters. Best to read them in order.
June 6, 2016
Great
This was such a great book. The ending was such a surprise.
Great characters and plot. Really enjoyed it looking forward to
The next one
This was such a great book. The ending was such a surprise.
Great characters and plot. Really enjoyed it looking forward to
The next one
July 10, 2018
I LOVED it! A nice read in all ways.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews