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Pier 3 Coffee #2
Cappuccino for Callie
Every damn thing in Callie Hamasaki’s life is gone in a puff of smoke. With nowhere else to turn, she sublets her best friend’s apartment, desperate to rebuild her career one canvas at a time. And if her friend’s brother would stop intruding on her with his dictates, she’d unstick and unlock a way forward.
Did she ask Abraham Wells for his help? Not even a little. But he’s giving it anyway, because helping is what he’s good for. He takes care of people, and so what? No one else complains with over-the-top insults and pointed comments about him acting like a martyr. Only Callie, with her sass and her talent and the way her hips move when she dances.
She could paint a mural full of all Abraham doesn’t know about how he’s messing up his own life. But if he’s going to keep griping at her, why would she bother telling him? After all, baring their truths could leave them stripped down to nothing but the attraction between them, and that’s—probably—not worth the risk.
Did she ask Abraham Wells for his help? Not even a little. But he’s giving it anyway, because helping is what he’s good for. He takes care of people, and so what? No one else complains with over-the-top insults and pointed comments about him acting like a martyr. Only Callie, with her sass and her talent and the way her hips move when she dances.
She could paint a mural full of all Abraham doesn’t know about how he’s messing up his own life. But if he’s going to keep griping at her, why would she bother telling him? After all, baring their truths could leave them stripped down to nothing but the attraction between them, and that’s—probably—not worth the risk.
- GenresRomance
Kindle Edition
First published October 26, 2021
About the author
Melanie Greene
24 books144 followersMelanie Greene lives in a tiny woodland cottage in a big skyscraper city. She shares her life with her hunk of a husband and children so amazing they defy superlatives.
She writes smart, sizzling contemporary romance.
She writes smart, sizzling contemporary romance.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 24, 2022
Author is willing to write about coffee despite not drinking it but not about snow shovelling despite not doing that.
October 30, 2021
I decided on a three because the author has an engaging writing style and included on EDI themes.
However, it is a hard-won three because I really did not like Callie. There were moments that I began to warm to her and then BAM! we'd be reminded of how great she was or she would say or do something that was selfish or entitled. I wondered if we were to see her become a better, more considerate person at the end of the book, but if that was the case, I didn't see it. I didn't care for how she treated Abraham and took advantage of the people around her. She complained to herself how insufficient the apartment her best friend so kindly sublet to her for a discounted rent was for her artistic needs-- if it was so bad, why not find a short term rental? She acknowledged her friends giving and loaning her supplies until she could get her own but noted they weren't up to her standards. She also practically forces Abraham to model for her-- for free. Not cool. There are times when Abraham apologizes-- one time, the situation wasn't entirely his fault and she goes all high maintenance diva on him and the second time-- well, she was in the wrong, too, and should have apologized to him.
Abraham had his flaws and insecurities, but I think he was starting to acknowledge what he needed to work on by the end of the book. He needs Callie's support but I don't see her giving it to him; she's too busy with her art exhibit and her opportunities. Abraham doesn't really like or understand Callie's entourage; however, by the same token, they aren't really welcoming to him and Callie doesn't really encourage them to accept him.
One thing I noticed is that Callie points out what is missing on the community business website and Abraham works to rectify the issue. He tells people that Callie pointed out the omission. She seems to bask in people's praise when they comment on it to her. However, has she done anything herself, for example, mentor art students who have not had the same opportunities and support that she had, or support organizations that bring artistic opportunities to underprivileged kids? You know, she could've arranged with the art gallery to donate a portion of the sales to a charity or organization....
I had high hopes for this book. Callie dashed them in the first few pages.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
However, it is a hard-won three because I really did not like Callie. There were moments that I began to warm to her and then BAM! we'd be reminded of how great she was or she would say or do something that was selfish or entitled. I wondered if we were to see her become a better, more considerate person at the end of the book, but if that was the case, I didn't see it. I didn't care for how she treated Abraham and took advantage of the people around her. She complained to herself how insufficient the apartment her best friend so kindly sublet to her for a discounted rent was for her artistic needs-- if it was so bad, why not find a short term rental? She acknowledged her friends giving and loaning her supplies until she could get her own but noted they weren't up to her standards. She also practically forces Abraham to model for her-- for free. Not cool. There are times when Abraham apologizes-- one time, the situation wasn't entirely his fault and she goes all high maintenance diva on him and the second time-- well, she was in the wrong, too, and should have apologized to him.
Abraham had his flaws and insecurities, but I think he was starting to acknowledge what he needed to work on by the end of the book. He needs Callie's support but I don't see her giving it to him; she's too busy with her art exhibit and her opportunities. Abraham doesn't really like or understand Callie's entourage; however, by the same token, they aren't really welcoming to him and Callie doesn't really encourage them to accept him.
One thing I noticed is that Callie points out what is missing on the community business website and Abraham works to rectify the issue. He tells people that Callie pointed out the omission. She seems to bask in people's praise when they comment on it to her. However, has she done anything herself, for example, mentor art students who have not had the same opportunities and support that she had, or support organizations that bring artistic opportunities to underprivileged kids? You know, she could've arranged with the art gallery to donate a portion of the sales to a charity or organization....
I had high hopes for this book. Callie dashed them in the first few pages.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2021
Abraham and Callie's Story . . .
We have two people who definitely look at the world in a different way than the other. Callie Hamasaki, a talented and creative artist, is intrigued by anything fresh and new. She is confident. Abraham Wells is a planner who agonizes over all of the details. For example, all his backpacks were color-coded to the activity he was engaging in, and it didn’t matter that his family laughed at him. He used a green backpack if hiking, blue backpack if caving, etc. His personality drives Callie crazy, but he is kind of cute.
The two of them met when friends were moving her stuff into his sister’s apartment, but she had forgotten to text them the apartment number and Abraham made a visit to tell her they were all waiting downstairs. She is subletting her best friend’s apartment because she lost everything in a fire. The place may not be perfect for an artist, with every window facing West, track lighting, and a tiny bathroom making clean-up of her brushes difficult. But it was better than painting in her parents’ garage or the dingy motel. And she has to recreate all those canvases that were burned up in order to fulfill her contract.
The rest of their story is the humorous banter and sniping they do to cover up the attraction they both feel but won’t acknowledge. Will they finally take a chance on each other? Can they work out their quirks to make things work between them? Grab your copy and join the fun to see if opposites do truly attract!
We have two people who definitely look at the world in a different way than the other. Callie Hamasaki, a talented and creative artist, is intrigued by anything fresh and new. She is confident. Abraham Wells is a planner who agonizes over all of the details. For example, all his backpacks were color-coded to the activity he was engaging in, and it didn’t matter that his family laughed at him. He used a green backpack if hiking, blue backpack if caving, etc. His personality drives Callie crazy, but he is kind of cute.
The two of them met when friends were moving her stuff into his sister’s apartment, but she had forgotten to text them the apartment number and Abraham made a visit to tell her they were all waiting downstairs. She is subletting her best friend’s apartment because she lost everything in a fire. The place may not be perfect for an artist, with every window facing West, track lighting, and a tiny bathroom making clean-up of her brushes difficult. But it was better than painting in her parents’ garage or the dingy motel. And she has to recreate all those canvases that were burned up in order to fulfill her contract.
The rest of their story is the humorous banter and sniping they do to cover up the attraction they both feel but won’t acknowledge. Will they finally take a chance on each other? Can they work out their quirks to make things work between them? Grab your copy and join the fun to see if opposites do truly attract!
October 21, 2021
This is definitely an opposites attract situation. Callie is up for anything new and ready for any situation that advances her art. Abraham is most comfortable when he has planned for every eventuality. By the way, I loved his backpack system; that was genius. Callie can't help pushing at him a bit because he is so uptight. The next thing Abraham knows, he is posing for paintings and bringing her cappucinos and food. They have great chemistry, but it takes them a while to get down to what a true relationship between them would be like. That causes some conflict, but they talk it out.
Callie is a big character. At the beginning of the book, some of her friends tell Abraham about her in a tone he calls "utter reverence." She is a true artistic talent, and she gets treated as such. I loved that she valued herself so highly and talked about it. She even joked about it. She has a great sense of humor that makes this book a lot of fun.
I also really liked Abraham but felt like his arc didn't resolve completely. He didn't really discuss his feelings of uselessness much, and I feel like that will be coming back to bite them in a couple of years. Also, he does way more apologizing than she does, and I felt that he deserved more. That imbalance is potential trouble, too. But we don't have to worry about that in the book, so it is not that big a deal. I guess I just really wanted to see him get a real epiphany about his worth.
Callie is a big character. At the beginning of the book, some of her friends tell Abraham about her in a tone he calls "utter reverence." She is a true artistic talent, and she gets treated as such. I loved that she valued herself so highly and talked about it. She even joked about it. She has a great sense of humor that makes this book a lot of fun.
I also really liked Abraham but felt like his arc didn't resolve completely. He didn't really discuss his feelings of uselessness much, and I feel like that will be coming back to bite them in a couple of years. Also, he does way more apologizing than she does, and I felt that he deserved more. That imbalance is potential trouble, too. But we don't have to worry about that in the book, so it is not that big a deal. I guess I just really wanted to see him get a real epiphany about his worth.
October 31, 2021
Callie comes back to Surfside after a fire has destroyed many of her paintings that were supposed to be in her upcoming gallery show. Her best friend Alicia offers her an apartment so she can try to create enough work to still stage the show. Abraham is Alicia’s brother - he has known Callie for a long time but they see each other this time with fresh eyes and the attraction is there. But can their very different approaches to life - her free spirit and his risk-adverse mindset - allow them to be together for the long haul?
I have not read the first book in this series - I thought this worked fine as a stand alone but certainly you would know more about Alicia and her family/friends if you read the first one.
I read an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I have not read the first book in this series - I thought this worked fine as a stand alone but certainly you would know more about Alicia and her family/friends if you read the first one.
I read an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
June 12, 2022
Wow, a female lead I just didn't like, but actually hated. Totally full of herself, so entitled and ungrateful, displays nothing but disdain for the feelings of others, including the man who she is supposed to love, and all that poor guy does is feel how useless is he. I kept thinking if Abraham were a woman, his family and friends would tell him to stop letting Callie walk all over him and leave this all-take, no-give relationship. And, OMG, soooo preachy, such heavy-handiness. Pass this one by.
October 28, 2021
Fun Story
This is not my typical go to book, but thought I'd try it out. Glad I did. Sometimes you just need to go back to to a time when you know how fun it is to just enjoy a feel good/romantic/normal relationship/story. #GoodFeelings. %-) On to the next! #HappyReading ♥
I received an Advance Reading Copy from the Author for an honest review.
This is not my typical go to book, but thought I'd try it out. Glad I did. Sometimes you just need to go back to to a time when you know how fun it is to just enjoy a feel good/romantic/normal relationship/story. #GoodFeelings. %-) On to the next! #HappyReading ♥
I received an Advance Reading Copy from the Author for an honest review.
November 3, 2021
She likes to have fun and moved to the area and starting over. She’s ready for a new adventure. He’s her friends brother but he’s a detailed person who like structure and routines. They know each other but now it’s in a new light! With their differences do they have a chance? I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
October 21, 2021
This is definitely an opposites attract situation. Callie is up for anything new and ready for any situation that advances her art. Abraham is most comfortable when he has planned for every eventuality. By the way, I loved his backpack system; that was genius. Callie can't help pushing at him a bit because he is so uptight. The next thing Abraham knows, he is posing for paintings and bringing her cappucinos and food. They have great chemistry, but it takes them a while to get down to what a true relationship between them would be like. That causes some conflict, but they talk it out.
Callie is a big character. At the beginning of the book, some of her friends tell Abraham about her in a tone he calls "utter reverence." She is a true artistic talent, and she gets treated as such. I loved that she valued herself so highly and talked about it. She even joked about it. She has a great sense of humor that makes this book a lot of fun.
I also really liked Abraham but felt like his arc didn't resolve completely. He didn't really discuss his feelings of uselessness much, and I feel like that will be coming back to bite them in a couple of years. Also, he does way more apologizing than she does, and I felt that he deserved more. That imbalance is potential trouble, too. But we don't have to worry about that in the book, so it is not that big a deal. I guess I just really wanted to see him get a real epiphany about his worth.
Callie is a big character. At the beginning of the book, some of her friends tell Abraham about her in a tone he calls "utter reverence." She is a true artistic talent, and she gets treated as such. I loved that she valued herself so highly and talked about it. She even joked about it. She has a great sense of humor that makes this book a lot of fun.
I also really liked Abraham but felt like his arc didn't resolve completely. He didn't really discuss his feelings of uselessness much, and I feel like that will be coming back to bite them in a couple of years. Also, he does way more apologizing than she does, and I felt that he deserved more. That imbalance is potential trouble, too. But we don't have to worry about that in the book, so it is not that big a deal. I guess I just really wanted to see him get a real epiphany about his worth.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews