Love at the Chocolate Shop is another of those series that I have dipped in and out of over the years. I selected this one for a challenge and it reminded me of why I love this series. This is the final book in the series, but I had no problem following the story. I loved all the characters, and of course the talk of chocolate. This is a romance, so I knew that things would work out for Portia and Austin, but the story of how they would arrive at that HEA kept me interested. I learned a bit about the family history, the reasons for some of the community rifts and how family difficulties can have a lasting effect on family members. This was a sweet, interesting story with some angst, which is to be expected. Austin is a swoon worthy love interest, and I was happy to see that Portia did get her feelings and emotions in check. Austin was willing to do what he had to in order to prove to Portia that he loved her and wanted to be a family, and I fell a little bit in love with him as well. Family reconciliations and future plans all worked out for a wonderful conclusion to this series. I am always amazed how these series, written by multiple authors always fit together so well. I will definitely be going back to read the stories I missed, even though I might already know how some of them will work out.

This latest edition in the Love at the Chocolate Shop series was a cute romance and a quick read.

I have to confess it was mostly the cover that first drew my attention to this book, followed by the blurb. I have previously read, and enjoyed, another of author C.J. Carmichael’s books – Snowbound in Montana – so I knew I would be in for another good read. I was not disappointed.

Austin arrives in Marietta in response to the letter mentioned in the blurb. He has NO idea he is a daddy until he sees Portia opening the door of the Chocolate Shop where she works, holding a baby. He thinks at first she is babysitting, but she tells him the truth and he gets to hold his son for the very first time. And so the story continues – they are both so young – and so in love but both are scared of committing for different reasons. They are each wanting to make the noble sacrifice for the other, despite being miserable over the sacrifice, and they are both wanting only the best for their son, which may not be the best for them. Lack of communication ensures there is lots of misunderstanding and this angst is played out against a backdrop of three other secondary stories. The Chocolate Shop is in danger of having to close down due to a nasty landlord, there are missing family jewels and fundraising is needed to raise money for the burnt down rodeo stadium.

I loved Austin he is smart, still in love, sporty, strong, considerate and always willing to pitch in and help out where needed – even making chocolate! Portia is very mixed up – with a split home behind her, and feeling rejected by her father she doesn’t want her son to come from a broken home – not even thinking that by not giving him one at all she is letting history repeat. She has been keeping secrets from her family as well as Austin and as the secrets unravel she finally has enough peace and confidence to start making decisions.

Sweet Dreams, Baby is the twelfth and final book in the series and reads perfectly as a stand alone as I haven’t read any of the other books. Something I plan to remedy.

Portia Bishop came back to Marietta and surprised her whole family, but never told them the reason why she returned. She worked at her aunt's Copper Mountain Chocolate Shop and as months passed by, people began noticing her protruding belly. And soon, there was baby Zavy and Portia finally revealed the truth about her and her son.

Austin Bradshaw was thrilled to be reunited with the one that got away. But he got the shock of his life when he met his son instead. How could Portia hide this from him?

Sweet Dreams, Baby is the last book in Love at Chocolate Shop series and I love how it concluded. Finally, the readers know the real score and real story behind Portia Bishop's pregnancy and her baby daddy. All throughout the series, I have really wanted to know more about Portia and her ordeal which was fervently discussed since book 1. I loved how everything finally came into place in the end, plus a bonus story about the missing Bramble jewels and Montana sapphires really made the whole book quite interesting and fascinating!

The Love at the Chocolate Shop series may have finally come to an end, twelve couples finally found love with the help of chocolates and pets. Big thanks and cheers to the wonderful authors who completed this journey. I promise I would forever be reading and meeting new and old faces in Marietta on the next books ahead.

It reads like every other baby daddy romance novel and everything is tied up with a bow in the end, even if it doesn't make much sense this way. 
Now that I have the cons out of the way,I appreciate how the hero reacted to the situation.
I also think the heroine is feather brained.
I enjoyed the story overall but it lacked the drama or plotline to carry a trope like this off.

This book was a very nice and sweet read, I really enjoyed reading it.
When Portia left Austin a year ago, she didn't just take his heart with her but also - well, there was a sweet little surprise on the way as she found right after she had left him.
It shouldn't have been a problem of course, as the two of them were married and in love but having grown up as the daughter of a rodeo legend, Portia has experienced first hand what that lifestyle does to a relationship, what a toll it takes on a family's life. With Austin still competing in the ring, she is determined to end their marriage as soon as possible.
When Austin comes to Marietta to find his runaway wife and to meet his son for the first time, he is equally determined to stay in their lives, no matter how.
They have to set aside their differences and work together for the sake of their child and their town and maybe, maybe they'll find love along the way again?

I loved all these very lovable, very authentic characters with all their flaws and their nosiness and I loved this closeness that comes from living in a small town when they were interacting. And of course, it is all about chocolate, right? At least, some parts are, the others are about love and rodeo - who could find fault with that?

It was a great story with nice and interesting characters, well written and overall a nice read. I'll definitely check out other books by the author as well because I really enjoyed reading this book.

A beautiful second chance romance: separated couple with a baby must learn to trust each other and the love each has for one another to find forgiveness and forge a future together. A sweet story that was hard to put down. Highly recommend!

It is truly sad to see the Love at the Chocolate Shop series come to an end. Each author involved have made this a wonderful series...not to mention comforting in many aspects.

It was long timing coming for Portia to finally find her HEA...if anyone deserved a happy ending, it was she. With Austin being such a great guy, and then a devoted father to their son Zavy, it was heartbreaking for his not having been there for the birth and first three months or his son's young life. The couple finding their way back to each other, was the perfect ending to the series. The recap of the entire series was genius, it brought back many pleasant memories for each story involved. With Austin joining Sage as a partner in the expansion of the shop, perhaps this leaves the door open for more stories for a new generation to fall in love.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I found it hard to review this book as should have read the earlier books and I could have related to the characters more easily. I still enjoyed it though

Portia was confused and lost and fled from her lovely Austin without any explanation.
A year later he reappears wanting to understand what happened and wanting to win back
her heart but knowing everything that happened may be something he could not understand.
With a light and fluid writing, the writer gradually introduces the facts that led to Portia's internal conflicts and her behavior. I fell in love with Austin and his way of being in love and abandoned, so cute . I did not know this writer and I loved the way she led the plot through to the end.
A book about second chances, how to understand who you love and help that person overcome their demons.
I loved the cover with all the references to the plot.

4.5 Stars

Portia Bishop caught my attention when I read an earlier book in the Love at the Chocolate Shop series. I wanted to know why she never talked about the father of her baby and why she never seemed to talk about her pregnancy. My wait is over!!

Portia has had a really tough year. She left college in Seattle and the love of her life, Austin Bradshaw, and fled to her aunts in Marietta, Montana. Portia didn’t even tell Austin why she was leaving or even say goodbye. She even removed herself from social media, so Austin couldn’t contact her. Now, she continues to take the coward's way out and sends Austin a letter, simply saying they need to talk.

When Austin arrives in Marietta he’s excited to finally see Portia after a year. He’s never stopped loving and caring for her. Austin’s looking forward to telling her so and picking up where they left off. When he does come face to face with Portia, he’s shocked to discover that she has a baby and that he’s Zavy’s father.

C.J. Carmichael is a new to me author and I simply loved Sweet Dreams, Baby. This is truly a sweet romance with characters you can’t help but feel for and like. Even when I wanted to not like Portia I couldn’t. Her sweetness and confusion wouldn’t allow it. Austin was sweet and went into fatherhood without hesitation and never once had any doubts. One thing that I really loved about this story was Portia’s family. Throughout Portia’s ordeal, they were all loving and supportive, without being pushy or busybodies. They were all very welcoming of Austin.

Sweet Dreams, Baby is truly a standalone read. I’ve only read one other book in this series and I don’t feel like I missed anything. I will say that fans of this series will get a nice treat with the Epilogue that wraps ups the series nicely.

Portia had mailed a letter three weeks ago to Austin. It should have been sent a year earlier. Portia was at the door to the Cooper Mountain Chocolate Shop. Portia thought she had seen Austin, she went back inside the shop and checked on her three month old son Zavy. Portia was lucky her Aunt Sage was a mother and helped Portia learn from her. Portia’s Aunt Sage owns the chocolate business and almost everything was made by hand. Portia’s own mom Mattie couldn’t leave the ranch where she lived with her second husband, she been able to make a two day visit than she had to go back home. Austin had went to the rodeo circuit for the summer when he returned Portia was gone and had just left him a note. Austin tried every way he could to get a hold of Portia but he was always blocked and never answered in any way until the letter. So when Austin received the letter from Portia saying they had to talk Austin went to her as soon as he could then he sees her coming down the street but she was pushing a baby stroller. Then Portia tells Austin the baby is his son and she named him Xavier after Austin’s beloved father. Portia father’ Wes had a big name in the rodeo circuit back when Portia and Austin were in college. Austin kew Portia’s fear was that he was like her father Wes who the rodeo was everything for and never be happy without the rodeo life. Portia had left college a year short short of her degree. Even her extremely intelligent twin sister Wren thought there was nothing more important as a good education. Portia knew her family had a point but she would never regret carrying Zavy to term and keeping him. Austin told Portia he was going to cancel some rodeo commitments and take care of Xavier while Portia worked. But Austin also told Portia she would have to teach him how to take care of Zavy. Portia didn’t want Austin to feel trapped. Austin told Portia he couldn't imagine loving anyone else but he couldn’t but he couldn’t imagine forgiving her for keeping the fact she was pregnant and his infant son from him. Austin had his son the very next day but it wasn’t easy not really knowing his son or what to do. Austin went on to the Circle C Ranch where Portia and Zavy lived with her aunt and uncle Callen and Court Austin still loved Portia but he would have to get over it as Portia no longer Austin or she wouldn’t have cut him out of her life so cruelly and left Zavy a secret from him so long. As most everyone was out looking at the new horse barn Portia told her Aunt Sage she had eloped with Austin the summer before as Sage noticed Austin was wearing a wedding band. Then when everyone came back Portia told her family. Austin went up with Portia while she breastfed Zavy and they talked some. Austin hated the feelings Portia brought out in him, hot anger one minute, hotter desire the next. Austin had told his dad him and Portia were married after he got the letter, But Austin hadn’t told his dad about Zavy yet he deserved finding out about his first grandchild in a better way.Then Portia brought up getting a lawyer for a divorce. Austin had to get out of there though he wanted to kiss his son goodnight he didn’t want to be that close to Portia he was just too angry. Austin laid a check on the bed and told Portia when she asked that he knew Portia didn’t want to be married to him anymore but he wasn’t a dead the check was for the first three months of child support. One of Portia’s best friend’s was Rosie and she immediately asked Portia what was wrong the next day and if Zavy was alright. Portia now knew the big mistake she had made.
I loved this story. I loved how Portia’s family helped her through a bad time and stood behind her. I loved how Austin got to Portia as fast as he could. I also loved how Austin reacted to his new son. I couldn’t find anything to complain about this was an easy enjoyable great romance. I love how Austin forgave Portia for not telling him sooner and how he owned up to the mistakes he had made. I loved the small town of this book. I loved the characters and all the ins and outs of this book and I highly recommend.

It's been a year since Portia left school and came home to Marietta, pregnant. In that year, she worked at her Aunt Sage's chocolate shop, but stayed quiet about why she came home and who fathered her baby. Zavy is 3 months old, and it's time to be a grown up and and own up to her mistakes so she can move on with her life. The first thing: actually talking to Zavy's dad. Austin came home one day full of plans for the future to find Portia gone and with no way to contact her. Now, letter in hand, he is in Marietta looking for answers. The last thing he expected was to find Portia with a baby. These two have so much to work through, both as individuals and as a couple, but the one thing they agree on is that Zavy is their priority. Can these tow find their way through their issues? Can Austin forgive Portia for not telling him about Zavy long ago? Will Sage be able to keep the Chocolate Shop thriving? With some twists and a whole mug of emotion, CJ Carmichael has the unenviable job of wrapping up the series she started 12 months ago and her writing is up to the challenge. Carmichael creates characters with strengths and flaws that you find in any one person. Portia has been affected by her parents' divorce and her father's subsequent behavior. Instead of talking to Austin about her fears and anxieties, she ran home, which, for her age, is completely believable. Austin is the guy we all want our daughters to find. He is full of anger and hurt, but he is still able to step back and work to understand how the relationship got to the breaking point.
The Carrigans are a big part of Marietta, and Sage's Copper Mountain Chocolates is a destination everyone wants to visit, so having a series of 12 books based there has been wonderful. Carmichael started the series beautifully and ends it just as wonderfully. It was also fun to find another Carrigan/Bramble mystery wrapped up, just for a cherry on top.
I recommend this story to anyone. If you haven't read the whole series, do!

I hadn't realised this was a series book when i applied for it. Having not read the others i find i didnt enjoyas i probably could have done. Good book and did enjoy to an extent but just wished id read the others 1st

Throughout the Love At The Chocolate Shop series (which I have loved every single second of) we’ve had Portia’s current situation as a thread woven through each story. We’ve watched her heartbreaking return to Marietta, the discovery of her pregnancy, her battle to make difficult decisions, the complicated birth of an adorable precious little boy, and the strains of single motherhood. What we haven’t known is where the man in her life is, why he isn’t at her side and will she ever tell him about their baby. In Sweet Dreams Baby we finally have those answers. One letter will reveal whether she finds a happy ever after for herself.

I found that I had to keep reminding myself of the ages of Portia and Austin. Yes, there are plenty of very mature young adults around… yet some of their misunderstandings can really only be explained by their youth. I hurt for both of them at times, and cheered when they worked their way through those scary moments and found a strong love to see them through life. Their’s wasn’t an easy beginning but they’ve proven that love can see you through the rough moments when you’re honest with your partner and don’t let the small stuff get in the way of loving each other.

Yet Portia and Austin’s story isn’t the only thing going on in Marietta. There’s things happening at Sage’s shop, visits with the other couples from this series… and perhaps a glimpse of what is to come.

Sweet Dreams Baby was the perfect ending for this series. I’ve been purposefully vague on details for this is the story that you should be reading for yourself. If you haven’t gotten caught up in this series over the past year… what are you waiting for? Now you can start at the beginning and read them back to back… not waiting for next month’s book like we did. *grin* I would highly recommend this entire series for any Romance reader who really enjoys small town, a background thread of a different story slowly revealed throughout the series and simply really good romances that give you that happy ending we all deserve.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

The relationship between Portia and Austin is intense and so very real. I loved Austin's character! I always love revisiting Marietta and checking in on characters from earlier books.

Portia Bishop has mailed a letter off to her baby’s father and she is wondering if she will either hear from him or if he will actually show up in town. Austin Bradshaw arrival in town has him finally wondering if he can get answers to why Portia left him after summer and before her last year of college. He finds out that reason in the stroller that she is pushing when she introduces him to his son. Shocked and stunned and hurt, but he says and does all of the right things. Portia dealing with her parents’ divorce thinks that Austin wants to stay on the rodeo circuit and she is not going to force his hand in quieting, but does not want that. The more you go along in the story you find out more about Austin’s and her relationship this only adds to the story. All of this comes together as you get close to the end with the big dance. There her father finally shows up and helps her find her path. An excellent story that goes along with another one of the authors books which really made for an enjoyable read. Really liked the characters.

Sweet Dreams Baby, the last book in the Love At The Chocolate Shop series, has been an absolute delight to read. Set in Marietta Montana, this is a sweet contemporary small town romance.
I loved Austin, the hero of this story. He's a gifted all rounder—college educated, a successful rodeo cowboy, and a whizz in the kitchen—and a genuinely nice man. It doesn't hurt one bit that he's also easy on the eyes. Portia, our heroine, is a bundle of anxiety. I liked her, but with all the doubts swirling around in her head it took me a while to love her. Austin has the patience of a saint!
The secondary characters are an important feature in this story and they're all well rounded and with two notable exceptions likeable. With a well developed plot and perfect pacing this story carried me happily from start to finish.

I received a free copy from NetGalley; this is my honest review.
Not the best in the bunch, but it's a good story anyways.
Weird sayings like: Never disturb a sleeping baby.
Be careful for unusual word such as "prohibitively" which appears twice in the same context.
Portia is a full-grown woman but acts like a 13 y.o. She's selfish, she's the town's gossip - I still cannot believe she told her boss' business to everyone she met, she has a jealous streak, and so much more. She might be a good mother, but she has work to do.Obviously she did not appeal to me at all.
Austin, on the other hand, seems like the perfect mate: understanding, loyal, empathetic, full of love.
The ending wasn't a surprise but it was still a good one.