Started and finished in one setting! Absolutely loved it. Definitely reminds me of Abby Jimenez’s style. Funny, sexy, and a little serious at times. The perfect combo.

The characters were so likable and the slow burn romance gave me butterflies. As someone who works in the event planning industry, this was right up my alley. I had never heard of Dylan Newton until I was approved for this book but I can say it definitely won’t be my last! Looking forward to reading more of her work.

QOTD: I’m guessing if you follow my page, you at least like romance, but do you like horror novels?
My A: Not really. I have nothing against them, I’m just always more interested in if the main characters will live long enough ot fall in love.
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Ugh. I NEEDED this book. I was feeling this close to a slump hitting. I’ve started and promptly DNF a lot of books in my Kindle library this week, trying to clean it up. After a few books I hopped back over to my ARCs and thank goodness. I can’t imagine going another day not reading and loving these two! Drake and Kate have found their way onto my shelf of honor as one of my new favorite love stories. This was my first Dylan Newton novel but I will definitely be reading more of her work in the future! The perfect blend of humor, chemistry, and longing, this book will have you laughing only to flip the page and feel your heart strings tug. The romance is a slow burn without feeling boring and while you do wait until around 70%, the steam is worth the wait! The pace makes it near impossible to put down and I devoured this in one day. I seriously cannot say enough good things about this book! Add it to your TBR list NOW.
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When the Queen of Happily Ever Afters, Kate Sweet, is hired by her best friend to do the impossible task of giving The Knight of Nightmares, horror author Drake Matthews, a launch party to end all launch patties, she thinks it'll be a breeze. Out of her comfort zone? For sure. But taking this job gives her a shot at a prestigious event planning award and will look great in her portfolio. But from the moment Kate and Drake meet, it's choas, and not the good kind. Drake is a stubborn client who challenges all of Kate's plans and Kate is a whirlwind of good attitudes and the ability to fix any problem, which leaves Drake with a new muse and in way over his head.

HOW SWEET IT IS by @authordylannewton is a witty, fun, and heartwarming story about an event planner not being taken seriously by her family and a well known horror author wanting to write romance!

When Kate is enlisted to help her best friend with the “King of Nightmares” book launch, she is a little out of her wheelhouse. Being knows as the Queen of HEA wedding events, planning a horror book launch is the last thing she thought she would be doing. But Kate can do anything she sets her mind to!

A hilarious meet-cute between Kate and Drake turned into a series of unfortunate events one after the other. I was literally laughing out loud at some parts!

This book had so much humor and light to it! Ive never read a book that has come close to this story line and that was super refreshing and exciting.

rating: 3/5/5 (rounded up)

this slow burn romance between a horror novelist and an event planner was just what the title promises - SWEET!

HOW SWEET IT IS has everything: a misunderstood cinnamon roll hero, a meet cute where everything goes wrong, swoonworthy moments, and a supporting cast that makes you want more books in this adorable small town. Any way we can get books on Drake's brothers in the future??

It took me a bit to get into this book at first, and it is a REAL slow burn, but it delivers in the end. Although it was a bit cheesy, I think it worked for this novel overall. I think the author handled the small town aspect perfectly - I would love to visit this town, especially during the holidays! I would recommend for fans of Beach Read and Sweet Home Alabama.

AT A GLANCE…
steam: 🔥🔥/5
genre: contemporary romance

What an awesome debut for Dylan Newton. Hands down my favorite rom-com book of the year. This book was totally written for me. :D Okay, maybe not really, but it checks all the boxes for me. I absolutely adored the fact that this book had horror elements in it and it was intertwined in romance with a strong female character. I also found myself laughing out loud which is exactly what I look for in a great rom-com.

Kate Sweet is an event planner for mostly big weddings, but she was asked by her best friend to do a book launch for her client, Drake Matthews, a horror writer. It is definitely not the likely pair. I loved that we really got to see how Kate Sweet reacts to those creepy horror elements in the book.

It is a must read for rom-com fans. Dylan Newton is now on my auto-buy list.

Thank you to Forever Publications and NetGalley for the #gifted arc!

This book is a cute rom-com, and I love the concept of the horror writer who wants to write HRs. However, I think it leans toooo far into the 'clumsy heroine' trope that often pushes rom-com plot to the detriment of the story. Had the FMC been less incompetent and klutzy, I think this would have been a really strong group.

For someone who professes to be a well-organized and put-together event planner, constantly seeking validation for her skills, Kate Sweet does a really, REALLY poor job of showing it. Her few girlboss moments cannot and do not make up for the serious transgressions she makes throughout the book, some that really push the limits of propriety and professionalism. Her last Big Mistake is just such an atrocious 'accident' to occur, and is lowkey a huge violation of confidentiality and trust. I just don't see how someone who is portrayed as competent can make such a dumb mistake that has some really wide-reaching consequences. Yes, I get that it all gets resolved to the HEA at the end, but I just feel like all of the silly accidents Kate gets into--which are designed to make the FMC 'Quirky'--in actuality really take away her agency and talent.

Had the FMC not been made into a total klutz, I would have believed her constant demands to be respected as an event planner, and would have made the whole story a lot stronger. Unfortunately, I just really couldn't get over how she was portrayed. If you enjoy the rom-com klutz trope, then you may enjoy the book. Otherwise, beware--this book builds upon the internalized misogynistic concept that females are 'silly' and 'incapable' and can't really do anything by themselves.

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Thank you NetGalley and publisher for providing this free eARC in exchange for an honest review :)

Okay I loved, loved, loved this book! I cannot explain just how sweet it is (see what I did there?!) A rom-com between an adorable event planner and a misunderstood horror book writer - what a unique coupling! I don't think I've read a more hilarious meet cute moment in a book either. There's also quite a bit steam in this one. I definitely recommend this book to rom-com lovers. I can't believe this is a debut novel - Ill be adding Dylan Newton to my must read authors list. I also really hope she's planning a companion novel between Imani and Zander, I have a feeling that would be another fun couple!

Thank you to Forever Publishing and Netgalley for the digital Arc of this book. All opinions remain my own as always.

A horror novelists meets an event planner who adores Happily Ever Afters and "Ahhh" moments and you get magic.

Dylan Newton's debut novel was a delight. I adored the easy banter between the characters. It was a joy to reach this on my weekend away in the spa town of Baden Baden this past weekend..

This original plot and quick witted book was exactly what I needed for my solo trip. I may have stayed up until 3am one morning to finish it.

Pairs perfectly with a fresh cucumber salad and a HUGE beer in a German beer garden.

Great Job @dylannewton. I can't wait to read more of your work. Thank you @foreverbooks for the advanced readers copy. This book comes out next Tuesday!

This book is exactly what I needed to start this summer! It was fun and lighthearted! I grow attached to the two main characters and was really invested in this sweet romance. The ending was perfect too I just wish it was a bit longer. I can’t wait to read the sequel with Imani and Zander!

5* I LOVED this book! It exceeded my expectations! Great for lovers of Beach Read. Similar vibes to that story, but it still held its own and was definitely a unique story. It'll be a "comfort read" for me for sure. Looking forward to her next novel!

How Sweet It Is was an expected steamy but funny and very sweet story about event planner Kate who is tasked with planning the book launch for the Knight of Nightmares, Drake.

There was humour infused right from the get-go and what I thought would be a Hallmarky novel, turned out to have a lot more steam than I expected (and it was a good surprise!) I definitely loved the built up attraction between Kate and Drake and this book’s elevator scene quite possibly gives The Hating Game’s elevator scene a run for its money!

The constant thoughts about tasks that are needed to be done and all the spreadsheets for the events Kate had were so relatable and I loved that her character wasn’t a pushover, but more of a go-getter.

Also, who can resist the brooding Drake and his glasses? To the book boyfriend list he goes!

Overall, this book was so fun to read.

How Sweet It Is was such a fun and quirky read about a romance between a party planner and a horror writer. The hilarious hijinks that they got into together made me laugh throughout this book and had me rooting for this couple the whole time. I also liked how the main couple were mature and let each other know what they were thinking and had good communication when it came to certain things like why they would react a certain way to small things and understood each other when it came to those feelings. READ THIS BOOK WHEN IT COMES OUT JULY 13TH!

This is the first book I have read by Dylan Newton and I was overall very happy with it.

The beginning with great and the first meet cute was filled with tension and made me excited to keep reading.

The middle got a little slower for me and I did start to get a little bit bored as It seemed like the couple would be a sure thing. The “obstacle” was not introduced until closer to the end of the book.

The last bit of the book picked up again and I found myself reading until 1am in order to finish it!

I was very excited by the steam later on in the book. I feel like a lot of the romance books I have read lately have a single kiss at the end and as a romance reader I like there to be sexual tension and some steam.

I think this would be a very fun book to read in October around Halloween!

This book was so freaking cute and funny!

Drake is a horror story author and Kate is the event planner for his upcoming book launch. Their meet-cute is awkward and hysterical, but you can tell they have instant chemistry! They had some of the funniest and sweetest interactions. I loved that Drake is a horror story writer and how that was interspersed throughout the entire book. The fall and Halloween vibes made me so happy! It also has small town romance vibes which I loved!!

This one was a joy to read. Between Kate's event-planning (not party planning, mind you) creating fairytale magic, and Drake being pure #bookboyfriend goals, I was fully into this book. This book had lots of "wow" moments, with over-the-top scenes in the best way possible. It showed that what looked like may be an odd match on the outside is a perfect match on the inside.

When Kate Sweet, event planner extraordinaire has a wedding cancelled, her best friend Imani fills the opening in her schedule with planning the best book launch ever for horror writer Drake Matthews, which happens to take place on Halloween. The reclusive writer, of course, lives in an old Victorian atop a hill with a Doberman and ghosts and scary stuff...or at least that's what the public thinks. And Kate, at first. Which is how their first meeting goes a little awry. But it's only uphill from there, right?

As a Halloween and romance lover, this book combined two of my favorite things. I think the introductory voice was a little shaky as the foundation for all the characters was laid, but once we got past the first chapter, Newton really hit her stride! This book was full of romance and cheek and I really loved it. I am truly excited to see what Newton will do in second and third novel (do we get the rest of the Matthews brothers, pretty please??).

Thank you to Forever for my ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 9/10

What do you get when you pair up a workaholic, perfectionist who is the master of her craft; creating the perfect happily-ever-after wedding events with a reclusive horror writer with a secret soft side? The romantic comedy event of the summer!

Kate Sweet has gone as far as she can go in her career crafting perfect wedding events- so when an opportunity comes to her to craft the ultimate Halloween horror book launch for an uber famous writer, she literally jumps at the chance!

Drake Matthews, horror writer extraordinaire is not a fan of the spotlight, so when event planner Ms Sweet jumps into his life and starts to shake up his routine, he gives in to her elaborate plans once she agrees to be his research helper as he secretly starts writing a new book! The spark of inspiration kicks his writing into high gear and continues with a romantic spark infighting between Drake and Kate.

I loved that both Drake and Kate had to step out of their comfort zone to attempt to make this relationship work. Kate hasn’t been able to find a partner willing to concede priority to her business and Drake has been burned in the past also by putting his writing before his relationship. Both of these characters know how to respect each others work and priorities and it was really great to see that on the page and to see them blend their skillsets together to amplify each others business.

This book was funny- I don’t think I laughed as much while reading a romantic comedy in a long lime! This books was such a fun read an d all the hijinks this couple find themselves in are actually funny- where in some books they are more cringe worthy.

This Debut frighteningly good! Not to be missed!

How Sweet It Is by Dylan Newton is scheduled to release July 13th, 2021.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Forever Romance through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#HowSweetItIs #DylanNewton #pinkcowlandreads

This was a very cute contemporary rom-com. Kate is an event planner known as the Queen of Happily Ever Afters. Drake is an author of horror novels, known as the King of Nightmares. When Kate is hired to plan Drake's book launch, she is nervous (especially after their first encounter which is less of a meet-cute and more of a meet-AWKWARD.) However, after spending more and more time with Drake, Kate begins to feel something for the King of Nightmares.

I found this book to be very sweet and fun. Drake's very method approach to writing was a little strange to me (I actually thought this would be the big conflict in the book and then Kate was totally fine with it.) Nevertheless, I thought they had good chemistry and the premise was very fun. I recommend it if you're looking for a sweet, easy read!

Dylan Newton’s How Sweet It Is was so much fun!

Thanks to Forever Publishing for my e-ARC in exchange for this review.

Kate Sweet, an event planner known for her happily ever afters is asked to plan a book launch for the King of Nightmares, horror author Drake Matthews. All her spreadsheets and checklists can’t prepare her for the chaos which ensues. Even though they couldn’t be more opposite, neither Kate nor Drake can deny the attraction zipping between them. At the end of the day, or in their case, the book launch, can they orchestrate their own HEA out of their real life disaster?

This was such a sweet story, perfect for fans of Emliy Henry or Christina Lauren. It’s cute, funny, and lighthearted with just enough substance to keep it from feeling flighty. I loved the author element and that fun little twist--a horror writer secretly writing a romance novel, and the event planner acting as his muse. How Sweet It Is explores what it looks like to break free from other people’s expectations and chase your passion--whatever it is

Such an adorable book and i LOVE that this is a debut book and author. I really enjoyed reading this one and I cannot wait to read Dylan's next!

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for providing me with this early access.

This book was an entirely serviceable rom com with two pretty one note characters. Kate Sweet is an event planner known as the Queen of Happily Ever After and Drake Matthews is a horror writer dubbed the Knight of Nightmares. When tasked with creating a book launch for Mr. Matthews, Kate has to step out of her wheelhouse and come up with something that even the grumpy hermit Drake Matthews would enjoy.

I can see where the author tried to give more depth to both Kate and Drake. Kate wants validation and recognition from her doctor parents who have been trying to get her to follow them in medicine. Drake is experiencing writer's block that can only be solved by writing the historical romance brewing in his brain. However, I would have enjoyed the book more if the author chose to focus more on these facets of their personality rather than the wacky hijinks that Kate and Drake seem to find themselves in.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read, if a bit vacuous.