I was initially really drawn to these characters and the conflicts they had, and although I enjoyed the story overall, I found it incredibly predictable. I'm looking forward to seeing what else will happen in this series because I love the setting and friendship group.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media for the advanced audiobook of Sweethand!

Sweethand is a whole vibe. There's an enemies-to-lovers romance, bisexual rep, baking!!!!!, and just an all-around good time.

Also! I don't normally discuss the ~spice~ because even though I love romance books, the sex scenes are my least favorite parts BUT I feel like this one was done right! & didn't make me cringe or feel weird at all.

Definitely recommend reading Sweethand & I'm so excited for the second book of Island Bites!

I thought this was a cute enemies to lovers romance book. It was a good balance of being sweet and steamy. This book is perfect for fans of the British Bake Off. I enjoyed the story, and would recommend it!

I didn’t mind this audiobook, however, the storyline didn’t work too well for me. These characters were fine but I honestly didn’t care too much about their chemistry. I felt like this was another rushed romance novel and lacked so much character development. It was an overall okay romance read.

I pre-ordered the ebook like a year ago but it took me forever to actually get around to it. The premise sounded interesting and the cover is gorgeous but um like 5 seconds in I already knew I wasn’t going to like this. I don’t know if it was because I started with the audiobook or if it’s that I’m just not a fan of the enemies-to-lovers troupe. Which I didn’t know before this book but maybe it’s just this particular book. Is there a reason why Cherisse and Kerian dislike each other so much? Nope there’s reason for it they just want to be annoying for no reason. In the way a child might be mean to another child because they secretly like them. Since these people are grown adults it’s annoying. And really first chapter Cherisse letting one little comment from him make her doubt herself like that I was just like oh this isn’t gonna end up going anywhere good down the line. Him basically trying to talk someone out of dating her? Like I said this is some childhood playground stuff but with adults and that I find irritating. And of course because they don’t like each other they have to be thrown together a bunch for the wedding of her sister and his best friend that they are maid of honor and best man at. Blah blah shenanigans it’s a romance you pretty much know how things end up. Maybe I’m the problem it’s possible but it was just ok I guess. The cover though beautiful love it. The narration wasn’t great at all.

This is the first in the Island Bites series, and I’m here for all these delicious descriptions of food, although they certainly made me hungry…and I probably snacked more than I should while listening to this one.

After a particularly messy (and public) breakup with her ex, Cherisse is done dating anyone in the music industry. Plus, who has time to date when you’re busy building your pastry chef empire!

Unfortunately, her family didn’t seem to get the memo and are trying to play matchmaker at every opportunity. To top it off, the most annoying man on the planet is in town for Cherisse’s sister’s wedding. She’s forced to spend time with Keiran King because he’s the best man, and there are just so many wedding festivities to participate in. But is all this hostility actually masking something else?

I will say, that while I enjoyed the story, I found myself frustrated with the main character a lot of the time. She was just getting in her own way so often!

I really enjoyed the audiobook narration, which was performed by Chrystal Bethell. It came in at just over ten and a half hours long, and it was a pleasure to listen to.

Love this romance book, I like how the relationship between the main character transition through the book. Not going to lie but I always have a hard time with third person narrative but the audiobook help me out, even though sometimes the audiobook felt off.

This is a romance book about Cherisse and Keiran. Cherisse is getting over and bad break up and she has never got along with Kieran. But sparks fly when they start spending more time together planning Cherisse's sisters wedding shower.
I didn't love this book. It was a little scattered at times. I did enjoy that Cherisse was the one with commitment issues. Too many times the men are the ones who have issues. I liked the baker aspect. Give me all the baker romance!

Cute romance and I LOVE the cover, but I’ve read SO many romances about chefs or bakers that they’re all starting to bleed together. I loved the setting in Trinidad and Tobago.

DNF @ 30%. I actually liked the story thus far and will probably return to it later on but just not as an audiobook. The narration for some reason was very robotic and I couldn't concentrate on the story itself.

This story was so cute! I loved the enemies to lovers trope and it moved in such a natural progression that you didn't have to pause and think would this really happen. I loved that this took place in another country, its great to experience different cultures. Overall great characters and a fun story.

First, that cover is so cute can I have this recreated as my husband and I?! Joking, anyways, this story was so cute! I love a good childhood enemies to lovers story!

cute romance even tho i don't like romance but honestly this was just okay. i guess i'm not the target audience but the cover was just too cute

3.5 Stars

The cover absolutely made me get it. I added to this my radar as soon as I came across the cover reveal and I was so excited to read it!

The heroine is a pastry chef and she breaks up with her musician boyfriend, swearing off dating anyone in the music industry again. The hero is of course a Soca music producer and someone she’s butted heads with for many years. While they usually avoid each other, this time they have to closely work together as they are the best man and maid of honor at a wedding. Her little sister and his best friend.

I really wanted to like this more than I did. And I did enjoy it. But my expectations were higher and I felt the romance in this one dragged at times. I couldn’t get the enemies part either. They were obviously perfect for each other!

But there are certainly things I enjoyed about the story. This obviously revolves around a wedding but not just the big day. There were lots of fun encounters where the wedding party had to work on favors, and help out or just hang out. Which added a layer of relatability to the story and made me care for the characters.

Besides the “wedding” setting, I also loved that this story takes place in Trinidad and the inclusion of some of the culture as well. Food and music especially. I would’ve loved to see even more of that!

Overall, this is a sweet romance low on angst. Even if it wasn’t the most memorable. I am curious to see where the series goes and to read more stories set in Trinidad and with this fun group of friends.

This was such a cute debut contemporary romance. It's enemies to lovers with a bisexual music producer hero and baker heroine set in Trinidad. It did feel a bit like I was dropped in the middle of a series instead of the first book, but I can't wait to read more from this author.

Narration: Single narrator for dual POVs. Narrator was new to me and I didn't have any issues with them, but have not been actively seeking out other books by them.

Thanks to Dreamscape Media for my ALC to review.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an EArc in exchange for an honest review!
This was sooo cute! I thought the audiobook fit perfectly with the story. Unfortunately, the early copy Netgalley supplied had horrible sound quality for some reason, so I borrowed it from the library myself to properly hear the audio. I loved the story, it was so sweet and sexy. The characters were so fun and I liked seeing the progression of the main relationship. My one complaint is that the book felt rushed towards the end, I feel like it could have been more believable if it had been a bit longer. Otherwise, I would highly recommend this cute story, it was an amazing romance!

Thanks NetGalley for the preview!

I really struggled with this story. The enemies to lovers bit only works for me if the enemies are not ruthless and unkind. I felt like the main characters were so mean to one another that them getting together seemed like such a huge stretch. There were so many sideline characters that it was hard to keep them all straight and I never related to anyone specifically. The narration got a little uncomfortable for me during the sexual scenes. Overall I was let down by this story.

This was so sweet! I always forget how much I enjoy hate to love. I appreciated the slow burn with this one, and the miscommunication was enjoyable rather than frustrating to me. I couldn't get enough of Cherisse and Keiran! I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

4.5

The audio narration on this one was amazing!

I loved how this set up worked and the way they were forced together due to wedding activities, but it not being constant.

Overall really enjoyed the story and how it played out. It was just very cute with the perfect amount of spice.

Part 1 of the new Adult Romance Series Island Bites by NG Peltier set on the island of Trinidad, Sweethand delivers in all areas. It’s funny and sweet and vulnerable with a kicking romance and wonderful ensemble.

With her sister getting married, and her mom in prime match-making mode, Cherisse finds herself balancing her business as a pastry chef and duties as the maid of honor and now facing the last thing she needs in the form of the best man: Kieran King. Kieran is annoying and suave and a big shot music producer and after her last boyfriend and a big name in the music scene cheated on her, she wants to stay away from that whole scene and the guys in it in particular. But as they have to help plan events for the upcoming wedding of their loved ones, they can’t avoid each other and they might just find they have more in common than they might have thought.

I also just have to say that the romance in this was steamy and sizzling as hell. Like damn it was the good shit and the chemistry between Cherisse and Keiran was more than palpable. It was downright delicious. More than that, this book was refreshing and lovely with a bi leading man who wasn’t afraid to cry and be sensitive. There were a lot of issues and topics touched on in here and it all combined so wonderfully.

It also had a magnificent cast of characters which makes it perfect for a series. I am already excited to read more of this series and having fun thinking of what other characters may get the spotlight next! I am personally hoping for Remy and Maxine next! There is fire there and gosh I want to know more! The beauty of this book though is that I could point to half a dozen side characters I’d love to spend a book with and that is very difficult to pull off! It’s hard enough to give your main couple that verve and dimensionality but there was plenty to go around that I already love and want more of the rest of the crew.
Audiobooks are my sweet spot to read books because it works best with my ADHD. Sometimes I jive with narrators, and sometimes I endure them but Chrystal Bethell was a great fit for this book. She captured Cherisse’s voice spot on with all the spunk and power and vulnerability that comes with it. I don’t think I’ve heard an audiobook by her before yet but it’s always nice to add a new voice to my good list.
I look forward to the rest of the Island Bites series and have my fingers crossed that the audiobooks for those to be voiced similarly lovely voices if not Chrystal herself. My final verdict: Sweethand is a fun and steamy read and an even better listen!