I have mixed feelings about this book. I enjoy the author's Amish books a lot so I read this book and the first book in the series. I liked the first book in this series more than this one.
Our female main character is portrayed as wishy washy and not very smart.
Yes, she was born with a learning disability but she is portrayed as someone years younger than she is. I think the author could have done a better presentation of this character.
She has a crush on our male main character since high school and he apparently her as well but neither has acted on it. They work together at a restaurant and though they have feelings for each other they spend a lot of time walking around confused about their feelings or arguing with each other or intentionally or unintentionally hurting each other.
The main female character also has a drunken episode and she blacks out also not remembering anything. Could she have been taken advantage of? Yes. Was she?No, but I still don't want to see this in a Christian what I am going to assume is a soft and sweet romance. I read other main stream books and if this occurs in one of them I'd expect it but I hold Christian books I read to a higher standard. I also read some phrases I wasn't expecting in a book like this such as " knockin' boots" I have never heard this phrase before and had to look it up. Are Christian books going mainstream now too and we shouldn't expect them to live up to a higher standard?

Pub Date 04 Jan 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

“You never forget your first kiss…”

Remember that first crush? That first kiss? Now imagine it’s ten years later and you are working right alongside that crush! That is where this novel begins. Anita just can’t get away from Tanner, but decides to make a big step to do something new. Just as that happens, Tanner starts to notice her again. He has big plans, too, but will they include Anita?

“We’re coworkers, that’s all.” “And that’s what she said about you. But methinks you both protest too much.”

This book grabbed me from the very first line. I totally remember my first real crush and always wondered what happened to him. I think for anyone who’s been there, you will love this friends to crush to more as adults romance. I loved the feel of it, though do admit there was so much back and forth I was more than ready for their happy ending. There was a lot of unnecessary miscommunication or lack of communication from their fear of stepping out of their comfort zone. However, that is definitely life and I see why they were afraid.

Sometimes we can stay so much in our own doubts, it stops us from living life fully. This was a story about taking that next step and finally moving forward into all God has for you. It was fun seeing the story continue from this Maple Falls series (this is the second book.) However, this could definitely be read as a standalone. Another aspect I really liked was shining light on an important aspect of women’s health that is often overlooked. It was a refreshing angle to a leading health issue for women in a side character.

I was given an advanced reader copy through NetGalley by the publisher. All opinions are my own and have been given honestly.

Anita works in a little diner in the small town of Maple Falls, along with her childhood crush, Tanner Castillo. When Tanner secretly buys the diner and Anita - also secretly - buys the building next door for a coffeehouse, their friendship and potential romance changes.

I wanted to read Much Ado About a Latte because it looked like such a cozy, relaxing winter read. I also love small town settings.

This was indeed a very enjoyable, cozy read. The author, Kathleen Fuller, did a wonderful job at capturing life in a small town. I especially loved the atmosphere at the Sunshine Diner.

Anita is a very likable protagonist. She struggled with learning disabilities growing up, and has been hesitant to strike out on her own with business as a result. When she finally gets up the courage to make a big change, it also changes the dynamic with her longtime crush, Tanner.

Tanner is charming - a good guy who is likable, kind, and frankly dreamy! Their match seems made to be - except for the rival businesses.

I enjoyed reading Much Ado About a Latte and recommend it for other readers, especially for anyone who enjoys small town settings and cozy romance.

Anita's a middle child with learning difficulties and a sweet heart. Sometimes, she feels like a disappointment to her parents, given that her brother and sister are both successful at what they do. But she loves her job as a waitress, and her customers love her too.

What makes things even better is her high school tutor (and crush), Tanner, works at the same diner. So, she gets to see him all the time.

Tanner has plans, but the top priority is to take care of his mother and see his brother through college. Then, it'll be his turn to pursue his dreams! But his boss has other plans, and Tanner either needs to seize his dream of owning the diner now or see it slip away.

The big question is, what happens when your dreams change and what you once wanted more than anything else isn't nearly as important anymore?

In "Much Ado About a Latte," you'll find out.

I really enjoyed the characters in this story and the emphasis on how important family is, even when they may not always see you the way you want them to.

This is a fun contemporary romance that I really enjoyed. Tanner and Anita are two wonderful characters. They do not come from the same side of town but they become friends and then become more than friends and then may have to compete with each other. This is well written and I love the story. Both Tanner and Anita find what they need and want in life. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Much Ado About a Latte is a great addition to Kathleen Fuller's Maple Falls series. I thought it was a delight to read. Four stars.

I usually love Kathleen Fuller’s books but this one fell a little flat for me. The positives for me are the small town setting, the friends that we meet again from the first book of this series and the ending:. The negative part was that Tanner and Anita kind of drove me crazy with their relationship. Even with that I know I’ll be reading the next in the series and anything that she writes afterwards. Maybe I just prefer her Amish stories better?!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Published 4 January 2022.

Tanner and Anita have worked at Sunshine Diner for many years. Tanner knows that he must really make something of himself in order to be worthy of Anita. So after purchasing the diner, Tanner must first make some changes in order to bring the diner into this century. Anita's parents are able to give she and her siblings everything they desire. However, what does Anita really want? Tanner! When the opportunity to open a coffee shop for Anita arises, will she and Tanner ever find a future together? Or will they become rivals? I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

This was such a cute sweet romance novel. I enjoyed it, would say it was a nice fluff book. Boy meets girl, girl falls in love with boy. Boy is blind, and girl then decides to put boy out of mind. A story as old as time. You have Anita and Tanner, who have been friends since school. Anita has loved Tanner ever since, Tanner is blind in love, and pretty much takes the whole book that he loves Anita.
I have received this ARC from Netgalley, and am giving an unbiased and fair review.

Much Ado About a Latte is the latest book by author Kathleen Fuller. Anita Bedford and Tanner Castillo have a bit of a past, even if it was just a kissing game in a closet during high school at Tanner’s home. Tanner had been tutoring Anita and invited her to that party on the spur of the moment. But that moment, no matter how insignificant it may have seemed, was pinnacle for Anita.

Now, about a decade later, Anita and Tanner are working in the same place, The Sunshine Diner. She is a waitress, he is a cook. But both have dreams for the future: he wants to own Sunshine Diner. She wants to open a cafe and sees the adjacent building as a perfect location.

As Anita and Tanner become closer, their hopes and dreams come forefront and they wonder if this can work for them both or will their interests be at cross purposes and tear apart their fledgling relationship?

This is such a sweet story. Anita is a lady with low confidence. Tanner comes to understand this and make strides to solve help her the problem. This book encompasses old feelings, new feelings, and perhaps a promise of wonderful tomorrows. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

I enjoyed watching Anita and Tanner throughout Much Ado About A Latte. I liked how Anita learned about herself through obstacles and how Tanner was flawed as well. This romance was sweet, charming, and so much fun to read! Anita is independent, determined, and a little (or a lot) self doubting. Tanner is capable, hard working, and family oriented but a little blind to what is in front of him. I really enjoyed their story of friendship and how everything unfolds.


I received an arc via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

Maple Falls has a special place in my head and I honestly believe Kathleen Fuller did not come to play.

Much Ado About a Latte follows Anita Bedford who has loved Tanner all her life but Tanner doesn't seem t to feel the way. . But Tanner feels like he needs to accumulate a few assets before he is worthy of her affection but his plan is derailed when they both open coffee shops. I loved this story much and following two people meant to be together find their way to each other.

This story was remarkably done and surely meant to for the romance and foodie reader .

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and NetGalley . All opinions expressed are my own

Much Ado About a Latte
While I enjoyed this one more than the first one in the series because I do love the small town setting. I’m a sucker for small town romances. However I’m not a huge fan of friends to more romances, but with this one it worked.

Overall, I enjoyed this story and I really like Anita, the main female character. This book works as a stand-alone for me.
I must say I felt embarrassed that I thought I was mistaken and marked it as Christian read after seeing a couple words, drinking to drunkenness and a few eyebrow raising (for me) innuendos. I know some CF readers would be uncomfortable with some things in the story.
I think Anita's learning disability could have been better dealt with which would have been a relatable subject for others with the challenge in life.
I like Tanner's character, but he certainly seems clueless some of the time. He's a hard worker, handsome to Anita and his caring for his mother is special.
I do like the book well enough to read more in the series. I have enjoyed Kathleen's writing in other genres. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced reader's copy. This is my own opinion of the book.

A return to Maple Falls, Arkansas and a visit with four girlfriends, brings the story of Anita Bedford. She and co-worker, Tanner Castillo have known each other their whole lives but Anita has had a little crush on Tanner since he tutored her in high school. Anita has some learning problems that have given her some insecurity issues next to her high achieving family members. Although smart, Tanner's love is being a chef, not an academic degree. She works as a waitress at the Sunshine Diner where Tanner is a cook and assistant manager. Just as the two really get to know each other with a possible relationship beyond friendship, things get complicated when each pursues secret business opportunities that cause some major problems with each other. Tanner has always dreamed of owning his own restaurant and Anita just wants to be a success in her own right. When their plans conflict, their relationship hits a huge obstacle. Can they get past that to find out what is important in life? It is also the time of Riley and Hayden's wedding, a couple from the first story of the series. This is a sweet, small-town romance with some bumps in the road to overcome.
I received a complimentary ARC from Thomas Nelson and NetGalley in order to give an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

Second book in this series. I think that each book works well on it's own but to get a better love and understanding of the characters plus because each book to date is enjoyable read them all.

The main characters both grew up together in the same town. They weren't exactly friends but they interacted and of course a certain incident when they were 16 (trying not to give spoilers). They both end up with a misunderstanding that follows them into adulthood.

Lots of miscommunications and misunderstandings and assumptions drive this story but it is a sweet story that draws you in and keeps you engaged.

The secondary characters are a delight that add to and balance out the book.

I enjoyed this and look forward to the next installment.

This is a sweet love story that unfortunately gets off to a bit of a slow start. I loved the small town vibes and thought the alternating perspectives were handled well, but ultimately I wanted the rivalry aspect I was promised to pick up a bit sooner. Recommend for fans of a slow burn and small town romance.

I have not read a book by this author before but this was a great story. Loveable characters, enjoyable small town antics. I need to read the first one now.

I enjoyed this next installment in the “A Maple Falls Romance” series. I loved that the main characters Anita and Tanner were growing as individuals as they came to notice and accept their feelings for each other. I truly enjoyed the character development outside the romance and how this added to the story.
The romance was sweet and slow burn. It was an interesting twist to put two friends into a situation where they became competitors and had to battle through conflict with each other, creating a bit of “enemies to lovers” vibe.
This is the second book in the series. It is standalone, but you should read the first if you want background on some of the secondary characters. (Or just if you want to read a good book.)

I was really looking forward to this book, for one reason because I really liked the first book in this series, Hooked on you and the other reason is because it is rare to find a romance book with my name Anita in it lol

I was disappointed in this story, so many misunderstandings and lack of communication. I felt they had little chemistry and at times it felt like Anita was way more supportive of Tanner than he was of her.

This was a very slow burn romance and then when they finally did get together it was over. I always like to read more about a couple once they are together and enjoy the end of the journey but we really didn’t get that.

Thanks to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson, and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.