This is the first book I've read by this author. I enjoyed the small town which is the setting for this book and the overall story. I can't say that I connected with the main characters too much, however. In most romances, there is always some miscommunication to move the story along. In this book, there seemed to be too many of them. I couldn't reconcile that with a deep relationship! If the couple isn't going to talk about their hopes and dreams, they shouldn't be a couple! That just isn't plausible. I like Tanner's mom a lot, although she did hide her health issues from him when they got serious. Tanner's boss was an interesting guy but what he was like after retirement didn't really jive with the kind of guy he seemed to be! I really enjoyed the friends of Anita and Tanner. They seemed liked a great group of friends and were very supportive of them. If Anita and Tanner had known each other for so long, I just expected more from them and it didn't happen.

Much Ado About a Latte is book two in A Maple Falls Romance series written by Kathleen Fuller. This book is set in a cozy town of Maple Falls, Arkansas.
Anita Bedford is a well-liked waitress at the Sunshine Diner, but she had always wondered if she could do something else. She was a young gal who had never dated much but could always remember her first kiss. It was with Tanner Castillo in a closet back in high school. Now he was the cook at the diner and had been for the last few years.
Anita was also helping her friend Riley plan her wedding along with other friends Olivia and Harper. Riley owned a yarn shop with her grandmother, Olivia was the librarian and Harper sold real estate. Anita walked to all her destinations in town because her car was less than dependable, or she got a ride from one of her friends. Anita liked to do things on her own, although she could have just asked her parents for financial help since her parents were well off. Anita now was dreaming of opening a coffee shop next door to the diner in a building that had been for sale for several years.
Tanner was a hard worker always making sure that he took care of his mother and brother. Currently his mother was working two different jobs and his brother was in college. He came to the diner several years ago and was now the assistant manager and head cook. On Wednesday afternoons he shared a shift with Anita. He had just started a catering business and had a cocktail party to serve for Harper and her clients. He was saving enough money to open his own restaurant or to buy out George, the owner of the Sunshine Diner.
This book was a delightful read. Fuller has a way of developing the characters so that you feel their emotions and hurts. They are characters that have flaws and struggles to overcome but, as you read, you are there cheering them onward. Her secondary characters provide warmth and richness to the storyline and help to make Maple Falls the cozy town that it is. I look forward to more adventures in Maple Falls.
I was given a free copy of this book for review and the opinion is my own. #MuchAdoAboutALatte #AMapleFallsRomance #KathleenFuller

this was just an okay read for me. i think the synopsis kind of misled me into thinking this was going to be a friends to enemies to lovers rival businesses romance. unfortunately it was not that and we got two people who were frustratingly oblivious to each other's feelings

i didn't feel the romance between Anita and Tanner at all. i kind of rooted for them separately in the end but Anita stayed my favorite. it felt like Tanner only saw Anita once she was dolled up, and that Anita was always there for him but never him for her. Anita always listened and supported him but i didn't feel him doing anything to reciprocate. his thoughts and feels just never clicked with me and i would've loved to see him grovel a bit...
they shared one kiss about 70% in for a fake dating situation, and the faking was over in like 2 minutes...so really no romantic connection felt at all.

it's quite honestly such a shame because i was looking forward to a café vs diner enemies to lovers story

*𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳, 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘕𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘤 𝘪𝘯-𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸*

I thoroughly enjoyed this story about Tanner and Anita, and about the unfolding of their love. 'Much Ado About a Latte' is the first book I have read by Kathleen Fuller and I look forward to many more. The characters have real life problems, difficult family situations and communication issues to overcome. It was a heartwarming slice of small town life, and I highly recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Anything to do with coffee always catches my eye and this was a wonderful little story filled with so many things. Family, love, friendship, dreams come true and growing up. I loved how the story began with Anita and Tanner at a high school party that neither set of parents knew about. Fast forward ten years and I got to catch up with where the characters were now.
Anita always felt small compared to her brother, the doctor and her sister, the almost lawyer. Anita, born with a learning disability, works as a waitress. She loves what she does and has a great rapport with the customers. But her mother gives her a hard time putting down her job as menial.
Tanner works at the same diner as a creative chef and assistant manager. He had dreams of owning a diner and Anita wanted to do something more with her life. Obstacles kept getting in the way of both of their dreams. Miscommunication is always a problem when it comes to romance in these sweet, clean stories and yes they had lots of miscommunication.
This was a very enjoyable way to spend New Years Day 2022 and I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary ebook copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise.

Much Ado About Latte, by Kathleen Turner, introduces you to Anita Bedford as she is attending her first high school party. She finds herself in a closet with Tanner Castillo and before she knows it she has experienced her first kiss!

Ten years after that dreaded high school party, Anita is ready to move forward with her life in a brand new direction. She keeps hoping to open her own coffee shop; however, she cannot quite bring herself to pull the trigger. After Anita learns that Tanner has used her name in an attempt to break things off with an old girlfriend, she must make a choice. Will Anita hold onto her old dreams about Tanner or will she turn her focus to her thoughts of opening a coffee shop?

Hold on tight when you see things heat up, as Tanner and Anita plan to operate businesses that are right next door to each other!

Title: Much Ado About a Latte
Author: Kathleen Fuller
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Series: Maples Falls # 2
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Much Ado About a Latte" by Kathleen Fuller

My Opinion:

'Much Ado About a Latte' was a sweet story of how two people knew each other in school but didn't have any real connection other than Tanner Castillo had once tutored Anita Bedford with her studies due to some learning disabilities. Oh, yes, there was that childhood kiss. However, there had been no other communication with each other. After ten years in Maple Falls, they are coworkers working at Sunshine Diner, where Tanner is the assistant manager and head cook and Anita a waitress. As the story goes on, we find a space next door to the Sunshine Diner, and Anita is thinking of buying it and opening up a coffee cafe. Will this present a problem for the already established Sunshine next door...a competing business? By Tanner and Anita not talking about this situation, what will happen when he finds out her plans for the next-door property? The story had some intriguing characters that will put a smile on your face and have you shaking your head as you are reading through the story. Be ready for a read that will let one see what can happen when there isn't enough communication, therefore, bringing on lots of drama as it did in this romantic story. By the end of the story, will Tanner and Anita be able to get to move forward and get to that happy place for a HEA? You will have to pick up this read and see how well this author brings it all out for the reader.

Thank you, Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing, for the opportunity to read this book and share my honest opinion.

Much Ado About a Latte by Kathleen Fuller is the second in her series about Maple Falls, a little town that you just wish you could visit. While Riley and Hayden, from the first book in the series, are planning their wedding, Anita and Tanner have yet to realize that they are perfect for each other. They have known each other since high school and even shared a kiss, on a dare, ten years ago. Anita has secretly wished for something more for them ever since, but Tanner doesn't seem to realize that she is more than his now coworker. When they both make plans to expand the small town of Maple Falls by adding a coffee café, and they don't tell each other, the sparks begin to fly even more. What has to happen for them to realize that they are both just wishing for the other?! Lots of fun, as all of her books are, Much Ado About a Latte is a great little read. I look forward to finding out what happens to the next friend! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Sweet small town romance that is very well written. Enjoyed reading about the characters.
Thanks for the advanced copy to NetGalley and the publisher.

A great romance that stirs up hope, longing, and belief in second chances. Anita has always loved Tanner and does an excellent job of keeping this secret. She has another secret that puts her in direct competition with Tanner; she just purchased the empty building with hopes and dreams and building a café. Although, Tanner has done a great job of keeping some secrets himself. For one, he is beginning to realize there is way more to Anita that he thought. Oh, and he just purchased the Sunshine diner and plans on adding a coffee bar. The tension was just enough to balance the budding romance and leave me cheering on both of them. Although they are both stubborn, everyone else can see what a great team they make. I love the way their friendship developed, and they both came to realize what was truly important. A reappearance of previous characters from Maple Falls was welcome, but it was not necessary to read the first book in the series to enjoy this one.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

This book was such a lovely, sweet read. Well written, with wonderful characters, that hold your attention from beginning to end.

I love a small-town romance and this did not dissapoint!

Anita is the ultimate introvert with a learning disability who has the misfortune to have been born into a family of overachievers with the most overbearing and judgemental mother possible. This makes her doubt everything she does and second guess every interaction she has. Tanner is smart, hard-working, and dedicated. He's been working hard to keep the promise he made his dad on his deathbed to take care of his mom and brother. Anita and Tanner have known each other since high school when he was her tutor, but they both continuously deny the possibility of anything ever being more between them.
The situations that make Anita and Tanner face their feelings feel realistic and offer great moments of misunderstanding and reconciliation. As much as I sometimes felt like they just needed to get their heads knocked together, the slow developing of their relationship and organic pacing of how things happen make the inevitable happy ending feel that much more satisfying.
Despite this being the second book in the series, I honestly feel like it can easily be enjoyed without having read the first book. Of course, the fact that a big event within the plot is the wedding of the couple from the first book makes it a satisfying extra chapter to the first book for readers continuing with the series.

Happy thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the early read!

This is a fun sweet romance that you don't want to miss. It's well written and holds your attention from the first page until the last. If you are a fan of small-town romance, grab this book. It was a joy to read.
I received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson--FICTION via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

My thoughts: this was a sweet romance about two young people who fell in love as teenagers but nothing ever came of the relationship until - now they both work for the same establishment except they both have bigger dreams. Neither shared their dreams with the other what happens when the dreams clash? Everything topples over and nothing seems like a workout ever. Will this young couple find a second chance at love? You have to read the sweet romance to find out. There is some beer drinking for more conservative readers and there isn't much of a Faith message. It is more of a sweet romance. If you like romance you will love this book. Don't miss it. I was given a copy free. And all opinions are my own.

This was my first book by Kathleen Fuller. I’m a bit surprised because she has written a lot of books and several series. Since she is new to me, I will be looking for her books in the future. I really enjoyed this book but, it was a somewhat typical romance. Don’t get me wrong. I love a romance to take me away from the thrillers and deeper historical fictions that I love. I like to mix things up and a romance is my go to genre when I am looking for something light.

The characters in this book were all from a small town named Maple Falls in Arkansas. I’m a sucker for small towns. I spent from 8th grade until I was 40 in a small town. I enjoyed it and quite often find myself yearning to go back. I feel a little bit like I’m home when I’m reading a book that takes place in a small town. The people all know you and there is little to no crime.

The main characters are pretty well developed. I think anyone reading this book will want to shake them up now and then. The rest of the characters play the part that they are meant to play and we know enough about them to make it believable.

If you love a clean, fun and flirty romance, you will definitely fall for this one. If you find yourself looking for something to take you away and give you a change of pace, this book should do the trick. This author also writes some Amish books and I find I like a smattering of those in my reading list.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from #ThomasNelson–Fiction via #Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Anita, at 16, has a crush on Tanner, who’s her tutor, and gladly comes to a party he’s hosting where Truth or Dare is played and a kiss shared. Fast forward 10 years, where the 4 young women we met in Hooked on You are a solid group of friend, Riley, Olivia, Harper and Anita. Riley and Hayden are busy planning their wedding, Tanner and Anita have plans of their own that no one else knows about, including each other. We meet Tanner’s mother, and Anita’s parents, as well as familiar folk from Maple Falls from the first book. Fun story and characters set in a wonderful community.

I have always loved reading Kathleen Fuller's Amish fiction novels, and thus, was interested to read her contemporary fiction novels as well. Much Ado About a Latte did not disappoint! This is a very sweet love story about two childhood friends, Anita and Tanner, each with long held dreams that threaten to collide. And, to add to this, Anita has long wished to be seen by Tanner as more than a friend. Ms. Fuller is such a talented storyteller and I look forward to more stories from her in this genre, as well as in the Amish genre. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this beautiful story.

I have heard good things about some of Kathleen Fuller's other books and the title and cover of Much Ado About a Latte made me want to pick it up. I was not disappointed. Such a cute, fun read about coworkers who unbeknownst to each other buy businesses with the idea to open a coffee shop. Drama ensues. Will they ever speak to each other again? Both characters bring a lot of their past into their choices surrounding their businesses and it was interesting to see a main character with a learning disability. I really enjoyed this book: a quick read, and I loved meeting some of the characters that live in Maple Falls. I'll have to go back and read the first in the series.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Much Ado About A Latte
Book 2 in the Maple Falls Romance series
by Kathleen Fuller
Rating: 4/5

Returning to Maple Falls is always a treat and it was fun to see some characters from the first book in the series. You don’t need to read the first book but I’d definitely recommend it. Kathleen Fuller has created such a fun and quirky small town that just screams to be explored more and more. As the main characters interact with familiar characters, you can feel the love the townsfolk have for each other.

As for the main characters, Anita Bedford and Tanner Castillo, they were fun people to get to know and root for. Their chemistry was swoon-worthy and seemingly noticeable to everyone but themselves. Unrequited love is not an easy thing to experience but it was nice seeing the growth the characters go through. Anita’s learning disability was an obstacle that she had to work through on top of her insecurities with her parents. The reader can also tell why Anita likes Tanner so much.

The writing is well done. The characters are endearing. The writer briefly mentions some thoughts about faith but it’s fairly subtle. All in all, a solid story full of small town charm and unrequited love.

Highly recommend if you enjoy clean romance with fun characters living in a small town full of interesting people.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

Anita has had a crush on Tanner for 10 years. She finally decides to move on with her life, not knowing that it will put her dreams in direct competition with Tanner's.

I have enjoyed the Maple Falls series. I love the old ladies who like to play matchmaker. They didn't play as big a part in this book and I missed that.

I liked both Anita and Tanner. There were a couple things that felt a little off to me....like the fact that they'd worked together for the last three years and hadn't had much interaction outside the workplace. It would have worked better for me if they'd somehow come back into contact with one another after an absence. In any case, once they noticed each other, the sparks, both positive and negative, started to fly.

This is a story about reconciliation and dreams coming true as well as realizing what's important in life. It's a good read.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.