Anita and Tanner work together at the Sunshine Diner and they both have secrets. Big secrets. First, they've got crushes on each other. Second, he's just bought the dinner and Anita's family is about to open a coffee shop across the street. Yikes. Anita's learning disabilities have set her apart from her siblings so this is a big deal for her while Tanner is finally stepping out on his own. This is a slow burn romance set in a very conservative environment (there's some commentary about clothing that felt a bit judgey) . If I have a quibble it's that it isn't as emotional as I would have liked. I did, however, find myself muttering to both of them that they need to actually talk to one another. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

3.5 stars
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I love the premise of this book! We have all had the crush we could not get over. Underlying all of our hopes for years. That yearning and burning in your heart, it can just be too much.

That is the premise of this touching read. However, it did leave me with so many questions!!

This story was a bit sad to me in many ways. The crushing feelings of not measuring up. The feeling of not being enough for someone. The lack of confidence in yourself. Then throw in the fact that people do not talk to people. Misunderstandings abound and you have to wonder if they can ever figure it out.

Fuller created characters are so likeable and she gives us plenty of lightness and humor to balance the frustrations between these two. They are definitely a tough nut to crack! Once they figure it out, I was sad to find that we hardly get any time with them as a couple. The HEA is really fast and I just needed more.

Overall, a sweet story, but I need more love and less angst in this one!

I enjoyed the plot but it felt very predictable. Anita and Tanner had a crush on each other but never acted on it then Anita opens a cafe right next to Tanner’s and they become like frenemies and then end up together. The small town setting and the cafes were definitely a plus but I don’t think I’m the right reader for this book or I might have read it at the wrong time.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc!

I was so excited to revisit Maple Falls in Much Ado About a Latte by Kathleen Fuller, the second stand alone book in this series. Tanner Castillo and Anita Bedford met in high school and are now each other working at the Sunshine Café in Maple Falls, Arkansas. Both want more for their lives and want to open up their own business.

Tanner and Anita are so loveable and I was rooting for them to figure out and admit how they felt about each other throughout the story. I enjoyed their journey. The author has a wonderful way of creating characters you want to get to know and keep in touch with. I was thrilled to visit with old friends from the first story.

I loved the small town feel of this story, the author’s humor and colloquialisms, and watching Anita and Tanner’s friendship evolve. It was nice to get lost in Maple Falls for a few days. I recommend this sweet story.

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a review.

"Much Ado About a Latte" by Kathleen Fuller
A Fun Light Sweet and Clean Read
I did love this story. Yes, I got frustrated with the two lead characters. But no more so than I get with folks in my real world. I did truly enjoy my time within Anita and Tanner's story. Happy Reading ! !
NOTE I received an ARC copy of this story from the publisher via NetGalley
This review expresses my honest opinion.

Does anyone want a latte? Well, I do want one!

Much Ado About a Latte is a story of two people Anita and Tanner who had been having feelings for each other since high school.. Now Tanner owns the Sunshine Cafe and Anita wants to buy the building next to the Sunshine Cafe to build her own cafe, and the story tells about the love-hate relationship between the two.

I do like the plotline and I also like the writing style. But then, I feel like I was watching some cheesy romantic movie with a predictable storyline and ending. Anita and Tanner had a crush on each other but Anita trying to open up a cafe next to Tanner's made their relationship with each other more like a frenemy relationship. To be honest, I felt a little bored reading the book but then of course, most of the story in this book was predictable. This is more like a happily ever after, everyone gets together kind of a story although despite the fact that I have read numerous books based on that, this book was not my cup of tea unfortunately.

Overall, if you like a cheesy romance with a predictable story with a Hallmark movie setting then this book is one for you--worth only two and a half stars.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. The review is based on my opinion only.

I found this story to be a sweet quick read. Anita and Tanner have such a long history. Neither have been brave enough to admit they might want to be more. I loved how they really couldn't hide their feelings any longer. Anita's growing confidence was fabulous to see. I enjoyed the friendships and relationships with the other characters in the book too. It makes me want to find other books in this series. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

this was a really nice and comforting read. it didn't bring anything new to the reading table, but it was nice to just cozy up and read this generally good book.

Much Ado About A Latte is the second book in the Maple Falls series. While those of us who had read the first book will certainly see some familiar characters and are sure to enjoy returning to the charming small town of Maple Falls, I do believe that those who have not read the previous book can enjoy this as a standalone as well.

Right from the start, I was drawn into the chemistry between Anita and Tanner. Theirs was definitely a chemistry that leapt right off the page and was quite apparent to everyone... except them that was. That can make for quite the interesting, albeit at times a little frustrating romance read! I really enjoyed their characters and felt they were both really well written and enjoyable. I did expect their to be more of a competition aspect between their businesses based on the description, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I really look forward to seeing what comes next for these two in future books in the Maple Falls series. If you enjoy a good small town romance, this is certainly one to add to your list!

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

I have completely fallen in love with Kathleen Fuller’s Maple Falls series. This second book, Much Ado About a Latte was an absolute delight. A contemporary story, full of that nostalgic small town feel and budding with romance, was the perfect weekend read. I loved everything about this book: the characters, the quirks, the well timed plot, and the tension between our hero and heroine. However, I do recommend reading the first book to fully understand the side characters involved.

This story made me smile, and I cannot wait for the third installment to be released!

I received this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

All her life Anita Bedford has struggled with feelings of inadequacy. She didn’t excel in school like her brilliant siblings, and her parents worry Anita will never reach her full potential—even though she makes good wages waiting tables at the Sunshine Diner and enjoys her simple life in Maple Falls.

For years she’s harbored a crush on Tanner Castillo, the boy who tutored her in math during high school. But other than one fabulous, toe-tingling kiss while playing truth or dare at a party, they’ve remained firmly in the friend zone. Now she and Tanner work at the same diner, and nothing has changed.

Anita craves change, though, so she buys the empty building next to the diner and plans on opening a coffee shop. Maybe now her parents will respect her and feel pride in her accomplishments. And maybe she’ll find ways to break her Tanner habit when she no longer works with him every day.

Tanner Castillo has worked hard his entire life, supporting his mother and brother after his father passed away. Four years ago, he moved back to Maple Falls to work at the Sunshine Diner. When the opportunity to buy the business comes up, Tanner jumps at the chance to make his dreams come true He knows just the ticket to bring in more customers—open a fancy coffee bar inside the restaurant.

With reliable employees like Anita Bedford, he knows he has a shot at easing his mother’s financial burdens. But recent events have made him question his friendship with Anita. That spark he felt in a dark closet in high school hasn’t gone out. But everyone knows you shouldn’t date your employee.

Can Anita and Tanner ever make it out of the friend zone?

What I Liked About This Book

This sweet romance was made to read snuggled up in a cozy chair. Well-rounded characters, a charming town, and lots of relationship food for thought will keep readers turning the pages.

A very well written inspirational romance. Good plot and character dynamics. Loved the small town setting. I look forward to reading more books by Ms. Fuller. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

When I saw a book set in a small town and it features a cafe, I couldn’t resist reading it.
The characters for me were dull and lifeless. I never saw any connection that was supposed to be there between Anita and Tanner that I cared much about them being a couple. They never really talked so I wasn’t sure how they would make a relationship ever work out.
I wanted so much more and never got from this story.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC. This is my personal review.

The summary doesn’t exactly match the actual plot. This is more about Anita’s unrequited crush on Tanner for years. The competing businesses are secondary to their unspoken feelings and it felt like it was going in circles for most of the book. Perhaps I’m just not the right reader for this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

A fun light read. 2 people who knew each other in school and had a connection but due to miscommunication/lack of communication never become boyfriend/girlfriend. 10 years later they're co-workers but still don't communicate properly. Add to that that both sides think that they aren't good enough for the other. I had fun reading it and watching the characters bumble through what relationship they do have with each other.

I requested to read and review this book for free fromThomas Nelson Publishing. What a cute and light hard story about where are life journey goes. Sometimes we don't alway understand what happens in life. Sometimes you need to have a little faith. Things happen for a reason we don't need to know why it just is. Characters Anita and Tanner and their friends and family. This book is for any type of reader and can be read anywhere.

I'd found the first book in Kathleen Fuller's Maple Falls series to be kind of hit and miss, but I was still looking forward to giving the second book a try. I had enjoyed Anita's character in the first book, and I was looking forward to her getting her own story. Unfortunately, this one ended up being not exactly what I was hoping for, and while I did still enjoy many things about it, it definitely fell short of my expectations.

I really enjoy the setting of Maple Falls, and I love how idyllically the town is portrayed, but also realistically at the same time, like in the way the town's struggle to survive in the current economy is represented. I also enjoy a lot of the secondary characters, and I thought the diner setting for the majority of the story blended really well with everything that was going on. Anita and Tanner were also protagonists I could easily root for, as I loved how they'd both had to work hard for everything they have, and both were concerned with trying to be there as much as possible for family and friends.

However, I really didn't end up enjoying the actual romance. I thought most of the complications that arise between Tanner and Anita could have easily been avoided if they'd actually have taken the time to communicate. Plus, they both act extremely hypocritical for being mad at the other for not sharing about their new business venture while they are each doing exactly the same.

I was also underwhelmed with the scenes with Tanner's ex-girlfriend, as neither Tanner or Anita really acted appropriate considering the situation, and the reader really wasn't given the impression that Tanner was an innocent victim in the relationship.

Lastly, I can't conclude this review without mentioning that I was really disappointed in quite a bit of the content sprinkled throughout, especially since this is labeled as Christian fiction. There's several innuendos I could have done without, some of the language seemed more than was necessary, and the inclusion of the scene where Anita gets drunk seemed tacky and out of place to me. The only true "Christian" mentions throughout are the fact that Anita and Tanner both attend church.

Overall, I think this book could have been a really great read, but certain elements caused it to fall short of what it could have been. Still an enjoyable read, but not what I was hoping for, and most likely, not one I will be rereading it.

Final Rating: 3/5.

Thanks so much to Thomas Nelson for allowing me to advance read and review this!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Thomas Nelson) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Kathleen Fuller has written a charming story in Much Ado About A Latte. Tanner and Anita were friends in high school if you consider Anita crushing hard on the hunky Tanner as “friendly.” It’s hard for Anita to be noticed when she’s shy and introverted, and it doesn’t help when your mom is so demoralizing about your appearance. Tanner is smart, stupid smart, but he gives up college to stay home and help his mom and become a great cook in their small town. Anita also dreams of opening a cafe for coffee and pastries in the same small town of Maple Falls adjacent to each other. A big problem though, they’ve become close but didn’t tell each other about buying competing businesses. Dumb move for both of them. I love stories about people who want to bring back the small-town vibe. But I really like stories about friends to competitors to serious friends better. This was a good one! #romance #lightsteam #smalltown #competitors #truelove #muchadaboutalatte #kathleenfuller #january2022release #contemporaryromance
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. Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for the opportunity to read this book which was delightful.

#reading #books #bookstagram #book #booksofinstagram #booklovers #bookish #lindaleereads2021 #mmdbookclub #idratherbereading #readinglife #fallreading #modernmrsdarcy #november 🦃

Much Ado About Latte is a entertaining read about what happens when waitress Anita Bedford, working at the local Sunshine Dinner with her secret high school crush and chef Tanner Castillo, get their signals crossed and end up as competitors in the coffee shop business. What ensues is a comedy of errors until they both come clean about business matters and their feelings for each other.
I loved Tanner's dedication to his family and Anita's determination to overcome her math learning disability to open a shop. Both had such commendable life goals, but didn't view a love relationship as equally important, until suddenly it was.

I really enjoyed my return trip to small town Maple Falls with its fun and quirky characters. The cover of Mush Ado About Latte, and Hooked on You have both been beautiful and drawn me in both times. I appreciate Thomas Nelson making a copy of Much Ado About Latte available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.

In Much Ado About a Latte, readers return to Maple Falls, where restoration of the town businesses continues. Anita works hard at the Sunshine Diner, even while dreaming of opening her own coffee shop in town. Unbeknownst to her, Tanner Castillo, her high school tutor, has dream of his own - of owning the Sunshine Diner and making it into a coffee bar/diner combination. While pursuing their dreams secretly, their friendship grows with the chance of more - but can either aspect of their relationship sustain the secrets and competition?

While I love this town, and the storylines about updating the town and its businesses, this second installment didn't appeal to me as much as Hooked on You. The stories didn't feel flushed out, so the conclusion felt a little illogical. Why did Tanner end up working in a diner when he was obviously intelligent and driven in high school? Where did Anita get her dream of a coffee shop? There was no build up of her dream or experience; it didn't seem to tie into her passions, it was just a way to prove herself to her parents. There also wasn't a great explanation of how the two businesses were going to work together; it just somehow conveniently tied the end up in a rosy ending.

I enjoy these characters, and I will continue to look forward to the series, but this one was only 3 stars for me.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.