Sweet as Pie

This is my first book by this author, and I wasn’t disappointed! Aspen and Ryker managed to take me on a ride full of humor, some angst, anger and their stubbornness, and happiness when they finally found their way. While Ryker was a tad heavy-handed with his determination to help Aspen, Aspen was just as bullheaded in her insistence that she absolutely did not need a man for anything. Witnessing their ups and downs and having to eat their words when they realized that support and help from a partner isn’t the same as using someone made for some very entertaining times for me. I’d definitely read more from this author!

3.5 stars

This is the first book I've read by this author, and it's clear it's not her first foray into writing. With that said, the amount of times characters are referred to by name in dialogue drove me to distraction. People do not use each other's name in every other sentence when having a conversation. ("It's good to see you, Dee. You too, Mom. I've been wondering, Dee. What's that, mom?" Not word for word, but that type of thing)

Quibble aside, the first 50% of the book had me riveted to the pages. I liked the premise and I loved that Aspen and her mom had such a positive relationship. Aspen's character and her reluctance to become involved with a man, her determination to make something of herself, by herself, were both believable and inspiring.

Then we met Ryker. He's a self-entitled a$$hole. He wasn't painted that way, but that was my opinion of him. What he did wasn't chivalous, it was him being a typical alpha-hole and not being able to accept a woman is more than capable of making her own way in the world.

Sure, he wore her down, and I'm sure others will be gaga over him, but he seriously dragged down the story for me.

I did like the pie baking and the hotel aspects. Kudos for having a bunny as a pet too.

Copy received via NetGalley

Well written, interesting short read.

Well developed, captivating from the start.

Beautiful cover.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley, I was able to read His Secret, which was my first experience reading Ms. Starr's work and I was pleasantly surprised and thoroughly taken with her writing style. When Sweet as Pie became available, again through NetGalley, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it and I was definitely not disappointed. I loved Aspen and Ryker's journey so much even though Ryker was a bit of a jerk in the beginning and Aspen frustrated the heck out of me at times, I loved how they worked through their problems. And Aspen's grandfather, Popster, is a hilarious and likeable character that really added to the whole storyline. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Starr's work. As stated, I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.

Brisa Starr is a new to me author and this steamy, angsty enemies to lovers story hooked me from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down. The writing was captivating and easy to read. The tension and chemistry between Ryker and Aspen was spot on and leapt off the page. It was H O T! I loved Ryker’s insistence to be with Aspen and her absolute refusal (even though there was a major attraction!) because she wanted to make it on her own.

Towards the middle / last third both Ryker and Aspen’s emotions were all over the board. They moved between love and hate from one sentence to the next and at times I felt like I was getting emotional whiplash.

Overall I really enjoyed this story. A great mix between sweet moments and HOT chemistry and steamy scenes that will have you fanning yourself! I’ll definitely be reading more from Brisa!

This book was good but at the same time a little strange. It opens with Ryker coming back to the town he grew up in and the place and to the person who he blames for his parents’ divorce. He of course blames Aspen and not his mother. He hates Aspen and wants to destroy her. Yet he also likes eating her pie when he tries it at their dinner.
For the most part, I enjoyed the story once I got past the beginning where Ryker goes from hatred towards Aspen to saying that he was going to marry her. My only issue really with the story or maybe two issues were one the drastic switch from hatred to love and wanting to marry Aspen and his forgetting that he was a bully to her for years. Though the last part is what helped him see his wrongs as well, he really took the line of love and hate to a new degree.
Aspen for her part had her own issues in not wanting any help only wanting to do everything on her own without anyone’s help especially from a man who she feels like she would owe something to in the end. When I got past just a few of my own issues this was a good story with some good characters. Her grandfather and his father to name a few. Overall, not a bad story, worth the read.

This is the third book I've read by Brisa Starr and I have to say - her characters are always colorful and likeable. Aspen's mom and Popster are hilarious, Aspen angsty, determined and a bit quirky and Ryker was positively swoonworthy - a bit pushy in trying to help and in pursuing Aspen, but so earnest. They had instant, scorching chemistry and I loved the ending. Definitely a must-read.

This was an EXcellent book, and Will most definetly read anything else she has written.

What I loved is that Ryker, even though he initially didn't like Aspen, moved mountains to show her that he loved her. Even though she was very independent and didnt want help, he bought popsters house to help her.

He never gave up on trying to prove to Asoen that she was the right woman for him. Definetly a 5-star read.

A sweet romance involving striving for life's yearned for dreams and wishes for the future. The best laid plans and all that, sure don't run smoothly or to plan.

With a happy ever after ending in this romantic story of love, commitment, and everlasting love.

Sweet as Pie by Brisa Starr is the First book in the Spring Hills Series. This is the story of Aspen and Ryker. Ryker and Aspen knew each other when they were younger. Ryker had been holding a grunge against Aspen for what he felt she did to his family. But in their present day they meet again and sparks fly. Enjoyed.

Sweet as pie By Brisa Starr

A very humorous romcom . A light hearted easy read following the trials of the romance between Aspen and Ryker. Follow the journey they take and see where they end up and all the characters along the way.