Wow, this was hilarious, sexy and did I say hilarious!!! I wasn’t expecting that and I loved every page. The flow of the story was perfect and the characters were so well written, the authors leaves you want more.

Shortcake was great fun read!! Emelia and Ben were brought together when Ben's grandmother, Rose, passes away and due to the stipulations in her will they have to live together and renovate her house. Emelie was Rose's caretaker. Emelia and Ben start on the wrong foot because he has a bad misconception of her. He thinks Emelia conned his grandmother to leave her money in her will.
Due to them having to work together to accomplish Rose's last wish they both butt heads. Their bantering was delicious to read. They both wouldn't give in and made for some of the funniest scenes I've read. Their relationship slowly evolves and we get to see how they are falling for each other, but will not admit to it. He did say some hurtful things to her, but due to this book told only by her POV as a reader we don't understand of why he did this. Was he fighting his feelings for her earlier on? Or did he really not like her? I did like how Em held her ground and gave as much as she got. Her only weakness was due to what happened to her in past. Something that she later confesses and it's so heart breaking. I liked how Ben listened to her and offered comfort. When he also talks about his past, Em also offers comfort.
He still pushes her buttons to the end, but his smiles change. They become sweet and not smirk-y.
His friends were a wonderful addition to the story. I loved how they enjoyed making Ben jealous. I do hope they get their own stories!!

Great story and highly recommend it!!
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for an honest review.

First off, thank you for the chance to read Shortcake! This book was a solid 4. star book for me! I instantly was sucked into the characters and storyline.. and this book was funny!! The internal dialogue from Emmy had me cracking up through the entire book! Shortcake was a very easy, quick read that I didn’t mind losing sleep to finish!


When Rose dies, she has some very specific instructions left in her will for her caretaker, Emmy, and grandson, Ben. Will these two pass the test?

It is always a treat for me to read and review debut novels and this novel was no exception. Shortcake is a fun story filled to the brim with amusing antics, lovable side-characters, and of course some blush-inducing sexual tension. I didn’t really connect with Emelia or Ben, but I truly did enjoy the slow buildup of sexual tension. I am a sucker for enemy to lovers and while the spats at the beginning felt like middle-grade exchanges, I still enjoyed their battle of wills that culminated. My highlight for this book though has to be the fabulous, uplifting friendships that both the hero and heroine have. Those of you that have followed my reviews from the beginning know how much I love bromances and uplifting, loyal friendships and this book seriously delivered on that front. I know Nick was written to be obnoxious but I just adored that mischievous fool!

As much as I enjoyed the ride, there are a few things that stand out to me that keep this from being a really great debut. First, I had a lot of trouble keeping track of time. Rose’s Will states they have to be in the house for thirty days but the timeline felt skewed after the first few days of renovation. Additionally, there are a number of story arcs that are left unfinished. Derek, Emelia’s cousin, just sort of drops off the grid. Same with the family-related drama on Ben’s side. I was expecting at least a bit of resolution. Deep conversations between Ben and Emelia felt sketched at best and could really use some fleshing out, though I do understand that it is difficult with romantic comedies. Ultimately, I feel like there were a few avenues that could have used some more polishing.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and it is a solid debut novel. This was a book I binge read and it took maybe 30 minutes to finish it in the morning of the next day. I would be happy to read more of Lucy Watson’s work in the future. In fact, if I don’t get books with HEAs for Nick, Winston, and Jesse then I will RIOT! This is a great light read with plenty of laugh out loud moments and a perfect fit for readers that love the forced proximity and enemies to lovers tropes.

**Full review will be posted to my blog (Dream Come Review) on or around release date (12Sept)
** Goodreads review has been posted (Link below)
**Will post shortened review to amazon and bookbub (as applicable) after release date
**Will share short review on instagram on or before release

Ignore the horrid cover that looks like it belongs in another decade. This book is a delightful love-hate tale in the same vein as The Hating Game.

➵ Emelia Anderson: Our headstrong, yet broken heroine, who, in running away from her past, ends up becoming a caretaker for a lovely old lady whose death prompts the start of our tale. Poor Emelia has not had things easy and losing Rose hits her hard. But that does not stop her from constantly butting heads with Rose's beloved grandson, who excuses her of conning his grandmother at her funeral.

➵ Benjamin Crawford: The sexy, damaged, alpha-male love interest. At first, his and Emelia shared love for Rose seems to draw them together. That is until it is revealed his beloved grandmother left half of her inheritance to some he considers a virtual stranger. And so the hatred ensues. Ben seems to make it his mission to make Emelia angry.

But unfortunately, due to stipulations in the will, they stuck with each other. However, hate slowly transforms into something else. Something sweet and sexy.

Overall, this book was a quick, entertaining read, filled with heartbreak and laughter. Love and friendship. All-in-all a wonderful read.

4.5 stars
I loved this book! I was expecting a little romcom that didnt have much depth but was funny. I got something very different.
This is a enemies to lovers story that had me laughing almost the whole time. I wasnt expecting to love the characters as much as I did. Emelia and Ben are rarely on the same page and you can feel the frustration they feel when trying to figure out just what is going on.
I could not put this book down and read it in one sitting. Highly recommend!

This is a very entertaining book that is sure to keep you hooked right from the get-go. It's funny and the love-hate relationship between the two main characters is quite addictive. Em is likeable and has gone through a rough time in the past, some of it still affects her deeply. Ben is a quiet and broody man, he also has a sad and messed up past, which shaped the person he is in the book.

Their lack of clear communication - most of it being Ben's fault - makes their relationship turbulent and full of squabbles that end up with him carrying Em over the shoulder like a caveman. Although entertaining, it was quite annoying at the end when instead of communicating his feelings like a grown ass man, Ben practically dragged her to the altar when she clearly wasn't on board anymore. Em did change her mind when he finally told her he loved her too, but I still felt that there was no character growth in that regard.

I think the ending is also a bit rushed, as they get married a few weeks after their first meeting. Considering they spend the better part of the book frustrated by the other's actions, it's unrealistic - even if they decide to start dating - that they'd tie the knot anyway.

Overall, I'd recommend Shortcake to anyone who enjoys a fun hate-love romance and doesn't mind a brooding love interest .

Thank you to NetGalley for granting me a copy of this ARC. The review below is entirely my own.

I really wanted to like this book but I had a hard time falling in love with the MC's. Some parts were cute. Some parts were hot. But mostly, I feel out of sorts about this story. I think it might have helped if we got Ben's POV bec this is all told from Emmy's voice.

But I think my bleh-ness about this book is primarily bec I didn't understand why they did some of the things that happened, esp the whole <spoiler>fake marriage</spoiler>. I also wish some things were better explained and not left hanging (<spoiler>both their backgrounds weren't really delved into. Then, there's the blatant beef Ben had with his father and the whole love-triangle with Derek that just was swept aside</spoiler>). Lastly, I wasn't a fan of how the book ended. To me, the whole confrontation at the end (the last chapter) should've happened much earlier because for it to happen at the end, I felt like I was missing so much from the story.

Dear Lucy Watson, how DARE you?! How is this your first book??! Why don't you have an entire series for me to devour? ::le sigh::

I guess... I'll wait.

Now to the book. Holy perfection Batman! I loved this book. Absolutely love it.

Emilia was a dorky, movie-quoting wonderful character with delightful flaws and a sad backstory that made me fall in love with her.

Ben, and all of his grumpy man bear tendencies made me want to snuggle him.

I loved these two together, so SO much.

And Nick! Please, for the love of kilts, tell me he's getting his own book!

The only thing that could have made this book pure perfection would be an epilogue from Ben's POV.

Any future books by Ms. Watson are definitely one-click buys for me.

I received a free copy of SHORTCAKE by Lucy Watson, through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Emelia Anderson, a nurse, moved across the country to escape her traumatic past and failed marriage. Emelia is grieving the loss of her patient and friend for whom she had been caring as a private hospice nurse since her move. When Emelia finds out her friend left her a fortune, she’s not thrilled. This lack of excitement arises from the condition of the inheritance. Emelia must live in the family home with her friend’s horrible grandson Benjamin Crawford for thirty days and perform designated tasks with him. Upon hearing the details of the legacy, Benjamin decided that Emelia used undue influence to con his grandmother out of the fortune. He’ll go through the motions to keep the estate out of his father’s hands, but he’ll make sure Emelia’s miserable every minute of every day. Benjamin is a horrible human being hellbent on making Emelia suffer, but Emelia’s attracted to him because he’s hot, because he’s not-so-bad during unguarded moments, and because they’re both trying to cope with tragic pasts and recent grief.

This was a cuteish book with funny moments. I recommend this book to those who fantasize about fixing bad boys. I’m not really into fixing bad boys, so I’m still trying to figure out how somebody falls in love with someone who deliberately hurts you physically and emotionally.

Thank you Negalley and Lucy Watson .for sending me a complimentary copy of this book.

4.75 stars
If you love enemies to lovers romances, this book is absolutely perfect for you. Emilia Anderson is a nurse and a caretaker to Rose Crawford, a dying lady who she loved very dearly. After Rose's death Emilia finds out that Rose left millions of dollars worth property to her and Ben, Rose's grandson. Ben thinks that Emilia somehow conned his grandmother into leaving her half of her property and so he hates her. Emilia is not too fond of him either. But to both of their dismay, they have to stay in the property together for thirty days or else, the property will transfer to Ben's dad, who he hates more than he hates Emilia.

'Shortcake' was so much fun to read. The banter between the main characters was hilarious and on point. I laughed out loud so many times. There are also some really heavy and emotional moments. The romance was slow burn - I was desperately rooting for Emilia and Ben the whole time and wanting them to just admit their feelings which did not happen until the very end. The ending was so beautiful that it made me teary. The only reason I took off .25 stars is because I am not really fond of alpha males and Ben was definitely that (even though I still love him).

I can't wait to read more books from the author.

I love enemies to lovers books and the plot of this book was very appealing to me.

I liked Emmy’s voice and she made me lol quite a bit. I would have loved to have Ben’s pov at some point during the story because he was quite difficult to get a read on with all the grunting and not communicating properly. That said the chemistry between them was very good and very hot. The quieter bonding moments between them were also really nice ( the tea scene was my favourite).

I quite liked Ben’s group of friends and Mara. Would have liked maybe a little more detail in both Emelia and Ben’s backstories and felt a few plot points were kind of left hanging imo ( no resolution on his issues with his father and the Derek thing which was hinted at)

Overall it was an enjoyable read which I would recommend.

If you like alpha heroes and enemies-to-lovers romances, this is a great book for you. Emilia and Ben have been brought together by Ben’s grandmother’s will which left her house and fortune to the both of them but required them to live together for a month to receive it. Emilia had been the grandmother’s nurse and really loved her, but Ben is a suspicious, morose, and arrogant guy. Every time he sees Emilia, he says something insulting and she rightly can’t stand him. Every encounter seems to end with him either snarling at or manhandling her. If that’s offensive to you, you might want to stay away. But the novel soon devolves into a ridiculous plot sequence for the two of them pretending that they’re going to get married while a group of sweet, old ladies plan out their wedding. It was all rather silly, but it served to keep the two of them interacting and having time and space to fall in love. The result was an entertaining and funny read.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

I'm a sucker for a great rom-com, and the blurb of this one made me jump at the chance to read it. I must admit that there were moments where I wanted to stomp my feet at the trickery because I felt like doing the exact opposite of laughing. But my incense at being fooled would quickly fade as a page later I was laughing so loud my husband became annoyed. Bottom line: this book won't just make you laugh; it will make you feel an array of emotions. If you're like me, you'll love Emmy (one of the wittiest heroines I've met) and want to punch Ben. You'll love all the other characters circling around. You'll wish you could have just one little chapter from Ben's point of view so that you can get even a smidgen of a glimpse into what he's thinking. And although you will find yourself suppressing some serious violent urges because things aren't going quite like you want them to as fast as you want them to, you will laugh so hard that you annoy the hell out of anyone within earshot. When you finally get to the last part, you'll decide that the rollercoaster was so worth it. And then you'll want to immediately read it again.

A sincere thank you to NetGalley and this incredibly talented author for providing an ARC for review.

Shortcake

I read this by the pool in Madeira in 2 days, the perfect setting for a fun easy read!

The story line was very predictable but there is nothing wrong with that!

Ultimately, I loved Em’s journey with Ben; the humour, the feelings, the games. It was a fantastic read!

There were also moments that were very deep and emotional and I thought were written very well!

The chapter names were all cleverly named and the language and humour throughout was very relatable.

The ending was breathtaking and I won’t say anything as I don’t want to spoil it!

I would score this book 4 out of 5 stars and I would recommend it, a very good holiday read!

Loved this book, the story of Emelia and Ben.
They are thrown together when Ben's grandmother dies. Emilia had been looking after her, and is shocked that she has inherited half of the house, but she has to live there and renovate it with Ben.
They clash the first time they meet, but will they make up.
A great selection of suporting characters, especially the wedding planners!

Hope there will be more books featuring Ben and Emelia's friends.

Oh I absolutely loved this story! I had a grin from ear to ear the whole way through. I am a huge fan of the enemies to lovers trope because everyone involved has such fiery personalities that are so fun to get immersed in!

Emelia (Em or Emmy) is trying to set up a new life and was caretaker to the lovely Rose who has passed away now. As the family arrives she realises these people who never visited their dying mum/nan are quite rough around the edges, no one more so than Ben (Sweet Benny) who is so positive that Em is the worst thing to ever step into his nan's house that Em can't reconcile this Ben with Rose's Sweet Benny. Naturally, sweet old nans are always up to something and in order for Ben and Em to get what's been left for them in Rose's will, they have to live together and get her house just so per Rose's very strict instructions. What could she possibly be thinking? Well, so ensues a hilarious romantic comedy of two people so frustrated about the chemistry between them, calling in old school deals and code words for rescue.

I adored Em and Ben's relationship as it developed from enemies to lovers. They had to change so much and be honest with themselves in order to get through the instructions of the will all in the space of one novel so it was a real page turner from me. It was a roller coaster of emotions dealing with the lump in your throat from how much Rose's death affected them and the hilarity of how Ben dealt with his attraction to Em. There were definitely some lines that had me cracking up. Such a great group of friends supporting Ben and 1 really dependable friend for Em. The fiery personalities were so great - it was so obvious how perfect for each other they were. And as Em was actually a nurse, it made sure that when she tended to him being under the weather wasn't cheesy. I really loved it! A read that is so fun, so much love, so much personality!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lucy Watson for an opportunity to read a ecopy of this book! LOVED IT!

*Thank you netgalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Shortcake is about a nurse named Emmy. Her patient, an elderly lady named Rose, just passed and her family is coming down for the funeral. Emmy finds out that Rose listed her as a beneficiary in her will as long as she fixes up her house and lives in the house with Rose’s grandson, Ben. The problem is that Emmy and Ben can’t stand each other.

I really enjoyed this book. It read exactly as a rom com movie and made me actually laugh out loud. (Which almost never happens)

Lucy did a really great job of getting you invested in the characters. Emmy was such a great person. She was relatable and quirky. Ben was such a jerk though and basically had no redeeming qualities. Luckily, I loved Emmy so much though that I just wanted her to have a happy ending, even if he was a jerk.

My favorite character by far though was Rose! Even though she was never alive in the book, her presence was always there. I am 100% playing that song at my funeral and I want some special tea.

4/5

Ben thinks highly of himself, “you done checking me out, so I can get dressed.” Ben really should be thankful his woman isn't a money grabber, “why do you have to be so difficult? I said take the card.” I motion sharply for him to take it. “I’m already late. Come on, Ben. Just take it.” Ben’s nostrils flare and his jaw ticks, but to my relief, he snatches the card from my hand." Ben can totally compromise, “you can call the shots next time, babe. Right now, you’re gonna take off your shirt.” I liked this book, I loved Ben.

This is hands down a new favorite author for me! I adored her writing style and almost felt Emelia/Em/Emmy/Shortcake was modeled after how my own brain works! I seriously say a lot of things that she says throughout the book. Like too many things. So many things that I wondered if there was a secret hidden camera in my brain the author was tapping into.

As a PTSD survivor myself, this book held some raw truths that only another survivor can truly understand. It shows the many facets of PTSD, and that it's not just military men and women who suffer from it. Although Ben is ex-military and does have it too. I love that she shows how strong both characters are and gently leads into the 'why's" of their struggles with the demons/memories from their pasts.

This book is laugh out loud funny and every single one of the characters will steal your heart! The chemistry between Ben and Emmy is built up wonderfully! If I had one wish, it would have been to have this written from a dual perspective. I would have loved to delve more into Ben's thoughts, feelings, and emotions like I was with Emmy. But that does not take away from the book at all!

This book is a true winner and I can not wait to read more from this author. And hopefully, the other characters get their own books too, because they need it. I mean seriously Ms. Watson, do it for the people! :-)