Cover Image: Make It Sweet

Make It Sweet

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Member Reviews

i normally adore kristen callihan books, but really couldn't get into this one. i don't know why, i'm not opposed to trying it again one day, but just really couldn't connect to the characters and kept avoiding picking it back up, so, don't know.. might be the story, might be the characters, might be covid just killing my brain, who knows.

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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
I really enjoyed this book – lots going on in Emma's life, added to which Lucian is a man who plays hockey and is a fabulous baker... perfection!

From the moment that Emma arrived at the Rosemont estate and we get to meet the wonderful characters who live there, there is magic in the air. It felt a bit like we entered a set of an Agatha Christie mystery set in the 1930s with a modern twist. Emma watching Lucian swimming late at night; the arrival of pastry treats for her breakfast; who might be the talented pastry chef; the fashion style of Sal and his relationship with Amalie; I could go on. Really, I think it best you just grab a copy and dive right in!

As well as Lucian having to decide what comes next in his career – and the decision has a potentially huge impact on how he lives his life – Emma is too at a crossroads, as her hugely successful role has ended and she is uncertain of whether she will be able to transcend the Princess label. Thankfully, these big issues do not make them both selfish, just confused and in need of support rather than guidance.

Highly recommended! In fact, I have already downloaded another of Kristen Callihan's books, as I have really enjoyed the writing style and the humour of this fun read.

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What a fascinating book. I was impressed by the storyline and the characters were all well written and complex. Where there are complex storylines combined with intriguing characters the reader experience is magnified tremendously. To have a book that is well written as well as entertaining is a delight. Reading is about escaping your world and entering another one. Here I forgot about my own life and was immersed in the world created by the author. I would recommend this book.

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This was just what I needed right now!

The friends-to-lovers trope is already my favorite, now add a supportive couple who cheer each other up at their dreams, and it becomes a perfect, sweet story. The way this author wrote their tension and the build up to their relationship, their banter, was so good. Kristen is truly talented.

Luc is an incredible character, I am so in love with him. He was so grumpy, yet so sweet and caring, I loved the way he treated Emma. A new favorite character, for sure.

If it wasn't for the poor decisions made in the end and some unnecessary plots, this would be an amazing five-star read. Still, I definitely recommend it!

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Honestly, if you’re looking for a sweet story that will also have you drooling for desserts, Make It Sweet is the story for you. Lucian and Emma were both great characters, both at the crossroads of their lives and careers. They end up retreating to Lucian’s grandmother’s estate where they hide from the world and attempt to sort out what their next step is. In the meantime, there are delicious desserts, made by Lucian, and a burning attraction that they both resist giving in to. Honestly, I feel like I just want to talk about the image of a former hockey player, gruff, big and gorgeous, making the most delicate and mouth warming French patisseries. That image completely sums up this book

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Emma needs to regroup and figure out what to do with life once she is let go from her acting job. She is wounded and in need of some healing. She tries to find comfort with her boyfriend only to discover he has been cheating on her. Licking her wounds, she heads to Rosemount to clear her head. Emma cross paths with the grandson of the owner of the resort and an unlikely friendship develops.

Emma recognizes pain when she sees it and Lucian has a lot of it rolling off him. It doesn’t stop her from wanting to know him better. Maybe this is the distraction she needs. While their friendship grows, a romance simmers on the bottom but can Emma or Lucian put the past aside to see what the future may hold?

This is my first contemporary read by this author and she didn’t disappoint. Make It Sweet ticked off most of my boxes and gave me the feels the one afternoon that I curled up to read it. I’m not sure what is going on with the slow burn romances lately but they are working for me. I appreciate the author slowly building up to a delicious and sweet romance instead of the insta-love trope.

Lucian is so grumpy and broken. I’m glad that Emma’s spirit was able to call out to him and help in his healing process. Lucian also uses food as another way to get through his pain. Let me say that I’m a big time foodie so I loved all of the food conversations and descriptions. I’m always tempted to try to make some of the dishes and desserts. It became an intricate part of the romance.

The chemistry between Lucian and Emma is explosive. They burn all the way up. The banter gives a light hearted feel as the couple have to navigate through a lot of heavy issues. It is a nice way to break it up and give a mix to some of the heaviness.

The only reason I didn’t give this book a full five stars is that this story has been done before and nothing stood out. It is light and quick but fail to have the full wow factor despite ticking off my boxes for a good romance.

Overall, a nice, sweet and satisfying contemporary romance that book lovers can read in on sitting like I did.

~ Samantha

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I love Kristen Callihan and she nailed it with this book. It was a bit less steamy than her other books but still highly enjoyable. I highly recommend it for all romance fans!

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Lucian Osmond was a star hockey player. Hockey defined him and was his passion. Then his life changes in the blink of an eye and he feels lost without a sense of direction. Wanting to be close to family he heads to his grandmothers estate in California to pick up the broken pieces of his life. He’s enjoying his solitude when a famous actress invades his privacy.

Emma Maron is an actress living in LA. She’s worked hard to get where she is and then her life is suddenly turned upside down when she breaks up with her boyfriend, her dream role is gone, and her career is up in the air. She feels alone, and is not sure what direction to take next. She needs time to think about her future, and is offered the perfect getaway to relax and heal. Her grandma has a friend with a home overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It’s known as a haven for those who needed it.

As Emma unwinds at Rosemont she finds peace. She also encounters an insanely beautiful man who is remote, closed off, and a bit grumpy. He’s also going through a tough time, and he intrigued her. She wanted to know him, and as their attraction grows she starts to smile again. He makes her feel alive and becomes a temptation too hard to resist. She’s never felt this connected to someone, and he left her feeling breathless with one look. Could they have something real, or will she end up with a broken heart?

Make it Sweet by Kristen Callihan is an emotional, friends to lovers, slow burn romance about unexpected love, and undeniable connections. Two people who have lost their way share intense chemistry, and are captivated by one another. I really loved this story, and this sexy beautiful man. Lucian was full of surprises and stole my heart! <333

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***4.5 Stars***

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had some great characters that I am crossing my toes that I will see again at some point in the future, the budding romance between Lucien and Emma hit all the right buttons and OMG the food. The. FOOD. I swear I gained 20lbs just reading the book, but all in all this was a great read.

Lucien and Emma. I have a thing for broody, batter, grunting males and Lucien definitely fit the bill at the start, but what also came through was just how golden his heart was. His care, compassion and just overall protectiveness of those that he called his own totally won me over. Emma, I adored this woman. She has moxie. I loved her sass, sweetness and how she dealt with her world going sideways.

As for their journey to their HEA. It was all kinds of instant attraction, but with a slow burn pace. Both Lucien and Emma had things to work through and really liked how they tended to gain moments of clarity through their interactions. Now not all of their interactions were funny, sweet or smexy ~ some got pretty intense ~ but they both came out stronger for it in the end. Their bantering was a lot of fun, chemistry was intense and I just liked their flow. As for that big bump in their road. That was a rough situation and I still waffle over it because while my ultimate reaction definitely sides with the majority, I can’t help but empathize and I do love how everything ended up working out for them in the end.

I jumped at the opportunity to read this book because I’m a fangirl of the author’s, but I was also a little wary because the last book I read by her was Dear Enemy and that one didn’t go over all that well and since this one is connected to it, well, lets just say that my fingers and toes were crossed in hope that this experience would be better, and it was in every way. As sweet as this book is, there are some deep, intense moments that could make one uncomfortable, but they are handled well and then there is the supporting cast of characters. They were all awesome and I’m crossing my toes that we get to see Amalie, Sal, Brommy, Tina, Anton and Tate again, whether it’s because they get their own HEA or not!

~ Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley & voluntarily reviewed ~

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Both Emma and Luc were enjoying great success, when their careers suddenly came to a screeching halt. A bit lost and licking their wounds, they sought refuge at Rosemont, Luc's grandmother's estate. While there, they hoped to find their next opportunity, and maybe they could find it together.

I am utter trash for broken people healing together, and it was so beautiful watching Luc and Emma do so. Callihan never fails to write a great romance, and this one had some many elements that worked for me.

The couple was very easy to love and root for. They had incredible chemistry, the banter was fantastic, and there were these tender moments they shared that melted my heart. I really did adore both Emma and Luc, but I felt so much more invested in Luc's future. The stakes were a bit higher for him, and he was being forced to abandon the only life he knew. My heart ached for him, but it was great to see him channel that energy into something quite wonderful - baking!

I warn you now, do NOT read this on an empty stomach. Cooking, baking, and eating were present on many pages in this book, and the food descriptions were vivid and mouthwatering. The thought of this big, strong hockey player creating delicate desserts simply delighted me. When I found why Luc started baking, he appealed to me even more.

You usually hear me complaining about slow burn romances, but the pacing on this one worked well for me. I feel like it was a combination of the food, the supporting characters, and the personal issues Luc and Emma were dealing with that helped me be patient as I awaited for the romance to ignite. There were lots of antics and fun events that fleshed this out for me as well.

They might not have had any say in what happened to them career-wise, but Luc and Emma were able to choose each other. That choice turned out to be one of the best choices they could have made.

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I am a huge Kristen Callihan fan. I've read everything by her and loved them.
This book has the romance, the wooing (big, bad hockey player baking his way into her heart ... Adorable) but it is lacking the fun I've come to expect.
I was more interested in the secondary characters. Please! More Sal!!! Pretty please!!!
I read it in a day but wasn't as lost in it as I have been in other books by Ms. Callihan.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC for this book in exchange for my honest review.

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It's been a minute since I read a Kristen Callihan book and I have to say I really miss her writing. If you've read and loved other books by this author you won't hesitate to pick MAKE IT SWEET up, no matter what any reviewer says. But since I'm one of those I'll force my opinion on you anyway.

The location where we spend most of our time in this story is an estate called Rosemont. The description of the place was so on point I could really see it before my eyes. This is where Emma, an A-list actress who was just kicked off a huge show (that felt a little like Game of Thrones but that could be me), goes to lick her wounds. This is also where Lucian, a former star hockey player has been staying for almost a year. He retired due to major head trauma and struggles to find a footing in this new reality. He is also a wizard in the kitchen and especially pastries and cakes are his passion which he loves to spoil his family and later Emma with.
From the first, she made me smile, threw sunshine and air into my dark, closed-up world.

I love me some moody and gruff hero with a heart made of marshmallow so Lucian was right down my alley. I thought he could have felt a little less sorry about himself and his situation but I also could relate that it was hard for him to find a new direction. There were chances and possibilities yet all he could see was the loss of hockey playing. I still loved him because...marshmallow heart. This charismatic man wooed Emma the only way he knew to and it didn't take long for Lucian to find his way through her belly to her heart.
With hockey out of my life, the kitchen had become my refuge, the one area that still felt familiar and pure. Here, I was in total control. Here, I was still king.

Emma was a lovely heroine who had so much in common with Lucian. She too felt the loss of her job and the consequences deeply. Her compassionate, intuitive nature, her understanding for Lucian's struggle. She was selfless but had a little spunk and a lot of sweetness about her that you couldn't help but love. Waiting and watching with her until Lucian found himself again and realize his worth hurt so good.
“Emma. Sweetheart. I don’t want you to see me weak.”
“Well, that’s good. Because all I see is strength.”

The best side cast is the one that engages in the story and shines like the main characters which is the case here. I LOVED Lucian's meddling grandmother Amalie and adored Sal, a family friend and quirky confidante of both Amalie and Lucian's. These made this story so multi-dimensional and took it to above average.

I felt this story was a little bit too sweet at times, I still loved it though. If you've read this author's works before you know that she's a master at writing about emotional pain. While MAKE IT SWEET was on the lighter side it did have some angsty parts that kept me reading on. And the slow-burn...damn, sizzling and hot! Kristen Callihan always rewards the reader with the best of HEAs after she put you through the wringer. After a long hiatus she is back and promised VIP #4 to be released early summer. I can't wait!

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Well, that was a treat to read! It’s a sweet romance between an actress and an ex hockey player turned chef. This is in the same universe as Dear Enemy, so you will see some of those characters in a scene here but it’s still a standalone. Emma has been let go from her TV show and found out her boyfriend was cheating on her. So, she escapes to an estate where she meets Lucian. Lucian has been hiding out at his grandmother’s estate. He was a hockey player but can’t play anymore because of an injury. However, he has quite the talent as a chef. Let’s talk about the food. I’m going to need a chef like Lucian in my life! All the descriptions of the food were in such detail; you could almost feel like you were tasting it yourself. It’s a delicious, entertaining romance and I would recommend it.

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Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

Q: did you watch GOT? Love it, like it, dislike it?

I’ve seen Kristen Callihan share that her latest release Make it Sweet is a “healing” book & that felt right as I read. If you need something tender & protective & SEXY, with a grunting chef & a confident, kind former star of a GOT-like show, then read away, my friends, you will love it.

Luc Osmond is a retired hockey player of great renown who was diagnosed with Concussion Syndrome & left the sport to save his own life. But he’s grieving something that’s so important to him, that he feels was stolen from him without warning, & it’s a huge huge loss.

Emma Maron is gorgeous, talented, & vibrant, & she’s recovering at the same estate as Luc after being unexpectedly killed off her show. & cheated on.

They’re both at career & personal impasses, both smarting a little from bad ends to their last relationships. But the attraction between them blazes pretty much immediately, despite the fact that they’re both aware of how it could screw everything up.

The sizzling attraction between Luc & Emma is a little too insta-love-y for me; it feels a little too tender (for me) almost off the bat. But wow, it’s hard to argue with smoking hot characters wanting to kiss one another, make each other happy, & care for one another—desires the book references time & time again.

The amount of care in this book feels so good & the sex scenes are at holy smokes! levels. The pool scene. Oh my.

The bottom line is that Kristen Callihan is a fantastic writer & she knows exactly what I want: sensuality & tenderness, emotion, complicated characters who feel so much, kindness.

4.5 ⭐️. Make it Sweet is available today.

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HJ Top Pick!

Life was going perfectly for actress Emma Maron that is until her entire world fell out from under her, after her character literally gets axed from the T.V show Dark Castle, Emma heads home to cry on the shoulder of her pro athlete boyfriend only to find him in bed with another woman. With her entire world in disarray Emma finds herself heading to the beautiful Californian estate Rosemount, all she needs is some time to decompress and regroup, however what she gets is one gorgeous former hockey player trying to find his feet.

Hockey has been Lucian’s entire world from the time he can remember and for the very thing that makes him feel alive to be taken away in a split second takes some getting used to, but after having to make the hard choice to protect his health and life Luc finds himself battling his own inner demons. Staying with his grandmother at Rosemount was supposed to be his way of shutting out the outside world that is until his grandma decides to give him a much needed push in the form of the stunning Emma.

“Lucian Osmond, you wrecked me.” His arm wrapped around my shoulders as his lips touched the crown of my head. “Only fair. You’ve been wrecking me from the moment we met.”

Determined that Emma is not the kind of girl for him Luc goes about ignoring his attraction towards Em but everything changes with a night swim and the most delicious creamy treats that keep arriving at Emma’s door each morning. Soon the two lost souls find that they have a lot more in common than either expected, but will these two be able to help heal each other or will this just be a holiday romance?

Make It Sweet was absolutely deliciously amazing! I could not get enough of Callahans latest romance. I can easily say this is one of my favorite sports romances of the year so far! The chemistry and build up between Emma and Luc was absolutely insane, from their first interaction you could already see that they would be perfect for each other. Even though this was slightly on the slow burn side, their friendship and silly banter made the wait all the more perfect.

Lucian instantly stole my heart, I am a huge sucker for a broken hero that just doesn’t know how to find his way out of his own darkness. Also how can you not love a hot former hockey player that bakes? I loved that even though Luc tried to push Emma away he still could not help but create beautiful sweet treats especially for her each day. Oh my gosh the sweets and pastries that Luc kept creating had my mouth watering and craving one of his delectable tarts, definitely keep a bar of chocolate on hand or better yet a box full of your favorite pastries, you are definitely going to be craving them. I have to take a moment to appreciate Lucian’s hilariously meddlesome grandma and her stylist, these two were just amazing, I loved every bit of meddling.

Make It Sweet is a must read for me this book is packed with so many tropes that work perfectly in sync to create one of my favorite romcoms!

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I haven’t read much Kristen Callihan, but the ones I have, I enjoyed. I was excited to start this book, and overall it was nice, but I had a few problems with it.


First of all, I loved the characters. I loved Emma so much, she was such a great character, and Lucien was great as well. I loved his baking scenes the most! I love reading about male characters that love to bake! Additionally, the side characters were so good too! I loved all of them.


I had a bit of a problem with the romance. I just didn’t really connect to their love story. My biggest problem is that I just felt like what they shared was much more about lust than anything else. They were always thinking about wanting to have sex with one another way more than they thought about anything else. I just didn’t feel the connection, if I’m being honest. They had great sexual chemistry but nothing else. I did enjoy some of their moments, their banter was so fun to read, but they lacked real development and I just didn’t think the connection was there.


Overall this was good! I liked it. But I just had a hard time really feeling these character’s love and connection. It was talked about, but I just didn’t see it, and it made it hard for me to care.

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Make It Sweet is just that-sweet! I really appreciated the low angst of the story. Lucian and Emma have baggage from their past that they must confront. However, their romance builds slowly and naturally.

Emma and Lucian are at Rosemont to regroup. Both were formerly famous and are now in a new stage of life. Fans of grumpy heroes will rejoice at Lucian! Also, he bakes. This book had me salivating! Emma and Lucian's relationship is a slower burn. Initially they avoid each other, then they build a friendship, then there is flirting and double entendre about baked goods. It's all just so cute!

The side characters are truly delectable! I adore stories with a zany grandmother. We do get a peek at the characters from Dear Enemy, which was nice, but I enjoyed Make It Sweet more! You can jump right in with this book-just get a snack first!

Overall, Make It Sweet is a charming contemporary romance that will warm your heart and make your stomach growl. I felt the book dragged a tad a time, but there is so much to love about the story!

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I really enjoyed this slow burn storyline. Great banter and chemistry so electric you can’t wait for it to explode! Throw in emotional moments and you’ll be hooked from the beginning to the read.

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4.5 stars

A+ on banter!! Gah! The characters were just so well developed and I really did live these two.
This one starts off a tad slow but once it gets going... wow! Explosive. Definitely pick this one up!

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What a sweet (literally), feel good, and truly enjoyable read. Two hearts, not quite broken, but they’ve definitely taken a beating. Emma Maron and Lucian Osmond have taken a hit in both their careers and their love life, and with the help of matchmaking grandparents they find themselves healing together in a beautiful, private, Californian Estate. A captivating storyline, wonderful characters (if not a little stubborn at times), lots of emotion, and some super sexy scenes. The chemistry between these two was palpable (I’m talking hot, hot, hot). I loved the teasing and banter between them, oh so cute, and let’s not forget those delectable desserts. Yum yum. If you’ve read Kristen Callihan’s Dear Enemy you’ll recognise some of the characters in this story, however, Lucian and Emma’s story is a complete standalone, and equally as enjoyable. I loved it. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.

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