This is a VERY sweet and wholesome story.
Think Hallmark movie + anything on the UP channel in book form. Are there cheesy moments? Absolutely but, it is cute as all heck. There is quite a twist as well that I was not expecting and was pretty impressive.
Appropriate for someone who wants clean/soft romance and a feel-good story and who is open to reading about faith and religion (not shoved in your face but visible).
This would be the perfect book for a church group book club.

The first two pages feel magical but I will say pages 1-13 are basically the same description repeated over and over. If you get through that the story does start, though!



*****************************
Constructive critics / overall thoughts (not posted on GoodReads)
The first two pages felt magical. I loved the description and I could almost see/smell the town and coffee shop as it was described.
However, I am 13 pages in and it feels like the first two pages are being repeated over and over and over again.

While I don't think every man in a book needs to be masculine by any means, Daniel felt very femininely written. It felt clear that it was a female author writing a male character. Things like Daniel saying "that you for your kindness" , calling Claire "cute and all" or "this is beautiful" about latte art didn't seem like something authentic. Also, how many times can someone fall and/or get caught in the rain in the span of just a few pages? The clumsiness felt very played out at times and gave a little bit of an ick.

Having said that, I do feel like this is a very sweet and wholesome book. For a certain reader this would be a 5-star read!

I had to DNF at 20%. The overly descriptive writing style just was not for me. I saw a few other reviews saying they got use to it as they continued on, but it was just too much for me.

"Love & Lattes" is an exquisitely crafted tale that captivated me from start to finish. Remy has woven together a tapestry of emotions, romance, and self-discovery that left me utterly enchanted.

From the first page, I was drawn into the lives of Claire, Daniel, and their intertwined destinies. The author's vivid descriptions painted scenes so vividly that I felt as though I was right there beside the characters, experiencing every moment of their journey.

The depth of character development is truly remarkable. Claire and Daniel's struggles, triumphs, and ultimately their enduring love resonated deeply with me. Their journey of healing and rediscovery is beautifully portrayed, reminding us all of the power of forgiveness, hope, and the ability to find peace amidst life's trials.

Remy's prose is lyrical and evocative, transporting readers to the tranquil forests and cozy coffee shops of Willowbrook. The story unfolds with a perfect balance of heartwarming moments, poignant reflections, and unexpected twists, keeping me eagerly turning the pages until the very end.

"Love & Lattes" is not just a romance novel; it's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of love. It left me with a profound sense of warmth and contentment, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. This book deserves every bit of its five-star rating and more.

This book is not for me. I had to DNF about 20% in. The descriptions and other details were just not giving me enough to hold me

Truly brewed bliss with ‘Love & Lattes'.

For fans of quaint small-town narratives, ‘Love & Lattes' is the perfect addition to your reading list. From the start, author Remy Sinclair excels in creating an immersive experience, inviting readers into the heart of Willowbrook, a town that boasts a unique charm and a closely-knit community. Through the lens of a newly adventurous barista and the chaos of the photographer among the tranquility, this novel explores themes of family, friendship, and love.

The narrative stands out for its richly detailed descriptions, bringing the small town and its inhabitants to life with vivid clarity. This attention to detail, while enhancing the sense of place, occasionally prolongs the narrative, offering readers an extended stay in each scene. This characteristic might slow the pace, but also deepens the connection to the setting and characters, crafting a more nuanced and immersive experience.

‘Love and Lattes' is the perfect book for those who appreciate the intricacy of small-town dynamics and the depth of character-driven storytelling. Sinclair's detailed narrative style not only paints a picturesque view of life in a small town with Clair Mitchell and Daniel Collins but also encourages a slower, more reflective reading pace. Her approach aligns well with readers looking for a story that offers both an escape and a thoughtful exploration of what it really means to love.

‘Love & Lattes' should definitely be your next read. It's a story that'll make you feel good and leave you thirsty for more.

I really loved this story about Claire and Daniel in the town of Willowbrook while redoing the coffee shop. There history is one that is amazing.How they continue on together after the truth has come to light. A GREAT READ.

Claire’s story of a journey back to faith and eventually love is heartwarming and cozy. I was able to make enough of a connection with the characters and story that I could easily envision the settings as I read. I appreciated the insightfulness of Pastor Wells in his sprinklings throughout the story, and wish that we might have heard just a little bit more from him (I would have loved to overhear a conversation between he and Daniel).

I initially wasn’t sure about continuing in this book. The attention to every minute detail was almost more than I could take in what appeared to be a “fluffy”, easy read from the description. But I stuck it out and either I became used to the author’s writing style or the details became lesser as the book progressed (I think the latter), and this title proved to be the inspirational easy read that I had anticipated. There were still some details that I thought could have been done without, like reintroducing the characters by both first and last name at every chapter, making it feel like it had been written as a serial novel.

A good start, and the description had me interested in the story, but sadly ended up skimming quite a bit. Not sure why, but did seem like a lot of details that were not needed impeded the flow for me. Still though, not a bad story, and would be a good beach read. Would recommend.

I ended up DNFing this book as it just did not hold my interest. Too dry, to much information. It read more like an informative school essay than an actual book.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The descriptive language really helped to paint a picture of the setting of Willowbrook as well as the forest trails around.
The characters were very likeable and it was great to see their histories unfold through the story as they worked through parts of their past.
The story was heartwarming with some unexpected turns and it was nice to read the aspects of faith through the story as well.

This was unfortunately a DNF for me. The premise/description sounded fantastic, and I was really excited for it--but the author's writing style did me in quickly. Overly descriptive and _very_ slow paced, it spent too much time world-building by telling instead of allowing the reader to discover relationships, quirks, and the town on their own or more subtly.

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

A very moving story that was captivating and unexpected. Unfortunately, for me, the author cramed too much into the ending few chapters. I felt it could have ended sooner..... but still good enjoyable read.

Regretfully this is a DNF for me. I tried to get into the story on three separate occasions, but I could not get past the author’s writing style. Some may find the prose charming, but for me it was “over-the-top” in its attempt to be creative. The words flowery, cloyingly sweet, verbose, and repetitive best capture my experience. There was so much verbiage devoted to descriptions of people and shops in the opening chapters that I never felt engaged with the protagonist and what at first seemed amusing, quickly became annoying. I wish the author well – her style is just not a match for me.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.