If You Love Me

First, Ciara Knight is becoming one of my favorite authors of romance. In If You Love Me, she has created the sweetest, small town atmosphere that is true to life on so many levels, from the geriatric citizens to the ‘bless your heart’ frenemies to those you really care about and who care about you. The Sugar Maple series has everything from the drama queen to dancing leprechauns (well almost).

Carissa and Drew are definitely a case of opposites attracting. He just plans to be in Sugar Maple long enough to get the better job through a ‘dating’ bet. She is the object of his ‘get out of town’ ticket. You know right away trouble is coming with that bet.

Carissa has suffered heartbreak of the worst kind and not wanting to be in a position that could hurt her again. Yet, Sugar Maple needs her to help bring them out of a bit of an economic crisis. Drew is the one to get that done. His first impression of Carissa was not a good one.

As Carissa and her group of friends, enemies, geriatric town leaders and the wise ex-principal turned mayor work together to make Sugar Maple the place to be, Carissa and Drew fall in love. Except that they do not know that, yet. This is a charming book and beginning of the series. It would be nice to see all the fab five work out their differences as they find their HEAs.

The story was sweet but my favorite part was the complex group of characters. Every one of them reminded me of someone I have known or made me wish I knew them. Two complex people who were complete opposites fit together beautifully.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Shut the front door and make this a Hallmark movie, please! Set in the quaint little town of Sugar Maple, the “not so” fabulous five have been summoned by their mentor Mayor Horton to band together to save the town. Of course all bets are off when it comes to Judas Jackie, Southern Belle MaryBeth, Sassy Stella, negotiator Felicia and easy-going Carissa working together.

In comes pompous, glorified film producer Drew Lancaster who is trying to save not only the town from ruin but his bosses reputation and his job by creating a small town series. Carissa and Drew are forced to work together to try and win the towns and by extension, its citizens' approval before his boss arrives for production. Can Carissa step outside her comfort zone and charm the cameras, or will Judas Jackie take her prize once again? Will Drew be able to put aside his perfectionist, corporate attitude and embrace tar and southernize?

I especially enjoyed the quirky one-liners, mischievous and meddling elders and all-round small-town love. Who doesn’t enjoy some good ole southern hospitality mixed with some feuding and lots of desserts in between?

My only tiff with the book was how the relationship between Drew and Knox was written (very confusing) and the sudden change of the girl code at the end!

This novel about Carissa finally gaining confidence to be herself aside from her old school friends was refreshing. Instead of a heroine that relies on a man to help solve her problems, she goes and solves them herself which is amazing to see! She meets an executive producer for a show she’s been nominated for and they fall for each other.

I feel the romance was rushed within the novel, there wasn’t much of a build up, which is ideal for people who enjoy short stories. For me however, I would have liked to have lengthened the romance a bit more.

I do hope there will be a sequel however because the story was written with a lot of thought and I would like to see how Carissa and Drew’s story develops.

A new author for me. Carissa owns a bakery. . She finds out there is a company to town to film. She does her best to have her bakery shown. To hear more read the book.

I absolutely loved this book so much. It was fast paced. Had an amazing story line. Had lovable characters. Was hilarious. It also felt like a Hallmark movie, which are movies I love! The reason that I gave this a four star and not five was because I wanted more. I wanted more backstory of the girls, and drew. I wanted more store, because I ate this book up so fast. I was not ready for it to end. Overall amazing book!! Bravo!

I have not read any other books by the author and it was a lovely surprise of a story. Carissa certainly developed a backbone by the end of the story. I would have liked a bit more of a background to the 5 girls as I felt like the story dropped you in at the deep end so to speak. Possibly if the author is writing a series about the 5 which I suspect,maybe more will be revealed in future books?
I enjoyed the interactions between the 2 leads and although Carissa was shy she certainly held her ground with Drew.
The novel was not long enough for me. I felt like I was just getting to know everyone and it was all over. I suppose that’s a good idea- leave the reader wanting more? Perhaps a sneak peak of the next one would have been a good idea?

Finally, a book in which you see many different types of people. But, most of all. a lady who wants something and goes after it without the help of a man. She knows what she wants for herself, but she's also trying to help this quaint little town. Within these pages, you learn about Drew, ex-military, OCD, and at times a little weird. Carissa, is a hit or miss, disorderly, lady who figures each day will take care of itself. You'll also meet a group life time friends and a town needing to be saved. The author gives you humor, and romance. I highly recommend this book and this author. I want to thank Net Galley for giving me the chance to read it in return for my honest opinion.

Discovering Ciara Knight was like sipping a glass of wine and eating my favourite dessert while listening to the sound of the ocean and watching dolphins at sunset. Her book, IF YOU LOVE ME is a feel good novel spiced with amazing lough out loud moments and, of course, the salt and pepper of a wonderful story: bit of rivalry, lost and found friendships and a very sexy ex-army sergeant who steals the heart of our simple, talented, distractingly beautiful, mess of a woman - Carissa Donahue.
IF YOU LOVE ME is one wonderfully written romance novel that can easily make you addicted. It's steady pace and cleanliness attracted me and made me read it in one go. I couldn't put it down and I fell in love with all characters, even the jerk attractive city boy Drew Lancaster. I laughed so much with the town elders and hoped that the group of one time best friends will reunite to save Sugar Maple.
But things don't always work out as expected, or at least the story makes you think so. Drew was promised a spot at a real film network if he can spend time with Carissa and not fall in love with her. But, will he resist the charm of the small town girl? Or will he fall hard and decide to stay, winning the hearts of the townspeople and the baker in question, Carissa Donahue?

So I wanna say thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for a earc of this book for an honest review, I love a good small town romance and a grumpy hero sign me up. The author has great writing and the romance was all there and it was great it was also kind of a slow burn and a lot of angst but it was awesome!

An interesting collection of romance stories to allow for escapism in frustrating and uncertain times. It let me set aside the cares of the world for a couple of hours.

Carissa loves baking and owns her own shop but times are hard and she has to work with her friends including Jackie who Carissa's boyfriend left her for and now they are enemies and the atmosphere is awful. Drew is helping his friend and needs to work with Carissa and her friends but when they meet things do not go as planned. This story was brilliant and the characters were so well balanced and true to life and they worked well together, the elders were so funny and i found myself laughing at there antics. I have read many of Ciara Knight books and i have enjoyed every single one as they are well written and worth reading.
I Voluntarily Reviewed an Arc copy of this book.

Great heartwarming read, just a lovely book to feel warm, comforted and happy with. I love these books so much, they are my happy place, never underestimate the power of books. Small towns, simpler lives, community and happiness, we seek what we need in books and this supplies exactly what I need and love. Wonderful

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

This is a small town sweet story, baked with all the ingredients needed for a good read. Romance and beautiful characters are nicely developed along the pages of the book
The pace is good and even if I was a bit confused with all the characters being introduced at the beginning, it got cleared after a few chapters into the story.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

If You Love Me by Ciara Knight is a short Hallmark novel. It is not the first I have read by this author but it the one most like a Hallmark movie. In fact it would make a great one to be shown right after months of Christmas movies before the Valentine one starts. The other books I have read felt more complete and the plot flowing than this one which is about one week in the life of these characters.

The clean romance is cute with a quaint town setting. The people are quirky. Some events are thoughtful such as the kitten saving, some are silly such as the meddling elders and some are over the top like the reality host Knox, but he doesn’t have a big part in the story. One last part the Tar and Southernized was meant to be touch in cheek I think but being a Southern, I found this insulting so I took a half star off for that.

The characters are likable especially Carissa Donahue and Drew Lancaster. Being a short novel it would have been wonderful if it had been longer so that these characters had been fleshed out more. At times it read a bit choppy with me wishing for more. Still it was a cute story with a cute kitten.

3.5 Stars
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a sweet small town romance with all the charm you’d expect from a book set in a place called Sugar Maple. The way the town square was described made me think of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls.
The Mayor of Sugar Maple is trying to put the town on the map to help all the local businesses flourish and she’s put Carissa one of five friends in the spotlight to make it happen. Everyone in town knows Carissa makes the best cakes and now it’s time for the world to know too!
Enter Drew who is less than thrilled to be stuck with the project. He’s the definition of a big city guy and has no time for the eccentric ways of the residents of Sugar Maple.
With the classic serious guy falls for the sunshine girl trope and a town full of kooky side characters If You Love Me, the first book in the Sugar Maple series, is the a charming small town romance and the perfect escape from reality. I would have liked to see more of the friendship between the five core women that make up Carissas’ friendship group. I assume the next books will follow the other ladies and think it would have been good for the reconciliation between Carissa and one of her childhood friends to have been less sudden but overall I enjoyed it.
I gave If You Love Me 3.5/5🌟 and received a copy from @netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The book comes out on the 7th July!

Great first in series, likeable characters with romance thrown in.- will they won’t they with a happy ending. Small town looks after its own and long term friendships restored. Lovely warm comforting read, from a respected author. Highly recommend this book and can’t wait to read the next one.

If You Love Me us a small town romance. I rely liked the book. It us perfect for a easy summer afternoon relaxing in your favorite patio chair, sipping sweet tea of lemonade. The boom is quick but satisfying read and I recommend it. I hope it becomes a Hallmark movie soon.

The mayor of town have 5 gals who were school friends get together to help save the town. I didn’t understand the premise of the reason for only these girls saving the town by getting the win for the tv contract to highlight the city when others are competing to win. I never knew where the other contestants from neighboring places. I loved the on and off attraction of the main characters. The background story of the history of the gals. Definitely worth picking up and reading.