[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Sweet

USA Today and New York Times Bestselling author Erin McCarthy sold her first book in 2002 and has since written almost fifty novels and novellas in teen fiction, new adult, and adult romance. Erin has a special weakness for New Orleans, tattoos, high-heeled boots, beaches and martinis. She lives in Ohio with her family, two grumpy cats and a socially awkward dog.

Connect with Erin online at her Website, on Facebook, on Twitter, and on GoodReads.

Sweet

TRUE BELIEVERS Book #2

Buy from Amazon / B&N

Jessica Sweet thought going away to college would finally free her from her parents’ constant judgments, but if anything, it’s made her realize she can’t go home and be a hypocrite anymore. Tired of dodging their questions, she stays at school over the summer and lands in an unexpected crash pad: Riley Mann’s house. 

Sarcastic and cocky, Riley is also sexy personified with tattoos and biceps earned from working in construction all day. He seems like the completely wrong guy for Jessica, but Riley hides a sensitive side and a family burden behind his self-assured grin. As Jessica helps him get his house in order for a custody hearing, they begin to fall for each other, and she is forced to question what she’s hiding herself.

But when it comes down to showing Riley how she truly feels, Jessica’s fear of rejection may just ruin the best thing—the best guy—to ever happen to her….

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Vivacious Valkyrie - Marta:

*Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review

Well Sweet by name but maybe not by nature! Jessica Sweet is the daughter of a strict religious family with strong beliefs and moral standards. She really doesn't want to go home during summer break so concocts a story that she's helping the poor and building houses. So far so good but she's going to need somewhere to stay and her solution? Well step right up Riley! Riley is the brother of Tyler who happens to be an ex but Riley has got the house to himself for a week and although not always that friendly it's a godsend, isn't it?

Jessica has tried for so long to live up to her families expectations but sometimes a girl just has to be true to herself. Jessica's folks might want her to be a pure little girl but she's no angel! Jessica has needs pure or not. If she has an itch then she wants it scratched and she'd rather have sex with friends who she trusts then random strangers and if that means some think she's easy then so what? Riley may be the hottest guy on two legs but it's obvious he's not into her. Jessica starts seeing a whole new side to Riley and it's a lot deeper then she expected . He's a strong determined young man who is fighting to keep all his brothers together. Jessica has ideas that might help but first she has to get his trust but that means letting down her own barriers and that's not an easy ask for anyone Sweet or not!

This is the second story in the True Believers series and is clearly aimed at a New Adult audience. I was quite surprised at the lack of sex if honest, as Jessica is painted as maybe not the shyest woman around. Instead the author has given us an insight into just how complicated attitudes towards sex and relationships have become. Is it really a good idea to have friends with benefits ? Is a booty call ever a good idea? Just what do guys think about girls who indulge in casual sex? Jessica is no stereo type and she's most defiantly not a typical heroine but she's a good person who just wants to experience life . Riley comes across at first glance as a brash sarcastic young man but he's way more sensitive and caring then I expected. He's funny , loyal and surprisingly deep. Happily though the author doesn't make him perfect but the window scene was simply hilarious! 

So this book was not exactly what I expected. It's truly a journey for the two main characters that will make you both angry and sad at certain moments. Very well written and refreshingly different to so many other romances available . Well worth a read and it's a series that is just growing on me. Start with True and watch all these slightly dysfunctional characters grow because it's quite a ride that Ms McCarthy takes us on!

Sweet