Loved this

This story was so good that I couldn't put it down. I loved all of the characters. I can't wait to read more books by this author.

Luca's family completely relies on him! He works hard to take care of all of them as well as the family restaurant business. Luca has earned his right to be grumpy and a bit cynical. On a trip to take care of one of those restaurants he happens upon Oliver. This is in Oliver's town where he is quite adored. We get both of their POV in this story which really connected me to their connection! Oliver may be a sweetheart, but boy does he like it spicy too! It was fun to watch Luca start to enjoy all the spicy and the sweet guy behind it. This is a standalone romance, but it is also enhanced by its relation to the Food Truck series for those who love that series too!

Beth Bolden weaves some sort of wicked magic with her characters because, toward the end of this novel, she made me cry happy tears. 'Sweet as Pie' definitely fits the grumpy/sunshine trope - but it's more than that. It's about Luca finding out that he has someone outside his family that cares for him just as deeply as they do and that he can love that person just as hard. It's also about two people getting out of their own way and letting others put out fires because they are just as capable. Plus, the steam level was amped up a notch with this one. This might be my favorite novel of Beth's - it captures love at its best and a love that lasted through the memories of the townspeople.

So cute. I have wanted Luca's story for SO LONG!!!!

Luca and Oliver were so well matched and it was nice to see there was more to Luca than his outward Ice King persona. I also liked the Gordon Ramsey Hell's Kitchen feel to the plot

My only gripe is the ending was a lot more abrupt than usual for a Beth Bolden book. I wasn't entirely sure how much time had passed before the epilogue, it was a bit vague. I wanted to know a bit more about if the deli had improved as that was Luca's reason for being there.

I did really like the cameos from Gabe and Ren from the Food Truck Warriors series, and even though this is technically a standalone it does still link into the rest of the Beth Bolden story world, which I am a massive fan of.

I'd also warn you not to read this book if you're hungry because the food descriptions are amazing and there are A LOT - a good excuse for reading snacks

Luca and Oliver's story absolutely lived up to its name. Theirs was the sweetest, most delightful romance with a storyline that made me feel so warm and happy--I couldn't get enough! I could gush forever about how freaking cute and adorable and perfect they were together, and I can't even count the number of times a goofy smile kept crossing my face as I was reading. The snark and sexual tension were perfectly balanced in the early stages of their relationship, and as their connection morphed into something deeper, I really believed in Luca and Oliver's love. One of the things I really liked about this book was how love made Luca a better version of himself instead of changing him. Oliver was exactly the right kind of person to understand and accept and appreciate him without ever asking Luca to be different, and that made their connection feel so much deeper. Plus there was also something really sweet about two pragmatic, driven guys falling in love even when they knew their relationship had an expiration date. I was firmly on team "Luca and Oliver forever" but these guys had to take their time to figure out they could never let each other go. I thought the deli and family storylines were balanced nicely with the romance, and the angstiness at the end was just enough to add urgency to their pending decision without being excessive. Overall, this book just made me so happy, from the beginning all the way to the hilarious family chaos at the end!

**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.

**I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.**

Luca has dedicated his life to making sure his family restaurants are doing well and would make his Nonna proud. When his aunt and cousin are having a hard time his mom volunteers his help to see what they are doing wrong and get them back on track. Going to Indigo Falls isn't some where Luca wants to do but it's what he has to do for his family. Oliver own the local bakery in Indigo Falls. He loves owning his own business. He's worked hard to turn his bakery into a success. When Luca and Oliver cross paths sparks fly. The attraction is instant. Oliver is such sunshine and brings such happiness to everyone including grumpy Luca.

I loved everything about this read. It was so sweet and emotional. I highly recommend this one!

*Wicked Reads Review Team*

3.5-4 stars

As I understand it, this is a standalone set in an existing universe. I hadn't read any of the other books and enjoyed it as a standalone. I'm a bit of a sucker for small-town romances, I think it's the whole Hallmark thing (which I love). This is Luca and Oliver's story and it's as the title says, sweet. It's not quite grumpy/sunshine but close enough at the start.

Luca is driven, and focused on his work to the point where he doesn't find time for himself, and controls everything to the detriment of everything else. Oliver also works too much and is almost too nice, if that's possible. There is an instant connection between them though, and it was fast to develop but not too fast. I liked their connection, and it felt organic even if it was fast.

This is low angst, medium heat and a really sweet story of two people finding each other and making it work. I really enjoyed this and might need Gabe's, and Ren's stories now