I’m so glad I had the chance to read Sweet Surprise by Jenny Frame. This is a lovely slow-burn romance about a couple who really need each other and definitely belongs together.
This is a story about two women: Mack Sharkey, who has just gotten out of prison, and Flora Buchanan, who has lived most of her life with severe OCD, social anxiety, and PTSD. When Mack opens up a barbershop next door to the sweetshop Flora owns, the two begin to see each other on a daily basis. Mack quickly realizes that there is definite chemistry between the two, but she will have to tread carefully if she wants a future with Flora. There are problems that could sink any chance of a relationship the two might have including Mack’s criminal past, her family ties, and of course Flora’s mental health issues. This budding romance has many hurdles to overcome.
I love a good character driven romance, and these ladies really worked for me. These are well-developed characters that I connected with quickly. Flora’s health issues are treated realistically and only endeared me to her more. Mack is exactly the person she needs to help her thrive. Add in a terrifically described setting and lifelike secondary characters, and you have a tale you don’t want to miss.
There is a scene in the novel where there is a physical attack against a woman. It is not the most graphic I’ve ever read, and I had no problem with reading it myself, but I want to mention it for those who might be sensitive to this kind of action. I truly enjoyed reading this book. It is a beautiful love story, and the way it ends makes me think there might be more to come, maybe with one of the secondary characters in the tale. I hope there is.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
Rainbow Reflections 