sweet ( )

I received a copy through Goodreads.
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I've not had the chance to read the first book, but after reading this book I definitely want to check it out.

This was a fairly quick read. There was good amount of character and story development. Diana such is quite the single mother, doing what she can to juggle between her teenage son and her ever expanding vet practice. And then there's Mike who blows in from Alaska with his 2 young daughters, trying to make it through the month with 2 children who barely know him.

It was nice to see how Mike slowly wins his daughters' trust and attention after trial and errors. And how Diana slowly opens up her secrets and herself to other people to allow them to guide her. I quite like Mike and Diana, they make a lovely coupon and team.

I would have liked Diana to confront her ex a bit more, but I did enjoy her interaction with her own father, who showed up nearly 30 years later. One step at a time I guess. Same with Mike and his ex. It would be nice if things were tied up neatly, instead of conveniently, like Jasmine suddenly getting married and leaving the kids even longer with Mike.

And who can forget the Ladies Quilting Club? That Greta sure is a firecracker! I loved reading the scenes with her in it. You never know what to expect with her! I definitely look forward to reading more about Greta ;)

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Diana and Mike first appeared in The Sweetheart Bargain. Diana is Olivia's sister, and Mike is Luke's Coast Guard friend. In that book, Mike came to Rescue Bay to visit Luke, and spent much of that time with Diana and her son. There was intense attraction between them, but both of them were looking for different things.

In this book, Diana still has her vet practice, which keeps her busy, and is dealing with her fifteen year old son, Jackson. He's been rude and rebellious and she worries about his future. Jackson's father, who has been less than attentive all of Jackson's life, is suddenly asking for custody, something else for Diana to worry about. Having Mike show up in Rescue Bay is a distraction she really doesn't need, but he's one she can't resist.

Mike is a guy who has avoided commitments whenever possible. He tried marriage when he was younger and it didn't work out. When his ex-wife forces Mike to take care of their two daughters, he is completely overwhelmed. He brings the two girls, three year old Ellie and eight year old Jenny, to Rescue Bay, where he has the support of Luke and Olivia. Having a chance to reconnect with Diana is a bonus, but can he get past his commitment issues?

Their relationship was pretty complicated. Mike is attracted to Diana and tries to convince himself that's all it is. His childhood was rough, with an abusive stepfather, and he left home at eighteen to join the Coast Guard. The rules and schedules gave him the feeling of control that he had lacked in his life. His feelings for her grow, but he doesn't believe he has what it takes to have a permanent relationship with anyone. Part of him can't let go of what they have, but part of him tries to keep her at a distance. Diana has her own issues that have her trying to keep Mike at a distance. After years of being a single mom, she is used to depending only on herself. Sharing feelings, fears or dreams isn't something she's been able to do, and she's reluctant to open up to a man who doesn't plan to stay around.

In spite of their individual issues, Mike and Diana were really good for each other. I loved seeing how Diana helped Mike to connect with his girls, showing him how to relax his regimented attitude and go with the flow. He really did love them, but had no idea how to relate to them. At the same time, Mike was able to help Diana out with the animal shelter, and also spend some time with her teenage son. He saw things that she didn't and was able to step in to help Jackson out of some bad choices. In the end, both of them had to face their insecurities and decide if they had what it takes to make a successful life with someone else. I loved seeing how they worked it all out.

The kids were a huge part of the story and showing the issues that faced Mike and Diana. I loved Mike's girls and ached for what they had been going through. At eight years old, Jenny was so cynical, I wanted her just to have the chance to be a little girl. It was so sweet to see her and Mike connect over something as simple as watching Star Trek together. Little Ellie was adorable, once they got past the temper tantrums of the beginning. Diana's son Jackson was floundering and he didn't have any idea how to stop. It was hard to see him so angry at his mom. I felt really bad for him when his dream time with his dad didn't work out the way he expected. I loved how Mike and Diana worked everything out.

The grandmothers were pretty amusing throughout, especially Greta. It's funny to see how she thinks she's so subtle, but everyone knows what she's doing. I loved her interactions with Henry and how worked up she gets. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with them in the next book. ( )

Title: The Sweetheart Rules
Author: Shirley Jump
Publisher: Berkley Publishers
Series: Sweetheart Sisters #2
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:

"The Sweetheart Rules" by Shirley Jump was a wonderful contemporary romance and was the second in the 'Sweetheart Sister' series. I really enjoyed this fun romantic read of how this author was able to present all of this to the reader. What will happen when two older ladies help match up a couple in the town of Rescue Bay. Now, how and what will they to make this happen?

What I loved about "The Sweetheart Rules"

"The Sweetheart Rules" was a sweet romantic story of Diana Tuttle and Mike Stark that was very captivating and once you start this novel you will find it hard to put down until the end. You will find from the read that both of these two people will have some serious problems that each will have to overcome before they can have the 'happily ever after.' From the read you will be able feel the chemistry and even their passion they have one another, however, what other demons will they have from their pass? After they see the mistakes they have made in their life will they be able to learn from them and move on with their life? We find that Diana the heroine is a veterinarian who owns a animal shelter with a teenage son Jackson. The hero Mike was a Coast Guard mechanic who is suddenly was having to care for his two daughters Ellie and Jenny. Now, how will all of this turn out?

What else did I loved about "The Sweetheart Rules"

I found the characters were simply off the chart...well developed, likable, well portrayed, colorful and also well rounded for Diana, Mike, Ellie, Jenny, Jackson, Luke Olivia, grandma Greta, Harold and I am sure I have left out a few but all really made this read such a amazing read. I will say the secondary characters were will wonderfully presented.

I would definitely recommend that you must pick up "The Sweetheart Rules" to see how this author brings it all out to the readers. You will find this novel is romantic, funny...I laughed so hard because this author did her magic in it all. I found that this author really presented the reader with a well written script that in the end giving the reader a amazing wonderful story of romance of true love finally all coming together. ( )