Willow Lamont is a successful prosecutor in Seattle, but when her grandfather requests her return to Benevolence, to help at Chocolate Haven, the family chocolate shop. She arrive, but only plans to spend several weeks while her sisters deal with family issues and her grandfather continues to recuperate from his broken leg. Why does she not want to spend time at a place she used to love? What is her big secret? As well, just like her sisters, she can't seem to get the hang of making the famous family fudge. She used to be able to make it with now problem, what is happening? Shortly after arriving, someone knocks at her door late at night. Panic has her calling the police. Deputy Sheriff, Jax Gordon comes to her house and together they find an abandoned baby in the alley behind the dumpster. This brings the two of them together on a regular basis dealing with the situation and trying to find the baby's parents. We met Jax briefly in the last book and learned a bit about his bad boy image, but he has changed. This twist was a bit different, as Willow becomes a possible foster mother of "Baby Miracle" forcing her to decide whether or not she will remain in Benevolence.

As much as this was a romance, there were a couple of mystery storylines in this story as well. Who was the baby's mother? Why was she abandoned? What is Willow's secret that still holds her hostage whenever she is in Chocolate Haven alone? Can she put the past behind her? l liked how this author let us know about Jax's terrible past and the incident that changed his life when he was just a kid. These confessions will bring Jax and Willow together, but is it enough to overcome the fear of commitment? It was hard to see how Willow's past tarnished her relationship with her mother and I enjoyed reading about their confessions and reconciliation. And of course, there is the fudge. Will Willow find peace and finally be able to make the famous Lamont Fudge. This was the best in this trilogy as far as I am concerned. I loved all the various plotlines, mysteries, relationships and discoveries. I definitely recommend this series to anyone who loves a good clean romance with some mystery and intrigue. ( )

Bittersweet by Shirley McCoy
Home Sweet Home #3

Coming into the series on the third book was not an issue as the story makes sense without reading the previous books. In this book Willow has returned home to help her grandfather out in the family candy shop. In the past she left town taking a secret with her that has impacted her life in more ways than one. In the beginning of the story she meets Jax Gordon, sheriff of Benevolence, and they find an abandoned baby in a nearby dumpster. Both Jax and Willow have demons to deal with and reasons that falling in love and making a future with someone have been difficult. During the story a search is on for the baby’s parents, the baby is taken in as a ward of the state, Willow becomes the foster parent, community and family are there for one another, the perfection of the family fudge recipe is finally figured out as Willow and Jax finally realize their feelings for one another.

This is a well written, emotional, small town romance that I recommend to those looking for more than a quick lighthearted read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars ( )

Title: Bittersweet
Author: Shirlee McCoy
Publisher: Zebra
Series: Home Sweet Home # 3
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"Bittersweet" by Shirlee McCoy

My Viewpoint...

What will happen when Willow Lamont [ex prosecutor] returns to her hometown of Benevolence, Washington? Well, after her grandfather requests her return she comes back only planning to spend several weeks to a place where she had a secret that she definitely did will not feel good about returning to 'Chocolate Haven' a place she had once truly loved. Why was this? It seems like being back at 'Chocolate Haven' Willow is even unable to even make the 'unique fudge' that she had once been able to do so well but after suffering from that 'secret trauma' that just wouldn't let her go. Then it seems like something quite different comes into her life ... a abandoned baby and the meeting of a longtime school friend Deputy Sheriff Jax Gordon who had also gone through a lot in his life. Now, I will say that the story will take another road as the story of 'Miracle' comes of life along with some very complexed characters from Willow's family members to others that will keep the story rolling along as you keep turning the pages. For Willow being back in Benevolence will she be able to put her fear that she has held so dearly and not sharing with anyone to rest especially since it looks like she will become a foster parent of baby 'Miracle Doe?' l liked how this author bring into focus as Jax who had something horrible happen in his childhood bringing in the closeness to Willow. Will they be able to except each other with all that has happened to both of them? Will Jax be able to earn Willow's trust? Will he be able to 'fill her life with rekindled joy and a forever of irresistible love? This story will really cause one to see the heartache that Willow and even Jax had felt. It was so very hard for me to understand Willow's situation with her mom's relationship. And I was glad to see in the end that these two seemed to have mended something that needed discussing so long ago. By the end of the novel will Willow and Jax find the happiness they so desire? Well, you will have to pick up "Bittersweet" to answer all of the questions and find out how this author presents it to the readers. ( )