Sweet Surprises

Sugarville Grove, Book 1

By: Clara Pines

Narrated by: Amy McFadden, Michael Gallagher

Step into a brand-new clean and wholesome romance series!

All this single dad wants is a quiet Christmas, but he’s in for a sweet surprise.

Charlotte Kendrick is thrilled when her best friend invites her to run the family ice cream shop in small-town Sugarville Grove. She’s had a rough year with a bad break-up and a terrible loss. But Charlotte isn’t going to let that dampen her spirits. She’s determined to have fun, finish the things she starts, and avoid falling for another guy–especially her best friend’s grumpy, gorgeous older brother.

Tag Lawrence has buried himself in his work on the family dairy farm and his fierce love for his kids ever since losing his wife years ago. People might say he’s a grump, but he’d rather focus on his energetic five-year-old son and increasingly reserved 13-year-old daughter than worry about the world outside Lawrence Farm.

But when an early freeze and a burst pipe leave the pretty new manager of the dairy’s ice cream shop out in the cold, Tag feels obliged to offer her a home for the holidays. The upbeat young woman connects with his kids in a way that makes his chest ache, but Tag knows he will never allow himself to fall in love again. And he definitely can’t even think about getting involved with his little sister’s best friend, no matter how much her smiles make him feel like something is awakening in his heart.

Nothing short of a Christmas miracle could bring these two together. It’s a good thing they’re in Sugarville Grove this holiday season.

©2024 Pine Nut Press (P)2025 Blue Nose Publishing

Hallmark movie

As soon as I met Charlotte, I adored her. She has a can do attitude. I laughed when she kept calling Tag to answer all of the customer's questions at the ice cream shop. Yet, to be honest, I would not have had answers either to their questions. Tag fell quick and he fell hard for Charlotte.

This book is a great start to this series. It is like a Hallmark movie. Where the woman goes to help a friend and there meets her friend's grumpy, single dad brother. Yet, the more time they spend around each other, they slowly form feelings for one another and boom...sparks fly! If you are in the mood for a holiday read or if you prefer audiobooks, this is one to grab. Amy McFadden and Michael Gallagher both do amazing jobs with the voice work on the audiobook.

Heartwarming holiday romance

Sweet Surprises is book #1 in the Sugarville Grove series. This clean, holiday romance is by a new author for me and this sure gave me my Hallmark-esque kickstart to the Christmas season. Charlotte has lost so much - her boyfriend, her job, and her dad. She needs a break from her life, so her best friend from college (Alli) invites her to come run her family's ice cream shop in Vermont. Alli's older brother Tag is a single dad/widower, a dairy farmer, a little grumpy, and feels guilty for having any feelings towards Charlotte. Yes, Tag messes up and needs to do a little groveling but this just shows Charlotte how worthy she is of love and the love of his family.

The dual narration was fantastic. Michael Gallagher and Amy McFadden really deliver the voices of Tag and Charlotte. Their performance will give you ALL the feels for this beautiful holiday romance. 5/5 stars!

Nice clean romance

Sweet is most definitely the word for this one. This is not my normal go to when I pick up a book, but it was a nice change. This is a wholesome love story about a widowed dad closed off after losing his wife. His sister’s best friend comes to help with the family’s ice cream shop and the rest is history. If you’re looking for a romance with zero spice, this is the one for you. The narrators Amy McFadden and Mike Gallagher are new to me but we’re both excellent!

Sweet Suprise

✨ ALC REVIEW ✨

Let me start by saying, I have not been a holiday person for quite some time. Holidays don't seem the same anymore now that most of my family have passed away. That being said, I loved this!

It is not a duet- which is usually my niche - the VO did so good speaking for the characters in their chapters, male, female, and even children at times! This really hit home for me.... I am a step parent and constantly having the fear that you are overstepping or think that they feel like you are trying to replace their mother can be... lonely. This short listen had a big message. I cried tears and chuckled. I don't know what made me sign up for this series, but I am very glad that I did.

Cute small town romance

I listened to the audiobook and absolutely loved it! It had the perfect christmasy small town romance vibes! The narration was done by Amy McFadden and Michael Gallagher and they did absolutely amazing at portraying trip and charlotte! I absolutely loved how charlotte connected with trips daughter and son and the bond his daughter and her started to form! If you love a not so spicy but sweet small town romance you’ll love this one! It’s book one in the sugarville grove series. I can’t wait to listen to the rest of the series!