“It was a mistake.
Your mouth’s saying one thing, but Cherry, the way you’re staring at my mouth is singing a different tune.”
Sweethand is N.G. Peltier’s captivating debut romance novel. The novel is a delightful romantic escape set in the sun-kissed paradise of Trinidad. The story introduces us to Cherisse, the talented pastry chef dubbed the Sugar Queen, and Keiran King, a renowned music producer, as they navigate their way from childhood enemies to lovers.
Summary of Sweethand by N. G. Peltier
her breakup from her cheating musician boyfriend, Cherisse swore off guys in the music industry, and dating in general for a while, preferring to focus on growing her pastry chef business.
When Cherisse’s younger sister reveals she’s getting married in a few months, Cherisse hopes that will distract her mother enough to quit harassing her about finding a guy, settling down and having kids. But her mother’s matchmaking keeps intensifying.
Cherisse tries to humour her mother, hoping if she feigns interest in the eligible bachelors she keeps tossing her way, she’ll be off the hook, but things don’t quite go as planned. Turns out for the first time in ages, she and Keiran King, the most annoying man ever, are on the island at the same time. Avoiding him is impossible, especially when Keiran’s close friend is the one marrying her sister, and he’s the best man to her maid of honour.
Keiran doesn’t know what to make of Cherisse now. They’ve always butted heads. To him she’s always been a stuck-up brat who seeks attention, even while he secretly harbored a crush on her. Now with Cherisse’s sister marrying one of his good friends he can’t escape her as the wedding activities keep throwing them together.
When things turn heated after a rainy night of bedroom fun, they both have to figure out if they can survive the countdown to wedding day, without this turning into a recipe for disaster.
Review of Sweethand by N. G. Peltier
I’m so disappointed that I didn’t enjoy Sweethand by N. G. Peltier. The promise of forced proximity and enemies to lovers, coupled with the stunning cover, had me incredibly excited, but unfortunately, it didn’t meet my expectations.
Plot Analysis of Sweethand
We follow Keiran King, a multifaceted talent as a music producer, musician, and songwriter. He specializes in soca, a vibrant genre originating from Trinidad. We also follow Cherisse Gooding, a highly skilled baker renowned for her work catering weddings and other high-profile events in Trinidad.
The novel is commendable for its inclusion of bisexual representation. It’s crucial to recognize that individuals in seemingly heterosexual relationships can still identify as bisexual, and their partnerships should be acknowledged as queer relationships .
However, the plot was incredibly dull and predictable, lacking any real progression. The unnecessary third-act breakup was the final straw.
The predictable third-act breakup is a cliché I’ve grown tired of in romance novels, and this book unfortunately follows suit. The late-stage conflict felt entirely contrived and was resolved far too quickly, lacking any genuine tension ( WHERE IS THE GROVELING ? ). The cause of their dispute was utterly ridiculous.
Characters of Sweethand
Cherisse Gooding : She was an exceptionally unpleasant character. Her constant misery was grating, and her uptight, mean demeanor lacked any charm or allure. Unlike the playful banter often found in these types of romances, her interactions were uncomfortable and unenjoyable. I cannot believe the audacity of skipping her sister’s bridal shower to have sex and then feign illness ( UGH ! ).
Keiran King : Once again, I found myself more captivated by the male lead than the female. Keiran was a charming character, demonstrating sweetness, consideration, gentleness, and remarkable patience .
Cherisse & Keiran : I struggled to understand the depth of the main characters’ connection beyond physical attraction. Their chemistry felt underdeveloped, possibly due to a lack of scenes exploring their personalities and gradual bonding. The transition from enemies to friends with benefits to romantic partners was abrupt and unconvincing. I also really didn’t understand why the characters were “enemies.” It was said they’ve hated each other since childhood, but I really couldn’t understand why.
Pacing and writing style
The first half of the book was more engaging than its latter portion. While the dialogue occasionally felt stilted and disjointed, the overall experience was enjoyable.
However, the novel’s pacing is uneven, with an excessively slow start and a similarly sluggish conclusion. The middle section offered more promise, but overall, the book’s languid rhythm made it a challenging read.
While I’ve grown accustomed to the cliché of third-act breakups, this one felt particularly rushed. Introduced a mere thirty pages from the end, the conflict was resolved with startling speed, lacking the necessary tension and resolution for a believable conflict. It felt like an arbitrary plot device rather than a genuine obstacle for the characters to overcome.
The writing style is somewhat stilted and repetitive, lacking a natural flow. The novel builds towards a climactic revelation that is disappointingly resolved within a single chapter, resulting in an unsatisfying and abrupt conclusion. While the book may resonate with other readers, it ultimately failed to engage me.
Tropes of Sweethand
Tags : Enemies to lovers | Childhood rivals to lovers | Enemies with benefits | Dual POV | Found family | Banter | Forced proximity | He falls first and harder | LGBTQ+ | Queer | Contemporary romance | Adult romance | Afrecian American romance | Fiction.
Some quotes I enjoyed
“Are you scared, Keiran?” she taunted.
“Terrified, actually.” And not for the reasons she believed. Because you’re everything that I want and can’t have.”
“(…) Or maybe, it was the start of something sweet. And she liked sweet things, a lot.”
“ Don’t let other people dictate your relationship. Any relationship, for that matter. And realize people are going to mess up because they’re scarred. ”
Final Thought
Ultimately, SweetHand fell short of expectations. The stunning cover and inclusion of bisexual male representation were promising elements. Additionally, Cherisse’s profession as a baker was intriguing. However, these strengths were overshadowed by the shortcomings of the characters and plot, leaving me disappointed overall.
Given that SweetHand is the author’s debut novel, I’m inclined to give the subsequent book a chance. There’s potential for improvement, and I’m curious to see if the author can address the shortcomings identified in this first installment.
About the author
N.G. Peltier is an anime watching, book reading, video-game playing, story writing kinda girl.
A devourer of words and books from a young age, she enjoys writing romance and creeping people out with the Caribbean folklore stories she grew up hearing.
A Trinidadian born and raised, she currently lives in Trinidad with her mountain of ideas and characters battling each other for whose story get told next.
Practical Information for Readers
Sweethand Book Formats
Sweethand is available in various formats to suit every reader’s preference:
- Hardcover/Paperback: Ideal for readers who enjoy the tactile experience of holding a physical book.
- eBook: Convenient for on-the-go reading, available on all major e-reader platforms.
- Audiobook: Narrated with emotional depth, available on platforms like Audible.
- PDF Sweethand : While some may search for a PDF version, it’s recommended to opt for legal eBook options to support the author.
Sweethand Age Rating
The recommended age rating for Sweethand is 16+ due to its mature themes, including emotional conflict and romantic relationships.
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