Beth Ciotta returns to the small town of Sugar Creek,
Vermont, in THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE, the second book in her
Cupcake Lovers series. This story is as rich and
irresistible as the cupcakes the characters bake.
Rocky Monroe has a secret. On the night of her 17th
birthday, she gave her heart and her virginity to her
brother's best friend Jayce Bello. When 22-year-old Jayce
proposed that night, Rocky believe he did it out of guilt
and duty, and her heart was broken. She has avoided him
ever since. Jayce left Sugar Creek and built a life for
himself in New York City. What Rocky doesn't know is that
Jayce has been in love with her all these years. He
recently decided to move back to Sugar Creek, and he's
determined that he and Rocky will have a happily ever
after. When Rocky travels to New York City to meet with a
publisher for the Cupcake Lovers' new cookbook, a series of
mishaps befall her, and she finds herself injured and
penniless in the city. She asks Jayce for help, and he
comes to her rescue. Rocky and Jayce's long history adds a
layer of depth to their relationship, and it's a welcome
balance to the novel's steamy sex scenes. Both Rocky and
Jayce have personal issues to overcome if their
relationship will last.
The characters' interactions with friends and family in
their close-knit small town make the story richer. The
whole gang from Sugar Creek appears in the novel, and, as
always, the Monroes' grandma Daisy is in fine form in this
sequel. Although THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE can be read as a
standalone, the story is better as part of the series.
Readers who have already read Fool for Love will appreciate
the chance to see what's going on with Dev and Chloe, and
Ciotta provides an irresistible tease of the next story
that will focus on Rocky's brother Luke. Recipes submitted
by readers are the perfect garnish for this sweet treat.
Rocky Monroe’s bad luck is legendary. So it stands to reason
that during a quick trip to New York on behalf of the
Cupcake Lovers’ forthcoming book, she winds up in the arms
of the one man she never wants to see again. So what if he’s
also the man she can’t stop dreaming about? Mouth-watering
Jayce Bello has always been Rocky’s biggest mistake, and
she’s not going to let history repeat itself … unless she
gets a new taste of his delicious kisses.
When Jayce Bello left Sugar Creek ten years ago, it was the
right thing to do—for him and for Rocky, his best friend’s
little sister. But one passionate night with gorgeous,
reckless Rocky is enough to prove that she’s the missing
ingredient in his happiness. Now, with scandalous secrets
souring the sweetness of the Cupcake Lovers’ club, Jayce
needs to convince Rocky that their love is something to
savor …