Child prodigy and piano virtuoso Claire Keyes drops everything on her schedule to return home to Seattle to care for her fraternal twin, Nicole, after a phone call from her younger sister, Jesse. Jesse insists that Nicole wants Claire to help out at home with her recovery from gall bladder surgery, and at the family bakery. Because of her musical gift, Claire was taken from the family twenty- two years ago, when she was six, to be trained in classical music. Her sisters never truly understood that Claire was not the rich, traveled, cosseted princess they envisioned her to be, but a sad woman with no life of her own and no family. Having her sisters actually want to see her is huge, and there is nothing that is going to keep her away.

It seems that Nicole was unaware of Claire coming to help out, and in no uncertain terms she tells her twin to get lost. Claire digs in her heels and defies her sister, and it's a poignant -- and humorous -- game they begin playing. The fact that Claire does not know how to do anything, and I mean any-thing, other than play the piano doesn't help, and she truly is more of a hindrance than help. However, she is willing to learn and teaches herself a lot. There are a lot of stumbling blocks in her way including Nicole's soon-to-be ex-brother-in-law, Wyatt, who only knows Nicole's version of Claire. Wyatt has a precious eight- year-old daughter, Amy, who is deaf. Nicole helps him out with day-care for Amy, and now he is forced to ask Claire. There is an instant loving bond between her and this wonderful child.

Wyatt's wife abandoned her family when it became apparent their baby was deaf. Even though he was not madly in love with his wife -- and only married her because she was pregnant -- her treachery taught him not to get too involved with any woman. When the animosity between Wyatt and Claire dissolves and they give in to the sizzling sexual pull between them, Claire falls madly in love. Wyatt had warned her not to expect anything but a fling with him, but this determined woman throws all caution to the wind and goes after Wyatt full-steam-ahead!

SWEET TALK is one of those stories you don't want to end. It has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and just the right amount of lump-in-your-throat moments. The characters are all terrific, and the fast-paced, well-balanced storyline zips along. This romantic comedy embraces family loyalty and betrayal, and lots of love and laughter. This is the first of the Bakery Sisters trilogy, and will be a hard act to follow.