"Sweet On You" by Becky Wade

 


Zander Ford has loved Britt Bradford since ninth grade. Thirteen years later they are still best friends, but Zander has never told Britt how he feels because it's clear that she doesn't feel the same. When the success of his first novel allows Zander the chance to travel, he takes off a world tour hoping it will help him get Britt out of the prominent place she's held in his heart.

Master chocolatier Britt runs her own chocolate shop, dates as many men who are interested, and enjoys mountain biking and kayaking. She loves her independence. She misses Zander and doesn't quite understand his sudden need to trot the globe, but she's happy for him. As dismayed as she is when his trip is cut short by his uncle's death, she's very glad to see him again.

Though it looks like Zander's uncle Frank died of a heart attack, the autopsy reveals that Frank Pierce was not the man everyone thought he was. Confused and determined to uncover the real identity of the man who took him in when he needed him most, Zander sets off on a quest to backtrack his uncle's life. Of course Britt is by his side every step of the way, and though his time away was almost entirely for the purpose of distancing himself from her, he's found it just makes it harder for him to keep his feelings hidden.

A strong element of suspense comes into play when it looks like Frank's past may have involved one of the most famous unsolved crimes in Washington State's history. Zander is driven to know the truth, while trying to protect Britt and his family from any former criminal cohorts who may also be closing in. Meanwhile Britt is beginning to look at Zander a little differently. He's always been one of the most special people in her life, and she's starting to realize how rare that is. She doesn't want to risk their longstanding friendship by doing anything stupid like falling in love with him, but with the way things have suddenly grown a bit awkward it may be too late to salvage what they once shared so effortlessly.

I quite enjoyed this book. I will say that at some points Britt makes some really stubborn decisions which I did not like, but thankfully they did not harm her too much. The thing that really made the book soar was the spiritual journeys of each of the characters. Zander feels like his unanswered prayers and constantly disappointed hopes where Britt is concerned have made him lose sight of God's vast and personal care of him. For Britt's part, she has tried so hard for so long to establish her self-reliance and not have to depend on anyone, not even God. Maybe not even when He's the only one who can help her. Independence can lead to its own form of slavery when it involves not letting anyone close. The walls and the distance in their hearts must be overcome before anything more could truly develop in their relationship.

The Bradford Sisters Romance series comes to an exciting conclusion that no Becky Wade fans will want to miss.

I received my copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.