Sweet Love by Sarah Strohmeyer

An irresistibly delicious novel about the power of love . . . and dessert.

Like other well-meaning mothers, Julie Mueller's believed she did the right thing when she secretly ended her teenage daughter's crush on Michael Slayton, a wild older neighborhood heartthrob with a penchant for Shakespeare and the pedigree of trailer trash.

Twenty years later, Betty Mueller has come to realize that was a big mistake. Her daughter Julie - divorced and raising a teenage daughter alone - is a workaholic obsessed with her career. And Michael, the one man who could make her happy, is the one man to whom she won't speak.

Now dying and determined to make amends, Betty stages her last great feat of motherhood by reuniting the couple in a dessert class where she hopes the sweetness of a chocolate almond Torta Caprese will erase the bitterness of a wretched misunderstanding.

"Sweet love, renew thy force; be it not said thy edge should blunter be than appetite," Shakespeare once pleaded - though it will require more than poetry and passion fruit for Julie and Michael to renew their love.

It will, in fact, require the sweetest sacrifice of all.

I simply loved this book. When I started it, I didn't realize it was set in the Boston area, and was delighted to see a trip to Mike's Pastries in the first chapter!!! Every time we head into the city, we must stop at Mike's for a cannoli!!!! :) This story encapsulates true love and how it can withstand time, it delves into many relationships and not just romantically. The mother/daughter relationships in this book are so true to life and I love how the story evolves. Major issues are discussed and explored but not too heavily. A truly great read!!! 4/5