As promised for my July 10th post, today I’m reviewing Smooth Hoperator, book two in the Love on Tap series, a contemporary romance by USA Today bestselling author Sylvie Stewart.
Title: Smooth Hoperator: A Fake-Relationship Romance
Series: Love on Tap, book #2
Author: Sylvie Stewart
Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: July 6, 2023
After tanking my career in politics, I’m looking for new direction. But my GPS must be broken because it keeps leading me to a kooky librarian’s front steps.
Blurb: It’s not easy, but I’m doing my best to let go of my old ambitions and embrace the simple life of slinging beer at my family’s brewery. But some powerful players from my past are determined to cause problems for me and my family.
When a chatty local librarian with the wardrobe of a third grader and the optimism of Spongebob begins sticking her nose into my business, I want to tell her to get lost. As fate would have it, though, Sunny and her ill-tempered grandfather are my only remaining option to get free of my past for good.
It will take some convincing to get this goofy, goat-loving librarian on board with my risky plan. But if she’ll do things my way, I’ll return the favor by playing her fake boyfriend to make her true love finally take notice and fall head over heels.
But the deeper we get into this venture, the more I realize there’s nothing fake about Sunny at all. Including the way I’m beginning to feel about her.
****
You’ve read the blurb so I’ll get right to the review. First off, I must say the characters reminded me of those I’d meet in Fargo (+the tv show). They were quite original, save the hero, a man who loves politics and is forced to flee home because of the nefarious happenings in DC.
Then we have the heroine, Sunny, aptly named because her personality is like the rays of the sun, and so is her heart of gold. I must say I really liked her. She’s always willing to pitch in and help those in need. But don’t think she’s a pushover, because she’s more than capable of standing up for herself. Raised by her grandparents, she’s devoted to Duke, her eccentric grandfather who believes the UPS man is up to no good, and everyone else in the neighbourhood.
The first book doesn’t need to be read since this one stands on its own. The meet-cute between Sunny and Carter happens at the library. He’s always there for some reason, and she wants to find out why, especially since he looks like he doesn’t have a true place to call home and smells like a brewery.
I will say I really enjoyed Sebastian, the man of Sunny’s dreams, and the guy she wants to call boyfriend. But Sebastian poses to be a problem because he’s knee-deep in saving the planet and only has eyes for Mother Nature.
There is also suspense. Who is after Carter, and how can he stop what’s happening in DC?
The interactions between the characters really make this book shine. Everyone has strong personalities that come through in the writing. And the writing is excellent. The author does a great job of keeping the dialogue original and witty. As for the romance, it’s a slow build between the duo the more they spend time together. Sparks are starting to fly, but Carter is determined to keep everything platonic because he’s supposed to be posing as Sunny’s fake boyfriend so she can win over Sebastian. As for Sunny, the more she’s with Carter, she’s wondering if Sebastian is her dream guy.
The plot keeps moving along with new twists and turns. The only niggles I have is the author does tend to “break” scenes with too much internalizing from the characters. And I’m not sure what the “Dear Abby” bit was about. Maybe to add more originality? I don’t know. Did the novel have to be 280 pages? No. The author could have done this in 200 or less if scenes flowed more evenly, sticking to the GMC of each scene.
Still, the writing is excellent, the characters are fun, and it’s a read I recommend. It’s got it all. Do yourself a favour and get a copy.
Maggie Blackbird 