{Review} Four Leaf Clover by Charmaine Ross

Title: Four Leaf Clover
Author: Charmaine Ross
Published: 1st May 2014
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: eARC provided by Harlequin Australia for fair & honest review
Rating: 4/5

BLURB:
A sexy, sugar-laden David vs Goliath story about a local bakery, a national chain, and what really matters. 

Clover Loveday has worked hard to get her cafĂ© Four-Leaf Clover up and running — her ticket out of an increasingly alarming financial situation and her dream come true. When she literally falls off her ladder into the arms of sexy-as-sin Liam Sinclair. The same Liam Sinclair who owns the new bakery being built just across the road...the new store by bakery chain Upper Crust owner! Clover decides then that no matter how nauseated she is about the idea, it is best keep your enemies close, rather than leave things to fate.

Liam has never put too much thought into the competition when he opens a new outlet, other than taking their customers and strengthening the Upper Crust brand. But here in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, Clover Loveday’s cafe is a little too close for comfort, and Clover herself a little too good-looking. So Liam asks his PA to put together a ’fact sheet’ about his new competition. He has a business to run, a father to please, and hundreds of people to keep in jobs. Surely information can keep an unwanted strong sexual pull at bay...

A sweet, caffeinated, satisfying story about unexpected temptations, forgiveness, and putting love before money.

A Sweet And Endearing Story

REVIEW:
The story:
This was such a light and fluffy romance, just the way I like them! Clover has just opened her cafe, Four Leaf Clover, something that she has had to work extremely hard for and continues to, just to make ends meat. She's still paying off a debt that her father left when he died and her mother's medical bills are starting to increase. On the other end of the scale, Liam has arrived in town organise the opening of a new Upper Crust Bakery - a national franchise conglomerate. On principal, Clover immediately dislikes Liam, afraid he and his business will undercut her and push her out of business. But as they get to know each other she starts to see that he's not the evil business man she initially thought he was. But for Clover and Liam learning to trust one anther is the big issue. Can they both overcome their trust issues and create a future for themselves?

The characters:
Clover is a hardworking and extremely selfless woman. She pushes herself to the limits to make Four Leaf Clover a success, and never gives up on making a better life for her and her mother. She's stubborn and extremely proud. And is very reluctant to ask for help and often refuses it even when it's offered. 

Liam worked hard to make his family's business a success, but unlike Clover he doesn't have the emotional support of a parent. His father is cold and makes his decisions based purely on financial gain. After meeting Clover and her mother, Liam starts to realise that the warmth and affection that was missing from his childhood. It's because of this and being burnt in a past relationship that makes him struggle with trusting Clover.

The romance:
After only a short time together, both Clover and Liam start to see that they are attracted to one another, but their trust issues prevent them from fully commiting to a relationship. Clover fears that she's just a fling to Liam, and Liam's concerned that she may just be after his money (a thought that is planted in his head by his father). But overtime it becomes clearer that their are true feelings between them, and watching them learn to trust and fall in love was really sweet.

The writing:
The story flowed very smoothly, and although there weren't many surprises I really enjoyed the writing style. The only minor issue I had was how quickly and perfectly things worked out in the end. It wasn't just the couple getting their happily ever after (that's obviously going to happen in a romance book like this), but everything was tied up in a neat little bow. However, if I'm being honest it didn't really bother me that much, because I love sweet and fluffy endings like that.

FINAL WORD:
Four Leaf Clover was a really sweet and endearing story. With likeable characters and warm and friendly town setting, this book is perfect for any chick lit fan. 

CONTENT:
Sexuality: medium / sex scene
Violence: mild / minor threats but no actual violence
Language: mild
Drugs & alcohol: mild

2 comments:

  1. Great Review Amy! This sounds like such a sweet, cute and fluffy read! I love the small town setting, and Clover and Liam sound like very likable characters. Great Review!!!

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

    ReplyDelete
  2. sweet story, wonderful character and smooth writing? yes please

    ReplyDelete

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