Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Love on the Rise 
AUTHOR: A.C. Thomas
PUBLISHER: NineStar Press
LENGTH: 155 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 30, 2021
BLURB:
Matteo Leonelli is getting by, running his old-fashioned family bakery in the heart of Belleview, North Carolina. He’s struggled to keep the place going since his parents passed, and his cakes don’t taste the same without someone to share them.
Then, Matteo meets Ethan, a thoughtful, handsome artist, who sees Matt in a way no one has before, who touches him as if it’s a privilege. One date, and Matt is in love, dancing among clouds of meringue as he bakes up a storm to prepare for the holidays.
Ethan Price is getting by, running his family banking firm. He had to abandon his dreams of becoming an artist, but he gives it his best effort in his father’s memory. Then, he meets a man who makes his stress melt away like butter on warm bread. Matt, who smells like cookies and looks like a Caravaggio painting. Ethan is in love, head over heels as he rushes through the business of the day so he can see Matt again. He plans to sweep him off his adorable feet.
Disaster strikes as Matt’s bakery loans come due during the holidays. The news is just as shocking as the man who delivers it. Ethan isn’t the sensitive artist of Matt’s dreams, but a cold-hearted banker, and Matt’s heart crumbles like shortbread. As Christmas draws near, Matt works to save his bakery, while Ethan works to win him back. Beneath the sparkling lights of bakery windows displaying holiday treats, they must decide: can Ethan reconcile his passion for art and his love for Matt with his obligations to the family business? Can Matt forgive Ethan and open his heart to a love so sweet it outshines his pastries?
With determination, well-placed mistletoe, and a dash of cinnamon, they just might.
REVIEW:
Matteo has taken over his family’s bakery in Belleview. He loves the work and he loves the holidays, but he’d really like to find a man of his own. The business is challenging. When he meets Ethan, he’s convinced that he’s found the one. But Ethan isn’t only what Matt’s thinks he is.
Ethan is working at his family’s bank. He doesn’t want to, but he feels obligated to his family. He’s much happier in his art, but he’s trying to make do. When he meets Matteo, things seem to take a turn for him and maybe he could be happy.
Unfortunately for Matteo, his business isn’t doing that well and then when things come to a head with the bank, it’s Ethan who is the bearer of bad news and he’s crushed. Ethan has to work hard to get Matt to trust him again. Both men will need some help to move forward and make things work.
What a delightful holiday romance 🙂 This is my first book from this author, but it won’t be the last. In fact, I’m going back to read the previous book written in this Belleview setting next. Matteo is such a lovely, if somewhat insecure character. He really loves his work, but he’d really love someone to share his life with. When he meets Ethan, he thinks it’s the answer to his prayers. But when it turns into a bit of a nightmare when he discovers that Ethan isn’t exactly what he thought. Both men are trying to live up to their family legacies – one out of devotion and desire, the other out of obligation and subjugation of his desires. When those two worlds collide, it’s going to require effort from both to see if they can make things work. There are lovely side characters, smexy times and lots of baked goods! I loved how these guys worked through the ups and downs of the plot for their happy ending and I was rooting for them the whole way. I recommend curling up with a cup of hot cocoa and a cookie as accompaniment to this little gem of a story. Recommended for those who love a sweet novella about the holidays, overcoming obstacles and really good baking 😀
RATING: 
BUY LINKS:
NineStar Press