Reviewed by Danielle
TITLE: Love Bites: A Harmony Lake Small Town Story
SERIES: Harmony Lake #2
AUTHOR: V.L. Locey
PUBLISHER:
LENGTH: 179 Pages
RELEASE DATE: June 12, 2025
BLURB:
Can two warring candy makers create a perfect recipe for love?
No one ever said the life of a chocolatier was all singing factory helpers and rivers of milk chocolate but Haider Gray is finding the day-to-day life of a small businessman a very sour lozenge indeed. His sales are plummeting regardless of the quality of his chocolate. Despite a lineage of great prestige in the world of fine candy, Haider is struggling to keep his shop in Caldwell Crossing open. To add to his frustration and feelings of ineptitude, there is now a representative of one of the largest candy makers in Europe in his town tempting him with big money if he’ll sign over his shop. Not only does Haider not like the idea of selling to a mega corporation like Brauning Chocolates, but he’s also not sure he likes Phillip Brauning all that much in spite of the older man’s good looks, killer smile, and mad kissing skills.
Phillip Brauning has one clear mission when he left Germany: convince Haider Gray to sign on the dotted line. The task assigned by his grandfather seems straightforward enough—acquire the small candy store and incorporate it into a larger plan to break into the American chocolate market with Brauning boutique shops. As the head of acquisitions, Phillip prides himself on his ability to close deals. If he can’t persuade Haider, no one can. But everything changes when he arrives in Caldwell Crossing with his loyal assistant. Once settled in the charming New Hampshire town, Phillip’s encounters with Haider become unexpectedly heated—and undeniably steamy. Suddenly, the idea of compromise takes on a new meaning as he is captivated by the spirited candy maker with glorious curls and mesmerizing blue eyes. Could there be room for a more personal agreement between them?
Love Bites is an age gap, small town, enemies-to-lovers M/M romance set in a charming New Hampshire hamlet with a vibrant chocolatier, a debonair businessman, a sassy grandmother, a few moose, lots of candy, tons of friendship, and a sugary sweet happy ending.
REVIEW:
This is the second book in the Harmony Lake series written by V.L. Locey so a different author. Where you could read this as a standalone story perhaps as it is a different author for each of the four books I wouldn’t recommended that because this series is about four best friends and each story tells the story of one of them.
In this second book we read Haider’s story, and Haider is such a great guy. We got some glimpses and more of him in the first book by R.J Scott – Love Story. We find out what is happening with him and how he is struggling with all things that have happened and are still happening. Yes I am keeping it a bit vague because one of the things I liked best was the emotions that came out when he is talking with his best friends.
Phillip comes into town with a mission. He wants to take over Haider’s shop plain simple. While there is definitely animosity between them, there is also something like instant attraction as well.
I liked the fact that there is no rush from the author explaining the background of the shop and Mamie’s roots but it would be fair to say that because there is so much story there and it is a relativity shorter novel it lacks a little in exploring Phillip and Haider.
It goes very quickly from “enemies” (which is a big word hence the “) to connecting in all the ways to boyfriends etc.
To be honest when I finally got into their relationship and connected the story kind of was done. We got an epilogue which was lovely but where was the love between them, growing their relationship, the interaction with Haider his friends, with them including Phillip like they did Ben?
That to me made this feel very rushed and I think it was definitely a missed opportunity because everything needed was here!
The writing is as you expect from V.L. Locey strong, clear and flowing let me be clear on that. I just missed something which in a way is a good thing because it means I wanted to read more of these men.
Haider sounds wonderful like a spitfire, Phillip feels like a sexy, hairy, older man, and even more the interaction amongst the friends is what makes this series more than average. You want to read about their stories about the town they live in about how they meet their other halves.
Still let me be fair, if you have read the first story you want to read this one too. You want to read Haider’s story and want to continue this series. I am excited to read Connor’s and Ryan’s story and I hope we will get more of the four friends and their partners.
That all makes it hard for me to put a rating on this as I love the premise of the series, I really liked the first book and I love these 4 men and want to keep reading about them. That is why if you are a series lover and you like me want to read about the other guys I still recommend reading this book
RATING: 
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