This was a sweet small town romance with all the charm you’d expect from a book set in a place called Sugar Maple. The way the town square was described made me think of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls.
The Mayor of Sugar Maple is trying to put the town on the map to help all the local businesses flourish and she’s put Carissa one of five friends in the spotlight to make it happen. Everyone in town knows Carissa makes the best cakes and now it’s time for the world to know too!
Enter Drew who is less than thrilled to be stuck with the project. He’s the definition of a big city guy and has no time for the eccentric ways of the residents of Sugar Maple.
With the classic serious guy falls for the sunshine girl trope and a town full of kooky side characters If You Love Me, the first book in the Sugar Maple series, is the a charming small town romance and the perfect escape from reality. I would have liked to see more of the friendship between the five core women that make up Carissas’ friendship group. I assume the next books will follow the other ladies and think it would have been good for the reconciliation between Carissa and one of her childhood friends to have been less sudden but overall I enjoyed it.
I gave If You Love Me 3.5/5🌟 and received a copy from @netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The book comes out on the 7th July!

Great first in series, likeable characters with romance thrown in.- will they won’t they with a happy ending. Small town looks after its own and long term friendships restored. Lovely warm comforting read, from a respected author. Highly recommend this book and can’t wait to read the next one.

One of the main characters in the first novel in the ‘A Sugar Maple’ series is Carissa Donahue. She is the baker in a small Southern township in the USA and makes the most delicious cakes and pastries. She is talented, meticulous, popular and dedicated to boosting the town’s fame. There is a real need to boost their economy and attract tourists to their town. Everyone in the South knows that Carissa is the most talented baker of all. She doesn’t use weights and measures; she knows how to combine tastes in the most unusual ways, ways that produce the most delicious products. She cooks from her heart making unique and enticing products. She had always dreamed of owning her own bakery and she built up her business from scratch.
The second main character is Drew Lancaster. When he arrives in town he is acting under orders to find a small township that will make a hit show, attracting back viewers lost by poor, unpopular choices. He is determined to achieve his aim and is a meticulous scout. He needs the show to get his pompous boss out of trouble after making so many mistakes that the audience switched off. What is more appealing than food? he reasons. Everyone eats food and most people really like bakery products that are beautifully decorated and really tasty. It is not a niche subject and the story behind the show he wants to make will be not only about the bakery but about the charmingly close and supportive community. At last he is on the right track. What’s not to like?
Carissa is quiet and shy. Her life has been ruined by the most hurtful betrayal of all. Her so-called best friend eloped with her fiancé and left her totally destroyed. Her township and her bakery is her life. She has sworn off romance and has the most haunting trust issues.
Drew is confident, assertive, driven and brusque. He is definitely not a ‘people-person’ but needs the job to be a success. He’ll do anything at all to get the show on the road. He is also a handsome and charismatic bachelor when he puts on the charm. He has to get Carissa on board.
Carissa is determined to do anything she can to win the contract for her town. She has always known that she feels a fizz of attraction for Drew, right from their first meeting and she suspects he is attracted to her as well. Can she put aside her feelings and can he? This is their story.
This is a well written story and full of old world charm. Set in the Southern USA the small town felt quite backward, presided on by only a Mayor and a group of ‘Elders’ who make all the choices. It didn’t convince me so I did have issues with this novel, although I understand the motive behind this author’s story. I read right through the book waiting for the romance, but didn’t enjoy the constant Will he/ she? Won’t he/she? It irritated me, bouncing back and forward throughout the majority of the story. There were also lots of characters and I did find this challenging as a majority of them didn’t have any influence on the story. I didn’t feel drawn to any of the characters. However I liked the ending and appreciated the simple plot which helped me stay committed to read the story.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from publisher Defy the Dark Publishing through my membership of NetGalley. Thank you for my copy sent in return for an honest and unbiased review. Many readers will find this short novel right up their street but I’m afraid it is not amongst my favourites. It’s a 2.5* review from me.

The first book in the Sugar Maple series. Five former high school friends were asked, by the town mayor (their former teacher), to work together to increase tourism and save the town. First up to work with consultant Drew Lancaster is Carissa Donahue. Drew with his military background is used to everything being done in an orderly fashion. Carissa who owns the town bakery is used to baking without recipes and managing the bakery the best way she can. Can these two learn to work together? A small-town romance, but with a plot that seemed unable to hold the story or characters together. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

The minute I saw this cover I knew I had to read it. It just reminded me of small-town fall romance. Both things make me happy. I've never read this author before and couldn't wait to try her.

Unfortunately, the cover gave me a false sense of happiness.

I hate writing reviews where I'm unhappy or the book didn't give me total happiness. It doesn't happen often thankfully but it sometimes does.

Like I mentioned when I saw the cover I just knew I had to give this book a try. One of the issues I had with is that I felt like I was missing something when I started it. I felt dropped into the story. I found myself going back more than once trying to figure out what I missed. I felt like the author didn't do a good enough setting the story up. I couldn't at first out what was going on with the town. It almost felt like it was either missing a prologue or novella to introduce the series.

I also didn't care for Drew. His attitude sucked and I don't really care that it might have changed as the book went on, it wasn't enough for me to like him.

I'm one of those people who likes to read romance more from the male perspective than the females. I know more about what a woman thinks. So saying that I can read and enjoy a romance even if I don't like the heroine but there is no way in hell I can like it if I don't like the hero.

I need a good hero. Not that doesn't mean that everything he says and does has to be perfect, I just have find him down deep to be likable. Drew for me was not. Even when he's around people that he likes he has an attitude. What's with that?

Now Carissa I really enjoyed. She's so sweet and you want to know more about her. You feel for her because of what her friend did to her (you'll need to read the story to know what that is) but also for the way Drew treated her in the beginning. Like she wasn't that bright.

Now I hope you continued to read my review because I want to share some of what I liked about the book. It wasn't all dome and gloom Sure (the bad friend & Drew) didn't help the story but like I did mention I liked Carissa. Plus many of her friends.

I also liked the town and the mayor. Small-town romances need a great mayor. There is enough about this book that I would be willing to try the next one. Or maybe it's the great covers that drag me in. I'm hoping that for me the next one will be much better.

So I wanna say thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for a earc of this book for an honest review, I love a good small town romance and a grumpy hero sign me up. The author has great writing and the romance was all there and it was great it was also kind of a slow burn and a lot of angst but it was awesome!

I really enjoyed this. It felt like a hallmark movie and I’m all for those typical happy books/movies, especially during uncertain times!

Discovering Ciara Knight was like sipping a glass of wine and eating my favourite dessert while listening to the sound of the ocean and watching dolphins at sunset. Her book, IF YOU LOVE ME is a feel good novel spiced with amazing lough out loud moments and, of course, the salt and pepper of a wonderful story: bit of rivalry, lost and found friendships and a very sexy ex-army sergeant who steals the heart of our simple, talented, distractingly beautiful, mess of a woman - Carissa Donahue.
IF YOU LOVE ME is one wonderfully written romance novel that can easily make you addicted. It's steady pace and cleanliness attracted me and made me read it in one go. I couldn't put it down and I fell in love with all characters, even the jerk attractive city boy Drew Lancaster. I laughed so much with the town elders and hoped that the group of one time best friends will reunite to save Sugar Maple.
But things don't always work out as expected, or at least the story makes you think so. Drew was promised a spot at a real film network if he can spend time with Carissa and not fall in love with her. But, will he resist the charm of the small town girl? Or will he fall hard and decide to stay, winning the hearts of the townspeople and the baker in question, Carissa Donahue?

I have not read any other books by the author and it was a lovely surprise of a story. Carissa certainly developed a backbone by the end of the story. I would have liked a bit more of a background to the 5 girls as I felt like the story dropped you in at the deep end so to speak. Possibly if the author is writing a series about the 5 which I suspect,maybe more will be revealed in future books?
I enjoyed the interactions between the 2 leads and although Carissa was shy she certainly held her ground with Drew.
The novel was not long enough for me. I felt like I was just getting to know everyone and it was all over. I suppose that’s a good idea- leave the reader wanting more? Perhaps a sneak peak of the next one would have been a good idea?

I absolutely loved this book so much. It was fast paced. Had an amazing story line. Had lovable characters. Was hilarious. It also felt like a Hallmark movie, which are movies I love! The reason that I gave this a four star and not five was because I wanted more. I wanted more backstory of the girls, and drew. I wanted more store, because I ate this book up so fast. I was not ready for it to end. Overall amazing book!! Bravo!

I went into this book expecting a cosy, small town romance, and happily, that is what If You Love Me is.

Sadly, I found the story a little predictable, and the characters too stereotypical. The introduction of so many characters in the opening scene did not set a good precedent. Unfortunately, 8 chapters in, I began to feel that I had chosen the wrong genre to read.

If you like romance, baking, and nicely tied up endings, you may love this book. The formulaic writing, characterisation and story arc may just be what you’re looking for. It just wasn’t for me, I’m afraid.

This was a fun, quick read. I really enjoyed how much history and back story there was for all of the characters. It was fun getting to know them all as they popped up. This was a fun, sweet read that was never horribly stressful or anxiety producing, which I think is something a lot of people need right now. I will definitely be recommending this to my romance-loving friends.

A new author for me. Carissa owns a bakery. . She finds out there is a company to town to film. She does her best to have her bakery shown. To hear more read the book.

Romantic tale,cosy and warm. Stereotypical heroine/ hero but a nice story no less. Best characters were the kitten and the seniors.

First, Ciara Knight is becoming one of my favorite authors of romance. In If You Love Me, she has created the sweetest, small town atmosphere that is true to life on so many levels, from the geriatric citizens to the ‘bless your heart’ frenemies to those you really care about and who care about you. The Sugar Maple series has everything from the drama queen to dancing leprechauns (well almost).

Carissa and Drew are definitely a case of opposites attracting. He just plans to be in Sugar Maple long enough to get the better job through a ‘dating’ bet. She is the object of his ‘get out of town’ ticket. You know right away trouble is coming with that bet.

Carissa has suffered heartbreak of the worst kind and not wanting to be in a position that could hurt her again. Yet, Sugar Maple needs her to help bring them out of a bit of an economic crisis. Drew is the one to get that done. His first impression of Carissa was not a good one.

As Carissa and her group of friends, enemies, geriatric town leaders and the wise ex-principal turned mayor work together to make Sugar Maple the place to be, Carissa and Drew fall in love. Except that they do not know that, yet. This is a charming book and beginning of the series. It would be nice to see all the fab five work out their differences as they find their HEAs.

The story was sweet but my favorite part was the complex group of characters. Every one of them reminded me of someone I have known or made me wish I knew them. Two complex people who were complete opposites fit together beautifully.

This novel about Carissa finally gaining confidence to be herself aside from her old school friends was refreshing. Instead of a heroine that relies on a man to help solve her problems, she goes and solves them herself which is amazing to see! She meets an executive producer for a show she’s been nominated for and they fall for each other.

I feel the romance was rushed within the novel, there wasn’t much of a build up, which is ideal for people who enjoy short stories. For me however, I would have liked to have lengthened the romance a bit more.

I do hope there will be a sequel however because the story was written with a lot of thought and I would like to see how Carissa and Drew’s story develops.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Shut the front door and make this a Hallmark movie, please! Set in the quaint little town of Sugar Maple, the “not so” fabulous five have been summoned by their mentor Mayor Horton to band together to save the town. Of course all bets are off when it comes to Judas Jackie, Southern Belle MaryBeth, Sassy Stella, negotiator Felicia and easy-going Carissa working together.

In comes pompous, glorified film producer Drew Lancaster who is trying to save not only the town from ruin but his bosses reputation and his job by creating a small town series. Carissa and Drew are forced to work together to try and win the towns and by extension, its citizens' approval before his boss arrives for production. Can Carissa step outside her comfort zone and charm the cameras, or will Judas Jackie take her prize once again? Will Drew be able to put aside his perfectionist, corporate attitude and embrace tar and southernize?

I especially enjoyed the quirky one-liners, mischievous and meddling elders and all-round small-town love. Who doesn’t enjoy some good ole southern hospitality mixed with some feuding and lots of desserts in between?

My only tiff with the book was how the relationship between Drew and Knox was written (very confusing) and the sudden change of the girl code at the end!