TW/CW: Mentions of: an abusive parent, alcoholism, cancer, absent parent, multiple sclerosis,

THE GOOD 😀

This. This book made me smile big guys. Cole, Palmer and Ethan were such great characters and I adored reading about their growing relationship and trust in one another.
Palmer, single mom and all round badass, is working herself into the ground trying to be there for everyone else. When Cole, baseball extraordinaire and next level hot bloke, approaches her at the bar where she’s meeting her friend and asks for her number, she immediately shuts him down. Not to say that she was rude, the banter between them was off the charts, however she’d been burned before and refused to let it happen again. Somehow Cole just keeps turning up where she is though, funny that.
I loved the dynamic between Cole, Palmer and her son Ethan. He immediately gained their trust and showed Palmer that she could rely on him. I was really rooting for Palmer and her happy ending, she’d been through so much in her life, I just wanted her to finally have something that was her own. And Cole was definitely it. Then the twist came. Well, not so much a twist, more like an emotional rollercoaster that I wasn’t completely ready for. That’s good writing right there when an author can surprise you like that.
The family dynamic, not just between Cole, Palmer and Ethan but with Cole and his family, and Palmer and her found family in Val, was extraordinary and the one thing (out of many) that I adored about this story. Despite the obstacles thrown in Cole and Palmer’s path, they knew they could get through them with these people by their side.
This was my first book that I’ve read by this author and it won’t be the last. The Sweet Spot was an emotional and engaging read that I just couldn’t get enough of.

From beginning to end, I loved this story. I fell in love with Palmer & Ethan. That sweet boy that saw much more than his mother knew grabbed my heart from the beginning. Cole was perfect for them. His parents were so welcoming to her & Ethan. The town was a whole character of its own. I hate to say goodbye to them!

DNF. I tried multiple times to finish this one but it wasn’t for me. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

I absolutely loved this book! I am a sucker for small town romance.

I always love when one (or both) of the main characters are determined to not “catch feelings” or be serious, but they end up developing feelings throughout the book and you can see their connection growing.

Cole and Palmer had great chemistry from the start. I love that Cole didn’t shy away because Palmer had a son. Their interactions together were so cute!

This was available as read and listen on KU so I borrowed it and listened to the audio version. I’m so glad I did because Teddy Hamilton and Stella Hunter put on an amazing performance for this audiobook. The emotion in their voice had me in my feels and even made me cry at certain points in the book.

I love Adriana Locke.
I love small town romances.
I love single mum romances.
I liked this book, but no as much as her others. I wanted more slow burn I think. And the chemistry didn't jump off the page.

3.5 stars 🌟

The Sweet Spot by Adriana Locke is a small-town, single mother, sports romance that can be read as a standalone. This is a light-hearted, feel-good read with low angst and charm.
In this story we meet Palmer and Cole. Palmer is a single mother of a 12 year old boy who she absolutely adores. Everything she does is for her son Ethan and she constantly puts his needs above her own.
Cole is a retired pro baseball player, back home in his small town to visit his parents. An opportunity to coach the town's team sees Cole sticking around longer. The chemistry and connection between these two is magic but are they both on the same page? Palmer has been hurt plenty in the past while Cole has never entertained the idea of a relationship.
Overall, a good read. I absolutely loved the relationship between Palmer's son Ethan and Cole. After not having much of a father figure growing up, I admired the bond that those two had.
If you love small town romances, then give this story a read.

This is definitely one of those super sweet stories that suck you in and keep you reading. Palmer is a single mom and Cole is a baseball player in town visiting his parents while he decides what he wants to do next with his life. They meet when he is coaching her son's team. But then some other drama happens and they both have to decide whether they want to truly be together.

I really enjoyed this one. It is really sweet and cute and I enjoyed the interactions between Cole and Palmer's son, Ethan. He is genuinely a nice guy, even though he was in professional baseball. He steps up when he doesn't have to, and he definitely shows how much he cares about people. Palmer struggles with being a single mom, not because she can't do it. But because her ex always leaves her son hanging and her picking up the slack. My only issue with this whole story was the drama and the "breakup" it led to, instead of still having a conversation about what was going on. I get it to a point, but I just felt like as adults it could have been handled differently. But, that's just my take on it. Everything else I really liked and enjoyed.

Addy hit this out of the park and made it in the "Sweet Spot". Cole has a secret and I needed to know what it was! You will too, trust me. Loved Palmer and her cute little boy. Such a beautiful story. A must read!

Single parent romances are one of my favorite tropes. Sadly, this one didn't quite nail it for me.

My biggest gripe is that the chemistry and relationship felt forced. Cole came of as a normal guy and I thought he was an okay love interest. Palmer on the other hand, really made grind my teeth. She came off so bitter and holier than thou.

The third act breakup didn't really make any sense. It felt out of place and just there for the purpose of them breaking up. If that was the case, I'd rather it not be there.

Overall, this wasn't my favorite from this author but I am willing to read more from her.

Such a cute small town, Single mom, Oro Badeball player story! Those tropes are catnip to me, so I really enjoyed this book!

https://www.instagram.com/p/ClkCdOMvIYA/?igshid=ZWIzMWE5ZmU3Zg==

I've read most of Adriana Locke's books and they never disappoint - the Sweet Spot was a lovely story with a gentle storyline which hooks you in. The characters were great - Palmer is a strong, brave single parent who it's easy to empathise with and like. Cole is a great character and the change in his medical circumstance was an unexpected addition and made you love him that bit more! I'd love to live in the setting of an Adriana Locke novel.
Magical.

Yet again Adriana Locke has written another perfectly put together small town romance.
It was lighthearted and fluffy and the perfect escape from all the dark romance I’ve been reading lately.
Palmer has such a sass that I admired. She puts her son first above all else and is scared of being hurt again.
Cole doesn’t give up and his determination for both Palmer and Ethan eventually wins.
This was a super sweet romance that I enjoyed.

This book was sweet and even a bit funny.
It was also over the top cliche, which usually don't bother me that much.
While she was a struggling single mom, with an incredible son, he was a successful baseball player retiring from the sport and a little lost about his future.

The book was a good distraction until his "illness" were revealed. I specially detest books that use MS as a plot. It's not romantic to give a main character a death sentence and end the story as if he had nothing to worry about.

It's like waiting for a happy ever after just to get a happy for now and a wild imagination of what she will actually endure when his body stars to fail him.

So the author lost me after his revelation, and the book also lost it's beauty. Give him a cancer and let it be cured, but not multiple sclerosis, where there's no hope for the family!
That's not a happy ending.

Palmer is a single mother with a 12 year son, Ethan. She strive to provide stability to him despite her irresponsible ex husband’s lack of interest in their son. Cole is back to town after an injury. He is a professional baseball and with the injury, he know his retirement from the sport is up soon. Given time off from the sport, he is back home visiting his family. It was at a local bar he met Palmer and there was an instant attraction between them which Palmer trying hard to deny it.

This is a small town romance where 2 characters who has entirely different things in their life found love with each other. The characters were very likable and their chemistry is felt from the very beginning till the end. Overall it is a sweet read to me.

*review post scheduled to be published on 30/4/23*

I really wanted to love The Sweet Spot because the premise is cute and it was promoted as sweet and sexy. However it was so much more dramatic and heavy than promised. I liked Palmer and I wanted good things to happen to her but it seemed like no matter what she just had to take more mental and physical load of parenting and relationship. It bothered me a lot and it hurt my feelings and opinion on the book. Cole seems nice but maybe too determined and almost stalkery in the beginning. The town was absolutely charming

This totally hit the spot! (Get it 😉) Cole and Palmer are just so perfect together. They give you so much feels, so much realness, I couldn’t put it down. Ethan too was a bright spot that made this such a heart warming read.

Adriana Locke is one of the best at writing small town, single parent romance and no one can convince me otherwise. It's all there, all of the emotions, the small town quirks, the well meaning but meddling relatives/towns folk, complete perfection. The Sweet Spot is warm and fuzzy with some heartache and plenty of tension, Ethan was hilarious and brought some levity helping to offset some of the sadder moments. Definitely recommend!

Palmer's resistant when a retired baseball player visiting starts a determined, very swoony, pursuit of her. She's got someone who's her priority, her number one priority, her son, and she's been burned in the past, so some guy, hot and sweet though he is, is not about to become part of her life. No way, no how...

Cole has one thing in mind once he lays eyes on Palmer. When this single mom isn't falling for his usual charm, though, he'll need to re-think his plan. Her son is obviously her number one, so Cole will need to accept that, and bond with him, prove to Palmer that he knows they're a packaged deal. His heart is theirs for the taking, they'll just have to reach out and accept it, accept the love he's giving them.

Cole and Palmer are a sweet, low angst couple. The small town vibe, adorable Ethan, swoon worthy, sexy Cole, witty, sassy Palmer, and serious chemistry add up to a signature Adriana romance. I loved it!

AMAZING!!
5 STARS!!!

I'm in love with these characters, the plot and all the history. I need more of Adriana!

What a mature and charming story. Loved the characters and the growth they showed throughout the tale. Ethan was a joy to discover and was written particularly well. This was my first read from this author and won’t be my last!