Tandy Blakemore spends her days running her New England ice cream parlor, single-parenting her teenage son, and trying to keep her head above financial water. No easy feat when the shop’s machinery is aging and her son is thinking about college. Tandy hasn’t had a day off in a decade and wonders if she’ll ever be able to live a worry-free life.
Engineer Deacon Withers is on an enforced vacation … vacation in the tiny seaside town of Beacher’s Cove. Overworked, stressed, and lonely, he walks into Tandy’s shop for a midday ice cream cone and gets embroiled in helping her fix a broken piece of equipment.
Can the budding friendship that follows lead to something everlasting?
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Great read, winter or summer. Peggy Jaeger’s books are such fun and who doesn’t love ice cream?
Tandy Blakemore wonders if she’ll ever have a worry-free day. Between running her ice cream parlor, being a single mum to a teenaged son, and trying to keep afloat financially, she doubts it. She’s had to rely on herself since she was a pregnant teen and distrusts men. But when handsome Deacon offers his assistance fixing her faulty ice cream equipment, while on vacation no less, she assumes he’s after something. She can only pay him in free ice cream and polite conversation. He appears every day and the more she’s around him, the more the icy walls around her heart melt. She’d like nothing better than to spend the day kissing him, but she has responsibilities. She can’t give in to her feelings, can she? But when he disappears for a day, she misses him. When he returns, can she reveal her feelings for him, or will he crush her heart under his heel?
Vanilla with a Twist is a sweet romance from Peggy Jaeger and I loved every minute of it. Headstrong Tandy is a prickly heroine, but she has every right to be that way. The men in her past have used and abused her. She’s only had herself to depend on and that suits her just fine. But when love appears in a tasty cone of a man named Deacon, she can’t help wanting to lick it. The slow-burning romance between Tandy and Deacon is such a refreshing alternative to some of the romances I’ve read recently. In classic Peggy Jaeger fashion, the dialogue is funny, snarky, and had me in stitches. The descriptive narration of the ins and outs of an ice cream parlor, as well as all the yummy food Deacon brings to Tandy, made me hungry. A perfect beach read and one I highly recommend!
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes I’d review it.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Vanilla with a Twist by Peggy Jaeger is the heart-warming tale of a single mom trying to make it on her own. I wanted to be Tandy’s friend from page one. She’s the strong heroine with a heart of gold who I wanted to find her Prince Charming. To say she’s had to claw her way through the patriarchy is an understatement.
Deacon the workaholic engineer is swoon-worthy in every way. What I loved most about their romance is the acts of service as a means of showing affection. This love language is often overlooked (because it is difficult to write) and Jaeger nails it.
I highly recommend Vanilla with a Twist to anyone who wants to be transported to the small town of Beacher’s Cove NH and experience the quiet romance sure to melt your heart.
The Wild Rose Press has a fun new series of novellas out this summer called “One Scoop or Two” – Ice Cream Themed romances! Full disclosure that I also write for this publisher and know that the call went out last fall. All are fun, beachy books set in fun, ocean or lake settings and center around ice cream shops. Peggy Jaeger writes a lot of romance for the Wild Rose Press, and answered the call with this sweet New England romance.
The setting is the small seaside town of Beacher’s Cove, New Hampshire, and Vanilla with a Twist is the name of the ice cream shop along the boardwalk. Single mom Tandy Blakemore owns the shop and devises the delicious sounding ice cream flavors. She grew up on a farm in the area, and her parent’s dairy supplies the fresh dairy products that help make her ice cream special. Summer tourists crowd the shop every day, keeping her way too busy to even think about any kind of social life beyond keeping her shop afloat and being able to afford a better life for her teenage son.
CEO Deacon Withers is on an enforced vacation from the company he built from the ground up. He’s also been too busy for a social life, and when he strolls into the little ice cream shop his world view starts to change. An engineer by trade, his work days have become filled with paperwork and presentations – he misses getting his hands dirty with machinery. Tandy’s near-antique compressors challenge the puzzle solving side of his brain, and he finds himself drawn into Tandy’s world. Helping fix compressors. Bringing lunch to share on the back deck. Having a different flavor combination of her delicious ice cream every day. A lifestyle as intriguing to him as the woman who creates those delectable treats.
This is a slow moving, sweet romance with lots of heart and emotion but not a lick of heat (it might melt all the ice cream, lol.) A fun summer read as you get a great feel for the New Hampshire boardwalk scene along the shore, and characters you can believe in and root for – a staple of Ms. Jaeger’s books. She specializes in strong women like Tandy, with opinions and goals and dreams…a woman you’d like to have as a friend. And for the hours you spend reading, you’re immersed in her world. 5 stars for a sweet summer read!
What could be sweeter than possibly falling in love while serving up cold, sugary treats?
I couldn’t stop giggling at the dialogue. Tandy and Deacon both had distinctive speech patterns that not only made it a breeze to identify who they were but also interacted with each other beautifully. Both of them were excellent at saying exactly what was on their minds even if it wasn’t always necessarily what would be the most diplomatic response. No, this isn’t to say that they were thoughtless or anything like that They simply knew what they wanted and weren’t afraid to express their wishes straightforwardly and without any pretense.
The chemistry between Deacon and Tandy was fantastic. I had a wonderful time figuring out just how much they had in common, especially since they seemed to be polar opposites at first glance due to where they lived and what sort of work they each did. The more I realized how many similarities they shared and how nicely they complemented each other, the more I wanted them to end up together. They truly did seem to be a great match.
While this was a minor criticism in the scheme of things, it would have been nice to have more foreshadowing, especially when it came to Deacon’s long term plans for his life. There were a couple of plot twists regarding this topic that could have been developed a bit more clearly. I wondered if something like them might happen, but it would have been helpful to have a gentle nudge in that direction before the plot picked up speed.
Speaking as someone who used to work in an ice cream shop, I loved the descriptions of what that sort of job is like. Ms. Jaeger captured the hectic but also unpredictable pace of it perfectly. Those rare quiet nights in that business can’t be predicted ahead of time anymore than one could know in advance that a crucial piece of equipment was about to break down at the worst possible time. The only thing better than reading about the ups and downs of that business was getting a reminder of what it’s like to run around all afternoon and evening making milkshakes, sundaes, and more. By the end of the night, anyone who works in a place like that will be smeared in just about every kind of ice cream they sell. It’s sort of funny! While all of this was a small part of the plot, it really spoke to me.
This is part of the One Scoop or Two series. It can be read as a standalone work.
Anyone who is in the mood for something lighthearted should give Vanilla with a Twist a shot.
What a sweet romance! A quick read, Vanilla with a Twist, tells the story of two perfectly-matched people. Tandy, an ice cream shop owner and Deacon, an engineer, are both kind, sympathetic, mature, and allow themselves an HEA without a lot of drama. Deacon is swoon-worthy and just about perfect (I’d think I’d died and gone to heaven if he walked through my door). Tandy has a compelling backstory that many can relate to and I easily saw parts of myself in her. There is no physical intimacy in the story but the love between the characters is undeniable and believable. Definitely a sweet read that is as good as, and goes down as quickly, as your favorite kind of ice cream!
Peggy Jaeger’s books never let me down. I knew I was in for another flavorful read, between Tandy’s spunky personality (I loved all her expressions) and Deacon’s warm soul. How could you not fall in love with both characters? As a New Englander myself, I could see, feel, smell, and taste all the nuances of a small touristy seaside town (yum, I am hungry now for some fresh ice cream or garlic knots). Tandy is a hardworking entrepreneur and single mom with trust issues, and along comes handsome and says-all-the-right-things successful engineer Deacon trying to find that missing piece of his life (hint: it’s a love partner!). I have a soft spot for a man who likes to tinker with machines and such and for a woman that needs to protect her own wounded heart. Jaeger writes with a deep voice/point of view that embeds you into the characters’ shoes and heart. This one will not disappoint. It’s a sweet (and tasty!) beach read for sure. Highly recommend.
Small town sweet on the Seacoast of New Hampshire. It’s all about second chances and finding love when you least expect it. Short and easy to read romantic fix. You can’t go wrong with a Peggy Jaeger book.
This is a heartwarming book from Ms. Jaeger – you’ll love this quick read.
VANILLA WITH A TWIST is the fifth release in the multi-author One Scoop or Two series. As far as I know, each book in this multi-author series has one thing in common – an ice cream shop. Each romance story stands on its own, but they all have plenty of yummy ice cream with their sweeter romances.
Vanilla with a Twist is a slow-burn romance. At first it seems that Tandy and Deacon have absolutely nothing in common, but fate and circumstances allow them to get to know one another.
I loved how Deacon took it upon himself to take care of Tandy and convinced her that it was okay to accept help without strings. I may not be a New Englander, but I understand her reluctance.
I have long desired to try a lobster roll, after reading this I’m even more determined to find a recipe… followed by a dish of ice cream with plenty of chocolate decadence.
Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via Booksprout, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: VANILLA WITH A TWIST
Series: One Scoop or Two #5
Category /Genre: Sweet Romance
Recommended for: 16+ due to romance
Grammar/editing: received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Received from: Peggy Jaeger
A story that’s enjoyable and entertaining. Characters you’ll fall in love with, a small town romance that makes you feel like you’re part of the story, and a heartwarming story line. A perfect summertime read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Bad luck (or would you say good luck?) hits the ice cream store, Vanilla with a Twist, when Tandy’s ice cream machine keeps breaking. With little money to spare, she can’t afford to hire someone to fix it. But when a handsome stranger walks in and offers to help for free… She can’t turn an offer like that down. However, her dedication to remaining single for the rest of her life becomes harder and harder when he lights her up like a firework.
This was a very well-rounded story, with a character so scarred from her past that letting someone new in is nearly an impossible task. You can’t help but to love Deacon Withers. He’s handsome, charming, respectful, and he fixes Tandy’s broken appliances for free. Is there a catch to his favors? The only thing he wants to catch is her heart.
Entertaining and fun romance! Great characters that take a fun and entertaining journey to love. Good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Vanilla With a Twist is a sweet contemporary romance set in a small community on a New Hampshire coastal boardwalk. I immediately became immersed in the setting and mood.
Single mom, Tandy Blakemore, struggles to run and maintain her ice cream shop while raising a teenage son. She has no time or desire for romance. The machines are old and cantankerous, and expensive to fix. Plumbing the same. Top that with it’s a busy season and one of the most popular machines is on the fritz.
I will tell you as a former ice cream shop owner, the issues she struggles with are genuine.
Engineer, Deacon Withers, is or was a man who enjoys building and fixing things. Though extremely successful, his business has taken over his life instead of doing what he loves, he’s been forced to run meetings, hash out numbers, and travel all over the world meeting clients. Burned out and disillusioned, Deacon’s family and partners are concerned about his health and well-being.
Deacon ends up in the tiny coastal town of Beacher’s Cove. While wandering the boardwalk, hunger draws him into Vanilla With a Twist, and a woman assaulting a broken ice cream machine with a hammer.
There’s an instant attraction but both fight it. Trust is hard for Tandy. Why would this handsome and obviously well-to-do stranger want to help her? Deacon knows she’s been hurt and doesn’t want to scare her off.
Both characters are endearing. Deacon is not only handsome but kind and generous. Tandy is what you would expect from a single mother. Tough, practical, and determined to make a better life for him than she’s had.
I highly recommend Vanilla with a Twist for anyone who needs an escape to the seaside and meet great characters. After reading about some of the ice cream flavors, you’ll be heading to your nearest ice cream parlor looking for something as satisfying.
At one-hundred-six pages, this is a great book for an afternoon at the beach, lake, or your own backyard.
Tandy is hard working, a great Mum and in no way looking for a guy as she is too busy trying to keep her business going, while Deacon is a workaholic who doesn’t know how to switch off nor does he enjoy it that much. Deacons forced holiday starts us on a sweet and wonderful adventure between Tandy and Deacon where they both start looking at what they really want in life, you get yummy ice cream, temperamental equipment, flirting, self reflection and romance …wonderful romance
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This cute little novella is the perfect summer read. I absolutely adored it. The story is sweet and innocent and very old fashioned and I couldn’t have been happier about it. A struggling ice cream shop owner and a customer who helps by fixing all her machinery…for the cost of an ice cream cone. These two are a mature couple who take their time getting to know each other and falling in love. The story flows so easily and I loved visiting with them as they went about their days. This novella will put you in a good mood…and in the mood for ice cream. Highly recommend!
Vanilla with a Twist is a new novella by one of my favorite authors, Peggy Jaeger, and let me just say…she’s done it again! I loved this sweet romance, between two people who at first glance appear to have nothing in common. Their feelings develop slowly and realistically throughout the story, and it was fun to go along for the ride with them. Tandy is a small town girl, who still lives in her hometown on the New Hampshire Seacoast, where she owns an ice cream shop and is a single mom, raising her teen son. Deacon lives in New York City, and runs a successful engineering business. But these two belong together like vanilla ice cream and hot fudge sauce. As usual, Peggy Jaeger has created likeable characters I want to be friends with, and I really enjoyed the Seacoast setting. I lived on the New Hampshire Seacoast for a year, a long time ago, and Jaeger’s wonderful descriptions of the area took me right back there. I highly recommend Vanilla with a Twist as a sweet, happy, romantic summer read!
Tandy is a single mom, owner of an ice cream shop in the small touristy beach town. When one of her machines craps out, a customer offers to look at it. Deacon is a business owner who was ordered by friends and family to take a vacation. Her machine is fixed, but she can’t pay him, so she promises free ice cream for the duration of his vacation. He comes into the shop every day, then begins to bring dinner so she’ll take a break, and they have time to talk. This is such a nice book. Tandy is wonderful – tough, smart, great mom, not interested in men. Her family used her, took advantage when she had no options, and now she’s working hard to make sure her son has a good education and opportunities which were denied to her. Deacon has had a life of privilege, but his forced vacation is life changing. Something about Tandy resonates with him, making him think long and hard about what’s really important in his life. I was rooting for these two throughout the entire story. Her going away gift for him at the end of his vacation – absolutely priceless. This happy book just made my day.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Engineer Deacon is forced to take a break from his workaholic life and decides to spend a couple of weeks in beach town in New Hampshire where he believes the toughest decision he’ll have to make is what flavor ice cream to choose.
WRONG!
Spending time in Beacher’s Cove will alter Deacon’s life and that of single mom, Tandy Blakemore, owner of the town’s ice cream shop, Vanilla with a Twist in the most delicious ways.
This is a slow burn novella featuring a heroine who is distrustful and guarded about her feelings who is just making ends meet and hoping her income from her ice cream shop will be enough to put her son through college. Deacon is an only child, entrepreneurial genius who has no one to share his life with until Tandy comes along and teaches him “there’s never a bad time for ice cream.”
Get ready to swoon. Between the banter, the descriptions of the town, the ice cream and the lobster rolls I’m seriously hungry right now.
Lose yourself in a charming summer romance. This short but sweet read will leave you craving more.
A wonderful tale that takes place mostly in an ice cream shop. And I love, love, love ice cream! There’s nothing better than reading a book by the beach except if you add eating ice cream at the same time. Heaven. In this book, we get to see the different definitions of success. Guess it differs according to your point of view but the outcome should be your contentment in those endeavors. Tandy and Deacon learn from each other and while learning, fall into love. Comforting as an ocean breeze on a hot day, this book was enchanting and wonderfully and romantically satisfying.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.