Julie's career goals are about to come true with the chance to compete for a spot on the national TV circuit covering the presidential campaign. But complications--a botched news story, the return of her childhood crush at a dessert-making class, the discovery of a lump in her left breast, her mother's shaky health, and parenting a teenager as a single parent--derail her.

Although Julie is strong and independent with a quick wit and intelligence, her mounting problems do not make for a quick, light-hearted read.

I enjoyed this book for its intense realism, but it was not the book to read during the stressful holiday season. I'm sure I would have given this book 5 stars if I had read the book when I had less on my mind.

Warning: this is NOT your typical, light-hearted chick-lit novel. Serious themes, mature characters, and tear-jerker ending. ( )

Not my favorite. This was an author I had not read before and am not sure I will read again but I did read it. (that is something) ( )

An interesting tale of a middle age woman dealing with changes in her life. her daughter is getting ready to leave the nest, her career is changing, her mother is getting old. It was at times poignant and gritty, showing us both the selfish and selfless sides to human nature.

I did have issues with the romance angle. I never really understood why she was in love him, nor when exactly he fell in love with her. Also, the actions of both seemed rather immature at times, considering they were both over 40.

Overall a good novel. Bittersweet. ( )

I always enjoy reading stories about mothers and daughters. This one was no different. Like the other reviewers highlighted, Julie lives with her parents and her daughter in Boston. Like a lot of daughters, she has a complicated and a little comical relationship with her mother. This is a sweet and touching story of finding love again and building important relationships. ( )

Forty-something Julie Mueller lives with her elderly parents and teenage daughter Em outside Boston, Mass., where her days are filled to bursting with covering local news for a TV station as broadcast journalist. Since her divorce from Donald in her early twenties, Julie has dedicated herself to her family -- and though decades have passed, her childhood crush on Michael Slayton, her older brother's best friend, has always burned a little hole in her heart.

Betty, Julie's mom, has carried her guilt like an ever-present backpack from putting the kibosh on Julie and Michael's delicate romance all those years ago -- and, as she sees more and more how happy the couple could have been, Betty resolves to find a way of bringing them back together. And this time, she won't stand in their way.

Strohmeyer does a remarkable job of bringing to life fun, imaginative and realistic characters you truly feel you know by the closing chapter -- and I really empathized with Julie as she struggled to hold it all together and battle her unresolved feelings for Michael. The excuses they both used to stay apart seemed really thin, and that bothered me a little -- I wanted to reach in, pull them both by their collars and mash their faces together! My irritation over their stubborn resolve became more and more grating the longer I read. Still, I was pleased with the way things were resolved!

Michael is a huge Shakespeare buff -- and the Bard's occasionally whimsical, often astute quotes begin each chapter of the story. These excerpts were really fun to read and helped provide a framework to the whole tale, making it transcend "standard" women's fiction for me. And each Strohmeyer book seems to include a plot twist that really turns everything you thought you knew on its head -- and Sweet Love was no exception. Though the revelations in the novel weren't as unexpected as those in, say, The Sleeping Beauty Proposal, I still enjoyed watching them unravel. While the story was actually a little darker than I expected, it certainly wasn't without its light -- and, of course, the sadness helped make the joy all the sweeter.

I can't say I've walked away from this one a changed reader, but Sweet Love was definitely a solid novel about first love, family, motherhood and sacrifices. The cover-art cupcake -- and many, many references to dessert and cooking -- brought an added plot sweetness that's perfect for lovers of contemporary fiction and mother/daughter stories. Just make sure you have a Kleenex handy for some of the ups and downs. ( )