cover image Sweet as Pie

Sweet as Pie

Alicia Hunter Pace. Carina, $8.99 mass market (384p) ISBN 978-1-335-42484-6

Pace (the Gone South series) brings a large helping of charm to the sweet sports romance that launches her Good Southern Women series. Divorced hockey player Jake Champagne is in bed with the latest in a string of one-night stands when he gets the news that his beloved Uncle Blake has died of a heart attack. To honor his memory, Jake resolves to become the kind of man Uncle Blake would have been proud of and put an end his horndog ways. For added incentive, he makes a substantial bet with a teammate that he can stay celibate for three months. This proves harder when Jake and friends are traded to a new team, taking them to Birmingham, Ala.—which happens to be where Jake’s childhood friend Evans “Evie” Pemberton runs a pie shop. Jake and Evie haven’t spoken since before Jake’s divorce from Evie’s callous cousin nearly three years ago, but Evie’s still holding a torch for Jake. Jake slowly realizes that he feels the same way, but can their romance survive after Evie learns of his bet? Pace’s solid storytelling is enhanced by drool-worthy descriptions of Evie’s decadent desserts and a stellar supporting cast. This is a treat. Agent: Tara Gelsomino, One Track Literary. (Sept.)