I feel a little conflicted on this book. This was my first book to read by this author and I won a copy of the book on a Facebook giveaway. She seems like a nice person and I feel bad that I didn't totally love the book. There were some things that I did like and some things that I didn't like as much.

This was the story of Chloe and Derrick. Chloe owns a bakery and is best friends with Harlow, who is married to Nate, who is best friend with Derrick. Chloe has had a crush on Derrick since she met him. They often are in social situations together because of Nate and Harlow. Derrick is a single dad to a little girl, Eliza, and has a bad relationship history due to his crazy ex-wife. He dates a lot but doesn't have relationships and doesn't ever want to get married again. He is not interested in Chloe or even see her as anything but an aquaintance/somewhat friend. But Chloe doesn't know how uninterested in her he is and she asks him out only for him to shoot her way down and tell her he just wants to be friend. She decides to get over him and start internet dating and that is when Derrick starts to notice her. He starts to realize he could be interested in her and when he shows an interest, she jumps at the chance and their relationship develops from there. There is some drama with his ex-wife, but their relationship is fairly smooth sailing once they do get together.

What I did like:

- I really liked Chloe's character. She was sweet, funny and a good friend. She was a catch really. I felt bad for her when Derrick didn't see her as more than a friend. I kind of felt like she deserved better than him. She deserved someone who saw how awesome she was from the minute they met her.

- I liked the small town setting, the bakery, etc.

- I liked Eliza. She was cute and true to life.

- I liked Nate and Harlow's characters. Harlow was a really sweet friend to Chloe.

- Once Derrick decided that he wanted Chloe, he treated her well and was all about her. Towards the end of the book, I did feel their connection and think they were good together.


What didn't quite work for me:

-I didn't like how Derrick acted for the first 40-ish% of the book. I did not understand why he never thought Chloe was cute or was attracted to her for over a year after he met her (yet his nickname for her was Sunshine, so why not?). Until one day out of the blue, he suddenly noticed her. He just struck me as kind of jerk. I didn't get what Chloe liked so much about him or why women threw themselves at him. What made him so special? Then, when they did get together, I didn't feel like I could trust his feelings for her because I wasn't sure he really saw how great she was.

- I didn't like that Chloe was kind of a doormat for him. He turned her down several times and she came back for more. Once he told her he wanted her, she jumped at the chance. I kind of wanted her to move on to someone who appreciated her.

- The pacing of the book was kind of off for me. The first 40% of the book was Chloe liking Derrick and him friend-zoning her. Then, once he decided he wanted her, within a few days they were telling each other they loved each other. I know they had known each other for over a year but it still seemed unrealistic.

-Their sexy scenes were kind of mechanical and bland.

Bottom line:

Overall, I did like parts of the book and the writing was good. I am curious about Harlow and Nate's story so I will read more from this author in the future.

I LOVED this book. First book I've read by this author and it won't be the last. If you like romantic comedies this book will be a winner for you. I laughed so much while reading this one. The characters were great and lovable. I loved that Chloe owns a bakery. That was one of the draws for to read this one. I just love the interaction between Chloe and Derrick with his little girl. Chloe's friend Harlow is a hoot! I wasn't sure of Derrick in the beginning, but he won me over in no time flat. This book took some twists that were unexpected. A high heat level in this one too. It's also a beautiful story that will win your heart. I highly recommend this one you won't be disappointed. Plus you'll love the epilogue it was one of my favorite parts in the book.

Does this author hate women?

Essentially every woman who is not directly in the FMC's orbit is slut-shamed. The FMC is a judgy bitch. The MMC is an utter asshole. Not to mention the whole

Spoiler

sexual assault where he climbs into her bed while she's sleeping and starts trying it on with her. No build up, straight from "just friends" to "I'm horny and you're available". No matter that the only reason she's there in the first place is that she's recovering from being really sick. Or that he essentially kidnapped her so he could "look after her".

Hated them both.

4 Sunshine Stars!

“I couldn’t think of a pain greater than wanting someone so completely, you felt it in every cell of your body, only to have that same desire go unfulfilled. Unrequited love really was a bitch. And she could go straight to hell for all I cared.”

Sweet Sunshine was an enjoyable read, from start to finish. Sweet Sunshine is told from dual points of view and follows the story of Chloe and Derrick. Chloe has worked hard to achieve her baking dreams and owns her own bakery, Sinful Sweets. When she’s not cooking up delicious sweets, she’s lusting over Derrick. However, her bad track record with men had kept her from acting on her thoughts….That is until one day. One day, Chloe finally gets up the nerve to act on her feelings for Derrick and ends up getting her heart broken in the process….Derrick is not the commitment time. Burned by his previous marriage, he’s sworn off any type of real relationships. He has his daughter and career to focus on, the last thing he needs to worry about is a woman wanting something more from him. All was going well, until Chloe. Chloe is different from what Derrick is used to and try as he might, Derrick can’t fight what’s growing between the two of them. Will Derrick take a chance on Chloe and see that some relationships are worth fighting for???

Sweet Sunshine is my first book by Jessica Prince and I have to tell you, it will not be my last. This book was well written and very entertaining. It pulls you in instantly and takes you on one heck of a roller-coaster ride. This book had just the right amount of drama, romance and angst. I fell in love with Derrick and Chloe almost instantly. I loved the push and pull that they had. I thought their chemistry was great and that they just fit. Yes, Derrick did frustrate me at times. There were quite a few times when I just wanted to shake him for some of the things that he said, but I get it. I totally get it. He was burned very badly in the past, and so his outlook on women and relationships was a bit skewed. But, I have to say, watching him fall, was one of the most enjoyable things ever because when Derrick falls for a woman, he falls hard!! And Chloe, I just adored her. She was amazing with Derricks daughter. She was so sweet and always treated her like she was something special, which was exactly what she needed in her life. And even though Derrick messed up with Chloe a few times, he was just what she was waiting for all of her life.

Sweet Sunshine is a sweet and enjoyable read. It will make you laugh. It will make you smile. It will frustrate you. It will make you swoon. Most of all, it will make you fall in love. I can not wait to get my hands on the next book in this series!

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*

This is the first book from this author because it was recommended to me on Facebook (love those book groups!). I requested a theme of unrequited love and this book was one of them. Normally if I do not know an author I don't really give it a chance (going to stop doing that!). I am so glad I did, I really enjoyed this book!

I really like books set in a small town with a quirky heroine and an alpha male, normally I really like them in law enforcement and this fitted that to a "T." It was really sweet once Derrick realized being in love is not such a bad thing. It was sweet but still pretty hot once they finally got together! I loooove those alpha men! However I do need to be honest and say it was a bit painful to read through how much Chloe loved Derrick and it wasn't reciprocated... twice! And when he still went on another date with someone else, gah that was painful!

But all in all it was a great HEA, I've already downloaded 3 other books of hers so gotta get reading!