His Grumpy Childhood Friend (Cider Bar Sisters, #2)

His Grumpy Childhood Friend (Cider Bar Sisters, #2)

Jackie Lau

Enjoyment: Quality: Characters: Plot:

It's been five years since Charlotte Tam had to endure a public proposal at a baseball game—literally the stuff of her nightmares—and realized her ex never really knew her. She hasn’t dated since, afraid that no man will understand her cranky, introverted, coffee-obsessed self, but she wants to try again. Her friend suggests she ask a guy to ease her into the dating game and give her some lessons. That night at the cider bar, Charlotte runs into Mike Guo, her childhood best friend who lived in the house next door twenty years ago. Surely easygoing Mike, who is now surprisingly handsome, must do well in the world of love. He’s the perfect candidate for this. But as they go on practice dates around Toronto and even have kissing lessons, Charlotte starts to fall for Mike, and that was never part of the plan. He’s too different from her, just like her ex—how could it work? And she suspects Mike has secrets of his own… Can their childhood friendship really become love?

Publication Year: 2020


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  • Britt
    Mar 29, 2025
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  • emilyblaze
    Apr 07, 2025
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  • Apr 08, 2025
    Enjoyment: Quality: Characters: Plot:

    This book was a reprieve from a chaotic world. Charlotte Tam works from home, doesn't care for real pants, and hasn't been on a first date in 8 years... or any date in 5 years. So when she runs into childhood friend Mike Guo at the cider bar, she puts her plan into action: Practice dating, practice kissing, get a real (not fake) boyfriend.

    Even though characters are dealing with real issues, particularly Mike who is still dealing with the fallout of childhood emotional abuse, this read was comforting and fluffy. Charlotte and Mike get along great, have cute flirt-arguments about fruit on pizza, and are just lovely.

    Jackie's books hit that sweet spot for me - there's substance to the characters, but it's not angsty or overblown or damaging. The books are fun, with great locations and a cast of characters who you can't wait to have their own HEA.

    I received an ARC from the author for review.

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