Mad About Matt (Red Maple Falls Series Book #1) by Theresa Paolo – Review by Angela Hayes.

Mad About Matt by Theresa Paolo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mad About Matt is the first book in the Red Maple Falls series by Theresa Paolo. It is a second chance at love romance, and my first read from this author. This story is a familiar recipe but done quite well by Ms. Paolo. It’s a small-town romance that’s just as sweet as cherry pie- cute, with a dash of mystery and suspense, new beginnings, and a sprinkle of drama.
Shay Matthews and Matt Hayes have a history that takes them back 17 years. They were so close, then circumstances separated them and kept them apart all these years. Shay has moved back to town looking for a fresh start and opened her own bakery, “Sweet Dreams”. Life is going according to plan, until her bakery is broken into, which brings Matt on the scene, as he’s the local Sheriff. They butt heads, and sparks fly. What ensues makes for a light and entertaining read.
Even though this is a tried and tested recipe, Ms. Paolo puts her own stamp on it. It is a great book to read if you want something sweet and light-hearted. It was entertaining, if not a little predictable. But that didn’t detract too much from the overall story. It was a little slow in places, especially around the middle of the book, where it seemed to lag quite a bit. I also felt that the sex scenes didn’t match the rest of the story- they seemed a bit rushed in some cases, just awkward, or brushed over. This wasn’t a ‘deal-breaker’ for me, but definitely something that stood out from the rest of the book, and invariably pulled me out of the story.
The characters were realistic- interesting enough to keep me reading, and quite likeable. But there were times that Shay really frustrated me. For a girl who had lived in New York City, you’d think she’d be a little more security conscious and take the necessary measures! I hated her mother, she was quite a piece of work!
This book is the first in a series of standalones that introduce us to the six members of the Hayes family- 3 brothers and 3 sisters, who each get their own book. I will be reading the other books to see what’s in store for the characters, and for us!

Thank You, Ms. Paolo!

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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