More Than Pancakes (The Maple Leaf Series Book 1)

The plot is superb because just when you think you know how things are going to turn out, the story takes a surprising and thrilling turn.Lily is from the glamorous world of Hollywood and posh hotels, whereas Rick prefers the peace and quiet of the great outdoors. What happens when these two finally meet, how they get over their fears, and why they end up with a happy ending.

Rick is a hermit and a grouch, due to a tragic health event. Lilly is a confident city woman, come to buy his property. They are so different, but each has an epic fear lodged in their past. This was well written and sweet, with a touch of drama and full sweet characters.

This was a good book but I did not like the heroine in the beginning at all. It got better as I got into the book but I almost put it down. So hang in there because the story gets better and better.

MORE THAN PANCAKES is a standalone read. SPOILER--I'm sure I am going to say something that will give something away, so stop now if that is a problem for you. The story starts off with a syrup maker living in Vermont in the mountains and somewhat of a hermit lifestyle. he has obviously been "hurt" in the city so he wants nothing to do with people, crowds, city life, etc. Sounds like an introvert to me. However, his aunt, who raised him, and two female cousins live close by and run a store/café/bakery. They are all close like brother and sisters since they were raised that way.The heroine is a California girl. She is use to lattes, fancy clothes, enhancements, the high flying lifestyle of California. She works for a large resort development firm. She is very bright, does well in her career, and is living high on the hog with her big paycheck and position. Now, this is one thing that bothered me. she lives in constant fear that she is going to be fired. Every project comes with do it well or lose your job. however, they can't do without her design genius. I'm surprised the girl didn't have ulcers. But she professes to love it and never wants to give it up.Now this bright girl has sex with the boss on a regular basis until she decides to call it off. he is not happy. So he keeps after her!! guess this bright gal never heard of sexual harassment in the work place. But then she is afraid he might fire her as well. So, she breezes into the small town where the hero lives with every intentions of buying his property and turning the quite mountain area into a big resort. He refuses to sell his property. She is beyond put out that this guy would have the nerve to upset her big California plans for Vermont and not sell his land. After all, does he really know who she is? I did not like her at all.Now the hero frets to a degree that he may lose his land. Really? he was holding all the cards. he owned his land, had money in the bank, he did not have to sell to anyone. I don't know why he was upset over her trying to push him to sell. At one time he starts to think with his other head and thinks about what his land would be like with her resort on it.He is holding on to something horrible that happened to him in the city. it makes him withdraw from society and public life. We don't know what that is for about 50$ of the book (that is as far as I got). She has an unnatural fear of the woods - yes trees, and wild animals. Something tragic has happened to her to make her even faint at a picture of a bear!!! Not sure what her fear is all about because she doesn't want to talk about it. That is probably why she loves the streets of California, no wild animals or woods. He on the other hand wants no part of her city life. I thought she could do with some therapy, surely there are enough head doctors in Calif. to help her get over this fear. She is also scared of dogs, cats, etc. By the way, he raised a coyote pup to adulthood and she lives with him as his pet. Now could there possibly be two different people and these two are going to get together? Maybe for 6 months and then her shopping bug would kick in and she would be out of there!! But I am projecting.I was wondering if I would be able to continue. I was at 51# and it just seemed to go on and on and on. so I decided to read some of the reviews and see what other readers had to say. One did say the sex happened too quick. Well, so far he has kissed her and thought about things but he has done nothing!! So, not sure was too quick meant. One reviewer said there was a gun toting stalker which I am sure is her boss/ex-lover. In a small town where everyone knows everyone I wouldn't think this guy would last long. The local sheriff is probably a cousin that would be more than happy to have him disappear! Problem solved. But, I just don't like reading about bullies and that is what this guy is. Granted they gave him permission to bully when she took all the bull he was issuing. Of course, she was afraid he would fire her so she lets him get away with it. Boy she must really love her lifestyle to put up with all this bull.But, I decided this one was just not doing it for me. I didn't want to spend any more time with these characters. The heroine does redeem herself in that she realizes she had a lot of nerve blowing into town and expecting him to give up his whole life/lifestyle just because she wanted to build a resort on his land. So, I will give her credit for that. But she still, in her mind, tries to come up with ways to manipulate him into selling so she is still not in the clear.But I think the bottom line is that you will need to read for yourself and decide if this is a book you would enjoy or not. It just didn't work for me.I am not an author nor do I know one. I am not kin to this writer. I was not paid for this review. I am a reader and this is just my opinion, nothing more, nothing less. reading this later (9/16/2020) I just want the reader to know that I have no idea what " means. Amazon adds this to my reviews from time to time. I do not use foul language or any words that would be blacklisted. I have no idea why they do this or what it means. They have even done it in the title of a few books. Weird to me.

“Freebie” Downloads are a great way to discover new authors! Such is the case with More Than Pancakes by Christine DePetrillo. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and hours after finishing it, I am still laughing over the humorous dialogue. This writer's style is delightful and now, I can't wait to read the other books in this series.Rick and Lily are made for each other in every way, except they can't believe their attraction because, in reality, they are polar opposites. Lily, living a glittering lifestyle in California has inherited a house in Vermont from her grandmother, who she adored. Lily works for Utopia Resorts, and as a designer, they want her to negotiate a deal where they would purchase her and her neighbor's land to develop a rustic resort. Since Lily has no desire to live in Vermont, the whole idea seems like a piece of cake.Only one major problem: Rick has a thriving business, with his aunt and cousins, making maple syrup, as well as a successful store and sugaring facility. The deal Lily's grandmother made with him to lease her maple trees assured them of continued production capabilities. In addition, he builds and restores barns in the area. There is no way he is going to allow such a development in his area that will be detrimental to the land he cherishes. In fact, he wants to expand by purchasing Lily's land.The heart of this book touches on the complexities that govern our choices in life. Fears, pride, love, passion ~ beautifully woven together with substance and depth. You'll have to read this to find out what Rick and Lily's secrets are. All I can say is, I want to read it again, right now! Kudos Ms. DePetrillo!

I liked the story a lot. It didn't drag on forever while I can see where it could have. Obviously, the author knew better than to do that. It would have made a relatively simple situation become tedious. A young girl raised in a lavish lifestyle by a Hollywood star father, a non-existent mother, a wonderful grandmother's influence, add the social glitter of So. California and of course you get the one dimensional attitude of what she becomes. High rise hotels/resorts design is her game and she excels. Now, you get to Vermont and a great guy that has had it with big city influences and near tragedy and he decides to go back to his home state, Vermont, and practically hides from any life that could lead back to what could have meant his end. She has to gain his property, he won't budge. The influences of small town, quiet nature and beauty, people with no "agenda", and you see the walls start to come down. Simple story, really well defined and outlined with nothing left out. The interference of the "Boss" lent just the right amount of thrill towards the end. Sort of tells you what being out of touch with what's important can do to a person's mind. I enjoyed the story, the characters were funny and well described. Even Poe, his description was well done. Couldn't help but love him too. Definitely recommend this one.

This is the first book I've read by Christine DePetrillo. I very much enjoyed reading this book, it made me laugh out loud at times, feel sad for Rick at times as he is a shy person by nature, and humble too, and envious of Lily as she had a lovely man (Rick) who clearly adored her.I also enjoyed reading about Rick`s female cousins and aunt who took him in when he became an orphan. I am looking forward to reading more about the family in further books by the same author.Descriptions of Vermont made me want to take a trip out there to view the beauty described for myself.

Totally enjoyable story, well done. Kept me interested from beginning to end. Looking forward to the next two books in the series.

This book was very good and i loved that the two main characters are so different from one another. Lily has to decide whether her job is more important that love. It's really hard for her when she meets Rick and i was sure where her heart was going to lay....It was a really good book and i would love to read more....

Had this on kindle for ages and what a lovely little surprise it was.Grumpy rick who is very set in his ways and lily a city dweller who challenges them both. Quirky and funny and I love the two cousins.

Nice chance, even if it was a little predictable. Enjoyed the setting and the characters and an interesting storyline to keep me going.