Latte Darling by S.J. Tilly Book Review
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Looking for a steamy age gap romance? You’re in the right place!
I first discovered S.J. Tilly after reading her Alliance Series and knew I wanted more of her. She creates such vivid and relatable characters that you can’t help but fall in love with them.
So when I found her Darling series, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on them!
I read Latte Darling on Kindle Unlimited and here is my spoiler-free book review.
I have a nice life – living in my hometown, owning the coffee shop I’ve worked at since I was 16.
It’s comfortable.
On paper.
But I’m tired of doing everything by myself. Tired of being in charge of every decision in my life.
I want someone to lean on. Someone to spend time with. Sit with. Hug.
And I really don’t want to go to my best friend’s wedding alone.
So, I signed up for a dating app, and agreed to meet with the first guy that messaged me.
And now here I am, at the bar.
Only it’s not my date that just sat down in the chair across from me. It’s his dad.
And holy hell, he’s the definition of Silver Fox. If a Silver Fox can be thick as a house, have piercing blue eyes and tattoos from his neck down to his fingertips.
He’s giving me Big Bad Wolf vibes. Only instead of running, I’m blushing. And he looks like he might just want to eat me whole.
Summary: Latte Darling by S. J. Tilly
Maddie is a 30-something coffee shop owner who finds herself on a dating app because she needs a date for her best friend’s upcoming wedding. Not only that, but Maddie is hoping to make a connection to ease her loneliness.
She connects with Brian a town over and they decide to meet. She ubers to a bar and waits, but it isn’t Brian who shows up.
It’s his dad, Axel, instead.
Axel took away his son’s phone and noticed that he had a date set for that evening. Not wanting the girl to wait up, Axel takes it upon himself to go to the bar and let her know that Brian isn’t showing up.
Both Maddie and Axel find themselves attracted to each other and the instant chemistry is off the charts! But with a 20-year age gap and Axel being Brian’s dad, they try to fight their feelings.
My Thoughts: Latte Darling by S. J. Tilly
I am a sucker for an unconventional romance, and this book did not disappoint. The chemistry between Maddie and Axel was undeniable from the start and I found myself rooting for them throughout the whole book.
S.J. Tilly has a way of writing that makes you feel like you are right there with the characters, experiencing their emotions and struggles.
Maddie and Axel’s relationship was portrayed realistically, with both of them navigating through their own pasts and societal expectations.
Since there is such a large age gap, Tilly does touch upon a few awkward moments where people mistake Maddie as Axel’s daughter.
However, throughout the book, Maddie’s maturity and independence shine through, making it clear that their age difference does not define their relationship.
Maddie also deals with body image issues, which is a relatable topic for many readers. I love that Axel reassures her and makes her feel comfortable in her body.
Speaking of Axel, whew! He is a silver fox (tall, silver, and handsome), takes care of his girl (he buys her a new phone because hers can never hold a charge), and can’t stay away from her (he secretly drives by her coffee shop).
The sexual chemistry is on point right from the start and the steamy scenes (which sometimes last a few chapters) will leave you feeling all types of ways. There is also humor laced throughout the story.
This is a happy-ever-after romance book with a small miscommunication trope/slight third-act breakup. I thought it didn’t take away from the story as it was a problem that Maddie continuously deals with daily.
A note about the writing: there are a lot of chapters in this book with some of them lasting only a few sentences. I personally didn’t find it distracting since each chapter switches from Axel to Maddie (and vice versa), but be aware if this is a minor turn-off for you.
Final Thoughts: Latte Darling by S.J. Tilly
This is a 5-star read for me. I highly recommend Latte Darling to anyone looking for a heartwarming and steamy romance with growing character development that you can’t help but fall in love with.
S.J. Tilly has once again created a captivating story that will leave you wanting more. So go grab your latte, cozy up with Latte Darling, and enjoy!
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