Oh my! These two just made me so happy! I loved the short intro to this series, Winter Waites, but this one has made me completely fall in love with Aster Valley. 

Tiller Raine is a gay, superstar, NFL wide receiver whose entire life revolves around the game. Five years ago when he was in need of nutritional guidance, his coach's youngest son, Mikey, was coerced into the position of his chef...and he never left. In fact, Mikey has now taken on the role of Tiller's best friend, sidekick, housekeeper, personal assistant, chef, and travel companion. Mikey runs the house and Tiller listens. But it is obvious that the football player has a big soft spot for Mikey. Tiller is kind, generous, appreciative, and protective. The way he called him "My Mikey" just made my heart flutter. 

Mikey Vining never fit in with his family of bruiser brothers and football coach father. He is a cute, little, nerdy, nutritionist. But he is also organized, attentive, and bossy. He has his own dreams involving his healthy recipes, but he also enjoys spending time taking care of Tiller. But he has to be on guard because he has made some poor decisions in the past with players and his Dad is always ready with a negative comment. 

When Tiller and Mikey end up in Aster Valley sharing a cabin for a period of time, it is hard to deny the attraction and feelings that have been simmering under the surface for years. And as things begin to change while in their isolated bubble, it is hard to know what will happen when they have to return home and to real life in Houston. 

This is an endearing, passionate, forced proximity, opposites-attract, forbidden, football romance between the most adorable characters. I swooned over the connection between Tiller and Mikey. Their vulnerability, intimacy, and the true feelings they had for one another, even when they were afraid to admit them, just shined through the pages. They treated each other with the utmost care, compassion, and respect. Tiller never thought of himself as better than Mikey due to his career, celebrity, or money. And Mikey liked to be independent and did not like to take advantage of Tiller. I absolutely adored them together. 

They do have some challenges. There are plenty of external sources that could cause complications from family, perceptions, careers, life paths, and possible media coverage. There is a dichotomy between the sports-centric hustle and bustle of their lives in Houston vs. the small town of Aster Valley.  The Valley is serene and full of quirky (and plenty of LGBT) characters. I liked the sense of found-family. I enjoyed more with Gentry and Winter, Pim, David, Solo, and Truman. And Mikey's friend, Sam is also a stand-out. I cannot wait for more in Sweet as Honey.