Paloma in a Pickle is the second novel in the Colors of Happiness series by Annette G. Anders. Paloma was in a pinch. Losing her artisan café was a major blow to her bank balance and her ego. It made sense for her to accept the job her friend offered her. Working as a manager for a catering business was not what Paloma had expected, but that was where life took her. Everything was going well until Matt Bellini came crashing into her life and shook everything up. Matt wasn’t ready for love and wasn’t even looking for it, but working at his family’s resort for the summer brought him close to the sexy and sassy Paloma. The two got on each other’s nerves, but neither could deny the attraction. Just when the two started to explore the chemistry, things went awry, and Matt was left scrambling and chasing after Paloma. Was their relationship worth exploring, or was it just a summer fling?

Annette G. Anders is one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. She sits right at the top with Marie Force. Her stories are plot-driven with fascinating characters and not just about fluff and smut. I had high expectations after reading Bellini’s Mimosa, and Anders didn’t disappoint with Paloma in a Pickle. The chemistry between Matt and Paloma was off the charts. Their bantering dialogue was hilarious, and their personalities complemented one another. I loved the pace, the drama, and the romance that slowly but steadily bloomed between them. Once again, the descriptions were out of this world and so transportive that I felt like I was right next to Paloma. I was rooting for them both from the beginning and loved the ending to bits! Colors of Happiness is fast becoming one of my favorite series!

Paloma in a Pickle by Annette G. Anders follows the story of Paloma Schlemner in this second book in the Colors of Happiness Series. It effectively serves as a standalone book, but if you have read the first installment, you will be surprised at the significant change in Paloma as a character. This time, Paloma has grown wiser and more mature through experience. Her change is perfectly understandable especially after she loses her business and tries to retrace her steps to find an alternative career path. She accepts a temporary job at a catering business that her friend operates. It is there that she meets Matt Bellini, who is preoccupied with the family's business, and the last thing he needs is an unwanted distraction. Paloma tries to suppress her feelings, but at some point, catalysts will trigger both of them to prove their trust in each other.

Annette G. Anders does it again as she presents a whole new Paloma along with other three-dimensional characters like Matt. Anders has provided her characters with a suitable environment in which to shine. While Paloma has evolved, Matt, on the other hand, gladly opens himself. Their actions are credible and their internal conflicts are worth exploring by lovers of romantic fiction. Most of all, they move in a world that is fleshed out nicely. This contributes to shaping the characters. As Anders places them in a receptive space, they are comfortable enough to reveal their thoughts and feelings. There are times when they are uncomfortable, but the beauty lies in seeing how they respond. Paloma in a Pickle is a great contemporary romance, a must-read that will delight you with the theme of starting over and being true to your feelings.