Book description from Book Bub:
“From the RITA Award–winning author of Five Days in Skye comes a sweet, romantic treat that will leave you hungry for more.
Baker and pastry chef Melody Johansson has always believed in finding the positive in every situation, but seven years after she moved to Denver, she can’t deny that she’s stuck in a rut. One relationship after another has ended in disaster, and her classical French training is being wasted on her night job in a mediocre chain bakery. Then the charming and handsome private pilot Justin Keller lands on the doorstep of her workplace in a snowstorm, and Melody feels like it’s a sign that her luck is finally turning around.
Justin is intrigued by the lively bohemian baker, but the last thing he’s looking for is a relationship. His own romantic failures have proven that the demands of his job are incompatible with meaningful connections, and he’s already pledged his life savings to a new business venture across the country—an island air charter in Florida with his sister and brother-in-law.
Against their better judgment, Melody and Justin find themselves drawn together by their unconventional career choices and shared love of adventure. But when an unexpected windfall provides Melody with the chance to open her dream bakery-café in Denver with her best friend, chef Rachel Bishop, she’s faced with an impossible choice: stay and put down roots with the people and place she’s come to call home . . . or give it all up for the man she loves.”
My review:
Carla Laureano has a way of drawing me into a story and keeping me there until I’ve finished the last page of the book. I was eagerly waiting for this sequel to “The Saturday Night Supper Club” and I was not disappointed. (Note: You do not have had to read the previous book to enjoy this one, but there’s added depth to the characters if you do. Read both!) The three main characters—Melody, Ana, and Rachel—are strong, talented women who have formed deep friendships through the years. They have all made their share of mistakes in life, but they are loyal, devoted friends who have turned to God for guidance and strength. In this sequel, Melody and Rachel are considering opening their own bakery/restaurant. There are several challenges on the way to accomplishing this, and the three friends must stay in unity if this is to happen. Melody is the main focus of this book, and her story will touch your heart.
As you would suspect from the title, there’s quite a bit of talk about food in this book. The character of Rachel is both a chef and a “foodie”, and there were some cooking terms that I didn’t recognize. However, every dessert that Melody baked made me hungry! Be aware that you may have a strong craving for cake as you read.
There are several themes in this story: Family conflicts; broken relationships; finding forgiveness and forgiving others; learning to trust again. I love it that the author makes these women seem “real”. The areas in which they struggle are true to life.
And mentioning that: I always have a sensitivity of the appropriate maturity level of a book. I’d give this book a “mature audience” rating. All mentions of sex are handled quite appropriately and with the right Biblical perspective. But this is not a book for a high schooler. Some of the characters in this book have made mistakes in their past, and there’s references to that, but they have turned their lives over to God. That’s refreshing in today’s book world, but I still think young adults and up is the right audience for this book. There’s also some mention of drinking wine with a meal, but no drunkenness. Just mentioning that in case you don’t like those kinds of references. This is a clean story with good morals.
I’m now ready to read Ana’s story. It’s a mark of a good storyteller when you finish one book and are already wishing the next one was ready to read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.