#NetGalley Book Review: The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice

All three stories are a lovely Treat!

The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice
by Donna Kauffman; Kate Angell; Allyson Charles

File Size: 1013 KB
Print Length: 368 pages
Publisher: Kensington Books (August 27, 2019)
ASIN: B07L2FNB7T
Genre: Anthology, Romance, Small Town
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

Every autumn, Moonbright, Maine, is the picture of charm with its piles of crisp leaves, flickering jack-o’-lanterns … and a touch of the sweetest kind of enchantment.
Witches, goblins, the occasional ghost—they’re all sure to be spotted at the annual Halloween parade, where adults and children alike dress in costume to celebrate Moonbright’s favorite holiday. And no place has more seasonal spirit than Bellaluna’s Bakeshop, a family business steeped in traditional recipes, welcoming warmth—and, legend has it, truly spellbinding, heart-melting treats …
Between good-natured Halloween tricks, frothy pumpkin lattes, and some very special baked goods, for three Moonbright residents looking for love—whether they know it or not—the spookiest thing will be how magical romance can suddenly be …

Review:
Bellaluna’s Bakeshop in Moonbright, Maine is a place with lovely people, yummy treats and a touch of magic. A secret tradition of the bakeshop owner, Sofia, is that a certain cookie will help bring a destined couple together.

Sweet Magic by Donna Kauffman. My Rating 4.5 of 5.0.
Sofia’s granddaughter, Bree, loves working at the family bakeshop and loves being settled in her hometown. Sofia introduces her to Caleb who is a chef visiting from Philadelphia to oversee his Uncle’s restaurant.

The flirty thoughts and warm exchanges between Bree and Caleb made me smile. They face the conflict of being entranced in their family businesses in different states. Bree, especially, is reluctant to let her heart commit. Can Caleb’s warm charm find a way to convince her to take a chance at grabbing love?

Love Spells Disaster by Allyson Charles. My Rating 4.25 of 5.0.
Cassie is looking forward to celebrating Halloween with her own special fun for the community. On the romance side, she is done with unreliable men and has set her eyes on her secure, if not exciting, boss. Her boss turns aside her offered gift, but a handsome customer snags the cookie.

Chip is entranced by the pretty redhead even though she snubs him as a ‘working stiff’ who won’t suit her. She doesn’t know that Chip is successfully growing his business and working on flipping houses. They are thrown together when Cassie hires Chip to build her haunted maze. Will he be able to convince her that he is the right kind of guy for her?

This is another fun story although I was frustrated by Cassie’s attitude and attempts to win a man who wasn’t interested in her. Chip made a great, steady hero willing to show his determination until Cassie recognized the chemistry between them.

Sweet on You by Kate Angell. My Rating 4.5 of 5.0.
Lara has had a really bad day. Her boyfriend dumped her, her landlord raised the rent and her hours are being cut at work. She is coping with her misery over a latte and treat at the bakeshop when she is surprised as Jack, the town Mayor, stops by to say “Hi.” Although they never really talked in high school, Jack noticed the quiet girl who caught his eyes over the flashy girls. Jack offers Lara a job as the town event planner, challenging her to pull together the Halloween Parade which is only a few weeks away.

Lara will have to face her pushy ex, his high style new girlfriend and a grumpy geriatric who has a (fun) nickname for everyone and insists on having her plans considered too. Lara’s confidence grows as she deals with the issues, makes new friends, and glows with Jack’s support.

This one was so sweet and adorable. I really enjoyed the fun they had with the nicknames and costumes.

This is a collection of three sweet, flirty romances and the Halloween setting was a fun element. Each romance moves quickly even as the couples deal with real or perceived conflicts. Another nice touch is a cookie/pastry treat recipe shared with each story. I will be glad to snag stories by any of these authors in the future. I highly recommend this fun collection.

Source: 2019 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2019NetGalley goal.