Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: January 17, 2023
The Busy Bean
Sweetheart
Cowboy
Cakewalk - Paperback | Kindle
Friendzoned
Studfinder
Doubletalk
Sidetracked
Fireproof
Footnote
Afterglow
Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
In Vino Veritas
1. Wildfire
Moo U
1. Boyfriend
True North
1. Bittersweet
Speakeasy
1. Touchstone
Vino and Veritas
1. Roommate
Claire Hastings
| Website | Amazon |
Synopsis (Goodreads):
Love isn’t always a cakewalk . . .Thoughts on Cakewalk: Oh MAN. You know those times when you can see how a little untruth someone might tell has the potential to spiral out of control and hurt others when the truth is revealed? Yeaaaaaah. Gigi bent the truth a little to protect herself the only way she knew how and then she didn't quite know how to extract herself from it.
Gigi Hawthorne is starting from scratch. She just didn’t realize until her crappy car broke down that she was going to be doing it in a small town in Vermont. With an eye for design and some serious decorating skills, she’s managed to land a job making delectable treats for the patrons of the Busy Bean. Now she’s up to her elbows in sugar and flour, but her thoughts are never far from her gorgeous, brooding landlord.
Holden St. James swears he isn’t a recluse. He goes to the local coffee shop three times a week, doesn’t he? Yeah, maybe he never actually talks to anyone, but with a backstory of loss, pain, and regret like his, he’s pretty sure he wouldn’t be very good company anyway. Yet something about his new tenant makes him wonder if maybe it’s time to let someone open the oven door and release a little heat into his closed-off world.
But both are hiding secrets as dark as an espresso mocha cupcake and they’re not sure if they can trust each other. Will the truth break their delicate relationship into sad, sweet crumbs--or will it turn out to be the key ingredient in the recipe for a new life?
And while her intention was never to hurt anyone with said lie (seriously, she was only protecting herself), that little lie caused her to connect with someone in a way maybe they wouldn't have been open to otherwise and...YEAH. Gigi had some 'splainin' to do when the truth came out.
That said, the lady was a rough place when she first rolled into town. She was alone, had basically zero self-esteem, and feared for her life. She was running scared and finding herself in a small town that welcomed her with open arms (mostly) caught her off guard. Finding her groove, connecting with Holden, and figuring out who the new and improved Gigi could be took time.
As for Holden, he'd basically shut down after the death of his wife and didn't look to be emerging into the world of the living any time soon. Gigi was unexpected and she shook him out of the rut he'd been caught in. While there were a few speed bumps as they got to know one another, things worked out. Eventually. Well, and after that one big secret got spilled and they had to deal with it.
A small town, a lady who found herself in it, a man who woke up and started living again, and a whole lot of baking goodness (and a few baking fails, but so it goes sometimes, right?). *thumbs up*
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