My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing
(at the time of this post)
Synopsis
**Welcome to Haven Ridge, Colorado—a fading town that might just have a little magic left...**
Travel
writer Mallory Adams accepted her latest assignment on the mountain
towns of southern Colorado in the hopes it would offer an escape from
all the recent failures in her life—quitting her history graduate
studies, losing her apartment, being dumped by her boyfriend for another
woman. So when a series of mishaps lands her in the dying town of Haven
Ridge, it feels more like a punishment than an opportunity.
Thomas
Rivas returned home after a personal tragedy to find Haven Ridge much
diminished. But when a plucky and beautiful writer blows into his
family’s cafe—something that his mystic-minded Granny Pearl claims is no
accident—it seems like the chance to put the town back on the map. Soon
Thomas makes it his mission to make Mallory fall in love with Haven
Ridge and its fascinating, forgotten past—he just doesn’t expect to lose
his own heart in the bargain.
With its quirky cast of
characters, sweet love-after-loss romance, and small-town mystery, *The
Brick House Cafe* reminds us that it’s never too late to believe in the
magic of second chances.
My Review
This prequel novella in the Haven Ridge series was a perfect introduction to the small Colorado town, through the eyes of the stranded Mallory. She's at a crossroads in her life, and her optimism combined with a curious mind for history appreciated the story of the women who founded the town. Thomas is standoffish at first, but when we get his perspective we discover why. I enjoyed their time together and the way Mallory helps Thomas open up to a relationship in his future. Mallory is more confused because of the options before her career-wise, but Haven Ridge's magic works it's charm and all Mallory has to do is be open to new possibilities.
Disclosure
statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from
a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley,
OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from
Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not
required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
Synopsis
Sometimes the town that broke your heart is the only place that can heal you.
When
Gemma left her hometown of Haven Ridge, Colorado, she swore she’d never
return. And she’s kept that promise, leaving old shadows behind and
building her reputation as one of LA’s preeminent family law attorneys.
But when her lifelong best friend begs Gemma to come stay with her teen
stepdaughter while she’s on a business trip, she doesn’t have the heart
to refuse. She’ll simply keep a low profile, do her honorary aunt duties
for Taylor, and be gone before anyone notices.
But Haven Ridge
seems to have a mind of its own, and before she knows it, Gemma finds
herself caught up with new friends and old rivalries. When Taylor is
targeted by teen bullies, Gemma does the only thing she knows how to do:
ply her honorary niece with baked goods and words of affirmation. Soon
her temporary lodgings are ground zero for teenage girls seeking sugar
and consolation for shockingly adult problems—which the girls soon dub
the Broken Hearts Bakery.
Complicating matters is an unexpected
reunion with Gemma’s high school sweetheart, Stephen, who is determined
to change her mind about him, the town, and the nature of love itself.
Because as it turns out, her niece isn’t the only one nursing a broken
heart.
My Review
The story of Gemma's past trauma is alluded to in the prequel, and the town matriarch implies that the negative reactions of the townspeople began the decline of Haven Ridge. This is very much a second chance story- for both the town and the romantic relationship of Gemma and Stephen, with betrayal at the center of the heartbreak. Stephen has a lot of growing up to do- even as an adult, and comes to some important realizations about himself. Gemma is a pretty strong character, but has hidden vulnerabilities that are forced to the surface as she is immersed in the town and Stephen's life. There's plenty of angst to go around, but the themes of redemption and forgiveness brought a sense of hope. Some of the recollections from their teenage years had content that made me uncomfortable- underage behavior that is not healthy/moral but was not portrayed in a negative light. I had anticipated that the location of the bakery would play an important role in the book, but Gemma's home baking for friends and the school were the focus, and even that seemed to be secondary to the main plot of her hot/cold relationship with Stephen. With the next novel's title having a bookshop, I hope that the town revitalization is more central to the story.
Disclosure
statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from
a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley,
OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from
Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not
required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
Check out the new cover of the next book in the Haven Ridge series . . .
