I’ve enjoyed other books by this author in the past and so when she reached out and asked if I wanted to start her new series I was very happy to do that! I do love a good fireman hero and I also love a story featuring a bakery, especially when so many yummy types of sweets are mentioned. And I can definitely say that the types of sweets mentioned in this book did not disappoint!

The history between Nick and Rachel seems like it would be pretty tense, with his having been the person who caused their bakery to burn down when she was younger. However, even with that, I feel that Rachel and her family had their reservations about him, but they were also very realistic in how they realized what happened wasn’t something malicious and that they’d forgiven or gotten over that. But it also made a ton of sense that Nick would be carrying that guilt around with him the way he did. Nick had a not so great family life after losing his mother and then his father just kind of ignoring everything at that point. And while Rachel’s family had that loss with the fire, they were able to rebuild. Now Rachel just has to deal with her mother being overbearing and unwavering or accepting of any help from her. Even though Rachel came back to town to help the bakery stay afloat when their grandmother passed and the family seemed to be struggling to keep it from going under financially. Rachel has the college degree and some great knowledge. But her mother is a creative type/dreamer, and doesn’t want to think anything really needs to be changed, it should just continue to be done the way it always has.

Nick has become such a good guy, the town loves him, and so when he and Rachel kind of get thrown together, they quickly become friends. Both kind of had crushes on the other, but of course never acted on them due to their histories. And Rachel’s ex is wow, not a good guy at all. I was a little upset with how Rachel so easily believed something about Nick that was clearly set up by someone else, even if it was understandable after what Kyle had done to her. But up to that point Nick had done nothing but prove how different he was than Kyle and what a great guy he was.

Overall this was a fun story. There were a few points that dragged for me, and some of the steamy scenes had a few bits that were a little cringey for me – like things that were said to each other, but in the end it was a great start to what looks to be a fun series. I’m assuming since the series is named after the bakery that we’ll be getting Rachel’s sisters’ stories in the next two books!