Book Description:
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.
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe and visiting with the characters I loved from Book 1 in the series. The Supper Club series follows the romances of three close friends who live in Denver, Colorado. Book 2 is Melody’s romance story. We first meet Melody in book 1, The Saturday Night Supper Club, where she is a pastry chef who quits her job at the upmarket restaurant, Paisley, not long after Rachel was forced out of the business. Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe opens with Melody working long and gruelling overnight shifts at a small chain bakery that pays her bills but stifles her creativity. She has been burned by previous relationships and is wary of falling for the wrong guy again.
Justin is a pilot for an elite airline with private jets who spends his working life flying wealthy people on domestic routes within the US. Justin doesn’t spend many nights at home in Denver, and his career choice has derailed previous romantic relationships. His sister married his best friend who is an aircraft mechanic, and they’re all planning to go into business together by investing in their own charter fleet business. An opportunity arises in Florida, which would be excellent for his sister who has long term health issues and needs to move to a warmer climate to improve her health. Justin’s dad is a retired United Airlines pilot and Justin grew up tinkering with planes. He owns a small plane that he built with his dad.
Justin flies home late on a snowy evening and attempts to drive home in his Mustang. He becomes stranded in the snow and sees a light on in a nearby bakery. Melody is baking on her own, and she lets Justin wait inside with her in the bakery while he waits for help to arrive for his car. Justin and Melody feel the attraction from the moment they meet, and they are drawn to each other during the hours they’re together in the bakery.
A fun and flirty romance develops, along with their emotional conflict due to the baggage they carry from the past. Justin is looking to move to Florida, and Melody is planning to open a bakery cafe with Rachel in Denver. Justin and Melody question if they can, or if they should, compromise on their life dreams and make sacrifices for love?
The food in this story is amazing, with a particular focus on artisan breads and pastry treats. Melody explores her creativity when she bakes at home and plates the delicious desserts and pastries to share on her Instagram account. Justin also takes Melody for a ride in his plane to the mountains! I recommend Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe to contemporary romance readers who like foodie stories with a light faith element that wrestle with real-to-life issues.