Review: Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe by Carla Laureano

Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe

by Carla Laureano

Publisher: Tyndale House

Pages: 432

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  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-cafe 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.

Kritters Thoughts:  The second in the series and this book focuses on a different from from the group.  Melody Johansson is a baker and pastry chef and in the first book she seals her fate with Rachel's and leaves the restaurant that Rachel also leaves.  In this book she is unhappily working in a shop as a baker and making recipes that are not her own and isn't able to use her creative chops.  Through some interesting circumstances she has an inheritance and with Rachel by her side they decide to open a cafe.  This will test her friendship and of course will create some antics.

Just like the first book in the series this is a romance and there is a relationship brewing in this one also.  Unlike the first book I could tell much more so that this book was a Christian fiction book.  Just as in the first book, they abstain from the sexy times, but beyond that in this book unlike the first they talk much more about their faith and so on.  I don't tend to completely love how obvious and blatant it can be in a book, I like a little more subtle, but I know going in if I am reading from this publisher.

But beyond that.  I liked this romance better.  This one seemed to have a little more realistic ups and downs and I appreciated these two people who have very different job lives and trying to create a relationship around them was so enjoyable.  My significant other has crazy work hours, so I really enjoyed reading a couple trying to create a relationship with this big obstacle in the middle.

I am ready to read the final book with Ana at the center (I am assuming!).  I am intrigued to see how the author creates a story around her as she is the only friend who doesn't have a job that focuses on food.


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.