Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (February 5, 2019)
SYNOPSIS:
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.
Purchase Links
Tyndale | Amazon | Books-A-
REVIEW:
“Brunch at the Bittersweet Café” by Carla Laureano is the second book in “The Saturday Night Supper Club” series. It can easily be read as a standalone. I read (and loved) the first book and I think readers will have a more enriching reading experience by reading the first book as well, as there are many familiar places and faces that show up in this installment.
Ms. Laureano does not just simply write about a subject, she writes about it! Meaning she goes above and beyond in her research about the subjects at the forefront of her books. In this case, those subjects are baking, aviation and the business side of opening a bakery. Ms. Laureano seems to know all of the ins and outs about each one and invites the reader into the kitchen, the airport and to come along in the process of opening a bakery. I learned so much about each topic. I warn you, reader, that she will make you hungry; many, many times.
I love our main character, Melody, who is very multi-dimensional. She has many quirks; she loves baking, books and vintage objects. She even takes bookstagram photos! She and her love interest also go on a date to a bookstore (yes please!).
This book contains some lessons that can apply to all of us. It talks about appreciating the things God has actually given us and trusting in God and not just His blessings.
Content: I give this book a PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content are: people drink wine; the word hell is used; there is mention of a person having an affair; a person curses, but the word isn’t actually written; there is talk of having sex in past relationships outside of marriage.
Rating: I give this book 4 stars!
Genre: Christian fiction; Contemporary; Romance
I want to thank TLC Book Tours, Tyndale Publishers and Carla Laureano for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.
About Carla Laureano:
Carla Laureano is the RITA Award-winning author of contemporary inspirational romance and Celtic fantasy (as C.E. Laureano). A graduate of Pepperdine University, she worked as a sales and marketing executive for nearly a decade before leaving corporate life behind to write fiction full-time. She currently lives in Denver with her husband and two sons, where she writes during the day and cooks things at night.
Connect with Carla
Website | Facebook | Twitter |
GIVEAWAY:
One winner will win a
physical copy of this book! Just leave a comment below on something that
intrigues you about this book and follow this blog (tell me what name you
followed with and what way you followed).
Giveaway ends on midnight
February 6 at the conclusion of the tour. The winner will be chosen at
random and will be notified by email. They must respond within 48 hours
or another name will be drawn. US ONLY per the publisher.
Carla Laureano’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:
Monday, January 7th: Books & Bindings
Tuesday, January 8th: From the TBR Pile
Wednesday, January 9th: @createexploreread
Thursday, January 10th: Book Fidelity
Friday, January 11th: View from the Birdhouse
Monday, January 14th: Broken Teepee
Tuesday, January 15th: Amy’s Book-et List
Wednesday, January 16th: Faery Tales Are Real
Thursday, January 17th: Girl Who Reads
Friday, January 18th: @hollyslittlebookreviews
Tuesday, January 22nd: Read Eat Repeat
Tuesday, January 22nd: @_ebl_inc_
Wednesday, January 23rd: Cheryl’s Book Nook
Thursday, January 24th: Midwest Ladies Who Lit and @mwladieswholit
Friday, January 25th: Kritter’s Ramblings
Monday, January 28th: Write Read Life
Tuesday, January 29th: Running Through the Storms
Wednesday, January 30th: Books a la Mode – author guest post
Thursday, January 31st: The Sketchy Reader
Friday, February 1st: @thecaffeinated_
“Brunch at the Bittersweet Café” by Carla Laureano is the second book in “The Saturday Night Supper Club” series. It can easily be read as a standalone. I read (and loved) the first book and I think readers will have a more enriching reading experience by reading the first book as well, as there are many familiar places and faces that show up in this installment.
Ms. Laureano does not just simply write about a subject, she writes about it! Meaning she goes above and beyond in her research about the subjects at the forefront of her books. In this case, those subjects are baking, aviation and the business side of opening a bakery. Ms. Laureano seems to know all of the ins and outs about each one and invites the reader into the kitchen, the airport and to come along in the process of opening a bakery. I learned so much about each topic. I warn you, reader, that she will make you hungry; many, many times.
I love our main character, Melody, who is very multi-dimensional. She has many quirks; she loves baking, books and vintage objects. She even takes bookstagram photos! She and her love interest also go on a date to a bookstore (yes please!).
This book contains some lessons that can apply to all of us. It talks about appreciating the things God has actually given us and trusting in God and not just His blessings.
Content: I give this book a PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content are: people drink wine; the word hell is used; there is mention of a person having an affair; a person curses, but the word isn’t actually written; there is talk of having sex in past relationships outside of marriage.
Rating: I give this book 4 stars!
Genre: Christian fiction; Contemporary; Romance
I want to thank TLC Book Tours, Tyndale Publishers and Carla Laureano for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.
Carla Laureano is the RITA Award-winning author of contemporary inspirational romance and Celtic fantasy (as C.E. Laureano). A graduate of Pepperdine University, she worked as a sales and marketing executive for nearly a decade before leaving corporate life behind to write fiction full-time. She currently lives in Denver with her husband and two sons, where she writes during the day and cooks things at night.
GIVEAWAY:
One winner will win a
physical copy of this book! Just leave a comment below on something that
intrigues you about this book and follow this blog (tell me what name you
followed with and what way you followed).
Giveaway ends on midnight
February 6 at the conclusion of the tour. The winner will be chosen at
random and will be notified by email. They must respond within 48 hours
or another name will be drawn. US ONLY per the publisher.
Carla Laureano’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:
Monday, January 7th: Books & Bindings
Tuesday, January 8th: From the TBR Pile
Wednesday, January 9th: @createexploreread
Thursday, January 10th: Book Fidelity
Friday, January 11th: View from the Birdhouse
Monday, January 14th: Broken Teepee
Tuesday, January 15th: Amy’s Book-et List
Wednesday, January 16th: Faery Tales Are Real
Thursday, January 17th: Girl Who Reads
Friday, January 18th: @hollyslittlebookreviews
Tuesday, January 22nd: Read Eat Repeat
Tuesday, January 22nd: @_ebl_inc_
Wednesday, January 23rd: Cheryl’s Book Nook
Thursday, January 24th: Midwest Ladies Who Lit and @mwladieswholit
Friday, January 25th: Kritter’s Ramblings
Monday, January 28th: Write Read Life
Tuesday, January 29th: Running Through the Storms
Wednesday, January 30th: Books a la Mode – author guest post
Thursday, January 31st: The Sketchy Reader
Friday, February 1st: @thecaffeinated_
Friday, February 1st: Blooming with Books
Monday, February 4th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
Wednesday, February 6th: What is That Book About
Baker and pastry chef and her life is not what she expected it to be.
ReplyDeleteHi Kim! Yes, it's such a great premise : )
DeleteI can't wait to see what she chooses! I loved the first book in this series. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletecolorvibrant at gmail dot com
Hi Heidi! I loved the first book too. I hope you love this one just as much. Thanks for stopping by <3
DeleteI absolutely loved The Saturday Night Supper Club, and I’m so excited to read Melody’s story (and see more of Rachel too)!
ReplyDeleteI’m following you on Google+ as Karen Klepsteen!
mylittlebirdiebooks [at] gmail [dot] com
Hi Karen. I love that we have so many Saturday Night Supper Club fans here. Thanks for the comment <3
DeleteI follow this author on Twitter, and love her fun Q&A posts. The cover of this book is so cute.
ReplyDeleteNew Twitter follower - @dedezoomsalot
DeleteHi Dianna! She's a great author. It is such an adorable cover. Thanks for the comment and follow : )
DeleteBeing as this story takes place in Denver that interests me. Vivian Furbay jtandviv(at)q(dot)com
ReplyDeleteYes, it talks a lot about the area. It's very interesting! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteOh this sounds like such a good book, I love the unexpected love stories! I just signed up to follow the blog by email under Abby Breuklander, alander87(at)allcom(dot)net
ReplyDeleteHi Abby! It is such a great read! Thanks so much for signing up and stopping by <3
DeleteMelody and I have a few things in common, she loves books and vintage items. It's a good thing that I don't love to bake or I wouldn't be able to fit in my clothes. I signed up to follow your blog but I don't understand the other question you asked about what way I followed. My name is Janet Estridge. aka Library Lady.
ReplyDeleteJanet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Janet! Yes, I am the same way-I love books and vintage items as well! Haha, I hear you about it being good we don't love to cook. Sorry the question was confusing. I meant through blogger, email, Google Plus, etc. Thanks for the follow!
Delete