In this deliciously sweet foodie romance, a twenty-something pastry chef falls out of sync with her old childhood crush and falls into the arms of the quiet but charming boy next door. Giovanna, Zoe, and Declan have always been a trio–their fierce friendship has seen them through every heartbreak and hardship and helped pave the way to brighter futures. Gio is a passionate baker of cakes, … cakes, pastries, and all things delicious, Zoe a take-no-prisoners beauty, and Declan an ambitious businessman on the way up.
Best friends forever, Gio thinks–until Gio’s lifelong crush on Declan is exposed, leaving her humiliated, and Gio realises she needs to cut him loose to get over him once and for all.
Enter Theo, Gio’s neighbour…she’s never met anyone like him before. He doesn’t talk much, but he’s kind, he’s sexy, he’s generous, and he’s often awake in the middle of the night, like Gio. Theo has a sweet tooth and a mysterious history and Gio can’t seem to stay away.
Thanks to the power of sleepless nights and chocolate cake, Gio thinks she’s finally over Declan, but then his whole world turns upside down. Gio knows she can’t desert Declan in his time of need, but how can she explain a lifetime of love to Theo?
Letting go of the past isn’t so easy when your heart is breaking.more
Loved this book. It was a quick, enjoyable read.
I don’t know what I want more after reading Cake at Midnight, cake or to read more from Jessie Star. I absolutely adored this book, and I’m definitely a fan now. I’m already a sucker for a good romance story and this love triangle Giovanna id involved in was the perfect fix. The saying “opposites attract” couldn’t be more true when it comes to Giovanna and Theo. Those two are so very different, yet they complete each other. I also think a lot of people can relate to Giovanna when it comes to crushing on one of your best friends, I know I can. That’s what makes Cake at Midnight so realistic, everyone can relate to something at some point in this book. I’ll admit though that this story definitely exceeded my expectations. While it was a bit laggy in the beginning, the ending and overall story made it worth the read!
4.25 stars–CAKE AT MIDNIGHT by Jessie L. Star is a stand alone, contemporary, new adult romance story line focusing on Australians twenty-two year old pastry chef Giovanna ‘Gio’ Koppelmann, and twenty seven year old acquisitions and mergers manager Theo McKillop.
Told from first person perspective (Giovanna) and third person (Theo) CAKE AT MIDNIGHT follows the building relationship between new neighbors Giovanna Koppelmann, and Theo McKillop.
Giovanna, Zoe and Declan are lifelong best friends who grew up together on the wrong side of the tracks struggling against abuse, neglect and a history of addiction. Giovanna, for all intents and purposes, has had a crush on Declan O’Connor for most of her life, a crush that will quickly dissolve when their friendship is abused one final time. Enter Theo McKillop, Giovanna’s neighbor and the man with whom our heroine will fall in love. Humiliated and stunned by the man she has known most of her life, Giovanna will welcome Theo’s acceptance of her quirky ideas including a ‘midnight witching hour’ wherein Giovanna finds solace in Theo’s company and home-made cake. What ensues is the building relationship between Theo and Giovanna, and the potential fall out when their time together comes to an end.
CAKE AT MIDNIGHT focuses on friendship and family-the dysfunctional family dynamics not only of Giovanna, Zoe and Declan’s present and past, but that of Theo’s eccentric, well to do, and outrageous family whose behavior is fodder for the socialites, gossip magazines, and paparazzi fanatics. Theo has kept his familial identity a secret for most of his life but workplace jealousy, and bitter family kinetics become the breaking point for a man who is unable to let go of the past. While Giovanna accepts all that is Theo including his unconventional and heart breaking family, Theo will struggle with Gia’s relationship to a man who continues to break her heart. The $ex scenes are limited, passionate but mostly implied.
We are introduced to Giovanna’s best friends Declan O’Connor, and beautician Zoe; Gio’s boss Celeste, and co-worker Maya; as well as Theo’s best friend, and executive assistant Ari; Theo’s parents Philomena and Harvey, and sister Lena Leventis; and Theo’s ex-fiance Vanessa. I am hoping the author has plans for future story lines involving Declan, Zoe, Ari and Lena.
CAKE AT MIDNIGHT has a little bit everything: romance and love; jealousy and betrayal; friendship and family; heart break and acceptance. The premise is engaging and entertaining; the characters are charismatic, realistic and dynamic; the romance is intimate and romantic. Jessie L Star writes an emotional and inspiring story about two people pushed together by circumstance, fate and love.