The only love Kally Anadarakis is baking is in the form of the sweet treats she whips up in her café, The Coffee Klatch.Kally never believed herself to be a person worthy of love, but when an intoxicating man she considered out of her league pursues her, she risks everything to be with him. Later, when tragedy strikes, truths are revealed that leave Kally brokenhearted and untrusting.Eight years … untrusting.
Eight years later, Kally is a successful pastry chef running the café she’d always dreamed of owning. With a home of her own, a profession she’s passionate about, and the support and love of friends and family, Kally is content with the life she has carved out for herself.
Until the day Max Vardaxis walks into her café…
With arguing parents, meddling relatives, an overly energetic grandmother, a man-crazy best friend, and the long ago, mysterious disappearance of a grandfather, this new man in town is just one more complication in Kally’s life, if not the main one.
The only love Kally Anadarakis is baking is in the form of the sweet treats she whips up in her café, The Coffee Klatch.
Kally never believed herself to be a person worthy of love, but when an intoxicating man she considered out of her league pursues her, she risks everything to be with him. Later, when tragedy strikes, truths are revealed that leave Kally brokenhearted and untrusting.
Eight years later, Kally is a successful pastry chef running the café she’d always dreamed of owning. With a home of her own, a profession she’s passionate about, and the support and love of friends and family, Kally is content with the life she has carved out for herself.
Until the day Max Vardaxis walks into her café…
With arguing parents, meddling relatives, an overly energetic grandmother, a man-crazy best friend, and the long ago, mysterious disappearance of a grandfather, this new man in town is just one more complication in Kally’s life, if not the main one.
Kally must now decide whether to keep her heart safe or to once again take a ‘whisk on love.’
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Love is What You Bake of it (Meraki #1)
By Effie Kammenou
5 stars
I have read quite a few books by this author now and what always has me coming back to her is her beautifully detailed writing. Her stories have such a lovely flow to them that are a real pleasure to read. I didn’t even bother reading the blurb when I decided to read this book; the title caught my eye straight away.
Love is What You Bake of it was a wonderful romance read. I loved the characters Kally and Max (aka Officer Hot Buns) they were great to read about and both really relatable. The book kind of reminded me of one of my favourite films with the Greek family parts – there were some very entertaining secondary characters. There were some very funny moments in this story and I absolutely loved every minute of it. I think this is definitely my favourite book by this author so far! I look forward to more from her again in the future!!
Love Is What You Bake Of It (Book One In The Meraki Series) by Effie Kammenou
5-Stars
Love Is What You Bake Of It (Book One In The Meraki Series) by Effie Kammenou was an excellent and fun read. It was romantic and creative. Not only did I fall in love with the characters and plot but I also enjoyed the extra stuff included. There were amazing quotes and recipes that I enjoyed being placed in the story. I can’t wait to attempt some of the delicious recipes shared. I also really enjoyed Kally’s personality. She was awesome. I also enjoyed Max. I could not put this book down and I really feel others would enjoy it as well. Easy 5-stars.
Love is What You Bake of it (The Meraki Series Book 1) by Effie Kammenou
4 of 5 Stars
A lovely romantic novel featuring Kally Andarakis a strong independent women who is a passionate baker, and who’s first love is whipping up sweet treats in her cafe, The Coffee Klatch. Kally has sadly been left broken hearted and untrusting from a previous relationship so when the handsome and charming Max Vardaxis walks into her cafe she is reluctant to open herself up to heartbreak again but she can not deny her attraction to Max. However things are different for Kally eight years since her heartbreak as she is now a successful pastry chef running her own cafe with a home of her own and a profession she is passionate about. Kally is content with her life, or at least she was until Max appeared. “Kally must now decide whether to keep her heart safe or to once again take a ‘whisk on love.’”
I loved Kally as the main character she was likeable and realistic as although an independent and successful pastry chef she still had self confidence issues which I think we can all relate to. The chemistry between her and Max sizzled off the page and along with her man crazy best friend, and meddling young at heart grandmother, the characters were all fascinating in their own right. The storyline flowed nicely and it had romance, a spot of mystery, in the form of a missing grandfather and also some laugh out loud bits all of which kept me hooked from page one.
Love is What You Bake of it (The Meraki Series Book 1) by Effie Kammenou. This is a amazing love story. Its the story of Kally Andarakis. This is the story of Kally Andarakis who was always in love with baking. She has never thought she was worthy of love but when a handsome man way out of her league starts pursuing her she risks everything to be with him. When she listens to her insecurities Kally is brokenhearted and pours everything into her cafe the Coffee Klatch. She is very successful and loves what she does, has a pretty home, parents who argue all the time, a grandmother she’s crazy about and a man crazy best friend. Max Vardaxis has a precious daughter and that is his life until he walks into Kally’s cafe and he’s crazy about her. Will they be able to make it work or will Kally let her insecurities ruin it all? Read Love is What you Bake of it to find out!
This was a cute story by Effie Kammenou. Her plot line is great and she paints a picture with her descriptive details. Her characters are sound and complex. I feel like I am right there with Kally. It is funny to read about the character family members and how they are meddlers. Kally is a successful woman. Then Max comes into her bakery. Her life is a little more difficult now that Max has come into her bakery. I recommend you read this story to find out about Kally’s decision.
4 Stars
Love Is What You Bake Of It is the first book in a wonderful new series, “Meraki”, by Effie Kammenou. I really loved Ms. Kammenou’s “Gift Saga”, so it was no question that I was going to read this book. I happily one-clicked a copy for myself and jumped right in. It is different from the Gift Saga stories- in a great way- still the same well written and polished product, and with Greek characters that just jumped off the pages- but with a more light-hearted, humorous and fun story.
This story has a lot going on in it, but doesn’t feel ‘heavy’ or overly complicated. It is primarily, a contemporary romance- with interesting and entertaining family dynamics, some suspense, love, humour, hope, mystery, secrets, and of course- baking.
Kally has been burned by love in the past, which has tainted her view on love and relationships. She has poured all her time, energy, and passion into pursuing her dreams- focusing on her café perfecting her baking. She’s built a great life for herself and she is happy with where she is in life. Then Max walks into her life, bringing complications she will need to address. Will she let down her barriers and take a chance on love again? Or will her tainted view on love, and the revelation of secrets keep her from opening her heart?
I really enjoyed this story. It had a bit of a “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” feel to the story- which I loved, but with its own unique identity. I loved the wonderfully quirky characters who really made this story come to life. There is no question, I will definitely be following the rest of the series!
A fun read!
Thank you, Ms. Kammenou!
I absolutely love a second chance romance and this book definitely did not disappoint. The author does a wonderful job developing the characters and making you relate to them immediately. I found myself immediately rooting for the heroine and very excited to follow her journey throughout the book. It had just the right amount of humor mixed with romance. Loved every page.
3.5 Stars!
Love is What You Bake of It is a cute read about a baker and a police officer. Both main characters come together with quite a bit of baggage, however, they are able to find love despite their respective pasts.
Kally Andarakis owns and operates her own cafe, The Coffee Klatch. It is a charming eatery and her baked goods are amazing. Yummy cupcakes, freshly ground coffee, and family recipes handed down by her Greek ancestors are a huge hit with the customers. Kally is quite content with her life, and has no desire for a relationship. She believes she gets all the romance she needs from her vast collection of steamy novels. Then Max Vardaxis enters her cafe, and her book boyfriends are just not enough.
Max is finally back in his hometown, after a horrific roller-coaster ride with his now ex-wife. His six-year-old daughter is adapting nicely, while they both are slowly making new friends and embracing their Greek heritage. Max is instantly attracted to Kally, however, he does not want to risk getting hurt once again. Luckily, he and Kally are able to enjoy lust, love and family.
I liked this story and I loved all the recipes posted throughout the book. Kally’s family and friends were quite intrusive at times, which did not endear them to me. Max’s daughter was a real cutie pie and I loved all her interactions with the various characters. This is the first book from author Effie Kammenou’s Meraki series and it can be read as a standalone.
Complimentary copy provided by Buoni Amici Press, LLC.
Love is What You Bake of it (The Meraki Series Book 1)
By Effie Kammenou
5 out of 5 stars
I loved reading the story Love is What You Bake of it (The Meraki Series Book 1) by Effie Kammenou. It is a story that pulled me in and didn’t let me go until the final page. I loved reading about the characters of Kally Andarakis and Max Vardaxis. Kally loves to bake and it is shown by the way she runs her café, The Coffee Klatch. She is independent, strong, and caring. She also has been affected by the past which left her unable to trust. Max is attracted to Kally from the moment that he meets her. He soon can’t stop thinking about her. Kally is satisfied with the love of family and friends. She is content with her life until she meets Max. Will Max convince Kally that he is worth taking a chance on? What does the future hold for Kally and Max? Read this book to find out. This is a story that made my emotions go up and down the entire time I was reading it. I grew to care about Kally and Max and couldn’t help but want them to be happy. I also enjoyed the many additional characters that are introduced and interact with Kally and Max. This story is about love, romance, and family. It has some heartbreaking as well as heartwarming moments. It had me wondering what was going to happen next. There are also humorous moments that had me laughing. This is an amazing story that I would recommend reading.
This is not my first book by this author but it is my favorite. It is a sweet second chance romance that is written with lots of heart and soul. The characters are well developed and made the story feel realistic. I had no problem connecting with them and could easily see them as friends. Kally has loved and lost, now she feels she is unworthy of love until he walks into her life. Content with her business, she wonders about Max and if he is worth it all? I enjoyed watching them grow together throughout the story plus their chemistry is great. Will Kally take a risk at love again? I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens with them.
Yep…. Here I am reviewing a book by a new-to-me author, Effie Kammenou. And as it has been more often than not recently, I am so glad I took a chance!
Kally has been burned by love and by trusting the wrong man in the past. It’s jaded her views on relationships and love. But she’s happy and content with the life she’s built. Until Max. But when tragedy strikes and secrets come to light, will she give up on love altogether or open her heart to so much more?
I loved the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding. In fact, I rewatch it every once in a while. So when I read the blurb, I totally wanted to jump into this book. And it was almost as adorable as the movie!
NICUnurse’s Rating: With cute and quirky characters, and a big and loving family and community, you can’t help but fall in love with everything about this contemporary romance. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book(s) in the series from this author.
I give Love is What You Bake of It by Effie Kammenou 4 out of 5 stars!
This is a new author to me but after reading Love is What You Bake of It I’m left wondering what she hasn’t crossed my radar before now. I will certainly be checking out other works by Ms Kammenou.
This is a fun, entertaining read with characters you can easily connect with and I’m sure like me Kally Anadarakis and Max Vardaxis’s story will draw you in and captivate you from the first few pages.
Both Kally and Max have been burnt by their previous relationships and it’s clear from the start they have walls that need breaking down before they can move on but who better to do this than an adorable little girl named Athena and a meddling grandmother who only wants this couple to except and understand that love is in their future……
I loved the humour in this book but I also loved the emotion as I was taken on a bit of a roller coaster ride, I laughed and I smiled at the antics of this meddling Greek family and let’s not forget the recipes that I will certainly be trying out as soon as time permits. Entertaining read that left me wanting to read more from this very talented author.