Donnie Watson’s baking disasters are legendary, but this Easter, his mismatched chocolate eggs bring accidental but astonishing results to four downhearted gay men. The chocolate sweets spill onto the pavement of a small parade of local shops—and go on a matchmaking tour like no other! From a bankrupt and betrayed baker, to a homeless but hopeful man, to a conceited bar owner in need of a reality … reality check, and finally to the hapless but caring Donnie himself.
After all, Love means you can have chocolate too!
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A bit unusual but I liked it very much!
This book is more like a collection of short stories revolving around some wayward chocolate Easter candies. First, we get Donnie, whose cooking disasters are legendary. Some chocolates he has made get spilled and he takes a header on the sidewalk. Donnie is rescued by one of his neighbors, Will, the new veterinarian in town.
The next three stories are about men who encounter the wayward chocolates and end up in engaging situations that show promise for a relationship. Each of these is like a self-contained short story and I really liked them.
When I began reading this book, I didn’t pay any attention to how many stories there were or the chapter titles. If I had, I would have realized that there would be more coming up for Donnie. The final story is really the best one. It continues on with what happened in chapter one with Donnie going into Will’s waiting room where they have tea. Donnie stays to rest at Will’s insistence. As the morning goes on it’s apparent that Will needs help with the many patients and their owners coming in to see him that day. Donnie loves that he is able to do something useful to help Will.
I liked how each of these little stories show the possibility of new love happening under somewhat unusual circumstances. Overall a very enjoyable book with no heat but lots of feel good moments.
An advanced copy of this book was provided to me via Signal Boost Promotions but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
A beautiful round-robin, each chapter focusing on a different set of men. Each one a mini-story connected to the next by the chocolate Easter eggs Donnie has made and spilled into the street. The whole book is a treat.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
A short review for a short book, only 5 chapters, 64 pages, took me about 40 minutes to read.
Some chocolate eggs and bunnies escape and find their way into the lives for four men, who each find love.
This book is PURE sugar! It’s so bloody SWEET, your teeth will rot but I LOVED it!
I will usually say that I prefer my books on the more explicit/sexy side, but this particular book is almost clean, just some kissing and some talk about what one character wants to do. CLEAN and I loved that it was!
I’ve only read another short by London, and loved that too, but now I want to read something longer, more in depth book. I like the way she spins her tales, I really do.
This book landed on my kindle at 9am. It was read by 10am. I hadn’t moved out my pit, I’m full of a cold but this book made me feel a little better, about myself and the world.
So, thank you Ms London, this dollop of sugar set me up for the day!
4 solid stars.
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Such a sweet collection of short stories all connected by the same parade of shops and some homemade wayward Easter chocolates. These were four couples all meeting and/or connecting for the first time on the same day. The stories are all short; Donnie, who started it all by making the eggs, seems to get the short straw in the story department but he ends the collection as well as starting it which rounds the whole thing off nice. Each situation and pairing is distinctive and different.
Well written, with Clare London’s trademark wit, and a nice British flair.
I’d love to read more about these characters.
An enjoyable and engaging read. If you’re looking for something relatively short, angst-free, and sweet to read this weekend, I’d recommend this.
The Accidental Baker is more like a collection of short stories that all a common theme – Easter, and Donnie’s chocolate. Each chapter involves a different couple, and how they meet. ALL of the stories are sweet, some characters are lovely, some (sorry Henry) I really didn’t take to.
This was well-written and excellently paced – each story giving just what it needed to work. Personally, I would love to see this progress into their own stories, just so I got more information about each couple. Maybe if I knew more about Henry, he wouldn’t grate on me so much. I understood his back story, what we got, but it just didn’t do it for me.
A thoroughly enjoyable, quick, seasonal read – absolutely perfect for your coffee break, or when you just have time for a few pages! Just one chapter, and you get a complete story. Definitely recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books!
The Accidental Baker is a highly recommended short read for anyone who needs something to brighten their day and lighten their mood. Because, in my humble opinion, Clare London creates the same sort of magic with her words that Donnie creates with his misshapen chocolates.
I loved this book so much. I’m a huge fan of Clare anyway, but this one was achingly sweet, funny, poignant, and I felt like I knew each character. Now we need a Christmas book for the men with follow-ups to each of their stories. Awesome and highly recommended. I’m still smiling now.
What a sweet quirky quick read! Loved it cos well it’s got chocolate, men, laughter and hope!
It’s incredible what Clare London managed to do within just a few pages. She packed so much emotion in this short holiday read. Four love stories, eight people meeting because of Donnie’s chocolate disaster.
The Accidental Baker is an adorable, funny, must read if you want to lift your spirit.
Lots of chocolate and fun. Well-written with great characters.