The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice

THE BAKESHOP AT PUMPKIN AND SPICE by Donna Kauffman, Kate Angell, and Allyson Charles is a book consisting of three novellas taking place in Moonbright, Maine, a little town that definitely celebrates the Halloween season. Each novella is written by a different author, but the transition is so smooth it’s like reading one great story. Each novella centers on a different couple in this quaint little town.

“SWEET MAGIC” by Donna Kauffman is the story of Abriana Bellaluna O’Neeill, better known as Bree. She’s working alongside her grandmother, Sofia, doing what she loves – baking – in Bellaluna’s Bakeshop, the family own bakery. She’s heard about the Bellaluna magic all her life, but as she is approaching the big 3-0, she’s beginning to wonder if it’s going to miss a generation starting with her.

When Caleb Dimitriou arrives in town to take over operations at his Uncle’s restaurant while he takes his wife on a way overdue honeymoon, he sits Bree’s heart to thumping and her toes to curling. He seems to feel the same from their initial meeting when he first sampled of her “special” cookie. Working on saving his Uncle’s restaurant from the brink of failure, Caleb should have his mind on work, but all he can think about is Abriana. Like her grandmother, it’s the name he prefers to call her.

Bree’s love of all things Halloween have their paths crossing and sparks flying. With each having a deep family connection, can they find a way to make a long distance relationship work without one or the other having to give up all they love and hold dear? Will Bree finally find the Bellaluna magic so she can share it with others as well enjoying it herself? Can the two of them save the restaurant from going under – especially after learning where his aunt and uncle really are and why?

“LOVE SPELLS DISASTER” by Allyson Charles is the story of Cassandra Hie, who after her past history with men, has decided to set her guidelines for romance using specific guidelines. Her list of requirements has made her set her sights on her employers, Samuel, as the perfect match for her. However, he seems to have no interest romantically towards Cassie. With determination, Cassie even considers potions and spells from her friend, Franca.

When Chip Gneiss saves Cassie’s life using the Heimlich maneuver when she was choking on of Bellaluna’s Bakeshop’s special cookie, he finds himself immediately drawn to Cassie. He learns from over hearing Cassie that he’s not in the league for what she looking for so he writes her off. However, he can’t get her out of his mind. Cassie is finding it harder and harder to think of Samuel as her perfect man when measured up to Chip.

Chip agrees to build a haunted house on Cassie’s driveway with only a few days to get it done. Can their banter and fallings out have them falling in love? Did the “special” cookies place a spell of the both of them? Can Chip show her that he’s more than a tool belt? Can Cassie confront the past in order to move to the future?

SWEET ON YOU by Kate Angell is the story of Lara Shaw who finds that trouble comes to visit her three times – all in one day. She is publically dumped by Glen Meyers at Bellaluna’s Bakeshop. She finds out that her rent, which is already at the top of her budget, is to be raised beyond her limits meaning she has to find a new place to live or a better paying job. Then she’s told that her employment wasn’t guaranteed after the first of the year.

Mayor Jack Hanson approaches her in the bakery with one of Sofia’s special cookies sent over by Sofia herself. Jack was the popular athlete while Lara was the shy girl that had a silent crush on him in school. Lara feels comfortable telling Jack about her troubles and Jack has confidence that things will work out.

After other leads fizzle out, Jack offers her a newly appointed job as event coordinator starting with the Halloween Parade which is a huge event in Moonbright. She accepts meaning two of her three problems are solved – job and money for her rent. Her job has her dealing with the likes of 80 year old Edna Miller, who doesn’t seem to have a good word for anyone including giving nicknames for Jack and Lara – Jack-O’-Lantern and Pumpkin Head – causing Lara to nickname Edna as Moonie McBright.

Will age and maturity plus working side by side have Jack and Lara telling of their feelings of long ago for each other? Is it possible for them to fall for each other now? How will the first job as events coordinator pan out? Can she make everyone happy? Who will become the great Pumpkin Queen? Will Jack be the one to show her that trouble number one was really the first step to true happiness?

Loved each of the novellas! They make up an amazing book that I would recommend to anyone that loves romance or stories with a Halloween theme running through it. The novellas run so smoothly from one to the other with each author telling a wonderful story about a different couple with a sprinkling of reappearances from those in the other stories. It makes me wish I could go to Moonbright for a visit – especially during the Halloween season. Each novella has recipes mentioned in the story. All of which I can’t wait to try!

As a disclaimer, I will add that the romance is a little bit more toe curling than a sweet romance but still a delightful read. I wasn’t offended in the least, but just wanted to put it out there.

This is a sweet anthology with three authors. I asked for a NetGalley advanced readers copy because I’m a fan of Donna Kauffman’s worlds. I’ve never read Allyson Charles or Kate Angell before and I looked forward to that. All three stories are set in a small town who embodies Halloween year round. The holiday itself is a huge town wide celebration with a parade and celebrations.

Kauffman’s story, Sweet Magic is about Bellaluna’s Bakeshop that’s owned by a family of true love magic makers. They imbue love’s magic into special batches of cookies they offer to individuals they feel are mates. Her heroine is Bree who has not come into her magic yet, much to her frustration. When she meets Caleb Dimitriou her life changes. He’s come to town to take over his uncle’s restaurant while his uncle is on his second honeymoon. I loved the crafting of their time together and falling into their HEA.

Allyson Charles’ Love Spells Disaster was a sweet story of finding love where you’re not looking. Cassandra is turning over a new leaf and trying to get her boring, steady boss to fall in love with her. He’s everything opposite of what she’s been attracted to in the past. She’s desperate enough to try love spells that never work. Handiman Chip Gneiss walks into the insurance office just in time to give her the Heimlich when she chokes on one of Bellaluna’s special cookies. He takes time to help her build her haunted house for the celebration. This is a sweet story of finding love right in front of you.

Kate Angell’s Sweet on You was a delightful surprise. Lara Shaw is having a very bad day when she gets dumped by her boyfriend, has her rent raised and is on the verge of being laid off of work. On top of that the best costume just went up at the town’s costume shop and she can’t afford it as she can’t pay rent. The Mayer Jack Hansen sees her distress and crafts a job for her at City Hall as the Events Coordinator. He is a few years older than Lara and was the high school hockey star in their youth. He’s had his eye on her for years and now is the time to spend time with her to explore their chemistry. I really liked this story and the character Edna Milner almost stole the story with her cranky demeanor and nick naming everyone in town. This was a great story of taking time to look into people’s hearts.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a trilogy of novellas set around a family-owned bakery located at the corner of Pumpkin and Spice in the small town of Moonbright, Maine. This community loves Halloween, and each year the celebrations and parties culminate in a parade in which everyone participates in some way. They also enjoy the tasty pastries and treats from Bellaluna’s Bakeshop, where love and yummy ingredients create a very special cookie that might even add a bit of Italian magic to help couples find true love. Charming and fun stories.

Sweet Magic – Donna Kauffman

Good story. Bree is the latest in her family to work at the family bakery. Within the family, it is an accepted fact that some members have a magic touch when it comes to baking. Bree hasn’t yet experienced that phenomenon and is beginning to despair that she ever will. That is until Caleb comes into the shop. Suddenly those Italian cookies have a little extra zing to them.

Caleb is in Moonbright to help his Uncle George with his restaurant while George and his wife are on vacation. Caleb does not expect to become fascinated with the baker down the street. He has enough on his plate, trying to figure out what is going on with the restaurant.

Neither Bree nor Caleb can explain why they are drawn together so strongly. It makes no sense because Bree is planted firmly in Moonbright and Caleb is only in town for six weeks or so before he goes back to Philadelphia. But as Caleb gets deeper into the problems at the restaurant, Bree is there to help him. There is no doubt about the attraction between them, but both try hard to resist it. Neither one wants to hurt the other or suffer a broken heart. I ached for them both, as it was clear that their hearts were already deeply involved, but neither could see a way to make it happen. I liked how honest they were about the pros and cons of being together. When the truth behind his uncle’s troubles comes to light, Bree and Caleb have to work together to find a solution. It takes the help of family, especially Bree’s grandmother, for them to get their happy ending.

I liked seeing Caleb come into his own as he worked through the restaurant’s troubles. Though an excellent chef, he avoided the front of the house like the plague in his family’s restaurant. In Moonbright, he had to do it all and discovered that he was better at it than he expected. I liked seeing him work with his sister, Cassie, to find the problem and fix it in a way that preserved his uncle’s pride. I’m looking forward to seeing more of Cassie. I also liked seeing Bree find her groove at the bakery. Her grandmother’s support was critical, and I liked how Sofia helped Bree through her doubts. I loved the scene in the epilogue with Clark Kent and Wonder Woman.

Love Spells Disaster – Allyson Charles

Cassie is a recent arrival in Moonbright. She chose the town because of their focus on Halloween, which is her favorite holiday. Now that she has settled in, she is ready to look for a man in her life. Due to a rough childhood, Cassie has particular requirements for a potential mate. Having had her fill of bad boys, she sets her sights on her boss, an uptight, strait-laced man who has the security she craves. Unfortunately for her, he is oblivious to her interest, so she looks to the tried and true “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” She stops at the Bellaluna Bakery where Sophia gives her two special cookies along with the instructions to be open to whatever comes her way.

Disaster ensues when her boss turns down the cookie because he’s in training for a marathon. When she munches a cookie herself, she chokes and is rescued by a visitor to the office. Chip helps himself to the other cookie, but Cassie wants no part of a man who doesn’t check her boxes. Chip, on the other hand, is immediately attracted to Cassie. I had a bit a trouble with Cassie here, as she was quite rude and judgmental toward him. She redeemed herself somewhat by feeling guilty and did eventually apologize.

Chip and Cassie are thrown together when she needs a handyman to build her haunted house for Halloween. I liked seeing them together here as their efforts gave them the chance to get to know each other. Chip comes to understand what drives Cassie and has the patience to overcome her fears. Though Cassie tries to resist Chip’s appeal, it isn’t too long before she realizes that they have more in common than she thought. There were some pretty funny scenes as Cassie experiences one disaster after another in her pursuit of the wrong man. I liked the ending as Cassie finally realized the treasure she had. I also loved how Chip loves all of Cassie’s Halloween quirkiness.

Sweet on You – Kate Angell

My favorite of the three stories. The story opens with Lara in the bakeshop where she is cruelly and publicly dumped by her boyfriend. To add insult to injury, she also runs into her landlord who informs her that the rent on her apartment is going up, and her employer can’t guarantee she’ll have a job past Christmas. Enter the mayor and his coworkers for their daily coffee break. The shop is crowded, and Jack ends up sitting with Lara. Sophia brings them some of her cookies and Jack and Lara chat for a while. A caring man with a big heart, it doesn’t take long for Jack to get Lara to tell him of her troubles. He invites her to stop by his office if her job hunt isn’t successful.

I loved both Jack and Lara. Lara is a sweet woman, a bit short and curvy, and a little insecure because of it. She is also smart, organized, and determined. Jack is a great mayor. He has the love and respect of the townspeople, and he loves them right back.

I loved the development of the relationship between Lara and Jack. They knew each other in school, where each had a crush on the other but never did anything about it. I loved hearing about how Lara attended all of Jack’s hockey games, and that he knew she was there. Jack is currently swamped with the details for the Halloween parade, which leaves him little time for doing actual mayor work. After getting a chance to talk to Lara, he realizes that she would be perfect as the town’s event planner and hires her on the spot. There is also the added bonus of being able to see her every day. Jack is well and truly smitten. Lara is surprised by Jack’s attention but is equally attracted to him. Over the next couple of weeks they spend a lot of time together, both for work and personal time. I loved how easy it was for them to talk to each other and share their lives. There were some great scenes of them together. One of my favorites was their day of pumpkin and apple picking, and the heat that built between them all day. There was a brief resurgence of Lara’s insecurity at one point, but Jack handled it perfectly. The ending was great.

I loved the setting of the story as Lara and Jack plan the Halloween parade. There are so many moving parts that it takes a truly organized person to make it all work. I adored seeing Lara make the job her own, being flexible when necessary for and firm when she needed to be. It was satisfying to see her stand up to her ex when it came to his demands. I liked Jack’s assistant, Donna, and her little nudges of pushing Lara and Jack together. My favorite secondary character was Edna. Though she comes across as quite the grouch at the beginning, both Jack and Lara soon see that there is a side of her that few people know about. I laughed at her nicknames for people and cheered when Lara gave her one of her own. I loved her part in the twist at the end.

The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice Is a delightful novella trilogy by authors Donna Kauffman, Kate Angell, and Allyson Charles. Each story is set in the small town of Moonbright, Maine, and pivots around the magical happenings around Bellaluna”s Bakeshop.

In the first novella, Sweet Magic by Donna Kauffman, Abriana Bellaluna O’Neill is the baker in her grandmother’s bakeshop. While she has heard about the Bellaluna magic her entire life, she has not yet experienced it herself. That is until Caleb Dimitriou arrives in town to manage his uncle’s Greek restaurant. It is then that Bree discovers her magic.

This magic from the special sweet shop is spread throughout the following two novellas Love Spells Disaster by Allyson Charles and Sweet on You by Kate Angel. In both of these stories the special treats from Bellaluna’s play a role as the autumn ushers in a season of love.

This is a sweet set of stories that I truly enjoyed. It is nice to see my favorite season play a role in a love story rather than spring or summer. I also enjoyed the interaction of characters between the three stories showing true collaboration by the three authors. I do recommend this book.

I loved this anthology! Three of my favorite authors – Donna Kauffman, Kate Angell & Allyson Chase – bring you to the delightful town of Moonbright, Maine. Halloween is the favorite town holiday, and the bakery at the intersection of Pumpkin & Vine might just use a little magic in their delicious treats.

“Sweet Magic” (by Donna Kauffman) is the story of Bree Bellaluna O’Neill who works at the bakeshop with her grandmother, Sofia. When Caleb Dimitriou comes to Moonbright to help run a relative’s restaurant, he and Bree find they have a lot in common. The characters were attracted to each other almost immediately and I enjoyed their chemistry as well as their devotion to their families.

“Love Spells Disaster” (by Allyson Charles) is a very sweet story that starts out as an almost “enemies-to-lovers” stereotype. Cassie Hie had worked for Samuel Bunker for awhile, and was convinced that he was the perfect man for her – despite their many differences. Chip Gneiss, one of Samuel’s new clients, arrives in the office just in time to save Cassie from choking. Although Cassie rebukes him when he asks her on a date and then insults him, she ends up utilizing his handyman skills to help her build her haunted “house”. Despite her firm beliefs preventing her from dating Chip, she quickly develops romantic feelings for him.

“Sweet on You” (by Kate Angell) was my favorite story in this anthology. While at the bakeshop, Lara Shaw is very publicly dumped by her boyfriend. That same day, she finds out that she is being downsized from her job and is about to have her rent raised to the point that she won’t be able to stay in her apartment. She runs into the Mayor – Jack Hanson – while she is still sitting at the bakeshop after her ex-boyfriend left her. Jack and Lara had known each other since high school, although Jack is two years older and they were not involved in the same social groups at all. Jack was a star hockey player and Lara was at all of his games. She never thought he noticed her – he did. Over 15 years after high school, on her worst day, Jack becomes Lara’s shining star.

In addition, there is a cookie recipe at the end of each story!

I was very excited to receive a free advanced reader copy of this book to write a fair review.

This shop is one I would of liked to visit but wait a minute I did as soon as I opened the pages.
We are treated with being transported to a place that goes all out for decorations getting that spirit going. It also comes with romance laced with magic that keeps us there for awhile.
We are given three to delight in and share their magic with us. It is also by three authors that share their characters in this place.
The opening gives a bakeshop that is hard to leave but you soon do. Next is a character that gives a bit a humor with her story. Then the last one wraps everything up with still giving us sweet romance tying them all together too.
This is one that surly can not be missed with it also having you crave the goodies in between with almost smelling that smell of pumpkins in the air.

Absolutely loved this book filled with 3 fabulous stories in one! All in a little town called moonbright with a touch of magic and romance filled this book will have you ready for Halloween! I loved each one and loved that you saw the characters from the last story! A must read!

The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice is a delightful and delicious anthology of stories by Donna Kauffman, Kate Angell, and Allyson Charles.
Once I started reading I read all 3 in one setting, total page turner and I couldn’t put it down.

The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice (Kindle Edition) by Donna Kauffman Thanks to the publisher and #NetGalley for letting me preview this book. Three stories, one town, a whole lot of love and a little magic!
I loved these short stories full of laughter and Halloween cheer! You will fall in love with the Characters and the town. I recommend reading The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice!