NOW A HALLMARK CHANNEL ORIGINAL MOVIE! Love is like a perfect recipe… You never want to lose it. Years ago, Kelly McIntyre and Andrew York were engaged and dreaming of opening a restaurant together. Then he chose an opportunity to study in Paris over the small-town life they’d planned, and their romance came to a bittersweet end. But Kelly’s doing fine. She’s not only the owner of a …
But Kelly’s doing fine. She’s not only the owner of a potbellied pig named Gray, but also of her own bakery. Business is good–so good that she’s invited to compete in a Valentine’s Day bake-off. As she prepares for the contest, she tries not to get distracted by Andrew’s visit to town.
When Andrew sees Kelly, it stirs up his old feelings. Little does he know that soon, in New York, he’ll compete against her in the bake-off…and they’ll both realize how much their past is a part of them still.
This irresistible romance includes a free Hallmark original recipe for Honey Almond Cake with Berries and Mascarpone Crème Fraiche.
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A fantastic book. One of Nancy’ best, it’s a great book to share and reread.
Nancy Naigle has written the sweetest of stories about love that was lost and found. This book has so many things to love: A small-town setting with characters that sparkle; a leading lady, Kelly, who is a very successful baker; the leading man, Andrew, a chef who returns from Paris and finds that he still loves Kelly; and a televised baking competition with enough prize money to make dreams come true. As Kelly and Andrew find themselves in a bake-off, I was hurriedly reading to find out if they got their happily-ever-after. There’s all the ingredients for a fun, entertaining read—and I’m hoping a Hallmark movie. This is the third book I’ve read by Nancy Naigle and this was just as good as the others. Just the book for those times when you want something lighter to read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
What a sweet and savory story just in time for Valentine’s Day! Being a huge fan of the Hallmark movies, I was excited to read this book. And it did not disappoint. I loved the small town, the lovable characters (GRAY totally stole the show), and the charming plot. And I am a huge lover of second chance romances. This book ticked off all my favorite things and I’ll be rereading it often.
Delightful second chance romance. High school sweethearts Kelly and Andrew were set to get married until Andrew had the chance to go to Paris to study with a famous pastry chef. Only what was to be six months turned into 7 years. When Andrew didn’t return, Kelly broke off the engagement. Fast forward 7 years – Andrew makes a quick stop home before going to NYC for a baking competition. When he sees Kelly, there’s definitely a spark still there. But can they find a way to get back together? Loved the results of the competition and didn’t guess as to who had submitted the nomination for Kelly and Andrew.
This was a darling book and I loved it! It is sweet and clean. Kelly and Andrew were going to get married until Andrew had the opportunity to go to Paris to study baking. He never came home. Seven years later, he is home, just for a short visit, but seeing Kelly makes him realize all that he has missed. The characters are likeable and the story moves along nicely. It took me a while to start the book just because stuff happens. However, once I did get “caught”, I couldn’t put it down. I would definitely read more books by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read a new author!
A heartwarming second chance romance that will delight all.Andrew and Kelly had their lives planned out, both being chefs until Andrew got a chance to go to culinary school in Paris. Fast forward seven years, Andrew has finally returned home for a visit. Kelly has opened her own bakery, which has flourished. Upon Andrew’s return home he is realizing what’s missing in his life, his one true love Kelly. Unbeknownst to each other they are competing in a Valentine’s Day bake off.
This is book that I could not put down, makes you warm all over. Loved Kelly and Andrew, so perfect for each other. The secondary character of Gray, Kelly’s potbellied pig. His name was just perfect!! If you have a sweet tooth this will be the perfect read for you, it made me hungry!! I believe this would be the perfect Hallmark movie!! I highly recommend.
Kelly stayed home and is happy with what she has accomplished. Her ex-boyfriend Andrew, went to Paris and even though many years have passed, he is not happy with his job. When they meet again, pain resurfaces, but so does the pull of their attraction. It is a good story with a happy ending. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! (I received an advance reader copy of this book from the author. This review is my own opinion.)
Previously engaged, when Andrew returns to his hometown and sees Kelly, the feelings are still there. Still hurt, Kelly slowly accepts his friendship, after all, he’s leaving again. The heart wants more, could this be a second chance?
A secret opportunity of a lifetime falls into Kelly’s lap, and she’s off to New York before they can talk of a future. A chance meeting in the city leads to a night of dinner. At the finale, it’s revealed they are competing against each other. Serendipity. In it together, only one can win, and each has plans for the prize. Who has the secret ingredient to take it all?
A sweet, second chance romance, with baked goods, a pig named Gray, and most importantly: Love!
**I received an ARC from NetGalley.**
Four generations of Kelly’s family has owned the Main Street Cafe, in this small town. Felt she was lucky and with a diamond on her finger and Andrew. He loved to cook and she to bake., and they loved trying out new recipes. An Aunt got him the invite to come to Paris and train under a known pastry .cheft there, for six months. His mother thinks he is a short order cook, not a.chef. It.was Kelly who was the baker, he reminds them. His folks remark saying you would be as good as her if you went. He wants to include Kelly, with them saying, for him to make his own decisions. The elaborate food over there is how he decided to be a chef, a dream, was not in their plans, and for six months. He accepts, and now with different plans over there for them. She waits, and again, his plans are there, and hers are not. Life changes and will Kelly forge ahead with her own dreams of a bakery of her own. A delightful story of dreams, and the future of two people, will they continue on their own or will fate have other plans. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.
This story is almost too sweet for words. It’s the best kind of second chance I love to read about. Andrew and Kelly’s story is deeply emotional without being dark and angsty. There were several times I was on the verge of tears for how very pure and sweet their love for one another is. Surrounded by friends and family who want only the best for them, this is the epitome of what a Hallmark story is to me: family, love, and hope.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book.
I enjoyed this cute, refreshing, mouth watering, true love romance revolving around delicious pastries that will have you craving romance and sweets. The characters are whipped to perfection and add to the sweet plot and the final presentation is very original and fun. I really enjoyed the romance and seeing what goes on behind cooking contest shows. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
I am a sucker for novels that have a cooking as an ingredient and a sucker for second chance tropes, so The Secret Ingredient really, really worked for me. When you mix in the great characters created by Naigle, the finished product is definitely 5 Stars!
Naigle has such a talent for writing novels that just flow from page to page. This sweet romance was perfect if you’re looking for love and a story to keep you coming back. Kelly was a very likable, hard working woman who was a self trained baker. Andrew, her old flame and past baking partner was a guy who had a few things to learn about life and what is important, even though his professional training was far and above that of Kelly’s. They are both keeping secrets, but in this case the secrets may not be all bad! Delightful!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
Hallmark Publishing, please tell Hallmark Movies that we need to have this book made into a movie now! A fresh idea with a delightful, heartwarming take on second-chance romance, this one hits the heart in the best of ways. I loved every part of this book, down to the tiniest details, and hated to see it end!
Andrew and Kelly had big plans for their small-town life together. He may be a cook at Kelly’s parents’ diner where Kelly is a waitress, but with his skills in the kitchen and her talent for baking, they plan to open their own restaurant one day. Recently engaged with a wedding a year away, Andrew gets the opportunity to study under one of the best pastry chefs in France. Then somehow, six months away from home turns into seven years, and Andrew returns home for a short visit on his way to New York City. His emotions are scattered as he discovers that, not only has Kelly made her dreams come true without him, but her cake factory is well known across the country and a vital part of the community by employing locals and revitalizing Main Street.
Naigle gives us one of the most clever plot twists I’ve ever seen that has Andrew and Kelly unknowingly competing against each other in the midst of their getting reacquainted, healing old hurts and rekindling their old love. In spite of the developments being predictable, since the reader is in on the secret, this book had me fully involved and reading eagerly to devour the details. We’ve all likely watched baking competitions on television, but this competition was far more exciting and effortlessly held me captive every step of the way, and all without commercial interruptions.
With a little of everything, this book has something to offer any reader. Phenomenal descriptions of baked goods so vibrant you can taste them. A sweet but angsty romance between admirable, endearing characters with great chemistry while still maintaining a Hallmark rating. Colorful, loveable secondary characters who can’t help but interfere (thankfully). A fresh twist on an old trope with plenty of action and excitement to keep the reader riveted to the page. And let’s not forget Grey, the teacup pig with a hog-sized personality. You’re sure to find a lot to love in this delightful, humorous, heartwarming read!
Nancy Naigle is one of my favorite small town romance writers. She creates these wonderful communities that you really wish were real so you could go visit. Her latest, The Secret Ingredient is no exception. This novel read like the movie it is going to be. I can’t wait to see the pinks and greys and blacks jump off the screen. Kelly and Andrew are destined to be one of my favorite Hallmark couples. Though there weren’t any obvious secondary characters in need of an HEA, I hope Naigle takes us back to Bailey’s Fork soon.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
I just finished The Secret Ingredient by Nancy Naigle and I have to say, it was a fun read. The characters of Andrew and Kelly were very easy to like and want to know more about while the supporting cast of characters this small town love story were just as engaging.
The back story of Kelly and Andrew meeting in high school, working in her parents’ cafe and trying out all sorts of recipes was perfect. It not only sounded like fun, but that translated very well to the page.
Being a huge fan of the Food Network’s cooking shows, the premise that Kelly was chosen to be on a dessert show was something that pulled me right in and got me even more interested in where this book was going.
If you like small towns, HEAs and/or baking shows, this is the book for you. Check it out. I think you’ll be glad you did. A huge thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for approving my ARC request. My thoughts in this review are my own.
High school sweethearts Kelly is a baker and Andrew is a chef, and they have big plans for their future. However, a great opportunity for Andrew causes their plans to get derailed. This is a sweet story of realizing goals, nw opportunities, and second chances, A feel good romance with emotion, laughter, tears, and hope. Highly recommend.
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Nancy Naigle has another winning combination in this book. She has created wonderful characters that I cared about immediately. The town setting and the businesses enter the story and go straight to your heart and you fall in love.
The plot is very believable and I fell into the story and enjoyed the journey so much. A couple so much in love with each other and cooking/baking, have their lives planed out until a situation changes all that. They meet up again years later and the sparks are still there. Unfortunately the hurt is still there also. This is a romance story, so yes, it has a very happy ending.
The entire time I was reading, there was a Hallmark movie of this book playing in my mind. I hope that Hallmark will make a movie from this story.
I recently discovered Nancy Naigle’s book and have read a few now. I love her writing style and look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
Thank you to Hallmark Publishing and NetGalley.com for allowing me to read the ARC of this book. I totally enjoyed Nancy Naigle new book!