MoonglotexasRarely do I describe a book in food terms but this delicious Christian novel is deserving of being called comforting, rich and satisfying! If Brunch At Bittersweet Café was a physical café, it would go on my favourite spots list! Fortunately, this wholesome novel has a predecessor, The Saturday Night Supper Club which is fantastic, and there is another in the series coming – yay!
The three central ladies, Rachel, Melody and Ana are wonderful characters, fully formed with quirks, challenges and a great sense of humour. Melody is the focus of this book and her journey to finding herself, her purpose and her worth. Justin connects with Melody and through their relationship, they both explore God’s way of guiding our lives and caring for us. I so enjoyed the way Carla elegantly but honestly handles the topic through the characters and brings about resolution.
Carla captures emotions and perceives people so well in her books such as
“By the time she got to the step of piping the batter, now chocolate colored and flavored, onto parchment, the fist in her stomach has begun to ease its grip. Baking might be an art, but it was predictable and scientific in a way life could never be.”
“And then on the pastry side, it’s an utter indulgence. No one needs dessert. People order it to celebrate special occasions or brighten up a bad day. And there’s nothing better than seeing the delight on a guest’s face when they order something unexpectedly whimsical or taste something that’s better than they could have imagined.”
I highly recommend it and give it five out of five on the en-JOY-ment scale with the proviso, don’t read it hungry and be sure to have good snacks to hand…croissants, macarons, patisserie custard recommended!
From the back cover:
Baker and pastry chef Melody Johansson has always believed in finding the positive in every situation, but seven years after she moved to Denver, she can’t deny that she’s stuck in a rut. One relationship after another has ended in disaster, and her classical French training is being wasted on her night job in a mediocre chain bakery. Then the charming and handsome private pilot Justin Keller lands on the doorstep of her workplace in a snowstorm, and Melody feels like it’s a sign that her luck is finally turning around.
Justin is intrigued by the lively bohemian baker, but the last thing he’s looking for is a relationship. His own romantic failures have proven that the demands of his job are incompatible with meaningful connections, and he’s already pledged his life savings to a new business venture across the country―an island air charter in Florida with his sister and brother-in-law.
Against their better judgment, Melody and Justin find themselves drawn together by their unconventional career choices and shared love of adventure. But when an unexpected windfall provides Melody with the chance to open her dream bakery-café in Denver with her best friend, chef Rachel Bishop, she’s faced with an impossible choice: stay and put down roots with the people and place she’s come to call home . . . or give it all up for the man she loves.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Bittersweet Book Launch team. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
