REVIEW: THE BAKERY by T.M CROMER

The Bakery

Stonebrook Novella

By: T.M Cromer

Releasing December 20th, 2016

Self-Published

 

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In The Bakery by TM Cromer, Addie Jones needs help desperately if she's to keep her bakery from going under due to trusting someone she shouldn't have. When Vaughn Adams walks through the door with the qualifications to help her, how can she possibly say no? Except the more they work together, the more Addie finds herself falling under Vaughn's spell, even though she's sworn off relationships for fear she'll end up like her father. Will she give Vaughn a chance, or will she let her fears keep her from happiness?

Helping out his cousin's friend was only supposed to be a job, but once he meets the quirky baker who he'll be working closely beside, he's not sure his interest can remain professional. Too bad Addie doesn't feel the same way, much rather preferring to keep things professional between them. Can he convince her to change her mind, or will she keep him in the friend zone forever?

The first thing I have to say, if you've never read a book by Ms. Cromer, then you're seriously missing out on some great reading. This novella, which is part of this author's Stonebrooke series was a charming, fast-paced read that I couldn't put down. The way this story started with Addie being flustered in a good way over Vaughn had me smiling. She sounds so delightful and her dialogue illustrates how crazy her life is at the moment. That if she doesn't find someone to help her; someone who will listen when she says 'Don't make me math' and can fix her financial problems than she'll lose one thing that matters most in her life.

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories, especially that of the heroine. Her fear of relationships is understandable, because of the way her father has coped since the death of her mother. She doesn't want to become him, to love someone so much that her whole world falls apart, if something happens to that person. Yet, at the same time, sometimes love is worth the risk, which she comes to realize by giving Vaughn a chance. The heroine is also hard-working, independent and her adoration for baking was palpable. While Vaughn, he's worked hard to get to where he is in his life and I liked how kind, caring and willing he is to do something for those he loves. It isn't easy for him to take Addie's rejections, and I felt sorry for him in those moments. Because it's palpable how much Addie likes him, and yet, doesn't feel he's worth the risk of mixing business with pleasure or getting her heart broken if things don't work out between them. Yet, in saying that, I liked that he didn't give up on her, as she was worth every moment he spent getting to know her better.

Overall, Ms. Cromer has penned another fantastic novella in this story where the growing relationship between the main characters delivered when it came to their intimate moments. Really, Addie and Vaughn have serious chemistry that needed to be explored sooner rather than later, yet, in saying that their relationship turning platonic to physical was worth the wait. The way this story ended brought tears to my eyes because of the loss Addie suffers. However, Vaughn making things right between the pair and being there for her had me smiling. Since if anyone deserved happy ever after, it was Addie and Vaughn. I would recommend The Bakery by T.M Cromer, if you enjoy quick reads with plenty of light-hearted moments and has enough emotion to drive the story and keep a reader wanting to discover more about the characters and their journey in achieving happy ever after. I would also recommend this book, if you enjoy a story where the secondary characters entertain you as much as the main ones do.

OVERALL RATING:

 

BLURB:

Addie Jones was a woman with a plan. Or at least she had been until the manager she’d hired for her bakery embezzled all her funds and absconded to parts unknown. Now she’s facing ruin and her number one enemy, Math. With only a few short months left to turn her finances around, she needs to find a new slogan to live by. Her current catchphrase “Don’t make me math” simply won’t do.

Vaughn McAdams agreed to do a solid for his cousin and help her bestie recover from her recent financial losses. He hadn’t counted on Fate smacking him upside the head with a rolling pin, or the zany baker who now calls herself his boss. Her inability to balance a checkbook has him almost as frustrated as her insistence on keeping their relationship strictly professional.

Whenever they’re together, things start heating up, and it isn’t just the bakery ovens. Can Vaughn convince Addie there’s more to life than candies, cupcakes, and crumpets?

 

BUY LINK:  Amazon