The Heartwood Recipe

When librarian Claire Hoffman discovers a mysterious 1847 recipe book in a donation box, she finds more than just old cooking instructions—she finds a recipe that promises to open hearts to love. Skeptical but curious, Claire bakes the heartwood berry cake and donates it to a community fundraiser. What happens next changes everything.

Suddenly, people around her small town of Sloatsberg are taking chances on love they'd been too scared to pursue. Long-married couples rekindle their romance. A widower finally asks out his bridge partner. And the library's quiet IT specialist, Danny, finally works up the courage to ask Claire to dinner.

But as Claire watches these transformations unfold, a troubling question emerges: Did she help these people find love, or did she manipulate their feelings without their knowledge or consent? When she discovers the tragic story behind the recipe's creator—a woman whose own marriage was built on magic instead of truth—Claire realizes she must face the consequences of her actions.

As her relationship with Danny deepens, Claire struggles with a secret that could destroy everything they're building. The recipe's warning echoes in her mind: "What blooms by magic must be tended by truth, or it will wither as quickly as it grew."
Now Claire must choose between protecting herself and being honest about what she's done—even if the truth costs her the love she's finally found.

A heartwarming story about courage, honesty, and the real magic that happens when we're brave enough to love without guarantees. Perfect for fans of clean romance, small-town love stories, and tales that blend everyday life with just a touch of enchantment.