Cakewalk

Busy Bean Series

By: Claire Hastings

Narrated by: Stephen Dexter, Rose Dioro

Love isn't always a cakewalk....

Gigi Hawthorne is starting from scratch. She just didn't realize until her crappy car broke down that she was going to be doing it in a small town in Vermont. With an eye for design and some serious decorating skills, she's managed to land a job making delectable treats for the patrons of the Busy Bean. Now she's up to her elbows in sugar and flour, but her thoughts are never far from her gorgeous, brooding landlord.

Holden St. James swears he isn't a recluse. He goes to the local coffee shop three times a week, doesn't he? Yeah, maybe he never actually talks to anyone, but with a backstory of loss, pain, and regret like his, he's pretty sure he wouldn't be very good company anyway. Yet something about his new tenant makes him wonder if maybe it's time to let someone open the oven door and release a little heat into his closed-off world.

But both are hiding secrets as dark as an espresso mocha cupcake and they're not sure if they can trust each other. Will the truth break their delicate relationship into sad, sweet crumbs - or will it turn out to be the key ingredient in the recipe for a new life?

Contains mature themes.

©2021 Claire Hastings (P)2021 Tantor

Narrators Don’t Fit Story

This was my least favorite of this series so far. The narrators didn’t work. The fact that a lie was such a big part of the storyline also was distracting. Just Ok.

Loved these two

I did love Gigi and Holden, and how they both helped each other grow and find happiness again. I didn’t love the lying/miscommunication trope - made me a bit anxious throughout the book about when the shoe was going to drop 🙈 But when it did, the twist took me by surprise! TW for DV (past, but described on page), murder/death of a spouse, child loss. Open door, 🌶️🌶️.

woman are stupid

I am a woman and I would have never forgiven him the first time he fucked up let alone the second time he fucked up more. he abused her two an she was stupid totaled him back at all.

Overall good - some opportunities IMO

I loved the story overall! I struggled with the parts when the male narrator was speaking for the female character; it was whiny and childlike. Also, as another reviewer mentioned, some of the dialogue was just too cheesy. The basis of the story was enjoyable.

What stood out the most was the narration and the second chances in the book. gigi and holden finding love was cute as well.

I disliked how exaggerated some of the scenes were. I understand for the plot line but having the readers live with a lie the entire book was alittle over the top. also the sex scenes were alittle too many in the book.