Graphic Novel Review: Bloom

Ari wants to move to the city with his band to see if they can make it. His father won't let him leave the family bakery. It's struggling and he needs Ari's help. Ari hates working at the bakery. He's desperate to find someone to take his place so he can live out his dream. Ari finds Hector who loves baking. But the more time he spends with Hector the more he doesn't want to leave.

My Thoughts: I loved this graphic novel - for the romance and for the bakery. I loved watching Hector and Ari develop a friendship and then something more. I loved their moments in the bakery. I love how they worked together. 

Reading Recommendation: Read this one if you liked Check, Please.

Romance Review: As Good as the First Time

* First Book in the Sugar Lake series * 

When Olivia gets the wind knocked out of her after she loses both her job and her boyfriend in the same day, she's more than happy to help out her aunt. She and her sister travel back to the place that once upon the time stole her heart. 

She grew up in Sugar Lake with her extended family, the bakery, and the boy next door. She discovers upon her return that not much has changed. The small town has changed but the bakery is still the same. Drea (Olivia's sister) has plans for improvement. Together both sisters help their aunt while gaining insight into their troubled relationship. Olivia works on figuring out her future while making peace with her past. Could her past be the key to her future?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. My mouth watered almost the entire time I was reading and I had a desperate urge to bake something. I enjoyed the second chance love story. I loved how Olivia had to go home and face her past in order to move forward with her future. I love how the sisters ended up, but it was hard reading them fight with each other in the beginning. I'm so looking forward to reading more about this small town and this family.

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A mouth-watering read that's perfect for your romance collection

Adult Review: Union Street Bakery

When Daisy was 3, her mother left her at a bakery and never looked back. The McCrae's who owned the bakery, adopted her.

Thirty years later, Daisy's back working at the bakery after having lost her job, her apartment, and her boyfriend. While she doesn't mind helping out her family, a part of her feels left out and missing.

When an old family friend passes away, she leaves Daisy an journal from the 1850s. Confused, Daisy enlists the help of her historian sister, Margaret.
The two sisters make a startling discovery about history, their lives, and their family.  With this news, perhaps Daisy can find the confidence and the courage she needs to take charge of her life again.

My Thoughts: Although a slow building novel, I was sucked in. I felt bad for Daisy losing her way, for feeling like an outsider in her family, and for her abandonment issues.  I liked her interactions with Rachel - both the sweet and the bad tempered ones. I liked her snarky interactions with Margaret and love them working together in the historical research. I liked how Daisy came in and took control of the books and started to turn things around. I would hate for the family to lose the bakery that's been in their family for generations. I loved the parts in the bakery especially the making of the treats. I'm so looking forward to more in this series and learning more about this family.

Cover Thoughts: Love it
Source: My Library