Title: The Accidental Baker
Series: The Accidental Baker 01
Author: Claire London
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novella (64 pages)
ISBN: B07R1Q1G12
Publisher: Jocular Press (20 April 2019)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: 💖💖💖 3 Hearts
Reviewer: Prime
Blurb: Donnie Watson’s baking disasters are legendary, but this Easter, his mismatched chocolate eggs bring accidental but astonishing results to four downhearted gay men. The chocolate sweets spill onto the pavement of a small parade of local shops—and go on a matchmaking tour like no other! From a bankrupt and betrayed baker, to a homeless but hopeful man, to a conceited bar owner in need of a reality check, and finally to the hapless but caring Donnie himself.
After all, Love means you can have chocolate too!
Purchase Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK
Review: The Accidental Baker is a super sweet Easter/Holiday novella by Claire London. This story was exactly what I’ve come to expect from London’s writing – a sweet romances, relatable characters and, in general, a fun read.
The story is really like an anthology of short stories, a bit of a mosaic created with eight different characters finding love on Easter through the action of one (albeit clumsy) person. I won’t go too far into things, because it would spoil the plot – I mean, at only 64 pages and eight characters getting their own little story, it’s easy to give out too much information. What I liked most about this story that each man was really down to earth, totally likable and therefore easy to relate to. The whole story kicks off with Donnie Watson, who can cook great food but is a bit of a klutz and totally sucks at the presentation of the food. He’s a lonely guy with a big heart and deserves all the love in the world. He’s made some Easter treats for the local community centre, but an accident with the trays on the street allows eight men, four couples and including himself, find an unexpected spark of love with newbie to the area, Will.
What I love most about these characters, other than being so down to earth, is they are all so different and individual. They run a whole spectrum from being a man who is homeless, to some interesting career choices like a veterinarian, to bakers and a bar owner. They all have different circumstances and issues, along with easily differentiated personalities from each other. So much so, that I had a chance to be the slightest bit annoyed at one character, Henry, but only for a bit because of when we first encounter him with Donnie. However, I felt that Henry’s own little story redeems him in a way that made me think “we all have our off days”.
This is great for anyone who is a sucker for the simple, cute romances that come out for holidays. It’s a quick read with a satisfying end.