The Broken Hearts Bakery: A Clean Small-Town Contemporary Romance

By Carla Laureano

Book Overview

Sometimes the town that broke your heart is the only place that can heal you.

When Gemma left her hometown of Haven Ridge, Colorado, she swore she'd never return. And she's kept that promise, leaving old shadows behind and building her reputation as one of LA's preeminent family law attorneys. But when her lifelong best friend begs Gemma to come stay with he teen stepdaughter while she's on a business trip, she doesn't have the heart to refuse. She'll simply keep a low profile, do her honorary aunt duties for Taylor, and be gone before anyone notices.

But Haven Ridge seems to have a mind of its own, and before she knows it, Gemma finds herself caught up with new friends and old rivalries. When Taylor is targeted by teen bullies, Gemma does the only thing she knows how to do: ply her honorary niece with baked goods and words of affirmation. Soon her temporary lodgings are ground zero for teenage girls seeking sugar and consolation for shockingly adult problems-which the girls soon dub the Broken Hearts Bakery.

Complicating matters is an unexpected reunion with Gemma's high school sweetheart, Stephen, who is determined to change her mind about him, the town, and the nature of love itself. Because as it turns out, her niece isn't the only one nursing a broken heart.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1732794081
• ISBN13: 9781732794085
• Release Date: April 2023
• Publisher: Laureano Creative Media LLC
• Length: 342 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

a great welcome to Haven Ridge

I really enjoyed coming back to Haven Ridge to meet Gemma and Stephen. Thomas and Mallory from the prequel novella make fun cameo appearances in this book. I loved the setting of Haven Ridge nestled in the mountains of Colorado and fell in love all over again with the charming town and its occupants. Gemma and Stephen have a world of hurt between them from their past but when forced into close proximity with the welfare of a teenager and the town on their shoulders, they fall into an easy natural rhythm only found with those who know each other intimately. They fall in love again pretty quickly and their romance sizzles throughout the book. There isn't necessarily a faith thread here but there is some magical realism concerning the town of Haven Ridge that's kind of fun. Gemma's passion for her work as family lawyer and Stephen's passion for his work in teaching literature add depth and dimension to who they are. I can't wait to read Liv's story next! I received the book from the author and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.