ABL Review At-A-Glance
Ø Title: Brunch at Bittersweet Café
Ø My Rating: 4.5
Ø Genre: Romance, Christian Fiction
Ø Author:
Carla Laureano
Carla Laureano
Ø Format:
Paperback ARC*
Paperback ARC*
Ø Publication Date: February 5, 2019
Compare to:
Goodreads Synopsis
Baker and pastry chef Melody
Johansson has always believed in finding the positive in every situation, but
seven years after she moved to Denver, she can’t deny that she’s stuck in a
rut. One relationship after another has ended in disaster, and her classical
French training is being wasted on her night job in a mediocre chain bakery.
Then the charming and handsome private pilot Justin Keller lands on the
doorstep of her workplace in a snowstorm, and Melody feels like it’s a sign
that her luck is finally turning around.
Johansson has always believed in finding the positive in every situation, but
seven years after she moved to Denver, she can’t deny that she’s stuck in a
rut. One relationship after another has ended in disaster, and her classical
French training is being wasted on her night job in a mediocre chain bakery.
Then the charming and handsome private pilot Justin Keller lands on the
doorstep of her workplace in a snowstorm, and Melody feels like it’s a sign
that her luck is finally turning around.
Justin is intrigued by the
lively bohemian baker, but the last thing he’s looking for is a relationship.
His own romantic failures have proven that the demands of his job are
incompatible with meaningful connections, and he’s already pledged his life
savings to a new business venture across the country–an island air charter in
Florida with his sister and brother-in-law.
lively bohemian baker, but the last thing he’s looking for is a relationship.
His own romantic failures have proven that the demands of his job are
incompatible with meaningful connections, and he’s already pledged his life
savings to a new business venture across the country–an island air charter in
Florida with his sister and brother-in-law.
Against their better
judgment, Melody and Justin find themselves drawn together by their
unconventional career choices and shared love of adventure. But when an
unexpected windfall provides Melody with the chance to open her dream bakery-café in Denver with her best
friend, chef Rachel Bishop, she’s faced with an impossible choice: stay and put
down roots with the people and place she’s come to call home . . . or give it
all up for the man she loves.
judgment, Melody and Justin find themselves drawn together by their
unconventional career choices and shared love of adventure. But when an
unexpected windfall provides Melody with the chance to open her dream bakery-café in Denver with her best
friend, chef Rachel Bishop, she’s faced with an impossible choice: stay and put
down roots with the people and place she’s come to call home . . . or give it
all up for the man she loves.
My Thoughts…
Can we have some real talk for just a
minute? Have you ever been reading a
Christian fiction, especially Christian romance, and wondered where all of the
human emotions are? Where, exactly, do
these pure Christian minds come from that never lust, lie, or covet? Well, look no further, because Brunch at Bittersweet Café brings the
humanity to a genre that can get overly purified.
minute? Have you ever been reading a
Christian fiction, especially Christian romance, and wondered where all of the
human emotions are? Where, exactly, do
these pure Christian minds come from that never lust, lie, or covet? Well, look no further, because Brunch at Bittersweet Café brings the
humanity to a genre that can get overly purified.
For an example of what I mean, take the author’s
description of Justin: sexy. Melody
thinks Justin is sexy, and guess what?
That is an absolutely normal thought for any woman to have, Christian or
not. I cannot begin to explain how refreshing
it felt for a book to be written from a Christian perspective, and for me to
identify with the character’s inner monologue.
Thank you, Carla Laureano, just…. thank you.
description of Justin: sexy. Melody
thinks Justin is sexy, and guess what?
That is an absolutely normal thought for any woman to have, Christian or
not. I cannot begin to explain how refreshing
it felt for a book to be written from a Christian perspective, and for me to
identify with the character’s inner monologue.
Thank you, Carla Laureano, just…. thank you.
Honestly, this is maybe the best way I have seen intimacy
and sex dealt with in a Christian book.
It was so real and genuine. Not
all Christians wait until marriage for sex, even if they try to. Furthermore, Ms. Laureano handled the
emotional aspects of a physical relationship in a really thought provoking and sincere
manner. The date at the Mountain Lodge
with Justin and Melody, both words spoken and their personal thoughts, was
perfect in my opinion.
and sex dealt with in a Christian book.
It was so real and genuine. Not
all Christians wait until marriage for sex, even if they try to. Furthermore, Ms. Laureano handled the
emotional aspects of a physical relationship in a really thought provoking and sincere
manner. The date at the Mountain Lodge
with Justin and Melody, both words spoken and their personal thoughts, was
perfect in my opinion.
In this romance, the story is well paced and the characters
are well developed. I have not read book
#1 in this series, but have already gone out and procured a copy for
myself. I didn’t feel like I was missing
anything by having not read book #1, but now that I am invested in this group
of people, I want to see where it started.
And you better believe I will be reading the next book in the series.
And without giving away any spoilers, the ending is spot on.
are well developed. I have not read book
#1 in this series, but have already gone out and procured a copy for
myself. I didn’t feel like I was missing
anything by having not read book #1, but now that I am invested in this group
of people, I want to see where it started.
And you better believe I will be reading the next book in the series.
And without giving away any spoilers, the ending is spot on.
Can’t wait to read more from the Saturday Night Supper Club,
but for now, I have to go get a snack. The pastries described in this book have
kept me hungry for days. Eventually, I’m
going to have to try my hand at an éclair or Napoleon, but for now, that
package of Oreos will have to do.
but for now, I have to go get a snack. The pastries described in this book have
kept me hungry for days. Eventually, I’m
going to have to try my hand at an éclair or Napoleon, but for now, that
package of Oreos will have to do.
* Special thanks to Carla Laureano, Tyndale House Publishers, and TLC
Book Tours for providing a copy of Brunch at Bittersweet Café in exchange for an honest review.
Book Tours for providing a copy of Brunch at Bittersweet Café in exchange for an honest review.
Purchase Links
Tyndale | Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble
Connect with Carla
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Thanks for being on the tour!
Hi Amy, I wondered reading the Justin and Melody's unconventional career choices and their love adventure. But I am really confused about her impossible choice and what happened then and her real love?? Thanks for sharing such a story. 여우알바 유흥알바