This is one heartfelt love story I couldn't put down. I loved Lacey and Zac and Lacey's gorgeous aunts. I loved the way the hard shell Zac had built around his heart slowly crumbled away as the town of Marietta Montana worked its magic on him, and I loved the way Zac made Lacey question her comfortable life. I loved the scene in which Lacey and Zac kissed for the first time. Heartstosppingly perfect! This is a sweet romance which kept me hooked throughout. Just lovely!

A sweet treat of a novella!

This book was wonderful. sweet and heart warming. and perfect for those who love clean romances and those set in small towns. I am so happy I got a chance to review this book!

I happen to love the time of year when we’re once again introduced to some handsome bachelors in Marietta, Montana and are allowed into their romantic moments. Baking For Keeps brings us an unusual couple. Two travelers at different times in their lives. One who prefers the road filled with people and familiar places. The other is running from the past and believes that there is only one person to trust, themselves. Both are somewhat broken, neither truly realizes that fact or at least acknowledges it. But one chance business trip, one no-show brother, the magic that can only be called Marietta and a lighthearted baking competition for a good cause will shake up the balance for Zac and Lacey. Now we simply have to see on what side the scales will tip.

I liked Zac and Lacey. One standoffish man who needs no other person to be close to will find himself smack in the middle of a town that knows no stranger, a family that is as warm, and down to earth as the delicious creations that come from their kitchen. Zac is a nomad, moving from place to place for his business. This time, as the owner, he had to step in and do a project himself. He may be back in a small town that brings back painful memories, but that doesn’t mean he has to take part in any of it. Lacey has found her place in Marietta. After a childhood of the nomadic life traveling with her family of musicians, she’s content with her job at the radio station and her home with the aunts. As we spend more time with Zac and Lacey we’ll begin to see the cracks in their beliefs of being perfectly content as they are. As Zac begins to loosen up his intense desire for alone-ness, Lacey will start to realize that she’s floating, waiting for something that will magically appear without any effort or participation on her part. Their attraction to each other is a slow awakening to possibilities, but the risks are huge – they have to decide if loving someone else is worth the risk, because there is no guarantee in life but the journey can be sweeter with the right person at your side.

The “Marietta Universe” has become so defined now, that most of us who live in that small town (through the numerous series) can feel quite protective of it. A story set in Marietta has some living up to that cannot be denied.. I was…impressed… with Ms Gilmore’s first entrance into Marietta. She got the feel of the town, the sense of community, the small nuances that – well, matter, to a long time reader. I certainly hope she makes a return visit there very soon for I love when an author “gets” an established community and slides right in like an old comfortable front porch swing. I admit that I’ve read some stories set in Marietta that did not have that feel, at all… and that always saddens me a bit. Those are compliments within that paragraph *grin* and I really hope to be reading more of Jessica Gilmore’s works in the near future.

I would recommend Baking For Keeps to any Romance reader who loves a good story, believable characters and a secondary character cast that pull it all together in a natural way.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Great book. It had a slow buildup, but characters you couldn't help but root for. I personally liked the side bet that Zac and Lacey made with one another. This was the first book I have read by this author, and I would definitely read more. I received an ARC, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review, which I willingly did.

Baking for Keeps by Jessica Gilmore is another book in the Bachelor Bake-Off Series that takes place in Marietta, Montana. Each book is able to be read as a stand-alone or you could read them in any order.

I would say that Zac is not a warm personality that I thought would be hard to like. However, there is a loneliness about him that pulls at the heart as I got to know him better as the story progressed. Lacey and Zac seemed like opposites but they began to have common ground in the story besides the obvious attraction between them. I was expecting but loved the switch up in the roles concerning the bake-off as well as the supporting characters in this book.

Jessica Gilmore is a new author name to me but her characters fit right at home in Marietta. I enjoyed her style of writing, the characters’ alternating perspectives as well as the character growth from the beginning to the conclusion of the short novel.

This was a decent chick lit. The premise was that they needed bachelors to participate in a money raiser to build a youth center. Enter an out of town visitor who is willing to participate and add a very clean romance. Not bad for what it was.

I'm really enjoying this Bachelor Bake Off series, even though it has driven me into a baking frenzy. And understandably today it was an apple cinnamon cake because that's what reminded Zac of Lacey...
This series is sweet, clean, and has that Marietta family focus on them, at least on the books I have read so far.
I enjoyed that in Baking For Keeps the author brought forward more about the Harry's House, that the money is collected for, and in a practical way showed how it could change a young person's life, what the impact of the house could be in the community.
Zac Malone came from outside Marietta, and I liked that there's new blood coming into the town. Zac was a serious, goal-oriented person. He has a kind and caring heart if he just gives it a freedom to get attached. He had it tough when he was a teenager, and promised himself to make a better life, and that goal in mind he had lived his whole adult life. He was not the settling down type, he was not going to share his life with anyone, to get attached, he was not going to get rejected and hurt like that again.
Lacey Hathaway's family lived the nomad life from one music show or concert hall to the next. She had always longed for a home and have found a place where she feels that, with her aunts. Lacey is always ready to help others, she has a heart of gold. Talking to others and making them feel comfortable around her comes naturally to her, but sharing her inner thoughts and personal life isn't something she is comfortable with. She hides behind the bubbly and cheerful exterior, still holding others at the distance.
I liked Lacey and Zac together, the connection and chemistry between was just right. The things they did around the town reminded me why I love visiting Marietta so much. The conversations they had, the way they challenged each other to be more, to step out of the comfort zone gave an in-depth look at them, and their development through the story.
If you like stories that are adorable and delightful, that will make you smile and sigh, that are clean in content with tender and gentle first steps into the relationship, (and that just might give you the urge, desire, and craving to bake,) you are going to love Baking For Keeps.
~ Four Spoons

Zac and Lacey are kindred spirits in a way. He never wants to feel rejected or abandoned again and so he refrains from ties and bonds of any nature. Lacey feels like she doesn't belong with her family because they prefer to travel the world and she wants to stay grounded. So she goes through life being friendly and helpful but she too doesn't make connections.

Her brother backing out of the Bachelor Bake-off and the convenient presence of Zac as the current house guest at the Crooked Corner turns into a chance to re-evaluate their circumstance. And the cause is a good one, Harry's House, a place for children and teens to turn to for solace, comfort and a general break from their hard live.

What follows is a series of kitchen "disasters" romantic innuendos and a whole lot of soul searching.

Making the documentary of the bake off has one of the main characters finding out the Lodger is more than just someone living under the same roof... Could it be Love....

Overview:

This series, set in Marietta, Montana concerns the participants in the Bachelor Bake-Off which is being organised to help finance ‘Harry’s House’, a house where it is planned children can go, take part in activities, learn key life skills and be helped with their studies. A safe place for them all being created in memory of Harry Monroe, a first responder who was tragically killed whilst endeavouring to help an elderly couple. Each story in the series has one of the bachelor’s participating in the bake-off as the focus.

My Review:

This is the fourth novel in this series and stars the very taciturn, insular, Zac Malone and his antithesis, the bubbly, open, warm and friendly Lacey Hathaway. Zac has travelled to Marietta on business, expecting to stay for a few months whilst sorting out the financial records and software for the town hall and training up the staff to use it. His company specialise in such transactions and Zac is the boss. He usually stays in a hotel whilst working away from home but this time his assistant has booked him lodgings in the home of two feisty elderly ladies who are fantastic bakers. This would be fine. He can maintain his reclusive behaviour, eat, sleep and work in his room and really not have to socialise at all. Well, that’s what he hoped originally. Fate has other plans in store for him!

Lacey lives with her aunts, having settled with them after a childhood spent travelling around the globe with her musical parents and brother. Now she’s thoroughly enjoying her job as the manager and a DJ at the local radio station. She’s also eagerly anticipating the return home of her brother who has agreed to participate in the Bachelor Bake-Off . . . Have you guessed it? Her brother lets her and his aunt’s down so they need to find another Bachelor quickly - and there’s one right under their roof! They manage to persuade Zac to participate but he has a major condition of his own - inept baker Lacey must also learn to cook the required dishes! Is this a recipe for disaster - or a delicious dessert topped with a sprinkling of romance?

This is a delectable tale, with great main characters who bring out the best in each other and a plot which pulls threads from community interactions, interweaving them to create a emotive tale of Marietta as well as their romance. It is another heart warming romance in this delicious series and I have no hesitation in highly recommending this - and all the other books in the series that I’ve read so far! I can’t wait to read more in this series. Whilst the books have the same overview, the stories are actually written so they can be read as a standalone or in any order.

Many thanks to the publishers for gifting me a copy of this novel, via NetGalley, with no obligation. This is my honest review.

Very enjoyable read! I really liked these characters. Lacey with her outgoing easy way and Zac's lone wolf persona are a perfect opposites attract couple. As with the other bachelors Zac is roped into the bake off. Having no skills for baking he definitely needs help and Lacey is the woman to help him. With more than just baking too! This is book 4 of the Bachelor Bake-Off series but each of these can be read standalone. I highly recommend this one.

another winner for this series. this was so enjoyable with a lot of sub plots that all came together at the end .A very satisfying read.

“Baking for Keeps,” book 4 of the highly engaging series Bachelor Bake-Off, finds Marietta-native Lacey Hathaway teaming up with visiting software guru Zac Malone. But, it was a strange team-up.

With both of them not knowing how to cook, it was up to Lacey’s two aunts who are well-known confectioners to mentor them. The catch – there is a side bet between Lacey and Zac that heats up whatever was between them.

At first glance, “Baking for Keeps” is a rom-com with enough laugh out loud funny moments to make the classification true. Yet, there are also many moments that tugs at your heartstrings – times that you just want to hug either Lacey or Zac or both of them at the same time. They are more similar than they realize, yet they wonder why they feel that way about each other.

A sweet story with lots of surprises, “Baking for Keeps” should be read during lazy weekend afternoons when you can savor its lyrical prose and enjoy Lacey and Zac.

“Baking for Keeps” is Rated T for Teens. There are no sex scenes in this book.

Baking for Keeps is a heart warming small town sweet romance. Lacey & Zac seem like such complete opposites. She grew up traveling constantly & he grew up in a small town where everyone turned their backs on him. She was happy to settle down with her aunts while he was glad to see the last of the small town.

The chemistry between Zac & Lacey was easy to see & feel in the writing. The characters were well developed & believable. The supporting characters added so much to the story! What interconnecting threads! They each ore attached by an event in the past! The atmosphere of the small town was very realistic with the feelings of family & looking out for/caring for each other. I really enjoyed the switch of roles as Lacey was a horrible baker & Zac started to really enjoy it & was good at it.

If you are looking for a good, clean romance that pulls you into the story, you really need to read this one. I'm going to go checkout some of the other "Bachelor Bake Off" stories!

Baking for Keeps is my favorite of Bachelor Bake-Off series so far! I got that tight-knit small town feeling in this story, without the over-the-top-nosiness from the elder members of the community.

Lacey and Zac, the main casts here, were polar opposites in every way. The story was told from their alternate POVs, giving voice to both thought and feeling; which often at odds with one another. The gradual swap in manners both on Lacey and Zac felt genuine. Although - once they owned up to their feeling - the relationship accelerated swiftly; way too swiftly in my estimate.

What I love most were how people's life story intricately connected others's and in time would also affect our MCs. It's so cleverly and touchingly woven, and brought all the feels and emotions in me that it made that swift change I mentioned earlier quite acceptable.

This is a nice introduction to Jessica Gilmore's writing and a lovely entry to the series. I'm gonna continue on to the next books and hope to get as nice a story as this one. If not more! :)


Advanced copy of this book is kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was an OK book. It is slow, so you need to keep that in ind. Was also a really clean sweet book, they only kissed and that was at end of story. I know that Zac and Lacey were attracted to each other, and they did spend a little time together. However, I don't buy the ending.

I haven't read the other books in this series but found that you could read this one as a "stand alone". It's an easy read, perfect for a cold winter's night.

Returning to Marietta, Montana once again feels like coming home. Each story enveloping the town, by different authors, with different characters...while maintaining the core ones...creates a sense of familiarity and comfort. Ms Gilmore had continued in that vein through her wonderfully talented storytelling style.

For all his protesting the need for solitude, there ran through Zac a certain sadness and loneliness (a constant reminder of all he never had and missed) that was touching while at the same time heart wrenching. The author's depiction of him as a loner set the stage for a man in need of a family, no matter how hard he fought, or protested that need.

Lacey's generous, giving heart, to her family and community, has served her well, giving her a sense of continuity and the roots she missed as a child. Meeting Zac opened her eyes to what she may be missing by the need to stick so close to home. I enjoyed how her giving nature opened up Zac's eyes to how much he truly needed other people in his life...giving them the opportunity to care for him.

The overall story is touching, with its gentle humor and moments of sentiments, revealing more about human nature and how others may not always recognize our needs until we let them in.

This book was provided by the Publisher and Netgalley, I am voluntarily providing my honest review.