Member Reviews

Lovely romance book that makes a great read for the summer when you want to read something light. This makes for an amazing read for any age.

Was this review helpful?

I thoroughly enjoyed the previous book in this series and so was looking forward to this one - and it didn’t disappoint. I wanted the characters to have happy endings, and am looking forward to the third book being released

Was this review helpful?

Another cracking book from Julie Caplin, taking you on a tour of New York and also food!

This is a must for anyone who likes their fiction filled with heartwarming story lines, great food writing, descriptions of off the beaten track places in New York, and a sizzling chemistry which may or may not go somewhere.

I loved all the various characters too, and the people that help supply Bella's bakery. Sophie's ideas for food features for her new magazine are also great to see.

This is a standalone but there are also links to the previous book which I enjoyed greatly. Loving this series of books which are really making me smile.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Impulse for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Was this review helpful?

When I first saw this book, the title instantly grabbed me...a book featuring a bakery in the title? Sold!

I settled down to read, and I most certainly not disappointed.  I was entranced from start to finish, and found myself smiling like a loon at parts, laughing like one too, and in some parts feeling down when the characters were. I read the entire book in just over a day, I was that hooked!

This new release from Julie Caplin is as charming as it sounds, and I highly recommend getting yourself a copy.  Fantastic characters, a brilliant plot, and drool-worthy descriptions of the different yummy treats mentioned throughout (seriously they made me hungry and made me want to go straight to the kitchen and bake).

The perfect summer-time read, with a cup of tea and cake by your side, this book is one you will definitely enjoy.

*****stars from me!

Was this review helpful?

I picked this up as light read and because of the cover. I would recommend it anyone else who wants a fun read.

Was this review helpful?

This was the quintessential beach read. Sophie crosses the pond to America after a heartbreak, and starts a new job--and possible a new romance. A light, fun, and quick read. Highly recommend !

Was this review helpful?

Sophie and James have a different relationship, James goes home to see his sick mother every weekend, after two years Sophie has got used to this arrangement. Then things come to light and they break up. Sophie broken hearted needs to get away from England so she exchanges jobs with a food columnist in New York and she goes to live above Bella’s bakery in Brooklyn. She works with Todd McLennan, Bella's cousin, who shows her around Brooklyn. A lonely Sophie then offers to help Bella out in the bakery where she keeps bumping into Todd. They then start to spend time together, but Todd is a player and not looking for commitment of any kind. I loved this story, both the characters and the descriptions of Brooklyn.

Was this review helpful?

4.5 Your Heart can Rise Like Dough, Too Stars
* * * * 1/2 Spoiler Free
This is a new to me author but that will not be happening again! I will be looking for more as she has combined the love of travel, yummy mouthwatering goodies and love in such a way... it becomes a delicious guilty pleasure.

As an old NYC gal, this going to Brooklyn was a delight. The characters, the local places and just the unique feel of it all sang to me. I also was able to enjoy all the sweet treats without the calories. Genius.

Sophie Bennings has had the shock of her life. She thought she was living the dream; she had her man and a career as a food editor with one of the best magazines happening. Perfect, right...

Well, turns out she had been deeply betrayed and learned of it in the most awful way. When an opportunity presents itself to Sophie, one that is right up her food loving alley...She takes it.

Now she is across the pond and in Brooklyn. Her new assignment has her living above the most fabulous bakery. Bella, the most charming owner of the bakery, becomes fast friends with Sophie as does the job swap.

It is during these scheduled months, Sophie looks inward to re-center herself...find her peace and move forward. There is a bit of distraction, though...and Sophie is trying to stay her focus on only food...

You see, the distraction isn't the sugar ladened treats... no, it is this man, Bella's cousin Todd. He happens to be a columnist so the foundation of writing is there...and hello... the love of food, sweets, too. It also doesn't hurt that he is easy on the eyes and direct in his way of being. He is open and honest about his way with relationships...how he isn't looking for the forever kind.

These two do bond early on as those who have like interests and not as those who are looking for love. We are there as they grow into something else and when they do realize what sparks they have, we enjoy the fireworks...

This book had everything a reader would enjoy; a plot, detailed experiences in and out of the kitchen, lovely characters who grow and thrive.

This is part of a series and I will be lined up for the next adventure.

A gifted copy was provided by HarperImpulse via NetGalley for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book. It was not only a romance book but also a bit of a travel book as well of sorts as there was so much detail about the settings and places to visit.

Sophie is a food writer and is offered the chance to do a job swap with someone in New York, she turns it down as she has a lovely life, but after a chance encounter at a cafe she discovers her boyfriend has been less than honest with her and so she takes up the offer and flys out.

The company have arranged an apartment for her in Brooklyn, her landlady Bella is a Bakery owner and she owns the entire building of 2 apartments and the Bakery and Sophie and Bella get on instantly due to their shared love of food.

Sophie is in New York for 6 months and so we live vicariously through her as she explores the city and samples its wares.

I really had fun with this book sat happily muhcing on big bags of crisps and chocolate whilst i finished it. The only thing i will say is that i feel it ended too abruptly, just as it starts getting interesting it ends. I think there should of been another few chapters of what happens after as i feel it was a disservice to the book to stop it where it does.

Thank you to the author and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc.

Was this review helpful?

I fell in love with the first title in this trilogy, The Little Café in Copenhagen and couldn't wait to get my hands on this one and it did not disappoint! Following Sophie's story from the first book it leads to Brooklyn and a fabulous host of characters. I love that food, and in this case cake features so much in this series. The descriptions of the cakes are mouth-wateringly fabulous and the innovative creativity in the designs is spellbinding. The camaraderie between the characters gives you a bit of faith back in humanity and the leading man Todd is the perfect bad boy with hidden depths. I cannot get enough of this series and cannot wait for the next instalment.

Was this review helpful?

Sugary sweet but satisfying, I loved this cupcake filled, treat of a story. Bring a keen baker I don’t think it’s going to help my diet though, as I’m now desperate to get in the kitchen and create some delicious cakes! I had guessed how it would end already but that didn’t stop the happy sigh when I realised I was right. A great relaxing weekend read.

Was this review helpful?

5 - "It’s always about the food with you." Stars!

The second book in Julie Caplins’ City Bakes/Romantic Escapes series takes us to New York, and The Little Brooklyn Bakery more specifically.

Life didn’t get better than this…

So, I have read two books by this author in as many weeks, and I already know without a doubt that we are going to have a long and happy relationship. I didn’t think I could love this book more than its predecessor; The Little Café in Copenhagen or the main hero from that book, Ben. But he was topped, albeit by a mere hairsbreadth by Todd McLennan.

GIF.

There is an easy, uncomplicated writing style to these stories, the drama is well placed and not overblown. The characters well rounded, likeable and relatable, and the settings so well described you cannot help but feel you are experiencing the same things the characters are.

"I really enjoy being with you… it kind of feels like I can be me. I never have to think about what I’m saying… It’s easy being in your company."

I loved Sophie as a secondary character in the first book, a woman after my own heart when it comes to loving food, in all its shapes and forms. The author gave her enough page space that you knew that although she put on a happy face all was not necessarily well in her world, and this book, gives her the happily-ever-after she absolutely deserved.

He would be an easy man to love… even if he didn’t think so.

I don’t often go comparing authors because I think they are all their own individual talents, but if you are a fan of Jill Shalvis, Sarah Morgan, or any other author in that stratosphere, Julie Caplin is someone you are going to want to read. I have pretty much grabbed every other book she has available on Amazon under her other writing name Jules Wake as well, and I have the enjoyable task of spending the coming months reading those books too.

But, thankfully we return to this series in August with The Little Paris Patisserie and I for one cannot wait!

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this, loved this so much! I sat down with this in the garden on a sunny afternoon and didn't leave the garden till I had finished it. It was cold and dark but so worth it. The plot may be a little formulaic upon meeting the characters but it is no less enjoyable. If anything thinking about what was going to happen made me enjoy it more. I wanted to see how they were going to get there, enjoying the things that made people change. Loved it.

Was this review helpful?

What an absolutely fabulous read this was. I’m so pleased I got approved for this on NetGalley as I loved the first book in this Romantic Escapes Trilogy.

This second book is just as good as the first, how do authors do that? I fell in love with New York, the bakery and Todd, the Man About Town columnist who Sophie shares an office with.

I loved the bakery where Sophie helps Bella the owner, who also happens to be her landlady and Todd’s cousin. The descriptions of the cakes and bakes sounded delicious and had me reaching for something sweet as I was reading.

I got caught up in this story so easily as I read about Sophie exploring New York with a bit of help from Todd. I loved the banter and teasing that when on between them, it felt very natural and how it would be in real life. I loved how hard Sophie kept trying to stop herself from falling for him, in spite of the warning from both Bella and Todd that he would be no good for her.

It’s not just about Sophie and Todd though, as there are a few other fun story lines going on in Sophie’s office. There’s Todd’s ‘harem’, a very competitive member of staff and also possible romantic partner Sophie. I also I loved reading about the development of Bella’s fledgling wedding cake business and all the associated ups and downs.

This is such a fantastic feel good novel and one of my favourite reads this year. I can’t wait for the final book in the series set in Paris, roll on August!

Was this review helpful?

I waited (impatiently) for The little Brooklyn bakery to come out after I had read Julie Caplin's first book The little cafe in Copenhagen and I can honestly say it was worth the wait. I LOVED IT! It was just as good as the first book and could even be read as a stand alone book. I absolutely adored the setting and the characters. Sophie is so lovable and Todd, talk about swoon. This book had everything, an amazing setting, characters you just fall in love with, humour, romance, it has it all. I have been and will continue to recommend Julie's books to everyone. If you want an amazing chic lit book by a fantastic author you definitely need to read The Little Brooklyn Bakery.

Was this review helpful?

The Little Brooklyn Bakery is the second in the series with The Little Cafe in Copenhagen and in the first we met Sophie and she is the main character this time in this second instalment. This is a definite chic lit read and I have to be honest it took me a few chapters to get into this for some reason but when I did I couldn't put it down.
Sophie is a character I would like to get to know as she seemed very caring, realistic and knows how to cook food!!!!!!
This book should come with a warning though as I did feel the need for food when I read it as every page seemed to have some sort of food on it. This was a romantic build up story with some saucy scenes that complimented the story line well.
This is a great read either on the beach or snatched moments at home and can't wait to see where Julie is going to take us next, although I may have to look at getting some dietary snacks in!!!
I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperImpulse for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Sophie who we met in the first book in this series set in Copenhagen, is the main protagonist in this romantic and fun-filled story. New York beckons, but Sophie isn't interested until she suffers a devastating break- up with her boyfriend and needs to escape.

Love is the last thing on her mind but she when she meets Todd, her good intentions fly out the window, despite his bad boy reputation.

She has a flat above a bakery in Brooklyn and soon meets it's opinionated but kind-hearted Bella and her friends. The cast of characters is realistic, and each succeeds in drawing Sophie into their unique community. She excels at her job, but something is missing, will she take a chance on Todd and risk her heart again?

A gentle love story in an atmospheric setting, which is lovingly described and elevates a sweet love story into something special. If you fancy a trip to New York without the jet lag, I can recommend this story.

I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

A delicious morsel, I would recommend to all.
This book has everything I want, love friendship and escapism, be it for the protagonist or how it reflects on my own life.
I thoroughly enjoyed the light-hearted scenes between the friends and the lives of the secondary characters, as well as the main love interests.
The fact that there was a foodie arch made the story more appealing to me.
Wonderfully written and thoroughly enjoyed thanks to #Netgalley and #HarperImpulse

Was this review helpful?

Out of everything that pops up on Netgalley, I was so over the moon to see this one in particular. After absolutely loving The Little Cafe in Copenhagen back in January, I've been waiting rather impatiently for this one! The cover is absolutely stunning and if the beautiful bright colours don't draw you in, then the location certainly will. In the background is the big city and in the foreground is a cute little table with all sorts of pastries on top.

The overall story follows Sophie, who was in the first of the City Bakes Series, who gets asked to relocate for 6 months to New York City! At first she is quite reluctant and turns the offer down, but a heart-breaking event at home makes her soon rethink her decision and head over to the city that never sleeps. She starts work at a high-end magazine and soon meets fellow worked Todd, whom she is instantly attracted to.

Just as I thought I would, I really, really loved this novel. I loved the character of Sophie in the first City Bakes Series and I loved her even more now we got to know her a little bit better in this one! She's from a well-to-do background, but she hides away from it, thinking that she would be better off if people didn't know her real identity. She's a real softy and just someone who I instantly related too.

One thing that I really enjoyed about this book was the delicious treats that were mentioned throughout. It made my mouth water and also made me really want to visit New York! Overall, a really lovely lighthearted novel that I throughly enjoyed. Thank you to the publisher for a chance to review this novel via Netgalley, which I have reviewed honestly.

Was this review helpful?

After a nasty breakup, Sophie Jennings makes the snap decision to leave London to accept a six-month position as a food editor for a top-notch magazine in New York. When she meets fellow worker Todd McLennan, she is amazed at her reaction to him because of her recently ended relationship. Todd likes he just as much but is quite clear that he doesn’t at want anything serious.

It was rather enjoyable to read of the yummy food and treats. It was also quite easy to understand the limitations that Sophie and Todd set on their budding romance. I kept saying to myself how sweet the romance, as well as the other relationships in this book were. What a touching read. Well done, Ms. Caplin. The Little Brooklyn Bakery is part of a three-book series. I look forward to reading the other two stories.

Many thanks to HarperCollins UK and to NetGalley for this ARC for review.

Was this review helpful?