“The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice”, by Donna Kauffman, is a delightful novella about family, loyalty, and tradition. Abriana “Bree” Bellaluna O’Neill has joined her grandmother, Sofia, in the family’s bakeshop in Moonbright, ME. The holiday season is fast approaching, starting with Halloween, Bree and Sofia’s favorite! Bellaluna Bakery offers delicious treats for the townsfolk and tourists. There is something magical in the cookies the women bake! However, Bree is afraid she hasn’t mastered the Bellaluna magic yet, when her cookies just don’t seem to have that special something. Sofia assures her that her time will come!

Caleb Dimitriou arrives in town to take over his Uncle George’s restaurant while his aunt and uncle take a long overdue honeymoon to Greece. Caleb and Bree discover they have a lot in common. Both Caleb and Bree love to bake and cook! Their families are extremely important to them and they will drop everything to help a family member in need. If you enjoy warm, tender, and romantic stories, you will love “The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice”. Not only does this story have all the warmth and loyalty of family, there is a little bit of magic thrown in, as well.

Short stories aren't really for me and the description made it sound like this was a novel. That said, the writing seemed high quality. The cover was misleading. This book should probably have a man's naked torso on it. This was more awkward touching leading to strained pants and bodices than a cozy bakeshop at Halloween. It was a bit too trifling and filled with excruciating detail.

Moonbright, Maine is always a magical place, but particularly so during the bewitching season!. This anthology of three romances focuses on the magic of falling in love. Each story can stand on its own, yet all are tied to the bake shop.

The is a sweet collection of stories sure to delight fans of all three authors!

Absolutely fantastic had me gripped!!! Loved it! Can't wait for more from.this author. Storyline was great, characters were easy to.connect with

Thank you for the advanced copy

This collection of three romances will a perfect read for the fall holiday season. They are loosely connected thru the Bellaluna Bakeshop in Moonbrite Maine and deal with falling in love with a touch of magic. Donna Kauffman's story starts with the Sophia's granddaughter Bree who meets Caleb in the shop and they both feel and attraction, but decide not to follow up on it because Caleb is only in town for a few weeks, but fate and magic show them different. And I do admit that Caleb was a very romantic man.
Allyson Charles story has a lonely Cassie wanting to snare her boss who she's been crushing on. She's heard the rumors about the magic from the bakeshop, but things don't exactly go as planned especially once Chip Gneiss enters the picture. Cassie comes across as a bit of a snob at first, but Ms Charles manages to redeem her.
My favorite story was by Kate Angell. Lara, a curvy girl has a terrible morning being dumped and humiliated by her jerk boyfriend while they are having coffee, having her rent raised on her apartment and then needing to find a second job to help pay for the rent jump. Finishing her coffee, she is joined by golden boy Jack asks to join her. They used to go to school together, though not in the same circles, and now he is the town mayor. From then on, sparks flew and with a little help from the magic of Bellaluna, destiny brings another couple together with their forever love.
I am a fan of all three authors and I think that this is a fun collection of holiday romance.

I received a reader copy of this story thru NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

A delightful collection of three Halloween romance tales that weave into each other. Read them in order for small details to make sense ie- how and why the Pumpkin Queen is chosen. All taking place in a fictional coastal Maine town obsessed with Halloween!
In each romance, everyone involved has problems. It mat be work or family related. Perhaps a string of bad exes, and being stuck in their ways instead of open to love. All involve a trip to Bellaluna bakery and a touch of magic helping the romances along.
The titular story was my favorite. Many issues possibly preventing a perfectly good romance are resolved in this short story. The other stories did not disappoint either.
Great for a read to get you in the mood for Autumn! At the end of each story, there is also a fall themed recipe.

Rating :5

Description

Every autumn, Moonbright, Maine, is the picture of charm with its piles of crisp leaves, flickering jack-o’-lanterns … and a touch of the sweetest kind of enchantment.


Witches, goblins, the occasional ghost—they’re all sure to be spotted at the annual Halloween parade, where adults and children alike dress in costume to celebrate Moonbright’s favorite holiday. And no place has more seasonal spirit than Bellaluna’s Bakeshop, a family business steeped in traditional recipes, welcoming warmth—and, legend has it, truly spellbinding, heart-melting treats …


Between good-natured Halloween tricks, frothy pumpkin lattes, and some very special baked goods, for three Moonbright residents looking for love—whether they know it or not—the spookiest thing will be how magical romance can suddenly be …


My thoughts

Loved it ,each author has a cute and sweet Romance story in it that has to do with magic and finding your one ture love, and at the end of the stories you get the recipe for the cookies that was made in the stores , each one will have you either smiling or laughing ,wwith that said I want to thank Netgalley for letting me read and review it exchange for my honest opinion.

The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice

What a delightful read, I did not know the book had a trio of stories and I was pleasantly surprised.
Each story took on a life of its own. I love to read about small towns and their annual traditions. The small town life seems so easy going and carefree.

The trio of stories bringing three couples together to find their happiness and eventually fall in love was so full of events. Each character was different in their own way.

Moonbright’s favorite holiday Halloween was the center point of this book. With the annual Halloween parade where the entire town participated and fun was had by all even myself as the reader.

Also a plus was the recipes, I love to bake and I will be trying out the recipes.

A great collection of book that mesh well between the three authors. Moonbright, Maine is THE place for Halloween. All of the stories take place in the same place at the same time. These stories had me wishing I could move there and enjoy all of the small town joy that exudes from it's streets. I want sweets that only Bellaluna can provide. Have Chip fix things around my house. Have a dinner that Caleb cooked. and stop by Town Hall and trade witts with Edna.

Sweet Magic by Donna Kauffman
5☆

What an adorably sweet romance filled with a bit of magic. Abriana (Bree) and Caleb were so cute together. For a short story it sure packed a lot of emotion. Caleb and Bree's love story brought tears to my eyes as well as some very big smiles. And it definitely got me craving those italian iced cookies. So glad there's a recipe at the end of the story for me to make some.

Love Spells Disasters by Allyson Charles
3☆

I really wanted to love this story. It had some cute moments but I loved the hero, Chip, more than the heroine. Usually I fall in love with the couple as a whole but I just couldn't like Cassie. I kind of understand why she didn't think Chip would be the one for her but I felt like she hurt him a lot by pushing him away and I did not agree with her reasoning. I felt Chip was super sweet and very forgiving. He was the only reason why I kept reading til the end.

Sweet on You by Kate Angell
4☆

A very cute and sweet story. Really liked how Jack and Lara's relationship developed. It was also fun reading about the Halloween festivities going on in town. Really love all the cookie recipes at the end of each story.

*I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book*

Three sweet magical stories with love and romance, and baking all around the best time of the year fall on who doesn't love, Romance .. calb has come to town to watch his Uncle George and Aunt althea's restaurant while they're on the much-needed vacation they have promised their self since they first met when one retired they promised this vacation time is come for that now..calb is
Falling for Bree wasn't part of the package but you never know what magic shows up in these small towns.. Bellalunas magic is one of the sweetest Magic's..
This was a fabulous story will keep you reading and wanting more two more very wonderful stories in the book.. . I read this book off of net Gallery I would like to thank the author Donna Kauffman for allowing me to read and review her book...

This was 3 books in one. I really enjoyed all 3 . Especially the 3rd author. Bree finds true love in the first book. Then cassie and the Jack and Lara in the 3rd. You will have to purchase the book to find out what happens

Three lovely short Hallowe’en stories.
A good feel factor throughout each story.
All featuring around with a bit of magic Bellaluna’s Bake Shop.
I enjoyed the whole book.
Many thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for advance copy for a honest review.
Definitely recommend this book and look forward for the next book to come out by these authors..

I enjoyed these short stories about the special italian cookies from Sofia's bakery and the love matches they brought together. Each story is uniquely different and yet very much about the community and family of the characters involved. #TheBakeshopAtPumpkinAndSpice #NetGalley

The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice
Donna Kauffman
Kate Angell
Allyson Charles
August 27, 2019

The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice gives 3 new novellas that feature Halloween fun with some of our favorite characters from the authors’ books. All three of the stories take place in Moonbright, Maine. The first is Sweet Magic by Donna Kauffman. It’s story tells of the magic that flows through the famous baking of Bellaluna’s Bakeshop. Abriana Bellaluna O’Neill works with her Nana, Sofia, to make some of the most superb pastries. If you should be a customer in need of some special romantic assistance, one could be offered a treat from the hidden shelf that features the most magical of delicacies. Bree, as all who know Abriana call her, is working at finding that certain talent that Sofia has of producing the magical cookies to help her find her one true love. With Halloween season approaching they have started the seasonal baking. In addition, Bree is working on creating her own perfect costume for the famous Moonbright Parade.
Sofia was waiting for a certain customer to arrive. Caleb Dimitriou arrived just as Nana had expected. After introductions, she made her excuses and left the gentleman with Bree.
The second story is by Allyson Charles, Love Spells Disaster. It gives us the tale of Cassandra Hie. Cassie works for Samuel Bunker Insurance Company. On this particular morning Cassie has stopped at the Bellaluna Bakeshop to bring Samuel special cookies, hoping they would be just the treat to make him aware of her. Unfortunately, Samuel declined the offer of the pastries as he explains he is on a no sugar, no carb diet to get into shape for a marathon run. Frustrated, Cassie takes a huge bite of one of the cookies. She finds it stuck in her throat and no amount of water or trying to swallow helped the situation. Before she knew it, two large hands gripped her middle and pushed hard, forcing the cookie to fly from her mouth. At first she thought it was Samuel who had saved her life, instead she looks up to see a tall, good looking, very strong green-eyed man in a worn t-shirt and jeans. He had an appointment to see Sam Bunker about life insurance. Although embarrassed, Cassie could not help but notice this fine looking guy. Seeing the cookies on her desk, Chip helps himself to one thinking they were for Samuel’s clients. Of course these special cookies were a hit, and Chip could not help but notice the beautiful Cassie.
The last tale is by Kate Angell called Sweet on You. It features Lara Shaw who is just recovering from her morning coffee with her then boyfriend, Glen Meyers. Before she could take one bite of her almond butter cream cupcake, he was dumping her for Janice Stanley-Stark. Granted, the woman was tall, slender and gorgeous and he pointed out that Lara was big and ordinary. Lara hid the tears but felt that although she was curvaceous, she was not big or ordinary. Leaving to head home she found her apartment manager waiting to speak with her near the bakeshop door. He came to tell her of the rent increase the following month. Thinking that was the second slap of the morning she realized too, that her wages were not enough to support the monthly increase. Now she would need to find another job. She sat back down to finish her coffee. Time to think about her future or what was left of it. Noticing that more customers had entered the shop she spotted Mayor Jack Hanson and his office workers who had come in for their break. Jack came to her table and asked to join her. She knew Jack from high school, a jock she thought amazing but way out of her league. Today he started the conversation about the need for help with the Halloween Parade and all of the holiday hoopla that needed to be planned. Lara was great at that kind of production, she hoped she could find some kind of employment that she liked doing.
These three novellas tie together well and are a fun read to kick off the seasonal bliss of Halloween and days to come. The Bakeshop of Pumpkin and Spice will be published on August 26, 2019 by Kensington Books. I appreciate their allowing me to read this selection before publication. Despite our summer heat in mid-July I found it a great read to pass the summer days. It will be a welcome selection in early September to highlight the coming fall months.

Sweet Magic by Donna Kauffman is the first story in The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice. The bakeshop owned by Bree and her grandmother, Sofia, has a bit of magic to bring about love, and that’s just what Bree is looking for. Just as she’s wondering if that will ever happen for her, in walks Caleb. Will the magic happen for this charming couple? The story combines Halloween, magic, and romance in the delightful small town of Moonbright, Maine. Laughter and emotion make this an easy, feel-good read. Just the thing to kick off the fall season. I highly recommend it!

The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice by Donna Kaufman, Kate Angell, and Allyson Charles is a delightful trilogy of Fall/Harvest/Halloween themed romance novels that literally warms your heart and brings you to those fall, crisp, amazing autumn days that I love so much no matter what your current climate is at this moment.

This was an easy, relaxing read. I loved the appropriate, cozy, romantic couples and the compatibility that the authors were able to create.

All in all a great read.

5/5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

Bree and Sofia own a little bakery and they make some wonderful items. George owns a restaurant a couple of blocks over and he and his wife take a trip to Greece for a very belated honeymoon. George asks Caleb to come and fill in while he and his wife are gone.

When Caleb gets there is shocked to find what he finds. He asks his sister to come and help him figure out this mess. They decide not to let the rest of the family in on what's going on here until they get everything sorted out.

This is a great book that will keep you intrigued and on the edge of your seat through the whole book. Another great book by Donna Kauffman.

Three sweet holiday romances starting with Halloween.
Donna Kaufmann's contribution Sweet Magic is set in a bake shop, one with magical bakers.
Bree has given up on finding her true love, and the ability her Nonna has to make magical cookies in Moonbright, Maine.
Caleb Dimitriou is in town to help his uncle at his restaurant, but it seems his uncle neglected to tell him a few things.
Immediate attraction between the pair at first sight is obvious, but they make it work?
Yes, the pair become closer and closer, and a romance is born. Perfect holiday lift you up tale.
Allyson Charles brings Love Spells Disaster to the mix.
Cassandra Hie is determined to make her boss fall in love with her, even though they're really not suited. After a dysfunctional childhood, security is her main goal in life, and Samuel represents that to her. Enter one gorgeous handyman Chip Gneiss, and she is attracted but afraid of ending up in poverty, like her mother with her handsome undependable boyfriends. Chip works hard at overcoming her fears despite her insults and she realizes that he is her home no matter what his job.
Kate Angell's Sweet On You has Lara Shaw in search of a new job, facing a rent increase and dumped by her boyfriend...all in one day. Her teenaged crush comes to her rescue with a job offer. She takes it and proves it to be one of the smartest things he's ever done.
The pair's close working relationship grows to be much more.

All three authors have crafted tales with humor, memorable characters and colorful descriptions. This is the perfect feel good romance trio to kick off the holidays.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC for my honest opinion.

Three blended stories warm with romance celebrate the Halloween season in Moonbright, Maine. On the hottest day yet in Cincy, I felt a crisp breeze enwrap me as I raced through the pages, inhaled the scent of spiced lattes, savored the anise-sugar cookies from the Italian bakery, swooned as three couples fell deeply in love. I was transported to this small town rich with All Hallows’ Eve cheer, sexy coupling and laughter aplenty. A delightful read I did not want to end! 5/5

Pub Date 27 Aug 2019.

Thanks to the authors, Kensington Books and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

#TheBakeshopAtPumpkinAndSpice #NetGalley