"From enemies to lovers" is a very successful trope in many romantic comedies and here we go with this plot, too. Bri might be small town baker, but she is also half-French and 100% romantic, modelling her (planned) love life after the successfull romance of her parents - so she and co-owners of the bakery in Story, Kansas; are working on the romantic angle of the town. Bri creates famous Parisian lovelock wall near the bakery and the elderly bakery owners Mabel and Agnes create the romantic storiers by matchmaking. And they are so sucessful that a magazine sends their travel writer Gerard Fortier to feature the bakery in the article. Gerard is burned by love, so the overly sweet atmosphere of Story almost gives him the allergic reaction - but slowly, he and Bri hit it on well and they start to examine their own romance-related baggages...only to realize that they both have stuff to work on and top mature from.

Well...I loved most of the novel, as the life burns and hurts, as well as unrealistic expectations, can really make us never to settle or settle for the less, in reality. Rose-colored glass wearing Bri really needs a dose of sense and jaded Gerard could use some trust and faith in people! Yet...the key subplot relating the past story is not worked well - it stays on surface, instead of making Bri really tackle all the pain generating from it. Also Gerard´s mentor angle is unrealistic in reality - can a guy really be jaded just because his idol had been burned by love (if that was even love)? I think his mother´s angle should be explored more, instead.
So, the verdict is - the funny and sweet parts were truly and really funny and sweet. But when the story tackles the messy and raw, shameful and hard parts - it skims on the surface, the raw nerve ending are not really touched - thus they can not be really healed, in my opinion. Yes, maybe then it would not be a sweet story - but it could be a deep story.

3.5 stars, rounded up. This was a really cute story. It was fun and easy to read. I loved the main characters Bri and Gerard, and their banter. Plus any characters who quote and discuss Pride and Prejudice will always please me. Bri is a small town girl, sweet and naive, with hopes of the kind of true love her parents had. Gerard is a world traveling, adrenaline junkie hiding his own secret pain. He comes to the small town of Story, Kansas to write an article for a travel magazine. Gerard and Bri do not hit it off despite the fact that she’s trying to win him over for publicity to save the bakery where she works. As they spend more time together, their feelings slowly change. I especially liked that there were chapters from both Bri’s and Gerard’s point of view. There are also great secondary characters who added so much to the story. The elderly bakery owners Mabel and Agnes were adorable and quirky. The town gossip woman and Bri’s ex-boyfriend were suitably annoying. Pastor John was kind and wise. Overall this was a fun romance to read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ebook to review. All opinions are my own.

The Key to Love by Betsy St Amant is a fun, quirky read. The premise of the book really attracted me to the story and I was excited to read a fun, if predictable story. It was all that I expected and probably great for a weekend read. Some characters in the book were great but others were definitely not my favorite. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

This was a very endearing story about romance, love, and happily ever after. The chemistry between the main characters was delightful! Opposites attract, in an instant attraction sort of way that results in lots of sparks flying. I really enjoyed this story and loved how the author combined faith, sacrificial love, and small town charm for this amazing story. Well done!

Although this book had the premise of a good storyline, unfortunately it just didnt deliver for me.
The characters were intriguing, however I found it really difficult to immerse myself in this story.

This is a fairly typical small town, enemies to more Christian Fiction book. It reminded me of a Hallmark movie because things kept happening to keep the couple apart.

The storyline moved slow for me and I never found myself rooting for any of the characters. But there were a couple good plot twists that redeemed it toward the end.

If you enjoy Hallmark movies I think this book will be perfect for you.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find my arc of this book on my kindle, therefore was unable to read, however, the book sounds absolutely gorgeous and if I had the opportunity, I know I would enjoy this book.

This was a cute story, with some deeper meaning. Is anyone's story as perfect as it looks? Is being comfortable enough, or are risks necessary? Should you believe in someone's take on love, or experience it for yourself?

I ached for Bri - all she wanted was to believe in her parents' perfect love story and experience it for herself. She was clinging to the bakery as her safe place for memories of her mother. But as all of those security blankets fell apart on her, she had to choose to look somewhere else for her security, and she had to choose a messy imperfect love. knowing there's only One who can love perfectly. Her growth wasn't easy and she didn't necessarily go willingly, but it was important to see her finally realize that she'd only had a shell of what she was looking for when she tried to stay in her box.

3 stars; this story was cute, but a little light for me.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publishers, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

This book took me an extremely long time to finish. I had to put it down and then will myself to pick it up again. It's definitely not the worst book I've read but it truly wasn't the best. It felt a little too wordy at times for me and I just wasn't into it. On the bright side the cover is really lovely.

The Key to Love is my first full length Besty St. Amant novel. I’ve previously read two of her novellas, and wasn’t surprised that I enjoyed the book.

The story is a frothy mixture of quirky small town characters, (with the obnoxious lawyer, local gossip and several older folks with ‘definite’ personalities), and bigger, complex issues of the heart.

Everything takes place around The Pastry Puff. Here, half French baker Bri frosts her confectionary, dreaming of trips to Paris she’s been too afraid to take. She’s also fighting to keep the Puff from being sold, fearing a new corporate owner.

Enter the missing ingredient – travel writer Gerard, himself a quarter French and severely jaded about matters of love. As Bri and Gerard clash, they fall in love. The result means his locked up heart starts to open, will be Bri be brave enough to unlock a future she couldn’t have ever imagined?

The Key to Love will satisfy the appetite of contemporary romance lovers with characters whose struggles jump off the pages, right into a happy ending.

I really enjoyed The Key to Love. I loved this sweet and clean romance and recommend it. I am giving it four and a half stars.

I could not put this book down. St. Amant created a wonderful and unique small town bakery, and I found myself wishing I could visit and sample the sweets. I enjoyed imagining the residents and their little quirks that made them so unique. Gerard was grumpy and anti-love, which only made him slightly more swoon-worthy. St. Amant brought him to life, and I can’t help but wonder what he looks like in her mind. I want pictures! I loved the idea of a little bit of Paris brought home. The love angels are like most matchmakers, they just want to see everyone in their town happy and in love. Bri was in love with her parents story, and what she thought real love should be like. I enjoyed watching her learn that true love isn’t always roses and poems, and that it sometimes ends up being a lot of work. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Contemporary Romance. I can’t wait to see what St. Amant does next! I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing and was in no way forced to post a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Author St. Amant has delivered with another heart warming love story of two people who are at opposite ends of the love spectrum. Bri Duval believes her late parents had the perfect love story and she has put them up on a pedestal. Especially her mother, and she will not settle for anything less. In fact I think she wouldn't mind an exact replica.

Gerard Fortier is much more cynical. He actually things true love is going extinct. His folks weren't exactly the best role models either, and he has gone through a rather bad break up as well.

Bri is a bakery chef and Gerard has traveled to her small Kansas town to write about the bakery and the love locks wall. As soon as they meet the sparks fly and they just can't seem to help themselves to their snarky repertoire.

As if matchmaking angels and vengeful ex's are not enough, Bri finds out some earth shattering news that changes her perception on love. Gerard on the other hand is being softened up by Bri and all of her quirkiness. Can Bri and Gerard put down their misconceptions and expectations enough to write their own story together? This was a delightful romance of true love, a little comedy, a tribute to France, and learning to live your own life.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views an opinions are my own.

A very sweet book. If you like romance then I recommend this one as I think all romance fans will love it

A delightfully sweet romance, filled with sugar and sass.

When Bri's small town bakery goes viral for it's co-owners' matchmaking schemes, Bri is excited for the chance for more exposure and a way to shake the prowling lawyer who keeps trying to buy them out. While Bri bakes she dreams of one day finding a love like her parents had, but when a cynical travel journalist comes to write about the bakery and its history she finds her life upended, and herself questioning the things that she always thought were secure.

This is a deliciously pleasurable read, with sweet, sizzling chemistry, endearingly colorful characters, and plenty of heart in this small town romance. I absolutely adored Agnes and Mabel, two elderly sisters who are full of mischief, sass, and matchmaking magic. Heck I'd read a book just about those two and all the trouble they get into, and then sweet talk their way out of. I fell in love with some of the characters, who while they only make a brief appearance, packed a huge punch with their footprints in this story, like dear old Mr. Mac, and Pastor John.

Gerard is a journalist with a chip on his shoulder, who doesn't believe in love. He's had a troubled childhood, forced to grow up too quickly, he hasn't had a lot of positive examples in his life. He is passionate and disciplined, I like how he is challenged to see things from a different angle, and appreciate the things about a small town that he had too quickly written off. He has a gruff and intimidating exterior, and I loved how he and Bri find that they have more in common than they think initially.

Overall, this was a highly enjoyable escape to a charming small town, that is not without its troubles. The characters in this book will charm you, make you laugh, and bring a smile to your face. A feel-good romance, with memorable characters, heart, faith, and love.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

In "The Key to Love", bakery owner Bri and her elderly friends love to bake and matchmake as well. Having set up several successful couples, now it's Bri's turn. When journalist Gerard shows up to write an article on the bakery, sparks start to fly. But both Bri and Gerard have their guard up. What will it take to let down those walls? You'll have to read to find out!

I thought the premise was cute, but I had a hard time being interested in any of the main characters. I also felt that the romance between Bri and Gerard was rather lackluster. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I definitely judged a book by its cover with this one. The designer of this cover did an awesome job. It drew me in as soon as I saw it. And when I read the synopsis of the book for the first time, it sounded like such a sweet story. While I found it to be a great idea, I just didn’t really connect with the writing or the storytelling in this one. It was okay, but nothing more. I didn’t connect with the characters and I found myself getting bored towards the end. Unfortunately this was a miss for me.

Way back at the beginning of 2020, I was thrilled to see Betsy St. Amant had a new book releasing this year. The cover was sweet, and the premise of the story was enticing.

But for me, The Key to Love fell in the middle of the road. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either. Bri and Gerard’s banter is entertaining from the get-go, but their romance felt unnatural and forced.

The supporting characters were the ones who stood out in this story. There are the requisite matchmakers, the small-town villain, and everyone in between. Oh, and the Petit fours and macarons, too.

In the end, this is a sweet story with a happy ending that fans of Hallmark movies may enjoy.


Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

KEY TO LOVE is a story of opposites attracting ... and Bri and Gerard are about as opposite as you can get. In fact, he brings out the worst in her and turns the sweet to everyone else girl mean.

Warning for the more conservative readers, there are some soft swear words. Also, there is a very weak faith message. The premise is familiar, the sexual tension is non-existent, but there is a slow and sweet romance and a host of quirky characters.

I enjoyed this story and would read more by this author.

I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.

Bri Duvall works in the same bakery store, The Pastry Puff, where her beloved mother was renowned for her French-inspired desserts. The store’s owners, elderly sisters Agnes and Mabel, have developed a reputation for their matchmaking abilities; however they are in danger of losing the business to developers – something Bri couldn’t stand to see happen since she lost both her parents in a car accident when she was 18. Now that she is in her late 20’s, she has fallen in love with the “idea” of love – and waits for a fairy tale-like romance to happen to her like the one that she believes her parents once had (but which, she discovers, they never really did). She meets Gerard, a jaded reporter who avoids commitment at all cost due to his own tragic past. He has been assigned (against his wishes) to cover the story of the matchmaking bakery sisters for a newspaper feature. Neither Bri or Gerard are very relatable at the beginning of the book due to their extremely immature attitudes; however, they gradually softened and matured over the course of the story. I wish the author had focused more on showing each person’s spiritual journey and how that led to changes in their hearts and relationships, rather than engaging in so much snark and stereotypes. Was this a rom-com or a faith-based romance? It seemed the author couldn’t decide and the book lacked focus somewhat despite the good premise.