This was a fairly light sweet story. Perfect for a bit of an escape, magic, following your dreams, and discovering what is most important to you. I would not mind some of that magic secret ingredient though I would most assuredly follow the recipe so I could get my own Eli, and not the other one! I really enjoyed this story of Anna finding the right future for her, despite what others want for her. And I would love to visit Mystic Haven, especially on the festival days. It was not only the bakery that seemed magical. Wild Haven also sounded awesome for a trip. I think the thing I most liked about this book was that it did not immediately all turn out roses when Anna creates (when suffering the heartache of the breakup with Baron) the perfect man for her (courtesy of some magic sugar). Yes, there is the attraction but I like how both Eli and Anna don't rush into things, but go on their own paths to discover what they really want. It was a good message.

So , if you want a lighhearted read with yummy desserts (wish those chapter titles came with attached recipes!), good friendships, true love, and dreams coming true even through difficulties, then this book is for you!

Cute little book with magic and food, two of my favorite things. Easy sweet read. Great for a beach read!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!

Cute book with a wonderful story that keeps the reader entertained and wanting to read more. Loved the main character in this one.

Sweet and escapist. A recommended purchase for collections where romance and lighter women's fic is popular.

I wasn't able to finish this book in time, but I enjoyed the part that I read. I love all fiction with magical realism and food! :)

This book was a cute, fluffy read, a mix of family history, magic, realism, fantasy, romance, heartbreak, and delicious baked goods. It was funny and tragic at turns, but all worked out well in the end. I was a bit uncomfortable with some of the more intimate scenes. Otherwise, I would have let my daughters read it. The main character, Anna, was a bit indecisive and wouldn’t stand up to her friend. The friend, Tessa, was over-the-top pushy.

To say it was a bit formulaic… well, it was about recipes a great deal. But overall, a fun read if you like cotton candy.

Thank you for the opportunity to read an e-arc of this book!

This book is a fun read. A sweet magical romantic story. It's a fantasy novel. Not recommended for reality buffs. A pleasant read.

Warning! Read this on a full stomach or you’ll be drooling reading about the delicious food Anna whips up.

Anna has been running her grandma’s bakery in small town GA for 2 years and dating her bf for that long. When he takes a job across the country and doesn’t understand why she’s upset, Anna starts to stress bake and discovers letters and a recipe from her grandma with some magical golden dust. The result is Eli, the perfect man for Anna that she created using the magical dust passed down in her family.
Eli seems like the perfect guy and is a huge help to Anna while she runs her bakery.
But how can she explain him to her small town? And when her friend, Tessa, starts to crush on Eli, what will Anna do?

This was a cute story with fun elements. I would have loved to see Anna stand up to Tessa more, especially after their big fight. She was a little too passive for my taste. I also didn’t love the “3rd act break up” and always hope for better communication in main characters.

Magic realism and food! How could you go wrong?! This book had everything - a perfect recipe, if you will, for an entertaining, fun book. I loved everything about it, from the cover, to the characters, to the whole story, and of course, the descriptions of the baked goods. My copy didn't have recipes, but I understand other editions of the book do, so that is just another reason to read it! Don't look for a deep book. Enjoy it for what it is. A delicious, fun romantic story about a heartbroken, slightly drunk young woman who tries to bake a man one night. I was happy with the ending, and look forward to reading other books in the series.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are mine, and freely given.

First, thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

What a sweet book!! Girl has boy. Boy is a jerk. Girl gets rid of boy. Girl inherits a bakery. Girl decided to make her own boy! Add in friendships, misunderstandings, a little drama, and you've got a fun book.

Great characters, fun plot line, vivid descriptions (I could see her bakery and I was there). This is a great debut novel and I look forward to reading more of Moorman's work!

i loved this story and found it to be very enjoyable. it was a great escape read. i loved how the author introduced her characters.
Many thanks to Harper Muse and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I enjoyed the Baker's Man by Jennifer Moorman. The characters in the story are wonderful. Enjoy! **I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

This was a bit too Hallmark-y for me! I read the first few chapters and then started skimming through it. I know this was supposed to be magical realism but I couldn't connect to it in a way that made the story believable.

Anna returns to her small hometown to keep her grandmother's bakery open. Everyone in town swears that the baked goods solve their problems, make them happy, and they are magical. Anna has wanted her own bakery but was hoping to open in at the beach. When she discovers her Grandmother's secret chest with "magical" sugar she discover's handsome Elijah in her kitchen the next morning. A cute light read that will make you smile.

This was a unique and sweet story! I really adored it!

It is magical but combined with everyday situations and doubts. The magical part feels somehow very realistic.
The author has a nice writing style that made it easy to read. It is also very detailed, so I could really see the places and almost smell the aromas.

Anna is pretty insecure, but she feels relatable. And she's an amazing baker.
Elijah is so sweet and caring!

They are really cute together! And I loved how they both individually found their voice and purpose. They both grow and discover along the way.

This was a real feelgood book!
I'd love it if this was turned into a Hallmark movie!

Thank you for the opportunity to read an e-arc of this book!

This book was whimsical, magical, terrifying, and sweet. It was very much a modern day fairy tale. It had everything in a romance novel I could ever ask for, and I only wish there was a sequel or that this book had a whole series. I want more of what Jennifer Moorman is writing!

The Baker's Man is a feel good story about love and magic. I appreciate the magic is limited, one time use.

I received a complimentary copy and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

The book follows Anna who inherits a bakery in a charming Southern town, and a mysterious box with a note. She opens the box when her fiancé crushes her dreams. With a little encouragement from her friend Lily she sets out to do what she does best which is bake. She wakes up in the morning to find a dreamy man who seems to good to be true. This is a heartwarming romance book with heart , family , friendship and pastries

Absolutely love, love The Baker’s Man by Jennifer Moorman. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Net Galley, and Harper Muse, for giving me this opportunity to have an ARC of this wondrous read.
From the first moment that I started The Baker’s Man, I was instantly hooked. I love the descriptions of the town, the people within Mystic Waters, and how everything flows together. I love stories that weave realness, mix in some magic, and true growth and meaningful relationships.
I love the way Jennifer Moorman wrote this tale full of sensory and the feeling that I was in the town of Mystic Waters. When a creative work can transport me into the story, make me believe that I am in that town, I don’t ever want the story to end.

The Baker's Man by Jennifer Moorman
Published Feb 14, 2023
336 pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨️/5

The Baker's Man centers around Anna, an auburn haired beauty, who left her small town to attend a culinary arts school in the Big Apple. She has since returned to her hometown, Mystic Waters, an idyllic magical place in southern Georgia. Anna stays busy working at Bea's Bakery, the place she inherited when her grandmother, Beatrice, passed away. Free time is spent with her two best friends, Lily and Tessa, and her boyfriend, Baron. One beautiful October afternoon, Anna is all set to celebrate her second anniversary with Baron when things go awry. Now, Anna must figure out what she truly wants. Will she play it safe or have the courage to follow her dreams?

Jennifer Moorman made me want to open a bakery in southern Georgia! I could practically smell all the delectable treats Anna made throughout the story. Mystic Waters gave me Stars Hollow vibes (for all you Gilmore Girls fans) with an added touch of magic. I found myself wanting to pick up The Baker's Man whenever I had a spare minute. I loved reading about the bakery and Anna's grandmother. However, I wanted more of Anna and her "dough boy," but less Tessa. The Baker's Man is a good light read when you want to escape into a story. Word of advice - make sure you have snacks on hand!