This longer M/M Romance took off in directions I never anticipated-- addressing many issues of 'the baggage' two people individually bring to a relationship. What starts out as a simple, interesting premise gets complicated very quickly. Blaire and Frederic are both interesting and likeable characters in their own right. The color that their families add to the story is enough to doom relationships of many average couples.

I loved the bakery, Alicia and of course, our two heroes. I thought the story got a little bogged down with the constant reminders of Jerry but the reasoning behind that becomes clear as the story progresses. What I found most interesting about this story is that- what it lacks in erotic passion between Frederic and Blaire seems to amplify what appears to be real love-- or at least commitment.

The narrative of the book is so clear in expressing the thoughts and feelings of the characters 'beyond their words'. So I was a little unclear as to why that was suddenly dropped in the final pages of the book. The ending felt like a rush to the finish. This book is longer than many M/M Romances so maybe it was edited for space? In any case, this complicated relationship was compelling and kept my interest from beginning to end.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange fro an honest review.

The Bluewater Bay series is an intriguing concept from Riptide Publishing. Each book is written by a different author, with a different perspective. I’ve read several of them and not necessarily in order so I can tell you that these books can be read as stand alone stories if you wish.
How the Cookie Crumbles is an episode by Jaime Samms and focuses on bakers and a reality TV show production company. Actually, it’s the aftermath of the reality competition, which involved a rigged outcome and broken hearts.
Frederic (definitely not Freddy!) accepted a large cash payout to lose the competition. It should have been enough money to open his own bakery and start over in Bluewater Bay, Washington. If it weren’t for Frederic being an enabler for his alcoholic father it would have been plenty of money, but for two reasons. Frederic bought a very old bakery that needed many repairs, and his father continually plays on Frederic’s guilt to get more money from him.
Blaire’s father owns the production company. Blaire is gay and that is enough for his father to punish him by sending him to Bluewater Bay to resolve problems with the company’s merchandising arm. The story revolves around Blaire trying to overcome the control his father holds over him, Blaire’s attempt to gain Frederic’s trust back, and Blaire’s attempt to stop allowing his father to use him. Lot’s of father/son issues in this story.
I really enjoyed this book. Both men are flawed and allow themselves to be controlled by their manipulative fathers. All the reader can do is sit back for the rough ride as they try to work out their issues and hopefully find love again, because they once had it.