The Secret Ingredient by Nancy Naigle

 

Years ago, Kelly McIntyre and Andrew York were engaged and dreaming of opening a restaurant together. Then he chose an opportunity to study in Paris over the small-town life they’d planned, and their romance came to a bittersweet end.

But Kelly’s doing fine. She’s not only the owner of a potbellied pig named Gray, but also of her own bakery. Business is good—so good that she’s invited to compete in a Valentine’s Day bake-off. As she prepares for the contest, she tries not to get distracted by Andrew’s visit to town.

When Andrew sees Kelly, it stirs up his old feelings. Little does he know that soon, in New York, he’ll compete against her in the bake-off…and they’ll both realize how much their past is a part of them still.

This new romance from bestselling author Nancy Naigle includes a free original Hallmark recipe for Almond Honey Cake with Strawberry Cream.  

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In honor of Valentine's Day this week, I thought it would be fun to review a Hallmark story!  If you love baking shows or baking competitions, you will LOVE this book.  I am not a baker and I really don't love baking AT ALL but I sure wish I had someone to bake all these yummy sounding desserts for me- especially the Almond Honey Cake with Strawberry Cream.  That was the main event dessert of the book and it sounds delish!  The recipe is included with the book so if anyone wants to try it out and bring it over to me, that would be awesome and appreciated!  😋😀🍰

I can see why this book is from Hallmark!  It has all the feel good elements to it that Hallmark is known for.  I could easily picture this book as a movie.  Kelly and Andrew have a second chance at first love.  I love that Kelly went on to fulfill all her dreams without Andrew and has made a huge name for herself doing what she loves.  She is a strong woman and a kind woman as well.  She handled all situations with grace and class.  She was very easy to like.  Andrew?  It took time for him to win me over because I am a girl who doesn't trust easily and he was not good to Kelly.  He had a lot to prove.  By the end he had mostly won me over.  😉

This was an easy reading, heartwarming, love story.  Sometimes the details of all the baking became tedious and a bit long to me, but overall, I really enjoyed this story.

Content:  kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle whips up small-town love stories with a whole lot of heart. She began writing while juggling a successful career in finance and life on a seventy-six-acre goat farm. Her many books include Christmas in Evergreen, the heartwarming companion novel to the Hallmark movie, and Christmas Joy and Hope for Christmas, which were adapted into Hallmark movies. Now happily retired from a career in the financial industry, she devotes her time to writing, horseback riding, and enjoying the occasional spa day. A Virginia girl at heart, Nancy now calls North Carolina home.