A Teaspoon of Trouble

I thoroughly enjoyed reading A Teaspoon of Trouble by Shirley Jump, the first entry in the Bachelor Bake-Off series despite is making me cry. This is another wonderful collaboration of authors, created by Tule Publishing. The Bachelor Bake-Off is a fund raiser by the town to buy a rundown house in Marietta and refurbish in the memory of firefighter Harry Morgan as a teen center. Each of the bachelors entered into this “contest” are not cooks. In this story, Caroline Henderson, a type-A cook, returns to her parents’ home in Marietta, Montana with her young niece Emma and Emma’s unruly puppy. They had just lost Emma’s parents in a car crash and Caroline was named guardian. The entire family is struggling with their grief and Caroline has no idea how she will be able to return to her highly demanding job in Manhattan with Emma and be able to be the parent Emma deserves. I was truly able to relate to Caroline as I had unexpectedly loss my sister a couple of years ago. Although I’m not a guardian to my adult niece, she knows my family is there for her and that I am a surrogate mom for her. When Caroline left ten years prior she broke the heart of Matt West her high school sweetheart. Matt has become the town veterinarian, taking care of the pets and animals of the residents of Marietta, a town he loves. He has also been entered into the first Bachelor bake-Off when he doesn’t know how to cook. When Caroline brings in Emma’s dog the two reconnect. These two make a deal; dog training lessons for cooking lessons. Both are stubborn and hard headed as they try to make sense of this second chance they have. This was a sweet, fun and entertaining story with very likeable and authentic characters that you want to cheer on, hoping for that happy ending. The characters were well written with complex characteristics. The story line was riveting and kept my attention to the very end. I enjoyed reading this book and had trouble putting this book down, reading it in one day. I am truly looking forward to the next entry in the Bachelor Bake-Off series. I highly recommend this book to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

A delightful read of a second chance romance. Carolyn thought she was living her dream in New York as a chef when a family tragedy happens and she has to return home to Marietta. Not in her plans of having a four year old, Emma and Roscoe, a not well mannered dog. Carolyn's high school boyfriend, Matt is the town vet and has entered the Bachelor Bake Off, he has asked Carolyn for help. Matt has never stopped loving Carolyn, now if he can only get her to see this where her heart really belongs. Ms. Jump has packed this book with plenty of emotions that will keep you turning the pages. How can you not fall in love with this book, a puppy, a little girl and a handsome town vet, who is learning to bake. This is the first book in Bachelor Bake Off series, can't wait for more. I highly recommend this book.

This was a very emotional story. Carolyn is a chef who goes to her parents' house in Marietta to try to reorganize her life when she gets custody of her neice after her sister's death. She runs into Matt, her high school boyfriend, and things get complicated. Carolyn needs help with her neice's dog, and Matt needs help with his baking skills for the charity bake off contest. I loved all of the characters so much. Carolyn's fear of failure, of change, of messing things up for Emma felt very real. Matt balanced her out very nicely, even though she was determined to stay the course and move back to New York. I enjoyed this story so much. I'm hoping we get some glimpses into their future in other stories.