GRR Reviews Shades Of Chocolate (The Bakery Romance) by Cecelia Dowdy

Shades of Chocolate is a stranger-came-to-town romance that tried to pivot into suspense by adding a stalker. I didn't feel the ending quote tied everything back together though.

Toni had a dark past and she gets through the pain by baking in the bakery inherited from her grandma, now named "Shades of Chocolate". With just her and one other employee, and sleeping upstairs, she managed to eek out a living, and lost connection with her faith in God. Having witnessed her supposedly almost-fiancee doing his secretary on his desk didn't help. Her world was turned upside down with the arrival of a stranger named Jason... // Jason prefers baking to sports or the corporate office, and he's not over his mother's death. After completing an assignment from his father, he's taking a long three-month vacation... mainly to avoid his family. When he encountered the Shades of Chocolate bakery, a place that reminded him of his home, he decided to stay a while. When Toni's only assistant had to leave town due to a family emergency, Toni's short-handed... and Jason offered to help. Toni's surprised at Jason's adeptness in the kitchen, and his apparent wealth. When Toni's life was threatened by an apparent stalker, Jason was determined to protect Toni... but can they trust each other after their past full of pain?

I like the baking details, and the plot did contain a good twist or two, but somehow it's didn't quite tie it back together. I liked it, but not that well.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Why is this obviously rich man helping out the local baker? Who is stalking them?

Overall Rating: 3/5

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