A Daisy in Lily's Valley

by B.A. Franc

Shy but optimistic Emiliana loves two things above all else: baking and her hometown of Lily's Valley. Despite an early Coeliac diagnosis, Emiliana has made great strides in redefining her relationship with baking, creatively reinventing traditional recipes to break the limitations of her disease. Emiliana dreams of continuing her family's legacy and expanding the baking line at LV Baked Goods, LLC to be more inclusive of those with similar ailments. But working under the watchful-and sometimes oppressive-eye of her domineering mother, Geraldine, leaves Emiliana little room to grow as a baker or even as a person. Geraldine finds fault with nearly everything about Emiliana, from her sensitive personality to the muted colours she prefers and her subdued fashion sense. And she certainly hasn't been open to expanding the LV Baked Goods line.

That is until Geraldine announces a baking contest within the company that will help name her second in command. Emiliana sees an opportunity not just to grow but to win her mother's approval and forge a bond with her-even if it means changing everything about who she is until she can't recognize herself anymore.

However, every attempt at pleasing her mother brings Emiliana closer to realising her disconnect with Geraldine might be irreversible. With the help of her long-time friend Leandra and the mysterious stranger across the hall known only as A, Emiliana may just begin to reimagine what the meaning of family is, what it is she wants from life, and whom she most wishes to become.

389 pages, Paperback

First published March 19, 2024

About the author

Brittani “B.A.” Franc is a passionate advocate for savouring the simpler moments in life. Whether that be frolicking through a field of wildflowers (her ultimate dream) or wrapping herself up in a warm blanket set by the fire on a frigid winter’s evening, Brittani finds beauty in these tiny snapshots.

She loves the outdoors and has great reverence for nature. Her friends often refer to her as a “garden faerie,” which has become a term Brittani very much admires. If she could metamorphose into a wildflower, tree, or bumbling bee, she would.  

Rolling her various passions into her writing, Brittani weaves together stories filled with discovering the power of confidence, self-expression, and the magic contained within us all. 

She currently resides in Georgia with her husband and their three cats.

Reviews

[B.A. Franc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is for all those magical souls who…

- Have ever felt unsure of themselves
- Struggle with feeling “different”
- Prefer quiet over chaos
- Delight in simple pleasures
- Love a toasty baked good and warm beverage on a rainy day
- Listen to records and read by candlelight
- Can turn any moment into an idealistic moment
- Know that a found family is just as legitimate as blood relatives

I do hope you enjoy the read 💛.

[Taylor Provensal · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love cozy, feel-good stories with baking, found family, and the internal journeys to self-acceptance, this book is for you! There is so much depth to the characters, and the descriptions of all the baked goods are just mouthwatering! Not to mention, the recipes are included in the back! So you can have a taste of the very dessert described in the chapter!
This book is great for any season and will leave your heart warm and your stomach craving for more!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A chosen family is just as real as the one you're born into, Em. Don't ever forget."

This theme was so prevalent throughout A Daisy in Lily's Valley, a book that reaches out and surrounds you in a warm hug with a warm scone and cup of tea. The story follows Emiliana, a woman with celiac disease whose passion is baking. Growing up in a baking family, she has a strained (to say the least) relationship with her only surviving relative, her mother. The story follows her as she grows not only as a baker but as her own person. As she learns to trust her own instincts in baking and life, she finds the expectations her mother has may not be what she wants.

Reading this book as an ARC was such a pleasure. As a disabled woman and as a lover of all things culinary, her journey with chronic illness and learning to adapt to that hit so close to home. An added treat are the recipes that Emiliana creates. It makes me want to make the amaretto cheesecake or florentines and reread the corresponding chapters. I highly recommend this cozy, heartwarming novel for the yearners out there!

[Vic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book in a day. What an amazing debut novel from B.A. Franc. This book was both an enticing feel-good novel and a novel that really hits home when it comes to reader empathy. I both verbally aw’d and had my heartstrings tugged on multiple times thought out the book.

In many novels I’ve read, some character reactions seem to come out of no where or be out of character. I appreciated that in this novel, that Emiliana’s emotions, thoughts, and experiences provoked understandable reactions that were consistent with her developing as a character. Within supporting characters, Franc is able to prove each with a foundational set of traits that are unwavering (Leandra’s protectiveness and genuine love for Emiliana, Aurum’s understanding, empathy, and calming nature, Geraldine’s callousness), while still creating well-developed characters with a range of other personality traits, emotions, and reactions.

I commend how Franc is able to tackle the challenge of moving through different seasons without the story feeling rushed or abrupt, all while skillfully intertwining memories of Emiliana’s past. Finally, I cannot end this review without commending Franc’s masterful command of descriptive language and metaphors to make Lily’s Valley come to life.

Thank you for sharing this book, I’m so happy to have been able to read your writing.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A chosen family is just as real as the one your born into…”
This story is well-written. You can see and feel the internal struggles of the main character, Emiliana. It is about the toxic relationship between mother and daughter and how the daughter feels and reacts. It is also a love story, detailing the importance of loving yourself and surrounding yourself with people who love you. The story follows Emiliana as she learns to step up and step out on her own.

[Katryn Seeburger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saved each seasonal section to read while I was living in that season, and I loved getting to explore the details and senses as she lived through them.

It feels like reading memories of moments surrounded by special pastries and treats in each chapter.

[Amy Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet and heartwarming story. Be warned: will make you want to bake ALL the things then curl up with a cup of tea and a book and nibble on sweets till the sun goes down.

[Shannon Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Daisy in Lily's Valley by B. A. Franc is a hug in the shape of a book. This story is warm and welcoming at each turn of the page, always inclusive and kind in all the ways this world so desperately needs.

If only her family wasn't so complicated, Emiliana would be the heiress to a powerful baking business. Instead, she finds herself in a complicated situation as her mother's corporate mindset completely reinvents her grandmother's simple bakery dream. With the help of her friends, Emiliana learns to choose herself, to know her worth, and to use her talents to make a positive difference.

I think Franc's strongest skill is her ability to set the scene. This story is immersive, from start to finish. The writing is lyrical and descriptive, painting a beautiful picture of a vibrant landscape, filled with unique and homey locations, from the bakery to the bookshop to the farmer's market. Better yet, Franc consistently ties together the story's (delightfully cottagecore) themes, building strong characters and lovely friendships while layering in family complexities, past losses, and what it means when we're forced to reinvent our hopes and dreams. All this framed with the flow of the seasons and a clever selection of gluten-free baked treats (with recipes included at the back of the book!).

Another important note: representation! A Daisy in Lily's Valley is rich and authentic in all of its descriptions, always adding context to make the narrative believable - and real. Diversity is a clear priority for Franc, who tactfully depicts the realities of life with a chronic illness, specifically Coeliac disease (a huge blow for a baker like Emiliana, but later an opportunity for a vast array of wonderful new recipes!). Franc never shies away from the challenges of illness, but she also highlights the hope that exists after a diagnosis. Likewise, Franc expertly navigates the inclusion of diverse gender identities in her writing. This book is a masterclass in how writers can effectively and respectfully incorporate non-binary characters without making gender the center of the storyline.

In truth, I took a little longer to read this book than usual because it is one of those rare stories that readers don't want to leave a moment too soon. I wanted to extra time to live in Emiliana's world of family, friendship, and the power of self-belief. A Daisy in Lily's Valley was exactly the book I needed. It's a story I will return to when I'm feeling blue, and I'll be keeping an eye out for more of Franc's books in the future. Our world can be a difficult place. Stories like this one remind us of all the good that still surrounds us!

Thank you, B. A. Franc, for sharing Emiliana's story. If you're looking for a book to wrap you up in a comforting hug, you've found it. Pop on the kettle, and make a cup of tea. Choose your favourite baked treat, and settle in for the perfect cozy read!

***
My favourite quote from the book?

“I felt like a snowflake falling in spring. An improbable, imperfect juxtaposition.”

[Inez Hein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite largely featuring a toxic family relationship, a very real portrayal of grief, and an uncertain, unconfident heroine, the book is still definitely a "feel-good" read, with it's cozy cottage core vibes, vintage feel, and sweet supportive friendships. It will leave you smiling and feeling warm.

[Lauren Higdon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cozy journey through a year in the life of a relatable young woman—her insecurities, her struggles, and her journey to find herself.
I had a hard time at the beginning of the book because I kept waiting for an overarching plot or conflict to kick in, but once I just settled into the idea of living inside Emiliana’s head for a while, I really enjoyed the journey.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. This isn’t even my normal genre, and it still kept me captivated. This book is Great British Bake-off meets Devil Wears Prada for sure. This book is cozy, lovely, and just everything you want from a novel about baking. If/when this author writes another, I’ll be picking it up.