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Escape to Valencia Cove #2.5
Christmas Cake Day
A cup of sweet… A dash of heat… And a pinch of intrigue...
Olivia Brighton can design an award-winning quilt, but can she piece together a better life? She returns to her coastal Florida hometown for a traditional holiday celebration with family, hoping to untangle the threads of her post-divorce life. Caught up in baking Christmas treats, she finds cakes aren’t the only sweet tempting her this holiday. In the wake of fraud, Trevor Weston must find a way to save the programs at Sacred Haven Center for People with Disabilities where he manages the garden and therapeutic riding. His student's cousin catches his eye, but he's on the verge of losing his job and facing an uncertain future. When Olivia agrees to temp in the empty art position over the holidays can Trevor sees past the crisis at the Center to the possibility of filling the empty place in his heart and give love a second chance?
If you enjoy a sugar-dusted holiday story full of family and holiday traditions, treat yourself to Christmas Cake Day.
Olivia Brighton can design an award-winning quilt, but can she piece together a better life? She returns to her coastal Florida hometown for a traditional holiday celebration with family, hoping to untangle the threads of her post-divorce life. Caught up in baking Christmas treats, she finds cakes aren’t the only sweet tempting her this holiday. In the wake of fraud, Trevor Weston must find a way to save the programs at Sacred Haven Center for People with Disabilities where he manages the garden and therapeutic riding. His student's cousin catches his eye, but he's on the verge of losing his job and facing an uncertain future. When Olivia agrees to temp in the empty art position over the holidays can Trevor sees past the crisis at the Center to the possibility of filling the empty place in his heart and give love a second chance?
If you enjoy a sugar-dusted holiday story full of family and holiday traditions, treat yourself to Christmas Cake Day.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 10, 2023
145 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 25, 2021
DNF
Not so much a ‘romance’; more a ‘meet and greet’.
I finally gave up at the 35% point. During the first chapter, we are introduced to about 35,000 different people, some in ‘person’, others in conversation.
It became too many people to keep up with, fast.
But, that was not my problem with this ‘romance’. The one thing it was missing, was the romance. To this point, the -presumed-H and h, have barely even spoken to each other. Certainly no ‘romance’ seems to be currently on the horizon.
It has just gone on and on, with no real point, no sign of an actual romance, for what seems like forever now.
This is not what I had in mind when I selected a romance.
Not so much a ‘romance’; more a ‘meet and greet’.
I finally gave up at the 35% point. During the first chapter, we are introduced to about 35,000 different people, some in ‘person’, others in conversation.
It became too many people to keep up with, fast.
But, that was not my problem with this ‘romance’. The one thing it was missing, was the romance. To this point, the -presumed-H and h, have barely even spoken to each other. Certainly no ‘romance’ seems to be currently on the horizon.
It has just gone on and on, with no real point, no sign of an actual romance, for what seems like forever now.
This is not what I had in mind when I selected a romance.
December 29, 2020
My biggest problem is that it was in a series. I didn't know any of the many cousins that appeared and they kept saying "her" sister, "her" cousin. I didn't know which her they meant. It was a good story, but I am still unsure as to who was whose cousin or sister. I did like the story and I liked the characters, but I was lost as to how they were connected exactly. Unless you read the whole series, leave this alone.
December 6, 2021
Do we have the ‘feels’?
This was toted as a romance but the romantic couple didn’t know each other very well. They did have a mutual attraction to one another but hadn’t done much talking with one another to get acquainted with who the other person was. This was very evident with the way they misinterpreted what they were seeing. Olivia thought she saw Trevor with another woman and refused to answer his voicemails and texts. This was something that could have been easily cleared up if she just would have talked to him. He could have easily answered his own dilemma by taking the time to talk to her rather than flitting about under his own importance. Another criticism I have about this book is it involves soooo many people that it is difficult getting a handle on who is what, where. If these were characters from previous books then I would have no way of knowing who they are. This is my first book by this author and it was offered as a free read. Totally the wrong book to offer as free if it involves too many side characters to keep straight. It didn’t really feel like a romance as there never was any time to get to know them for ourselves. I like a romance with feelings. With this one I just didn’t quite get the ‘feels’.
This was toted as a romance but the romantic couple didn’t know each other very well. They did have a mutual attraction to one another but hadn’t done much talking with one another to get acquainted with who the other person was. This was very evident with the way they misinterpreted what they were seeing. Olivia thought she saw Trevor with another woman and refused to answer his voicemails and texts. This was something that could have been easily cleared up if she just would have talked to him. He could have easily answered his own dilemma by taking the time to talk to her rather than flitting about under his own importance. Another criticism I have about this book is it involves soooo many people that it is difficult getting a handle on who is what, where. If these were characters from previous books then I would have no way of knowing who they are. This is my first book by this author and it was offered as a free read. Totally the wrong book to offer as free if it involves too many side characters to keep straight. It didn’t really feel like a romance as there never was any time to get to know them for ourselves. I like a romance with feelings. With this one I just didn’t quite get the ‘feels’.
January 2, 2021
Family Twists & Turns
Ms. Brûlée has the art of writing down perfectly! This book revolves around Olivia & Trevor; however, surrounding them is an extended family that has been portrayed very realistically! The whole family gets together for one day to bake Christmas cakes. Olivia has just divorced an abusive husband. Trevor is still reeling from a divorce that resulted in his ex taking his daughter & his not being able to see her. This book has so many twists & turns you will want to keep reading until the end.
Ms. Brûlée has the art of writing down perfectly! This book revolves around Olivia & Trevor; however, surrounding them is an extended family that has been portrayed very realistically! The whole family gets together for one day to bake Christmas cakes. Olivia has just divorced an abusive husband. Trevor is still reeling from a divorce that resulted in his ex taking his daughter & his not being able to see her. This book has so many twists & turns you will want to keep reading until the end.
December 11, 2021
Olivia and Trevor, two people afraid of falling in love, but fate took over. Trevor worked for a center for disabled people and Bessie, a cousin of Olivia was his favorite. Could Olivia forget the man that broke her heart and could Trevor convince her that he wasn't at all like him and had no intention of hurting her.
Could little Bessie be the one to get them together?
A lovely sentimental story with Olivia and her family. The family baking day was fun to read about!
Could little Bessie be the one to get them together?
A lovely sentimental story with Olivia and her family. The family baking day was fun to read about!
December 5, 2023
A sweet romance
Olivia has just gotten divorced, lost her job, and is visiting her cousin for Christmas while she thinks about where she's going to move. Trevor meets Olivia at her cousin's Christmas party, and it's instalove.
This book made me home sick for Christmas past, when we baked and made candies. Family gatherings.
Olivia has just gotten divorced, lost her job, and is visiting her cousin for Christmas while she thinks about where she's going to move. Trevor meets Olivia at her cousin's Christmas party, and it's instalove.
This book made me home sick for Christmas past, when we baked and made candies. Family gatherings.
December 26, 2023
This book was one of my favorite reads this year until it got into the part where two people will not talk to each other about their worries and feelings, so they assume the worst. That is so irritating. Otherwise, the story was sweet and I sure enjoyed the center with the handicapped folks. Such a REAL story!
November 20, 2020
Even better than the first
I read her first two books and enjoyed them but I have to say that this was really takes the cake (pun intended). It’s a beautiful, heartfelt romance that will make you feel warm all over. And it’s just in time for the holidays.
I read her first two books and enjoyed them but I have to say that this was really takes the cake (pun intended). It’s a beautiful, heartfelt romance that will make you feel warm all over. And it’s just in time for the holidays.
July 14, 2025
Cute story, but I get frustrated by stories that develop just because people don’t talk to one another.
It was difficult trying to understand how everyone was related. A family tree would have been helpful.
It was difficult trying to understand how everyone was related. A family tree would have been helpful.
November 24, 2020
Another delicious read
Juliet Brilee’s books are quirky, smart, interesting and filled with fun factoids. I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to more of her writing.
Juliet Brilee’s books are quirky, smart, interesting and filled with fun factoids. I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to more of her writing.
November 15, 2021
I really enjoyed this small beach town romance,
November 18, 2021
Family
The works of a big family and the support it offers, with a bit of romance thrown in there as well. Nice read.
The works of a big family and the support it offers, with a bit of romance thrown in there as well. Nice read.
November 20, 2021
Lovely book
Lovely feel good Christmas story. With cakes galore and the smell of nutmeg and cinnamon the lovely sweet romance almost took a back seat. Nice little get away read.
Lovely feel good Christmas story. With cakes galore and the smell of nutmeg and cinnamon the lovely sweet romance almost took a back seat. Nice little get away read.
November 30, 2021
It was okay.
December 19, 2021
I just couldn't get into this book so I quit reading about 10% into it. I'm sure there are many folks who could identify with the protagonist and host of characters but I could not.
September 10, 2022
Sweet romance
Nice holiday or any time read. Great characters to fall in love with. I recommend reading this book for the romantic at heart.
Nice holiday or any time read. Great characters to fall in love with. I recommend reading this book for the romantic at heart.
January 2, 2024
Enjoyable story, would've been easier to understand if I'd read the previous books, but I still enjoyed this. I enjoyed seeing people with disabilities included.
January 18, 2022
I liked the use of the disabled in this book.
November 16, 2020
A touching romance for the Festive Season. This is a well-written story involving new-found hope, romance, and personal rebirth. Both of the key characters, Olivia and Trevor, have experienced relationships gone wrong. As a result, each has a huge void in their lives. Will they ever find not just romance, but a partner they can trust?
The plot takes the reader back to Valencia Cove, the fictional location in Florida for the author's previous works. This time we experience hectic family life in the lead up to Christmas.
At times I found the sheer number of characters a little difficult to keep track of. However, the character of Blessie, a resident of Sacred Haven Center for People with Disabilities, is very convincingly written. Nicely done, author!
The plot takes the reader back to Valencia Cove, the fictional location in Florida for the author's previous works. This time we experience hectic family life in the lead up to Christmas.
At times I found the sheer number of characters a little difficult to keep track of. However, the character of Blessie, a resident of Sacred Haven Center for People with Disabilities, is very convincingly written. Nicely done, author!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews