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When in Rotheberg #1
When You Bake with the Enemy
Previously published as Stollen A sweet small town romantic comedy by Huni, Lia (AUTHOR).Jamie O'Callaghan might have bitten off more than she can chew…
When her boyfriend cheated, Jamie did what any rational math teacher would she moved three thousand miles to Rotheberg, the “Alpine Jewel of Oregon.” She can live with the town’s weird obsession with The Sound of Music, and Mrs. Fogelhaus’s stollen is to die for, but when her principal assigns her a baking class, she needs help. She teaches calculations, not cooking.
Rotheberg’s golden boy, Dylan Mead, should be the solution to her equation. The culinary genius is handsome, loaded, and would do anything for his hometown. Helping Jamie teach a bunch of kids to bake brownies should be a piece of cake. Except he wants to demolish her classroom to build his bakery.
But Jamie's not about to throw in the towel and return to Virginia. She's not going to let a silver-spooned pastry chef torch her class. And she's definitely not going to let him melt her heart.
Watch out, Dylan Mead--this mathematician's got your number.
When You Bake with the Enemy is a sweet, closed-door, enemies-to-more, small-town romantic comedy with plenty of chemistry, a dash of kitschy "Bavarian" atmosphere, and a side order of delicious pastry. Plus a guaranteed happily ever after.
When her boyfriend cheated, Jamie did what any rational math teacher would she moved three thousand miles to Rotheberg, the “Alpine Jewel of Oregon.” She can live with the town’s weird obsession with The Sound of Music, and Mrs. Fogelhaus’s stollen is to die for, but when her principal assigns her a baking class, she needs help. She teaches calculations, not cooking.
Rotheberg’s golden boy, Dylan Mead, should be the solution to her equation. The culinary genius is handsome, loaded, and would do anything for his hometown. Helping Jamie teach a bunch of kids to bake brownies should be a piece of cake. Except he wants to demolish her classroom to build his bakery.
But Jamie's not about to throw in the towel and return to Virginia. She's not going to let a silver-spooned pastry chef torch her class. And she's definitely not going to let him melt her heart.
Watch out, Dylan Mead--this mathematician's got your number.
When You Bake with the Enemy is a sweet, closed-door, enemies-to-more, small-town romantic comedy with plenty of chemistry, a dash of kitschy "Bavarian" atmosphere, and a side order of delicious pastry. Plus a guaranteed happily ever after.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2022
347 people are currently reading
810 people want to read
About the author
Lia Huni
13 books22 followersLia Huni writes sweet romantic comedy that won't steam your glasses. After travelling the world with the Air Force, she moved with her husband and three children to a small town in the mountains of Oregon that bears no resemblance to the town in her books. Well, not much.
Okay, there's a strong resemblance, but it's completely coincidental.
You can learn more about Lia's books at liahuni.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
October 3, 2024
this is a pretty cookie cutter small-town romance- Jamie moves from DC to a small town in the Northwest and is surprised tasked with teaching a baking class when she actually knows nothing about baking. from here, an unlikely partnership takes places with Dylan, a baker that wants the culinary program to end so he can use the kitchen for his own bakery.
it’s marketed as an enemies to lovers, but there really isn’t much reason for them to be enemies. the main point of contention is that Dylan wants the culinary program to end and Jamie doesn’t want that to happen because she thinks she might get fired. but there really is no real proof that Jamie would get fired because she still teaches math, and besides her thinking that, there is no other person that indicates this would happen whatsoever, and she pretty adamantly does not want to teach baking
for the first half of the book. so that entire premise just makes no sense- there are no stakes behind the plot. it’s just Jamie complaining about teaching this class but then getting mad at Dylan every time he mentions a bakery around her which makes no sense.
if there was some sort of development where Jamie learns to love baking or becomes really good at it, or we see her form strong relationships with her baking students, then that plot point would have made much more sense but we barely see her teaching at all. so it truly just feels like jamie is overreacting every time she gets suspicious of dylan.
speaking of, she gets mad at dylan literally every other chapter for the most innocuous shit and dylan also does the stupidest stuff every other chapter, so i really didn’t feel like they liked each other at all. it was hard to root for them.
if you ignore those details (they’re pretty major tbh), then it’s a perfectly fine romance with an ending so sweet it’ll give you a sweet tooth. i unfortunately was just not a fan of this recipe.
it’s marketed as an enemies to lovers, but there really isn’t much reason for them to be enemies. the main point of contention is that Dylan wants the culinary program to end and Jamie doesn’t want that to happen because she thinks she might get fired. but there really is no real proof that Jamie would get fired because she still teaches math, and besides her thinking that, there is no other person that indicates this would happen whatsoever, and she pretty adamantly does not want to teach baking
for the first half of the book. so that entire premise just makes no sense- there are no stakes behind the plot. it’s just Jamie complaining about teaching this class but then getting mad at Dylan every time he mentions a bakery around her which makes no sense.
if there was some sort of development where Jamie learns to love baking or becomes really good at it, or we see her form strong relationships with her baking students, then that plot point would have made much more sense but we barely see her teaching at all. so it truly just feels like jamie is overreacting every time she gets suspicious of dylan.
speaking of, she gets mad at dylan literally every other chapter for the most innocuous shit and dylan also does the stupidest stuff every other chapter, so i really didn’t feel like they liked each other at all. it was hard to root for them.
if you ignore those details (they’re pretty major tbh), then it’s a perfectly fine romance with an ending so sweet it’ll give you a sweet tooth. i unfortunately was just not a fan of this recipe.
July 28, 2025
More like 3.5, typical enemies to lovers romance comedy trope
November 11, 2024
E-book freebie at time of download. All opinions in this review are my own and not affected by the giveaway.
Jamie O'Callaghan is new in Rotheberg, Oregon. She's moved cross-country after a disastrous relationship and is eager to move on and gain more experience teaching math. Jamie is informed that the "other duties as assigned" in her contract include teaching cooking classes in a dilapidated extension building. She has one big problem- she can't cook! Thanks to YouTube she thinks she can fake it til the students make it but she'll need supplies. The retired teacher left behind a note to ask for a donation but not to approach Mr. Mead. Jamie hikes across the rocky, trash-laden landscape to the Copper Butte Mills, and comes across a hunky but cranky man who wants nothing to do with her cooking class and promptly embarrasses herself. Dylan Mead, born and raised in Rotheberg, scion of one of the old families, owns the Copper Butte Mills, a gluten free flour mill. He'd love to expand his business to include a commercial kitchen baking gluten free breads and pastries but the school stands in his way. As long as they teach cooking in their annex, Dylan can not have the land to build on. While he's attracted to this petite, brunette firecracker (who looks so much like his ex, the high school principal), she's his enemy. OK then you want a war- game on! Yet, Dylan can't help noticing how attractive Jamie is and how dedicated to teaching she is. As they work together on a charity project and go on group outings exploring the quirky local festivals, he begins to see Jamie as not an enemy but a potential partner- for life. Will she ever be able to see him in that light?
This book was painfully slow and cookie cutter. In the hands of a very skilled romcom writer, this premise would have been a lot of fun and cute. Unfortunately the Pride and Prejudice style romance is shoehorned into the cutesy Bavarian/Tyrolean world and doesn't make sense. There's no reason for the enemies to friends to lovers plot, which normally I do enjoy. There's too much looking, blushing and physical attraction and not enough actual relationship development. It goes from 0 to marriage in a few pages! The solution to their business problem was so obvious. I don't know why no one thought of it earlier. I did. The town confuses Bavarian and Tyrolean, German and Austrian or frankly doesn't care. The Alpine theme was too cutesy and strange for me, aside from The Sound of Music obsession!
Jamie is so prickly! She hates Dylan for no good reason at all after meeting once. She didn't set up a meeting, she didn't do what she was told to ask his assistant and automatically resented him because he didn't do what she wanted. I can see being embarrassed at first and wanting to avoid him but then every time they meet she gets mad at Dylan for no good reason. I almost feel bad for him. Then she has the nerve to be jealous of the stereotypical mean girl/vixen (Caroline Bingley) type throwing herself at Dylan. No, she doesn't want to date Dylan but she doesn't want him with Lydia either. There are things going on Jamie doesn't know about. She makes assumptions and then gets mad without asking questions or discussing things with Dylan.
Dylan is nice enough but he's a bit prickly too. He's rude and dismissive of Jamie's initial request. He just tosses off the comment "It's not that easy!" and doesn't explain how gluten free baking is different from regular baking. That's literally his job! He could have asked if she had experience with GF baking or if any of the students had special dietary needs. He could have given her some recipes and helped her out. He's proud of his pastry chef training, his business, his town and his family. He's an amazing employer and a devoted son but he's a mansplainer and a fixer. At least Jamie calls out his mansplaining and he stops but he's still a fixer. He wants to be the knight in shining armor and swoop in and rescue Jamie when she doesn't need it. He's fixated on her looks and how much she resembles his ex-girlfriends. He apparently has a type. He's also so egotistical that he thinks the new principal, his ex-girlfriend, still holds a grudge after their breakup at the end of high school which was like 10 years ago!
I didn't think I would like Dylan's brother Rob because he's a workout fanatic and a wealthy businessman but he's a nerd at heart and a good guy. Like Dylan, he's devoted to their mother and awkward around women. He gives his brother good advice and their closeness is nice. It's refreshing to read about a close knit modern family like this. Dylan's mother is a hot ticket. She's too funny. In her boredom while recovering from a broken leg, she's taken to reading and watching trashy romance stories. She's flirty, fun, friendly and the town's biggest cheerleader. All the kids love her, including her sons.
I liked Jamie's new best friend, Rachel, better than Jamie. Rachel is forthright and tough because of her military background. She's a good friend to Jamie and helps Jamie adjust to this crazy little town. Elaine Sartori, the new principal, has something to prove. She's young, untried and eager to make her mark. She's trying to do that by improving test scores and making the school into an elite college prep program at the expense of the vocational and tech career program which includes cooking. There's no money for arts either yet there seems to be enough for sports and to hire a new math teacher. Elaine is not very likable and seems to have it out for Jamie for some reason. I think she set Jamie up for failure on purpose and is itching for a reason to get rid of Jamie and prove that the cooking program isn't working out. Dylan's side of Elaine's story comes out of nowhere and is never shown on page. Dylan's assistant, Betsy Branson, is a great character. She's in her 80s and keeps fit and healthy. She enjoys gossip and drama. Dylan is rude to her in his thoughts. Rhonda Phillips, one of the mill's cleaners, is Dylan's tell it like it is friend. She is Team Jamie because her older kid learned to feed himself taking old Mrs. Fisher's culinary class and hopes her younger son can do the same.
Matt Hertzsprung is a guitar maker and also helps teach woodshop classes. He's devoted to teaching music too and getting instruments in the hands of students that need them. Matt is a great guy. He's organizing a fundraiser to get supplies and scholarships for students in his musical instrument woodshop program. He recruits everyone else to help out. Tonio Castillo is the cut up of the friend group. His jokes aren't that funny and kind of rude. Dylan's old friends are rude jerks and he can't stand up to them and defend his date with Jamie. Not even the happily coupled woman can remember Jamie's name or cares to think about Jamie's feelings. She doesn't seem to care about her so-called old buddy Dylan's feelings either. Some friends.
I didn't enjoy this story enough to want to read the rest of the series but it was a nice enough diversion from the real world.
Jamie O'Callaghan is new in Rotheberg, Oregon. She's moved cross-country after a disastrous relationship and is eager to move on and gain more experience teaching math. Jamie is informed that the "other duties as assigned" in her contract include teaching cooking classes in a dilapidated extension building. She has one big problem- she can't cook! Thanks to YouTube she thinks she can fake it til the students make it but she'll need supplies. The retired teacher left behind a note to ask for a donation but not to approach Mr. Mead. Jamie hikes across the rocky, trash-laden landscape to the Copper Butte Mills, and comes across a hunky but cranky man who wants nothing to do with her cooking class and promptly embarrasses herself. Dylan Mead, born and raised in Rotheberg, scion of one of the old families, owns the Copper Butte Mills, a gluten free flour mill. He'd love to expand his business to include a commercial kitchen baking gluten free breads and pastries but the school stands in his way. As long as they teach cooking in their annex, Dylan can not have the land to build on. While he's attracted to this petite, brunette firecracker (who looks so much like his ex, the high school principal), she's his enemy. OK then you want a war- game on! Yet, Dylan can't help noticing how attractive Jamie is and how dedicated to teaching she is. As they work together on a charity project and go on group outings exploring the quirky local festivals, he begins to see Jamie as not an enemy but a potential partner- for life. Will she ever be able to see him in that light?
This book was painfully slow and cookie cutter. In the hands of a very skilled romcom writer, this premise would have been a lot of fun and cute. Unfortunately the Pride and Prejudice style romance is shoehorned into the cutesy Bavarian/Tyrolean world and doesn't make sense. There's no reason for the enemies to friends to lovers plot, which normally I do enjoy. There's too much looking, blushing and physical attraction and not enough actual relationship development. It goes from 0 to marriage in a few pages! The solution to their business problem was so obvious. I don't know why no one thought of it earlier. I did. The town confuses Bavarian and Tyrolean, German and Austrian or frankly doesn't care. The Alpine theme was too cutesy and strange for me, aside from The Sound of Music obsession!
Jamie is so prickly! She hates Dylan for no good reason at all after meeting once. She didn't set up a meeting, she didn't do what she was told to ask his assistant and automatically resented him because he didn't do what she wanted. I can see being embarrassed at first and wanting to avoid him but then every time they meet she gets mad at Dylan for no good reason. I almost feel bad for him. Then she has the nerve to be jealous of the stereotypical mean girl/vixen (Caroline Bingley) type throwing herself at Dylan. No, she doesn't want to date Dylan but she doesn't want him with Lydia either. There are things going on Jamie doesn't know about. She makes assumptions and then gets mad without asking questions or discussing things with Dylan.
Dylan is nice enough but he's a bit prickly too. He's rude and dismissive of Jamie's initial request. He just tosses off the comment "It's not that easy!" and doesn't explain how gluten free baking is different from regular baking. That's literally his job! He could have asked if she had experience with GF baking or if any of the students had special dietary needs. He could have given her some recipes and helped her out. He's proud of his pastry chef training, his business, his town and his family. He's an amazing employer and a devoted son but he's a mansplainer and a fixer. At least Jamie calls out his mansplaining and he stops but he's still a fixer. He wants to be the knight in shining armor and swoop in and rescue Jamie when she doesn't need it. He's fixated on her looks and how much she resembles his ex-girlfriends. He apparently has a type. He's also so egotistical that he thinks the new principal, his ex-girlfriend, still holds a grudge after their breakup at the end of high school which was like 10 years ago!
I didn't think I would like Dylan's brother Rob because he's a workout fanatic and a wealthy businessman but he's a nerd at heart and a good guy. Like Dylan, he's devoted to their mother and awkward around women. He gives his brother good advice and their closeness is nice. It's refreshing to read about a close knit modern family like this. Dylan's mother is a hot ticket. She's too funny. In her boredom while recovering from a broken leg, she's taken to reading and watching trashy romance stories. She's flirty, fun, friendly and the town's biggest cheerleader. All the kids love her, including her sons.
I liked Jamie's new best friend, Rachel, better than Jamie. Rachel is forthright and tough because of her military background. She's a good friend to Jamie and helps Jamie adjust to this crazy little town. Elaine Sartori, the new principal, has something to prove. She's young, untried and eager to make her mark. She's trying to do that by improving test scores and making the school into an elite college prep program at the expense of the vocational and tech career program which includes cooking. There's no money for arts either yet there seems to be enough for sports and to hire a new math teacher. Elaine is not very likable and seems to have it out for Jamie for some reason. I think she set Jamie up for failure on purpose and is itching for a reason to get rid of Jamie and prove that the cooking program isn't working out. Dylan's side of Elaine's story comes out of nowhere and is never shown on page. Dylan's assistant, Betsy Branson, is a great character. She's in her 80s and keeps fit and healthy. She enjoys gossip and drama. Dylan is rude to her in his thoughts. Rhonda Phillips, one of the mill's cleaners, is Dylan's tell it like it is friend. She is Team Jamie because her older kid learned to feed himself taking old Mrs. Fisher's culinary class and hopes her younger son can do the same.
Matt Hertzsprung is a guitar maker and also helps teach woodshop classes. He's devoted to teaching music too and getting instruments in the hands of students that need them. Matt is a great guy. He's organizing a fundraiser to get supplies and scholarships for students in his musical instrument woodshop program. He recruits everyone else to help out. Tonio Castillo is the cut up of the friend group. His jokes aren't that funny and kind of rude. Dylan's old friends are rude jerks and he can't stand up to them and defend his date with Jamie. Not even the happily coupled woman can remember Jamie's name or cares to think about Jamie's feelings. She doesn't seem to care about her so-called old buddy Dylan's feelings either. Some friends.
I didn't enjoy this story enough to want to read the rest of the series but it was a nice enough diversion from the real world.
August 16, 2024
Sweet
A really cute, fun and clean book. Nice to see that love can be cooked up without having to be overly detailed. It's a wonderful believeable story. Great for younger romantics. Highly recommend.
A really cute, fun and clean book. Nice to see that love can be cooked up without having to be overly detailed. It's a wonderful believeable story. Great for younger romantics. Highly recommend.
March 30, 2022
This was a very charming book that captured a little bit of my heart. I loved the way that the town had an ongoing love affair with all things German and even though I thought it was going to be super kitschy to use this as running theme throughout the book it provided the perfect "fish out of water" feel for this 'gateway' book into a new town.
Not only did Huni create a great town that I really want to visit, but she peopled with characters that I rooted for. The tension between the main characters was understandable and thought the story allowed moments not just for snappy dialogue and laugh out loud moments, but for the building a secondary characters and future tensions that I cannot wait to watch develop.
A great read for a rainy day and a feel good self contained HEA that will make you want to put on your Dirndle, grab your guy by the Lederhosen, and start doing the Chicken Dance while waiting for the next Christmas Market.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Not only did Huni create a great town that I really want to visit, but she peopled with characters that I rooted for. The tension between the main characters was understandable and thought the story allowed moments not just for snappy dialogue and laugh out loud moments, but for the building a secondary characters and future tensions that I cannot wait to watch develop.
A great read for a rainy day and a feel good self contained HEA that will make you want to put on your Dirndle, grab your guy by the Lederhosen, and start doing the Chicken Dance while waiting for the next Christmas Market.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
dnf
July 31, 2024DNF @ 7%
I'm really sick and tired of the heroines who constantly trip over nothing and fall and embarrass themselves, especially when it happens in front of the hero.
I'm really sick and tired of the heroines who constantly trip over nothing and fall and embarrass themselves, especially when it happens in front of the hero.
August 21, 2024
sweet, cute, and clean. there’s a few kisses but nothing heavy in terms of the romance. quick little read that didn’t need to be anything more than it was, but it definitely could’ve used some polishing out on some of the quirks. for example, dylan consistently calls jamie a “firecracker,” which was fun the first time, but annoying by the twentieth
May 4, 2022
"Stolen Kisses" is a hilarious romantic romp through a kitschy Bavarian-themed village. Imagine the California town of Sovang, but move it a thousand miles north and make it German instead of Danish and you've got a solid mental picture of Rotheberg, the "Alpine Jewel of Oregon."
Our heroine is Jamie, a recent transplant from Arlington, VA who is running from her past. She's prepared for her new job teaching math at the local high school. But she is not prepared when she's assigned to teach a mandatory cooking class. Suddenly this fish-out-of-water is in over her head.
Thankfully there's a savior in the form of Dylan Mead, the super cute gluten-free baker next door. Unfortunately, due to a romcom-worthy legal complication, it is in the best interests of Dylan's business for the adorable new teacher to go down in flames.
What results is a funny, charming, and all-around delightful courtship of errors as these two stubborn souls butt heads and join hearts. The romance unfolds with believable tension and an excellent pace of give and take, alternating complications with cooperation. Each of the supporting characters is someone you could see carrying their own book (and I suspect as the series progresses, we will!). The dialogue is tight and snappy, filled with humor and heart.
And the title treatment on the cover is hilarious. "Stollen" like the German pastry. For a love story set in a German town. That is some top-shelf puncraft right there.
Our heroine is Jamie, a recent transplant from Arlington, VA who is running from her past. She's prepared for her new job teaching math at the local high school. But she is not prepared when she's assigned to teach a mandatory cooking class. Suddenly this fish-out-of-water is in over her head.
Thankfully there's a savior in the form of Dylan Mead, the super cute gluten-free baker next door. Unfortunately, due to a romcom-worthy legal complication, it is in the best interests of Dylan's business for the adorable new teacher to go down in flames.
What results is a funny, charming, and all-around delightful courtship of errors as these two stubborn souls butt heads and join hearts. The romance unfolds with believable tension and an excellent pace of give and take, alternating complications with cooperation. Each of the supporting characters is someone you could see carrying their own book (and I suspect as the series progresses, we will!). The dialogue is tight and snappy, filled with humor and heart.
And the title treatment on the cover is hilarious. "Stollen" like the German pastry. For a love story set in a German town. That is some top-shelf puncraft right there.
August 10, 2024
Jamie O’Callaghan moves from the east coast to the west in the middle of the school year to teach at a school where a math teacher is needed. However, to her dismay, she finds out she also has to teach baking 101—she doesn’t know how to bake. From there, she meets Dylan Mead and they get off on the wrong foot. Despite being mutually attracted to each other, Jamie knows being with Dylan is a bad idea, but she continuously finds herself pulled to him.
From the title, it sounds like an automatic enemies to lovers kind of book, but it isn’t. It’s more of a small town romance.
I would have loved to see more of Jamie teaching and see how her bond with her students grow. It’s talked about how great of a teacher she is, but we don’t get to see that much besides the occasional “Miss. Oh” the students call her. I also wished there was more to unpack from both Jamie and Dylan. The reason why Jamie left her old home was something major, but it was brushed under the rug a bit—but it makes sense since she doesn’t really want to talk about it. I would say there is a lack of communication between Dylan and Jamie (moreso Jamie refuses to talk through the misunderstandings with Dylan when he tries to communicate with her). However, the story is short and sweet.
I love how clean this book is. Sometimes, it’s good to take a pause on spice lol. This was a fun, comfort read. Great for mindless reading. The small town vibes make it all the more enjoyable.
Small Town Romance
Dual POV
He Falls First
3/5⭐️
From the title, it sounds like an automatic enemies to lovers kind of book, but it isn’t. It’s more of a small town romance.
I would have loved to see more of Jamie teaching and see how her bond with her students grow. It’s talked about how great of a teacher she is, but we don’t get to see that much besides the occasional “Miss. Oh” the students call her. I also wished there was more to unpack from both Jamie and Dylan. The reason why Jamie left her old home was something major, but it was brushed under the rug a bit—but it makes sense since she doesn’t really want to talk about it. I would say there is a lack of communication between Dylan and Jamie (moreso Jamie refuses to talk through the misunderstandings with Dylan when he tries to communicate with her). However, the story is short and sweet.
I love how clean this book is. Sometimes, it’s good to take a pause on spice lol. This was a fun, comfort read. Great for mindless reading. The small town vibes make it all the more enjoyable.
Small Town Romance
Dual POV
He Falls First
3/5⭐️
December 27, 2023
It was well-written, engaging, and had likeable characters and a fun plot.
Maybe the only things I didn't really enjoy were: 1. Dylan constantly referring to Jamie as a firecracker in his mind and his fixation on having a "type". Maybe it's just me and a personal preference thing, but I don't enjoy that because it makes the character seem shallow (this isn't to say characters should not be physically attracted to each other because they should, but the preoccupation with type goes a bit far). 2. The frequent thought intrusions by both characters about how attracted they were to each other but how they could NOT consider the other one in a romantic sense because they were busy/had issues/were at war. I don't like it being spelt out for me. Also, when characters are unhappy with each other (as these two initially were), while their fighting might create chemistry, I doubt they are very much going to be thinking things like "just because he/she is very attractive to me, I cannot fall in love with them". If someone is being a jerk to you, you probably aren't going to be worried about falling in love with them, even if they're attractive. I think that is something that develops over time as the characters grow instead. Anyway, just my thoughts. I wouldn't avoid reading this book because of either issue.
Summary: It's a fun, light read, and enjoyable. Excellent work :)
Maybe the only things I didn't really enjoy were: 1. Dylan constantly referring to Jamie as a firecracker in his mind and his fixation on having a "type". Maybe it's just me and a personal preference thing, but I don't enjoy that because it makes the character seem shallow (this isn't to say characters should not be physically attracted to each other because they should, but the preoccupation with type goes a bit far). 2. The frequent thought intrusions by both characters about how attracted they were to each other but how they could NOT consider the other one in a romantic sense because they were busy/had issues/were at war. I don't like it being spelt out for me. Also, when characters are unhappy with each other (as these two initially were), while their fighting might create chemistry, I doubt they are very much going to be thinking things like "just because he/she is very attractive to me, I cannot fall in love with them". If someone is being a jerk to you, you probably aren't going to be worried about falling in love with them, even if they're attractive. I think that is something that develops over time as the characters grow instead. Anyway, just my thoughts. I wouldn't avoid reading this book because of either issue.
Summary: It's a fun, light read, and enjoyable. Excellent work :)
September 17, 2025
This book started out cute and funny, but suddenly turned immature and mentally ill. I almost DNFed the book because I hated the characters so much. I only kept going because I'm hoping the characters in the next books are better. The whole time I was really hoping the characters wouldn't get together in the end .
Reasons why I couldn't give more than 2 stars:
- Dylan constantly mentions his type. So many times he or someone else mentions how Jamie looks exactly like his past girlfriends & is totally his type. It put me off the first time , but after the 6th time I was thoroughly creeped out.
- Dylan knows a logical choice but chooses the emotional route.
- Jamie is extremely immature and not in control of herself.
- There is soooo much drinking.
- Dylan may be a gentleman but he's a simp and has no balls. He lets women walk all over him at the expense of ruining his date with Jamie...multiple times. His brother is the one who tells the women to back off and that Dylan isn't interested. What kind of main character is this??
- Jamie is constantly talking to her conscious out loud and in front of people. Cringe & sliding toward mental.
- From the very beginning of the book, I knew how the land problem was going to be solved. But I didn't expect Jamie to volunteer someone else's time without permission. Yet again another example of her immaturity.
Reasons why I couldn't give more than 2 stars:
- Dylan constantly mentions his type. So many times he or someone else mentions how Jamie looks exactly like his past girlfriends & is totally his type. It put me off the first time , but after the 6th time I was thoroughly creeped out.
- Dylan knows a logical choice but chooses the emotional route.
- Jamie is extremely immature and not in control of herself.
- There is soooo much drinking.
- Dylan may be a gentleman but he's a simp and has no balls. He lets women walk all over him at the expense of ruining his date with Jamie...multiple times. His brother is the one who tells the women to back off and that Dylan isn't interested. What kind of main character is this??
- Jamie is constantly talking to her conscious out loud and in front of people. Cringe & sliding toward mental.
- From the very beginning of the book, I knew how the land problem was going to be solved. But I didn't expect Jamie to volunteer someone else's time without permission. Yet again another example of her immaturity.
March 9, 2025
Jamie O’Callaghan
Dylan Mead
Jamie has just moved to Rotheburg to be the new Math Teacher after ending a relationship. When she arrives she finds out she is also to teach a Baking class, she can’t cook so she thinks this is a mistake. When she goes to the Office she finds out it’s under the other duties and she will be teaching Baking. Dylan owns the local flour mill and owns the property the Culinary class is located on so as long as there is a class he can’t expand his business like he wants. Dylan meets Jamie when she comes to the Mill to get flour for her class. They have chemistry but don’t want to act on it. They end up being together a lot, but something or someone cuts into them getting together. I liked Jamie and Dylan both were good hearted people just trying to help. Jamie expands her culinary abilities and does a great job teaching the kids how to bake. Dylan receives an offer for his Mill. His ex-girlfriend from high school tries to get him back. This is a very good book. I would read more books by this author and in this series. Note this is a reprint of the series Stolen Hearts.
Dylan Mead
Jamie has just moved to Rotheburg to be the new Math Teacher after ending a relationship. When she arrives she finds out she is also to teach a Baking class, she can’t cook so she thinks this is a mistake. When she goes to the Office she finds out it’s under the other duties and she will be teaching Baking. Dylan owns the local flour mill and owns the property the Culinary class is located on so as long as there is a class he can’t expand his business like he wants. Dylan meets Jamie when she comes to the Mill to get flour for her class. They have chemistry but don’t want to act on it. They end up being together a lot, but something or someone cuts into them getting together. I liked Jamie and Dylan both were good hearted people just trying to help. Jamie expands her culinary abilities and does a great job teaching the kids how to bake. Dylan receives an offer for his Mill. His ex-girlfriend from high school tries to get him back. This is a very good book. I would read more books by this author and in this series. Note this is a reprint of the series Stolen Hearts.
January 17, 2025
I thought this was a really cute story. In the beginning I was a little overwhelmed with all the characters we were meeting, but since Jamie was new to town, it also felt like a good reflection about how she must feel. Plus, I can already see how it sets up for the series to easily expand into multiple books. The story alternates POVs between Jamie and Dylan, which I think helped me like both characters because I could see the situation from both sides. Dylan definitely had moments where his actions could be frustrating, but it was hard to stay mad at him for long. In the end, there was nothing particularly surprising about this story, but it was a fun escape and kept me interested the whole time. I'm looking forward to continuing the series!
May 4, 2022
What a wonderful start to the series! I had a blast getting to know the charming small town of Rotheberg and its quirky inhabitants (or rather the other way round?). Living in the land of beer and lederhosen myself, I especially enjoyed all the nods, over the top or blink-and-you'll-miss-it, to all things "Sound of Music" and - pretty much - all things (south) German.
The story is well written, Jamie and Dylan were easy to root for, and I loved getting to know their friends and family members. And now I really want to read Rachel's book. And Rob's book. And... ALL THE BOOKS. Pretty please, with Brezn on top?
4.5 / 5 Fighting-Edelweiss stars
The story is well written, Jamie and Dylan were easy to root for, and I loved getting to know their friends and family members. And now I really want to read Rachel's book. And Rob's book. And... ALL THE BOOKS. Pretty please, with Brezn on top?
4.5 / 5 Fighting-Edelweiss stars
January 23, 2025
This is my first read of Lia Huni's work and I thought it was great! A small village community and not with just sugar sweet personalities either. The village grapevine works well, the shared town history and the reputations that people can't seem to shake. In comes the newcomer who manages to put a few people offside just by existing as some people are very reluctant for change to happen.
It was a glimpse into just how some school systems and small communities work while based around a blossoming romance. This is the first of a series that I would be keen to continue. Thanks to Lia Huni and IPH Media for allowing me a copy to read.
It was a glimpse into just how some school systems and small communities work while based around a blossoming romance. This is the first of a series that I would be keen to continue. Thanks to Lia Huni and IPH Media for allowing me a copy to read.
March 28, 2022
Jamie meets Dylan when she starts at her new school as a maths teacher. She ends up having to teach cookery, something she hasn't done before. Dylan wants her to fail so he can have the land from the school for his expansion, but will that change once they start to fall for each other?
A great read. The town sounds so interesting, and the side characters are nice and quirky.
Looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A great read. The town sounds so interesting, and the side characters are nice and quirky.
Looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 3, 2023
Small Town Dynamics
There are so many things to both love and hate about small towns. When things go wrong, the town is there for you, unless the town is against you. If a relationship goes wrong, it's almost impossible to avoid that person. Strong school spirit is addicting and comforting and tradition, all in good ways. All of this is evident in this delightful story. I love Jaymie and Dylan and can't stand Elaine and Lydia. The rest of the characters are just fun. Loved the ending.
There are so many things to both love and hate about small towns. When things go wrong, the town is there for you, unless the town is against you. If a relationship goes wrong, it's almost impossible to avoid that person. Strong school spirit is addicting and comforting and tradition, all in good ways. All of this is evident in this delightful story. I love Jaymie and Dylan and can't stand Elaine and Lydia. The rest of the characters are just fun. Loved the ending.
January 25, 2025
Can be read as a standalone however some of the characters overlap throughout the series as well as a background storyline. Best if read in order.
The school is using part of his property with conditions. He could greatly use it now if possible.
She moves mid year to fill in for the math teacher. Finding out she is also going to cover the baking class is scary. How is she supposed to teach something she can't do? There is definitely sparks flying but will they develop into more or just cause damage?
The school is using part of his property with conditions. He could greatly use it now if possible.
She moves mid year to fill in for the math teacher. Finding out she is also going to cover the baking class is scary. How is she supposed to teach something she can't do? There is definitely sparks flying but will they develop into more or just cause damage?
March 31, 2022
When I read the first chapter I thought this book was gonna be another hallmark type read, and wondered if it would keep my attention. I’m glad I continued. The way the town and characters are written, it places you in comfy feeling and makes you want to know what happens later on. As I got towards the middle I couldn’t put it down. The author is very detailed and as a visual person I literally could see each character and the visual of the town.
August 8, 2023
Good story
Good story, well fleshed out characters, moves at a relaxing, comfortable pace. The author does a good job of balancing the tension between the different characters and in naturally moving the story to a conclusion. I like learning about new places and unfamiliar customs as part of a story. I did knock off a star because The “tense” is a bit awkward to me in places but it did not keep me from enjoying it.
Good story, well fleshed out characters, moves at a relaxing, comfortable pace. The author does a good job of balancing the tension between the different characters and in naturally moving the story to a conclusion. I like learning about new places and unfamiliar customs as part of a story. I did knock off a star because The “tense” is a bit awkward to me in places but it did not keep me from enjoying it.
May 11, 2024
Small town, enemies to lovers, romantic comedy. I really enjoyed this book!
Jamie is sassy and a risk taker which I loved. Dylan is sweet and clueless! I love the characters and their development. This book kept me up late wanting to know what would happen next. I loved the small town vibes of everyone knowing everyone and everyone coming together to celebrate often. It was a fun read and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
This a kisses only sweet romance.
Jamie is sassy and a risk taker which I loved. Dylan is sweet and clueless! I love the characters and their development. This book kept me up late wanting to know what would happen next. I loved the small town vibes of everyone knowing everyone and everyone coming together to celebrate often. It was a fun read and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
This a kisses only sweet romance.
January 23, 2025
I enjoyed this book! Watching Dylan and Jamie circle each other until they finally came together was fun!
I will say there were so many random obstacles, especially people, thrown in I did get a bit frustrated at times because it prevented progress with their relationship causing it to be a bit rushed at the end.
But I am excited for the rest of the series!
You’ll enjoy this book if you like
🏡 small town romance
🍞cozy cooking vibes
I will say there were so many random obstacles, especially people, thrown in I did get a bit frustrated at times because it prevented progress with their relationship causing it to be a bit rushed at the end.
But I am excited for the rest of the series!
You’ll enjoy this book if you like
🏡 small town romance
🍞cozy cooking vibes
May 11, 2025
Funny, small town romance that is a tad similar to the goody, hilarious antics of Gilmore Girls and Footloose with enemies to lovers as great as Pride and Prejudice where the leads both keep each other accountable!
Eg: also see cooking class moments that reminded me of Waitress, but at a PG level, because there’s only some language like “hell” and “badasses”
Best quote: hee hee! So many! So many by Jamie and Dylan
Eg: also see cooking class moments that reminded me of Waitress, but at a PG level, because there’s only some language like “hell” and “badasses”
Best quote: hee hee! So many! So many by Jamie and Dylan
February 27, 2023
A good read with a lot of things going on
I enjoyed the characters And they seemed real like. The story line was good it kept twisting and turning keeping my interest up. I like books that are not too long but not too short and this 1 hit the spot. The other day good job on this book very good
I enjoyed the characters And they seemed real like. The story line was good it kept twisting and turning keeping my interest up. I like books that are not too long but not too short and this 1 hit the spot. The other day good job on this book very good
April 12, 2025
Predictable story line with a predictable small town romance. The main male
character on a couple of occasions did not stand up for the main female character
or himself. Disappointing. A couple of the characters were over the
top. Secondary characters were more interesting. Also, the resolution was very
obvious. The book got a higher ratings as liked that this was a "clean" romance.
character on a couple of occasions did not stand up for the main female character
or himself. Disappointing. A couple of the characters were over the
top. Secondary characters were more interesting. Also, the resolution was very
obvious. The book got a higher ratings as liked that this was a "clean" romance.
March 31, 2022
This book is a sweet small town romantic comedy . The characters are likeable and the storyline is wonderful. This book is a page turner with a happy ending .
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 1, 2022
great read
so many details
well written
and quite a few laugh out loud moments
so glad that I was able to read this book and cant wait to see what else this author has written
I got the book as an ARC to read for an voluntary review
so many details
well written
and quite a few laugh out loud moments
so glad that I was able to read this book and cant wait to see what else this author has written
I got the book as an ARC to read for an voluntary review
January 16, 2023
Good description of family, friends and small town dynamics, though dylan acts like an idiot a bit too many times (His behavior actually reminds me of taylor swift song All too well). Thankfully this book ends well and overall is a good read.
September 13, 2023
Love it!
Dylan and Jamie are absolutely precious together! I had the same idea as Jamie for the kitchen long before she ever proposed it. It seems such a simple, easy answer to the non-existent problem! Lol. I love that it's set in Oregon and 0lays into THE SOUND OF MUSIC!!!
Dylan and Jamie are absolutely precious together! I had the same idea as Jamie for the kitchen long before she ever proposed it. It seems such a simple, easy answer to the non-existent problem! Lol. I love that it's set in Oregon and 0lays into THE SOUND OF MUSIC!!!
October 8, 2024
Aww, such a fun read. Loved the Mead brothers and the math teacher, Jamie from back east who landed in this Bavarian styled town in Oregon. Seems most states have that adorable tourist town, Solvang or Leavenworth. And I've always wanted to live there. This book fulfilled that fantasy.
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