Cooking up a Valentine's Proposal

by Daisy Flynn

I just turned forty, my bakery and apartment are in flames, and my best friend is on vacation.

In comes the cavalry.

My best friend’s off-limits brother, Augustine.

A master chef, with his own Gold Star restaurant.

Not only does he give my daughter and I a place to stay,

But he has a dream kitchen I can use until the bakery is remodeled.

And the chance to create his Gold Star restaurant’s private-label signature desserts.

But when I fake a marriage to scare off his gold-digging ex,

Will he see the love behind the lie?

Or will it ruin our chance at love?

I found a true knight in shining armor, and then I lost him.

But I won’t give up.

I’ve got a happily-ever-after recipe to win the challenge, and to heal his broken heart for good.

This is a Clean Romance story with no explicit romance scenes or language, and some references to a belief in God. It’s a stand alone story with its own happily-ever-after ending.

Genres: Holiday

78 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 24, 2024

About the author

This is Daisy, and I'm so excited that you have selected my profile.

I can’t wait to share some awesome book recommendations with you, including my upcoming releases (of course!).

As a new author of Clean and Wholesome Romance books, I really appreciate your feedback.

I hope that you stay with me through this journey, as I learn to perfect my voice into stories you just can’t put down.

Reviews

[Reene's Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚MS Readathon book 34📚

Cooking Up A Valentine's Day Proposal 💕
By: Daisy Flynn

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

I absolutely loved reading this book so much I didn't want to put it down. Even though it was a nice short one I wanted more.

A single mum called Jane has a bakery that goes up in flames a d is rescued by her best friends brother Augustine.

They live together for a while and Augustine finally feels he has found his love after a short period of time of knowing Jane, when Augustine's sister Natalie asked Jane to temporarily move in to help her out with her while she waits for her baby to arrive.

Augustine and Jane work in the same field, he has a restaurant she has a bakery what a better match is that. They both work together and help each others workplaces thrive.

Augustine finally stops doubting himself that he is not going to find love for himself and that part of his life is over, well that all changed when he meets Jane.

@msreadathon

@reenes_library

[Susannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐⭐⭐✨ — sweet, cozy, and full of heart

Cooking Up a Valentine’s Proposal by Daisy Flynn felt like the literary version of comfort food — warm, soft, and guaranteed to leave you smiling.

Between a bakery going up in flames, a fresh start, and an off-limits master chef stepping in like a total knight-in-shining-armor, this story had all the ingredients for a super tender, feel-good romance. Augustine really brought those quiet, dependable hero vibes, and I loved how naturally he showed up for both her and her daughter. Acts of service men? Always yes.

The fake marriage trope was cute and low-drama, and the kitchen/bakery setting made everything extra cozy. If you love baking, food talk, and small domestic moments, you’ll probably eat this one up (pun fully intended).

Just know going in — this is completely clean romance. No spice at all, just sweetness and heart. Personally, I didn’t mind! It fit the wholesome tone of the story really well and made it feel soft and comforting rather than steamy.

Overall, it’s a gentle, Hallmark-movie-style read with lovable characters, second chances, and lots of emotional warmth. Nothing super intense or groundbreaking, but sometimes a sweet, low-stakes romance is exactly what you need.

Perfect for: cozy blankets, coffee, and a stress-free reading night 💛📖

[Sapphyria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cooking up a Valentine’s Proposal is a cute romance novella. When Jane’s bakery catches fire, she and her daughter Rita call Jane’s bestie Natalie. Soon-to-be-mom Natalie and her hubby are out of town on a last-chance mini-vacation before their baby arrives. Natalie calls in a favor to her brother, Augustine, who gladly takes in Jane and Rita.

Augustine and Jane aren’t strangers but they don’t really know each other. They are acquaintances through Natalie. He’s used to living alone and she’s used to a small apartment with her daughter. All that changes when Augustine’s house goes from 1 occupant to 3.

There are definitely sparks between Augustine and Jane. Not the explosive, fireworks kind, but a shared interest. They get along well, are able to live in the same space, and both are kind, caring, compassionate people. Their romance just hit the ignite button too quickly.

I try not to judge these types of romance too harshly. When I met my husband, we moved in together after less than two months of knowing each other. I just don’t feel deep emotions bubble up between Augustine and Jane. I wish there was more of a recognizable connection. Nevertheless, Cooking up a Valentine’s Proposal is a sweet, clean romance, quick to read, without complicated characters.

[Jo|Ruth Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with this one. There are romance stories that are short but still pack a punch and you feel what they are feeling. And then there are romance novels that read like highlights or a summary of the romance. This one definitely was lacking "all the feels" I am accustomed to. I tried to remind myself that perhaps it's an older relationship and the idea is that things move faster, and "you just know." But really whether you are 20 or 50 you still get the butterflies, the tingles, excitement over all the firsts. This just didn't give all that. It was a sweet idea, I liked the idea of the chef and the baker in close proximity working together, and slowly falling in love. But truthfully it didn't read like love. It read like they started to realize maybe they could like each other, or they were growing used to having the other around. To me, I needed more depth there. No spoilers... its a sweet read, just needs more feelings shared for me to really go along on the romance rollercoaster with them ;-)

[Jeffrey Aitken · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strength of this story is its heartfelt depiction of human relationships and the slow burn of romance.

The supportive community that rallies around adds a layer of depth and enriches the setting, making the town a character in its own right.

The book is a delightful read for those who appreciate romance novels centred on mature characters and real life challenges.

A lovely addition to any romance lover’s collection, promising an uplifting and enjoyable experience.

[Andrea Stoeckel · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This project and our collaboration could change the rest of my life. Watching Jane study the meal plans, I thought … change was a good thing, right? And I smiled."

What a sweet story! Gun shy Augustine meets baker Jane after her bakery burns and his sister calls and asks him to help out. When he suggests they collaborate the addition to the recipe breaks down some of the walls around both their hearts.

A quick lovely story that will make you smile. Highly Recommended 5/5

[Jean Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clean, sweet later in life romance with interesting characters. Jane and Augustine meet when she and her daughter need a place to stay after their is a fire at her apartment/business. Jane's friend is his sister and since she is out of town, she asks her brother to pick Jane and her daughter up. Basically a whirlwind courtship with a happy ending.

[Nancy Garbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story starts with a tragic fire which becomes an opportunity for Augustine and Jane to cooperate in surviving a tragedy, working together to improve their individual businesses and then joint business, and, ultimately, joining their families and lives in marriage. The characters are likable and their relationships are believable. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Teri Easterling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, fun read, “older” characters (40-ish) get a second chance at love as they work together. Jane and Augustine are not looking for love. A bakery fire and his sister, Jane’s friend, bring them to each other’s orbit and friendship. Good plot development with a couple of side stories keeps it interesting. I enjoyed this book received for signing up for author’s newsletter.

[Marilyn Burrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeping friends close, and relatives even closer worked. Being extremely flexible when one needs help is important. Including your family to jump in and say yes, when you couldn’t was even better during an emergency.

[Lghiggins · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Jane’s bakery and apartment go up in flames, she and her daughter get out with their lives and not much else. They move in temporarily with Augustine who is a top rated chef and the brother of Jane’s best friend.

This is a novella so there is not a lot of opportunity for character development, but it is a nice, short read for Valentine’s Day—especially if you like characters who are not elderly but are “later in life.”

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice story but a bit too short and not enough content. Would have liked to have seen more romance between Augustine and Jane. I'm glad the author continued this family's story. Got to see Sebastian and Natalie again, see there baby come and finally see Natalie's brother, Augustine, find love.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute holiday short story; nothing too deep but enjoyable.

[aem · Rating 4 out of 5]

sweet

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short. Sweet

[Joanne S · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, gentle story of romance finding two souls later in life. I found the story interesting and touching. A good read for those who enjoy clean romance stories.

[Eveie Hickman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a nice story of a couplle who had their ups and downs but finally found each other. Loved the characters , and that they found a day that they would both remember

[Slugpuppy3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed COOKING UP A VALENTINE’S PROPOSAL! It’s a short, sweet, and clean accidental romance with great characters and perfect pacing.

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a feel good story! This was an easy read that has a Hallmark movie feel to it.

[LINDA BASS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Auggie and Jane reminded me of my own wedding, minus the romance.