Bread Pudding in Barcelona

by Cindy Villanueva

Azalea Mora has a beautiful life—close relationships with her two adult sons, deep friendships with three amazing women, a thriving business, and a cozy home at her beloved beach.

Yet after one disastrous marriage and a recent near miss where she ended the relationship the day before the wedding, Azalea decides, “Love just isn’t for me.” When a client offers her a six-month contract to open a new office in Spain, she jumps at the chance, determined to focus solely on her professional life in a country she adores.

But what happens when the man she jilted buys the company and comes to Barcelona, intent on reclaiming her?

Bread Pudding in Barcelona captures the profound beauty and political turmoil of this Spanish city as we follow Azalea on her journey to finding herself—and hopefully someone worthy of her love. It is Book One in the Blooming series, exploring lifelong friendships between Azalea and three fabulous women as they learn the best lessons come when you open your heart to friendship, adventure, and love.

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 9, 2024

About the author

Cindy Villanueva writes contemporary romance for "the invisible woman," those mature women who, despite society's efforts to ignore them, refuse to disappear. Her characters are strong women with a history that may have scarred them yet has given them a thirst for new life and second chances.

Her Blooming Series features four marvelous friends.
Book 1, Bread Pudding in Barcelona (May 2024): Azalea Mora, a marketing entrepreneur, divorced with two adult children and a spurned fiancé who won’t take no for an answer
Book 2, Something Will Sing to Your Heart (April 2025): Sara Masterson, a middle school math teacher coming to terms with a painful past and a new love
Book 3, A Thistle in the Cevennes (coming in Spring 2026): Susana Cortéz-Guerrero, a high powered agency executive struggling with a 30-year career and marriage
Book 4, Yet to be titled (coming in 2027): Lauren Ochoa, a sassy marketing executive, happily single and childless, taken by surprise by a long distance love interest

Cindy’s first book, Don’t Fight Mad: A Black Belt’s Quest to Recapture Joy, is part memoir, part self-help, and part inspiration. She is living her own late in life love story and is the mother of four adult children and two grandchildren. Originally from California, she lives and writes in Florida.

Reviews

[Mikimac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful first novel; great beach novel

Cindy Villanueva creates believable characters, whose own weaknesses lead to challenges, but whose strengths ultimately redeem their story. I particularly liked her weaving of English and Spanish (with lots of contextual hints to help non-Spanish speakers) in dialogue to recreate the experience of an American in Spain. Barcelona becomes a rich character in its own right in this story. Authors writing (and getting published!) a first book are very brave. I suspect that this author will continue to improve and continue to entertain her readers as she does here.

[Julie Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contemporary romance isn't a genre of book that I normally reach for, but I was intrigued by the setting and had to check it out.

Azalea is a complicated and relatable protagonist, and her journey was messy, heartbreaking, and ultimately empowering. The setting is lovingly rendered and the love interest as complicated as Azalea herself.

I honestly couldn't put this book down - at one point I was so engrossed, I was sneaking a few pages in during a meeting! A real delight.

[Diane Osgood · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of 2024!

Finally, a tough, smart, funny, and believable female lead who is in my generation and cares, loves, and laughs at the things I do. I loved her story. The dialogue is engrossing and real. It's an uplifting story that isn't saccharine and captures the experience of women over 50. Yeah!

Bonus - works as armchair travel as well to Barcelona. I was transported to cafes, spas and streets in Barcelona.

[Kelly Alberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully crafted story of second chances, friendship, and self-discovery!"

Bread Pudding in Barcelona is everything I love in women’s fiction heartfelt, empowering, and brimming with charm. Azalea Mora is such a relatable heroine, navigating the heartbreak of failed relationships with grace while still daring to chase her dreams. I was swept away by the vibrant setting of Barcelona, brought to life with stunning detail, and completely hooked by the emotional pull of her journey.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A ‘give it your bestie next’ read

What a wonderful narrative - real, funny, a little romance, a little suspense, a lot of emotion. I couldn’t put it down. This is a heartfelt story you’ll want to share.

[Sharon Carneiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ordinarily not the type of book I would have chosen but I really enjoyed it. Loved the characters, the food descriptions and the internal struggles that so many of us face