The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake

by Rachel Linden

“Heartfelt, heartwarming, joyful, and uplifting. You can't go wrong with a Rachel Linden book.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber

A magical cookbook and a summer on her family’s Italian olive farm help a brokenhearted social media chef cook up a satisfying new life in this delectable novel from the bestselling author of Recipe for a Charmed Life.

Rising star Jules Costa loves re-creating vintage recipes for her popular online cooking show. But when personal and professional disaster strikes, her only chance to save her career is to complete her new cookbook before the end of the summer. Panicked, Jules returns to her family’s beloved olive farm on the shores of Italy’s stunning Lake Garda. Seeking culinary inspiration, she’s hoping to convince her spunky eighty-year-old Nonna Bruna to share her precious collection of family recipes.
 
Jules’s plans quickly go awry as she discovers that Nonna’s cookbook has magical and unpredictable powers. It reveals only one recipe at a time, offering a cooking experience guaranteed to satisfy the chef’s palate and bring clarity to their life. Yet the pages remain stubbornly blank for Jules. To make matters worse, the olive farm is in deep financial trouble, and Jules soon uncovers a web of family secrets involving the cookbook and a lost recipe for orange blossom cake that holds the key to everything. Then there’s Nicolo, the boy next door, who broke her young heart years ago. He is now all grown up, even more attractive, and the only person poised to help Jules find answers. 
 
In a whirlwind summer beyond her imagination, Jules begins to unravel the mysteries baked into her family’s history and discovers the essential ingredients to create the future of her dreams.

Genres: Magical Realism, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Fantasy, Audiobook, Adult Fiction

381 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

About the author

Rachel Linden is a novelist and international aid worker whose adventures in over fifty countries around the world provide excellent grist for her writing. She is the author of The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie, The Enlightenment of Bees, Becoming the Talbot Sisters, and Ascension of Larks. Currently Rachel lives with her family on a sweet little island near Seattle, WA where she enjoys creating stories about strong women facing big challenges, travel, food, and second chances at love. She promises her readers a happy, or at least very hopeful, ending and infuses each of her stories with a touch of magical realism.

To learn more about Rachel Linden, visit her at www.rachellinden.com or connect with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authorRachellinden/ or Instagram at www.instagram.com/rachellinden_writer

Reviews

[Shelley's Book Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

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This is my third book by Rachel Linden. I adored The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie but Recipe for a Charmed Life was a dud. I am happy to say I enjoyed this one. In The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake, Jules is a social media chef who also has a broken heart. She returns to the family olive farm in Italy to work on a cookbook. Her Nonna has a magical cookbook she wants to use as her inspiration. This magical cookbook only shows one recipe at a time, but when Jules opens it, the pages are blank. As she starts to uncover family secrets that are related to a lost orange blossom cake recipe, she also reignites a spark with her childhood sweetheart, Nicolo. Jules embarks on a summer of self-discovery, romance, and recipe magic.

This was such a warm, heartfelt story that perfectly blends romance, family, and second chances with a touch of cooking magic. I loved the author's descriptions of the food and setting in Lake Garda, Italy. Jules' memories of her Nonna touched me, as I was close to my grandmother and miss her cooking and baking so much. She took a lot of secrets to her grave. This is the kind of book that feels like it is wrapping its arms around you—a comfort read, so to speak. It left me feeling hungry and hopeful. It was truly a delight to read, and the attention to detail will revive all your senses. I could smell the orange blossoms and taste the cake. If you enjoy books with hope, healing, and the courage to go after what it is you want, this is the book for you. I found it incredibly uplifting, charming, and a touch romantic. I love feel-good fiction and magical realism; if you do as well, I highly recommend this one. In a word, delectable. 🫒🍊🍰🌼

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. While this story is certainly quite lovely and there are some great characters (like the Nonna & Alex, the half-sister), it just was a slog-fest for me, sigh. It really, really drug so much in the middle that I almost DNF'd it and did resort to some skimming instead. Also, it felt very predictable. I did really like the magic realism elements with the "cookbook" though. So a pretty mixed review from me - I'm an outlier here I think, so YMMV.

[Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

You want me to spend a summer in Italy?

I'll have to think about it. You have to think about it? What's there to think about?

Juliana's mother asked her to accompany her stepsister to Italy at their grandmother's house for the summer.

Julianna thinks about it and decided it would be the perfect place to be and she does need 50 original recipes that she can get from Nonna's cookbook for her cookbook to save her career .

What happens when she gets to Italy?

When Juliana looks at the recipes in Nonna's cookbook that have been there for years, they are totally blank?

What is Nonna hiding about the cookbook they used every day when Juliana stayed with her in the summers?

Lots of good and a few bad things happen, but most importantly we get to enjoy the Italian lifestyle, delicious food, and wonderful characters.

And ohhhh the secrets that get revealed about the lives of the characters as well as finding out what the secret of the cookbook and orange blossom cake is.

You will not be able to stop reading and will miss the characters after you turn the last page.

This book is another uplifting, marvelous read by Ms. Linden​ that will have you smiling as well as shedding tears of happiness. 5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Shantha (ShanthasBookEra) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A magical cookbook and a summer on her family’s Italian olive farm help a brokenhearted social media chef cook up a satisfying new life in this delectable novel from the bestselling author of Recipe for a Charmed Life."

When Jules Costa's personal and professional life explode, she packs up and heads to her family's olive farm on the shores of Lake Garda. She hasn't been back for years after tragedy struck. Can she save her career, her family, and rekindle an old flame?

This book was the perfect recipe for warming my heart and feeling joyful. Jules' grandmother Nonna Bruna was a scene stealer and I loved everything about this classic Italian woman. Nicolo was the Italian stallion I didn't know I needed. The slow burn second chance romance was tender and practical with all the right ingredients. The remaining characters added just the right amount of spice and magic.

I loved everything about this book and Jules' personal growth with themes of food, resilience, family, self reliance, and second chances as the main dish. This is the perfect Italian vacation!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing, UpLit Reads and Rachel Linden for the advance reader's copy, gifted finished copy, and PR box in exchange for my honest review. 🍊🎂🫒

[Keri Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jules hasn’t been back to Italy or seen her grandmother since a family tragedy occurred in her teens. But when she is called in to help with her half sister for the summer, they decide to go to Nonna’s olive farm.

Jules returns and tries to regain her love of cooking the traditional Italian dishes she grew up loving and making. She remembers the family cookbook, but finds it strangely empty.

Over the weeks, she rebuilds relationships with family and other loved ones. She will be left with some big decisions to make, all that will alter her life drastically.

I really enjoyed these characters, the Italian countryside, and a sweet story.

[Maren’s Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-4.5⭐️ I first discovered Rachel Linden when I read The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie a few years ago. And that was enough to make me a fan of her lyrical prose dipped in the magic of, well, food. Her characters are multifaceted and relatable; her settings pristine. And above all, her heartwarming stories about life and love always leave a smile on readers’ faces. I am so happy to say that The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake shines just as brightly.

While I am always a sucker for a second chance romance, especially between first loves, I have to say that the mystery subplot was equally engaging. Also one for a good family drama, the long-held feud between our main characters’ grandmothers who used to be the best of friends before their falling out.

🎧 I highly recommend Rachel Linden’s books on audio as they somehow enrich the magical nature and feel almost movie-like in nature. Narrator Taylor Harvey does an impeccable job giving voice to this wonderful cast of characters.

Read if you like:
▪️women’s fiction
▪️magical realism
▪️foodie romance
▪️second chances
▪️family secrets
▪️books set in Italy

Thank you Berkley Pub for the advanced copy.

[Grandma Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the setting. It was fun and magical. Jules has a cookbook that reveals one recipe at a time depending upon who is holding it. I loved this premise. These books always make me smile and lift me up. Definite re reads for me as well. Highly recommend. Enjoy!

[Ink_Drinker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel Linden’s writing never fails to delight and The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake swept me away with its charm and culinary magic, both on the page and through the audiobook.

The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake is a warm, whimsical escape to Italy where food, family and a dash of magic help mend a broken heart.

Jules Costa, a chef whose life has unraveled, returns to her Nonna’s olive farm on Lake Garda to finish a cookbook, but her grandmother’s enchanted recipe book only reveals dishes when Jules finds emotional clarity leading her through family secrets, a missing cake recipe, and a second chance with the charming Nicolo.

Linden blends romance, legacy and the healing power of food in a story that’s as comforting as cake and as radiant as the Italian sun.  An added surprise was the inclusion of the magical Orange Blossom Cake recipe which I can't wait to make with the oranges from my orange trees in Jan!!

🎧Taylor Harvey’s voice wraps you in the sunshine of Lake Garda, bringing Jules Costa’s journey to life with heart and grace. Her delivery adds depth to the story’s magic, family ties, and healing moments making every chapter feel like a warm hug and a fresh-baked escape.  Harvey's exceptional vocal versatility shined as she easily transitioned between accents and gender voices. Her narration enriches the story’s Italian setting and multigenerational cast, capturing the emotional depth and charm of each character from the spirited Nonna Bruna to the romantic lead, Nicolo, with ease and authenticity.

[Hannah Stob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC!!

Another wonderful story from Rachel Linden! I love Rachel’s writing, the little touch of magic is the perfect addition to her stories.

I loved how this one was set in Italy - I felt like I was right there the whole time reading! And all of the food that was described sounded soooo yummy! Rachel writes in a way that you feel immediately transported into the story.

There were times where I felt like the story was a little slow and others where Jules was a little off putting and annoying. But not so much that made me not want to continue the story!

If you’re looking for a light hearted and sweet read, I highly recommend The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake!

[Meagan (Meagansbookclub) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had high hopes for this one but the first half was too repetitive for me. The ending was very sweet and Rachel’s writing is absolutely delightful. I’d say this leans a bit more women’s fiction than contemporary romance.

[Rebecca Reeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beautiful cover design grabbed my attention and enticed me to read this novel that is perfect for fans of fiction by authors such as Emily Henry or the much older book/film adaptation of Under the Tuscan Sun. The protagonist and first-person narrator of The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake is Julie Costa, a fan of 1960's lifestyle which includes jello salads, featured in her short social media videos as "The ByGone Kitchen." To pay the rent, however, Jules works at Trader Joe's. Readers will enjoy her friendship with a young man named Drew who also happens to be her platonic roommate. Author Rachel Linden does a good job of character development, allowing the reader to sense that something about Drew does not quite seem entirely honest. Readers slowly learn the backstory about Jules and her family, comprised of a shallow self-centered mother, an extremely wealthy step-father, and a half sister, Alessandra, with whom Jules has had very little interaction. When Jules's life is thrown completely off track, her paternal Italian grandmother who lives on an old olive grove farm in the beautiful Lake Garda region provides a perfect respite, combining references to tasty foods and scenic countryside for the readers.

The story arc is enjoyable, very fast reading with a touch of magical realism and a fairly predictable but satisfying outcome as Jules's cooking abilities helping to save the day for several people besides herself. I am skipping details to avoid spoilers. A couple of things gave me pause as I read. An example of this is that I felt the author led readers to have a mental picture of Jules as an extremely plain young female who wears chunky penny loafer shoes. However, once Jules arrives in Italy, it is a stereotypical ciao-bella scene with a buff local Italian guy stunned by her beauty. I also found myself thinking that it might have been nice if the undesirable sub-let roommates and initially undesirable half sister did not share the vegan/vegetarian diet that made them seem extra weird to Jules. When the book wraps up with a tasty recipe for a very special cake, readers are sure to close the covers with a smile on their faces. Not quite a perfect 4 for me, but that is strictly a personal reading preference. Romance fans are sure to love it! Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book! I admit that I am now curious about other books by this author.

[Lori Parrish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking forward to this one and wow!!!
What a fantastic read. I sure wasn't disappointed at all.
This story is full of love, heartbreak and learning how to pick up the pieces and to go on with life. Which sure isn't easy.
Linden really knows how to make these characters to come alive while at the same time making you drool over the delicious food that's very Italian. Mmmmmmhmmmmm!
Italian is my favorite food.
I didn't like the two roommates that came to live with our main character. Especially the woman. Smh
My favorite part? It was the trip to Italy. So beautifully described that I felt like I was there.."Sigh"
Learning to forgive is another favorite piece to add into a story. It's what makes the story all the worth while along with the food of course.
I finished this book well into the early morning hours because I didn't want to put it down. A wonderful story that I highly recommend! This is a story that will stay with you long after it is over.
5 stars for a job well done!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secret of Orange Blossom Cake was an absolute delight—Rachel Linden’s signature foodie magical realism shines here with cozy warmth, enchanting touches, and mouthwatering descriptions that had me craving every dish. Set mostly in Italy, the dreamy atmosphere transported me completely, and I adored the ensemble cast, especially Jules’ Nonna, who added so much heart. The magical family cookbook that reveals one recipe at a time was such a charming concept, blending food, family, and just the right dash of romance. Taylor Harvey’s narration was new to me, but she brought Jules’ emotions to life beautifully, making this story even more engaging. A vibrant, cozy, and uplifting read that left me smiling. 🌸🍰✨

[Ралица Генчева · Rating 5 out of 5]

Толкова уютна книга! Пренесе ме в Италия и ми се прииска и аз да решавам най-големите проблеми в живота си на чаша капучино и топъл сладкиш. А може би по-често човек трябва да прави именно това :) С това не умаловажавам сюжета и героите - има топлина, има малко магически реализъм, има житейски уроци, любов и (разбира се) една италианска баба, която има своите тайни.

Рецептата за щастието може да е пред очите ти и ти пак да отказваш да прогледнеш. Книги като тази помагат в случая.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

🍊🌼 🍊🌼 🍊🌼 🍊🌼 🍊

Review:
An online influencer chef has made a cookbook deal and her star is on the rise…until its not. Rachel Linden’s delicious titles full of food, family, and magical realism have been on my radar for some time. The Secrets of Orange Blossom Cake was a sensational first outing.

🥖Jules Costa needs to regroup after a few personal disasters set her back. So, with trepidation, she goes back bringing her truculent teenage sister, Alex, to the family’s struggling olive farm, her nonna, and nonna’s precious family cookbook.

🫒Alex is a teenager working through things and this is Jules first opportunity to really get to know her sister. This is also Jules’ opportunity to set the record straight with her past- the boy next door. Jules’ attitude was spicier than needed a few times, but the flaws only made her a more layered character.
🍰Nonna’s cookbook has a touch of magic and refuses to show her the recipes she wants and enigmatically will only reveal, one at a time, the recipes she needs at each step of this surprising life journey she’s on.
🍊Naturally, there is more: her second chance at love, a lost Orange Blossom Cake recipe which seems to be the key to everything, family secrets dealt with, and an olive farm needing saving.

🧡Hsst, the Orange Blossom Cake recipe is included at the end and its do-able for cook-wannabes like myself.

The Secrets of Orange Blossom Cake was a delectable internal journey of the heart and soul that reached from the pages to pull me in. All my emotions were tickled from the funny rivalry between Nicolo and Jules’ grandmothers, the hearth and home feel that cooking and Italian food give, the breathtaking Italian countryside and lifestyle, and the personal changes and lovely relationships Jules’ forges. Foodie-family-women’s fiction that was bellissima.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
I rec’d an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.

🍊🌼 🍊🌼 🍊🌼 🍊🌼 🍊


My full review will post on my Instagram page @sophiarose1816 on 12.22.25.

[Destiny || readingisyourdestiny · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, first half was a little too slow and repetitive, but the end was sweet

[Lisa Leone-campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake is a wonderful, magical healing read! It is filled with love, regrets, hope and mending past choices. It is also filled with Italian delicacies and of course the Orange Blossom Cake! Yes, there may be a bit of magic, but in the end the power of strength comes from inside themselves. In the end it's all about familia!

Jules Costa has an on-line cooking show with her roommate. But when he is wooed by an LA company to star in his own show, he decides to take the opportunity and go leaving Jules to have to decide to end her beloved show. But she also has a bigger problem. She signed to create a cookbook of her favorite Italian recipes. Unfortunately, since her father's tragic death years ago, she can't even remember the food she cooked with her Nonna Bruna in Italy where her family has an olive farm. And her deadline is fast approaching.

Enter her mother who decides she wants to spend the summer with Jules' stepfather and Jule's stepsister Alex has nowhere to go so her mother is insisting they both go to Italy to visit Nonna Bruna. But Jules has never really been close to Alex and has not stepped foot in Italy since her father's death. But she decides to take the trip because she hopes Nonna will be able to help with her memory of all the foods they use to cook when life was so simple.

But when they get there, Alex already wants to go back and basically sits on her phone or in her room alone. And Jules discovers that her first love, Nicolo has not only come back to their small town but is helping her Nonna with the upkeep of the farm. You see Nicolo's Nonna and Jule's Nonna have had a feud going on forever with no one really know what happened.

As the girls settle in Jules discovers her Nonna's recipe book. It is blank. She asks Nonna but she will not tell her why. But Nonna does tell her about a recipe which has magical properties, Orange Blossom Cake. But they must figure out how to create the recipe. Could this cake be the answer to all their prayers?

As they all work together to find answers, they also discover there has been much left unsaid since Jule's last visit. As the healing begins, everything starts to fall into place. But is it really magic or just love? Will we ever know?

The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake is such a funny burst of love, even though it has heartbreaking moments, in the end those moments are what make you stronger and happy and at peace. Oh, and yes, the recipe for this magical cake is at the end of the book!

Thank you #NetGalley #Berkley #RachelLinden #TheSecretofOrangeBlossomCake for the advanced copy.

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake is a wonderful book that whisked me away to the sun-drenched hills of Italy. The vivid imagery of the charming bed-and-breakfast setting had me dreaming of booking a stay and savoring homemade pastries in a cozy Italian village. The magical allure of the cookbook at the heart of the story was captivating, blending culinary tradition with a touch of enchantment that left me eager to explore its secrets. I loved the characters as they were warm and engaging. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

[Angie Baer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book.

The characters are so relatable—not just in their family dynamics, but also in the honest portrayal of trying to build a life through social media. It felt very real and current.

One of my favorite elements was the theme of generational legacy. Jules’ return to her Nonna’s olive farm in Italy after years away, especially after losing her father, felt both tender and powerful. There’s something so healing about reconnecting with your roots.

The romance between her and Nicolo was another highlight. It’s not an over-the-top, whirlwind love story—they simply reconnect after years of being apart and get to know each other again, this time as adults. It felt mature, grounded, and full of genuine connection.

I also loved the quiet legend of the orange blossom cake and a family cookbook itself, which was passed down through generations. Not magic exactly, but a blessing tied to an act of kindness generations ago. It added a beautiful layer of meaning to the story.

This is one of the few books I’ve read in while where food is a true connector, bringing people together, and serving as a healing elements. Truly beautifully done.

What stayed with me most was the message: maybe knowing our future isn’t what makes us happy. Maybe it’s living life fully—whatever that looks like—that brings the most joy.

Highly recommend this one if you love heartfelt stories with family, food, second chances, and a touch of legacy.

Thank you, @netgalley @berkleypub for the ARC.

[SueK · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a weak four, despite the fact that there’s a recipe for Orange Blossom Cake at the end. I always love a book with recipes.

There was a lot to like with this book - the gorgeous setting in Italy, the return of a teenage crush that had ended in heartache, wonderful Italian grandmothers, and a magical cookbook. These are all things I love - and I loved learning a few new things, too (citron, for one) - but something was a teeny bit off for me in the flow of the book. I’m seriously considering re-reading it as an audio book when it’s released, to see how I feel about it with someone else’s voice and expression; perhaps that would add to the flow.

This sounds more negative than it should be. Both the setting and the family cookbook are magical, and what’s not to love about pasta making sessions, social media, sulky teenagers, and a hot Italian (former) love-interest?

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the digital ARC. Opinions are my own.

[Abigail E · Rating 4 out of 5]

•••ARC REVIEW •••
📖 The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Do I recommend: Yes!
***Out September 30***

If you’re looking to extend the summer a little longer with a trip to Italy…look no further! Rachel Linden’s The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake takes you there PLUS feeds you so sign me up, seriously (3.75 complimentary stars)!

Jules Costa is off to Italy with her half-sister in tow after her best-laid plans for her life are upended. Time with her Nonna Bruna at the beloved family olive farm is just the inspiration she is looking for, and while there she encounters the now-grown-up boy next door, a magical family cookbook, and some answers she didn’t even know she was searching for.

This story was so sweet. I loved the descriptions of Italy and the food, and I loved watching all the relationships develop over the course of the summer. It had the perfect touch of mystery, romance, and magical realism to keep me reading, and I really enjoyed this!

I am a picky pants about endings and this one felt a little too tidy (again - a ME problem), but that isn’t a REAL complaint, ya know?! My other non-complaint is that I have trouble buying one’s true love being their love interest from when they were 15 who they didn’t see again for like 20 years, but again - that is a ME problem and YOU are not a cynic 😌

One of the best parts of this book for me was Nonna Bruna, as I have my very own Italian nonna named Bruna (though we call her Grandma Bruna) 🥰

This was a literal sweet treat of a book and I hope you find yourself a copy when it comes out! Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake by Rachel Linden (Sept 30, 2025) Thank you, @prhaudio for the free advanced listening copy! #prhaudioinfluencer

Jules Costa and her roommate have a successful internet cooking show where they share vintage recipes and they are on the cusp of hitting the big time. But just when Jules thinks all the pieces are about to fall into place, everything falls apart. Seeking personal solace and professional inspiration, she returns to her family’s Italian olive farm for the first time since a tragedy years ago. She’s hoping to work through her grandmother’s recipe book that she remembers fondly from her childhood.
Jules quickly discovers something unbelievable and extraordinary - the cookbook only reveals one recipe at a time and the recipe is designed to bring the person who prepares and eats the dish clarity through a vision of the future. But for Jules, the cookbook remains frustratingly blank. Adding to the frustration is a half-sister she barely knows, the precarious financial situation of the farm, and her childhood first love is back at the farm next door. Then there is the mystery of the recipe for orange blossom cake, which may just be the answer to everything.

This is a tender, gorgeously written story about family, forgiveness, and self-discovery. Rachel Linden’s lush descriptions will make you crave every dish and dream of long, slow summer evenings at a table full of food, wine, and love. While there’s a delightful second-chance romance woven in, the true magic is Jules’s journey to find her voice, her passion, and her place. I especially loved the way her relationship with her younger half-sister unfolded - the reminder that there is no such thing as “half family” was deeply moving.

🎧 Audiobook Thoughts: This was my first book narrated by Taylor Harvey and wow did she shine! American and Italian accents, young and old characters, and tons of personalities. It was a real treat on audio! (13h 43m)

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Rachel Linden's books. They are about family, love, finding your path, and new beginnings, all with the right amount of magical realism. This story is set just after the Covid Pandemic, and Jules blog/videos about vintage recipes was developed during the time of isolation. Now that the world is opening up again, it also opens up opportunities for her BFF and cohost. He leaves her for his new career at her urging, but it also leaves her in the lurch. The opportunity to accompany her stepsister to Italy, to her Nonna's olive farm might just be her saviour. She hasn't been back since her father died in the lake, drowning, and her guilt that she could have saved him. I loved how she felt alive when she arrived, and the relationships that were quickly rekindled. The star of the book was the cookbook. It played such an important role in the story with its magic. The recipe for Orange Blossom Cake was in the background throughout the story, and I was eager to find out what it's magic would be. Nico was the boy Jules had loved before the accident, and she realized that she had never stopped loving him. At times I got frustrated with her insistence that she had to keep her blog going, that it was her life, when there was another life right in front of her. This is a story of grief, forgiveness, love, finding you place, new beginnings, friendship, and more. I loved every single thing about this story and Rachel Linden is now an auto-read author for me.

[Susan Z (webreakforbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake is what I call classic Rachel. I absolutely love her books with magical whimsy, they are just so special and this one definitely delivered on all fronts. Romance, family, heart-warming. So much to love 🧡🧡🧡

The Italy setting was superb. I was completely transported. And the food! Wow I was drooling. Everything came to life in this book!


The audio book was superb from the amazing @prhaudio

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decadent pasta filled her bowl. She savored each bite as she let the Italian sun warm her shoulders. She looked out over the farm, letting the memories from her past wash over her. This place was special, holding her heart in its grasp. Being back here was a blessing in disguise.

The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake is a contemporary fiction story following Juliana, who is trying to figure out where her life is heading after a major curveball is thrown her way. This life change leads her back to Italy where her family’s olive farm is and hopefully she can find answers as to what she needs to do next.

This book was so heartwarming. Filled with beautiful Italian scenery, delicious food, and a beautiful story of reconnecting with family and your roots. I loved getting to travel to Italy with Juliana and I loved all the talk of food and recipes. Also the familial love on these pages was a warm hug. Definitely a must read!
*Side note: you will get hungry reading this book!

Read if you like:

• Contemporary Fiction
• Magical Realism
• Hint of Romance
• Baking/Cooking
• Italy
• Reconnecting with Family/Past
• Saving a Family Business

CW: Death of a Loved One, Grief, Infidelity, Abandonment, Domestic Abuse.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Italy and food and nice scenery. I enjoyed this, BUT my first complaint is that the word "unctuous" was used FOUR times. It's a pretty standout word and to have it used so often was glaring and felt like poor editing. Find another way to describe the olive oil. It was entirely predictable, but that's fine. Light and sweet overall.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part romance, part love letter to Italy. A charming story of multiple generations of a family brought together at their ancestral olive oil farm. Juliana is working on a cookbook and her teen half sister Alex is along for the ride. Jules hasn’t been back to the family farm since a tragedy 15 years earlier. But now she’s being embraced by her grandmother and a golden Italian summer, and maybe the boy next door who got away.

The plot didn’t completely hold together for me, but I enjoyed the story and especially all the food and cooking descriptions.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

[Chantal Côté · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start by saying location, location, location! As soon as I started reading, I felt like I was transported to the North of Italy at Lake Garda! I won’t lie, I started shopping for trips in that region and officially made it a life project!

I am not usually into magic realism but this story provided exactly what was needed. I loved the authentic family relationships and the résilience each character showed.

I feel the prologue was a bit abrupt but it did not take away from the story.

If you are looking for Italian recipes, lemons, olive oil, summer at the lake, newfound relationships and of course; orange blossom cake, this is your book and do not hesitate! Wow!

I will surely look for the author’s other novels as this one provided a true escape and I want more!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me a complimentary e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[LindsayMcK · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a slow start, but a lovely finish. It kind of reminded me of the process of cooking/baking - there’s a lot of prep work in the beginning and that’s not always the fun part, but everything eventually comes together and pays off beautifully!

Juliana (Jules) Costa had a successful internet cooking show in Seattle with her best friend where they share vintage recipes, but when the big break they had hoped for falls through, she heads to her Nonna Bruna’s olive farm on the shores of Lake Garda, Italy for solace and inspiration. Taking a leave of absence from her day job at Trader Joe’s for the summer, she will finally be returning to the only true home she’s ever known - one she has avoided since tragedy struck 15 years ago. With her moody and hard-to-read half-sister in tow and a deadline for her cookbook quickly approaching, she must overcome her creative/culinary block to come up with 50 personalized recipes that are unique to her and her history. Thankfully, she has her Nonna Bruna and her family’s blessed recipe book that mysteriously reveals one recipe at a time - the one you need the most - and helps bring clarity to your life. One special recipe for Orange Blossom Cake can even show you a vision of the happiest moment in your future. Jules’ future is certainly up in the air with her childhood first love as her new next-door neighbor, the financial struggles of the olive farm, the responsibility of her family’s legacy, and another offer to host a cooking competition that would capitalize on her Nonna’s recipe book. Jules has a big choice to make, but maybe solving the secret of the orange blossom cake recipe is what she needs to help her determine the right path forward.

Proceed for spoilers…
“Life isn’t easy, now or then. You have to pick the hard that means the most to you. Pick the right hard thing.” Such a beautiful message to write a book around: find your hard thing and give it your everything. The themes of family, healing, and self-discovery paired with the rich descriptions of the Italian setting and delicious dishes being served made for a story that was easy to fall into. Someone hold me back from booking a flight to Lake Garda, because it just climbed way higher on the bucket list!

While there was a delightful second chance romance between Jules and Nicolo, it wasn’t the primary focus and it truly left the spotlight on Jules’ journey. They were once “young and foolish and as star-crossed as Romeo and Juliet,” and time was kind in bringing them back together. I enjoyed the way the author made them seem so familiar to one another and yet so brand new at the same time.

The ending/epilogue were sweet and satisfying - combining the olives from the Costa farm and the citron from the Fiore farm to create an incredibly special and rare olive oil that gained Ina Garten’s attention 🤩 and brings tourists to stay in the villa and take cooking classes was such a sweet finale and the perfect way to capitalize on everyone’s strengths. I love that their challenges weren’t solved overnight and it is easy to imagine the three years of work that went into building up this new brand and business.

I thought the weird people who are subletting her Seattle apartment were a weird touch with their invasive questions and destructiveness, but it’s another way to show her best friend didn’t have her best interest at heart. His sudden reappearance in Italy, pushiness in needing an answer from her about the path of her entire life within a day, and his attempt to manipulate her made it easy to drop any loyalty I might’ve held for him.

A highlight of the story was how the bond between Jules and Alex blossomed. The isolation and loneliness Alex has known throughout her childhood made the sense of belonging she found with her family in Italy so moving. Their growth and the idea that there is no such thing as “half” when it comes to family made it the most powerful relationship in the book for me.

[Fay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @berkleypub for the free book and thank you @prhaudio for the #gifted listening copy of The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake! #BerkleyBookstagram #BerkleyIG #berkley #berkleypub #PRHAudioPartner #PRHAInfluencer #rachellinden #TheSecretofOrangeBlossomCake

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐦 𝐂𝐚𝐤𝐞
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧
����𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝐓𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

4.5★

This is my third Rachel Linden book and I have fallen in love with her writing and characters and how she incorporates magical realism into her books. This book was such a sweet story about self-discovery, forgiveness, and family, and in true Linden fashion, incorporated a food element. Jules, a social media chef, was such a lovable main character as she navigated a personal a professional crisis that sent her to Italy to her family’s olive farm to complete a new cookbook. There, she sought out her grandma Nonna’s family recipes and discovers a magical cookbook, which only reveals one recipe at a time, and is blank when Jules tries to use it. The book also explores some family secrets related to the cookbook, including a lost recipe for an orange blossom cake. There is also a second chance romance trope involved with Nicolo, the man living next door who once broke her heart and is the one who can help her answer a lot of her questions. Linden does such an amazing job painting a vivid picture of the Italian setting and the foods. Linden baked up another sweet treat with this one!

🍊Social Medial Chef
🍊A Magical Cookbook
🍊Second Chance Romance
🍊Self-Discovery
🍊Slow Burn
🍊Complicated Family Dynamics
🍊Italian Olive Farm

🎧I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by Taylor Harvey. Harvey did an excellent job taking the reader along on such a detailed ride! She was able to change her voice to match different characters along the way and I thought her performance was just stellar!