Truffles, Treasures, and Second Chances

Seabreeze Cove Mysteries #1

by J.C. Valentine, Editing Done Write (Editor)

When treasured heirlooms vanish and a beloved baker disappears, one chocolatier must unravel the secrets of her family’s past before the Summer Festival unearths more than sweet surprises.

In the scenic coastal town of Seabreeze Cove, chocolatier Hazel Stewart is busy preparing for the highly anticipated Summer Festival when her great-aunt Margaret, the beloved local bakery owner, suddenly vanishes. The only clues? A batch of half-finished truffles and a note that hints at “family secrets.”

Hazel finds herself drawn back into the orbit of her childhood best friend, Jay Sullivan, a true crime podcaster with a knack for solving puzzles—and for rekindling old feelings. As they uncover cryptic recipes, hidden clues, and whispers of valuable antique jewelry, they soon realize that Margaret’s disappearance is only the beginning of the mystery.

With her struggling chocolate shop at stake, danger lurking in the shadows, and the festival fast approaching, Hazel must follow her heart to solve the mystery—before someone takes more than just the town’s treasured heirlooms.

For fans of Jenny Colgan, Amanda Flower, and Nancy Naigle, Truffles, Treasures, and Second Chances is a delectable blend of cozy mystery and small-town romance that will leave you craving for more.

Don’t miss this heartwarming tale of love, secrets, and sweet surprises! Pick up Truffles, Treasures, and Second Chances today and let Seabreeze Cove charm you.

385 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 5, 2025

About the author

USA Today bestselling romance author J.C. Valentine lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their amazing children and fun-loving dogs. When she's not writing stories of love, laughter, and steamy scenes, you can find her editing for fellow authors or spending time with her family. J.C. has been penning stories since childhood, though thankfully her writing has improved since then. She loves bringing heart, humor, and happiness to readers through her vivid imagination and love of words.

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Reviews

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in a new series, and what a wonderful story this is!
Hazel is a chocolatier, who is bust preparing for the Summer Festival, when her great aunt, and beloved local bakery owner, Margaret vanishes. Hazel contacts her childhood best friend Jay, who has a true crime podcaster, for help.
This is a well written story which is action packed, with family, friendships, emotions, kidnapping, family secrets, mystery, suspense, intrigue, hidden clues, valuable antique jewellery, humor, witty banter, revelations, rekindled love, which leads to an entertaining, and heartwarming, small town romance.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Jenn Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely a different read than the usual from this author but that's what made it fun. It's a bit cozy mystery with a second chance and a touch of suspense that gets the heartrate kicking. Hazel and Jay have a deep, strong connection and I enjoyed that as they navigate the mystery and the rekindling of their relationship. The mystery keeps the pages turning. There are times when the technical parts can be a bit much that tried to pull me out of the story, but other than those moments, the story flows and keeps things interesting. I'm curious about where this series will take us!

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Cheryl Roth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fell in love the small town feel in this book. These is mystery, missing family heirlooms, family secrets, missing beloved baker, and a small town festival.

There is small town romance full of surprises and second chances.

The story has a lot of adventure and action going on throughout the whole story bound to keep you hooked and wanting more.

Be sure to grab your copy on June 25.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book from start to finish. It had everything you want in a book, mystery, intrigue, secrets, family, reunited lovers, great characters, and great small town feeling. And chocolate, wants not to love.
I loved Hazel and Jay, they reunited when he comes back to town and helps her find her aunt who is kidnapped because of a family secret. With the help of Jay, and the town, they work to find the master chocolate baker and uncover lots of family secrets. In looking at all the clues to finding her, jay and Hazel uncover their real feelings for one another and see that the path is clear for them to have a future and a Happy Ever After.
This is a book that once you start reading you will not be able to put it down until you uncover all the secrets of Hazel, her family and what secrets lies ahead in Seabreeze Cove.

I can't wait for the next book in this series.

[Lindzanne1_bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an entertaining cozy mystery! So much suspense and adventure packed into one story! Follow along with Hazel as she tries to locate her missing aunt. Lots of family secrets and surprises come to light along the way, so get ready. Along with the mystery, there is a bit of romance sprinkled throughout as Hazel is reunited with her lost love, Jay. At times it did feel like I got a bit lost in some of the details and complexities, but I’m pretty sure that’s just a me problem.

Thank you so much J.C. Valentine for the arc!

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Tasty Stars!

Welcome to Seabreeze Cove, an old mining town filled with an interesting history, mystery, secrets, and of course Chocolate. The characters were enjoyable, mostly. The story was different, there is a lot going on in this small town. It had me turning pages, eager to piece together the mysterious happenings, unraveling secrets, unearthing hidden clues and passageways making for a worthwhile adventure. Watching Hazel and Jay rekindle their friendship, added a little extra sweetness to the story.

I can't wait to see how Rebecca redeems herself and what other discoveries we'll find next in Antique Hearts and Alibis.