Cinnamon Buns and Second Chances

by Jason Byrnes

The brand-new cozy small-town romance from bestselling author J. Byrnes (previously ranked #11 on Amazon).
Perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan, Jill Mansell and Sarah Morgan.

When London designer Claire Maddox flees heartbreak for the sleepy village of Ashford Vale, she expects peace and quiet—not a crumbling cottage, a leaky roof, and a handyman with the grumpiest smile she’s ever seen.

Jack Mercer doesn’t do chaos. A no-nonsense builder and devoted single dad, he has enough on his plate without a whirlwind city girl in need of rescuing. But Claire’s laughter is hard to ignore—and her cinnamon buns are even harder.

As autumn leaves turn gold and the village readies for its harvest festival, sparks begin to fly over crooked floorboards, pub quiz nights, and stolen moments on a half-finished bench. Slowly, walls come down, trust takes root, and what begins as an unlikely friendship blossoms into something neither of them planned—nor want to lose.

A heart-warming romance filled

Grumpy/sunshine slow-burn chemistry

A single dad with a hidden soft side

Found family & meddling neighbors

Warm bakeries, twinkle lights & village fêtes

The courage to take a second chance at love

Curl up with Cinnamon Buns and Second Chances—a charming, uplifting escape where home isn’t a place, it’s a person.

313 pages, Paperback

Published August 2, 2025

Reviews

[Line Aasebø · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am not sure what i just read. The writing was interesting the first two chapters, then it just repeated itself. the book went from cosy to existential crisis. Then somehow, the mmc's daughter was suddenly the fmc's daughter??? Someone died, then left a note, and spring was suddenly september.

I was missing a lot of events, and conversations, the focus was only on the fmc's sudden apathy and limbo.

I didnt read the last 15 % og the book, due to the daughter suddenly being hers instead of his. it was the final straw, I genuinely thought I had missread a lot of the book until then. i wanted desperately to finish the book, but I just could not. I hope that somehow I got my hands on an unedited early stage version, by some fluke and joke made by the technical gods.

Or maybe the book ends with her waking in a mental hospital.... and everything was in her mind, who knows. Not me.

[Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. I was ready for the book to be over at 20%. Over the top writing that got a bit tiring as the book progressed.

[Sunshine · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a book that will make your heart soar and leave you smiling, look no further than Cinnamon Buns and Second Chances. This book is an absolute gem! The characters are so well-crafted and relatable, and the story is a perfect mix of humor, warmth, and deep emotional moments. The author’s writing pulls you right in, and you’ll feel like you’re right there in the cozy bakery, smelling the cinnamon rolls and feeling the hope of second chances. I couldn't put it down!


What makes this book truly special is the way it beautifully explores themes of love, forgiveness, and new beginnings. It’s uplifting and heartfelt in all the right ways, with just enough sweetness to make you crave both a good story and a cinnamon bun. Trust me, this book will stay with you long after you finish it. Don’t miss out, it’s a must-read

[Tiffany Malloy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have never ever DNFd a book before. But this book was awful. The first few chapters were okay but then it became repetitive and it tried so hard to constantly be funny and interesting. There was actually an entire paragraph that was copied and pasted from 75% to 76%. That's when I knew I could not finish it. But like I said I have never not finished a book. The repetitive 'he gave a look. Not an intense look. Not a sad look. Just a look like he saw me'. Ugh. And she tells him multiple times in just a few pages I never meant to stay long. Oh and the toast.. so much toast.. how is this woman living on only toast. Just don't waste your time with this.

[Cc · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an incredibly slow burn!

I read the kindle version; lots of editing errors.
Couple of pages repeated. Lots of consistency problems (she’s drinking tea then it’s coffee. She’s drink take out then the ceramic mug is warming her hands)

[Christy]

DNF at 27%

[Chrissie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The storyline itself seemed good but I can't handle the writting style. Not a book for me.

[Linda Flemming · Rating 3 out of 5]

weird

This was a long confusing read. It seemed disjointed. There were so many loose ends. I was so glad to finally finish.

[Lou]

DNF @ 30%

[Brenda · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF! Some good editing would go a long way to making this a fun read. But the inconsistencies were too much.