A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity

by Rachel Linden

A tantalizing novel about a struggling chocolatier who is granted a magical vision of the future of her dreams, only to realize that her heart may desire something else entirely, from the bestselling author of The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie.

Paris trained chocolatier and single mother Emmie Wynne gave up her own dreams six years ago when she returned to her Pacific Northwest coastal tourist town to run her family’s struggling candy store. Now on her thirty-fourth birthday, Emmie has only one wish, to be granted the vision that every Wynne woman is given once in her lifetime—a shimmering glimpse of her true destiny. This year, when she blows out her candles, it finally comes true.

Her vision is more delectable than she could’ve imagined—her very own artisanal chocolate shop filled with decadent truffles and caramels, and her celebrity crush, Henry Summers, down on one knee. And when Henry suddenly arrives in town for the summer, offering Emmie the opportunity of a lifetime, the future in her vision suddenly seems possible.

But a rekindled connection with Jakob, her former high school best friend turned hunky, brooding tattooed baker, forces Emmie to grapple with the bittersweet realization that her destiny may not be what her heart truly longs for. As the culmination of her vision draws nearer, can Emmie find the courage to create a happiness of her own making?

Genres: Romance, Adult Fiction

384 pages, Paperback

Expected publication May 19, 2026

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

[LindaPf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here’s another delightful and very sweet (pun intended) magical romance from Rachel Linden. We’re back in the mystical Pacific Northwest region (after literary trips to Italy and a fleeting romp to Scotland) and there are scents of fudge, raspberry Danishes, artisanal bon bons, and baking bread wafting out from every page. Single mom Emmie Wynne returned from Paris six years ago, after apprenticing with a world famous chocolatier, to help out her ill parents with their candy shop in Poulsbo, Washington, also known as “Little Norway.” With her is her adorable, weird, space-obsessed six year old Gus, who is still grieving the loss of his beloved grandfather.

Emmie’s mom has been crippled by worsening arthritis and circumstances have trapped Emmie in the financially burdened family candy shop, but there’s a glimmer of enchanted hope on the horizon: Emmie is still anticipating the hereditary magical birthday wish every woman in her family has eventually received — a glimpse into the true purpose of their life as they blow out their birthday candle. Now, on her 34th birthday, she has a very specific vision: her celebrity crush, a British foodie/travel influencer, is on a knee with a small red box in her dream chocolate shop, while she wears a floaty yellow dress. It seems over the top, but suddenly Henry Summers, the swazer-wearing TV hottie, is spending the summer in a nearby AirBnB to write a memoir. Will Emmie’s vision come true? Even with the constant small business owner problems — a flooded shop, rotting subflooring, ancient plumbing and wiring, and a county ready to impose code violation fines? But, there’s a new Norse god kneading bread in the local bakery and a supernatural bottle of neverending golden sprinkles that also appears.

Author Linden has such tantalizing ways with words that envelop you so you are tasting the subtle flavors and experiencing the sweet fragrances of the charming small town setting while appreciating the tiny touches of magic. I’ve absolutely loved Rachel Linden’s books (I made ten practice meringue pies before I fed my book club when we read “The Magic of the Lemon Drop Pie”), and I now have a new appreciation for fudge making. Her books are breaths of fresh air (with or without shots of mezcal) and I guarantee you’ll be smiling by the end — and maybe making Serendipity Sprinkle Sugar Cookies, too. 5 stars!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Henry has flecks of green in his eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO I loved that salmonberries and huckleberries (iconic PNW natives) were ingredients in Emmie’s chocolates.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

[Jen Deezy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐ This was a cutie of a book! Emmie is a single mom who is currently running her family's fudge shop while patiently (or not so patiently) waiting for the vision of her serendipitous future that all the women in her family get on one of their birthdays. Will this be the year? And if it is, will this peek into her future be the promise of happiness she's hoped & dreamed for or will she need to learn to make her own happiness in other ways? While I enjoyed reading it, felt a bit predictable for me. However the romance was sweet & I enjoyed the tiny bits of magic weaved throughout. For me personally, would have been a very cute 200ish page book, but felt like it moved a little slow & not much happening for me. However, those who love a sweet closed door romance in a quaint small town will adore this book! Hugest thanks to Berkley for this arc (which always feels like winning the lottery when I get approved for a book from them so seriously, thank you!!!!)

All thoughts & opinions are my own.

[Anabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

3.75/5

As a single mom to a whip-smart six year old, the daughter of an aging mother who's body seems to conjure a new ailment every day, and the owner of her family's failing fudge shop, Emmie certainly has enough on her plate without even mentioning the pressure of her birthday vision. Taunted each year by the family lore, Emmie continues to hope against all hopes that this will be the year the universe gives her a peek of the future she's supposed to have.

However, when she finally receives that miraculous gift: it doesn't seem possible. Standing in her own artisanal chocolate shop (a dream she gave up long ago for practicality's sake), surrounded by her friends and family, Emmie is seemingly being proposed to by none other than her celebrity crush, Henry Summers. However, when he arrives at the beginning of the summer to her small Washington town-- her vision suddenly starts seeming a little more achievable.

But the return of her former best friend Jakob lights a different sort of spark in Emmie's belly, and she has to make the decision: follow her heart, or trust what she saw?

So so sweet, and so satisfying, A SPRINKLE OF SWEET SERENDIPITY carries on Linden's characteristic charm and warmth with aplomb. The perfect book to curl up with on a rainy day, fuzzy socks and thick hot chocolate in hand, SWEET SERENDIPITY is sure to leave you satisfied and craving some chocolate!

[SusieB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Rachel Linden for the opportunity to be an early reader of her wonderful upcoming book, 'A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity'(releases May 19, 2026)! I loved it! Once again, Rachel has written another enchanting story-always heartwarming, with family, yummy food (in this case chocolate & fudge), magical realism, a supportive community, loveable characters, second chance love. I personally love that it's set in our nearby charming Norwegian themed town of Poulsbo, WA, which we go to every week or two-favorite stores, including my favorite indie book store, Liberty Bay Books, along with mentions of other nearby favorite WA towns we visit often & San Juan Island. I agree with the main character, Emmie-the PNW is the most special place on earth! It also includes a cookie recipe.😊Don't wait-Pre-order her new one now, & check out her backlist, too, if you haven't read those-I love them all & I know you will, too! 🥰

[Dawn H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity is curling up in your favorite spot with a warm fuzzy blanket in book form.

Emmie is a single mom to an adorable 6 year old, Gus. She has moved back to her hometown in the PNW to help run her family’s fudge shop and care for her lovely widowed mom who suffers from severe arthritis. This description doesn’t sound like a wonderful feel good book but it really is!

As in all of Rachel Linden’s books, there are the themes of family, close friendships, adversities, a bit of magical realism and a guaranteed happy ending. It’s a fantastic escapist read that leaves you feeling contented and satisfied that everything will work out in the end. It’s sweet and filled with characters I’d like to have as friends.

Highly recommend to anyone looking for a lighthearted, feel good read.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was magically delightful! With the sweet smells of danishes, chocolate fudge and bread baking in the bakery of her parents candy shop. Emmie, a single mom to six year old Gus now running the shop after her father passed and with her mother not able to take care of it herself.
Waiting on her magical birthday wish that every female in her family receives, she sees what her future would be like when she blows out the candle on her 34th birthday. When a new guy comes to town to work at the local bakery kneading bread so does something magical.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and share my thoughts.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sweet story was predictable, but I was so happy it turned out the way it did. I love this author and I love the way she fits in just a little bit of magical realism. The perfect novel for those of us who love happy endings. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

[J R · Rating 5 out of 5]

gorgeously tantalizing and effective book with amazing plotting and two very fun love interest options. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book I've read by Rachel Linden, and I really enjoyed it. Emmie Wynne is a struggling chocolatier who is offered a vision of her future, although she realizes it might not be exactly what she wants. Emmie has returned home from France to help her mother run their struggling candy store, while her father was sick with cancer. She has a vision of food star, Henry Summers, down on one knee. When he walks into their store and reveals that he's staying in town for the summer, she might be able to make that vision come true. However, she's also rekindling her friendship with Jakob, her best friend from high school. These connections make her wonder where her true purpose and destiny lie.

Another enjoyable story by Rachel Linden with a bit of magic in it.

Thanks to @berkley, @netgalley, and the author for this arc.