What do you think?
Rate this book
A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity
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?
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?
378 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 19, 2026
About the author
Rachel Linden
8 books1,073 followersRachel 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
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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews
June 4, 2026
Sweet story, I really enjoyed it!
Emmie Wynne trained to be a chocolatier in France, but gave up on her dreams to return to her Washington hometown to run the fudge shop that has been in her family for decades. She has been anxiously waiting for the gift that the women in her family all experience--when blowing out the candle on their birthday cake, they get a vision of their future. But at 34, Emmie feels as if the gift has probably passed her by when finally she sees something that shocks and surprises her. Can she trust in the vision?
This is a lovely tale of second chance romance with a touch of magical realism "sprinkled" into the narrative. I couldn't figure out how the ending that I personally wanted to happen would work with Emmie's vision, but I also trusted that it eventually would.
Although there's some character growth and discovery, I wasn't always the biggest fan of Emmie and her martyrdom. I get feeling stuck in family expectations, and I get that Emmie didn't really want to come clean with Gus about his father, but come on, occasionally you have to suck it up and have the difficult conversations.
That aside, this is an entertaining, light novel that feels a bit like a Hallmark movie in a book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Emmie Wynne trained to be a chocolatier in France, but gave up on her dreams to return to her Washington hometown to run the fudge shop that has been in her family for decades. She has been anxiously waiting for the gift that the women in her family all experience--when blowing out the candle on their birthday cake, they get a vision of their future. But at 34, Emmie feels as if the gift has probably passed her by when finally she sees something that shocks and surprises her. Can she trust in the vision?
This is a lovely tale of second chance romance with a touch of magical realism "sprinkled" into the narrative. I couldn't figure out how the ending that I personally wanted to happen would work with Emmie's vision, but I also trusted that it eventually would.
Although there's some character growth and discovery, I wasn't always the biggest fan of Emmie and her martyrdom. I get feeling stuck in family expectations, and I get that Emmie didn't really want to come clean with Gus about his father, but come on, occasionally you have to suck it up and have the difficult conversations.
That aside, this is an entertaining, light novel that feels a bit like a Hallmark movie in a book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
May 27, 2026
4 stars - very nice romance/magic realism story - loved the chocolates mixed with the cinnamon roll (IYKYK). A bit predictable but comforting and easy to read
June 1, 2026
2.5⭐️ Since I’m waiting for the Outlier Island Ferry to drop anchor, I’ll keep this brief.
The Good
The story takes place in Poulsbo, Washington. It’s real, it’s charming, it’s also known as, “Little Norway.” From the photos it resembles my happy place, Solvang, California, founded by Danish immigrants.
The Bad
The Lifetime Achievement TSTL award goes to FMC, Emmie Wynne. Her competition, Rocks, Bricks, and Hammers need not attend the ceremony.
The Wily
After Hallmark adapted The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie into The Magic of Lemon Drops, Linden prepped her story for a second life in TV Land. It’s so shameless, it’s embarrassing. From a reference to the long-running show, “When Calls the Heart,” to a budding secondary romance, to a default solution to a third act dilemma, plus the catchphrase, “I love that!” [There’s more, but it gets spoilery], Hallmark just needs to tweak the MCs’ ages for their demo and hand over the cash.
The Good
The story takes place in Poulsbo, Washington. It’s real, it’s charming, it’s also known as, “Little Norway.” From the photos it resembles my happy place, Solvang, California, founded by Danish immigrants.
The Bad
The Lifetime Achievement TSTL award goes to FMC, Emmie Wynne. Her competition, Rocks, Bricks, and Hammers need not attend the ceremony.
The Wily
After Hallmark adapted The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie into The Magic of Lemon Drops, Linden prepped her story for a second life in TV Land. It’s so shameless, it’s embarrassing. From a reference to the long-running show, “When Calls the Heart,” to a budding secondary romance, to a default solution to a third act dilemma, plus the catchphrase, “I love that!” [There’s more, but it gets spoilery], Hallmark just needs to tweak the MCs’ ages for their demo and hand over the cash.
May 23, 2026
First off, thank NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with this ARC! This was such a cute, heartwarming story. After not really liking Rachel’s last release, I was a little hesitant about this one. But this is the writing that I know and love from Rachel, and this did not disappoint. This is all about going for what you want in life, and to stop putting other people first over your goal. She still loved and cared about her family so much, and I loved the kid in this and the FMC’s mother dressing her dog up in ridiculous outfits 😂. But basically even though the FMC has a vision on how her life should be doesn’t mean it’s going to turn out that way. And that’s what I loved about this one. It was so funny, and charming. 4.25 stars and excited for another food themed tale from Rachel 😁
May 20, 2026
I have loved every book I've read by Rachel Linden. She always has just the right amount of magic, family, friendship and romance. It's Emmie Wynne's 34th birthday and she is hoping this will be the year that she will see her vision of what her true destiny is. She has been working in her family fudge shop for the last six years since she came home with her son, Gus. Recently, her childhood best friend and high school boyfriend, Jakob Kristensen, is back in town to work in the family bakery. When her mother's store has issues with the old pipes that damages the floor and some stock, they hire Walt, a crochety resident with a soft heart. He has Jakob working for him when he isn't in the bakery, and he and Gus hit it off. When Emmie sees her vision at her birthday dinner, she is confused. She is in her own gourmet chocolate shop with her mom, best friend, Gus, and Jakob surrounding her, and Henry Summers, a celebrity food show host who Emmie has a crush on, proposing on his knees. This can't possibly be true, she hasn't even met Henry Summers.
I loved all the characters in this story from Emmie to Jakob, sweet precocious Gus, Emmie's mom and her BFF Dot, Dani, Walt and all the other secondary characters we meet. There is a bit of a love triangle, but it doesn't overtake the whole storyline. There are a lot of issues that get in the way of Emmie opening her own shop, and several possible solutions. Emmie is somewhat insecure and often worries that it will never work, but I liked that she never gives up. Gus is adorable and I enjoyed every scene he was in. This is definitely a Hallmark Movie story. I loved the small town setting in Washington, with the quirky characters, the lovely fudge maker who comes home to help her family, then the two handsome men that are both contenders for her affections. I am a huge chocoholic, so between the fudge and the descriptions of the chocolates that Emmie makes for the chocolate competition she enters, my mouth was watering. Throw in magic sprinkles that sometimes make their way into her fudge, a possible romance for her widowed mother and a happily ever after, and this will make an enjoyable story for all who like a sweet, small town romance with just a little magic. I did a read listen and enjoyed both formats. Elena Rey gives voice to the various characters and makes them recognizable individuals. Her expression, tone and pacing give them book an easy listening feel and I was pulled into the story.
I loved all the characters in this story from Emmie to Jakob, sweet precocious Gus, Emmie's mom and her BFF Dot, Dani, Walt and all the other secondary characters we meet. There is a bit of a love triangle, but it doesn't overtake the whole storyline. There are a lot of issues that get in the way of Emmie opening her own shop, and several possible solutions. Emmie is somewhat insecure and often worries that it will never work, but I liked that she never gives up. Gus is adorable and I enjoyed every scene he was in. This is definitely a Hallmark Movie story. I loved the small town setting in Washington, with the quirky characters, the lovely fudge maker who comes home to help her family, then the two handsome men that are both contenders for her affections. I am a huge chocoholic, so between the fudge and the descriptions of the chocolates that Emmie makes for the chocolate competition she enters, my mouth was watering. Throw in magic sprinkles that sometimes make their way into her fudge, a possible romance for her widowed mother and a happily ever after, and this will make an enjoyable story for all who like a sweet, small town romance with just a little magic. I did a read listen and enjoyed both formats. Elena Rey gives voice to the various characters and makes them recognizable individuals. Her expression, tone and pacing give them book an easy listening feel and I was pulled into the story.
May 18, 2026
Rachel Linden really has such a gift for writing stories that feel warm, whimsical, and comforting while still carrying emotional depth, and A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity was another delightful escape. Set against the dreamy backdrop of a Pacific Northwest coastal town, this story blends magical realism, family bonds, romance, and mouthwatering foodie details into something that feels equal parts cozy and enchanting. I absolutely loved the magical vision element and how it pushed Emmie to question whether the life she thought she wanted was truly the one that would make her happiest. The whimsical touches never overwhelmed the emotional core of the story, and that balance worked so well for me.
One of my favorite parts was simply immersing myself in Emmie’s world. Rachel Linden describes food in such a vivid, sensory way that I could practically taste every chocolate truffle and fudge creation along the way. The candy shop atmosphere and small town charm made this feel incredibly cozy, and the strong sense of community added so much heart to the story. I especially adored Emmie’s relationship with her son Gus, who brought so much sweetness and warmth to the book, and the bond between Emmie and her mother was equally tender and meaningful.
Beyond the romance and magical elements, this was ultimately a story about choosing your own happiness and rediscovering the dreams that truly matter. Between the charming coastal setting, lovable characters, whimsical magic, and delicious foodie vibes, this felt like the perfect comforting escape. If you love magical realism mixed with romance, family, and small town charm, this one is such a fun and heartfelt read.
One of my favorite parts was simply immersing myself in Emmie’s world. Rachel Linden describes food in such a vivid, sensory way that I could practically taste every chocolate truffle and fudge creation along the way. The candy shop atmosphere and small town charm made this feel incredibly cozy, and the strong sense of community added so much heart to the story. I especially adored Emmie’s relationship with her son Gus, who brought so much sweetness and warmth to the book, and the bond between Emmie and her mother was equally tender and meaningful.
Beyond the romance and magical elements, this was ultimately a story about choosing your own happiness and rediscovering the dreams that truly matter. Between the charming coastal setting, lovable characters, whimsical magic, and delicious foodie vibes, this felt like the perfect comforting escape. If you love magical realism mixed with romance, family, and small town charm, this one is such a fun and heartfelt read.
December 10, 2025
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.
All thoughts & opinions are my own.
May 27, 2026
Rachel Linden's latest book A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity is well...just delicious! The story is about a single mother who must come back home to help her ailing parents and keep their fudge shop afloat all the while trying to keep her head above water and not being able to fulfill her own dreams let alone find a companion. But as the women in her family know it's only when on their birthday, just once they will be given a glimpse of what their future will hold. In her thirties she is still waiting for her vision. Be careful what you wish for!
Emmie had a wonderful life in Paris, just beginning to create a name for herself as a chocolatier until suddenly her world came crashing down. Six years ago, she found out she was pregnant, discovered her father was very ill and her mother could not take care of him and their chocolate store where they served a very special fudge created by her father.
Now, years later her father has passed away, and her mother is now having medical issues, so Emmie has become immersed in taking care of her son Gus who is still mourning the passing of his grandfather, and her mother's limited ability to help at the store and making all the chocolate.
But her birthday is coming up, and she just hopes this year will be the year she will get her magical vision of her future. All the other women have gotten their visions and what they have seen has come true. But for Emmie the wait is becoming unbearable! She needs a bit of good news!
And this year, well let's just say she gets the vision of a lifetime! She will be able to make her own chocolates, as well as fall in love with no other than a celebrity. This can't be real... until said celebrity walks into the shop!
Things seem to be going well until the shop begins to fall apart, literally! She sees an old friend from high school who unfortunately she hurt back then and the building the shop is in now must be upgraded to code which means she needs even more money! With no way near the amount of cash and very little time Emmie feels like her vision was just a magical joke! But she refuses to sell the family business no matter what.
But although Emmie can't see the light of day yet, she will learn many valuable lessons, and soon she will discover what she wants for her future may not be exactly what was planned for her. What should she do? Who knows better the vision or Emmie? She just wants to find a balance and more importantly some time and happiness!
A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity is an uplifting, adorable, charming, should I actually say it?...sweet story about those who do for so many being able to finally find not only their own voice, but realizing you must be able to take care of yourself before you can attempt to take on those you love so much.
Thank you #NetGalley #Berkley #RachelLinden #ASprinkleofSweetSerendipity for the advance copy.
Emmie had a wonderful life in Paris, just beginning to create a name for herself as a chocolatier until suddenly her world came crashing down. Six years ago, she found out she was pregnant, discovered her father was very ill and her mother could not take care of him and their chocolate store where they served a very special fudge created by her father.
Now, years later her father has passed away, and her mother is now having medical issues, so Emmie has become immersed in taking care of her son Gus who is still mourning the passing of his grandfather, and her mother's limited ability to help at the store and making all the chocolate.
But her birthday is coming up, and she just hopes this year will be the year she will get her magical vision of her future. All the other women have gotten their visions and what they have seen has come true. But for Emmie the wait is becoming unbearable! She needs a bit of good news!
And this year, well let's just say she gets the vision of a lifetime! She will be able to make her own chocolates, as well as fall in love with no other than a celebrity. This can't be real... until said celebrity walks into the shop!
Things seem to be going well until the shop begins to fall apart, literally! She sees an old friend from high school who unfortunately she hurt back then and the building the shop is in now must be upgraded to code which means she needs even more money! With no way near the amount of cash and very little time Emmie feels like her vision was just a magical joke! But she refuses to sell the family business no matter what.
But although Emmie can't see the light of day yet, she will learn many valuable lessons, and soon she will discover what she wants for her future may not be exactly what was planned for her. What should she do? Who knows better the vision or Emmie? She just wants to find a balance and more importantly some time and happiness!
A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity is an uplifting, adorable, charming, should I actually say it?...sweet story about those who do for so many being able to finally find not only their own voice, but realizing you must be able to take care of yourself before you can attempt to take on those you love so much.
Thank you #NetGalley #Berkley #RachelLinden #ASprinkleofSweetSerendipity for the advance copy.
December 6, 2025
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!
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!
March 28, 2026
3.5⭐️
This was such a cute sort of whimsical type of a book! The story was definitely predictable for me but somehow I just didn’t mind. The romance was sweet & I enjoyed the bits of magic throughout. The book could have maybe been a little bit shorter and sometimes it felt like it moved a little slower where I would put it down and take a bit to come back and pick it up. I think if you are looking for a sweet cutesy romance in a small town with a food aspect you will adore this book! Huge thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC.
This was such a cute sort of whimsical type of a book! The story was definitely predictable for me but somehow I just didn’t mind. The romance was sweet & I enjoyed the bits of magic throughout. The book could have maybe been a little bit shorter and sometimes it felt like it moved a little slower where I would put it down and take a bit to come back and pick it up. I think if you are looking for a sweet cutesy romance in a small town with a food aspect you will adore this book! Huge thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC.
May 22, 2026
Rachel Linden has done it again! I have a special place in my heart for her books and while I have loved them all, there’s just something about her latest book that won’t let go of my heart: A SPRINKLE OF SWEET SERENDIPITY. I love frosting and sprinkles. I love serendipity and synchronicities. I love chocolate and chocolate shops. I love family and friends. I love personal growth and transformation. This book brings it all and more. Emmie has moved home after chasing her dream to a prestigious chocolatier school in France and is struggling to meet the demands of being a single mom, running the family business and being there for her friends and close-knit community. She’s waiting not-so-patiently for the big reveal: the magical vision that will reveal her purpose in life set to appear after she blows out the candle on her birthday. Her vision finally appeared this year, but it seems completely out of reach. Until it isn’t. Armed with a list and a container of sprinkles for courage, Emmie slowly moves forward to the life of her dreams, even though multiple mishaps, misunderstandings and unlucky breaks fight her every step of the way. I won’t say any more so I do not spoil it for readers, but let’s just say I’ve renewed my enthusiasm for a good life list, I’ve made myself my own magical vial of sprinkles (see the picture!) and have flagged Dot’s pep talk for Emmie to repeat to myself because I need it too. Oh, this book. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go try Emmie’s recipe for fudge…and probably the sprinkle cookies, too!
May 18, 2026
This is a delicious read. I love all the food talk and the small town vibes. Between talks of chocolate, fudge, romantic visions, and a possibly romance with a well-known food documentarian, A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity has all the hallmarks of well, a magical Hallmark movie!
The magical realism here is smaller than a sprinkle. I would’ve liked a little more than Emmie using her literal sprinkles of courage at every opportune time. The romance was a letdown for me as well. Jakob felt like an afterthought, even her budding romance with Henry was not all that exciting.
The magical realism here is smaller than a sprinkle. I would’ve liked a little more than Emmie using her literal sprinkles of courage at every opportune time. The romance was a letdown for me as well. Jakob felt like an afterthought, even her budding romance with Henry was not all that exciting.
May 29, 2026
I really enjoy Rachel Linden‘s books but I have to say that this is probably my favorite one so far! I listened to the audiobook version of this delightful story in one day! I’m not sure if it was the right timing for me or if it was the elements in the story- each year on your birthday waiting for your life‘s purpose, magical, courage sprinkles, descriptions of delicious fudge and chocolate truffles, lifelong friendships, and special love interests but I was immersed deeply into Emmie’s world! If you’re looking for the perfect “feel good,” heartwarming story, you’ll want to pick up A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity. In addition to all the foodie references, I absolutely adored the French bulldog!
May 23, 2026
I hate doing it, but I can’t help comparing every new book to The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie. The orange blossom cake book got very close to the magical whimsy of the lemons so I hoped this next book would be equal to it as well.
The story was uplifting and full of yummy desserts and cuteness, but the whimsy was not as strong as it could have been.
I did like the character of Emmie. She seemed determined to do everything the hard way at first, which was easily relatable. I am always a fan of friends to lovers tropes so Jakob had my vote from the beginning. Emmie’s six year old and his struggle with anxiety was well done. Also the topic of losing a parent did not in any way make the book feel heavy.
The setting in Rachel’s books are always satisfyingly written and so is the case in this one. I just wish there had been a bit more magic instead of one vision and some magic sprinkles that give courage. Maybe a bit more uncertainty in how it would all end, too. The way to Emmie’s happy ending seemed obvious to me.
I do wish I would have played this one safe and waited to read it through the library instead of preordering. I have limited bookshelf space. My slight disappointment in this book in no way makes me less of a Rachel Linden fan. At the least I enjoyed the escape this story provided.
Content: one intense kiss, some sexual innuendo ( Emmie’s best friend giving her lack of love life a hard time)
May 21, 2026
Thank you to Berkley, Netgalley, and the author for sharing an ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.
This was a sweet single mom romance with a fantastical twist. Expect small town vibes, a love triangle, and lots of delicious sounding chocolate creations. I enjoyed parts of it (namely Jakob), but I didn't absolutely love it. Maybe overly sweet for me and left me largely feeling neutral.
The plot:
Emmie Wynne has spent her entire life searching for her purpose. She's a single mom and former chocolatier, now back in her hometown taking care of her ailing mother and her parents' fudge shop, and she's not really sure who she is outside of that. Finding her purpose is a bit different for Emmie, though, because the women in her family get a special gift, in which they receive a brief vision on one of their birthdays that will give them a glimpse of their true destiny. When her 34th birthday arrives, Emmie finally receives her vision... and is absolutely shocked by what she sees. She's standing in her dream chocolate shop, with her TV crush Henry down on one knee in front of her. And next to her is her former best friend, Jakob, whose heart she broke at the end of high school. Emmie is certain her vision must be wishful thinking, until Henry magically shows up in her small town and they begin connecting. But what happens when she starts reconnecting with Jakob, and realizes that the things she thought she wanted may not really make her happy? Add onto that the pressures of running a small business, being a single mom, and caring for her own mother, Emmie's facing a journey of self-discovery and reigniting her passion.
What I liked:
- I loved Jakob as a character. Even from the beginning, when he remembered she liked raspberry after 16 years apart. I knew I'd have a crush on him. He's an acts of service man.
- Nice small town vibes. People are supportive and show up. Emmie's got a good support structure, even if they are goofy characters sometimes.
- I was worried I wasn't going to like the ending, but I was happy with how it got tied up. Once Emmie
What I didn't like:
- I don't love a love triangle that doesn't have some type of real angst or pressure. There's a little bit of jealousy going on, but it's one-sided. It's more fun when there's jealousy from both ends. And especially because I knew exactly who I wanted her to be with (and who she'd ultimately end up with... the clues were there). I wanted less of the "choose between two guys" and more "be with the one you're clearly meant for."
Some notes (I'm neutral on these but figured I'd share):
- The blurb and the book both say that it's the Wynne women who have this magical gift of getting birthday visions. But isn't Wynne Emmie's dad's last name? Her mom had a vision, so it had to have come from her side of the family. I realized this hours after finishing the book and it's left me a little confused. Did I miss something?
- What's the big difference between a chocolate shop and a fudge shop? Because to me, they seem quite similar and yet, the need for two different shops is a big plot point.
This was a sweet single mom romance with a fantastical twist. Expect small town vibes, a love triangle, and lots of delicious sounding chocolate creations. I enjoyed parts of it (namely Jakob), but I didn't absolutely love it. Maybe overly sweet for me and left me largely feeling neutral.
The plot:
Emmie Wynne has spent her entire life searching for her purpose. She's a single mom and former chocolatier, now back in her hometown taking care of her ailing mother and her parents' fudge shop, and she's not really sure who she is outside of that. Finding her purpose is a bit different for Emmie, though, because the women in her family get a special gift, in which they receive a brief vision on one of their birthdays that will give them a glimpse of their true destiny. When her 34th birthday arrives, Emmie finally receives her vision... and is absolutely shocked by what she sees. She's standing in her dream chocolate shop, with her TV crush Henry down on one knee in front of her. And next to her is her former best friend, Jakob, whose heart she broke at the end of high school. Emmie is certain her vision must be wishful thinking, until Henry magically shows up in her small town and they begin connecting. But what happens when she starts reconnecting with Jakob, and realizes that the things she thought she wanted may not really make her happy? Add onto that the pressures of running a small business, being a single mom, and caring for her own mother, Emmie's facing a journey of self-discovery and reigniting her passion.
What I liked:
- I loved Jakob as a character. Even from the beginning, when he remembered she liked raspberry after 16 years apart. I knew I'd have a crush on him. He's an acts of service man.
- Nice small town vibes. People are supportive and show up. Emmie's got a good support structure, even if they are goofy characters sometimes.
- I was worried I wasn't going to like the ending, but I was happy with how it got tied up. Once Emmie
What I didn't like:
- I don't love a love triangle that doesn't have some type of real angst or pressure. There's a little bit of jealousy going on, but it's one-sided. It's more fun when there's jealousy from both ends. And especially because I knew exactly who I wanted her to be with (and who she'd ultimately end up with... the clues were there). I wanted less of the "choose between two guys" and more "be with the one you're clearly meant for."
Some notes (I'm neutral on these but figured I'd share):
- The blurb and the book both say that it's the Wynne women who have this magical gift of getting birthday visions. But isn't Wynne Emmie's dad's last name? Her mom had a vision, so it had to have come from her side of the family. I realized this hours after finishing the book and it's left me a little confused. Did I miss something?
- What's the big difference between a chocolate shop and a fudge shop? Because to me, they seem quite similar and yet, the need for two different shops is a big plot point.
June 10, 2026
This is a review of the ebook and audiobook. The audiobook is performed by Sarah Naughton.
This is a contemporary romance mixed with magical realism. The book takes place in a quaint town in the Pacific Northwest.
It features Emmie, a 34 year old single mom who also takes care of her mom with rheumatoid arthritis.
I love magical realism. And I just loved that every woman in Emmie's family receives a vision of their future.
I also absolutely loved that she was a chocolate maker with dreams of opening her own store. That aspect of the story was so fun.
The book features two potential love interests. Henry is the host of her favorite tv show. And Jakob is her former best friend.
I enjoyed this book. But it was definitely predictable, although not in a bad way. I did enjoy the journey.
Sarah Naughton was an enjoyable narrator. And overall this was a charming story.
This is a contemporary romance mixed with magical realism. The book takes place in a quaint town in the Pacific Northwest.
It features Emmie, a 34 year old single mom who also takes care of her mom with rheumatoid arthritis.
I love magical realism. And I just loved that every woman in Emmie's family receives a vision of their future.
I also absolutely loved that she was a chocolate maker with dreams of opening her own store. That aspect of the story was so fun.
The book features two potential love interests. Henry is the host of her favorite tv show. And Jakob is her former best friend.
I enjoyed this book. But it was definitely predictable, although not in a bad way. I did enjoy the journey.
Sarah Naughton was an enjoyable narrator. And overall this was a charming story.
May 23, 2026
This was a very sweet, clean romance. I loved the character's relationships with those around her. From her relationship with her son, to her mom, she's a thoughtful, caring person and you can't help but root for her happiness. I also loved the concept of this book, imagine having a magical vision of your celebrity crush proposing to you! This story is full of surprises and I love how it turned out. It was a fun, easy read that I definitely recommend adding it to your summer list. ☺️
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 2, 2026
heartwarming and magical
A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity is a heartwarming story sprinkled with a bit of magic. The characters are lovely and charming, and the small town setting adds a sweet element to the book.
A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity is a heartwarming story sprinkled with a bit of magic. The characters are lovely and charming, and the small town setting adds a sweet element to the book.
June 5, 2026
Super sweet! Loved the Pacific Northwest setting and mentions of Bainbridge Island. I had a feeling the fudge shop was going to turn into a bespoke chocolate shop but it was an enjoyable read as that all unfolded.
May 26, 2026
I love Rachel lindens books— they are so heartwarming and sweet. This wasn’t my favorite of hers, but I still enjoyed it! 3.75 stars but I would never round down so 4 it is. 🩷
June 1, 2026
4.5 stars
Linden is a must-read author for me. Her stories blend beautiful Pacific NW settings, relatable characters, magical realism and mouthwatering food. I enjoyed this one immensely!
Linden is a must-read author for me. Her stories blend beautiful Pacific NW settings, relatable characters, magical realism and mouthwatering food. I enjoyed this one immensely!
June 17, 2026
Such a cute, feel good story. It reminded me of a Hallmark movie.
April 13, 2026
If you are someone who loves to think about fate and destiny - this is the book for you.
In A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity, Rachel Linden explores the idea of fate, destiny, and a purpose in life. But the way she does it in subtle ways and without forcing the reader to believe the same way the character does. She allows for the lessons and the review of your own personal beliefs to co-exist beautifully with the story. She also never beats the reader over the head with the lesson. Each lesson is nuanced and layered.
A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity opens with Emmie, our female protagonist, on her 34th birthday. Emmie is waiting to be granted the vision of knowing her purpose in life. Each one of the women in Emmie's family line on a birthday after blowing out a special birthday candle, will receive a vision. Emmie has not yet received hers and feels a bit adrift in the world. She gave up her dream, to come home to help take of her father and their family business. In that decision, Emmie lost focus on what she wanted and made sure to take care of what everyone else wanted. But that's all about to change, because Emmie gets her vision after she blows out her candle. It feels like the wildest of dreams coming true - seeing her purpose. The question then becomes how does she get there?
What follows is a heartwarming story about following your heart and your dreams. It's about realizing maybe you don't have the full picture. And if you do, you have a choice. Emmie wants to follow the path to making sure the vision comes true, even if some parts of don't feel right. And the parts that don't feel right, come down to love. In her vision, she sees Henry in her new shop down on one knee. But in real life, she's drawn to Jakob. Her high school best friend and the heart she broke on graduation day. Who does she choose? The man the vision says is her purpose, perhaps her person. Or the man she may have loved since high school but was too afraid to love.
The other complication for Emmie is that her family's business isn't doing great and the shop needs repairs, which costs money she doesn't really have. She's struggling to get the shop of her dreams while also maintaining the family business. Is there a solution where both can happen? Can Emmie stay true to her dream but also support her family and community? Again, the vision shows Emmie that the shop is her purpose. What can she do to get there? Or is there something else important in the vision?
The best parts of the book is that Emmie was allowed to succeed and fail in spite of the vision. She got to choose the path that she wanted to take when it came to fulfilling her purpose. It's a lesson that I think will resonate with most readers. I also really loved the small town vibes and how the town itself and the community felt like extra characters that helped Emmie grow and find her purpose. Now all I need is a story telling us if Dani finds her true love. I'm kind of hoping her and Henry find their way to each other.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity, Rachel Linden explores the idea of fate, destiny, and a purpose in life. But the way she does it in subtle ways and without forcing the reader to believe the same way the character does. She allows for the lessons and the review of your own personal beliefs to co-exist beautifully with the story. She also never beats the reader over the head with the lesson. Each lesson is nuanced and layered.
A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity opens with Emmie, our female protagonist, on her 34th birthday. Emmie is waiting to be granted the vision of knowing her purpose in life. Each one of the women in Emmie's family line on a birthday after blowing out a special birthday candle, will receive a vision. Emmie has not yet received hers and feels a bit adrift in the world. She gave up her dream, to come home to help take of her father and their family business. In that decision, Emmie lost focus on what she wanted and made sure to take care of what everyone else wanted. But that's all about to change, because Emmie gets her vision after she blows out her candle. It feels like the wildest of dreams coming true - seeing her purpose. The question then becomes how does she get there?
What follows is a heartwarming story about following your heart and your dreams. It's about realizing maybe you don't have the full picture. And if you do, you have a choice. Emmie wants to follow the path to making sure the vision comes true, even if some parts of don't feel right. And the parts that don't feel right, come down to love. In her vision, she sees Henry in her new shop down on one knee. But in real life, she's drawn to Jakob. Her high school best friend and the heart she broke on graduation day. Who does she choose? The man the vision says is her purpose, perhaps her person. Or the man she may have loved since high school but was too afraid to love.
The other complication for Emmie is that her family's business isn't doing great and the shop needs repairs, which costs money she doesn't really have. She's struggling to get the shop of her dreams while also maintaining the family business. Is there a solution where both can happen? Can Emmie stay true to her dream but also support her family and community? Again, the vision shows Emmie that the shop is her purpose. What can she do to get there? Or is there something else important in the vision?
The best parts of the book is that Emmie was allowed to succeed and fail in spite of the vision. She got to choose the path that she wanted to take when it came to fulfilling her purpose. It's a lesson that I think will resonate with most readers. I also really loved the small town vibes and how the town itself and the community felt like extra characters that helped Emmie grow and find her purpose. Now all I need is a story telling us if Dani finds her true love. I'm kind of hoping her and Henry find their way to each other.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 1, 2026
I loved the early works of this author but then the last couple bored me to tears. Unfortunately this one fell into the latter category.
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.
I loved the beginning so much! Loved Emmie, loved her family and friends, loved the description of chocolates and sweets. I also loved the idea of her vision BUT I wanted more magic. The vision was kinda lacklustre but at the same time silly and she just out way too much pressure on to it. The chemistry and romance was basically non existent but also rushed and I wanted ALOT more from a second chance romance.
I did enjoy the messaging and the idea of courage sprinkles. I also thought it was super cool and sweet; how the author discussed child anxiety and mental health rep.
Overall, I’m glad I read it but I’m going to forget it very very quickly and would recommend some of her other works first.
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.
I loved the beginning so much! Loved Emmie, loved her family and friends, loved the description of chocolates and sweets. I also loved the idea of her vision BUT I wanted more magic. The vision was kinda lacklustre but at the same time silly and she just out way too much pressure on to it. The chemistry and romance was basically non existent but also rushed and I wanted ALOT more from a second chance romance.
I did enjoy the messaging and the idea of courage sprinkles. I also thought it was super cool and sweet; how the author discussed child anxiety and mental health rep.
Overall, I’m glad I read it but I’m going to forget it very very quickly and would recommend some of her other works first.
June 11, 2026
A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity is exactly what I’ve come to expect from Linden. It’s sweet, a little bit magical, and the romance doesn’t upstage the main character’s personal journey. Of course, it also comes with an inflexible heroine who takes forever to figure out what everyone else already has. But I think I’m increasingly amenable to swallowing that because I do love the side characters in her books, and these were no exception.
Emmie left her small seaside town in Washington to train to become a chocolatier in Europe. But her father’s declining health and eventual death pulled her back home to run her parents’ fudge shop, especially since her mother now suffers from medical issues. For years, she’s been trapped, but she’s been otherwise focused on raising her young son, and waiting for a special vision that comes once in a lifetime, a special gift granted to the women in her family. When it happens, it’s almost too much like wish fulfillment, except life seems to be nudging her in that direction, even though her high school best friend, the boy she rejected before leaving for Europe, is back in town, and the man from her vision is spending the summer in town, too.
A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity is indeed sweet. It does feature a love triangle, but I liked how it was handled. Neither guy was painted in a bad light, and I think Emmie’s heart knew which man to pick all along. It just took her some time to get there, which managed to feel both realistic and a little contrived. But it worked out, and I like how the three of them ended up. I also really loved that Emmie herself had misgivings and couldn’t shake them. But I loved the chocolate making aspect of this book the best. Everything just sounded so delicious. I kind of wish Emmie were really making these chocolates.
I dive into one of Linden’s books hoping I’ll love the heroine. Some have been closer to hitting the mark for me, and I like to think Emmie is one of them. She did things and made some decisions I wasn’t too fond of, but she tried her best. She was just stubborn and inflexible, so it took her a while to catch up to where I was. But, when she did, I really liked how she handled it. And it made sense why she was putting so much stock into her vision. Also, she really tries to be a good mother, and I liked that she wasn’t perfect, especially with her son dealing with things like anxiety and grief. The men in her life really tried their best with him, and I liked that it didn’t paint either of them in a bad light. They’re just different. I did sometimes feel Henry was a bit too stuck with little flexibility in the way he was characterized, but he was still sweet. I adored Jakob from the first mention, though I sometimes felt he was a better match for Emmie’s son!
The side characters proved to be some of my favorites. I loved Emmie’s best friend Dani. She’s loud and colorful and loves Emmie so much. I kind of wish she’d gotten a romance, too, but just seeing her cheer on Emmie every step of the way was so heartwarming. It would have been really lovely to see Emmie stand up for her now and then, too, but this is Emmie’s story and Dani didn’t seem to mind. She was the perfect supportive friend. Emmie’s mother and her best friend Dot were fantastic, too. I loved that they featured so heavily, and their own problems as older women weren’t ignored. They were really a lot of fun, and I loved how much they loved Emmie and wanted what was best for her regardless of what a vision said. Walt, too, was a lot of fun. He’s crotchety, but really had a heart of gold. But my favorite was little Gus. He’s never known his father, and his father figure, his grandfather, passed a couple of years before. He’s a little lost, but very bright, and dealing with some serious anxiety and grief that his young mind just can’t handle. So he turns to an obsession with space, which so sweetly reminded me of my son’s obsession with space at that age. It was so sweet to see him grow, even if I sometimes felt he was a little too tame as a child. Then again, there were no other children to needle him, so he reminded me of my son before he became a reluctant older brother.
A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity is meant to address the sandwich generation. Emmie is certainly there, raising her son and taking care of her aging mother who has a weird obsession with dressing up her dog. But it sometimes felt more like her son and mother were taking care of her. Gus was so sweetly encouraging and so good at not bothering his mother. And Emmie’s mother was so insistent on helping Emmie realize her dreams. I didn’t like how Gus always seemed to be left in the care of someone else, though he and his mother did have some very cute moments together. I just didn’t get the sense that Emmie was dealing with the weight of everything, because everyone just kept rallying around her to help her.
In the end, A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity turned out to be, more or less, what I’ve come to expect. The focus is definitely on our heroine, but some of the other messages felt a little more muddled and toned down. I wasn’t Emmie’s biggest fan, but I adored the people around her. I also loved the chocolate making, so that helped make up for a lot of other things. The romance was sweet, there were some real world problems Emmie and her friends had to deal with, and the ending proved to be the cherry on the top. Life always has a way of turning out the way it was meant to.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Emmie left her small seaside town in Washington to train to become a chocolatier in Europe. But her father’s declining health and eventual death pulled her back home to run her parents’ fudge shop, especially since her mother now suffers from medical issues. For years, she’s been trapped, but she’s been otherwise focused on raising her young son, and waiting for a special vision that comes once in a lifetime, a special gift granted to the women in her family. When it happens, it’s almost too much like wish fulfillment, except life seems to be nudging her in that direction, even though her high school best friend, the boy she rejected before leaving for Europe, is back in town, and the man from her vision is spending the summer in town, too.
A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity is indeed sweet. It does feature a love triangle, but I liked how it was handled. Neither guy was painted in a bad light, and I think Emmie’s heart knew which man to pick all along. It just took her some time to get there, which managed to feel both realistic and a little contrived. But it worked out, and I like how the three of them ended up. I also really loved that Emmie herself had misgivings and couldn’t shake them. But I loved the chocolate making aspect of this book the best. Everything just sounded so delicious. I kind of wish Emmie were really making these chocolates.
I dive into one of Linden’s books hoping I’ll love the heroine. Some have been closer to hitting the mark for me, and I like to think Emmie is one of them. She did things and made some decisions I wasn’t too fond of, but she tried her best. She was just stubborn and inflexible, so it took her a while to catch up to where I was. But, when she did, I really liked how she handled it. And it made sense why she was putting so much stock into her vision. Also, she really tries to be a good mother, and I liked that she wasn’t perfect, especially with her son dealing with things like anxiety and grief. The men in her life really tried their best with him, and I liked that it didn’t paint either of them in a bad light. They’re just different. I did sometimes feel Henry was a bit too stuck with little flexibility in the way he was characterized, but he was still sweet. I adored Jakob from the first mention, though I sometimes felt he was a better match for Emmie’s son!
The side characters proved to be some of my favorites. I loved Emmie’s best friend Dani. She’s loud and colorful and loves Emmie so much. I kind of wish she’d gotten a romance, too, but just seeing her cheer on Emmie every step of the way was so heartwarming. It would have been really lovely to see Emmie stand up for her now and then, too, but this is Emmie’s story and Dani didn’t seem to mind. She was the perfect supportive friend. Emmie’s mother and her best friend Dot were fantastic, too. I loved that they featured so heavily, and their own problems as older women weren’t ignored. They were really a lot of fun, and I loved how much they loved Emmie and wanted what was best for her regardless of what a vision said. Walt, too, was a lot of fun. He’s crotchety, but really had a heart of gold. But my favorite was little Gus. He’s never known his father, and his father figure, his grandfather, passed a couple of years before. He’s a little lost, but very bright, and dealing with some serious anxiety and grief that his young mind just can’t handle. So he turns to an obsession with space, which so sweetly reminded me of my son’s obsession with space at that age. It was so sweet to see him grow, even if I sometimes felt he was a little too tame as a child. Then again, there were no other children to needle him, so he reminded me of my son before he became a reluctant older brother.
A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity is meant to address the sandwich generation. Emmie is certainly there, raising her son and taking care of her aging mother who has a weird obsession with dressing up her dog. But it sometimes felt more like her son and mother were taking care of her. Gus was so sweetly encouraging and so good at not bothering his mother. And Emmie’s mother was so insistent on helping Emmie realize her dreams. I didn’t like how Gus always seemed to be left in the care of someone else, though he and his mother did have some very cute moments together. I just didn’t get the sense that Emmie was dealing with the weight of everything, because everyone just kept rallying around her to help her.
In the end, A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity turned out to be, more or less, what I’ve come to expect. The focus is definitely on our heroine, but some of the other messages felt a little more muddled and toned down. I wasn’t Emmie’s biggest fan, but I adored the people around her. I also loved the chocolate making, so that helped make up for a lot of other things. The romance was sweet, there were some real world problems Emmie and her friends had to deal with, and the ending proved to be the cherry on the top. Life always has a way of turning out the way it was meant to.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Rachel Linden’s A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity made me want to pack up my life, move to a rainy little Pacific Northwest town, eat my body weight in chocolate truffles, and fall in love with a tattooed baker who communicates primarily through bread and acts of service. Honestly? I’ve had worse ideas.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the gifted ARC because this book felt soft in the best possible way. Not overly dramatic. Not trying too hard. Just warm, comforting, heartfelt, and exactly the kind of story I needed after a long week of real life being…well…real life.
Emmie Wynne is a Paris-trained chocolatier who gave up her dream years ago when her father became sick. Now she’s back in her hometown running the family fudge shop, raising her young son Gus, helping care for her mom, and basically carrying the emotional weight of everyone around her while quietly pretending she’s fine. Which honestly felt painfully relatable at times.
What I loved about Emmie is that she didn’t feel like some perfect Hallmark heroine with effortlessly curled hair and endless optimism. She’s exhausted. She’s stretched thin. She’s grieving pieces of herself she lost somewhere along the way. And Rachel Linden really captures that feeling of women putting themselves last for so long that they almost forget what they wanted in the first place.
Then comes the magical realism element, which I thought was really sweet without taking over the story. Every woman in Emmie’s family receives a vision of their destiny once in their life. When Emmie finally gets hers at thirty-four, she sees herself in her own chocolate shop with celebrity food host Henry Summers proposing to her.
And of course once Henry actually shows up in town, Emmie starts spiraling a little trying to make the vision come true.
But then Jakob comes back into her life.
And listen…I knew almost immediately where this story was headed, but I truly did not care because Jakob was THAT guy. Quiet. Steady. Broody in the least annoying way possible. The kind of man who notices when you’re overwhelmed before you say anything. He fixes things. Bakes bread. Loves Gus without hesitation. Shows up over and over again without making a big performance out of it.
Meanwhile Henry was shiny and exciting, but Jakob felt real.
The romance itself is very soft and closed door, but honestly this book felt more like women’s fiction with romance woven through it than a straight romance novel. The bigger story here is Emmie figuring out who she is outside of everyone needing something from her.
And honestly? That hit harder than I expected.
There’s also so much charm packed into this book. The little candy shop. The coastal town vibes. The community. The family dynamics. Gus and his random space facts. Mr. Butters the French bulldog wearing outfits like the tiny king he is. It all felt cozy without becoming cheesy.
Was it predictable? Absolutely. But sometimes predictable feels comforting. Sometimes you don’t want emotional trauma disguised as entertainment. Sometimes you just want a story that leaves you feeling lighter when you finish it.
Also fair warning: do NOT read this hungry because the chocolate descriptions were downright disrespectful. I spent half this book wanting fudge, pastries, hot coffee, and fresh bread.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Sometimes the life you thought you wanted isn’t the one your heart keeps reaching for.”
If you love magical realism, small-town settings, foodie fiction, emotional women’s fiction, second chances, and cozy stories about finding yourself again after life knocks you sideways a few times…this one is worth picking up.
Now excuse me while I go stare longingly at bakeries and reconsider every life decision I’ve ever made.
#ASprinkleOfSweetSerendipity #RachelLinden #BookReview #Bookstagram #NetGalley #BerkleyPublishing #WomensFiction #MagicalRealism #SmallTownRomance #CozyReads #FoodieFiction #BooksCoffeeBrews #ContemporaryRomance #ReadersOfInstagram #SummerReads #ARCReader #ClosedDoorRomance #FeelGoodBooks #PacificNorthwestBooks #BookLo
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the gifted ARC because this book felt soft in the best possible way. Not overly dramatic. Not trying too hard. Just warm, comforting, heartfelt, and exactly the kind of story I needed after a long week of real life being…well…real life.
Emmie Wynne is a Paris-trained chocolatier who gave up her dream years ago when her father became sick. Now she’s back in her hometown running the family fudge shop, raising her young son Gus, helping care for her mom, and basically carrying the emotional weight of everyone around her while quietly pretending she’s fine. Which honestly felt painfully relatable at times.
What I loved about Emmie is that she didn’t feel like some perfect Hallmark heroine with effortlessly curled hair and endless optimism. She’s exhausted. She’s stretched thin. She’s grieving pieces of herself she lost somewhere along the way. And Rachel Linden really captures that feeling of women putting themselves last for so long that they almost forget what they wanted in the first place.
Then comes the magical realism element, which I thought was really sweet without taking over the story. Every woman in Emmie’s family receives a vision of their destiny once in their life. When Emmie finally gets hers at thirty-four, she sees herself in her own chocolate shop with celebrity food host Henry Summers proposing to her.
And of course once Henry actually shows up in town, Emmie starts spiraling a little trying to make the vision come true.
But then Jakob comes back into her life.
And listen…I knew almost immediately where this story was headed, but I truly did not care because Jakob was THAT guy. Quiet. Steady. Broody in the least annoying way possible. The kind of man who notices when you’re overwhelmed before you say anything. He fixes things. Bakes bread. Loves Gus without hesitation. Shows up over and over again without making a big performance out of it.
Meanwhile Henry was shiny and exciting, but Jakob felt real.
The romance itself is very soft and closed door, but honestly this book felt more like women’s fiction with romance woven through it than a straight romance novel. The bigger story here is Emmie figuring out who she is outside of everyone needing something from her.
And honestly? That hit harder than I expected.
There’s also so much charm packed into this book. The little candy shop. The coastal town vibes. The community. The family dynamics. Gus and his random space facts. Mr. Butters the French bulldog wearing outfits like the tiny king he is. It all felt cozy without becoming cheesy.
Was it predictable? Absolutely. But sometimes predictable feels comforting. Sometimes you don’t want emotional trauma disguised as entertainment. Sometimes you just want a story that leaves you feeling lighter when you finish it.
Also fair warning: do NOT read this hungry because the chocolate descriptions were downright disrespectful. I spent half this book wanting fudge, pastries, hot coffee, and fresh bread.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Sometimes the life you thought you wanted isn’t the one your heart keeps reaching for.”
If you love magical realism, small-town settings, foodie fiction, emotional women’s fiction, second chances, and cozy stories about finding yourself again after life knocks you sideways a few times…this one is worth picking up.
Now excuse me while I go stare longingly at bakeries and reconsider every life decision I’ve ever made.
#ASprinkleOfSweetSerendipity #RachelLinden #BookReview #Bookstagram #NetGalley #BerkleyPublishing #WomensFiction #MagicalRealism #SmallTownRomance #CozyReads #FoodieFiction #BooksCoffeeBrews #ContemporaryRomance #ReadersOfInstagram #SummerReads #ARCReader #ClosedDoorRomance #FeelGoodBooks #PacificNorthwestBooks #BookLo
May 19, 2026
I will be the first to volunteer to read whatever Rachel Linden writes. She was the first to get me to try magical realism (I tend to have woeful willful suspension of disbelief). And her The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie is still one of my favorite “happy reads.” She has such a gift for writing stories that feel like comfort without feeling shallow. I recognized this especially when Hallmark adapted her book for a movie. To shorten the story and make it a classic Hallmark movie, they pulled the depth out of it. I love “happy reads,” but I want them to have some heft. And A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity absolutely swept me into its warm, confection-scented world. The novel is set in the dreamy coastal town of Poulsbo, Washington—“Little Norway,” with its bakeries, waterfront charm, and tight-knit community. It’s a real town. I know because I was so enchanted by it that I looked it up because I want to visit there. And in that town, a lovely tale unfolds. Rachel Linden is a master at blending magical realism, family story, romance, and food writing into something wonderfully immersive and deeply satisfying, and with this one, she does it again.
At the center is Emmie Wynne, a Paris-trained chocolatier who returned home years earlier to help save her family’s struggling candy shop. Now, a single mother raising her sweet, space-obsessed son, Gus, while trying to keep ancient plumbing, flooding floors, and mounting bills from swallowing the shop whole, Emmie feels suspended between the life she once imagined and the life duty handed her instead. On her thirty-fourth birthday, she finally receives the magical vision every Wynne woman is promised: a glimpse of her true destiny. And what she sees feels almost absurdly perfect—her own artisanal chocolate shop, celebrity foodie Henry Summers on one knee, and the future she thought she’d lost suddenly within reach.
But this is where Linden shines so beautifully. The magic never overwhelms the emotional heart of the story. Beneath the whimsical visions, enchanted sprinkles, and mouthwatering descriptions of raspberry Danishes, fudge, bonbons, and fresh bread, this is really a story about longing, identity, sacrifice, and learning to discern the difference between the life that dazzles and the life that nourishes.
And oh, the sensory details! Rachel Linden writes food the way some authors write romance scenes. Note: I’d much rather a graphic food scene. I could practically taste every caramel, every truffle, every buttery pastry. The candy shop atmosphere is impossibly cozy, and the entire novel feels infused with the scent of sugar, sea air, cinnamon, and warm bread.
I especially loved the relationships here. Emmie’s bond with little Gus is tender and grounding, full of warmth, grief, and ordinary love. Her relationship with her mother carries its own ache and beauty as illness, family legacy, and responsibility intertwine. And then there’s Jakob—the former best friend turned brooding baker/carpenter who feels less like fantasy and more like home. The contrast between flashy celebrity possibility and the quiet pull of someone who truly sees her gives the romance real emotional weight.
What makes Linden’s books work so well for me is that they feel happy and hopeful without becoming saccharine. There’s whimsy here, certainly, but there are also leaking pipes, financial strain, exhaustion, regret, grief, and the complicated reality of rebuilding a life after dreams have shifted shape. The magic simply illuminates what was already there.
This book felt like a breath of fresh coastal air and a warm bakery all at once. If you love stories with small-town charm, magical realism in the vein of Heather Webber, second-chance romance, family legacy, and enough dessert descriptions to send you straight to the kitchen, this is such a lovely escape. I finished it smiling—and very much wanting fudge.
Many thanks to NetGalley, UpLit Reads, and Berkley Publishing Group for an advance review copy.
At the center is Emmie Wynne, a Paris-trained chocolatier who returned home years earlier to help save her family’s struggling candy shop. Now, a single mother raising her sweet, space-obsessed son, Gus, while trying to keep ancient plumbing, flooding floors, and mounting bills from swallowing the shop whole, Emmie feels suspended between the life she once imagined and the life duty handed her instead. On her thirty-fourth birthday, she finally receives the magical vision every Wynne woman is promised: a glimpse of her true destiny. And what she sees feels almost absurdly perfect—her own artisanal chocolate shop, celebrity foodie Henry Summers on one knee, and the future she thought she’d lost suddenly within reach.
But this is where Linden shines so beautifully. The magic never overwhelms the emotional heart of the story. Beneath the whimsical visions, enchanted sprinkles, and mouthwatering descriptions of raspberry Danishes, fudge, bonbons, and fresh bread, this is really a story about longing, identity, sacrifice, and learning to discern the difference between the life that dazzles and the life that nourishes.
And oh, the sensory details! Rachel Linden writes food the way some authors write romance scenes. Note: I’d much rather a graphic food scene. I could practically taste every caramel, every truffle, every buttery pastry. The candy shop atmosphere is impossibly cozy, and the entire novel feels infused with the scent of sugar, sea air, cinnamon, and warm bread.
I especially loved the relationships here. Emmie’s bond with little Gus is tender and grounding, full of warmth, grief, and ordinary love. Her relationship with her mother carries its own ache and beauty as illness, family legacy, and responsibility intertwine. And then there’s Jakob—the former best friend turned brooding baker/carpenter who feels less like fantasy and more like home. The contrast between flashy celebrity possibility and the quiet pull of someone who truly sees her gives the romance real emotional weight.
What makes Linden’s books work so well for me is that they feel happy and hopeful without becoming saccharine. There’s whimsy here, certainly, but there are also leaking pipes, financial strain, exhaustion, regret, grief, and the complicated reality of rebuilding a life after dreams have shifted shape. The magic simply illuminates what was already there.
This book felt like a breath of fresh coastal air and a warm bakery all at once. If you love stories with small-town charm, magical realism in the vein of Heather Webber, second-chance romance, family legacy, and enough dessert descriptions to send you straight to the kitchen, this is such a lovely escape. I finished it smiling—and very much wanting fudge.
Many thanks to NetGalley, UpLit Reads, and Berkley Publishing Group for an advance review copy.
May 20, 2026
Emmie Wynne has been waiting for her vision. All the women in her family have them. They come on a birthday, and they show a glimpse of their future. Emmie has been waiting her whole life for hers. And with her thirty-fourth birthday coming up, she thinks this might finally be her year.
She grew up in a small town in the Pacific Northwest at her parents’ fudge shop, The Happy Viking. After her high school graduation, she planned to go to Europe to learn to be a chocolatier. She spent years in Switzerland and then Paris, but Emmie moved back to Poulsbo seven years ago, when her father was diagnosed with cancer. Shortly after coming back, she found out she was pregnant, and now Gus is a shining light in her and her mother’s lives. He’s six and all about outer space facts.
When her best friend Daniela comes by to take Emmie for a birthday pastry, she finds out that her best friend from high school Jakob is back in town. After graduation, he had joined the Marines, and she hadn’t seen him since. Back then, he’d been nerdy, her partner in the debate team. Now, he has filled out and looks as delicious as the raspberry Danish she gets from him.
But Emmie doesn’t have much time for dating. She’s taking care of Gus and has been running the family candy shop since her father died. Her mother has rheumatoid arthritis and a French Bulldog named Mr. Butters that she dresses up every day, so Emmie has to care for her also. In the little time Emmie has for herself, she spends with her crush, a food television presenter named Henry Summers. He travels around the world filming inspiring stories of people making food for family and community.
Finally, at dinner that night, Emmie has a vision of her future. She sees herself in the artisan chocolate shop she’d always dreamed of, bright and shiny with large windows and wood floors. She’s wearing a beautiful yellow dress, and in front of her is Henry Summers (yes, that Henry Summers), kneeling and holding a small box. Emmie thinks that it’s ridiculous to think that Henry Summers would show up in her dream chocolate shop and propose to her, so she tells herself that it wasn’t her birthday vision. It was just somehow a fantasy that overtook her for a minute.
The next day, she shows up to the fudge shop to get ready to open for the day, and Henry Summers walks in. It turns out that he’s in town for the summer to finish a book he’d been writing. He came into the store to ask for directions, but Emmie took the chance to share some of her new caramels with him. He is charmed by her and her artisan candy. And Emmie thinks that she did get her vision after all.
Now all she has to do is create her perfect chocolate shop and get Henry to fall in love with her. How hard can that be? Well, it’s made more difficult when a water leak at the shop turns into expensive repairs, and her search for the perfect storefront for her new place goes nowhere. How can she make her vision come true when everything seems to be going wrong?
A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity is a sweet look at family and love through the eyes of an exhausted mom and chocolatier. There is a lot of warmth in Emmie’s family and in the community of Poulsbo, and I loved seeing how much support Emmie got for her chocolate dreams. I thought the story felt very real, with a touch of special magic, and I was moved by Emmie and her story. My favorite part is that she carries sprinkles in her purse for her son, and when Gus needs an extra bit of courage for a tough day at school, she adds sprinkles to his food and calls them “Courage Sprinkles.” This lovely novel gave me all the best feels. It’s perfect for when you need a pick-me-up to believe in your own courage and magic again.
Egalleys for A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity were provided by Berkley through NetGalley, with many thanks, but the opinions are mine.
She grew up in a small town in the Pacific Northwest at her parents’ fudge shop, The Happy Viking. After her high school graduation, she planned to go to Europe to learn to be a chocolatier. She spent years in Switzerland and then Paris, but Emmie moved back to Poulsbo seven years ago, when her father was diagnosed with cancer. Shortly after coming back, she found out she was pregnant, and now Gus is a shining light in her and her mother’s lives. He’s six and all about outer space facts.
When her best friend Daniela comes by to take Emmie for a birthday pastry, she finds out that her best friend from high school Jakob is back in town. After graduation, he had joined the Marines, and she hadn’t seen him since. Back then, he’d been nerdy, her partner in the debate team. Now, he has filled out and looks as delicious as the raspberry Danish she gets from him.
But Emmie doesn’t have much time for dating. She’s taking care of Gus and has been running the family candy shop since her father died. Her mother has rheumatoid arthritis and a French Bulldog named Mr. Butters that she dresses up every day, so Emmie has to care for her also. In the little time Emmie has for herself, she spends with her crush, a food television presenter named Henry Summers. He travels around the world filming inspiring stories of people making food for family and community.
Finally, at dinner that night, Emmie has a vision of her future. She sees herself in the artisan chocolate shop she’d always dreamed of, bright and shiny with large windows and wood floors. She’s wearing a beautiful yellow dress, and in front of her is Henry Summers (yes, that Henry Summers), kneeling and holding a small box. Emmie thinks that it’s ridiculous to think that Henry Summers would show up in her dream chocolate shop and propose to her, so she tells herself that it wasn’t her birthday vision. It was just somehow a fantasy that overtook her for a minute.
The next day, she shows up to the fudge shop to get ready to open for the day, and Henry Summers walks in. It turns out that he’s in town for the summer to finish a book he’d been writing. He came into the store to ask for directions, but Emmie took the chance to share some of her new caramels with him. He is charmed by her and her artisan candy. And Emmie thinks that she did get her vision after all.
Now all she has to do is create her perfect chocolate shop and get Henry to fall in love with her. How hard can that be? Well, it’s made more difficult when a water leak at the shop turns into expensive repairs, and her search for the perfect storefront for her new place goes nowhere. How can she make her vision come true when everything seems to be going wrong?
A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity is a sweet look at family and love through the eyes of an exhausted mom and chocolatier. There is a lot of warmth in Emmie’s family and in the community of Poulsbo, and I loved seeing how much support Emmie got for her chocolate dreams. I thought the story felt very real, with a touch of special magic, and I was moved by Emmie and her story. My favorite part is that she carries sprinkles in her purse for her son, and when Gus needs an extra bit of courage for a tough day at school, she adds sprinkles to his food and calls them “Courage Sprinkles.” This lovely novel gave me all the best feels. It’s perfect for when you need a pick-me-up to believe in your own courage and magic again.
Egalleys for A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity were provided by Berkley through NetGalley, with many thanks, but the opinions are mine.
June 15, 2026
This book is classic Rachel Linden what I mean by that is that Rachel Linden writes light hearted novels with romance and magic realism. This is a book to read when you need something uplifting. The reader knows that there will always be a good outcome at the end. In other words, it is a good palette cleanser. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this, however, the reader should know what they're getting. If a reader is looking for a work of historical fiction, literary fiction, or anything significant or heavy, this is not it. Personally I like these kinds of books from time to time. And as a matter of fact I read this book right after I finished a couple of much more serious books. I needed something like this at the time.
Therefore I am judging this book by the standard that I judge all of her books on because I have read most of them if not all of them. I would say this is a fun story, I enjoyed it, but it was not the best book of hers that I have read. I am not regretting having read it in the least, it is just not the book of hers that I enjoyed the most. I will explain why.
The reader can tell by the title of the book a sprinkle of sweet serendipity, that this will be a light hearted book. No title containing the words sweet serendipity could ever be a heavy read. Like many of this author's books, there is food involved. In this case, the reader could practically get diabetes from reading this book. The protagonist’s mother runs a fudge shop with the help of the protagonist. Emmie is a trained chocolate maker. She was trained in Paris and worked as an intern there. She does not have a chocolate store at this time because of family circumstances. Her father was sick and eventually passed away. As a result, Emmie gave up her dreams of running a chocolate shop outside of her very small hometown in Washington.
It is Emmie’s 34th birthday. As she is blowing out the candles on her birthday cake, she has a vision which all the women in her family have. This is the trademark magical realism that appears in every one of Rachel Linden’s novels. In this vision she sees herself opening her chocolate shop and falling in love and marrying a man, Henry who is a television celebrity who has his own food show. This is a real long shot, especially marrying Henry. But because all of these visions have come true Emmie believes that this is must be how things how her life goes and what will be best for her and her son, Gus, who she dearly loves. All of her friends and family climb on board with this vision and helping Emmie to try to achieve it.
One of the things that stands in Emmie’s way is another man. Jakob .who Amy has known all of her life, and who always has been in love with her, who still lives in their home town. Although Emmie realizes that she has feelings for Jakob, she believes that she must fulfill this vision. As the reader I knew from the very beginning that she was not going to fulfill the vision of marrying Henry. It didn't bother me that I knew what the outcome would be of her romantic liaisons but this is something that might bother some readers. But then again any reader that is bothered by this is probably not this author’s appropriate audience. I heard someone else describe this book as a hallmark card or hallmark movie and I think that that is an appropriate description. I rather enjoyed it but people that don't like those kinds of books should know that this is exactly what this is. I knew that as much as Emmie thought she should be with Henry that was not her real destiny. We also knew from the very beginning that quote, notwithstanding all of the problems that occur along the way, she was going to open up her chocolate shop. It might not be exactly the way or where she intended it to be but we knew it would happen. Again, I found this fairly comforting but not all readers will.
I think that what detracted most from my enjoyment of this book was that there was not as much magical realism in it as some of her other books. I really enjoy magical realism and while this certainly manifested itself on Emmie's birthday in the vision, it wasn't as strong throughout the rest of the novel. I think this is something that could have been improved upon. The problem with the magical realism being somewhat weak is that if you take that out of the story it's really largely a romance which is not a problem for some people but it's not the genre that I enjoy the most. What tends to distinguish this author’s work from other books is the magical realism and this is somewhat lacking here. That said, it was still a lighthearted and enjoyable book to read.
Thanks to Berkeley publishing and netgalley for providing me with a copy of this novel. All of the thoughts contained in this review are my own.
Therefore I am judging this book by the standard that I judge all of her books on because I have read most of them if not all of them. I would say this is a fun story, I enjoyed it, but it was not the best book of hers that I have read. I am not regretting having read it in the least, it is just not the book of hers that I enjoyed the most. I will explain why.
The reader can tell by the title of the book a sprinkle of sweet serendipity, that this will be a light hearted book. No title containing the words sweet serendipity could ever be a heavy read. Like many of this author's books, there is food involved. In this case, the reader could practically get diabetes from reading this book. The protagonist’s mother runs a fudge shop with the help of the protagonist. Emmie is a trained chocolate maker. She was trained in Paris and worked as an intern there. She does not have a chocolate store at this time because of family circumstances. Her father was sick and eventually passed away. As a result, Emmie gave up her dreams of running a chocolate shop outside of her very small hometown in Washington.
It is Emmie’s 34th birthday. As she is blowing out the candles on her birthday cake, she has a vision which all the women in her family have. This is the trademark magical realism that appears in every one of Rachel Linden’s novels. In this vision she sees herself opening her chocolate shop and falling in love and marrying a man, Henry who is a television celebrity who has his own food show. This is a real long shot, especially marrying Henry. But because all of these visions have come true Emmie believes that this is must be how things how her life goes and what will be best for her and her son, Gus, who she dearly loves. All of her friends and family climb on board with this vision and helping Emmie to try to achieve it.
One of the things that stands in Emmie’s way is another man. Jakob .who Amy has known all of her life, and who always has been in love with her, who still lives in their home town. Although Emmie realizes that she has feelings for Jakob, she believes that she must fulfill this vision. As the reader I knew from the very beginning that she was not going to fulfill the vision of marrying Henry. It didn't bother me that I knew what the outcome would be of her romantic liaisons but this is something that might bother some readers. But then again any reader that is bothered by this is probably not this author’s appropriate audience. I heard someone else describe this book as a hallmark card or hallmark movie and I think that that is an appropriate description. I rather enjoyed it but people that don't like those kinds of books should know that this is exactly what this is. I knew that as much as Emmie thought she should be with Henry that was not her real destiny. We also knew from the very beginning that quote, notwithstanding all of the problems that occur along the way, she was going to open up her chocolate shop. It might not be exactly the way or where she intended it to be but we knew it would happen. Again, I found this fairly comforting but not all readers will.
I think that what detracted most from my enjoyment of this book was that there was not as much magical realism in it as some of her other books. I really enjoy magical realism and while this certainly manifested itself on Emmie's birthday in the vision, it wasn't as strong throughout the rest of the novel. I think this is something that could have been improved upon. The problem with the magical realism being somewhat weak is that if you take that out of the story it's really largely a romance which is not a problem for some people but it's not the genre that I enjoy the most. What tends to distinguish this author’s work from other books is the magical realism and this is somewhat lacking here. That said, it was still a lighthearted and enjoyable book to read.
Thanks to Berkeley publishing and netgalley for providing me with a copy of this novel. All of the thoughts contained in this review are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
The Book Review Crew Blog
⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity
Rachel Linden
Publication Date: May 19th, 2026
Berkley Publishing Group
384 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: Romance | Sci Fi & Fantasy | Women's Fiction
I love Rachel Linden's romance stories; they always include food and a bit of magical realism. In this one, six years ago, Emmie is forced to leave France and return stateside to help with her family's candy shop. As her birthday is coming up, she is hoping to get the vision that all the women in her family get... a look at her future to see what her destiny is. When Emmie blows out her birthday candles, she sees she owns her own specialty candy shop and is engaged to Henry, a celebrity baker she has a crush on. Then Henry arrives for the summer, and Emmie realizes her dreams are all coming true. BUT (there is always a "but") Jakob, her best friend from high school, is a baker who just may have a piece of her heart. What will Emmie do about her vision? Who will Emmie pick?
I love this type of up-lit. Romance and candy and magic, oh my! The story is pure Linden with charming characters and a heartfelt storyline. As always, Linden mixes emotional depth and a sense of humour and hope perfectly. Her books are uplifting in a way that doesn't shy away from the struggles of the real world. The characters have to work hard to get to their happy-ever-afters. The characters are very relatable, and she always shows women with the courage to start over. And even though there is the usual magical part, it is always realistic, and I enjoy the way the author writes about how the smallest moment in life can change things in a big way. Her stories are very atmospheric—this one in the Pacific Northwest—and the candy elements had me craving chocolates, caramels and fudge. Reading about Emmie finding her strength in her own way was very satisfying. I can't write a review without mentioning the adorable doggo, Mr. Butters. Everything is better with a dog.
There were a few times where the pacing slowed down in the middle of the book, but the ending was so well done that it was worth it. If you enjoy stories about second chances, magic, and food, I would highly recommend this one or anything the author writes. It reminded this reader that it is never too late for a second chance... whether it is serendipity or not.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Book Review Crew Blog
⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity
Rachel Linden
Publication Date: May 19th, 2026
Berkley Publishing Group
384 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: Romance | Sci Fi & Fantasy | Women's Fiction
I love Rachel Linden's romance stories; they always include food and a bit of magical realism. In this one, six years ago, Emmie is forced to leave France and return stateside to help with her family's candy shop. As her birthday is coming up, she is hoping to get the vision that all the women in her family get... a look at her future to see what her destiny is. When Emmie blows out her birthday candles, she sees she owns her own specialty candy shop and is engaged to Henry, a celebrity baker she has a crush on. Then Henry arrives for the summer, and Emmie realizes her dreams are all coming true. BUT (there is always a "but") Jakob, her best friend from high school, is a baker who just may have a piece of her heart. What will Emmie do about her vision? Who will Emmie pick?
I love this type of up-lit. Romance and candy and magic, oh my! The story is pure Linden with charming characters and a heartfelt storyline. As always, Linden mixes emotional depth and a sense of humour and hope perfectly. Her books are uplifting in a way that doesn't shy away from the struggles of the real world. The characters have to work hard to get to their happy-ever-afters. The characters are very relatable, and she always shows women with the courage to start over. And even though there is the usual magical part, it is always realistic, and I enjoy the way the author writes about how the smallest moment in life can change things in a big way. Her stories are very atmospheric—this one in the Pacific Northwest—and the candy elements had me craving chocolates, caramels and fudge. Reading about Emmie finding her strength in her own way was very satisfying. I can't write a review without mentioning the adorable doggo, Mr. Butters. Everything is better with a dog.
There were a few times where the pacing slowed down in the middle of the book, but the ending was so well done that it was worth it. If you enjoy stories about second chances, magic, and food, I would highly recommend this one or anything the author writes. It reminded this reader that it is never too late for a second chance... whether it is serendipity or not.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews