Baking Season

by Natalie Arthur

Book Five in the Mancini Legacy Series. Blurb coming soon!

150 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 27, 2026

About the author

My name is Natalie. I published my first book, Aftermath in August 2021. I've been lucky enough to find my own insta-love-at-first-sight person. We have a daughter who drives us crazy and a corgi who adds to the chaos. I love hockey (Chicago Blackhawks), MotoGP (Motorcycle Racing), and baseball (Chicago Cubs). When I'm not writing, you can find me studying or crafting. Or crafting when I should be studying.

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad, teary start to the story. In this story, a fast love, a new, adorable, and loving family is formed with a great support system. There's dealing with threats and a rescue from a delusional man's captivity. It is heartfelt, emotional, engaging.

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

[La Taye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baby Carlo was my favorite in this book! I just wanted to wrap him up and take him home to
Safety! I am so happy how this book came out. The shifters and their bickering was a much needed comic relief in a very serious book! Overall a perfect book with a beautiful ending!

[Grinning Cat · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author has put in a lot of world building in this series, with massive, intertwined families and their compound. You can tell the author loves it. The problem is that it has gotten so unwieldy that the first twenty or so pages are pronunciation guides, character lists, and family trees. A good portion of the book is introducing the characters to the reader and to each other. Another chunk is explaining what they do and how they are related. This doesn’t leave a lot of time for the romance or suspense plots, although there’s no real suspense because the Mancinis and co. have so many connections and so much muscle that it’s automatic that they will win.
Problems that are specific to this book include IKEA sex (which reads like furniture assembly instructions), a bad guy who is a caricature (and the Mancinis&co. make fun of his perfectly good Russian name), the predictable plot, and very little time for the main couple to actually spend together, so it’s impossible to judge if there’s genuine chemistry or if it’s just a hey-you’re-cute situation.
I think it’s time that the author retires this sprawling family and its world and starts fresh.
Cat’s Stats
Heat- explicit IKEA sex
Bechdel test- pass
Safety ? Y
Triggers- scene where someone passes away on page, child endangerment, violence, violence against a child, discussion of abuse.
Tropes- Instalove, secret baby, adorable moppet, multicultural, family ties, kidnapping.

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

[Nicole Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Reader Copy and am voluntarily reviewing it. Gianluca - is a professional baseball player. Because of his career, he had not been a relationship for a while. His life changed in one night. Gianluca found out he had a son. Not only did he have a son, his son's mother was not going to survive a serious car accident. His life would be changed forever. Have not fear, the Lake Renegade family is there. Giancarlo was embraced by the family just like everyone else is. Y'all know I love me a good kid. Giancarlo gave me the kid fix I needed. This two and half year old could not help but capture everyone's heart.

Gabriella was sent to Lake Renegade for protection. It only took one look for Gianluca and Giancarlo to choose her. That's what will melt readers' hearts. Giancarlo choose Gabriella first. Their relationship progressed quickly. Though Gabriella did not want to come to Lake Renegade, she now felt like she was home. Gianluca and Giancarlo was her family now. Things were going good until Gabriella's family requested that she come back and would not take no for an answer. You know that doesn't fly with this family. Gabriella is family now. No one is going to force her to leave.

Y'all that is just a small piece of what is going on in this book. Ms. Arthur knows how to create a full and complete story despite the length. I always feel like I can have more, but I also know that I got a complete story. The Lake Renegade family will always have my heart. I can't wait to read more about this family.

[Praline 99 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mafia Romance.
Gabriela is a princess of the Spanish mafia sent to the United States to protect her from another branch of the mafia that threatens her family. She didn't expect to fall for a beautiful little boy during lunch with the family hosting her. While she's taking baking lessons, the shy, withdrawn little boy runs into her arms, followed by his handsome father.
Gianluca is a well-known player and member of a mafia family. One evening after a match, he discovers he's the father of a little boy, born at the same time as his former girlfriend, who died in a car accident. Now his life revolves solely around his son, helping him overcome the loss of his mother and integrate into the family and the games. So when he sees his little boy throw himself into the arms of a beautiful stranger in his family's pastry shop, he's immediately captivated by the young woman.
Will Gabriela and Gianluca have a beautiful romance, or will Gabriela's family history lead her back to the United States…

I love following the stories of this large family, where hot bikers mingle with equally sexy mafia men, not to mention money changers. Whatever your favorite trope, you'll find what interests you at Lake Renegade.

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

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 9 of the Mancini Legacy Series. Can be read as a standalone.

'i begin to fall in love with the little boy they are looking after. We bond over our shared love of sweets. Then I meet his father, and my world stops spinning. He’s patient, kind and attentive. The more time I spend with them, the less I desire to go home. But my family needs me and I can’t abandon them in this crazy time. Will he wait for me?'

The characters were very appealing and likeable and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and well paced. World building was solidly drawn and impressive. All in all a great addition to the series. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

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

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gianluca is a professional baseball player who does not really have enough time for romance that the ladies want. He gets a call to come to the hospital, and urgently, he finds an ex who has a little boy, his son. His ex is not going to make, and she wants to make she he protects him from the man she lived with. Months later, he is a single dad with his family supporting him. When a friend of his mother’s sends their daughter to them for protection, he knows he has found his person. The path to happily ever after has its bumps as is always does with the Lake Renegade group, someone who thinks she is theirs and parental drama.

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

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gianluca, a professional baseball player, finds out he is a father in a heartbreaking way, and he takes on his responsibility completely. He becomes a single dad who gave up on love until he sees Gabriela. From the moment he saw Gabriela, he instantly knew she was the one for him. Gabriela's family sent her to Lake Renegade for her protection, but she ends up finding love at the same time. This small town, instalove sports romance has likable characters, a heartbreakingly beautiful love story, and a happily ever after. Baking Season is book nine and a wonderful addition to the Mancini Legacy series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Cynthia Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 9 of Mancini Legacy Series story of Gianluca and Gabriela. That was intense and wild, you kind of expect the bad guy to pop up when you least expect him to and this story did not disappoint. But the way this bad guy did it made me mad. The past that comes back to bring joy and heartbreak for Gianluca and his son is just that heartbreaking but joyful. I was happy with this story and can't wait for the next page turner.

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

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This heartwarming story is not your typical mafia romance. Gianluca is told to come to the hospital not knowing what he is going to find when he gets there. Turns out he is a father and the drama begins. Gabriela is sent to the US to live with another mafia family, but it is not like anything she expected. She connects with Gianluca and his son and it an instant love attraction between them. Will it end with a happily ever after between them.

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

[Jordan Fiest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baking Season is book nine of the Mancini Legacy Series.

Gianluca is in for a big surprise when he finds out he is a father. But he embraces it fully and I appreciated seeing that side of him. Gabriela has been sent to live with his family for the time being. Upon meeting, Gianluca falls instantly and knows he wants her in his life. He is caring and loving towards her. We do get some action and suspence as the story progresses which makes for an interesting read.

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gianluca finds out he’s a father after the death of his ex lover. He takes on the responsibility beautifully, loving Carlos with his whole heart. Gabriela has been sent to live with the Mancini family and one look Gianluca knows she’s the one for him. There’s intrigue and danger but it’s a great instalove romance. I enjoyed it.

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

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love of sweets and other things

Baking Season is the ninth book in the Mancini Legacy Series by Natalie Arthur. This story will definitely pull at all your heartstrings and then find some more buried deep down. The story is about Gabriela and Gianluca, and what a sweeping story it is. They are like star crossed lovers but based in Lake Renegade with a huge family that is loud, loving, passionate, hungry, and Mafia.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I really liked how things came together to bring Gianluca and Gabriela together so they could fall in love. I liked how they become family to his son. I liked how the threat to Gabriela and his son was dealt with.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story. Gianluca is a baseball player. When he's call to the hospital and finds out from his ex his a father, When Gabriela is sent to his family for protection,. When he meets her he know she's the one, I loved the instant chemistry, Such a good read,.

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

[Jenia Tortora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabriela’s family sent her to Lake Renegade to be safe. Gianluca learns he’s a father to a little boy and his ex is dying. Their worlds have been completely changed and yet meeting each other is what truly changes the world for them. It’s so sweet and I love these characters so much!.

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

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a heartwarming story that pulls us into the lives of Gabriela, Gianluca and his son, Carlo. The story keeps us turning the pages with suspense, connection, danger and steam.

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

[The Bookworm Hermit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short baseball/mafia found family read. With the Mancini family you can count on insta love and over the top protective alpha men.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This heartwarming story is not your typical mafia romance. Gianluca is told to come to the hospital not knowing what he is going to find when he gets there. Turns out he is a father and the drama begins. Gabriela is sent to the US to live with another mafia family, but it is not like anything she expected. She connects with Gianluca and his son and it an instant love attraction between them. Will it end with a happily ever after between them.

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