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Rabbits Leap #6
The Little Bakery of Hopes and Dreams
Josie Donnelly spends most years pretending that Christmas doesn’t even happen! So, she hopes that the sleepy village of Sunnycombe will be the perfect place to escape the festivities…
Or so she thought! Spending time with (far too handsome) bakery owner Callan Stewart and his young daughter, Mia, makes her long for the family Christmas she’s missed out on.
Could the little bakery on the hill be her own recipe for a happy ever after this year…?
Or so she thought! Spending time with (far too handsome) bakery owner Callan Stewart and his young daughter, Mia, makes her long for the family Christmas she’s missed out on.
Could the little bakery on the hill be her own recipe for a happy ever after this year…?
240 pages, Paperback
First published November 8, 2019
77 people are currently reading
306 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 3, 2019
Christmas is the most magical time of the year. But for Josie Donnelly, it's a day filled with painful memories. Hoping to escape the festivities, she moves to the charming little village of Sunnycombe and gets a job at a family bakery. But the more time she spends with the handsome bakery owner and his daughter, the more she longs for a family-filled Christmas celebration. The Little Bakery of Hope and Dreams is a sweet, uplifting Christmas love story, full of holiday cheer, humor, delicious cakes, and a heartwarming romance. The author did a fantastic job of developing the characters and I really liked her writing style. Josie and Callan were easy to relate to. The problems they were both facing will tug at your heartstrings and make you root for them. If you like slow-burn romances, then you will enjoy their love story. I really enjoyed this cozy, feel-good romance and will not hesitate to read more by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Digital for the opportunity to read this ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
November 25, 2019
5 - "Maybe we need to rethink that kissing under the mistletoe tradition…" Stars!
Absolutely loved this one, perfect Christmas reading, both the H/h are working their way through some serious issues on the build up to Christmas, but nothing was OTT on the drama front, and add in a precocious but precious toddler, some great secondary characters, a lot of seasonal sparkle and it was an absolute winner! I hope the author has more stories in store for the residents of Sunnycombe in the future.
"To second chances."
I read this little Christmas treat in one sitting, and I look forward to seeing what Ms. Hailes has in store for her readers in 2020!
ARC provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
Absolutely loved this one, perfect Christmas reading, both the H/h are working their way through some serious issues on the build up to Christmas, but nothing was OTT on the drama front, and add in a precocious but precious toddler, some great secondary characters, a lot of seasonal sparkle and it was an absolute winner! I hope the author has more stories in store for the residents of Sunnycombe in the future.
"To second chances."
I read this little Christmas treat in one sitting, and I look forward to seeing what Ms. Hailes has in store for her readers in 2020!
ARC provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
October 19, 2019
Well if there was ever a book to make you crave all your favourite festive treats then its certainly this one. I was permanently hungry while reading this delicious book, and some of the cakes sounded Bake Off worthy!
I was hooked pretty much from the first few pages, I completely and utterly fell in love with Mia. She is the four year old daughter of widowed bakery owner Callan and some of what she comes out with had me laughing. Literally "out of the mouth of babes" moments!
And then there is Josie who has just moved to Sunnycombe, who has applied for the job in the bakery, and little does she know how much its about to change her life. She is wary of Christmas but Sunnycombe's traditions soon eek their way into her and may just start healing her too.
Both Callan and Josie are broken for different reasons, and it really is a bakery of hopes and dreams as the story progresses, I loved seeing how both of them developed as characters, and also a few of the other residents of the village.
It is a book full of warmth and heart, that will give you a festive fuzzy feeling, and wow the finale section, was just wonderful. Took me by surprise but really did have me believing in the magic of the season.
I loved every second of this book, just a bit upset that I read it so quickly, that I ran out of pages. I would have loved more. Well I console myself with the fact I still haven't quite got around to Kellie Hailes previous book, so still have another to look forward.. although one Kellie Hailes book to look forward to is never enough so I can't wait for the next release too... I really do love this author.
Easily one of my favourite Christmas books for 2019 (and I have read many so far), this one was pure magic!
Thank you to HQ Digital and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
I was hooked pretty much from the first few pages, I completely and utterly fell in love with Mia. She is the four year old daughter of widowed bakery owner Callan and some of what she comes out with had me laughing. Literally "out of the mouth of babes" moments!
And then there is Josie who has just moved to Sunnycombe, who has applied for the job in the bakery, and little does she know how much its about to change her life. She is wary of Christmas but Sunnycombe's traditions soon eek their way into her and may just start healing her too.
Both Callan and Josie are broken for different reasons, and it really is a bakery of hopes and dreams as the story progresses, I loved seeing how both of them developed as characters, and also a few of the other residents of the village.
It is a book full of warmth and heart, that will give you a festive fuzzy feeling, and wow the finale section, was just wonderful. Took me by surprise but really did have me believing in the magic of the season.
I loved every second of this book, just a bit upset that I read it so quickly, that I ran out of pages. I would have loved more. Well I console myself with the fact I still haven't quite got around to Kellie Hailes previous book, so still have another to look forward.. although one Kellie Hailes book to look forward to is never enough so I can't wait for the next release too... I really do love this author.
Easily one of my favourite Christmas books for 2019 (and I have read many so far), this one was pure magic!
Thank you to HQ Digital and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
January 7, 2020
Ahhh the Rabbits Leap serie by Kellie Hailes is so delightful! "The Little Bakery of Hopes and Dreams" is the book number 6 of this serie and it's very very good. It's a book about giving yourself and love second chances, about hopes and dreams, about christmas magic, family and friends love and difficulties. This book is a page turner and I read it in no time! Perfect Christmas read but can be also read anytime during the year! I really recommend it to all chicklit fans! It's very well written and it's not childish. Perfect book!
November 15, 2019
I’ve read all but one of the books in this series (and the one is in my piles) and I just adore the coming together of not only the core characters featured in each story, but the community involvement, wanted or unwanted, that helps to add atmosphere, humor, depth and a sense of ‘place’ to the larger story arc. In this book, we meet Josie who has, for the umpteenth time, moved on to ‘somewhere else’ and is looking to use her baking skills (and front counter skills) to secure a job in the local bakery. With the opportunity for another fresh start and a place where no one knows her, she’s convinced that the small town will be perfect for her, until she needs to move on again.
Callan has done his best with the bakery, even though he’s got no skills, but it gives him time to focus on his daughter Mia after his wife’s death. He’s going through the motions of living, and putting out truly terrible cakes and baked goods, all in an appearance of ‘keeping it together”. It also buys him some time from rejoining the very robust village events, using Mia as a shield and prop to simply exist from day to day. From the first he and Josie had and electric connection, and Josie’s skill for baking, as well as a clear determination to make herself helpful in the bakery but removed from the ever-increasingly personal chit-chat make her the obvious choice to revamp and run the bakery
OH this was sweet – from both Josie and Callan trying to heal from their losses and their inability to simply state what they fear and move from there – with a nudge (or a giant push) from the pub owner, other townsfolk and Josie’s landlady who also serves as Callan’s sounding board, the two are clearly well suited, if only they could see it for themselves. But fear (and a tendency to be defensive and guarded because of past hurts) leads them into some potentially spontaneously bad decisions and choices. It will take no little amount of villager interference and pushing, and old town tale that is reputed to be true, some daring and real honesty to bring them together and allow them a new start, both together and alone.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
Callan has done his best with the bakery, even though he’s got no skills, but it gives him time to focus on his daughter Mia after his wife’s death. He’s going through the motions of living, and putting out truly terrible cakes and baked goods, all in an appearance of ‘keeping it together”. It also buys him some time from rejoining the very robust village events, using Mia as a shield and prop to simply exist from day to day. From the first he and Josie had and electric connection, and Josie’s skill for baking, as well as a clear determination to make herself helpful in the bakery but removed from the ever-increasingly personal chit-chat make her the obvious choice to revamp and run the bakery
OH this was sweet – from both Josie and Callan trying to heal from their losses and their inability to simply state what they fear and move from there – with a nudge (or a giant push) from the pub owner, other townsfolk and Josie’s landlady who also serves as Callan’s sounding board, the two are clearly well suited, if only they could see it for themselves. But fear (and a tendency to be defensive and guarded because of past hurts) leads them into some potentially spontaneously bad decisions and choices. It will take no little amount of villager interference and pushing, and old town tale that is reputed to be true, some daring and real honesty to bring them together and allow them a new start, both together and alone.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
October 12, 2019
This was a wonderful book. I really enjoyed it. It has lots of little funny moments, some heartwarming moments, excellent character development and a lovely Christmassy atmosphere.
I love the relationship between Callan and Mia, in fact Mia was brilliant altogether. The way that the people in the village care for each other is marvellous. Callan and Josie each working through their issues - I liked the way that they each thought it through in their head, they weren’t magically fixed by being in a relationship.
Overall, a great book to curl up with on a cold wintery day. I definitely recommend it.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love the relationship between Callan and Mia, in fact Mia was brilliant altogether. The way that the people in the village care for each other is marvellous. Callan and Josie each working through their issues - I liked the way that they each thought it through in their head, they weren’t magically fixed by being in a relationship.
Overall, a great book to curl up with on a cold wintery day. I definitely recommend it.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2024
A nice, easy read with relatable characters with a cute festive vibe.
The moral of the story? Even if you don’t love Christmas…..you just may be surprised that the joy of Christmas could come your way again.
Definitely a feel good read that will have you feeling all the feels :)
#shortbookthyme
@shortbookthyme
The moral of the story? Even if you don’t love Christmas…..you just may be surprised that the joy of Christmas could come your way again.
Definitely a feel good read that will have you feeling all the feels :)
#shortbookthyme
@shortbookthyme
November 28, 2019
I’m a sucker for books about single fathers and this one pretty poignant. Despite Callan trying his best to bring Mia up, there’s just something missing. And Josie, the daughter of a single father herself, knows what that is. It’s a book about learning to trust in love again and I really loved each of the characters in this sweet Christmas story.
I’ll certainly be reading more of Kellie Hailes’ books soon.
I’ll certainly be reading more of Kellie Hailes’ books soon.
November 28, 2019
I loved The Little Bakery of Hopes and Dreams and it was perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit.
The basic plot is girl moves to a small town, gets job at a bakery (which is run by a good looking guy), has feelings for said guy, their stories come to light, they learn about themselves, and then The End. Nothing in the plot was overly surprising, but the charm of the small town and the main characters draw you in, while Mia (Callan's daughter) helps to keep you hooked. There was enough backstory about the characters that i did truly feel for them and it did make me want to succeed. The biggest criticism is that the plot does feel like a romance novel recipe, but that isn't always a bad thing.
So while the book read like a typical Hallmark movie, it was still fun to get through and I did enjoy reading it.
Ebook provides by and reviewed for NetGalley
The basic plot is girl moves to a small town, gets job at a bakery (which is run by a good looking guy), has feelings for said guy, their stories come to light, they learn about themselves, and then The End. Nothing in the plot was overly surprising, but the charm of the small town and the main characters draw you in, while Mia (Callan's daughter) helps to keep you hooked. There was enough backstory about the characters that i did truly feel for them and it did make me want to succeed. The biggest criticism is that the plot does feel like a romance novel recipe, but that isn't always a bad thing.
So while the book read like a typical Hallmark movie, it was still fun to get through and I did enjoy reading it.
Ebook provides by and reviewed for NetGalley
October 13, 2019
Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.
Josie hates Christmas. She moves to Sunnycombe and gets a job in a bakery, that Callan runs following the death of his wife the previous Christmas. Can Josie settle in the village, enjoy Christmas again and help Callan and his daughter Mia to see that Christmas can be a happy time.
Couldn’t put it down, read in one day.
Josie hates Christmas. She moves to Sunnycombe and gets a job in a bakery, that Callan runs following the death of his wife the previous Christmas. Can Josie settle in the village, enjoy Christmas again and help Callan and his daughter Mia to see that Christmas can be a happy time.
Couldn’t put it down, read in one day.
April 7, 2020
I love good love story and this one does not disappoint,
Josie and Callan are our main characters. Callan is recently widowed and finds himself looking running the bakery that belonged to his wife. As an accountant his skills do not transfer to baking! As another learning curve, Callan is now a solo father to his very beloved and very chatty daughter Mia.
Josie arrives in town and sees and advertisement in the bakery window for an assistant.
Callan gives Josie the job and the rest is history....... or is it? Understandably Callan has a lot of grief to work through. Josie also has a story of her own that unfolds throughout the book.
I have really loved all the books from this author and this one is one is as good as the others.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Josie and Callan are our main characters. Callan is recently widowed and finds himself looking running the bakery that belonged to his wife. As an accountant his skills do not transfer to baking! As another learning curve, Callan is now a solo father to his very beloved and very chatty daughter Mia.
Josie arrives in town and sees and advertisement in the bakery window for an assistant.
Callan gives Josie the job and the rest is history....... or is it? Understandably Callan has a lot of grief to work through. Josie also has a story of her own that unfolds throughout the book.
I have really loved all the books from this author and this one is one is as good as the others.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 26, 2019
I received this book complimentary from NetGalley but all opinions are my own.
I just didn’t love this. I couldn’t get into it. I liked Josie but not Callan who I thought was selfish and callous. I know he has a little daughter but still. I just didn’t like it. It wasn’t for me, by any means. I didn’t like how they “broke up” or how they got back together. Josie played the fool far too often. Callan basically crapped on her and their relationship in front of other people and UNDERSTANDABLY, she left crying. Then he shows up and berates her? Nah, not here for it. I���m not about it.
I just didn’t love this. I couldn’t get into it. I liked Josie but not Callan who I thought was selfish and callous. I know he has a little daughter but still. I just didn’t like it. It wasn’t for me, by any means. I didn’t like how they “broke up” or how they got back together. Josie played the fool far too often. Callan basically crapped on her and their relationship in front of other people and UNDERSTANDABLY, she left crying. Then he shows up and berates her? Nah, not here for it. I���m not about it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2020
I loved this book and was soon under its spell. It is certainly one of my favourite festive reads this year. Seeing Josie rethinking her take on Christmas and succumbing to the festivities in the village is great as she is such a likeable character. She is far from easy to get to know however and there are many layers to her which explain her actions and feelings. This is an engrossing read which shows you a lovely community which welcomes you in.
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of the book.
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of the book.
January 11, 2020
This was a lovely read and the bakery was such a wonderful setting - even if it did make me hungry reading about all the lovely cakes and bakes! Josie was a really relatable character and I adored little Mia, the overall story was endearing and perfect for a festive cosy read.
This book was sent to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was sent to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 3, 2021
Sweet
Josie has always been the one to leave first rather than risk being the one who is left instead. Always traveling light. Callan has retreated from life after the death of his wife, except as it comes to his little daughter. Seeing Josie and Callan push past their fears warms the heart. A wonderful read.
Josie has always been the one to leave first rather than risk being the one who is left instead. Always traveling light. Callan has retreated from life after the death of his wife, except as it comes to his little daughter. Seeing Josie and Callan push past their fears warms the heart. A wonderful read.
November 3, 2021
Cowardly hero.. The ending got me riled up... Callan was the one who hurt Josie and instead of asking for another chance at forgiveness, Josie had to do the grand gesture and ask for forgiveness when she didn't do anything wrong! N on top of it, Callan's friend made it sound like she did something wrong... Uggghhhhh.. I hate such endings... It just spoils the whole book...
dnf
November 3, 2025I don't enjoy romantic plots that involve children; I tried pressing ahead but when the little girl almost immediately snuggled up to the female MC and then started sucking her thumb (I think maybe she's too old for that?) and then the author wrote "Don't eat with your mouth full" instead of "Don't talk with your mouth full" I bailed.
January 2, 2020
I loved reading this during the Christmas holidays. It had lovely characters and I could picture the bakery perfectly. Suspend reality for a while, it’s well worth a read and I’ll definitely read more by Kellie Halies after this.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy.
February 11, 2022
I Have a New Author to Follow
This book had me right from the very beginning. We live in difficult times, while the world is so close, it can make people become farther away. There is reality in writing, and hope and healing.
This book had me right from the very beginning. We live in difficult times, while the world is so close, it can make people become farther away. There is reality in writing, and hope and healing.
December 9, 2019
Josie runs away to a small town looking for work, and she finds the perfect job at a local bakery. She can tell right away, that the owner needs help because the baked goods are looking flat and hard. Callan, a widower and the bakery owner, quickly hires her to work in the front but not to bake because that was his wife's domain and he's not ready for anyone else in the kitchen. Mia, his four year old daughter, loves Josie immediately begins to see a future before Josie and Callan are ready. Josie and Callan are both emotionally walled up individuals and too stubborn to allow help to break their walls down. They also find similarities in their unusual dislike for all things Christmas,, but when you live in a town like Sunnycombe it's hard not to fall in love--- maybe in more ways than one! This story was romantic and gave all the cozy Christmas vibes. The perfect sweet romance about opening your heart to love. It was a quick and light read, and is perfect for the holidays while sitting by a hot fire!
June 18, 2020
Beautiful storyline and the happy ending is the best part
January 3, 2021
Really sweet but a bit slow for me. I usually don’t read chick lit to often but needed something in between steamier romances. This what a nice HEA.
July 22, 2021
It was a tad too short. I wanted to delve into the characters more and fall in love with them while reading each extra line. However, as I read I couldn't help the smile on my face.
Thank you.
Thank you.
September 14, 2025
Kindle. Cute story. Just typical romance. Well written.
December 27, 2025
Not a lot happend, if you like that, read this. writing style was good though!
December 7, 2019
A feelgood romance, with cakes! Josie moves to a village where she begins work in the bakery, owned by widower Callan who has a young daughter, Mia. Christmas is coming, but both Josie and Callan have their reasons for not feeling festive ... however, the bakery and the village community won't allow for moping, so they have no option but to join in, getting closer as they do so. A lovely story, well written, and I would read more from this author.
Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.
Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.
October 10, 2023
This was a sweet and delightful story. Josie has good reasons to dislike Christmas and Callan was severely damaged due to his wife's recent and unexpected death. In addition, he was trying raise their sweet little girl (Mia) and was afraid to care for anyone that would leave - like Mia's mother did. A lot of obstacles to overcome but the author did a sweet job of pulling it all together.
Amazon synopsis:
Josie Donnelly spends most years pretending that Christmas doesn’t even happen! So, she hopes that the sleepy village of Sunnycombe will be the perfect place to escape the festivities…
Or so she thought! Spending time with (far too handsome) bakery owner Callan Stewart and his young daughter, Mia, makes her long for the family Christmas she’s missed out on.
Could the little bakery on the hill be her own recipe for a happy ever after this year…?
Amazon synopsis:
Josie Donnelly spends most years pretending that Christmas doesn’t even happen! So, she hopes that the sleepy village of Sunnycombe will be the perfect place to escape the festivities…
Or so she thought! Spending time with (far too handsome) bakery owner Callan Stewart and his young daughter, Mia, makes her long for the family Christmas she’s missed out on.
Could the little bakery on the hill be her own recipe for a happy ever after this year…?
November 24, 2019
This was a beautiful story about Josie who had been running from her feelings for years and finds herself in a lovely Christmassy village with lovely people finding her able to see a much happier future for herself. Lovely feel good fast read.
Thanks to Net Galley for this book.
Thanks to Net Galley for this book.
November 20, 2019
"The little bakery of hopes and dreams" started out really sweet and I was sure I was going to love it.
We meet Josie who is looking for a new job and finds herself in the Café of widowed Callan. The beginning of the story was very atmospheric as well as emotional and I had high hopes for the book.
Somehow the book lost me throughout the story and I missed the atmosphere of the café and the emotions between the characters. I felt that everything was very rushed and I couldn't connect with Josie and Callan. I really liked Mia, Callans daughter, who was totally funny and cute.
I liked the Christmas cakes and cupcakes they were baking and there could have been more about the Café and Christmas.
The book was good to read but for me something was missing for a good festive read.
We meet Josie who is looking for a new job and finds herself in the Café of widowed Callan. The beginning of the story was very atmospheric as well as emotional and I had high hopes for the book.
Somehow the book lost me throughout the story and I missed the atmosphere of the café and the emotions between the characters. I felt that everything was very rushed and I couldn't connect with Josie and Callan. I really liked Mia, Callans daughter, who was totally funny and cute.
I liked the Christmas cakes and cupcakes they were baking and there could have been more about the Café and Christmas.
The book was good to read but for me something was missing for a good festive read.
November 6, 2019
This was my first book I've read by this author, She draws you into her story as it unfolds and I was hooked by a few pages In. The characters are wonderful and you get that warm and snuggly feeling while reading of The cosy little community they live in. Josie doesn't know how to enjoy Christmas any more, it has unhappy associations for her, she is newly arrived in the village and has applied for a job at the bakery that Callan is the owner of. Their first meeting was entertaining and she gets to meet 'the lady of the house' Mia. Mia is Callan young daughter , he's struggling to bring her up on his own and keep the bakery going. It's been 11 months since he lost his wife and it's their first Christmas without her so he wants to go all out to make it special for Mia this year. This was just the most beautifully written book, with some poignant moments and the descriptive writing made you feel like you were part of the experience . The chemistry is palpable between Josie and callan, neither is looking for a new romance , both having issues with letting people close to them . Josie relationship with Mia was insightful and a delight to read. Josie learns to enjoy the Christmas traditions of the village as she is welcomed into the family fold. This was an ultimately uplifting and heartwarming festive treat that I devoured in a day . Thankyou to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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