The Bakery by the Cove

Camden Cove #5

by Ellen Joy

She wants to go back to Paris and bake. He wants her out of his kitchen, but he needs her.

Ally flies back to Camden Cove as soon as she hears about her father's heart attack.

When she gets home and realizes that Michael is the replacement at her family’s bakery, she feels completely devastated.

Michael wants the homecoming queen to go back to Paris and leave him alone. Only, he needs her help, whether he wants to admit it or not.

Michael finally breaks down and asks Ally to stay when he realizes she could be good for the bakery, and his heart.

Will Ally return to Paris or will she give up that life for a happily-ever-after in Camden Cove?

Genres: Romance

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 10, 2020

About the author

Ellen lives in a small town in New England, between the Atlantic Ocean and the White Mountains. She lives with her husband, two sons, and one very spoiled puppy princess.

Ellen writes in the early morning hours before her family wakes up. When she's not writing, you can find her spending time with her family, gardening with her puppy and chickens, or headed to the beach. She loves summer and flip-flops, running on a dirt country road, and a sweet love song.

All of her stories are clean romances where families are close, neighbors are nosy, and the couples are destined for each other.

Join Ellen Joy's newsletter to connect with Ellen and receive updates!

http://www.ellenjoyauthor.com

Reviews

[Jessica Goodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable, feel-good, would make a perfect Hallmark movie - especially if it was adapted for Christmas time! This series was clean and light, and is appropriate for young teens (so hard to find!).

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Bakery by the Cove" by Ellen Joy is a heartwarming and delightful conclusion to a beloved series set in a charming coastal town. Joy's masterful storytelling again shines as she takes readers on a culinary journey filled with love, friendship, and second chances. The series finale left me with a bittersweet longing for more. As a fan of the series, it's hard not to feel sadness as you turn the final pages, knowing that this is the end of an era. However, we can't help but wish for one more book to tell Lauren's story. Joy has created an enchanting world that we eagerly anticipate revisiting. The vivid descriptions of mouthwatering pastries and aromatic coffees create an immersive experience, making you feel like you are in the cozy bakery by the cove.
If you're a fan of heartwarming fiction, culinary delights, and stories that leave a lasting impression, then "The Bakery by the Cove" is a must-read. Ellen Joy's talent for capturing the essence of small-town charm and the complexities of human relationships makes this series a true gem in the literary landscape.
Happy reading... Enjoy!

[bookbabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first 4 books of this series, and this one was not a bad book. However, I felt that the ending was just thrown together in a tell-all format. I don't know if there was a deadline, an overrun on the content, or what, but I had to stop and go back to check if I had missed something. Michael's alcoholism was glossed over and not shown to even be part of his personality until past the midpoint of the book. He was a deeply complex character but this was demonstrated in a disjointed fashion.
I thought if I read the word patisseire one more time, I would scream. The title is Bakery by the Cove and we are smart enough to know what the French word means. When Ally was overlooked at the bakery by Jean-Paul and then the new head chef, she should have taken that as a sign. Her dream was handed to her by her father but she walked away. I guess that was to keep in character of the immature, self-centered Ally. By the age of 30, she should have outgrown some of that insecurity and swallowed her pride.

[Deb Blackbourn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Ms. Joy once again wrote a wonderful story that grabbed my attention right from the beginning! Ally flies home to Camden Cove when her dad, David, has a heart attack. Her other dad, Frank, has hired Michael, a Veteran who had been working at the restaurant, The Fish House. He had cooked in the military. Ally lives in Paris & is a pastry chef there. She thinks she is going to assist in her dads’ bakery. She & Michael clash from the beginning! As the story continues, she & Michael learn to work together. Her dads’ decide to retire & offer their bakery to Ally. However, Ally has a boyfriend in Paris & is happy with her job there. So, her dads offer the bakery to Michael. Both Ally & Michael realize they miss each other once Ally goes back to Paris. Distance is a problem - or is it?

[Lita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last book in Camden Cove series. It centers around Ally and Michael. Ally is David's daughter (from David and Frank in previous books). She lives in Paris, France and works in a patisserie and has a boyfriend named John Luc. He's the head chef. When she receives a call from Frank alerting her that David has had a heart attack, she flies home to Camden Cove. When she gets there she finds her dads have hired someone to fill in while David recovers from his open heart surgery. Someone who was her enemy back in high school.

Michael is a good cook and he loves to bake. But he clashes with Ally and believes the "Ice Princess snob is back.

This is their romance.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ally

Last book in the series, Ally is the Daughter of David he talks of her living in paris in this series, when David has a heart attack leading to surgery Frank his husband calls her home.Michael has stepped in the help in there french bakery ally knew him from school along time ago.
It did feel strange how she clings to Paris so much when all signs tells her to live, I felt sorry for Michael and liked him more then her.

[Ceara Cronin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a total cliche summer beach read, but it is very easy and can be finished pretty quick. I loved the enemies to lovers and the fact that they were high school enemies too (it created a lot of tension hehe). I felt some of the characters confusing to follow because the author seemed to change perspectives so much, but other than that it was a cute and easy book to read.

[Divina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

It's another good story. I guess I was just too eager to see their reunion because it's kind of too long for me especially when Ally went back to Paris. A lot in that part I should say I don't really find interesting, the break up with Jean-Paul.
But at the end, it's still good.

[Elma G. Rood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Camden Cove, A delightful series.

I like books that are enjoyable to read after a busy day. The characters were well represented throughout. One feels that they live in that New England town and you can almost feel like you belong.

[Marzlie Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great set of stories

I loved how it all turned out so perfectly for Ally and Michael. Setting up her Paris bakery with coffee service fulfilling her dream And nice to learn Elizabeth gave birth to a girl which made Lucy happy..

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paris with You: Another great novel by Ellen. The characters and things that take place in the book are very realistic, the people that appear in the book immediately penetrate to your heart. I really enjoyed this book

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very cute and clean romance!

A very sweet romance story ,though it didn't seem to fit at all with the rest of the series. I was a little disappointed that they didn't stay in David and Frank's bakery.

[Pastor McKeiver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite of the series. The story was fresh, the characters and situations realistic and I loved experiencing a little of Paris. Ellen Joy never disappoints. I highly recommend the entire series, but if I had only read this one, I would have been satisfied.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light romance, a fun read.

Family friendly read. Good food, good fun, and a little romance, good clean novel with interesting people. Enjoyable read. Would recommend for young and old alike.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

When her Dad, David, part owner of the Bakery in Camden Cove, with his husband, has a heart attack, Ally rushes home from France to be there. She gets frustrated when her Dads won't accept her help though and they appoint a chef from the restaurant, Michael.

Michael and Ally don't hit it off, but she's not her Fathers daughter for nothing!

A really good romantic read from Camden Cove and the last in the series. I've really enjoyed this series and will look for more books by this author.

The books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.

[christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect ending

The characters are so real as Camden cove. I was hooked from the start and a little sad the series ended, I do hope it's not the last we'll hear from our friends from Camden cove. I highly recommend this series.

[Bambi Sommers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Afeel good series

If you’re a fan of sweet romance, or just a fan of really good storytelling, this series is for you! The characters run between each story adding new ones along the way, feeling like old friends.

[Kathy Dryden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two very competent bakers .....will they learn to co-exist? A medical emergency brings them together ...will they remain together? Love the way this seaside community comes thru in this series of books and hate to see it end.

[Kathy Zuercher Diveley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ally and Michael

Ally is a pastry chef like her Father, but she currently works in Paris. Her Father has a heart attack then open heart surgery. She comes back to help in his bakery and meets Michael another chef.

[Susan Drago · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good series

Clean romantic stories, all with lots of drama, angst, indecisive characters, and the true-to-form misunderstandings.

Guaranteed happy endings, which was exactly what I needed during another Christmas season away from my family!

[Patricia Whittington · Rating 5 out of 5]

WONDERFUL!

I read every one of the Camden Cove (in order) and loved every one. I have read other Ellen Joy books and really enjoy her writing. Can't wait to start a new series. Even Joy, keep writing

[Patti Lentz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad I stumbled on both series!

I started Cliffside on June 27 and
Just finished the cove series as well . the summer was so enjoyable. Thank you for this beautiful summer 2025.

[irene mayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book they had problem that made them doubt they was truly loved enjoyed it when other saw it and helped the couple be togwtger

[Michelle Ferrari-Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

French Pastries

Such a sweet story about finding your way in the world. When you find true love even a trip across the pond won't stop you~

[Diane Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series

Really enjoyed this Camden Cove series. Read all of the stories one after the other and like following character through the series..

[Celena Strickland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it... I never wanted to put the books down.

[Jean Burgon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story! Sounds like Camden Cove is an ideal place to live! I love a happy ending…

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bakery. By the cove

I was so happy to read all these books of the series. So warm and Envieting to read family from Camden cove. Will be seeing this state very soon.

[Rhonda Mellons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Finish

A great finish to a good series. A good read for the hopeless romantic. Some tears were shed, both happy and sad.

[linda sue starkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series and even after reading half of book 1 I realized I had already read it. But it was just as satisfying of a read the second time around