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The Devine Doughnut Shop
Three women are torn between traditions of the past and unexpected new beginnings in a warmhearted novel by Carolyn Brown about family, romance, and the best pastries in Texas.
For Grace Dalton, her sister, Sarah, and her cousin Macy, the Devine Doughnut Shop is a sweet family legacy and a landmark in their Texas town. As the fourth generation to run the Double D, they keep their great-grandmother’s recipe secret and uphold the shop’s tradition as a coffee klatch for sharing local gossip, advice, and woes. But drama brews behind the counter, too.
Grace is a single mother struggling with an unruly teenage daughter. Heartbroken Sarah has sworn off love. Macy’s impending wedding has an unexpected hitch. And now charming developer Travis Butler has arrived in Devine with a checkbook and a handsome smile. He wants to buy the shop, expand it nationally, and boost the economy of a town divided by the prospect.
With the family’s relationships in flux, their beloved heritage up for grabs, and their future in the air, it’s amazing what determination, sass, a promise of romance, and a warm maple doughnut can do to change hearts and minds.
For Grace Dalton, her sister, Sarah, and her cousin Macy, the Devine Doughnut Shop is a sweet family legacy and a landmark in their Texas town. As the fourth generation to run the Double D, they keep their great-grandmother’s recipe secret and uphold the shop’s tradition as a coffee klatch for sharing local gossip, advice, and woes. But drama brews behind the counter, too.
Grace is a single mother struggling with an unruly teenage daughter. Heartbroken Sarah has sworn off love. Macy’s impending wedding has an unexpected hitch. And now charming developer Travis Butler has arrived in Devine with a checkbook and a handsome smile. He wants to buy the shop, expand it nationally, and boost the economy of a town divided by the prospect.
With the family’s relationships in flux, their beloved heritage up for grabs, and their future in the air, it’s amazing what determination, sass, a promise of romance, and a warm maple doughnut can do to change hearts and minds.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 14, 2023
2860 people are currently reading
6511 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Brown
181 books4,116 followersHi! I'm twenty five years old and movie star gorgeous. The camera added thirty plus years and a few wrinkles. Can't trust those cameras or mirrors either. Along with bathroom scales they are notorious liars! Honestly, I am the mother of three fantastic grown children who've made me laugh and given me more story ideas than I could ever write. My husband, Charles, is my strongest supporter and my best friend. He's even willing to eat fast food and help with the laundry while I finish one more chapter! Life is good and I am blessed!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.
Happy reading!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.
Happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 519 reviews
March 14, 2023
EXCERPT: 'Where's the nearest convent or bootcamp?' Grace Dalton stormed into the kitchen of the Devine Doughnut Shop that Friday morning. 'That daughter of mine needs to spend some time in whichever one that will take her.'
'What has Audrey done now?' Grace's younger sister, Sarah, asked.
She sent me a text last night after I'd gone to bed and said that she had been suspended for today,' Grace answered as she slipped a bibbed apron over her head and tied the strings in the back. She tucked her hair up into a net and moved over to the sink to wash her hands.
Their cousin Macy, who was a partner in the doughnut shop, set the bowls up on the counter to get the dough made and rising. 'Good Lord! What did she do?'
Grace flipped the hot doughnuts into a bowl of powdered sugar glaze, turned them over, and set them out on a different rack to cool. 'She got caught with a pack of cigarettes and one of those little sample bottles of whisky at school. When she goes back after spring break, she gets to spend two days in the in-school suspension building. I'm paying for your raising, Sarah June, not mine. I was the good child.'
ABOUT 'THE DEVINE DOUGHNUT SHOP': For Grace Dalton, her sister, Sarah, and her cousin Macy, the Devine Doughnut Shop is a sweet family legacy and a landmark in their Texas town. As the fourth generation to run the Double D, they keep their great-grandmother’s recipe secret and uphold the shop’s tradition as a coffee klatch for sharing local gossip, advice, and woes. But drama brews behind the counter, too.
Grace is a single mother struggling with an unruly teenage daughter. Heartbroken Sarah has sworn off love. Macy’s impending wedding has an unexpected hitch. And now charming developer Travis Butler has arrived in Devine with a checkbook and a handsome smile. He wants to buy the shop, expand it nationally, and boost the economy of a town divided by the prospect.
With the family’s relationships in flux, their beloved heritage up for grabs, and their future in the air, it’s amazing what determination, sass, a promise of romance, and a warm maple doughnut can do to change hearts and minds.
MY THOUGHTS: I want a maple doughnut - more than one in fact. I am glad we don't have a decent doughnut shop in our town or I would have been down there every morning buying a dozen to get me through the day.
Anyone who has a teenage daughter, or who has ever been a teenage daughter, is going to relate to this read. Audrey is at that age where being popular is the most important thing in her life. Her mother neither likes nor approves of her friends and Audrey is certain her mother is out to ruin her street cred.
The relationship between Grace and her daughter had me chuckling, recalling similar battles between my mother and myself. I loved the relationship between Grace, her sister Sarah and their cousin Macy. The saying goes that it takes a village to raise a child, but in this case it just takes a close knit family. I love the way these three support one another and indulge their love of ice-cream in times of crisis.
These characters are all smart, resilient and sassy. Carolyn Brown sure can write them.
This is a heartwarming story of family, friendship, faith and romance that kept me smiling throughout.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.4
#TheDevineDoughnutShop #NetGalley
@carolynbrownbooks #montlake
T: @thecarolynbrown #Montlake
#christianfiction #contemporaryfiction #familydrama #friendship #romance #sliceoflife #smalltownfiction
#womensfiction
THE AUTHOR: Hi! I'm twenty five years old and movie star gorgeous. The camera added thirty plus years and a few wrinkles. Can't trust those cameras or mirrors either. Along with bathroom scales they are notorious liars! Honestly, I am the mother of three fantastic grown children who've made me laugh and given me more story ideas than I could ever write. My husband, Charles, is my strongest supporter and my best friend. He's even willing to eat fast food and help with the laundry while I finish one more chapter! Life is good and I am blessed!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Montlake via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Devine Doughnut Shop by Carolyn Brown for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
'What has Audrey done now?' Grace's younger sister, Sarah, asked.
She sent me a text last night after I'd gone to bed and said that she had been suspended for today,' Grace answered as she slipped a bibbed apron over her head and tied the strings in the back. She tucked her hair up into a net and moved over to the sink to wash her hands.
Their cousin Macy, who was a partner in the doughnut shop, set the bowls up on the counter to get the dough made and rising. 'Good Lord! What did she do?'
Grace flipped the hot doughnuts into a bowl of powdered sugar glaze, turned them over, and set them out on a different rack to cool. 'She got caught with a pack of cigarettes and one of those little sample bottles of whisky at school. When she goes back after spring break, she gets to spend two days in the in-school suspension building. I'm paying for your raising, Sarah June, not mine. I was the good child.'
ABOUT 'THE DEVINE DOUGHNUT SHOP': For Grace Dalton, her sister, Sarah, and her cousin Macy, the Devine Doughnut Shop is a sweet family legacy and a landmark in their Texas town. As the fourth generation to run the Double D, they keep their great-grandmother’s recipe secret and uphold the shop’s tradition as a coffee klatch for sharing local gossip, advice, and woes. But drama brews behind the counter, too.
Grace is a single mother struggling with an unruly teenage daughter. Heartbroken Sarah has sworn off love. Macy’s impending wedding has an unexpected hitch. And now charming developer Travis Butler has arrived in Devine with a checkbook and a handsome smile. He wants to buy the shop, expand it nationally, and boost the economy of a town divided by the prospect.
With the family’s relationships in flux, their beloved heritage up for grabs, and their future in the air, it’s amazing what determination, sass, a promise of romance, and a warm maple doughnut can do to change hearts and minds.
MY THOUGHTS: I want a maple doughnut - more than one in fact. I am glad we don't have a decent doughnut shop in our town or I would have been down there every morning buying a dozen to get me through the day.
Anyone who has a teenage daughter, or who has ever been a teenage daughter, is going to relate to this read. Audrey is at that age where being popular is the most important thing in her life. Her mother neither likes nor approves of her friends and Audrey is certain her mother is out to ruin her street cred.
The relationship between Grace and her daughter had me chuckling, recalling similar battles between my mother and myself. I loved the relationship between Grace, her sister Sarah and their cousin Macy. The saying goes that it takes a village to raise a child, but in this case it just takes a close knit family. I love the way these three support one another and indulge their love of ice-cream in times of crisis.
These characters are all smart, resilient and sassy. Carolyn Brown sure can write them.
This is a heartwarming story of family, friendship, faith and romance that kept me smiling throughout.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.4
#TheDevineDoughnutShop #NetGalley
@carolynbrownbooks #montlake
T: @thecarolynbrown #Montlake
#christianfiction #contemporaryfiction #familydrama #friendship #romance #sliceoflife #smalltownfiction
#womensfiction
THE AUTHOR: Hi! I'm twenty five years old and movie star gorgeous. The camera added thirty plus years and a few wrinkles. Can't trust those cameras or mirrors either. Along with bathroom scales they are notorious liars! Honestly, I am the mother of three fantastic grown children who've made me laugh and given me more story ideas than I could ever write. My husband, Charles, is my strongest supporter and my best friend. He's even willing to eat fast food and help with the laundry while I finish one more chapter! Life is good and I am blessed!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Montlake via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Devine Doughnut Shop by Carolyn Brown for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
November 21, 2023
This is a Women's fiction with a slow-moving Romance. I really loved all the characters in this book, and I also loved all the family drama in this book. I have a 13 year old daughter that is always saying mom you just cannot understand or mom you are just trying to mess up my life. So, I really connected and enjoyed Grace and Grace's daughter in this book. I am glad I am not the only mom that their daughter thinks are messing everything in their life up. I did think the romance in this book moved a little bit too slow. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Montlake) or author (Carolyn Brown) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
November 16, 2022
This is just a fun book to read, entertaining and humorous with wit, charm and southern sass. Set in the small town of Devine, Texas, this novel has characters that jumped into my heart and flowed out in laughter. Grace, her sister Sarah and her cousin Macy own the popular doughnut shop in town and the secret recipe that came with it as their legacy. They are light-hearted and fun-loving, but they all notice that their lives are not totally fulfilling. When Macy and Sarah are both heartbroken after relationships with deceptive guys, the three turn to each other for advice, consolation, doughnuts and ice cream. Grace is a single parent of Audrey, a teen with attitude and a lot of sass herself. Raelene was my favorite character, an orphan who is taken in by Grace and her family, resented by Audrey and one of the wisest teens you would ever hope to meet. The characters are all engaging and thoroughly lovable. The plot moves at a good pace, with lots of twists in the plot and plenty of new relationships being established and old ones falling away. Each central character has significant life changes and choices to make and therein lies the theme and the wisdom that makes this book not just enjoyable but also memorable. The theme is one of having hope and releasing things of the past to stay in the past. All opinions expressed are my own.
January 4, 2023
“Small towns….everyone knows everyone.”
“That’s the problem a lot of times, isn’t it?”
“Or the blessing. It all depends on how you look at it.”
A light-hearted, quick and entertaining read set in Devine, Texas and featuring the struggles of a family-run bakery - the Devine Doughnut Shop.
✔️gorgeous cover and title
✔️struggle between traditions and new beginnings
✔️focus on family and heritage
✔️family-run business and family relationships
✔️three very different women with three very different struggles
✔️tension the developer and the teenager brought to the narrative
✔️small town and southern living
✔️promising romance
✔️lessons about accountability, bullying, gossiping, and working together towards a common goal
✔️focus on hope, trust, friendship and choices
❎ so much drama
You’ll be guaranteed a heartwarming story of love and friendship every time you pick up a contemporary romance from Carolyn Brown.
I was gifted this copy by Montlake and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
“That’s the problem a lot of times, isn’t it?”
“Or the blessing. It all depends on how you look at it.”
A light-hearted, quick and entertaining read set in Devine, Texas and featuring the struggles of a family-run bakery - the Devine Doughnut Shop.
✔️gorgeous cover and title
✔️struggle between traditions and new beginnings
✔️focus on family and heritage
✔️family-run business and family relationships
✔️three very different women with three very different struggles
✔️tension the developer and the teenager brought to the narrative
✔️small town and southern living
✔️promising romance
✔️lessons about accountability, bullying, gossiping, and working together towards a common goal
✔️focus on hope, trust, friendship and choices
❎ so much drama
You’ll be guaranteed a heartwarming story of love and friendship every time you pick up a contemporary romance from Carolyn Brown.
I was gifted this copy by Montlake and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
February 15, 2023
This was just an okay listen for me. Not even my fav narrator, Brittney Pressley and a small town romance set around a family's doughnut shop could keep me super interested the whole way through. This was more women's fiction story than romance with a bit too much Southern, Christian focus and I just wasn't feeling it. Totally a me thing. Would recommend to fans of authors like Kristy Woodson Harvey.
September 30, 2023
Such a cute book. Full RTC.
March 27, 2023
Blissful cosy heartwarming funny
An absolute delight what a super cosy warmhearted and funny book. I loved the southern theme, Texas town the speech and the characters. They were so adorable sassy, strong yet good kindhearted women.
A story of love. Friendship, trust and honesty set in a small town. And of course lots of doughnuts.
This is my first book by Carolyn Brown and I'm definitely a fan now.
If you love small town romance this is cosy and makes you feel so happy and content
Kerry Kennedy Author
An absolute delight what a super cosy warmhearted and funny book. I loved the southern theme, Texas town the speech and the characters. They were so adorable sassy, strong yet good kindhearted women.
A story of love. Friendship, trust and honesty set in a small town. And of course lots of doughnuts.
This is my first book by Carolyn Brown and I'm definitely a fan now.
If you love small town romance this is cosy and makes you feel so happy and content
Kerry Kennedy Author
February 15, 2023
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Devine Doughnut Shop is only my second book by Carolyn Brown, who writes stories about families. In a doughnut shop in a small town, two sisters and their similar aged cousin run the shop. There is a new player in town and a once in a lifetime opportunity for them to sell the family business or decide to keep the routine they have now.
Grace had a daughter out of wedlock young. She still has some emotional baggage to deal with from that experience and her daughter now a teenager has some life lessons to learn. Audrey wants to be popular and gave up her former friends in order to in the cool click. She will learn some mean girl lessons the hard way and Grace will be a good parent through it all helping Audrey learn that with actions there are consequences both good and bad. Grace is also going to need to decide if Trevor is just interested in her shop and land or if there is more there to explore.
Sarah and Macy both are not really lucky in love right now and having the town gossip about them might be good for business with everyone showing up for doughnuts and to see if they catch any news, it is bad for their hearts. But families stick together and Grace, Macy and Sarah will be there for each other with comfort and support and no judgement which is nice to know you have a safe harbor when the world seems out to get you.
Audrey I was a little worried about with her blinders on but spending a little more time with her family and a former friend Raelene. I will say I loved Raelene, she has fallen on some hard time since her grandmother died and her mom took off without her. Her story broke my heart a little since she thought she was alone in this world but found a family in an unexpected place.
The story is really about a small town and how a family can find solace in each other and be supportive. There is a slow burn romance in the background but for the most part it is just a story about the relationships of the three women and how they impact each others lives. I enjoyed this women's fiction story with the family story and the small town as the backdrop. There is just something about stories in small towns that always works for me.
Narration:
Brittney Pressley is an experienced narrator and it shows. She does a great job at capturing the voice of all the women in this story in their various journeys. The southern twang added to the authenticity of the small town too. I enjoyed her narration and was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to the clip: HERE
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Devine Doughnut Shop is only my second book by Carolyn Brown, who writes stories about families. In a doughnut shop in a small town, two sisters and their similar aged cousin run the shop. There is a new player in town and a once in a lifetime opportunity for them to sell the family business or decide to keep the routine they have now.
Grace had a daughter out of wedlock young. She still has some emotional baggage to deal with from that experience and her daughter now a teenager has some life lessons to learn. Audrey wants to be popular and gave up her former friends in order to in the cool click. She will learn some mean girl lessons the hard way and Grace will be a good parent through it all helping Audrey learn that with actions there are consequences both good and bad. Grace is also going to need to decide if Trevor is just interested in her shop and land or if there is more there to explore.
Sarah and Macy both are not really lucky in love right now and having the town gossip about them might be good for business with everyone showing up for doughnuts and to see if they catch any news, it is bad for their hearts. But families stick together and Grace, Macy and Sarah will be there for each other with comfort and support and no judgement which is nice to know you have a safe harbor when the world seems out to get you.
Audrey I was a little worried about with her blinders on but spending a little more time with her family and a former friend Raelene. I will say I loved Raelene, she has fallen on some hard time since her grandmother died and her mom took off without her. Her story broke my heart a little since she thought she was alone in this world but found a family in an unexpected place.
The story is really about a small town and how a family can find solace in each other and be supportive. There is a slow burn romance in the background but for the most part it is just a story about the relationships of the three women and how they impact each others lives. I enjoyed this women's fiction story with the family story and the small town as the backdrop. There is just something about stories in small towns that always works for me.
Narration:
Brittney Pressley is an experienced narrator and it shows. She does a great job at capturing the voice of all the women in this story in their various journeys. The southern twang added to the authenticity of the small town too. I enjoyed her narration and was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to the clip: HERE
October 9, 2022
Love lost; love found. Hearts broken; hearts repaired. Trust shattered. Sounds like so many of the romance books you have read. Not this one! As usual, Carolyn Brown has taken an innocuous formula and made it her own. And it starts with family. Yes, family. Sisters, cousins, daughters, adopted daughters and grandmotherly friends. Can you see all of these as a family? Since Carolyn has such success with creating non-traditional families, I knew it would turn out. Until I found out there were two teenagers involved. That blew the top from the mixture. But this is a story of love. Anguish from learning about men you thought were the loves of your life cheating and conning you. When you are left to pick up the pieces from devastation like that, it is hard to trust again, and hard to see people you love and care about falling in love. But sometimes, to follow your dreams, you must take a leap of faith, and what a leap it is.
This book also addresses another important in society today. Bullying! This is happening so much in most of our schools and the one being bullied is afraid to tell anyone lest they are bullied even worse. But being a bully is never right. This book gives a perfect example of how to handle bullies, both the right way and the wrong way. I truly admired the way it was handled here.
And I mentioned two teenagers. Aye, Yi, Yi, enough to cause a parent to pull their hair out (I know, I raised three of them.). Carolyn Brown presented one way to deal with them, but the outcome is not always so pretty. We all know that teenagers can turn on a dime and throw all into a tailspin. And as typical of a teenager, Carolyn Brown said these two would wake her at night and fuss at her until she got their scenes just right. Sound like two diva teenagers to you? Sure, does to me. Everything must be just right.
I hope you will all give this book a chance. I could not put it down. All of this took place in a generational family business. (I love secret recipes.). Carolyn Brown’s books just keep getting better and better and she does not repeat themes. Why should she when there is so much in this world to write about. I hope you have enjoyed this review as it comes straight from my heart. This book is delightful and worth the time it takes to read it. Even the title is intriguing. Remember, “The Devine Doughnut Shop”. It is a book you will never forget. Thank you, Carolyn Brown, for your gifts and for sharing them with your readers. Yes, I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review. It cannot get more honest than this.
This book also addresses another important in society today. Bullying! This is happening so much in most of our schools and the one being bullied is afraid to tell anyone lest they are bullied even worse. But being a bully is never right. This book gives a perfect example of how to handle bullies, both the right way and the wrong way. I truly admired the way it was handled here.
And I mentioned two teenagers. Aye, Yi, Yi, enough to cause a parent to pull their hair out (I know, I raised three of them.). Carolyn Brown presented one way to deal with them, but the outcome is not always so pretty. We all know that teenagers can turn on a dime and throw all into a tailspin. And as typical of a teenager, Carolyn Brown said these two would wake her at night and fuss at her until she got their scenes just right. Sound like two diva teenagers to you? Sure, does to me. Everything must be just right.
I hope you will all give this book a chance. I could not put it down. All of this took place in a generational family business. (I love secret recipes.). Carolyn Brown’s books just keep getting better and better and she does not repeat themes. Why should she when there is so much in this world to write about. I hope you have enjoyed this review as it comes straight from my heart. This book is delightful and worth the time it takes to read it. Even the title is intriguing. Remember, “The Devine Doughnut Shop”. It is a book you will never forget. Thank you, Carolyn Brown, for your gifts and for sharing them with your readers. Yes, I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review. It cannot get more honest than this.
February 3, 2023
Carolyn Brown's books always make me smile and feel good. This one was no exception as it's uplifiting and heartwarming.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
October 10, 2024
This was a heartwarming, cute, full of drama funny story about love, family and friendship, complete with sassy, likeable characters and lots of doughnuts.
I mostly ended up listening to the audiobook which was narrated brilliantly by Brittany Pressley. I have listened to a couple of thriller audiobooks narrated by her and I was surprised by how different her voice sounded speaking with a Texan accent.
I received an e-Arc of the book from the publisher Montlake and the author via NetGalley.
I mostly ended up listening to the audiobook which was narrated brilliantly by Brittany Pressley. I have listened to a couple of thriller audiobooks narrated by her and I was surprised by how different her voice sounded speaking with a Texan accent.
I received an e-Arc of the book from the publisher Montlake and the author via NetGalley.
December 15, 2022
This is my first Carolyn Brown book and I thought it was quite the delight.
A thank you to NetGalley and publishers for sharing an ARC with me, it was an easy read and definitely a generational women’s tale that I think many would find relatable.
Set in southern Texas this book does a good job encompassing a small town Texas way of life. Growing up in one of the towns mentioned in the book, I speak from experience that I can tell Carolyn also must have that this is customary for a lot of folks I know.
What I liked: the overall story, the women’s journey to new traditions while honoring themselves in the process, the action of their love life takes, and backdrop of the familiar setting of the pillar the donut shop has come to be in their town. Each woman had their own beast of burden and each one gets time defining changes in their life.
What I didn’t like: the lack of credit to teenagers overall with Audrey’s lack of depth I think could loose some younger readers. I am certainly much closer to having a teenager than being one, but I don’t feel like she got credit for the troubling time in life it is to make big moral decisions and not feel like your gaining the credit you deserve for the expectations pressed upon our youth. It’s hard to be that age or some many people wouldn’t stumble during that time in life, so more of a nod to how her journey wasn’t just immaturity but also an effort to forge her path would have given the story a more rounded out impression.
I give this book a 3.5 stars, it’s not the style I typically read but if you like mostly light women’s story that are low on spice and layered with southern lifestyle, this would definitely be for you!
A thank you to NetGalley and publishers for sharing an ARC with me, it was an easy read and definitely a generational women’s tale that I think many would find relatable.
Set in southern Texas this book does a good job encompassing a small town Texas way of life. Growing up in one of the towns mentioned in the book, I speak from experience that I can tell Carolyn also must have that this is customary for a lot of folks I know.
What I liked: the overall story, the women’s journey to new traditions while honoring themselves in the process, the action of their love life takes, and backdrop of the familiar setting of the pillar the donut shop has come to be in their town. Each woman had their own beast of burden and each one gets time defining changes in their life.
What I didn’t like: the lack of credit to teenagers overall with Audrey’s lack of depth I think could loose some younger readers. I am certainly much closer to having a teenager than being one, but I don’t feel like she got credit for the troubling time in life it is to make big moral decisions and not feel like your gaining the credit you deserve for the expectations pressed upon our youth. It’s hard to be that age or some many people wouldn’t stumble during that time in life, so more of a nod to how her journey wasn’t just immaturity but also an effort to forge her path would have given the story a more rounded out impression.
I give this book a 3.5 stars, it’s not the style I typically read but if you like mostly light women’s story that are low on spice and layered with southern lifestyle, this would definitely be for you!
January 2, 2023
I loved this book. I could relate to Grace’s frustration with her daughter hanging out with mean girls and the bullying they were doing to Raelene. I liked the characters and how down to earth they were. It was such a realistic story with such a happy ending. I devoured this book in one sitting.
July 3, 2023
The Devine Doughnut Shop has been open, and family run for years. Grace and her sister Sarah along with Cousin Macy have been running it for years. Grace has a teenage daughter that has taken to running with the wrong crowd. Sarah thinks she has finally found a man to bring home; Macy is engaged to a man. Sarah finds out the man of her dreams is really not, and Macy's perfect fiancé' is far from perfect.
Travis Butler comes to the shop one morning meeting up with his grandfather's old friends. They want him to open a factory in town and build new homes. He tries to buy the doughnut shop and land. Grace is not interested in selling and the cousins are not really interested in selling right now.
As their lives seem to be taking a different turn will the girls be ready to sell out or can they find a way to a new life.
Carolyn Brown books are so good, and the stories just really hold my interest and it's hard to put the book down.
Travis Butler comes to the shop one morning meeting up with his grandfather's old friends. They want him to open a factory in town and build new homes. He tries to buy the doughnut shop and land. Grace is not interested in selling and the cousins are not really interested in selling right now.
As their lives seem to be taking a different turn will the girls be ready to sell out or can they find a way to a new life.
Carolyn Brown books are so good, and the stories just really hold my interest and it's hard to put the book down.
December 14, 2022
The Devine Donut Shop by Carolyn Brown takes her readers to Devine, Texas. Sisters Grace and Sarah, along with their cousin Macy, inherited the Devine Donut Shop when their grandmother passed away. They have a secret family recipe that makes their donuts taste better than anything around. Grace is a single mother raising a troublesome teen daughter. Sarah is considered the wild one, but her dream is to marry and have a family. Macy thought her life was all set, but then again maybe not.I loved all these characters as well as the secondary characters. As I was reading I just wanted to be part of this special family. I enjoy how Ms. Brown portrays families and how they interact, support each other and love each other. This was a special read for me as the characters seemed so real and caring.
December 11, 2022
I was tempted by the cute cover and the blurb. Who wouldn't want too read a story set in a bakery?!
Unfortunately, the story did not love up to my expectations. The narration is disjointed and the pace is too slow to my liking. Though three book is tagged as general fiction romance, it is more of Christian fiction. The repeated references to religion were off-putting.
There are a lot of interesting characters, but their character sketch left me wanting for more.
DNF at 36%
Unfortunately, the story did not love up to my expectations. The narration is disjointed and the pace is too slow to my liking. Though three book is tagged as general fiction romance, it is more of Christian fiction. The repeated references to religion were off-putting.
There are a lot of interesting characters, but their character sketch left me wanting for more.
DNF at 36%
February 12, 2023
The Devine Doughnut Shop written by Carolyn Brown was so heart warming, and tasty. I have never read a book by Carolyn Brown before, but this was a perfect book to start off a new author. I instantly fell in love with this story, the characters just walked right into my heart. This book was so cute, tasty, heart warming, family oriented, and overall a lovely story. At times, this book broke my heart, I just can't describe it, like it broke my heart, spit my heart out, and pieced it right back together all on the same page. The cover is so so beautiful. I was instantly hooked from the very first page, and couldn't put it down until the very end. Neither of these characters were perfect in any way, but they were all perfect in their own ways. The Devine Doughnut Shop is a heart warming story about family, friendship, resilience, faith, and romance. The sassy twang the characters had were so adorable. Please do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this book, but DO NOT read it on an empty stomach, all the mentions of doughnuts made me want to run to the local doughnut shop and buy a dozen of every doughnut they have, the only one that didn't make me hungry was the maple one. Every sweet tooth deserves a sweet and yummy book.
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND MONTLAKE FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!
Grace Dalton, her sister, Sarah, and their cousin, Macy are the fourth generation to run the Double D, The Devine Doughnut Shop, that is a sweet family legacy in their small Texas town. Grace, Sarah, and Macy keep their great grandmother's recipe secret and uphold the shop's tradition as a coffee klutch for sharing local gossip, advice, and woes. But, drama also brews behind the counter as well. Grace, Macy, and Sarah aren't allowed to share their great grandmothers secret doughnut recipe with anyone, everyone that steps foot into the doughnut shop is supposed to guess what the secret could be, but no one ever really knows the true answer. I loved getting to know Sarah, Grace, and Macy in this beautiful book. These girls go through so many doughnuts in just one day, it's insane, after reading this book it made me think twice about running my own doughnut shop, but knowing myself, none of the doughnuts would make it to the display case. Grace, Macy, and Sarah were sassy, funny, adorable, and lovable characters. All three of them have that sassy Texas twang.
Grace is a single mother, struggling with an unruly teenage daughter. Grace swore she would never get pregnant at such a young age, but she did, her boyfriend at the time decided to leave a note on Grace's car saying he wasn't ready to be a father and just walked away before their daughter, Audrey was born. If you have a teenage daughter, or if you were a teenage daughter you can relate to this book so so much. Audrey got caught with whiskey and cigarettes in her contraband for her so called "friends", Audrey wants to be the popular girl in school, but she decided to hangout with the wrong group of girls, Audrey got suspended from school, and for her consequences Audrey is to work in the doughnut shop with Grace, Macy, and Sarah, waking up at three in the morning during her spring break. Audrey was sweet and sassy, I actually adored her, but she needed to be put into her place, which her mother Grace did. Sarah is heartbroken and has completely sworn off love, after she caught her "boyfriend" married with another woman.
Macy's impending wedding has an unexpected hitch, which I am totally shocked and did not see that coming at all. Travis Butler, a charming developer has arrived in Devine, Texas with a handsome smile and a checkbook, Travis wants to buy The Devine Doughnut Shop, expose the recipe, and expand it nationally. Grace, Macy, and Sarah promised their great grandmother before she passed away that they would never sell the doughnut shop. With their relationships in flux, their beloved heritage up for grabs, and their future in the air, it's amazing what determination, sass, a promise of romance, and a warm maple doughnut can do to change hearts and minds. This book was so fun to read, it honestly left a warm smile on my face. As much as I loved this book, I can't recommend it enough, everyone please do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this beautiful and heart warming book. So many parts shocked me, I didn't even see them coming, but the end of this book truly made up for it all. Ugh, it was just an amazing story, I left some important things out of this review, because I didn't want to spoil the entire book.
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND MONTLAKE FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!
Grace Dalton, her sister, Sarah, and their cousin, Macy are the fourth generation to run the Double D, The Devine Doughnut Shop, that is a sweet family legacy in their small Texas town. Grace, Sarah, and Macy keep their great grandmother's recipe secret and uphold the shop's tradition as a coffee klutch for sharing local gossip, advice, and woes. But, drama also brews behind the counter as well. Grace, Macy, and Sarah aren't allowed to share their great grandmothers secret doughnut recipe with anyone, everyone that steps foot into the doughnut shop is supposed to guess what the secret could be, but no one ever really knows the true answer. I loved getting to know Sarah, Grace, and Macy in this beautiful book. These girls go through so many doughnuts in just one day, it's insane, after reading this book it made me think twice about running my own doughnut shop, but knowing myself, none of the doughnuts would make it to the display case. Grace, Macy, and Sarah were sassy, funny, adorable, and lovable characters. All three of them have that sassy Texas twang.
Grace is a single mother, struggling with an unruly teenage daughter. Grace swore she would never get pregnant at such a young age, but she did, her boyfriend at the time decided to leave a note on Grace's car saying he wasn't ready to be a father and just walked away before their daughter, Audrey was born. If you have a teenage daughter, or if you were a teenage daughter you can relate to this book so so much. Audrey got caught with whiskey and cigarettes in her contraband for her so called "friends", Audrey wants to be the popular girl in school, but she decided to hangout with the wrong group of girls, Audrey got suspended from school, and for her consequences Audrey is to work in the doughnut shop with Grace, Macy, and Sarah, waking up at three in the morning during her spring break. Audrey was sweet and sassy, I actually adored her, but she needed to be put into her place, which her mother Grace did. Sarah is heartbroken and has completely sworn off love, after she caught her "boyfriend" married with another woman.
Macy's impending wedding has an unexpected hitch, which I am totally shocked and did not see that coming at all. Travis Butler, a charming developer has arrived in Devine, Texas with a handsome smile and a checkbook, Travis wants to buy The Devine Doughnut Shop, expose the recipe, and expand it nationally. Grace, Macy, and Sarah promised their great grandmother before she passed away that they would never sell the doughnut shop. With their relationships in flux, their beloved heritage up for grabs, and their future in the air, it's amazing what determination, sass, a promise of romance, and a warm maple doughnut can do to change hearts and minds. This book was so fun to read, it honestly left a warm smile on my face. As much as I loved this book, I can't recommend it enough, everyone please do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this beautiful and heart warming book. So many parts shocked me, I didn't even see them coming, but the end of this book truly made up for it all. Ugh, it was just an amazing story, I left some important things out of this review, because I didn't want to spoil the entire book.
May 23, 2023
The Devine Doughnut Shop by Carolyn Brown
8h 22m 7 discs performed by Brittany Pressley, 284 pages
Genre: Romance, Contemporary Fiction, Women's Fiction > Chick Lit; Family, Adult Fiction
Featuring: Sisters, Cousins, Daughters, Teens, Doughnut Shop, Small-Town Texas South of San Antonio, Sex - Off-Camera, Drama, Church, Queens of Denial, Violence, Travel, Biological Clock Trope
Rating as a movie: PG-13 for adult content
Songs for the soundtrack: "Goodbye Time" by Blake Shelton, "Kerosene" by Miranda Lambert
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️🍩
My thoughts: 💿 11% Disc 1 Track 3 of 4 Ch. 3 - This may be too sweet for my taste.
💿 18% Disc 3 Track 3 Ch. 7 - I popped at least 4 nerves on this book. Between melodramatic dialogue, the delay of important information, and the stupidity of the characters, frustration doesn’t even begin to describe it. I'm glad at least there was some action once that backbone grew.
💿 51% Disc 4 Track 4 Ch. 12 - There is no Dairy Queen on the Riverwalk! This book makes San Antonio sound like a cross between NYC and Bellevue, LA. SMH. I don't know where this story is going; it really is a Hallmark Lifetime co-production movie. I was wondering why it wasn't Christian Fiction, and then I fully understood why.
💿 62% Disc 5 Track 4 Ch. 14 - You wouldn't fly into Pensacola to get to Panama City; in addition to the lack of location research, this story is all over the place and lacks romance for a romance novel.
💿 70% Disc 6 Track 2 Ch. 17 - It took forever, but they are finally speaking my language.
💿 78% Disc 6 Track 4 Ch. 19 - The story isn't bad; it just has an outdated conversation format, like a 50s movie. My biggest issue at the moment is that I am nearly 80% into this story, and the romance still hasn't happened. I was hoping everybody would be married and pregnant by the end of the book, but I don't even know if this one couple is going to kiss by the end of the book.
It was okay. I tried not to be annoyed over things that made no sense like a layover in Dallas or Castroville being near Devine even though they are in different directions. At one point, Sarah said introduced them as her cousins, but only Macy is a cousin, could be a narration error, but I heard it. Even without what I considered travel ridiculousness, the story was flat, and the flow was extremely slow and dramatic, which it why a lot of the resolution felt forced. I can't blame it on the CD; it was mostly the material.
Recommend to others: Not really. I have loved other Brown books, but this one was heavy on the sugar and light on the substance.
8h 22m 7 discs performed by Brittany Pressley, 284 pages
Genre: Romance, Contemporary Fiction, Women's Fiction > Chick Lit; Family, Adult Fiction
Featuring: Sisters, Cousins, Daughters, Teens, Doughnut Shop, Small-Town Texas South of San Antonio, Sex - Off-Camera, Drama, Church, Queens of Denial, Violence, Travel, Biological Clock Trope
Rating as a movie: PG-13 for adult content
Songs for the soundtrack: "Goodbye Time" by Blake Shelton, "Kerosene" by Miranda Lambert
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️🍩
My thoughts: 💿 11% Disc 1 Track 3 of 4 Ch. 3 - This may be too sweet for my taste.
💿 18% Disc 3 Track 3 Ch. 7 - I popped at least 4 nerves on this book. Between melodramatic dialogue, the delay of important information, and the stupidity of the characters, frustration doesn’t even begin to describe it. I'm glad at least there was some action once that backbone grew.
💿 51% Disc 4 Track 4 Ch. 12 - There is no Dairy Queen on the Riverwalk! This book makes San Antonio sound like a cross between NYC and Bellevue, LA. SMH. I don't know where this story is going; it really is a Hallmark Lifetime co-production movie. I was wondering why it wasn't Christian Fiction, and then I fully understood why.
💿 62% Disc 5 Track 4 Ch. 14 - You wouldn't fly into Pensacola to get to Panama City; in addition to the lack of location research, this story is all over the place and lacks romance for a romance novel.
💿 70% Disc 6 Track 2 Ch. 17 - It took forever, but they are finally speaking my language.
💿 78% Disc 6 Track 4 Ch. 19 - The story isn't bad; it just has an outdated conversation format, like a 50s movie. My biggest issue at the moment is that I am nearly 80% into this story, and the romance still hasn't happened. I was hoping everybody would be married and pregnant by the end of the book, but I don't even know if this one couple is going to kiss by the end of the book.
It was okay. I tried not to be annoyed over things that made no sense like a layover in Dallas or Castroville being near Devine even though they are in different directions. At one point, Sarah said introduced them as her cousins, but only Macy is a cousin, could be a narration error, but I heard it. Even without what I considered travel ridiculousness, the story was flat, and the flow was extremely slow and dramatic, which it why a lot of the resolution felt forced. I can't blame it on the CD; it was mostly the material.
Recommend to others: Not really. I have loved other Brown books, but this one was heavy on the sugar and light on the substance.
March 30, 2023
A sweet and fun book! I enjoyed the family relationships and doughnut shop setting.
March 24, 2023
These aren’t my typical life-altering 4 star type books, but I enjoy these sweet, wholesome, predictable stories that prioritize family and friendships.
December 13, 2022
For Grace, her sister Sarah, and their cousin Macy, operating the Devine Doughnut Shop is about honoring their family’s legacy. In business for four generations, the shop is the place in Devine to meet, rest, and offer a little conversation while enjoying a doughnut made with the family’s secret recipe. Even though they enjoy working their business, the women have started to contemplate what it would look like should they decide to close their place. Grace is a single parent dealing with a rebellious daughter, Audrey, while Sarah longs to settle down, and Macy’s relationship is not what it seems. Meanwhile, Travis Butler, an investor from San Antonio, wants to buy the shop and is looking for opportunities to meet with Grace, leaving both wondering if his insistence has other motives. In the end, will Grace, Sarah and Macy have a real chance at love?
This is a cozy story that touches on topics of single parenting, mother-daughter relationships, second chances, found-family, and bullying, however, it did not work for me. The plot started to feel all over the place, especially in the second half of the book. There were plenty of happy, too-convenient coincidences that took away from any relatability and/or authenticity the story might have had. Moreover, the one diverse character appearing in the story immediately gets a stereotypical comment about his looks, which added disappointment to an already uncomfortable reading experience. I do have to point out that the author did a respectable job of portraying the small-town atmosphere, but other than that, it was a genuine struggle to finish this book. A two-star book for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for providing me with a free digital copy to review this book.
#TheDevineDoughnutShop#NetGalley#bookstagram#booktrovert#booklover#netgalleyreviewer#bookstagrammer#bookreviews#goodreads#netgalleyreviews#bookstagram#booktrovert#booklover
This is a cozy story that touches on topics of single parenting, mother-daughter relationships, second chances, found-family, and bullying, however, it did not work for me. The plot started to feel all over the place, especially in the second half of the book. There were plenty of happy, too-convenient coincidences that took away from any relatability and/or authenticity the story might have had. Moreover, the one diverse character appearing in the story immediately gets a stereotypical comment about his looks, which added disappointment to an already uncomfortable reading experience. I do have to point out that the author did a respectable job of portraying the small-town atmosphere, but other than that, it was a genuine struggle to finish this book. A two-star book for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for providing me with a free digital copy to review this book.
#TheDevineDoughnutShop#NetGalley#bookstagram#booktrovert#booklover#netgalleyreviewer#bookstagrammer#bookreviews#goodreads#netgalleyreviews#bookstagram#booktrovert#booklover
October 19, 2022
Heartwarming Southern Family
Ms. Brown’s tale of 3 women, a pair of sisters and their cousin, running the family business while taking care of a teenage girl is in my opinion, is going straight to the top of the chart.
The hard working independent women are fully fleshed out characters complete with all the details we have come to expect from Ms. Brown. Looking for love, they’ve all been let down, but don’t let it sour their outlook...well...not for long.
Woven with humor, romance, angst and some characters that bring out the urge to slap, one of the ladies actually gets the chance to do what we wanted to do. Her males run the gamut from heaven sent to the devil’s minions….and the description of the teenagers….couldn’t be more spot on. The family overcomes their trials stronger for the tests and find their happy ever afters along with the humor in the situation, knowing that without the trials, they would never have found the joy they all deserve.
I had planned to read a few chapters a day to drag it out longer, I hate leaving her tales, but as hard as I tried I had to go back and finished in in less than 24 hours. It was that good and so hard to put down. I highly recommend to any romance lover.
I received an ARC to my immense joy and offer my opinion just as freely.
Ms. Brown’s tale of 3 women, a pair of sisters and their cousin, running the family business while taking care of a teenage girl is in my opinion, is going straight to the top of the chart.
The hard working independent women are fully fleshed out characters complete with all the details we have come to expect from Ms. Brown. Looking for love, they’ve all been let down, but don’t let it sour their outlook...well...not for long.
Woven with humor, romance, angst and some characters that bring out the urge to slap, one of the ladies actually gets the chance to do what we wanted to do. Her males run the gamut from heaven sent to the devil’s minions….and the description of the teenagers….couldn’t be more spot on. The family overcomes their trials stronger for the tests and find their happy ever afters along with the humor in the situation, knowing that without the trials, they would never have found the joy they all deserve.
I had planned to read a few chapters a day to drag it out longer, I hate leaving her tales, but as hard as I tried I had to go back and finished in in less than 24 hours. It was that good and so hard to put down. I highly recommend to any romance lover.
I received an ARC to my immense joy and offer my opinion just as freely.
January 4, 2023
This was a fun book to read, I found it to be humorous and entertaining. I loved the characters, although Audrey did have to grow on me. They're was romance included in the book but I would have to say that isn't the main topic of the book. I most definitely would recommend this book to others. I received an ARC from the author, I am leaving this review voluntarily and the opinion expressed here are my own.
January 5, 2023
Thank you @netgalley and #Montlake for sending me this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
“Three women are torn between traditions of the past and unexpected new beginnings in a novel about family, romance, and the best pastries in Texas.”
Normally, I love a good book about a family bakery. This one just missed the mark, unfortunately. It started off with a promising premise and a fun cover – and of course doughnuts – but it all went downhill from there.
The writing and plot points seemed off to me – I kept feeling like I was missing parts of the book. And the transitions were clunky. I also wish there had been more character development. For example, one character kept talking about romantic sparks with another character – and it seemed like they barely even interacted.
I could almost hear their southern accents coming off of the page and this family is clearly religious – so I guess if you’re from the south and go to church regularly, you might appreciate this book.
The one thing that they said that I did agree with – “ice cream heals everything.”
“Three women are torn between traditions of the past and unexpected new beginnings in a novel about family, romance, and the best pastries in Texas.”
Normally, I love a good book about a family bakery. This one just missed the mark, unfortunately. It started off with a promising premise and a fun cover – and of course doughnuts – but it all went downhill from there.
The writing and plot points seemed off to me – I kept feeling like I was missing parts of the book. And the transitions were clunky. I also wish there had been more character development. For example, one character kept talking about romantic sparks with another character – and it seemed like they barely even interacted.
I could almost hear their southern accents coming off of the page and this family is clearly religious – so I guess if you’re from the south and go to church regularly, you might appreciate this book.
The one thing that they said that I did agree with – “ice cream heals everything.”
February 27, 2023
I only made it through this mindless novel because: a) I’m not a quitter, b) the book was free through Kindle Unlimited, and c) I needed a distraction while I was recovering from an illness. The unoriginal characters, their petty gossip, and their obnoxious internal monologues drove me batty. Everyone is clueless and naive, everyone is weak and moody, everyone is desperate to get married and have babies, and everyone is annoyingly stereotypical and one-dimensional. I enjoyed reading about doughnuts. That’s about it. I guess doughnuts are worth two stars. Yum.
May 19, 2023
THIS BOOK WAS HORRIBLE. The whole plot was told in the first 150 pages and the writing is horrible. The caring writing and the exaggeration on the southern accent and culture. I would give it 0 but I cant so I gave it a 1.
April 17, 2023
Hallmark movie-ish. Predictably okay.
July 20, 2023
This book just wasn't what I expected! I blame it all on the title!
February 14, 2023
The divine donut shop..
Carolyn Brown..
Sweet Southern fiction.
A story about A donut shop and a family that's closer then most.. Always Having each other's back. Love Is most important..
This book will make your mouth water. Make you want donuts throughout The entire story . It did me.What a wonderful story.. Every book this author writes is absolutely amazing I never want them to end. they are some good books definitely check out this author she is Absolutely one of my very very Favorites...
Divine Texas, That's where the donut shop is
Grace and her family running the donut shop that has been in the family for generations,
These ladies look out for each other. In more ways than one..family isn't always Blood.
It's about who loves you..
This story will have you wanting more, The character seemed so real. This is the way families should be.
Everything about this book was perfect..
The donut shop the family the closeness..
Just an amazing story I loved it..
Thank you Carolyn Brown.
For all your Wonderful stories ❤️
Carolyn Brown..
Sweet Southern fiction.
A story about A donut shop and a family that's closer then most.. Always Having each other's back. Love Is most important..
This book will make your mouth water. Make you want donuts throughout The entire story . It did me.What a wonderful story.. Every book this author writes is absolutely amazing I never want them to end. they are some good books definitely check out this author she is Absolutely one of my very very Favorites...
Divine Texas, That's where the donut shop is
Grace and her family running the donut shop that has been in the family for generations,
These ladies look out for each other. In more ways than one..family isn't always Blood.
It's about who loves you..
This story will have you wanting more, The character seemed so real. This is the way families should be.
Everything about this book was perfect..
The donut shop the family the closeness..
Just an amazing story I loved it..
Thank you Carolyn Brown.
For all your Wonderful stories ❤️
February 15, 2023
I enjoyed this small town romance with a slow burn romance vibe. My favourite aspect was the dynamics between the family members. Their conversations and emotions felt genuine. Plenty of small town gossip and intrigue kept things interesting. It’s low spice but I definitely still enjoyed it.
I received an arc of this book
I received an arc of this book
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