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Baking Up a Magical Midlife #3
Bitter, Sweet, Magic
Life would be so much easier if the oldest witch in town didn't have it out for her.
With Aurie safely back home and much needed help hired to help at the bakery, Cassie should be all set to reap the rewards of her new life. But the oldest witch in town is determined to make her life as challenging as possible, in the most annoying ways imaginable.
Dive deeper into Cassie's magical new life as she tackles the vindictive town matriarch and reclaims her power in Bitter Sweet Magic, book 3 of the Baking Up a Magical Midlife Paranormal Women's Fiction series.
With Aurie safely back home and much needed help hired to help at the bakery, Cassie should be all set to reap the rewards of her new life. But the oldest witch in town is determined to make her life as challenging as possible, in the most annoying ways imaginable.
Dive deeper into Cassie's magical new life as she tackles the vindictive town matriarch and reclaims her power in Bitter Sweet Magic, book 3 of the Baking Up a Magical Midlife Paranormal Women's Fiction series.
315 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 25, 2022
644 people are currently reading
501 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Rosenberg
12 books280 followersJessica Rosenberg is the queen of cozy witchy #FriendshipCore fiction that makes readers feel like they're having coffee with their best friends. She lives on the foggy Central Coast of California with her two wonderful teens, two playful dogs, and a mischievous orange cat named Persimmon for obvious reasons.
When she's not weaving magical tales or getting lost in a good book, Jessica can probably be found strolling along the beach, searching for sea glass treasures even though she should probably be tidying her office.
Sign up for email updates at blueoctopuspress.com. (free treat for anyone who signs up!)
When she's not weaving magical tales or getting lost in a good book, Jessica can probably be found strolling along the beach, searching for sea glass treasures even though she should probably be tidying her office.
Sign up for email updates at blueoctopuspress.com. (free treat for anyone who signs up!)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
December 31, 2022
This is a fun and cosy read. Liked this one but the second one in the series was fantastic. I didn't read the first one btw.
Cassey and all the family elements are quite funny. It was an enjoyable read.
Cassey and all the family elements are quite funny. It was an enjoyable read.
July 30, 2023
I want to like this series more than I do, but I hate it that the main character seems to put her daughter at the very end of her "priority" list. I'm having a really hard time liking the main character.
March 30, 2024
Bitter, Sweet, Magic - Book Three
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Life would be so much sweeter if the oldest witch in town didn't have it out for her.
Just ad life was beginning to look good for Cassie it all gets turned upside down in book three.
With the Portney annual street fair and get together happening lead by the big witch Margie, who Cassie happens to really dislike. She finds herself even more busier than ever getting her magic goods ready for the general public.
With Margie hot on Cassies tail trying to make her life a misery Cassie finally finds her back bone and tells Margie straight that she will not stand for anymore of her nonsense.... this then starts Margie on even bigger campaign to destroy Cassie...... only things take a turn for the worse after Aurie ends up fighting for her life.... what has Margie done???
A fortune teller tells Cassie that a tall, dark man from the past will cross her path.... who could this turn out to be?
With all this going on Cassie still has the love and support of her fellow witches and her best friend Stacey.... who turns up in person!
The big twist is will Cassie also find love in Portney... we will shall see!!!
Now onto book four and the end of Cassie and her witches, this makes me very sad 😥
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Life would be so much sweeter if the oldest witch in town didn't have it out for her.
Just ad life was beginning to look good for Cassie it all gets turned upside down in book three.
With the Portney annual street fair and get together happening lead by the big witch Margie, who Cassie happens to really dislike. She finds herself even more busier than ever getting her magic goods ready for the general public.
With Margie hot on Cassies tail trying to make her life a misery Cassie finally finds her back bone and tells Margie straight that she will not stand for anymore of her nonsense.... this then starts Margie on even bigger campaign to destroy Cassie...... only things take a turn for the worse after Aurie ends up fighting for her life.... what has Margie done???
A fortune teller tells Cassie that a tall, dark man from the past will cross her path.... who could this turn out to be?
With all this going on Cassie still has the love and support of her fellow witches and her best friend Stacey.... who turns up in person!
The big twist is will Cassie also find love in Portney... we will shall see!!!
Now onto book four and the end of Cassie and her witches, this makes me very sad 😥
October 29, 2024
So difficult to rate this book. I really disliked Cassie and all her whiny catastrophizing. It was completely overblown and super annoying through the whole series but more so in this book than any. I swear, tween Aurie was more level headed and mature than her!
But on the positive side, I love the rest of the characters and this quirky town too. They kind of evened out Cassie's awfulness. I'll finish the last book when it comes up next month but I'm not looking forward to spending any more time with Cassie! It's odd too, Juliette was sweet and supportive in this series but I didn't like her as much in her own either.
I would, however, love to sample some of those magical pastries! Except maybe that truth telling one. I do enough of that on my own. Hehe.
But on the positive side, I love the rest of the characters and this quirky town too. They kind of evened out Cassie's awfulness. I'll finish the last book when it comes up next month but I'm not looking forward to spending any more time with Cassie! It's odd too, Juliette was sweet and supportive in this series but I didn't like her as much in her own either.
I would, however, love to sample some of those magical pastries! Except maybe that truth telling one. I do enough of that on my own. Hehe.
September 6, 2023
Magically delicious
Each successive book in this series by Rosenberg is better than the last! There is angst, fun, mystery, evil-doings, and tasty foods you wish you could try.
Without spoiling any of the story, I will leave you with a favorite quote: "Family looks nothing like I thought it would. It’s messy and chaotic, and it is made up of so much more than the people with whom you share blood."
So very true!
Each successive book in this series by Rosenberg is better than the last! There is angst, fun, mystery, evil-doings, and tasty foods you wish you could try.
Without spoiling any of the story, I will leave you with a favorite quote: "Family looks nothing like I thought it would. It’s messy and chaotic, and it is made up of so much more than the people with whom you share blood."
So very true!
October 11, 2023
I’m so in love with this series!! Sad I only have one left!
November 13, 2023
I’m definitely enjoying this series!
February 8, 2025
Family treasures
Discover the ups and downs of family favorites and foes. This one gives it all.a very lively read. Enjoy it as we did.
Discover the ups and downs of family favorites and foes. This one gives it all.a very lively read. Enjoy it as we did.
October 11, 2024
Great story
January 20, 2025
Great series....love to see all the quirks and can't wait for each book! Hope it never ends.
January 16, 2025
Family Isn't Always Blood
The third book in the series is gonna give you all the feels. Cass and Aurie show all the trials of mother & and daughter and how they can get through anything. Her newfound family with her every step of the way. Learning to lean on friends and acceptance of what was lost that came back. Great character building, quick read, you're gonna love it.
The third book in the series is gonna give you all the feels. Cass and Aurie show all the trials of mother & and daughter and how they can get through anything. Her newfound family with her every step of the way. Learning to lean on friends and acceptance of what was lost that came back. Great character building, quick read, you're gonna love it.
January 9, 2025
Love this book
These are very well written and keep my intere
st with every page
Always something more to happen.
Enjoyed them all.
These are very well written and keep my intere
st with every page
Always something more to happen.
Enjoyed them all.
December 17, 2024
I wish this series didn’t end. A magical bakery, great dialogue and the characters build is great. I wish it didn’t end
October 22, 2022
Like the first two books, in this series,
Butter, Sugar, Magic: Baking Up a Magical Midlife, Book 1 and Bread, Coffee, Magic: Baking Up a Magical Midlife, Book 2 I loved Bitter, Sweet, Magic and didn't want it to end. I was glad it was longer than the second book. I was also glad that Cassie realizes she has much to be grateful for.
That being said, I thought the ending was abrupt. I expected there to be some kind of final confrontation at the end, or some kind of conclusion to Margie trying to poison Cassie but almost killing Aurie. Unless Jessica Rosenberg is saving that for a future book????
And how about Cassie's budding relationship with Sam? I hope we get to hear more about that!
Butter, Sugar, Magic: Baking Up a Magical Midlife, Book 1 and Bread, Coffee, Magic: Baking Up a Magical Midlife, Book 2 I loved Bitter, Sweet, Magic and didn't want it to end. I was glad it was longer than the second book. I was also glad that Cassie realizes she has much to be grateful for.
That being said, I thought the ending was abrupt. I expected there to be some kind of final confrontation at the end, or some kind of conclusion to Margie trying to poison Cassie but almost killing Aurie. Unless Jessica Rosenberg is saving that for a future book????
And how about Cassie's budding relationship with Sam? I hope we get to hear more about that!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2024
This book continues to follow Cassie as she and her daughter, Aurie, settle in to their new home, the witchy town of Portney. Again, the narrative centers on Cassie's developing circle of close women friends who have become her family of choice. I love that consistent message, and will continue to read the series primarily because of that. This third book I didn't enjoy as much as the first two because the plot tended to drag. It felt a bit like the entire book was a set up for the next in the series, and not a lot happens. Cassie experiences a lot of stress over the fair that is happening, she's weirded out by a man who appears to be stalking her, and she's incurred the wrath of the oldest and most powerful witch in town. All this happens in one weekend.
I don't find her nemesis to be all that threatening. The old and powerful witch seems more like a petty old bitch and not very frightening. There's a short segment concerning Aurie-in-peril, but it doesn't amount to much. I got the feeling that Rosenberg wasn't sure where to go with this third book so it feels like a lot of filler. It was, however, an easy read. I have come to care about these characters, so even though I was impatient just for something to happen, I'm not ready to give up on the series.
I don't find her nemesis to be all that threatening. The old and powerful witch seems more like a petty old bitch and not very frightening. There's a short segment concerning Aurie-in-peril, but it doesn't amount to much. I got the feeling that Rosenberg wasn't sure where to go with this third book so it feels like a lot of filler. It was, however, an easy read. I have come to care about these characters, so even though I was impatient just for something to happen, I'm not ready to give up on the series.
July 27, 2024
I did not like the heroine of this series, Cassie. It's about a recent divorce with a tween daughter leaving Atlanta and claiming an inheritance in a small, northern, sea-side town. That inheritance comes with the unveiling of their dormant witch powers, both mom and daughter, and a magical bakery/apartment building. The new matriarch of the town (after Cassie's aunt died) is a bully, and ends up very upset with Cassie at the end of book one. (Which didn't make sense at all considering that Cassie's snooping unveiled that the bully WASN'T to blame for the death of her long-ago love. You would have thought she'd be relieved, but instead, she was so embarrassed she went nuts for the rest of the books, doing increasingly horrible things that nearly kill people by books 3 and 4. Two of the books are about Cassie's ex-husband and ex-mother-in-law trying to get the tween daughter into their clutches. Book 4 has the beginning of a romance that is not backed up by much in the prior books. One of the books has Cassie being reunited with her dad. Cassie has several friends that are very tight knit almost the second she moves in.
What I really hated about the writing and the heroine is the way the bully, husband, and mom-in-law were painted as ultimate evil. There was no personal responsibility taken by the heroine, no acknowledgement of her own part in the disillusion of that marriage. It was men-as-enemies-feminism, and I really disliked the tone.
What I really hated about the writing and the heroine is the way the bully, husband, and mom-in-law were painted as ultimate evil. There was no personal responsibility taken by the heroine, no acknowledgement of her own part in the disillusion of that marriage. It was men-as-enemies-feminism, and I really disliked the tone.
September 23, 2025
Another great book just finished. We'll that Cassie sure has a lot on her plate. The town matriarch has a bee in her bonnet and she is gunning for Cassie. A while ago Cassie made the mistake of putting a little magic in a cake that was eaten at a gathering and it was spelled with something to make them talk. Let's just say the Matriarch was not a happy camper because she told them to many things and she is making Cassie accountable. The town was having a Halloween themed fair and she was giving Cassie a hard time and not informing her ahead of time when she scheduled things for her to do. Things reached a head and Cassie told her off, which caused a whole lot more headaches and someone from her past kind of came to town to talk with her. A lot more things are happening around her and she has to try and figure them out. Go grab this book and check out what is happening with Cassie and crew. Happy reading.
February 18, 2024
Like the first 2 books in this series, this book was wonderful! This is such a great series. Highly recommended!
Amazon synopsis:
Over the course of six months, Cassie has gotten divorced, inherited a magical bakery, discovered she’s a witch, gotten stuck in a secret passage, gotten kidnapped, rescued her daughter from the worst of all horrors (a stuffy all girl’s boarding school), and has made the best friends anyone could ever ask to have.
She’s well overdue for a break.
It’s too bad that the oldest witch in town is determined to make her life as challenging as possible, in the most annoying ways imaginable. Or that a fortune teller has foretold someone from her past is coming to shake everything up.
Standing her ground and fighting for what she wants is not only the hardest thing Cassie has ever done, it might cost her everything she loves.
Amazon synopsis:
Over the course of six months, Cassie has gotten divorced, inherited a magical bakery, discovered she’s a witch, gotten stuck in a secret passage, gotten kidnapped, rescued her daughter from the worst of all horrors (a stuffy all girl’s boarding school), and has made the best friends anyone could ever ask to have.
She’s well overdue for a break.
It’s too bad that the oldest witch in town is determined to make her life as challenging as possible, in the most annoying ways imaginable. Or that a fortune teller has foretold someone from her past is coming to shake everything up.
Standing her ground and fighting for what she wants is not only the hardest thing Cassie has ever done, it might cost her everything she loves.
October 30, 2024
While this is the third book in the series and some romance has been hinted at, this is the first story I really felt the romance budding, and I loved it. I also really enjoyed that it wasn't pushed but more of a subplot.
Cassie is really starting to hit her stride in her small town and I love that you finally get to see her stand up to a bully, along with deepening her relationships with her friends. Her daughter is also starting to come into herself, which is awesome!
I don't want to give spoilers so I will try to remain vague, but the way that Cassie starts to realize how her found family is really helping and changing her life is awesome. I also love how she's seeing the cycle continue, trying to find the best way to help others like her. Plus, the fun activities and delicious foods in the book don't hurt along the way!
Cassie is really starting to hit her stride in her small town and I love that you finally get to see her stand up to a bully, along with deepening her relationships with her friends. Her daughter is also starting to come into herself, which is awesome!
I don't want to give spoilers so I will try to remain vague, but the way that Cassie starts to realize how her found family is really helping and changing her life is awesome. I also love how she's seeing the cycle continue, trying to find the best way to help others like her. Plus, the fun activities and delicious foods in the book don't hurt along the way!
October 20, 2022
I really enjoyed this cozy paranormal book. While this is book three of her Baking Up a Magical Midlife series it can be a standalone, which was great for me as I haven’t read the previous two books…yet, because now I simply must, lol.
You get enough framework and blurbs about past events to not feel lost and to be able to know and keep up with current events. It’s a sweet read, pun intended, with enough mayhem and “life” to keep it relatable in a midlife sense. You become enchanted by all things Portney and and member of the Brewhahas.
I’m not giving any spoilers but trust me when I say that you will be kept on your toes, entertained and ready for so much more from Cassie and the gang!
You get enough framework and blurbs about past events to not feel lost and to be able to know and keep up with current events. It’s a sweet read, pun intended, with enough mayhem and “life” to keep it relatable in a midlife sense. You become enchanted by all things Portney and and member of the Brewhahas.
I’m not giving any spoilers but trust me when I say that you will be kept on your toes, entertained and ready for so much more from Cassie and the gang!
January 25, 2023
Good Story
I actually liked this book better than the first two. It moved well and was a good read. I did not like the way Margie was allowed to run the town festival. That was absurd! Everyone would have rebelled in real life. No one was allowed to offer an opinion of suggestion, or to seven day no to her. What she commanded she got. It was ridiculous! Matriarch of not, she wasn't an all powerful mayor! And when Cassie went totally crazy when Aurie was hurt, we beyond stupid. She didn't even know what was wrong and she was already thinking she would die! It was just all wrong. The plot was good, but the details were weak.
I actually liked this book better than the first two. It moved well and was a good read. I did not like the way Margie was allowed to run the town festival. That was absurd! Everyone would have rebelled in real life. No one was allowed to offer an opinion of suggestion, or to seven day no to her. What she commanded she got. It was ridiculous! Matriarch of not, she wasn't an all powerful mayor! And when Cassie went totally crazy when Aurie was hurt, we beyond stupid. She didn't even know what was wrong and she was already thinking she would die! It was just all wrong. The plot was good, but the details were weak.
February 10, 2025
Most intense story yet!
Really hard to describe the ROLLERCOASTER ride here! Several storylines all of which were live wires of electricity about to catch fire!. This ran the gambit of emotions from horror, to deathly fear, heartbreak, sadness and even heartfelt feelings of love. I really had no clue where this was gonna go till the end. Unfortunately for Cassie, there are some dark clouds from an unfinished confrontation on the horizon!.gulp! I love this eclectic group of characters and Cassie has just become so courageous and truly coming into her own!.on a side note, the fact that there is COFFEE on every page is just a HUGE BONUS. My favorite thing! LOL!
Really hard to describe the ROLLERCOASTER ride here! Several storylines all of which were live wires of electricity about to catch fire!. This ran the gambit of emotions from horror, to deathly fear, heartbreak, sadness and even heartfelt feelings of love. I really had no clue where this was gonna go till the end. Unfortunately for Cassie, there are some dark clouds from an unfinished confrontation on the horizon!.gulp! I love this eclectic group of characters and Cassie has just become so courageous and truly coming into her own!.on a side note, the fact that there is COFFEE on every page is just a HUGE BONUS. My favorite thing! LOL!
October 31, 2022
2.5 Stars, Rounded to 3
I have read all 3 books in this series so far. They are fun, cozy reads, but they don't feel fully fleshed out. Some of the story elements don't seem to fit/make sense. I don't want to spoil anything, but the end of this one just felt like a lot of events crammed together to help prepare us for the next one. I also noticed a few mistakes--mostly words and phrases that were likely meant to be deleted in editing but were missed. Perhaps another round of editing could have helped.
Overall, it's a cute story and the found family elements are fun.
I have read all 3 books in this series so far. They are fun, cozy reads, but they don't feel fully fleshed out. Some of the story elements don't seem to fit/make sense. I don't want to spoil anything, but the end of this one just felt like a lot of events crammed together to help prepare us for the next one. I also noticed a few mistakes--mostly words and phrases that were likely meant to be deleted in editing but were missed. Perhaps another round of editing could have helped.
Overall, it's a cute story and the found family elements are fun.
July 23, 2023
Fantastic Series
From the very first book, that I could not put down by the way, I knew this series was going to be fantastic, and it has been. I love the town, the characters are wonderful, and the story is so interesting. Underneath it all, I love the message of what friends and family are all about. The author has done an incredible job of writing an interesting series that is definitely keeping me coming back for more. I have read 3 of these books in 2 days. I can’t recommend this author and series enough!
From the very first book, that I could not put down by the way, I knew this series was going to be fantastic, and it has been. I love the town, the characters are wonderful, and the story is so interesting. Underneath it all, I love the message of what friends and family are all about. The author has done an incredible job of writing an interesting series that is definitely keeping me coming back for more. I have read 3 of these books in 2 days. I can’t recommend this author and series enough!
August 8, 2023
So...
I have been enjoying these books. They're very light reading. It's beginning to annoy me that some pretty heavy situations resolve themselves so quickly, but the characters are fun, the writing is pretty tight, and the magic is sweet. This is really a 3-star series for me; the extra star is because i know already that I'm going to read the rest of the books, and that means a lot to me. I have never hesitated to DNF a book or a whole series, so there's something here. Read them. You'll see.
I have been enjoying these books. They're very light reading. It's beginning to annoy me that some pretty heavy situations resolve themselves so quickly, but the characters are fun, the writing is pretty tight, and the magic is sweet. This is really a 3-star series for me; the extra star is because i know already that I'm going to read the rest of the books, and that means a lot to me. I have never hesitated to DNF a book or a whole series, so there's something here. Read them. You'll see.
October 25, 2022
I am so enjoying this Paranormal Midlife series. Cassie handles the event sin her life well and this can stand alone. That said, this new adventure was a great one. I am looking forward to the next book, and I really want to see how Cassie's story wraps up! I Love this story and the one's before it, and recommend for PWF fans!!! No Spoilers!
I received and ARC from the Author and I am Leaving this Totally Honest Review because I Choose to and think that this is a Great PWF Read!!!
I received and ARC from the Author and I am Leaving this Totally Honest Review because I Choose to and think that this is a Great PWF Read!!!
October 29, 2022
Couldn't put it down!
The best book in the series so far ! It hit all my emotions. What a wild ride.
It is almost 3:00am and Biter,Sweet, Magic is stuck in my brain, not sure I'll be to sleep soon, but when I do I have a feeling I'm going to dream about this book.
Everything about this book was fantastic, the friendships, family, love, faith trust, and delicious food. It has everything.
This series is wonderful, check it out.
The best book in the series so far ! It hit all my emotions. What a wild ride.
It is almost 3:00am and Biter,Sweet, Magic is stuck in my brain, not sure I'll be to sleep soon, but when I do I have a feeling I'm going to dream about this book.
Everything about this book was fantastic, the friendships, family, love, faith trust, and delicious food. It has everything.
This series is wonderful, check it out.
March 10, 2025
Past, Present, Future
BakingMagical3
Having gotten rid of her in-laws, now Cassie has the town bully infringing on her space.
Margie hasn’t forgotten the Tell-All coffee cake episode, where she revealed her darkest secrets. She has been riding Cassie’s good graces like that’s her due. But, she finally takes a liberty too far, and the consequences are costly. Still not comeuppance, though.
BakingMagical3
Having gotten rid of her in-laws, now Cassie has the town bully infringing on her space.
Margie hasn’t forgotten the Tell-All coffee cake episode, where she revealed her darkest secrets. She has been riding Cassie’s good graces like that’s her due. But, she finally takes a liberty too far, and the consequences are costly. Still not comeuppance, though.
May 22, 2025
Wow
Ok so by this point in the series you have no choice but to be addicted to this series. Although I will say this book took a little turn in the fillings department. I cried so much with this book for so many different reasons and still enjoyed the laughter and the camaraderie of all the characters. And don't get me started on that adorable spark that is happening between the share and Cassie
Ok so by this point in the series you have no choice but to be addicted to this series. Although I will say this book took a little turn in the fillings department. I cried so much with this book for so many different reasons and still enjoyed the laughter and the camaraderie of all the characters. And don't get me started on that adorable spark that is happening between the share and Cassie
October 26, 2022
Oh how I love this series so much. It’s such a fun light read full of entertainment. Cassie has such a great story and I’m glad I’ve gotten to read the entire series. I thought this was the end but I feel like another book may be coming? I hope so at least 🥰 if you haven’t started this series yet you should. It’s full of fun, mystery, magic & about witches which I love.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews