Synopsis:
A wedding in Dream Harbor can only mean one thing, everyone wants to get involved!
With Jeanie and Logan set to tie the knot, and Kira desperate to hire out her newly renovated barn at the Christmas tree farm, everything seems to be going well. Annie has agreed to bake the cake, and Mac is responsible for, well… just being Mac. And as the whole of Dream Harbor comes together to celebrate the wedding of the year with the snow falling around them, can Annie and Mac put aside their dislike for each just long enough for the ‘I Do’s’ or is that one request too far…
The Gingerbread Bakery is a cozy romantic novel with an enemies to lovers dynamic, small-town setting and a HEA guaranteed!
Review:
Now that I’ve read The Gingerbread Bakery, I’m officially up to day with the Dream Harbour series. If you’d told me back when The Pumpkin Spice Cafe was published that I’d end up loving this series, I would have laughed in your face.
Annie and Mac’s story is the one I’ve been looking forward to the most. I needed to know why they hate each other so much and honestly, I don’t blame Annie. Just a little bit of communication on Mac’s side would have meant they’d stay friends (probably). But no, this is a classic tale of withholding how you feel because you think you’re saving the other person from dealing with your issues.
Anyway, Annie and Mac feel like a couple you should root for, and I definitely did. Their shared history was woven beautifully throughout The Gingerbread Bakery. It was interesting to see a couple in this series that have known each other for a long time. There was no meet cute, they’ve known each other since they were kids and Annie has always hated Mac.
Their ‘second meeting’ which happens at a Christmas market after they’ve graduated high school allowed them to forget their turbulent past and move on as adults. These scenes were so cute. I loved seeing their relationship develop from acquaintances who only hang out together because no one else in town, to friends to something more.
The progression of their relationship, both past and present, was handled really well. It’s hard to feel like anything was rushed when they have such a rich history. Yes, they spent just one month together a long time ago, but they spent literally every day together. They’ve also had a very passionate, if a little mean, “friendship” for the past few years.
Mac was one of the biggest yearners I think I’ve ever read in a romance book. I love that he was always honest with Annie about how he feels – at least in the present day. Just imagine Mac, if you didn’t feel so sorry for yourself in the past, you could have been with Annie the entire time.
Even though I was looking forward to Annie and Mac’s story the most, they aren’t my favourite couple in the Dream Harbour series. That title still sits very solidly with Hazel and Noah. However, The Gingerbread Bakery is the first book I’ve read in this series that had me invested in all of the characters because I know who everyone is now. Last year The Christmas Tree Farm (book three) was the second book I read in the series and it involved all characters and couples from the previous books so I was a little lost on who was who. Now, I know everyone and it made me so happy to see all of the couples together again. Plus there are a few new characters, namely Daisy, who’s book I’m excited to read next year.
One thing I would have loved was more time spent at Annie’s bakery. I feel like so much of The Pumpkin Spice Cafe was spent in the cafe but you hardly got to spend any time at the bakery. The gingerbread version of the farm Logan grew up on was very cool though. Such a thoughtful gift for someone’s wedding day.
I’m glad Jeanie and Logan’s wedding didn’t take over too much of The Gingerbread Bakery. It was a nice way to get all of the past characters together again. What always confuses me though is the epilogues of the previous books take place either just before or just after this one, depending on which book it is. This is a spoiler but I was genuinely so confused when Iris was described as being pregnant still. I forgot her having the baby was in the epilogue of The Strawberry Patch Pancake House.
I’d say if you are looking for festive vibes, The Gingerbread Bakery wouldn’t be the best choice. However, there are some very lovely festive moments. But if you’re looking for a great second chance romance, it’s the perfect pick up. I had a great time reading this.
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Like this post? Why not read this one too: The 12 Books of Christmas: Christmas at Hollybush Farm by Jo Thomas