The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore
I read 90% of this book in one sitting and if that isn’t a glowing review, I don’t know what is. After finding the first book in this series very underwhelming, I was worried about trying out the others, but I’m glad I did. This one in particular is my favourite.
There’s a lot of spice in this book, which I commented on in my review: “I think The Cinnamon Bun Book Store is the spiciest of the series, but I could be wrong. It felt like there was a lot of it going on, but it didn’t detract from the story at all. These scenes don’t feel like they’re just thrown in there to get more people to read the book, they actually add to the plot and character development. Hazel genuinely becomes a more confident person who isn’t afraid to ask for what she wants any more because of this connection she’s building with Noah. Spice with a purpose is great. Spice just for the sake of it is fine, but I like some depth if it’s going to be happening every other chapter.” So, if you’re not a fan of spice in books, this is not for you.
I instantly fell in love with Hazel and Noah. The treasure hunt they go on is so fun and it leads to some really great development for them both. They’re extremely straightforward with each other about how they feel and what they want, which is not something you can say very often about romance books. Noah is a man that knows what he wants and he wants Hazel.
Synopsis: When a secret message turns up hidden in a book in the Cinnamon Bun Bookstore, Hazel can’t understand it. As more secret codes appear between the pages, she decides to follow the trail of clues… she just needs someone to help her out.
Gorgeous and outgoing fisherman, Noah, is always up for an adventure. And a scavenger hunt sounds like a lot of fun. Even better that the cute bookseller he’s been crushing on for months is the one who wants his help!
Hazel didn’t go looking for romance, but as the treasure hunt leads her and Noah around Dream Harbor, their undeniable chemistry might be just as hot as the fresh-out-of-the-oven cinnamon buns the bookstore sells…
Accidental Magic by Iris Beaglehole
If you like a small town that’s full of weird townies (think Gilmore Girls) this is the book for you. Myrtlewood has its own Kirk but he’s called Ferg and he wears certain colours on specific days of the week. He also has different jobs all the time, just like Kirk I love him.
On the other hand, if you like an intriguing mystery that keeps you guessing, this is not the book for you. I enjoy this series more for its vibes rather than the complex mystery. Each book has its own problem that usually gets solved by the end. However, you do grow quite attached to the characters and the setting is lovely. It’s a town full of witches, a handful of half fae, vampires and possibly werewolves, but they don’t feel a need to hide their magic. Which is great if you ask me. The big conflict is never “oh no the humans have found out we have magic”. Very refreshing.
This book is very much inspired by Gilmore Girls as you have a very similar mother daughter relationship. I’m just hoping Athena doesn’t have a downward spiral like Rory does in the later seasons.
Synopsis: Welcome to Myrtlewood, a quirky town, steeped in magic, tea and mystery…
Life’s a struggle for Rosemary Thorn and her teen daughter, Athena. But their regular troubles are turned upside down after Granny Thorn’s mysterious death.
Despite her cousin’s sinister manoeuvrings, Rosemary returns to Myrtlewood and the sprawling, dilapidated Thorn Manor. But there’s more to the old house than meets the eye, as Rosemary and Athena soon find out — in a whirlwind of magic, adventure, mystical creatures and endless cups of tea.
Life in Myrtlewood would be bliss if Rosemary could only clear her name in a certain murder investigation, solve the mystery and stay out of mortal peril – for at least a little while!
A small town with endless secrets, strange activities and a house with a mind of its own.
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