The Baker's Man

The Baker's Man was my first book by Jennifer Moorman. I discovered it on bookbub a while ago and downloaded it on a whim. I'm so happy I did as it has now become one of my favorite romances, and the author is on my to-go list.That said, The Baker's Man is a beautifully woven, well-crafted, and well-written love story in the magical realism genre. I've heard it being compared to Sarah Addison Allen (I haven't read Allen, but that says something). The main characters -- Anna and Eli -- are real and very relatable. Eli is totally the kind of romance hero I love to read about -- kind, thoughtful, gorgeous, and yet quite strong (inside and out). Although the romance is sweet, the heat between them is palpable and hotter than anything!Set in the fictional town of Mystic Waters, Anna owns a bakery/cafe she had inherited from her grandmother, and is herself a very talented baker. One day, after being heart-broken by her long-term boyfriend, she and her best friend try, on a drunken whim, a magical recipe to create (bake) her 'perfect man.' Eli is the unexpected result of that experiment, and YUM, what a great result. The story follows the antics of these two, their depth, their incredible connection, and their growth as individuals, apart and together, within a context they could barely understand.The writing is nuanced, with a lovely cadence and rhythm. Full of whimsy and magic, the town of Mystic Waters feels like a real place I would love to visit, and the incredible descriptions of treats and baked goods are mouth-watering! It's clear the author is a real baker, and it shows in every bit of her writing.If you like a simple, yet heart-warming romance, with a healthy dose of heat, magic, whimsy, and wonderful characters, give this one a try. You won't be disappointed!

If you're looking for something unusual and amusing, and you've got a little imagination, this book is for you. This story was all about fantasy and creativity, the pros and cons of small-town living, love and care of and from parents and friends, learning to following your heart, and getting your heart's desires -all themes accomplished with humor and purity (no sex, violence, or bad language). I enjoyed the characters -even the one made from "sparkling gypsy dust" and baked up in the oven- and wondered what the world would be like if all of us could just create (or bake up) our life-long-loves. I don't think I'll forget this story for a long time, if ever.

“Moorman weaves the tale of a young woman whose grandmother’s secret—and the ancestry of her grandfather—are about to change her life forever.”Anna O’Brien has inherited more than her grandmother’s talent for baking and her bakery. When her boyfriend of two years accepts an architectural job with a firm in Napa Valley, with no plans to include her, she is forced to face an uncertain future. One late night in the bakery with her best friend, Lily, they have a little too much to drink and follow a mysterious recipe of her grandmothers with a secret ingredient. The next morning she wakes up to find Elijah, a handsome stranger, baking donuts in her kitchen and things rocket out of control.I found this book to be a magically enchanting tale that weaves in just enough reality to suspend my disbelief. Anna has always lived her life to please others, but when Baron decides to take a job across the country, she decides she needs to take charge of her own life and follow her heart. Anna has internal and external forces pulling her in different directions; she knows she wants to continue making pastries, but perhaps not in her hometown of Mystic Water. There is a perfect place by the sea and an offer has been made, but to move there will disappoint the hometown folks, her mother, and her friends. The relationship with Baron is also unsettled, they were both comfortable with each other and neither is ready to give it up, although they know it is over. Anna’s biggest problem is she is not ready to believe this mysterious force that draws her to Elisha is real, she doesn’t trust the magic. When her friend, Tessa, falls head over heels for Elisha, Anna tries to take a step back. This story explores friendship, forgiveness, and the possibilities of following your own heart. When Elisha, her dough-boy, starts growing into his own person things get very complicated and there are a couple of unexpected twists. The dialogue reads true and humor is expertly woven into this heartwarming journey.I couldn’t help but love Jennifer Moorman’s prose, each of her characters and places had distinctive smells that Anna identified with them. Her mother smelled of ripe cherries or rotten cherries depending on her mood, her father like green pine or freshly cut grass. Elisha smelled of rosemary, cinnamon, spicy chocolate and melted sugar. How could you not love that?This is one of those stories I had trouble assigning a genre to, so I went back to Donna Fasano’s guest post defining romance and chick-lit. I decided it was chick-lit with a strong romantic element, although I do not claim to be an expert on this subject. But I will tell you, if you like foodie fiction or chick-lit you will love this story.I found no significant errors or issues.**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. ** February 24, 2013

This was a fun book and easy to read. The story was somewhat unusual but was a sweet ( no pun intended) love story too. This was every girls dream and this book made for a pleasant day reading

My first time reading this author, but will not be my last. Loved this story so much. Beautifully written story. This book also has the best chocolate chip receipe in it that I have ever made. Best cookie ever. Do not miss this fabulous book. Am very excited to read her new book out last week. 5stars from me.

The Baker’s Man by Jennifer Moorman is a lovely, cozy magical realism read. If life is busy and stressful and you need to pick up a read that relaxes you, then I highly recommend this. I’d recommend this for fans of Alice Hoffman and Sarah Addison Allen. Set in a small town bakery in the quaint town of Mystic Falls, with a lively cast of characters, this book will warm your heart.I won’t give the synopsis as you can see it above, but this book is a perfect pick-me-up and even has a couple of recipes at the back ☺️

This is such a fun, whimsical book. I love the characters and the storyline. This book has it all, trials, wrongs are righted, friendships, romance, family, love, tears and cheers. Great relaxing read. Recommend.

Anna O’Brien returns to her hometown of Mystic Water to run her grandmother’s bakery. Not only did her grandmother pass down the bakery to Anna - along with an intense joy of whipping up confections in the kitchen - but she also passes on a mysterious box… filled with magical sugar and a recipe to bake the perfect man. After the spark in her current relationship fizzles out, and fuelled up on rum and self-pity, Anna and her friend follow the recipe, and out pops Elijah, who indeed seems to be the perfect man. What ensues is unexpected… friendships are tested, and tragic events unfold changing Anna’s life forever. But is there love? Is Elijah all he’s baked up to be? Is he the man Anna has always dreamed of, and will they be together in the end? No spoilers here. You’ll just have to read to find out.Magical, whimsical, scrumptiously sweet small town setting and characters caught my interest immediately, being from a small town myself. Mystic Water is beautifully laid out for the reader to get swept away in its Southern charm, enchanting details and small town vibes. The characters are well-developed and it’s clear to see what drives their behaviours, giving them a realistic quality and depth. Anna, the main character, is quirky and flawed, riddled in self-doubt and insecurity… very relatable and you’re rooting for her to take back her life as she realizes she’s been living out everyone else’s expectations of her, and somehow lost herself along the way.This captivating and beautifully written story holds several important themes that kept me invested… family secrets, the testing of friendship bonds, the importance of forgiveness, listening to your heart, and going after your dreams. It was truly inspirational in its delivery. I really didn’t want the story to end, and I would love to see this made into a movie.I’d be remiss not to mention the gorgeous cover and how much I enjoyed the sweet nothings peppered throughout the story and within the chapter headings. It was like tying the perfect bow on an already stunningly wrapped package. And the recipes included at the back of the book are a real treat.I recommend this book to people who enjoy reading romance with a magical twist.

Calling all fans of magical realism, lovers of sweet treats and baked goodies, cupcake fanatics, dreamers and enthusiasts of whimsy: It’s time to take a trip to Mystic Water and immerse yourself in the lives of the quirky and enchanting lives of those who call this Southern town, home. Anna runs her late grandmother’s bakery, but harbours dreams of opening her own bakery by the sea. One night, after one too many drinks with her friend, Anna follows a recipe left by her grandmother. The next morning, a mysterious but handsome stranger is cooking donuts and seemingly knows all about Anna. But who is he, and where did he come from? Anna must figure out her grandmothers secret recipe, deal with the delectable new arrival in the bakery, learn to follow her heart, and maybe, just maybe find love along the way.Author Jennifer Moorman expertly weaves a tale of friendships, family secrets, and hearts desires into a feel-good novel which will make your heart happy, make you smile for no reason and which may induce a baking frenzy of your own

I really enjoyed this story. I had to keep reading because I couldn't see how it could possibly work out.

I really enjoy it, a very good entertening book, well written. I became adict to that romance, like I was eating a pie and coudn't stop till the end.

I had already read honeysuckle hollow so knew snippets but it didn’t stop me reading intently to find out what was going to happen.