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A small-town bakery. A hardened food critic. A recipe for romance that neither expected.

From bestselling romance author Audrey Stone comes to a delicious enemies-to-lovers story about finding sweetness in the most unexpected places.

When a meticulous baker and a disgraced food critic fake a relationship to win the town's biggest competition, the last thing they expect is to fall in love. In the charming coastal town of Havenbrook, the recipe for success might just be each other.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Zena Parks has perfected every recipe in her beloved bakery, Sweet Crumb. Yet when unpaid invoices threaten to close her doors, she enters Havenbrook's prestigious Seaside Baking Championship, hoping the £25,000 prize money will save her livelihood. Her pastries are technically flawless, but according to a mysterious stranger in her café, they lack the thing she needs most: heart.

That stranger is Vincent Rhodes, once London's most feared food critic. A scathing review ended in tragedy, so he hides out in Havenbrook under an alias. When he wanders into Sweet Crumb and critiques Zena's scones as "restrained", she's furious. But after reading an article exposing his identity and reputation, Zena decides to use his expertise to her advantage.

Their agreement is simple: Vincent will coach her in the weeks before the competition, and in return she'll let him rediscover his passion for food. To avoid rumours of unfair coaching, they pretend to be dating, a ruse that puts them under the scrutiny of gossip blogger Rosario Renard and Zena's rival Olivia James. As they experiment with daring flavours like thyme-infused caramel and star anise, flour flies and sparks ignite.

When celebrity chef Dominic Montgomery—the ruthless head judge and Vincent's old rival—threatens to disqualify Zena if Vincent doesn't back off, their partnership fractures. A misunderstood conversation about a cookbook deal with Olivia fuels Zena's mistrust. In a stormy confrontation on the beach, Vincent confesses he turned down Dominic's offer and that he doesn't want their relationship to be pretend anymore. Torn between heart and ambition, Zena must decide whether to trust the critic who once threatened everything she'd built.

A heart-warming enemies-to-lovers romance about second chances, culinary creativity and the courage to believe in love. Perfect for fans of The Great British Bake Off, The Hating Game and Love & Other Words, this novel proves that sometimes the secret ingredient is the person standing beside you.

READER PRAISE

"This book is sugar, spice and everything nice! Zena and Vincent's chemistry had me laughing, swooning and craving pastries. I couldn't put it down."

"An enemies-to-lovers gem. The fake dating scheme and baking competition kept me hooked, and the stormy confession made me cry happy tears."

The Havenbrook Romance Series Reading Order

Book 1: Blueprints of the Heart, Book 2: Written in the Stars, Book 3: Framed with Love Book 4: Recipe for Us, Book 5: Melodies of the Heart, Book 6: A Stitch in Time, Book 7: Hearts in Bloom Book 8: Love on the Line Book 9: Lights, Camera, Love, Book 10: The Heart of the Garden Book 11: Canvas of Dreams Book 12: Captured Moments Book 13: The Perfect Blend Book 14: Secrets of the Shore Book 15: Tides of Change

Find the Full series here.

Click here for the full reading guide.

MEET THE AUTHOR: AUDREY STONE

Audrey Stone writes enchanting contemporary romances filled with heart, humour, and small-town magic. Her stories spotlight second chances, community connection, and the courage to follow love wherever it leads.

A lover of coastal villages and culinary adventures, Audrey is inspired by charming seaside towns, baking shows, and the irresistible pull of enemies-to-lovers love stories. When not writing, she's likely experimenting with new recipes, exploring local farmers' markets, or dreaming up her next story in a cozy café.

Discover more or join her newsletter here.

TROPES YOU'LL LOVE

enemies to lovers, fake dating, forced proximity, small-town charm, high-stakes competition, baking romance, redemption & healing, family & mentorship, grumpy-sunshine, culinary romance, Seaside Baking Championship, foodie fiction, Sweet Crumb bakery, thyme caramel recipe, pastry romance

FEATURED LOCATIONS

Sweet Crumb Bakery: Zena's cosy café where early mornings start with dough and butter, and dreams take shape.

Chapter & Brew Bookstore-Café: Ravi's eclectic shop where Vincent often hides and confrontations unfold.

Town Square & Farmers' Market: The bustling market where ingredients are gathered and gossip spreads.

Beach Walkway & Cliffs: The windy promenade where deals are struck and stormy confessions change everything.

Mayor Sarah Woods' Home: A grand historic house hosting sponsor dinners and signature pastry debuts.

Havenbrook's Creative Quarter: A district of galleries and artisan workshops adding colour to the town.

Competition Kitchen: The high-pressure arena where dreams and hearts are on the line.

Havenbrook Beaches & Harbour: Scenes of introspection and climactic confrontations under stormy skies.

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