The Broken Hearts Bakery
April 10, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-7327940-8-5
Haven Ridge Book 1
Sometimes the town that broke your heart is the only place that can heal you.
When Gemma left her hometown of Haven Ridge, Colorado, years ago in a cloud of controversy, she swore she would never return. And she’s kept that promise, instead building her reputation as one of LA’s preeminent family law attorneys. But when her lifelong best friend begs her to come stay with her teen stepdaughter, Taylor, while she’s on a business trip, Gemma doesn’t have the heart to refuse. She’ll simply keep a low profile, do her honorary aunt duties, and be gone before anyone knows the difference.
But Haven Ridge seems to have a mind of its own, dragging Gemma unwillingly back into the community she’s tried so hard to leave behind, and she soon finds herself caught up with new friends and old rivalries. When Taylor is the object of an ugly bit of teen bullying that brings back far too many unwelcome memories, Gemma does the only thing she knows how to do: ply her honorary niece with baked goods and words of affirmation. Soon, her temporary digs are ground zero for teenage girls seeking sugar and consolation for shockingly adult problems—which the girls soon dub the Broken Hearts Bakery.
Complicating matters is an unexpected reunion with Gemma’s high school sweetheart, Stephen, who is determined to change her mind about him, the town, and the nature of love itself. Because as it turns out, her niece isn’t the only one nursing a broken heart…
A Carla Laureano novel never disappoints me. A skilled storyteller, Laureano pulls you into the imaginary lives of characters she’s crafted, page by page. The Broken Hearts Bakery is a perfect blend of romance, hope, and the satisfaction of coming home, all written in Laureano’s distinctive style. After reading this book, I’d love to spend some time in Haven Ridge, which I’ll do again with the eagerly anticipated next novel in the series. Beth K. Vogt, Christy Award-winning author
In The Broken Hearts Bakery, Carla Laureano delivers a completely heartwarming and romantic tale fit for a Hallmark movie. Authentic characters struggling with real-life issues had me cheering them on through my tears. A little bit of magic, a lot of yummy baked goods, and a deliciously satisfying ending makes this novel an absolute winner! Heidi Chiavaroli, Carol Award-Winning Author of The Orchard House and Hope Beyond the Waves
Carla Laureano can do no wrong in my eyes. The Broken Hearts Bakery is a delectable treat oozing with hope, heart, and the power of home. I’m rarely more content as a reader than when I’m getting lost in one of Carla’s stories. Bethany Turner, Bestselling Author of The Do-Over