Vic Degrassi is a baker on the rise, and it’s all thanks to his rare ability to make—and keep—his New Year’s resolutions. Whether it’s losing weight, giving up smoking, or graduating from culinary school, Vic goes after what he wants—and gets it. This year? He wants Robin Dawson, the sweet-hearted hottie who volunteers with him at the local homeless shelter. When he learns that Robin is suddenly single after being unceremoniously dumped, Vic is more than happy to offer a shoulder to cry on—or at least a fresh-baked pastry to bite into. But it’s been a long time since Vic’s gone on a date, and he’s nervous about risking his friendship with Robin. So when their flirtation turns into a steamy night together, Vic and Robin have to figure out if they’re friends with benefits or lovers in the making, and if Robin is ready for something more than just a rebound. There’s only one way to find out: turn up the heat…

 

Review

 

This is another great character driven romance with Annabeth Albert.

 

A wonderful love story about what it means to be in love with a person with a fully realized past. Both Vic and Robin carry a lot of their old selves into their romance.

Here we get a nice friends to lovers tale with the blending for two lives and taking risks to trust and love.

 

Very well written and engaging and as always with Albert the best parts of the book are in the details I don't want to give away.

ic Degrassi is a baker on the rise, and it’s all thanks to his rare ability to make—and keep—his New Year’s resolutions. Whether it’s losing weight, giving up smoking, or graduating from culinary school, Vic goes after what he wants—and gets it. This year? He wants Robin Dawson, the sweet-hearted hottie who volunteers with him at the local homeless shelter. When he learns that Robin is suddenly single after being unceremoniously dumped, Vic is more than happy to offer a shoulder to cry on—or at least a fresh-baked pastry to bite into. But it’s been a long time since Vic’s gone on a date, and he’s nervous about risking his friendship with Robin. So when their flirtation turns into a steamy night together, Vic and Robin have to figure out if they’re friends with benefits or lovers in the making, and if Robin is ready for something more than just a rebound. There’s only one way to find out: turn up the heat…

Another hit by Annabeth Albert! She's still my go-to author for comfort reads.

 

Shy baker VIc looses over 100 pounds after a loved one dropped dead way to young because of a heart attack. With the new year and another accomplished goal, there comes a time to determine a new resolution. And this year, Vic wants to date.

 

Unfortunately the one guy he really wants to ask out is not exactly available. Because Robin, a fellow volunteer at the homeless shelter, is still recovering from being dumped by his ex, among other things. His demons are his own, and at times I had a bit of a hard time getting into his head.

 

But somehow, things still fell together naturally anyways, all in good time. Vic was such a sweet but fllawed character, I couldn't help but like him. Robin was a little more of a mystery to me at times, but the things he went through to get where he is in the end, still broke my heart and made me a tiny bit teary-eyed at times. I wouldn't have minded to read more about him and his struggles, but for the short length of the book, it made me go through all the feelz in order to be very happy about the HEA.

 

All in all, another good instalment in the Portland Heat Series, and definitely one of my preferred comfort reads for dark days.

Drama llamaz and cheese!!!

So I can't stop with this series. It's utterly ridiculous but I really like that ridiculous. Mainly because I spend most of the time with a 'WTF' expression on my face or laughing at how purple everything is!!



This also had Vic. And I think I fell a bit in love with him. It's also got a lot more angst than the first one but it's not outrageously angsty. I may have had a little sniffle near the end though.

These books are perfect 'no brain power' reads. I really need to create a lazy Sunday afternoon shelf because this series is made for lazy Sunday afternoons.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

In this 9th Fresh Baked Mystery the tables are turned a bit as Sam is the one leading the investigation. Sam met Dr. Hank Baxter when he rescued a wonderful dalmatian after it had been hit by a car. The vet takes such good car of the dog, who Sam has named Buck, that when Hank is arrested Sam feels the great need to help him. Sam seems to hit one brick wall after another so Phyllis agrees to help him out. Carolyn and Phyllis are trying to win another cooking contest for a national magazine. They have a personal competition to see who can make the best doggie treats too. Eve is in the background of this story so all the roommates are accounted for. Let the fun begin!

Okay let’s get it out of the way. Hank Baxter’s wife was a first class snob and I instantly disliked her so when she ended up dead I was not surprised. What truly surprised was the way the mystery played out. We know the spouse it always the first suspect and the police are usually wrong on that assumption. Ms. Washburn took us through many twists and turns on the highways through Texas and in finding the actual killer as well.

Phyllis, Carolyn, Eve and Sam are a very engaging group of characters. They all live together and muddle through day to day life but trouble just seems to follow them. They appear to be unflappable most of the time. Phyllis and Sam are smart and have a very methodical way of investigating. Sam was on the right track he just needed to be able to talk things through with Phyllis to go forward. The dialogue between the characters is top-notch. I love that they have added a dog to their little family.

Livia J. Washburn has penned a delightful story. This is a perfect book to curl up on these cool Autumn nights especially with Halloween just a week away.