Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: The Accidental Baker
AUTHOR: Clare London
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 64 pages
RELEASE DATE: April 20, 2019
BLURB:
Donnie Watson’s baking disasters are legendary, but this Easter, his mismatched chocolate eggs bring accidental but astonishing results to four downhearted gay men. The chocolate sweets spill onto the pavement of a small parade of local shops—and go on a matchmaking tour like no other! From a bankrupt and betrayed baker, to a homeless but hopeful man, to a conceited bar owner in need of a reality check, and finally to the hapless but caring Donnie himself.
After all, Love means you can have chocolate too!
REVIEW:
Donnie loves to bake. Doesn’t matter that he’s not that good at it – but he’s baking some special things for the community center Easter Egg hunt/celebration. He’s going through his usual mini-disasters and needs to be on his way – with the scones and the chocolate animals/eggs he’s made. His BFF, Henry, is not so helpful. In fact, his snarky comments are becoming annoying. And when he fails to help Donnie and instead ends up making Donnie’s precious cargo drop all over the place, he runs off leaving Donnie to deal with the aftermath. Luckily the new veterinarian in town sees Donnie and offers and helping hand. And they both enjoy some of Donnie’s delicious chocolate.
Meanwhile Henry runs off to his bar – where he nags his employee and generally is a pain in the ass. He’s once again snarky and well, a bit mean even. When his newest employee tries to help him, they are put in an unlikely position of being stuck together – where Abi delivers some truths to Henry – over some of Donnie’s delicious chocolate.
Meanwhile Simon is out with his sister and brother-in-law and is set to pick up the last of things from his now closed bakery. But when he gets there, the door is open and someone is inside! It’s not bad enough that his ex ran off with their money and he has lost his business and his home, now he might not even get back the rest of his measly possessions. But it seems a new owner has taken over the business and he’s looking for some help perhaps. Maybe an arrangement can be reached over some of Donnie’s chocolates that Simon has picked up.
Finally, Jez is minding his own business in his spot in the doorway not far from the grocers. An Easter egg (from Donnie’s stash of course) rolls up to his spot. In the meantime, he sees a bunch of guys harassing a young guy trying to go into the supermarket. Jez manages to run them off and it turns out that Eric has a special habit that he repeats. He’s not on his own though. Unlike the homeless Jez, he has his own place. He likes Jez and they share the wonderful Easter egg that Donnie made.
Oh how I was intrigued by this little book! I really cannot wait to find out what happens with these four couples. While each chapter is its own little vignette, they are tied together by Donnie’s chocolates. We get a good sense of each of the characters and I for one cannot wait to get the rest of the story. Each story is really the beginning of a bigger story for each couple and I know we are going to get more from Clare! I loved the sharing of the chocolates and the sweetness of the characters that went along with it. I’m dying to find out what happens next! Highly recommended and the next one comes out this week – so not a long wait 😊
RATING: 
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