Brunch at Bittersweet Café (The Saturday Night Supper Club)

"Judging from the little quivers she felt in his presence, a mere twenty minutes after their first meeting, this one was a heartbreaker."

Such a delightful world of delectable desserts and aviation! I don't know a lot about either one of these worlds, but Carla Laureano combines them vividly and beautifully in this heartbreaking, soul-searching contemporary romance. The dialogue is fun, incredible, and witty especially between Justin and Melody. The plot is well-paced and well-crafted, as is the writing. And the characters! Melody is down-to-earth and lovable and Justin is a swoony hero. And we also get a continuation on Rachel and Alex's story (Saturday Night Supper Club, book 1 in the series) in this book, which is just the icing on show more the cake. This is book 2 in the series but can definitely be read as a stand-alone.

Melody is a pastry chef with a ton of emotional baggage from her childhood that she acknowledges. She's artsy, creative, impulsive, free-spirited, but optimistic and tries to bring that ray of sunshine wherever she goes. Justin is a charter pilot who is loyal, devoted to family, fun, charismatic, and a type A planner. He unfortunately also has a ton of emotional baggage from his parents' divorce, his sister's medical diagnosis, and his martyr-like attitude toward his beloved profession. Throw in some snowy days in Denver, CO and there is magic that stirs in the air. Even as they grow close, they each must figure out what they really want out of life and what God really means to them.

Such a heartfelt story of love and dreams. If you enjoy contemporary romance that grabs at your heartstrings and tear ducts, you will not want to miss this one. I was given a copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers and via Celebrate Lit Tours. I was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own. show less

I did not have the pleasure of reading book 1 in the Supper Club series, but it's ok. This book was easily read as a stand alone! Ms. Laureano's writing style is incredibly captivating and absolutely breath taking. I could smell the delicious aromas wafting from the pages of this inspirational read.

I loved the life like feel Laureano gave to Melody and Justin. They really were tenderly chiseled and amazing for their roles in the book! Watching them together, wondering what would be next for them, really kept me turning the pages long into the night.

Laureano creates a masterful story that reminds us to have a little faith in life. Have a little faith that the Man upstairs may know just what you need to make your dreams come true (even if show more it isn't exactly as you planned!), and your relationships work out. From start to finish, this book will leave you with a hunger for more (no pun intended!), and the characters will be with you long after you've shut the book.

Sadly, I'll not be able to enjoy the goodness of baked goods much anymore due to food allergies, so I'll leave vicariously through the 4 star reads of the Supper Club. Don't miss out on this great novel. It's one you'll want to share with others or keep on your shelf to reread the goodness over again. Definitely looking forward to more just like this one as well as going back and reading book 1.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.* show less

It’s Melody’s turn! Rachel Bishop’s Supper Club pastry magician pal finds herself choosing one dream over another. A classically trained baker, Melody has been working the night shift at a chain bakery store when her grandmother’s legacy gives her the funding to chase her dream—her own patisserie. She meets pilot Justin Keller during a snowstorm, and they hit it off. But he’s got dreams too—to open an air charter business in Florida, part of his plan to help his sister heal from her long-term illness. Melody, who has been collaborating with Rachel, is faced with giving up her dream (and letting down her friend) or giving up Justin (and letting herself down). Laureano, as usual, includes mouth-watering foodie scenes that show more both break up and increase the tension. Melody and Justin both wrestle with their faith, creating an extra dose of reality. Because spiritual issues are common to almost everyone, and ignoring those keeps the stakes less weighty. I always appreciate characters with emotional and spiritual depth. Supper Club fans will love this second installment in the trilogy and await the third with excitement. show less

Pastry chef Melody Johansson hasn't always made the best choices for her career in the past and she's paying for it at the moment, stuck in a boring bakery job she really dislikes. At least she dislikes it until chance and a snowstorm bring airline pilot Justin Keller to the bakery door. The two quickly hit it off and start pursuing a relationship even knowing that Justin is in the midst of a deal that might move him to Florida and Melody has a new opportunity that will firmly settle her roots in Denver.

Second in an inspirational/Christian romance series that had me feeling meh about it overall at the end. The descriptions of Melody's desserts are delicious sounding and have great appeal. However, the many ups and downs of Melody and show more Justin's relationship are due to them not talking to each other (le sigh) and while I was pleased that the ending didn't require Melody to give up what she wanted, it didn't particularly feel like a happy ending for Justin. show less

A quick Christian read that I initially thought was going to be super predictable, but ended up being more than I expected. For starters, I will admit, that I did not read the first in this series. That being said, it didn't seem to hinder any of my understanding of this book, I think the first one may have focused on another couple in this friend group (although I may be wrong). The novel opens with a spunky single 30 year old baker helping an attractive airline pilot after his fancy sports car gets stuck in a snowdrift. Spark fly, but they don't exchange numbers because neither of them are looking for a fling. Their paths continue to cross but they soon realize that any relationship they might spark is doomed because both of their show more futures aren't compatible. Could Melody give up her dreams of co-owning a bakery with her best-friend and could Justin turn his back on his sister and his family? Peppered with family strife, friendship problems, doubting of faith, and lots and lots of food descriptions. This book will definitely make you hungry. It was cute, romantic, and like said the ending didn't end how I thought it would, so there is that. show less

This book has been such a joy to read. I loved reading about how breads were made. The author described the technique so well, I could smell delicious aromas of bread as it browned in the oven. Melody is very unhappy in her mundane job of baker. She has long hours and the same routine is getting to her. She has always dreamed of being a pastry chef and owning her own place. She has not been happy in awhile and her dating life hasn't exactly been anything to talk about. It was interesting to read about the different desserts Melody made at home and then posted on line. I thought that was such a clever idea.

Justin is quite an intriguing character. His job as a pilot fascinated me. I do not like flying at all, but he makes it sound fun show more and adventurous. When he and Melody first meet it was kinda comical. Here is this very confidant person who knows about motors, cars, planes etc and ends up stuck in the snow.

The story takes us on a journey with two people discovering what they want to do with their lives and being content where God has them until He changes things. Both have issues from their past that will hamper their relationship until they find a way to overcome it. I loved reading how the character's were vulnerable at times and opened up to each other. Justin seems to be a bit more smitten than Melody but I think she is still having trust issues. There is a tug of war going on within these two characters.

The story is very hard to put down and I loved how easy it flowed. The characters from the first book in the series play an intricate part in this story. I love when a series can continue without a hitch and you quickly can pick up where the series ended without being lost. The author has a beautiful way of describing even the smallest detail which puts you right there in the middle of the story. I wanted to watch Melody as she made her desserts and get to taste each one just as she finished them.

There is a conflict between Melody and one of her friends that really questions if Melody is committed to the plan with her friend. Will Justin and Melody find a way to be together or will their careers get in the way? They each have hard decisions to make and at this point I started tearing up. I know what it's like to be scared of making the wrong decision. I loved what Melody's mom says to her, "Which regret can you live with? And which one would tear you apart?" The story is an emotional roller coaster and one I found very invested in. I am anxiously awaiting the next in this beautifully written series.

" When we let ourselves cry over things that weren't ours in the first place, its like telling God that we don't appreciate what He's actually given us."

I received an advanced readers copy from the publisher and Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. show less

I have eye balled the first book but this is the first time that I actually have checked out this series. This book can be read as a stand alone novel. Although, after reading this book I do want to go back and read book one. A part of that reason is due to Melody's friends, Rachel and Ana. They are the type of friends that any woman needs and wants.

As I got to know Melody, I felt for her. She did not really know love from her mother. Her mother did things only if it helped benefit her. Yet, Melody was a heart warming person. Thus, I could see why Justin was falling for her. When it comes to Justin, I must admit that I have a place for pilots. My love of aviation is to blame for this. Plus, it does not hurt that he is so nice. Speaking show more of romance, between these two. It was on the sweet and tender side. Brunch at Bittersweet Café is yummy like a homemade chocolate chip cookie. show less