Book Review: Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe (The Saturday Night Supper Club #2) by Carla Laureano

Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe (The Saturday Night Supper Club #2)

Author:  Carla Laureano

Publisher:  Tyndale House (2019)

432 pages

Inspirational Contemporary Romance

"Once upon a time, Melody Johansson had believed in happily ever afters."

Melody Johansson, a European trained pastry chef, has been working in an American commercial bakery.  Several months ago, as a token of solidarity, Melody quit her job at Denver's upscale Paisley when her boss and best friend Rachel was forced out because of bad press.  Melody longs to work as a pastry chef again.  In the meantime, she works 12 hours a day at a bakery to pay the bills and bakes amazing pastries in her free time.  Until a mysterious pilot turns up at the bakery at 4 am, his car stranded in the snow just outside.  

Justin Keller is a pilot who works for a fractional, flying light business jets for executives, politicians, athletes and celebrities.  He began flying at a young age as his dad is also a pilot.  After helping his dad build an airplane,  he clocked many hours flying in it.  He and his brother-in-law have tossed around the idea of purchasing a small charter company of their own.

After their meeting at the bakery at 4 am, neither thinks they will see the other again.  Both are attracted to the other, but push those feelings aside, because the chances of seeing one another again are slim.  But, when Melody suddenly becomes the owner of a classic car that needs to be restored so it can be sold, the first person she thinks to call is Justin.  As the car brings them together again, they find they are like old friends, able to pick up where they left off.  But the road to a relationship is littered with many obstacles.  They both have complicated family backgrounds, are dealing with the remnants of old relationships and have new opportunities to follow their dreams in the future.  Will they find a way around those obstacles to develop their relationship or is it just not possible?

These characters are so complex and have such depth, it was a joy to spend time with them.  This is a story about following your dreams, the difference between dreams and plans, the importance of family and friends, deception and faith in God.  The story takes many twists and turns and at times the tension had me growling at the book.  In the end, things work out.  Highly recommended.