I loved every moment spent reading this fun, page-turning story! This story captivated my imagination and the delightful characters captured my heart. I found myself more than once laughing out loud, and talking to the book as if my new character friends could hear me.

After meeting Zacharias in the last book, I was super excited to hold his story in my hands and get to know more about this quietly brooding hero. Zach quickly found his way into my heart. He tends to keep others at arm’s length with his scowls and grunts for answers. But his heart is big and he loves much deeper than he lets on.

Abigail is just such a sweet heroine. I wanted to hug her and invite her over to put up her aching feet and enjoy a cup of tea. I just know we’d hit it off right from the start! Abigail had to grow up fast when her mother died. She has carried the weight of responsibility of her younger sister and the bakery on her shoulders for far too long.

I loved the character growth that we get to see as the story progresses, and how we can each learn and take something away from the story. Maybe you need to hear that God loves you just the way you are, dimples and all. Or Maybe you need to hear that no sin is too big for God to forgive. It could be that you, like me needed to be reminded that we need to wait on God and not run ahead and try to fix the problem.

With fun to be had, lessons to learn, and laugher to enjoy, trust me when I say that you won’t want to miss your opportunity to pick up a copy of this fully engaging story!

(I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists and/or authors, including netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)

More Than Words Can Say continues the Patchwork Family series by Karen Witemeyer. What a fun, delightful and entertaining story. I loved Abby and Zach and loved how they came together.
I believe More Than Words Can Say is among my favorites I have read this year. I would give it 100 stars if I could. I highly recommend it for readers who love clean and sweet historical fiction with sprinkles of humor. This one is most definitely not one to be missed!
I received this book from the author, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I did not know that it was a sequel or immediately remember Zach and his family, but a couple of chapters in, my memory was jogged and I was excited to get to know Zacharias better. I thought his portrayal was one of the most realistic male perspectives I’ve read in quite some time. I loved Abby too. I wished she wouldn’t focus on her weight so much, but that was probably realistic as well. I loved the way they worked together as a team and the solutions they found to their problems. I liked the little ways they cared for one another. And I thought their personal challenges were really well done ( for Abby- prioritizing, family vs career, and trusting God with the outcome. For Zach- responsibility vs integrity, trusting God to make a way. ) This was such a sweet story, with a lot to relate to and a lot to inspire. Loved it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4/5 STARS

I really enjoyed this story! This story was bright, engaging, and full of hope. Just the right book to lift my spirits and brighten my day.

This is a Historical Christian Romance set in 1896 about a woman named Abigail Kemp. Abby and her younger sister Rosalind run the family business, A Taste of Heaven Bakery, and have been doing so since their fathers’ death. Unfortunately, in their small town of Honey Grove, Texas, It is still against the law for women to own their own businesses. This has caused Abby to be backed into a corner and must make a life-changing decision. She must sell the business, find a male business partner, or come up with a different solution in just a few weeks time.

Abby has worked hard at the bakery, and she loves it dearly. Having forced her hand in making such a huge decision, Abby decides that it is only practical to find herself a husband, one that can add his name to the title of the bakery, but leave his hand out of bakery business. Her husband of choice? Zacharias Hamilton—the quiet, handsome bachelor that is a breakfast regular in the bakery.

Zach Hamilton loves being a bachelor. After spending most of his life taking care of his adoptive siblings, he is finally free. Free from the responsibilities and weight of taking care of another person. When Abigail Kemp, the beautiful bakery owner propositions him in a marriage business transaction, he doesn’t want to give up his newly found freedom to again provide for another person. But when the other Miss Kemp comes, begging him to agree to Abby’s proposal so that she and Abby can have a protector against her own foolish mistakes, Zach quickly changes his mind.

As Abby and Zach grow closer, trust starts to grow, and soon Abby finds that she wants more out of their relationship than a business arrangement—she wants his heart.

————————————————————————

First off, Abagail is such a strong female MC. She is smart, independent and fiercely loyal to her family. She knows she doesn’t need a man, but she does eventually realize that she WANTS a man (specifically Zach) in her life.

Zacharias is a strong, broody character. That being said, he is also a hard candy shell with a gooey center. He has such a big heart, is protective, loyal, and giving.

It is different in Christian romance to have such sizzling, steamy chemistry, but Karen Witemeyer accomplished this flawlessly! Zach and Abby are a phenomenal couple pairing, and while all the super steamy details were left “behind closed doors”, the chemistry was no less amazing and had this girl swooning and getting butterflies.

I also really loved the overall Christian theme and message to be gained from the book, which was that you have to forgive yourself of your past mistakes and God will help guide you and bless you in your life. A very inspiring and heartwarming message.

As for why I knocked it down one star? There were a few times throughout the book, where there would be a piece of dialogue that sounded much too modern to be considered historically accurate. I honestly don’t think they said things like “for sure” back then (and that’s just one example) but maybe I’m wrong? I just felt that it slightly took away from the overall awe I felt for this story.

Overall, I truly enjoyed this book, and look forward to more novels from this author. I’m also hoping to get a story about Abigail’s sister Rosalind. I am eager for more of a story about her.

Thank you to NetGalley, Karen Witemeyer, and Bethany House Publishers for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Abby took over the running of the family bakery after the death of her father, but due to an archaic law she has until the end of the month to get a man's name on the deed. She devises a marriage of convenience to keep her business, but will she lose her heart in the process?



Zach is a man of few words, but also a man of his word. Getting married was never part of his plan, he never considered himself marriage material. Strong and silent he doesn't crack under pressure either. He admires Abby for her faith and determination.



Abby has never been popular with the young men, she likes to keep the background, convinced that men don't find her attractive. Abby loves her family and has great business sense. She looks to the faith of her family to encourage her during difficult times.



One of my very favorite Karen Witemeyer books of all time, great romantic tension and interaction between Abby and Zach. I didn't want to put this book down, yet at the same time I didn't want it to end. I loved the close bond that the sisters share, as well as Abby's friendship with Lydia.



Though part of a series, it reads as a stand alone, set in a different town and a whole new cast of characters. I loved how relatable Abby was with her insecurities about her looks, and how she learns to move past that and see herself as others do. Neither Zach or Abby are perfect people and their marriage might not have been the perfect situation, but they make the best of it, keeping their heads, treating each other with respect and supporting each other through the hard times. A memorable read, full of romance, faith, and family.



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Fans of Karen Witemeyer know that she excels at writing sweet, subtly sexy Western romances which are full of charm and joy. Her genuine, heartwarming stories never fail to bring a smile to my face and her latest book, More Than Words Can Say, completely met that expectation. It’s the second novel in a series but works perfectly as a standalone.

Thanks to her dad, Abigail Kemp has lived a life defined by misogyny. Just when she thought she was past that, the town council delivers a nasty surprise - the bakery she inherited is now in violation of the law because only men are allowed to own businesses within the city limits. Abigail can either sell the business to a man and work for him or find a husband. She’s not pleased about either option but it doesn’t take her long to figure out that a marriage of convenience will be the best solution. The deadline delivered by the mayor gives her only two weeks to pick a suitor in a small town with a serious shortage of bachelors.

Her primary qualification for a husband is “a tractability of dough” that would “hold whatever shape the baker deemed appropriate.” Which leaves her daily customer Zacharias Hamilton out of the running. He might make flutters dance in her chest when they exchange a morning nod over his preferred sticky buns and black coffee order but the man lacks the malleability she’s looking for in a groom. The only problem is, her other choices are a mama’s boy whose mama doesn’t think a baker is good enough for her baby and a church deacon whose breath could “kill a bread dough’s rise at twenty paces.” After some deep deliberation, Abigail musters her courage and proposes to Zach, complete with a contract outlining the benefits of the marriage for each of them.

Zach’s days of involving himself in other people’s troubles are past. He took on the raising of a family at thirteen and has done plenty of things he’s none too proud of in order to keep a roof over their heads and food in their bellies. He’d noticed that Abigail was tense and unhappy recently but had determined to simply appreciate the fact that her personal troubles weren’t interfering with her ability to brew a good cup of coffee or provide delectable baked goods for his morning repast.

He turns down Abigail’s original proposal courteously, but he finds it harder to say no when her younger sister Rosalind corners him later that afternoon and  pleads with him to accept it and protect the two ladies from harm. It seems young Rosalind has gotten herself into a spot of trouble, and without the bakery to live in and a strong brother-in-law to protect her, she is confident that trouble  will grow until it destroys both her and Abigail. Zach reluctantly takes a second look at Abigail’s contract outlining the terms of their marriage and assures her he will agree to all her terms if she agrees to one of his: marital relations must be part of the deal. Flustered by his physical interest in her but delighted at the chance to save her bakery, Abigail agrees.

There’s nothing better than a typical romance plot done well and that’s exactly what More Than Words Can Say is. Abigail, like many a heroine before her, doesn’t recognize her own beauty or charm even though she’s industrious, kind, and clever. We learn details of her life throughout the novel that show how she has overcome adversity and her own mistakes to be the lovely and caring woman she is.  Her surprise at Zach’s amorous interest comes from the fact she sees none of that in herself: she thinks she’s simply a “plain, plump dough slinger” while he’s the ultimate ruggedly handsome, confident cowboy.

What Abigail quickly comes to value more than Zach’s appearance, though, are things I loved about him, too. He has an egalitarian attitude towards their relationship. He never pushes her for more than she is willing to give physically, is helpful but not in the least controlling in terms of her business and shows a respect towards women that Abigail’s father never did.  Marrying Abigail is a kindness he doesn’t need to perform but which is totally in keeping with his character. As the novel progresses we watch him help Rosalind and an assortment of other people in need and are reminded of everything he did for his sister Evie, the heroine of More Than Meets the Eye. His compassionate, charitable nature coupled with his good looks, fighting skills and protective instincts make him a hero to die for.

I’ve never read a marriage of convenience plot that I didn’t think required a heaping helping of suspension of disbelief and this one is no different. This trope is a standard of the genre however, and is one I am willing to happily concede reality for. That was especially easy here since having Zach and Abigail married allows the author to build their relationship in historically accurate ways and gives us a chance to really see the hero and heroine pull together to face their difficulties.

Their marriage also allows Witemeyer to do an excellent job of combining her faith filled story with realistic sensuality. While this tale is in no way explicit, the genuine desire felt between a man and woman is expressed. Passages such as the following highlight that Zach has a very typical male attitude towards sex:

"Speaking from a purely practical perspective, Miss Kemp,” he interrupted,”a man can’t be expected to live like a eunuch when the woman he’s married to looks like you.” His gaze scanned her from head to toe, lingering ever so briefly on the places where her curves were most prominent.

The author is firm in her conviction that the only appropriate setting for the fulfillment of such desire is within a marriage but her acknowledgment of those feelings adds a realistic note to the hero and heroine’s interactions.

As I mentioned, this narrative is faith filled. Zach and Abigail speak of their beliefs  frequently, spend time in prayer and work through the problems they encounter throughout the book by using biblical principles and relying on scripture for guidance. Their convictions are generic to Christianity and appropriate to the time and place in which they live.

More Than Words Can Say is a lovely story that is a complete pleasure to read. I wish the author had taken a bit more time to deal with Rosalind’s situation but the quick resolution in no way affected my enjoyment of the tale.  I think fans of Inspirational romance will find a lot to love here and I urge them to rush out and pick up a copy as soon as possible.

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So much happened in this book, I had a hard time putting it down in my eagerness to find out what was to come! I love how Karen Witemeyer always creates a unique story with twists and turns along the way. It's never predictable, it's always romantic, and it's always a great read for a long weekend. I have yet to read a book by this author that wasn't a pleasant read - and I am a notoriously picky reader!

Abigail Kemp needs a man. Any man will do, as long as she can keep her family's bakery. After being informed of a law that prohibits a woman from owning property in Honey Grove, Texas, Abigail is furious. Determined to get around it, she decides she needs to marry, with the provision that whoever she marries has nothing to do with the running of her bakery. Zacharias Hamilton seems to fit the bill nicely, if only she could get him to accept her business proposition. Zach is floored when Abigail comes to him with the crazy scheme - he never thought to marry, let alone marry someone he barely knows. But he can't resist a woman in distress, and thus ensues a story of loss, redemption, and love.

I will start off by saying that I found this couple a bit difficult to connect with at first, so steady on if you find yourself feeling the same way initially. Their relationship grows slowly, but as can be seen early on, they each find it easy to be attracted to each other physically. It just takes a very long time for them to connect in other ways. Zach was so cute in his attempts to "seduce" his wife, and I was rooting for him to succeed. It was a little odd to see the heat level in this book, since I am used to more sedate Christian romance, but as someone who regularly reads steamy romance novels, it wasn't a turnoff for me. And everything remained "behind closed doors", so to speak. Abigail wasn't your typical heroine, but I loved her quirks and her desire for independence. Yes, she married to keep her bakery, but she also genuinely felt something for Zach. Her relationship with her sister, Rosalind, was very strong, and I loved seeing that as a prominent feature of the story. Rosalind didn't fade into the background, but instead she became an important part of the story. Her bond with Zach was sweet and just pointed to the kindness and generosity of his character.

I am hoping Rosalind gets her book next, or at least soon! I really liked her character, and I'm interested to see who she is paired with.

Oh how I loved this book! This is the second book in the Patchwork Family series and one of my most anticipated reads of 2019, partly because I have often thought of Zach since meeting him in More Than Meets the Eye and I have been waiting for his story but mainly because I love anything written by Karen Witemeyer.

Abby was instantly likeable and her story made me so glad that I live in a world where it's perfectly acceptable for women to own a business without having a man's name to put on the deed. That's how things were during the 1800's and since her father's death the city council started giving her a hard time. So, what's a single woman who owns and operates a successful bakery to do? Well, she decides to enter into a marriage of convenience which adds several humorous interactions with a couple of the single men in town. My goodness, Abby is determined she is not giving up her bakery and livelihood without a fight and that's when I rooted for her to have the best life had to offer her.

Things didn't get off to a good start as Abby went through the list of suitable men to marry, there were some duds who frequented her bakery but there was that one man she thought would be a good choice. Unfortunately he disagreed much to my disappointment but luckily Abby has a sister who has her back so that was a wonderful surprise when she pays Zach a visit. Zach has changed so much since the first book and the change has been positive making this readers heart so happy. I have admired the sacrifices he made for his Patchwork family and was so happy to reconnect with Evangeline and Seth. I didn't always condone Zach's behavior but knew he had little choice in how he provided for his family.

I think the author strikes the perfect blend of humor, love of family and faith in this wonderful story. This could be read as a standalone but I recommend reading the books in order to fully appreciate the characters and the fantastic writing of Ms. Witemeyer.

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley but was under no obligation to write a review. All opinions are my own.

This is a great book!

Can i just thank Witemeyer for not having a skinny-twig woman and instead a curvy heroine who is not traditionally pretty and having the hero desire her? Yes thank- you very much!

In order to save her bakery Abby must marry-- as a woman she cannot own her bakery. So she sets out to find a husband. Her first choice is the man who comes in every day and smiles at her: Zach Hamilton.

Zach on the other hand is finally free. He doesn't have family depending on him, he can do anything he wants. Visit the Queen in England if he wanted. So he does NOT want a wife.

These two were really cute and an amazing example of a good positive relationship. Abby learns to trust and improves her self confidence. Zach learns that needing people is the way to happiness, not freedom. A great sequel to the first book.

I look forward to a third book, featuring Abby's sister Rosalind!

I love Karen Witemeyer's books and this one continues my enjoyment of them. It is a sweet romance with some humor and lovable characters. Of course, I already fell in love with Zach from the previous book that introduced the three orphans who became a family. I wished Zach hadn't had to leave Evie and Seth to find his story because I enjoyed their interactions and this book contained very few interactions between the three of them. However, his love for his patchwork family still showed through. Both main characters found redemption from their past mistakes and their guilt and shame that resulted.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is my new favorite Karen Witemeyer book. I loved it. I loved the two main characters, the side characters, the slow-burn romance, the plot and resolution. It was spot on. This is one I will definitely buy for my personal library and will recommend to many.

I loved, loved, loved this book! I didn't even know it was the second in a series, so it was great as a standalone. But, knowing it is part of a series, I will now go and buy the first book which is called More Than Meets the Eye.

The main characters are Abigail Kemp and Zacharias Hamilton. Zacharias' story is developed in the first book, but you get enough background in this one that you don't feel lost. Abigail is a woman with lots of gumption and with an enemy that wants to see her destroyed. When she is faced with a ridiculous antiquated law that prevents her from owning the bakery her father left to her, she sets out to find a husband who will give her his name and not take responsibility for the shop. Enter Zach, a true hero if ever there was one.

I loved both of these characters and how they grew to love each other despite unusual circumstances. The theme of not holding on to past mistakes (or our past in general) was well developed. Both characters had pasts they regretted and both learned to let go and trust God.

The ending was beautiful and I can't wait to read book three. This is a great series to invest in. Pre-order your copy now! It comes out June 4th!

“Choosing a husband was much like choosing a good baguette. One looked for a strong outer shell, a tender interior, and most importantly, a tractability of dough to hold whatever shape the baker deemed appropriate. Abigail needed a good baguette by the end of the week.”

Karen Witemeyer is best known for the unconventional & out-of-the-ordinary in her books. In <i> More Than Words Can Say </i> it was the marriage-of-convenience proposal by Abigail. My favorite theme in a book, so I knew I was in for a real treat! She didn't do it for love, but to save ownership of the bakery she inherited after her fathers death. The top three candidates who frequented her bakery every morning were the contenders, but only one could take the prize home. Witemeyers signature wit comes out in the choosing:

“Unfortunately, Mr. Beekman was nearing fifty and had breath that could kill a bread dough's rise at twenty paces.”

Obviously she doesn't choose him, but I just thought Abigial's inner musings about each of the men was hilarious! She's desperate and desperate times often leads to desperate measures.

I missed Zach after he took off on his own at the end of <i> More Than Meets the Eye </i> and I'm so glad Witemeyer gave him his own story! Quiet, contemplative, and a man of few words he shows his feelings more than verbally expresses them. When Abigail presents him with the marriage bargain contract, his plans of bachelorhood go right out the window! She brings out the protective instinct in him and has his heart stuttering with the small amount of attraction for the pretty baker. Though this is a business deal, he finds himself having difficulty keeping his feelings at bay. Can these two form a true partnership both in business and matters of the heart?

With every story Witemeyer pens I find myself saying it's her best yet and this was no exception. Between her wit & humor, the unconventional elements, her characters I come to love, the uplifting spiritual truths, and the story to get lost in, it's the whole package for me. I also love the growth I find in her heroes & heroines...both Zach and Abigial try to hide painful pasts that can affect their relationship. What I really liked about this, is instead of burying them deeper, they eventually talk it out. Circumstances forced them to face them and move on, thus bonding them closer. I also really loved Abigail's sister Rosalind, they had a rock solid relationship that shows in everything. She too, has a past she's ashamed of and once that comes to light, she can finally be free of the regrets she's harbored for too many years. I'm hoping her story comes next because she's a young lady I came to care about.

“I've chosen fear over faith more times than I can count. And every time I did, I ended up with regrets. When I chose faith, I didn't always get the outcome I wanted, but I never regretted my choice, because I felt God beside me, holding my hand and lending me strength”~Abigail

I loved this book for everything mentioned here and more! Witemeyer knows how to engage the reader and keep them turning pages while reminding them of the promises God's given us through her characters lives. I always look forward to her next story.

*I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *

A new take on the marriage of convenience storyline. And I love it! In this book, Abigail proposes marriage to Zacharias, a man she knows only as a customer of frequents her bakery, in an effort to save her shop. As usual, Karen Witemeyer creates witty characters who you grow to love. Don't skim her books - you will miss out on good writing! Part of the story revolves around the characters growing intimacy leading to consumption of the marriage. It was written very tastefully, but probably not a book for younger readers.

My one complaint is not about the author (because she is amazing) but whoever chose the cover art. It does not match the story at all. Abagail is repeatedly described as fully figured and curvaceous which does not match the tiny lady on the cover. And the "cover" Zacharias is not sporting the muscles he would have from throwing lumber around all day.

More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer is the second book in the Patchwork Family. I was really excited to read this book, after reading the first book, More Than Meets the Eye. I really enjoyed the story of the found family. Zach, Seth and Evie were so cute and they really cared about each other.
In this second book, we follow the events right after the first., Zach has left and come to a new town, where he works as carpenter. Amelia, our new character, is a baker. She runs the bakery with her sister, after the death of her father. Through a law brought up unexpectedly, she must give up her bakery, or join with a male partner. This brings the two together and so begins the story.
I thought that this was a very cute and fun story. Watching Zach and Amelia fall in love and become a family was very sweet. They balanced and supported each other. They bonded through sharing their past stories and seeking to love each other in small ways. I also enjoyed getting to know Amelia’s sister, Rosalind, who we will hopefully get to see more of!
I would recommend this book to those who like romance, it is sweet and easy to read.

“From her place behind the Taste of Heaven Bakery’s counter, Abigail eyed the three matrimonial candidates breakfasting in her small eating area. None of them knew they were matrimonial candidates, of course. If they did, they’d probably knock one another over in a race for the exit. Thankfully, their ignorance was to her advantage” (location 181). The ensuing descriptions of the candidates had me laughing out loud. This book got off to a great start. I was drawn in immediately and loved the witty language and humor.
Witemeyer does a great job with her characters. They are flawed and real. I felt for them as their struggles were revealed and it was so nice to see people respond well to difficult revelations. I appreciated how Abigail and her sister cared for one another and for how Zach takes his responsibilities so seriously right from the start. On the other side, the mayor’s wife ranked high on my “people I’d most like NOT to meet” list. She was truly wicked and meanspirited.
I would highly recommend this book and this series. Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Patchwork Family Novels:
Book 1: More Than Meets the Eye
Book 2: More Than Words Can Say

There are a few authors whose books I will pick up every time I see them. Karen Witemeyer is one of those authors. Her newest novel came up on my TBR pile (there is a certain order I read books in, so it was Karen's turn). Karen's characters are real, her settings are key to the plot, and her pacing is absolutely perfect.

Abigail's father has died and the city council has decreed that she sell her bakery, get a partner to put on the deed, or close down the bakery entirely. She's been given a month to fulfill the terms set out before her. She decides to ask a man to marry her in name only. She has three men in mind, including a couple of milquetoasts and a lumber man. Her sister thinks she should go after the lumber man because he's the scariest one of the men.

Abigail has written out a contract detailing what will be the terms of the marriage. Zach Harrison is the lumber man and he reads the terms and adds one of his own. She must give him a goodnight kiss every night.

One of the things going on is a former friend of Abigail's is causing trouble and was trying to close her down. Zach and Abigail make a great team in getting things done and getting the conundrum figured out.

This is a five-star book, with two thumbs up, and a fresh baguette straight from the oven.

Bethany House and NetGalley.com provided the galley I got to read. My thanks goes to them.

A sweet story, well written, engaging and entertaining.
I liked the characters, the plot, and the style of writing.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Set in 1896 Honey Grove, Texas I found this to be a delightful story that held my attention. According to the author’s notes there was such a town and many of the real people and their businesses were portrayed in the story. This makes the fiction more fun and realistic.
Abigail, Rosalind and Zach were fictional characters but were brought to life by the words of Karen Witemeyer. In trying to save her bakery, willed to her by her father, Abigail had to find a husband quickly. City ordinances did not allow a woman to own a business but she could keep the bakery if the deed was in a husband’s name. Of her three candidates Zach seemed the most appealing but she had to convince him to go along with her plan.
There were also secrets alluded to by all three of the main characters that shaped their adult lives. I enjoyed the references to seeking God and his plans for their lives. Heartache can be sometimes avoided if you give God complete control but of course that didn’t happen right away.
Abby had a nemesis in the mayor’s wife Sophia, who spewed gossip and threw obstacles at her. Every great story has to have a token villain and she fit the bill perfectly.
And I found the romance aspect to be so special and tender. The love had to grow over a period of time.
My mouth kept watering for the taste of the baked goods described in the book. It made me want to go and seek out a local bakery and indulge.
I throughly enjoyed devouring the story that was a fast read for me.
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Celebrate Lit and Netgalley but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise.

Once again Karen Witemeyer has managed to bring together an unlikely pair that ended up being the perfect match. Despite his flaws, I developed a fondness for Zach in the first book of this series, and that only grew more with this one. As a woman in today's modern age I was intensely angered with the injustice that Abby was handed simply because of her gender. It didn't take me long at all to be rooting for things to work out for this unlikely duo.

The character development overall in this series is nothing short of masterful. The mood and energy of the interactions between the characters (leading or supporting), are easily visualized by the reader's understanding of their personalities and backstories. This is one of those books that is easy to escape into and forget you aren't actually standing in the middle of a bakery with real people. Even when it came to the antagonists in this story, you were still able to develop a level of empathy for them which only draws you deeper into their world.

It was quickly observed that life had dealt Abby a difficult hand. She spent the earlier part of her life trying to prove her worth to her father considering she wasn't the son he'd always wanted. After his passing, she fought to continue to run his bakery and remain profitable, only to be told she wasn't allowed to simply because she was a woman. The injustice is palpable, but the fight in her was strong. The more the story progresses the more you hope for her happiness and a relationship she can find love and security in.

I loved this novel, and highly recommend to historical romance fans. While I believe it could be read as a stand-alone, Zach was a large presence in the first book as well and to grasp the fullness of his character I think it would be helpful to read the books in order.

*I received a copy of this book through CelebrateLit. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.