Bri Duvall works in the same bakery store, The Pastry Puff, where her beloved mother was renowned for her French-inspired desserts. The store’s owners, elderly sisters Agnes and Mabel, have developed a reputation for their matchmaking abilities; however they are in danger of losing the business to developers – something Bri couldn’t stand to see happen since she lost both her parents in a car accident when she was 18. Now that she is in her late 20’s, she has fallen in love with the “idea” of love – and waits for a fairy tale-like romance to happen to her like the one that she believes her parents once had (but which, she discovers, they never really did). She meets Gerard, a jaded reporter who avoids commitment at all cost due to his own tragic past. He has been assigned (against his wishes) to cover the story of the matchmaking bakery sisters for a newspaper feature. Neither Bri or Gerard are very relatable at the beginning of the book due to their extremely immature attitudes; however, they gradually softened and matured over the course of the story. I wish the author had focused more on showing each person’s spiritual journey and how that led to changes in their hearts and relationships, rather than engaging in so much snark and stereotypes. Was this a rom-com or a faith-based romance? It seemed the author couldn’t decide and the book lacked focus somewhat despite the good premise.

This was a fun read as Bri has her own ideas about love and has found an interesting way to incorporate it into her store. I think her store would be neat to visit and it sounds like a great place to eat and take in the atmosphere. When her store and its locks have an opportunity to be featured in a magazine, Bri finds herself falling for the writer of her story. The only catch is , is that she isn't what she expected for her turn at love.

I received a copy to read, the review is mine.

There are many things I loved about this book, the bakery, the macarons, the Paris talk, Mabel and Agnes. But I almost stopped reading it. I was really put off by Gerard's attitude for nearly the first half of the book. He was blunt and said hurtful things nearly every time he spoke. I couldn't imagine him ever changing into anyone you'd want to be around. But of course, he did. I still though had a hard time believing that things would turn out well for this couple.
I absolutely loved Gerard's article at the end though. It was perfect!
My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

This is a very sweet contemporary romance. Bri wants a romantic relationship like what she thinks her parents had before they died. She works in a bakery that is owned by two matchmakers. I really enjoyed these two women. They were such fun. Gerard doesn’t believe in romance. I felt sorry for Gerard in the beginning since he didn’t have a romantic bone in his body. I love how each of the characters learns a lesson in love. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I thought "The Key to Love" was a cute contemporary romance. It is a good story for people who enjoy bakeries, love locks, and characters who have to overcome disappointments.

While I can't relate to everything Bri went through, I can identify with her disappointment over some things she learned about her parents. That is always hard. Also, I relate to her reluctance of traveling. It's hard to get away from responsibilites.

I would recommend this for the Contemporary Christian romance fan.

Reminded me a bit of a hallmark movie, but not in a bad way. The characters were well written even when I wanted to throw them through a window for being so set in their ways. There were some interesting plot twists and the small town setting and its quirks were fun to read. I'd definitely read more books set in this town if there were more.

This was a very fun and well written Christian Romance. I an not sure, but it might be Betsy ST Amant's first published novel. The characters in the story are very well crafted. I loved the two elderly sisters Mabel and Agnes, owners of a Parisian-style bakery, the Pastry Puff, in the middle of Story, Kansas. These match makers were also known as the love angles. Our female protagonist, Bri Duval has an unhealthy fairy-tale expectation of love. When her single mom friend Casey finds her love match Bri's answer, “Somewhere, he was out there. Apparently not at the firehouse or the police station or Johnson's General, but somewhere, he was there - a man with zero froggy intentions and a heart as romantic as hers.” Casey's response to love, “It's easy to love when life is shiny and looks its best-- it''s a lot harder when it's covered in tomato sauce and Pull-Ups.”
Our male protagonist is “Gerard Fortier, travel writer, insult doler, sarcastic guru and confirmed bachelor. A quote from when Gerard meets Mrs. Beeker, the owner of the only B&B in town, “It's not every day we get a traveler like yourself from the Rainy City.” Close. “It's Windy.” “Is is?” she licked her finger and held it up, squinting. “I hadn't noticed.” It was lines like these that kept me laughing throughout the book. There are some unpleasant surprises too that Bri has to deal with throughout the story. I enjoyed this novel and would like to recommend it.
I received a copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I DNF'd this about 50% of the way through. I wasn't feeling connected to the story and there wasn't anything unique enough to keep me interested.

I loved this story! It gave me a serious craving for macaroons though.;) Having worked in a bakery, I could appreciated the setting. I felt like my life has paralleled the heroines a fair bit.;)

A wonderful novel about opening your heart to the unexpected. Bri thought she was safe in the constant of her life, but never realized she wasn't truly living. Until she meets Gerard and she realizes live isn't as she expected.

I was originally drawn in by the cover of this book and it didn’t disappoint. I felt like I was reading a Hallmark movie focused around a cute bakery/small town, a baker who is a hopeless romantic, and a travel magazine writer who has given up on love.

The enemies-to-more trope typically is not one I am drawn to, but I enjoyed it in this book! While I feel like their romance sparked so suddenly near the end of the book, there were many “is it going to happen yet?!” moments throughout the rest of the book that made it worth the wait!

I LOVED the love angels, Agnes and Mable. As side characters, they brought a lot to the story and really helped push the romance forward at crucial moments. I found myself laughing along with them and saying “Oh, Mabel” a number of times.

This is a fun, light-hearted story for anyone looking for a sweet romance.

Thank you to Revell Publishing and NetGalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review!

Bri Duval is a hopeless romantic who has created her version of the Parisian lovelock wall at the bakery she works at with two treasured friends who view themselves as match makers. Bri lost her parents at a young age and hoped to find love in Paris like her parents did.

In walks Gerard Fortier who thinks it is beneath him to be at this bakery writing a story about the lovelock wall. He was a thrill-seeking world traveler who shared his experiences with readers. Since circulation was low his boss had other ideas to boost sales.

Sparks fly (and not in a good way) when Bri and Gerard meet. Each is put out by the other until Bri finds out who Gerard is. Then the fun begins!

I liked learning about the famous Parisian lovelock wall and all the yummy treats Bri made. I was pleasantly surprised at the transformation and serious soul searching both Bri and Gerard do to get to the bottom of this mystery, find out who they were meant to be and where God fit into the picture. I like how the author did this in a non-preachy way. This book is thought-provoking and just plain fun!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

Such a sweet and fun read!
I loved this new author and I hope to see more from her in the future!
I really liked how the story was set in a small town. In this way I can connect with the characters because I grew up in a small town myself.
I personally think the name of the town Story is so adorable! The town has made me feel at home.
The supporting characters Mabel and Agnes made this story that much more charming. I immediately fell in love with them.
The theme of faith makes the story that much more special.
Sometimes it takes a long journey for us to finally see that the Lord's love will never fail us and nor will He ever leave us. For without Him, we are nothing. At least I feel that way. He's the best friend anyone can have!
I enjoyed this book so much that it had me grinning and sometimes laughing out loud.
I could practically smell the delicious treats coming from the bakery as I'm a big fan of sweets.
Bri had me drooling.
I really found myself cheering Gerard and Bri on for their own happily after.
While I haven't tried macarons this story has made me want to try some although personally while I read I like to chow down on chocolate or a bag of dry cereal.
I recommend this book very much! It will make you laugh out right, cheer our main characters on and leave your heart feeling full all at the same time!
I was NOT required to write a positive review for this book. All opinions are my own.

The Key to Love is the sweet story of love-obsessed Bro and the much more cynical Gerard. Bri has been dreaming of a perfect love like her parents and is a bit disappointed that she’s still single but she hasn’t given up on love.

The minute she sets eyes on Gerard, he rubs her the wrong way. She is distressed to learn that the man she can’t stop sparring with is the man she most needs to make a positive impression on.

Gerard doesn’t want to be in Story (how cute is that name?) and doesn’t care who knows it. He wants to write his story and move on to bigger and better things, but something about Story and Bri get to him.

The passion between the two is reminiscent of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth in the best way–it reminds you of the classic romance without trying too hard to reproduce it. I loved how the story between the two unfolded, not to mention the host of secondary characters that exist in Story.

There was a faint faith element which offered the reminder that we can find peace in God and that He always has a plan for our lives.

I received an advanced reader’s copy from the publishers through Just Read Tours; a positive review was not required.

"The Key to Love" by Betsy St. Ament
This is a author I've never read before. Betsy St. Ament book "The Key to Love" is excellent book and I will like to read more of hers. The book has adventure, romance and is funny in several areas. The Key to Love is well written and the characters are likable. I fell in love Bri and her desire to have a romance like her parents and Gerards desire to never get married. The ups and downs relationship is very sweet. The book is such a great book that Hallmark needs to read it.

I will gladly recommend this book to friends, family and other's through Facebook, Barnes and Noble, Netgally, Book bud, Goodreads and Amazon.

I received this complementary copy from Revell through netgally for a honest review. All thoughts are mine.

If you're looking for a seasonal romance, The Key to Love by Betsy St. Amant might be your key. Pun intended. 😉

Enter Bri Duvall, owner of the French-themed Pastry Puff in Story, KS. Hopeless romantic. Hopeful in love. Missing her deceased parents something awful. Carrying on her mother's baking glory and finding incredible satisfaction by connecting with her customers. Dying to get the right macaron recipe correct.</p>


Bri's co-owners are Mabel and Agnes. Seventy-ish years old and constant personal life meddlers. Especially in the art of matchmaking. They have plans to find the right <s>target</s> match for Bri. Pastry Puff even has a lock wall just like in Paris for lovebirds who have found their person. Come in for a delicious carb enveloped in frosting and come out with a match made in heaven. Seems like a trip to Kansas is worth it, amirite?!

Sadly, Bri's parents died when she was 18. She's been clinging to the ideal of her parents' marriage, and she refuses to settle. (Amen, girl) Our main gal's most recent relationship was with the town slimeball (who ironically has his monster eyes set on buying the Pastry Puff so he can turn it into a chain coffee joint).


When one of Mabel and Agnes' matches goes viral, the town of Story and the Pastry Puff get put on the map. Insert Gerard Fortier, a feature writer at Trek Magazine. He has been assigned to write about this famed matchmaking bakery with its US-version lovelock wall. Writing a story about romance is not just out of Gerard's comfort zone; it is the last thing he would choose to write about.

Gerard is of the racing bicycles around cliffs, deep-sea fishing and skydiving varietal. His ex-fiancé screwed him up somethin' fierce and he isn't interested in that rodeo again. Ever. Talking romance, writing about romance or being in this small town is his personal hell.

So Little Miss Sunshine and Sir The Sky is Falling are not exactly a match. Yet, Gerard needs Bri's involvement in the story. He needs to finish the story so he can leave town. Therefore, he needs to connect with Bri to move this little macaron train along.
One of my favorite quotes from The Key to Love:

It's easy to love when life is shiny and looks its best - it's a lot harder when it's covered in tomato sauce and Pull-Ups.
St. Amant, The Key to Love

TRUTH! That is a whole blog post on its own for sure.

Moving along..

Sentimental is the name of Bri's game. (This isn't my jam and is very baffling to me.) Everything from her mom is a big deal. She has saved SO much stuff from her mom, including a trunk of her parents' love letters. Bri discovers some bumps in the road once Gerard enters town. Does she lean on him for comfort? Can he open up to someone of the female persuasion? Is he going to blow out of Dodge the minute he emails his article?

This isn't exactly an enemies to lovers book. Neither of these two are going to hit below the belt. Think more opposites attract (him to her, him to small town life, her to hearing the truth). And I love that. Such a refreshing take on a romance novel - woot woot!
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I have a small confession. After reading The Key to Love by Betsy St. Amant, I had to look up macaron recipes on pinterest. Which then led to me baking macarons for the first time ever. But seriously! This book is so full of sweet treats that it is hard to read without baking (or buying) a sweet treat to snack on while reading! I'm not even sure which is sweeter, the baked goods, Bri's devotion to her friends, or the romance. I really enjoyed reading this book, it was a book that was hard to put down but even harder to finish because I didn't want the sweetness to end. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys contemporary fiction and sweet treats.

This is a new to me author.
A sweet book it has the small-town feel so many of us look for while reading.
This contemporary romance is wonderfully romantic, best read with a plate of maroons by your side.
Reading about the Parisian style bakery was charming.
The cover drew me in, it's really beautiful and I do enjoy the non-person cover.
I want to visit Story, Kansas and the delightful bakery there, the baked goods all sound mouth-watering good.

Pub Date: 13 Oct 2020
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

“The Key to Love” by Betsy St. Amant is the interesting tale of the adventures of a superb pastry chef, Abrielle Duval, at the Pastry Puff bakery in the small town of Story, Kansas. Abrielle’s love-hate, frenemy relationship is with Gerard Fortier, a ruggedly handsome, globe-trotting travel writer, from Trek magazine, who is running away from love, after nursing a broken heart from a hastily ended engagement. An ill-advised mentor led Gerard to believe that true love is unattainable. After a series of misunderstandings and running into each other all the time, Abrielle and Gerard questioned everything they relied upon, that kept them trapped in their own worlds. This is where the action-packed, multi-layered story gets more and more interesting, as layers upon layers are pealed off, to reveal the truth hidden underneath. True love requires selfless commitment, person-to-person communication, unconditional forgiveness, and letting go of preconceived perceptions, preventing the people involved from saying “Yes to Love.” “The Key to Love” unlocks the hidden mystery that the reward is worth it in the end.

I really loved this beautifully written story that I won’t soon forget. Bri is adorable and loves the idea of couples being in love. I really liked how the author talked about the lovelock wall. It is so interesting and cute that Bri’s small town has a version of it.

Going into a bakery you except delicious pastries and other mouth watering treats. This bakery is a little different with that special wall they have. I absolutely loved Mable and Agnes. They are hopeless romantics that believe they are great matchmakers. The story gives us a few laughs with theses two women .

Gerald has been assigned to write about the bakery and the famous lovelock wall. It was funny that he was assigned this article since he is not so much into all the romance hype. Gerald is determined to write the article and get out of town as fast as he can.

The story takes us inside the lives of Bri and Gerald and unravels past hurts that keep them both a little shy of letting someone in. I loved reading how they spend time together and seeing the changes that come over them. It would be fun to be there at the bakery and watch a romance bloom while Mable and Agnes look on with satisfaction. Will Gerald give a good review for the bakery? Can Bri and Gerald find love or walk away from what is right in front of them? I enjoyed the story and liked how the author uses faith in a subtle way that readers will find encouraging.

I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads Program. The review is my own opinion.