So excited to dive into another installment of the Dove Sisters!!!
I loved Ella Dove - but absolutely wanted to pummel Angela and her using/abusing ways. She needed to be straight up with people - uh her FAMILY from the get go. And all the drama about the "stolen cookbook" - seriously??? I adore this series and am completely enamored with magical realism lately so I'm absolutely looking for the next book in this series. Thank you to Netgalley, Karen Hawkins and Gallery Books for an advance readers copy of The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove in exchange for an honest review

Ella Dove comes back to her hometown ,to make ammends. There are alot of ammends that need to be made inthis little town, not just by Ella. As her need to move on hits she may just relaize she is just where she needs to be.
This was a great book. I found love, laughter, sadness, and all the emotions in this book. It was worth the read.

Thank you Gallery and Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

In this installment of the Dove Pond series we're introduced to Ella Dove, the wanderlust spirit of the bunch of sisters. We join her on her journey of figuring out what her heart and head are guiding her with. Chasing your dreams as you've done all your life or capture the dreams you never knew you needed and take a chance. That's the heartfelt story behind Ella Dove. We're introduced to a new set of characters in Dove Pond that are part of Ella Dove's life: The Stewarts. Angela, Jules, Gray and Mark. The mystery is set behind a book of recipes that went missing and Ella is the accused culprit.

Like all the books so far in this series, we're able to reconnect with the characters we've grown to love and know in Dove Pond and get more glimpses into their lives as well. Aunt Jo, Sarah, Ava, Zoe, etc...Stepping back into the world that Karen Hawkins made us fall in love with to begin with. The interweaving of the lives of these characters is what makes the story so enjoyable.

I absolutely love the world of Dove Pond and the magical presence it has become. It feels like going home to friends and family everytime I open the books. The added bonus at the end of this book were some very special recipes from the wonderful characters of the Dove Pond series! This series has become one of my absolute favorites to revisit over and over again. In traditional Dove Pond series books, we're introduced in a way to a new sister that the next installment will be about and I'm absolutely thrilled to begin the new one as soon as it's announced!! I cannot recommend this series enough to others! The only negative thing I have to say about it, is the waiting for the next one to come out.

I've waited a long time to return to Dove Pond and I very much enjoyed The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove, the third installment in the series by Karen Hawkins. This book delivers cozy comfort, delightful characters and a little bit of magic.
While you dont have to read the series in order, I did find a lot of joy in reconnecting with characters. The Dove sisters and their gifts always make me smile. The author dots the narrative with references to previous events and the new reader is brought up to speed easily.
Settle in with some tea and cake. Add some flowers and treat yourself to a refreshing escape.
Thank you NetGalley and Gallery books for this ARC of The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove.

I liked this book, but hadn't noticed when I got it that it was part of a series. I hadn't read any of the other books in the series so I think I would've liked it more if I had. Still, it was well-written and I was interested in the story. I'm not going to ding the author because of my mistake. I'm planning to go back and read the others now.

I absolutely love the world of Dove Pond and the magical presence it has become.Like all the books so far in this series, we're able to reconnect with the characters we've grown to love and know in Dove Pond and get more glimpses into their lives as well. A light-hearted read. I will say this wasn't my favorite one, but still enjoy reading all the magical potions wit the Dove sisters.

Such an amazing book! I love this series and adored this book. The characters are written in such a way that the reader feels as though they know them. I highly recommend this book and this author!

This one started off a bit too slow for my liking, but I enjoyed it overall. Another enjoyable installment in the Dove Pond series.

Good story. Cozy, family themed and relationships being developed. Learning about a family heirloom and taking that into the future to better your life and bring a little of your family with you is always so heartwarming to me.

A story you will remember. My favorite aspect was the magical realism and of course the recipes. I look forward to the next book in this series.
Many thanks to Gallery and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book book me a little longer than the others books in the series to get into as I was just waiting for the love story to begin. Once it did, I was all in. I loved Ella and Gray's attraction and kept hoping for their happily ever after, despite everyone else's meddling. The little sprinkles of magic interspersed throughout Dove Pond make the stories more delightful to read. I cannot wait for the next Dove Pond love story.

I loved The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove! Karen Hawkins does a great job giving life to her characters. I liked them especially Aunt Jo. What Aunt Jo did made me laugh out loud. At one point I even teared up towards the end of the book. I read book one and enjoyed it so much. It was nice to return to Dove Pond and return to these wonderful characters. Karen Hawkins is an author I would read over and over. What an entertaining story that I had a hard time putting down.

I adored this novel about friendship, family, and food. Not one to be missed when it publishes. Endearing characters that you won't soon forget. Loved it.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook.
This was a wonderful novel! Such a good cozy whimsical story! If you are a fan of Sarah Addison Allen and Jennifer Moorman you will love this novel. All the characters are so great and they all bring such a joyous plot to the story. Highly recommend! I cannot wait to read more from this author.

As the third book in the Dove Pond series, learning Ella Dove’s story was just as magical as the first two books. I love to see how the characters have grown and I can’t wait for the next book!!

I loved this story of magical realism! Bakery settings are some of my favorite settings; there's something so cozy about a small town bakery. I enjoyed Ella's "powers" and the powers of the women she was surrounded by.


I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove is the third book in the Dove Pond series by Karen Hawkins. Ella Dove grew up in Dove Pond as a daughter in the magically talented Dove family. She is an instinctively talented baker who has gained a massive following on social media. However, a false accusation has forced her from her hometown. A restless soul, Ella has become haunted by a dream which leads her to believe it is time to head home and set the record straight. Angela Stewart Harrington is also returning to Dove Pond with her own amends to make with her estranged daughter, Jules. Her grandson, Gray, is shocked to see Ella back in Dove Pond. His first and only love, he was heartbroken when she left town, but never stopped loving her. However, he is determined to convince her to give him and Dove Pond a second chance; but is he on the road to another broken heart? Can Ella, Angela and Gray realize that love can and will find a way to forgive?
I love the Dove Pond series! With magical realism and real life issues of betrayal, love and finding forgiveness and purpose, it is a series that has it all. The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove is a great addition. Ella has convinced herself that she doesn’t need commitment or a place to call home to be happy. But when her dreams begin to haunt her waking hours, she realizes she has to face the past and Dove Pond again. While I figured out the reason behind her dreams, and frustrated that she couldn’t see it; however, the moment she does realize, was beautiful and highly satisfying. The drama and situations between Angela and Jules were wonderful as well. I also love how each book gives hints to future books and stories. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I highly recommend The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove. While you do not necessarily need to read these books in order, I highly recommend it. Start with The Book Charmer (2019) and then A Cup of Silver Linings (2021).

The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Ella is a baker extraordinaire who returns to her home town to clarify that she did not take the book, "The Book of Cakes". She tries to avoid her former boyfriend, Gray, as she broke the relationship off. Ella is not comfortable staying in one place too long or having enduring relationships. But Gray's grandma traps Ella into being her secret driver. Grandma has told a huge lie and she wants the truth kept from her family. Read this charming southern tale to learn what occurs when you have secrets.

If you haven’t read any of Karen Hawkins books about Dove Pond, you’re missing out! The books are about family and friends and set in a small town atmosphere. The Dove sisters each have their own unique qualities about each one of them that brings an extra special touch to each of the books. This book is about Ella’s journey back to Dove Pond. There’s something that happened back before she left Dove Pond and she’s determined to deal with it.

I was not familiar with Karen Hawkins' previous work so I was not sure what to expect with The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove.

The first chapter I found myself intrigued by the story immediately. Ella Dove, a young girl who had recently lost her father, was adrift in life and lonely in her own family. After her runaway attempt, she ends up at a family friend's house.

The problem is after that first chapter, the book became so boring. I made it 1/3 of the way through. Ella Dove was not a main character in a book with her name in the title. I am all about character driven books, one was even my favorite so far of 2023, but The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove falls so short. No real story. Too many characters that don't have any impact on the story.

There are too many good books out there for me to continue to waste my time. I am out.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.