A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity

by Rachel Linden

A tantalizing novel about a struggling chocolatier who is granted a magical vision of the future of her dreams, only to realize that her heart may desire something else entirely, from the bestselling author of The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie.

Paris trained chocolatier and single mother Emmie Wynne gave up her own dreams six years ago when she returned to her Pacific Northwest coastal tourist town to run her family's struggling candy store. Now on her thirty-fourth birthday, Emmie has only one wish, to be granted the vision that every Wynne woman is given once in her lifetime—a shimmering glimpse of her true destiny. This year, when she blows out her candles, it finally comes true.

Her vision is more delectable than she could’ve imagined—her very own artisanal chocolate shop filled with decadent truffles and caramels, and her celebrity crush, Henry Summers, down on one knee. And when Henry suddenly arrives in town for the summer, offering Emmie the opportunity of a lifetime, the future in her vision suddenly seems possible.

But a rekindled connection with Jakob, her former high school best friend turned hunky, brooding tattooed baker, forces Emmie to grapple with the bittersweet realization that her destiny may not be what her heart truly longs for. As the culmination of her vision draws nearer, can Emmie find the courage to create a happiness of her own making?

Genres: Romance, Magical Realism, Food, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Adult Fiction

Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 19, 2026

About the author

Rachel Linden is a novelist and international aid worker whose adventures in over fifty countries around the world provide excellent grist for her writing. She is the author of The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie, The Enlightenment of Bees, Becoming the Talbot Sisters, and Ascension of Larks. Currently Rachel lives with her family on a sweet little island near Seattle, WA where she enjoys creating stories about strong women facing big challenges, travel, food, and second chances at love. She promises her readers a happy, or at least very hopeful, ending and infuses each of her stories with a touch of magical realism.

To learn more about Rachel Linden, visit her at www.rachellinden.com or connect with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authorRachellinden/ or Instagram at www.instagram.com/rachellinden_writer

Reviews

[LindaPf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here’s another delightful and very sweet (pun intended) magical romance from Rachel Linden. We’re back in the mystical Pacific Northwest region (after literary trips to Italy and a fleeting romp to Scotland) and there are scents of fudge, raspberry Danishes, artisanal bon bons, and baking bread wafting out from every page. Single mom Emmie Wynne returned from Paris six years ago, after apprenticing with a world famous chocolatier, to help out her ill parents with their candy shop in Poulsbo, Washington, also known as “Little Norway.” With her is her adorable, weird, space-obsessed six year old Gus, who is still grieving the loss of his beloved grandfather.

Emmie’s mom has been crippled by worsening arthritis and circumstances have trapped Emmie in the financially burdened family candy shop, but there’s a glimmer of enchanted hope on the horizon: Emmie is still anticipating the hereditary magical birthday wish every woman in her family has eventually received — a glimpse into the true purpose of their life as they blow out their birthday candle. Now, on her 34th birthday, she has a very specific vision: her celebrity crush, a British foodie/travel influencer, is on a knee with a small red box in her dream chocolate shop, while she wears a floaty yellow dress. It seems over the top, but suddenly Henry Summers, the swazer-wearing TV hottie, is spending the summer in a nearby AirBnB to write a memoir. Will Emmie’s vision come true? Even with the constant small business owner problems — a flooded shop, rotting subflooring, ancient plumbing and wiring, and a county ready to impose code violation fines? But, there’s a new Norse god kneading bread in the local bakery and a supernatural bottle of neverending golden sprinkles that also appears.

Author Linden has such tantalizing ways with words that envelop you so you are tasting the subtle flavors and experiencing the sweet fragrances of the charming small town setting while appreciating the tiny touches of magic. I’ve absolutely loved Rachel Linden’s books (I made ten practice meringue pies before I fed my book club when we read “The Magic of the Lemon Drop Pie”), and I now have a new appreciation for fudge making. Her books are breaths of fresh air (with or without shots of mezcal) and I guarantee you’ll be smiling by the end — and maybe making Serendipity Sprinkle Sugar Cookies, too. 5 stars!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Henry has flecks of green in his eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO I loved that salmonberries and huckleberries (iconic PNW natives) were ingredients in Emmie’s chocolates.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

[Jen Deezy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐ This was a cutie of a book! Emmie is a single mom who is currently running her family's fudge shop while patiently (or not so patiently) waiting for the vision of her serendipitous future that all the women in her family get on one of their birthdays. Will this be the year? And if it is, will this peek into her future be the promise of happiness she's hoped & dreamed for or will she need to learn to make her own happiness in other ways? While I enjoyed reading it, felt a bit predictable for me. However the romance was sweet & I enjoyed the tiny bits of magic weaved throughout. For me personally, would have been a very cute 200ish page book, but felt like it moved a little slow & not much happening for me. However, those who love a sweet closed door romance in a quaint small town will adore this book! Hugest thanks to Berkley for this arc (which always feels like winning the lottery when I get approved for a book from them so seriously, thank you!!!!)

All thoughts & opinions are my own.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

This was such a cute sort of whimsical type of a book! The story was definitely predictable for me but somehow I just didn’t mind. The romance was sweet & I enjoyed the bits of magic throughout. The book could have maybe been a little bit shorter and sometimes it felt like it moved a little slower where I would put it down and take a bit to come back and pick it up. I think if you are looking for a sweet cutesy romance in a small town with a food aspect you will adore this book! Huge thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Samantha (WLABB) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Emmie put her dreams on hold to help care for her ailing parents and become a single mother. Following her father's death, she assumed the lion's share of running her parents' candy shop. Emmie was content with biding her time as she waited for her birthday vision. Every women in her family gets a once in a lifetime vision on one of their birthdays which helps them discover their purpose. Her vision held promises of the artisanal chocolate shop of her dreams as well as a proposal!!! But when she starts trying to make that vision a reality, Emmie finds that her heart doesn't necessarily align with everything she saw.

This is Rachel Linden doing what she does best. This was a warm and heartfelt story of family, friendship, community, second chances, and following your heart that was helped along with a touch of magic. Linden has such a talent when it comes to crafting stories that have me fully invested in the outcome for everyone involved, and she also has a talent for making food part of the tale.

I know I would not have the patience to make the exquisite handcrafted chocolates like Emmie, but I sure enjoyed hearing about them. I loved the focus on flavors of the Pacific Northwest, and my mouth watered as I conjured images of these delectable treats from the rich descriptions provided.

Emmie won my heart and support early on. I can relate to her as a caregiver to aging parents and a single mom, but I also believed in her and her dream. Every setback was painful for me, and at one point, I was wondering if the sky was going to fall because anything that could go wrong, went wrong. But you know what? Emmie picked herself up, dusted herself off, and kept going. I loved her grit and fortitude.

She also had a great circle of people who supported her. The supporting characters in this book were wonderful! I truly adored them all as well as the community at large. Love triangles can be a bit stressful for me, but this one was written the way I like them, so I was good with it.

Overall, I absolutely adored this sweet tale which warmed my heart and put a smile on my face.

*ARC provided by publisher

BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS

[MarilynW · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity by Rachel Linden

Rachel Linden writes such endearing characters who are struggling with real world problems while finding a bit of magic along the way to help make life better for all. Emmie Wynne had left her small coastal town when she was eighteen, so she could master the art of being a chocolatier, taught by the finest in Paris. Along the way she became pregnant, had to come home six years ago due to ailing parents, and now, at thirty four, with a young son, and a still ailing mother, Emmie is all that is holding up the family and their struggling fudge shop. Emmie's dreams of her own chocolate shop have been dashed by reality and the inability to do anything other than work constantly to create fudge and try to keep the fudge shop from literally falling apart completely.

Emma still dreams though. She's had a years long celebrity crush on Henry Summers, the star of the TV program, Savor. Her adorable six year old son, Gus, has grown up with the show playing in the background so he knows it almost as well as Emmie knows it. What a shock when Henry Summers rents a cottage in their little town.

Another shock is that Emma's best friend through high school, Jakob, is back and working at his parent's pastry shop. Their friendship ended horribly and Emma feels uncomfortable seeing Jakob again. Boy, has he ever grown up! Once a tall gawky teen, now he's a hunk and a half, all muscles and brawn and it's hard for Emma not to stare. Jakob is also a grump now and not likely to give her the time of day.

There is a secret among the women of Emma's family and her special secret event hasn't happened to her even though it has happened to the past women in her life long before they were in their thirties. Emma has a list of things she wants and she feels like time is running out. It doesn't matter that she's feeling attracted to Jakob, her secret fate means she must lean another direction.

The characters in this story are fantastic. Whether cute, grumpy, helpful, encouraging or anything else, I loved meeting each of them. And then there is smart little Gus and his grandmother's (reluctant) outfit wearing French Bulldog, Mr. Butters. This is the second book I've enjoyed by this author and now I already have another audiobook by her on my phone. I need "feel good" in my life and the worlds she creates make me feel good! I read this book with Jayme and DeAnn so check out what they think about all the sweetness in this story.

Expected publication May 19, 2026

Thank you to Elisha, Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley, and NetGalley for this ARC

[Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serendipity Sprinkle Sugar Cookies.

That’s what we will ALL be baking this Summer after finishing this DELIGHTFUL story. (recipe included)

But, DECADENT CHOCOLATE is what you will be craving as you devour this delicious story-
You have been warned!

Single mother Emmie Wynne is a Paris trained chocolatier who had to give up her own dreams six years ago when her father became ill. She returned home to her Pacific Northwest coastal town of Poulsbo, to help run her family's struggling Fudge and Candy store, and to help care for her mom.

It’s now Emmie’s thirty-fourth birthday, and a special, signature Norwegian birthday candle sits atop her birthday cake. 🎂 Every Wynne woman is given a vision once in her lifetime upon blowing out this candle-a vision of her true destiny and Emmie’s one wish is that she finally sees hers…

Surrounded by friends and family who promise to cheer her on if it works this year-or to cheer her up if it doesn’t- she closes her eyes and…..

Her vision is even better than she could have ever imagined!

She sees herself standing in her own artisanal chocolate shop, wearing a sunshine yellow dress while her celebrity crush, Henry Summers, from the TV show Savor, is kneeling in front of her holding a red leather ring box.

So when Henry suddenly arrives in town for the summer, her improbable vision suddenly seems possible.

So, why is a rekindled connection with Jakob, her former high school best friend making her question everything she has grown up believing in?

SOMETIMES MAGIC CANNOT BE EXPLAINED

I loved everything about this delicious story-the small Pacific NW town that I could live in-the characters including French Bulldog Mr. Butters, (see him on the adorable book cover?) and the mouth watering descriptions of the Fudge and Chocolate recipes.

It’s that Comfort Food kind of book that has you already missing the town’s residents as you close the cover with a contented sigh.

Mark your calendars for May 19, 2026 if you want to find out how this all turns out!

A buddy read with DeAnn and Marilyn! Watch for their reviews to see if they were charmed too!

Thank You to Elisha at Berkley for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts.

[DeAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Lavender Caramel Adorable Stars

If you are looking for a read that is like a breath of fresh air and delicious, look no further than this latest by Rachel Linden. She’s known for food-centered books and a little magic thrown in.

Emmie Wynne is used to putting other people first. She was training in Paris with one of the best in the chocolate business when she got a call from her parents that their health was failing and the family business was in trouble. She moves back to the Pacific Northwest, to a small town called Poulsbo. Dubbed Little Norway, I now want to visit there too!

Now she’s running the family fudge shop, trying to keep up with her young son, and hoping this is the year she sees the vision that reveals her ideal future. She will blow out a special birthday candle and keep her fingers crossed. She finally sees something, but believes there is no way the vision could come true.

As things go wrong with plumbing at the fudge shop and the county requires some expensive upgrades, Emmie feels like the dream of her own chocolate shop is well out of reach. It’s good she has some special sprinkles for courage.

She’s pleasantly surprised to rediscover Jakob. They were best friends in high school, but she lost touch with him after they had a falling-out. He went into the military, and now he’s an even more handsome hunk. He’s helping the family's baking business but really wants to focus on carpentry.

When her cooking show celebrity crush, Henry Summers, shows up for the summer, Emmie wonders if the vision might just have merit after all. But she feels a tug towards Jakob.

I really enjoyed this one, and it made me crave chocolate treats and a fresh Danish. I loved the unique characters, a touch of magic, and the cute dog, Mr. Butters.

I've only read one other by this author, but I would love to read some of her backlist.

This made for a super fun buddy read with Jayme and Marilyn. Be sure to see if they thought this was a tasty read.

My thanks to Berkley for the opportunity to read and honestly review this one. Scheduled to release on 5.19.2026.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for this gifted ARC!

This was just an incredibly cute read. It was a little bit whimsical, it was a bit romantic, and just overall so sweet and lives up to its title. It had such great small town vibes, amazing familial moments and a lot of friendship.

I'm a big sucker for a small town read, they are a winner for me almost every time, and this one didn't disappoint. It has the small town feel but also brings in influences from the outside world which was a really nice addition to it. I loved the main characters and the side characters were done really well too. This was a romance with a bit of layering for more than one character, which I really enjoyed. It made me want a prequel that centers around the FMC's mother and her life and loves.

The FMC is an incredibly strong character, she's a single mother with an incredibly sweet and smart child. You can tell just how much she loves him and wants to be the best parent she can be for him. She also has her own dreams and her own identity she wishes she could bring forward more, but she is pulled in so many different directions with responsibilities that she doesn't feel she has that opportunity. I feel like this could really resonate for a single parent or anyone who cares for others in their lives. The MMC is also really great, he's got such a tough exterior but is just a sweetheart underneath it all.

I will say that this book is super predictable, I wrote down in my reading journal at 14% into the book that I knew how it was going to go, and I was correct. The foreshadowing is strong, but it really doesn't take away from the book at all. Sometimes knowing exactly what you're about to get is comforting and I think this book will totally fall into that category of comforting predictability. If you're looking for a sweet and loving read with a dash of magic and whimsy, this will be a great pick! This releases May 19th!

[Meghan ReadsBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an early review copy from Berkley via NetGalley.

Rachel Linden has once again crafted a gorgeously tantalizing escape that feels like a warm hug in book form. Set against the misty, enchanting backdrop of Poulsbo, Washington, the story follows Emmie Wynne, a single mother balancing the weight of a failing family fudge shop with the shimmering hope of a hereditary magical vision. Linden excels at making the reader truly feel the setting; you can practically taste the raspberry Danishes and artisanal bonbons wafting off the pages. While the plot centers on a flashy birthday vision involving a celebrity crush, the heart of the novel lies in the grounded, messy realities of small-business ownership and the tender bond between Emmie and her space-obsessed son, Gus. The "Norse god" baker, Jakob, provides a wonderful foil to the celebrity glitz, creating a compelling "head vs. heart" dilemma that kept me turning pages. It is a masterful blend of magical realism and second-chance romance that avoids feeling saccharine despite its sweet subject matter. Linden’s writing is a breath of fresh air, proving that even amidst ancient plumbing and family adversity, a little serendipity (and a bottle of golden sprinkles) can go a long way. Ultimately, this is a satisfying, feel-good journey that guarantees a smile and a serious craving for fudge.

Read if you like:
Magical Realism: Subtle, "everyday" magic similar to Practical Magic or Sarah Addison Allen novels.

Small-Town Charm: Cozy, atmospheric settings like "Little Norway" with tight-knit community vibes.

Sweet Romances: Emotional, heartwarming stories with a "who will she choose?" romantic arc.

Culinary Fiction: Books that include sensory descriptions of baking and professional chocolate making (plus recipes!).

Relatable Heroines: Multitasking single moms navigating family legacy and personal dreams.

[hannah ⊹ ࣪ ˖ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love magical romances! Rachel Linden delivers another enchanting and delectable story set in her magically charming PNW. Emmie Wynne, a Paris-trained chocolatier and devoted single mother, has spent the last six years running her family’s struggling candy shop, putting her own dreams on hold. On her thirty-fourth birthday, she finally receives the magical glimpse into her true destiny that every woman in her family is granted—a vision of a glittering chocolate shop and a life she’s always imagined.

But as Henry Summers, the British foodie TV star she’s admired for years, unexpectedly arrives in town, and her old high school friend Jakob reenters her life as a brooding, handsome baker, Emmie realizes that her heart may not want what her vision promises. Linden weaves together the sweetness of artisanal chocolates, a quirky coastal town, and a hint of magic, creating a world that’s rich in emotion. Also… this book had me wanting to jump into this book and eat all the wonderful, magical food.

What sets this story apart is Linden’s ability to make you feel the textures and aromas of her world—from fudge and truffles to freshly baked bread—while exploring the very human struggles of obligation, family, and longing. Emmie is a relatable, grounded heroine, and her young son Gus adds warmth and humor to the narrative. Supporting characters, like Jakob and Emmie’s resilient mother, are equally well-drawn, making the small town feel alive and fully realized.

While the magical birthday vision gives the story its whimsical spark, the real magic comes from the choices Emmie must make and the courage it takes to follow her own heart. This is a delightful, feel-good read for anyone who loves romance, family dynamics, and a little bit of magic sprinkled on top. I adored this!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this eARC!

[Manda Eclectic Mood Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars
Small Town PNW
Single Mom
Second Chances
Childhood friends
A “Sprinkle” of magic
Renovation challenges
No Spice- kissing only

What a delightful and heartwarming read.
A small town in the Pacific Northwest, where everyone knows everyone, lies a little family-owned fudge shop called “The Happy Viking.” Emmie moved back home after she found out she was pregnant and her father became terminally ill. Years later she’s still here, helping her ailing mother and raising her son. On her 34th birthday she has a vision- her own chocolate shop and the super handsome TV host down on one knee in front of her. A few days later who comes into her store?! None other than Henry Summers!
Emmie is convinced he is the path in which her life will go, but then she runs into her childhood friend JAKOB. Something happened between them before she ran off to Europe after high school. It was years ago and they should totally be over each other by now....probably. Her heart is telling her one thing but her she doesn't want to mess up the vision of her beautiful future.
I loved this book, the world it was set in and all the characters! They felt so real. I truly wish I could go visit them. I really liked the slow blossoming relationship between Emmie and both men. There is no spice- a few kissing scenes. I could see where the story was going to head- it unfolded so nicely and everything worked out so well!

This was my first Linden book, and I ran out to get the rest of her books before I even finished this one.
(Thank you, Netgalley and Berkley publishing, for the opportunity to read and review honestly)

[Anabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

3.75/5

As a single mom to a whip-smart six year old, the daughter of an aging mother who's body seems to conjure a new ailment every day, and the owner of her family's failing fudge shop, Emmie certainly has enough on her plate without even mentioning the pressure of her birthday vision. Taunted each year by the family lore, Emmie continues to hope against all hopes that this will be the year the universe gives her a peek of the future she's supposed to have.

However, when she finally receives that miraculous gift: it doesn't seem possible. Standing in her own artisanal chocolate shop (a dream she gave up long ago for practicality's sake), surrounded by her friends and family, Emmie is seemingly being proposed to by none other than her celebrity crush, Henry Summers. However, when he arrives at the beginning of the summer to her small Washington town-- her vision suddenly starts seeming a little more achievable.

But the return of her former best friend Jakob lights a different sort of spark in Emmie's belly, and she has to make the decision: follow her heart, or trust what she saw?

So so sweet, and so satisfying, A SPRINKLE OF SWEET SERENDIPITY carries on Linden's characteristic charm and warmth with aplomb. The perfect book to curl up with on a rainy day, fuzzy socks and thick hot chocolate in hand, SWEET SERENDIPITY is sure to leave you satisfied and craving some chocolate!

[Krystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet uplifting story with enough substance to prevent it from feeling like fluff. Chances are good that if you've enjoyed other titles by Linden this will be your jam. The tough moments are tempered with lots of delicious foodie moments, an adorable bulldog, and a soft flutter of magic. ✨✨✨✨

Emmie is a single mother flagging under the weight of wearing too many hats and losing sight of herself in the process. She's running her family's struggling fudge shop, caring for her mother ailing from RA, and helping both her son and mother cope with the death of her father. The women in Emmie's family have a secret. At some point they will experience a vision upon blowing out a birthday candle. This vision holds the key to each woman's happiness. Emmie is in her mid-thirties and so far no dice. Could this be the year she FINALLY gets her vision and a little hope?

🍫🍫🍫🍫

The creative ideas for candy making in this were fantastic. I love checking out new ideas for any sort of recipe and this was a lot of fun in that regard. Emmie's six-year-old son was adorable and reminded me of my son at that age. I liked how the plotlines intersected and the author had growth happening for more than the main character. Emmie's mother and her bulldog Mr. Butters were quite the pair and I enjoyed their interactions.

Be sure to flip to the end so you don't miss out on a sugar cookie recipe mentioned throughout the story.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing for providing an ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars
Rachel Linden has produced another sweet romance in the pacific northwest with just a touch of magical realism. Emmie is a Chocolatier trained in France who needs to come back home to a small Washington oceanside town when her father gets ill to help with the family sweet store. After a number of progressive events, six years later she is still there, taking care of her chronically ill mom, her young son and the struggling store. Here we also meet her brash best friend Dani, the small town cop, and Jakob, her high school best friend who has also returned to the small town of their youth. Add in Henry, her celebrity crush who hosts a show where he visits small town diners and a magical vision that appears to all the women in Emmies family, we have the basis of the story.

Its a Rachel Linden romance, so a sweet romance with a happily ever after is expected. Still I found the story line very predictable from the beginning, yet I enjoyed the characters, the setting, and the chocolate descriptions had my mouth watering. Gus, Emmies young son is adorable, and the mother daughter relationship is also very well done, and I loved the comradery of the small town shopkeepers. If you are looking for a lighthearted close door romance, especially if you have enjoyed the authors earlier books, I would definitely give this one a try.

Thank you to Net galley and Berkley for the e galley. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.

[SusieB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Rachel Linden for the opportunity to be an early reader of her wonderful upcoming book, 'A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity'(releases May 19, 2026)! I loved it! Once again, Rachel has written another enchanting story-always heartwarming, with family, yummy food (in this case chocolate & fudge), magical realism, a supportive community, loveable characters, second chance love. I personally love that it's set in our nearby charming Norwegian themed town of Poulsbo, WA, which we go to every week or two-favorite stores, including my favorite indie book store, Liberty Bay Books, along with mentions of other nearby favorite WA towns we visit often & San Juan Island. I agree with the main character, Emmie-the PNW is the most special place on earth! It also includes a cookie recipe.😊Don't wait-Pre-order her new one now, & check out her backlist, too, if you haven't read those-I love them all & I know you will, too! 🥰

[Dawn H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity is curling up in your favorite spot with a warm fuzzy blanket in book form.

Emmie is a single mom to an adorable 6 year old, Gus. She has moved back to her hometown in the PNW to help run her family’s fudge shop and care for her lovely widowed mom who suffers from severe arthritis. This description doesn’t sound like a wonderful feel good book but it really is!

As in all of Rachel Linden’s books, there are the themes of family, close friendships, adversities, a bit of magical realism and a guaranteed happy ending. It’s a fantastic escapist read that leaves you feeling contented and satisfied that everything will work out in the end. It’s sweet and filled with characters I’d like to have as friends.

Highly recommend to anyone looking for a lighthearted, feel good read.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was magically delightful! With the sweet smells of danishes, chocolate fudge and bread baking in the bakery of her parents candy shop. Emmie, a single mom to six year old Gus now running the shop after her father passed and with her mother not able to take care of it herself.
Waiting on her magical birthday wish that every female in her family receives, she sees what her future would be like when she blows out the candle on her 34th birthday. When a new guy comes to town to work at the local bakery kneading bread so does something magical.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and share my thoughts.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the worldbuilding and magical realism of Rachel Linden! As a mom with a six year old and parents with health issues, there were so many things I related to in this story. It also made me seriously crave some baked goods and a trip to the Pacific Northwest. My only complaint is the female main character (Emmie) definitely has some martyr tendencies and the story was a little slow in parts. This is the sort of expected ending romance you still don't mind reading the journey to discover.

I received an arc from Netgalley and the publisher and this doesn’t influence my opinion in any way.

[Randi A · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down. This was a solid 4 until about 75% in; how silly to not pack those chocolates in a cooler and have several backup ice options if you know your car is wonky. I felt Emmie was grating at times and her over reliance on the “magic” sprinkles got to be a bit much. This was not as strong as some of Linden’s previous work but I’ll tune in for the next.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Paula Pugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming and delectable. A story of daring destiny at the likely cost of losing true love in the process. Emmie comes from a line of women who experience visions of their true purpose in life. The confusion of Emmie, the receiver of the vision, is at the heart of the story-a heart that is gentle and kind but at a loss for what it truly wants. A very delightful story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Rachel Stansel · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun story. A little magic, a little love and a lot about trusting your heart and showing up for yourself. I think many women will relate to the feeling of giving and having nothing left for herself. Really enjoyed.

Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

[Mandie Miniken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love a good local romance read!! Rachel really paints a picture of life in a PNW seaside tourist small town. Everybody knows everybody’s business and they take care of each other! I was smitten with Henry yet rooting for Jakob as well!! This book definitely is going to have friends on my shelf with the author’s other books. This close-knit group was heartwarming to read about!!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sweet story was predictable, but I was so happy it turned out the way it did. I love this author and I love the way she fits in just a little bit of magical realism. The perfect novel for those of us who love happy endings. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another winner from Rachel Linden! Combine a likeable down on her luck chocolatier, a little magic, and multiple handsome men, and you get a cozy, sweet story that you can't stop reading!

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for the ARC!

[JXR · Rating 5 out of 5]

gorgeously tantalizing and effective book with amazing plotting and two very fun love interest options. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

[Briana Gagnon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the frenchie and how sweet this book was

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book I've read by Rachel Linden, and I really enjoyed it. Emmie Wynne is a struggling chocolatier who is offered a vision of her future, although she realizes it might not be exactly what she wants. Emmie has returned home from France to help her mother run their struggling candy store, while her father was sick with cancer. She has a vision of food star, Henry Summers, down on one knee. When he walks into their store and reveals that he's staying in town for the summer, she might be able to make that vision come true. However, she's also rekindling her friendship with Jakob, her best friend from high school. These connections make her wonder where her true purpose and destiny lie.

Another enjoyable story by Rachel Linden with a bit of magic in it.

Thanks to @berkley, @netgalley, and the author for this arc.

[Heidi caffeinated_daily reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love Rachel Linden’s books and this one did not disappoint.

Emmie is a single mom helping out at her family’s candy shop, even though her dreams are a bit bigger. She’s a Paris-trained chocolatier and chocolate is truly her passion. Of course, like many of Rachel’s stories, there’s also a touch of magic in this family. Emmie just hasn’t experienced it yet until her birthday changes things.

I did figure out the reality behind her visions fairly early on, but honestly that didn’t take away from the story for me. I always love Rachel’s writing, her characters, and the Pacific Northwest settings she brings to life.

The little bit of magic woven into the story keeps things fun and hopeful. A sweet and cozy read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.