Baker's Dozen

by Allison Fuller

Baker's Dozen is an erotic romance set in New York City.

If the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach, she’d be married by now – but on the cusp of thirty, Victoria Mason is still single.

She tells herself she has everything she needs – a thriving bakery, a wonderful son, great friends. A good life. But she watches through the pass-through of her kitchen every morning as customers come and go, waiting for that one particular face to wander in. Mr. 8:15, Gavin Bailey, dark roast with room and a mini pie to-go as he flirts with the girl behind the counter. He’s a bright spot in a life that has become increasingly monotonous.

She knows nothing about him beyond his easy smile and his usual order, but that’s about to change. As the weather grows colder, her love life heats up, and while fall turns to winter in the Big Apple, Victoria discovers that Mr. 8:15 could be exactly what she needs to shake things up.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

360 pages, Paperback

Published May 21, 2016

About the author

Allison Fuller was raised in Minneapolis, MN, and now resides in New York City with her husband, Tim. She comes from a family of musicians, and credits their artistic influence for her early interest in creative pursuits - but the world should probably be thankful she chose writing instead of music. Somehow the family's good sense of pitch skipped her corner of their gene pool.

She spent much of her young and early adult life writing "for fun," and now at thirty years old, has decided to start writing "for real." Her debut novel Baker's Dozen was inspired by the city she calls home, and her abiding love of baked goods.

You can find her on Twitter at: @AFullerPress

Reviews

[abire · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I’ve been mad for you since the day I first laid eyes on you, Victoria. You take my breath away. Always.”

Yes, I still imagined Regina and Robin and no, I have no regrets!

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this book. (To be clear, I read the originally posted version of this novel, and have only re-read parts of the print edition, though I do own it, so this review technically refers to that earlier version). I'm not usually drawn in by this type of sweet, family-based story (though the really hot parts do seem more like me...:)), but this one just has a delicious charm that had me obsessively reading to the end. I even started getting enthused about baking and trying out lots of new receipes on my family while I was reading this. The characters are so genuine and relatable, and the growing relationship is so real and beautiful, I just can't see enough good about this book. Even the New York setting is wonderfully rendered and makes you feel you've been walking those streets and riding the subway. The only reason I give the book 4 stars instead of 5, is that I feel the overall story arc and climax weren't quite as well paced and planned out as they might be. I wanted a little more conflict that was integral to the relationship and a clearer crisis point and resolution. That said, the world the author creates is just so wonderful, you don't mind just spending time with these people, whatever they're doing.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's so much to love about this story. It's an adorably sweet romance set in New York City during my favorite three months of the year (October, November, and December). The main characters, Victoria and Gavin, are relatable, and well fleshed out. There's an entertaining set of secondary characters who interact with the main characters perfectly. The sex scenes are written in detail, but they're done in a way that makes them realistic rather than vulgar. There's a perfect amount of family fluff and romance fluff. The frequent mention of baked good constantly made me want to go eat a mini pie (still deciding if that's a good aspect or a bad one lol).

I absolutely fell in love with this story when I first read it as Regina Mills and Robin Locksley's romance, and I loved it just as much as Victoria Mason and Gavin Bailey's romance. I just want to read it over and over again.

[Laura Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one addictive read.

You know that feeling when you walk into a new bakery/coffee shop, and the alluring scents immediately alert you to the fact that you just made the right decision by walking in the door? That's how I'd describe Allison Fuller's debut novel.

Dive in. Give it a read. And realize you've just made a great decision.

This story is touching, humorous and written by someone who understands real, flawed people trying to navigate this world of ours and what happens when they finally meet someone who turns their existence upside down in all the right ways. It's funny, sweet, and incredibly hot.

Keep this writer on your radar. She's going places.

[Weronika Stachura · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book/fan fiction I have ever read in my fanfic reader career. I read the first version with R&R as well as with V&G and it's still THE BEST. It's so emotional and filled with love I couldn't have read it without a wide smile on my face. Kudos to the author and her ideas ❤️
I recommend Baker's Dozen as well as other fanfic written by her.
5/5 from me

[Zoe Keller (zoesbooksession) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it as a fic and as a stand alone novel! Thank you for publishing this!

[Yuval · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never would've guessed I'd love it as much as I do!

[Kerstin · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I come in there every morning because the food is good, yes, but more so because I hope I might catch a glimpse of you." (p. 24)

"Baker's Dozen" habe ich zum ersten Mal gelesen (und geliebt), als es noch eine Fanfiction zu einer bekannten Fernsehserie war. Zuerst haben mich die bekannten Charaktere angelockt, aber geblieben bin ich aufgrund des guten Schreibstils, der schönen Geschichte und der tollen Entwicklung der Charaktere in diesem alternativen Universum. Es war eine schöne, lockere, aber nicht seichte Liebesgeschichte, bei der aber auch die Familie und Freundschaft nicht zu kurz kam.

Als die Autorin also bekannt gegeben hat, dass sie die Geschichte als Buch veröffentlichen möchte, stand für mich schnell fest, dass ich es kaufen würde - auch, weil ich sehen wollte, ob "Baker's Dozen" als eigenständige Arbeit funktionieren kann.
Meiner Meinung nach tut es das. Zwar hatte ich die ganze Zeit die ursprünglichen Charaktere vor Augen, aber das ist ja nicht schlimm; jemand, der die Serie nicht kennt, wird keinerlei Probleme haben, der Handlung zu folgen und die Protagonisten ins Herz zu schließen. Victoria ist eine starke, selbstbewusste Frau, die ihre kleinere Bäckerei leitet und ihren Sohn mehr oder weniger alleine groß zieht. Sie hat Stärken, sie hat klare Schwächen, sie wirkt menschlich und wie aus dem Leben gegriffen. Das gleiche kann über Gavin und die Nebencharaktere gesagt werden, doch da wir die Geschichte aus Victorias Perspektive erleben, lernt man über ihre Probleme und Sorgen mehr. Dennoch bleiben die anderen Figuren keineswegs blass.

Die Darstellung der Liebesgeschichte hat mir ebenfalls gut gefallen. Die Handlung spielt innerhalb von dreizehn Wochen, beginnend bei dem ersten richtigen Kontakt der Protagonisten, und der Leser bekommt zu sehen, wie aus einer kleinen Schwärmerei Anziehung und dann langsam Liebe wird. Dabei war die Mischung aus süßen, romantischen Momenten und Sexszenen für mich gelungen und letztere waren geschmackvoll geschrieben.
Besonders gut fand ich, dass es keine wirklichen Dramen gab. Die beiden streiten und es gibt Konflikte, aber keine hochdramatischen Hindernisse, sondern Probleme, die jeder haben kann - Krankheit, Stress bei der Arbeit, Fehlkommunikation und teilweise auch Gedankenlosigkeit. Das alles war meiner Meinung nach sehr realistisch und lebensnah.

Was mir an "Baker's Dozen" auch gefällt, ist die große Bedeutung, die der Familie der Protagonisten zukommt. Die Kinder der beiden spielen eine wichtige Rolle und die Familienmomente sind ein schöner Bestandteil der Geschichte.
Die Szenen, in denen Victoria bäckt, haben dagegen das ein oder andere Mal ein Hungergefühl bei mir ausgelöst ;)

FAZIT
"Baker's Dozen" ist eine schöne, lebensnahe Liebesgeschichte, der die Mischung aus Romanze, Erotik und Familiengeschichte gut gelingt. Ich kann das Buch für einen entspannten Lesenachmittag empfehlen.

[Emma Thingsted · Rating 5 out of 5]

Preaching to the choir of good reviews for this book. I love this story so much. The chemistry between Victoria (ahem, Robin) and Victoria (Regina) was perfect! Atticus and Ben were perfect little angels, the characters around Victoria fleshed out and detailed. The whole baking thing was wonderfully described, and made me quite hungry! And last but certainly not least.... the sex scenes.. Le sigh. The sex scenes between Victoria and Gavin were steamy, sweet and perfect! A wonderful book I’ll read over and over again.

[Kyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not usually a fan of romance novels - I find them boring, predictable, and generally poorly written - but this debut novel is the exception and is absolutely fantastic. I loved the book from start to finish and highly recommend it, even if you're not usually a fan of the genre. I also recommend stocking up on some pastries from your favourite bakery because you will definitely find a craving or two between these pages.

[Rachel Mumper · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a debut novel, I am impressed. Incredibly so. From the beginning of the book, till the end... I was definitely engaged; and quite invested in each character- which is a hard feat to accomplish, particularly with a book of this genre.

Can't wait to see what else Ms. Fuller may have in store for us!

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a cute story. Would I have read it if I didn't know who the characters were supposed to be? I don't know. Probably not. But, it held my attention throughout most of it (it did drag a bit near the end), and the character development was realistic.

[Karine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just the perfect fall / winter reading, it made me feel all happy and ready to enjoy the colder months. The main characters are so relatable and lovable, and the writing is on point.

[Lior Peer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still love this book so so so much!

[Lucía · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the book equivalent to comfort food for me. My comfort book? It’s warm and cozy and an enjoyable read. I read the original quite a couple of years ago and thought it was time for a reread. My only complaint is that I would have liked a little bit more conflict but I suppose that would defeat the point of a comfort book. Might have to make it a tradition and read it every year during the holiday season.

[Lodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know I do not read het romance EVER but... I'll read ANYTHING Allison Fuller writes. She is a wonderful, wonderful writer.

This story is beautiful and you have to fall in love with the characters, all of them, but especially Victoria *inserts heart smileys*. Baker's Dozen will make you want to eat mini pies while visiting NYC and well, that's not bad either.

[Nancy H · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute romance that involves two people who are attracted to each other, even though they seem very different: he is a college professor and she owns a bakery. Their attraction seems to be going in the right direction, but they have to take into account that they each have a son and that might complicate things. This is a good romance with a little more depth than the usual ones.

[Nina (Nesta's Version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as an OutlawQueen fanfiction in 2015/2016 and I loved it so much. The fanfiction gets 5 Stars. The book tho ... since you do not know the characters very well unless you watched OUAT you cannot really connect to them. The book gets 2 Stars.

[carolina · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my favorite books ever!! inspired by my fave couple ❤️❤️

[sophie gartenstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

read the fic the fic is a book so i read the book god bless

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allison Fuller's debut novel is refreshingly relatable, deliciously delectable, and an absolute pleasure to read. A story about love and self-discovery in New York, Baker's Dozen is more than your average romantic novel. This story has heart, and warmth, and a realness to it that's so palpable, you'll find yourself looking for the Forbidden Fruit bakery, Victoria Mason and Gavin Bailey (good God those dimples) whenever you walk down the streets of New York (I did). I gobbled up every charming morsel, hung onto ever swoon-worthy moment, and let out a pterodactyl noise when I got to the last page and there wasn't more. Fuller is definitely an up and coming author to watch, and I can't wait to see what world and characters she introduces to all of us next.

P.S. It is positively sinful how often this book made me crave cappuccinos, pear and ricotta mini pies and Nutella croissants.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pies, pastries, and realistic romance abound in Allison Fuller's debut novel. Don't read while hungry, or you'll find yourself buying every baked good you can get your hands on (though that's not necessarily a bad thing).

I loved the depiction of non-traditional romance -- that is, the story involved children, exes, roommates and more, making it a more relatable, realistic story that resonated with me more.