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Hedge Witches Lonely Hearts Club #1
Shortbread and Shadows
Hedge Witches Lonely Hearts Club: Book One
When a coven of hedge witches casts a spell for their hearts’ desires, the world turns upside down.
Bartholomew Baker is afraid to hope for his heart’s true desire—the gregarious woodworker who sells his wares next to Bartholomew at the local craft fairs—so he writes the spell for his baking business to thrive and allow him to quit his office job. He’d rather pour his energy into emotionally gratifying pastry! But the magic won’t allow him to lie, even to himself, and the spellcasting has unexpected consequences.
For two years Lachlan has been flirting with Bartholomew, but the shy baker with the beautiful gray eyes runs away whenever their conversation turns personal. He’s about to give up hope… and then Bartholomew rushes into a convention in the midst of a spellcasting disaster of epic proportions.
Suddenly everybody wants a taste of Bartholomew’s baked goods—and Bartholomew himself. Lachlan gladly jumps on for the ride, enduring rioting crowds and supernatural birds for a chance with Bartholomew. Can Bartholomew overcome the shyness that has kept him from giving his heart to Lachlan?
When a coven of hedge witches casts a spell for their hearts’ desires, the world turns upside down.
Bartholomew Baker is afraid to hope for his heart’s true desire—the gregarious woodworker who sells his wares next to Bartholomew at the local craft fairs—so he writes the spell for his baking business to thrive and allow him to quit his office job. He’d rather pour his energy into emotionally gratifying pastry! But the magic won’t allow him to lie, even to himself, and the spellcasting has unexpected consequences.
For two years Lachlan has been flirting with Bartholomew, but the shy baker with the beautiful gray eyes runs away whenever their conversation turns personal. He’s about to give up hope… and then Bartholomew rushes into a convention in the midst of a spellcasting disaster of epic proportions.
Suddenly everybody wants a taste of Bartholomew’s baked goods—and Bartholomew himself. Lachlan gladly jumps on for the ride, enduring rioting crowds and supernatural birds for a chance with Bartholomew. Can Bartholomew overcome the shyness that has kept him from giving his heart to Lachlan?
222 pages, Paperback
First published July 21, 2020
About the author
Amy Lane
176 books3,343 followersAmy Lane dodges an EDJ, mothers four children, and writes the occasional book. She, her brood, and her beloved mate, Mack, live in a crumbling mortgage in Citrus Heights, California, which is riddled with spiders, cats, and more than its share of fancy and weirdness. Feel free to visit her at www.greenshill.com orwww.writerslane.blogspot.com, where she will ride the buzz of receiving your e-mail until her head swells and she can no longer leave the house.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
March 12, 2022
It's been quiet some time since I have read a story this beautifully sweet, with just the right touch of bitter past and current troubles. There are some big things left hanging at the end, but the reader knows exactly the state of the relationship between Bartholomew and Lachian. I have the 2nd book in the series and hope the other characters get their "Happy Ever After" in the other books. The setting being around Halloween, at a convention full of costumes and witches with the spellcasting gone awry would make it a perfect Halloween read. Of course I read it in the middle of March with snow covering the ground:) Amy Lane is one of my favorite writers of M/M romances and I have found that her books are a perfect read for anytime of the year!
July 14, 2020
It seemed promising, but I felt like I was thrown into a story without really understanding what was going on. I like the magic and witches, and it was interesting in how they made potions and such, more real then usual fantasy. But I just didn't get why Lachlan and Bartholomew liked each other besides physical attraction. The spell going wrong pushed them together into full on love within a day, and so much was happening at once I got lost and lost interest pretty fast. There was just nothing behind the relationship, to me, and it put me off them.
The only thing that would make me read more in the series is a curiosity about the two people that needed help at the end, which I assume will be the couple for the next book.
The only thing that would make me read more in the series is a curiosity about the two people that needed help at the end, which I assume will be the couple for the next book.
May 7, 2022
3.5 stars
July 21, 2020
You know, from the time I read the first book of Amy’s and I don’t remember which one….I think it was the Granby’s or Promise Rock series, but I fell in love. There’s just something about her characters that are so endearing. They are anywhere from clumsy to shy, brave to the ‘weakest link’ of the bunch. But they always have a strength you never expect. And more to them than meets the eye. And I love reading who’s next. And I’m waiting to see how this series is going to turn out, because this was a good start.
When Bartholomew, Barty for short, was with his friends, his coven, they decided to make a spell to get basically what they want in life. The problem is, something went wrong with the spell when instead of what they want coming out, it was what their true heart desires. And Barty was mortified, because his heart wanted Lachlan. But he was positive Lachlan would never see anything in a shy nerd like him. But what he didn’t know is Lachlan did want him and has been trying to get his attention for a year and a half. And was about to give up. But somehow this spell not only caused them to spit out their heart’s desire, but it caused Barty to add a special ingredient in his baking, and for the rest of the world to seem mad. Animals doing things they shouldn’t and his own friends having issues they were trying to figure out how to fix. As they each try to figure out how to fix this spell, they realize they need special things and Barty needs to fix something on his own. And he does, and he hopes it will allow him to keep his heart’s desire as well as be able to stay with his coven.
Barty is one of those characters you want to wrap in a hug and never let go of. He just screams ‘hug me’ and you can’t help but fall in love with him. Especially knowing how his parents are...grrr. But he also has this clumsy, goofy, shy way about him, that makes him so endearing. And I love that he has close friends that are his family that take care of him and protect him. But now that this spell has Barty needing to tell the truth, he has Lachlan as well. It’s hard for him to accept at first that someone as beautiful as Lachlan could want him, but that voice in his head that is his father….grrr...keeps Barty from believing in anything good for himself. And I love that Lachlan is doing everything he can to prove to Barty how true his interest is and how he’s in for the long haul. And how special he really is. If it takes him everyday for the rest of his life, Lachlan wants Barty to realize how truly magnificent he is by just being himself. He does so many little things that even his friends don’t realize he’s doing, just trying to make sure that everyone is happy. And Lachlan is going to make sure Barty gets that back tenfold. Anyway he has to.
This is such a sweet romance. It has some funny moments, some weird moments that make you want to go what the heck, but it’s all about friends and love and family. The family you make, not the one you’re born with. But even then, Barty has another family with Lachlan’s family so that makes it even better. They are beautifully flawed characters that make your heart sing and I can’t wait to see who is next.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
When Bartholomew, Barty for short, was with his friends, his coven, they decided to make a spell to get basically what they want in life. The problem is, something went wrong with the spell when instead of what they want coming out, it was what their true heart desires. And Barty was mortified, because his heart wanted Lachlan. But he was positive Lachlan would never see anything in a shy nerd like him. But what he didn’t know is Lachlan did want him and has been trying to get his attention for a year and a half. And was about to give up. But somehow this spell not only caused them to spit out their heart’s desire, but it caused Barty to add a special ingredient in his baking, and for the rest of the world to seem mad. Animals doing things they shouldn’t and his own friends having issues they were trying to figure out how to fix. As they each try to figure out how to fix this spell, they realize they need special things and Barty needs to fix something on his own. And he does, and he hopes it will allow him to keep his heart’s desire as well as be able to stay with his coven.
Barty is one of those characters you want to wrap in a hug and never let go of. He just screams ‘hug me’ and you can’t help but fall in love with him. Especially knowing how his parents are...grrr. But he also has this clumsy, goofy, shy way about him, that makes him so endearing. And I love that he has close friends that are his family that take care of him and protect him. But now that this spell has Barty needing to tell the truth, he has Lachlan as well. It’s hard for him to accept at first that someone as beautiful as Lachlan could want him, but that voice in his head that is his father….grrr...keeps Barty from believing in anything good for himself. And I love that Lachlan is doing everything he can to prove to Barty how true his interest is and how he’s in for the long haul. And how special he really is. If it takes him everyday for the rest of his life, Lachlan wants Barty to realize how truly magnificent he is by just being himself. He does so many little things that even his friends don’t realize he’s doing, just trying to make sure that everyone is happy. And Lachlan is going to make sure Barty gets that back tenfold. Anyway he has to.
This is such a sweet romance. It has some funny moments, some weird moments that make you want to go what the heck, but it’s all about friends and love and family. The family you make, not the one you’re born with. But even then, Barty has another family with Lachlan’s family so that makes it even better. They are beautifully flawed characters that make your heart sing and I can’t wait to see who is next.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
July 20, 2021
Amy Lane is like a failsafe for me. That being said, this book actually confused me for a whole better part. It was frenetic and just a little all over the place, thrashing about with no anchor.
It starts off with a whole chunk missing, which I suspect would have made the story make sense more, and because of that seemingly missing chunk, I had to pause, rewind and reread, and yet at certain points, I was still just that little bit confused. Don't get me wrong, the writing was amazing as always, with the wittiness and smart banter one expects from an Amy Lane read, but the story didn't quite make sense here and there, and I was left feeling underfed at times.
With that being said though, the strength of this, like any other of her books, are the characters, even right down to the secondary ones, who I EXPECT will get their own stories. The characters are colored in and fleshed out into believable and dimensional beings, that one might just find hanging out around one's neighbourhood.
As for the MCs, I did like Bartholomew and Lachlan, but they were actually not my favourite Amy Lane MCs. I just thought that they needed just that little bit more stewing and minutes in the oven before I can truly fall in love with them and place them in to my pantheon of favourite Amy Lane characters. I did enjoy the chemistry and ease with which they project, and even though we were not intorduced as to how they met, and with the absurd way they actually got together, their coupling felt comfortably right, if at times a little unreal.
I am being generous though, to rate it at a 4 star, because it did hit that particular sweet spot for me, and despite the energy of this book going way off the charts for me to be able to wrangle and make sense without getting whiplash, I actually did like the frenetic pace of it, having the entire story covered in a span of a weekend.
I will definitely be continuing on with this series, as the secondary cast of characters have so much potential for their stories to be amazing, and I am particularly waiting with bated breath for Dante's and Cully's story.
It starts off with a whole chunk missing, which I suspect would have made the story make sense more, and because of that seemingly missing chunk, I had to pause, rewind and reread, and yet at certain points, I was still just that little bit confused. Don't get me wrong, the writing was amazing as always, with the wittiness and smart banter one expects from an Amy Lane read, but the story didn't quite make sense here and there, and I was left feeling underfed at times.
With that being said though, the strength of this, like any other of her books, are the characters, even right down to the secondary ones, who I EXPECT will get their own stories. The characters are colored in and fleshed out into believable and dimensional beings, that one might just find hanging out around one's neighbourhood.
As for the MCs, I did like Bartholomew and Lachlan, but they were actually not my favourite Amy Lane MCs. I just thought that they needed just that little bit more stewing and minutes in the oven before I can truly fall in love with them and place them in to my pantheon of favourite Amy Lane characters. I did enjoy the chemistry and ease with which they project, and even though we were not intorduced as to how they met, and with the absurd way they actually got together, their coupling felt comfortably right, if at times a little unreal.
I am being generous though, to rate it at a 4 star, because it did hit that particular sweet spot for me, and despite the energy of this book going way off the charts for me to be able to wrangle and make sense without getting whiplash, I actually did like the frenetic pace of it, having the entire story covered in a span of a weekend.
I will definitely be continuing on with this series, as the secondary cast of characters have so much potential for their stories to be amazing, and I am particularly waiting with bated breath for Dante's and Cully's story.
November 2, 2021
super cute little story. Loved the characters and the storyline. There were a few times i felt like i was missing something about the story, like maybe there had been other stories set in this town/family/characters etc. But, overall i liked it. I hope the next book goes into how they discovered their magic a little more.
July 24, 2020
Batholomew and Lachlan are the stars of this story... and I liked them very much. They have known each other for sometime, each crushing on the other, but neither willing to put themselves out and risk rejection. They are frequently next door to each other at conventions, Lachlan selling woodworking items, Batholomew selling baked goods. What Lachlan doesn't know is that Bartholomew is Wiccan, and a spell gone wrong is the catalyst to bring them together.
Ok. So I liked aspects of this story, I liked the group of friends who come together to practice magic. I liked the sense of family this creates for Bartholomew since his family is icky. I liked Lachlan and his strong bond with his family. I liked that each man is a craftsperson, and I feel like their creativity will mesh well as their relationship progresses. But I feel like I missed something at the beginning of the story, like there was a book before it that had some back story and character development. I was kinda lost, and had to back up and reread parts because I was confused. The story felt a little rushed to me, and I had a hard time feeling a connection to the characters.
So I struggled to find the depth I like to see in Amy's books, even her lighter stories... I feel bad that I didn't love it, since she did the sweetest thing ever and based two side characters on me and my husband. I was over the moon about that and I am disappointed in myself because I didn't like this one as much as I had hoped. I will certainly read the next books in the series, now that I have these guys in my head maybe I'll be set up for the next one. I am intrigued by the other witches and I'm curious to see how this all works out.
If you are looking for a fast-paced book about a group of witches, some goofy animals, lots of baked goods, and a touch of insta-love, give this one a try. Keep an eye out for the Seahawks loving Tori and Dave!
Ok, so I'm editing this review to add a thought... I totally felt like the beginning of this book was missing, and I wasn't sure what was going on. Amy shared the first two chapters that WERE CUT FROM THE BOOK!! They are for her Patreon patrons, I just read them and it's exactly what I found was missing from the book. Now I know who these guys are and what happened right before the story started. Not sure it was the best call to leave that out... my original rating was three stars, but after rading that little bit of back story, I'm going up to four stars. I get the relationship between these friends now, and I understand their living situation better.
Ok. So I liked aspects of this story, I liked the group of friends who come together to practice magic. I liked the sense of family this creates for Bartholomew since his family is icky. I liked Lachlan and his strong bond with his family. I liked that each man is a craftsperson, and I feel like their creativity will mesh well as their relationship progresses. But I feel like I missed something at the beginning of the story, like there was a book before it that had some back story and character development. I was kinda lost, and had to back up and reread parts because I was confused. The story felt a little rushed to me, and I had a hard time feeling a connection to the characters.
So I struggled to find the depth I like to see in Amy's books, even her lighter stories... I feel bad that I didn't love it, since she did the sweetest thing ever and based two side characters on me and my husband. I was over the moon about that and I am disappointed in myself because I didn't like this one as much as I had hoped. I will certainly read the next books in the series, now that I have these guys in my head maybe I'll be set up for the next one. I am intrigued by the other witches and I'm curious to see how this all works out.
If you are looking for a fast-paced book about a group of witches, some goofy animals, lots of baked goods, and a touch of insta-love, give this one a try. Keep an eye out for the Seahawks loving Tori and Dave!
Ok, so I'm editing this review to add a thought... I totally felt like the beginning of this book was missing, and I wasn't sure what was going on. Amy shared the first two chapters that WERE CUT FROM THE BOOK!! They are for her Patreon patrons, I just read them and it's exactly what I found was missing from the book. Now I know who these guys are and what happened right before the story started. Not sure it was the best call to leave that out... my original rating was three stars, but after rading that little bit of back story, I'm going up to four stars. I get the relationship between these friends now, and I understand their living situation better.
March 11, 2021
Don't muck around with magic because it just might muck around with you - that's how this fairly 'heavy on the sweetness and light' romance begins. The MCs Tolly and Lachlan are part of a larger group of craftsfolk who also just so happen to possess paranormal powers, talents and skills; there's oodles of baking, woodworking, spell casting and magical mayhem all round to entertain and delight. Several plot-lines involving other secondary characters remain up in the air by books' end ... pointing to subsequent titles in the series no doubt.
July 25, 2020
I think Amy Lane can write the telephone book, and I like how her write always. But this time I didn't understand very from the start. Bartholomew and Lachlan are cute together but the story was confusing a lot.
August 3, 2021
Two and a half stars, rounded up. I never really warmed up to the story, and the OTT antics of all the amateur witches were more annoying than anything. Still, there were some redeeming qualities, and I would read the next book in the series.
July 19, 2020
What I Think: This tale already has me hooked from page 1 and I can't wait to see the good and bad devastation that ensues. Bart is gorgeous then I find out that his secret crush is also big and even broader. Ah! You know my love of size. Magic of epic proportions goes off because people, as usual, can't be true to themselves and now Bart and his friends are scurrying to mend things. Not only are Bart and I shocked that Lach doesn't blink an eye over magics, but the nickname Tolly has to be the sweetest thing ever. I awwed so bad I put my forehead on my bed just to recover from the heart clutch. But I have to say I just might have done the same thing because it gets harder and harder to put your heart out there in a world like ours but I'm too impatient to wait as long as Lach and Tolly have done. I don't know who deserves my first smack because I'm also being distracted by the weirdest magic influences ever which have me vacillating between laughter and horror. The results would be a total nightmare for me but at the same time, I can't stop laughing at the utter ridiculous yet realness of it. Only for that to be eclipsed by pure sugar as these 2 start coming straight to each other and please, can I smack them both again? They've got to be masochists to fall in love at the same time which feels (to me) like decades ago and they need the magic world to come undone to get to it? Double smack with great feeling. My respect for Lach rises in spades though when he says something that the world is beginning to see, albeit slowly (hopefully). A lady wearing a mini skirt or spaghetti top with bra straps showing is not an invitation to be harassed. Isn't it about time we actually started raising men like Lach who know this, instead of teaching our daughters to hide their bodies which shames them without knowing and gives them all sorts of body issues? Then Tolly lays down the difference between fanatics and believers that say exactly what I think on the matter. This tale doesn't only make me feel like magic is truly alive and in all of us, but makes me feel it's as common as common sense if we could only trust our hearts to feel it. And then comes the casting. It's detailed in a way that actually made me consider trying it if I wasn't too lazy. It's true in a way that makes the heart ache. And oh goddess, how can the right dirty word in the right sweet place cause so much heat? And yet, Mme. Amy knows just how to insert darkness into a tale that could have just been pure cotton candy but instead becomes so serious it's scary. And you know how Africans are. We take our juju very seriously so I'm quite unnerved. 2 thirds into the novel and I pray to the goddess that we get the tales of all the others in the coven because I want them so bad! Then, when I thought I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, Lachlan's parents' reaction to his witch boyfriend killed me with laughter, only for me to sober at the same time his dad did when he realized that Tolly had some not so good history and I realized that so many LGBTQ kids will never know what it's like to have parents who truly love you unconditionally. That the boy can still want to spread so much love and joy is a testament to how much love he truly has in his heart. While I'm not withdrawing my double smacks, it makes sense that things took time between these two. It's like it had to happen under the right circumstances, showing that even mistakes can be the right decisions. All this ends in a flurry of a blistering end!
Verdict? A comfort keeper of a tale to remind you to dream, no matter how big because intentions are pure magic!
Verdict? A comfort keeper of a tale to remind you to dream, no matter how big because intentions are pure magic!
July 21, 2020
My first thought when I began this book was that it began too quickly for me. I felt slightly lost as to who I was reading about and having not heard the backstory I wasn't sure how to follow the story. Had this not been written by the fabulous Amy Lane I might have considered setting it aside for a later read. I'm very glad I did not! By the time I finished I had fallen in love with these characters and their antics. Bartholomew is struggling to find a way to do what he really wants to do full time and that is cook food that makes people happy. He's been lusting in his heart for Lachlan for a long while now but thinks he has no chance. What he doesn't know is that Lachlan wants him as well. The road to their relationship is filled with humorous mistakes made by untrained witches not fully aware of their powers, overbearing parents who seem to value themselves over love of Tolly, now you see them and now you don't friends, shortbread and of course love. This is a great introduction to a new series and I assure you I will definitely be back for book two!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 1, 2020
I have read a fair few novels with magic systems, including romances. I've never read one this beautifully sweet, with just the right touch of bitter past and current trouble to make the first sex scene far, far above average. If you knew how rarely I read them carefully anymore, you'd be amazed at how I absorbed ever word of this one, crying through most of it.
Words have power, readers know it well. This writer brought her A game to this story. Amazing.
Words have power, readers know it well. This writer brought her A game to this story. Amazing.
September 26, 2021
What a strange book.
Barty is part of a small coven who enact a spell which goes wrong.
Strange things happen but this is all on the background as it Barty's romance which is front and centre.
Perhaps the strange events and the disappearance of Barty's friends will be resolved in book 2.
July 18, 2020
First, a disclaimer. I’m not a believer in wicca, nor do I believe that people can cast magic spells that actually affect the real world. I do like a good fantasy tale, though. And I loved this newest story from Amy Lane, the author who effortlessly shifts from dramatic angst in one book to a fluffy tale of young witches figuring out life together in the next.
Bartholomew “Barty” Baker is a shy young man with a day job in the IT field. His true vocation and love is baking, and toward that end he sells his wares at craft fairs and conventions. Barty’s best friends and neighbors all support his dream – and are all members of their cul-de-sac coven. For some time Barty has yearned for another craft fair regular, woodworker Lachlan.
A misdirected spell leads to hordes of people being drawn to Barty, for more than a taste of his sweet treats. A spectacular escape from a craft fair engineered by Lachlan leads to our main characters discovering their mutual affection for one another. There’s so much more, not least of which that the misdirected spell continues to wreak havoc in the cul-de-sac.
This book is a feel-good story that left me sighing with escapist pleasure; and it’s the first in the Hedge Witches Lonely Hearts Club series. I’m eagerly looking forward to the next one.
Bartholomew “Barty” Baker is a shy young man with a day job in the IT field. His true vocation and love is baking, and toward that end he sells his wares at craft fairs and conventions. Barty’s best friends and neighbors all support his dream – and are all members of their cul-de-sac coven. For some time Barty has yearned for another craft fair regular, woodworker Lachlan.
A misdirected spell leads to hordes of people being drawn to Barty, for more than a taste of his sweet treats. A spectacular escape from a craft fair engineered by Lachlan leads to our main characters discovering their mutual affection for one another. There’s so much more, not least of which that the misdirected spell continues to wreak havoc in the cul-de-sac.
This book is a feel-good story that left me sighing with escapist pleasure; and it’s the first in the Hedge Witches Lonely Hearts Club series. I’m eagerly looking forward to the next one.
August 6, 2021
Definitely a cute book
Definitely a story worth reading. I was sucked in pretty quick but wish there was more on the coven which I’m sure I’ll get in the next book. Loved the characters and can’t wait to read more!
Definitely a story worth reading. I was sucked in pretty quick but wish there was more on the coven which I’m sure I’ll get in the next book. Loved the characters and can’t wait to read more!
July 21, 2020
Full of magic and wonderful family - found and born - this book is on the lighter side of Amy Lane. It was a great introduction to the series: I really liked the characters and set up for future books. I can’t wait for Tolly’s dream to come true.
August 14, 2020
3.5 stars
I've been a fan of Amy Lane for years, but I have to admit that her stories tend to be hit or miss with me. I thought this one was going to be a miss, especially at the beginning. Simply put, it didn't hook me. Which is strange, because the basic plot is interesting.
In general, I don't like when books drop me into the middle of something. I often feel, like I did with this book, that I'm playing catch-up with the plot. It also means that things are happening to the main characters when I don't have a connection with those characters yet. It was my lack of connection with Bartholomew and Lachlan that bothered me most.
I did finish the book, and eventually I developed that connection with the men. But it took a long time. Like, more than half the book. Because I couldn't understand why Bartholomew was acting the way he was. The blurb calls him shy, and that's an understatement. He doesn't feel like a typical 27 year old. When his backstory came out, it all made sense, and allowed me to understand why he was the way he was.
Both Lachlan and Bartholomew were good characters. Their romance had this feeling of inevitability to it. It made the book feel like a novella. And I mean that in a good way. Things were relatively easy for them, both with their romance and solving Bartholomew's magic problems. Lachlan even accepted Bartholomew's magic like it was no big thing. Low angst, smooth sailing, and hot smut. Once I clicked with the men, the rest of the book was a pleasant read.
As the first in a series, this book did a good job of setting things up for future romances. I'm especially excited for Dante and Cully's story. I also hope the coven gets explained more. It, and the magic they performed, felt very slapdash. Even the backstory of how they're all neighbors and discovered magic feels, well, more than a little ridiculous.
Weirdly enough, this wasn't the first MM romance novel I've read where someone accidentally bakes magic into their desserts and gives them out. And I have to admit, I liked A Beginner's Guide to Wooing Your Mate by R. Cooper better. But I'm still excited to read the next book in the Hedge Witches Lonely Hearts Club series. Not sure how long I'll have to wait, but I'm looking forward to it.
Find the original post, complete with list of likes and dislikes, at Love is Love Reviews
I've been a fan of Amy Lane for years, but I have to admit that her stories tend to be hit or miss with me. I thought this one was going to be a miss, especially at the beginning. Simply put, it didn't hook me. Which is strange, because the basic plot is interesting.
In general, I don't like when books drop me into the middle of something. I often feel, like I did with this book, that I'm playing catch-up with the plot. It also means that things are happening to the main characters when I don't have a connection with those characters yet. It was my lack of connection with Bartholomew and Lachlan that bothered me most.
I did finish the book, and eventually I developed that connection with the men. But it took a long time. Like, more than half the book. Because I couldn't understand why Bartholomew was acting the way he was. The blurb calls him shy, and that's an understatement. He doesn't feel like a typical 27 year old. When his backstory came out, it all made sense, and allowed me to understand why he was the way he was.
Both Lachlan and Bartholomew were good characters. Their romance had this feeling of inevitability to it. It made the book feel like a novella. And I mean that in a good way. Things were relatively easy for them, both with their romance and solving Bartholomew's magic problems. Lachlan even accepted Bartholomew's magic like it was no big thing. Low angst, smooth sailing, and hot smut. Once I clicked with the men, the rest of the book was a pleasant read.
As the first in a series, this book did a good job of setting things up for future romances. I'm especially excited for Dante and Cully's story. I also hope the coven gets explained more. It, and the magic they performed, felt very slapdash. Even the backstory of how they're all neighbors and discovered magic feels, well, more than a little ridiculous.
Weirdly enough, this wasn't the first MM romance novel I've read where someone accidentally bakes magic into their desserts and gives them out. And I have to admit, I liked A Beginner's Guide to Wooing Your Mate by R. Cooper better. But I'm still excited to read the next book in the Hedge Witches Lonely Hearts Club series. Not sure how long I'll have to wait, but I'm looking forward to it.
Find the original post, complete with list of likes and dislikes, at Love is Love Reviews
February 23, 2021
While I liked certain part of this book, I felt like the book begins at the middle of the story. Which left me confused at times.
The story begins with two MCs who were secretly pining for one another. This seems to be Ms. Lane comfort zone. Since many couple of hers started this way. While I liked the book overall, I do find some of the magic slightly confusing. As in they seems to be... making it up as they went and hope for the best. At the same time, I felt like I had no point of reference in the book, since it's the first of a series.
Despite my own issue with it, I still enjoy it. Ms. Lane books will either entertain you or crush your feelz like a walnut in a vice. This one is the entertaining one.
Since it's a series, there are certain plot point left to be solved later on.
Overall this is a 3.5 stars round up for me.
The story begins with two MCs who were secretly pining for one another. This seems to be Ms. Lane comfort zone. Since many couple of hers started this way. While I liked the book overall, I do find some of the magic slightly confusing. As in they seems to be... making it up as they went and hope for the best. At the same time, I felt like I had no point of reference in the book, since it's the first of a series.
Despite my own issue with it, I still enjoy it. Ms. Lane books will either entertain you or crush your feelz like a walnut in a vice. This one is the entertaining one.
Since it's a series, there are certain plot point left to be solved later on.
Overall this is a 3.5 stars round up for me.
July 21, 2020
Cute, whimsical, chaotic and creatively imaginative
All the perfect adjectives to describe this book. I really liked it. When I started it, I felt like I was starting in the middle of a story. It took me a bit to catch up and understand what was happening, but then I realized that was her intention. It definitely captured my attention and pulled me into the book immediately.
I’m not usually interested in witchcraft books but if anyone’s going to pull me in it’s going to be Amy. She is so creative in her plots and description that you can’t help but love it. Add in endearing characters like Bartholomew and Lachlan and you’ve got yourself a story that’s hard to put down.
It ended in a nice HFN but knowing where the next book will go and that I look forward to reading.
All the perfect adjectives to describe this book. I really liked it. When I started it, I felt like I was starting in the middle of a story. It took me a bit to catch up and understand what was happening, but then I realized that was her intention. It definitely captured my attention and pulled me into the book immediately.
I’m not usually interested in witchcraft books but if anyone’s going to pull me in it’s going to be Amy. She is so creative in her plots and description that you can’t help but love it. Add in endearing characters like Bartholomew and Lachlan and you’ve got yourself a story that’s hard to put down.
It ended in a nice HFN but knowing where the next book will go and that I look forward to reading.
September 20, 2022
A thoroughly enjoyable page-turner!
Engaging relatable characters, lots of action, magic running amuck, and a sweet sexy romance. What more do you want?
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes witchy romances with a side of beef. M/M I know I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Engaging relatable characters, lots of action, magic running amuck, and a sweet sexy romance. What more do you want?
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes witchy romances with a side of beef. M/M I know I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
July 23, 2020
What an unexpected gem! This was such a surprising read that took me to places I very much didn't expect. The story differs greatly from Amy Lane's typical angsty romances that I've read in the past. This book follows a group of modern-day witches whose most recent spell has gone terribly, terribly awry. What's fun about this is that some of the fallout of the spell has to do with Bartholomew's crush on Lachlan, the sexy woodworker whose booth is often next Bartholomew's at local fairs and conventions where they both sell their wares.
Bartholomew is one of the witches who cast the runaway spell. It's worth mentioning that he's so shy that he's never been able to bring himself to confess his feelings for Lachlan. As for the runaway spell, the witches all had to write down and then state their heart's desire aloud. The kicker is that for one reason for another, they ALL were lying (some to themselves) about what they really, truly wanted, and "magic" didn't seem too happy about that fact. Hence, it ripped out the "real" truth from all of them during the climax of the spell — and all manner of chaotic hijinks ensued. In fact, the beginning of this book read like a freight train running off the rails!
I loved the pining between Bartholomew and Lachlan. The sexual tension and energy between these two vibrates the pages. They also are real, complicated, and relatable human characters, which isn't surprising as Any Lane is a master of building characters that feel relatable.
I also enjoyed the structure of the magical world in this series. Although the witches are like everyday folks, feeling confused and unsure of themselves like the rest of us, they also have a great deal of power and ability, though they may not all realize it. It was this fact that especially endeared these characters to me. Lane deftly builds a world where magic feels both plausible and inevitable, and inserts this magical world seamlessly into our own.
This cosmic comedy of errors/romance had it all: a gripping plot, tender and funny moments, and some very steamy scenes. Shortbread and Shadows is a fun and light start to a new series, and this delightful, quirky, heartwarming romance will make you believe in love again. I found this to be an imaginative modern-day romance that's infused with the whimsy of magical realism.
I was not only submerged in the sweet and tender relationship - but page after page, I fell deeper into the richly imagined world. And though the story revolves around the witches and their unfortunate spell, at its core, this story is about love. So what we get then, is a sweet, achingly romantic, lighthearted, and gentle story as these two men slowly reveal their genuine feelings for the other. And did I mention steamy?? Oh my!
I loved this new quirky, heartwarming romance, and I cannot wait for the next installment. I look forward to seeing where this series is going to go next. If I could magically make it appear on my Kindle right now, I would!
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Bartholomew is one of the witches who cast the runaway spell. It's worth mentioning that he's so shy that he's never been able to bring himself to confess his feelings for Lachlan. As for the runaway spell, the witches all had to write down and then state their heart's desire aloud. The kicker is that for one reason for another, they ALL were lying (some to themselves) about what they really, truly wanted, and "magic" didn't seem too happy about that fact. Hence, it ripped out the "real" truth from all of them during the climax of the spell — and all manner of chaotic hijinks ensued. In fact, the beginning of this book read like a freight train running off the rails!
I loved the pining between Bartholomew and Lachlan. The sexual tension and energy between these two vibrates the pages. They also are real, complicated, and relatable human characters, which isn't surprising as Any Lane is a master of building characters that feel relatable.
I also enjoyed the structure of the magical world in this series. Although the witches are like everyday folks, feeling confused and unsure of themselves like the rest of us, they also have a great deal of power and ability, though they may not all realize it. It was this fact that especially endeared these characters to me. Lane deftly builds a world where magic feels both plausible and inevitable, and inserts this magical world seamlessly into our own.
This cosmic comedy of errors/romance had it all: a gripping plot, tender and funny moments, and some very steamy scenes. Shortbread and Shadows is a fun and light start to a new series, and this delightful, quirky, heartwarming romance will make you believe in love again. I found this to be an imaginative modern-day romance that's infused with the whimsy of magical realism.
I was not only submerged in the sweet and tender relationship - but page after page, I fell deeper into the richly imagined world. And though the story revolves around the witches and their unfortunate spell, at its core, this story is about love. So what we get then, is a sweet, achingly romantic, lighthearted, and gentle story as these two men slowly reveal their genuine feelings for the other. And did I mention steamy?? Oh my!
I loved this new quirky, heartwarming romance, and I cannot wait for the next installment. I look forward to seeing where this series is going to go next. If I could magically make it appear on my Kindle right now, I would!
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
July 21, 2020
Sweet read to a new series by Amy Lane.
This book is for fans of romance, and those that love angst free plot lines with a dash of drama thrown in.
Bartholemew is part of a coven of witches, who has an affinity for spell casting, and baking desserts that will leave your mouth watering for more.
Lachlan is a man who has an affinity for woodworking, and has stood next to Bartholemew for years, hoping to catch the eye of the shy baker.
When a seemingly innocent spell casting goes horribly wrong, it's up to the two men to work together to find a way to rectify the situation.
This delicious new start to a coven of witches who are pulled together by the bonds of friendship is the perfect summer read. It has a hesitant baker who's too nervous to make his attractions know to the handsome woodworker man who can't figure out why he's still fimrly put in the "coworker" zone. Friendships are at the center of this book, as well as what the consequences of a "little white lie" can do to affect the course of one's life.
If you're in the mood for a refreshing. light, easy angst-free read, this book is for you. Amy Lane writes characters we love, and want to know more about. She leaves the ending of the story open for book two, and will leave us craving more of this tasty story.
This book is for fans of romance, and those that love angst free plot lines with a dash of drama thrown in.
Bartholemew is part of a coven of witches, who has an affinity for spell casting, and baking desserts that will leave your mouth watering for more.
Lachlan is a man who has an affinity for woodworking, and has stood next to Bartholemew for years, hoping to catch the eye of the shy baker.
When a seemingly innocent spell casting goes horribly wrong, it's up to the two men to work together to find a way to rectify the situation.
This delicious new start to a coven of witches who are pulled together by the bonds of friendship is the perfect summer read. It has a hesitant baker who's too nervous to make his attractions know to the handsome woodworker man who can't figure out why he's still fimrly put in the "coworker" zone. Friendships are at the center of this book, as well as what the consequences of a "little white lie" can do to affect the course of one's life.
If you're in the mood for a refreshing. light, easy angst-free read, this book is for you. Amy Lane writes characters we love, and want to know more about. She leaves the ending of the story open for book two, and will leave us craving more of this tasty story.
July 21, 2020
I absolutely adored Shortbread and Shadows. Bartholomew and Lachlan were great together. They had been crushing on each other for so long that they actually moved past the rose-colored lenses part of infatuation to true interest in the other person including all their flaws. Barty’s coven (and I absolutely cannot wait for their stories!) did a spell at the beginning of the book that had … interesting consequences. I am pretty sure the entire rest of the series is going to be the coven and their romantic partners banding together to deal with those consequences. The great thing though is the spell is forcing them to be brave and look beneath the surface. Most importantly, these characters are learning to hope and to continue with their very best efforts in the face of great odds. It was wonderful to see characters supporting each other despite mistakes and both acknowledging and accepting each other’s flaws. Yes, the spell is forcing them to dig deep, but they are rising to the occasion. It is quite a likable group and a wonderfully unique and uplifting story. Definitely a book I will be rereading.
January 8, 2022
Very enjoyable start to a new series for me. I enjoyed getting to know Lachlan and wonderful, shy Bartholomew, as well as the important secondary characters that have their own books in the series. Initially, some of the background magical information was confusing to me, but that waned as the book went on.
I loved how both Lachlan and Bartholomew finally were courageous enough to face the deep feelings they held for the other. The fact that it was some seriously powerful magic that was the impetus for that courage made this book unique. One of my favorite parts of the book, however, was when we got to see Lachlan's parents. What an amazing couple.
I'm off to read the next book in the series, Portals and Puppy Dogs. I'm looking forward to getting to know Alex.
I loved how both Lachlan and Bartholomew finally were courageous enough to face the deep feelings they held for the other. The fact that it was some seriously powerful magic that was the impetus for that courage made this book unique. One of my favorite parts of the book, however, was when we got to see Lachlan's parents. What an amazing couple.
I'm off to read the next book in the series, Portals and Puppy Dogs. I'm looking forward to getting to know Alex.
July 22, 2020
This was a very sweet and magical romance. I loved Bartholomew and the friends who made up his coven. The magic was amazing, and I was impressed with the way Lachlan just accepted every witchy moment. The long awaited and yet in many ways instant love between Lachlan and his Tolly was wonderful to see. My heart turned to goo for these men.
The secondary characters were wonderful, with the exception of Tolly's parents. The cul de sac coven stole a piece of my heart, and Lachlan's family (in the bonus story) were everything Tolly needed them to be. I can't wait for the next installment of this fantastic tale. There are no doubts in my mind about this couple's HEA, but there are other story threads begging for resolution. With this group of good hearted witches, I know I won't be disappointed with their results.
The secondary characters were wonderful, with the exception of Tolly's parents. The cul de sac coven stole a piece of my heart, and Lachlan's family (in the bonus story) were everything Tolly needed them to be. I can't wait for the next installment of this fantastic tale. There are no doubts in my mind about this couple's HEA, but there are other story threads begging for resolution. With this group of good hearted witches, I know I won't be disappointed with their results.
July 20, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this light hearted Amy Lane book. It had all of her signature qualities but aimed at the sweet end of the spectrum. Tolly is a sweet witch who’s had a crush on Lachlan but he was always so nervous that Lachlan never even had a twitch of an idea. But through an accidental spell gone wrong, everything gets out in the open. And I mean everything. Lachlan finally gets his man and Tolly has someone who will be there always. This book was super touching and sweet and I loved the cul de sac coven. The spell that was cast was interesting and I was surprised at the ramifications. The heat between Lachlan and Tolly was Amy perfect. If you enjoy laughing at weird shenanigans, lots of baking and sweet heat, this is a good boook for you!
May 26, 2021
A cute book about two guys that have been crushing on each other for two years and don't think the other is interested, but for a botched wish spell, they may never have figured things out. Tolly, IT professional and part time baker/ hedge witch, bakes his desire to be loved by Lachlan into his cookies. He then sells the magically blessed cookies at a fantasy convention where he suddenly becomes as famous and lusted after as any boy band member. Luckily Lachlan is there too, and since he's already been crushing on Tolly for two years, he doesn't need the magic of the cookies to jump in and help save the day. Important lessons about being truthful about your desires, even to yourself, and that when you wish, wish big because the practical stuff is the easy stuff.
June 11, 2021
2 stars
Bartholomew and his friends have formed a coven. One night, they cast a spell to help each other out, but because none of them put their true wishes on the line, the spell went awry. When they wake up the next morning, animals are behaving in a crazy, threatening manner, and no one can remember completing the baking for the con that weekend. Lachlan has had a spot next to Bartholomew for 2 years at cons, and no matter how hard he tries, he can't get Bartholomew to respond to him. But strange things are afoot, and Lachlan ends up helping Bartholomew and his friends.
I liked the relationship that Bartholomew had with his friends. It was supportive and considerate. Other than that, this was pretty much a wash for me. Well, it wouldn't have been, but I felt as though there wasn't any story. I don't know how that can happen with 222 pages, but it did.
Bartholomew and his friends have formed a coven. One night, they cast a spell to help each other out, but because none of them put their true wishes on the line, the spell went awry. When they wake up the next morning, animals are behaving in a crazy, threatening manner, and no one can remember completing the baking for the con that weekend. Lachlan has had a spot next to Bartholomew for 2 years at cons, and no matter how hard he tries, he can't get Bartholomew to respond to him. But strange things are afoot, and Lachlan ends up helping Bartholomew and his friends.
I liked the relationship that Bartholomew had with his friends. It was supportive and considerate. Other than that, this was pretty much a wash for me. Well, it wouldn't have been, but I felt as though there wasn't any story. I don't know how that can happen with 222 pages, but it did.
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