Makin' Bacon

The Homegrown Café Book Club #1

by Mellanie Szereto

The women of The Homegrown Café Book Club are over 40, single, and loving it. Fate, however, has a different plan with a younger man for every last one of them.
Divorcée Tate Madison (42) wasted fifteen years of her life with a liar and a cheat. Now she’s returned to her hometown to open The Homegrown Café, address her ticking biological clock, and spend time with her family and new friends. Encouraged by her fellow middle-aged book-club buddies, she begs a favor from her younger brother’s best friend—father the child her ex-husband denied her. Complications abound when she discovers she’s attracted to the man who wasn’t supposed to be more than an anonymous profile at a clinic.
Pig farmer Jim Cochon (35) knows all about in vitro fertilization, but he’d rather do things the old-fashioned way with the irresistible redhead he’s wanted to marry since he was five. Too bad she refuses his proposal the morning after their attempt to make a baby. He’ll have to convince her second chances are worth taking when happily-ever-after is at stake.
Makin' Bacon and all the other books in this series are small-town reverse age gap romances with happy endings by USA Today Bestselling Author Mellanie Szereto!

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Small Town Romance, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook

97 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 2, 2020

About the author

Mellanie Szereto is the USA Today Bestselling Author of over sixty romcoms and contemporary romances, most with characters who have plenty of life experience like herself. Whether you call them older, seasoned, mature, experienced, or later-in-life protagonists, they deserve love too! Her stories are often set in small towns with quirky main characters, fun secondary casts, and lots of humor. She enjoys gardening, cooking, and baking—as well as hiking to work off the fruits of her labor—and incorporates food into all of her stories. She lives in an old farmhouse in rural Indiana with her husband of thirty-eight years.
She greatly appreciates reviews and loves to hear from her readers! Contact Mellanie at mellanie@mellanieszereto.com.
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Reviews

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book until about three-quarters of the way through. Then Tate does some things that made me really dislike her a lot. Jim is so utterly swoon-worthy and has been hopelessly devoted to her since about the time he could walk, I was ready to start making voodoo dolls of Tate on his behalf. The ending is super cute, but for me it doesn’t quite make up for all the pain and suffering Tate caused.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Tate and Jim is a fun and quick read. A pig farmer who's been in love with his brother's older sister for 30 years (a crush that started around kindergarten). A café owner who wants to have a baby. I love how clearly smitten Jim is for Tate from the moment she opens the door to her business and he realizes it's her. This was a great, fast, romance read.

[Brandy Goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet and cute. Tate and Jim relationship had come a long way. After years of just being the brothers scrawny best friend, jim grew into a hunk of a man and take convincing her to be his.

[Cath · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book one of The Homegrown Café Book Club series and tells the story of Tate Madison and Jim Cochon. Tate is a forty two year old divorcee, who has wasted the last fifteen years being married to a dentist, who lied to her about something really significant throughout most of their marriage. When she found him cheating on her as well, that was enough to make her seek a divorce and she saved her money for a few years, before being able to move to Wellington, to open up The Homegrown Café, a vegetarian cafe. She has also arranged a book club for similar single over forties ladies to be held at the café once a week, and now has interest from a garden club as well. All of this will help her business grow, while she looks for a sperm donor, so she can finally have a child, something her ex-husband denied her by his lies. This is where she ends up meeting pig farmer Jim, when he arrives at her café and asks if she has any food waste for him to collect, to help feed his hogs. He invites her to his weekly hog roast, as a date, especially since this is the woman he has wanted to marry since he was five!

Her youngest brother Beau is best friends with Jim, and his other brothers and their families are all welcome to the weekly feasts. Tate gets quite a flutter when she meets Jim for the first time in so long and notices how handsome and fit he is. When they arrive at his hog roast, Beau and his brothers try to make fun of the two of them, so she draws him in to give them a show! She jokes that she is staying the night, on their first date, which shocks her brothers. At the end of the evening, she raises the question of whether he would be interested in being her sperm donor, he thinks by natural methods, whilst she is thinking of very clinical doctor’s office visits! They spend a night together, but have a disagreement the morning after, when he proposes to her. Her lawyer Georgina gets involved when Jim refuses to sign a contract about IVF and this starts problems between the two. Jim now has to try and convince Tate that second chances are worth the effort for a HEA ending. A sweet romance with older characters, one who has always held a torch for the other, whilst one wasted years with the wrong person. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Tate comes home after a nasty divorce and opens a cafe. She meets the man of her dreams or the dreams of him being a sperm donor. When her book club friends encourage her to go after her brothers best friend . All things comical ensue . There are feelings old and new that arise . Will they be able to get through to the real feelings in their lives
The characters are hilarious and well written. Tate is a middle aged woman that has had a rough marriage and she just wants a child to help her through . She is a fun loving woman who thinks she is weak but she is really strong . She is also kind of horrible person in the way she treats Jim after they sleep together . She really wasn't very nice to him at all . Jim is the sweet home town guy that every girl wants to fall in love with . He is tall , sexy and sweet and he would do almost anything for you and take care of you . They are a cute couple together . I love the older woman younger man angle .
This is a fun, fast read that you can read in a couple of hours. The characters are fun and complex . The author takes us from flirting to hot and heavy in a matter of pages . This is the first book I have read from this author and found them enjoyable . The author has a way of making you laugh and actually snort a few times . I wish though it was just a little longer for the person in me that wants to see happily ever after . So if you want a fun fast read this is the book for you . I mean who can resist bacon not this girl .

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tate's Request . . .

Tate Madison is divorced from her lying, cheating ex-husband. She has returned home to open The Homegrown Café where she can socialize with her friends and family. She also wants to have a child and, with encouragement, asks her younger brother’s best friend to father her child.

Jim Cochon has loved Tate for years, and he gladly will help her with her request, as long as it’s done the old-fashioned way. It gets kind of awkward when Tate feels attraction toward Jim. But she refuses his proposal to make them a real couple, a real family. Will she continue to be hard-headed about this? Or will he be able to convince her that he loves her and wants to be in her life?

When you have a guy as wonderful as Jim who is loving, caring, and devoted to Tate, and you see Tate treat him as she did, it’s a dangerous combination. I disliked Tate to the point I was not sure I could ever really like her regardless of how she improved herself. Fortunately, Jim was such a good guy that I didn’t just give up on the book when I was so irritated with her. Would Jim get what he really wants and deserves? Grab your copy and find out!

[Maggie Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makin' Bacon is a fun read that will make you believe that love is worth waiting for, even if you have to wait a while! There's so much to love about this story. First, the characters are 40+ and single but loving life and happy as they are. I love the book club ladies and laughed at their zany one-liners and no-nonsense take on life. Tate is a strong character who has been hurt but she's looking forward and building her new life. The men in the book are men you'd hope to find in the real world! Hard-working, not afraid of showing their softer sides, and know that romance isn't just something for women. Jim is a hunk of sexiness so down to earth, it's hard not to fall in love with him. The story is a little unconventional - Tate wants a baby the "new" was (IVF) and I thought that would be a little difficult to make work in a romance but Szereto did it with style. Makin' Bacon is a perfect read for a lazy weekend spent relaxing with ah good book and your favorite beverage in front of a fireplace. It'll touch your heart and remind you love isn't just for the 20-something crowd.

[Hilal Tunçkol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such unnecessary drama in such a short story.

Tate divorced her lying, cheating husband of 10+ years, but she wants to have baby pretty bad. She decides to ask Jim for his sperm. Jim is a younger man who happens to be Tate's little brother's best friend, but there is something Tate couldn't have accounted for when she made the offer.

Jim has been in love with Tate ever since he was five.

After one night together, Jim asks Tate to marry him, and naturally, Tate rejects him. All is good and well until then, but how do you think Jim reacts?

He sees a lawyer about his rights over the baby they might have done during the night they spent together, turning the love story into a law drama. And Tate did tell him her condition, and her terms, so what the hell, dude?

In the end, Tate did come around, since this is a romance, but it felt a bit forced after the drama with the baby and the custody issues. Honestly, anything related to law was simply redundant, since they didn'teven know if a baby was concieved, yet.

[**Elle**Bee**Double U** · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the age of 42, Tate Madison finds herself the owner of Homegrown Cafe, divorced, and without the children she so badly wanted during her marriage. However, Tate is still determined to have kids, even if she has to find a sperm donor.
But her stars may have aligned when she returns back to her hometown. Pig farmer Jim Cochon is everything Tate would've looked for in a sperm donor and lover...if only she was looking to add a lover to the list of things she's looking for.

Jim has been in love with Tate since he was 5 years old. While he may have tried to move on with other women he finds that they just can't measure up to the one woman who holds his heart captive. When Tate asks him to help her with her problem he can't help but see this as an opportunity to finally show her how good they could be together.

Will Tate give in to her developing feelings for Jim? Or will he scare her off with his confessions of love and hopes of marriage and happily every after?

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely charming story. This was such a sweet story of two people who had known each other since childhood. Jim has been in love with Tate since the age of five and now that he has grown into a man but had never been able to fully commit to anyone else. At the age of 35, chance brings back Tate after a bad divorce into his life again and is happy to volunteer to be the DNA contributor to Tate who is desperate to have a baby. You can imagine the storyline, which gives the reader a charming, hot, novel about the fate of these two people. As before, the characters are very likeable, and the author gives us her usual expertise in her use of the English language. After some obligatory angst supplied mainly by Tara’s lawyer friend Georgina, the result is a delightful HEA. I am happy to recommend this feel-good, easy-to-read romantic instalment of ‘The Homegrown Café Book Club’ series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Julia Gerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Tate returns to her hometown, after a disastrous first marriage, all she was looking for is getting her business set up, and have a baby. And she was running out of time! But luck was on her side when her youngest brothers best friend stopped by, to ask for her food scraps, for his pig farm. Tall, Good, Looking, the right age excellent sperm donor material! With an Unfortunate name Jimothy, which still makes me giggle! Big Jim invites her to his annual pig roast, going as far as to offer to pick her up, that's a date right? Tate is so confused by all this. She just wants a donor. What she doesn't know is how long Jim has been in Love with her and he was going to do things the old fashioned way. But it Jim is more invested in whatever this is, than Tate, or is he? This story is sweet and real and oh so wonderful!

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

It could have been a very cute love story. But the interlude with the lawyers and her family being mad at her ruined it for me.

I was super frustrated with the fact that all the legal paperwork flying back and forth was meaningless.

No one can start trying to work out custody before the baby is born/paternity is established. In their case, they didn’t even know if a baby had been conceived!
And they were dumb enough to tell family and friends so they could take sides.
Plus, the guy totally showed his hand. By pressing the custody issue before the window to have an abortion was over, he was setting her up for an easy out, if she was really determined not to share custody. Then she could have used a sperm bank like planned.
There were so many holes in the logic that I thought it was a total waste of time and money.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so cute. Tate comes home three years after her divorce and she meets a guy that is her brothers best friend Jimothy and he likes to go by Jim because his parents wanted a jimmy and a Timothy so they comprimised with Jimothy and Tate says that's berte r than being a girl called Tate because your parents thought you were a boy. They really start to like each other and they connect but Tate freaks out the next morning because Jim asks her to marry him and she already had a bad experience, so she lets her friends talk her into sending Georgie to be her attorney and said they will be taking through her from now on but Tate is feeling bad and that night she meets one of Jim's ex and she finds out out how long he has been in love with her. I recommend this wholeheartedly.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tate has returned home after her divorce and opened a café. One thing in her marriage she need got but still wanted was a baby. Jim had grown up with Tate's brother, and has been in love with her since she was five. When he found out she was getting divorce, he stopped dating in hope for a chance. Now in town together again, could this be his shot. Tate sees Jim when he ask if he could add her to the list of trash pick up, she did not see the young boy he was, but the man he is now.

This is sweet and fun story of finding the things you always want, even when you don't know what you want. Tate is a great character, strong and feisty. Mason is strong, caring and loving that it will make your heart melt. Great book from start to finish.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Darla Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book review:
Makin' Bacon by Mellanie Szereto ( The Homegrown Cafe Book Club ) #1
I was fortunate to meet Mellanie at a book signing recently, where I bought the rest of this series. It's a sweet romance with a book club of single women over 40. This one starts with Tate, who is 42, not looking for love but only a sperm donor. Lol. She moves back home, where she has younger brothers and one that has a best friend, Jim. When their paths cross, the sparks are certainly flying. Jim has had a crush on her for a long time, but Tate never thought that way about her younger brothers best friend. What do you think happens when she asks him to be her sperm donor? Will she get the baby she really wants, or will she get more than she bargained for? It's humorous and passionate so settle in for this 5 star read !!!

[Krystinna Collett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tate moves back home after a nasty divorce. She is furious at her ex because the one thing she want more than anything is a family, a baby. She opens up a Vegetarian restaurant, that also hosts night events. This book was full of laughs as Tate tries to navigate single life again. When she meets Jim, she immediately want him to be her donor. Tate can't help that she is attracted to him, but soon clues in that this is her little brothers best friend. Jim has been in love with Tate his whole life. When he finds that her marriage has ended, he puts himself directly in her path

Reader: if you love short, comedic stories, this is right up your alley! Bravo Melanie!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author thru Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my review. This is the first book in the Homegrown Cafe Book Club series. It is a funny and lighthearted romance between Tate and Jim. Tate has come to town with three things in mind. She gets two of them fairly easy. The third however comes with the complications and conditions of a younger man who has wanted her as long as he can remember. Jim has no problem creating a child with her and more but he scares her away. He is a great guy and will do whatever he can to fix whatever he needs to. This is a short, fast paced love story where everyone wins. I enjoyed the ladies and really liked Jim.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Homegrown Café Book Club series. It's funny, steamy and entertaining, younger man, older woman story. The book club ladies cracked me up even if they are a little jaded but isn't a little jaded by the time, they hit their 40s. I dare anyone to not love Jim. He is sweet and adorable. He's been in love with Tate since he was five years old but she has no idea. Tate is his best friend’s older sister. She's divorced and back in town and Jim hopes he'll get the chance to tell her how he feels. Will Tate let her past marriage issues keep her from finding happiness with Jim?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tate is past a bad fifteen marriage and she wants to start the rest of her life with a child of her own. Talking her brothers best friend into helping in a dream come true for Jim as he has had feelings for her for a long time. The banter and situations they get into will make you smile and even laugh at times. The characters are heartwarming and have great backstories. Loved the romantic development between them and the strength they have to keep it going. Well done. Can not wait to read more by this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

When your marriage ends (because of a jerk ex-husband and his lies, etc) Tate come back home at forty to open a vegan cafe (she's not one), find her support group in The Homegrown Café Book Club , and find a sperm donor so she can have the baby she wants but been denied by her ex. But running into her younger brothers best friend isn't part of the plan, but whether it's hormones, lust, or just Jim being himself. The book has heat, laughter, friends, fun and a sexy man makes it even better. I love the book, and am excited about the next one.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really cute light hearted story. Starting over isn't easy. Especially after a divorce. She desperately wants a child and is going the insemination route. However, plans go differently than she intended when she meets Jim. A good looking and nice guy who she actually knew from her childhood from her brother Beau. This is a quick cute sexy read. Sometimes good things come to those who wait. I dont want to spoil more but I definitely recommend the book. Something uplifting with a bit of humor.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tate has wanted a baby for years, something her cheating ex denied her and upon meeting Big Jim, the pig farmer and her younger brother's best friend she decides that he's the perfect candidate for a sperm donation. He agrees, but would rather be hands on with the process and quickly gets in over his head with talk of love and marriage. The book was raunchy at times, but also funny. For such a big guy Jim was sweet and he didn't understand why Tate reacted the way she did to his proposal. It was kind of crazy and the relationship develops extremely quickly.

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makin' Bacon is a short story that has so much to offer! It’s everything you would expect from a small town -- quaint and inviting, complete with quirky characters, awesome BFF's and busybodies, drama, surprises, and laugh-out-loud moments. A strong, feisty heroine, a loveable hero who will steal your heart and enough chemistry to light up your Kindle. Completely worthy of a 1-Click, you’ll love this freshly unique, sexy, humorous and heartfelt read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cecly Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Divorcee Tate finally has a chance at love with her younger brother's best friend, Jimmy, who has been pinning after her for a lifetime.
He is the sweet hometown guy who every mother wants their daughter to meet.
This short read is filled with all the angst of a relationship between a younger man and an older woman, who doesn't think she deserves to be happy, but finally gets the message that even though it went sideways once, you can still get your happy ever after, regardless of what true love looks like.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The women of The Homegrown Café Book Club are over 40, single, and loving it. Fate, however, has a different plan with a younger man for every last one of them.

This story will give you plenty of moments where you can't help but laugh out loud. The story line is well thought out, enjoyable and entertaining. You enjoy getting to know the characters as you turn each page. Once you start reading, you can't stop!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sassy Beta Reading & Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good new series and am enjoying it so far.

This is an over 40's series of fabulous women that are getting their chance of love with younger, sexy men. Each woman will have their own story line and HEA ending.

Well written story line with great characters, engaging dialogue, easy to visualize detailed descriptions and just an overall great read.

Would I recommend this book? yes

Would I read more from this author? Yes

Sassy Beta Reading and Review

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. There is a lot of humor, friendship, community, a bit of romance, and steam, along with an unexpected plot. The characters and the community felt very realistic small town where most everyone knows everyone else. I loved the relationship between Tate and her friends. Definitely worth the read. I have not read Mellanie Szereto's books before but am now going to go read all that I can find.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[i_want_ all_the_spoilers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another asshole FMC. Spoiler ahead so do your thing. She gets to ask him for his sperm at first date. He agrees immediately offers for IRL insemination. She eventually agrees, but when he gets carried away and proposes she just runs.. Then her friend have this honestly toxic advice session
"Oh how dare he propose, how dare he want to be a part of the potential baby life' she stops all communication with him just like that. and sent a lawyer !!!! NO NO NO! Toxic asshole 2.5 got a 3 because th MMC is the sweetest

[Sydney Hopke · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great introduction to a new to me author! This book had me laughing out loud and just enjoying each page. The characters are fun it's great to read a romance with an older woman (though not that old) and younger man. The author is very descriptive which is great for picturing everything. I can't wait to read more, I expect more laughing and hopefully we get to see these characters again.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting, modern take on a love story. The intense chemistry between Tate and Jim goes from sweet to hot and heavy in the blink of an eye. I appreciated the older, more mature woman with a younger man angle. However, I struggled with Tate and her behavior towards Jim, especially since he is portrayed as a sexy, caring man. It is a well written novella packed with emotion that I recommend reading with an open mind. After all, who can resist bacon!