This is quintessential cosy at it's finest! I sped through this, literally in one sitting, as I had such a lovely time visiting Applethwaite and meeting all lovely characters. Louise is so relatable, and funny! So many of her interior conversations are ones I've had myself. I loved the relationship between Louise and Elizabeth, and also Louise and Maddy. I thought each character felt really distinct and grounded. Charming, is the word I'd use to describe this book. Also obsessed with the idea of a bookshop bakery!

The cover for this book is absolutely beautiful 😍
As soon as I seen it I new I wanted to read it and im so glad I did.
Such an easy read that keeps you wanting to read right till the end.
Such good characters and storyline.
Highly recommend
Thanks Netgalley for letting me read this book for an honest review

The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery is a cozy, feel good read with a charming small town vibe.The bakery bookshop setting is warm and inviting, making it a nice book to relax with. I really liked Louise and her stepdaughter Maddie, they were warm and relatable.
Jennifer Page’s writing style is easy to read and relatable, which makes the story flow smoothly.

The romance was just okay for me and some parts were repetitive, the theme of starting over was still comforting. Overall, it’s a pleasant read, especially if you enjoy cozy stories and gentle pacing.

Thank you Netgalley and The Aria and Aries Team for advance readers copy.

Louise has spent her life editing books and then something happens and she leaves her job. She goes home to Applethwaite where her mum thinks she's back to take over the family bakery but she doesn't want that

Just a lovely book with love, cosiness, amazing characters. Jennifer always writes such a lovable stories!!

Really enjoyed reading this. A lovely, fluffy, fun friends to lovers romance. I absolutely love the idea of a bookshop bakery and the life size book nooks that you can sit in, need one in my garden.

Louise is torn between running the bakery she inherited or continuing to write stories. It's a small town romance, so of course she develops feelings quickly for Jack.

I enjoyed the Narnia references! I liked how Louise was always using her writer brain to create scenarios, but it was a bit much at times.

Overall it was a cozy romance and I enjoyed it. Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book!

An enjoyable read with clearly drawn characters that you get to know well. Louise having suddenly abandoned her book editing job has come home to Yorkshire where her mother assumes she has come to take over the running of the family bakery business. Louise has different ideas and with the help of Jack, a handsome part Italian, and her stepdaughter Maddie from her failed marriage she sets about stting up The Sugar and Spice Bookshop.Bakery.

A really cosy feel good book. The bookshop bakery sounded absolutely amazing! I liked the characters and the community feel. Recommended.

The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery by Jennifer Page is the definition of a warm, comforting cosy read and completely wrapped me up in its charming small-town atmosphere from the very first pages. Filled with delicious baked treats, emotional second chances, family dynamics, and bookish charm, this story felt like stepping into the perfect autumn Hallmark movie.

Louise Dearnley was such a relatable and refreshing main character. After years spent editing fictional happy endings, she suddenly finds herself back in her Yorkshire hometown trying to rebuild her own life after walking away from everything she once knew. Her journey felt realistic, emotional, and quietly inspiring as she slowly reconnects with herself, her family, and the community around her.

One of the things I loved most about this book was the atmosphere Jennifer Page creates. Applethwaite feels wonderfully alive with its quirky locals, cosy bakery setting, comforting scents of ginger cake and fresh scones, and the kind of small-town warmth that makes you wish the place was real. The combination of books and baking was absolutely irresistible and added such a comforting layer to the entire story.

The relationships throughout the book were beautifully done, especially the found-family elements and Louise’s connection with her unexpected ex-stepdaughter. The romance was sweet, gentle, and full of chemistry without overshadowing Louise’s personal growth journey. The gorgeous Italian love interest added just the right amount of charm and emotional depth to the story.

Overall, The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery is a heartfelt, uplifting, and wonderfully cosy read that perfectly balances romance, humour, healing, and community spirit. Fans of cosy fiction, second-chance stories, and small-town romances will absolutely adore this book. I already cannot wait to return to the world of the Bookshop Bakery series.

This is a glorious cosy read. There are misunderstandings, romance plus cake and books, what more could anyone need in a story?! I sat inside in the shade and read it one morning. It will be a wonderful curl up on the sofa read for a lot of people.

I’m a sucker for this genre and it’s the kind of book I love reading before going to bed. This was cozy and relaxing and a wonderful way to end the day. The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery felt warm and comforting, with that easy small-town charm that makes everything feel a bit softer and more hopeful.

The fact this was set in Yorkshire made me love the book more! Very cosy vibes and what’s better than a bookshop and a bakery combined? Nothing! I can’t lie, my favourite part was when Louise finally stuck up for herself.

The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery by Jennifer Page is an absolutely delightful cozy read. I loved the warm small town atmosphere and the mix of books, baking, and new beginnings. One of my favorite touches was the Book Nooks created by Maddie and Jack. Each tiny scene matching a book genre was so creative and adorable. It added a unique charm to the story.

The townspeople of Applethwaite are one of the sweetest parts of The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery. They’re warm, supportive, and full of personality, creating that cozy small town feeling where everyone knows each other’s quirks and shows up when it matters. They make the town feel alive, welcoming, and exactly the kind of place where you would want to spend time.

Finally, it is a sweet, uplifting book that I read in one sitting. Heartfelt without being heavy, comforting without being predictable, and full of bookish magic. A perfect pick for anyone who loves cozy fiction with both creativity and heart.

As a lover of baking, books and all things cozy this book called to me. I was so right to pick up this book, from the get go its giving cozy hallmark and I'm here for it. If your not really into the closed door, contemporary reads this definitely wont be for you, if you are buckle up and enjoy. Id suggest getting your favourite blankets, drink, maybe a snack and bunker down as you won't be able to put it down

read this book in one day.. How many of us would love to courage to do this. My dream job. Characters are real and you get so into the story and rooting of them to get the 'sheds' passed by planning. Although when I started this booked it seemed predictable it was a great read.

It was a very comforting reading indulging you in with an interesting plotline and lovely baked treats. Great building of the characters and loved the small town background.

This was stunning! I loved this so much, loved the setting and the main character! Gave me all the cosy feels! Thankyou so much for my copy!

This book is an absolute bit of me!!! So cozy and giving me all the autumn vibes. Romantic and lovely, you cannot beat it

I really liked this book. It felt...real and was written in a very clever way, different to books I have read before.
No spice to talk of, just a normal slow burn romance, like real life. I would like a JACK.
Recomend this book for a nice lite holiday read.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. I really enjoyed Page's series set in Essendale, so I was excited to read her new book. Although I enjoyed the book a lot, liking the concept and Laura and her stepdaughter, I don't think it captured me as much as her previous books. I thought the premise behind her leaving her job, and Jack's storyline, seemed far-fetched. That said, it was an enjoyable escapist read, Mrs Anderson provided an interesting foil, and I would love to visit those book nooks.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for letting me read and review this book.

Bakery ✅️

Bookshop ✅️

Romance ✅️

This book has the perfect combination for me!

Without giving away too much, I love the idea of 'book nooks' and the Narnia/wardrobe part would be amazing. (I'm now tempted to re-read those books too).

I'd definitely recommend this if you enjoy some romance, cosiness and remembering how you felt as a child reading books etc.

This is a cute Hallmark movie, type romance romance where the female main character travels back to her small town in Yorkshire England, after an incident at her publishing company where she feels, she cannot go back. With the help of her stepdaughter, Maddie, and a love interest Jack, she fulfills her families, her towns and her own dreams.

There were two things that I didn’t really care for. One was how horrible every single teacher that Louise, the main character, had as a child. As a teacher myself for over two decades, and having my own children attend school it was disheartening to see and read about how awful these women were. I’m thankful that my children have always had supportive teachers with beautiful souls, and my goal in becoming a teacher was to be a voice for the voiceless. I know that there has to be a “villain“, but it seemed a tired trope.

Louise has fled her editing job in London and returned home to Applethwaite, Yorkshire. She just wants to kick her wounds and recover at home with her mum, but mum has other ideas: she wants Louise to reopen the family bakery. Whilst Louise is an excellent baker, she wants to run a bookshop, not a bakery!

The idea to combine the two shops starts to become reality but of course is besieged by problems small and large. Not the least of which is the hunky half-Italian architect that she's fallen for, who made the most basic of errors on redeveloping the property for her...

We all need to know whether or not the Bookshop Bakery can go ahead and whether Louise and Jack can get it together.

I enjoyed reading this, but found the near constant reference to "if this was a romance novel ....." irritating. It stopped about 65% of the way through. I look forward to reading more of this series and investigating the Boardgame Cafe series.

An interesting look at noticing the difference between a novel and reality.
It's all spelled out in this cosy, warm story about honesty and moving on. I enjoyed reading it very much.

I've read all Jennifer Page's previous books - and loved them - but I can honestly say that in my opinion, this is the best yet!

I adored the humour and the way Louise looks at the world through the perspective of being an editor. The Geriatric Mean Girls - the GMG - were hilarious, as was Railway Andy. These comedy moments contrast beautifully with the more poignant parts of the story as Louise and Jack come to terms with past events and mistakes - and, of course, fall in love, chasing their happy ever after. This isn't just another cosy romance, though - there is plenty of spice as well as sugar in the Bookshop Bakery. I'm hoping this is part of a series and that the next book is all about Maddie, a really interesting character who deserves her own happy ending.

Enjoyed this! A few things did annoy me with a few of the characters - but I guess they were reflective of real life! Loved the "book nook" idea. Cute story.

The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery by Jennifer Page is a cosy small-town romance set in Yorkshire. I loved the combination of books and baking, which are two of my favourite things.

Louise Dearnley has returned to her childhood home in Applethwaite after making a disastrous mistake in her high-flying publishing career.

Her mother wants her to reopen the family bakery, but Louise dreams of opening a bookshop. Eventually they compromise and the idea for a bookshop bakery is born… which then leads her to meet the hunky half-Italian architect, Jack.

There are lots of lovely comic moments that made me chuckle. I adored the “book-nooks” and I really need the recipe for that ginger cake!

All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable cosy romance with warm autumn vibes.

When Louise goes home she just wants to open a bookshop, but her Mom wants her to carry on the family bakery. When her stepdaughter Maddie lands on her doorstep, she gets Louise on the road to realising her dreams. A great read, love and humour and cosy and fighting for what she wants to do

Cute comforting read, The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery is a warm hug of a book. Likeable characters, and a bookshop I would love to go to. Excited to read more from Jennifer Page

This book was gorgeous. It was the class of book about losing a job, licking your wounds and coming home to parents and finding what you were meant to be.
Louise was a book editor who loses her job and comes back home to live with her mum to lick her wounds only her mum thinks she has come home to be the third generation of bakers to run the village bakery. She tries to trick her into this but Louise meets to run a bookshop. Trouble is that Louise is an excellent baker. This book has all the feels, it has a gorgeous man, cake, friendship, scenery and books so it’s perfect.
I devoured this whilst on holiday and it was just a lovely read.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

I really enjoyed the concept of this book. The bakery bookshop with the themed book nooks just felt so warming and cosy. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Louise and Maddie as their relationship as Step mum and daughter became more apparent.
The only little niggle I have is that at times, things were a bit drawn out and repetitive, but overall I really did like this book.

A delightful read.

Louise has given up her job as an editor after making, to her mind, a huge error with one of her author’s books. She has returned home to lick her wounds and decide what to do next. Her mother thinks she has returned to reopen the family bakery but Louise has her heart set on opening a bookshop.

Encouraged by her ex-stepdaughter, her mother and an attractive Italian called Jack, Louise starts to think she could have her dream and keep the locals happy by opening a bookshop and bakery combined.

A story of someone starting over again helped by the local community.

A feel good tale.

A sweet and heartwarming romance that left me smiling long after I finished. The characters were lovable, the chemistry felt genuine, and the cozy atmosphere made this a perfect comfort read.

Louise's life as an editor has blown up and she's ready to start over. When her idea of the bookshop bakery comes to life, she realizes dreams can come true. Full of hope, second chances and love, this story is a fun cozy read! Characters are interesting and well written. You feel like part of the story and the magic of the bookshop bakery

Louise has had her share of tribulations and decides to go home to familiar surroundings, hoping for a fresh start. As she works for the family bakery, she meets a possible love interest and has to deal with her ex stepdaughter coming to stay with her. This is a refreshing story about what happens when life is messy, but from the mess comes wonderful opportunities. The setting is perfectly cozy for a fall read, and the found family elements are wonderful to see.

The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery was a delightful and heartwarming read that perfectly captured the cozy atmosphere readers look for in feel-good fiction. From the charming setting to the relatable characters, this story felt like spending an afternoon in a welcoming bookshop with a warm drink and a sweet treat nearby.

One of the highlights for me was the sense of community woven throughout the story. The author created a cast of characters that felt authentic and easy to connect with, making it enjoyable to follow their journeys and relationships. The book’s pacing allowed me to fully settle into the story and appreciate the small moments that made it special.

The setting was undoubtedly one of my favorite aspects. The combination of books, baking, friendship, and fresh beginnings created an inviting atmosphere that made me want to linger long after I finished reading. Readers who enjoy cozy fiction, women’s fiction, and uplifting stories will likely find a lot to love here.

While the story is gentler in tone and not driven by high drama, it succeeds in delivering comfort, hope, and a satisfying reading experience. Sometimes a book doesn’t need shocking twists or intense conflict to be memorable—it simply needs heart, and this one certainly has plenty of it.

Overall, The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery is a sweet, comforting read that celebrates community, second chances, and finding joy in unexpected places. I would happily recommend it to readers looking for an uplifting escape and a cozy story to curl up with.

The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery is exactly the kind of story that feels like stepping into a warm kitchen on a cold day — cosy, fragrant, and full of heart. Jennifer Page delivers a charming, quietly uplifting novel about starting over when life doesn’t go to plan, and I adored every minute of it.

Louise Dearnley is such a refreshing heroine: mid‑forties, bruised by life, and absolutely not in the mood to explain herself to anyone. Watching her return to Applethwaite — a village that’s equal parts nosy, nurturing, and utterly irresistible — is both funny and tender. The tension between wanting a fresh start and being pulled back into old expectations is beautifully handled, especially with her mother’s unwavering belief that Louise is destined to revive the family bakery.

The baking scenes are delightful (the ginger cake alone deserves its own fan club), but what really shines is the emotional layering. Louise’s unexpected bond with her quirky ex‑stepdaughter adds warmth and humour, and the arrival of a charming Italian love interest brings just the right amount of sparkle without ever feeling forced.

This is a story about second chances, but also about giving yourself permission to want more — more joy, more connection, more life. It’s gentle, heartfelt, and quietly empowering.

If you love cosy village settings, found family, and heroines who feel wonderfully real, this book is an absolute treat. A perfect curl‑up‑with‑a‑cuppa read.

With thanks to Jennifer Page, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

The main character Louise is an editor and quit her job after a mistake she made.
She goes back home temporarily to rethink her live but nothing goes as planned/hoped).
Soon also complications arrive, one after another.
The book is single POV from Louise and because of the books she edited her thoughts are connected to book tropes, but this didn't get irritating.
Instead the book reads like Louise is living inside a romance novel.

Protagonist Louise summed this book up by stating its You're got mail x Great British Bake off. The vibes are cosy, escapism with a romance between two people who struggle to tell the truth to avoid hurting those they love. A notion I can relate too.

The bookshop bakery is a dream concept and one I wish was real because I'd be visiting multiple times. Set in Yorkshire in a small town it had the sense f community I love and has the potential to explore more characters in future books. It was everything I needed to be to have space from reality, feel calm and believe in happy ever afters and empowerment when you're in the right place with the right people.

We are all Louise. You do the thing, you're scared you screwed up the thing even though you didn't really, then you realize everything is fine and you shouldn't have panicked in the first place. This was a fun read, and I loved the main relationship even though I honestly wasn't fond of Jack. He was like a puppet! If this were a series to continue, I'd love to learn more about Anna. She seems so sweet. Loved it all! Loved Maddie and her art gallery dreams especially. Art, books, coffee, pastries... my kind of book!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This was such a cute and cosy read set in Yorkshire and felt very familiar with little villages close to me and I really enjoyed this book. The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery follows the story of Louise who moves back home to Applethwaite following a fallout with her job and her mum believes she has come home to run the family bakery but Louise has very different ideas.

I loved the character of Louise and it was such a refreshing change to read a slightly older FMC who was starting her life over. I also loved the MMC Jack who was so lovable but so flawed as well. All of the side characters play important roles and provided light humour throughout.

The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery had a little bit of crime sprinkled throughout and had very similar vibes to the Pumpkin Spice Cafe which I loved. This is the perfect read for cosy autumn evenings!

The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery is a cosy, feel-good romance that blends small-town reinvention with the comforting appeal of books, baking, and second chances.

Set in the Yorkshire village of Applethwaite, the novel follows Louise Dearnley, a former romance editor who returns home after a major life shift and finds herself pulled back into the rhythms—and expectations—of her past. What begins as an attempt to quietly reset her life quickly turns into something far more complicated when family ties, community pressure, and unexpected relationships start to reshape her future.

One of the book’s strongest features is its central concept: a bookshop bakery. It’s an intentionally idealised space, but it works well within the tone of the novel. The bakery becomes both a literal and emotional centre, where personal history, nostalgia, and new beginnings all overlap. The descriptions of baking—especially the signature ginger cake and scones—are used effectively to reinforce the warmth and sensory comfort the story aims to deliver.

Louise as a protagonist is grounded and relatable in a very contemporary way. Her career editing romance fiction adds a meta-layer to the story, allowing the novel to gently comment on the difference between curated happy endings on the page and the messier reality of real life. Her reluctance to fully explain her past decisions creates a slow-burn emotional arc that unfolds gradually as she reconnects with Applethwaite.

The supporting cast leans into familiar cosy fiction archetypes but remains engaging: a determined mother with strong opinions about legacy, a quirky quasi-family dynamic with a young relative in transition, and a romantic interest who introduces both charm and uncertainty. The “gorgeous Italian” love interest in particular fits the genre’s expectation of escapist romance, though the story is more focused on emotional rebuilding than dramatic romance twists.

Where the novel works especially well is in its tone. It is deliberately soft-edged, prioritising comfort, community, and gradual healing over conflict or high-stakes drama. Readers who enjoy series like *Gilmore Girls* or gentle rural romance fiction will likely find the atmosphere familiar and satisfying.

If there is a limitation, it’s that the plot follows well-trodden cosy romance pathways: return to hometown, reluctant reinvention, community embrace, and a carefully timed romantic arc. However, the predictability is part of its appeal—this is a story designed to feel reassuring rather than surprising.

Overall, this is a warm, immersive comfort read that leans into its cosy identity without apology. It’s about rebuilding a life that feels genuinely yours, surrounded by books, baked goods, and people who slowly become a chosen family.

This was super cosy and so adorable. I loved the sorry and the characters were really likeable. I’d read this author again.

I liked the writing style of this book! Louise, the Female main character, is a book editor and I enjoyed the unique touch of her playing out different stories in her head! I thought she was honest and relatable and felt refreshingly different from the 'classic' leading lady.

The leading man didn't quite hook me in though. I felt he was a bit rigid and I couldn't really get over the fact he had lied to his Dad for so long and then his dad just accepted it without question. The forced-proximity relationship between the two characters felt a bit forced at times but then there were cozy, romantic moments. The main star of the show was Millie, she kept the book light-hearted and a fun read. The descriptions in the book were vivd and I could just imagine each book nook.

Now if only I had a slice of ginger cake from the bookshop bakery to enjoy with my tea!

Really enjoyed this loved the characters and the relationship between Louise and Maddie lovely cosy easy read that you can just get stuck into.

The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery by Jennifer Page is not just a cosy romance set in a small town, it’s a self-aware one.
It is one of the most enjoyable books I have ever read. The small cast consists of lovable characters, the setting feels grand due to the descriptions, and the plot is neatly wrapped up. The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery is the kind of book that winks at familiar tropes while still delivering the warm and tidy ending readers come for.

At the beginning, the main character, Louise, can be described as a runaway with a huge secret. Something went wrong at her editing job, but we don’t know much about what actually happened. The intriguing plot keeps you reading. Louise left her job, making for great commentary about romance novels. Surely, this plot will not be like this, because ‘it is real life’.

She meets Giacomo, or Jack, who calls her Luisa (swoon), and is hands-on in helping her build her dream bookshop. Like Louise, he carries a secret. It is refreshing to have a love interest who is not flawless from the start. Their dynamic feels believable, which adds to charm of the story.

The novel mainly takes place in the bakery (“a bookshop bakery”) that belonged to Louise’s grandmother and later her mother. Although we don’t see much of Applewaithe, Yorkshire, the place feels expansive. There is the bakery, the bookshop, and beautiful book nooks that make it a booklover’s dream.

I expected both sugar and spice, given the title ‘The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery,’ which made me slightly apprehensive. The idea of a bookshop bakery is something that many booklovers dream about, it is what drew me to the book in the first place. Luckily, there was little to no spice in this book, which I appreciated. Near the end, I felt it was going over the top, but Louise’s self-aware commentary pulls it back.

I left the book with many highlighted quotes and a craving for a ginger slice (or at least the recipe), and a clear recommendation: fans of the gentle, small-town romances and anyone who enjoys books about books will enjoy this.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Aria and Aries Team for providing this ARC.

The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery is a cozy reader's dream, combining books, baked goods, and a heartwarming romance into one delightful package. The charming setting feels like a place you'd happily spend an entire afternoon, while the characters bring warmth and personality to every page. It's a comforting, feel-good read that leaves you craving both pastries and a visit to a cozy bookstore.

What an amazing book, I literally couldn’t put it down, in between childcare obviously !
If I had a coffee shop/ bookstore like this in my village it would be amazing we could sit in the nooks and read the books then download the next relevant one
But also if we loved it liked this one I would buy it for my mum as she has a kindle and can’t use the same library as me
So likes books to read books 📚
This follows the delightfully named sugar and spice bookshop bakery which immediately makes you think of lovely tasteful cake and biscuits, and hot lattes scrumptious
And this is run by louise and at first her stepdaughter Maddie and then Jack comes along as the architect for to design the new building to house the books Louise wants to bring to the bakery too
After much deliberation they decided on book nooks small shed type building in the garden Maddie will decorate the interior of them
Louise can concentrate on bakery until she recruits someone new to help
Everything is going super until an ex teacher who Louise thinks has a grudge against her reports her to the council for not having planing permission! Right before the grand opening!!
Just what Louise doesn’t need? Her relationship with Jack is more off than on and Maddie has got a job in London near Theo her useless boyfriend
What will Louise do ?

Such a cozy flipping read!!! I absolutely loved this and read it on a rainy afternoon with a cutesy drink and it was an absolutely perfect time!!!

A lovely read. Most people who like books or dream of owning a bookshop also like cakes and coffee and dream of combining the two - I know I certainly do! Louise comes home to change the family bakery into a bookshop but she hasn't reckoned on her mother and the locals who keep popping in before she is open and expecting coffee. Coupled with that, she is the only one who can make Granny's ginger loaf properly! Throw in a bit of romance and it's a cosy book to snuggle up with!

It was a pleasure to read this ARC and definitely was my type of romance. Any book set in a bookshop or bakery in usually going to enjoy.

You can tell this author is a reader as they truly captured what a reader would want from an independent bookshop. I found it refreshing that the FMC wasn't a young twenty something, she had a successful career and a romantic past, yet still pursued a childhood dream.

Centring the story on a women building a business, rather than the romance being the central storyline made me resonate with it more. I liked that the FMC didn't automatically know she was going to be successful in business. Her self doubt shining through made her super relatable. However, I did think it was wild and impulsive when she announced she was going to close the bookstore after a week.

The main reveal we were all anticipating was a little bit of an anti-climax. I thought the build up to her mess up as an editor was good but was then disappointed with the actual content. I seriously thought she'd accidentally published something that wasn't politically correct.
Maybe focusing more on sending the wrong copy for print would have been better (surely editors triple check this before sending) but publishing a version that the author obviously approved, wrote and preferred seems like a non issue? Definitely not bad enough to run away and hide. It seemed a little pathetic to me and like the author was staying too safe.

I wasn't 100% sold on the romance but it felt realistic. She was so hung up on the MMC being a liar and then suddenly was over it without another word. Overall this was more of a 3.5 star read for me but for a bookish palate cleanser or a cosy romance, this is definitely one to reach for.

#thesugarandspicebookshopbakery #netgalley

Cozy, Small town, Friends to lovers, force proximity

You can feel the small town vibes all over. Louise is now in charge of her family bakery.
And wants to convert into a Bookshop, her dream.

We navigate together with Louise, Jack and Maddie her ex-stepdaughter as the convert the bakery into more.
All 3 characters carry past issues that we see then grow and work through it.

This is perfect if you want a close door romance in a cozy setting while navigating later in life issues.

Thank you the Aria & Aries, the author and Netgalley for the advance copy.

The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery is exactly the kind of cozy escape book lovers dream of!!!😍😍😍 Filled with charming characters, a picturesque Yorkshire setting, and a bookshop-bakery combination that feels almost magical, this story completely swept me away🥹🥰🥰

Louise arrives with a troubled past and a secret she's desperate to leave behind, while Jack is far from the perfect romantic hero. Their relationship develops naturally, making their connection feel genuine and easy to root for!!🙌 I especially loved the self-aware humor woven throughout the story, with clever nods to romance tropes that made it feel fresh and playful🥰

More than anything, this book felt like a love letter to books, second chances, and finding where you belong. The cozy atmosphere, beautiful bookish setting, and heartfelt romance made it an absolute joy to read. And despite its title, the "spice" is minimal 😅 by the final page, I was left with that wonderful feeling all cozy romances aim for: comfort, happiness, and a smile I couldn't quite shake 🥰🥰🥰

Thanks so much NetGalley and to the publisher and of course, to the author for approving my ARC request 😘😘😘

This was a very nice book to read. The lead character of Louise was easy to like and her relationships with her mother, stepdaughter and love interest were all very real. Raced through the book and thoroughly enjoyed it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a lovely, cosy read!

I thoroughly enjoyed following Louise’s journey as she tries to rebuild her life after feeling like she’s lost everything. Despite the challenges she faces, she’s a strong, determined character who never gives up, and I loved watching her grow in confidence throughout the story.

One of my favourite parts was the relationship between Louise and her stepdaughter, which added so much warmth and heart to the book. Their bond felt genuine and was beautifully written.

The story follows Louise as she works towards creating the business she’s always dreamed of, and I found myself rooting for her every step of the way. The village community also added plenty of charm, and I loved catching up with all the familiar faces even the wonderfully frustrating Miss Anderson!

This is the perfect curl-up-on-the-sofa read, full of friendship, hope, fresh starts and community spirit.

I’m really hoping this is only the beginning because I’d love to spend more time with Louise, Jack and Maddie in future books.

A heartwarming and uplifting read that left me with a smile on my face.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars

A beautiful story told in England about acceptance, healing, and finding a new chapter in life. Louise is a very relatable heroine. It’s light, sweet, and acts as the ultimate comfort read! I just wish they included the ginger cake recipe!

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

This was exactly the cosy palate cleanser I needed! 🥹✨

In between devouring a fantasy series, I was craving something lighter and heartwarming, and this delivered exactly that. From the charming Yorkshire setting to the bookshop bakery itself, I found myself completely immersed in this cosy escape.

The story follows a woman returning home for a fresh start, where old memories, new opportunities, renovations, and unexpected connections begin to shape her future. It’s a heartwarming story about second chances, community, and finding where you truly belong.

TROPES:
🏠 Forced Proximity & Renovations
💕 Second Chance Romance
🌿 Coming Home / Fresh Start
🤍 Found Family
🌸 Quirky Locals

PERFECT FOR FANS OF:
☕ Gilmore Girls & Virgin River
💕 Second Chance Romance
📚 Bookish Hooks
🧁 Sweet Treats
🤍 Found Family
✨ All Things Cosy

As a book lover, this setting was basically my dream. A bookshop AND a bakery? Honestly, I’d never leave. I spent most of this book wishing I owned one myself because I’d be completely in my element surrounded by books, coffee, cakes, and cosy corners.

One of my favourite things was the sense of community. The quirky locals and found family vibes made the town feel so real, and Jennifer Page created the kind of place that makes you want to pack your bags and move there immediately.

The romance was sweet, the characters were easy to root for, and the Yorkshire backdrop added so much charm. It genuinely felt like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket with a hot drink while listening to the rain outside.

A joy to read from beginning to end and the perfect escape when you need a break from heavier reads.

If you’re looking for a cosy romance filled with books, baking, second chances, and small-town charm, add this one to your TBR. 📚🧁✨

A good story but it took me a little while to get into how the book was written.The main character runs back to her childhood home when her work goes wrong. Her mother and grandmother had run a bakery and her mum wanted her to take it on. So she does with a twist making it a bookshop too. I loved the step daughter and her designs. You have a great love element . There is so much to say but it would spoil the story. I am guessing we will get a book 2 . Read it..

Louise has moved back home and has a lot to think about. She wants to turn the bakery, that her mother wants her to run into a bookshop. But the town still wants a bakery. So she creates a place where both can exist. She also creates some great little extras with the help of her step daughter.
Louise really has some things to deal with in finding herself. And along the way she meets Jack and finds right where she belongs.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC

The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery is a cosy hub for romance literature. The story is set in a fictional village, Applethwaite, in Yorkshire, UK. It’s about a second chance at midlife and career, following your dreams and family. The author has written a charming story that inspired and encouraged building and reinventing your life even at a later stage in life.

Louise Dearnley returns to her hometown after resigning from her position as an editor due to a blunder at work that ruined a writer’s career. She finds herself confronting her mother’s and neighbours’ expectations, old memories, and the constant uncertainty of her future. She reluctantly reopens her family’s bakery while navigating the addition of a bookshop alongside it, her lacklustre love life, and the arrival of her ex-husband’s daughter, Maddie, at her doorstep.

My Thoughts
This story is a slow-paced cosy romance that you should read during rainy days with tea or coffee and a delicious dessert. The intensity of her conflicts is mild, and plot twists are underwhelming. The book lacks the emphasis of the bakery side. The only thing that the villagers seem to order is the ginger cake and coffee or tea. There are no delicious descriptions of that either. The title said 'Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery', and I would love to see a bit more than just ginger cake.

Another annoying part of the book is when Louise keeps going back to comparing her life to the books she edited. I love Maddie. She’s so creative and a pillar for Louise throughout the addition and process of the bookshop. She adds humour and emotional depth, which reminds me of the Gilmore Girls series. Therefore, this is a 3.5-star rating for me.

In conclusion, The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery is a comforting and heartwarming read for fans of cosy romance, village settings, and new beginnings.

I quite enjoyed this read. I liked how despite Louise’s struggles and mistakes she doesn’t give up. She has moments where she is going to give up but the people in her life even her worst enemy encourage her in their own way.

This is a romance with a bit of mystery potentially thriller vibes. There is short spicy scene towards the end of the book.

A light easy read romance which was somewhat predictable despite the main character, publishing editor, Louise saying it wasn't. Set in Yorkshire after Louise perceived she'd made a huge mistake at work. Usual round of misunderstandings and so called lies which are really just omissions to save people's feelings. However,, it's a fine holiday read as Louise and Jack sort themselves out. Plenty of yummy sounding cakes feature.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Jennifer Page and the Aria and Aries Team for this ARC.

This cozy blend of bookshop bakery romance made me feel like someone read my thoughts about certain romance plots cliches and put them on paper in the form of Louise's thoughts. I understood well how her thoughts would run with her imagination, creating all those scenarios.

Loved how they created the bookshop part of the bakery, how the community got together for Louise, how Maddie, Louise's ex-step-daughter, was such a big part of the plot, helping it to go along and create those iconic ideas. I loved Maddie a lot and I really hoped she would get her happy ending. It wasn't meant for this book, but maybe she will get her own book where a happy ending is in the cards for her.

The chemistry between Louise and Giacomo/Jack was well-written in the first part, but after Jack's lie has been discovered, it just fizzled out and it became awkward until it could be recovered even a tiny bit.

As for the parts that made me dislike it: Giacomo/Jack's lie and how he just went with it, without making at least some research about anything. There's a bit too much repetition going on, and with the way it kept repeating about what Louise did at her old job without even a hint, it made me think Louise printed a book about drugs or worse topics out there. The reveal of the truth was a bit anti-climatic with how much Louise made it sound like it was the end of the world.

Even with all that, it was a great reading. Cozy and with a message that no one should stop fighting for their dreams. Even if it might not work out the way we all want it to, we tried and maybe we find other solutions and paths. And that's all that matters. Having a bit of a romance and such detailed descriptions of the bookshop bakery Louise opened helped a lot to show the message.

Edit after new version of the book:

Old rating: 4⭐️
New rating: 4.5⭐️

It remains a great read about a cozy bookshop bakery in a community that will be there for each other, even those on the meaner side.

Love the fact that both author and publisher took reader's opinion into account and made changes before publishing. This new version is smoother, taking out Jack's lie, creating a new narrative around Jack and Louise's relationship. Their interactions lingered more in my mind, the chemistry bumping up as there was no awkward lie right there in the middle.

Maddie still remains my favorite of the book, the heart of this entire venture Louise sets forth on. She helps so much, from being hands-on with helping, to artistic creator. Everything sails smoothly due to her presence and ideas. Love how the author put in small stuff that could be used as great openers for Maddies' own book (it's just my wishful hoping).

The rest of the good things from the first book version remain and my opinion on them haven't changed. It's a great read, made for a cozy day inside, with some tea and cake next to it.

This book is the definition of sweet (pun intended)! If you (like me) dream of owning a coffee shop / book store you will totally love this story. The small town has quirky characters, little bit of tension and a whole lot of sweetness! I wish the store was a real place that I could visit 📖 😍

📅 Pub Date: November, 2026
📝 Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.