The Solid Grounds Coffee Company by Carla Laureano (Review)

Series: The Supper Club #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Tyndale House
Released: February 4, 2020
392 pages

About the Book:

Analyn Sanchez can handle the long hours and arrogant clients that come with her job as a crisis management associate at Denver's largest publicity firm. The high-powered job, expensive condo, and designer wardrobe are all part of her plan to prove to her family that her life choices haven't been in vain. But when she's asked to cover up a client's misdeeds with serious moral and legal ramifications, she can no longer sacrifice her conscience for her career . . . and the cost is no less than her job.

Ever since a devastating climbing accident in South America eight months ago, and a bad decision that dried up his sponsorships, professional rock climber Bryan Shaw has found himself at similar loose ends. When the opportunity to buy a coffee farm in Colombia arises, he jumps on it--only to discover his wandering ways have left him utterly unprepared to run a business.

When Bryan returns home and offers Ana a role in his company as a solution to both their problems, she's desperate enough to consider working with the far-too-flippant and far-too-handsome climber, even though he's the polar opposite of her type A nature. As they delve deeper into the business, however, she begins to suspect there's much more to Bryan than she's given him credit for . . . and that sometimes the best plans are the ones you never see coming.

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐

It was nice to finally get to know Ana more. She was definitely a driven character always on a schedule. When her routine gets changed, how will she react? Meanwhile, Bryan is trying to move on from bad actions he has made and change his path. I respected how he wasn't relying on his parents' money but rather working hard. I did like these two characters together and enjoyed seeing the friend group interactions. But I did not like the third act conflict that was inserted. Not only did the situation bother me, but it also felt like the writing style changed at this point as it didn't flow the same. It jumped in time to wrap up very quickly. There were parts of the epilogue I liked but also parts that made me a little sad for the friend group, but like continues to move on. I did learn quite a bit about coffee through this book.

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 

in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   

Five Days in Skye - MacDonald Family Trilogy #1

London Tides- MacDonald Family Trilogy #2

Under Scottish Stars - MacDonald Family Trilogy #3

Provenance

The Saturday Night Supper Club - Supper Club #1 

Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe- Supper Club #2  

Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe by Carla Laureano (Review)

Series: Supper Club #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Tyndale House 
Released: February 5. 2019
393 pages

About the Book:

Baker and pastry chef Melody Johansson has always believed in finding the positive in every situation, but seven years after she moved to Denver, she can’t deny that she’s stuck in a rut. One relationship after another has ended in disaster, and her classical French training is being wasted on her night job in a mediocre chain bakery. Then the charming and handsome private pilot Justin Keller lands on the doorstep of her workplace in a snowstorm, and Melody feels like it’s a sign that her luck is finally turning around.

Justin is intrigued by the lively bohemian baker, but the last thing he’s looking for is a relationship. His own romantic failures have proven that the demands of his job are incompatible with meaningful connections, and he’s already pledged his life savings to a new business venture across the country—an island air charter in Florida with his sister and brother-in-law.

Against their better judgment, Melody and Justin find themselves drawn together by their unconventional career choices and shared love of adventure. But when an unexpected windfall provides Melody with the chance to open her dream bakery-café in Denver with her best friend, chef Rachel Bishop, she’s faced with an impossible choice: stay and put down roots with the people and place she’s come to call home . . . or give it all up for the man she loves.

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I initially read this as an advance reader copy back in 2019, but I recently purchased a copy and read it for the second time. I enjoyed it just as much as the first time. I fell in love with Melody and Justin once again and hanging out with the girls. I'm not a person who loves to cook or bake but that hasn't turned me off from this series. I may not relate in this way but I could be Ana and just enjoy the food that Rachel and Melody make.

Original Review - With the main character being a baker, it comes as no surprise that quite a bit of time is spent in the kitchen. All the mouth-watering goodies will have readers drooling. Melody has dreams of opening her own bakery and being able to choose what she makes but can not see a way to achieve that goal. But then she receives an unexpected inheritance, and her dreams seem to be within reach. However, she has just met Justin, who already has plans in place that will entail him moving across the country. Justin is intrigued by Melody and wants to spend time with her, but the timing is off. How dangerous is it for their hearts to spend more time together even though their lives are heading in different directions?

After meeting Melody in book 1 of the series, I was looking forward to getting to know her more. I was drawn to Justin he has a caring heart and will do anything for his family. I appreciated that he was honest and upfront about his feelings and situation. These two don’t seem like an obvious match, but I liked them together. There was a point in the story where I found myself really frustrated with Rachel her attitude and treatment of Melody felt very selfish. I was pleased that Melody stood up for herself and that they were able to work through the issues, and this one incident didn’t ruin their relationship. I felt their friendship was stronger in the end.

As I became more invested in the story, my attachment to Justin and Melody grew. I tried to figure out things would turn out for them, but I couldn’t see a scenario where they would both be able to achieve their dreams. Would one of them have to give up their dreams, and if so, would they regret it? I was intrigued to see what was going to happen. The story took me on an emotional journey, but it was one I enjoyed.

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 

in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   

Five Days in Skye - MacDonald Family Trilogy #1

London Tides- MacDonald Family Trilogy #2

Under Scottish Stars - MacDonald Family Trilogy #3

Provenance

The Saturday Night Supper Club - Supper Club #1 

The Saturday Night Supper Club by Carla Laureano (Review)

Series: Supper Club # 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Tyndale House
Released: February 6, 2018
381 pages

About the Book:

Denver chef Rachel Bishop has accomplished everything she’s dreamed and some things she never dared hope, like winning a James Beard Award and heading up her own fine-dining restaurant. But when a targeted smear campaign causes her to be pushed out of the business by her partners, she vows to do whatever it takes to get her life back . . . even if that means joining forces with the man who inadvertently set the disaster in motion.

Essayist Alex Kanin never imagined his pointed editorial would go viral. Ironically, his attempt to highlight the pitfalls of online criticism has the opposite effect: it revives his own flagging career by destroying that of a perfect stranger. Plagued by guilt-fueled writer’s block, Alex vows to do whatever he can to repair the damage. He just doesn’t expect his interest in the beautiful chef to turn personal.

Alex agrees to help rebuild Rachel’s tarnished image by offering his connections and his home to host an exclusive pop-up dinner party targeted to Denver’s most influential citizens: the Saturday Night Supper Club. As they work together to make the project a success, Rachel begins to realize Alex is not the unfeeling opportunist she once thought he was, and that perhaps there’s life—and love—outside the pressure-cooker of her chosen career. But can she give up her lifelong goals without losing her identity as well?

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I initially read this as an advance reader copy back in 2018, but I recently purchased a copy and read it for the second time. I enjoyed it just as much as the first time.

There is so much to enjoy about this book. The focus is on a chef who specializes in fine dining, but after an article about her goes viral she loses her kitchen and it looks like all her dreams have come crashing down. Alex never imagined that his article would have the effect it did and feels horrible about it, so he sets out to make amends with Rachel (someone he has never met). Neither imagined a partnership between them would turn into so much more. As much as I enjoyed following the possible romance, I especially enjoyed the friendships portrayed - Alex and his friend Bryan, Rachel and her friends Melody and Ana, Alex and his sister Dina. Each relationship was special and touched me in different ways. This is a beautiful story that kept me glued to the pages, connecting with the characters and feeling their emotions.

Favourite Quote: 

“If God had wanted you to be anything other than who and what you are, He would have made you that way.”

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 

in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   

Five Days in Skye - MacDonald Family Trilogy #1

London Tides- MacDonald Family Trilogy #2

Under Scottish Stars - MacDonald Family Trilogy #3

Provenance

Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe - Supper Club #2  

Review: Under Scottish Stars by Carla Laureano

Series: MacDonald Family Trilogy #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Tyndale House
Released: March 11, 2021
384 pages

About the Book:

Recently widowed Serena MacDonald Stewart focuses on her children to the exclusion of her career, her art, and her sanity. When her brothers ask her to oversee the family guest house on the Isle of Skye, it's a chance to dust off her long-ignored business skills and make a new start. But her hopes for a smooth transition are dashed when the hotel manager, Malcolm Blake, turns out to be irritating, condescending . . . and incredibly attractive.

Malcolm Blake gave up everything--his home, his girlfriend, and his career--to return to Skye and raise his late sister's teenage daughter. With few job opportunities available on the island, he signs on as the manager of the MacDonald family hotel, which he's soon running successfully without interference from the owners. That is, until Serena shows up, challenging his authority and his conviction that there's nothing missing from his new life on Skye.

Before long, Serena and Malcolm have to admit the spark between them is more than mere irritation. But as single parents, there's more on the line than their own hearts. Will their commitment to family be the thing that draws them together or the only thing that could keep them apart?

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is book number three of the McDonald Family series and focuses on Serena who is the middle sibling between her older brother and her younger brother. Serena is a widowed mother of two, an eight-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son. She is currently living in the city of Nairn but has been asked by her brother to return to the Isle of Skye to oversee the running of the family hotel. She comes thinking is she is only there for a season arriving in February/March and planning to stay until the end of summer before returning to the city. As the time passes, she begins to debate about returning to the city or to stay in Syke. Her brother asked her to oversee the hotel as he feels a family member will have better a deeper investment making it a success than the hotel manager that's currently there. Yes he is doing good job and they don't have a problem with him but feel he doesn't have the same investment into the hotel because it's he's just working for them. When she arrives she meets the hotel manager, Malcolm, and from that the first meeting they butt heads because Malcolm's very suspicious about why she's here wondering what has he done wrong, why all of a sudden is she here when he’s been overseeing the hotel for the last six months on his own. But he also feels immediately attracted to her and wants to get to know her, but Serena tries to keep her distance. She has been hurt by a man before, and for various reason is cautious not wanting her kids to get invested or attached to anybody when she doesn't know what's going to happen but she is also attracted to him. Malcolm is very kind and sweet to her and convinces her give him a chance. I really enjoyed the flirty banter between the two of them, it was fun and entertaining and the kids added to the story. In addition to Serena’s two children, Malcolm’s niece is living with him and is very involved in the story. the conversations especially between the eight-year-old and her mom were really sweet and gave you an insight into Serena and how she's feeling. There is a bit of back and forth on whether or not they will give a relationship a shot, then she makes a decision and ends up with her heart broken due to the timing of events. Through it all we see Serena rediscovers the faith she grew up with and puts her trust in God and learns to rely on Him and trust that He has her best interest at heart. The book ends happily as per most romances do and I really enjoyed it.

I also I really liked seeing the brothers and getting updates on what's going on in their lives now since we last saw them in their respective books. One thing that I didn’t really enjoy about the story is that there is a lot of physical kissing scenes between the two, nothing that really crossed a line for me, just quite a bit of it. I really enjoyed the characters and I enjoyed seeing more of the island, the descriptions made it feel like I was right there with them. 

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 

in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   

Five Days in Skye - MacDonald Family Trilogy #1

London Tides- MacDonald Family Trilogy #2

Provenance
The Saturday Night Supper Club - Supper Club #1

Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe - Supper Club #2 

 

Review: London Tides by Carla Laureano

Series: MacDonald Family Trilogy #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Tyndale House
Released: Jan. 18, 2015
340 pages

About the Book:

Irish photojournalist Grace Brennan travels the world’s war zones documenting the helpless and forgotten. After the death of her friend and mentor in the field, Grace is shaken.

She returns to London hoping to rekindle the spark with the only man she ever loved—Scottish businessman Ian MacDonald. But he gave up his championship rowing career and dreams of Olympic gold years ago for Grace ... only for her to choose career over him. Will life’s tides bring them back together ... or tear them apart for good this time?

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is book number two of the MacDonald family series and features the older brother Ian. He is currently working for his brother Jamie running the company so that Jamie can focus on his chef duties. Ian is a lawyer and looks after all the business stuff the background, we learn early on that Ian was once engaged to a woman named Grace 10 years ago but one day she just left the ring and walked out on him. He has no idea of what happened and it left him heartbroken. Grace is now back in London and wants to kind of reconcile with Ian and apologize for her actions. She is conflict photographer and has been in a lot of the war zones and has lost a lot of people that she's worked with. She is dealing with post-traumatic stress but she doesn't really acknowledge it but know that’s she made a mistake 10 years ago and wants to rectify that however she is struggling with the thought of giving up her lifestyle a correspondent. We follow Grace through this struggle. Ian immediately forgives Grace and tries to be very supportive and kind to her. I quickly liked him. My issues with this story is that there was quite a few descriptive kissing scenes and not a much mention of God or Faith even though it was suppose to be a Christian romance. I felt for the struggles of the characters and again enjoyed the way the story ended for them. 

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 

in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   

Five Days in Skye - MacDonald Family Trilogy #1

Provenance
The Saturday Night Supper Club - Supper Club #1

Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe - Supper Club #2