During the ups and downs of 2020, readers looking for a feel-good novel may expect Lindy Miller’s The Magic Ingredient [Rosewind Books, October 13, 2020] to follow the lines of other romance novels within the genre. However, this romance novel has much more than just the typical elements of romance novels in its respective subgenres. With important themes such as loss, recovery, family, and love mixed in with some humour from Bar Harbor locals, The Magic Ingredient appeals to readers of all ages looking to find some light in dark times.
The first in Lindy Miller’s Bar Harbor Holiday Series, The Magic Ingredient follows the story of Eve Silver, a young woman who has inherited her family’s patisserie and tea shop, Mount Desserts. After trying to keep her shop open with little to no guidance, Eve finds herself in deep financial debt and begins to think that by the time the annual Harvest Happening Festival happens at the end of October, Mount Desserts will be closed for good. However, when Jeff Parish, his daughter Candace, and father in law, Bapo, move into town after the death of Jeff’s wife Naomi, Eve finds herself with some extra help in her kitchen—and some extra room in her heart for the new man in town. With no family of her own, Eve takes the Parish family under her wing and begins to truly understand what it means to be a resident of Mount Desert Island and Bar Harbor.
Aside from the difficult topics such as loss and financial ruin, this novel provides humour and much-needed wisdom from several of the residents of Mount Desert Island. While characters like Bapo provide guidance for Eve, Candance, and Jeff as they try to navigate saving Mount Desserts and their emotions, other characters like Doris Hammond also provide guidance and wisdom for the characters as well. Some of the most enjoyable and important moments are when Bapo chimes in with his wisdom and tends to create a sense of tension between the old man and his son-in-law, Jeff. Jeff is only trying to navigate his new life as best as he can and can’t seem to get away from Bapo’s repeated advice—even if the advice is sometimes served with a side of sarcasm. Additionally, another enjoyable aspect is the description of the delicacies that Eve creates in her kitchen. From the pumpkin and cream cheese icing whoopie pies to the caramel apple cake, each and every concoction Eve makes in her kitchen is described to the point where the reader can almost smell the sweet and spicy aromas wafting around Mount Desserts.
While many of the characters are well-rounded in terms of their emotions and goals, there is also room for the reader to learn more about the characters on a deeper level. It would be helpful to understand how Eve ended up with Mount Desserts and whether or not this was a recent event, or if she had been struggling for a certain amount of time. Additionally, it would also be helpful for readers to know and understand just how worried Eve is about trying to save Mount Desserts. From the beginning of the novel, the narrator makes it clear that the patisserie is struggling, but Eve’s true emotions are only shown in small increments throughout the novel. If readers were able to see into Eve’s personal life, even if it’s a look inside what she does with her free time, they would be able to know our main character better and understand why she reacts the way she does during certain events.
Overall, The Magic Ingredient is the perfect feel-good novel many readers are looking for as the tumultuous year of 2020 winds down. With the perfect amount of romance and struggle mixed in with humour and loveable characters, Lindy Miller has created an outstanding tale of loss, recovery, and just how far a little bit of love can go when someone is in need.
The Magic Ingredient is available from Amazon and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore!
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Synopsis | Goodreads
The end of summer is approaching, but even at the height of Bar Harbor’s tourist season, Eve Silver is having a hard time keeping enough dough in the bank to sustain the family bakery. Her only hope of paying past due bills is to win the catering bid for the town’s upcoming Harvest Happening festival. Otherwise, it’ll be lights out for Mount Desserts by Christmas.
Widower Jeff Perry is moving with his twelve-year-old daughter, Candy, from Manhattan to Maine with one goal: starting over. When sparks fly between Jeff and Eve as the town readies for the annual harvest festival, Candy wishes she had a love potion to help her dad fall in love again.
Will Eve be able to save Mount Desserts—and open her heart to Jeff—by the most bewitching night of the year?
It’ll take a lot of love, a little bit of luck … and just a pinch of magic.
