Disclosure: I received this book in exchange for an honest review. Post contains affiliate links; opinions shared are mine.
From Scratch was the first time I’ve heard of C.E. Hilbert. What a treat! Set in a bakery, the story wrapped around a sassy baker named Maggie, and a police chief – Sean. It’s a quick read, filled with chills-up-the-spine moments. Although you’d expect it to be a sweet story (what with the bakery and all), Maggie’s dangerous past lingers in the plot.
The side characters were a chest of treasure; I adored Sean’s circle of family and friends. Curiously, several of the characters were named after an E. E. Cummings poem (maggie and milly and molly and may). Author C. E. Hilbert did a great job of getting the reader in the mind of each main character, which helped to develop a deeper sense of urgency.
Although it’s in the Christian fiction genre, From Scratch isn’t overwhelming in the evangelical department. In fact, there’s even a dark spin on a cult-like Christian organization. Still, the messages of faith and trust have a strong pulse. The book needed a few edits, although it didn’t affect the overall plot. Additionally, I would have loved to find a few of Maggie’s recipes at the end. Just a word of advice – don’t read this book on an empty stomach!
“From Scratch” by C.E. Hilbert (Romantic Suspense)
Synopsis: Maggie McKitrick loves everything about her new life in Gibson’s Run, Ohio—her charming bakery, her quirky customers, her distance from the past. Yes, she loves everything…except her new landlord. Police Chief Sean Taylor is like a piece of sand in an oyster—irritating, but with the promise of something beautiful. Despite Maggie’s self-imposed man-fast, she wonders what kind of treasure she and the lawman could create together. Sean Taylor likes to keep the peace, but his new tenant is making it nearly impossible to keep anything on an even keel—including his heart. Despite her sassy attitude, Sean is drawn to the beautiful pastry chef and has an overwhelming need to serve and protect her. As Maggie and Sean draw closer together, her long buried dreams about her life are reawakened into a hopeful prayer…until a threat from her past promises to destroy their future. Will Maggie be forced to run—again—starting fresh? Or will God answer her prayer and give her the happily-ever-after she’s started from scratch?
Enter to win a copy of From Scratch! Visit the giveaway form below for your chances to win. Open to ages 18+, US — void where prohibited by law. Good luck!
This was such a sweet, charming book. I’m drawn to bakery themed cozies,
From Scratch is a sweet contemporary Christian romance by author C.E. Hilbert. If you are in the mood for a heartwarming good over comes evil type romance this is the one.
If you are in the mood for a heartwarming good over comes evil type romance this is the one
From Scratch is a sweet contemporary Christian romance by author C.E. Hilbert.
This is a wonderful story of holding onto faith even during the most difficult times. I loved the sweet romance between Sean and Maggie and how it developed from an antagonistic beginning to a strong love between them.
“If you are in the mood for a heartwarming good over comes evil type romance this is the one.”
As strangers became friends, and friends became family, it was uplifting to watch her be able to trust God in settling her in this place, allowing herself to stop hiding and confide in someone about her past.
I would like to win this book because I believe it would be a very interesting story.
I was initially drawn to this book because the title itself resonated very deeply with me. Before knowing anything about the book, I felt a connection to it somehow– I, too, am starting everything from scratch. (I’m in my early-ish 30s, for what it’s worth.) …Also, I was lured in by the cover– I used to work in a bakery, when I was about age 18 to 20, and I absolutely loved that job.
I could go on for SO long about what’s going on with me and MY version of “starting from scratch,” but in a tiny nutshell: I am starting all over after being in graduate school until the age of 32.
I really identify with this part of the synopsis, especially the first part: “… her long buried dreams about her life are reawakened into a hopeful prayer…until a threat from her past promises to destroy their future.”
I would really love to peek inside the pages of this book, and take a journey along with the characters.
First I love the Romantic Suspense then the idea of a baker and Police Chief is different than what I’ve read before. Thanks for sharing.
I love that it’s a Christian romance
I would love to get this book as I love love story with a religions meaning to them.
I would love to win this book because I love reading romance novels. This looks like a very sweet story that I would enjoy.
wanna win for my gf looks like a fun one
It sounds like an interesting read.
IT IS A MYSTERY AND ALSO GOOD CLEAN READING
I would like to win this book as I am a hopeless romantic and I already love the characters in it.
It’s a clean mystery.
I like to read nice, clean stories. I don’t need a lot of craziness at my age.
Would love to read this book – love anything with a culinary setting!!