Review of 'The Bakery at Clamshell Bay' by Sara Jane Bailey

Review of 'The Bakery at Clamshell Bay' by Sara Jane Bailey

Release date: August 4th, 2023

Publisher: Storm Publishing

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REVIEW

What a great story! I adored The Bakery at Clamshell Bay. I found myself immediately drawn into the dual perspective of Cleo and Ethan. Two people in need of a fresh start, coming from bad relationships and difficult situations. Cleo and Ethan are very different in many ways but they share common characteristics of realness, honesty and kindness. Their attraction to each other is undeniable but carries deeper connections than just physical elements. They each like to make items with their hands. Ethan has carpenter skills and enjoys building and repairing. Cleo dreams up recipes and makes breads, cookies, cakes, cinnamon buns and so on. She gets pleasure from creating foods, he from constructing building items. Cleo finds Ethan dependable, caring and courteous. He never pushes himself on her but guides with a gentle hand. He respects Cleo for her strength, independence and focus.

Ethan Crisp was once a star of a popular television series. But that was twenty five years ago. When the show ended, he moved on. Never accepting any further acting roles offered. Instead, he took his sailboat and travelled wherever the winds would take him (including places where he might not be recognised). This time, issues with his boat lead him into Clamshell Bay. But what is meant to be a quick stop for parts and repairs, ends up lasting longer when he becomes friends with the baker and other townspeople. Although being a small place where nothing goes unnoticed, Ethan finds the community spirit quite endearing and hard to leave.

And then there is the pet event on the first day. Ethan has a soft spot for rescuing the disadvantaged. A kitten captures his heart at the local pet shop. A litter of strays are taken to the pet store. The owner must find homes for the kittens who have lost their mother. They all are adopted except one. A female with one ear. Ethan feels sorry for the little one and rescues her once discovering she will be sent to a shelter and likely terminated. But his intention is to find the kitten a new home. He tries to avoid naming her to prevent an attachment but for interesting reasons (you will read) he decides to call her Delilah. No matter how many times he tries to deny his love for this less-than-perfect creature, he cannot. And his attempts to find a new home for the kitten fail at every turn. He even offers her to Cleo but receives a firm no.

Cleo Duvall has a successful business. One that is the heartbeat of the town. She has gained the respect and care of her neighbours. She has created a solid life on her own terms, running the bakery and teaching cooking classes. She is not a keen traveller and never stays away for more than three weeks without returning to her favourite spot in the world. She is content, something her new friend, Ethan, has never been. For as an ex-actor with a lot of money, he drifts from town to town on his sailboat. He may enjoy the travelling but it is his restlessness or lack of fulfilment that keeps him moving. Until now. Meeting Cleo brings some fresh perspective and raises new emotions in him.

Ethan’s desire to protect and aid the less fortunate makes him a desirable partner for Cleo. But she has been tricked by her past ex-husband and her mistakes return to haunt her when the culprit reappears after disappearing two years earlier. Ethan tries to help uncover the man’s past to give her the ammunition she needs to cut all ties. What he (through another friend) discovers is shocking and may be the very thing to save Cleo’s home and business.

This is a heart-warming story about finding your place in the world. It is also about trying to hold on to what you love when something or someone comes along to threaten that security. For Chloe, Clamshell Bay is a place of roots and community connection. Although she has been the one to always help others and give advice, now she must learn to receive the same. When she does, she begins to feel peace in the midst of chaos. Aided by Ethan, his boat and even a kitten, she learns to breathe again. ‘A kiss full of promise and acceptance’ is just what she needs and receives.

I loved everything about this story! Justice is served and this first instalment of the series delivers a lovely conclusion. I am delighted there will be more Clamshell Bay books! Sara Jane Bailey is a new author to me but I am dying to read more of her work now. The Bakery at Clamshell Bay is a winner. Great writing, wonderful characters, intriguing plot and a satisfying climax. What more could you want! 5 Delicious Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my review copy.