Review: Batter Up by Robyn Neeley

Title  Batter Up

Author Robyn Neeley

Published by Escape Publishing Harlequin Enterprises 

Pages 151

Genres Contemporary Romance, Magical Realism

Copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley

Description:

Bakeshop owner Emma Stevens has a secret — a delicious, slightly unorthodox secret. Each Monday, she mixes up a premonition to share with the bachelors of Buttermilk Falls, and sets one lucky man on the path to true love.

When reporter Jason Levine finds himself mixed up in a Las Vegas bachelorette party, he hears the strangest rumour: the marriage is happening thanks to magic cake batter. Seriously sceptical, and sick of frauds, Jason journeys to the backwater town of Buttermilk Falls to expose the baker and release the townspeople from her evil clutches.

But when Jason meets Emma, tempers flare and sparks fly. Will Jason cling to his logic at the expense of a future, or will he let himself fall under Emma’s spell?

Review:

Emma Stevens is the owner of Sugar Spoon Bakery, in Buttermilk Falls, a small town in New York. She sells cakes very good and delicious but also uses a little magic. Every Monday she realizes the Batter Up night: out of her shop there are a lot of singles waiting for her response. She prepares a special batter, closes her eyes and appears to her the name of the twin soul of a chosen single. She has never failed, there was never a break or a divorce. This magic and romantic custom is about to be broken by two reporters who want to show that it is only suggestive. Jason Levine is in Las Vegas with his best friend and colleague Brandon. They meet Tom, a veteran of Iraq, which is going to marry and says how Emma helped him find Bridget, his future bride. Jason and Brandon go to Buttermilk Falls to meet this cheater and finish her false. He had not expected to meet a sweet girl who kidnapped his heart. Jason has lost the love of his life and has not yet overcome the trauma. Emma, however, is not so good with herself as with the others: she has been dumped by her boyfriend and is afraid to trust again. Jason could use the Batter Up night to convince Emma that his feelings have changed, but if  doesn't come out her name? 

It 's a very sweet and funny novel. I love it. I love the setting of this romance: the life in a small town with its festivals, its markets. Are well developed and attractive also the secondary characters, like the cousin of Emma and Brandon, the friend of Jason 

It 's very well written, a quick read, reads quietly in one afternoon, once started its magic envelops you and it's hard to leave it. Must read for those who love the sweet romance and atmosphere of Allen's books.

Robyn Neeley is an East Coaster who loves to explore new places; watches way more reality TV than she cares to admit; can’t live without Dunkin Donuts coffee and has never met a cookie she didn’t like. If you have a must read romance suggestion or a fabulous cookie recipe, she wants to know. Find her on Facebook and Twitter while her website is under construction