Don't Go Baking My Heart Review

Our second visit to the magical world of Foxford is even better than the first one. It is a forbidden love between the funnest Grim Reaper you will meet and the kindest Pastry Chef. This second chance at life, paranormal romance, stole my soul *wink, wink*

Read my 5-star review below:

Peter is a Grim Reaper and his hometown is his jurisdiction. Unfortunately, the next soul he has to collect is that of Faye, a talented baker in Foxford he cares for. She is trying to leave an abusive marriage and Peter's friendship is the support she didn't know she needed. As their relationship takes a romantic turn, the collection date looms, and Peter must decide if he will save her, which means condemning his soul to darkness.

Callaghan's wonderful flair for the whimsical is on display here and her undeniable talent for creating inviting magical worlds. This installment evolves Foxford and its lore, and I really enjoyed learning about reapers and the surprising things they can do. I always feel comfortable in Callaghan's stories, and as expected, there are frequent warm & fuzzies. In the bittersweet melancholy that colors it, there were also sobs and a lot of smiling, occasionally at the same time. Honest & intimate, the author has done well with the joyful weaving of the story threads, including the prickly existence of the awaited suspense and feeling of foreboding of course.

From Faye's first chapter you want to protect her, but she has guts, even in her dire circumstance. I love Peter's playful demeanor, kind soul and how he made me laugh. It is an impossible situation and his not being able to tell her the truth makes it even more difficult. The quick-witted retorts between them is all the money, as is the general banter between different characters that makes you want to chuckle.

Side characters that you will adore and some you will recognize if you have read the first Foxford book. Don't worry the writer does not let the first time visitors to this enchanting place feel left out. Also the addition of the adorable Scarlett was genisu, absolute cuteness overload. I must mention here that this book contains probably the most comical recipe I have seen in print.

Faye's situation is treated with the respect needed and the character is embraced with care and no judgment. This tale reminds us that family is loyalty, not blood. It deals with grief and how it is different for everyone. It is about altering destiny and it shows us how much good a person can do to change your life perspective.

I wanted to hug the book, scream at it and cry, that is how much this extraordinary story made me care. Kate Callaghan, this is your best one yet and worth all the emotional turmoil and the blubbering at the end.