Publication
New York : Little, Brown and Co., 2013.
Collection
Call number
Large Print Fiction S
Physical description
519 p.; 22 cm
Status
Available
Call number
Description
In this novel a high-powered Manhattan attorney finds love, purpose, and the promise of a simpler life in her grandmother's hometown. Ellen Branford is going to fulfill her grandmother's dying wish, to find the hometown boy she once loved, and give him her last letter. Ellen leaves Manhattan and her Kennedy-esque fianc� for Beacon, Maine. What should be a one-day trip is quickly complicated when she almost drowns in the chilly bay and is saved by a local carpenter. The rescue turns Ellen into something of a local celebrity, which may or may not help her unravel the past her grandmother labored to keep hidden. As she learns about her grandmother and herself, it becomes clear that a 24-hour visit to Beacon may never be enough.
Subjects
User reviews
LibraryThing member jbarr5
The irresistible blueberry bakeshop & cafe by Mary Simses
What a very nice surprise. The cover is why I wanted to read this book. Once I got into the book the story line was something very appealing to me on many counts.
The locale of Maine, photography and exploring into the past.
Helen starts out
She tracks down numerous things along the way about her grandmothers past. Her fiance gets concerned when she doesn't make it back to NYC so he shows up there, and so does her mother for a photography shoot for their upcoming wedding.
Problem is she has choices now-and little does she realize the reason why she was sent here, rather than just mailing the letter sinks in and gives her advice she may follow.
Hoping to find more from this author as I really totally was enthralled reading this.
Before I listened to this via NLS I had bought the hard bound book. Was hoping for a recipe...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
5 stars!
What a very nice surprise. The cover is why I wanted to read this book. Once I got into the book the story line was something very appealing to me on many counts.
The locale of Maine, photography and exploring into the past.
Helen starts out
Show More
on a journey for her now dead grandmother-to deliver a letter to Mr. Cummings in Maine. When she arrives she ends up falling through a dock and she is rescued by Roy.She tracks down numerous things along the way about her grandmothers past. Her fiance gets concerned when she doesn't make it back to NYC so he shows up there, and so does her mother for a photography shoot for their upcoming wedding.
Problem is she has choices now-and little does she realize the reason why she was sent here, rather than just mailing the letter sinks in and gives her advice she may follow.
Hoping to find more from this author as I really totally was enthralled reading this.
Before I listened to this via NLS I had bought the hard bound book. Was hoping for a recipe...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
5 stars!
Show Less
LibraryThing member mlake
I really wanted to love this book - a review on the cover says if I loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (which I did) I would love this too. I did not. These characters were not complete for me, they seemed very stereotypically one dimensional. The whole story form start to
Show More
finish takes place in a week and as much as I believe in true love I don't believe this story. Show Less
LibraryThing member jmchshannon
Ellen Branford is used to being in control. As a lawyer in a prestigious firm, engaged to one of the more eligible bachelors in her milieu, she has a firm grasp of who she is and the direction of her future. However, a trip to Beacon, Maine to fulfill the deathbed wish of her beloved grandmother
Ellen is a bit of a conundrum. As a high-powered lawyer, she is quite intelligent and independent. However, her reaction to her almost-drowning is unusual, and her initial interactions with Roy are childlike in her petulance. It seems out of character and is not adequately explained to allow readers to justify why she wants to remain anonymous. In addition, there is a darker aspect of her relationship with her fiancé at which Ms. Simses only hints but which could go a long way to explaining Ellen’s irrational fear of being caught. It is the one unexplored avenue of the novel that is such an opportunity lost to take a decent story and give it a depth that it just does not have in its current form.
Ellen’s relationship with her fiancé is the one thing about The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe which differs from the romantic comedy stereotypes. The rest trods a familiar path. Roy is the love interest with all of the elements. Handyman? Yep – contractor. Hidden depths that include education and money? Of course. Good looking? Would it be a romance otherwise? Antagonistic attitude hiding his true feelings? Absolutely. It’s all there – from the sweetly sentimental and sensitive to the rough, tough, manly thing. It always makes for enjoyable reading, but nothing is going to be a surprising attribute. The plot unfolds as expected, with the expected friction that quickly turns into something else. All of the problems miraculously resolve themselves, and a happy ending ensues.
That being said, there is something decidedly homespun about the entire story which makes it easy to forgive the weaker elements. Ms. Simses paints the town of Beacon, Maine as a quintessential small town in New England, complete with quirky inhabitants, picturesque buildings and a gorgeous landscape. There is a frequent mention of baked goods, particularly blueberry muffins, that will make a reader crave carbs. In fact, there is a focus on all sorts of food that will leave a reader hungry and envious at all of the good food being had in such a small town. It also has its comic moments that are just endearingly cute. Some of the scenes in said local hotspot will cause more than one chuckle, as Ellen learns to handle her new-found fame. It may be cheesy but it also adds to the overall charm of the story.
The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe is a simple story designed to entertain and nothing more. Ellen is likable, even if she is a bit naïve about her emotions. Roy is what you would expect in women’s fiction. Their interactions are adorable. While the story is predictable, there is a certain satisfaction to knowing just how such a story is going to end and pleasure to be derived from watching it unfold as expected. The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe is a perfect light read for summer with its popular tale of love in the most unexpected places.
Show More
proves how little she knows about her future. In Mary Simses’ The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe, Ellen learns firsthand that even the most well-laid plans can diverge down unexpected but no less pleasant ways, and that the result is not necessarily always a tragedy.Ellen is a bit of a conundrum. As a high-powered lawyer, she is quite intelligent and independent. However, her reaction to her almost-drowning is unusual, and her initial interactions with Roy are childlike in her petulance. It seems out of character and is not adequately explained to allow readers to justify why she wants to remain anonymous. In addition, there is a darker aspect of her relationship with her fiancé at which Ms. Simses only hints but which could go a long way to explaining Ellen’s irrational fear of being caught. It is the one unexplored avenue of the novel that is such an opportunity lost to take a decent story and give it a depth that it just does not have in its current form.
Ellen’s relationship with her fiancé is the one thing about The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe which differs from the romantic comedy stereotypes. The rest trods a familiar path. Roy is the love interest with all of the elements. Handyman? Yep – contractor. Hidden depths that include education and money? Of course. Good looking? Would it be a romance otherwise? Antagonistic attitude hiding his true feelings? Absolutely. It’s all there – from the sweetly sentimental and sensitive to the rough, tough, manly thing. It always makes for enjoyable reading, but nothing is going to be a surprising attribute. The plot unfolds as expected, with the expected friction that quickly turns into something else. All of the problems miraculously resolve themselves, and a happy ending ensues.
That being said, there is something decidedly homespun about the entire story which makes it easy to forgive the weaker elements. Ms. Simses paints the town of Beacon, Maine as a quintessential small town in New England, complete with quirky inhabitants, picturesque buildings and a gorgeous landscape. There is a frequent mention of baked goods, particularly blueberry muffins, that will make a reader crave carbs. In fact, there is a focus on all sorts of food that will leave a reader hungry and envious at all of the good food being had in such a small town. It also has its comic moments that are just endearingly cute. Some of the scenes in said local hotspot will cause more than one chuckle, as Ellen learns to handle her new-found fame. It may be cheesy but it also adds to the overall charm of the story.
The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe is a simple story designed to entertain and nothing more. Ellen is likable, even if she is a bit naïve about her emotions. Roy is what you would expect in women’s fiction. Their interactions are adorable. While the story is predictable, there is a certain satisfaction to knowing just how such a story is going to end and pleasure to be derived from watching it unfold as expected. The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe is a perfect light read for summer with its popular tale of love in the most unexpected places.
Show Less
LibraryThing member LoveAtFirstBook
I would love a blueberry muffin right now. . .
Why, you might be asking? Because I just finished the light-hearted read, The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe.
Just FYI, I received this book in the mail unsolicited from Little, Brown & Co, and decided to read and review this book after
The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe by Mary Simses isn’t a book I would normally have picked up. I’d probably classifying the book as chick lit and move on.
But it’s hard to deny a free book in the mail, especially when you and the author have South Florida connections, so I picked it up.
Anyway, Ellen has a picture perfect life. She’s a successful lawyer with a handsome, wealthy lawyer fiance, living in Manhattan and experiencing only the best that life has to offer.
Then her grandmother passes away and leaves Ellen with a dying wish: deliver a letter (which happens to be to a lost love). Ellen takes the task to heart, driving to Beacon, Maine to hand deliver her grandmother’s letter.
But after being saved from an accidental fall off an old dock, Ellen uncovers more than just her grandmother’s past.
Ellen has to come to terms with her life as it is now. . . especially when what she learns in Beacon forces her to make some difficult decisions.
The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe is a quick, light read, perfect for summer (which is even more perfect since the book comes out in July!).
The only thing that would have made this book better would be if it had come with a few of Gran’s blueberry muffins!
What types of books do you enjoy as summer reads?
Thanks for reading,
Rebecca @ Love at First Book
Why, you might be asking? Because I just finished the light-hearted read, The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe.
Just FYI, I received this book in the mail unsolicited from Little, Brown & Co, and decided to read and review this book after
Show More
connecting with the author on Goodreads.The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe by Mary Simses isn’t a book I would normally have picked up. I’d probably classifying the book as chick lit and move on.
But it’s hard to deny a free book in the mail, especially when you and the author have South Florida connections, so I picked it up.
Anyway, Ellen has a picture perfect life. She’s a successful lawyer with a handsome, wealthy lawyer fiance, living in Manhattan and experiencing only the best that life has to offer.
Then her grandmother passes away and leaves Ellen with a dying wish: deliver a letter (which happens to be to a lost love). Ellen takes the task to heart, driving to Beacon, Maine to hand deliver her grandmother’s letter.
But after being saved from an accidental fall off an old dock, Ellen uncovers more than just her grandmother’s past.
Ellen has to come to terms with her life as it is now. . . especially when what she learns in Beacon forces her to make some difficult decisions.
The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe is a quick, light read, perfect for summer (which is even more perfect since the book comes out in July!).
The only thing that would have made this book better would be if it had come with a few of Gran’s blueberry muffins!
What types of books do you enjoy as summer reads?
Thanks for reading,
Rebecca @ Love at First Book
Show Less
LibraryThing member VickiLN
I loved this book! It started out a little sad since Ellen’s grandmother had recently died, but the story from then on was anything but sad. The trip her grandmother sent her on was full of ups and downs, laughs and surprises.
The descriptions of the town and the people she met were wonderful. I
I liked that in the end, she decided to be the person she wanted to be and not what her mother wanted her to be.
If you’re looking for a light read, give this book a chance. It’s a fun read that will make you smile, and maybe even laugh here and there.
The descriptions of the town and the people she met were wonderful. I
Show More
could almost see the town and the ocean, and by the end of the book I felt as if I knew these people. I loved following Ellen and discovering bits about her grandmother and her past. I loved seeing her become a person she thought she’d never be and liking a town and enjoying it’s people that she never thought she’d like.I liked that in the end, she decided to be the person she wanted to be and not what her mother wanted her to be.
If you’re looking for a light read, give this book a chance. It’s a fun read that will make you smile, and maybe even laugh here and there.
Show Less
LibraryThing member 4leschats
I was excited about this book after reading a couple reviews. However, I just gave up on it after 100 pages. The story didn't seem to be going anywhere. Everything seemed to need some editing from the slow pace, inconsistent characterization, the stilted narrative and dialogue, and abounding
Show More
cliches. I do read boilerplate genre fiction, but this read like a bad romance novel masquerading a literature. Show Less
LibraryThing member bezap
First novel, borrowed it from the library because of James Patterson's endorsement. Not my usual read. Very quick read, predictable, typical romance novel. While searching for her Grandmother's background, Ellen a stubborn, successful, beautiful, snobby, driven, materialistic Manhattan woman leaves
Show More
her old life and falls into a new life and love in rural Maine. She discovers "truths" about herself and about her grandmother. Very, simple predictable plot, but carefully written. First time author has talent, I'm sure there is a market for this type of novel; another reader would probably give it more stars. Oh, and Ellen can bake the best blueberry muffins. Show Less
LibraryThing member FerneMysteryReader
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Many early reviews mentioned their disappointment in James Patterson comparing this title to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows that was published in 2008. Perhaps marketing listened as the paperback edition that I
The only thing that I don't understand is leaving a position as a high-powered attorney to become an entrepreneur of a bakeshop and cafe. When did Ellen learn to bake? You don't become an awesome baker overnight with only old family recipes in hand. Throughout the entire novel, Ellen has remembrances of her love of photography and the words of wisdom that her grandmother shared with her about looking through the viewfinder. I knew that somehow Ellen and Roy would wind up on the farm and growing blueberries too but somehow I envisioned Ellen using her artistic talent for photography and creating an incredible gallery not a bakeshop even though the title leads to that definite conclusion. It's a beautifully written story and I'm anxious to read her next novel selection. But this book had other possibilities too that could have been explored and perhaps even been a great cliff-hanger for a sequel so I leave Beacon, ME with a touch of disappointment.
Show More
read has the quote by James Patterson on the front cover that says, "If you like Nicholas Sparks novels, you will devour this book." I am in agreement with this comparison for it would definitely be in my classification of a great summer beach book.The only thing that I don't understand is leaving a position as a high-powered attorney to become an entrepreneur of a bakeshop and cafe. When did Ellen learn to bake? You don't become an awesome baker overnight with only old family recipes in hand. Throughout the entire novel, Ellen has remembrances of her love of photography and the words of wisdom that her grandmother shared with her about looking through the viewfinder. I knew that somehow Ellen and Roy would wind up on the farm and growing blueberries too but somehow I envisioned Ellen using her artistic talent for photography and creating an incredible gallery not a bakeshop even though the title leads to that definite conclusion. It's a beautifully written story and I'm anxious to read her next novel selection. But this book had other possibilities too that could have been explored and perhaps even been a great cliff-hanger for a sequel so I leave Beacon, ME with a touch of disappointment.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Godsgirl
Too fluffy and predictable for me. For being a lawyer, she sure was an airhead!
LibraryThing member JudithDCollins
Wow, what a fabulous debut novel! I found The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Café to be totally divine! It was so much more than a romantic chick lit—it included the depth of a charming historical fiction novel, blending the old and new seamlessly with generations past.
If you are a fan of
I was delighted to discover this author (especially since I live in South Florida where Mary Simses currently resides). Being a former lawyer, Mary definitely knows the dynamics of her characters, and oh, is so able to capture the essence of each setting—to the point you could almost smell the flowers and taste the food--and image yourself alongside the characters.
This e-book was witty, and kept me smiling – what a beautiful love story – Ruth/Chet and Ellen/Roy. The scenes at the Antler were hilarious! I hated for the book to end as was so engaging. Hopefully there will be a sequel – (as possibly more about Ellen’s mother – seems as she may have some skeletons in her closet and could let loose as well, more about Chet’s background, possibly the owner of the B&B, and of course the continuation of Roy/Ellen saga and this town of colorful characters (at least a few more books in the series).
I related to this book in so many ways (as a former publisher, having spent years in the commercial real estate business, as well as a fan of small historic and quaint towns, art, B&Bs, coffee and tea shops, architecture, history, gourmet food, and photography. (Of course the smart and sexy hunk was a huge draw as well as the inviting front cover.--love finding secrets of past generations.)
A compelling and well written novel, set in beautiful Maine, this book will transport you from the sophisticated life of Manhattan to the simple pleasures of small town living, good food, and friends as a special granddaughter carries out her much loved grandmother’s wishes and the life and love she left behind.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author and following her!
If you are a fan of
Show More
authors Nicholas Sparks, Mary Kay Andrews, Elin Hilderbrand, Beth Hoffman, Nancy Thayer, Susan Rebecca White, and Mary Ellen Taylor- this book is for you! I was delighted to discover this author (especially since I live in South Florida where Mary Simses currently resides). Being a former lawyer, Mary definitely knows the dynamics of her characters, and oh, is so able to capture the essence of each setting—to the point you could almost smell the flowers and taste the food--and image yourself alongside the characters.
This e-book was witty, and kept me smiling – what a beautiful love story – Ruth/Chet and Ellen/Roy. The scenes at the Antler were hilarious! I hated for the book to end as was so engaging. Hopefully there will be a sequel – (as possibly more about Ellen’s mother – seems as she may have some skeletons in her closet and could let loose as well, more about Chet’s background, possibly the owner of the B&B, and of course the continuation of Roy/Ellen saga and this town of colorful characters (at least a few more books in the series).
I related to this book in so many ways (as a former publisher, having spent years in the commercial real estate business, as well as a fan of small historic and quaint towns, art, B&Bs, coffee and tea shops, architecture, history, gourmet food, and photography. (Of course the smart and sexy hunk was a huge draw as well as the inviting front cover.--love finding secrets of past generations.)
A compelling and well written novel, set in beautiful Maine, this book will transport you from the sophisticated life of Manhattan to the simple pleasures of small town living, good food, and friends as a special granddaughter carries out her much loved grandmother’s wishes and the life and love she left behind.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author and following her!
Show Less
LibraryThing member jo2son
This is a light read about a woman living in New York who goes to a small town in Maine to deliver a letter in order to fulfill her dying grandmother's last wish. Along the way she discovers what life in a small town has to offer. She also discovers things about her grandmother. In addition, there
Show More
is an element of romance. This book kept me reading because I wanted to find out more about her grandmother. I enjoyed this book enough to order a copy for the library I work for. (Review is based on a free ARC from Goodreads giveaway received in exchange for a review.) Show Less
LibraryThing member Olivermagnus
Just before attorney Ellen Brandford's grandmother died, she asked Ellen to deliver a letter to a man in Beacon, Maine, apologizing for leaving him in their youth. Since it was her grandmother's final request, Ellen decides to leave Manhattan and her fiance, Hayden, for what she believes will be a
After checking into her hotel, Ellen can't resist walking out on a nearby dock to take a photo. She falls through and almost drowns. She's saved by a handsome and witty carpenter named Roy and becomes a local celebrity known as “The Swimmer”. As Ellen searches for her grandmother's former lover, Ellen begins to discover things about her family and herself, she never knew. Her one-day trip turns into several and when Hayden and her mother arrive in town, things begin to fall apart in some funny ways.
This is a very cute but predictable chick-lit story that will appeal to hopeless romantics. It was a fast easy read and fulfilled my challenge of reading a book set in Maine.
Show More
quick one-day trip to Maine.After checking into her hotel, Ellen can't resist walking out on a nearby dock to take a photo. She falls through and almost drowns. She's saved by a handsome and witty carpenter named Roy and becomes a local celebrity known as “The Swimmer”. As Ellen searches for her grandmother's former lover, Ellen begins to discover things about her family and herself, she never knew. Her one-day trip turns into several and when Hayden and her mother arrive in town, things begin to fall apart in some funny ways.
This is a very cute but predictable chick-lit story that will appeal to hopeless romantics. It was a fast easy read and fulfilled my challenge of reading a book set in Maine.
Show Less
LibraryThing member NeedMoreShelves
This book was sweet and fairly predictable, with the only major surprise coming on behalf of the main character's grandmother 3/4 of the way through the novel. I don't always need to "like" the main character of a book, but in a romance novel it helps - if I don't like you, why do I care if you
That said, I was genuinely interested in finding out the secrets of her Grandmother's life - in fact, I would have loved much more of her grandmother's story. Reading how much she loved her Gran made me see the first glimpses of a woman I could root for, so I was thankful for those moments.
Show More
wind up happy? The biggest problem here, for me, was how long it took me to find Ellen anything but annoying. Her self-centeredness in every possibly situation made me wonder why anyone put up with her, frankly, and it wasn't until her (possibly even more self-centered) fiance' and mother showed up that she started to seem sympathetic in comparison. That said, I was genuinely interested in finding out the secrets of her Grandmother's life - in fact, I would have loved much more of her grandmother's story. Reading how much she loved her Gran made me see the first glimpses of a woman I could root for, so I was thankful for those moments.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Maydacat
Fulfilling a promise she made to her dying grandmother, Ellen finds herself searching for an old beau that her grandmother left decades ago. In the small town where her grandmother grew up, Ellen discovers connections to the way of life there that do not fit her current life as a high-powered
Show More
attorney. She also meets a handsome carpenter, which complicates her life, since she is scheduled to be married to another attorney in three months. What was a busy life on a narrow path has become a complicated life in a rural town. Likable characters, even in this predictable plot, made this an enjoyable and quick read. Show Less
LibraryThing member sdmtngirl
Definitely a rainy day, Saturday read. Enjoyed the characters, the premise and the storyline. Worth kicking back with your favorite beverage.
LibraryThing member kimkimkim
This could have been an interesting story but it was so poorly written. Not worth the time.
LibraryThing member book58lover
The signature on this email account is a quote by J.W. Eagan: "Never judge a book by its movie"
I never thought I would say this, but that quote doesn't apply to this book. The Hallmark movie is SO MUCH better and I couldn't reconcile the two while reading it. The sexual tension was palpable in the
It is just so-so.
I never thought I would say this, but that quote doesn't apply to this book. The Hallmark movie is SO MUCH better and I couldn't reconcile the two while reading it. The sexual tension was palpable in the
Show More
movie; not so much in this book. The choice of karaoke song was so wrong in the book. It really could have used a deeper edit.It is just so-so.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Alliebadger
Overall, I thought the story was sort of boring, but it's really well-written. Worth finishing.
LibraryThing member classyhomemaker
Well... the first chapter was ridiculous and believability went downhill from there. I had the entire thing figured out before I even finished chapter one, but decided just to roll with it.
It definitely gets worse before it gets better but about page 120, things start to become more interesting
There were way too many silly coincidences but the story did end up endearing itself to me and the fact that it lacked both a raunchy sex scene AND an obligatory but expendable gay character made it one of the better of the chick-lits I’ve read lately.
It definitely gets worse before it gets better but about page 120, things start to become more interesting
Show More
than laughable…slightly.There were way too many silly coincidences but the story did end up endearing itself to me and the fact that it lacked both a raunchy sex scene AND an obligatory but expendable gay character made it one of the better of the chick-lits I’ve read lately.
Show Less
Language
Original publication date
2013-07-09
ISBN
9780316245227