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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
Potions and Pastries by Bailey Cates is the seventh story in A Magical Bakery Mystery series. Katie Lightfoot along with her Aunt Lucy and Uncle Ben own the Honeybee Bakery in Savannah, Georgia. They provide baked goods that have a magical boost. Ben, Lucy, Katie, and her fiancé, Declan are out walking along the riverfront and see friend Orla Black telling fortunes. Orla has a message for Katie that she takes as a warning--sacrifice. What will Katie have to sacrifice? The next day Katie sees Orla nearby and wishes to get more information from her. Unfortunately, Orla walks in front of a car and is struck dead before Katie can speak with her. It looks like an accident, but Katie’s magical awareness tells her something sinister is afoot. Katie, Declan and the spellbook club work together to find out what happened to Orla. But what happens when Katie gets close to uncovering the truth?
Potions and Pastries is best enjoyed if you have read the other books in A Magical Bakery Mystery series. It can be a little confusing (especially in the beginning) when all the various spellbook club members are introduced. I found this story to be well-written and engaging. I was drawn into the story and I liked the magical elements. Potions and Pastries has great characters that you will enjoy visiting in each new installment in the series. The only downfall for me was the mystery. I identified the guilty party before the Orla was struck by the car. I did appreciate the author use of misdirection to lead readers on a merry chase. Potions and Pastries is a light cozy mystery with magic, humor, family, friends, pets and luscious baked goods. I am giving Potions and Pastries 4 out of 5 stars. I look forward to reading the next novel in A Magical Bakery Mystery series.
*I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy from Kensington via NetGalley. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Potions and Pastries is best enjoyed if you have read the other books in A Magical Bakery Mystery series. It can be a little confusing (especially in the beginning) when all the various spellbook club members are introduced. I found this story to be well-written and engaging. I was drawn into the story and I liked the magical elements. Potions and Pastries has great characters that you will enjoy visiting in each new installment in the series. The only downfall for me was the mystery. I identified the guilty party before the Orla was struck by the car. I did appreciate the author use of misdirection to lead readers on a merry chase. Potions and Pastries is a light cozy mystery with magic, humor, family, friends, pets and luscious baked goods. I am giving Potions and Pastries 4 out of 5 stars. I look forward to reading the next novel in A Magical Bakery Mystery series.
*I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy from Kensington via NetGalley. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
pumpkin_am's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
rants_n_reads's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
lilmisssouthernyn's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jenlynnhill's review against another edition
3.0
I felt like this was a good ending to the series, or at least the series so far, I’m not sure if the author is planning on writing more.
I love the evolution of the characters, their situations, and the mystery. I didn’t figure out the killer in this one right away, which is always a plus for me.
I love the evolution of the characters, their situations, and the mystery. I didn’t figure out the killer in this one right away, which is always a plus for me.
cheesygiraffe's review against another edition
4.0
***NetGalley Review***
Katie is out on the town with her her boyfriend, Declan and her Aunt and Uncle when they run into Orla on the boardwalk. Orla is a fortune teller from an Irish Traveler family. Irish Travelers are similar to the Romani (Gypsies). Orla happens to be a customer at their bakery where they sell baked good with a touch of magic added to them.
When Katie and her Aunt run into Orla the next day, something bad happens. Orla is struck by a car and killed. What made Orla step in front of it? Katie, Declan, her Aunt and Uncle, and the rest of the witchy coven help her figure out if she was under a spell or was it something else that compelled her.
During all this one of the coven members is a real estate agent trying to show Katie and Declan a house for them to move into but Katie doesn't want to leave the home she is in now. There isn't room for them both. Orla had told her she was going to have to sacrifice something did she mean the house or Declan?
This series is a light fun magical mystery. I enjoy the characters and the paranormal element. I hope Katie and Declan continue to move forward in their relationship and maybe they'll be married with children in future books.
Katie is out on the town with her her boyfriend, Declan and her Aunt and Uncle when they run into Orla on the boardwalk. Orla is a fortune teller from an Irish Traveler family. Irish Travelers are similar to the Romani (Gypsies). Orla happens to be a customer at their bakery where they sell baked good with a touch of magic added to them.
When Katie and her Aunt run into Orla the next day, something bad happens. Orla is struck by a car and killed. What made Orla step in front of it? Katie, Declan, her Aunt and Uncle, and the rest of the witchy coven help her figure out if she was under a spell or was it something else that compelled her.
During all this one of the coven members is a real estate agent trying to show Katie and Declan a house for them to move into but Katie doesn't want to leave the home she is in now. There isn't room for them both. Orla had told her she was going to have to sacrifice something did she mean the house or Declan?
This series is a light fun magical mystery. I enjoy the characters and the paranormal element. I hope Katie and Declan continue to move forward in their relationship and maybe they'll be married with children in future books.