A review by gabmc
The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy E. Reichert

3.0

Lou is engaged to Devlin (and he insists on calling her by her full name, Elizabeth ... so we already get a sense of the power dynamics in their relationship). She owns a French restaurant, Luella's (named after her grandmother) but Devlin wants her to give it all up and be a stay at home wife to him, which he is hoping will enhance his legal career. She makes him a special coconut cake for his birthday and while on the way to deliver it to him, literally bumps into Al. Al is an English transplant to Milwaukee and really doesn't like the city much at all. As a food critic (with a biting pen), he is enchanted by the scent of Lou - who smells like the best Mexican vanilla. Lou and Al meet up again one night when she is drowning her sorrows after work. They become friends but decide straight away not to discuss work with each other. As Lou shows Al around her city and introduces him to all the nice foods, festivals and sights, their friendship develops into something more. However, Al feels bad that Lou doesn't know what he does for a living and wants to tell her. Something holds him back though. Very sweet (sorry, bad pun!) romance.