Victoria Villanueva is a survivor—literally. When the French fought in her homeland, she was little more than eight years old. After losing both parents at the Battle of Puebla, she became displaced and roamed from one household to another until coming under the care of her cousin Ignacio’s family. So, she’s not only excited when he invites her to start fresh in Noelle, but eternally grateful... moreVictoria Villanueva is a survivor—literally. When the French fought in her homeland, she was little more than eight years old. After losing both parents at the Battle of Puebla, she became displaced and roamed from one household to another until coming under the care of her cousin Ignacio’s family. So, she’s not only excited when he invites her to start fresh in Noelle, but eternally grateful. She’s determined to repay him for all the kindness his family has shown her over the years, and is eager to do so while pursuing her hopes of owning a bake house. However, dreams turn to dismay when the handsome man next door has similar business plans. Alejandro Vela is no stranger to adversity. Despite his parents fleeing their Caribbean island home during slave trade protests, he arrived in America only to lose his father in the New York City draft riots. Left to raise two small children on her own, Alejandro’s mother taught him how to hustle. Doing so put him in the position to meet interesting people, though, and one of them ignited a desire in him to become a great chocolatier. After his mother falls ill, Alejandro packs up his younger sister and decides to head out west to a place where dreams can still come true. There’s just one problem turning his sweet delight into a sour one… the diner owner across the street. Worse still, he’s falling for the man’s beautiful cousin. Will the feud between the “Battling Bakers” fizzle—or sizzle—before the town’s Cinco de Mayo celebration? On a scale of one to five, this book has a 1 flame rating for being as sweet (and clean) as the recipes included in the story. less
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