A Dash of Love: A Love's Sweet Recipe Romantic Comedy

From heated ovens to heated debates—what happens when a critic meets his match?

In the quaint town of Elmwood Falls, where dreams are kneaded and baked to perfection, Emma Nicole has been stirring up more than just batter. Taking charge of the Heritage Bakery while the owner sails the world, Emma hopes to leave her own mark on the beloved local spot with traditional treats. But when Alex Carter, a sharp-tongued food critic known for his scathing reviews, stumbles into her bakery, Emma finds her skills—and her heart—put to the ultimate test.

With her dreams and the bakery's reputation on the line, Emma must prove that tradition and innovation can blend as seamlessly as butter in her croissant dough. As the critic's challenges become increasingly personal, the town of Elmwood Falls rallies around its favorite baker, reminding her that the secret ingredient to any recipe is always love.

Can Emma transform the critic's palate and win his heart, or will her culinary ambitions crumble like overworked pastry?

“The building on Birch Lane’s still for sale.” My best friend, Rhonda, barges into the bakery, her expression tense, and her arms laden with more bags than I can count. Another spat with Philip, no doubt. Every time she finds a new reason to call off the five-year relationship with her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Rhonda goes shopping. Last year, she bought a car. The year before that, a condo on an island. It must be nice to have a wealthy stepfather who hands her money anytime she asks.

Me? I’m stuck working at the same bakery in Elmwood Falls, Maine, where I’ve been for the past two years, dreaming of having a shop. Don’t get me wrong. I love working here. The owner left me in charge so she could go on a world cruise with her new husband. As much as I love that she trusts me enough to run the place, I want something of my own.

Like the building on Birch Lane that Rhonda mentioned.
It’s the ideal setting to plant my baking roots. Sandwiched between The Book Nook and Pinecone Pizza Parlor, it has a brick exterior with ivy draping the walls and a red and cream striped awning stretching over the entrance.

Each time I walk by, it makes me feel like I’m home. Unfortunately, the price range is much too high for me to dream of affording it.

I’ve wanted this ever since I was a little girl and my grandmother taught me how to bake. It makes me feel close to her, even though she’s no longer here with me.
“Yes, I saw,” I say, swiping flour off my cheek with the heel of my hand. “I go by there every morning on the way here. Silly, right?”

“Nope.” Rhonda pops her ‘p’. “You should totally get it.”
“If only.” As I knead the dough, I nod toward the bags Rhonda’s holding, and ask, “No more Philip?”

She rolls her eyes, setting the load on the tiled floor with a soft thump.

I smile at her. “I know what you need.” I open the glass fixture and pull out a chocolate fudge cake I finished baking this morning. It’s a recipe passed down from my grandmother, and Rhonda’s a sucker for all kinds of fudge. I cut her a slice and set it in front of her.

“Have I told you that you’re my favorite human in the world?” Rhonda says, helping herself to the plastic silverware in a cream jar on the counter.

“Not lately.” I resume my kneading. “So, want to talk about it?”

She groans. “He’s all up on my back about me wanting to go study art abroad.”

I raise a brow mid-knead. “I don’t think you’ve ever mentioned anything to me about going to study art.”
“I didn’t? I’m sure I did. But, anyway, I want to go so badly, I can taste it.”

I’m fairly certain Rhonda has never mentioned it to me, but we talk every day about everything, so it’s likely it slipped through the cracks. I’m not surprised she wants to study art. Besides shopping, it’s her favorite pastime.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while now,” Rhonda continues, “and I’d love to study in Paris.”

“Wow. That’s great, Rhonda.” It’s certainly a better use of her time than spending all of her stepfather’s money on clothes she’s going to wear only once. But, of course, I don’t say that to her. “Maybe Philip will come around and be supportive.”

“I hope so,” Rhonda says. She jabs her fork into the cake and takes a big bite. “Hmm…Emma Nicole, this is to die for.” She swallows, gesturing with her fork at the delicacy. “Wait. This isn’t Mrs. Marlow’s usual dessert.”

“Nope. While the queen’s away, it’s time for Emma to play.” I smile at her as I dump the dough in a round baking pan and begin flattening it to make the crust. “It was Mrs. Fontaine’s idea. Yesterday during our class, she suggested I start making my pastries and desserts and sell them. See how others like them.”

“But Mrs. Marlow would never allow that.”

I look around the small, empty bakery, pride filling in my heart. “I don’t see her. Do you?”

Rhonda glances around like she’s confirming that Mrs. Marlow isn’t going to materialize from thin air. She’s owned Elmwood Falls Heritage Bakery for ten years and has spent every day of those ten years, except for Sundays when the shop’s closed, working. It wasn’t until she remarried for the fifth time that she decided to take a break.

“You are a crafty one, my friend,” Rhonda acknowledges with a smirk.

I sigh. “Well, last night, when I was thinking about what Mrs. Fontaine said, I decided that if I can’t open the bakery of my dreams, then I need to find a way to sell my stuff. I’m hoping when Mrs. Marlow gets back, I’ll be able to persuade her. By then, most people will have tried my treats. It’ll help in the long run if I can get the town to back me.”

“That’s a brilliant plan. Take away delicious treats, Mrs. Marlow will have a riot on her hands. She’ll have no choice.”