Tartlets, it’s Two-fer Tuesday!
The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine and The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice are set in the same enchanting world of Moonbright, Maine, so I thought it’d be fun to do a dual book review today.
LOOK AT THESE BOOK COVERS. And these titles!
With the fall season in full swing, how can you resist something with “pumpkin” or “spice” in the title? Obviously, I couldn’t, and I quickly requested these two books from the library after seeing them pop up on someone’s Instagram feed.
No, I didn’t bother reading the book descriptions first.
So… you can imagine my surprise when I discovered that these two books — with their gorgeous covers displaying wholesome, autumnal goodness — are really (cozy fall) porn in disguise.
I mean, I’m no stranger to romance novels, but I just was not expecting to find steam-up-your-windows sex scenes in something called The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine.
I guess the publishers thought that title would attract a wider audience than “The Cottage on the Corner of Fuck and Me”?? **shrug**
You know what, though? I’m an open-minded gal, and I went with it.
Does some of the dialogue read like a low-budget porno script? Yes.
Is some of the male narrative overly ridiculous in a “No man would ever think like this!” kind of way? Also yes.
…Was reading The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine and The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice a ton of fun?
(Fuck) YES!
Each book actually consists of three short stories, all centered in the cozy town of Moonbright. Residents go all out for Halloween, which apparently is their most romantic time of the year, thanks to the magical powers of The Rose Cottage B&B and the Bellaluna Bakery, respectively featured in The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine and The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice.
If you’re looking for sweet-not-scary Halloween vibes à la The Hocus Pocus Magic Shop, or if you’re craving some magical realism for this spookalicious season, I think you’re going to like these two books.
THE COTTAGE ON PUMPKIN AND VINE
The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine is by far the steamier read. Full disclosure: its first story, “Charmed By You,” isn’t very good. The writing is short, stilted, and slightly misogynistic. This story does set up the scene for the following two stories, but all you need to know is that proprietor Amelia Rose of the aforementioned Rose Cottage B&B bakes out-of-this-world cookies that can make you fall in love… or, lust. **wink, wink**
Do yourself a favor and skip right to the second story, “Mesmerized By You,” which is way better. I mean, WAY. It follows When Harry Met Sally-type best friends who find themselves inexplicably attracted to each other while staying at the B&B. It’s sexy, it’s smoldering, it’s panty-dropping fun.
In the final story, “Enchanted by You,” two high school almost-sweethearts run into each other about a decade later; naturally, unresolved emotions and sexual attraction ensues. “Enchanted by You” isn’t nearly as racy or prolonged as “Mesmerized By You,” but it’s a sweet story with a bit more emotional depth. You get your jollies, but you also get a sense of (literary) satisfaction.
THE BAKESHOP AT PUMPKIN AND SPICE
The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice is decidedly less racy than The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine, and I liked this group of stories better since they take place at the Bellaluna Bakery, which sounds AWESOME. As with the other book, falling in love and magical cookies are a major theme, and while there’s flirting between the characters that’ll make you blush, it’s downright chaste compared to the ravaging that goes on at the Rose Cottage B&B.
There’s nothing too distinctive about the three stories in The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice. The authors seem to focus more on Halloween and autumn festivities in this book, and you’ll find a lot more foodie fiction/Sarah Addison Allen vibes here. The characters also seem to develop slightly more adult relationships.
And by “adult” I mean “emotionally nuanced.” Not “adult” like the curtained-off section at the video store. (omg, some of you reading this won’t even know what a video store is…)
While I absolutely love horror stories around Halloween, I do enjoy sweet (and spicy!) seasonal stories as well. Pick up The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine and/or The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice to savor all the delights of the fall season.
Make sure you check back in for my book-inspired recipe: Authentic Anisette Cookies.
