Book 90, 2024
Pumpkin Spice Pie-Jinks by Selina J. Eckert
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I started an ebook novella last night and managed to finish it in one sitting. I anticipated it would take me two evenings, but oh well. The book was Pumpkin Spice Pie-Jinks by Selina J Eckert. I believe it's meant to be a prequel to a longer series...? It's also the first in the "Seasons of Magic" series. Main character is magical pie baker Reese...I don't recall her last name. Huh. Most of the story is in her pov with a few chapters devoted to the romantic interest's pov.
Reese is a pie witch who took a huge gamble by opening her own bakery. She bakes delicious pies and infuses them with a little magical oomph. Since it's a new business, Reese is barely squeaking by. She can boost her bakery's income if she wins the pie baking contest at the upcoming Autumn festival, which is to be hosted by new-to-town Fae royalty, Forrest Autumleaf. As Reese strives to create the perfect pie, she is visited by two sprites who request a blueberry pie. By inviting them into her home / bakery, Reese unwittingly has allowed them to come and go as they please, and the little menaces cause endless chaos. What Reese doesn't know is that the sprites are trying to engineer a meet-cute with their Fae lord, Forrest.
This was a cute, lively story, although I was ready to wring the necks of those little miscreants. Also, I am wishing it had been longer. Characterizations were oka-ay. I liked that Reese wears glasses and that her hair changes colors with her moods. It was never really explained how magical folk / creatures were known to mundane humans. Was it always this way? Who knows? One other thing I took exception to: the story was said to be perfect for fans of Patricia Briggs' "Mercy Thompson" series. Excuse me?! This was in no way, shape or form up to that level. I am not blaming the author for the comparison; just opining on how wrong it was.
Favorite line: My favorite color was also the color of humiliation.
The shortness and lack of depth only earn this story a three, but I would read more in the series.