Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Magic Ingredient

Rate this book
The end of summer is approaching, but even at the height of Bar Harbor’s tourist season, Eve Silver is having a hard time keeping enough dough in the bank to sustain the family bakery. Her only hope of paying past due bills is to win the catering bid for the town’s upcoming Harvest Happening festival. Otherwise, it’ll be lights out for Mount Desserts by Christmas.

Widower Jeff Perry is moving with his twelve-year-old daughter, Candy, from Manhattan to Maine with one goal: starting over. When sparks fly between Jeff and Eve as the town readies for the annual harvest festival, Candy wishes she had a love potion to help her dad fall in love again.

Will Eve be able to save Mount Desserts—and open her heart to Jeff—by the most bewitching night of the year?

It’ll take a lot of love, a little bit of luck … and just a pinch of magic.

275 pages, Paperback

Published October 13, 2020

Loading interface...
Loading interface...

About the author

Lindy Miller

3 books67 followers
Lindy Miller is an award-winning author of feel-good love stories that are full of sweet moments and happily ever afters. She believes the best time to fall in love is during the holidays, preferably over a cup of warm tea or a delicious vegan pastry - two things she can't get enough of.

Lindy is represented by Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management and supported by Smith Publicity. Several of her projects have been adapted for screen.

Member Romance Writers of America (RWA) and Romantic Novelist Association (RNA).

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
18 (58%)
4 stars
10 (32%)
3 stars
2 (6%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
1 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Kassandra Blake.
106 reviews2 followers
October 13, 2020
4,7*

It was the title that initially intrigued me. After reading the synopsis, I wanted to read this story.

The story takes place in a small town in Maine, Bar Harbor, and revolves primarily around the Mount Dessert bakery. I have had my mouth watering more than once.

The narration is made from three different points of view by the most important characters: Eve, Jeff and Candace. The characters are endearing and for the first time I liked them all. I admit that Doris is a bit annoying. Everyone faces challenges but it's by working together that things move forward.

The story is fluid and the pages flow quite easily. It took me a few days to finish it between my shifts. I found only two words that I didn't understand (I'm French) but it help me to learn more English words.

I am delighted to discover Lindy Miller's pen with a great story that goes well with the season. It's heart touching with a pinch of magic and pleasant to read. I will follow her future publications and I'm waiting for the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Xpresso book tours and am voluntarily leaving a review.

https://www.englishparadisebook.com/2...
October 14, 2020
During the ups and downs of 2020, readers looking for a feel-good novel may expect Lindy Miller’s THE MAGIC INGREDIENT [Rosewind Books, October 13, 2020] to follow the lines of other romance novels within the genre. However, this romance novel has much more than just the typical elements of romance novels in its respective subgenres. With important themes such as loss, recovery, family, and love mixed in with some humor from Bar Harbor locals—THE MAGIC INGREDIENT appeals to readers of all ages looking to find some light in dark times.

The first in Lindy Miller’s Bar Harbor Holiday Series, THE MAGIC INGREDIENT follows the story of Eve Silver, a young woman who has inherited her family’s patisserie and tea shop, Mount Desserts. After trying to keep her shop open with little to no guidance, Eve finds herself in deep financial debt and begins to think that by the time the annual Harvest Happening Festival happens at the end of October, Mount Desserts will be closed for good. However, when Jeff Parish, his daughter Candace, and father in law, Bapo, move into town after the death of Jeff’s wife Naomi, Eve finds herself with some extra help in her kitchen—and some extra room in her heart for the new man in town. With no family of her own, Eve takes the Parish family under her wing and begins to truly understand what it means to be a resident of Mount Desert Island and Bar Harbor.

Aside from the difficult topics such as loss and financial ruin, THE MAGIC INGREDIENT provides humor and much-needed wisdom from several of the residents of Mount Desert Island. While characters like Bapo provide guidance for Eve, Candance, and Jeff as they try to navigate saving Mount Desserts and their emotions, other characters like Doris Hammond also provide guidance and wisdom for the characters as well. Some of the most enjoyable and important moments in THE MAGIC INGREDIENT are when Bapo chimes in with his wisdom and tends to create a sense of tension between the old man and his son-in-law, Jeff. Jeff is only trying to navigate his new life as best as he can and can’t seem to get away from Bapo’s repeated advice—even if the advice is sometimes served with a side of sarcasm. Additionally, another enjoyable aspect of THE MAGIC INGREDIENT is the description of the delicacies that Eve creates in her kitchen. From the pumpkin and cream cheese icing whoopie pies to the caramel apple cake, each and every concoction Eve makes in her kitchen is described to the point where the reader can almost smell the sweet and spicy aromas wafting around Mount Desserts.

While many of the characters in THE MAGIC INGREDIENT are well-rounded in terms of their emotions and goals, there is also room for the reader to learn more about the characters on a deeper level. It would be helpful to understand how Eve ended up with Mount Desserts and whether or not this was a recent event, or if she had been struggling for a certain amount of time. Additionally, it would also be helpful for readers to know and understand just how worried Eve is about trying to save Mount Desserts. From the beginning of the novel, the narrator makes it clear that the patisserie is struggling, but Eve’s true emotions are only shown in small increments throughout the novel. If readers were able to see into Eve’s personal life, even if it’s a look inside what she does with her free time, they would be able to know our main character better and understand why she reacts the way she does during certain events.

Overall, THE MAGIC INGREDIENT is the perfect feel-good novel many readers are looking for as the tumultuous year of 2020 winds down. With the perfect amount of romance and struggle mixed in with humor and lovable characters, Lindy Miller has created an outstanding tale of loss, recovery, and just how far a little bit of love can go when someone is in need.
Profile Image for zen_s.
1,856 reviews18 followers
Read
December 2, 2020
[did not finish] didn't fully connect with the book, stopped halfway. don't like that the story is being told by 3rd pov, additionally the 3rd pov is speaking on behalf of more than the 2 main characters. felt that it's bad multi-tasking trying to speak from so many characters, not focus at all. don't really like it overall.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
140 reviews3 followers
October 13, 2020
This book is inspiring it shows that if you have hope and don't give up dreams can come true.
A small town ambience showing the loyalty love and the belief they show for each other.
Book also shows how it's possible to be happy again after losing someone you love. It also shows how you can find a second chance at love at any age.
Profile Image for Dini - dinipandareads.
992 reviews109 followers
December 1, 2020
I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by Xpresso Book Tours. Special thanks to the author for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 3.5 stars rounded up

If you're looking for a feel-good seasonal romance with the added bonuses of the small-town charm and mouthwateringly delicious baked goods, then this is the book you need to pick up ASAP! The Magic Ingredient is a wholesome and heartwarming read about second chances, family and figuring out what's really important.

Set in Bar Habor, this story serves small-town charm in spades with the close-knit community vibes and wonderfully supportive friends and family that we all look for when reading stories in this type of setting. Miller's writing is easy and enjoyable to digest which made this for a fast and fun read. While most romances tend to focus on one or two POVs, this one had four POVs but it surprisingly worked to present a well-rounded story. I do think that one of the POVs wasn't really necessary but this character also really rubbed me the wrong way the whole time (despite what might have been her "good intentions").

I thought Miller captured all the characters really well. While they might not be perfect they're entirely relatable and realistic. From Eve, our small business owner who's struggling to keep her patisserie afloat; to Jeff, a recent(ish) widower who's trying to create a new life for him and his daughter without the painful reminders of his late wife; to his daughter Candace, who misses her mother and is every bit an angsty tween to her father; and to Bapo, the (grand)father figure everyone needs in their life. While Bapo, unfortunately, didn't get his own POV, he was probably my favourite character just because he brought such joy to the page and had an uncanny ability to bring out the best in all characters. The one character I had major issues with was Doris. While her intentions towards Eve wasn't malicious and I understood her point on keeping traditions alive, she ended up being much more of a hindrance to Eve's success than anybody else, including Eve herself. I was frustrated that Doris was never called out about it because she was the "overbearing but well-intentioned community busy-body". Overall though I was pleased with how the story unfolded and how the many different relationships grew organically over time.

It also had a good message about never giving up on dreams, no matter how bleak things may look, because you never know what's going to happen tomorrow but you can at least control today. Also, it would be remiss of me to not mention how HUNGRY this book made me. It's filled with the most delicious-sounding baked goods that I've come across in a book in quite some time, and it had me wanting to bake like a fiend! I was delighted to find that Miller includes some of the recipes from the story, so I've decided I'm gonna make whoopie pies tomorrow.

TL;DR: Pick this up if you're looking for the perfect autumnal romance to read while curled up under the covers with a mug of tea and a baked treat in hand (seriously, you will get hungry)! This was a heartwarming story about getting second-chances and the importance of family, whether they're close friends or simply the supportive close-knit community you're a part of. This light-hearted and family-centric small-town romance is sure to have you smiling and feeling full of love and will definitely have you ready for the autumn season!
Profile Image for BookTrib.com .
1,883 reviews155 followers
Read
December 1, 2020
Love, in all its humble yet inexplicable power, truly takes the cake in THE MAGIC INGREDIENT. The characters’ demonstrations of this highest virtue — towards each other and their community — prove more enchanting than any Halloween spell or culinary confection. The result is sweet indeed.

Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2020/11/23/the-m...
Profile Image for Heather.
367 reviews19 followers
December 5, 2020
This time of year always feels so magical! And if there was ever a year where we could use some extra magic, it's this one.

I added into my mix of December reads, this feel-good holiday romance by Lindy Miller - The Magic Ingredient. It felt very Hallmark movie, and it was a great way to kick off my holiday reading!

Eve is recently single, and struggling financially to keep the doors of her family-owned bakery open in Bar Harbor, Maine. Her last hope for staying in business is to win the town's catering bid for the upcoming Harvest Festival.

Jeff - a widower and a dad - is looking to start over after his wife's death. So he and his 13-year-old daughter, Candy move from Manhattan to Maine just in time for the holidays.

When Eve and Jeff meet, sparks fly. But are either of them ready for love? Using a little dose of magic, Candy intervenes to help her dad fall in love again.

Thank you TLC Book Tours, Rosewind Books and Lindy Miller for this finished copy to read and review.
Profile Image for Nicole.
3,716 reviews47 followers
November 4, 2020
This is a new to me author and she has gained a reader. I was drawn to this book because Eve is a baker and I love to bake. I'm so glad I read this one. It's jam packed with heart and feels. Jeff and his family are looking for a fresh start to heal in Bar Harbor. Eve is hanging onto her family legacy by a thread, but there is a change in the wind when the Perry family moves in. I loved Jeff's father-in-law Bapo. His mischievous nature and his little bits of wisdom draw you to him. He says Halloween is the most magical night of the year and Eve could use some of that magic. What I enjoyed about this book is you really get a journey of few characters. Jeff and Eve, but also Bapo and Jeff's daughter Candance. I loved the sense of community of the small town. Bar Harbor shows their true heart of community. This book is a feel good romance that will warm the heart.
Profile Image for Megan.
320 reviews11 followers
December 19, 2021
If you're in the mood for a romance with a bit of culinary flair to it, this is a great one to add to your reading pile! While the romance addict in me would have liked to see more of that blossoming in THE MAGIC INGREDIENT, I loved watching the story unfold as Eve and Jeff worked together to save Eve's bakery before her end of the year deadline.

The introduction of this book finds Jeff - a widower - moving his teenage daughter and his father-in-law to a small island community to "start over". It also introduces Eve - a young entrepreneur who is trying desperately not to run her family's business - her inheritance - into the ground. What I enjoyed most about this story was seeing it from each point of view - Jeff, Eve, and Jeff's teenage daughter, Candace.

The best parts of THE MAGIC INGREDIENT for me, are definitely the small town aspect and the bakery. I love all romances that center around bakeries and this one certainly didn't disappoint that aspect. The small-town island setting could have been expanded on more, as this book centered on only a few characters and left that hanging a bit, but I'm always a sucker for a small town setting.

I wasn't fond of Candance in the beginning but she grew on me as the book progressed. And Bapo was an instant favorite! I think I'd like to see THE MAGIC INGREDIENT made into a duology because I feel like there's so much more Lindy Miller can do with it. Definitely a fun book to read, though I don't know if I'd classify it as feel-good.

4 reviews
February 9, 2021
After a very rainy summer and a gloomy fall, I really needed this book. I’ve read several “heavy” stories recently and I was looking for a whimsical book that’s good for my soul.
I fell in love with the characters. I wanted to be in the story and participate in the baking, experience the bustle of the bakery. This book made me want to travel to Maine!
I read the book under a cozy blanket, with tea and scone next to me, playing a soundtrack the author put together. I didn’t want the story to end, I wanted to prolong how warm and fuzzy it made me feel.
Can’t wait for a sequel!
Profile Image for Amanda.
281 reviews4 followers
December 18, 2020
If you’re at all familiar with Maine, and more specifically Bar Harbor, this book is like being curled up with a warm blanket in front of a fire, just pure bliss...with just a bit of magic. Once you read The Magic Ingredient, you’ll know exactly what I mean by that, and who doesn’t need a little magic in their lives right now?
Profile Image for Caroline.
1,034 reviews8 followers
March 28, 2021
Hallmark movie in book form, complete with the only kiss at the end.
Profile Image for Laura.
353 reviews40 followers
December 15, 2020
This is a wonderful, feel good small town read. It’s about family, friends and love. I finished reading this book with a smile on my face and tears in my eyes. I loved the time I spent in Bar Harbour and I hope it won’t be too long before I can visit again.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.