Grounding the Baker by Oliver Takely

After losing his mum, Liam returns to Heartwood: a charming English village with an inclusive community and gossip that travels faster than the speed of sound. Taking over Sylvie’s Slice was always the plan, just not this soon. Between keeping the ovens going, supporting a father who’s lost his soulmate, and juggling a demanding day job, Liam barely has time to breathe, let alone date.

Austin isn’t looking for romance either. Turning forty, widowed, and determined to give his daughter the same close knit community he had for his childhood, he moves back to Heartwood to be surrounded by his lifelong friends and a legion of surrogate uncles. Love isn’t on the agenda… until he meets Liam Wells. And it’s not just Liam’s chocolate orange muffins he’s interested in.

Austin recognises the grief behind Liam’s smile and realises now isn’t their moment. But he’s only felt this instant connection once before, and he can’t ignore it. Something brought them both back to Heartwood at the same time, and Austin is prepared to wait.

Liam assumes Austin is straight. When he learns the truth, he’s torn between disbelief that his perfect guy is offering to woo him and the reality that he’s already an award winning juggler of life’s chaos. How is he supposed to add dating into the mix?

When the wooing begins, things heat up quick, but beneath the sweetness, Liam’s unresolved grief is simmering. When it finally boils over, will it draw them closer… or prove that this still isn’t their time?