I guess I’m on a baking romcom book kick lately!

In The Heartbreak Bakery by A. R. Capetta, Syd loves baking at the local Austin bakery, The Proud Muffin. However, having just gone through an abrupt breakup, Syd is feeling hopeless—and then horrified when it becomes clear that that last batch of brownies is somehow magic, and has caused everyone who ate them to break up with their significant others. Syd is determined to fix this, and with the help of Harley, a cute coworker, sets out to do just that.

This book is so cute! I love Syd and Harley, who are so adorable both separately and together. I enjoyed watching them grow closer, even while Syd is still reeling from the breakup and from what the “breakup brownies”—made in a fit of post-heartbreak angst—have done. Their conversations were the best part of the book, which is good because it’s the main plot. But the other characters like Vin, Alec, Tess, and the others at the bakery are all wonderful.

I also really enjoyed the slight magical element of this: that is, Syd’s baking, which can accentuate certain emotions in people and therefore cause things like breakups or a lowered filter. It’s also really fun that Capetta included actual dessert recipes throughout the book!

The queer themes and representation was also fantastic. Seeing how Syd’s internal agonizing about gender is great and informative, and I really liked how diverse the cast is. Everyone is very sweet and accepting, and this book really makes it clear that people are able to flourish when they have a safe place that likes them for who they are. Community is a strong theme in this book, and it was lovely to see.

In the end, The Heartbreak Bakery is a wholesome, uplifting read. With gentle magic and a delightful cast of characters, it’s a celebration of friendship, chosen family, and connection. There is everything from humor to melancholy, but always heart. The best word to describe this book—quite fittingly—is “sweet.” Bake a batch of brownies and curl up with this; you’ll have a great time!