One Fine Day

Authors: Rachel Hauck/Carrie Padgett
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Hearts Bend Collection #1
Release Date: May 24, 2022

All she wants is a fresh start...

Chloe Beason LaRue left Hearts Bend after high school, determined to never look back. She shed her unrequited crush on Sam Hardy, moved to Paris, went to pastry school, found a good job, fell in love, and got married. She was happy in France. Then her husband tragically died. Now, Chloe just wants to move forward…but when her mom’s health is in jeopardy, Chloe heads right back to Hearts Bend where she’s hired as head baker for Haven’s, the premier bakery in town. She has no idea that moving home will push her right into the arms of the man who broke her heart.
He's not looking to fall in love...

Nashville Titans quarterback Sam Hardy has too many broken memories in Hearts Bend to Return. But when he’s sidelined by an injury, he desperately needs to invest in something to safeguard his future. Haven’s Bakery is up for sale—and his business partner believes the deal is too good to pass up. He has no idea that the owners have hired the one girl he can’t seem to forget…and the last thing he expects is to be her boss.
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But it’s a recipe for romance…

Back in Hearts Bend for the first time in ten years and thrown together at Haven’s Bakery, Chloe and Sam have a second chance at first love. Indeed, the more time Sam spends selling donuts, the more he sees a new future. But when Paris beckons Chloe back, where does her heart belong? Can they find the recipe for leaving regrets behind and start something new?
Escape to Hearts Bend for a sweet story of romance, faith, and an unexpected happy ending!

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Reviewer: Marilene VE

A great start to a collection of books set in the small town of Hearts Bend called One Fine Day, written by Carrie Padgett and Rachel Hauck. One Fine Day tells the story of Chloe Beason LaRue and Sam Hardy. Chloe returns to Hearts Bend after the death of her husband. Although she would have preferred never to return, she cannot simply abandon her mother now that her mother's health is in jeopardy.

Since Chloe trained as a baker in France, she is asked to become head of the bakery in Hearts Bend. But this causes her to meet Sam Hardy, the man she used to have a crush on. 

Sam, on the other hand, wants nothing more than to leave his past behind and make sure he has a future. That's why he invests in the bakery at Hearts Bend, where he runs into Chloe again. These two are definitely a recipe for love. 

Rachel Hauck and Carrie Padgett did a great job together with One Fine Day. The storyline was well crafted and full of sudden plot twists, making the story flow even better. 

If you like Christian, contemporary romance that takes place in a small town, then this is definitely a book for you. 

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher through I&R and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own. 

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Reviewer: Nora St. Laurent

I enjoyed this fun, sweet escape to a charming cozy town named Hearts Bend. Where main characters, young Chloe LaRue and Sam Hardy, grew up and moved on to chase their dreams. Chloe headed to Paris in hopes of becoming a pastry chef, and Sam landed in Tennessee to play quarterback for the Titans. After years of hard work, both Chloe and Sam find themselves heading back to Hearts Bend, where they face things they didn’t want to.

Loved this story that whisks readers to France and then small-town Hearts Bend. I instantly cared for Chloe LaRue as she made her way home to help her mother through her cancer treatments and grieve the loss of a loved one. Memories of Chole’s past flash back to her when she enters her childhood room. Chloe’s mother suggests she work so that they don’t stay underfoot 24/7. In walks Sam Hardy, the last person on earth she expected to see in Hearts Bend. Didn’t he move to Tennessee? Funny how she recalls memories of her school years. She and Sam were the closest of friends.

This is a delightful read with likable, relatable characters determined to chase their dreams. Chloe LaRue’s desire to run a sweet bakery and Sam Hardy pursuing a Super Bowl ring. Life hasn’t turned out the way they planned. Fifteen years is a long time. Could they still be friends? Something more?

I enjoyed the hometown feel, their community, and secondary characters like Rose. It was fun how the author included readers in the bakery remodel and had you cheer them on as they tried to develop a new specialty cookie. I liked seeing Sam grow through his struggle about doing what’s best for the long game in life. I loved the natural spiritual thread and the family dynamic, with characters I could root for in a delightful small town I’d love to visit. I highly recommend this as a fun beach read and one for a fun book club pick.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a digital copy of this book from the publisher/Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Reviewer: Laura Thomas

A delightful contemporary Christian romance with all the "Sweet Magnolias" feels— and a little taste of Paris! 

When devastated pastry chef Chloe LaRue returns home from her life in Paris to Hearts Bend, she has no intention of starting a new relationship while she is still grieving the loss of her young French husband. But she can't deny the rekindled feelings she has for her old high school crush, Sam Hardy. Sam is a Tennessee Titans quarterback dealing with an injury that has him questioning everything—until his path collides with the beautiful baker, Chloe.

With delicious encounters in the Hearts Bend bakery and a whirlwind romance with its very own Cinderella moments, this is a lovely story in true Rachel Hauck style—and combines beautifully with the new voice of author Carrie Padgett. 

An easy, breezy read with a thread of faith that weaves seamlessly throughout. 

I received a complimentary copy from Sunrise Publishing through Interviews & Reviews. All opinions expressed are my own.

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