The gingerbread bakery by Laurie Gilmore

A small-town spicy festive romance perfect for the holiday season!

Annie Andrews, proud owner of the Gingerbread Bakery, has built a life as sugary and sweet as her creations. But when she finds herself constantly butting heads with Mac Sullivan—the infuriatingly upbeat bar owner down the street—sparks fly in ways she doesn’t expect.

Mac has everything he could want, except the one woman who won’t give him the time of day. With Jeanie and Logan’s wedding around the corner, Annie and Mac are forced into each other’s orbit more than ever. Between snowflakes, sugar, and undeniable chemistry, Annie must decide if the man who drives her crazy might actually be the one who makes her heart melt.

🔥 Spice Level

Medium spice ✨ — more heat than a sweet/closed-door romance, with on-page tension and festive steam, but not fully high-spice/dark.

🌟 Tropes & VibeS

• Holiday romance 🎄

• Small-town setting

• Rivals-to-lovers banter

• Bakery & bar rivalry (with plenty of sugar and spice)

• Forced proximity during the holidays