Published May 19,2026 by Guideposts

Happy Publication Day!

Small-town Christian Fiction Story

Description

In this uplifting story of hope and renewal, you’ll meet Harper Dailey, who returns to Avon, North Carolina, so she can help run the family business, Sunshine Bakery, after her father’s heart attack. Suddenly, her thriving career at an upscale Savannah bakery is behind her, as is her rocky relationship with her ex-boyfriend—that is, until he shows up in Avon, letting her know he now owns the building the shop is in, and he may not renew the lease.

For Beckett Mills, Avon is a quiet refuge after his eight years of active service in the Navy. He works as hard at keeping folks at arm’s length as he does at running his fishing charter business. His plan for distancing himself from others works well until the fateful day he enters the bakery and sees a beautiful Harper being harassed by her ex-boyfriend. Suddenly, he casts his fears aside and steps in to save the day.

Harper and Beckett have no intentions of beginning a romance, but when the pasts they are running from collide, they know it’s not just a coincidence that they have ended up here at the same time. God has placed them together for a reason. Can Beckett let go of the worries that haunt him and welcome Harper into his life? Will Harper realize she can face any challenge with God—and just maybe Beckett—by her side? Don’t miss this faith-filled story of hope, courage, and the grace to begin anew.

My thoughts:

The Island Bakeshop is a sweet young-adult-like romance story that has dual timelines. Both equally a page turner and each take place on the coast. As the story develops, you began to see a connection to the two-story lines and the conclusion is heartwarming.

Harper and Beck’s story is heartbreaking and haunting, and as they both deal with their past that has interrupted their present lives, they must find a way to deal with their problems before it will destroy everything, they worked hard to be able to move forward with their lives-whether it be together or separately.

As the story builds, I found myself not able to put this book down. I typically don’t read stories like this one but I’m glad I took a chance on it. I started with this book first, before the first book in the series, and now I need to go back and read the first book. You see, I’ve now become invested in these characters lives and want to learn more about them.

What a sweet, light and absorbing story. This book would be the perfect summer read.

Stephanie

I received an ARC from the publishers through NetGalley for an honest review.