He fell in love with her cooking. Could he love her, too? Katrina has always considered herself shy, dumpy, and unattractive. Tight lacing makes her overabundant chest too prominent and still does not provide the popular narrow-waisted figure. She’s getting older and sees no prospects in sight, while all of her friends are courting or already married. Hans is a strong, boisterous, popular man; a good worker who has his own farm, and is every woman’s dream—especially Katrina’s—but she’s barely ever spoken to the man. Fate throws them together. Is she up for the challenge, and her best chance for happiness?

Astoria, Oregon—Fall, 1876 Baker Glynna Shaughnessy wants to bolster sales for her struggling bakery almost as much as she wants to revive her drab personal life. A baking competition in commemoration of the city’s incorporation offers a chance at making the shop’s name known…until she’s accused of cheating. According to the competition’s sponsor—a roguish man who sets her heart aflutter—Glynna can only remain a contestant if she invents a brand-new recipe…something she’s never done before. Hotel manager Ritter Anton has six months to boost patronage at his grandfather’s Anton Grand Hotel. He accomplished success with the family’s Cheyenne hotel and he’ll succeed here then move to the next. The baking contest he invented sparks controversy with the entry of a baker who others claim has an unfair advantage. Ready to reject her, he can’t say no when the auburn-haired beauty pleads her case. How will he remain neutral as a judge when all he can think about is Glynna?