A dab of pumpkin. A dusting of cinders.
And a drizzle of midnight baking that could change everything.

Celine Blackthorne is the secret ingredient behind the kingdom’s most fashionable bakery. While her stepmother and stepsisters bask in the dining room spotlight, Celine bakes and cleans in the basement kitchen. When a Royal Patisserie Competition threatens to expose her family’s lack of coin and lack of talent, Celine must take matters into her own flour-dusted hands and save the family business.

With the help of the cobbler’s apprentice next door, Celine risks her anonymity to save the people who take her for granted. But when the contest requires her to leave the bakery for the ballroom, Celine’s secret participation may not stay secret for long. As heat rises in the royal kitchen, Celine must decide if she’s baking for her family’s approval or for a love that’s as sweet as it is unexpected.

A Pan of Pumpkin and Pastries, a retelling of Cinderella with nods to the Great British Bakeoff, is a standalone novella, complete with tropes such as friends to lovers, found family, and royal competition. It is part of The Enchanting Confections series, a collection of clean and cozy stories guaranteed to delight your sweet tooth.

Published
May 29, 2026
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Enchanting Confections

The series

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There is something comforting about a small-town bakery, the scent of fresh pastries drifting through the air, familiar faces gathering each morning, and recipes passed down through generations. Enchanting Confections takes that warmth and adds a touch of magic, creating a cozy fantasy mystery series where every treat may hold a secret and every day brings the possibility of the unexpected.

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Set in a charming community where the supernatural exists just beneath the surface of everyday life, the series follows a baker whose talents extend beyond flour, sugar, and frosting. What begins as the simple task of running a confectionery soon becomes intertwined with magical mishaps, puzzling mysteries, and the unique challenges that arise when spells and sweets share the same kitchen.

The appeal of the series lies in its inviting atmosphere. Rather than relying on world-ending stakes, the stories focus on personal connections, local intrigue, and the small moments that make a community feel alive. Customers arrive carrying more than orders, they bring secrets, problems, and sometimes clues that lead to mysteries waiting to be unraveled. Along the way, friendships deepen, relationships evolve, and the bakery becomes a gathering place where magic and everyday life blend seamlessly.

The magical elements are woven naturally into the setting, adding wonder without overshadowing the human heart of the story. Enchanted recipes, supernatural neighbors, and unexpected discoveries create a sense of delight that complements the mystery-driven plots. Each installment offers a balance of cozy fantasy, light suspense, and character growth, making the world feel both comforting and full of possibility.

Readers who enjoy paranormal cozy mysteries, magical baking, witchy small-town settings, and character-driven storytelling will find themselves right at home. The series captures the charm of a close-knit community while delivering enough mystery and magical intrigue to keep readers turning pages long after the last pastry has cooled.

Enchanting Confections is a celebration of found family, second chances, and the quiet magic hidden within ordinary lives. Sweet, whimsical, and gently suspenseful, it invites readers into a world where a bakery can become the center of adventure and where every recipe may contain more than its ingredients reveal.

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10/10

This was my first novella by this author but I had enjoyed a couple much shorter short stories by her previously and had high hopes for this since it sounded fun. This book met my expectations and was a really enjoyable Retelling of Cinderella full of fall vibes, wonderful sounding desserts, and interesting characters. I loved getting to know both Celine "Cinder" and Mouse and seeing Celine realize her growing feelings for him. This story also has a lot of fun side characters including the other baker's in the competition. Celine's step mother as well as her step sister Eugenie were extremely unappreciative of all Celine did for them but her step sister Felicity wasn't as bad. The epilogue was a fun look into the future and I plan to read more by this author.

Steam Rating: Glimpses and Kisses 

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the Enchanting Confections ARC Team and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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