Digging Up Love by Chandra Blumberg is an upbeat story about following your dreams. Following a baker and a paleontologist, this one contains two ambitious main characters and heartfelt family dynamics. Those who enjoy delicious desserts and dinosaur facts will not want to miss this sweet romance.
Title: Dgging Up LoveSeries: Taste of Love #1
Author: Chandra Blumberg
Publisher: Montlake
Genres: Adult Fiction, Contemporary
Publication Date: January 1, 2022
Rating:
Series Rating:
From debut author Chandra Blumberg comes a playful, heartfelt romance about chasing your dreams and finding love in the process.
Alisha Blake works her magic in the kitchen, creating delectable desserts for her grandfather’s restaurant in rural Illinois. Though Alisha relishes the close relationship she has with her family, she can’t help but dream about opening a cookie shop in Chicago. She may be a small-town baker, but Alisha has big ambitions.
Then a dinosaur bone turns up in her grandparents’ backyard. When paleontologist Quentin Harris arrives to see the discovery for himself, he’s hoping that the fossil will distract him from a recent painful breakup. Instead, he finds Alisha—and sparks fly. The big-city academic and the hometown baker seem destined for a happily ever after.
But Alisha is scared to fall in love. And Quentin’s trying to make a name for himself in a competitive field, which gets even more complicated when the press shows up at the dig site. For love to prevail, the two may have to put old bones aside—and focus on the future.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: Digging Up Love by Chandra Blumberg
Talented baker Alisha enjoys her peaceful life in a small town, where she creates mouthwatering desserts for her grandfather’s restaurant. However, when a dinosaur bone turns up in her grandparents’ backyard, bringing a team of researchers and one particularly cute paleontologist to her home, Alisha’s quiet life is interrupted. While sparks fly between her and Quentin, they each have something holding them back from falling in love, and they must learn to put the past behind them in order to move forward together.
❀ Interesting Characters
Alisha and Quentin are interesting characters, and I enjoyed their dynamic. Alisha is a baker and powerlifter with big dreams of opening a cookie shop of her own, and I admired her commitment to do what she truly enjoys, regardless of what others think. Quentin is a paleontologist, which I have never read about before, and he is also determined to follow his dream, despite his father’s disapproval. I will say that the constant miscommunication between Alisha and Quentin can be frustrating at times, but overall, their relationship feels natural.
❀ Family Dynamics
As a fan of books about family, I enjoyed the family dynamics in this one and the tension they bring to the plot. While Alisha dreams of opening her own shop, she is currently working for her grandparents and feels almost guilty for wanting more. The balance between the loyalty and love she feels for her family and her fierce determination to chase her own dream is touching, I enjoyed following her as she slowly starts to live her own life and go after what she truly wants.
❀ A Heartfelt Story
Digging Up Love by Chandra Blumberg is a heartfelt story about following your dreams. I enjoyed the unique pairing of a baker and a paleontologist, and the family dynamics bring a lot of heart to the plot. This is a great read for those looking for something as sweet as Alisha’s cookies.
About Chandra Blumberg
Chandra Blumberg writes funny, heartwarming love stories about characters that feel real and relatable. When it comes to her writing process, getting to that happily ever after is half the fun.
Born and raised in Michigan, Chandra moved to the Chicago area after majoring in English at Michigan State University. When she’s not writing, she enjoys lifting heavy barbells at the gym, making a mess of the kitchen while baking alongside her four kids, and traveling with her family.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, novice New Yorker, & professional bibliophile.
We haven’t read a book with a paleontologist character before! This sounds interesting.
It’s a really cool character idea! 🙂
I heard the miscommunication was heavy in this one. That’s why it’s not on my TBR. I did hear the writing was good, though. I might pick up the author’s next book instead. I was glad to see that confirmed with your review.
It’s definitely something that frustrated me! 😉
Sounds like a sweet story. Thanks for the review.
Thanks for stopping by, Antoinette! 🙂
Sounds like an interesting story, thanks for sharing your review and have a spectacular week!
Thanks, Eva! 🙂
A baker and a powerlifter — that is an interesting combination.
Yes! It sure is! 🙂
Sounds like a good read.
A character that’s a paleontologist? How cool!
Right?!
not sure about this
This sounds like such a cute read! I love the cover too. I’ve never seen a story, much less a contemporary romance, featuring a paleontologist.
claire @ clairefy
claire @ clairefy recently posted…A Conversation with Lyn Liao Butler
It is very unique! 🙂
I enjoyed reading this review and this sounds like a great book.
Thanks, Heather! 🙂
I love books with a good family dynamic!
Me too! 🙂
I tried this one. Was so excited because the title was the same as a similar setting book I have almost finished writing myself. And I adore the cover. Unfortunately I couldn’t get through it, just the writing or lack of things with them together didn’t work enough for me. I was so sad it didn’t work for me. Glad you enjoyed it though!
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature) recently posted…Review: Cupid Calamity by Evie Alexander and Kelly Kay
Oh no! Well, not every book is a hit for everyone. 😉
Thanks for your review. This sounds like a book that I will really enjoy.
I like this one, it’s a bit different. I would love to read this