Love at 350°

I

Tori Moore scanned her classroom, checking her fifth-­period Biochemistry of Baking students progress. Three of Sequoia High s star football players were pulverizing dry ice in a blender ahead of mixing it into their strawberry and chocolate bases to fast freeze the ice cream. Another team hovered around a saucepan, willing a cup of caramel sauce into existence out of white sugar, water, kosher salt, and immense patience. Some students were candying walnuts; others were making marshmallow fluff. A pair of ambitious sophomores were attempting to make a homegrown version of M&M s. Each student had already written a term paper describing the chemical reactions and biodiversity that conjured the magic of dessert. At the end of today s class ­if all went well ­they d get to eat their homework. All that stood between them and summer vacation was making ice cream sundaes. With all the ingredients made from scratch.

Oh, sugar, she heard one of the football players mutter as his blender stalled. Whenever Tori heard an outburst like that, she smiled. It meant that the fifteen teenagers, who could have easily spent the period gossiping or chucking chocolate chips at one another, were concentrating completely on their final exam.

It also meant her students respected her enough to follow her rules; namely, that when they got stuck, literally or figuratively, they could swear as loudly as they wanted as long as they used baking terms. Her personal favorites from this semester s class were Lamination! and Choux!

Crouching down to use the classroom s paper towel dispenser as a mirror, Tori took a minute to freshen up. She adjusted the green-­and-­gold paisley scarf she d received as a present from a student last Christmas, which she wore often because it amplified her hazel eyes, and corralled her thick hair into a ponytail, making a mental note to book a cut and color appointment since the gray hairs were infiltrating the strawberry blonde again. She

Lisa Peers is a writer with a passion for smart, funny love stories with well-deserved happy endings. She has acted professionally in San Francisco, produced TV and radio programs in Detroit, and is currently a creative director for an international marketing agency. A Harvard graduate with an MFA in acting from the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, Lisa lives with her partner Dani in metro Detroit, not far from their three grown children, along with their beloved cats and way too much yarn. And plenty of sweets.

This grumpy/sunshine romance is a delightful treat from start to finish. In addition to Tori and Kendra s love story, Love at 350° is a love letter to food, to friendship, and to pursuing your dreams even when they scare you. For anyone who likes to de-stress with a romcom or a TV baking competition, this book is sure to hit the spot. Susie Dumond, author of Queerly Beloved

Satisfies every craving as a GBBO fan. Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

From the slow-burn love story to the unforgettable cast of supporting characters, this book is as warm and satisfying as the baked goods that fill its pages! Camille Kellogg, author of Just as You Are

A sapphic romance for us gays who spend Saturdays baking pies . . . If you re looking for a cozy read, Love at 350° is absolutely it. Autostraddle

Love at 350° is a delicious mix of heart and humor. Peers delicately blends fun, romance, and new beginnings in her debut novel to create something truly enjoyable. Sophie Sullivan, author of Ten Rules for Faking It

Scrumptiously entertaining . . . Fans of a certain popular British baking show will be giddy with delight, and romance readers will especially adore Peers s superbly rendered protagonists and the insightful way she has them demonstrate that falling in love is not limited to those under 40. Booklist

A delightful blend of romance and comedy . . . Offers a delicious narrative set in the scenic Sonoma wine country, filled with warmth, humor, and the intricate dance of budding romance, promising readers a journey as satisfying as a chocolate lava cake. Gobookmart

Slow burn at its best; the tension between Kendra and Tori is palpable and jumps off the page. Fans of foodie romances and The Great British Baking Show will love this delightful novel. Library Journal
 
A delicious kisses-only read . . . The competition will have readers turning pages, hungry to know what comes next and