A Stella Review: Beignets (Coffee Cake #2) by Michaela Grey

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5

Malachi Warren barely survived a series of assaults on his life. But survive he did, though not without baggage. Now, Malachi must pick up the pieces of his shattered life—the most important piece being his boyfriend, Bran Kendrick, who is dealing with problems of his own.

Stagnating at his job at a small-town café, Bran’s pride keeps him from asking Malachi—or anyone—for help. Desperate to do something, Malachi secretly pays a celebrity chef with a bakery in New Orleans to take on Bran as his apprentice.

As Malachi and Bran begin to make a new life in New Orleans, the specter of Malachi’s PTSD and the growing stress over the secret he hides from Bran threaten their relationship. Before it’s too late, Malachi must confront his past and face his fears about the future, all without losing himself—and Bran—in the process.

I read Coffee Cake, the first book in this Michaela Grey series, on June and it was a lovely surprise. I didn’t know there was a planned sequel and I was over the moon as soon as I saw Beignets. Being a sequel it really doesn’t work as a standalone,  you have to read the first one to better understand Beignets.

Bran and Malachi are together from six month. After being almost killed, Malachi isn’t sleeping well lately, tormented by a lot of nightmares and he’s not even drawing anymore. He is overload with panic attacks.  Sure Bran will leave him and all his problems behind, Malachi doesn’t know he is the best thing ever happened to Bran. It hurt to watch him be so insecure of himself. Trust me, the love they share is pure, brave and sweet. But Malachi and Bran are young, scared and with some not so light baggage on their shoulders, they are trying to solve their problems together and it’s beautiful and cute see Bran fuss over Malachi as a mother hen but sad too see how they cling to each other, because of the codependency between them is scary sometimes. They both need someone else to lean on.

First let me tell you what I didn’t like. I found the story to be too heavy because there are a LOT of scenes where Malachi is struggling with his panic attacks. They are without a doubt real but maybe in a book it is too much. I simply think the author overdid a little with these scenes. Luckly they are balanced with other parts, light, funny and sweet and I appreciated very them. ‘Beignets’ is interesting as ‘Coffee Cake’, well written and hard to put down, because I loved Malachi and Bran but the second characters too. I enjoyed how the story developed, their move to New Orleans where Bran could join a baker apprenticeship and most of all where they would find their serenity again and  a new family to lean on. This is a book full of love, full of real life struggles and full of hope.

I want to add a little more detail that I noted and liked it. I’m usually not a fan of single point of view, but Michaela Grey did a great job in this series. She used only Bran PoV in Coffee Cake and only the Malachi one in Beignets and in both novels I didn’t get the feeling of missing something, they were complete and well done in let me know what was in each character’s mind, with clear words and actions.

And if you’re like me and don’t live with just the spiritual love but need the sweaty one too, keep calm, you’ll get it. I particularly liked how Bran’s asexuality was never once ignored or lessened but perfectly enclosed in Malachi needs.

That said, sweet Michaela, can you work on Tristan and Callan story? Please?

Cover art by Aaron Anderson. This series’ covers simply rock! I loved the first one, colors and style were perfect. Same love for this one too. It conveys so much sweetness, in every way.

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press | All Romance (ARe)  | Amazon|  Buy It  Here

Book Details:

ebook, 200 pages
Published October 9th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 1634766326
Edition Language English

Coffe Cake series

Coffee Cake #1
Beignets #2