A Touch of Moonlight

Santos offers up another culinary romance with a dash of fantasy in her sweet but slightly unsatisfying sophomore novel (after A Taste of Sage). Larimar Cintrón has always felt like an outsider, from her love of punk music to the fact that, every full moon, she secretly turns into a ciguapa, a mythical creature from Dominican folklore with backward facing feet, straight hair, and a craving for butter. After a pleasant blind date with Ray Antonio Concepción, a baker and fellow punk fan, Larimar considers giving love a chance. But her job as brand manager for the popular bakery chain Beacon Café puts her in a tight spot when she’s asked to oversee a new store opening directly across the street from Ray’s bakery, Borrachitos. A successful store opening might mean a promotion—but would Ray ever forgive her if she put him out of business? The central relationship is fun but slow-moving, and Ray’s too-nice personality and lack of development make it difficult to invest in the couple. Still, Larimar’s journey to accepting her ciguapa identity is admirable, and the recipes between chapters are a treat for baking enthusiasts. It’s not perfect, but Santos’s fans will find plenty to enjoy. (Oct.)