A scrumptious pie. A long-distance guy. Fourth of July fireworks guaranteed.
Lauren Hauser has it all…nearly. With a shiny new job and sparkly new engagement ring on her finger, the only thing she’s missing is her gorgeous new fiancé by her side. Should she be worried? Jack’s kisses are as sizzling as always and, sure, long distance is hard, but she and Jack are solid, right?
Of course the stress of planning a wedding—or not—is nothing compared to the stress of baking an apple pie. Because it’s not just any apple pie that Lauren must bake for the Fourth of July contest; it’s her grandmother’s famous, award-winning apple pie! Yet Lauren is determined to make this pie her own and a little apple pie should be no problem for the Hauser clan dessert queen!
But with her new job taking up so much time, a prize pie to perfect and the growing distance between her and Jack, Lauren begins to wonder if she can really have it all… Only one thing’s for sure, there’ll be fireworks this Fourth of July!
Home for the Holidays
How to Bake the Perfect Pecan Pie How to Bake the Perfect Christmas Cake How to Bake the Perfect Apple Pie How to Bake the Perfect Wedding Cake
Ice Cream Dreams
Dream Come True Dream A Little Dream
How to Bake the Perfect Apple Pie
Gina Calanni
HQ
An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd.
1 London Bridge Street
London SE1 9GF
First published in Great Britain by HQ in 2015
Copyright © Gina Calanni 2015
Gina Calanni asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
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E-book Edition © June 2015 ISBN: 9781474035569
Version date: 2018-07-23
GINA CALANNI
currently resides where bluebonnets line the highways in the spring, but she prefers the rock flower anemone from under the sea. Above the ocean’s surface Gina likes to bake with her three boys and run like the ground is crumbling beneath her feet while being dragged along by her pooch, Schatzi, Music is the backbone of each one of Gina’s books and her favorite button to press is repeat. At the end of the day Gina’s glass of wine is always half full.
You can follow Gina on Twitter at @Gina_Calanni Instagram: @gina_calanni
Check out www.ginacalanni.com to keep up to date with the latest scoop in her life.
To Ethan, Beck, and Jude, you are the essence of apple pie, you warm my heart and make my life sweet beyond compare.
To my mom, thank you for always being there to prevent a crust from burning, you save me from so many moments…I truly appreciate each and every one.
To my Gems, thank you for being supportive of me, my books, my posts, and for discussing endless Craigslist ads with me.
To Tracie Banister my author consigliere, thank you for your wise words and continuing support.
Thank you to Karan Heitschmidt, it’s been pure bliss discussing books, ideas, and life with you.
To Engy Albasel Neville, making the leap from Facebook chit chat to phone conversations have truly made my world a better place, thank you my friend.
Thank you to my editor Victoria, who always provides the best editorial feedback and makes my stories so much better than I could even have imagined. I am truly blessed to have your expertise to guide my way.
Thank you to Laurie Johnson and Helena Newton, I very much appreciated your work on this book.
Thank you to the incredibly amazing team at HQ Digital UK (Harlequin), your endless support and our daily chats mean so much to me.
And finally thank you to my pooch Schatzi, who with one raise of her ears, brings a smile to my face.
For Katie
Writing this book made me think of all the things you’ve help me to cross in order to get to where I am today. Your guidance has whisked me away from lumpy batters and into golden crusts that serve more than a photographic moment. You’ve shown me the difference in a forgiving recipe and how to build a dish with depth beyond a tasty bite.
Contents
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven