In a quaint town, Nicola Coughlan is the dedicated owner of Mary's Bake & Brew, a charming bakery and coffee shop that's become a beloved local spot. Every Friday, she looks forward to the arrival of her favorite customer, Luke Newton, a charismatic drama professor at the nearby theater. Luke comes in like clockwork, ordering his usual French vanilla cappuccino with a peanut butter crumble and whatever new treat Nicola has baked up that week. Though they share friendly exchanges, Nicola harbors a secret crush on Luke, leaving him fresh baked goods and hoping he'll notice her affection.
But Nicola's world is turned upside down when she discovers an eviction notice on the bakery's door. Facing the threat of losing everything she's worked for, Nicola is on the brink of despair-until Luke steps in to help. Together, they hatch a plan to save the bakery by hosting a special theater-themed event, blending Nicola's culinary talents with Luke's dramatic flair.
As they work side by side, their connection deepens, blossoming into a romance neither of them saw coming. Through late nights of planning and heartfelt conversations, Luke and Nicola fall in love, realizing that they're not just saving the bakery, but also finding something even sweeter-their future together.
Filled with tender moments, witty dialogue, and the warm aroma of freshly baked pastries, this romantic fanfiction follows Nicola and Luke's journey from friends to lovers as they discover that the greatest recipe for happiness is love.
Penelope Featherington, a Journalism senior, lands her dream internship at a prestigious publishing house in New York City-only to discover her boss is none other than Colin Bridgerton, her infuriating childhood neighbor, her best friend's brother, and her older brother's best mate. Talk about complicated. She's never been fond of him, and he hasn't exactly gone out of his way to be friendly either.
But here's the thing about love and hate: they aren't opposites. Sometimes, the deeper the hatred, the stronger the love that might have been there once-or could still be. Hate, often born from pain, carves a deep emotional scar. But when it fades, it leaves room for something greater. Forgiveness and understanding can turn that bitterness into something unexpected, even overwhelming.
As Penelope and Colin work side by side, late nights and tight deadlines bring their old tensions-and something more-to the surface. Can they manage their shared history and professional friction? Or will their undeniable chemistry turn this enemies-to-lovers story into an unexpected romance?
[NOTES: In this ff, Colin is the eldest Bridgerton sibling, with three younger sisters: Eloise, Fran and Hyacinth.
In the Featherington fam, Archie and Penelope are Portia's children.