Finn Rafferty, an attorney and close friend of Tommy Stiles, a famous rock star, is attempting to commission divorcee Hailey Maitland Goldstein of Lakeside, New Jersey, to create a drum cake. Tommy is performing in Atlantic City for a benefit and plans to use the cake for his after-party as an excuse to meet Hailey. Tommy has a long line of ex- wives and many children and grandchildren as a result of those marriages. While preparing a prenuptial agreement between Tommy and his latest pregnant girlfriend, Finn has discovered Hailey, who could be an unknown daughter of Tommy's.

Finn quickly recognizes the resemblance by the striking bright blue/green eyes shared by Hailey, her daughter, Lizzie, and Tommy. Hailey is the result of an affair between oceanographer Jane Maitland, then in her 40s, and 20-year-old Tommy. Finn quickly falls in love with Hailey and she reciprocates the feelings. After years of celibacy for Hailey, she and Finn engage in some very steamy sex. When Hailey attends Tommy's after-party, her parentage shockingly becomes public knowledge to her and everyone else. She's crushed and turns away from Finn and his deceit. Finn has his work cut out for him to unite Hailey with her new family and to convince her that he's truly in love with her.

There are surprising, funny twists to this story and a lot of touching episodes to peak the emotional side. I found Barbara Bretton's JUST DESSERTS to be highly entertaining, cleverly written and hard to put down. Being a witty and warm read, I recommend JUST DESSERTS and look forward to reading other novels by this author.

Book Summary

Hayley Goldstein has been offered the chance of a lifetime: to bake a cake for a world-famous rock star. But she's shocked to discover that she's actually the aging rocker's long-lost daughter. With her world turned upside down, Hayley will need help letting down her guard and hanging onto the things that matter most. And the rocker's lawyer, Finn Rafferty, may just be the man for the job.