The Story Baker

by Carsten Henn

Genres: Humor & Satire

Synopsis

From the international bestselling author of The Door-to-Door Bookstore comes a delicious, heartwarming story of a has-been ballerina who takes up a temporary job in a bakery, finding purpose in every loaf she bakes, for readers of Fredrik Backman and Robin Sloan.

What ingredients does a good life need?

Though she only just started her temporary job at the village bakery, former ballet dancer Sofie already wants to quit from day one. Her career abruptly ended after an injury threatened any and all chances of success, and losing her most beloved passion has thrown her life off track.

Yet there’s something about the rhythms of the bakery that captivates her. Fascinated, Sofie watches old Italian baker Giacomo at work, and discovers that baking bread is almost like a dance: the dough is kneaded on beat, the rotation of the hands a steady rhythm, the swing of the hips like a practiced routine. To her own surprise, Sofie comes to see the little bakery as far more than just a place of work: it slowly transforms into a reprieve. It is here that she discovers the wisdom of a simple man, the joy of small things and the courage to embrace change.

A bestselling phenomenon, The Story Baker is the delightfully charming small-town story of one woman who finds solace, love, and community in the most unlikely of places.

Release date: October 13, 2026

Publisher: Hanover Square Press

Print pages: 256