Patrick Finch’s bout of glandular fever has left him weak as a kitten. When he comes to Valentine Bay, he’s planning a relaxing convalescence, all meals provided, no stress. No worries, mate, as they say here in New Zealand!

When Meg Fotheringham agreed to look after her aunt’s business, she figured it’d be easy. She’d run the bakery and tearooms before, and a quiet gentleman lodger wouldn’t add much to the workload. What could possibly go wrong?

Neither of them counted on a mischievous cat, a spy mystery, a gingerbread-munching burglar, absconding staff, a Christmas challenge gone wrong, and a powerful attraction to one another.