From Baking Cakes to Bestsellers: How Abby Jimenez Built Her Book and Bakery Empire

by

Abby Jimenez knows the recipe for success.

Her hidden strength? Placing trust in herself. Indeed, long before she authored multiple bestselling romantic comedies, including her newest release, “Say You’ll Remember Me” (available April 1), she established a successful home-based bakery business.

Following her dismissal from a department store role, Abby confessed to TopMob News in an exclusive interview that opening their first bakery was incredibly nerve-wracking. She started Nadia Cakes from home in 2007 with no culinary education. She had only attended two and a half classes on cake decoration, and relied on her own unique recipes to get started.

Besides that, it’s worth noting that at the time, she and her husband, Carlos Jimenez, had quite a full household. They were caring for their three young daughters: 2-year-old Naomi, 12-month-old Nadia, and newborn Maya. As she pointed out, they were all still in diapers. (Their daughters have since grown up and are now in their late teens and early twenties.)

However, transforming her love for baking into a career was not devoid of perils, and when Abby and Carlos were prepared to grow Nadia Cakes into a complete bakery, they were deeply in debt.

She reminisced about accruing a credit card debt of $125,000 and paying the minimum payments for five months while her bakery was being constructed. During that time, she wasn’t earning enough income. It was essentially a gamble to invest in herself and the business, a wager that it would thrive.

Failure was not an option.

In explaining Carlos’ choice to take on the role as CFO, I shared that he left his job just three weeks after our bakery, Nadia Cakes, opened. We both understood that he was investing all his efforts into making our venture a success; otherwise, we risked losing it all.

After taking the chance, Nadia Cakes successfully grew from its initial base in southern California, establishing not one but two bakeries in Minnesota, where the Jimenez family has since made their home.

She made it clear that her primary focus wasn’t about becoming a renowned baker or a Food Network star. Instead, she was merely trying to earn a living and support her family, with no other aspirations beyond that.

It also burnt Abby out. Exhausted, she stepped back to focus on another passion: Writing.

Abby put it this way to TopMob: ‘In terms of taking risks, that situation was likely the smallest one I’ve ever faced,’ she said, ‘as I didn’t require those books to achieve any objective I had planned for.’

She mentioned that she found joy in writing the books, explaining that it was an activity she truly loved and found satisfying.

Since her first novel, “The Friend Zone,” was released in 2019, she has published a new book each year. Notable releases include popular BookTok picks such as “The Happy Ever After Playlist,” “Part of Your World,” and “Just for the Summer.

Abby’s fictional characters span various professions, such as doctors, travel nurses, carpenters, and social influencers. However, she has not delved into creating a baker character yet, but mentioning Nadia Cakes in her books seems to suffice for her.

She conceded, “It seems there’s a hint of trauma related to baking that I can sense. I prefer exploring different professions for research and writing about them instead.

As expected, in keeping with my style, “Say You’ll Remember Me” – her sixth captivating novel – takes a refreshing detour away from the culinary realm. In this enthralling tale, we follow the lives of Samantha, a quick-witted social media manager, and Xavier, a dedicated veterinarian. Their paths cross on a near-perfect first date, but fate has other plans when Samantha is called to California to care for her mother who is battling dementia.

Abby mentioned, “This book explores the process of creating and forgetting memories. I’ve actually incorporated many of my personal recollections within its pages.

However, despite the fact that Abby’s characters frequently encounter life’s toughest obstacles, her novels are always filled with laughter and amusement.

She pointed out that the charm of crafting a romantic comedy lies in its humor, as it doesn’t affect the readers personally. It’s a delicate balance I always aim for when writing, and one you’ll find consistently throughout my books.

Rest easy, her romantic comedy characters will undoubtedly find their fairytale conclusion. As she frequently emphasizes to her audience, “By the close of the story, they’ll have a blissful future ahead, regardless of the trials and tribulations I subject them to on paper.

Say You’ll Remember Me releases April 1. For more books hitting shelves this spring, keep reading.

However, despite Abby’s characters frequently encountering life’s toughest obstacles, her novels always carry a touch of humor.

She pointed out that crafting a romantic comedy offers an amusing perspective for readers since they aren’t personally experiencing the events. Maintaining this delicate balance is something she enjoys and consistently incorporates in her writings.

Rest easy, her characters will undoubtedly reach their fairytale romance conclusion. Consistently emphasizing this point, she assures readers that “In the end, they’ll have a blissful future ahead, regardless of the trials I subject them to within these stories.

Say You’ll Remember Me releases April 1. For more books hitting shelves this spring, keep reading.

Announcement: Finally, Collins unveils the truth about what was truly happening when Haymitch Abernathy joined The Hunger Games for the Second Quarter Quell – and she does not disappoint. This novel, “Sunrise on the Reaping”, is both harrowing and heartbreaking, possibly Collins’ most gruesome work set in Panem yet, though like its predecessors it offers glimmers of hope to come. Moreover, it contains numerous references to both “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” as well as the original trilogy – including the reappearance of familiar characters.

On March 18, 2012, an old journal belonging to a Lutheran pastor from 1912 was discovered, detailing his experiences with a Blackfeet man and a vampire named Good Stab. The narrative unfolds across three different timeframes (2012, 1912, and the era of the Marias Massacre in 1870 where approximately 200 Blackfeet people were brutally killed by the US army). This gripping story combines elements of murder, revenge, and the supernatural, making it even more captivating.

Year after year, the Lingates make their way back to their opulent villa on Capri, haunted by a 1992 incident where one of their own, Sarah, met her end at the foot of a cliff. Although officially labeled an accident, there remains an unsettling feeling that all is not as it seems. Thirty years later, the enigma deepens when the necklace Sarah wore on that fateful night resurfaces, triggering a series of lethal occurrences that expose the skeletons hidden in the closet from that tragic day—revealing what truly befell Sarah.

Anna, an American who’s just graduated from college, sets off for London to begin a new chapter in her life. However, the actual city doesn’t live up to her fantasies about her ideal dwelling. But things take a turn when she lands a tutoring job for a wealthy family and befriends her student’s older sister, leading her into the world of the high society. Yet, maintaining this lavish lifestyle could have its consequences.

April 1

For Samantha and Xavier, an initially unfavorable encounter gradually transforms into a life-altering first date – quite the opposite of what Samantha had planned for her last night in Minnesota before relocating over 2,000 miles away. However, amidst Samantha’s family turmoil and Xavier’s efforts to grow his veterinary practice, they find themselves reminiscing about their enchanting evening. This novel is filled with emotion, humor, and an irresistible page-turning quality.

Announcement: April 8th marks the arrival of Lauren Roberts’ grand finale for the Powerless series. In this final installment, Paedyn and Kai return to Ilya, finally reunited. However, a critical decision could shatter their bond forever and potentially devastate Ilya altogether.

Publication Date: April 15

Five years following the publication of “The Perfect Divorce”, author Jeneva Rose has yet again left readers on the edge, as protagonist Sarah Morgan finds herself entangled in fresh complications. It turns out that her current husband, her second one, harbored a secret – infidelity. As she contemplates divorce, unexpected evidence resurfaces concerning the murder case involving her first husband. The plot thickens further when the mistress of husband number 2 goes missing. Without a doubt, Rose delivers a rollercoaster ride of surprises and suspense in this gripping novel.

April 22
In a nod to Taylor Swift’s “Last Great American Dynasty,” the new work by Henry introduces characters Alice and Hayden, who journey to a tiny island off the coast of Georgia for an extraordinary chance: To pen the ultimate biography about the elusive Margaret Ives, a 20th-century media sensation now living in seclusion. As they vie for top honors and unravel Margaret’s mysterious past, tensions ignite between them.

Announcement: April 22nd
Tina Knowles is baring it all and sharing her journey—from growing up as the youngest of seven in Galveston, TX, to becoming matriarch of one of the most influential families in pop culture. Get ready to discover Ms. Tina Knowles like never before.

Publication Date: April 22

You might not have heard of Lambert Simnel before, but in the late 15th century, this seemingly random figure almost toppled the rising Tudor rule by appearing as a resurrected Plantagenet duke, who may have had a rightful claim to England’s throne. This captivating tale recounts the journey of a young man manipulated by Tudor adversaries, catapulted into the aristocratic world and the perils and deceit it harbors.

Update: The charming town of Barry’s Bay welcomes the return of Fortune, this time introducing Alice Everly to her perfect counterpart, Charlie Florek. A couple of years following the events of “Every Summer After”, a heart-stricken Alice seeks solace at the lake where she had an unforgettable summer in her teenage years, to be with her grandma who has recently been injured. It isn’t long before she strikes up friendship with Charlie, their neighbor and caretaker for the summer season, and as Fortune steps in, we’ll see the blossoming of a delightful, summer romance that fans have eagerly anticipated for years.

Publication Date: May 6

Backman is an author you don’t want to miss out on. His novel, “My Friends,” unfolds in two interwoven timelines. It narrates a significant summer for a group of teenagers and an artist who, 25 years later, finds herself captivated by a painting that depicts three of those friends. She becomes determined to uncover the truth about these people and the location behind the artwork. In classic Backman style, it’s a poignant, sometimes sorrowful exploration of life, loss, and the individuals who support us throughout our journey.

Revised: In May, Abby sets sail for the island where her fiancé perished mysteriously. Upon arrival, she encounters a man who claims to hold vital information about his untimely demise – but he vanishes shortly thereafter. Stranded on this remote isle with a potential murderer at large and a tight-knit community of expatriates growing increasingly suspicious, Abby embarks on a desperate mission to uncover the truth before it’s too late.

Read More

2025-03-30 10:17