Some stories begin not with certainty, but with quiet disruption. In One Alpen Day, Michele Davenport-Dutton introduces characters standing at emotional crossroads, each carrying private hopes shaped by family, loss, and the desire to build something steadier than what came before.
After her marriage ends and her dreams of motherhood feel painfully out of reach, Angela Sutton leaves her former life behind and seeks comfort in familiar surroundings, working alongside her aunt in the family bakery. Her sense of routine is interrupted when Mason Glade, a famous actor she has long admired from afar, unexpectedly appears.
Mason’s public life contrasts sharply with his personal struggles. His marriage to Camila has unraveled under the weight of her addiction, drawing unwanted attention that affects not only him but also their two young children. When Camila enters rehab, Mason removes himself and his family from the spotlight, searching for peace and stability. As he spends time with Angela, he notices her natural warmth with his children and begins imagining a different future. Yet unresolved commitments and lingering loyalty complicate every choice.
Michele Davenport-Dutton has loved reading since childhood and was once the top reader at her Montessori school in Garmisch, Germany. A lifelong fan of heartfelt love stories with happy endings, she finally brought her own story to the page with this debut novel. Michele earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from CSUB before putting her career on hold to raise her family, spending nearly 30 years as a stay-at-home mom. Now fulfilling a long-held dream of becoming an author, she lives in Shafter, California, with her husband, Chris. Together they have eight adult children and seven grandchildren, with hopes for many more. Visit Michele on Instagram.
My Review
This is a sweet story. The outcome is predictable but I still enjoyed reading. All the characters were good decent people and I enjoyed the depiction of family.
The descriptions of Germany were lovely and I enjoyed learning more about German food and culture as I was reading. As well as learning a few German words.
Parts of the story were simple but it did not detract from the experience. I think as the author writes more stories her style will refine and become even more sophisticated.
I have enjoyed interacting with the author and learning more about the things that inspired this story. look forward to seeing what other works she will produce.
