Just Desserts for the Heartbroken, Lovesick, and Jilted
Julie Seyler’s love life has been a recipe for disaster—and she has the baked goods to prove it.
In this humorous and heartfelt book, beloved baking blogger Julie Seyler shares stories of love, loss, and everything in between—accompanied by her signature dessert recipes—in one irresistible, gluten-filled volume.
Whether she’s arriving home after an awkward first date or seeking comfort once a promising relationship goes up in flames, Julie knows exactly where to turn when things go awry: the kitchen. And after three decades spent dating a cast of brooding, complicated Gen X creatives, her recipe box is overflowing—even while her bed remains empty.
From frustrating flings with the emotionally unavailable to an unflinching exploration of the love that lingers after tragedy, Gluten for Punishment by Julie Seyler is a wry, honest reminder that while relationships are rarely predictable, a sweet ending always awaits in the kitchen.
What readers are saying:
★★★★★
“Gluten for Punishment is a triumph of vulnerability and culinary craft. Seyler’s ability to weave humor, heartache, and hedonism into a single recipe makes this a standout in both memoir and cookbook genres. A must read for romantics, bakers, and anyone who believes in the healing power of a perfectly baked tart.”
– Netgally Reviewer
★★★★★
“Her writing unflinchingly exposes the vulnerabilities, raw emotions, and endless questions that define modern dating. It’s a journey through loving and losing, relatable to anyone who’s navigated the complexities of relationships. And for a delightful bonus, her mouth-watering baked good recipes are pure temptation. This is a highly recommended, easy, and genuinely fun read.”
– Goodreads Reviewer
A taste of the book:
“During our interminable time together, I’m subjected to mansplaining, condescension, boasting. I feel my V-jay snapping shut like an abalone. I gulp down my scalding cappuccino and furtively scan the coffeehouse for the nearest escape hatch, like airline passengers are encouraged to do before takeoff. ‘The exit closest to you may be behind your seat.’”
— Julie Seyler, Gluten for Punishment
Support Local:
Arvida Book Co. (Tustin)
Kitchen Lingo (Long Beach)
Moonstone & Mist Bookshop (Redondo Beach)
Book Soup (West Hollywood/LA)
Skylight Books (Los Feliz/LA)
Diesel, A Bookstore (Westwood/Brentwood)
Bookstore on the Square (Ft. Collins, CO)
Powell’s Books (Portland, OR)
Book Clubs:
Reading Gluten for Punishment with your book club? Download the free discussion guide, with questions to get the conversation started. If you are in Southern California, Julie Seyler is available to join your discussion.