Scan barcode
loveambreen's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars rates down because it dragged on to the point where I fell asleep at one point but could still follow along when I woke up.
gillianw's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
Smart, funny, sympathetic and just downright enjoyable. I think I was lucky in waiting to read this because, unlike many early reviewers, I knew this was more woman's fiction than a traditional romance, and I had no dashed expectations as a result. I really liked Rosaline and felt for her as she struggled against the expectations of her passive aggressive parents while still relying on them for financial assistance. I looked at her as sort of the UK version of Lorelai Gilmore but one who is about 5 years younger and still trying to figure things out. I disliked Alain from his very first interaction with Harry, loved Harry right from the 'tea incident' and appreciated how fleshed out and multi-dimensional the side characters were. Lots to like here, especially if you love baking!
Smart, funny, sympathetic and just downright enjoyable. I think I was lucky in waiting to read this because, unlike many early reviewers, I knew this was more woman's fiction than a traditional romance, and I had no dashed expectations as a result. I really liked Rosaline and felt for her as she struggled against the expectations of her passive aggressive parents while still relying on them for financial assistance. I looked at her as sort of the UK version of Lorelai Gilmore but one who is about 5 years younger and still trying to figure things out. I disliked Alain from his very first interaction with Harry, loved Harry right from the 'tea incident' and appreciated how fleshed out and multi-dimensional the side characters were. Lots to like here, especially if you love baking!
eeblouin's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
zeus_strider's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bookonarooftop's review
medium-paced
3.0
First time reading story by Alexis Hall and I personally picked this one up based on the cover, It was cute and colorful so I thought why not.
I was not disappointed (as I did not really have any expectations) and it was quite fast and cute read.
A few things I want to say about the book
1. Alain sucks - he is manipulative, arrogant, gaslighting man who did not deserve spotlight he got in the book. His actions from beginning till end were pathetic and he didn't deserve this much space in the book.
2. Rosaline - usually I try to like main characters because duh book's about them right? - however Rosaline wasn't really someone I could see rooting. Let's take her actions from the second she meets Alain. She gets so wrapped up into "What ifs" that she cooks up a lie that is pathetic in nature (I understand the need to be "that person". I understand that she was insecure about her "choices" but was she though? whole book she tries to tell us that she made right choice by keeping a baby and becoming a single mom; she tells us how her kid is not a responsibility and "baam" she meets a guy, she wants to jump and "suddenly" starts to doubt herself and every decision she has made).
Rosaline was supposed to be a better character but her decision and the way she gets manipulated through the story, showed her in a bad light. I'm not sure that's what author was going for but yeah, it was bad.
3. the "love triangle" - can we even call it love triangle? Rosaline does not give a f**k about Harry 75% of the book. She obviously misjudges him (yeah I forgot to say how condescending she sounds occasionally) at first, then she was like maybe I'm wrong and yeah, I get it, we all make a mistake. But then she is so wrapped up into this "Alain" bubble that her having feelings for Harry makes no sense.
4. the scene with Alain's friend, Alain and Rosaline - the fact that Alain manipulated the whole situation and all the signs Rosaline ignored drove me crazy. She is supposed to be the smart one so what the hell was that? She was sexually harassed and I believe there should have been more parts about this and Rosaline should have gone after both of them.
5. the producer Jennifer who addresses contestants in an awful way - I have never been backstage of these kind of contests but do producers really talk that way? it's so rude to talk to grown-ups that way and I don't think anyone in 2024 would let them? (i think) Her standing up for Rosaline at the end was quite good gesture but still it was obviously driven from her own benefit.
6. romance between Harry and Rosaline felt rushed
That's all.
Read if you are okay with all of the things mentioned above
I was not disappointed (as I did not really have any expectations) and it was quite fast and cute read.
A few things I want to say about the book
1. Alain sucks - he is manipulative, arrogant, gaslighting man who did not deserve spotlight he got in the book. His actions from beginning till end were pathetic and he didn't deserve this much space in the book.
2. Rosaline - usually I try to like main characters because duh book's about them right? - however Rosaline wasn't really someone I could see rooting. Let's take her actions from the second she meets Alain. She gets so wrapped up into "What ifs" that she cooks up a lie that is pathetic in nature (I understand the need to be "that person". I understand that she was insecure about her "choices" but was she though? whole book she tries to tell us that she made right choice by keeping a baby and becoming a single mom; she tells us how her kid is not a responsibility and "baam" she meets a guy, she wants to jump and "suddenly" starts to doubt herself and every decision she has made).
Rosaline was supposed to be a better character but her decision and the way she gets manipulated through the story, showed her in a bad light. I'm not sure that's what author was going for but yeah, it was bad.
3. the "love triangle" - can we even call it love triangle? Rosaline does not give a f**k about Harry 75% of the book. She obviously misjudges him (yeah I forgot to say how condescending she sounds occasionally) at first, then she was like maybe I'm wrong and yeah, I get it, we all make a mistake. But then she is so wrapped up into this "Alain" bubble that her having feelings for Harry makes no sense.
4. the scene with Alain's friend, Alain and Rosaline - the fact that Alain manipulated the whole situation and all the signs Rosaline ignored drove me crazy. She is supposed to be the smart one so what the hell was that? She was sexually harassed and I believe there should have been more parts about this and Rosaline should have gone after both of them.
5. the producer Jennifer who addresses contestants in an awful way - I have never been backstage of these kind of contests but do producers really talk that way? it's so rude to talk to grown-ups that way and I don't think anyone in 2024 would let them? (i think) Her standing up for Rosaline at the end was quite good gesture but still it was obviously driven from her own benefit.
6. romance between Harry and Rosaline felt rushed
That's all.
Read if you are okay with all of the things mentioned above
spatterson12's review
4.0
This was cute. A little predictable, but if you like Christina Lauren books then you can get on this train (and hopefully not miss it and get stuck spending the night at the farm). I'll definitely grab the sequel the next time I'm at a bookstore, and probably will grab the third when it's released.
Also, if you're a fan of baking and The Great British Bake Off, you'll enjoy this!
Rosaline Palmer is single mother who enters for a chance to be on a baking competition show. She spends eight weekends competing against other amateur bakers in various categories, using the week leading up to practice at home.
Baking has proven to be one of the greatest joys in her life after her unexpected pregnancy eight years before and feeling the pressure from her two high-achieving parents to do "more" with her life. Through this experience she discovers her confidence and reaffirms what she knows to be true.
Each week she also spends time getting to know her competitors, building friendships with a core group and finding love.
TW: sexual assault
Also, if you're a fan of baking and The Great British Bake Off, you'll enjoy this!
Rosaline Palmer is single mother who enters for a chance to be on a baking competition show. She spends eight weekends competing against other amateur bakers in various categories, using the week leading up to practice at home.
Baking has proven to be one of the greatest joys in her life after her unexpected pregnancy eight years before and feeling the pressure from her two high-achieving parents to do "more" with her life. Through this experience she discovers her confidence and reaffirms what she knows to be true.
Each week she also spends time getting to know her competitors, building friendships with a core group and finding love.
TW: sexual assault
cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
Once again I was more interested in side characters and love triangle was boring. Overall ok read.
Once again I was more interested in side characters and love triangle was boring. Overall ok read.
13_dear_reader_13's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
bookshelvesandtealeaves's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0