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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
this was just okay. not a stand out in any way. i was hoping for more from the baking side plot since gbbo is one of my favorite shows but this just didn’t really deliver.
I'm a little jaded when it comes to contemporary romance, and the summary of this one had me uninterested for a while. Eventually, friends of mine with similar tastes in romance highly recommended it, so I gave it a go. I was very pleasantly surprised, and I really liked it!
I'm not averse to the grumpy sunshine dynamic, but it often plays out with so many cliches that it's a chore to read. Not here--Dominic's "grumpy" is fine-tuned and firmly rooted in his character's history, and Sylvie's "sunshine" is more accurately just determination and practicality. Her affinity for glitter and shimmer and cauldron mixology is as much an aesthetic preference as Dominic's affinity for classic, white palates. That is, it has less to do with her being "sunshine"y and more to do with her and Dominic having completely diametrically opposed artistic preferences.
Anyway! The plot itself (they're judges on the show together! They're competing for a contract!) is fine, but it appropriately serves the characters more than they serve the plot. It's easy to forget about it because it's so engaging to see Sylvie and Dominic's relationship blossom and unfold.
And importantly, this story successfully avoids The Problem I have with so many contemporary romances: contrived or completely unreal reasons for the couple to NOT be together when it makes sense for them to be together. It's unusual for me to read a book where the reason the couple can't be together right away makes sense or feels real, or one where the characters DO get together before the climax of the story without it feeling like the book should have ended halfway through.
I shouldn't spend so much time complaining about other stories, but I just want to articulate what made this story so strong for me.
I'd rate it a solid 4.5 stars as a mostly light comfort read. Rounding down to 4 here because I felt like the characterization of the royal family was a little unrealistic, in multiple ways, and because there were a few loose ends that left me a little unsatisfied (e.g. Dolores/Isabel, Aaron, Libby).
I'm not averse to the grumpy sunshine dynamic, but it often plays out with so many cliches that it's a chore to read. Not here--Dominic's "grumpy" is fine-tuned and firmly rooted in his character's history, and Sylvie's "sunshine" is more accurately just determination and practicality. Her affinity for glitter and shimmer and cauldron mixology is as much an aesthetic preference as Dominic's affinity for classic, white palates. That is, it has less to do with her being "sunshine"y and more to do with her and Dominic having completely diametrically opposed artistic preferences.
Anyway! The plot itself (they're judges on the show together! They're competing for a contract!) is fine, but it appropriately serves the characters more than they serve the plot. It's easy to forget about it because it's so engaging to see Sylvie and Dominic's relationship blossom and unfold.
And importantly, this story successfully avoids The Problem I have with so many contemporary romances: contrived or completely unreal reasons for the couple to NOT be together when it makes sense for them to be together. It's unusual for me to read a book where the reason the couple can't be together right away makes sense or feels real, or one where the characters DO get together before the climax of the story without it feeling like the book should have ended halfway through.
I shouldn't spend so much time complaining about other stories, but I just want to articulate what made this story so strong for me.
I'd rate it a solid 4.5 stars as a mostly light comfort read. Rounding down to 4 here because I felt like the characterization of the royal family was a little unrealistic, in multiple ways, and because there were a few loose ends that left me a little unsatisfied (e.g. Dolores/Isabel, Aaron, Libby).
As Lucy parker feels to me about every other book, this is a bit too disjointed - lots of good stuff but just not enough central romance feels to keep me reading
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Akin to watching an episode of the great British bake off. Endearing
lighthearted
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I loved the thought of this,, but the execution definitely wasn't for me. I think my main issue with this lies in the fact that it's 3rd person, which made me feel disconnected to the characters in a way, leading to parts that felt excessively long and confusing. Because of this, I did have to listen to the audiobook while ready (which I will say made it more enjoyable).
However, the plot of this was RIGHT up my alley. I adore rivals to lovers, I adore baking romances, and I ADORE rivals to lovers in baking romances. The idea of being surrounded by tons of sugary sweets and then being like "yeah idk man I hate you" just appeals to me for some reason. As far as characters, Pet and Mabel have my heart <3.
However, the plot of this was RIGHT up my alley. I adore rivals to lovers, I adore baking romances, and I ADORE rivals to lovers in baking romances. The idea of being surrounded by tons of sugary sweets and then being like "yeah idk man I hate you" just appeals to me for some reason. As far as characters, Pet and Mabel have my heart <3.
Parker packed A LOT into this book. Enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, GBBO set, a royal wedding, a little bit of a mystery involving a historical royal, TWO baking villains, a lot of family angst, and more. It was a lot. I really liked it but I can see how people would think it was tedious. I liked the characters and the multiple plot threads.
Spoiler
I wish the villains had suffered more consequences, Libby on the show gets away with sabotaging her competitors, and the traitorous intern gets away when she should be arrested! But I get that these types of people always get away with it, so I'm not super mad about it.
Battle Royal arrived in my Kindle just after midnight and I could not resist starting Lucy Parker's new book immediately. It is another absolutely delightful novel! As always her characters are both complex and likable. Even her side characters are interesting. Was delighted to see her next Insiders novel will include a character who strongly reminds me of Mick Hollister from Artistic License (Elle Pierson).
Having finished the ebook today I am planning to enjoy the Audio book tomorrow.
Having finished the ebook today I am planning to enjoy the Audio book tomorrow.
Gosh! Isn’t the cover gorgeous? If you said yes, I’m glad you like it because that’s probably the best thing you’ll like about this book. Okay, okay maybe I’m exaggerating a little bit. Personally I found this book just okay. I was just disconnected from everyone and the story.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes