Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall | BOOK REVIEW

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Following the recipe is the key to a successful bake. Rosaline Palmer has always lived by those rules—well, except for when she dropped out of college to raise her daughter, Amelie. Now, with a paycheck as useful as greaseproof paper and a house crumbling faster than biscuits in tea, she’s teetering on the edge of financial disaster. But where there’s a whisk there’s a way . . . and Rosaline has just landed a spot on the nation’s most beloved baking show.

Winning the prize money would give her daughter the life she deserves—and Rosaline is determined to stick to the instructions. However, more than collapsing trifles stand between Rosaline and sweet, sweet victory.  Suave, well-educated, and parent-approved Alain Pope knows all the right moves to sweep her off her feet, but it’s shy electrician Harry Dobson who makes Rosaline question her long-held beliefs—about herself, her family, and her desires.

Rosaline fears falling for Harry is a guaranteed recipe for disaster. Yet as the competition—and the ovens—heat up, Rosaline starts to realize the most delicious bakes come from the heart.

GOODREADS

Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall | BOOK REVIEW

ROSALINE PALMER TAKES THE CAKE BY ALEXIS HALL
BOOK REVIEW

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

If you loved and maybe binge watched The Great British Bake Off like myself you MUST read this book!!! It gave me all the feels of the show, and reminded me that I have not watched all the seasons yet – shame on me! Also the British humour and the inspiring baking puns take the cake.

The book had some wonderful moments, even great moments, of gentle reflection and wonderful support. I loved those moments the most. It also made me laugh out loud multiple times. And it had all the charm and wit I expect from an Alexis Hall book, minus the heat. It’s a slow burn “romance” more in line with Boyfriend Material than the author’s earlier work. And throughout the story the author made me reflect and think on the matter of gender and queer issues.

Rosaline turned out to be an interesting character, but not necessarily one I liked all the time. In other words she was a hot mess. Rosaline had her issues and doubts, and she made some obvious mistakes. But I also loved how outspoken and self-confident she was about certain issues. She was a relatable character, probably because of her flaws, but her habit of being critical and judgy about everyone and everything became exhausting after a while.

Her judgemental personality, and the way the author tackled some of the bigger issues, felt at times forced, almost like the author tried too hard, and the story turned into a lecture, and stopped feeling like a romance.

Also, I honestly wasn’t expecting a story that revolves around a love triangle. I’m not a fan of them. This is my personal preference and I choose not to read them. This one caught me off guard. Although, in this case it kinda worked since the story already didn’t feel like a traditional romance. And it helped that at this point I was already more interested in the baking and the friendships than anything else.

But besides that, what the author really excels at is creating absolutely fascinating characters. Truly, everyone was individually different and memorable. And a highlight of this book was Rosaline’s adorable daughter. I’m a huge fan of the single parent trope, and precocious kids are a weakness of mine. The things that came out of her mouth made me crack up. Her and her “aunt” Lauren were my favorite characters, besides Harry my lovely cinnamon roll hero. As I said before, Alexis Hall knows how to create some fantastic characters. And I’m already looking forward to the next book in this series.

THREE AND A HALF STARS

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Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall | BOOK REVIEW