Reviewing Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake
I just love British humour so much and this book is filled with dry, witty lines that had me laughing and smiling the entire time.
I experienced this book by reading and listening to it depending on what I was doing at the time and it was such a treat. As a reality TV fan, this was right up my alley with a British TV baking competition where protagonist Rosaline enters for a chance to improve hers and her daughter’s life.
Rosaline was a relatable character as she was struggling to figure out what she wanted to do and also asserting herself when necessary at the end. But I especially loved the baking competition aspect because of the hilarious characters Rosaline found herself surrounded by. The producer with her snarky remarks reminded me of an army sergeant and fellow competitor and Anvita’s verbal vomit outbursts were hilarious.
On the other hand, I am not a fan of love triangles as one does eventually develop towards the end of the novel. I would have loved a bit more of Harry and Rosaline interacting with one another and for the story to have gone deeper into Harry’s background and personality in order to establish their relationship more, and less with Alain.
However, Fiona Hardingham did a fantastic job narrating this story. The male voices were done well enough that I didn’t notice it was a female voicing a male as I've noticed with some other audiobooks & I flew through the book because of her & Alexis. This book also taught me some more about the prejudices that people of the LGBTQ+ community can experience.
Thank you Forever for the gifted copy (because how adorable is that cover???) and Hachette Audio for the advanced listener’s copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Happy Pride Month!
Book Description
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.