Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Buy for $21.83
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Fiona Hardingham
-
By:
-
Alexis Hall
About this listen
Fans of Casey McQuiston, Christina Lauren, and Abby Jimenez will love this scrumptious and sweet romantic comedy from the "dizzyingly talented writer" of Boyfriend Material (Entertainment Weekly)
LGBTQ Reads: Most Anticipated Adult LGBTQAP Fiction 2021
We Are Bookish: Spring Releases to Have on Your Radar
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.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2021 Alexis Hall (P)2021 ForeverListeners also enjoyed...
-
10 Things That Never Happened
- Material World, Book 1
- By: Alexis Hall
- Narrated by: Will Watt
- Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jonathan Forest should never have hired Sam. It was a sentimental decision, and Jonathan didn't get where he is by following his heart. Determined to set things right, Jonathan orders Sam down to London for a difficult talk…only for a panicking Sam to trip, bump his head, and maybe accidentally imply he doesn't remember anything?
-
-
Lovely
- By Richard A Leigh on 12-10-23
By: Alexis Hall
-
Royal Valentine
- A Museum of Literature Romance, Book 1
- By: Jenn McKinlay
- Narrated by: Sara Young
- Length: 3 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Molly Graham doesn't believe in love at first sight or fairy tales. She's been burned too many times before. But when she stumbles across a very handsome British professor, Albert George, seeking refuge in her office during the Museum of Literature's Valentine's Day gala for the opening of their Austen exhibit, she can't help but be drawn to the fellow introverted academic. Together, they ghost out of the event and embark upon a monthlong love affair. Just as she’s rethinking her stance on happily ever afters, he disappears.
-
-
Darling whirlwind, wilted conflict
- By 🔥 Phx17 🔥 on 07-18-22
By: Jenn McKinlay
-
Boyfriend Material
- By: Alexis Hall
- Narrated by: Joe Jameson
- Length: 13 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Luc O'Donnell is tangentially - and reluctantly - famous. His rock-star parents split when he was young, and the father he's never met spent the next 20 years cruising in and out of rehab. Now that his dad's making a comeback, Luc's back in the public eye, and one compromising photo is enough to ruin everything. To clean up his image, Luc has to find a nice normal relationship...and Oliver Blackwood is as nice and normal as they come. He's a barrister, an ethical vegetarian, and someone who has never inspired a moment of scandal in his life. He’s perfect boyfriend material.
-
-
The right material!
- By Cranky Reader on 07-08-20
By: Alexis Hall
-
A Lady for a Duke
- By: Alexis Hall
- Narrated by: Kay Eluvian
- Length: 15 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Viola Carroll was presumed dead at Waterloo she took the opportunity to live, at last, as herself. But freedom does not come without a price, and Viola paid for hers with the loss of her wealth, her title, and her closest companion, Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood. Only when their families reconnect, years after the war, does Viola learn how deep that loss truly was. Shattered without her, Gracewood has retreated so far into grief that Viola barely recognizes her old friend in the lonely, brooding man he has become.
-
-
Angsty Slow Burn
- By Jessica M. Henn on 08-10-22
By: Alexis Hall
-
Something Fabulous
- By: Alexis Hall
- Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton
- Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Valentine Layton, the Duke of Malvern, has twin problems: literally. It was always his father’s hope that Valentine would marry Miss Arabella Tarleton. But, unfortunately, too many novels at an impressionable age have caused her to grow up...romantic. So romantic that a marriage of convenience will not do and after Valentine’s proposal she flees into the night determined never to set eyes on him again. Arabella’s twin brother, Mr. Bonaventure “Bonny” Tarleton, has also grown up...romantic. And fully expects Valentine to ride out after Arabella.
-
-
The narrator and writing were good. That's it.
- By M.A. on 05-24-22
By: Alexis Hall
-
Love & Other Disasters
- By: Anita Kelly
- Narrated by: Lindsey Dorcus
- Length: 10 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Recently divorced and on the verge of bankruptcy, Dahlia Woodson is ready to reinvent herself on the popular reality competition show Chef’s Special. Too bad the first memorable move she makes is falling flat on her face, sending fish tacos flying - not quite the fresh start she was hoping for. Still, she's focused on winning, until she meets someone she might want a future with more than she needs the prize money.
-
-
Ode to Cooking Competitions
- By BookishMarginalia on 02-26-22
By: Anita Kelly
-
10 Things That Never Happened
- Material World, Book 1
- By: Alexis Hall
- Narrated by: Will Watt
- Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jonathan Forest should never have hired Sam. It was a sentimental decision, and Jonathan didn't get where he is by following his heart. Determined to set things right, Jonathan orders Sam down to London for a difficult talk…only for a panicking Sam to trip, bump his head, and maybe accidentally imply he doesn't remember anything?
-
-
Lovely
- By Richard A Leigh on 12-10-23
By: Alexis Hall
-
Royal Valentine
- A Museum of Literature Romance, Book 1
- By: Jenn McKinlay
- Narrated by: Sara Young
- Length: 3 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Molly Graham doesn't believe in love at first sight or fairy tales. She's been burned too many times before. But when she stumbles across a very handsome British professor, Albert George, seeking refuge in her office during the Museum of Literature's Valentine's Day gala for the opening of their Austen exhibit, she can't help but be drawn to the fellow introverted academic. Together, they ghost out of the event and embark upon a monthlong love affair. Just as she’s rethinking her stance on happily ever afters, he disappears.
-
-
Darling whirlwind, wilted conflict
- By 🔥 Phx17 🔥 on 07-18-22
By: Jenn McKinlay
-
Boyfriend Material
- By: Alexis Hall
- Narrated by: Joe Jameson
- Length: 13 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Luc O'Donnell is tangentially - and reluctantly - famous. His rock-star parents split when he was young, and the father he's never met spent the next 20 years cruising in and out of rehab. Now that his dad's making a comeback, Luc's back in the public eye, and one compromising photo is enough to ruin everything. To clean up his image, Luc has to find a nice normal relationship...and Oliver Blackwood is as nice and normal as they come. He's a barrister, an ethical vegetarian, and someone who has never inspired a moment of scandal in his life. He’s perfect boyfriend material.
-
-
The right material!
- By Cranky Reader on 07-08-20
By: Alexis Hall
-
A Lady for a Duke
- By: Alexis Hall
- Narrated by: Kay Eluvian
- Length: 15 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Viola Carroll was presumed dead at Waterloo she took the opportunity to live, at last, as herself. But freedom does not come without a price, and Viola paid for hers with the loss of her wealth, her title, and her closest companion, Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood. Only when their families reconnect, years after the war, does Viola learn how deep that loss truly was. Shattered without her, Gracewood has retreated so far into grief that Viola barely recognizes her old friend in the lonely, brooding man he has become.
-
-
Angsty Slow Burn
- By Jessica M. Henn on 08-10-22
By: Alexis Hall
-
Something Fabulous
- By: Alexis Hall
- Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton
- Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Valentine Layton, the Duke of Malvern, has twin problems: literally. It was always his father’s hope that Valentine would marry Miss Arabella Tarleton. But, unfortunately, too many novels at an impressionable age have caused her to grow up...romantic. So romantic that a marriage of convenience will not do and after Valentine’s proposal she flees into the night determined never to set eyes on him again. Arabella’s twin brother, Mr. Bonaventure “Bonny” Tarleton, has also grown up...romantic. And fully expects Valentine to ride out after Arabella.
-
-
The narrator and writing were good. That's it.
- By M.A. on 05-24-22
By: Alexis Hall
-
Love & Other Disasters
- By: Anita Kelly
- Narrated by: Lindsey Dorcus
- Length: 10 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Recently divorced and on the verge of bankruptcy, Dahlia Woodson is ready to reinvent herself on the popular reality competition show Chef’s Special. Too bad the first memorable move she makes is falling flat on her face, sending fish tacos flying - not quite the fresh start she was hoping for. Still, she's focused on winning, until she meets someone she might want a future with more than she needs the prize money.
-
-
Ode to Cooking Competitions
- By BookishMarginalia on 02-26-22
By: Anita Kelly
-
A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem
- By: Manda Collins
- Narrated by: Mary Jane Wells
- Length: 7 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
England, 1865: Newspaper columnist Lady Katherine Bascomb finds herself the subject of speculation when her latest article leads to an arrest in the murders plaguing London. The English believe women ought not to write about such vulgar things as crime, and a particularly attractive detective inspector is incensed that she's interfered with his investigation. To escape her sudden notoriety, Katherine heads to the country - only to witness a murder upon her arrival.
-
-
Adult Romance +18 read
- By CuteAsADaisy on 02-07-22
By: Manda Collins
-
Lost and Found in Paris
- A Novel
- By: Lian Dolan
- Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
- Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Joan Blakely had an unconventional childhood: the daughter of a globe-trotting supermodel and a world-famous artist. Her artist father died on 9/11, and Joan—an art historian by training—has spent more than a decade maintaining his legacy. Life in the art world is beginning to wear on her—and then one fateful afternoon her husband drops a bombshell: he’s fathered twins with another woman.
-
-
From the Mixed-Up Tales of Joan
- By Kay Woodbarry on 04-12-22
By: Lian Dolan
-
Grave Reservations
- A Novel
- By: Cherie Priest
- Narrated by: Ulka Simone Mohanty
- Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Meet Leda Foley: devoted friend, struggling travel agent, and inconsistent psychic. When Leda, sole proprietor of Foley's Flights of Fancy, impulsively re-books Seattle PD detective Grady Merritt’s flight, her life changes in ways she couldn’t have predicted. After watching his original plane blow up from the safety of the airport, Grady realizes that Leda’s special abilities could help him with a cold case he just can’t crack.
-
-
the perfect book for what I needed
- By Ann Gerrietts on 01-20-22
By: Cherie Priest
-
The Paid Bridesmaid
- A Novel
- By: Sariah Wilson
- Narrated by: Sarah Naughton
- Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rachel Vinson is a bridesmaid for hire: part confidante, part wedding planner, and one hundred percent pretend BFF. Discretion guaranteed. Her next gig is a destination wedding - livestreamed and sponsored - for an Instagram influencer. That means a paradise of new contacts, which could be a boon to her already booming business. If Rachel can keep the very handsome and slightly too interested best man at bay, that is.
-
-
Child like
- By Breaynn Tullier on 02-16-22
By: Sariah Wilson
-
Meet Me in the Margins
- By: Melissa Ferguson
- Narrated by: Talon David
- Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Savannah Cade’s dreams are coming true. The Claire Donovan, editor-in-chief of the most successful romance publishing company in the country, has requested to see the manuscript Savannah’s been secretly writing. The only problem: she’s an editor for a different company, and their philosophy is only highbrow works are worth printing and romance should be reserved for the lowest level of Dante’s inferno. But when Savannah drops her manuscript during a staff meeting and nearly exposes herself to the whole company, she has no choice but to hide the manuscript in a hidden room.
-
-
Sweet and honest
- By Amazon Customer on 04-04-22
By: Melissa Ferguson
-
Together We Will Go
- By: J. Michael Straczynski
- Narrated by: Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Dan Bittner, Neo Cihi, and others
- Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Mark Antonelli, a failed young writer looking down the barrel at 30, is planning a cross-country road trip. He buys a beat-up old tour bus. He hires a young army vet to drive it. He puts out an ad for others to join him along the way. But this will be a road trip like no other: His passengers are all fellow disheartened souls who have decided that this will be their final journey - upon arrival in San Francisco, they will find a cliff with an amazing view of the ocean at sunset, hit the gas, and drive out of this world.
-
-
Great cast, great writing, an emotional ride!
- By K Ikelman on 07-30-21
-
Perfect Timing
- By: Brenda Jackson
- Narrated by: Leon Nixon
- Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Maxine Chandler and Mya Rivers were once the best of friends, sisters by choice. But distance and a series of misunderstandings came between them. Now, a fifteen-year class reunion cruise to the Caribbean could renew their powerful bond--just when they need it most.
-
-
BJ.is the G.O.A.T
- By Amazon Customer on 04-11-22
By: Brenda Jackson
-
Everything Must Go
- By: Camille Pagán
- Narrated by: Amy McFadden, Laural Merlington
- Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Laine Francis believes there’s a place for everything—and New York, where her family lives, isn’t her place. But no sooner does the professional organizer’s marriage begin to unravel than her sisters drop another bomb on her: their mother, Sally, may have dementia, and they need Laine to come home.
-
-
Yeah …the Narrator
- By L Smith on 06-16-22
By: Camille Pagán
-
Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet
- By: Laekan Zea Kemp
- Narrated by: Andy Aragón, Arami Malaise´
- Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Penelope Prado has always dreamed of opening her own pastelería next to her father's restaurant, Nacho's Tacos. But her mom and dad have different plans - leaving Pen to choose between disappointing her traditional Mexican-American parents or following her own path. When she confesses a secret she's been keeping, her world is sent into a tailspin. But then she meets a cute new hire at Nacho's who sees through her hard exterior and asks the questions she's been too afraid to ask herself.
-
-
Family,Strength, and Self Discovery
- By Michele on 04-24-21
By: Laekan Zea Kemp
-
Delilah Green Doesn't Care
- By: Ashley Herring Blake
- Narrated by: Kristen DiMercurio
- Length: 11 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Delilah Green swore she would never go back to Bright Falls—nothing is there for her but memories of a lonely childhood where she was little more than a burden to her cold and distant stepfamily. Her life is in New York, with her photography career finally gaining steam and her bed never empty. Sure, it’s a different woman every night, but that’s just fine with her.
-
-
THEE. BEST.
- By Marc T. on 04-24-22
-
The Kiss Quotient
- A Novel
- By: Helen Hoang
- Narrated by: Carly Robins
- Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases - a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with as well as way less experience in the dating department than the average 30-year-old. It doesn't help that she has Asperger's and that French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. She decides that she needs lots of practice - with a professional - which is why she hires escort Michael Phan.
-
-
It's a lot...
- By Emily Kenny on 08-22-18
By: Helen Hoang
-
The Rules of Dating
- By: Penelope Ward, Vi Keeland
- Narrated by: Zachary Webber, Maxine Mitchell
- Length: 10 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It all started when I hosted a little party for a bunch of new friends. Though “friends” might not be the right word since the invitees were all the women I’d found out my boyfriend was talking to behind my back. When the guest of honor walked in—aka my now ex—things took a turn… Unfortunately, a stranger witnessed the whole blowout. I was in a mood that night and ended up giving this gorgeous guy an attitude, too. As if my night could get any worse, before he stormed off, he informed me he was actually my landlord.
-
-
♥️ DO ♥️ NOT ♥️ MISS ♥️ THIS ♥️
- By CAROLYN 🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹 on 09-21-22
By: Penelope Ward, and others
Critic reviews
"Alexis Hall is the undisputed master of romantic comedy." (Jenny Holiday, USA Today best-selling author)
"Hall does it again with this scrumptious, quietly subversive rom-com again.... Hilarious, heartwarming, and grounded, Rosaline's story proves that happy endings look different from person to person." (Publishers Weekly)
"Hall is a dizzyingly talented writer, one likely to spur envy in anyone who's ever picked up a pen." (Entertainment Weekly)
Related to this topic
-
Who's That Girl?
- By: Mhairi McFarlane
- Narrated by: Cassie Bradley
- Length: 14 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An achingly funny story from the author of the best-selling You Had Me at Hello. When Edie is caught in a compromising position at her colleagues' wedding, all the blame falls on her - turns out that personal popularity in the office is not that different from your school days. Shamed online and ostracised by everyone she knows, Edie's forced to take an extended sabbatical - ghostwriting an autobiography for hot new acting talent, Elliot Owen. Easy, right? Wrong.
-
-
Very frustrating heroine, disappointing ending
- By Jennie L. Stumm on 09-23-20
By: Mhairi McFarlane
-
Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend
- A Novel
- By: Jenny Colgan
- Narrated by: Karen Cass
- Length: 7 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sophie Chesterton is London's "It Girl". She knows all the right people, goes to all the right parties, and wears all the right clothes...and her rich parents pay for everything. But deep down she suspects that her best "friends" - and her posh lifestyle - are nothing but shallow fakes. Then one evening Sophie's life takes a shocking, drastic turn, and her father decides it's high time for the party girl to make her own way in the world.
-
-
On par for a Colgan story
- By Talb on 06-21-20
By: Jenny Colgan
-
Then I Met You
- By: Matt Dunn
- Narrated by: Rachael Beresford, Steve West
- Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lisa’s dated a series of disastrous men; Simon’s loved and lost the girl of his dreams. She’s hoping fate might intervene in her love life; he’d prefer that it stopped meddling with his. Today, they’re meeting, courtesy of the local paper’s ‘Blind Date’ feature - but while Lisa’s looking for that elusive ‘spark’, Simon’s sure lightning doesn’t strike twice. Will theirs be a love that’s written in the stars, or merely another mismatch written up in the Gazette?
-
-
Not what I was expecting…
- By lfint on 05-25-24
By: Matt Dunn
-
A Perfect Cornish Summer
- By: Phillipa Ashley
- Narrated by: Laura Kirman
- Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For Sam Lovell, organising the summer festival in her hometown is one of the highlights of her year. It’s not always smooth sailing, but she loves to see Porthmellow’s harbour packed with happy visitors and being on the committee has provided a much-needed distraction from the drama in her family life (and the distinct lack of it in her love life). When their star guest pulls out with only a few weeks to go, everyone’s delighted when a London chef who grew up locally steps in at the last minute.
-
-
really enjoyed this book
- By Anonymous User on 10-20-19
By: Phillipa Ashley
-
As Good As It Gets?
- By: Fiona Gibson
- Narrated by: Jenny Funnell
- Length: 11 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A warm, funny read for fans of Outnumbered and the novels of Fern Britton, Fiona writes about life as it really is. "Midlife crisis? WHAT midlife crisis?!" Charlotte Bristow is worried about her husband, Will. With her 16-year-old daughter, Rosie, newly signed to a top modelling agency and Will recently out of a job, things are changing in their household.
-
-
I didn't love it, even though I wanted to
- By Abby on 03-24-22
By: Fiona Gibson
-
The Other Son
- By: Nick Alexander
- Narrated by: Imogen Church
- Length: 12 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Alice has been lying to herself for years, holding fast to the belief that the needs of her family far outweigh her own. But her outwardly successful marriage hides dark secrets, and for much of her life the children were the only reason she stuck around. These days, though her successful banker son lives nearby, his young wife seems to do everything she can to keep Alice at bay. As for Alice's other son, he has always been something of a stranger and has been traveling for so long that Alice isn't even sure what continent he is on anymore.
-
-
Wonderfully Done!
- By Ann on 11-06-16
By: Nick Alexander
-
Who's That Girl?
- By: Mhairi McFarlane
- Narrated by: Cassie Bradley
- Length: 14 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An achingly funny story from the author of the best-selling You Had Me at Hello. When Edie is caught in a compromising position at her colleagues' wedding, all the blame falls on her - turns out that personal popularity in the office is not that different from your school days. Shamed online and ostracised by everyone she knows, Edie's forced to take an extended sabbatical - ghostwriting an autobiography for hot new acting talent, Elliot Owen. Easy, right? Wrong.
-
-
Very frustrating heroine, disappointing ending
- By Jennie L. Stumm on 09-23-20
By: Mhairi McFarlane
-
Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend
- A Novel
- By: Jenny Colgan
- Narrated by: Karen Cass
- Length: 7 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sophie Chesterton is London's "It Girl". She knows all the right people, goes to all the right parties, and wears all the right clothes...and her rich parents pay for everything. But deep down she suspects that her best "friends" - and her posh lifestyle - are nothing but shallow fakes. Then one evening Sophie's life takes a shocking, drastic turn, and her father decides it's high time for the party girl to make her own way in the world.
-
-
On par for a Colgan story
- By Talb on 06-21-20
By: Jenny Colgan
-
Then I Met You
- By: Matt Dunn
- Narrated by: Rachael Beresford, Steve West
- Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lisa’s dated a series of disastrous men; Simon’s loved and lost the girl of his dreams. She’s hoping fate might intervene in her love life; he’d prefer that it stopped meddling with his. Today, they’re meeting, courtesy of the local paper’s ‘Blind Date’ feature - but while Lisa’s looking for that elusive ‘spark’, Simon’s sure lightning doesn’t strike twice. Will theirs be a love that’s written in the stars, or merely another mismatch written up in the Gazette?
-
-
Not what I was expecting…
- By lfint on 05-25-24
By: Matt Dunn
-
A Perfect Cornish Summer
- By: Phillipa Ashley
- Narrated by: Laura Kirman
- Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For Sam Lovell, organising the summer festival in her hometown is one of the highlights of her year. It’s not always smooth sailing, but she loves to see Porthmellow’s harbour packed with happy visitors and being on the committee has provided a much-needed distraction from the drama in her family life (and the distinct lack of it in her love life). When their star guest pulls out with only a few weeks to go, everyone’s delighted when a London chef who grew up locally steps in at the last minute.
-
-
really enjoyed this book
- By Anonymous User on 10-20-19
By: Phillipa Ashley
-
As Good As It Gets?
- By: Fiona Gibson
- Narrated by: Jenny Funnell
- Length: 11 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A warm, funny read for fans of Outnumbered and the novels of Fern Britton, Fiona writes about life as it really is. "Midlife crisis? WHAT midlife crisis?!" Charlotte Bristow is worried about her husband, Will. With her 16-year-old daughter, Rosie, newly signed to a top modelling agency and Will recently out of a job, things are changing in their household.
-
-
I didn't love it, even though I wanted to
- By Abby on 03-24-22
By: Fiona Gibson
-
The Other Son
- By: Nick Alexander
- Narrated by: Imogen Church
- Length: 12 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Alice has been lying to herself for years, holding fast to the belief that the needs of her family far outweigh her own. But her outwardly successful marriage hides dark secrets, and for much of her life the children were the only reason she stuck around. These days, though her successful banker son lives nearby, his young wife seems to do everything she can to keep Alice at bay. As for Alice's other son, he has always been something of a stranger and has been traveling for so long that Alice isn't even sure what continent he is on anymore.
-
-
Wonderfully Done!
- By Ann on 11-06-16
By: Nick Alexander
-
Don't You Forget About Me
- A Novel
- By: Mhairi McFarlane
- Narrated by: Madeline Gould
- Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
If there’s anything worse than being fired from the lousiest restaurant in town, it’s coming home early to find your boyfriend in bed with someone else. Reeling from the humiliation of a double dumping in one day, Georgina takes the next job that comes her way - bartender in a newly opened pub. There’s only one problem: It’s run by the guy she fell in love with years ago. And - make that two problems - he doesn’t remember her. At all. But she has fabulous friends and her signature hot pink fur coat...what more could a girl really need?
-
-
Helpful for Sexual Assault Victims
- By Katie Best on 12-05-20
By: Mhairi McFarlane
-
Miss Cecily's Recipes for Exceptional Ladies
- A Novel
- By: Vicky Zimmerman
- Narrated by: Beth Chalmers
- Length: 11 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When her life falls apart on the eve of her 40th birthday, Kate Parker finds herself volunteering at the Lauderdale House for Exceptional Ladies. There she meets 97-year-old Cecily Finn. Cecily's tongue is as sharp as her mind, but she's fed up with pretty much everything. Having no patience with Kate's choices, Cecily prescribes her a self-help book with a difference.
-
-
Book for foodies
- By RueRue on 02-20-23
By: Vicky Zimmerman
-
Stella's Story
- Thrown Away Children, Book 1
- By: Louise Allen
- Narrated by: Melanie Crawley
- Length: 8 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Named after the lager that christened her at birth, Stella's life is characterised instability and neglect. Her teenage mother abandons her in the first few weeks of her life, and left in the 'care' of her father, she ends up lying deserted in a house with no food, no water, no clothes and no warmth. She eventually lands in the care of foster carer Louise, who is determined to change her life for the better.
-
-
Heartbreaking but so wonderful to see a happy ending
- By Amazon Customer on 11-14-24
By: Louise Allen
-
Maybe This Time
- By: Jill Mansell
- Narrated by: Esther Wane
- Length: 11 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Mimi Huish visits her dad at his new home in the Cotswolds, she immediately falls in love with the eccentric and charming inhabitants of his new community. And when she meets the seriously gorgeous, charismatic Cal Mathieson, Mimi begins to daydream about trading in her city life for country living. But even though Mimi and Cal feel like they might be soul mates, fate (and bad timing) keeps pulling them apart.
-
-
Very enjoyable
- By lapiragua on 01-05-20
By: Jill Mansell
-
The Golden Child
- A Novel
- By: Wendy James
- Narrated by: Candice Moll
- Length: 11 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Beth Mahony is a stay-at-home mother of two daughters, Lucy and Charlotte. She’s also a blogger, whose alter ego, Lizzie, paints a picture of a busy, happy life. Originally from Australia, Beth and her family have lived in New Jersey for ten years. When an opportunity to relocate to Australia arises, the Mahonys decide to return to their native country. The move comes at the perfect time: Charlotte, the youngest daughter, has been accused of being the ringleader of a clique of girls whose dangerous initiation rites leave a child in hospital.
By: Wendy James
-
The Lonely Life of Biddy Weir
- By: Lesley Allen
- Narrated by: Bríd Brennan
- Length: 10 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Biddy Weir is a quirky girl. Abandoned by her mother as a baby, and with a father who's not quite equipped for the challenges of modern parenting, Biddy lives in her own little world, happy to pass her time painting by the sea and watching the birds go by. That is, until she meets Alison Flemming. Because there are a few things about Biddy that aren't normal, you see. And Alison isn't afraid to point them out to the world. All of a sudden, Biddy's quiet life is thrown into turmoil. If only there was someone to convince her that, actually, everyone's a little bit weird....
-
-
The Lonely Life Of Biddy Weir
- By George Criticos on 08-10-20
By: Lesley Allen
-
The Hourglass
- By: Tracy Rees
- Narrated by: Charlotte Strevens, Imogen Church
- Length: 15 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It's 2014. Sensible Nora has always taken success for granted until suddenly her life begins to fall apart. Troubled by anxiety and nightmares, she finds herself drawn to the sweeping beaches of Tenby, a place she's been only once before. Together with a local girl, she rents a beautiful townhouse and slowly begins to settle in to her new life. But Tenby hides a secret, and Nora will soon discover that this little town by the sea has the power to heal even the most painful memories.
-
-
Buy it!!!!
- By LoveAmazon on 11-12-17
By: Tracy Rees
-
A Dark Secret
- By: Casey Watson
- Narrated by: Kate Lock
- Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Just when Casey thinks her foster care duties are done, she’s asked to look after Sam, a troubled nine-year-old with a violent streak who drove his previous guardians to release him of their care. It soon unfolds, however, that this is no simple case. Determined to get to the root of Sam’s behaviour, Casey is committed to uncover his mysterious past only to find out something far darker than she ever imagined.
-
-
Narration is awful!
- By Melissa on 10-03-19
By: Casey Watson
-
Lucy Sullivan Is Getting Married
- By: Marian Keyes
- Narrated by: Amy McAllister
- Length: 17 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lucy Sullivan is 26 and living it up (and occasionally down) in London. Hers is a life of quiet, undisciplined desperation. But when she and three friends visit a psychic for a bit of fun and the woman's predictions start coming true, Lucy is horrified. For the fortune-teller insisted she'd soon be married - within the year, in fact. Not only does Lucy not have a boyfriend, but the chances of getting one are looking slim. Between the bottles of wine, antidepressants and her addiction to self-help books, she's not quite ready to walk, or even stumble, down the aisle sober.
-
-
Worst characters ever
- By Ada Harsema Engdahl on 01-30-20
By: Marian Keyes
-
A Year at Castle Court
- By: Holly Hepburn
- Narrated by: Karen Cass
- Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sadie is a single mum, nursing a broken heart. Her best friend from childhood, Cat, is burned out from working long hours as a chef in Paris. In need of a change, they decide to invest in their dream - running their own handmade biscuit shop in gorgeous Castle Court, a three-storey food court tucked away behind Chester's bustling streets. They soon discover that Castle Court has its own community - a little haven of delight against the stresses of the outside world. But not everyone welcomes the new business.
-
-
A Year at Castle Court
- By Thalia on 08-13-19
By: Holly Hepburn
-
A Thousand Roads Home
- By: Carmel Harrington
- Narrated by: Jill Crawford, Frank Grimes
- Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Meet Tom. Or Dr O’Grady, as he used to be called. When you pass him on the street, most people don’t even give him a second glance. You see, Tom isn’t living his best life. Burdened by grief, he’s only got his loyal dog, Bette Davis, for company and a rucksack containing his whole world. Then there’s Ruth and her son, DJ, who no longer have a place to call home. But Ruth believes that you can change the world by helping one person at a time - and Tom needs her help. There are a thousand ways to find your home - you just need to be brave enough to look for them.
-
-
Couldn't put it down
- By Allison Swart on 09-22-19
-
The Night She Disappeared
- A Novel
- By: Lisa Jewell
- Narrated by: Joanne Froggatt
- Length: 11 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On a beautiful summer night in a charming English suburb, a young woman and her boyfriend disappear after partying at the massive country estate of a new college friend. One year later, a writer moves into a cottage on the edge of the woods that border the same estate. Known locally as the Dark Place, the dense forest is the writer’s favorite place for long walks and it’s on one such walk that she stumbles upon a mysterious note that simply reads, “DIG HERE.”
-
-
Oh my… gave me chills
- By Kelly on 09-10-21
By: Lisa Jewell
People who viewed this also viewed...
-
10 Things That Never Happened
- Material World, Book 1
- By: Alexis Hall
- Narrated by: Will Watt
- Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jonathan Forest should never have hired Sam. It was a sentimental decision, and Jonathan didn't get where he is by following his heart. Determined to set things right, Jonathan orders Sam down to London for a difficult talk…only for a panicking Sam to trip, bump his head, and maybe accidentally imply he doesn't remember anything?
-
-
Lovely
- By Richard A Leigh on 12-10-23
By: Alexis Hall
-
Boyfriend Material
- By: Alexis Hall
- Narrated by: Joe Jameson
- Length: 13 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Luc O'Donnell is tangentially - and reluctantly - famous. His rock-star parents split when he was young, and the father he's never met spent the next 20 years cruising in and out of rehab. Now that his dad's making a comeback, Luc's back in the public eye, and one compromising photo is enough to ruin everything. To clean up his image, Luc has to find a nice normal relationship...and Oliver Blackwood is as nice and normal as they come. He's a barrister, an ethical vegetarian, and someone who has never inspired a moment of scandal in his life. He’s perfect boyfriend material.
-
-
The right material!
- By Cranky Reader on 07-08-20
By: Alexis Hall
-
Glitterland
- Spires, Book 1
- By: Alexis Hall
- Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton
- Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Once the golden boy of the English literary scene, now a clinically depressed writer of pulp crime fiction, Ash Winters has given up on hope, happiness, and—most of all—himself. He lives his life between the cycles of his illness, haunted by the ghosts of other people’s expectations. Then a chance encounter throws him into the path of Essex-born Darian Taylor. By his own admission, Darian isn’t the crispest lettuce in the fridge, but he makes Ash laugh, reminding him of what it’s like to step beyond the boundaries of anxiety.
-
-
Waited for this!
- By Angela F. Young on 01-23-24
By: Alexis Hall
-
Mortal Follies
- A Novel
- By: Alexis Hall
- Narrated by: Nneka Okoye
- Length: 11 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It is the year 1814, and life for a young lady of good breeding has many difficulties. There are balls to attend, fashions to follow, marriages to consider, and, of course, the tiny complication of existing in a world swarming with fairy spirits, interfering deities, and actual straight-up sorcerers.
-
-
Gave me PTSD from studying the classics
- By 🔥 Phx17 🔥 on 06-23-24
By: Alexis Hall
-
The Magpie Lord
- By: KJ Charles
- Narrated by: Cornell Collins
- Length: 6 hrs and 25 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Exiled for 20 years, Lucien never planned to return to England. But with the mysterious deaths of his father and brother, it seems the new Lord Crane has inherited an earldom. He's also inherited his family's enemies. He needs magical assistance, fast. He doesn't expect it to turn up angry. Magician Stephen Day has good reason to hate Crane's family. Unfortunately, it's his job to deal with supernatural threats. Besides, the earl is unlike any aristocrat he's ever met, with the tattoos, the attitude...and the way Crane seems determined to get him into bed.
-
-
Absolutely outstanding
- By t on 05-22-18
By: KJ Charles
-
Something Fabulous
- By: Alexis Hall
- Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton
- Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Valentine Layton, the Duke of Malvern, has twin problems: literally. It was always his father’s hope that Valentine would marry Miss Arabella Tarleton. But, unfortunately, too many novels at an impressionable age have caused her to grow up...romantic. So romantic that a marriage of convenience will not do and after Valentine’s proposal she flees into the night determined never to set eyes on him again. Arabella’s twin brother, Mr. Bonaventure “Bonny” Tarleton, has also grown up...romantic. And fully expects Valentine to ride out after Arabella.
-
-
The narrator and writing were good. That's it.
- By M.A. on 05-24-22
By: Alexis Hall
-
10 Things That Never Happened
- Material World, Book 1
- By: Alexis Hall
- Narrated by: Will Watt
- Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jonathan Forest should never have hired Sam. It was a sentimental decision, and Jonathan didn't get where he is by following his heart. Determined to set things right, Jonathan orders Sam down to London for a difficult talk…only for a panicking Sam to trip, bump his head, and maybe accidentally imply he doesn't remember anything?
-
-
Lovely
- By Richard A Leigh on 12-10-23
By: Alexis Hall
-
Boyfriend Material
- By: Alexis Hall
- Narrated by: Joe Jameson
- Length: 13 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Luc O'Donnell is tangentially - and reluctantly - famous. His rock-star parents split when he was young, and the father he's never met spent the next 20 years cruising in and out of rehab. Now that his dad's making a comeback, Luc's back in the public eye, and one compromising photo is enough to ruin everything. To clean up his image, Luc has to find a nice normal relationship...and Oliver Blackwood is as nice and normal as they come. He's a barrister, an ethical vegetarian, and someone who has never inspired a moment of scandal in his life. He’s perfect boyfriend material.
-
-
The right material!
- By Cranky Reader on 07-08-20
By: Alexis Hall
-
Glitterland
- Spires, Book 1
- By: Alexis Hall
- Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton
- Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Once the golden boy of the English literary scene, now a clinically depressed writer of pulp crime fiction, Ash Winters has given up on hope, happiness, and—most of all—himself. He lives his life between the cycles of his illness, haunted by the ghosts of other people’s expectations. Then a chance encounter throws him into the path of Essex-born Darian Taylor. By his own admission, Darian isn’t the crispest lettuce in the fridge, but he makes Ash laugh, reminding him of what it’s like to step beyond the boundaries of anxiety.
-
-
Waited for this!
- By Angela F. Young on 01-23-24
By: Alexis Hall
-
Mortal Follies
- A Novel
- By: Alexis Hall
- Narrated by: Nneka Okoye
- Length: 11 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It is the year 1814, and life for a young lady of good breeding has many difficulties. There are balls to attend, fashions to follow, marriages to consider, and, of course, the tiny complication of existing in a world swarming with fairy spirits, interfering deities, and actual straight-up sorcerers.
-
-
Gave me PTSD from studying the classics
- By 🔥 Phx17 🔥 on 06-23-24
By: Alexis Hall
-
The Magpie Lord
- By: KJ Charles
- Narrated by: Cornell Collins
- Length: 6 hrs and 25 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Exiled for 20 years, Lucien never planned to return to England. But with the mysterious deaths of his father and brother, it seems the new Lord Crane has inherited an earldom. He's also inherited his family's enemies. He needs magical assistance, fast. He doesn't expect it to turn up angry. Magician Stephen Day has good reason to hate Crane's family. Unfortunately, it's his job to deal with supernatural threats. Besides, the earl is unlike any aristocrat he's ever met, with the tattoos, the attitude...and the way Crane seems determined to get him into bed.
-
-
Absolutely outstanding
- By t on 05-22-18
By: KJ Charles
-
Something Fabulous
- By: Alexis Hall
- Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton
- Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Valentine Layton, the Duke of Malvern, has twin problems: literally. It was always his father’s hope that Valentine would marry Miss Arabella Tarleton. But, unfortunately, too many novels at an impressionable age have caused her to grow up...romantic. So romantic that a marriage of convenience will not do and after Valentine’s proposal she flees into the night determined never to set eyes on him again. Arabella’s twin brother, Mr. Bonaventure “Bonny” Tarleton, has also grown up...romantic. And fully expects Valentine to ride out after Arabella.
-
-
The narrator and writing were good. That's it.
- By M.A. on 05-24-22
By: Alexis Hall
What listeners say about Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Clembrier
- 06-21-22
Fun story too much sex
This was a fun story with too much sex in a fun baking themed story. I am not a prude but it was skip ahead, drawn out excessive sex. It would have been much better with a cut to the chase romance portion and more fun other stuff. But try it for yourself!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- JEG
- 05-21-22
Alexis Hall is awesome
Alexis Hall stories are wonderful. Good people trying their best. The baking show references are hilarious. Perfect level of warm and fuzzy and character growth. 💜
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kater616
- 07-02-24
a fun, cozy, bake-filled rom-com!
A delightful story filled with delicious sounding treats and a great journey for Rosaline through life and romance alike. also, plenty of laughs! and the narration is fantastic.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Carol
- 05-25-21
Unfortunately more Women’s Fic than Romance
I think a lot of my enjoyment surrounding this book can be tied directly to the fact that I ADORE baking competition shows. Specifically, the one this book’s Bake Expectations is modeled after - The Great British Bake Off, abbreviated GBBO, or annoyingly known in America as The Great British Baking Show because of trademarks or whatever. It’s less sabotage and underhandedness than most baking shows and I just find that pleasant. I mean, the book calls us out on this one and I can’t fault it. Because it’s true.
This book has significantly less romance than I would expect and wouldn’t necessarily be what I would call a Romance book, with a capital R. It probably falls in line with Women’s Fiction, which I typically avoid, but seeing this is by Alexis Hall and I LOVED Boyfriend Material, I winded up reading this anyways. This story is more about Rosaline’s journey through the show and discovering herself than hitting any familiar romance beats even though the hero is quite lovely and this does ultimately end with a HEA.
It helps knowing going into this book who the endgame romantic partner is going to be and knowing it isn’t really a Romance so you can adjust your expectations accordingly. Although this story has a love triangle in it, I think the blurb gives enough of a hint that Alain is trash. Oh, sorry. Is that a spoiler? Oh well. I hate him.
Trigger warnings from the author’s website because it’s detailed enough: sexual content (on page but not graphic), classism, emotionally distant / emotionally unsupportive parents, discussion of a teenage pregnancy (which happened in the past), brief mention of Rosaline considering an abortion (she kept the baby), casual biphobia, casual homophobia, unwanted sexual advances / threat of sexual assault, gaslighting, an attempt at blackmail (doesn’t go anywhere), mild violence (one character throws a punch), very graphic swearing and insults from one particular character that continues all through the book.
Rosaline Palmer is 27, bisexual, and has an 8-year-old daughter named Amelie. Rosaline is a single mom who is doing the best she can to raise her daughter. She works at a stationary shop and enjoys baking. She hopes that being on Bake Expectations and, hopefully, winning will give her a step up in life. Rosaline doesn’t have grand plans if she DOES win, but really just hopes for an extra oomph to enrich her life. Her best friend, Lauren, is an ex and they get on really well, much to the dismay of Rosaline’s parents. Rosaline’s parents are well off and acclaimed in their medical fields, but are awful parents.
I don’t really know how to review this book. It’s delightfully queer but not a romance at all, even if there are romantic interests in the story. There’s a wide cast of characters just from the fact that it’s a reality television show, and you have many contestants, the host, the judges, and the production crew just to name a few.
But out of all this, Rosaline winds up with the misfortune of meeting Alain first. And falls in lust with him. He’s appropriately a man with a career her parents would approve of and he comes across as competent when it comes to baking. He does wind up on the show after all, so it’s not like he could be a terrible baker off the bat. I knew ahead of time from a lot of friends that Alain is awful, and I think he definitely comes across that way from the very first moment we meet him. I don’t know if this is aided by the fact that I listened to this book on audiobook shortly after I had attempted to start this book by text, but Fiona Hardingham, the narrator, gives him the type of voice that makes you very much want to punch him in the face.
I adore this book for being inspired by GBBO, but if it had turned into an adaptation of a BBC drama with a murder in a countryside town on a lavish estate because a contestant deservedly murdered Alain and it turns out everyone helped to cover it up?? I would not have been opposed.
But alas. We see way too much of Alain and all the reasons why Rosaline feels like she should be with him, and not Harry. Harry is actually in this book a lot once the story gets going and Rosaline gets over herself, but it’s not enough, you know?
Harry is a Cockney boy and an electrician in the family business. He doesn’t come across as sophisticated as Alain, and because on her own upbringing, Rosaline is quite prejudiced against Harry from the start. Anvita (another contestant and later, Rosaline’s friend) describes Harry as a hottie and while correct, that’s not all to Harry. He’s very sweet and kind and awkward and I love him to pieces!! The only downside to Harry, and I agree with Ricky (another contestant) here, is that Harry is a Spurs fan. The author says it’s purely a coincidence that he is named Harry when the Spurs’ most famous player is Harry Kane. But really, that’s my only strike against him if I truly HAD to find one. Harry, the character, is lovely, quiet, and anxious, and I dearly wished Rosaline had been with him from the start instead of having to work out all her feelings with Alain.
***POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD***
I would’ve been content with Alain as a villain on the side rather than a prominent love interest that takes until around the 76% mark (and sexual assault!) to resolve. The sexual assault is initiated by Alain to try to push Rosaline to have sex with his maybe bicurious and drunk ex-girlfriend is gross, unnerving, and I don’t think the scene needed to be the breaking point where Rosaline finally realizes he’s simply a TERRIBLE person. Alain was already awful before then. He’s a narcissist and gaslights Rosaline at every opportunity. He sulked when he did mediocre in a challenge and avoided Rosaline when she came at the top of a bake. Which is just some examples of minor, quiet things he did compared to all the things he says OUT LOUD.
I think it’s interesting (and okay, also disappointing) that Rosaline has so many sex scenes with Alain and yet only the one with Harry before the book ends. There is a difference with the way the scenes are described - like less detailed and tepid with Alain, and much more drawn out and fun with Harry. But I think my overall feelings in regards to this is that the relationship with Alain unfortunately takes up a majority of the book. Something worth noting, I think, is that Rosaline’s daughter never once meets Alain and does meet Harry a time or two in this book and you can see the clear contrast between the two men and how they are around Rosaline and any mentions of her daughter. Alain avoids mentioning Amelie in any way and described her as more of a burden keeping Rosaline from a life could’ve had. Meanwhile, Harry knows to crouch down to eye level to talk to Amelie and actually takes the time to listen and talk to her.
I haven’t even really mentioned Rosaline’s parents. But I didn’t like that the story tried to give them a chance to make things right with Rosaline. It would’ve been more enjoyable I think if they just…disappeared. Got written out? Rosaline’s relationship with her parents and, I don’t know, her whole story leading up to the competition honestly feels a little too Gilmore Girls for me. And not in a good way.
***END OF SPOILERS***
I know this is the first in a series of at least 3 books and I honestly can’t wait to return so we see more of Jennifer and Colin. Somehow I’ve come to really like them?? Jennifer is the show’s producer and Colin is her assistant. Jennifer comes across as quite harsh at the beginning and I think it’s because we first meet her through Rosaline’s eyes when Rosaline was still a bit shy and not looking to pick any fights. But as we progress with Rosaline’s journey, we see that maybe Jennifer isn’t all THAT terrible? I think her swearing all the time is hilarious, and the way she doesn’t put up with Alain’s lies after THAT moment in the book is icing on the cake. The, I want to say Scottish, accent in the audiobook for Jennifer seems very fitting and I love it. Colin gets the brunt of Jennifer’s yelling but he’s also very lovely and obviously not paid enough to put up with these contestants AND Jennifer. I just can’t wait to see him again in the next book as well.
I’m not sure I would’ve finished the book without listening to the audiobook, to be honest. I’ve listened to Fiona Hardingham a few times for YA books and like her with those narrations, but I LOVE her here. She had distinct voices and accents for the characters. It’s been pretty wild to learn how to properly say the name Rosaline the British way (vs an American one), and the name St. John is not all at what I thought. I did slow down the audiobook narration because of all the accents but I usually listen at a horrendous 2x or higher, so it was interesting having to slow the narration down to a 1.3x to make sure I didn’t miss anything. The audiobook also comes with a PDF of some of the recipes I want to try to bake, and a discussion guide, which I found interesting.
Overall, I really liked Rosaline and her daughter! I loved a number of the other contestants, but especially Harry. Alain gets the subscriber count he deserves (aka not enough to monetize). This book would have been much more enjoyable without a love triangle with Alain of all people. I am not opposed to love triangles, I am just opposed to men like Alain and the fact that he took up way too much of the book. I really enjoyed the baking parts of the story and it definitely got me thinking about what might be happening behind the scenes on episodes of GBBO. Well, maybe not the Channel 4 episodes, but the original BBC ones for sure. I’m very much looking forward to book 2 and finding out who Paris Daillencourt is!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
34 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mark L Oliver
- 01-27-23
A great story and spot on reading
Alexis Hall has produced another smart, funny and touching story. I often laughed out loud in delight at his masterful and playful dialogue. And I can’t imagine the narration of the book being any better than it was. A nearly perfectly enjoyable experience!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Rachel
- 10-26-21
Cute and fun
I loved Boyfriend Material, so I was excited to hear another Alexis Hall book. Loved this one too. I really enjoyed Fiona Hardingham's narration.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Cassie
- 01-22-22
Best book I've read in a while
This book is SO GOOD! Who wouldn't want a romance around the Great British Baking Show? This story was adorable and hilarious and wonderful. You should totally listen to it.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jennifer
- 11-30-21
Laugh Out Loud Funny
This book made me laugh so hard. I enjoyed the story and I’m obsessed with cooking shows so it was perfect.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Selah A Arnold
- 02-14-23
Loved it!
I’m picky with “romance” books but I loved this book and the characters. Great story and great narration of it.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Catherine
- 04-15-22
Romance at British Bake Off
This fun romance is set around a reality baking show and is more fun if you have watched them to recognize the common themes and the authors sendup of them. The performance is excellent, particularly of the perspicacious 8-year old girl. There is a very entertainingly vulgar character so if you are sensitive to vulgar language you might want to miss this one.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful