Synopsis
For fans of The Great British Bake Off, this is a story about family life, unfriendly rivalry and flat Victoria sponges
Marie Dunwoody doesn't want for much in life. She has a lovely husband, three wonderful children, and a business of her own. Except, her cupcakes are crap. Her meringues are runny and her biscuits rock-hard. She cannot bake for toffee. Or, for that matter, make toffee.
Marie can't ignore the disappointed looks any more, or continue to be shamed by neighbour and nemesis, Lucy Gray. Lucy whips up perfect profiteroles with one hand, while ironing her bed sheets with the other. Marie's had enough: this is the year it all changes. She vows to follow - to the letter - recipes from the Queen of Baking and at all times ask 'What would Mary Berry do?'
Husband Robert has noticed that his boss takes crumb structure as seriously as budget sheets and so puts on the pinny: serious redundancies are on the horizon. Twins Rose and Iris are happy to eat all the half-baked mistakes that come their way, but big brother Angus is more distant than usual, as if something is troubling him. And there is no one as nosey as a matching pair of nine-year-old girls . . .
Marie starts to realise that the wise words of Mary Berry can help her with more than just a Victoria Sponge. But can Robert save the wobbling soufflé that is his career? And is Lucy's sweet demeanour hiding something secretly sour?
ReviewMarie Dunwoody doesn't want for much in life. She has a lovely husband, three wonderful children, and a business of her own. Except, her cupcakes are crap. Her meringues are runny and her biscuits rock-hard. She cannot bake for toffee. Or, for that matter, make toffee.
Marie can't ignore the disappointed looks any more, or continue to be shamed by neighbour and nemesis, Lucy Gray. Lucy whips up perfect profiteroles with one hand, while ironing her bed sheets with the other. Marie's had enough: this is the year it all changes. She vows to follow - to the letter - recipes from the Queen of Baking and at all times ask 'What would Mary Berry do?'
Husband Robert has noticed that his boss takes crumb structure as seriously as budget sheets and so puts on the pinny: serious redundancies are on the horizon. Twins Rose and Iris are happy to eat all the half-baked mistakes that come their way, but big brother Angus is more distant than usual, as if something is troubling him. And there is no one as nosey as a matching pair of nine-year-old girls . . .
Marie starts to realise that the wise words of Mary Berry can help her with more than just a Victoria Sponge. But can Robert save the wobbling soufflé that is his career? And is Lucy's sweet demeanour hiding something secretly sour?
This book sounded amazing, after all I love baking, and Mary Berry is amazing, every Wednesday during GBBO season, you will find me in front of the TV religiously watching the triumphant (and sometimes not-so-triumphant) bakes. The cover is also beautiful, every bit of the cake looks good enough to eat with it's sweet, delicious icing.
The book is really funny, on almost every page there was something that made me smile or chuckle to myself. It is written so wonderfully, it really draws you in. There are a lot of characters, but it’s not confusing, everyone has a distinct personality and are really memorable.
Marie is wonderful, hardworking and her point of view is great to read. Her relationship with Lucy, her nemesis is really funny, and you really will her on to succeed with her bakes. I think it was nice that Robert also got into baking, so they shared a new passion for it, even if it did mean they were fighting over oven space.
I thought that the side plots were great, Angus’ online relationship was really interesting from hearing just the one side of it, and the twins, Iris and Rose were so funny in their attempts to find Angus a girlfriend was really funny, they were so mischievous I loved them! I also found Marie’s workmates lovely and hilarious, especially the dental nurse, the whole attack alarm and ‘undressing her with their eyes’ sections were laugh out loud funny.
The book also delves into more serious topics too, and these were dealt with sensitively, and gives you a greater understanding of the characters, and makes you realise that sometimes all is not what it seems.
Overall this book was a great read, really really funny and warming, it was incredibly hard to put down.
The book is really funny, on almost every page there was something that made me smile or chuckle to myself. It is written so wonderfully, it really draws you in. There are a lot of characters, but it’s not confusing, everyone has a distinct personality and are really memorable.
Marie is wonderful, hardworking and her point of view is great to read. Her relationship with Lucy, her nemesis is really funny, and you really will her on to succeed with her bakes. I think it was nice that Robert also got into baking, so they shared a new passion for it, even if it did mean they were fighting over oven space.
I thought that the side plots were great, Angus’ online relationship was really interesting from hearing just the one side of it, and the twins, Iris and Rose were so funny in their attempts to find Angus a girlfriend was really funny, they were so mischievous I loved them! I also found Marie’s workmates lovely and hilarious, especially the dental nurse, the whole attack alarm and ‘undressing her with their eyes’ sections were laugh out loud funny.
The book also delves into more serious topics too, and these were dealt with sensitively, and gives you a greater understanding of the characters, and makes you realise that sometimes all is not what it seems.
Overall this book was a great read, really really funny and warming, it was incredibly hard to put down.
Published by: Pan Macmillan
Gratefully received from the Publisher for review.
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