Reviews

Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall

Only show reviews with written explanations

maureenforrester's review against another edition

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lighthearted slow-paced

2.25

chirson's review against another edition

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5.0

Any book that makes me lose sleep because I need to read another chapter is a win these days. I think I loved Boyfriend Material even more, because of the prickly protagonist, but this was lovely in its own way. I guess some readers may find the fact that the book spends so much time with the protagonist involved in the "wrong" relationship off-putting, but I like chick lit / romantic comedy as much as I do romance, and I had so much fun reading this book and cheering the heroine on, and wanting someone to dump Alain in the river.

There were a few moments when I almost felt like we were skipping forward too much - I would have liked the book to dwell in the moment a little - but overall, what a heart-warming, kind, perceptive novel. There are many themes here, from motherhood, postfeminist femininity, queerness, classism, consent, and mental health to capitalist exploitation and celebrity/coaching/reality TV culture: but at the same time there was kindness and joy, and deeply satisfying romance with a cinnamon roll in a van with a toolbox.

I loved the Bake-Off aspect as well, but mostly I loved Harry, loved hating Alain, loved Lauren and Rosaline and wanted her parents to be better. I am very happy to hear sequels are forthcoming.

(Content warning: there is a brief scene of sexual assault, which does not get far and is dealt with promptly. The treatment of the subject was respectful in my opinion, but I realise some readers may want their fluff without that ever coming up.)

daffodill37's review against another edition

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3.0

(Audio)
I'd like to start by saying the narrator did a great job with a variety of accents. This is one thing I really enjoy about listening to Alexis Hall books.
This isn't my favorite Alexis Hall book but it still was cute. 3.5 stars.
It didn't hold my interest very well. I don't think the reality TV thing was really my jam.
I was very skeptical of Alain to begin with. The way he was described in the beginning reminded me of Gilderoy Lockheart from HP which immediately sent off my spidey senses. As the book moved along he just...sort of... chafed. I was particularly caught off guard when he called Roseline his girlfriend. I thought they were just fucking and then all of the sudden they were apparently an item. I cringed when he said that.
Thankfully, eventually, she started to see her world more clearly and made some necessary changes in her various relationships. This part of the book felt really good.
The cast of supporting characters were, as always, well fleshed out and very fun.
Overall, I enjoyed but not likely to reread as I am other books from this author.

readingwithhippos's review against another edition

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5.0

Rosaline is a single mom who lands a spot on what is a blatant ripoff of the Great British Baking Show, and through the course of her time on the show finds both herself and love. Rosaline has a lot of ideas about what makes a worthwhile person (including ideas about what makes her a worthwhile person) and watching her unlearn them really resonated for me, as someone who has held some of the same false notions. The focus is primarily on Rosaline and her growth as a person, so the timing of the romantic arc might frustrate some readers (she spends an awfully long time with the wrong guy). But for me, this was just a fabulous read, with Alexis Hall’s delightful humor the icing on the...sorry, I’ll see myself out.