A review by kit_carmichael
Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
More evidence of Alexis Hall's unparalleled genius. A very funny, yet very serious romance set against the backdrop of competitive baking show. AH is better than just about any writer I know at weaving his characters' psychological baggage into their romance arc. Here, his heroine, Rosaline, has been dealing with the type of family gaslighting that anyone who has endured it (or observed someone they care about endure it) will recognize immediately. I think the nuanced portrayal of how Rosaline comes to terms with that, and how that influences her romantic and career choices, is what drives this novel more than the romance per se. Which is not to say that the romance isn't lovely. Harry is the ultimate cinnamon roll. Amelie is the 8-year-old daughter/niece you wish you had. And the secondary characters are so well-drawn (I must admit I admire Jennifer Hallett's creative cursing, although she's kind of a crap person). If you want an introduction to Alexis Hall's work, this is a great place to start, although it's highly likely that you will then immediately want to inhale the rest of his back catalog (which is no hardship at all). 
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