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A review by chirson
Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall
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.)
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.)