Title: The Baking Games
Author: Rachel Hanna
Genre: RomCom, Romance, Women’s Fiction
Main Character: Savannah, Rhett
Other Characters: Sadie, Connor, Maggie, Laney, Leo, Zara, Sophia, Nate, Hank, Bianca, Tanya, Dan, Chef Alain, Tessa, Marco
Stars: 4
This book is a bit different than what I am used to from Rachel Hanna. This is like a slow burn Hallmark type RomCom mixed with a reality show. I have read all of Rachel’s books and I love everything she has written but I must admit, this is my least of hers.
Savannah Struggles to make ends meet. She was raised by a drug addicted mom, and She practically raised herself along with her younger sister. Her mom died when her sister was 12 years old so Savannah took on the job of mom. She adores her younger sister and there isn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her. She works at a bakery in a grocery store and even though she loves baking, she doesn’t like her job. It doesn’t give her the creative control she craves. She dreams of someday owning her own bakery and earning enough money to finally send her sister to college. She starts to think it is hopeless until her sister convinces her to apply to be on a reality TV show called The Baking Game. When her application is accepted, she is surprised to find an ex-rival along with her ex-boyfriend are also contestants. This causes a lot of friction along the way. This is a baking version of Big Brother ao there is a lot drama and at times sparks do fly.
Even though this was a cute book, it isn’t what I am used to by Ms. Hanna. It was a little confusing that the story was told from two different points of view which was a bit different for me. Luckily it was told whose point of view it was so I didn’t get too confused. It started out good, Savannah is funny, and I immediately liked her and her devotion to her younger sister. I like slow burns to some degree, but this one seemed just way too slow. I didn’t really find myself pulling for them like I normally do in a romance novel. I just couldn’t see the chemistry.
The reality show’s actual baking portion became a little boring with all the recipe explanations and baking techniques. it just seemed to drag on too long. The characters are well developed, and I liked Savannah. She is funny, sweet, loving & loyal to those she loves. Even though she has had a tough life, she is a very positive person and looks at the glass as half full. I didn’t like Rhett at first, but he did grow on me. He has a bit of an unhappy relationship with his parents and a secret he is hiding. I didn’t like Connor at all but we really aren’t supposed to. The other contestants aren’t very memorable, but I did like Maggie.
If you enjoy a slow burn RomCom with a baking themed reality show, then you will probably enjoy this book. Be sure to download the bonus at the end of the book. it gives character descriptions and recipes that were used in the baking competition.
Happy Reading!
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