The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living
by Louise Miller
Summary
When Olivia Rawlings—pastry chef extraordinaire for an exclusive Boston dinner club—sets not just her flambéed dessert but the entire building alight, she escapes to the most comforting place she can think of—the idyllic town of Guthrie, Vermont, home of Bag Balm, the country’s longest-running contra dance, and her best friend Hannah. But the getaway turns into something more lasting when Margaret Hurley, the cantankerous, sweater-set-wearing owner of the Sugar Maple Inn, offers Livvy a job. Broke and knowing that her days at the club are numbered, Livvy accepts.
Livvy moves with her larger-than-life, uberenthusiastic dog, Salty, into a sugarhouse on the inn’s property and begins creating her mouthwatering desserts for the residents of Guthrie. She soon uncovers the real reason she has been hired—to help Margaret reclaim the inn’s blue ribbon status at the annual county fair apple pie contest.
With the joys of a fragrant kitchen, the sound of banjos and fiddles being tuned in a barn, and the crisp scent of the orchard just outside the front door, Livvy soon finds herself immersed in small town life. And when she meets Martin McCracken, the Guthrie native who has returned from Seattle to tend his ailing father, Livvy comes to understand that she may not be as alone in this world as she once thought.
But then another new arrival takes the community by surprise, and Livvy must decide whether to do what she does best and flee—or stay and finally discover what it means to belong. Olivia Rawlings may finally find out that the life you want may not be the one you expected—it could be even better.
GoodReads Nominee for Favorite Debut Author 2016
My Review
This was my first time reading anything by this author, and overall, I was a bit disappointed. The story didn’t turn out to be what I expected, and it ended up being much spicier than I prefer. I’d rate it about two peppers on the steam scale.
One of my biggest issues was the age gap romance at the beginning. It felt uncomfortable, almost like a father-figure situation, which made it hard for me to root for the couple. I also didn’t like that she was involved with a married man. The main character wasn’t my favorite either. She rubbed me the wrong way at times with her immaturity and questionable choices. It was clear she carried unresolved childhood trauma, but instead of making her more sympathetic, it often made her seem flaky and directionless. Her lack of strong values or boundaries led to poor decisions that left me frustrated.
On a brighter note, I absolutely loved the cozy, autumnal atmosphere throughout the story. The setting was rich and immersive, and the seasonal descriptions were spot-on. I loved the small-town charm and the way the story moved through the different times of year. As a foodie, I especially enjoyed all the mouthwatering food descriptions—those baked desserts had me craving a slice of hot apple pie. This book definitely nails the cozy fall vibe.
The side characters were another highlight. I really enjoyed the found-family dynamic and the sweet, heartfelt connections that developed. There were several tender and funny moments that made me smile, and I also appreciated the touches of music woven into the story, from the banjo playing to the country tunes.
Emotionally, this book surprised me. I teared up a little toward the end, as it delved into themes of grief, death, and loss. I had expected a lighthearted romcom, and while it did have moments of humor and warmth, it turned out to be more emotional than I anticipated. Definitely have the tissues on hand.
As for the romance itself, it fell flat for me. I didn’t feel much chemistry between the main couple, and their connection came across as more instalove or instalust, which isn’t a trope I enjoy. The ending also felt a bit rushed, which left me unsatisfied.
Overall, this was a decent fall romance with some delightful cozy moments, but it was ultimately forgettable. I’ve read stronger stories in this genre. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend it, but if the premise appeals to you, it might be worth a try. I might give this author another chance to see if one of her other books clicks better with me.