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Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake (Winner Bakes All, 1) Paperback – May 18, 2021
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Following the recipe is the key to a successful bake. Rosaline Palmer has always lived by those rules—well, except for when she dropped out of college to raise her daughter, Amelie. Now, with a paycheck as useful as greaseproof paper and a house crumbling faster than biscuits in tea, she’s teetering on the edge of financial disaster. But where there’s a whisk there’s a way . . . and Rosaline has just landed a spot on the nation’s most beloved baking show.
Winning the prize money would give her daughter the life she deserves—and Rosaline is determined to stick to the instructions. However, more than collapsing trifles stand between Rosaline and sweet, sweet victory. Suave, well-educated, and parent-approved Alain Pope knows all the right moves to sweep her off her feet, but it’s shy electrician Harry Dobson who makes Rosaline question her long-held beliefs—about herself, her family, and her desires.
Rosaline fears falling for Harry is a guaranteed recipe for disaster. Yet as the competition—and the ovens—heat up, Rosaline starts to realize the most delicious bakes come from the heart.
- Print length448 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherForever
- Publication dateMay 18, 2021
- Dimensions5.2 x 1.4 x 8 inches
- ISBN-101538703327
- ISBN-13978-1538703328
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- “I don’t want you to be anyone other than who you are,” Rosaline told her. “I just need you to let me be who I am.”Highlighted by 125 Kindle readers
Editorial Reviews
Review
"Hall does it again with this scrumptious, quietly subversive rom-com again . . . Hilarious, heartwarming, and grounded, Rosaline's story proves that happy endings look different from person to person."―Publishers Weekly
"In this delicious romantic comedy . . . Hall creates a memorable cast of characters, from Rosaline's supportive ex-girlfriend to the utterly adorable and scene-stealing Amelie. Setting the book at a reality TV show is a brilliant choice . . . there's sparkling humor and plenty of baking mishaps. A perfect bake."―Kirkus
"Hall’s creation is a joy—a deeply emotional and ultimately rewarding story about a woman finding her true path and true love, surrounded by delicious baked goods on a BBC soundstage."―Bookpage
"Hall seamlessly combines humor, romance, and drama to create a story that is intimately believable and at once cozy and sexy. . . . The book combines sweet escapism and poignant cultural touchstones with well-crafted characters and hilariously familiar settings. Hall does it again with this culturally relevant, wonderfully escapist foray into the baking world. This is a must-buy for any library."―Library Journal
"A romance that's made for fans of the UK's Great British Bakeoff."―Oprah Daily
"[A] romance perfect for fans of The Great British Bake Off!"―Book Riot
"With loads of wit and baking-related banter . . . perfect for fans of the Great British Bake Off and Hall’s trademark humour."―The Nerd Daily
"A must-read."―Hypable
"Alexis Hall is the undisputed master of romantic comedy."―Jenny Holiday, USA Today bestselling author
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Forever
- Publication date : May 18, 2021
- Language : English
- Print length : 448 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1538703327
- ISBN-13 : 978-1538703328
- Item Weight : 12.5 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.2 x 1.4 x 8 inches
- Book 1 of 3 : Winner Bakes All
- Best Sellers Rank: #494,084 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3,272 in Humorous Fiction
- #7,132 in Romantic Comedy (Books)
- #28,733 in Contemporary Romance (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Alexis Hall has Bette Davis eyes.
Website: http://www.quicunquevult.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/quicunquevult
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quicunquevult/
Newsletter: http://www.quicunquevult.com/contact
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book utterly delightful, with witty banter and hilarious baking competition scenes. They appreciate the charming protagonist Rosaline and the realistic love story, while the writing quality receives positive feedback for how well the characters are developed. Customers describe the book as sassy and sweet, with one review noting its warm hug-like feel.
AI Generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book utterly delightful and a pleasure to read from cover to cover, with one customer mentioning they listened to the entire book.
"I mean it's just a scrummy book! I was outwardly chuckling for like 80% of the book, I got a therapy session, and the leads are insanely hot...." Read more
"...Hall's sense of humor is intelligent and delightful, his dialogue smart and sassy, his characters much better drawn than that of most other..." Read more
"This book was flawless 10/10. There was found family, love triangles, multigenerational biological family, a brilliant guide in parenting...." Read more
"...This was a really enjoyable read. I’m definitely looking forward to the next in this series...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's humor, particularly its witty banter and laugh-out-loud moments, with one customer highlighting the entertaining interactions between competitors.
"...does a really excellent job with pacing, everything is whip smart and witty, especially our MC Rosaline...." Read more
"...foul-mouthed set producer/director Jennifer, whose interactions with the competitors is hilarious. Not to mention the judges of the competition...." Read more
"...This book is funny, sassy, steamy, and even broadened my vocabulary. I love when an author throws some less colloquial terms in there...." Read more
"...I really enjoyed the GBBO vibes this book put off! They are fun and endearing and how we see Rosaline grow and be more confident was wonderful...." Read more
Customers appreciate the character development in the book, particularly praising Rosaline as a charming protagonist, and one customer notes how the relationships between contestants feel authentic.
"...and delightful, his dialogue smart and sassy, his characters much better drawn than that of most other contemporary romance writers I've read...." Read more
"...She really succeeds in writing characters with mental illness so authentically and realistically...." Read more
"...Rosaline is a sympathetic character...." Read more
"...The relationships between the contestants is so real and the way they helped each other (except for Alain) was really lovely...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's Great British Baking Show type setting, finding it fun and entertaining, with one customer particularly appreciating the hysterical baking competition scenes.
"...Not to mention the judges of the competition. Great parody here of competitive cooking shows...." Read more
"...I really enjoyed the GBBO vibes this book put off! They are fun and endearing and how we see Rosaline grow and be more confident was wonderful...." Read more
"...Co-contestant Anvita is a hoot. Rosaline’s daughter Amelie is a precocious delight, and her best friend and ex Lauren is fabulous...." Read more
"...So the baking competition scenes are just hysterical...." Read more
Customers enjoy the romance in the book, finding it intriguing and realistic, with one customer noting its slow build.
"...Overall though I appreciated the personal growth, more sincere story that she wrote after I got past prejudices built from thinking it would be like..." Read more
"...But that's what makes it a good story, too when she finally has that 'AHA' moment. So the baking competition scenes are just hysterical...." Read more
"...central romance didn't work quite as well for me, but it's still a fascinating and enjoyable read." Read more
"...This was the perfect combo of all three. While not a straight forward romance novel, the HEA is lovely and feels very earned...." Read more
Customers find the book charming and sassy, with one customer particularly appreciating the romantic homage to it.
"...sense of humor is intelligent and delightful, his dialogue smart and sassy, his characters much better drawn than that of most other contemporary..." Read more
"...This book is funny, sassy, steamy, and even broadened my vocabulary. I love when an author throws some less colloquial terms in there...." Read more
"...Amelie is adorable. And Harry. He is so awesome, and perfect for Rosaline and Amelie...." Read more
"...a lot of people's comfort show over the years, and this romantic homage to it is charming. Amelie completely steals the show...." Read more
Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with one customer particularly appreciating the brilliant baking descriptions.
"...because there are many many characters in this book but she wrote them all in so well, you definitely learn and know them all without any one of..." Read more
"I love Alexis Hall, and this book is really very well baked and presented...." Read more
"...So there's that. I enjoyed the baking stuff and the various contestants, with the obvious exception of the relationship villain...." Read more
"Alexis Hall's writing is always a hit...." Read more
Customers find the book heartwarming, with one describing it as a warm hug and another noting how it feels very earned.
"...She's balanced, both flawed and fleshed out enough to feel human, like I could pop down the street and she'd greet me with a cup of tea...." Read more
"...Lots of humor, lots of heart, lots of big words and joyful baking...." Read more
"...While not a straight forward romance novel, the HEA is lovely and feels very earned...." Read more
"...books, and I loved that he took on a bisexual woman here in a very supportive and self-confident character." Read more
Reviews with images

an enjoyable, witty read
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2023Format: KindleVerified PurchaseI mean it's just a scrummy book! I was outwardly chuckling for like 80% of the book, I got a therapy session, and the leads are insanely hot. Wins all across the board.
Hall does a really excellent job with pacing, everything is whip smart and witty, especially our MC Rosaline. She's honestly a badass (I will never understand how people have the energy to do anything on top of being a parent, it's such involved and hard work) but she's also so genuine. She's balanced, both flawed and fleshed out enough to feel human, like I could pop down the street and she'd greet me with a cup of tea.
Harry, our burly cinnamon roll love interest, is a man of few words who really goes all out with acts of service for those he cares about. There are so many times in this book that I highlighted and my comment is just "😭😭" because he's such a gentle and kind man.
Also, Amelie is the love of my life, and I hope one day she becomes a marine biologist who focuses on deep sea exploration.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2021Format: KindleVerified PurchaseI wasn't exactly expecting this from Alexis Hall, the author of m/m books such as rom-com BOYFRIEND MATERIAL and the more serious Spires series. Although the heroine of this new rom-com by Hall is bisexual, the romance turns out to be of the m/f variety here and, in addition, I'd say the romance takes a back seat to Rosaline's journey to self awareness, self realization, and self actualization. Not only that, but, to a large extent, it's another kind of love story, that between single mom Rosaline and her young, precocious daughter Amelie.
I just recently finished reading another contemporary romance with a reality cooking competition backdrop: RECIPE FOR PERSUASION by Sonali Dev. Hall's similarly plotted novel here runs rings around that one. Hall's sense of humor is intelligent and delightful, his dialogue smart and sassy, his characters much better drawn than that of most other contemporary romance writers I've read.
If you read the book blurb, you'll know what the story's about. 27-year-old Rosaline, who had to drop out of medical school when she found herself pregnant at 18 or 19, is now working low-pay jobs but has an interest in and talent for baking. So she enters the Bake Expectations competition, hoping for the grand prize which will be a boost to her bank account and also to her future. Incidentally, there'll be two men (fellow competitors) who will figure as love interests: Alain, who's upper-class, sophisticated, and well educated, and Harry, a lower class electrician with bad grammar but a really good heart.
But there's so much more to this than the romance(s). It's more the personal-growth journey of Rosaline. Learning to know and value herself and what she wants in life, taking a stand against her rich,successful, domineering parents. It takes a good while and can be frustrating at times to read. You may find yourself wanting to shout at her to stand up for herself from time to time. But not to worry, the moment will come.
In addition, this story has plenty of really funny moments. So many and varied and richly drawn characters. One in particular that struck my funny bone was foul-mouthed set producer/director Jennifer, whose interactions with the competitors is hilarious. Not to mention the judges of the competition. Great parody here of competitive cooking shows. Oh, and don't neglect to check out the reading guide questions for book clubs that Hall was asked to supply. As funny, or perhaps funnier, than the book.
All in all, this was an entertaining read for me. It's hard to find intelligent authors like Hall in the contemporary romance genre.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2022Format: KindleVerified PurchaseThis book was flawless 10/10. There was found family, love triangles, multigenerational biological family, a brilliant guide in parenting. I stood up from my Kindle after chapter "" and said hunnie this is how we need to reach our future children. To not shelter them but include them, help them understand the world around them so they can make up their own mind. This book is funny, sassy, steamy, and even broadened my vocabulary. I love when an author throws some less colloquial terms in there. Continuing to learn while also reading something as delicious as thing romcom is a win/win. Alexis has outdone himself. I would 100% recommend this book to anyone. Please keep in mind to read the content warnings.
Snapshot -
-adorable child AKA 'Minister of Sloths'
-all the serotonin induced from watching Bake Off in written form
-learning to love yourself exactly as you are not as others think you should be
-consent king
-standing up for yourself
Top reviews from other countries
- JSReviewed in the United Kingdom on April 20, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolute joy
Alexis Hall does it again. I loved this book and enjoyed every second. All the characters were perfectly drawn up and I couldn’t contain my laughter at many points of the story. So much fun, yet has great touching moments. Excellent! More please!
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LectoraEsthericaReviewed in Spain on August 16, 2024
3.0 out of 5 stars Más woman's fiction que romcom
Si esperáis una comedia romántica os llevaréis un chasco, trata más sobre el crecimiento personal de Rosaline y ese crecimiento viene de la mano del "hombre equivocado" durante más del 70% de la novela. Esto me puso de los nervios. Sobre todo porque se centra más en él que en ganar el concurso. Mira, empieza mintiendo al hombre sobre su vida y sobre su hija. Es ese tipo de protagonista.
¿Lo mejor de la novela? El concurso y sus participantes, la hija y la amiga de la madre y el segundo hombre al que se lanza a sus brazos literalmente antes de dejar la casa del otro. Ugh.
Alexis Hall es uno de mis autores favoritos, pero no he podido con esta protagonista. Es lo peor del libro en mi opinión, el resto de los componentes de la historia geniales.
- DonnyReviewed in Australia on January 2, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars deliciously delightful
And surprisingly educational, with genuine laugh out loud moments. I need more books like this. Review needs five more words.
- ChristineReviewed in Germany on June 5, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Very cute, very British
I love this love letter to Bake Off and British telly. The cast of characters is totally believable as Bake Off (sorry, Bake Expectations, other baking shows are available) contestants, and Rosalie's daughter is my favourite character by far. The romance is cute enough, mostly in that I don't think they're better off single, a feeling I get quite often reading(contemporary) romance. Big plus for the recipes in the back - I feel inspired to bake again.
- Phoe BoudreauReviewed in Canada on July 31, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Funny and charming
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseI loved the humor in this book. I laughed a lot, especially at the bull impersonator. The characters are so genuine, and the plot is fun. And because it's Alexis Hall, there is so much heart in it.
I'm going to read this again and again. It's a good time.