Battle Royal: A Novel

Anyone who knows me knows I love The Great British Bake Off, and to have another book set in a similar world I just knew I had to read it. Sadly, I found myself disappointed. While the characters and the concept of this story were good, I found myself not enjoying the story as much as I hoped. I think it has to do with this author's writing style, I just couldn't get on board.

Romantic, funny, charming, emotional, Lucy Parker hits all the right notes in Battle Royal. It sets a high bar for the batch of Great British Bake Off-inspired romances hitting shelves lately.Dominic DeVere and Sylvie Fairchild met when she was a contestant who got under his skin on Operation Cake. Where he's elegant minimalism, she's glitter and whimsy. Now running her own business, Sugar Fair ,(right across from Dominic's bakery!), Sylvie's been asked to come back as a judge. The two find themselves thrown together on set and at odds when a high profile baking contract comes up for bid.I loved that this opposites attract, rivals-to-lovers story has a major B plot outside of the baking show, and a real British sensibility about it. And while most bakes come in at 350F, Parker turns up the heat with these two just a little bit more.Family (for better and worse) plays a big role in Dominic and Sylvie's back stories in this one, so CW for emotionally neglectful parents, death of a parental figure at a formative time.I received a free advance reader copy from the publisher and also purchased my own copy.

Real talk: I freaking LOVED Battle Royal. It's a sweet confection of a book with cake shenanigans, an arrogant chef and whimsical baker match made in sugar heaven, and a beautiful storyline that actually made me mist up a few times. When I first started reading it, I was taken aback by a few odd turns of phrase, but, at the end of the day, those couldn't stop me from adoring this book.

I was just watching The Great British Baking Show and thinking I needed a book with a little of that magic in it. Little did I know that I already had it sitting on my Kindle. I absolutely adored Battle Royal. It is one of those books that reminds me why I love reading. Grumpty/Sunshine and the whole 9 yards. The story, the characters, and everything was just perfect. I hope we get more books from this world. Do yourself a favor and read it. It’s magical.I voluntarily read an early copy.