Crisis Desserted

by Katherine Laurin

When Brandy Tanner fails a cooking show audition and her one chance to make it big as a TV chef...and breaks up with her boyfriend...and his apartment, she ends up on her sister's doorstep with little more than her mixer and dog in tow. But her sister's life takes an unexpected detour with a job half-way around the world, and Brandy is out of options--again. Forced to move back in with her parents, Brandy's life is stacking up like a three-tiered disaster cake frosted with disappointment.

One bright spot appears in her life in the form of a delicious new guy named Jer. Thoughtful, good-looking, and attentive, Jer seems to be everything Brandy has looked for in a partner. But her self-doubt and fear threaten her chance at a real relationship with him.

As Brandy struggles to regain her footing with a new business venture, she botches a YouTube "how to" baking tutorial, flinging her into viral stardom. Can she overcome her flaws and summon the courage to face her mistakes or will this last crisis leave her dreams desserted?

338 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

Katherine Laurin lives in Colorado with her husband, two sons, and tiny dog. When she's not writing, Katherine enjoys reading, traveling, hiking, and listening to true crime podcasts. Find her online at katherinelaurin.com or @kl_writer on Instagram.

Reviews

[Megan Litvak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dessert was always my favorite part of a meal

I am not usually a “chick-lit” reader... you’re more likely to find me 300+ pages into a thick historical fiction novel, but Crisis Desserted made me smile, laugh, and reach for my stand mixer.

Laurin’s style of quick wit combined with a slew of baking euphemisms is light and refreshing.

Her protagonist, Bran, is instantly relatable - someone I would definitely want to have on my friends list. Bran is spunky and determined. Despite some elated ups and crushing downs she is able to find strength through the love of those around her as long as she has a mug of coffee and a recipe to fall back on. Her story arc is satisfying and heartwarming.

Characters closest to Bran are also well developed with their own flaws, challenges, and triumphs. They demonstrate the desire be true to yourself, be seen accurately by others, and to be satisfied with your life/relationships is present at any stage of life. Paralleling the struggles and growth of our protagonist, her family and friends round out the narrative making it feel like a slice of Mile High Life.

I was sucked in after a few chapters waiting for the next recipe from Nana Stella’s book and wondering where I could get a Peach Collins.

If you need a little affirmation, something to assure you the trials of life and the importance of following your dreams (with some added flexibility about how you fulfill them) are worth the struggle, then this book will satisfy.

Now, I’m off the whip up some double fudge brownies.

[SOM · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not like the main character, Brandy from the first few pages. She goes to cooking show audition and is blind-sided by having to explain what she is doing. Really? She calls her sister as she has nowhere to go after her boyfriend kicks her out and the sister is upset because this happens a lot. Brandy says that even her own mother would not classify her as a nice girl. I would have stopped reading after the first chapter, but I needed to finish it as I promised an honest review. She then is mean to her sister that takes her in and goes to a bar and gets drunk. So far, this story is a no go for me. Brandy continues to be rude to her sister. Then she is late for work and gives her boss back talk. Say what? He is an unlikeable guy, but her rudeness continues to rub me the wrong way. She is trying to establish a new relationship and talks trashy. I do not get Brandy at all. Truth or strip is a game she plays with a guy she met last week??? Can I make it through this book? Brandy does not like her parents and calls them by their first names. After moving in with them as she has no where else to go, she discovers their marriage is rocky. Half way through the book, Brandy realizes that she is selfish and begins to change. This is when it gets interesting for me. She becomes much more likable. The first half of the book was a long set up for the rest of the book. In the end, I was like Brandy, I changed my opinion for the better. There are misspellings and weird spacings, but not enough to distract. I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Zona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adorable and so fun!

Bran is brash and self deprecating and her story is fun but also has a lot of heart. I laughed and enjoyed the levity but there was also a lot of poignancy to her journey of self realization and worth. Like most normal women she doesn’t see who she really is. She’s driven but has failures. She’s good but not away nice. I love that she’s really real. Self sabotage and sarcasm are real. She’s not a goody Mary-Jane. She can even be a smidge unlikeable. Poor Jer. But overall you want her to get her head out of her arse and do better. It’s not quite an under dog story as much as a bratty cat story :) Definitely a great story for the beach chair or fireside! Well written and quick paced. Not too much saccharine or drama, but some fun sexiness and swearing to keep the fun tempo. Highly recommended!

[Francesca Cassi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brandy quiere dedicarse a la pastelería, pero le ha costado. Luego de dos días impulsivos queda en la calle y sin trabajo. Terminó con su novio y luego renunció a su -desastroso- trabajo. Su esperanza de "ser descubierta" a través de un concurso televisado de cocina también se apaga luego de cometer un error irremontable en la audición. Todo eso en las primeras 10-20 páginas.

El libro es liviano, entretenido, tiene chistes y personajes queribles. No pasa de eso, pero es lo que uno necesita a veces. Me ocurrió que en un tercio del libro me aburrió un poco la vida amorosa de Brandy, pero luego lo "plano" del conflicto se arregló cuando entraron en juego los papás de la protagonista y sus propias problemáticas.

Lo recomiendo para una licencia, para un viaje en avión, para un excelente rato y para quienes disfrutan leyendo cómo alguien cocina <3.

[Debbie Orazi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable story. The characters were well developed and relatable. Brandy is a hot mess at the beginning of the book, but grows up a bit and finally realizes being her is ok. Jeremy's story pulled at my heartstrings. He was a broken person who was able to heal and adjust. The secondary characters were my favorite - loved neurotic Barb and perfectionist Tasha. Look forward to more books by this new author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janet Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious Chic-Lit On Changing Perspectives and Relationships
This is a witty novel that has a little bit of everything in it. There is no graphic sex, but there is some blue language. The story is generally about how our relationships and perspectives change with time. It is written like it is about people I know. There are many laugh-out-loud moments. I think that I smiled through the entire book. I am excited to read more from this author. I received this book for free and this is my honest opinion.

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first of Katherine Laurin's I've read it was delightful!! The characters are enjoyable and the storyline flowed well throughout the book. Brandy has been dreaming of having her own bakery since she was a little girl. She's down on her luck ends up at her sister's place again, Tasha accepts a job in London, now Brandy has to grow up and start being an adult. She will overcome her mistakes and summon her courage and successed. This was a great read!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pam Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I was going to be reading another sappy romance but it wasn’t that at all. Don’t get me wrong I do enjoy a good sappy romance but this was so much more. I think the book speaks volumes about how we deal with the uncertainty we all have in life. I like Brandy because she was kick ass but still had the usual insecurities. It is a fast read and kept my interest always wanting more. I received this book for free to review it and this is my honest review. Thanks for the book.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful novel, I can fill those dang calories added to my thighs! I fell in love with the ditsy Brandy Tanner as she sought a television spot on the baking show. Miss Martha Stewart wannabe just had a fight with her boyfriend and instead of encouraging her, he said she wouldn't make it. Brandy never wanted a regular job and was forced to move out of her home when she decided not to go to college. Now, she was homeless and out of a job, but she knew that all she needed was a break.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She has messed up her chance of a tv cook show and now she was back at her sister with her mixer as she has lost everything else. She hopes to get it right but she ends up back at home when her sister gets a job in the other side of the world. Can she find a job? Can she find a boyfriend? Will it him and up in ruins again? See if it finally goes right for her

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new Author and I will be keeping a look out for more by her a well-written story that once I started I was not putting down. I found myself laughing at so many things in the book. I would recommend this book just because it gives off a good feeling reading it. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sonya Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet treat if you are looking for a quick chick lit read. I loved the main character and enjoyed watching her spin her way through life and a number of sticky situations. I'm from Colorado so I fully appreciated the regional nods and the writer's attention to detail on references that we Coloradans know and love!

[Geraldine Streit · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a un confident brat realised her life is going nowhere we get this book. It’s like a trip to realise nothing come easily.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad story though I could have done without the baking quips ie. hit me like a 50 lb bag of flour (or some such drivel). Those drove me nuts. Yes, it is about baking, but give me a break here! But otherwise a nice read.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A captivating storyline about relationships and life its self. Amazing characters. A well-written book, I liked reading. It was a pleasured to review.

[Nadea Croix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so excited to read this book. It is a great story and quite entertaining and engaging there are totally unexpected scenes, twist and turns with realistic details.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brandy was a tough cookie to like but if you give it a chance you might chance your mind.Can she overcome her flaws and summon the courage to face her mistakes ?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.