The Bake-Off

by Beth Kendrick

Suburban soccer mom Amy has always wanted to stand out from the crowd. Former child prodigy Linnie just wants to fit in. The two sisters have been estranged for years, but thanks to a series of personal crises and their wily grandmother, they've teamed up to enter a national bake-off in the hopes of winning some serious cash. Armed with the top-secret recipe for Grammy's apple pie, they should be unstoppable. Sure, neither one of them has ever baked anything more complicated than brownie mix, but it's just pie-how hard could it be?

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Foodie, Adult Fiction, Adult

336 pages, Paperback

First published April 12, 2011

About the author

This is the part where I’m supposed to brag about all my illustrious accomplishments, but honestly, I’d rather talk about my dogs and brag about some of the things I haven’t done:

I’ve never been to prison*, court-ordered rehab*, or splashed across the cover of a salacious weekly gossip tabloid with my ladybits on display**.

I’m a Leo, a middle child, and a formidable Trivial Pursuit opponent. I read everything I can get my hands on, from the classics to comic books. I don’t drink coffee because, frankly, I’m high strung enough without adding caffeine into the mix. Here is the true story of how I became a novelist:

So I had just started seeing this guy, and on our second or third date, he invited me to be his guest at a family wedding. Being young and free and a bit commitment-shy, I was about to decline until he casually mentioned that the bride was a successful romance novelist. Well, the second I heard that, I had to go. Being a writer had always been my dream job, and I’d never met anyone who’d actually beaten the odds and made the leap into big-time publishing. So I RSVP-ed, sidled up to the bar at the reception, waited until the bride and all her author friends uncorked the good champagne, and then peppered them with endless questions about writing, editing, and landing an agent. They were so funny and encouraging and generous with their time and advice. (And drunk!) Next thing you know, I had joined a critique group and was knee-deep in the manuscript that would eventually become MY FAVORITE MISTAKE. The open bar at that wedding changed my life forever.

Oh, and the guy who invited me to the wedding? I ended up marrying him. All together: awww…

I live in Arizona in a very cute fixer-upper that my husband and I bought in a burst of can-do, pioneering confidence. We thought it would be fun to embark on a series of do-it-yourself renovations. Yeah. I know. Turns out, replacing baseboard that’s been painted over 15 times since 1958 is not as easy as those Home Depot commercials would lead you to believe. Also, freshly-installed lawn drip systems and “helpful” dogs are a bad mix.

Friday and RoxieSpeaking of dogs, here we have the indefatigable canine lawn maintenance crew: Roxie and Friday. Both were rescued from the pound when they were puppies. I think they’re Rhodesian Ridgeback mixes. (Probably. Maybe? Anything’s possible.) Roxie is the brains of the operation and Friday is…well, he’s very sweet. And so indolent he could be mistaken for a piece of furniture, which I consider a very desirable trait in a family dog.

I absolutely love hearing from readers, so please feel free to email me, with the caveat that I am often on deadline/on the road/on the ragged edge of sanity, so it may be awhile before you get a reply. Just know that it’s not you; it’s me!

Have fun exploring the site, and if you have any questions about my new book, my backlist, or finding an agent…I’ll be right over there at the bar.

*Yet.



**That I know of.

Reviews

[Teresa mcgaha · Rating 4 out of 5]

somewhere between 3.5 and 4.


This is very much chic lit, a fast fluffy read or a book to take to occupy a couple of hours. This book probably won't remain in memory for long or hit the top ten lists but it is a good read anyways.

Amy and Linnie are sisters, but there is all they have in common. Linnie was declared a genius at age 6 and quickly left childhood behind while Amy was the popular fun sister. Years go by and they grow further away from each other.

That is until Grammy decides they need to make up, so with a little meddling from her they enter a baking contest. Only problem is they don't know how to bake and don't forget they don't get along.

There are some LOL moments along the way, some heart breaking moments and good pie at the end of the book

[Amy Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved all the characters in this story. They were flawed and realistic. Loved Grammy Syl’s treachery and how she manipulated the situations to further her plans. Loved the baking part too and the competition, which is so relevant in today’s world of culinary competitions.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super cute book about 2 estranged sisters coming together to enter a bake off. Both are in it for different reasons but I loved seeing them bond and work together for a common goal. I thought it was very readable and cute, but I wish we would've gotten a little more time with them individually before they came together. I think it would've helped me attach to them and really get to know them. It also felt like their reunion was kind of quick. My other complaint is just the instalove. The guy is super rich, busy, important, etc. but just happens to fall instantly for the most unlikely girl. I hate instalove so that's always a bummer for me. Overall I'd highly recommend!

SPOILERS AHEAD:
This book is about sisters, Amy and Linnie. Amy is mom to 2 year old twins and desperately needs something to do besides being a mom. A getaway wouldn't hurt either. Linnie is an incredibly smart introvert who never lived up to her potential. She dropped out of college and is dealing black jack at a casino. Her roommate's brother steals a very valuable broach of hers and sells it to a pawn shop and to get it back will be $40k+. The 2 sisters are brought together by their grandma who tricks them into going to a bake off together. She gives them her recipe and they are to enter the contest. The girls bond as they learn to bake and size up the competition. They come together against common enemies (the deceitful couple Ty and Ty) and in the end they win the competition but are then disqualified because of Linnie's relationship with Cam. Cam is the owner of the hotel they're staying in and he instantly falls for her. They start a relationship, both deceiving each other by not revealing their role in the bake off (him- judge, her- contestant). When it's found out that they're in a relationship, they're disqualified and its a huge scandal. The beloved grandma tells the girls she has multiple brain aneurisms so they are even more motivated to get her broach back. When they get the money, they find out its been sold so now they have to hunt for it. Cam comes in and saves the day. Linnie ends up with Cam and moving to NYC to be closer to her sister and go to med school. Cute read.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute & fun. Liked the sister chemistry & looooved the baking aspect. (Obsessed w baking shows). Did not care about the romance at all oop. Also I imagined Ty & Tai as Alison Brie & Rich Sommer HA.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super cute, fun story.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

The literary equivalent of watching a Great British Baking show, or my new fav Wall of Bakers. I was a bit dubious about a baking contest where the contestants only have to bake one recipe, but what the heck, it's fiction! Particularly loved the part where Linnie is arrested for correcting poorly spelled graffiti. "it's one thing to defile public property, but there's no need to take the English language down with you." Woman after my own heart.

[Jenn O'Brien · Rating 3 out of 5]

For as many flaws as there are with this story, I really did like it. It was really funny and I loved the quirkiness of the two sisters.

The genius, brainy sister reminded me a lot of the Temperance Brennan character from the TV show “Bones". She is so busy being analytical and taking things literally that she doesn’t see when she is socially inept.

I liked how the author delved into the completely different personalities and lifestyles of the two sisters. We learn early on that there was a huge rift between the two of them and hadn’t talked or interacted in years. I had a little bit of a hard that time that almost immediately after being thrown into the baking competition they bonded and started getting along and never discussed what had happened.

One thing I couldn’t figure out is that the brainy sister had lost all her money in a poker game and had entered the competition to win the prize money. And yet she flew from Las Vegas to New York twice before the competition, and then once for the competition, the sisters are sleeping in a luxury suite that is a couple thousand dollars a night, the sisters take a last minute flight roundtrip flight to Vegas (super pricey) and she buys an expensive gift -- where the heck is all this money coming from??

I wished the story told more about the contestants in the baking competition. We are introduced to several other characters through the books but then they fall through the sifter and you never find out anything than a surface knowledge. I thought it would be fun to find out that the “villains” were actually misunderstood and it was another contestant all along that was setting them up to take the fall.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was skeptical of the book at first, and then about midway through the book, I could not put it down! I loved how Kendrick started off with setting the plot and then sucked you in, wanting more. This book was comparable to a soap opera you just didn't want to end! I loved the relationship between Linnie and Amy, how they went from being the sisters who were more rivals then friends; to being two women who resolved their issues, and more importantly their bond that they once had. In many ways it reminded me of that special attachment that I have with my own sister, and how when we are together there is never a dull moment. Linnie and Amy reminded me of us in many ways. It made the story even better when the author threw the crazy old grandmother, and the casanova boyfriend into the picture. I hope at some point there will be a sequel! Here are a couple of the quotes that I liked:

" When Linnie arrived at Cam McMillan's pent house she had two uncomfortable realizations".

1. " The sales tag was still attached to her underwear and digging into her hip".

2. " She had no idea what she was going to say when he opened the door" p.207 (I think everyone goes through those moments when they first like a guy)


"We stick together and get things done. If anyone has a problem with that then let them eat cake" (that is a very infamous tag line and it seemed appropriate considering the title of the novel)

[BJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Bake-Off" was a fun read, as are most by this author. This is the story of 2 sisters, Linnie and Amy. Linnie was a child prodigy gone "bad" and Amy is a dental hygienist, wife, and mother of twins. They have been long estranged for many reasons, but they have a sneaky grandma who tricks them into doing a pie-baking contest together to try to make them into BFFs. The problem, in addition to the fact that they don't get along is that neither one can bake! Its a comedy of errors with some maturing and growing up in the background. It's a story of family, especially sisters, baking, and a little romance. Enjoyable read.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started off good and got progressively more predictable and chick lit like. THe premise is two sisters who havent' talked. One sister was married, the other was a former childhood genius and is socially awkward and therefore single. Both were likeable characters. When the smart one loses her grandmother's brooch in a mishap, she and her estranged sister enter a bake off (hence the title). My issue with the book was the predictability, as well as the trashyness of it. THis was a very very quick, very light read that leaves you feeling light and wasted afterward. I do however want to say that the recipes sound yummy.

[Scottsdale Public Library]

After just a few minutes of listening to Beth Kendrick speak, I knew I had to read this book. The dialogue in The Bake-Off is as biting and witty as Kendrick is in person. Meet Linnie and Amy, two estranged sisters who both need cash for very different reasons. Their wise and all knowing grandmother cons them into entering a baking competition where the prize is $100,000. The only complication, neither sister knows how to bake. This is a fun and funny light read, perfect for that beach vacation! Bonus: Recipes!

--Lindsay A.--

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read...laughing outloud, totally ignoring my husband in the car so that I could read, up late at night to finish! I loved Kendrick's quick wit writing style and the quirkiness of her characters. Of course, much of the plot is predictable, chick lit is like that! But I loved the play between the sisters, the plotting of the grandmother, and ridiculous of some people who are into cooking competitions.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This easy to read, heartwarming story about sisters had me laughing my head off
Amy and Linnie are at each other’s throats at first and as different as they are, both have a great, apparently genetic sense of humor.
Grammy Syl was the cherry on top, the hilarious conniving old granny trying to reconcile her grandchildren, one who is an intense, awkward genius, the other a popular, sweet,
artistic woman.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great easy read fun story book. I enjoyed the main characters and how different they were and how each tackled issued and learn to work together.
If you want a want a great beach read, rainy day read, airplane read, or any day, this will be a good book to pick.
Hits all the points for a good read.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give 3.5 stars if I could. A very nice happily ever after kind of story. Just reading the premise I knew where the main plot would go, but I also expected to enjoy the story getting to that ending. There was a charming subplot I hadn't expected, which I really enjoyed.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light and enjoyable read. As this is a short book there's not a lot of time for development of side characters, but despite that the characters are engaging and the story entertaining. I enjoyed it and would suggest it as a nice, quick, and fun summer beach read.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is a fast read including two sisters with a rift between them. At first glance they appear as polar opposites. But with their scheming grandmother, a famous baking competition, and a steamy stranger, these sisters find out they are more alike than they thought.

[Anji Beane]

Won as a GoodReads first read... Can't wait to read it!

[Sheena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite Beth Kendrick book but still liked it

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this book felt like a guilty pleasure - like eating warm apple pie - a la mode. It was a quick, enjoyable read. Just what I was in the mood for.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://chicklitcentraltheblog.blogspo...

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too ridiculous to comment on.

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two estranged sisters are manipulated into participating in a baking competition by their grandmother.

I like that the sisters rediscovered a relationship as a result. I like that Linnie begins to realize that second place does not mean "first loser".

I didn't like some of the cutthroat methods used by the competitor's to sabotage the others. What's wrong with doing your best and letting the others do their best? (And I don't mean something simple like you needed 4 eggs for your recipe and you took the last 4 eggs there were so another team that dropped theirs had none--no, this is things like substituting salt for sugar or trying to incapacitate another competitor by putting drops in their coffee!)

There's a bit of a twist in that in the end, the winners end up sabotaging themselves unknowingly.

[Meghan Hart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was nothing special but it was a cute read between 2 completely opposite sisters who haven't talked in years. Honestly it was grandma Syl that saved this book. Linnie was a genius perfectionist who needed money after her grandmas brooch was stolen and pawned. Amy is a mom of twins who is willing to be her grandma's partner in a yearly baking competition. Well Grandma was scheming the entire time because she was sick and this was the way she wanted the two sisters to reunite. Overall super fats paced and a cute story

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one started off really good, but then I feel like it fell off the rails a bit. It seemed like it was going to be about two sisters rebuilding their relationship through a baking competition - which would have been a feel good read. But then a love interest got introduced and I felt like it just threw the whole thing off course. It felt forced and was too much too fast in terms of development of the relationship. I wish that part hadn't been in there, honestly, and then I would have rated this one higher.

[Robin Lyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was hard to get through this book. All the bickering made the story drag.
And not for anything but.... the character, Linnie, who is "gifted intelligent" holds grudges against her family but when her grandmother's family heirloom brooch is stolen because her roommate (who she doesn't even consider a friend) has a party and his brother (who she's never even met) takes it from her room and pawns it because "he has bills to pay", Linnie gives the theif a pass? Linnie is lucky the author gave her a happy ending. I sure wouldn't have.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Run-of-the-mill chick lit about two sisters, one an outgoing wife-and-mother, the other a socially awkward former prodigy, who are tricked by their grandmother into joining a baking competition. The two young women squabble, go to social events (one with gusto, the other dragging her feet) and bake (one by instinct, the other with scientific precision) and get to know their competitors. And of course the socially awkward sister meets a man.

Standard fare, nothing original .

[Smitha Vasudevan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two sisters who don't see eye to eye on anything. One a suburban mom with a dentist husband, bringing up her two year old twins. One a dealer in Las Vegas. One craving their parents' approval, another hoping to bring her life back on track. A grandmother who is determined to bring them together through the only skills she wants to share with the girls. This is a story of two sisters trying to win the bake off.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know, there are times I want to read a book that is just 'fun'. One that I'm not supposed to get a lesson from or learn how to do anything. Just a good time. This was one of those books for me. I read it and enjoyed it thoroughly.

[Kate Maxwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting start to a book - one that I hadn't seen before. This cute book about a meddling grandmother, trying to get her granddaughters together by forcing them to participate in a baking contest. Outlandish characters abound.