Today I have something really exciting for you! Okay so we're going to take a smooth side step away from YA and enter the world of chick-lit but this book is so funny guys, you're going to love it!
SO here is everything you need to know about What Would Mary Berry Do? by Claire Sandy
WHAT WOULD MARY BERRY DO?
by Claire Sandy
Pages: 350
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Publication Date: July 31st 2014
ISBN: 9781447253495
Received from: Pan Macmillan
Summary
"What Would Mary Berry DO? is the funniest, loveliest book I've read in ages. With a cast of fantastic characters and a laugh on every page, reading the novel is like eating the best cake ever: you won't want it to end." - Lucy Diamond.
Marie Dunwoody doesn't want for much in life. She has a lovely husband, three wonderful children, and a business of her own. Except, her cupcakes are crap. Her meringues are runny and her biscuits rock-hard. She cannot bake for toffee. Or, for that matter, make toffee.
Marie can't ignore the disappointed looks any more, or continue to be shamed by neighbour and nemesis, Lucy Gray. Lucy whips up perfect profiteroles with one hand, while ironing her bed sheets with the other. Marie's had enough: this is the year it all changes. She vows to follow - to the letter - recipes from the Queen of Baking and at all times ask 'What would Mary Berry do?'
Husband Robert has noticed that his boss takes crumb structure as seriously as budget sheets and so puts on the pinny: serious redundancies are on the horizon. Twins Rose and Iris are happy to eat all the half-baked mistakes that come their way, but big brother Angus is more distant than usual, as if something is troubling him. And there is no one as nosey as a matching pair of nine-year-old girls...
Marie starts to realise that the wise words of Mary Berry can help her with more than just a Victoria Sponge. But can Robert save the wobbling soufflé that is his career? And is Lucy's sweet demeanour hiding something secretly sour?
Review
I'm actually a little bit in love with this book! What Would Mary Berry Do? is a fun and quirky story that doesn't sugar coat a single damn thing... well other than the cakes that is! It's laugh out loud funny in places and 100% unputdownable with a heart-warming and stereotypically British family at it's core.
Marie Dunwoody is a working mum of three (Angus 15 and brooding and the twins Iris & Rose, 9 and mischievous) with a full-time job and a husband to boot. She doesn't exactly have time to be housewife of the year as well, meaning her culinary skills are a little on the mediocre side. That is until her darling daughters forget to inform their mother that she has to bake the Show Stopper for the school fete. With no time to spear Marie pops into the local shop and buys the first thing she sees and it doesn't exactly go down well with the schools PSA. The book follows the Dunwoody family over the next year as Marie promises that next years fete will be better. But with her husband Robert having problems at work, her children constantly up to something and an arch nemesis of a neighbour will Mary Berry be enough to help her get ready for her next Show Stopper challenge?
The only negative note I did have bout the book was having the main character as Marie and her constantly referring to Mary got a little on the confusing side. But, I mean, how tiny an issue is that?
I felt like I was part of the family, and the third person perspective made it all the more enjoyable. As a reader you are able to engross yourself into the Dunwoody dynamic. I loved the fact that this family wasn't portrayed as perfect or completely falling apart. They were the right blend of reality and their flaws only made them all the more endearing.
With The Great British Bake Off just around the corner (in fact I believe it starts tomorrow EEP) this book is exactly what I needed to get me in the mood. With a serious case of Berry loving and the constant thought of who would kick whom's arse - Marry Berry or Mr Hollywood - I'm totally stoked and ready to bake! Intriguing characters and a heart-warming story that shows one family's journey to the perfect baked goods, What Would Mary Berry Do? Is the PERFECT summer read.
I recommend you read this book with a cup of tea and a rather large slice of cake. Your choice, but I'd go with the Victoria Sponge - keep it classy.
Marie Dunwoody is a working mum of three (Angus 15 and brooding and the twins Iris & Rose, 9 and mischievous) with a full-time job and a husband to boot. She doesn't exactly have time to be housewife of the year as well, meaning her culinary skills are a little on the mediocre side. That is until her darling daughters forget to inform their mother that she has to bake the Show Stopper for the school fete. With no time to spear Marie pops into the local shop and buys the first thing she sees and it doesn't exactly go down well with the schools PSA. The book follows the Dunwoody family over the next year as Marie promises that next years fete will be better. But with her husband Robert having problems at work, her children constantly up to something and an arch nemesis of a neighbour will Mary Berry be enough to help her get ready for her next Show Stopper challenge?
The only negative note I did have bout the book was having the main character as Marie and her constantly referring to Mary got a little on the confusing side. But, I mean, how tiny an issue is that?
I felt like I was part of the family, and the third person perspective made it all the more enjoyable. As a reader you are able to engross yourself into the Dunwoody dynamic. I loved the fact that this family wasn't portrayed as perfect or completely falling apart. They were the right blend of reality and their flaws only made them all the more endearing.
With The Great British Bake Off just around the corner (in fact I believe it starts tomorrow EEP) this book is exactly what I needed to get me in the mood. With a serious case of Berry loving and the constant thought of who would kick whom's arse - Marry Berry or Mr Hollywood - I'm totally stoked and ready to bake! Intriguing characters and a heart-warming story that shows one family's journey to the perfect baked goods, What Would Mary Berry Do? Is the PERFECT summer read.
I recommend you read this book with a cup of tea and a rather large slice of cake. Your choice, but I'd go with the Victoria Sponge - keep it classy.
**I received this book as an ARC from Pan Macmillan to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.**
I LOVE the Great British Bake Off. This book sounds like so much fun! I love the cover and title and I'm glad to hear it's laugh-out-loud funny. :) Great review.
ReplyDeleteme too! Can't wait for my Sue and Mel sandwich to be back!!!
DeleteThank you, and it really is a must read for us GBBO lovers :)
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