Free shipping on orders over $99
The Cake Maker's Wish

The Cake Maker's Wish 2

by Josephine Moon
Paperback
Publication Date: 02/06/2020
5/5 Rating 2 Reviews

Share This Book:

 

The heartwarming new family drama from the bestselling author of The Tea Chest.

Life in the village isn’t always sweet and simple . . .

When single mum Olivia uproots her young son Darcy from their life in Tasmania for a new start in the English Cotswolds, she isn’t exactly expecting a bed of roses – but nor is she prepared for the challenges that life in the picturesque village throws her way.

The Renaissance Project hopes to bring the dwindling community back to life – to welcome migrants from around the world and to boost the failing economy – but not everyone is so pleased about the initiative.

For cake maker Olivia, it’s a chance for Darcy to finally meet his Norwegian father, and for her to trace the last blurry lines on what remains of her family tree. It’s also an opportunity to move on from the traumatic event that tore her loved ones apart.

After seven years on her own, she has all but given up on romance, until life dishes up some delicious new options she didn’t even know she was craving.

An uplifting and heartwarming story about the moments that change your life forever, human kindness and being true to yourself.

ISBN:
9780143792017
9780143792017
Category:
Contemporary fiction
Format:
Paperback
Publication Date:
02-06-2020
Publisher:
Penguin Random House
Country of origin:
Australia
Pages:
384
Dimensions (mm):
286x234x27mm
Weight:
0.5kg
Josephine Moon

Josephine Moon's first novel, The Tea Chest (2014), delighted readers with its strong heroine and enchanting story and was a bestseller both in Australia and overseas.

Her second novel, The Chocolate Promise (2015), was a love-story with a difference set in luscious Provence and rural Tasmania and was also a bestseller. The Beekeeper's Secret (2016), a story of family and the happiness, guilt and grief that can lie within them, was her third novel.

Three Gold Coins, a captivating novel of families, food, adversity, hope and love, is her fourth novel. Josephine lives with her husband, son and her horses, dogs, chickens, goats and cats on acreage in Queensland.

Click 'Notify Me' to get an email alert when this item becomes available

Reviews

5.0

Based on 2 reviews

5 Star
(2)
4 Star
(0)
3 Star
(0)
2 Star
(0)
1 Star
(0)

2 Reviews

Single mum Olivia takes her young son Darcy away from their home in Tasmania, to the Cotswolds in England. She is enthusiastic about being part of the renaissance project which hs been organised by some in the community as a way to bring people and new life and business to the village. So the call has gone out and applications have come in from people in various places in the world to come and live in the area and revitalise the place with new ideas and skills. At the same time Oliva feels moving closer to Darcy’s father who lives in Norway could be beneficial to them both as they will be able to spend some time together occasionally. Another reason for the move is so Olivia can trace her family tree, and move forward from the trauma of the past. As always happens there are those who do not like change and who want the project to fail. Olivia finds this out only to clearly when she encounters an intruder at the opening of her cake baking shop. Can Olivia make a go of life in this new place? Will she find support and friends? And what about love, has that passed her by or could she find romance again?
Olivia is an engaging character although at times despite her best intentions she does make some bewildering decisions. The incident with Darcy’s cake and the birthday party is just one of them. While the sentiments behind her decision may have been good, it did lead to complications and hurt that could so easily have been avoided. The village is peppered with some interesting characters like Katrina and Grayson who become friends. There are some other interesting characters in the community and some not so likeable. And sometime those who seem to be friends are not, while those who seem to be firmly opposed to the renaissance project can prove otherwise over time.
I loved this book. It is an easy engaging read, although I wasn’t convinced about some aspects of the ending where one character’s actions in particular seemed decidedly out of character. To me it didn’t really fit, no matter how much the author tried to explain it. But others may have no issue. Those q couple of quibbles aside, this was another enjoyable reader from this author. I have read and enjoyed all her books to date and this was no exception. An charming read with good characters, some interesting things to think about and a great setting. Recommended as a lovely book to relax into. Another gorgeous cover as well.

Contains Spoilers No
Report Abuse

The Cake Maker’s Wish is the sixth novel by award-winning Australian author, Josephine Moon. Just over a year after pastry chef, Olivia Kent loses her grandmother (and last-known blood relative), she and her young son, Darcy arrive in the Cotswold village of Stoneden. And less than twenty-four hours later, the old lady next door accuses Olivia of theft: apparently not all the villagers are happy about the reverse-emigration scheme that the Stoneden Renaissance Committee has implemented.

Stoneden is where Olivia’s grandmother, Eleanor Kent grew up before emigrating to Tasmania with her parents. Many of the villagers are determined to reverse the slow death that has been facing the village as cottages are snapped up for holiday homes by Londoners at ridiculous prices. Invited to settle, especially if they have any connection with Stoneden, are young families with skills or trades, and this has attracted “imports” from the various corners of the globe.

For Olivia, it’s a chance to learn about her family history, and for Darcy, to connect with his (never-met-in-person) Norwegian father, as well as make some genuine friends. Furthest from Olivia’s mind is any sort of relationship with a man, even if farmer Grayson is stunningly gorgeous, and Helge, up close, still stirs her hormones.

Soon enough, Olivia and Darcy have made some firm friends and Rambling Rose Fine Cakes opens for business. Before long, a celebrity wedding has the village, not to mention the whole country, agog. But will the resistors, with their racist graffiti and their little acts of sabotage, ruin it for all?

What a delightful cast of characters Moon gives the reader, both amongst the old villagers and the imports: effusive providores, ageing charmers, cranky old women and more. None is wholly good or evil: all have very human flaws, and there are plenty of people holding secrets, guilt and resentments, and feeling the ongoing effects of past tragedies.

The village’s Renaissance Project is an intriguing concept, and Moon clearly demonstrates how and why there might be valid objections despite all the enthusiastic support. While the ending may be fairly predictable (and entirely welcome), there are a few red herrings and surprises on the way. Mouth-watering and a little mysterious Josephine Moon’s latest novel will have you smiling, welling up with tears, preheating the oven and digging out the cake tins, or at least the cake forks. This is Moon at her best!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Better Reading Preview and Penguin Michael Joseph.

Contains Spoilers No
Report Abuse