I was looking forward to reading this book as I've never read anything by Belinda Jones before. Having read several thrillers on the trot, I wanted something lighter and fun and this hit the spot. I was also pleasantly surprised as the content was less chick litty and frothy than the cover might suggest.

The story revolves round the trip that Laurie has devised for well known UK based baker Pamela Lambert-Leigh. The idea is that she will be publishing a book based on traditional cakes and ingredients found in the New York and New England states. So far so good until Laurie discovers that Pamela will be accompanied by her feisty mother and stroppy teenage daughter. Furthermore the trip will be made on a London bus, with Pamela's mother doing the driving.

Needless to say, it was not looking like a recipe for success and things were never going to be plain sailing. Throw in several males to introduce a little romance and what followed was an enjoyable read. I particularly liked the historical and cake related facts that for me, made the book more interesting and gave it a little bit more substance than I'd expected. It was a little bit like the Great British Bake Off meets Wish You Were Here and there is nothing wrong with that.

In short if you like cakes and travel, mixed with the a little romance then this book is ideal for you. It is a good holiday, feel good read that is suitable for all ages.

I received copy of this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Charming

This book is such a feel-good book. It still makes me smile every time I think of it. It's so charming, the characters are great, the setting is amazing, and don't get me started on all the cakes and cupcakes....

There's a great romance story in there, just so sweet and right. There's a story line about family dynamics and how screwed up and hurtful they can be. There's lots of travel and discriptions of scenery and locations that make you want to pack your bag and go.

And all these elements are masterfully interwoven into one charming, beautiful package. Fabulous book! ( )

Charming

This book is such a feel-good book. It still makes me smile every time I think of it. It's so charming, the characters are great, the setting is amazing, and don't get me started on all the cakes and cupcakes....

There's a great romance story in there, just so sweet and right. There's a story line about family dynamics and how screwed up and hurtful they can be. There's lots of travel and discriptions of scenery and locations that make you want to pack your bag and go.

And all these elements are masterfully interwoven into one charming, beautiful package. Fabulous book! ( )

Charming

This book is such a feel-good book. It still makes me smile every time I think of it. It's so charming, the characters are great, the setting is amazing, and don't get me started on all the cakes and cupcakes....

There's a great romance story in there, just so sweet and right. There's a story line about family dynamics and how screwed up and hurtful they can be. There's lots of travel and discriptions of scenery and locations that make you want to pack your bag and go.

And all these elements are masterfully interwoven into one charming, beautiful package. Fabulous book! ( )

Who we are and where we fit in the world has been written about for centuries. Now, Jones take on the issue in this new travelogue novel. When a celebrity baker hires Laurie to plan an East Coast road trip to swap recipes with local chefs' classic regional pastries, how could Laurie imagine that such a trip would involve an antagonistic teen, a double-decker bus driven by a nosy grandma, a family secret, a scene at the Trapp Family Lodge (yes, *those* Von Trapps, as in The Sound of Music), and a Harvard-educated mechanic who seems too good to be true? It's a sweet and delightful journey. Recommended. Review copy received from the publisher via NetGalley.com. (108) ( )