Audrey Lane Stirs the Pot by Alexis Hall

Though they've been broken up for quite awhile, Audrey Lane still hears the voice her ex-girlfriend berating her for most of her decisions. But she goes on the baking show in Britain anyway. And comes right up against Jennifer Hallett, the producer. It starts when Audrey asks for help for the contestant who is over ninety. She, quite rightly, would prefer that Doris not have to walk up a giant hill to get back to the hotel after a full day of baking. Jennifer just wants her show to work; she's (at least on the outside) more concerned 

I don't remember this from the other books in the series but this book includes some time hopping and a switch to a first person point of view by someone who isn't the main character. And, while that story is kind of lovely and helps Audrey grow, I wish we had seen more of the two characters growing together. 

Three and a half stars

Winner Bakes All #3

This book came out December 9, 2025

Follows Paris Daillencourt is about to Crumble

ARC kindly provided as ebook by Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Paris Daillencourt Is About to Crumble by Alexis Hall

Wow. If you have any problems with self doubt, this book may not be the best as we get the first person view of Paris as he wobbles his way through a version of the Great British Bakeoff. He doubts every single thing he does and we get to read paragraphs of it. Lots and lots of paragraphs of it. And we don't get nearly enough of the romance in this book (same as in the first one in the series) but it is still an incredibly charming book. Hall is such an amazing writer that , in another's hands (words?) I wouldn't have kept going but I did. 

I wish we had gotten to see more of the behind-the-scenes as Paris finally figured out how to start the long road to being more confident. And how to be in a relationship with Tariq. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out November 1, 2022

Follows Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake

Followed by Audrey Lane Stirs the Pot

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall

Rosaline Palmer applies many labels to herself: mother, bisexual, disappointment to her parents, bakery worker. She's on her way to applying one more, contestant on Bake Expectations. She considers herself very lucky and even more so when she meets a fellow contestant on her way up to the first weekend. Yes, their train is cancelled causing both to be late and, yes, Rosaline tells Alain an outrageous lie because she is flustered and attracted to him. But that is quickly cleared up and Rosaline is on her way to making friends and winning hearts. Well, sort of. She still has to juggle her precocious eight-year-old, her day-to-day job, and her parents who are not only disappointed in her life choices, they let her know with every conversation.

Like most of Hall's books, the characters come alive, even the side characters who are not even on that many pages. I got a little bogged down in the middle but only a little. Hall is an amazing writer and I have so far enjoyed everything I've read. Can't wait for the next book in this series.

Four stars

This book came out May 18, 2021

Followed by Paris Daillencourt Is About to Crumble

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own