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yodamom's review against another edition
4.0
Audiobook
Narration 5 stars
I am so glad I finally got to this book, it was of my to be read books for too long. I originally picked it by title alone, and never read the blurb. This has proven to be a good method of picking books for me so far. I loved this feel good, great characters with real problems story.
Olivia, works in Boston for a major restaurant where she has relations with the married boss. Her days are numbered when she sets fire to the restaurant and realizes she may not be where she wants to be in life. She heads to the country to her dear friend where she finds a job working for a cranky woman in small town where everyone has real issues and big hearts. The books follows her as she stumbles, sticks her foot in her mouth, runs, gives, shares and eventually finds her truth. It is a feel good read with a lot of bumps. While I found one of her choices wrong the author made it work for this character.
I look forward to reading more for this author
Narration 5 stars
I am so glad I finally got to this book, it was of my to be read books for too long. I originally picked it by title alone, and never read the blurb. This has proven to be a good method of picking books for me so far. I loved this feel good, great characters with real problems story.
Olivia, works in Boston for a major restaurant where she has relations with the married boss. Her days are numbered when she sets fire to the restaurant and realizes she may not be where she wants to be in life. She heads to the country to her dear friend where she finds a job working for a cranky woman in small town where everyone has real issues and big hearts. The books follows her as she stumbles, sticks her foot in her mouth, runs, gives, shares and eventually finds her truth. It is a feel good read with a lot of bumps. While I found one of her choices wrong the author made it work for this character.
I look forward to reading more for this author
stefaniasjourney's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVE this story! I am going to miss guthrie and livy!
cabbage_patch's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
lwhite52's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living is a debut novel by Louise Miller. Olivia “Livvy” Rawlings is walking into the Jefferson Room during the 150th anniversary celebration of the Emerson Club carrying a flaming Baked Alaska when she spots her boss, Jameson Whitaker (and lover) across the room with his wife. Livvy sees Jameson whisper to his wife and then the wife laughs while looking at Livvy. Livvy is surprised and drops the dessert (which weighs 40 pounds). Instantly a tablecloth catches fire (the one under the ice sculpture) and soon the curtains (after the ice sculpture melts and falls). Of course, then the sprinklers kick in. Livvy rushes home, packs a bag, loads her dog, Salty into the car and heads out of town. Livvy calls her friend, Hannah Doyle who lives in Guthrie, Vermont and asks to stay for a few days. Hannah would like Livvy to stay permanently in Guthrie and arranges a job interview for Livvy. The interview is with Margaret Hurley at the Sugar Maple Inn. Margaret has Livvy bake an apple pie (she has an ulterior motive). Livvy gets the job and a place to live. Livvy moves into the old sugarhouse on the property. Livvy soon finds out that Margaret needs Livvy to help her win the Coventry County Fair blue ribbon for an apple pie. Margaret has not won since the death of her husband, Brian (Margaret has a secret). Margaret needs Livvy to help regain her reputation as well as the inn’s. Come join Livvy as she settles into life in small town Guthrie in The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living.
The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living was an enjoyable novel. It is easy to read, has engaging characters, interesting and beautiful small town, and a lovable dog. There is the requisite romance in the book for Livvy (and a sex scene that was not needed). The small town of Guthrie has the normal gossips, busy bodies, and rivalries. I liked Livvy and her ever changing hair color (it was a new color every week). I give The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living 4 out of 5 stars. The story has a good pace, nice writing and a lovely ending. There are also mouthwatering descriptions of the delicacies. I did not give the novel five stars because of the predictability. I enjoyed reading the book, but I knew how it would end. There is one nice little surprise though (I do not want to give it away). I look forward to reading more books by Louise Miller in the future.
The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living was an enjoyable novel. It is easy to read, has engaging characters, interesting and beautiful small town, and a lovable dog. There is the requisite romance in the book for Livvy (and a sex scene that was not needed). The small town of Guthrie has the normal gossips, busy bodies, and rivalries. I liked Livvy and her ever changing hair color (it was a new color every week). I give The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living 4 out of 5 stars. The story has a good pace, nice writing and a lovely ending. There are also mouthwatering descriptions of the delicacies. I did not give the novel five stars because of the predictability. I enjoyed reading the book, but I knew how it would end. There is one nice little surprise though (I do not want to give it away). I look forward to reading more books by Louise Miller in the future.
tessatumyol's review against another edition
3.0
3 ⭐️
Oh how I wanted to love this! And at the beginning I did. I loved how the pies and baked goods were described but I could tell from the get-go I wouldn’t be able to connect with the MC very well. The dialogue also felt off and not how a normal conversation would go.
What made it 3 stars for me was the constant talk about weight. At first I didn’t mind it but once it seemed like the author fixated on it, I had to dock some stars. Why do authors still do this? It’s so unnecessary when it doesn’t add anything to the plot.
It’s a fine holiday read but I think there are better and cuter options out there. This also had a trope I didn’t like at all but don’t want to spoil it.
Oh how I wanted to love this! And at the beginning I did. I loved how the pies and baked goods were described but I could tell from the get-go I wouldn’t be able to connect with the MC very well. The dialogue also felt off and not how a normal conversation would go.
What made it 3 stars for me was the constant talk about weight. At first I didn’t mind it but once it seemed like the author fixated on it, I had to dock some stars. Why do authors still do this? It’s so unnecessary when it doesn’t add anything to the plot.
It’s a fine holiday read but I think there are better and cuter options out there. This also had a trope I didn’t like at all but don’t want to spoil it.
pollyb23's review against another edition
4.0
I loved everything about this cute story. Just what I needed to read over thanksgiving.
gibbyupsidedowncake's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
janagaton's review against another edition
5.0
I have way too many good things to say about this book, I can't even put anything to words. As advertised there are definitely loads of Gilmore Girls vibes which I was so here for from the start. The descriptive writing about the small town gatherings, Vermont scenery, and all the food is so effective in transporting me wherever the characters go. The relationships between the characters and the character development add so much to the story. It's definitely a character-driven book, so if, and only if, all you read are fantasy or action-packed books, then I don't recommend this. Otherwise, I'd recommend this to anybody. I loved that it took place throughout multiple seasons because you get all the cozy holiday vibes. I could go on forever about how much I loved this book, and I can't wait to read anything Louise Miller writes.