How to Bake a Perfect Life: A Novel

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the dynamics between all the women all ages. Well written, fun to read, sort of hit home. This one stays on my book shelf to read again someday.

While the book started like just another piece of woman's fiction with recipes and the standard characters, I soon found myself drawn into the characters and their lives. How to Bake a Perfect Life captured my attention in ways that many books of the same subject manner don't. First, the author does an excellent job in telling the story from multiple perspectives without disrupting the flow of the story. The author manages to do this without making the reader feel like they are switching gears. Second, while the the pieces of the story fit together a bit too conveniently, the characters are fleshed out in a way that they come to life and it doesn't feel far-fetched. Third, the recipe/baking theme isn't just a gimmick but adds a sensory feeling to the story (as do the themes of music and flowers). While the story (provided by other reviewers) itself doesn't differ much from the multitude of other women's books out there, these facets pulled together make this read stand above most. It's that well written.There are 1 or 2 bedroom scenes but I didn't find anything overly explicit or inappropriate for the target audience. Because the book touches on themes of teenage pregnancy, depression, life struggles/disappointments, this is a book for women, not young teens. More importantly the scenes are woven into the story in a way that adds emotion/meaning to the plot as part of the evolution of a relationship..not just for the sake of adding sex. In fact, like other reviewers, it probably wouldn't have jumped out at me as having "sex scenes" if I hadn't seen it mentioned.I didn't give it five stars because it isn't a book that I would read more than once nor is it earth shaking. But it is a book that I would share and pass along (if it weren't on my Kindle). I couldn't put it down and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. If you enjoy women's fiction, you should add How to Bake a Perfect Life to your reading list.

A quick review since it's the middle of the night. (I couldn't stop when I was so close to the end.) Here are a few random thoughts.One of the things I love about this author's books is that I genuinely like the main characters. I care about their lives, so it's easy to fall into the story. In this book, I absolutely loved all the bread talk! As a bread baker, primarily of sourdough, I understand the lure of dough. It can comfort me when I'm sad, make a celebration when I'm happy and bring me to peace at any time. It was wonderful to read a book where that connection to bread is articulated so beautifully. I loved the recipes sprinkled through the book and I copied them down to make later. I liked the fact that this book tackles difficult subjects -- ones that too many people have had to deal with. Things like pregnant teens, the damage done to children by drug addicted parents, how hard it is for wounded vets find a way forward in their lives and how hard it is for the families who love them. None of these are easy topics, yet the book has a deep river of hope running through it, along with plenty of things to smile at. I think the most important message I took away from this book is that life can be hard, but it's good to be here, and even better to be here with people you love by your side.And now I'm going to bed. It's sooooo late!

Barbara O’Neal knows how to weave a great story. I can’t ever put her down once I get started. Read them all. You won’t be disappointed.

Ramona is about to become a young grandmother. Her pregnant daughter, Sofia, is living with her while Sofia's husband, Oscar, is deployed in a war zone. Oscar was married before and had a daughter. Katie is now fifteen, and her mother is a drug addict who is circling the drain. Sofia talks Ramona into letting Katie come live with them in the big old Colorado Victorian which doubles as a bakery. (I know, this is a common theme with O'Neal but she does it so well.) Just as Ramona agrees, Oscar is injured terribly. So you have three generations of relationships (one being a teenager raised in an almost-feral situation), plus an injured soldier-husband. But that's not enough, because Barbara O'Neal is at the top of her game, and can she do subplots.So add in estrangement from a big Italian family who chose Ramona's philandering ex-husband over her (and he ended up hurting the family's dynastic restaurant business, which would have thrived if they hadn't exiled her in favor of him), AND a quasi-romantic relationship with Ramona's father's top business rival.Oh, it's all so good. But wait, there's more. O'Neal tends to include a fabulous pet in her stories, so enter Merlin the dog who rescued Katie. And of course, this is "romantic women's fiction" so be sure to include The Guy for Ramona. That would be Jonah, whom Ramona fell in love with when she was a lost pregnant teenager herself, all those years ago. And now he lives down the street and they're both around forty. So while they fall in love all over again...you see? And there's even more. I just can't do it all justice. Suffice to say this is a rich, emotional, multigenerational story that's really well done. I loved it.

I liked the.human relationships as described coupled with recipes.although I.loved.cooking but live in a care home and lmeals provided. Also.the stories are set in.other towns and places in America. So descriptions are welcome from Great Britaiin.

Barbara oNeal hat bislang in keinem ihrer Bücher enttäuscht. Sie hat einen ganz wunderbaren, direkten Stil, wie ich ihn liebe. Mit den ersten Sätzen zieht sie sie mich sofort in ihre Geschichten. Ein Genuss!!

Good story with interesting bread recipes.

The reading experience was surprisingly satisfying. The writing style seemed effortless,flowing and easy to read. Did not want to put the book down.Will certainly explore other works of m

I love Barbara O'Neal's writing-reading one of her books is like slipping on a favourite pair of old slippers, and this one doesn't disappoint, albeit with her usual slightly dark theme as a background. The bread recipes are delicious too, though I have yet to try them out.