A Novel with Thoughts and Ponderings

HOW TO BAKE A PERFECT LIFE

Author: Barbara O'Neal ISBN:9780553386776 1/2011 FICTION Publisher: BANTAM

How to Bake a Perfect Life by Barbara O'Neal
Professional baker Ramona Gallagher is a master of an art that has sustained her through the most turbulent times, including a baby at fifteen and an endless family feud. But now Ramona’s bakery threatens to crumble around her. Literally. She’s one water-heater disaster away from losing her grandmother’s rambling Victorian and everything she’s worked so hard to build.

When Ramona’s soldier son-in-law is wounded in Afghanistan, her daughter, Sophia, races overseas to be at his side, leaving Ramona as the only suitable guardian for Sophia’s thirteen-year-old stepdaughter, Katie. Heartbroken, Katie feels that she’s being dumped again—this time on the doorstep of a woman out of practice with mothering.

Ramona relies upon a special set of tools—patience, persistence, and the reliability of a good recipe—when rebellious Katie arrives. And as she relives her own history of difficult choices, Ramona shares her love of baking with the troubled girl. Slowly, Katie begins to find self-acceptance and a place to call home. And when a man from her past returns to offer a second chance at love, Ramona discovers that even the best recipe tastes better when you add time, care, and a few secret ingredients of your own.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS: Top Pick

I've got to admit, I love the way Barbara O'Neal tells a story. I have enjoyed every one of her books, without exception. HOW TO BAKE A PERFECT LIFE is another for the keeper shelf. There isn't anything about it that I didn't like.

While this book is neither overly heavy nor preachy, it does tackle some pretty strong issues. Teenage pregnancy, single parenthood, financial woes, and the dynamics of mother/daughter relationships all hit the pages. Nothing is glossed over; nothing is examined to death. There is a balance to this story, a balance to Ramona's life which is soothing, optimistic, and, without being annoyingly sappy, that I appreciated. The characters seem real. Their issues are ones many deal with, and their solutions to life's problems are appropriate.

One big bonus to this book is the inclusion of recipes. Ramona bakes bread, so the reader is fortunate enough to get a "taste" of what goes on in her bread oven. I've got plans to try a couple of the recipes in my own kitchen. I suspect I won't be the only one with this book propped on my kitchen counter!

Lovely story! I look forward to reading more by this talented author.

Kay James

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