The Vintage Village Bake Off by Judy Leigh Blog Tour!

 

The Vintage Village Bake Off

Now in his seventies, Robert Parkin is stunned to find himself the unlikely sex symbol of the village gardening club.

Living in happy solitude with his cat Isaac Mewton in the Devon village of Millbrook, entertained by his mischievous chickens and goats, Robert has never figured out the rules of romance. But as the local ladies vie for his company, it soon becomes clear that Robert’s Victoria Sponge cake is the lure, and as his baking prowess grows, so does his confidence.

Cheesecakes, meringues, puddings, Robert can do it all, but his real masterpieces are his scones – ginger, rosemary, coconut, fruit, his recipes are inspired and soon come to the attention of the local media. Which county does the best cream tea – Devon or Cornwall? It’s time for an age-old debate to be settled with a competition.

Robert’s sisters Bunty and Hattie are both at a crossroads in their lives, so news of their brother’s baking competition is the perfect excuse to bring them to Millbrook. As the siblings relish each other’s company, and Robert relishes being at the heart of his community, a summer of scones may just light the way to long-lasting happiness for them all.

Enjoy Judy Leigh’s wonderful world of family, friendship and feasting in this perfect feel-good story for all fans of Maddie Please, Dawn French and Caroline James.

Purchase Link -https://mybook.to/villagebakeoffsocial

My Thoughts

This novel features siblings Robert, Bunty, and Hattie but, all in their 70's, it mostly features Robert and his cat Isaac Mewton.

Robert is a kind and gentle man in his 70s who lives in Devon village of Millbrook, happy to take care of his chickens and goats and also a bit of gardening but lately, he has become the center of attention amongst the ladies. His cooking/baking skills are to die for.

Hattie has finally come into her own after getting rid of a weight she has had to deal with, her husband. He has left Hattie to set up shop, if you will, with another woman. She is at a crossroads in her life, she knows that there is something out there to pursue but has yet to figure out what it is. Her husband always called her a fuddy duddy but she really isn't. He was just abusive mentally and she never thought much of herself. She is a totally different person after she got rid of her husband of 49 years.

Bunty has arrived at Hattie's home and intends to stay for the long haul, she has left her husband and brought along a new man in her life, a neer do well man by the name of Jacko. They take over Hattie's life and home so much so that Hattie goes to stay with Robert for a while, letting Buntie figure out what she wants. Is Jacko for her, or should she return to her husband?

This is a character-driven story, with the ladies of the village after Robert for his baked goods, which are numerous, he never considered himself a sex object but after a while he kind of likes the position he is in. Hattie finally realizes that she is not a fuddy-duddy as her husband had told her for 49 years. Bunty is finally able to figure out what it is that she wants out of the life that she has left. Not a better time for the siblings to go after what they want.

This is the second book I have read by this author, I love how she tells a story, with lots of humor and compassion for her characters, even the not-so-nice ones!

I give this book 5 stars!

Thanks go to Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood for the copy of this book for review purposes only.

 I was not monetarily compensated for said review!

Judy Leigh is the USA Today bestselling author ofThe Old Girls’ Network and Five French Hens and the doyenne of the ‘it’s never too late’ genre of women’s fiction. 

She has lived all over the UK from Liverpool to Cornwall, but currently resides in Somerset.

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