The Cake Maker’s Wish
Josephine Moon
Penguin
Michael Joseph
ISBN: 9780143792017
Description:
Life in the village isn’t always sweet and simple . . .
When single mum Olivia uproots her young son Darcy from their life in Tasmania for a new start in the English Cotswolds, she isn’t exactly expecting a bed of roses – but nor is she prepared for the challenges that life in the picturesque village throws her way.
The Renaissance Project hopes to bring the dwindling community back to life – to welcome migrants from around the world and to boost the failing economy – but not everyone is so pleased about the initiative.
For cake maker Olivia, it’s a chance for Darcy to finally meet his Norwegian father, and for her to trace the last blurry lines on what remains of her family tree. It’s also an opportunity to move on from the traumatic event that tore her loved ones apart.
After seven years on her own, she has all but given up on romance, until life dishes up some delicious new options, she didn’t even know she was craving.
An uplifting and heart-warming story about the moments that change your life forever, human kindness and being true to yourself.
My View:
If you are anything like me at the moment you appreciate a piece of heart-warming escapism in your reading choice and this book based on cake making is the perfect, temporary antidote to the ills of the time.
I love the ideas of the “Renaissance Project” and the narrative successfully transports us to modern day English village lifestyle and times, the trials and tribulations of being an “outsider” and demonstrates how to mend bridges by simply showing an interest and caring about those around us.
This book is packed with “themes” for you to unlock and consider, and a love story or two and a bit of history/mystery for you to ponder.
Reading, Writing and Riesling 
You know, Carol, ‘heartwarming’ is just what I was thinking as I was reading your post. It sounds like an uplifting story, but not so ‘sweet’ and cloying that it’s too sugary. I like the settings, too, and I can see how that would make for an interesting plot. Glad you enjoyed it.
Have you found your reading choices have changed during our Covid experience ?
To an extent, yes. I’m not a fan of ‘sweet’ mysteries, but I have been reading less gritty stories, and more that are traditional-style stories. Perhaps it’s an unconscious desire for things to make sense, when in reality life, they don’t?
I think you are right Margot – a simpler easier to make sense style unlike the world around us