Customer Reviews

The Bachelor Preferred Pastry (Zebra Contemporary Romance)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I enjoyed this book. However, I was not blown away and I could put it down, and did on several occasions. It never sucked me in like a great book should. I enjoyed the story, and enjoyed the characters. I bought the book mainly because it takes place in Boston and I'm a sucker for books set in Boston. That being said, here is my opinion of The Bachelor Preferred Pastry.

First, let me say it was well-written. The characters had distinctive voices and were well developed. The Hero (Daniel) and the Heroine (Olivia) had a moderate amount of chemistry, but nothing that was setting the pages on fire. My favorite character had to be Olivia's sister Josie, and I would read a book about her and Jake. The story also moved quickly and everything seemed necessary.

However, Ms. Jump lost me near the end when it was revealed that Olivia didn't do the baking (I had always assumed it was Josie and didn't realize that Olivia was trying to pass herself off as the baker rather than business owner.) and that it was really Josie. I never saw this as a personal revelation because she stuck with running Pastries with Panache at the end because her love was running a business rather than baking? But she was never baking? The whole thing felt to me like someone told the author Olivia needed to experience Personal Growth and this was it.

On that same note, Daniel was astoundingly one dimensional and I could never warm up to him like I should have. For 3/4 of the book, all Daniel talked about was how he was so spoiled with his wealth and lack of job. I liked how he had to go out and try to make on his own, and WANTED to make it on his own. I also liked how he admired Olivia for these same traits. However, about 50 pages til the end, it is suddenly revealed that Daniel was adopted and his butler, was his father. AND HE WAS OKAY WITH THIS.

It was like, oh, how nice I'm the son of the butler. That whole part ruined the book for me and felt very, very, tacked on and I'm not sure what it had to do with anything. If it had to be a part of the storyline, it could have been brought up near the begining and have been the catalyst for Daniel going out into the world to make it on his own; to come to terms with his new identity. But I'm not writing the book, so there you go.

I love ALL the Shirley Jump book I have read. Very quick read and the recipes look delish! Love the Characters in the book!

Struggling pastry shop owner Olivia Regan has scraped together her last $12,332 to purchase wealthy hotel heir Daniel Worth at a bachelor auction. Her intention is to have him appear in ads and appeal to females all over Boston. What she doesn't count on is a no-carb bakery opening up shop across the street, complete with an anti-sugar clientele who drive her customers away. Daniel himself is at a crossroads; he doesn't want to enter into the family hotel business. His dreams of writing have so far not been realized until his domineering grandfather disowns him for voicing his desire to make his own way. Inspired by Olivia's drive to succeed, he attempts to woo the perfect job and the perfect woman. But Olivia is standoffish; burned once too many times by a man, the last thing she wants is a fling with Daniel, the tabloid magnet. But a single kiss has her re-thinking that policy.

Jump's fourth "romance with recipes" has a cute premise, and is much better than her last (The Angel Craved Lobster), but the magical storytelling evident in the first two stories (The Bride Wore Chocolate; The Devil Served Tortellini) just isn't as strong in this outing. The romance was also lacking for me; I never felt the attraction between Olivia and Daniel. Jump tosses in a couple plot twists that the reader might not see coming, but overall, this is a three star read.

As usual Shirley Jump came through with another great book! Easy to get into, hard to put down-I don't think any serious contemporary romance reader will be disappointed. I wasn't!!

What an awesome read!! I have read all of Shirley's books and they just keep getting better and better! I would have to say that this is my favorite so far. I loved the female main character, Olivia, and how she comes to really learn about her true self. The twist with the male main character, Daniel, near the end, was a huge surprise - but one that added a great turn of events. The story is a fun and fast read, filled with great recipes and lots of fun romance between Olivia and Daniel! Highly recommend!