Review of “The Baking Games” by Rachel Hanna: A Perfect Recipe for Romance and Competition @RachelHannaBook @Dreamscapeaudio

In The Baking Games, a woman competes for a life-changing prize while faking a romance with her culinary rival.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to Dreamscape Select and Netgalley for the ARC of this audiobook. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Summary:

In The Baking Games, Savannah Greene enters a high-stakes competition to win $200,000 and secure her sister’s future. But her plan is disrupted by the presence of her grudge-holding ex-boyfriend Connor and her former culinary school rival Rhett Jennings. Forced into a fake relationship with Rhett to boost viewer ratings, Savannah begins to question whether their growing connection is genuine or just part of the game. As the competition heats up, so do her feelings, leaving her to choose between the prize and a potential new love.

My Thoughts:

If you’re a fan of reality TV and cooking, like I am, then “The Baking Games” by Rachel Hanna is a must-read. The premise alone—a high-stakes baking competition with a dash of romance—had me hooked from the start, and I was not disappointed.

Savannah Greene is a character I connected with immediately. Thrust into adulthood after the loss of her mother, Savannah’s motivation for entering The Baking Games is clear and compelling: to win the $200,000 prize that will secure her younger sister’s future. The bonus? Escaping her mundane job at a grocery store bakery. Her journey is both heartwarming and intense, pulling you into the story from the very first page.

The competition is fierce, and the diversity of Savannah’s fellow competitors keeps things interesting. Among them are two men from her past—Connor, her untrustworthy ex-boyfriend, and Rhett, her biggest rival from culinary school. The dynamic between these three adds an extra layer of tension to the story. However, it’s Maggie, a 65-year-old contestant, who truly shines as a supporting character. Maggie’s warmth and wisdom provide Savannah with much-needed grounding in the cutthroat environment of the competition.

As the competition progresses, Savannah and Rhett realize that the audience’s involvement in judging could be a game-changer. In a strategic move, they decide to create a fake relationship to boost their popularity. Hanna’s use of this romance trope is executed with humour and charm, making the evolving relationship between Savannah and Rhett feel authentic and engaging.

The Narration:

I listened to the audiobook version narrated by Anne-Michael Smith. While I appreciated her enthusiasm and the lovely tone of her voice, I did encounter a few challenges. The lack of distinct voices for different characters sometimes made it difficult to follow who was speaking, especially when coupled with the lack of a pause when the point of view shifted within a chapter. It felt like the character’s name was just part of a sentence, which occasionally disrupted the flow of the story.

Final Thoughts:

“The Baking Games” is an immersive read that combines the excitement of a baking competition with a heartfelt romance. It’s a story about taking risks, not just in the kitchen, but in life and love. Savannah’s journey, both in the competition and in her personal growth, is one that I found both entertaining and inspiring. If you enjoy stories that mix culinary challenges with emotional depth, this book is definitely worth adding to your reading list.

Another Book I’ve Reviewed Written by Rachel Hanna:

Sea Glass Summer