Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake has been a source of comfort and delight during a challenging week, and I implore anyone with a love of GBBO and messy stories of love and self-discovery to grab a copy, a cuppa and a favorite sweet treat for a decidedly delicious afternoon.

While I expected to love the book (I’ve adored everything I’ve ever read by Hall and am enough of a Bake Off fan to have watched multiple versions), its ability to keep my skittering brain focused on the scent of gougères not the smoke of wildfire burning neighboring hillsides was a welcome surprise. The novel so thoroughly pulled me out of my anxiety spin and into Rosaline’s hilarious romps, wrenching missteps, and burgeoning self-actualization that I nearly woke the household with outbursts of laughter, outrage and delight.

True to the title, it’s very much Rosaline’s story and focuses on her struggles to tease out what she wants, personally and professionally, from what she’s been acculturated to believe she should. The romance arc echoes that struggle with love interests who reflect aspects of her personality, values and goals. Alain is erudite and accomplished, everything her wealthy, intellectual parents want for her. He has a quick wit to match her own and pushes her to reclaim the prestigious trajectory she abandoned to raise her daughter. In contrast, Harry is unpolished and a bit awkward, but also steady, competent and kind. Like Rosaline, he values simple pleasures and time spent with family and friends. While one relationship races forward on a track laid in childhood, the other builds slowly as Rosaline excavates her classist assumptions and gains confidence in her own talents and life choices.

In addition to Hall’s wickedly funny dialogue and expertly drawn characters, the book offers a refreshing focus on Rosaline’s identity as a bisexual woman and challenges common forms of biphobia ranging from heteronormative standards in early childhood education to the conflation of bisexuality with promiscuity and the fetishization of bi women. The result is a blend of humor and depth I found deeply satisfying.

🔥: mostly low with one beautifully intimate love scene that includes toy play, A+ communication and non P/V sex

Rating: 4.5/A-