Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake

I didn't think it was possible for Alexis Hall to improve upon last summer's [b:Boyfriend Material 50225678 Boyfriend Material Alexis Hall https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1575987260l/50225678.SX50.jpg 73590298], but this book might be even better. And I say that as someone who has never watched an episode of The Great British Baking Show, which is obviously the inspiration for the baking competition that the titular Rosaline enters, so I'm not here for the recipes. Rosaline Palmer is the single mother of a (slightly too precocious) eight year old daughter. Both of her parents are successful physicians and ever since she dropped out of medical school to raise her child she has felt like an aimless disappointment. Will winning Bake Expectations finally make her more successful in their eyes? Or are there different ways to define success? And can she afford the distraction of several potential suitors? Of course the book is funny; almost all books by this author have that wondrously wry British sense of humor. But it's also warmer and sweeter than much of his previous work. And I'm impressed that Hall does such a good job at crafting a queer female narrator; other than his Kate Kane series ([b:Iron & Velvet 53102606 Iron & Velvet (Kate Kane, Paranormal Investigator, #1) Alexis Hall https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1560489416l/53102606.SX50_SY75.jpg 25492234], etc.), his MCs have primarily identified as male. Rosaline's bisexuality plays an important role in the plot, and Hall clearly understands the potential damage of bisexual stereotypes, despite the fact that both of his heroine's love interests are male.This book is so good that it even made me not completely hate love triangles. It's pretty easy to identify the right guy for Rosaline vs. the dickwad, but there are enough lovely, charged, and sweet interactions between Rosaline and Mr. Right that I didn't mind she was sleeping with Mr. Wrong for most of the book. Plus even though I know nothing about GBBS, I loved the reality show competition. Week by week, Rosaline's wins and near-losses are dramatically contrasted to the fates of the other contestants, some of whom I couldn't wait to get rid of, and others whose departure I mourned. Bonus points for the cheerfully profane producer who livens up the page every time she finds new ways to terrorize anyone who annoys her (and that's everyone). The book is worth the price just for the hilarious Discussion Questions which Hall helpfully provides. And for those who care, there are a few recipes, written very much in the style of the contestants who provide them. I've been reading Alexis Hall ever since his 2013 debut novel, [b:Glitterland 39332293 Glitterland (Spires, #1) Alexis Hall https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1521574094l/39332293.SY75.jpg 24797122], and he just keeps getting better and better. I'm so glad he has found mainstream publisher success without having to change his voice or style.