Book Review - The Vintage Village Bake Off by Judy Leigh - #HolidayReading Cruise

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Title: The Vintage Village Bake Off

Author: Judy Leigh

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 4th December 2023

Rating: 4 Stars

Now in his seventies, Robert Parkin is stunned to find himself the unlikely sex symbol of the village gardening club.

Living in happy solitude with his cat Isaac Mewton in the Devon village of Millbrook, entertained by his mischievous chickens and goats, Robert has never figured out the rules of romance. But as the local ladies vie for his company, it soon becomes clear that Robert’s Victoria Sponge cake is the lure, and as his baking prowess grows, so does his confidence.

Cheesecakes, meringues, puddings, Robert can do it all, but his real masterpieces are his scones – ginger, rosemary, coconut, fruit, his recipes are inspired and soon come to the attention of the local media. Which county does the best cream tea – Devon or Cornwall? It’s time for an age-old debate to be settled with a competition.

Robert’s sisters Bunty and Hattie are both at crossroads in their lives, so news of their brother’s baking competition is the perfect excuse to bring them to Millbrook. And as the siblings relish each other’s company, and Robert relishes being at the heart of his community, a summer of scones may just light the way to long-lasting happiness for them all.

Enjoy Judy Leigh’s wonderful world of family, friendship and feasting in this perfect feel-good story for all fans of Maddie Please, Dawn French and Caroline James.

Will definitely have you craving scones and whether you put the jam or butter on first, you will be salivating at some of Robert's scone descriptions. 

I loved how different Robert, Bunty and Harriet are as siblings, and yet as they spend some extended time together in Devon, they soon realise just how great each other are. 

I loved the three different stories, Robert of first proper love ever, Bunty with her mistake and true love, and Harriet finally finding her feet and possibly a new man, after being free of her old controlling husband. 

It's another lovely story featuring the more mature in life characters that Judy Leigh specialises in.  The actual bake off aspect is rather small, but it is part of a much bigger and far more heartwarming overarching story. 

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.